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"Tsk!"
Ryuuen let out an extremely displeased click of his tongue, his sinister eyes glaring fiercely at the A-class figure who was calmly eating.
A sense of humiliation gnawed at his nerves like a venomous snake.
Without saying a word, he turned and strode towards the canteen exit, his back conveying an uncontrollable violence and a desperate urge to escape.
Just as he stepped out of the canteen door, the afternoon sun glaring somewhat harshly on him, and his figure was about to merge into the shadows of the corridor—
A tall figure, like a ghost, appeared silently yet precisely half a step in front of him, perfectly blocking his path.
It was Sakamoto.
He had left his seat at some point, his movements too fast to perceive.
Now, he stood tall and straight, his burgundy uniform looking perfectly pressed in the sunlight, and the gaze behind his black-rimmed glasses was calm and unruffled, as if the thrilling conflict from moments ago had never happened.
Ryuuen Kakeru's steps suddenly halted, his pupils contracting sharply!
What was this guy trying to do?!
His muscles tensed instantly, his fists clenching silently at his sides, knuckles emitting a faint clicking sound, like an enraged beast, staring intently at Sakamoto.
Sakamoto seemed completely oblivious to the dangerous aura emanating from him.
He nodded slightly, his movements fluid and natural. Then, under Ryuuen Kakeru's wary and hostile gaze, he slowly raised his right hand.
Ryuuen Kakeru instinctively adopted a defensive stance.
However, Sakamoto's hand held no weapon, nor did it convey any intention of provocation.
In his open palm lay a white smartphone, quietly.
The screen reflected a faint glow in the sunlight.
"Student,"
Sakamoto's voice was clear and calm, like ordinary conversation,
"This phone fell to the ground during the chaos just now. It's yours, isn't it?"
He extended the phone towards Ryuuen Kakeru, his movements unhurried, his posture open and honest.
Ryuuen Kakeru was stunned.
He instinctively reached for his pocket—sure enough, the phone that had been tucked into the edge of his pants pocket was gone!
His movements when he stood up and left his seat earlier had been too forceful, and coupled with his agitated state, he hadn't noticed it at all!
This phone was not only a communication tool but also the core carrier of an Koudo Ikusei High School student's identity and points!
He stared at the phone Sakamoto offered with a complex expression, then looked up at Sakamoto's calm, almost indifferent face.
This guy... he specifically chased him out just to return a phone?
What was he thinking?
Was it mockery? Charity? Or... was it really just a simple return of lost property?
Sakamoto seemed to see through his doubts; the gaze behind his black-rimmed glasses met Ryuuen Kakeru's scrutinizing eyes calmly, without triumph or pity.
That pure, ultimate calm, instead, made the anger and shame churning in Ryuuen Kakeru's heart cool and settle with a sizzle, as if doused with a ladle of cold water.
"Hmph."
Ryuuen Kakeru finally snorted coldly, snatching his phone with a rough movement, carrying residual displeasure.
He didn't say thank you, only stared intently at Sakamoto, trying to find even a trace of pretense on his face.
Sakamoto was indifferent to his attitude, withdrawing his hand, his posture still composed.
"Class C is like scattered sand right now,"
He suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching Ryuuen Kakeru's ears, his tone as flat as if stating an objective fact,
"But beneath scattered sand, there might be gold. If you want to move up, someone has to step forward and clench that sand into a fist."
Having said that, Sakamoto nodded slightly again, without looking at Ryuuen Kakeru's reaction, and turned to leave.
His steps were still steady and fluid, as if he had merely completed a trivial matter, and he quickly re-merged into the bustling crowd of the cafeteria, his back as straight as a pine tree.
Ryuuen Kakeru stood rooted to the spot, clutching the retrieved phone tightly in his hand.
Sakamoto's last words, like a stone cast into a lake, stirred up ripples.
["Beneath scattered sand, there might be gold..."
"Clench that sand into a fist..."]
These two simple sentences contained no condescending guidance, no false encouragement; they were more like a calm observation and statement.
A certain... acknowledgment of his ambition.
The shame and fury in Ryuuen Kakeru's heart receded rapidly like a tide, replaced by a cold, more solidified fighting spirit.
An indescribable complex emotion welled up in his heart.
But... that was definitely not approval! Ryuuen Kakeru suddenly shook his head, his eyes once again becoming sharp and fierce.
He had understood:
That Sakamoto, he didn't care about the petty wins and losses in the cafeteria.
What he cared about was a truly unified Class C that might stand opposite him in the future!
"Heh..."
The corners of Ryuuen Kakeru's mouth slowly curled into a cold, excited arc, tinged with the smell of blood.
The previous anger and humiliation completely vanished, replaced by a purer, more fervent fighting spirit.
"Sakamoto... just you wait."
He no longer lingered, striding away.
The afternoon sun was a bit dazzling, but Ryuuen Kakeru's eyes were even sharper than the sun.
Class C? A pile of scattered sand? No, not anymore.
He would, at the fastest speed, and in the most direct, most effective way—whether through violence or intimidation—mold the entire Class C into a single entity, an entity strong enough to challenge Class A, where Sakamoto was!
He wanted to show that Sakamoto what true power was!
Sakamoto had given him a way out, and more, he had ignited a blazing fire of 'conquest' in his heart.
Ryuuen Kakeru, stepping on this path 'granted' by his opponent, had a clearer goal than ever before: integrate Class C, and ascend to the top!
His figure in the sunlight, carrying a desperate determination and a rekindled, even more vigorous ambition, disappeared onto the path leading to the school building.
From the best vantage point, Nagumo Miyabi took in the entire scene of Sakamoto chasing after him to return the phone. He picked up his water glass but didn't drink, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
"Truly... magnificent."
He murmured to himself, a genuine smile playing on his lips,
"From resolving the crisis to returning the item... every step was just right. This finesse... it's like a born chess player."
He put down his water glass, leaning back slightly, his fingertips tapping lightly on the table, his gaze profound.
"However..."
He pondered for a moment, the burning fighting spirit in his eyes gradually receding, transforming into a more composed scrutiny,
"Now is not the time. It's only the second day of school, and the tip of the iceberg he's shown is already stunning enough, but how large this iceberg truly is, how deep its hidden power... still requires time to observe. Let him adapt, let him grow, let him truly spread his wings in this 'merit-based' academy..."
He turned to Asahina Natsume opposite him, his smile once again becoming cynical:
"Natsume, tell me, am I being too 'considerate'? Giving a potential opponent ample space to develop?"
Asahina Natsume picked up her juice glass, took a delicate sip, glanced at him, and her lips curved into a mischievous arc:
"Considerate? I think you're being too 'nice,' Miyabi. But then again..."
She put down her glass, her sunflower hairpin sparkling in the sunlight,
"This 'long-line fishing' patience is quite consistent with your usual 'calculating' nature. It seems this 'casual' lunch trip today has overfulfilled its mission?"
Nagumo Miyabi laughed heartily, raising his water glass to her in a toast:
"Then let us... wait and see."
His gaze once again turned towards the direction where Sakamoto had disappeared, and in the depths of his eyes was the patience and anticipation of a chess player awaiting his opponent's move.