Return and Undercurrent

On Thursday morning, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting dappled shadows on the classroom floor.

Hanyu Xiuyi sat at his desk, his gaze occasionally flicking towards the door. Today was the day Ayanokoji Kiyonaga had promised to return, but it was already eight o'clock, and the seat remained empty.

"Hanyu, what's wrong?" Horikita Suzune sat down beside him, her black hair neatly falling over her shoulders. "You keep looking at the door."

"Nothing," Hanyu retracted his gaze. "Ayanokoji should be back today."

Horikita glanced at the empty seat and didn't ask further.

The bell rang, and Chabashira Sae walked into the classroom. Her gaze lingered on the empty seat for a moment before she began the lesson as if nothing were amiss.

The morning classes were spent in quiet. But Hanyu's heart was unsettled, unable to fully concentrate.

During the lunch break, as he was about to take out his bento, his mobile phone vibrated.

It was an email from Ayanokoji:

"Rooftop.--Ayanokoji"

Hanyu put away his phone and quickly walked towards the rooftop.

On the rooftop, Ayanokoji Kiyonaga was leaning against the railing, a can of coffee in his hand. Hearing footsteps, he turned around, his expression as plain as ever.

"You're back?" Hanyu walked over and stood beside him.

"Mm," Ayanokoji took a sip of coffee. "I'm done with my business."

Hanyu looked at him, hesitated for a moment, then asked the question: "Are you alright?"

Ayanokoji turned to look at him, a flicker of an imperceptible light flashing in his eyes.

"What did you find out?"

Hanyu was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Nagumo Miyabi came to find me."

Ayanokoji's expression didn't change, but Hanyu noticed the fingers holding the coffee can tighten slightly.

"What did he say?"

"He talked about the White Room," Hanyu met his eyes directly. "Said you came from there, that you escaped, and that someone is looking for you."

Ayanokoji fell silent. The wind blew, lifting his hair and revealing that always expressionless face.

After a long while, he spoke, his voice lower than usual, "Do you believe it?"

"I don't know if I should believe it," Hanyu said honestly. "But I know one thing."

"What?"

"No matter who you are, no matter where you come from, you are a member of Class D, and you are my friend."

Ayanokoji was stunned. He stared at Hanyu, his eyes revealing complex emotions for the first time—surprise, confusion, and a hint of warmth Hanyu had never seen before.

"You... aren't you afraid?"

"Afraid of what?"

"Afraid of my past. Afraid of the people looking for me." Ayanokoji's voice was very soft. "They are dangerous."

Hanyu smiled. "Ayanokoji, do you know what Class D is?"

Ayanokoji did not answer.

"It's a collection of flawed goods," Hanyu said. "Every one of us has a past we don't want others to know, a secret we're afraid of being discovered. But so what? We're together not because we're all perfect, but because we're willing to accept each other's imperfections."

He took a step closer, looking into Ayanokoji's eyes. "Your past, your secrets, your dangers—if you don't want to talk about them, I won't ask. But if you want to talk, I will listen. And no matter what, I will stand by your side."

Ayanokoji looked at him, silent for a long time.

The wind blew across the rooftop, ruffling their hair. Sunlight bathed them, warm and bright.

Finally, Ayanokoji spoke. His voice was soft but clear.

"Thank you."

Just those two words. But coming from him, they carried more weight than anything else.

Hanyu nodded, not asking further questions.

The two stood side by side on the rooftop, gazing at the campus in the distance. The teaching building, the sports field, the library, the dormitory building—everything was as usual.

But everything was also different from usual.

Because between them, there was a newfound trust.

After the afternoon classes ended, 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, Kushida Kikyo, Matsushita Chiaki, Hasebe Haruka, and Ayanokoji Kiyonaga, who had just returned.

"Everyone is here," Hirata said, taking a headcount. "Let's begin."

Hanyu stood up and surveyed the room. "I've called everyone here today to discuss a few matters."

He walked to the whiteboard and wrote down several keywords: Midterm Exam, New Special Exam, Class A Trends, Class C Follow-up.

"First, the midterm exam," he said, looking at Yukimura Teruhiko. "Yukimura, how is your study group progressing?"

Yukimura Pushed Up His Glasses and flipped open his notebook. "I've already compiled detailed statistics on the entire class's academic performance. Horikita is still the best, followed by Hanyu and yourself. Fifteen students are at an average level, and twenty-three require intensive tutoring."

"Twenty-three?" Sudo Ken's eyes widened. "That many?"

"Don't be surprised, you're one of those twenty-three," Yukimura said without politeness.

Sudo's face reddened. "I, I've been working really hard recently!"

"I know," Yukimura said. "That's why you've progressed from 'extremely dangerous' to 'requiring intensive tutoring.' You've improved."

Sudo didn't know whether to be happy or depressed, so he just shut his mouth.

"For the next month, the study group needs to step up its efforts," Hanyu said. "Yukimura, create a detailed tutoring plan: two hours every day after school, and half a day on weekends. Everyone must participate."

Yukimura nodded. "Understood."

"Second, the new Special Exam." Hanyu continued. "According to reliable intelligence, there will be a new Special Exam next month. The format is uncertain, but it's highly likely to be related to academic subjects."

