Before becoming the acting chairman of ANHS, Tsukishiro Kazunari ran a jack-of-all-trades business with services ranging from personal security to intelligence gathering—nothing was beyond his capabilities.
Occasionally, at clients' requests, he would also eliminate individuals who caused trouble for employers, having performed numerous tricks akin to miracles in the past.
As for so-called resurrections from death, Tsukishiro Kazunari was merely astonished by Kaoru's exquisite skill, achieving a level of perfection even he couldn't detect any flaws in.
The reason he had been startled earlier was because Kaoru appeared genuinely young, with a natural adolescent aura that seemed impossible to fake—a miracle no drug could accomplish.
"Since you could investigate my background, you should understand what kind of person I am."
Tsukishiro Kazunari spoke up, "When employers choose me, I also choose them. I'm well aware of what can and cannot be done."
"Fine, I prefer dealing with people who claim to have principles."
Kaoru smiled with interest and asked, "Could you let me hear what your employer requires? For instance, making someone drop out?"
Tsukishiro Kazunari glanced at Sakayanagi Arisu, who sat properly beside Kaoru.
Noticing his gaze, she chuckled softly.
"It seems you know me."
"Daughter of Chairman Sakayanagi, of course I recognize you. You and your father have always been very interested in the White Room."
"No, I'm not interested in that place. You claim to have created a masterpiece, but in my view, it's merely a counterfeit."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was the proud achievement of the White Room.
They believed their educational model had produced this monster, and if officially accepted, they could continuously manufacture more Ayanokoji Kiyotakas in the future.
Or perhaps, creations slightly inferior to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
And these creations, once they surpassed ANHS's educational model, would immediately become achievements for Ayanokoji Atsuomi.
In fact, people in higher positions had already taken notice of the White Room.
Otherwise, Ayanokoji Atsuomi wouldn't have risen so quickly, even managing to expel Sakayanagi Seishiro and parachute Tsukishiro Kazunari into ANHS.
Her father's departure somewhat displeased Sakayanagi Arisu, intensifying her desire to destroy this so-called masterpiece.
"Quite the arrogant tone for a mere first-year high school girl, even more so than your father, Miss Sakayanagi."
Tsukishiro Kazunari smiled faintly, "I've heard you only follow this man around nowadays. Tell me, what have you actually accomplished so far?"
These provocative words clearly angered Sakayanagi Arisu.
"Heh, even if you're currently the acting chairman, I can't completely ignore that. I hope you consider the consequences of saying such things."
The girl emphasized the word ["acting"] heavily—after all, acting was temporary, and her father would undoubtedly return.
"Truly a child's temperament."
Tsukishiro Kazunari turned to Kaoru, "Are you sure it was wise to reveal your identity to her?"
"I have little patience for your roundabout probing. Your employer simply wants you to force Ayanokoji Kiyotaka to drop out. Since he refuses to leave, he'll have no choice but to fight back."
Tsukishiro Kazunari frowned.
He truly couldn't find any opening in Kaoru.
Even upon hearing that Office 283 would soon come knocking, the man remained perfectly calm.
However, upon second thought, the other party's appearance at the Shinomiya Group's shareholders meeting likely meant they had already considered the consequences.
"Ayanokoji is merely a local councilman at the moment. What use is investing in him?"
Kaoru said, "Do you believe he can leverage the White Room's network to win over politicians and conglomerates to elevate himself?"
"Sometimes, cultivating the next generation is an effective strategy. That man now has connections not only with opposition parties but also rides the coattails of numerous conglomerates."
Tsukishiro Kazunari remained calm, aware he hadn't directly answered Kaoru's question.
The next moment, Kaoru laughed as expected.
"You mean conglomerates like Kanazaki Heavy Industries?"
The young man pointed at himself, "Here stands someone from the Shinomiya Group, and I hold no fewer cards than he does."
Sakayanagi Arisu stared at Kaoru in astonishment—not shocked by the Shinomiya Group reference, but uncertain of his implication.
Was he planning to enter politics?
"Though I'm unfamiliar with the Shinomiya Group, I maintain excellent relations with two other groups, such as the Kujo."
Tsukishiro Kazunari silently calculated his words.
The Kujo clan was one of the former Five Regent Houses, and the last prime minister hailed from that family.
"My demands of you are simple: aside from confidentiality, do not interfere with my affairs involving Nagumo."
Kaoru continued, "In return, I'll give you what you want."
From his lips, Tsukishiro Kazunari heard a person's phone number, causing a slight tremor in his heart.
"Is that all?"
He sounded like a reminder, "Your existence is an obstacle. I originally planned to initiate my cleanup operation next semester."
"Did Chairman Sakayanagi instruct you to change the school's rules?" Kaoru asked.
"No, but he's not here anyway."
Tsukishiro Kazunari smiled faintly.
Sakayanagi Seishiro was far away—what could he do if Tsukishiro occasionally crossed the line?
"You're not planning to use Nagumo as your pawn, are you?"
Kaoru felt somewhat speechless.
"No, you misunderstand. I have more suitable tools."
Perhaps hearing the unexpected phone number had shifted Tsukishiro's attitude toward him.
