Recruitment (Seeking Everything)

"Is there something you need, Akito Miyake? If you're here to thank me, don't bother." Watanabe Hayabara looked at Akito Miyake, who was blocking his path, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he spoke with a tone of casual indifference.

"Let's talk on the roof, Watanabe Hayabara." Akito Miyake ignored the teasing, stated his request calmly, and turned to head toward the stairs without waiting for a response.

Watanabe Hayabara raised an eyebrow, a look of amusement crossing his face, and followed him with a light, brisk step.

On the rooftop, the evening breeze blew gently, carrying a hint of chill. The two leaned against the railing side by side, gazing out toward the distant park.

"Speak your mind, Miyake." Watanabe Hayabara broke the silence first, his eyes still fixed on the greenery in the distance as he spoke in a relaxed tone.

Akito Miyake took a deep breath, watching the leaves swaying in the wind, and began to speak slowly: "I never really had any friends in elementary or middle school. Because I have a strong ability to focus and observe, I took up kyudo training in middle school and participated in some competitions. My grades were average, though, and I often got into arguments over trivial matters, so I didn't have any friends." He paused, a trace of self-mockery in his voice, "Although I wasn't interested in those so-called fair-weather friends, I still felt lonely from time to time."

The evening breeze ruffled his bangs, revealing eyes filled with a touch of melancholy. He turned his head to look at Watanabe Hayabara; the coldness from before had vanished, replaced by a sense of candor: "Actually, I realized long ago that you were different from the others. You helped clear my name—that wasn't just out of the goodness of your heart, was it?"

Watanabe Hayabara turned his head to meet the other's probing gaze, the smile on his lips deepening: "Oh? And what do you think my motive was?"

"I don't believe I possess any outstanding abilities worth Watanabe's attention. I want to hear the truth." Akito Miyake looked at the setting sun in the distance, his tone calm and his eyes devoid of their previous suspicion, replaced by a newfound composure.

"Is that so? But what if I told you that I orchestrated the whole thing, including the provocation and attack by the students from Class C?" Watanabe Hayabara suddenly wiped the smile from his face, looking at Akito Miyake with a mocking tone, his eyes locked onto him to gauge his reaction to the truth.

However, Akito Miyake showed no intense reaction. He was merely stunned for a moment before slowly turning his head to look at Watanabe Hayabara: "So it was all your doing? That doesn't really matter." He paused, casting his gaze back toward the distant greenery, "I didn't suffer any losses, and Class C paid the price instead. I don't see how your actions harmed me in any way. If anything, it allowed me to see many people for who they really are—who is sincere and who is fake. In that regard, I actually admire you, Watanabe."

"A novel way of thinking, Miyake, but it certainly makes things easier for me." Watanabe Hayabara was surprised by this reaction, but after a brief pause, he laughed.

"Is that so?" Akito Miyake's voice was faint, a self-deprecating smirk touching his lips, "Perhaps I've just grown accustomed to this kind of situation. Rather than dwelling on the cause of an event, it's better to look at whether the final result is beneficial to oneself."

"That is a very sophisticated way of thinking. So, one should only deliberate on a matter once it's established that there is no loss to one's own interests." Watanabe Hayabara looked at Akito Miyake's calm profile, his tone filled with a hint of approval.

Akito Miyake nodded silently, his fingertips gently tracing the texture of the rooftop railing, accepting the point.

"Have you thought about your future path, Akito Miyake?" Watanabe Hayabara shifted the topic, discussing the ethereal subject of future planning with a tone much more casual than before.

"I'd like to become a professional archer." Akito Miyake didn't hesitate, a flash of longing in his eyes—a dream he had kept hidden in the depths of his heart for a long time.

"Have you looked into the expenses required to become a professional archer?" Watanabe Hayabara turned his head to look at him, his tone becoming serious, "If your family isn't very wealthy, you need to consider it. After all, before you have a stable income, the costs of bow maintenance and training are quite high. Here's a little tip: after graduating from this school, any remaining private points can be converted into yen." He spoke as if making idle conversation, yet every word hit the mark.

"This..." Akito Miyake was stunned. After a moment of silence, he looked down at his own hands, answering in a dry voice: "Then I need to earn more private points. Staying in Class D won't yield any point income, and even though I haven't been spending recklessly, I don't have many points left now." His tone carried a hint of helplessness; the recent incident had given him a clearer understanding of Class D's predicament.

Watanabe Hayabara looked at his slightly embarrassed state, a meaningful smile tugging at the corner of his mouth: "That depends on your own choices. There are plenty of opportunities to earn points in this school; it just depends on whether you're willing to seize them."

"If I follow you, Watanabe, I'll be able to get a lot of private points, right?" Akito Miyake looked up, his gaze locked onto Watanabe Hayabara, his tone probing but filled with a yearning for the future.

"Points aren't easy to earn, Miyake." Watanabe Hayabara flicked his fingers lightly, his tone teasing, "From the way I orchestrated everything—framing you and then saving you—you should already understand my code of conduct." He gave a mocking smile, his sharp eyes fixed on Akito Miyake, clearly waiting for his decision.

Akito Miyake took a deep breath, his clenched fists trembling slightly. He muttered under his breath: "For the sake of my dream, I don't mind doing certain things." The words sounded like he was convincing himself, or perhaps declaring his resolve to Watanabe Hayabara.

"The correct choice, Akito Miyake." Watanabe Hayabara burst into laughter, the sound echoing across the empty rooftop. He then pulled out his phone, tapped the screen rapidly, and transferred 200,000 private points to Akito Miyake.

Akito Miyake pulled out his phone almost immediately. The moment the screen lit up, he glanced at the notification, his pupils constricting slightly as he was visibly stunned. A few seconds later, he regained his composure and bowed solemnly to Watanabe Hayabara: "Thank you very much."

"I hope you're worth these points, Miyake." Watanabe Hayabara put his phone away, his tone turning serious, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

"I understand." Akito Miyake looked up, his eyes as firm as iron. The hesitation and embarrassment from before had vanished, replaced by a sense of desperate resolve.

[Only someone like this isn't afraid of betrayal. Chase your dream, Miyake.]