Chapter 305 Shiina Hiyori is Quite Proactive Sometimes
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka quietly gazed at the thin snow falling outside the window.
It had been nine months since he arrived at this Advanced Nurturing High School.
Looking back at these two semesters, his world had indeed become colorful. No longer bound by a rigorous schedule, he had friends to cherish and could live each day according to his own will.
Thinking carefully, all of this was inseparable from Shimizu Akira's influence.
If Akira hadn't subtly changed Sudo Ken and Ike Kanji, and warned him that Yamauchi Haruki was a "bad friend," Ayanokouji—who had originally used the "Idiot Trio" as his reference point—really didn't know what kind of personality he would have ended up with.
"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains."
In the eyes of others, though students here enjoyed lavish treatment, they were trapped in this island-like campus every day.
But since birth, when has anyone ever truly possessed absolute freedom? For him, escaping the shadow of the White Room and no longer being controlled by his father was the best freedom of all.
Ayanokouji remembered Akira's words from their chat a few days ago: "It's been nine years of daily training."
He truly admired Shimizu Akira.
While Ayanokouji had undergone various training in the White Room since childhood, it was forced upon him by staff.
Akira, however, persisted voluntarily. Though both were exercising, the difference between them was vast.
As it stood, since escaping his father's control, Ayanokouji hadn't systematically trained for months.
Since enrollment, apart from Akira occasionally inviting him for a run, he rarely exercised of his own accord. He only maintained his physique thanks to the foundation laid in the past.
Compared to when he first left the White Room, his physical stats had inevitably declined.
But Ayanokouji felt this was acceptable. After all, he had worked hard in the White Room for over a decade; relaxing for a few months to experience a normal person's life was fine.
"Should I... look for a club to join?"
His gaze fell on a club flyer on the desk.
Akira had stuffed it into his hand before leaving the other day, mentioning he'd heard Ayanokouji hadn't joined any clubs and should visit one if interested.
"Maybe the Boxing Club?" Since Akira was there and Ayanokouji had learned boxing, they might even be able to spar.
As he was musing, his phone suddenly rang. He walked to the desk and picked it up. The screen displayed the name "Chabashira Sae." He hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Chabashira-sensei? The special exam just ended, what do you want me to do now?" he asked plainly.
"It's not a task this time. Come to the reception room on the third floor of the school immediately," her tone was brook-no-denial.
"Chabashira-sensei, can you be clearer? Can you stop being a 'riddle-man'?" Ayanokouji recalled Akira using that term to describe him and decided to put it to use.
The other end was silent for a few seconds.
"Your personality has changed quite a bit since coming to this school... Your father is here. You don't have the right to refuse. You can come over now, right?"
"Understood," Ayanokouji replied calmly and hung up.
He changed into a heavy coat and headed to the designated reception room.
Sure enough, he saw Chabashira Sae at the door. She was clutching an unlit cigarette, looking quite pale; it seemed her nicotine craving was acting up, but she had been forced to attend by the school.
'I should have come later' he thought.
Chabashira glanced at him but said nothing, simply pushing open the door. "Chairman, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka is here."
Ayanokouji walked slowly into the room.
"Ayanokouji-kun is here, come and sit," Chairman Sakayanagi Narumori beckoned with a warm smile, adjusting his glasses.
"Thank you, Chairman." Ayanokouji bowed slightly and sat beside him.
"After being apart for so long, is your first sentence a greeting to Sakayanagi?"
Opposite him, his father—Ayanokouji Atsuomi—issued a cold interrogation.
"Chairman Sakayanagi has looked after me quite well at school," Ayanokouji said expressionlessly. Part of the reason he was able to enroll smoothly was thanks to the man sitting next to him.
In a sense, the Chairman was one of his benefactors.
"In just a few short months, you've learned worldly social pleasantries. Is this the negative influence this school has brought you?"
"Social skills are a necessity for entering society. When you were establishing the White Room, didn't you use those same methods?"
"Heh, you've become quite silver-tongued," Atsuomi sneered.
"But according to my plan, you have no need to learn such useless things."
"If you came all this way just to say that, please excuse me," Ayanokouji said, standing up. "I have to meet friends to discuss joining a club."
"Friends? You? Don't make me laugh."
Atsuomi knew Ayanokouji better than anyone.
