"Phew... that worked out better than I thought."

"Yeah... I hope things work out."

"Do you want a drink? I'm going to see if their fridge has any juice. It's way too hot."

Sakigamiya fanned herself.

"I'm good... actually, could I get a glass of water?"

"Sure. Hang on a second."

Sakigamiya popped into the kitchen to grab our drinks.

Lately, she's been less hostile towards me, so I think our relationship was improving.

Regardless, it wouldn't last long.

"Here."

Sakigamiya handed me the glass of water.

"Thanks."

As I took a sip, she popped open a can of orange soda.

"Takanori-san, I've been wondering something."

"Hm?"

"Did you set Kou-san up with Mikitaka-san on purpose?"

Sakigamiya seemed to have noticed my alternate intentions after all.

"Well... sort of."

"Eh? Do you know something I don't?"

"Maybe."

"Ugh, this is what I hate about you. You always give such vague answers."

Sakigamiya put down her juice and took out a notebook. She flipped it open and started to jot down some notes from the textbook. I guess she was serious about doing studying.

"I thought you came here to help make Nora-san and Shouko-san a couple."

"That's partly the reason. Mikitaka-san invited me, and it sounded like fun playing Cupid. The main reason though is because I want to help the others study."

"Oh? Does that mean...?"

"Yeah. Me and Isogai-san are thinking about going through with A Class's offer."

I figured that this was going to happen.

"You managed to convince him, huh?"

"Of course. It took a bit of effort, but he eventually agreed. Though, we want to change some of the conditions."

"Did you ever manage to find a senpai who could help out?"

"Unfortunately, no. That's why, if we're going to let Senzaki-san be the one to make the exams, we want to demand more Cl."

"That makes sense. How much are you thinking?"

"We want to demand 200 Cl from them."

"...huh."

"What? It's not that much. They'd still be on top if they gave us 200 Cl. Plus, we'd be way closer to catching up to D Class."

If we got 200 Cl, we'd be instantly bumped up to 220 Cl, making the difference between us and D Class 77 Cl.

"I think A Class would be cautious to give us that much."

"We have a plan to get them to accept 200."

"And that is?"

"We're going to ask for an absurd sum at first, such as 400, and slowly reduce it down to 200, before saying it's our final offer. That way, it will look like we're losing great time in that negotiation, thus tricking them into accepting."

"Reverse psychology... not a bad idea."

I doubt this would work though. They were trying to use a cheap trick against the best students in our year. There was no way it'd work. The most likely outcome is they'd succumb to the 100 Cl regardless.

"When are you planning on accepting?"

"We're trying to delay it to the last possible second to keep A Class on their toes, in case this is a ploy to get everyone an easy pass."

"True, we should try to waste their time as much as possible."

This just meant the deadline to execute my plan had been extended greatly.

"How's the English exam coming along, by the way? We actually need to work on that."

"It's halfway to being done. This is what I've added and changed."

I took out the exam draft from my bag and showed Sakigamiya.

"Ah, perfect! You're such a hard worker, Takanori-san."

"The grind never stops."

"I wish we had a history expert in our class though. It would make mine and Isogai-san's life way easier."

Surprisingly, history was one of Nora's weaker subjects, which is ironic since Chabashira-sensei was a history teacher.

"It's weird they only want to compete in three subjects."

"Japanese, math, and science are the core three after all. It wouldn't surprise me to find out they only chose three for appearance's sake."

"Appearance's sake?"

"Assuming A Class's goal is to give everyone an easy pass, if Senzaki-san said she'd handle making all the exams, there's less of a chance you and Matsushita's-san would accept. It would be too risky. However, by only choosing three, they've increased the chance of making you two accept, since we'd still have the English and history exam to fall back on just in case."

Luckily, when I poured over the midterm results of A Class, I saw that their weakest subjects were English and history. We might have a chance to fail some students in those areas.

"Isogai-san did bring that possibility up, but I genuinely think Ryouta-san and Shimada-san are having a challenge."

"What makes you think that?"

"Before everything happened, I was close friends with Ryouta-san. Knowing him, I don't think he'd pull something underhanded like this on us. He'd want to fight fair and square."

"You only knew him for a month though... can you say for sure he wouldn't do something like that?"

