All or Nothing
By : rainy26541
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V2 Chapter 4
Intro
12:00pm was the beginning of the 1 hour break for the students and visitors. Having lunch, taking restroom breaks and planning strategies for the next 2 hours for the rest of the events, this would be the best time to conduct such activities.
However, with visitors around the campus, there was one unavoidable thing that was also set to happen during the break of the sports festival. All the visitors were alumni of the school. Whether they were CXOs of large or medium sized companies or captains or managers of specific sports teams or even politicians, it wouldn't be a surprise to have one of them approach a student to talk.
With that in mind, Kiyotaka got up from his seat at the Class B Commander cubicle and walked out. Arisu appeared to be waiting for him just to the side as immediately as she saw him, she walked up to him.
"Ayanokouji-kun. My father wants to see us before you go for lunch. You know what's about to happen next, right?"
Her expression was serious. The usual smug smile she always wore no matter whether the day was dry and sunny or cold and wet was no longer present on her face. Even in situations where they were extremely serious, she would always wear a cold smile. So seeing her like this meant only one thing.
Nodding, Kiyotaka ignored the stares from Kanzaki and Katsuragi and followed Arisu out of the building. Their destination was the main school building, however, they would not enter the school building at all.
Seeing the two of them leave, one of the teachers followed and caught up to them. This was the trusty assistant Chairman Sakayanagi told Kiyotaka about. The assistant actually stood nearby Kiyotaka for the last 3 hours, keeping an eye out for him if anything would happen and responding to it as quickly and discreetly as possible. However, nothing had happened, which was both reassuring and worrying.
Soon, they arrived at the front of the school and to the surprise of no one there, Chairman Sakayanagi and the man they were all expecting to see were standing there. The latter's eyes were as sharp as usual, sharper than a bread and large kitchen knife. As they turned to face Kiyotaka, the piercing glare became more visible. Anyone under such a glare would easily quiver in fear.
However, Kiyotaka and Arisu approached the two adults without fear. They stopped a little bit away from them knowing issues would arise if they got too close. But they were still within earshot to both hear and talk to them.
"Good afternoon Father. Good afternoon Ayanokouji-sensei. It has been a while."
Arisu called out to the two adults as soon as they stopped. Her smile had returned to her face, though it was a more serious smile compared to her usual smugness. Her classmates wouldn't be able to tell the difference between them, but Kiyotaka could tell.
"Sakayanagi Arisu, huh? I guess I should've expected you to be here if your father was here. And the fact that you seem close to Kiyotaka. That was my own stupid mistake for not considering that," Professor Ayanokouji said with his usual Antartica tone.
Being under the guise of such a tone and glare would immediately cause the person to wither into dust. However, no such thing happened to Arisu. She showed barely any fear being under the gaze. There was a small sweat drop coming down from her forehead, but that was barely anything considering how well she was keeping up her composure.
"Seeing you now compared to when you visited that place that day, you've seemed to have grown."
"I thank you for the compliment, Ayanokouji-sensei, especially since it's from you."
Arisu bowed, hands on her skirt as she lifted it a bit too. An elegant bow for a princess-like girl.
"However, I suggest you don't get involved anymore. This is between me and Kiyotaka. Unlike your father here, you don't hold that much power here over the board and the school itself."
"Fufufu. That is indeed true, Ayanokouji-sensei. However, I am considered the princess of the school by most of the students here. Also, it may not look like it, but I'm doing whatever is in the best interest of Ayanokouji-kun. I was told to accompany him and so I'm doing so. Ayanokouji-kun here wants a life at this school so I'm helping him get one. But that's for you two to talk about."
Whether or not she was an involved or uninvolved party, Professor Ayanokouji couldn't do much being an outsider of this school. Though she didn't say this out loud, this was what Arisu was trying to imply. The interests of students at this school mattered the most.
Either way, she stepped back a little and allowed the second inevitable meeting between the two blood related family members to happen. It probably wasn't noticeable to the Sakayanagis until now, but the atmosphere was extremely tense. The Ayanokoujis locked eyes, glaring sharp daggers into the other's body and looking to open a non-existent wound.
"You seem to be enjoying yourself at this school. Aren't you, Kiyotaka?"
The silence ended with Professor Ayanokouji starting.
