Ayanokouji (teenager) remained silent, sitting in the furthest chair of the classroom, while murmurs and shocked expressions filled the room. He sighed softly, trying not to show that the situation bothered him. His gaze was impassive, but his mind was racing. How did this confusion happen? Moreover, what could the principal be planning with this entire situation?
Next to him, the child version of Ayanokouji observed the students with evident curiosity. His eyes sparkled as he analyzed each of them like pieces of a puzzle, almost as if cataloging information in real time. He tilted his head slightly and unexpectedly addressed his teenage version:
"Why do most of these students have hair in different colors?" His voice was calm and direct but carried a tone of genuine curiosity. "Genetically, that doesn't make much sense."
The teenage Ayanokouji looked at the boy for a moment, unsure how to answer. He scratched the back of his neck lightly and shrugged, averting his gaze.
"I've never really thought about it." He paused briefly before adding, with a slightly apathetic tone, "Maybe it's an aesthetic choice... who knows? Only the editor would have the answer."
The child blinked a few times, seemingly confused by the response.
"Editor? What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing important," the teenager replied with a slight sigh, as if the conversation no longer mattered.
The adult Ayanokouji, who had been silent up to that point, gave a faint smirk, as if amused by the interaction between his younger versions.
Before either could respond, the class erupted into murmurs and questions directed at Professor Chabashira.
Hirata was the first to stand, his tone filled with genuine concern:
"Professor, how is this possible? How can three versions of Ayanokouji exist here at the same time? Is this some kind of experiment?"
Chabashira crossed her arms and sighed heavily, as if she had anticipated this type of question.
"We don't know how this happened," her voice was firm and controlled. "Nobody knows. It's a unique situation, and we are trying to find an explanation."
While Hirata processed her response, the room fell into a tense silence. However, it was soon broken by Kei, sitting in the back of the room, quietly observing the three Ayanokoujis. Her face was slightly flushed, and she avoided looking at any of them for too long. So this is Kiyotaka as a child... he's so cute. And that adult version... Her cheeks burned as she thought about it. Is this what he'll become in the future? So confident and charming...
Sitting next to Kei, Sato immediately noticed her friend's state. She sighed internally, crossing her arms as she glanced at the three Ayanokoujis. Even she, who knew Kei's secret, couldn't help but admire the confident aura of the adult version.
"He really is impressive," she murmured to herself, but softly enough that Kei couldn't hear.
On the other side of the room, Horikita raised her hand, catching everyone's attention.
"What are your ages?" she asked directly, her gaze fixed on the three.
The adult Ayanokouji was the first to respond. He tilted his head slightly and smiled calmly before saying:
"I'm 32 years old."
That subtle smile, though discreet, was enough to make Horikita avert her eyes and blush slightly, though she tried to hide it. Why does he seem so... different?
The child Ayanokouji responded next, without hesitation.
"I'm 8 years old."
The reactions were immediate. The students began murmuring, shocked by the age difference between the versions. Some even started speculating about what might have caused their appearance.
Chabashira, noticing the situation spiraling out of control, clapped her hands to silence the room.
"That's all you need to know for now," she said in an authoritative tone. "Now, I'll explain how things will be organized. The adult Ayanokouji will stay in the teachers' lounge. The child Ayanokouji will stay in the dormitory with the current Ayanokouji."
Chiaki Matsushita, who had been silently observing the situation until then, raised her hand, surprised by the information.
"Professor, are they going to stay here overnight? For how long?"
Chabashira sighed again, clearly exhausted by the situation.
"We don't know how long this will last. We still don't understand how they came from their respective timelines. Until we find a solution, they will stay with us."
While the students digested her words, Ayanokouji (teenager) felt his mind wander. So the child Kiyotaka will stay in my dorm... This definitely won't be easy, especially since several students will likely come by seeking answers. And what if he says something he shouldn't? This is going to be complicated.
The child Ayanokouji, on the other hand, seemed completely oblivious to any concerns. He observed the other students as if they were specimens in a laboratory, analyzing each reaction with an almost clinical gaze.
Meanwhile, the adult Ayanokouji maintained his enigmatic smile, seemingly at ease amidst the chaos caused by his presence.
Chabashira let out a deep sigh, crossing her arms as she looked at the still-shocked students. She appeared to measure her words carefully before finally speaking:
"Due to this... unusual situation, today's class is canceled." Her voice was firm but carried a slight tone of fatigue. "The teachers and school administration need to determine what to do about this."
