Negotiation Breakdown

After Chairman Itagaki's lengthy speech, the opening ceremony ended smoothly. The morning of the first day was over, and the afternoon would be free.

Most students chose to return to their dorms, while others headed to Keyaki Mall to buy daily necessities or squander the huge sum of 100,000 Private Points.

Matsushita Chiaki also invited Tenyo Yuyuki. It was still early in the semester, a period for building relationships and forming factions.

Therefore.

The first gathering would be especially important.

But Tenyo Yuyuki smiled and declined. Once labeled as part of a faction, it became difficult to integrate into another group. At best, one could only maintain surface harmony—the temperature difference between people was real.

Only Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo in the entire D Class were exceptions. Aside from their superb social skills and looks, they had a selfless dedication to serving the class, even at their own expense.

Tenyo Yuyuki had no intention of wasting too much time on promoting to A Class, much less sacrificing personal time for those flawed goods.

However.

He had exchanged contact information with most of the class, maintaining a certain level of closeness.

At that moment.

Keyaki Mall.

The school's facilities were very complete—cafes, KTV, movie theaters, restaurants, clothing stores, everything one could need. Most necessities could be bought here.

Even if someone wanted something rarer, they could apply to the school to purchase it on their behalf, as long as they had enough Private Points.

Inside the Convenience Store.

Tenyo Yuyuki was picking out some daily items. Horikita Suzune followed behind him silently, selecting her own needs without a word.

As soon as the opening ceremony ended, Horikita Suzune had been quietly following him without speaking.

Tenyo Yuyuki naturally understood.

Horikita was undoubtedly eager to learn about this school's information but probably didn't know how to start.

Of course.

He wasn't in a hurry. It was Horikita Suzune who should be anxious.

Therefore.

Tenyo Yuyuki didn't initiate a conversation either.

"Another unpleasant coincidence."

Horikita Suzune suddenly said flatly. Tenyo Yuyuki glanced back and saw that Ayanokoji had somehow come near them.

"Don't be so wary." Ayanokoji carried a shopping bag, tilted his head to look at Tenyo Yuyuki, his voice devoid of any fluctuation. "You two sure get along well."

Although Horikita had only been following behind Tenyo, the two were still within a range where anyone could tell 'they were together.'

Such a question wasn't strange.

Though he seemed a bit dull during his self-introduction, Ayanokoji's powerful talent was quickly adapting to the identity of a high school student.

Or rather.

He realized that high school students came in all kinds, and no matter how one acted, it was acceptable.

Unfortunately.

Though he only wanted a peaceful life, the thinking patterns forged by the White Room made Ayanokoji instinctively absorb surrounding information, allowing him to always stand in absolutely safe territory and win in the end.

But actively socializing didn't quite fit his self-established Avoidance Principle persona, so he decided to start with Horikita, whom he had crossed paths with twice.

Based on his judgment, although Horikita was sharp-tongued, she was actually a good person. Otherwise, she wouldn't have spoken to him first. As long as there was a sufficient reason, someone like Horikita generally wouldn't refuse to help.

"My relationship with Suzune isn't as simple as you think, Ayanokoji." Tenyo Yuyuki spread his palms and sighed. "This is the trouble of being a popular guy."

"What an enviable trouble."

Frivolous, self-centered... these were the first impressions that appeared in Ayanokoji's mind. Was Tenyo Yuyuki mocking himself or showing off?

But soon, Ayanokoji dismissed his inference.

During the class self-introductions, Tenyo Yuyuki had given more of a straightforward and cheerful impression.

Frivolity and straightforwardness seemed somewhat similar, but the impressions they left were completely different. The former only made girls dislike him, while the latter could sometimes be a plus.

A strange feeling lingered in Ayanokoji's heart.

Or rather.

Had the relationship between Horikita and Tenyo already reached a level where they could joke around like this?

This also reflected Tenyo Yuyuki's social ability—building such a deep relationship with Horikita in half a day was something Ayanokoji thought he couldn't do.