"I'm positive of it. If anything... I think the one who might be scheming something behind the scenes is Shimada-san."

Sakigamiya winced saying his name. Fear leaked into her dilated pupils.

"He's bad news... really bad news."

"Shimada-san, huh?"

"Yeah... he's the one who made up the conditions of the challenge."

"What are they?"

"The loser has to leave A Class."

"...what?"

"I know, it's insane! The whole reason Ryouta-san is even challenging Shimada-san in the first place is to try and get rid of him from their class."

"I know he's their biggest troublemaker, but has the situation gotten that bad?"

"Yes... from what I've heard, Shimada-san was the one who provoked Ryouta-san first. He called the school boring and wanted Ryouta-san to relieve him from that boredom. That led to Ryouta-san challenging him in the finals. However, the conditions Ryouta-san originally suggested was different."

"What were they?"

"Cooperation. If Ryouta-san won, then Shimada-san would have to cooperate with A Class. However, if Shimada-san won, then he could continue to live how he always has."

"That sounds like a way better deal than leaving A Class... I can only imagine Shimada-san was the one who upped the stakes."

"Same. It wouldn't make sense for Ryouta-san to escalate it himself."

"Wouldn't Ryouta-san be in bigger trouble then? He scored less than Shimada-san on the midterms and he's the class representative. If he loses, A Class will crumble."

"That's what's making me feel uneasy. I think Shimada-san's true goal is to remove Ryouta-san. Otherwise, it makes no sense to escalate their challenge."

"While that makes sense... I don't think Shimada-san is that kind of person. He's never been interested in having power or winning the intra-class battle."

"Then why get rid of Ryouta-san? Granted, I'd be happy to have one less enemy to deal with, but between picking the lesser of two evils, I'd much rather face off against him than Shimada-san."

"Does there have to be a reason? Shimada-san doesn't run on normal logic."

"True... he's a complete nutcase whack-job psycho. He probably escalated the consequences for the kick of it, that adrenaline junkie."

"Or maybe he just wants to see A Class suffer."

I felt like this was the most reasonable conclusion, since everything he does has negatively affected A Class in some way. Perhaps he doesn't want to be part of that class? If so, he could purposely throw the challenge to make his exit.

Though, if that were the case, he could've left ages ago. There's no reason to make theatrics out of it.

The more I tried to rationalise why he did this, the more confused I became. I didn't understand this man at all.

It was like he was the living embodiment of chaos.

"I kind of hope Shimada-san wins, to be honest..."

Sakigamiya voiced her feelings to me.

"Really?"

"Yeah... if Ryouta-san leaves A Class, I think we could persuade him to join our class."

"Oh. You want to gain him as an ally, huh?"

I cast my mind back to the deal Yukina made with Yogen. She and Sakigamiya had basically thought of the same thing.

"That, and..."

Sakigamiya bit her bottom lip as tears began to fall from her eyes.

"I-I'm scared... I'm so scared... of Shimada-san..."

"Sakigamiya-san...?"

I had no idea what to do in this moment.

Sakigamiya was crying before me in front of my eyes, yet I couldn't say anything.

It reminded me of the time I watched Yukina cry as she expressed her complicated feelings to me.

And when that pain of being unable to anything resurfaced, I felt a strong urge to stop Sakigamiya's tears from falling anymore than they already have.

I didn't have any tissues on me, but I did have the handkerchief that Shimizu let me keep from the first time I properly met her.

Taking it, I reached out and handed it to Sakigamiya.

"...here. Let it all out."

"T-thank you, Takanori-san..."

Sakigamiya wiped away her tears and sniffled.

"I'm sorry you had to see that..."

"It's okay, I don't mind. Do you feel better now?"

"Mhm..."

"If I can ask, why are you so scared of Shimada-san?"

"Shimada-san, he... once kicked me in the chest..."

I knew he was violent, but I didn't know he was this violent.

Not only did he hit a girl, but he did it on her chest, with a devastating front kick. How heartless could he be?

"What? That's horrible."

"It's kind of my fault... he was going to kick Yukimura-kun while he was down, but I jumped in to protect him. As a result, Shimada-san's kick ended up rippling through my arm and into my chest."

Sakigamiya traced on her body how Shimada's kick travelled through her. He didn't even land a direct hit on her. It was the shock from the blow that hurt her chest. That was insane.

