Variable

On the way back to the dormitory, the night breeze was cool. Kazama In and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka walked side by side, the usual silence between them, but within that silence, a certain understanding was brewing.

"Kazama." Kazama In's voice broke the stillness, his gaze fixed straight ahead, his tone flat yet probing. "About the midterm exams, you don't seem worried about whether Sudo and the others can pass with the tutoring."

Ayanokoji's steps didn't falter, his profile half-lit, half-shadowed under the streetlights. "Tutoring is a means, but not the only means. Efficiency is low, variables too high." He was referring to Sudo and the others' uncontrollable study states and emotions.

The corner of Kazama In's mouth curved almost imperceptibly. "So, you have a backup plan." It wasn't a question, but a statement.

Ayanokoji was silent for a few seconds, as if organizing his words, then said in his usual flat tone, "Exam questions. At Advanced Nurturing, the core knowledge points are relatively fixed. Past exam papers, especially midterms of similar difficulty, have extremely high reference value."

A glimmer of understanding flashed in Kazama In's dark pupils. "You want to get past exam papers from upperclassmen." This was indeed the most direct and efficient 'shortcut.'

"Yeah." Ayanokoji nodded. "Second-years, even third-years. Kendo Club's captain Takahashi, and those club members who lost points to you... they feel gratitude or awe toward you, making them potential breakthroughs."

Kazama In gave a slight nod. Ayanokoji's thinking was clear and practical, aligning with his own ideas. Using existing personal connections—the Kendo Club members—to obtain key 'intel'—past exam papers—was far more efficient than slowly tutoring Sudo and the others through textbooks. It fit his pursuit of 'efficiency.'

"The plan is feasible." Kazama In gave his approval. "After school tomorrow, I'll contact senior Takahashi." He took the initiative to take on this task, since the Kendo Club connections were his to leverage.

Ayanokoji had no objection. "Yeah."

The two parted at the dormitory building's fork, each heading back, a plan to efficiently obtain exam questions thus settled.

Time came to the next afternoon after school. Kazama In and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, as agreed, prepared to head to the library to meet Horikita and Kushida to continue the study session's tutoring. Just as they left the school building and passed the path connecting to the gymnasium, a discordant commotion reached their ears.

At the end of the path, in a relatively hidden corner near the gymnasium's back door, Sudo Ken was being cornered by three people. Leading them was none other than Class C's Ryuen Kakeru, infamous for his cunning, treachery, and unscrupulous methods! A trademark, almost morbidly playful sneer hung on his face, hands in his pockets, posture relaxed. Behind him stood two burly, thuggish-looking underlings, Ishizaki Daichi and Komiya Yogo. Ishizaki and Komiya flanked Sudo, firmly pinning his shoulders!

Sudo Ken had clearly just finished basketball club practice, sweat still on his forehead, wearing a sports tank top. He struggled angrily, face flushed red. "Ryuen! Let me go! Bastard! What the hell do you want?!"

"What do I want?" Ryuen Kakeru sneered, leisurely stepping forward until he was almost nose-to-nose with Sudo, his gaze as cold and slick as a viper's. "Nothing much. Just heard that D-class's big star has been 'working hard' lately? Joining study sessions, training like crazy... What? You really think that'll let your trash D-class turn things around? Or are you trying to prove something on the court with your pathetic skills?"

Bare-faced provocation! Ryuen was clearly trying to goad Sudo into anger, likely waiting for him to throw the first punch so he could seize leverage, deduct points from D-class's already precarious class score, or even get Sudo expelled directly!

"You bastard—!" Sudo, as expected, exploded in fury, lunging to break free, but Ishizaki and Komiya held him fast, leaving him unable to move.

Kazama In and Ayanokoji stopped. Kazama In's dark pupils locked onto Ryuen's trio, his gaze icy. Ayanokoji, expressionless as ever, stood still, seemingly assessing the situation, with no intention of stepping in immediately. "Ryuen's goal is to provoke Sudo into causing an incident. Direct intervention might play right into his hands."

But Kazama In moved faster. Ignoring Ayanokoji's wait-and-see attitude, his form slipped like a hunting leopard melding into shadow, moving silently and swiftly. His steps were so light they made no sound, his breathing adjusted to its faintest state. In the moment Ryuen had his back turned, fully focused on taunting Sudo, and Ishizaki and Komiya were occupied holding him down, Kazama In appeared like a ghost behind Ishizaki and Komiya!

Even without concealing his presence, in Ayanokoji's eyes, Kazama In's existence seemed somehow faint and muted—perhaps it was his ability.

Kazama In didn't even bother to hide his presence. He simply reached out and lightly tapped each of Ishizaki and Komiya's shoulders.

Pat. Pat.

Two extremely faint tapping sounds.

"Whoa!"

"Who?!"

Ishizaki and Komiya jolted as if stung by a scorpion! They hadn't sensed anyone approaching from behind at all! The sudden touch and the silent, inexplicable appearance sent chills down their spines, hearts pounding wildly! They let go of Sudo as if shocked, whirled around in fright, and when they saw Kazama In's expressionless face, their own faces twisted with disbelief and a hint of fear!

Even Ryuen Kakeru, whose back was turned, spun around at his underlings' shouts. When he saw Kazama In standing behind Ishizaki and Komiya as if he'd materialized out of thin air, his perpetually sneering face showed clear shock and gravity for the first time! His pupils contracted! This guy... when did he get behind me?! He hadn't sensed a thing.

