Exploring the Rules

As a child of the Shinomiya Family, how could he not learn some artistic talents?

Shiomiya Yo had studied piano before, and in this regard, his talent could be considered both high and low.

The main reason was that no matter the technique or theory, Shiomiya Yo could master it quickly, but the pieces he played were as rigid as a robot.

It was absolutely "standard," like a textbook performance, but art is primarily about expressing the composer's emotions.

Shiomiya Yo couldn't do it!

But no one noticed this, because he would watch others play with emotion and then replicate it himself.

He deceived everyone this way, but he couldn't deceive himself.

Shiomiya Yo soon became bored!

Playing the piano was no different from laying bricks to him.

But now it was different!

The current Shiomiya Yo was emotionally unstable, but it was still better than having nothing at all like before.

Tomorrow, he must go and try it tomorrow...

With this thought in mind, Shiomiya Yo fell into a deep sleep.

A smile still hung on the corners of his lips.

Ring-a-ling!

The alarm clock rang at six in the morning.

Shiomiya Yo didn't even open his eyes; he slammed the alarm off and went back to sleep.

It wasn't until Shiomiya Yo woke up again that he felt refreshed.

Good morning, Advanced Nurturing!

He glanced at the time; it was nine o'clock.

Classes had already started, so it was too late to go now.

Then he wouldn't go!

He had originally wanted to wake up early for morning exercise since he possessed the talent of the [Ultimate Fighter], but he ended up being defeated by the Quilt Demon.

Damn it!

Shiomiya Yo punched the quilt, intending to challenge his own weakness once more.

Shiomiya Yo became groggy the moment his head hit the pillow; was it... still impossible?

When he woke up again, it was already 11 o'clock.

Damn it, had he actually failed again?

Looking at the quilt on his body, Shiomiya Yo expressed his admiration for this opponent.

I am willing to call you the [Ultimate Demon].

Shiomiya Yo pulled himself together, escaped the "battlefield," and slowly washed up and got dressed.

He headed straight out to start a new day!

When he arrived at the school building, the last class was already in session.

Shiomiya Yo didn't return to his class, but instead wandered around.

He checked every classroom, not even sparing the second and third-year levels. Such arrogant wandering eventually led to sanctions.

A male teacher in a suit stopped him.

"This student, which class are you from? Why are you wandering around here?"

Shiomiya Yo was unhurried and lied straight to his face.

"Teacher, I took sick leave today."

The male teacher frowned. This kid didn't answer a single question, but looking at him, he certainly didn't seem to be faking it.

(The ends of Shiomiya Yo's hair were white, and he looked very haggard.)

"Then why are you here?"

"I didn't expect to recover so quickly!"

The male teacher was speechless.

"Hurry back to your classroom for class!"

"I refuse!" Shiomiya Yo said with a straight face.

Before the male teacher could ask, Shiomiya Yo provided the answer himself.

"Wouldn't my sick leave have been a waste then?"

The male teacher couldn't help but ponder; it seemed... to make some sense—as if!

Just as the male teacher was about to lecture Shiomiya Yo, the bell rang for the end of class.

"Goodbye, teacher! I'm off to eat!"

Shiomiya Yo waved his hand and took off running.

The cafeteria.

Shiomiya Yo placed a premium set meal in front of a second-year female student.

"Senior, I'd like to get to know you. This is a little gift to start things off."

Shiomiya Yo said with a gentle smile.

People are multifaceted, and one can only judge others by their outward appearance and actions.

Shiomiya Yo's "approachable" persona was a trick that never failed; he had practiced the exact curve of his smile countless times.

A little senior, easily handled.

The long-haired senior, who looked somewhat gloomy and timid, seemed stung by the sunlight and wanted to flee on the spot.

Affability tactic: failed!

Shiomiya Yo wasn't about to let her go; he grabbed her directly, preventing her escape.

Unable to break free, the senior could only cover her face with both hands and whimper.

Seeing this, Shiomiya Yo didn't let the crumbling senior off the hook, instead leaning in close to her.

