Secret Talk in the Dark Night

On Friday night, the moonlight was obscured by clouds, and the campus was plunged into deep darkness.

At ten o'clock in the evening, most students had already returned to their dormitories, preparing to rest. But some people were destined to have sleepless nights.

On the third floor of the old school building, in an abandoned classroom.

Nagumo Miyabi stood by the window, gazing at the night scenery outside. Moonlight occasionally streamed down through the gaps in the clouds, illuminating half of his face—a face that always wore a gentle smile, but was now unusually serious.

Faint footsteps came from behind.

"You're here?" he asked without turning around.

"Mhm," a deep voice replied.

Walking in was Ryuen Sho. He was in casual clothes, hands in his pockets, wearing his signature dangerous smile. But upon closer inspection, there was a hint of vigilance in that smile.

"Senior Nagumo, what do you want with me?"

Nagumo turned around, looking at him. "Ryuen, did you enjoy losing the Sports Festival?"

Ryuen's smile faltered for a moment.

"Stop pretending," Nagumo walked up to him. "I know you lost, and you lost badly. Your plan was completely deciphered by Class D, all your moles turned against you, and your authority in Class C was shaken."

Ryuen's expression turned grim. "Are you here to mock me?"

"No," Nagumo shook his head. "I'm here to give you an opportunity."

"What opportunity?"

"An opportunity to take down Class D," Nagumo said. "No, to be precise, an opportunity to take down Hanyu Xiuyi."

Ryuen stared at him for a few seconds, then smiled. "Senior Nagumo, why are you helping me? Shouldn't you be on Class A's side?"

"Class A?" Nagumo also smiled. "Do you think I care about Class A? Katsuragi and Sakayanagi, one is too conservative, the other too radical; neither is capable. What I care about is the entire school."

He walked to the window, looking at the night scenery outside. "The rules of this school are too outdated. The class system, the point system, the special exams... they all need to change. I want to establish a new order, a fairer and more effective one."

He turned to look at Ryuen. "But before that, I need to clear some obstacles. Hanyu Xiuyi is the biggest obstacle."

Ryuen was silent for a few seconds, then asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"Continue your plan," Nagumo said. "But this time, I'll be supporting you from behind."

He took a USB drive out of his pocket and handed it to Ryuen. "This contains what you need—detailed files on every student in Class D, including their weaknesses and secrets. And complete records of past special exams, including versions that were not made public."

Ryuen took the USB drive, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Where did you get this?"

"I have my own channels," Nagumo said. "You just need to know that from now on, you are not fighting alone."

Ryuen stared at the USB drive in his hand, silent for a long time.

"Why me?" he finally asked.

"Because you are the most suitable candidate," Nagumo said. "You have ambition, you have the means, and you are not afraid to use any method to achieve your goals. Most importantly..." he paused, "you hate Hanyu Xiuyi. Hate is the best motivation."

Ryuen looked up at him. "If I really help you take down Hanyu, what will I get?"

"Class C will be promoted to Class A," Nagumo said. "You will become the leader of Class A. And in the new order, you will have your rightful place."

Ryuen fell silent. The offer was too tempting, too tempting to refuse.

He finally extended his hand. "Deal."

Nagumo shook his hand. "Deal."

The two looked at each other and smiled, their smiles appearing especially sinister in the darkness.

Ryuen turned around and left, disappearing into the night scenery.

Nagumo stood alone by the window, watching his receding back view, the corner of his mouth curving slightly upwards.

"Hanyu Xiuyi..." he said in a low voice, "Let's see how long you can last."

At the same time, on the Boys' Dormitory, Second Floor, in Ayanokoji Kiyonaga's Room.

He hadn't turned on the lights, just sat by the window, gazing at the night scenery outside. Moonlight occasionally spilled through the gaps in the clouds, illuminating his calm face.

His mobile phone vibrated. It was an anonymous message:

"Nagumo met Ryuen. Old School Building, Third Floor. --Observer"

Ayanokoji finished reading, deleted the message, and continued to look out the window.

Nagumo had finally made his move. He chose Ryuen as a chess piece, intending to deal with Hanyu.

Interesting.

He took out his mobile phone and sent Hanyu a message:

"Nagumo and Ryuen met. Be careful. --Ayanokoji"

After sending it, he put away his phone and continued to gaze at the night scenery outside.

The moonlight finally broke through the clouds, illuminating the entire campus. Everything appeared so quiet and peaceful.

