The horoom session ended, and along with Ishizaki and the others, I followed Ryūen.
Our destination was Class D.
It seed we were about to take a more direct approach to identify X, abandoning our previous roundabout thods.
"What the hell? This is Class D's territory."
As soon as we arrived, Sudō was the first to react. Though he had always been quick to act on emotion, this ti it seed more like a defensive reflex.
"Do you have business with our class?"
Perhaps trying to prevent a clash between Sudō and Ryūen, Hirata stepped between them.
Looking around Class D, most students didn't seem to fully grasp the situation yet.
"What's so strange about visiting classmates? It's normal in any school. Why are you all so on edge?"
From his very first words, Ryūen was provoking them, raising his hands theatrically while staring at Hirata.
"Well, normally, sure. But in this school, it's a little different, don't you think? You've never co here before."
"We've just been too distant. I figured it was ti to start getting more involved."
Ryūen smirked, brushing off Hirata's attempt to keep things civil.
Naturally, no one actually believed that.
Resting a hand on an empty desk near the door, Ryūen continued.
"Right now, I'm here to give a warning to Class D—no, to whoever among you actually understands what I'm saying."
"A warning? What do you an?"
"I'm not explaining to those who don't get it. Or are you pretending not to understand?"
On the surface, it sounded like he was provoking Hirata, but Ryūen barely even looked at him—his gaze swept across the entire class instead.
He was likely searching for any subtle reactions from X, soone who would grasp the aning behind his words.
Eventually, Ryūen's eyes landed on an unexpected person.
Class D's outlier—Kōenji.
Kōenji didn't seem to notice he was being watched at all. He quickly finished gathering his things and slipped past Ryūen and Hirata, exiting the classroom without a second glance.
"...Let's go."
Once Kōenji left, Ryūen signaled to us and followed after him.
Behind us, the noise in Class D grew louder as they processed what had just happened. Amid the commotion, I noticed Ayanokōji's quiet gaze fixed on .
After a brief delay, I followed as well.
.....
After leaving school, we reached the tree-lined path leading back to the dorms. Since classes had just ended, there were no other students around.
*"Why do I have to..."*
Ibuki muttered resentfully beside . She had been coincidentally spotted while we were tracking Kōenji, and under Ryūen's orders, she was now accompanying us.
*"Ishizaki, stop Kōenji."*
Having closed the distance, Ryūen gave the order, and Ishizaki moved to block Kōenji's path.
For the first ti, Kōenji's steps ca to a halt. Even he couldn't ignore such an obvious obstruction.
*"Hey, wait up, Kōenji. Got a minute?"*
*"And who might you be? I don't recall doing anything to warrant being stopped."*
His tone was as carefree as ever, even in this situation, as he looked at Ryūen.
*"That's not for you to decide, freak."*
*"Hmm. I suppose not, in your case."*
His eyes swept over each of us surrounding Ryūen, but there was no trace of panic or unease in his gaze.
Sensing his stare, Ibuki hid behind .
*Thank god I didn't bring Hiyori...*
*"Calling a freak is rather perplexing, but I do have a date to attend. Make it quick."*
*"Sorry, but that'll have to wait."*
*"You don't plan on letting leave?"*
*"What if I don't?"*
Their exchange was going nowhere. Not that it ever could.
*"Perhaps we could discuss this over there?"*
Kōenji crossed his arms as if in thought—only to imdiately uncross them and gesture toward a nearby rest area.
*"Fine by ."*
*"Then follow ."*
As Kōenji moved, Ryūen naturally followed.
The rest area was secluded enough that the prying eyes of Class D, who had been watching from a distance, could no longer see us.
*"Ryūen-kun. What exactly are you planning? Causing trouble here would be a serious issue."*
Horikita, standing at the front, narrowed her eyes at him.
Behind her was Ayanokōji, but his gaze wasn't on Kōenji, Ryūen, or even Horikita—it was fixed on .
*"..."*
While the class leaders argued, my eyes t Ayanokōji's.
The mont lasted less than a few seconds.
*"I don't mind the banter, but if you're going to drag into this, shouldn't you focus?"*
Kōenji pointed out Ryūen's distraction.
*"Heh, right. Today's main act is you, Kōenji. I've got a score to settle."*
Ryūen smirked and signaled to Ishizaki and the others, who imdiately surrounded Kōenji.
I moved to join them, but Ryūen stopped .
*"You stay put."*
After that brief order, he turned back to Kōenji.
*"A score to settle, you say? Can't say I recall anything of the sort."*
*"During the Zodiac Exam, you clearing the task cost us points."*
*"Ah, that lying ga? If I interfered with your plans, my apologies."*
His apology was hollow—there wasn't an ounce of sincerity in it.
With his usual flair, Kōenji pulled out a hand mirror and began inspecting his reflection. The others surrounding him could only watch in bewildernt.
*"Hmm... Slightly disheveled. Lacking in beauty. Be a dear and hold this for ?"*
Apparently, he had been fixing his hair.
