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Part 1

It's past six in the morning. A light BGM echoed through the room. It's coming from the speakers installed in the room so one doesn't even have to think about it to know that it's the signal for us to get out of bed.

The room is still dark and I couldn't see sunlight pouring in from beyond the thin curtain.
"What the hell.....keep it down".
It was Ishizaki's first absentminded words of the morning.

There are students who didn't wake even after hearing that tone but here and there, they start putting on their glasses, sitting upright and slowly waking up.
"We're probably going to start with whatever's scheduled for this period today, aren't we?".
I heard Hashimoto whisper that from above my bed while sighing.
"For now, we should all get up. If even one of us is late, we might all get a demerit".
Keisei said so while putting on his jersey.

As long as we're living in the same room, joint responsibility is something we cannot avoid.
"Oi, Kouenji's not here".
"Good morning, gentlemen. Were you about to head out in search of me?".
Having worked up a bit of sweat on his forehead, Kouenji appeared with a pleasant smile on his face. Looks like he woke up before we did.

"Toilet? Doesn't look that way".
"Fufu. It was a good morning and so I had been carrying out my morning training, you see".
"What training? There's no telling what's waiting for us today. I can't approve of you pointlessly tiring yourself out".
Even if Keisei gives him a warning like that, he's not the kind of man who'd listen. On the contrary, he gave his rebuttal with a smile.
"This is nothing. Even after a training session, I possess incomparable stamina. Besides, if you cannot approve of this consumption of stamina then don't you think you should have warned the group of that yesterday?".
"That's.....because I didn't expect any training to be going on".
"No, no. When it comes to you, that won't fly. I remember sharing a room with you back on the cruise. You should have at least a slight recollection of the fact that I'm the kind of man who never skips out on training, isn't that right?".
Surely it's out of the question for you to not remember something like that. As though saying that, Kouenji spat those words out.
"Stop acting so high and mighty all the time, Kouenji".

It's not like he was trying to protect Keisei or anything but Ishizaki stood in front of Kouenji. From the election of our group's leader until now, Kouenji's been acting selfishly. It's understandable that the group would object strongly to that. He's probably already being treated as a disruptive element. There's no time.
The one thing I'd like to avoid is being late on the very first day. Nominally it would be someone like Hirata who'd make that call and guide the group.
However, seeing as how our group is clearly lacking a leader, that did not come to pass.
"Promise us, right here, that you'll be cooperative".

"What do you mean by promise to be cooperative? Does that mean you yourself feel loyalty towards this improvised group? I hardly see it that way".
"I don't want to cooperate either".
Ishizaki looks around. The prime reason for that being me and nothing else. He unintentionally ended up landing his gaze on me.
"Because of Class A. Does that reason not satisfy you?".
Hashimoto, who came down beside me, ended up receiving that gaze.
"Tch. It's not just A, it's all of them".

Lumping us all together like that, Ishizaki once again turned back to face Kouenji.
"Just like Red Hair-kun, you seem to be headed down a bad path. It's a pleasant feeling just watching you but it's getting old now that I have to interact with you directly. Rather than minding me, shouldn't you be on your way to the assembly point? Before your incompetence gets revealed".
Kouenji may be the only one who has grasped the situation but considering the situation, it's like pouring fuel on a fire.

By using provocative words like that, it's clear that he's stoked Ishizaki's anger.
"Fine by me, you bastard!".
Ishizaki yelled. And then Keisei, who was made aware of it by Kouenji's remarks, checked the clock and panicked.
"There's not even five minutes left until assembly. Please leave the quarrelling for later".
"Not my problem. If we're late then it's his fault!".
Looks like a little bit of water won't be enough to extinguish the flames of Ishizaki's anger anymore now.

On the contrary, it seems to be gaining momentum. Keisei's keeping an eye on the situation to a certain extent and he can also make declarations on it.
However, he's not taking any action that'd take their feelings into account.
"You're a simple-minded person. That's why you've fallen to Class D".
Remarks that are just adding fuel to the fire are dropped this time by Yahiko. As for the rest, the Class B students are keeping a low profile and waiting for this whole situation to blow over.

"How unfortunate. I don't know whether we can make it with this group or not".
Beside me, Hashimoto sighed and lamented the situation.
"Well, can't be helped I guess".
Hashimoto said so. I thought he'd continue playing the role of the observer but he punched the wooden bed with his balled fist. All the other students, save for Kouenji, reacted to that sound.
"Let's calm down. I won't say it's a bad thing to quarrel and slug it out but this is hardly the place nor the time for it, right? Of course, if the furniture we're using gets damaged, it'll also become a matter of taking responsibility.
If our faces start swelling, we may be questioned on what happened too. Right?".

Creating a silence through making a sound without using his voice, Hashimoto said what needed to be said. Ishizaki, who had been yelling about how it's not his problem, now probably understands that this isn't the place for that.
"Glasses-kun over there, what's your name again?".
"Yukimura".
"That's right, it's exactly as Yukimura-kun said. There's no time. For now, tuck away your anger and let's head for the assembly, shall we? Then, we'll eat our breakfast and if your anger still hasn't abated by then, you're free to decide whether or not to slug it out again. That's what being in a group means, right?".

"...aren't you glad, Kouenji? You get to live for a while longer".
"Yeah, I'm really glad. Because I happen to be a pacifist after all".
Despite everything, this is to be expected of Class A I guess. I don't know where Hashimoto stands in the class's hierarchy but he brilliantly tided over the situation.
The match has been struck but at least somehow it didn't get as far as an explosion. While carrying a bomb with the fuse lit, we left the room.
And so students from across school years, having been separated into groups, gathered in one, single classroom.

Approximately 40 people. You could say it's almost like we make up a class. The 1st years all casually extend the morning's greetings to the 2nd and 3rd years.

