Morishita Ran

During the second day's lunch break, Hoshida No skipped the cafeteria. Instead, he walked towards a relatively quiet bench at the back of the school building, holding a newly arrived mathematics journal.

This spot was rarely visited, making it suitable for undisturbed reading and thinking.

However, as he approached, he found someone already on the bench.

A girl with short purple hair, the ends slightly curled upwards, sat at one end of the bench. She held a thick hardcover book, its cover appearing to be some kind of philosophical original text.

She wore the standard girls' uniform, with white stockings covering her shapely calves and black leather shoes that were spotless.

At that moment, she calmly looked towards the approaching Hoshida No.

It was Morishita Ran. Hoshida No remembered her name and face. She was a student from Class A, first year, and a classmate of Sakayanagi Arisu.

He had noticed her during the Seven-Day War and on other occasions.

Unlike Kamuro Sumire, who constantly followed Sakayanagi, or other Class A students with obvious faction labels, she always kept to herself, yet her presence was not insignificant.

"Hoshida No." Morishita Ran spoke first, her voice clear, directly calling his name. "You discovered this place too? It is indeed freer than the library."

She closed her book, not standing up, but merely scrutinizing him with her purple eyes, unreservedly, as if observing an interesting specimen.

"Occasionally." Hoshida No walked to the other end of the bench and sat down, leaving about two people's distance between them.

He opened his journal, with no intention of further conversation.

Since the other party seemed to prefer not to interfere with each other, he was naturally happy to have some peace.

" Frontiers of Applied Mathematics?" Morishita Ran glanced at the title of the journal in his hand. "Leaning towards theoretical physics and optimization algorithms. Are you interested in this field?"

"I dabble." Hoshida No's reply remained brief.

"Dabble enough to solve the bonus question from the last monthly exam?" Morishita Ran's lips curved slightly, but the smile quickly vanished.

"Although Chabashira-sensei didn't announce the specific scores, the math teacher from Class A mentioned that someone in Class D—no, Class C now—used a highly unconventional but exceptionally concise method to solve that problem.

I don't think it would be Ayanokoji Kiyotaka next to you; he prefers to hide. Therefore, it must be you, Hoshida No."

Her reasoning was full of holes, jumping from journal preferences to the monthly exam problem in an instant, and yet arriving at the correct conclusion.

Hoshida No turned a page of his journal, neither admitting nor denying. "Morishita Ran, Class A. Sakayanagi Arisu's classmate, but acts independently. Skilled at observation, with leaps in logic, and excellent grades. You didn't come here just to read, did you?"

He concisely stated her characteristics while throwing back a question.

Morishita Ran seemed pleased with his reaction, leaning back slightly. "As expected, you've observed Class A too. That's right, Sakayanagi and I are in the same class, but I'm not her follower. Her games have her fun, and I have my own observation targets."

Her gaze fell on Hoshida No again. "You, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Ichinose Honami, even Katsuragi Kohei from our class... are more interesting than simple class competition.

Especially you, Hoshida No. Your behavioral patterns lack sufficient emotional variables, are extremely efficient, yet your objectives don't solely point towards class points. This is very special."

Her way of speaking was very direct.

"Your conclusion is premature," Hoshida No responded calmly. "Insufficient variables."

"So more observation is needed," Morishita Ran said as a matter of course. "For example, right now, your reaction to my appearance is indifferent. No curiosity, no excessive vigilance, and no rejection.

This indicates you have absolute confidence in your self-control, or you simply don't believe I currently constitute an interference that requires a change in your plans. Which possibility is greater, Hoshida No?"

Her thinking was indeed erratic, aggressive yet logically consistent.

Just as Hoshida No was about to end the conversation, which was gradually shifting towards an analysis of him, another rhythmic set of footsteps approached from a distance.

"Oh my? It seems I've found an interesting combination."

Sakayanagi Arisu, leaning on her cane and accompanied by Kamuro Sumire, walked over elegantly.

She wore a smile that suggested everything was under her control, her gaze flitting between Hoshida No and Morishita Ran.

"Hoshida-kun, and Morishita-san. What a coincidence, are you discussing some profound topic?" Sakayanagi Arisu stopped a few steps away from the bench, her tone relaxed.

