A certain day prior to the onset of our winter vacation.

A massive typhoon fell upon Class D. It happened right after Chabashira-sensei gave the signal that class was over. The doors to our classroom opened and Class C students, including Ryuuen, showed up at Class D.

The class was in uproar over this unexpected visit. Chabashira-sensei glanced at them briefly but then immediately left the classroom. It would be a different story if a brawl were about to break out but there's nothing wrong with students from a different class paying a visit.

Having kept an eye on Class D through utilizing such roundabout measures, and still without having obtained the answers they sought, Ryuuen and the others have finally shown themselves.

Or perhaps a strategy beyond my comprehension is in effect behind the scenes? Regardless, there's no denying the fact that they've opted to go with a frontal attack strategy. Horikita, who was about to leave, stopped and glanced at the Class C students.

The ones who showed up were Ryuuen, Ishizaki and Yamada Albert. Also Komiya and Kondou.

It's understandable that the class would be tense with all these fighters gathering.

"What the hell? This is Class D".

The first one to react to Ryuuen was Sudou. His tendency to pick fights may have been a factor but it may also be a purely self-defensive reaction to avoid being played like before.

And most importantly, he has to protect Horikita. Those feelings may have taken precedence. Sudou immediately stood up and approached Ryuuen. Seeing that, Hirata panicked and got between them as though fearing conflict.

"Do you have some business with our class, Ryuuen-kun?".

As Hirata, unable to understand the situation, asked him that, Ryuuen replied extravagantly.

"Is there a reason why I shouldn't drop by a colleague's class? It's something that happens in every school, right? Going to a class that's not your own to visit a friend. Why are you all so afraid?".

The first words he spoke sounded so much like a provocation but Hirata calmly replied to that high-pressure attitude.

"Normally speaking, yes. But don't you think the circumstances in this school are somewhat different? At the very least, you've never visited Class D before".

Hirata tried to smooth things over by treating this as an emergency at most.

"We've just been estranged until now. I thought now's as good a time as any to act more aggressively".

He placed a hand on the desk of a nearby girl and grinned, showing off his white teeth.

"You guys sure did well during the Paper Shuffle exam. Thanks to that, Class C lost. The outcome hasn't been decided yet, of course, but you guys may become Class C starting from the third semester. Quite impressive".

"Heh. That just means you're an incompetent ape of a boss, right? Fall down to Class D".

Hirata panickedly restrains Sudou when he took a potshot from the side.

"We put in effort to make steady progress".

"Effort, huh? Sudou, who seems completely unfamiliar with the concept, still seems to be around so that's puzzling. I thought he'd be the first to drop out".

"So you've finally remembered my name?".

They met eyes and glared at one another. Several of our classmates who were about to head back also froze up at this situation.

"Could you tell us what you're really after?".

From Hirata's perspective, he wants to figure this out as quickly as possible so he'd want to avoid being continuously caught up in Ryuuen's pace. However, it's better to assume he's deliberately acting that way.

"I'm giving you Class D guys a thorough warning right now".

"Warning? What do you mean?".

"I have no intention of explaining it to someone who doesn't get it. Or are you merely pretending to not understand?".

At first glance, that seems like a taunt meant for Hirata but that's not really what it is. Ryuuen was barely looking at Hirata, he had been looking around at the whole class.

If those words weren't meant for Hirata then perhaps they're meant for either Keisei or me, or perhaps Akito and the others. But he was mostly just lightly looking around.

Ultimately, it was an unexpected person who caught Ryuuen's attention.

That person did not even realize he was being stared at, or more like, he did not care in the least and made preparations to leave. And then he moved to leave the classroom.

Even when no one else could move in the presence of Ryuuen, he acted like it was just another average day. Laughing faintly, Ryuuen looked back at his men slightly behind him and gave them the signal as they left the classroom immediately.

Apparently that student is their target.

As Ryuuen and the others closed the door behind them, the tense atmosphere dissipated and our classmates once again went into an uproar.

"Hey, hey, that Ryuuen guy looked like he was about to do something unbelievable! It's like I can't believe it, right!?".

"More like, they're probably going to do something to Kouenji, aren't they!?".

That's right. The one Ryuuen was after is Kouenji Rokusuke, the maverick of Class D. And with Ike and Yamauchi at the center of it all, various theories began playing out.

But these days, Kushida's really keeping a low profile. I know it stems from her defeat against Horikita in their confrontation but she's stopped taking an active role.

