I have a life simulator.

"It's not a matter of usefulness. While I don't deny your abilities, I dislike people who are scheming, especially right now."

“Actually, I didn’t think it was necessary to send any assistants to the white room from the beginning.”

"If I were a hundred, people like five and ten wouldn't be of any help no matter how many came. I still have that confidence in the White Room."

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji coldly sized up Takuya Yagami.

After the incident, he quickly deduced Yagami Takuya's original plan and keenly sensed that the other party wanted to attack both Class A and Class D at the same time.

Considering that Yagami Takuya has been actively taking initiative since the start of the school year, Yagami Takuya's thoughts are already quite clear.

"Moreover, you almost lost your influence in Class B during this incident, and even Class B's class guide, Hoshinomiya Chie, didn't capitalize on it."

"I also have upperclassmen, and students I know in those upperclassmen can find out a lot of information, including the recording of Koenji Rokusuke's trading points. I can help with that and use it to blackmail him..."

Under Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's gaze, Yagami Takuya seemed to be transported back to the white room, back to the fear of being dominated by the other party, and his voice trembled slightly.

"I regret to inform you that Koenji Rokusuke has submitted his application to withdraw from school."

Kiyotaka Ayanokouji shook his head. He didn't want to talk to the other person anymore and walked out of the classroom.

Immediately afterwards, five expressionless adult men stepped into the room.

Takuya Yagami, who had just been about to chase after them, suddenly stopped in his tracks:

"Why...why are you all here...? Why..."

"You have already submitted your withdrawal application. You are no longer a student at Tokyo Advanced Educational High School."

Having instantly lost all his strength, Yagami shrank back to the size of a child.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka watched quietly as Yagami Takuya was taken away. He leaned against the railing of the corridor until the group completely disappeared from his sight.

Kitagawa Ryo.

The first round is over.

You should have already planned your next steps.

-------------------------------------

Tokyo Advanced Educational Junior High School, Drama Club.

Student council member Suzune Horikita read out the notification document from the student council regarding the participation in the competition through the drama club, all while maintaining a blank expression.

Kitagawa Ryo jumped up excitedly and shouted:

"Great!"

"Let's go out and have some fun—to bring honor to our school!"

Chapter 58: The Refined and Tempered Kitagawa Ryo

"There are so many people during the May Day Golden Week."

"Even though it's only been a month, seeing the streets of Tokyo again still feels like a long time has passed."

Kitagawa Ryo slightly raised the brim of his sun hat, dragging a huge suitcase in one hand, and stood in the middle of the massive intersection, sighing as he waited for the traffic light to turn green.

"I reasonably suspect that Liang chose to escape in order to get away from the current chaos in the class."

Sakura Airi adjusted her sunglasses, which, combined with her oversized sun hat, almost completely obscured her face. She was far more famous here than Kitagawa Ryo; if her fans recognized her, the group would likely be stuck in a traffic jam.

"At least before we left, the class was in complete chaos."

On the other side, Ichinose Honami, dragging her luggage, also shook her head. The basic rules of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing Middle School, which the homeroom teacher Mashima Tomoya had revealed yesterday, as well as the fact that the class's points were currently zero, had plunged the entire Class D into chaos. Even though the most troublesome students in the class, Yamauchi and Ike, had been locked in the dormitory and were being suspended from school, feelings of unease, doubt, and panic quickly spread.

Fortunately, Ichinose Honami's speculation about personal points at the beginning of the semester made many more cautious students pay more attention to the spending of points, so most students can guarantee their basic living standards next month.

Nevertheless, Majima Tomoya's explanation of the rules for the midterm and final exams plunged the students of Class D into despair once again.

Students who fail any subject in the midterm or final exams (below half the class average) will be expelled.

Not to mention that many students in Class D have poor academic performance, the fact that Yamauchi and Ike were suspended is enough to make the whole class worry.

It's not that the students in Class D care about these two that much, but judging from their entrance exam scores and the results of the quiz at the end of April, the students in Class D know that these two will definitely not pass the midterm exam, especially since Yamauchi and Ike are currently suspended from school.

Whether Yamauchi and Ike drop out of school is not the point; the key issue is that if they drop out, Class D's class points will be deducted again.

This is the future that the entire Class D sees with absolutely no hope. The students who are good at studying feel that their efforts are useless, and the students who are not good at studying also find an excuse. Yamauchi and Ike, who have been suspended from school, become the best targets.

"We're all out having fun—bringing honor to the school, why bother with these things?"

Kitagawa Ryo generously patted Ichinose Honami on the shoulder, but quickly changed his tune after glancing at the middle-aged man beside him who was acting as a supervisor and instructor, accompanying the drama club out of the school.

