"What did Ryuen say?" Horikita asked straightaway.
"He admitted defeat. He'll return the photos at noon." Tang Yu briefly explained the situation, leaving out the parts involving Tsukishiro. "But this is only the beginning. He'll retaliate."
Hirata clenched his fists. "We need to strengthen our class's unity. The first Special Exam of the new semester is in two weeks. We can't keep fighting separately like we did last semester."
Tang Yu nodded. "I have an idea..."
He briefly outlined a plan: use the Emotion Weaving Network to identify each classmate's strengths and weaknesses, then reorganize the study groups.
Hirata would handle interpersonal coordination, Horikita would oversee academic guidance, and Tang Yu would focus on the overall strategy.
"That sounds feasible." Horikita surprisingly agreed. "But we'll need our homeroom teacher's cooperation."
"I'll talk to Chabashira-sensei," Tang Yu said. "But before that..." He looked across the classroom at Karuizawa, who was surrounded by several girls asking about her new look. "We need to deal with Karuizawa's problem first."
During lunch, Tang Yu went alone to Shinjuku Station. The locker area at the east exit was quiet, and he quickly found the designated locker.
The key had been left where Karuizawa's middle school locker had been. He'd learned that detail from the thugs the previous night; Ryuen had clearly investigated everything very thoroughly.
Inside the locker was a kraft-paper envelope. Tang Yu checked its contents: the original photos, a backup USB drive, and a note:
[The game continues. You won't be so lucky next time. —L]
Tang Yu sneered and destroyed both the photos and the USB drive with the Molecular Decomposition Spray he'd redeemed from the system for 300 points. After making sure nothing had been left behind, he texted Karuizawa: [It's taken care of.]
On the way back to school, the system suddenly sounded an alarm:
[Abnormal emotional fluctuations detected]
[Location: Alley on the right]
[Identity: Ishizaki Daichi (Class C)]
Tang Yu pretended not to notice and kept walking. Through the Emotion Weaving Network, he could clearly sense Ishizaki and two other Class C students lying in wait—a typical retaliation plan from Ryuen.
He changed course and headed for a busy shopping street, while sending Ayanokoji his location and a brief message: [Need a witness.]
Ten minutes later, Tang Yu "happened" to run into Ayanokoji and secretary Tachibana Akane, who were "reading" at a café. Seeing them, Ishizaki and the others had no choice but to abandon their plan and slink away.
"You used me." Tachibana frowned, though her tone held more curiosity than anger.
Tang Yu smiled. "It was just a coincidence. Want to head back to school together?"
On the way back, Tachibana couldn't help asking, "Do you really think you can change Class D?"
"It's not about changing them. It's about bringing out their true potential," Tang Yu replied. "Everyone has a side they don't show."
Tachibana looked at him thoughtfully. "Including you?"
Tang Yu smiled but didn't answer. As they parted at the school gate, Tachibana suddenly said, "President Horikita wants to see you. Student Council Office after school."
The news surprised Tang Yu. Horikita Manabu had requested a meeting himself, which meant the Student Council had already noticed what he was doing. It was both an opportunity and a risk.
During the afternoon homeroom, Chabashira announced the first Special Exam of the new semester: the Class Debate Tournament, to be held in two weeks. The topic would be "The Pros and Cons of Meritocracy." The results would directly affect Class Points.
"This exam will test not only your debate skills but also your ability to work as a team." Chabashira's gaze swept across the class. "Each class must select four main debaters and ten assistant researchers.
"The judging criteria will include depth of content, teamwork, and performance under pressure."
The classroom immediately filled with chatter. Tang Yu activated the Emotion Weaving Network and mapped out everyone's abilities: Horikita Suzune had the strongest logical thinking, Hirata excelled at organizing people, Karuizawa unexpectedly had an excellent way with words, and Tang Yu himself was skilled at strategic planning.
"We need to decide on the participants as soon as possible." Hirata stood up to rally everyone. "Those who want to volunteer, please—"
"Wait." Tang Yu interrupted him. "Before choosing the participants, we should analyze the debate topic and the judging criteria first."
He walked to the blackboard and wrote "Meritocracy." "This isn't an ordinary debate. It's a discussion of the school's core philosophy. The judges will probably include members of the School Board..."
The class fell silent, drawn in by Tang Yu's analysis. Through the Emotion Weaving Network, he subtly adjusted everyone's focus and engagement: helping the shy students feel more confident, keeping the restless ones focused, and encouraging classmates with grudges against each other to set aside their differences for the moment.
The results were immediate. An hour later, Class D had not only settled on its debate team—Horikita, Hirata, Karuizawa, and Tang Yu—but had also drawn up a detailed research plan and practice schedule. Chabashira watched from the side, a glimmer of approval in her eyes.
The dismissal bell rang, and Tang Yu was about to head to the Student Council Office when Karuizawa stopped him. "Um... thank you." She handed him a carefully wrapped little box. "It's just a small token of my gratitude."
Inside were handmade chocolate cookies. Through the Emotion Weaving Network, Tang Yu sensed her genuine gratitude, along with something deeper... the first stirrings of some kind of affection.
"I'll enjoy them," Tang Yu said warmly. "By the way, you can go back to your own apartment tonight. Those two thugs won't show up again."
Karuizawa nodded, a flicker of complicated emotion passing through her eyes—something Tang Yu couldn't read. "I might... miss that secret apartment from time to time."
Tang Yu was taken aback. Before he could respond, Horikita Suzune impatiently urged him on. "We're going to be late for the meeting with the Student Council."
On the way to the Student Council Office, Horikita suddenly asked, "You and Karuizawa... did something happen between you?"
"Why do you ask?"
"She looks at you differently now." Horikita showed a rare interest in gossip. "And she's changed as a person, too."
Tang Yu smiled without answering. Through the Emotion Weaving Network, he sensed that beneath Horikita's curiosity lay a trace of something she might not even have noticed herself... concern?
Outside the Student Council Office, Tang Yu took a deep breath and gathered his thoughts. His meeting with Horikita Manabu would be a pivotal turning point. He checked the system status:
[Emotion Points: 98700/∞] [Current Ability: Emotion Weaving Network (3 hours remaining)] [Task Progress: Counter Ryuen (80%), Class Integration (65%), Respond to School Board Evaluation (30%)]
The door opened. Horikita Manabu sat behind his desk, his glasses reflecting a cold glint. Even more unexpectedly, Tsukishiro Shuhei was there too, leisurely sipping tea.
"Student Tang Yu," Horikita Manabu said in a calm, commanding voice. "We have a lot to discuss."
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