"The pain was so, so bad... it only went away recently, but every time I went to sleep, I could feel it linger in my chest like a heavy metal weight... it was the worst pain I ever felt in my life...! I don't ever want to experience that again... I'd rather have Machida slap me than take another kick from him!"

As she spat out her anguish, Sakigamiya started to feebly tremble.

"I can imagine. That sounds rough."

"Yeah... that's why I don't want him to join our class. If he joined... I don't know if I could handle it. He gives off such a disgusting and menacing aura... I can't stand it! Every time I look at him, it terrifies me..."

Sakigamiya looked like she was about to cry again. Since I didn't want to see her get even more upset, I tried to offer some encouraging words.

"Don't worry. If they do leave A Class, I doubt they'll transfer to our class on purpose. It would be the same as shooting themselves in the foot. They'll most likely transfer to B Class, since it's directly underneath A Class."

"But there's no way of guaranteeing it... Shimada-san's so whimsical, he might end up choosing E Class for the fun of it. It gives me anxiety just thinking about it."

"If it's hurting you, then let's talk about something different."

"Eh...?"

"I don't like seeing you upset, Sakigamiya-san."

"Oh... I bet it looks pathetic, doesn't it?"

"Not really. It just feels weird, since you're usually so bold and unapologetic with your actions. It's not like you to be afraid of someone else."

Sakigamiya lowered her head and smiled disparagingly.

"Though, I understand why you're afraid of Shimada-san. That's why, if talking about him is going to make you cry, let's change subjects. I don't want to see you shed any more tears over a jerk like him."

Sakigamiya started to blush as a surprised expression formed on her lifted face.

"Takanori-san..."

I felt embarrassed that she was looking at me like this. I didn't say that much, yet it was enough to elicit that kind of reaction from her.

"Thank you... for the kind words."

"It's nothing really."

"No, I mean it. It feels nice to hear it from you."

"I thought you didn't like me?"

Sakigamiya shook her head.

"The truth is... I think you're actually a really cool person."

"...huh?"

Now it was my turn to be surprised. Sakigamiya smiled a little seeing my reaction.

"Too soon...?"

"I... I just didn't expect it."

"He he... I can tell. I haven't exactly been nice towards you in the past."

That would be an understatement...

"But... I hope you can forgive me for it... because, I... I really admire you, Takanori-san!"

"Hang on, I feel like I should be saying that line, not you..."

Sakigamiya laughed.

"It's true. Recently, I've come to admire how strong and smart you are. Before, I didn't think much of you, except that you were a loner... but now I'm starting to see what Yukina-san sees in you."

I started feeling embarrassed from all the praise Sakigamiya was giving me.

"No wonder she always talks about you so positively and stays by your side so much... it makes me a little jealous that she's so close to such a dependable person. I wish I had someone like that in my life..."

Rather than getting swept up in Sakigamiya's sweet words, I tried to stay focused by switching topics. As such, it was the perfect chance to poke around for answers regarding Minanohara.

"Isn't that Matsushita-san?"

"Isogai-san... well, me and him are close, but I don't know if I could rely on him the same way Yukina-san relies on you."

"Ah. I thought you guys would be similar to us, since you two both went to the same middle school."

"Don't get me wrong, we're close, but not that close. We became friends because it was expected of us."

"What do you mean by that?"

"How do I put it... we were both the most popular boy and girl in class, so it was only natural."

If Matsushita was popular in middle school, it made me wonder what caused him attack Kouji in the first place. It also made me wonder what Kouji's relation was to him.

I doubt Kouji was liked by many since people were cheering Matsushita on. Was Matsushita pressured by his other classmates to fight him? Or did he fight Kouji on his own accord because they had a personal grudge?

"Do you think you'd still be friends with Matsushita-san if it wasn't for that?"

"I think so, yeah."

Without hesitation, Sakigamiya nodded her head. However, it was a noncommittal answer. That much implies she's not fully sure herself.

"I mean, I was the one who approached him in the first place, so I think the outcome would be the same regardless."

"Really? I would've thought it was Matsushita-san who'd approach you."

"He might look all cool and confident, but he's actually quite the passive person. A bit like you."

