Sakamoto-kun's life was as precise as a finely tuned instrument; he was focused in class, elegant in his demeanor, and always alone, with no interpersonal weaknesses that could be exploited.
The Class A students certainly gathered around him, showing awe and admiration, but no one seemed to be truly close to him.
Sakamoto-kun was like a solitary peak, standing in the clouds, looking down on everyone, impregnable.
Ryuuen had privately contacted Sakayanagi Arisu, but the only response he received was a cold retort:
"If I knew his weakness, would I still need you to find it?"
This made him even more agitated.
Sakamoto-kun's perpetually perfect posture was like an impenetrable armor.
However, Ryuuen was not without gains.
The person he sent to stake out the cafe reported a name—Kamuro Masumi.
That purple-haired girl from Class A appeared at the cafe where Sakamoto-kun worked almost every lunch break.
She sat in a corner, ordered a coffee, but her gaze always followed Sakamoto-kun's figure.
This frequency and focus far exceeded that of ordinary classmates or customers.
There seemed to be some special connection between her and Sakamoto-kun.
A glint flashed in Ryuuen's eyes.
Perhaps this Kamuro Masumi would be a breakthrough.
The atmosphere in Class 1-B, on the other hand, was bright and positive.
Ichinose Honami stood at the podium, her pink long hair falling over her shoulders, a warm smile on her face, organizing class activities.
Under her leadership, the Class 1-B students displayed a strong sense of collective honor and mutual assistance, and the class atmosphere was harmonious and congenial.
However, Hoshinomiya Chie, the homeroom teacher of Class 1-B, sitting in the teachers' office, had a hint of an imperceptible worry on her face.
She had soft, shoulder-length brown curly hair and a gentle demeanor.
Not long ago, during casual chats among teachers, she accidentally learned a piece of news: a student in Class A had already grasped the core information of the "s system" and had even "sold" the information to other classes.
This news made Hoshinomiya Chie's heart sink. The s system, class points... these core rules directly related to class rankings and resource allocation.
Now, at least two classes had mastered key information, while their Class 1-B was still in the dark.
Even with an excellent leader like Ichinose Honami and the efforts of all the classmates, with such a severe information asymmetry, it was almost a foregone conclusion that their class ranking would be surpassed next month.
How could she not be worried?
She recalled Ichinose Honami once inadvertently mentioning Sakamoto-kun from Class A, speaking with admiration about his excellent performance during the Student Council interview.
This made Hoshinomiya Chie's heart stir.
Could the student in Class A who mastered and sold the s system information be this Sakamoto-kun?
This thought flashed through her mind like lightning.
She thought of the excellent Ichinose, and her worry deepened.
Teachers cannot directly interfere with student affairs, nor can they disclose information from other classes to their own students... that's the rule.
But... Hoshinomiya Chie's fingertips unconsciously twirled a strand of her fallen brown curly hair.
Teachers cannot interfere with their own students, but going to see excellent students from other classes...
That should be allowed, right?
Understanding the situation of competitors is also a teacher's duty.
She remembered the rumored Sakamoto-kun who worked at the cafe.
The weekend sun was just right.
Hoshinomiya Chie changed into comfortable casual clothes, her soft brown curly hair casually draped over her shoulders, exuding a gentle and intellectual aura.
She pushed open the door of the shopping center's cafe.
The aroma of coffee wafted over.
There were quite a few customers inside, sitting in twos and threes, most of them appearing to be students.
Her gaze quickly swept across the room and soon locked onto the figure wearing a black Waiter's apron.
Sakamoto-kun was standing by a window table, his posture tall and straight, smoothly placing a cup of coffee in front of a customer.
His movements were precise and elegant.
Hoshinomiya Chie chose a single seat in a corner, sat down, and ordered a coffee.
Her gaze fell on Sakamoto-kun, observing every move of this legendary First Year.
Sakamoto-kun seemed to notice her gaze, slightly turned his head, and his eyes behind the black-rimmed glasses calmly swept over her, without any pause, as if she were just an ordinary customer among many.
A faint curve appeared at the corner of Hoshinomiya Chie's mouth.
Sakamoto-kun... let me see what's so special about you.
first year o enrollment: Chapter 031: Hoshinomiya and Sakamoto
Hoshinomiya Chie picked up the coffee cup, a gentle and appropriate smile on her face, and spoke softly, as if just making casual conversation:
"Student, your movements are very skilled. Have you been working here for a long time?"
Her gaze, with a hint of just the right amount of curiosity, fell on Sakamoto-kun, like an ordinary customer satisfied with the Waiter.
