Do Not Want to Be Changed

The setting sun dyed the campus in a warm orange glow. The four of them unconsciously arrived at a fork in the road, and the atmosphere signaled it was time to part ways.

Ichinose Honami stopped, turning to face Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. Her smile faded slightly, becoming serious and solemn. She lowered her voice, ensuring only Ayanokoji could hear clearly: "Ayanokoji-kun, regarding this incident with Sudo-kun, although it's been temporarily resolved, there's something I think I need to remind your Class D about." She paused, her gaze sharp with insight, "From the way the incident was orchestrated, exploiting Sudo-kun's personality weaknesses, and the organized 'testimony' from Ishizaki and the others... the one pulling the strings behind this probably isn't something Ishizaki and his group could have done on their own."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's expression remained calm, but his eyes focused intently on Ichinose, signaling her to continue.

"Combining the information we've gathered before, and the... cold, calculating style reflected in this incident," Ichinose's voice carried a note of certainty, "I believe the true mastermind is Ryuen Kakeru from their Class C. He's the one orchestrating all this behind the scenes, trying to use this conflict to deal a heavy blow to Class D. Ishizaki and the others are probably just chess pieces being used by him."

Ayanokoji was silent for a few seconds, neither denying nor confirming, only responding calmly: "Mm. We'll keep that possibility in mind. Thanks for the warning, Ichinose-kun." His reaction seemed expected, as if he had already judged this.

"Mm! I hope you'll all be more careful from now on." Ichinose nodded, her face breaking back into a warm smile. She turned to Sakura Airi, pulling out her terminal, and said enthusiastically: "Sakura-kun, let's add each other as terminal friends! If later... I mean, just in case, you run into something like today again, or have any trouble you need to talk about, feel free to reach out anytime! I'll definitely help you!"

Sakura Airi looked at Ichinose's sincere smile, a wave of warmth and gratitude surging in her heart. She quickly pulled out her own terminal and said softly: "O-okay! Thank you, Ichinose-kun!" The two smoothly added each other as friends.

After adding Ichinose, Sakura Airi's gaze unconsciously drifted toward Shimiya Kuki, who stood a little further away. Her small hand gripped her terminal, fingertips pressing slightly. She wanted to thank her lifesaver, wanted to add his contact info too, but thinking of his usual cold, keep-away demeanor, she felt too embarrassed to speak up. She lowered her head, her eyes shifting between the terminal screen and the ground, looking uneasy.

Shimiya Kuki seemed to notice her hesitation and awkwardness. Without a word, he stepped forward directly, calmly pulling out his terminal, the screen lighting up to show the add-friend interface. He looked at Sakura, his voice still flat but clearly reaching her ears:

"Shimiya Kuki. You can ask me for help too." No extra pleasantries, just a simple statement, yet it carried a promise.

Sakura jerked her head up, a flash of surprise and gratitude in her eyes, and quickly nodded vigorously: "Y-yes! Thank you very much, Shimiya-kun!" She rapidly operated her terminal to complete the addition, as if afraid he might change his mind.

"Then we'll head this way!" Ichinose waved with a smile, signaling Sakura to come along. "Sakura-kun, I'll walk you back to the dorm? We can chat more about 'Shizuku' on the way?" She winked playfully.

"Ah, o-okay!" Sakura quickly replied, giving Ayanokoji and Shimiya a slight bow in farewell. "Ayanokoji-kun, Shimiya-kun, g-goodbye." Her tone was filled with sincere gratitude. Then she followed Ichinose, who was about to leave.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka also gave Shimiya a slight nod as a farewell, then turned and walked toward the Class D dormitory.

Shimiya Kuki stood in place, watching the three figures' shadows stretch long in the setting sun until they disappeared from view. He withdrew his gaze, his face expressionless, and turned to walk toward his own dormitory.

Two hours earlier, in the second-floor private room of Ismo Cafe.

The air was thick with the rich aroma of coffee and stillness. Shimiya Kuki sat on the sofa, across from the senior with dark brown wavy long curly hair, whose demeanor was languid and mysterious. The gentle maid had just set down delicate coffee cups for the two of them and was now quietly exiting the room, gently closing the heavy wooden door behind her.

