The Moment of Choice

Thursday's classes passed peacefully, but Hanyu Xiuyi knew it was merely the calm before the storm.

Ike Kanji's note remained in his pocket, like a ticking time bomb. Tomorrow afternoon at three, the third floor of the Old School Building—the most secluded place on campus, rarely visited. Ike chose to meet there, clearly wanting to avoid being discovered.

Hanyu hadn't told anyone about the note, not even Horikita. It wasn't a lack of trust, but rather that he needed to figure out what Ike wanted to say first. If too many people knew, it might push Ike into a corner.

After school, Hanyu walked alone on the path back to the Dormitory. The Sunset stretched his shadow long. The cherry blossoms on campus had begun to fall, their pink and white petals carpeting the path.

"Hanyu-kun."

A voice came from behind him. Hanyu turned and saw Sakura Airi jogging to catch up, her long brown hair fluttering in the wind, a shy blush on her face.

"Sakura-san? Is something wrong?"

Sakura took a deep breath, as if making a big decision, then handed him a small bag. "Here, these are cookies I made... You said the last batch of cookies were delicious, so I made some more... different flavors..."

Hanyu took the bag and saw cookies of various shapes neatly arranged inside, some sprinkled with colorful sugar. The packaging was thoughtful, tied with a pink ribbon into a bow. A small note was stuck to the bag, bearing the words "Thank You" in neat but slightly childish handwriting.

"Thank you, Sakura-san," Hanyu said sincerely. "They look very delicious."

Sakura's face turned redder, but her eyes sparkled with joy. "Then, I won't bother you anymore! Goodbye!"

She turned to leave but was called back by Hanyu.

"Sakura-san, wait a moment."

Sakura stopped and turned back nervously.

"Lately... have you noticed anything unusual about Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki?" Hanyu asked. "You're in the same class and usually interact with them more."

Sakura paused, then thought seriously. "Ike-kun... he seems absent-minded lately. Yesterday during lunch break, I overheard him on the phone, speaking very quietly, saying something like 'Give me a little more time'... When he saw me, he hung up immediately."

"And Yamauchi-kun?"

"Yamauchi-kun..." Sakura recalled. "He's been going to the Convenience Store a lot these past few days. Every time he comes back, he has some expensive items. I remember he didn't have many points before, how did he suddenly get money..."

Hanyu's heart sank. These details confirmed his suspicions—Ike and Yamauchi were indeed being bought by Class C, and they had already started receiving their "Remuneration."

"Thank you for telling me this," Hanyu said. "But, please, don't tell anyone else for now, okay?"

Sakura nodded. Though she didn't quite understand why, she trusted Hanyu.

"Also..." Sakura hesitated. "Hanyu-kun, you need to be careful. I have a feeling that many people at school have been watching you lately..."

She ran off after saying that, leaving Hanyu standing alone.

People watching him? Ryuen's people would naturally be watching him. But the "many people" Sakura mentioned might not just be Class C.

At eight in the evening, there was a knock on Hanyu Xiuyi's dormitory door.

Opening the door, Ayanokoji Kiyonaga stood outside. He held a can of coffee, his expression as plain as ever.

"Got a moment?"

"Come in," Hanyu said, stepping aside to let him enter.

Ayanokoji sat down in a chair and took a sip of his coffee. Hanyu noticed his gaze was more serious than usual.

"Are you meeting Ike Kanji tomorrow afternoon at three?" Ayanokoji suddenly asked.

Hanyu blinked. "How did you know?"

"Guessing," Ayanokoji said. "Ike's been restless all day, looking at you from time to time. Knowing his personality, if he's done something he regrets, he'll definitely try to confess to you. The third floor of the Old School Building is the most suitable place for a private talk in the school."

The analysis was terrifyingly accurate. Hanyu had to admire Ayanokoji's Observation Skill.

"You guessed right," he admitted. "Ike asked me to meet him tomorrow afternoon at three."

"Are you planning to go?"

"Of course."

Ayanokoji was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I think this is a trap."

Hanyu frowned. "A trap?"

"Ike might genuinely want to confess to you," Ayanokoji said. "But Ryuen won't let him do it so smoothly. Think about it, if Ike asks you to meet in a secluded place, and then you're 'accidentally' discovered, what would be the consequences?"

Hanyu thought quickly. If they were discovered meeting Ike in secret, combined with the recent rumors of Ike's contact with Class C, it could easily be interpreted as "Hanyu Xiuyi is bribing a classmate." Once such a rumor spread, it would be a fatal blow to his prestige within the class.

"Are you saying Ryuen might be monitoring Ike?"

"Not just monitoring," Ayanokoji said. "Someone is likely tailing him. Once they find out he's meeting you, Ryuen will send someone to 'happen upon' you both, and then spread rumors everywhere."

