The Upperclassmen's Three-Way Talks / Open Schemes and Secret Plots

At this point, Kitagawa Ryo reached out and brushed aside Karuizawa Kei's bangs, carefully removing strands of hair from her forehead so that his pupils could fully focus on her gaze. He then took the opportunity of her birthday to say everything he wanted to say to her.

"Of course, if Hui can't say it, then let me say it for her."

"Hui is the person I'm most proud of. Every step of her growth and change has been like that. They were never something that happened naturally or as a matter of course, but rather the result of Hui's genuine hard work."

"Just as Hui said, redemption is never a one-way street."

"Save yourself first, then be saved, and finally save others."

"Megumi also redeemed me."

Therefore, I sincerely thank you, respect you, and love you.

Chapter 509: The Three-Way Meeting of the Senior Students

Since March, Kitagawa Ryo himself has noticed a significant increase in the number of outsiders at Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School. This is because the three-way talks for second-year students have officially begun. Parents of each second-year student are invited to the school to talk with their homeroom teacher and children about their future aspirations, and also to learn about their children's life and changes at the school.

In theory, this matter shouldn't have had anything to do with Kitagawa Ryo, since he's no longer the acting president of the Student Council, and the related reception and venue arrangements shouldn't be his responsibility. However, he had agreed to Asahina Nazuna- senpai's request last month and was asked to accompany her on that day.

The Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School specially requisitioned several venues, including classrooms, educational consultation rooms, and Student Council activity rooms, for this tripartite meeting. Asahina Nazuna's schedule was arranged in the classroom of Class 2-A. Because she was required to arrive 15 minutes early to wait, Kitagawa Ryo also arrived a little earlier than usual to go to the teaching building where the second-year students were located.

"Two years have passed without me even realizing it. It seems like my mom is here today. The last time I saw her was two years ago when she took me to school."

Perhaps wanting to ease her nervousness by talking, Kitagawa Ryo Asahina Nazuna immediately pulled Kitagawa Ryo aside and started chattering away as soon as he arrived.

"Given your performance on campus over the past two years, I think you shouldn't be so nervous. Your OAA scores are also very good."

In response to Kitagawa Ryo's words of comfort, Asahina Nazuna simply leaned forward and rested her head on the railing at the edge of the corridor, reaching out her hand towards the setting sun as if to grasp it in her palm.

"The issue isn't the past, but the future. This tripartite meeting was originally intended to discuss the students' plans after graduation."

"My parents definitely hope that I can work for a big company in the future, which is both respectable and has a high salary, but I actually want to try to continue my studies. After all, I can't even say for sure what I want to do in the future. I still hope to stay in the familiar campus environment and think things through."

"This is a common mindset among high school students and even college students, and I feel that if I said it out loud, people would understand."

"Waaah--He's a year younger than me, so why does he always say those lines with such a matter-of-fact tone?"

"Because age doesn't always equate to experience. Even if you compare yourself to other high school sophomores of the same age now, after spending two years at ANHS, you should have more experience."

Not everyone can make a clear plan for their future during their student years. After all, even Karuizawa Kei is reborn, will feel confused and doubt herself. Rather, most students would have thoughts like Asahina Nazuna.

"That's true..."

After chatting for a few minutes, Asahina Nazuna seemed much more relaxed and quickly thanked Kitagawa Ryo.

"You First Year must be busy with your End-of-Year Special Exam these days, right? It's so kind of you to make the trip to see me, thank you so much!"

"It's alright, after all, I had promised my senior a long time ago, and it was only a few tens of minutes. Speaking of which, I also want to meet my senior's parents. They must be very nice people, to be able to raise a senior with such a personality."

"What do you mean by 'that kind of personality'?"

Asahina Nazuna pouted and waved her little fist at Kitagawa Ryo in a show of defiance.

"That's the kind of personality that leads people to do things like that."

Kitagawa Ryo couldn't help but chuckle at this. Apart from seeing her crying during the Mixed Training Camp Special Exam, Asahina Nazuna had always given him the impression of being as bright as her orange hair, like a sunflower that always faces the sun.

"Ah, time's almost up. I'm going into the classroom first. Ryo is waiting at the other end of the hallway. The meeting will last about fifteen minutes. I'll bring my mom to find you then, so don't run away!"

