It hadn't been long since he visited Sakura's dorm when Long Aotian returned to his own room.
He started sorting out what to do next.
Since Ayanokoji's expulsion would make the story unfold completely differently, there wasn't much left for him to deal with in Class D.
Without the original protagonist, Class D would just keep sinking deeper into Class D and never recover.
As for Horikita Suzune wanting to make it to Class A? Give me a break. What could she possibly do? Ryuen from Class C had completely outplayed her.
There was one thing on his mind: Long Aotian was starting to think he should help some people out. After all, Sakura was still in Class D.
Ding-dong~
Just as you furrowed your brow and focused on your thoughts, a clear, ringing doorbell suddenly sounded outside, interrupting your train of thought. You jerked your head up, a trace of surprise and curiosity in your eyes.
Long Aotian opened the door without thinking. Standing outside was a white-haired girl holding a cane.
[Sakayanagi Arisu]
"What, are you not going to invite me in, Ayanokoji?"
Sakayanagi Arisu blinked, a playful smile tugging at her lips as she spoke with a hint of teasing in her eyes.
"Come in."
Long Aotian thought it over. Maybe she felt there was no point in coming to school now that he'd gotten Ayanokoji expelled. It made sense that she'd come to see him.
Before long, the two of them were sitting on the floor.
"So, what is it?"
"What do you think I came here for?"
Sakayanagi Arisu glanced around his room as she asked.
"Ayanokoji?"
"Clever. You already knew, didn't you?" Sakayanagi Arisu nodded. "You knew I came to this school to have a showdown with Ayanokoji. I just never expected you to get him expelled."
"So I think you're stronger than him and make a more suitable opponent for me."
Long Aotian sighed softly. A trace of impatience crossed his face as he spread his hands. "I'm not interested. Getting him expelled was fate's doing. He was bound to come after me sooner or later, so I decided to strike first and get rid of the threat."
When Sakayanagi Arisu heard that, she scoffed. "Fate? What a ridiculous thing to say."
"That's nothing but an excuse people make to avoid taking responsibility."
A look of disdain crossed her face, and she smiled sardonically.
"By the way, where's Kamuro?"
Long Aotian didn't want to argue with her. Noticing that no one was with her, he changed the subject and asked curiously.
"She often helps me with things, so I gave her the day off."
"That's pretty considerate of you," Long Aotian remarked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm not the type to exploit people." Then she changed tack. "Would you be interested in working together?"
"?"
That was unexpected. He hadn't thought Sakayanagi Arisu would ask anyone to team up with her.
He folded his arms, curiosity and confusion in his eyes. "What kind of cooperation? Who are we going after? If this is about an internal fight in Class A, then don't even think about it."
"Ryuen from Class C." Sakayanagi Arisu smiled faintly and continued, "Ever since you asked me to negotiate the contract and get some points, I've been thinking I asked for too little."
Actually, she'd run into Ryuen on the way back yesterday in the rain. He'd threatened to crush Class D, then move on to Class B and Class A.
Sakayanagi Arisu had found it pretty amusing and wanted to mess with Ryuen.
"You think I'll believe that? Something else must have happened." Long Aotian looked at her helplessly.
"Oh my, you caught me."
Looking at his expression, Sakayanagi Arisu suddenly realized Long Aotian was pretty interesting too.
Suddenly!
Long Aotian raised one finger. "If you want to take on Ryuen, you'll obviously use all kinds of schemes against him. That sounds boring."
"I see." Sakayanagi Arisu lifted an eyebrow, curiosity shining in her eyes. She leaned forward slightly, as if waiting for him to reveal some secret. "Do you have something more interesting in mind?"
"Let's go beat up Ryuen!"
His idea was simple. With someone like Ayanokoji in Class D, if they wanted to play mind games, then you beat them at their own game.
But Ryuen's class was different. They had a bit of brains, sure, but they relied on violence. They might not have started using it openly yet, but it was only a matter of time. Hadn't Karuizawa Kei been coerced later in the story to force Ayanokoji to show himself?
"Huh?" Sakayanagi Arisu furrowed her brows, confusion and disbelief filling her eyes. She parted her lips slightly. "You mean the two of us should go after Ryuen together?"
"Even if you can fight and knock him down, I wouldn't get any enjoyment out of it." As she spoke, she pointed to her injured leg.
"Oh!" Understanding flashed across Long Aotian's face, and his eyes lit up as he seemed to realize what she meant.
He noticed the trouble with her leg. At most, she could manage a few light kicks with one foot. His lips curled into an understanding smile.