Hanyu fell silent. This possibility definitely existed. He had witnessed Ryuen's Methods before; that man was best at these Off-court Tactics.

"Then what should I do? If I don't go, Ike might completely defect to Class C."

Ayanokoji took a sip of coffee and said plainly, "Go, but change the location."

"What do you mean?"

"Have Ike change the meeting place," Ayanokoji said. "And make sure he notifies you in a way that can't be monitored. For example... write it on a piece of paper, hand it to you in person, and then you destroy it on the spot."

Hanyu understood. Ayanokoji meant they needed to ensure this meeting was completely outside Ryuen's control.

"But how do I notify Ike? I can't contact him directly right now."

"I'll do it," Ayanokoji said. "I have a plan."

He didn't explain what the plan was, but Hanyu chose to trust him.

On Friday at noon, Hanyu Xiuyi was eating his lunch on the rooftop of the Teaching Building when a note was quietly slipped into his pocket.

He continued eating as if nothing had happened, only opening the note after he finished. It contained only one line, written in Ike Kanji's handwriting:

"Gymnasium Warehouse at 4 PM. I'll be waiting for you. --Ike"

The location had changed, and the time was pushed back by an hour. Hanyu burned the note, his admiration for Ayanokoji's abilities growing.

At 4 PM, Hanyu arrived at the Gymnasium Warehouse on time. It was piled high with various sports equipment and rarely visited. The door was ajar, and a faint light seeped from within.

He pushed the door open and saw Ike Kanji sitting on a pile of mats, his face pale, his hands nervously wringing each other.

"Hanyu, Hanyu-kun..." Seeing Hanyu enter, Ike immediately stood up, his voice trembling.

Hanyu closed the door and walked up to him, saying calmly, "I'm here. What did you want to say?"

Ike opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound. His eyes gradually reddened, and he suddenly knelt on the ground with a thud.

"I'm sorry! Hanyu-kun, I'm sorry!" His voice was choked with tears. "I, I was bought off by Ryuen... He gave me points and made me do things for him... I, I..."

Hanyu didn't help him up, just watched him quietly.

"What did he have you do?"

Ike lowered his head, his voice intermittent. "Make me... make me gather information on classmates... who was close to whom, who had what weakness... and also watch your every move and report to him anytime..."

"Anything else?"

"Also make me..." Ike's voice grew smaller. "Make me spread some rumors in the class... say you're bad for the class and only look out for yourself... and also say you're using points to buy people's favor..."

Hanyu sneered inwardly. Ryuen's Methods were indeed dirty, not only attacking from the outside but also trying to disintegrate Class D from within.

"Why are you telling me this?" he asked.

Ike looked up, his face streaked with tears. "Be, because... Hirata-kun and Kushida-san were too good to me... They cared about me so much, but I... I..."

He couldn't continue, just crying nonstop.

Hanyu remained silent for a long time. The warehouse was filled only with Ike's suppressed sobs and the distant whistle of a Physical Education Class.

Finally, Hanyu reached out and pulled Ike up.

"Get up. Kneeling won't solve anything."

Ike staggered to his feet, not daring to meet Hanyu's eyes.

"How many points did you take from Ryuen?"

"Three, three hundred thousand..." Ike said in a small voice. "He gave me a hundred thousand first, and said he'd give me another two hundred thousand if I succeeded..."

Three hundred thousand points. For an Ordinary Student, that was a fortune. Hanyu could imagine how tempted Ike must have been when Ryuen laid those points before him.

"Did you spend any of those points?"

"I spent some..." Ike's voice grew smaller. "Bought some things... treated Yamauchi to a meal..."

Hanyu nodded. He walked to the window of the warehouse and looked outside through the dust-covered glass. On the Sports Field, a few students were running, their laughter faintly coming from outside.

"Ike, I have a question for you." He turned around. "Do you still want to continue working for Ryuen?"

Ike shook his head desperately. "No! I really don't! But I... I've already taken their points... If I don't continue, will they get Revenge on me..."

"Yes," Hanyu said bluntly. "Someone like Ryuen will definitely get Revenge on you."

Ike's face turned even paler.

"But," Hanyu continued, "if you turn back now, Class D will protect you."

Ike froze.

"You're not fighting alone." Hanyu looked him in the eyes. "Hirata, Kushida, Sudo, Yukimura... and me. We're all here. As long as you're willing to come back, we'll stand by your side."

Ike's tears started to flow again, but this time not from fear, but from emotion.

"But... but I've done so many things that betrayed the class..."

"If you make a mistake, you have to make amends." Hanyu said. "Next, I need you to continue contacting Ryuen."

Ike's eyes widened. "What?"

"Turn the Tables." Hanyu said. "You'll pretend to keep being bought by him, and tell me what he asks you to do. That way, we can understand his plan and protect you at the same time."