Without missing a beat, he handed the mirror to Ryūen, who stood closest. While the others broke into cold sweats at the audacity, Ryūen simply smirked and took it.
*"Keep holding it, would you?"*
From his pocket, Kōenji produced what looked like hair wax and began ticulously styling his hair.
Everyone present could only stare in stunned silence, unable to process the absurdity.
Then—
**CRACK.**
A sharp sound echoed as Ryūen smashed the mirror against the ground.
*"How long do you plan on keeping up that freak act?"*
*"How rowdy. That mirror wasn't cheap, you know?"*
*"My bad. Slipped."*
Tension thickened the air.
Ryūen's relentless aggression was impressive, but Kōenji remained utterly unfazed.
*"That's enough, Ryūen-kun."*
Horikita, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.
*"Shut it, Suzune. I'm playing with Kōenji right now."*
*"You're the only one playing. He clearly doesn't want any part of this."*
As she carefully picked up the broken mirror, she glared at Ryūen.
*"What do we have here? Quite the interesting gathering."*
As if drawn by the commotion, Arisu from Class A arrived, accompanied by Kamuro, Hashimoto, and Kitō.
With a light tap of her cane against the concrete, she paused and surveyed the scene.
*"Sakayanagi... Perfect timing, as always."*
She smiled, completely unfitting of the tense atmosphere, and waved at .
Caught off guard, I hesitantly returned the gesture.
*She always does this when she sees ...*
Now the group had grown even larger.
Six from Class C (including ), six from Class D (including Kōenji), and four from Class A.
Sixteen people in total.
*"My arrival was purely coincidental."*
*"Bullshit."*
Even Ryūen could see through that flimsy excuse.
*"If you're staying, don't get in the way."*
*"Of course. I wouldn't dream of ruining the host's party."*
With that, Arisu distanced herself slightly, taking a seat on a bench in the rest area. Her three classmates positioned themselves protectively in front of her.
Even though there were no surveillance caras here, the path was still visible to students heading back. An outright brawl was unlikely.
*"I don't mind the audience, but can we get back on track? If not, I'll be leaving."*
*"Sorry. Got sidetracked."*
Kōenji chuckled faintly as Ryūen spoke.
*"Then let's return to the topic. From what I gather—you're obsessed with crushing anyone who interferes with Class B, yes?"*
*"Pretty much. Anyone in my way is an enemy."*
*"And now, soone within Class D has beco a nuisance. You're hunting for that person."*
Kōenji seed to grasp the situation without needing further explanation.
Even from this small exchange, his sharp perception was evident.
*"Exactly."*
*"Then I'm afraid I don't fit your criteria. I have zero interest in Class D's affairs. That lying exam was just a way to kill ti. I've no intention of joining troubleso gatherings repeatedly."*
The fact that he brought up the Zodiac Exam ant he had anticipated the question.
*"Heh, I see. If that's the truth, you're harmless after all."*
Ryūen seed convinced. Kōenji didn't strike him as a liar.
*"Yes. You catch on quick—I don't dislike that, Dragon Boy."*
The sudden nickna made Arisu laugh.
Ignoring her, Ryūen pressed on.
*"I get what kind of guy you are now. You're just insane in a different way than ."*
*"'Insane' is rather rude. But I'm glad we cleared that up."*
*"One last thing. There's soone sharp behind the last exam. If it's not you, who is it? Soone among these idiots tailing us?"*
For the first ti, Kōenji glanced at Class D.
Everyone except Ayanokōji tensed under his gaze.
*"I could answer that, but—"*
*"May I interject?"*
Arisu cut in from her seat.
*"What an interesting conversation. A student in Class D interfering with Class B? I'd heard rumors of Dragon Boy's search, but I didn't realize it was true."*
*"I told you to stay out of it, Sakayanagi. And if you call that again, I'll kill you."*
The nickna seed to have struck a nerve.
*"Fufu. You don't like it? I couldn't help myself—things seed to be getting rather incomprehensible."*
She smiled, unfazed.
*"You lost to Class D in the last exam. Isn't that all there is to it? This school is about class battles. Hiding your identity while strategizing is a valid tactic. What you're doing now just looks pathetic."*
*"I admit we lost because of X. But that's not the point. I'm dragging the coward hiding in the shadows into the light."*
*"I see. So this intimidation is part of your plan?"*
*"Exactly. I'll use whatever ans necessary—even violence. That's my style."*
As they argued, Kōenji sighed deeply.
*"Are you done? You two seem to enjoy bickering, but I'd rather not be interrupted further."*
*"Hold on, Kōenji. You haven't answered yet."*
*"The sharp one in Class D, was it? Honestly, I couldn't care less... but perhaps it's better if I don't answer. You'll chase the truth regardless, and I'd hate to spoil the fun. Whether you suspect or not is irrelevant—you don't excite . That's why I'm uninvolved."*
*"So, you're saying you won't participate in class battles?"*
*"Never have, never will. Class B, Class A—it's all the sa to . None of you here can satisfy ."*
*"What the hell?! You looking down on us, bastard?! Let's teach him a lesson, Ryūen-san!"*
Ishizaki raised his fists, but an unexpected person reacted even more strongly.
