Chapter 013 Hmph! Scumbag Shimizu Akira! Running off right after using me!
Before Ishigami Kyo left, he mentioned that Tsukishiro Tokinari had spent 20 million private points to set a trap, aiming to expel either him or Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
He even went as far as gathering the leaders of all four Year 1 classes together.
Looking at it that way, the proactive attitude Utomiya Riku and Tsubaki Sakurako showed when trying to recruit him and Ayanokouji back then finally makes sense.
Wait, does that guy really have 20 million? During the last Class Poll exam, he clearly didn't get a single cent, right? Even as the Acting Chairman, he shouldn't be able to just embezzle funds from the school's public accounts at will. Therefore, he's most likely "playing with an empty glove" (running a scam).
No wonder he was so anxious to push through the penalty system for the Class Poll exam; he wants to recoup those funds.
Oh, and one more thing. Last time, Koenji Rokusuke's family intervened. Tsukishiro probably intended to make things unpleasant for him, which is why he transferred Koenji to a different class.
"It seems letting him keep doing whatever he wants isn't a long-term solution." Shimizu Akira thought for a moment, grabbed his coat, and headed out the door.
As he reached the corner, he unexpectedly nearly collided with a cute, red-haired underclassman. "Shimizu-senpai! Why are you walking so fast? Where are you headed?" After stabilizing herself, Amasawa Ichika looked at him with a beaming smile. Then, she saw a look of slight fear suddenly surface on Shimizu Akira's face.
"Amasawa... uh, good afternoon. Look, I really have an urgent matter, so I'm leaving first." Without waiting for her to reply, he turned and left without looking back.
"Huh?!" Amasawa Ichika was completely stunned.
Wait, she had planned for days and finally managed to create this "chance encounter," and it's just gone like that?
And, she wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but why did Shimizu-senpai have an expression like he'd seen a murderer! She's not a murderer! She felt like her Senpai was misunderstanding something!
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Sakayanagi Arisu conducted a post-mortem review of the last special exam.
This time, Class A had won over twenty students whose abilities—other than academic—were quite prominent. The other party had also made a promise: if there were cross-year cooperative or competitive special exams in the future, they would prioritize cooperating with Class A rather than opposing them. Based on the results, they had spent about 2 million private points.
She happened to have recently replaced her cane and bought a few other things, so the class budget now sat at around 9 million. Actually, back when the Katsuragi faction and the Sakayanagi faction were evenly matched, half of the class funds were in the other side's hands. Katsuragi would check the accounts from time to time, so Sakayanagi Arisu had been quite restrained during that period.
But now, since Katsuragi has completely fallen from power... She was, more or less, letting herself go a little.
"Speaking of which, when I was looking at my phone last time, it seemed Hashimoto Masayoshi caught a glimpse. I wonder what he's thinking." In her dorm room, Sakayanagi Arisu lay on her bed and spoke softly to herself. She had known from the day she started using Hashimoto that he was the type to "sway with the wind" (a fence-sitter). But for now, Year 1 Class A is still Year 1 Class A. He shouldn't go as far as betraying her yet.
She thought about it and sent him a meaningless message. As expected, the other party replied within seconds, just like always. It seemed there was no need to worry about Hashimoto Masayoshi's loyalty for the time being.
"I'm probably overthinking it. The matter of the class funds won't be exposed so easily." Sakayanagi Arisu thought that the next special exam would likely be the uninhabited island. The next two months would be entirely dedicated to studying. There wouldn't be any opportunity to use class funds, so as long as it isn't exposed, there shouldn't be a problem.
She couldn't help but glance out the window again. Not far away, several couples were standing by the cherry blossom trees, seemingly enjoying the flowers.
As for herself, for one, she didn't have a boyfriend, and for another, her physical condition didn't allow for much. Even during Golden Week, she didn't have much interest in going out.
Her two subordinates, Kamuro Masumi and Yamamura Miki, actually went out to play together these past few days, leaving her—their master—behind. How annoying. Sakayanagi Arisu suddenly had the urge to call them both back right now to keep her company.
If it were Kamuro Masumi, she'd likely answer with that cold face, ask "What do you want?", and then return reluctantly, wearing a stiff expression the whole time as if completing a chore. Yamamura Miki would return obediently, but she'd definitely be panting from jogging all the way back, looking at her with those moist eyes and asking, "Sakayanagi-san, are you feeling unwell?"
Forget it, it sounds like too much trouble.
She tossed her phone aside and rolled over to the other side. Faint laughter drifted from outside—it was those couples taking photos under the cherry blossoms. The girls stood on their tiptoes to get close to the petals, while the boys held up their phones to find the right angle. They fussed for a long time before taking a satisfactory shot, then huddled together to look at the screen and laughed out loud.
As Sakayanagi Arisu watched, she suddenly felt a bit nauseous.
For a "single dog" (single person) like her, the emotional damage was too great.
Truth be told, it's not that she didn't have someone she liked. Unfortunately, since the start of school, Shimizu Akira had seemingly felt nothing for her from start to finish.
