When it was time for our lunch break, Yousuke stood up right away and headed to the podium.

“Can we do this before lunch? I wanna hear what everyone thinks. Is that okay?”

After he asked that, Kushida raised her hand and replied as if to continue.

“Um, it’s about how we’ll have fights over the choices in this test being different right?”

“Of course we will. If we could all agree without even fighting then there would be no reason to have a special exam like this, would there.”

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to clearly decide a leader in advance in case we can’t agree? If we ultimately follow the leader’s choice then I think we can clear this special exam with no problems.”

“Yeah. I agree with Kushida-san’s opinion. But the leader will bear a serious responsibility.”

If there are many different opinions about the choices, then the students supporting the unchosen choices will criticize them just because of that. It has to be a leader who can skillfully settle the class.

“If it’s alright with you… could I ask you to do it, Horikita-san?”

“Me?”

“Yes. You’ve served as our leader for many times until now, and more than anything I think that you can unify everyone well. Of course as Hirata-kun said it’s a huge responsibility, so only if it’s okay… with you.”

“…You’re right. The other classes may be employing strategies similar to this, and it will likely be necessary when our opinions diverge. Can those who would oppose my instructions when the time comes show themselves to me now?”

After hearing that the responsibility will be heavy, no students put themselves forward as candidates or said anything against it. They smoothly accepted Kushida’s proposal and unanimously agreed on Horikita’s guidance in case of emergency.

After that they discussed various opinions, but they didn’t decide any major elements about the special exam. After some time they started eating.

“Let’s get some grub. You’re coming too right, Yukimu, Miyacchi?”

Haruka turned around and asked, to which the two usual men agreed and stood up.

The members of the Ayanokouji group. A small group that numbered five, including me.

As us five started to gather, one student jogged towards us.

He spoke when I met his eyes.

“Kiyotaka. Let’s have lunch.”

Without waiting and despite looking at me nervously, he said to me.

There were no students who stared at Kei and I, nor students who tried to hear our conversation. But aside from Kouenji, all 36 students looked at us.

“Sorry everyone, I’ll eat with Kei today.”

Before everyone around us understood what was going on, I pulled my seat and stood up.

“…I’d like to go to a cafe. Okay?”

“Wh… eh…? Wa, wait. Why are you cutting in all of a sudden? Karuizawa-san.”

“I’m not really barging in am I? Did you hear Kiyotaka say no?”

“I, I heard but… what is this? Did he promise you in advance? …Eh, Kei?”

Haruka understood a bit late that we had been calling each other by our first names.

No, maybe she can’t really understand.

“Sorry but as his girlfriend I come first. Right-?”

“-Ha?”

“G, irl…friend…?”

Haruka and Airi showed completely different reactions but whispered at the same time.

“That said, Kiyotaka might not get as many chances to meet with your group but let’s get along okay?”

Kei grabbed my arm saying hey, let’s go, and we left the room.

From her face that started turning deep red, I understood that she was feeling considerably embarrassed. I didn’t expect that we would break it to them like this either…

As Haruka, Airi and other students were dumbfounded, it seemed that they couldn’t come after us.