The sky remained cloaked in dark clouds, preventing any light from piercing through. Rain persisted without any sign of stopping soon.
After successfully revealing the identity of the white room student through my plan, a new challenge arose—to determine who would initiate expulsion first. I intended to meet with Mashima-sensei, the one who helped me execute this plan, to discuss matters or so I thought...
Catching a glimpse from the corner of my eye, I noticed Arisu's interruption. "Now, now, Ayanokouji-kun, don't look at me like that," she said, smiling.
However, Arisu swiftly intervened. "You needn't trouble yourself by heading to the infirmary in this rain."
She simply responded to my query with a smile. "And let you meet that person of yours without properly bandaging your right palm?"
"As I've said, I can manage it myself."
"I'm sorry, but I can predict your actions. First, you'll meet that person, and second, you'll head to the infirmary, right?" She spoke as if seeing through my intentions.
There was little to say in response, so I merely nodded in agreement.
"Just as I thought, you're determined to follow your plan regardless of the pain you might endure," she sighed, adding, "That's why I feel compelled to accompany you."
After walking for a while, we arrived at the infirmary. I closed the umbrella, and together, we entered the room.
"Walking under the same umbrella feels nice," Arisu murmured, catching me off guard.
Curious about her words, I gave her a questioning look as we walked.
"Anyway, I'll wait here in the waiting room. So, hurry back, alright?" she requested.
Seated on a nearby bench, she carried herself like a true princess.
Observing her actions, it was easy to guess where this was headed. However, I failed to understand the purpose behind it, prompting me to speak up.
"So you're planning to come along too? What exactly are you after, Arisu?"
Now that she had escorted me to the infirmary, her waiting for me seemed unnecessary. If she did, it could only be because she wanted to accompany me when I met Mashima-sensei. While I hadn't disclosed the person I was meeting yet, it appeared that she wanted to witness it firsthand.
"Indeed," she stated, lifting one finger to emphasize her point while keeping it near her lips.
Her observation was accurate; I hadn't disclosed my intentions to her, just as she hadn't to me. Thus, it seemed fair to maintain an equal exchange.
Recognizing the truth in her words, I realized that expecting a different reaction from her would be unreasonable. In that case, I supposed it was only fair to permit her similar discretion.
"I suppose you're welcome to join me. Given my knowledge that your interests aren't aligned against me, that's enough to decide on the next steps," I responded.
Her response was laced with an air of amusement as she expressed her anticipation for our impending encounter.
***
Arisu turned her gaze towards me as I arrived, addressing me by name. "You've made it, Ayanokouji-Kun."
"Yes, the nurse mentioned that the injury wasn't severe, so my right palm was the only part bandaged."
"I'm relieved to hear that," she said with a sigh, a weight seemingly lifted off her shoulders.
As I drew nearer, it was evident that her relief was accompanied by a tremor. It wasn't due to the relief alone, though; her damp hair indicated she'd been standing in the rain for a while.
When I exited the stadium with Yagami, Arisu had an umbrella, a gift from Nagumo. However, upon spotting me, she disregarded the shelter and hurried over to check on my well-being.
Rain posed no issue when one had strong immunity, as Arisu did. But her vulnerability lay in her weak heart.
Our proximity was reduced to a single step, almost on the verge of contact. Taking a towel I had acquired from the nurse, I gently began to dry her rain-soaked hair.
"Huh!?" she exclaimed, clearly taken aback by the unexpected gesture.
"You advised me to take care of myself, yet here you are doing the same," I remarked.
As I dried her hair, I couldn't help but notice the silky and beautiful texture it possessed. She truly deserved to be referred to as a princess...
Arisu avoided my gaze, appearing slightly uneasy about my spontaneous action of touching her hair. She made an effort to convey a sense of composure, but in retrospect, I should have sought permission before proceeding.
However, I took the initiative because I felt accountable for her being exposed to the rain. Normally, I wouldn't have been concerned, but she stood there out of worry for my well-being. Thus, as a token of gratitude, I felt compelled to offer her this much care, I suppose.
"I'm astonished by your occasional gentleness, Ayanokouji-Kun," she finally remarked, having calmed herself.
"What's even more surprising is that you endured the rain on my behalf, knowing the risk of catching a cold."
She closed her eyes briefly, seemingly lost in thought, then met my gaze with an answer. "Well, you could call it human warmth."
Human warmth? I see, so that's what it's called. Honestly, I've never experienced it before, nor do I anticipate ever encountering it. My upbringing in the 'White Room' was devoid of any warmth, embodying pure coldness and its exact opposite.
Shaking off those contemplations, I resumed drying her hair. Once finished, I glanced at the wall clock in the room. It read 00:20.
