Helping Out Ichinose Honami

Days blurred into each other, a monotonous routine punctuated by glimpses of progress for the various groups.

Ayanokoji observed with a detached interest as the students settled into their roles.

Among the boys' groups, Group 1, led by the formidable Kohei Katsuragi of Class A, seemed to be pulling ahead.

This boded well for Class A, as fourteen of their first years belonged to that group.

A first-place finish would translate into a significant point boost – 42 points for Class A and 3 for Class C, thanks to their sole representative.

Similar calculations were made for the girls' groups, based on intel gathered from his network – Karuizawa, Sakura, and Kushida.

Here, Horikita's group, dominated by twelve Class C girls, appeared poised for victory.

Their success would translate to 36 class points for Class C, with consolation prizes of 3 points each for the single representatives from Class A, B, and D.

Under normal circumstances, Ayanokoji would have let the situation unfold.

But this time, he wanted to disrupt the flow, to tinker with the point distribution and throw a wrench into the works. Specifically, he aimed to lessen the point gain for Class C.

Dinner, the onetime boys and girls mingled in a less structured setting, presented an opportunity.

Ichinose, as always, was the center of attention, a swarm of students buzzing around her. A direct conversation about his intentions was out of the question.

With practiced ease, Ayanokoji approached her table, his expression unreadable.

He didn't linger, simply dropping a folded piece of paper in front of her before disappearing back into the crowd.

Curious, Ichinose unfolded the note, her eyes widening slightly as she read the terse message: "Meet me behind the boys' building after dinner. Alone."

She met his gaze for a fleeting moment, a flicker of intrigue replacing her usual sunny smile. A silent nod was her only response.

The dinner bell eventually chimed, signaling the end of the meal. Students drifted back to their respective dormitories, the air thick with the anticipation of the next day's challenges.

Ayanokoji waited patiently behind the deserted boys' building, the moon casting long shadows across the ground.

Soon, a lone figure emerged from the darkness – Ichinose, her eyes searching the vicinity.

"Ayanokoji-kun," she greeted, her voice cautious. "What did you want to talk about?"

(Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's POV)

"Thoughts on the exam?" I began, my voice devoid of inflection. "How confident is Class B in securing a significant number of class points?"

Ichinose blinked, surprised by the question. "Well," she stammered, "it's difficult to say for certain. The groups are mixed, and the dynamics are constantly shifting." She paused, then added, "But from what I've gathered from my classmates scattered across different groups… I wouldn't be optimistic about Class B's chances."

A slight nod acknowledged her assessment. "I see. Potential for point loss, then."

"Unfortunately," she confirmed, a hint of worry tingeing her voice.

"I might be able to offer some assistance," I said casually, watching her reaction.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Help? How?"

"Details are unimportant at this stage," I replied, keeping my response vague.

"But why?" she persisted, her brow furrowed. "What would you gain from helping Class B?"

A pause. "I am helping Class B for you," I said finally, my tone serious.

Heat flared across her cheeks. Did she mistake my words for a confession? An unwelcome thought, but a necessary manipulation.

"For me?" she stammered, clearly flustered.

"Precisely," I confirmed, watching the blush deepen. "I want you to owe me a favor and help me out when I need your assistance. "

Disappointment, perhaps even a touch of betrayal, flickered across her features. It was subtle, but I caught it. The realization that my words weren't a romantic overture must have stung.

"I… I understand," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper. "If you can genuinely help Class B earn points, then yes, I'll owe you a favor."

A flicker of satisfaction crossed my mind. The bait had been taken. "Excellent," I said, my voice neutral. "We'll discuss the specifics later."

With that, the conversation ended. We returned to our respective dorms, a fragile agreement hanging in the air between us.

~~

(Third Person's POV)

The night deepened as Ayanokoji weaved a web of subtle manipulations. After his cryptic exchange with Ichinose, he set his sights on his remaining pawns.

At nine, Kushida materialized beside him, bathed in the soft glow of the moon. His instructions were direct, delivered in a neutral tone. "Lower your performance in tomorrow's exam," he said. "Written exams, the marathon, all of it. Maintain a facade of effort, but ensure your results are subpar."

He paused, his gaze unwavering.

"And tomorrow during dinner, sway the loyal Class C boys within your circle. Convince them to do the same – feign effort while strategically underperforming." A slight shrug. "Use whatever excuse you deem necessary."

Kushida raised a brow, but she nodded her head. "Consider it done, Ayanokoji-kun," she purred, vanishing into the night like a phantom.

