『』『』『』『』『』
It's been two weeks since the start of the school. And everything mostly stayed the same in Class D.
Despite being in a prestigious school, the students treated it more like a casual gathering than an actual place of learning. When class was in session, they barely paid attention. the classroom was always noisy, filled with idle chatter, laughter, and the occasional loud outburst.
It wasn't until the final bell rang that the students suddenly remembered they were, in fact, students. As soon as the teacher left, they immediately began packing up, their energy levels rising as they made plans for the rest of the day.
"Kikyou-chan~ do you want to stop by the café on our way back today?"
"Sure, let's go! Oh, but wait a minute, I want to invite one more person." Kushida turned toward Horikita, who was putting her book into her bag.
"Horikita-san, would you like to go with us to the café today?" she asked.
"Not interested."
The rejection was immediate, blunt, and completely devoid of hesitation. If words could be thrown back physically, Kushida would've been hit in the face. Even Horikita's expression left no room for ambiguity.
But Kushida kept smiling.
『Pretty good. 』
"What is?" Ayanokōji asked, glancing at Kumagawa, who had suddenly voiced his opinion from nearby.
It wasn't a particularly unusual scene. Ever since the entrance ceremony, Kushida had been practically trying to get close to Horikita, only to meet rejection every single time.
Still, she never gave up.
"Well, I'll invite you next time then," Kushida said with a giggle, acting as if she hadn't just been shot down without mercy.
"Wait, Kushida-san."
『Oh? What is this? Is she finally going to open her heart? Has Has the cold and distant Horikita Suzune finally been moved by the ever-kind Kushida Kikyou? A historic moment in the making! The ice queen's heart, once frozen solid, now begins to thaw under the warmth of friendship—』
Ayanokōji looked at Kumagawa weirdly. Was he seriously narrating this like some kind of dramatic commentator?
But he was definitely curious.
Did the ice queen finally feel bad after rejecting Kushida so many times? Was this the moment Horikita would finally accept her invitation?
"Don't invite me again. It's a bother."
Instead, she closed all paths leading to her heart.
However, Kushida didn't appear saddened by the answer. Instead, she smiled as she responded, "...I'll invite you again."
And with that, she turned and ran back to her friends, who were already waiting for her near the door. Horikita sighed and finished putting away her things.
"You won't try to invite me places, will you?" she asked, glancing at Ayanokōji.
"Nope. I understand your personality enough. It's pointless to even try."
"You wouldn't do that either, right, Kumagawa-kun?"
『If I invite you, would you go. 』
"No."
『Then case closed. 』
It was a weird conversation.
Ayanokōji wasn't sure if they were what you would call friends. Friends were usually people you knew well, liked, and trusted—people you could laugh together with. But were they? They didn't really know each other that well. They didn't particularly like or trust each other, either. At best, they were acquaintances.
But at the same time, they were definitely more than just acquaintances.
Less than friends, more than acquaintances. Friends with benefits? No, that wasn't the right term either.
All in all, it was a weird relationship.
Horikita, having finished gathering her things, grabbed her bag and immediately left the classroom.
The only ones left were Ayanokōji and Kumagawa.
Kumagawa stretched his arms lazily and glanced around the empty classroom.
『So… what are we supposed to do now? 』
"I'm going home," Ayanokōji replied flatly.
He didn't want to spend any more time alone with Kumagawa. He wasn't sure what kind of trouble he'd bring him later, but knowing him, it would probably be something ridiculous. The less time spent in his proximity, the better.
Ayanokōji got up from his seat and headed for the door. But as soon as he opened it, he was met with an unexpected face.
"Ayanokōji-kun, Kumagawa-kun. Do you have a moment?"
Hirata stood there, friendly as usual.
Missing his chance to leave, Ayanokōji sighed and stepped back into the classroom, finding a seat to sit on. Kumagawa, on the other hand, simply tilted his head with a relaxed smile, as if he had nothing better to do anyway.