Not too long afterwards, a teacher came into the classroom.
"I'm in charge of Class B from the 3rd year. The name's Onodera. I'll be performing a rollcall now and then you'll be heading outside and cleaning your designated areas. After that, you'll be cleaning the school building. This will be routine every morning. If it rains, you will be exempt from outside cleaning but since that means you'll be spending more time cleaning the school building, it's not like the time for this will decrease. And also, regarding lessons from today onwards, it won't be the school's teachers doing the teaching but rather individuals who teach various topics. Don't forget to welcome them properly and act politely".

After that short explanation, our group headed off to do some cleaning.

Part 2

The smell of grass coming from the tatami spread out before us tickled our noses.
A room that, for some reason, felt nostalgic to me was spread out before my eyes. The place the teacher escorted us to was a spacious area that looked like a dojo.
It looks like we'll be completing this task alongside some students from the other groups.
"Starting from today, this will be where you practice Zazen in the morning and in the evening".
"This shall be the first time I've done Zazen in my life".

The Professor said so casually from the other side but upon hearing those words, the man in charge of this task approached him.
"I-Is something the matter?".
The Professor, surprised by the overbearing pressure of the silence, asked that while looking up.
"Is that dialect something you're born with? Or perhaps it's related to your hometown?".
"That is not the case.....".

"Then you're not from the Muromachi period or the Edo period either right?".
"Huh? Of course that is not the case either.....".
"I see. Then I don't know why you're speaking like that but here that's a demerit for you. Take this chance to fix that ridiculous dialect of yours and grow up".
"W-What?".
"What will someone think if you speak that way to them on your first meeting. Or perhaps you'd like to me to explain it from that angle as well?".
I don't know why the Professor chooses to speak that way but even I could tell that it's intentional on his part.

In society.....or at least in a strict environment, he surely won't be permitted to speak that way.
It has nothing to do with rules or obligations but rather, it falls within the territory of 'morals' and 'manners'. Of course, it's possible for you to refuse to do so by claiming this is an idiosyncrasy of yours but only a minority of people could get away with that.
"Alright, listen up here. To be acknowledged, to be known, to prove that you're special and to act uncaringly of others. There are plenty of people like that. Not just youngsters but the elderly as well, now and then you get people like that".

The man in charge counsels the entire group in a strict tone of voice.
"I'm not saying to discard your individuality entirely in the face of society and you're free to express yourself. But what I'm trying to say is that once you enter society, you must never forget to be considerate of the feelings of others. Here we'll be conducting lessons that will have an effect on that sort of mindset. One of those lessons is Zazen. By holding your words and your actions in you will integrate yourself into the collective whole and be subsumed. Be considerate of others and finally think about it. What sort of person you are, what you are capable of".

Get it? As though saying that, the man in charge attentively directed his gaze at the Professor and then left.
"I have felt fea---no, I need to be careful".
He may not be able to ditch his dialect straight away but from now on, through repeatedly practicing Zazen, the Professor may be able to reflect on himself. On why he slipped into that dialect just now, that is.
The groups each take their seats and we received a simple explanation in this very room.
In this place, known as a Zazendo, we need to ball our fist, be it the left or the right one, and clutch it with the other hand at all times, whether we're walking or standing.

And we'll need to keep it at around the height of our solar plexus. It's a stance known as Shasyu.
Depending on which school we're talking about, you may need to use a specific hand to do the clutching but those schools and the such probably don't apply here.
Then we received one more explanation regarding Zazen. That Zazen is nothing more than a form of meditation. Practicing Zazen isn't about emptying your head but rather forming an image.
That there's something known as the Ten Bulls that act as a method through which the image is visualized.

It's a series of ten illustrations that depict the road to Zen enlightenment. Since Zazen is a first for me too, I haven't experienced it before.
"After you sit cross-legged, place your legs on top of your thighs. Since the exam's outcome also depends on how well you can perform the lotus position, make sure you do the best you can".
"Oww.....is he for real? I can't get one leg up though......".
"If you are unable to pull it off from the beginning, then you may opt for the half lotus position that you perform with one leg".

The man in charge demonstrated it himself to give us a sample of that too. I was able to cross my legs without much difficulty and so I chose to go with the lotus position.
From what I can see, it doesn't look like many students are able to pull it off surprisingly enough. As for Kouenji, who I've grown somewhat curious about........he's casually crossing his legs for Zazen.
A small smile on his face, it looks like he's gone ahead and entered a state of Zen alone.
Since there doesn't seem to be anything in his posture worth correcting, the man in charge didn't make a big deal out of him going on ahead.
"That guy, he can do it if he puts his mind to it after all".
Beside me, having succeeded in performing the lotus position himself, Tokitou whispered that.
"It doesn't seem like he dislikes this sort of thing. For now that's a relief".
"No doubt about that".

The man in charge is a hard-faced man, but if it's Kouenji, it wouldn't be strange even if he refused to act without a trace of fear in him.

As the students understood what it is in general, Zazen time began. Since quite a bit of time was spent on the explanation, the first session was limited to about five minutes.

Part 3

Cleaning and Zazen are done for the morning and since it's now around 7 o'clock, it's time for breakfast. But rather than the large cafeteria we used last night, we were instead taken outside.
There, a large, spacious area for meals had been prepared and there are even multiple kitchens. Several groups are already there.
"The school will be offering meals for today but starting from tomorrow, provided the weather is clear, you will have to cook your own meals with your group. As for the amount and how to share it, you'll have to discuss it amongst yourselves".

"Seriously? I've never cooked a meal before though".
Ishizaki muttered but there's no dodging this one since that's the rule. Preparations for breakfast continued on while we received instructions on how to cook starting from tomorrow onwards.
The breakfast menu's already been confirmed and apparently manuals on how to cook them will be distributed. Looks like we won't have to worry about not knowing what to cook.

"Geh, is this all.....?".
The menu is a simple one, a Japanese breakfast based on rice, soup and main dishes. But students with big appetites would understandably see it as being insufficient.
For the record, it looks like we can substitute this meal with something else but in that case we'll have to prepare the substitute ourselves.
"Thank god for the uninhabited island experience. Compared to that, I'd take this one any day".
As though he's somehow at peace, Keisei eats his breakfast.
"If we're going to do it fairly, then how about each school year has a go at it?".

