At Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, on the first day of the new semester after spring break, the freshman entrance ceremony was underway. Chairman Sakayanagi gave the opening speech, followed by various school administrators. As expected, the hairlines of these fifty-something men had receded a bit more each year, but it didn't stop them from passionately reflecting on the past, boasting about the present, and fantasizing about the future.
Unfortunately, for most of the applauding students, it would be difficult to recall a single word after the ceremony—except perhaps Kitagawa Ryo, who stared at the plump board members with sparkling eyes, offering the most radiant smiles and enthusiastic applause. Compared to the school's storied past, nothing captured the students' attention more than the 100,000 personal points already deposited into their accounts.
After all, school history and legendary alumni were intangible tales of the past, while the shopping district, restaurants, and wonderful campus life awaited them right outside.
The restless freshmen strained to maintain their composure, their minds dancing with thoughts of luxury goods and posh dormitories.
Once the ceremony ended and the board members exited, the auditorium exploded like hot oil meeting water. Students dissolved into clusters, heading cheerfully toward cafes and dorms. Kitagawa Ryo didn't force Class C to stay behind. More importantly, he needed to slip away undetected.
Waving his hand to dismiss the class for free time, he handed Ishizaki Daichi a small task and skillfully exited the hall.
Sakayanagi Arisu, Ichinose Honami, Horikita Suzune, Karuizawa Kei, Hirata Yousuke, and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
Just glancing around during the ceremony, Ryo had already spotted several familiar faces from past simulations. Now, he finally understood what "plot-important characters" meant in the achievement conditions. They were all new students at this school.
"Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School... This must be the real stage for the story."
While pondering the school's peculiarities, Ryo walked alone to the convenience store to buy daily necessities. He'd been here earlier in the morning and earned some free shampoo and face wash at the cost of some awkward flirtation—which he'd already given away. With no choice but to give up freeloading, he returned.
The store's prices were no different from those outside. The 100,000 points students received had normal purchasing power. Ryo tossed shampoo and body wash into his basket. Perhaps because it was lunchtime or the students were still exploring campus, the store wasn't crowded.
"Whoa! So many flavors of instant noodles! I thought I wouldn't find my favorite brand since we can't shop online."
"This school is more convenient than I expected."
In front of the instant noodle shelf, two boys excitedly filled their carts with various cup noodles. Their carts already overflowed with snacks and drinks. With a monthly budget of 100,000 points, their confidence was understandable.
Nearby stood a red-haired boy, eye-catching due to his hair color. Ryo took note of him. He'd memorized the faces of students from Classes B and D during the ceremony. Though he didn't know the name, the redhead was definitely from Class D.
"If you're unsure, how about this five-blade razor? Should give you a clean shave."
Ryo turned slightly. The voice was familiar.
"Shave what?"
A girl's voice responded—unmistakably familiar to Ryo.
"Like your chin, or armpits, or... down there—okay, maybe nothing."
Making such crude jokes with a girl he just met? Even Ryo cringed on the boy's behalf. As expected, Horikita Suzune shot him a scornful glare.
Ryo pretended to browse while considering whether to join the conversation. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, the so-called "perfect creation" of the White Room, had appeared in the third simulation. Ryo had only crossed paths with him twice—once in chess, once in hand-to-hand combat. Barring his emotional flatness, Ayanokouji's abilities were well beyond his peers'.
Ryo recalled he was planning to escape the White Room. Was he here as a fugitive or on a mission?
"You're not the sociable type, huh? Your tone is too sharp."
"I'm just stating facts."
"You'll have trouble making friends that way."
"I don't need any."
Listening to the exchange brought back a flood of bad memories. Horikita Suzune—it had taken Ryo years in the last simulation to fix her twisted worldview. But he had overlooked her emotional dominance. What began as a relationship-defining "engagement" spiraled into madness. Only at the wedding altar did Ryo understand:
Taming a fox meant being tamed in return.
He reviewed his memories again. In this simulation, his "Unforgettable" trait only involved three key characters: Shiina Hiyori, Karuizawa Kei, and the ever-troublesome Sakayanagi Arisu.
Not wanting to get entangled with Horikita too early, Ryo quickly finished shopping and headed to checkout.
