Special Project Research Group

Yuefeng nodded to her in greeting, but inwardly, he was weighing things up. Being in the same group as Hiyori Shiina could be a good thing, but it might also bring trouble.

The first group meeting was scheduled for after school on Friday, in an activity room on the top floor of the main building that had been refurbished with a small conference room and separate discussion areas.

The room offered a broad view, with simple, modern furnishings that carried the air of an elite-only space.

Yuefeng deliberately arrived a few minutes early. The activity room was still empty, with only the sunset streaming through the windows and casting long shadows across the floor.

He chose an inconspicuous seat by the window where he could observe most of the room, silently regulating his breathing as he prepared for his first formal group interaction with these "elites."

Soon, the others began arriving one after another.

The first to enter was Horikita Suzune.

Her back was as straight as ever as she walked in expressionlessly, without glancing aside, and selected a seat at one end of the long table.

She then took a thick notebook from her bag and began flipping through it as though no one else existed. Her very presence gave off an unapproachable aura.

Hirata Yosuke came next.

With his usual gentle smile, he nodded amiably to Yuefeng and Horikita, who had arrived before him, and greeted them. "Hello, Yuefeng, Horikita."

He then naturally took the seat diagonally opposite Horikita—not too close, but not distant either. He struck exactly the right balance.

After sitting down, he took out a notebook as well, though his posture was far more relaxed than Horikita's. His calm gaze observed the people entering one by one.

The third to arrive was Hiyori Shiina.

She seemed a little nervous. Her steps paused as she entered, and her eyes brightened upon seeing Yuefeng, but she quickly lowered her head again and softly said, "Yuefeng."

She then chose a seat not far from Yuefeng, with one empty seat between them, and took out her books and notes. Her fingertips, however, trembled slightly.

Next came Ichinose Honami from Class B.

When she pushed open the door, it was as if she brought in a warm spring breeze. Her face bore that sincere, warm smile with an exceptionally infectious quality. "Hello, everyone! I'm Ichinose Honami from Class B. It's a pleasure to work with you!"

Her voice was crisp, and her gaze swept over everyone present, lingering briefly on each person with just the right amount of curiosity and goodwill.

She chose the seat next to Hirata Yosuke, greeted him naturally, then smiled at Horikita, Shiina, and Yuefeng in turn.

Her presence instantly enlivened the somewhat heavy atmosphere.

The last to arrive were the two students from Class A. Katsuragi Kohei and Sakayanagi Arisu arrived almost simultaneously, yet their temperaments were completely different.

Katsuragi Kohei was tall and powerfully built. His uniform was immaculate, and even his tie was knotted with precise rigor.

His expression was stern and his steps steady and firm. As he entered, he gave everyone in the room a slight nod in greeting.

He then walked directly to the other end of the long table and sat opposite Horikita Suzune, his posture perfectly upright and his gaze levelled ahead, like a silent, unyielding statue.

He possessed the imposing aura of a traditional elite without needing to show anger.

Beside him—or rather, half a step behind him—was Sakayanagi Arisu.

This was Yuefeng's first time observing, from such close range, the Class A leader who could be considered one of the original story's "intellectual ceilings."

She was slender, with delicate features touched by an unhealthy pallor. Her silver-white hair was loosely tied behind her head, several stray strands hanging by her cheeks.

She leaned on an exquisitely decorated cane, her footsteps light and carrying a peculiar rhythm, as though she were not walking but gliding.

A faint, almost innocent smile rested on her face. Her pale violet eyes resembled the purest crystal—clear to the bottom, yet impossibly deep.

Her gaze drifted casually over the room, lingering on each face for only an instant before finally, seemingly by chance, settling on Yuefeng.

At that moment, Yuefeng felt something indescribable. It was neither Ryuen's aggressive scrutiny nor Kiyotaka's mechanical observation.

Sakayanagi Arisu's gaze was more like... an interested appraisal, as though she were admiring an amusing toy. It carried the calm composure of someone looking down from above, as if she saw through everything.

Her eyes lingered for less than a second before lightly moving away, yet the hairs on Yuefeng's back rose involuntarily.

Sakayanagi Arisu sat beside Katsuragi Kohei, gently resting her cane against the table.

Tilting her head slightly, she spoke in a soft, pleasant voice that carried a peculiar hint of frailty. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Sakayanagi Arisu of Class A.

I am delighted to conduct the coming research project with all of you... 'interesting' students." As she spoke, her gaze seemed to drift once more, almost imperceptibly, across Yuefeng and Hiyori Shiina.

Everyone had arrived. Seven people, each representing different classes, styles, and positions, sat around the same table.

An unspoken tension filled the air, mingled with curiosity, appraisal, competition, and the subtle probing unique to top elites testing one another.

The Student Council officer hosting the meeting briefly introduced the group's purpose, activity format,

as well as several basic rules. Then they handed the time over to the group members, allowing everyone to get acquainted and begin discussing possible research directions.

After the Student Council officer left, a brief silence fell over the activity room.

Ichinose Honami broke it. Her smile remained as radiant as ever as she spoke first. "I'm really happy to be assigned to the same group as everyone! I'm Ichinose from Class B.

I think this is a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from one another. How about we start with a simple introduction?

Besides our names and classes, we could also talk about the research fields we're interested in, or what we hope to gain from this project."

It was a textbook icebreaker suggestion, perfectly in line with her usual approachable manner.

Hirata Yosuke immediately agreed warmly. "Ichinose is right.

I'm Hirata Yosuke from Class D. I'm particularly interested in issues such as class management and the efficiency of team collaboration, and I hope to gain something from this project."

Horikita Suzune looked up, her tone flat and concise. "Class D, Horikita Suzune.

I am interested in improving the optimal survival strategies of individuals and groups under the Advanced Nurturing High School system." Her words were direct and utilitarian, making no attempt to hide her purpose.

Katsuragi Kohei spoke in a deep voice, powerful and steady. "Class A, Katsuragi Kohei.

My research direction leans toward the dynamic balance between institutional design, resource allocation, and collective competitiveness." It was solid and conventional, filled with the "orthodox" elite air of Class A.

Encouraged by Yuefeng's gaze, Hiyori Shiina spoke softly but clearly. "Class C, Hiyori Shiina.

I... am interested in logic, cognitive science, and their applications in social decision-making." Her words carried an academic air, fitting her character perfectly.

It was Yuefeng's turn. He felt several gazes converge on him, especially Sakayanagi Arisu's faint but persistent attention.

"Class C, Ayanokoji Yuefeng." His tone was calm. "I am particularly interested in the strategic behavior of individuals and groups in environments of information asymmetry, as well as the influence of informal rules on the operation of formal institutions."

This direction suited both his course background in "logic and game theory" and the potential for "observation" and "using rules" that Ryuen might expect from him. At the same time, it did not seem overly aggressive.