"That person is Class C's leader, Ryūen Kakeru, Shimizu-kun." Sakayanagi Arisu elegantly withdrew her gaze, a knowing smile playing on her lips as she explained to her dining companion.
Shimizu Akira finally snapped out of his thoughts, his eyes lingering on the spot where the imposing figure had just disappeared.
So that was the rumored leader of Class C.
"Do you think... he's worthy of being our opponent?" Sakayanagi speared a leafy green with her silver fork, wrinkling her nose slightly before taking a delicate bite—every motion exuding innate nobility.
"That's your perspective. I've never considered anyone an opponent."
"Ah, so you view everyone as trash instead? How lofty of you, Shimizu-kun."
"Cough—!" Shimizu nearly choked on his noodles.
He shot a weary glance at the girl across from him—just how did Sakayanagi twist his words into something so arrogant?
He'd merely stated a fact, yet she'd spun it into a declaration of superiority.
"Fufu... Just a joke." Sakayanagi covered her mouth with a soft laugh, the sound like tinkling wind chimes. "I know what you truly meant."
Shimizu didn't respond, focusing instead on his lunch.
Wednesday morning's intel update had been three useless tidbits, so he'd come to the cafeteria hoping for better luck.
Unexpectedly, he'd found Sakayanagi Arisu dining alone.
The mastermind of Class A was eating the free vegetable set meal—he'd intended to ask about her S System intel sources, but instead witnessed a staged performance by Class C.
"By the way," Shimizu set down his chopsticks, "how exactly did you obtain those critical pieces of intel, Sakayanagi-san?"
"On the first day of school, a very kind person told me everything." Sakayanagi's smile turned cryptic. *"You have three questions, Shimizu-kun. My answers will only be 'Yes,' 'No,' or 'Irrelevant.'"
Shimizu's brow twitched. Why do intelligent people love these guessing games?
But intel was intel—he'd play along.
After a brief pause, he posed his first question:
"Did the act of disclosing that intel violate current school rules?"
"No." Sakayanagi smiled, clearly enjoying his deduction process.
This narrowed the possibilities to four likely sources:
A first-year student (too new to know the rules).
A graduated alumnus (no longer bound by rules).
A former staff member (ditto).
A dropout (technically not a violation).
Shimizu's gaze sharpened.
"Did this person... graduate from this school?"
Sakayanagi paused—rare for her—then nodded. "...Yes."
Three possibilities eliminated at once.
"I see." Shimizu's eyes cleared. "On opening day, you met a graduate visiting for an event, who divulged the full intel framework?"
"Perfectly correct." Sakayanagi clapped lightly, her voice melodious. "Alumni aren't bound by current rules, aren't staff, and crucially—they graduated successfully." She leaned forward slightly. "They often understand the school's... unwritten rules better than teachers."
"Leveraging alumni networks... An unexpected angle." Shimizu couldn't help but admire her approach.
Typical Sakayanagi Arisu.
He'd never considered this avenue.
"Fufu... Didn't see that coming, did you?" Sakayanagi caught his fleeting admiration, her dimples appearing. "So, how did you acquire your intel, Shimizu-kun?"
"Me?" He shrugged. "Just bought it from a second-year senpai with points."
"It seems my method was superior this time." Sakayanagi sipped her miso soup elegantly. "You've thoroughly lost to me, Shimizu-kun."
"Who said we were competing...?" Shimizu shot her a look before returning to his noodles. "Fine, you win."
"Though..." He suddenly looked up. "I'm curious—why would that alumnus share such vital intel? What did you trade? A soon-to-be college student wouldn't hand it over for free."
Sakayanagi's spoon hesitated imperceptibly.
Shimizu didn't miss it.
—Touched a nerve.
Money? Or...
But he didn't press, casually continuing his meal instead.
Sakayanagi changed the subject. "Speaking of which, you seem quite close with Kamuro-san from our class."
"Yeah," Shimizu replied without looking up. "She's easy to get along with. Her personality suits me."
"Oh?" Sakayanagi arched a brow. "Kamuro-san is always so cold. And..." Her voice dropped. "We've both seen her true face at the convenience store. Your friendship standards are... unique, Shimizu-kun."
As Shimizu stood to leave, he tossed back: "She's just right for me. Nobody's perfect—we all have flaws."
Sakayanagi watched him go, her mind drifting to opening day afternoon—
"Why should I tell you anything? What's in it for me? Points? Pfft—I'm not a student anymore! Those are worthless off-campus! Money? Save it, kid—I'm Class A alumni. Family owns mines. Heading to Todai..."
The alumnus had waved his luxury watch-clad wrist dismissively—until:
"Wait... You're Chairman Sakayanagi's daughter? Well. Your father did pour all resources into Class A... Fine. For his sake, I'll tell you everything."
"Disgusting..." Sakayanagi pushed away her half-eaten meal.
She'd only ordered this pathetic vegetable set to feign vulnerability after spotting Shimizu—a wasted effort.