Kiyotaka Ayanokōji/Plot

Plot
During the bus trip to school, he witnessed Kikyō Kushida pleading with Rokusuke Kōenji to give up his seat for an older woman as it was a priority seat, but to no avail. Watching the scene, he commented on the situation as he noticed another girl looking on with a cold stare. Shortly after, the students arrived at the school (Kōdo Ikusei Kōtō Gakkō) where Kiyotaka talks with the other girl who inquired as to why he looked at her as he stated he saw a similarity between them in the bus incident. She told him not to compare them as she chooses not to involve herself in such a trivial manner, while he internally noted that she is worse than him.

He attended the opening ceremony where he was surprised to learn that he was classmates with the girl from earlier, named Suzune Horikita, who said it was a bad coincidence after being allocated seats next to each other in class 1-D. He also had learned that Kikyō and Kōenji from the bus incident were also his classmates. As most of the students introduced themselves, Kiyotaka evaluated most of their personalities internally before being asked to introduce himself when it was his turn. His undecided thoughts caused him to awkwardly introduce himself, though he did give his name and stated that he hopes to be friends with the class. His speech was applauded by a few classmates, but was mocked by Suzune. Shortly after the introductions were finished, the class then met their teacher, Sae Chabashira, who told them about the existence of points and how the school operates.

Days went by and Kiyotaka was still unable to make friends but did find an associate in Suzune. He later met Kikyō, who was one of the few students to interact with Kiyotaka apart from Suzune. She asked for his help in befriending Suzune herself, and he reluctantly agreed and they planned to invite Suzune to a café for a meet-up. The next day after class, he asked Suzune to accompany him to a café under the disguise that it was mostly occupied by girls and that he felt too scared to go along. Upon arriving at the packed place, a table opened up for them to sit, where they were shortly joined by Kikyō. This caused Suzune to become dubious of the coincidence and leave after uncovering their plan.

After a month has passed, the whole classroom was in uproar after being told that they wouldn't get any more points after losing them all, though they could gain more if they would put some effort for the following incoming tests. Kiyotaka was invited during lunch by Suzune and while he was doubtful on her intentions, he went and treated himself to lunch after she offered to pay. To his mild dismay, Suzune uses this as an opportunity to force him into helping her reach Class A bringing up his supposed conspiring with Kikyō as means to get an agreement. Reluctantly, he agrees and was tasked by Suzune to gather up the 'idiotic' students in the class for a study group. He was annoyed that the first girl whom he had received a number from had actually blackmailed him into helping her. He tried to personally get Kanji Ike, Haruki Yamauchi and Ken Sudō to join the study group but they all refused; however, they all agreed to join after Kiyotaka used Kikyō to persuade them and Suzune herself reaching out to Ken. Despite this, Suzune's condescending attitude causes them to leave and accept the risk of failing. Kiyotaka brought this up to Suzune who paid it no mind and said what they did had no repercussion on her.

One night, while he was out getting a drink, he found Suzune who was about to be assaulted by her older brother, Manabu Horikita, but quickly intervened by grabbing the man's hand admonishing his acts as he demanded him to release her. He was told by Suzune to not to get involved as he noted on the sincerity in her tone, which caused him to release Manabu before avoiding the latter's strikes with ease and pushing him back. Kiyotaka was asked by Manabu in which fighting arts he practiced, but he replied with a vague answer. Manabu proceeded to recall him to be one of the students who caught his attention due to his test scores and implied that Kiyotaka was hiding his intelligence. In spite of that, he continues to call it as a coincidence as Manabu leaves the area.

Suzune soon thanked him for intervening, but he shrugged it off. When she complimented his fighting skill, he stated that it was nothing special and was just the product of taking piano and tea ceremony lessons. This caused her to call him out on this contradictory statement. He was then questioned by Suzune if her brother's statement about him scoring exactly half on every test was true, but once again he replies with a vague answer. Suzune remarked that everything about him was a mystery, to which he tried to change the topic by asking if the study group was finished. She then confirmed his suspicions. Kiyotaka asked her if she ever wondered whether it was her distant and cold behavior that got her placed in D-Class, but she couldn't answer it.

When Suzune decided to disband her study group, Kiyotaka decided to use the school rules to his advantage. With the help of Kikyō, he requested an upperclassman to give him the answers for an old test in exchange for private points while also having Kikyō to use her seductive charms to convince him further. He was able to negotiate for a lower payment, and to his success, the upperclassman accepted the offer. After some careful observations, he then assumed that most of the questions or similar concepts about it will be appearing in the upcoming test. Not liking the potential risk of attention being drawn to him, Kiyotaka told Kikyō to take all of the credit for his idea. Days after the test, Chabashira sensei made her way in front of the class and showed them the outcome of the recent test, it showed that majority of the class passed except for Ken, who would be expelled for failing. Kiyotaka then made his way to meet Chabashira sensei on the roof. After making his way to the roof, he asked her whether Japanese society was equal or not. He then asked if he could buy a point for Ken to which surprised her. He then used his points to bribe the teacher to overturn this decision and with the help of Suzune with the payment, they successfully saved Ken from expulsion. The teacher then told them to keep making things interesting for her since they have demonstrated that they might have the chance to advance to Class A which is something nobody had done yet in the whole history of class 1-D.

During a celebratory party at his room, Kiyotaka was asked by Kikyō if he had a hand in stopping Ken's expulsion as the latter and his friends listened intently to see if this was true. However, Kiyotaka passed the credit on to Suzune, much to her dismay. Later that night, he went to return a phone that Kikyō left behind in his room. However, upon finding her, he unintentionally stumbled upon her hidden personality who was sprouting out vehement curses at Suzune while kicking the railing. After being spotted, Kikyō threatened him with rape charges after she placed his hand on her breasts, imprinting his fingerprints. After asking whether she can trust him to not say anything, he swore not to tell anyone about this as she reverted to her cheerful personality and walked off.

Kiyotaka soon made another acquaintance in Honami Ichinose and helped her in facing a love confession from her friend by giving her the courage to be honest after she requested that he pretended to be her boyfriend. He also advised her to answer her friend's confession truthfully as it takes a great deal of courage to lay one's feeling bare, telling the friend that they were just friends. He then decided to wait for her to see the entire ordeal through to the end. When that was done, he gained her gratitude, and she paid him back by helping in proving the innocence of Ken after he was accused of attacking three boys of class 1-C. She thanked him for imparting important words of wisdom to her after recognising it was her fault for trying to excuse herself from being upfront, as they develop positive images for one another.

He and Kikyō soon meet with Airi Sakura, who was suspected to have witnessed the brawl but stated that she didn't want to get involved. Though after her camera broke, she requested their help in getting it repaired after being fearful of the sales person. Kiyotaka then helped her with her two personal matters. First with the broken camera and second by telling her not to burden or over pressurised herself with the current event. Those encouraging words later motivated her to change her mind and help with the hearing. At the hearing, he noticed Suzune was uncharacteristic silent and lacking confidence due to her brother's presence and helped her to return to her senses by 'initiating her senses'. He then called out to Airi, who was able to provide her testimony. After the hearing adjourned for the day, he spoke to Airi, comforting her for speaking out. Manabu appeared soon after and stated he expected more from the hearing since he saw Kiyotaka was also present. Kiyotaka shrugged it off and once more avoided Manabu's strike with ease while affirming his belief in Airi.

After that, Kiyotaka and Suzune went to the area where the fight occurred, and Suzune devised a plan to get the trio of class 1-C to withdraw their complaint, which had Kiyotaka borrow points from Honami to buy cameras. With that done, he headed to class and spoke to Airi promising to help her in the future if it was required before going off to put their plan into action. The procedure was successful as Suzune and Kiyotaka made the students from class 1-C, believe that the Student Council President knows the entire truth, causing them to withdraw their complaint. Soon afterwards, Kiyotaka spoke with Honami and with her help, saved Airi from being assaulted by a crazed stalker. After the stalker was apprehended by security, Kiyotaka made another acquaintance in Airi as she starts to develop feelings for her saviour.

He later spoke with Ken who asked him how and why the students of Class C withdrew the complaint. Kiyotaka then gave Suzune credit for saving Ken, who believed it as he happily went off to practice. Kiyotaka arbitrarily met with Manabu and his secretary in the hallway. Manabu explained the recent events to him and asked if it was his idea to prove that Airi was telling the truth by forcing the students to withdraw their complaints. He congratulated him on his victory, but Kiyotaka once again gave Suzune all credit for the act. Glaring at Kiyotaka, Manabu then asked Akane Tachibana if they had an opening for the secretary position on the Student Council, to which she confirmed. Manabu then offered the position to Kiyotaka, while Tachibana questioned his intentions only to be silenced by a gaze from him. He repeated this offer for Kiyotaka to join the council; however, he rejected it in favour of living a regular school life. Manabu accepted this choice for now but told him not to disappoint him as he and Tachibana walked off.

Kiyotaka soon met up with Suzune and walks with her in the rain with their umbrellas. When they reached a street, she accuses him of manipulating her into carrying out false evidence to get the complaint withdrawn. He denies this accusation and she brings up the promise he made to help her reach Class A as he reminds her that she had forced him to do so. He tries to walk off, but she stops him and presses him for the reasons of his actions as she wants to know if she can trust him. He explains that he simply wants to live a peaceful life, but she states that he wouldn't have helped if that was true. Kiyotaka then went on to say that he was looking out for a friend, but she disregards this and attempts to pressure him into revealing his true motives and private life. Kiyotaka briefly reflected on his past before he states that he would help her in reaching Class A but sternly warned her to never to try prying into his past again.

During summer break, he was a part of a group of boys who planned to peep on the girls changing room under the codename "Argos-4", though he didn't want to participate. Knowing that the boys would proceed behind his back, he decided to join but enlisted Suzune's help to sabotage their plan. He invited her to the pool and told her of the boys' plan, and asked her to steal the memory cards from the cameras at the appropriate time. He later invited Airi to the pool as well to have fun, This serves as a way to forget the experience of their recent terrifying ordeal. They then met up with some students of class 1-B. At the outing, Kiyotaka tried to use the event as a way to get Suzune to lose her cold demeanour and associate with people no matter how tough it was to get through to her. When the boys plan hit a problem, they signalled Kiyotaka for help, and he had Suzune perform a speech that distracted everyone. This allowed the boys to safely abort the plan, while Suzune collected the cards. Kiyotaka thanked her for the help before asking if she had fun to which she gave a negative reply. He followed up by pushing her into the pool, and she did the same by pulling him down. Everyone else joins in afterwards. He watches as she plays with the class before he was splashed by Airi as she sinks in the water out of embarrassment when he stared at her questioningly. That night, he sent Suzune a picture of her with the other students at the pool, which caused her to smile.

On the school cruise, he was summoned by Sae; he went to the theatre where she informed him of an unknown man who wanted Kiyotaka to be expelled. She promised to protect him but only if he started working his way up to A-Class, but he refused be complicit, causing her to promise that he will be expelled, which in turn caused him to grab her by the collar and warn her not to manipulate him. She was unfazed by his actions and told him to choose between leaving or ascending to A-Class. After that, he went to the bow of the ship, where he contemplated whether he should reveal his true talents just to stay in school.

While relaxing in his room, he is visited by Yōsuke Hirata who invites him to an outing with his friends, but he turns it down. Yōsuke soon reveals his true intentions were for Kiyotaka to get Suzune to work with him as Kiyotaka gives him an unsure answer before he leaves.

He later spent his time with the 3 Idiots of D-Class, being confused over why they were excited about Kanji Ike asking Kikyō if he can call her by her first name. He was even more confused when an excited Ken asked him what Horikita's first name was, giving him the answer before going for lunch. At the restaurant, Kiyotaka noticed how out of element they were as Ken grabbed one student for insulting them, leaving Kōhei Katsuragi to break up the fight and the boys leaving the area, Kiyotaka begans taking caution of Kōhei. At night, he approached Airi while she was on the deck of the ship (who was seen practising to ask him out), his presence startled her and caused her to become flustered. After being asked if he heard her, Kiyotaka denies hearing what she said and asked what it might've been about. Airi instead told him that she needed his help in becoming friends with the class, where she is seen to still be nervous around them. He agreed to help her, saying that it was nothing special, as she became elated and grabbed his hand out of gratitude. However, the moment between the two ceased when Kikyō appeared, and Airi quickly left after excusing herself.

Kiyotaka talked with Kikyō and reflected that her bubbly nature almost made him forget about the hidden persona he saw the other night. When he tried to leave, Kikyō stopped him, shifting back to her darker personality as she continued talking. She inquired if he was nervous and wary being alone around her, to which he confirmed, as she went back to her other personality, and told him that she just gets lonely when she is left all alone. She tried to tell him something else but decided not to go through with it and left while he was put off by her actions.

The ship arrived at the island and was told that they were meant to survive on the island for a week to achieve bonus points.

After receiving the provisions, class 1-D moved out while Suzune asked Kiyotaka about his dreams after graduation, earning yet another vague answer. After Yōsuke asked for everyone to gather supplies for camps, Kiyotaka volunteered, telling a surprised Suzune that it's best not to stick out. He was grouped with Airi and Rokusuke, though he lost track of the latter when he escaped through the trees, presumably ditching the test.

When they discovered a point spot, Kiyotaka hid with Airi as he felt someone was coming and covered her mouth just as Kōhei Katsuragi and Yahiko Totsuka appeared. Kiyotaka overheard them talking and noticed a glimpse of A-Class' leader card, but knowing he was a cautious man, he deduced Yahiko was the leader. After the two left, he released Airi and apologized for his sudden actions, but she was seen still heavily blushing and squirming on the ground, nervously mumbling that it was fine. He and Airi then investigated the spot, and with this, he decided to change his strategy to guess the leaders of the classes. After returning to camp, he relayed this information to Yōsuke and soon asked for Suzune to join him in gathering firewood, but she refused. He later went with Airi and Haruki Yamauchi who told him that he sought to win over the latter by being a nice guy. The trio then found Mio Ibuki bruised and laying against a tree as Haruki tried to approach her, but Kiyotaka stopped him, sensing something was up but eventually relents. They then took her back to the camp. Once at camp, they discussed what to do about her before learning Rokusuke purposely dropped out of the test which would deplete some of the class' points.

The next day, Kiyotaka and Suzune went on a reconnaissance mission to see what the situation was like at the other class camps. The first camp they found was class B. They had their spot set up near a waterfall and operated similarly like theirs. Suzune was impressed when she witnessed how disciplined and coordinated everyone was. A quality that Class D certainly lacks. Honami modestly explained the difficulties she and her class faced at first, and how they eventually overcame it together. When Suzune and Honami finished affirming their relation, a student interrupts their conversation and asks if there was something he could do to help out around the camp. Honami assigns him the task to help out a few other students, he thanks her politely and makes his way. Seeing that he was somewhat distant from the rest, Suzune asks Honami out of curiosity the reasons. Leading them to learn that, he was actually from class C, but was kicked out due to a falling out they had.

Kiyotaka internally deduced that the student was a spy sent from class C and chose not to identify class B's leader due to their class alliance and that the leader would be guessed anyway. The pair then left to scout class A's camp which was in a cave. When they arrived, they hid in the bushes while they observed class A's movements from a distance. Seeing that Suzune wasn't going to take the initiative because she was intimidated by the best class, Kiyotaka takes a stand and tells her that he is going to them. Suzune hesitates at first, however after Kiyotaka reasonably reasons against her emotions, she regains her usual confidence. Following his lead to approach them. They were unknowingly speaking to class A's leader for entry to their camp. When Suzune was about to take a look beyond the draped curtains at the entrance of the cave, she was stopped by Kōhei. He summons his security force and warns her that her 'right to enter' was an intrusion on their territory and that might lead to a start of a war.

With that, Kiyotaka and Suzune decided to leave class A alone and depart for class C's camp which they found at a beachside. Under the leadership of Kakeru Ryūen, the pair discovered that class C had spent all their S-points on buying luxury items the other class was scrimping on. Kakeru told them that they did this, knowing that they will not be penalized even if they had spent all of their test points. Kakeru mocks class D for sacrificing themselves for the test. Suzune and Kiyotaka witness how Kakeru treats his classmates like slaves. As such, Kakeru had punished Mio for being disobedient and critical of his leadership while Suzune spoke with Kakeru, Kiyotaka spotted a two-way communicator and deduced Kakeru was the leader before he and Suzune left the area. He told Suzune what Kakeru's endgame was similar to what Rokusuke did to return to the cruise. That night, Kiyotaka sneaked into the girls' tent at the class D camp and searched Mio's bag for her phone. He discovered her camera and sabotaged it as he figured that she was a spy.

On the fourth day, class D did more surveying in order to find out who the class leaders are. Kiyotaka and Airi were gathering supplies when he asked her if she wanted to stay in a pair with him, to which she confirmed though apologized for dragging him down in the search. He soon asked her if she was afraid if people started talking to her about them, as she told him that she didn't care about that, explaining that she was down on the school trip at first due to not having friends, but now was glad that she came. She then admiringly looked at him, stated regrettably that she wanted to have her camera so that she could take a great picture of him. He and Airi met Honami and Ryūji Kanzaki at class C's camp only to find out that everybody except Mio had withdrawn from the test. He then asked them about Arisu Sakayanagi and Kōhei Katsuragi, he learned of the two were leaders of the class, but their ideals collide with one another. On the fifth day, Kei Karuizawa found out that her underwear was stolen. The girls of class D had Yōsuke conduct a bag search, and Haruki found it in Kanji's bag. Kiyotaka believed he didn't take it, but Kanji quickly planted it on him, he was forced to hide it just as Yōsuke did a pat-down search on him and he prepared for the worse. To his surprise, Yōsuke reported that he does not have it. Unsurely, Kiyotaka confronted Yōsuke and asked why he covered for him as Yōsuke asked if he took them, but Kiyotaka confirms he did not, and Yōsuke decides to take the underwear knowing that his reputation would be damaged the least for being the culprit because Kei was his girlfriend. He then asked for Kiyotaka to find the real thief in which he agrees.

The day after the underwear scandal, the girls demanded the boys be separated from them. They made Yōsuke stand guard, with Suzune intervening by stating that since he is a boy himself, he needed to be watched as well. The girls agreed but were unsure of who else to pick as Suzune nominated Kiyotaka as another guard since he didn't seem like the type to peep on girls. While some of the girls noted on his lack of prominence in the class, they nevertheless accepted him as a guard as he complained about being the last resort, but still accepting the request. As he worked, Kiyotaka was approached by Mio, who asked if he believed she stole the underwear since she was an outsider. However, he replied he knew she didn't do it and trusted her, much to her surprise and joy as she thanked him for believing her. After he finished working, he met Suzune and asked her why she made him a guard, as she stated she needed him as an incentive as Yōsuke couldn't be trusted. They talk about secretive people for a while as Suzune stated, unlike Kiyotaka and others she has no such side. He soon asks her how long she was going to pretend to be healthy while she asked how he knew she was sick in the first place as he mentioned her behavior since the test started.

Shortly after, he goes back to the spot where he found Mio and discovers a communicator like Kakeru, confirming her as a spy. To put a plan in action, he promises Haruki that he'd give him Airi's email if he did him a favor. He, Suzune and Kanji tried to catch some fish but to no avail as they only caught one. Kiyotaka then spoke with Suzune discussing the leader's key card as he had seen it on Kōhei and wanted to match them. Once he saw it, Kiyotaka confirmed they didn't match, but Haruki places mud on Suzune after noting on their closeness, which earned him a flip from Suzune but Kiyotaka caught him. This would soon prove to be part of his plan as he had Suzune show him the card so Mio would be tempted to steal it since her camera was destroyed. By having Haruki drop mud on her, Kiyotaka gave Suzune a reason to go to the waterfall so she temporarily relieves herself of the card so that Mio could steal it.

While the class was distracted by the fire he started, Kiyotaka put his plan into action to help D-Class win the test. After Mio stole the card after she defeated Suzune, Kiyotaka then found an unconscious Suzune injured after her fight with Mio and took her to a tree before she awoke. They talked where he discovered her reasons for reaching Class A and noticed she wanted allies before he implores her to withdraw from the test, but she refused out of pride though she fell unconscious. He carried her and returned Suzune in her deteriorating condition to the teachers for her to go back to the ship, officially causing her to withdraw from the test. He assumed the position as the class leader, foiling class 1-A and class 1-C's plan so they'd incorrectly guess D-Class' leader as still being Suzune.

When the test finished the following day, D-Class cleaned up camp as Kiyotaka spoke with Airi for a while and approached Yōsuke. He gives the sulking Yōsuke a list of the other class' leaders and the latter puts down the names on the list. Later on, D Class is declared the winner of the test due to correctly guessing the leaders of classes A & C, leaving class B's out because he wanted to remain friends with them. Upon returning to the ship, Kiyotaka was questioned by Suzune on how the class won the test, and he told her of his plan and how he outsmarted the other classes with various tactics, which left her in astonishment at his intellect as she tries to ask about his motives before the class arrives. It turns out he told their class that the credit was all Suzune's, quickly gaining her popularity. Kiyotaka then met with Kikyō, who asked whether he would prefer being with Suzune or her, to which Kiyotaka said he didn't know, leaving her dissatisfied with the answer.

As this happened, Kiyotaka was contacted by Sae Chabashira who requested he met with her again at the theatre. Once there, Kiyotaka's plan was complemented by her, and she revealed it was indeed his father who requested Kiyotaka be expelled though he also said Kiyotaka would leave of his own accord soon enough. Sae soon asked him on what he planned to do now, to which she receives a vague answer, she goes amused at his response.

He wandered the ship just as Suzune confronted him once again and he calmly stated that she needed allies, having noticed she finally changed her anti-social behaviour. After he confirmed he did everything to help her, she gets flustered and blushed before begrudgingly thanking him while stating that she will see him as an ally though she warned Kiyotaka not to get too friendly with her as all she wanted is to reach A-Class.

While she went on about this, Kiyotaka internally noted that he doesn't truly acknowledges her, Kikyō and Yōsuke as allies but merely pawns in helping him to win. As it turned out, Kiyotaka's time in the White Room made him more than willing to do anything to accomplish victory even if it meant using people to believe that all of humanity was nothing but tools. He ended his monologue, stating that all that matters is him winning in the end and that everyone else is just a means to get to his desired outcome.

Volume 4
After completing the gruelling Island survival special test, yet another special test was announced back on the cruise ship. For this special exam, Kiyotaka was placed in the Rabbit Group, alongside Kei Karuizawa, Hideo Sotomura, and Teruhiko Yukimura. Additional prominent members of the rabbit group from other classes are Class B's representative Ichinose Honami and Class C's Mio Ibuki. The following day after the announcement of the exam, Kiyotaka meets with Horikita in the morning to discuss the exam, where they were suddenly interrupted by Kakeru Ryūen. He showed immense suspicions that Kiyotaka abilities aren't as average as they seems, implying that he knows that his loss in the island exam was due to someone working in the shadows behind Horikita, possibly signalling out Kiyotaka.

As the exam continues, Kiyotaka starts having doubts about Karuizawa's personality through her interactions with Manabe and Ibuki, who had already been determined as the person who stole her underwear in the Island survival exam. Moreover, despite having Hirata as her boyfriend, she openly flirts and acts nonchalant with intimate physical interaction with Class A student Machida Kōji. During some downtime, Kiyotaka receives a message from Sakura telling him that she wants to meet him. As he approaches the meeting point, he overhears her trying to practice asking someone out on a date. Kiyotaka pretended not to hear what she said after she asked if he overheard. This puts her at ease as they proceed to discuss the exam. Following this encounter, Haruki approaches Kiyotaka from behind and asks for advice on how to approach Sakura. Kiyotaka advises him to work hard and produce results through this exam as Sakura and Yamauchi are grouped together. When he gives this advice, he thinks that even if Yamauchi fails and loses points, he will be able to make use of his failure in the future.

After one of the rabbit group's meeting, Kiyotaka and Yukimura notice that the Class C girls led by Manabe in the rabbit group except Ibuki were acting strange as they followed Karuizawa outside their usual meeting room. They watched as Manabe's group takes Karuizawa to an emergency stairwell, where they proceed to shove her into the wall and began to bully her. Yukimura wanted to intervene before it escalates, but Kiyotaka stops him as he believes that stopping the bullying from occurring now will not guarantee that it will be prevented in the future. As the bullying begins, Karuizawa's usual strong facade drops as she starts begging for them to stop while holding her head in her hand and trembling violently before finally ceasing to move at all as if she had given up. As Kiyotaka starts to understand and dissect Karuizawa a little more after observing her, Yukimura intervenes too early before he can gather more information. When Kiyotaka threatens to call more people, Manabe and her friends leave before promising to make Karuizawa apologise to Rika, whom Karuizawa had previously wronged. Karuizawa's haughty facade returns with the girls gone as she tells the two guys to get lost and not tell anyone what they had seen.

After this encounter, Kiyotaka approaches Chabashira sensei to confirm that anything can be bought with points at this goal. As she confirms this, Kiyotaka tells her he will request her assistance sometime in the future. With some understanding of Karuizawa's situation, he follows Hirata out of their shared room at 2 AM, who will meet Karuizawa as Kiyotaka suspects. He informs Hirata that he is somewhat aware of the situation, which prompts Hirata to allow Kiyotaka to meet Karuizawa. When they meet, Karuizawa is surprised to see Kiyotaka there but proceeds to ask Hirata for help dealing with Manabe. Hirata declines that he won't hurt others for any reason, which makes Karuizawa angry, who then storms off. As Kiyotaka quietly observes, he puts together the puzzle pieces and realizes that their relationship has been fictitious the whole time. He reflects that Karuizawa is similar to a parasite who can't live without having someone to protect her, which is why she uses Hirata and flirts with Machida to gain protection within their rabbit group. Hirata reveals why he wanted Kiyotaka to come along; and it was for Kiyotaka to do something about the situation as there were some things he wasn't willing to do or get involve in.

Furthermore, Hirata continues to explain about Karuizawa's past and a little about his own past, which leads to Kiyotaka having some doubts about Hirata's real personality, but he does not press the issue. Throughout their conversation, Kiyotaka continues to pretend that he is trying to get close to both Hirata and Karuizawa as per Horikita's instruction. However, he has other plans for Karuizawa. Before they end the conversation, Kiyotaka passes a piece of paper to Hirata, which prompts a discussion about class D's VIPs.

During one of the intervals, Kiyotaka has already made plans for Karuizawa. On the one hand, using Hirata to lead her to the lower decks of the cruise ship where there are no cameras. Furthermore, he sends a message to Manabe utilising an account that is not registered to his ID obtained from Chabashira, telling Manabe that he will help her get revenge on Karuizawa. When all of the girls arrived at the lower deck, Kiyotaka hides below as he observes the scene of the Class C girls physically bullying Karuizawa before determining that not much physical harm is being done. He then leaves to let Manabe and the others to continue bullying Karuizawa.

He returns sometime later to check on Karuizawa after Manabe and the others left. He reveals to her that he knows all about her past as a victim of bullying and that and that he knows that she has tried so hard to protect from being exposed and proceeds to push her into the wall. Karuizawa continues to put on her strong facade, but Kiyotaka pushes her limits by sexually harassing her to see how far she is willing to protect her secret and her place in the school. When she doesn't resist his actions, he decides that she will be very useful 'piece' to him. As she continues to submit to his advances, Kiyotaka presses her to reveal more about her past bullying, which she decides to tell him willingly. However, he realises that she is still hiding something and pushes her further. After moving up her shirt, Kiyotaka finds a deep scar on her body. By showing her the darkness of his past through his eyes, Karuizawa begins to understand Kiyotaka a little better. After obtaining all of her secrets and necessary knowledge, Kiyotaka then changes his attitude and promises to protect her in Hirata's place. He promised to do a much better job than Hirata in exchange for her full cooperation. He shows her a picture of Manabe bullying her in the stairwell, which he plans to use to stop Manabe from bullying her. He also tells her that he intends to use her to win the special exam for their group.

At the final meeting of the exam, the rabbit group decides that everyone should show the emails on their phone to prove the VIP. As everyone shows the email they received from the school, Yukimura is revealed to have the email that shows that he is the VIP. When everyone decides that he is the VIP, Ichinose makes a call to Kiyotaka's phone. The phone Yukimura is holding rings, showing Ichinose as the caller and revealing that Kiyotaka and Yukimura had switched phones. Yukimura apologises to everyone for trying to trick them and hopes that everyone will wait to tell the VIP together instead of betraying them. In the end, it's decided by the group that Kiyotaka is the VIP. A little after the rabbit group meeting ends, a notification comes that the rabbit group exam is over, meaning someone betrayed the VIP. Ichinose and Kiyotaka, who are both still in the meeting room, discuss what happened. Ichinose reveals that she suspected Kiyotaka and Karuizawa had switched SIM cards and she was in fact the VIP. Kiyotaka inquires why she didn't voice her suspicions if she had known, to which she replies saying that since Class A was most likely to betray them due to their rivalry, it would had been beneficial to them if they guessed wrongly. Kiyotaka decides that he needs to reevaluate Ichinose once again. At the end of the exam, Kiyotaka discusses the results with the leaders of Class D, Hirata, Karuizawa, and Horikita, which once again Ryūen interrupts and informs them he had complete control of this exam and that Class D should watch out as they were his next targets.

Volume 4.5
During the summer holidays of the first year, as Kiyotaka transfers a large amount of points to Sudō, Sudō asks Kiyotaka for help in asking Horikita to see a fortune teller that has specially come to Keyaki Mall for the summer holidays. Despite his best effort and Horikita having some interest in fortune-telling, she ultimately turns him down. Being slightly interested in fortune-telling, Kiyotaka goes down to Keyaki Mall by himself, bumping into Ibuki Mio along the way. Unfortunately, the fortune teller only accepts pairs; therefore, Ibuki and Kiyotaka, whom both have come along, are denied. Ibuki discusses some of her interest in seeing the fortune telling with Kiyotaka, but since both can't get their fortune told, they leave for the day. Later, due to his talk with Ibuki, Kiyotaka decides to go back to Keyaki mall, where he once again meets Ibuki at the fortune teller. This time, they both decides to go in as a pair and get their fortune told. They are left with a warning not to take a detour on the way back. Due to the crowds at the elevator, they decide to go to an elevator further away, which ends up trapping them as it stops mid-way. Kiyotaka calls Kōhei Katsuragi for help which arrives a little after as Ibuki and Kiyotaka are freed from the elevator.

Katsuragi's connection with Kiyotaka is revealed in a flashback where Kiyotaka and the idiot Trio are looking for a gift to buy for their classmate Inogashira. They spot Katsuragi, who is buying a somewhat girly gift, and the idiot trio believes that he is buying a gift for his girlfriend. The idiot Trio pressure Kiyotaka into finding out the identity of Katsuragi's supposed girlfriend. Kiyotaka waits around the main road to catch Katsuragi. Along the way, he is spotted by Manabu Horikita, Suzune's older brother and the student council president, as well as his secretary Akane Tachibana.

Manabu talks about Class D's recent developments in the island exam and suspects Kiyotaka being behind Horikita's sudden status as the class leader. While Kiyotaka denies this, Manabu does not believe him and even invites him to be the student council's vice-president, which surprises Tachibana. Kiyotaka rejects his offer once which, which further surprises Tachibana. She wonders if Manabu means for Kiyotaka to be the vice-president when Nagumo becomes the president, but Manabu states that normally there are two vice-presidents in the student council. However, Tachibana says that there is no way Nagumo would allow that. After the conversation with Manabu, Kiyotaka spots Katsuragi leaving the dorm and heading in the school's direction.

Realizing that the only reason to wear your school uniform would be to visit the school grounds, which was required, Kiyotaka is unable to follow as he is in his everyday clothes. Kiyotaka waits for Katsuragi to return from school to question him on who the gift is for, but does not get an answer. Reporting this to Ike, he realizes that he could be buying the present for himself to make himself feel better for not getting any present for his birthday. Feeling sorry for him, the idiot trio and Kiyotaka decides to celebrate his birthday with him. Kiyotaka discovers that the present is actually for Katsuragi's twin sister, who is not at this school. Katsuragi has been visiting the student council to receive permission to send her a gift, but his request is denied as it is against the school rules. Kiyotaka proposes using Sudō, who is leaving campus for a basketball match, to send the gift to Katsuragi's sister in exchange for 100,000 private points, while Kiyotaka receives 5000 points as the intermediary. As Sudō successfully completes the task, the idiot trio and Kiyotaka celebrate Katsuragi's birthday with him.

Another incident that occurs during the summer involved Horikita, who finds herself in a spot of trouble as her hand gets stuck in her water bottle while she is cleaning. Due to the stoppage of water across the dormitories and the convenience store, Horikita can't get her hand out of the bottle. Finally giving up and needing help, she calls Kiyotaka, who suggests asking someone for water, such as Ike or Sudō, to which she refuses. Kiyotaka then suggests Sakura or Kushida. Due to the bad relationship between Kushida and Horikita, she chooses Sakura to ask for help. Sakura doesn't immediately reply, and Horikita is left with the choice to travel to Keyaki Mall to get water after failing to get to the dormitory without being seen. Due to the intervention of Koenji, who calls Kiyotaka elevator boy when they meet in the elevator, as well as meeting Kushida along the way out, Horikita gives up and returns to her room. Thankfully by then, Sakura had replied, and the case of the stuck hand is resolved.

After returning to his room, Kiyotaka wonders if it's even possible to get stuck like that. He takes out the water bottle and puts his hand in to test it. After playing around, he tries to take it off but realizes that his hand has been stuck as well.

Following the events of the cruise, Yamauchi asks for Kiyotaka's help in confessing to Sakura. Yamauchi passes a love letter to Kiyotaka for him to pass along to Sakura for him. Kiyotaka asks for Kushida's help to call Sakura out and hands her the letter. While she was awestruck at the possibility of Kiyotaka confessing his feelings for her, he quickly clears up the misunderstanding by saying that the love letter is not from him. He makes a point to continuously reiterate that he is just the messenger. Sakura is disappointed after accepting the fact that it is not from Kiyotaka. When Kiyotaka says it could be from someone she likes, she accidentally blurts out that the chances of that are now impossible. Sakura manages to guess whom the love letter is actually from based on Yamauchi's behaviour. Later that night, Sakura and Kiyotaka briefly talk about what she should do. Kiyotaka talks about them both having zero experience in love, which reassures her. She also asks Kiyotaka to meet with her before she meets with Yamauchi.

The next day at the meeting place, she tells Kiyotaka that she will reject Yamauchi, which Kiyotaka completely expected, but he knew that it was important for her to say it out loud and clear. As Kiyotaka is about to leave, Sakura asks for him to stay as she wouldn't be able to speak if he wasn't there. Kiyotaka complies with her request. While Yamauchi is somewhat bothered by his presence, Kiyotaka's words leave no room for him to protest. Yamauchi confesses his feelings but is quickly rejected by Sakura, who apologises and leaves Kiyotaka and Yamauchi alone. Yamauchi confesses that he probably didn't really like Sakura and just thought she was cute and would be great to date. He apologises for getting Kiyotaka roped up in his business, while Kiyotaka replies that it's all right and thinks that Yamauchi has grown from this experience.

As the summer holidays come to a close, the idiot trio, along with Kiyotaka, Kushida, Horikita, and Sakura, head to the pool for some final summer activities. There, they meet Ichinose and some of her classmates. Furthermore, they are introduced to Nagumo, a 2nd-year member of the student council who started from class B like Ichinose but already reached class A. Inspired by Nagumo's volleyball match, Ichinose challenges the class D students to a volleyball game with the losers paying for the winners' lunch. Class D, composed of everyone except Sakura, wins the match and is treated to lunch by class B.

After lunch, everyone decides to leave the pool while Kiyotaka stays behind to find Karuizawa, who was waiting for him. They discuss his plans from now on. Kiyotaka tells Karuizawa that he plans to expel someone in the near future, which surprises her. He tells her he may want to expel the three students who know about her past; if not them, then someone from another class. And if another class is not possible, someone useless from their class. Karuizawa calls Kiyotaka a terrible person as he remembers what he did to her on the cruise ship; he thinks she is probably not wrong in saying that. They discuss about telling his plans to Hirata, but Kiyotaka says that he can't be trusted yet because of his past. Karuizawa tells him that he is definitely not normal, to which Kiyotaka readily denies, and was called out to be a liar from her.

As they are about to leave, Kiyotaka notices Karuizawa is still not heading back. She tells him that he should know that changing in front of other people is difficult for her. Kiyotaka thinks that if he can get her to swim today, that would be good. She refuses him when he asks her to swim, asking why she has to let him see her in a swimsuit. Forcing the issue, he instead orders her to swim, to which she reluctantly obeys. As she takes off her rash guard and places it on the chair, she doesn't turn to face Kiyotaka due to the scar on her body. Without any prior warning, Kiyotaka then grabs Karuizawa's arm and throws her into the pool. As he reaches out to Karuizawa with his hand, she pulls him into the pool. They play around in the pool until the lifeguard comes over to get them to leave as the pool is closing. As they play in the pool like children, Kiyotaka thinks it was worth it to see a Karuizawa laughing and letting loose for even a moment.

In the side story of Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudō's summer holiday, it is revealed that the idiot trio forced Kiyotaka along with their plans to peep on the girls changing room, which was connected to the male changing room, using a remote control car and a camera. This is why Kiyotaka asks Karuizawa to meet him a day before going to the pool so he can have her interfere with the idiot trios plans. Once everyone had finished changing, Karuizawa entered the changing room and found the remote control car, replacing the memory card in the camera with a blank one so the idiot trio would have no footage of any of the girls changing.

Volume 5
Kiyotaka gathers with Horikita, Hirata, and Karuizawa for lunch to discuss the previous cruise ship's special exam results. Together, they manage to decipher how the VIPs were chosen for the exam. They wonder why Ryūen, who had figured out all the VIPs, made a mistake in guessing one of the groups. Hirata and Horikita guess that maybe someone in Class C betrayed Ryūen; while Kiyotaka does not offer another theory, he does not believe that anyone betrayed him.

Later that day, during afternoon classes, a new event is announced with class points and private points on the line, the Annual Sports Festival, where the students across all levels compete in sports events to determine the winner. For this year's sports festival, Class D and A are placed in the red team while B and C are placed in the white team. With the announcement over, Sudō comes over to Horikita to propose that they select their best athletes for each event to win as many as possible. Kiyotaka thinks that this would be the best way to win but would leave some of the class unsatisfied. Students in the bottom ten will receive minus points in the subsequent exam, causing worry for the weaker academic students.

20 mins after the announcement, the class gathers in the sports hall and meets the other classes of the red team, the leader of the red team, Class 3-A's Fujimaki. In the hall, Kiyotaka also spots a long girl sitting in a chair holding a cane. Katsuragi explains that she was Arisu Sakayanagi. The school provided her a chair due to her difficulty in walking for prolonged periods. Horikita asks Kiyotaka if there was a way for them to win this "special exam". However, Kiyotaka points out that no teacher and no documents have mentioned that this was a special exam, and even the 3rd years seemed to treat it like a sports festival rather than an exam. Horikita disagrees and says that since points are on the line, it is the same as a special exam. They are unable to reach an agreement. After the assembly in the sports hall, Kiyotaka, on the way back to the dormitory alone, bumps into Chabashira sensei. When she was questioning whether he had a plan for the sports festival, he says he doesn't have any and then proceeds to leave her afterwards.

Over the next few weeks, in preparation for the Sports Festival, the class was given free time to plan their strategy. Horikita comes up with a strategy where they should let the most athletic students get the first choice in whatever events they think they can win to take as many podium finishes as they can; her strategy involves pairing the weaker students with the stronger students, which diminishes the weaker students' chances of winning any event, which leaves the academically weak students and physically weak students in danger of receiving penalties in the next exam. While Kiyotaka doesn't necessarily think that the strategy is wrong, he uses Karuizawa to propose another strategy, sending her a message during the class discussion. Telling her to oppose the current strategy and get Kushida's opinion.

Thinking on her feet, Karuizawa says that they shouldn't leave the weaker students behind and proposes a multi-pronged approach where the strongest aims for 1st place but leaving the 3rd place or 2nd place open for those who have a chance to attain that position. They should also participate instead of just selecting the athletically strong students to take all the top spots. Kushida, who is put into the spotlight by Karuizawa, who agrees with both opinions, and the class is divided. Hence, Hirata puts it to a class vote. Horikita's strategy wins 16-13 votes as Kiyotaka abstains from voting. As the plans was finalised, school ends. Kiyotaka sends Karuizawa a message by signalling her with a glance, but she leaves the classroom without looking back. Thinking she didn't get his message, Kiyotaka leaves as well but finds Karuizawa waiting by the stairwell for him, asking him if he wanted to talk to her. They then discuss the class strategy. Even though Karuizawa agreed with Horikita's strategy, she came out with a good compromise despite being put on the spot by Kiyotaka, who thinks she did a good job. As they part, Kiyotaka believes that he has managed to get a very useful pawn to use in Karuizawa due to her ability to read the atmosphere and decisiveness to act accordingly.

As class D prepares for the sports festival, everyone's abilities are measured to see what events they would be best at. During the grip strength test, Kiyotaka asks Sudō what the national average is and is told that it is about 60, hence when it is his turn to take the test, he ensures that he gets 60.6 kg in grip strength. To his surprise, he finds out that Sudō got the average wrong, and it is closer to 50. Due to the mistake by the measurement, Kiyotaka is now the second strongest in grip strength in the class and is selected to participate in the four-way Tug of Wag event along with Sudō, Hirata, and Miyake. Another event that Kiyotaka is chosen to participate in is the scavenger hunt race decided by rock-paper-scissors. For events that all students must participate in, such as the three legs raced, Kiyotaka is paired with Hirata. With the selections and teams decided for all the events, Class D begin practicing for the sports festival.

During one of these practices, Horikita performs poorly in the three-legged race with her partner Onodera, one of the fastest students in Class D. Kiyotaka reasons that because Horikita is unwilling to match Onodera's pace, they aren't performing well. In order to show her the importance of teamwork. Kiyotaka pairs up with her and moves so fast that she cannot keep up, causing Horikita to almost falling if it was not for Kiyotaka catching her. Kiyotaka hopes that she has learned her lesson from their three-legged race.

As the preparations carried on, Kiyotaka meets with Horikita and Kushida to discuss scouting out the competition. Horikita at first refuses to comply because Kushida was present, adding that Kiyotaka would be enough. After Kushida left, he tells Horikita that although he has no proof, he thinks that Kushida most likely betrayed the Class and told Ryūen that she was the VIP in the previous exam. This causes her to agree to scout out the competition together. Meeting the next day, Kushida, Horikita, and Kiyotaka are watching the soccer club and with Kushida's extensive networking skills, she is able to point out everyone's names to them.

