The Past

The police handled things quickly. The evidence was conclusive, and the store manager confessed to trying to molest Sakura Airi (under the pressure of the irrefutable evidence and Kazama In's icy stare). He was formally detained. After Kazama In and Ichinose Honami finished giving detailed statements and confirmed everything was in order, they left the police station.

It was already late at night. At some point, rain had begun to fall softly, pattering down with the chill of an autumn night. The two walked side by side on the way back to school, the streetlights' glow spreading across the wet pavement.

"Um, Kazama..." Ichinose Honami spoke softly, breaking the silence. She turned her head and looked at the half-lit profile of Kazama In. Concern filled her voice. "Back there... at the store, did you... remember something unpleasant? You seemed... really angry." She remembered the cold fury that had erupted from him in an instant, as if it had come from the depths of an abyss. The memory still made her uneasy.

Kazama In's steps faltered almost imperceptibly. He was silent for a few seconds, his ink-black eyes fixed on the hazy curtain of rain ahead. His voice was low. "...Yeah. Sorry I scared you."

"No, no!" Ichinose hurriedly shook her head, her pink-gold hair quivering in the rain. "I know you were protecting Sakura... and... and me, too. That man suddenly rushed at us. If you hadn't stopped him in time, he might have hurt us..." Her voice was sincere, colored by lingering fear and gratitude. "So I should be thanking you! You reacted so quickly, Kazama. You were... amazing." She couldn't find a better way to describe his inhuman speed and strength.

Kazama In turned his head and glanced at her. Seeing the pure trust in her eyes and the trace of fear that still lingered, he felt the fury in his chest ease a little beneath the cool night rain and the sound of her voice. "Yeah."

They kept walking, but the rain gradually grew heavier. The fine drizzle turned into large drops that pelted them, bringing waves of cold. The area around them was open, and for a moment they couldn't find anywhere to take shelter.

"Ah! The rain's getting heavier!" Ichinose cried out, instinctively raising a hand over her head. But her thin uniform was soon soaked, and she shivered from the cold.

Kazama In barely hesitated. He stopped at once and swiftly took off his black uniform jacket. With a brisk movement, he spread it open, then gently pulled Ichinose Honami toward him without a word, holding it over their heads. His arm went around her shoulders, half sheltering her against his chest!

"!" Ichinose Honami hadn't expected him to do that at all! Her body stiffened instantly! A crisp, distinctive scent that belonged to Kazama In enveloped her. Her cheeks flushed hot, and her heart felt as if it were about to leap out of her throat! She could clearly feel the strength of his arm around her, the warmth from his chest, and even the steady, powerful beat of his heart! Overwhelmed with embarrassment, she didn't know what to do. All she could manage was to stand stiffly in his half-embrace, her little face buried against his chest, afraid to move or even breathe. T-too close! Her mind went blank. The only thought left was that, and the pounding of her heart.

"Run!" Kazama In's low voice came from above her, leaving no room for argument. He tightened his arm around her, shielding her as they ran swiftly toward the school building through the increasingly heavy rain.

Ichinose ran along with him, her steps a little unsteady, but he kept her firmly protected. The rain beat densely against the jacket, shutting out the world around them. In that small, warm space that belonged only to the two of them, her embarrassment and fluttering feelings grew wildly, like creeping vines.

With the jacket over their heads, they ran back to the school building, soaked and bedraggled but quick. Just as they were about to dash beneath the eaves, Kazama In's keen eyes caught sight of several figures gathered under umbrellas a short distance ahead.

Through the rain, several umbrellas clearly divided the group into two sides.

On one side stood Ryuen Kakeru of Class C, Albert Yamada (whose arm seemed to have recovered, though his expression was gloomy), Ibuki Mio, and another Class C boy.

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

Kamuro Sumire held an umbrella over Sakayanagi with a blank expression, though half of her own body was left in the rain. Hashimoto Masayoshi stood on Sakayanagi's other side, dutifully shielding her from the rain blowing in from the side. Kito Hayato stood a little farther back, silent as a statue.

Ryuen Kakeru's provocative, malicious voice carried through the rain. He was in the middle of declaring war.

"...Class D? They're nothing but an appetizer. Let them bounce around for a few more days and enjoy their false hope. Once they've climbed to what they think is a safe height, knocking them back down will make their despairing faces all the more entertaining... My next target, of course, is Class B—that seemingly flawless fortress of 'angels'..."

Sakayanagi Arisu leaned on her cane. Even through the rain, her smile was unmistakable: as perfect as a doll's, and brimming with absolute control. She seemed about to answer Ryuen's provocation.

Just then, Kazama In arrived at the entrance to the school building with Ichinose Honami tucked protectively against him, their closeness impossible to miss. Both were soaked through. Kazama In's jacket was still draped over Ichinose, and one of his arms remained casually around her shoulders.