If that was the case, it only made me wonder what influenced Matsushita to hurt Kouji. Was it Kouji himself, or an outside force?

"I don't think so. Matsushita-san is very assertive."

"I guess he can if he wants to be. During the civil war, he was ruthless. But aside from that, he's not really active, you know? He goes along with what the class thinks and doesn't call many shots. If anything, I think I lead the class more than he does."

That was a fair assumption, since Sakigamiya was a lot more authoritative when it came to hard decisions, such as the A Class deal. She managed to convince Matsushita to accept it, despite his hesitancy. That was also another one of her strengths as leader.

Her argumentative ability and readiness to challenge others also made her more useful when it came to negotiations. If Shimada wasn't present when Senzaki proposed the deal, then I think Sakigamiya would've been able to argue for more Cl on the spot, rather than stay quiet out of fear.

However, despite being the more dominant class representative, most people saw Matsushita as the face of E Class. If Sakigamiya recognised that she was doing a better job than him at being leader, why would she keep herself in a position behind him? She's argued with him before, so she's clearly not afraid of him or doesn't see herself as beneath him.

If anything, her sharpness is more beneficial to our class than Matsushita's cautiousness. There had to be a reason why she being so agreeable with him.

"Why don't you take charge of the class then? I think more progress would be made if you were making all the decisions."

I decided this was the best way to feel out a reason why she kept subordinate to Matsushita.

"I don't want to have to burden the responsibility of everything like how Isogai-san does. It's way too harsh."

Probing these answers from her only raised more questions in my head. I wanted to know more, but I couldn't ask directly.

How could I draw information out of Sakigamiya without tipping her off that I'm investigating her past? This was the hardest part of our conversation right now.

I gently goaded the conversation towards talking about Matsushita to understand her perception of him.

"The difference is your mental fortitude compared to his?"

"I guess you can put it that way... yeah. I feel like I wouldn't have the resilience to handle what Isogai-san has to go through from being E Class's leader."

This makes sense. On multiple occasions, such as her fight with Yukina, her arguments with Ayano, and her fear of Shimada, Sakigamiya has shown her emotional vulnerability compared to Matsushita's calm and collectiveness.

Plus, Matsushita had already endured one of the worst mental anguishes before from nearly killing Kouji. There's not many things that can shake your mind as easily once you experience something that traumatic.

"So that's why he's leader, huh? It must be a mentally taxing position."

"It is. Though, it's also a double edged sword... like I said before, he's quite a passive person. He doesn't like putting his heart into something unless necessary, so he usually ends up keeping his distance with everything until the last minute, especially with difficult choices."

That would explain why Matsushita was so hesitant to accept A Class's offer. His cautiousness was actually indifference.

"It makes me wonder why he was so riled up during the civil war then."

"I don't know either. I guess he felt the situation was urgent enough to stop acting aloof about it."

"The class was going to fall apart, so I can see why."

"Do you regret starting the civil war, Takanori-san?"

Sakigamiya suddenly sprung a question on me, drastically pivoting the conversation.

This was bad. I had to get it back on track somehow, or else I would've lost my chance to gather more information about Sakigamiya's relationship to Matsushita.

"Depends. Do you feel bad about adding fuel to those rumours?"

"Well..."

Sakigamiya looked away guiltily, scratching her cheek.

"So, no?"

"No! I mean... yes! I mean... ah, you're being unfair, Takanori-san! Ugh, hang on."

Sakigamiya stopped being flustered and backtracked on her words.

"What I meant is say is yes. I do feel bad about believing those rumours over you, my own classmate, but I had no choice. I had to go along with it."

"Why?"

"I can't say."

"Again... why?"

"Because you wouldn't get it."

"I don't mind."

"It's better if I didn't tell you, really..."

"I'm asking because I want to understand."

"...fine, but don't complain afterwards."

"I won't."

Taking a deep breath, Sakigamiya closed her eyes and looked away from me.

"I believed the rumour because... b-because Isogai-san said it was true."

"...what?"

"Exactly! I knew you wouldn't get it!"

Sakigamiya curled up and hid her face.

"That's enough to get you to believe a rumour? Really?"

"It's more complicated than that..."

Considering that Sakigamiya was being subordinate to Matsushita, I guess she had no choice but to go along with him or else she'd be ostracised from the class as well.

