“…? What a strange question. This is a war between me and you, right? I don’t intend to let them get involved at all. …Well, I’ll borrow their names and bodies for the sake of having a ‘class vs. class’ battle, though.”
…He’s not lying.
My rational mind tells me I should doubt his words, but my instincts already know the truth.
“…Hotaru. Karasuma-kun.”
“Yeah, he doesn’t seem to be lying…”
“I hate to admit it, but I agree. Shinzaki being honest… is it going to snow tomorrow or something?”
Even these two, who are more sensitive to the nuances of others’ emotions than I am, reach the same conclusion.
I let out a small sigh and step into the classroom.
“You’re quite trusted, aren’t you? Or did you use your usual violence to chase them out?”
“You can imagine whatever you like. Talking about that would be boring.”
He steps down from the teacher’s desk and walks to the center of the classroom.
“So, you’ve come… huh, four of you. Maybe my intuition isn’t as reliable as I thought.”
In the center of the classroom, several desks have been pushed together to create a makeshift meeting area.
On Shinzaki-kun’s side, there’s only one chair.
On the opposite side, there are five chairs lined up.
We walk over and each take a seat.
“One extra, huh. …Is this a dig at Kurotsuki-kun, who couldn’t be here?”
“Nah. I actually regret not making it six now… but, well, I don’t expect you to understand. Still, I might as well ask.”
He says this with an air of disinterest.
Then, with a casualness that almost makes it easy to overlook, he asks us a question.
“I’m guessing that Yatagarasu is someone in your class, right?”
“…!”
I can’t help but glance at the empty seat.
If that’s true… was this prepared because Yatagarasu might show up?
I wish I could dismiss it as ridiculous… but I can’t.
“There are two reasons. First, there’s Kurotsuki Kanade. If he really tried, he could easily take the position of ‘King’ of Class C from you, right? But he doesn’t. He fully trusts you and cooperates with you. …It’s impossible for a class to have so little internal conflict unless there’s some monster manipulating Kurotsuki behind the scenes.”
“…Are you saying Kurotsuki-kun is cooperating with me because someone told him to?”
“No way. Kurotsuki isn’t the type to act like a spy.”
Sakuma-kun denies it outright. …I agree with him.
“Exactly! If that weren’t the case, he wouldn’t fight you or Netsuhara for the sake of the class!”
“Right. He’s definitely quiet, and there are times when it’s hard to tell what he’s thinking. But there’s no doubt he’s always worked hard for the sake of the class. You know that better than anyone, Asahina.”
I don’t need to be told. My answer remains the same.
“That’s right. I’m sorry, Shinzaki-kun, but I never felt any malice or ill intent from Kurotsuki-kun. He was sincerely on my side. …Please don’t speak ill of my friend, okay?”
“Alright. Fine. If you don’t want to believe it, there’s no need to say more.”
…Does he have other reasons to suspect Kurotsuki-kun?
I’m a bit curious, but Karasuma-kun’s voice cuts through my doubts.
“We’re not listening to you, Shinzaki! You’re just trying to drive a wedge between us! Once we trust someone, we’ll stand by them to the end! That’s what it means to be a true friend!”
“Yeah, yeah. Well, if you don’t believe the first reason, the second one is just a delusion anyway. Let’s move on to the main topic.”
Shinzaki-kun smiles and dismisses the conversation with disdain.
But… I have an idea of what his second reason might be.
It’s about Yatagarasu interfering with Shinzaki-kun’s plans.
In other words, Yatagarasu helped the self-defense squad.
—More specifically, Yatagarasu appeared to help Kurotsuki-kun.
It’s certainly a factor that strengthens the first suspicion.
But Yatagarasu showed up in that situation. We have so little information about them that any speculation about their motives remains just that—speculation.
“Right. We didn’t come here today to talk about Yatagarasu.”
To get to the main topic, I slide a printout across the table.
Shinzaki-kun picks it up and glances at the contents.
“This time… broadly speaking, Class B proposed seven conditions, correct?”
“Yep. That’s right. Everything on this paper is accurate.”
The printout I handed him lists seven items, handwritten based on what Sakaki-sensei explained and the rules we received from Class B.
- A three-day survival game.
- The location will be provided by the school.
- Food will be provided by the school, and bringing your own is prohibited.
- Being incapacitated means elimination.