Immediately, the students began murmuring among themselves, some relieved by the unexpected break, others clearly worried about what would come next. Hirata, always the mediator, stood up and tried to bring the class back to order:
"Everyone, let's try to stay calm. I'm sure Professor Chabashira and the other teachers are working hard to understand what happened."
Horikita, standing beside Hirata, nodded almost imperceptibly, seeming to agree with him. However, her eyes were fixed on the door.
"And where are they?" she murmured, more to herself than anyone else.
It was then that the students realized the three Ayanokoujis were no longer in the room. It seemed that, at some point during the conversation, they had silently slipped away, like shadows disappearing into the darkness.
Horikita sighed deeply, crossing her arms.
"Of course he'd do something like this," she said with a slight tone of exasperation. "It's typical of him to avoid questions or uncomfortable situations, especially about his personal life."
Kei, sitting further back in the room, observed everything with a small smile on her lips. She knew Kiyotaka's ways well and was certain he had planned this strategic exit to avoid the chaos the students' questions could cause. He must think this is such a waste of time... typical of my Kiyotaka.
She chuckled quietly, covering her mouth so no one would notice. Despite her apparent calm, her mind was full of thoughts. Will he message me to explain what's going on? Or will he completely ignore me until this all blows over? Kei was certain that, one way or another, Kiyotaka would keep her informed, even if indirectly.
Sato, sitting next to Kei, noticed her friend's faint smile and leaned closer, whispering:
"You're thinking about him, aren't you?"
Kei's eyes widened for a brief moment but quickly composed herself, casting a sharp glance at Sato.
"Of course not," she replied, trying to keep her voice firm, though her slightly flushed cheeks betrayed her.
Sato just smiled, clearly not believing her response.
"Sure."
Meanwhile, in the hallway, the three Ayanokoujis walked in silence. The child version observed his surroundings attentively, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"This school is very large," he commented, looking up at his teenage version. "Do you get lost here often?"
The teenage Ayanokouji glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, his expression unchanged.
"No. I know exactly where everything is."
The child tilted his head, clearly intrigued.
"Did you memorize the map or something?"
"Something like that," the teenager replied in a neutral tone, letting the conversation die there.
The adult Ayanokouji, walking behind them, let out a light chuckle.
"You two are more alike than you realize."
The child turned to look at the adult, his expression serious.
"We're the same person. Of course we're alike."
The adult smiled calmly, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.
"Yes, but there are things you only learn with time, which is why I feel slightly disconnected from you two now."
The teenager glanced at him briefly, saying nothing, but internally he was intrigued. What did he mean by that? he wondered but decided not to ask.
When they arrived at the dormitory, the teenage Ayanokouji stopped and looked at the other two.
"Alright, you stay here," he said, pointing to the child.
The child Ayanokouji looked at the room, then at his teenage version, with a confused expression.
"This is your room?"
"Yes," the teenager replied, opening the door. "Now, it's yours too."
The child entered the room, observing every detail with curiosity. He ran his fingers over the nearest furniture and looked at the bed before turning to the teenager.
"It's simple. It doesn't look like the room of someone who cares much about comfort or furniture."
"I don't care," the teenager replied, closing the door behind them.
Meanwhile, the adult Ayanokouji leaned against the hallway wall, observing the two with a sly smile. He crossed his arms and spoke calmly, with a hint of irony:
— Good thing you never had many problems with human interaction, right?
The teenage Ayanokouji shot him a warning glance.
— Don't start.
The adult raised his hands in surrender but continued smiling. He knew the situation would be interesting to observe, especially now that he could revisit his own past in such a direct way.
The teenage Ayanokouji sighed deeply as he looked at the two versions of himself sitting in the small dorm room. In a neutral tone, he asked:
— What do you guys want to drink?
The Ayanokouji child swung his feet while sitting on the sofa, thinking.
— Anything is fine. I'm not too picky.
The adult Ayanokouji, casually leaning in his chair, smiled slightly and responded calmly:
— Tea would be fine for me.
The teenager nodded, sighing again before turning toward the kitchen.
— Alright. I'll prepare it. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone. — He said casually.
Meanwhile, in the living room, the Ayanokouji child looked at the adult Ayanokouji with curiosity. His eyes shone with a mixture of fascination and interest as he asked questions to his future self.
— What's your favorite food in the future? — The Ayanokouji child asked, swinging his feet lightly.
The adult Ayanokouji smiled faintly, something rare for someone like him, and responded calmly:
— Ice cream. Especially green tea and vanilla flavors.