Finally, the day of the sports festival arrives. Kiyotaka begins the festival by carefully not getting any of the top spots while also avoiding all the bottom spots. Ryūji Kanzaki approaches Kiyotaka and asks him why he is holding back, especially since there wasn't any real need to. He added by saying that Ichinose warned him that Kiyotaka was fast. Kiyotaka continues his act although Kanzaki does not believe him for a second.

As the festival unfolds, Kouenji is unwilling to participate, and so he pretends to be sick, angering Sudō who almost starts a fight but is stopped by Hirata. Furthermore, Ryūen uses dirty tactics that could have injured people during the tug of war and pole toppling event, which further sours Sudō's mood as the day goes by. Kiyotaka also begins to notice a pattern emerging as Horikita is repeatedly forced to compete with the same person two people from Class C, Yajima and Kinoshita who were faster than Horikita due to their experience in track and field, leading him to suspect that it was not simply a coincidence. This culminates in an accident where Kinoshita collides with Horikita, and both girls are injured. Although Kinoshita is unable to continue competing, Horikita was still able to compete, albeit not at her best due to being slightly injured. As Kiyotaka notices during her three-legged race with Kushida where they both end up in last place. Class C continues their relentless attack on Horikita in the Female Calvary Battle as all the Class C cavalries surrounds Horikita. Although Karuizawa tried to assist, she was stopped by Ichinose who prevented her from aiding Horikita, ultimately leading to Class D's inevitable defeat.

During the guys' turn to compete in the calvary battle, Ryūen once again implore dirty tactics. This time applying hair wax onto the headbands so they are much harder to grab off their heads. His tactics greatly anger Sudō, who was all but ready to get into a fight. Moreover, due to continued losses, Sudō is increasingly taking out his frustrations on his classmates. Karuizawa comes over to speak to Kiyotaka after the battle, expressing concerns about the recent developments. She also uses his first name for the first time, omitting out the honorific which slightly peeved Kiyotaka as he thought she was placing him below Hirata. However, he decides now isn't the right time to think about it. They talk about their selections being released, and the existence of someone potentially betraying them. Karuizawa asks Kiyotaka what he will do to help them win, but he says he will do nothing, and everything is happening as he has foreseen. He attempted to switch her target to Hirata so he can avoid answering her question before she surprised him by saying that she felt that by talking to him, he would have had a plan set in stone. He ended by saying that it was all according to plan. Before she can ask what he meant, Sudō returns to the class tent and wants to go and confronts Ryūen. By this point, the pressure of being a leader completely overwhelms him as his classmates point out how poorly everything is going and how he needs to calm down and act appropriately; when the pressure begans to boil over, he hits Hirata, who was trying to mediate. Chabashira sensei, who just arrived asks what's wrong, but Hirata covers for him. Finally fed up, Sudō leaves after briefly glancing at Horikita. Karuizawa then remark to Kiyotaka that things have deteriorated although this time she opted to use his last name.

Once Sudō leaves, Class D is put in a terrible position as Sudō is supposed to participate in many of the selection events. Kiyotaka finds Horikita and gives her advice on what she can do now, finding Sudō and bringing him back. Horikita doesn't want to, and Kiyotaka believes it's because she doesn't understand that Sudō has feelings for her. He talks about how Ryūen created his plans to defeat her and especially Sudō mentally. While she still resists, Kiyotaka harshly tells her, she, as she is now, is totally useless and she should go and do something useful. She is injured, and simply praying to recover is not good enough. Kiyotaka leaves her to make her own decisions after giving her his advice while thinking that Horikita needs to feel defeat and be reborn. Following his conversation with Horikita, Kiyotaka eats lunch with Karuizawa and Hirata to discuss the spy's existence in their class. Hirata says that it's a delicate matter and shouldn't be raised casually to disrupt the class. They also discuss what to do now that Sudō is gone.

After lunch, Kiyotaka participates in the Scavenger Hunt race but ends up last due to having to find things like 10 Friends and the person he likes, which results in him wasting too much time changing what he has to find. Next, he takes over Sudō's place in the mixed three-legged race while Kushida takes Horikita's place. As they both prepare for the race, Kiyotaka tells Kushida she was the one who leaked the Class D selection list to Class C. As they discuss how the spy could have done it, Kiyotaka reasons that the spy asked Chabashira sensei to see the list. When Kiyotaka suggests asking Chabashira sensei if anyone asked to see the list, Kushida drops her facade and tells Kiyotaka that he isn't some normal person. Kiyotaka asks why she did it, and she replies that she wants to expel Horikita Suzune and is willing to do that even if it means Class D loses.

By the time Horikita and Sudō return, it is time for the final event. As Miyake sprained his leg in the earlier 200m race, Kiyotaka offers to replace him. While Kushida replaces Horikita, Kiyotaka is chosen as the anchor. As he is waiting for the baton to reach him, Horikita Manabu is the anchor for his class, and he proposes that Kiyotaka and he should race even at the cost of 2nd place. Manabu doesn't start running when he receives the baton but waits for Kiyotaka to receive his from Kushida. As they run, Kiyotaka runs as fast as he can, although he thinks he should speed up as he reaches the final bend. In the end, due to both Manabu and Kiyotaka's speed, the runner in front of Kiyotaka trips over the surprise, causing Kiyotaka to fall as well; hence he doesn't win the race. Having gone all out for the first time, many people come over to expresses their surprise, the first of which is Karuizawa, who disappears as more of their classmates arrive. The results are released, and class D is last placed.

At the end of the day, Kiyotaka meets Sakayanagi at the school entrance who wanted to talk to him. Before he talks to her, Kiyotaka sent a recording to Ryūen exposing his plan to cause Horikita to fall during one of the events. He sends it to Ryūen, who is seen threatening Horikita with false evidence that Horikita tripped Kinoshita on purpose. After they introduced themselves, Sakayanagi reveals that she has known him for eight years and 243 days, which Kiyotaka says that it was not possible since he doesn't recall meeting her. It was then shown that she only knew of him one-sidedly from the "White Room". Kiyotaka is surprised that she knows something about his past. She also reveals that she knows that he has been acting behind the scenes of his class. She declares that it is her duty to defeat the fake genius that is Kiyotaka and told him that she doesn't intend to reveal his past to anyone, guaranteeing his wish for a peaceful life, at least temporarily.

Volume 6
As the sports festival comes to a close, the seasons change and the school welcomes Autumn. As the students gather in the sports hall, the first sign of changes appears in Student Council members' change, with Manabu Horikita stepping down as president and Miyabi Nagumo taking over as the new student council president. Nagumo vows to break down the school's traditions during his term and introduces several changes, such as increasing the length of his term as student council president to last until he graduates instead of until the following October. Alongside these changes, Kiyotaka expresses that many of his relationships are also about to change. With some people growing further apart and others growing closer, Kiyotaka notices other changes in Sudō's attitude during class, especially after the sports festival. Sudō appears to be paying more attention during class and even taking notes, noting that Horikita checked them after is a large influence on him. He thinks that Sudō will be a great resource for the class moving forward.

During lunch, Kiyotaka is eating alone when Horikita comes to make fun of him for being alone. She teases him about Ike and Yamauchi, who have seemed to have been inviting Kiyotaka less and less to their gatherings. He thinks that they have stopped inviting him along at all and have now taken to inviting Sotomura out with them. She also mentions that it can't be helped as now, due to his race with Manabu, the two guys are don't feel like he is below average like them due to his speed. As she leaves him alone to eat lunch, Kiyotaka thinks that he respects Horikita for all the time she spends alone.

Kiyotaka also sees that Karuizawa is still in the classroom when he notices Karuizawa's gaze and thinks that she wants to talk but realises she doesn't when she averts his gaze quickly as if to tell him she didn't mean to look at him. As she leaves the classroom, he notices that her skirt is about 1-2cm shorter than normal. When Kiyotaka is finally alone in the classroom, his classmate Satō whose given name he doesn't know due to how little they interact, comes up to him and asks for some of his time to talk. Satō asks him if he has a girlfriend and he tells her no, thinking that lying in this situation would make him be liked even less. Finally, realising her intentions, his first thought is whether this was a trap set by someone. As they exchange numbers because Satō wants to start with being friends first, Kiyotaka is curious about her sudden interest and asks her about it. She tells him that because of the sports festival, she finds him very cool. While he ponders what he should do, he thinks that Satō is nothing but a classmate to him, and he understands a little better how Sakura felt when she was confessed to by Yamauchi.

After Kiyotaka parts ways with Satō, he runs into Katsuragi, who wants to talk to him. Katsuragi expresses his surprise at his race during the sports festival, but Kiyotaka doesn't say much. They end up discussing Ryūen and how he is a common enemy for all the classes. Kiyotaka counters with how Katsuragi was the first person to work with Ryūen, which Katsuragi now regrets. Kiyotaka asks if Katsuragi wants him to pass on the message to Horikita, still feigning ignorance, but he receives Katsuragi's warnings regarding Ryūen and promises to pass the message to Horikita.

Later that evening, Kiyotaka receives a call from Karuizawa, which surprises him. She calls and demands to know what happened with Satō in the afternoon, informing him that she knew Satō was going to confess. She wants to know if he said yes to Satō confession because all guys think about is just dirty things, which Kiyotaka denies. Karuizawa expresses her worry about what would happen if Kiyotaka had accepted Satō's confession as the chances of her working for him and her past could be exposed. She insists on hearing what Kiyotaka's answer was despite him resisting several times before relenting and telling her that they exchanged phone numbers and Satō wanted to start out by being friends. Karuizawa thinks that Satō will try and progress the relationship and asks if he intends to reject her. He says he doesn't know that yet. Before they end the conversation, Kiyotaka wants to tell Karuizawa something but decides against it because it would be add an unnecessary burden on her, and it will happen regardless of his warning. Instead, he tells her to delete the record of their contact, to which she replies that she already has.

As the mid-term results for the Autumn semester are released, everyone is surprised at the improvement Sudō has made since the sports festival. He manages to place above the bottom 10 in mid-term results with an average score of 57 and is 12 from the bottom in the class of 40. On the other hand, Kiyotaka once again scores near the middle getting an average of 64 points. Horikita once again questions him about going all out in the exams, but he simply replies by saying that was the best he could do. Chabashira sensei further compliments the class on having no expulsion since the start of the school year, a feat not achieved by any Class D in the three years she has been in the school.

Despite having just completed the midterms, Chabashira sensei informs them of an upcoming quiz that will affect the final exams for the term, which will also be a special exam, the Paper Shuffle. The upcoming quiz will determine which students are paired up for the final exams, set by one of the other three classes. Once the explanations are complete, Horikita calls together the two leaders of the class, Hirata and Karuizawa along with Kiyotaka, for a strategy meeting. Wanting to do it in a more comfortable place, Karuizawa wants to meet at Pallet Café instead. Deciding that it is easier to agree than arguing, Horikita agrees. As they are discussing, Kushida comes up to them and asks to join them for their meeting. Horikita agrees and tells Karuizawa, Hirata and Kushida to ahead first. Sudō shows up and says that he can't join immediately due to club activities and is told to join them later at Pallet. Having completed his job of connecting Hirata and Karuizawa to Horikita and thinking about fading into the background and creating some distance between himself and Horikita, Kiyotaka says he is going home. Horikita stops him by enticing him with information about Kushida. Kiyotaka expresses interest in finding out why Horikita and Kushida are not getting along and decides to stay in exchange for that information. Horikita tells him that while she initially thought that the first time she met Kushida was on the bus to school just like Kiyotaka, but in actuality, they are from the same middle school. She follows up by telling him about a rumour that she heard back in school about a single girl destroying a class until no one attended school until graduation. Why she did it or how, Horikita doesn't know though. They wonder if Kushida can really destroy an entire class by herself or even worse, an entire level. They discuss what methods she could have used. Horikita proposes violence or perhaps political power. Kiyotaka says lies could also be used. They wonder if Kushida right now can destroy Class D with her lies and violence, but he says there would be opponents too tough for her like Kouenji and Sudō, but it would not be impossible to destroy the class with lies. They determine that Kushida is willing to destroy their class to protect her past and her presence is not good for the class; hence, they discuss if they should expel her. But with Horikita's new perspective from losing at the sports festival, she doesn't want to resort to that. Finally, Horikita reveals that she knows that he had sent the recording to Ryūen at the end of the sports festival and thanks him even though he had known the outcome beforehand.

At Pallet café, Karuizawa complains about Kiyotaka and Horikita's tardiness but receives no apology. They quickly begin discussing their strategy for the upcoming paper shuffle exam. Horikita explains the proof of there being a rule to determine how the pairs are formed in the quiz; she believes that the pairs formed will the top students paired up with the bottom students and asked Hirata and Kushida to use their network of upper-level students to confirm her theory on how the pairs are determined. Karuizawa quickly points out that if that is the case, the students in the middle of the class are in the toughest position. Aside from determining what to do for the pre-quiz, they discuss which class they should 'attack' for the paper shuffle exam. Hirata produces a memo which he believes what who each class will choose to attack. Class A should choose Class D, while B should choose A. C should choose B, and D should choose C. He believes this is the case because A has the highest academic ability and can set questions that will be hard for D to solve, leading to an easy win. D should choose C because they are the closest in academic ability based on their monthly class points. Kiyotaka points out that class points may not be an indicator of their academic ability and that they do not have a good grasp of the other class's academic ability, only their own. Hirata also bases his guess on the classes wanting to close the gap between each other. Most importantly, they agree that to close the gap in points, D should target class C. As the meeting ends due to Sudō and Hirata having club activities, Horikita once again asks if Kiyotaka will not do his best in the tests again; he replies that he will think about it.

A day before the quiz to determine the pairs, Hirata and Horikita both present their strategy for the quiz during homeroom to the class. Horikita begins with an apology to the class for her failure and attitude during the sports festival and says she wants to work with everyone from now on. Her idea is to ensure that the pairs are balanced by having the top ten students score 85 and above while the bottom ten students in the midterm average score 0. The following best ten students should aim for a maximum of 80 points while the next bottom ten students should get 1 point. This way, the pairs will be balanced. While what Koenji will do is left ambigioous, the class decides to go with her plan with Hirata's support. The following day before the quiz, the class each class is setting for is decided. Class D and C will set for each other, while Class B and A will set for each other. From the groupings, Kiyotaka infers that Sakayanagi chose to widen the gap between the class rather than aim for Class D, where they have the highest chances of winning, which would have been Katsuragi's choice. When Chabashira sensei tells everyone to take the test seriously, the weaker students who are supposed to get 0 points are worried, but Horikita confidently says that her plan is correct, leading the others to feel relieved. Seeing this, Kiyotaka thinks class D has changed for the better.

The pairs are announced soon after, and Kiyotaka is paired with none other than Satō, who appears happy that she is paired with him. As it happens, Koenji goes along with the plan and ends up paired with weaker students. Kiyotaka thinks that since Satō is one of the weaker students, he will have to get more points for this exam. With the pairs determined, the next stage of their strategy involves setting up study sessions for the entire class, led by Horikita, Hirata and Kushida. Horikita will be in charge of session one, while Hirata will be in charge of session two for those with club activities, while Kushida will help with both.

While most of the plans are settled, two class D students Akito Miyake and Haruka Hasebe, approach Horikita for advice as they were paired together and both had average scores in the class. Furthermore, they have the same weak points from their test results, which for the coming exam since they couldn't cover each other's strong topics. Horikita suggests joining one of the study sessions, but because Hasebe is on bad terms with some girls, she declines and leaves. Miyake is then asked to join alone, but he refuses as well, as studying with a group of girls would be uncomfortable for him; hence, he leaves. Horikita discusses with Hirata, Kushida and Kiyotaka what to do about them and decides to teach them herself, but Hirata refuses as she would be taking on too many responsibilities as she also has to set the questions. Fortunately, Yukimura, who overhears them, says he will teach them, but the leaders will have to convince them for him. Horikita stares at Kiyotaka and forces him to look after the group and report back to her. He reluctantly agrees when she starts to threaten him.

After class that day, the group consisting of Miyake, Hasebe, Yukimura and Kiyotaka head to Pallet café to discuss their study plans. Yukimura looks over their previous test, and Hasebe asks him why he is willing to teach them. He replies that being good academically is not good enough at this school, so he wants to do what he can for his class since he is weak at other areas and teaching smaller groups of people is easier. While they are at the café, Kiyotaka notices several people looking in his direction. Daichi Ishizaki from Class C is at the café and buys a cake. Upon seeing the cake, Kiyotaka remembers that his birthday is tomorrow and thinks that it's a day he doesn't really think much of but ponders about how you would typically spend the day with your friends or lover. He wonders if next year someone will remember his birthday.

While Yukimura is looking over the pairs notes. Kiyotaka stands up and goes to find Sakura, who he noticed was following him this whole time. He gives her advice about joining their study group while thinking that for Sakura interacting with people like Miyake, Hasebe and Yukimura is not difficult for her as they were all very similar when interacting with other people. He also says that it will be okay because he is around and reassures her, but tells her she must ask them herself.

By the end of the day, Hasebe and Miyake accept Yukimura's proposal to teach them and expresses interest in setting questions for the exam, which Kiyotaka promises to tell Horikita. He also learns from Miyake that Class C's Kaneda is likely to be setting the questions for class C. Sakura is unable to gather the courage to ask to join the study group as the day ends.

That same night, Kiyotaka calls Horikita to report on the group. They discuss the other study sessions, and Horikita mentions that it is difficult to teach large groups and people like Ike and Yamauchi have low attention spans. She asks for Kiyotaka's help in managing them during his off days from his study group. Furthermore, they talk about Kushida betraying them and the possibility of their questions leaking. Horikita decides if too many people set questions, the chances of leaking is higher, so she intends to do them herself. As he ends the conversation with Horikita, he receives mail from Ryūen, asking for he is. Kiyotaka realises that Ryūen has already found his spy in Class C Manabe if he knows his unassigned number. Not caring at all, he doesn't reply and goes to sleep.

The following day, Kiyotaka participates in Horikita's study session, where Satō was present. She attempts to get close to Kiyotaka, sitting next to him, asking him to help her study. Horikita even encourages him to teach her himself but he says his scores aren't much better than hers, so Horikita has no choice but to teach them herself. There, at the library where they are studying, Ichinose was having her study session with Class B students. After the study session was over, Horikita asks Ichinose if they can talk alone while Kiyotaka was permitted to stay and listen to their conversation. They talked about Ichinose's class and what she would do if they were in trouble. Ichinose says she will help them if they were in trouble because they are her important friends. She even includes both Horikita and Kiyotaka as her important friends and would be willing to help them if they ever need it, even if it means lending them large sums of points. Horikita asks her how good a person she can be, but that is just who Ichinose is. When she leaves, Horikita and Kiyotaka discussed what they plan to do about Kushida. Kiyotaka mentions he had a plan to use and that involves someone like Ichinose, who is a good person and is trusted by everyone to allow for a fair 1v1 between Kushida and Horikita, but she declines this, saying she won't use Ichinose.

After leaving the library, they meet Kushida, who Horikita wants to talk to. Kushida doesn't wish for Kiyotaka to be there, so he excuses himself, but Horikita calls him on his phone to listen to their conversation. They talk about being from the same middle school, and Horikita tells her she won't reveal her secret, but that doesn't satisfy Kushida; therefore, Horikita proposes a duel. Horikita will resign from the school if she loses, and if Kushida loses, she will have to help the class. They agree to challenge each other in a single text paper and see who can individually score the higher instead of total scores. Kushida is allowed to pick the subject as well. In order to ensure the deal is followed through, Horikita calls her brother Manabu who is the witness to the deal. With Manabu as a witness, Kushida can be sure that Horikita will not back out from resigning. Kushida agrees but says she has one extra condition and tells Horikita that she knows that Kiyotaka is listening through the phone and asks him to come out. Kiyotaka meets up with them, and Kushida requests that if Horikita loses, Kiyotaka must also resign. Horikita says he isn't involved, but Kiyotaka bets on Horikita in exchange for hearing the truth about Kushida past. Kushida agrees as if he gets expel it would be unsatisfying for Kiyotaka if he doesn't know why. Kushida explains she wanted to be the most liked person, so she created her facade, which she uses today but in order to release the stress of always been nice, that she used to post her thoughts on a blog which her classmates found out in middle school which turned everyone against her. To destroy everyone, she used the secrets she learnt from every classmate that she didn't post on the blog and spread them to her class. This caused the class to fight each other. They were destroyed by the truths that Kushida had learnt by being friends with everyone. Kushida decides to challenge Horikita in the maths paper, and Kushida warns them she can get Ryūen to cooperate and get the answers from him, but Horikita is betting that he won't do that.

On the 5th time Yukimura's study group is having a study session at Keyaki Mall, Ryūen and his lackeys appear to disrupt their study session. Ryūen knocks over Hasebe's drink which angers her. Miyake is the first to react, telling Ryūen to back off. Ishizaki, who is annoyed at his attitude, is ready to start a fight but is stopped by Ryūen. Ryūen asks no one in particular if they had received his message, trying to find the person who is X who has been pulling strings behind Class D; no one reacts, and Miyake is wondering what he is talking about. He lists all the possible suspects like Yukimura, Kiyotaka, Hirata and Koenji before leaving, saying that he was giving an introduction before they would meet again. Once he leaves, a girl from Class C, revealed to be Hiyori Shiina, who was tagging along with Ryūen, returns with two drinks in hand, offering one to Hasebe. She said what happened earlier was his fault and this was an apology for his attitude. Hasebe is surprised as the amount of sugar in the drink is exactly the same as what Hasebe was drinking earlier. She has that reverse calculated the amount of sugar from the one thrown out earlier. She then asks the group whether they know anything about the person pulling strings behind class D, but everyone says that it has been Horikita all this time strategising for the class. While she questions Kiyotaka since he is close to Horikita, he replies that it hasn't been the case recently, and she is spending more time with others. The others help sell the story that there isn't anyone working behind Horikita by saying that it's hard to imagine someone smarter than Horikita.

As they end the study session and head back to the dormitories, Kiyotaka asks Hasebe if she knows anything about Satō. She says she isn't very close with her and suggests asking Karuizawa, but Kiyotaka thinks that asking her would be tough. So Hasebe proposes asking Kushida who is close to everyone. Hasebe teases Kiyotaka about whether he likes Satō, but he says that he just wants to know more about his partner for the paper shuffle exam. This prompts Kiyotaka to think that Kushida is an important piece of Class D. On the way back after the conversation, the group decide to head to the convenience store together. After buying their stuff from the convenience store, Yukimura asks Hasebe about his nickname Yukimu and is embarrassed by it. Hasebe explains that she gives nicknames to those she is close to. They end up talking about how they are all close with each other because they all find it hard to make friends; they decide this study group should be a new group for people who are loners. They decide to call themselves the Ayanokōji Group because he is the connector to everyone, although he weakly protests. After they become a group, they decide to call each other by their given names. Yukimura protests as he doesn't like his given name because it was a name given by his mother, with who he doesn't have a good relationship with; instead, he tells them to call him Keisei.

Sakura, who is following them, loudly asks them to let her join the Ayanokōji group. She starts by saying she is worried about her test scores. Keisei rebuffs her by saying she should join Horikita's sessions as more people will be harder to manage and they are at different places in their studies. Sakura then instead says that she wants to join because it's Kiyotaka's group. Akito agrees who feels that Sakura is like them as she has difficulty making friends in class. Keisei also agrees as Sakura is easy to accept but says that no more people should be added or he will leave. Sakura thanks the two guys but calls them by their last name. Last is Haruka, who says she can't accept because the group is supposed to be close, so if she wants to join, she needs to call everyone by their given names so she needs to call everyone by their given name and everyone has to call her by her given name. Which Haruka asks what it is, Sakura tells her Airi. Airi finds it difficult, but she manages to say Keisei-kun, Akito-kun and Haruka-san. She has difficulty speaking Kiyotaka's name, and as all the eyes are on her but she manages to do it and is accepted into the group.

With the Ayanokōji Group completed, they decide to watch a movie to refresh themselves from all the studying. With plans to watch a movie made, Horikita asks to meet with Keisei, Hirata, Karuizawa and Kiyotaka the day after, coincidently the same day as the movie. Following his conversation with Horikita, Kiyotaka receives a message from Karuizawa telling him about what she found out about Hiyori. She tells him that she had asked around about how much sugar Haruka had put in her drink, just like he thought. Kiyotaka passes along the message about the final meeting for class D the day after at 8 pm. Karuizawa mentions how late that is, and he replies, saying that his study group will watch a movie. He then tells her about something she wants her to do at the meeting tomorrow. She mentions that it's something very troublesome. Just as he thought their conversation had ended, he receives an emoji of a cake with candles on it from Karuizawa and some words saying she realised a little late. Kiyotaka thinks about how this is the first birthday congratulation he has received and expresses regret before deleting the message. He ponders how she found out about his birthday, and checks Karuizawa personal information linked to her account and decides to remember her birthday 8th of March.

The next day at the movie theatre, Satō and Karuizawa, along with people from their study group, also show up to the same meeting. Satō acts flirty with Kiyotaka, which Airi questions him about, but he quickly denies it, saying that they are just paired up for the upcoming exam. After the movie, the leaders of the different study groups meet in a karaoke room to have their final meeting. They discuss the progress of all the different groups and whether they are ready for the exam. As the discussion goes on as per Kiyotaka's instructions, Karuizawa acts displeased with Kushida's attitude and throws a drink at her. Everyone is displeased with Karuizawa's actions, but she continues putting on an act until finally apologising and offering to take Kushida's school blazer for drive cleaner as an apology.

Once the meeting was over, Kiyotaka returned to the dorm and saw that there were crowds of people. He meets Katsuragi, who is also outside. A large number of people have gathered due to a message placed in everyone's letterbox with the message that Honami Ichinose had a large number of points obtained illegally and it says that it was signed off by Kakeru Ryūen. Ichinose herself appears and declares that the school will determine if it's illegal or not. Kiyotaka notes that the amount of points she saw Ichinose had was more than 10,000,000 points. As she said, the school declared that it was not illegal the next day.

On the final day to hand up the paper shuffle exam test papers, Kiyotaka and Horikita both went to submit the questions. Ryūen was there to greet them happily. When they tried to submit the papers, Kiyotaka thinks Chabashira sensei's speaking manner was strange and as there were about to leave after handing the test to Chabashira sensei. Horikita realises that someone might have submitted a different set of test papers before her and so she told her that if someone tries to change the test, they should not accept it to prevent leakage by a spy working against class D. Horikita and Kiyotaka tried to think of counter measures as Ryūen leaves after hearing his desired result. Horikita reveals that she had already expected this and thanks Chabashira sensei for helping out. Kiyotaka learns that Horikita had told Chabashira sensei beforehand that she should only accept test answers handed up by Horikita, and no other tests submitted by other students should be allowed. Horikita apologises for keeping Kiyotaka in the dark and thinks that since the threat of Ryūen was taken care of, she can focus on beating Kushida.

On the day of the test, Kiyotaka unexpectedly meets up with Satō on his way to school. The talk about if they were both ready for the exam before, Karuizawa shows up and asks if Satō would like to get a drink before heading to class. Kiyotaka thinks that they're good friends, as Hirata shows up and says that Karuizawa is unexpectedly the jealous type. Kiyotaka expresses surprise, but Hirata, who has been acting as Karuizawa's boyfriend, says he can tell that lately, Karuizawa has been paying more attention to Kiyotaka. Kiyotaka thinks that that's unavoidable as Karuizawa, a parasite, has transferred from Hirata to himself. They head to the classroom together as they discussed the upcoming exam. Hirata also asked whether he was the person acting behind Horikita as Hiyori Shiina had been asking around for that person, surprisingly he doesn't deny it. He warns Kiyotaka that class C is looking for him and that he should be careful.

As the tests began, Kiyotaka watches Kushida for her reaction. He notices her panic as the tests went on. After the tests were over, Horikita says she thinks she got around 98 for the test once it was over. As everyone leaves, Horikita asks to talk to Kushida, and Kiyotaka follows along. Horikita tells Kushida that she thinks she got 98 for the mathematics test. Kushida replies that she doesn't believe she can reach 80 on her test; therefore, Horikita wins the bet. Horikita asks Kushida to stop interfering with the class, and Kushida promises to but reaffirms that she hates Horikita and refused to shake her hand as she leaves the area.

When Horikita left, Kiyotaka began to think about the current developments. He thinks that Ryūen is not someone so easily dealt with using methods like this. He also thinks about using a spy in each other classes and thinks that the chances of that depend on the exam themselves. Kiyotaka also thinks that this battle was a complete win for class D. While he was thinking, he received a message from Ryūen, asking what he was planning. More messages came, but he entirely ignores them. Finally, Ryūen sends an image to Kiyotaka. Kiyotaka knew it beforehand, but the image he received proved that Manabe had revealed everything to Ryūen. Finally, Kiyotaka said that he was waiting for Ryūen to come at him in his own arena, already aware of what he intends to do.

At the end of the volume, Kushida meets with Ryūen and demands to know why the questions she was expecting did not show up on the exam. Ryūen reveals that someone had placed cheat sheets in her blazer and thus also assumed that several pieces of evidence of cheating are scattered throughout her belongings also. Reason for that is increase the suspicions of cheating whenever someone tries to frame her for it if she got full marks for the exams. Hence changing the questions for the exams had saved Kushida from getting expelled. Kushida wonders how they managed to put it inside her blazer, and Ryūen asked if anything weird happened. She explains what happened in the Karaoke room with Karuizawa, which Ryūen already guessed. He also reveals the existence of someone working behind class D's scenes and shows Kushida about the email he had received from X. In exchange for information, X requests for the questions and answers to the test that Class C prepared for class D or if they were already given to Kushida, he requests that the questions are to be changed. X had read Ryūen's choice to change the test questions as he didn't want to expel Horikita or get Kushida caught cheating because that was boring. In exchange, he received information about Horikita's plan to prevent Kushida and Ryūen from changing the questions. He also says that he didn't send the letter regarding Ichinose; that was also X's handiwork. Finally, he shows Kushida a picture of Karuizawa and says that she was crucial to finding out who X really was.

Volume 7
It was already the middle of December, Kiyotaka was meeting up with Airi Haruka, Hasebe Haruka and Yukimura Keisei at Keyaki Mall. The Ayanokōji group have been getting closer, meeting 2 to 3 times a week. However, due to Akito's club activities the group meets every Friday and waits for him to arrive. When he arrives, they would talk about hobbies, Kiyotaka thinks that it was good to see that Airi had became more talkative and was able to join the conversation. When the topic of hobbies turned into posting pictures on SNS, both Keisei and Haruka ended up talking bad about people who post pictures on SNS. As Kiyotaka tries to cheer Airi up, they realised that the effect of their words had dealt to Airi who used to secretly posts pictures on SNS so they quickly apologised. The conversation then turns to the topic of Class D and Ryūen, as Akito tells the group about the guys from class C who were interfering with Akito's club activities, Kiyotaka notes that Komiya was watching them from far away. They began discussing the odd behaviour of Class C and Kiyotaka thinks that since they aren't making any moves, Ryūen had already narrowed down his choices for who X really was. Furthermore, since he already knew about Kei Karuizawa, it was only a matter of time before he would start to make his move. Kiyotaka already knew what Ryūen intends to do just not when he intends to make it. The conversation progresses and the group thought that Class D's improvements over the last few exams have caused Class C to be nervous, hence their current actions. As they talked about all of the previous exams and the outcomes and strategies, Kiyotaka thinks that's most people in the class don't really know what was happening behind the scenes of their special exams. The group then expressed interest in knowing what Horikita was thinking and what she thought Ryūen's strategies were for the previous exams. With all their focus on him, he tells what he knows from what Horikita had "told" him. He tells them about what Ryūen did in the previous exams but leaves out the fact that Kushida had been betraying their class. As they talked about how amazing Horikita was, the conversation then shifts to whether Kiyotaka and Horikita were dating or if he likes her. As expected, he denies both accusations. They talked about Christmas which was coming up and was also an important day for couples. All the guys ended up saying they were spending the day alone, as the groups talks about all manner of topics, Airi expresses her happiness at how she was able to talk to everyone like this. As they left to get dinner, Kiyotaka excused himself to go to the toilet, this made Komiya who was following them to decide to follow the group instead. Kiyotaka uses the chance to confront another person who was stalking him, Masumi Kamuro from Class A. He asks her what Sakayanagi knows about her to force Kamuro to follow her orders. Kamuro at first denies this but when Kiyotaka threatens to tell Sakayanagi about how awful she was in handling the job about keeping an eye on him, Kamuro then asks back whether he was threatening her. Revealing that Sakayanagi does know something about her. Kamuro threatens Kiyotaka back and says that she could reveal his existence to Ryūen who was looking for him. They both struck a deal to not get in each others' way, letting Kamuro continue her job and Kiyotaka's existence not being revealed by her.

In school, Sudō speaks to Horikita about being pestered by Class C students on his way to school. She asks if he got into a fight to which he denies saying that he won't break his promise to her. Kiyotaka also informs her about the Class C students pestering Akito. Horikita surmises that Ryūen must be looking for him and it's only a matter of time. She wonders if Ryūen had already found him, but he tells her if that was the case, all of the focus would have been on him and not on the others in the class. She then asks if he had a plan to stop him, expressing some concern, Kiyotaka continued his act and told her that he had no such plan. She also wonders why he was still spending time with the Ayanokōji group since exams were already over and there was not much point to it, he tells her it's more enjoyable than spending time with her while thinking Horikita doesn't yet understand what being friendly is yet. She once again confirms if he was really helping her to which he replies that he will be doing as much as he could to help her reach Class A. During lunch, Horikita asks Kiyotaka for a favour. She asks if he could return a book to the library for her, as the book was popular and there was a shortage of it in the stores, Kiyotaka who has been eager to read the book has not been able to. She proposes that he would return it for her so that afterwards, he could immediately borrow it from the library and read it. He wonders if this was how Horikita shows her kindness as he accepts the request.

He immediately heads to the school library to settle the matter as the book needs to be returned that day, at the library he chances upon Hiyori Shiina, trying to reach for a book that was out of her reach, he helps her and they began talking. After discussing about the different types of books, she asks if he wants to eat lunch with her as she wants to talk more about books since class C does not have anyone who likes books. Kiyotaka at first thinks that this could be a trap set by Ryūen but sensing his hesitation, she says that she wasn't interested in the battle between the classes and that she rather prefers for the classes to get along rather than clashing over trivial matters. In the end, he decided to have lunch with her at the cafeteria after borrowing another book recommended by Shiina. They both made their way to the cafeteria and as Shiina seemed unable to come to a decision, ended up taking the same meal that he had chosen. As he saw her struggling to adjust her schoolbag to take the tray, ended up offering her some assistance. As they ate, Kiyotaka was struck with admiration at how she handled her chopsticks with grace as she elegantly raised a morsel of food to her mouth. Kiyotaka asked her if it was her first time eating at the cafeteria to which the latter affirms. They continued to talk while they finished their meals. After finishing, Shiina then brought out a stack of books from her bag and asks if Kiyotaka would like to borrow one. As he realised that they weren't from the library, she responded that it was from her personal collection and they she would always brings around books with her so that she can lend them to people who shared her tastes. Kiyotaka borrowed a book that he hasn't yet read, while he was wary of it as he thought it was a trap, he also thought that meeting her at the library was purely a coincidence and Shiina could just be a book lover. After promising to return the borrowed books, the school bell then rang, signalling the end of the lunch break.

After school, Kiyotaka gathered up with the rest of the Ayanokōji group and to his surprise, he sees Akito there who tells him that he skipped club practice because of some Class C guys are pestering him. Haruka suggests to tell the teachers about the matter, but Akito replies back that they can't do anything because students were free to learn about club activities and that it wasn't violating any of the rules. They realized that Komiya had been following them around just recently and discussed about the rumours of the mysterious strategist working behind Horikita, the talk about the possibilities, such as Kōenji who they say was unlikely because of his egotistical attitude and Hirata whom they don't see as the type but still had the chances of being the mastermind behind it. Akito doubts there was one. When Airi asks if Kiyotaka was the mastermind because he gives advice to Horikita and is reliable and smart. He says that it's the other way around and that he always received help from Horikita instead. The rest suspect him because he was close to Horikita and that he was being targeted too. He also mentioned that because everyone was being followed, he has not been able to make any moves or talk to Hirata as well. He thinks there was no need to create more baits for Ryūen to use by carelessly making contact with Hirata and finally concludes that Ryūen is probably just waiting for the perfect time to strike.

The next day after class, Satō comes up to Kiyotaka and asks him if he wants to drink tea with her, unfortunately for her, due to Chabashira sensei sending signals that she needs to speak with Kiyotaka, he turns Satō down. Chabashira tells him to follow as he left the classroom leading him to a reception office where the principal and another man were waiting for him. As he enters the room, Chabashira sensei and the principal both left Kiyotaka alone with the man. They began to talk, he then tells Kiyotaka that the papers for him to leave the school were all ready and that all he has to do is to agree to it. Without any regard or apprehension, Kiyotaka flatly refuses. The man then proceeds to tell Kiyotaka about what happened to his butler, Matsuo, who had helped him escape the White Room and enrol him into this school and about Matsuo's son who was expelled from every other school due to the man's influence. Furthermore he had also prevented the son in finding jobs and is forced to work part time to survive. This man was known as Kiyotaka's father and although they may share the same DNA, both of them had never treated each other as father and son. Kiyotaka says that that was expected considering he didn't do his job. His father tells Kiyotaka how Matsuo committed suicide by burning himself to death after pleading not to mess with his son. Nevertheless, Kiyotaka told that that if he had already died, then all the more reason to stay in the school to carry on Matsuo's wishes. His father mentions how he has changed in this past year, and says that it was mistake on his part to temporarily suspend the facility's activity for a year giving Kiyotaka a chance to escape, but now that the White Room was up and running, he wants to take him back. Kiyotaka tells him that the White Room was a good facility, offering great education and having him learnt many things but due to his insatiable curiosity, inquisitive spirit, and because he wants to decide his path my himself, he believes that there are things to learn outside of the White Room especially the things that his father deems were worthless. He also suspects that his father who had great influence outside of the school had only less influence in the school because the body guards who usually follow him are nowhere to be found, implying that to even enter the school his father had to make concessions. Finally his father asks him as to which he would prefer, to leave the school by his own will or to leave the school through force and to which Kiyotaka replies he doesn't intend to leave the school. They are then interrupted by the school's chairman Sakayanagi. Upon hearing the name, he thought about Arisu Sakayanagi and whether they had a connection. Chairman Sakayanagi greets Kiyotaka's father and says that it had already been 7-8 years since they last met, they discussed about how weird it was that Kiyotaka got to enter the school because normal applications to the school were just a farce so he shouldn't have been able to. Chairman Sakayanagi reveals that it was him who let Kiyotaka enroll. Kiyotaka's father then says that as a parent, he should be able to take out his school, but Sakayanagi replies normally that that was the case if the parents pay school fees or the student was having trouble in school like facing bullying but that was not the case for Kiyotaka so the school will protect the student's interest. Finally Kiyotaka's father leaves and says he won't be coming back again. With the chairman and Kiyotaka alone, Kiyotaka asks him several questions one regarding Arisu Sakayanagi who the chairman replies is his daughter which answers the question about why she knows about the white room and another about whether the school really selects students based on the evaluations and opinions of the middle schools and that applications were all fake. He confirms this and Kiyotaka then fully understood as to why students like Ike and Sudō or students with a hidden past like Karuizawa and Hirata can get in.

Kiyotaka leaves the reception room and meets Chabashira sensei who was waiting for him outside for them to talk. Kiyotaka tells her that he knows everything after talking to Chairman Sakayanagi, he knows that she has never talked to his father. More importantly, he also knows why he was placed in class D. Chairman Sakayanagi thought that because Chabashira sensei didn't seem to have any ambitions to raise her class, Kiyotaka could have a peaceful and quiet existence. However, due to the many irregular existences in her class this year like Horikita, Hirata and Kushida, her desire to reach class A which she had buried deep down came back, hence she threatened him before the survival island exam. He tells her that he has no more reason to help her for she can't do anything about it as she was a teacher and she cannot simply break the rules and expel him. They both part ways with Kiyotaka thinking about the situation ahead, he thought about losing his reason to aim for class A and that, at this point it doesn't matter if Karuizawa reveals his existence to Ryūen as even if he does nothing, it wouldn't affect the expected outcome. On the way back to the dorm, he overhears a 2nd year talking on the phone, and watches as she falls down. Kiyotaka goes to help her but she quickly gets up and leaves. Once she was out of view, he asks Karuizawa through a message if they could talk, after getting confirmation, he then calls her. He told her that he had lost the reason to aim for class A and that their relationship will end with this phone call. He apologises to her for getting her involved in all sorts of things especially with Ryūen. While they were talking, he spots a charm on the floor where the 2nd year fell. After hanging up the call, he then decides to head to the second year dormitory and give the charm to the manager there so that it can be returned back to the 2nd year whom he saw fall down. Once back in his room, he cleaned his room and boiled water. As he waits for the water to boil, he reflects on what has happened today, he thought about his conversation with Chabashira sensei and what he needs to do about Ryūen. As he was thinking, he hears someone calling his room from the front lobby. Since the call was coming from the front lobby, he deduced that it can't be his classmates. Horikita Manabu was coming to see him. He lets him in and Manabu tells him about the problem with Nagumo and how he had complete control over the second years and not just his class. He also tells him about how Nagumo went behind his back to gather information on Ichinose and how he forced her into the student council. Manabu came to request his help in dealing with Nagumo to protect the school traditions, but Kiyotaka doesn't know if they should be protected. Manabu tells him that if he wants to, he can just use Suzune as his face in the student council and work behind the scenes, but to no avail, Kiyotaka tells him he has no interest in it. Kiyotaka doesn't commit to doing anything just yet thus Manabu leaves but gives Kiyotaka his contact information and asks him to contact him if he wants to cooperate. Over the weekend, Kiyotaka spends time with the Ayanokōji group, heading to karaoke where they enjoy themselves, as they were heading back, they spotted an unlikely pair, Ichinose and Sakayanagi, the class leaders of Class B and A respectively. Once the pair parted ways with the group after exchanging a few words, Haruka expresses that she doesn't believe a perfect person like Ichinose actually exists. They discussed about the coming battles between the classes and Kiyotaka wonders what will happen when Class D reaches Class C and Class B becomes their enemy.

