2.5

I wanted to find Kōenji during the 30-minute interval between matches, however, it wasn't an easy task.

I went to Kōenji's shared room, but as expected, he wasn't there, and he wasn't in the lobby or the lounge either.

After wandering around the building for about five minutes, occasionally asking acquaintances for information, I obtained a promising clue about 20 minutes before the next game.

I found Kōenji a little way up on a mountain path behind the building.

I arrived at an open area that used to serve as a dog park.

It seemed to have become quite a wasteland, perhaps because it was no longer in use.

"It took me quite some time to find this place. I didn't know there was a place like this here."

I found Kōenji, who was running around joyfully, kicking up the wasteland with his strong horse-like legs.

I couldn't help but wonder what he was doing here alone, but if I worried about it, I would lose to Kōenji.

Seeing a rare spectator, Kōenji slowed down and approached me.

I thought he would continue to ignore me, but I was met with a surprise.

"Ayanokōji boy, do you need something from me?"

I thought it was just a whim, but I couldn't waste the opportunity.

"I saw you leaving the group on your own. I thought I'd ask you about how you felt."

"I see. As long as you didn't come to call me back just because someone was counting on my abilities, that's fine."

I guess this man didn't need any pretense.

"Inogashira was looking for you. She appeared quite anxious."

"So what?"

"Why don't you go back and help the group a little?"

"You already know the answer, don't you?"

"I don't know. Why won't you cooperate?"

"I'll tell you something special. One plus one equals two. The answer doesn't change no matter how many times you solve it."

"That depends on how you look at it. In decimal, that's true, but in binary, one plus one equals ten."[6]

[TL/N: The statement contrasts arithmetic in decimal (base-10) and binary (base-2) systems. In binary, used in computing, 1 + 1 equals 10, representing the decimal value 2]

Kōenji didn't lose his smile even when I responded to his ridiculous statement with a ridiculous answer.

"Hahaha, you have a sense of humor. But your answer is nonsense. You see things in a twisted way, with logic-biased thinking. One plus one equals two is the answer. The world is always simple and clear."

Kōenji expressed again that he had no intention of getting along with me.

"They should win using their own tactics, even without my ability. Isn't that right?"

"Your group doesn't have that power. That's why I intended to consider you. If you're present here, it'll improve your impression. Won't it be easier for you in the future?"

"I pride myself on being the only, the best, and the strongest person. There's no need for me to show that to others. Your questions are all nonsense."

Kōenji sneered and turned his back to me.

"This time, I've decided to take a complete break. In other words, I'm not involved in the exchange meeting at all. The game can be played smoothly with just five people, right? Please make sure to convey that."

Indeed, there was no obligation for all group members to gather and hold an exchange meeting.

If Kōenji was uncooperative, it was a waste of time to invite him.

"I shouldn't really say this to others, but I can't do anything about your uncooperativeness. It's beyond my understanding."

"Hmm. Beyond understanding, is it? Do you want to know why I'm uncooperative?"

As I was about to give up and turn back, he stopped me.

"Are you going to tell me?"

"I don't mind. But before that, can I ask you a question?"

When I turned back, Kōenji started talking.

"If a paper test is conducted here without any prior notice. Let's say, a test that questions basic academic abilities, who do you think would win, you or me?"

If it wasn't Kōenji, I wouldn't have answered seriously.

But here, I intuitively felt that it was best to speak from the heart.

"I would win."

Without hesitation, I answered immediately, but Kōenji wasn't surprised.

Rather, he immediately responded as if it was the answer he had expected.

"Your high confidence is not bad. Let's assume that your answer is yes in this situation. Then, do you think that our superiority, excellence, and value as human beings are determined by that alone?"

"No. That alone doesn't determine it."

It was just a difference in the written test on basic academic abilities.

"Then next—if you and I fight seriously, what do you think the result will be?"

A question about strength, not about brains or anything like that.

Having watched Kōenji Rokusuke for two years, I already had the answer in my mind.

"If it's a fight based on specific rules, I think you'd have the advantage."

In terms of physique and muscle mass, Kōenji would undoubtedly be superior.

This was a number that couldn't be overturned.

If rules were imposed here, such as boxing or judo, and Kōenji's skills were at least equal, I couldn't deny the possibility that it'd be a tough battle.

