After the Rain's Faint Light

After Kushida left, Fūki Ran stood by the window for a long time. The campus, washed clean by the rain, looked exceptionally fresh. Dewdrops clung to the tips of the leaves, shimmering in the growing sunlight. He recalled the eyes filled with pain and hope in Kushida's gaze as she confided in him, realizing that this maiden, who always wore a perfect mask, was undergoing a difficult Soul Transformation.

Monday morning was bright and sunny, showing no trace of yesterday's gloom. Fūki encountered Kushida on his way to the classroom. To his surprise, Kushida looked different today—her smile was still sweet, but it held less forced perfection and more genuine warmth.

"Good morning, Fūki-kun," she greeted him naturally, a hint of subtle relief in her eyes.

"Good morning," Fūki replied, noticing she didn't make a point of greeting every passing classmate as usual, maintaining a polite distance instead.

In the classroom, Hirata and Karuizawa were discussing something. Normally, Kushida would have immediately joined the conversation, skillfully maintaining its harmony. But today, she simply smiled and nodded in greeting before heading to her seat.

This subtle change did not escape Fūki's notice. He understood that Kushida was trying to find her true self—no longer forcing herself to please everyone, but learning to maintain appropriate boundaries.

After the first class ended, Horikita approached Fūki's seat.

"I have some new findings regarding Ryuen," she said in a low voice. "Yesterday, I saw Sudo meeting with people from Class C behind the gymnasium. It didn't look like a chance encounter."

Fūki nodded thoughtfully. Just as he was about to respond, Kushida naturally walked over.

"Are you discussing Ryuen?" she asked softly, her eyes serious. "I also have some new information."

Horikita glanced at Kushida with slight surprise, seemingly not expecting her to join the conversation so directly.

"Tell us," Fūki prompted her to continue.

"This morning, on my way to the classroom, I overheard Ike and Yamauchi discussing a 'Special Test'," Kushida said. "They mentioned that Ryuen promised to help them during the test if they provided useful information."

Horikita's brow furrowed. "A Special Test? The school hasn't announced anything yet."

"This suggests Ryuen might have obtained information through some channel beforehand," Fūki analyzed. "Or, it could be a deliberate false rumor he spread to cause confusion."

Kushida nodded. "I think the latter is more likely. Ryuen excels at psychological warfare; he might be trying to make us panic this way."

This calm analysis impressed Horikita. For the first time, she realized that this classmate, who always wore a smiling face, possessed such keen insight.

"So, what should we do next?" Horikita asked, unconsciously using the word "we."

Fūki pondered for a moment. "Since Ryuen wants to play psychological games, let's play along. Kushida, you can selectively leak some unimportant information to Ike and the others and observe their reactions."

"I understand," Kushida nodded, comprehending his plan. "I'll make them think we've fallen for it."

"Horikita," Fūki turned to her. "Keep an eye on Sudo's movements. If Ryuen is indeed targeting him, we need to be prepared."

At this moment, a peculiar sense of camaraderie formed among the three. Horikita, who used to work alone; Kushida, who always wore a mask; and Fūki, who preferred to keep his distance, now stood together for a common goal.

During lunch break, Fūki was in the library researching when he unexpectedly encountered Sakura Eri. She was sitting alone in a corner, a sketchbook open before her, engrossed in drawing.

Fūki noticed she seemed much more relaxed than in the past few days, apparently not harassed by Class C for the moment. He was about to quietly leave, not wanting to disturb her solitude, when Sakura unexpectedly looked up and met his gaze.

"Fū-Fūki-kun..." she stammered, closing her sketchbook like a startled fawn, her cheeks flushing.

"Sorry to disturb you," Fūki said politely.

"N-no, it's fine..." Sakura whispered, hesitating before adding, "Thank you... for the other day."

Fūki smiled slightly. "It was nothing. If anyone bothers you again, feel free to come to me or Kushida-san."

Hearing Kushida's name, Sakura visibly relaxed. "Kushida-san... she's really kind."

This remark brought Fūki a measure of comfort. It seemed Kushida's popularity in the class wasn't entirely built on pretense and manipulation.

After school, Fūki met Horikita and Kushida in the courtyard behind the school building as planned. The afterglow of the sunset cast long shadows on them.

"Things went better than expected today," Horikita reported first. "Sudo is still skipping training often, but at least he's willing to talk to me briefly. He said people from Class C did approach him, but he refused."

Kushida continued, "I leaked some false information to Ike as planned, and he seemed to believe it completely. If nothing unexpected happens, that information should have reached Ryuen by now."

Fūki nodded with satisfaction. "Excellent. All we need to do now is wait and see how Ryuen makes his move."

Just then, Hirata Yousuke walked by. Seeing the three of them together, he smiled warmly. "Discussing your studies?"

Kushida responded naturally, "We're discussing next week's class activity. Hirata-kun, would you like to join us?"

This response was neither suspicious nor did it reveal their true intentions. Fūki noticed that Kushida's tone was more natural than usual, with less forced pleasantry.

Hirata smiled and shook his head. "No, I have some things to take care of. You all carry on."

After he walked away, Horikita said softly, "Shouldn't we tell Hirata the truth? He is, after all, the class leader."

Fūki and Kushida exchanged a glance.

"Not yet," Fūki said. "Hirata is too kind-hearted; if he knew the truth, he might inadvertently alert them."

"Besides," Kushida added, "the more people who know, the greater the risk."

Horikita nodded thoughtfully, realizing for the first time that within this seemingly harmonious class, such complex games were being played beneath the surface.

The sun gradually set, painting the clouds in the sky a brilliant orange-red. The three parted ways, but they all understood that this silent war had just begun.

That evening, as Fūki was organizing his thoughts in his dorm, he received an email from Kushida:

"Thank you for today. It feels good to be able to express my thoughts honestly. Although the road ahead is still long, at least I've taken the first step."

Fūki replied, "Just keep going like this. The real you is more precious than the perfect you."

Putting down his phone, Fūki looked up at the night sky outside his window. Stars twinkled like sparks of hope in the darkness. He knew that Kushida's transformation had just begun, and the fate of Class D would quietly change through everyone's efforts.