This "masterpiece" he had raised, who had been emotionally cold and non-human since the White Room, was now talking about friendship. To him, it sounded as ridiculous as Ayanokouji singing about love.
Before Ayanokouji could respond, Sakayanagi Narumori intervened.
"Ayanokouji-sensei, your son is telling the truth. In these past months, he has indeed made several friends, such as Shimizu Akira, Sudo Ken, and Ike Kanji."
The Chairman pulled out his phone and scrolled through his photos.
"Look, this is a commemorative photo they took after the island special exam, and these are shots the News Department took during the sports festival—this student is his closest friend, Shimizu Akira. They are all excellent young men."
Atsuomi frowned at the photo of his son.
In the picture, Ayanokouji was indeed standing in a crowd, wearing a rare, faint smile. A handsome boy stood beside him.
"Take it away!" He suddenly swiped the phone out of the air. "Don't show me such nauseating things."
He was no ordinary father, and Ayanokouji was no ordinary son. While a normal parent might feel relieved to see their child enjoying school life, Atsuomi only felt revolted.
When had his perfect work become so mediocre?
"I have already had the school prepare the withdrawal papers and settled it with the Principal," Atsuomi looked his son in the eye for the first time.
"You defied orders and joined this school on your own. This eight-month farce ends now."
"Why should I listen to a father who finds photos of his own child disgusting?"
"Hmph, when did you ever truly consider me a father?"
"True. Since I've left the White Room, I have no reason to follow your orders anymore."
"So, you rebelled against me just to come to this school? The educational level of the White Room is far beyond this place!"
"I don't deny the knowledge taught in the White Room, but some things can only be learned here—like the meaning of friends, the essence of cooperation, and what freedom is. This worldly knowledge is equally important."
Sakayanagi Narumori silently picked up his phone.
"Ayanokouji-sensei, you've heard the boy's thoughts. While the White Room is excellent, the child's will is also important. Choosing a school is a student's freedom. Since Ayanokouji-kun has clearly stated he doesn't want to withdraw, as Chairman, I cannot ignore that."
"Sakayanagi, you've changed a lot. You used to be very compliant with my opinions."
"People change, Sensei. Especially after having their own children."
Atsuomi tapped his fingers on his knee as if calculating.
Sakayanagi continued, "I don't think you came here today specifically to take him away. You have many affairs to handle personally. For example, after Naoe of the Citizens' Party entered a nursing home, you must have moves to make, right? If you insist on withdrawal, according to the school rules, we would have to involve Ayanokouji-kun and you in a series of tripartite consultations. Do you really have that much time to waste on this?"
"Your news is well-informed," Atsuomi glanced at his watch.
"I am indeed very busy; I only stopped by on my way.
But don't think I am completely helpless." He slammed the table.
"If Kiyotaka withdraws within the school rules, there won't be any problem, right?"
"Mmm, I can guarantee that," Sakayanagi bowed his head.
"This school has always applied its rules equally to everyone."
"I'm leaving." Atsuomi stood up suddenly and looked at Ayanokouji.
"Kiyotaka, the Matsuo father and son—those two came to a miserable end! That is the price for defying me! Sooner or later, I will drag you out of this school. As for your friends, I will have them all expelled without mercy."
Leaving that threat behind, the man got up and left the room, slamming the door hard.
Watching him leave, Sakayanagi Narumori turned to a stunned Ayanokouji.
"The Mr. Matsuo he mentioned... was he the one who contacted me? He specifically asked about the school's situation. Was it for you from the beginning?"
The butler Matsuo had always been good to Ayanokouji.
His smooth enrollment was thanks to him. While Atsuomi was present, Ayanokouji had to suppress all emotion to avoid showing weakness.
But now, it was just him and the Chairman.
Ayanokouji slowly raised a hand and pinched his own cheek. In his usually calm eyes, a layer of confusion appeared.
"Yes... when I heard the news of Mr. Matsuo and his family, I didn't feel much sadness. After being in the White Room for so long, it seems I've forgotten how to feel sadness, or even how to show the proper expressions."
Sakayanagi sighed.
"I saw you when you were little, when I visited with Arisu. This isn't your fault; that cage raised you too thoroughly."
The Chairman knew the White Room rules.
