Dinner time on the third day of the special exam. Ichinose stopped spending time with her classmates and instead kept watch over Manabe from the same group.
(When the groups were decided, Sakayanagi-san mentioned a certain person. It's probably Kamukura-kun. If so, the Class C student who ended up in the same group as Inogari-senpai must have received some kind of instructions...)
Ichinose had been pondering this ever since the large girls' group was formed.
A certain person—the deliberate way Sakayanagi had referred to them. If she could obtain such crucial information right on the first day the exam started, the possibilities were limited.
On top of that, remembering how Manabe had moved on Kamukura's orders before, she considered the possibility that Kamukura was pulling strings behind the scenes. That's exactly why she was staking her bet on dinner time, watching to see if he would give her some instructions.
And just as Ichinose predicted, a student with neatly styled medium-long hair made contact with Manabe.
Manabe bowed her head with a visibly startled demeanor. Ichinose was slightly surprised by the dramatic shift, but from their communications during the exam, she already knew that Manabe was terrified of Kamukura.
Still, it felt like an overly exaggerated reaction.
(...Wait, did Kamukura-kun just look over here? He did, right?)
Right as she began her observation, her eyes met Kamukura's as he glanced in her direction while staying hidden.
The reality of it was so surreal that Ichinose's mind couldn't keep up for a moment.
In that interval, Kamukura said something brief to Manabe, and the two parted ways.
To any onlookers, it would appear to be the bare minimum contact to deliver instructions.
But that wasn't sufficient.
The full picture was "quickly instruct Manabe, then make contact with Ichinose."
(...Eye contact. The direction of his gaze points to the boys' bathroom.)
Ichinose instantly understood the silent communication.
She headed to the location ahead of time.
After using his intelligence operative talents to slip past Nagumo's surveillance, Kamukura rendezvoused with Ichinose near the boys' bathroom.
"You noticed quickly, Ichinose-san."
"On the contrary, I'm more surprised that you noticed me. Did you know I would approach you?"
"Yes. Not only from the gaze, but I determined that if it was you, you'd be able to reach me based on Sakayanagi-san's words."
Ichinose swallowed hard at Kamukura's calm prediction of the future.
Sooner or later, he would set his sights on Class B and climb his way up.
The question of whether they could stand against him when that time came crossed her mind.
However, she shifted her focus and concentrated on his words now.
"Ichinose-san, won't you hear out my request?"
"It depends on what it is?"
She was curious about his reason for summoning her, and he cut straight to the point.
There was no one around, but that wouldn't remain the case forever.
No matter how skillfully he employed his intelligence operative abilities, an increase in the number of watchers would impose certain restrictions.
Even so, Kamukura alone could hide without issue, but right now he was with her. A secret meeting was guaranteed to draw suspicion.
"Just as you heard from Sakayanagi-san, there's a strong suspicion that Tachibana-san from the third-year Class A will be targeted in this exam.
If my prediction is correct, to pull down the third-year Class A, the third-year Class B has teamed up with Miyabi Nagumo, and through their conspiracy, she'll be forced into expulsion."
"...A prediction, huh. If it's coming from you, it does seem like it'd be incredibly accurate, but I can't cooperate unless I hear the specifics."
Ichinose stated while looking into Kamukura's eyes.
Her gaze asserted that she wasn't the least bit intimidated, but Kamukura didn't show any particular sign of being impressed as he handed her a single sheet of paper.
Written on it in elegant, masterful calligraphy worthy of a genius calligrapher was the information forming the basis of his prediction.
Ichinose's eyes widened as she absorbed it piece by piece. Shock hit her with every line she read.
It was almost impossible to believe.
(Nagumo, the student council president, doing something like this? There were rumors about him competing against Horikita-senpai in special exams, but aren't those supposed to be fair and square? This is just...)
The Nagumo Miyabi Ichinose knew was a guy whose romantic exploits were endless fodder for gossip, yet in the student council he came across as a kind, dependable, and admirable upperclassman.
