Past Events

The police station handled things quickly. With irrefutable evidence, the store manager confessed to attempting to assault Sakura Airi (under the pressure of solid proof and Kazama In's icy glare) and was formally detained. After Kazama In and Ichinose Honami gave detailed statements and confirmed everything was correct, they left the station.

The night was deep, and rain had begun to fall unnoticed, pattering down with the chill of an autumn evening. The two walked side by side back toward the school, the halos of streetlights blurring on the wet ground.

"Kazama-kun..." Ichinose Honami spoke softly, breaking the silence. She turned her head, looking at Kazama In's half-lit profile in the lamplight, her voice laced with concern, "Back there... in the store... did you... remember something bad? I saw you... you seemed really angry." She recalled the instant burst of cold fury from him, like something out of an abyss, and it still made her shudder.

Kazama In's footsteps paused almost imperceptibly. He was silent for a few seconds, his jet-black eyes staring ahead into the misty rain, his voice low: "...Yeah. Sorry, I scared you."

"No, no!" Ichinose quickly shook her head, her pink-gold hair trembling in the rain, "I know you were protecting Sakura-san, and... and protecting me too. If that guy suddenly rushed at us and you hadn't stopped him, he might have hurt us..." Her voice was sincere, carrying lingering fear and gratitude, "So, I should be thanking you! Kazama-kun's reactions were so fast, so... amazing." She couldn't find a better word to describe his inhuman speed and strength.

Kazama In glanced at her, seeing the pure trust in her eyes and a trace of residual shock. The malice in his heart seemed to be washed away a little by the cool night rain and her voice. "Yeah."

They kept walking, but the rain gradually grew heavier, fine droplets turning into large raindrops that pelted them with a biting chill. The area was open, and there was nowhere to take shelter.

"Ah! The rain's getting worse!" Ichinose exclaimed, instinctively raising her hand over her head, but her thin uniform was soon soaked through, making her shiver slightly.

Kazama In didn't hesitate. He stopped immediately, quickly stripping off his black uniform jacket. With a swift motion, he spread the large coat open and, without giving her a chance to refuse, gently pulled Ichinose Honami toward him, covering both their heads with the jacket while wrapping his arm around her shoulders, half-shielding her in his embrace!

"!" Ichinose Honami hadn't expected him to do that at all! Her body froze instantly! A crisp, clean scent carrying Kazama In's unique aura enveloped her. Her cheeks flushed bright red in an instant, and her heart felt like it was about to leap out of her throat! She could clearly feel the strength of his arm around her, the warmth radiating from his chest, and even the steady, powerful beat of his heart! Overwhelmed by shyness, she was at a complete loss, stiffly held half in his embrace, her small face buried deep against his chest, not daring to move or even breathe. "Too, too close!" Her mind went blank, leaving only that thought and the thunderous pounding of her heart.

"Run!" Kazama In's low voice sounded above her head, carrying an undeniable command. He tightened his arm, shielding her, and sprinted toward the school building through the increasingly heavy rain.

Ichinose was pulled along, stumbling a little, but firmly held by him. The rain hammered against the jacket with a dense patter, shutting out the outside world. In this small, warm space that belonged only to the two of them, her shyness and fluttering heart grew like wild vines.

Carrying the jacket over their heads, they ran awkwardly but quickly to the vicinity of the school building. Just as they were about to dash under the eaves, Kazama In's sharp eyes caught sight of a group of figures gathered under umbrellas not far ahead.

In the rain, several umbrellas clearly divided two camps.

On one side were Class C's Ryuen Kakeru, Albert Yamada (his arm seemed fine, but his eyes were gloomy), Ibuki Mio, and another male Class C student.

On the other side were Class A's Sakayanagi Arisu, Hashimoto Masayoshi, Kamuro Sumire, and Kito Hayato.

Kamuro Sumire held an umbrella expressionlessly for Sakayanagi, while half her own body was getting soaked in the rain. Hashimoto Masayoshi stood on Sakayanagi's other side, attentively blocking the rain blowing in from the side. Kito Hayato stood like a silent statue a little further back.

Ryuen Kakeru's provocative, malicious voice cut through the rain, delivering a "declaration of war":

"...Class D? Just an appetizer. Let them bounce around for a few more days and enjoy some false hope. When they climb to what they think is a safe height, then kick them down—that look of despair is way more interesting... The next target is, of course, Class B, that seemingly flawless 'angel' fortress..."

Sakayanagi Arisu leaned on her cane, and even through the rain, her face wore a smile like an exquisite doll's, full of absolute control. She seemed about to respond to Ryuen's provocation.

Just then, Kazama In, shielding Ichinose Honami, burst into the entrance of the school building under the eaves in a strikingly intimate pose. Both were drenched, Kazama In's jacket still draped over Ichinose, and one of his arms still naturally around her shoulders.

This sudden intrusion instantly drew everyone's attention!

