If I didn't know Kawahara well enough, I would not do anything about it and would just brush it off as an act of overconfidence.

Yet as he flashed his supreme smirk, cracked his rough knuckles, and looked ready to show his upcoming victims carnage, without a doubt, he was ready to go.

But students were starting to pass by, as it was weekend and classes were being overlooked from their perspective.

"Kawahara, don't do that. Just look around you..."

"The fuck are you on about? You siding with these little shits?"

"No... I'm just saying that you should consider your environment."

Fighting here just because someone else insulted you is... Well, something I would do, except not really. I would drag the person out to a place where I wouldn't get caught, which I previously did and still keep on doing.

Which is why I can't agree with this dumb nonsensical strategy of his.

However, ignoring all of his surroundings, Kawahara started to clap in my direction.

"Bravo, bravo. You recognized the situation!"

Why am I getting a slight sense of déjà vu...?

"But, despite that, I will beat the shit out of them. Just because they insulted my fabulous hair. Roasting someone's hair is out of the boundaries."

I never got my own hair roasted before so I can't relate to his struggle whatsoever.

"You keep talking big shit, but you can't even pack a punch."

And Skran is just dumb. He should already be aware that if he got outmatched by me, then by no means will he do something against Kawahara.

Speaking of Kawahara, he started to walk up to Skran while loosening up his uniform die in a violent manner.

"This is odd. Haven't you heard of us? I was positive that was the case. Class 1-F. Doesn't it ring you a bell?"

Not backing down, Skran tried to match Kawahara but their height difference was so obliviously large that it made Skran look like an ant in comparison.

"Oh yeah. Failure class, was it? The rumored class that has the dumbest students in this school in them. Isn't that right, everyone?"

"Yup, it was a rumor at first, but it might as well be the truth at this point."

Krale, in agreement, spoke up in a consensus.

This, however, just fueled Kawahara's speech even more as he discarded his serious attitude and flashed a gigantic smile in response.

"Hahahaha!!!! What the hell!? That's it?! We are labeled as dumb because we get bad grades? Yeah, sure, that makes sense, but to think that you pieces of shit are getting high and mighty due to that is laughable. By the way, forgettable piece of shit that I'm currently looking at, what's your name? Tell me what sort of name your sorry excuse for parents gave it to you. I'll try to remember it for the upcoming five seconds."

Since Kawahara isn't aware of his name, he asked him anyway.

"Skran and what's your deal?"

"Skran? What the fuck is that name? Did your parents try to put the word 'scat' as your name but it wasn't approved? That would explain your fucked up physiology."

Jesus.

"What was th---"

"Wait, Skran... I think we should get out of here..."

Outstandingly, just as Skran was about to unleash a punch onto Kawahara, Ren placed his hand on his shoulder, and simultaneously, I was surprised too.

Ren has shown to at least show a minimal logical way of thinking, even if Skran is just dumb as hell.

I just don't get why every single one of these simps are obsessed with Arkalee.

Nevertheless, Kawahara, once again, spoke on a high note.

"How interesting! You. Your name."

"It's Ren, you uneducated behemoth!"

"Behemoth? Oh, you're referring to my amazing physique? At last, you noticed. Ten points for that one. So, tell me. Why did you stop this garbage from committing to his useless action? Did you already calculate that he would be sent flying as soon as he would reach out to me? Very good, Ren."

"No, it's because of your friend over there... If he's capable of fighting then you too should, so..."

In other words, Ren probably watched me clobber Skran's jaw a while ago, otherwise, it wouldn't make any sense for him to tell us this.

And, Kawahara started to glare at me with disappointment.

"Dan, what have you done?"

"Oi, what's with the look? Ren is already self-aware. As a matter of fact, they attempted to go at it with me a while ago. For very stupid reasons."

"What?! Holy shit, no wonder they aren't committing! You goddamn fool, you ruined it all! They were supposed to assume that I was just trash talking and that I had nothing to back my words with! Great, now they are on the defensive. Even the pussy has started to retreat."

"But, hey, hear me out here. They started to try and get the jump on me because Arkalee said that she would take them into consideration if they beat the shit out of me and as a reward, the winner would get a fucking date with her! Holy shit, the moment I listened to that I almost fucking creased myself!!"