Sakamoto-kun paused slightly, turned to face her, his posture natural.
His eyes behind the black-rimmed glasses calmly swept over Hoshinomiya Chie's face:
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, thank you for your attention. It's currently working hours; please allow me to answer you later."
The smile on Hoshinomiya Chie's face froze for an instant.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the cup handle.
How did he know her identity? And why did he expose it so directly?
In her memory, she didn't seem to have met Sakamoto-kun directly before.
Yet, her attire and demeanor were simply those of an ordinary, gentle and elegant adult female customer.
This Sakamoto-kun... is indeed not simple.
Her attempt at probing was probably as transparent as glass in his eyes.
She quickly adjusted her expression, put on a gentle smile again, and nodded:
"Ah... okay, I apologize for interrupting. Please continue your work."
Sakamoto-kun nodded slightly, turned smoothly, and continued his work.
Hoshinomiya Chie watched his retreating figure, but her heart was in turmoil.
In their first encounter, not only did she fail to glean anything, but her identity was easily seen through by him, and she was left aside in a nearly "polite dismissal."
In another corner of the cafe, Kamuro Masumi also put down her coffee cup.
She was still sitting in her usual spot today, her gaze following Sakamoto-kun's figure.
Sakamoto-kun's performance was as flawless as ever; that composure and elegance seemed ingrained in him.
The sense of security that arose from Sakamoto-kun's formidable strength seemed to have solidified a bit more in her heart.
She was about to get up and leave when her gaze inadvertently swept in Hoshinomiya Chie's direction.
That brown-haired, gentle lady... Kamuro-san frowned slightly.
She seemed to have seen her somewhere before.
Not a student, but seemed to be a First Year teacher.
But she couldn't recall which teacher it was at the moment.
What did the teacher want with Sakamoto-kun?
Kamuro-san looked at the slightly stiff smile on Hoshinomiya Chie's face, and then at Sakamoto-kun's calmly departing back.
It should be... nothing major, right?
Perhaps the teacher was concerned about the student working outside school?
She didn't think much more, picked up her bag, and left the cafe.
As soon as Kamuro-san's figure disappeared from the cafe entrance, Ishizaki Daichi, sitting in an inconspicuous corner on the other side of the cafe, immediately lowered his head and rapidly tapped on his phone screen.
He had a hint of roguishness and seriousness on his face as he quickly sent a message.
The message content was concise and clear:
[Target has left the cafe.]
On the second floor of the shopping center, in front of a sportswear store's display window, Ryuuen Kakeru was casually examining the sneakers in the window.
His phone vibrated in his pocket.
He pulled out his phone, glanced at the message on the screen, and a smirk slowly formed at the corner of his mouth.
Kamuro Masumi... has left the cafe.
Very good.
Ryuuen put away his phone, and a sinister glint flashed in his eyes behind his glasses.
He no longer looked at the display window, turned around, and strode towards the exit.
His footsteps were steady and powerful.
The bait had been cast, the net was spread.
Now, he just had to wait and see if Sakamoto-kun, this unfathomable fish, would willingly swim into his carefully laid trap.
Hoshinomiya Chie sat alone in the corner of the cafe, the liquid in her coffee cup already slightly cool.
Her mind repeatedly replayed the brief encounter with Sakamoto-kun just now.
The surprise and frustration of having her identity exposed had not fully subsided; she had initially thought Sakamoto-kun's phrase "I'll answer you later" was just an excuse, and she would probably sit there for a long time.
However, to her surprise, not long after, that tall figure reappeared at her table.
Sakamoto-kun had already shed his black Waiter's apron and changed into the distinctive burgundy uniform of Koudo Ikusei High School.
The well-fitting uniform accentuated his tall and slender figure, and his eyes behind the black-rimmed glasses were calm and unperturbed.
He stood there, his posture straight, his demeanor serene.
It was as if the elegant Waiter who had moved gracefully through the cafe just moments ago was an illusion.
At this moment, he was simply a student arriving for an appointment.
A hint of surprise flashed in Hoshinomiya Chie's eyes.
He changed so quickly?
Did his work shift end so soon?
This subtle shift in context and identity deepened her confusion.
Sakamoto-kun bowed slightly, his posture still elegant and proper, his voice clear and calm:
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, thank you for waiting. May I ask, what can I do for you?"
His gaze calmly rested on Hoshinomiya Chie's face, directly stating her identity and purpose without any pretense.
Hoshinomiya Chie took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart.
She put down her coffee cup,
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