After forming an official provisional alliance between B Class and E Class, we joined together in our first event, a study coalition in preparation for the midterms! It gave the class representatives the perfect opportunity to talk about how we'd move forward in the future.

Machida-kun, B Class's male class representative and my classmate, had a bad attitude toward E Class students, believing they were worthless and the trash of the school, much like everyone else. However, for this occasion, he compromised and came with me in order to talk with the E Class reps, Isogai-kun and Alice-chan.

Despite his grumpy mood, he remained silent while we were in the library. Like me, he brought two of his friends, Koishi-kun and Ritaka-kun, which made up half of our six party group. Of course, I didn't expect him to say much, as Machida-kun is a taciturn person, but the only time he spoke today was during the introduction to E Class. Otherwise, he hasn't said a word since agreeing to come with me.

"Natsumi-san, Machida-san, thank you so much for doing this for our class. It's been a real struggle for E Class..."

Immediately, to begin our discussion, Isogai-kun wasted no time thanking us. Recently, he and Alice-chan have been helping tutor other students in their class to prepare for the upcoming midterms. Isogai-kun had more success, as his study group tended to yield more people than Alice-chan did.

"Nya ha ha, not a problem. Now that we're officially friends, B Class is glad to help you out!"

Usually, Machida-kun was sharp to snap back at these sorts of words and criticise me harshly, but this time, he didn't say a thing. Maybe his uncharacteristic nature is because of this professional and tense setting.

"No, we should really be thanking you. This alliance between E Class and B Class... we get so many benefits from it! Showing our thanks isn't nearly enough so... what else can we do to help B Class?"

Alice-chan praised us, which made me happy as I could influence other people's lives for the better. However, that question she asked would give fairly different responses depending on who answered. Since Machida-kun was still keeping quiet, I decided to answer first.

"Oh no, no, it's fine! We're not making any big moves right now, which is why we'd like to support you in the battle against D Class."

I looked at Machida-kun briefly, who didn't seem to want to comment on the matter. In any other case, he'd assert a policy of crushing A Class through any means possible.

"Your class is far too kind. This alliance though, are you guys really okay with it?"

Alice-chan kept asking questions that would be perfect openings for Machida-kun to strike, but he continued to stay silent.

"Yes. I see a lot of potential in your class, and I feel like you guys would most likely to want to ally with us. Today though, I'd like to focus on what we could do to support each other in the future."

Yet, to these topical words, Machida-kun spoke up for the first time today.

"Ichinose-san. Could you explain what this alliance does?"

Isogai-kun and Alice-chan looked at Machida-kun was confused faces. It seemed like Isogai-kun wanted to say something, but restrained himself.

"Do you not know, Machida-kun?"

Despite knowing we were going into an alliance, Machida-kun didn't bother to research before coming here. Again, he was showing uncharacteristic behaviour that wasn't like him, especially since he regularly poured over the school rulebook and guidelines plenty of times before. He loved compiling information.

It was embarrassing to educate a class representative about this, especially in front of these two, but it's to be expected, since he didn't want an alliance with E Class, or with any class for that matter.

"No. Because you selfishly chose this alliance for yourself without any input from me."

His scathing words began pouring out. I could feel the anger and spite run coarse through that piercing statement that even disgruntled the E Class representatives.

"Oh, right. You guys probably don't know."

Machida-kun flicked his chin up, pointing at Isogai-kun and Alice-chan.

"Lingering in B Class is an internal dispute that split the class in two factions, lead by me and Ichinose-san respectively. It's a battle of supremacy, so we don't see eye to eye on everything. In fact, I never had a say about making an alliance with E Class. Ichinose-san did everything on her own accord, and didn't inform me about it until the very last minute."

While it was true I went behind Machida-kun's back to set this alliance up, he has also done many things that would have hurt B Class without informing me. While he did give the notice that the boys were going to harass the A Class students on the weeks leading up to the midterms, he never specified he'd be trespassing on their property and even going so far to tail them.

This sort of reckless behaviour made Toujou-sensei scold the class today in homeroom, but I know that Machida-kun has no intention of stopping. In fact, I think he was willing to go further if it's for the sake of bringing A Class down a peg. If I tried to reason with him an alliance, he'd just deny it straight away.