I mean what I just said for all intended purposes. It's not like I'm degrading Arkalee's beauty, but considering the actual situation, I can only pity these guys.

And naturally, this pissed them off slightly yet Kawahara was about to go an extra mile to add the salt to the injury.

"Haha, what the fuck? How much of a loser do you have to be to give all of yourself for your queen? I bet in their minds they have fucked her in all possible positions. Hey, how many times have you all masturbated to her? Come on, be honest and I'll show some compassion!"

"I think their dicks are dry at this point. Even when I just told them that she loves Hyunda like crazy, they still believe that they stand a chance, hahaha!"

"How do you even fall for such an unattractive person like Arkalee in the first place? Everything about her seems too bland and boring. Perfect for simple-minded creatures like these rats!"

"Goddamn, Kawahara, you nailed it."

Amidst this, the group of six individuals was no longer able to keep their fangs hidden as we openly mocked their intentions and beliefs like that.

I think that Kawahara and I were both simultaneously aware that they would not be able to resist the temptation to silence us, given that we just went ahead and spoke out our true minds, which naturally pissed them off.

Side by side, we both glanced upon the angry collective figure of the insulted group who had their fists supremely clenched.

"It's six versus two. No excuse here! We can win! Let's go!"

"Yeah!!"

Charging at us, with high hopes and bravery, the soon to be helpless group surely thought to themselves that they would achieve their desired result.

Soon enough, upon their declaration, I and Kawahara couldn't help but let loose of our smirks filled with confidence as we decimated them.

Hideout.

That didn't even last 2 minutes. They were so weak that on our way up to the hideout, through Kawahara's room, we spoke to each other about how disappointing it all was.

As soon as they charged, Kawahara went on a rampage and one by one, he held their faces one by one and pulverized them into the ground, crushing their teeth along with their noses, brutally.

There's also the fact that although it was six versus two, it was all technically self-defense from our part.

Except Kawahara literally just knocked them all without any chance being given whatsoever.

"Aniki! You're here!"

Upon reaching the hideout, Kuzan instantly greeted me and Kawahara went right to his supreme chair.

Rayazaki didn't bother to say anything as he was firm as a stone; reading his book.

On the other hand, I immediately noticed the new addition to the group, which was no other than the same person that I had met up not too long ago.

This individual was seating paralleled to Rayazaki, who was completely unbothered by his ominous look.

The glaring that came from him didn't bother Rayazaki whatsoever, instead, Rayazaki just kept on ignoring it, which was proving to be effective against someone like Akihiko.

"Kawahara, is this the new addition you spoke of?"

"Yeah. The climax is almost here. These upcoming days are going to be boring and mediocre. The last day is where it will all be at, in case some of you haven't noticed it yet."

Taking a seat in the couch along with Kuzan, I replied back to Kawahara.

"Have you started the preparations yet? Also, they noticed our act already."

"About that. Since we are all here, I want to hear the reports from every single one of you. Akihiko is rightfully excluded because he just joined today."

I started to wonder if Kawahara acknowledged the fact that he couldn't get Hyunda to work on his side.

"Rayazaki, start."

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Upon hearing Kawahara's order, Rayazaki neatly placed his bookmark on his book and closed his book before speaking.

Akihiko looked pretty annoyed by the fact that his glare was doing essentially nothing. Was he trying to assert some sort of psychological pressure?

"He's not good. As a matter of fact; boring. But yes, he noticed that I've been essentially stalking him throughout his events. As you might've expected, I did place first in every single event without fail."

Rayazaki's in charge of Susaga, so given that Rayazaki, this new Rayazaki, usually upholds a very polite stance, if he says that Susaga is not good and boring, then that should be the case.

"Nevertheless, I'm starting to feel like I'm losing my time. Shouldn't I do something better with my abilities, Kawahara?"

"Oh? You're already feeling bored? I didn't know that. What? Is Susaga really that boring of a target?"

"Yes, he is. I request a change. Let me apply my abilities to someone that is worthy of my time."

Instead of actually complaining about the fact that Kawahara is ordering him, Rayazaki is instead, complaining about the fact that Susaga is far too boring and weak to waste time on.