"I think I get the situation, more or less."

"You do...?"

"Even you have an image to keep."

Sakigamiya sat upright and peeked at me from over her bunched up knees.

"I'm glad I got to convey that much to you..."

"It would've been shallow to actually say it aloud, so I get it."

Hugging her legs, Sakigamiya turned away from me.

"You don't... think of me any less, do you?"

"Why would I?"

"Well... most people would after hearing that."

"You're talking to someone who has no reputation whatsoever. Things like that don't concern me."

"Ah... I should've seen that coming. You're impressive as always, Takanori-san."

"It's not that impressive."

"I think it is. These days, everyone's obsessed about keeping up a certain image... it's all quite fake."

"You're not wrong."

"I envy that you have no reputation. You can act however you want and no one will care."

"I'm not sure you actually want that kind of life, Sakigamiya-san. You might have more freedom, but you can only truly get that once you stop caring."

"But aren't you in that situation in the first place because you don't care?"

Sakigamiya hit me with a question that stumped me.

"Uh... not exactly, but... hmm. How should I put it..."

While it's true I don't care, it's up to a certain extent. If I didn't care whatsoever, I'd probably end up acting closer to Kouji or Shimada.

At the same time, the reason I don't care wasn't a choice I made consciously.

It was a choice forced upon me, by him.

In that sense, I didn't even have the freedom that came from having no reputation. I still had to act a certain way, like Sakigamiya does.

Except, the way I act is one of a loner.

"I guess if I were to put it... I only learned to stop caring when I became a loner. However, that was something that happened because no one wanted to be friends with me."

"Then you became friends with Yukina-san, I'm guessing?"

"Something like that. It's just a coincidence that we were both so similar."

"In what way?"

"We were both loners that liked books in the same class. So, in a way, we were bound to end up friends, I guess?"

"Kind of like me and Isogai-san... still, that's cute. You two are really close. I'm glad for her."

"You care a lot about Yukina, huh?"

"Of course I do, she's my best friend."

"Seriously? I thought it was Katsumi-san or Hono-san."

"They're both important to me, but... Yukina-san, I love being with her the most. We might not agree on everything, but that's what makes it so fun to talk to her. She makes me see things in a way different to how I usually would."

A friendship born from difference, huh?

"That's why... during the civil war, I couldn't forgive you when she chose your side over mine. I felt betrayed, but I didn't want to fight with her anymore than I already did, so I... took out all my anger on you instead. I know it was wrong of me, so... sorry."

"It's fine. You saw me as the person who took her away from you, so I get it."

"I know it's not much, but... is there any way I could make it up to you?"

Sakigamiya looked at me with sincere upturned eyes.

She was practically offering herself up to me. I could ask for anything, as long as it was reasonable.

While I could ask for something that would give me instant gratification in the short term, I wanted to ask for something that would benefit me in the long term.

I decided.

"Hmm... there is one thing."

"What is it?"

"Could you answer a question I've been wondering about for a long time?"

"Sure thing."

"Great. You know how everyone in E Class has a defect?"

"Yeah...?"

"What's your defect?"

Sakigamiya's face turned pale white.

"...h-huh? Why do you want to know that?"

"It's been on my mind ever since I first met you. I've always quietly thought to myself that you don't belong in E Class. You shine so brightly compared to the rest of us, yet the school deemed you as defective. It doesn't make any sense."

"To be honest... I'm not sure myself."

Those words contradicted the shaken up face she was making right now. She definitely knew what her defect was, but didn't want to tell me truthfully.

"That's fine. Any guess will suffice. After all, no one knows you better than yourself."

"That's such a cheesy saying."

"But it's true?"

"I guess."

Sakigamiya sighed.

"Honestly, Takanori-san... you're no fair. I try to be nice and this is what you ask..."

"If It makes you feel better, I'll tell you what I think my defect is."

Obviously, I wasn't going to tell her the truth if she wasn't going to either, but I could at least surmise some guesses as to what her actual defect is from her answer. After all, the easiest way to make a lie believable is to base some of it in reality.

"I still don't get why you want to know."

"Like I said, I don't think you belong in E Class. The same goes for other people like Matsushita-san and Ayano-san. They're clearly a step above the rest, yet they ended up here. I want to see what criteria the school deemed as defective to better understand the system."

