December 23rd, the first day of winter break.
Shimizu Akira finally gave his dorm room a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. Although he didn't cook often and didn't need to tidy up kitchen tools, he didn't miss a thing: sweeping, mopping, wiping windows, scrubbing the toilet...
Under the bed, the bathroom blind spots, every nook and cranny—not a single corner was overlooked. It took over an hour of back-and-forth work before the place felt truly clean.
The feeling of cleaning wasn't actually bad. Not only did it make his living space neat and pleasant to the eye, but it also subconsciously soothed his inner stress.
Clearing out the trash from the room felt like throwing away the negative emotions piled up in his heart. After washing and hanging the rag to dry, Akira straightened up, surveyed the refreshed room, and let out a long sigh.
No wonder there were so many healing-type "room organizing" mini-gas on the market—doing the cleaning yourself was indeed quite decompressing.
Just then, his phone screen lit up. Akira picked it up and saw it was Sakayanagi Arisu again.
Sakayanagi Arisu: 100,000 private points, and you still won't agree even once?
Sakayanagi Arisu: I am, tentatively speaking, a silver-haired beautiful girl.
Sakayanagi Arisu: Going out with wouldn't exactly be a loss for you.
'Is this woman really that obsessed with dating ?'
Co to think of it, she had been sending intermittent ssages since yesterday afternoon.
Shimizu Akira: I'm not short on points.
Shimizu Akira: Besides, there's going to be moderate snow over the next few days. It's cold outside; what if you catch a cold? Your constitution isn't like a normal person's.
Sakayanagi Arisu had congenital heart disease and couldn't walk without a cane.
Currently, the snow on the ground exceeded 1.5 cm. If she slipped, fell, and froze, whose responsibility would it be? If nothing happened, fine, but if sothing did, he didn't want to handle that "hot potato."
Sakayanagi Arisu: Shimizu-kun can surely protect .
Shimizu Akira: No, you're overthinking it. Even Shimizu-kun can't do that.
Sakayanagi Arisu: How an! You made such a promise to Shiina Hiyori just a few days ago! What's the difference between us? Don't give us different treatnt!
Shimizu Akira: You really have no self-awareness... I'm curious, where exactly does this confidence co from?
Akira's lip twitched; he was a bit speechless.
The difference between Shiina Hiyori and Sakayanagi Arisu was massive.
Hiyori spoke pleasantly, was his fellow book enthusiast who often discussed mystery plots with him, and had just done him a huge favor. Practically every student who interacted with her liked her.
And Sakayanagi Arisu? She put on an arrogant front from the first day of school, later made secret moves because of his "Yue" identity, and had been keen on creating internal strife in her class since the start of the sester.
Recently, she even sent soone to stalk Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, and from what he gathered, she was likely still monitoring him or Shiina Hiyori.
Even to a random passerby, Shiina Hiyori would seem a hundred tis better than Sakayanagi Arisu.
Sakayanagi Arisu: Part of it cos from my brain, the other part... probably cos from my father.
She did have a bit of self-awareness.
Sakayanagi Arisu: Speaking of which, let's talk business. Shimizu-kun, do you know what Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and Ayanokouji Atsuomi talked about this month?
Shimizu Akira: No idea. Why don't you ask the person involved?
Sakayanagi Arisu: I did. Although Ayanokouji-kun added as a friend, he hasn't replied to a single ssage I sent. It's so frustrating.
'You're such a confident and troubleso little princess asking such private questions; it's perfectly normal for him not to reply.'
Sakayanagi Arisu: That man is the creator of the White Room, right? I always feel like he's secretly plotting sothing! I wonder what will happen to our school next!
Shimizu Akira: You, stop thinking about all that nonsense. I'll give you a piece of honest advice; take it or leave it. Since you know Ayanokouji Atsuomi might make a move, and your father is the Chairman, it's actually quite dangerous in a sense. Lately, you'd be better off paying attention to Chairman Sakayanagi's state to see if he's troubled by anything and if you can help. That's what you should be doing at this stage. After all, your father treats you very well, doesn't he?
Since Ayanokouji Kiyotaka ntioned on the phone that his father might strike at the school, acting against the Chairman would be the most direct way for Ayanokouji Atsuomi. Sakayanagi Narumori was a good man.
From the surveillance equipnt rental to the private agreent between Kikyo and Suzune, he had helped Akira quite a bit.
The students respected this gentle Chairman.
Sakayanagi Arisu had grown up quite well; despite her weak body and need for a cane, her personality was proud and sharp—honestly, she was far better off and more comfortable than other patients with congenital heart disease.
This showed how much her family cherished this little princess; she had clearly been pampered since childhood. Children shouldn't just enjoy their parents' love forever. Sotis, they should look back and care for them.
After the ssage was sent, Akira waited several minutes before finally receiving a reply.
Sakayanagi Arisu: I understand. Thank you for the reminder.
Akira finally put down his phone. Not bad.
