Chapter 69: Team Formation

It will have been one week tomorrow since the announcement of the special exam. 

In other words, there's only one day left to decide whether to form a group with Ryūen or not. 

I'm still hesitating. Should I team up with Ryūen for this exam? Or would it be better to join forces with Arisu and Hiyori instead? 

"…No, that's just an excuse." 

Deep down, I already know. 

Why am I so hesitant about cooperating with Ryūen? Why do I keep considering other options? 

"The one I should team up with is—" 

My thoughts trail off as I lie down on the bed in my dorm room, sinking into the firm mattress. The time is 4 PM. I just got back from school, so it's still early. 

If I sleep now, I might not be able to sleep at night—but there's no fighting the sudden wave of drowsiness. 

My consciousness fades away in an instant.

.....

The next morning, I finished getting ready and left my room. As I was heading to school as usual, someone lightly tugged at my sleeve from behind. 

"Good morning, Hachiman-kun. You look really sleepy—did you not get enough rest?" 

Turning around, I saw Hiyori smiling at me, dressed neatly in her uniform. This wasn't planned—it was just a coincidence. If I leave around this time, I often run into her. 

"Yeah. I had trouble falling asleep last night." 

"Fufu. So even Hachiman-kun has a childish side. How cute~" 

"Calling a guy 'cute' is a no-go." 

"Of course, you're also very cool." 

She said it so casually. I'm still not used to this kind of thing—it's a little embarrassing. 

Hiyori glanced around briefly before taking my right hand in hers. Naturally, I didn't refuse. In fact, I found the gesture comforting. 

At this hour, there aren't many students around, so we wouldn't stand out. Neither of us wants unnecessary attention, after all. 

"Hey, Hiyori. About the group invitation from before… I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to decline." 

"...I see. That's disappointing, but I understand." 

When I said that, Hiyori's expression fell slightly, her eyebrows lowering. 

"Sorry. I appreciate you asking me." 

"No, it's fine. I am disappointed, but I understand. You must have your reasons, Hachiman-kun. ...But—" 

She paused mid-sentence and suddenly leaned in closer. 

"Just… please don't team up with any other girls. I'd definitely get jealous." 

The last part was barely above a whisper, but her meaning was clear. 

"Don't worry. I'm—" 

"Senpai! Good morning!" 

Just as I was about to reply to Hiyori, something slammed into my back with enough force to stagger me. Probably someone jumping onto me. 

"Running into you this early is such a coincidence~!" 

Without a hint of remorse, Amanza clung to my back from behind, grinning brightly as she positioned herself opposite Hiyori. 

"We just saw each other the other day. And stop jumping on people like that—it's dangerous." 

"Sorry, Senpai~! I just got too excited when I saw you." 

I meant it as a reprimand from an upperclassman, but she didn't seem all that remorseful. 

"Ha-Hachiman-kun… who is this…?" 

Hiyori tugged sharply at my arm. Her expression was a mix of panic and faint anger—I could tell this was bad. 

"Ah, this is my junior, Amanza. We've crossed paths a few times. We keep running into each other, so we ended up getting acquainted." 

"I'm Amanza Ichika! You're Shiina-senpai, right?" 

"...Yes. Nice to meet you." 

Once introductions were out of the way, Hiyori kept staring at me as if demanding, *What's your relationship with her?* So I answered honestly. 

"Amanza and I really just keep bumping into each other by chance." 

"I-Is that so? That's a relief, then…" 

"Senpai and I meet by accident all the time~! Don't you think it's fate?" 

"…!?" 

*Hey, cut it out. Don't make this more complicated.* 

"And the first time we met, Senpai caught me when I was about to fall down the stairs—just like a prince~ ♡" 

Amanza sighed dreamily as she reminisced, but— 

"…" 

On my right, Hiyori was glaring daggers at me, her grip tightening on my arm. 

"Ah! That reminds me, Senpai! Pat my head like last time~!" 

At Amanza's words, Hiyori twitched. 

"...Like last time…?" 

…*I might never be able to look to my right again.* 

"...No. Not right now." 

"Ehh? You said you'd do it anytime~!" 

**—Snap.** 

Maybe it was my imagination, but I could've sworn I heard a dangerous sound coming from my right arm. 

"I never said 'anytime.' Besides, look—we're almost at school." 

I had subtly sped up the moment I sensed the dangerous atmosphere, and it seemed to work—we were already near the entrance. 

"The warning bell's about to ring. You should head to your classroom." 

"Muu~ Next time we meet, you *have* to pat my head, okay?" 

Pouting exaggeratedly, Amanza reluctantly ran off toward the first-year floor. 

*The storm has passed… or so I thought.* 

"You're going to explain everything properly, right?" 

Hiyori smiled sweetly while maintaining an iron grip on my right arm. …The warning bell was about to ring, but I might end up being late for the first time ever. 

Yeah. The aftermath of a storm is always worse than the storm itself.

...

"Come here." 

After school, I received a message from Ryuuen with a location attached. 

Simple as it was, the clear intent behind it was unmistakable—he wanted to discuss forming a group. The time for me to give my answer was fast approaching. 

"Guess I'll go." 

Grabbing my bag, I opened the classroom door. I had no other plans today, and since the whole class knew I had business with Ryuuen, no one would likely stop me. 

Or so I thought—until one student grabbed my shoulder. 

"Hikigaya. Got a sec?" 

"Tokito?" 

The one who stopped me was Tokito Yuuya. He had a reputation in class as something of an outlier—one of the few who openly opposed Ryuuen's methods from the start. 

"What is it? I've got plans." 

"Yeah, I know. Just five minutes. That's all I need." 

"...Fine. But make it quick." 

Tokito nodded, leading me to the far end of the hallway before turning to face me again. 