"Why is there a dispute between you guys in the first place? Wouldn't it be more beneficial to work together?"

Alice-chan also tried to reason with Machida-kun, but he shook his head.

"No. The way we do things are completely different. In order to secure her own needs of defence, Ichinose-san's lowered her own standards to work with your class. I simply cannot accept that."

Machida-kun's hate towards E Class students was clearly portrayed in his rough words. Taking such a firm stance hurt my heart a little, but I got myself in this situation in the first place. I can't back down to Machida-kun so easily anymore. I need to also make my own choices for the sake of the class, before his choices start to take a ripple effect and collapse B Class.

"Well, Machida-kun, the alliance gives us two major benefits in particular. Firstly, at the start of each month, we would gain private points equal to B Class and E Class's total class points. Assuming both of our classes increase to 700 Cl and 100 Cl respectively, we'd receive 800 Cl worth of private points at the start of the month, which is 80,000 Pr!"

This huge increase in private points would definitely make our lives easier and less stressful. Machida-kun simply scoffed. Besides this, he let me continue my explanation.

"Secondly, during wars, B Class can take E Class students into war with us, and vice versa. That way, if either of our classes go to war, the opposing class would essentially be going against two classes, instead of one."

Nodding, Machida-kun uncrossed his arms. It seems like he understood the situation fairly quickly.

"Each benefit you listed only benefits E Class at the moment. Since we have 630 Cl, and they have 0 Cl, if we're in the alliance, next month they'll get at least 63,000 Pr without ever doing anything of worth. Do you think defective trash deserves our hard earned Pr?"

Even though two E Class students were sitting in front of him, Machida-kun wasn't scared of calling them derogatory names.

"In the future, they'll be gaining more Cl, so we'll also be benefitting from it."

"In the future- no, in a few months, we'll be in A Class under my methods. It was pointless to make a long investment with a useless class like that. At the very least, partner with A Class so we can siphon their 950 Cl worth of Pr before crushing them."

In the end, all Machida-kun cared about was reaching A Class before anyone else.

"Yes, but in the war, having extra troops will help us."

"E Class troops would be the equivalent of foot soldiers. Easy fodder for the opponents to pick away. None of them have the skill necessary to play a good Vanguard. Say, didn't both of you lose in that humiliating war back in April?"

Machida-kun went as far as to taunt our to be friends. I couldn't stand for it. Alice-chan narrowed her eyes.

"Machida-kun, that's enough!"

I chided him for his inconsiderate action. To this, Machida-kun shrugged as if he was innocent.

"Actually, I didn't lose technically. The war ended before I could win."

Alice-chan tried to correct him, but Machida-kun rolled his eyes at her reply.

"In other words, you couldn't kill your opponents fast enough. Lame."

"I'm so sorry on behalf of him..."

I bowed, apologising to the two of them. Isogai-kun shook his head.

"It's alright, Natsumi-san. I understand what Machida-kun means. It is true that E Class gets more benefits right now, rather than B Class."

"If that's all we get from them, it was a waste of time and effort to ally with E Class. They'll be dragging us and our reputation down just by association."

Machida-kun jumped back into the conversation with another cold line.

"That's not true. By breaking down these barriers, we're showing the school that we won't treat E Class like the loser class, unlike everyone else. Plus, this lets you be friends with Yamaguchi-kun again. Isn't that great?"

"Yamaguchi? Oh, that loser. I never liked him anyways."

Machida-kun's dismissive personality to anyone who was in E Class was astounding. Despite being friends with Yamaguchi-kun back in April, now that he knows how the school works, he hated him. Just how far does his hate towards E Class go?

"That aside, an alliance will also let us work together more freely in the future, for things like sport festivals or culture festivals. Having two class collaborate on a project is better than one class, right?"

I tried to bring up possible future events where this alliance would be useful. Machida-kun simply sighed.

"What if we have to work against each other in the sports festival? How can the school hold a culture festival when we live on an isolated island? You thought so "deep and far" into this, you failed to recognise all the holes in this stupid alliance."

Before I could respond, Machida-kun's commanding presence took the reins of the conversation as his grievances with this alliance came spilling out into passionate and powerful criticism.