"Of course. This school is one of the best things that has happened to me. I've experienced a lot at this school more so than the White Room. Why wouldn't I enjoy being here?"
"This place isn't for you. The path you were made to go down was decided the very moment I had put you in the 4th generation. You will guide Japan towards a better future."
"That's just your own beliefs. And even if I want that too, who's to say that the method that Chairman Sakayanagi has with this school isn't beneficial to me? If anything, I see a lot of potential people in this school that could rival, if not surpass me one day. They just need the extra push which is something I can provide."
At that moment, Professor Ayanokouji went silent. Kiyotaka wasn't sure, but he felt that his father's piercing glaring eyes softened for a moment, as if he felt a lot from that statement. But for all he knew, that could've just been a part of his optimistic mind that wanted to believe he was an actual father...
Yeah that was probably it since it more or less looked like Professor Ayanokouji's expression didn't change at all.
"If I recall, you seemed to mention something about not wanting to come to this school anymore. 'Coming to a place like this once is quite enough' you said that day. Yet here you are again with the same goal of wanting to bring me back. Did you somehow find some weird attraction to this school that affected your decision of coming back?"
"Are you trying to make a joke? I have my own reasons for coming here again."
Annoyed by Kiyotaka's attempt of belittling him over something he said a long time ago, Professor Ayanokouji clicked his tongue. It was most likely because he remembered those exact words he said to Kiyotaka that he was so annoyed.
"If I may then, did you really send Tsukishiro to this school as Chairman Sakayanagi's replacement just because you wanted to have me expelled from this school? You even destroyed a relationship with him just to get me back."
Chairman Sakayanagi gave a bitter smile. He admired Professor Ayanokouji's strength, willpower and his ideals to the point that Chairman Sakayanagi used to be one of his greatest assistants. It was also to the point that he followed his own father's footsteps in taking leadership over the Advanced Nurturing High School.
However, Professor Ayanokouji had likely broken that image because he used his power to temporarily oust Chairman Sakayanagi and appoint Tsukishiro to get Kiyotaka back. Whether he was angry at it was unknown as Chairman Sakayanagi said nothing about it. Seeing this, Professor Ayanokouji replied.
"You think that person wasn't sent to expel you? On what basis are you basing that on?"
He sounded amused by this, which honestly surprised Kiyotaka. It was almost as if... Kiyotaka didn't think about it anymore and just answered his father's question.
"If Tsukishiro was really aiming to have me expelled based on what you wanted, he would have tried harder than he had already been doing. Sure, he needed to not raise suspicions to the school board, but his plans were completely lackluster. He didn't seem to have control over the White Room students he enrolled here, the fundamental weapon in his arsenal that would get me expelled. And most of all, his leaving speech made it seem like he never really cared whether he achieved his goal or not, more like he just wasn't aiming for it."
That wasn't to say that Tsukishiro wasn't trying to get Kiyotaka expelled. The attempt in the Class Vote special exam by trying to use Arisu to cast votes on him, manipulating the school system to remove Kiyotaka's protection point in the Event Selection special exam and even the attempt during the uninhabited island exam. All of them were real big attempts to get Kiyotaka expelled. However, Kiyotaka believed that with the power Tsukishiro wielded and his own abilities, Tsukishiro would have used more thorough and better methods to try and expel Kiyotaka, even though the latter didn't want that.
What really brought Kiyotaka to that conclusion was Tsukishiro's final meeting with him on the cruise ship. On that day, he was meeting with Chabashira after she called him. However, Tsukishiro happened to crash that meeting too, looking to meet with Kiyotaka. The two ended up exchanging a left handshake, all the while mentioning boy scouts. From what Kiyotaka knew, a left-handed handshake in boy scouts meant a form of friendship and, in ancient times, a form of respect.
This was something which only those who looked at one another as an equal or someone who they were fond of would do, and for someone like Tsukishiro who was aiming to expel Kiyotaka from the beginning, the handshake didn't add up unless he was never aiming for that goal in the first place. This was the conclusion he brought himself to. Explaining it to his father, the Chairman and Arisu in front of them, they seemed to understand.
"I see. When you explain it that way, it seems to make sense. But that is none of your business. You luckily escaped his wrath and now he's been transferred elsewhere, where I'll be dealing with him too. Even without him, I will still get you back however I can. This school isn't enough for a masterpiece like you."