"First, sorry for stopping you. There's just something I had to ask you." 

"Sure. What is it?" 

"...Are you under Ryuuen?" 

His glare sharpened as he stared straight into my eyes. 

"What do you mean by that?" 

"Exactly what I said. I can't tell if you're working for him or not." 

So, in simpler terms, he was asking if I was Ryuuen's ally. 

"To put it bluntly, I don't remember ever submitting to Ryuuen. We're just cooperating because we're in the same class." 

"So... you're saying even if Ryuuen was backed into a corner, you wouldn't help him?" 

"That's right. Even if Ryuuen were in that kind of situation, I can confidently say I wouldn't lift a finger for him." 

That much was the truth. Even if Ryuuen were on the verge of expulsion, I wouldn't save him. At most, he'd just remain in my memory as that kind of guy. 

"...I see. Sorry for taking up your time. That's all I wanted to know—you can go now." 

Having gotten what he needed, Tokito stepped aside. What purpose this interrogation served, only Tokito himself knew. But one thing was certain—he wanted something from me. 

"Just don't drag me into any trouble."

...

According to the location Ryuuen sent, it was a bench installed behind the school building. 

Surrounded by trees and generally unknown to most, it seemed unlikely anyone would come by. 

"Sorry. Did I keep you waiting?" 

"Wasn't waiting, so just sit the hell down already." 

The moment I arrived, he urged me to sit. Following his words, I took a seat on the bench, and without even turning to face me, Ryuuen spoke. 

"So? Made up your mind about teaming up?" 

"...Yeah. I could give you an answer right now, but there's something I want to ask first." 

"Hah?" 

Ryuuen pretended not to understand, but I pressed on firmly. 

"––––––Why did you decide to team up with me?" 

This had been bothering me ever since Ryuuen proposed working together. Why would Ryuuen, who was desperate to defeat me, even consider forming a team with me? 

I'd thought about it, but no answer came to mind. 

"At the very least, it's not out of some pure-hearted desire to cooperate, right?" 

"Tch. Like I'd ever willingly team up with your ass." 

Ryuuen smirked briefly before his expression hardened again. 

"You remember what happened on the rooftop, yeah?" 

I nodded in response to his probing question. Ryuuen narrowed his eyes as if recalling the scene. 

"I haven't forgotten what you said to me that day. How could I? That was the moment I knew for sure—I wanted to crush you." 

I had spurred Ryuuen on. 

For the sake of his further growth. 

"On that rooftop, you told me—right to my face—'Try to devour me.'" 

I did say that. There was no way I could forget that moment either. 

"...As I am now, I can't beat you." 

Ryuuen made an uncharacteristically weak statement. 

But the instant he turned to face me directly, his eyes locked onto mine with an intense glare. 

"That's why I came up with this shitty idea of teaming up with you. I can't stay like this. I don't have time to stand still here." 

A ferocious grin spread across his face, entirely focused on me. 

Finally, I understood. 

Ryuuen was seeking experience. He intended to use our temporary alliance as fuel to grow even stronger. 

"You've changed a lot from how you used to think." 

"Shut the hell up. My part's done. Now it's your turn." 

With Ryuuen's piece said, it was now my turn to speak. 

"I've been thinking about it too. About what would happen if I teamed up with you. And in the process, I realized something." 

I'd been considering it all this time—the advantages and disadvantages of working with Ryuuen. After weighing everything, I concluded that cooperating with him would benefit me more. Or at least, I thought I had. 

But–––––– 

"I... don't like the idea of teaming up with you." 

I didn't know why. I just instinctively disliked the thought of cooperating with Ryuuen. 

"Ha. So what? The deal's off?" 

"Don't jump to conclusions. I didn't say I wouldn't do it. If you agree to two conditions, I'll team up with you." 

"Now this is interestin'. Let's hear 'em." 

As Ryuuen grinned in amusement, I laid out my terms. 

"First, during the exam, I might go off on my own at times. You'll have to accept that. Of course, if there's a plan, I'll follow it." 

"Like I give a shit what you do. What's the other one?" 

"Second––––––you have to win. Absolutely." 

At my words, Ryuuen's eyes widened briefly. 

"Crush every enemy—Ichinese, Horikita, Arisu, first-years to third-years, even the student council president. Do it with your own strength. Seize the victory you envision. This is non-negotiable." 

In Ryuuen's own way. Using everything at his disposal. 

"Prove to me that your strength can reach me." 

The sun was setting. Though the shadows made Ryuuen's expression hard to see, his laughter gradually reached my ears. 

"Tch, Kuhaha!! Fine! I'll do it! I'll shut your damn mouth for good, so be ready!!" 

A grin filled with killing intent and hostility. Honestly, Ryuuen wouldn't feel right without this much ferocity. 

"!" 

Suddenly struck by an idea, I extended my right hand toward Ryuuen. 

"...The hell's that supposed to be?" 

"A handshake. Even if we're teaming up reluctantly, we can at least shake on it, right?" 

"..." 

Ryuuen stared at my outstretched hand, alternating between it and my face before snorting. 

"Tch. Sorry, but I hate taking orders from people... especially from your ass, more than anything." 

With that, he folded my fingers into a fist, then did the same with his own hand. 

And then–––––– 

––––––Ryuuen bumped his fist against mine. 

"You think I'm gonna do some gross-ass handshake? This'll have to do." 

"..." 

The sensation of our fists connecting was strange—different from a handshake. But it didn't feel bad. 

"Hey... wanna do it again?" 

"Hah? The hell's wrong with you? This kinda thing only happens when the moment's right." 

He looked at me like I was some kind of weirdo, clearly exasperated. 

"'When the moment's right,' huh?" 

Apparently, this wasn't something you did casually. 

I'll just look forward to the next time, then.

=================================

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