"It's about Horikita-san, actually," Hirata began. "I was wondering if something was wrong. Some of the girls were talking about it earlier. Horikita always seems to be alone. Could you possibly try to tell her to get along with people a little?"
"Well, that's probably up to the individual, isn't it?" Ayanokōji replied. "Besides, Horikita isn't really making trouble for anyone else."
Hirata nodded. Agreeing with Ayanokōji opinion.
"You're right, of course. However, many people have voiced their concern about it. I absolutely do not want any bullying in our class."
"Well, I thin—"
『Bullying? Who's getting bullied?』
Kumagawa suddenly interjected, cutting Ayanokōji off.
Hirata turned to him, slightly caught off guard by the question.
"Ah… well, no one, hopefully. But social isolation can—"
『Then, what about me? 』
"H-huh?"
『I'm practically being ostracized by the whole class, right? If we're talking about bullying, shouldn't I be the number one victim here? No one talks to me. No one invites me to study sessions. When I sit somewhere, people either move away or suddenly remember they had somewhere else to be. If Horikita-chan being alone is a problem, then what about me? Shouldn't I be considered a victim too? Huh? Hirata-kun? 』
Hirata opened his mouth, hesitated, and then closed it again.
『I mean, let's be honest. If Horikita-chan really wanted to, she could talk to people. It's just that she doesn't care to. But me? I would love to chat with my dear classmates. And yet… nobody wants to talk to me. Nobody wants to sit with me. Nobody even wants to make eye contact with me. 』
Ayanokōji observed the exchange in silence.
'Why was he cornering Hirata all of a sudden?'
It was true that Kumagawa was being ostracized. Social isolation was a type of bullying in society, often subtle but effective. However, in Kumagawa's case, it was different. The students weren't avoiding him to hurt his feelings or deliberately push him out. They simply didn't want to associate with him.
Kumagawa was an outgoing person. He could strike up a conversation with anyone if he wanted to. But the problem was he always dragged the topic in an uncomfortable direction. It wasn't intentional, but his very existence carried a certain unnaturalness to it—something that made people instinctively wary of him.
『Oh dear, Hirata-kun, what should I do? Am I being bullied? Should I cry? Should I reflect on my actions? Or should I go straight to the teachers and demand justice? Or should I kill mysel—』
"Stop."
Hirata's voice cut through the air, sharper than before.
『Oh? 』
"I won't allow any bullying in this class. Even if no one is directly attacking you, I don't want anyone feeling like they don't belong here."
For the first time, Kumagawa stayed quiet for a few seconds. Then, he let out a short laugh.
『Heh. That's a nice line, Hirata-kun. You're a good guy. 』
Hirata looked at him, clearly not sure how to respond.
『Well, I guess I'll take your word for it. You'll protect me if things get bad, right? You're our class leader, after all. 』
The atmosphere in the room shifted, but Ayanokōji wasn't sure if the conversation had actually resolved anything.
"Um… About Horikita, I think it'd be better if you tell her yourself rather than talk to us, Hirata," Ayanokōji said.
"…"
Hirata didn't respond immediately. His gaze lingered on the floor, as if lost in thought.
"Hirata?"
"H-huh? Ah, you're right, Ayanokōji-kun. You have a point, yeah. Sorry for bringing it up." Hirata forced a small smile before straightening up. "Anyways, thanks for the advice. See you again, Ayanokōji-kun, Kumagawa-kun."
『Safe travels~』
Once Hirata's figure vanished down the hallway, it was time for them to leave as well.
On the way, Ayanokōji glanced at Kumagawa. "What was that earlier?"
『What? 』
"You know what I'm talking about. Why did you corner Hirata like that?"
『What do you mean, Ayanokōji-kun? I was just asking an innocent question. After all, Hirata-kun seemed so worried about Horikita-chan. I thought he'd be just as worried about me. It's nothing really.』
"You say that, but you knew exactly what you were doing," Ayanokōji said, not letting it slide.
