"No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness." - Aristotle
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「May 22th︱Mourning︱Advanced Nurturing High School Class 1-D's Classroom
[Horikita Suzune POV]
Today is the day the midterm results were announced.
The class waited in quiet anticipation.
I was only worried for Sudou-kun, Ike-kun, and Yamauchi-kun.
Then Chabashira-sensei showed the results of our midterms, and I unconsciously let out a quiet relief.
Somehow, I managed to get Sudou-kun, Ike-kun, and Yamauchi-kun to pass their midterms.
These were the ones I was worried about the most.
During the first week, they coast off their studies in any way possible. Only with Yamasaki-kun's help, they finally started their studies somewhat seriously.
But even when the start was nothing to be envious about.
I sincerely tried hard to explain to Sudou-kun and the others how to solve questions which would probably be in the midterms.
After several failed attempts, I couldn't bring myself to continue to persist any further. Not because I gave up, nor because I didn't put in enough effort, nor is it because I was annoyed by the attitude those three displayed during the study session.
I refused to continue because the struggle seemed pointless.
After all, if no amount of effort would change the results, wouldn't it be better to act decisively and minimise the damage?
Fortunately, before things would go for the worse, Yamasaki-kun intervened.
He calmed down Sudou-kun and helped him solve problems in a completely different way compared to mine.
Against every expectation, every assumption, against all odds, they passed.
Everyone's 5 subjects were surprisingly much above the class average score. Even Yamauchi-kun, the worst performing student even by Class D standards, still scored 9 points above the average.
Our classmates were filled with joy, having received higher grades than expected, and relief that they could still stay at this school. Even those with high academics who were confident they would pass, like Hirata-kun, Yukimura-kun, Mei-Yu-san, and Kushida-san, felt a quiet relief.
They probably were less about themselves and more about the people they had to tutor, while still having to maintain high grades.
Now that I think about it, Kushida-san's attitude towards me has changed slightly right before in the middle of the midterms.
Sometimes, she still tries to invite me to hang out with her and her friend group, but I still refuse.
Good.
It seems she realised that I prefer the comfort of my room over the people I don't want to talk to or care to communicate unnecessarily.
Of course, unlike the other times, I acknowledge her and politely reject her offer.
Surprisingly, most of my classmates don't mind this change in my attitude.
If anything, they welcome it.
After the excitement subsided, Sudou-kun, who was celebrating with Ike-kun and Yamauchi in the corner of the classroom, approached my desk and bowed his head in front of me.
-"Thanks, Horikita. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to pass my midterms without cramming." - Such words were uttered by Sudou-kun.
Our classmates who were adjacent to us were shocked by Sudou-kun's attitude and the words he displayed in front of me.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't surprised by his attitude.
-"It's alright. It wasn't right of me to mock your dream. In the past two weeks, you managed to take studying seriously while not leaving behind your dream to become a professional basketball player."
-Yeah. I know that I, Kanji, and Haruki are far from model students. I guess I just wanted to thank you for putting up with us, even if it was doing this for your sake." - Sudou-kun was nothing like the short-tempered and excessively blunt brute he shows himself to the class.
His words were true, though.
Sudou-kun and the other two have academic ability and personality that are far from praiseworthy.
In a normal high school, I would have ignored their situation without a second thought.
However, in this school, the class shares both victories and defeats.
Even if you possess superior ability, if your class is not at the top, then it is meaningless.
This is the lesson I painfully had to acknowledge after hearing it from nii-san, Chabashira-sensei, and Yamasaki-kun.
Yamasaki-kun's words that night forced me to reflect on myself.
I can't say whether or not I'm truly proud of my life.
I know my skills are nothing to scoff at.
I have superior intellect, athleticism, and more.
I've achieved high standards in sports and academics.
But it still feels like something is missing in my life.
Deep down, I've agonised over this feeling inside me for years. But have never come to a solid conclusion as to what is missing.
It started a few years back when nii-san left for ANHS.
This gaping hole in my life started to grow exponentially.
My brother is a major role model in my life.
His calm, collected, and calculating demeanour is one I try to embody in my life.
He has claimed many successes throughout his life, and no doubt he will continue to succeed.
I very much want to live life like my brother.
To be respected and lead others to become better.
But most of all, I want my brother to acknowledge me as his equal.
To come to me and say, "You did well, Suzune."
To applaud my accomplishments is all I ever wanted.
But, since my elder brother's departure, I don't believe it was just his leaving that caused this hole in my life.
