It was the first break on Monday morning, right after the weekend. Mamoru found himself standing outside Class D's classroom—alone.
He had come with a specific purpose: to meet someone.
(Still… it's tricky when I don't even know what they look like.)
Unlike during lunch, most students stayed in their classrooms during short breaks. That made it easier to find people, but the issue was Mamoru didn't know who exactly he was looking for.
(It'd be easier to ask someone like Kamuro or Hashimoto, but if word got back to Arisu, that'd be a pain... Ugh, what a hassle)
The last thing he wanted was Sakayanagi catching wind of what he was doing. Quietly, he peered into the room, scanning the students. A few of them looked friendly enough—easier to approach, at least.
Just then, a boy stepped out into the hallway, probably heading to the bathroom. Mamoru approached quickly.
"Hey, sorry to bother you—can I talk to you for a second?"
"Huh? Oh, you're Gojo-kun, right? From Class A?"
Mamoru blinked. The boy recognized him. He was getting used to that lately—people knowing his name even when he had no idea who they were. It was unsettling, but not worth reacting to anymore.
"Yeah, that's me. Actually, I'm looking for someone from Class D—Hirata-kun or Kushida-san. Could you call one of them for me? I'd rather not stand out too much."
The boy gave a brief, puzzled pause, then smiled.
"Ah, that's me. Hirata Yosuke. Nice to meet you"
Mamoru stiffened slightly. That was easier than expected.
Even when approached so suddenly, Hirata remained composed and friendly. His social skills were impressive—Mamoru could see why others seemed to trust him.
"What can I help you with? Should I call Kushida-san too?"
"No, I'd prefer to speak with you alone. Here."
Mamoru pulled a folded letter from his pocket and handed it to Hirata.
"...What's this?"
"I've written everything in there. I'd appreciate it if you read it in private. I'll be on the rooftop after school tomorrow—until five. If anything in there catches your attention, come find me."
It wasn't a normal kind of interaction, especially not from someone in Class A. Suspicion would've been a natural response—but Hirata, ever polite, didn't show any discomfort.
"Haha… this almost sounds like a love letter, the way you put it."
Mamoru offered a faint smile. "Don't worry. I don't swing that way."
He recognized the joke for what it was—a casual deflection to lighten the mood. He didn't mind.
"If you're not interested, feel free to ignore it. Sorry for stopping you."
He turned quickly, not wanting to linger and attract attention.
"Ah—yeah. See you later, Gojo-kun."
Hirata didn't press for details. There wasn't enough time for it anyway.
(So that's Class D...)
As he walked away, Mamoru reflected on Hirata's impression. Nothing about him seemed off—if anything, he came across as sincere and dependable.
People like that being in Class D meant either they were poor at studying… or they had some kind of baggage.
(If it's the latter… things might get messy.)
If the class had a strong, capable leader but one carrying internal instability, then the whole group could collapse at any moment.
(Well, I'm not babysitting anyone. Let's see what happens.)
Mamoru sighed, recalling the conversation he'd had with Fuka just the day before.
◆◇◆
"You're planning to give past exam questions to Class D?"
"Yeah."
Fuka blinked, puzzled, but Mamoru nodded without hesitation.
Instead of immediately questioning him, she tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Hmm… trying to use them as a bargaining chip?"
"I'll offer them at a high price first. But if things go well, I don't mind handing them over for free."
"This doesn't sound like something related to class competition. From a sorcerer's perspective... does that mean Class D is becoming too unstable to ignore?"
"Close enough. But doesn't mean it will be more than hassle case. Fuka-san, do you know the current status of 1-D?"
"Yeah, even us second- and third-years hear about it. Class A's reputation is the highest it's ever been, and Class D's is rock bottom."
She leaned back with a sigh, quickly catching his meaning.
"I see… If negative emotions really can create curses, then the way things are going in D-Class could be dangerous."
One of the reasons Mamoru could speak so openly was because Fuka understood things without excessive explanation.
(At least I won't be mocked for being concerned about others.)
"Exactly. That said, I'm not here to fix their problems. This school is designed to test people—any help I give would be temporary."
"Right. So what's your goal?"
"I want to test their mindset. It'd be pointless to step in every time they struggle. I want to know if they can recover on their own. If not… then we'll need to start watching them more carefully."
If things continued to spiral, Class D could easily become a hotspot for curses—either generating them or drawing them in.
But constantly intervening wasn't sustainable. Real change had to come from within.
"So basically, you're testing their leaders. You'll give them the past exam questions and see how they respond."