『What a cold accusation. I was simply pointing out an inconsistency. If Hirata-kun is so concerned about isolation, then shouldn't he care about me too? It's a fair question, isn't it?』
Kumagawa's actions this time were different from the usual. Normally, he was just messing around, saying whatever came to mind without much thought. But this time, it felt deliberate—like he had actually planned to corner Hirata from the start.
"You make a good point. but that doesn't explain what just happened earlier."
This time Kumagawa turn to face Ayanokōji directly.
『As I said, Ayanokōji-kun…It's nothing really. 』
Ayanokōji watched him for a moment before following. He still wasn't sure if Kumagawa had done it just for fun, or if there was something deeper behind it.
『』『』『』『』『』
Classes had ended. One by one, students left the classroom, either with their friends or alone. Some headed off to their various after-school activities, while others chatted about their plans.
Surprisingly, Ayanokōji approached Kumagawa.
"Kumagawa, want to do some after-school activities together?"
『....Ayanokōji-kun. Did you lose a bet or something?』
"What are you talking about? I'm just asking if you want to hang out."
『Ayanokōji-kun. Let me explain to you why you're such a bad liar.』
Ayanokōji remained silent, waiting for whatever nonsense was about to come next.
『First, your approach was unnatural. You've never asked me to hang out before, yet today, out of nowhere, you suddenly take the initiative? Highly suspicious. Second, your expression. And second, You always maintain a neutral face, but there was a slight stiffness just now. A slight but undeniable trace of effort. Like someone pretending to be casual but actually thinking too hard about it.』
Ayanokōji blinked. He hadn't expected this level of analysis.
『Conclusion? You have an ulterior motive. But fine, I'll humor you. What's the plan? 』
Ayanokōji thought for a moment. He actually hadn't thought that far ahead.
Kumagawa was right. He did have an ulterior motive—he needed Kumagawa to take the consequences of what he was about to ask him to do.
The story went like this:
Yesterday, a very unfortunate guy—friendless, alone, and living a simple life—was on his way home when he was visited by a beautiful female acquaintance. This female acquaintance had a big problem. She wanted to befriend an "ice witch"—who, unfortunately, was an acquaintance of the unfortunate guy. So, she asked him for help.
"Uh… What about we ask Horikita first, just in case she wants to join us…"
Kumagawa quickly pieced the puzzle together and turned toward Kushida, who waved at him with a bright, innocent smile.
『Ayanokōji-kun. It seems you need to learn more about social cues.』
"What do you mean?"
Ayanokōji didn't understand why the conversation had suddenly turned to social cues. His brain went into overdrive. analyzing everything—Kushida's wave, Kumagawa's expression, Horikita's usual behavior. Was there something deeper at play here? He ran through different scenarios, possible angles, but—
『Here, let me show you. 』
Without hesitation, Kumagawa walked straight toward Horikita, who was quietly reading her book as usual.
『Horikita-chan, do you wan—』
"Go die."
The rejection was immediate, cutting, and without a shred of hesitation. Kumagawa turned around and walked back to Ayanokōji.
『See? 』
"...."
In terms of being hated, Kumagawa was leagues ahead of Ayanokōji. It wasn't even close.
Ayanokōji finally realized this truth. What was he thinking, asking a walking social landmine for help? If Horikita barely tolerated him, then Kumagawa was in a completely different category—one where she didn't even acknowledge his existence beyond a target for immediate elimination.
But Ayanokōji didn't have much of a choice. Kumagawa was the only person even remotely close to him in this school.
...
Wait.
Why did that sentence feel so fundamentally wrong?
Ayanokōji frowned slightly. He didn't like the implications behind it. Somewhere along the way, his pursuit of forming connections had derailed into something akin to a legendary quest—except he had gone about completing it in the worst possible way, making all the wrong choices, and receiving the absolute worst loot in the process.
