Night Cherry and Old Acquaintance

The sunset's afterglow bathed the campus in a warm, golden red. Kazama In walked along the tree-lined path toward his dormitory, his steps steady, his mind racing at high speed. Fragments of information—Class D's composition, Ayanokoji's identity, Kushida's disguise, the school's rules—collided and recombined in his thoughts.

Just as he reached a quieter area near a row of cherry blossom trees, a faint, rhythmic metallic rolling sound came from around the bend in the path ahead.

Kazama In's steps paused slightly.

A figure slowly emerged into his field of vision.

Silver-white hair flowed like moonlight, refracting a cold, noble luster in the sunset's glow. She sat in a sleek, well-designed silver wheelchair, her posture as elegant as if she were seated on a throne. The deep blue uniform jacket was casually draped over her legs, revealing a fine white shirt beneath, its collar fastened with an exquisite black velvet bow. Her features were as delicate as a doll carved by the most skilled artisan, her skin pale to the point of translucence. Long lashes drooped low, veiling those eyes rumored to be as clear as amethyst crystals. Slender fingers rested idly on the wheelchair's armrests, her fingertips lustrous.

Sakayanagi Arisu.

Behind her, pushing the wheelchair, was a girl in the same deep blue uniform—Kamuro Masumi. And a boy—Hashimoto Masayoshi, with his neatly styled yellow hair. They silently fulfilled their duties as guardians, their presence as solid as bedrock.

The wheelchair rolled smoothly along the pebble-strewn path, making a faint sound as it slowly approached Kazama In.

Kazama In stood still, neither deliberately stepping aside nor moving forward. The golden sunset lit up his black hair, parted in a 3:7 ratio, illuminating the few strange silver-white strands and dark red highlights at his temples, as well as his calm, still features.

Sakayanagi Arisu seemed to sense the figure ahead. She lifted her head slightly.

Her long lashes parted like butterfly wings, revealing those eyes.

Not the amethyst of rumor, but the purest violet gemstones—clear, deep, carrying a light of wisdom that saw through everything, yet as if separated by a millennium of cold ice, distant and noble. That gaze fell calmly on Kazama In, carrying a perfectly measured, appraising curiosity, as if examining an interesting object.

Their eyes met briefly in the air.

No words, no actions. Kazama In clearly felt the penetrating power of that gaze, as if beneath its calm lay a precision capable of dissecting the soul. And in Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes, there seemed to flicker a faint interest in Kazama In's unusual hair color and composed demeanor.

The wheelchair's speed did not change. Smoothly, silently, it glided past Kazama In. Katsuragi Kohei pushed the wheelchair like a moving fortress, his sharp eyes sweeping over Kazama In with a look of scrutiny and warning.

Kazama In stood there, watching the silver-white figure disappear around the corner of the cherry blossom grove. A faint, cold, noble fragrance seemed to linger in the air.

He slowly withdrew his gaze, his fingertips unconsciously brushing against the cold silver pocket watch inside his uniform's inner pocket.

The 'Messenger's' encrypted signal... the Student Council... the product of the White Room... and now, this queen of Class A, like a precision doll...

Beneath the tiers of Advanced Nurturing High School, the undercurrents ran deeper and more complex than he had imagined. The corner of Kazama In's mouth tightened almost imperceptibly into a cold, hard line. He lingered no longer, turned, and walked toward his own dormitory, bathed in the sunset's glow. His deep blue silhouette soon melted into the campus, deepening into dusk.

The faint glow of a phone lit up in the dim dormitory, breaking the night's stillness. Kazama In leaned against the headboard, his fingertip swiping across the screen. An unsigned message popped up:

[The moonlight is fair. An old acquaintance wishes to catch up. Would Kazama-kun be willing to move to the café for a chat?]

The message was concise, the wording elegant, carrying a faint, intangible sense of reserve and familiarity. Kazama In's gaze lingered on the phrase "old acquaintance" for a moment. A flicker of understanding passed through the depths of his ink-black pupils. Someone who could so precisely find his private line (even though he had modified it), use this tone, and specifically mention "catching up"...

He tapped lightly in reply, equally concise:

I'll be there shortly.

He got up, changed out of his comfortable loungewear, and put on a well-ironed dark shirt and trousers, casually throwing a fine wool coat over the top. The figure reflected in the mirror showed black hair parted in a 3:7 ratio, his calm brows and eyes deeper in the night, the few silver-white and dark red highlights at his temples glinting faintly in the dim light.

The café was tucked away in a relatively secluded corner of the campus living area, known for its elegant atmosphere and excellent pour-over coffee. It was now close to midnight, with few customers. Kazama In pushed open the door, and the bell hanging above it let out a crisp ring.