"Academic subjects?" Karuizawa Kei grimaced. "That'll be the death of me!"

"That's why we need to prepare in advance," Hanyu said. "Starting now, the daily study sessions cannot be slacked off. No matter the exam format, a solid foundation will make you fearless."

"Third, Class A's trends." He looked at Ayanokoji. "Ayanokoji, do you have any news from your side?"

Ayanokoji took a sip of coffee and said plainly, "Class A hasn't been very peaceful recently."

"What do you mean?"

"The conflict between Katsuragi and Sakayanagi is becoming increasingly obvious," Ayanokoji said. "After the Sports Festival, Sakayanagi publicly questioned Katsuragi's strategy, believing he was too conservative and missed many opportunities. The two of them had an argument during a class meeting."

This news was important. Hanyu pondered, "If they're infighting, it's beneficial to us."

"But we must be careful," Horikita said. "Sakayanagi is far more dangerous than Katsuragi. She appears gentle on the surface, but her methods are ruthless. If she gains control of Class A, we'll be in big trouble."

"Agreed," Hanyu nodded. "So we need to closely monitor Class A's trends. Respond promptly to any changes."

"Fourth, Class C's follow-up." He looked at Kushida Kikyo. "Kushida, is there any movement from Ryuen's side?"

Kushida shook her head. "After the Sports Festival, Ryuen has been consolidating his power within the class. He reprimanded a few people who didn't obey him, and now Class C is more compliant than before. But..." she hesitated.

"But what?"

"I feel like he's planning something," Kushida said. "These past few days, he's often been alone in the classroom, writing and drawing in a notebook. Once, when I passed by, I saw him drawing some kind of diagram, it looked like a map."

"A map?" Hanyu frowned.

"Yes. Like a map of the school," Kushida said. "But I didn't get a clear look at what it was."

Ayanokoji suddenly spoke, "He's looking for 'that place'."

Everyone looked at him.

"That place?" Hanyu asked.

Ayanokoji Was Silent for a Few Seconds, Then Said: "There's a place in the school that students aren't normally allowed to enter. It's said to store complete records of past Special Exams, and... other things."

"How do you know?" Horikita asked.

Ayanokoji Did Not Answer, Just Said: "If Ryuen is really looking for that place, his goal isn't simple revenge."

Hanyu pondered. Ryuen, the map, the forbidden place... it all pointed in one direction—Ryuen was looking for greater leverage.

"Should we stop him?" Sudo asked.

"No." Hanyu shook his head. "Let's observe first. If he really finds it, we can... borrow his findings."

A slight smile touched the corner of his mouth as he said this.

Eight in the evening, the meeting ended.

Everyone left one after another, with Hanyu being the last to exit the room. In the corridor, Ayanokoji Kiyonaga was leaning against the wall, waiting for him.

"Something wrong?"

"Yeah." Ayanokoji said. "About Nagumo Miyabi."

Hanyu looked at him. "What do you want to say?"

"Nagumo Miyabi is more complicated than you think," Ayanokoji said. "He told you about me not to help you, but to test you."

"Test me?"

"Yes." Ayanokoji nodded. "He wants to see what you'll do after knowing the truth. If you're afraid of me and stay away, it means you're nothing special. If you... choose to believe me, then you're worth his attention."

"Worth his attention?" Hanyu frowned. "What do you mean?"

Ayanokoji looked at him, his eyes seeming especially deep in the dim light.

"Nagumo Miyabi is the vice president of the Student Council and one of the most powerful students in this school. His goal is to completely reform the school's rules and establish his own order. In this process, he needs allies."

"He wants me to be his ally?"

"Possibly." Ayanokoji said. "So he's observing you, testing you. If you pass his test, he'll come to find you sooner or later."

Hanyu fell silent. Nagumo Miyabi, vice president of the Student Council, a reformer, looking for allies... it was all too complicated.

"What do you think I should do?"

Ayanokoji thought for a moment and said, "Be yourself. Don't change because of him. If he really comes for you, then decide then."

Hanyu nodded. "Okay."

The two walked side by side towards the stairs. When they reached the stairwell, Ayanokoji suddenly stopped.

"Hanyu."

"Hm?"

"Thank you for what you said today." His voice was soft. "What you said on the rooftop."

Hanyu looked at him and smiled.

"You're welcome. I was telling the truth."

Ayanokoji nodded, turned around, and went downstairs, disappearing into the darkness.

Hanyu stood in place, looking in the direction he disappeared, a complex emotion surging in his heart.

Ayanokoji Kiyonaga, the Fugitive from the White Room, the Dangerous Past, Those Who Hunt Him... but none of that mattered.

What mattered was that he was a member of Class D, his friend.

That was enough.

Friday morning, the sun was bright.

When Hanyu Xiuyi walked into the classroom, he saw Ayanokoji already sitting at his desk. He still had that Expressionless look, holding a book in his hand.

"Morning," Hanyu said softly as he passed by him.

"Morning," Ayanokoji replied without looking up.

Everything looked the same as usual.

But Hanyu knew that everything was different from usual.

Because between them, there was now a true Trust.

The sunlight from outside streamed in, illuminating the entire classroom. A New Day, a new beginning.

And they were Ready to face any challenge.