"How would you know that? I believe this school is perfect for me. I've learnt a lot of things that I wouldn't have learnt in the White Room. Things that even I believe are quite valuable now. I managed to make great friends and find very capable people in this school."
Professor Ayanokouji looked even more unimpressed as his eyes narrowed.
"Friends? Capable people? Ignoring the latter, have I not told you already? You aren't capable of making friends. They will hold you back. Why are you not understanding that? Whatever. We'll go nowhere if we keep this up. If you're done spouting nonsense, I'll be going."
As he was leaving, Kiyotaka, the Chairman and Arisu watched him go. The steps created from his fancy black leather shoes were audible as he kept walking.
"If you really think that, then why don't you watch me in the Commander Events."
However, unexpectedly, Kiyotaka called out to his departing father. The man stopped walking and turned his head back to what he believed was a failure of a son.
"What?"
"Watch me in the upcoming Commander Events and see if you truly believe I'm incapable of such things and whether there really aren't any capable people in this school. You'll see the answer for yourself."
"How stupid. But I will watch you in those events anyway. Otherwise, this visit will barely be for anything."
Professor Ayanokouji stomped off, likely to go grab some lunch with the other adults. After watching him leave, Chairman Sakayanagi sighed and turned back to Kiyotaka and his daughter.
"Well that went better than I expected, honestly. Are you sure saying that was a good idea Kiyotaka-kun? I know what you're trying to do, but I can't say whether it's good or not."
Arisu had to agree with her father. The power Professor Ayanokouji held was beyond what anyone believed a person would ever think even a top politician would hold. Kiyotaka knew that after what happened to Chairman Sakayanagi when he was temporarily removed from his position at the school. And more notably, what Matsuo Eshiro and Matsuo Eiichiro had gone through after the former had helped Kiyotaka get into ANHS was beyond what any normal politician had the power to do.
"Whether or not it is good or bad, it's something that should be done. That man is still too caught up in his own ideals to the point he's still looking to do everything he can to get me expelled. Doing this I believe is for the best."
Kiyotaka said this, still staring at his father's leaving figure before the man turned the corner.
"Fufufu. Well I hope to see what comes out of it, Ayanokouji-kun. I'll be sitting in the stands since you know I can't participate in the Commander Events. I'll also put our plan together there."
"Thanks."
The two students left the Chairman and began walking back towards the student areas and their respective class tents.
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Part 1
There were many places around the school hidden from the public eye. These allowed many opportunities for private conversations to happen between students. With this in mind, around the back of the gym stood two first year students.
"What do you want, Ichika?"
"Hmhm? You know exactly what I want to talk to you about, Ta~ ku~ ya~."
Amasawa Ichika and Yagami Takuya, the two White Room students enrolled at this school for only one goal in mind - to expel Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, the masterpiece of the 4th generation and the entire White Room.
"The Professor is here at the sports festival. The very same person who directed us when we first started our curriculum. Do you still intend to defeat and expel Ayanokouji-senpai with the Professor watching?"
Her original teasing tone had all but disappeared and a serious expression had taken its place. It was easy to see why considering who it was she was talking to. Takuya frowned as he stared at and replied back to Ichika.
"Whether the Professor was going to come to this sports festival or not, I was going to crush Ayanokouji-senpai in this sports festival. And I still am. With the Professor here, that just makes my goal of doing so all the more viable."
"..."
Ichika stayed silent for a moment before stating what was on her mind.
"You're still obsessed with proving that you are the true masterpiece of the White Room instead of Ayanokouji-senpai, aren't you?"
She knew Takuya very well. Being the second best 5th generation White Room student, Ichika was always put together with Takuya or against him in many of the curriculum activities. Every time they would partake in the curriculum activity, Takuya would go all out, beyond what many thought he was capable of.
The reason for that was simply because he wanted to best Kiyotaka. Every time they finished a curriculum activity, the two of them would always hear the same comments from the instructors and supervisors, and those words would blow Takuya's brains out in anger, almost akin to a volcano eruption.
"Ayanokouji Kiyotaka from one year ago was better."
Because of all this, when the opportunity came to Takuya to enter the Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School with the goal of expelling Kiyotaka, Takuya immediately accepted as it was his best chance to finally beat Kiyotaka and show everyone that he was the better White Room student. What more could he want?
