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"With that, homeroom is over. Even during winter break, remember that you are students of this school and conduct yourselves with moderation. That is all."
Tuning out Sakagami's well-meaning but meaningless words, I took out my phone.
The day had finally come to make my move.
It was the last day of the second term. Today, all school events ended in the morning, leaving the rest of the day free.
Club activities were canceled, and the school encouraged students to go home early. In other words, hardly any students would remain.
"I've narrowed it down as much as I could, but there are still about ten possible candidates left."
Ideally, I would've figured it out without using Karuizawa, but X wasn't that stupid.
"Well, I suppose you could say the fun has only increased."
Honestly, I already had my suspicions, but narrowing it down now wouldn't be the best move.
In fact, it might be more exciting to lure X out without overthinking it.
I had mobilized every usable pawn in Class B and stationed them to watch the potential targets—not necessarily to uncover X's identity.
The real purpose of this move was to make X acutely aware that I was hunting them.
The fear of being exposed.
In the previous exam, X had stubbornly hidden behind Suzune to conceal their identity.
In other words, they were afraid of being exposed as the one pulling the strings behind Class D.
So, I'd tighten the noose, little by little, until they panicked.
X must have sensed it by now—how much of their tail was in my grasp? They couldn't think straight. Paranoia.
And today—today was the perfect day to catch X in that panic.
Within minutes, more than half the class had already started heading home.
The clock on the classroom wall seemed to tick slower than usual.
"Heh..."
I could feel my heart racing.
It was an exhilaration I hadn't felt in a long time.
I understood one thing clearly—figuring out X's identity didn't matter in the grand scheme of things.
At the end of the day, it would just be: "Oh, so it was you?"
But that was only true for ordinary people.
In the last exam, I had strategized multiple ways to go up against Class D.
The result? Defeat. If that were all, I wouldn't have gone to such lengths to track them down.
But the way I lost didn't sit right with me.
This wasn't just about them improving their academic abilities.
They had planted a spy in my class while simultaneously neutralizing their own spy in Class D—Kushida Kikyō.
Well, the only contact info I had to work with now was Karuizawa's, which I made sure to obtain.
That was when it hit me—X thinks like I do.
I've never met anyone else like that before.
That simple curiosity was what drove me forward.
I wasn't after anything in particular.
Just an insatiable desire to uncover the truth.
The email I sent X this morning had already been marked as read—no doubt, they had seen it.
What kind of move would X make in response to what was about to happen today?
"Ryuuen."
A voice called out to me from beside my desk—Hikigaya Hachiman.
Probably the person in this school who understood me the most.
"For you to call out to me first. What do you want?"
"Everyone here seems unusually restless today."
He glanced around at the remaining members—Ishizaki, Albert, Ibuki—all hovering nearby.
"What are you planning to do?"
"Just meeting the bastard who's been entertaining me."
That was all he needed to understand.
This guy was like that—always hard to read, but always thinking.
"Hey, Hikigaya! You better get ready too!"
Ishizaki waved at him as if his involvement was a given.
"Whatever you idiots are assuming, I'm not bringing him along today."
I pointed at Hikigaya, making my stance clear.
Hikigaya's expression didn't change, as if he expected this, but Ishizaki was visibly shaken.
"Wait, what?! You're not taking Hikigaya?!"
"You got a problem with my decision?"
"N-No! I'd never question you, Ryuuen-san! But… why? I really think you should bring him!"
What was it with this guy's high opinion of Hikigaya?
Albert and Ibuki seemed to agree, nodding along.
"It's none of your business. Either way, Hikigaya isn't coming. That's final."
"...I see. Then I'll take my leave. Good luck, everyone."
With a few brief words of encouragement to the others, Hikigaya walked out of the classroom.
An abrupt, almost anticlimactic exit.
I expected him to say something about my decision, but… nothing.
I couldn't figure him out.
He wasn't driven by emotion like Ishizaki, nor was he like me.