"Ichinose-san, you've gotten tunnel-vision from trying to future-proof. Strategically, it makes sense, but you also have to consider the present. The whole landscape is changing all the time, so how are you sure that E Class will be useful later? They haven't proved their potential, and it seems like you chose to become allies with them because they're the easiest class to convince. We shouldn't be stooping so low to appease them. That's the real issue here."

Turning to me, Machida-kun's scarlet eyes looked deep into mine.

"You selfishly decided to make us allies with this class of failures without any evidence they'll be worthy in the long run. How can you call yourself a saint when you didn't even consider my feelings, or anyone else's in the class for that matter?"

I know it was wrong of me to not consult him about it. But it's also his fault for being so stubborn and leaving me with no choice.

"It's like you said, the landscape is changing constantly, which also means E Class will change too. Even if they're considered defective, B Class can help polish them and make them better. Once they're more skilled, they'll climb the ranks and join our class, which lets us dissolve the alliance later down the line. Then, with our overwhelming unity, we'll surpass A Class."

Putting my foot down, I explained clearly how this relationship would benefit both classes. While it may not appear we'd get bonuses at the start, the longer we wait, the more these bonuses start to rack up. Then, the final reward will be becoming A Class. If we had three years at this school, we didn't need to attack A Class straightaway. We could afford to wait until we get our victory.

"Machida-kun, I'm sorry if you hate this, but I do honestly believe a relationship with E Class will be beneficial."

"You could've allied with C Class and gathered your troops that way, couldn't you? At least that way, they'd be closer to our level, and when they do get promoted, they'd be promoted straight into our class."

"I asked C Class... and they rejected me."

It's because they're battling us. If we got into an alliance, it'd become messy if they surpassed us.

"Then it's their loss. Not like we needed them anyways. The strongest defence is the strongest offence. Even without their help, if we keep hounding A Class over and over, they'll break eventually."

The difference in our strategies were slowly being revealed to Isogai-kun and Alice-chan as they watched us squabble amongst ourselves. It was so shameful, I felt sorry for them having to watch this ugly thing happen in front of their eyes.

"But isn't that a troublesome strategy? You already saw how Toujou-sensei reacted in class."

"I don't care. We're below them, so we're allowed to punch up. Just like any other class. Even the loser class that's sitting across us."

"Just what is your moral code for this...?"

I didn't understand Machida-kun's way of thinking at all. It was far too aggressive for someone like me. In some ways, that's what I admired about him the most. He was fearless.

"The end justifies the means. I'll obtain what I want without giving a damn about what you or anyone else says. If I have to hurt someone else on my climb to the top, then so be it."

Immediately, Isogai-kun slammed his fist on the table. Glaring at Machida-kun, he narrowed his eyes. Machida-kun smiled seeing him get a rise out of Isogai-kun.

"You're horrible. Hurting someone else selfishly... how could you ever do that?!"

"Ha ha ha! You stupid suck-up brat! Ichinose-san hurt me by selfishly teaming up with your shit-hole of a class! If you want to act high and mighty, then you'll have to also chide that "saint" you adore so much too!"

Isogai-kun was shaking with anger. I've never seen him get so riled up before. He could usually keep his calm, but Machida-kun's repeated provocations finally took their effect on him.

"You're the one verbalising this, aren't you? The actions you take have consequences beyond the end result you're aiming for! By doing reckless or cruel actions, you're also creating outcomes that are just as bad!"

"God, don't you dare try to talk as if you're superior to me, you piece of shit E Class!"

Machida-kun slammed his fist on the table and snarled, threatening Isogai-kun with a raised fist.

"I don't give a fuck about your stupid philosophy, in this school, it's eat or be eaten! And I don't have any problems with sacrificing people like you along the way!"

"Machida-kun, stop! You'll say something you regret!"

I tried to get them to break up, but Machida-kun ran a hand through his hair and laughed.

"Ha ha! This is all your fault, Ichinose-san. You're proving that idiot's point, to my disgruntlement. By choosing this method to reach A Class, you've created a bad consequence for me. How does that feel? You hurt your own classmate even though you're trying to help the class. Can you really say this was a good choice, huh? Huh?"