"Does it even matter? We already got sorted into classes. They'll never do it again."

"Can you say for sure they won't? What if they're planning to reshuffle all the students at the beginning of next term to fit the class criteria? Or even next year? This school is still a complete mystery to us. We don't know what else they have in store for us. I want to be prepared for all situations. Besides..."

Since Sakigamiya still didn't look convinced, I had to pull out my trump card. Forgive me for using you, Rei.

"I want to know... for my little sister."

"You have a little sister, Takanori-san?"

"Yeah. Her name's Rei. She... got an invitation to GEN Academy."

"What! That early?!"

"Mhm. She called me about it the other day. I want to know what the school deems as defective for her sake. I don't want her to do anything that will put her in E Class. There's no way I'd let her to suffer the same fate as me."

"Why don't you tell her not to come here then? She's better off going to another high school."

"I tried to, but she's adamant on coming here, since I'm at this school."

"Does she know about the caste system then?"

"No. I haven't told her."

"Why not?! If you tell her about that, that would turn her off from coming here for sure!"

"Remember how I said this school is still a mystery? We had no clue to what the S System was before coming here. There has to be a reason why they keep it a secret. As such, I don't want to risk myself or Rei by telling her about it. I don't know what the punishment is. In all likelihood, they'd probably expel me since I'm already in E Class. Alternatively, they could rescind Rei's invitation or purposefully fail her at the entrance exam."

Of course, this was all speculation.

However, I did once try to research what happened to students that told people outside the island about the S System before. That served as the basis of my lie.

Essentially, my search came up empty aside from one student, Himeji Ranko— Himeji Kazuto's older sister.

Apparently, from what I found digging on the forums, she was expelled for telling her younger brother about the system when he enrolled here. However, the school staged it to look like she was expelled as punishment for failing a special exam.

I don't know much I can trust this story, since the source comes from 3-E, a class that both Kaido and Isen have told me to be wary of. However, I believe some of it, since 3-E was the elder Himeji's class. Her classmates would know the situation the best.

"That's true... ah, fine. I'll tell you, only because I don't want to see your little sister suffer."

"Thanks. It's going to be of great help."

Sakigamiya grumbled, crossing her arms and looking away from me with a pout.

"I think... my defect is..."

Since she was mumbling, I leaned in closer to hear her.

"That I care too much..."

It felt like the distance between me and Sakigamiya shortened by an incredible amount.

"T-there, that make you happy?!"

That's a certainly interesting conclusion - or rather, lie - that she chose to tell me.

"Something positive can also be a defect, huh?"

While it doesn't sound that bad at face value, it's probably one of the worst weaknesses to have. If you care about something, all it takes is for someone else to destroy it to hurt you.

However, this is one of the easiest weaknesses to get rid of, if you can steel your mind for it. If you care about nothing, nothing can hurt you except a direct attack.

I'm guessing that in Sakigamiya's past, she probably cared about something so much that it caused her to take drastic action, like Kawaguchi did for his little sister. What she cared about was a complete mystery to me though...

"This school is really messed up."

"Tell me about it..."

Sakigamiya sighed.

"Now, tell me your defect."

"...ah?"

"You said if I told you mine, you'd tell me yours. So, spit it out."

"Right. As you probably guessed, my defect is being anti-social."

"Wow, how original... there's like two other people in class with the same problem!"

"Sorry to disappoint you. It's what I do best."

"Can't be disappointed if I never had expectations for you in the first place."

"Ouch, but fair enough."

Sakigamiya finished the rest of her juice and crushed the can.

"Jeez, what's taking the others so long? They still haven't come downstairs yet."

"It's been an hour already?"

"Yep. Time flies when you're having fun."

I checked my phone for the time.

Sakigamiya was right... it was now 8:16pm, meaning I've been speaking to her for a little over an hour and fifteen minutes now.

It feels like I've unlocked an achievement.

"I guess they're enjoying each other's company."

"Do you wanna go up there and scare them?"

"Isn't that a bit childish...?"

"You have a crush on your mom, that's the most childish thing you can do. So, chop chop, and stop complaining."

"That was when I was four... and wait, why do you remember this as well?!"

I can't believe this fact got brought up to me twice by two different people today. How shallow are the girl's perception of me?

