No Shackles on the Body, Shackles in the Heart

One week later.

Class 1-C, during the break.

Shiho Manabe occupied Hidetoshi Suzuki's seat, sitting in front of Prince Ganlongdao, her legs crossed as she let out a coquettish giggle.

Ishizaki, Albert, Saki Yamashita, Nanami Yabu, and Rika Morofuji.

The five of them stood around the two of them.

Prince Ganlongdao and Shiho Manabe had already become the central figures of this class.

Absolute socialites.

If one were to run into them on the street.

Most loners would consciously lower their voices and clear the path.

This greatly satisfied Shiho Manabe's vanity.

Although not everyone acted this way, and quite a few people were still normal.

But Shiho Manabe didn't consider herself much of a bully; she simply enjoyed the feeling of being surrounded like a queen.

Of course.

Shiho Manabe was also very clear on this.

Her current status in the class was largely due to Prince Ganlongdao.

Otherwise.

With her own abilities.

At most, she would be the leader of a small group like before.

How could she ever have the chance to be the center of the entire Class C like she was now?

It was just... too exhilarating!

Feeling the gazes of those around her, Shiho Manabe curled her lips with a hint of smugness.

As for whether the reason for these gazes was awe, fear, respect, or simply finding them noisy, that was outside the scope of Shiho Manabe's concerns.

Ding-a-ling.

The bell for class rang.

"So soon?"

Shiho Manabe stood up, feeling somewhat reluctant.

"Prince Brother, I'll head back first. I just found out the university has a bowling alley; remember, let's go bowling after school~"

"OK~"

Prince Ganlongdao made a casual gesture, and Ishizaki and the others returned to their respective places.

Nearby.

Hidetoshi Suzuki returned to his seat with a face full of tears.

He had indeed requested a seat change from Kazuma Sakagami, but unfortunately, everything in this university required points, making it basically impossible.

How long was he going to be bullied for...

As long as they kept it clean, he wouldn't mind someone sitting in his seat.

But Hidetoshi Suzuki couldn't help but feel a bit resentful.

Every time class ended, He had to make an excuse to use the restroom to leave his seat or go find Kaneda and the others to discuss their studies.

It was truly quite annoying.

Soon.

Kazuma Sakagami walked into the classroom and stood at the podium, his expression indifferent as he said:

"Students, in view of the fact that Kakeru Ryuen has not attended class for a week and has not provided me with any explanation, according to the school's requirements, I will be visiting his dormitory after school to understand the reason."

"Is there any student who has a good relationship with Kakeru Ryuen who would like to go with me?"

Kazuma Sakagami looked directly at Prince Ganlongdao.

There was no need to guess.

Something must have happened between Prince Ganlongdao and Kakeru Ryuen.

In order to select the most outstanding class leader, Kazuma Sakagami didn't mind them using some special means, but there had to be a limit.

Kakeru Ryuen's speculation was correct.

As time passed, the pressure would naturally shift onto Prince Ganlongdao.

"Fine then, I'll go with you, Sakagami."

Prince Ganlongdao didn't care.

Feeling the slightly resentful gaze of Shiho Manabe, Prince Ganlongdao shrugged his shoulders; he would just have to schedule another time.

Dormitory building, after school.

Prince Ganlongdao followed Kazuma Sakagami to the room of Dragon Garden.

At this moment.

Dragon Garden was sitting on his bed, leaning against the wall and reading a book.

His face was covered in stubble, and his entire body emitted a sour, foul stench.

The floor was littered with empty instant noodle cups and finished beverage bottles, with small black flies crawling over them.

Only the eyes of Dragon Garden.

Remained as bright as a viper, just as they had been at the start of the school year.

This week.

Every two to three days, Prince Ganlongdao would bring him supplies.

He had long known that the shackles on the hands of Dragon Garden had been removed, and his body had regained its freedom.

However.

Dragon Garden had truly achieved a state of having no shackles on his body, but shackles in his heart.

Except for using the restroom, It was as if the guy still had shackles on his wrists!

Eating, drinking, reading, sleeping—everything was done on the bed. Even in this battle of wills, Dragon Garden showed no intention of yielding.

As for the trash on the floor.

It was generous enough that he was even bringing supplies to this guy;

Since Dragon Garden wouldn't throw it away, Prince Ganlongdao certainly wouldn't do it for him.

"Dragon Garden..."

Kazuma Sakagami covered his nose and mouth.

His face was full of disgust.

He truly found the smell in the room unbearable and couldn't understand how Dragon Garden managed to live like this, though it did go to show the formidable willpower of Dragon Garden.

Thinking of this.

Kazuma Sakagami felt a sense of joy.

"Oh?"

Dragon Garden turned his head to look at the two of them.

His gaze skipped over Kazuma Sakagami and landed on Prince Ganlongdao behind him, his tone slightly playful:

"Ganlongdao, why have you come?"

Clearly.

Dragon Garden had already endured the most difficult phase, and the pressure was now on Prince Ganlongdao.

Beating and imprisoning a student, Either one of these was enough to get Prince Ganlongdao expelled, so how would he explain this in front of Kazuma Sakagami?

"Just checking to see if you were dead~ You haven't been to university for a week, and you've even made Sakagami worry. Dragon Garden, don't you feel ashamed for causing others such trouble?"

Prince Ganlongdao also covered his nose and mouth, his tone somewhat mocking.

Having lived in war-torn lands, He had experienced far worse living conditions, so he naturally wasn't as repulsed as Kazuma Sakagami.

However.

This did not mean he had no standards for his quality of life.

Without conditions, He could accept living standards a hundred times more brutal than this.

With conditions, Prince Ganlongdao would naturally pursue the best.

Life is only a few decades long.

Accepting one's environment and honestly facing one's own desires—everything else is secondary. This was the most important thing he had realized while hovering between life and death.

Hearing his words.

The expression of Dragon Garden immediately soured.

To keep causing trouble for others and then ask if they know the meaning of shame?

If one had even a shred of self-respect.

It felt like even Prince Ganlongdao wouldn't be able to say such a thing.

"Ryuen."

Kazuma Sakagami had no mood to care about the outcome between the two, covering his nose and mouth, wanting only to leave as quickly as possible.

"What is the reason you haven't come to the university for this past week?"

"..."

Ryuen looked at Prince Ganlongdao without responding.

Telling the teacher, In Ryuen's eyes, That was the ultimate disgrace for a man.

Therefore, he would absolutely never admit it voluntarily, merely staring coldly at Prince Ganlongdao.

If.

Prince Ganlongdao pretended that nothing had happened.

Or lied in front of Kazuma Sakagami, saying that Ryuen was just sick and would be back in school next week or something similar.

Then that would mean.

Prince Ganlongdao was afraid!

Afraid of bearing the responsibility of the confinement, afraid of the punishment from the school authorities.

This mental battle.

Would naturally be a victory for Ryuen Kakeru.

This victory didn't require anyone else's acknowledgment.

Just like the handcuffs on his hands earlier, everything relied solely on Ryuen's own judgment.

Mainly.

This mental battle was initiated by Prince Ganlongdao.

In order to completely crush the other party mentally, Ryuen was willing to accept it, willing to endure such a wretched environment.

Once Ryuen judged that this mental battle had been decided, there was no need for it to continue.

Even if Prince Ganlongdao was a dead duck that refused to admit defeat.

Next.

Ryuen would only need to continue using violence.

A person harboring fear!

Ryuen didn't believe for a second that the other party could endure endless violence.

For a moment.

Both Ryuen and Kazuma Sakagami couldn't help but look at Prince Ganlongdao.

Waiting for his answer!