Chapter CXXIII: Back to School, Part 1
Monday morning arrives quietly. Far beyond the city limits, the first rays of sunlight emerge from behind distant mountain ranges, painting the horizon with streaks of gold, orange, and pale blue. Across the countryside, endless rice fields shimmer beneath the morning dew. Small irrigation canals reflect the sunlight like ribbons of glass winding through the landscape.
The city itself slowly awakens. Store owners unlock their shutters. Cyclists begin traveling through the streets. Commuters gather near stations. Students prepare for another week of school. To most people, it is simply another Monday. To the students involved in the events surrounding Operation: Kouhai, however, it feels like the beginning of something much larger, dangerous, perilous, or perhaps mysterious.
A train rattles steadily along the tracks from the southwest. Inside one of the passenger cars sits Asahi. A shoulder bag rests beside him. His headphones hang loosely around his neck. The scenery outside flashes past the window in a blur of green fields, residential neighborhoods, and utility poles. Normally he would be half asleep. But today is different, and it requires focus.
Asahi glances toward his phone. Several unread messages remain inside a group chat. Most of them are from Enmei, which immediately lowers their credibility. One message reads,
"IMPORTANT QUESTION: If a penguin joins the basketball club, does it become an athlete?"
Another reads:
"Natsuki ignored my question."
Another message simply reads,
"This is just discrimination, Dude"
Asahi closes the chat for his own sanity.
Meanwhile, inside Shinomiya High School, Enmei is already present somehow. Even the cleaning staff are surprised. The classroom remains relatively quiet. Morning sunlight enters through the windows. Dust particles drift lazily through the air. Enmei sits at his desk, alone, and waiting.
"Glad I still got this"
He pulls out a duplicate of the key to the classroom. His phone vibrates. A new message arrives.
"Bro, you're actually early?" (Asahi)
"History is being made. It repeats itself because of people." (Enmei)
"Are you sick?" (Asahi)
"Nah, I'm just high on adrenaline." (Enmei)
The classroom door opens briefly, and several students enter. The more follows and others occupy seats while others go out for fresh air. The room gradually begins filling with life.
Elsewhere, another train approaches from the north. Gin stands near the platform, his school bag rests comfortably over one shoulder. A can of Beast Juice sits on the palm of his hand. The train arrives with a familiar metallic screech. Passengers begin boarding.
As Gin prepares to enter, somebody approaches from behind.
"Gin."
The voice immediately catches his attention. He turns, and Tengen stands there. For a moment, Gin almost doesn't recognize him. The arrogant posture is gone. The confidence is void, and the prideful attitude that once seemed impossible to break has completely disappeared. The young man standing before him now appears hesitant, awkward, and even nervous. Tengen scratches the back of his head.
"Gin..."
He hesitates.
"I would just want to..."
Gin already knows where this conversation is going. He sighs.
"Look."
Tengen stops. Gin adjusts his bag.
"If it's about the whole Operation: Kouhai scenario, I've already forgiven you."
The words clearly surprise him.
"Especially that what you did to Kota and Akiko."
A brief silence follows.
"But."
Gin points a finger.
"You need to tell them directly."
Tengen lowers his gaze.
"I know."
The train doors remain open. Yet neither boards immediately. Tengen exhales slowly.
"There's another thing."
Gin waits.
"If you remember my promise."
A pause.
"I'm sorry."
Gin already knows what he means. It's the promise Tengen made way back during their first days in Shinomiya High, and meeting the squad, the awkward history between friends that looks like a book page stained with coffee yet readable.
For several moments, Gin says nothing. A part of him remains upset, while the other part of him remembers everything. All the misunderstandings, arguments, pain, and what he had gone through following that. Eventually he sighs.
"You know what?... It's fine."
Tengen blinks. Gin shrugs.
"Girls or no girls."
He smiles slightly.
"The important thing is that I still have the friends I wished for."
The answer visibly relieves Tengen. However, Gin immediately points at him again.
"But, that doesn't get you off the hook."
Tengen winces.
"You still need to apologize properly." (Gin)
"I know." (Tengen)
"Because if this was still World War Two..." (Gin)
Gin dramatically folds his arms.
"...you would've already been executed for becoming a puppet of imperialism."
The statement catches Tengen completely off guard.
"What?!"
Gin begins boarding.
"I'm just saying." (Gin)
"THAT ESCALATED SO FAST!" (Tengen)
"Says the dude who's almost related to the Military Governor of the Philippines back then, the Tiger of Malaya" (Gin)
"Yeah, let's not talk about that again, History Boy" (Tengen)
Several nearby commuters stare. Gin continues walking. Tengen follows. The train doors close. And for the first time in many months, the tension between them feels noticeably lighter.
By the morning assembly, students flood the campus. The school grounds become crowded. Footsteps echo through walkways. Conversations fill the air. The familiar rhythm of school life returns. Students gather inside the courtyard. Teachers supervise from the sides. Principal Fukushu stands near the stage. Everything appears normal which is exactly how he wants it. The national anthem begins and voices rise together. The entire student body sings. Afterward comes the Shinomiya High School Hymn. The familiar melody echoes across the campus. Many students sing proudly. Some sing quietly. A few merely move their lips. Enmei belongs firmly to the third category.
Eventually assembly concludes. Students begin returning to their classrooms.
