Ichinose's Goal

The counseling room was filled with the faint aroma of tea, yet it couldn't dispel the weight of the "rebellion" rule Hoshinomiya-sensei had laid out. The ambition to replace Class A was like a boulder dropped into water, stirring ripples of fighting spirit within Ichinose Honami's heart. Shimiya Kuki, however, remained like a deep pool, his surface utterly calm, as the complete clarity of the rules allowed him to calculate a more precise path in his mind.

Hoshinomiya-sensei seemed quite satisfied with the atmosphere she had created. She set down her teacup gracefully, her gaze like a precise scalpel, finally focusing on Shimiya Kuki. Her sweet smile now carried a hint of scrutiny that couldn't be mistaken.

"After all that buildup, Shimiya," her voice was soft, yet it brushed against the most sensitive nerves like a feather, "what Sensei wants to talk to you about now is you yourself." She paused, her fingertips unconsciously tapping the smooth desk surface. "First, there's this score." As she spoke, she pulled a sheet of paper from the folder beside her and gently slid it in front of Shimiya Kuki.

The paper clearly displayed the subjects and scores of the Entrance Adaptation Exam—five subjects, without exception, all full marks.

"This stunning report card is enough to prove your academic ability is unfathomable." Hoshinomiya's gaze sharpened. "But this school values more than just scores. Sensei also has your entrance evaluation here."

Her words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake surface. Shimiya Kuki lifted his eyes, his gaze calmly sweeping over the full-mark report card, finally meeting Hoshinomiya's amber eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through people's hearts. There was no ripple on his face.

Hoshinomiya-sensei didn't drag it out and said directly: "There's one line in the evaluation that left a deep impression on me—'This student possesses outstanding potential, but appears to be bound by some invisible shackles, exhibiting a strong tendency toward self-isolation and a sense of alienation from interpersonal relationships. The height of their future growth depends on whether they can break through their mental barrier.'"

She recited it word for word, her voice clear and echoing in the quiet counseling room. Ichinose Honami covered her mouth in surprise, looking at Shimiya with concern.

The fingers resting on Shimiya Kuki's knee moved ever so slightly. He remained silent, neither denying nor explaining, his gaze deep and calm.

Hoshinomiya-sensei observed his reaction, her smile fading a little: "So, Shimiya, Sensei now wants to ask you directly." She leaned forward slightly. "In this Advanced Nurturing High School, over these three years, setting aside class rankings and points, you personally... what do you hope to gain? Or rather, what do you hope to change?"

The counseling room fell silent. Ichinose Honami held her breath.

Shimiya Kuki was silent for a few seconds. Hoshinomiya waited patiently. Finally, he spoke slowly, his voice deep and clear, without a trace of emotion:

"I... hope to change myself."

Six short words.

A flicker of understanding passed through Hoshinomiya-sensei's eyes, and the corners of her mouth curled into a gratified yet mischievous arc.

"Change yourself... that's a great goal!" Her voice carried encouragement, but then she shifted gears, her tone soft yet piercing. "But, Shimiya—" she tilted her head slightly, "Sensei gets the feeling that... you're deliberately keeping your distance from everyone, aren't you?"

She pointed it out without hesitation.

"Like right now," her gaze swept over the deliberately maintained distance between Shimiya and Ichinose, "you clearly possess powerful abilities and are a valuable asset to Class B, yet you always isolate yourself from the crowd. You're silent in group discussions, marginalized in collective activities, and even a classmate as sincere as Honami, who genuinely wants to get close to you and help you integrate, seems to be subtly pushed away by you." She glanced at Ichinose beside her, who lowered her head a little sheepishly.

"You want to change yourself, that's good." Hoshinomiya's voice turned serious and earnest. "But, Shimiya, if you always trap yourself within a fortress called 'the past' or 'habit,' building high walls and refusing to form deep connections with the outside world and your companions, then this change will forever remain on the surface, or might even stagnate."

"A barrier," she repeated the word, her gaze burning, "it can protect you from some potential harm, but it also blocks out the sunlight, the air, and the nutrients necessary for growth. It makes you feel safe, but it also makes you lonely, limits your perspective, and hinders you from experiencing richer emotions and possibilities. In this school, individual strength is certainly important, but true power often comes from connection and cooperation with others, from leveraging your strengths within a team, and from being warmed and supported by the need and trust of your companions."

