Chapter 2 - Reaction 1: The passing of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka (1)

As the final seconds of the countdown faded, the atmosphere in the theater shifted. A faint, otherworldly hum filled the space, causing every head to instinctively turn toward the massive screen at the front of the room. Above it all, the mysterious figure hovered silently, their face still obscured, as though reality itself refused to reveal their identity. Their presence was undeniable, a weight that pressed on the senses of everyone below without explanation.The screen flickered to life with an array of swirling colors that danced like flames, illuminating the theater in an eerie, mesmerizing glow. The voice of the figure, calm and authoritative, echoed throughout the room, commanding attention."The time has come," the figure announced, their words resonating with an almost divine authority. "You have been gathered here for a purpose—one that transcends your current understanding."The students, staff, and even the two former council presidents exchanged wary glances. Despite the varied responses that had played out moments earlier, now the room was unified in its uncertainty."Your world is not as simple as you believe it to be. It is but one of many threads in a tapestry far greater than you can imagine."Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crow. Even Koenji found his heart quickening at the implications."I am here to show you the truth."Amasawa's eyes narrowed, her usual disinterest replaced by a flicker of something deeper. She leaned forward slightly, her sharp gaze fixed on the figure.Nearby, Ryuen smirked faintly, masking the unease that gnawed at him. Ichinose Honami, her bright demeanor dimmed by recent events, clenched her fists, struggling to process the revelations.Among the staff, Chabashira-sensei furrowed her brows, her lips pressing into a thin line. Horikita Manabu remained stoic, though his eyes betrayed the calculations racing through his mind."Why us?" someone in the crowd finally asked, their voice breaking the silence.The figure tilted their head slightly, the subtle motion carrying an enigmatic weight. "Who knows?" they replied, their voice calm and measured.As they began to fade from sight, Chairman Sakayanagi stood at the back of the room, bowing deeply. His voice carried over the silent audience. "Esteemed Lord, may we know your name?"The figure vanished entirely, leaving many to believe the question had gone unanswered. Yet, moments later, their voice reverberated across the theater, resonating with a calm authority. "Bái Xūé.""Bái Xūé?" A soft voice cut through the stunned silence. Wang Mei-Yui, better known as Mii-chan among her peers, stirred in her seat and unintentionally blurted out the words.The acoustics of the room carried her voice effortlessly, the sound echoing as though she had spoken directly into the ears of everyone present. The peculiar design of the theater suddenly became apparent; no matter where a sound originated, it reached all corners of the room with perfect clarity.Nagumo, seated among the third-year students, turned his gaze toward Mii-chan. "Did you understand him? What did he say?" he asked, his tone curious but direct.Caught off guard by the sudden attention of the entire room, Mii-chan's face flushed. Her fingers gripped the edge of her seat as she fumbled for words. Sensing her discomfort, Asahina, seated next to Nagumo, gently nudged him. "Miyabi, don't pressure her. You can see she's overwhelmed."Nazuna offered Mii-chan a kind smile, her voice soothing. "Take your time. If you know what he said, could you share it with us?"Mii-chan took a deep breath, calming herself under Nazuna's reassuring tone. Her nerves settled, and she began to explain. "The name he said—Bái Xūé—is in Mandarin. The first character, 'Bái,'" she said, instinctively moving her hand to trace it in the air.To her shock and to the amazement of everyone in the theater, the character manifested in the air before her, glowing faintly with ethereal light. The elegant brushstrokes shimmered, casting a soft glow around her."Wh-what...?" she stammered, blinking in surprise. Gathering herself, she continued. "The character 'Bái' (白) means 'white.' As for 'Xūé,'" she hesitated, drawing the second character. Again, it appeared in the air, accompanied by the same luminescent glow. "It can mean 'study,' 'learning,' or 'school' (学). But there's another character pronounced the same way, 'Xūé' (雪), which means 'snow.'"The room buzzed with whispered reactions as the glowing characters faded. Mii-chan looked around nervously, but the calming presence of Nazuna kept her steady."White Snow or White Learning... Either way, his name is as