— Ice cream? — The Ayanokouji child tilted his head thoughtfully. — Never tried it. Is it good?
— You'll find out. — The adult replied with a slightly playful tone.
The Ayanokouji child nodded but quickly changed the subject, his curious thoughts not limited to food. He looked directly at the adult version of himself, his eyes full of questions.
— How did you get out of the White Room?
The adult Ayanokouji hesitated for a moment. He seemed to think about the best way to answer, but before he could say anything, the Ayanokouji child continued:
— Not that I want to leave. There's still a lot to learn there. It's an interesting place. You can adapt over time.
The adult Ayanokouji fell silent, his serious gaze now fixed on the child. He knew he couldn't just say what the future held. Finally, he replied calmly:
— Maybe one day you'll see things differently.
Before the conversation could continue, the teenage Ayanokouji entered the room with a tray, bringing tea cups. He placed the tray on the table and, without hesitation, gave a light tap on the adult's head with the side of it.
— Stop messing with the timeline.
The adult Ayanokouji raised his hands in surrender, a small smile on his face.
— Alright, alright. I'll be more careful.
The teenager rolled his eyes and handed a cup to the adult, then another to the Ayanokouji child, before sitting on the sofa with his own cup. As he took a sip of his tea, he observed the two versions of himself. It was strange to see his past and future side by side, like a reflection of where he had been and where he was going.
The Ayanokouji child tasted the chamomile tea with sugar, sipping it carefully. After a few sips, he gave a small satisfied nod.
— This is really good. Much better than anything from the White Room.
Both the teenager and the adult responded almost simultaneously, in perfect sync:
— Anything is better than the food from the White Room.
The Ayanokouji child tilted his head, curious.
— I don't see much wrong with the White Room. It's an interesting place, full of things to learn. Why do you guys think it's so bad?
The teenager fell silent, but the adult responded with a calm, almost melancholic tone:
— Maybe you'll understand in the future.
The silence that followed was heavy, as if each of them was lost in their own thoughts. The Ayanokouji child, however, didn't seem so affected. He simply drank his tea, still curious about what the future held, but without the anxiety of wanting to know everything right now.
The silence was broken by the sound of messages coming in on the teenage Ayanokouji's phone. He picked it up and saw it was from Kei. She was asking: "Is everything okay? Where are you? Do you need anything?"
He sighed as he typed his response. "We're in my room. If you can, come here and bring backup. This is starting to get complicated, it's weird talking to myself."
The response came quickly. Kei wrote: "Backup? I'll call Horikita, she was looking for you. Chiaki wants to come too, she's curious about... you. By the way, about you three."
The teenage Ayanokouji sighed as he read that, already imagining how it would be to deal with more questions and curiosity from Chiaki. He simply replied:
"Alright. Bring them. This will be interesting."
He put the phone aside and looked back at the two versions of himself, already mentally preparing for the next confusion that would come with the arrival of the three girls.
The teenage Ayanokouji crossed his arms as he stared at his two versions in the room. He knew the situation was a minefield.
— Alright, there are some rules here. — He began, looking first at the Ayanokouji child. — Don't talk about the White Room with anyone. That's not something others need to know.
The Ayanokouji child nodded calmly, his curious eyes but without asking any questions.
— And you. — The teenager turned to the adult Ayanokouji. — No big revelations about the future. I don't want to hear about who won the class competition, who my wife is, or anything that might mess up the timeline.
The adult Ayanokouji smiled slightly, almost amused by his younger self's serious tone.
— No problem. I'll behave.
The teenager sighed and ran his hand through his hair. He knew that this was just the beginning of the problems. And, as expected, five minutes later, a knock on the door announced the arrival of the "backup."
He opened the door, finding Kei, Horikita, and Chiaki waiting. Kei was the first to enter, smiling cheerfully while throwing a quick, but affectionate, glance at her secret boyfriend.
— Next time, give us a heads up before disappearing like this. — Horikita said, crossing her arms and looking directly at the teenager, with a serious expression on her face.
— It was unavoidable. — He responded calmly, but stepped aside slightly to allow them in.
Kei entered with an excited smile, and her eyes immediately went to the Ayanokouji child. She blushed lightly as she crouched to be at his level.
— Even as a child, you have that dead fish stare! — She commented, laughing lightly, but with an affectionate tone, pouting her lips.
The Ayanokouji child looked at her without emotion and responded directly:
— I was born like this.
Kei giggled, finding his response adorable. Meanwhile, Chiaki entered the room and immediately focused her attention on the adult Ayanokouji.
