Ayanokoji dressed in sportswear, stood quietly among the crowd, his presence almost nonexistent.
This was the result of his own design.
Standing out would only bring unnecessary trouble. He had no need to show off. All he wanted was a simple and normal life.
"I really don't get why I was chosen to participate in this sports festival exchange at Sobu High School."
Ayanokoji shook his head. He had always kept a low profile at school. Everyone else participating in the exchange was a class leader or a standout. Why was someone like him, a background character, selected?
As he thought about it, he brushed past a boy from Sobu High School, who had dead fish eyes and an unremarkable appearance.
Hachiman Hikigaya casually glanced at Ayanokoji, a strange sense of unease rising in his chest. He didn't know why, but something about this guy set off an alarm in his mind. This person didn't feel normal.
With that thought, Hachiman quickly walked away. He didn't want to invite trouble, let alone engage with someone who gave off such an unsettling vibe.
Just an ordinary high school student.
Ayanokoji glanced at Hachiman. His expression didn't change.
But in the next second, his usual blank face froze.
Standing in front of him was a tall man with an overwhelming presence.
Fujiwara Toru. What was he doing here? Was he looking for him? No, probably not. He was likely just passing through. No need to overthink it.
With that, Ayanokoji kept his poker face and pretended not to notice him, planning to walk past.
"Do you have time to talk?"
Just as he passed him, Toru spoke.
Ayanokoji thought he had misheard. "Are you talking to me, Senpai?"
"That's right."
"Senpai, did you mistake me for someone else? I don't think we know each other."
"I don't know you, but I didn't mistake you for someone else."
Ayanokoji frowned slightly.
"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, right?"
"Yes. How do you know my name, Senpai?"
"So, do you want to talk with me?"
"Sorry, I don't think there's anything we need to talk about, Senpai."
He didn't want to get involved with someone so conspicuous and was ready to leave.
But Toru's next words made him stop.
"White Room."
"What?!"
Ayanokoji's pupils contracted.
"So, how about it? Want to talk now?"
Ayanokoji was silent for a moment. "...Please lead the way."
Toru walked ahead, Ayanokoji followed behind.
Soon, they entered the Sobu High School building. Although Toru had never been here, he navigated the halls with ease, heading straight for the rooftop.
The rooftop door was locked, but Toru unlocked it effortlessly, using a method Ayanokoji couldn't comprehend.
A gust of wind swept across the rooftop. It was empty, aside from the two of them.
"Senpai, how do you know about the White Room?"
Ayanokoji's face darkened. His emotions rarely showed, but the White Room was one of the few topics that could stir something in him.
"The White Room. An institution researching superhumans. It selects children with extraordinary intelligence from across Japan, then subjects them to targeted training to cultivate true geniuses."
"Institutions like this exist all over the world, but their research is hidden from the public. After all, they strip people of their rights and raise ethical concerns."
"The main backers behind Japan's White Room are the country's major financial groups. My surname is Fujiwara. That alone should explain why I know about it, right?"
Ayanokoji's mind raced. "So the Fujiwara Family is one of the backers? No, even if they are, that's not something you'd know. You're just an illegitimate child of the Fujiwara Family who only recently returned. The White Room was already shut down by then."
He immediately saw through the flaw in Toru's claim.
"Oh? You investigated me?"
"For someone as famous as you, it's only natural to be curious. With my abilities, I only managed to dig up some surface-level info. But Senpai, you're even more complicated than I thought. You're not just representing the Fujiwara Family."
Ayanokoji analyzed him calmly.
"Not bad."
Toru clapped. "...As expected of the White Room's greatest masterpiece. Your innovation may be lacking, but you surpass the average person in every other area."
"Thank you for the compliment, Senpai. But as a manufactured product, I'm still no match for certain naturally gifted geniuses."
"You're surprisingly self-aware. Some people really are just born beyond reach. Nature truly is amazing."
Despite the casual tone, Ayanokoji didn't let his guard down.
He couldn't grasp Toru's true background or his actual intentions.
"Senpai, what exactly do you want? Just get to the point."
"I want to meet your father."
"My father?"
"Seems like you don't like him. Your tone just changed. That's understandable. He sent his own son to an institution that stripped you of human rights. Cold and ruthless."
Ayanokoji wasn't provoked. His voice remained calm. "What do you want from my father?"
"Not bad. I like your composure. What I want from him is simple. Something only he can give."
"Something?"
"You."
Toru's words stunned Ayanokoji.
I'm not some rare gem, so why me?
Could he be into guys?
No, no, what am I thinking? And I'm not a thing!
"Heh, you look confused. Let me explain. Your abilities are impressive. I need talent to strengthen my team."
"What are you offering my father?"
"Simple. I'll give him what he wants most—political power. He's a political failure, still desperate for a comeback. I can help him."
"Senpai, do you have the authority to use the Fujiwara Family's resources?"
Ayanokoji asked calmly.
"I can't use everything, but what I can use is already far beyond what the Fujiwara Family possesses."
"Let me reintroduce myself. I'm the Head of the Central Intelligence Agency in Japan. You can also call me Adam Spencer."
"Head of the Central Intelligence Agency?"
Ayanokoji was visibly shaken. That was far beyond his expectations.
"As the CIA, there's no need to do all this. What's your true goal?"
"No need to worry about my purpose. Even if I planned to destroy this country, would you care? Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, this is your best chance at freedom, your chance to escape your father's control. Do you have the courage to bet on it?"
Ayanokoji was silent, his expression conflicted. Eventually, he said firmly, "...Okay. I'll contact my father. I'll help you persuade him."
"Not bad. You've earned even more of my respect. You've got guts."
Toru turned and patted his shoulder.
"What's our organization called?"
"Impossible Mission Force. Just came up with it. What do you think?"
"Impossible Mission?"
Ayanokoji smiled.
It looked like this organization's work wouldn't be simple.
But that didn't matter. He was confident he could handle anything, as long as it meant gaining true freedom.
Toru left the rooftop.
"Even someone like Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, with intelligence far beyond the norm, still can't resist the tide."
Ayanokoji was smart and rational, but still powerless against the overwhelming influence his father held.
Just like Oko from the Shinomiya family. Compared to Ayanokoji, his intelligence was nothing.
But Oko was the heir of the Shinomiya family. He had everything. Ayanokoji didn't even have basic freedom.
"How pitiful. So, offer your wisdom to me."
Toru exited the school building.
He now had a base of operations in Japan. It was time to begin his grand plan.
He would use America's power, feign cooperation, and then play Japan and America against each other. His goal wasn't to become Prime Minister.
A Prime Minister could be removed at any time, brought down by one scandal, one bullet.
He wanted to establish a new Shogunate.
Although Ayanokoji's father had failed politically, he had significant influence in the education world. Toru wanted to leverage that for support.
Aside from Ayanokoji's father, his next target was Arisu's father.
The fact that he could run experimental schools like Advanced Nurturing High School in Tokyo meant Chairman Sakayanagi was no ordinary figure.
These two could become his spokesmen in the education sector.
"The Ayanokoji Family will give me Ayanokoji. And the Sakayanagi Family… will give me Arisu."
Toru chuckled lightly. It was time to make his move.
"I finally found you. Where did you go? The match is about to start. Hurry and come with me."
Wearing a tracksuit, Yukino's eyes lit up when she saw Toru. She ran over, grabbed his hand, and started dragging him away.
Toru let her.
Well, before visiting Chairman Sakayanagi, might as well finish this high school match first.
(To be continued.)
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