The First Lesson of the New Semester (Part 1)

The morning sun spilled into the room through the gaps in the curtains. Tang Yu opened his eyes, and the system interface automatically unfolded:

[Emotion Points: 102350/∞]

[Available Ability for Exchange: Emotion Weaving Network (Duration: 8 hours)]

[Cost: 5000 points]

[Exchange?]

"Exchange." Tang Yu whispered to himself. He immediately felt his consciousness expand like a radar, clearly sensing the steady rhythm of Karuizawa Kei's breathing in the next room—she was still fast asleep, her emotional state one of long-lost peace.

Today was the first official day of the new semester, and also the beginning of his head-on confrontation with Ryuen Kakeru. Tang Yu got out of bed on tiptoe.

He took the key evidence obtained last night from his desk drawer—the audio files and communication records had already been backed up to multiple devices, including a specially encrypted spare phone (system exchange, cost 200 points).

In the kitchen, as Tang Yu was preparing breakfast, Karuizawa's door opened. She was wearing her school uniform, but the style was vastly different from before—stripped of those deliberately mature accessories, the simple white shirt and dark blue skirt suited her temperament much better.

"G-good morning." Karuizawa stood at the kitchen entrance, looking a bit awkward. "Do you need any help?"

Tang Yu keenly sensed her change: "Did you sleep well?"

"Mm... I haven't slept this soundly in a long time." Karuizawa took the milk Tang Yu handed her, her fingertips trembling slightly. "That... about the photos..."

"I'll go retrieve them at noon." Tang Yu plated the fried eggs. "Ryuen won't dare pull any tricks."

Karuizawa nodded, taking small sips of milk. Tang Yu activated the "Emotion Weaving Network" and found her emotional state to be complex and subtle—beyond the relief of a burden lifted, there was anxiety about the new semester, and... a certain warmth directed toward him.

"How do you plan to face your classmates today?" Tang Yu asked. "Continue playing the 'Queen', or..."

"I want to try being myself again." Karuizawa set down her glass, her voice soft but firm. "Although... it might be a little difficult."

Tang Yu smiled: "You'll do just fine. And..." He used the "Emotion Weaving Network" to send her a hint of encouragement. "I'm here."

Karuizawa's cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head to focus on her breakfast.

On the way to school, Tang Yu noticed that black sedan had appeared again, keeping a distance that was neither too close nor too far. Tsukishiro Shuhei clearly hadn't given up on surveillance.

What concerned him more was that the system detected another familiar emotional signal—Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was approaching from the rear, maintaining a precise 50-meter distance.

"Morning." Ayanokoji walked up to Tang Yu, greeting him with an expressionless face. "Is the evidence ready?"

Tang Yu nodded: "Enough to keep Ryuen quiet for a while."

"Watch out for his counterattack." Ayanokoji's voice was devoid of fluctuation. "Ryuen isn't the type to admit defeat easily."

"I know." Tang Yu activated a sub-function of the "Emotion Weaving Network" to try and read Ayanokoji's emotional state, but he encountered an impenetrable barrier—this man's ability to control his emotions was far beyond that of an ordinary person.

When the three of them reached the school gate, Horikita Suzune was already waiting there. Her sharp gaze lingered on Karuizawa for a few seconds: "You look... different."

Karuizawa touched her hair uncomfortably: "Just changed my style."

Horikita seemed to want to say something, but was stopped by Tang Yu's look. The four of them walked toward the school building together, encountering Hirata Yosuke along the way.

This core figure of Class D was as sunny and cheerful as ever: "Morning, everyone! It's the first day of the new semester, let's do our best together!"

Tang Yu noticed the brief surprise in Hirata's eyes when he saw Karuizawa, but it was quickly replaced by a sincere smile. It seemed Karuizawa's change was indeed eye-catching.

The atmosphere in the classroom was much more active than at the end of the last semester. Students were gathered in small groups chatting, and only a few noticed Karuizawa's change. Just as Tang Yu sat down, the system suddenly popped up a warning:

[High hostility emotional source detected approaching]

[Direction: Back door]

[Identity: Ryuen Kakeru]

Tang Yu calmly adjusted the recording pen hidden in his sleeve (system exchange, cost 150 points). The back door was kicked open, and Ryuen Kakeru swaggered in with a few of his Class C lackeys, his gaze locking directly onto Tang Yu.

"Yo, transfer student." Ryuen grinned, revealing beast-like canines. "Heard you were very busy last night?"

