## Chapter Sixteen

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The final day of June had arrived.

Though it was the season where the damp, muggy air of the rainy season clings to everything, the atmosphere in Class 1-B was excellent. Having survived the midterm exams in May together, the class had successfully maintained their Class Points through June without any significant losses.

The main factors behind this success were the study groups held after school and the strong sense of solidarity among the classmates.

And so, after school today...

My room in the student dormitory was hosting a larger number of guests than ever before.

"Woooooooow!! Awesome!! What is this feast?!"

"Wah... it looks delicious! Did you make all of this yourself, Aizen-kun!?"

"I can't believe it... it looks like food from a high-end restaurant..."

Looking at the array of dishes spread across my table, Shibata Sou, the PE representative, let out a cheer, while Amikura Mako and Shiranami Chihiro stared with sparkling eyes.

Gathered today were the key members of Class B: Ichinose Honami (Class Rep), Kanzaki Ryuji (Vice Rep), plus Shibata, Amikura, and Shiranami. And, of course, sitting right next to me was Shiina Hiyori.

It was a strategy meeting to wrap up the end of June and decide on the class's future direction... or rather, that was the pretext for what was actually just a social gathering and home party.

*(Heh heh heh... They’re stunned! My home cooking, forged in the kitchens of the orphanage and sharpened to the limit by my "Aizen specs"! Today, I’ve prepared roast beef, authentic carbonara, and even a marinated vegetable medley for everyone! Eat your fill!)*

Internally, I was overflowing with the joy of being a host, pulling off a triumphant "smug face."

However, the words that left my mouth were the same as always.

"—Now, devour it before it grows cold. Though it may be an offering far too grand to fill your puny stomachs."

**(Translation: I made a lot, so please dig in while it’s hot!)**

"...Your phrasing is as intense as ever, but I'm seriously diving in! Thanks for the food!!"

Shibata reached for the roast beef without hesitation and popped a piece into his mouth. In that instant, he froze.

"...!? So good!? What is this, the meat just melts!?"

"It’s true! This pasta might even be better than a restaurant's...! Aizen-kun, you're a culinary genius!"

Even Ichinose and Kanzaki were moving their chopsticks, marveling, "This is incredible..."

Hiyori added, "Fufu, Sosuke-kun’s cooking really is wonderful," looking oddly proud, as if it were her own achievement.

*(Thank goodness! Everyone’s happy! Inviting classmates to my room to noisy-ly share a meal... this is the scene of youth I’ve always dreamed of!)*

While elegantly swirling a glass filled with grape juice, I was shedding tears of joy on the inside.

Once the meal had settled and we were sipping after-dinner juice, the mood naturally shifted toward discussing our "future policy."

"Thanks to everyone, Class B has been maintaining points steadily through May and June. But I think everyone realizes by now that this school isn't just a place where you simply take lessons and tests."

Ichinose looked around at everyone with a serious expression.

She was right. This was the Advanced Nurturing High School. There was no way a school boasting meritocracy would continue to measure a student’s value solely through paper tests.

*(Ichinose is right. From here on, there will definitely be 'exams' that test various abilities, not just academic ones. Class points will likely fluctuate wildly because of them. ...Alright, let me give them some advice!)*

I narrowed my eyes slightly and spoke quietly.

"—The days of trembling at ink stains have already reached their end."

At my heavy tone, Shibata and the others flinched, their shoulders jumping.

"True despair will soon bare its fangs. ...The next trial shall place your very souls upon the scales. The board will be overturned, and the castles in the sand you have built will return to dust in a momentary storm. ...If you wish to survive, never let go of your sword."

**(Translation: I think exams testing various practical skills—not just paper tests—are coming. Class points will fluctuate a lot, so let's stay sharp!)**

"""............*Eek!*"""

Shiranami’s eyes teared up, and Amikura hid behind Shibata’s back. Even Kanzaki was breaking into a cold sweat, muttering, "Scales for our souls... are they going to make us trade lives...?"

Once again, my "edgy poetry" had plunged them into the depths of terror.

"—What Sosuke-kun is saying is this."

Right then, with perfect timing, the silver-haired angel smiled.

"『He predicts that from now on, there will be special exams testing various practical skills and adaptability, not just written tests. Since class points will likely fluctuate significantly, we must prepare ourselves and never let our guard down.』 ...is what he means."

"""............!!"""

"Wh-what! Is that all? Don't scare us like that, Aizen!"

"Ahaha... but Aizen-kun’s prediction seems spot on. We can't afford to be careless."

