u/AdventurousArt8711

The glittering venue spread out before them in all its splendour.

Hoshinomiya, standing beside her, let out a soft "Whoa" before her eyes lit up.

"As you'd expect from a gathering of the financial elite, they really didn't spare any expense, did they, Sae-chan."

"So it seems."

"Isn't that a celebrity over there? And over there too! Are those politicians on that side?"

"That has nothing to do with us."

"It totally has something to do with us, though~ The school's founding anniversary means it's the school's party, and we teachers are an indispensable part of the school. Which makes us essentially the stars of the show——might be a bit too much, but even so, we're at least something like supporting leads, don't you think."

Looking around restlessly, Hoshinomiya's eyes sparkled even a step brighter.

"Not even close. We're nothing more than extras. Are you even listening to me?"

"I'm listening, I'm listening. But more importantly, shouldn't we be looking for good men? Today might just be the day we find the ones we're meant to be with and marry into money~"

"How ridiculous."

"It's fine to be a little ridiculous, isn't it? We need that much to look forward to, at the very least~. Oh, hey, isn't that dandy older gentleman with the eyepatch over there totally hot? He's chatting so amiably with the Prime Minister, too. And his age is just barely within my acceptable range, I'd say."

Reluctantly engaging with the conversation, Chabashira followed Hoshinomiya's gaze and caught sight of the man.

Just as Hoshinomiya had appraised, he was clearly older than theirs, but even from a distance, she could sense something akin to an air of elegance from him — he had a commanding bearing and an imposing aura that rivalled the Prime Minister's.

"From what I can see, that's one remarkable gentleman. He's the capable type, definitely. Check, check."

"Capable? Well, he might be a remarkable figure, but you really have no shame, do you. Do age and status come second to you as long as they're remarkable?"

Chabashira pointed out that her priorities seemed to be out of order.

"Of course they come second. Actually, let me ask you this: do you hold back from romance just because you're worried about their age or status, Sae-chan? Normally you do, right."

"That's———but still...

"If normal is what you want, why don't you just give workplace romance a go then? You know, like Mashima-kun, for one."

"Absolutely not."

"That was fast... So fast that I almost feel guilty bringing his name up."

"No, of course Mashima... Mashima-sensei is a fine individual. But for better or worse, he falls into the same category as you for me — a friend. Nothing more, nothing less."

"So there's no one you're interested in? You're getting up there in age, Sae-chan"

"No one."

"Really? Then, you don't even think about *him* anymore?"

Those words from Hoshinomiya bore a faint challenge.

A devilish whisper, motivated by the sole desire to see her flustered, with no real regard for her friend's love life.

But unlike the years past, even having that person's existence dangled in front of her did not cause her heart to waver.

"...Hm~m. Well then, imagine everyone in the world disappeared except for you, Sae-chan. But, as it turns out, only one man was left behind. Who is he?"

"What kind of absurb question is that."

"Never mind that, never mind that. Just picture it in your head. Humanity is wiped out, and only Adam and Eve are left. Who is the Adam for you, Sae-chan."

How idiotic. Thinking so, Chabashira let out a sigh and flat-out refused to answer.

"You're as uptight as ever, Sae-chan."

"Give me a break."

Though Chabashira had genuinely refused, the ensuing silence created a momentary gap in her thoughts.

And so, she thought about it.

A "what if" scenario. What if, right now, she had to choose one single partner in this world.

It was a fleeting fantasy, born precisely because such an absurd development was impossible.

She had thought no one would come to mind, yet suddenly, a certain male surfaced in her thoughts.

"No, that can't be..."

It wasn't that she was interested in him as a member of the opposite sex—it couldn't be.

It was just that a certain person—one of the most mature for his age, wrapped in an air of mystery, a student a full twelve years her junior—had crossed her mind

It was just that the face of a certain student—one who possessed a strangely mature and mysterious aura, and who was a full twelve years younger than her—had flashed across her mind.

"That's unacceptable as a teacher..."

She gasped, realising the words had slipped out despite herself. If Hoshinomiya, standing next to her, had heard that, she would leap to all the wrong conclusions.

So she'd worried, but no reaction came.

"Chie...?"

In the brief moment Chabashira had looked away, Hoshinomiya, who was supposed to have been standing beside her, had vanished.

With a sinking 'Don't tell me,'' she swept her gaze around the room and found her in the distance near the guest seating, chatting cheerfully with the man wearing the eyepatch.

"When did she...? That proactiveness of hers alone is something I should———no, I'd rather not."

Since she couldn't very well chase after her, Chabashira waited on the spot, and Hoshinomiya returned a few minutes later.