In my attempts to gain my brother's attention, I closed myself off from the rest of the world.
I only needed to improve myself to gain that recognition. Everyone else was impeding my growth.
I dedicated all my hours to studying, improving my athleticism, reading, and much more.
All in hopes of gaining that desired recognition.
Pushing away all of those close to me to solely focus on my goal. I didn't care about friendships. Those were only distractions in the end. So I isolated myself, making myself truly alone.
But there was a presence within ANHS once I joined that sought to change that.
Yamasaki Isao.
He was one of the very few people in this class, and my impression is relatively positive.
He wasn't a genius, nor an honorary student, but he wasn't an idiot either.
Sometimes, he seems more mature than an average high school student, but other times, he seems too easy-going, as if what is going on in this school doesn't matter. He never seemed to have a serious attitude, and sometimes teases me.
He contradicted my whole view I had established on him during my days in high school.
We went from strangers to 'friends'.
He is my only friend, and maybe the only one I will ever have.
He is calm and collected, handsome, strong, smart, tall, caring...
Well, the list could go on about how he is.
He is not flawless, but he is far more competent than my peers in this class. At least it's not an exaggerated level of ability.
Capable but not unrealistic.
He is similar to my brother, yet in comparison to my brother, he never pushes me away from him. On the contrary, he tries to help me form bonds with people even though I told him that I didn't care about relationships and that I am used to being alone.
He is annoying yet annoying in a good way.
However, I didn't give him special treatment.
I didn't push him away, but I didn't let Yamasak-kun get close to me. Only by pushing everyone away can I accomplish my goal.
And yet, he always seems to find a way to effortlessly get his way into my life, no matter the situation.
It hurts my pride to admit this, but I became fond of him.
I don't find his presence unpleasant.
I even find myself at times asking for his thoughts on some matters.
Not only that, but he seemed to notice this void within my life.
We barely even talked, and yet he already knew everything about me.
He saw this void within me and sought to reconcile it.
He observed this hole within me that longed for companionship, and he effortlessly managed to make me acknowledge him not only as an ally but also as a friend.
I will probably never truly understand his reasoning, but I believe he truly wants to help me grow.
To grow from this past self I so dearly hold onto, to grow into someone stronger.
I know it will not be automatic, and I may not want to change.
But there is a hope within me that with Yamasaki-kun's help, I can.
With the help of a friend, I can.
Not that I consider him a friend at all.
Not only do I want to gain nii-san's recognition, but also Yamasaki-kun's.
To be able to show him that I have changed and grown for the better.
That's my goal.
ΨΨΨ🅄🄽🄵🄰🅃🄷🄾🄼🄰🄱🄻🄴 🄿🄾🅆🄴🅁ΨΨΨ
[Ryueen Kakeru POV]
「May 22th︱Mourning︱Advanced Nurturing High School Class 1-C's Classroom
-"Hey Sakagami." I called out our sleazy teacher.
Even his appearance tells you that this guy was doing some shady things before coming to this place.
I wouldn't be surprised if Sakagami was a Yakuza member before coming to this school.
-"What is it, Ryuuen?"
-"What are the scores of those Class D idiots?"
-"Instead of concerning yourself with Class D, you can pay more attention to your class, Ryueen." - Sakagami indifferently answered my question as if I had asked to describe the weather.
I smirked.
I don't dislike such an attitude.
"So what are the results? - I asked the questions that these morons in my class wanted to know.
Especially those three idiots.
Faced with this outcome, Sakagami, standing at the podium, showed no surprise.
He casually wrote the number 83 on the whiteboard and stated calmly, 'Since no one failed, the school will award a bonus in the form of Class Points based on your average score for this midterm exam.'
At this point, Kazuma Sakagami wrote the Class Points for each class on the board:
Class A: 960 + 94 = 1054 points
Class B: 650 + 92 = 742 points
Class C: 490 + 85 = 575 points
Class D: 370 + 89 = 459 points
-"These are the Class Points after the exam. Your points for next month will be distributed based on these figures."
After Sakagami finished his rambling, I made my announcement.
-"Alright, listen you morons, I won't repeat myself twice."
I stood in front of the class and sat in the teacher's chair.
At least, they know when to listen.
-"The playtime is over. From now on, even you bottom feeders will contribute to this war, no matter how worthless you are. My goal is to have this class rise all the way to Rank A. Don't be a bunch of wimps and just slack off. You'd better follow my commands and do well during the upcoming exams that this school will prepare for us."
