The Storm Was Gathering

By the next day, when the four first-year classes drew lots to decide their groups, things unfolded just as Rinya had expected.

Classes A and B drew together with no hesitation, while Classes C and D fell silent before they had even unfolded their slips.

"I refuse to accept this! This has to be rigged."

"Exactly! Why did they both reach for the same spot without hesitation, as if they'd discussed it beforehand?"

"Yeah, I think something's wrong too..."

Several students from Classes C and D saw that something was clearly off about the draw, yet nobody said anything. They immediately raised their voices in protest.

"Are you finished?"

The instructors of both classes spoke in turn. Their icy voices immediately cut off the students' shouts.

"But, teacher, this is obviously..." A few of them tried to argue back.

But their instructors seemed like entirely different people now. Without waiting for them to say more, they barked, "Discipline Committee, drag them out and give them the maximum punishment."

"Yes!"

The cold, merciless response left the already devastated students from both classes staring in disbelief. "What happened to our teachers? They were usually so reasonable..."

At this sight, even the students from Classes A and B, who should have been pleased, suddenly found their instructors strangely unfamiliar.

"Heh, how interesting~"

In Class D's group, Rinya couldn't help giving a faint laugh. From where he stood, he could easily see that all of them showed signs of having been lightly hypnotized.

Though this kind of hypnosis wouldn't affect their brains' ability to make decisions, it would make them instinctively feel that obeying the other party's commands was only natural, while making it extremely difficult for them to realize what was happening.

Still, he hadn't expected that, with Ayanokoji involved, that man would dare go this far.

"Heh heh~ Am I so irresistibly attractive that he's willing to abandon his original plan~"

"Or could it be that my revival means..."

"Tsk!"

Just then, a contemptuous mutter interrupted Rinya's thoughts.

It put him in a slightly sour mood.

Looking closer, he saw that Kanzaki Ryuji, from second-year Class B, was staring at him with disgust.

Rinya glanced around and immediately understood what was going on.

The whole class had fallen silent over the drawing of lots, while he alone wore a relaxed smile. It seemed that had annoyed him.

And with Kanzaki Ryuji leading the way with his scornful expression, the boys around him followed suit, one after another casting Rinya disdainful, disgusted looks.

"Heh, what a bunch of self-important lapdogs."

Thinking this, Rinya had no interest in responding for now. He could make them feel good and comfortable on the sports field later.

Besides, quite a few girls in Class B had a crush on him. Rinya wasn't interested, but leaving a good impression where appropriate could come in handy later.

And so, the matter of the joint sports test draw came to an end.

But after they returned to the classroom, something made Rinya chuckle.

Hirata Yosuke, who had been utterly dispirited, seemed to come back to life because of this. He began organizing everyone and looking into the different events.

Though everyone felt weighed down, after hearing Hirata Yosuke's impassioned speech, they were moved and rallied themselves.

But when they contacted the Class C representative to arrange a meeting between the class leaders, something no one expected happened. Hiyori Chisato, the silver-haired goddess of Class C, who had always kept a low profile, publicly invited not only Hirata but also Rinya and Ayanokoji to attend the meeting of the class leaders.

This move left everyone in Class D shocked and confused. Even the students of Class C were baffled and began whispering among themselves.

"The boy named Rinya is one thing. He's always been hugely popular on the school's website because of his looks, so we're all used to it. Our goddess inviting him to a meeting of the class leaders is a little irritating, but I can just about accept it."

"But who's Ayanokoji? He's practically invisible. What makes him worthy of joining a meeting of the class leaders?"

At the time, even Hirata, Class D's representative, was a little bewildered. He couldn't see what the point was.

Fortunately, both invitees chose to decline.

After that, Rinya didn't know what Ayanokoji thought, but he had quietly marked the woman in his mind.

"Another useful tool worth getting my hands on~ Heh heh..."

"Ding~"

Just then, a long-forgotten text notification suddenly came from the phone in his pocket.

"Matsushita Chiaki..."

Rinya opened the message and, unusually, smiled gently. "Heh. Looks like I've been underestimating this girl more and more."

"Yeye, it's been ages since we last ate together. Same place tonight, don't be late—and don't you dare skip out."