Suddenly, a loud voice interrupted the peaceful background music. Ryo frowned and looked ahead. The redhead was arguing with the cashier.
"Hurry up! You're holding up the line."
A boy behind him complained.
"Got a problem?!"
The redhead immediately turned to argue.
"Is something wrong?"
Ryo walked over with a smile.
"Huh? Who the hell are you? Have we met?"
Ryo feigned friendliness.
"I'm Ryuuen from your class. Saw you having trouble and came to check."
Borrowing Ryuuen's name without shame, Ryo's sincerity softened the redhead's hostility.
"Oh... I kinda remember you. I left early during that annoying self-intro thing. I forgot my student ID, so I couldn't use the payment card."
The boy held a cup of instant noodles.
"I can pay for you. Saves the trouble of going back. If you don't mind."
Glancing back, Ryo noticed Ayanokouji and Horikita still browsing the free items. He used the chance.
"That helps, thanks. I'm Sudou. Appreciate it."
"Likewise, Sudou."
Using his ID, Ryo paid for both Sudou and himself, effectively cutting the line.
They went to get hot water. Spotting Ayanokouji and Horikita at the checkout, Ryo made up an excuse to buy another item and hiding behind a shelf.
When Ryo returned to the entrance, Sudou was in another scuffle.
"Hey, you're a freshman? This is our spot."
Three upperclassmen with noodles had approached Sudou.
"What do you want? I was here first."
"You're in the way. Beat it."
"I said beat it!"
Sudou shouted and slammed his cup onto the ground, broth splashing everywhere.
"Don't look down on me just 'cause I'm a freshman!"
Ryo observed quietly. Sudou was clearly a short fuse.
"Got guts talking back to your seniors, huh?"
The upperclassmen mocked him and burst into laughter.
"Let me guess, you're from Class D, right?"
"So what?!"
"He admits it! What a joke. Just a defect. Enjoy your month above ground. From next month, welcome to hell."
"Let's leave this trash."
As they left, Sudou shouted, "Trying to run?! I haven't even started!"
"Tch. Handle yourself first, punk."
Their mocking smiles lingered.
Ryo returned, cup in hand.
"What happened?"
"Tch, just some bastards."
Sudou recapped the encounter, conveniently ignoring the deeper implications.
"Here, eat mine. I'll grab a broom."
Handing him the untouched cup, Ryo slipped away—in the direction those upperclassmen had gone.
Just then, Ishizaki Daichi messaged him that the requested item was secured. Ryo casually asked if anyone else was around, gave brief instructions, and made his move.
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"Good afternoon, senpai."
The three second-year students, still in the middle of mocking whether Sudou from Class D would survive the year without getting expelled, looked up in surprise. Standing alone before them with a cheerful smile was Kitagawa Ryo. Although his lips were curled up, there wasn't a trace of laughter in his eyes. Even by himself, his presence subtly overwhelmed the trio. The leader of the group was suddenly reminded of Nagumo Miyabi, the vice student council president and shadow ruler of the second years.
"Do you need something, underclassman?"
"Oh, it's nothing much. I'm Ayanokouji Kiyotaka from First Year, Class D. The guy you just saw earlier is our classmate Sudou. I've been annoyed by him since this morning. When I saw you put him in his place so thoroughly, I just had to come and thank you three properly."
Without missing a beat, Kitagawa swapped names again. He had timed this perfectly – this little grove was a blind spot for campus surveillance.
"Is that so... well, it's nothing."
"But I did overhear Sudou say he wanted to get back at you guys. You might want to be careful. He looked ready to throw punches this morning. And honestly, even the three of you together might not be able to take him if it comes to a fight."
The trio's expressions darkened at Kitagawa's words. Unlike them, who had spent a year in the school and grown cautious, the newly enrolled students — especially the supposed "trash" of Class D — might not hesitate to throw punches without regard for school rules.
"So you came just to warn us?"
"Exactly."
Kitagawa even showed his phone as he spoke.
"Sudou's already posting in the class group chat calling for backup. See?"
On the screen of the chat titled "1st Year Class D Boys," Sudou's account was indeed ranting and raving, even tagging a few others to come help him beat someone up. Some classmates had begrudgingly agreed, likely out of fear of Sudou's violent tendencies.
