Leaving School

Ken Sudō's voice rose slightly, carrying a sense of steadiness and determination.

"The coach acknowledges my ability and the results of my solo training during this period. He said the team needs bench depth, especially for a team like ours that excels in counter-attacking, which needs the ability to quickly change the pace of the game. Considering the team's performance, after discussing with the minister, he agreed to let me stay on the team as a substitute player. I train with the team regularly to maintain chemistry. If any player is injured or there is a tactical need, I can play."

He glanced around at his friends' faces and a smile that was a mixture of bitterness and excitement appeared on his face.

"Of course, the price is clear. The Class Points and individual points rewards that the team gets for good results in matches will all be out of my reach. Even in terms of match results, as a substitute, I will be ranked one level lower on my resume. All I can get is the status of a substitute, an opportunity to get on the field, accumulate practical experience, and develop my skills."

He clenched his fist, his eyes resolute.

"That's enough for me! At least... I still have basketball to play, and I can still stand on the court wearing that jersey. I will prove my worth with my performance!"

This pragmatic and accepting attitude is a stark contrast to his past self, who was prone to outbursts of anger and intolerant of even the slightest setback.

Hirata Yosuke smiled with satisfaction and raised his glass first.

"Congratulations, Sudo -kun! This is a good arrangement. It shows they recognize your abilities and value. Experience and skills are invaluable."

Kushida Kikyo immediately echoed her sentiment.

"It's so good that Sudo- kun thinks that way. It shows you've really grown up!"

Yamauchi Haruki patted Sudo's shoulder forcefully.

"So what if you're a substitute? You'll step up and crush them! I believe in you!"

Even Ayanokoji Kiyotaka nodded slightly and said something in a low voice.

"Yes, that's a good start."

Horikita Suzune paused slightly in the hand holding the water glass.

She looked into Ken Sudō's eyes and saw the grounded light of acceptance of reality and focus on his own growth.

Hearing him clearly express how much he valued "opportunity" rather than "honor and points," a very subtle shift crossed his cold eyes.

This change certainly exceeded her initial expectations.

He realized the problem and had begun to learn how to reposition his goals within a limited scope.

Dinner continued amidst sharing updates and relaxed conversation.

Hirata Yosuke mentioned some plans for class affairs.

Kushida Kikyo shared some trivial but interesting gossip from the class, but she was careful to subtly avoid any sensitive topics.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was pressed by Yamauchi Haruki about his recent progress in the game, to which he gave a brief reply.

Horikita Suzune remained quiet, mostly listening and occasionally responding to a question or two from others.

"Speaking of which," Kushida Kikyo suddenly turned to Horikita Suzune, "Does Horikita have any plans for summer vacation?"

Horikita Suzune put down her chopsticks.

"Review your lessons and preview the material for next semester."

"Wow, as expected of Horikita, they don't even relax during summer vacation." Yamauchi Haruki shook his head exaggeratedly. "Are you putting too much pressure on us? You're such a pain!"

Horikita Suzune glanced indifferently at Yamauchi Haruki.

It's just a personal choice.

The steam from the grilled meat filled the air, and time slipped by unnoticed.

As the food on the plate dwindled, the pace of the conversation slowed down.

Hirata Yosuke glanced at the time, then swept his gaze over the crowd, his eyes lingering subtly between Ken Sudō and Horikita Suzune.

He put down his chopsticks, a gentle smile on his face, and suggested, "It's about time. I see everyone's enjoying their meal. Why don't we leave now? Let the restaurant clean up the dishes, and it'll make it easier for the customers waiting behind us."

His suggestion was immediately met with a knowing response from Kushida Kikyo.

"Yes, Hirata is right! We should go back and prepare too. After all, summer vacation starts tomorrow, right, Yamauchi? Ayanokōji?"

Yamauchi Haruki was still a little unsatisfied, but seeing the glances from Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo, he instantly understood and quickly nodded.

"Oh right! I suddenly remembered I haven't finished my daily tasks for today! Let's go!"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka naturally had no objections and silently stood up.

Horikita Suzune also prepared to get up and leave.

"That..."

Ken Sudō suddenly spoke, his voice tinged with barely perceptible tension. He looked at Horikita Suzune, "Horikita... could you stay a moment? I... have something to say."

This request instantly silenced the private room.

Hirata Yosuke, Kushida Kikyo, and Yamauchi Haruki exchanged a knowing look, each with a kind and encouraging smile on their lips.

Kushida Kikyo even mouthed "Please" to Horikita Suzune, and then Hirata Yosuke joined in.

They practically pushed Yamauchi Haruki and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka out of the private room quickly, and considerately closed the door behind them.

The door to the private room closed gently, temporarily shutting out the noise from outside.

The oven heat had subsided, and the air was filled with a faint aroma of oil fumes, sauces, and a subtle, almost imperceptible, smoky fragrance.

The lights seemed brighter than before, clearly illuminating the two people sitting face to face.

The table was littered with cups and plates, remnants of the recent lively gathering.

This made the space seem unusually quiet, even somewhat empty.

Horikita Suzune neither sat down immediately nor left.

She stood there, her posture upright, her gaze calm and unwavering as she looked at Ken Sudō with her usual scrutinizing air.

That gaze seemed to penetrate appearances and reach straight to the heart.

