December has already passed its halfway point.
The changing of the seasons comes quickly, and now I see many students wearing gloves and scarves.
Our Class B is currently searching for Class D's strategist, X, under Ryūen's orders. Since a traitor named Manabe emerged from our class, and the previous exam was sabotaged by X, Ryūen seems to have taken an active stance.
That said, it's not like we're investigating Class D every single day. After school, Ryūen has us tail specific students from Class D that he's marked as suspicious.
"Hikigaya-kun. You'll come with me after this."
Just as I was about to head to the library with Hiyori after school, our homeroom teacher, Mr. Sakagami, called out to me.
Being summoned like this is unusual in this school.
I don't recall doing anything wrong, but the eyes of the class turn toward me.
"Hey, hey, what's up, Hikigaya? Did you do something?"
Ishizaki, who was nearby, asked with a concerned tone.
"Nah, I don't think I did anything."
"This is the first time you've been called out, right? I hope nothing's wrong…"
"…I'll go check it out. Sorry, Hiyori, looks like I can't make it today."
"It's fine. Please be careful."
Though I glance back at Hiyori, who looks worried, I walk toward Mr. Sakagami waiting by the door.
"So, what is it? I don't think I've caused any problems."
"…Sorry, but I can't answer that. Just follow me without asking questions."
His expression darkens slightly as he picks up the pace.
If he can't answer, that must mean it's something even the teachers aren't allowed to know.
Either way, I don't have a good feeling about this.
"The reception room?"
Following him, we gradually leave the areas used by students and arrive at the reception room.
I don't usually come to places like this, so I glance around—only to see two figures approaching from the opposite hallway.
"Ms. Chabashira… and Ayanokōji, was it?"
"Mr. Sakagami…"
From the other direction came Class D's homeroom teacher, Ms. Chabashira, and… Ayanokōji.
At this unexpected encounter, Ayanokōji and I exchange glances.
"Principal. I've brought Hikigaya Hachiman and Ayanokōji Kiyotaka."
The two teachers glance at each other but say nothing more as they knock on the door.
The principal, huh…
"Come in."
A gentle yet aged voice responds.
Opening the reception room door, I see a man I recognize—undoubtedly the school's principal, whom I've seen during assemblies. However, his expression lacks its usual composure, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
And sitting across from him is another man.
At that moment, I realize—
Why we've been called here.
"Well then, we'll leave the three of you to talk… if that's alright."
"Of course."
"We'll excuse ourselves now. Take your time."
After addressing the man sitting across from the principal, the teachers who brought us here leave the room.
Just before the door closes, I catch a glimpse of their uneasy expressions—almost as if they're fleeing for their own safety.
The door shuts, leaving only the hum of the heater in the air.
As we remain silent, the man quietly speaks.
"You might as well sit down. I went out of my way to come here."
A voice I haven't heard in a year… no, a year and a half.
His tone and inflection haven't changed at all.
"I don't plan on staying long enough to sit. I have plans with a friend later."
"Same here. What's this about?"
"Friends, you say? Don't make me laugh. People like you don't have such things."
When we try to deflect, he dismisses us outright, as if he knows everything.
His words are absolute in his own mind.
"The expulsion forms are already prepared. I've settled things with the principal. All that's left is for you to say 'yes,' and it's over."
His sharp gaze pierces through us, leaving no room for evasion.
"There's no reason for us to drop out."
"Maybe not for you. But for me, there is."
"You'd decide your child's future based solely on your own selfish whims?"
"A parent, you say? Have you ever once seen me as a father?"
"Guess not."
This is far from a normal father-son conversation.
It's nothing but futile. No matter what we say, our words will never align with his.
"And you… Yagami. No, it's Hikigaya now, isn't it?"
His oppressive gaze shifts to me.
"I've already looked into your movements after you ran away. You were hiding under Sakayanagi's protection, weren't you?"
Most likely, the only reason he confirmed my existence was because Ayanokōji enrolled in this school. Otherwise, this man would never have remained idle.
"That's none of your business."
"None of my business? You're the 'Masterpiece,' an equal to Kiyotaka. You don't understand your own value within the White Room. Expulsion is the only option."
"Expulsion? There's no connection between you and me. No blood relation, not even a formal tie. You have no right to expel me."
"You seem to be misunderstanding something. You two belong to me. Connections are irrelevant."
"How self-serving."
"Among the fourth generation, you were the only one who reached—or even surpassed—Kiyotaka's level, becoming the 'Masterpiece.' That was the result of my education. Do you think there's any greater bond than that?"
It's terrifying how seriously he believes this in a country governed by law.
"That's only within the White Room. Now that we're out, we have no obligation to obey you."
"Hikigaya's right."
"…You've become quite talkative since I last saw you. This worthless school's influence, I suppose."
He looks at us as if we're filth.
"No matter how much you push, we have no intention of dropping out."
Ayanokōji voices what we both think.
But of course, he won't accept that so easily. He's already prepared his next move.
"Aren't you curious about what happened to Matsuo—the one who told you about this school and enrolled you here?"
"Not really."
Ayanokōji shuts him down.
Unfazed, the man continues with a heavy tone and piercing gaze—enough to unsettle anyone's thoughts.
What follows is the story of Matsuo and his son.
Matsuo's punishment, the interference in his child's life—all of it is new to both Ayanokōji and me.
Because of Ayanokōji's selfishness, a father and son were left with nothing.
Given how this man despises pointless talk, it's likely all true.
But if that's all he has to say, it's rather anticlimactic.
"Why do specimens like you stray from the path? You should know there's no meaning in learning unnecessary things."
"An insatiable thirst for knowledge. I choose my own path. That's all."
"I have my own goals."