enigmatic as he is," she added softly, her voice carrying a thoughtful tone that left the room in contemplative silence.It was as though the screen had been patiently waiting for her explanation to conclude; the flickering lights danced for a brief moment before coalescing, gradually forming the beginnings of a vivid and compelling scene.Following the events of the training camp, I have returned to my routine: wake up, train, shower, and attend classes. It was a sequence I had perfected—simple, almost mechanical. For most people, such predictability would be tiring. For me, it was freedom, or at least the closest I could yet grasp."Huh?! Ayanokoji-kun?" Ichinose explained, shocked. She went from being in a saddened state masked by a happy expression to becoming genuinely happy to becoming sad again, realizing that this was just the past."Why are we watching the Monster?" Ryuen exclaimed, intrigued and wondering where this was going.Sakayanagi was thinking to herself, "What has Ayanokoji to do with this entire situation?"In the first year section, Amasawa's eyes widened upon seeing Ayanokoji. She wanted to say something, but wasn't able to.Many people wondered why they were watching the student who died a few weeks ago. Everyone in this movie theater was aware of who he was.Not much has changed in the two years I have spent here at the Advanced Nurturing High School, or ANHS.Despite the friendships I had formed and the relationships I had nurtured—like my connection with Kei—there was still an emptiness, a void that still lingered within me. After I left the White Room, I thought that perhaps this school would provide me with the answer, the elusive 'something' that would grant my existence meaning aside from being the "Masterpiece" and the pawn of my father. Yet time marched forward, and my soul remained unfulfilled.Karuizawa, upon hearing her name being mentioned, nearly started to tear up again, just to hear the remaining parts. She knew that her boyfriend was a mysterious enigma, but the words she heard—'White Room' and 'Masterpiece' were words she never heard.Beside her, Matsushita Chiaki turned, her own curiosity piqued. "Kei, did he ever mention anything about this White Room to you?" she asked, her voice low yet cutting through the silence.Karuizawa shook her head, her voice trembling. "No... never. He never talked about his past. I knew something was off, but he always avoided the subject." Her words hung in the air, echoing eerily through the vast space, a quirk of the strange acoustics.In the section for Class 2-C, Ryuen leaned back in his seat, a smirk playing on his lips as he muttered to himself. "White Room? Masterpiece?" His tone held equal parts intrigue and frustration. "What the hell is that? What else is there to that guy?" He chuckled darkly, his mind racing. "The more I think I know about him, the less I actually do."Hearing Ryuen speak about Ayanokoji with such a mix of fascination and grudging respect left the school, especially his year, stunned. They had never seen Ryuen so openly admit to being blindsided, much less by someone he often called a monster.Ichinose, meanwhile, was thinking in her own mind. She previously heard about the word 'White Room' during the Uninhabited Island Exam. It was a word she was never supposed to hear; she even got threatened by Shiba-sensei and Tsukihiro to never spread what she heard about. When asking Ayanokoji, he evaded the topic, telling her he never heard of it, but now seeing this scene, he knows exactly what it is, even staying there.In Class 2-B, Horikita sat silently, her expression unreadable, though her mind churned with thoughts. "The White Room... That explains so much. He threatened me once, back in our first year, to stay away from his past if I wanted his cooperation. And now, here it is—partially revealed. What exactly is this place?"Nagumo tapped a finger against the armrest of his seat, his sharp gaze fixed on the screen even. "The White Room, huh?" he murmured. "Looks like Ayanokoji was even more extraordinary than I gave him credit for."The scene continued on.Would I ever find it? Or was I simply destined to drift through life in the same indifferent manner as always?