Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e 2nd Season – 10

「人々は常にその破滅を願っている。偽りの善に欺かれるがゆえに。」 (Hitobito wa Tsuneni Sono Hametsu o Negatte Iru. Itsuwari no Zen ni Azamukareru ga Yue ni.)
“People, Often Deceived by An Illusive Good, Desire Their Own Ruin.”

Well did say things were going to hit the fan – even if it wasn’t in this particular manner. Oh yes, Youjitsu is proving yet again where it’s form of suspense is coming from as people are stalked, lies are revealed, and Kiyotaka is left to do what he’s always wanted. You might think this means there’s nothing left to tell, but as we always know in these sorts of stories, something else inevitably comes up to throw the conclusion right back into the open.

As some might remember way back in the first season, Kioytaka and his strategizing isn’t entirely honest. Thanks to one Chabashira Sae the kid has been chasing after Class A status due to a mix of blackmail and nostalgia, a mix now confirmed to be predicated on a lie. Honestly such a twist isn’t exactly that surprising: Kiyotaka’s past isn’t what you call common, Sae has been a veritable black box since the start, and we were missing something to call into question Kiyotaka’s loyalties. The one thing that’s eyebrow raising is how long it’s taken to finally reach this point, because when it comes to these sorts of plots conflicting loyalties and combating those with ulterior motives always comes up sooner or later. Guess it just goes to show that Kiyotaka isn’t your ordinary gifted child.

What ensures things don’t end right here though are those around Kiyotaka, mostly notably Suzune and Kei. While Kiyotaka may find it easy right now to dissociate himself for the moment there absolutely no guarantee that will continue going forward. Kei after all is already being targeted, Suzune has shown herself as brittle in the face of sustained pressure; what happens when Kakeru and crew inevitably apply the screws, finally determine Kiyotaka is Class D’s mastermind, and go after him with everything they got? In short nothing – and it’s that moment which will force Kiyotaka to choose. You see the issue for Kiyotaka (as drawn out through second faceoff with daddy dearest) is that he values his freedom and liberty, but has not yet been forced to put anything on the line for it. For all Kiyotaka has enjoyed being part of Class D, he has never actually been at risk, something which has now very much changed thanks to Sae’s own goals being revealed and him going all in on scorched earth policy.

The question right now isn’t whether Kiyotaka gets called out but how he does, because with classmates dependent on you, no more protection on high, and others out for you personally, one can rest assured a showdown is coming sooner rather than later. The only unknown is who kicks this battle off.