I'm in a real religion, why are all the people who confess to me girls?

If it were just about being excellent, that would be one thing. The two of them are also extremely strict with themselves. They don't expect others to be as self-disciplined as they are, but it's not incomprehensible that they can't stand Ibuki, a lazy person who has no dreams and no ambition.

On the other hand, Ibuki Mio's side is more like a 'primitive person' who is out of touch with the times. In the initial class infighting, Ibuki's performance can be described as exceptionally outstanding. Almost no one dared to provoke her, but this was an illusion created when Ryuen was at the height of its power and other classes wanted to conserve their strength.

Ibuki placed herself in an overly high position, and coupled with the lack of excellent support personnel in Class C, Shiina, the only one who could become Ryuen's right-hand woman, disliked fighting. As a result, although Shiina was the female leader of the class, it was actually Ibuki who represented the girls of Class C.

Once everyone moved up to the second year, the defeated Class B began to relentlessly pursue the title of Class A, and many talented students who had previously been relatively unknown began to emerge from within the class.

For example, Morishita, Fukuyama, and Tsukaji would be equivalent to Ishizaki, Shiina, and Kaneda in Class C, but they are just a few unremarkable talents in Class B's talent pool.

Needless to say, Class A has an exaggerated talent pool. Amane, Ayanokouji, and Koenji are enough to be the nightmare of other classes. Horikita, Ichinose, Katsuragi, Hirata, and Matsushita can perfectly cooperate in various aspects to solve class affairs and deal with students below Sakayanagi in Class B.

Even so, at crucial moments, Class A can still squeeze out academically strong students like Yukimura and Wang Meiyu, who almost score full marks on exams, and martial arts fighters like Miyake, whose strength surpasses Ishizaki's and who are completely unknown to anyone.

It can be said that the current class competition has become an era of competition between Class A and Class B for talent reserves, while Class C and Class D have basically reached the point where they need to recognize reality and wait for opportunities. As a member of Class C, Ibuki has long been left far behind those outstanding monsters in terms of ability, but she still compares herself with other classes based on her ranking and status in the class when she was a first-year student.

The result would naturally be a heavy blow. For example, Ibuki's position in Class C is equivalent to the second-in-command among the girls. In fact, if Shiina doesn't take charge, she would be the top leader. When interacting with other classes, she is compared to girls like Horikita, Ichinose, and Kamuro.

However, if a female leader like Fukuyama, who ranks third or even fourth, were to step forward and teach her how to do things, even if Ibuki knew that the other party was quite capable, she wouldn't be very willing to accept it humbly. Class status isn't simply linked to ability.

Otherwise, with Kamuro's bottom-of-the-barrel strength, he would never have been able to serve as the acting head of Sakayanagi Arisu.

If Ibuki doesn't accept it, it's not a big deal. Even if there's a verbal argument, it's a minor matter in Amane's eyes.

Because Tianyin loves occasions where strength and status speak for themselves. If strength is equivalent to power in this school, then no one, including the third-year students, has more power than Tianyin.

What academic or physical ability students? With Tianyin's all-around talent standing here, no one else is worthy or even qualified to discuss strength in front of Tianyin. Since we can't discuss strength, the problem is naturally solved. Both sides can apologize and that's it.

But the problem is that Ibuki admitted that she subconsciously agreed with the Fukuyama sisters' views, namely that people must grow up, take responsibility for their own future, and not bother or hold others back.

After acknowledging the other party's point of view and recognizing that her own abilities had indeed stagnated, Ibuki's pride wouldn't allow her to admit it, much less apologize for interfering with others. This led Fukuyama to believe that Ibuki was being unreasonable, while Ibuki, knowing she was being unreasonable, stubbornly refused to back down and began to refute the Fukuyama sisters' points of view.

It's no wonder that Horikita and Sakayanagi couldn't say anything in that case. They both saw through Ibuki's attitude and knew that it was impossible to get her to back down. But if they wanted to solve the problem, no one would be able to do so without apologizing first.

Asking the Fukuyama sisters to apologize seemed inappropriate to everyone. The Fukuyama sisters didn't demand that others be as self-disciplined as they were, nor did they say that Ibuki's chosen path was wrong. They simply revealed that Ibuki's skills had stagnated or even slightly regressed over the past year and a half, and told Ibuki that they admired those who were willing to work hard and hoped that someone as unambitious as Ibuki wouldn't hold others back.

Ensuring that everyone in the second year doesn't dislike each other is something that even Amane, Kushida, and Ichinose couldn't achieve.

If the issue isn't resolved, it will quickly escalate into class conflict within the second grade. To resolve the issue, someone needs to be the first to back down.

No wonder Sakayanagi said it was a clash of ideas.

