"Learn"

After-school library group study room A was far less harmonious than expected. Books lay open, notes scattered, and the air was thick with a mix of sweat, anxiety, and an undercurrent of gunpowder.

Horikita Suzune was explaining a basic system of simultaneous equations to Sudo Ken. Her voice was cool and clear, but the unconscious superiority and faint impatience in her tone were like sparks landing on dry kindling.

"...So, transform the first equation and substitute it into the second, eliminate Y, and you get a linear equation in X. How many times do you need to hear something this simple before you understand it?" Horikita Suzune's brow was furrowed, her fingertip pressing hard on the problem, her tone dripping with obvious irritation.

"Huh?! Simple?!" Sudo Ken was already frustrated by the problem he couldn't solve, and Horikita's undisguised "idiot" look and grating words instantly ignited his temper! He slammed his fist on the desk!

"Bam!"

The loud noise was especially jarring in the quiet study room, making Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki flinch beside him, while Kushida Kikyo covered her mouth.

"You damn woman! Don't look down on me!!" Sudo Ken, like an enraged bull, shot to his feet. His massive frame carried an oppressive weight as he grabbed Horikita Suzune's uniform tie, yanking her off balance and nearly lifting her from her seat! His eyes bulged as he roared, "Who do you think you are?! Looking at me with those eyes! You believe I'll—"

"Sudo-kun! Stop it!" Kushida Kikyo's face went pale as she rushed forward to pull Sudo's hand away, her voice trembling with tears. "You can't do this! Let go of Horikita-san!"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka sat a little farther away, watching the sudden conflict with a blank expression, calmly analyzing the situation and possible moments to intervene. His peripheral vision caught Kazama In sitting on the other side.

Kazama In had been looking down at a thick, hardcover book, seemingly oblivious to the argument around him. The moment Sudo grabbed Horikita's tie, he closed the book with a soft sound. He didn't rush forward like Kushida to pull them apart; he simply stood up slowly.

"Sudo." Kazama In's voice rang out, not loud, but carrying a strange penetrating quality and a soothing gentleness that instantly overpowered Sudo's roar and Kushida's pleas. It was like the flow of an icy spring, making the enraged Sudo instinctively pause, his grip on the tie loosening slightly.

Kazama walked over to Sudo, his calm gaze falling on the face twisted with anger, then glancing at Horikita Suzune, whose face was pale from the chokehold but who stubbornly pressed her lips together, refusing to show weakness. His eyes finally settled on the simultaneous equation problem that had driven Sudo crazy.

"Anger won't solve anything. Violence will only cost you your points, or even get you expelled." Kazama In's voice remained steady, carrying an undeniable weight. "Think about basketball."

"Basketball?" Sudo was taken aback, not understanding why Kazama suddenly brought that up.

"Yeah, basketball." Kazama picked up a pen from the desk and drew a simple basketball court diagram in the blank space next to the problem. "Imagine you're the point guard now, and two opponents are double-teaming you." He pointed to the two unknowns, X and Y, in the equation. "If you force a breakthrough—solving it head-on—you'll probably get the ball stolen—solve it wrong. At a time like this, what do you need?"

Sudo was pulled into familiar territory by Kazama's words, his anger temporarily diverted, and he answered instinctively, "...Pass? To an open teammate?"

"Exactly." Kazama nodded, tapping the tip of his pen on the "first equation." "This equation is like your teammate A. He tells you something: there's a relationship between X and Y—like Y = 2X + 1. Now, you 'pass' this relationship to another teammate—the second equation." His pen moved to the second equation. "Teammate B gets the ball—substitutes the information—and now he only has one defender left—only one unknown, X. Isn't it easier to break through—easier to solve?"

Kazama In had perfectly illustrated the substitution method for solving simultaneous equations using basketball tactics! Vivid, intuitive, and completely aligned with Sudo's way of thinking!

Sudo Ken's eyes went wide as he stared at the "tactical board" Kazama had drawn on the paper, then back at the problem that had seemed like gibberish. A lightning bolt seemed to strike in his mind!

"S-so that's it!" Sudo suddenly let go of Horikita's tie, smacking his own head hard, realization dawning. "You tell the first guy's info to the second guy! Then the second guy can take down the target directly! I get it! Kazama! That analogy was genius!"

Excitedly, he picked up his pen and started solving the problem according to Kazama's "tactics." His handwriting was rough, but the steps were clear, and he quickly arrived at the correct answer!

"Haha! Solved it! It was this simple all along!" Sudo laughed triumphantly, his earlier anger completely gone, looking at Kazama with admiration.

Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki, watching in stunned amazement, also began to catch on as Kazama and Ayanokoji—who was tutoring them—used similarly relatable analogies—like Ike's in-game gold coins and Yamauchi's convenience store change—to explain the basic problems that had stumped them for so long.

"Kazama-kun, Ayanokoji-kun, you're amazing!"

"Yeah, yeah! Way clearer than some people!" they praised sincerely, not forgetting to glance at Horikita Suzune, whose face was ashen.