Alternatively speaking, Rayazaki just wishes for a greater opponent and with all things considered, there are other five available.

"Then, do you have someone in mind?"

After Kawahara posed that question, Rayazaki stopped and thought for a second. I assumed immediately that his thought process was filled with an analysis about the other five, which are: Kan, Tsudo, Ryoken, Tatsu and Sagasuga.

"How about Sagasuga?"

"Rejected. He's my target. Plus, he might just be too much for you. He's not as weak as you take him to be, Rayazaki."

Hm? Did Kawahara notice something in Sagasuga while I was gone? Well, I'm fairly sure that it's only normal that he did, considering that he probably stalked the living shit out of him these past days.

"I'm not sure if I can agree with that. From my understanding, the rest is platonically boring and uninteresting, so if you are holding Sagasuga with very high expectations, then I can only assume that he is worthy of my time."

"Don't get cocky now. I'm not holding him with very high expectations. It's just a fact that compared to the rest of the five, Sagasuga is undoubtedly and most likely superior. However, he's still in the same league as them; trash."

I can understand what Rayazaki might've thought when he understood that Kawahara wanted Sagasuga all for himself.

He probably thought that Sagasuga was truly a worthy opponent, but as Kawahara said, to him, he is nothing more than superior trash.

It's a different story if he actually believes that.

"But that leaves me with no one to fight against. How am I supposed to demonstrate my prowess if everyone else is just boring?"

"Everyone else? Don't you mean them? Or--"

Although Kuzan attempted to intervene, he was quickly interrupted by Rayazaki.

"I'm talking in general. I've been noticing something the past days. I'm just better than the majority when it comes to certain aspects. Exams, subjects, handling situations correctly, proceeding with caution, and whatnot. So, that means that if there is someone who can do all that better than I do and if I defeat that person, then I will become better. Even if this means starting out with all of you."

"Wh---"

Kuzan, once again, attempted to speak, but Kawahara signaled him not to with a hand gesture, as it seems that he had something to say to Rayazaki.

However, this didn't stop Akihiko from speaking his mind.

"You're not even good, why are you acting all conceited?"

Kawahara could just stop this conversation but instead, he let loose of his smirk and leaned back on his chair as he watched the development unfold.

"Who are you?"

As Rayazaki genuinely asked that question to Akihiko, I almost spat out the coffee that Kuzan had prepared for all of us.

"Oh, I get it. You think you are funny."

"No, I'm serious. Identify yourself. I wasn't paying enough attention previously so if I missed out on your name, then it's my fault."

"Then, you are already inferior. You missed an important detail of the conversation, so how can you call yourself better?"

That's a weird way to point out a flaw in someone's speech, as it just reflects how petty one can be about certain things, but Rayazaki didn't take that to heart.

"You're right. Paying attention to the details turned out to be crucial here. I will take that into consideration. Well pointed out."

"You're not supposed to praise me for that! Damn, how the hell did she fall for you..."

"Hm?"

Rayazaki's surprised reaction wasn't something that struck me as odd because this was all partially my fault.

Akihiko has been trying to get on his mind with his glare for one simple reason; I told him about Rayazaki and how Hinagiku has a crush on him.

That wasn't intentional though, therefore, this is purely coincidental.

"Interesting. Rayazaki, it seems that Akihiko here has a problem with you."

"I see, so his name is Akihiko. Thank you, Kawahara."

Rayazaki's mature attitude is pissing Akihiko off so hard that he's starting to rub the back of his head so intensively that his red hair might just fall off.

"Akihiko, I'm sorry if I'm pronouncing your name somehow wrong, although I'm fairly certain that I am not but you mentioned a 'she'. Who are you speaking of?"

Instead of Akihiko speaking, Kawahara took his place.

"Hinagiku. He confessed to her a while back. Don't you remember when we arrived late and received that hellish scolding?"

"Ah yes, the psychological torture of repeating that embarrassing sentence out loud a hundred times. How could I forget?"

All of us, except Akihiko, who didn't have to go through that horrendous public shaming, reminisced the very moment of shame where we had to say that one specific sentence out loud...

However, Akihiko went through something considerably worse. The hell chamber, in other words, the place where he had to watch feminist rants until dawn.

How is he still mentally sane after that one?