The classroom went silent instantly. Everyone felt the gunpowder in the air. Tang Yu activated the "Emotion Weaving Network" while monitoring the emotional changes of the entire class—curiosity, tension, worry... and the vigilance and fighting spirit coming from Horikita Suzune.

"Ryuen-kun, this is the Class D classroom." Hirata Yosuke stepped forward, his voice gentle but firm. "Please..."

"Shut up, Mr. Nice Guy." Ryuen didn't even look at Hirata, walking straight up to Tang Yu. "I'm talking to this 'hero' here."

Tang Yu stood up slowly, meeting Ryuen's eyes: "Is there something you need?"

Ryuen suddenly leaned in, lowering his voice: "Where are those two losers?"

"In a safe place." Tang Yu also lowered his voice. "They were very cooperative and provided quite a bit of... interesting information."

Ryuen's pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly returned to that cynical smile: "Interesting. Shall we go somewhere else to talk?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking."

The two walked out of the classroom one after the other, leaving the room full of whispers. Tang Yu noticed Ayanokoji following silently, maintaining just the right distance.

The wind on the rooftop was strong, making their school uniforms flap loudly. Ryuen leaned against the railing and lit a cigarette: "Speak. What do you want?"

Tang Yu took out his phone directly and played a selected clip of last night's recording—the part where the two thugs clearly admitted to being directed by Ryuen and threatened to release Karuizawa's photos.

Ryuen's expression gradually turned gloomy. When the recording played the part about it "working on quite a few students," he slammed his cigarette butt onto the ground.

"You think you can threaten me with this?" Ryuen sneered. "The school doesn't care about things that happen off-campus."

"Under normal circumstances, that's true." Tang Yu pulled up another video—the content of Secretary Tachibana Akane's testimony. "But it's different when you add the testimony of Student Council members. Especially since... Horikita-senpai's younger sister was also involved in last night's operation."

For the first time, Ryuen's eyes wavered. Tang Yu pressed his advantage: "And there's this."

He displayed the communication logs from the delinquent's phone, showing the hiring of outsiders to threaten a classmate; this was already a severe violation of school rules. At best, it meant a deduction of points, and at worst... expulsion?

"You motherf..." Ryuen suddenly grabbed Tang Yu by the collar, but hesitated the moment he saw the calm look in Tang Yu's eyes.

Tang Yu activated the suppression function of the Emotion Weaving Network, magnifying the unease in Ryuen's heart several times over: "Before 12:00 PM, I want to see the originals and backups of all those photos. Otherwise, this evidence will appear simultaneously at the Student Council, the School Board, and the Police Station."

Ryuen's hand slowly loosened, and his face returned to that dangerous smile: "Interesting... truly interesting. Tang Yu, I admit I underestimated you." He took two steps back and spread his hands in an exaggerated gesture. "The photos will be delivered. But remember—this is only the first round."

As Ryuen turned to leave, Tang Yu noticed a figure flash by the rooftop door—not Ayanokoji, but a young man wearing glasses. The system immediately identified the identity:

[Tsukishiro Shuhei]

[Special Evaluator of the School Board]

[Hostility: 75%]

It seemed the School Board's "interest" in him was growing. Tang Yu stayed on the rooftop for a few more minutes to collect his thoughts. Ryuen's threats would not end here, and the appearance of Tsukishiro was an even more dangerous signal. He needed to accelerate the establishment of his own defense network.

When he returned to the classroom, the first period had already begun. Chabashira Sae was explaining the arrangements for the new semester's Special Exam, and she merely nodded slightly upon seeing Tang Yu's tardiness. Tang Yu noticed Karuizawa's worried gaze and transmitted a signal of "everything is fine" through the Emotion Weaving Network.

During the break, Tang Yu was called to the office. Chabashira Sae closed the door and handed him an envelope: "A 'special evaluation' regarding you, issued directly by the School Board."

Tang Yu opened the envelope to find an assessment form requiring him to participate in a series of psychological tests and ability evaluations, with Tsukishiro Shuhei listed as the evaluator.

"Do you know what this means?" Chabashira showed a rare hint of concern.

Tang Yu put the envelope away: "It means I'm being 'specially monitored'."

"Be careful of Tsukishiro," Chabashira lowered her voice. "He is known on the School Board for 'handling problem students'."

"Thanks for the warning." Tang Yu activated Emotion Perception and discovered that Chabashira's emotional state was surprisingly complex—containing both a teacher's professional concern and some kind of deeper... expectation?

Upon returning to the classroom, Tang Yu was immediately surrounded by Horikita Suzune and Hirata Yosuke.