I declared as I looked around the classroom with a condescending stare before crossing my arms while leaning against the whiteboard.
-"Tch, who do you think you are? Just because you are stronger than us, do you think it gives you the right to boss me around?"
-"Hey, Ibuki! Can't you keep it to yourself? Ryuen is still in front of us."
Ibuki and Ishizaki were the same as usual.
And Albert was Albert
A professional bodyguard.
Typical day.
-"What do you plan to do, Ryuen-kun?" - a familiar voice inquired about the motive behind my actions.
I casually lean back against the desk, smirking as my eyes flicker between Hiyori, Ishizaki, and Ibuki with amusement.
-"What am I gonna do?" - I chuckled lowly. " Simple. I'm going to drag every last one of you useless idiots up to Class A—whether you like it or not."
I glance at Ishizaki with mocking condescension. "Oh? Still pissy about taking orders? You're free to leave anytime. But we both know you don't have the brains or balls to do shit on your own."
Then I shifted my gaze to Ibuki's glare. Grinning wider at her defiance.
"Annoyed? Good. Stay that way. Your anger is more useful than apathy."
I shrugged lazily.
Finally, I turned my back on Hiyori.
"What about you, Hiyori? Other than me, you are the only one with brains in this class. Are you gonna contribute or you simply keep your face glued to your books?" - I asked with provocation, inquisition and a bit of curiosity.
"Thank you for considering me for the class matters, Ryueen-kun, but I am content with reading books. I will help when the class needs my help or if I am curious. I will let Ryueen-kun take charge. With you, I am not worried that our class can reach Class A."
Content with reading books.
How cute.
"As long as you're not being a burden, I won't have an issue with your 'contentment.' And you better help when needed, cause I won't hesitate to drag you up even if you're just 'content' with your little literary world."
Hiyori just nods at my response.
I couldn't help but smirk, clearly enjoying the upcoming challenges that are waiting for me.
I live for competition.
It's a chance to sort the weak from the strong, the spineless from the ambitious.
Most people would call me a monster, a devil or a madman.
But I never cared about what others thought of me.
Why should I?
If I have to describe my life up to now in one word. I wouldn't hesitate to say that it's fcking boring.
Everything's the same.
The things I do, the things I have to do and the things I've done.
It's all an endless routine.
I got sick of it it of course, and that's what led to me being the way I am.
I used to brawl with other people often for no particular reason.
Fight some arrogant bitches for no particular reason.
Get beaten up for no particular reason.
Then, finally, teach them who stands on top again, using despicable means to win. Look, nothing else matters as long as you're the victor.
So don't fucking judge me.
Though I was pretty wild, if I do say so myself, back in the old days.
But then it happened - Everyone got scared shitless that no one even approached me anymore. Some did want revenge, but God, that was when things got boring.
Eventually, history repeated itself.
The fuck happened?
Sure, it was a little different, but that doesn't change the fact that everything's beginning to repeat.
Everything's one big routine.
Where the fuck is excitement in that!?
That was the gist of my life until I received a recommendation to this school.
With nothing better to do, I accepted it.
And oh boy, that was one of the best decisions in my life.
The moment I took my first step in this school, I suddenly felt like I had been reborn.
People would say that this was one of the best schools in our country, but I know that wasn't all.
Everything was different here. Except for the shitty lessons that happen almost every fcking day!
Everything here excites me!
And I won't sacrifice this pleasure for anything.
ΨΨΨ🅄🄽🄵🄰🅃🄷🄾🄼🄰🄱🄻🄴🄿🄾🅆🄴🅁ΨΨΨ
[Ichinose Honami POV]
-"The teacher sure is late."
-"Yeah, even though today is the midterms, results are supposed to be revealed, Chie-sensei is not here."
-Isn't that the point? If Hoshinomiya-sensei is not here, doesn't that mean that she knows for sure that no one here would get expelled, so she didn't bother to come here?"
Our classmates tried to understand the reason behind Chie-sensei's absence.
After the bell has rung, the teacher still hasn't arrived.
Although our teacher often arrived late, she had never been so late as today.
"-Could it be that she is sick?"
-"If that were the case, shouldn't a substitute teacher come here?"
While all sorts of speculations were being blurted out, the classroom door opened.
"Good morning, everyone. Are you in high spirits today, too? Fuwa..."
The class meeting in the morning had already started several minutes ago when the teacher arrived at the classroom, yawning.
-"You look very sleepy, Hoshinomiya-sensei."