"Isogai-san, you too... there's no need to get riled over cheap provocations."

Alice-chan remained far more composed than Isogai-kun, helping him calm down as well. However, Machida-kun was still visibly burning with anger.

"There's only way I'm going to accept this shitty alliance, and all you have to do is sign a contract on the behalf of your entire class."

Machida-kun said this in a threatening manner, taking out a typed-up contract from his bag?!

"W-when did you..?!"

"You're so naive and trusting in other people, you honestly thought I had no clue about what this alliance could do for us? C'mon Ichinose-san, get your head out of the clouds, you know I'm a thorough person. I only asked that to make you look bad and ignorant in front of these idiots."

This entire time, Machida-kun lied to me...? No way...

"I only agreed to come to your stupid study session since Koishi finished typing this up. I figured that if I'm going to be aligned with a bunch of nobodies, I might as well get my own investment from it too."

He threw down the contract, sliding it to Isogai-kun and Alice-chan.

"It's a simple condition. If you agree to this contract, I'll join this alliance. I know that with only three signatures on the alliance, you can only get a provisional alliance at most, and annoyingly, I can't even veto it. However, this provisional alliance will only last you until the end of the month. With my fourth signature, having all class reps agree, you could solidify it for the rest of our school years, or until we mutually agree to dissolve it."

There were a few details he omitted, such as, if a class representative changes, our alliance would also dissolve or turn into a provisional one, depending on how many signatures would become invalid. If, for some reason, I had to step down, and another girl took my place, unless she signed the alliance soon after, it'd revert back to a provisional one. Any less than that, and it'd dissolve.

Isogai-kun and Alice-chan began reading through the contract with shocked faces. What was the sort of deal Machida-kun presenting them? They began whispering to each other frantically.

"This isn't something we should decide so quickly, Alice-chan..."

"You're right. I'll run some numbers."

Immediately, Alice-chan took out her notebook and calculator, doing the math on something. I also wanted to know the situation, so I requested access to the contract.

"May I read the contract?"

"Of course..."

Isogai-kun handed me the contract. It wasn't very long, about two pages, and stated clearly the conditions. It stated that:

At the start of each month, every individual E Class student must transfer 60% of the private points that they receive from B Class's class points to the recipient, Machida Kouta. This includes students that are transferred into E Class, but excludes students who leave E Class.

This will be signed by the class representatives on behalf of E Class. If this contract is agreed to, Machida Kouta will join the alliance. If E Class fails to fulfil this contract, the alliance is immediately null and void with Machida Kouta's signature being removed. When the class alliance dissolves for any reason, this contract will as well.

Isogai-kun was clearly frustrated about what was being presented. However, there was the more concerning fact that his contract was absurd and unfair for the E Class students, and to an extent, even the B Class students too. He was selfishly going to take all the points for himself, not even considering the other students in the class as well. I wanted him to stop trying to ruin our partnership with E Class, but he wanted everything to go his way stubbornly.

"Machida-kun, that's insane! You're taking more than half of their private points, all for yourself as well! Stop!"

"Didn't you pay attention to the way I do things? There can be nothing more or less. If you want my help, it's a high fee. Otherwise, you can forget this alliance ever existed."

With that threat, Isogai-kun grit his teeth. Machida-kun looked satisfied with his plan of fooling everyone and bringing out the surprise contract that would make or break the alliance. Alice-chan began to present her calculations to Isogai-kun.

"Let's assume the Cl doesn't change next month, so that'd be 63,000 Pr each of our classes are receiving. Under this contract, Machida-san would receive 60% of that 63,000 Pr which would be 37,800 Pr he'd be getting from each student in E Class, and we'd receive 25,200 Pr. Since there's 25 students in our class, Machida-san would be receiving 945,000 Pr in total."

That incredulous sum was even more than what we originally received at the school! It was a staggering amount of Pr he'd be unfairly receiving. It was just extortion that this point...

"And adding on his own share of B Class's monthly Pr, he'd get an extra 63,000 Pr, which would bring the total to 1,008,000 Pr..."

From this method alone, he would be earning more than a million points per month... which is the equivalent to a million yen. Not to mention if our Cl increases, so would the amount he gets!

