The 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 the words, and immediately felt his consciousness spread out like radar. He could clearly sense Karuizawa Kei's steady breathing in the next room-she was still fast asleep, her emotional state a long-missed calm.
Today was the first day of classes in the new semester, and also the beginning of his direct confrontation with Ryuen Kakeru. Tang Yu rose quietly.
He took the key evidence he'd obtained the night before from his desk drawer-the recordings and communication logs had already been backed up to several devices, including a specially encrypted backup phone exchanged through the system for 200 points.
In the kitchen, Tang Yu was preparing breakfast when Karuizawa's door opened. She was wearing her uniform, but her style was entirely different from before. Without those deliberately mature accessories, the simple white shirt and dark blue skirt suited her better.
"G-good morning." Karuizawa stood awkwardly at the kitchen doorway. "Need any help?"
Tang Yu keenly noticed the change in her. "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. "Um... about the photos..."
"I'll pick them up at noon." Tang Yu plated the fried eggs. "Ryuen won't dare try anything."
Karuizawa nodded and took small sips of milk. Tang Yu activated the "Emotion Weaving Network" and found her emotional state complex and subtle. Along with the relief of feeling free of a burden, she was anxious about the new semester, and... felt a certain warmth toward him.
"How are you planning 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 quiet but firm. "Although... it might be a little hard."
Tang Yu smiled. "You'll do great. And... I'm here." Through the "Emotion Weaving Network," he sent her a hint of encouragement.
Karuizawa's cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head and focused on her breakfast.
On the way to school, Tang Yu noticed the black car had appeared again, keeping a moderate distance behind them. Tsukishiro Shuhei had clearly not given up monitoring them.
What concerned him more was that the system had detected another familiar emotional signal. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was approaching from behind and to the side, keeping an exact distance of 50 meters.
"Morning." Ayanokoji walked up beside Tang Yu and greeted him expressionlessly. "Got the evidence ready?"
Tang Yu nodded. "Enough to keep Ryuen in line for a while."
"Watch out for his retaliation." Ayanokoji's voice was 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 encountered a barrier that was difficult to penetrate. This man's ability to control his emotions far surpassed that of ordinary people.
When the three of them reached the school gates, Horikita Suzune was already waiting there. Her sharp gaze lingered on Karuizawa for several 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, encountering Hirata Yosuke along the way.
As always, this central figure of Class D was sunny and cheerful. "Morning, everyone! Let's do our best together on the first day of the new semester!"
Tang Yu noticed the brief surprise on Hirata's face when he saw Karuizawa, but it soon gave way to a sincere smile. It seemed Karuizawa's change really did draw attention.
The classroom was much 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 emotional source detected nearby] [Direction: Back door] [Identity: Ryuen Kakeru]
Tang Yu calmly adjusted the Recording Pen hidden in his sleeve, which he had exchanged through the system for 150 points. The back door was suddenly shoved open, and Ryuen Kakeru swaggered in with several of his Class C followers, his gaze fixed directly on Tang Yu.
"Well, well, transfer student." Ryuen grinned, baring beastlike canine teeth. "Heard you were pretty busy last night?"
The classroom fell silent at once. Everyone could feel the tension in the air. Tang Yu activated the "Emotion Weaving Network," monitoring the emotional changes of the entire class at the same time: curiosity, tension, concern... and the wariness and fighting spirit coming from Horikita Suzune.
"Ryuen, this is Class D's classroom." Hirata Yosuke stepped forward, his voice gentle but firm. "Please..."
"Shut up, goody-goody." Ryuen didn't even look at Hirata. He walked straight up to Tang Yu. "I'm talking to this 'hero.'"
Tang Yu slowly stood and met Ryuen's gaze. "What do you want?"
Ryuen suddenly leaned in and lowered his voice. "Where are those two losers?"
"Somewhere safe." Tang Yu lowered his voice as well. "They've been cooperative and provided quite a bit of... interesting information."
Ryuen's pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly put on his usual carefree smile again. "Interesting. Then let's find somewhere else to talk."
"I was thinking the same thing."
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 on the rooftop was strong, making their uniforms flap. Ryuen leaned against the railing and lit a cigarette. "So, what do you want?"
Tang Yu took out his phone and played selected excerpts from the previous night's recording. In them, the two thugs clearly admitted that Ryuen had ordered them to act, and discussed threatening to release Karuizawa's photos.
Ryuen's expression darkened. When the recording reached the part about "working 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 off campus."
"Normally, that's true." Tang Yu brought up another video, showing Secretary Tachibana Akane's testimony. "But it's different when you add testimony from Student Council members. Especially since... Horikita Manabu's younger sister was involved in last night's operation too."
For the first time, Ryuen's eyes showed signs of wavering. Tang Yu pressed his advantage. "And there's this, too."
He showed Ryuen the communication logs from the thugs' phones. "Hiring people from outside the school to threaten a classmate is a serious violation of school rules. At best, you'll lose points; at worst... you'll be expelled?"
"You son of a bitch..." Ryuen suddenly 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. "Before noon, I want to see the originals and backups of all the photos. Otherwise, this evidence will go to the Student Council, the School Board, and the Police Station all at once."
Ryuen slowly loosened his grip. His face once again wore that dangerous smile. "Interesting... Very interesting. Tang Yu, I admit I underestimated you." He stepped back twice and spread his arms theatrically. "The photos will be delivered. But remember-this is only the first round."
As Ryuen turned to leave, Tang Yu noticed a figure flicker 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 becoming more and more "interested" in him. Tang Yu stayed on the rooftop for a few more minutes, organizing his thoughts. Ryuen's threats wouldn't end here, and Tsukishiro's appearance was an even more dangerous sign. He needed to speed up building his own defense network.
By the time he returned to the classroom, the first lesson had already begun. Chabashira-sensei was explaining the new semester's Special Exam arrangements. When she saw Tang Yu was late, she merely nodded slightly. 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 summoned to the office. Chabashira Sae closed the door and handed him an envelope. "This came directly from the School Board. 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 showing concern.
Tang Yu put the envelope away. "It means I'm being 'specially watched.'"
"Be careful of Tsukishiro." Chabashira lowered her voice. "He's known on the School Board for 'dealing with problem students.'"
"Thanks for the warning." Tang Yu activated "Emotion Perception" and found Chabashira's emotional state astonishingly complex. There was the professional concern of a teacher, as well as some deeper... anticipation?
When he returned to the classroom, Tang Yu was immediately surrounded by Horikita Suzune and Hirata Yosuke.