An Anatomy of Human Nature, A Nonexistent Victory

The bell signaling the end of physical education rang out, marking the conclusion of the day's classes. Like birds returning to their nests, the students began to pack their belongings, preparing to leave the field.

However, Horikita Suzune had no intention of returning to the dormitory immediately. She walked briskly toward Akiyama Shin, her eyes scanning the crowd for Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo.

"Hirata-kun! Kushida-san!"

She called out to the pair, who were just about to leave with a few friends, her tone carrying an unquestionable decisiveness.

"Since we have time this afternoon, let's gather the students and start our study session at the library now. The earlier we start, the better our chances."

She considered this a matter of course; the crisis was imminent, and every minute and second should be fully utilized.

The original plan had been to start today, but due to the sudden intervention of Sakayanagi Arisu, the details hadn't been explained during class. Now that there was free time, it shouldn't be wasted.

Upon hearing this, Hirata Yosuke wore a slightly troubled expression. He smiled gently and explained.

"Horikita-san, I understand how you feel."

"However, since we have already agreed to a joint study session with Class B starting tomorrow, and we've already informed everyone in class, suddenly demanding that they go this afternoon might cause some resentment. They might feel our schedule is too tight and leaves no room to breathe."

He tried to express himself in a more tactful manner.

"Why not give the students this last half-day of break to arrange their own affairs?"

"Or let them relax a little. If we go all out starting tomorrow, the students might be more receptive, which would be more beneficial for the long-term success of these study sessions."

Kushida Kikyo also nodded, echoing Hirata with a soothing smile on her face.

"That's right, Horikita-san. Hirata-kun makes a good point. Changing the plan so suddenly might really make some students feel uncomfortable. A half-day won't make that much of a difference."

Horikita Suzune's brows furrowed immediately, her cold face filled with disapproval.

"A half-day is still time! The midterm exams are right before our eyes; every bit of review counts!"

"Besides, this was the original plan; the notification method was only adjusted temporarily because of Class B's intervention!"

"I personally don't see what the problem is. Those who are willing to study will naturally stay, and those who aren't might not put in the effort even if we wait until tomorrow!"

Her tone carried a hint of imperceptible agitation and dissatisfaction with those who were slacking off.

Hirata Yosuke continued to persuade her patiently.

"I understand, Horikita-san, but maintaining the harmony and motivation of the class is also important."

"If we push this through by force and cause some students to become resistant, it will be counterproductive. I believe it will be more effective if everyone participates voluntarily."

Looking at Hirata Yosuke's insistence on prioritizing class harmony, and Kushida Kikyo's clear stance in support of him, Horikita Suzune knew that it would be difficult for her to change this decision on her own.

She pressed her lips together and ultimately said nothing more, though anyone could see her displeasure.

On the way back to the dormitory, Horikita Suzune walked side-by-side with Akiyama Shin. She was clearly still dwelling on what had just happened and couldn't help but complain to him.

"It's truly incomprehensible!"

"When time is so tight, why bother with such trivial emotions?"

"Hirata-kun's personality is far too soft!"

"He always prioritizes other people's feelings while ignoring the most important issue: efficiency!"

"And Kushida-san, she clearly knows the severity of the situation, yet she just blindly tries to smooth things over! How can Class D ever catch up to the other classes if things continue like this?"

"Opportunities are earned by oneself, not given away by others or gained through waiting! If this half-day is wasted, someone might fall behind because of it!"

Her cold voice carried a rare hint of agitation.

Akiyama Shin listened to her complaints quietly, his gaze fixed straight ahead. Only when she paused slightly did he speak slowly, his tone remaining flat.

"Hirata's personality is just like that. He cares too much about the collective, is too quick to consider others, and habitually seeks harmony. These are his strengths, but they are also his weaknesses."

"However, given the current state of Class D, forcing your plan through could indeed trigger a backlash. His choice to play it safe is understandable."

His words sounded like a statement of objective fact, favoring neither side.

Yet, deep inside, his analysis of Hirata Yosuke did not stop.

Hirata Yosuke was indeed sunny, cheerful, and appeared to be kind from the bottom of his heart.

At least from enrollment until now, the behavioral pattern he had displayed was consistent: helpful, good at coordination, and always prioritizing the overall atmosphere of the class and the feelings of others.

He was willing to humble himself to act as a peacemaker for the sake of so-called class harmony, soothing those who were clearly problematic.

People like Yamauchi, for instance.

Sometimes, Akiyama Shin couldn't help but wonder if he was being overly sensitive and extreme.

He was always in the habit of dissecting every person to achieve the results he desired.

He viewed the kindness of others as an investment with some underlying motive, then calmly calculated the pros and cons.

Only then would he decide whether to accept it and how to utilize it.

