Comrades, Once We Enter This Gate, May We Each Be Well!

A witness!

A person who, as a third party, witnessed everything at the scene of an accident or incident.

They could be a passerby who happened to be passing through, a lucky party involved who narrowly escaped disaster, or an unfortunate soul who happened to glimpse someone else's argument on the way to work or school and, due to the parties' insistence, had no choice but to be singled out as a witness and summoned to court.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had very fortunately become that unfortunate soul.

"Um... I was just passing by. I don't want to get involved in this mess..."

"What's your name?"

Before Ayanokoji could state his position, Bai Yu's question was already right in his face. His impatient tone clearly showed that he wanted to seize the initiative. His eyes revealed his panic—his desperate desire to win the other person over, guide him into his camp, gain the upper hand, and muddle through to end this debate as quickly as possible.

Horikita Suzune folded her arms and pondered briefly, analyzing her opponent's pathetic mindset as she devised her response.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka replied hesitantly, "Aya... Ayanokoji..."

"Pleased to meet you, Ayanokoji."

Horikita Suzune made her decision at once. No matter what, she had to secure priority in speaking with the witness and establish an advantage by gaining the right to communicate with him.

Even if she was not good at saying things she did not mean without changing her expression, or smiling in a way that showed goodwill toward others, as long as she could establish the most basic communication, she was confident that he would recognize her ideals. And the reason was—

"You looked over at me just now, didn't you, Ayanokoji?"

"I... Sorry. I was only looking to see whether the people around me were the same as me and had no intention of giving up their seats."

Just as expected.

The corners of Horikita's mouth rose slightly. This time, there was at least a little sincerity in her smile.

Since he had not chosen to give up his seat on the spot and had secretly observed the others' movements, it meant that he had no such intention in his heart. At the very least, he was not the type to voluntarily sacrifice his own interests. He was the kind of comrade who would join her camp without needing much persuasion.

Ayanokoji's gaze drifted between the two camps. For one brief moment, he even felt that he was the criminal being tortured and judged.

Honestly, I'm happy that someone spoke to me before I even entered the school, but somehow I can't really be happy about it.

Horikita occasionally glanced to the side, checking someone's reaction to what she had heard.

Bai Yu felt a smug gaze upon him. As he remained inactive, that gaze grew increasingly obvious and sharp. It was almost tangible; he could sense its owner's confidence rapidly swelling.

That single gaze was gradually devouring Bai Yu's body, yet he remained unmoved.

Trying to curry favor with ulterior motives, using a smile she was not even good at to get close? Heh, such underhanded tricks would only backfire in the end!

Had she never heard the story of popping champagne at halftime?

He revealed a gentle smile, ignored the blades and killing intent shooting at him from the person beside him, and extended a hand to the innocent victim in front of him. "Being dragged into someone else's dispute for no reason must be troubling for you, Ayanokoji."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka looked up at the man before him. He seemed to be slightly taller than Ayanokoji himself, standing two steps above him. He offered Ayanokoji his hand, wearing a friendly smile that was at least ten times more sincere than the one on the other side. With the sun at his back, he still could not conceal his brilliance. His handsome face perfectly embodied kindness. If Ayanokoji had previously only understood the rough concept of an expression through books, then he was certain that he had now seen what gentleness truly looked like.

"Well... it is a little troubling."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka took the hand extended before him and grasped that warmth. The other person gave a light tug, and with both willing, it all happened naturally.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was pulled two steps upward, into heaven—a united front dedicated to promoting truth, goodness, and beauty in society—

"Actually... it's not that I don't want to give up my seat. If someone else could give it up before I did, then I could save myself some trouble... Yeah, that's probably how I really feel."

Ayanokoji's gaze wandered for a moment before he made his naked declaration of defection.

Horikita Suzune's pupils trembled. For a moment, it was difficult for her to remain calm. There was a way to win someone over this absurdly?

"Are all you boys this fickle?"

She could not help but demand an answer.

Bai Yu shook his head at her. "Don't you understand yet? Friendship between boys means exchanging sincerity for sincerity. As long as you are honest enough, what reason would there be not to stand with your brother?"

I see. I was swayed by the impact of this emotion.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka silently took notes in his mind, satisfied that he had learned such a weighty lesson on his very first day.

Horikita Suzune's resentful glare arrived at last. "Ayanokoji, I find your fence-sitting behavior utterly contemptible."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said, "Fence-sitting?"

Bai Yu instructed him, "It refers to someone who, even if they lack ability, still grows tenaciously by borrowing the strength of a wall and will not easily be blown over by fierce winds."

"It is an everyday expression describing someone willing to put effort into learning, face their own shortcomings, and keep improving by drawing upon the strengths of others."

"I see."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka nodded in understanding.

"You... you two..."

Horikita Suzune felt that her beliefs were being challenged from every possible direction.

She took a deep breath and forced herself to remain calm. "Forget it. I suppose I gained something as well—that debating with creatures like you is only a waste of my time."

"When the tide rises on the Qiantang River, only today do I know who I truly am," Bai Yu said with feeling.

Horikita no longer paid them any attention. Seemingly holding back something tremendous, she turned around, flicked her long black hair, and was the first to step into the school that had long awaited them.

"What did that sentence mean?"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka beside him looked over curiously, somewhat astonished by the breadth of Bai Yu's knowledge. This man's martial prowess was truly unconventional in every move. Even though Ayanokoji had read widely, he had never heard of such things!

"It's a line from a character in a Chinese classic. It roughly means that it is never too late to understand a precious truth." Bai Yu wore a meaningful expression. "That female student just now was especially suited to its context. Rather than persuade others to acknowledge you, it is better to use your actions to prove that your ideas are right."

As Bai Yu spoke, he did not forget to lower his head and check his watch. "Let's go, Ayanokoji. There's another saying: if you're fifteen minutes late, there'll be a pine tree at the office door."

It sounded like a metaphor, but what causal connection could those two things possibly have?

Late... office...

Wait...

Ayanokoji?

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka looked at the person ahead of him in confusion. Bai Yu, who was timing himself while charging ahead as though sprinting toward the finish line, did not forget to call back loudly, "Ayanokoji, if you're late on the first day of school, you'll be made to stand as punishment the next day! Please, don't let me see you standing in the hallway tomorrow!"