During break time, the operation to find a substitute was in full force. E Class scattered out to contact the other classes. I was tasked with scouting out D Class, but I had no ways of naturally asking their students due to my lack of connections. The only connection I had with that class was with Mikazuchi-sensei, but he was absent today.

I remember, back when I played karaoke with Ichinose and Demiza, Demiza had to leave suddenly due to a D Class student named Chiaki calling her. Due to this connection, I figured asking her for information regarding D Class was my best bet if I wanted to infiltrate them smoothly.

Just as Demiza and her group were about to head to B Class, I called out to her.

"Demiza-san."

"Hmm? What's the matter, Takanori-san?"

Demiza turned around, her long blue hair swaying in the process. I didn't expect her to notice me so soon.

"You know a student in D Class, right?"

"I know plenty of girls in D Class."

"Could you... help me talk to one of them? For Matsushita-san and Akihiro-san's sake of course."

It felt unnecessary to tack on that ending statement, but I'd rather be clear than vague.

"Takanori-san really got the worst job, de gozaru..."

Tanaka, who was in Demiza's group, muttered the painful truth. It was like Sakigamiya was setting me up to fail by making me the only one responsible talking to D Class.

"Sorry, but me and the others are heading to B Class right now. I can help you during lunch time, but I think you should go see Akari-chan for this, since she also knows people in D Class."

With that bit of advice, Demiza and her group left the classroom. I sighed in defeat.

In the first place, I didn't even know where Jomko was. She had already left the class long ago. Even though our parents are friends, we only interacted a little bit at this school. I had no grasp on what kind of person she was.

"If you're looking for Akari-san, come with me."

Kawaguchi, with his arms behind his head, had overheard my conversation and offered to help me out.

"Really? You know where she is?"

"We usually hang out in the same space during break times. That's why."

During break, Kawaguchi would usually go to the fight room, which was located on the bottom floor. Did this mean Jomko also visited that room in her spare time?

"I thought you were going to visit B Class, though..."

In the discussion, Matsushita had put Kawaguchi into Demiza's group.

"We talked it over, and agreed that it would be better if we spread out a little. I know some people in B Class who hang out in the fight room, so I was entrusted with the task of talking to them."

"I see... well, thanks for the help."

"No problem man."

Me and Kawaguchi went to the fight room. It was just a repurposed classroom that was labelled with "Fight Room" on the door.

"Here we are." He said.

I pushed the door open and entered for the first time. I was impressed by the positive atmosphere that this place had. It felt like a local card shop, except with students from all years fighting around the tables instead.

Akusa-sensei, a math teacher and a retired pro-fighter, was presumably in charge of this room as she was the only staff on duty here.

"Nice place, right? Morning, sensei." Kawaguchi grinned and leaned against the wall.

"Morning Kawaguchi-san! You brought Takanori-san with you today?"

Akusa-sensei was a friendly teacher, so it wasn't difficult to talk to her at all. She also had connections to Mikazuchi-sensei, as her boyfriend works for Mikazuchi-sensei's company.

"Yeah, he's checking the place out."

I didn't mind that Kawaguchi was speaking on my behalf, because I was scanning my surroundings for Jomko. However, it looked like she wasn't here.

"C'mon, let's go find Akari-san and the others."

Kawaguchi led me towards the back of the room, where there was another set of double doors. He pushed them open, and another area of the school I had no idea existed was revealed to me.

Attached to the fight room was a garden, with a large oak tree in the centre and multiple fight tables surrounding it. Under the tree was Jomko, and sitting across from her was a D Class student. Surrounding them were more D Class students.

"Heya, Masaru-san! And Takanori-san too?"

Jomko and her friend's attention shifted onto us as we made our entrance. I shuffled behind Kawaguchi, feeling somewhat intimidated by the enemies that were around her.

"Sup."

Kawaguchi casually sat down beside them. I followed him, standing on his side, while examining who was present. There were three D Class girls and two D Class boys.

I recognised two of the girls, Tachibana and Tsuji, and one of the boys, Shirogane.

Tachibana was the younger sister of the student council member Tachibana Shizuo, who oversaw Yukimura's trial, from what I heard. Apparently, if it wasn't for him vetoing the judge Masamoto's decision, Yukimura would've been expelled.

Tsuji was a waiter at my aunt's restaurant, and once served me and Suzune when we went out to eat dinner.