One day after school, Ryūen and his gang of people who specialized in violence, Daichi Ishizaki, Albert Yamada, Kyōgo Komiya and Reo Kondō visited the class D classroom. Chabashira who sees them, leaves the classroom as students from other classes were allowed to visit another class so no rule breaking was actually happening. Sudō asks them what they were doing here and Hirata intervenes to prevent a fight from breaking out and asks Ryūen what he wants with class D. Ryūen says he had come to give a proper warning as he looks around the class looking for someone. He barely glances at Hirata, Kiyotaka, Keisei and Akito and his eyes rested on someone Kiyotaka didn't expect being Kōenji. Kōenji who doesn't care about the situation simply leaves. This prompts Ryūen to signal his guys to follow him out and the class C students left afterwards. Worried about the situation, Akito, Keisei, Kiyotaka and Horikita follow them out. Hirata reading the situation follows them. Sudō wanting to protect Horikita follows them as well. Kiyotaka insisted Hirata to keep the class calm instead of following them as there were enough people, he agrees and returns back to the classroom. They searched for Kōenji by thinking about the places that he usually goes to after classes. While Horikita doesn't want Sudō there, he isn't willing to leave Horikita alone, Kiyotaka thought that him coming along was a good idea, due to the previous incident involving class C as that would be a deterrent for a fight breaking out. On the main street towards the dormitory, the group spotted the class C students who have met up with Mio Ibuki and also Kōenji. Ryūen wants to have a word with Kōenji and they moved to somewhere less conspicuous. At this point, Horikita interferes with Ryūen but he had already expected her to arrive along with everyone else in the group. He expresses that he thought Hirata would also be here as his sense of justice was so strong. Horikita tells him that not everything can go as to what he expects. Ryūen tells his gang to surround Kōenji and tells him that it was his fault that he didn't get more points from the cruise ship exam to which Kōenji apologises for. Kōenji who was unconcerned by the situation, takes out a mirror to check his hair because it has been windy for a while. He hands Ryūen the mirror and asks him to hold it for him, Ryūen takes the mirror and throws it away shattering on the floor. Horikita and Sudō went and pick up the broken shards of glass and while they were at it, more people arrived to the scene. Class A students, Hayato Kitō, Masayoshi Hashimoto and Kamuro led by Sakayanagi arrived and seemed to want to join in. Ryūen tells them not to interfere so Sakayanagi sits down on the nearby bench and watches them. Kōenji says he wants to leave if there was nothing else to discuss about but Ryūen says he still has questions for him. Kōenji then tells him that he was looking for the person interfering with Class C's plans behind the scenes in Class D, but says he was targeting the wrong person as he has no interest in Class C or even Class A and doesn't intend to do anything at all for the class battles. He says he just didn't want to waste time at meetings during the cruise ship exam so he finished it early by figuring out who the VIP was in their group. He also calls Ryūen "Dragon Boy" which greatly amuses Sakayanagi who says that it was a wonderful name to which annoys Ryūen. Sakayanagi now began to question Ryūen if this X really existed and began to tell him that maybe he was in the wrong. She reveals the contract between class C and A regarding the transfer of 20,000 private points per person in exchange for the points in the island survival exam. Ryūen says that he will not be in trouble if the details were to leak and that she will as to which she responds back that the contract was made by Katsuragi and that it has nothing to do with her as she wasn't present on the island and could avoid taking responsibility for the decision. This made Sudō grumble after knowing that class C had a guaranteed monthly allowance. Kiyotaka thinks that at this point, Sakayanagi probably had full control of class A. As they were arguing about the contract, Kōenji tells them if they were already finished for he had wasted enough time listening to their meaningless drivel. As Ryūen tells him that he hasn't answered his question yet, Kōenji then tells him that it would be better if he won't tell him about it as he doesn't wish to rob him of his fun. As Kōenji insulted class A and class C as boring, Ishizaki tried to raise his fists but then was stopped by Sakayanagi who had simply sat on the sidelines. She then calls Ryūen "Dragon Boy" which causes Ryūen to attempt to kick Sakayanagi in the face, but was then intercepted by Hashimoto. Horikita says that that was as far as it goes, but Sakayanagi says nothing had happened. Finally Ryūen asks Kōenji one final question, who does he think X was. Kōenji says he doesn't care about anyone in here or in the class to which Sakayanagi takes offense with and questions Kōenji about whether he means to include her. He calls her "Little Girl" to which she doesn't like. With the line of questioning over, Kōenji leaves with the scene over. The class A students had also left after him. Ryūen says that today he was able to reduce his list of suspects as he leaves and Class D was stuck wondering what he was up to. Kiyotaka thinks that Ryūen's preparations were almost complete as the class D students headed back to tell Hirata what happened.

On the last day of term, Kiyotaka receives a message telling him that he is going to go after Karuizawa today. Karuizawa herself sends Kiyotaka a message about Ryūen wanting to see her on the rooftop at 2pm later that day. She tries to send him a signal in the classroom after the day ends, he meets her eyes and she looks relieved before leaving with her friends. The Ayanokōji group decide to meet up at Keyaki mall, while Kiyotaka was preparing to leave, Satō approaches him and asks him out one more time. Since he already had plans, he turns her down again. Feeling bad about rejecting her twice in a row, he tells her he has no plans over the term break so he can go out with her during that time. When he leaves the classroom, the Ayanokōji group is waiting for him, they all questioned him about what was going on with Satō and Keisei is apparently unhappy with the development. Akito notices that no one was following them today as they head towards the mall. Kiyotaka thinks that since everything was ending today, there was no more need for Ryūen to send his goons to follow them anymore. A little while later close to 2pm, Kiyotaka excuses himself from the Ayanokōji group, while Airi was a little sad that he was leaving, Kiyotaka thinks that she doesn't need him anymore to have a place in the group. He heads back towards the school and calls Chabashira sensei asking her to meet with him in the classroom. At the classroom, Kiyotaka asks for help in dealing with Ryūen who was about to bully Karuizawa which might lead her to resign from the school. Chabashira says she cannot interfere with the students directly. To which Kiyotaka threatens to interfere with Class D's attempts to get to class A, she replies that it was still not his turn to threaten her. Kiyotaka tells her that he was just joking saying that he never had expected her to help, he just wants to to watch over them and asks if she will follow him. As they wait in the hallway near the roof, Kiyotaka guess that Karuizawa was being bullied repeatedly, by having buckets of cold water thrown over her as he sees Ishizaki carry buckets of water to the roof. Since 30 minutes had already passed since 2pm, he was surprised to see Ishizaki still carrying buckets of water up, thinking that this development was not what he was expecting. He thinks that he could go up now but he already had a planned time to go up and going too early or too late would not be beneficial for his plans so he asks Chabashira sensei to speak with him for a little while. They talk about the school's system of using points and wonders if they had a planned guideline in place for any situation that may occur, Chabashira says she cannot answer that because she is a teacher, but Kiyotaka can infer the truth from the way she acts and replies to his questions. He surmises that there were guidelines in place for the use of private points, he understands from seeing the amount of points Ryūen and Ichinose have been accumulating. She finally replies as he guesses the truth that the truth is the teachers themselves do not know how far the points can be used for hence she 'can't answer'. Once they finish the conversation, Kiyotaka says it's time to go and finishes this game of hide and seek. He checks the time and asks someone to come to his location immediately. Chabashira says she she doesn't intend to interfere calling someone else would be a good idea. He says he is going up, which surprises Chabashira who says if he does then his peaceful life will be soon over. He thinks that even if he doesn't go, his peaceful life would still end at some point. Chabashira sensei then tells him she was wrong for trying to use him after hearing about him from Chairman Sakayanagi, and asks if he was really stepping down from raising the class up, he says yes but tells her she should watch over the class properly because even without him, Horikita can do a good job with bringing the class together. Moments later, the person he messaged before had now arrived, Manabu Horikita as to which surprises Chabashira. Manabu tells him to not forget about the promise that he had made. Kiyotaka tells him that all he needs to do is stay outside as a witness and memorize the faces of the people that comes out. It was also for people to be aware of his presence.

As he climbs the stairs, he meets Albert who was guarding the entrance to the rooftop. He first speaks to him in Japanese but to no avail, gets no response, so he tried English next, telling him that he was the one they have been looking for. This grabs his attention and Albert then grabbed his phone to send a message to Ryūen, Kiyotaka tells him to let him through and follow him because without him, Ryūen has no chance of winning. When he reached the roof, he first checks that the camera on the roof had already been dealt with, he sees that it hass been covered by black spray paint. Karuizawa was surprised to see him, he apologises to her for being late. Ibuki can't seem to believe that he was X so she tries to convince Ryūen that he wasn't. Ishizaki also doesn't seem to believe that Kiyotaka was X but Ryūen was convinced. In order to convince Ibuki, he explains to her what he did in the island exam as proof that he was X. From how he used water to short-circuit the camera without causing visible damage and how she knew Ibuki had a wireless transceiver to communicate with Ryūen. As they started to believe it, they discussed to themselves about what to do. Ryūen asks him why he would show up when the best thing to do would have been to leave Karuizawa as in either situation, his identity would have been revealed sooner or later and he wonders what kind of plan he has to come up here as he was surrounded by enemies. Kiyotaka responds back with a question asking if this was supposed to be a terrible situation for him. Kiyotaka explains that he was here because Karuizawa asked for his help and that was all. Ryūen then threatens him by saying he will reveal his identity to everyone, he also tells him that even if everything that happened here is revealed the one who would receive the most damage would be Karuizawa and him, his identity would be revealed and her past of being bullied would have been revealed. However, in a show of strength, Karuizawa says if Kiyotaka is exposed then she is fine being exposed too. Kiyotaka then asks if they can leave since being exposed is what they all decided, but he reveals that he doesn't expect Ryūen to accept that conclusion as that's he's not the type of person to leave things be.

Ryūen grabs Karuizawa by the hair and tells her that now that Kiyotaka was already here, her role was now over and then shoved her aside as he was losing interest in her. As Ryūen was about to strike, Ibuki drew level, saying that his actions might put a risk to class C. After opposing to him, she received a smack, causing her to be silent. Ryūen then tells Albert to close the door and asks Kiyotaka on how he could escape the predicament that he was in. Kiyotaka gives a provocative answer, causing Ryūen to laugh while he orders Ishizaki to attack Kiyotaka. Ishizaki tries to refuse but then reluctantly agrees, throwing Kiyotaka a sloppy punch. Kiyotaka easily catches his punch and squeezes his fist, causing Ishizaki's face to go taut and his knees tremble, due to the pain, he soon crumbled to the floor. Albert seeing the situation, intervenes, but his attack was once again caught by Kiyotaka. As Kiyotaka received Albert's punch, an almost-electric jolt travelled from his elbow all the way to his shoulders. Realising it hurts, Kiyotaka hits him back in the stomach but had only dealt minimal damage. He tried to hit him in the solar plexus and as Albert realized it, he twisted away to evade it. Unluckily, it was just a feint and Kiyotaka quickly jabbed his throat, making him gurgle in pain. Ishizaki attacks again but was easily dispatched by Kiyotaka as he kicks him in his left knee, causing him to fall. He also kicked Albert's face while he had fallen on his knees, also using his momentum to punch Ishizaki in the jaw on the return causing him to collapse and silencing everyone on the rooftop. Ibuki who had learnt martial arts tried to kick Kiyotaka, he expressed that it was not surprising that she had beaten Horikita, but even she was taken out easily after getting slammed to the ground by him after evading all of her kicks with ease. Ryūen says he had underestimated Kiyotaka and begins to attack Kiyotaka who dodges most of his attacks but when Ryūen started talking about how he hasn't felt fear before, Kiyotaka takes a few hits from him to taste what fear was but even after taking all those hits, he could only feel pain. Ryūen wonders if Kiyotaka had even felt fear believing that he hasn't, but Kiyotaka thinks that he used to feel fear when he saw people break around him, but he learnt that as long as he doesn’t lose, he wouldn't feel that feeling. Kiyotaka reveals that everything had happened just as planned and that even the fight they were having was exactly just as he wanted and that Ryūen this whole time was simply dancing on the palm of his hand. Ever since he used Manabe as a spy, he knew it would come to this. As he plays around with Ryūen, Ryūen asks why someone as powerful as Kiyotaka is happy to be treated as a normal person if he had any ambitions. Finally bored with the fight, Kiyotaka thinks he had made a miscalculation, Ryūen wouldn't be able to feel their difference in power because he did not know what fear was, so Kiyotaka quickly overpowers him and gets on top of him when he knocked Ryūen down, repeatedly showering him with hard punches. While Ryūen was resisting and laughing at the situation, Kiyotaka continues to shower him with punches until he sees the fear in Ryūen. Once he was done teaching Ryūen what fear was, he thinks he shouldn't waste too much time as he can't bear to leave Karuizawa alone anymore.

Kiyotaka goes to check on Karuizawa, who was shivering from being drenched and being exposed to the winter winds, he asks if she was hurt but she tells him that she was just cold. He asks if she was now disillusioned by him, she says of course because he tricked her in the first place by setting up the trap that made Manabe, attack her. He asks why she didn't give his name up even then, and she replies that she did for the sake of herself. She falls into him as her exhaustion catches up to her and tells him how scared she was. Once again, he promises that he will save her the next time she will be in trouble. He starts to think about Karuizawa and how he knows that she won't easily betray him, revealing that if she did betray him, he would have used her guilt to control her further. He thinks that letting her go would be a waste as she was a valuable pawn and that he intends to make sure she stayed under his full control. He tells her that Chabashira sensei and Manabu were waiting for her downstairs and tells her that she should go first for he still got a few things to tidy up there and that going out together would be a bad idea. As she left the roof, Kiyotaka slapped the cheeks of the 4 unconscious students as he tries to wake up everyone leaving Ryūen for last. While Ryūen still had some of his arrogant and unyielding attitude, he loses it after being asked by Kiyotaka if he wanted to be hit by him again. Kiyotaka tells him that he made a mistake choosing the order of his foes. Kiyotaka then tells him that if he had cut his teeth fighting Ichinose, then Katsuragi, and then Sakayanagi, he might have been closer to his level by the time he chose to challenge him. Kiyotaka tells him that he was willing to take him on anytime but he would prefer for the latter to target someone else as he just wants to fade into the background. He also informs him that Manabu was waiting downstairs as a witness to what had happened there and he also has informed them that he has alibis and evidence that he was at Keyaki Mall when the cameras on the roof went down. With Manabu there, even if Ryūen revealed everything to the school, he would just receive the most damage, getting everyone up here in trouble as well. Therefore, Kiyotaka proposes that they will just make everything that had happened on the roof as a secret, but Ryūen doesn't believe him so he says he will take all the blame on himself and that he'll accept expulsion as for his defeat. He tries to transfer all his points to Ibuki to which he passes to her his phone. He tells the remaining class C guys to handle things from now on, saying he will leave the school on his own accord. As he tries to leave, Kiyotaka stops him, telling him that he won't grow if he'll just give up here. Ryūen asks why he is stopping him and gets a response that the contract he had for Katsuragi will hurt class A while he can also help class D deal with class B and A for him. Most importantly, if Ryūen suddenly disappears, Ichinose and Sakayanagi will probably start to focus on X. Kiyotaka tells him that he doesn't intend to tell anyone about what had happened there and neither does Manabu. Ryūen says he won't be that naive and leaves. The next day Ryūen meets Ibuki who asks him if he really intends to quit after one loss. She tries to dissuade him but fails. He goes to see Sakagami, the class C homeroom teacher, admitting to the fact that he was the one who sprayed black paint to the camera on the rooftop, which Sakagami says is contradictory as someone from class D had already claimed responsibility from it. Ryūen thinks it was Kiyotaka who did it. Ryūen then tells Sakagami that he will be resigning from the school. Sakagami then tells him that if he were to resign, Albert and Ishizaki will both then resign from the school as well. Ryūen wonders if it was Kiyotaka who gave them the idea to stop him from resigning. He gives up trying to resign as it would be meaningless if Ishizaki and Albert would also resign. Rumours started spreading around the school about Ryūen dropping down from being the leader of his class. Ryūen was now living a quiet life like what Kiyotaka did at the start of school. Kiyotaka wonders what Ryūen will learn from this. He doesn't know about it but he confirms that Ryūen was indeed similar to him.

Volume 7.5
On the 25th of December, Kiyotaka was getting ready to go out. He thinks that on Christmas, most people are most likely spending the day with their families or loved ones. He guesses that at this school, there will probably be many students spending today with their loved ones too. He opens the window of his room and hears the sounds of some girls talking and laughing and thinks that they seem to be heading to Keyaki Mall as well. Kiyotaka checks the time and sees that it is already past 11 and he should go now since today is the day for his date with Maya Satō, he wonders if anything will change today for him today. He laments that this day must be significant to him because if it wasn't, he wouldn't have considered going to the date. He continues to wonder if he will experience what is it to like someone, to have someone who is important to him, someone who will become irreplaceable to him. He wonders if something like that is possible for him. As he leaves, he thinks back to what happened two days ago on the 23rd of December.

On the 23rd of December, he goes to Keyaki Mall early to buy something for a girl. He makes sure to get the best product and buys two kinds of it using reviews from the internet and by asking the stores staff. He then heads back to the dormitory where he meets Sakayanagi who was waiting for Kamuro to go out together. Sakayanagi asks if he is feeling ill when she sees the item he had bought earlier at Keyaki Mall, he tells her he isn't. They start talking about what happened with Ryūen just a day before. Kiyotaka thinks it's not weird that the rumours have already spread this fast even though the only people who should have known are the students involved on the roof top. Sakayanagi tells him that the rumours are that Ryūen got into a fight with the people in his class, but she thinks that that's a bit wrong and that she thinks it was Kiyotaka who fought him. However, he replies that as she can see, he is perfectly fine and hasn't gotten into any fight. She starts by asking if she wants to battle with her, he says he would rather avoid that then she says she has other methods to make him fight her. She then starts to tell him about her plan to destroy Ichinose because she feels bored that class C and D where having such an interesting battle. Kiyotaka thinking that if Sakayanagi focuses on Ichinose he won't have to fight her, riles her up by getting telling her he knows that her father is the chairman and perhaps she isn't that smart and got into the school because of him. Sakayanagi turns this back on him asking him if he isn't being just arrogant because he is a success story of the white room and that because of the white room he both has incredible knowledge and physical skills. She tells if it's her job as a real genius who doesn't need the white room whose job is the create geniuses to defeat Kiyotaka. Kamuro then arrives, telling Sakayanagi not to wander from their meeting place. They start talking about what kind of person Ichinose is, before Kamuro and Kiyotaka both agree she is a nice person who is hard to attack because she doesn't really have weak points, but Sakayanagi replies every has weak points and reveals Ichinose has a secret that is the same as Kamuro's. She says that she got the information via cold reading Ichinose, but Kiyotaka thinks she probably used both hot reading. He then approached her to confirm with cold reading. As Sakayanagi leaves she observes that from Kamuro attitude that she has already met Kiyotaka but doesn't do anything because she says she is in a good mood. Kiyotaka thinks that from this conversation, Sakayanagi is not likely to spread the knowledge about his past as she wants to beat him herself. He also says he originally wanted to give the things he bought to the girl but saw that she was feeling well enough to go out since he saw her earlier when he was leaving the mall. With no more plans for the day, he decides to go watch a movie.

Kiyotaka goes to the movie theatre along to watch some B-movie. He narrates that since coming to school he gained interest in watching movies. He picks a set near the centre of the theatre and is surprised to see so many sets of 2 taken, as the movie isn't some romance or Christmas movie. When he goes to his set he mentions how he enjoys going early to see the previews of upcoming movies. When he reaches his seat, there is a couple to his right but the seat on his left is empty. When the lights have dimmed he notices someone else coming along to watch the movie, that person is Mio Ibuki who he previous knock unconscious on the roof the previous day. She sets down next to him but doesn't notice Kiyotaka. Unfortunately, for him Ibuki doesn't realise that he is already using the armrest on the left, and he attempts to use it too and their arms touch causing her to notice him. Ibuki is annoyed at seeing him and is constant watching him as the movie plays. Kiyotaka notices that he is used to being observed in the white room so he ignored her and focuses on the movie. However, at the climax of the movie the screen blacks out and there is an announcement that they are experiencing technical issues from the staff. They finally talk a little about Kiyotaka's past actions and Ibuki is annoyed that he made a fool of her by tricking her. He tells her that's power, and that you should always be aware of the difference in power between your opponents. He tells her unlike the rest he isn't interested in the class battles but she replies that his past actions have been to help his class which contradicts his statement. With atmosphere between them both sour, they turn their attention back to the screen and wait. After 20 mins, they are still waiting, while many other students have already left Ibuki and Kiyotaka have not. Ibuki tells him that she doesn't want to leave before him. While Kiyotaka is interested in the ending of the show but doesn't want to simply check how it ends online. Unfortunately for him, the movie screening is cancelled and they both leave the theatre. As they part ways outside the theatre, Ibuki grabs Kiyotaka and drags him into the corner to hide. She tells him Ishizaki is coming and they hide from him, Kondo and Komiya. They overhear them talk about what happen with Ryūen and Ishizaki says his leadership is over and from now on maybe Kaneda will be making the plans. Once Ishizaki is gone, Ibuki and Kiyotaka start talking when Ibuki says that Ishizaki told her that Ryūen didn't resign from the school, she asks if Kiyotaka has anything to do with that, to which he just denies it. Finally she can't take it anymore and asks Kiyotaka to fight her one more time. Kiyotaka thinks that Mio who is confident in her fighting ability cannot accept defeat and also doesn't understand the difference between males and females in terms of fighting strength although he thinks that she would beat any guy who didn't have the same experience in martial arts as her. He accepts the condition as he doesn't think she will back down and asks if she is free now. He tells her he will only accept the fight now and if they can't find a place that isn't filled with people or cameras they should give up. As they walk around, Ibuki finds a store room filled with drug store goods that is only for staff which the has been left open and enters it. Unfortunately, the door cannot be opened from the inside due as a safety precaution for stealing and they are trapped there. In the end, they decide to have their fight there and Ibuki sets the rules. That the match is only over when one side gives up Kiyotaka agrees only if he can set one condition, if he wins Ibuki can never bother him with any more personal battles any more. Ibuki starts by launching a flurry of kicks, which Kiyo blocks as dodging is hard with all the goods around that he doesn't want damaged. He strikes her in the forehead with an open palm from his less dominant left hand which almost knocks her out, then she continues to attack finally he grabs her by the neck and she is unable to move, he tells her that he should know by watching Ryūen already and she gives up. She asks him why he is so strong and he tells her he trained a lot, Ibuki doesn't really believe his answer. Now they decide to get out of the trapped room, Kiyotaka who remembered the name of the staff who left the door open calls the drug store and asks for him by name. He pretends that Ibuki is his girlfriend and they wanted to fool around in the room. The staff member leaves them after scolding them for going in but doesn't report it as it was his duty to close the room so he was also at fault. Ibuki promises to not battle him anymore as they part ways.

On the way back to the dormitories, Kiyotaka spots Shinohara, Satō and Matsushita and decides to follow them because he thinks he might get some information. He overhears them talking about not having boyfriends as he follows them but when his name comes up when the other girls question Satō, he decides he doesn't want to hear and takes some distance. He walks around the book store and sports Ryūen looking at book on science, he is impressed that after one day he is already walking around but decides not to approach him yet. As he is looking around the book store. He sees Shinohara alone and guesses that the other 2 girls have gone to the toilet. As he observes Shinohara, he sees 2 upperclassmen comes over to her, a couple and the female upperclassman begins to harass Shinohara due to them bumping into each other earlier, and the upperclassman feeling that Shinohara gave her a dirty look after. As the commotion looks to escalate, Kiyotaka is about to go and help but Ike appears and intervenes telling the upperclassman that Shinohara always looks angry and gives mean looks, he also says he saw a teacher around here. This prompts the male upperclassman, who Kiyotaka recognises as the guy he bought the mid-term tests for back in the first term, to take his girlfriend away. Shinohara thanks Ike but wishes he could have solved it better, Ike leaves but tells Shinohara to enjoy her 'boyfriend-less' Christmas which makes her made. When Satō and Matsushita return and determining that he won't receive any useful information, Kiyotaka leaves the book store and goes home. Back at home, he receives a call from Haruka later at night, who tells him that the group will be having a party on Christmas day, but Kiyotaka tells her he already has plans. Being Christmas day, Haruka asked him what he plans on doing on Christmas day, deciding it's better to tell the truth compared to having to explain it if they run into each other on Christmas day, he tells her he is going to go out with Satō. Haruka thinks that he needs to think of an excuse for Airi for not joining the party that day because if she sees Kiyotaka and Satō she might faint. While she thinks fainting is too much, if it's Airi it might happen and he thinks that he needs to be careful if not she will become depressed. Sensing Kiyotaka's change in atmosphere when Haruka asks about Airi she asks him if he knows about Airi's feelings. Kiyotaka confirms this, which makes Haruka think, he isn't that dense. Kiyotaka thinks that Airi is like a little chick taking her first steps in the world, and that it was always likely she would like him as he was the first guy she ever talked to, he thinks that he she starts to get used to more people and meet other people those feelings of hers might change. He apologizes for not being able to join but Haruka says it's fine as the group was never meant to force them to join all their activities. That same night, he also calls Karuizawa to ask her to pass him information on Satō but he doesn't express any concern for her after what she endured on the roof which angers her.

On Christmas eve, 24th of December Kiyotaka has made plans to meet 2 guys. One of which he asks to meet, and the other one wants to meet him. He meets the first guy at an area near Keyaki Mall where there are benches at about 7 in the morning. It is currently snowing and the forecast says that it will snow for the rest of the day. He sits down on a bench and the person he is meeting Ryūen appears and takes a different bench. They discuss about what Ryūen is going to do from now on, and how Kiyotaka stopped him from resigning from the school. Kiyotaka thinks that Ryūen has a lot of potential and gives him some advice. He tells him that he shouldn't follow the obvious order of which classes to attack and he can attack any class. Ryūen says that even if he beats every other class there isn't any point because Kiyotaka is around. Kiyotaka tells hims insider information about Sakayanagi intended to attack Ichinose during the next term, telling him that it is his chance to attack Class A. Ryūen asks Kiyotaka if this information is accurate he replies about 50-50. They also talk about the problem in class D, Kushida who wants to expel Horikita. Kiyotaka tells Ryūen that class D who will become class C in the new term may drop back to class D because Kiyotaka wants to expel Kushida. They both agree thought that Kushida would be a very useful asset in the coming class battles. Finally, Kiyotaka asks about Ryūen's plan to save enough points to transfer all his classmates to class A. Kiyotaka at first thinks it's unfeasible but upon recalculation he says that the plan has about 5% chance of succeeding and isn't a plan he would come with because of how low the chances are, Ryūen says while they are similar that is where they differ. Ryūen finally asks Kiyotaka why he is letting the snow pile up on his head, but he replies he just wanted to feel what it felt like. Based on their earlier discussion, they both agree to a cease fire between their classes for the coming term. Kiyotaka asks if Ryūen intends to work behind the scenes of class C but he says he intends to leave it up to both Shiina and Kaneda. They shake on their agreement. The second person who Kiyotaka was supposed to meet, Manabu the previous student council president turns up and is surprised to see Ryūen there. Ryūen challenges Manabu to a fight, throwing snow in his face and aiming for his stomach, but Manabu easily blocks it, Ryūen says he thought Manabu was just a smart guy, impressed with his fighting ability. Kiyotaka thinks that the reason they asked them to meet at such close timings was so the 2 of them would be able to meet. Manabu then begins to tell them about the promise they made for his help on the rooftop. Manabu wants Kiyotaka to stop Nagumo from going out of control, he tells them that Nagumo has expel around 17 students that were in his way and has gained control of his entire year. On top of that due to his new position as student council president he has the right to set special exams, saying that the island survival exam was previously thought of by a former student council president. While both Ryūen and Kiyotaka both don't think that Nagumo's methods are particularly right or wrong they hear Manabu out. After hearing enough, Ryūen leaves saying he doesn't want to be brought into the situation and leaves. Manabu asks if Kiyotaka wants to make Ryūen his ally but Kiyotaka tells him his goal was mainly to get himself out of Ryūen sights. Kiyotaka says in order to take down Nagumo, he needs data. Manabu says of course, and provides him with all the data he has collected with faces and names on the student council members. He aslo tells him that there is someone in the 2nd years who opposes Nagumo and he wants to tell that person Kiyotaka's name. Kiyotaka says that he definitely doesn't want to join the student council but Kiyotaka doesn't mind if the 2nd year student knows his name, he does that thinking that since there are people who already know his true abilities there is no more merit in trying to hide them completely. Before Manabu leaves Kiyotaka asks him about his sister, Manabu says he can use her however he wants. But what Kiyotaka wants to know is why he is so cold to her responds that he should already know she possesses good abilities, Manabu says he knows but she is only aiming for Manabu and that's the problem. Kiyotaka calls it a problem of 'Final Station', and confirms that Horikita will have Manabu's recommendation if she wants to join the student council.

Having met the 2 people he had planned on meeting, Kiyotaka goes back to his room and passes some time before decided to talk to Horikita about joining the school council, he messages her but she has already gone out she asks him to meet her at the café if she wants to talk and he agrees. At the café, he is surprised to see Kushida with Horikita and asks who invited whom. Horikita says she invited Kushida and Kiyotaka thinks that she is working hard on making Kushida an ally. Kiyotaka tries to leave since Kushida is also present, not wanting to talk about the Nagumo issue, but Horikita forces him to talk saying that Kushida is an ally. In the end, he decides to simply ask if Horikita would join the student council, not wanting to talk about Nagumo in front of Kushida. He tells her that her brother wants her to do it, which Horikita doesn't believe so he simply asks her to call him to confirm. She says she doesn't have his number so Kushida offers to ask Tachibana who was Manabu's secretary as she has met had many times. She receives the number and Horikita calls Manabu while being extremely nervous. Manabu confirms that he wants her to join the student council but he declines to join, Horikita is then annoyed that Kiyotaka is the person connected her to her brother. Having finished half of what he wanted to talk about, Kiyotaka leaves the 2 girls. Later that night, Airi visits Kiyotaka's room around 10pm, having been out with Haruka all day. She wants to hand him a present, because he won't be around at the Ayanokōji Groups party tomorrow. He receives a pair of winter gloves from her since he said he wanted gloves. Kiyotaka is glad that Airi seems to be doing fine with the Ayanokōji group even without him he also thinks that he would have invited her in for a drink if it wasn't so late or Christmas eve as he sees her off.

On the 25th of December, as Kiyotaka prepares for his date, he thinks that today is the day for his first even date and wonders what he will learn from this experience. Kiyotaka meets Satō in the lobby. She teases him about being excited about the date because he arrived at the meeting place first and was early. Kiyotaka plainly tells her he actually just arrived. Since they were both ready, Kiyotaka suggest that they leave for the movie that they had planned on seeing. However, Satō is hesitant to leave, which makes Kiyotaka slightly suspicious. Satō says she can't find her phone and starts rummaging around her bag for it, as she is looking for her phone, Kiyotaka spots a wrapped package in her bag, thinking that it's rude to stare at it too long, he offers to call her phone for her to help her find it. Satō remarks how kind he is to help her, but he tells her anyone in the same position would have done the same. Once again Kiyotaka suggest they should start leaving, but Satō is slightly hesitant. Suddenly the lift opens revealing Karuizawa and Hirata. Spotting Satō and Kiyotaka they mention that seeing the pair of them together is a slightly weird. In response, Kiyotaka asks if they are going on a date. This prompts Karuizawa to ask if Kiyotaka and Satō are going on a dating each other, saying that going out on Christmas would cause people to see them as a couple, which suddenly causes Satō to be worried about inviting Kiyotaka out on such an important they for couples, Kiyotaka plainly replies if he didn't like it he would have rejected her offer of going out today causing her to become embarrassed. Karuizawa teases Kiyotaka for liking Satō, she suddenly suggests that the 4 of them go on a double date, as Karuizawa and Satō talk about a double date, they both seem to be excited about the prospect of it. Hirata thinks that they shouldn't interfere as they would each have their own plans and suddenly joining them would be difficult but, Karuizawa insist that it will be interesting continues strongly suggesting that they should have a double date. Hirata relents and says that if it's okay with Satō and Kiyotaka then it is okay with him. Satō says it sounds interesting and hands the baton to Kiyotaka. Kiyotaka thinks many different things, especially about which choice would be better, or how feasible would it be to suddenly add more people to their already made plans. With him as the last person to decide, he finds it hard to say no so he goes along with the double date. With that decided, Karuizawa asks them what they were planning to do first, Satō tells her they were planning to go watch a movie, Karuizawa tells them that they were going to watch the same movie. They check the reserved tickets and find that they are watching the same screening. Kiyotaka thinks that is too much of a coincidence but since the seats were not next to each other, he thinks maybe they were just lucky.

The 4 of them start making their way towards, Keyaki Mall. Along the way, Karuizawa continues to tease Kiyotaka about them looking like a couple saying that maybe they have just been hiding their relationship. Satō denies it again, and Karuizawa confirms that Satō doesn't have a boyfriend which Satō confirms. Kiyotaka finally understands Karuizawa's intentions, he realises that the double date idea was probably pre-planned. He thinks that right now the problem is he doesn't really no what to talk about with Satō so there is a long silence as they are walking. Karuizawa gives him a look which only lasts for 1 second, and Kiyotaka guesses that what she is trying to tell him is that: 'Isn't it tough always pretending to calm and collected'. With just his eyes alone, he replies that he doesn't really know what to talk about, Kiyotaka thinks that what Karuizawa was saying was just his imagination and might not be right. As it turns out, Karuizawa receives his message and asks Satō if maybe Kiyotaka doesn't know what to talk about. Hearing this, Satō starts talking about what she likes such as Idols and what kind of music. When Kiyotaka is asks what kind of music he likes, he thinks answering with classical musicians would be a bad answer so he talks about a song he heard in a popular movie. His answer makes Satō happy and she offers to lend him a CD of the artist sometime. The conversation shifts to club activities, Satō compliments Kiyotaka's speed and that he was faster than Manabu at the sports festival. Karuizawa interjects and says Kiyotaka was slower and maybe he just ran with someone slow. She further says, that Kiyotaka looks weak in a fight and is probably a heartless person who doesn't check up on people precious to him who could be sick in bed. Kiyotaka thinks she sounds really angry when she says it, but Satō defends him saying she believes that Kiyotaka is very kind and wouldn't do something like that, Hirata agrees with Satō and Karuizawa replies that if only she thinks that, she becomes the bad guy. From her words, Kiyotaka thinks she maybe proposed the double date as revenge so she could interfere in his relationship. Satō then asks if Kiyotaka is troubled with the school rules of no contact with the outside world. She tells him that she misses her pet back at home, and wishes she could keep a pet at school, while they are talking happily about pets, Kiyotaka is thinking about why the rules don't allow pets, he realises his musings are useless and that girls don't want to hear about his logic. As the conversation progresses, Satō wants to ask a question, but can't seem to get it out. Karuizawa jumps in and asks what kind of girl does Kiyotaka like, Satō agrees with her and tells him she wants to know too. He says he likes cheerful girls, which surprises Satō. He thinks since both Karuizawa and Satō are cheerful girls him saying that would not affect them. Karuizawa then asks if maybe he likes girls that are both cheerful and adult like. He replies that since he is the quiet type he thinks it's better to have someone who can pull along the conversation. Then Karuizawa asks how he feels about Horikita, Kiyotaka thinks her question is weird because Karuizawa is one of the few people who knows what he relationship with Horikita is, and looking at Satō he thinks that she wants to hear the answer. He then realizes that Karuizawa is asking questions on Satō's behalf to help her, but he still doesn't know whose idea it was to go on a double date. Karuizawa begins attack Kiyotaka by insinuating that maybe he is just keeping Satō around because he can't get Horikita. He asks if he seems like that kind of person who is skilful enough to do that. Karuizawa says he is but Satō defends him saying he isn't like that. Seeing that Karuizawa agrees but follows up with another attack asking if about how close he is to Kushida and how most guys want to date her. Kiyotaka deflects the question by asking Hirata if he wants to date Kushida. Hirata saves him by once again confirming with him that right now he isn't interested in anyone. Kiyotaka praises Hirata for saving his ass from the line of questioning. At that moment, someone ask for the 4 of them. They are approached by Nagumo the current president of the student council, who has brought with him, the vice president Ikuto Kiriyama and some members of the student council including Ichinose. Nagumo wants to have a word with Kiyotaka because he is interested in him, and Hirata who knows Nagumo from the soccer club, asks what he wants with Kiyotaka. Due to his position, the 4 1st years find it hard to deny the request. Nagumo asks his friends to go on ahead, and they talk about how fast Kiyotaka is wanting to test Kiyotaka further, Nagumo grabs Kiyotaka by the arm. This surprising everyone but Karuizawa is the first to react, to defuse the situation, telling Nagumo that his face is scary while laughing. Nagumo apologises for scary her but doesn't release Kiyotaka, he tells him if Manabu sees something in Kiyotaka, he must be right because Nagumo rates Manabu very highly. Nagumo asks Kiyotaka to be his playmate after Manabu graduates from the school since he will get bored. Kiyotaka asks one question before he leaves, what kind of changes was he going to make with the school. Nagumo tells him that he wants to make the exam more like virtual games, with that he leaves. Satō says he is amazing since the student council president has his eyes on him, but Karuizawa says Hirata is much better and is smarter, which leads to Satō defending Kiyotaka. He then thinks that the plan for the rest of the day, Karuizawa is going to continue putting him down so Satō can bring him.

At the movie theatre, the girls go to the toilet leaving Hirata and Kiyotaka alone. Hirata thanks Kiyotaka who his help with Karuizawa but Kiyotaka replies he hasn't done anything worthy of thanks. Hirata also thinks that very soon Karuizawa won't need him anymore because she hasn't needed him in a long time, although today was a surprise. Kiyotaka thinks that Hirata has 0 feelings towards Karuizawa and is simply looking out for everyone's interest. Hirata asks if Kiyotaka is going to start dating Satō after this, he is about to say no but changes his mind and says he doesn't no yet. Hirata thinks finding someone to date will be good for him and that the reason he hasn't found anyone is not because he isn't popular but because he hasn't found anyone he wants to date yet. They change the conversation to Nagumo, as Kiyotaka wants to learn more about him, Hirata tells him he has many good ideas during his time in the soccer club, but apparently students who didn't agree with his ideas were not only forced out of the club but also the school. Hirata asks if Kiyotaka is planning to join the student council but he says not at all. They are discussing class D and whether they can work together to aim for class A as a class before the girls return ending the conversation. After the movie, the 4 head for lunch and decide to do a round robin of questions. Karuizawa starts by asking him, if he has dated anyone, thinking that he would sound lame if he sound he hasn't dated anybody, he says he isn't dating anyone now. Karuizawa points out that only those who haven't ever dated anyone adds now and confirms it by asking again but this time asking if he has dated anyone in the past. He says no, Satō look happy at his answer and says that it's all right it he has dated anyone before. Satō asks the next question, what kind of hair styles does he prefer, he says it depends on whether it suits the person. Which Karuizawa says is just a model answer, Hirata comes in and says that he thinks that's best too. Satō agrees with his answer and Karuizawa acting as a ideal girlfriend agrees with Hirata. Now it's Kiyotaka turn to ask a question but instead of asking Satō a question he wants to know if Hirata is aware that he is popular. Karuizawa calls him out on it, but they reach the restaurant before they can continue. At lunch Kiyotaka is amazed that the table is set for 4, Karuizawa says they requested them to add more people while they were in the toilet, Karuizawa proudly says that she is an expert in these things. Kiyotaka calls her a liar using his eyes, and Karuizawa shots him a look back which Kiyotaka imagines is her saying that she doesn't want to hear that from someone has has never dated anyone before. They continue the questioning from before and Kiyotaka asks Satō what her interests are. She says she is into fashion design, and hopes to get a job in fashion if she can graduate from class A, Kiyotaka and Karuizawa both say they will probably continue studying.

After lunch and hanging around the mall, after Karuizawa and Satō exchange some signals, Karuizawa and Hirata leave to return to the dormitories first. Satō ask if they can walk around a little bit more. Satō asks if he enjoyed himself today, he says yes, but she doubts it because he didn't laugh or smile once the whole day. He tries to convince by saying he just isn't used to smiling but he really enjoyed himself. Kiyotaka thinks he enjoyed himself and hopes that the day won't end on a sad note. As the atmosphere becomes quieter, Satō decides to confess to Kiyotaka. However, Kiyotaka rejects her confessing telling her that he cannot date someone if he doesn't have feelings for them, although he thinks that this is just the surface reason. He tells Satō that even if it was Horikita or Kushida confessing he wouldn't accept the confession, in his mind he also thinks about Airi. He tells her that he isn't mature enough to understand love so he isn't ready to date. She asks if she can ask him out again and he says it was fun and he would like to go out again. He also thinks that he probably won't forget the first time he was confessed for his life. Satō has tears in her eyes as she runs off, not waiting to cross paths with her in the dormitories he lets her run off. During the confession, his phone rings but he doesn't answer it, when Satō runs off, his phone rings again and this time he answers it. The person calling has an unknown number, and asks if he can trust Kiyotaka. He reveals that Manabu told him about Kiyotaka and he would like to meet. Kiyotaka tells him he has something to do first as he looks at a bush where someone is hiding. They agree to meet in 20 minutes. Kiyotaka calls out to the person in the bushes, telling her that she will catch a cold if she stays there, but she doesn't come out. Kiyotaka says he is going to prompting her to ask how long did he know she was hiding there. Karuizawa comes out of the bushes as he says he knew from the start. Karuizawa asks why he rejected Satō when there was nothing wrong with her and he looked liked enjoyed the date too. Kiyotaka reminds her that it was her who said dating someone you have no feelings for is terrible, but she replies that he could have grown feelings for her. He admits that he thought about dating Satō which makes Karuizawa angry since he rejected her even though she worked so had to get them together. Kiyotaka continues to give reasons like he can't have a normal relationship, but Karuizawa says, that he wants a normal relationship though to which he also agrees. So she once again keeps asking why he rejected Satō. He even admits he wouldn't have minded getting to enjoy the fruits of having a relationship, Karuizawa calls him the worst but he asks her if she herself doesn't want to try it herself, she replies that it depends on the person to which he agrees. Still not satisfied with his answer Karuizawa keeps pressing him, finally he asks her to let him make his own choice but she gets made again and asks him why he rejected Satō. He finally tells her the real reason, because she is here with him he didn't accept Satō. He thinks that accepted Satō would have decreased her her trust in him and increase her anxieties, because she would feel like Satō would replace her. He confirms that Karuizawa is a much better at adapting to situation than Satō from the way she handled Nagumo during the date. While he is thinking about Karuizawa's usefulness to him, Karuizawa who thinks about his answer, expresses that Kiyotaka really only thinks of people as tools, seeing right through his thought process. They start walking together, although Karuizawa is walking in step slightly further so they do not look like they are together. She asks him to apologises for what happened with Shiho Manabe, and Kiyotaka says he will make it up to her later, but she wants him to make it up to her now and asks him what was happening with Nagumo. He decides that he should tell her now and tells her he is going to meet a 2nd year who opposes Nagumo and invites her along.