"Although Ayanokoji was the most brutal batch from the White Room, the subsequent children also possess noteworthy capabilities. They are the finest tools."
Kaoru and Sakayanagi Arisu exchanged glances—it seemed the other party intended to deploy White Room personnel next semester.
The next moment, someone gently knocked on the main door.
Tsukishiro Kazunari frowned slightly; he hadn't scheduled any interruptions for today.
"Come in, Ayanokoji." Kaoru spoke up.
Tsukishiro looked startled, then saw Ayanokoji Kiyotaka indeed standing at the doorway, staring blankly at them like he had a frozen expression.
"Why did you call him here?"
"To give you a chance to threaten him with expulsion, of course. Or did I overthink it?"
"..."
Tsukishiro's face twisted oddly.
'So you planned to sell out Ayanokoji Kiyotaka? You should've told me earlier!'
"Ayanokoji, this is the acting chairman, Mr. Tsukishiro."
Kaoru introduced him, "His main task is to carry out your father's wish to expel you. Next semester, White Room operatives will be mixed among the first-years with the goal of forcing you to withdraw."
As the words fell, a large question mark slowly appeared above Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's head.
"Wait, did you call me here just to inform me of this bad news?"
He had just walked over when Kaoru delivered these words like a funeral announcement, nearly making him lose his composure.
Kaoru comforted him: "It's fine, I told you before that even if you get expelled, I'll take you in. Compared to the White Room you used to stay in, I can show you a much bigger world."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka showed no particular reaction, but Tsukishiro Kazunari was inwardly startled.
If he let this guy take Ayanokoji away, Ayanokoji Atsuomi would surely go mad.
Once they left Japan, it would be obvious he wouldn't return.
Tsukishiro Kazunari instinctively wanted to refute Kaoru, but he closed his mouth.
Wouldn't saying he wouldn't allow Ayanokoji to be expelled make him look like a complete clown here?
Conversely, he couldn't actually let Ayanokoji get expelled either.
If he were expelled just like that, it would only prove that White Room students were nothing special—the ultimate masterpiece who had never been eliminated in the White Room being expelled at this high school would be utterly ridiculous.
Tsukishiro Kazunari clearly understood Ayanokoji Atsuomi's intention: Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was meant to crush these students and demonstrate the White Room's capabilities, not actually get expelled.
But now, it seemed he wasn't the only one aware of this.
Kaoru knew it too, so his solution was to give a helping hand—how about making Ayanokoji Kiyotaka get expelled?
For a moment, Tsukishiro Kazunari found himself caught between a rock and a hard place.
"Heh, Mitoma, are you and Ayanokoji friends?"
"You'll have to ask Ayanokoji about that."
"How about we change the subject? For instance, I can help you defeat Nagumo. How does that sound?"
Kaoru was indeed interested and expressed his willingness to listen attentively.
"The school has noticed the increasing number of accusations and doubts targeting Nagumo recently. After careful consideration, the school has decided to let students handle internal student council affairs independently."
Seeing Kaoru deep in thought, Tsukishiro Kazunari let out a soft chuckle.
"If the students believe Nagumo is unfit to continue as student council president, the school will respect their decision, remove Nagumo from the position, and hold a new student council election."
Procedurally, Tsukishiro Kazunari's approach had no issues.
The only criticism was the school directly interfering in student affairs.
However, given the recent turmoil, everyone could reluctantly accept the school's intervention.
"Are first-year students eligible to run in the election?"
Sakayanagi Arisu frowned.
Honestly, she didn't care for this kind of behavior.
"Aside from graduating students, all other students are naturally eligible."
Tsukishiro Kazunari maintained his smile. "What do you think of this proposal, Mitoma?"
"There are still exams coming up, and the third-years will be leaving soon. How long do you plan to drag out this election?"
Kaoru found it troublesome.
"Typically, about a month."
Tsukishiro Kazunari said, "Considering this is a special circumstance, the election period will be half a month, ending before the end of the month."
Sakayanagi Arisu sighed softly.
This was a blatant manipulation of the rules—clearly backroom dealings.
Before this guy even took office, the school had already lost its original essence.
Still, if one had to say, manipulating rules could also be considered a form of strength.
"Sounds pretty good."Kaoru thought for a moment. "I can hand Ayanokoji over to you."
"..."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who had been listening nearby, stared at him gloomily.
'Had he even considered how others might feel about this?'
Then Tsukishiro Kazunari turned his gaze to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
"Do you intend to return to the White Room with me, or will you remain here, continuing to play the fool as a student?"
Perhaps having seen through something, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka replied calmly.
"There's nothing more you can teach me."
Nodding slowly, Tsukishiro Kazunari murmured "I see."
After a moment, he spoke again with a faint smile.
"I originally planned to relay a message from your father, but it seems that would be unnecessary now."
He paused briefly before continuing. "So instead, I'll offer you a piece of well-intentioned advice."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka waited silently for his next words.
"Don't overestimate your cleverness. You know perfectly well what your failure would mean. No one can help you then."
In the world of the White Room, failure equated to death—there were no second chances.
Even their finest masterpiece wouldn't be permitted to show the slightest flaw.
If it did, they would personally destroy this masterpiece themselves.