After glancing at the time on her phone, Asahina Nazuna gave Kitagawa Ryo the same instruction before returning to the classroom. Kitagawa Ryo responded with a nod and then distanced himself slightly from her.

A short while later, he saw two adult women walk into the classroom of Class 2-A. They were the homeroom teacher of Class 2-A and the parents who had been invited to participate in the tripartite meeting today.

As Kitagawa Ryo was scrolling through his phone and chatting in the class group chat to pass the time while waiting, he suddenly caught a glimpse of a pair of figures passing by on the other side of the corridor. It was an elderly man and a high school student. Her flamboyant white waist-length hair was quite eye-catching. It was Kiryuin Fuka from Class 2-B. The person next to her should be the grandfather who had also been invited to participate in the tripartite talks and had been mentioned by the other party before.

I remember that the other person didn't have a particularly good relationship with their parents. They entered Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School to avoid their family's arrangements, and even spent a long time figuring out how to repeat a grade at the school.

Since he was right in the other person's path, Kitagawa Ryo had no choice but to put away his phone and politely greet them first.

"Good afternoon, Senior Kiryuin and Grandpa."

Unlike Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who grew up in White Room and knew little about most things, only able to learn from Tsukishiro, he had thoroughly understood the zaibatsu and political parties in Japan through several lifetimes of simulations, and naturally had seen this old man before.

"Oh, it's the Kitagawa Family's kid. You did attend this school too."

Upon seeing Kitagawa Ryo, the old man Kiryuin tapped his head. The events of a few years ago were too bizarre, so most people in the circle knew about Kitagawa Ryo, who had been found again, and he was no exception.

"So you two know each other?"

Perhaps because she was used to this way of communicating with Kitagawa Ryo, Kiryuin Fuka, who had always maintained a polite demeanor in front of her grandfather, finally couldn't hold back and was immediately glared at.

"We met briefly over a year ago, and it's wonderful to see you in such good health."

After a few casual social pleasantries and small talk, if it weren't for the fact that he had to wait for Asahina Nazuna come out, Kitagawa Ryo would have wanted to say goodbye and leave immediately. After all, familiarity is one thing, but whether you like this atmosphere is another. Talking to her is not as good as chatting with Kiryuin Fuka later.

"I heard from Fenghua that you two seem to have a pretty good relationship? There aren't many boys that this child values."

But the other party didn't seem to have any intention of letting him go. Judging from their tone, it almost felt like they were on a blind date, which made Kiryuin Fuka and Kitagawa Ryo feel a chill run down their spines.

"My senior and I are indeed very good friends, and she has taken good care of me this past year."

"Well, having more friends means having more options, so I certainly don't object to you two being friends. Oh, I should say I'm quite welcoming."

Feeling that the conversation was heading straight for Asahina Nazuna, Kitagawa Ryo quickly gave Kiryuin Fuka a wink, who immediately understood and smiled as she pulled the old man's arm.

"Grandpa, the car you booked arrived at the school gate five minutes ago. Don't keep them waiting."

"Alright, alright, we've only known each other for a few minutes, and you're already urging me to leave. I came all this way for nothing."

"Well, there's nothing I can do about that. Your son and daughter-in-law are even busier, and I don't want to see them either. Come on, let me help you down the stairs."

Seeing that Kiryuin Fuka had finally managed to coax and trick the old man away, Kitagawa Ryo breathed a sigh of relief. He turned around and saw that the three-way meeting in the classroom with Asahina Nazuna seemed to be coming to an end, so he took two more steps in that direction.

Actually, the reason he wanted to end his conversation with Kiryuin so quickly was not only to avoid running into Asahina Nazuna, but also to give the other person as much time and space as possible.

In the stairwell of the teaching building, the grandfather and grandson Kiryuin, who had just parted ways with Kitagawa Ryo, bumped into another student by chance after turning a corner.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Kiryuin?"

A boy in a first-year high school uniform feigned surprise, stepped forward, and bowed his head in greeting.

"I am Ayanokoji Kiyotaka."

Thank you so much for today.

"Not at all, I'm here. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come over."

With the homeroom teacher and mother bowing politely to each other again, Asahina Nazuna's tripartite meeting officially came to an end.

"I didn't expect Qi to perform so well at such a top national school. Although I'm a little surprised by your own thoughts, if you really insist, I'll explain it to your father properly when I get back."

