Undercurrents of the New Semester

On the first morning of the new semester, Tang Yu stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of his secret apartment, overlooking the Tokyo cityscape as it gradually stirred to life. The system interface unfolded clearly in the morning light:

[Current Emotion Points: 81500/∞]

[New Semester Mission: Establish a Class D Intelligence Network]

[Special Alert: Multiple hostile factions detected as active]

The bedroom door behind him opened softly, and Karuizawa Kei emerged, rubbing her eyes. Her blonde hair was slightly disheveled, and she was still wearing one of Tang Yu's oversized T-shirts. After three days of hiding, she looked much more relaxed than when she first arrived.

"G-good morning." Karuizawa tugged at the hem of her shirt, looking a bit embarrassed. "I made coffee... I'm not sure if it's to your taste."

Tang Yu turned and took the mug she offered. The apartment now bore the traces of another person's life—a women's magazine on the coffee table, skincare products in the bathroom, and a neatly folded blanket on the sofa. This unfamiliar domestic atmosphere made him feel slightly out of place.

"Thanks. Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah... better than I expected." Karuizawa sat on the bar stool nearby. "Um... school starts today, what should I do? Ryuen's people might still be looking for me..."

Tang Yu pulled up the surveillance feed on his phone. For the past three days, the two young men suspected of being Ryuen's subordinates had indeed been loitering near the apartment, but they had been unable to bypass the security system.

"I have a plan." Tang Yu set down his coffee cup. "I'll head to school first to scout the situation, and you leave two hours later. Hirata Yosuke will meet you at Shinjuku Station and bring you into school safely under the guise of a class activity."

Karuizawa's eyes lit up. "Hirata-kun? You've already contacted him?"

"I just told him you needed help; I didn't give him the specific reason." Tang Yu activated Emotion Perception to confirm that Karuizawa's emotional state was sufficiently stable. "Once you get to school, try to stay in crowded areas. Don't go off alone."

Karuizawa nodded, then suddenly reached out to grab Tang Yu's wrist. "You be careful. Ryuen... he's definitely prepared something for the new semester."

Tang Yu felt the slight tremor in her fingertips—not out of fear, but out of concern. This feeling of being cared for was somewhat novel.

[Concern from Karuizawa Kei +200]

[Favorability stable at 85/100]

At seven o'clock sharp, Tang Yu left the apartment, intentionally taking the back exit to avoid the watchers. The morning streets were filling with students, all heading in the direction of Advanced Nurturing High School.

He activated his Presence Adjustment ability, allowing himself to blend into the crowd—neither conspicuous nor entirely invisible.

At the school gate, colorful flags fluttered, and banners welcoming students back were hung high. Tang Yu's Emotion Perception immediately captured several abnormal fluctuations—under the shade of the trees to the right of the gate.

Two boys wearing Class C uniforms were pretending to chat, while actually observing every Class D student entering the school; near the information desk on the left, Student Council Vice President Kiriyama Ikiteru held a tablet, occasionally jotting something down.

"Tang Yu!"

A familiar voice came from behind. Horikita Suzune approached with a steady gait, her black hair tied into a sharp ponytail. Her posture was even more upright after the summer training. Her gaze held less sharpness than before, replaced by a sense of composure.

"Morning, Horikita-san." Tang Yu nodded in greeting. "How was your summer break?"

"Productive." Horikita answered briefly, then lowered her voice. "I heard you helped Karuizawa resolve her trouble?"

Tang Yu raised an eyebrow. "News travels fast."

"Hirata told me." Horikita's gaze swept over the Class C students at the gate. "Ryuen has been very active lately. He's not just targeting Karuizawa; he's also bought off a few people in my class."

"Kushida Kikyo?"

Horikita's eyes widened slightly. "You noticed too?" She paused. "We need to have a meeting. After school today, Library, Third Floor, Area A."

Without waiting for Tang Yu's response, Horikita strode toward the school building, as if their exchange had been nothing more than casual small talk. Her cautious attitude indicated that the situation was indeed serious.

