A Sign of Battle

"A Sign of Battle" (戦いの予兆) is a short story released within Monthly Comic Alive March 2018 issue.

Summary
During New Year's Eve, Kakeru Ryūen receives a phone call from Arisu Sakayanagi, who wants to meet him in person at the vending machine outside the dormitory. When arriving later, 10 minutes late, Ryūen notices that Arisu's faction, Kitō, Hashimoto and Kamuro, are also there waiting for him, being Arisu's bodyguards.

Arisu mentions Ryūen's visible injuries, having suffered from his defeat at the hands of Kiyotaka Ayanokōji on the rooftop, which sparks some provocations between both sides. Arisu then says that she wants to ask Ryūen about his fall from being C-Class' leader. Ryūen notices Arisu's interest in it, and comes to the conclusion that she wants to know whether it was because of Kiyotaka.

Ryūen asks if Arisu would ever acknowledge a defeat, being a prideful person. Arisu replies that she cannot possibly lose to someone, and a life without pride would be boring, to which Ryūen argues it is pointless to have a life of showing off one's pride. Arisu then tells the reason she wants to meet him directly like this, stating that it is hard to believe Ryūen, being a tyrant, would lose to his subordinate and fell from his leader position.

Ryūen declares he has no further intention of doing anything else in the school, causing a reaction from Hashimoto. Arisu talks about his contract with Katsuragi being a pathway for Ryūen, while also warns that there is no guarantee it will continue to go well for him, in case he loses a large amounts of points. She then reassures that her focus of attack is now on B-Class, to which Ryūen has no objection.

Ryūen decides to leave, his last words to Arisu being a reminder that she is not a winner whose victory is guaranteed, which she acknowledges. Ryūen reaffirms he has no intention of being involved in classes dispute, but believes he will crush Arisu if she were to individually challenge him. He thinks about how he wouldn't have to plan against her strategies if it wasn't for protecting his classmates.