Takuya stayed silent as Ichika had completely caught him out with his goal. She continued with a frown on her face.
"Do you really think it's still worth trying to best Ayanokouji-senpai?"
That question really set a fuse within Takuya's already growing veins. He quickly calmed himself down before turning back to face Ichika.
"What choice do I have Ichika? Unlike you, the White Room is everything to me. My worth is only good when I'm the best in that place. If I can't be labelled as the best, then I'm nothing more than a mob character in the middle of a light novel where the protagonist is just every bit better and shines by doing almost nothing!"
Ichika really wanted to say that what he said was pretty much true anyway, but she refrained from doing so, knowing that it would lead to bad things.
Takuya's current nature now was completely unlike him. Of course, there were times he would get angry and such. However, ever since the two of them came to this school, Takuya had always acted and pretty much been the confident top 5th generation White Room student who wanted nothing more than to win using the tools in his arsenal.
He wanted to play with his enemy before beating him. He wanted to take his time before destroying him. He wanted to feel confident that he'd win and not get completely angry over the results. This was the type of person he set himself as when school started. However, that no longer remained at present.
When she thought about it, this was probably because of the unexpected (yet expected for the both of them when they heard the announcement) presence of Professor Ayanokouji at the sports festival. With him at this sports festival, it was Takuya's chance to finally show the creator and leader of the White Room that he was better than the very son the Professor created.
But... Even then, she still couldn't believe that was the only reason he was like this. There was something more that she was missing, something that was changing Takuya greatly.
"Takuya. What's got you so desperate to fight and win against Ayanokouji-senpai quickly? What about the war you wanted to have with him?"
His silence only made her more determined to find out the reason. However, before she could question him further, the sound of the school's trainers, used for physical education classes, hitting the ground was heard. This was a sound only heard when someone was either running towards them or walking loudly to make sure the residing occupants knew someone was coming.
Both turned toward the sound of shoes stomping on the ground to see another new appearance. She had silver blonde hair and violet eyes. Both of these girls knew it was none other than the Class 1C leader, Sakurako Tsubaki.
Takuya and Ichika were silent as they watched her get closer to them. The latter thought she would walk past but the former knew that Tsubaki was going to stop and talk to them. Once she did, the questions began.
"What is it, Tsubaki-san?"
His tone wasn't cold, but it wasn't warm either. Gone was the usual welcoming aura Yagami Takuya was known for and replacing it was just an indifferent, almost emotionless aura that almost made Tsubaki shiver on the spot. However, she stood her ground and just removed the lollipop she had been licking in her mouth.
"I couldn't help but listen to your conversation. I apologise for eavesdropping," she started, instantly receiving looks from both the White Room students.
"Yagami-kun. You still intend to fight against Ayanokouji-senpai, right? Even after what I warned you about a couple of weeks ago?"
Takuya's frown grew even larger and his eyes grew fiercer. His body twitched a little bit too. Noticing this, Ichika looked between Takuya and Tsubaki, narrowing her eyes as she did so.
"...So what!?" He finally shouted.
"It's a warning, Yagami-kun. I don't know what you and Ayanokouji-senpai have going on. But if you continue to try and attack him with her around, then you'll be facing her wrath just as much as Ayanokouji-senpai will. She's got me and Utomiya under the ring of her finger and she'll soon have you too if you're not careful. I'm looking out for you by warning you not to go any further with her around, even if you have your reasons for doing so."
Tsubaki's seriousness was unprecedented. Takuya stayed silent, contemplating what she was warning him about. Back when the second years were about to have their unanimous vote special exam, Takuya had met up with Tsubaki to discuss something after having met with Kushida Kikyou just moments before. The topic of their discussion had most likely been what Tsubaki was warning him about now.
"Hey hey. What is it that you two are talking about? I'm feeling left out here and it seems really serious and important. And it involves Ayanokouji-senpai too. So, are you gonna tell me or not?" Ichika said, unable to stay silent and left out of the conversation anymore.
Takuya and Tsubaki both looked at Ichika's expecting eyes. They were darker than normal, reflecting her White Room student status which only the latter of the two didn't know about. It was almost like a sea eagle waiting to learn more about its prey and then completely consume it to pieces.
