Léna: In addition to being in the same club we are in the same class, little star.
Naomi: Great!
Léna: That way I'll be able to train you more easily.
Naomi: Training?
Léna: Yes, it wasn't you who wanted to evolve? In any case, that's what I felt during the ordeal, you blame yourself for not having discovered the truth sooner.
Naomi: Yes that's true but how do you plan to train me?
Léna: Even if there is not the same infrastructure I can try to give you training similar to mine.
Naomi was more delighted than ever.
Naomi: I can't wait to start training!
But Sora seemed worried.
Sora: Lena, I don't know if this is a good idea...
Léna: Don't worry Sora-senpai, I'll take it slowly. I know his body wouldn't handle the intensive program and I'm not a monster either.
Aron interrupted their conversation for a subject he considered more important.
Aron: We should go eat. I'm hungry.
Haruki: Yes, let's listen to Aron and let's go.
Sora: OK Aron!
Manon headed towards her new club.
Manon: Go without us. Me and Kenta are going to practice.
Haruki: OK, see you later.
As Manon and Kenta left, Aron and the others went to the building's canteen.
While they were eating a boy called out to them.
Shikaru: Hello. You are the other people who passed the vote, aren't you?
Léna: Uh yes but who are you?
Shikaru: I'm the student council president and I'd like you to join.
Naomi looked confused.
Naomi: But the vote to elect the student council president hasn't taken place yet, how could you be?
Shikaru: I'm 100% sure I'll be elected. So I want to choose my members in advance.
The way he spoke reflected absolute confidence in himself and his abilities.
Shikaru: And I guess we're all classmates.
Aron: Sorry but I'm in the Omega class, and it's the same for the albino.
Haruki: And I'm in class ß.
Shikaru was surprised because he thought they were all in Alpha class.
Shikaru: It doesn't matter, we need representatives from all classes on the council.
Léna: Sorry but I refuse. I already have to train my little star, I don't have time to play with you.
Shikaru: It's a shame, but I understand. And for the others?
Haruki: I want to.
Aron: I can't, I will already have the responsibility of club leader.
Lena turned to Aron.
Lena: What? What are you insinuating?
Aron: There's nothing to insinuate I'm just going to become the leader of the club.
Sora: You're not going to do it again...
Léna: No, it's good. I'm going to show him later how those who underestimate me end up.
Shikaru was intrigued that an Omega student would challenge an alpha student but the fact that they had both passed the vote increased his curiosity.
Shikaru: Could I come watch your fight?
Aron turned to Shikaru and smiled.
Aron: With pleasure, Mr. President.
After eating it was time for the tests to be club leaders. Aron, Naomi, Lena and Shikaru headed towards the literature club while Sora and Haruki headed towards the chess club.
Arriving in front they were greeted by Takumi.
Takumi: Ah there you are. Come with me I'll show you the exam room.
Arriving in the room there were only two tables facing each other.
Léna: There are only two of us for the club leader test?
Takumi: Um yes. It must be said that there are not many members in this club and even fewer candidates to be leader...
Shikaru: Too bad, if I wasn't already in a club I would have liked to be in this one.
Takumi: No need, don't worry.
Okay, the test is about to begin. I will be the arbiter of this duel, the first part of the test is reading the book that is on the two tables.
Aron and Lena sat down and looked at the book. It was "Finnegans Wake" by James Joyce.
Takumi: You will have two days to read it and after that I will give you a written test on the book. Of course the questions will become more and more difficult and detailed to avoid the chances of having a tie. You have questions.
After 5 minutes of detailed explanation Léna raised her hand.
Takumi: Yes?
Léna: I'm done.
At this point Takumi, Shikaru and Naomi all wondered if they had heard correctly.
Takumi: What?
Léna: The book.
Takumi: You...?
Léna: I just finished it.
Takumi: Already?
Lena: Yes.
Takumi was in shock. He turned to Aron as if waiting for a remark.
Aaron: What?
Takumi: And you?
Aron: I don't need to read it. I already read it when I was 4 years old.
Léna: Well that's perfect. This way we can move directly to the written part.
Takumi: Um... Wait. Are you sure you don't want to reread it before taking the written test Aron? As I said earlier the questions are very difficult and I'm sure even the writer would have struggled to answer some of the questions. <
Aron: No, it's okay. Can we hurry up please? I have to go to the chess club right after.
Takumi ended up agreeing reluctantly. And he gave them the question papers.
Takumi: You have 1 hour. To answer the 100 questions. Good luck.
10 minutes later Aron and Léna exclaimed at the same time.
Aron/Léna: End!
Takumi: Already?
Naomi and Shikaru were as shocked as Takumi.
Shikaru: Um, they're really human, are you friends?
Naomi: The more time I spend with them, the more I ask myself this question.
Léna and Aron looked at each other before laughing.
Léna: Of course we are human.
Aron: What do you think we are? Aliens?
Naomi: Honestly, it wouldn't even surprise me...
Takumi cleared his throat.
Takumi: Okay now I'm going to correct the papers, I'll be back in 20 minutes.
After the 20 minutes Takumi returned with a distressed look.
Takumi: Um... how to say...
Lena interrupted.
Léna: We're both 100/100, aren't we?
Takumi: Um yes...
Léna: Okay, I admit defeat. You won Aron.
Shikaru: Huh? But why?
Léna: He got the same grade as me even though he took the test with only the memories of when he read this book at 4 years old. Even though I potentially could have done the same thing I didn't, so he won. It's humiliating...
Lena smiles at Naomi.
Léna: And then I'll be able to concentrate on training my little star.
Shikaru: It's a shame you would have made very good members.
Shikaru turned to Aron.