Kiyotaka turns off his fun as he reaches the meeting place. He and Karuizawa wait for the 2nd year to show up. Karuizawa thinks that the 2nd year can see their identities and leave without showing their face but Kiyotaka thinks that because Karuizawa is with him and his phone is off, the person has to show up to confirm whether he is the person the 2nd year is supposed to be meeting or a random couple hanging out on Christmas. The vice president Kiriyama shows up and asks who Karuizawa is, Kiyotaka replies a partner he can trust. They begin talking about Nagumo and why Kiriyama wants to bring him down. Kiyotaka asks if Nagumo really has control of all the 2nd years. Kiriyama tells him he has although some may not like it, Karuizawa thinks it's weird since they should all be fighting to be in class A. Kiriyama explains that, Nagumo promised a revolution and that he would bring any student from any class with good abilities into class A. Kiyotaka explains that there are students like Keisei and Horikita who are talented but in class D and these students will follow Nagumo on the chance to get to class A. They learn that Kiriyama is from class A but dropped to class B because of Nagumo and is working on the student council as the vice president so he can gather information on Nagumo. Kiyotaka realizes that he really dislikes Nagumo, which is why he is willing to good behind him. Kiriyama tells him that since all of the 2nd years are under his control he looked for rivals in other years like Manabu, and tells Kiyotaka that Nagumo will focus on him once Manabu graduates. Similar, because of the 2nd years aren't willing to defy Nagumo, Kiriyama has to find allies outside his year. Kiyotaka thinks that this wouldn't have happened if he didn't run against Manabu at the sports festival, but since Nagumo already has him in his gaze he may need to do something. Kiriyama says he is willing to pass information but anymore than that he won't do especially if it's against the school rules he leaves the decisions to Kiyotaka to make. He tells him from now on they won't meet but he will send messages using a free account, with that Kiriyama leaves.

Kiyotaka and Karuizawa head back and they talk about what they heard from Kiriyama both of them are not sure what to think of Nagumo. As they walk, Karuizawa asks what he meant when he called her his partner because she thinks Horikita is more fitting of that title. However, he tells her she is just his neighbour and that Karuizawa is much closer to him. She accepts being his partner and Kiyotaka tells her not to expect too much as that would mean making meaning the people after him her enemy too, she tells him when that happens she will protect him too. Karuizawa then asks what kind of middle school did Kiyotaka go and instead of answer he asks her to guess. She guesses that if this was a manga the only thing she can think of is him being raised in a facility to be some sort of agent. Kiyotaka thinks she is spot on but doesn't tell her when she gives up guessing. She promises that she will one day get the answer out of him. He then returns with a question about whose idea was it for a double date, and they both agree that Satō was acting a little weird. She then decides to give him a Christmas present, after teasing him that he didn't get to receive a present from Satō. She says she bought it when she went Christmas shopping with her friends and bought a present for Hirata, he accepts the present. Karuizawa then asks Kiyotaka if it's okay if she breaks up with Hirata even if her value to him drops, he tells her that even without Hirata here value won't drop because she is different from the old Karuizawa. In his mind, he muses that he had also planned for this to happen as well and with this Karuizawa would become more closely attached to him which was part of his plans. Although the double date was unexpected he ended up getting closer to Karuizawa too. Since they are going to break up, she reverts to calling Hirata by his surname but continues to call Kiyotaka by his given name. He asks if it's okay if she continues calling him that, he replies it's up to her. He tells her that from now he will call her by her given name Kei which surprises her. He remembers the package he had bought 2 days prior and takes it out of his coat and says he has a present for her too. He hands her a package with 2 types of medicine and a receipt inside. The receipt shows that it was bought on the 23rd of December at 10.55 am, which makes Kei release that Kiyotaka had wanted to make sure she wasn't sick and actually care if she okay after what happened on the roof. He then explains that he saw her and Satō at the mall so he knew she was all right. She tells him that if he was worried he should have went to see her directly or called her. He replies that he can't simply go to her room, and calling her wouldn't be good as Kei could have pretended to be strong. Moreover since he was the cause of what happened on the roof he didn't want to put any pressure on her mentally. He tells her that he underestimate how strong she was and would need her help in the future, she agrees as his partner. As they walk back Kiyotaka thinks that in this 1 year, the person closest to him was probably Kei and before he knew it she have become some indispensable to him. He thinks that maybe there are friends, and if there was no problems like Nagumo or aiming for class A they could be more than friends.

Volume 8
At the start of the new school term, Class D is raised to Class C. They are on a bus headed for a new special exam, Kiyotaka is assigned to sits next to Ike who Kiyotaka thinks is now just another classmate even though they used to be friends. He notes that he feels slightly lonely, but he has recently become friends with Keisei and Akito due to the exams. Chabashira sensei begins explaining the new exam that they will be taking, the Mixed Training Camp. For the new exam, the boys and the girls will be separated and each year will be split into 6 small groups and each group will combine with small groups from the 2nd and 3rd years to make 1 big group. The formation of the groups are important and each small group must be made of at least 2 classes and must appoint unanimously decide on a group leader. All students will take an exam on the final day of the camp where their average score will be used to rank each group. The group in last place will have their leader expelled if they also get scores below the borderline set by the school. The leader can also appoint another person responsible for dragging the group down, forcing both the leader and appointed person to both be expelled. The class with a student expelled will also lose 100 class points. After the explanation, Hirata asks Chabashira sensei a question on whether it is possible to cancel the expulsion. She tells him that to cancel the expulsion, 20 Million Points need to be paid and 300 class points as well. Ike also asks a question on whether boys and girls will be separated throughout the camp, he and Shinohara seem happy that once a day during dinner both genders will have dinner in the same food hall. Kiyotaka thinks their christmas meal went well. Hirata and asks the class if they would like to combine the points earned and redistribute them equally among the class, but most of the class do not want to after Chabashira offers advice that holding points is a good policy as in some situations you may not be able to transfer points to your classmates when you need it immediately so always having a reserve is good. Hirata says since the class will be separated by gender, Horikita should be the leader on the girls side if the girls need any advice, realising that she herself is not the most approachable she asks Kushida to be the sub leader and help with with the girls side. Hirata takes up the role of leader for the guys. Horikita messages Kiyotaka asking if he has any thoughts for the coming exam he says he has none but sends a message of encouragement since boys and girls will be separated he can't do anything to help. Thinking that the biggest problem for this is lack of information and the movements of the upper classmen, Kiyotaka sends a message to one of the upperclassmen for information. He also sends a request to Kei by text but receives a blank reply. He realises that she is worried about the exam as she is not the most well liked person, so he thinks she should send her advice so that she will get through the exam. Kiyotaka then thinks that he cannot protect everybody during this exam, aside from himself, he prioritises Kei then Hirata and finally Horikita due to her use in the situation with the student council. While he doesn't want to lose anyone in the Ayanokōji group he can't protect everyone.

The bus arrives at their destination and the guys and girls are immediately separated after their phones are confiscated. The first order of business is to form 6 groups from within their year and inform the teacher. Class A's Matoba takes the lead and has a group of 14 class A student's with him including Katsuragi, he makes an offer to all the other classes, he is looking for 1 person of any class to join their group so they can fulfill the requirements of the group. Secondly, if they accept their offer the remaining 6 students of class A can be divided in anyway they want. Matoba explains that the Class A's group leader will be Katsuragi and if they accept the condition within the next 5 minutes they guarantee that in the case that the group ends up last, they will only drag the non class A person down with Katsuragi if he person intentionally sabotages the group, even if he has terrible scores he will be safe. While on paper it appears that there is no guarantee that a verbal agreement like that will hold, Kiyotaka thinks that class A wouldn't go back on their word as that would decrease their classes sincerity in the long run. Hirata also holds the same opinion as Kiyotaka and is planning on taking up the offer while classes A and D (Ryūen's Class) is not willing to take the offer in the beginning until, Class D now lead by Kaneda proposes that one of them should take their offer so Classes D, C and B can join forces to make groups with all classes use the remaining class A students and close the gap with class A by maximising the bonus for combining multiple classes. Kanzaki who is leading class B and Hirata agree with the idea, but no one in any of the classes wants to join the class A team due to being the odd one out. Hirata tells class D that they should consider taking the offer, as they will probably be safe from expulsion and get private points in case the group ranks first. On hearing this, Yamauchi, Ike and Onizuka all say they want to join the group, Yamauchi joins the group by wining in rock paper scissors. This leaves the other classes to start forming their groups with all classes using selection. Shibata from class B also chimes in and asks if this plan was made by Ryūen who has been living quietly by himself and rumours of him stepping down as leader have been floating around, Kaneda denies it and says that it is his plan. Although the students around seem to have some doubts. Keisei expresses to Akito and Kiyotaka that he isn't satisfied with Hirata's plan of saving people instead of gaining more class and private points but doesn't speak up. The next trouble in grouping arises from what to do with Ryūen who nobody wants to group with. Hirata who wants to help everybody asks him to join his group but Hirata's group members oppose the idea.

With no one willing to take Ryūen the forming of groups is stalled until Akito speaks up. Akito proposes that his group will take Ryūen and in exchange, he will be the leader of the group. He justifies this by saying he wants to increase the multiplier for his group as much as possible so he can get as many points as possible. While some people doubt Akito, the groups cannot be decided without unless everyone agrees and Ryūen is the last piece so they agree. The groups for the mixed training groups and then decided. They are 4 groups centred around each class with 2 remaining groups filled with the remainders. Ryūen and Akito and part of one group while Kiyotaka contains, Albert and Ishizaki from class D Keisei and Kōenji from class C, 3 students from class B, and finally Yahiko and Hashimoto from class A. Once the first year groups are formed, the upperclassmen come and are surprised that the first years had formed their groups so quickly. Nagumo proposes since they are ready they start forming the big groups right away, he proposes that to make it fair and let the first years should chose which groups they want to group with as they have the least information but Manabu says it's not very fair either, since they are differences in knowledge among people. The 1st years agree to the idea and the leaders from each group go form a circle to decide who gets first pick. Kiyotaka's group is the only group with no leader as no one wants the responsibility. Seeing that they are the only group not ready, Kiyotaka gives Keisei a light nudge and he steps forward. Matoba who gets to pick first, chooses Manabu's group. The next few 1st year groups avoid Nagumo's group which allows Keisei who picks 4th to pick Nagumo's group. Kiyotaka asks why everyone is avoiding Nagumo's group and is told that it's because his group is weirdly made up of student's from class C and D. With the groups decided, Nagumo challenges Manabu to a 1 on 1 battle between the 2 of them, Fujimaki who lead the red team at the sports festival is annoyed at Nagumo for constantly challenging Manabu and tells him to know his place. However, Nagumo doesn't back down Manabu tells him that they is no point in them even battling, but finally relents and accepts the challenge. Nagumo jokes that they should see who can expel the most people. Finally they settle on which group will have the higher point average on the final day. Manabu also tells Nagumo that he won't participate if he involved anyone else in their battle and he can't interfere with other groups as well, Nagumo replies that interfering is part of the strategy of this particular exam, but Manabu says if he does that then it won't be a 1 on 1 battle. Nagumo says all right and asks if they should simply put their pride on the line, Manabu doesn't answer and simply leaves.

With their challenge decided and the large groups decided. Nagumo, approaches the first year small group that picked his group and guesses that they haven't decided on a leader. He explains his reasoning due to their reaction during the rock paper scissors selection. Nagumo begins to pressure them to choose a leader at this moment. Seeing as how no one wants the responsibility, they decide to make the decision once again by rock paper scissors. As all the group members gather, Kōenji doesn't and is just staring out a window. The upperclassmen get annoyed at his attitude and ask him to quickly join. However, Kōenji being Kōenji doesn't care and says he has no interest in it. He says if they want to make him the leader he doesn't mind but starts threatheing that he may purposely get scores of 0 at the tests if he is the leader. Kiyotaka thinks that there is something strange in his words but doesn't say anything. Instead Nagumo approachs him and says he knows about Kōenji, he stills him although he feigns interested in getting to class A, isn't it because he already has a method to get to class A. This surprises most of the people present. Kōenji interested in what Nagumo is saying asks for his reasoning. Nagumo says that if he tells reveals his plan here he won't be able to use it, but Kōenji doesn't mind. Nagumo tells him that his plan to get to class A is to buy private points with real money from students who are graduating as points are useless once they graduate. Kōenji had posted his picture and profile on his families companies page before coming here, allowing him to have credibility in moving large sums of money outside the real world. Nagumo says he should inform the school about this transfer of points of graduating students. Hashimoto mutters that his method is something not many people can consider which Kiyotaka overhears. Having lost his way of getting to Class A, Kōenji replies that now it's even clearer that there is no point in making him the leader because for someone like him getting expelled is not a problem as he has a future already secured. Which means making him the leader would simply allow him to drag someone down which he probably won't hesitate in doing. Seeing the situation, Keisei volunteers to be the leader. Which the upperclassmen agree to. With that done, the group head to their sleeping area where Ishizaki rushes to the bunk bed he wants to sleep in. Yahiko says that instead of first come first serve, they should discuss it, which Keisei agrees to. Ishizaki eyes accidently meet Kiyotaka's when Keisei says that as they were standing next to each other. Ishizaki then says how should they discuss it and gets off the bed.

Kōenji seeing the opportunity takes the bed Ishizaki just vacated and starts to ignore everyone. Seeing no choice, Ishizaki takes another bed with Albert below him. Keisei chooses the bed below Kōenji while Hashimoto is above Kiyotaka. No knowing Kiyotaka's name they introduce themselves to each other. Kiyotaka thinks without a leader like Hirata the group will not get closer. When suddenly Hashimoto asks if the rumours about Ryūen loses a fight are true. Not wanting to be part of the conversation Kiyotaka leaves the room and heads for dinner. At the dining hall which is the first time the guys and the girls can interact, Kiyotaka waits by the entrance as the area is large and without phones meeting up would be difficult, he thinks that if Horikita wants to talk to him, she would just come up to him but with Kei, they can't make any suspicious moves as he might be in the spotlights of both Nagumo and Sakayanagi. Kei gives signals to him that she doesn't need to talk and he goes to eat dinner alone. He thinks that this time is most likely for the students to share intel and gather information or give out instructions during this exam and needs to be used wisely, he also thinks that this exam is not suited for him. When he sits down, a few seats down Ichinose sits down with a group of her friends and appears tired, he thinks that since he is good at erasing his presence she won't notice him. He overhears them talking about what happened at the girls side of the exam and learns that they had difficulty grouping up. As Ichinose rests her head on the table, she unfortunately notices his presence and calls out to him. The chat a little and he gives some encouragement before leaving.

The next day, the lessons for the exam begins. The day starts at 6 and the group begins fighting immediately due to Kōenji and Ishizaki not getting alone, as they are about to start a fight, Hashimoto calms them all down saying they should gather first so they won't get in trouble with the school and if they want to fight later then they can this seems to work and the group goes to the appointed meeting place. Aside from taking lessons, there is meditation practice and during the first practice Hakase is corrected for his way of speaking by the instructor who tells them the importance of considering the other person in society and not simply act on your own accord. Aside from lessons and practice, the students are expected to clean the premises everyday and well as prepare breakfast for themselves. The 2nd and 3rd years in Kiyotaka's group propose that each year should take on 2 breakfast duties each morning for the next 6 days. Everyone agrees but Ishizaki complains that they have to wake up 2 hours earlier from the standard 6 am to prepare for breaksfast. Kiyotaka monologues that their group doesn't have anyone to bring them together like a leader and Ishizaki status has gone up after supposedly bring Ryūen down so he acts tougher now which is causing problems, and perhaps the only one who can bring the group together is Hashimoto who says the right things and is good at observation. They attend lessons all day, and also have marathon training as part of their schedule, Keisei who is weak physically cannot keep up with the pace of the group after a days worth of activities. Kiyotaka thinking that there might be a small chance no matter how small that Keisei who is leader can drag with down with in, decides to help out a little by trying to convince Kōenji to slow his pace. Kōenji says no and says that he shouldn't be brought down to the plebians level and continues on. During dinner that day, Kiyotaka notices a small commotion and sees that Sakayanagi has been knocked over by Yamauchi, he apologises and tries to lend a hand but she doesn't take it. As Yamauchi walks away, Kiyotaka hears him call Sakayanagi a little slow. Kiyotaka then goes to see if Sakayanagi is all right. They talk a little about Ichinose and whether they can really trust her, or if her class can trust her as the bank for class B. At the end of the day, the 2nd and 3rd years come to the first 1st years room saying they came to get to know each other better and proposes to play cards to help them get to know each other. They agree on playing old maid and bet on breakfast duty where the loses have to do breakfast duty. During the game, Nagumo talks about how he respects Manabu so he challenges with so Manabu will accept him. The 1st years lose twice in a row before Yahiko switches with Keisei and the 1st years manages to get a win and Manabu loses to the third years. The first years lose on the 4th round and Hashimoto requests to tag out. Nagumo saying he doesn't want to waste time, 'randomly' picks Kiyotaka to take his place. Kiyotaka opens the game with the joker but manages to hand is over to the 3rd year which surprises him leading to the third years losing the 5th game. On the last game, Nagumo and Kiyotaka face off as the last 2. Kiyotaka has the joker but is taken by Nagumo on purpose to test Kiyotaka, Kiyotaka thinks that he could lose to make Nagumo lose interest in him but revels that Nagumo had made a small mark on the joker when the games had started. Already knowing where the joker is in Nagumo hands, he comes up with a random reason and takes the right card even after Nagumo asks him to think about it. In the end, from 2 breakfast duties, the 1st years end up with 3 duties.

On the next day, the 1st years are making breakfast. Kiyotaka and Albert work together to cut vegetables while Hashimoto fries the eggs. Unfortunately, Kōenji is no where to be seen having gone off to the toilet and having stomach pains for the entire duration which angers Ishizaki. At the lessons, Kiriyama lectures both Kōenji and Ishizaki who are both not taking the lessons seriously, as usual Kōenji has the same attitude and doesn't care. The 3rd year representative from Class B Ishikura tells Kiriyama to not be too forceful as it will backfire. Nagumo then intejects and asks him if he would like him to help in taking down Manabu possibly expelling him, telling him it's a waste that Ishikura is in Class B just because Class A has Manabu. He even says that there are many ways to hurt Manabu. At dinner that evening, Kiyotaka looks for Kei as he wants to get information on the girls side after seeing a strange group composed of Ichinose and Hiyori and Mei-Yu Wang who people in his usually call Mii-chan from his classroom in the day. Kiyotaka easily finds Kei who has been sitting at the same place for the past 3 days to make herself easy to find without his instruction which impresses him. Sending her friends away, Kei asks if he needs her help now after 3 days. He says he needs information and she teases him by saying he can't rely on many people since he has low communication skills. Kiyotaka thinks letting her tease him is a small price for their relationship, but decides he wants to tease her back. He says since she is fine she doesn't need any advice from him. She gives in and also asks about Ryūen since the girls where talking about him too. He tells her there is nothing to worry about and calls her by her first name which surprises her, seeing that it has an effect on her he calls her name another 2 times in different sentences. She realises that he is just teasing her. Getting information about the groups from her, he also request that she look out for a few individuals who will be key players in the exam. He thinks Kei will be fine as he thinks the focus will be on the different years.

At the shower that day, Kiyotaka chats with Shibata and Kanzaki about how their group is doing and whether Ryūen is up to something before they both talk about how they would like to continue the good relations between their classes. Yamauchi shows up and says the 1st are checking to see who is the 'biggest' among them. Kanzaki not being interested leaves but Shibata joins in, Kiyotaka is also about to leave until he is stopped by Sudou. Kaneda is the current leader in size, but is challenged by Sudou who wins. Yahiko says class A has someone who can match him and presents Katsuragi who is comparable but loses barely. Ishizaki says there is someone in Class D who can't lose and everyone thinks he means Ryūen but he actually means Albert who easily crushes Sudou. Finally Kōenji steps up calling himself a perfect specimen and easily defeated Albert. Ryūen suddenly says that they is someone here still hiding his true strength and everyone looks at Kiyotaka who is the only one still wearing his towel. Amongst cheers from everyone to remove it, he thinks Ryūen has him in a good trap as no matter what he can't win. So he removes the towel and Kiyotaka is revealed to be the largest but just barely. Kōenji is impresses that someone can compete with him but states that in this case experience is more important. At night, Kiyotaka finds a note under his bed with a message to meet at 25 o'clock. Using the time, he thinks about the exam and figures out how they will be tested at the end of the exam. He thinks that Meditation, Long Distance Relay, a written exam and speech giving are most likely to be what is tested. He later meets with Manabu, who wants to know if he has any information on Nagumo but Kiyotaka says that he hasn't done anything suspicious. Manabu gives Kiyotaka the information he wanted when he sent the text on the bus, that the student council president cannot unilaterally add rules to special exams but the rules can be taken into consideration and added. Kiyotaka thinks that while Manabu is not taking the wrong strategy by getting his group as strong as possible, but that isn't perfect.

As the group continues, their lessons. During the physical training exercise the groups is tasked with walking 18 kilometers and must make it back by 12 in time for lunch. The first year group are the slowest group as they are trying to keep pace by walking up slope and running the return leg downslope to preserve energy, moreover mid way through Kōenji disappears off the track. Since roll call is required at the halfway make, Kiyotaka offers to try and bring him back as he wants a choice to talk along with him. He finds Kōenji and asks him to co-operate with the group, he tells him that that depends entirely on him and he came into the forest and wanted to come into contact with a wild boar he sported. Kiyotaka grabs his arm to stop him, at that moment Kōenji releases that Kiyotaka is the person who tamed Ryūen from his strength, while Kiyotaka says it wasn't him, Kōenji says he cannot convince him others but promises he won't say anything and runs off to wrestle with the boar. Kiyotaka catches up to the group and says he couldn't bring him back but no one blames him. At the checkpoint where Chabashira sensei is waiting. The group returns first without Kiyotaka who wants to wait for Kōenji, when he arrives they both head back catching up with the group but Keisei has sprained his leg and is being supported by Hashimoto, Kiyotaka helps Hashimoto support Keisei back. The next day at clean up, Keisei is struggling due to his injury so Kiyotaka decides to help him, but Ishizaki is unhappy with Keisei not doing his job and acts out. Kiyotaka thinks that the only one in the group who can help their worsening relationship is probably Hashimoto whose position in class A he doesn't know but thinks that he has good abilities. At dinner that day, Kiyotaka is preparing to gather information from Nazuna Asahina due to 2 reason. She doesn't seem to worship Nagumo and his meeting with her would be a 'coincidence'. He waits while she is alone and asks about her charm, she realises that Kiyotaka was the one who picked it up and thanks him. They talk little about Nagumo, and who Kiyotaka is being targeted and how to get out of his sights. She jokes and says to beat him. Kiyotaka says maybe he should do that which she laughs at. To repay for his help in returning her charm, she lets him ask her about any information since he can't affect the outcome anyway. Kiyotaka asks about how the groups for the 2nd year was formed and about how big groups were formed. He realised that they weren't formed randomly like the guys side from her response she reveals the only notable 3rd year is Tachibana, Manabu's ex-secretary and that she is not the leader. Kiyotaka thinks that there is connection to Nagumo being connected with Ishikura. Kiyotaka uses the information combined with Kei's information to figure out Nagumo's plan and how his strategies are different from Ryūen or Sakayanagi. Later that night in rooms, the atmosphere between everyone is very heavy. Finally Hashimoto speaks up about his past and how he felt useless when he stopped playing soccer because he wasn't the best and switched to studying. This prompts Keisei to speak up about his past and why he studies so hard and his insecurities about being useless to his class in the island survival exam and the sports relay and he cries tears of frustration. Ishizaki who understands his insecurities as he has been acting out because this exam he hasn't felt like he has down everything says he knows that he took the responsibility of leader because no one else would and he is holding them back. This prompts the rest of the group to open up, and Kiyotaka feels like their group has finally become a group.

On the last day before the day of the tests. Keisei proposes a strategy for the long distance relay, his plans is for the weaker runs to run the shorters required distance while the fitter and faster runners run longer distances. Ishizaki, Albert, Hashimoto and Kiyotaka volunteer to run the longer portions of the 18 km run. The next step of the strategy involves getting Kōenji to cooperate with them so they don't get the lowest grades, after some talking Keisei manages to detemine that Kōenji will at least do the miminum in the tests and not do nothing. At cleaning that day, Ishizaki helps Keisei clean his area as he is still recovering from the strain from earlier. Kiyotaka also overhears the conversation between Hashimoto and Yahiko which allows him to find out that Hashimoto works under Sakayanagi and often was used to clash with Katsuragi making him enemies with Yahiko who follows Katsuragi. At dinner on the last day, Kiyotaka spots Ichinose who is not acting like usual and calls out to her. They talk about the possibility of someone being expelled and about the dificulties of the exam. Ichinose appears to want to think about things and walks away. From her behaviour, Kiyotaka thinks that Sakayanagi has already made her move to attack Ichinose. As Kiyotaka leaves the dining hall, Kei secretly passes him a piece of paper with information on 1 of the people he asked her to look out for. He goes to find Tachibana who is alone and is crying, he tells her if she is troubled she should tell Manabu but she acts tough and says nothing is wrong. Kiyotaka learns a little more about Manabu and how he singlehanded has been keeping class A in front and saving as many classmates as he can, and wonders if he is similar to Hirata even though he doesn't look like it. As she leaves she tells him to not tell Manabu about this at all, which Kiyotaka thinks is the wrong decision and is not something being a sacrifice would solve.

Later that night, Kiyotaka wakes up because of Hashimoto, who was above him, went up to leave the room. Thinking he possibly would not be going to the toilet, Kiyotaka tails him and finds him meeting Ryūen. He thinks that it is possible that Hashimoto linked Ryūen to Katsuragi for the island exam. He overhears them talking about whether he had really stepped down as leader as he can't believe Ishizaki did it and about Class D's sudden rise to class C and who the strong students are in the class at this point. Hashimoto doesn't mention Kiyotaka among those he thinks are threats. Ryūen also asks if Hashimoto will betray Sakayanagi but he says that the price of that would be high since Sakayanagi is the strongest in class A and he is part of her faction. Hashimoto confirms that Ryūen isn't as gone as he thought and as they were about to leave, Manabu and Nagumo arrive for their own secret talk. Nagumo asks Ryūen whom he stops from leaving if he wants to bet on the outcome of their battle between each other for 10,000 points but he replies that the bet was too little and he will do it instead for 1,000,000 points but Nagumo does not believe that he has that many points since he is now in class D. Nagumo asks Hashimoto if he believes Ryūen can pay, even though he knows about Ryūen's contract with Katsuragi, he says he does not know. Ryūen leaves but Hashimoto stays to hear what Nagumo and Manabu is talking about. Nagumo asks Manabu to go easy on him on the exams because if he doesn't, he will regret it. Nagumo says no one has figured out his plan and no way in the school can probably do it, even the 1st year that Manabu highly rates, Kiyotaka. Hashimoto is intrigued by this conversation and Nagumo even asks him about what he thinks of Kiyotaka. Hashimoto replies that he is just a normal student to which Nagumo agrees to. Manabu replies not once did he say that Kiyotaka held great ability so he was misunderstanding. Although Kiyotaka wants to hear more, he goes back to the room by the long way as he needs to be back in bed before Hashimoto. When Hashimoto returns, Kiyotaka can feel his gaze on him before he went to sleep.

The day of the exams arrives and as expected, the exams are the four that Kiyotaka predicted: Meditation, Long Distance Relay, a written exam, and speech giving. The order of the test for the first years is meditation, the written test, the relay, and then the speech. At the start of the meditation exam, names are called randomly to increase the dificulty of the test but not difficult if the form is done properly. While the written exam is fairly simple. Since both exams are particularly easy, Kiyotaka doesn't think that holding back is worth it so he aims to do his best, only making a mistake on the first question of the written exam. Seeing how easy the test are, he thinks that most of the averages between every group will be fairly close so the exam will be decided by the long distance relay. Hashimoto, following what he overheard the night before, asked Kiyotaka some questions regarding Ryūen but Kiyotaka feigns ignorance. Using Keisei's plan, the group placed the slower runners at the start and the faster runners at the back. The last runner for the group is Kōenji whom Keisei thinks will try slightly harder if he is last. Kiyotaka who is second last and runs fast enough to overtake the 3rd rank group from 4th position and get close to the 2nd place runner because he can camouflage his speeds as the runners in front may think they are slowing down due to the distance. Kōenji who is 3rd when he receives the baton overtakes the 2nd place team and finishes second. At the end of the exams, the results are annouced and Manabu's big group is first place. While Nagumo and Kiyotaka's big group is second and there are no expulsions on the guys sides. From the annoucers wording, Kiyotaka surmises that there are expulsions on the girls side. Horikita and Kushida's group composed of mainly D-class students end up in first place. While the girls side have a group below the borderline. That group lead by Momoko Ikari of class 3-B will have Ikari expelled. The Class 3-A students get angry because they realise that Tachibana who is in that group will likely be the person they bring down with them. Manabu asks why he did it, Naguumo simply replies he didn't want to expel Manabu but just see what face Manabu will make knowing Tachibaba would be expelled and he also says he finally understands his way of doing things. Manabu asks why Tachibaba didn't say anything even though she knew, but she said that she didn't want to burden Manabu and she should be responsible for herself. Manabu has made up his mide on saving her and the rest of class A are ready to use their class points. Nagumo asks if at this late stage they should use their class points for this. Since it is their last term, but Manabu says that he will just take back the position of class A later. Hearing enough, Kiyotaka leaves and Kei is waiting for him outside. Kei slowing follows behind and says everything happend as he expected. He explains that he knew from the information he received and that the student council was involved and it was a large trap. Kei is understands his explanation but doesn't understand why they would use class 3-B instead of 3-D or 3-C as now both classes B and A would lose 300 points and the difference between the classes won't change. He also says that Nagumo probably paid for 20000000 private points in advance to guarantee their support. He says that for class D and C there would want to raise their classes even if only by one class so they wouldn't drag class A down but other classes. If it's B they will definitely drag A down. Kei finally asks him if the same situation happens to her and there is nothing that can be done. To which he replies that she should know the answer without asking, he will use any method so that she won't be expelled.

Volume 9
The school term continues with regular classes, and Kiyotaka is later than usual to arrive in class. When he arrives, there is a big commotion around the girls. Horikita tells him that it seems Kei and Hirata have broken up, Kiyotaka thinks it's strange that Horikita is interested in such a topic but she says she happened to catch wind of it during the commotion. Horikita asks him to confirm if he didn't know anything about it since he is close to both Hirata and Kei. He says he doesn't know about their private affairs and thinks that for a second, Horikita had a look of suspicion and there shouldn't be any indication of what he is thinking on his face. Kiyotaka asks who broke up with who since he doesn't know, and she tells him it seems it was Kei. He thinks that it is better to help maintain her position in the class and it won't be weird even if Hirata defends Kei's if she is in trouble. Kiyotaka also notes about how the recent camp may have made people mature but Yamauchi instead makes fun of Hirata for being dumped but is stopped by both Sudō and Ike and due to that, he notes that people mature at different rates. Aside from the big news of the couple breaking up, Horikita tells Kiyotaka about the terrible rumors that have been spreading about Ichinose: 'A History of Violence', 'Engaged in Compensated dating', 'Engaged in theft and robbery' and 'A history of drug abuse'. They discussed what they should do but at this stage, they can't do anything as they were just rumors spreading around and there wasn't anyone to blame for the slander so they thought to themselves that they should not get involved. Kiyotaka thinks that this must be Sakayanagi's attack on Ichinose. At the end of the class, Sakayanagi surprisingly shows up at class C and was looking for Yamauchi whom she wants to talk to him alone. She leaves first and tells him she will wait for him outside. Horikita tries to stop Yamauchi from meeting her by saying that it could be a trap, but Yamauchi is too positive and does not believe it and he instead got more focused on the cute girl possibly wanting to be with him. He leaves to meet and talk to Sakayanagi. People in the class were curious to the matter so some of them followed to eavesdrop the conversation including the Ayanokōji group except Akito who has gone for club practice. As they watched Yamauchi and Sakayanagi conversing with each other, they could see Sakayanagi acting like a maiden in love who was trying to appeal to Yamauchi by fiddling with her hair. Haruka and Airi thinks that it was just an act and a trap but Keisei says that if that was the case, she would have approached him in secret instead of approaching him in front of the whole class. As Sakayanagi wanted to talk more privately, the two went to somewhere else where the Class C busybodies were unable to follow.

The Ayanokōji group then headed to the café and discussed about things they think about the Yamauchi and Sakayanagi matter and whether it was real or not. Kiyotaka thinks that by approaching him in front of the class, the probability of it being a trap goes down but that is something that Sakayanagi would consider. They talk about Kei and Hirata breaking up, Haruka says she isn't surprised as she thought Hirata would prefer a more ladylike girl, Airi then asks if Kiyotaka thinks Kei is cute, which he finds difficult to answer so he says that he doesn't know since he doesn't pay that much attention to her. Haruka says the bigger problem is now that Hirata is free, what would happen to the class as a great degree of girls like him, like Mii-chan. They notice Ichinose who was surrounded by her class but notably Kanzaki was missing. Kiyotaka thinks they were likely trying to shield her from the rumors but she doesn't seem to want that. Two hours while they are at the café, Keisei is studying while Haruka gets a call from Akito saying something is happening at practice between class A and B so he will be late because he wants to make sure nothing chaotic happens. Interested in what was happening, Haruka suggests that they should go and check it out and if anything happens, Kiyotaka will protect Airi as Akito will be handling the matter. Afterwards, they went to search for Akito. When they found him, Kanzaki and Hashimoto were discussing about the rumors floating around about Ichinose, Kanzaki says he has been looking around and had known that the rumors started from class A. Hashimoto says that they have talked about it but the rumors didn't come from them as he simply just heard it somewhere and is talking about it. Hashimoto says that it was weird that Ichinose wasn't denying nor responding to the rumors, but Kanzaki simply says he believes her when he asked her. From their conversation, Kiyotaka who suspected as much, confirms that one of the rumors being spread must be true which is why Ichinose cannot complain about the slander without making it public. Hence, nothing can be done now. When Hashimoto and Kanzaki left, Haruka says that Akito was strong and Akito eventually talks a little about his past. It seems he is confident in his fighting ability because he used to grow up in an atrocious area which is also the same area where Ryūen comes from. He tells them not to spread about his past. They return to the café as Keisei was still there studying by himself as Kiyotaka thinks that they shouldn't get too involved.

One day on the way home from school, Kiyotaka spots Ichinose alone. He thinks about checking up on her, but he notices two people following behind him. Using his phone camera to check who was behind him, he notices Hashimoto and Mii-chan. He started suspecting that Hashimoto is following him while Mii-chan comes up to him and asks for a little of his time. Seeing as Ichinose is too far away, he agrees to talk to her and she asked if they could go to a café. At the café, she asks about Hirata and tells Kiyotaka that Hirata thinks he is the most reliable guy in the class so she is asking him for his help. From his conversation with the Ayanokōji group earlier, he thinks it must be about how she likes Hirata. She asks if Hirata likes anyone to which Kiyotaka says probably not. He advises her to take it slow with Hirata instead of confessing straight away. Kiyotaka also spots Hashimoto at the café which confirms his suspicion that Hashimoto is following him around. He also thinks that he is doing it on his own accord and not doing it on Sakayanagi orders as she doesn't want to reveal his skills to anyone. While they are talking, Hiyori appears and asks if they are on a date. She wonders what they are doing together as it's strange to see them together. Not wanting to talk about her love life, Mii-chan doesn't know what to say. So Kiyotaka says they were talking about china as he is interested in going there. Hiyori joins them as they converse. At the end of their gathering, Hiyori asks if Kiyotaka can do anything to help Ichinose as she doesn't want to see her get hurt. Kiyotaka says he cannot do anything and but he can help by asking Horikita or Hirata unfortunately Hiyori wants his help and involving more people may do more harm then good. Later that evening, Horikita invites Kiyotaka to meet with Ichinose in her room that night to discuss the situation. Horikita offers her help in the matter but Ichinose is her cheerful self and says the best strategy is to leave it alone and not react, sooner or later the rumors will die down. Horikita insists on helping and prevents her from leaving but Ichinose insists and she leaves saying thank you for their concern. Once Ichinose is gone, Horikita asks if there should do anything, but Kiyotaka who thinks it's good that Horikita has grown and wants to help others reminds her that Ichinose is from another class and they may have to defeat her sooner or later so if someone else does it, it's not a bad thing. When he leaves Horikita's room Ichinose is waiting for him he asks if she is all right. She apologies for worrying them and that the best thing to do is ignore it. Later that night at 1 am, Kiyotaka receives a phone call from someone he doesn't know, the person who calls, says nothing but Kiyotaka's name. From the sound of the person's voice, Kiyotaka thinks its someone young and since the phones provided by school has security measures to prevent outside people from calling students, he thinks it's most likely either a student or teacher. Kiyotaka thinks that this is strange if his father wanted to attack him as he would do so without alerting him. He begins to think that something is about to change.

Days past and the students are busy preparing for final exams so the rumors seem to have died down but still persist in the background. Until one Thursday, when Kiyotaka is headed back after school and sees Katsuragi and Yahiko in the lobby where there is a big commotion. It seems like someone has place letters into everyone mail boxes again like last time, Katsuragi is also here but this time with Yahiko. Yahiko asks Kiyotaka to check if he received one and he finds a letter that says: 'Ichinose is a criminal'. Katsuragi thinks that is kind of attack is probably Sakayanagi. Ichinose arrives her some of her classmates and they tell her to report it to the school but she continues her stance of ignoring it can goes back to her room. Kamuro also arrives and immediately throws the letter away and heads into the lobby after Kiyotaka who has decided to go back to his room. He asks Kamuro what floor she wants to go to but says nothing. He clicks the 4th floor where his room is and she follows him out when it reaches. She then forces herself into his room by asking if they can talk and that she doesn't like standing around to do that. Seeing that she won't leave him alone if he doesn't comply he lets her in. She begins to say that she is here without Sakayanagi's knowledge and that she wants Kiyotaka to do something about Ichinose. Kiyotaka thinks that it's probable that Sakayanagi sent Kamuro here to get him to have a 1 on 1 battle with him. Kamuro begins to tell him how Sakayanagi controls her with the secret which is the same as Ichinose's. She tells him how Sakayanagi caught her stealing a can of alcohol near the start of school and that Sakayanagi will give her something more thrilling than stealing if she works with her. Kiyotaka doesn't really have proof and has doubts if this is true, so Kamuro leaves her student ID with him and goes out of his room coming back 10 mins later with a can of beer in hand. Since she is underage she can't buy it so it serves as proof that she stole it. She offers to leave it behind but he tells her to not joke. Kiyotaka asks why come to him, but she just tells him she can't go to anyone else as he already heard it from Sakayanagi. Kamuro then leaves with the can of beer. Later that night, Kiyotaka receives a call from Manabu who has some information for him, Kushida has made contact with Nagumo and wants him to help her expel Horikita Suzune. Kiyotaka doesn't exactly trust the information since it's from Kiriyama who informed Manabu but he thinks that as a source of information Manabu is very useful. He thinks while Kushida is making a good move it all depends on whether Nagumo trusts her. He also thinks that Nagumo might be become a problem sooner or later, although if he doesn't do anything Nagumo might lose interest in him. He also asks about whether Hashimoto has come into contact with Nagumo since he has been following him, but that doesn't seem to be the case as Manabu informs him. Which lets Kiyotaka conclude he is just checking to see if Kiyotaka is really hiding his skills or not, but he shouldn't know that he has been pulling the strings behind Horikita. Manabu tells him that what he does with the information is up to him before ending the call.

It is Monday, the 14th of February, Valentines day. Kiyotaka had turned off his phone the previous night, turning it on in the morning he sees a message from Airi asking if she can meet him in the morning and a missed call from Kei. He tells Airi that he is running late this morning and asks if they can meet in school. Airi says it isn't very important. He messages Kei and asks what she wants, she says nothing in particular but he arranges to meet with Kei at 5 today, as he wants to talk to her face to face about something. On the way to school, he meets Hirata who is also late. When they get off at the elevator, Hirata is ambushed by crowds of girls with Valentines chocolates for him. Not wanted to be late, he leaves Hirata to deal with the girls. At school, Sudō wants to know if Kiyotaka received chocolates from Horikita which he says he hasn't. Sudō tries to meet up with Horikita today for a study session hoping for chocolates but is turned down as he still has club practice and they is still time before the final exams. Kiyotaka asks Horikita if things are going well with Kushida, and she says it's going all right and they are meeting up later. Kiyotaka thinks Kushida is keeping up the front of cooperating but working behind the scenes. After class, he heads to Class B to check up on Ichinose, but overhears that she is sick and did not come in today. He wonders how Sakayanagi got her secret and has a line of thought that Ichinose could have told Nagumo and he had leaked it and that's how the secret came out, although whether her secret is the same as Kamuro's or not can only be found out from Ichinose herself. He also realizes that Hashimoto is following him and thinks that going to check on Ichinose might be a good way to get him off his back so he heads to the dormitories and finds Ichinose's floor but it is crowded with students from her class so he goes back to his room. Once it reaches 5pm he meets with Kei some ways away from the dormitories where few people might see them. He asks her if she knows whose number the mysterious person who called him at 1am was but it doesn't some up in her contact list. She makes a memo of it, and Kiyotaka asks how her finals preparations are going she gets worried and asks him to teach her. He asks her to ask Hirata but because of the breakup it might be hard all though he thinks she can easily do it. He thinks about asking Keisei to do it but realizes that would be trouble too so he offers to teach her but only at night. As he is about to leave, she asks what day it is, and before he can answer Valentines day, she hits him in the hit with a small package. She says it was meant for Hirata but now that's not needed, she teases him about not receiving any chocolates today and that this is just to comfort him. She asked him if he asked her to meet her today because he thought he would receive some from her, he says he wasn't expecting anything. As they are about to part ways Kiyotaka sends her a signal that someone is coming.

