As the students left the assembly hall after the principal's announcement, a strange mix of excitement and anxiety simmered through the crowd. Some whispered speculations to each other, others marched in silence with a look of grim determination. Ryo, however, walked with an air of indifference. His face betrayed nothing, and his mind ran as cold and calculated as ever. He noticed the brief glances his classmates cast his way, but he ignored them, blending into the crowd like he always did.
Aya hurried to catch up with him. "Ryo," she said quietly, her voice barely a murmur. She fell into step beside him, her expression shifting between curiosity and concern.
He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "What is it?"
"This… announcement. The principal's words were strange. There's no way this is just another one of their routine assessments."
"Probably not," he replied evenly, his voice flat. "But does it matter?"
She hesitated, slightly thrown by his tone, then pressed on. "Ryo, we're all in danger here. Whatever this test is, it's going to be a lot harder than the previous ones. If we're not careful, we could lose everything we've worked for."
He stopped, his gaze steady and unemotional as he turned to look at her. "If you're that worried, then leave."
Aya's eyes widened slightly, and she looked away, biting her lip. "It's not about being scared," she murmured. "It's about being prepared. I just want to understand what we're up against."
"Then focus on that." Ryo's voice was as calm and detached as ever. "Getting sentimental over possible outcomes will only get you distracted."
She was quiet, studying him for a moment, as if searching for some sign of the boy beneath the mask. But Ryo's face was impassive, as though he truly didn't care.
Kenji Watanabe joined them, a sly grin on his face. "Well, looks like we're all in for another one of the Institute's lovely little games," he said, his tone mocking. "Ryo, what do you think they have in store this time?"
Ryo's gaze slid to Kenji, eyes devoid of warmth. "Does it matter what I think?"
Kenji chuckled, though it held little humor. "Well, considering your track record, it might. You always seem to have a way of navigating these things unscathed. Care to share a tip or two?"
Ryo regarded him coolly. "Stop looking for shortcuts."
Kenji raised an eyebrow, his grin fading slightly. "Shortcuts? I thought you of all people would understand the value of efficiency."
"Efficiency," Ryo said, his voice still devoid of emotion, "isn't the same as recklessness."
Kenji held up his hands, a hint of irritation in his expression. "Fine, fine. Just thought I'd ask. But I'll keep that in mind."
Mayu Sasaki joined them as they neared the dormitory hall. "So, we're all supposed to be rivals now, is that it?" Her tone was light, but there was a glint in her eye as she glanced at Ryo.
"I wouldn't worry about labels," Ryo replied, still indifferent. "They don't change the outcome."
Aya shot him a look, as if she wanted to say something, but Mayu's gaze was fixed on him, intrigued. "But it's all a game to you, isn't it, Ryo? You're the only one here who doesn't seem even remotely worried."
He didn't reply immediately, but his expression remained inscrutable. "I know how to keep emotions out of it," he said simply.
Mayu tilted her head, studying him. "Maybe that's why you're different from the rest of us."
They reached the dorms, and each student fell into their usual routines, but there was an unmistakable tension in the air. Everyone felt the pressure of the principal's announcement. Ryo, however, sat in his room, calm and untroubled. He sifted through his notes, mentally calculating each possible outcome and preparing his own strategy. He understood the game, and he understood his role in it. Emotion would only cloud his judgment.
The next morning, the students were called to the central courtyard. They gathered, each group lingering near their classmates, murmuring their concerns and suspicions. Ryo observed it all from a distance, his gaze cool and impassive. He wasn't interested in their fears; he was only focused on what lay ahead.
The principal stood at the podium, his expression solemn. "You were all brought here with potential," he began, his voice echoing through the courtyard. "Each of you has demonstrated intelligence, skill, and ambition. But potential alone is not enough. What you will face in the coming days is designed to test more than just your abilities. It will test your loyalty, your perseverance, and most importantly, your willingness to sacrifice."
A murmur rippled through the crowd, but Ryo remained silent, his gaze steady on the principal.