— You look... different. — She commented, analyzing him carefully. — More... open, maybe? You show more emotions than your teenage self.
The adult Ayanokouji smiled softly, a nearly imperceptible smile, but enough to make Chiaki blush lightly.
— Some things change over time. Some people in my path helped me see things differently.
Chiaki quickly looked away, trying to hide the blush on her face. She didn't know what to do with how much the adult Ayanokouji's features made him even more attractive. The teenage Ayanokouji, observing the interaction, sighed.
— This is going to be a problem. — He murmured, more to himself than to anyone else.
He walked over to Horikita, who had been watching the scene with a serious expression, but there was a slight gleam of curiosity in her eyes.
— I never imagined something like this would happen outside of a sci-fi movie. — She commented, crossing her arms while watching the three versions of the same guy interact in the room.
— Me neither. — He answered calmly. — And honestly, I'd rather this were just fiction.
Horikita looked at him with an arched eyebrow.
— How do you plan to deal with this?
He shrugged.
— We'll survive one day at a time. And hope it doesn't get worse.
Meanwhile, the Ayanokouji child continued asking questions, now focused on Kei.
— Are you friends with my teenage self? — He asked curiously, his voice innocent and direct.
Kei smiled warmly.
— Something like that.
The Ayanokouji child tilted his head.
— You seem to blush every time you look at him. Why? Are you sick?
Kei froze for a moment, her expression shifting from surprise to embarrassment. Before she could answer, the teenager quickly intervened.
— He's a child, don't pay attention to that. — He said, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder and guiding him away.
The adult Ayanokouji, watching it all, chuckled softly while taking another sip of tea.
— I think the chaos is just beginning.
Ayanokouji, the teenager, watched his adult version calmly. He knew that talking to his older version would be a unique opportunity to understand what was to come.
— It seems like you're pretty comfortable with this situation — the teenager commented, crossing his arms while keeping his apathetic gaze fixed on his older version.
The adult Ayanokouji replied with a slight smile, something rare, but it conveyed a sense of serenity.
— It's interesting to revisit this part of my life. Seeing how things started and how much they've changed... it makes me realize how small choices have an impact.
The teenager reflected for a moment before asking:
— Have they changed for better or for worse?
— For the better, for sure — the adult answered. — But that doesn't mean it was easy. There are still many challenges ahead, for me/you, especially.
The teenager nodded, understanding that this was a subtle reference to his father.
The girls, who had been silently observing until then, began to move. Kei, who had been fascinated by the presence of the young Ayanokouji from the beginning, now held him as if he were a doll. She hugged him tightly, her cheeks slightly flushed, while the young Ayanokouji looked at her, not exactly understanding why she was behaving this way.
— You're so cute! — Kei exclaimed, her voice excited as she pinched the boy's cheeks. — It's unbelievable that even as a child, you already had that dead-fish gaze.
The young Ayanokouji tilted his head to the side, his expression unchanged.
— I was born this way, I've said it before.
The direct and emotionless response only made Kei laugh even more as she squeezed him tighter.
— That just makes you even more adorable!
Chiaki, who had been standing next to Horikita, couldn't resist the scene and came over, crouching next to Kei and the young Ayanokouji.
— He really is cute... — Chiaki commented, her eyes shining with curiosity. — Were you always this serious?
The young Ayanokouji looked at her for a few seconds before responding in his calm, monotone voice:
— I just... don't see a reason to act any other way.
Chiaki smiled, finding his sincerity amusing.
— You speak like an adult trapped in a child's body.
— That's not far from the truth — the teenage Ayanokouji commented mentally, observing the interaction with interest.
Kei continued to hug the young Ayanokouji as if he were a stuffed animal, while Chiaki sat beside them and started to mess with his hair, trying to make it messy just for fun. The young Ayanokouji remained still, as if not bothered by it, though his mind was clearly processing everything.
— You're all so... energetic — he commented, with an honesty that made Chiaki laugh.
— And you're so serious! — she responded, still playing with his hair.
Meanwhile, Horikita remained beside the teenage Ayanokouji, watching the scene with her analytical eyes.
— This is stranger than I imagined — she murmured.
The teenage Ayanokouji shrugged.
— It's not something that happens every day, but I think we're handling it well enough.
Horikita turned her gaze to him, her expression curious.
— And you? How are you handling all of this?
— It's not that complicated — he answered calmly. — I just need to make sure nothing gets out of hand.