Right now, it seems like Ibuki has the biggest problem, but if we were to make Ibuki apologize...

What should she apologize for? Apologize that she's not as good as the Fukuyama sisters and isn't as versatile as them?

Even if Ibuki stays put and does nothing, she hasn't done anything wrong in essence. This is why, even though everyone can see that Ibuki is using a tough attitude to cover up her stubbornness, no one is willing to expose her.

If you say that she is not good enough and has not improved, she should apologize to those who have improved and are willing to improve. Tianyin doesn't even want to think about what kind of terrible public opinion storm might occur.

If anyone tries to force Ibuki to apologize, they can simply find someone even better than her and make her admit to her face that she is inferior to that person and apologize for her lack of ambition and laziness, and see if she can accept it.

This is also why Ibuki dared to confront the Fukuyama sisters head-on.

How many students are still working hard throughout their second year? Ibuki's stubbornness is the last fig leaf for those mediocre students, so there's no way they'll make Ibuki apologize to the Fukuyama sisters, who symbolize top students.

This is no longer just a conflict between the Ibuki and Fukuyama sisters.

This is a microcosm of the antagonism between top students and average students in the entire second year.

Upon realizing the true nature of the conflict, Tianyin couldn't help but gasp. Unless she could subdue all the second-year students to their hearts' content, quelling this media storm would be quite troublesome.

Chapter 118: It wasn't about booking a hotel room!

Sakayanagi lazily shifted into a more comfortable position in Amane's arms, her eyes, which shared the same color as Amane's, now filled with the image of Amane frowning in thought.

No matter how urgent the matter is, it's not something that can be solved overnight. At least, Sakayanagi has absolutely no clue how to resolve it. Moreover, she wasn't even there. Even if she were to offer advice from behind the scenes, Sakayanagi doesn't believe that Kamuro can quell this crisis.

Ultimately, disputes like this that arise between different classes require a strong, influential, and respected person to mediate.

In Sakayanagi's view, no one but Amane could meet this requirement, not even her.

The only person in the entire second year with such great prestige was Amane. Looking at Amane's tightly furrowed brows, Sakayanagi wanted to smooth Amane's forehead like Amane had done to her earlier, but... she couldn't say words of comfort like Amane did, like Amane did.

"Don't push yourself too hard. If it really doesn't work, it's okay not to solve the problem. It's just another competition between Class B and Class C."

Sakayanagi wrapped his arms around Amane's neck, affectionately rubbing his cheek against Amane's soft skin, his gaze full of tenderness.

"If Ryuen is going to stand up for that Ibuki guy, I won't be afraid of him."

Regardless of the circumstances, the Fukuyama sisters are all from Class B, and although their remarks are somewhat extreme, firstly, they did not coerce anyone to do what they wanted, and secondly, their words are indeed correct from a common-sense perspective.

As long as she has a point of view, Sakayanagi has nothing to fear. Although she has shifted her focus to the student council, she is still the leader of Class B. If she, as the leader of her class, does not stand up for her classmates when they are bullied, it would be disheartening.

Of course, Sakayanagi wasn't the kind of person to act rashly or impulsively. She felt that Ryuen was unlikely to take extreme measures to help Ibuki get justice. In that case, she only needed to be careful of Shiina and Ishizaki and a few other people in their circle who were on good terms with Ibuki. Kito had also emerged from the shadow of the sports festival defeat. Even if Ibuki could get Albert to threaten Class B with force, Class B would have enough confidence to protect themselves.

This is why Sakayanagi was able to tell Amane that he wasn't afraid of Ryuen.

"Try to avoid escalating issues into conflicts between classes. It's fine for everyone to use some tricks when competing normally, but we're about to have a real special exam with the first-year students. If Class B and Class C have a conflict, it won't be possible to restore the current state of at least superficial peace within a month."

Amane wrapped one arm around Sakayanagi's slender waist, letting Sakayanagi straddle her. At first, Sakayanagi was a little uncomfortable with this unseemly posture, but after remembering the photo of Karuizawa, she let go of her so-called reserve and shyness, and openly looked at Amane.

"How could I not know the consequences... But Tianyin, you don't have any good solutions either, do you?"

"There is a way... but I have to go back first, otherwise Horikita and the others alone won't be able to keep those restless guys in check."

Sakayanagi nodded in deep agreement, but when her gaze fell on Amane's left hand, which was wrapped up like a rice dumpling, she immediately shook her head.

"You can't go anywhere right now. You have to stay here and heal your injuries properly."

The thought that even someone as strong as Amane almost got into trouble made Sakayanagi feel a wave of fear. After all, it was just a conflict caused by a few girls. If Amane's recovery was delayed in order to unite the second-year students so that they would have a better chance of winning in the inter-class competition, it would be a foolish act that puts the cart before the horse.

