Variables

On the way back to the dorms, a cool night breeze brushed past them. Kazama In and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka walked side by side, as they usually did in silence. But this time, their silence seemed to hold a tacit understanding.

"Ayanokoji." Kazama In's gaze stayed fixed ahead as his voice broke the quiet. His tone was calm, but probing. "About the midterm exams, you don't seem worried about whether Sudo and the others will pass their tutoring sessions."

Ayanokoji didn't break his stride. His profile was half-lit beneath the streetlamps. "Tutoring is one method, but it's not the only one. It isn't very efficient, and there are too many variables." He was referring to the unpredictable state of Sudo and the others' studies and moods.

The corner of Kazama In's mouth lifted 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 arranging his thoughts. Then he spoke in his usual flat voice. "The exam questions. The core material tested at Advanced Nurturing is relatively fixed. Past papers, especially midterms of comparable difficulty, are extremely useful references."

A glint of understanding flashed in Kazama In's dark eyes. "You want to get past papers from upperclassmen." It was certainly the most direct and efficient shortcut.

"Yeah." Ayanokoji nodded. "Second-years, maybe even third-years. The Kendo Club's captain, Takahashi, and the members who lost points to you... They're grateful to you or they respect you. They're potential leads."

Kazama In gave a slight nod. Ayanokoji's thinking was clear and practical, and it matched his own. Using his existing connections—the Kendo Club members—to obtain key information—past papers—would be much more efficient than helping Sudo and the others work their way through textbooks one bit at a time. It suited his pursuit of efficiency.

"The plan is feasible," Kazama In said in approval. "I'll contact Takahashi tomorrow after school." He took on the task himself, since he was the one who had built those connections in the Kendo Club.

Ayanokoji had no objections. "Yeah."

They parted at the fork by the dormitory building and headed their separate ways. Just like that, a plan to efficiently obtain the exam papers was settled.

The next afternoon, after school, Kazama In and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka set off as agreed to meet Horikita and Kushida at the library and continue tutoring at the study group. They had just left the school building and were crossing the path connecting it to the gymnasium when a commotion reached them.

At the end of the path, in a secluded corner near the gymnasium's back entrance, Ken Sudō was being cornered by three people. Leading them was none other than Ryuen Kakeru from Class C, infamous for his cunning and ruthless methods. He wore his trademark sneer, tinged with something sickly and mocking, and lounged with his hands in his pockets. Behind him stood two burly underlings with menacing faces: Ishizaki Daichi and Komiya Yogo. Ishizaki and Komiya had Sudō pinned by the shoulders, one on either side!

Sudō had clearly just finished basketball practice. Sweat still glistened on his forehead, and he wore a sleeveless athletic shirt. He struggled furiously, his face flushed red. "Ryuen! Let go of me! You bastard! What do you want?!"

"What do I want?" Ryuen Kakeru sneered. He sauntered closer until he was nearly nose to nose with Sudō, his gaze cold and slick as a snake's. "Nothing much. I just heard the big star from Class D has been working 'hard' lately. Going to study group sessions and training like crazy... What, do you really think that's enough to turn your garbage Class D around? Or are you trying to prove something on the court with your pitiful skills?"

It was an outright provocation! Ryuen was clearly trying to rile Sudō up, probably hoping he'd lose his temper and throw the first punch. That would give him grounds to dock Class D's already precarious Class Points, or even get Sudō expelled!

"You bastard—!" As expected, Sudō flew into a rage and strained to break free, but Ishizaki and Komiya held him fast between them, leaving him unable to move.

Kazama In and Ayanokoji stopped. Kazama In's dark eyes locked onto the three from Class C, his gaze icy. Ayanokoji stood motionless, still wearing his usual expressionless look as he assessed the situation, with no sign of moving in just yet. Ryuen's trying to provoke Sudō into making trouble. If we intervene directly, we might be playing right into his hands.

However, Kazama In moved faster. Ignoring Ayanokoji's cautious observation, he glided forward like a leopard melting into the shadows. His steps made no sound, and he had slowed his breathing to the faintest whisper. With Ryuen's back to him as he focused on taunting Sudō, and Ishizaki and Komiya too occupied with holding Sudō down to notice anything else, Kazama In had already appeared behind the two of them like a ghost!

Even without trying to conceal his presence, Kazama In seemed almost to fade from view before Ayanokoji's eyes. Perhaps that was one of his abilities.

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

"Tap." "Tap."

Two faint sounds.

"Whoa!"

"Who's there?!"

Ishizaki and Komiya sprang up as if stung by venomous scorpions! They hadn't noticed anyone approaching from behind. The sudden touch and the soundless way he'd appeared made their scalps tingle and their hearts race! They let go of Sudō as if they'd been electrocuted, then spun around in alarm. When they saw Kazama In standing there without a trace of expression, disbelief and a hint of fear filled their faces!

Even Ryuen, who had been facing away, whipped around at his underlings' shouts. When he saw Kazama In standing behind Ishizaki and Komiya as if he'd appeared out of thin air, the face that usually wore a mocking smile showed unmistakable shock and wariness for the first time. His pupils contracted. When did this guy get behind us?! He didn't notice a thing.

The atmosphere on the path turned strange and tense in an instant. Ryuen narrowed his eyes and studied Kazama In anew. His sickly smile faded, replaced by a cold, wary scrutiny. "Oh? Kazama In from Class D? You really do appear out of nowhere. What, here to stick up for your class's thug?"