"Nonsense. Nothing exists beyond the path I've set. No greater purpose, either. You two were meant to surpass me and shape Japan's future. Why can't you understand that?"
"That's just how you see it."
"Stop forcing your will on us."
"…It seems talking is pointless."
"Agreed."
No matter how long this goes on, we'll never reach an understanding. There's no compromise to be had.
"The White Room has already resumed operations. Preparations are underway to make up for lost time."
"Then you must have others willing to carry on your will. Why obsess over us so much?"
"True, the project has restarted smoothly. But no one of your caliber has appeared yet."
That might be part of the reason, but something still feels off.
This man is far too fixated on us. There must be something more driving his obsession.
"One last warning. Kiyotaka, Yagami. Will you drop out by the hand of your parent—your educator—or by your own choice?"
He's desperate to drag us back, but I have no intention of yielding.
"…You refuse to return, then."
Our silence seems to be answer enough for him.
As the heavy quiet lingers, the reception room door suddenly opens.
"Excuse me."
A familiar man in his forties steps in.
The man across from us frowns slightly at the unexpected intrusion.
"…Sakayanagi. It's been a while. Seven, eight years?"
"Has it been that long already? Time flies."
The tense atmosphere is disrupted by the arrival of my benefactor—the chairman of this school, Sakayanagi.
I don't know why he's here now, but after exchanging greetings with the other man, he glances at me.
"Hello. It's been a while, Hachiman. And you must be Ayanokōji's son… Kiyotaka, right? Nice to meet you."
Despite the other man's presence, he greets us with a smile. Impressive.
"It's been a while, Chairman Sakayanagi."
"No need for such formalities… Ah, hold on a moment, Kiyotaka. I'd like to talk with you, Hachiman, and Ayanokōji's father together."
He stops Ayanokōji, who was about to leave the room.
As the school's chairman, refusing isn't an option.
"I've heard from the principal. You want them expelled."
"Correct. As Kiyotaka's father and Yagami's educator, I demand it. The school must act immediately."
If the chairman weren't Sakayanagi, we'd be cornered right now.
But knowing him, I'm not worried at all.
"That's incorrect. While parents do hold significant influence, in high school—unlike compulsory education—the students' wishes are respected."
"Ridiculous. I'm talking about forcing them out of a school they enrolled in without parental consent."
"High school is a student's choice. This school is fully funded by the government, so finances aren't an issue. It's up to them."
A simple yet reassuring statement.
Unlike the principal, who caved to authority, this is how a proper adult should act.
"You've changed. You used to agree with me. What happened?"
"I still respect you, Ayanokōji-sensei. But I must uphold this school's principles."
"…This is a waste of time."
Realizing further argument is futile, the man slowly rises from the sofa.
"When will we meet again?"
"Certainly not in a place like this."
"Let me see you out."
"Unnecessary."
With one last dismissive glance at us, he ignores Sakayanagi's offer and leaves.
"Whew. Ayanokōji-sensei really makes the air heavy, doesn't he?"
Relaxing into the sofa, Sakayanagi exhales deeply before turning to Ayanokōji.
"Now, I'm sure you have questions, but first—Kiyotaka, could you step out for a bit? I'd like to speak with Hachiman alone. You can ask him anything you want later."
"Understood. Thank you for today."
Ayanokōji bows and quickly exits.
Once he's gone, Sakayanagi sits across from me, his expression serious.
"…First, I'm sorry, Hachiman. The reason Ayanokōji-sensei found out about you… is because I allowed Kiyotaka to enroll here."
This school is secretive, but it accepts recommended students. In other words, no matter how well someone performs on exams, they'll be rejected without a recommendation.
Sakayanagi must have arranged Ayanokōji's enrollment. And once his father discovered him, my existence was inevitably exposed too.
"…It's fine. He would've found me eventually anyway. This just sped things up."
We're in the same boat, Ayanokōji and I.
"Still, you should be more concerned about yourself, Chairman. I doubt he'll let this go."
"…You're right. I'll be careful, but if the worst happens, I'll handle it myself."
Even as chairman, he isn't completely safe. That man's influence is too vast.
We talk about other things, but for now, we keep the conversation light. It's been a while, after all.
"Oh, and you can call me something more casual, you know? Like 'father-in-law' or—"
Wait, that's not the right term…
"No… You're my benefactor. 'Chairman Sakayanagi' is fine."
"Come on, you'll get used to it. I'm rooting for you and Arisu, after all."
He grins and gives me a thumbs-up, but… what is he saying?
"What are you talking about…"
"Don't be shy. I trust you with Arisu, and she clearly likes you."
This conversation has gone completely off the rails…
How am I supposed to respond to this?
"Didn't you two talk about marriage a while back? Arisu was pretty happy about it, though she didn't show it much."
"That was just drunk talk. I ignored it."
"You ignored it, but you remember it clearly, huh?"
Damn it. Dug my own grave there.
"Well, I should get going. It was nice catching up with you."
"Likewise."
Glancing at the clock, I see it's already past 6 PM. As chairman, Sakayanagi must have endless responsibilities.
"I'll take my leave now. Thank you for today."
I bow deeply, expressing my gratitude.
"Don't worry about it. Take care of Arisu for me."
"…Yeah."
This guy is way too invested in Arisu…
Is this what a healthy family looks like?
"Oh, and one more thing…"
Just as I'm about to leave, Sakayanagi calls out again.
Is there something else…?
"Take care of yourself. And don't push yourself too hard. If you were to drop out… Arisu and I would be heartbroken."
"…Thank you."
With those final words, I leave the reception room.
......…
Hearing that did make me happy, I won't deny it.
But… no matter what…
*"If you were to drop out… Arisu and I would be heartbroken."*
…I can't help but feel like I don't deserve it.
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