On the other side of the room, the adult Ayanokouji watched the girls interacting with the young Ayanokouji. He seemed entertained but was also paying attention to everything happening. Kei finally looked at him, still holding the young Ayanokouji with a smile on her face.
— So, how did you become like this? — she asked, referring to the obvious personality change in his adult version.
The adult took a few seconds to respond, as if carefully choosing his words.
— Some things happen. Some people enter your life and make you realize you don't have to carry everything alone.
— That was very vague — Horikita commented, bluntly.
The adult only smiled.
— It's enough for now. Some things need to be discovered over time.
The teenager observed the interaction with a slight interest. He didn't seem as bothered as expected, but it was still clear that he was paying attention to every detail.
— You speak like a philosopher — the teenager commented, his apathetic voice laced with curiosity. — Was it always like this in the future?
The adult shrugged.
— Some things change. Others, not so much.
Chiaki, who was still playing with the young Ayanokouji, turned to the adult with a curious smile.
— You seem more approachable. More... human, maybe?
— That's a good description — the adult replied. — But that doesn't mean it was easy to get here.
Kei laughed softly.
— Well, at least we know you didn't turn out too bad in the future.
The adult Ayanokouji stood up from where he had been sitting, putting his hands in his pockets and looking at the group with a more serious, yet still relaxed expression.
— Well, I think I've had enough fun for now. I need to take a walk and check a few things. I'm heading to the teachers' lounge.
Kei blinked, surprised.
— The teachers' lounge? Why now?
— I need to talk about some matters with the teachers — he answered calmly. — Besides, I doubt things will get out of control without me here... right?
He gave a meaningful look to the teenager, who responded with a slight nod while giving a thumbs-up.
— You can count on me. I know what to do.
With that, the adult gave a small smile before leaving the room, leaving the group alone.
Kei sighed, still holding the young Ayanokouji in her arms.
— He's really different... but still the same.
Horikita, crossing her arms, looked at the teenager.
— I think now it's your responsibility to make sure everything stays in order.
The teenager just nodded, his expression unchanged.
— It always has been.
Chiaki smiled, turning her attention back to the young Ayanokouji.
— Well, looks like we have plenty of time to have fun with this version of him.
The teenage Ayanokouji looked at Chiaki calmly, his expression as apathetic as always, but his words were direct:
— That phrase was slightly creepy and... slightly criminal. I ask that you never say something like that involving any version of me, especially the child one.
Chiaki blinked, confused, furrowing her brow while processing what he had said.
— What do you mean? I was just talking about spending time with him, nothing else! — She suddenly stopped, her eyes widening as the realization hit her. Her expression quickly turned a deep red. — I-I didn't mean it that way! I swear!
She began to stammer, raising her hands in a defensive gesture while looking desperately at Kei, who was staring at her with a mischievous smile.
— Wow, Chiaki, what kind of thoughts have you been having? — Kei teased, still holding the young Ayanokouji in her arms as if he were a stuffed animal.
— No! That's not what I meant! — Chiaki protested, her face even redder. — I was just talking about spending time with him, nothing more!
Kei narrowed her eyes, tilting her head while a mischievous smile appeared on her lips.
— Sure, sure... that's all it was, huh?
Chiaki covered her face with her hands, clearly embarrassed.
— Kei, stop teasing me! That's not what I meant!
Meanwhile, the young Ayanokouji continued to be held in Kei's arms, looking at Chiaki with a neutral expression.
— Why are you so nervous? — he asked, his voice calm and monotone, as if he truly didn't understand the situation.
This only made Chiaki blush even harder, and she shook her head quickly.
— N-nothing! Don't worry about it!
Kei laughed, squeezing the young Ayanokouji tighter.
— He's so cute! No matter the version, Ayanokouji always manages to leave people flustered, huh?
The teenage Ayanokouji just sighed while observing the scene. He was standing next to Horikita, who was looking at him with an exasperated expression.
— Your friends are incredibly noisy. I thought you didn't like people like that, problematic ones. — Horikita commented, crossing her arms.
— You get used to it — he answered calmly, without any emotion in his voice.
Horikita glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, her lips curving into a slight smile.
— I can imagine. But considering the situation... what do you plan to do?
The teenage Ayanokouji turned his gaze to her, his face as impassive as ever.
— For now, keep things under control. We can't let this get out of proportion.
— And about your adult version? — Horikita asked, glancing at the door he had just exited.
— He seems to know what he's doing — the teenager answered. — I just hope he doesn't complicate things further.