Inside the Class 3-A Classroom, it already gets sufficiently loaded with students, yet some chairs are still empty. The class slowly fills with activity. Satou is already present, Katsu sits near the windows. Toshiro talks quietly with the Class Representative. The atmosphere feels surprisingly peaceful. Then, the classroom door opens. Several students enter together including Asahi, Enmei, and Gin.
Behind the trio are two unfamiliar faces, which are white-haired girl and a pink-haired guy. The room immediately grows curious. The white-haired girl carries herself calmly. Her silver-white hair falls neatly around her shoulders. The pink-haired boy appears slightly awkward but friendly. Satou blinks.
"New students?"
Asahi nods.
"Transfer arrangements."
Toshiro smiles politely.
"Welcome."
The Class Representative offers a wave. Katsu does the same. The pair return the greeting.
"Honoka Shirogane."
The white-haired girl introduces herself.
"Reo Momogawa."
The pink-haired boy follows. Nobody suspects anything. Well, almost nobody because another student quietly enters, and it's Eloise. She pauses, observes, and thinks. She feels something strange and off. Yet she cannot identify it. Her gaze briefly lingers on Honoka then Reo. Following this, she looks at Asahi. But she says nothing. She simply takes her seat.
Several minutes later. Ms. Soumei enters.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Ms. Soumei."
The lesson begins with the daily attendance, some announcements, and lecture. Everything proceeds normally. Eventually she reaches one of the new students.
"Alright, Mr. Mizu—"
She stops with a brief pause, almost imperceptible. Then she quickly corrects herself.
"Sorry. Mr. Momogawa."
Reo nods.
"Yes, ma'am."
Several students nearly laugh. Fortunately, Eloise appears distracted. She doesn't notice. Then suddenly, her stomach growls very loudly. Eloise freezes. A second later, more consecutive growls follow just after that one growl. Her eyes widen.
"Oh no."
Within seconds she raises her hand.
"Excuse me, Ma'am, may I use the restroom?"
Ms. Soumei nods.
"Go ahead."
Eloise immediately leaves. The classroom door closes. The moment she disappears, Ms. Soumei casually winks directly at Honoka and Reo. The entire operation remains intact.
Inside the girls' restroom. Eloise sits miserably inside a stall. Her face is pale and her stomach feels like it is attempting to start a civil war.
"What is happening to me?"
Another stomach growl answers her question.
"No."
Another one.
"Please no. It's like I'm gonna erupt like a volcano here!"
Meanwhile, outside the restroom, Natsuki calmly walks past. A very rare yet dangerous smile appears on her face. It's the smile of someone who has committed a crime.
"How'd ya like that, Bish?!", she thinks and smiles.
Earlier that morning, without Eloise noticing, a certain laxative mysteriously found its way into her water tumbler. The mission has been extremely successful. Natsuki continues walking completely innocent, absolutely and probably.
"That's for my bestie and her husbando, yet slick as a sloth. Mr. Mongo style.", she thinks.
As the bell rings, lunch arrives. The cafeteria buzzes with life. Students occupy nearly every available table. Among them sits a familiar group, and it's the squad. Asahi, Gin, Enmei, and Natsuki, together with Honoka and Reo. The six chat casually about games, anime, homework, and memes, just a typical normal student conversations.
Then Asahi suddenly leans toward Reo and whispers. Reo whispers back. Several students nearby ignore it. The group does not because they already know. Beneath the wigs and makeup, Honoka is Akiko, and Reo is Kota. The disguises were arranged days ago. The plan was approved personally by Principal Fukushu. Only trusted individuals know. The operation remains secret.
As the squad laughs, another pair approaches. It's Hanako and Tengen. The table becomes quiet and the atmosphere changes. Not hostile but serious. Tengen takes a deep breath. Hanako does the same. Then both bow deeply and sincerely.
"We're sorry."
The words come from both of them. Only honesty.
"Look, we have been a pain in the butt for a long time to both of you, especially you Kota. Every action we did during those times, we regret them" (Tengen)
"And you, bestie, I'm sorry for doing you both dirty" (Hanako)
Tengen's voice trembles slightly.
"I hurt you"
Hanako nods.
"So did I."
The apology continues, gentle, heartfelt, and painfully sincere. By the time they finish, the entire table is silent. Honoka exchanges a glance with Reo. Then both smile.
"We forgive you."
The relief on Hanako's face is immediate. Tengen nearly looks like he might cry. Fortunately, nobody points it out. Then another familiar voice arrives.
"Senpai."
Everyone turns and it's Megumi. She stands there nervously, fidgeting with her hands.
"I..."
She hesitates, then bows.
"I'm sorry too."
The words are simple but genuine. Reo smiles warmly.
"It's okay."
Honoka nods.
"We forgive you too."
Megumi visibly relaxes. The atmosphere grows lighter. For the first time in a very long time, the group feels whole again.
The bell chimes as the afternoon arrives. Classes resume and students return to their rooms. The air feels warm. The sunlight grows softer.
Inside Class 3-A, students wait for the next teacher. Minutes pass, yet nobody arrives. Then, the classroom door opens. Ms. Soumei appears. She scans the room. Apparently, her eyes settle on two students.
"Honoka."
The white-haired girl looks up.
"Reo."
The pink-haired boy follows.
"Please come with me."
The classroom immediately becomes curious. But nobody questions it because many already understand. This is part of something bigger and part of something important.
Meanwhile, far away from the classroom, one particular student remains trapped inside a restroom, still suffering, confused, and questioning every life decision that led to this moment, and completely unaware. The next stage of what is in store for them has already begun.
ns216.73.217.9da2
and then Add to home screen.