Having Tenon in that area is far more effective than having dozens of Ibuki or dozens of Fukuyama Shisho.

"I'm actually fine now. Look, I can't feel any pain in my hand anymore!"

"Hmph, I won't be fooled by you. Tianyin, you can't feel any pain anyway, can you? The more you act like this, the more you need to calm down and rest, otherwise it will be troublesome if you develop any chronic illness."

Seeing that Sakayanagi was so insistent, Amane couldn't say anything more. But sitting here and waiting for her to go back wasn't a good idea. She had to find a way to appease the Ibuki and Fukuyama sisters first.

"Arisu, do you know who Fukuyama Shisho and the others are living with now?"

Amane curiously inquired about the new group of the Sakayanagi and Fukuyama sisters, but a strange expression appeared on Sakayanagi's face when she was asked.

"Did they move to a different place? I heard they're still living with Ibuki and Sakura?"

"What? They're still living together?"

Amane, who had assumed that Ibuki and the Fukuyama sisters had separated, was quite surprised when she heard the news.

"Hmm, what's so strange about that?"

Sakayanagi blinked in confusion. Seeing Sakayanagi's nonchalant attitude, Amane was momentarily dazed, as if it were perfectly reasonable for the three of them to live together.

However, Tianyin quickly realized what was happening.

This is utterly unreasonable!

"No, didn't anyone suggest they live separately? Weren't they arguing just yesterday?"

This is the question that Amane most wants to know. According to Horikita, this matter had already become common knowledge among the second-year students yesterday, and their relationship had reached a freezing point. At this point, both Horikita and Shiina should consider having them live separately. As time goes by, perhaps one of them will come to their senses.

Putting three people whose relationship has deteriorated to the point of freezing point into the same tent is such a bizarre operation. Amane doesn't believe that no one from Horikita and the others thought of this problem, but for some reason, it would be strange if nothing went wrong.

If Tianyin is locked up with someone she has a very bad relationship with, she will have a heart-to-heart talk with that person that night. Whether it is a spiritual or physical heart-to-heart talk depends on the other person's attitude.

However, if Ibuki really clashes with the Fukuyama sisters again, it's highly likely they'll end up fighting.

"Sigh, you really didn't read the special training student handbook carefully, did you?"

After staring at Amane for a few seconds, Sakayanagi sighed helplessly.

Upon hearing Sakayanagi mention that manual, Amane tilted her head in confusion. It seemed that Horikita had mentioned something about the manual to her, but she hadn't really paid much attention to it at the time.

Seeing Amane's confused expression and empty gaze, Sakayanagi knew that Amane must not have read the special training student handbook, otherwise she wouldn't be confused about this. Since Amane didn't understand the contents, Sakayanagi simply explained it to her.

"According to the student handbook, the dormitory grouping this time is actually a special training group unit. That is to say, all special training tasks will be specific to each group. Only the overall training and teaching of the grade will be completed in the form of classes."

"During special examinations, groups cannot be changed arbitrarily. If there are students who are injured or eliminated, the group must maintain its current size. If there are special circumstances that require changing groups, the change must be approved by the unanimous vote of the members of the group to be changed."

Sakayanagi gave Amane a meaningful glance.

"In other words, if Fukuyama and Ibuki want to switch dorms, the members of the dorm they want to switch with must unanimously agree. So here's the problem: who would agree to let controversial members join their group halfway through? You know, while weekly exams and the final test are based on the average score of everyone, smaller competitions are based on the average score of the group and the efficiency of task completion. Changing members abruptly would require a long adaptation period, which would mean that the group would basically not achieve any good results. No one would risk becoming a burden to the class by accepting them."

Sakayanagi was talking about things that didn't exist in Amane's memory. When Amane heard that it was so troublesome to change a tent, she couldn't help but pout. Why did the school always set up so many rules in such strange places?

However, thanks to Arisaka Yanagi's explanation, Amane seemed to recall some of the words Horikita had told her.

If I remember correctly, if someone is eliminated, 20 points of the initial special exam points will be deducted. This made Amane understand why the others would almost never agree to accept the Fukuyama sisters and Ibuki.

According to the rules of the special exam, the total points allocated to each grade can be freely distributed. For example, if the initial grade points for the special exam in July are 1,000, then Tianyin has the right to decide whether to use the points collectively or distribute them separately to each class.

In the case of individual allocation, whether to allocate equally or according to the number of participants is also a problem. If one person is eliminated, 20 points of the initial grade will be deducted, while if one person passes, only 10 points of the initial grade will be added. This means that if one person is eliminated, two people must replace him to ensure that the total points do not decrease.

