After confirming the details of our plans one last time, we had spent a little under two hours in the war preparation room. Finishing it up, we headed back to our classroom where it was now break time.

While everyone else headed out of the class once returning their belongings, I decided to hang around and play on my phone. This is how I've been killing time for the past couple weeks while at this school. No one ever comes to me and asks for me to join them, after all.

The riajuus were still in class, before leaving together in a group. While I expected Matsushita to be in the centre of it all, he actually stayed behind, waving his friends goodbye. Then, he unexpectedly turned to face my direction, and walked up to me.

"Takanori-san, is it okay to have a moment of your time?"

I looked up from my phone. What does Matsushita want from me?

"Sure."

"Well... can you come with me for a bit?"

Somebody pinch me. Am I dreaming? Or is the Matsushita Isogai asking me to go with him? Am I suddenly going to become a riajuu? Is this my redemption arc?

I tried to play it cool and nodded. Inside though, I was giddy.

"Great. Sorry for being a bother." Matsushita smiled.

"No problem. I don't do much in break time anyways." I said.

We left the class, and Matsushita lead the way. I walked next to him, side by side, and I felt my social status skyrocket through the roof. For once, I was an equal to him.

I can't believe that this is really happening. People looked at our unusual combo, but Matsushita wasn't bothered by it.

"So, where are we going exactly?" I asked.

"We're going to the special wing."

The special wing was a peculiar place. No one ever went to it since all the rooms were locked and it was generally boring and disinteresting. No one loitered around due to the surveillance cameras that watched over the hallway.

Not to mention how far it was from main classes. It was rare for anyone to go here since you'd be wasting most of your break just walking to and back.

I wonder what business Matsushita has in the special wing. If he's bringing me along, I don't think anything good will come out of it. Perhaps he's going to sacrifice me or try and assimilate me into a cult. A plain guy like me would be the perfect target.

Matsushita chuckled, as if he could read my thoughts. He looked at me with a gentle face.

"What's wrong? You look so stressed." He said.

"I was just wondering what we're going to the special wing for, that's all."

"Ah. You see, my roommate, Kuwahara-senpai, actually asked me to come to the special building to meet him. Strangely, he asked me to bring you along."

It seems Matsushita had decided to rent an apartment. No wonder I didn't see him in the dormitory buildings.

"This Kuwahara-senpai sounds suspicious."

"No, no, Kuwahara-senpai is a nice guy. He was very welcoming when I moved in. Though... the way he asked me to come out was a bit off, to say the least. I don't know what he wants, but I trust him."

Man, ikemen are something else. They're so accepting of others it's almost scary.

As I walked beside him, I noticed that from here, Matsushita smelt like flowers. It was a wonderful scent that wasn't overpowering at all.

I also noticed how up-close, his face looked even more smooth and good-looking. His hair seemed to just fall into place perfectly without him trying. Not to mention, his physique was ideal. Not too muscular, nor too thin.

He was for sure blessed with the perfect life. He had everything anyone could ask for. Good looks, popularity, friends. Not to mention he was both good at academics and sports. One person shouldn't have this much power.

Matsushita was the definition of elite. The school probably wanted to transform us into a young person like him. I think that if I were a girl, I'd totally fall in love with him.

However, I could only come up with self-deprecating thoughts that compared me to him. I was really lacklustre in comparison.

When we reached the special wing, Matsushita's roommate, Kuwahara, was standing in the middle of the hallway with a serious expression.

What a scary guy. He looked to be about six feet. The colour of his tie was red, so he was in Drachma Red like me and Matsushita. From one glance, I determined that he was the athletic type due to his large build.

"Yo, Matsushita-kun." Kuwahara waved at Matsushita. Matsushita waved back with a refreshing smile.

"Hey, Kuwahara-senpai. I brought Takanori-san along with us."

"Hello." I said.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Kuwahara Jomei." He extended his hand to me. I shook it lightly, despite his firm grip.

Why does everyone I shake hands with all have tight grips... are they trying to show me that they're the alpha male or something?