Seeing nothing else to do, Tsubaki sighed and decided to explain to Ichika after getting approval from Takuya. After hearing the explanation, Ichika's eyes widened in shock. Even her being a White Room student and being known as "Ayanokouji's fangirl" was not able to find information as important as what she had just been told. She then smirked and turned back to Takuya.
"Sorry, Takuya. But I'm with Tsubaki-chan on this. It would be best you give up on your goal now and just be a free bird like me. Plus, if she really is going to make a few moves, I want to be the one to witness it."
"Ichika..."
He was probably even more angry now that even Ichika, someone who he was close to since the very start of their White Room curriculum, was even more against the idea of him fighting Kiyotaka because of the existence of that woman. He tried hard not to grit his teeth too hard, but that was more difficult than it looked.
"Even if I have to face her, I will continue my goal of defeating Ayanokouji-senpai. I'm the fifth generation prodigy and I want to be the one known as the masterpiece. If she's going to get in my way, then so be it. Without my goal of defeating Ayanokouji-senpai, I'm worth nothing more."
"..."
Tsubaki and Ichika were silent. Neither knew what to say after hearing Takuya's continued drive. Should they praise him? Should they call him an idiot?
"...Don't say I didn't warn you. She is definitely going to make her move that won't include me and Utomiya-kun soon. She might even get rid of you from the equation too."
Tsubaki left the two White Room students to head back to the class tents. After watching her leave, Ichika turned back to face Takuya to see him clenching his fists tightly before sighing and also leaving in silence.
[Ayanokouji-senpai. It seems you're going to be in even more trouble as time goes past. If Takuya wasn't going to be enough then... she will probably be even more troublesome. As you're admirer, I will watch everything from start to finish and I hope you do well. It's a shame I can't help you, but even I have to care for Takuya. Good luck.] Ichika thought as she left the meeting place behind the gym.
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Part 2
After grabbing a bento box from one of the nearby lunch benches, Kiyotaka arrived at his class's tent. They appeared to be getting along, motivated to continue to do well and get some good rewards. Seeing Kei and the rest of the group, Kiyotaka approached them and began to mingle with them.
"Hoho. Your class seems to be doing okay, Suzune. But I expected you guys to be on top. You're losing out to Ryuuen and Honami at the moment, though the results seem quite close between all three of you."
Finishing the last remnants of his bento box, Kiyotaka heard the voice of someone not a part of the class's tent nearby talking to Horikita. Turning towards the uninvited guest, Kiyotaka and the girls around him could see it was none other than Nagumo Miyabi, the student council president.
His face was plastered with a smirking expression, as if he was finding enjoyment from just being at Class B's tent. The rest of the Class B's students watched the spectacle either with fear or interest.
"Nagumo-senpai. I appreciate you coming to visit us here, but if you're going to insult us, then you're no better than Ryuuen-kun. Is there something you have come here to do?" Horikita asked, getting straight to the chase.
"I'm just here to see my opponent for the Commander Battle. Where is he by the way? I'm looking for Ayanokouji."
Hearing his name, Kiyotaka could only sigh. He knew where this was going to go. Nagumo's nature and his presence in their class's tent meant only one thing. Knowing it would be best to not delay the inevitable, Kiyotaka left to join their conversation.
"You wanted to see me, President?"
"Hm? You are here, Ayanokouji. Haha. I hope you know why I'm here," Nagumo said, his amusement still present in his expression and tone.
"I have a general idea."
Nagumo only laughed at his answer. Kiyotaka wasn't sure why it was a laughable answer, but he waited for Nagumo to finish.
"Our match will be coming soon. I hope you keep your promise and make sure you throw an all out fight against me. Horikita-senpai was very specifically interested in you, no one else. I've been seeing a little bit of why that is, but I truly want to see the reason why. The Commander Battles will hopefully show why."
That caught the attention of not just Horikita, but everyone in Class B. The former already knew that her brother put a lot of his attention on Kiyotaka, because she understood first hand how powerful and interesting Kiyotaka was. However, most of Class B did not know about this. So their widened eyes was a given, and this didn't even include the fact that he was set to fight against Nagumo.
"I haven't broken a promise before, so I don't intend to break this one. But I hope that you keep yours if I do win. It would be bad if the Student Council President of this school was caught not keeping a promise made to his kouhai, right?"