- Voluntary withdrawal is allowed.
- Victory is achieved by eliminating the opposing team. If Class B wins, all of Class C must bow on their knees and then be expelled.
- Special participation of Yatagarasu of the night banquet (subject to their own will).
That’s a simple and concise summary.
Once I confirm that Shinzaki-kun has finished reading, I slide another printout across.
“And these are the conditions we’re proposing from Class C.”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
That’s a simple and concise summary.
Once I confirm that Shinzaki-kun has finished reading, I slide another printout across.
“And these are the conditions we’re proposing from Class C.”
- Instead of being incapacitated, being hit in a specific area means elimination.
- Distribution of materials about the location (e.g., maps) beforehand.
- If the battle isn’t decided within three days, the outcome will be determined by a duel between class representatives. The duel follows the same rules as the main battle, where being hit in a specific area means defeat.
- The right to choose the starting point.
- Safe zones equipped with toilets and beds (areas where harm cannot be inflicted) will be set up, and their use is limited to eight hours per day.
- Anyone who intentionally engages in malicious behavior will be eliminated.
- If Class C wins, Class B will be permanently prohibited from causing harm to others.
That’s seven conditions from our side as well.
The girls in our class were especially insistent about number five.
…Now that I think about it, it makes sense. I wouldn’t want to relieve myself out in the open either.
As I’m thinking this, Shinzaki-kun continues reading.
When he looks up, he’s smiling broadly.
“Yeah! All of these are fine. Let’s go with these conditions!”
“…………”
His answer leaves me momentarily speechless.
I had expected him to raise some objections… so all the explanations I prepared feel wasted now.
“…Are you sure? Malicious actions will lead to immediate disqualification.”
Before I know it, Sakaki-sensei is standing at the classroom entrance.
Next to her is Tenzai-sensei, Class B’s homeroom teacher, who’s wearing a gentle smile.
“But~, as long as it’s not done with malice or intent, it’s fine, right? There’s no rule about immediate disqualification for attacks outside the target area, right~?”
However, the malice hidden behind her gentle smile is unmistakable.
As expected of Class B’s homeroom teacher… she’s also a bit unhinged.
“Of course. Attacks outside the target area are still allowed. But intentionally using unnecessary violence will lead to immediate disqualification. That’s the condition, Asahina.”
“…Yes. That’s correct.”
Honestly, I would’ve preferred to ban attacks outside the target area entirely.
But that would make it impossible to have a fair fight. It would turn into a battle of how to avoid hitting the target rather than how to hit it.
Since the focus would be on the attacked rather than the attacker, three days wouldn’t be enough to settle things. …At least, that’s not the kind of outcome I want.
“I want this to be a fair and square resolution. That’s my wish for this time.”
Hearing my words, Sakaki-sensei turns her gaze to Shinzaki.
Shinzaki Yasuhito is the embodiment of malice. Everyone in the room knows that.
That’s why she gives him a sharp look.
But he tilts his head and smiles innocently.
“That’s exactly what I want. After losing to that bitch over there, I’ve learned my lesson. If I’m going to do this, I’ll do it thoroughly. No more roundabout methods, I’ll crush you head-on. …Otherwise, how can I make you understand the difference in our caliber?”
Needless to say, hatred was burning in the depths of his eyes.
“Besides, there’s the Yatagarasu hiding and watching from above. …Well, it’s possible they might be too scared to participate… but I hope that the great Yaen- Night Banquet wouldn’t do such a thing.”
Saying that, he stands up.
Looking down on us, he spews poison with an unchanging smile.
“There are two people I want to crush. But there’s only one coffin. It’s fine if I crush you both and stuff you in together.”
I can feel a strong determination from Shinzaki-kun that this time, he’ll end everything at once.
However, my determination is also real.
“Let’s settle this, Shinzaki-kun. I’ll defeat you head-on, in a way that’s clear to everyone’s eyes.”
I won’t postpone it anymore. I’ll cut off the grudge with Class B in this battle.
Using my entire being—I’ll reject your malignancy head-on.
I stand up and return his smile.
“Shinzaki-kun, be prepared to say ‘I’m sorry’ while you still can.”
“Ha! You’re the ones who should be practicing your dogeza, you pieces of shit!”
And so, the final discussion came to an end, and the curtain fell on the start of a new battle.
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