Failed Probing and Jealousy

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's expression remained unchanged, as if he had only heard a trivial fact.

The fact that he was the chairman's daughter did not stir any emotion in him.

"Don't be nervous," Sakayanagi Arisu as if comforting a child, her tone slightly teasing. "I have no intention of using my father's power to crush you. That would be too boring, and besides... there are plenty of people in this school with even more illustrious family backgrounds than mine."

Her gaze seemed to casually sweep over the direction where Koenji Rokusuke and Tanaka Yukishin were at the back of the classroom.

"Everyone is playing by the same rules, and that's part of the fun. But, Ayanokoji-kun, you don't seem to understand the situation yet. Under these rules, do you think you, alone and unarmed, can fight against a well-organized class with clear objectives?"

The word "one person" was pronounced with exceptional clarity.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka remained silent for a moment.

He could clearly feel the scrutinizing, disdainful, or purely curious gazes cast by the students from Class B, and he could also feel the tense atmosphere of the students from Class D behind him, holding their breath in anticipation.

He needs to buy time and break out of this passive situation.

"Since it's clear I have no chance of winning, and it's an inevitable crushing defeat,"

He spoke, his clear voice echoing loudly in the quiet classroom, "Why waste your time and energy? What value do you have?"

He was trying to use reason to persuade the other party to give up this inherently unequal "game".

"Value?"

Sakayanagi Arisu seemed to have heard something amusing, her smile deepening, tinged with an almost cruel naiveté. "The pleasure itself is the greatest value. Watching the prey struggle, plot, and try to resist, only to find that everything it did was within the hunter's expectations, leading step by step towards the predetermined end... isn't that sense of control, that intellectual pleasure, worth wasting a little of my time?"

"The most crucial point is, what does it matter to you if I crush you?"

She gracefully raised a slender, pale index finger and gently shook it. "Ayanokoji-kun, announcing the start of the game is a necessary ritual. I've already given you advance notice."

She gestured to Kamuro Masumi to turn the wheelchair around.

"Then, when we meet again, I hope Ayanokoji-kun... can hold on a little longer, so I can see more of your masterpieces shine."

Sakayanagi Arisu turned back one last time, leaving Ayanokoji Kiyotaka with a meaningful smile, one that held a hunter's expectant look.

Kamuro Masumi smoothly pushed the wheelchair, and Kito Hayato and Morimiya immediately turned around and followed.

Before leaving, Sanada's gaze swept over Ayanokoji Kiyotaka once more.

A smirk, undisguised and amused, played at the corners of his lips, as if to say, "Good luck."

The group from Class B left Class D's classroom in silence and with an oppressive air, just as they had arrived, leaving behind a stagnant atmosphere and countless gazes focused on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

The moment the classroom door closed, the tense atmosphere deflated like a punctured balloon with a "pop."

It was immediately filled with a clamor of discussion and astonished gazes.

"What... what's going on?!"

Yamauchi Haruki was the first to break the silence. He jumped up from his seat and rushed to Ayanokōji.

His face was a mixture of disbelief and intense jealousy, and his voice trembled slightly with excitement.

"Hey! Why?! Why would someone as gloomy as you have such a... such a cute girl on her mind for so long?! And it's been like this since they were kids?! That's not fair!"

He pointed to the doorway, as if the figure of Sakayanagi Arisu still lingered there.

"Yamauchi- kun, that's incredibly rude of you!"

Kushida Kikyo immediately spoke up, trying to smooth things over with her signature sweet smile, but her gaze toward Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was also full of inquiry and curiosity.

"Ayanokoji-kun is just quiet and reserved, not very talkative. Actually—"

She paused deliberately, her gaze sweeping intently over Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's face. "Look closely, Ayanokoji-kun has very deep features and a well-defined profile; he's a true handsome guy!"

Upon hearing Kushida Kikyo's words, Wang Meiyu and Inogashira Kokoro, who were standing nearby, subconsciously followed her gaze and carefully examined Ayanokoji Kiyotaka once again.

Fair skin, high nose bridge, deep-set eyes, thin lips with defined lines...

Ignoring that perpetually indifferent expression, the natural features of this face are indeed outstanding.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of agreement in each other's eyes, and nodded slightly.

Horikita Suzune slammed the book shut.

Her cool gaze swept over Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who stood there enduring all kinds of stares yet remained expressionless, and her brows furrowed slightly.

Did he Sakayanagi Arisu, the leader of Class B?

And it seems to involve a very deep and personal past?

What does "that place" refer to?

She keenly grasped the key words in the conversation.

The mysteries surrounding Ayanokoji Kiyotaka seem to be more numerous and complex than she imagined.

She secretly noted down this important information.

This means that the competitive landscape between classes may change unexpectedly because of him, and she needs to assess its impact.

A low, slightly teasing chuckle rang out from the back of the classroom.

Koenji

Tanaka Yukishin Koenji Rokusuke, who was idly playing with the ends of his golden hair, with her elbow, a lazy yet enthusiastic smile on her face.

"See that? A textbook reunion scene. This must be what they call childhood sweethearts, although this version is a bit... well, special."

"Snort."

Koenji Rokusuke let out a disdainful snort, elegantly tucking a strand of golden hair behind his ear, his eyes filled with arrogance.

He glanced sideways at Tanaka Yukishin.

"One person remembers it vividly, while the other has no recollection of it or may not even exist in their memory. Can that be considered childhood sweethearts? Tanaka-kun, your definition of romance is far too broad and cheap. By your logic, wouldn't every socialite and heiress I know in Tokyo Metropolis be considered my childhood sweetheart?"

"Huh?"

Tanaka Yukishin, her smile deepening, tinged with a hint of slyness.

