Classic Mode / The Reward Item's True Form (5.5k)

"Ugh, I guess I was transferred to another class after all."

"I thought I'd be sitting next to Ryo for three years straight."

"Feel sorry."

"Ryo doesn't need to apologize. Maybe this is a good thing for me. After all, as long as Ryo is still there, I can't help but turn my head to look at you, and then it becomes just looking at you."

As she spoke, Horikita Suzune stretched out her palm from under the umbrella. Tiny snowflakes landed on her palm and vanished in an instant, leaving only a brief chill.

"Honami will probably go with Ryo, right? But it doesn't matter. Even if she doesn't go, I'll still become the new Leader of Class A."

"Then, this time next year..."

The girl withdrew her right hand, which had been extended outside the umbrella. Perhaps wanting Kitagawa Ryo to never forget this moment, or perhaps just a little bit of revenge, Horikita Suzune gently placed it on Kitagawa Ryo's face. The coldness of her palm clearly stimulated every nerve in his body, and along with the other girl's next words, they entered Kitagawa Ryo's ears in the middle of Christmas night, when there was no longer any festive atmosphere.

However, it wasn't the kind of statement he expected.

Instead, her voice grew softer and softer until finally, she was speaking in a whisper, barely audible, as if her head was completely pressed against his chest.

"Don't leave me waiting alone in this cold place for so long again."

Chapter 380: Classic Server

Unlike the summer vacation a few months ago, which was only a month long, Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School did not have any large-scale Special Exam during the winter break. For most students, it should have been a carefree vacation. Moreover, it was a double holiday of Christmas and New Year's Day. Merchants in Keyaki Mall also took the opportunity to launch various Discount activities, and the atmosphere was lively everywhere.

Today is December 26th, and for the first time in his life Kitagawa Ryo overslept a little.

Unfortunately, he hadn't had a good night's sleep since the 24th. The snow kept him up until almost the next morning. After getting up, he rushed to the hotel to meet up and participate in a drama performance. He had just caught a short nap on the way back to school. After returning to Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School, he was immediately pulled away by the academic affairs office for a meeting. He stayed up until late at night, then spent the night chatting with Horikita Suzune outside watching the snow until midnight. Finally, he went back to her room and ate a Christmas gingerbread chocolate house dessert that Suzune had carefully prepared for a long time.

And so, for the first time since summer vacation, it was actually Sakayanagi Arisu woke up first, who came over to wake Kitagawa Ryo for exercise, which was really a bit of a reversal of the natural order.

It has to be said that winter is indeed more compatible with girls of Arisu's figure. After all, they are wrapped up from head to toe, and the only thing that can be exposed is their face, which looks even more delicate and pretty with the scarf. The somewhat bulky winter clothes also perfectly avoid the shortcomings of a tube-shaped figure with no chest or butt, and instead make them look particularly cute and adorable, making people want to pick them up and spin them around.

Because the temperature had indeed dropped below zero, and there was still some residual snow on the road from the previous days, Kitagawa Ryo intentionally reduced the intensity of his morning exercise. He only had Arisu warm up his arms and legs until he was slightly sweaty before stopping, and then they slowly walked back to the dormitory building together.

Sakayanagi Arisu, whose hands and feet were cold after a little exercise due to insufficient blood and qi, Kitagawa Ryo's body temperature was significantly higher, even though he had been quite exhausted these past two days. This was because he had several high-level talents related to physical fitness and was already used to this level of training. In Sakayanagi Arisu quickly abandoned his gloves and instead placed his right hand in Kitagawa's, enjoying the touch of skin that was warmer than Cloth.

After Kitagawa Ryo officially transferred to Class 1-B, the students in Class 1-A, after experiencing the initial two days of chaos, began to spontaneously form different small groups based on their views on the matter.

The most pressing issue is whether or not to transfer Kitagawa Ryo back. Regarding this controversy, the general opinion among Class 1-A is relatively unified: it should definitely be done, and as soon as possible.

After all, Kitagawa Ryo wasn't the class he transferred to and betrayed, nor did he utter any classic "you know" statements. In fact, after his performance in the Special Exam during the Class Vote, it was more like Class A, represented by Maezono, had betrayed them first. Now that one of the parties involved, Maezono, had been voted out of the class, the students of Class 1-A naturally hoped that Kitagawa Ryo could return as soon as possible.

