I Don't Hate Him / Protection Points (5k)

"Our class can't come up with 20 million Private Points to help dropouts this time. I hope we can pass smoothly. I will also do my best to help the class."

"It feels so strange coming from Arisu."

"Does Ichika think I should take advantage of this Special Exam to kick Suzune out and reinstate her? It's pointless now."

Amasawa Ichika -opened one eye and suddenly realized that the person next to her seemed to be even more outrageous in their mischief than she was.

"Arisu at all, I'm very happy that Arisu thinks that way, and Ryo thinks the same way, right?"

"Well, if we can pass smoothly, then we should. I feel the main focus for the next two months is still the Special Exam during the summer vacation, and the situation in Class B isn't as bad as you guys say. If we guide them well, there shouldn't be any problems."

"What's wrong? Liang still cares about our class. Hmm—it's been more than half a year since she transferred to another class. When are you planning to come back?"

Faced with Amasawa Ichika's seemingly casual question, Kitagawa Ryo couldn't give a clear answer, but instead gave an ambiguous reply:

"It should be soon, but before that, there's one more class that needs to go."

"Class C? It really is because of the Chabashira..."

Faced with Kitagawa Ryo's eye-roll, Amasawa Ichika was too embarrassed to pretend to be clueless any longer. After sticking out her tongue, she immediately changed her words:

"It really is Class D, isn't it? It seems like Hiyori and Hiyori made this agreement a long time ago, I remember it was before Ryo transferred to Megumi's class?"

"How come it feels like you know everything, Ichika?"

"Maybe it's because I get along really well with everyone--"

As she spoke, Amasawa Ichika recalled a mysterious bet she and Horikita Suzune had made regarding Shiina Hiyori and Karuizawa Kei, and a smile involuntarily crept onto her lips.

"Class D should be done soon too, considering they've been preparing for such a long time."

With the conclusion of the First Year Club Special Exam in May, most clubs have begun to show noticeable changes. While it cannot be said that all of them are developing in a positive direction, the atmosphere is much better than before, when the clubs were stagnant and the biggest event of the year was the resistance against the Drama Club's 'privileges'.

Especially among the various sports clubs, the freshmen of this First Year quickly integrated into club activities through this Special Exam. More and more talented freshmen, like Ken Sudō last year, were exceptionally selected into the ranks of official team members, and the next opportunity to prove themselves will be the summer tournament two months later.

That's why, even in the Drama Club, which operates indoors, Kitagawa Ryo could hear the loud slogans of the sports club members training outside when he arrived, and the atmosphere on the playground and in the Gymnasium was even more enthusiastic.

As for the Drama Club... it's not fair to say that no one was affected by this Special Exam.

Seeing how Tsubaki Sakurako, who was initially only half-coaxed and half-fooled by Yuki and whose only intention was to gather information, was diligently studying with Karuizawa Kei, Kitagawa Ryo felt that his club, which was purely for fun and slacking off, was actually going to produce a proper Actor.

However, Nanase Tsubasa clearly lacked this awareness.

"Aww, today's afternoon tea tastes like the department head's. Although Sakura- senpai's cooking is also very good, you can still taste the difference in the subtle details."

Turning his head to look at Nanase Tsubasa beside him, who was gracefully but quickly eating the tea and snacks on the table without any hesitation, Kitagawa Ryo sometimes couldn't help but feel that his junior was indeed well-nourished, and that he had grown in all the right places.

However, it must be said that Nanase Tsubasa's personality and her relaxed and satisfied expression, which arises naturally from the depths of her heart from eating delicious food and is reflected on her face, can easily make people feel good. Just watching her from the side can give you a subtle sense of satisfaction, like feeding a small animal.

After finishing her portion, Nanase Tsubasa carefully wiped the crumbs from her fingers and the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief before adorably propping her chin up and tilting her head slightly towards Kitagawa Ryo.

"Oh, right, Minister, Minister."

The string of reduplicated words, coupled with the sweetness in his tone that was no less than the sweetness of the tea snacks he had just eaten, gave Kitagawa Ryo a bit of goosebumps. Therefore, he sat up slightly before answering:

"What's wrong?"

"Do you remember what I told you last time about me possibly being targeted by Ishigami and his men?"

"Hmm, I remember. Does this mean they're about to make a real move against you?"

"No, it's quite the opposite."

At this point, Nanase Tsubasa herself couldn't help but chuckle, her lips curving upwards as she gently swayed her hands, which were supporting her chin, from side to side.

"They seem to think I'm one of Ayanokoji's people, an undercover agent infiltrating your side, Captain."

"Hiss--So that's not how it is?"

"Minister! I'd be hurt too if you joked like that."

"Okay, so what exactly happened?"

"Hmm... If I really want to start, it seems I have to go back to a time before I even enrolled in school."

Tsubaki Sakurako, who was practicing with Karuizawa Kei a little further away, glanced over here by chance and suddenly realized that something seemed a little off.

This tactic of starting with storytelling and listening to stories—doesn't it seem so familiar?

P. S.: Thank you for reading and subscribing.

PS2: The cover has been changed, but it's still Hiyori, since I'm definitely going to be in Hiyori's class, and I'll be getting on base in this segment.