She didn't urge him or show the slightest impatience; she simply waited quietly.

This was another reason why she accepted the invitation to attend the party.

It's better to resolve this in advance than to waste time at school later.

Ken Sudō's hand, which was under the table, clenched unconsciously, his knuckles turning slightly white.

My palms were slightly damp, a sign of both nervousness and determination.

He took a deep breath, the air, thick with the lingering aroma of roasted meat, seemed to fill his lungs with a heavy weight.

She raised her head, her gaze meeting Horikita Suzune's cool, clear eyes.

The girl in front of him was the one who took the initiative to approach him and pull him back when he impulsively quit the study group in a fit of rage.

Yet, she was also a cold and aloof presence that refused to let him get close.

He was the key figure who turned the tide in the adjudication meeting, but whose efforts ultimately failed due to his foolish concealment.

It was also the source of a deep, unspeakable yet real stirring within him.

This meal, this invitation—deep down, what he truly wanted to face was her.

Thanks? Apologies? Explanations? Confessions?

They all seem to touch on something, yet none seem to fully encompass the turbulent emotions churning within him at this moment.

A thousand words were stuck in my throat, and for a moment I didn't know where to begin.

He just looked at her, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

There was gratitude, guilt, stubborn persistence, and a barely perceptible, cautious expectation.

That gaze, like silent tentacles, clumsily tried to convey some ineffable signal.

The only sounds in the private room were the faint hum of the air conditioner and the distant, indistinct voices coming from the street outside the window.

Time seemed to stretch out and stand still at that moment.

Horikita Suzune's gaze remained unwavering, as calm as still water.

She looked into Ken Sudō's eyes and saw the struggle and effort, the awkwardness of trying to express himself but failing, and the persistence that was different from his usual violent self, and carried a sense of reflection.

This silent eye contact is itself a form of communication.

She might be assessing the truth of his statement that "things have changed a lot," or she might be waiting for him to formulate his next words, or perhaps...

She showed no impatience, nor did she reveal any emotion.

The last drop of oil beside the oven finally succumbed to gravity and fell with a soft "plop" into the oil-catching pan below.

This barely audible sound was remarkably clear in the silent room.

It was as if an invisible switch had been pressed.

The neon lights outside the window shone through the gap in the half-drawn curtains, casting flickering shadows on Ken Sudō's sharply defined profile.

He opened his mouth, and his Adam's apple bobbed up and down...

Chapter 132, Section 131: Leaving School

The morning sunlight streamed through the dormitory windows, casting its intense heat onto the floor.

Tanaka Yukishin yawned and deftly stuffed the last change of clothes into her backpack.

The boy in the mirror had clear eyes, with a touch of his usual languor.

He checked his belongings, and after confirming that everything was there, he zipped up his jacket.

At that moment, a slight noise came from the next room.

Soon, the door was gently pushed open.

Karuizawa Kei rubbed her eyes, still dazed from just waking up, her golden hair slightly disheveled and clinging to her cheeks.

Good morning, Xuexin.

Her voice was soft and sweet, with a nasal tone, as if she had just woken up.

As her closest lover, she asked Yueyi to go and see Xuexin off.

Although Tanaka Yukishin didn't think it made much sense.

It's not a long separation.

However, he didn't say anything.

This is a manifestation of goodwill.

He was overjoyed.

"Good morning, Hui." He smiled, walked over, and casually tidied the stray hairs on her forehead. "It's still early, you can sleep a little longer."

"No, I promised to give it to you."

Karuizawa Kei shook her head, went into the washroom, and quickly finished washing up.

The two had a simple breakfast at the small restaurant in the dormitory area.

At 8:40 AM, y/*ue-already 27 pomegranates picked up E full shirt eight slips of minutes.

Twenty minutes before the bus was scheduled to depart at nine o'clock, the area in front of the main gate was already bustling with activity.

The members of the Kendo Club were busy loading their luggage into the luggage compartment of the bus.

As the president of the Kendo Club President and a key player in the Gyokuryuki competition, Miyajima Hayata figure was exceptionally busy and conspicuous.

He was surrounded by several students who weren't from the Kendo Club, his face filled with helplessness.

"Miyajima-senpai! Please! Could you please take this to my sister for me?"

A first-grade boy eagerly stuffed a beautifully wrapped gift box into Miyajima Hayata's suitcase.

"Yeah, yeah, Miyajima-senpai, it's just a small box!"

Another student also held up something and moved forward.

"No, no! At most, I can carry a message! Carrying anything is strictly prohibited! That's the rule!"

With lightning speed, Miyajima Hayata retrieved the box that the first boy had stuffed into, his movements clean and efficient, a result of his long-term kendo training, and his tone resolute.

He glanced around at the pleading classmates, smiled wryly, and raised his voice, "Everyone, please don't make things difficult for me! Excess luggage is one thing, but if the accompanying teacher finds out I brought something unplanned, the whole club will be held responsible!"

Several Kendo Club members who were watching the commotion, including Miyajima Hayata's good friend and frenemy, crossed their arms and cheered him on.

"Did you guys hear that? You're so greedy and pushing your luck! You want to bring in goods for your family? Do you think Hayabusa is a deliveryman?"

"That's right! Rules are rules!"