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Sakayanagi Arisu walked gracefully ahead, leaning on her cane, her silver short hair gleaming coldly in the dim corridor light.
Ryuuen Kakeru's tall figure loomed over her. The two, one in front and one behind, silently passed through the main school building, finally turning into a secluded corridor in a corner, rarely frequented by people.
The air was filled with a faint scent of dust, and a few rays of the afternoon sun streamed through the high transom window, illuminating the fine dust motes floating in the air.
Sakayanagi-san stopped in the center of the classroom, turned elegantly, and her gaze calmly fell on Ryuuen's face.
"It's quiet enough here, Student Ryuuen."
She smiled slightly, her voice still soft, but with a subtle sharpness that was hard to detect.
"Let me introduce myself, I am Sakayanagi Arisu, Class 1-A."
"Hmph, Ryuuen Kakeru, Class C."
Ryuuen's hands were in his pockets, his chin slightly raised, his eyes as sharp as a hawk's, sweeping over the silver-haired girl before him with unconcealed scrutiny and an air of condescending pressure.
"Cut the chatter, Sakayanagi-san. You want to target Sakamoto-kun? How do you plan to do it? And what exactly do you want?"
He didn't believe that someone from Class 1-A would seek out a "dangerous element" like him from Class C for no reason.
Sakayanagi-san didn't answer directly. She gently stroked the smooth top of her cane, her gaze drifting out the window, as if admiring some scenery:
"Sakamoto-kun is truly like a pebble dropped into a calm lake. In just two days, the ripples have spread throughout the entire school. Class 1-A is no exception. Perhaps there are still a few in the class who are indifferent to his 'performance,' or even think it's grandstanding... But from my observation, this 'indifference,' in the face of Sakamoto-kun's peculiar charm and absolute strength, probably won't last long."
She withdrew her gaze and looked directly at Ryuuen.
"When everyone is drawn to him, and captivated by his elegant and composed demeanor, trying to shake his position will be as difficult as ascending to heaven."
"So?"
Ryuuen frowned impatiently.
"What do you want me to do? Help you beat him up? That guy is very slippery. Brute force or petty tricks don't seem to work on him."
He admitted his defeat at the cafeteria, but his eyes remained calm, even carrying a hint of mockery.
"However, since you've come to me, I presume you have a more clever scheme?"
"Student Ryuuen is indeed perceptive."
Sakayanagi-san nodded approvingly, her smile deepening, yet devoid of warmth.
"This is precisely why I sought you out. Since these methods cannot touch his core, then a deeper level of probing is required—to touch his bottom line, uncover his weaknesses, and investigate the true self that might exist beneath his perfect facade."
"Probe? How do we probe?"
Ryuuen narrowed his eyes, intrigued, but his vigilance was at its peak.
Sakayanagi-san didn't answer directly. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her silver hair falling over her shoulder:
"Student Ryuuen, since you believe that violence and petty tricks are ineffective against him, what kind of 'non-violent' methods would you use to test his bottom line and weaknesses? I'm very interested to hear your insights."
She cleverly tossed the question back to Ryuuen, guiding him to proactively propose concrete plans.
Ryuuen's eyes flickered, and a cold smile played on his lips.
Trying to trick me into talking? He wasn't a naive fool who could be easily led by the nose.
He scrutinized Sakayanagi-san, and after a moment, he spoke slowly, his tone imbued with the confidence of someone in control of the situation:
"Hmph, of course there are methods. For example, create situations where he has no choice but to violate rules or reveal his true intentions; for example, use inter-class competition to force him to make choices, to see how he weighs collective interests against personal principles; or, observe how he reacts when faced with pure malice that cannot be resolved."
"Oh?"
Sakayanagi-san let out a soft sigh, with just the right amount of interest.
"Student Ryuuen's thinking is very clear. These methods certainly sound very 'constructive.'"
"So?"
Ryuuen pressed, his eyes burning.
"How do you plan to cooperate? Just listening to me isn't enough; show me your sincerity."
"Of course, it's not a one-sided transaction."
Sakayanagi-san's smile remained.
"Since it's a collaboration, I will naturally provide appropriate compensation."
She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice.
"For example, some information about the 's system'? I know that your Class C, or rather, you, Student Ryuuen, are probably still in the exploratory stage regarding the operating mechanism of this system, aren't you?"