Chapter 56: I Don't Dislike Him

Although theoretically, Kitagawa Ryo had already come into contact with some of Nanase Tsubasa's past events during Ichinose Honami's third simulation, that simulation was still a text-based one, and it consisted of alternating illusory dreams and real-life experiences.

Furthermore, considering the impact on himself, who has already altered the reality of the world line, Nanase Tsubasa Kitagawa Ryo is quite willing to listen since Nanase Tsubasa is willing to say it in person.

However, perhaps because he had almost no contact with Nanase Tsubasa before, the world's corrective power was not very obvious in her. According to her own description, her relationship with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, or rather with Ayanokoji Atsuomi, was still due to Matsuo's side.

Matsuo was not the manager of the White Room, but he was one of Ayanokoji Atsuomi's confidants. After all, he was the one who looked after Ayanokoji Atsuomi Ayanokoji Kiyotaka out of the White Room. His son Matsuo Eiichiro, was acquainted with Nanase Tsubasa.

However, for a long time, Nanase Tsubasa had no idea about the Matsuo family or even the Ayanokoji family until the start of the Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School's Cultural Festival last year.

In fact, Nanase Tsubasa might still find it hard to fully understand and accept Matoba back then. It's as if the world she's seen over the past ten years suddenly changed overnight. Her peaceful and leisurely school life was suddenly transported to another movie set. Her familiar classmates suddenly knelt down and asked her for help, or rather, to save their fathers. No matter how you look at it, it sounds too bizarre.

"So, if I hadn't agreed back then, would that Matsuo have really lost his job and his life?"

"Ayanokoji Atsuomi is indeed capable of doing such a thing, but I don't really think he would do it for that reason alone. However, Matsuo knows that Ayanokoji Atsuomi is capable of doing such things, so he doesn't dare to take the gamble."

Although Kitagawa Ryo's words sounded a bit awkward at first, Nanase Tsubasa quickly understood what he meant, but still felt somewhat wronged:

"I know he must have his difficulties, but to drag me into this for no reason... I just can't accept it."

As she spoke, she sighed again:

"However, the other party probably knew this too, so we never contacted each other again, as if we had never met before."

In fact, the moment Matsuo Eiichiro used the moral blackmail of a dogeza (a deep bow) to her for the sake of his father, their relationship could never return to normal; it was an awkward situation that they would feel even if they didn't mention it.

"Speaking of which, I have to thank that senior Ayanokoji. After all, it was because he didn't write my name on the list after the Cultural Festival's evaluation that I was pulled into his camp. So, it's As You Like It, and Matsuo can also finish his task smoothly."

"I don't think Ayanokoji did anything wrong in this regard, and he also had his own ideas about the four people he chose."

Considering his own mysterious talent for Attracted to Younger Women attracted to younger men, Kitagawa Ryo quite admired Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's final list; an all-male lineup had its advantages, after all.

"Indeed... But going back to the initial topic, it seems that Ishigami knew about my relationship with Matsuo and the expanded relationship with Ayanokoji before I even enrolled, so he suspected that I might be a hidden member of Ayanokoji Faction."

"This argument doesn't seem very convincing, does it?"

"Um... it's also mainly related to the minister's recent condition."

At this point, Nanase Tsubasa took a sip of black tea, looking somewhat guilty:

"You see, ever since I joined the Drama Club and got close to the club president, in the two Special Exam in April and May, the club president lost to Ayanokoji and Ishigami in April, and then led the Drama Club to lose again in May. Naturally, they suspected that I did something behind the scenes, since the club president had always been the winner before."

"So the failure in these two Special Exam was because of you... Even the outside world thinks that Sakurako is more to blame, otherwise she wouldn't be so stressed now."

"So Ishigami thinks Sakurako might also be one of my cards."

"... How exactly did you arrive at this conclusion?"

"After all, if we only look at the results, it's true that the minister's record started to look worse once the two of us joined."

"All right."

After listening to Nanase Tsubasa recount the whole story, Kitagawa Ryo felt somewhat speechless, as if Ishigami- kun had been lectured by Ayanokoji Kiyotaka to the point of being out of his mind, and was simply making subjective assumptions based on cause and effect.

On the other hand, perhaps it was precisely because he suffered an unprecedented blow from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka that he lost his previous judgment and ability to act, fearing that his actions would affect that person's ingenious plan, and therefore only dared to make tentative and submissive attempts.

"So what does Nanase plan to do?"

"Of course I'm telling you this so I can ask you for advice, Minister."

Nanase Tsubasa blinked, then unconsciously began glancing at the dessert in front of Kitagawa Ryo.

"Let's see if you're going to play along and be a genuine double agent, or just lay your cards on the table."

Noticing the other person's subtle movement, Kitagawa Ryo pushed his plate towards her, giving her two choices.

"I'm a little reluctant to deal with them insincerely, but if I confront them directly, won't I be attacked by them in the next Special Exam?"

Nanase Tsubasa reached out and naturally began eating Kitagawa Ryo's portion, her cheeks puffed out, making her words a little unclear and indistinct.

