POV: Kiyotaka

We, the Ayanokouji Group, are currently at Pallet Cafe for another study session.

To be honest, I am not really familiar when I call my group that stands with my name yet.

Haruka: "So Airi did a few photographs beforehand. Did you ever publish your photos or not?"

It's been a while since I contacted Sakura. But she volunteered to join the group and the outcome for her development is more noticeable than previous.

Airi: "Y-yes. I did photography, but I only post a few photos about sceneries and stuff."

Perhaps, she did not want to tell anyone that she was once an idol that has many followers with the named Shizuku.

We did more chit-chatting with each other and to be honest, I am enjoying myself with this group, and I have Torikachi protecting my school life.

I guess I should express myself once in a while.

Haruka: "Kiyopon, did you do any clubs in your middle school, since Miyachii told me that you managed to run toe-to-toe with the former Student Council president."

"To be blunt, I was in a club called 'Rush to home' club." I joked. Torikachi told me that the name also has some kind of ironic meaning, so I decided to try the joke out and it seems like it's working.

Akito: "Really dude? I thought you were working out or something in order to race with the former president like that. You did shock all of us." He said while everyone else chuckled.

It is true, but not for certain people, mainly Koenji, Horikita, and Torikachi. They did not look shocked at all.

Speaking of Torikachi, I can sense his presence somewhere in the cafe.

'How long can this guy stalking me around like this?' I thought as I continue the chat with my group.

It had been a while since Torikachi started dating Nishikawa. He told me that their relationship had been progressed in a good way.

Again, he probably never experience love in his life because he got abandoned by his parents, so I guess we are the same in certain ways.

He is currently enjoying his moment in his life with a smile on his face. I wonder when I could smile as genuinely like him in the future.

Today is Monday of our final week before the winter break, and Torikachi told me that man will be here within five days.

For some reason, I am feeling a bit uneasy because of it. Even though Torikachi told me that Chairman had brought the evidence to the government, I still feel a little bit of discomfort.

Not that matters at the moment. I will enjoy my school life in this school.

*time skip to next day.

I borrowed Horikita's book from the library: "Farewell, My Lovely" is the name of the book. It has been a while since I read it, but it is still a good book nonetheless.

Horikita told me that the due date is today, so I need to read this fast so I can return to the library.

It is currently lunchtime, I went to the library to read, as well as return the book.

But coincidentally, I met someone who is very familiar since I encountered her.

She name is Shiina Hiyori.

Torikachi told me that there is no need to be aware of her since Ryuuen does not want her to get involved in his dirty work.

As I helped her to get the book that she struggled to get, she asked me if I like mystery books or not.

I said yes, and she started to get excited because of it. She told me that she is the only person in her class who loves reading mystery novels.

Again, it is currently lunchtime, so we decided to go to the cafeteria for some food.

Shiina introduced me to some books that she loves to read.

"Go ahead, choose what you like. Don't hold back please." She said.

"Willian Irish, Ellery Queen, Lawrence Block, Isaac Asimov. You have good taste." I replied.

However, I noticed something is off when I spectate the books.

"Wait... these are not from the library, doesn't it?" I asked.

"Yes. These books are from my personal collection. I wanted to share these books with someone who has the same hobby as I do." She replied.

"Then I guess I will take Ellery Queen. I always wanted to read one of her creations."

'I could borrow her book whenever I wanted, huh?' I thought as I proceed to return to class after our lunchtime.

"I guess I will see you on another day. I will read the book as you requested." I said as I go to the classroom for afternoon classes.

Haruka asked us to go to the mall after class, mainly talked about if I happened to dating with Shiina or not.

But I just shrugged it off and continue with my day.

*time skip to the next day

It is time for me to confront that man, but Torikachi told me to wait because Chabashira-sensei will escort me to him.

"Ne~ Ayanokouji-kun... I'm just wondering if you are free on the day before Christmas Eve?" Asks my previous partner from the Paper Shuffle exam.

As I can remember, I rejected her invitation twice before that, so it will be rude if I reject her three times in a row.

And since I have no reason to reject her, I accept her request.

"Yay!! Thank you, Ayanokouji-kun. I will see you on that day then." Satou could not hide her embarrassment any longer, leaves the classroom with a rush.

Now, there are only Chabashira-sensei and I alone inside the classroom. Even though she is still emotionless, she still has a vulnerable expression.

"Ayanokouji, will you come with me for a moment?" She asks.

"My apologies, sensei. I have business with Horikita after class." I joke using one of my iconic excuses.

"I have to inform you that it is urgent for you to come with me." She replies. I guess I have no choice to come with her.

"Alright." I comply as I walk toward her location.