Shirogane was D Class's most academic student. He scored the highest grades among his classmates during the midterms.

The other two students I didn't immediately recognise.

"Is Aki not here?" Jomko asked.

"Nah, he went to B Class with everyone else." Kawaguchi said.

I remember that Jomko didn't join in to help Matsushita and Akihiro out. I guess she didn't want to get involved because she wanted to play Vanguard with her friends instead.

"Makes sense... I hope he and Isogai-san will be okay."

With all these people's first names being tossed around so easily, I felt alienated. It was like I was the only person who wasn't close to any of them.

"Did something happen to them?"

Jomko's opponent asked that question innocently as she shuffled her deck. She had purple hair, so I surmised it was Kai Rikuto. Akihiro's talked about her before.

"Yeah, Yahagi-san from A Class told Aki and Isogai-san to find a replacement for Yukimura-san on the football team, as Yukimura-san has to take the midterms he missed today."

Hearing Jomko refer to Yukimura by his family name gave me a little bit of hope that I wasn't that far behind when it came to friendships in the class.

"So, who's the halfu that tagged along with you, Masaru-san?"

Kai was obviously referring to me. I guess my blonde hair and blue eyes made me stand out like a sore thumb.

"Hey, if you call him a halfu, it sounds like an insult." Jomko laughed.

"He's clearly not pure Japanese though..."

It seems like Kai was the straight-laced type. This'll be a difficult person to converse with. I looked at the other D Class students, but they all ignored my existence in favour of the two girls about to play Vanguard.

"That's Takanori Yuuto-san. He's a quiet guy, but he wanted to talk to you guys from D Class."

With Kawaguchi's support, he gave me the lead for a smooth transition.

"Yeah. I wanted to ask you guys a question."

However, my input was ignored as Jomko and Kai began their game.

"Stand up, Vanguard!"

"Battleraizer!" Jomko said.

"First Aid Celestial, Peniel!" Kai said.

"G-guys, you know that I..."

"Stand and draw! I ride, Jetraizer! Battleraizer's skill, I draw a card! Then, I'll end my turn!"

"Kai-san, I have a question to ask-"

"My turn! Stand and draw!"

Once again, I was ignored. They noticed my existence moments earlier, right? I didn't imagine that happening, did I? They even called me a "halfu"!

"Good luck, Takanori-san. I need to go talk to the B Class students."

Kawaguchi patted my back and walked away. Even he gave up on me...

I guess I have no other choice but to wait for them to finish the game before I can ask my question. I sat down where Kawaguchi was and observed.

It was my special talent anyways. I was the super highschool level background character. (Lie.)

Jomko:
Hand: 6
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

Kai:
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

"I ride, Underlay Celestial, Hesediel! Peniel's skill, I draw a card, and since you're on a grade 1 vanguard, I get a Quick Shield ticket!"

Recently, there was a new card type called "Order" which was released. This "Quick Shield" is one of these orders, and is something all starters can now produce going second. Being a ticket though meant it wasn't included in your main deck.

Simply put, during the guard step, the Quick Shield could be used to give +5k power to an attacked unit until end of battle. It would be useful going against a clan like Nova Grapplers, as they do smaller multi-attacks rather than three large attacks.

"Hesediel, attack! (8000)"

"No guard!"

At this point, Jomko should've used the Turboraizer in her hand to guard. It would've no-passed Kai's attack.

"Drive check! (Sanitize Raiser)"

"Damage check! (Iron Killer)"

I remember back when we were preparing for the war, Jomko's deck was a mess of three-of's and two-of's. I don't think that's changed since then, since Iron Killer is still in the deck. I still don't know how she managed to beat Rinbayashi's Messiah deck with that inconsistent build.

"Turn end."

Jomko:
Hand: 6
Damage: 1
OXO
OOO

Kai:
Hand: 8
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw! I ride, Kick Kick Typhoon! His skill, since he was placed on vanguard circle, he gets +5k! (9000 > 14000) I attack! (14000)"

It seems Jomko was playing more conservatively to not give her opponent a toolbox to work with. It was a smart move.

"No guard!"

"Drive check! (Screamin' and Dancin' Announcer, Shout)"

"Damage check! (Amputation Angel)"

"Turn end!"

