Ayanokoji

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Ayanokoji Kiyotaka (绫小路)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	First-Year Class D
Occupation/Role	Student; maintains the façade of an ordinary, low-profile classmate
First Appearance	Bus ride to Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School 2

Background

Ayanokoji arrives at the school with prior information about its surroundings. While overhearing You En Tiandai and Horikita Suzune analyze the bus-seat dispute, he immediately realizes that the elderly woman, office worker, and passenger who surrendered her seat were school personnel staging a test. His own investigation had established that no unrelated civilians should have been on the route. Intrigued by You En reaching a similar conclusion without that intelligence, he considers approaching him. 2

In Class D, Ayanokoji introduces himself to You En and Horikita, then begins observing the class. Having come from the White Room, he finds ordinary school social dynamics unfamiliar. He decides to conceal himself among Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and their friends in pursuit of a quiet, ordinary school life. 3

He withholds his Personal Panel from his classmates, claiming it contains a “really bad skill.” Internally, he questions why the system ranks his abilities at Professional level despite having surpassed recognized masters in some fields. 3

Appearance

Ayanokoji is described as a calm, indifferent-looking boy with vacant eyes. His expressionless, cool demeanor supports the unremarkable persona he tries to present. 2 19

• Maintains an outwardly weak and self-deprecating manner. 3 11
• Possesses a notably well-trained physique despite claiming weakness. 11
• Remains outwardly composed even when injured or questioned. 18 33

Personality

Ayanokoji is highly guarded and habitually performs the role of an average student. He avoids exposing his true capabilities, downplays his knowledge, and carefully chooses associations that help him blend in. Even when asked to teach swimming, he claims his own level is not very good. 3 11

His approach to people is analytical rather than emotional. He initially states that he holds neither goodwill nor malice toward Horikita or You En; he views his actions as opportunities for learning and practice. This detachment makes him susceptible to treating classmates as test subjects rather than considering the consequences for them. 41

After Horikita Manabu defeats him, Ayanokoji becomes markedly more cautious. He investigates the connection between Manabu and Suzune, concludes that Suzune is likely a close family member, and decides that provoking You En is dangerous unless absolutely necessary. 24

Abilities & Skills

Analysis and Investigation

Ayanokoji rapidly processes hidden information and reconstructs other people's motives.

• Identified the bus incident as a school-arranged test after comparing it with his prior investigation of the route. 2
• Observes Class D’s social groups and uses them to sustain his ordinary-student façade. 3
• Infers that Horikita Suzune is closely connected to Student Council President Horikita Manabu after Manabu intervenes against him. 24
• Recognizes the implications of Kushida’s refusal to assist his study group and understands that he must solve his group’s problems himself. 41

Concealment

Ayanokoji deliberately suppresses evidence of his true competence.

• Refuses to display his Personal Panel and uses an embarrassing excuse to avoid revealing it. 3
• Claims not to understand history and acts as though he needs You En’s help. 6
• Presents himself as physically weak despite his conspicuous musculature and swimming knowledge. 11
• Scores only enough to barely exceed 100 points in two subjects, yet is still assigned as a study-group leader. 39

Physical Capability

Ayanokoji has exceptional physical conditioning, though he avoids demonstrating it openly.

• Has learned tracking and initially believes he can follow You En and Horikita without losing them. 2
• Notices technical issues in You En’s swimming form while concealing the full extent of his ability. 11
• Keeps pace with You En and Koenji in an 800-meter swimming competition before voluntarily withdrawing with energy remaining. 38
• Is assessed by Horikita Manabu as the first-year student with the highest current combat power or overall personal strength. 33
• Is nevertheless subdued and knocked unconscious by Horikita Manabu after tailing a classmate. 18

Manipulation

Ayanokoji influences others indirectly while preserving plausible deniability.

• Uses Yamauchi Haruki’s desires and impulsiveness as part of a plan involving Horikita Suzune. 31 32
• Attempts to redirect Yamauchi toward Kushida Kikyo or Hasebe Haruka when Horikita becomes suspicious. 32
• Denies involvement when questioned by the Student Council about drug abuse, poisoning, and inciting a fellow student to commit a crime. 33
• Tries to recruit Horikita and Kushida to solve the motivation problems in his assigned study group, but both refuse. 41

Relationships

• You En Tiandai — Ayanokoji is intrigued by You En’s insight during the bus test and initially seeks contact with him. Their relationship becomes tense after You En finds him unconscious and later suspects his schemes; Ayanokoji concludes that provoking You En is dangerous. 2 18 24
• Horikita Suzune — Classmate and target of Ayanokoji’s attempts to investigate Horikita Manabu. His involvement in the incident that leaves her drugged destroys her willingness to help him. 24 32 41
• Horikita Manabu — Student Council President who subdues Ayanokoji for tailing a classmate. Ayanokoji subsequently investigates Manabu’s connection to Suzune and is questioned by Manabu’s Student Council. 18 24 33
• Yamauchi Haruki — Ayanokoji cultivates Yamauchi as a useful but unreliable pawn, encouraging his pursuit of Horikita and later considering Kushida as an alternative target. 31 32
• Kushida Kikyo — Ayanokoji attempts to enlist her as help for his study group, but she refuses with an excuse prepared through You En’s warning. 41
• Ike Kanji, Sudo Ken, Sotoyama Hideo, and Hondo Ryotaro — Assigned members of Ayanokoji’s study group. Their lack of motivation causes him significant difficulty. 39 41

Story Role / Major Arcs

Enrollment and Class D Facade

Ayanokoji recognizes the school’s first test on the bus, introduces himself to You En and Horikita in Class D, and begins cultivating an ordinary persona through association with the class’s least capable boys. 2 3

Surveillance and Defeat

While investigating You En and Horikita’s connection to the upperclassmen, Ayanokoji tails a classmate and is defeated by Horikita Manabu. You En finds him unconscious, contacts the clinic, and receives 500 points from Ayanokoji in return. 18

Horikita Incident and Student Council Investigation

Ayanokoji works through Yamauchi to set events in motion around Horikita Suzune. After the incident is reported, the Student Council questions him over allegations including poisoning and incitement. He denies all involvement, and no direct punishment is issued; shortly afterward, his dormitory room is the only first-year room listed as still without power during a campus outage. 32 33

Study-Group Failure

As the leader of a group containing Ike, Yamauchi, Sudo, Sotoyama, and Hondo, Ayanokoji seeks outside help rather than motivating them himself. Horikita, You En, and Kushida all refuse. He begins to recognize that Yamauchi and the others are negative examples rather than people worth imitating. 39 41