Hashimoto who has been following him, appears and questions Kei and Kiyotaka about their relationship. He thinks it's weird that they are meeting secretly here. Kei first tries saying they happened to meet and since she wasn't going to give chocolates to Hirata anymore she just found someone to hand her chocolates over to. Hashimoto thinks they are closer than they appear and doesn't believe that especially because Kiyotaka brought his bag out from his room after going back once so he must have expected to receive the chocolates, Kiyotaka replies that he was heading to the library so he brought his bag. Seeing how Hashimoto doesn't believe him, he comes up with another lie, saying that Kiyotaka is supposed to pass the chocolates to the person Kei really likes. Not missing a beat she agrees with what Kiyotaka says. Hashimoto asks who it is actually for, but Kei easily deflects the question. Hashimoto turns puts his arms on the wall behind her entrapping her asking her to date him instead. Kiyotaka realizes that Hashimoto is trying to get a reaction out of him but he doesn't react. Annoyed at Hashimoto, Kei leaves them there, Hashimoto then jokes about how 'big' Kiyotaka is and that it would be a trouble to girls, calling him 'king'. Kiyotaka agrees to exchange contact information with Hashimoto if he never calls him that again. Later that night, after receiving Ichinose's contact information from Horikita he goes to check on her going up to her room and forcing his way in but appealing to how much trouble he would be in if people found him on her floor, so she lets him in. Ichinose says that he is the first person to see her since she fell sick. While many thought that she was feigning her illness due to the rumors, Kiyotaka is able to confirm that she is indeed sick perhaps because the attacks by Sakayanagi have lowered her immunity.

The next day at school, more rumors are being spread around. Horikita tells Kiyotaka that this time, the rumors have been posted on each classes' online bulletin page and that he is directly involved as one of the rumors is about him. She shows him the 4 rumors: 'Kiyotaka Ayanokōji likes Kei Karuizawa', 'Ryōtarō Hondō only likes chubby girls', 'Satsuki Shinohara used to be a prostitute in middle school', and 'Maya Satō doesn't like Onodera Kayano'. Horikita asks Kiyotaka if the rumor about him is true to which he denies it, although she appears suspicious for a second. Thankfully, Kei's group hasn't arrived in class yet so the commotion regarding Kiyotaka hasn't increased but Yamauchi who cannot read the atmosphere, asks Shinohara extremely loudly if she was a prostitute. She denies it but Yamauchi asks for proof. Ike and Sudō who have became a little more mature, tried to stop Yamauchi from causing a commotion but Yamauchi just makes it worse by saying it's a chance for revenge on Shinohara who Ike once said was ugly. Ike got really angry from his statement and was about to start a fight with Yamauchi but Sudō keeps them apart. Hirata arrives to the room and after analyzing the situation, tried to calm everybody. Yamauchi who still can't read the atmosphere, decides to change target and asks Hondō if the rumor about him was really true. Hondō denies it and deflects the question to Kiyotaka who simply nods that it wasn't true. However, Maezono points out that Satō may not actually like Onodera as they were rarely seen together. Horikita and Kiyotaka discuss about the current situation to each other whether this could be another one of Sakayanagi's moves or someone else's since the way of spreading the rumor was so different from the usual antics that Sakayanagi does. Sudō comes over to confirm if Kiyotaka's rumor was actually true, personally saying he overheard their conversation earlier and offers to help by making sure Yamauchi won't be spreading the rumors to a great degree. Horikita then receives a message from Kanzaki telling her that Ichinose didn't come to school again even though today was the day for the evaluation test for the final exams. Although, since Ichinose is quite good academically, it shouldn't pose a problem. He also tells her that the same kinds of rumors were posted on the B class and D class bulletin board, but not on the A class board. Horikita asks Kiyotaka on how long he plans to stay on the sidelines if he is already directly involved to the class competition just like in this situation, but he says he can deal with something in this level. He also mentions that if the rumors were to be about Kei liking him, the situation would be then worse as to which he says that he's fine with the current situation. Horikita asks how the rumor could have come about and he thinks about what Hashimoto said yesterday and tells her that he understands how the rumors came about. When Kei arrived to the room with her friends, Kiyotaka received looks from them and he imagines their conversations, with Kei saying she finds it disgusting and thinks that the situation might be tough to handle. Although, he thinks that the rumors will be tougher on the other people than on him.

After school that day, Horikita and Kiyotaka met up with Kanzaki at the café to discuss about the current situation, while they were discussing the case about the rumors and Ichinose being absent, Sakayanagi shows up to stir some trouble, but Kanzaki ignores her provocations and leaves. Later, Kei calls Kiyotaka and asks him about what he thinks of the rumors and how he could handle it. He tells her that they are rumors and that soon, they will disappear in time so she should not worry about it. He also says that the rumors are also good because in this way, it can act as insurance if they were ever to be seen talking together and that other students won't think it's weird, although Kei says refutes and says that they will instead think that it's weird. The next day, more trouble breaks out between the class as Class D's Ishizaki, Albert, Ibuki and Hiyori meet up with Hashimoto and Kitou from class A. The Ayanokōji group is watching over them as they were nearby and were worried a fight might break out. It seems that Ishizaki had asked Hashimoto to meet with him alone, but both seemed to have brought reinforcements. Ishizaki tries to convince class A to stop with the rumors as he and Ibuki were both involved in the rumors in class D. As it gets more heated, a fight breaks out and Ibuki goes for Hashimoto while Ishizaki goes up against Kitō. Hiyori tries to stop them from fighting but to no avail. Ibuki launching a flurry of kicks to her opponent, drops her phone and student ID, Kiyotaka notices something strange about her ID as Akito gets involved and tries to stop Ishizaki. Hashimoto then asks Kiyotaka about the cute rumor regarding him and Kei, to which Airi and Haruka who were also present in the scene said that they have been getting closer recently to which helps in removing the suspicion of Hashimoto on Kiyotaka exactly as what Kiyotaka had wanted. Albert grabs Akito and stops him from being able to fight. Finally Hiyori gets them to stop and Hashimoto seeing no point in continuing either, leaves the area. Later that evening, Kiyotaka calls Manabu, looking for some information, asks about the weird thing he noticed about Ibuki's ID. Manabu tells him that it never occurred at his year and that the first years might be different this year and that the school might be preparing something disparate for them. Manabu asks him about the situation with Kushida but Kiyotaka tells him that he already took care of it. Manabu then wonders if Nagumo was really involved with this case of crashing Ichinose.

A few days later with Ichinose not showing up at school during those days, a day before the final exams. The Ayanokōji group are doing their final preparations for the exam. When a back commotion occurs, Ike comes running in, saying class A has gone to confront class B. Worried that another fight might break out, Akito, Keisei and Kiyotaka went to class B to see what was happening, accompanied by Horikita and Hirata who were also there as well as students from class D. Ichinose who has finally came back from her leave was now being confronted by Sakayanagi, who questions if she is indeed trustworthy. Ichinose who seems to have came back to her strong self, goes to the front of the class and apologizes to her classmates for lying to them and soon after, confesses the truth. She tells them about her childhood and how she studied hard to be on scholarship to lessen the burdens on her mother. However, one day while in her 3rd year of middle school, she did something that she couldn't forgive. She tells them about how her younger sister who really wanted a popular hair-clip got angry at their mother who had fallen ill and was staying in the hospital decided to say no to her request. After witnessing what happened, Ichinose decides to steal the hair-clip from a store so that she can give something to her sister in behalf of her mother. The sister, who was ecstatic from the new gift, wore it to their next hospital visit. The mother, who notices the hair-clip, got angry that Ichinose did that while she was lying sick in bed, and proceeds to drag her back to the store from which she had stolen the hair-clip from and makes her get on her knees and apologize to it. At that moment, she realized that she made a mistake and that she couldn't forgive herself to what she did which led to her, being absent during the rest of her middle school days. Sakayanagi questions if she can lead class B even when they have heard her story or if she was still worthy since stealing is still stealing even if she didn't get in trouble for it. Ichinose says that she will step down from her position as payment for her crimes but her class doesn't let her. Seeing that she vows once more to do her job as class leader, Kiyotaka thinks that this Ichinose is much stronger than the Ichinose before because he already broke her once so confessing again was no problem. Sakayanagi is not intending to give up and says that more rumors might come around, but the teachers, Chabashira, Hoshinomiya and Nagumo, the student council president, appears saying that rumors cannot be spread from now on as many students have been affected by the rumors. Horikita tells Sakayanagi that she went too far by involving so many students, she wants to retort but decides not too. With the commotion over, the class disbands, with Ayanokoji discussing with what had happened with Haruka and Airi who thinks that Ichinose stealing something is not unbelievable. Kiyotaka gets a phone call from an unknown number and moves away to answer the call. The call is from Sakayanagi who wants to talk to him, he goes to meet her and she says good job on working behind the scenes. She asks him why he helped Ichinose, but Kiyotaka just replies wasn't it because she used Kamuro. She says Kamuro acted on her own but Kiyotaka counters by saying that the can of beer Kamuro brought was too old and was the alcohol can she had stolen at the start of the year. Seeing that Kiyotaka guessed that Sakayanagi wanted him to challenge her in the case of Ichinose. Sakayanagi tells him that whether he would act was 50-50 as she also knew he could have easily done nothing and actually everything happened as she expected, whatever happened to Ichinose was of no actual concern to her. She just wanted to fight Kiyotaka. She asks him to battle with her in the next exam with her expulsion on the line as if she does that then he wouldn't have to fear having his past or abilities revealed. Kiyotaka agrees as the conditions are pretty good since she could also reveal him anyway.

As Kiyotaka flashback to what happened over the last few days, we return to the 11 of February the day the letter of Ichinose being a criminal is distributed at 12am Kushida visit Kiyotaka in his room. He has a plan to break through Sakayanagi's attack but needs Kushida's help to do it. He asks her for some secrets he can use to spread around the school so that they can get the school involved with the slandering of students. He realizes that Sakayanagi has been attacking Ichinose just on the line so that the school won't get involved so he wants to cross the line on her behalf. Due to the risk involved of easily finding out who posted the rumors, Kushida is not so easily convinced. He convinces her by offering her half of the private points he earns moving forward. Since the points are still money and it's easiest to negotiate with that. He says that his true intention here was to find out the extent of her network in order to expel her and that all the other things were just pieces of the puzzle, such as Helping Ichinose, the threat of Nagumo, the attack of Sakayanagi. Kiyotaka reveals he expected her to record their conversation and she puts that away but when the deal is done she takes out another recorder saying that that will be the record for their deal. On Valentines day, he turned off his phone to ensure that Kei would have to give him her chocolates on the day itself and he used that chance to get Hashimoto off his back. He reveals that he met with Hiyori at the library afterwords to plant the seeds that it was Class A who might spread more rumors and he choose rumors about Ibuki and Ishizaki as they were most likely to start a fight, which is a situation the school cannot ignore. Finally, he contacts Kiriyama and asks him to post the rumors online saying that if he does it he can say he did it to protect Ichinose how is a member of the student council and since Kushida already contact them, he can say he got the information from her. He is still reluctant so Kiyotaka threatens him by saying that perhaps he has become someone happy to be under Nagumo and maybe he needs to warn Manabu. He finally relents and he posts the rumors there and then. Finally all that is left to do is break down Ichinose for his plan to be complete.

He goes to Ichinose's room everyday during lunch and waits by her door, not saying a word. Finally on the second last day before the final exams, which Kiyotaka recognizes as the deadline for her to come back as Class B will be in trouble psychologically for the final exams if she doesn't come back by the next day. Ichinose finally asks him why he keeps coming and not saying anything. He tells her, he doesn't think the care of some outsider with move her so he is waiting for her to do it herself. She moves to sit behind the door of her room. He tells her he already knows that she was a criminal and that no one has the right to judge her for what she has done. As she listens she finally tells him, everything about her telling her secret to Nagumo and how she feels that Nagumo told it to Sakayanagi, she also talks about her past. He just listens without saying anything. He thinks about how he saw children in the white room never able to get back up because they never had anyone to share their troubles with and that this situation is similar. On the day of the finals, Ichinose sees Kiyotaka on the way to school and she thanks with for everything and without him she probably would have been crushed by Sakayanagi. he thinks that she simply needed to forgive herself as her mother already did very well it removing the actual crime from her as in the need she didn't really do any wrong. He tells her he was just making use of a chance anyway so there is no need for thanks. While they are taking Ichinose spots Nagumo and goes up to him and thanks him even though he says she should hate him but instead she says she is grateful and that she will work hard for the student council. Nagumo looks at Kiyotaka just for a second and within that second he guesses that look was him being unhappy that he ruined his plans to rebuild Ichinose himself to use as a pawn. Finally Ichinose goes back to Kiyotaka and he tells her that if she needs to talk to him anytime she is in trouble, he will always hear her out although he jokes that might make Horikita angry if class B ends up in class A instead because of that. Ichinose starts acting a little nervous but takes out a package and gives him Valentines day chocolates as thanks for everything and says it's her first time doing something like this and he gratefully accepts them.

Volume 10
A few days after the final exams, class C is in the classroom getting ready to hear the result. Chabashira sensei reveals the results and no one has failed the exam, hence no one is expelled. Ike and Yamauchi and the bottom 2 students followed by Hondō, Satō, Onodera and finally Sudō who has shown great improvement thanks to Horikita's tutoring. Horikita says that as long as Sudō stays focus he will improve, while Kiyotaka thinks that as long Horikita is around that shouldn't be a problem. Horikita asks Kiyotaka how much longer he can keep holding back as he is placed 18 in the class, he keeping in character says that that is the best he can do. Chabashira informs them that the final special exam of the term will be held on the 8th of March and week from no on Monday and tells her class that they may be able to get through the 3 years without losing anyone, praising her class. During lunch, Kiyotaka notices a weird pair talking, Nagumo and Manabu. Nagumo notices him and calls him over. They are talking near the year 1s area so it's a little strange, Kiyotaka thinks. Nagumo asks if he knows who spread the rumors earlier during the Ichinose case, but Kiyotaka feigns ignorance and says he complained to the school too since rumors about him were spread too. Kiyotaka thinks that Nagumo maybe have already seen through his plans despite his attitude. Horikita shows up and it's reveled Nagumo called her over as well, Manabu tells him that using Horikita to get him to compete is useless and they proceed to show how bad their relationship really is. Nagumo wants to invite Horikita into the student council but she declines and quickly leaves. Nagumo says he should try and spend more time with her since he is graduating soon but Manabu is tired of his games saying that he is the type who will win by any means and leaves as well. Nagumo asks Kiyotaka about the coming special exam and how he will cope with it before leaving. Horikita is waiting for Kiyotaka who wants to know what Manabu and Nagumo was talking about. He says if she was that curious she should have stayed to listen he tries to give her some advice on repairing her relationship with Manabu but stops when he realizes she won't listen to him.

The very next day, Chabashira sensei come in with a heavy mood as she announces an attention to the final special exam of the term. The Class Poll exam which will occur on the Saturday before the final special exam. The person who accumulates the most praise votes will get a protection point that can be used to cancel any expulsion in the future, while the person with the most criticism votes will be expelled unless 20 million private points are payed. Horikita asks if they can control the votes so everyone has exactly 0 votes but Chabashira says a re-vote will happen if that occurs, which means this exam is there to specifically expel someone. Once Chabashira leaves, the boys and the girls of class c start fighting about who they are going to vote for. Kōenji speaks up and says that this exam is for expelling the useless people in the class. Since there is no minuses to class points for expulsions unlike normal exams. Sudō speaks up and says he is useless and bringing the class down and gets angry. However, Kōenji says that if he promises to work hard for the class in the future there is more merit in giving him criticism votes as they now he has actual abilities and him saying he will work hard for the class is more beneficial then someone who has no abilities saying they will work hard to improve further. He then says Sudō's friends are useless which gets him riled up. Hirata tries to intervene but Ike mocks him by saying since he is safe from getting criticism votes he can say whatever he wants. Kiyotaka mentally agrees that Hirata is most likely safe with all the work he has done for the class. Seeing enough of this, Horikita controls Sudō by asking him to sit down and not get cocky simply because his grades have improved. The class heavy mood continues through the afternoon classes.

At lunch break, the Ayanokōji are at the café for lunch are discussing what to do about the exam, they decide they should work together as a group to control their votes so they can at least cancel out criticism votes if they receives them. Keisei says that while that idea is good perhaps forming a bigger group would be better as they will have more votes than 5 peoples votes. However, Kiyotaka says that forming a large group too early will just make them a larger target in the class. So they shouldn't go around forming a large group, but they do decide that if a group wants them to join with them they will do it. They also decide that the 4 people in the class most likely to get targeted are Kōenji, and the 3 idiots. They decide as a group that they are going to at least vote for Kōenji but leave the other spots open if they form a big group. They then spot Ryūen who is sitting alone and reading a book they think he is in a terrible situation as his class hates him for his dictatorship and how he looks like someone ready to be expelled. They talk about the methods like threatening his class but that would make them want to expel him more or if he can use to save himself like buying votes from outside his class with the large amount of money he has but they decide the other classes most likely want to get rid of him too much to help him. Horikita who has been listening to their conversation nearby appears and says he wants to go ask him herself. She goes up to her and asks if he is quietly going to accept his expulsion, he says that he has too since he lost. When he says that, Horikita looks at Kiyotaka in doubt for a moment before turning her attention back to Ryūen. Horikita tells him that the other class probably also want to see him gone to which he replies without him his class probably has no hope. She asks him if he intends to properly take on this exam would he be able to do save himself. Ryūen confidently replies of course he can. Kiyotaka thinks that Ryūen was entirely in control of the conversation as Horikita shows her weakness in her using words that show she isn't as heartless as she was at the start of the school year where she would have easily let Sudō be expelled he thinks that right now, Horikita probably wouldn't be able to get him expelled. They leave Ryūen alone, and Horikita asks Kiyotaka if there is a way to save Ryūen to which he replies there isn't one although in his mind he thinks that not all the parts to accomplish that are available yet.

That night, Kei calls Kiyotaka asking about what she should do and tells him that she has formed a group of 7 girls. He gives her the same advice he gave to the Ayanokōji group to lay low and not draw attention to herself. She is a little worried as she knows that some people hate her, he replies that that is probably true which angers her. She tells him at this point he should lie just to make her feel better. Kiyotaka tells her that it's good that she broke up with Hirata because if she hadn't there may be girls who want to get rid of her to take her position as his girlfriend, she responds that Sudō too might vote for him because he mistakes Kiyotaka as his rival. She asks him if Kōenji and the 3 idiots are the ones in most trouble which he agrees too, noting that Kei's group came to the same conclusion as his group. She also asks if he will be all right for this exam, he says thankfully he doesn't stand out and isn't pulling down the class but isn't bringing it up later so he should be fine. He asks her to tell him if any new information comes up immediately. The next day on the way to school, Ichinose meets up with him and they talk a little about the exam, Kiyotaka thinks she looks ready to sacrifice herself in order to protect a classmate and she says this is probably the hardest exam so far. Ichinose tells him that if he is in trouble this exam she will give him a praise vote as outside her class he is most deserving of it. Asahina appears and says that they are a weird combination, with Ichinose saying that they are good friends. Asahina wants to talk to Kiyotaka alone so Ichinose goes to school first. Asahina then tells Kiyotaka about the deal Ichinose was offered by Nagumo to get the points she needs to avoid an expulsion in her class. She tells him that he will lend the points if Ichinose dates him. Kiyotaka thinks it's a very Nagumo like plan but asks why Asahina is telling him this, she responds that the private points are from the 2nd and 3rd years and that they are important for their future exams so she doesn't want to let him use that money on this, she also feels sorry for Ichinose. At school that day, Kiyotaka thinks that Horikita might be in trouble this exam as she doesn't have a group so he offers to let her join his in case she needs it but she says that that is not what she needs right now, indicated to him that she already has a plan in mind. She also doesn't ask him for any advice which he thinks is a sign of her growth. At lunch he goes to the library and meets him Hiyori where he asks about Ryūen's situation, she thinks that this exam is tough but Ryūen is someone class D needs. When Hiyori asks him what he thinks about it, he is about to say something but changes his mind and says he doesn't want to see Ryūen get expelled.

After school, Hirata asks if he can talk to Kiyotaka at Keyaki Mall later, seeing no reason to decline he agrees. As he is leaving to meet Hirata, Sakayanagi and Kamuro are at the entrance and Sakayanagi wants to talk with Kiyotaka for a bit, seeing as he still has enough time before meeting Hirata, he agrees. Sakayanagi says they should move to somewhere less inconspicuous, because they both don't want to stand out. They talk a little about the exam and how tough it is this time. Before saying that her father was removed from his position because someone had gotten him involved with some dirty dealings. Sakayanagi says she is sure her father isn't involved in such things. Kiyotaka thinks about his father and he is probably the cause and from what he knows about Sakayanagi's father she is probably right. Kamuro is finally curious about why Sakayanagi is interested in Kiyotaka and she simply says she knows him from before although she isn't very convinced of Kiyotaka's abilities. Sakayanagi asks Kamuro to leave them alone and go back first. Once she leaves she talks about their deal to challenge each other at the next special exam but since this exam is not good for that, she says they should postpone it to the next exam. Kiyotaka agrees, and Sakayanagi gives a verbal promise that she won't give Kiyotaka any criticism votes. They discuss a little about Ryūen and Ichinose's classes and finally she tells him she plans to expel Katsuragi which Kiyotaka isn't surprised with. Seeing as it's time to meet Hirata, he leaves first. When he reaches Hirata asks if they can go to his room instead, Kiyotaka agrees. As they are walking, Hirata asks for his help in this exam, Kiyotaka thinks that this time, Horikita isn't asking for his help but Hirata is. Kiyotaka tells him the only way is to get the 20 Million Points, and Hirata tells him that he already asked his friends who are seniors but they have their own special exams to worry about. When they reach the lobby, Kōenji is there and he is acting as he normally is not worried about the exam, he tells Hirata to be a good leader and get rid of the useless people in the class, which angers him. When Kiyotaka and Hirata enter the lift, Hirata apologizes for his behavior. Hirata once more asks Kiyotaka what he should do because he cannot come up with an answer for who he should cut away. So Kiyotaka tells him instead of thinking about that he should think about who he should save and rank them so he can come up with who to vote on the exam day. Later that night Kiyotaka calls Ichinose to his room, and asks about the deal with Nagumo, she guesses that he head it from Asahina this morning. Although the deal would be canceled if Ichinose talked about it since it was Asahina it was fine. Kiyotaka asks about one much she stills needs and she tells him 4 million points. Ichinose thinks that if there is no way to get the 4 million points, she will probably have to talk Nagumo's deal. Kiyotaka is able to grasp that Ichinose is willing to do whatever it takes as long as she can save her classmate.

On the third day after the class poll exam is announced as Kiyotaka is on the way to school he bumps into Sudō who says he doesn't want to be expelled and is willing to do anything to make sure that does not happen. Kiyotaka tells him it's all right to think that and everyone should feel the same way. When Kiyotaka reaches the classroom something has changed in the class room. When Kiyotaka arrives, he notices the atmosphere is a little different from the day before, everything is back to normal which is strange because of the exam since the class atmosphere was terrible the day before. Even though there are only 11 people in the class, the atmosphere is like as if they have someone in mind to vote on already. He notes that most of the girls are close to Ike and Yamauchi who are already in the class. Although there is a girl from Kei's group in the class, Kei hasn't told him anything so the information hasn't reached Kei yet. Hirata arrives but doesn't feel anything is different, Horikita arrives and notices the strange atmosphere. The Ayanokōji group meet up and discuss the new development as they all felt the change in atmosphere they guess that a big group has been formed and that they already have a target. They find it strange that no one has approached their group yet which means that there is a chance the target is one of the group. Airi is worried but Haruka says she is more likely to be a target which Akito agrees to but Haruka doesn't want to here that from him. Kiyotaka thinks that they must be a leader behind the groups who got them together and it got larger on the 3rd day. They see Hirata who is shell of his forming self. Manabu messages Kiyotaka telling him to meet him. He goes to meet him and sees Tachibana is with him as well. They talk about the current exam and how the 3rd years can't give up their points at this stage. Kiyotaka asks if Horikita has asked him for help but Manabu replies that she wouldn't ask him for something like that. Kiyotaka asks what he wanted to talk about, Manabu says he wanted to know if Nagumo is doing anything. Kiyotaka replies that they didn't have to meet to do that so Tachibana cuts in and says she wanted to know why Manabu acknowledges him. He says that he did something very rude to Manabu though, Tachibana says she knows. but she acknowledges he has abilities in areas she didn't see, but both Tachibana and Manabu agree there don't get him. Manabu tells him that once he graduates the school will have problems as his focus on defeated Manabu will shift to the school and it might be trouble. Kiyotaka replies he will do what he must.

Later that night, Kei calls him in a hurry with urgent news. He is being targeted by the big group in the class. To ensure the target isn't told he is the target, the ring leader told Kei that whoever told the target would then become the new target. Kiyotaka asks if it's okay to tell him that, but she says she trust him to do something about it. Kei asks him what he would do if she wasn't around, he replies that he would be in a real trouble but that's what she is around for. She asks him what is he going to do, but he says he is going to think about it now. After receiving the call from Kei he calls Manabu and asks him for some help. Kiyotaka tells him he was already planning to talk to him about the exam anyway but this team he is the target, he asks Manabu to do something for him, that isn't related to his position as a 3rd year or as the former student council president. He also tells him that there is a benefit for him doing this as Kiyotaka won't have to take center stage to do it and that benefits Manabu too, so he agrees. Kiyotaka says he will call him back when he has more information. Kiyotaka then calls Kushida to ask about who the ring leader is, Kushida firsts asks what he knows trying to figure out who leaked the information but Kiyotaka keeps slightly think they told everyone different information so they could pin point the leak. Kushida then says she wants to help but since only she knows who the ring leader is then they will know who betrayed them if she tells him. She also tells him how she was troubled by the request of the person but couldn't leave a classmate in trouble alone so she helped the person. Kiyotaka, says if she can't help it's fine he won't put her on the sport and is withdrawing but it was his plan to appeal to her self worth to get her to offer the information if it failed then there was nothing he could do but Kushida offers the information and tells him the Yamauchi is the ring leader. Kiyotaka wonders if Yamauchi is smart enough to pull such a plan and asks if Sakayanagi is behind this. Kushida says yes but Yamauchi tried to hide it, she found out from a friend in class A that Sakayanagi was planning to make a move in class C. They finish talking and Kiyotaka wonders if Sakayanagi is going back on her deal to compete in the next exam not this exam, but thinks she is not the type to do that either. He thinks that it doesn't matter anyway because what he had to do wasn't going to change.

The next day in school the atmosphere is still the same and everyone is preparing to vote to expel Kiyotaka. He thinks that Yamauchi plan is actually pretty good but too bad for him that he chose to target him. He doesn't tell his group this information so they won't be targets. Horikita comes and asks him if he did anything, because the day before she received a message from Manabu and have agreed to meet up later. Kiyotaka says no and thinks that Manabu shouldn't have talked to her yet. The next day, the Friday just before the exam, Kiyotaka notices how Horikita's aura is different and the person she is now should be able to do it. She stands up and asks everyone to listen to her as she takes the teachers stand. Chabashira who can feel something different from Horikita stays to watch even though school has ended for the day. Horikita begins to tell everyone what she has come to a conclusion to for this exam. They should expel those that are most necessary and she names Yamauchi as the person they should expel she explains the reason. Saying that he is the weakest in the class and doesn't provide much for it, similar to both Ike and Sudō. However Sudō has outstanding physical qualities and Ike has grown somewhat and is useful in certain aspects while Yamauchi provides nothing to the class. Yamauchi and Hirata both disagree, Hirata thinks no one should be targeted. However, Horikita says if he Yamauchi won't accept it she will reveal the truth. She tells the class the plan to expel Kiyotaka to everyone, and that Yamauchi is the mastermind. He tries to deflect this by saying it was Ike but he says that he heard it from Kushida. Kushida says begins crying and says that she couldn't not help Yamauchi but she didn't want to expel Kiyotaka either. Horikita says she made the wrong decision helping Yamauchi. Kōenji supports everything Horikita says as that will help him to avoid being voted on as he does posses the abilities to help the class. Horikita then tells everyone that Sakayanagi is behind the attack on Kiyotaka, and that Yamauchi betrayed his class and went to the enemy maybe in exchange for dating. With Yamauchi singled out as the mastermind and that class A was involved, they is no way out for him, he begins saying that since everyone promised they should keep their promise but most of the class who originally agreed go back on their word. Sudō tries to defend Yamauchi but Horikita says that Yamauchi is the most logical choice due to his abilities. Hirata becomes very angry at what Horikita has done, breaking the class and signalling out someone to be the sacrifice. He kicks a table in anger and says he doesn't agree with Horikita's way of doing things. Horikita tries to reason with him by asking if anyone in the class is happy to be expelled but no one is. He finally just tells her to shut up and that he will vote on Horikita for singling someone out. Yamauchi tries to say it isn't his fault but Hirata says he is the same trying to control the votes in the background.

Once the discussion is over, Kiyotaka wants to talk to Hirata but the Ayanokōji invite him to go to the cafe, since there are so many people around he goes with the group as he doesn't want to draw too much attention to himself by talking to Hirata. The group talk about what happened in class and are not surprised that they didn't know who the target was since they were close to Kiyotaka. They discuss how many votes Kiyotaka might get and conclude the 7 guys close to Yamauchi might vote from him, but they aren't sure about the girls. Airi thinks at the least Satō and Kei won't vote for him. Keisei doesn't understand why she would think that Kei won't vote for him. They tell him Kiyotaka is probably fine because of what Horikita said in the classroom, as Yamauchi is likely to accumulate most of the votes. On the way back from the cafe, they see Hirata sitting on a bench along, Kiyotaka tells the rest to go on alone as he wants to talk to him. Before Kiyotaka goes up to him, he takes a photo of him and sends it to Kei with a message. He goes to talk to Hirata, and he tells him that tomorrow he can just vote on Yamauchi, himself and Horikita and leave the decision to the class. Hirata calls him amazing as the Horikita and Yamauchi wanted people to not vote them but Kiyotaka is asking him to vote for him. Hirata asks if from now on Kiyotaka can look after the class in his place. However, Kiyotaka replies he can't do something like that and if he wants someone to do it he should do it himself. On the day of the exam, Hirata implores everyone to vote for him instead and to let him be expelled. He tries to make everyone dislike him so that they will expel him, Yamauchi also voices his agreement to expelling him. Kiyotaka thinks that Yamauchi probably approached him last night, which gave Hirata the determination to make this decision. Horikita tries to get him to change his mind as he is needed for the class to be united, but he is determined to be expelled. As the class is waiting got the results, Yamauchi is confident and reveals that he was promised praise votes from Sakayanagi although Horikita tells him that a verbal agreement is the same as trash. Chabashira comes back after the voting is done and announces the results. Kushida is 3rd, Hirata is 2nd and Kiyotaka is in 1st place with 42 votes. Yamauchi is last with 33 criticism votes while Sudō is 2nd last with 20 and Ike is 3rd last with 21. Yamauchi cannot accept the results and acts out, while Kōenji adds oil to the fire causing Yamauchi to grab a chair and try to attack him but he easily blocks it. At the end of the day, Kiyotaka goes up to Kōenji and asks if he intends to be useful to the class since he tried to make Yamauchi and the class direct his anger at him, but Kōenji says he will act as usual this time he just supported Horikita's words.

As Kiyotaka leaves the class, Horikita chases after him and asks what he did, but he replies he did nothing. She asks if he was the one who passed to information to Manabu and had him tell him. Kiyotaka says he did nothing and thinks that everything was done by Sakayanagi, he realizes she was planning something when she came to give him her declaration of a seize fire. Understanding that she wouldn't be satisfied with expelling him like this he guessed that the real plan was to expel Yamauchi. Although he thinks it was not 100% that was her plan so as insurance he had Manabu tell Horikita the information to ensure that he Yamauchi would be targeted by the class as well. He walks away without saying anything as Horikita calls out to him. He goes to see the results and sees that A class has Yahiko expelled, B class has no one expelled, and C class has Manabe expelled. At the results announcement board he sees both Katsuragi and Ryūen who are both surprised that they are both still around. Ryūen tells Katsuragi that the grim reaper is looking out for him. They talk about how Katsuragi is a little different after Sakayanagi expelled Yahiko and Kiyotaka thinks maybe his face is now similar to Ryūen and himself. Ryūen wants to talk to Kiyotaka and they head elsewhere where he asks when Kiyotaka became such a nice guy. Kiyotaka thinks back to what he did. On the day he met Hiyori, Ibuki and Ishizaki come to his room and ask his help to prevent Ryūen from being expelled. He tells them that if they can get Ryūen to transfer all the private points he has to them they may be a way. On the day before the exam, Ibuki calls him and tells him she has the points. So Ishizaki and Ibuki come over while he sends a message to Ichinose to come over in a little while as Kiyotaka, Ibuki, and Ishizaki finalize the plans. They decide on an appropriate person to expel, Kiyotaka thinks he wants to expel Manabe and thankfully both Ishizaki and Ibuki think she is a good person as well. Ishizaki works on getting the guys to votes while Kiyotaka proposes they use Hiyori to help control the other votes as well. With the pieces assembled to save Ryūen they wait for Ichinose. Ichinose arrives and is surprised to see the 2 class D students Kiyotaka tells them that to save Ryūen then need Ichinose's classes votes and in exchange Ibuki and Ishizaki will make up the missing money required for Class B to save their classmate. In order to protect her classmates she easily accepts their deal seeing as the 2 really want to save Ryūen. They transfer over the points to Ichinose in exchange for Ichinose's classes praise votes for Ryūen. Kiyotaka asks as the witness to the exchange and Ichinose says she will drop out if she doesn't complete her end of the bargain.

Kiyotaka asks Ryūen if he hadn't already came up with this plan earlier. He confirms he did but didn't think Ibuki had the ability to pull the deal of so he gave up the points. Kiyotaka says it was a good choice to not let Ibuki no what the points were for. Kiyotaka tells him that it was thanks to Ishizaki and Ibuki that he wasn't expelled. Kiyotaka asks him what he is going to do for the next exam. Ryūen doesn't reply. Ichinose calls Kiyotaka to tell him about the results. Ryūen leaves when he gets the call. She reveals they all voted for Kanzaki but the expulsion got cancelled due to the points. Ichinose thanks him because if not for his help she would have taken up Nagumo's offer and regretted it later. Kiyotaka asks what she would have done if there was no Nagumo or him. She tells him there were 2 plans, the first one to get herself expelled and the second to draw lots. Kiyotaka thinks drawing lots is probably the fairest way and something only class B can do. Sakayanagi then messages to meet her, he goes to meet her and she wants to offer an explanation for the commotion. Kiyotaka says that he was 90% sure he was safe but he just acted as insurance. Sakayanagi asks him if he gave a praise vote to Yahiko as he was supposed to have 38 criticism votes on him but only ended up with 36. He says that he already thought that Katsuragi was a bluff earlier and wanted to vote for him, although his vote didn't make a difference. She tells him he really is an opponent worth beating. Kiyotaka asks her why Yamauchi and she says because he disrespected her at the Mixed camp. She tells him that before the start of the exam, someone had messaged her and asked her to expel Kiyotaka originally the exam would have other students able to give criticism votes to students in other classes as well. When she heard that, she already decided at the start to give her classes praise votes to him. As they are talking a middle aged man who introduces himself as the acting director Tsukishiro replaces Sakayanagi's father at the moment, comes up to them asking for directions. When Sakayanagi gives him the directions, he suddenly kicks her cane away causing her to fall. Kiyotaka tries to prevent her from failing but he is grabbed by Tsukishiro who pins him to the wall and says his father wants him out of the school and is done playing games. He says to blink twice if he is ready to leave the school on his own. Kiyotaka doesn't do anything or try to fight back even though Tsukishiro tries to rile him up. Sakayanagi says that violence against a student caught on camera is not good, but Tsukishiro tells her that the camera feed is now fake. Seeing as Kiyotaka won't do anything, Tsukishiro leaves telling them he officially starts in April. When he leaves Sakayanagi praises him for not fighting back as he could have easily change the footage to his liking. Kiyotaka tells her that they should fight properly at the next exam as when April comes Tsukishiro will be in the way and he wants to end it as fast as possible. Sakayanagi is surprised but is excited to have a battle with him. On the Monday, the students feel the absence of Yamauchi, Hirata is not happy, Kushida is not happy while they wait for the announcement of the next special exam.

Volume 11
On the 8th of March, the final special exam of the term is announced. The final special exam will be the Event Selection Exam. The class has to prepare events and rules to compete with another class. Each class will have a commander who is allowed to participate in any event based on the rules of participation for the event made by the class. The commander of each class will receive a large amount of private points if they defeat the other class in the exam. However, if the commander loses, he or she will be expelled. Upon hearing benefits and punishment for losing, all eyes turn to Kiyotaka for a second. Sudō who is still upset with the lose of Yamauchi and can't understand how Kiyotaka got 1st place in the Poll exam, asks him what he did. Horikita says that she will answer for him as Kiyotaka himself probably didn't do anything. She explains that it was most likely all Sakayanagi idea to prevent someone useful from getting the protection point and that she choose to expel Yamauchi for a reason she doesn't know. Sudō and Ike both have no choice but to except her logic. Seeing that the class may doubt him, Kiyotaka then offers to be the commander for the exam as he has the protection point he can take the risk of expulsion. Unfortunately, Shinohara opposes as she thinks that making Kiyotaka the commander will reduce the classes chances of winning in the exam. Horikita says that may be true but no one wants to take the risk of expulsion not even her to win. So she is fine with Kiyotaka doing it. Hirata who has become despondent due to the previous exam says nothing and offers nothing. Since class is about to start, the discussion is postponed until lunch. During lunch, Kiyotaka goes out of the class to buy food at the same time he sends messages to several people. At lunch the class is given a copy of the rules for the exam by Horikita who has taken up the position of class leader since Hirata is not responding to anyone. After class for the day, Chabashira asks for the commander to follow her to decide which class will be facing which class. While the class remains in the classroom to strategies, Horikita once again takes the lead as Hirata leaves without saying a word, while Mii-chan follows him out of the classroom to check on him. Kōenji as well leaves the classroom without participating. Kiyotaka being the commander, leaves the classroom as Horikita tells him to try and pick class D as their opponents but Kiyotaka tells her not to have too much expectations. Chabashira sensei is waiting for the commander, she is surprised to see him but it interested to see what he can do when he isn't holding back. When they reach the special area prepared for the exam there are large monitors prepared for the exam. The commander for Class A is Sakayanagi, Class B is Ichinose and Class D is Kaneda everyone with the protection points. They draw lots to see who gets to pick their opponent first, Sakayanagi lets everyone go first as it doesn't matter much who she faces so class D goes first and gets to pick. They pick class B, leaving class C to face class A. Kiyotaka thinks that he was lucky that the choice wasn't made by him as even though he wanted to face Class A to have his battle with Sakayanagi this way the choice seems like it was made for him. It is revealed he message Ichinose and Ishizaki earlier to let him face class A. Ichinose had originally planned on faces class A but lets him have the chance and Class D already planned to face class B. Once that was decided, Tomonari Mashima, the homeroom teacher of class A begins to explain how to use the monitors for the exam.

When Kiyotaka goes home, he thinks that as the commander and in a 1v1 situation there is no way that can possibly beat him, but in this situation where the strength of the classes are facing each other directly he can't do very much and what he needs most is information on his classmates. Normally he would be able to get that information, from Kushida, Hirata and Kei to cover the whole class, but right now Kushida probably doesn't trust him after the poll exam and Hirata is a no go at the moment. So he can only rely on Kei. He calls her over to his room later that day, and she in her school uniform which Kiyotaka comments, she says she is the main star of today and she has many friends unlike him who want to hang out. Kei is worried over having come to his room in the open, but he tells her not to worry about it and as the commander it's not that weird that he wants to talk to her who is a central figure in the class. She asks him why he wanted to be the commander especially since it's not something someone like him would do. Kiyotaka is reminded that she knows him pretty well at this point, since this is normally something he wouldn't do he tells her it's to remove the doubt in the class, although she doesn't really believe that answer either. He asks her for information on the girls in the class, which she tells him. After she tells him everything she knows about the girls in the class, she appears to want to say something else but decides not to, Kiyotaka thinks that what he should be said here should come from him and be easy but he finally says it. He takes out a box that he had hidden earlier and is about to hand it to her saying that today was her birthday. Kiyotaka hands her the gift after a little teasing telling her it's a combine gift with white day. Kei is first suspicious as the box is extremely light, Kiyotaka tells her he isn't brave enough to tease her with an empty box. She asks if she can open it to check what is inside when she see what is inside she is surprised, it's a heart shaped necklace. She asks him what kind of gift it is, and he tells her the truth that he found the most popular gift for high school girls on an online store and decided to get it for her. She tells him the gift is a 10/100 and he offers to get her a box of cakes which she rates 15/100. Kei decides to try the necklace on and says is looks good on her because she looks good in most things and keeps the gift since it's his first time giving a gift. Kiyotaka says even if she returned it, he had no one else to give it too. The next day during lunch, the Ayanokōji group is discussing the special exam on that Kiyotaka has had it tough the past few days. They talk about how information is important and if the events are leaked the opponents will have a huge advantage, and how there was class A student hanging around their classroom yesterday trying to listen in. Keisei is a little unsatisfied that they kind of forced Kiyotaka to take the job of commander because her has a protection point and feels if they have a protection point they should be free to save it if they want since they earn it by being outstanding. Akito proposes events that give them an edge to beat class A like card games or scissors paper stone as those events would be 50-50 and doesn't relay on either physical or academic skills so they have a chance but Keisei says that since the events are chosen by luck the chances of winning the events goes down so they should have events class C will surely win in. They also spot Hirata who is a shell of their former shell wandering around and wonder who can talk to him.