"That's a funny answer. It's different from what I'd say, but I'll evaluate your thought as it is."

From Kōenji's point of view, there was no possibility of losing, regardless of the presence or absence of rules. Of course, no one could deny that unless we actually fought.

"Do you think you can judge who's better or worse with just this information?"

"It's a difficult question. But if I think about it in general terms, a third party would have to objectively and fairly evaluate both sides from various comprehensive perspectives, including not only written tests but also physical aspects, and quantify them. But that doesn't mean they can objectively perceive human value."

"That's correct. No matter how objectively you look at it, determining human value isn't something that can be easily judged. Even if you talk about comprehensive perspectives, you can't see everything."

"If you have to compare, I would support the method I just mentioned."

"I disagree, Ayanokōji boy."

"Then, how do you judge the value of a person?"

As if waiting for me to ask that, Kōenji grinned.

"The answer is extremely simple. Whether it's me or not. That determines the superiority or inferiority."

Even though he made me think a bit, in the end, it came down to that.

"What's the basis for your confidence?"

"I'll gladly tell you. The source is adaptability. I won't succumb to any environment. I have the confidence to survive in any of them. Whether it's in a large corporation or a jungle full of beasts, I have the power to adapt perfectly and perfectly[7]. This is something that a third party cannot measure."

[TL/N: The latter word "perfectly," is written in Katakana for emphasis]

He must be well aware that the "perfectly" and "perfectly" are redundant.

"This long question and answer session was meaningless. Even if you're perfect, it has nothing to do with your reason for not cooperating, does it?"

"If so, it's just that you didn't understand. Can you stand shoulder to shoulder with kindergarteners who can't do anything and work seriously? There's that much of a gap between me and the people around me. The reason I went out of my way to get first place in the deserted island test was to distance myself from such kindergarteners."

He doesn't feel like competing side by side because he looks down on those around him.

That was Kōenji's reason for being uncooperative.

"You're not suited for this school."

"You and I are completely different beings, but I thought you had a somewhat similar perspective. I didn't expect you to say that. I also think it would be more meaningful to devote myself to training by revisiting China than entering this school. I had circumstances that prevented me from doing so."

No matter how I thought about it, it was a dead end.

When it came down to it, whether to cooperate or not was a decision he had to make.

I couldn't blame Kōenji for sticking to his guns.

"It's a shame, Kōenji. If you were different, you could attract more attention in a better way."

"Like you, who's starting to be relied on by those around you?"

"I'm not really attracting much attention, though."

We had our conversation.

Strangely enough, I often had the opportunity to talk with Kōenji like this.

I wondered if the atmosphere was similar at last year's training camp.

I was reminded again of the enigma that was the person in front of me.

"You understand now that you can't control me, don't you?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

"So why do you bother with me? I'm not even in your group this time."

Indeed, it was a strange story.

If someone else looked at my situation now, they would all say I should just leave him alone.

It could waste time and potentially affect my bet with Nagumo.

"Even though I know it's useless, I can't help but try—"

"Because if you step out of the class, you won't be able to protect Horikita girl, right?"

As if linking with my thoughts, Kōenji said so.

I saw Kōenji as a hindrance to Horikita, who would continue to fight in the future.

This man saw through that.

His extraordinary instinct was truly unpredictable.

Despite not giving many hints, he seemed to feel what was coming.

"If that's the case, there's no need to hesitate. You can try to exclude me at any time."

"Didn't I tell you before that I don't feel like doing that?"

"Huhuhu. Well, if that's the case, there's nothing I can do."

Kōenji, who never doubted that he was the best human being.

So far, there had been several people whom I urged to grow for the future of Horikita's class.

And if I thought they were beneficial, I had done the same for other classes as well.

This man, who had excellent abilities but a difficult personality to work with, was similar.

But the reason I didn't urge Kōenji to improve was because I judged the risk and effort of the measure to be high.

Just like how you couldn't turn an incompetent person into a competent one with a simple task like flipping a coin.

The man in front of me wouldn't change with just one or two steps.

It was easier to eliminate him before he became a nuisance than to change him into an asset. That was my conclusion.

"See you later then. I'll go back to my self-improvement time."

Seeing that further conversation would be useless, Kōenji started running again.

After watching his back for a moment, I decided to turn back.