It seed Sakayanagi Arisu had listened to the advice. Being able to listen ant she wasn't completely beyond saving. As for what she would specifically do next, he didn't plan to ask. An outsider ddling too much in soone else's family affairs would be overstepping.
Akira exited the chat and, after a thought, clicked into the school forum. The hottest post on the hopage imdiately caught his eye:
[Shocking! Class 1-D Ryuen Kakeru Beaten by Unknown Person!]
The poster was marked as the News Club. Akira vaguely rembered the News Club had recently released an official notice for Nagumo Miyabi regarding "Next Year's Institutional Reforms."
Good grief, they even handled this clickbaity entertainnt gossip... it seed the News Club was full of talent.
He clicked in to scan it. The post had exceeded 300 likes, with forty or fifty comnts.
Most comnts were anonymous: "Satisfying," "Deserved it," "Good hit," and the like.
Among them were comnts likely from Class D students, stating "Ryuen isn't fit to be the leader" and "A man who rules by violence being subdued by violence—how embarrassing."
People like Sudo Ken and Ike Kanji posted under their real nas, calling Ryuen a "clown" and a "disgrace."
It seed Ryuen's position as Class D leader was completely unstable now.
In truth, Akira himself hadn't done much to spread the news.
He had simply used a burner account yesterday afternoon to send a tip to the News Club. Then he just waited. It fernted into this result today.
Professional matters were best left to professionals; if you wanted to make a big news story, the News Club was naturally better at it.
Furthermore, Ryuen was used to acting like a tyrant and had bullied so many people; many held a grudge against him. It was within expectations that the post would go viral quickly.
Incidentally, the News Club even rewarded him 10,000 private points for his "enthusiastic submission." Double profit!
Akira put down his phone and began checking the three daily intel pieces that refreshed today:
Sato Maya of Class 1-C is actually not very good at interacting with boys and has no romantic experience. Most of her experience cos from magazines and TV shows. She has been visiting beauty salons frequently lately. Kaneda Satoru of Class 1-D ranted about Ryuen Kakeru anonymously on the school forum and currently has 25 likes. He plans to intentionally guide Shiina Hiyori to beco the leader of Class D. Yamada Albert of Class 1-D sent an apology ssage to Karuizawa Kei and received her forgiveness.
'Huh? Sato Maya has never been in a relationship? All her experience is learned?'
Akira clearly rembered her saying she was "romantically experienced" at the start of school... turns out it was all a front! Why are you a fake gyaru just like Karuizawa Kei? Are there any real gyarus in Class C...
The second piece was about Kaneda Satoru.
'So that comnt was yours.'
He wants Hiyori to be the leader? ...Could he have a crush on her? Akira didn't find that strange. Hiyori was beautiful, gentle, and smart; it was only natural for people to like her.
However, Hiyori herself definitely didn't have those feelings, or she wouldn't have rejected Kaneda's assistance during the Paper Shuffle.
Thinking of this, Akira felt slightly relieved.
He admitted he had a good impression of Hiyori, otherwise he wouldn't have asked her out. But as for liking her to the point where she was indispensable—like his feelings for Kushida Kikyo—that wasn't the case yet.
He had no plans for further action; Hiyori was a clear-headed girl and would likely not accept a "harem" proposal. He had that much self-awareness.
But co to think of it, Kaneda Satoru ranting anonymously... it seed that even though Ryuen had fallen, he still didn't dare offend him publicly. Kaneda used to follow Ryuen's lead.
This speed of "kicking a man while he's down" was quite fast. In contrast, people like Ishizaki Daichi, Kondo Reo, and a few others in the class were rarely seen defending Ryuen in the thread using their real nas.
And Kaneda wants to secretly push Hiyori to be leader? Did he ask Hiyori what she wanted? He can't just... force her into it, right?
Then looking at the third one—Yamada Albert apologized?
Oh, it must be because of the rooftop incident.
Since Karuizawa Kei is the manager of the Boxing Club and Albert is a mber, he probably felt especially bad about his manager being bullied by his own classmate.
Thinking about it, the fact that Ryuen didn't bring Albert that day was probably out of consideration for that relationship. Otherwise, he might have had to pull a "one vs. six" on the rooftop! Plus Kondo Reo at the door—that would be one vs. seven. He almost beca Sasuke's brother.
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At 10:00 AM, there was a knock on the dorm door. Akira opened it to find Sudo Ken, Ike Kanji, and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka standing there.
"Shimizu! We're here to bother you!"
"Hehe, finally get to use your kotatsu."
"Co in, I was waiting for you." Akira stepped aside to let them in.
They hadn't co in to sit when they helped move the kotatsu a few days ago. Ike had ssaged earlier saying they were coming; otherwise, Akira wouldn't have been in such a rush to clean the room this morning.
"Excuse !" Ike was the first to kick off his shoes and squeeze inside, his eyes imdiately locking onto the warm kotatsu in the center of the room.
"Ooh! This is it! The winter miracle!"
Sudo walked in with big strides.
"Cleaned up well, Shimizu."