For that same senior to break his word and resort to such despicable methods just to beat Horikita-senpai... Reading between the lines of the written information, Ichinose was rendered utterly speechless.
"I heard you replied to Sakayanagi-san that you'd cooperate."
"For investigating the upperclassmen in my large group, yeah, I did accept that."
"My request is something I want done alongside that."
When Kamukura handed her yet another separate sheet of paper, an expression of surprise—probably the umpteenth one today—crossed Ichinose's face.
The content written there was like something from the Gospels, detailing events of the future.
A sequence of events as if it were a fixed, predetermined future. A brutal future that would come to pass without Izuru Kamukura even needing to dirty his own hands.
Ichinose weighed the risks and returns.
Cooperating with this would mean turning against Nagumo.
It would increase the chances of being targeted by someone with the immense power of the student council president, but when it came to cornering Tachibana, Ichinose had her own feelings on the matter.
"...If this is factual, then yeah, I can cooperate. But sorry, Kamukura-kun. Nagumo-senpai has a little secret on me right now."
"Hmm, that's slightly unexpected."
He called it unexpected, yet neither his expression nor his tone showed any change.
"Then this is the perfect chance. Hurry up and tell me about that secret of yours. I'll resolve it for you."
"You're being so forceful!?"
Kamukura said it so casually, like it was nothing.
But for Ichinose, it was a serious issue.
Not something she could just chat about lightly.
"Whatever it is, as long as you cooperate, anything works for me. If you don't want to spill your troubles, that's fine. It's a minor thing to me anyway, and he won't be able to pull off anything in this exam regardless."
"...What if Nagumo-senpai decides to target me during this exam?"
"You owe me one. If you ask for help, I'll give it to you."
If a hand is extended to him, Kamukura will take it.
Because it could lead to the unknown.
But he had no interest in helping those who just crouch down waiting to be rescued.
Kamukura knew all too well. Even if you help them, they simply turn into parasitic ticks.
"Is Tachibana-senpai really going to be targeted?"
"Yes, nine times out of ten."
"...Got it. Then I'll cooperate."
Ichinose firmly agreed to team up with Kamukura.
The discussion then moved to the compensation, and surprisingly, Kamukura took a rather fair-minded stance.
"Thank you. As for the reward... what should we make it? I already owe you one, so if there's anything you want, I'll throw in a little extra."
"Hmm, I don't really have anything specific in mind. How about making it two favors owed?"
"That's perfectly fine. If something you want comes up later, just tell me. I'll make most things happen."
Kamukura wrapped up the conversation and began to withdraw.
However, a question had bubbled up in Ichinose's mind, so she grabbed his wrist to stop him.
"...Hey, if you were able to form this kind of prediction at this stage, couldn't you have stopped Nagumo-senpai much earlier, Kamukura-kun?"
If he could predict everything, he should have been able to prevent the incident before it even started.
That's what Ichinose couldn't stop thinking.
"Certainly, I could have stopped it in the earlier stages."
"Then why..."
"Ichinose-san, if I stopped it early, do you really think Nagumo Miyabi's malice would disappear?"
"T-that's..."
Ichinose quickly understood what Kamukura was trying to say.
And because she understood, she couldn't answer that question.
Even if it was stopped beforehand, there was no guarantee the malice would withdraw. It might instead grow bolder and turn toward another direction.
No matter how capable Kamukura was, indiscriminate malice would become troublesome to stop. To avoid that, he needed to narrow down the target of the malice and stop it for certain.
"Well, from my point of view, that side does seem more interesting though."
Ichinose now vaguely understood something like Kamukura's nature, and shuddered with fear.
Kamukura's ability to guide everything and create a predetermined harmonious future was abnormal.
Looking down from above as if overlooking the students desperately facing the exam, rolling them in the palm of his hand like swirling them.
To Ichinose, it felt exactly like viewing things from a god-like perspective.
Because everything went exactly as he wished, Kamukura had the habit of saying it was boring.