Kazama In didn't answer. He simply looked at Ryuen, his gaze as still as a deep pool, yet somehow oppressive. "It's after school. You're blocking the way." His voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard him clearly.

Just then, a clear, melodious voice rang out, edged with urgency.

"Ryuen, please stop!"

Everyone turned toward the voice. A tall girl with soft, pink-gold hair and a sunny, cheerful air hurried over. She wore the Class B uniform, and her expression was kind yet firm. She was Class B's leader, and a well-known "angel" across the school: Ichinose Honami.

Ichinose had clearly seen the confrontation. Her gaze swept over Ryuen and the others, disapproval in her eyes, before settling on Kazama In. The moment she saw his face, an intense flash of shock and disbelief crossed her beautiful blue eyes, as if she'd seen someone who could never possibly be here.

But the shock lasted less than a second before she quickly suppressed it with remarkable self-control. She took a deep breath, refocused on the conflict, and hurried between the two sides. Facing Ryuen, she spoke gently but with unmistakable resolve. "Ryuen, this is a public area. Please don't do anything that could lead to misunderstandings or a confrontation. Tell your friends to let Sudō go, then leave. All right?"

Ryuen looked at Ichinose, then glanced at Kazama In, who stood quietly like a ghost, and Ayanokoji, who had somehow come up and now stood behind Kazama In to one side, equally expressionless. The muscles in his face twitched, and he gave an ambiguous snort.

"Hah. The 'angel' from Class B is sticking her nose into things, too? And the 'ghost' duo from Class D?" Ryuen's gaze moved over Kazama In and Ayanokoji before settling on Kazama In. His mouth curled into an amused, provocative smile. "Kazama In... I'll remember you. Class D seems a little more interesting than I thought. We're leaving."

He didn't drag things out. He simply waved his hand. Ishizaki and Komiya looked as though a weight had been lifted from their shoulders and hurried after Ryuen. The three of them quickly disappeared down the other end of the path. Just before leaving, Ryuen looked back at Kazama In, his eyes fixed on him like a snake sizing up its prey.

The crisis had passed. Rubbing his sore shoulders, Sudō spat in the direction Ryuen had gone. "Hmph! Class C scum!" Then he looked at Kazama In, Ayanokoji, and Ichinose, who had arrived just in time. His face showed both gratitude and lingering alarm. "Kazama, Ayanokoji, and... Ichinose, thank you! Damn, I almost fell for that bastard's trap!"

Ayanokoji gave a quiet "Yeah" in response.

Kazama In turned to Ichinose Honami and gave her a slight nod, composed and polite. "Thanks for stepping in, Ichinose." His tone was calm, as if he were thanking a helpful classmate he'd just met.

Yet as Ichinose Honami looked at Kazama In, a storm of complicated emotions stirred in her deep blue eyes: surprise, nostalgia, gratitude, and a hint of excitement she couldn't quite put into words. Her soft pink lips parted slightly, as though she were hesitating. At last, she gathered her courage and spoke the name she had kept buried in the depths of her memory. Her voice was quiet, with a faint tremble, but clear.

"Yin... I never thought I'd see you again here, like this... You came to this high school."

At that call, a ripple passed through the depths of Kazama In's dark eyes. He looked quietly at Ichinose. He neither denied it nor acted overly familiar; he simply nodded. "Yeah. It's been a long time, Honami."

The simple reply lit up Ichinose's eyes as if she'd received some kind of confirmation. A bright, sincere smile blossomed across her face, and she nodded firmly. "Yeah! It's been a long time!" She didn't ask about the past or reminisce. Instead, she immediately took out her phone, her voice carrying a girlish excitement and an unmistakable insistence. "Um... could we exchange contact information? Since we're at the same school now!"

Seeing Ichinose's expectant gaze, Kazama In didn't refuse. He took out his phone, and the two quickly exchanged contact information.

"Great!" Ichinose put her phone away and smiled brightly. "I won't keep you any longer! Kazama, Ayanokoji, Sudō, see you!" She waved and walked away with a spring in her step, her pink-gold hair glimmering warmly in the setting sun.

Watching Ichinose walk away, Sudō finally snapped out of the "reunion with an old friend" scene. He jabbed Kazama In with his elbow, a mischievous grin on his face. "Hey, Kazama! Not bad! When did you meet such a beautiful goddess from Class B? And you're on such familiar terms, too? 'In'? 'Honami'? Something going on there?"

Kazama In glanced at Sudō, his expression calm. He kept walking toward the library and answered offhandedly. "She's just... the daughter of a friend I knew a long time ago." The explanation was half-true, half-false, neatly avoiding the important details.

"The daughter of a friend? Yeah, right!" Sudō clearly didn't believe him. He followed after him, hungry for gossip. "Look at the way you two were staring at each other! There's definitely a story there! Come on, tell me!"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka silently followed beside them, taking in the entire exchange between Kazama In and Ichinose. His unruffled eyes betrayed nothing, but inwardly he was analyzing the scene with cool precision. An old friend. They must have been close. Ichinose Honami reacted intensely, while Kazama In was more restrained but didn't deny it. They used familiar names. "Life mentor"? That label... was rather suggestive. Kazama In's background seemed more complicated than I'd expected.

He didn't ask any questions. He simply filed away the observation. Their figures—Sudō doing most of the talking—stretched long in the setting sun as they headed toward the library. A contact named "Ichinose Honami" had quietly appeared in Kazama In's phone. Beneath the school's quiet routine, Kazama In's past seemed to be merging into his current game in unexpected ways.