Changes / Conflict

With careful consideration, advancing to Class A... there might be a sliver of hope.

After all, this year's Class C might be the worst class ever, while the other classes are in the middle to upper ranks of all previous classes.

Competing with other classes is indeed extremely difficult.

Ishizaki Daichi watched his departing homeroom teacher and scratched his head in bewilderment.

Isn't the homeroom teacher very willing to help them?

Whether it's integrating the whole class at the start of the school year or handling all subsequent matters.

Why wouldn't you want to?

Forget it, my head's throbbing. Let Ryuen think about it.

All he needs to do is obey and follow orders diligently.

Chapter 107, Section 106: Changes

By 4:30 p. m., the classroom was mostly empty.

But Hirata Yosuke, Kushida Kikyo, Matsushita Chiaki, Wang Meiyu, and Yamauchi Haruki are among them.

Still waiting for news from Horikita Suzune, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, and Ken Sudō.

A tense anticipation filled the air.

With the sound of footsteps, Horikita Suzune was the first to enter the classroom.

She showed no sign of frustration at the defeat; instead, she became extremely indifferent to Ken Sudō, who was following behind her.

She walked straight to her seat, her movements swift and decisive.

"Horikita, what was the result?"

Hirata Yosuke immediately stepped forward, his tone concerned.

Horikita Suzune didn't stop what she was doing; while tidying up the books, she calmly announced the results.

The sound was clear and calm.

"We failed. Because Ken Sudō has a similar criminal record, all our efforts along the way were in vain."

She pointed out the root of the responsibility without reservation, as if stating a fact that had nothing to do with her.

This straightforward announcement stunned everyone present.

Hirata Yosuke's gentle smile froze. He turned to Sudo Ken Sudō, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"This, Sudo, you used to...?"

Perhaps it was Horikita's almost cold attitude that finally pierced Ken Sudō's defenses.

Instead of his usual furious rebuttal, he displayed an unusual dejection and maturity.

He kept his head down, his voice a little hoarse.

"It's different from this time... But that time, both sides had issues. In the end, only I was punished, and the other side got away with it. It was all because their judgment was based solely on my past achievements. That prestigious basketball school didn't investigate the truth at all."

Kushida Kikyo's usual sweet smile faded slightly.

She sighed softly, walked to Ken Sudō's desk, and began to help him tidy up his scattered belongings, her tone carrying a hint of comfort.

"Sudo- kun, pack your things first. We'll be taking turns delivering your study notes to you for the next month or so, until summer vacation."

She paused, then looked up at Ken Sudō.

His eyes seemed to hold concern, yet also a subtle, almost imperceptible, distance.

"I hope that through this experience, you can truly understand and correct your problems. Not every time will you have the opportunity to stay."

Her movements were gentle, yet tinged with worry.

Seeing this, Yamauchi Haruki quickly went over to help.

He clumsily picked up a few books and chimed in, "Yes, yes, Sudo, we'll help you!"

"Um... I'm so sorry, Ayanokōji, Hirata, Kushida, Yamauchi, Horikita..."

Ken Sudō looked around at those who had helped or cared for him, his voice filled with regret, "I didn't mean to hide it... I... I really didn't expect Class C to bring this up..."

Hirata Yosuke patted him on the shoulder and said gently, "Since things have come to this, let's face it."

Kushida Kikyo nodded slightly.

Yamauchi Haruki gave a strong "hmm" to indicate his understanding.

Matsushita Chiaki and Wang Meiyu stood a little distance away and exchanged glances.

Matsushita Chiaki remains silent.

Wang Meiyu looked at Hirata Yosuke, gently biting her lip, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stood quietly to the side.

He lowered his eyes, taking in all the reactions without making any comment.

Only Horikita Suzune.

She seemed to completely block out Ken Sudō's apology and the surrounding noise, and had already neatly packed her schoolbag.

Before Ken Sudō could finish speaking, she turned around as if no one else was there and walked towards the classroom door without looking back, her back view resolute and cold.

Watching that slender figure leave without hesitation, Ken Sudō subconsciously raised his hand.

It seemed as if it wanted to hold on or make an explanation, but in the end, the hand simply fell limply and in vain.

The overwhelming sense of defeat and the sting of being utterly ignored suffocated him far more than any verbal rebuke.

In the evening, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka returned to his dormitory after dinner.

They found that Ken Sudō was already sitting in a chair in the room.