"Yes, thank you, Mom."

After thanking her understanding mother, Asahina Nazuna immediately led her mother towards Kitagawa Ryo's direction.

"Oh, right, besides these things, there's something else I want to tell Mom, or rather, I want Mom to meet someone."

As she spoke, Asahina Nazuna also let go of her mother's hand, took two quick steps to the corner, and pulled Kitagawa Ryo, who had been sitting in the shadows, out by the hand:

"This is Kitagawa Ryo from Class 1-B. He helped me a lot this year and is my best... um, friend in school!"

Seemingly feeling a bit shy about holding another boy's hand so openly in front of her mother, Asahina Nazuna also let go of Kitagawa Ryo's hand after pulling him out. Like cosplaying a meme of "When someone says nothing in the world is perfect, I like it," she spread her arms to the side, showing them off to Kitagawa Ryo.

"I am Kitagawa Ryo. I am grateful for the care and attention you have received from your daughter this past year."

Although Kitagawa Ryo wanted to laugh at Asahina Nazuna's reaction and actions, he managed to suppress the urge with his strong ability to control his expressions. He politely introduced himself to Asahina Nazuna, and his manners were impeccable.

To be fair, even if Asahina Nazuna said she was her best friend, the fact that she specifically brought her to her side during this rare three-way meeting shows that Asahina Nazuna had already habitually switched to a different perspective the moment she met Kitagawa Ryo.

Judging solely from his appearance, Kitagawa Ryo was indeed flawless, leaving her with a stunning first impression. Therefore, she smiled warmly and said:

"I just heard some things about you from Qi. Although you're still a high school freshman, you're already a very famous drama Actor. You're truly accomplished for your age. I hope you can help her out more in the coming year. Actually, although this child always seems..."

In no time, Kitagawa Ryo had collected a whole bunch of embarrassing and highlight stories about Asahina Nazuna from her childhood to adulthood from her mother. Asahina Nazuna herself didn't seem to care at all; in fact, she was quite moved as she added details and shared her own thoughts at the time. Before they knew it, the three of them had been chatting in the corridor for another half hour.

Since the temporary permission to enter the school was only granted after the tripartite talks, the parents couldn't stay any longer after the talks ended. Therefore, Asahina Nazuna could only reluctantly send her mother off from the school again, promising to come back to pick her up at the end of March next year to help her graduate.

"It seems the senior student and the aunt communicated quite smoothly."

After waving goodbye to Mrs. Asahina Nazuna, Kitagawa Ryo also nodded his chin at Asahina Nazuna:

"I told you there was no need to worry."

"Actually, the main reason it went so smoothly is because of Nagumo."

Asahina Nazuna shrugged in response:

"He's already been used as a negative example by our class teacher. It was mainly because my mom asked him first, but she shut him down by his violation of school rules, including a major demerit, and the fact that he disfigured himself. Otherwise, who knows what else she might have said."

At this point, Asahina Nazuna raised the corners of her mouth again, held up one finger at Kitagawa Ryo, and a bright smile appeared on her pretty face:

"Actually, this is one of the reasons why I kept having my mom and Liang talk about those past things. After listening, do you feel like you understand me a little better?"

"I really did learn a lot about my senior's childhood..."

"Yes, I'll keep talking to Ryo about these kinds of topics, but Ryo has to talk to me a lot too, that's fair."

As she spoke, Asahina Nazuna once again extended her right hand towards Kitagawa Ryo, raising her little finger in a gesture of agreement.

"Although I haven't known Ryo for very long compared to others, once I learned about Ryo's entire past, and Ryo also learned about my entire past—"

"Then we can be considered an artificial version of childhood sweethearts."

Chapter 510: Open Schemes and Anzan

For First Year students who are not members of the Student Council, the three-way talks of the second year were obviously not a topic of interest, especially since the Special Exam at the end of the school year were just around the corner, and most students were busy preparing.

Among these, the behavior of the students in Class 1-D is the most eye-catching.

Stalking, verbal harassment, and threats of violence—these were commonplace practices for the students of Class D before every Special Exam —all disappeared overnight. What's even more astonishing is that these notorious troublemakers in the grade even went to places like the library or study rooms and started holding focused study sessions.