Arisu, who had been cheerfully interrupting until now, stiffened slightly at Kōenji's words—more affected than even Ishizaki.
*"That's rather hard to ignore. Dragon Boy aside—"*
Before she could finish, Ryūen closed the distance in an instant—
And launched a kick.
*"Wha—?!"*
Hashimoto moved to block it, but the kick never landed.
I stopped it.
My right hand caught Ryūen's foot just before it connected.
*"Eh... Hikigaya...?"*
Hashimoto stared in disbelief. Even though I had ties to Arisu, I was from another class. Blocking Ryūen's kick shouldn't have been my place.
As everyone's eyes turned to , Kōenji alone watched with sothing like expectation.
*"Heh, figured you'd step in."*
*"If you knew, you could've just not kicked her."*
Ryūen grinned, amused.
*"You stayed quiet until now. I'm curious—what's your relationship with Sakayanagi?"*
Satisfied, he relaxed his leg, and I let go.
*"We're very close, aren't we, Hachiman?"*
Arisu's voice ca from behind , soft enough that only I could hear.
*Yeah, our relationship isn't normal—but did she really have to whisper that in my ear?*
*"Sorry, Hachiman. My teasing went too far."*
*"It's fine. No one got hurt."*
*"Enough. Your actions are unacceptable."*
Horikita, having witnessed the near-violence, stepped in. But Ryūen just laughed.
*"Hey, Hikigaya, Sakayanagi. Did you see anything wrong just now?"*
*"Nope. Nothing."*
*"Neither did I."*
*"See, Suzune?"*
*"...You're all insane."*
Horikita looked exasperated at our lack of concern.
Arisu apologized, and Ryūen backed off with a shrug.
*"Returning to the topic—what did you an by 'none of you can satisfy '?"*
Arisu seed more bothered by Kōenji's earlier remark than Ryūen's aggression.
*"Did my words displease you that much, little girl?"*
Kōenji raised a finger toward Arisu, who sat on the bench.
*"Heh, 'little girl'? Not bad."*
Still bitter over 'Dragon Boy,' Ryūen snorted.
*"Kōenji-san, was it? Your English is incorrect. I am not a 'little girl.'"*
Her smile remained, but her irritation was palpable.
*"Fufufu. That's for to decide. The term fits perfectly—you strike as nothing more."*
*"That's factually wrong. 'Little girl' refers to elentary school children. By definition, you're mistaken."*
*"I am bound by no definitions."*
He ran a hand through his hair, as if stating the obvious.
*What the hell is this guy...?*
No one knew how to handle Kōenji.
*Is he actually the strongest here?*
*"...Enough, Kōenji."*
Kitō stepped forward, removing what I had assud were winter gloves. Apparently, they served another purpose.
*"We've got no business with Class A. Stay out of it."*
*"I'd like to correct his statent, if I may."*
*"Fufufu. I don't mind being fought over, but alas—I've no interest in n or won unless they're older... or so I would've said minutes ago."*
For the first ti, Kōenji seed to reconsider his stance.
Slowly, he walked toward one specific person—.
Stopping right in front of , he studied my face before breaking into an intrigued smile.
*"You're interesting. For the first ti in my life, I've taken an interest in soone my own age. You might just be the one to excite ... Monster Boy."*
His declaration left everyone—even Ayanokōji—stunned.
*"...Monster Boy? ?"*
*"Indeed. I have high expectations for you."*
*What an unfortunate nickna...*
*"Well then, Dragon Boy, I'll be taking my leave."*
With a final smirk at Ryūen, Kōenji turned away.
*"You're free to go. We're done here."*
Even Ryūen seed exhausted by the encounter.
Kōenji's sheer unpredictability was its own kind of power.
*"Then I'll be off. Ta-ta."*
What had initially seed like our advantage had turned into a whirlwind.
With Kōenji's departure, the tension dissipated into silence.
*"It seems the show's over."*
*"Looking forward to third term, Sakayanagi."*
*"If you ever believe you can defeat Class D, I'll be waiting."*
With that, Arisu left with her group.
As she walked away, she glanced back, smiling and waving at .
*Guess she really had to say goodbye...*
*"...Was letting him go really okay?"*
Ishizaki voiced the obvious question.
*"I thought he was suspicious too. Who knows what he's thinking? He could've been lying."*
*"He and I don't think alike. X operates similarly to . I doubt Kōenji's pulling strings behind the scenes. Can you picture him working with Horikita?"*
*"Well... no, but still."*
Ibuki remained unconvinced.
*"Relax. Today narrowed things down. One more push, and X will surface."*
*"Push? What are you planning?"*
At her question, Ryūen grinned ominously.
*"Just wait and see. This ga's almost over."*
With that, he cast one last glance at Classes D and A before walking off.
It seed Ryūen's preparations were complete.
I followed after him, feeling the weight of Ayanokōji's gaze on my back.
=================================
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