Ayanokouji was the last to enter, giving a slight nod before quietly finding a spot on the edge to sit. Akira closed the door and took a few cans of drinks from the fridge, placing them on the low table.
"Sit wherever, grab a drink."
Ike couldn't wait to slide his legs into the kotatsu.
"Ah—I'm alive! The AC isn't enough; the kotatsu is the real deal!"
Sudo sat down as well and took a can of Coke.
"By the way, Shimizu, did you see the forum post? Ryuen is in a pathetic state."
"I saw it." Akira sat opposite him and opened a can of coffee.
"Big reaction."
"Big doesn't even cover it!" Ike chid in excitedly.
"The Class D people are in a massive internal conflict. I think Ryuen is done for this ti. After getting beaten like that, how can he be the boss?"
Akira took a noncommittal sip of coffee.
Ayanokouji looked up and gave a calm reply: "A logical evolution."
"Evolution?" Sudo frowned. "What do you an?"
"Ryuen Kakeru's rule was built on fear and violence," Ayanokouji said calmly.
"When soone proves his violence can be surpassed or even countered, his authority naturally collapses. The forum's reaction only accelerated the process—everything was likely calculated by the person who beat Ryuen. This ti, Ryuen provoked soone he shouldn't have."
After speaking, his gaze swept over Akira almost imperceptibly.
'So he noticed.'
But co to think of it, that evaluation from Ayanokouji... wasn't that last bit "soone he shouldn't have provoked" a bit chuunibyou?
Ike didn't notice the subtle exchange of glances; he just scratched his head.
"I don't really get it, but it sounds like it makes sense..." He truly couldn't keep up with that line of thinking; such analysis was clearly over his head.
"Anyway, today is the last ti the four of us can hang out for a while! I have dates tomorrow and the day after!" Ike announced triumphantly.
"Wow, no wonder you were in such a rush to call us over to Shimizu's today!" Sudo nudged him with his elbow.
"You're just here to show off!"
"You successfully asked out Shinohara Satsuki? That was fast; didn't you say things weren't going well a few days ago?" Akira asked.
"Well... yesterday afternoon Shinohara was being troubled by so senpai, and I just happened to run into them and resolve it. So, I just took the chance to invite her, and she said yes!" Ike grinned.
'That's so decent luck. Running into a hero-saves-the-beauty scenario is a low-probability event.'
Co to think of it, during the scavenger hunt, Ike had the luck to take first place.
Could this guy have so kind of "Strong Luck" skill?
"Congratulations," Akira clapped symbolically.
"Don't just congratulate !" Ike looked at him with a smirk.
"Shimizu, you're so popular, you probably won't be free tomorrow night either! Lots of girls in class must be lining up to give you Christmas presents!"
"Presents..." Akira showed a slightly troubled expression.
"Don't even ntion it. I haven't prepared a single one of my own Christmas presents yet."
His first reaction wasn't about receiving gifts—he hadn't sorted out what he needed to give yet. And there were quite a lot of people to give to.
The boys were easy; a al would probably settle it. But for the girls, he had to prepare gifts seriously. Kushida Kikyo, Horikita Suzune, Kamuro Masumi, Ichinose Honami, Karuizawa Kei, Sakura Airi, Hasebe Haruka, Shiina Hiyori... those he was close to were a must.
Even for those he was less close with, like Ibuki Mio, Yamamura Miki, or Asahina Nazuna, shouldn't he give sothing as a gesture?
"You haven't prepared? You better hurry! There are only two days left; the mall will be even more crowded tomorrow morning," Ike warned.
"True..." Akira sighed, his mind already automatically listing nas. He definitely couldn't take a girl with him to pick out gifts.
Leaving aside potential jealousy, to show sincerity, he wanted to pick them out personally for everyone.
Picking gifts for different people was truly a skill. He couldn't give everyone the sa thing; it had to suit their tastes.
However, after months of interaction, he more or less understood the preferences of those girls. To be safe, Akira decided to use his laptop later to make a detailed gift list and shopping plan. Buying according to a spreadsheet was the most secure way!
Akira stood up to get more drinks from the fridge and sat back at the kotatsu. Ike pulled a deck of cards from his pocket.
"Co on, let's play cards! We'll play until about 11:30, then go to the cafeteria!"
The four huddled in the warm kotatsu and played gas like Old Maid.
"By the way, do you guys have any dreams?"
"? I'll probably work toward becoming a professional basketball player!" Sudo answered first.
"As for ... lately people have praised my camping skills, and I feel like I'm good at interpersonal coordination. How about becoming a global tour guide?" Ike rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful.
"Then pass your English exam with more than 60 first," Sudo roasted him rcilessly.
"I rember you didn't even hit 50 last ti."
"Piece of cake! Once I get serious, I'll show you an 80 next sester!" Ike promised, thumping his chest.
The group listened to him brag while drinking their sodas.
Ayanokouji quietly watched the scene.
This was likely what the winter break routine of an ordinary high schooler looked like.
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