11 Chapter 8.2: Class B vs. Class D Part 2

Part 2

As the one accredited with overthrowing Ryūen, Ishizaki's influence within Class D wasn't exactly low.

However, that didn't mean that there weren't any problems.

The one who should've been expelled during the provisional exam, Ryūen, was still here. The class had focused their censure votes on Manabe in order to threaten her a little, but she ended up being expelled instead. Naturally, many students felt suspicious of this.

Of course, the first question in everyone's mind was: 'Who exactly was it that cast such a large number of praise votes for Ryūen?'

Had someone within Class D voted for him? Or, if it was another class, which one?

A lot of theories were repeatedly being tossed around as Class D tried to reason out what had happened.

Due to the high degree of anonymity of the provisional special exam, it had been impossible for them to figure out the exact answer.

In reality, Class B's Ichinose had indirectly struck a deal with Ryūen, offering a large number of praise votes in exchange for Ryūen's stockpile of private points. While that was what had happened, Class B would never tell that to anyone. As Ichinose had asked to keep it a secret, her classmates obediently followed suit. Class B would've listened to her either way, but in this case, it had been part of a strategy to prevent one of their classmates from being expelled, so everyone was eager to comply with her.

Meanwhile, Class D was enveloped in paranoia.

However, a few of them knew the truth. Ishizaki and Ibuki had taken action in order to prevent Ryūen's expulsion, and Shiina Hiyori had collaborated with them.

Given that it wouldn't be strange if everything came to a standstill at this point, Shiina played the very important role of making use of the advice that Ishizaki had received from Ryūen.

She worked diligently to ensure that her class would be matched against Class B.

In a private conversation with Kaneda, she subtly guided him to come to the conclusion that Class B was their best choice.

However, that didn't mean the problem had been resolved.

Shiina herself was well aware that, without any leadership, Class D's chances of winning would be as thin as paper if they were to face off against Class B right now. She knew that falling behind, even slightly, would lead to defeat.

So that very same day, after the class matchups had been decided, Shiina immediately put a certain plan into action.

"Dammit. What should we do...?"

Inside a rented room at the Karaoke parlor, Ishizaki vented his frustration.

"Dunno. Why exactly did you call me here again? What kinda group is this?"

Ibuki glared at Ishizaki before proceeding to give Shiina a similarly harsh look, who was seated right beside him.

"How shall we put it... This is Ishizaki-kun and his merry band of friends?"

Ibuki slouched down in her seat as she glared at Shiina for her silly answer.

"Haa... My head hurts."

"As the three people who best understand the current situation, I think we'll be able to come up with some ideas by gathering up like this. Manjushri speaks to three, as they say."[2]

"Man Juice speaks to Thee? Heh. What's that about?"

"You said that on purpose didn't you?"

"Ouch! Ibuki, you bitch! Stop pinching the skin on the back of my hand like that!"

"Nice and lively. I knew meeting up in a karaoke room would be a good decision."

Upon seeing the interaction between Ibuki and Ishizaki, Shiina clasped her hands together happily. Ibuki, however, was having none of it.

"We can't have a decent discussion with a group like this. I'm outta here."

"Ah, that would be problematic. Ryūen-kun is going to show up after this."

""What?""

Ishizaki and Ibuki both spoke the same thing at the same exact time.

"Ryūen-kun is absolutely essential to winning this special exam. After all, he's the only one who saw potential in facing Class B when everyone else wanted to avoid them."

Shiina had set off one hell of an unexpected bomb.

She didn't seem to understand the sheer weight of her own words.

"You, what did you just say?"

"Eh? I said that he's the only one who sa─"

"Not that. What you said before. Who'd you say would be showing up here?"

"Ryūen-kun."

Ibuki looked at Ishizaki. Ishizaki looked at Ibuki.

"S-seriously? Ryūen-san? Here???"

"Yes. I've already invited him."

"This is going to be one of the worst karaoke meetups I've ever seen... but, did you tell him about us?"

"I told him you'd both be here, of course."

"Yer tellin' me that he knows we're here and he's still gonna come...?"

Ishizaki had already attempted to get Ryūen to cooperate and got turned down, so it was only natural that he'd be suspicious.

"I'll ask just to make sure, but what time did that guy say he'd get here?"

"4 o'clock."

"...Huh?"

Ibuki took a look at the clock on the wall.

The time was just past 5:05 PM.

"It looks like he's just a tiny bit late."

"It's been more than half an hour! That's not called being late! That's called being ignored!"

"Calm down and help yourself to some of this melon soda. Let's just be patient, shall we?"

Ibuki completely disregarded the can of melon soda Shiina offered her.

"I don't have the time for this..."

As Ibuki was about to get up, Ishizaki stopped her.

"I'm gonna wait. Ryūen-san will definitely come... maybe..."

"Are you retarded? No way in hell that guy's gonna keep his word."

In fact, he was already substantially late. Unwilling to get involved in this, Ibuki spat out a superficial apology and began to walk for the door.

But this time, a slender, white hand reached out and grabbed Ibuki by the arm.

"Let's wait, Ibuki-san. He may not seem like it, but Ryūen-kun is an earnest person, wouldn't you agree?"

"...You... What do you know about him?"

"I don't know very much. Honestly, I've only ever spoken to him a few times."

"Then why?"

"I've just got a feeling that he is."

"So it's baseless. How sweet."

"You could say that."

Shiina responded with a pure, harmless smile that Ibuki found herself getting caught up in.

"Besides, I'm having tons of fun spending time with you two. Won't you stay?"

"...Idiot."

Ibuki sat back down, exasperated.

"If he doesn't show up soon, I'm out of here, alright?"

"Alright~"