-"Yeah, I had some things. Yesterday I drank too much...hafu"
-"Uwa, you stink of alcohol! You stink of alcohol, teacher!"
Chihiro-chan, who was sitting at the front, lamented while pinching her nose.
-"It's nothing, it's nothing. I will probably not smell at noon."
I feel like that's not the issue here...
Chie-sensei is a bit of an unpresentable teacher.
However, maybe it was precisely because of this kind of teacher that Class B had this easy-going atmosphere.
-"Ah, it's already this time. Today's flow of time has started really early."
I believe that's because you were late, sensei. I'm certain that almost all my classmates feel the same way.
-"I will announce the results of the midterm exams."
Chie-sensei, while relaxing the atmosphere, stuck the results of the mock exam on the blackboard.
Everyone's test scores were there.
Class A: 960 + 94 = 1054 points
Class B: 650 + 92 = 742 points
Class C: 490 + 85 = 575 points
Class D: 370 + 89 = 459 points
After the explanation finished, probably due to the influence of the hangover, the teacher said, "'I'm feeling nauseous" and left.
After waiting for a while, she came back.
Chie-sensei had a refreshing look.
-"Teacher. Can I ask you some questions?"
I decided to ask her the questions I thought about while she wasn't here.
-"Of course, of course. What is it, Honami-chan?"
-"I understand that this school is based on meritocracy, so I also understand that the tests will influence the evaluation of the class later. As a result, I want to ask about the results of the other classes. At first, I thought we couldn't ask for individual scores, but in reality, Class B scores were made public. If it's like that, to compete in what looks like a cram school system to be promoted in this school, they should all be made public."
-"You really have good eyes. Unfortunately, Honami-chan, you got it wrong. Of course, the scores from the other classes are also made public. Not the individual scores, but the average scores." - As she said this, Hoshinomiya-sensei smiled a bit and posted another small piece of paper.
Apart from our Class B, all the average scores from the classes were on it.
-"Don't tell me, you can tell me that if it's not heard by other people?"
-"Yes. Because no rule states I must tell you this. If you ask me and I can answer, I will tell you, it's the kind of feeling."
The way she answered expressionlessly indicated that it was very common.
It seems that this school was more complex than I thought, and I can't say for sure if it was more troublesome.
Not revealing the guidelines of the competition, not telling anything but the necessary and bare minimum information.
It looks like one has to personally get out the answers, asking one by one.
-"But, we are a very strong class. Even though it's Class B!" - The class atmosphere reader, Shibata-kun, said this while comparing the average scores.
Indeed, if we just looked at the results of the midterm exam, the average of this class did not differ much from Class A.
The gap was only 2 points approximately. Considering that it was only our first midterms, basically, there shouldn't be more differences in the disparity between academic skills.
After the teacher left the class, the students, who harboured their own ideas, started discussing various topics.
-"Returning to our main topic, I thought Class D were a bunch of idiots when they only retained just 370 class points, and their average scores for the mock exam are also very low. However, they managed to get surprisingly high grades during midterms."
Many students agreed with Shibata-kun's opinion.
Speaking of Class D, I couldn't help but remember a brown-haired boy who helped during the club fair.
We didn't talk much, but he looked like a friendly and approachable person.
After the club fair, I never encountered him.
I wonder if Yamasaki-kun is doing all right.
I am probably just worrying for nothing.
Even during our first encounter, he gave me the impression of a mature and responsible person.
He will be fine.
Anyway, relying only on the school's notice, we can't understand too much.
But I believe this idea of mine shouldn't be said right now.
However, the classmates who were looking at the very high average score started to make noise.
-"Indeed, maybe right now we can only judge like this. But is it only this and nothing more?" - Having the consciousness to cause a ripple, I threw into it the first stone.
-"Ah? Ichinose, what's that?"
-"If the class division was really based on academic skills, wouldn't the chances for reversal for the lower classes be nonexistent? Even if it all comes down to personal effort, they also have to shoulder a lot of unfavourable circumstances. If all the outstanding people were gathered in Class A, then it basically means we have no chance for reversal. Although there's no need to be pessimistic, it's also not good to be relieved by this result."
-"I also have the same feeling. There is a clear difference between Class D and Class A. However, I don't think it's based solely on academic skills. Actually, Ichinose was first in the entrance exams. If they used grades to determine the classes, she would undoubtedly be in Class A."
-"I see... indeed."
-"If I am in class B because I have some shortcomings or committed mistakes, then there have to be a lot of students with scores as high as mine that are Class D or C because they have problems too."
