Representatives of Each Class

Last was Sakayanagi Arisu. She smiled lightly, her voice as gentle as ever. "Class A, Sakayanagi Arisu. As for my interests... they're rather varied.

Perhaps you could say I'm curious about the 'interesting' ways human nature reveals itself under various rules and pressures, and how to guide those 'revelations' in... the expected direction."

Her wording was tactful, but its meaning made everyone present tense inwardly.

She was practically stating outright that she was interested in situations involving "manipulation" and "control."

With the introductions over, the atmosphere seemed to ease slightly, but the invisible sense of competition and probing continued.

Ichinose Honami once again took charge of the conversation, guiding everyone into discussing possible research directions.

Katsuragi leaned toward studying ways to optimize the school's existing point system, Horikita supported researching concrete strategies for improving class rankings, while Hirata was more concerned with promoting positive interactions among students from different classes.

Hiyori Shiina occasionally added quiet comments from the perspectives of logic or cognitive science, while Yuefeng mostly listened. Even when he spoke, it was only to supplement or ask questions; he never readily revealed his own inclinations.

Sakayanagi Arisu did not speak often, but every time she did, she precisely pointed out contradictions or potential loopholes in the various proposals. Her tone was gentle, yet it always brought the discussion to a brief standstill.

She did not seem eager to push any particular direction. It was more like she enjoyed observing everyone argue, analyzing each person's thought patterns and stance.

Yuefeng could sense that Sakayanagi Arisu's gaze occasionally fell upon him.

That gaze lacked the emotionlessness of Kiyotaka's, yet it was not as oppressive as Ryuen's.

It was... a pure intellectual interest, as though he were a newly emerged variable worth analyzing. It made him more uneasy than facing Ryuen had.

The discussion continued for over an hour. They tentatively settled on several possible directions, but reached no consensus.

A Student Council officer entered again and announced that today's meeting was over. The specific topic would be decided before the next activity, and they were assigned their first individual literature review task.

After the meeting, everyone packed up and left.

"Yuefeng," Hiyori Shiina said softly as she walked to his side, "shall we head back to the dorms together?"

Yuefeng nodded. Walking with Hiyori Shiina would at least help him avoid some unnecessary individual attention.

The two had just stepped out of the activity room when Sakayanagi Arisu's gentle voice sounded behind them. "Ayanokoji, please wait."

Yuefeng paused, his heart sinking slightly. He turned around.

Leaning on her cane, Sakayanagi Arisu approached at an unhurried pace, that peculiar smile still on her face. Katsuragi Kohei stood half a step behind her like a silent guard.

"Is something the matter, Classmate Sakayanagi?" Yuefeng asked calmly.

"I was merely curious," Sakayanagi Arisu said, tilting her head slightly as her pale violet eyes fixed on him. "The point Ayanokoji mentioned earlier—the influence of informal rules on the operation of formal systems... that was quite an interesting angle.

I wonder whether Ayanokoji's 'experience' with such matters is especially profound in Class C?"

Her words sounded like a casual question, but the phrases "in Class C" and "experience" carried a faint, almost imperceptible implication.

What was she hinting at? Was she implying that she knew about Class C's special "informal rules" under Ryuen's rule?

Or was she testing Yuefeng's attitude toward such "rules," and his ability to use them?

Beside him, Hiyori Shiina's body tensed slightly as she shot Yuefeng a worried glance.

Yuefeng met Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes, wearing an appropriately puzzled and modest expression. "You flatter me, Classmate Sakayanagi.

They were only some insights from class. I still have much to learn and observe.

Class C... is the same as every other class. We're all trying to adapt to the school's system."

He sidestepped the important parts and steered the topic toward generalities.

Sakayanagi Arisu laughed softly. Her laughter was as clear as wind chimes, yet it inexplicably sent a chill through people. "Is that so? It seems Ayanokoji is quite skilled at 'observing' and 'adapting.'"

She paused, her gaze seemingly brushing over Yuefeng's left arm, which no longer showed any abnormality but had once been injured. "I hope we'll see more of Ayanokoji's 'interesting' insights in the group from now on."

With that, she gave Yuefeng and Hiyori Shiina a slight nod, then turned and left under Katsuragi Kohei's accompaniment.

Her steps remained light, her cane tapping the floor with soft, regular sounds that gradually faded into the distance.

Only after her figure disappeared around the end of the corridor did Yuefeng slowly let out a breath. His back felt slightly cold.

That brief conversation with Sakayanagi Arisu had been more exhausting than a confrontation with Ryuen. That woman was far too terrifying.

She seemed able to see through many things, and she enjoyed toying with people's hearts in the palm of her hand.

"Yuefeng..." Hiyori Shiina called softly, her eyes filled with concern. "Classmate Sakayanagi, she..."

"It's fine." Yuefeng interrupted her and shook his head. "Let's go back."

The two walked side by side toward the dormitory district. The sun had completely set, and the evening lights had begun to glow.

"Yuefeng," Hiyori Shiina said softly after a moment of silence, "I think... Classmate Sakayanagi and Classmate Katsuragi... they seem to know a great many things."

"Mm." Yuefeng replied. They knew far more than that. Those two from Class A probably had a complete grasp of the entire first-year landscape, the conflicts between classes, and even many hidden undercurrents unknown to others.

This so-called research group was probably far more than a place for academic exchange.

It was itself a small, condensed battlefield—the front line where various factions observed, tested, and even clashed with one another.

And he carried Ryuen's secret mission, bore the identity of "Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's older brother," and was tied to Hiyori Shiina, one of Class C's top students.

It was practically like walking into the center of this vortex with a spotlight and a target strapped to his back.

"Be careful, Shiina." Yuefeng looked at the brightly lit dormitory building ahead and spoke in a low voice. "In this group, don't trust anyone too easily, and don't reveal your true thoughts too readily."

Hiyori Shiina nodded firmly and hugged the books in her arms tighter. "I understand. Yuefeng, you be careful too."

The night was gentle, but Yuefeng knew that from today onward, he would face a situation more complicated and dangerous than anything within Class C.

Ryuen's "blade" had already been drawn.

And the hand holding that blade had to deal not only with backlash from its "target," but also remain wary of scrutiny from its "allies."

And... CPU-kun's younger brother, who was forever hidden in the shadows, who knew when he might cast a glance their way.

This road truly became more perilous with every step.

Yet for some reason, alongside the weight and vigilance in Yuefeng's heart, there was also a faint... indescribable excitement.

Standing on the same stage as these top "elites," competing on the battlefield of intellect and scheming—perhaps that was also the best touchstone for testing and tempering his own "strength."

He raised his head toward the night sky. The starlight was dim, but the city's light pollution had dyed the horizon a blurred dark red.