In the middle of breakfast, a 3rd year boy who looked like a leader turned towards Nagumo and made his proposal for the breakfast rotations.
"That's right. No objections here. I'd like to start it off with the 1st years".
"How about it, 1st years? Any objections?".
There's no way anyone could say they object in a situation like this.
Assuming the remaining days will all have clear weather, the number of times we'll need to cook breakfast would be six times.
The order in which we'll be cooking is different but that's no reason for discontent.

It's not something you'd naturally accept as a kouhai, but it's not really something that shouldn't just shut up and accept either.
"Understood. Please go with that".
Our leader, Keisei, accepted that.
"Since we'll be cooking breakfast, what time do we have to get up tomorrow?".
"...just in case we should wake up two hours in advance".

Ishizaki vigorously shoots down Keisei's proposal. To wake up two hours in advance means waking up after 4 o'clock and making preparations to head out.
"Still, we've got no choice but to do it. It'll be disastrous if we fail to prepare breakfast".
"Then you guys do it. I'll be sleeping".
Ishizaki normally didn't have much authority under Ryuuen but here in this group he's risen to the top of the hierarchy. It's interesting that he's making declarations like this the moment his position changed.

Being celebrated as one of the people who overthrew Ryuuen may also be a cause of that. I don't particularly feel like confronting Ishizaki, who kept on acting bullishly despite knowing the truth. Because there's also the fact that he coincidentally happened to be placed in my group, which left him quite shaken mentally. Every time he makes a decision, it's not just other people he's hurting but also himself.
Ishizaki and Albert aren't cut out to be leaders or strategists.
They're more suited towards being the third-in-command and rallying the other students. As a matter of fact, Ryuuen should have left them in that position.
Keisei and Yahiko too, are similar in that regard. They're not as foolhardy as Ishizaki but they really aren't cut out for a position where they'd have to lead others.
I had expected Class B to be more actively involved but they've been unusually quiet until now and they're continuing to stand by watchfully. Perhaps they lack initiative. More than I had expected. With the exception of students like Kanzaki or Shibata, that is.
In which case, as I suspected, Hashimoto's the one best suited towards uniting this group.
He possesses both the prestige of being in Class A as well as the ability to assess the situation. Also, the fact that he's able to make decisions while taking others into account to a certain extent might be crucial for this group.

However, I don't really feel like he's willing to lead the group himself though.

Part 4

The morning's plain, no, healthy breakfast is over and lessons began in earnest. The large groups all gathered in a classroom that's slightly more spacious than the ones back at the Advanced Nurturing High School.
I wonder if it's made to resemble a university classroom? In particular, there isn't any order to our seating and we're free to sit wherever we want, beside whoever we want.
Inevitably enough, everyone ended up sitting with their small groups from the same school year. You could sit alone in the corner of the classroom if you wanted to but doing so would attract attention to you from the other school years and depending on the circumstances, you might even receive a warning.

Since the 2nd year and 3rd year small groups have yet to arrive, we 1st years have free reign to choose our seats.
"In this case......would it be better for us to sit up front?".
"No, it'll save us trouble if we wait before taking our seats. Shouldn't we just wait for the seniors to take their seats first and sit wherever's free afterwards?".
Looks like Keisei doesn't want to run the risk of selfishly taking the seats at the back and getting chewed out for it after.
"You better not go off and do your own thing, Kouenji. Can't have you sitting wherever you please alone after all".
"As long as the seats are free, I believe I can sit wherever I please though".

Despite saying that, he showed no sign of selfishly taking a seat somewhere. So it's not like he's the type of man to ignore any and all rules after all.
He's also usually quiet in our daily lessons. Kouenji probably has his own set of rules.
"You seem to be struggling, 1st years".
Spotting us, one of the 2nd years called out to us.
"If you're having trouble, would you like me to lend you a hand?".
"No, we're fine.......".

Keisei bowed slightly in response to the pressure of one of our seniors offering his help.
"Hah.....why do I have to be the leader?".
Greeting each and every one of the 2nd and 3rd years is also one of the things that a leader ought to do. As a result of that, he seems to be under an immense amount of stress.
If I leave him this way......it might only be a matter of time.

Part 5

PE classes are held in the afternoon, or rather, I should say that basic physical conditioning takes place in the afternoon.
According to the briefing, the main focus will be on marathon training and it also looks like a long-distance relay race is scheduled for the last day.
It'll probably be one of the things tested. It seems we'll be practicing outdoors for a few days and then on the race track.
"Hah, haah".
Keisei is panting.

There were many tasks, going back all the way to the morning, that exhausted us physically and so he's struggling.
If it had been something like studying, which is more knowledge oriented, then I may have been able to offer him some advice but when it comes to something like basic physical conditioning, there's not much I can do but watch.
On the other hand, Ishizaki and Albert aren't really the cigarette smoking delinquent type and they're physically stronger than the average student so they're able to perform these tasks without much trouble.

"...I've only been analyzing things since morning".
Somehow, I feel like I'm getting tired of my current state. Leaving aside whether or not I'm going to take any action, it's probably because I feel that I should at least raise the group's standards so that we don't end up becoming candidates for expulsion.
If we come in at last place and fall below the borderline established by the school then Keisei will be expelled. The probability of me being dragged down along with him is extremely low but that still isn't a guarantee.

Because I may yet incur his resentment for not extending a helping hand despite knowing of his struggle.
Should I provide the minimum backup required to keep him from receiving a red card? Or should I take a certain degree of action to send this group skyrocketing?
Or perhaps I should just hope that this problem resolves itself and keep on observing?
I quickly ruled out the option of observing inside my head.

The presence of Kouenji will probably cause anxieties in the future as well. I suppose I should hurry up and make a move. I slowed down and joined Kouenji, who's running nonchalantly behind me. Even as I approached him, Kouenji did not so much as spare me a glance.
Looks like he won't take a single step outside of his own world unless I give him a knock.
"Hey, Kouenji. Would you mind treating them a little more mildly?".
"By them, are you referring to the group, Ayanokouji Boy?".

