Chapter 65: Nanki'in Sakuya's Secret
"This morning's homeroom also needs to decide something. Namely, class monitor and duel committee member positions."
Duel committee?
Probably similar to a study committee position—basically like vice class monitor.
Within the silent, serious classroom space, everyone lowered their heads, not daring to meet Homeroom Teacher Kondo's gaze, fearing eye contact.
"Any volunteers?"
Kondo Tsuyoshi's voice carried veteran teachers' characteristic depth, even triggering Amano's high school memories from eighteen years ago. This made Amano instinctively lower his head too.
"Teacher, I'll volunteer as class monitor!"
Hey, which eager beaver was this? The voice sounded really familiar.
"Nanki'in-san, is it?"
Even on his first day meeting the class, Kondo immediately recognized Nanki'in Sakuya. People with identity and background truly were different.
"Very good. Nanki'in Sakuya-san has volunteered for class monitor duties. Anyone competing against her?"
"..."
Another pin-drop silence.
"Alright, since nobody's running, our District 15 Class 1-E's monitor is provisionally Nanki'in Sakuya-san. The monitor will now host homeroom in my place and conduct duel committee elections."
Very old-school teaching style. After selecting the monitor, Kondo sat in a classroom corner holding his thermos.
"Now then, which student wishes to serve as duel committee member?"
Compared to Kondo's deep male voice and stern appearance that made students tremble during direct eye contact—
Nanki'in Sakuya's crisp, pleasant girl's voice plus super-beautiful appearance matching public aesthetics instantly livened the classroom atmosphere.
"Being duel committee means working with the class monitor, right?"
"Working together with Nanki'in-san sounds pretty great."
"Crap, I kinda want to try."
"Forget it—with your skill level, you're qualified for duel committee?"
Though classroom atmosphere was slightly livelier than when Kondo hosted homeroom, still nobody dared actively volunteer for duties.
After waiting two minutes without volunteers, Nanki'in slowly spoke.
"Since nobody's willing, I'll designate someone."
Amano felt ominous premonition.
"Amano-san, you'll be duel committee member."
Bad premonition instantly confirmed!
Actually, if Amano didn't step up as duel committee member, others truly wouldn't dare self-recommend.
Everyone in Synchro Academy knew Amano had defeated Kaiba Chiha—who'd summoned three Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragons—during yesterday's entrance exam.
With such high dueling power, if you don't become duel committee member, Class E's others simply won't dare step forward.
Under everyone's earnest gazes, Amano could only helplessly stand, walking to the podium beside Nanki'in Sakuya.
"Very good, now that monitor and duel committee are decided." Kondo set down his thermos, clapping his rough palms. "Currently 6:50—prepare to head downstairs for morning exercises. Monitor maintains formation discipline, duel committee leads!"
Duelists actually had to run laps?
Predictably, dissatisfied grumbling arose in the classroom.
"Bodies are dueling capital! Future duel intensity will increase continuously. If you can't withstand even one direct attack before fainting, how can you duel? No complaining—everyone downstairs!"
Grumble though they might, under academy rule pressure, students obediently assembled downstairs.
Reaching the academy field, District 15's other class students had also gradually gathered.
Morning exercise content: five laps around the 400-meter track, totaling 2,000 meters.
For Amano, frequently performing manual labor in lower districts, this wasn't particularly difficult—even relaxing.
But for these mid-level district greenhouse flowers who'd adapted to comfortable middle school rhythms, Synchro Academy's sudden high pressure wasn't easily accepted.
Running along, Class E's formation scattered. Most couldn't keep pace with Amano leading at front.
As for those falling furthest behind...
Nanki'in Sakuya: "Amano, wait, wait up. I, I can't keep up. huff huff..."
Watching Nanki'in Sakuya at formation's rear, constantly panting, face pale—Amano never expected this.
You, a yakuza family young miss, have such poor physical condition?
She looked like a martial arts-type beautiful girl normally wearing katana at her waist. Yet she couldn't even complete two laps before giving up.
Your monitor position just started half an hour ago and you're already losing face. Speaking of which, if you're this exhausted, stop stubbornly carrying that katana while running—put it down!
No choice—Amano could only slow his pace slightly, making Sakuya's falling behind less conspicuous.
[Nanki'in Sakuya] [Affection +2]
This kind of increase?
Previously Sakuya's affection, even winning duels, only rose pitifully one or two points.
Yet just waiting for her slightly during running exercises produced +2 points.
Women's thoughts remained eternally difficult to guess.
After morning exercises came Synchro Academy's morning cultural classes. Afternoon arrangements were more special—preliminary entrance exams for cultural grades.
Not just monthly exams—even preliminary baseline tests. Amano grew increasingly familiar with this model.
Duel Academy's study content, besides cultural courses Amano studied in his previous life, included card game theory courses like "Card Theory," "Chain Calculations," "Environmental Game Theory"... occupying 50% of cultural class grades.
Honestly, these academy courses contained cards dug from deck corners Amano didn't even recognize.
After all, Yu-Gi-Oh!'s card pool exceeded ten thousand cards. Actually useful ones were extremely few.
Looking at the baseline test paper on his desk, even with previous life card game enthusiast experience, Amano couldn't guarantee perfect scores on such strange duel exams.
Of course, high scores remained easy.
However, while other Class E students were struggling, Amano's gaze caught Nanki'in Sakuya at the neighboring desk displaying composed confidence.
Could the yakuza young miss, though poor at athletics, actually excel at theory?
But after observing longer, Amano discovered Sakuya was only composed—half an hour into the exam, she hadn't even moved her pen.
"Tch tch~" Amano made clicking sounds, reminding Sakuya. She'd better hurry answering questions or wouldn't finish in time.
"Heh, stop rushing me, Amano." Still composed, Sakuya quietly responded. "I don't know a single question."
"..."
Then why are you pretending?!
Class monitor, first day and you're submitting blank papers?
Helplessly, Amano took advantage of Kondo drinking tea, quickly swapping his test paper with Sakuya's.
Well, wrongly accused this young miss—she wasn't planning blank submission.
Before every question, she'd neatly written "Solution."
She'd even written "Benevolence!" in the first major question's blank area.
Were you hoping teachers would give you two points seeing Nanki'in Family's face?
Conversely, receiving Amano's test paper, Sakuya looked at the neat, proper answers with eyes sparkling in surprise.
[Nanki'in Sakuya] [Affection +2] [Affection: 66]
Forget affection—Amano finally discovered certain truth.
Sakuya being assigned Class E wasn't due to her stated "something happened before."
She's just an idiot.