Only the two remained in the private room. The senior stirred her coffee with slender fingers, breaking the silence first, her voice carrying a faint trace of weariness and relief:

"I talked to her." She didn't mention a name, but both knew exactly who she meant.

Shimiya Kuki picked up his coffee cup, took a small sip, his eyes calm and unwavering: "It seems the senior doesn't plan to give up on her and has taken her back." He didn't seem surprised; in fact, one could say this was also why he chose her as a partner.

The senior set down her silver spoon, leaning back slightly, her gaze drifting toward the large floor-to-ceiling window of the room.

"After all... my own issues played a big part too." Her voice dropped low. "If I hadn't made her feel there was no hope of rising, no possibility of achieving her goals in this class, she might not have chosen that path. Back then... it was my stubbornness, my overly aggressive approach, that led our class to where it is now." Her eyes grew distant.

She let out a faint sigh: "This school... really is a place that tempers people. It uses the cruelest methods to filter out the 'top students.' Here, the strong can indeed become stronger. But..." Her tone took on a cold sneer, "the weak, or those temporarily at a disadvantage, get crushed even harder by this system, even shattered. It amplifies human greed and darkness."

"If the senior can bring her back to your side, that's a good thing." Shimiya replied calmly. "That way, when facing attacks from opponents next time, the internal front will be more stable, and counterattacks more effective." He shifted his tone, his gaze fixed on the senior. "But the senior should understand that your forgiveness is based on your judgment and the class's current situation. Others, especially classmates directly or indirectly hurt by her actions, may not let it go so easily. And the opponents, once they find out she 'betrayed' them and was taken back by you, will definitely use that as a weapon to shake your unity at critical moments and create bigger rifts."

The senior's lips curled into a cold, confident arc: "I know. When it comes to scheming, stirring up trouble, exploiting the dark side of human nature, I admit I can't beat certain people." She lifted her coffee cup, her gaze sharpening with determination. "But getting the class to accept a repentant comrade again, mending internal rifts, rebuilding trust... that's something I, as a leader, must do and must excel at. I have that confidence."

Just then, Shimiya Kuki's gaze inadvertently swept across the entrance of a relatively secluded alley below the window. He spotted Sakura Airi's familiar pink hair, blocked against the wall by a man in a shabby suit, the girl's face full of terror and despair.

The senior also noticed where Shimiya's gaze had landed and the situation below, frowning slightly: "What? Someone from your class?" Her tone carried a question.

Shimiya Kuki's expression remained calm, as if he had just seen an ordinary scene. He set down his coffee cup, moving unhurriedly, then looked at the senior and replied flatly: "No, a Class D classmate." He stood up, his posture natural, and said: "Sorry, senior, something came up. I need to take my leave."

The senior watched Shimiya prepare to leave, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes. Just as Shimiya was about to pull the door handle, she murmured softly, more to herself, but loud enough for him to hear:

"Maybe... if you don't interfere, it would be better for your Class B..." The words touched on the cruel rules of this school.

Shimiya Kuki's hand pulling the door didn't pause at all. He opened the heavy wooden door, and just as his figure was about to disappear through the doorway, he left behind a calm yet meaningful remark that drifted clearly back into the room:

"Maybe. But... perhaps that's why we can cooperate, senior." His voice carried a worldly detachment. "The omnipresent competition in this school may be harsh, but we both have things we don't want this school to completely change."

With that, the door closed softly, leaving only the senior alone in the room.

The senior sat quietly, her fingers unconsciously tracing the warm coffee cup wall, her gaze again drifting out the window, but Shimiya's figure had already vanished into the depths of the alley. She was silent for a moment, then a helpless yet appreciative smile suddenly appeared on her face.

"Really... he got me there." She murmured to herself, her tone no longer heavy, but instead carrying a lightness and curiosity. "But... let's go watch the show too, shall we? See how this 'hero' saves the damsel." She stood up, smoothing her skirt.

The private room door gently opened, and the gentle maid walked in.

"Okay, Big Sister." The maid replied with a smile.

The senior stepped out of the room with graceful strides. The maid followed closely behind. In the private room, only two cups of coffee, barely touched, remained.