Nagumo's smirk twitched a little bit, indicating he felt the meaning behind those words. Whether he was annoyed or angry at the slight provocation, he kept his cool and replied back to Kiyotaka as calmly as possible.
"I am the Student Council President, Ayanokouji. So of course I will keep my promise to you. But don't think that you'll be the one winning. I can't have a kouhai beating me, let alone one who doesn't reach my level despite being quite interesting. Well, I'll be looking forward to my win. See you in the Commander Battle."
With that, Nagumo left Class B's tent heading back to his own. As soon as he left, Kiyotaka's surrounding classmates began looking at him with interest, shock and worry. Having the Student Council President approach someone who they were only just beginning to trust more than their previous leader and challenge them probably wasn't a good thing in their eyes. However, that was different for those that knew about Kiyotaka's abilities.
"You made a bet with Nagumo-senpai, Ayanokouji-kun?" Horikita asked Kiyotaka.
"Something like that."
With his nonsensical answer, Horikita glared at him slightly. Though, this lasted all but 5 seconds before she returned to normal and sighed.
"It's fine if you're not going to tell me the details, but I hope you're able to defeat the Student Council President even with that bet going on. If you do manage to win, it would definitely be very beneficial to us as it will allow us to get better scores and raise positions above 3rd place. Actually... you'll probably win anyway knowing you."
"You don't have to worry. I don't intend to lose to the President. I'll make sure that I'll win."
[But I won't be doing it so that our Class grabs first place overall in this sports festival, nor do I think it's possible it'll help anyway. I have my own reasons for doing this. Plus...] Kiyotaka added in his head while glancing towards Kei, Haruka and the rest of the girls.
"Ayanokouji. You intend to fight against the Student Council President personally and win?!"
"Ayanokouji-kun did help us in the last special exam and he's doing well helping us here, but can he really win against the Student Council President?"
"Ayanokouji-kun is smart, good at maths and a fast runner, but I don't think he can win against the Student Council President. At least I'm not sure."
His classmates began making comments of worry that he wouldn't win against Nagumo. He wasn't exactly fazed by it because he saw them coming. Most of his classmates didn't know about his true abilities.
"Kiyotaka will win. Don't doubt him. I know he'll win."
In between the worried classmates, Kei spoke up to defend Kiyotaka and state her trust and belief in him. However, it wasn't just Kei who believed in him, Haruka and the rest behind her also nodded their heads and smiled. Hirata and Horikita also agreed, and even Sudou showed a thumbs up. With so many people behind him, his classmates couldn't argue with worry anymore.
"Fufufu. Girlfriend-girl is right. Ayanokouji-boy is just like me. A perfect human being. A perfect human being can't lose to an insignificant ant like the Student Council President."
Surprisingly, Kouenji joined in to support Kiyotaka too, even going as far as to call him a "perfect human being" just like he had done so when the two of them were meeting with Chairman Sakayanagi before the sports festival. No one could argue anymore.
"By the way, Ayanokouji-boy. We need to talk privately. Come with me for a bit. Two perfect human beings talking about something important," he continued with his signature outgoing smirk.
However, despite this smirk present on his face, Kiyotaka could easily see the seriousness in his eyes, something which wasn't visible to the rest of their classmates unless they looked carefully at Kouenji's expression.
With a reply of "sure, lead the way", the two perfect human beings left the tent and traversed their way to a more secure location to talk. Finding an area by the lake that appeared to be unused, the two stopped and leaned on the railing.
"I assume you know what I'm going to say, don't you Ayanokouji-boy?"
"I can already guess."
There would only be one reason why the arrogant man who always looked in the mirror and called himself the perfect human being would call Kiyotaka here.
"Both of our fathers are here at this sports festival. I assume you just met with Yatei Ayatouji not too long ago, didn't you? Well I just also happened to peek in on my father meeting with that man. Their conversation was... interesting to say the least."
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After the Capture the Flag event, Kouenji had dispersed from his group of classmates after celebrating winning against Class A. Just earlier he had witnessed his father and Professor Ayanokouji talking before leaving the stands together in tow. From his point of view, that only meant one thing, so he decided to secretly follow them.
Keeping his distance, Kouenji followed the two adults towards an area in between the main and special buildings of the school. When they turned the corner and went further down between those two areas before stopping, Kouenji stopped and kept his distance behind the wall, limiting his presence in the atmosphere like a professional agent from the Public Security Intelligence Agency (公安調査庁, kōanchōsa-chō).