Beyond emotional considerations, Class 1-A and Class B are, after all, direct competitors. Even though Maezono has repeatedly stated that Class 1-A wouldn't be unable to transfer without him, and that the leaders and commanders of all the Special Exam they've experienced weren't all from the other side, the fact remains that Kitagawa Ryo has undoubtedly contributed the most to Class 1-A's success. This is an undeniable fact recorded in Chronicle of Time.

But.

Such a transfer involving a huge sum of 20 million points is definitely not something that can be achieved just by talking about it. How to carry out the Special Exam during Kitagawa Ryo's absence is the problem that Class 1-A needs to address immediately at this stage.

Without a doubt, the most suitable person to step forward and lead the class at this time should be Ichinose Honami. After all, she is the most impeccable in terms of both ability and reputation. However, she has been too greatly affected by Kitagawa Ryo's transfer to the class and the actions of some students in Class 1-A during the Special Exam. Ichinose Honami has completely ignored the many suggestions that she should step forward to appease her classmates and lead the class. Since returning to school after the competition yesterday afternoon, she has locked herself in her room and has not seen a single student from Class A.

For someone like Sakayanagi Arisu who was in the know, it was perfectly clear that the other party was paving the way for her to transfer to another class after the start of the school year. Therefore, she tacitly allowed Matsushita Chiaki and others to make a little noise, since she was also the Ichinose Honami would leave quickly.

From the Sports Festival until now, Sakayanagi Arisu has fully realized the strength of Ichinose Honami's body after she resolved her inner conflict. Fortunately, she had prepared to transfer classes with Ryo early on, otherwise, if she were a direct competitor for class Leader, Arisu herself would have felt quite troubled and wary.

"What are Liang's plans for today?"

Thinking of this, Sakayanagi Arisu turned her head again and asked a question.

"Class B is throwing me a welcome dinner today, kind of like a welcome party, since I was out the day before yesterday and the day before."

Knowing his packed schedule perfectly, Kitagawa Ryo quickly announced his plans for the day. Although the welcome banquet was organized by Hoshinomiya Chie and Karuizawa Kei, he did have this need. It was always good to get to know the students in Class B, since they would be his classmates for at least the next semester.

"Class B is quite thoughtful, but their students seem to really like this approach. Well then, I wish Liang a lot of fun in advance."

"Oh, by the way, Honami asked me to remind Liang that she might 'bump into' you guys with some other students from Class A."

At this point, Sakayanagi Arisu winked at Kitagawa Ryo with a hint of schadenfreude, a sly smile playing on her lips.

"No matter what happens then, Liang, don't try to stop me."

"This is also part of the plan."

"Alright."

Kitagawa Ryo sighed with slight melancholy.

Ichinose Honami and Karuizawa Kei sharing the stage gave him a subtle sense of nostalgia, like watching a classic village come back.

Chapter 381: The True Face of the Reward Item (5k5)

After having breakfast in Sakayanagi Arisu's room as usual, Kitagawa Ryo didn't plan to go back to sleep, even though it wasn't time to meet the students of Class B yet. Instead, he left the dormitory building again. Before attending the welcome dinner for Class 1-B, he had to meet someone: Mashima Tomoya homeroom teacher of Class 1-A.

To be fair, Mashima Tomoya is undoubtedly an excellent homeroom teacher. Class 1-A's success today is inseparable from his meticulous guidance. Kitagawa Ryo felt it was necessary to say a proper goodbye to such a teacher who placed high hopes on him.

Despite being an English teacher Mashima Tomoya is a fitness enthusiast with the physique of a PE teacher. Naturally, he also has the good habit of getting up early to exercise. When Kitagawa Ryo found him through the text message, the homeroom teacher of Class 1-A was meticulously using the equipment in the Gymnasium to stretch his muscles. When he saw Kitagawa Ryo, he temporarily stopped what he was doing, casually wiped the sweat from his forehead with a dry towel, and gestured for him to sit down in the nearby rest area.

"I never expected things to turn out this way. It seems I've become a bit complacent because things have gone too smoothly for the class this semester."