This way of thinking was indeed much more exhausting than that of an average person, as if he were forever wearing a pair of glasses that could see through people, always seeing the motives and calculations hidden beneath the surface.

But he didn't hate it.

Or rather, he was already used to it.

Only by keeping everything under his control and anticipating every move could Akiyama Shin feel at ease, and for someone like Hirata Yosuke, Akiyama Shin actually harbored a trace of admiration deep down.

He admitted that this kind of pure, altruistic kindness was rare, but he did not like people of this type.

Why?

Because he could not understand it.

He did not understand why kindness had to be built upon one's own exhaustion and compromise.

Hirata Yosuke was a classic example; he seemed to thoroughly enjoy the feeling of being needed. Anyone with any difficulty could come to him, and he almost never refused, finding joy in the act itself.

This was different from Kushida Kikyo. Kushida Kikyo's kindness and helpfulness were based on maintaining her image as a little angel and were intended to ensure her ideal school life. It was highly purposeful—a form of refined egoism—whereas Hirata... his motives seemed purer?

Akiyama Shin had always categorized all actions based on their motives, regardless of whether those motives were beneficial or detrimental.

Yet, he often couldn't help but wonder: did Hirata Yosuke truly just enjoy gaining spiritual satisfaction and happiness through helping others and receiving their gratitude and recognition?

If that were the case, it still counted as a motive, a form of emotional need, but in Akiyama Shin's view, this motive was too ethereal and easily exploited by others.

At this stage, he truly could not see that Hirata Yosuke had any other deeper, hidden agenda.

But could someone without strong personal desires or clear goals really lead Class D far?

His thoughts were tangled and messy, like a knotted ball of yarn.

After parting ways with Horikita Suzune downstairs at the dormitory, Akiyama Shin returned to Dormitory 501 alone.

Closing the door and shutting out the clamor of the outside world, he did not feel the slightest bit of relaxation; a familiar headache, born from his inability to fully analyze the situation, began to creep in.

Whether it was the seemingly kind but motive-shrouded assistance from Sakayanagi Arisu, or the altruism of Hirata Yosuke that was so pure it defied his understanding, they were all like complex puzzles laid out before him, yet he could not find that key, central motive that tied everything together.

He could not see through the primary driving force behind their actions, nor could he accurately infer how their past experiences had shaped their current personalities based on the limited clues he possessed.

This feeling of curiosity that could never quite touch the truth...

It was like a feather lightly scratching at the tip of his heart, an unbearable itch that left him feeling a sense of intellectual frustration and discomfort.

He was accustomed to controlling information and reading people.

When he encountered subjects he could not easily see through, that loss of control brought a sense of intense unease.

Just then, his terminal vibrated.

It was a message from Kushida Kikyo.

[Kushida Kikyo]: Shin~ do you want to eat dinner together tonight? Or... should I come down to find you? (｡･ω･｡)

Akiyama Shin looked at the screen, rubbed his still-throbbing temples, and replied.

[Akiyama Shin]: No, I'm a bit tired today, I want to rest early.

He needed to be alone to quiet his mind and sort through his chaotic thoughts.

On the sixth floor, in the girls' dormitory, in Kushida Kikyo's room.

She looked at Akiyama Shin's reply about being tired, froze for a moment, and then, an incredibly brilliant, even slightly smug and cunning smile slowly bloomed on her face.

She put down her terminal, couldn't help but do a little excited jump in her room, then threw herself onto the soft bed, buried her face in the pillow, and let out irrepressible laughter.

"Hee hee... haha..."

She lifted her head, her face flushed with excitement, and spoke to the air as if addressing the opponent who had defeated her time and again, muttering to herself.

"So you have days like this too!"

"Akiyama Shin!"

"So you can actually say you're tired!"

"Aren't you usually the one who acts so composed... as if you'll never be exhausted?"

"Every time... every time it's me who gets worn out until I beg for mercy..."

"This time it's finally my turn to hear you say you're tired! As expected! I won in the end after all! Hmph hmph!"

"It seems my skills have improved after all! Tomorrow, I'll strike while you're down... no, wait, that's not it... I'll strike while you're tired! I'll make you even more tired! Hehehe..."

She was immersed in the childish joy of finally having turned the tables, feeling as if she had won a great battle.

She was completely unaware that Akiyama Shin's exhaustion was not at all what she imagined it to be.

As the night deepened, Akiyama Shin sat in his quiet room, facing the flickering lights outside the window, continuing his endless contemplation regarding human hearts and motives.

Meanwhile, Kushida Kikyo remained in her own little world, feeling smug about a victory that didn't exist, and secretly resolved... to keep up the good work in future battles!!