▬▬ι═══════ﺤI awoke at precisely 5:30 AM, as always. No alarm was needed. My internal clock was as reliable as any alarm. I sat up in my accustomed dorm bed, the fair hum of the air conditioning sounding in the background.The screen flickered, showing Ayanokoji's mundane yet methodical routine."5:30 AM? Without an alarm?" Matsushita whispered, glancing over at Karuizawa. "Is he serious?"Karuizawa remained silent, her eyes glued to the screen. She clenched her fists, her thoughts running wild. How much don't I know about him? Was everything with him calculated to this level?Ryuen leaned forward, his smirk returning. "That's so like him—boring, but way too efficient. Guess even his sleep schedule screams 'monster.'" His comment drew chuckles from some of his classmates, though the undertone of respect was unmistakable.Horikita raised an eyebrow but kept her thoughts to herself. He's always been this precise. Of course, he would have no need for an alarm. Yet, despite her calm demeanor, unease stirred in her mind. How much of his life was shaped by that place—The White Room?Nagumo let out a low whistle, shaking his head in amusement. "A human alarm clock, huh? What a perfectionist."I dressed quickly, slipping into my gym clothes. A light jog would start my day, followed by strength training in the gym, located at the Keyaki Mall."Training first thing in the morning?" Ichinose murmured softly, her face clouded with a mix of awe and sadness. "He really never stopped pushing himself, did he?"Next to her, Kanzaki Ryūji nodded thoughtfully. "It's like every moment of his life had a purpose."Amasawa's lips curled into a faint smile, though her gaze remained sharp. As expected of Ayanokoji-senpai. Even when free from the White Room, he refuses to let his guard down.This was not for show—I have neglected my training ever since arriving at this school, and it had consequences. Compared to my previous state under the White Room's harsh, rigorous regimen, my current state weakened drastically, and I had no intention of letting myself grow even weaker.Karuizawa's breath caught in her throat. "Weakened?" she murmured, her voice trembling. "That was... him at his weakest?"Horikita's eyes narrowed as she absorbed the implications. His weakened state was still leagues above most of us. How much stronger could he have been in his prime?Ichinose gripped her skirt tightly, her mind racing. Even after escaping that place, he couldn't let himself relax. He was always fighting something... but what?Nagumo crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "He was already strong. Makes me wonder... what's the full extent of his capabilities?"Ryuen burst out laughing, though there was no mockery in his tone. "So, the monster we knew wasn't even at full power? Damn. What kind of hellhole was this White Room to produce something like him?"His words sparked a wave of murmurs among the students. In Class 2-B, Matsushita leaned toward Karuizawa, whispering, "Why does he keep calling Ayanokoji-kun a monster? What's that about?"Nearby, Hirata furrowed his brows, his usually composed expression tinged with unease. "A monster...? Is that really how Ryuen sees him? What could have happened between them?"Over in Class 2-D, Amikura Mako turned to Ichinose, her voice barely above a whisper. "Honami, do you know what Ryuen means by that? Did something happen between him and Ayanokoji?"Ichinose's usual cheerful demeanor was dimmed, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I... I'm not entirely sure," she admitted.Kanzaki, known for his curious demeanor, turned to Ryuen with a questioning look, his voice cutting through the murmurs in the theater. "Ryuen, what are you talking about? Why do you repeatedly call Ayanokoji a monster?"The room grew quieter, the curiosity of many students now directed toward Ryuen. His smirk widened, and he leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees."You really wanna know, Kanzaki?" Ryuen's tone was playful, but his sharp gaze held an edge of challenge. "Why I call Ayanokoji a monster?""Yes," Kanzaki replied firmly, unfazed by Ryuen's usual bravado. "You've said it multiple times now. What makes him so different?"Ryuen chuckled softly, the sound carrying through the silent room. "You really don't know, do you? Ayanokoji isn't just some mere student. He's something else entirely."Kanzaki's gaze remained steady, pressing further. "So it's something that happened between you two? A confrontation?"Ryuen leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. His smirk remained, but his eyes flickered with something darker—respect mixed with a tinge of unease. "Yeah, you could call it that. A clash. One that still makes my skin crawl when I think about it."Shiina Hiyori curious, shifted slightly in her seat, her soft voice breaking the silence. "If you've seen it firsthand, Ryuen, then it must have been... extraordinary."Ryuen tilted his head toward her, his grin widening. "Extraordinary? Sure, if you like seeing someone crush their opponents without even breaking a sweat. The guy's got no fear, no hesitation, and no limits."Nagumo, sitting among the third-year students, raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Now you've got my attention, Ryuen. I have witnessed some