Part 3
From the moment we stepped foot into the library, I noticed that it was shrouded in a completely different atmosphere compared to the other day. Many students, both first and second-years, were gathered inside, notebooks and tablets spread out before them as they participated in what appeared to be various different study groups.
It seemed most students hadn’t grown complacent after finding a partner, instead, they had begun taking action right away.
For some reason, I was reminded of back when our class held a study session here a year ago.
“Well this is a bit troubling. There are more people here than before, so we might stand out a bit.”
“Let’s just try to blend in then.”
Fortunately, the seats we used yesterday at the back of the library were still available.
Since it wouldn’t have been strange if the seats were occupied, I turned and looked over at a certain someone elsewhere in the library.
It wasn’t long before Hiyori noticed my gaze and waved at me with a gentle smile on her face as she approached us.
“I thought that Ayanok?ji-kun and Horikita-san would surely visit today as well, so I made a special request and had these seats reserved for you.”
“Are you sure that’s fine?”
“It would be a different story if the library was close to maximum capacity, but there’s no need to worry about that.”
Given the size of the library, there was plenty of space for everyone. Nonetheless, I appreciated her consideration.
“Please go ahead, feel free to take all the time you need to discuss.”
With that, Hiyori left, not particularly interested in lingering around any further.
“She’s awfully kind, isn’t she? Do you think she overheard our conversation yesterday?”
“It’s hard to say. I think it’d be difficult given the distance though.”
We sat in the same seats as yesterday, as they had been expressly left open for us.
And then, we took out all of our study materials from our bags and began acting like we were there to study.
However, no matter how long we waited, Nanase never showed up.
“Nanase-san. She’s late.”
The meeting time was supposed to be after school at 4:30, but it was already past 5:00.
I had sent her multiple messages by now, but it seemed like she hadn’t read any of them yet. At this rate we might have to personally go and check up on her, though that in itself would be tricky since we didn’t know her current location.
“Should we go take a look in the first-year classrooms for the time being…?”
Just as we were about to go look for her, Nanase showed up at the entrance to the library, seemingly flustered.
Once she noticed where we were, she approached our table, visibly out of breath.
“I-I apologize. I’ve kept you waiting for quite some time…!”
“It’s fine. I was just worried that something might’ve happened to you along the way.”
“I was busy negotiating with H?sen-kun, trying to get him to come along with me somehow.”
“Is that so… It doesn’t look like there’s been much progress on that front.”
Given that she had come alone, it didn’t seem like anybody else would be joining us.
“That said, he didn’t stop you from coming to talk with us today?”
“He did not. He probably doesn’t think that anything will be finalized without him.”
No matter how much Nanase may try on her own, H?sen had the final say.
Given his confidence, he probably couldn’t care less about micromanaging every little thing Nanase wanted to do.
“It seems that we have no choice but to force him to meet up with us after all.”
“That’s…”
“I already understand that things won’t be resolved easily. But unless we discuss this in person, we’ll just keep beating around the bush forever.”
That seemed like the last thing Horikita wanted to do without further preparation.
“That is certainly so… But…”
Nanase’s words trailed off as she seemed somewhat hesitant about something, but she quickly made up her mind and continued.
“Horikita-senpai wants to build an equal, collaborative relationship with Class 1-D no matter what it takes, right? Or am I misunderstanding something?”
“Yes. That’s exactly right.”
“Then… might I get you to hear out a proposal of mine?”
From the sound of it, Nanase had come here with a few ideas of her own.
“Even if I were to suggest to H?sen-kun that we enter into an equal, collaborative relationship, it’s clear that I would end up being rejected. I think it would be the same even if Horikita-senpai were to meet up with him personally. That being the case, how about you and I proceed with negotiations in secret?”
“Proceed with negotiations in secret? But your classmates wouldn’t just obey without H?sen-kun’s permission, would they?”
“Yes. However, that’s because I have yet to come forward as a leader.”
With that, Nanase presented us with an unexpected proposal.
“I have judged that my class will not survive for much longer if we continue with H?sen-kun’s way of doing things. So, it is my hope that I become the leader of Class-D before his dangerous ideals become instilled in the class’s mindset. And, as a stepping stone for that, I’d like to form a relationship with Class 2-D.”