Therefore, even if someone got hurt, as long as it satisfied the single condition of being unpredictable, Kamukura would consider that future.
And then express his impression that it was interesting.
(If you change your viewpoint, you might be the most unfree person of all.)
The unfreedom born from near-omnipotence.
Ichinose felt such sympathy for Kamukura.
However, she also understood that he too was trying to change by gaining connections with people.
That's why Ichinose couldn't come to hate Kamukura, even though he did ruthless things.
...
Dinner time on the third day of the special exam ended, and the students each returned to their own rooms.
The remaining time was only for taking a bath. Bath time had to be within the grade-specific designated hours, but within that window individuals could use it at their preferred time.
During the first-years' bath usage time, Kakeru Ryuuen called out to Izuru Kamukura.
"Hey hey, Kamukura. You planning to go to the bath alone again today?"
Kamukura, who was about to leave the dorm alone, stopped at Ryuuen's words.
"Yes. It's not something that requires particular time."
"Kuku, that so. Even you, who can have as many talents as you want, apparently don't know how to enjoy a bath."
"...How to enjoy a bath?"
Ryuuen's provoking expression was a smile.
From his natural analytical ability, Kamukura read that there was something behind it.
However, before his analysis could fully conclude, Ryuuen continued.
"Slowly soaking in the hot water, clearing your mind and easing the fatigue from your body. Kuku, no wonder an efficiency freak like you wouldn't get it."
"Even without doing that, resting properly will relieve fatigue, won't it?"
"The important thing isn't the result. It's the process, right?"
Ryuuen gave him a look that said you understand, don't you.
"What is your objective?"
"Hey hey, the unknown is what's fun for you, isn't it? Is it okay to ask for the answer so easily?"
Kamukura understood every effect that could be obtained from a bath.
That's precisely why he already knew that Ryuuen's purpose wasn't just to teach how to enjoy a bath.
Still, knowing that, he decided to accept Ryuuen's invitation.
"Mostly, you want to confirm my movements in this exam, I suppose. Well, fine. I'll play along with your provocation."
"Provocation? I'm just trying to teach you the secrets of the bath."
The two took what they needed for the bathhouse and left the dorm.
With their similar hairstyles, walking briskly side by side, they looked like they were on good terms from an outside perspective.
Once they arrived, the two prepared to savor being the first in the bath.
"What are you staring at?"
"...So you even have the talent of a male porn star, huh."
"Yes, it's one of those unnecessary talents."
Ryuuen said that after seeing Kamukura finish undressing.
Every action Kamukura took was inhuman, but his body was also not ordinary.
The ultimately designed physical beauty was one extreme.
The artificially designed ideal beauty was embodied right there.
"In this exam, you seem to be quite active behind the scenes, but what exactly are you planning?"
Ryuuen, who had been taken aback, brought up the topic of this exam to regain his composure.
"I'm preparing for all possibilities."
"...It's the fight between that cocky blond and Horikita. If done normally, Horikita wins."
"Yes, that's right. That's why our victory in this exam was decided at the group formation stage."
Kamukura calmly declared victory.
"I already know that. Since we can win, why the hell are you scheming?"
However, Ryuuen also understood that. This exam was competing with group average values.
In the short period of one week, it was obvious that forming a group with excellent students from the beginning had a higher win rate than raising the average.
With the first-years led by Kamukura and the third-years led by Horikita Manabu, the average would be high, and victory was the expected outcome.
Despite that, Kamukura continued his behind-the-scenes activities.
"In this exam, while managing your pawns, you're also scheming behind the scenes.
It looks like you're going all out to show me a perfect leader image, but it seems a bit excessive. In this exam, almost everything is decided at the group formation stage.
Even if you scheme now, I don't think anything will change."
"It seems you're observing my movements well."
Ryuuen snorted.
Since the conversation paused once, the two wrapped towels around their waists and stepped into the bath area.
They headed toward the showers and resumed the conversation.
