Ayanokoji? (Continued)

Were they coming for me?

Or did he take my advice and want to find the person who planted the listening device first?

Then, Shuichi Kanda suddenly remembered something: he hadn't logged into the anonymous email address he used to send the recording to Ryuen for a long time.

Anonymous email accounts can be applied for by spending points; Shuichi Kanda but only used it once.

So Shuichi Kanda took out his phone and opened his anonymous email account, something he hadn't done in a long time.

Then he saw something that made his eyelids twitch.

There were several emails sent by Ryuen.

[Who are you?]

[They really have guts to install listening devices in our class.]

I will find you!

So, is Ryuen looking for the person who installed the bugging device on him?

Instinctively, Shuichi Kanda glanced at Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. Could this guy have planted the bug?

The students in Class A wouldn't stoop to such a despicable act as planting listening devices in Class C. As for Class B, they've been targeting Class A all this time, so they probably haven't had the time either.

It's unlikely that someone from Class C would do something like this, since Ryuen still commands considerable respect within Class C. Therefore, the only person capable of such an act could be a student from Class D.

When it comes to the students in Class D, Shuichi Kanda's first suspect is Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, since most of them are idiots, except for Ayanokoji who is completely clueless.

"Um, why are you looking at me? I don't think I've done anything that you should see, have I?"

Noticing Shuichi Kanda's strange gaze, Ayanokoji scratched his head.

"Did you know that someone placed a sticker-shaped listening device under the podium in Ryuen Classroom?"

Shuichi Kanda said meaningfully.

"What's a sticker-type bugging device? I don't know."

Ayanokoji tried to look bewildered, but to Shuichi Kanda, his expression was far too stiff.

Faced with Shuichi Kanda's expression that said, "I know it's you, and your denial won't change anything," Ayanokoji still chose not to admit it.

Since you have no evidence, it couldn't have been Chabashira-sensei who told you, could it?

The brief inquiry ended there, and Chabashira-sensei quickly arrived at the classroom and held a simple morning meeting. However, Chabashira-sensei was a little different today than usual.

Although to the average person her expression seemed unchanged, Shuichi Kanda, who knew her better, could sense a hint of anxiety between her brows.

This discovery made Shuichi Kanda frown. Regardless of what others said, Chabashira Shuichi Kanda.

Not only did he provide Shuichi Kanda with two million Private Points as start-up capital at the beginning, but he also gave him a monthly allowance of one hundred thousand points.

Shuichi Kanda knew she was using him to help Class D advance in rank, but she never forced Shuichi Kanda to do anything he didn't like.

Therefore, Shuichi Kanda's impression of Chabashira Sae was not bad, so when he saw Chabashira Sae's unusual behavior, he immediately felt the urge to ask her what had happened.

The day of classes passed quickly.

Every day before school ends, there is a 15-minute time for the teacher to convey information. After school, Shuichi Kanda immediately follows Chabashira-sensei after he leaves the classroom.

But there seems to be something wrong with this route. Judging from the situation, is she following Ayanokoji?

Shuichi Kanda eyebrow, sensing something amiss, so he abandoned the idea of immediately calling out to Chabashira-sensei and quietly followed after him.

So, this peculiar trio walked from outside the noisy classroom all the way to the stairs, which were further away from the entrance.

"... Ayanokoji."

After the number of people decreased, Chabashira-sensei immediately struck up a conversation with Ayanokoji, who was standing in front of her.

"What do you need me for?"

"Hmm. Come with me, I have something to say."

"I'm afraid that won't work. Horikita and I already have plans to meet later."

"Liar, "Shuichi Kanda muttered to himself from the shadows. "Horikita's been gone for ages!"

"I'm sorry, you don't have the right to refuse; this is a very important matter."

"I see." Ayanokoji nodded. "I understand. But could you please ask that person over there to come out first?"

Ayanokoji's words startled Chabashira Sae, who then followed Ayanokoji's gaze.

Shuichi Kanda also wore a helpless expression before walking out from around the corner.

"This is the second time, Ayanokoji." Shuichi Kanda smiled. "Your intuition is quite sharp."

"Kanda... how did you end up there?" Chabashira-sensei's face showed a somewhat shaken expression.

"I was worried because Sae- chan seemed a bit distracted all day, so I came to check on her," Shuichi Kanda said honestly. "So it really is because of Ayanokoji?"

"This has nothing to do with you." Chabashira shook his head, seemingly not wanting Shuichi Kanda to get involved.

"No, seeing Sae- chan so troubled already has something to do with me."

Seeing the Chabashira's appearance, Shuichi Kanda couldn't help but tease it.

Seeing Shuichi Kanda speak fluently and calmly, Chabashira Sae, who had been a little nervous, suddenly felt relieved.

Yes, so what if I lose Ayanokouji? Don't I still have an even stronger ace up my sleeve?

"Thank you, Kanda." Chabashira's expression turned serious again, then he looked at Ayanokoji. "Ayanokoji, come with me, someone wants to see you."

Ayanokoji, on the other hand, was completely bewildered and had no idea how things would unfold next.

"If Kanda is free, please come too."

Shuichi Kanda nodded, and the three of them went to the student Counseling Room they had visited before; Shuichi Kanda had been to this place several times.