In other words, if the academic skills are not what determine the class distribution, but competitiveness, based on the exam results, it wouldn't be strange for the lower classes to make a comeback. As long as they have outstanding talents, the students that right now are unable to study right now, based on the teaching methods, could also be extended to them.
Although this long battle lasts for 3 years, since we still don't know how to increase the class points, we should use this chance and start controlling a bit and try our best at spending fewer points.
-"At present, I don't think there are in this class people who would be expelled due to failing the exams. I believe everybody should study together for the mid-term exams and have as an objective the increase in our average score. What do you think?
-"I agree! We are also a bit worried... Ichinose-san, can you teach us in the future?"
-"Of course."
After answering this, the participants assembled together one after another.
-"Wawa. A lot more people than I expected. Wait a moment."
I counted 15 people.
If I were alone, I would really have my hands full...
While thinking about who to request help from, I used my gaze to send out a signal requesting help.
-"I will continue to assist you in the future as well"
The one who answered my signal was Kanzaki-kun, with whom I had limited contact compared to most of my classmates, despite being my second in command in Class B.
-"Kanzaki-kun, is that okay?"
-"As someone who has Class A as an objective, I need to help with what I can do best."
Being habitually silent, he actually gives a healthy impression, and he is usually alone, calm and well-behaved.
In front of the request of Kanzaki-kun, I accepted it straightforwardly.
Looking at the mock exam scores that were announced, from the fact that he and I have obtained similar scores, it can clearly be seen that his academic skills are high. There's nothing to nitpick about his continuing to be a tutor in the upcoming exams.
-"Thank you. I appreciate it."
-"Yes. Please take care of me as well."
-"Ichinose-san, you had the best grades during the entrance exams, right? And you are very earnest, you are also good at taking care of people... why are you in Class B? I can't imagine the reason."
-"Why? I've never thought about those things."
-"Don't tell me the school has made a mistake?"
-"I don't think the school would make these kinds of mistakes. Moreover, right now I like everybody in Class B. Compared with being in Class A, I prefer being in this class more."
Those were my heartfelt words.
Meeting by chance and having only passed a couple of months, as far as I'm concerned, everybody in Class B is already my important friends and comrades. I don't want to consider things like being the only one in Class A.
-"Honami-chan...I like you the most!"
Extending her arms, Chihiro-chan hugged me. Treating her like a little sister, I accidentally patted her head. Chihiro-chan didn't look like she hated it, as she closed her eyes, looking very comfortable.
-"It's great that I am in Class B!"
-"Me too me too!"
Mako-chan wanted to hug Chihiro-chan and me, so she threw herself at us.
-"Let's try to throw ourselves at them too."
-"Don't do stupid things. The air in the atmosphere would freeze in an instant."
To the Shibata-kun who wanted to join the circle of girls, Kanzaki-kun grabbed his neck and suppressed him.
-"There are really a lot of people..."
I will make sure that all of us will graduate from Class A together!
That's my wish.
ΨΨΨ🅄🄽🄵🄰🅃🄷🄾🄼🄰🄱🄻🄴🄿🄾🅆🄴🅁ΨΨΨ
[Sakayanagi Arisu POV]
Life here at school was pretty boring.
Some things are somewhat interesting, but nothing really makes me feel excited.
Until I saw it on the first day at school.
Those eyes that seem like they can pierce through your very soul.
That boy seemed exactly like the Devil from the White Room.
A genius that governs the White Hell.
At first, I couldn't believe it.
The young boy whom I glanced through those white walls nine years ago...
He was here in this very classroom.
In my class.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
Nine years and twenty-six days.
I repeated the count in my head, each day a step in a journey that had brought me to this moment, a moment that would soon culminate in the downfall of the so-called genius, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka-kun.
It has been nine years and twenty-six days since I first became aware of a boy "artificially" made, yet he was touted as some kind of prodigy. The underground world saw Ayanokouji-kun as an unparalleled genius, but to me, he was nothing more than a computer.
Constructed to do many things, he was skilled; his mind could navigate complex situations with precision. But that precision, I feel, was born of years of conditioning rather than any innate capability. In my eyes, he was little more than a false idol built up by the expectations of his superiors.
No. A real genius is not sculpted from external pressures or forged in sterile environments.
True genius is uncontainable, unpredictable, born from a natural brilliance that refuses to be tamed. My thoughts intensified, each word seething with a quiet but unwavering certainty.