Both Horikita and I had never expected that she would propose something like this.
A tale of how Nanase Tsubasa would defeat H?sen and become the leader of Class 1-D.
If that happened, Horikita’s goal of establishing an equal, collaborative relationship suddenly wouldn’t be that far off anymore.
“We don’t have the basis to judge which one of you is better suited to be leader. Either way, the only thing I can say for sure is that we’re running out of time.”
With the special exam fast approaching, we simply couldn’t afford to get involved in a fight over leadership right now.
“Many of my classmates don’t approve of H?sen-kun’s way of doing things. In fact, after bringing it up these last few days, I’ve managed to get seven of them to agree to help me.”
“And that’s not just students with low Academic Ability ratings?”
“Yes. Of those seven students who are willing to negotiate, three have Academic Ability ratings of a B- or higher.”
“…I see.”
Horikita pondered over this for a moment. Three people was by no means perfect, but if that number were to increase just a bit further, forming a collaborative relationship with Nanase as the focal point might not be the worst idea after all.
“Wouldn’t it be problematic if H?sen-kun realizes what we’re doing?”
“Needless to say, that would be a disaster. That’s why we’d have to keep everything secret from now until the deadline for choosing our partners on the day of the exam. If we submit the applications at the very last minute, he won’t notice anything.”
“But then it’d be difficult to win over the students who can study, wouldn’t it?”
There was no changing the fact that the students with high Academic Ability ratings wanted to receive private points as compensation.
“Our class will help compensate you for that. Those of us who aren’t very good at studying will get to avoid the three-month penalty thanks to you and your classmates. In other words, they’ll have three months’ worth of points to help supplement your losses. That way, even if you pay 200,000 points to help win over these students, you’ll ultimately end up getting your money back. Although it would be for far less than the 500,000 points per person that H?sen-kun is after, it should still be within the scope that my classmates would find acceptable.”
In short, this meant that they would be cleaning up their own mess.
Originally, we were the ones who had to entice the honor students with points, but with this strategy, the less capable Class 1-D students would be the ones using their funds to help entice their peers.
“This way, we won’t cause any problems for you and your class. Of course, H?sen-kun will get angry once he learns of what we’ve done, but I will take full responsibility so that no harm befalls those who have lent a hand. What do you think?”
“That’s… No matter how much you want to become your class’s leader, wouldn’t this proposal place far too much of a burden on you?”
“It’s fine. You’ve gone through the trouble of extending a helping hand, so I don’t want to lose out on the trust you’ve shown or the opportunity you’ve presented me with.”
Nanase seemed to be saying that it was a cheap price to pay if it meant that her classmates would be saved.
“Besides, even if I’m not recognized as my class’s leader, at least I’ll have helped your class in this exam.”
If you only considered the immediate profits, then Nanase’s proposal was by no means unattractive.
I found myself wondering how Horikita would respond to it.
“Thanks to this, I’m now absolutely certain that I want to have a collaborative relationship with Class 1-D.”
“So, does that mean that you’re okay with my proposal?”
“No. I can’t take you up on your proposal.”
“But there’s no other way…”
“All of Class 1-D’s problems will be solved if you could just get H?sen-kun onto your side. I don’t think you actually want to be your class’s leader; You just don’t like the way H?sen-kun is doing things, do you? That being the case, if H?sen agrees to negotiate, there should be plenty of students willing to pair up, right?”
“That’s… well, yes. I’m sure of it.”
“Plus, if you and H?sen-kun are in conflict with each other, it’s possible that Class 1-D will be split into two instead of being united as one. There’s no way I’d let that happen. So, how about you let me help you change his mind instead?”
Apparently, this conversation with Nanase had caused Horikita to realize something as well.
That, as long as we can get through H?sen, the rest of our problems would be solved.
“It’s a risky gamble. If we fail, it may not be possible for Class 1-D and Class 2-D to work together in the future.”
“I’m prepared for that… Well, that’s not true. I think there’s a good chance that our classes can work together. And that’s not just me, I’m sure that H?sen-kun is thinking the same thing.”
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