Ike hesitated. "But... what if he finds out I betrayed him..."

"He won't." Hanyu said. "As long as we Cooperate well. And even if he does find out, Class D will protect you. Do you trust me?"

Ike looked into Hanyu's eyes. Those eyes were calm and firm, like a bottomless pool, yet they inexplicably put him at ease.

He remembered Hirata's gentle smile, Kushida's concerned tone, Sudo's rough but sincere attitude... These people genuinely cared about him.

And he, he had almost betrayed them for points.

"I trust you." Ike finally said. "Hanyu, I'll listen to you."

Hanyu nodded and patted his shoulder.

"Okay. From now on, you're our 'spy' planted in Class C. Whatever Ryuen tells you to do, you tell me. But be careful not to let him see through you."

"I, I'll try my best..."

"Not 'try your best,' you must do it," Hanyu said. "Because we can't afford to gamble."

Ike took a deep breath and nodded vigorously. "I understand! I'll definitely do it!"

When the two left the warehouse, the sun was already setting in the west. The golden afterglow spilled across the campus, warm and bright.

After walking a few steps, Ike turned back and said, "Hanyu, Yamauchi... he's also been bought over. But he's more scared than I am and has been hesitating about whether to tell you..."

"I know," Hanyu said. "I'll handle Yamauchi."

Ike nodded and quickly left.

Hanyu stood in place, gazing at the sunset glow on the horizon. Although one problem was solved, a bigger challenge still lay ahead.

Ryuen wouldn't give up. He would definitely resort to more ruthless tactics next.

But at least for now, Class D had gained another source of strength.

And this strength came from trust, not points.

In the evening, Hanyu Xiuyi called a small meeting of the core members. This time, he told them about Ike's situation in detail.

"Ike has come back to us," he said. "From now on, he'll cooperate with us and pretend to still be bought by Ryuen."

"That idiot..." Sudo Ken muttered, but there was no anger in his tone, only helplessness. "Whatever, it's good that he's back."

Hirata Yousuke smiled with relief. "That's great. I knew Ike wasn't a bad kid."

"What about Yamauchi?" Kushida Kikyo asked.

"I'll go see him tomorrow," Hanyu said. "Let him think more today; maybe he'll come to me himself."

Horikita Suzune nodded. "I agree. Give Yamauchi some time, and he should confess on his own."

"What do we do next?" Yukimura Teruhiko asked.

Hanyu looked at Ayanokoji Kiyonaga. Ayanokoji sat in the corner, still with an indifferent expression, but Hanyu knew he was listening intently.

"Ayanokoji, what do you think?"

Ayanokoji looked up and said plainly, "Ryuen will soon know that Ike's plan has failed. He won't be content and will definitely make his next move. We need to predict his target in advance."

"What is his objective?"

"To divide the class," Ayanokoji said. "Since Ike's attempt failed, he'll find another target. And he'll do it in a more concealed way."

"Who will be the next target?"

Ayanokoji was silent for a few seconds, then said, "It might be Karuizawa Kei."

Everyone was stunned.

"Karuizawa?" Hirata frowned. "Why her?"

"Because she has influence among the girls," Ayanokoji said. "If Karuizawa can be shaken, the girls group will split. Once the girls group splits, the class's cohesion will be greatly reduced."

Hanyu's heart tightened. This analysis made too much sense. Karuizawa was indeed a target Ryuen might go after—she had popularity and influence, but also a weakness.

"What is Karuizawa's weakness?" he asked.

Ayanokoji glanced at him, not answering directly, just saying, "Everyone has a weakness. Karuizawa's weakness, she knows best herself."

The words were cryptic, but Hanyu understood. Ayanokoji meant that Karuizawa might have an unknown past, and that past was precisely what Ryuen could utilize.

"Should we warn her?" Kushida asked.

Hanyu thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Not for now. If Ryuen is really targeting her, warning her would alert the enemy. Let's observe for a few days and wait for her to come to us."

After the meeting ended, everyone left one by one. Hanyu called out to Ayanokoji, who was about to leave.

"Ayanokoji, about Karuizawa's weakness... do you know what it is?"

Ayanokoji stopped and turned to look at him. His eyes seemed exceptionally deep in the dim light.

"I don't know," he said. "But I know everyone has a past they don't want known. If Ryuen finds that past, he can control that person."

With that, he pushed open the door and disappeared into the night.

Hanyu stood there, motionless for a long time.

Karuizawa Kei, the girl who always smiled and always livened up the atmosphere, what unknown past did she have?

And would Ryuen already know it?

Outside the window, the moon was obscured by clouds, and the campus sank into deeper darkness. Tomorrow would be a new day.

And new challenges awaited in the shadows.