Morishita Ran glanced at Sakayanagi, nodded in greeting, her tone unchanged. "Sakayanagi. We just met by chance and chatted a bit."

She did not display the attitude of a subordinate or follower meeting their leader.

"By chance?" Sakayanagi Arisu's smile deepened, looking at Hoshida No. "Hoshida-kun always seems to run into special people by chance.

First, it was two lovely girls from Class B, and now it's our Class A's unconventional Morishita-san. More and more people are discovering your charm."

Hoshida No closed his journal and stood up. When dealing with Sakayanagi Arisu, he preferred to take the initiative.

"Classmate Sakayanagi, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now."

"Please wait, Hoshida-kun."

Sakayanagi Arisu tapped her cane lightly on the ground. "I just wanted to express my admiration again. Your chess skills are truly outstanding... did you study them specifically?"

She had brought up their match during the Seven-Day War.

Hoshida No stopped, turning to face her. "I didn't study them specifically. It was merely an application of logical deduction and probability calculation."

"Just... logic and probability?" Sakayanagi Arisu repeated softly, her eyes sharp. "What an astonishing application. I've invested considerable time and effort into Shogi, and I consider myself not to be lacking.

Hoshida No-kun, using only logical deduction, you found my weakness in one of the fields I consider myself most adept at."

Her tone was elegant, but she admitted a genuine defeat.

Morishita Ran, standing nearby, also seemed intrigued. She closed the philosophy book in her hands, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Sakayanagi and Hoshida No.

She clearly knew about the match, but the details and outcome were clearly confirmed by Sakayanagi's attitude.

"Your layout was exquisite, and your ability to induce others was strong." Hoshida No evaluated objectively: "..."

His few words precisely reconstructed the key turning points, yet they caused Sakayanagi Arisu's smile to slightly stiffen.

The air remained silent for a few seconds.

"...So that's how it is." Sakayanagi Arisu slowly exhaled.

Morishita Ran suddenly let out a soft chuckle, breaking the silence: "So, Sakayanagi, you didn't lose unjustly. That tactic based on human weaknesses and psychological induction had a premise that wasn't entirely sound to begin with."

Sakayanagi Arisu glanced at Morishita Ran, thereby regaining her composure: "Morishita-san is quite right." She gripped her cane tightly, "I have benefited greatly from this lesson."

She looked at Hoshida No again, her gaze burning: "Therefore, I am even more convinced that your remaining in Class C is a waste. Only Class A can provide the challenge and stage that truly match your abilities. In Class C, the growth you can attain is far too limited."

"Limited or infinite, I define that myself." Hoshida No's reply was decisive, "Your proposal, I still refuse."

"Is it because of some tacit understanding or agreement with Ayanokoji-kun, or perhaps with Chabashira-sensei, or even someone in Class B?" Sakayanagi Arisu probed once more.

Hoshida No did not answer this question, only saying: "The chess game is over, Sakayanagi."

Sakayanagi Arisu nodded: "You are right. The old outcome has been decided, and a new game is about to begin." She gave a slight nod, "Then, I shall not disturb you and Morishita-san any further. Farewell."

She took Kamuro Sumire with her, leaning on her cane, and departed at a measured pace.

The area by the bench returned to silence, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind remaining.

Morishita Ran reopened her book, but she could no longer focus on it.

She tapped her fingers lightly against the hardcover of the book and suddenly spoke: "There aren't many people who can make Sakayanagi so clearly admit defeat and feel excited. You have thoroughly ignited her competitive spirit, Hoshida No."

"And so what?" Hoshida No sat back down and opened his journal.

"Nothing in particular." Morishita Ran tilted her head to look at him, "It just proves that my observations were correct; I am very interested in you."

She closed her book, stood up, and brushed some non-existent dust off her uniform.

"A fruitful harvest today. I'll leave this spot to you, Hoshida No. Let us... meet by chance again next time."

After she finished speaking, she hugged that thick philosophy book and left, her short purple hair gleaming slightly in the afternoon sun.

Hoshida No's gaze fell back onto the journal, but he could not focus on it either.