Several students nearby glanced at Aiden curiously, their eyes flickering with interest at the enigmatic figure standing at the back of the Class D formation. Aiden, however, paid them no mind. His thoughts raced like a runaway train, processing the sudden spotlight thrust upon him. Every detail of the past few hours replayed in his head—every glance, every subtle action, every line of dialogue.
As the chairman raised his hand with a mockingly cheerful gesture, signaling for him to come forward, Aiden's electric-blue eyes narrowed slightly. His lips curved upward into a faint, sardonic smile as an internal monologue flickered to life.
Hahahaha… Change of plans. So, I can't just hide in the shadows anymore and play pranks unnoticed, huh? Well then… if I'm being dragged into the limelight, let's fucking do it publicly.
The faintest sound of carbonation hissed as Aiden took one last long sip from his coke, draining the can dry. He crushed it lightly in his hand, the metal crumpling with a satisfying crunch, before he casually set it on the ground. The gesture was as deliberate as it was dismissive—a subtle challenge to anyone who dared question his audacity.
With the poise of someone completely at ease in the chaos of attention, Aiden pushed himself off the wall. He didn't rush or falter. His gait was smooth, unhurried, his movements exuding an air of controlled nonchalance. The room seemed to ripple around him as the quiet murmurs grew louder. The enigmatic figure of Takahashi Aiden was walking into the center of attention, and no one quite knew what to make of it.
In Class A, Katsuragi Kohei's brow furrowed as he noted the crushed soda can left behind. His sharp mind immediately honed in on the breach of decorum.
Unacceptable, he thought, his expression hardening. Drinking a soda during such an important assembly? Disrespectful to the institution, disrespectful to the chairman. And now he's the representative for Class D? This school is losing its sense of standards.
Meanwhile, Sakayanagi Arisu's faint smile deepened as she watched Aiden's approach with open amusement. Her fingers rested lightly on her cane as she tilted her head, her sharp eyes gleaming.
Oh? she mused, her thoughts dancing with intrigue. An unpolished gem… or just a piece of coal pretending to sparkle? Either way, Takahashi-kun, you've just become far more interesting.
In Class B, Ichinose Honami's brow creased in worry as she turned slightly, watching Aiden's slow march toward the stage. She recognized him immediately as the first person she'd spoken to upon arrival at the school—a curious, sharp-tongued boy who seemed both aloof and oddly attentive.
"Takahashi-kun…" she murmured under her breath, her fingers clasping nervously in front of her. Her natural optimism bubbled to the surface as she tried to think positively. I hope he doesn't get overwhelmed up there. It's nerve-wracking for anyone… but he seemed so calm earlier. Maybe he'll surprise everyone.
From Class C, Ryuen Kakeru raised an eyebrow, his trademark smirk briefly faltering before it returned in full force. He leaned back slightly, his arms crossing lazily over his chest as his sharp, predatory eyes tracked Aiden's every move.
"Well, well," Ryuen muttered to himself, his tone laced with amusement. "Looks like Class D's got a little wildcard. This just got a hell of a lot more interesting."
Ibuki Mio, standing nearby with her usual tension, glanced at Ryuen and scoffed. "Tch. What's so interesting about some idiot chugging soda at a school assembly? He's probably just a dumbass who doesn't know how to act."
Ryuen's grin widened as he shot her a sidelong glance.
Within Class D, reactions were just as varied. Kushida Kikyou's eyes widened briefly as her practiced, sugary smile faltered for the briefest of moments. But she recovered quickly, her expression softening into one of gentle encouragement.
"Takahashi-kun? That's… unexpected," she said, her tone sweet but curious. "I'm sure you'll do great up there, though!"
Standing near her, Hirata Yousuke glanced back at Aiden with a look of genuine concern, his hands clasped loosely in front of him. "You'll do fine," Hirata said warmly, offering an encouraging nod. "Just be yourself."
Aiden didn't acknowledge either of them. His attention was squarely focused on the path ahead, but a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. 'Be myself,' huh? Sure. Let's see how they like that.
Kanzaki Ryuuji of Class B, standing among his peers, observed Aiden's approach with an analytical eye. His expression betrayed none of his thoughts, but his sharp mind worked quickly to assess the situation.
He's too casual. That confidence… it's not arrogance. It's calculated. He's aware of what he's doing and how he'll be perceived. Interesting.
In Class D, Horikita Suzune's eyes narrowed as she followed Aiden's deliberate, almost mocking stride. Her arms crossed tightly over her chest as her mind ticked like a metronome.
"What a waste of time," she muttered under her breath, her tone cold and clipped.
Nagumo Miyabi leaned forward slightly in his seat among the upperclassmen, his sharp eyes fixed on the proceedings below. His gaze flicked between Ichinose Honami, who had just returned to her seat, and the boy now making his way to the stage, Aiden Takahashi.
For Nagumo, the two could not have presented more contrasting opportunities.
Ichinose. He'd noticed her immediately, even before the chairman had called her name. Her presence radiated like a beacon—cheerful, magnetic, and dangerously naive. Her speech had only confirmed his assessment. She was the embodiment of an idealistic, well-meaning girl who wanted to see the best in everyone. And that made her ripe for manipulation.