Furthermore, a while ago, Yamamura Miki had mentioned that Shimizu Akira now had more than one girlfriend. "Ichinose Honami, Kamuro Masumi, and those other women in their class..."
Sakayanagi Arisu counted them on her fingers. She didn't even know when he'd managed to get together with them. During that forest camp exam, Shimizu Akira and Ichinose Honami were in a corner doing heaven-knows-what shameful thing when she stumbled upon them.
She raised her hand to touch her chest and found that she was starting to feel uncomfortable again. She quickly lay flat and gently rubbed it.
"Even if Shimizu Akira dates other girls, it's no big deal." She began to comfort herself. "What I need is Shimizu Akira as an opponent, not a boyfriend."
That makes sense, right?
Shimizu Akira loves his girlfriends so much; if they actually dated, what if he didn't let her do anything? So, not being together is actually a good thing for her. Then, she heard a knock on her dorm door.
Sakayanagi Arisu was stunned for a moment.
Few people came to find her at this time. Honestly, even Masumi and Miki had gone out to play—who else could it be? Her first thought was that it might be Hiyori, but when she peeked through the peephole... Eh? Shimizu Akira?
Why was he here? Sakayanagi Arisu was uncharacteristically flustered.
After thinking for a moment, she went to the bathroom first to carefully check her appearance. After confirming there were no issues, she changed out of her pajamas and slippers into a beautiful white dress before preparing to open the door.
Though she wasn't dating him, it was a rare guest visit. As the host, she had to dress up properly.
Sakayanagi Arisu convinced herself of this and opened the door.
The moment the door opened, their eyes met. Shimizu Akira looked at the Sakayanagi Arisu before him—wearing a white dress and clearly dressed up—and was slightly stunned. "Sakayanagi, are you going out?" "No," Sakayanagi Arisu replied quickly. "I was just bored staying in the room, so I changed my clothes." She stepped aside from the doorway. "Come in."
Shimizu Akira didn't stand on ceremony and walked straight in. Sakayanagi Arisu's dorm was tidier than he expected—or rather, simpler. There weren't many extra decorations; a few half-finished books sat on the desk, and the bed was made neatly. The only splash of color was a small potted plant on the windowsill.
"Have a seat." Sakayanagi Arisu leaned on her cane and walked over to the small tea table. "Would you like some tea?"
"Don't go to the trouble, I just have a few things to say."
"Even so, you should sit down to talk."
Sakayanagi Arisu started boiling water on her own, her movements slow and poised. Shimizu Akira sat on a stool, his gaze sweeping across the room before landing on her. The white dress, her long hair draped down, and her bare feet in slippers.
Compared to the usual Sakayanagi Arisu who held a cane and looked composed, she currently looked... how should he put it? More like an ordinary high school girl.
"What are you looking at?" Sakayanagi Arisu's back was to him, her voice coming from the direction of the kettle.
"Nothing." Shimizu Akira withdrew his gaze. "I just think your room is quite clean."
"What did you expect? Did you think it would be piled with dirty clothes and manga like some boys' dorms?"
"I didn't say that."
The water boiled. Sakayanagi Arisu brewed two cups of tea, brought them over, and sat down opposite him. She pushed one cup toward Shimizu Akira and held the other herself, though she didn't drink, just watching the steam rising from the surface of the tea. "Well then, why are you looking for me?"
Shimizu Akira looked at her. "Ishigami Kyo came to find me today."
Sakayanagi Arisu's eyelashes fluttered slightly. "And then?"
"He told me some things.
Regarding Acting Chairman Tsukishiro and the White Room. This time, two 'assassins' have come: Amasawa Ichika and Yagami Takuya."
Sakayanagi Arisu was silent for two seconds. To be honest, she was a bit shocked.
Ishigami Kyo was actually connected to the White Room? And this time, the White Room sent two people at once? However, she quickly regained her composure and asked, "Why are you telling me this information? From what you're saying, the targets should be you and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka."
"It's true that the targets are the two of us." Shimizu Akira took a sip of tea. "But you should remember the last Class Poll exam; you rejected Tsukishiro. He likely holds quite a bit of resentment toward you now. So I think you should also be careful of those two in the future. By the way, your tea-brewing skills are quite good."
It was much better than the tea he'd brewed for Ishigami Kyo yesterday.
Sakayanagi Arisu was, after all, someone who frequently drank coffee, but she clearly had her own understanding of brewing tea.
Looking at his serious expression as he tasted the tea, Sakayanagi Arisu couldn't help but let out a light laugh. "It's rare to hear a compliment from your mouth."
Shimizu Akira put down the teacup, neither confirming nor denying. "Just stating facts."
A few more seconds passed. Sakayanagi Arisu lowered her eyes, her slender fingers gently stroking the rim of the teacup.
"So, you made a special trip just to remind me to be careful?"
"Pretty much."
"Then what about yourself?" Her purple eyes looked straight at him.
"You need to be more careful than I do. The targets are you and Ayanokouji; I'm just a... bystander at most." Shimizu Akira looked back at her.
"I know."
"Then why..."