A conflict had dissolved into nothing under Kazama In's clever "basketball philosophy," and the learning results were unexpectedly achieved. Sudo and the other two, their problems solved and spirits lifted, quickly packed up and left.

But the study room didn't return to peace.

"Horikita-san!" Kushida Kikyo turned to Horikita Suzune, her sweet smile gone, replaced by seriousness and dissatisfaction. "Your attitude just now was terrible! How could you talk to Sudo-kun like that? Tutoring struggling students requires more patience and better methods! You only made things worse! If Kazama-kun hadn't stepped in—"

"You don't get to judge whether my methods are effective!" Horikita Suzune cut her off coldly, straightening her rumpled tie, her expression still sour. "I was just stating facts. If they can't even understand something this basic, that's their problem! Wasting time on pointless patience is inefficient!" She clung to her cold, efficient logic, sneering at Kushida's "universal friendliness" approach to tutoring.

The fundamental clash in their philosophies erupted again, the atmosphere turning tense. Kazama In and Ayanokoji didn't intervene in the argument, simply watching quietly.

That night, Kazama In received a message from Horikita Manabu, asking to meet in a relatively secluded corridor connecting the main teaching building and the special teaching building.

The moonlight was cold, spilling over the polished marble floor. Horikita Manabu stood with his back to the light, his figure straight as a spear, with Tachibana Akane standing quietly half a step behind him.

"Kazama." Horikita Manabu's voice rang out in the silence as he handed over a bound document. "This is the official appointment for the Student Council Vice President. Sign your name, and from tomorrow, you'll be the Vice President of the Advanced Nurturing High School Student Council."

Kazama took the document, quickly scanning the contents in the moonlight. Confirming it was correct, he pulled a simple yet high-quality fountain pen from his bag and signed his name—Kazama In—in a smooth, flowing script. The strokes were strong and forceful, carrying a restrained sharpness.

"Welcome to the Student Council, Vice President Kazama." Horikita Manabu took the signed document and handed it to Tachibana for safekeeping. His gaze, behind his gold-rimmed glasses, held both scrutiny and expectation. "I hope you can get up to speed quickly. Nagumo Miyabi..."

Before he could finish, hesitant footsteps came from the corner at the other end of the corridor.

Horikita Suzune's figure appeared in the moonlight. She seemed to be just passing by, but when she saw the three people in the corridor—especially her brother, Horikita Manabu—she stopped in her tracks, a flash of panic and nervousness crossing her face.

"Bro... brother." Horikita Suzune's voice was barely a whisper, completely lacking the coolness she showed her classmates, more like a child who had done something wrong. She bowed slightly, then looked at Kazama In and Tachibana Akane, her voice even lower. "Kazama-kun... Secretary Tachibana."

Seeing his sister, Horikita Manabu's brow immediately furrowed, his gaze turning extremely harsh, even tinged with disgust. "What are you doing here?" His voice was icy, devoid of any warmth.

"I... I was just passing by..." Horikita Suzune lowered her head, nervously twisting the hem of her skirt.

"If you have nothing to do, go back to the dorm!" Horikita Manabu ordered bluntly, his impatience obvious.

Horikita Suzune's body trembled. She bit her lower lip, seeming to struggle. Lifting her head, she gathered her courage to look at Horikita Manabu. "Brother... about Class D's study group..."

"Enough!" Horikita Manabu cut her off sharply, his voice harsh in the silent corridor. "How many times have I told you not to bother me with your childish ideas and trivial matters? What happens to Class D has nothing to do with you! And even less to do with me!" He stepped forward, his oppressive presence forcing Horikita Suzune to step back involuntarily.

"But... I want to..." Horikita Suzune tried to defend herself.

"You want to? Want to what?!" Horikita Manabu's voice suddenly rose, carrying a nearly cruel mockery. "Who do you think you are? With your pathetic grades and your inability to even get along in Class D, what do you think you can change? Face reality, Suzune! You only drag others down, including yourself! Stay away from me! Seeing you reminds me of Father's nauseating weakness!"

These words, like poisoned daggers, stabbed deep into Horikita Suzune's heart. Her face instantly turned deathly pale, her body swaying as if she might collapse, her eyes filled with disbelief, hurt, and tears of humiliation.

Just as Horikita Manabu, driven by "anger"—or perhaps extreme disappointment in his sister's "failure"—raised his hand as if to make an even more drastic move—

Kazama In's jet-black pupils contracted sharply! He had no intention of meddling in the Horikita family's "private affairs," but Horikita Manabu's current state and actions had gone beyond "discipline" and carried clear "violent tendencies." However, Kazama didn't plan to intervene, because he could see that Horikita Manabu was faking it all, and another figure had already acted.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who had been hiding in the shadows at the other end of the corridor, emerged like a ghost, silently and swiftly, precisely catching Horikita Manabu's descending arm!

"!" Horikita Manabu was startled, turning his head sharply to see Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's expressionless face, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Suzune, I didn't think you could still make friends."

