The sports facility Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and his brother were in was a professional one. Whether it was swimming, boxing, archery, or shooting, there were large enough venues for members to practice.
In Japan, most athletes receive compensation in the form of sponsorships or annual salaries through commercial contracts with sponsors, companies, or clubs. The state is not responsible for their training.
This company signed contracts with many athletes, employing them to achieve good rankings in various professional and amateur competitions, bring advertising effects, and enhance the company's social image.
Even at this moment, many retired and active athletes outside were training, striving to achieve good rankings in competitions.
Among these athletes, there were many top-ranked players in the world.
To prove that he was not boasting, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka went to the front desk and discussed with the facility administrator, hoping to challenge them.
With Koenji's private business card, the administrator was very willing to give them special treatment and quickly gathered several active athletes from different fields.
At first, when these athletes saw Ayanokoji Kiyotaka boastfully say that he wanted to challenge all of them, they all laughed.
To reach a professional level in a field requires years of tireless dedication and practice in that specific area, yet this kid, who looked like just a high school student, claimed he wanted to challenge all of them.
Although they greatly underestimated him, it was, after all, a request from a "patron," so they couldn't refuse.
Thus, they went to a training ground with no spectators and began their respective competitions.
The answer they received shocked them—swimming, boxing, fencing, archery, wrestling... no matter the event, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka seemed to have reached an extremely high level.
Although he wasn't stronger than these active athletes, he had reached a professional level, and even if he signed up for competitions, he could still achieve good rankings.
Who exactly was this person?
They all surrounded Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, asking him in a flurry of questions about his lineage and how he managed to achieve such high levels in multiple fields.
From initial contempt to later respect, the athletes' attitudes shifted very quickly—Ayanokoji Kiyotaka earned their respect with his skill.
After casually brushing them off, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka saw that his brother had, at some point, lowered his head and was no longer watching his "performance." He dispersed the crowd, grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat from his body, and walked over to Kiyotaka, asking, "Do you believe me now?"
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka let out a bitter laugh: "You've shown reality to me like this; I can't help but believe it."
Just as those professional athletes said, the strength Ayanokoji Kiyotaka displayed was far beyond what an ordinary person could achieve. He could only accept the fact of being an "artificial genius" now.
In fact, he had believed it from the beginning; he just needed time to process his emotions.
A trace of guilt flashed in Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's eyes, and he said softly, "I'm sorry, I originally wanted to keep these things from you forever. This isn't a good memory either. After you lost your memory, I still wanted you to live a peaceful life as an ordinary person.
But because of my 'defection,' Father arranged for you to go to Private Hyakkaou Academy, using you to coerce me, so I had no choice…"
"It's alright, I should thank you for telling me about something that's bothered me for years."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka smiled and shook his head, a look of envy suddenly appearing on his face.
"Brother, since you learned these skills in the [White Room], did I also learn them? As soon as my memory returns, will I immediately become a master?"
Kiyotaka was deliberately acting relaxed, not wanting him to worry...
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka deliberately teased him, "You're thinking too much. You were only about six years old when you left the [White Room]. At that time, you only studied academic subjects. These practical skills only began to be taught after you left."
"That's really a pity…" Although he said it was a pity, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had a smile on his face.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka also had a smile on his face.
...
While the Ayanokoji brothers were having their heart-to-heart, on the other side, two girls were also having a heart-to-heart.
"When you needed help, Kiyotaka, though he always grumbled about it being troublesome, would still proactively offer a hand and come to your side to help you overcome difficulties."
"When you made a mistake, even though he looked displeased and would mock you for being an idiot, he would still, after 'lecturing' you, work with you to find an opportunity to make amends…"
As Meari recalled with a shy expression, Kei Karuizawa had a playful smile on her face: "He was always by your side when you needed him. Is that why you like him?"
"Not just that! I want to be with him not solely for this sense of security!"
Meari shook her head and said earnestly, "Most of the time, Kiyotaka is always very lazy, as if he doesn't care about anything around him. Whether it's reading, gambling, or playing games, it seems to him like just a tool to pass the time.
However, when he looks up in his leisure, I can feel his impatience, unease, and confusion. I can feel that he, like me, is troubled by some things, and I hope to stand by his side and help him solve these troubles!"
Meari is a very independent girl. She likes to be with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka but doesn't want to simply rely on him. Instead, she hopes to be a companion who can help him.
Precisely because of this, when Ayanokoji Kiyotaka proposed going to "study abroad," she quickly agreed—she hoped to improve herself and stand proudly by Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's side.
What a lovely girl, what a sweet romance.
How wonderful… Kei Karuizawa couldn't help but want to cheer on their relationship.
She curiously asked, "Meari, you really like Kiyotaka, don't you? So why don't you confess? You must know that Kiyotaka also has feelings for you, right?"
Meari hesitated for a moment, then voiced her worries.
"Ayanokoji is good in every way, except for one flaw: he's very popular with women and easily attracts girls… I feel like besides me, there are others who like him."
Kei Karuizawa froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"What are you laughing at?!" Meari said indignantly.
A girl's heart is very sensitive and cannot withstand even a hint of ridicule.
"Sorry, sorry… I'm not laughing at you, I just think these two brothers are quite similar."
Kei Karuizawa wiped away her laughing tears: "Actually, at our school, there are also many girls who like him."
"There's a genius strategist, a cool ice beauty, a popular campus idol, a gentle girl next door…"
"So many people like him?" Meari clicked her tongue.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka seems cold, almost the opposite of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's gentleness, yet he's equally popular with girls.
"Yes, many people like him, but I am his official girlfriend. Do you know why?"
Meari shook her head vigorously, looking at this senior with a thirst for knowledge.
"Because I confessed to him first," Kei Karuizawa said with a triumphant smile.
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