After school, the class meets to make plans for the exam. Once again Hirata leaves without joining in, and Mii-chan tries to go after him but Horikita stops her by saying there is no point. Horikita says she doesn't intend to take up much time and asks everything to think about it for a night and come up with events that they are absolutely sure they can win anything is fine even Karaoke. Haruka asks what if you have nothing you are confident in, Horikita says they can leave it blank. Horikita tries to convince Kōenji to participate by appealing to his perfectness by saying that he should be able to win no matter what event is selected and that if he doesn't the class won't trust him. Which he agrees to but, as he leaves the classroom with no intention of helping with the planning he tells her she shouldn't count on him participating as it's entirely up to him. The next day when they all arrive in school, Horikita asks if Kiyotaka still intends to not do his best despite being the commander. He stills her in the class, people would feel strange if he started giving out orders, so he tells her to prepare a list of instructions that he can follow. Hirata comes to class and they both talk about him and what to do with him since his behavior is disrupting the class, Kiyotaka says that the worse that can happen is they get him expelled, which Horikita agrees to. Although Kiyotaka doesn't think that Hirata will do anything that disrupts the class to get himself expelled like volunteer to be the commander and purposefully lose but they can't count on him either. They talk about Mii-chan who has been trying very hard to reach Hirata and Kiyotaka says it might be love, and Horikita replies what a useless emotion. Mii-chan asks Hirata if they can eat lunch together but is brutishly turned down in front of the class even worse he tells her to never bother him again. Kei seeing this tries to tell Hirata he is out of line, but she threatens her by suggesting he may reveal her secret effectively shutting her up as well. Kōenji says there are many problem children in the class after watching the entire display while the rest of the class feel terrible. Kiyotaka thinks that Kōenji is one of those problem children. After school the class meets once more to plan more for the exam, Hirata leaves and Mii-chan wants to follow but after what happened in the morning, she hesitates. Kōenji starts to leave and Horikita goes to the teachers podium to begin. Keisei raises his concern about eavesdroppers from class A but Horikita says that don't need to worry about that, her plan involves using their phones to create a drop chat so they can discuss freely without being overhead. Keisei agrees with the plan and Mii-chan changes her mind and goes after Hirata but is stopped but Horikita who says what she is doing is meaningless, despite that she chases after Hirata. Horikita leaves the classroom to stop her telling everyone to stay put. Kiyotaka seeing this leaves the class although he is stopped by Sudō who he ignores and chases after Horikita. He convinces her that he should go instead as she is needed in class. She tries to tell him that as commander he should stay but he replies that she can just tell him what to do after.

As he chases after his classmates, he runs into Hashimoto who he thinks is spying on them, although he assist Kiyotaka but telling him which directions his classmate went. He quickly finds Mii-chan who is hesitating to approach Hirata. He encourages her by confirming that she wants to help even if it means Hirata started to hate her. Since he is determined to help, Kiyotaka says he agrees that Hirata needs someone to help him since he is troubled so he tells her to go do it. Kiyotaka returns to the classroom and overhears Hashimoto saying he can't listen to anything in the class as they are using messages. Kiyotaka stops and talks a little with Hashimoto about his role as commander and how he is just there so no body will get expelled. When he returns to the classroom, Horikita asks him if there was anyone outside but tells her that they left when they couldn't hear anything. Sudō says that they should include basketball as one of the events if it's 1v1 there's no way he would lose, but Horikita is against it as they can only use 1v1 events once and using basketball while guaranteeing on win would decrease the chances of other people for have 1v1 events they can definitely win as in a 5v5 basketball game there is a high chance of Sudō still winning. Kiyotaka thinks leaving it in Horikita's care is fine as she seems to be doing a good job. The next morning while Kiyotaka is heading to school, Chie Hoshinomiya calls out to him but he ignores her so she forcibly grabs him and asks him to talk to her. She asks if he has a girlfriend since the school has created a nice atmosphere for it by giving them single rooms where they are more free to develop relationships 1 on 1 versus shared rooms where it's harder to have privacy. She tells him about an actual case that happened in a certain company where more couples appeared when the rooms where single. Chabashira appears and asks what Hoshinomiya is doing with Kiyotaka, Hoshinomiya leaves them alone, while Chabashira asks what they talked about, he replies they talked about room sharing which Chabashira thinks is a useless conversation.

The next day in school as the Ayanokōji group is heading to the cafe for lunch, they spot Shibata being angry at something which is weird because Shibata is kind of similar to the usual Hirata and wouldn't be outwardly upset. He is complaining to Kanzaki and Ichinose who spots the Ayanokōji group. Ichinose decides to invite them for lunch to explain the situation so they don't spread it around. Kiyotaka thinks Ichinose is acting strange as she hasn't met his eyes once. The class B students explain the situation about class D students causing injuries to class B students by bumping into them and just annoying them in general. Ichinose offers to pay for lunch, despite just using all their points to cancel the expulsion during the class poll exam, but the Ayanokōji Group says they will feel better paying for their own meal. While Shibata wants to do something about it, Ichinose wants to ignore them and focus on their own strengths and take on the exam to the best of their classes abilities. When the class B students leave, Haruka and Airi notice that Ichinose is a little different like something has changed. They noticed that she has started wearing a citrus perfume which she didn't do before. They mention that fighting class B would be difficult as they are strong in a straight up battle. As they are walking back to class, they notice Ike and Shinohara talking and eavesdrop as Haruka and Airi get excited. Ike invites Shinohara out on white day which is sunday to treat her for the valentines day chocolates. Later that day after school, Mii-chan is still trying her best to help Hirata but to no effect, Kiyotaka leaves immediately as well but his target today is Kushida, who he wants to get information from for his role as commander. He tries to appeal to her nice side who helps the class but she doesn't want to help. Next he tries to give her something in exchange for the information but she doesn't want to help at all and rather keep her head low and not disrupt the class and do the minimum for the class as this time she hasn't taken the role of sub leader like she usually does. Kiyotaka thinks it's most likely because of Horikita who scolded her in class publicly before the class poll exam.

On Sunday the 14th March which is white day, Kiyotaka is grateful as he can quietly return the valentines chocolates he received in the girls mail boxes. Unfortunately, he runs into Ichinose who is just returning from her morning run. Aside from the white day gift, they talk about Class D's disruptions to class B. Apparently it's been getting worse, Kiyotaka thinks they may have another reason to doing it rather then just to annoy them but doesn't tell her that. Ichinose mumbles that she let her guard down as she leaves while Kiyotaka thinks she didn't have her citrus scent today. On the next school day, Kiyotaka happens to come across Manabu and Tachibana who are heading to school. Tachibana falls in step behind the 2 guys so they can talk. Manabu talks about the coming final exam but Kiyotaka asks whether he will be able to graduate as Class A being more important, he says it depends on the final exam. Kiyotaka can't figure out why Manabu is so sure that Horikita hasn't grown even though they haven't interacted much and since Kiyotaka himself feels she has grown, but Manabu tells him that Horikita used to be very different and smiley as a child, which Kiyotaka can't imagine. Manabu tells him she changed everything about her to be like him so he tried to stop that by being cold to her because Horikita says more potential then him. Manabu tells him when she reaches her potential even Kiyotaka can't ignore her. Kiyotaka begins to feel as if he wants to see that potential for himself. Thinking of his talk with Hoshinomiya sensei, Kiyotaka asks Manabu if he and Tachibana are dating. Manabu says it's not like that, which from Kiyotaka point of view makes Tachibana have a very conflicted face, indicating to him that she probably likes him. Manabu adds that since he came here he only had time to worry about school. Manabu returns the question on whether he has a girlfriend to Kiyotaka, he replies not at all but he is looking. Manabu jokes that if it's him he can trust Horikita to him, but both of them can't imagine that happening. Tachibana says that they can't say that as that's a flag, but the two man both don't understand her. Later in school, the list of events both fake and official are showed to the class. Out of all the events class A has prepared, [Chess] stands out to Kiyotaka because of the amount of power the commander has to participate and the fact that it is 1 on 1, he is sure that Sakayanagi prepared that event for them to battle with. After the tasks are revealed, Keisei goes up to Horikita and proposes a plan to get information from Katsuragi by promising to move him to their class when they accumulate 20 million points when they are in class A and because he has no position in class A anymore. Horikita doesn't agree to the plan as they have very little negotiating power without the money at all and there is a good chance that only Sakayanagi knows which events are fakes and which are not. However, he wants to go along with the plan and asks for Kiyotaka to help.

Later that night, as Kiyotaka is preparing for dinner, Horikita calls him and asks him to come to his room to discuss the exam. He goes up to her room, and feels a sense of déjà vu as he notices the scent of miso soup as Horikita forcibly asks him to sit down and wait. Horikita prepares him dinner and he is forced to eat it. He compliments her cooking but she isn't bothered by his flattery. He also things Sudō would beat him up if he ever saw this. As they are eating, he asks her if she has ever made food for Sudō but she doesn't understand why she has to do something like that especially since she is the one helping him study. While they eat Horikita tells him she knows that he was behind Manabu having the information of Yamauchi being the ring leader in the poll exam and that she came to the conclusion after thinking about what happened. Kiyotaka tells her that he is free to not answer. Horikita sets that matter aside and hands Kiyotaka her notebook and asks him to check her plans for the exam. He sees all the data she has gathered and agrees with her plans and he will use it for the exam. He asks for one request which is for her to be the player for the chess event which he is sure will be an official event. He wants it to be her as it would be easier to show his abilities if it's her and because the player should be good because there is time limit to the commanders participation. Kiyotaka offers to teach her online at night so they don't attract attention and she agrees. When they are done eating, he asks her not to use this method of getting him to help again. She replies that she will think of a different method but Kiyotaka thinks that's totally not what he wants. Keisei and Kiyotaka approach Katsuragi for information, appealing to Katsuragi hate for Sakayanagi for expelling Yahiko, as well as the promise of moving him to their class when they have the money but Katsuragi replies that betraying his class is not so easy that he will do it on an empty promise or to go down to a different class. Katsuragi asks what Kiyotaka thinks and he agrees they have very little to negotiate on. However, Katsuragi agrees on one thing which is that he hates Sakayanagi and gives them his guess on which are the 5 official events as the only person who knows which are fake is indeed Sakayanagi. He tells them [Chess], [English Quiz], [Mathematics Quiz], [Modern Literature], and [Mental Arithmetic] are his guess on what will be the events. The only one he isn't sure of is mental arithmetic as he is the strongest in that and there is one other student that is good, the other likely option is the long rope jump. Katsuragi isn't sure if Sakayanagi wants to use his ability for the exam so he isn't sure. Keisei wants to offer something in return for the information but Katsuragi just wants them to beat her. When he leaves, Keisei is excited to tell Horikita about the information but Kiyotaka asks him to let him tell Horikita since he doesn't want her to be angry for going behind her back.

With the information there are still problems in the class especially Hirata. After class Hirata once again leaves and Mii-chan wants to follow but once again Horikita who can't understand tries to stop her. Mii-chan doesn't give up and goes after her, this time Kiyotaka follows them he watches as Mii-chan tries her best to get through to her even grabbing his arm to talk to him but he uses force to get her to release him and he asks him to leave him alone because she is annoying. Kōenji who often goes home around this time appears out of no where and tells Hirata he is an eyesore and he should disappear he is going to continue being like this. Hirata is annoyed and is about to start attacking Kōenji but Mii-chan intervenes and is sent flying by Hirata, Kōenji easily stops his follow up attack. Kōenji tells him if he doesn't want to girl who is interested in him he will take her and carries her in his arms as he walks into the lobby of the dormitory. Hirata not wanting anything to do with them goes another way. Kiyotaka is confused for a second on who to follow but decides to check on Mii-chan how dropped her bag. He picks up her bag and goes into the dormitory where Kōenji has put her down, and tells her that for today she should give up trying, Kiyotaka agrees and hands her back her bag as the 2 guys wait for her to go back to her room. Kiyotaka asks Kōenji when he is helping the class but he says that he does everything based on what he wants, everything else is just a byproduct. Kiyotaka goes to find Hirata and finds him on bench. He tells him he has to tell him something, Hirata is a little disappointed that Kiyotaka who knows him so well is disturbing him too. Kiyotaka asks to know more about his past showing the darkness in his eyes to get him to talk. Hirata asks if that's what he should Kei to get her to open up as well. Hirata tells him again about his friend who committed suicide due to being targeted for bullying but this time he talks about what happened after, he learnt how horrible humans are as even after what happened they found another target to start bullying fed up with everything Hirata used violence to control everyone in his school and no one dared to go against him so the bullying stopped. Kiyotaka after hearing everything, tells him that it's his fault that Yamauchi got expelled, because he who wanted to protect everyone but couldn't do it. Hirata thinks Kiyotaka real personality is a little cold and unforgiving. He tells Hirata he is free to wish for whatever he wants but he should go and do the things he wishes himself. Hirata says what if he is too weak to do it alone, Kiyotaka replies that when he feels weak he should rely on his classmates like Mii-chan or Horikita or Kushida anyone even Shinohara. The next day in school, the usual Hirata returns and apologizes to Mii-chan for what happened yesterday the girls and even the guys are happy to see him back as well. Hirata comes up to Horikita and asks for all the information regarding the exam as he is ready to contribute to the class again. They shake hands on it.

The day of the event selection event arrives. Horikita who has prepared the strategy for Kiyotaka tells him that he can forget everything and do what he wants. Although he says he will follow her strategy exactly. He evaluates that the pass few nights of training Horikita in chess shows that she definitely has skill although she never managed to beat him. He tells him that no matter who she plays no one is as strong in chess as he is. He goes to the multi purpose hall where Sakayanagi and Ichinose are already waiting. The doors to the hall are no open and they are waiting for the last commander Kaneda. They all hear the sound of footsteps but Kaneda is not the person who arrives, it's Ryūen who says that Kaneda can't be the commander and Ryūen will be replacing him and the downside of that is the Kaneda cannot be used as a participant for any of the events later. The switch to Ryūen affects Ichinose which Kiyotaka thinks will have an affect on the whole of class B's performance later, Sakayanagi thinks that the battle between class B and D has become interesting. They 4 home room teachers open the doors and separate the 2 battles. Hoshinomiya and Sakagami will oversea the battle between Class C and A, separating the teachers from their classes. They start the exam and the actual events are shown. Class C's events are Basketball, Tennis, Table Tennis, Archery and Typing speed test. While swimming and soccer where added to mislead Sakayanagi because of Onodera and Hirata. Although it's easy to see that sports was the main strategy for class C. Class A events were exactly as Katsuragi predicted including Flash Arithmetic although Kiyotaka never told Horikita this information. Sakayanagi asks if Horikita gave him all the instructions on what to do. While Kiyotaka stays quiet. Hoshinomiya says she pities Kiyotaka for having Sakayanagi as his opponent. The first event is chosen and it's basketball. Hoshinomiya is surprised at his selection as Sudō is not included although this was Horikita's plan to save him for the other sports events that he is good at. Sakayanagi who has been speaking to Kiyotaka who insists on being quiet says she say through their plan a long time ago and has a plan to draw Sudō out for the basketball event. The 5 on 5 basketball game goes on and Kitō is class A's ace and he holds back as he marks Makita the ace in place of Sudō. Sudō and Kiyotaka both realize that Kitō is holding back and if it goes on they will lose so Kiyotaka uses his commander position to switch Sudō with Ike. Sudō asks Kitō if he is an experience playing basketball but he lies and says he is a beginner as per Sakayanagi's orders to affect Sudō mentally but Sudō who has grown takes to Horikita's influence isn't affected and wins the event for class D.

The second event randomly chosen is the typing speed test which is Sotomura's specialty so he is chosen, leading to a close battle where be beats his opponent from class A by 7 points. Class C is 2 wins up while class A has no wins. The next event is a class A event, the English quiz. Based on Horkita's notes they are 2 strategies to implement when class A events are selected, either a balanced approached or a focused approach. Either use of the students in a balanced manner to maintain a chance to win in other class A events or give up one event to focus on winning the next one. Kiyotaka decides to give up the English quiz which Sakayanagi agrees is the right decision as well. He selects Kei as well as 7 of the girls in his class that most likely won't need to participate in any of the other events. Class C loses 443 to 651 points, giving class A a win. The next event selected ends up being the mathematics quiz. Decided to go with the best students, Hirata, Mii-chan, Kushida, Keisei are among the people choose. Horikita is left out as well as Kōenji, the weakest classmate is given the ability to ask for help to solve 1 question but Nishimura doesn't use the it as Kiyotaka's ability to solve the question is most likely in doubt, as opposed to Sakayanagi's. Class C loses 631 to 655 a much closer battle. Sakayanagi mentions that using Horikita or Kōenji here may have let them win but there is no guarantee that Kōenji will bother solving the questions and Horikita is the only one who can play chess. The next event to be selected is the Flash Mental Arithmetic, he chooses Kōenji and Matsushita since the test is not based on total scores so his non participation is not a straight up lose. Matsushita is also fairly good at math. As the questions get harder to memorize, Matsushita is unable to solve questions past the 6th question out of 10 questions and the other student who isn't strong paired with Katsuragi is the same. Katsuragi, ends up solving 8 questions out of 10 leading to class A's victory although he kept his promise from earlier to go easier on them. Sakayanagi says that she knows that Katsuragi would be thinking of betraying her so she dealt with it by threatening to remove another student instead of him if he betrays class A. On the final question Matsushita uses her lifeline and asks Kiyotaka for help, same with Sakayanagi who both have the same answer. Kōenji who didn't answer a single question, says that the event was interesting and says the answer to the final question which they had a 1.5 seconds to memorize 15 3-digit numbers was 7619 which was the same as Kiyotaka's and Sakayanagi's answer. Class A wins another event making it 3-2 in favor of class A. The 6 event to be chosen was Archery which was a 2 on 2 event which Akito managed to come out on top, making the wins even for both classes.

The final event is chess. Horikita and Hashimoto are the student participating from class C and class A respectively. As the match begins, Horikita creates a large lead between herself and Hashimoto. Sakayanagi says Hashimoto's usual charming words don't seem to have an effect. Finally, Sakayanagi intervenes using her position as commander and quickly chips away at Horikita's lead. Horikita is overwhelmed and doesn't know what to do as each of her moves take longer and longer to try and defend against Sakayanagi. While Kiyotaka is interested to see how far Horikita can go against Sakayanagi, he takes over just as Horikita lead is about to be totally wiped away by Sakayanagi. As Kiyotaka and Sakayanagi begin their 1 on 1 they make moves that transcends the average player. Hashimoto and Horikita both notice the difference in play as do the 2 teachers overseeing their exam. They both make moves very quickly until Kiyotaka has Sakayanagi trapped but she is able to overcome the trap and turns the table on Kiyotaka who now needs more time to think. Sakayanagi asks if their battle has affected him and Kiyotaka confirms it has. The tables are turned once more as Kiyotaka retakes control of the game before, Sakayanagi uses a queen sacrifice to take over as her last move of the game as her time limit ones out. Kiyotaka thinks hard about his last move as he tries to overcome the situation Horikita pleads with him to not lose as she wants to win, with almost no time left he types in his final move to Horikita. However, he ends up losing the match in the end. Hoshinomiya sensei jokes that if Kiyotaka is sad he can cry while holding her. Sakagami scolds her for such jokes, she then says Kiyotaka is the type to hide his abilities and while she doesn't dislike that, she says she will hate him if he becomes her enemy. The teachers say they won't reveal what they saw today and says the students can go home as they pack up. Sakayanagi has a tiny doubt that Kiyotaka last move wasn't the best move he could make but then says it's her imagination. Tsukishiro appears and says he will do the clean up and brings people from the outside forcing the teachers to leave. Tsukishiro talks about what a match they witnessed and then purposefully reveals that at the last move, Tsukishiro had intervened and changed it. Kiyotaka mentions that the move took much longer to get sent to Horikita compared to the previous ones. Tsukishiro says the move had to be the best move even if it lead to the lose as it would be too obvious there was interference. Tsukishiro says he spoilt her fun because she went against him when he wanted her to expel Kiyotaka and then threatens to involve more people if Kiyotaka doesn't quit small voluntarily. Sakayanagi is dissatisfied with the game knowing that someone tampered with it and challenges Kiyotaka to play the game properly at the library where they is a chess board. Kiyotaka is also somewhat unsatisfied and although he can decline he accepts the invitation. They play from the final move he was supposed to make and Kiyotaka manages to win he says its because Horikita put him in a better position although Sakayanagi doesn't think that's is all although she is satisfied with a good battle and acknowledges Kiyotaka as a true genius and tells him she become interested in chess when she saw him beat the professionals one by one, confirming to Kiyotaka that she saw him in the white room. Kiyotaka asks if losing doesn't make her want a rematch but she says she plays chess for fun and wants to keep it fun and not for revenge. Besides if they played 10 games they each would probably win 5 each which Kiyotaka also agrees to. Sakayanagi tells him that from now on she won't target him or bring attention to him as she doesn't want to lose the trill of battling with him by doing it too often and with Ryūen back it might be interesting and if Ichinose comes at her she will crush her and watch her class fall to ruin. Kiyotaka says that he intends to fade back into the background and help Horikita grow. Sakayanagi is also interested to see how far Horikita can go. They walk back to the dormitory together talking about their daily lives instead of dwelling on their pasts.

Volume 11.5
On the final day of term, Kiyotaka is preparing to go for the graduation ceremony. He is excited to see it since he has never seen one before and he is curious to know if Manabu managed to graduate in class A or if Nagumo managed to block him from doing that. As he leaves his room he sees Keisei. They speak about the events of the event selection exam, and how most of his classmates don't blame him for the loss, although because of the loss their class will once again drop to class D. Kiyotaka notes that he says most instead of all and he thinks some of them feel that with a different commander they could have won. Espcially since it was a close fight. Keisei also expresses his dissappointment in failling to convince Katsuragi to come over to their side as Katsuragi ended up winning the event he participated in. Kiyotaka thinks that there is growth in failure and tells him that the Keisei from 1 year ago is different from the one today. Keisei mentions how it's sometimes difficult to follow Horikita because she always has her condecsending attitude but Keisei realises he is the same because he used to think that athletics is useless and that he was better than everyone because he was smart. Now he just wants to be as useful to his class as possible. He thinks that class D has come a long way have the greatest increase in points since the start of the year having started from 0 after losing all their points in the beginning. When he reaches the hall, Manabu is invited to speak as the representative of class A. Meaning that in the end he managed to keep his position as class A. Kiyotaka thinks that Horikita must be very relived for her brother. Manabu gives his speech and his tone is very different from his tone when he first gave his speech as student council president, as he speaks warmly to the students. He tells them that he can clearly see the difference in the first years from 1 year ago and that they have definitely grown in their time here. After the graduation ceremony, the students return to class. Where there is also a thank you meeting happening for the 3rd years and the teachers. Kiyotaka asks Horikita if she is going to visit her brother, trying to convince her that this is the last chance for her to meet with him in a long time. She hesitates a little but decides she wants to. Kiyotaka goes to kill some time as there is still time before the thank you meeting ends. He tells her to tell him when she goes to see Manabu.

It is revealed that the day before, Kiyotaka have arranged to meet with some teachers for a secret meeting during the thank you meeting. The day before, Kiyotaka makes a call to Director Sakayanagi after getting his number from Sakayanagi. The director is surprised that he has his number and there shouldn't be any reason for a student to call the director. Kiyotaka replies that there isn't anything in the school rules that says a student cannot call the director too. Kiyotaka tells him that he got the number from Sakayanagi which surprises him because he never told Sakayanagi his number either. Although Kiyotaka thinks it's easy for someone like her to get his number if she thought Kiyotaka would need it. Kiyotaka asks Director Sakayanagi if he knows about the foreign presence interfering with the school. Director Sakayanagi says he knows nothing about it and Kiyotaka explains the situation with Tsukishiro and how he meddled with the special exam between his class and Sakayanagi's class. Director Sakayanagi is surprised at this news but says with his current situation he cannot do anything. Kiyotaka confirms that his situation and Tsukishiro's presence is most likely due to Kiyotaka's father. Director Sakayanagi who has a previous relationship with him understands what kind of man he is and thinks it's possible that Tsukishiro and Kiyotaka's father is connected but tells him in his current position he cannot do anythin. Kiyotaka tells him that he doesn't expect him to do anything but when Kiyotaka tries to get rid of him he would like reliable people to be on his side. Director Sakayanagi proposes that Chabashira will be helpful and then he also tells Kiyotaka about Mashima the homeroom teacher of class A who is in charhe of the special exams of the 1st years and graduated at the same time as Chabashira. Mashima is the kind of person who puts his students first so he will be willing to go against Tsukishiro. Director Sakayanagi proceeds to help him set a meeting with Mashima and Chabashira the next day during the thank you meeting as Tsukishiro will have to attend it as part of his regular duties and 2 teachers doing missing during that time will not be suspicious. He tells him that the reception room will be a good place for the meeting as there are no cameras in there. Kiyotaka is grateful for the kindness of Sakayanagi who knew about him before hand and accepted him into the school. Director Sakayanagi then asks him what he intends to do after graduation as Kiyotaka tells him he intends to protect his 3 years here. Kiyotaka replies that he will go back to the white room because he probably can't excape his father's reach forever with his influence.

Kiyotaka goes to the reception room where Chabashira is waiting. Kiyotaka is rude to Chabashira as always saying he doesn't like her for threatening his school life but changes his tone and is more respectful as he needs her help. Chabashira says that he ended up losing to Sakayanagi so even if he promises to help her get class D to class A she can't trust what he says. Kiyotaka says that her desire to reach class A is that strong and although he doesn't trust her but her presence will help convince Mashima to help him and he will use whatever he can even. Mashima arrives with Sakayanagi who invited herself. Since she is already here, Kiyotaka doesn't mind her staying. He tells Mashima that Tsukishiro is intefering with the school exams and changing the outcome of results. Mashima doesn't believe such an outrageous claim, but Sakayanagi backs him up by saying that what he says is true revealing the truth about what happened in the special exam. There is some truth behind her words as Sakayanagi is not the type to say she lost without reason. Mashima still won't believe anything without evidence although he is starting to have doubts so he asks what Chabashira knows. She tells him about Director Sakayanagi accepting his enrollment and what she knows from him. Mashima wonders why Sakayanagi pays special attention to Kiyotaka and Sakayanagi replies that he knows about everything and tells them that they are kind of like childhood friends and if she wants to protect Kiyotaka and betray her classmates she is well within her rights, although she also says that when Tsukishiro is gone and he gets in the way, she will happily crush class D. Mashima doesn't understand why Tsukishiro would do it so Kiyotaka tells him about his father being against his enrollment and he has a lot of influence and wants him to be expelled but Director didn't let him do that even after he came to the school to discuss the matter. Mashima begins to understand the situation despite having doubts that his sense of justice won't let Tsukishiro to intefere with students so he is willing to lend a hand. Chabashira asks if that's okay with Mashima as he already had his pay cut for disagreeing with Tsukishiro during the match between class D and B when he declared the event over when Ichinose couldn't choose a classmate to fight Albert in Judo. Sakayanagi and Kiyotaka left the room first and she asks him if she was a burden but he replies that Mashima was easier to convince because of her and then thanks her afterward. They decide to pospone battling each other until Tsukishiro is gone as Sakayanagi is also angry at him for interfering with their match. Although it's just a verbal promise Kiyotaka trusts her after having spent time with her and having a good grasp of her personality.

With the meeting over, Kiyotaka goes to the hall where the thank you meeting was taking place. When he reaches, Horikita is already there to which surprised him. Manabu comes out and luckily there weren't a lot of people gathering around him yet. Kiyotaka tries to encourage Horikita to go talk to him and proceeds to give her a push on the back but the crowd around Manabu gets larger. Kiyotaka tells her to use her privilege as his sister to go up to him but she can't for she says she came here to just engrave the image of her brother's highschool life in her memory. As they are talking, Nagumo goes up to Manabu with Kiriyama and his secretaries as well as Asahina. Nagumo congratulates Manabu on graduating as class A and compliments him, shaking his hand. Manabu shows a face that says he doesn't really care about what he does with the school from now on and is a little sad that he can't see what kind of school he would make. Nagumo tells him he will find out when he meets his sister again and Manabu expresses that he would like to get to know Nagumo more. Kiyotaka thinks that the rule observing Manabu and Nagumo who wants to destroy the rules would have always clashed due to their different ideologies. They both expressed a little regret that they were not born in the same year. Nagumo walks away and comes up to Horikita confirming her name. Horikita wonders why he did so much to hinder Manabu and Asahina says that it doesn't count as Nagumo's loss since Manabu graduated from class A. Nagumo says that he didn't really lose as they weren't really competing since they were in different years although next year might be different. He says that is just wanted to earn Manabu's respect as he thinks that Manabu is an invincible person and wanted to be his rival since there is no one in the 2nd year or the 1st year who can rival him. So next year all he has to look forward to is changing the school to be a true meritocracy. Horikita and Manabu leaves and Kiyotaka waits around for Manabu. Manabu finally is free and comes to Kiyotaka saying he wants to talk to him but he was invited to a party so he tells him that he plans to leave on the 31st of March on the 12:30 noon bus. He wants Kiyotaka to inform Horikita for him and also for him to be there, since he knows he doesn't like crowds, he only intends for them two to see him off. Kiyotaka says he should invite her himself as she is more likely to come but he says to come or not is of her own choice. When Manabu leaves, Hirata comes up to him and asks if they can go back together. Hirata asks for some advice about regarding his love life, saying that he never experienced love before. Kiyotaka asks about his impression on Mii-chan, he tells him that she said she wants to be friends at first but Hirata is sure nothing will happen for sure so he is unsure of what to do. Kiyotaka tells him that leading her on when he is sure will be less hurtful than telling her now when he still still unsure with his decision. Hirata takes his advice and Kiyotaka thinks he has matured since he used to be always troubled about hurting people and went around in circles but now he can take a step forward. Hirata asks if he can call Kiyotaka by his first name, saying that since the incident in middle school he has been afraid to get close to other people always treating them the same. Kiyotaka says he can and decides to call him Yōsuke as well.

On the first day of spring break, Kiyotaka is getting ready to go out having made plans to meet up with someone, that person asks him to meet him today and once the meeting is planned, he sends another message to someone else asking to meet as well. He meets Hiyori at the café to talk about books. Since one of the books is popular she offers to lend it to him even though it's borrowed in her name at the libray saying she already got permission from the teacher. As they are talking Ike and Shinohara arrive but do not notice them even though they are seated next to each other. Ike and Shinohara are getting closer and Ike says he feels like he let the class down this exam surprising Kiyotaka as he thought he would blame him as the commander. Ike expresses that he wants to work harder next year since after Yamauchi he is the next in line to be expelled since he doesn't have Sudō athletic ability, Shinohara feels similarly. Ike is about to confess when Shinohara finally notices Kiyotaka and Hiyori, Ike asks if they were listening, Kiyotaka pretends he didn't hear anything. They ask if Kiyotaka is on a date with Hiyori but he denies it and returns the question. Shinohara says theres no way she is on a date with Ike and Ike retorts that he wouldn't be with someone so ugly. They start their usual arguments and leave the cafe. Hiyori thinks maybe it was their fault it ended up like that but Kiyotaka says they are the ones who chose to sit there. Hiyori then asks a serious question, if Kiyotaka was the one who changed Ryūen. She is afraid of digging deeper since there must be a reason Ryūen hasn't said anything, and she doesn't want to lose his friendship. Kiyotaka says it's fine as long as she stops digger. She tells him that she thinks that Ryūen methods this exam were terrible and that only someone who is more powerful and similar to him can help change his ways. Kiyotaka asks her to pass a message to Ryūen for him, that he could have won all 7 events and do it in a better way. Kiyotaka thinks he doesn't need to answer Hiyori's question any further and thinks if he can control Ryūen gang to not be out of control they have a very good ally. When Hiyori leaves, Kei shows up in a bad mood asking what he wants calling her out here when being seen together will give everyone the wrong impression. He tells her he forgot and will call her when he remembers. Kei leaves in a bad mood, although Kiyotaka thinks that's to be expected since he did it on purpose.

During the spring break, Ichinose asks if she can meet with both Kiyotaka and Horikita. He messages Horikita to tell her about it and her brothers invitation to see him off but she ignores that bit. Horikita says she can meet today. So they arrange to meet today. Kiyotaka decides to leave early and walk around the mall. At the elevator he runs into Ibuki, where they remember the last time they were in a lift together and how it got stuck. They both end up walking in the same direction, towards Keyaki Mall when Ishizaki shows up asking if they are on a date which they both deny. Kiyotaka asks if they are going to meet Ryūen. Ishizaki accidentally reveals that they are. He also tells Kiyotaka of a surefire way to get them to class A, if Kiyotaka comes to their class they would be able to beat anybody. Kiyotaka setting the lack of points aside, he says its' more fun to be enemies than allies, he also things he would like to have a rematch with Ryūen after he grows a bit too. He meets up with Horikita before meeting with Ichinose, she asks if he knows what she wants to talk about, he has already guessed but pretends he doesn't know. She doubts him and Kiyotaka thinks she has grown as she isn't falling for his usual act, she also admits that Ichinose is truly a good person. They meet Ichinose who offers to pay for their food even though she is poor due to the class pool she says she has points because she sold her hairdryer to get points he notices that he can smell the faint scent of citrus again. Ichinose wants to discuss the final exam. She tells them about the plan Ryūen used and how her classmates were sick on the day after running into Ishizaki at the karaoke joint. Ryūen had attacked them both mentally and physically to gain an edge on class B. Horikita thinks they should report it to the school but Ichinose wants to use this as a lesson to get stronger. Kiyotaka reveals that he wanted to fight class A before the truth can be revealed by Ichinose. Horikita wonders what he said but doesn't reveal it to Ichinose and goes along with Kiyotaka's words having decided to talk about it later, showing her growth as the old her would have talked about it in front of Ichinose. Finally after they talk about what happened between class C and A. They move to the real topic which is the cooperation between their classes. Horikita surprisingly is the one to declare that from next year they will be enemies are that they will have to overtake Ichinose's class while Ichinose wants to continue cooperating. However, Horikita doesn't change her mind and Ichinose accepts the end of their cooperation.

Ichinose says she wants to stay behind to gather her thoughts, so Horikita and Kiyotaka leave. When they leave, Horikita angrily asks him about him choosing to battle class A. He tries to say that he thought it was their best chance of winning as against class D only Sudō would have been useful. She asks why he didn't tell her this and went behind her back she wonders if he is really helping them reach class A. She suddenly wonders about the connection between Sakayanagi and him because of the class poll but she puts that thought away. She wonders if he really is helping since he never contributes to the class at all. She wants to test his abilities and make sure he stops pulling his punchs so he wants to challenge him in a 1 on 1 since she can't measure his abilities. They agree to challenge each other in any subject on the next written test. Kiyotaka asks for 1 wish if he wins although Horikita doesn't want to accept since he can ask for anything he says if she is confident in beating him whats the problem. She agrees and Kiyotaka doesn't have a request in mind yet he will decide it later. Kiyotaka tells her that she can pick whichever subject she wants and it wouldn't matter the result will be the same. After Horikita leaves, Kiyotaka meets him Ryūen and once more tells him his methods where not very good as they risk expulsion and that he can't count on Ichinose always being a pacifist. Ryūen takes his advice and says that the only one who will expel him will be himself. Kiyotaka thinks that that would not be so bad to be expelled by Ryūen and he is looking forward to his plans from now on. On the way back to the dormitory it starts raining heavily. He borrows an umbrella and on the way back spots Ichinose who is just standing in the rain looking depressed. He goes back to Keyaki mall to borrow another umbrella for her and heads to find her. She tells him she wants to get soaked a little longer. Seeing as she is mentally drained, and will get worse if she catches a cold. He forces her to go inside by saying she he will get drenched as well. She decides to go into the dormitory lobby but doesn't want to go back to the room as she will just continue being depressed. Kiyotaka decides that he can't leave her alone so he invites her to his room to warm up. She says that he keeps seeing her weak sidesm but Kiyotaka replies that only the people you trust see your weak sides. She wonders if she is worthy of being the class leader as she is the one letting her class down. She asks if she will be able to win in the future. Kiyotaka doesn't give her an answer but promises to give her one in a years time, in the mean time she must do her best to continue fighting until then. If she still can't handle it in a years time he will finish her himself.

On the day, Manabu is supposed to leave, Kiyotaka goes 20mins early from the meeting time and as he expects Manabu is also arrives at the same time. They both arrived early wanting to talk to each other. They talk about Nagumo and whether his method is right or wrong, also about the school system. Manabu believes every class has a chance to succeed and that if they can adapt and grow the experience will be useful to them in the future. Kiyotaka says that he intends to watch what Nagumo does for now before deciding what to do. Kiyotaka wonders why Manabu thinks so highly of him, his reply is that he can feel it and that since in his whole life he worked hard to be the best, he understands that Kiyotaka is someone who had to work harder than he ever did. He also says that he is someone who is physically and acadamically better than him and he would never want to face him but he also says that that doesn't make Kiyotaka perfect as there are still ways to beat him. Kiyotaka complete agrees with him thinking that's what makes it so interesting. Manabu also gives his number and Tachibana's number so when he graduates he can contact them if they need anything. Although he thinks theres no chance of them meeting again he memorises the numbers. Manabu asks him a final question about why he hides his abilities, Kiyotaka says it's because he doesn't want to stand out and live a normal life. However, Manabu tells him the conclusion he came to after reflecting on the things he did and didn't do at the school. He tells him that what he should do is carve his existence into the students and even if he is expelled if he can carve his existence the students will always know of the legend that is Kiyotaka Ayanokōji who attended this school. As they finish talking the time has almost come for Manabu to leave but Horikita has not showed up, he tells Kiyotaka that Horikita is in your care. With time almost up, Horikita finally makes it. Manabu shows surprise when she arrives but Kiyotaka thinks it's not because she came but because of something different. Manabu says she has returned to her old self. As Horikita and Manabu talk, she says that she is going to stop trying to be like her brother and go about doing the best she can as herself from now on. Manabu is happy and smiles while going closer to Horikita he hugs her and Horikita finally smiles. Something Kiyotaka thinks he won't see again because Manabu will be gone soon. Also Horikita has cut her hair which caused her to be late. Manabu reveals he told her a lie about liking her hair long. Kiyotaka realises that is why Manabu knew that Horikita hadn't changed despite her growing. As the bus comes and Manabu leaves, Kiyotaka thinks that it is a waste that he has to leave now as perhaps he would have changed even more if they had more time together. With Manabu gone, Horikita and Kiyotaka are left alone they begin walking back towards the dormitory she thanks him for helping her stall her brother she wanted to ask him earlier but she left her phone in the room when she went to get a haircut. She says she wanted to show she changed but didn't know how and thought a haircut was good. In the end, Horikita has come to accept both her past and present self, Kiyotaka thinks that now she will be able to grow without any obstacles. Horikita wants to walk around and is not showing her face to Kiyotaka. Kiyotaka brings her sadness out to the forefront telling her that she cannot meet with Manabu for another 2 more years and she breaks down crying. Kiyotaka watches over her as she cries, when she recovers he intended to comfort her a little but she returns to her usual self wondering why it's always Kiyotaka. She threatens him not to tell anyone what he saw, he jokes about sending a photo to Keisei and the others. They talk about Kushida and Kiyotaka contract with her, but this time he wants to leave the decision to expel her to Horikita wanting to see how she overcomes the obstacle. Kiyotaka decides what he wants to request from her if he wins their bet, he says he wants her to join the student council and tells her about Manabu request. Horikita goes back to the dormitory as Kiyotaka thinks he wants to leave his impression by raising the leaders and he thinks about an interesting class battle between Sakayanagi and the stronger Ryūen, Horikita and Ichinose. Thinking a peaceful school life is still what he wants.

One day as Kiyotaka is walking around Keyaki Mall, he is approached by Tsukishiro who is followed by some construction workers. Tsukishiro wants to talk but Kiyotaka doesn't want to ask he noticed that Matsushita was following and he didn't want to be seen having a conversation with the acting director as she would be more suspicious. Tsukishiro notices Matsushita as well, revealing he has memorised all of his classmates. He once agains ask for Kiyotaka to drop out of school voluntarily. However, he once again says he won't do that, he says that he is just a man sent to do the job and he wants it done fast. Kiyotaka wants to know what he thinks about the Whiteroom saying he may drop out depending on his answer. Tsukishiro says that he thinks it's more stupid and necessary. From his answer he guesses that Tsukishiro is the kind who lies very well being able to put on any mask he wants to fit the situation. Tsukishiro says he has seen his test scores and knows that Kiyotaka is far from ordinary and his skills are above most adults already and that he is important to the Whiteroom. Tsukishiro proposes a game, where if Kiyotaka can guess the identity of the Whiteroom student being enrolled as a first year next year he will leave on his own. Although there is no guarantee that he will keep his promise, there isn't any demerit in excepting here. Kiyotaka leaves and waits around a corner to ambush Matsushita who has began to suspect he is hiding his abilities. She asks him what he was talking about with the acting director he lies and says that he was asking students what facilities they would like here. She reveals she thinks he is hiding his abilities because she say him run, console Hirata and complete the hardest question in the Flash Mental Arithmetic event. Kiyotaka says that he is hiding his abilities because he doesn't like to stand out because he realises Matsushita is similar to him and she is probably hiding her abilities as well and her goal here is to get him to use it so the class can reach class A. He says that he has been using 70-80% of his abilities and if he went all out he wouldn't reach Hirata. Matsushita thinks this is weird as Kei wouldn't pay such attention to him if this was the case. Kiyotaka grabs her shoulders and fake confesses to her trying to prove a point that if he did that a girl would pay attention to him. Matsushita seems to believe him for the moment after experiencing his 'confession' as Kiyotaka predicts.

As the spring break is about to end, Kiyotaka is preparing to make a big change. He has been preparing to make a confession, he thinks about the ways to increase the probability of making it a sucess like giving a gift or going out to eat. He has been ignoring Kei's phone call for a while now and decides to pick up the phone. She sounds annoyed at what Kiyotaka wants since she has been trying to call him. He asks her if he can meet up in person to discuss the matter he had 'forgot' when he called her out to meet him on the day he met Hiyori. She comes to his room although she has already made plans at 7pm to meet her friends. When Kei arrives, Kiyotaka has trouble getting the words he wants to say out. Since he was having trouble, Kei starts talking about Satō being suspicious of their relationship subtly questioning if she broke up with Hirata to be with Kiyotaka. Kiyotaka then tells her about Matsushita and what he did to get her to back off. Kiyotaka tells her it's okay to let them think that although Kei denies it that it would be bad because it would be hard for her to get a new boyfriend if there were such rumours. She tells him the same would be true for him if he wanted to get close to Hiyori. Kiyotaka doesn't deny that possibility, Kei becomes jealous that he doesn't deny it and that he calls Hiyori by her first name and also shares the same interest as him. Kei tells him that she wants to leave because there might be boys at her planned outing tonight and she wanted to find a new boyfriend. Kiyotaka thinks he may have overdid the teasing. As Kei gets up to leave, he finally manages to say what he planned on saying and asks her out. Kei is surprised asks him what he said. He repeats himself Kei says that if this is a joke their relationship is over and that if he wants to take back what he said now is the time, she even asks what about Hiyori, he tells her he just did that to find out if he could make her jealous. They confess to each other although it takes a little more urging before Kei can find the words. As Kiyotaka proceeds to hug her she gets flustered thinking he is going to kiss her, he tells her not yet and hugs her for now. As he hugs her many things go through his head as he thinks that this stage was necessary for Kei to grow, or the fact that she is someone he is using to learn about love. However, as he thinks these things he wishes that she will be an important person to him in the future.