"What Kitagawa said is true. Since we're competing outside of school, we should put all our effort into this."

"Otherwise, it would be difficult for the school to approve the drama club's application to participate in the competition next time."

The middle-aged man with a somewhat gloomy expression was named Sima Kedian. He was a newly hired teacher at Tokyo Advanced Educational High School and was said to be teaching a new batch of first-year students next year. However, he didn't have any work at the moment, so the school sent him out as a supervisor.

"I know, I know."

Kitagawa Ryo casually agreed, as he was still unable to determine the other party's allegiance, and their communication was rather ambiguous.

Sima Kedian stared at Kitagawa Ryo with dead fish eyes for a few seconds before looking away and said indifferently:

"The light's green, let's go."

Although they were allowed to go out, Kitagawa Ryo and the others had all their communication devices confiscated. Under the supervision of Sima Kedian, Kitagawa Ryo used his mobile phone to contact the organizer of the event. He was soon warmly picked up and taken to a luxury hotel, which was already full of various theater troupes that came to participate in the competition.

When Kitagawa Ryo and his party arrived at the hotel, it was dinner time. In the banquet hall on the first floor of the hotel, the crystal-like lights sparkled with a charming brilliance. In the venue, which was as bright as day, the directors and leaders of various theater troupes mingled and drank. The leading actors were also dressed in their finest attire, flitting around like butterflies, exchanging pleasantries, covering their mouths and smiling as they exchanged business cards.

Taishi Izaki is an old man with a thick beard and a shaggy, lion-like beard. Beneath his beard are a pair of eyes that have weathered many storms. His back is straight beyond his years, and even surrounded by a group of actors with extraordinary presence, he still exudes an astonishing aura.

As the most famous theater troupe leader in the industry, Taishi Izaki, who personally created the legend of Ryo Kitagawa, seemed somewhat absent-minded in the face of the other actors' compliments. While trying to keep up his spirits and deal with their conversations and toasts, he would occasionally glance towards the entrance of the banquet hall.

"Mr. Izaki..."

"Please make way."

With his lips barely visible, Taishi Izaki's white beard near his mouth twitched, emitting a deep and powerful voice.

Upon spotting a familiar figure, the old man put down the wine glass he was holding and strode towards the entrance of the banquet hall under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

"You've all grown taller."

"After all, two more years have passed."

Kitagawa Ryo pursed his lips. If he had to choose a true elder in his heart, the only one would be the old man in front of him.

Perhaps it was a coincidence of fate, but the troupe leader's surname was the same as that of the butler he had met in the simulation.

-------------------------------------

"...I feel like I was moved for nothing."

As Kitagawa Ryo sighed, he ran around boiling water and making tea for the old man. The old man was now sitting on the bed in Kitagawa Ryo's room, chatting happily with Karuizawa Megumi and the other two girls, seemingly completely ignoring Kitagawa Ryo.

To be honest, all the current members of the drama club he created are actually acquainted with Taishi Izaki.

Needless to say, Karuizawa Kei stayed in the troupe for two years longer than Kitagawa Ryo. Sakura Airi was also an elder who had a relationship with Izaki Taishi and was sent to the troupe for training for a period of time. As for Ichinose Honami, she worked in the troupe's logistics department for quite a long time on Kitagawa Ryo's recommendation.

And that's how the current situation came about.

"Hi—your tea is here, please have some."

After brewing the tea, Kitagawa Ryo respectfully handed it to Izaki Taishi. Back then, he was able to break away from the Kitagawa family and become independent, which was inseparable from the support of the other party. Without Izaki Taishi's help, he would not have been able to reach such heights in just two years.

However, in the two years of his rise to prominence, Kitagawa Ryo almost dismantled the original troupe. A large number of veterans were abruptly thrown onto a larger stage due to the sudden emergence of this genius, and were subjected to countless scrutiny and scrutiny. The immense pressure prevented many from persevering to the end, which was one of the reasons why Kitagawa Ryo chose to leave the troupe.

In a sense, he and Sakura Airi are very similar, both choosing to retire at the peak of their careers. However, even so, the theater director in front of him never blamed him. Instead, he chose to let him leave and get away from the stage and theater.

Casually accepting the tea offered by Kitagawa Ryo, Izaki Taishi took a small sip. When he smiled, his previous fierce appearance was completely gone; his thick beard and hair trembled, making him look more like a kind Santa Claus.

"Megumi is in the same school as Ryo now, oh, that's definitely a good thing."

"What does it matter if we're not in the same class? When you were in junior high, didn't you always transfer three times on the subway to go to that kid's school to see him?"

"Of course—oh my, she even brought a gift for this old man. I could tell before that Fanbo is a kind-hearted girl, and she's also very skillful. There was a set of costumes that Liang had sewn stitch by stitch by Fanbo."