As their rivals to Class D in the Special Exam, Class 1-C naturally paid close attention to Class D' s behavior from the beginning. Therefore, after witnessing their unusual behavior, they immediately held a discussion.

"Where's Ayanokoji Kiyotaka? He's not here again today?"

At the start of the meeting, Morishita Ai glanced at the desk and chair that had been empty immediately after school and asked Katsuragi Kohei this question.

"He has Student Council matters to attend to today."

Katsuragi Kohei offered a weak explanation to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, though he himself found the reason unconvincing—after all, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, being a fellow Student Council member, was standing right there unharmed.

However, there was no other way. When Ayanokoji Kiyotaka left, he only told him that something came up, so as his deputy, he had no choice but to temporarily step in and preside over the class meeting.

"Alright, so what are your thoughts on Class D's actions over the past two days? Feel free to share your opinions."

Clearing his throat and forcibly steer the conversation back on track, Katsuragi Kohei talked about the strange situation in Class D recently and gestured for the other students to share their opinions on the matter.

"The reasoning is actually quite simple; it's just last-minute cramming for the upcoming Special Exam, only with a little bit of cleverness added."

Perhaps because Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was absent, Morishita Ai seemed to be in good spirits today, and she expressed her thoughts in just a few words:

"Before the project of the opposing class number fourteen is revealed, theoretically, the class can only practice the project it will be applying for. However, this makes it easy for the opponent to deduce it through intelligence warfare. Therefore, it is better to practice the project that the opponent is likely to propose in advance. This way, we can prepare in advance and put some psychological pressure on the opponent, making them suspicious that their class's information has been leaked."

"From Class D' s perspective, there's no doubt that Class C would prefer to choose academically challenging projects. So, their last-minute cramming is understandable. However, this tactic is pointless except for self-deception. After all, the gap between Class D students and us can't be bridged in just two weeks."

Morishita Ai gave her explanation, most of the students in Class 1-C nodded in agreement. However, they were just as unconcerned as she was. After all, as she said, Class 1-C was clearly going to use their academic advantage to crush everyone, and two weeks of last-minute cramming would hardly be effective.

"If you ask me, this might just be a smokescreen by the students in Class D. They're planning to launch a sneak attack while we're off guard. Class D is capable of doing things like that."

"Indeed, I don't believe that Ryuen would allow students to attend study sessions peacefully. Has it changed its ways?"

Following the speeches of the students in Class 1-A, Katsuragi Kohei summarized them as follows:

"Yes, we do need to be careful about the underhanded tactics of Class D, but there's no need to worry too much. If anyone is verbally or physically harassed or threatened by students from Class D, just report it to the Student Council, and Ayanokoji and I will intervene."

Seeing Katsuragi Kohei's words implying that he had connections in the Student Council, Katsuragi Kohei Kamuro Masumi, who hadn't said much, just silently curled her lips.

After all, the last student from Class C who actually caused trouble in the Student Council, Hashimoto Masayoshi, didn't seem to receive any special treatment.

Kamuro Masumi, who never hesitates to assume the Malice Class C, rested her chin on her hand and looked out the window. Even if they really lost this Special Exam, hadn't Class C already found a scapegoat?

Speaking of which, Class 1-C seems to have no shortage of such tanks; last time it was Totsuka Yahiko, and this time it's Hashimoto Masayoshi.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's been a hands-off manager; Katsuragi Kohei, who seems unchanged from before; and Hashimoto Masayoshi, whose Hashimoto Masayoshi has already been ignited.

Taking all these factors into account, it seems that the prospects for Class 1-C in this Special Exam are not very clear.

While the meeting of Class 1-C was in full swing, Class 1-A also began to express their opinions based on the information they had gathered over the past two days.

"Class 1-D has recently been focusing on the academic level of the students in the training program. It seems they've guessed or obtained some information about Class C. But thinking about it, it makes sense. Class C will definitely try to use their significant academic advantage to defeat Class D directly."

"Actually, there's nothing wrong with Class D' s approach. We can follow suit in our preparations for Class B. What direction do you all think Class B will focus on for their project applications in this Special Exam?"

"Personally, I think we can't rule out the possibility that Class B will have academically challenging questions. Although our class's overall academic performance has improved significantly since we first entered school a year ago, I still feel that we might not be able to compete with Class B if we encounter academically challenging projects that require a large number of students."