"Still, what does that have to do with anything? That's up to him. Whether he is unsuccessful or not is not due to me but due to him."

"Well, well. Aren't you just being slightly naive here? Maybe you are the reason as to why his endeavor failed. Or am I wrong, Akihiko?"

Unable to understand why he was supposedly the reason for Akihiko's failed endeavor, Rayazaki placed his index finger on his thumb and started to think.

Akihiko didn't hesitate to speak his mind though.

"Yeah, I learned this morning that apparently Hinagiku likes this dude. But, what the hell? They don't even talk and he doesn't even care for her, so why?"

Still thinking about it, Rayazaki didn't reply, which allowed Kawahara to proceed with his reasoning.

"Funny story. Too funny, but that's not the point that I want you both to perceive. Akihiko, you want to make Hinagiku yours, right?"

Please don't tell me that Kawahara is gonna suggest what I think he's gonna suggest...

That doesn't work... Well... It depends...

"That's starting to sound impossible because she got a crush on this guy and this guy doesn't do anything like just telling her in the face that he doesn't love her! I could console her and take that chance then!"

I love how no one immediately mentioned how morally wrong that is and that Akihiko's instincts just told him that based on the situation, he should only make his move when Hinagiku's self-esteem is down.

That is smart, but immoral nonetheless, which is why I respect it.

"Not a bad strategy. However, that's forcing Rayazaki to do something against his will and he might not see much of a point because he benefits far too little. So, why not raise the benefits for him?"

Interested in what Kawahara had just spoken out to Akihiko, Rayazaki couldn't help but form a question.

"Kawahara, what are you suggesting?"

"Simplicity, that's what I'm implying. Or, a competition. You said that you wanted to prove yourself, right?"

"That's correct. But what sort of competition? And who am I up against?"

Pointing out at the one at question without a trace of hesitation, Akihiko received the immediate highlight yet that shouldn't come as a surprise.

"To put this into perspective, Rayazaki, you want a challenge, right? And Akihiko wants you to tell Hinagiku that you don't love her. And, you won't just do that for free, right?"

"No, I won't. Especially because I don't want to talk to her."

"Hey, watch it!"

"Hmpf."

Romance is really boring when individuals try too hard. It should be something way more mysterious as each person should have deeper meanings to their ideas of romance and deep driven motivations.

Yet I see none of that when I look at Akihiko, who is only looking at Hinagiku like some prize.

On the other hand, I'm curious about Kawahara's case. Because I can't actually imagine someone like him loving someone else.

"Given the case, there is something you two could fight for. But before that, I want you two to acknowledge the rewards of winning here, to both sides. First off, Rayazaki, if you outdo an opponent that's eager in not losing, then won't you gain a plausible experience?"

"It depends, doesn't it? If my opponent is as boring and weak as Susaga, then this holds not much of a point, I daresay."

Triggered, Akihiko started to grit his teeth yet he didn't commit any unnecessary actions.

In case that a fight broke out, I'm not sure what I would do. Akihiko claimed that he was amazing at fighting and I know for a fact that Rayazaki is good at fighting, so it would be an interesting match up.

The problem is, it would ruin the whole place. And Kawahara might not stand for that.

"You can't just assume things like that, can you? Back to the topic though, should Akihiko be a worthy opponent, then he will prove to serve you a good experience. And without experience, you can't evolve, right? That's what you want. To be the best, right?"

"I see your point."

"Akihiko though, wants you to say to the shrimp that you don't love her so he can use his absolutely immoral maneuver on her."

'Immoral maneuver' is pretty accurate, I'll give that one to Kawahara.

"Wait, what part of it is immoral though?"

Akihiko just asked the dumbest question ever, still, Kawahara didn't show any remote hesitation in telling the honest truth.

"You are trying to get her to feel rejected and sad and you will, therefore, attempt to take advantage of her weak mental state to have a relationship out of guilt. That's fucked up, but I agree with your methods, which is why I won't censure you for it."

That's how I feel about it too. Who cares if it's immoral or not, you are still getting to love her.

Again, it's a different story regarding the genuineness of that love, but telling Akihiko that probably isn't beneficial for Kawahara, so he didn't bother to tell him more than that.