"Machida-kun, don't you see how much you're gaining from this? It isn't right!"

"Who cares, stop whining. This contract still gives E Class a much better sum than 0 Pr per month, you know. They could actually buy things with the remaining amount of money."

"Please lower it to 25% at least! You can't take 60% away from them!"

"I will, and I can. If B Class wants to benefit from this, we need to take their private points."

"You say that, but you're keeping everything for yourself!"

"No. I plan to share out the private points within my faction, which is why I directed everything to me. If I shared it out amongst everyone in the class, your faction would also benefit from this. You get your satisfaction from having them as allies. I get my satisfaction from getting private points. That way, everyone is happy in this relationship."

"How could you... I don't understand..."

"That's your weakness, Ichinose-san. You're too afraid to use force. If you want to be a leader, you can't be afraid. To be frank, you don't suit being a class rep. You're only in this position because you're popular. Being popular won't win you in this war between classes. If you let me take the lead, I'll bring us to A Class for sure."

"You talk big and use unscrupulous methods... how can I ever accept that, Machida-kun? I don't want to hurt someone else for my own sake... I want to play this game fair and square, without having to rely on dirty methods like you! You're in such a hurry to reach A Class, you haven't realised all the bad things you've been doing this entire time!"

"This is fair and square. The school rules state we can set up contracts if we wish. I'm just using things to my own advantage, like the school intended."

"A contract isn't normal between students! And the way you're extorting points isn't okay!"

"And you forcing this alliance on me isn't okay either. Now shut up, before I tear up this contract and end any chance of cooperation."

My heart hurt. Hearing all those words being said by Machida-kun really hurt...

Before the school revelation, he was a good boy... he was smart, thoughtful, and had a deep view on the world. He was so charming, and every time he spoke, it was so meaningful and full of happiness. But now... ever since the school's true nature was revealed, he's... Machida-kun's changed... he's no longer a good person... his heart's been dyed black with this temptation to reach the top... and we couldn't see eye to eye anymore...

I don't want this Machida-kun... I want the old Machida-kun, the one who could understand someone else's emotions! Not this replica who's unnecessarily cruel to even his own classmates!

"I get it... fine then."

Alice-chan signed the scribbled contract without anymore hesitation. Isogai-kun was surprised.

"W-why?"

"This alliance... is worth that much. I'm willing to accept that offer if it gets us to work with B Class."

Machida-kun smiled.

"Oh? Maybe we don't have a stupid E Class student with us."

"Isogai-kun... don't feel pressured to sign the contract. I'm fine if we continue being in a provisional alliance."

I didn't want the pressure of making the final decision tempt him. However, this provisional alliance couldn't last us forever. We could only provisionally ally with another class up to a total of three times.

Isogai-kun struggled to think clearly as the huge numbers Machida-kun would gain were in front of him. In this position, I couldn't tell whether it was worth it or anymore. Giving this much money to him for free seemed absurd... especially when he doesn't deserve it. However, Isogai-kun's tight and painful expression relaxed as he put his pen down.

"Forget it. I'm not giving a guy like you my class's allowance that easily. After today, you've left a bad impression on me, Machida-san."

Machida-kun's faint smile vanished. He sighed.

"Oh, I get it now. You're like Ichinose-san. You can't stand to hurt others, which is why you're trying to let me down nicely even though you called me "horrible" earlier. Unfortunately for you, the "means" you chose resulted in a "end" that hurt me, proving that the way you think is trash. The end result matters above all. How does it feel, huh? Bad, right? You're the reason why this alliance isn't happening anymore. This discussion is over, finished."

Machida stood up and grabbed the half-signed contract, folding it up and putting it into his bag.

"N-no, it's not like that, I-"

"If I can't get private points from your defective class, then there's no reason for me to ally with you. I hope you enjoy grovelling to the floor and eating rice covered in ponzu sauce for the rest of your high school life."

Leaving the library, Koishi and Ritaka followed him... slowly, our alliance was falling apart.

I wanted to stop it, but... it was too out of my reach...

Machida-kun... one day, all the things you've done will come back to haunt you. Before you go too deep, I... want to save you too.