As soon as Kitagawa Ryo sat down, he heard Mashima Tomoya give a wry laugh beside him. He always paid close attention to the learning and life of every student in the class; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to maintain basic order and stability in a class that should have been full of resentment during the most difficult period of the last semester.

However, it is undeniable that as Kitagawa Ryo officially became the Leader and took charge of the entire class, and the class made a remarkable run from Class D to Class A starting with the Special Exam during the summer vacation, Mashima Tomoya himself unconsciously relaxed his tense nerves. Otherwise, he wouldn't have so casually asked Kitagawa Ryo to keep an eye out for a certain female staff member on the cruise ship.

It was precisely because of this that Mashima Tomoya only belatedly realized what had happened when everything was finally exposed. He discovered that the seemingly harmonious and thriving class had harbored so many hidden and suppressed problems during the rapid advancement to A-levels this semester. The fact that everyone had worked together to overcome difficulties when the Class Points in Class D, but now that they had advanced to A-levels, they were secretly plotting against each other, left him, as the homeroom teacher, feeling both confused and guilty. This was especially true after Kitagawa Ryo was transferred to Class B, when his feelings were a complex mix of emotions.

Although his colleague in the same office Chabashira Sae, seemed even more off than him.

"As Leader, I also have problems with my class management style. Besides, the class teacher has already helped a lot, and everyone has always been grateful to and respected you."

After being comforted by Kitagawa Ryo, Mashima Tomoya only gave a somewhat forced smile and waved his hand in a deliberately relaxed tone:

"In any case, Class B is a pretty good place for you. If I remember correctly, you and the class president Karuizawa, seem to have a pretty good relationship... I won't say much more. You don't need to feel guilty over there. Now that you've transferred to Class B, just act and live normally as a student."

Because this involves important information related to expulsion and disciplinary violations, the school also issued a statement on the matter immediately after the conclusion of Kitagawa Ryo's unauthorized departure from the team yesterday.

Mashima Tomoya and most of the other students, of course, wouldn't know that Kitagawa Ryo's violation of discipline was simply to celebrate his younger sister's birthday. Therefore, from some of their perspectives, this was seen as Kitagawa Ryo feeling guilty after being forced to transfer classes, unwilling to take the first-place award voted for him by the students of Class 1-A (after all, the majority of the votes came from Class A students), that is, the Protection Point that would now belong to Class B. That is why he chose to use them up immediately, prioritizing fairness and impartiality.

"I see."

Faced with Mashima Tomoya's heartfelt words of comfort, Kitagawa Ryo nodded earnestly in return.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing I feel I need to remind you of."

As if suddenly remembering something else important, Mashima Tomoya's expression returned to its previous serious look:

"I've known Hoshinomiya, the Hoshinomiya teacher of Class 1-B, and Chabashira, the homeroom teacher of Class C, for over a decade. While I wouldn't say I know them very well, I do have some understanding of their personalities."

"That's why I didn't believe it at all when Totsuka Yahiko from Class C claimed that you and Chabashira were suspected of having a teacher-student relationship not long ago. After all, she's a woman who would never do such a thing."

At this point, Mashima Tomoya changed the subject again:

"However, in my opinion, it is absolutely possible for Hoshinomiya to do such a thing."

Seemingly feeling a bit embarrassed to discuss adult topics with underage students, Mashima Tomoya unconsciously cleared his throat, feeling somewhat ashamed. However, he immediately remembered that the person sitting next to him had more potential romantic interests than the number of girls he had ever had a crush on since childhood. So, he simply stopped hiding his feelings and directly revealed Hoshinomiya Chie's impressive track record to Kitagawa Ryo.

"In short, if you, Kitagawa, discover even the slightest hint of something, don't be tempted to think about anything further. Reporting it to the academic affairs office immediately is the best course of action."

"Yes, Mashima- sensei, don't worry, I have no interest in Hoshinomiya -sensei."

After hearing Kitagawa Ryo's earnest promise, Mashima Tomoya nodded with some relief. He hadn't initially intended to discuss these faculty-related topics with his students, as it was essentially gossiping about colleagues behind their backs. However, Hoshinomiya Chie had been too high-profile about Kitagawa Ryo's transfer to another class. After much deliberation, to prevent such a promising student as Kitagawa Ryo from tarnishing his high school career, Mashima Tomoya decided to speak up.