"We should leave now. I don't want to keep him waiting any longer."
Arisu nodded, and together we headed out of the infirmary.
Rain was still falling, prompting me to open the umbrella again. As I did, Arisu came closer, holding my hand, this time standing even closer to me.
"Hm?"
"...Weren't you the one who just told me to take care of myself?" she inquired.
"Indeed, I was."
"Well then, there shouldn't be any issue," she replied.
Recognizing the futility of arguing, I let it go.
***
After walking for a while, we reached the meeting place I had arranged, which was...
"Class A, huh? Why did you choose this spot?" Arisu asked, eyeing the door.
"I'm transferring to this class today, so I thought discussing matters here would be appropriate. Also, the person I'm meeting suggested it, mentioning that the classroom would likely be empty at this time," I explained.
"That's a reasonable choice, I suppose. If my assumptions are correct, then I believe I know who you're about to meet," she remarked.
"Which is why I asked last time – do you really want to get involved in this?"
"Yes, my stance hasn't changed. Consider me an observer for now," she affirmed.
"If that's your decision. But remember, if you start obstructing things, I won't hesitate to take action."
She grinned, acknowledging that she understood, and I made a mental note that I would only tolerate her presence as long as she remained true to her word. If, at any point, I sensed she was attempting to interfere, I would promptly remove her from the situation. Arisu, it's in your best interest not to invite that outcome.
"Hehe, your determination is quite evident from your gaze. Alright then, I'll behave as promised and act as if it doesn't concern me. Is that acceptable?"
"As long as you stick to that, it's fine."
With that settled, I slid open the door and saw Mashima-sensei standing by the window, gazing at the falling rain.
"Sensei, I'm here. Apologies for the wait," I stated.
Arisu entered the room and took a seat on the first bench.
"Hello, Sensei," Arisu began, addressing Mashima-Sensei. "I see you were involved with Ayanokouji-kun. That explains most of what I need to know."
Mashima-Sensei seemed surprised, his expression understandably natural since I hadn't informed him about bringing someone along.
"Why is she here? It's not safe to involve a student," Mashima Sensei said, directing a glare at me.
"Now, now, Sensei, don't glare at him. It's not Ayanokouji-kun's fault," Arisu intervened.
"Don't worry, she will be just an observer and nothing more than that," I reassured.
Mashima-Sensei remained unconvinced about having her here, and I fully agreed with him on this. However, I couldn't force her to leave.
After a moment of thought, he began to speak. "Fine. She can stay, but I don't want to share much information while she is here," he stated.
I glanced at Arisu, noticing a hint of sadness in her expression upon hearing that. While it was true that revealing too much wouldn't be wise, I knew Arisu well. She always contemplated the potential consequences before presenting herself in such situations, so I was confident she was prepared for whatever Mashima-Sensei would disclose.
"That won't be good enough, Sensei. I want you to share all the information now," I asserted.
She looked at me, clearly surprised by my statement.
"Are you sure?" he inquired.
"Yes, I'll take the responsibility," I affirmed.
Taking on this responsibility wasn't a significant burden, so I didn't mind.
"Thank you, Ayanokouji-kun," Arisu expressed her gratitude.
I nodded and turned my gaze back to Mashima-Sensei, who appeared incredulous at my words.
"If you're ready to take responsibility, then fine. I'll share everything," he sighed, relenting.
"Starting with what you mentioned, Ayanokouji, your assumption about Tsukichiro's involvement was correct. Amidst all the chaos caused by the explosion we orchestrated, I investigated the chairman's office. There, beneath the chairman's desk, I discovered a video recording of your training within that white room," he revealed.
"I inquired about its current location," I inquired, seeking clarity.
"It could pose a problem if it ends up in someone else's possession besides the white room," I expressed concern.
"As a teacher in this academy, accessing any student's room is easy. So, I placed it on your desk. When you find it, the recording will be concealed by a false book cover, resembling a regular library book," he explained.
"That sounds sufficient. By the way, did you watch the entire video? Typically, when people acquire something unfamiliar, their curiosity drives them to delve deep and uncover its true nature. After all, that's human nature," I inquired.
"No, I only viewed half of it. Plus, it wouldn't be right to watch more content without asking you," he justified.
"Um, I suppose. It's likely you wouldn't have even examined that half if I hadn't mentioned it while discussing my plan."
During our discussion, Mashima sensei mentioned that he preferred not to watch it. However, I suggested it would be wise to preview the content. It could potentially be a trap, especially given Tsukishiro's nature. Considering I already knew it was related to me, I wouldn't be surprised if he had set up something like that. I provided him with the initial few minutes, suggesting that if those matched, he could conclude it was about me and halt midway.