Here we go again...

Ayanokōji sighed inwardly, but maintained her calm and expressionless face.

He was used to this situation.

From the day he joined the information-gathering group, his room was forcibly chosen as the meeting place.

Ken Sudō, Kushida Kikyo, Yamauchi Haruki freely entered and exited the room using copied room cards.

He wanted to take it back, but apart from Kushida Kikyo, the other two strongly opposed it.

So they abandoned their plan.

The only thing you can do is ask the dormitory manager to prohibit them from copying room cards for other people.

"You're back, Ayanokōji."

Although the door opened very quietly, the connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces made the sound of the wind leaking in through the door crack particularly noticeable.

Ken Sudō turned around.

"Is there something you need, Sudo?"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka placed his schoolbag on the bedside table.

Then he picked through the items in the cupboard.

He took out the instant coffee and tea bags he had bought at a convenience store shortly after starting school.

I made a cup of each using the hot water I always keep in the kettle, and then placed them on the table.

"You're so considerate, Ayanokōji."

Ken Sudō stared at the two cups side by side, and said with a complex and deeply moved tone.

He then stood up and bowed 90 degrees to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

"Sudo, what's wrong with you?"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka slightly raised his eyes; he had never understood people's hearts.

At this moment, I understand even less why Ken Sudō would suddenly do this.

"I think I was provoked by Horikita's dismissive attitude today. I have seriously reflected on my past actions. I now apologize to you as my friend for my past disrespectful behavior. Thank you for being able to forgive me for this, and thank you for being willing to help me and work together with Hirata and the others."

Ken Sudō's voice was a little hoarse, but his tone was sincere.

"I see."

"These are spare room keys I got from Yamauchi. You can have both of them back. They were rightfully yours anyway."

Ken Sudō let out a sigh of relief and took two room keys out of his pocket.

Taking the two spare room cards, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka ran his fingertips along the edges of the cards.

I accept your apology.

"That's good. Although I'm sorry, I still want to ask you for a favor."

"Please speak."

Ken Sudō scratched the back of his head, his gaze drifting towards the window.

"Could you... help me pass on a message to Horikita?"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka raised his eyebrows.

This subtle change in expression made Ken Sudō immediately wave his hands in a panic.

His voice grew softer and softer.

"It's not about asking you to send love letters or anything! It's just... an apology..."

"It would be more sincere and earnest for me to say it in person."

"But she completely ignores me. And I don't have her account."

"So, do you want me to send you her account number?"

"No... no. I'm prepared to change my ways. I'll apologize to her in person during summer vacation."

Ken Sudō a wry smile, then shook his head.

After saying that, he grabbed his coat and walked towards the door, his back view more upright than usual.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka watched his departing figure, lost in thought.

The influence of "love"?

Initially, Sudo only changed his attitude towards studying, but now he has even tamed his irritable temper.

Although the changes are minor, they do exist.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka picked up his coffee and took a sip; the temperature was just right.

He stroked the room key cards he had taken back and suddenly noticed a sticky note on the back of one of them with a crooked basketball drawing on it.

When I picked up the teacup again, the steam had dissipated.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka gazed at the moonlight outside the window, he began to feel a sense of reality about this class for the first time.

Perhaps it wasn't just Sudo who changed, but also something he wasn't yet aware of.

Chapter 108, Part 2: The Mischief of Hatoyama, Chapter 4, 107: Contradictions

The afternoon sun lazily streamed into Class D classroom. Four days had passed since Ken Sudō took a leave of absence from school.

An indescribable silence filled the classroom, as if a taut string had been slightly relaxed, yet a new atmosphere was brewing within it.

During lunch break, Karuizawa Kei's small group was chatting by the window.

Today she was wearing a red school uniform jacket over a light gray knit sweater, and her legs were crossed under a white pleated skirt.

A mechanical pencil was held between her slender fingers, and she would tap it lightly on the table from time to time.

Tanaka Yukishin sat close to her, quietly sharing some interesting stories.

Meanwhile, Shinohara Satsuki and Mori Nene leaned against the table, with relaxed smiles on their faces.

"Speaking of which, the classroom has been much quieter lately."

Shinohara Satsuki toyed with her short black hair, her tone light and cheerful, "Kanji Ike out of school, and Ken Sudō took a leave of absence. Those annoying boys have finally calmed down."