The sudden arrival instantly drew everyone's attention!

Ryuen Kakeru's words cut off. He narrowed his eyes at Kazama In and the girl in his arms, who was clearly one of Class B's key figures, Ichinose Honami. A mocking, malicious smile spread across his face. "Oh? If it isn't our esteemed 'Arbiter' and his close 'comrade' from Class B. Running back together in the pouring rain, holding each other like that? You two sure are close! What, was Class D's little temple too cramped for you, so you found a new backer this quickly?" His words were openly scornful.

With so many people watching her, especially the key figures from Classes A and C, and with Ryuen teasing her like that, Ichinose Honami was mortified. She instinctively tried to pull away from Kazama In, but his arm around her tightened slightly, signaling her not to move.

On the other side, the moment Sakayanagi Arisu saw Kazama In holding Ichinose, her perfect smile stiffened almost imperceptibly. A razor-cold glint flashed deep in her azure eyes, too quickly for anyone to catch. Then her smile grew even sweeter, so sweet it was almost eerie. Her voice rang out like a silver bell, carrying a hint of unmissable coquettishness and thick jealousy.

"Oh my, if it isn't Big Brother In. In all this rain, you and Class B's Ichinose... how 'close' you are. It seems you're getting along just fine between Classes D and B, Big Brother In." She put particular emphasis on "close" and "Big Brother In," her gaze sweeping back and forth between Kazama In and Ichinose, scrutinizing them with a trace of displeasure.

Kazama In remained calm in the face of Ryuen's mockery and Sakayanagi's barbed greeting. He released his arm from around Ichinose, but left his jacket draped over her to keep out the cold. He looked at Sakayanagi. "Sakayanagi."

Sakayanagi Arisu acted as if she hadn't heard his cool response and turned to give Kamuro Sumire an order. "Kamuro, can't you see that Big Brother In and Ichinose are both soaked? Give them one of the spare umbrellas."

Kamuro Sumire answered without expression and took a folding umbrella from her bag. She walked over to Kazama In and handed it to him. As she left Sakayanagi's side, Hashimoto Masayoshi immediately stepped forward and used his umbrella to shield Sakayanagi from the rain blowing toward her.

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

"Thank you, Classmate Sakayanagi. Thank you, Classmate Kamuro." Ichinose hurriedly thanked them too, her voice still a little tense.

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

Ryuen Kakeru watched the scene and snorted. "Hmph. Class A's 'princess' sure is thoughtful. But..." His gaze passed over Kazama In and Ichinose, then shifted to the other classes' key figures present. "Class C, Class A, Class B, and then Class D's 'Arbiter,' who has such a special status... Tsk, this rain sure brought together all the main players onstage."

His gaze finally settled on Kazama In, curious and challenging. "Hey, Kazama In. That 'evidence' about Ishizaki and the other two at the Student Council... You didn't tamper with anything, did you?" He was referring to the audio evidence Ayanokoji had submitted.

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

"The contract spelled it out clearly. I promised not to submit the gymnasium footage—the original recording I had—and not to escalate the incident to expulsion, referring to my final ruling. As for evidence obtained through other channels, that isn't covered by the contract." His voice was calm, but carried an undeniable sense of rules. "Ryuen, you were the one who signed it. Doubting the contract means doubting your own judgment."

His words made the limits of the contract clear, while also exerting an invisible pressure. Ryuen was momentarily at a loss for words, and his expression darkened. The atmosphere once again grew tense and confrontational.

Kazama In no longer looked at him. His gaze fell on Ichinose Honami beside him. She was wrapped in his jacket and holding the umbrella, but her lips seemed a little pale, and her body trembled faintly. Clearly, her soaked clothes and the fright she'd experienced had left her struggling against the cold.

"Ichinose, I'll walk you back to your dorm." Kazama In ignored the standoff before them and spoke directly, his concern leaving no room for refusal.

"Huh? Um... okay..." Ichinose didn't want to stay in this powder-keg of a place either, and quickly nodded.

Kazama In turned to Sakayanagi Arisu and gave her a slight nod. "Thanks for the umbrella." Then, without looking at Ryuen or the others, he gestured for Ichinose to follow him.

Just as the two were about to turn and leave, Sakayanagi Arisu's sweet voice rang out again, carrying a coquettish grievance only Kazama In could understand. "Big Brother In~ I kindly lent you an umbrella, and you're brushing me off with just a thank-you? You'll have to come and 'make it up to me' properly another day~" She drew out the last words, her gaze full of meaning.

Kazama In paused, but didn't turn around. He only answered flatly, "Yeah." It was as good as agreeing.

Through the rain, Kazama In and Ichinose walked beneath a single umbrella, their figures gradually vanishing along the path to the dormitory area. Outside the school building, Class A and Class C remained locked in a silent standoff beneath their umbrellas, the air thick with unfinished hostilities and the chill of the rain.