If too many students from a class are eliminated, they will naturally not be eligible to share a large slice of the pie. Presumably, Ryuen and Hime have already instructed their students to try to increase the total number of students who pass the test, because the remaining points after the exam will be converted into class points. Their elimination is equivalent to deducting the class points they should have received in the future, which is definitely an unacceptable result for lower-ranking classes that lack class points.

If the average score of the smallest group becomes problematic, several people in the group will be eliminated at the same time. As a result, the second grade will lose 80 initial points in one go, which will indirectly cause a major loss to their class.

In order to avoid being criticized by classmates, or to avoid being implicated in public opinion or being eliminated, no group would allow changes to its members after almost a week of training, no matter what happens.

However, changing members requires a unanimous vote from the group. Even if a few close friends are willing to help Ibuki and the others, it still won't work if even one person in the group objects.

Not to mention that no one dares to want the Ibuki and Fukuyama sisters now.

"As expected of Arisu, you even remember such details so clearly. But... Arisu, didn't you not go to the special training? How do you know the contents of the manual? Did Kamuro take a picture of the manual for you?"

Amane was a little curious about how Sakayanagi knew so much about the contents of the manual. She knew that Kamuro wasn't the kind of guy who would have the time to send Sakayanagi such trivial things.

"Forget about Masumi sending me this kind of thing. Your handbooks need to be custom-printed outside the school and then sent to the school. So, of course, it's our student council that's in charge of liaising with the printing factory. I even personally wrote the content and sent it to the printing factory. How could I not know that?"

"Damn it! So it was Arisu who was deliberately torturing us! You have to make it up to me today!"

Upon hearing that so many strange rules were actually set by Sakayanagi, Amane immediately 'bit' Sakayanagi as revenge.

Looking into Tenon's burning gaze, Sakayanagi quickly got up from Tenon's embrace.

"I didn't torture you. I was just responsible for refining the details of the rules. Even if there is to be compensation, it won't be mine. And don't forget we're still talking about serious matters. Now that you know you can't change teams, how do you plan to solve their problems? Or are you just going to leave them alone?"

Sakayanagi tends to put problems aside. If they can't be solved, then they won't try. In any case, things will be forgotten sooner or later, which will save Tenon from having to put in so much effort and worrying that some people might not appreciate it.

"Who said it's impossible to change teams? Arisu, didn't you just say that changing teams is allowed under special circumstances?"

"That's what they say, but who would agree..."

Sakayanagi stopped abruptly, suddenly realizing something and looking at Amane with surprise.

"Can't I just agree to the replacement?"

"But they must be people who participate in the training..."

"Then let Kamuro and Ibuki switch groups. That way, with Shiina around, Ibuki won't throw too many tantrums in front of Shiina, and with Kamuro around, the Fukuyama sisters won't provoke Ibuki either. Give both sides a cooling-off period. I'll deal with the rest when I get back."

Amane's idea gave Sakayanagi a glimmer of hope; she had previously only considered that no group would accept such a large number of group members.

However, she subconsciously overlooked Amane's group. Amane's prestige within the group was enough to facilitate the unanimous vote to pass the resolution. Moreover, Shiina and Kamuro were also in Amane's group. If Kamuro and Ibuki could be swapped, the crisis would be temporarily resolved.

After all, it's difficult for them to even meet normally, let alone argue.

"That's wonderful! As expected of the person I've chosen, this method is brilliant. Although it can only solve the immediate problem, it's enough. As long as we give them enough time to ease the tension, they might come to their senses someday. At the very least, it can hold out until you return, Tianyin. I'll go and discuss with Horikita how to proceed with this."

Sakayanagi excitedly picked up his phone, intending to send a message to Horikita.

"Arisu."

"what happened?"

Sakayanagi quickly pressed the buttons on her phone, and casually replied when she heard Amane call her name.

Are you... going home tonight?

Sakayanagi stopped pressing the button. She could hear the reluctance in Amane's voice, but she had made a promise with Principal Fujiwara to return to school before dark.

What should I do?

"Tianyin, do you want me to stay?"

"Of course! It's a rare opportunity to spend the night outside with Arisu..."

"Don't make it sound like we were having an affair in a hotel room!"

Sakayanagi rolled her eyes at Amane, picked up her cane for support, and began to slowly stroll around the room.

Tenon didn't urge him, but just sat there obediently waiting for Sakayanagi's answer.

“I have already arranged to go back tonight with Principal Fujiwara. In fact, Principal Fujiwara set the time, which means that with her power, she can only allow me to disappear from the school for one day at most.”

Upon hearing this, Tianyin lowered her head in dejection.

"However..."