"Mmm... It looks good, it definitely looks good. That's the spirit we need. Airi, you lacked that drive back then, but now you've found it. And if you're tired, just take a break. What's the big deal? Even that brat Liang can take a break, so why can't Airi?"

Seeing the theater troupe leader making the three girls laugh, Kitagawa Ryo helplessly curled his lips.

Since it had been reported beforehand that the drama club would be performing in the competition in collaboration with the other troupe, Sima Kedian couldn't interfere with the conversation between the group and Izaki. He simply stood silently outside the door with his arms crossed.

The drama club's staff was far too small to put on a single performance. Faced with reasonable demands, and with Horikita Suzune mediating within the student council, even Simakane could only temporarily acquiesce to this idle chatter until evidence of a violation of school rules was found.

As long as the conversation between the group did not mention any words or information related to Tokyo Advanced Educational High School, he had no reason to stop them.

Besides, it was just a simple reminiscing session.

"Of course I brought Ying."

Mr. Izaki made a phone call, and soon a kitten came running from the other side of the corridor into the room.

The white cat, which seemed to have never grown up, meowed and rubbed against Kitagawa Ryo's legs. Kitagawa Ryo reached out and stroked Hotaru's back, which rose and fell slowly with her breathing. Hotaru never hunched over in front of Kitagawa Ryo; she straightened her body and covered Kitagawa Ryo's right hand with her soft fur.

After petting the cat for the first time in a long time, Kitagawa Ryo subconsciously picked up the teacup on the table, but Karuizawa Megumi reacted quickly and slapped his hand.

Along with the crisp, clear sound came her short but undeniable voice:

"Wash your hands."

Although Kitagawa Ryo had no idea how Karuizawa Megumi, who was talking to Mr. Izaki without looking at him, had noticed what was happening, he still obediently agreed, and only retorted as he walked out of the room with the cat:

"Ying is very clean."

"You still need to wash your hands, Grandpa Izaki, don't you agree?"

"Yes, we should keep a closer eye on them, otherwise bad habits will be hard to break once they're formed."

Mr. Izaki nodded in deep agreement, and he loudly addressed Kitagawa Ryo at the door:

"Hey Liang, it's not a bad thing to have someone in charge. You'll see later."

"Is this the reason why Mr. Izaki has remained single?"

Making a face, Kitagawa Ryo fled the room without looking back, heading towards the restroom at the other end of the corridor under Simak's watchful gaze.

Mr. Izaki's lips pursed down into a thin line, but he quickly smiled again:

"This brat."

He turned to the three girls sitting in front of him and said sincerely:

"If Liang encounters any difficulties, as Liang's elders, we hope everyone can be more understanding."

"It's always been Liang who's been helping us."

Startled by Mr. Izaki's tone, Honami Ichinose quickly responded, and the other two nodded hastily as well.

"Yes, but that's not contradictory. It doesn't mean that a child who is always helping others doesn't receive help in some way."

Mr. Izaki lowered his voice, which became hoarse and raspy, as if it had been rolled on sandpaper.

"I remember the earliest one of you met Liang was around twelve years old, right?"

"Has Liang ever told you anything about his past, about his childhood?"

Karuizawa Kei pursed her lips, and subconsciously turned her head to see the reactions of the other two. Ichinose Honami and Sakura Airi did the same. Their gazes collided in mid-air and then fell, forming an awkward silence.

Mr. Izaki stroked his beard, already understanding something from the three men's reactions.

"That's it."

He read the three names in a very soft voice, then closed his eyes and repeated what he had just said:

"That's it."

-------------------------------------

Kitagawa Ryo carefully washed his hands, while Hotaru looked at herself in the mirror, using her tongue and claws to groom the bristling fur on her body.

After the water droplets on his hands were dried by the dryer, Kitagawa Ryo carried Hotaru back to his room.

Although the room was still filled with a joyful atmosphere, I felt there were subtle changes compared to before I left.

Kitagawa Ryo sat down next to Mr. Izaki, seemingly lost in thought, and began to speak:

"We'll probably be performing the day after tomorrow, and we'll go for a rehearsal tomorrow."

"This kind of thing doesn't need Liang, the kid who left the troupe two years ago, to teach us."

Mr. Izaki ruffled Kitagawa Ryo's hair. Hotaru had already climbed onto Kitagawa Ryo's shoulder. At first, she was going to chat with the other substitute cat owners she hadn't seen in a long time, but Karuizawa Megumi and the others didn't seem to be in the mood. Hotaru didn't indulge them. Kitagawa Ryo's shoulders had grown even wider than before. Hotaru lay on them and lazily licked her paws.