Jomko:
Hand: 7
Damage: 1
OXO
OOO

Kai:
Hand: 8
Damage: 1
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw! I ride, Sanitize Raiser, and call Hesediel to rear-guard! Her skill, I counterblast and swap the Amputation Angel in my damage zone with the Solidify Celestial, Zerachiel in my hand face up! I call, Amputation Angel and Sectio Angel! Boosted by Hesediel, Sanitize Raiser attacks! (8000 > 16000)"

By manipulating the damage zone, Kai was able to set-up for a superior ride next turn. Considering Amputation and Sectio Angel are in her deck, it's safe to assume she uses Protect II as her gift of choice.

"Turboraizer, guard! (9000 > 24000) One to pass!"

"Drive check! (Critical Hit Angel) Critical! All to vanguard! (16000 > 26000/1 > 2)"

Unfortunately, Kai managed to get a trigger. This is why Jomko should've used it during the grade 1 turn.

"Grr... Damage check! (Incise Raizer, Twin Blader) Draw trigger! All to vanguard and draw! (9000 > 19000)"

Due to Jomko's lucky trigger, Kai's Amputation and Sectio line wouldn't be able to hit as it totals to 17000 Power.

"Turn end."

Jomko:
Hand: 7
Damage: 3
OXO
OOO

Kai:
Hand: 6
Damage: 1
XXO
XXO

"Stand and draw! Champion of the galaxy, blow open the path to victory that's in front of me! I ride my avatar, Incise Raizer! Imaginary Gift: Accel II!"

Even though her guarding was still sub-optimal, she at least now recognised that Accel II was the better gift to go into. Before, she would choose Accel I as her main choice. It was a small change in her play-style, but it would have a great impact on her deck's functionality.

"I draw a card! Then, I'll call Maximum Raizer (12000 > 17000), Farmed Gaias, Vernal Cracker and Shout to rear-guard! Maximum Raizer, attack! (17000) His skill, since he's not boosted, he gets +10k Power! (17000 > 27000)"

"No guard! (Hygienist Angel)"

"Vernal Cracker attacks next! (8000) His skill, he gets +3k for each of my other rear-guards! (8000 > 17000)"

"Critical Hit Angel, guard! (8000 > 23000)"

"Boosted by Shout, Farmed Gaias attacks! (3000 > 9000/2)"

"No guard! (Bandage Dresser, Hot Shot Celestial, Samyaza) Critical, all to Amputation Angel! (9000 > 19000)"

By placing it on her rear-guard, Kai had essentially forced Jomko to give her the fifth damage needed to activate a majority of her deck's skills, while protecting an important rear-guard from being attacked.

"Incise Raizer, attack the vanguard! (12000) Skill activate! I counterblast and stand all rear-guards on my additional rear circles! Get back up, Maximum Raizer! Hi-powered Accel Burst!!"

"I activate my Quick Shield! (8000 > 13000) Guard with Sectio Angel! (13000 > 23000) Two to pass!"

"Twin Drive!! First check! (Drill the Dual) Nothing... second check! (Cannon Ball) Alright, I got a front trigger! (17000 > 27000) (3000 > 130000) (12000 > 22000) (8000 > 18000)"

While Incise Raizer's attack wouldn't hit, she made her Maximum Raizer attack even more deadly.

It's conflicting that she runs front triggers in a deck that likes the vanguard to attack last, but I guess it synergises with Incise Raizer as it can stand many front row rear-guards at once. It would also depend on your attack pattern, but Jomko hadn't seemed to master that yet.

"Go for another punch, Maximum Raizer! Skill, +10k! (27000 > 37000)"

"No guard! (Solidify Celestial, Zerachiel)"

That fifth damage spelt imminent doom for Jomko. Kai could now produce three Protect markers in one turn, which would fulfil the conditions for Amputation Angel's sentinel block skill.

"Turn end!"

Jomko smirked in the face of adversity and didn't waver against the enemy. She was more brave than me, that's for sure.

Jomko:
Hand: 5
Damage: 3
XXXX
   XOO

Kai:
Hand: 3
Damage: 5
XXO
XXO

"Stand and draw! I ride, Mend Scraper, Tomael! Imaginary Gift: Protect II! To Amputation Angel's rear-guard circle! (9000 > 14000)"

Thanks to the gift, Amputation Angel will also get +10k Shield when she intercepts.