Ayanokoji did not let go. His strength was astonishing, firmly locking Horikita Manabu's wrist in place. "It seems this is a family matter," he analyzed coolly in his mind. "Kazama In also intends to intervene, but he's closer. Stopping this is the optimal move for now."

"Horikita Student Council President, please calm down." Ayanokoji's voice was utterly flat, as if stating a fact. "This is a school."

"And who are you?" Horikita Manabu glared coldly at Ayanokoji.

Kazama In halted his steps, standing to the side, observing this sudden physical confrontation with a cold eye. He saw the inhuman calm and extraordinary control of strength in Ayanokoji's gaze. This "ordinary" classmate was indeed hiding his true depths.

Tachibana Akane was also terrified and quickly stepped forward. "President! Please calm down! Ayanokoji-kun, let go!"

Of course, Tachibana Akane knew Horikita Manabu wasn't usually like this.

After a brief standoff, Horikita Manabu seemed to realize his own loss of composure. He shot Ayanokoji a fierce glare, then glanced at the cold-faced Kazama In beside him, and finally yanked his hand away from Ayanokoji's grip (though in truth, Ayanokoji had released his strength at the right moment).

He straightened his rumpled sleeve, his gaze piercing like an icicle toward the pale, trembling Horikita Suzune. His voice was frigid, yet still carried a trace of softness. "Remember what I said, Suzune. You need to recognize yourself." With that, he looked at no one else, turned, and strode away, a heavy aura trailing behind him. Tachibana Akane cast a worried glance at Horikita Suzune, then at Kazama In and Ayanokoji, before quickly hurrying after him.

(Of course, later on, Horikita Manabu would naturally explain to Tachibana Akane why he had been so impulsive. That impulsiveness was feigned, precisely to make Suzune understand that imitating him was not a good thing. He hoped instead that Suzune would be true to herself—that was every brother's wish for his sister.)

The corridor was left with only Kazama In, Ayanokoji, and Horikita Suzune, who stood frozen in place as if her soul had been drained. Moonlight fell on her pale face, tear streaks clearly visible.

Kazama In walked to the vending machine, inserted a coin, and bought three cans of warm milk tea. He came back, handed one to the still expressionless Ayanokoji, and gently placed another on the bench beside Horikita Suzune.

"Just now... sorry, I couldn't stop your brother in time." Kazama In's voice was low, carrying a faint, barely perceptible apology. He meant that his own reaction had been slower than Ayanokoji's.

Horikita Suzune didn't touch the milk tea. She just stared blankly at the ground, her voice hoarse and hollow. "...It's not your fault. It's me... who's too useless." The crushing blow had plunged her into deep self-denial.

Ayanokoji silently pulled the tab on his milk tea, took a sip, and said nothing. Emotional collapse state. Comfort is ineffective. Needs time to process on her own, he judged internally.

Kazama In also opened his own milk tea and took a sip. The warm liquid brought a trace of warmth. He was silent for a moment, watching Horikita Suzune's thin, trembling shoulders in the moonlight, then spoke slowly. "Horikita-san, your brother... maybe his methods were extreme. But he was right about one thing."

Horikita Suzune jerked her head up, her reddened eyes looking at Kazama In with disbelief, hurt, and confusion.

"Recognizing reality is important." Kazama In's gaze was calm and deep. "The current state of Class D, your own situation—these are all parts of reality. Denying it, or burying your head in the sand like an ostrich, will only make you crash and bleed against reality. What truly matters isn't wallowing in anger or self-pity over 'why is it like this,' but thinking, 'after recognizing reality, what else can I do?'"

His words offered no comfort; they even seemed somewhat cold, yet they were like a basin of ice water, instantly clearing Horikita Suzune's chaotic, burning mind. She stared blankly at Kazama In, then at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka beside her, quietly drinking his milk tea as if none of this concerned him, yet who had acted at the most critical moment.

"...Thank you both." Horikita Suzune's voice was still hoarse, but a complex light had appeared in her eyes—pain, confusion, but also a faint glimmer of awakening. She picked up the can of milk tea from the bench. The warmth seeped through the can. "I... want to be alone for a while."

Kazama In nodded. "Mm."

Ayanokoji also gave an "Mm."

Without another word, the two turned and walked toward the dormitory, leaving the space to Horikita Suzune, who needed to lick her wounds alone.

Moonlight flowed like water, spilling over the silent corridor. Horikita Suzune clutched the warm can of milk tea, leaning against the cold pillar, staring in the direction her brother had gone, then looking down at the can in her hand. Kazama In's cold, realistic words and Ayanokoji's calm yet powerfully imposing figure swirled repeatedly in her chaotic mind.

This school, where merit was everything, was far more complex and cruel than she had imagined. And on this path, it seemed... she wasn't as alone as she had thought. But how was she supposed to walk the road ahead? She gazed at her own blurry reflection in the moonlight and, for the first time, sank into a deep contemplation about her own future.