[Trust from Horikita Suzune +150]

[Favorability increased to 85/100]

The opening ceremony was held in the school auditorium. Tang Yu sat in the Class D section, observing the room calmly. Class A remained orderly, Class B had a relaxed atmosphere, but Class C was unusually united—Ryuen Kakeru was surrounded in the center like a king, occasionally casting provocative glances toward Class D.

After the principal's speech, Student Council President Horikita Manabu stepped onto the podium. The hall went silent instantly, everyone holding their breath as they waited for the legendary figure to speak.

"The start of a new semester signifies new challenges." Horikita Manabu's voice was calm and powerful. "This semester, the frequency and difficulty of special exams will increase. The first test is scheduled for two weeks from now."

A chorus of groans erupted from the audience. Horikita Manabu continued, "Additionally, the student council will hold elections. Those interested in running must submit their applications by Friday."

As he said this, his gaze swept over Nagumo Miyabi—the vice president wore his signature brilliant smile, but Tang Yu's Emotion Perception clearly captured the flash of ambition in his eyes.

After the ceremony, each class returned to their classrooms. Class D's homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae, stood at the podium, her expression more serious than usual.

"Did you have a pleasant summer break?" She adjusted her glasses. "I hope so, because starting today, you will face the most rigorous semester since the school's founding."

The whispering in the classroom stopped immediately. Chabashira turned on the projector, displaying a set of complex data. "Based on last semester's performance, Class D currently has a total of 652 points, still remaining in last place. However, the gap with Class C has narrowed to 89 points."

This number drew a small cheer. Chabashira poured cold water on them: "Don't be happy too soon. The rules for the new semester have changed—at the end of every month, the bottom-ranked class will face an 'Expulsion Vote', and the student with the most votes will be forced to transfer out."

The class was in an uproar. Tang Yu immediately understood the malice behind this new rule—it would force the class to suspect one another and dismantle any teamwork.

"Quiet!" Chabashira tapped the podium. "Now, announcing the first special task: next week's class debate, with the theme 'The Pros and Cons of Meritocracy'. The winning class will receive a 100-point reward."

After the bell rang, the classroom exploded into chaos. Hirata Yosuke tried to organize a discussion, but panic had already begun to spread. Tang Yu noticed Kushida Kikyo sneaking out of the classroom, heading toward the floor where Class C was located.

"Follow her?" A voice sounded in Tang Yu's ear. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had appeared beside him at some point, his grey eyes unfathomable.

Tang Yu activated Emotion Perception, discovering that Ayanokoji's emotional cloud was in a state of rare activity—a hint of anticipation hidden beneath his calm surface.

"You go." Tang Yu replied in a low voice. "I'm going to check on Karuizawa."

Ayanokoji nodded imperceptibly and followed Kushida without a sound. Such tacit cooperation would have been unimaginable before the summer break.

[Cooperation intent from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka +200]

[Current Emotion Points: 82500/∞]

Karuizawa Kei arrived at school safely under Hirata's escort and was currently surrounded by a group of girls, seemingly recounting some thrilling story. Seeing Tang Yu approach, the girls tactfully dispersed.

"Everything go smoothly?" Tang Yu asked.

Karuizawa nodded and lowered her voice: "But there's bad news. Ryuen sent a text message this morning..." She handed her phone to Tang Yu.

On the screen was a threatening message: [Hiding is useless. If you don't contact me by noon tomorrow, I'll send your photos to the entire school group chat. I know which class you're in.]

Tang Yu's eyes turned cold instantly: "Bluffing. He doesn't know you're at my apartment."

"But he installed tracking software on my phone!" Karuizawa bit her lip, "I only just discovered it... That's why he was able to send people to watch the area immediately after I moved in with you."

Tang Yu took the phone and, after a quick check, confirmed Karuizawa's claim—a hidden program was running in the background, transmitting her real-time location.