After leaving the school.
Chairman Sakayanagi got into a sedan.
He instructed the driver to leave the island through the back gate.
Advanced Nurturing was a closed-off school, but in reality, it had always possessed two islands.
One was prepared for the students.
The other was for the teachers and staff.
After all.
The living habits of adults and students were different.
Places like bars, discos, adult clubs, and izakayas were all opened on the other island, but students were simply not allowed to enter.
Crossing the bridge.
Chairman Sakayanagi arrived at an office building.
Besides the service staff of various malls, Advanced Nurturing naturally had many staff members.
Things like monitoring, procurement, publicity, preparation for special exam venues, external negotiations, and background investigations of students.
All were completed here.
Operating a school was naturally not an easy task.
Soon.
Chairman Sakayanagi arrived at the top floor of the office building and pushed open the door.
Inside the room.
Acting Chairman Tsukishiro sat on the sofa, while Ayanokouji Atsuomi stood with his hands behind his back in front of a row of screens.
If Ayanokouji saw that they were still at Advanced Nurturing and even sitting together, he would certainly be greatly shocked.
Looking closely.
The screens were filled with nothing but Ayanokouji's image; any single move could not escape their sight.
In another room.
There was identical monitoring equipment, with several professional staff members analyzing Ayanokouji's every move.
"Chairman Sakayanagi, what exactly happened that you called us over so urgently?"
Looking at Chairman Sakayanagi who had just entered, Tsukishiro asked with a smile.
"There is something I need to inform the two of you."
Chairman Sakayanagi sat on the sofa with a smile, eyeing the back of Ayanokouji Atsuomi in front of him.
"Professor Ayanokouji, Hikigaya seems to have realized your plan and understands they are just study companions for Ayanokouji."
"Hmm?"
Tsukishiro smiled: "What a sharp fellow, but this matter isn't worth wasting time to call us here, is it? What does he want to do?"
From beginning to end.
Ayanokouji Atsuomi did not turn around.
He just stared expressionlessly at Ayanokouji on the screen.
"He's doing nothing."
Chairman Sakayanagi maintained a kind smile:
"He just wants more relaxed authority; otherwise, he will tell Ayanokouji about this. What do you two think?"
"What a clever fellow."
Acting Chairman Tsukishiro nodded with a smile.
Aware that he was just a guinea pig in an experiment.
No anger, no discouragement.
He just wanted to use this point to exchange for greater benefits.
He seemed to be the same kind of person as himself; Acting Chairman Tsukishiro seemed extremely satisfied.
Possessing utility was not a bad thing.
If it were replaced with an ordinary high school student.
They would probably feel extremely angry, think it was a disgrace, and insist on demanding an explanation from the school.
Compromise is the art of politics.
However.
As a means of deterrence, it was somewhat naive.
If Ayanokouji were to learn the truth, it would indeed cause some unnecessary trouble, like making Ayanokouji slack off or fall into despair.
But this was only because Hikigaya didn't understand Ayanokouji enough.
Those present knew very well.
Gaining Ayanokouji's trust was no easy task; this could only become one of Ayanokouji's myriad possibilities.
Unless it was a judgment Ayanokouji made himself.
Otherwise.
Ayanokouji's actions would not change in any way.
"It's just a student's deduction; that child Ayanokouji probably wouldn't take it to heart. I don't think we need to care about Hikigaya's thoughts."
Tsukishiro looked at Chairman Sakayanagi with a beaming smile.
There was no need for them to take a stand on this matter; the subtext was: are you trying to take the opportunity to cultivate Hikigaya, and that's why you specifically called us over?
Both men simultaneously looked at the other man.
"It doesn't matter."
Ayanokouji Atsuomi had his hands in his pockets, staring expressionlessly at the screen.
"Since that's the case, give him full authority, as long as the special exams are guaranteed to be fair."
"Professor Ayanokouji is that confident?"
"My goal has already been achieved, and as long as it's a normal exam, that child won't lose to anyone because of a little cleverness."
Saying this.
Ayanokouji Atsuomi turned to leave the room, his expression flat as he said:
"In addition, Chief Secretary Naoe's health is failing. Regardless, it's impossible for him to continue working."
"Chairman Sakayanagi, please let Ayanokouji learn the news of Chief Secretary Naoe's life or death during the next school trip."
Although they weren't gods.
They couldn't necessarily predict anyone's time of death accurately.
But if he said he was dead, then he was dead; it was only right to contribute the last bit of warmth for the cause of education.
"Truly in Professor Ayanokouji's style."
Chairman Sakayanagi and Tsukishiro looked at each other and shook their heads one after another.
Others didn't understand Ayanokouji.
As participants, how could they not understand?
Everything Ayanokouji saw.
Whether it was information or knowledge, it was all fake, all things others wanted him to see.
This information.
Would undoubtedly make Ayanokouji think this was an opportunity.
That was enough.
Foolish fellow.
Ayanokouji Atsuomi's gaze was sharp.
Regardless of whether Ayanokouji could rise to Class A, or whether Hikigaya would use his power to defeat Ayanokouji.
Actually, none of it mattered.
If Hikigaya could win and let Ayanokouji experience the beatdown of power, there was nothing wrong with that either.
The current Prime Minister was from the Kijima faction of Advanced Nurturing.
From the start.
Ayanokouji Atsuomi's goal had long been realized.
There are no permanent friends or permanent enemies in the world.
He was just using the result of Ayanokouji to exchange for the chance to return to politics, fulfilling his own ambitions and desire for power.
Wait for Ayanokouji to become Prime Minister?
As an adult.
If one still pinned hopes on such an ethereal wish.
That would be naive to the extreme.
In ordinary exams.
Ayanokouji naturally had the ability to crush everyone.
Even if he were defeated by Hikigaya using power, letting Ayanokouji experience the beatdown of power.
There was nothing wrong with that.
Regardless of the outcome.
Ayanokouji Atsuomi was the winner; the goal had been achieved.
However.
This was indeed also his hope as a father.
No matter how strict he was on the surface, Ayanokouji Atsuomi also hoped his son, Ayanokouji, could go further.
He had been taught since childhood.
Having ability but not using it is the most foolish thing in the world.
Regrettably.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka seemed to still hold the naive idea of [letting the other party think I am within his grasp].
Watching Ayanokouji grow up.
How could Ayanokouji Atsuomi not understand his thoughts.
A rebellious phase?
Or a spiritual victory method to prevent mental breakdown?
Ayanokouji Atsuomi wasn't sure.
If it were a fight between little kids, having a brawl to declare sovereignty would be enough.
But in this world, violence is just one of many methods, and not a very effective one.
What mattered were opportunities.
Only by showing strength can one obtain opportunities.
Enrolling Ayanokouji in Advanced Nurturing was not just for him to learn emotions, but also to let him reveal his extraordinary strength.
He had built such a great political stage for Ayanokouji, that even the Prime Minister was watching.
Unfortunately.
This fellow is useless.
He still needed to be pushed step by step and guided step by step like this.
Sigh.
Ayanokouji Atsuomi sighed.
To have all that strength but not know how to use it; if only he were half as sensible as Hikigaya, that fellow Chairman Sakayanagi must be very smug...