Watching the chat roll in real time, the second-years turned pale but quickly got fired up themselves.
"Damn it. If it's gonna be a fight, we should strike first before he gathers his gang."
"Senpai, that might not be a good idea," Kitagawa interjected with mock concern. "Violence on school grounds might lead to penalties. You could lose points or worse."
"Right! Points! These new first-years all got 100,000 points this month, even the trash in Class D..."
His words seemed to spark an idea in the lead student. He muttered to himself, clearly scheming.
"Alright, thanks for the tip, kid. Consider this your first real lesson."
Putting on a superior air, the upperclassman turned back to his group while Kitagawa nodded politely, raising his hand behind his back in a subtle signal.
"There are cameras all over this school," the lead whispered. "But if we bait Sudou into throwing the first punch somewhere with surveillance, even if we take a few hits, the punishment will fall entirely on him."
"Can you lure him out?"
"Nah, I wouldn't do something like that," Kitagawa said, feigning innocence. "I only came to prevent violence."
"Tch, fine. But don't go blabbing our plan."
Kitagawa nodded and turned to leave, leaving the three second-years to mutter among themselves about how to proceed.
Once he was far enough away, Kitagawa paused and waited. After a moment, Ishizaki Daichi came running over with a camcorder in hand.
"Boss! Here's your camera."
Ishizaki, once a notorious delinquent in middle school, had a simple logic: Kitagawa beat Ryuuen who beat him, therefore Kitagawa was now his boss.
"Did you get everything?"
Kitagawa took the camera and checked the footage.
"Yep. It's all recorded. I synced the audio to my phone too."
"Good. Send me the last 30 seconds of the recording, and disband that fake group chat."
He clapped Ishizaki on the shoulder.
"Stay here. The real show is about to start."
"Yes, sir!"
Ishizaki didn't understand Kitagawa's full plan, but he knew better than to question someone smarter than him. All he had to do was follow orders.
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"Hey, Sudou, when I went to get the broom just now, I overheard those jerks talking about coming after you."
Kitagawa Ryo came running back, empty-handed, his expression serious. Sudou had just finished the cup of instant noodles Ryo gave him and looked up, puzzled.
"I heard three guys mention your name on the way, so I pretended I didn't like you and secretly recorded the conversation."
["Can you lure that Sudou guy out? If this works, you'll get plenty of points. You know how important they are around here." "I wouldn't do something so shady. I'm only here to stop any violence." "Tch, fine. Just don't blab about the plan."]
Ryo quickly played the recording from his phone, frowning in worry.
"They said they were going to gang up on you. Tonight."
"Those bastards! They want a fight?! Bring it on!"
Sudou was immediately infuriated. He had already been fuming about what happened earlier, and now learning the other side was planning to hit first made his blood boil.
"Where are they now?!"
"Just past that little grove over there, to the left. They should be near the school building by now."
Ryo saw the timing was just right.
"Hold on, Sudou. Don't act rashly. I'll go rally some classmates. We'll figure something out together..."
With that, he turned and left, leaving Sudou alone, simmering.
Sure enough, just thirty seconds later, Sudou slammed his foot against a table leg and stormed off in the direction Ryo had pointed.
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"And the show begins—"
Ryo emerged from the convenience store after Sudou had left, casually tossing the empty noodle cup into the trash.
"Eh? Ryo, was that your lunch?"
Just as he was about to ask Ishizaki about the situation, Shiina Hiyori appeared, seemingly just finishing her shopping. She frowned slightly as she asked.
"Ah... you could say that."
Ryo tucked his phone away and naturally stepped forward to take her shopping bag.
"Didn't feel like going to the cafeteria, Hiyori?"
"...Didn't want to go alone."
Ryo glanced into her bag, which held bread and a ready-made bento. Clearly, she was just planning to eat whatever she could pick up from the store.
"Alright, my treat then."
After a brief pause, Ryo offered casually.
"Are we going to the cafeteria together?"
Shiina's tone held a hint of hope.
"Nope."
Ryo shook his head, and suddenly remembered something Shiina had described during a previous simulation. A wild idea came to him, and he announced:
"I'll cook."
His eyes and smile lifted together as he looked directly into Shiina Hiyori's violet eyes.
"How about it?"
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