Seems like that's exactly what he did. Similar to Mr. Sakaynagi's observation, he's a genuinely good person.
"Haha, indeed. However, it turned out irrelevant; there was no trap. Perhaps he assumed you couldn't access them due to student restrictions and left it trap-free," he commented.
"I found myself caught up in overthinking," I admitted.
While that's what I said earlier, I believe there's a deeper layer to the situation. Tsukishiro isn't one to take such risks; he must have considered that I could enlist Mashima-sensei's help to acquire them for me.
It's reasonable to assume he had an ulterior motive for not setting a trap there. However, I'm not certain about this yet. For now, let's wait to hear what else Mashima-sensei has been able to uncover.
"Please continue, sensei," I urged him to proceed.
"Sure, next up is the encounter you had with the masked individual not long ago," he informed.
"Masked person?" Arisu's head tilted cutely in confusion.
I haven't shared this information with her yet, so her bewilderment is understandable.
"I'll explain this to you later, Arisu," I assured her.
Explaining now would only prolong the conversation.
"Alright, please carry on," Arisu agreed, showing understanding.
I'm relieved that Arisu isn't pushing the matter. I turned back to Mashima-sensei.
"Did you manage to gather any leads about this masked person, sensei?" I inquired.
"You could say that," he replied, retrieving his phone from his pocket. He seemed to be searching for something, and then he displayed his phone in a way that I could see.
"As you can see, this proves that he was with Tsukishiro," Mashima-sensei pointed out.
There's a recording of the entrance gate, timestamped with the date and time. Presumably, it's from the Academy's front camera.
As I watched, I saw a person in a suit entering the academy with a few others. They seemed to be accompanying Tsukishiro. As I continued to watch, my attention fixated on a particular individual.
"Indeed, it's the same person," I affirmed.
No doubt that the Masked person arrived with Tsukishiro. However, one thing still perplexes me: the reason behind leaving a recording behind. Despite possessing the chairman's authority, he could have easily erased the recording.
"I understand your thoughts, as they mirror my own concerns. He maintained the recording exactly as they were, without removing any part... Did he overlook this while departing?" Mashmia-sensei pondered.
"I had a similar thought..." I began, but swiftly dismissed it. "Do you possess any information about the Masked man—his true identity or his societal position?"
"I've been seeking information about him, but haven't found much. Only that he is a politician and oversees a major company in France," he shared.
France? Why would a French company leader and politician come to Japan? Is it solely because he wishes for his student to confront me, or does a different motive exist altogether?
"So, is there anything else available or is this the extent of it?" I inquired.
He shook his head. "I have more details to share, but unfortunately, I can't speak of them casually. Not until I obtain permission."
"I understand..."
"However, I can disclose one thing. The Masked person operates within an organization similar to the White Room. Yet, since I lack comprehensive knowledge about the White Room, I cannot confirm definitively. Could you provide insight into how the White Room operates?"
"Apologies, but I can't comply. It would be best if you refrained from involvement in matters related to the white room. I cannot guarantee your safety should you proceed. This pertains to 'That Man,'" I stated.
My concern doesn't lie with his safety; rather, 'That Man' would find it advantageous if he learned the Academy already possessed this knowledge. It would render his passive observation meaningless.
"I anticipated such a response from you. In case I obtain permission for further disclosure, I will keep you informed. Perhaps that might offer some clues," he responded.
"I'm thankful for that," I acknowledged.
"No need to thank me. Our priority is safeguarding our students, particularly when a student is in our class," he emphasized.
Our class? Did...
"Oops, so the cat's out of the bag," Arisu chimed in, attempting to mask her surprise.
"Did you already reveal it, Arisu?"
Cornered, she confessed, "Yes, I did. I informed Mashima Sensei on the very first day you mentioned transferring. I'm sorry; it was my mistake."
I should have foreseen this turn of events. Arisu managed to catch me off guard this time. I hadn't expected her to take initiative before me.
It's possible she suspected my intention behind transferring to her class, using her to validate my decision. If I attempted to switch to any other class later, she could have enlisted Mashima Sensei's aid to redirect me to her class.
"I suppose it's acceptable. After all, only a fool would place trust in me," I admitted.
My response left her taken aback.
"N-no, I genuinely trust you. It's just... I can't explain. I felt mere trust might not suffice. Hence, I engaged Mashima Sensei in this as well," Arisu clarified.
"I understand. However, doesn't that imply you had reservations about my words initially?"
"Absolutely not. I trusted you, but... Finding the right words is a bit tricky. You see, I acted on a hunch that involving Mashima Sensei might make things smoother. If I informed him about your impending visit to our class, he might have been more receptive to your requests."