2nd Year Volume 1
As the new school term arrives, Kiyotaka and class D become 2nd years moving to the 2nd year classrooms. The classroom is slightly different with the blackboard being replaced with a monitor. While waiting for school to begin, Akito walks over to Kiyotaka and asks how he is as the Ayanokōji group did not see him throughout of spring break, he says Haruka and Airi were worried about him. Glad he made some good friends, he says that he will join them more in the future. When Horikita arrives in school, Sudō and Kushida are surprised because of her new haircut, asking her if something happened like if she was heartbroken. Horikita is annoyed at the attention but tells them she cut it to show her resolution to change. Kei is the next to arrive and Kiyotaka thinks about how they just started dating a few days ago and only the 2 knew of this for now. Chabashira comes into class and tells them about the OAA system that the school is implementing which shows everyone's overall abilities and photo on an app for all students to see. Chabashira tells them that it will be important going forward. Kiyotaka uses the app and checks the stats of the people in his class, Yōsuke is at the top of the class, while Ike is at the bottom followed by Airi. Chabashira says that there may be penalties to students who do not improve and fail to get above a certain cut off. Kiyotaka is placed in the middle of the class for better or for worse. As the school days go by normally, a new special exam is announced, the Partner Exam. The 2nd years will pair up with a first year and take on the written test at the end of the month. There will be 5 subjects with each subject having 100 points for a total of 500 points. The peculiar thing about the exam is that both students together need more than 500 points to avoid penalties so even if he scored full marks on every paper his partner would need to score at least 1 point. The second years will be expelled if they fail to get at least 501 points. There is also a stipulation if any study manipulates his marks they will also be expelled. Kiyotaka realizes that this wouldn't matter to the White room student sent as they have no fear of expulsion so he needs to prevent being paired up with the White room student. He also realizes that the OAA will be heavily used for this exam as the 1st years and the 2nd years have no knowledge of each others abilities other then through the OAA app. Kiyotaka's academic ability is C so he thinks that he may have trouble finding a partner. He considers using Hirata and Horikita to swap partners with being they confirm it through the app but he can't dismiss the possibility that the White room student will expect him to do that. Horikita and Hirata quickly work together to form a plan to help the class's weaker students like Ike get a partner by getting the strongest students to hold off from forming partnerships to keep as bargaining chips while Hirata says he will ask the juniors in his club for help. They quickly form a strong partnership leading the class after the events of the class poll exam. Horikita tells Kiyotaka later that her first priority for partner finding is Sudō because of his attitude and appearance despite being better than Ike academically after he started studying, since in the OAA they both are E ranked he will find it harder to find a partner. They talk about what will most likely happen, and think that a money game will likely occur which they probably cannot join as their financial standing among the 4 classes is probably the weakest. As they were talking, Ichinose sent a school-wide message on the app asking the 1st years to meet with her at the hall for a meeting with the 2nd years. She convinces Kiyotaka to check out the meeting with her. They also agree to use this exam as the battleground for their bet with each other due to the difficulty of the test.

They head to the meeting after school, and spot Hashimoto scouting for Sakayanagi. Ichinose is using her charisma to save her classmate by forming good relations with the 1st years instead of aiming for the top spot in the exams. They watch as Ichinose uses her friendliness to get the 1st years to open up. Sudō who followed them forcibly asks if they aren't going to do anything, but Horikita notices that not a single class 1-D students are at the meeting which she finds odd and wants to go negotiate with their class again. They leave the meeting and cross paths with Hashimoto who is also leaving, he says that Ichinose is being very herself and giving up her chance to win this exam to save her classmates, implying that Sakayanagi already foresaw this outcome. Horikita asks if Sakayanagi already has a plan, Hashimoto doesn't know and leaves the thinking to her. The 3 of them head to the class 1-D classroom where they meet Ryūen who did not go to the meeting and came here instead. Horikita tells him if he does anything dirty she won't hesitate to report him. Although he replies that he has to do pull some strings to come out on top for this exam since he also can't pay his way to victory. He leaves after talking him them and leaving a hint that the first years this time are very well informed unlike how they were back when they were 1st years. When they reach the classroom of 1-D they noticed not a single person was there. They begin to suspect that the coordinated movements of their class may mean someone has already taken control of the class. Seeing as there was nothing they could do, they leave the school. Horikita asks Kiyotaka to find his own partner as she trusts him to move independently. After the first day 22 pairs are finalized. The next day during lunch, some first years come visit the 2nd year classrooms, Kazuomi Hōsen and Tsubasa Nanase. Horikita, Kiyotaka and Sudō go and check who the 1st years are Kiyotaka notices that despite all the other 2nd years around they focus their attention on Kiyotaka first before Hōsen says that he has come to class 2-D and says he has come to bail them out and he would be willing to work together if they get on their knees and beg. Sudō gets angry because of his attitude but Horikita stops him from starting a fight. Ishizaki shows up and does not like his attitude either and wants to start a fight, but Ryūen comes shows up stops him and begins to insult Hōsen as well, they talk about hearing about each other in the past but never ever meeting. Hōsen is trying to egg Ryūen into a fight, but he doesn't do anything Ibuki who is with them is surprised that Ryūen is going to let this go. Hōsen who wants to fight, grabs Ibuki round the neck and finally Ryūen tries to help her, Ishizaki as well steps in but Hōsen is able to fend them all off while still holding on to Ibuki. Nanase threatens him by saying she will expose 'that' and says they didn't come here to fight. Hōsen then stops his violence, a teacher shows up and asks Hōsen to stop causing trouble. When Hōsen and Nanase leave, the teacher introduces himself as the homeroom teacher of class 1-D Katsunori Shiba before leaving himself. Another 1st year shows up and apologizes for Hōsen's behavior, he notices Kushida who is coming back from the lunch with Matsushita, Satō and Mii-chan. He calls her Kushida senpai, and asks if she remembers him, Takuya Yagami. She at first doesn't but suddenly seems to remember who he is. He offers to pair up with Kushida since he knows her, but she doesn't give him an answer yet. He agrees to wait for her decision. Kiyotaka quietly asks Horikita if what he says is true since they are from the same middle school, but she doesn't have an inkling on who he is, saying he wasn't interested in anyone else back then so she can't remember. Akito says that Hōsen was well known around his neighborhood and there were rumors he beat up the lead gangster in Akito's neighborhood. Haruka confirms that he used to be a gangster back then and says it's pretty cool. Although Akito says he has changed at that he would never want to fight Hōsen. Kiyotaka thinks that even if he went all out he wasn't sure if he could take Hōsen easily considering his strength.

After school, Horikita, Sudō and Kiyotaka head to Keyaki mall to try and find a partner for Sudō. They find a group of class 1-D students with high academic ability according to the OAA and ask if they would like to partner up with Sudō they say that since they will have to give up their chance to earn private points from aiming for the top spot, they will ask for private points in compensation. They also tell them that they were approached by students from class 2-C and class 2-A who are willing to pay for their partnership but don't tell them how much was offered. They say that if they can give them 500000 points on the spot they will pair up with them immediately. Horikita asks if they can gather their class so they can discuss all at once instead of 1 by 1 but they say that Hōsen wouldn't like that, which Kiyotaka thinks proves that Hōsen is in control of class 1-D. When they leave, Horikita explains her objective for the exam, is to make sure no one is expelled, get 3rd and above in overall test scores and finally to not get dragged into the money war. As they are still discussing, another 1st year Ichika Amasawa from class 1-A comes up to them, offering to team up with Horikita because she has a high academic ability and they can aim for the highest places together as Amasawa has a academic rating of A. Instead of taking up her offer, Horikita asks if she wants to pair up with Sudō instead. Amasawa says she like strong guys and wouldn't mind if he can prove he is strong. She wants to see Sudō fight someone to see if he is strong enough, Horikita agrees but says if no one shows up to fight Sudō then, it's their win by default. Amasawa changes her mind, because it's clear that no one will come to challenge Sudō and says if he can cook to her satisfaction, she will agree to be his partner. Sudō says he can't cook but Horikita asks if she can do it in his place. She says no but she wants a guy who can cook so Horikita proposes Kiyotaka to do it and if he cooks well enough Amasawa will partner with Sudō. Horikita wants to put the cooking test off so Kiyotaka has time to prepare but Amasawa doesn't want to let that happen although she says that's not her intention she wants the test to be done the next day after school. Since will also choose the dish on the day, as well as get Kiyotaka to buy the ingredients so they won't know what she wants to eat until the time to cook. By the end of that day, 34 new pairs were formed.

The next day, Kiyotaka thinks about his situation and how he can narrow down who the white room student is. He thinks that the White rooms carefully managed diet would not result in an overweight person but he can't dismiss the fact that if they were given a few months notice they could have adjusted their weight. Next he considers the OAA scores but decides the student can easily manipulate scores and can be in any class. He decides he needs to evaluate each student one by one to decide who it is, so he wants to approach them instead of letting them approach him as he expects the student to do. As he is going to school he notices 2 1st year girls from class 1-A and wants to approach them as he can get information even though they are already paired but realizes that it would be hard for someone like him to just approach 2 younger girls. While he is troubled, he is approached from behind by Nanase who offers to help him talk to the girls. He decides to talk to Nanase instead and asks if she would consider an alliance with his class as that's what Horikita wants to do. She says she thinks it would be could but difficult because of Hōsen which meant that Hōsen was indeed in control of class 1-D. He asks if she isn't afraid of Hōsen, and she replies no because she will never give in to violence. She asks him what he thinks about violence whether he is for it or against it. Kiyotaka says if he had to pick between the 2 he is for it, Nanase says she is too. They exchange contact information, to try and begin an alliance between their classes. Once Kiyotaka reaches school, he wants for Horikita at the entrance so he can tell her what happened with Nanase. She tells him that they also have a cooperation with 1-B due to Yagami and Kushida pairing up being the condition for Yagami getting students in his class to pair up with the 2-D students. Horikita wants to get an alliance going and ask him to contact Nanase to arrange a time. Unfortunately, that night they have a more important issue to deal with, Amasawa's test. He meets Amasawa at the mall, where she has him buy not only the ingredients for her test but also cooking utensils, which are expensive costing him over 15000 points which he wants to claim from Sudō and Horikita although at first he wasn't intending to already expected to have to buy the ingredients. He muses over a extremely expensive and high quality fruit knife which cost 3000 points. Since it's high quality he wants to upgrade his current utensils but Amasawa reading his intentions says that these should only be used when he cooks for her, Kiyotaka calls her a demon. As they go back Kiyotaka wants to know why he even wants someone like him to cook for her, she tells him she is looking for someone good enough to cook for her since she is picking in the future since it looks like if she ever ran out of points it would be hard to survive. She asks him to cook Tom-Yum-Goong for her, and he does so with Horikita secretly feeding him the instructions over the a wireless earpiece while she is connected to Sudō's phone which is in her bag. He manages to make a dish that satisfies her as well as peel an apple with the fruit knife he bought using knife skills she learnt from Horikita the day before. Amasawa is satisfied and sends an offer to pair with Sudō, Kiyotaka says that Sudō is at practice and will accept the partnership later. As Amasawa leaves after cleaning up, saying she used to do it for her mom, Kiyotaka asks her if she can join up her class with Class 2-D but she says she is a loner because she is too frank so she doesn't have friends in her class. Kiyotaka thinks from her words and actions she doesn't seem like the White room student but he won't eliminate the possibility yet. When she is gone, he calls Horikita from his phone and she asks him why he asked her that he explains that it's to make sure the other classes know they aren't just focused on them in case what happened here leaked to the other classes. Horikita thinks he might actually be shrewd and calculative and kind of can see why her brother had an eye on him.

On the next day, 2 class 1-D students finally made their first partnerships, which is news as Hōsen had controlled his class up to a point. That day, Horikita and Kiyotaka have plans to meet with Nanase to discuss an alliance going forward between both classes. Thanks to Kushida, Airi and Haruka have managed to find partners in class 1-B. They go to the library to meet Nanase while waiting for her, Hiyori is there and they talk a little about the exam. When Nanase arrives, Horikita proposes her alliances and Nanase says she would like that but Hōsen is a problem, as he won't let any classmate budge unless they cough up the required class points. Horikita says that although for the first exam the 1st years are protected from expulsion that won't always be the case so in the future the alliance will be beneficial to their class as well and if they can do it without points being payed the relationship will not be confined to just a relationship of points. However, Nanase thinks Hōsen will never accept that, seeing as how nothing will happen without Hōsen, Horikita says he wants to discuss with him herself. Nanase calls him to convince him to meet Horikita but instead they talk over the phone and Hōsen just turns her down again. Nanase apologies for it not working out and leaves them but promising to discuss more later after she tries to convince Hōsen. Later that night, Kiyotaka receives a call from Kei who has information regarding an item bought at the store and about whether anyone tried to buy it, he finds out who tried to buy it but was stopped by a girl. Having received the information, Kiyotaka changes topics on whether Kei has been studying for the exam. She tells him she has been putting off, Kiyotaka tells her he should go to the study sessions since she hasn't been going, but she replies she won't have motivation if he isn't there. He wants to tease her a little but decides that motivating her to study is better so he says he will teach her instead. He tells her to come over at 6pm the next day to study. On Friday the next day, Nanase is late to meet them but finally turns up, she proposes that she can convince some of her classmates to betray Hōsen and go along with their alliance, and that class 2-D can help them avoid the weaker students lose their private points for 3 months and pay them back for paying the 500000 points. Horikita rejects the idea as she doesn't want to break up their class into one that follows Nanase and one that follows Hōsen and would rather try and convince Hōsen to agree with her plans. Nanase says that she would prefer that as well, she was simply testing to see if the short term gain was all Horikita was after. Nanase says that she will bring Hōsen along on sunday no matter what to discuss the matter. Although time is already short Horikita takes the risk after some encouragement from Kiyotaka. Horikita leaves as she needs to help with their classes study session leaving him with Nanase. Nanase asks Kiyotaka what kind of person he is before saying she thinks that he is a wicked and dirty person. Looking at him with eyes that said she truly believed that. From this Kiyotaka thinks she may be the White room student as the student would want to interact directly with him and would not be solely interested in his expulsion. She then says when she interacts with him she can only see an ordinary person. Just as she is leaving, she mentions that the 1st years started with 800 class points instead of 1000 class point like his year started with. In return for this information he gives her information on protection points which the 1st years had not heard about.

Later that night, Kei comes over to his room to study for the exam. He hands her a set of quizzes Keisei prepared to gauge their abilities. After 50 minutes Kiyotaka grades her papers and has a good idea of her current level and says starting from the day after, she needs to join Yōsuke's study session. She says she will cause she feels afraid that she will fail and get expelled. She asks about whether he should be teaching her since his OAA is level is just a C. She knows he is smart but wants to know what score can he actually get, he asks her what she thinks he can get but she just grabs him and asks him to tell her. He tells her that instead of what score can he get it's a question of what score does he want to get. Since it is still early, Kei asks him to teach her a little more and asks him to sit next to her. He teachers her for another hour, and realizes that she is quite smart but her getting bullied in middle school led her to have weaker fundamentals. While they are studying, she notices a strand or long red hair, and gets angry when she asks whose hair is it and if he had a girl in his room. Just as she is questioning him, the girl who the hair strand belongs to, rings his room from the dormitory entrance. Kei seeing Amasawa hair immediately goes to the intercom and asks who she is angrily. Kiyotaka wanting to avoid a scene, pulls Kei away and answers her. Amasawa says she lost her favorite hair tie and it might be in his room. He lets her up and she asks Kei if she is his girlfriend and for her name, Kei doesn't answer. Amasawa searches for her hair tie under the bed making her bottom more pronounce and teases Kiyotaka for noticing, Kei glares at him and he offers to check under the bed for her while Amasawa checks the kitchen. Kei wants to know more but Kiyotaka stops her seeing that it's important she listens to him. Amasawa shows them the hair tie that she found and leaves his room, saying she is impressed that Kiyotaka has such a cute girlfriend. When she leaves, Kei wants to know exactly what is going on and Kiyotaka explains to her until she is satisfied about why he cooked for her and her partnership to Sudō. On Saturday, as he is returning from Keyaki mall, he meets up with Sakayanagi. Who reveals she guessed that Tsukishiro had prepared this exam to try and expel him due to the rules. Rather than lie to her he agrees with her observations she also tells him she has found some safe students for him that he can partner up with but he rejects her offer not because he doesn't trust he judgement but he rather place his own fate in his own hands and if he left it to someone else and got expelled he would regret it. Another pair of students he meets on Saturday are Sakurako Tsubaki and Riku Utomiya who are from class 1-C who are looking for a partner for Tsubaki who has a OAA academic rating of C which is why she hasn't found anyone to partner up with. Kiyotaka is suspicious that they would approach him so he doesn't take up their offer telling them he already has someone in mind to pair up with. Not pushing further, Utomiya leaves his contact information if Kiyotaka changes his mind. Kiyotaka keeps in mind these 2 students who approached him.

On Sunday, the day to meet Hōsen has arrived. Sudō is joining Kiyotaka and Horikita for the negotiation on the condition he doesn't interfere. While the 2 guys are waiting for Horikita, Sudō asks Kiyotaka if Horikita will accept his confession if confesses. Even as he asks the question, he knows that Horikita right now doesn't understand romance and love. Kiyotaka is interested to know if he is rejected by her will he stop studying and growing. Sudō thinks that if he did that after being rejected Horikita would think that was lame too so he won't do it. Kiyotaka is impressed by his growth. They go to the karaoke parlor where they wait for Hōsen to arrive. They get food and drinks and wait while Hōsen takes his time and comes late. They try negotiating on the grounds of a equal relationship but Hōsen laughs at the idea asking for collateral but Horikita herself doesn't budge. Hōsen throws water at her angering Sudō but is stopped from fighting by her. Seeing as Hōsen won't let himself compromise while he seems to want to the alliance, Horikita walks out first determined that he will come after her. As they are walking back to the dormitories, Hōsen and Nanase who is walking behind them calls out to them. Making his demands more and more outrageous. Finally saying that if they can beat him he will agree to the alliance. The area is free from surveillance so Hōsen makes his move and attacks Horikita which prompts Sudō to defend her starting a brawl. Although Sudō is top notch in athletics, Hōsen who is experiences in fighting has the edge and beats him. Hōsen looks to defeat Horikita next which he promptly does. Turning his eyes to Kiyotaka next. Horikita tells him to run and find some teachers but Hōsen threatens to kill him taking out a knife if he tries to do that. He pieces the puzzle together and realizes that Hōsen never wanted to negotiate and he did everything to get it to this point. Instead of running, he runs towards Hōsen who had raised the knife and pierces his left hand the knife Hōsen is holding. Hōsen is surprised by his actions trying to get away but Kiyotaka locks his hand in place. Kiyotaka explains that he did everything to create the situation where he would stab himself, and blame Kiyotaka who according to the narrative Hōsen created had taken out a knife he owned to defend Horikita and Sudō who were beaten leading to his expulsion. He says that Amasawa had refined his plan when he tried to buy the same knife that he already owned and she had come on Friday night to retrieve the knife for this plan. With the wound on Kiyotaka, Hōsen was now trapped and at his mercy as it looked like he stabbed Kiyotaka and with investigation they would find out he tried to buy the same knife as well. He tells him they will all keep it a secret if he agrees to an equal alliances and if Hōsen is his partner for the exam. While he isn't sure Hōsen isn't the White room student as Akito and Ryūen hadn't met him in person with evidence of the stabbing, he could use that as leverage to make sure he didn't flunk the test. Hōsen agrees because he doesn't want to be expelled before getting to enjoy his school life here and he leaves first. Nanase stays to explain the situation, she says that she did want to cooperate with class 2-D but above that, she wanted to expel Kiyotaka because there was a special exam in place to give the student 20 million points for expelling him and that he should be weary of the other classes as well, also saying she doesn't think he belongs in the school. Horikita and Sudō ask if he is okay, but he says he is fine and calls Chabashira for help, but doesn't tell her all the details.

After the test results come out, class D has no expulsions. However, the biggest news of the day is the fact that Kiyotaka got a full marks on the maths test that Horikita and him decided upon on the day itself. No one else had gotten a full school in the school as the paper was extremely difficult. Horikita herself only scores 87 marks the second highest in the class. When he leaves the classroom, Horikita approaches him and says she lost and that the hardest questions on the test she had no idea about the concepts on them. Kiyotaka says it's probably college level but doesn't tell her he learnt them as a child as that would just make her feel worse. Horikita admits defeat but before the conversation can continue, Chabashira comes up and says that she needs him. She brings him to meet Tsukishiro, but on the way there she tells him she understands now that he is special, he reveals in his mind that that was one of the reason he scored full marks as it would convince Mashima and her about him. She also wants to know more about the situation leading to knife wound since he didn't tell her much. He meets Tsukishiro but doesn't reveal that Chabashira is on his side. Kiyotaka wonders if there really is a White room student when Tsukishiro asks him if he knows the identity of the student. Kiyotaka says he won't guess without certainty, Tsukishiro says that the student managed to successfully blend in. Since the student didn't make any more this exam, Kiyotaka wonders if it was all a lie, Tsukishiro tells him he got an extension and maybe decided to expel him at the next exam or maybe the student decided to disobey with and is doing whatever he/she wanted. Kiyotaka can't ascertain the truth as he doesn't trust any of his words as he leaves.

2nd Year Volume 2
30 mins has passed after speaking him Tsukishiro, Chabashira is waiting for him outside. She asks if he is ready to face the class as getting full marks on the maths test will draw attention to him from now on. He thinks that her waiting for him is a mistake as Tsukishiro can find out if she is on his side. He tells her that she should go as it's weird for her to be here. She then leaves preparing for the situation in the classroom, he sends a message to Horikita but gets no reply from her. When he returns to the classroom, the person leading the charge to question him is Keisei who is upset at his score in the maths test. The moment Kiyotaka enters, he asks him about what happened. Horikita intervenes, saying to let her explain the situation. Keisei protest wanting to hear the explanation from Kiyotaka instead but Horikita insists as she is the main reason. She tells them that she asked with him to hide his abilities all the way back in the spring of the first year after knowing his abilities. She wanted to hide the classes through strength by having him not perform his best but also not being detrimental to the class. So that the other leaders would not be aware of him Sending a signal to Yōsuke, he says he understands the situation and thanks Horikita for always thinking of the class. With Horikita plan seeming plausible and Yōsuke's belief in it, most of the class are convinced that that must be true. Helping to divert the attention away from Kiyotaka, Kei says that Horikita is amazing to have thought about this, asking Shinohara if she thinks so too. Shinohara mentions she used to frequently see the two of them secretly conversing with each other. With most of the classes doubts quelled, Kiyotaka moves to leave the classroom, but Keisei, Haruka and Airi come after him Haruka tells him it's not nice to leave without saying goodbye. Keisei is upset that he was teaching Kiyotaka for no reason, and that he didn't trust the group enough to tell them about Horikita's plan. Kiyotaka thinks he can just blame Horikita here but since she helped him out earlier he takes the blame saying it was his decision and apologizes. Keisei says we was planning on leaving the group but his rational side understands why Kiyotaka did what he did. Airi suggest they shake on it to make up, and once they do they all decide to go and eat dinner together once Akito is done with club practice. With the results of the partner exam Ryūen's class is now Class B with Ichinose's class is class C.

Kiyotaka arrives early at Keyaki Mall and is approached by Kanzaki and Ichinose. They talk about their his maths score, and Kanzaki displays distrust in him because he is hiding his abilities while Ichinose says he isn't his enemy. Kiyotaka thinks Kanzaki is right and they should treat him as an enemy because they don't have their alliance anymore as well. Kanzaki leaves first leaving Ichinose and Kiyotaka alone, she says he is amazing to be great at maths but he says that may be all he is good at and that Ichinose has her own weapon that can't lose to anyone else. Ichinose remembers the words he told her about moving forward and protecting her classmates and tells him if the time comes she will be the first to drop out, but he tells her when that time comes he won't let her. Causing her to be embarrassed and to regain some of her passion to do well in her own way. She leaves as the Ayanokōji Group arrive wondering what Ichinose wanted with him, he tells them they were talking about his maths results, they reply that Kiyotaka has become a sort of celebrity because of it. They next day, Horikita and Kiyotaka arrange to meet regarding the bet that she has to join the student council. Since Manabu was worried about him it's only right that Horikita does her part to stop him if it comes to that. They had a prearranged time to meet with Nagumo as they discuss what he wants her to do. He tells her he wants to see his reforms before making a decision and that Manabu believe that the class shouldn't be evaluated on the whole together, and Kiyotaka still doesn't know which is right or wrong so now he wants her to gather data and be in a position to act if a need arises. They go to meet Nagumo in the student council room and Kiriyama is also there. Nagumo accepts her joining after hearing her reason which involves her mixing truths with lies, she tells him that after reconciling with Manabu she wants to follow in his footsteps and aim to be student council president as well. With Horikita in and since Kiyotaka is there, Nagumo also invites him to join but he declines. Nagumo also questions why Kiriyama wanted to be here since he never comes to these things, he replies he was interested in Manabu's little sister. Kiyotaka thinks since he couldn't beat Nagumo he relied on Manabu then himself and now he wants to know if there is a chance to rely on Manabu's little sister. Since he was no more reason to be there as Horikita gets introduced to the other members of the student council, he leaves. He notices that Kei left him a message 30 mins ago about whether she can come to his room. He replies okay and to come in awhile as he is on the way back.

He returns to his room and tidies up, and setting the tables with study materials just in case someone comes in and leaving the door unlocked. Kei comes soon after knocking 3 times before coming in. Since it was the time students were returning she could be easily seen but it that happens they would deal with that. He asks her what she wants to drink but she tells him to relax and let her do it since he was injured. She asks he wants he says black tea because that's what she wants to make thing easier for her but she knows that too and tells him she can do this much. So he changes his drink to coffee. When she finished preparing the drinks she brings his coffee and herself a Café au lait. She says that it might be harder to reveal their relationship after he got 100 points as now it will look like she is dated him for status but he tells her that for guys dating a cute girl is for status too and there is nothing wrong with that. Wondering what her counter argument will be he waits but she is just asks if he finds her cute. He says he wouldn't date someone not cute. She compliments him back in return. They chat about mundane things although he finds it enjoyable as Kiyotaka thinks he has begun to understand love bit by bit. As their conversations get shorter and more silences follow, they have the urge to have physical contact with each other although Kei is a little hesitant she gives into her feelings and their faces come closer and closer until... the door bell rings. They both break apart moments from their lips touching due to the sound. Kiyotaka goes to see who is at the door. He sees Amasawa through the peephole with nothing in her hand and opens the door to see what she wants. She asks if he is alone, since his u-lock is bolted and she doesn't see any other shoes since he had already stored it away. She says she wants him to cook for her right now and check on his hand, he says he has no more left over ingredients and they will have to go buy some all though they will have to end their date, at least Kei can sneak out while they buy ingredients, Amasawa reveals that she had bought the ingredients already and takes a plastic bag which she had hidden behind the wall. Kiyotaka thinks all his measures to prevent Amasawa have been blocked. Amasawa then if his girlfriend is inside and if he is hiding her. She threatens to tell people if she isn't let in. Seeing no choice he opens the door. Amasawa says that a couple in a room alone could be doing lewd things but mentions that the bed isn't messy or their clothes wrinkled. Kiyotaka says it's against school rules but Amasawa says that's just a decoration since they can buy contraception and produce a box saying it's an apology for for what happened with his hand and being involved with Hōsen's plan. Kei is surprised to hear about what happened letting Amasawa know Kiyotaka hadn't told her about it. Although she also says she is an ally to him despite being involved, due to her intervened Hōsen idea become a real strategy but she left a trace, if she wanted to do it better she could have. Kiyotaka thinks he can accept that she could be the white room student or someone as smart as Sakayanagi. Amasawa says she wants something to drink, Kiyotaka asks Kei to make it telling her that if she doesn't she will have to talk to Amasawa. She goes and makes her coffee but once it is made, Amasawa leaves just to annoy her. With her gone the previous mood from earlier is destroyed as Kei wants to know about what happened. Kiyotaka thinks he didn't want to keep it a secret but he didn't want to needlessly worry her but now he tells her everything about the current situation.

As mid June arrives, Kiyotaka and Kei haven't been able to find another time to kiss since the interruption by Amasawa, although he wants to progress the relationship, he wants Kei to remove the wall herself. On the way to school he runs into Nanase, who hasn't talked to him since the end of the previous exam. She calls out to him and she talks to him about Hōsen and how he has become more focused on Kiyotaka and is a little bit more well behaved because of it. She also tells him about the fact that the 1st years already have one expulsion after a special exam they had at the end of May leading to one of the class 1-C students to get expelled and he was a student with academic ability A so something must have happened. She tells him that since Hōsen failed attempt the other classes are not willing to attack Kiyotaka in the day to day life and most likely waiting for another special exam to attempt it. Kiyotaka thinks that Nanase told him about the bounty so Class D would not be disadvantaged in the fight to expel him as he would be cautious of all classes. Being leaving she tells him to not leave this place with any regrets as if he wouldn't be here longing. In class that day Chabashira explains to them about the upcoming Uninhabited Island Exam that will take place in the summer. As well as the 1 week on the luxury cruise ship that will be part of their summer holidays since the exam will overlap with their usual summer holidays. She explains that until the time of the exam that they will have to form groups within their year and that this exam is against all the school years not just their own. There are also various cards that have an effect on the exam. When Chabashira leaves, Kōenji follows her to ask a question about what would have if a student cannot participate on the first day, she tells him that student will be expelled so he cannot get out of this exam so easily. Kiyotaka who is following him is discovered by Kōenji, and he asks Kiyotaka if he would like to group up but he replies he doesn't want to let him do all the work for him. When Kiyotaka returns to the class Kōenji does to and Yōsuke and Horikita have already began discussing what they should do about forming groups. They consider forming groups of class D, C and B to close the gap with A but don't want to incur Sakayanagi wrath so they don't want to propose the idea and would rather another class propose it. The decide on their class strategy but can't come to any conclusion without knowing how the other year 2 classes are going to act. After school, students with high abilities are being sort after and phones are constantly ringing. Kiyotaka teases Horikita for not having friends as people don't have her contact and her phone is not ringing despite having high abilities. Horikita asks what about his phone but he says he forgot to charge it. She saws him her notes on the current grouping strategy with includes them consulted her first being grouping up and not confirming the groups first. The next day Kiyotaka receives his card for the exam, and its the trial card which increase the amount of class points he can earn but if he finishes in a low position carries penalties. Horikita leaves his group up to him as he should be able to take care of himself.

Hiyori, Albert and Ishizaki ambush him and get him to listen to Ishizaki's proposal. Hiyori asks if they can bring Kiyotaka to Ishizaki room but he says it's messy although Hiyori offers to help him clean it up it's not a mess Ishizaki can let her clean up. So they end up going to Albert's room as he carries Kiyotaka there. Ishizaki proposes that Kiyotaka joins any group made up of class B students for an easy victory as Kiyotaka is very strong maybe stronger than Ryūen and offers 20 million points for it so he can transfer to their class when they reach class A. Kiyotaka asks if this is Ryūen's idea which makes Ishizaki look a little scared but says he is willing to take the risk. Hiyori begins telling him why he plan is flawed like giving him 20 million points so he can transfer at his convenience or how him alone wouldn't be enough for the group to win as it's a group effect. Kiyotaka also thinks he isn't planning to join any groups yet as Tsukishiro is likely planning to strike during the exam. He realizes that Hiyori knew that the plan to convince him wouldn't work but she came to show him that it wouldn't be so easy. As he goes to school the next day, he meets Shinohara in the elevator and when it reaches the lobby, Ike is waiting for her. Ike wants tries to invite her to group up with him but his attitude makes her angry it's made worse when Kushida tells him a girl from class B wants to invite him to group up so Ike leaves Shinohara alone. Kiyotaka is about to say something when Class B's Komiya calls out to her by her first name and asks if his is crying. Seeing he can't say anything he walks away. In class, Ike tells Shinohara that he turned down the other girls offer for her but Shinohara is still angry that he left her for another girl's invitation and says Komiya already invited her and she is going to meet him at the café later. After school, Yōsuke who is worried about the situation, asks Kiyotaka if they should follow Ike and Shinohara to makes sure everything is okay as they follow him. Yōsuke who is worried about Airi asks if she will be okay, Kiyotaka tells him that Akito, Haruka and Airi plan to form a group. Kiyotaka notices that Matsushita is following him, he asks Yōsuke to go ahead so he can deal with her first. He goes up to her and asks what she wants. She tells him that because of the trial card it's hard for him to find people to team up with so she is willing to do it and will listen to his orders. Giving him her contact number so he can contact her if he wants to group up. Although he thinks he won't do it because of the danger of Tsukishiro. He goes to meet up with Yōsuke who is watching Ike depressingly watch over Shinohara and Ike. Yōsuke decides that Ike won't do anything so it's fine and they decide to gather more information. Kiyotaka goes to get information about Komiya and Shinohara and calls Ishizaki who meets up with him, he is with Nishino another girl like Ibuki who is a loner if their class. Nishino is surprised they are close and Kiyotaka tells her about the mixed training camp. Kiyotaka asks if Komiya likes Shinohara, Ishizaki wants to know if Kiyotaka likes her but thinks he can do better. He obviously denies it saying he is trying to find out Komita intentions for his classes sake. Nishino recommends Ishizaki just ask Komiya by saying he saw them together to confirm the information. Ishizaki calls Komiya and learns that he likes her and intends to confess during the exam. He thanks them for the information and says if Nsihino needs help forming a group to let him know as he will try and help although Ishizaki says that's not necessary as he wanted to help as a friend.

Deciding to tell this information to Horikita, he asks her to meet her that evening. Unfortunately, Horikita cannot understand the complexities of love and thinks that there shouldn't interfere and let it play out. Kiyotaka tells her Ike might be affected mentally and not perform in the island exam which is in his element which will be to the classes disadvantage so if she used her position as leader to prevent the grouping of Komiya and Shinohara they can prevent that. Horikita says that it would be better to make Ike confess and if she accepts everyone can be happy and if he is rejected he can move on and focus on the exam although Kiyotaka thinks him being rejected won't lead to that outcome. Unfortunately their conversation is rendered moot by the OAA app informing them that Shinohara had formed her group. Kiyotaka suggest that get Yōsuke's help to find a group for Ike. At night, Kiyotaka is having his customary date with Kei in his room and they are talking about Ike and Shinohara when the topic of who Kiyotaka is grouping up with is brought up. He thinks that it's not because she isn't good enough but with Tsukishiro after him it would not be beneficial to group up with her. He asks Kei that she should worry more about who she can group up with after he says he has a 50% chance of getting first by himself which she thinks is amazing but will make it harder for her to reveal that they are together making her conflicted. She tells him that's why she wanted to team up with him so he could protect her. Kiyotaka tells her that even if they aren't together he can still help her by providing her with the private points for the worse case scenario, he tells her he will prepare the points even if he has to sell the trial card as she is more important. Although they have a good time, there is still no progress that time. One day while he is preparing to hang out with the Ayanokōji group, Kushida comes up to him and tells him that a 1st year would like to talk to him about something. Airi thinks it's a confession and forbids it, so Kiyotaka checks with Kushida on what it's about, it turns out Yagami wants to meet him.

Yagami joins them as they head to the café, he asks about information regarding the island exam as the first years haven't gone for one before and it seems like Yagami has risen to the position of class 1-B leader. He says he got information from Nagumo about what kind of island exam the 3rd years faced as he joined the student council. Seeing as he can get the information anyhow, Kushida tells him about their island exam. They reach the café and Yagami tells him about the bounty special exam on Kiyotaka expulsion and that Nagumo had set it up. He mentions the names of the students who were at the briefing: Osamu Takahashi and Ishigami Kyō from Class A, himself from class B, Utomiya from class C, Nanase and Hōsen from class D. Since class C and B had only one person they were allowed to tell one other person in their class. Yagami says he didn't tell anyone in class B while Amasawa was not mentioned in the list of student in class A. He says he is giving this information so that it won't affect Kushida. Having said what he wanted he leaves. Kushida says that Yagami knows about her past and she wants to get rid of him. Kiyotaka thinks that she must have a plan in mind already. Kiyotaka thinks that Yagami is similar to Yōsuke and feels the most natural of the first years he has met although he doesn't not count him out as a possible white room student. On the way back he stops by the convenience store and Tsubaki who he noticed was behind Yagami at the café and was calling someone is behind him. She tells him she wants to talk to him as she queues up behind him to buy candy. He waits for her outside and Utomiya arrives and wants to talk about Hōsen, he suspects that Hōsen is behind the student getting expelled from their class and wants him gone so given that Kiyotaka managed to partner with him by knowing his weakness they want him to expel him during the island exam. He asks Utomiya about the bounty causing him to not know how to respond and look and Tsubaki who tells Kiyotaka they have given up on the bounty because they don't want to bring the wrath of class 2-D on them for expelling their classmate which they understand after having their classmate expelled. Hōsen is a special case as even people in his class want him expelled. Kiyotaka doesn't write them off as having no connections to the white room but learns that Tsubaki might be the real brains in class 1-C.

One week before the deadline of the groups forming, Kiriyama calls Kiyotaka out to talk to him. He asks Kiyotaka not to interfere during the coming island exam as he has formed a group with only class B students in order to challenge Nagumo fairly. He tells Kiyotaka that he knows Horikita joining the council was to monitor Nagumo and possible stop him but it's too late at this point so he wants to challenge Nagumo. Kiyotaka thinks all this is just to protect his dignity as Kiriyama has already giving up on reaching class A but wants to bet on the chance of getting transferred by aiming for the private points. Kiriyama gives him a warning that he should not do anything or he himself will become his enemy. While they are talking another 3rd year calls out to Kiriyama, Fūka Kiryūin. He ignores her saying she is useless and similar to Kōenji who is in his class. Kiriyama mentions it's because of people like her that he can't rely on people in his class. Kiryūin who is sitting on nearby bench invites Kiyotaka to take to her and comes up to them, Kiriyama doesn't want to interact with her so he leaves. Kiryūin has become interested in Kiyotaka after hearing about his perfect score and wants to talk to him and see what kind of person he is, she tells him that her intuition tells her he is not ordinary. Kiryūin who Kiyotaka has memorized in the OAA is the only student with a A+ rating in both Academics and Athletics. Upon taking to her, he learns that she is very similar to Kōenji only acting for her own self interest and when it suits her, she tells him that whether she stays interested will depend on the upcoming exam and that she looks forward to fighting him. As most of the drops are already formed, Kiyotaka runs into Kanzaki who has had his guard up around him since the partner exam. He asks Kiyotaka if he can trust him, he replies that Ichinose isn't his enemy. Kanzaki asks if Kiyotaka can talk to Ichinose and convince her that her method is not working, thinking that this will be an easy why to change her views. Kiyotaka thinks that the future is unknown and he doesn't know what will become of their class. Although another lose to Ichinose might be enough to see her fall and not get back up. Kanzaki leaves after saying he will do what he must and not rely on the easy way out.

Kiyotaka is asked by Ishizaki to meet Ryūen at the café and from the sounds of it he isn't being given a choice. So he goes there and sees Katsuragi there as well. Ryūen first starts by asking if they would like to form a group together, but Katsuragi who is surprised by his maths score doesn't think he is good enough to join a group aiming for a top spot. Ryūen says that Kiyotaka was the person who beat him earlier but Katsuragi doesn't have any evidence to support it even though he can see it being possible. Ryūen asks if he wants to beat Sakayanagi after she got rid of Yahiko, he says that even then he won't cause trouble for his classmates. Hearing this Ryūen is happy as he invites him to join his class so they can crush Sakayanagi together. He says that he will use the points he has saved as well as the points Katsuragi has and finally he will also sell the contract between Katsuragi and himself to Sakayanagi to get the remaining private points for his transfer. They all agree that even if she knows what Ryūen intends to do with the money, she will sell it as she won't ignore the benefits. Katsuragi agrees to it and signs a contract Ryūen has prepared. He reveals the reason he invited Kiyotaka was to buy his trial card from with he offers 500000 points for it but Kiyotaka adds one more condition that he gets a half off card so that the penalty is also 50% cheaper in case Kei cannot form a group of 6 so she will be protected. Katsuragi who holds a half off card agrees to trade it as well. Ishizaki also calls Kiyotaka regarding help with Ibuki who till this point has not been able to form a group, worried about her he asks Kiyotaka for help. Kiyotaka talks to Horikita and wonders if she will be all right alone as she gets sick fairly easily but she says being alone might be better and she can join up with another group later if needed. Kiyotaka says with his perfect attendance he has less to worry about then her. Just in case, he brings tells her about Ibuki who is going solo and Horikita and Kiyotaka agree to go and meet her. At the meeting, Horikita says Ibuki is not useful and only possesses good physical qualities, causing her to get competitive and challenge Horikita to see who will do better in the exam. In the end, both girls will be going solo but at least, Ibuki is more determined with her desire to beat Horikita. As the day of the exam arrives, Chabashira gives them encouragement and hopes that none of her class will be expelled. Keisei expresses that he hopes to be able to help everyone. Kiyotaka also says if he can he will help out. Finally Kōenji tries to make a deal with Horikita to ensure his carefree life, saying that if he performs in this exam, he can do whatever he wants until graduation. Horikita doesn't agree at first saying that everyone in the class should have a say as they will resent her for making such a decision and him as well. However, she guarantees it if he can get first in the exam using the 300 class points for getting first as payment also adds the condition that if he fails to get first he also has to participate in the next special exam. Kōenji actually agrees to this deal. As they set out for the island.