Horikita sighed, shaking her head.
— It seems like you're handling this better than I expected.
— It's not as complicated as it seems — he said, with a slight shrug.
Meanwhile, Chiaki was still trying to explain herself to Kei, who wouldn't stop teasing her.
— Seriously, Kei, stop doing this to me! — Chiaki complained, her cheeks still flushed as Kei chuckled softly.
— I'm just having a bit of fun. You make it so easy, Chiaki.
The little Ayanokouji looked at Kei, then at Chiaki, tilting his head to the side.
— You two talk too much, annoying.
Kei and Chiaki looked at him, surprised, before laughing together.
— He's so blunt, isn't he? — Chiaki commented, still trying to recover from the embarrassment.
— He's always been like that — Kei replied, hugging the little Ayanokouji tighter. — And I love that about him.
— Are you talking about the child version or the teenager? — Chiaki asked with a teasing smile, trying to get back at Kei.
Kei blinked, her face slightly flushed, but she quickly responded without being intimidated:
— Both.
The teenage Ayanokouji merely observed the interaction, letting out a small sigh before turning his attention back to Horikita.
— Is it always like this when they're together?
— Seems like it — Horikita replied, with a slightly exasperated expression, not used to being around these girls.
Change of POV
The adult Ayanokouji walked calmly and steadily down the school hallways, the familiar surroundings stirring memories of his time as a student. His eyes scanned the details around him, capturing small pieces of nostalgia. He passed the lockers and halls that had often been the backdrop of situations that had shaped his character.
For a brief moment, he stopped in front of a window. The sky was clear, and the sun bathed the courtyard in a soft light. He allowed himself a small smile, reflecting on how much he had changed since those days.
"These walls have witnessed much more than anyone realizes," he thought before continuing his walk toward the teacher's lounge.
A few minutes later, as he walked down an empty corridor, the adult Ayanokouji let out a quiet sigh, lost in thought. However, his body instinctively reacted to the sound of a quick movement behind him. Without fully turning, he blocked a kick aimed at his neck, holding the attacker's foot with one hand.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he recognized the attacker.
— Ryuen — he said, his voice as calm as ever.
Ryuen smiled broadly, letting out his characteristic laugh.
— Kukuku... So the crazy rumors are true. Looks like the adult version of Ayanokouji has really shown up here.
The adult Ayanokouji sighed, slowly lowering Ryuen's foot before releasing his leg.
— You're still unpredictable, just like I remembered.
— And you're still annoying in the future — Ryuen replied, laughing as he attempted another kick, this time aiming for the side of Ayanokouji's face.
The movement was again interrupted, this time with the adult Ayanokouji holding Ryuen's ankle with his other hand, his expression impassive.
— You're exactly as I remembered.
Ryuen laughed again, stepping back and adjusting his stance.
— Kukuku, the monster is still a monster in the future, huh?
Ayanokouji remained silent for a few seconds, his expression unchanged, but a hint of nostalgia crossed his mind upon hearing that nickname. He released Ryuen's ankle and took a small step back, allowing the other to be free.
— So? How did you end up here? — Ryuen asked, a curious and provocative gleam in his eyes. — In the future, will humans really invent a time machine?
Ayanokouji looked at him leisurely, his tone as calm as always.
— No. And I don't know why I'm here either.
Ryuen raised an eyebrow, sizing him up with a mischievous smile.
— Huh, even after all these years, you're still full of mysteries, huh? But... looks like you've gotten rid of that annoying dead fish look.
The adult Ayanokouji responded with a small smile.
— Some things have changed in the future.
Ryuen crossed his arms, still smiling.
— Really changed? Well, I guess I'll find out. How long are you staying here?
— I don't know — Ayanokouji replied, his voice so calm it almost seemed indifferent.
Ryuen tilted his head, the smile on his face widening.
— Kukuku... This is going to be interesting. You better get ready, because I'm going to have fun testing you.
The adult Ayanokouji observed Ryuen, his eyes analyzing each movement, but he didn't seem worried.
— I'm always prepared, but you'll never beat me.
Ryuen laughed loudly, returning to his relaxed posture.
— That's what we'll see.
With a casual wave, Ryuen turned and started walking away, his laughter echoing down the hallway.
The adult Ayanokouji stood still for a moment, watching Ryuen distance himself before continuing his walk toward the teacher's lounge. A small smile crossed his lips. He didn't know how long he'd be there, but the nostalgia and unexpected encounters were making the experience more interesting than he had imagined.
End of Chapter 2.