"This test," the principal continued, "will require you to work together in ways you have not before. You will need to choose your allies wisely, for not all of you will succeed. Some of you may find yourselves in unexpected positions by the end of it. Prepare yourselves for the unexpected."
Kenji leaned over to Ryo, whispering, "Does he always have to be so cryptic?"
Ryo's voice was barely audible. "It's part of the test. They want us to question each other."
Aya, standing on Ryo's other side, glanced at him. "Then what's the right answer? Should we trust anyone?"
Ryo looked ahead, his expression calm. "Trust no one completely. But know when to rely on others."
Mayu's voice joined them, low and thoughtful. "You make it sound easy. But even you can't do everything alone."
Ryo's gaze shifted to her, his face betraying no emotion. "I don't intend to do everything alone. I only intend to do what's necessary."
Kenji let out a short laugh. "You know, if you ever decided to actually play along with the rest of us, you'd probably be unstoppable."
Ryo's eyes narrowed slightly. "Playing along isn't my style."
Aya gave him a small, almost sad smile. "Sometimes I wonder if there's more to you than this, Ryo."
He didn't answer, his gaze still fixed on the podium as the principal continued. "Each of you will receive a packet detailing your roles and objectives. Complete them to the best of your abilities, and remember—failure will not be tolerated. Some of you may face expulsion if you are unable to meet the Institute's expectations."
The crowd tensed. Expulsion was more than just a punishment; it was a ruinous fate, with severe consequences for both the student and their family. Ryo sensed the fear around him, the desperation growing in each of his classmates. Yet he felt nothing.
When they received their packets, Ryo opened his calmly, scanning the details without a hint of emotion. His objective was straightforward—lead his team, accomplish the task, and remain unaffected by the undercurrents of fear and rivalry that plagued the others.
Kenji studied his own packet, then looked at Ryo. "Looks like we're on the same team. Guess that's your luck, not mine."
Ryo met his gaze, unflinching. "I'm not here for luck."
Mayu and Aya had also been placed with them. Aya looked relieved, while Mayu raised an eyebrow at Ryo, a hint of curiosity in her expression. "So, leader," she said with a faint smile, "how do you plan to lead us?"
He regarded her coolly. "I'll do what I have to. Follow my instructions, and we'll succeed."
Kenji scoffed. "So, it's that simple? We just do as you say?"
Ryo's voice was flat, devoid of warmth. "If you want to succeed, yes."
Mayu's smile faded slightly, but she nodded. "Fine. Let's see how this plays out."
Aya glanced at him, a hint of admiration in her eyes. "I trust you, Ryo. Just… don't shut us out completely."
He didn't respond, his gaze already shifting to the task at hand. Trust was a luxury, an unnecessary distraction. His only objective was to succeed, and he intended to achieve it without letting emotions cloud his judgment.
As they began their assignment, Ryo led the group with a detached precision, directing each person to their role with clear instructions. There was no room for error, no allowance for sentiment. He watched as they moved into their positions, executing each step with calculated efficiency. Aya and Mayu worked together, their expressions focused, while Kenji operated on the sidelines, occasionally casting a skeptical glance at Ryo but following his instructions nonetheless.
Hours passed, the task unfolding with relentless intensity. Ryo observed every detail, his mind analyzing and recalculating with each move. He remained emotionless, detached, his focus razor-sharp. He knew the stakes, understood the risks, but he refused to let them affect him. To him, this was simply another test, another step toward his goal.
When they finally completed their assignment, the group reconvened, exhausted but victorious. Aya looked at Ryo, a faint smile on her face. "We did it."
He nodded, his expression unreadable. "We completed the task. That's all that matters."
Kenji chuckled, shaking his head. "You really are something, you know that? Not even a hint of satisfaction?"
Ryo met his gaze, his face expressionless. "Satisfaction is irrelevant."
Aya studied him, her eyes softening slightly. "Maybe for you. But for the rest of us, it means something."
He didn't respond, simply looking away, already calculating his next move. Emotions were a weakness he couldn't afford.