Chapter 7: The Game of Alliances

(Year:2058,Month: February ,day:8)

The bell rang, and class 1-D was filled with the usual noise of students shuffling to sit down, set up their things, and chat about whatever plans they had for the day. Akira Ryu barely even noticed. His mind was miles away, trying to work out further moves in his personal game of strategy. The weight of his thoughts pressed down on him like a heavy lead blanket.

But his moment of peace didn't last.

"Akira!" A voice burst through , and in slid Akiyama Yu into the seat next to him, grinning like a cat who'd just eaten a canary. "Oh, this is gonna be good."

Akira sighed, not even bothering to look at his annoyingly enthusiastic classmate. "What now, Akiyama?

"This!" Akiyama leaned in, practically bouncing in his seat. "I've set up the most beautiful betting pool of the year. It's going to be a masterpiece."

Akira groaned, already suspecting where this was headed. "If it involves money, count me out."

But it's got drama, Akira!" Akiyama's grin went wider. "And cash, you know? I've decided to add flavor to our beautiful class. Now, I'm starting a game. And the question is whether Akira Ryu will give up his loner status and join the alliance of Kiria. Yes or no?"

Akira stayed frozen for some time, his hostility faced toward Akiyama. "You had to be kidding me.

"Nada," Akiyama said, winking. "And it is not all about the outcome, either. No, no. I've made things a little more interesting. Everyone can make a bet-but they have to answer a mini-challenge before they do!"

Akira stared at him in utter astonishment. "What kind of 'challenges' do you mean?"

Akiyama's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, nothing too out of the ordinary. Just small tasks that can win people a bonus on their bet. For example, the first challenge: 'Who can guess the exact moment Akira cracks and finally speaks to Kiria with respect?'"

Akira's eyebrow twitched. "That's-

Wait, wait!" Akiyama raised his hand for him to stop. "There's more. Whoever gets to guess what Akira actually says when that happens gets paid double!"

Akira rubbed his temples in frustration. "This is getting ridiculous.

"Not to mention," Akiyama said, his voice completely disregarding Akira's protest, "I've got a bonus round coming up: let's call it the 'Kiria Trap' challenge! Whoever bets on you not joining her will have to face one 'dramatic' public confrontation with her, over why you're avoiding her. Talk about raising the stakes!

Akira glanced at Kiria, who had just entered, overhearing the tail end of the conversation. She raised an eyebrow and smiled, but not as if she was impressed. "Is this seriously happening?" she asked, walking over.

Akiyama turned to her, the sparkle in his eyes practically blinding. "Oh, absolutely! This whole class has been dying to know how long Akira's going to keep playing the loner card. It's gonna be a game for the ages!"

Kiria threw a quick glance at Akira, who by now had begun to look visibly uncomfortable. "I don't need any pity bets, Akiyama," she said, the humor in her voice tinged with a note of embarrassment. "Are you making a fool out of me?

"Oh, no, no, no!" Akiyama finally chuckled, shaking his head. "Think of it this way; this is something like an strategic investment. They will bet money on just exactly how long it takes before these two's tension dance ends. Really, though-just like betting on any athletic event in my opinion-the biggest thrill's for the watching." So what would you be staking?

Kiria shot a look at Akira, who was doing everything he could to avoid her gaze. She crossed her arms, clearly intrigued by Akiyama's game. "You know what? I'm in."

Akiyama's grin grew wider. "I knew you'd get it. This is going to be so much fun."

Akira, thoroughly amazed by the direction this conversation was going, crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat. "I'm not joining her alliance. That's final."

"Ha! Spoken like a true lone wolf!" Akiyama chuckled. "But I'm betting you'll at least talk to her. Maybe even cooperate in class. We'll see, won't we?"

Kiria inclined her head in closer, eyes locking with Akira's. "If ever you change your mind, Akira, I am not all that bad. Besides." The smirk twisted upwards a little farther, her tone taking on just a hint of a lower degree. "You might find it's not a bad thing, having an alliance. Especially one that works." Akira narrowed his eyes. "I can get by myself without an alliance."

Kiria lifted an eyebrow, unmarred. "Keep telling that to yourself, Ryu.

Before Akira could snap back, Akiyama piped up once more, this time his voice more dramatic than usual. "Alright, alright, enough foreplay! Let's get serious. Everybody, place your bets!"

Saying this, Akiyama jumped out of his seat and began pacing around the classroom, handing out betting slips to his classmates. He looked around at his classmates, a wide grin spreading across his face as he spoke.

"Alright, listen up! You've got two choices: Akira joins Kiria, or he doesn't. But-and here's where it gets interesting-each bet will have multiple layers of challenges! The more you get right, the more you make. And if Akira joins? Everyone who bet against that gets to try and complete the 'Kiria Trap' challenge. Public confrontation! Come on, people! This is the opportunity of the century!"

The class burst into a stir, everybody eagerly writing down their bets, some asking questions, others making predictions. Akiyama watched this view with a gleam in his eye, obviously getting pleasure from the situation.

Meanwhile, Akira and Kiria exchanged a look-Akira's icy, Kiria's more playful. Nothing was said; instead, it was enough to crack the air around them with tension.

Akira let out a sigh at this; he was really annoyed now. "This whole thing is absurd."

Kiria leaned in a bit, her voice softer now, for his ears alone. "Perhaps. But I think it's amusing. And you-you're just too stubborn for your own good."

"I am not stubborn," Akira returned, though the slightest flush was already working its way up his neck. "I just do not need anybody."

"You're more complicated than you let on, Akira," Kiria said softly, before pulling back and turning to Akiyama, who was still cheerfully collecting bets.

The class was abuzz with excitement as Akiyama's grinning face took in the chaos he'd stirred. "Alright, alright! The bets are in. Let's see who's right in the end." He tapped his pen on his desk, a gleam in his eyes. "Will Akira join forces with Kiria, or will he stay the lone wolf? The future of Classroom 1-D depends on it!

Akira, beside Kiria, couldn't help but let frustration get the better of him. His hands tightened around the books as he heard the murmur of classmates fill the room. This had gotten out of hand.

"You're not going to get what you want from me, Kiria," he muttered, voice low but firmly set.

Kiria arched an eyebrow, her smile almost too perfect. "We'll see about that. You think you're better off on your own, but you're forgetting something." She leaned a bit closer, her voice just above a whisper. "No one ever gets to the top without help."

Akira opened his mouth to answer, but before he could get a word out, Akiyama had cut in, the obvious relish of the growing tension between them oozing from every syllable. "Ah, but who moves first? Akira finally snapping and joining with Kiria, or sticking to his stubborn self?"

The class held its collective breath, silent and tense. The bets were placed. Now there was only one thing left:

Who would win?

Extra note: So this context is coming because Akira(MC) secured the highest marks overall in the entrance exam also he did get over 90% marks in most category except engineering and martial arts or physical strength you may say. Also in the school there are many factions and alliances forming and Kiria(The girl that we were introduced in the first chapter.) thinks without allies she will not survive and she to reads in class 1-D as Akira so is very continuously trying to recruit Akira but Akira is resisting. Also the following scenario is like after the homework day and the true class day meaning the actual real start of the novel as the actual character buildup and conversations happens now.