Permission

He uttered those words clearly and calmly, causing the team members who had vaguely heard the commotion in the back of the carriage to hold their breath instantly, and causing the pupils of the two teachers in the front row to shrink sharply.

"I see. I understand."

"Therefore, I have decided to drop out of school."

Chapter 134, Section 133: Permission

Inside the carriage, the air seemed to freeze.

The echo of "I've decided to drop out of school" still reverberated in everyone's ears, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.

In the front row seats, the astonishment on Coach Takeuchi and Hashimoto's faces slowly faded.

Coach Takeuchi frowned, his eyes sharp as a hawk's, staring intently at the unbelievably calm boy before him.

"Are you sure, Tanaka Yukishin?" His voice was deep, carrying an unbelievable pressure. "Drop out of school? Just to go home?"

Tanaka Yukishin met the coach's gaze without flinching.

His face still held that calm yet slightly lazy expression, as if he were discussing something trivial.

"I've made up my mind, Coach Takeuchi."

His voice was clear and steady, ringing out loudly in the quiet carriage. "If I can't go home, I'll break my promise to many people. I don't want to go back on my word."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the shocked faces in the carriage, and added, "Besides, to be honest, I'm tired of this school. I haven't found anything particularly interesting that would make me give up going home to fulfill my promise."

"Oh..."

Hashimoto let out a short, soft laugh, tinged with complex emotions.

She pushed up her glasses, her gaze behind the lenses filled with scrutiny and a hint of barely perceptible emotion.

"Kids these days are really... willful."

Her words seemed to be addressed to Tanaka Yukishin, yet also to everyone in the carriage.

Several teammates around him nodded subconsciously.

Miyajima Hayata looked at Tanaka Yukishin's retreating figure with a complex expression.

There was a sense of helplessness, but also a hint of acceptance and longing that he himself was unaware of.

Coach Takeuchi's gaze lingered for a few seconds on Tanaka Yukishin's calm and determined face, then swept over the team members at the back of the carriage, who were holding their breath and had various expressions.

His sharp gaze seemed to soften slightly.

As a coach, he values ability more.

Unlike other college instructors, club coaches rely on these competitions for results.

He cleared his throat, turned to Hashimoto, and spoke in a slightly more conciliatory tone.

"Hashimoto, what Tanaka -kun said... while his methods were a bit extreme, his intentions weren't entirely unreasonable. And he certainly has the right to say such things. After all, Tanaka- kun has the capital to be willful... Are we, like stones whose edges have been smoothed out in the melting pot of society, not wanting to maintain our sharpness? It's just that we lack the ability to do what he does so freely without getting hurt."

Hashimoto looked at Coach Takeuchi, then at the calm-faced Tanaka Yukishin, and finally sighed.

"I understand, Coach Takeuchi."

She turned to Tanaka Yukishin, her tone serious but no longer so stiff.

"Tanaka, your situation is rather unique. I cannot make a decision on my own while I am out here. I will call the school administration now to consult with them. Please return to your seat and wait for further instructions."

She waved her hand, signaling that the conversation was temporarily over.

"Okay, thank you for your Hashimoto."

Tanaka Yukishin nodded slightly, turned around, and calmly walked back to her seat under the watchful eyes of dozens of people.

His steps were steady, without the slightest hesitation or tension.

As he passed by Miyajima Hayata, he opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he only managed to utter one sentence.

"... You're amazing."

Tanaka Yukishin responded with an indifferent shrug.

As soon as Tanaka Yukishin sat down, the suppressed murmurs in the carriage suddenly erupted like a lit fuse.

Although he tried to keep his voice down, he couldn't hide his shock and curiosity.

"He really dares to say that..."

Dropping out of school? Just to go home? Are you crazy?

"But he's right, he really doesn't seem to need that Class A reward..."

"Coach Takeuchi is right, he has the right to be so capricious..."

"Hashimoto really called, will she agree?"

"How can yue/-*~shou// agree? Are the school rules just decoration?"

Amidst the whispers and murmurs of the team members, Hashimoto took a deep breath and dialed the private number of the Sakayanagi Narimori.

After the call was connected, she gave a quick and clear report.

"Chairman, this is Hashimoto. Yes, I'm on my way to Fukuoka. An unexpected incident has occurred..."