Soft, warm yellow light flowed over the dark wood décor, and the air was thick with the rich aroma of coffee beans and soothing jazz. His eyes instantly locked onto the farthest corner by the window.

Sakayanagi Arisu sat there.

She wasn't in her wheelchair tonight. At that moment, she was slightly turned, her slender, pale fingers resting on the edge of the table, as if trying to stand up from the comfortable sofa chair using her own strength. Her silver-white hair fell softly over her shoulders, gleaming with a cold luster in the light. She wore a fine cream-colored knitted long dress, loosely draped with a light gray cashmere shawl, outlining a slender yet still elegant silhouette. Her delicate features, under the warm light, lost some of their daytime distance, gaining a soft, fragile quality. But those violet eyes remained clear and deep, carrying the light of all-seeing wisdom.

In the shadow of another booth not far behind her, Kamuro Masumi sat like a silent statue, her back to them, but Kazama In could clearly feel a sharp, vigilant gaze fixed on him like a physical presence.

Seeing Kazama In enter, Sakayanagi Arisu paused in her movement. She took a deep breath, seeming to muster all her strength, and finally stood up—somewhat reluctantly, but still maintaining impeccable elegance. She gave a slight nod, and a perfectly measured, aristocratic smile bloomed on her lips.

"Kazama-sama, it's been a while." Her voice was clear and pleasant, like pearls falling on a jade plate, carrying a deeply ingrained sense of etiquette honed over time, yet subtly tinged with a hint of teasing on the word "sama."

Kazama In walked over and stopped across from her. He raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint trace of amusement coloring his ink-black pupils. "Sakayanagi-san's so formal address leaves me quite flattered." His voice was low, carrying the same teasing edge. "Or has it been a few years, and we've grown distant?"

"Heh." A very light laugh, like the shattering of ice crystals, escaped Sakayanagi Arisu's lips, and genuine warmth rippled through those violet eyes. "Xiao Yin-gege's tongue is even sharper than when we were kids." She naturally switched to the intimate childhood address, the aristocratic mask of distance melting away by several degrees.

The amusement in Kazama In's eyes deepened. "Likewise, Xiao Arisu." He pulled out a chair and sat down naturally across from her, his gaze casually sweeping toward Kamuro Masumi's direction. "It seems your 'guardian knight' is very diligent." He deliberately used a light, teasing tone.

"Masumi is just doing her duty." Sakayanagi Arisu also sat down gracefully, her tone casual. "Don't mind her." She picked up the delicate bone china coffee cup in front of her, which held a dark brown liquid. The rich aroma of coffee wafted over—clearly a high-caffeine, dark roast.

Kazama In's gaze fell on the coffee cup in her hand, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He remembered clearly that Sakayanagi Arisu had had a weak heart since childhood, and doctors had repeatedly advised strict control of caffeine intake, especially this kind of strong, dark roast.

"You're still drinking this?" Kazama In's voice dropped a few notes, carrying undisguised concern. "Your body..."

Sakayanagi Arisu's hand holding the coffee cup paused slightly. She lifted those violet eyes to look at Kazama In, her long lashes trembling like butterfly wings. She saw the pure, unadulterated worry in his eyes—the exact same expression he'd had when he rushed to help her up after she fell as a child. A certain corner of her heart seemed to be gently touched, and a long-lost warmth quietly spread.

She set down the coffee cup, the base making a crisp sound against the saucer, and a helpless yet indulgent smile appeared on her face. "Xiao Yin-gege still worries too much. I just wanted a little pick-me-up." She didn't deny her physical condition.

Kazama In said nothing more, simply raising his hand to make a gesture to a nearby waiter.

The waiter quickly approached and asked respectfully, "Sir, what can I get for you?"

"Please bring her a hot milk with a little honey." Kazama In's voice was gentle but brooked no argument, his gaze turning to Sakayanagi Arisu. "Is that alright?" His tone was respectful in asking, but he had already made the decision for her.

Sakayanagi Arisu was momentarily taken aback, looking at Kazama In's calm yet insistent eyes. After a moment, the smile on her lips deepened, like the first ray of sunlight after the ice melts, carrying genuine warmth. "Alright," she replied softly, with no trace of displeasure, only a sense of being cherished. She turned to the waiter. "Just as he said, thank you."

The waiter took the order and left. In the shadows, Kamuro Masumi seemed to relax her tense shoulders almost imperceptibly.

After this small interlude, the atmosphere became even more relaxed. The two naturally began chatting about trivial childhood matters.

