Photograph

"Don't worry, this actually gives us an opportunity. Before Tang Yu deleted the program, he modified the code to make the software show that Karuizawa was still at her old residence, using their own tactics against them to lure the snakes out of their holes."

Karuizawa's eyes widened: "Are you going to... set a trap?"

"Exactly," Tang Yu smiled. "I will be waiting for them at your old apartment tonight. But first, I need you to recall, what exactly is the 'photo' that Ryuen mentioned?"

Karuizawa's face turned pale instantly: "In... in middle school... I was forced by some delinquents to take some... not-so-good photos..." Her voice grew quieter, "I thought it would be fine after I transferred schools..."

Tang Yu activated Group Emotional Link, instantly feeling the deep-seated shame and fear within Karuizawa. This kind of trauma could not be resolved with just a few words of comfort.

"Listen," he held Karuizawa's trembling hand, "that is not your fault. And I promise that those photos will never be made public."

Tears shimmered in Karuizawa's eyes: "Can you really do that?"

"Believe in me." Tang Yu's voice was as firm as iron.

[Deep Reliance from Karuizawa Kei +300]

[Current Emotion Value: 83000/∞]

During the lunch break, Tang Yu went to the rooftop alone to check the apartment surveillance. The two watchers were still lingering nearby, clearly unaware that the tracking software had been tampered with. He was just about to put his phone away when he suddenly sensed someone approaching.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka appeared beside him like a ghost: "Kushida went to Class C and had a secret ten-minute talk with Ryuen. The content is unknown, but she obtained a small USB drive when she came out."

"Bribery or threats?" Tang Yu asked.

"Both," Ayanokoji looked into the distance. "Ryuen has grasped some secret of hers, just like he did with Karuizawa."

This intelligence confirmed Tang Yu's guess—Ryuen was systematically collecting "dirt" on every class, preparing to launch a large-scale psychological war.

"What do you think about the 'Expulsion Vote' for the new semester?" Ayanokoji suddenly changed the subject.

"A classic strategy of divide and conquer," Tang Yu analyzed. "Make the weak attack each other instead of uniting to fight the strong."

Ayanokoji nodded: "Designed by Horikita Manabu. He is testing something..."

Their conversation was interrupted by a commotion. In the courtyard downstairs, Class C students suddenly shouted slogans in unison: "The hunting season has begun! Target: Class D!" Ryuen stood in the center, raising his fist like a commander leading an army.

"A blatant declaration of war," Tang Yu sneered.

A rare ripple appeared in Ayanokoji's expression: "It's not just a declaration of war... it's a distraction. Ryuen is hiding his real killing blow."

This insight forced Tang Yu to re-evaluate the situation. Indeed, with Ryuen's cunning, he wouldn't rely solely on public provocation. Those "hunting" slogans were likely just a smokescreen to cover up a more dangerous plan.

[Intelligence Sharing from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka +300]

[Emotion Value exceeded 90000!]

[Unlocked "Group Emotional Link" ability]

[Can establish deep emotional connections with multiple people simultaneously]

This new ability came at just the right time. Facing Ryuen's psychological warfare, Tang Yu needed more powerful emotion manipulation tools to unite Class D.

The afternoon classes were uneventful, but the atmosphere in the classroom had become noticeably tense. Ryuen's "hunting" declaration had already spread, and Class D students gathered in small groups, discussing countermeasures while also suspecting one another—the rules for the new semester's "Expulsion Vote" had already taken effect.

After school, Tang Yu went to Area A on the third floor of the library as agreed. Horikita Suzune, Hirata Yosuke, and—unexpectedly—Sudo Ken were already waiting there.

"The situation is more serious than imagined," Horikita got straight to the point. "Ryuen not only bought off Kushida, but he also contacted three other people in the class. He plans to expose Karuizawa's 'dirt' in public during the debate competition to trigger internal chaos in Class D."

Hirata added: "Worse, the threat of the 'Expulsion Vote' has everyone in the class fearing for themselves. If a scandal breaks out now, everyone might vote for Karuizawa to protect themselves..."

"Damn that Ryuen!" Sudo slammed his fist on the table, drawing a glare from the librarian. "Can't we just go and beat him up?"

"Violence won't solve the problem," Horikita said coldly. "We need evidence to prove that Ryuen is coercing students so we can report him to the School Administration."

Tang Yu shook his head: "Too slow. The School Administration condones this kind of competition; as long as it doesn't violate written rules, they won't intervene."

"Then what do we do?" Hirata asked, full of worry.

Tang Yu looked around at the three of them and activated his newly acquired Group Emotional Link, establishing a connection with Horikita, Hirata, and Sudo simultaneously.

In an instant, he felt their emotional fluctuations—a trace of concern for her brother's evaluation hidden within Horikita's calm determination; a mix of self-doubt regarding his leadership ability hidden within Hirata's sincere worry; and a sense of loneliness from not being recognized hidden beneath Sudo's anger.

"First, protect Karuizawa," Tang Yu said steadily. "I will handle the people tracking her tonight. Second, collect evidence of Ryuen's crimes—he has already violated school rules by using outside forces. Finally, and most importantly..."

He paused, strengthening the "unity" emotion within the emotional link: "We need to make Class D truly unite, rather than suspecting each other. The threat of the 'Expulsion Vote' is only effective when the class is divided."

Horikita was thoughtful: "You mean... create a common enemy?"

"Exactly," Tang Yu nodded, "and Ryuen has already provided us with the perfect target—himself."

The four of them discussed the action plan in detail. By the time the meeting ended, it was already late. Tang Yu declined Hirata's invitation to dinner; he had more important things to do—keep that "appointment" with the watchers.

Before leaving the school, Tang Yu's perception caught an abnormal signal. A black sedan was parked at the school gate with its window slightly open, revealing a pair of sharp eyes.

That was not a student, nor a faculty member, but a middle-aged man he had never seen before, intently observing the crowd leaving school.

The system suddenly popped up a warning:

[High-threat target detected]

[Identity: Tsukishiro]

[School Board Special Evaluator]

[Hostility: Unknown]

Tang Yu walked past calmly, pretending not to notice that scrutinizing gaze. But inside, alarm bells were already ringing—the "special evaluation" from the School Board had arrived sooner than he expected.

Night fell. Tang Yu stood in the convenience store opposite Karuizawa's old apartment, observing the two social youths who were still lurking through the surveillance.

They looked impatient, checking their phones frequently—Karuizawa's fake location information showed she was on her way home.

"The game has begun," Tang Yu whispered to himself, adjusting his gloves as he prepared to welcome the first real battle of the new semester.