She described Tanaka Yukishin's request to leave the group and go home being refused, her subsequent offer to drop out of school, and the reactions of the people on the bus.

In particular, he fully reiterated Coach Takeuchi's comment about "capital".

"... That's the situation. His attitude is very firm, and Coach Takeuchi also believes his abilities are indispensable. Is there any possibility of a compromise from the school? Please advise."

Chairman's Office of Advanced Nurturing High School.

Sakayanagi Narimori put down his phone, his long, slender fingers gently pushing up his gold-rimmed glasses, a hint of amusement flashing in his deep eyes behind the lenses.

Sunlight streamed through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a long shadow on the gleaming mahogany table and highlighting his thoughtful silhouette.

He muttered to himself, his fingertips tapping unconsciously on the table.

"Just because he wants to go home, he wants to drop out of school because he can't get permission... Are kids these days so homesick? Or is it...?"

He narrowed his eyes slightly, recalling Hashimoto's retelling of the Hashimoto "many people broke their promises."

"This kid keeps his promises? That's an interesting trait. Well, let's get some people to discuss it. It's not a big deal. But..."

A cryptic smile played on his lips. He picked up the intercom, and his smile deepened. "Let's see if those old guys make any decisions I can use to tease them later."

Half an hour later, the door to the Chairman's Office was pushed open.

Sakayanagi Narimori raised an eyebrow as he saw that only Nishio Chiba had entered, his tone carrying a hint of regret.

"You're really not giving me any face, are you the only one who came? Where are Chaki and Mizuki?"

Nishio Chiba, a director known for his meticulousness and pragmatism, sat down on the opposite sofa without any hesitation and took a sip of the hot tea that his secretary had just served him.

"This kind of matter doesn't require phone communication anymore. The fact that I'm showing up in person is already a huge favor to you, Chairman Sakayanagi."

He put down his teacup, his gaze sharp. "The others? Ha, still enjoying their rare summer vacation. Unlike you, a workaholic. Enough talk, let's get down to business."

Sakayanagi Narimori didn't care and reported the details of Tanaka Yukishin's matter and Hashimoto's report.

In particular, Tanaka Yukishin's statement "many people have broken their promises" and Coach Takeuchi's evaluation of "capital" were reproduced verbatim. (VII) Yi Er VIII Feeder read it through.

Nishio Chiba listened quietly, her fingers habitually stroking her chin as she fell into deep thought.

The only sound in the office was the low hum of the air conditioner.

After a moment, Nishio Chiba spoke slowly, her voice steady.

"The Kendo Club's evaluation this year is second-class. According to the current rules, they are only allowed limited communication; they do not have the authority to move freely."

He paused, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. "That kid wants to buy access, his idea is straightforward, but in terms of rules, his access is insufficient. After all, his personal rating system hasn't been fully updated yet; it only assesses his contributions to the Kendo Club, ignoring his potential value in other clubs."

He looked at Sakayanagi Narimori.

"How did Hashimoto observe his attitude? Was it impulsiveness, threats, or... genuine indifference?"

"Composure and self-assurance," Sakayanagi Narimori uttered, a hint of admiration in his voice.

"That's good."

Nishio Chiba nodded, making a decision, "Since it's not a strategic retreat, not an attempt to threaten or rebel against the school rules themselves, but merely a paid modification to the rules that don't suit his personal needs... then let him buy it with points. S Points can buy everything, isn't that one of our school's core selling points?"

Sakayanagi Narimori's face showed an exaggerated expression of surprise, and his body leaned forward slightly.

"Oh? This isn't like your usual rule-first personality, old friend. I thought you'd slam your fist on the table and say that school rules are sacred and inviolable."

"Snort,"

Nishio Chiba snorted irritably, pointed at Sakayanagi Narimori, and gave him an expression that said, "I knew you all along."

"We've been old buddies for so long, do you really want to see me make a fool of myself? After all these years, Cheng Shou, you don't really think I'm some kind of old-fashioned senile fool, do you? We just have different educational philosophies, my brain isn't damaged yet!"

He knew all too well the chairman's perverse sense of humor.

Sakayanagi Narimori was hoping that Tanaka would stick to the rules and refuse firmly, so that the chairman could exercise his power of approval to "pardon" Tanaka Yukishin and use it as a joke to tease him about his stubbornness from time to time.