"If you were to corner students from other classes in this exam, how would you do it?"
"Kuku, if it was me, I'd use the joint responsibility rule for the person in charge. That rule is too advantageous for dragging others down.
I'd throw the targets into groups where I've pre-placed my prepared pawns so they can't exceed the border prepared by the school. Checkmate.
Of course, to realize this strategy, cooperation between classes is necessary."
"Yes, just as you say. To reliably execute that strategy, a class agreement would be necessary.
In the end, it's a difficult strategy to realize. So even if you were the leader this time, you would have had to handle schemes to crush others with caution."
The two continued their casual conversation while washing their bodies.
A little time passed, and the entrance to the bath became gradually noisier.
"But there is only one person who can actually pull off this strategy."
"That blond, right? If he dominates the entire year, he can execute it easily."
The blond Ryuuen referred to was Miyabi Nagumo.
Miyabi Nagumo, who effectively controlled the second-years, had the power to execute this strategy.
"Yes, and he will use this strategy to target the third-years. That's why he tampered with a certain group during the girls' group selection."
Kamukura stated it definitively based on the information he had gathered.
The rule that allows the person in charge to impose joint responsibility, the fact that the student council can intervene in special exams, and the predictions derived from the collected information.
He had already seen through Miyabi Nagumo's scheme.
"Kuku, so the promise with Horikita was a bluff. He's got quite the personality. And your behind-the-scenes activities are to stop that.
You're preparing countermeasures using Hiyori, Yajima, and Sakayanagi, huh."
Ryuuen said with confidence, then lowered his voice.
"Why not use more upperclassmen? No matter how much the second-years are under his control, this time the groups are separated by gender, so the connection to a clear commander becomes thinner.
There is a reasonable chance of success if you pressure upperclassmen and make them betray. More than that, you could have threatened that blond at an earlier stage and made him back down, right?"
"Yes. That's why I've prepared a strategy that suits your tastes as well."
"...What?"
Ryuuen let out a dubious voice.
He stopped the hot water he had running to rinse out the shampoo and waited for him to continue.
"I told you, didn't I? In this exam, I would show you an example of leadership. That's why I intend to provide you with some reference material."
The sound of water droplets dripping from the showerhead echoed with soft splashes.
In that silence, Ryuuen kept thinking but couldn't reach any conclusion.
"What the hell are you planning?"
"I'm simply preparing for every possibility."
Kamukura stared straight back at the glaring Ryuuen, asserting that this was his answer.
Their clashing gazes showed no sign of yielding, but surprisingly, it was Ryuuen who looked away first.
"...Will you show me that strategy during this exam?"
Ryuuen asked while washing his hair.
The hot water spreading across the floor turned into rising steam.
Through the poor visibility mixed with pouring water, Ryuuen looked at Kamukura again.
And his eyes widened slightly.
"It's a last resort. If the main plan proceeds smoothly, there won't be any need to use it."
"So the main plan is for the targeted person to escape joint responsibility using their own strength?"
"Yes. That would be the safest option and the most efficient way to damage Miyabi Nagumo.
However, there's a chance it won't turn out that way this time. That's why I'm making preparations."
Kamukura ran his hand through his wet bangs, slicking them back into an all-back style.
The gaze that emerged from his expression beneath the hot water was ice-cold. It wasn't the face of Izuru Kamukura who had been living in this school, but his true, original face.
"I forgot... You really are one terrifying bastard."
Ryuuen shuddered at that expression.
It made him fully realize the sheer scale of the opponent he was trying to face and surpass.
"I can't help but wonder what kind of life would create someone like you."
"Would you like to hear my old stories?"
"I usually couldn't give less of a shit about some guy's backstory, but yours might actually be worth listening to."
After finishing washing their bodies, the two headed to soak in the bath.
Ryuuen dragged Kamukura, who was about to enter a random spot, over to the jet bath instead.
Kamukura silently obeyed and entrusted his body to the jet bath for the first time in his life.