But one thing I was sure of—he wasn't normal.
That much, I knew for certain.
---"Then make them grow. You should be capable of that."
Those were the words he said to me back in May, the first time we interacted.
As if he already understood me.
"Ryuuen-san? It's time."
Lost in thought, I heard Ishizaki's uneasy voice.
No, none of that mattered right now.
All I needed to focus on was X. Thinking about anything else was pointless.
"Let's have some fun."
I handed my bag to Ishizaki. Inside was everything I needed.
Ibuki and Albert stood up as well.
We didn't need a large group.
Just the bare minimum.
And people who could keep their mouths shut.
What we were about to do wasn't exactly school-approved behavior, after all.
....
After leaving the classroom—Hikigaya Hachiman headed to a specific location.
A place where no one would notice him, where no one could overhear his voice.
Fortunately, the school building was nearly empty at this point.
Entering an unused classroom at the far end of the building, he made a call to a certain person.
The familiar ringing tone played in his ear, and after a brief wait, the call finally connected.
"...If you're calling me, that means you have some kind of demand, doesn't it?"
A voice laced with intimidation reached his ears, speaking as if it already understood his intentions.
The person he had called was Horikita Manabu, the former student council president.
During the sports festival, they had made a deal—one that granted Hikigaya a single request.
"What if I just called to chat?"
"Don't waste my time. If that's all you wanted, I'd have to reevaluate my impression of you."
Apparently, Hikigaya wasn't seen as the type for friendly small talk.
"How've you been lately? Made up with your sister yet?"
"...What are you talking about?"
"Just making conversation. Is it weird for me to bring that up?"
"It is. You should reconsider your self-image."
The immediate response was blunt—almost rude.
"...I haven't seen Suzune much. But I hear she's been doing well in her own way. Seems she led her class to victory in the last exam against yours."
Honestly, Hikigaya hadn't expected him to engage in the conversation at all. Yet, surprisingly, he played along.
Still, the fact that he knew about the recent exam results meant he was keeping a close eye on his sister.
"Yeah, we got completely crushed in that last exam."
There were many factors at play, but there was no denying that Horikita Suzune's abilities had been a key part of it.
"So, about you—"
"How long do you plan to keep this up?"
Cutting him off mid-sentence, Horikita Manabu severed the flow of conversation.
It seemed he wasn't willing to humor idle talk a second time.
"Just state your demand. I know you're trying to stall for some reason."
"...Fine, let's get to it then."
He had just wanted to kill some time with casual conversation, but it looked like that wasn't happening.
"My demand is—"
"!...I see."
"Can you do it?"
Honestly, if this got out, it could backfire on him. Even with the right to make a demand, this wasn't something you'd normally ask of the former student council president.
"...Very well. I'll honor your request."
"Appreciate it. Honestly, there's no one better suited for this than you."
"...There's one thing I want to ask."
Hikigaya had been about to end the call, but a slightly heavier tone carried through the phone.
"What exactly… are you thinking?"
A concise, yet pointed question.
Given the nature of his request, it was only natural for Horikita Manabu to wonder.
"What am I thinking…?"
He considered it for a moment, but only one answer came to mind.
"I've always only ever thought about myself."
With those final words, he ended the call and left the empty classroom behind.
...
The rooftop presented a scene that was hard to comprehend at first glance.
The surveillance cameras had been spray-painted over, and Karuizawa sat drenched in water, her expression unreadable. Ishizaki and Ibuki wore looks of disbelief, unable to process what was unfolding before them.
Ayanokouji and Ryuuen stood facing each other—Ayanokouji expressionless, Ryuuen with a predatory grin.
Ryuuen and his group had successfully lured Ayanokouji, the strategist "X" of Class D, into the open by exploiting Karuizawa's past trauma.
But despite their initial overwhelming advantage, the situation had shifted. Ryuuen's group had poured cold water on Karuizawa, while Ayanokouji had concealed both her past and his own identity.