"Finally, let me make a personal request."

"Kitagawa, who do you think should be the next class Leader for Class A after you leave?"

Although the form and content of this conversation felt somewhat reminiscent of the Wuzhang Plains in 234 AD, Kitagawa Ryo couldn't simply offer a Matoba like "it's best to let the students in the class and you decide" in the face of Mashima Tomoya's earnest gaze. Therefore, after a moment's thought, he gave his own answer and thoughts:

"The most suitable candidate is definitely Honami, followed by Arisu and Suzune. If Class A wants to maintain its competitiveness, the Leader can only be chosen from among these three."

After receiving Kitagawa Ryo's reply, Mashima Tomoya stared at him intently for a moment, then let out a long sigh. He placed his hands on his sides, tilted his head back slightly, and looked up at the Gymnasium ceiling, a rare expression of melancholy and even sadness on his face.

"These three students do have the talent, but in my opinion, none of them are as good as you, Kitagawa... It's precisely because they all have the ability that they're unwilling to submit to each other. It was alright when you were still here... Sigh, Class A might be going to fall into a period of chaos."

For Mashima Tomoya has served as the homeroom teacher of Class A for two terms, this situation is all too familiar. Due to the excellence of the students, Class A in previous years was very prone to having many factions at the beginning of the school year. After all, everyone considers themselves to be highly intelligent and no one is inferior to anyone else. It is only after many Special Exam and adjustments that the true Leader can be determined.

In his view, the current situation of Class A and the three people pointed out by Kitagawa Ryo perfectly meet the above conditions.

"There will always be a good outcome."

After offering Mashima Tomoya a few words of comfort, Kitagawa Ryo glanced at the time on his phone and took his leave.

"I have other things to attend to later, so I'll take my leave now."

"Okay, good luck."

Mashima Tomoya stood up and reached out to pat him on the shoulder:

"Although I don't know if you'll ever transfer back to this class again, there's something I can say right now without any regrets."

"In my ten years of teaching at ANHS University, you are the most outstanding student I have ever taught."

Cross-class romances are extremely troublesome.

Karuizawa Kei was probably the girl in the entire Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School who understood this fact most deeply, after all, including that one time in the mock exam, she had already had two cross-class romances with Kitagawa Ryo.

What? You're saying that in the simulation, Kitagawa Ryo's only romantic interest was Shiina Hiyori, who was in the same class.

See, doesn't this perfectly illustrate the initial point that cross-class romances are particularly troublesome? Otherwise, how could Shiina Hiyori have had the advantage of being close to the source to get the first taste of love?

Most importantly, everything above has come to a complete end today. After a long period of time and preparation, Karuizawa Kei has finally become a student in the same class as Kitagawa Ryo.

This not only means that she can have a few more hours each day to spend more time together in the same room and attend classes, but it also means that in the series of Special Exam that follow, she will no longer have to act alone like she did on the Uninhabited Island. She can legitimately form a group with Kitagawa Ryo and advance and retreat together. And these extra hours will surely become exclusive memories between the two of them in the future.

Karuizawa Kei, who had been thinking about these things since she woke up in the morning, was humming a little tune as she finished washing up. She was now checking her makeup and clothes in front of the mirror with practiced movements. After confirming that it was almost time, she leisurely left her room, intending to meet Kitagawa Ryo in room 408 on the fourth floor, and then the two of them would head to the Keyaki Mall together.

However, to Karuizawa Kei's slight disappointment, when she skillfully used her spare key to open Kitagawa Ryo's dormitory room door, she didn't find him there. There was only a particularly proud little guy wagging his tail and meowing softly at her from the entrance.

"Hmm, good morning, Hotaru."

After casually sending a text message to Kitagawa Ryo on her phone to inquire about his well-being, Karuizawa Kei also affectionately went over and hugged the kitten, which seemed to be in a good mood as well, and gently scratched its chin twice.

She had always thought that Ying was a rather amazing cat. After all, it was quite rare to see a cat willingly staying in such a small dormitory room all day long without running around.

If every pet could be like Hotaru, Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School probably wouldn't have a rule against students keeping pets.

