The atmosphere in the gymnasium buzzed with a faint but undeniable energy after Ichinose Honami's heartfelt speech. Her words had clearly resonated with many, creating a ripple of emotions across the various factions of the first-year students. For some, it was camaraderie. For others, it was envy or suspicion. And for a few, it was a puzzle to be solved.
As she descended the stage, the applause began to dwindle, replaced by the low murmur of voices. Sharp minds among the students quickly latched onto the implications of the chairman's so-called "random" selection.
Ryuen Kakeru leaned back in his seat, the faintest of smirks tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Random, huh?" he muttered, just loud enough for the nearby Ibuki to hear. "That girl from Class B wasn't a coincidence. This is staged."
Ibuki's eyes narrowed, her arms folded across her chest. "Tch. Who cares? Let them parade their teacher's pet. It's not like it means anything." She glanced toward Ichinose, her expression skeptical, almost irritated.
Ryuen shot her an amused glance but didn't bother arguing. His attention shifted back to the chairman, his sharp gaze analyzing every detail. The next pick will prove it, he thought.
Over in Class A, the mood was markedly more composed. Katsuragi Kohei, ever the stoic strategist, observed Ichinose's return to her seat with a critical eye. His mind churned with possibilities, trying to piece together the motive behind the chairman's choices.
His gaze drifted to Sakayanagi Arisu, who sat with her usual serene demeanor, her cane resting lightly by her side. Her delicate features betrayed nothing as her sharp eyes followed the proceedings with quiet amusement.
"You're unusually quiet, Sakayanagi-san," Katsuragi ventured, his tone even and controlled, but laced with curiosity.
Arisu tilted her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Why waste breath commenting on the obvious?" she said softly, her voice carrying just enough to reach him. "It's clear the selections aren't random."
Katsuragi frowned slightly, his brows furrowing in thought. He had suspected as much, but Arisu's certainty unsettled him in a way he couldn't quite place. Still, he held his tongue, unwilling to engage in a verbal sparring match he wasn't sure he could win.
In Class B, Ichinose Honami slipped back into her seat amidst a chorus of encouragement from her classmates. Their excitement was palpable, and she responded with her usual warmth and humility, though a trace of lingering nervousness clung to her smile.
"That was amazing, Honami-chan!" Chihiro said, practically glowing with admiration.
"You made us look so good up there!" Yume added enthusiastically, her hands clasped together in excitement. "Seriously, the whole gym was hanging on your every word. It's like you were born for this."
Ichinose laughed softly, waving her hands in a modest gesture. "Oh, stop it. I was shaking the whole time. I thought I'd trip on the stairs!"
"You didn't look nervous at all," Yume assured her, her voice brimming with sincerity. "You were, like, perfect up there."
Chihiro nodded eagerly. "Yeah, I wish I could talk like that in front of so many people. You make it look easy, Honami-chan."
Ichinose's cheeks flushed faintly, but her smile remained steady. "Thank you, but it's really not as easy as it looks. I just kept telling myself to focus on everyone and not overthink it."
Despite her outward composure, her gaze drifted briefly across the room, settling for a fleeting moment on Class D's section. She scanned the back rows almost instinctively, Her eyes lingered at an angle that would've perfectly captured a familiar, now-empty spot.
What did he think of my speech? The thought flitted across her mind before she could stop it, and she quickly redirected her attention back to her classmates, her smile never faltering.
"Still," she said, her voice bright as she leaned slightly toward Yume and Chihiro, "thank you for the support. Knowing you guys were cheering for me made it so much easier."
"And now," Chairman Sakayanagi announced, his voice smooth and deliberate, the words cutting through the hum of murmurs and shuffling feet, "our next randomly selected student is…"
The tension in the gym shifted palpably. Conversations fizzled into silence as students processed the announcement, their thoughts diverging wildly based on their perceptions of the school's intentions.
The normal students—those still under the impression this was just another high school—reacted as expected. Some nervously prayed their names wouldn't be called, the thought of standing in front of everyone a terrifying prospect. Others, more socially inclined or self-absorbed, secretly wished for their moment in the spotlight, imagining it as an easy way to curry favor or gain popularity.
Class 1-A
Katsuragi Kohei stood as immovable as a statue, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, projecting an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. His face was unreadable, but beneath the surface, his mind was churning.
If they're choosing based on leadership potential or organizational ability, my name will be next, he reasoned. Ichinose is charismatic, but charisma alone doesn't sustain a hierarchy. Order does. Discipline does. And no one here matches me in either.
He shot a sidelong glance at Totsuka, his trusted ally, who returned a small, encouraging nod. Katsuragi took a breath, steadying himself. If I'm chosen, I'll show them exactly what Class A stands for.
In contrast, Sakayanagi Arisu, standing at the forefront of Class A, leaned slightly on her cane, her sharp gaze flicking between Ichinose and the chairman. Her faint smile hinted at amusement, but her thoughts were anything but idle.
Interesting, she mused. Father isn't one to waste time with meaningless theatrics. This is a calculated move. A test, perhaps? Or is he gauging the reactions of the students?
Her gaze lingered briefly on Ichinose, observing her poise and charm. Bright and unpolished. She'll shine in the short term, but stars that burn too brightly often fizzle out just as quickly.
Class 1-C
The energy in Class C was chaotic, bordering on outright disinterest. The rowdy students muttered among themselves, laughing and joking, oblivious to the underlying weight of the chairman's actions.
"What's the big deal, anyway?" a tall, scruffy-haired boy muttered, scratching the back of his head. "Who cares who gets called up? It's not like it matters."
