Rebuilding Trust

Friday morning, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting dappled shadows on the classroom floor. Class D students trickled in, starting their day.

Hanyu Xiuyi sat at his desk, his gaze sweeping over everyone entering. His eyes briefly met Kushida Kikyo's as she walked into the classroom.

She wasn't wearing her usual sweet smile today, just nodded gently before heading to her seat. Her shoulder-length short hair was still neat, and her hairpin had been replaced with a pale blue one, looking somewhat plain.

"Hanyu," Horikita Suzune sat down beside him, lowering her voice. "About last night, how did it go?"

"She's back," Hanyu replied in a low voice. "But it will take time."

Horikita glanced at him, asking no further questions. She knew what had happened last night—Hanyu had told her, but hadn't let many others know. Only a few core members were aware of Kushida's situation for now.

The morning classes passed peacefully. Hanyu noticed that Kushida was unusually quiet today, not chatting with those in front or behind her as usual. She just listened attentively and took notes. A few girls tried to talk to her, and she smiled and brushed them off, but the smile wasn't as bright as before.

During lunch break, Hanyu was about to take out his bento when his phone vibrated. It was an email from Kushida:

"Rooftop. Okay? --Kushida"

Hanyu put away his phone, stood up, and headed for the rooftop.

On the rooftop, Kushida Kikyo leaned against the railing, gazing at the distant campus. Hearing footsteps, she turned around, offering a faint smile.

"Thank you for being willing to come, Hanyu."

Hanyu walked up to her and stood beside her. "What did you want to say?"

Kushida was silent for a few seconds, then spoke. "I didn't sleep all night last night."

"Thinking about what?"

"Thinking about a lot of things," her voice was soft. "Thinking about how I've lived all these years, why I'm so afraid of people knowing my true self, thinking... " she paused, "thinking about what to do next."

Hanyu listened quietly.

"Do you know, Hanyu?" Kushida continued. "Since I was little, I've been that 'child of other people.' Good grades, cute, everyone liked me. But..." her voice held a hint of bitterness, "that wasn't the real me."

She turned to look at Hanyu. "The real me is actually very ordinary. I get jealous of others, I talk behind people's backs, and I have unhappy moments. But I can't let anyone know, because once they do, they won't like me anymore."

"So you've been acting?"

"Yes," Kushida nodded. "Acting like a perfect version of myself. After acting for so long, I couldn't even tell which was the real me anymore."

She lowered her head, her shoulder-length short hair covering half her face. "Until Ryuen found me. He said he knew what the real me was like, because he was the same. At that moment, I... I actually felt relieved."

Hanyu listened quietly.

"But now, I know I was wrong," Kushida looked up, tears shimmering in her eyes. "Ryuen didn't want to understand me, he just wanted to use me. He didn't care what the real me was like at all, only what I could do for him."

She looked at Hanyu. "But you're different. You know what I've done, but you didn't abandon me. You even... you even let me come back."

Hanyu (he) was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Kushida (she), I have a question for you."

"What is it?"

"Do you really think everyone will hate you if they know the real you?"

Kushida (she) froze for a moment.

"Karuizawa (she)'s matter, do you still remember?" Hanyu (he) said, "She also had a past she didn't want people to know. But after everyone knew, did anyone hate her?"

Kushida (she) shook her head.

"Ike (he) and Yamauchi (he) are the same," Hanyu (he) continued. "They did wrong things, but after they came back, did anyone reject them?"

Kushida (she) shook her head again.

"What kind of place is Class D?" Hanyu (he) looked at her. "It's a collection of flawed goods. Every one of us has shortcomings, has a past we don't want people to know. But so what?"

He took a step closer, looking into her eyes. "The real you might indeed be imperfect. But who says you have to be perfect? What you've done, as long as you truly repent, people will forgive. Because this is Class D."

Kushida (she)'s tears finally streamed down.

"But... but I..." she choked out, "I don't know how to face them... I'm afraid of seeing their disappointed eyes..."

"Then take it slow," Hanyu (he) said. "You don't need to change all at once. Start with those you trust, like Hirata (he), like Karuizawa (she). They will understand."

Kushida (she) wiped her tears and nodded.

"One more thing," Hanyu (he) said. "Regarding Ryuen (he), what are your plans?"

Kushida (she)'s expression turned serious. "I want to continue contact with him."

Hanyu (he) raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Because I want to make amends," Kushida (she) said. "What I've done cannot be treated as if it never happened. I want to prove through my actions that I've truly returned."

She looked at Hanyu (he). "I can continue to pretend to help him, and then tell you his plans. This way, I can protect the class, and also..."

"And give yourself an opportunity to atone?" Hanyu (he) finished her sentence.

Kushida (she) nodded.

Hanyu (he) thought for a few seconds, then said, "You can. But be careful. Ryuen (he) is very cunning. If he discovers your betrayal, the consequences will be severe."