"Amputation and Sectio's skill! Since a Protect marker is in the same column as them, Amputation gets +15k (14000 > 29000) and Sectio can't be chosen by your card effects, as well as gain the ability to intercept from the back row! I use Tomael's skill next, to counterblast and put a card from my hand into the damage zone face down to call Bandage Dresser to rear-guard with +5k! (7000 > 12000) Bandage Dresser's skill, since I have five damage, she gets +15k! (12000 > 27000) I call Hygienist Angel to rear-guard, and her skill gives her +5k for each card in my damage zone! (7000 > 32000)"

Without even superior riding yet, Kai had built an incredibly strong board with lots of high-powered attackers. Jomko's going to have a hard time defending against this onslaught.

"Now, Zerachiel's skill in my damage zone! Since you're on a grade 3 or greater vanguard, I put the top card of my deck into my damage zone face down to superior ride her! An electric blue-pink jolt runs through this world, consolidating the bonds of love! Superior ride my avatar, Solidify Celestial, Zerachiel!"

"Imaginary Gift: Protect II! To Hygienist Angel's rear-guard circle! (32000 > 37000) Once more, I put the top card of my deck into the damage zone face down! A shining blue-pink blessing covers the world, consolidating the strength of guardian angels! Superior persona ride my avatar, Solidify Celestial, Zerachiel!"

"Imaginary Gift: Protect II! To Sectio Angel's rear-guard circle! (8000 > 13000) Zerachiel's skill, since a card was put into the damage zone this turn, my front row gets +3k Power! (29000 > 32000) (12000 > 15000) (37000 > 40000) Let's battle! Boosted by Hesediel, Zerachiel attacks! (15000 > 23000) Divinity of Crystal Heaven!"

Ironically, her vanguard's attack was the weakest one from that terrifying line-up.

"Twin Blader, perfect guard!"

Luckily, Jomko had a sentinel ready for a situation like this.

"Twin Drive!! (Amputation Angel, Hot Shot Celestial, Samyaza) Critical trigger! All effects to Hygienist Angel! (40000 > 50000/1 > 2)"

That wasn't good. Even though she was confident minutes earlier, Jomko started sweating as she ran calculations through her head on how much she'd need to spend to guard the remaining two attacks.

"Boosted by Sectio Angel, Amputation Angel attacks! (32000 > 45000) Amputation's skill, since I have 3 Protect markers, you can't guard with sentinels!"

OST: Gluttony Fang II

Jomko trembled, looking at the other attack coming her way. She looked back at her hand, and reached out for her deck unwillingly.

"Wait."

I couldn't bear to see her give up when she had the tools necessary to win. Both girls were surprised to see me speak up, but I ignored them and stood behind Jomko, looking over her shoulder.

"You have Wall Boy. Use it."

Jomko's eyes widened as she looked at the heal trigger in her hand.

"Hey, who said you could backseat Cardfight for her? This is a fight between me and Akari-chan!"

Kai was obviously annoyed at me for trying to help Jomko.

"No, Riku-chan. It's okay."

Jomko bit her bottom lip, and thrusted the cards in her hand to my chest.

"Takanori-san, I'm tagging out. I'm going to entrust you to win this game for me. I'm sorry, but I don't see the way out. My hand doesn't have enough shield, even with Wall Boy."

I took her hand cards, and looked over them. There were barely enough cards to stop this attack.

"That's fine by me."

Kai shivered as I sat down in Jomko's place.

"Don't get cocky just because you've been watching us! I'm going to win to this and—"

"If I win this fight, will you let me ask the question that I tried to earlier?"

Kai narrowed her eyebrows.

"Fine then... if you can somehow turn it around, I'll bite. Amputation Angel, change of targets! Cut him down instead! (45000)"

I could imagine Amputation Angel charging straight at me. I was inside the cockpit, piloting Incise Raizer, desperately fumbling around with holographic tabs in order to create a barrier in time to stop the blade from piercing through my damaged armour.

"I guard with Wall Boy and Drill the Dual! (12000 > 32000 > 42000)"

The barrier opened up, creating a pale blue hexagonal wall that blocked against Amputation Angel's scissor blades. As she clashed against the barrier, bright orange sparks flew everywhere.

"That's not enough!"

"Farmed Gaias, intercept! (42000 > 43000)"

I launched Wall Boy, Drill the Dual and Farmed Gaias from my hands, sending them flying to support the shield as it pushed back against Amputation's attack. With her scissors unable to breakthrough, Amputation was flung back to her side of the field.