Ryuuen's eyes instantly became incredibly sharp! The s system! That peculiar special mechanism of this school that he found so strange.
He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and asked calmly:
"Oh? What information?"
"The value of information naturally needs to be exchanged with value."
Sakayanagi-san straightened up, resuming her air of being in control of everything.
"My proposal is—you purchase it with points."
"Purchase?"
Ryuuen raised an eyebrow; this was unexpected.
"Precisely."
Sakayanagi-san nodded.
"At Koudo Ikusei High School, points can buy anything, and information is certainly no exception. This is very reasonable, and very 'compliant,' isn't it?"
A cunning curve played on her lips.
"Moreover, to ensure the fairness and 'legality' of the transaction, I suggest we find a teacher later to witness it. This way, both you and I will be protected."
Ryuuen's mind raced.
Buying information with points? On the surface, this indeed seemed like a legitimate transaction that students could engage in.
But he knew Sakayanagi-san's true intentions.
However, this was a good cover. And, if he could use this opportunity to make an appearance in front of the teachers and showcase Ryuuen Kakeru's "intellect" and "negotiating skills," it would undoubtedly greatly enhance his prestige and dominance in Class C! This was crucial for him to consolidate Class C and establish non-violent rule!
"Alright."
Ryuuen nodded, his eyes glinting with calculation.
"But what about the price? What's the value of the information? Don't try to fool me."
"Don't worry, Student Ryuuen."
Sakayanagi-san's smile carried a hint of genuine pretense.
"To show my sincerity, and to make you believe in the value of my information, I will, in front of the teachers, tell you a part of the basic mechanism of S points."
She paused, observing Ryuuen's reaction, and continued:
"As for more specific and core information, you will need to purchase it with points. As for the price, we can discuss it in front of the teachers, based on the depth and timeliness of the information."
Ryuuen understood.
Sakayanagi-san was playing the trick of "information layering"! Revealing basic information in front of the teachers would both prove that she indeed possessed S point information and demonstrate her "willingness to share," while simultaneously holding the most core mechanisms tightly in her hand as leverage for future transactions!
This woman, her thoughts are deep enough! Ryuuen sneered inwardly.
As expected of someone in the same class as Sakamoto-kun? She has something. But this makes it even more interesting!
"Hmph, fine."
Ryuuen snorted coldly.
"Consider the basic information a welcoming gift. I'll buy the rest with points. But remember, if the information isn't worth the price, the transaction can be terminated at any time."
"Of course."
Sakayanagi-san smiled and nodded.
"Then, shall we go find Mashima-sensei from Class 1-A and Sakagami-sensei from Class C for a simple 'witnessing'? This way, it will both prove the 'compliance' of our transaction and allow the teachers to see that the 'representatives' of our two classes are actively engaging in 'positive interaction' and 'information exchange.'"
"Alright."
Ryuuen agreed decisively.
"But Sakayanagi-san, you'd better make sure your information is genuine."
"Don't worry, Student Ryuuen."
Sakayanagi-san's smile held a subtle, profound meaning.
"In front of the teachers, I will naturally produce 'substance.' However..."
Before she finished speaking, under Ryuuen's gaze, she very naturally took out her phone from her school uniform pocket, tapped the screen lightly with her fingertip, and then showed it to Ryuuen—the screen clearly displayed "Recording in progress," and the time had already been ticking for nearly ten minutes!
"Heh."
Ryuuen let out a short chuckle, the playfulness and mockery in his eyes instantly magnified, without the slightest panic, but rather with an "as expected" understanding.
"Recording? Sakayanagi-san, you're truly adorably cautious."
His tone was lighthearted, even carrying a hint of admiration.
"What? Are you afraid I'll default on my debt? Or afraid I'll turn my back on you afterwards?"
He crossed his arms, his posture relaxed, as if watching an interesting performance.
"Don't move, Student Ryuuen."
Sakayanagi-san's voice instantly dropped to an icy tone, her cane tapping the ground lightly, emitting a clear and warning sound.
"This recording has already been uploaded to the cloud in real-time. More importantly…"
She paused deliberately, a cold arc forming on her lips,
"What do you think will be the key point of this recording?"
Ryuuen shrugged indifferently:
"The key point? Of course, it's how I, Ryuuen Kakeru, 'conceived' a way to deal with Sakamoto, right? And you, Sakayanagi-san, were just 'listening' the whole time, at most a 'keen observer,' right?"