"It has been a while, Atsuomi Ayanokouji-san. I never expected to see you here of all places."
"I could say the same thing to you, Kouenji Yutaka. Do you think I would never find out in the end? Despite being an investor in such a grieving long term project, you almost destroyed it and all the money you invested just because you couldn't keep someone under control. If I wasn't benevolent enough for your support, do you think I wouldn't try to take down your company too?"
Yutaka's smile disappeared and now a frown replaced his face... at least that's what it looked like to Kouenji who was sneakily peeking from the corner.
Kouenji knew exactly what they were talking about. Many years ago, Professor Ayanokouji took Kiyotaka to New York City in order to show the investors some of the results of the White Room. However, during their journey to the location chosen for the showcase, the two had run into gang members looking to specifically cause trouble for them. The gang members were dealt with immediately by Kiyotaka, but the situation begged the question "who set this up?"
The culprit was found after Kiyotaka's showcase, where both Professor Ayanokouji and Kiyotaka called out a specific man who had been the one to orchestrate it all. Professor Ayanokouji ruined his life, to the point the man almost lost everything. However, what Professor Ayanokouji didn't know was that the man was actually an employee of the Kouenji Conglomerate. Hearing all of this, Yutaka decided to get revenge, even though he also ridiculed the man for his actions.
All of this led to the White Room's shutdown and Kiyotaka's escape. All of it was orchestrated by the Kouenji Conglomerate.
"I hope you understand Ayanokouji-san, but that idiotic person who decided to try and get in your way was still an employee of a business under the Kouenji Conglomerate. You destroying him actually harmed my business and the Conglomerate's business model. Anyone who gets in our way for that pays dearly. Though I hope you realise I didn't do too much to harm the White Room. It could've gotten a lot worse you know."
Professor Ayanokouji stayed silent but the intense glare he sent Yutaka, although not visible to Kouenji, could easily be felt from where he was hiding from. Someone who usually ignored stuff like this, even Kouenji and his father couldn't help but shiver.
"I will overlook that for now as everything has been resolved. But if you don't keep control over your run away employees and businesses, you will at some point see the end of your reigning corporation and the end of your position in the top 50 companies worldwide. Do you understand?" He finally said with an intense icey sharp tone.
Knowing Professor Ayanokouji's position, Yutaka couldn't say anything else other than...
"I will keep that in mind for future reference."
It wasn't the exact answer he was looking for, but Professor Ayanokouji was alright with it for now.
"But that isn't the main reason you wanted to meet with me now is it?"
Kouenji's father wasn't an idiot. Kouenji knew that well. The Kouenji Conglomerate wouldn't have an idiot lead a corporation to the point it's one of only two Japanese companies to be the most valuable in the world. So seeing between the lines of conversations was quite simple for Yutaka.
"I had a look at the school records one time. If I remember correctly, you have a son attending this school just like my very own subject. Kouenji Rokusuke, correct?"
Kouenji stiffened up like a rabbit upon hearing his name being coldly called out by the White Room's creator. It wasn't that he didn't know that Professor Ayanokouji would find out about his existence in the school. In fact, when Kouenji was forming an alliance with Kiyotaka just a little over a month ago, Kouenji told him that it was inevitable that Professor Ayanokouji would find out about Kouenji's attendance at this school.
It wasn't just Kouenji who stiffened. His father, Yutaka also stiffened on the spot upon hearing his son's name come out of Professor Ayanokouji's mouth. He kept silent with a serious expression and a frown, but that only helped to confirm Professor Ayanokouji's suspicions and he gave a satisfied smirk.
"You shouldn't make that face. I'm not going to do anything to him. But if he's close to Kiyotaka and knows about him specifically, I can't guarantee that he won't be hit by my actions of getting my masterpiece back."
"..."
"Even with the power you have, I don't think you can do anything to protect him. So I'm just going to tell you now that for your own sake, I hope he can defend himself. Again, if I wasn't so benevolent, I would have told my guards to spice him up since he just happens to be listening to our conversation right now right behind the wall over there."