With an oddly light step and a beaming smile, she looked as if she had reaped a bountiful harvest.

"Don't just go off and do as you please, Chie. We're teachers, you know."

"Today is Saturday, so I'm merely a woman~"

"...Even on our days off. It's rude, you know, forcing yourself into someone's conversation."

"It was just a coincidence, a total coincidence. We just coincidentally ended up talking, so don't be so mad."

"I find that incredibly hard to believe, but... anyway, let's head to our seats. It's almost time."

"Right, right, I know."

The two walked together over to the guest seating and settled in.

"Hey, hey, I managed to get all sorts of info from that older gentleman just now. Just as I thought, he's a super amazing person, you see? His name is Shirogane—"

Just as she gleefully tried to share her findings, the MC's voice echoed through the microphone.

"We will now commence the Advanced Nurturing High School Founding Anniversary Party."

"That's the end of your chattering."

"Then you'd better listen later, alright. He might just be my future husband, after all."

"I won't."

The students would soon be facing the uninhabited island exam.

Amidst that, the teachers too were taking the initiative, taking on the obligations and battles that came with being adults.

Even after the conversation concluded, there were still about thirty minutes left of their private pool reservation, but as Nanase tried to wrap things up and leave early, Amasawa stopped her.

"We don't get many chances to talk just the two of us, so mind if I ask you a quick question."

"What is it."

Though Nanase didn't think Amasawa would become an ally easily, she put her guard up for a brief moment.

"Nanase-chan, have you ever been confessed to by a boy or dated anyone?"

She stared at Nanase with wide eyes and a devilish smile.

"...Excuse me?"

Ayanokouji, Ishigami, the White Room. There should've been a mountain pile to be curious about, yet the question Amasawa threw her way was completely out of left field; something Nanase hadn't expected at all.

"Well? Well?"

"I have never been in a relationship with a man."

"Wow. So you're completely pure, then."

"We are second-year high school students. Wouldn't those with romantic experience be in the minority?"

"That's not true at all. I'm no expert myself, but some sources have the number around 50%, give or take; one in two people are already experienced. And if you're cute or beautiful, wouldn't those odds go up?"

"50%, give or take... Is that true?"

Having never thought about such things herself, Nanase felt doubtful of the data.

"I was in the White Room my whole life, and ever since I enrolled here I've only had eyes for Ayanokouji-senpai, so I don't have any romantic experience, but it's different for you, right, Nanase-chan?"

It was the kind of conversation ordinary high school girls would have. Yet, amidst it all, Nanase sensed a faint sense of incongruity.

"I see. It is a good question for probing into my past, as well."

If she hadn't grown up in a typical family environment, it wouldn't be strange for her to have zero romantic experience.

"Ah, you're reading way too much into it. I was just asking out of pure curiosity."

"Well... either way, my answer remains the same."

"Then do you at least have a crush on someone? Don't tell me it's Ayanokouji-senpai?"

For a brief moment, a certain someone crossed her mind. But now, she couldn't even recall his smile.

"I do not have feelings for anyone. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Nanase left the private pool as if she were running away.

"She's got a much cuter side to her than I thought."

Seeing Nanase look slightly flustered brought a small sense of delight to Amasawa.

With the groups announced, I headed toward Group 8 with a faint hope in my heart.

If I ended up in the same group as Ayanokouji-kun... then I'd get to spend three days together with him for this third uninhabited island exam.

But that hope quickly fell flat. That’s because I’d caught sight of Ayanokouji-kun heading toward a different group.

"...It can't be helped, I guess."

This is just one of those things you can't control, no matter how much you hope for it. I got to shift gears right away.

A short while later, I spotted one of the members I'd be grouping with.

Taking care not to startle her as I approached, I called out.

"Looking forward to working with you, Horikita-san."

She turned to look at me, her lips tightening slightly before meeting my eyes.

"I figured there was a decent chance that class leaders would end up in the same group, but to think I'd be paired with you, Ichinose-san."

I wonder if she sees me as someone easy to deal with, rather than a troublesome opponent.

No, actually, her thinking of me that way works out better.

"If this were a straightforward class-versus-class battle, it might have been tricky. But looking at the rules, cooperating as a group will benefit us both, so it's not a bad setup. And if you and I join forces, Horikita-san, we might be able to steer our group to a safe victory."

After that, we discussed the importance of joining hands as allies rather than fighting as enemies, gradually meeting each other halfway. And during that process, we arrived at the one topic we couldn't avoid——

"Getting on the same page about cooperating to aim for first place seems to be going much smoother than I expected, but there is one crucial issue that both you and I need to prioritise."

"How to handle the expulsions———right?"

