11.1

AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, the teachers gathered in the staff room for a brief meeting.

Soon, it would be time for the teachers to head to the classrooms where their students were waiting.

"Let's go together for a bit, Sae-chan."

For the first time since they'd met in Mashima's room during the spring break, Hoshinomiya called out to Chabashira.

They left the staff room ahead of the other teachers.

"Ah, yes."

Hastily grabbing her tablet, Chabashira followed.

"You're curious about what I'm going to do from here on, aren't you?"

"Naturally. You'll let me hear your thoughts, right...?"

"Of course. I won't change—I absolutely won't let Sae-chan graduate from Class A."

Ayanokōji isn't just any student.

He just might manage to come up with a solution.

She had harbored that faint hope, but it remained an unfulfilled dream.

Of course, it was natural that he couldn't do it.

It isn't a problem between students, but one that transcends beyond that. It's a matter between teachers, after all.

Or so she had thought.

"Then, are you seriously going to resort to misconduct?"

"Ah, right, that was an issue. Wait, wait. Then, I should properly let you know."

Chabashira braced herself. If Hoshinomiya admitted it there, she would take the initiative to report it to the school.

She had resolved to prevent it from happening.

"What I said before about resorting to cheating to stop you from finishing as Class A—I'm retracting that statement."

Contrary to expectations, Hoshinomiya spat out a line as if she'd had a change of heart.

"I-Is that really true? You're not just lying because you're in front of me, are you?"

"I understand why you're doubting me, but it's true. I promise."

'Promise.' Hoshinomiya clearly stated it.

Upon hearing this, rather than feeling happy, Chabashira was first struck by surprise and agitation.

"Does that mean... instead of resorting to misconduct, you're going to impose something on me in exchange?"

"Not at all. Sae-chan, you should just continue seriously engaging with everyone in your class just as you've been doing. I'm not going to be imposing any conditions on you here."

"But then..."

"I know. So, you're wondering why I changed my mind... right?"

To that perfectly natural question, Chabashira nodded firmly.

"Ayanokōji-kun persuaded me, so I accepted the situation as it is now."

"Ayanokōji did...? Really?"

"Really. He's an amazing student, isn't he? Not only can he easily influence the outcome of the class competition, but he can even manipulate my resentful feelings toward you. He's truly like a joker, right?"

Previously, Hoshinomiya compared Ayanokōji to a joker.

In the midst of the surprising conversation, that thought briefly crossed Chabashira's mind.

"Are you curious about what he did to persuade me?"

"Yes... honestly, it's still hard to believe."

"Right? But don't worry. I think you'll soon realize that this is true, Sae-chan."

Afterward, they finished climbing the stairs and approached the corridor where the third-year classrooms were located.

"Because..."

After climbing the last step and turning the corner, the corridor came into view.

At that moment, Hoshinomiya directed her most malicious smile toward Chabashira.

"Now, Sae-chan, you no longer have the joker you need to win."

"The Joker is... gone...? What do you mean...?"

Comparing Ayanokōji to a joker, and then saying the joker wasn't in her hands anymore.

Confused by her unclear words, Chabashira was bewildered.

"Yes. And if that joker joins our side, the battle dynamic changes significantly. Then, I might see a chance to win. So, let's fight fairly in the next school year."

Saying so, Hoshinomiya, who reached the door of Class 3-D, smiled wickedly.

"Come on, why don't you go to your classroom and check?"

"Check...? Chie, what on earth are you talking about...?"

She had a doubt. However, immediately after, a thought she would never normally consider crossed her mind.

"Ahahaha. I'm looking forward to seeing your face turn to despair."

Saying so, Hoshinomiya entered the classroom and slammed the door shut.

It couldn't be.As a possibility—one that was less than 1%—filled her thoughts, Chabashira finally reached the farthest classroom, resisting the urge to run.

The room sign read "3-A," a sight she'd dreamed of.

A staff member rushed over, flustered, toward Chabashira.

"Chabashira-sensei... just now, a student transfer from your class was decided—!"

Half of the staff's continued explanation failed to reach Chabashira's ears.

Just before entering the classroom, this class's homeroom teacher was stopped by a member of staff.

Upon seeing me standing next to the staff, the teacher stared at me in shock as they learned of the circumstances.

Having reconciled our understanding, the two of us entered the classroom.

The opening ceremony ended, and it should've been time to start the homeroom period.

The students had been kept waiting.

An unfamiliar scene.

A student with a nervous, almost bitter, smile.

A student sizing me up with a stern face.

A student who welcomed me with a smile.

A classroom that somehow contained a new and different scent.

Although there were students who looked at me strangely, none were completely astounded.

This was because they'd been informed beforehand that I would appear at this time.

Only the homeroom teacher, who hadn't been informed, was yet to accept the reality.

"Just after the opening ceremony, I used 20 million private points to transfer to this class. I am Ayanokōji Kiyotaka. I cannot replace Sakayanagi, who voluntarily withdrew, but if all my classmates still have the will to fight, I am confident that I can help overcome the greatly deteriorated situation."

With all the private points I earned.

With all the private points Hashimoto saved for the transfer.

And with all the students within this class in agreement, they pooled their private points

equally to make up the deficit, gathering a total of 20 million private points.

That enabled my transfer to this class.

With this class filled with so many capable students, they'll surely do a good job. They'll be convenient when controlling various aspects on the gameboard.

The initial vision—a battle for Class A among the four third-year classes.

This might not be its ideal form in the truest sense.

But still, the preparations are completed...

My final year began in this new class.