"Now that I've answered your question, I'll continue. You both earn a benefit that you both mutually agree on, in case you win. However, just what will the competition revolve around? It's about the damn last day! Twenty-five events, in one day! And you two will battle it out between you two to see who comes out on top. Or, in other words, who wins the most events, will be the winner. But ---- We have to be realistic. It's not like it will be that easy."

"Wait, I don't agree. It is that easy. I've won eighteen side events thus far. This should not be a problem. I can't speak for him, though..."

Goddamn, Rayazaki just went out of his way to be like that.

Akihiko wasn't going to take that though, as he immediately fought back.

"Get off your high horse, you're not winning, you arrogant bastard. You've been treating me like I'm some sort of weakling but you don't stand a chance. I'll prove it to you!"

It's sorta weird that as soon as he said those words, he left the hideout while running.

I can't tell if that was a strategical retreat or not.

All this time, I've been silently watching the situation unfold along with Kuzan, who hasn't spoken as much as I initially thought he would.

"What about you two? How did it go?"

Since I was fairly sure that Kuzan would speak for us, I allowed him to do just that, as he replied Kawahara with his opinion.

"Easy! Kan and Ryoken have been successfully tracked down every time thanks to your info, master! Plus, with those answers, we nailed every single event that they were in! Though, they only attended ten events thus far."

"I see. That's bad then. They aren't overextending like complete dumbasses. Which means, they are being smart about this. Or, someone else is being for them."

Is Kawahara talking about Sagasuga?

Despite having that thought, I posed a more appealing question.

"Kawahara, what are you going to do about Tatsu? As far as I'm concerned, it would be nice to have Hyunda here, wouldn't it? Because then, Hyunda could focus on Tatsu. And Akihiko should focus on Tsudo, but we are letting those two get away for free. Are you sure that's correct?"

Even though I'm saying this, I just would like to see Hyunda and Kawahara have a heated discussion about this and see what he has to say.

I feel like if they clashed with their opinions that it would be worthwhile, as they both tend to demonstrate little about themselves yet the public assumes so much.

"Daniel, there's something you have to understand here. Although I said that the goal is to crush them all, I just used the word 'team' back then quite figuratively, meaning that not everyone has to partake in this. For all intended purposes, the real goal is to win the bargain with that tyrant. Ultimately, it's irrelevant if the bastard is here or not. Plus, you, Kuzan, Rayazaki, and I, are focusing on four targets. Therefore, we will achieve four collective wins and that's enough to outscore the rest. But that would be appealing to a loser's attitude, which is why I can see your point."

I always forget that Kawahara takes his sweet time to get to the point.

Relentless to further explain, Kawahara, persisted.

"If our goal is to crush them completely, then we will have to move collectively in the last day accordingly. But, it just won't work if they evade our movements. They can just scatter thus making our aim completely useless. In other words, our union isn't as relevant as it seems."

"Kawahara, are you suggesting that instead of prioritizing our union that we aim to make them less scattered and more centered to the point where they will all collapse into a single unit?"

Rayazaki's question probably isn't too far off the mark. Kawahara's suggestion might've just implied that our union isn't that relevant as it seems like he said.

Thus, the assumption that their union could be beneficial for us in the sense that we can just pick a direct fight at the whole group on the last day, isn't too stretched out.

"If they are aware that our plan is to target them, then it doesn't make much sense to go for that plan. Or rather --- to follow an idea that implies that we must stop them from scattering from each other too much. If you think about it, you, Kuzan, Daniel, and ultimately, I, have demonstrated the behavior of individuals who are stalking them on purpose. That purpose is well known already. Their defeat. They know this. Why wouldn't they? We made sure they did. Which is why, it's time for the second act, now that all of the conditions to progress have been fulfilled."

Is Kawahara implying that this was all intentional? I thought that this was all for the purpose of getting on their nerves.

Well, that might be it, but as always, Kawahara is never done speaking. I feel like he could speak for all eternity if he actually wanted to and that's somewhat frightening.

"In order for all of them to collapse into a single unit, they can't willingly know. They already suspect it. But we can still do something about that. Are you all curious to know what that something is?"

We nodded in response, as we allowed Kawahara to speak about his idea of victory for this second act.

"For now, nothing."

....What.