"That's easy." Long Aotian rose slowly from his seat and walked toward her, his steps steady and unhurried.
Sakayanagi Arisu watched him, a hint of confusion in her eyes. Her brows drew together slightly, as if she were guessing what he was about to do.
"What are you doing?" She tilted her head a little, her voice tinged with caution and curiosity.
Long Aotian stopped in front of her and said softly but clearly, "I'll treat your leg."
Sakayanagi Arisu frowned, a flash of disbelief and confusion in her eyes.
She shook her head gently, a faint, rueful smile on her lips, as if mocking herself. "You? I've seen countless famous doctors, and none of them could treat this leg."
"Don't worry." Long Aotian patted his chest, his gaze steady as he looked at Sakayanagi Arisu. "Trust me, okay? I guarantee I can fix it."
But Sakayanagi Arisu frowned, crossing her arms over her chest, suspicion written all over her face. "How could that be possible? What if you mess up and leave me disabled?" Her words carried a hint of teasing and disbelief.
"Then let me just touch it. Never mind, I'll go beat up Ryuen myself."
He'd planned to try another way to persuade her, but decided against it.
"You pervert! You're just making excuses so you can touch my leg!"
Sakayanagi Arisu had been a little hopeful, but mostly skeptical. That little bit of hope vanished the moment he said that.
"Huh?" Long Aotian looked down at Sakayanagi Arisu's leg.
It wasn't as long as a pair of long legs, but it had its own distinct charm. Though short, it looked especially nimble and cute. Not bad, not bad. He did kind of want to touch it.
"Heh heh heh! Here I come!" Long Aotian reached out with both hands and grabbed her injured leg.
"Ah!" Sakayanagi Arisu let out a sharp cry. Before she could even rise from her seat, she hurriedly reached to the side, apparently trying to grab the cane within reach to help herself.
But everything happened too quickly. Her fingertips just brushed the cane's handle, and she failed to get a grip on it in time.
Long Aotian caught her leg, gently massaged it, then pressed a few points. [Medical King Healing Touch]
"Does it hurt?"
Sakayanagi Arisu was a little furious and embarrassed, but it actually felt kind of nice.
"Does it hurt?"
Long Aotian let go and waved his hand in front of Sakayanagi Arisu, who was sitting there in a daze.
Sakayanagi Arisu ignored Long Aotian, stood up, and prepared to pick up her cane and leave.
"Hey." Long Aotian sighed, shook his head, and took the cane away.
He knew that although Sakayanagi Arisu hadn't said anything, she'd come after him in full force once she left.
He wasn't afraid of her, but it was always better to have one less headache.
"Try walking. I can't make it miraculously better right away, but at least walking shouldn't be as difficult." As he spoke, Long Aotian reached out to support her.
Sakayanagi Arisu glared at Long Aotian and tried to shake him off, but couldn't.
"Don't look at me like that. I really wasn't lying."
Sakayanagi Arisu had no choice but to try taking a few steps.
"Huh?" She cautiously took a few steps. Her pace was still slow, but she was surprised to find herself much steadier than before.
A deep longing stirred in her heart—a feeling she'd dreamed of experiencing.
Whenever she watched others run freely, their legs carrying them like birds taking flight, her eyes would fill with endless envy and yearning.
The corners of her mouth would lift slightly, only for her lips to press together again a moment later, as if she were trying to suppress the emotions welling up inside her.
"Thank you."
"Stop trying to hide that lopsided smile. You didn't say anything just now, but you must've hated me."
"Th-thank you..." Sakayanagi Arisu's voice trembled slightly. Tears glimmered in her eyes, and she quickly lifted a hand to brush a fingertip over the corner of her eye, trying to wipe away the sudden moisture.
She knew that from this moment on, she'd have a healthy pair of legs.
Long Aotian held out a packet of tissues, gesturing for her to wipe her eyes.
Long Aotian couldn't understand how she felt. He was perfectly healthy. Perhaps it was like being given a new life?
Before long, Sakayanagi Arisu finally calmed down—or rather, regained her composure.
"Feeling better?"
"I am."
Sakayanagi Arisu stood up gracefully, lightly lifting both corners of her school uniform skirt. She leaned forward slightly and moved her left foot half a step back.
"From this day forward, my Sakayanagi family will treat you as an honored guest forever. Wherever you are and whenever you need anything, just say the word. My family will do everything in its power to meet your every request."
Her voice rang out like an oath.
Before you continue