Now, if either side exposed the other, they would both suffer the consequences.
"No matter what happens, the only option left is mutual destruction."
Ryuuen spoke to Ibuki and Ishizaki without a trace of panic in his voice.
"I finally get why you took so long to reveal yourself. With this, neither of us can afford to fight anymore. Close the door, Albert."
Albert, who had been standing by the door, obeyed Ryuuen's order and shut it, sealing off the rooftop.
"You think this is where it ends? Not a chance."
Everyone present could feel it—whatever was about to happen next, Ryuuen's resolve was unshaken.
"No way out, huh? Perfect. Now we can play this out exactly how you wanted."
Ayanokouji, still expressionless, glanced at each of them in turn.
"First, I'll wipe that smug look off your face. You really think you're untouchable? That we won't go all out?"
"You're seriously resorting to violence?"
"War isn't just about brains. Violence is the most universal language. No matter how clever you are, in the end, you'll bow to force."
Even as the tension reached its peak, Ayanokouji's expression remained blank. Ryuuen only grinned wider.
"I'll burn the sight of your pathetic defeat into my memory, and then we'll call it even. Can't wait to see that face of yours finally crack."
"People do yield to violence. That logic isn't wrong. But for that to work, you need to be stronger than your opponent. Do you understand that?"
"Hah?"
"With just the four of you here, you can't stop me."
"...?"
Ibuki frowned, unable to follow.
"Keh… kehehe… kehehehehe!"
Ryuuen doubled over laughing, as if he found this unbearably funny.
"What Ayanokouji's saying is that punks like you don't stand a chance against him in a fight. Well then, let's see just how confident you really are. Ishizaki."
"Y-You sure about this?"
Ishizaki hesitated at the order to attack.
The person in front of him was Ayanokouji—an ordinary student who didn't look like he'd ever been in a fight. His hesitation was natural.
"Don't hold back."
"Wait!"
The one who stopped Ishizaki mid-step was Karuizawa, still sitting on the ground.
"Why are you doing something this stupid!? What good does beating up Kiyotaka do!?"
"Don't worry, Karuizawa."
Before Ryuuen could respond, Ayanokouji cut in.
"But—!"
"There's nothing to worry about."
Even so, Karuizawa opened her mouth to protest again—but one look at Ayanokouji's eyes silenced her.
"Yeah. Just worry about yourself."
Ryuuen smirked at Karuizawa's compliance before nodding at Ishizaki.
"Don't take it personally, Ayanokouji. Just following orders."
"Whatever."
Ishizaki swung his fist without finesse—a straightforward, telegraphed punch. Ayanokouji caught it effortlessly with his right hand.
"Ha…?"
"If you're going to do it, Ishizaki, you should go all out."
It was a warning. Just one, from Ayanokouji.
But Ishizaki didn't grasp the meaning—he probably thought his punch being stopped was just bad luck.
Ayanokouji tightened his grip around Ishizaki's fist.
"Eh? W-Wait…!?"
Ishizaki's face stiffened, his knees beginning to shake.
"Hey, Ishizaki?"
Ibuki's eyes widened at the bizarre sight.
"Agh! S-Stop! Let go!"
His legs gave out, and Ishizaki collapsed to his knees, desperately clawing at Ayanokouji's arm—but it didn't budge.
As Ishizaki writhed, the first to react wasn't Ibuki or Ryuuen—it was Albert, moving in from behind Ayanokouji.
A massive shadow loomed over him. Without waiting for Ryuuen's command, Albert swung his tree-trunk-like arm down at Ayanokouji.
Ayanokouji didn't flinch. He caught the blow head-on with his left palm.
A sharp, heavy impact echoed through the rooftop. The force traveled up Ayanokouji's arm, but his expression didn't change.
"...That actually hurt a little."
Albert's face twisted at the quiet remark.
"No way… Albert, Ishizaki—are you guys holding back!?"
Ibuki, watching from a distance, couldn't believe her eyes.