Shikaru: I have an idea, let's make a bet. Let's face each other in the next test, if I win then you join the student council, and if you win you will have the right to a service.
Aron: Any service?
Shikaru: Yes.
Naomi: But the tests take place at the end of each term, won't it be too long to wait until then?
Shikaru: These are the big tests which take place at the end of the terms but there will surely be other less important tests.
Naomi: Ah I understand, and logically the next test will surely take place after the election of delegates and members of the student council.
Shikaru: Yes.
So Aron?
Aron placed his hand on his chin to pretend to think.
Aron: That's okay.
Shikaru held out his hand and the Devil will hold it to make the pact.
Then Takumi walked them towards the exit and they headed towards the chess club room.
Arriving in the room they saw everyone grouped around a table, where the final of the tournament was taking place, and without much surprise the two finalists were Haruki who played black and Sora who played white. The fight had just started with a first move, white pawn on d4. Both were geniuses but what differentiated them was that Haruki had a greater natural talent for chess while Sora had received special training and therefore had more experience.
The tension in the room was at its peak, both players made no mistakes and only their own abilities could be the key to victory.
Talent or training? Who will win?
The tension in the room was at its height and Aron was impressed by Haruki's ability to evolve, even though he started at a disadvantage.
Aron: << Haruki's talent was put on alert against Sora's advanced level, so this led to a continual increase in his level until he was strong enough to be able to counter his blows. Sora attacks with perfect blows but Haruki's level increases accordingly to be able to respond >>
As the game progressed, Sora was forced to give himself more and more seriously to counter Haruki's potential, which seemed infinite. But at one point Haruki only needed a single second to be able to respond to Sora's blows who had reached his limits, and finally, talent overcame training.
Haruki: Checkmate.
All the pressure in the room eased after Haruki's words and some people were still shocked by this fight.
Manon: << During the game of tag Léna noticed that Haruki was good at chess, but to defeat Sora senpai... it's unthinkable!
After Father he is the best chess player in the order of the white rose and his level is around 3000 elo. >>
Sora and Haruki shook hands as a sign of respect.
Sora: Well done, it was a nice fight.
Haruki: Yes, and thank you very much, thanks to you I have improved again.
Sora turned to Aron and Lena.
Sora: How did it go?
Léna found it difficult to admit defeat.
Léna: He won, unfortunately...
After talking between them Naomi remembered her date with Akari and she left in a hurry so as not to be late.
**********
Naomi returned to the restaurant where they had met and she saw Akari sitting at a table beckoning her to come and sit down.
Once Naomi was seated, Akari smiled big and handed her the restaurant menu.
Akari: Here, choose what makes you happy, I'm the one who invites you.
Since it was Naomi's first time on a date with someone she was a little tense and embarrassed.
Naomi: Thank you but you don't have to pay...
Akari: I insist, it makes me happy and I'm not really materialistic so I only buy the bare essentials so I might as well use my money for you.
Suddenly the worry on Naomi's face disappeared, giving way to a serious expression.
Naomi: No need to play the perfect man. Really tell me why you wanted to see me alone.
Akari's innocent expression and perky personality left immediately.
Akari: It's annoying, I didn't think you'd crack my game right away. However, it makes me want to talk to you even more.
Naomi: So what do you want to talk about?
Akari: Actually I would like you to help me.
Naomi: Help you with what?
Akari: To solve a series of murders.
At these words Naomi jumped back slightly. Which caught the attention of some people in the restaurant.
Naomi: What, but why me, call the police if you want to do this kind of thing!
Akari: I'll explain everything to you, but calm down first.
Naomi pulled herself together and the other customers returned to their conversations.
Naomi: Okay, I'll hear you.
Akari: Despite the killer's playful nature, causing him to intentionally leave clues at the scene of the crimes, the police are useless and have no leads. And one of the victims was someone I liked, which is why I want to solve this case. And as for you, I thought you would want to help me because this person I loved was also a member of your family.
Naomi didn't respond immediately and she seemed shocked by Akari's words.
Naomi: Do you want to talk about... about my big brother...?
Akari: Yes.
Naomi: You knew I couldn't refuse because of my resentment towards the killer. Very well I accept. << Even if I feel like I've been manipulated >>
Akari seemed pleased with Naomi's response.
Akari: Very good. Let's meet up tomorrow after team activities. For better discretion I will send you the new meeting point by message. I will bring back copies of the files on the case so that you can take them home and study them and thus work fully with me.
Naomi: That's fine with me.
After getting up Naomi got ready to leave.
Akari: Are you leaving already? We haven't even ordered yet.
Akari's words were full of sarcasm.
Naomi: You ruined my appetite.
Akari: Okay, come home.
**********
After greeting Akari Naomi left to the north of the campus to go behind the dormitories and she walked towards a figure who was hidden in the shadows.
Naomi: You were right, the date was hiding something. Well, you heard everything with the microphone anyway.
X : Yes but I didn't quite expect that.
Naomi: What do you mean?
X : I guessed he was hiding something and it had to do with you. But I didn't expect a murder case.
Naomi: So what? What do we do?
X : Don't you mean "what are you doing?" Because you seem to have already made up your mind.
Naomi: Yes, that's true. But then what do you want to do?
X : I also want to investigate. I already have suspects, even if I don't have anything concrete yet.
Naomi: Really? ! Who do you suspect?
X : Sorry but I won't say anything until I have concrete proof.
Naomi recovered.
Naomi: Yes I understand.
X : It's late, you should go to sleep.
Naomi: Yes, I'm starting to get tired.
X : Good night.
Naomi: Good night.
The mysterious individual disappeared into the shadows and Naomi went to bed in her room.