"Principal, I've brought Kiyotaka Ayanokoji with me."

Principal?

Shuichi Kanda eyebrow. This thing seemed to have only appeared once at the beginning of the school year, and now it suddenly wanted to find Ayanokoji?

Shuichi Kanda was curious about what would happen next.

"Please come in."

After a gentle yet authoritative voice came from inside, Chabashira-sensei opened the door to the Counseling Room.

Then, Shuichi Kanda saw the Matoba inside. There were two people: one was a middle-aged man he didn't recognize who looked very fierce, and the other was the Principal he had met once before at the Entrance Ceremony.

"Well then, it would be nice if you two could have a word...?"

"Certainly."

"Then I'll take my leave now. Please continue our conversation. Excuse me."

It's amusing that he, the Principal, is bowing and scraping so much to a middle-aged person who is even younger than himself.

"Well then, I'll have to stay here as well..."

Afterwards, Chabashira-sensei also came out of the Counseling Room, leaving only Ayanokoji and the middle-aged man she didn't recognize inside.

What's going on?

In response to Shuichi Kanda's curious question, Chabashira Sae shook her head. "I don't know the details either."

"I see, I understand." Shuichi Kanda nodded.

Then, Shuichi Kanda took out his phone and opened something.

Would you like to sit down? I came here specifically to see you.

The man's voice came from Shuichi Kanda's phone, and Chabashira-sensei was also stunned when he heard it.

"What's this?"

"That's what they're talking about inside," Shuichi Kanda said matter-of-factly.

"I know, but how could you?"

Chabashira Sae looked visibly bewildered and confused.

"I've been here a few times before. Ryuen told me that someone had planted a sticker-shaped listening device under the podium in their classroom. I suddenly became interested, and when we came here to talk last time, I casually stuck one under that table."

Chabashira Sae was speechless. Shuichi Kanda, you really know how to install a bug here...

"That sticker Ayanokoji was planted in Class C at Ayanokouji's request."

"I see. I knew it was him, but I didn't expect Sae- chan to be involved too." Shuichi Kanda nodded.

At that moment, the phone rang again.

Shuichi Kanda and Chabashira Sae also immediately stopped talking.

I don't plan to sit down and chat for long. I have an appointment with a friend later.

[You mean friends? Don't make me laugh. You'll never make any friends.]

Upon hearing this, Shuichi Kanda and Chabashira Sae exchanged bewildered glances, wondering why the man was so certain.

[You probably saw him just now, right? He just didn't come in; he stayed outside the door.]

You really do just spout nonsense. First you said you had a date with Horikita, now you're saying you have a date with me. Did you even ask for my permission before using me as a shield?

However, Shuichi Kanda did not intend to rush in and refute him. Instead, he listened silently to both sides' conversation, while also trying to figure out who Ayanokoji really was.

[Hmph, boring. I've already had the school prepare the withdrawal documents, and I've just reached an agreement with the Principal. All I have to do now is say YES, and it'll be over.]

I have absolutely no reason to drop out of school.

[That might be true for you, but it's not true for me.]

[You're a father, after all. Are you going to distort your child's hopes for your own convenience?]

[You mean my father? Did you ever have that kind of perception of me as your father?]

[No, there isn't.]

Ayanokoji's father?

Shuichi Kanda's face suddenly showed a surprised expression. This guy said his father was still alive, so it was him?

It just doesn't look like it at all.

Next, Shuichi Kanda and Chabashira Sae learned some of Ayanokoji's unknown past.

For example, Ayanokoji once stayed in a place called the White Room.

Ayanokoji's father seems to be the undisputed authority within the White Room.

As for Ayanokoji's enrollment, it was thanks to a man named Matsuo that Ayanokoji came to this school.

However, the fate of this man named Matsuo seems to be very tragic. Not only was he driven to death by Ayanokoji's father, but his son was also implicated and committed suicide.

Then, Ayanokoji's father mentioned another term: a sixteen-year plan. If Shuichi Kanda remembered correctly, Ayanokoji had just turned sixteen not long ago.

Could it be that Ayanokoji was part of that plan his father mentioned from birth?

Does this mean that Ayanokoji has lived in that place called the White Room since birth?

Shuichi Kanda and Chabashira Sae exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.

The ensuing conversation was filled with useless information; Ayanokoji and his father held differing views.

His father forced Ayanokoji to drop out of school, but Ayanokoji completely ignored him.

Shuichi Kanda didn't hear what happened next because a man who looked to be in his forties was walking over from a short distance away.

Upon seeing the man, Shuichi Kanda turned off the eavesdropping software on his phone and put it away.

"Hello, Chairman Sakayanagi, Ayanokoji has been inside for a while now."

Is this Chairman Sakayanagi? The father of Sakayanagi Arisu?

Sae- chan is giving me a hint.

"Thank you for your hard work, Chabashira-sensei." The man, whom Chabashira Sae called Chairman, nodded, then looked at Shuichi Kanda with a gentle smile, "It's been a long time, Kanda."

Your Highness?

Why do you talk like a Professor? That guy addresses others as "Your Highness," but he's just a high school student, still suffering from chuunibyou (middle school syndrome), so I understand.

But isn't it a bit inappropriate for someone in their forties or fifties to say that?