As Horikita-san nodded, I made it absolutely clear that I wouldn't allow a single expulsion from my class. By declaring that, Horikita-san would naturally show she shared the same stance. That was exactly why, internally, my thoughts were already moving one step further ahead. Assuming Class A and Class D joined hands to solidify our defences, how would Ayanokouji-kun make his move. Once he grasped the rules of this special exam, what kind of method would he employ.

I understood that anticipating this would be the most crucial factor in protecting my classmates.

Who gets assigned to Ayanokouji-kun's group—that is surely what matters most.

Forcing an expulsion from within one's own immediate reach is the most surefire and controllable method.

In that case, all I have to do is link my thoughts to his, and fight in lockstep with him.

Ayanokouji-kun understands me. And I understand Ayanokouji-kun. That is everything.

I immediately took action to secure a solid standing within Group 3.

All to get along with the girls from the other classes as usual, and to amicably deepen our relationships.

Dinner on the first day of the special exam was the absolute perfect opportunity for this.

However, such plans were instantly shattered by the appearance of a certain man.

“If you don't mind, would you like to eat together.”

The one who called out to me was, of all people… overly dramatic though it may be, Ayanokouji-kun.

A lone boy diving straight into a flock of girls.

Even if he didn't mean anything by it, for me, it was a massive nuisance.

It was especially far from ideal given that Class D was present.

Information had already made its rounds to me too. The certified data that Ichinose Honami, their class leader, harbours feelings for Ayanokouji-kun. The last thing I want is for Amikura, someone close to her, to spread any unnecessary speculations.

Even so, given that he called for me, I, the good girl, played it safe.

I readily accepted, and we eventually distanced ourselves from the other students.

“What are you playing at, Ayanokouji-kun,” I asked, wanting to know the reason he approached me so instantly.

“Didn't you say you wanted to discuss things regarding tomorrow onward?”

This man's words are a heavy mix of truths and lies, so they can't be trusted.

So much so that I wouldn't be surprised even if he were acting solely to undo all my hard work.

“When the hell did I say that... Besides, you don't need my help in the first place, do you. You do realise you’re being a massive pain, right.”

“Is that so? I’d figured you’d be pleased, being able to show your usefulness within the group and satisfying your need for validation, but I suppose I was mistaken.”

He spoke with his usual, unchanging expressionless face.

God, he pisses me off.

He pisses me off, yet for some reason, I find myself unable to fully hate him.

Despite him being the same person during the Unanimous Voting Exam I’d loathed to the point of wanting to murder, that is.

“Don't make me laugh. It would be one thing if it were just you, but do you have any idea how painful it is to be praised in front of Shinohara and the others who know my true colours. They're just mocking me for their amusement.”

Observing his attitude up to this point, I arrived at an answer.

“Well, I do understand why you can't rely on Shinohara-san and Ike-kun...” I muttered with annoyance, acknowledging that it can't be helped that I’d be chosen by process of elimination.

“Still, it looks like you're doing quite well in your new class, Ayanokouji-kun.”

“They had their backs against the wall for Sakayanagi gone, after all. Things probably would've worked out even if it weren't me, I reckon.” [1]

“Yeah right.”

“If you have anything in mind, feel free to ask away.”

“I don't.”

Or so I’d thought, but then one thing that has been bothering me came to mind.

“There's no short of rumors about you right now, after all. Not that I think they're all true, but I've heard plenty of things about you even from Class D.”

That Ichinose Honami harbors romantic feelings for Ayanokouji.

That there might have been some event between the two that had brought them closer.

How trivial. Even as I’d thought of it so, it had been irritating me ever since I found out.

Putting it into words didn't change anything; if anything, it even felt as though it’d added to my burden.

“Even so——”

Thinking about it any further was unpleasant, so I decided to change the subject.

“Having people know the real me is nothing but trouble in general, but I guess having moments where I can speak my mind like this is might be m one saving grace.”

And using that as an excuse to escape, I began to walk away.

“Sorry, but I'm heading back. I don't want to draw any more attention from Shinohara-san and the others for no good reason.”

“Living a double life must be tough.”

Just because it's not his problem, I wish he wouldn't say that so flippantly.

“A bit late for that, don't you think.”

I’ve continued to wear this mask for my own sake.

But lately, I've been wondering.

Just how long is that going to go on for.

Until my life as a student ends? Even after I join the workforce? Even after I get married? Even after I grow old?

I wonder——just how long must I keep wearing this mask——.

***

TL Note:

[1] Not sure what he’s referring to regarding 成立 (literal: establish) as I’ve long stopped reading, engaging, or keeping up with the plot of this series, so just defaulted to an equivocal “worked out.”