"Yes, we met at the Student Council. Your performance then is still fresh in my memory. I heard you're delivering a message for Amane? Does Amane have something to tell me? You don't have to be so reserved here, you know."
Ichinose finished speaking and sat down on the ground.
Seeing this, Ayanokoji-kun also had no choice but to sit down.
But he remained silent.
Ichinose gradually sensed that something was amiss.
"Ayanokoji-kun, is Amane having you deliver a message to me, or does she have something to notify Class B about?"
Ichinose's way of asking was very clever.
If it was the first, it meant it was private, and the reason Ayanokoji-kun wasn't speaking was because he needed to deliver it privately.
If it was the second, it meant it was official business, in which case she would need to gather all her classmates to listen.
"Please, Classmate Ichinose, call Classmate Kanzaki and the others as well."
If he only spoke with Ichinose privately, Ayanokoji-kun was confident he could easily deceive her. However, Ayanokoji-kun hadn't forgotten the task Amane had given him; he had to confirm whether Class A and Class B had truly allied.
If they had allied, he had to find a way to disrupt their alliance as much as possible.
Otherwise, in the future, Class A and Class B would move their camp, directly sealing off Class D's observation, creating a disadvantageous situation.
"Himeno, please go call Classmate Kanzaki and Classmate Shibata and the others."
After Ichinose gave the order, the smile left her face.
In a formal setting, she had to display the proper authority of a class leader.
After about five minutes, the Class B students gradually arrived.
Seeing that most people had arrived, Ichinose asked Ayanokoji-kun again.
"Ayanokoji-kun, can you tell me what Amane wants to say now?"
Ayanokoji-kun stood up from the grass, dusting off the dirt clinging to his clothes.
His gaze swept across the face of every person in Class B.
"I am here to convey Miyako Amane's words to you. The message is: 'Are your actions a provocation to Class D?'"
Everyone was a little stunned when Ayanokoji-kun spoke.
"Provocation? I don't recall us doing anything of the sort."
Ichinose looked at Ayanokoji-kun with some confusion.
"Amane has seen through your alliance with Class A. Her purpose in sending me here is simple: she wants to ask Class B, 'Are you truly prepared to be enemies with Class D?'"
Ayanokoji-kun deliberately adopted an arrogant posture.
"Huh? What nonsense are you spouting? I don't recall Class B being an affiliated class of Class D. Do we need to report to her what we do or who we ally with? Does Miyako really think that just because she gained some advantage last time, she can be endlessly arrogant? If that's truly the case, I wouldn't mind teaching her a good lesson, letting her know that victory in an exam isn't won with fists."
Classmate Kanzaki's righteous words were echoed by the Class B students.
"That's right! A class at the bottom actually dares to question us. They really don't know their place."
"Classmate Kanzaki is right! Why should we report what we do to that bitch!"
Someone who had clashed with Amane hid in the crowd, constantly fanning everyone's dislike for Amane... Finally, even Ichinose had to stand up, looking solemnly at Ayanokoji-kun.
"I don't believe Amane's actions are based on a desire to maintain friendship and the relationship between the two classes. So far, our actions have complied with the school's regulations. As for declaring war... although I don't wish to see conflict between the two classes, if your purpose in coming here is to instigate war, then our Class B will absolutely not back down."
Ichinose Honami's statement could be said to symbolize Class B's reaction to Ayanokoji-kun's words.
Although everyone sounded righteous and so on.
But to Ayanokoji-kun's ears, he automatically filtered it, and the final result he got was: Class D has no business telling us who we ally with.
In other words, have the two sides already formed a substantive alliance?
Seeing that his initial objective had been achieved, Ayanokoji-kun was satisfied and planned to leave, then figure out a way to disrupt their alliance.
"Hey! Are you mute? Can't you hear Classmate Ichinose? You're not reacting at all. Who are you looking down on?!"
A boy suddenly let out a scream, startling Ichinose, whose face turned pale.
The cause was a boy who had put his hand on Ayanokoji-kun's shoulder, intending to apply some pressure to Ayanokoji-kun using non-violent pushing.
But unexpectedly, in the next second, Ayanokoji-kun grabbed his arm, tripped him, and directly threw him to the ground.
After his face violently collided with the ground, the boy let out a tragic scream.
"Sorry, it's a habit."
Upon realizing his actions were a bit excessive, Ayanokoji-kun abandoned the idea of a follow-up attack.
"Classmate Watanabe, are you alright? You actually used violence against Classmate Watanabe! I will report this to Hoshinomiya-sensei!"
Classmate Kanzaki pointed at Ayanokoji-kun and loudly reprimanded him.
"I said, it was just an accidental habit. If we're talking about right and wrong, then Classmate Watanabe, who touched me first, is at fault."
"You..."
Just as Classmate Kanzaki was about to argue with Ayanokoji-kun, Classmate Shibata quickly ran over to check on Classmate Watanabe's injuries.
"It looks like Classmate Watanabe is fine, just superficial injuries. He'll be alright after a short rest. If you're worried, you can also ask Hoshinomiya-sensei to check."
Classmate Shibata's words successfully interrupted their argument.
Ichinose thought for a moment and decided to take Classmate Watanabe to Hoshinomiya-sensei for a check-up first.
If they gave up on checking the injuries now, Ayanokoji-kun would clearly not be responsible if any problems arose later.
So, taking advantage of Class B being busy taking Classmate Watanabe for a check-up.
Ayanokoji-kun swaggered out of Class B's camp.
Just as he was about to leave, he encountered Classmate Shibata again at the camp entrance.
"Ah, Ayanokoji-kun, you're a bit too hasty."
Classmate Shibata frowned, looking at Ayanokoji-kun with some reproach.
Ayanokoji-kun was somewhat puzzled by his sudden question.
Was he talking about his departure? But from Classmate Shibata's expression, it didn't seem like he came here to stop him from leaving.
"I don't quite understand what Classmate Shibata means."
If he didn't understand, he might as well just ask directly.
Seeing Ayanokoji-kun's reaction like this.
Classmate Shibata sighed even more heavily.
"This kind of thing should have been handled by Amane, or even Horikita-san. Asking you to do such a thing is too difficult. If you want to control the subsequent initiative, you shouldn't have retaliated at the end. As it is now, although the school won't rule it as a violent conflict, there will definitely be responsibility. With this incident, it will be almost impossible for you to try the same trick again."
Such a statement... doesn't seem to fit Classmate Shibata's identity as a Class B member.
Then there seems to be only one answer for why he would say such a thing.
That is, Classmate Shibata is completely 'one of us'.
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