Morning sunlight streamed through a gap in the curtains. Tang Yu opened his eyes, and the System Interface unfolded automatically:
[Emotion Points: 102350/∞] [Ability Available for Exchange Today: Emotion Weaving Network (Lasts 8 Hours)] [Cost: 5000 Points] [Exchange?]
"Exchange," Tang Yu thought. At once, his awareness spread like radar, allowing him to clearly sense the steady rhythm of Karuizawa Kei's breathing in the next room—she was still fast asleep, her emotions peaceful for the first time in a long while.
Today was the first day of classes in the new semester, and the beginning of his direct confrontation with Ryuen Kakeru. Tang Yu got out of bed as quietly as he could.
He took the key evidence he had obtained last night from his desk drawer—the audio files and communication records had been backed up to several devices, including a specially encrypted spare phone (exchanged through the system for 200 points).
Tang Yu was making breakfast in the kitchen when Karuizawa's door opened. She was in her school uniform, but her style was completely different from before. She'd dropped the deliberately mature accessories; a simple white shirt and dark blue skirt suited her much better.
"G-good morning." Karuizawa stood awkwardly in the kitchen doorway. "Do you need any help?"
Tang Yu immediately noticed the change in her. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah... I haven't slept that soundly in a long time." Karuizawa took the milk Tang Yu offered her, her fingertips trembling slightly. "Um... about the photos..."
"I'll go get them at noon." Tang Yu plated the fried eggs. "Ryuen won't dare try anything."
Karuizawa nodded and took a small sip of milk. Tang Yu activated the Emotion Weaving Network and found her emotional state complex and subtle. Alongside her relief, there was unease about the new semester, and... a certain warmth toward him.
"How are you going to face your classmates today?" Tang Yu asked. "Are you going to keep playing the 'queen,' or..."
"I want to try being myself again." Karuizawa set down her cup. Her voice was soft but firm. "Though... it might be a little difficult."
Tang Yu smiled. "You'll do great. And..." He sent her a hint of encouragement through the Emotion Weaving Network. "I'm here for you."
Karuizawa's cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head to focus on her breakfast.
On the way to school, Tang Yu noticed the black car had appeared again, keeping its distance. Tsukishiro Shuhei clearly hadn't given up monitoring them.
What concerned him more was that the system detected another familiar emotional signal. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was approaching from behind and to the side, keeping an exact distance of fifty meters.
"Morning." Ayanokoji came up beside Tang Yu and greeted him expressionlessly. "Have you prepared the evidence?"
Tang Yu nodded. "Enough to keep Ryuen in line for a while."
"Be careful of his retaliation." Ayanokoji's voice was completely flat. "Ryuen isn't the type to give up easily."
"I know." Tang Yu activated a branch function of the Emotion Weaving Network and tried to read Ayanokoji's emotional state, but ran into a barrier that was difficult to penetrate. The man's control over his emotions far exceeded that of ordinary people.
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 uneasily. "I just changed my style."
Horikita seemed about to say something, but Tang Yu stopped her with a look. The four of them headed for the school building together, meeting Hirata Yosuke along the way.
The central figure of Class D was as cheerful and sunny as ever. "Morning, everyone! Let's do our best on the first day of the new semester!"
Tang Yu noticed Hirata's brief surprise when he saw Karuizawa, though it quickly gave way to a sincere smile. Her change had certainly caught people's attention.
The classroom was livelier than it had been at the end of last semester. The students were chatting in small groups, and only a few noticed Karuizawa's change. Just as Tang Yu sat down, the system suddenly issued a warning:
[High Hostile Emotion Source Detected Nearby] [Direction: Back Door] [Identity: Ryuen Kakeru]
Tang Yu discreetly adjusted the Recording Pen hidden in his sleeve (exchanged through the system for 150 points). The back door was shoved open, and Ryuen swaggered in with several of his Class C lackeys, his gaze locking directly onto Tang Yu.
"Well, well, transfer student." Ryuen grinned, baring his beastlike canine teeth. "Heard you had a busy night."
The classroom fell silent at once. Everyone could feel the tension in the air. Tang Yu activated the Emotion Weaving Network and monitored the emotional shifts across the class: curiosity, nervousness, concern... and Horikita Suzune's wariness and fighting spirit.