"Yeah. The other students are in a state of confusion. Not everyone's as incredible as you are".
"Ha. Ha. Ha. Certainly I am a one and only unique existence. However, don't you think it's the height of stupidity for me to slow down just so the masses can keep up?".
"Well.....I don't know what's right and what's not......".
"What are you thinking of doing?".

"I'm thinking it'd be great if the group's able to achieve a relatively good score. I'd like to avoid expulsion".
"If you desire that then you'll have no other choice but to work for it, right?".
"For the record, I'm talking to you now because I intend on working for it".
Our feet. I could hear the sound of them stomping down on the ground. Kouenji seems to have immediately returned to his own world and so he didn't respond.
As I thought, it's impossible.

When it comes to Kouenji, half-assed threats and appeals are meaningless. Looking back on our school life until now, that much is clear.
Even if all the students, or perhaps the teachers, were to try persuading him, if his answer to that is a 'No' then that's a definite 'No'.
He's just that type.

Part 6

Perhaps it's because this is the first day of our lessons, since despite our exhausting marathon training the rest of our lessons consisted only of explanations regarding this school and what will be taking place during the rest of the week. The majority of the lessons consisted of something along those lines. However, it's made abundantly clear that what we will be learning is 'sociality'.
But even if it's put that way to them, the 1st year students probably won't get it. The senior students are acting calm. Apparently the experience gap between the 1st years and the 2nd years is an insurmountable one.
"Uuu..........".
Our final lesson for the afternoon, Zazen, just ended but Keisei collapsed right there and then, unable to move.
 
"Are you alright?".
The first day. Brought to a close with Zazen.
"I'm fine, is what I'd like to say but my legs feel numb...please give me a moment".
Looks like this has been an unexpectedly hard lesson for Keisei. For about two minutes, he remained stiff and still while waiting out the numbness in his legs. Among the other students, it appears Ishizaki too, had a hard time with Zazen as he leaned forward in pain.
"Shit, eat and bath. Yeah, bath. Give me a hand here, Albert".
Albert silently came over and lifted Ishizaki up by his arm.
 
"Geh! Do it more gently! Let go".
 
Slam. Ishizaki collapsed.
"Gaaaah!".
Seeing that little interaction play out, I ended up thinking it seemed fun. However, the other students in our group could only see Ishizaki and them as parasites. Keisei too, ignored them and moved to leave and so I daringly stood my ground.
"They're an amusing bunch, aren't they?".
I daringly said so and drew Keisei's attention.
 
"It's better to leave them be, Kiyotaka. They're just fooling around. If you don't want to draw their attention, it's best not to look at them".
Keisei said so, trying to obstruct my field of view.
"He might not be as bad as Sudou but Ishizaki is also the type of guy to hit first and ask questions later. It might end up being Ryuuen all over again, you know".
"Still, we're in the same group. I'm sure they'll be fine with a certain degree of contact, won't they?".
I pointed. And Ishizaki, noticing us, glared back. Keisei cowered for a moment but Ishizaki quickly dragged Albert and left the dojo.
"What?".
"...you're surprisingly brave, Kiyotaka".
 
In truth, it's because I already knew all about the true state of affairs between Ishizaki and his group but I'd like to let them know, indirectly, that drawing attention to that here is inadvisable. As long as Keisei is the leader, controlling students from other classes will be essential, to a degree.
"Keisei, we may have to peel off another layer here at this outdoor school". "A layer? What do you mean?".
"It means we'll have to befriend Ishizaki and Albert too. At least to a certain extent".
"That's absurd. I'll admit we're in the same group but we're essentially enemies here. No matter what, befriending them isn't something I can do.
Because this isn't the last special exam we'll be going through after all".
 
There is no reason for us to get along with them. That's what Keisei is saying. I felt the same way too at first after enrolling here. As a matter of fact, this school thrives through that kind of conflict. However, recently I've started feeling that there may be another way besides that.
"I hear the student council president Nagumo's succeeded in uniting the classes".
"That's---just his charisma. It's because he's special. I don't have that sort of talent.....no, I don't think that's a feat anyone from the other classes would be able to pull off either, right? In the first place, we still don't know if Nagumo-senpai's method will hold out until graduation or not. I don't know what he has in mind but no matter how much they get along the only ones who will be getting the last laugh in are the students who graduate from Class A in the end. The other classes will just end up in tears".
 
Keisei said so and left the dojo.

Part 7

It happened after dinner, when I had decided to go back to my room ahead of the others.
Perhaps there's some sort of trouble in the corridor, as I could see several boys and girls crowded together.
"Sorry, sorry. Are you ok?".
"Yes...no need for concern".
 
Yamauchi from our class apologetically extended his hand. The person who fell appears to be Sakayanagi Arisu from the 1st years' Class A.
Sakayanagi did not take Yamauchi's hand, rather, she tried to get back up on her own.
It doesn't seem like she's able to get back up on her own, as she grasped her cane.
Then, leaning on the wall, she slowly got back up. It was only a short period of time between her fall and her standing back up.
However, in a situation like this where she'd attract attention from her surroundings, Sakayanagi must have felt that an extremely long amount of time time has passed.
 
Yamauchi awkwardly drew his hand back and left behind these words.
"Then, umm, I'll be off?".
"Yes. Please don't concern yourself with me".
Sakayanagi gave a slight smile and averted her eyes from Yamauchi.
Both boys and girls felt relief at the fact that it didn't turn into a problem before scattering.
"Really though, Sakayanagi-chan is cute but isn't she clumsy?".
 
Yamauchi did not even entertain the possibility that it was his carelessness that caused the collision.
"Are you alright?".
Somehow, since our eyes made contact, I approached Sakayanagi and called out to her.
"Thank you for your concern but it's not a big deal".
"I'll give Yamauchi an earful later".
"It's not like he deliberately did it, I only fell once at most".
 
