Chapter 129 – Sakayanagi Arisu

The class, previously known as Katsuragi's class, should now be referred to as Sakayanagi's class.

Inside the classroom, after the homeroom teacher explained the rules and left, everyone attended their lessons as usual. During lunch break, however, no one left. Instead, the class fell into silence, all eyes fixed on a frail girl.

Sakayanagi Arisu.

Unlike the rest of her classmates, Sakayanagi always wore a black and gray beret, even indoors. Her silver, shoulder-length hair contrasted starkly with the hat, giving her an innocent and frail appearance, like a sprite out of a fantasy, elusive and enigmatic in the real world.

Yet, in contradiction to her seemingly innocent appearance, her deep, unfathomable eyes held a gaze that made it impossible to guess what she might be thinking.

Even at the end of summer, amidst lingering heat, Sakayanagi still wore the red school blazer over a white pleated skirt. Most eye-catching were the white thigh-high socks peeking out discreetly, especially the delicate suspenders that connected them to the skirt, creating an irresistibly charming look that was breathtakingly beautiful.

However, life was not easy for this beauty. Holding a slender cane in her hand, one could easily infer that due to some underlying health issue, she required the support of the cane to walk, indicating a likely serious ailment.

Perhaps it was the heavens' way of adding a flaw to her otherwise perfect being, a common thought among those who saw Sakayanagi for the first time.

Indeed, due to a congenital heart condition, Sakayanagi's health was fragile, which also excused her absence from the previous summer's deserted island special exam and the VIP special exam.

Taking her to a deserted island for a survival game was not just impractical but dangerously life-threatening, given the severity of heart conditions and the limits of medical facilities even on a luxury cruise ship.

Thus, her classmates harbored no resentment towards Sakayanagi for missing the special exams; her health issues made participation impractical.

Rather than anger, there was a sense of regret. Had Sakayanagi been present, Yukio might not have so easily reversed the class's standing or exploited them for a significant advantage.

Now, however, there seemed to be an opportunity to turn the tables.

Class members were no longer distracted by the presence of a beautiful girl among them; they were either nervous or excited.

The reason was easy: the rewards for the upcoming sports festival were exceptionally generous. Achieving high rankings could reverse their fortunes, enabling them to return to Class A and retain their elite status.

Thus, every student was eagerly preparing.

Some had already started asking Sakayanagi for strategic advice: "Sakayanagi, this is a golden opportunity! We can definitely bring Yukio's class down and reclaim our Class A status!

"Not only that, have you heard about the incident at the end of the summer break? Yukio somehow managed to anger a second-year senior. Since the sports festival involves the entire grade, they might face significant challenges!"

"Ha, serves them right! Yukio's class will have more than just us as adversaries this time!"

"Well, we shouldn't simply focus on the second year. If they come seeking trouble, we need to present a united front to show that newcomers shouldn't be underestimated by the older students."

"Let's set aside concerns about the second year for now. Our primary goal is to return to Class A. Without Katsuragi, it's our chance to teach Yukio's class a lesson and show them who truly deserves to be at the top!"

Katsuragi, overhearing this, remained notably calm, his expression unchanged.

Due to his failures in the deserted island exam and the special privileges exam, Katsuragi had lost the support of his classmates and had been effectively abandoned by the class.

The faction that could once challenge Sakayanagi had completely disintegrated. His classmates swiftly shifted their allegiances, leaving Katsuragi virtually isolated, with only a loyal follower, Totsuka, still by his side.

Katsuragi felt the bitter taste of defeat, recognizing this as the fate of a loser. He held no grievances or anger but quietly dedicated himself to his duties.

If Sakayanagi had any commands that could benefit the class, he was willing to execute them dutifully.

Sakayanagi did not rush to issue any special directives but merely advised her students to start practicing to ensure stable performance at the sports festival.

She later called upon her trusted lieutenants, Hashimoto and Kamuro: "I remember you reported that during the deserted island exam, Yukio-kun had collaborated with you, revealing our class's designated leader for the island test, right?"

"Indeed, Your Highness," Hashimoto exaggeratedly performed a bow like that of an English butler in a tailcoat, which looked quite awkward given he was only wearing a short-sleeved shirt. (t/n: If I remember correctly, Hashimoto wasn't usually like this, but it's not all that bad, so I hope it doesn't bother you.)

Sakayanagi remained unphased, as if accustomed to Hashimoto's antics, not even deigning to comment, merely continuing to gaze ahead calmly: "Then you need to keep a close watch on Totsuka."

"Due to my absence over the summer, Katsuragi was in a position of strength, and you were weak, hence the collaboration with Yukio. Now, with our positions reversed, Totsuka might harbor some ill intentions."

Totsuka is the one who, to this point, still follows Katsuragi around.

Sakayanagi's words made Kamuro and Hashimoto grow serious; they understood her implication of watching for a traitor.

Back on the deserted island, they had betrayed Katsuragi and the class interests for Sakayanagi's sake. Now, Totsuka might just betray Sakayanagi and the class for Katsuragi's interests.

What has happened before will happen again; history moves in cycles, seeming to progress but ultimately repeating the same patterns in different times.

It's commonly known that one should not touch a monk's bald head.

But if Hashimoto and Kamuro are allowed to touch it, why can't Totsuka?

"I'll keep a close eye on him," Hashimoto asserted confidently in his surveillance skills.

"And what about Katsuragi?" Kamuro reminded, suggesting that Totsuka, being a mere follower, might not be as critical to watch as Katsuragi.

"There's no need," Sakayanagi gestured with her cane, as if dismissing the idea with a wave: "Some people, despite being treated with disdain by everyone, still manage to adhere to their principles. Katsuragi is such a person."

"He would never betray the class, no matter what."

Kamuro and Hashimoto nodded and departed, leaving Sakayanagi alone in the classroom, gazing out the window, her thoughts drifting: "Hm, information about our class during the deserted island exam came from Hashimoto to Yukio's class."

"In Ichinose's class, he sent Ibuki as a spy."

"So, in D class, where there are no factional struggles and no dispatching of spies, do you still have your pieces hidden? There's also the second-year Nagumo. Yukio-kun, truly a man who stir up waves."

***

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