Another Like Me - Part I (CoTE x OC) ✔

SS.6 - Fearless (Sakayanagi Arisu)

"You don't want me to attack Class D?"

"Yes," he replied curtly. "I'll be very honest — Class A is leaps and bounds better than Class D. We're still a work in progress. There would be no point in trying to defeat me in an Exam where we can't even go up against each other as individuals."

I slowly smiled at the handsome man in front of me. He looked calm, composed, and was confident.

But what he said was the truth, was it not?

I do not care whether I beat Class D or not.

I only care about beating the man sitting in front of me.

"Fufu."

"What is it?" he asked in an annoyed tone. "I hope your answer is a yes. It would be quite boring if it weren't."

"Of course my answer is a yes," I said slowly. "Your wish is my command after all, Takeyama-kun."

"You needn't go that far," he replied quickly. "I just want our battle to be devoid of any other factors. It would pain me to see Class D and Class A interfering."

"I wholeheartedly agree," I said softly. "It is my wish as well, to fight you fair and square after all, Takeyama-kun. Besides, I wasn't planning to attack Class D anyways."

He raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You weren't?"

"Not at all. After all, there is no point in going for the big fish when the net is too small, isn't it?" I replied. "I have decided that Class B will be my target."

"Class B? I don't understand. Not even Class C?" he questioned me.

"I'm doing it for you, Takeyama-kun," I said. "Class D will want to attack Class C, am I correct? So I'll do a favor and make sure I don't interfere. It is evident that Ryuuen-kun will attack Class D as well. If Class A attacks Class B after that, it doesn't matter what choice Class B makes. They will have to fight us."

"This is sad....." he muttered. "It's like we're using Ichinose-san as a guinea pig....."

I let out a quiet laugh. "She's too naïve to really understand our methods, Takeyama-kun."

"I disagree. She's quite capable, Sakayanagi-san. Class B is holding her back."

"Hmm? Class B is holding Ichinose-san back?" I smirked. This conversation had taken an interesting turn. "Why do you say so?"

"Whenever Ichinose-san works alone, that is to say, in Special Exams where you don't need to cooperate with the class, she shines. Remember the Zodiac Exam? I believe Ichinose-san was a major factor there. But when it comes to Class Special Exams like the Island Exam and the upcoming Paper Shuffle, her class will hold her back."

"You do not explain why, Takeyama-kun."

"If I had to pinpoint a reason, I would say it is because of Ichinose-san's good-natured heart. She's almost too kind. It doesn't work in this school. Her class has been almost brainwashed into helping others and refusing to use underhanded tactics, and it is severely hurting their chances and limiting their options."

I slowly adjusted my hat. "But that is her fault, is it not? She was the one who came up with this goody-two-shoes strategy in the first place."

Takeyama-kun did not respond to my statement, and absentmindedly stirred his coffee.

This man is so interesting, it makes my heart leap.

Just a few seconds ago, he was colluding alongside me, and now he was actively supporting and defending Ichinose-san.

He's a man who can take any side in a game and still pull off a victory.

"By the way, Sakayanagi-san," he started. "I have a favor to ask of you."

I tilted my head questioningly. "Takeyama-kun is asking me for a favor?"

"Yes. I hope you won't disagree."

I smiled slightly. "If it is within my capabilities, I have no reason to refuse."

"I want you to send me the question paper Class A has made. The question paper that you will be sending to Class B."

"The..... question paper that Class A will be making?" I asked blankly. For the first time, I was slightly confused at his strange request. "Are you perhaps planning to use those questions as practice papers, Takeyama-kun?"

"Not at all. I want to use Class A's question paper as Class D's question paper as well."

I smiled amusingly at the young man in front of me. "Fufu. I see. You want to attack Class C with Class A's question paper?"

"Precisely. I feel it would be very amusing to watch Ryuuen's reaction when he realizes that the Question Paper he received is the same one that Class B received."

"I wonder, Takeyama-kun." I slowly bent forward. "We both know that you are very much capable of forming a question paper with a much better level of questions all alone. Why do you want Class A's paper for that?"

"Because I'm lazy, Sakayanagi-san," he said in a bored voice. "I'm a lazy bum. I don't wanna do so much work, so I decided to ask you."

"Fufu....."

I laughed heartily at his serious yet cute confession.

"I definitely did not expect that to be your answer, Takeyama-kun," I said. "But I accept your proposal. I will hand over Class A's question paper to you, and you can use it against Class C. The quote indeed is true."

"Which quote?"

"To do a difficult job, give it to a lazy person," I said slowly. "Because they know how to find the easy way out."

He smirked slowly. "I see. Apt for this situation."

"You do understand that I don't want to do this for free, right, Takeyama-kun?" I said seductively.

".....how about a well-deserved game of chess in return?"

"Needless to say, that is a very fair deal."

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