Student dormitory

It was evening, and the lingering sunset spilled over the streets, bathing the buildings' exteriors in gold.

Ken Kaneki and Kiyotaka Ayanokoji walked side by side along the tree-lined path toward the dormitory.

Most of the students along the way were heading out, so the two of them looked somewhat out of place walking against the crowd.

When they reached the freshman dormitory building, they were greeted by the sight of a high-rise apartment building with a somewhat minimalist design.

Its exterior combined enormous glass curtain walls with gray and white stone. The lobby was spacious and bright, its mirror-polished marble floor reflecting the students coming and going.

They approached the front desk, where the administrator was an older-looking woman.

"Class 1-D, Ken Kaneki. Class 1-D, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji."

They gave their classes and names, then followed the procedure and scanned their terminals over the reader.

The administrator tapped a few keys and took two key cards and two thin handbooks from a drawer.

"Rooms 402 and 403. Here are your key cards and dormitory management handbooks. Please make sure to read them carefully. Any violations will result in the corresponding point deductions according to school policy."

The administrator handed over the key cards and spoke in a businesslike tone.

Ken Kaneki took them and passed the card for room 403 to Ayanokoji, who stood idly beside him.

After signing their names in the register, they turned and headed toward the elevators.

The elevator doors closed, leaving just the two of them inside. After they pressed the button for the fourth floor, a feeling of weightlessness came over them, and the numbers changed on the display.

Ken Kaneki flipped through the handbook, skimming it before voicing his appreciation.

"This school is actually pretty nice. The handbook says water, electricity, and gas in the dorms are all free. We don't have to spend any personal points on them."

He pointed to the provision and smiled at Ayanokoji beside him.

Ayanokoji looked at the booklet in his hands, his gaze settling on another rule.

"The dormitory operates on a coeducational basis. Apart from designated floors, there is no separation by gender."

He read the rule aloud very calmly, which surprised Ken Kaneki a little.

The original novel had indeed mentioned boys and girls living on the same floor, but he had thought that would never happen in the real world.

"Putting a bunch of energetic high school students in the middle of puberty into one building, without even separating them by gender? That's pretty interesting."

As a martial artist, Ken Kaneki was brimming with vigor.

So, just as you might imagine, he needed to let off some steam from time to time. As it happened, the world of Classroom of the Elite had quite a few beautiful girls who should be able to withstand his ravages. Probably...

Ayanokoji said nothing. His gaze continued downward, finally stopping on a note in the handbook.

[The school operates under a fully closed-campus policy. During enrollment, students are strictly prohibited from contacting the outside world in any form without the school's permission.

Visits from all outside parties, including students' guardians, are also prohibited.]

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji's pupils contracted slightly, and a clear look of excitement appeared on his face.

This was it. This was why he had come to this school.

That white room called the "White Room," that man's cold gaze, those grueling tests day after day-all of them were shut out completely by this note.

It would not be so easy for that man to get in here.

Even if he was that man's "greatest masterpiece," inside this absolute fortress backed by the Japanese government, he was just an ordinary student.

An unfamiliar air called freedom filled his lungs, leaving Ayanokoji feeling refreshed.

"What is it? Found an interesting rule?" Ken Kaneki keenly noticed the subtle change in Ayanokoji's air.

"Nothing." Ayanokoji instantly reined in his emotions and returned to his listless appearance. "I just thought this school's system was more comprehensive than I'd imagined."

"Well, the government did pour real money into this place." Ken Kaneki smiled. "But the more comprehensive the rules, the more valuable the loopholes."

With a ding, the elevator stopped on the fourth floor.

The two stepped out and followed the room numbers along the wall, looking for their rooms.

"403... 402... 401."

Rooms 403 and 404 faced the elevator doors, so both their rooms were to the right of the elevator.

Ken Kaneki stopped outside room 402 and said with a smile, "Looks like we're not just classmates, but neighbors too."

Ayanokoji nodded. Just as he was about to swipe his card to open the door, a crisp electronic click suddenly came from room 401 beside them.

The door opened, and a rich rose fragrance wafted toward them.

Then Rokusuke Koenji swaggered out, his blond hair soaking wet, wearing a burgundy silk bathrobe.

He also held a glass of red wine he had obtained from somewhere, and his robe hung open at the chest, revealing his well-defined muscles.

The two were somewhat surprised by Mr. Beautiful's appearance, and neither spoke for a moment.

When Koenji saw the two outside his door, he paused, then brushed aside the bangs in front of his eyes and let out a hearty laugh.

"Hahahaha! I was wondering who it was. So it's you two."

Koenji raised his wineglass in a toast.

"It seems some mysterious attraction always exists between handsome men. Even our dorm rooms have been arranged together."

"401, 402, 403. There really is some fate between the three of us." Ken Kaneki looked at the three of them, feeling rather moved.

His words drew agreement from Ayanokoji and Koenji, and both felt that this was heaven's will.

"Since fate has made us neighbors, I suppose I shall graciously invite you to join me for dinner." Koenji tipped back his head and took a sip of red wine. "It's getting late anyway. Let's see whether this school's restaurant can live up to my tastes."

"Fine by me." Ken Kaneki shook the shopping bags in his hands. "Let me put my things away first."

"I'm fine with that too," Ayanokoji said.

"Excellent. Then meet here in ten minutes. Don't keep me waiting too long." Koenji turned and went back into room 401, closing the door behind him.

Ken Kaneki held his key card against the reader for room 402, and the door unlocked with a faint mechanical sound.

He pushed the door open and flicked on the light switch on the wall.

The room's interior came into view.

Rather than a student dorm room, it was more like a fully fitted studio apartment.

A compact entryway lay just inside the door, with a private bathroom on the left that separated the wet and dry areas.

Farther inside, the open kitchen was equipped with an induction cooktop, a microwave, and a small refrigerator.

The main sleeping area contained a single bed, a large desk, and an ergonomic chair.

What pleased Ken Kaneki most was the floor-to-ceiling window at the far end. When he drew the curtains, he had a clear view overlooking the school's tree-lined paths and the artificial lake in the distance.

"Nice place." Ken Kaneki set his shopping bags on the kitchen counter.

He briskly put the shampoo and body wash he had bought into the bathroom, hung the towel on the rack, and unwrapped the toothbrush before placing it in the cup.

Once he had finished, he walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window. Watching the streetlights gradually come on below, he felt something he could not quite describe.

He gave his head a small shake, then turned and left the room, just as the other two stepped out as well.

The three gathered together and headed toward the school restaurant with their hands in their pockets.