Ayanokouji-kun was only as good as his handlers allowed him to be. But I had been waiting patiently, allowing him to grow, giving him just enough time to feel secure in his illusion of greatness. And now, the time had come to strip away the façade, to crush him under the weight of my own intellect and reveal him for what he truly was—a counterfeit.
If it's him, then l'm grateful.
A lot of questions that need to be answered were building up inside my head.
But let's leave those for now.
First things first, I need to confirm if it's really him. And I need to meet him. He may not know me, but that's okay.
I'm just glad that my life here at school will turn upside down.
-"You're creepy, you know that?"
-"Why is that, Masumi-san?"
-"Ask yourself, why are you laughing all of a sudden? It's creepy."
It seems like my excitement got over me.
Of course, I understand that White Room was a confidential matter even among the top Japanese elite, so naturally, I didn't mention it to anyone.
But it didn't stop me from pursuing the ultimate challenge.
My competitive nature won't allow me to turn to suppress the desire to face the most intriguing obstacle, to understand it and surpass it.
When I first approached Ayanokouji-kun in person, he naturally didn't recognise me.
When I uttered the words "White Room", his movements became momentarily stiff.
His face didn't change, but his aura became more menacing.
-"It's okay. I've never encountered somebody who faulted me for my illness. I've had to live like this for long enough; I don't let such worries bother me anymore." I explained to Ayanokouji-kun
Despite the fact that Ayanokouji-kun apologised for slowing down the walking speed, it was simply an act of courtesy, rather than a genuine apology.
It's like when somebody experiences something bad, you say 'I'm sorry', even though you had no involvement in the event and have nothing to apologise for. It isn't a real apology, but simply something you do because society considers it the right thing to do. Unspoken rules like this make up an important chunk of human communication, and for those who are oblivious to these rules, they will find themselves struggling socially.
-"Your father's ideology... I cannot accept it. By 'burying' you, the ultimate personification of his ideals, I will prove that he is wrong; no amount of nurturing can ever rival the raw talent of a natural genius."
Ayanokouji-kun closed his eyes to consider my response for a moment, then opened them again.
-"I believe you are not the only one who's a 'natural' genius in this school, Sakayanagi. Unfortunately, I do not believe there is a student in this school who can compare to me."
Taken off guard, I couldn't help but let out a genuine chuckle.
"Forgive me, I don't mean to laugh at you. I know well that your confidence isn't misplaced. However, may I ask why you think that?"
Although my words were genuine, I couldn't help but carry a hint of scepticism towards Ayanokouji-kun's absolute confidence in his abilities.
Afterwards, Ayanokouji-kun elaborated on his reasoning as to why he believes so.
-"I see. I understand."
I had an unusual smile of genuine happiness plastered on my face that I couldn't suppress.
-"What are you so happy about?" -Ayanokouji-kun asked me such a question.
-"It's nothing. Ayanoköji-kun, you really are brilliant. To be honest, when I first heard the name 'Ayanoköji Kiyotaka' crop up at this school, I felt indescribable excitement. However, I was also a little afraid. Afraid that you wouldn't be as good as I thought, and that I would be let down."
For someone of my ability, finding a worthy opponent was an exceedingly difficult task.
After surpassing others so many times, one would begin to feel disillusioned more and more every time.
Deep down, I feared that I would become disappointed with somebody I had quietly anticipated facing for over 8 years.
-"But it's okay now. The way you spoke to me during this conversation reassured me more than enough. You won't let me down."
-"I'm glad you've evaluated me so. I look forward to entertaining your challenge, Sakayanagi Arisu. In honour of your ability, and in respect to our battle, I won't hold back when the time comes. Of course, I have my conditions. If you can meet them, then I won't object to being your match or overcoming the challenge of your design."
I was more than happy with his words.
I lightly grasped the hem of her skirt and lifted it, lowering into a curtsy.
-"Thank you, Ayanoköji Kiyotaka-kun. It has been a genuine pleasure speaking with you, if only for a short time."
Yes...
That's the Masterpiece of the White Room I wanted to defeat to prove my ideology.
Natural Genius surpasses Artificial Genius.
That no amount of effort can overcome natural talent.
You can't overcome that gap.
It was no coincidence that we encountered each other in this battleground.
It was fate.
Things got a little more exciting at this boring school.
I hope you won't disappoint me, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka-kun.
ΨΨΨ🅄🄽🄵🄰🅃🄷🄾🄼🄰🄱🄻🄴🄿🄾🅆🄴🅁ΨΨΨ