"So this is what you called 'how to enjoy a bath'? It's just a jet bath, isn't it?"
"Just relax and let your body warm up. I'd show you the sauna too if there was one here, but apparently there isn't."
"People who use saunas do experience pleasure afterward, but from a health perspective... "
"...─Shut up."
Ryuuen forcefully silenced Kamukura's lecture-like explanation (the kind you'd give a smoker to make them quit) and relaxed, fully enjoying the jet bath.
Kamukura tentatively followed his example.
He submerged everything below his face, letting the jets properly stimulate his shoulders and lower back.
"Not bad at all."
"Kuku, the real fun starts now. The longer you soak, the better it gets."
Surprisingly finding it effective at restoring his energy, Kamukura stayed still as per Ryuuen's instruction.
The two continued soaking while exchanging light, casual conversation.
About ten minutes later, first-year male students began gathering in the bathhouse.
Since each grade had designated times, overlapping was inevitable.
"Oh? How unusual, Kamukura-boy. Never imagined I'd see you leisurely soaking in the hot water like this~"
The third person to join the jet bath was Koenji.
Seeing Kamukura with his eyes closed and completely relaxed, he flashed a bright white smile.
"You've become quite... human-like, haven't you?"
"Indeed. I never thought the day would come when I'd relax in front of others."
"That's a good trend. It seems I'll be able to compete with the current you much more enjoyably."
Koenji soaked into the jet bath in high spirits.
He tossed his towel aside and plunged vigorously into the water, sending splashes flying toward Ryuuen and Kamukura nearby.
"Hey, you weirdo tank. Enter the damn bath quietly."
"Where and how I enjoy myself is my freedom, Dragon-boy."
Water had splashed across Ryuuen's face, so he naturally complained, but realizing his opponent was a bad match, he didn't retort further.
Even Ryuuen didn't feel like wasting energy while trying to relax.
"...─It's a draw!!"
A loud voice rang out from one corner of the bathhouse.
There was no order among the men gathered there. Students from every class had come together like it was a meeting, talking so loudly their voices echoed throughout the entire bath area.
The crowd was steadily growing bigger.
At the center of the group were Katsuragi from Class A and Sudou from Class D.
"They're doing something quite pointless."
Kamukura, who had been enjoying the jet bath, opened just one eye to take in the situation.
The boys were showing off their cocks and competing fiercely.
A naked battle had begun in the bathhouse.
"Kuku, don't say that. Those guys are fighting with their pride on the line."
"That's right, Kamukura-boy. Even if it's childish behavior, pride is important."
While the two laughed in amusement, Kamukura closed his eyes as if it didn't concern him and went back to enjoying the jet bath.
"So this is... Albert's power as the final boss?"
Meanwhile, the other guys were groaning in despair at the appearance of Albert with his gifted physique.
Just moments ago, Katsuragi and Sudou had been locked in an even match when Ishizaki sent out an assassin from Class C.
That single "sword" brought even the most battle-hardened veterans to their knees with one stroke.
"The view is getting ugly, so I'll excuse myself and head out first."
Having had his fill of the jet bath, Kamukura rose from the tub.
During the entire time he was soaking, the Super High School Level Hope hadn't wrapped a towel around his waist either.
As a result, his Super High School Level cock remained completely exposed, seen only by Ryuuen and Koenji.
"As expected of my friend. What a beautifully sculpted body that rivals even mine~"
"I possess as many talents related to physical beauty as I desire."
Kamukura wrapped his towel around his waist and walked toward the exit.
Of course, by simultaneously using his Super High School Level intelligence operative and assassin talents, no one around noticed him leaving.
Everyone was too engrossed in the dick-measuring contest.
"You boys are really acting like complete children~"
Koenji spoke as if sweeping away the heavy atmosphere, and instantly all eyes turned to him.
It went without saying that it immediately turned into another round of showing off their cocks.
Kamukura reached the exit and made a swift departure.
***
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