Shimiya Kuki remained silent, his gaze calm and unwavering, simply looking quietly at Hoshinomiya.

After a moment, he spoke again, his voice steady, without inflection:

"Perhaps... what you say is correct. Perhaps, the habits and concerns still exist." He acknowledged the barrier. "After this... I will strive to overcome them."

The four words "strive to overcome them" were stated calmly.

A gratified smile appeared on Hoshinomiya-sensei's face. She nodded: "Sensei believes in you, Shimiya. Being willing to acknowledge and face the problem is the first step toward change. This school, this class, will be the best stage for you to try to break down your barriers and embrace new possibilities."

Her gaze then shifted to Ichinose Honami, who had been quietly listening, her eyes full of concern and encouragement. Hoshinomiya's tone became light again:

"So, Honami, Sensei will ask you too. As the trusted core of our Class B, what is your goal? Especially now that you know about the possibility of 'rebellion'?"

The topic shifted, the atmosphere easing slightly. Hoshinomiya-sensei didn't immediately wait for Ichinose's answer, but added with an insightful smile: "Of course, Sensei knows that students like Shimiya, who enter with special goals, are a minority. For most students entering this Advanced Nurturing High School, the core attraction isn't it the school administration's promise of nearly 100% guaranteed admission to top universities and recommendations for top-tier corporate employment?" Her gaze swept over the two students, her tone carrying a hint of realistic gravity. "But please remember—this enviable privilege is only granted to graduates of Class A."

Her words were like an alarm bell, once again emphasizing the harsh reality of class competition and the value of Class A's status.

Ichinose Honami sat up straight, her bright eyes flashing with unwavering determination. She answered without hesitation: "Yes, Hoshinomiya-sensei! That's precisely why my goal is now very clear! It is to lead all our classmates in Class B to rise together to Class A, and ultimately ensure everyone graduates from Class A to claim that future belonging to the victors! The 'rebellion' rule is exactly the opportunity we must seize to achieve this goal!"

Hoshinomiya-sensei nodded approvingly: "A very ambitious goal, Honami! Leading the entire class upward requires strong cohesion and leadership." Her gaze returned to Shimiya Kuki, carrying a hint of slyness and encouragement. "Shimiya, did you hear that? Honami is shouldering the future of the entire class, striving so that everyone can obtain the privileges of Class A. You said you would 'strive to overcome' your barriers. Sensei looks forward to seeing your actions."

She leaned forward slightly, her smile warm and meaningful:

"If accepting all your classmates at once feels difficult for you... then why not try starting with someone trustworthy by your side? For example, starting with Honami, how about that?"

Hoshinomiya-sensei had successfully planted the intention to "break down barriers" in Shimiya Kuki's heart, while simultaneously igniting Ichinose's fighting spirit with the realistic goal of Class A privileges. The conversation between teacher and students in the counseling room had quietly shifted from analyzing individual struggles to charting a path for a collective future. Shimiya Kuki's calm gaze fell on the full-mark document on the desk surface, then slowly moved away.

At that moment, Ichinose Honami took a deep breath. Her gaze turned to Shimiya Kuki, her clear eyes full of sincerity and expectation, her voice soft yet unwavering:

"Shimiya-kun, Hoshinomiya-sensei is right. To achieve the goal of having the entire class graduate from Class A, relying solely on my own strength is absolutely impossible." She paused slightly, looking directly into his calm and unwavering eyes. "Our Class B needs the strength of every classmate, especially... a companion with powerful abilities like you. Your wisdom and that calm judgment of yours are crucial to us."

Her tone carried a hint of earnestness, but more than that, trust and an invitation:

"So, Shimiya-kun... on the path to changing yourself and trying to break down your barriers, on the road to striving for our shared goal, please lend me your strength, okay?"

Hoshinomiya-sensei's words and Ichinose's gaze, full of trust and hope, were like invisible threads winding around the fortress he had built. The suggestion to "start with Honami" and Ichinose's direct request for strength now clearly reached Shimiya Kuki's ears. He remained silent, his face utterly expressionless, simply calmly meeting Ichinose's gaze. The path of change, and the expectations placed upon him, lay before him in a calm and unmistakable manner.