Sakayanagi laughed thinly at that but her eyes weren't laughing one bit.
"Well then, please excuse me".
Since they were in different groups, Kamuro, who's usually always by her side, isn't here.
I have no way of knowing what sort of battles are taking place on the girls' side and I have no interest towards it either.
But Sakayanagi, who had walked off, stopped and looked back.
Did she notice that I had been staring?
 
"I just remembered now that I have something to discuss with you, Ayanokouji-kun".
Tapping her cane once, she gave a faint smile.
"Class B certainly is a unified class. You could say that this is because Ichinose Honami-san has earned the trust of her comrades by giving it her all up until now. However, is it really fine to trust her so much, is what I'm thinking".
"This sounds like something that has nothing to do with me".
 
But Sakayanagi continued on without even a hint of paying attention to what I had to say.
"A while back, there was this sort of rumor about her. That she possesses a tremendous amount of points. That despite her not yet having accomplished anything significant in the special exams until now, she possesses enough points to warrant an investigation from the school. That honestly surprised me. However, is it normal for one to earn that many points? In all likelihood, don't you think she's acting as Class B's safe?".
 
"I wonder. The only ones who'd know that for sure would be Ichinose herself, or her classmates. What meaning can there possibly be in telling me something like this?".
 
"What I'm trying to say is......whether or not it's really fine to entrust all those private points to her. For instance, if due to a mistake she's made, she's fallen into a predicament where a massive sum of points would be necessary and she used them to protect herself, or using those accumulated points in order to save a classmate. These are actions that nobody can blame her for in all likelihood. You could say that her acting as their safe is for that purpose".
"It's probably that".
 
"However.....if she were to use that massive sum of points selfishly for her own pleasure, then the school may make a move on the basis that it's fraud".
In any case, this is something that's relevant to the students of Class B other than Ichinose and not me.
If she truly is acting as their safe, the only ones who have the right to complain about that are the students who deposited it with her.
"I doubt Ichinose will use up private points for her own sake though".
"Yes, that is true. At the very least, for now nobody's doubting her".
 
In other words, from this point onwards, there will be suspicion cast on her, is what she's trying to say.
 
"I am looking forward to when we return to the school after this exam ends".
 
Perhaps she's satisfied after saying what she had to say from start to finish, Sakayanagi walked off without so much as looking back.

Part 8

One hour left to go until lights out at 10 o'clock. In our shared room, without much to say to one another, we passed the time in silence. The trigger for everyone to get along with each other is a hard one. Even if you suddenly started speaking to someone from another class, they'll just wonder what you're even putting in the effort for and so it's difficult to strike up a conversation.
It would be great if someone took the initiative to give us a topic to converse about but that seems hopeless.
 
At that moment, someone lightly knocked on the door. Looks like we have a visitor.
"Who is it? At a time like this".
Doesn't seem like anyone knows and so everyone curiously looked at the door.
"Might be a teacher".
Ishizaki indifferently said so. Certainly that's a possibility. Keisei got up and started walking while asking who's knocking. The person on the other side truly is someone unexpected.
"Are you guys still up?".
 
"President Nagumo, can we help you with something?".
"I came to check on you guys since we're in the same group. Can I come in?".
There isn't a single 1st year brave enough to say 'no' after having heard that. Keisei immediately gave his consent and welcomed Nagumo into the room. But apparently he didn't come alone. He's accompanied by Vice President Kiriyama as well as two 3rd year students.
One of them is a student from Class B named Tsunoda and the other, Ishikura, is also from Class B. Upon entering the room, Nagumo surveyed his surroundings.
"As expected, they made the room the same way you did, senpai".
 
Nagumo smiled and said so to Ishikura.
 
"Looks like it. So? How are you planning on deepening the ties between us by dragging us all the way to the 1st years' room?".
He asked Nagumo but Keisei, not quite having comprehended the situation, asked Nagumo.
"Deepening ties?".
"I told you, didn't I? I came to check on you guys since we're in the same group. We don't have any televisions or PCs or cell phones here. To be honest with you guys, there's nothing remotely similar to entertainment here. But it's not like we have absolutely nothing to play with".
 
Saying that, Nagumo brought out a small box from inside the pocket of his jersey.
"Cards?".
"Playing cards in this day and age? I'm sure that's what you're thinking. But this is a staple of training camps much like this one".
Nagumo casually sat down in a vacant spot. And then he peeled the vinyl tape off the sealed box, opening it.
"Please take your seats too, senpai. Sorry 1st years but since there isn't much space, please go back to your beds".
Nagumo stopped the 1st years who were taking their seats and said that.
 
"I'm not doing this".
Tsunoda declined and turned his back.
"Please don't say that, let's do it. We may be able to talk about things we can't discuss anywhere else".
Having been stopped like that, Tsunoda resignedly took his seat. After him, Ishikura too, took his seat.
"To liven up the game, I'm thinking we should bet something on it. I'm looking for some good ideas".
The 1st years, already nervous given that they're dealing with a senior student, couldn't give out any ideas right away. It's probably mostly because they don't know what they should and should not say to the student council president.
 
Nagumo too, knows that the 1st years would naturally shrink back like this.
 
"We've decided on the order in which we'll cook breakfast, right? Why don't we go back to that as a starting point and bet that on this? If you keep losing again and again then in the worst case scenario, you'll have to cook breakfast up until the day this training camp ends. On the other hand, if you don't lose at all then you won't have to cook breakfast even once. That's what I'm trying to say".
"Oi, Nagumo. Isn't that something we should discuss with the whole group?".
Ishikura called out to him.
 
"It's just the order in which we cook breakfast. Please give me some leeway with this at least".
Since he's acting as student council president of this school, he unreservedly spoke his wishes even to his seniors. On the other hand, it doesn't look like the 3rd years can act too tough when dealing with Nagumo. Knowing of the showdown between him and Horikita Manabu, they probably don't want to muddy the waters by intervening clumsily.
"Got it. Let's play cards and decide".
"We're fine with this too, right?".
Keisei, with some slight reservation, turned towards the 1st years in the room and asked.
 
