The Appearance of Cracks

Saturday morning, sunlight streamed into the room through gaps in the curtains, but Hanyu Xiuyi had already been awake for an hour.

He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying Ayanokoji's words from last night in his mind: "If Ryuen finds out about that past, he can control that person."

Karuizawa Kei.

The girl who always tied her hair in a ponytail, whose laughter was crisp, the central figure who commanded a response from every girl, the "Atmosphere Group Leader" who took the initiative to liven up the mood on the island. What kind of unknown past did she have?

Hanyu sat up and picked up his phone to check the time – Seven Thirty AM. There was still an hour and a half until the "accidental encounter" he had arranged with Yamauchi Haruki.

He decided to go to school in advance.

Eight Twenty AM, Hanyu Xiuyi "accidentally encountered" Yamauchi Haruki under the cherry blossom tree in front of the teaching building.

Yamauchi was walking with his head down and almost bumped into Hanyu. He looked up and saw Hanyu, his face instantly turning pale.

"H-Hanyu-kun..."

"Yamauchi-kun, good morning," Hanyu greeted him gently. "You came to school so early? Don't you usually sleep until the last moment?"

Yamauchi's expression became even more tense. "I, I came to catch up on homework... I forgot to do it yesterday..."

"I see," Hanyu nodded. "Then good luck. By the way, do you have time at noon? I want to talk to you."

Yamauchi's body visibly trembled. "Talk, talk about what?"

"Nothing major," Hanyu said with a smile. "It's just that everyone has been concerned about you recently and wanted to ask if you needed any help. Twelve o'clock, the rooftop, okay?"

Yamauchi was silent for a few seconds, then finally nodded. "Okay, okay..."

He almost ran into the teaching building as if escaping.

Hanyu watched his back and sighed gently. Yamauchi's reaction was more intense than Ike's, indicating greater psychological pressure. This kind of person either breaks down completely or completely turns to the enemy.

He hoped Yamauchi could turn back at the last moment, like Ike.

The morning classes passed in peace. Hanyu noticed that Yamauchi Haruki was restless throughout the entire class, looking back at him from time to time with eyes full of fear and hesitation. Ike Kanji, on the other hand, appeared much more natural, occasionally chatting and laughing with the student next to him – but Hanyu noticed that his laughter always seemed somewhat forced.

The Lunch Break Bell Rang, and Hanyu picked up his bento and headed to the rooftop.

Yamauchi was already waiting for him. He stood by the railing, his back view looking especially thin and small. Hearing footsteps, he suddenly turned around, his face like a criminal awaiting sentencing.

"Yamauchi-kun, sit down," Hanyu sat on the bench and took out his bento. "Have you eaten? Want me to share some with you?"

Yamauchi shook his head and walked to his side, but didn't sit down. Instead, he stood with his head down.

"Isn't Standing Tiring?" Hanyu asked. "Sit Down and Talk."

Only then did Yamauchi cautiously sit down, his hands nervously twisted together.

Silence stretched between them for a few seconds. Hanyu opened his bento and ate slowly and methodically, as if he had truly just come for lunch. This calm only made Yamauchi more uneasy.

Finally, Yamauchi couldn't hold back.

"H, Hanyu... Did You... know something?"

Hanyu put down his chopsticks and looked at him. "What do you think I should know?"

Yamauchi's eye sockets reddened. "I, I... Ike..."

"Ike already told me," Hanyu said calmly.

Yamauchi's body trembled violently. He suddenly stood up, stepped back a few paces, and his voice was filled with a sobbing tone. "Sorry! Sorry! I didn't do it intentionally! They forced me!"

"No one forced you," Hanyu said. "You chose to accept their points, you chose to help them do things. That was your own choice."

Yamauchi froze. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

"But," Hanyu continued, "you still have a choice now—continue to go wrong, or turn back."

Yamauchi's tears finally streamed down. He crouched on the ground, holding his head with both hands, and started crying like a child.

"I, I don't know what to do... I took their points... Spent so much... If I don't continue, they'll take revenge on me... I'm so scared..."

Hanyu stood up, walked in front of him, and crouched down to look him in the eyes.

"Yamauchi, do you know what Ike did yesterday?"

Yamauchi looked up, his eyes teary-eyed, and looked at him.

"Ike came to find me," Hanyu said. "He told me everything, then asked me what to do. I said, Come Back, Class D will protect you."

Yamauchi's eyes widened.

"Now, I'm saying the same words to you," Hanyu extended his hand. "Come back, Yamauchi. You are not alone in this fight."

Yamauchi looked at that hand, motionless for a long time. His tears were still flowing, but the fear in his gaze was gradually replaced by another emotion—hope.

Finally, he extended his hand and grasped Hanyu's.

"I, I'm sorry..." he sobbed. "Sorry..."

"Get Up," Hanyu pulled him up. "Kneeling won't solve the problem."

Yamauchi stood up and randomly wiped his face with his sleeve, but the tears still couldn't stop.

"W-what should I do?"

"Keep in contact with Ryuen," Hanyu said. "Pretend you're still helping them. But tell me what they have you do."

Yamauchi's face turned pale again. "What if they find out..."

"They won't," Hanyu said. "As long as you and Ike cooperate well. And even if they do find out, Class D will protect you. Do you trust me?"

Yamauchi looked into Hanyu's eyes. Those eyes were calm and firm, just as Ike had said, giving an inexplicable sense of security.

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

Hanyu nodded and patted his shoulder.

"Good. Starting today, you're our second 'spy' planted in Class C. Tell me about any moves Ryuen makes, anytime."

Yamauchi nodded vigorously.

The two chatted for a few more sentences, and Yamauchi's emotions gradually stabilized. When he left the rooftop, although his eye sockets were still red, his steps no longer trembled.

Hanyu stood alone on the rooftop, gazing at the campus in the distance. Ike was back, and Yamauchi was back. But Ryuen wouldn't give up just like that. That man would definitely look for a new breakthrough.

And the next target would likely be--

"Hanyu."

A voice came from behind. Hanyu turned around and saw Karuizawa Kei standing at the rooftop entrance. Her blonde hair sparkled in the sunlight, but the expression on her face was completely different from her usual bright smile--she looked very tense, even a little scared.

"Karuizawa? What are you doing here?"

Karuizawa walked over and stood beside him. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but swallowed the words back.

Hanyu didn't rush her, just waited quietly.

After a long time, Karuizawa finally spoke.

"Hanyu... I have a question for you."

"What question?"

"If... if someone found out about your past, the things you don't want anyone to know... what would you do?"

Hanyu's heart sank abruptly.

Here it comes. Ryuen's move was faster than he had anticipated.