I have a life simulator.

With her beautiful eyebrows slightly raised, Shiina Hiyori seemed to think that Kitagawa Ryo might not recognize her, and gave him a big smile.

As Kitagawa Ryo tried to walk through the crowd recruiting for the club, Shiina Hiyori pursed her lips tightly, looking somewhat dazed.

Even though she had known Kitagawa Ryo for a very long time, it felt like not much time had passed.

I don't know when it started, but I've developed all sorts of little thoughts and ideas.

She lowered her head again, as if trying to distract herself from the book she had read the night before, but then she remembered the blueberry pie she had eaten the night before.

Then there's Sakayanagi Arisu, who inexplicably appears and seems to be very familiar with Kitagawa Ryo. Actually, if you think about it, she's known Kitagawa Ryo for much longer than he has, but maybe it's precisely because she's known him for so long that she's flustered by her friend's sudden change.

It's that awkward feeling when a good friend secretly makes another friend behind your back, and you don't know whether to be happy for them or some other emotion.

Just moments ago, she had mustered the courage to be a little bolder, but when her eyes met those of Kitagawa Ryo, who was approaching, Shiina Hiyori's confidence plummeted to rock bottom.

Did Liang know her before?

Shiina Hiyori asked timidly.

"I don't know her, I only know her brother."

Kitagawa Ryo didn't seem surprised by Shiina Hiyori's question, and casually replied:

"And they might even face us in class competitions in the future."

Hearing Kitagawa Ryo's words, Shiina Hiyori felt slightly relieved.

It was supposed to be a club information session and recruitment event, but neither of them had any intention of joining any club, so they just wandered aimlessly to the vicinity of the vending machines outside the gymnasium.

"What would you like to drink? Bottled water is free."

Perhaps because everyone was inside the stadium, this place was deserted for half a day, making it seem rather quiet.

Kitagawa Ryo asked while operating the electronic interface.

"How's school life like, Liang?"

"It's great, and the dorm is very comfortable to live in."

After struggling for a long time, Shiina Hiyori, who gave an irrelevant answer, could only ask this one question in the end. She clearly had a lot to ask, but she just couldn't bring herself to say it.

"It feels like the weather is different lately than before."

Shiina Hiyori moved closer to Kitagawa Ryo and scrolled through the screen looking for her favorite drink, asking casually.

"—People have to grow up, and this school is probably not that simple. Now that I've decided to be the leader of Class C, I definitely can't be the same as before."

Kitagawa Ryo's tone remained calm as he said these words.

"Okay, that makes sense."

Hiyori Shiina bit her lip, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes.

Just like when Kitagawa Ryo mysteriously disappeared for a year and then came back during junior high school, she knew that something must have happened to Ryo, but she didn't know how to ask or how to help.

Even now that she's in high school, it seems like she's still a step behind Kitagawa Ryo, just like before.

In fact, Hiyori Shiina is a girl who is always a bit slow to react, while Ryo Kitagawa is always a bit faster than others. As they go back and forth, a certain distance is created between them. It's as if she only just realized that Ryo Kitagawa was having trouble when he had already solved it.

All she can do now seems to be stay by Kitagawa Ryo's side.

At least, it ensures that he has someone by his side to protect him no matter what the situation.

"Well, actually, if Liang has any difficulties, you can tell me."

The moment she finished speaking, Hiyori's face turned bright red. She lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers, and dared not look at Kitagawa Ryo.

"Ah, actually I'm fine, really."

Kitagawa Ryo casually tossed the empty soda can in his hand into the garbage robot's belly, turning back with a smile as he spoke.

"If something happens to me, I'll definitely tell you, Hiyori."

"fake."

Hiyori Shiina stubbornly shook her head, her voice carrying a strange stubbornness.

"A psychology book said that people who have something on their mind will always say that they are fine, and I know it's cold."

"I saw Kei Karuizawa at the gymnasium today."

"Although I don't know why she was able to get into this school, but, but..."

As expected, Hiyori Shiina was one of the few people who knew about her and Kei Karuizawa's past experiences.

Kitagawa Ryo touched her head, feeling the silky comfort of his touch, and leaned down slightly to soothe Hiyori, saying:

"It's fine."

"She has forgotten, she remembers nothing at all."

Kitagawa Ryo ran his right hand over his chest, where a long, gruesome scar was hidden by his outer garment:

"It's all in the past."