"Exactly. I've been hoping for some kind of contact with Class D, and this was the perfect chance. That's why I'm actually thankful for the materials."
Fuka raised an eyebrow.
"What if they've already given up on themselves? Or worse—what if they have the ambition but not the ability?"
Mamoru shrugged.
"Doesn't matter. I don't intend to interfere either way. I just want to change how we view Class D based on the outcome. If something happens later, the way we respond could make all the difference."
"Fair enough. Still, won't this look bad if your class finds out?"
"It might. But honestly, most of Class A doesn't pay attention to the other classes right now. As long as I'm discreet, the risk is low."
"And even if someone does find out?"
"With the current gap between A and D, it's not like they'll think I'm plotting anything dangerous. I'll lose some trust, maybe, but I can earn it back with results in the next exam."
Fuka gave him a dry smile.
"I see. So even when you lend a hand, you're still keeping your distance. That's very you."
Mamoru didn't reply. He simply returned her look with a calm gaze.
"Now the question is—where should we meet?"
"If you're planning a secret meeting, how about the place I called you to before?"
It was the spot behind the school where Kaede had invited Mamoru previously. The area was secluded and rarely visited—perfect for a quiet, private conversation.
However, upon hearing her suggestion, Mamoru let out a small groan and scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"That place is a bit..."
Noticing his discomfort, Fuka leaned in slightly, her voice laced with amusement as she smirked.
"What, you don't want to tarnish the sacred place where we first met?"
(Sigh, this girl...)
"Don't say that. It's just... that spot doesn't have any security cameras, so it might make the other person more suspicious."
"Aw, don't reject it so harshly. You'll hurt my delicate maiden heart."
"If you're going to play the maiden, maybe you should act a little more reserved. Can you let go already?"
"Hmph, what are you saying? If that's what you're worried about, then no matter how cautious I am, you'd still get me in the end. Besides, you're not the type to blush just from someone holding your hand, are you? Master."
(Is she still holding a grudge about me calling her a novice back during the kissing scene movie...)
Fuka grinned with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Mamoru immediately regretted opening his mouth.
He could've pulled his hand away by force if he wanted to—but the way Kaede gripped it, he might've ended up hurting her. That's how tight her hold was.
Sighing in surrender, Mamoru loosened his arm and let his head droop a little.
Seemingly satisfied with his response, Fuka stopped teasing and returned to the main topic.
"Well, it is a good place to talk without drawing attention... but maybe the rooftop is better.
It's usually empty after school, and not many people hang out there. There's only one security camera. Even if it records audio, as long as we keep our distance, the content of the conversation won't be caught."
"Got it. Let's go with that, then."
It was solid advice—but after being teased so mercilessly just moments ago, Mamoru couldn't bring himself to thank her properly and settled for a vague reply.
(I didn't want to get involved in class disputes… so how did I end up tangled in them like this?)
Mamoru had never been eager to participate in the class war. Helping students from other classes while remaining neutral was starting to wear him down.
***
"Are we having another study session at the library today?"
After school in Class D's classroom, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji casually asked the girl sitting beside him—Suzune horikita.
"Yes. I've already informed Sudou and the others. Make sure you show up on time."
Horikita delivered her instructions in her usual, condescending tone. Ayanokoji had gotten used to this attitude by now, though it still made him feel slightly melancholic.
Just then, a male student approached them.
"Sorry to interrupt, Horikita-san. Do you have a moment?"
It was the class's central figure, Yousuke Hirata.
Friendly and sociable by nature, Hirata was the polar opposite of Horikita, who struggled with interpersonal communication. Naturally, the two didn't mesh well. Being approached so directly by someone like him made Horikita frown with visible annoyance.
"What is it? I have a study session soon, so if you need something, make it quick."
She replied curtly, clearly unenthusiastic. Hirata looked momentarily troubled.
"Sorry. I want to discuss something... but I'd rather not have others listening in. Can we talk somewhere more private?"
He spoke in a lowered voice, casting a glance toward Ayanokoji. Horikita's expression immediately shifted to suspicion.
Sensing her distrust, Hirata hurriedly clarified.
"It's about the midterm exams."
"Then why not just say it here?"
Horikita rejected his request without hesitation. In response, Hirata reluctantly pulled a folded paper from his pocket.
"Please take a look at this."
Horikita accepted the paper cautiously and read it. Ayanokoji couldn't see the contents, but the look on Horikita's face grew increasingly serious.
"This is..."
"What's it say?" Ayanokoji asked.
Without answering, Horikita handed the paper to him.