The bell for the end of physical education rang, signaling the conclusion of the day's classes. Students began to pack their things like birds returning to their nests, preparing to leave the field.

However, Horikita Suzune had no intention of returning to the dormitory immediately. She walked quickly to Akiyama Shin's side, her eyes scanning for Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo.

"Hirata-kun! Kushida-san!"

She called out to the two who were preparing to leave with a few friends, her tone carrying an unquestionable decisiveness.

"Since we have time this afternoon, let's gather the classmates and start the study session in the library now. The sooner we start, the more certainty we'll have."

She considered this a matter of course; with the crisis looming, every single minute should be fully utilized.

The original plan was to start today, but due to the sudden intervention of Sakayanagi Arisu, the details hadn't been explained during class. Now that there was free time, it shouldn't be wasted.

Upon hearing this, Hirata Yosuke showed a hint of hesitation on his face, and he smiled gently as he explained.

"Horikita-san, I understand how you feel."

"However, since we have already agreed with Class B to start joint study sessions tomorrow, and we have already announced it to everyone in class, if we suddenly demand that everyone go this afternoon, it might cause resentment among some students. They might feel our schedule is too tight and leaves no room to breathe."

He tried to express himself in a more tactful way.

"Why not give the students this last half-day of break to arrange their own affairs and handle personal matters?"

"Or let them relax a little, and starting tomorrow, we can go all out. That way, everyone might be more receptive, and it will be more conducive to the long-term development of the study sessions."

Kushida Kikyo also nodded, echoing Hirata with a soothing smile on her face.

"That's right, Horikita-san. Hirata-kun makes sense. Changing the plan so suddenly might really make some students feel uncomfortable. Half a day won't make that much of a difference."

Horikita Suzune's brows furrowed immediately, her cold face filled with disapproval.

"Half a day is still time! The midterm exams are right before our eyes; every bit of review counts!"

"Besides, this was the original plan; the announcement method was only adjusted temporarily because of Class B's intervention!"

"I personally don't see any problem with this. Those who are willing to study will naturally stay, and those who aren't might not put in the effort even if we wait until tomorrow!"

Her tone carried a trace of imperceptible agitation and dissatisfaction with those who were slacking off.

Hirata Yosuke continued to persuade her patiently.

"I understand, Horikita-san, but maintaining the harmony and motivation of the class is also very important."

"If we push forward by force and cause some students to develop resistance, it will be counterproductive. I believe that letting everyone participate voluntarily will have a better effect."

Looking at Hirata Yosuke's insistence on prioritizing class harmony, as well as Kushida Kikyo's clear support for his position, Horikita Suzune knew that it would be difficult for her to change this decision on her own.

She pressed her lips together and ultimately said nothing more, but anyone could see her displeasure.

On the way back to the dormitory, Horikita Suzune walked side by side with Akiyama Shin. She was clearly still brooding over what had just happened and couldn't help but complain to him.

"It's truly incomprehensible!"

"When time is so tight, why care about those irrelevant emotions?"

"Hirata-kun's personality is far too weak!"

"He always prioritizes other people's feelings while ignoring the most important issue of efficiency!"

"And Kushida-san, she clearly knows the severity of the situation, yet she just keeps trying to smooth things over! How can Class D ever catch up to the other classes if this continues?"

"Opportunities are earned by oneself, not given by others or obtained by waiting! If this half-day is wasted, someone might fall behind because of it!"

Her cold voice carried a rare hint of agitation.

Akiyama Shin listened to her complaints quietly, his gaze fixed straight ahead. Only when she paused slightly did he speak slowly, his tone remaining flat.

"Hirata's personality is just like that. He cares too much about the collective, is too prone to considering others, and habitually seeks harmony. These are his strengths, but they are also his weaknesses."

"However, in the current state of Class D, forcing your plan through might indeed trigger a backlash. His choice to play it safe is understandable."

His words sounded like he was stating an objective fact, without favoring either side.

However, deep inside, his analysis of Hirata Yosuke did not stop.

Hirata Yosuke was indeed a sunny, cheerful person, and he appeared to be kind from the bottom of his heart.

At least from enrollment until now, the behavioral pattern he had displayed was exactly that: helpful, good at coordination, and always prioritizing the overall atmosphere of the class and the feelings of others.

He was willing to humble himself to act as a peacemaker for the sake of so-called class harmony, and to appease those who clearly had issues.

People like Yamauchi, for example.

Sometimes, Akiyama Shin would even involuntarily wonder if he was being overly sensitive and extreme.

He was always in the habit of over-analyzing everyone in order to achieve the results he wanted.

He viewed the kindness of others as an investment with some sort of ulterior motive, then calmly calculated the pros and cons.

Only then would he decide whether to accept it and how to utilize it.