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

"Karuizawa-kun, how did the communication go?"

Hiding in a corner, watching Kitagawa Ryo and Shiina Hiyori from afar, Karuizawa Megumi responded helplessly to the homeroom teacher's question:

“There was always a girl following him, so I couldn’t talk to him alone at all.”

"Then you should go up to him and ask for a private conversation."

"No, no, no, this is the leader of Class C. I heard he beat up all the delinquents in the class yesterday. I don't know him, how dare I go up and talk to him?"

Karuizawa Kei instinctively refused. For someone like her who was being bullied, this kind of gang leader was someone she should avoid by nature. Rather, it was already a great step forward that she agreed to the homeroom teacher's request to represent Class D in communication.

"It's fine."

Chabashira Sae first offered a soft word of comfort, but immediately reverted to her original cold and sharp tone:

"In short, you must reach an agreement with the other party before tonight. That's your task."

"……understood."

Karuizawa Kei hung up the phone in a sullen mood, stood up, patted the dust and grass clippings off her skirt, thought for a moment, took off her school uniform jacket and tied it around her waist, trying to show a more assertive side, and finally made up her mind to walk towards Kitagawa Ryo.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Chabashira Sae sat in her office chair and lit another cigarette. Some documents were scattered on her desk.

Name: Kitagawa Ryo

Class: Grade 1, Class C

Birthday: May 1

Academic ability: A

Intelligence: A

Judgment: A+

Physical ability: A

Teamwork: E

Interviewer comments (partial):

He is undoubtedly at the top level in both academics and sports.

Having no real-life friends during elementary and junior high school, and usually completing group assignments alone, suggests a potential deficiency in communication and coordination skills.

It caused a major riot during junior high school, resulting in one person being seriously injured and fifteen people being slightly injured.

Chapter 8: The Powder Keg About to Explode in Class D

Karuizawa Kei carefully examined her face again through the small mirror she carried with her, from her eyebrows to the corners of her eyes, from the bridge of her nose to her lips, making sure that every detail was flawless. In fact, she didn't have this habit at all before high school. Back then, she would not take the initiative to look in the mirror. The person in the mirror seemed to be someone else who had nothing to do with her, and what he looked like had nothing to do with her.

She blinked, and the girl in the mirror blinked back. Yu tried to smile, and the girl in the mirror playfully raised the corners of her mouth. This adorable face was about to be seen by others. On one hand, Karuizawa felt like she was walking into a trap, but on the other hand, she was also a little happy. Being given an order by her homeroom teacher without her consent was a happy thing in itself, because her homeroom teacher in junior high school had never looked at her properly. This at least proved that she had indeed started a new life, like a scab forming on a scar and new flesh growing over it.

Although it is still a very thin and fragile disguise that cannot be exposed to the light, Karuizawa Kei has to wear this weak disguise to meet people.

She was afraid that what lay beneath her would be discovered. Karuizawa Kei knew very well how quickly rumors spread in school; a seed could grow into a towering tree overnight.

"Hello, are you Kitagawa from Class 1-C? I'm the representative from Class 1-D. I'm here to discuss some matters concerning Sudo with you."

Karuizawa Kei was still uneasy. She practiced in front of the mirror over and over again. She knew her lines by heart, but her eyes kept wandering and looking unpredictable. She pretended to be invulnerable even though she was fragile. But even if she was shattered to pieces, she would still pick herself up from the ground and glue her pieces back together, sewing herself into a human figure called "Karuizawa Kei".

Kitagawa Ryo finally said goodbye to the girl who had been following him. Karuizawa Megumi breathed a sigh of relief. After seeing the girl leave, she suddenly felt a sense of relief. She thought it was because she was finally able to talk to her.

"that……"

Karuizawa Kei quickly walked up to Kitagawa Ryo, who seemed to be thinking about something with his head down. He only looked up when he heard Karuizawa Kei's voice.

"Ok?"

Those were jet-black eyes, so black they seemed to draw your soul in.

Even Karuizawa Kei, who has faced countless malicious and hateful gazes up to now, felt a chill run down her spine for a moment.

A strange sense of oppression... no, a feeling of unnaturalness. It was almost like seeing something that shouldn't exist in the world, a feeling of dread.

However, this emotion is not mixed with filth, nor is it physical disgust, but rather it is as beautiful as a gemstone, the purest beauty that is somewhat frightening.

