Finding the conversation intriguing, Houtarou continued eavesdropping while holding Airi.
The teachers were discussing how Chie had broken protocol by assigning Honami to the Rabbit Group.
How would she justify this decision?
She said, "I wasn't joking — judging by grades and attitude alone, Ichinose ranks first in class. However, real-world qualities can't be measured by numbers alone. In my assessment, she still has areas for growth. Besides, don't you think rabbits suit Ichinose? They have that same bouncy energy!"
Such flimsy reasoning couldn't persuade anyone.
"...If only that were true." Sae replied flatly.
Even she wasn't buying it.
"Hoshinomiya-san's explanation seems reasonable, but something about it concerns you?" Tomonari interjected, playing mediator.
The Dragon Group traditionally comprised class leaders. With Arisu's absence, Class A's representation looked notably diminished.
Still, these were merely traditions — the final decisions rested with the teachers. So technically, Chie hadn't overstepped.
"I just don't want you making poor decisions based on personal grudges." Sae muttered.
"Oh please, are you still hung up on what happened ten years ago? I've moved past that..." Chie appeared taken aback.
Sae pressed on, "Have you? Behind my back, you're always talking. You won't rest until you're one step ahead of me. That's the real reason you put Ichinose in the Rabbit Group, isn't it?"
Houtarou noticed something familiar in the way these two women interacted, triggering a strong sense of déjà vu.
His first thought was of Suzune and Kikyō's relationship.
Sae was clearly a mature version of Suzune. At first glance, Chie's energy had reminded him of Honami. But now... She was unmistakably Kikyō grown up.
"Hehe—" Chie showed no shame at having her ulterior motives exposed.
She maintained her sweet demeanor as she continued.
"I genuinely believed Ichinose had more to learn — that's why I moved her from the Dragon Group. But I'm curious about your actions, Sae-chan. You broke the rules first when you removed Kiyotaka Ayanokōji from the Rabbit Group and replaced him with Akito Miyake. Weren't the privileged student lists predetermined? I'd love to know your reasoning."
She fixed her gaze on Sae.
This explanation revealed her true motive for moving Honami from the Dragon Group to the Rabbit Group.
She had grown suspicious of Sae's actions and positioned her top student strategically to monitor whatever scheme her rival might be planning.
Yet this move exposed Chie's own fixation — her desire to keep Sae in check and prevent her class from advancing.
Her logic, while unsettling, made a certain kind of sense.
Following the Uninhabited Island exam, all four classes had their Class Points updated. While Class A maintained its commanding lead, Class B received a 300-point bonus.
Meanwhile, Class D was rapidly gaining ground. Without intervention in this exam, they would rise to Class C upon returning to school — and they were merely 240 Class Points behind Class B.
This put both students and faculty of Class B on edge.
Class D's Rokusuke had performed exceptionally well, catching every teacher's attention. It was now evident that Sae's Class D harbored some formidable students.
Though Tomonari held a superior position, he recognized that while Rokusuke might become inactive, Class D lacked the authority for advancement — if they tried, the school would intervene.
At best, exceptional Class D students could advance if they accumulated 20 million points.
The other teachers weren't privy to this information, which explained their unease at Class D's rapid ascent.
Upon discovering Sae's alteration of the privileged student list, Chie reacted swiftly — quite perceptive of her.
Tomonari maintained his silence on the matter.
From his hidden vantage point, Houtarou continued listening. It was becoming clear that the teachers, too, were engaged in their own competition of merit, both overtly and covertly.
However...
"I saw Mashima change the names first." Sae said calmly, drawing out a ladies' cigarette without lighting it, "I only made my changes after seeing him modify the Rabbit Group list."
"?"
All eyes turned toward Tomonari, who until now had appeared the most level-headed.
"???" Kazuma's gaze followed suit.
While Chie had assumed Sae broke the rules, it turned out she had merely caught Tomonari doing so first.
How ironic — during the Island exam, this same man had scolded him for crossing lines. Yet weren't all the teachers doing exactly that?
"About that…" Tomonari, clearly caught off guard by this revelation, addressed the group's scrutiny, "Traditionally, we gather class representatives in the Dragon Group. But my class's situation is unique — usually, it's Katsuragi or Sakayanagi as representatives. Oreki is different.
Through observation, I've noticed that both Katsuragi and Sakayanagi interact with him quite differently during private conversations. With Sakayanagi absent this time, placing him in the Dragon Group would likely leave him unmotivated."
"When you say 'different', are you suggesting the other class representatives wouldn't be able to showcase their abilities with him there?" Chie cut in, "Are you implying only Sakayanagi can motivate him? That he'll be passive against other classes? That's quite insulting to Class B."
Her sweet demeanor vanished as she frowned.
"I have my own expectations for him." Tomonari explained, "While this privileged student exam follows previous patterns, I believe he might introduce some novel developments. That's why I assigned him to a different group."
"Oh..."
Chie's earlier indignation melted away as she suddenly embraced Sae's left hand, still holding the unlit cigarette.
"Chabashira-chan, your class's exam strategy is fascinating. My students reported that yours all used backup devices. Since their phones were 'secured' from the start, the school's privileged student information became irrelevant.
It's clear they're determined to protect those Class Points they earned in the Island exam. I can sense their drive to advance."
Her playful demeanor returned.
"Is that so…" Sae gently disengaged herself and lit her cigarette, "I didn't interfere. They'll either keep their points or they won't — that's their concern."
Her response carried a distinct chill.
Everyone knew that while some teachers speculated about Rokusuke becoming inactive after achieving his goal, Class D's rise in points was undeniable.
Kazuma's jealousy was palpable.
If Kakeru failed to act now, his class would drop to Class D upon their return — bringing not just a lower ranking, but reduced monthly wages.
He'd returned to this school seeking money but landed in Class C. If advancement was his path to settling debts quickly, dropping to Class D with its lower salary would only worsen his financial situation.
"..." Chie paused, "You've changed, Sae-chan. I thought you were still pursuing Class A. Apparently not. Hehe—"
{T/N: Yes, she's changing the way to adress her, using the first and surnames.}
Sae smiled and continued walking forward.
What was the point of aiming for Class A anymore? The rules had never allowed Class D to advance that far — so why keep following those same rules?
There was no point.
She had already made up her mind: once this group of students graduated, she would leave this training high school behind.
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