Ishizaki, Hashimoto and the others all gave small nods as though in consent. I did the same too. And then the remaining students nodded, with a slight delay. With the sole exception of Kouenji.
"Kouenji, you object to using playing cards to decide?".
It would have been fine to just ignore him but Nagumo boldly spoke to Kouenji. In the gymnasium, during the afternoon, their little back-and-forth there may have something to do with this.
"I neither approve nor disapprove. The majority vote already seems to have given you the answer".
 
"It has nothing to do with numbers. I want you to tell me what you think". "Then allow me to answer you, student council president. I don't have the slightest interest in this interaction. To consent or to object. I haven't even thought of such things. Does this satisfy you?".
Kouenji's remarks sound like they'll cause problems again. However, Nagumo gave a pleasant laugh and unexpectedly said this to Kouenji.
"Why don't you join the student council, Kouenji? I'd like to welcome someone as interesting as you into it. From what I hear, you're quite capable too when it comes to academics and sports".
 
Everyone in the room, including the 3rd years, were shocked at this. No, Kouenji's the only one whose expression didn't change.
"It's unfortunate. I have no interest in the student council".
"I suppose so. But know that you're welcome anytime. If the student council happens to catch your interest, feel free to call me anytime".
It looks like Nagumo didn't expect Kouenji to accept immediately from the very beginning.
"Now then, shall we play cards?".
Nagumo averted his eyes from Kouenji and once again proposed that to us.
"What exactly will we be playing?".
 
"Let's see, why don't we just play Old Maid? The last one to hold the Joker loses. Two from each school year will participate. Six of us in total for this match".
I'm not very familiar with playing cards but Old Maid is something even I know about.
"Participating students are free to switch out. But please just don't do so when we're in the middle of the game".
Nagumo said so and started shuffling the cards. And once he's done doing that he handed them over to the 3rd years. To ensure there's no cheating going on, he handed them over to the 1st years as well.
 
Keisei, while shuffling the cards, looked for one more student who'd be willing to participate. Since no one volunteered, Hashimoto resignedly raised his hand and came down from his bed.

Part 9

And just like that, the game of Old Maid started. The players being 1st years, 2nd years and 3rd years. Being made to cook breakfast entails waking up early. Since each school year is scheduled for two turns each, being able to win 5 rounds and lose only 1 would lead to a favourable outcome. In the worst case scenario, winning 4 rounds and losing 2 would still be acceptable.
"Playing cards in silence isn't really fun so let's chat".
Nagumo proposed that.
 
Having received the deck that Keisei had shuffled, Nagumo started dealing out the cards.
"I'll be dealing the cards for the first round but starting from the second round onwards, the loser will have to shuffle and deal out the cards".
Everyone nodded their consent. From the moment he entered this room until now, Nagumo has yet to look at me even once. It probably means that despite having made contact with me during the winter vacation, Nagumo doesn't really think much of me.
"Also, the 1st years who aren't playing should feel free to make yourselves at home. Being nervous around your seniors all the time will have an impact on you tomorrow".
 
He said that but still, we were unable to kick back and relax like we had been doing a while ago. Kouenji alone slept, not paying any attention.....
From the bottom bunk, I decided to observe the game being played.
"Even if this is only a game, it's not like the 1st years can just afford to lose, senpai".
"Unfortunately, I'm not the lucky type. Don't count on me too much".
"It'll be fine, senpai. Because I think you're all relatively strong. You're not bad enough to lose both the first and the second round".
Despite it being a game of cards where one doesn't know what hand they'll be dealt, Nagumo's still brimming with confidence.
 
The first round proceeded smoothly and soon enough they were halfway through the game.
"Done".
The 3rd year, Ishikura, succeeded in ridding himself of all his cards. Vice President Kiriyama was next and then Nagumo finished third. The 2nd years' victory was decided early on, putting more pressure on the 1st years.
"Done".
Hashimoto bowed towards the 3rd years and brought forth two cards of the same value. Now the only remaining players are Keisei and Tsunoda from the 3rd years.
 
I felt the mood was rather tense for a game but still, they calmly proceeded. Two cards left in Keisei's hand and a card left in the 3rd year's hand. In other words, Keisei's the one holding the Joker. If the 3rd year ends up picking the Joker, then that would mean Keisei wins. However.....the card that Tsunoda picked after some deliberation happened to be the winning card.
"Alright, this clinches it".
"I lost".
The first round ended with Keisei's defeat and with that, the 1st years are now saddled with the task of making breakfast once.
"Let's calm down. Just losing once or twice doesn't mean anything".
 
Hashimoto said that to Keisei as though cheering him up. Keisei replies with a nod but he seemed apologetic about having lost. He may be thinking about the possibility of losing another round.
"I told you earlier, didn't I? The loser has to gather up the cards and deal them out".
"I-I'm sorry".
Keisei, who forgot that, panickedly picked up the cards. The second round started soon after. From my position, I could see the hand of the one of the 3rd years. He's holding a Joker.
 
He kept the Joker until halfway through the game but after some time, it passed to a different student.
 
And then...the remaining two players ended up being Kiriyama and Keisei. Now that he's engaged in a one-on-one for the second time in a row, it looks like Keisei couldn't help himself and ended up getting nervous. To top it off, judging from the number of cards remaining, I could tell that Keisei's the one holding the Joker. Hesitantly, the 2nd year, Kiriyama, slowly grasped a card. Keisei did his best to keep up a poker face but seeing the card that's being taken from him, his face fell. And within the span of a few minutes, the 1st years suffered consecutive defeats.
Yahiko, who had been assessing the situation, signalled Keisei for a switch.
"Maybe it's better if you switched".
After those words came from Nagumo, Keisei obediently switched out with Yahiko.
 
