Deep into the Rules

"Tenyo Yuyuki, right?"

"Could you spare me a moment?"

Looking at Horikita Suzune, who stood before him with a cold expression and a compass in hand, Tenyo Yuyuki felt somewhat resigned. Her words sounded like a question, but they carried an undeniable force that brooked no refusal.

Still.

Were you a gang member or something? Trying to drag me into the bathroom and stab me to death?

"Sorry, but I've got something to take care of with Chabashira-sensei right now. If Suzune absolutely wants to meet me, then wait until after school—I should have time for a date with you then."

Tenyo Yuyuki spread his hands and walked straight past Horikita Suzune.

Hearing Tenyo Yuyuki's words, Horikita Suzune's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She instantly abandoned the idea of retaliating against him for now. This school seemed to be full of inexplicable things, and in the face of gathering information, Tenyo Yuyuki's matter was trivial.

"What business do you have with Chabashira-sensei?" Horikita Suzune quickly caught up to Tenyo Yuyuki's side, adding, "And don't call me Suzune!"

"I don't see any need to tell you." Tenyo Yuyuki raised an eyebrow. "Right, Suzune?"

"You..."

Her words faltered for a moment, but this time Horikita Suzune didn't dwell on the name issue. Instead, she said calmly:

"Fine, there's no need. Then let's exchange information and analyze it together."

"Based on what Chabashira-sensei said, this school, established by the state, doesn't seem as strict as I imagined. In fact, it's unreasonably lenient. There must be something wrong with that. Tenyo, what do you think?"

She didn't find Tenyo Yuyuki's refusal unreasonable—after all, they were strangers to each other, so there was no obligation to tell her. But she had also sensed the abnormality of this school.

This was the school her brother, Horikita Manabu, had chosen. How could it be simple? That single fact alone kept Horikita Suzune constantly on guard.

Yet with her limited perspective, she could only rely on an almost beast-like intuition to sense something was off, unable to figure out why.

"I use my eyes, of course." Tenyo Yuyuki replied with a smile, leaving her with his back as he walked away, showing no intention of engaging further.

"Are you an idiot?"

Horikita Suzune was practically fuming.

Sharing information, analyzing together, cooperating for mutual benefit—she couldn't understand why Tenyo Yuyuki refused.

Teacher's Office.

By now, Chabashira Sae had returned to the office early. The entire room was empty except for her; the other teachers were likely still dealing with students' questions.

"So this year's D Class is no good either."

Sitting in her office chair, Chabashira Sae lit a slim cigarette. This year's D Class still left her very disappointed.

She thought she had given them enough information!

Anyone with half a brain should know that nothing good falls from the sky. Yet these students hadn't raised a single question—utterly foolish.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka!

That name slowly surfaced in Chabashira Sae's mind. An ordinary high school student, yet the Chairman himself had given a direct order.

Was it because of a powerful background, or was there truly something special about him?

"Whatever. As long as you're in this school, you'll find out sooner or later."

Chabashira Sae couldn't help but think.

Those with ability would naturally rise to prominence; those without would fade into obscurity.

This was the merit-based Koudo Ikusei High School.

Knock, knock.

"Come in."

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Anyone knocking couldn't be a teacher, and soon two D Class students walked in.

"Tenyo Yuyuki and Horikita Suzune, right? What do you need from me?"

For Chabashira Sae, who aimed to promote to A Class, she naturally knew her own class's students well.

One was an heir to the Tenmyouin Zaibatsu, the other an outstanding student whose grades could get her into A Class. Chabashira Sae couldn't help but feel a flicker of anticipation.

"I have some personal matters I'd like to discuss with you, sensei."

Tenyo Yuyuki spoke first, deliberately avoiding words like 'questions' to shut out any possibility of Horikita Suzune joining in.

After all, as fellow D Class students, it was hard to exclude a classmate without a valid reason, but private matters were a different story.

"..."

Horikita Suzune understood this perfectly well, frowning in clear dissatisfaction.

"Alright. Horikita, wait outside for a moment."

Pleased with Tenyo Yuyuki's thoroughness, Chabashira Sae led him into a partitioned area of the office.

Watching their retreating figures, Horikita Suzune knew that Tenyo Yuyuki would surely ask questions she hadn't thought of—questions that might relate to the school's rules.

What a pity.

She had no legitimate reason to join.

As for eavesdropping—

Not to mention the soundproofing was excellent, this kind of behavior alone was something Horikita Suzune deeply disdained.

Clutching her frustration, Horikita Suzune went to wait outside the office.

Though she felt most of D Class were nothing but obstacles, there was no doubt Tenyo Yuyuki no longer fell into that category.

And yet.

To catch up with her brother in Third Year A Class, she absolutely had to figure out the school's Rules, demonstrate her own ability, and become someone her brother could be proud of.