"Given your status as the sole heir to the Koenji Conglomerate, I believe that if you were willing to admit it, those young ladies would absolutely accept the childhood friend label without hesitation and with great pride."

He was clearly making a sarcastic remark.

"Hello!"

Koenji Rokusuke's golden pupils narrowed slightly as he suddenly stared warily at Tanaka Yukishin's face, which seemed to say, "I love watching the drama unfold."

This guy...

If he finds out that I'm paying even the slightest bit of special attention to that girl Wang Meiyu...

Koenji Rokusuke Tanaka Yukishin might pull, especially those that created difficult choices.

He had no doubt about the destructive power of this entertainer.

"You even want to see my scenes? Tanaka, our deep friendship may be coming to an end."

He made a solemn statement.

"Oh? Our friendship is over?" Tanaka Yukishin casually stretched out her hand, palm up. "That's perfect. Return the 50,000 points you borrowed last time to tide me over."

"Mean."

Koenji Rokusuke his face away, his tone casual yet carrying an undeniable promise, "I'll repay you ten thousand times the amount in cash after you leave school. Is this little bit of money worth you worrying about?"

"It's not like I need your little bit of money."

Tanaka Yukishin leaned closer to Koenji Rokusuke, ignoring the latter's disgusted leaning back, lowered her voice, and a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes.

"Don't change the subject. When you mentioned childhood sweethearts just now, your eyes... tsk, something was off. Tell me, is there really some destined childhood friend right here in our classroom?"

His sharp gaze swept over the girls in the front row.

Koenji Rokusuke frowned.

She decisively and impatiently turned her head to the window, presenting the back of her head to Tanaka Yukishin.

This action conveyed a clear message of "refusal to answer" and "you're so boring."

Karuizawa Kei pulled Sakura Airi, who was trying to keep a low profile, close to her ear and whispered something in her ear, her tone full of surprise.

"That girl in the wheelchair... Sakayanagi from Class B, right? She looks so small, but her eyes... are so scary! And the way she talks gives you a chill."

Sakura Airi nodded vigorously, like a frightened little animal, almost shrinking into her chair.

The aura of Sakayanagi Arisu, who controlled everything and treated others as pawns, terrified her from the bottom of her heart.

Hirata Yosuke, as the class's core mediator, wore a gentle but slightly serious expression.

He walked up to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and gently patted him on the shoulder.

"Ayanokōji, are you alright? Classmate Sakayanagi- san... seems very focused. If there's anything the class can do to help, please let us know."

He expressed his support.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stood there, enduring gazes from all directions—curiosity, inquiry, jealousy, sympathy, confusion, worry... like an invisible net.

He simply nodded calmly and said to Hirata Yosuke, "Thank you, I'm fine for now."

Then, under the complex gazes of the crowd, he silently walked to his seat.

The waves stirred up by Sakayanagi Arisu have only just begun.

What he needs is to rediscover that balance point called "ordinary" amidst this undercurrent.

Or... find a new strategy to survive the storm.

His calm facade had been completely torn open.

Chapter 122, Section 121: Failed Test and Jealousy

At night, Tanaka Yukishin and Karuizawa Kei sat on the sofa in the living room, enjoying their intimate moment together.

Outside the window, the night was deep and dark, but inside, a warm and cozy atmosphere prevailed.

The air was filled with the sweet scent of fig incense, which mingled with the scent of the shampoo that Karuizawa Kei usually used, creating a comforting and reassuring atmosphere.

Tanaka Yukishin leaned back on the sofa, one leg casually bent, the other stretched out.

Karuizawa Kei nestled in his arms like a satisfied cat, her cheek pressed against his firm and warm chest, where she could clearly hear his steady and powerful heartbeat.

She was wearing only a large white T-shirt belonging to Tanaka Yukishin, the hem barely covering the top of her thighs, and her exposed skin gleamed delicately in the dim light.

Her fingers unconsciously traced circles on the fabric of Tanaka Yukishin's clothes, enjoying this undisturbed moment of intimacy.

Tanaka Yukishin's one hand naturally encircled her waist, while the other hand rested on her smooth thigh.

The fingertips occasionally and unconsciously rub gently, bringing a subtle tingling sensation.

Feeling the warmth of her lover, Karuizawa Kei unconsciously nuzzled her head against him again.

I feel so at ease... Only here, by his side, can I truly Matsushita.

Xuexin smells so good...

Just then, a piercing cell phone ringtone shattered the warm tranquility.

It's Tanaka Yukishin's cell phone that she left on the coffee table.

He frowned almost imperceptibly, but his movements were without the slightest hesitation.

He stretched out his arm and answered the call without even glancing down at the screen.

I habitually pressed the speakerphone button and placed the phone on the pillow beside me.

"Moshi moshi~ This is the forever beautiful and loving Hoshinomiya Chie! Good evening, Tanaka-kun!"

Hoshinomiya Chie's sweet, almost cloying voice, carrying a deliberately crafted intimacy and the languidness unique to late at night, instantly filled the entire space.

Karuizawa Kei's body stiffened very slightly the instant she heard the voice.

She immediately held her breath, buried her face even deeper into Tanaka Yukishin's chest, and even stopped drawing circles with her fingers. She was completely still, as if the pause button had been pressed.

She knew who it was—the homeroom teacher of Class A, Ichinose Honami's backer, a beautiful yet dangerous woman.

She knew all too well that she absolutely could not make a sound at this moment and cause trouble for Xuexin.

But internally, alarm bells were ringing.

Calling so late? And in that tone? What does she want?!

Tanaka Yukishin's voice remained calm and steady, without the slightest fluctuation of intimacy.

"Good evening, Hoshinomiya Chie. What's up?"