"I'm not very good at playing games like this. I'm sorry but I'm leaving it to you".
Keisei, who bears the responsibility for the consecutive losses, observed the 1st years' battle from behind. Of course, even Yahiko would be nervous when facing down his seniors. However, perhaps it has something to do with him usually treating Katsuragi as a senior, he seems rather calm. Still, that might not have much of an effect on the outcome of the game. I don't know how much skill factors into a game like this but you'd need a tremendous amount of luck to not draw the Joker.
"I'm starting to feel like giving the 1st years this one".
Nagumo said, perhaps feeling sorry since he had been winning consecutively.
 
"By the way, Ishikura-senpai, how's the club doing?".
"You don't have any interest in basketball, do you?".
"No such thing. Of course, my interest in it isn't to the extent of my interest in soccer though".
 
"This year we've had some athletic 1st years joining so we may be able to expect great things next year. We didn't really achieve much this year after all. It's pathetic to admit this as the captain though".
There are several 1st years who have joined the basketball club but in all likelihood, he's referring to Sudou when he spoke of athletic 1st years.
Sudou's hard work seems to have attracted the attention of even a retired 3rd year.
 
"I'm looking forward to that".
"You seem to be focusing solely on the student council though. Don't you have any lingering feelings for soccer?".
"It's not like I was aiming to make it as a professional. Besides, I can continue playing soccer wherever I want. It's just that the role of student council president at this school is really attractive for me".
"It's great that you're working hard at the student council but I have misgivings about you picking fights with Horikita".
"Picking a fight is not my intent. I want to be acknowledged by my senpai who I've idolized for a long time now. Those pure feelings are all I have".
 
Ishikura gave Nagumo a glance but then immediately turned back towards his cards.
"I'm first this time around".
Smoothly losing all his cards, Ishikura ended up as the first victor.
"I'm done too".
Right afterwards, Yahiko also seems to have gotten his cards in order as he happily discarded his last two cards.
In order for the 1st years to win, everything now rides on Hashimoto. His cards seem to be steadily decreasing but in the end, what's really important is the Joker and who's holding it.
 
"Alright".
After the 2nd year senior who finished third, Hashimoto also finished up.
"Oh, the 1st years have won for the first time. Congratulations".
"Thank you very much, Nagumo-senpai".
The ones left in the end are the student council president, Nagumo, and Tsunoda from the 3rd year. However, Nagumo has the advantage. There's a 50% chance this concludes the match.
"Well then, excuse me".
 
Nagumo said that as he grasped the card on the right without any hesitation.
 
However, what he ended up grabbing was the Joker.
"Too bad".
The 3rd year, Tsunoda, picked the card on the right just like Nagumo did earlier when Nagumo extended the two cards in his hand.
"This clinches it".
As a result, the Joker was left in Nagumo's possession and the 2nd years ended up suffering a defeat.
"I've been beaten. Then shall we go for a fourth round?".
 
Nagumo, without any bitterness, made preparations for a fourth round.
"The 1st years have won for the first time with this. How about I have you lose again? You're our juniors after all, so I'd like you to take over our duties".
Saying that, Nagumo began dealing out the cards.
"If I recall, Sudou's from Class D, isn't he? Who's from Class D here?".
While the cards are being dealt out, Ishikura asked that and looked over towards the 1st years.
"Ahh, we're Sudou's classmates".
 
Keisei said so while glancing at me. And then he immediately added this.
"Just one thing, starting from this month we've been promoted to Class C".
One wouldn't normally care much for the affairs of a school year that's not theirs. But when Keisei said that, Ishikura was impressed while looking surprised.
"So you've been promoted from Class D to Class C, huh? That's impressive".
"Of course, not too long after enrolling, this year's Class D ran out of class points though".
"And you still got yourselves promoted to Class C. Good going there. How large's the gap between you and Class B?".
 
When Ishikura asked that, Keisei stopped answering.
"Please forget it. This is a group comprised of all the classes. It's my bad for bringing an incendiary topic into this".
 
He apologized. Certainly, this isn't a topic to bring up in a place like this. For Ishizaki and the others from Class D who fell behind us, and for Class B, this surely isn't a fun topic to discuss.
As a result, the 1st years barely joined the conversation and most of it revolved around Nagumo and the 3rd years. The fourth round. When four out of six people finished up, Nagumo called for a stop.
 
"The remaining players are two 1st years, huh? There's no need to play this to the end anymore, right?".
No matter who wins, it doesn't change the fact that the 1st years will lose. Yahiko and Hashimoto put the remaining cards back into the deck. Even though we've managed to beat the 2nd years led by Nagumo once, the 1st years still lost thrice. Initially, we'd only have to cook breakfast twice. But thanks to this game of Old Maid, that number's increased.
If we lose again, we'd be burdened with even more.
"Shall we switch?".
 
Hashimoto requested a switch with another 1st year and stepped down. There probably aren't many 1st years willing to play with this gloomy mood going on.
"I don't want to waste time. It doesn't matter who, just join. You there".
I had been observing the match when Nagumo looked at me and beckoned me over. Of course, I'd like to decline but this isn't exactly a situation where I can afford to do so.
Regardless of whether he intentionally picked me or randomly picked me, I should probably accept.
"Sorry, Ayanokouji. I'm counting on you".
"Sure".
Three of the 1st years have already played so it's not really strange even if I happened to be picked.
 
Besides, this is just for fun, just a game and it's just about who wins and who loses. As we switched, Yahiko asked me to deal out the cards. Shuffling the cards, I dealt them out awkwardly.
"Alright then, this is the fifth round. I'd like to beat the 3rd years too. Let's put our backs into this, 1st years".
 
Nagumo gave rough words of encouragement. I looked at the cards in my hand and assessed the situation. When I did, several of those cards had the same value but I also ended up drawing the Joker.
As long as I don't do something to push this onto the 2nd years or 3rd years, I stand no chance of winning.
 