"Do you still remember that huge cherry blossom tree in your family's back garden?" Kazama In's fingertips unconsciously traced the edge of the table, his eyes carrying a look of reminiscence. "You always liked to read under it. Once, startled by falling petals, your book fell into the small pond nearby, and you were so upset you almost cried."

"Of course I remember!" Sakayanagi Arisu covered her mouth with a light laugh, her violet eyes sparkling with mischief. "In the end, wasn't it Xiao Yin-gege who jumped in to fish it out for me? And then you caught a cold and had a fever for three days, getting a good scolding from your father."

"That book was your favorite, Little Women. It was soaked through, but you couldn't bear to throw it away." Kazama In smiled too, the smile softening the cold sharpness between his brows. "Later, I secretly had someone repair it for you."

"Yes, they did such a good job. You couldn't even see the traces." Sakayanagi Arisu's gaze softened. "I've always treasured it."

Warm milk was soon brought over, exuding a sweet fragrance. Sakayanagi Arisu lifted the cup and took small sips, the warmth spreading from her fingertips through her entire body. Kazama In also ordered a mild Earl Grey tea. Mellow jazz flowed between them, and time seemed to rewind to carefree childhood days.

Yet, the warmth of reminiscing could not ultimately mask the barriers of reality. The conversation inevitably turned to the present.

"I never imagined," Sakayanagi Arisu set down her milk cup, her violet eyes regaining their deep, sharp edge like gems that had retracted their warmth, quietly fixed on Kazama In, "that I would meet you again here, in this way, In-nii." Her gaze deliberately swept over the streak of differently colored hair at his temple and the cold aura of the underworld he couldn't fully conceal beneath his calm exterior. "For the esteemed 'Arbiter' to condescend to enter Advanced Nurturing High School... to experience 'ordinary' life?" Her words carried a hint of probing and an indescribable complexity.

Kazama In lifted his teacup, the rising steam blurring his composed features. "A change of scenery. To climb the ladder." He was concise, avoiding the title "Arbiter," offering his father's words as his answer.

"'Ladder'..." Sakayanagi Arisu repeated softly, a meaningful curve forming on her lips, carrying the unique, all-knowing insight of Class A's queen. "A starting point in Class D is indeed... an interesting challenge for the heir of the Kazama Family." She paused, a glint of wisdom flashing in her violet eyes. "So, In-nii, what are your esteemed views on this 'merit-based' ivory tower? Especially..." her voice dropped a few notes, laced with a cold playfulness, "...this system that measures everything in points and precisely categorizes people into distinct tiers?"

Kazama In set down his teacup, his jet-black pupils meeting her gaze without any evasion. Their eyes locked in midair, a silent contest where the warmth of childhood friends faded, replaced by two top-tier minds scrutinizing each other on a chessboard of rules.

"A precise cage." Kazama In's voice was low and clear. "Using a seemingly fair numbers game to mask the most naked law of the jungle. Starting point disparities, resource allocation, class mobility... every step is intricately designed to provoke the deepest greed, fear, and competitive drive in human nature. It quantifies and reifies 'ability,' turning human relationships into a pure arena of profit games. Highly efficient, but..." He paused, his fingertip lightly tapping the table, "...cold enough to suffocate. It selects the tools best adapted to this frigid system, not truly complete human beings."

Sakayanagi Arisu listened quietly, light shifting in her violet eyes like a precision instrument running high-speed calculations. She picked up her warm milk, took another small sip, and then spoke slowly, her voice carrying the composure of one in full control: "Perceptive. But undeniable, this set of rules is highly effective. It's like the most merciless mirror, reflecting everyone's true value and flaws. Class D's chaos, Class C's struggle, Class B's scheming, Class A's... stability." She lifted her chin slightly, with the pride of Class A's leader. "The starting point is important, but whether one can maximize advantages within the rules and turn flaws into usable leverage—that is true 'ability.'"

She set down her cup, leaning forward slightly, her violet eyes locking onto Kazama In. "In-nii, in Class D, do you intend to be the catfish that stirs the muddy waters, or..." her voice carried a hint of probing only the two of them could understand, "...to seek the true secrets of this school beneath the ladder?"

Kazama In's fingertip stopped tapping. He looked silently at Sakayanagi Arisu, his jet-black pupils fathomless, like a cold pool reflecting her sharp, clear figure. The jazz flowing through the café seemed to grow distant. The cold touch of the pocket watch reached him through his clothes, and his mother's gentle smile seemed to appear before his eyes.

After a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice low with a strange penetrating force:

"The ladder, I will climb step by step. As for the secrets..." The corner of his mouth lifted into a faint, yet cold and sharp curve, "...whatever stands in my way, I will personally 'arbitrate' it."