*time skip to the meeting.

We are currently in the admission room, I assume that man still wanted me to drop out even though he will be in jail soon.

Chabashira-sensei is sweating the closer she walks to the room.

As she opens the door, I can see two figures talking to each other.

One of them is the headmaster of the school. I only saw him when we were in the ceremony, now I get to have a closer look at him.

He is currently sweating due to the pressure the other man gives.

However, one of them, a very familiar presence, back in that place, the one that I have feelings of familiarity attached to.

I knew this will happen because Torikachi informed me about it beforehand.

As they finished their conversation, the headmaster quickly leaves the room, along with Chabashira-sensei after that.

"Kiyotaka, have a seat. I am here for my accord after all." Said the man.

It has been a year, no, a year and a half since I have heard this man's voice, which is as pressuring back when I was in his control.

"I do not want to take this conversation for too long. I have some friends to meet." I say.

"Don't make me laugh. You never have the capability to have friends in the first place." He replies. Even though he does not know about my current situation in the school, he still makes these kinds of assumptions.

"I neither can confirm nor deny your assumption," I say.

"I have all the necessary documents for you to drop out. I just need you to agree with my request, and we are done." He said.

"I have no reason to agree with your request,"

"I guess there's no way of forcing you to drop out."

"I already have no reason to,"

"I guess I should inform you that the White Room's information has been leaked to the government." Now he is being honest here.

"How come?" I asked while knowing the answer.

"Apparently, someone purposely leaked the information to the government a few weeks ago, so I am currently the prime suspect of the investigation." He said.

"If so, how can you possibly force me to drop out while you are the founder of that place," I asked.

"However, the leaked information only states that I am the only one who is operating the White Room, so I still want you to comply with my request to return and take my place." He answered. "Since I already expected your answer, I gave my position to another person I trust."

"So, you mean that the White Room is still working even though it had been exposed?" I asked. This information is new to me since Torikachi did not inform me about this information.

"You could take it however you like." He said. "You have been more talkative lately, I assumed that this cram school did change you in a bad way."

"Indeed, the White Room has the best education program that people might have ever known. You taught us the knowledge that no people can consume within their lifespan, all kinds of martial arts, and many more." I said. "However, is it really true that the White Room taught everything for me? If I stay, shall I know any knowledge of freedom? Or rebellion? I attend this school for my own volition."

"I guess there is no reason to bring you back at the moment." He said.

He looked at me as we exchange gazes at each other. Even though people tend to lose their strength over time, his gaze did not fade as the pressure of the room become heavy.

"Do you remember Matsuo?"

*time skip about Professor talking about Matsuo documentaries and how White Room becoming better as ever after one year of maintenance.

"Then there is no reason for me to comply with your request of dropping out. You will be in jail soon, and I will still be in this school until graduation as Matsuo's will." I said.

"Then I guess there is no point. Drop out now, or I will do it by force." He said.

"How can you possibly do that while you are in jail?" I asked.

As I asked the question, he smirked as he was hiding something that even I and Torikachi do not know about.

"It's simple, but I have no reason to tell you about it." He answered.

"Then I guess there is no point for us to continue this conversation."

As I am about to leave, another figure enters the room with a vulnerable expression on his face, and a familiar presence comes along with him.

"So, I assumed that your conversation has ended." Said the man. His tone was gentle, as he looks toward the man called my father.

"Sakayanagi, huh...?" He said. "It has been more than eight years since we've met."

"Indeed, Ayanokouji-sensei." Replies the other. I assume that he is the Chairman of the school.

*blah blah blah, they talked about how Kiyo got accepted into the school despite not having previous record and processes are for show.

As the Chairman said, his gentle smile disappeared and changed into an emotionless expression.

"I heard that the White Room had been leaked to the government. What are you going to do, Sensei?" Asked the Chairman.

"The White Room's existence does not concern you, Sakayanagi, and why did you bring another student here? I assume you brought him for some reason." Asked my father.

"Indeed it is, old man." Said the student rudely, he knows about everything that man had ever done.

"I think I know this familiar face and voice, but it had been 9 years since I get to see him once again." Said the professor. I did not expect that he knows about Torikachi's information. "As I can remember, the name was Torikachi if I'm not mistaken. As a student, you are very rude against the man who is your superior."

"Shut it, old sack," Torikachi replied rudely. "I ain't their property anymore."

"I assume that you are, Kizutsu Torikachi." He calls out Torikachi's full name. "I heard that your family left you to Haru's orphanage."

"I am not surprised that you have that information that is confidential for my family." Replied Torikachi. "Well, you ain't an influencer of the government for nothing."