Ten o'clock brought Sakura, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Ayanokoji's strategy took a more…intimate turn. A stolen kiss, a lingering touch on her shapely curves, served as a prelude to his request.

"Give it your all tomorrow in the tests," he said, his voice a low murmur.

"But," he continued, a hint of a plan emerging, "there's someone I need you to talk to. Yamauchi Haruki, of Group 1."

Sakura tilted her head, curiosity flickering across her face. He explained his goal – to sabotage Group 1, a group dominated by Class A students.

"Convince Yamauchi to underperform," he instructed. "A well-placed lie about helping Class C by lowering the overall score of Class A should be enough, given his…fondness for you."

A playful smile bloomed on Sakura's face. "Leave it to me, Ayanokoji-kun," she whispered, her voice laced with a hint of playful sensuality. "Just promise me a little reward when we get back."

Ayanokoji's response was a firm squeeze of her buttocks, a silent agreement to her request.

Sakura, satisfied, melted into the shadows.

Finally, at eleven, Karuizawa arrived, her expression a mask of cool confidence. His instructions were simple. "Disrupt Horikita's group dynamic," he said. "Sow some discord. Perhaps feign illness, create an excuse to underperform in the final exam."

Karuizawa frowned, a flicker of confusion crossing her features. "Why are you targeting Horikita?" she asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

He remained silent, his motives shrouded in mystery. However, Karuizawa's loyalty superseded her curiosity.

"Consider it done," she said with a firm tone.

The next day unfolded with a strange air of subterfuge.

Dinner buzzed with activity, but beneath the surface, something was amiss.

Kushida, a master manipulator, subtly influenced the Class C boys, planting seeds of doubt and encouraging subpar performance so that they could take good care of their health. She tells them that pushing their bodies just for acquiring a better result in this special exam would be a bad idea.

Sakura, with a calculated charm, approached Yamauchi of Group 1, weaving a narrative of strategic underperformance that resonated with his loyalty to Class C.

And Karuizawa, with a theatrical cough, painted a picture of physical indisposition, garnering concerned glances from her group members.

Across the room, Ichinose watched the unfolding drama with growing curiosity. The synchronized actions of Kushida, Sakura, and Karuizawa, each an influential figure of Class C in their own right, couldn't be coincidental. Her gaze drifted towards Ayanokoji, a solitary figure amidst the bustling crowd. A faint flicker of understanding ignited within her.

A connection, seemingly unspoken, yet undeniable, between him and the three most influential girls of Class C.

The pieces began to fall into place, forming a picture far more complex than she could have imagined.

~~

The exam day arrived, a whirlwind of activity that tested both physical and mental endurance.

Zazen meditation, public speaking, a grueling relay race, and a written exam – each group faced a unique set of challenges.

Finally, the dust settled, and the results were announced.

Among the boys, a surprising upset unfolded. Class B's large group, a diverse mix of students led by a capable but unassuming leader, emerged victorious. Cheers erupted from their corner, a wave of relief washing over their faces. Group 1, spearheaded by the enigmatic Kohei Katsuragi of Class A, secured a respectable second place, a flicker of disappointment clouding their expressions.

On the girls' side, the results were equally unexpected. Ichinose's large group, known for its supportive environment and collaborative spirit, defied the odds and clinched the top spot. Exuberant cheers drowned out the announcement of Horikita's group finishing in second place. Despite the disappointment of falling short of first, a sense of accomplishment hung in the air as they acknowledged each other's efforts.

The true impact of the exam, however, was revealed with the final class point tally. Ayanokoji watched with detached interest as the numbers flashed on the screen. Class B, fueled by their unexpected victory in the boys' group and Ichinose's leadership in the girls' division, enjoyed a significant boost, jumping from second to first in the class rankings.

New Class Rankings (First Year)

Class Before After Change

A 924 927 (+3) +3

B 669 711 (+42) +42

C 462 452 (-10) -10

D 442 418 (-24) -24

A wave of emotions washed among the students.

Class B's cheers echoed anew, as their point gain gave them a significant boost.

Class A held steady, with a minor gain.

Class C, however, bore the brunt of the strategic maneuvering.

A ten-point deduction left a bitter taste in their mouths, especially for Horikita, whose group's performance had been hampered by unforeseen circumstances.

Class D, unfortunately, suffered the most significant loss, dropping a hefty twenty-four points.

As the announcement concluded, Ichinose's eyes darted towards Ayanokoji.

A flicker of gratitude, a silent acknowledgment of the favor she owed him, passed between them. Ayanokoji, however, remained his usual stoic self.