Sakayanagi's domineering demeanor, frankly, Horikita didn't find annoying. Even the people around them didn't feel anything amiss.
Although most people had only a superficial understanding of Sakayanagi Arisu from Class A, and even her unexpected victory in this exam was largely attributed to luck by outsiders, there was naturally no talk of recognizing Sakayanagi's strength.
The result became obvious: Sakayanagi had an overwhelming presence over others in terms of appearance and demeanor. Every gesture she made showcased her excellence to onlookers, making even those who didn't know or understand her instinctively believe that this petite girl with an elfin beauty was incredibly capable.
Of course, it might also be because everyone saw the shadow of another person in Sakayanagi, so no matter how arrogant she appeared, everyone found it natural.
However, for Horikita, this was real, tangible pressure.
Seeing Sakayanagi's intimidating aura, Horikita immediately changed her tactics. If competing head-on with Sakayanagi in terms of aura and excellence put her at a disadvantage, then she simply wouldn't compete.
Horikita directly turned her gaze to Amane.
"Amane, what do you think? Shall we go back and discuss the plan?"
Horikita directly shifted the conversation back to Amane, perfectly avoiding the disadvantage of being suppressed by Sakayanagi's presence.
And she even played a little trick.
Horikita appeared to be following the rules of competition, fairly letting Amane make her own choice. In reality, she left Amane with only one option: to go back with her and discuss the plan. Sakayanagi's invitation to Amane was selectively ignored by Horikita.
Otherwise, Horikita should have asked Amane whether she wanted to go back with her to discuss tactics or go to a gathering with Sakayanagi.
When faced with a limited-choice question, Amane would have to provide a suitable reason if she refused.
Because unlike Sakayanagi's private gathering, Horikita's inquiry was made from her position as the leader of Class D, and the content was closely related to the class's collective interests.
The special exam only lasted four days, while a private gathering could be held at any time. In terms of time urgency, the special exam was naturally more important.
So, in Horikita's view, this questioning method ensured that Amane's answer would lean towards her.
Sakayanagi naturally saw through Horikita's small trick, but she didn't say much. Unlike Horikita, in her eyes, Amane was not someone who would be swayed by such simple suggestions.
If Amane chose to jump into the trap, even knowing it was there, it would only excite Sakayanagi more.
Between a gathering with a close friend and class interests, what did Amane's choice of class interests prove? Undoubtedly, it symbolized Amane's unwillingness to remain dormant. With Amane's prestige, taking back Horikita's authority would be as simple as eating and drinking.
Sakayanagi had always been worried.
Worried that after she defeated Katsuragi, Amane had chosen to settle for comfort and no longer interfere in class affairs. In that case, whether it was Horikita, Ichinose, Ryuuen, or those others...
They would be no match for her. In that case, her three years of high school life would suddenly become dull. If Amane wanted to compete with her again, that would be even better. Just thinking about Amane competing with her filled Sakayanagi with motivation.
Perhaps she would even fulfill her lifelong dream in this school.
To achieve a complete and thorough victory over Amane.
That's right.
It wasn't about completely defeating Amane, but merely desiring a single victory. To others in this school, such a dream was merely a matter of probability, as it was impossible for anyone to perfectly handle all special exams.
Sakayanagi was no weakling either. As the number of special exams increased, Class A would sooner or later defeat Class D with an absolute advantage in a special exam favorable to Class A.
But in Sakayanagi's view, having never achieved even a partial victory against Amane, she could only possibly snatch a victory from Amane's grasp by giving her all every single time.
Victory was such a luxurious thing for her.
Apart from Amane, her eyes could barely hold anything else. Of course, her heart was the same; apart from Amane, it couldn't hold anyone else. Even her father's position in her heart ranked behind Amane's. Only Amane accompanied her through the darkest period of her life.
Sakayanagi Arisu craved the opportunity to contend with Amane, so she chose to watch coldly.
She even hoped to lose this battle of wills, allowing Horikita to bring Amane back onto the chessboard of the special exam.
"Why does it have to be an either/or? Can't there be a compromise?"
Amane looked at Horikita and Sakayanagi in confusion.
Horikita and Sakayanagi also looked at each other for a moment, bewildered. One wanted to chat with you, the other wanted to discuss future special exam tactics. Could that even be compromised?
Just as both thought Amane was trying to smooth things over, Amane actually put her words into action.
In a corner of the cafeteria.
Four people sat in their respective seats, leisurely enjoying their drinks.
Sakayanagi took a small sip of coffee, casting a helpless glance at Amane, who was happily cutting a small cake.
After dividing the cake, Amane thoughtfully offered a piece to everyone.
"Thank you, Amane. Speaking of which... why do I feel the atmosphere is strange? Sakayanagi-san, Horikita-san, why aren't you two talking?"
Shiina put down her tea and looked at the two curiously.
Sakayanagi and Horikita exchanged an awkward glance before simultaneously lowering their heads, pretending to sip their drinks.
This, in turn, made Shiina feel the atmosphere was even more peculiar.
"It's probably because they're not quite used to it yet? They'll get used to it later."
Amane picked up the milk in front of her, about to take a sip, but was interrupted by the sound of Horikita putting down her cup.
"I think gathering here is no different from wasting time, Amane. Don't forget we have more important things to do."
Hearing Horikita-san say that, Shiina-san seemed to understand something and turned to glance at the indifferent Sakayanagi-san.
She had also heard a little about the dragon group. Originally, she had come to inquire about the situation, but Amane-san had tricked her into coming to taste desserts together.
Shiina-san, who initially thought it was a two-person gathering, arrived happily only to find Sakayanagi-san and Horikita-san glaring at each other with displeasure.
It was then that she realized this wasn't a dessert tasting at all; Amane-san had clearly tricked her into coming to ease the atmosphere.
Amane-san is the worst. I must demand some compensation from her later.
Shiina-san complained quietly in her heart, then began to ponder how to lighten the mood between the two sides.
Suddenly, a thought flashed in her mind.
Since no one wants to talk, why not find a topic everyone is willing to discuss?
It's currently during a special exam. What topic could pique everyone's interest? The answer was obvious with a little thought.
Shiina-san's ill-intentioned gaze fell on Amane-san.
Amane-san happened to be looking at her with a pleading gaze, and the two immediately hit it off.
Since Amane-san was the first to try to trick me, it shouldn't be too much for me to give Amane-san a small return gift, right?
"Hey, Amane-san, I heard you and Karuizawa-san secretly went on a date on the deck. Is that true?"
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