Nishio Chiba continued her analysis, her tone becoming more pragmatic.

"Tanaka Yukishin's core needs are simple: to go home and have some free time. However, it is an objective fact that her club evaluation did not reach the corresponding level. A single Gyokuryuki victory can only have a limited impact on the overall reputation of Advanced Nurturing High School."

He changed the subject, his gaze becoming profound.

"But what if the Gyokuryuki wins three consecutive championships in three years?"

He offered an enticing prospect.

"Furthermore, as far as I know, Tanaka Yukishin is also frequently active in three or four other clubs. Given his ability and level of dedication, it's almost a certainty that he'll bring the school one or two major national honors every year. This has a completely different meaning for Advanced Nurturing High School!"

Nishio Chiba's voice carried a barely perceptible fervor.

"Think about it," he leaned forward slightly, tapping his fingers on the sofa armrest, "A student who was unknown in elementary and middle school, soared to stardom after entering Advanced Nurturing, becoming a star athlete in multiple fields. What is that? That's the most dazzling achievement! It's the most perfect demonstration of Advanced Nurturing High School's philosophy of prioritizing strength! It's a living advertisement proving our school's ability to turn ordinary students into geniuses!"

He pinpointed the school's most pressing needs.

"Since large organizations like conglomerates and aristocratic families have gradually abandoned their view of us as whetstones, the transformation direction of Advanced Nurturing High School has become very clear—to become a top-tier national elite high school."

Chizuru Nishio concluded, "Under this positioning, the need for both prestige and substance has fundamentally changed. Retaining and motivating star students like Tanaka Yukishin, who can bring both immense prestige and tangible results, is far more important than rigidly adhering to a second-class evaluation rule for ordinary clubs. Rules serve an end. Flexibility is necessary when appropriate."

The mockery on Sakayanagi Narimori's face had long since vanished.

He clapped softly.

"Excellent, Director Nishio. Your analysis is insightful. It seems we're on the same page. Let's do it that way then."

As chairman, he convened the meeting not for genuine discussion, but to set a trap to test the bottom line of the directors' beliefs.

If Nishio opposes it, he can exercise his right to pass the resolution, thus building a positive image and demonstrating goodwill.

If Nishio supports and endorses it, they will share the responsibility for breaking the rules.

As a result, Nishio Chiba saw through the scheme and took the initiative to compromise, and the two sides reached a conspiracy.

Isn't it clever that someone who's Nostalgia Faction would use the methods of a reformer?

On the bus.

The phone vibrated, Hashimoto answered it quickly.

Listening to the instructions on the other end of the phone, the expression on his face gradually changed from serious to a kind of helpless relief.

She responded briefly, "Yes, I understand. Okay, Chairman."

After hanging up the phone, she turned to the back row, her gaze locking onto Tanaka Yukishin.

"Tanaka-kun!"

The carriage fell silent once more, all eyes turning to the passenger.

"Based on the school leadership's urgent discussion and final decision,"

Hashimoto's voice echoed clearly in the carriage, "Considering your special circumstances and potential contributions to the school, the school agrees to grant you a certain degree of freedom of movement, but you will need to pay corresponding points as resource usage and risk management costs."

She paused for a moment, then clearly stated the conditions.

"The specific fee is one million points per day. The time is calculated from the date you officially leave the team until you return to the training camp."

Seeing that Tanaka Yukishin didn't even flinch, she continued, "If you can win the final victory for the school in the boys' division of the Gyokuryuki Tournament, your departure fee will be reduced to 500,000 points per day. Furthermore, this rule applies to any similar needs you have while representing the school in external competitions in the future. This rule does not apply outside of competition periods; you enjoy the freedom of a regular student."

"Understood." Tanaka Yukishin nodded, seemingly unsurprised by the result. "I will pay the points after I return to school. The Student Terminal will remain in the dormitory."

"Of course." Hashimoto nodded. "You just need to transfer the points directly to the Student Council's public account after you return to school. When transferring, be sure to clearly indicate the purpose of the payment in the remarks column: personal leave permission fee during the Kendo Club's Gyokuryuki period."

"Okay," Tanaka Yukishin replied succinctly.