"Then let it drag on. Neither take the initiative, nor refuse, nor admit it. Let Ishigami guess by himself. He wouldn't dare to ask Ayanokoji directly anyway."

"Wow, that sounds like something a jerk would say, but it does seem like a pretty good idea. Let's go with that."

After temporarily putting the matter of Ishigami Kyo to rest, just as Kitagawa Ryo was about to close his eyes again for a nap, Nanase Tsubasa suddenly spoke up and asked him:

"To be honest, there's something I've always wanted to ask the minister."

"What is it?"

"What exactly is your relationship with Ayanokoji- senpai?"

"Although we First Year students were told that you are all enemies, and our mission is to expel the opposing side, I still feel like it's us First Year students who are just fighting amongst ourselves..."

"Me and Ayanokoji-- "

Kitagawa Ryo hesitated for a moment before giving his answer:

"I'd say we're friends; I don't dislike him."

P. S.: Thank you for reading and subscribing.

PS2: I had something come up today and had to cut this short, sorry. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's ending has been decided. After all, he was included in my plan for a happy ending.

Chapter 57: Protection Point (5k)

Almost immediately, on June 14th, just two weeks after the Club Special Exam ended, the homeroom teachers of each class in all three grades announced to their students that the Unanimous Special Exam would be held the following day.

Regarding this unexpected Special Exam, the second-year students generally remained calm. After all, the Club Special Exam at the end of May seemed lively, but in reality, it had little to do with them. Apart from a few students who were selected as external supporters, most students did not actually participate in this exam.

The third-year students' thoughts were similar to those of the second-year students. Moreover, as the oldest generation of senior students, they had been at ANHS for more than two years and were used to the school's sudden attack. It was just tough on the First Year students who had to go through three Special Exam in less than three months since they enrolled. Just looking at the densely packed words "withdrawal" in the rules made their scalps tingle.

Just before this Special Exam was about to begin, four First Year students from Ayanokoji Faction received new instructions from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, instructing them to guide their classmates to make a specific choice on a certain option on the day of the Special Exam.

What do the options related to the "Summer Special Exam" mean?

Of the four people present, only Hosen Kazuomi were not members of the Student Council, so the other three had to briefly explain to him the information they had obtained from the Student Council.

"It seems that Ayanokoji- senpai also wants to avoid the Uninhabited Island and choose a major city as the location for the Summer Special Exam?"

"Tch, could it be because he suffered a crushing defeat on the Uninhabited Island last year?"

"No, I deliberately collected information from that time on the forum. The main reason why Class A lost the Uninhabited Island Special Exam island last year was because they were targeted by the other three classes. If we only look at the group rankings, Ayanokoji- senpai's individual group actually scored one of the highest. If we only consider individual scoring efficiency, it's even more exaggerated than Kitagawa-senpai's."

At this point, Utsunomiya Riku turned to look at Ishigami Kyo:

"Haven't you been getting closer to Ayanokoji- senpai lately? Has he said anything to you about it? Why?"

"... No, but the fact that he said that means he's confident."

Ishigami Kyo didn't have anything to say about this. Rather, it was more accurate to say that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had already surpassed all his previous preconceived notions. Therefore, even if this experimental subject, who had spent ninety percent of his life in White Room, said that he had a higher success rate in exams in the city, he could only choose to believe it.

"I don't know what you're up to. It seems you haven't followed up on the investigation of Nanase, whom I mentioned earlier? Doesn't that mean we haven't accomplished anything in the past two months?"

Faced with Hosen Kazuomi's complaints, Takahashi Osamu had no choice but to smooth things over:

"Actually, thinking about it the other way around, the opposing camp hasn't accomplished much either. They're mostly in a probing phase right now, and at least the three First Year classes are already under our control."

Although Takahashi Osamu's intention was to comfort him, to Hosen Kazuomi it became that he was the only one out of the four classes who failed to get the class Leader position. However, he couldn't really refute this fact, so he could only punch the air twice and vent his anger by baring his teeth.

Like Ryuen Kakeru, he was never the kind of reckless fool. Even at last year's Cultural Festival, after discovering that Ryuen had cheated, he deliberately attracted other guests to make a scene and expose him. Therefore, he would not ruin their alliance because of his personal feelings.

"We need to confirm things with Nanase a bit more. The Special Exam starts tomorrow, so let's stick to Ayanokoji- senpai's plan."

"That's simple. If it's a choice between a city and Uninhabited Island, I feel like we don't even need to guide them; more people would definitely choose the former. I just don't know the specific location. It would be great if it were in Tokyo."

"Tokyo?"

"Yeah, it's been almost three months since we started school, and I really miss my family. If the exam were in Tokyo, I might be able to see them from afar."

Listening to Takahashi Osamu and Utsunomiya Riku's discussion, Ishigami Kyo suddenly realized something.

Perhaps one of the reasons why Ayanokoji Kiyotaka chose to take his Summer Special Exam in the city was that he wanted to meet Ayanokoji Atsuomi.

Thinking about this, Ishigami Kyo himself felt somewhat helpless.

Indeed, just as the other party said at the time.