of his abilities, but you're making him sound like a force of nature."Ryuen's chuckle turned into a low laugh. "That's because he is, Nagumo. A force of nature, a monster, a guy you don't want as an enemy. Trust me on that."Meanwhile, Kushida's mask of sweetness faltered slightly, her eyes narrowing as she observed Ryuen with a calculating expression. "He's keeping the details to himself," she murmured softly to herself. "But whatever happened must've been significant."From the staff section, Chabashira Sae crossed her arms, her lips pressing into a thin line as she listened to Ryuen. "He's not wrong," she muttered quietly. "Ayanokoji isn't someone you can categorize easily. Not even close."Hoshinomiya leaned closer to her, a teasing smile on her lips. "Sae-chan, you know more than you're letting on. What aren't you telling me?"Chabashira didn't respond, her focus lingering on Ryuen and Kanzaki. The weight of the conversation was palpable, the room thick with intrigue as students and staff alike realized they were missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.Finally, Kanzaki's voice broke the tension. "So, you're refusing to explain? Leaving everyone here to guess?"Ryuen leaned forward again, his grin as sharp as ever. "That's right, Kanzaki. It's a secret between me and him. But if you're smart, you'll remember one thing: Ayanokoji isn't someone you underestimate. Ever."The campus was quiet in the early hours. I passed a few senior students tiredly trudging toward the school building, preparing for entrance exams for their dream universities.Inside the gym, I found Sudo, my classmate, already working out.I paused at the doorway, watching him push through a set of bench presses with determination."Ayanokoji? What are you doing here this early?" Sudo asked, glancing over at me. His tone carried a hint of surprise.Sudo's breath hitched. He remembered that moment vividly, but now, seeing it unfold again, a cold chill ran down his spine. "That was... that day," he whispered, his voice breaking slightly.The room fell into silence as the weight of his words settled over the audience."What day?" Matsushita asked, her tone hesitant but filled with curiosity.Sudo looked down, his fists trembling. "The day he... passed away."Karuizawa gasped audibly, her hand flying to her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn't hold back the sob that escaped her.Amasawa's face darkened, her usual composed expression cracking. She clenched her jaw tightly, her fists tightening in her lap. That was the last morning he lived...Nagumo's smirk faded, replaced by a contemplative look. He tapped his fingers against his seat's armrest, his gaze distant. "So even on his last day, he was just... him. Quiet, unassuming, but always watching."I walked closer, setting my bag down near the wall. "I'm always here at this time. It's less crowded in the mornings." I paused, meeting his gaze. "Rather, what are you doing here? Don't you normally show up later?"Sudo chuckled, though it came out slightly strained from exertion. "Yeah, yeah, normally, sure. But, you know... with the year-end Special Exam coming up, I figured I'd better step up my game."He gestured toward the weights. "If it turns out to be something physical, I want to be in peak condition. Gotta make sure I'm ready to help Suzune and the rest of the class. This might be my chance to really make a difference, y'know?"I tilted my head slightly, studying him. Sudo's blunt honesty had always been one of his defining traits, though not always positive. There was no pretense or strategy behind his words—just a raw desire to improve himself.I didn't reply immediately, instead beginning my warm-up routine. "It's admirable," I said finally. "You've come a long way from the guy who used to skip class for basketball."Sudo grinned, wiping the sweat off his forehead with a towel. "Yeah, I guess, feels like forever ago now. Back then, I was all about basketball and didn't care about much else. I'd never have guessed I'd be busting my ass in a gym for something other than dunking on someone."He laughed, but there was a faint edge of nostalgia in his tone.His words hung in the air for a moment before he stood, clapping his hands together. "Anyway, I'm gonna hit the showers and grab some breakfast. Don't work too hard, man."I watched him leave, his figure disappearing through the gym doors. Sudo had grown in many ways over the past two years.I returned to my routine, the sound of clinking weights filling the empty gym once more."Damn, Sudo, you worked your ass off that much?" Ike asked

"Yeah, doing just the necessary for the class, y'know..." Even though Sudo was glad that his work was acknowledged, he wasn't really happy right now.