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On the morning of the third day of school, in Class 1-A's classroom.
Sunlight streamed through the clean window glass, casting bright spots of light on the desks.
The air was filled with the fresh scent of a new day beginning, but this freshness could not dispel the heavy gloom in Kamuro Masumi's heart.
Kamuro Masumi sat in a back-row seat, her purple hair falling over her shoulders, covering most of her indifferent face.
She rested her chin on one hand, her gaze seemingly on the open textbook, but deep within her violet eyes was a swirling vortex of confused thoughts.
The conversation she had unintentionally overheard at the corridor corner yesterday afternoon lingered in her mind.
Sakayanagi Arisu, the silver-haired girl with a cane, her classmate. She was actually conspiring with Class C's Ryuuen Kakeru, preparing to jointly deal with Sakamoto-kun, and she was even using information from the s system to sell to Class C.
Sakamoto-kun—the black-haired boy who, outside the convenience store, made her cheeks flush and heart race with a can of juice. He was still completely unaware of this.
A strong impulse surged within her heart—
Tell him.
Tell him everything.
But the next second, cold rationality engulfed her like a tide.
Tell him?
On what grounds?
What was her relationship with Sakamoto-kun?
It was just one awkward encounter at a convenience store.
He might not even remember her name.
Why should she get involved in this dangerous vortex?
Sakayanagi and Ryuuen's target was only Sakamoto-kun; Class 1-A as a whole had control of the class points information and should not be significantly affected.
Why should she provoke Sakayanagi and Ryuuen for someone she didn't even know well? What if she brought trouble upon herself, and they targeted her... Kamuro instinctively clenched her fingers.
It's better to mind her own business... She forced herself to calm down, her gaze refocusing on the textbook.
However, her thoughts uncontrollably drifted to the small mini-fridge in her dorm room—a can of white juice lay quietly inside.
That was the can Sakamoto-kun had "swapped" at the convenience store, which she had paid for.
She had never drunk it, and by some strange impulse, she had put it in the mini-fridge.
Why keep it? Kamuro herself couldn't say.
Perhaps, that can of juice carried too many complex emotions.
Class time was approaching step by step.
Just a moment before the bell sliced through the air!
The classroom door was gently pushed open.
A tall figure appeared at the doorway, precisely silhouetted against the morning light streaming in from the corridor, his outline momentarily a bit blurry.
He took a step forward, entering the bright light of the classroom—black-rimmed glasses, a clear dark brown tear mole under his left eye, an handsome and serene face, and a wine-red school uniform that perfectly outlined his tall and straight figure.
It was Sakamoto-kun.
He began to walk, as all eyes in the class instantly focused on him.
His steps were still steady and fluid, each one as if measured, his arm swing moderate, his shoulders and back straight as a pine.
His destination was clearly the empty seat by the window.
Just as he reached the empty seat by the window, his left hand very naturally brushed the air above the chair back, his body smoothly turning towards the seat, his center of gravity lowering, his posture graceful, his hips perfectly settling onto the chair surface at that very instant—
"RING—!!!!"
The preparatory bell, announcing the official start of class, rang out loudly and without warning, as if precisely calculated!
Time froze for a moment. The previous second was absolute silence and the last frame of Sakamoto-kun sitting down, the next was a deafening announcement.
Only the boy who had just taken his seat by the window, amidst the surging sound waves, merely adjusted his sitting posture very naturally, turning his gaze calmly towards the direction of the podium entrance.
His movements were unhurried, as if the deafening noise was merely background sound effect ringing for his precise seating.
The entire classroom was silent.
The elites of Class 1-A were already accustomed to this shock, merely exchanging silent exclamations and a hint of accustomed understanding with their eyes.
Kamuro Masumi looked at Sakamoto-kun's still composed demeanor, a complex emotion flashing in her violet eyes.
It's like this again, not a second off. This guy's control over time is simply terrifying.
She subconsciously glanced at the position against the wall on the other side of the classroom.
Sakayanagi Arisu sat there quietly, her cane leaning against her chair.
She rested her chin on one hand, her gaze calmly fixed on Sakamoto-kun, a faint, playful curve at the corner of her mouth.
That smile was enigmatic, as if she were appreciating an interesting collectible, or perhaps plotting something.
Kamuro was completely unable to glean any useful information from that calm face.
Sakayanagi, what exactly was she thinking?
Would she really, as planned yesterday, team up with Ryuuen to deal with Sakamoto-kun?
Kamuro's thoughts became even more chaotic.
She forced herself to avert her gaze, looking towards the podium, trying to concentrate on the teacher's lecture.
However, throughout the entire morning's lessons, Kamuro was in a state of distraction.
The teacher's explanations were like background noise, while Sakamoto-kun's tall back and Sakayanagi's mysterious smile flashed alternately in her mind.
The dismissal bell rang, signaling a short break.
Kamuro noticed that fewer people seemed to be gathered around Sakamoto-kun's desk than the previous two days.
Perhaps everyone had grown accustomed to the elegant atmosphere around Sakamoto-kun.
But Morishita Ai, with her shoulder-length purple hair tied in two pigtails, still persistently clung to Sakamoto-kun, chattering about something, her face beaming with smiles.
Sakamoto-kun's expression was calm, occasionally nodding in response, his demeanor elegant and composed.
Kamuro sat in her seat, watching from afar, her fingers unconsciously stroking the edge of her textbook.
She wanted to walk over, like Morishita Ai, to naturally strike up a conversation, or even to warn him about something?
But she ultimately just sat there, her violet eyes lowered, allowing the entanglement and hesitation to churn within her heart.
Time slowly passed in Kamuro's agony. The morning classes finally ended.
"Ding-a-ling-ling—!"
The bell announcing the end of class rang out clearly.
The teacher on the podium had just announced the end of class and closed his lesson plan.
"Crash—"
Almost at the same moment, Sakamoto, in the window seat, stood up like an arrow shot from a bow!
His movements were as swift as lightning, yet carried an indescribable smoothness and elegance.
He directly strode forward, walking purposefully towards the classroom door.
His steps were steady and strong, his shoulders and back straight like a pine tree.
He moved through the crowd like Moses parting the Red Sea; the surrounding students instinctively made way for him.
That unhurried aura made it seem as if he wasn't leaving the classroom, but rather hurrying to an important, pre-arranged meeting.
The entire process was fluid and unhesitating.
From the moment the bell rang until he disappeared at the classroom door, only a few seconds passed.
Kamuro Masumi suddenly raised her head.
Sakamoto, where was he going?!
To the cafeteria for lunch? No, the cafeteria was in the opposite direction. Moreover, his speed and posture upon leaving were completely unlike someone going to eat.
To do something even more unexpected?
Curiosity, like a vine, quietly wrapped around her, overriding the hesitation in her heart.
Kamuro didn't hesitate for a moment; she quickly grabbed her phone from the desk, not even having time to tidy her books, and abruptly stood up!
"Excuse me!"
She whispered to the student next to her, her voice carrying a hint of imperceptible urgency.
She quickly squeezed out of her seat and chased after him towards the classroom door!
In the corridor, Sakamoto's tall figure had already reached the corner, about to disappear from view.
Kamuro's heart rate suddenly accelerated!
She quickened her pace, her purple hair slightly lifting as she ran.
She decided to follow him!
To see what this enigmatic Sakamoto would do when no one was watching!
Perhaps... this could help her understand him better?
Perhaps... this could help her make her final decision?