The message seemed ordinary enough, but Rinya knew her well. Ever since that awkward incident, this girl, who had always kept her true self hidden, seemed to have been deliberately trying to change the way he saw her. She would invite him to eat, then act tsundere and share some important discovery or piece of advice.

Though he had probably already figured out most of it, she knew perfectly well how he felt and still wanted to tell him as soon as she made a discovery.

More than once, when a sudden downpour began, she had braved the rain to meet him rather than be even a second late.

And when she caught a cold as a result, she hid it so he wouldn't notice.

It was easy to see what a pure-hearted, devoted girl she was. Even Rinya, who was usually so indifferent, had gradually accepted her presence in his heart.

Perhaps she was the only person he truly considered a friend so far~

The school shopping district, a restaurant for couples

Because the school's exams were the next day, the usually romantic, cozy place felt emptier than usual, aside from a few upperclassmen.

"Yeye~ Over here, over here."

As soon as Rinya pushed open the door, the girl's sweet voice drew his attention.

"Hey~ Chiaki, why are you dressed so conservatively this time?"

Looking at Matsushita Chiaki's fairly covered-up tracksuit, the boy teased her as he walked over.

"Tch, of course it's because the secret I'm hiding is huge, so I have to cover it up well." Matsushita Chiaki lifted her chin and replied in a rare, coquettish voice.

"Heh, is that so? Now I'm curious."

"Tell me about it~"

"Sure, but we have exams tomorrow, so I can't put too much pressure on Yeye. I'll keep it short."

Rinya nodded, and Matsushita Chiaki's expression turned serious. "Before the draw started today, I used PE class as an excuse to go get some equipment from the gym. That's when I noticed that a lot of the equipment inside had been moved from where it was supposed to be. It looked like someone had tampered with it.

"And when I got closer, I caught a faint whiff of something medicinal. I still can't tell what it was, but the smell made me inexplicably angry. I could tell it couldn't be anything good."

"So, Yeye, you have to be careful during this sports test. If possible, you'd better not participate at all. I have a feeling someone at the school is targeting our Class D.

"And... I think they're targeting you in particular!" Matsushita Chiaki's face suddenly filled with worry.

"Me?"

Rinya was surprised. This girl had guessed correctly at once. He wanted to know why.

"Oh? Why's that?" Rinya asked curiously.

The girl hesitated as she looked at him, as if wondering whether she should tell him.

"It's fine, just tell me. We've known each other for a while now. Don't you know what I'm like~" The boy's eyes shifted slightly, and an oppressive, terrifying aura began to emanate from him.

Matsushita Chiaki nodded gently.

Ever since Rinya had drawn up a personalized plan for the rest of her life not long ago, she should have realized that the boy she had liked for so long might not have revealed his true abilities yet.

After a brief moment of thought, the girl spoke earnestly. "Yeye, earlier today, when I went to Chabashira-sensei's office to pick up some study materials, I saw a file about you in the lower-left corner of his computer. He'd forgotten to close it, and it was still open.

"The file was locked, but later I asked my father to find someone to look into its source. It turned out to be a mysterious talent-development institution outside the school."

After thinking it over that day, I realized that someone outside the school must have taken notice of someone as outstanding as you long ago, Yeye.

"During this school exam, they might be planning to use the rule that whoever loses has to drop out and take you away. That way, the students wouldn't suspect a thing, and the people at the top wouldn't find it strange either. So you absolutely, absolutely have to stay safe. Ahem."

After talking nonstop without taking a break, the girl coughed. Now she was panting, her face completely red.

Seeing this, Rinya, who rarely listened to the whole story without interrupting, quickly stood up and poured her a glass of water.

He gently patted the girl's back, telling her to rest for a while.

After sincerely thanking him, Rinya added, "Chiaki, I'm truly grateful for all your help lately."

"Next time we meet, I'd like to grant one of your wishes. Just remember to tell me in advance so I'll have time to prepare, okay? Heh."

But as soon as Rinya finished speaking, the girl, who had always been so composed, suddenly broke down and began to cry silently.

Rinya fell silent. He understood what she was thinking.

All he could do was silently draw her into his arms.

"But... Ayanokoji."

Looking out the window, the boy's dark-red eyes gleamed. "There are some things you really should teach him~"