Chapter 11: Interlude, Calm Frenzy
Lunchtime, the rooftop of the school building.
Few people ever come here; the wind is strong, making the wire mesh fence hum. For me, it is the best place to organize my thoughts.
I held a store-bought bun in my hand, chewing mechanically while reviewing the encrypted files sent to my phone.
It was the "initial offering" compiled overnight by Itsuki Sumeragi.
"Student Council special account balance sheet... the price of every life... I see."
The numbers scrolling across the screen were staggering. This school was less an educational institution and more a massive money-laundering center and an exchange for power and wealth.
Every student who became "livestock" unknowingly carried a massive debt, which was ultimately converted into Student Council operational funds—some even flowing into political circles.
"Hyakkaou Academy truly is a miniature of a dark society."
I turned off the screen and gazed at the sprawling campus in the distance.
The current chess match was proceeding smoothly. Mary Saotome was the "Rook" charging through the front lines, and Itsuki Sumeragi was the "Knight" lurking within.
Though both were flawed pieces, under my control, they were enough to stir up this stagnant pool of water.
But I felt no sense of accomplishment.
Whether it was winning ten million yen or subduing Itsuki Sumeragi, my heart remained like this late-autumn rooftop: only cold wind blowing through, empty of everything.
Victory was a given. In an environment without the high-pressure intensity of the "White Room," this level of intellectual gambling didn't even count as a warm-up.
I swallowed the last bite of bread, brushed the crumbs off my hands, and prepared to leave.
Although I sensed a gaze, I had no intention of responding.
If the rat peeping from over there didn't plan on showing itself, then I would let it be.
Meanwhile, on top of another school building about two hundred meters away from the rooftop.
A figure lay flat in the shadow of a water tank, holding high-powered military binoculars.
It was the Beautification Committee Chair, Midari Ikishima.
One of her eyes was covered by an eye patch, but the one exposed was bloodshot, its pupil dilated to the extreme, shimmering with a beast-like light.
Through the lenses, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji's expressionless face was clearly visible.
"Haa... haa..."
Midari's breathing grew heavy, and a sickly flush appeared on her cheeks.
After school yesterday, she had witnessed the entire "Double Concentration" match from a corner of the cafeteria.
What she cared about wasn't Ayanokoji's staggering memory or his sharpness in exposing the cheating.
What she cared about was his "eyes."
When Itsuki Sumeragi broke down in tears, when twenty million yen sat on the table, when the people around were in awe or terror...
That man's gaze had never changed from start to finish.
No joy, no anger, no contempt—not even pity.
It was the look one gave to a dead object. Like looking at a frog's corpse on a dissection table.
"Ah... I can't... I can't take it anymore..."
Midari put down the binoculars, her body trembling uncontrollably. She even reached down to press against a hard object at her waist—the silhouette of a revolver.
In this school filled with desire, everyone craved something. Money, status, dominance, pleasure.
Even the high-and-mighty President, Kirari Momobami, had eyes burning with a hunger for "interest."
But Kiyotaka Ayanokoji was different. He was nothingness.
He was the abyss.
"That look... it's like Death itself..."
Midari stuck out her tongue, greedily licking her dry lips, her bright red tongue stud catching on her lip as saliva trailed down the corner of her mouth.
She had always craved the ultimate thrill, the pleasure of walking the edge between life and death. But ordinary gambling could no longer satisfy her; those opponents were too weak, too afraid to die, too boring.
But if it were that man...
If it were that man with the hollow eyes and cruel methods, who could drive a lady like Itsuki Sumeragi insane without blinking...
"If it's him... he could definitely break me completely, right?"
Midari let out a bone-chilling giggle that echoed across the empty rooftop.
"Hehehe... Kiyotaka Ayanokoji... I've found you."
"Hurry up... hurry up and kill me."
Would you like me to translate the next chapter to see how Ayanokoji handles his first encounter with the suicidal Midari?