Jomko widened her eyes at my intercept.

"But, Gaias, he..."

While Gaias was an aggressive piece, it was a necessary sacrifice.

"At five damage, the two critical won't matter anymore. The only thing we need to do is to get rid of all the cards in her hand."

"Damn it... boosted by Bandage Dresser, Hygienist Angel attacks! (50000 > 77000/2) Excruciating Clamp!!"

After barely guarding that last attack, there was no other choice but to take this one.

Hygienist Angel descended from my blind spot, clamping onto Incise Raizer's metallic chest-plate, and crushing it into a pile of scrap metal.

"No guard! (Jetraizer, Battledore Fighter)"

The fragile blue core of the mech was now exposed, and I was hanging on by a thread of life. The armour was bashed, cracked and covered in dirt, but it was still functional. I can still operate under these conditions.

"Turn... end."

Kai sounded both disappointed and annoyed. If I didn't switch with Jomko right there and then, she would've won for sure.

Yuuto:
Hand: 1
Damage: 5
XOXX
   XOO

Kai:
Hand: 3
Damage: 5
XXX
XXX

"Stand and draw."

All I had in hand was Incise Raizer and Clay-doll Mechanic. While I wouldn't consider Clay-doll a good card, it was one of my few saving graces, considering how thin my resources were spread out.

"Riku-san, you should be more careful around him... he's the boy who fought Mikazuchi-senpai."

The only D Class spectator I didn't immediately know recognised me. Ironic.

"...him? He's the one who fought Mikazuchi-senpai, Reo-kun?"

When Kai said his name, I immediately remembered who he was.

He was Imaishi Reo, a frankly forgettable student. He had no outstanding achievements, and the only identifiable thing about him was his reddish brown hair. He had all the factors necessary to be a nameless background character.

I'm surprised someone this blatantly generic wasn't put in C Class, but I guess the school had to spread out it's less than impressive students within the other classes. In other words, people like him were just jobbers for the real stars, like Matsushita or Ichinose.

I suppose I also fell in that category too.

"Yeah... he's a strong one."

Even though I was thrashed in that fight against Kaido, Imaishi still recognised my talent. Something tells me he knows more about Vanguard than I first thought. Looks can be deceiving...

Nevertheless, it wasn't the time to study my opponents. It was time to close out this fight for good.

"Jomko-san, say the chant for me."

"Of course! Champion of the galaxy, burn through the opposition with the speed of an indomitable fighting spirit! Persona ride my avatar, Incise Raizer!"

I raised the card in my hand and slammed it down onto the vanguard circle. Kai flinched while gripping her hand cards.

"Imaginary Gift: Accel II! Draw a card!"

I got Kick Kick Typhoon. It's all coming together.

"I call, Clay-doll Mechanic. Since I have three rear-guards and one card in hand, I can draw a card! I call, Kick Kick Typhoon (9000 > 14000) and use his skill to give Maximum Raizer +5k! (17000 > 22000) Then, I use Shout's skill! I rest him, and we reveal the top cards of our decks!"

I got Stylish Hustler, while Kai got Battle Cupid, Nociel.

"Since I have the higher grade, I draw the card. Since you have the lower grade, you soulcharge the card. I call, Jetraizer and Stylish Hustler to rear-guard. Jetraizer's skill, add +3k since I called a rear-guard! (7000 > 10000)"

Even though I used up my entire hand, I was sure I could win. There were only six cards standing between me and victory.

It's full throttle.

"Maximum Raizer, attack! His skill, +10k! (22000 > 32000)"

Not even a single heal trigger could guard this attack. Kai had no choice but to use two or more cards to stop this attack every time. I was going to use Kick Kick and Incise to restand Maximum Raizer again and again to bash Zerachiel in with a 32k beat-stick.

"Sectio Angel's skill, intercept from the back-row! Protect II, +10k Shield! (12000 > 32000) Guard with Amputation from hand! (32000 > 37000)"

One intercept, one card in hand down. Four more to go.

"Kick Kick Typhoon, attack! (14000) When he attacks, since I have a full front row, I can counterblast and restand Maximum Raizer!"

"Grr... guard with Sanitize Raiser! (12000 > 17000)"

Three more to go.

"Maximum Raizer, go for a punch! His skill, +10k! (22000 > 32000)"

"Amputation Angel intercepts! Protect II! (12000 > 22000) Guard with Samyaza from hand! (22000 > 37000)"

One to go.