"Eek! Ju... Junior, please... behave yourself. We don't even know each other, do we?!" the senior said, trembling.

Shiomiya Yo smiled wryly.

"Senior, my name is Shiomiya Yo. Let's get to know each other now, Senior Yamada."

"How... how do you know my name?!" Yamada looked at him in a panic, as if staring at some kind of monster.

Shiomiya Yo did not answer.

This Senior Yamada was a target he had carefully selected; he had noticed her while wandering around earlier.

This senior lived in straitened circumstances, had an introverted and solitary personality, and was somewhat cowardly—she was practically a born pushover!

As for her name, that was simple: he had overheard it.

He'd heard it when the girls in her class were gossiping about her.

His detective skills were truly useful; one thorough investigation and he had everything he needed.

"Senior Yamada, don't look at me like that, you're making me shy~" Shiomiya Yo said, acting coy.

"I just wanted to ask you a few things, okay? Answer me honestly, will you?" Shiomiya Yo tilted his head and looked at her with an innocent expression.

Yamada Anna nodded repeatedly, her face filled with unconcealable terror.

Shiomiya Yo smiled with satisfaction. If he could help it, he wouldn't want to do things this way, but plans couldn't keep up with changes. This senior was just too socially anxious, forcing him to play hardball.

"Regarding school points and the classes..."

Shiomiya Yo listed out all the questions he had discovered.

Yamada Anna dared not hold anything back, stammering out everything about the special entrance exam and the various school rules, forgetting all about the school's restrictions.

Shiomiya Yo listened carefully, recording everything on his phone. Finally, he even made Yamada Anna read through it to confirm it was correct before he was satisfied.

Shiomiya Yo revealed that gentle smile he had practiced countless times and patted Yamada Anna on the head.

Yamada Anna gripped the hem of her skirt, trembling all over, not daring to look up at him.

She kept murmuring to herself:

"P-please don't kill me, I won't say anything."

Hearing this, Shiomiya Yo let out a scoff.

"Senior Yamada~"

"Yes!" Yamada Anna responded reflexively.

"Let's introduce ourselves properly. My name is Shiomiya Yo, Class D, first year. Let's exchange contact info!"

Yamada Anna tremblingly pulled out her phone, and the two exchanged contact details.

"We haven't talked about any special exams or anything, have we?"

"N-no!" Yamada Anna waved her hands frantically.

"Senior Yamada is so cute~" Shiomiya Yo laughed.

Shiomiya Yo hugged Yamada Anna directly, resting his chin on her shoulder, and whispered into her ear:

"Anna~, I don't dislike the way you look when you're shy!"

"Eh?!"

Yamada Anna's eyes widened, and she froze completely. A blush spread rapidly to the tips of her ears, her heart raced uncontrollably, her consciousness blurred, and steam began to rise from the top of her head.

Yamada Anna, defeated!

Feeling the change in the girl in his arms, Shiomiya Yo wore a triumphant smile.

Plan successful!

For a pure-hearted girl like her, a little bit of teasing was all it took to send her mind racing.

This way, she wouldn't focus her attention on me probing into the school rules.

After all, this was a violation of school regulations; putting a lock on her would make it harder for her to betray him.

Shiomiya Yo let go of her hand and stood up to leave immediately.

"Anna, remember to eat!"

Shiomiya Yo even made a gesture to call him later.

Yamada Anna nodded reflexively, staring blankly at the luxurious meal on the table.

It wasn't until some time had passed that Yamada Anna finally snapped out of it.

"Eh—! Does my underclassman like me? He called me Anna, and he even bought me lunch... Hehe..."

Just as Yamada Anna was lost in her wild imagination, her phone screen lit up with a notification.

[Anna, if you're not feeling well, drink the hot cocoa on the table!]

Only then did Yamada Anna notice a can of hot cocoa sitting on the table.

Her heart warmed.

But she was still puzzled—how did her underclassman know she wasn't feeling well?

Shiomiya Yo: Nothing can escape the eyes of a detective!