『Well then, Ayanokōji-kun, I'll be off~』
Kumagawa left the classroom early. He had something important to do.
A short walk later, he arrived at the convenience store. The automatic doors slid open, welcoming him with the cool air of the store's AC. Without hesitation, he made his way toward the magazine section.
His target? Shōnen Jump.
But as he reached for it, he could feel a pair of eyes burning into the back of his head.
『Oh? Could it be… love?』
He turned his head slightly, only to be met with the wary gaze of the store clerk.
Ah. Right.
He wasn't exactly on good terms with this place. A while back, there had been a… misunderstanding regarding a can of alcohol.
All in all, a pretty standard Tuesday. The clerk didn't say anything, but their expression said enough. I've got my eyes on you.
Kumagawa gave them his most harmless, innocent smile.
『Don't worry, I've learned my lesson~ I'll be a good boy this time. 』
The clerk didn't look convinced.
Ignoring their scrutiny, Kumagawa flipped through Shōnen Jump with practiced ease.
『Let's see… Oh! New chapter!』
He leaned against the shelf, completely absorbed in the pages, as if the watchful gaze of the store employee didn't exist.
As he flipped through the latest Shōnen Jump, a random thought crossed his mind.
Would there be manga in the school library?
A prestigious school like Advanced Nurturing High wasn't exactly the type to stock up on battle manga or rom-coms, but at the same time, this place was supposed to be self-sustaining. It wouldn't be too surprising if they had some sort of casual reading section, even if it was just a tiny corner.
Worth checking out.
Tucking the magazine back in place, Kumagawa stretched lazily, completely ignoring the store employee's suspicious glare, and walked out as if he owned the place.
Next stop—the library.
The library wasn't too far from the convenience store, still within the academic building's scope. The school's design prioritized efficiency, ensuring students had easy access to necessary facilities. If nothing else, Advanced Nurturing High knew how to make life convenient for its students.
『As expected of a prestigious school. Even the library is huge. How much did the government spend on this? 』
Kumagawa muttered to himself as he stepped inside.
The library was divided into different sections. There was, of course, the standard academic area—filled with textbooks, research papers, and reference materials that no one really wanted to read but had to. Then there was the general reading section, which contained novels, essays, and a few shelves dedicated to world literature.
There was even a small corner dedicated to casual reading, mostly light novels and magazines. Unfortunately, no shōnen manga in sight. A true tragedy.
Various students occupied the space, each engaged in their own world. Some were diligently studying, flipping through pages while jotting down notes. Others were gathered in quiet clusters, discussing assignments or engaging in what looked like unofficial club meetings. The library was silent, but it was a busy kind of silence.
As Kumagawa wandered between shelves, his eyes landed on a girl struggling to reach a book on a higher shelf. She stretched onto her toes, fingertips barely grazing the spine, but the book refused to budge.
Without thinking much of it, he reached up and grabbed the book for her, effortlessly handing it over.
"Oh, thank you." she said, hugging the book to her chest.
『No problem. But you know, you could've just climbed the shelf. It's not like anyone's stopping you.』
The girl blinked, clearly caught off guard, before quickly shaking her head.
"I don't think that's allowed…"
『Really? That's why people never evolve. 』
She gave him a polite, uncertain smile—one of those practiced expressions meant to avoid unnecessary conflict.
"Um… My name is Shiina Hiyori."
The girl began to initorduce hereself.
『Oh? Introducing yourself already? I see, I see. So, this is one of those fated encounters you read about, huh? In that case, I guess I have no choice. 』Kumagawa placed a hand on his chest dramatically. 『Kumagawa Misogi. Nice to meet you, normal girl number… hmm, I lost count. 』
Hiyori tilted her head slightly, but the amused glint in her eyes suggested she didn't take offense.
"Are you here for a team assignment? Or maybe club activities?" she asked.