I silently followed Sakigamiya as we snuck up the stairs. Since I was walking behind her, and she was wearing a short skirt, I could see a little bit of her underwear peeking out.

She has white panties, huh...?

I quickly erased that thought from my mind and looked away from her round bosom. I focused on the task at hand, which was to launch a surprise attack on the other two groups.

Sakigamiya was going to scare Nora and Shouko, whereas I was going to scare Katsumi and Mikitaka.

"Good luck!"

Sakigamiya whispered to me before nimbly approaching Nora's room, whose door was shut.

In comparison... the door for Katsumi's room was wide open. However, I don't think either of them noticed me.

I stealthily approached the room and peered inside. My jaw nearly dropped from the sight before me.

"Do you want to change towels?"

Katsumi, who was snuggled up in bed with a flushed face, nodded. Mikitaka, who was kneeling besides her, took off the wet towel on her head and switched it for another that was sitting in a tub of cold water.

"Your face is still really hot... this fever must be really bad."

They weren't studying... Mikitaka was taking care of a sick Katsumi. Or rather, a Katsumi that had overheated from blushing so much!

"Uaaan..."

A strange noise slipped from Katsumi's mouth as Mikitaka pressed his hand against her cheek to feel her temperature. If anything, that made her face go even more red...

I'd feel bad for ruining Katsumi's moment with her crush, so I didn't interrupt and slowly stepped away from them instead.

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

...it was ultimately pointless as Sakigamiya's scream echoed through the entire house.

Alerted by her scream, Mikitaka flipped his head around, his eyes locking onto mine. Katsumi sat up in bed with a lightheaded but euphoric expression. He really treated her well, huh...?

"Brother! What happened, is Madame Alice okay?!"

"I don't know, I only just got here..."

I panted slightly, pretending that I rushed upstairs after hearing Sakigamiya's scream.

"Where is she?"

Having a sense of urgency after hearing Sakigamiya scream, Mikitaka got up and joined me outside on the landing.

"She went to visit Nora-san—"

"My best friend!"

The moment I mentioned Nora was involved, Mikitaka took off like a rocket and kicked open the door to Nora's room.

"My best friend, Madame Alice, Shouko-san! Are you all okay?! What's— who's that...?"

Mikitaka stopped dead in his tracks, his breath taken away.

"She's... she's gorgeous...!"

Me and Katsumi shortly joined Mikitaka, peering over his shoulders to see what was going on.

I couldn't believe my eyes...

"Kyaaaaaaaaa!"

Katsumi screamed the exact same way Sakigamiya did.

Turns out, Sakigamiya was screaming in delight. It was obvious why now.

Shouko had dressed Nora up in girl's clothes while doing his hair and makeup.

To put it simply, Nora had achieved his final form.

Even I couldn't resist the temptation of Nora in a dress.

If only he was a girl...

"M-Mikitaka-san, K-Kou-san, T-Takanori-kun?! W-what are you three doing here as well?!"

Noticing our presence lingering at the entrance, Nora cried out in embarrassment.

"Thank you God... this truly is a feast for the eyes...!"

Sakigamiya was rolling on the floor with a blissful smile, looking ready to pass away.

"S-Sakigamiya-san, are you okay?!"

"Waaaaaa...! Takayuki-kun's way too cute...!"

Joining her in dying on the floor was Katsumi, also blissfully smiling.

"K-Kou-san too?!"

"I think I might be gay for my best friend..."

Mikitaka fell face first on the floor, crying with a blissful smile.

"M-Mikitaka-san, no!"

"Yuki-chan... catch me..."

Shouko, both proud and exhausted from all her hard work, silently fainted in his arms.

"Eh?! S-Shouko-san?!"

Seeing everyone around him drop to the floor because of his cuteness, Nora looked at me with worried eyes.

"T-Takanori-kun... don't tell me you're going to pass out as well..."

If you keep looking at me like that, I actually might...

"I-if you fall to the floor, I don't know what I'd do by myself..."

Somehow, that line was more seductive than it should be.

"...I get it, I get it. I won't pass out on you, Nora-san."

"T-Takanori-kun...!"

For the sake of the unfairly adorable Nora, I somehow stayed standing up.

Seriously, what the hell kind of scenario was this?