The bell signaling the end of classes had just rung, and the classroom gradually buzzed with activity.
The two of them packed their bags and, as previously agreed, prepared to head to the student council together.
As they sat at their desks, Shimizu Akira suddenly seemed to remember something. He turned to Horikita Suzune beside him and casually asked, "If I could help you talk to your brother—maybe even improve your relationship—what kind of reward are you planning to give me?"
"If you can really do that…"Horikita Suzune barely hesitated before nodding firmly. "I'll hold your hand again."
Then, as if realizing that wasn't enough, she added, "Ahem… Of course, it wouldn't just be hand-holding. If you can actually help mend things between me and my brother… you can ask for anything. As long as it's not too unreasonable, I'll agree."
The moment the words left her mouth, she herself was slightly taken aback.
But the look she directed at Shimizu Akira was uncharacteristically expectant—when it came to "improving her relationship with her brother," she had always harbored such deep longing.
After all, Shimizu Akiradid have a genuinely good rapport with Horikita Manabu.
In all her life, this was the first time Horikita Suzune had seen someone—a boy only two years younger than her brother, and the same age as her—who could interact with him so naturally and closely.
Shimizu Akira, watching her turn her face away, couldn't help but laugh. "You said it yourself. Don't go back on your word later."
"I won't." She immediately turned back to retort, chin slightly raised. "When I say something, I mean it."
"...Wait for me for about half an hour. I need to prepare."Horikita Suzune suddenly frowned, her voice carrying a hint of unnatural stiffness.
"Sure. Go to the bathroom—I'll wait for you in the classroom."Shimizu Akira, observing the faint tension in her profile, already had his answer—she must be feeling unwell again and needs to make another trip.
Come to think of it, this would be her third time today.
"!" She whipped her head around to glare at him, her eyes flashing with a mix of embarrassment and irritation at being seen through.
Sometimes, she genuinely wondered if Shimizu Akira had some kind of X-ray vision—how else could he always see right through her?
What was even more infuriating was that he never said it outright. Instead, he'd just look at her with that "I know everything" expression, and without fail, his guesses would be spot-on.
Good thing I'm not planning on dating anyone in high school. If I were with someone like this, wouldn't I be completely at his mercy, unable to hide even a single thought?
"Don't forget tissues." As she stood up, frozen for a second, he added, "Oh, and when you get back to the dorm, throw out those free ingredients immediately. Don't keep them."
"...I know." She responded almost reflexively, only realizing after taking two steps—why did I obey him so easily this time?
Her footsteps halted. She glanced back, shooting him another quick glare before tightening her grip on the tissues and striding briskly toward the hallway.
Shimizu Akira, of course, caught that glare.
Now that he thought about it, his seatmate had probably rolled her eyes at him more than five times this afternoon alone.
Just this morning at 8:00 AM, he'd been thinking about "changing the future" and taking proactive steps.
Yet after just one afternoon, the number of glares he'd received far exceeded his expectations—the future's trajectory seemed to be veering much further off course than he'd planned.
(...Somehow, I have a bad feeling about this.)
The moment this thought surfaced, he immediately recalled what had happened last month—Shiina Hiyori was supposed to uncover his identity in May. To avoid that future, he'd taken precautions well in advance.
Now that he thought about it, this situation was eerily similar—both times, he'd intervened to prevent a predetermined outcome.
(Could it be… the convergence of the Steins Gate?)
The harder he tried to change things, the more it felt like an invisible force was pushing him toward an even more unpredictable direction.
In the end, he might very well step into a worldline where the future was completely unalterable.
But Shimizu Akira was no Okabe Rintarou—he had no observer status, much less a phone microwave that could send D-Mails.
If he truly encountered a future that "could not be changed no matter what," he doubted he'd be able to struggle like the self-proclaimed Mad Scientist.
Still… even something as seemingly set in stone as Class D's class points had shifted—from 0 to 530. That proved future intel could be altered.
I must be overthinking this.
Just as he was lost in thought, his phone vibrated several times in his pocket, signaling incoming messages.
Both his main and alternate accounts had new notifications. Shimizu Akira glanced at the screen and opened the main account's chat first—it was from Ichihana Honami.
Ichihana Honami:Shimizu-kun, I'm really sorry about earlier. Everyone was so enthusiastic, and I ended up getting held up for too long.
Ichihana Honami:Next time, let's find a quieter place to talk so we won't be interrupted.
His fingers tapped lightly on the screen as he replied: "Sure."
Almost instantly, he received a response.
Ichihana Honami:Then… how about a café tomorrow? Although, maybe that's not ideal—weekend cafés are probably crowded too.
Ichihana Honami:Um… give me a bit of time. I'll think of somewhere private where we won't be disturbed by anyone.
Reading the slightly hesitant text, he could practically picture her frowning in thought right now.
After a moment's consideration—he was free tomorrow—he replied:
Shimizu Akira:You decide, Ichihana-san. I'm free tomorrow.
Once sent, he switched to his alternate account's messages.
This account wasn't used often—it was mainly for stashing his 10 million private points and purchasing intel. His contacts numbered exactly five: Hirata Yousuke (Class D), Kushida Kikyou (Class D), Ryuuen Kakeru (Class C), Ichihana Honami (Class B), and Sakayanagi Arisu (Class A). Each was a key figure capable of influencing their respective classes.
This time, the message was from Sakayanagi Arisu.
Sakayanagi Arisu:Fufu, I spent all of yesterday notifying all four classes and freely distributing the exam intel~
Sakayanagi Arisu:Ara ara, so sorry~ I might've accidentally ruined your little business venture~
She works fast. Looks like she'd already informed both Class B and Class A.
Shimizu Akira estimated she must've spread the word by noon yesterday.
But still!
Sakayanagi Arisu was really rubbing it in his face now!
Was she really this petty over being forced to pay 3 million for surveillance?
Tsuki Ao:Oh? Is that so? Well, as long as you're happy.
Sakayanagi Arisu:Not mad? I don't believe you! You're just pretending to be unbothered while seething inside, aren't you?!