"Have you heard? That place got burned due to not being trustworthy in the public eyes, and the caretakers were sent to jail as kidnappers." That man said.

"So what? Do you want to make me angry about it? Give me a break." Torikachi replied while facepalming. "I don't care about them, neither that place."

"You've changed drastically since then, huh? I guess this is what they've done to you." Replied that man.

POV: Torikachi

I am currently facing Professor Ayanokouji, who is currently the superior from my previous family's perspective. With the knowledge I obtained when I got teleported into this world, I have things to fight against him.

He is a very powerful man that my family in this world respected. And I am surprised that he knows about my family's confidential information in this world.

I thought I might have been released from them, but apparently, I am not.

"You know, they are waiting for your return. It had been more than five years since they saw you, and they regret that they have abandoned you." Said the Professor. If he tries to gain sympathy from me, then he failed successfully, as expected.

"I have no information to trust your words," I replied.

"The documentaries about the orphanage had already been published, and 'Missing' paper notices had been stapled all around Tokyo, all the way down to Ishigaki Island." He said.

"I'm surprised that they are so desperately wanted me back for more torturing," I replied. "After all, they ain't abandoned me for no reason."

"I supposed. The reason for your presence here has to do with White Room's leaked information, hasn't it?" He asked.

"How can you assume that? I did not know that you are this careless about my family." I said. "Yes, I heard that they saw the White Room's operation system, but you did careless to let them walk into the security room."

"I guess this is how they got the recordings, huh?" He replied. "It sounds like they need punishment."

"Do it however you like. I don't have the reason to be grateful for them." I said. "I assume that you will be in jail soon, so I think you've planned some countermeasures."

"So my guts were right. I do not believe you are this disgraceful to your family. I guess it has to do with your previous records."

"Perhaps. You should find out for yourself. Oh, wait? You will be in jail soon, so have fun with that." I replied with a disrespectful tone.

"I guess I should punish them before I lose all of my connections." He said while turning his gaze towards Kiyotaka. "Kiyotaka, drop out now or we will proceed with force."

"I have no reason to comply, and you have no more power when the time comes." He replied.

"Then I assume that there is no point for me to see you ever again," Professor said while standing up.

"Kizutsu Torikachi." He called me while grabbing my shoulder. "If you want the facility to shut down, you will need more than what you have."

"Then I assume you left him in charge," I said while knowing the outcome. Tsukishiro will be here as the Acting Director in the future, huh... "Doesn't matter. I will protect Kiyotaka from them. It's futile to bring him back."

"Our conversation has ended." He said while leaving the room.

As there are three of us remaining, the Chairman starts to speak.

"Sensei is as sharp as ever, and you didn't faze by him, Torikachi-kun." He said. "I now understand why you don't have a last name. I'm sorry to hear about it."

"There are no reasons for you to apologize, Chairman. I don't mind about it." I replied honestly. "I hold no grudge for them at the moment."

"But still, your family is one of the most respected families in Japan, but you didn't get any luxuries from it." He said.

"It's okay. At least I'm grateful that you still accepted me into this school." I replied. "I'm grateful for it even though I wasn't one of the registered contestants."

"The pleasure is mine, Torikachi-kun." Replied Chairman. "Now, Kiyotaka-kun. It seems like your father still wants you to return, but I will protect you from them, as long as you wish not to continue living in this school anymore. But I can not protect you from everything since it will make me look bad in the public eyes."

"I understand, Chairman." Replied Kiyotaka. "I do not have any intention for doing so."

"Then I'm glad to hear it."

"Now, I guess it is time for us to take our leave. I wish you have a good winter break, Chairman." I said as I raised my hand signal to Kiyotaka to come with me.

"Then I do wish for you too, my students." He replied as we leave the room.

As we close the door, Sae-sensei walks towards us with a vulnerable expression.

"How did it go?" She asked.

"I'm sure that if I did not interfere, you might already regret it in the first place, Chabashira-sensei," I replied.

"I guess it's true." She continued. "But, I sure hope that you know what you are doing, Torikachi."

"Fine, fine. You want to reach class A while I don't, but I guess having the traits is not that bad, so I will try my best within my capabilities." I replied.

"So, Kiyotaka, I supposed you are ready for the 'thing', aren't you?"

===========================================================================

Hello, everyone.

This chapter had written and published sooner than expected.

What can I say?

Coincidence can be freaky.

XD

Anyway, I messed up the order in writing this chapter, but the main contents are there, except for Hiyori's intro, I think that's not much relevant though since I think that it is only important for developments so I skipped most of the conversations. Sorry about that.

So yeah.

Anyway, I hope y'all enjoy this chapter, and the next will be soon enough.

PEACE!!!!