Warm Times at the KTV

In principle, students are not allowed to leave the school for the duration of their three years here, unless it is for sports clubs participating in national tournaments, or in the event of a serious illness that the school infirmary cannot handle.

Because of this, to ensure students aren't too bored during their time at school, the living area is equipped with a full range of entertainment facilities. It features not only a shopping mall, cafes, and cake shops, but even karaoke rooms and a movie theater.

Since the living area is not used exclusively by students—faculty and staff live here as well—everyone uses points for all transactions.

"It doesn't sound very lively. I thought everyone would be more enthusiastic about karaoke."

Beneath his feet was a dark carpet patterned with musical staves and notes. Lining both sides of the hallway were rows of neatly arranged private rooms, with different colored lights—blue, purple, pink—peeking through the small windows on the doors.

The receptionist smiled, and the neon sign above their head flickered, scrolling the words "Karaoke."

Amasawa Yuto could faintly hear singing coming from behind a nearby soundproof door; it sounded like Bruno Mars' "Uptown Funk."

"That's not the case, Amasawa-kun. It's actually very lively here. The reason it sounds quiet is because the soundproofing in the rooms is excellent~" Ichinose explained, walking toward the receptionist. "Hello, we have a reservation. Our friends should be waiting for us in room 777."

"777, is it? It's the second room on the right up ahead," the receptionist said with a smile, pointing the way.

"Let's go. Everyone from Class B should be waiting for us!"

"I'm your biggest fan—you're so slow, Honami-chan! Oh, and Amasawa-kun from Class A and Tsubaki-san from Class D? Come on, come on, let's all sing together!"

The moment the door opened, a massive wave of sound rushed out like a soda bottle that had just been uncorked, making one wonder where all that volume had been hiding.

It seems the soundproofing here is indeed quite impressive. Perhaps this could be an excellent place for a private conversation... or could it?

Amikura Mako was singing Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi." Seeing the three of them enter, she only complained that they were too slow, showing no surprise at the appearance of Amasawa Yuto and Tsubaki Yuki.

After all, since they were bringing new students along, Ichinose had naturally already informed them via her phone.

"Wow, Amikura-san, this song actually suits you surprisingly well!" Ichinose clapped her hands excitedly.

The rotating disco ball cast shifting patterns of light and shadow across everyone's faces.

"Hello everyone, I'm Tsubaki Yuki from Class D. This is my childhood friend Yuto. It's a pleasure to meet you all~" Tsubaki Yuki greeted everyone happily.

"I'm Amasawa Yuto from Class A. Please treat me well," Yuto said with a slight nod.

There were six people in the room originally—three boys and three girls.

"I'm Kanzaki Ryuji from Class B. Nice to meet you."

The boy with a serious expression and a somewhat gloomy aura introduced himself. His gaze toward the two of them was sharp, as if he were on guard.

"We're all from Class B, so there's no need to keep repeating that, right, Kanzaki? Oh, right! I'm Shibata Sō!"

Shibata, a cheerful and sunny boy with purple hair, wore a brilliant smile. He held a microphone in one hand and waved at the two of them with the other.

Although it was a bit rude to make such a comparison, Yuto felt his purple hairstyle looked a lot like a mop.

"My name is Hamaguchi Tetsuya, nice to meet you." He was a bespectacled boy with short gray hair who looked refined and polite.

"I'm Amikura Mako, yay~"

The remaining two girls also introduced themselves one after another. The short-haired, athletic girl was named Ando Sayo, and the petite girl with black hair in a bun was named Minami Kozue.

It seemed that the people present were basically the leadership core of Class B. They had a leader, a strategist, a social butterfly, and athletic stars.

But how should he put it? Was it a bit... shabby?

He couldn't help but feel that if Class D's top-tier combatants were brought out, they would overshadow this group.

At the very least, Class D had capable individuals like Tsubaki Yuki, Horikita Suzune, Hirata Yosuke, Kushida Kikyo, and Koenji. Although they lacked a unified leader and were as scattered as loose sand, if you took them one by one, Class B might not necessarily be able to suppress them.

However, they had their own advantages: the atmosphere in this class was incredibly harmonious. It was exactly like a normal high school class, appearing like a greenhouse within this socialized school.

Therefore, they would be the most united of all the classes, with not a single crack to be found for anyone to exploit.

Ichinose's outstanding social skills, gentle personality, and immense capacity for tolerance were likely the most important lubricants.

Even the current Class A couldn't compare to them.

Class A was currently divided into two factions. Katsuragi Kohei had already gathered over a dozen people around him, with Totsuka Yahiko as his number one subordinate.

Around Arisu Sakayanagi, only a few people were gathered—Masumi Kamuro, Kito Hayato, and Hashimoto Masayoshi.

Of course, there were still many people who chose to wait and see or keep to themselves.

Precisely because everyone was such an excellent individual, leading them and making them truly convinced and obedient was all the more difficult.

"Amasawa-kun and Tsubaki-san, would you like to sing a song? We've been singing for a while and are getting a bit tired."

Amikura Mako drank some water while handing over a microphone. Just as she was about to ask Shibata Sō to hand over the other microphone in his hand, she realized he had already given it to Ichinose Honami.

"Isn't there another one over there?" Tsubaki Yuki smiled playfully. She rose from the sofa and walked over to a small stand next to the screen playing the MV, where a high stool and a standing microphone were located.

She sat on the chair like an elegant cat, crossed her legs, tapped her toes on the floor, reached out to adjust the height of the standing mic, and tested it.

"Ichinose-san, do you know how to sing She Sets Out on a Journey?"

"I know it a little, but I might not remember the lyrics..."

"Then let's sing this one!"

Tsubaki Yuki's smile and singing voice made Amasawa Yuto relax as well.

Alright, this is a rare chance to relax. Let's treat this as a friendly exchange with Class B and just focus on the karaoke.

"Yuto, you should sing too!"

"Eh? Me? This is a sweet girl-pop song, isn't it? It's my first time hearing it."

"Just sing along! I know even if you haven't heard it, you can follow the melody. Come on, come on! I'm in a good mood today, don't be a buzzkill."

Left with no choice, Yuto stared intently at the lyrics, which were appearing 0.2 seconds early, simulating the melody in his mind for when those characters would hit.

"Byakuchumu tsunaide ite (Keeping the daydream connected)..."

Fortunately, Tsubaki Yuki and Ichinose Honami were very skilled, singing happily and loudly. Yuto started by harmonizing, but eventually, he reduced his volume to the absolute minimum, turning his voice into a mere backing track.

Once the song ended, everyone had naturally grown closer.

"Wow, Tsubaki-san and Honami-chan's duet was amazing! It made my heart flutter~" Minami Kozue's eyes were practically sparkling.

"Amasawa-kun, what was that? You were basically just whispering the lines!" Shibata Sō laughed loudly. With his cheerful personality, he could surely get along with anyone in no time.

Even Kanzaki Ryuji, who had been looking serious and gloomy just a moment ago, couldn't help but lift his glass, using his cola to hide the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

And so, in this pleasant atmosphere, the joint gathering between Classes A, B, and D came to an end.

Ichinose and Kanzaki stayed behind to settle the bill, while the other students left first.

When they finished paying and walked out of the karaoke parlor, they were surprised to find that one of the students who had left earlier was waiting for them.

"Amasawa-kun, aren't you going to grab a bite with the others?"

"This chance for some privacy is quite nice, so I had Yuki take them ahead. There are some things I want to discuss with you two alone, Ichinose and Kanzaki."