"Incise Raizer, attack! (12000) I use it's skill to counterblast and restand all my rear-guards on Accel circles! Maximum Raizer, Kick Kick Typhoon, get back up! Hi-powered Accel Burst!!"

I thrusted the lever forward, going into overdrive. As Incise Raizer flew towards Zerachiel at tremendous speed, a bright green trail followed my wings like a comet. Around me, Maximum Raizer and Kick Kick Typhoon got back up from the floor.

"Intercept... with Hygienist Angel... Protect II... (12000 > 22000) One to pass..."

Any trigger will do.

"Twin Drive!! (Drill the Dual, Farmed Gaias)"

I guess I'm not that lucky. In any case, victory was within my grasp.

Incise Raizer clashed with Amputation Angel, acting as the perfect distraction for the real V.I.P of this fight to crush his opponent.

"Maximum Raizer, finish this! (22000 > 32000) Galaxy Cyclone!!"

"N-no guard...!"

Kai flipped the top card of her deck over.

"Zerachiel... no trigger."

The swirling beam of blue light coming from Maximum Raizer's cupped hands blew Zerachiel away into the darkness. This battle was my triumph.

Even if she did get a heal trigger, I still had Kick Kick Typhoon, Stylish Hustler and Vernal Cracker to attack. The game was decided the moment I drew Kick Kick Typhoon.

"That... that was amazing, Takanori— no, no, Yuuto-san!"

"Eh...?"

Jomko, who had been referring to me as Takanori up until now, used my first name suddenly. She looked genuinely happy after seeing me turn her losing situation around.

"What, is it not okay to use your first name? You can use mine too, I prefer it when people call me Akari anyways. Besides, our parents are friends, so why are we acting like strangers? We're like family, you know!"

"Not really..."

Akari, huh? It was a colourful name. While the D Class students observing began muttering to each other, presumably about me, Kai reached her hand out with a smile.

"Good game, Takanori-san."

I shook her hand.

"Good game to you too, Kai-san."

"That was an incredible fight! We need to battle sometime, Yuuto!"

Less than five minutes in, Akari had also dropped the honorific. I guess it can't be helped...

"I'd also like to play you with your main deck, Takanori-san. If you were this good with Akari-chan's deck, you must be really good using your own deck."

This much praise was almost embarrassing. I didn't come here to play Vanguard, though. I came here to help out my friends, Matsushita and Akihiro.

"Since I won, is it okay if I ask my question now?"

"Hm? Yeah, what do you want? You could've asked earlier, y'know."

I tried to, but you and Akari ignored me. I didn't understand how her attitude was so carefree.

"As you heard earlier, the football club is in a pinch. I wanted to ask if there were any students from D Class that were willing to substitute for Yukimura-san."

All the D Class students present looked at each other. Then, all of them looked at me straight in the eye and spoke at the same time.

"Zyriot."

"What...?"

The way they said that name in sync was scary. I was taken back.

"Zyriot would definitely be the perfect choice for this. He's the strongest boy in our class." Kai said.

"Yep, and he's also really selfless. No matter what sort of trouble you're in, he's there to help you out." Imaishi said.

The leader of D Class, huh?

His classmates collectively gave him high praise. I got to witness some of Zyriot's strength during April, when he fought one of his own classmates. The person he fought against was Takemoto, a bulky delinquent on the basketball club.

What made Zyriot's victory against such a powerful foe even more impressive was the fact he won the fight with a single move. The rest of the time he was dodging and blocking Takemoto's punches. The sweeping backflip Zyriot used to finish him looked incredibly painful.

"I see. I guess I'll go talk to him then. Thanks for the info."

"No probs. It was a fun match." Kai said.

"You should come here more often, Yuuto! You got the skills to really shake things up." Akari said.

"Maybe."

I gave a non-committal answer. It was likely I wouldn't come back, though. I simply couldn't get along with anyone properly.

"Just maybe, huh? I didn't know you were the cold type."

Akari laughed, but her words had some truth to it.

Saying my goodbyes to the group, I left them to their own devices. Thanks to the D Class student's input, I had a clear goal to reach now, rather than a vague one. All I need to do was find Zyriot and ask him to be a player for the football match tonight.

As I walked towards the exit, I noticed Kawaguchi was intermingling with some B Class boys. At least he's making more progress than I am.