"You might just be a bystander, but given Tsukishiro's personality, a bystander might become a primary target. After all, you're a 'sickly' person."
"So... are you worried about me?"
"You are, for the time being, the big benefactor who has been sponsoring me since school started."
This answer caught Sakayanagi Arisu by surprise.
She originally thought he would brush it off with a lukewarm tone as he had in the past, or say it was just convenient. But he had actually offered an explanation.
Inexplicably, something in her heart stirred slightly.
"Don't overthink it," Shimizu Akira added.
"I still haven't forgiven you for making a move on Honami and for not keeping your promise. But the White Room assassins this time are said to be capable of killing. You should still be careful."
Shimizu Akira indeed still had some grievances with Sakayanagi Arisu. But after all, they had known each other for over a year.
He wasn't so cold-hearted that he couldn't even give her a warning.
After hearing this, Sakayanagi Arisu lowered her head.
"Capable of killing..." She repeated those words, her tone revealing neither fear nor anything else.
"You believe it?"
Shimizu Akira remained non-committal.
"That guy Ishigami Kyo—do you think he's someone who would joke about something like this?"
Sakayanagi Arisu admitted, "No. I met him when I was a child; he's not the type to exaggerate." "Then that's that."
Shimizu Akira thought for a moment and then said: "Actually, there's one more thing I need your cooperation with."
"What is it?"
"I need your father's phone number."
Sakayanagi Arisu looked at him and gave a soft laugh.
"I see. This was your true purpose for coming, wasn't it? To seek my father's help in dealing with Tsukishiro. How dangerous—I almost thought you made a special trip for the sake of my safety."
Shimizu Akira looked at her half-smiling expression. "Two things can happen simultaneously. Logically, there's no conflict."
Sakayanagi Arisu tilted her head. "So, reminding me to be careful is real, and wanting my father's contact information is also real?"
"Yes."
"Which one is more 'real'?"
Shimizu Akira felt a headache coming on. "There's no way to distinguish between real or fake for a question like that. If I have to say, both are completely real." Sakayanagi Arisu blinked.
"Shimizu-kun, do you know? You look exactly like a scumbag trying to please two girls at the same time right now." Shimizu Akira's mouth twitched.
"That's an inappropriate metaphor. After all, you aren't my girlfriend."
Sakayanagi Arisu laughed with an innocent look. "That's not right, is it? It's a fact that you're dating multiple people. Calling you a scumbag... isn't exactly a false accusation, is it?"
Shimizu Akira didn't want to argue with her about this.
"So? Your father's number—will you give it or not?"
Sakayanagi Arisu didn't answer immediately. She picked up her teacup, realized the tea had gone stone cold, and put it back down.
"Do you want my father to be reinstated?"
Shimizu Akira nodded.
"Tsukishiro and the White Room people don't belong in this school; they need to leave. I need your father's help," Shimizu Akira said.
"Chairman Sakayanagi is the most suitable person for this position."
Sakayanagi Arisu smiled. "Father has unexpectedly received a high evaluation from you."
She continued: "Fine, I can give you the phone number. After all, this is also beneficial for my father."
Sakayanagi grabbed her phone from the bedside, pulled up a string of numbers, and held it out to him.
"This is my father's private number. When you call, give him my name and he will pick up. Though, he admires you quite a bit; he might pick up just by hearing your voice." S
himizu Akira noted the number and handed the phone back to her.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome," Sakayanagi Arisu nodded. "Remember, you owe me a favor."
Shimizu Akira was about to get up and leave, but paused when he heard that.
"I don't owe you. However, if you are willing to apologize to Honami, she might be willing to play with you this holiday."
Sakayanagi Arisu was suddenly displeased. Why does this man always bring up his girlfriend? Was what she did really that excessive?
Looking at the results, it clearly boosted their relationship.
At most, she just didn't keep her promise regarding the Totsuka Yahiko incident.
She couldn't help but ask: "If I gain Ichinose-san's forgiveness and promise not to target her personally in the future, can Shimizu-kun agree to one requirement of mine—one that isn't too excessive?"
"If your request itself isn't excessive and the compensation is reasonable, I can consider it."
Shimizu Akira stood up.
"Alright, I'm leaving." He took the phone number and left the dorm just like that.
After the door closed, Sakayanagi Arisu looked at the door and whispered.
"Hmph, scumbag. Throwing me away as soon as you're done using me."
But soon, she started laughing again.
"By the way, who told you Sakayanagi Arisu doesn't have friends to go out with?" She picked up her phone and dialed Shiina Hiyori's number directly.
"Hiyori, tomorrow happens to be Greenery Day. We two physically weak people can go out and have some fun."
There was a silence on the other end.
"Um... I'm sorry, Arisu," Shiina Hiyori said apologetically.
"I have an appointment tomorrow. Let's do it another day, okay?"
"..."
Sakayanagi Arisu stood frozen in place, holding the phone that had been hung up.
The sunlight outside the window was still bright.
She slowly lowered her phone and looked at those couples still taking photos outside.
She felt like throwing stones at them.
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