As Arisu Sakayanagi stepped out of the classroom, Kotomi Izumi and gumi Kato followed closely behind her.
This left Yui Yuigahama, still seated, pretending to read while secretly observing, completely dumbfounded.
After all that effort, what had she even learned?!
She had picked up on sothing, but at the sa ti, it felt like she had grasped nothing at all.
With a sigh, Yui tossed her textbook aside and slumped onto her desk, completely abandoning the pretense of studying.
Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at Yui, seemingly understanding her dilemma. She opened her mouth as if to say sothing but hesitated for a mont and ultimately remained silent.
—
Outside the Classroom
Since it was only the first break of the morning, the hallways of the school building were relatively empty. Most students used this ti to catch up on howork, sneak in a quick nap, chat with friends, or go to the restroom in groups.
Arisu, who had been keeping her hands behind her back, finally brought them forward, revealing what she was holding.
Two copies of Sword Art Online Volu 1—both first-edition limited prints.
Kotomi wasn't the only one surprised; even gumi Kato was taken aback. She had run through at least a hundred different possibilities for why Arisu had called Kotomi out.
And yet, not a single one of those scenarios involved Arisu pulling out copies of Sword Art Online.
Seeing their puzzled expressions, Arisu smiled and spoke in a lighthearted tone.
"How could I not support Izumi-sensei's newly published novel?"
"Arisu, did you also go out early this morning to buy it?" Kotomi asked curiously.
"How do you even know today is the release date?!" gumi, unable to hold back, asked with a hint of urgency in her voice.
Arisu, however, only answered Kotomi's question. "You told yourself last ti at the café~. How could I possibly forget such an important date? Kotomi, I'd like your autograph~."
Kotomi instantly understood why Arisu had asked her to bring a pen earlier.
And just like that, Arisu Sakayanagi beca the second person to receive Kotomi's signature.
Kotomi, still a little stunned, nodded and took one of the books, signing it with her pen na.
"Now, write: 'To my dear Arisu~' beneath it."
It was just a few extra words. Kotomi didn't think much of it and agreed without hesitation.
"No problem."
But beside her, gumi Kato's gaze had turned slightly dangerous.
After finishing the autograph, Kotomi handed the signed book back to Arisu.
"I actually bought six copies of Sword Art Online Volu 1." Arisu said casually. "Unfortunately, I couldn't carry them all, so I had Wanko take the other four ho for . Kotomi, when you have ti, could you co over and sign those as well?"
Sign four more books?
That didn't seem like a big deal.
Kotomi figured it didn't make much of a difference whether she signed one or four, so she agreed without much thought.
"Sure, as long as I have ti, I'll co by."
"It's a promise."
Arisu's smile deepened as she turned her gaze toward gumi, as if expecting to see a dramatic reaction from her. Instead, gumi remained perfectly calm, casually playing a matching ga on her phone, just as she had said earlier—she was rely "listening in."
Why isn't she reacting at all? Arisu wondered.
"Do you need the other one signed as well?" Kotomi noticed that Arisu was still holding a second copy of the limited edition.
Arisu shook her head and handed the other book to Kotomi.
"I bought this copy just for you. Here—you'll find that all eight corners are sharp, and there's not a single flaw on the cover. Perfect condition. I knew you cared about that, so I paid extra attention when selecting it this morning."
Kotomi took the book, and her eyes imdiately brightened. Perfectly sharp corners, pristine condition! A smile crept onto her lips.
"Thank you, Arisu!"
"As long as you're happy."
Seeing Kotomi's delighted reaction, Arisu's smile deepened. If Kotomi was happy, then so was she. Waking up at 5 AM to secure this copy had been completely worth it.
After chatting for a bit, Arisu decided to take her leave. She waved her hand lightly and adjusted her grip on her cane.
"Didn't you say you were going to buy drinks with Kato-san? I won't keep you any longer. Besides, Class 1-A has a chemistry assessnt next period, so I should get back. Kotomi, make sure to visit my house when you have ti—I still have four more books waiting for your signature.
Oh, and by the way, my maid Wanko has been planning to make cream puffs for afternoon tea… I wonder when she'll finally get around to it~?"
"I'll definitely find ti to co over! I've gotten really good at signing books!"
Kotomi nodded eagerly. Then she suddenly rembered gumi had suggested buying drinks earlier. She wasn't particularly thirsty, but since gumi wanted to go, she might as well accompany her—and perhaps grab a banana bread from the school store to fill her stomach.
She patted her pockets and realized she had forgotten both her phone and wallet.
"gumi, wait here a sec. I'll go grab my wallet."
"Alright, I'll wait here." gumi smiled.
As Kotomi turned back into the classroom, the hallway fell into an eerie silence, leaving only gumi Kato and Arisu Sakayanagi.
gumi's gaze darkened.
Arisu tightened her grip on the handle of her cane.
Neither spoke. They stood about half an arm's length apart—close, but not too close.
The lighthearted atmosphere from earlier had vanished. The hallway, though still bright in the morning sun, now felt unnervingly still. It was the kind of quiet that ca before a storm.
"Kato-san, if I recall correctly, there aren't any security caras in this hallway."
Shing—!
A sharp blade cut through the air.
"Why would you say that?"
Click—!
A deep black barrel locked onto its target.
"Would you kindly die for ?"
"I'll return those words to you exactly as they are."
The two girls spoke in icy tones.
"There's no place for you between Kotomi and ."
Arisu's hand gripped the handle of her cane. In one swift motion, she pulled out a hidden blade—her elegant cane transforming into a lethal sword. The once-refined exterior had concealed a deadly edge.
Arisu's voice was calm, but her expression was terrifying as she held the blade to gumi's neck.
"No wonder I thought your cane looked different from before. So you modified it into a sword… Please, step away from Kotomi."
Most people would have been frozen with fear at having a blade pressed against their throat. But gumi Kato remained completely composed, speaking in the sa light tone as before—perhaps even commanding.
A sleek black taser had appeared in her hand, aid directly at Arisu's forehead.
The air grew thick with tension, as if ti itself had co to a standstill. Though it was only morning and the school day had barely begun, the hallway was deathly silent.
"I should have realized it sooner—you like Kotomi too."
"No, I love her~."
The temperature seed to drop as the standoff reached its peak. One girl held a razor-sharp sword; the other, a charged taser. Both weapons were pointed at the most vulnerable spots on their opponent's body.
The tension was unbearable, as though at any mont, everything could explode into chaos.
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