But he knew this calm was only a facade. Beneath the surface, an undercurrent was surging.

A greater storm was brewing.

Saturday Morning, the sun was shining brightly.

When Hanyu Xiuyi woke up, he saw the message Ayanokoji had sent last night. He stared at the screen for a few seconds before getting up to wash.

Nagumo and Ryuen met. What did this mean?

He pondered as he ate breakfast. Nagumo Miyabi, the Vice President of the Student Council, a person who wanted to reform the school rules. Ryuen Sho, the leader of Class C, a person who hated him to the bone. These two joining forces would definitely not be a good thing.

He had to prepare in advance.

At nine in the morning, he convened the core members for an Emergency Meeting. This time, the location was Horikita Suzune's dormitory—her roommates had gone home for the weekend, leaving the dorm empty.

Those attending were: Horikita Suzune, Hirata Yousuke, Yukimura Teruhiko, Sudo Ken, Karuizawa Kei, Kushida Kikyo, and Ayanokoji Kiyonaga. Matsushita Chiaki and Hasebe Haruka were not notified—not out of distrust, but because the content of this meeting was too sensitive.

"Nagumo Miyabi and Ryuen met," Hanyu said directly.

Everyone was stunned.

"Nagumo Miyabi? That Vice President of the Student Council?" Hirata's eyes widened. "How did he get involved with Ryuen?"

"I don't know," Hanyu said. "But it's definitely not a good thing."

Horikita Suzune frowned. "I've heard of Nagumo Miyabi. Although he's a Third Year, he has a lot of influence among the students. It's said he wants to reform the school's rules and establish a new order."

"Reform?" Yukimura Pushed Up His Glasses. "How will he reform?"

"I don't know," Horikita shook her head. "But his methods are very strong. There was once a Second Year student who offended him, and he almost got the student expelled."

"That powerful?" Sudo took a sharp breath.

Ayanokoji spoke. "Nagumo Miyabi's goal isn't simple revenge, but the power of the entire school. He wants to establish his own order and turn the school into what he desires."

"What about Ryuen?" Kushida asked.

"Ryuen is his Chess Piece," Ayanokoji said. "A Chess Piece used to deal with us, especially Hanyu."

Hanyu was silent for a few seconds, then asked, "What do You Think they Will do?"

Ayanokoji thought for a moment. "First, Ryuen will utilize the information provided by Nagumo to find our Weakness. Then, he will design a plan to deal with us in the next Special Exam. Nagumo will support him from behind, using the Student Council's power to clear obstacles for him."

"Then what should we do?" Karuizawa Kei asked nervously.

Hanyu Stood Up and walked to the window, looking out at the Campus.

"Meet force with non-force," he said. "Continue our plan, strengthen class construction, and improve everyone's strength. At the same time, closely monitor Ryuen's and Nagumo's trends."

He turned to look at everyone. "No matter what they want to do, as long as we are strong enough, they will not have an opportunity."

Everyone nodded.

"Also," Hanyu looked at Kushida. "Kushida, you continue to maintain contact with Ryuen. If he has any plans, he will definitely execute them through you or Ibuki. We need to know immediately."

Kushida nodded. "Understood."

"Ayanokoji, you continue staring at Nagumo," Hanyu said. "He is part of the Student Council and his actions are more concealed, so you need to be especially careful."

Ayanokoji nodded slightly.

"Everyone else, as usual," Hanyu said. "Study if you need to study, train if you need to train. Do not display any anomaly, let them think we know nothing."

After the meeting ended, everyone left one by one. Ayanokoji was the last to go. When he reached the door, he looked back at Hanyu.

"Hanyu."

"Hmm?"

"Nagumo is much more dangerous than Ryuen," he said. "He not only has power, but also brains. Fighting him can't just rely on brute force."

Hanyu nodded. "I know. Thank you for the reminder."

Ayanokoji nodded and disappeared outside the door.

Only Hanyu was left alone in the room. He walked to the window and looked out at the campus. Sunlight shone on the Teaching Building, reflecting a dazzling light.

Nagumo Miyabi, Ryuen Sho, two dangerous opponents have joined forces.

But for some reason, he wasn't afraid.

Because he was not fighting alone.

He had Horikita, Hirata, Sudo, Karuizawa, Kushida, Ayanokoji, and the entire Class D.

That was enough.

Outside the window, the sunlight was just right.

A New Day, new challenges.

And he was Ready.