This way of thinking was indeed much more exhausting than that of an average person, as if he were forever wearing a pair of glasses that could see through people's hearts, always seeing the motives and calculations hidden beneath the surface.

But he didn't hate it.

Or rather, he was already used to it.

Only by keeping everything under his control and gaining insight into the situation early could he feel at ease. As for someone like Hirata Yosuke, Akiyama Shin actually harbored a trace of admiration deep down.

He admitted that this kind of pure, altruistic kindness was rare, but he didn't like such people.

Why?

Because he couldn't understand it.

He didn't understand why kindness had to be built upon one's own exhaustion and compromise.

Hirata Yosuke is a classic example; he seems to truly enjoy the feeling of being needed. Anyone can come to him with any difficulty, and he almost never refuses, finding joy in the act itself.

This is different from Kushida Kikyo. Kushida Kikyo's kindness and helpfulness are based on maintaining her image as a little angel, and are intended to ensure her ideal school life. It carries a strong sense of purpose and is a form of refined egoism, whereas Hirata... his motives seem purer?

Akiyama Shin has always categorized all actions based on their underlying motives, regardless of whether those motives are beneficial or detrimental.

Yet, he often cannot help but wonder: does Hirata Yosuke truly just enjoy gaining gratitude and recognition from others through helping them, thereby achieving spiritual satisfaction and happiness?

If that is the case, it still counts as a motive, an emotional need. It is just that, in Akiyama Shin's view, such a motive is too ethereal and easily exploited by others.

At this stage, he truly cannot see that Hirata Yosuke has any other deeper, hidden agenda.

But can a person without strong personal desires and clear goals really lead Class D far?

His thoughts were tangled and chaotic, like a knotted ball of yarn.

After parting ways with Horikita Suzune downstairs at the dormitory, Akiyama Shin returned to Dormitory 501 alone.

Closing the door and shutting out the clamor of the outside world, he did not feel the slightest bit relaxed. A familiar headache, born from his inability to analyze the situation, began to creep in.

Whether it was the assistance from Sakayanagi Arisu, which seemed well-intentioned but had mysterious motives, or the altruism of Hirata Yosuke, which was so pure it was beyond his understanding, both were like complex puzzles laid out before him, yet he could not find the key thread of motivation that tied everything together.

He could not see through the most primitive driving forces behind their actions, nor could he accurately infer how their past experiences had shaped their current personalities based on the limited clues he had.

This feeling of curiosity that could never quite reach the truth...

It was like a feather lightly scratching at the tip of his heart, an unbearable itch that left him feeling a sense of intellectual frustration and discomfort.

He was accustomed to controlling information and seeing through the hearts of others.

When he encountered subjects he could not easily read, that sense of losing control brought with it a strong feeling of unease.

Just then, his terminal vibrated.

It was a message from Kushida Kikyo.

[Kushida Kikyo]: Shin~ Do you want to eat dinner together tonight? Or... should I come down to find you? (｡･ω･｡)

Akiyama Shin looked at the screen, rubbed his still-throbbing temples, and replied.

[Akiyama Shin]: No, I'm a bit tired today. I want to get some rest early.

He needed to be alone to quiet his mind and sort through his tangled thoughts.

On the sixth floor, in the girls' dormitory, in Kushida Kikyo's room.

She looked at Akiyama Shin's reply about being tired. She was stunned for a moment, and then, an incredibly brilliant, even slightly smug and cunning smile slowly bloomed on her face.

She put down her terminal, unable to stop herself from doing a small, excited jump in her room, then threw herself onto the soft bed, buried her face in the pillow, and let out irrepressible laughter.

"Hee hee... haha..."

She lifted her head, her face flushed with excitement, and spoke to the air as if she were shouting across the distance to the opponent who had defeated her time and time again.

"So you have days like this too!"

"Akiyama Shin!"

"So you can actually say you're tired!"

"Aren't you usually so composed... looking like you'll never get tired?"

"Every time... every time it's me who ends up begging for mercy..."

"This time, it's finally your turn to say you're tired! As expected! I won in the end! Heh heh!"

"It seems my skills have improved after all! Tomorrow, I'll strike while you're down... no, wait, that's not right... I'll strike while you're tired! I'll make you even more tired! Heh heh heh..."

She was immersed in the childish joy of finally having turned the tables, feeling as if she had won a great battle.

She was completely unaware that Akiyama Shin's fatigue was not at all what she imagined it to be.

As the night deepened, Akiyama Shin sat in his quiet room, facing the flickering lights outside the window, continuing his endless contemplation of human hearts and motives.

Meanwhile, Kushida Kikyo remained in her own little world, feeling smug about a victory that didn't actually exist, and secretly resolved... to keep up the good work in future battles!!