In a facility that believed only in merit, emotion was the most useless burden. Not just tears, but even moving the mouth to show a sad curve was an "extra" skill that was deliberately erased.
Sakayanagi couldn't empathize with the numbness, but he could guess how much heavy emptiness lay behind that lack of sadness.
He patted Ayanokouji's shoulder.
"My boy, you said you came to this school to find common sense and the warmth of the world. Then stay here and learn slowly. Rest assured, as long as I am at this school, I will never allow any student to be forced to withdraw without reason."
Ayanokouji's stagnant gaze finally moved. He looked at Sakayanagi and bowed slowly.
"Thank you, Chairman Sakayanagi."
The Chairman was indeed a kind elder. Including his enrollment, this was the second favor Ayanokouji owed him.
But a question followed: Why was his daughter, Sakayanagi Arisu, sending people to tail him and constantly trying to compete with him to see who the "real genius" was? The gap between this father and daughter was absurdly large.
"Chairman, I'm suddenly curious about something," Ayanokouji asked.
"Why was I able to enroll? I never even attended a regular middle school."
"Ah, in your case, from the moment I decided to let you in, it was destined that you would be judged as 'passing' regardless of performance," Sakayanagi said directly.
"This school investigates middle schoolers nationwide in advance and only allows those judged as 'worthy of inclusion' to enroll."
"In other words, those who proactively submit applications have no chance of being accepted from the start? Is that it?"
"Exactly. It may sound cruel, but that is the admissions policy of this state-led school. As for other details, I can't reveal more."
"Understood. I'll take my leave then, Chairman."
"Mmm, do your best. I look forward to your performance in Class C."
Ayanokouji bowed and left. No sooner had he closed the door and walked a few steps than Chabashira-sensei appeared before him.
Ayanokouji looked at her flatly.
"The things you told me before were all lies. My father has no contact with you at all."
Chabashira's gaze shifted slightly as she countered, "I don't know what you're talking about. Your father indeed wants you to withdraw, which is why he contacted me."
"Then do you dare chase after him now?" Ayanokouji said.
"That man shouldn't have gone far. You know how brutal the consequences are for deceiving him, right? Should I call the Chairman back so the two of you can have a nice chat?"
He made a move to turn back. Chabashira's face turned pale instantly, and she blocked his path.
"N-no need!"
Ayanokouji Atsuomi was a figure even the Principal would bow to. She was just a teacher; she wouldn't dare confront him. If the truth came out, she would die a horrible death—physically.
Ayanokouji stopped, looking at her as if she were an irrelevant object. "If you don't dare, then why did you invent those lies to trick me?"
She gritted her teeth, trying to maintain composure.
"I was just... acting on instructions from above. Ayanokouji-kun, there's no need to be so heartless."
"Which 'above'? Chairman Sakayanagi, or my so-called father? Or was it your own selfishness?"
Every question hit her like a hammer. She opened her mouth but found no ground to stand on.
She had indeed been scheming, using his father's name to force him to contribute to the class.
"I'll ask you one more time," Ayanokouji said coldly.
"How much of what you told me about my father's demands was true, and how much was false? And what is your true goal?"
Chabashira knew she couldn't hide it anymore.
She took a deep breath. "I... I've never seen your father. The demands for your withdrawal were made up by me. I just wanted you to take the initiative for Class C. With your and Shimizu-kun's abilities, you could completely pull the class out of its current situation."
Ayanokouji wasn't surprised. It was exactly as he expected.
He stepped back, his pressure dissipating as he returned to his indifferent state.
"I have no interest in class matters. If you try to use such clumsy methods to scheme against me or Akira again, the next conversation won't be this simple."
He bypassed her and walked away, leaving Chabashira standing alone, her face white.
Ayanokouji was no fool. After this, she had no leverage left to force his hand.
What now? Ask Akira for help? But Ayanokouji had specifically warned her not to target Akira. When did the relationship between those two get so good?
.
.
.
In the dorm, Akira was preparing to go out when his phone rang. It was Ayanokouji.
"Hello, Ayanokouji? I saw your message. You're interested in the Boxing Club? But I have plans this afternoon. How about tomorrow morning?"
Everything had an order. He had already agreed to buy an AC with Hiyori and Ibuki.
Ayanokouji had only messaged half an hour ago, so it had to wait.
"That's not what I meant," Ayanokouji replied.