『Nope. Just looking for something interesting to read.』
At that moment, her entire demeanor changed. Her eyes lit up, and her posture straightened like she had been waiting for this exact question.
"Oh! Then you must let me recommend something! What kind of books do you like? Mystery? Philosophy? Perhaps classical literature? If you want something that challenges the mind, Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment is an excellent choice. Or if you prefer something with sharp social critique, Orwell's 1984 and Huxley's Brave New World are must-reads. For intricate narratives, there's One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. Or if you're interested in Japanese literature, I'd recommend No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai. But if you want something with deep psychological elements, there's also—"
She continued listing books, each one delivered with such enthusiasm that Kumagawa wondered if she was actually capable of running out of recommendations. He simply stood there, hands in his pockets, listening as she excitedly constructed a towering pile of literary options.
Eventually, she paused, eyes shining with anticipation.
"So, have you decided?"
『Yeah. Do they have manga here?』
Hiyori took a moment to process his response. She blinked once. Twice.
It was a clear case of cheap vs expensive taste.
On one side, we had Shiina Hiyori—the noble. A connoisseur of literature with a refined taste, her mind filled with grand narratives and deep philosophical discussions. And on the other side, we had Kumagawa Misogi—the peasant. A man whose literary aspirations did not extend beyond the pages of a weekly serialized comic.
It was like asking a gourmet chef if they served instant noodles.
"…Manga?" she repeated, as if confirming she had heard correctly.
『Yeah. You know, the kind with pictures and speech bubbles. A truly refined and sophisticated form of storytelling.』
"Ah… Well… I don't think the library carries much in the way of manga," she said.
『Tragic. So even a prestigious school like this has its flaws. I was hoping for at least some Shonen Jump tucked away in the corner.』
"…I take it you're not particularly interested in classical literature?"
『Oh, don't get me wrong. I appreciate high-class stories. But, you see, I'm a simple man. I prefer my reading material to be entertaining, not an existential crisis waiting to happen.』
Hiyori frowned slightly, as if genuinely trying to understand his perspective.
"I wouldn't say literature is meant to be an existential crisis… but I suppose different people have different tastes."
『That's right, different people, different tastes. Some people read The Brothers Karamazov, while others prefer One Piece. And you know what? Only one of those has been running for over twenty years.』
"…I don't think that's a fair comparison."
『Fairness is a concept created by the strong to trick the weak. But well, since I'm here anyway, why don't you recommend me some books?』
Hiyori's expression brightened almost instantly, her earlier hesitation forgotten.
"You're interested after all?"
『Not really, but I'm already here, so I might as well waste some time. 』
She blinked at his bluntness but chose not to comment on it. Instead, she adjusted the book in her hands and nodded.
"Then, tell me, what kind of genre do you prefer?"
『Hmm, let's see… I like stories that are fast-paced but also slow and methodical. Something straightforward, but with layers of complexity. Maybe with a happy ending, but also something where everyone dies tragically. Oh, and no romance, but if it's there, it should be the main focus.』
Hiyori stared at him, her brain visibly struggling to process the contradictions.
"…I don't think such a book exists."
『That's fine. Just give me whatever.』
"Alright, then. If you're interested in something fast-paced yet intricate, I'd recommend Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky. It explores morality and guilt in a deeply psychological way."
『Ah, a book about a guy who commits a crime and then regrets it? Can't relate.』
Hiyori ignored the remark and continued. "If you'd like something with a layered narrative but a clear structure, The Count of Monte Cristo is an excellent choice. It's about a man who is falsely imprisoned and spends years plotting his revenge."
『Oho, revenge stories are fun. Except, you know, they usually end with the guy realizing revenge is meaningless. Which is kind of lame, don't you think? 』
She paused for a moment before answering carefully. "…I think it depends on how the story is told."
Shaking off the odd conversation, she continued.
"If you're looking for something tragic but compelling, I'd suggest No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai. It's an introspective novel about a man who feels alienated from society."