The atmosphere on the path turned eerie and tense. Ryuen Kakeru narrowed his eyes, reassessing Kazama In. The sickly grin on his face receded, replaced by a cold, scrutinizing wariness. "Oh? D-class's Kazama In? Quite the phantom, aren't you? What, trying to stick up for your class's hothead?"

Kazama In didn't answer Ryuen's question. He just looked at him calmly, his gaze as still as a deep pool, yet carrying an intangible pressure. "After school hours. You're blocking the way." His voice wasn't loud, but it rang clearly in everyone's ears.

Just then, a crisp, pleasant voice tinged with urgency rang out:

"Ryuen-kun! Please stop!"

Everyone turned to look. A tall girl with soft, pink-gold hair and a sunny, open demeanor walked quickly over. She wore Class B's uniform, her expression gentle yet dignified. It was Class B's class representative, the school-wide 'angel' figure—Ichinose Honami.

Ichinose had clearly seen the standoff. Her gaze swept over Ryuen and the others with disapproval, then landed on Kazama In. When she made out his face, a violent shock and disbelief flashed in her beautiful blue eyes, as if she'd seen something that absolutely shouldn't exist here!

But the shock lasted less than a second before her strong composure suppressed it. She took a deep breath, refocused on the conflict, and stepped quickly between the two sides, facing Ryuen. Her tone was gentle but carried an unyielding firmness. "Ryuen-kun, this is a public area. Please don't do things that cause misunderstandings and conflict. Have your friends let go of Sudo-kun and leave, okay?"

Ryuen Kakeru looked at Ichinose, then glanced at Kazama In, standing quietly like a ghost, and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who had also stepped forward, standing slightly behind and to the side of Kazama In, equally expressionless. The muscles in his face twitched, and he let out a meaningful snort.

"Heh. Class B's 'angel' is butting in too? And D-class's 'phantom duo'?" Ryuen's gaze swept over Kazama In and Ayanokoji, finally settling on Kazama In. A playful, provocative smirk curled at the corner of his mouth. "Kazama In... I'll remember you. D-class seems more interesting than I thought. Let's go."

He didn't linger. He waved his hand curtly. Ishizaki and Komiya, relieved, quickly followed Ryuen, and the three vanished down the other end of the path. Before leaving, Ryuen glanced back at Kazama In, his eyes like a viper that had spotted its prey.

The crisis was over. Sudo Ken rubbed his sore shoulders and spat viciously in the direction Ryuen had disappeared. "Pah! Class C scum!" Then he looked at Kazama In and Ayanokoji, as well as the timely Ichinose, gratitude and lingering fear on his face. "Kazama, Ayanokoji, and... Ichinose-san, thanks! Damn, almost fell for that bastard's trick!"

Ayanokoji gave a faint "mm" in response.

Kazama In turned to Ichinose Honami, giving a slight nod, his posture composed and polite. "Ichinose-san, thanks for the help." His tone was calm, as if thanking a helpful classmate he'd met for the first time.

But Ichinose Honami looked at Kazama In, her blue eyes churning with extremely complex emotions. Surprise, nostalgia, gratitude, and a hint of indescribable excitement. Her pink lips moved slightly, as if hesitating, before she finally mustered the courage. Her voice was very soft, with a barely perceptible tremor, and she clearly called out the name buried deep in her memories:

"In... I never thought I'd see you again like this, in a place like this... You came to this high school."

That call stirred a faint ripple in the depths of Kazama In's dark pupils. He gazed quietly at Ichinose, neither denying nor showing excessive familiarity, just nodding lightly. "Yeah. Long time no see, Honami."

That simple response made Ichinose's eyes instantly light up, as if receiving confirmation. A bright, genuine smile bloomed on her face, and she nodded vigorously. "Yeah! Long time no see!" She didn't press about the past or reminisce. Instead, she immediately pulled out her phone, with a girlish eagerness and an air of not taking no for an answer. "Um... could we exchange contact info? Since we're at the same school now!"

Kazama In looked at Ichinose's expectant eyes, didn't refuse, and took out his phone. The two quickly swapped contact details.

"Great!" Ichinose put away her phone, her smile radiant. "Then I won't bother you anymore! Kazama-kun, Ayanokoji-kun, Sudo-kun, see you!" She waved, walked away with light steps, her pink-gold hair bouncing with a warm luster in the sunset.

Watching Ichinose's retreating figure, Sudo Ken snapped out of the 'old acquaintance reunion' scene. He elbowed Kazama In, a teasing grin on his face. "Hey, Kazama! Nice one! When did you get to know such a pretty Class B goddess? And so familiar? 'In'? 'Honami'? Something going on?"

Kazama In glanced at Sudo, his expression indifferent, already stepping forward toward the library as he casually brushed it off. "Just someone I knew a long time ago... a friend's kid." The explanation was half-true, half-false, neatly dodging the key details.

"A friend's kid? Tch, who're you kidding!" Sudo clearly didn't buy it, chasing after him with gossipy curiosity. "With that look you two gave each other, there's definitely a story! Spill it!"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka silently followed, taking in the entire exchange between Kazama In and Ichinose. His utterly unreadable eyes, however, were analyzing coldly within: Old acquaintance. Deep connection. Ichinose Honami's reaction was very intense; Kazama In was relatively restrained but didn't deny it. Intimate address. 'Life mentor'? That positioning... is significant. Kazama In's background seems more complicated than I thought.

He didn't ask, simply filing the observation away silently. The three of them—mostly Sudo's chatter—cast long shadows in the sunset as they headed toward the library. In Kazama In's contact list, a new entry quietly appeared: "Ichinose Honami." Beneath the calm surface of school life, Kazama In's past seemed to be flowing, in unexpected ways, into the chessboard of his present.