It was soon noon, and the buses picking up and dropping off students had already gathered on campus.
Bai Yuze stood in Class A's designated spot, quietly observing his classmates around him.
After enduring the trials of life and death, the students' longing for home had reached its peak, while some students, unable to return home, could only remain at school.
"Bai Jun! Over here!"
Kushida Kikyo waved and called out to Bai Yuze. As a social butterfly, Kushida Kikyo's actions attracted the attention of many.
"Damn it! Kikyo actually invited him! Why him?!"
Ike Kanji was somewhat indignant. He also had a crush on Kushida Kikyo and couldn't understand what made him inferior to Bai Yuze. Although Bai Yuze was more handsome than him, he always believed that his inner beauty would win over Kushida Kikyo.
"Hey! Sudo! What do you think?"
Sudo Ken twirled the basketball in his hand. The moment he returned alive from The Strange World instance, he had made up his mind: live one day at a time. He now cherished every moment, wishing he could live on the basketball court!
He had become somewhat indifferent to love and romance... but as he thought about this, he subconsciously glanced at Horikita Suzune.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka took everything in. Seeing Sudo Ken's gaze, he felt a little uncomfortable. After all, it was he who saved Sudo Ken's life; Horikita Suzune just happened to be standing there.
Sudo Ken, however, mistakenly believed that Horikita Suzune had saved him, which made Ayanokoji Kiyotaka a bit depressed. Why did it feel like The Strange World instance was always targeting him?
But on second thought, it was acceptable. If Sudo Ken were looking at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka with loving eyes... even a slight fantasy of that was utterly bizarre!
"I think it's normal. Kikyo is also a person; it's her decision to date, and it has nothing to do with us."
"Sudo! Have you gone crazy from playing too much basketball? Ayanokoji, what do you think?"
Ike Kanji had an incredulous expression. He had thought he and Sudo were similar, but Sudo now felt like he had run far ahead, while Ike was still stuck in place!
"Huh? Think what?"
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had been thinking about how to explain things to his nominal father and hadn't been listening to their conversation at all.
This world's Ayanokoji Kiyotaka also came from the White Room, but his cheap old man was quite "caring" towards him. Although the education was still as strict, at least to prevent Ayanokoji Kiyotaka from developing rebellious thoughts, he would still hypocritically talk with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka... just like an adult coaxing a child to obey.
The two also reached a deal: if Ayanokoji Kiyotaka could make a name for himself in The Strange World, then his father would grant him freedom. He could do whatever he wanted, even if it meant wasting all his abilities to become a corporate drone, it would be perfectly fine.
His father wanted fame, a tool that could promote the White Room's reputation, ensuring that the White Room would become the strongest cornerstone on his political path.
And Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who emerged from the White Room, was a genius entirely crafted for The Strange World, and also a disposable tool.
"Seriously! Why are you acting like Sudo now too! What's the difference between me and Bai Yuze?"
Ike Kanji looked speechless. The two people beside him were stranger than the last. He used to get along better with Yamauchi Haruki, whom he met at the beginning of the school year, but now... Ike Kanji felt a bit regretful.
Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji were two peas in a pod. In the original story, if Yamauchi Haruki hadn't been expelled, Ike Kanji would have truly been led astray by Yamauchi Haruki.
"What's the difference..."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka looked at Bai Yuze, then at Ike Kanji, and after a long while, squeezed out a sentence.
"Hard to say..."
"See! There's not much difference between him and me!"
"Whatever makes you happy..."
Ayanokoji was truly speechless by Ike Kanji. The two had no comparison, so how could he tell Ike Kanji?
However, if Ayanokoji had directly said, "You two are incomparable," Ike Kanji would probably have self-satisfiedly replied, "Right! He's not as good as me at all, he's incomparable to me!"
Bai Yuze heard Kushida Kikyo's call, ignored everyone's gazes, and began to walk towards Kushida Kikyo.
But as he took a step, his path was blocked by a cane.
"Girlfriend?"
Sakayanagi Arisu asked with a smile.
"Why do you think that?"
Bai Yuze feigned confusion. Sakayanagi Arisu did not answer his question, but instead stepped aside and said with a smile.
"You're a lucky man, Bai Jun~"
"Hurry up! Bai Jun, what are you hesitating for!"
Kushida Kikyo, seeing that Bai Yuze wasn't coming over, walked directly in front of Bai Yuze, grabbed his arm, and pulled him to her side.
Mute the world, and listen to the sound of breaking hearts.
"Waaah! My Kikyo!"
Ike Kanji's heart was breaking on the side. The commotion he made caused Hasebe Haruka, who was nearby, to say dismissively.
"Can you be quiet? Do you really think someone like you is worthy of Kushida? How disgusting!"
"What did you say? You big-breasted, brainless idiot!"
Ike Kanji was hurt by Hasebe Haruka's words, as the truth was like a sharp knife, and he retorted unwillingly.
"What did you say? Believe it or not, I'll rip your mouth off!"
Hasebe immediately flared up. She hated it most when people looked at her with strange eyes. Their argument also attracted the attention of others.
At the crucial moment, the good-natured Hirata Yosuke stepped forward.
"Everyone, calm down, cool off."
"Hmph! Watch your mouth!"
Hasebe glared at Ike Kanji, then stomped off angrily to her girlfriends to complain about Ike Kanji, while Ike Kanji had already hidden behind Ayanokoji when Hasebe flared up.
After seeing Hasebe leave, Ike Kanji muttered softly.
"What's with her, such a strange temper, no wonder no one wants her."
Ayanokoji was somewhat speechless. When Ike hid behind him, he also received Hasebe's glaring gaze. It was likely that when Hasebe and her friends complained about Ike, they would also include him and Sudo Ken.
"You idiot, you got us both yelled at!"
Sudo slapped Ike's shoulder hard a few times, making Ike grimace in pain.
"What were you talking about with Sakayanagi just now? Spill it!"
Kushida Kikyo held Bai Yuze's shoulder and asked in a low voice beside him.
"Nothing, just discussing the plot of Cane Hero fighting the Daylily Demon."
Kushida Kikyo: ???
"You..."
"Kushida, is this your boyfriend?"
Kushida Kikyo's action of hugging a boy intrigued not only the boys but also the girls.
"Ahaha, no, no, our relationship isn't that intimate yet!"
"Then you two..."
Sato Maya pointed to their intimate actions. Seeing this, Kushida Kikyo immediately let go and changed the subject.
"Ahaha, we're just very good friends. Maya, are you interested? Do you two want to try dating?"