Ibuki Mio, standing apart from the rabble, shot him a sharp glare. "Tch. That's why you'll never amount to anything," she snapped, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her posture was tense, her sharp eyes scanning the room. She could feel the weight of her classmates' gazes on her, expectant and hopeful.
Idiots. They probably think I'm the obvious pick, she thought bitterly, her lips curling into a frown. As if being a leader in this class would mean anything. If they call me, I'll go, but I'm not about to waste my time pandering to this crowd.
At the back of Class C, Ryuen Kakeru leaned lazily against the wall, his lips twisting into a sly grin. His sharp, predatory eyes darted around the room, taking in every reaction.
They're all so predictable, he thought, stifling a yawn. Call me, don't call me—it doesn't matter. But this? This is interesting. I'll figure out exactly what game you're playing, Chairman.
Class 1-D
The atmosphere in Class D was quieter, more subdued, but no less varied in thought.
Kushida Kikyou's sweet, melodic voice broke the silence. "I think they're picking students who have the potential to lead," she said brightly, her words dripping with feigned innocence. "Ichinose-san is a perfect choice for Class B. Don't you think so, Hirata-kun?"
Hirata Yousuke smiled warmly, his tone as diplomatic as ever. "It's possible. She does have the qualities of a natural leader."
Kushida clasped her hands together and leaned slightly toward him. "If it's our class next, I think it might be you, Hirata-kun. You'd represent us so well!"
Hirata gave a small, self-conscious laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know about that. There are other capable people in our class."
Matsushita Chiaki, standing a few steps away, subtly observed the exchange with mild interest. Her expression remained neutral—blissfully unaware, as always—but her sharp mind was already calculating.
Hirata or Kushida—either would be logical picks for Class D. She shifted her gaze briefly to Suzune and then to Ayanokouji, careful not to linger. But Horikita won't care, and Ayanokouji… he's too much of a wild card.
At the back of the formation, Aiden Takahashi stood lazily with his coke can, his smirk still in place. He tilted his head slightly as he took another sip, his electric-blue eyes scanning the gym.
If it's our class, they'll go with Hirata. He's the safe bet—the face everyone expects. Kushida's a good backup option. Either way, no surprises.
His gaze flitted over to Class A. They're a black box. Can't get a read on them yet.
He stifled a small yawn. Guess I'll just enjoy the show.
The murmurs in the gymnasium were immediate and growing.
"From Class D... Takahashi Aiden."
For a moment, Aiden Takahashi didn't process the words. He stood lazily, coke can in hand, staring straight ahead as if the name called wasn't his. He even glanced briefly to his left and right, waiting for some poor soul to rise and take the stage. Ohh... so it's Hirata, he thought casually, assuming it was the poster boy of Class D being called.
Then it hit him like a freight train.
His body stiffened, the can of coke frozen mid-air. His mind, previously relaxed and floating in neutral, revved back to life with alarming speed.
Wait a minute.
Aiden blinked, the realization dawning. His eyes narrowed, his posture straightened, and he replayed the announcement in his head.
Did I just hear that right? Did they just say Takahashi Aiden?
A wave of murmurs rippled through the gymnasium, growing louder as students began turning their heads, their curiosity stoked by the unexpected name.
"Who's Takahashi?" one voice asked from somewhere near the front.
"Wait, Takahashi? That's... uh..."
The whole row of Class D was now glancing left, right, forward, and backward, their eyes darting frantically as if to spot an elusive phantom.
In the midst of it all, Sudo Ken practically stepped aside like a game show host revealing the prize behind Door Number One. With a wide, self-satisfied smirk plastered on his face, he gestured dramatically toward Aiden.
"There he is, folks!" Sudo announced loudly, his voice cutting through the gym like a foghorn.
Aiden, still processing the absolute betrayal of his so-called "perfect cover," shot Sudo a glare sharp enough to cut steel.
"You fucking asshole," he muttered under his breath, though not loud enough for anyone but Sudo to catch.
Around them, the whispers grew louder as people realized who had been called. Students from other classes began turning their heads toward the commotion, their gazes locking onto Aiden as if he were some rare, exotic animal.
Even Ichinose turned to glance back at him, her expression a blend of curiosity and surprise. A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
Aiden exhaled through his nose, his brain firing on all cylinders now. He barely heard the mutterings of his classmates or the rustle of clothes as people shifted to get a better view of him.
But there was one thing he did notice, and it sent a cold chill down his spine.
The chairman.
The man hadn't moved since calling his name. Chairman Sakayanagi's calm, calculated gaze was fixed directly on Aiden, his faint, pleasant smile never wavering.
That son of a bitch... Aiden thought, his stomach dropping.
Rewinding his memory at breakneck speed, Aiden mentally reviewed everything that had happened in the last three hours. From the seemingly innocuous campus tour to the speech and the earlier nonsense in the teacher's lounge.
The chairman was already looking in my direction before he even announced my name. He didn't even glance at the app he claimed was randomizing students. That smug bastard knew it was me from the start.
"How the fuck does this guy know my name?" Aiden muttered under his breath, his voice tight with restrained irritation.
Class D didn't react to his muttering, but the words were more for himself than anyone else. He took a quick sip of his coke, the carbonation sharp on his tongue, and continued piecing the puzzle together.
This guy's a national-level politician. He doesn't have time to memorize the names of insignificant nobodies like me. But here he is, somehow singling me out, knowing exactly where to look before even saying my name. What the hell is going on?
He froze again, this time in realization.
"Fuck..." Aiden hissed quietly, the word slipping out before he could stop it.