"Ryuen, this is Class D's classroom." Hirata Yosuke stepped forward, his voice gentle but firm. "Please—"
"Shut up, Mr. Nice Guy." Ryuen didn't even glance at Hirata. He walked straight up to Tang Yu. "I'm talking to this 'hero.'"
Tang Yu slowly stood up and met Ryuen's gaze. "What do you want?"
Ryuen suddenly leaned in and lowered his voice. "Where are those two idiots?"
"Somewhere safe." Tang Yu lowered his voice too. "They cooperated and gave me a lot of... interesting information."
Ryuen's pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly regained his usual insouciant grin. "Interesting. Then how about we find somewhere else to talk?"
"Just what I was thinking."
The two of them left the classroom one after the other, leaving a roomful of whispers behind. Tang Yu noticed Ayanokoji following silently, keeping just the right distance.
The wind was strong on the rooftop, whipping their uniforms around. Ryuen leaned against the railing and lit a cigarette. "Tell me. What do you want?"
Tang Yu took out his phone and played selected portions of last night's recording: the two thugs clearly admitting that Ryuen had put them up to it, along with the part where they threatened to release Karuizawa's photos.
Ryuen's expression darkened as the recording played. When it reached the part about how it had "worked on several students," he suddenly threw his cigarette butt to the ground.
"You think you can threaten me with this?" Ryuen sneered. "The school won't get involved in things that happen outside."
"Under normal circumstances, no." Tang Yu brought up another video—the testimony from Tachibana Akane, the secretary. "But it's different with testimony from a Student Council officer. Especially when... Horikita-senpai's sister was involved in last night's operation too."
For the first time, uncertainty appeared in Ryuen's eyes. Tang Yu pressed his advantage. "And there's this, too."
He showed Ryuen the communication records from the thugs' phone. "Hiring people outside school to threaten a student is a serious violation of school rules. At the very least, you'll lose points. At worst... you could be expelled."
"Motherfucker..." Ryuen grabbed Tang Yu by the collar, but hesitated when he saw Tang Yu's calm expression.
Tang Yu activated the Emotion Weaving Network's suppression function, amplifying Ryuen's inner unease several times over. "By noon, I want to see the original photos and every backup. Otherwise, all this evidence will be sent to the Student Council, the School Board, and the Police Station."
Ryuen's grip slowly loosened, and that dangerous smile returned to his face. "Interesting... very interesting. Tang Yu, I admit I underestimated you." He took two steps back and spread his arms theatrically. "You'll get the photos. But remember—this is only the first round."
As Ryuen turned to leave, Tang Yu noticed a figure flash past the rooftop door. It wasn't Ayanokoji, but a young man wearing glasses. The system immediately identified him:
[Tsukishiro Shuhei] [Special Evaluator of the School Board] [Hostility: 75%]
It seemed the School Board was growing increasingly "interested" in him. Tang Yu stayed on the rooftop for a few more minutes, gathering his thoughts. Ryuen's threats wouldn't end here, and Tsukishiro's appearance was an even more dangerous sign. He needed to build up his defenses faster.
By the time he returned to the classroom, the first lesson had begun. Chabashira Sae was explaining the Special Exam arrangements for the new semester. She merely nodded when she saw Tang Yu was late. Tang Yu noticed Karuizawa's worried gaze and sent her a signal through the Emotion Weaving Network that everything had gone smoothly.
During the break, Tang Yu was called to the office. Chabashira Sae closed the door and handed him an envelope. "The School Board sent this directly. It's about your 'special evaluation.'"
Tang Yu opened the envelope. Inside was an evaluation form requiring him to take a series of psychological tests and ability assessments. The evaluator was none other than Tsukishiro Shuhei.
"Do you know what this means?" Chabashira asked, unusually concerned.
Tang Yu put the envelope away. "It means I'm under 'special scrutiny.'"
"Be careful of Tsukishiro," Chabashira said in a low voice. "He's known at the School Board for 'dealing with problem students.'"
"Thanks for the warning." Tang Yu activated Emotion Perception and found Chabashira's emotional state astonishingly complicated: professional concern from a teacher, along with some deeper... anticipation?
As soon as he returned to the classroom, Horikita Suzune and Hirata Yosuke surrounded him.
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