"...!!"
Ayanokouji released Ishizaki's hand, and the boy crumpled, clutching his right arm.
"Do it, Albert."
At Ryuuen's command, Albert charged, using his bulk to swing another devastating punch.
Ayanokouji had taken the first hit deliberately, but this time, he countered—driving a fist into Albert's stomach.
The giant's face contorted slightly.
(Not enough.)
Ayanokouji gauged the minimal damage and immediately aimed for a weak spot—the solar plexus.
Albert twisted his massive frame with surprising agility, narrowly avoiding the blow.
But Ayanokouji had anticipated even that.
"——!!"
A knife-hand strike slammed into Albert's throat, forcing out a choked gasp.
"Ayanokouji!"
Ishizaki roared, attacking from behind.
Ayanokouji watched as Albert's legs buckled, then spun and drove a kick into Ishizaki's face, following up with a left-handed strike to his cheek.
Ishizaki collapsed.
Silence fell over the rooftop.
Everyone present could only stare, engraving the unbelievable scene into their minds.
"Seems I underestimated you. No wonder you were so confident—you've got the skills to back it up. Didn't see that coming."
"You already figured it out, didn't you? That this wasn't just some lucky coincidence for me."
Ryuuen laughed at Ayanokouji's response.
"You're saying I was the one being played?"
"What… What are you talking about?"
Ibuki looked back and forth between them, lost.
"It means we were dancing in the palm of his hand this whole time. Someone as sharp as him wouldn't just rely on Maya and her friends. He used them to drag us out here."
Ayanokouji had known Ryuuen's plan from the start—and walked into it anyway.
He could've chosen a different path, one that didn't involve dredging up Karuizawa's trauma. But he didn't.
"My bad, Ayanokouji. You're the real deal. That advantage I had earlier? Gone in an instant. Now I'm the one in deep shit."
Even as he acknowledged the overwhelming difference in skill, Ryuuen grinned like he was having the time of his life.
"What the hell… Both of you…!"
Ibuki lashed out, sprinting at Ayanokouji and launching a flying kick.
Ayanokouji stepped back, dodging, but Ibuki closed the distance with rapid footwork, unleashing a relentless barrage of kicks.
"Tch—!?"
But Ayanokouji wasn't interested in humoring her.
He grabbed her by the throat and slammed her into the ground. Her eyes rolled back, and she went limp.
"Violence isn't just Ryuuen's specialty."
With Ryuuen's inner circle defeated, only one person remained.
Karuizawa, who had witnessed everything, seemed unable to even speak.
"Even in this situation, you're still calm. Impressive."
"Not just brains, but first-class fighting skills too. I misjudged you."
Ryuuen clapped slowly, stepping forward with genuine admiration.
"You know what I'm about to say, don't you?"
Ayanokouji could sense it—the unshakable confidence in Ryuuen's eyes, even now.
A trait unique to Ryuuen alone.
"Winning a fight isn't just about strength. Mental toughness matters too."
Ryuuen dropped his stance slightly and threw a left hook.
Ayanokouji reacted instantly, leaning back to avoid it.
"Sorry, but I'm not planning on taking any direct hits."
He reached for Ryuuen's bangs, but the boy twisted away.
A split second later, Ayanokouji's kick connected with Ryuuen's ribs.
"Gh—!?"
Ryuuen staggered back, putting distance between them.
"Not bad, Ryuuen."
Ayanokouji's praise was genuine.
Despite the difference in overall ability, Ryuuen had taken a solid hit and showed no signs of going down.
"This is fun."
Ryuuen laughed, his voice dripping with exhilaration.
"Just when I thought you were down, you come back swinging. Can't get enough of this, Ayanokouji."
His grin widened as he launched another unrestrained attack.
His movements weren't those of a trained martial artist—they were raw, honed through countless battles.
Ayanokouji could've countered, but he chose to block instead.
"Why won't you fight back openly? You could crush me if you wanted to."
"I've got my reasons."
