章節 34: Early Night.

[A/N: Hello! I know, I know. It has been long. Most of you thought I dropped this fanfic I bet. But guess what! I didn't. I just had bording school after lost interest in writing this book for a while. So I remember this story vivdly, so please correct me when I'm wrong. Don't worry, This fanfic isn't dropped yet. It will just have a very weird updating schedule. Anyway enjoy the fic!]

"Look at that!" Ike exclamied with joy as he saw the indiviviual class rankings.

"I didn't think we would come second place!" Yamauchi yelled in joy.

"It was only to be expected, I was taking part in it afterall!" Yuto said as he held his chin with a smug look.

"Oh, shut it, Yuto!" Sudo groaned, but his grin betrayed his playful annoyance as he threw an arm around Ayanokoji. "Man, you were a beast out there!"

"You were really incredible Ayanokoji-kun!" Hirata said estactically.

"Yea! Yea! I didn't know you could be so cool Ayanokoji!" Ike shouted.

"Eh? Was that a compliment?" Ayanokoji deadpaned.

His comment was ignored though and more boys talked to him. "nah..." Meanwhile, Yuto's face drained of color, his shoulders slumping. "I did most of the hard work, though…" he muttered to himself as the crowd continued to flock to Ayanokoji.

"That's only natural," a voice chimed in nonchalantly. Yuto turned, gritting his teeth as he faced Kei, who shrugged. "Everyone expected you to perform well, so you just delivered. But no one saw Kiyotaka coming. It's no wonder everyone's curious about him."

Yuto narrowed his eyes, biting his lip. "You're pretty sharp for someone who's always on the brink of failing."

Kei frowned. "I'm taking that personally."

Yuto smirked and looked away. "Good. I meant it personally."

His gaze then fell on a particular black-haired girl sitting quietly in the corner. 'That's unusual…' he thought, considering approaching her, but decided against it. 'She probably needs some space.'

With his hands in his pockets, Yuto left the classroom, a complicated look on his face. 'I'm getting a bad feeling about this.'

Just then, a playful voice called out from behind. "Ara ara, if it isn't Rodent-kun!" Yuto turned to see a petite woman limping slightly, supported by a cane. "It's a shame we're not matching anymore…" she sighed.

"Lolli-chan, I was expecting you," Yuto said with a small smile. Gesturing behind him, he asked, "Shall we continue this conversation elsewhere?"

Arisu giggled. "That would be lovely."

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"So, you want to get rid of this… pest in your class," Arisu mused, moving her pawn on the chessboard.

"I wouldn't say 'get rid of'… she still has her uses. She's just getting a bit too annoying lately," Yuto replied, moving his king.

Arisu raised an eyebrow. "Bon Cloud, eh? Didn't think you had the guts."

Yuto chuckled lightly. "Let's just say I wanted to try something different."

Arisu's gaze returned to the board. "So, Rodent-kun, why exactly are you sharing your future plans with me?" She played another piece.

"To ensure that an annoying bald classmate of yours doesn't become a pain in the ass later. For both of us."

He made his move, then looked up at Arisu. "Tell him to keep his nose out of Bangs' business for now."

Arisu chuckled. "Interesting. You're trying to make Katsuragi-san a sitting duck. But Ryuen-kun is a mutual enemy for both you and Katsuragi-kun. How does this put you at a disadvantage?"

"I don't want to complicate things right now by involving more people. I'm pretty sure it would overcomplicate Class A as well." Yuto shrugged.

Arisu paused, moving her queen. "And what do I get in return?"

Yuto laughed dryly. "Didn't I just carry both our classes through the sports festival?" He moved a pawn.

"Well, that was part of a deal," Arisu said.

Yuto grimaced. "You call that a deal?"

Arisu smirked, the same confident expression she always wore. "It was beneficial for both our classes."

"And so is this," Yuto replied matter-of-factly.

"I'm afraid we're not seeing eye to eye." Arisu giggled sarcastically, moving her bishop. "Check."

Yuto scratched his head as his king was cornered by her queen. "You have this bad habit of protecting your queen with the king, Rodent-kun. I find it as foolish as our current argument."

Yuto stroked his chin as he made his next move. "True, seems like I'll have to take matters into my own hands with your bald friend soon."

Arisu continued to play, her voice steady. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that. He's still in my class, after all."

Yuto's mouth curled into a smirk. "And what if I do?" He raised his king. "Check."

Arisu looked at the discovered check, a smirk playing on her lips. "Are you threatening me right now?"

"Take it however you like." Yuto leaned back as Arisu made her move. He glanced at the board, grinning as he moved a pawn.

Arisu's eyes looked deadpan, "Cheackmate." She realised that the moment Yuto played the discovered check but still, "an en passant checkmate, that was a good game." she said. Yuto didn't respond as he got up, "Sorry Lolli-chan, our conversation was indeed stupid. Perhaps I just wanted to ease my worries by playing a game." Arisu gigled, "That is no problem, after all, the game was fun." Yuto smiled a little as he began to walk off. "I am still removing Kasturagi out the picture.

Arisu didn't respond as walked off. "What an amusing rodent."

____________________________________________________________________

It was early evening, and the stars shimmered like scattered diamonds across the velvet sky. Yuto's footsteps echoed softly on the cobblestone path as he made his way toward the dorms. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming night flowers. Just as he reached the edge of the courtyard, he heard hurried footsteps behind him.

"Wait, Yuto!"

He turned, his gaze falling upon a familiar figure. A girl with long, flowing black hair that danced in the gentle breeze. Her delicate features were framed by the silken strands, and her intricate eyes sparkled under the starlight, like precious gems catching the moon's glow. She stood there, panting slightly, before straightening herself with a graceful movement.

As she caught her breath, a soft smile curved her lips. There was something different in her eyes tonight—something tender, yet filled with unspoken words. Yuto could feel the weight of the moment settling around them, the world growing quieter as if it, too, awaited what was to come.

"I… I'd like to talk to you about something."