『Oh, I know that one. I think there's a manga adaptation.』
She listed off more books—some classic literature, some philosophical works, and even a few modern novels she thought might catch his interest. Kumagawa listened, nodding along, not particularly invested but letting her talk.
Finally, after finishing her list, she looked at him expectantly.
"So? Have you decided?"
Kumagawa scratched his cheek, pretending to think. Then, with a completely straight face—
『Got any One Piece? 』
Hiyori's shoulders slumped.
"…You were never taking this seriously, were you?"
『Nope. 』
Hiyori sighed but didn't seem particularly upset. If anything, she looked a little more cheerful. It wasn't every day that someone engaged in a conversation with her about books. Most people would either walk away the moment she started rambling or bluntly tell her they weren't interested.
But the man in front of her was… different.
Even though his taste in books was questionable, at least he had humored her. He listened, even if he had no intention of reading anything she recommended. That alone was more than most people would bother with.
"Well, if you ever change your mind, let me know. I'd be happy to recommend something again."
『I'll keep that in mind. Next time, I'll give you a much clearer answer about my preferences. But don't expect much. I'm a lost cause. 』
With that, she gave him a polite nod before heading off, disappearing into the aisles of bookshelves.
Kumagawa watched her go before turning back to the shelves. He pulled out a random book, flipped through a few pages, and immediately put it back.
『Well, that killed some time. Now what?』
Now that he knew there was no manga here, any and every shred of curiosity he had about this place had vanished.
『I guess I'll go find something else to do. 』
As he walked toward the exit, he felt a sudden tug at his shoulder.
He turned around, only to find Masumi Kamuro standing there, staring at him with her usual indifferent, almost scowling expression.
『Oh? If it isn't Kamuro-chan. What's wrong? Did you come to frame or betray me for something I didn't do? 』
"Hah?"
『What, don't tell me you forgot? The last time we talked, you were pretty set on making me a scapegoat. Not that I mind, really. It happens more often than you'd think. 』
"I'm not here for that." Kamuro sighed.
『Ow! The scar on my heart where Masumi-chan betrayed me! 』
Kumagawa moved as if he were writhing from pain—it seemed obviously forced, even knowing that there was no such scar on his heart.
『A-at this rate, I won't feel better unless I get to grope your boobs. 』
Masumi's face morphed into something that blends all kind of negative emotions together. Seeing as he was saying things that went beyond incomprehensible and into the realm of utterly disgusting. So far removed from common decency that their brain struggled to process it.
Kumagawa, of course, remained completely unbothered. Being betrayed wasn't exactly new to him. Girls, guys, strangers, so-called friends—it had happened so many times that he'd lost count. Just from his behavior, not being affected after being betrayed by someone made him seem almost like an open-minded guy, but it wasn't really like that. He just didn't have any sort of self-awareness.
『What's with that reaction? Did you somehow find out that I like girls who get all hot and bothered? And recently, Masumi-chan, you've become quite the clumsy girl who gets hot and bothered frequently. It's really cute. 』
"....."
『Hm? You suddenly turned quiet. What's the matter, Betrayer-chan? I mean, Masumi-chan?』
Masumi eyebrow twitched. She looked someone who was debating whether to hit him or just walk away. Kamuro took a deep breath, exhaled sharply, then clicked her tongue
"Tch. Whatever. Someone wants to meet you."
『Oh? That's rare. I didn't think I was the kind of person that people actively sought out. Usually, it's the other way around.』
Kamuro didn't respond, just turned and motioned for him to follow.
Shrugging, Kumagawa shoved his hands into his pockets and walked after her. She led him deeper into the library, past the rows of bookshelves and toward a quieter section near the back. There, sitting in front of a chess table, was a petite girl with lilac-colored hair.
Her gaze seems to convey as if she had been waiting for him all along.
Kumagawa glanced at the girl sitting before him, then back at Kamuro.