"I know," Kushida (she) said. "I will be careful."

The two chatted for a few more sentences, and Kushida (she)'s emotions gradually stabilized. When she left the rooftop, although her eye sockets were still red, her steps were no longer heavy.

Hanyu (he) stood alone on the rooftop, gazing at the distant campus. Sunlight shone on the Teaching Building, reflecting a dazzling light.

Trust is a fragile thing. Once broken, it's hard to repair.

But as long as one sincerely tries to make amends, there will always be a day to rebuild.

After school that afternoon, Hanyu Xiuyi convened a meeting of the Core Members. This time, the location was Hirata Yousuke's dormitory.

Those in attendance were: Horikita Suzune, Hirata Yousuke, Yukimura Teruhiko, Sudo Ken, Karuizawa Kei, and Ayanokoji Kiyonaga. Matsushita Chiaki and Hasebe Haruka were not notified—not out of distrust, but because the content of this meeting involved Kushida, and the fewer people who knew, the better.

"Kushida is back," Hanyu stated directly.

Everyone froze.

"Kushida? That..." Sudo Ken's eyes widened.

"Yes." Hanyu briefly recounted yesterday's events.

After listening, the group fell into silence.

Hirata Yousuke was the first to speak, "How is Kushida-classmate... now?"

"She's very upset," Hanyu said, "but she wants to make amends."

"Make amends?" Yukimura Teruhiko Adjusted Glasses, "She gave Ryuen our list. If Ryuen uses that list to target us during the Sports Festival..."

"So she's going to continue contact with Ryuen," Hanyu said. "Pretend to still be helping him, then tell us his plans."

"Can we trust her?" Horikita asked.

Hanyu thought for a moment and answered honestly, "Not entirely. But she's willing to come back, willing to make amends. That's worth giving her a chance."

"I agree," Karuizawa Kei suddenly said.

Everyone looked at her.

Karuizawa's expression was serious, "I know what it feels like to have your past exposed. At that time, if you guys hadn't believed me, I might have had a breakdown. So... I want to trust Kushida once too."

Hirata Yousuke gave a gentle smile, "I agree as well. Kushida-classmate has helped everyone a lot usually, and I believe she's not inherently bad."

"Since you all say so..." Sudo Ken scratched his head, "I don't have any objections either. But if she betrays us again, I won't let her off."

Yukimura Teruhiko was silent for a few seconds, then finally nodded, "Logically, keeping her is more valuable than getting rid of her. At least she's on our side now."

Horikita looked at Ayanokoji, "What about you?"

Ayanokoji took a sip of his coffee and said plainly, "She'll come back. Because she's too afraid of loneliness."

This statement caused everyone to fall silent.

Hanyu nodded. "Then it's settled. For Kushida's situation, only a few of us know for now. She'll continue to contact Ryuen and pass information to us. At the same time, we need to prepare for the Sports Festival."

"Specifically, how?" Hirata asked.

Hanyu looked at Yukimura. "Yukimura, you and Matsushita will be responsible for analyzing the Sports Festival rules and devising the optimal personnel allocation plan."

Yukimura nodded. "Understood."

"Sudo, you'll be in charge of Physical Training," Hanyu continued. "Identify everyone's weaknesses and focus on strengthening them."

"Leave it to me!" Sudo said, patting his chest.

"Karuizawa, you'll be responsible for coordinating the girls," Hanyu said. "Ensure everyone can participate and no one is left behind."

Karuizawa nodded. "Okay."

"Hirata, you'll be in charge of overall coordination," Hanyu said. "Communicate any issues promptly."

"Understood," Hirata replied.

"Horikita, you and I will formulate the overall strategy," Hanyu said. "And Ayanokoji, you'll be responsible for Information Gathering and Risk Warning."

Horikita nodded, and Ayanokoji also gave a slight nod.

After the meeting, everyone left one by one. Karuizawa Kei was the last to go. As she reached the door, she looked back at Hanyu.

"Hanyu-kun, Kushida... she'll be alright, right?"

Hanyu thought for a moment and said, "As long as she wants to be."

Karuizawa nodded and pushed the door open to leave.

Hanyu and Ayanokoji were left alone in the room. Ayanokoji was still sitting in the corner, drinking coffee.

"What do you think, can she get through this?" Hanyu asked.

Ayanokoji was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Yes. Because she has finally found her true self."

He stood up and walked towards the door. As he reached the door, he looked back and said, "By the way, there's news from Ibuki. Ryuen is planning a 'Big Move' recently, related to the Sports Festival. The specifics are still unknown, but it's certain that he will make a move that day."

"Got it," Hanyu said. "Keep an eye on it."

Ayanokoji nodded and disappeared out the door.

Hanyu sat alone in the room, gazing at the night view outside the window.

The Sports Festival is two weeks away.

Ryuen will make a move, and he must be prepared.

The rebuilding of Trust has only just begun.

And the real test still lies ahead.