Hirata stepped forward in protest.
"Wait, Horikita-san. That's—"
"Unfortunately, I don't trust you. And I trust him even less. If this is some kind of setup to lure me out, there's no way I'm going without him."
While she likely didn't suspect Hirata of any real wrongdoing, she also wasn't willing to act like Ayanokoji wasn't already involved.
Hirata, despite the bluntness of her words, didn't show any anger. He simply nodded in quiet resignation.
Ayanokoji took the paper and looked it over.
**We will teach you how to avoid failing the midterm exams. If you're interested, come to the school rooftop tomorrow after school. Please keep this quiet. Only two people may accompany you.**
"...This is..."
Ayanokoji looked up from the letter and toward Hirata.
"Mind if I give my opinion?"
"Not at all."
"I don't agree with this, though..." Horikita muttered.
Ayanokoji glanced at her, but she only responded with a smug little smile.
"Now that you've read it, you're involved."
"You're the one who handed it to me."
"Oh? I never told you to read it."
(Come on... that's such a weak excuse.)
True, she hadn't said to read it. But still... Ayanokoji sighed. Arguing would get him nowhere. Besides, he was curious about the letter's contents.
Quietly, he followed them out of the classroom.
They wandered for a bit before settling in a quiet corner far from any foot traffic. It wasn't the most secluded spot, but it would do.
"So, why come to me about this?" Horikita asked, cutting straight to the point.
Ayanokoji was also wondering. She and Hirata weren't exactly close.
"At first, I considered talking to Kushida-san.
But if this letter is genuine, the people who need it most right now are Sudou-kun and the others.
I know this might sound rude, but..."
"...No, you're right."
Horikita nodded, acknowledging the reality.
She'd been holding hopeless study sessions for Class D students at risk of failing. While progress had been made, it was far from a guarantee they'd all pass.
"I understand why you brought it to me. But what do you think about it? This suspicious letter?"
"...I don't believe there's a convenient way to magically avoid failure. But depending on who it came from… I can't rule it out."
"The sender? Do you know who gave you the letter?"
"It was Gojo Mamoru, from Class A."
"Class A?"
Horikita latched onto the class designation, but Hirata's tone had emphasized the person more than the class. Curious, Ayanokoji spoke up.
"Is he some kind of celebrity?"
"In a way.
He's not the most sociable, but he's polite, respectful. But more importantly… remember what Chabashira-sensei said at the beginning of the year? That one student in Class A guessed the school's entire setup on the first day?"
"...Don't tell me—"
Horikita's eyes widened slightly. She already knew what Hirata was about to say.
"Yeah. That was him. After that, I asked around during club activities. His name kept coming up."
"Gojo Mamoru..."
Horikita repeated the name quietly, as if testing how it felt. It was no secret she was obsessed with catching up to Class A. The idea of someone making such a big impression right out of the gate clearly weighed on her.
"If anyone noticed a loophole in the test, it'd be someone like him."
"Even so, what's his goal? Why share that info with us? It reeks of a trap." Horikita said coldly.
"That possibility exists. But when I spoke to him, he didn't seem like the type to look down on others."
"You're far too quick to trust people."
Horikita's sharp rebuke struck hard. Hirata looked frustrated—unable to fully explain why he believed Gojo.
"What do you think, Ayanokoji-kun?"
Maybe tired of talking to Hirata, Horikita turned to Ayanokoji.
"It's true you shouldn't trust someone you just met. But… isn't it too early to assume it's a trap?"
"What do you mean?"
"Suppose they're offering a deal—like, 'We'll help you in exchange for points.' That kind of trade would benefit both sides."
"Even so, there's no way to know if the method works until the test results come in. Giving away that kind of info could backfire."
"We can decide that after hearing what they have to say. What Hirata's asking is simple—will you accept the invitation or not?"
As if backing him up, Hirata nodded.
"Exactly. I don't plan to go alone. There's always a chance I could make a poor judgment call. That's why I wanted someone I trust to come along."
"Even if it's a trap, we'll get to see Gojo Mamoru face-to-face. Wouldn't it be worthwhile just to see what kind of person he is?" Ayanokoji added.
"...You're more talkative than usual."
"You asked for my opinion. I'm just stating it objectively."
In truth, Ayanokoji was intrigued by Gojo Mamoru.
A person who saw through the school system on day one. Someone who might operate on a level even he couldn't fully predict.
What was his real intent?
"...Fine. Let's go and hear what he has to say. Just the three of us."
Though she looked conflicted, Horikita ultimately agreed.