『Wow, I don't know what's going on, but I seem pretty popular today. First, a girl enthusiastically recommends books to me, and now I'm being summoned like some kind of important person. Did I finally become the protagonist without realizing it? 』
She ignored him, turning away as if her job was done. Meanwhile, Kumagawa casually took a seat across from the lilac-haired girl, resting his chin on his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Kumagwa Misogi-kun"
The girl started first. Her voice was soft, matching her delicate figure. But even though she spoke politely, Kumagawa could feel it—she was looking down on him. Not in a hostile way, but in that subtle, effortless manner of someone who believed themselves to be above others by default.
『Wow, my reputation precedes me. I can't tell if I should be flattered or concerned.』
"I simply make it a point to know the interesting people in this school."
『Interesting, huh? You know, I'm not sure if that's a compliment coming from you.』
She let out a small laugh.
"I suppose that depends on how you take it."
『And you are? 』
"My name is Sakayanagi Arisu," she introduced herself gracefully. "I am the leader of Class 1-A."
『Oh, a big shot. And here I was thinking you were just a random rich girl trying to kill time.』
Sakayanagi smiled. "Well, I do have time to kill. But more importantly, I wished to personally apologize for my classmate's actions. It was rather unfortunate that you were falsely accused."
『Oh, that? I already forgot about it. Not the first time someone's blamed me for something I didn't do. I've gotten so good at it; I could be a professional scapegoat. 』
"My, what a tragic talent."
『I prefer to think of it as a life skill. Or maybe fate? It happens to many time that I lost counts. 』
Sakayanagi chuckled, resting her hands on the table. It seems she was genuinly amused by the conversation.
"In any case, I hope you'll accept my apology on behalf of Class 1-A."
『Sure, why not? It's not like an apology changes anything, but I appreciate the effort.』
"You're rather carefree about it." Sakayanagi's gaze lingered on him for a moment before she gestured toward the chessboard between them.
"Why don't we play a game?"
Kumagawa looked at the board, then back at her.
『I'm not good with chess, but I do know Othello. 』
Sakayanagi smiled. "Then you're halfway there already."
Kumagawa casually picked up the black pieces while Sakayanagi took the white.
She made the first move, placing a pawn forward. Kumagawa lazily took the black pieces, spinning one between his fingers before making a random move.
"Tell me, Kumagawa-kun, what do you think of this school?"
『This school? 』
If he had to sum up his thoughts on Advanced Nurturing High School… well, it was normal? Not normal in the sense that it was just another high school, but normal in a way that made it feel oddly underwhelming. Compared to Hakoniwa Academy, this place was practically mundane.
Both schools shared a foundation—elite institutions designed to shape exceptional students. But the key difference lay in their purpose. This school sought to nurture potential for the future. Hakoniwa, on the other hand Hakoniwa entire purpose is to turn ordinary humans into Abnormals.
They would gather geniuses from everywhere and place them in Hakoniwa as part of the 'Flask Plan,' so in a way, it was basically the same thing. Both aimed to change someone into something else. But in the case of the Flask Plan, it was more radical.
One school was a factory, shaping its students into useful products. The other was an experiment, dissecting, altering, and recreating its subjects from the ground up. In that sense, this school was tame.
『Well, if I had to sum it up… Interesting? Boring?』
Kumagawa moved his piece without thinking.
"…That's a pretty vague answer coming from you."
Sakayanagi responded with her own move, her fingers barely exerting any effort as she slid a piece forward.
『What can I do? I'm sometimes pretty fickle with my feelings. Today, I might be convinced that this school is the best in the whole world. But in a few seconds, I could just as easily decide it's the worst of the worst.』
He leaned forward, resting his head on his palm as he grinned.
『But I can change my opinion if you want. Since I'm feeling generous today. Of course, that feeling might change again in a few minutes. 』
Sakayanagi watched him, closely. She prided herself on her ability to read people. It wasn't just intuition—there was a method to it.
