After buying what he needed, Ayanokoji strolled back to the dormitory, seemingly without a care in the world.
A flock of geese flew across the sky on their way home, leaving...
A lone figure always stood out on campus.
Watching students with the same freshman ribbons walk in groups of three or five along the campus paths, Ayanokoji genuinely admired them.
Even his past self wouldn't have been able to fit into a group so quickly.
Ayanokoji murmured to himself.
Before long, a group of girls approached from the other direction.
At the center of the group was a sweet-looking girl with pink hair and a figure that drew the eye.
She wore a healing, angelic smile and tirelessly responded to everyone around her who spoke to her.
They all looked like they were having a wonderful time.
Watching them, Ayanokoji felt that the girl radiated a unique aura—a powerful warmth that made people feel at ease and want to get closer to her.
As they passed each other, the pink-haired girl politely nodded, her smile natural and pleasant.
Ayanokoji nodded back, offering her a deadpan face as lively as a blade of grass.
After seeing her up close, Ayanokoji decided she was probably the most beautiful girl he'd seen at this school.
She was on a whole different level from ordinary girls, and even the other beauties in her league fell just a little short.
There might be plenty of girls who could match the pink-haired girl in looks alone, but when it came to her combined aura and personality, surely no one could surpass her.
I remember her name was Ichinose... something with nami, wasn't it?
Anyway, her name must have had "nami" in it. Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense.
After Ayanokoji passed by, several girls beside Ichinose began criticizing him.
"What was that? Honami-chan greeted him so politely and warmly, but he just gave her a sour look."
"I wonder what class he's in. He's so rude!"
"Honami-chan, don't you think so?"
"Hehe... Not at all. We're all first-year students, and everyone has their own way of doing things. We shouldn't expect everyone to act the same~"
Ichinose smiled at her friends.
Her smile was so infectious that they instantly forgot their earlier displeasure.
"Hey, hey, Honami-chan, let's go to a café together!"
"Yeah~ The sun won't set for a while yet."
"Sure, I'm free too. Let's all go have fun!"
And so, the girls walked along the campus path with light steps, their lively laughter brimming with youthful energy.
Back in his dorm room, Ayanokoji set his purchases on the table, then took the butterfly brooch out of his pocket.
"..."
Whenever he saw the butterfly, Ayanokoji couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow.
This little butterfly carried seven years of his feelings.
It was his first love, and a beautiful memory.
But now, one of its wings had lost its meaning.
As he pondered, he removed one of the wings. A black device—the butterfly's "body"—was exposed.
Ayanokoji pressed the button now exposed to the air.
A conversation played from the back of the other wing:
"Chabashira-sensei, I have a few questions I'd like to ask you."
"Oh?"
"You can ask, but I might not answer everything."
"That's fine. You only need to answer what you can."
"Go ahead."
"First, points can buy anything. You mean anything in the literal sense, right?"
"..."
"I understand. The second point..."
Ayanokoji stopped the recording, his expression as calm as a still pond.
He hoped this recording would warn certain people in the class not to do anything foolish and drag him into it.
But how could he present it to the class?
Ayanokoji was stumped.
It was difficult. A little difficult.
He'd offered a well-meaning warning that morning, but they'd taken it as bragging and provocation. The class probably wouldn't believe anything he said now.
"..."
He rubbed his forehead and fell into thought. After a few seconds of contemplation, he thought of a good candidate.
He called the dorm room landline. If it was him, he'd probably help without question...
Beep, beep, beep.
The other end picked up, and a gentle, clear male voice answered.
"Hello, Ayanokoji-kun. What can I do for you?"
"Hirata, I have some information to give you. It concerns the class's interests."
At that, Hirata's eyes flickered, and his voice turned pleasantly surprised.
"Ayanokoji-kun, are you free to meet now...?"
Hirata arrived first at a bench by the river.
Before long, he turned toward the dormitory building. In the distance, Ayanokoji was slowly making his way over at the pace of an old man.
When Ayanokoji drew near, Hirata smiled and waved at him.
Ayanokoji waved back with a poker face befitting the highest honors.
After they'd talked things through, Hirata understood what had happened and agreed with Ayanokoji's idea. He also praised Ayanokoji's keen instincts.
"Then, Hirata, I'll give this to you tomorrow. Tell everyone what it says."
"Sure."
Hirata nodded, feeling a surge of admiration.
Today was the first time he'd truly gotten to know Ayanokoji.
The man before him was far more capable than he appeared.
With the matter settled, Ayanokoji felt much more at ease.
He stretched, and a breeze from across the river rippled the water and gently tousled the bangs of the two men on the bench.
"Hey, Hirata, why did you ask me to meet here? Couldn't we have just met outside the dorm?"
Ayanokoji asked casually. He didn't mind walking a little farther; it just seemed rather pointless.
Hirata paused at Ayanokoji's question, then scratched his head awkwardly and dipped it slightly. "Sorry, Ayanokoji-kun. I decided on my own."
"Actually... there's something else I wanted to talk to you about."
Ayanokoji: "?"
???
Don't do this!
Something was off. Hirata, you're acting weird.
Looking at Hirata's clear eyes, Ayanokoji suddenly felt an instinctive clench in his nether regions.
Hirata raised his gaze, a little embarrassed, and met Ayanokoji's indifferent eyes.
For a moment, Ayanokoji thought he saw a faint blush spread across Hirata's cheeks.
"Actually..." Hirata took a deep breath and slowly began, "There's something I'd like to discuss with you!"
?
That's it?
Grass. It's a plant.
And here I was, mentally preparing myself like crazy.
All that anticipation for nothing.
Ayanokoji's mouth twitched, his pupils contracted, and at last he managed an awkward smile.
Before you continue