Perfect, he thought, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. That kind of idealism… it's so easily broken. I could shatter her whole worldview with one hand tied behind my back. A girl like her belongs as a tool, and nothing more.
His eyes flickered briefly to her figure as she sat among her classmates, her posture upright and unguarded. A dark, predatory glint crept into his gaze. She has everything—brains, charm, and an ideal body. His fingers lightly drummed against his knee. Ravaging that sense of moral superiority… watching her crumble and turn into something useful… I'll make her mine. Slowly. Piece by piece.
Then his attention shifted to Aiden Takahashi as the boy approached the stage. Unlike Ichinose, who was all light and warmth, Aiden was the opposite—an enigma wrapped in a veneer of indifference. Nagumo's smirk deepened as he studied Aiden's casual gait, his deliberate nonchalance, and the crushed coke can he had left behind.
And this one, Nagumo thought, leaning back in his chair, is something else entirely. Confident. Sharp. But reckless. He's not afraid to stand out, even when he doesn't know what's waiting for him. He doesn't give a shit about the rules, which means he might be more trouble than he's worth—or more entertaining.
Horikita Manabu sat in quiet contemplation, his sharp gaze fixed on Aiden Takahashi as the boy made his way to the stage. Unlike Nagumo, whose thoughts were tainted with opportunistic lust and ambition, Manabu's focus was pure calculation.
He replayed Ichinose Honami's speech in his mind. She had presented herself with poise and warmth, captivating the room with her earnest sincerity. The crowd had clearly responded to her, but Manabu remained unmoved.
Magnetic charm, he noted dispassionately. It changes the atmosphere of a room, true, but charm alone is fleeting. Naivety is both a strength and a flaw. In a world of deceit, it's easily exploited. Is she deliberately masking intelligence behind that facade of idealism? Or is she truly that naive?
His gaze shifted momentarily to Nagumo, who was seated further down the row. The younger man's smirk and lingering glances at Ichinose did not escape Manabu's notice.
Disgraceful, Manabu thought, his brow furrowing slightly. Nagumo sees her only as a tool, something to exploit for his own selfish purposes. This is the man who will lead the student council after me?
His attention returned to Aiden Takahashi, who had now reached the foot of the stage. Manabu's eyes narrowed as he studied the boy's every movement—the relaxed posture, the subtle smirk, the deliberate pace. Aiden carried himself as though he didn't care about the opinions of others, but Manabu could tell there was more beneath the surface.
Confidence born from self-awareness, he observed. This is no ordinary student. But why him? The chairman doesn't make arbitrary decisions. What does he see in Takahashi Aiden?
Manabu leaned forward slightly, his hands steepled before him. The boy's bearing is intriguing, but this display of casual defiance may be a mask. He understands that all eyes are on him, yet he chooses not to conform. Is it arrogance? Or a calculated ploy to conceal his true intentions?
"Who's he?"
"Class D, apparently."
"No shit, Sherlock."
"Seriously, him? What a joke."
"He doesn't look like much. Just another nobody."
"Wait, was that the guy drinking soda? Did he sneak in late or something?"
"Hahaha... this guy's gonna embarrass himself so bad."
"Can you believe this guy?" Ike hissed, his voice low but venomous. "Fucking Aiden. Mister 'cool guy' gets picked for this? What a joke."
Yamauchi snickered, his gangly frame shaking slightly as he whispered back, his words laced with mockery. "Right? Bet he thinks he's hot shit. Always smirking like he's some kind of model or something."
"Yeah, with that stupid hair and those dumb blue eyes," Ike added, his jealousy bleeding through in every syllable. "What's he got, huh? Just 'cause he flirts with the girls a little, suddenly he's the big deal?"
"Bet he's not even that smart," Yamauchi chimed in, his grin widening as he leaned in closer. "He's just skating by on his looks. Probably thinks he's too good for all of us."
The two boys snickered, their laughter barely contained as they shot jealous glances at Aiden's retreating figure.
Aiden ignored the chatter, his steps deliberate yet casual, his smirk firmly in place. As he ascended the stage, he caught the faintest glimpse of amusement in the chairman's eyes.
As Aiden climbed the stage stairs, the room seemed to hold its collective breath. His silver hair caught the light, and his red cap was tilted just enough to give him a mischievous air. Standing face-to-face with the chairman, their matching silver locks separated by decades of experience, the tension was palpable. For a brief moment, neither spoke, their gazes locked in an unspoken challenge. The entire auditorium seemed to freeze, even the teachers exchanging curious glances.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Note:
You know, if I remember correctly, Matsushita was actually pretty smart—she just dumbed herself down to fit in with her friend group. It was hinted at somewhere in the series. Makes sense, though. Not everyone's out here trying to be the center of attention.
And let's be real—Ayanokouji? Dude's a walking red flag. Like, seriously, every human shows something. Confidence, embarrassment, shyness, irritation—whatever it is, it leaks through somehow. But this guy? Nothing. Flat voice, no emotions, like he's reading lines from a script. That alone would make anyone with half a brain go, "Hmm, something's off here."
People pick up on these things, even if they don't consciously realize it. Ayanokouji's lack of emotion? That's not normal, and anyone who's paying attention would see he's an outlier. Sure, he's good at keeping it low-key, but he's too perfect at it, and that is what stands out. Just my two cents.