"Megumi...you must be Karuizawa Megumi."

When Kitagawa Ryo spoke, Karuizawa Kei's heart skipped a beat. For some reason, a strange feeling, as if being torn apart by sharp claws, surged from within her.

She had even forgotten the lines she had memorized before; her mind was completely blank, and her teeth and lips seemed to be stuck together, making it impossible for her to open them.

"I didn't expect the class advisor of Class D to send you to negotiate. Let's go, let's talk at that coffee shop up ahead."

By the time Karuizawa Megumi came to her senses, she had already followed Kitagawa Ryo into a coffee shop called "Palette." The place seemed to be very popular and had a good reputation. Because of the busy business, everyone was talking to themselves, and not many people noticed the two of them.

Kitagawa Ryo casually placed his order, smiled at the waitress, and his handsome face made her heart race. She blushed and ran away.

The restaurant was elegant, and the food was served quickly. Karuizawa Kei only paused for a moment to think about her lines before a warm cup of cocoa was placed in front of her. She glanced at Kitagawa Ryo's drink, which was the same as hers, so it seemed that the other party had just ordered the same thing for her.

Fortunately, Karuizawa Megumi herself also likes Cocoa.

Have you had dinner yet?

Kitagawa Ryo glanced at his phone; it was almost 6:30. The club briefing was supposed to start at 5:00, but he had been there for about an hour because of Horikita Suzune, which made Karuizawa Megumi, who was there to negotiate with him, wait for so long.

Upon hearing Kitagawa Ryo's words, Karuizawa Kei instinctively panicked, as if afraid of a trap, neither daring to nod nor shake her head, her whole body frozen in place.

"It's alright, consider it my treat."

Kitagawa Ryo's attitude was very gentle. Although there were gentle and handsome guys like Hirata Yosuke in the class, the contrast between the two, who had beaten down a group of delinquents and the leader of Class C, made Karuizawa Megumi feel both apprehensive and touched. She nodded slightly and secretly observed Kitagawa Ryo's expression.

The Western-style light meal was exquisitely presented, with a white rose petal placed on the edge of the gleaming cutlery. As Karuizawa Kei looked at all this, she suddenly had a hallucination, as if the scene before her was a resurrection from her imagination many years ago, suddenly brought back to life under the beautiful flowers and warm lights.

Kitagawa Ryo didn't say another word during the meal. The only sounds on their table were the clinking of knives and forks. Occasionally, their eyes would meet, and Kitagawa Ryo would simply offer a smile. He maintained a perfect distance, neither too close nor too distant. Soft background music in an unknown language played in the restaurant. Karuizawa Megumi, sipping her cocoa, even experienced a slightly tipsy feeling.

"I know why Karuizawa-san came here. Since time is tight, let's get straight to the point and exchange terms."

"This meal is finally over," Kitagawa Ryo said, wiping his mouth with a tissue.

"...We are willing to pay 50,000 personal points, as long as Kitagawa can testify that the other party intended to attack first."

This meal finally soothed Karuizawa Megumi's heart, and she was finally able to conduct normal negotiations, taking advantage of the lingering warmth of the atmosphere.

"fifty thousand?"

Kitagawa Ryosuke crossed his arms in front of him and shook his head:

"Too little."

“If I don’t testify this time, Sudo will face suspension from school until the midterm exam, and Class 1D will also have points deducted.”

"Sudo's grades... probably aren't very good. If he's suspended from school until the midterm exams, what do you think his chances of passing are?"

In this negotiation, Kitagawa Ryo was able to easily gain the upper hand, not only because his choice would determine Sudo's fate, but also because of the huge gap between him and Karuizawa Megumi in terms of information.

"Tokyo Higher Ikusei Junior High School has a rule that students who fail the midterm exam will be expelled."

"If someone in the class is expelled, Class 1D will also have 300 class points deducted."

"Although it's unclear exactly how many class points Sudo will deduct as punishment this time, the value of those three hundred points is far greater than fifty thousand individual points."

Karuizawa Kei was speechless, choked by Kitagawa Ryo's words. She wasn't particularly skilled in negotiation or logic; Chabashira Sae had sent her to negotiate solely because Chabashira was gambling that Kitagawa Ryo would let Class D off the hook because of his relationship with Karuizawa Kei. Faced with this situation, completely speechless, Karuizawa Kei even helplessly asked:

"What should I do then."

"...You're asking me what to do?"