"Oh crud" was the first thing running through Kouenji's mind. He was trying his hardest to keep his presence as invisible as the air, but it seemed he didn't do a good job. Being the perfect human, he failed at something that should be simple for him, even Kiyotaka was much better at doing so. If he was actually hired as an agent for Japan's Public Security Intelligence Agency or even the USA's FBI or the UK's MI6, he would be an embarrassment.
But that wasn't important and was another dream altogether, one which Kouenji wouldn't even take on anyway. Focusing back on reality, he kept his calm and his usual demeanour returned to his face as he decided to just reveal himself from behind the wall since he was found out.
"...Rokusuke..."
Professor Ayanokouji left Yutaka and moved to stand in front of Kouenji. His intense dagger-like eyes stabbed Kouenji's body. The internal pain he felt from the stabs were noticeable, but Kouenji kept up his act for his own sake. With a nonchalant smirk he could muster under such a gaze, Kouenji spoke up.
"It is nice to finally meet you, Yatei Ayatouji. Or should I call you Professor Atsuomi Ayanokouji-sensei? I apologise for eavesdropping on your meeting with my father, but I just had to listen in, you know."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Only the sound of the autumn October breeze, mild as it usually would as it flowed in between their bodies and bounced off the surrounding buildings, was audible as the three were silent and stared all at each other. After a few short moments, Professor Ayanokouji spoke up again.
"For your own sake, I'll warn you. Don't get involved in my business and I won't target you alongside getting my masterpiece out of this school. Do you understand?"
It would be very easy and very beneficial to Kouenji if he would just say he wouldn't get involved. Even if Kouenji considered himself the perfect human, Kouenji couldn't fight against someone with as much power as Professor Ayanokouji. For his own safety, he would need to just stay back and watch the tales unfold in front of him. That would be for the best.
And yet...
"I understand, Professor Ayanokouji-sensei. But I can't adhere to that. As the two most perfect human beings, I can't stand to watch your masterpiece, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka-boy, get expelled from this school. After all, him being here brings benefits to me too."
And yet, Kouenji rejected Professor Ayanokouji's warning.
Kouenji had a deal with Kiyotaka, where he would help Kiyotaka as long as Kiyotaka would help him stay in the school as well. Even though Professor Ayanokouji stated he wouldn't target Kouenji while going after Kiyotaka, Kouenji couldn't trust those words completely. So thinking it better to keep the deal up, Kouenji made the decision to reject the warning.
But there was yet another reason. Even though Kouenji wouldn't outright admit it out loud, Kouenji had something really personal he wanted to deal with. Something only which he believed Kiyotaka could help him solve. But that would come at a later time.
"So that's your final answer?" He asked to which Kouenji nodded. "Then I hope you will be ready for the consequences."
With that, Professor Ayanokouji walked past Kouenji and left the area, likely intending to head back to the main field stands. After feeling the heavy atmosphere caused by Professor Ayanokouji's earlier presence leave, Kouenji sighed and walked over to talk to his father.
"Are you sure that was a good idea, Rokusuke?"
"Hoho. Whether it was a good idea or not, it's the only idea I can roll with. After all, Ayanokouji-boy is more than we all think he is."
.
"That's how it went."
"I see..."
Kiyotaka narrowed his eyes as Kouenji ended the story. He knew the meeting between the Kouenji family and his father would inevitably happen. But he was glad the meeting went alright and he was thankful that Kouenji didn't betray their deal.
"Things are going to get interesting after this sports festival. Do you have a plan for it, Ayanokouji-boy?"
"That man is quite unpredictable. I'm sure none of us could have expected the Acting Director taking over the Chairman's position and then messing with the special exams to roughen up the school and try to get me expelled."
"Fufufu."
"But I can say I have a plan moving forward which should help us prepare better for his movements when he is about to make them. I hope you and the rest on my side will assist me when the time comes," he continued.
Kouenji could only laugh harder. His seriousness went away after hearing the White Room's masterpiece state he was going to be ready for the future. Amusement was present along his face and he replied.
"Of course. We have our agreement after all. As long as it's amusing and in my power, I'll assist you with what you want and you'll do the same with me later on."
Kiyotaka didn't know what Kouenji meant by the last part, but as someone who wanted fairness between the people he worked with, he hoped he could help Kouenji as long as it wasn't problematic. The two of them returned back to Class B's tent and continued to mingle with their classmates before returning back to the sports festival events.
End of Chapter 4...