After staring at the other's round, fluorescent pupils for a while, Karuizawa Kei couldn't help but think of another Hotaru she had just seen from afar outside the school yesterday. It was probably because of this similarity that Ryo had taken such a big risk to bring it into Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School and raise it by his side, even sharing the same name.

Just as Karuizawa Kei was pondering the relationship between cats and humans, Kitagawa Ryo's reply arrived. He had just met with Mashima Tomoya and would be back at the dorm in a few minutes.

Perhaps wanting to kill time during the few minutes of waiting, or perhaps simply reminded of certain things from the past by Hotaru, Karuizawa Kei sat naturally on Kitagawa Ryo's bed, gently stroking the kitten's back, smiling at its clear eyes, and said somewhat amusingly:

"Actually, I raised you in my past life. Ryo gave you to me by hand. So, even if many people come here in the future, besides Ryo, Hotaru should like me the most. After all, we were destined to be together a long, long time ago."

Karuizawa Kei was referring to the first simulation, but she didn't expect the cat to understand. After she finished speaking, she found herself unable to suppress a laugh and reached out to tap the cat's forehead.

Hotaru just rolled her eyes at this.

It's not just Karuizawa Kei who has owned it; Ichinose Honami, Horikita Suzune, and Sakayanagi Arisu share.

Hotaru certainly has something to say about this topic.

Of the people mentioned above, the one who raised it the best was actually a certain miscellaneous fish sauce who cleared the game in one life. After all, for a long time, this person genuinely wanted to open many dessert shops named "Hotaru" all over the world with it and Ryo. As for the others, they basically treated it as an extension or even a relic of Kitagawa Ryo. Some scenes still make the cat feel a chill down its spine when it is recalled. It can only be said that the past is too painful to recall.

"I'm back."

As soon as Kitagawa Ryo opened the door to his room, the first thing he saw was Hotaru, who was nestled in Karuizawa Kei's arms with a strangely disgusted look on her face. The girl holding Hotaru was lying unceremoniously on the quilt that he had just folded that morning. Upon seeing Kitagawa Ryo, she casually raised the kitten in her hand and waved its front paw in greeting.

It has to be said that Japan girls have successfully developed a unique skill over the past decade or so: they can still wear skirts no matter how cold it is. Karuizawa Kei is no exception today, and she certainly presents a dazzlingly charming sight.

For Kitagawa Ryo, at this moment he clearly felt once again that winter is indeed a season for rest and recuperation. After all, if Karuizawa Kei were wearing such a dress in the summer and lying flat here without any covering, revealing such a posture, the two of them could already fast forward to the adult part of throwing Hotaru into the closet and telling the cat not to look or listen to anything indecent.

But Kitagawa Ryo really didn't want to go through those seemingly thin but actually incredibly thick thermal pants that the girls were wearing on their lower bodies again, so he lay there with Karuizawa Kei without any emotional reaction, feeling the collision and friction between the bulky down jackets.

"Aren't we leaving yet? Being late for the first get-together will leave a bad impression on the other students in the class."

"Don't worry, Liang—as long as we're both late, this won't happen at all."

As she spoke, Karuizawa Kei turned her head slightly to the side, her carefully made-up features appearing even more radiant and beautiful.

"When I came back yesterday afternoon, Hiyori came to see me specifically."

Are you asking about the class transfer?

"No, I just came to discuss with you how to formally present that ring to Ryo in a way that's just as grand as the first time."

"Isn't this still because of the class transfer issue...?"

"Ryo knows that, but there's nothing I can do—it just so happens that someone still has that old ring. If they just casually show it off in front of me, I won't be able to say a word."

As a legendary heroine who is acutely aware that if she doesn't openly express her hidden emotions to the other person, she will only end up alone with unrealistic expectations, breaking down in her own thoughts and getting stuck in a rut, Karuizawa Kei's words were something she had been holding back since after the Cultural Festival. She took advantage of the opportunity of transferring Kitagawa Ryo to another class...

He blurted out the key to his success in one breath.

"Hey, it's cold."

As she spoke, Karuizawa Kei nudged Kitagawa Ryo closer, her loose hair and the frayed edge of her down jacket hood brushing against his face. Combined with her sweet and coquettish tone, it made Kitagawa Ryo's heart flutter.