The Killer in The Clasrroom Of The Elite

Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Prelude to War

The tension that had simmered between Class A and Class C was about to erupt into an all-out war. Kakeru Ryuuen had made his move by directly approaching Arisu, an open provocation that Alex knew would not be the last. The coming days were going to be chaotic, and Alex was preparing for the worst.

It was the morning after Kakeru's confrontation with Arisu. Despite the danger that lurked in the shadows, Arisu remained as calm and composed as ever, reviewing their plans for the upcoming special exam. Alex, however, was on edge. He had barely slept, his mind replaying the confrontation over and over. The look on Kakeru's face when Alex's bloodlust surged—part fear, part arrogance—gnawed at him. Kakeru was up to something, and Alex didn't like not knowing what.

"You're restless," Arisu commented from across the room, her voice soft but knowing.

Alex looked up from his position by the window. "I don't trust him. He's too quiet."

Arisu nodded slightly, though her expression remained unreadable. "Ryuuen is always calculating. He wouldn't risk another direct confrontation unless he had a plan in motion."

"Then what's his play?" Alex asked, frustration evident in his voice. "He knows I'll kill him if he tries anything else."

Arisu tilted her head, watching Alex with her piercing gaze. "You won't kill him, Alex. That would be reckless."

Alex clenched his jaw. "You saw what he did. If you hadn't stopped me—"

"I needed to stop you," Arisu interrupted calmly. "Kakeru is a manipulator. He wants you to lose control, to make a mistake. If you had attacked him, he would have spun the narrative in his favor, made it look like you were the aggressor. We would have been at a disadvantage."

Her reasoning was sound, but it didn't ease the tension that coiled in Alex's chest. His instincts screamed at him to end Kakeru once and for all, but Arisu's measured approach reminded him that they were playing a much larger game.

Alex sighed, pacing the room. "So what do we do? Just wait for him to make his move?"

Arisu smiled faintly. "No. We prepare. Ryuuen thrives on chaos. He wants to create uncertainty, so we'll force his hand. Let him think he's still in control, but we'll be two steps ahead."

Alex stopped pacing, his gaze fixed on Arisu. She was brilliant—cold, calculated, and unflinching. He admired her ability to see through the fog of war with such clarity, but he also worried that she underestimated the lengths Kakeru would go to.

"Fine," Alex said finally. "But I'll keep an eye on him. If he steps out of line, I won't hesitate."

Arisu nodded approvingly. "Good. Just remember, Alex—we're not just fighting for survival. We're fighting to win."

Later that day, Alex moved through the hallways of Advanced Nurturing High School with a sense of purpose. His eyes flicked to every corner, scanning the faces of students and noting the subtle shifts in behavior. The atmosphere around the school was changing—students were on edge, rumors were spreading, and alliances were being forged behind closed doors.

Kakeru's name was on everyone's lips, whispered in hushed tones as people speculated about his next move. Class A and Class C had always been rivals, but now the stakes were higher. Everyone knew that the upcoming exam could tip the balance of power, and Kakeru had proven that he wasn't above using dirty tactics to secure a victory.

As Alex made his rounds, he spotted Kakeru and his group gathered near one of the study rooms. Kakeru's expression was unreadable, but his eyes gleamed with a quiet confidence that set Alex on edge.

Kakeru noticed Alex's approach and smirked, as if daring him to come closer. Alex's blood boiled at the sight, but he kept his expression neutral, his steps measured and calm.

"Ah, if it isn't Sakayanagi's watchdog," Kakeru sneered as Alex approached. "Come to keep an eye on me again, Alex? Or are you here to make good on those threats from last time?"

Alex stopped a few feet away from Kakeru, his eyes cold and unwavering. "I'm here to make sure you don't get too comfortable, Kakeru."

Kakeru chuckled, but there was an edge of nervousness in his voice that he couldn't fully mask. Alex's presence still rattled him, even if he tried to play it off as bravado.

"Careful," Kakeru warned, his smile fading. "You don't want to make any enemies you can't handle."

"Funny," Alex replied, his voice low and dangerous. "I was about to say the same thing to you."

Kakeru's group exchanged nervous glances, clearly unsettled by the palpable tension between the two. They had seen what Alex was capable of, and none of them wanted to be the next target of his fury.

Kakeru held Alex's gaze for a long moment, then finally shrugged, breaking the tension. "Relax, Alex. I'm not here to start trouble. Just making plans for the exam, like everyone else."

Alex didn't respond, but his eyes remained fixed on Kakeru, watching for any signs of deception. He didn't trust him, not for a second.

As the group dispersed, Kakeru lingered for a moment longer, his expression unreadable. "You know, Alex," he said quietly, "for someone who's supposed to be a killer, you're awfully restrained. I wonder how long you'll be able to keep that up."

Alex's fists clenched at his sides, but he forced himself to stay calm. He couldn't let Kakeru goad him into making a mistake. Not here, not now.

"I don't need to prove anything to you," Alex replied coldly. "Just remember, Kakeru—you're walking on thin ice."

Kakeru smirked again, but it didn't reach his eyes. "We'll see, won't we?"

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Alex standing alone in the hallway. The encounter left a bitter taste in Alex's mouth, but he knew this was far from over. Kakeru was planning something, and Alex had to be ready when the time came.

That evening, Alex met with Arisu in their usual spot. She was reviewing the latest data on Class A's progress, her focus unwavering despite the growing tension around them.

"Ryuuen's getting bolder," Alex said as he sat down across from her.

Arisu glanced up from her work, her expression thoughtful. "He's testing us, trying to see how far he can push before we push back."

Alex nodded. "He won't stop until one of us makes a move."

"Then we'll make the first move," Arisu said calmly. "But not the one he's expecting."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "What do you have in mind?"

Arisu's smile was subtle but sharp. "We're going to let him think he's winning. We'll give him just enough rope to hang himself."

Alex smirked, recognizing the brilliance in her plan. "And when he's too far gone to pull back..."

"We strike," Arisu finished. "Swiftly and decisively."

Alex felt a surge of confidence as he listened to Arisu's strategy. She was always two steps ahead, always thinking of the bigger picture. With her guidance, they would dismantle Kakeru's plans piece by piece until he had nothing left.

"Understood," Alex said, his voice firm. "I'll be ready."

Arisu nodded, her eyes gleaming with quiet determination. "We all will be."

The pieces were falling into place, and the real game was about to begin. Kakeru had no idea what was coming.