"Fine. Then I'll just have to beat them out of you."
"You really think you can win?"
"Keh. You really think you can't lose?"
"...Unfortunately, I can't even imagine losing."
There was something Ryuuen saw that Ayanokouji didn't.
"You'll win today, no doubt. But what about tomorrow? The day after?"
"You think if you keep trying, you'll eventually beat me?"
"I'll come at you from every angle. You'll never get a moment's peace."
"Aren't you afraid of losing?"
"Fear doesn't exist for me. Never has."
"No fear, huh?"
As they exchanged blows, Ayanokouji finally understood the essence of Ryuuen.
"Hit me enough times, and even you'll feel it! Right!?"
Ryuuen stepped in, aiming another punch at the same spot.
"Let's keep this going!"
He roared, and as Ayanokouji's knee buckled slightly, Ryuuen swung a kick at the back of his head.
"Where the hell did you learn to fight like this? You're not normal. You're a damn monster."
Ryuuen grinned at the figure in front of him.
"With all that power, you've been hiding in the shadows. How does it feel, looking down on everyone?"
"I don't care about others' successes or failures. It's never mattered to me."
Ryuuen scoffed, running a hand through his hair.
"Then I'll just have to beat that fear into you!"
(That's enough, Ryuuen.)
Ayanokouji muttered silently before grabbing Ryuuen's arm and yanking him forward, driving a right hook into his face.
"Guh——!?"
The force of the blow sent Ryuuen flying.
But Ayanokouji had held back—just enough to keep him conscious.
Pinning Ryuuen to the concrete, he rained down punches from above.
"You said you don't feel fear, Ryuuen."
"Haah… haah… Keh… That's right. I don't. Never have."
Even with half his vision blurred from swelling, Ryuuen tried to fight back from below.
But his strikes were weak now, easily dodged.
Ayanokouji's precise, brutal blows landed again and again.
In the midst of the relentless assault, Ryuuen closed his eyes—and smiled.
"Violence shows a person's true nature. Both the one hitting… and the one getting hit."
He stared straight into Ayanokouji's empty eyes.
Then, as if daring him, he smirked.
"Keh… Must be nice, being that strong. You can do whatever you want. So show me, Ayanokouji…"
Ryuuen opened his eyes.
Ayanokouji's fists kept falling, targeting his face.
But Ryuuen didn't change.
An emotion that should've been fundamental to humanity—fear—was absent in him.
"Even if you beat me here, I'll keep coming back. No matter where you go, I'll strike the moment you let your guard down. And in the end… I'll win."
"..."
That was how Ryuuen had always turned the tables. No opponent was invincible—he'd exploited every weakness without fail.
"Do you want to win? Do you hate losing? What are you feeling right now, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka?"
Those words didn't reach him.
(Do I want to win?)
(Do I hate losing?)
"Are you laughing at me now? Are you angry? Happy? Frustrated? Tell me!"
(What is this guy even saying?)
One certainty formed in Ayanokouji's mind.
Something this trivial couldn't possibly stir his emotions.
That was all.
He would never let his feelings show.
He lost count of how many punches he'd thrown as another one connected with Ryuuen's face.
"Tch!"
He didn't stop.
Left, right—mechanically, relentlessly.
Ryuuen's face twitched.
(There it is, Ryuuen.)
(You finally saw it, didn't you?)
Fear—an emotion that undeniably existed.
You've felt it now.
Ayanokouji wound up for the hardest strike yet—
——or so it should have been.
*Clang.*
A metallic sound echoed across the silent rooftop.
The moment he heard it, Ayanokouji froze mid-motion and stepped off Ryuuen.
"W-Why…?"
"Why are you… here…?"
Ibuki and Ishizaki, regaining consciousness, murmured in disbelief.
"Why… Why the hell are you—!?"
Ryuuen's vision swam, but he could still make out the figure standing before them.
"WHY ARE YOU HERE, HIKIGAYA!?"