2nd Year Volume 3
The entire school is on the Saint Venus cruise ship waiting for the exam to begin. Kiyotaka meets him Yōsuke who he asks if he is resolved for this exam as there is a chance that they all won't make it out in one piece. He replies that he will do his best and have no regrets. As during lunch time, when the first years are having their briefing for the exam, and the 2nd years are having their lunch. Kiyotaka meets with Kei on the deck of the ship where there are few people around. Kei tells him it doesn't feel like they are dating and asks what he feels. He gives a non answer. While thinking that since they have been keeping it a secret, they haven't be able to go on dates as frequently or openly. Kiyotaka tells her he says a few things he wants her to do during the exam, which was the real reason he called her out here, but he could have done it over the phone but wanted to experience meeting her face to face. At the briefing, Mashima explains all the remaining details of the exams such as how to score points by reaching the designated areas early or completing task spread out throughout the moment that requires academics, physical attributes or other skills. He tells them about the points they can use to buy equipment and provisions for the 2 weeks and also explains about the watch that will be used to track their health and accumulate points. Tablets will also be issue that they can use that contains a map of the island and where tasks will be located alongside features such as GPS search that will be unlocked at a later date albeit at the cost of points and the ability to see the ranking of the groups. Tsukishiro then makes an appearance and tells them that sexual misconduct will not be tolerated at all although with the conditions of the exam he expects fights to break out and he will allow it up to a certain extent but if the matter is serious enough the school will intervene. Hearing his declaration Kiyotaka thinks that it's most likely directed to him. The next day, he and his class are preparing to move out from the ship, the 1st years leave an hour earlier giving them a hand start on the first designated area, so many of the 2nd years are decided proceed slowly saving their stamina. Kiyotaka while waiting asks if Horikita is feeling fine, reminding her of that time she fell sick last year, she asks him to stop bringing it up but tells him not to get expelled, while Kiyotaka tells her it would be best for her to join up with another group if she needs to. He thinks that the Horikita now understands her limitations better. They look at their designated areas and find that they are going in different directions as Horikita sets up first as Kiyotaka thinks about his strategy at the start point. Kiyotaka is approached by Kiryūin for asked what designated area he got, he says D7 which Kiryūin says is also her destination. She offers him to go with her but he says he can't keep up with her pace and she goes on ahead. Kiyotaka thinks that they may have ended up along the same table.

Kiyotaka sets off and around D8, he runs into Akito, Airi and Haruka who are discussing their next move since D8 was their designated area. Airi says it they were going the same way they should have come together. Kiyotaka is thankful that they aren't on the same table as now he doesn't have to reject them travelling together which is allowed even if they aren't groups as they can say provisions. He says goodbye to them as he heads to D7. At D7 he memorizes the faces of the people most likely to be on the same table as him as he will be competed with them for the early bird bonus for reaching the designated areas first. Nanase approaches him, and he asks where her group members are, she says they went to scout ahead. Before leaving him, she tells him to be careful. Looking at the task near to him, he decides to go for the grip strength test hoping to get there before registration hits the maximum participants but when he reaches there Hoshinomiya tells him it's filled up, he is about to leave but Hoshinomiya grabs him and tells him she wants to talk. She finds it unfair that someone like him is in class D and that he influence a lot of his class and proceeds to appeal to him with her cute side and says he should join her class and aim for class A. He says even if he had the points it would make more sense to hold the points and wait till the end to see which class ends up in class A not everyone is a special case like Katsuragi who moved to class B. No wanting to hang around her anymore, Kiyotaka leaves. At the end of the first day Kiyotaka only receives 3 points for reaching the 3 designated areas. His final area was D7, where he meets Nanase again who tells him about how many points her group has. Later that night, he setup camp and thinks about the exam. He thinks about how water is the most important resource and that the school has evenly spread out tasks for collecting water around the map and provides water for those that participate although you get more for arriving 1st, 2nd or 3rd. He realizes these tasks are for the students to ensure they have a steady stream of water throughout the exam. He decides that from tomorrow he will pick up the pace since he only earned 3 points on the first day. He also thinks about what kind of plan Tsukishiro has planned for him, thinking that obvious tampering with his tablet and watch would be too obvious so forcing him to retire via injury is more likely and if the white-room student is following his orders it would be easy to injure him like it was a accident. The next day, after 3 designated areas where he reaches 1st once and 2nd twice, he is approached by Nanase who approaches him and asks for her to accompany him, saying she will give up task placements and early bird bonuses to him in exchange for following the route he is taking since they are on most likely on the same table, but she wants him to make decisions without considering her. Kiyotaka thinks it's a weird strategy considering they are enemies and she is participating in the bounty moreover he has no way to confirm if they are on the same table since she could be following him and leaving Amasawa and Hōsen who are her group members to go to their designated areas without her. Since she can follow him if she wants without his consent so he decides to keep her close and monitor her. Also her following does not really change his strategy for the exam so he sees no farm in it.

Originally he wanted to travel to a further task but changes his mind to go for a nearer task of quizzes. He heads there while Nanase questions if he changed his mind on what task to go for, he tells her it was 50-50. At the quiz, they run into Sudō's group consisting of Hondō, and Ike. Ike is not his usual self, and Kiyotaka thinks it's because of Shinohara. Sudō says hi to him and asks what he is doing with an enemy like Nanase. He replies that it's not a problem that she is following him, to which Sudō replies that if it was he would have driven her off showing his concern for Kiyotaka. The topic of the quiz ends up being anime trivia which Kiyotaka knows nothing about getting on 4 correct out of 20. On the other hand, Ike and Hondō get 95%. Nanase doesn't do better only getting 5 correct. Once the task is done Kiyotaka and Nanase get their random designated location, and Kiyotaka asks to see Nanase's tablet to confirm that they are on the same table which she shows him without hesitation. Sudō asks where they are headed and since they are headed to a nearby area, they decide to camp together that night after they go and visit different task as Kiyotaka and Nanase head for the more academic tasks nearby. Nanase is curious about Sudō's group and asks about Ike who look dejected. Kiyotaka says it's not his place to say and she should ask him. They set up camp, together and while Hondō is happy to be chatting with a girl like Nanase, Sudō tells him to not trust her. The conversation topic shifts to Ike who is depressed and Nanase asks him what is wrong, Sudō who has matured reads the atmosphere and gives Ike time to talk about his problem himself, while Hondō pesters him Nanase admonishes him. Ike talks about liking Shinohara and that he has been looking out for her on the island and about her relationship with Komiya. His 2 friends wonder why Shinohara since they are always fighting but, he says he does that to hide his feelings thinking Shinohara doesn't feel the same way. Kiyotaka understands the fear of not knowing the other persons feelings having experienced it himself when he confessed to Kei. Nanase says when he did that he ended up making Shinohara think he didn't treat her any differently and probably hurt her. Nanase continues and tells him what he should do now is to focus on the exam since he is in danger and nothing is worse than not being about to tell you feelings if something were to happen as she cries. Kiyotaka thinks that her tears are not an act. The next day Nanase is worried about what she said to Ike and wants to travel together. Their designated area is too far away for them to reach in time since they are travelling together so he agrees to travel with them until they need to part ways. Ike is more enthusiastic today after the advice from Nanase. When they part ways Kiyotaka and Nanase wait for the next designated area by moving to J9. Their next designated area is the random area for the day but is not too far from their current location and is along the beach so they head there where Kiyotaka gets the first to arrive bonus.

After reaching their area they head backwards one area to where they had seen a task. When they arrive the guys side has been filled up but there is space for Nanase on the girls side. Saying he wanted to rest, he convinces Nanase to join the beach flag task. Nanase gets ready and comes back in a 2 piece swimsuit instead of the usual school issued ones prompted Kiyotaka to ask about her choice, she says on TV they usually wear the cute kind so she though it was appropriate. Kiriyama easily wins the guys side but Kiyotaka finds it weird that he is trying so hard perhaps it's because he is watching him. On the girls side despite being against a lot of first years, Nanase comes in first. Kiriyama comes up to Kiyotaka and tells him not to say any unnecessary thing. He wonders what Kiriyama is talking about until he spots Nagumo having fun on the beach with Asahina. Nagumo calls him over asking if he will end up in the top 10 when the rankings are revealed tomorrow on the 4th day. He says since he is alone it won't be surprising if he is in the bottom 10. Kiyotaka asks if he is so free to be playing around. Nagumo tells him the real exam starts tomorrow, and no 1st year or 2nd year have the right to be in the top 3, saying he will move if that happens. Nagumo is called away and Asahina comes over and gives him a warning saying he should group up but is cut off when Nagumo calls her away. Kiyotaka and Nanase then move back into the forest looking for more tasks to complete, Nanase being tired from beach flags can't keep up so Kiyotaka tells her to wait here as he goes on ahead promising to come back for her when he is done. He goes to compete in the History quiz task where he beats Hashimoto's group by running ahead securing the second last place when he sees them heading to the same task. While Hashimoto and Kamuro manage to secure the last spot ahead of a group of 1st years. Kiyotaka gets first place and as he leaves Hashimoto asks what task he is going to next, Kiyotaka tells him the chemistry task and Hashimoto says he will go somewhere else although Kiyotaka thinks he originally wanted to go to chemistry he rather go somewhere else for a chance to win. Kamuro who hears this is annoyed. Nanase and Kiyotaka begin heading to their next designated area, but starts thinking about the water problem as both Nanase and him are down to the last 500ml thinking about giving up the early bird bonus for the next designated area he heads to an area another area where Sakagami is preparing for the task a few minutes after they arrive the task opens up and they receive points for arriving and bottles of water for 1st and 2nd place completing the task the moment they register. Sakagami says luck is important to have as well. Once they have their water they head to the final designated area for the day.

After getting to their final designated area, they walk around trying to find a spot to make camp where they run into Ike again. He offers to camp together showing them the fish he caught so they can eat together. They decide to camp together again, as Ike is grilling the fish, a group of students consisting of Kei, and 2 class 2-A students Ikkei Shimazaki and Shinobu Fukuyama come across them. Kei is surprised to see Kiyotaka, but quickly asks Ike if he can give them some of the fish too. Ike says he doesn't want to but Sudō tells him that she may have information on Shinohara so he changes her mind. Kiyotaka disappears into the forest a little while later, with Kei following him out a little while later. They talk about how Kei is doing and he says she looks well. He asks her about the thing he told her to look into, thinking that the white-room student might come into contact with her but no one had approached her yet, showing him a list of all the students that she has come in contact him. As they hold hands, she asks him about Nanase who is travelling with him saying she asked Ike about it. Kiyotaka asks if she is worried. She first tries to say it doesn't but gives up saying that of course she is. He tells her he has no intentions other than to complete this exam gripping her hand tighter to reassure her. Although that doesn't seem to have much of an effect on calming her down, he thinks that telling her about the fact that the bounty or the white-room student being related to Nanase is not really what matters to her. He uses the opportunity to kiss her, wanting to give her a stronger memory than her anxiety and asks her to wait for him and trust him. They separate soon after with Kiyotaka thinking he would have liked to stay longer but in the middle of the exam with students who could appear at anytime was not a good place. The next day in the early morning Nanase comes over to his tent asking if he can hear the sound.

They think it could be the sound of the emergency alert of the watches meaning someone was in trouble, Nanase wants to go help, although Kiyotaka is a little reluctant. He says if there is trouble it's better to have more people so we wakes up Sudō's group. They head over to the noise and as they get closer, they began to hear distinct emergency alerts. Then find Komiya and Kinoshita 2 members of Shinohara's group inured on the floor. Seeing them Ike becomes worried and starts shouting for Shinohara. They try and wake up Komiya who tells them what happen about them falling off the cliff and that something hit his leg and he can't remember much else. Worried about Shinohara, Ike tries to climb the cliff. Kiyotaka goes with him so he can make sure he can stay out of trouble. They climb up the cliff and after awhile Shinohara shows up saying she was scared and that she saw someone attacking Komiya and Kinoshita, seeing that she decided to hide until Ike and Kiyotaka showed up. She tells them that they had run into a group of 1st years that night but that was it. On the way back to the group, they run into Nanase who had run off earlier but tells him that she went looking for them although she had gone off to chase someone she thought was involved. They return and a group of 1st years also arrive, corroborating with what Shinohara said. Tsubaki is part of the group of 4 1st years of 3 girls and 1 guy. Sakagami and Chabashira appear and ask what happened. Shinohara who cannot speak through her tears is helped by Ike who explains to situation. Sakagami says that maybe she is making it up to prevent Komiya and Kinoshita from being retired which angers Ike. He tells them that there was no other GPS signal around them when it happened except Shinohara. the first group to arrive was Kiyotaka's followed by Tsubaki's. As Komiya is dragged off in a stretcher he grabs Ike and tells him to be a man. Shinohara is worried now that she won't be able to survive the exam on her own. Nanase proposes that she go to the starting area and do task around there. Kiyotaka says another way would be for their group to be absorbed by another with space for 3 students. Shinohara says she will go back to the starting area and starts to walk off but Ike doesn't let her go telling her he won't just let her be expelled like this. Sudō helps him out by saying that they will help her. He then asks Kiyotaka if there is a way to save her, he says there is but doesn't tell them because of Nanase being there. He tells Ike to protect Shinohara while they collect points and he prepares to leave as he needs to lay the groundwork for his plan. Ike asks him what he is going to do, but he tells him that he should keep his expectations in check as if the same thing happens to another of their classmate, they will have to make a choice on who to save. They head back to camp, where Kei's group has already left and Nanase and Kiyotaka prepare to move out as well. He tells her that he is planning to stop aiming for the designated areas after reaching G3 wanting to head towards the starting area instead. Nanase agrees since it doesn't matter to her since Hōsen and Amasawa will get there and she won't get the penalties for missing them.

The next day they head back towards the starting area before checking the rankings which have been released today. Kiriyama and Nagumo are second and 1st respectively while Kōenji is currently 4th. In the bottom 10 ranks, 8 are 3rd year groups while 1 is a 1st year group and another is Akito's group. They run into Katsuragi and Ryūen a group who is in the top 10 who are fishing and resting, apparently Katsuragi convinced Ryūen not to chase their random designated area. Kiyotaka informs them about their classmates Komiya and Kinoshita and tells Ryūen about his plan to save them after he sends Nanase away not wanting her to hear it. Ryūen agrees because it benefits his class but thinks Sakayanagi may not agree. Kiyotaka tells them to tell Ichinose if they run into her. After meeting Ryūen and Katsuragi a new task appears at the top of the hill thinking no one will be there and participating gives 5 points they change course thinking they would be first but Kōenji is also there. Kiyotaka and Kōenji engage in a 1 on 1 tug of war. Kiyotaka thinks he should give the 15 points for winning to him since he is 4th and would be good for their class as well as not to waste energy competing with him. Kōenji tells him he is the efficient type knowing exactly what he is thinking. Kiyotaka tries to let him win but Kōenji matches whatever force he is using so he can't lose. Using a more of his strength he is amazed that Kōenji can match is perfectly noticing he is probably stronger than Sudō and Albert. He release his strength causing Kōenji to win. Due to the drop in resistance. After the tug of war, they reach the starting area Kiyotaka wants to participate in the swimming task but it's already full and despite their pace Kōenji beats them to the area. Nanase is amazed at how fast he got here considering she was struggling to keep up with Kiyotaka to get here towards the end. Kiyotaka finds Sakayanagi, the reason he wanted to come here resting under an umbrella he asks her about Ichinose and Shibata who are her group mates and wonders if they can get the early bird bonus since she isn't with them. She says the school allowed it, since having a bad leg was not her choice. They both talk about the prodigy Kōenji and Sakayanagi tells him she knows about Shinohara. Kiyotaka proposes his plan to her but she says it's not beneficial to her unless she also gets the same conditions. He is alright with that but he doesn't have the necessary manpower for it, saying he will contact her later. Not wanting to draw anymore attention to himself but spending time with Sakayanagi under the umbrella he leaves. To see the provision shop were Mashima is, Mashima gives him some information regarding Tsukishiro's movements and actions this exam saying he prepared an extra boat and patrols the island by himself everyday for a few hours aside from monitoring the students progress in the surveillance tent.

Nanase comes back from the swimming race, having lost to Onodera who is good at swimming. While Kōenji takes first by a large margin. Nanase thinks Kōenji is really weird and Kiyotaka simply tells her to ignore him as he is a super human. He thinks that Nagumo being able to form a group of 6 will probably be make the competition harder for Kōenji going forward. They re-hydrate at the starting point, waiting for the next designated area. They get a random area on the other side of the map, having missed a few areas and receiving penalties, Kiyotaka wants to reach there, having seen a path that should be doable in the time they have. As they set out, Nanase says it was nice to have access to facilities at the start Kiyotaka says as the stress builds up, the number of groups going to be at the starting area should increase with the comfortability, it will be hard for them to leave once they experienced it. With the ranking visible, a sense of a safe zone will also form leader to more people returning there as the exam progresses. He says rest is important for this exam as much as going all out. Nanase tells him that he has been taking it easy so he doesn't stand out. Kiyotaka agrees that that has been his plan this whole time. He tells her that at any rate she is his enemy this exam and because of the bounty although as a person he has gotten to know her better since travelling with her so he also can't see her as an enemy anymore. At the end of the day, they run into a group of Class 2-B students Hamaguchi who was in rabbit group last year, Andō and Minamikata who offer to treat them to dinner since they have perishables and are carrying lots of food because they all started with 50% more points. Kiyotaka thinks that they were the food carriers for the class which Nanase notices too. The class B students want to know about Kiyotaka's relationship with Ichinose and wonder if their dating. Nanase is curious if he is popular in his grade. Hamaguchi also noticed that Kiyotaka has become easier to speak to from 1 year ago.

On the next day, Kiyotaka is once again aiming for the early bird bonus choosing to take the hardest route but fastest route to get to his next designated area. Nanase who has been having trouble keeping up with his pace tries to follow him up a cliff face, but having no experience is having trouble finding footholds. Kiyotaka thinking that she is determined to follow him despite realising who difficult it is to scale the cliff after falling earlier. Offers her a hand and guides her to the footholds on the cliff so she can get up. Saying that if she fell, he would feel bad about it so she should just except his help instead of being stubborn. Although it takes awhile for them to reach the top using this method, they make it to the random designated area the first. Their next area is also close by as they go for it with Nanase lagging behind, he thinks she is like a loyal dog following it's owner. The next day the seventh of the exam Kiyotaka has 67 points, and notices Nanase is acting differently from usual, the weather conditions are worsening and the school sends out a notice saying that there maybe be changes due to the weather. Nanase and Kiyotaka consider multiple routes to get to their next randomly designated area E2 the second for that day. Nanase tells him she wants to go by the mountain. Although Kiyotaka thinks that's too dangerous considering the weather and questions what see will do if he refuses to follow her, she is shocked by his statement. However, Kiyotaka playing along decides to take the mountain too the fastest way to the designated area. As they head there, Kiyotaka turns around and asks Nanase to hand over her bag as has been lagging behind. At first she resist not wanted to be a burden but he tells her if she is going to be so slow it would be pointless, so she hands over her bag.

Once they reach D3. Something happens, Nanase tells Kiyotaka she thinks he doesn't belong here because he is from the white-room she tells him he was leading him here to D3. She wants to fight him, Kiyotaka thinks that if he loses, he gets forcibly retired and if he wins he will also be in trouble for hurting here. He would be in trouble if she was his equal in fighting but as she starts to attack, she cannot land a hit and Kiyotaka stops his attacks before they come into contact with her, trying to whittle at her will to fight. Kiyotaka thinks that even if she knows about the white-room the chances of her being the student is low as her skills do not match up to the training of the white-room. Suddenly Nanase uses a male pronoun bring out another personality and fights more ferociously but the same thing happens as she is unable to lay a hand on him. She tells him that 'he' is Matsuo Eiichiro and he came back to take him down. Kiyotaka tells Nanase that that is not true she just created this personality because she didn't like to use violence and she finally breaks down. She apologises to Kiyotaka for her role in his expulsion and reveals what happened to Matsuo's son and that he committed suicide after Kiyotaka's father had blocked all his roads to higher education and Matsuo's father have burned himself alive and she saw him dead on the 14th of February. Tsukishiro had found her and told her about Kiyotaka and his father and she wanted to expel him and get his father to apologise which Kiyotaka thinks his father will never do. She then says she will leave this school on her own as there is nothing to do here anymore. However, Kiyotaka reaches out a hand to her and asks her to help him oppose his father and carry on Matsuo's will as that's the only thing they can do now. Kiyotaka thinks he and his father are similar but unlike him he is willing to extend his hand as long as he can make use of them. As they are in the rain, someone with a stick in their right hand comes up to them from behind.

2nd Year Volume 4
The student revealed to be holding the stick is Amasawa who is loudly walking towards Nanase and Kiyotaka. Amasawa has come to talk but Nanase does not trust her taking a defensive position. Nanase says that she saw Amasawa at the location where Komiya and Kinoshita was hurt and saw her fleeing the scene of the crime. Amasawa tries to say it wasn't her at all and even if it was she can't prove it. She also says her GPS wasn't at the location, but Kiyotaka says that's a small issue as the watch could be broken. However, Nanase counters that if only her GPS signal vanish during that time then she would be a suspect but she says according to the school without actual proof nothing will happen to her. Kiyotaka agrees with her logic at most the school would be suspicious but without any actual proof, nothing would be done to her. Amasawa says she came to talk to Kiyotaka saying the magic words 'white room' and asking the outsider Nanase to leave. Kiyotaka signals were to go away and she obediently obeys. Amasawa begins by proving she is from the white room telling him about the curriculum and about the establishment itself. Believing that only the white room student will know these detail he believes her, but wonders why she revealed herself to him. She tells him she wants him to know she is an ally to him, and that she admires him, she didn't tell him earlier because she was trying to decide if he was worthy of being admired. Kiyotaka still doesn't really trust her reason and can't really figure out why she would reveal herself. Amasawa having done what she wanted leaves. Nanase comes back and they talk about Nanase being the culprit of the attack, he asks her to pick up the stick Amasawa previous throw away to appeal to her innocence and Kiyotaka releases it it man-made and not found on the island. They decide to follow her footprints left behind and Kiyotaka thinks that the footprints match the ones he saw at the attack sight corroborating Nanase's story. As they follow her footprints, they find another set of footprints. Kiyotaka and her discuss the current events. While Nanase believes Amasawa is the culprit, he thinks that she most likely isn't saying if she was shouldn't wouldn't have let herself be discovered by Nanase and would have left the scene and if she wanted to attack them she would have done so quietly as well. He thinks about what she said and guesses that the second set of footprints slightly larger than Amasawa might have been there to do something to Kiyotaka but Amasawa stopped her causing the person to run away as the footsteps suggest. Finally getting enough information they setup their tents to get out of the rain.

When they set up their tents, Kiyotaka changes out of his wet clothes and the school sends a notification that because of the weather, the exam is on hold for the day and they will think of a way to compensate of the point loss and inform everyone later. As he rest, sometime in the afternoon, Nanase calls out to him and asks if she can come over to his tent. He offers to go to hers because it is raining but she is prepared to come over using a towel to protect herself from the rain. She comes over telling him she still can't get rid of her doubts about Amasawa, especially since she said it from her mouth and she was seen there, but Kiyotaka reminds her that she didn't actually confess to anything. So he asks her to imagine if she was not the culprit what would have happened. They both come to the conclusion that she must have been involved with the actual culprit which explains why she was there. Nanase then has an idea to use the GPS search to find the person who was with Amasawa just earlier as the person could be the culprit too, but Kiyotaka says he won't mainly because there isn't much point if the person was foolish enough to not erase their GPS then they weren't an enemy worth worrying about. He then shows her his tablet, surprising Nanase that he was willing to show her his information, he says after knowing her he thinks she can be trusted, making her feel happy and ashamed the same time. He shows her that he has 78 points but according to Nanase's memory he should have 88 points, he tells her she is right but on the 6th day he used GPS 10 times at 1 hour intervals to see everyone's movement patterns she is amazed he memorized all of that but he says he just had screenshot the images to look at his leisure. He hid the fact he did it from Nanase cause at that time she was still his enemy when she asked about not remembering him doing that on that day. From the images he guesses what Nagumo's strategy is using groups at the bottom to help Nagumo's group to win as many tasks as possible and have one person in each group get the arrival points to avoid penalties. Nanase can't understand why the lower classes are helping Nagumo so Kiyotaka tells them they do it on the hope that Nagumo will raise them to class A since the class battle is already over for the 3rd years with class As lead. Kiyotaka says in order to find his strategy the bottom year groups of year 3 students all maintain a certain number of points and not 0 to appear as if they are trying in the exam. Kiyotaka thinks that with Ryūen and Sakayanagi able to weight the benefits, the 2nd years can also use the same strategy which is what he proposed. Nanase also tells him that she will go join up with Amasawa and Hōsen to keep an eye on them. Nanase who has been exhausted due to recent events is dozing off so Kiyotaka asks her to go back and rest.

When she goes back, the school has arranged for the compensation to be double points for all activities on the last day of the exam making up for the 3/4 lost today. Kiyotaka looks at the rankings and thinks that if Kōenji in first place keeps his pace, Kiyotaka needs at least 40 points a day to catch up. He looks at the 10th place group with 101 points, he thinks it would be good if their points were closer to Sakayanagi's which has 126 points. The next day Nanase and Kiyotaka head to their first designated area before parting ways, he tells her to be careful and not do anything reckless against Hōsen or Amasawa, while thinking that while Nanase is strong those 2 cannot be taken lightly she tells him in order to protect him from expulsion she will do anything. Kiyotaka changes his wording and says to not do anything that will trouble him. She agrees and she leaves trying to meet up with her group members. At around 4 that day, Kiyotaka finally runs into Horikita who is looking lively despite spending 7 days alone. Horikita asks him if it's that surprising. He asks her if she has heard about Shinohara and she had recently heard it from one of the class A students and also about the plan from Sakayanagi which she accepted. Saying that there was no reason to no accept since Shinohara needed help. Horikita laments that their class isn't united enough to use the transceivers like class A who have an easy way to spread information. As they heard towards their next designated area they decide to take a detour for a few task to get some provisions, where they run into some of their classmates who haven't heard of the Shinohara situation. At the end of the day Kiyotaka manages to get 14 points for task and arriving. On the night of the 9th day, Kiyotaka looks at his tablet and the 10th position is still held by the 3rd year group led by Kuronaga with 123 points, with Kiyotaka's 112 points, he is 13th place. He reveals that his plan for the exam was to keep 11th place to avoid being targeted by other groups. While he is slightly behind due to Nanase and not being able to participant in certain task he is a good placement that he should be safe from the bottom 5 groups and close enough for a podium finish.

While looking for a place to camp he finds a lone tent, he calls out to the person in the tent but gets no response so he decides to camp in the same area. A little while later, the person comes out and it's Ibuki in the tent who was resting earlier so there was not reply. Kiyotaka upon seeing her condition finds it weird so he forces himself into her tent, and sees her eating dried meat. They talk a little about the dried meat saying it was prepared for by their class, Kiyotaka asking if she has talked with anyone recently due to her feral state. He also sees signs of dehydration and forcibly checks her bag and sees no more water, he asks her how long it was been since she last drank water and she says about 1 day. Ibuki asks how many points he has wanted to challenge him but he doesn't tell her. He advises her to rest more she tells him she already rested the whole day today but he makes up a lie that he didn't see her here yesterday when he used the GPS search with her response he knows he is lying When he leaves her tent, Ibuki comes out and attacks him but he stops her and checks her pulse, Ibuki asks if Horikita asked him to hinder her. Letting her go he goes into his tent and grabs 2 bottles of water and offers it in trade for her food since he is running low and has extra water. She doesn't want his help and says she will go to the start point for water but he tells her it's two far and it's more troublesome if she collapses on the way there. She doesn't want to accept but he tells her she will get expelled and lose to Horikita without water. Hearing the name Horikita she decides to make the trade for half her water. The next day while Kiyotaka is using the toilet, Ibuki goes into his tent to check his belongings and finds he didn't have lots of water to trade, only having 1 bottle left. She asks if she wants him to be grateful but he replies that if she didn't check she wouldn't be grateful as it was a fair trade. Even if she knows know she isn't grateful so it shouldn't matter.

After Ibuki packs up and leaves Kiyotaka first using a GPS search so that his points won't get to high, he runs into Kiryūin who is at his designated area, although Kiyotaka only receives 1 point for reaching. Kiryūin wonders if she has been racing with him for the early bonus. He says he doesn't know and says he isn't good enough for that as he hasn't been in the top 10 once unlike her. She wonders if he has no intention of aiming for a top spot. He gives his usual reply, Kiryūin tells him that Nagumo won't let Kōenji simply have his way at the top and there is a chance one of them will fall. She also tells him that there are more groups splitting up and making sure there is a student at the starting point who won't be retired due to sickness since food and water is now becoming an issue. Kiryūin asks if he is not going to the task ahead, he says he doesn't want to compete with her although he deems that the chance of him getting a spot is a lot lower now so he goes somewhere else. Kiryūin understanding his plan, goes on ahead. Later that night, Kiyotaka is resting in his tent when he hears a voice outside calling for a Yume. He goes out and Chihiro Shiranami is holding a flashlight and looking for her group members appearing lost. Kiyotaka comes out of his tent and ask what's wrong. Shiranami tell him about being lost, he tells her to wait in his tent while he waits outside. He says her group is probably looking for her and it's better to stay put as moving around in the dark is dangerous. Thinking about his options, he asks if they will use their GPS search to look for them but from her expression it seems they may not be in the position to do it so Kiyotaka tells her to get out of his tent. He uses his GPS search to help find her group members, Kobashi and Takemoto. As they are searching, Shiranami asks why he is helping her, not wanting to tell her the reason and the fact he has enough points to spare, he says because she is Ichinose's friend. Leading her to jump to conclusions of them dating which he says that's not happening. They find Takemoto and Kobashi after about 10 minutes of walking. Kiyotaka hoping to use the good will he just built ask if Takemoto who is in class A has a transceiver as he wants to ask Sakayanagi about his class. Takemoto gladly helps and Kiyotaka talks to Sakayanagi a little further away from them. When they are done conversing, Takemoto hands the transceiver to Kiyotaka saying Sakayanagi wants him to have it. The 4 of them then decide to camp together that night.

On the next day the 11th, after having a tough day designated areas where he ignored 2. Kiyotaka reaches his final designated area of the day but it is not suitable for camping so he walks further running a group of 6 students, Ishizaki's group of 3 and Hiyori's group of 3, he wonders if they are a big group of if they happened to have the same designated area. Most of them don't notice him except Hiyori who is gazing at the sea. She notices him and they talk for a little while about how they have been this exam. He asks her if they specifically joined up, and she answers without hesitation that they planned it from the beginning. Ishizaki finally notices them talking and comes over while the girls Nishino and Tsube from his group tell him to read the atmosphere better and not interfere. Ishizaki offers Kiyotaka to camp with them, and he agrees. At night about 2am Kiyotaka hears a sound from outside his tent calling him quietly so no one else will hear. Nanase has come to warn him about a big plan to attack him by the first years. She says she already knew but didn't know exactly when it would be and it was decided to be the 12th day, she overhead Hōsen talking to Tsubaki about it. Kiyotaka asks who is the mastermind. Nanase says if it's class 1-C the main leader would be Utomiya but Tsubaki did the talking this time perhaps to act as a mediator as Utomiya and Hōsen don't get along. He thanks her for the information and tells her to not do anything more. Thinking that if she does more she will be less useful in the future if Hōsen begins to suspect her motives. Nanase is reluctant but agrees. When he wakes up he checks the movement of the 1st years and sees that nothing strange is happening although Hōsen is nearby although that's not weird as they are on the same table. Ishizaki's group are also preparing to leave and they leave together. Hiyori strikes up a conversation about how doing this exam alone is scary and how she wouldn't be able to do it. Kiyotaka says Ibuki and Horikita are more amazing because for girls it has to be harder. Hiyori says if it was her she could never do it. Seeing how close they are, Ishizaki says they should date and Kiyotaka should move to their class. Nishino grabs him by the neck and tells him not to interfere although she is curious why he is so interesting in Kiyotaka. He can't come up with a good reason but Hiyori gives some ambiguous reply. Kiyotaka thinks that their group feels a lot like Ichinose's class and maybe things are changing in Ryūen's class as well. They separate soon after. Kiyotaka ends the day in 16 place skipping a few more designated areas, but the 1st years made no moves today, he wonders if Nanase allegiance was leaked by Ichika or if Hōsen who is similar to Ryūen just doesn't trust her. In the end he decides they will probably move the next day the 13th day since there was no way they wouldn't use this exam to try and get the bounty. On the night of the 12th, Sakayanagi remembers her conversation with Kiyotaka over the transceiver. Kiyotaka had told her about Tsukishiro and Nanase as well as Amasawa being the Whiteroom student also about the bounty on his head. He requests that she help him deal with the first years plan to interfere with his movements and seal his participation in task which he expects to happen in the exam. Sakayanagi says this favour is too big for the help he provided to Takemoto so she now owes him one. Kiyotaka agrees.

On the 13th day, the 1st years lead by Tsubaki have made their move, trying to surround him. However, Sakayanagi intervenes using the year 2 under her control to hold them off. During this time, Hōsen who has been itching to fight with Kiyotaka uses the GPS search to find him. Along side Kiyotaka's GPS signal is also Ryūen's signal. Hōsen goes to find him, but Ryūen acting like a mercenary blocks his path as Kiyotaka simply walks away. Ryūen instead engages Hōsen in a fight. Ryūen fights Hōsen one on one, but can't seem to hurt Hōsen at all but despite being badly beaten up doesn't give up. Ishizaki and Albert appear from nowhere and hold Hōsen down while Ryūen pummels him. Hōsen is surprised by the appearance of them as he did not see them on the GPS search earlier. Later than night, Kiyotaka thinks about the days events, while Sakayanagi manages to stop the 1st years from surrounding him, they changed their movements and ended up preventing him from reaching any of his designated areas for the day, incurring a 18 point lose, due to their intervention. The next day as he sets out to reach his first designated so he can cancel out his penalties. Sakayanagi calls him with the transceiver, asking if everything went all right the day before. She also informs him that Ichinose has gone missing and is probably looking for him due to her movements and the fact that she used the GPS search this morning. Sakayanagi tells him that even if she is gone, the results of the exam probably will not change on the last day so it's not too big of a lost. Kiyotaka cuts the call and heads out. His second designated area is I2 which he finds strange as it's on the other side of the island away from the start point where he expects most of the other tables to bring them towards as it's the last day, wanting to get at least 1 more point he heads there. On his way there, Ichinose who has been searching for him shouts out to him and tells him she has something to tell him. She collapses into him after having walked 4 hours to reach him. She tells him that she was troubled over the past few days and that Tsukishiro and Shiba where talking about plans to bury him at I2 if he is fine on the last day of the exam. Kiyotaka asks if Tsukishiro threatened her classmates, he then tells her that she should just let him be as he is the enemy. However, she cannot see him as the enemy and accidentally confesses to him about her feelings. He thanks her and thinks that at least now he isn't walking into a trap. Kiyotaka says he can't reply her here because he still has things to do, saying he will go to I2 to makes sure Tsukishiro doesn't do anything to her classmates. He also thinks that if he replies there's no way he can keep Kei a secret and since it's still in the middle of the exam she needs all her mental strength. He pats her had and tells her to find her group mates.

Kiyotaka heads towards I2 putting his bag and tablet down thinking about want he should do. Nagumo then appears, asking him what he is going to do at I2. Kiyotaka wonders if it's okay if he should be here and not trying to get 1st place as Kōenji is right up there with him. Nagumo says he already has a plan to deal with him, showing him a transceiver her is carrying. Kiyotaka reveals he figured out his plan when they met on the beach. When Kiriyama held an open spot for him in beach flags but when Kiyotaka arrives he used a free member to take up the last spot. Nagumo thinks Kiyotaka is still hiding his abilities and asks him what he intends to do at I2. Kiyotaka reveals to Nagumo he knows about the bounty but thinks Nagumo is not someone to agree with something like that. Nagumo says the money was prepared by Tsukishiro and if he had chosen any other student he wouldn't have accepted, Tsukishiro just needed a student face to make the bounty seem legitimate. Kiyotaka tells him that what he has to do at I2 has nothing to do with him and he should focus on winning the exam. Nagumo tells him he will reveal his special abilities after he says Kiyotaka thinks nothing of him. He says Kiyotaka is at 11 place, when Kiyotaka doesn't reply, he continues or 15th or 16th place. Kiyotaka is indeed 16th place and Nagumo tells him that another plan he had to fight the invisible enemy who was planning to overtake the top spots by just staying out of the top 10 was to have Kuronaga's group keep 10 place barely and widen the gap at the top. Kiyotaka thinks that was his plan but it become harder and harder as the exam went on. Kiyotaka says he needs to go and deal with Tsukishiro and if Nagumo gets involved he could get expelled and turns to leave but Nagumo tries to follow him, Kiyotaka pushes Nagumo to the floor telling him that there are some things he shouldn't get involved in a looks at him with killing intent. Having fallen down his transceiver and tablet fall to the floor, his 3rd year lackeys are asking for further instructions to deal with Kōenji. Kiyotaka asks him if it's okay to ignore that. Nagumo turns off the transceiver saying that the problem in front is more important as he gets up, Kiyotaka not wanted to waste anymore time knocks him out with a punch to the solar plexus. He sets Nagumo up against a tree and walks off.

When Kiyotaka heads to I2, Tsukishiro and Shiba is waiting for them as well as the person operating the small boat. They talk for awhile, about Kiyotaka leaving the school and how it's not the place for him, but he doesn't want to leave as they are still things he needs and wants to do. Tsukishiro asks if he got rid of both Nagumo and Ichinose. Kiyotaka replies that he has, Shiba then says he also sent Amasawa to deal with others unexpectedly heading towards I2 as well. Hearing Amasawa name, Kiyotaka thinks that there is no more reason to hide her identity and Tsukishiro says she betrayed her orders to get him expelled. Kiyotaka thinks that all the things that happened in the island exam was accounted for in Tsukishiro plans, the 1st years actions the fact that he was moving alone, Ichinose's overhearing his plan. Tsukishiro tells Kiyotaka not to worry about the boatman, he only has to fight the him and Shiba. They start the fight and Kiyotaka tests their intentions, and they don't seem intent on hurting him but capturing him. Tsukishiro said earlier that he has no weapons as he is a product after all and can't be damaged. As he analyses them, he rates Tsukishiro to be weaker than Shiba. However, as they fight Kiyotaka instincts tell him that Tsukishiro is dangerous and manages to evade one of his strikes. He thinks Tsukishiro is likely stronger and Shiba is here to support him as he takes distance to re-evaluate. In that time, Kiryūin arrives and offers to help Kiyotaka the 2 adults are surprised to see her as they didn't see her GPS signal but she had broken it earlier to follow Kiyotaka and ask him about the weird movements of the 1st years the day before. She saw him start fighting the adults and decided to come help. With her around he asks her to keep Shiba busy although she says she has no experience fighting. Turning the match in to a 1v1 between Tsukishiro and Kiyotaka. Kiyotaka quickly gains the upper hand hitting Tsukishiro on the bridge of his nose followed by an uppercut, he notices Tsukishiro check his footing in the sand for a moment and notices something. Tsukishiro grabs a fistful of sand throws it at Kiyotaka but despite this Kiyotaka grabs his right hand which is holding a stun gun. Tsukishiro for the first time loses his smile, asking how he knew about the weapon, Kiyotaka says it was weird that he looked at the ground for a moment. He calls Kiyotaka a real masterpiece, and signals the boatman revealing he had another plan as backup. However, Kiyotaka tells him time is up as another boat approaches with Chabashira and Mashima. Kiryūin help up long enough but is caught by Shiba who releases her as she rest on the sand. Tsukishiro is surprised that they are here since no one should be here but, Kiyotaka tells him that if 2 students from their class has their GPS signal disappear after the teachers have completed their check, they can check the situation on their own accord, in other words a student from class 2-D and 2-A GPS signal must have disappeared from I2. Kiyotaka asks if Tsukishiro was really trying although he says he was, Kiyotaka thinks he didn't see his full strength. As Tsukishiro leaves, he tells Kiyotaka to tell Amasawa that she has lost her place in the white room due. Thinking he was also one of the best fighters he has fought. Mashima wants to know what happened but Kiyotaka signals him to go along with Tsukishiro who asks them to leave it be. The adults all leave on the boat as Kiyotaka and Kiryūin walk back towards the forest.

While they are returning Kiryūin has many questions for him, thinking that her appearance did help him he tells her that it's a family issue which she understands and doesn't pry further also promising to keep what happened a secret. As they are returning, they run into Ibuki and Horikita who are together, Horikita is worried and ask if he is all right. Kiyotaka says he came here to relax and Kiryūin as a good senpai came to drag him back to the exam. Kiyotaka is surprised that they are together, thinking that maybe the 2 of them have gotten closer. Horikita still worried, whispers to Kiyotaka about whether he is really okay mentioning something about a paper. She changes her mind and doesn't say anything further probably going to investigate further before talking to him about it again later. With the exam over, Kiyotaka is back on the cruise ship, and takes a shower. Normally he would have contacted hie girlfriend of his friends but his phone is still being kept by the school so he heads to the deck where he sees Ryūen and Sakayanagi talking. Ryūen tells her to not forget her promise even after noticing Kiyotaka's promise and leaves. Sakayanagi explains that she didn't think her forces were strong enough to stop the first years so she hired Ryūen as a mercenary to deal with Hōsen explaining why he appeared on the 13th day to deal with him. Kiyotaka asks Sakayanagi for the favor to not be too difficult, she doesn't say what it is or when she wants to use it but she expresses that she wants to be able to fight him again without distractions. They head to the results of the exam announcements Yōsuke says that everyone did a good job to not get expelled as all of class 2-D is gathered there. Kiyotaka also looks around the year 2 students noticing that no one is missing as well. As they hear the results, all the bottom 3 groups were year 3 students and they did not pay the fee to cancel their expulsion leading to 15 students being expelled. Kiyotaka looks at Nagumo who doesn't look any different but wonders if this was not meant to happen but happened because Kiyotaka had knocked him out. Sakayanagi's group comes in 3rd meaning Ichinose going missing did not have much of an impact, Nagumo comes in second, loses by 2 points to Kōenji. Kiyotaka thinks that his interference likely lead to this outcome. Horikita has no choice but to agree to the terms of their deal and Kōenji is now free to do whatever he wants for rest of his school life. As the exam comes to a close, Kiyotaka thinks that he managed to survive Tsukishiro's trap and find out that Amasawa is the white room student.