"I just wanted to tell you I'm not going to visit the Boxing Club anymore."
"?! What happened? Why the change of heart?"
"Actually, I met my father this morning and learned some... unpleasant things."
Akira remembered the intel from a few days ago.
Today was indeed the day for that meeting.
"Wait, you're not going to say you need to cut contact with me and never see me again, are you?"
Akira asked half-jokingly, knowing Ayanokouji's personality.
"Nothing of the sort," Ayanokouji denied immediately.
"This is a school, where could I hide? Although my father plans to force me out and move against the school, it's only the second semester. He likely won't move until next year. In any case, I just wanted to tell you that in the future, I might bring you trouble."
"Ha? Next year? That's ages away! We'll deal with it then. Don't overthink it; no point worrying about the future now. We can talk details later. I've got things to do, gotta go."
Akira offered some comfort and hung up.
He thought for a moment.
From Ayanokouji's tone, it sounded like his father was going to plant someone in the school. A teacher? A student? But regardless, they wouldn't arrive until April. It was only December.
Ayanokouji was worrying too early.
Akira checked the time—it was already after 3:00 PM.
'Crap! I'm going to be late!'
He scrambled into his coat and rushed downstairs.
When he reached the flowerbed, he saw Hiyori standing there from a distance. Today, Miss NPC was wearing an exceptionally nice outfit: a milky-white lamb's wool coat paired with light gray straight-leg wool trousers. Her silver-gray hair fell over her shoulders. The warm colors made her look particularly gentle in the cold winter wind.
Akira hurried over, apologizing profusely. "Sorry, sorry! I'm late!"
"It's fine, I only just arrived," Hiyori smiled, shaking her head. She noted playfully, "And I can see you were truly delayed. Otherwise, why would you rush down without even fastening your first button?"
Akira froze and looked down. Sure enough, his coat was missing a button. Well, Hiyori was certainly observant. Whoever dated her in the future would have a hard time hiding any "little bad things."
"Is Ibuki here yet?" Akira asked, looking around.
Hiyori shook her head.
"Mmm..."
They waited by the flowerbed for ten minutes, but Ibuki was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, Hiyori's phone rang. She answered, looking puzzled. "Ibuki?"
Whatever was said made Hiyori frown.
"Eh?! You have something else and can't come? What is it? Then what kind of AC should I pick for you?"
"Mm... I see. Okay."
Just then, Akira's phone buzzed with a message from Ibuki:
Hey! I made up an excuse to stay away. I'm leaving Hiyori to you! Don't rush to buy the AC, just find an excuse to take her for a stroll.
Got it! She wasn't busy; she was playing matchmaker to give them alone time.
Hiyori hung up and turned to Akira.
"Ibuki says she has an upset stomach and can't come."
'With Ibuki's constitution, she'd get an upset stomach that easily? Could you find a more convincing excuse?!'
Akira twitched and was about to say something when he saw Hiyori's gaze fall on his phone, looking thoughtful.
"When I was talking to her, I heard the sound of fast typing on a virtual keyboard. She didn't sound like someone with a stomach ache at all. And then you received a text the next second... it's a little suspicious."
That sharp look... she wasn't the gentle Hiyori anymore; she was like a detective who saw through everything.
Akira surrendered.
"Okay, I won't hide it. Ibuki texted me saying she's backing out to give us time for a 'date'."
"A date..." she murmured, then looked at him shyly.
"Shimizu-kun, I'm sorry. I think I'm too obsessed with deduction in daily life. I should have just pretended not to see."
Her cheeks felt hot; she found it strangely embarrassing.
Akira laughed at her expression.
"I think it's good. Since it's just the two of us, do what you want. I find it interesting. And it's not 'forced deduction' since you were right both times, weren't you?"
"Mm... Shimizu-kun, since this was Ibuki's intention, why don't we follow it? Could I take a bit of your time to walk somewhere else with me?" Hiyori tilted her head and offered the invitation.
"Sure, I was thinking the same thing," Akira nodded with a smile.
He realized now that he had mistaken Hiyori for a shy, introverted literature girl.
She wasn't that at all—she was just an airhead at most. During the island exam, she and Ibuki had faced a dozen Class C students without flinching and spoke their minds calmly.
It seemed that at times, this seemingly quiet girl was surprisingly proactive.
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