It appears my theory was incorrect. On second thought, Mashima Sensei did seem surprisingly accommodating, almost as if he were speaking to one of his own students, showing genuine concern.
I might have been able to figure this out had I understood human warmth better.
"I'm surprised you went through all that trouble just to facilitate the situation for me."
"Hmph, if you get lost in overthinking, you won't have a proper challenge from me," she teased, puffing her cheeks slightly.
"I appreciate your camaraderie. Your rapport caught me off guard. I had no idea Sakayangi could display such behavior until I saw her conversing with you. Similarly, I wasn't aware Ayanokouji possessed these traits until I witnessed his interaction with Sakayangi," Mashima Sensei commented.
Checking the time on Mashima Sensei's recording, it's now 00:50. We should probably return.
"Regardless, thank you again, Mashima Sensei. It's time for the two of us to head back," I suggested.
But before I leave, there's one more matter to address.
"Oh, by the way, Sensei, my phone – it got damaged during the incident. Could the school possibly provide me with a replacement?" I inquired.
"Destroyed? You hadn't mentioned that," Arisu chimed in.
"It slipped my mind until just now. I apologize for that, Sensei."
"No need to apologize. The school will furnish you with a new one, but it might take a few days," he assured.
"A few days, huh..." I muttered.
I expected as much. Replacing a phone involves transferring data from the previous one, including private points, OAA, contacts, and various other items. So, the delay is understandable.
"I'll manage somehow," I assured.
As I spoke, Arisu fixed her gaze on me, wearing a smile. "Until he retrieves his phone, I'll cover his expenses," she offered.
Anticipating such a response from her, I felt no qualms; it's not as though she intends to manipulate me.
"I'm okay with that, sensei," I replied.
"Very well, if you're both agreeable, it's fine by me," he consented.
"Then, until next time, sensei," I bid as I turned to leave the room, but just as I did...
"Wait, I assume neither of you has had any dinner?" He inquired.
I halted and glanced at Arisu. Apparently, she was also without food.
"Now that you mention it, no, we haven't. Unfortunately, all the restaurants would have closed by now," I explained.
Given the late hour, this was to be expected.
"Yes, indeed. I wish there were some way I could assist," he expressed apologetically.
This isn't an issue for me, though; I should have some pre-prepared food in my room, which I could also offer to Arisu.
"How about you allow Ayanokouji-kun to stay in my room? I can prepare food for both of us," Arisu suggested, directing her gaze at me.
"Wait, it's quite late and dark. Allowing a boy onto a girls' floor is a bit too risky," Mashima-sensei responded in a concerned tone.
I concur with his point; I see no reason to involve myself in more trouble than necessary.
However, observing her determination, it appears she isn't inclined to give up easily.
"Didn't you mention earlier, sensei, that you wanted to assist in any way possible? Shouldn't you be keeping your word?" she inquired.
"Always as cold as ever, Arisu," I thought to myself.
"That's not the only matter, Sakayangi. Do you truly wish to have a boy in your room at this hour?"
"Why not? It's not like this is our first time spending a night in my room," she explained.
"Wait... Did..." Sensei's disbelief was evident in his expression.
"Allow me, sensei. I can explain. It was before the exams began. Do you recall when I came to pick up Arisu? At that time, I advised you to stay close to her," I began to clarify.
"Yes, I remember that, but what does it have to do with you being in Sakayanagi's room?"
"Remember how upset she was because I arrived late and how bored she became? At that moment, I suggested having a match with her as an apology. Consequently, I went to her room to play chess... but eventually, we played through the night and fell asleep before realizing it," I concluded my explanation. "So that's what happened, sensei."
"Seriously, if that's already taken place and Sakayanagi is alright with it, then I can make an exception this time. However, remember not to attract attention from others," he advised sternly.
Seems like I'll find myself in her room once more... Well, I did want her to teach me something. Perhaps I'll take the chance to ask.
"It's settled, then. Let's go, Ayanokouji-kun," she said, gripping my wrist and pulling me out of the room.
Soon, Mashima-sensei was out of my line of sight, and all I could see was her hair fluttering through the air as she guided me towards her room.
Chapter 13 ends here.
Well, a lot of things happened in this chapter and I am glad I was finally able to upload a new chapter after a long time, but unfortunately, I will keep this pace, only. The chapter upload date would be random, but I will inform the release before only, that's it about my part.
As for the story, I think the readers had already figured there is a lot of fore shading I kept in this, especially with Tsukishiro, Mashima-sensei, and the masked man too. Don't worry everything would be revealed as the story continues, so keep reading the latest chapter I upload.
With that, I take my live.