Of course, it's not like she just went entirely silent. Even now, she's talking about Ryuuen with the other girls but she did not get herself involved one bit. And Horikita is Horikita, she didn't say a thing about Kushida to me.

"Isn't this bad? What happened just now".

Horikita asked me that while I thought about something unrelated to Ryuuen. Even for Horikita, who wishes to avoid any involvement with Class C to the utmost of her ability, it appears to be an urgent matter.

"Maybe".

It looked like Ryuuen had business with Kouenji but that's also puzzling.

Kouenji does give off a mysterious vibe. However, even from the outside, it shouldn't look like Kouenji's making a move inside Class D. There's probably a reason behind why he's blatantly going after Kouenji while keeping an eye on a great many people.

"Kiyotaka, why don't we go check the situation out?".

Akito's the one who said that.

"That just now was way too many people. Maybe they're planning on doing something".

"Suppose so.....even though there are people around that's still not an absolute guarantee".

If, on the off-chance that Kouenji got assaulted, Class D may end up shouldering the responsibility for not having prevented it. And getting penalized by the school isn't the only problem.

You'd end up regretting not being there to help. When I stepped out into the corridor with Akito, Keisei also tagged along.

"I'll go too. The fewer people, the more dangerous it is".

After a slight delay, Horikita also followed and Sudou also tagged along in pursuit. Hirata also came out of the classroom wearing a worried expression.

Apparently today's going to be a stormy day. I asked Keisei and Akito to wait then spoke to Hirata.

"Hirata, shouldn't you stay back? If more energetic students like Ike and Yamauchi end up following us, it may end up causing a bigger ruckus".

"...you're right. But, I wonder if Kouenji-kun will be fine......".

"Horikita's heading there too. Keisei and Akito are with me too. Worst case scenario, if violence is about to break out, I'll contact you".

"Keisei-kun? Alright, I got it. Please do make sure not to go overboard".

Hirata felt puzzled at the name 'Keisei' but did not pursue the matter.

Hirata immediately went back into the restless classroom of Class D.

"That was the right call, Kiyotaka. The more people, the more troublesome it'll be. Besides, in Hirata's case, he's more suited towards calming the class down".

Keisei nodded as though he's sure of it, perhaps he's the type of person to go against the flow.

Now the problem is where Kouenji went off to. Inside the school building, even Ryuuen and his men can't act carelessly. If they're going to attack, it'll be after he goes outdoors but I can't imagine where Kouenji would go.

"What does Kouenji usually do after school?".

"...not a clue".

"I don't know either".

Both Akito and Keisei tilted their heads as though they haven't the faintest clue.

"Is there no one familiar with Kouenji's behavioral patterns?".

None of our classmates have spoken to him at length.

"He mostly heads straight back to the dorm".

"How can you tell?".

"I spot him heading back quite often. Either way, it'll be problematic if he leaves the school building. First of all, we should head to the entrance".

Saying that, we headed towards the entrance.

If his shoes are still there then it would mean he's still inside the school building, and in that case we'll be able to buy time.

To not fall behind, we kept up our pace.

"Something serious like actual conflict might break out".

Sudou said that to Horikita while clenching his fist.

"Quit your joking. Mass violence between Class D and Class C is no laughing matter. More importantly, why did you follow me?".

"Isn't it obvious? Because I'm worried about Suzune. I've heard rumors that Ryuuen will attack even women".

"I'm not so fragile so as to need your protection".

"Don't say that".

Horikita did not change her bullish stance of being able to protect herself. Since she's proficient at martial arts, she doesn't need a man. Sudou's show of masculinity is also in vain.

But Sudou is Sudou after all so he probably doesn't even entertain the idea of Horikita being strong one bit.

"Besides, this may be unnecessary but there's one more thing I have to add. How about focusing those worries on your club activities?".

"It's fine I'm telling you. There's still time left until practice. Let's look for Kouenji already".

Even as she tried to drive him away, Sudou still stuck to Horikita.

"Good grief.....it's tough having to move around while carrying the seeds of trouble".

She gave him a stealth insult.

If Horikita were to get hurt while she's alone, Sudou will definitely snap. If that happens, it'll turn into a huge uproar that would make the previous one look like a joke.

If the same people are to get into a fight again then neither the school nor the student council would show any mercy. In that sense, having Sudou tag along should be seen as the best option.