Ryuen Kakeru's words cut off abruptly. He squinted, looking at Kazama In and the obvious core of Class B in his arms, Ichinose Honami, a playful, malicious grin spreading across his face: "Oh? Isn't this our 'Arbiter' and his close Class B 'comrade'? Running back together in this heavy rain, all hugged up? What great chemistry! What, is Class D's little shrine too small for you, so you've found a new backer so fast?" His words dripped with blatant sarcasm.

Ichinose Honami, stared at by so many people, especially seeing the key figures of Class A and Class C, and being teased like this by Ryuen, was mortified beyond words. She instinctively tried to break free from Kazama In's embrace, but his arm around her tightened slightly, signaling her not to move.

On the other side, Sakayanagi Arisu's perfect smile froze almost imperceptibly the moment she saw Kazama In holding Ichinose. A flash of extremely cold sharpness passed deep in her azure pupils, but it was too fast to catch. Then, her smile grew even sweeter, so sweet it was almost eerie, her voice ringing out like silver bells, carrying a hint of barely perceptible coquettishness and thick jealousy:

"Oh my, isn't this In-niisan? In such heavy rain, with Class B's Ichinose-san... what a 'close' pair. It seems In-niisan is handling things quite smoothly between Class D and Class B." She deliberately emphasized "close" and "In-niisan," her gaze sweeping back and forth between Kazama In and Ichinose with scrutiny and a hint of displeasure.

Facing Ryuen's mockery and Sakayanagi's barbed greeting, Kazama In's expression remained calm. He released his arm from around Ichinose, but the jacket still covered her, shielding her from the cold. He looked at Sakayanagi: "Sakayanagi."

Sakayanagi Arisu acted as if she hadn't heard his cold response, turning to Kamuro Sumire on her own and instructing, "Kamuro, can't you see In-niisan and Ichinose-san are soaked? Give them a spare umbrella."

Kamuro Sumire responded expressionlessly, took a folding umbrella from her bag, walked over to Kazama In, and handed it to him. The moment she left Sakayanagi's side, Hashimoto Masayoshi immediately stepped forward, using his own umbrella to block the drifting rain for Sakayanagi.

"Thanks." Kazama In took the umbrella and nodded at Kamuro.

"Thank you, Sakayanagi-san, thank you, Kamuro-san." Ichinose also quickly expressed her thanks, her voice still carrying a hint of unnatural tension.

After handing over the umbrella, Kamuro immediately returned to Sakayanagi's side and held the umbrella for her again.

Ryuen Kakeru watched this scene and sneered, "Heh, Class A's 'princess' is quite considerate. But..." His gaze swept over Kazama In and Ichinose, then to the other class cores present, "Class C, Class A, Class B, plus the special Class D 'Arbiter'... Tsk tsk, this rain really brings people together, gathering all the main players currently on stage."

His eyes finally locked onto Kazama In, carrying a hint of probing and provocation: "Hey, Kazama In. About that 'evidence' for Ishizaki and the other two from the Student Council meeting... you didn't tamper with it, did you?" He was referring to the recorded evidence submitted by Ayanokoji.

Kazama In opened the umbrella and handed it to Ichinose, who was still trembling slightly (she really was getting cold), while he stood outside the umbrella, letting the rain soak his shirt. He looked at Ryuen, his jet-black eyes especially deep in the rainy night:

"The contract is written clearly. I promised not to submit the gymnasium footage (referring to the original he possessed), and not to actively escalate the incident to expulsion (referring to his final ruling). Evidence obtained through other channels is not bound by the contract's terms." His tone was flat and unruffled, but carried an undeniable sense of rules, "Ryuen, you signed it. Doubting the contract means doubting your own judgment."

These words both clarified the contract's boundaries and carried an invisible pressure, leaving Ryuen momentarily speechless, his face darkening a few shades. The atmosphere instantly became tense again.

Kazama In, however, stopped looking at him. His gaze fell on Ichinose Honami beside him. She was wrapped in his jacket, holding the umbrella, but her lips seemed a little pale, and her body was trembling almost imperceptibly. Clearly, the soaked clothes, the earlier fright, and the cold were taking their toll.

"Ichinose, I'll walk you back to the dorm." Kazama In ignored the standoff and said directly, his tone carrying an undeniable concern.

"Ah? Yeah... okay..." Ichinose really didn't want to stay in this powder keg of a place any longer, so she quickly nodded.

Kazama In turned to Sakayanagi Arisu and gave a slight nod: "Thanks for the umbrella." Then, without even glancing at Ryuen and the others, he signaled Ichinose to follow him.

Just as the two turned to leave, Sakayanagi Arisu's sweet voice rang out again, carrying a hint of coquettish grievance that only Kazama In could understand: "In-niisan~ I kindly lent you an umbrella, and all I get is a simple 'thanks'? One of these days... you'll have to come and properly 'apologize' to me~" She drew out the last syllable, her gaze meaningful.

Kazama In's steps paused slightly, but he didn't turn back, only responding with a faint, "Mm." It counted as an agreement.

In the rain, Kazama In and Ichinose Honami shared an umbrella, their figures gradually disappearing on the path toward the dormitory area. Leaving behind, in front of the school building, Class A and Class C silently confronting each other under their umbrellas, the air thick with lingering tension and the cold rain.