I swear I'm a harmless person. Please pay more attention to my average face.

"So, what's up, Kuwahara-senpai?" Matsushita said.

"You guys are participating in the war today, aren't you?"

"Yeah, we are."

"Alright. I'm going to give you two a heads up." Kuwahara quickly looked behind his shoulders, as if checking if anyone was here. "3rd Year A Class only has eleven students."

Both me and Matsushita were surprised by this information.

"W-wait, senpai... eleven students? H-how?"

Even the normally cool Matsushita was stuttering after hearing those words leave Kuwahara's mouth.

"Matsushita-kun, Takanori-kun. This school isn't as glamorous as it seems. That's all I'm going to say."

"Hey, Kuwahara-senpai. What year are you in?" I asked.

"I'm a 3rd Year."

"I see. Is this why you're helping us? You want to beat A Class?"

"Partially. I don't have any interest in the war whatsoever. It's my friend that's interested in defeating A Class. I'm simply his messenger."

"I see. So, why am I needed here? Wouldn't bringing just Matsushita-san along be fine?"

"My friend requested that I'd also bring you here, Takanori-kun. He has a request for you, actually."

"A request? For me?"

"Indeed. He wants you to defeat Mikazuchi Kaido in the war."

I raised an eyebrow at this request. Right now, a lot of questions were floating in my head.

Matsushita also looked surprised at this.

"...why me? Why not someone like Matsushita-san?" I said.

"Matsushita-kun, it's best if you leave now. What I'm about to discuss with Takanori-kun isn't for your ears." Kuwahara said. "Besides, I mainly only wanted to inform you about your advantage in numbers. Do what you wish with the information you have."

"I see... thank you, Kuwahara-senpai. This was very useful for us."

"You should honestly thank my friend. He's the one who wanted me to inform you lot. Best of luck in the war."

Matsushita nodded and walked out of the special wing, leaving me and Kuwahara alone. I stepped forward, closing the gap between me and Kuwahara.

"Why me? Why does your friend want me to beat Mikazuchi-senpai? Why am I even here?"

My questions came tumbling out quickly now that Matsushita left.

"Heh. I don't know why my friend wants you to defeat Mikazuchi-kun. After all, Mikazuchi-kun's one of the best Vanguard players at this school, and you seem like a nameless nobody. I'm simply following my friend's instructions."

"Who's your friend?"

"I'm not telling you. He wants to keep his identity hidden."

"Then tell him this. I'll follow his request. But if I beat Mikazuchi, he has to reveal himself to me."

"Ha ha. Alright, I'll tell him that. I'm willing to believe he'll accept that easily. After all, he's a flippant man."

"If you don't have anything else to say, then I'll take my leave." I turned around, ready to walk away.

"There's one more thing, actually. Is it true that you took a different entrance exam? One that would let you become King if you passed?"

I glanced over my shoulder. "Where'd you hear that from?"

"An anonymous source."

It's probably that teacher Mikazuchi-sensei, then.

"I'm getting sick of not knowing where you get your information from."

"What a cold tone. Don't worry, if you answer my question, I'll tell you something about me. How about that?"

"Depends on what you tell me. If I think it's worth answering your question, then I'll do it."

"Alright. I used to be in A Class."

I raised an eyebrow. While class transfers are normal, the way he said it made it sound like it was a big deal. This statement had provided more questions than answers.

"Could you expand upon that?"

"I'm not saying anything else. I'm already walking on a thin line as it is." Kuwahara put his hands up like he was trying to surrender. "Plus, I'd rather not reflect on my time here at this school."

"I see. Then, I guess fair's fair. I had a different entrance exam."

"Heh. That's all I wanted to know. Thanks for telling me, Takanori-kun."

I began to walk away. Just who was Kuwahara's friend? Why did they want me to fight Mikazuchi?

I could only suspect that someone, somewhere, is trying to manipulate me.

If that was the game you wanted to play, then I'd gladly play along.

But, I'm going to find out who you are, "X".