"Fickle, is it?" she mused. "That's quite the peculiar way to view the world."
『It's only peculiar if you expect things to stay the same. But that's not how it works, right? No matter what people say about consistency, the truth is, nothing ever really stays the same. Feelings, situations, even people. They all change.』
He moved another his chess piece. 『If you ask me the same question tomorrow, I might have a completely different answer. And if that bothers you, then maybe you're the one who should be questioning things, not me. 』
"Tell me, Kumagawa-kun, have you made any friends at this school?"
『How cruel, Sakayanagi-chan. Don't you know what kind of reputation I have? But for that question, the answer is yes—but that'd be a lie. So the answer is no—but that'd also be a lie.』
"Fufu… How mysterious. It's your turn, Kumagawa-kun." She chuckled.
『Oho, that's an outstanding move you just made, Sakayanagi-chan—what, are you perhaps aiming for a flawless and beautiful victory? 』
"Fufu, surely you jest, Kumagawa-kun. I'm not aiming for a flawless victory at all. And you're not even looking good yourself. Instead, why don't you defend?"
『And why should I go to the trouble of doing that? It seems easier to counterattack instead.』
"So your idea is to counterattack while sacrificing all of your pieces just because it's easier?"
Kumagawa paused meaningfully, before nodding meaningfully.
The game continued. Their conversation remained lighthearted, their tones casual. But at some point, Sakayanagi found herself focusing less on their exchange and more on the board in front of her.
She was winning. That much was clear. But for some reason, she felt uneasy.
Sakayanagi Arisu prided herself as genius chess player. She could read several moves ahead, anticipate patterns, and dismantle her opponents with precision. And every opponent she had ever faced had a style. Some played aggressively. Others played defensively. Some played Elegantly. And other played with precise strategy.
All in all, every player had their own kind of charm.
But the longer this match went on, the only way to describe his playstyle was with a single word.
Disgusting.
His way of playing was disgusting. His strategy was disgusting. The way he moved the pieces was disgusting. The way he thought was disgusting. It was ugly. It was depraved.
There was no logic. No beauty. No coherence.
He would make strong moves without realizing they were strong. He would make blunders that would've ruined a normal player, only to stumble into a situation where the mistake somehow worked in his favor, yet at the same time will also ruined his game.
It was as if he was playing chess the way a child would—moving pieces without a care, unaware of why certain moves were good or bad, but the feeling were way worse.
『Hmm? You suddenly got quiet, Sakayanagi-chan. Could it be that my masterful chess techniques have left you speechless? 』
She looked up. Kumagawa was smiling like usual.
It irritated her.
Sakayanagi placed her final piece down with a soft click.
"....Checkmate."
She won. Of course, she did. There was never a moment where the outcome was uncertain. And yet, she felt no satisfaction.
Across from her, Kumagawa tilted his head, staring at the board as if he were seeing it for the first time. Then, with an easygoing smile, he leaned back and let out a small sigh.
『Ahh, as expected, I lost. Well, that's how it should be. It'd be weird if I won instead.』
With a casual motion, he stretched out his hand for a handshake.
But before he could even blink—
"The game is over. I'll be taking my leave now. Thank you for your time Kumagawa-kun."
Sakayanagi stood up. It was too fast, too sudden. Almost as if she had to force herself to move. Her voice was calm, polite as always. But her fingers curled around the handle of her cane just a little tighter than before.
Something about this entire exchange felt wrong. And the longer she stayed here, the stronger that feeling became.
So, before he could say anything else, she turned and walked away.
Kumagawa watched her go, his outstretched hand still hanging in the air.
『Huh? 』
He blinked.
『…Is this my friendship arc? 』
He stared at the outstretched hand that had never been met, flexing his fingers before letting it fall to his side.
『Oh well. Time to go ruin someone else's day.』
And with that, Kumagawa Misogi walked away, a loser as always—but a loser with a smile.
『END』
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