He precisely exposed Sakayanagi's intention.
"This is called risk transfer, Student Ryuuen."
Sakayanagi put away her phone, regaining her elegant and composed demeanor,
"I merely proposed a concept of 'possibility.' It was you—Student Ryuuen Kakeru—who actively and meticulously devised the specific 'probing' methods, even including 'malicious' tactics that might violate the spirit of school rules. This recording perfectly captures your 'intense interest' and 'unique insights' regarding the excellent Class A student, Sakamoto-kun."
"As for the S-points information exchange I promised?"
Sakayanagi's smile carried a hint of pity,
"In the recording, that was just my response to your 'eagerness to learn,' part of the 'positive interaction' between our two classes. Who would suspect a Class A student 'sharing' some public information with a Class C student? Moreover, we're about to go find a teacher to 'witness' this 'positive interaction,' aren't we?"
Ryuuen's smile didn't change at all; instead, it grew even wilder:
"Tsk tsk tsk… Sakayanagi, your 'borrowed knife to kill' tactic is truly impressive! Using my mouth to speak your thoughts, and in the end, you manage to emerge completely clean?"
Not only was he not enraged, but he even applauded, his eyes filled with excitement and a desire for conquest!
"However…"
Ryuuen's tone shifted, carrying a chilling sense of pressure, as he looked directly at Sakayanagi,
"You seem to have misunderstood something."
He took a step closer, his tall figure almost engulfing Sakayanagi in shadow, his voice deep and powerful:
"This recording means nothing to me, Ryuuen Kakeru!"
Sakayanagi's gaze sharpened slightly.
Ryuuen's lips curved into an ambitious, almost sinister smile:
"You think you can control me with such a petty trick? Sakayanagi, you underestimate me too much."
"You want to play, and I'll play to the end! Sakayanagi, listen carefully to me—"
Ryuuen's voice was decisive, carrying an undeniable resolve:
"My goal, Ryuuen Kakeru, has never been just one Sakamoto!"
"You, Sakayanagi Arisu, the 'Class A traitor' who extended an olive branch to me, along with your entire Class A…"
He pointed a finger, vaguely at Sakayanagi, and said word by word:
"Are all steps for me to trample underfoot!"
"This recording? You can keep it! It will only remind me that the people in Class A are nothing but schemers! Once I consolidate Class C and crush Sakamoto, you're next!"
After Ryuuen finished speaking, he didn't wait for Sakayanagi's reaction. He turned and strode towards the corridor exit, his back straight, exuding an arrogant aura of burning bridges and looking down on everything.
Sakayanagi stood in place, watching Ryuuen's figure disappear into the light and shadow, the playful curve of her lips slowly deepening.
"Interesting…"
She murmured softly, tapping the top of her cane with her fingertip,
"It seems this fellow from Class C is more intriguing than expected. Well, the bigger the stage, the more spectacular the show."
Leaning on her cane, she also calmly left the corridor.
Kamuro Masumi held her breath, pressing tightly against the cold wall of the corner, her purple eyes filled with unprecedented shock.
She had tracked them all the way here, and although she couldn't hear every word clearly, she had a general idea of the key parts.
Sakayanagi Arisu, her classmate, was not only plotting against Sakamoto-kun but also using sinister methods to manipulate students from other classes?
And that Ryuuen from Class C, he was so arrogant, not only unafraid of threats but also openly declaring that he would trample Sakayanagi and the entire Class A underfoot?!
Kamuro watched the direction where Sakayanagi and Ryuuen had disappeared, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
Should she tell him? Tell him that beneath his elegant and composed demeanor, he had been targeted by a meticulous and chillingly venomous snake in the shadows? And should she also tell him that Ryuuen from Class C also regarded him and the entire Class A as prey?
A fierce struggle flashed in her purple eyes.
Sakamoto-kun, could he resist such schemes?
If she got involved… would she also be swept into this storm?
Finally, she bit her lower lip, quietly turned, and merged into the shadows of the corridor, leaving behind only a hesitant silhouette.
Sakamoto-kun… Sakayanagi… Ryuuen… An invisible web woven from schemes, ambition, and deadly traps was quietly tightening. And the elegant figure at the center of the storm remained oblivious.
That figure had now arrived outside the Student Council office.