But this also depended on Horikita's response. Her reply would reveal Tenyo Yuyuki's true nature.

To different people, Ayanokoji had different approaches.

Unfortunately.

Horikita didn't bother to respond at all and continued picking cheap items from the shelves.

Ayanokoji silently tagged Tenyo Yuyuki with a question mark in his mind.

He prided himself on being able to see through Horikita at a glance, even most people in this school, but for now, he couldn't get a read on Tenyo Yuyuki.

Glancing at the shampoo in Horikita's hand.

Ayanokoji casually noted the price on the label and reopened the conversation: "You're shopping? You have 100,000 Private Points, so buying something a bit more expensive shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"None of your business." Horikita didn't even look up, continuing coldly: "What are you doing here? If you have nothing to do, don't bother me."

"It's normal for a classmate to say hello, isn't it?"

Faced with Horikita's dismissive attitude, Ayanokoji responded calmly.

Before Horikita could reply, Ayanokoji continued: "I overheard some words outside—D Class, Flawed Goods, hell—and it made me a little uneasy."

"So you want an answer from me?" Horikita instantly grasped his implication, finally lifting her head to glance at Ayanokoji. "Fine. For someone like you with no friends, this is a smart choice."

This guy, incapable of forming normal relationships, at least had the sense to come to her for answers—that was somewhat commendable.

Horikita brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and analyzed coolly: "Since this school evaluates students based on ability, it won't end like this. You follow the Avoidance Principle, so just live your life peacefully. But you'd better save your Private Points."

"I see. That puts my mind at ease."

Ayanokoji nodded woodenly in agreement.

This was probably the limit of what Horikita could analyze. And from the looks of it, she hadn't even done basic information gathering—she hadn't even paid attention to what others were saying!

Her field of vision was far too narrow!

Still.

It was also clear that Horikita had meticulous thinking and was a kind person.

And in this world, everyone wore a mask to some degree. Horikita Suzune, someone so consistent inside and out, was the first of her kind Ayanokoji had ever met. He wondered what she would become as she grew.

Ayanokoji couldn't help but feel a flicker of curiosity.

But none of this was what Ayanokoji wanted. Yet he couldn't get information from anyone else either—should he try probing Chabashira-sensei?

Ayanokoji instantly dismissed the thought. Revealing his strength so easily would be too foolish.

The White Room taught them to show their ability as much as possible—a capable person doing nothing was the stupidest behavior.

But when Ayanokoji's knowledge reached a certain level, he suddenly had a feeling.

Concealing One's Talent Is a Superior Ability!

The society observed by ordinary people was nothing but a surface-level illusion. Those wealthy magnates were likely just pawns pushed forward by others!

Not getting the answer he wanted from Horikita, Ayanokoji turned his gaze back to Tenyo Yuyuki.

"I'm done shopping. I'll take my leave."

Before Ayanokoji could speak, Tenyo Yuyuki picked up her shopping bag and walked straight out of the convenience store. Horikita Suzune quickly tidied up and followed.

"As expected of the White Room's only successful case."

Tenyo Yuyuki thought to herself, glancing back at Ayanokoji still standing there.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was undoubtedly a true genius, raised in the White Room from childhood.

His unique way of thinking made him extremely cautious with every word he chose when speaking—it was impossible to find a flaw. It had even become a habit.

Simply put.

Ayanokoji could ramble on and on, and it might amount to nothing—just vague, ambiguous nonsense that could be interpreted in any direction.

Finding a crack in Ayanokoji's words was nearly impossible.

At the same time.

In just one morning, Ayanokoji had completely seen through Horikita's nature.

He led the entire rhythm of the conversation. Without even needing to ask questions, he used his uneasy words and Horikita's kindness to make her willingly hand over information.

"Well, that's the only way it'll be interesting."

Tenyo Yuyuki couldn't help but smile.

Ayanokoji, devoid of emotion, had a heart like an iron wall. Controlling someone like him was nearly impossible!

But getting Ayanokoji to work wasn't hard!

It just depended on who, had the better hand.