I'm not very familiar with playing cards but there's something I'm curious about. In a way, having drawn the Joker right away may turn out to be a good thing. After the check, the match started right away. The game proceeded turn by turn but there's no sign of anyone drawing the Joker from me.
Occasionally, a senior would grasp the Joker but then they'd immediately let go. However, on the fifth turn, the Joker was finally drawn from my hand. The senior who drew it looked at me for an instant but then immediately regained his calm and continued with the game.
This time around, Yahiko's the first one to finish up and I finished second after him.
"So the 1st years got the drop on us, eh? Maybe the tides have turned".
 
In the end, it boiled down to two 3rd years going against each other. Or should I say, everything went as Nagumo had hoped. One round left. As a 1st year, I'd like to avoid losing anymore than we already have.
"Next round's the final one".
"I'll start dealing".
As Ishikura started dealing out the cards, Kouenji called out to Nagumo.
"President Nagumo".
"What's the matter, Kouenji? Do you finally feel like joining in?".
 
"I'm feeling a bit curious. I suppose I'll see how this final game plays out".
He said so arrogantly but Nagumo paid no mind to that and only listened to what he had to say.
"How it'll play out?".
Nagumo, while looking at the cards being dealt out, glanced once at the participants.
"This may be a game, but they're still up against experienced senior students. There's a good chance the 1st years will lose".
He answered. And with that, Kouenji laughed and closed his eyes as though in satisfaction.
 
In all likelihood, the majority of the people here failed to understand the meaning behind Kouenji's question. Only the senior students seem to have grasped the situation. I racked my brains thinking about what I should do in regards to this fight. If I rely only on luck, then I'm practically guaranteed to lose. However, if I take action to avoid such an outcome, I may end up drawing Nagumo's attention. I checked my cards.
 
One of those cards is a card that I'll definitely have to lose if I'm to win. It's the Joker that spells defeat.
"As for the 1st years, I'd like to finish them off with three losses. But four losses also works for me".
Nagumo's words don't sound like he's just randomly saying them. The final round starts in a clockwise direction. The players discard two cards each.
In about 1-2 minutes, the outcome will probably be decided.

Part 10

"Sorry 1st years, but I'm done".
The first one to finish up is Tsunoda. Kiriyama finished next after him. The remaining players are the two 1st years and the seniors, Nagumo and Ishikura. The Joker's been in my hand from the start. In the end, I decided to give up on winning. I simply continued to play the game silently without doing much.
Yahiko finished and he gave a breath of relief. And soon after that, Ishikura also finished leaving me in a one-on-one against Nagumo.
 
"You don't seem to be having fun, Ayanokouji".
"That's not true. I just have trouble expressing myself".
"Really? You've been looking pale from the start. You've been holding the Joker all this time, haven't you?".
Nagumo's remarks aren't really anything out of the ordinary. Since it's a one-on-one, if he's not holding the Joker then he'd obviously understand what that entails.
"That might just be the case".
Conversing with him would just be troublesome and so I brushed it off.
 
Because I know that's not what Nagumo wants to coax out of me. In short, I think he wants to get me to talk back to him the way Kouenji did. I silently extended two cards towards him. One of them is the Joker and the other card's the winning one for Nagumo.
In all likelihood, Nagumo will draw the winning card. No, I don't get this expression he's making. Nagumo smiled as he reached out. And then--- "Good for you, Ayanokouji. Now you have a way out".
Nagumo picked the Joker.
"Now this is unusual. I thought you'd surely be able to pick the right one".
Ishikura said so from beside Nagumo.
 
"A game of cards ultimately boils down to luck after all. I'll lose when I lose".
Shuffling the cards in his hands, he extended two cards towards me.
"Now then, take your pick".
 
From a third party perspective, there's a 50/50 chance. But that doesn't really apply for this game. These cards came from a sealed box but Nagumo is the one who first shuffled these cards and in that moment, he must have marked the Joker. He's used a trick.
 
You wouldn't notice at first glance but there's a small marking on the Joker. You wouldn't notice it normally. I unravelled this mystery based on something along the lines of a prediction.
So far, in all the five rounds that he's played, Nagumo's been correctly guessing the outcomes in advance. Of course, since there are also 1st years who don't know anything mixed in as well, there's no real sense of certainty. That's why he spoke ambiguously and only guessed the outcome in terms of teams with a high probability of winning and teams with a low probability of winning.
But the senior students who have realized.....no, who have been told about this trick possess an overwhelming advantage. Either way, this is disgusting.
 
The card on the right from my point of view has a mark on it that indicates it's the Joker. There's no mistaking it since it's a rushed, makeshift marking that was not applied to the other cards. If I pick the other card here, I wonder what'll happen. The answer to that is simple. Nothing will happen. It would just mean I got the winning half of the 50/50 chance.
"I really can't tell which one's which so I'll just randomly pick one".
I said so and reached out but Nagumo pulled the cards away.
"Please give it some thought before picking".
"I don't think it's possible to tell just by thinking about it though".
 
"Still, I insist".
He compelled me to give it some thought halfway through.
"Understood, I'll think about it".
I said so as I looked at the cards. Of course, I no longer gave the cards themselves any further thought. I kept quiet for about two seconds and then reached out for the winning card.
 
"I like my chances with the one on the right. I'll be picking that one".
A reason as good as any.
 
This time, Nagumo didn't stop me. The last winning card came into my hands.
"Please excuse me".
I said so as I put together the two cards and declared my victory.
"You've lost, Nagumo".
"So it would seem. I mean, we were scheduled to cook breakfast twice in the first place anyways so I don't really mind".
He said that and then gathered the cards scattered around.
 
"Still, it was fairly amusing. As I thought, Ishikura-senpai and I get along well".
"...I wonder".
Brushing aside Nagumo's words of courtesy, Ishikura left the room.
"There's no problem with starting the order in which we cook breakfast with the 1st years, is there? Please take care of it tomorrow".
"U-Understood. Thank you for tonight".
Keisei thanked Nagumo. The senior students who have finished playing cards got up and left the 1st year room.
 
"Doesn't feel like we've interacted with them that much".
I could understand why Ishizaki would mutter that.
Ultimately, it only amounted to a game that increased the 1st years' burden by a bit.