Thanks to Hiyori’s translation, the tense atmosphere transformed into a positive one in an instant.

Truly, I don't know where I'd be by now if she wasn't here.

"Yeah. Just like Aizen-kun says, I think more unpredictable things will happen from now on. So..."

Ichinose looked at us with determined eyes.

"I want this group to continue meeting for strategy sessions whenever there’s an exam. I want us to combine our strengths so that everyone in Class B can reach Class A. ...Will you all continue to help me as your leader?"

To Ichinose's words, Kanzaki immediately replied, "Of course," and Shibata and the others nodded with smiles, saying, "It has to be you, Ichinose!"

*(I agree too! If Ichinose is the leader, we’re in good hands!)*

"—I have no interest in carrying a palanquin. ...However, as long as you do not let that banner break, I shall permit you to remain within the periphery of my vision."

"He says, 『I will cooperate to the best of my meager abilities.』"

"Fufu, thank you, Aizen-kun, Shiina-san!"

And so, the bond between the core members—the "brains" of Class 1-B—grew even stronger around my dining table.

"Thanks for the food! Aizen, let us eat your delicious cooking again sometime!"

"Aizen-kun, Shiina-san, see you tomorrow!"

The night had deepened, and Ichinose and the others left my room with smiles. After the storm-like liveliness departed, silence returned to the room.

*(Man, that was fun! Cleaning up is a pain, but with this feeling of fulfillment, it’s no trouble at all.)*

Just as I was about to carry the pile of dishes to the sink...

"Sosuke-kun. I'll help you clean up."

Hiyori, whom I thought had gone home, was standing there with her sleeves rolled up and wearing an apron (where did she even get that!?), smiling.

"—I cannot allow your white hands to be stained by such mundane matters. I am sufficient alone."

**(Translation: Hiyori, you can rest! I’ll do it!)**

"Fufu, it's fine. It'll be faster if we do it together, and it's my thanks for the delicious meal you made."

Hiyori elegantly ignored my protest and stood next to me at the sink.

Me washing the dishes with a sponge, and Hiyori taking them to wipe with a towel.

Standing side-by-side, washing dishes at a distance where our shoulders almost touched.

*(...Wait, doesn't this feel like a newlywed couple!? No, no, calm down! She's my best friend, don't have impure thoughts!)*

While my heart was pounding internally, we finished the cleanup efficiently.

"All done. Good work, Sosuke-kun. ...I’ll brew some tea."

With practiced movements, Hiyori boiled water in the kettle and brewed my favorite black tea.

We sat across from each other at the table, sipping the warm tea.

It was a calm, sweet silence, different from the liveliness of earlier.

*(...Hiyori looked like she was having fun and laughing the whole time today. It seems she’s become great friends with Ichinose and the others.)*

When she first transferred to Class B, she was looked upon with pity as the "Demon King's Sacrifice" because she was always by my side. But now, through her translation skills and natural kindness, she was deeply loved by her classmates.

"—It seems even a solitary star has finally found the constellation in which it belongs. ...Watching you melt into the light is not a bad diversion for me."

**(Translation: I’m really happy that you’ve become such good friends with Ichinose and the others, Hiyori.)**

Hearing my "stylish" (and slightly parental) poetry, Hiyori cupped her tea in both hands and squinted happily.

"Yes! Ichinose-san, Shiranami-san... everyone is so kind. Every day is so much fun. Thanks to you, Sosuke-kun, I'm so glad I came to this class."

"..."

"But..."

Hiyori looked up from her cup, her transparent silver eyes staring straight into mine.

Then, with a smile as incredibly cute as a blooming flower, she said:

"For me, this quiet time I spend with you like this, Sosuke-kun... is what makes me feel most at peace."

**(——————!!)**

My heart skipped a beat, thumping louder than it had all day.

*(Cu...!? She's way too cute!! What's with that line!! If you say something like that while we're alone in my room, I'm going to get the wrong idea!!)*

The "rational ordinary person" inside my brain was ringing alarm bells and running wild.

*(No, no!! Calm down!! Hiyori is my one and only best friend and a comrade-in-arms surviving this harsh school life together!! If I look at her with such ulterior motives and ruin this perfect relationship, then what!? Be a gentleman, Sosuke Aizen!!)*

I desperately suppressed my agitation and smiled back with extreme coolness and gentlemanly poise.

"—...I see. The seat beside my throne is always kept open for you. ...You may come to rest your wings whenever you wish."

**(Translation: I like the time I spend with you most too, Hiyori! Come over whenever you like!)**

"Fufu. Yes, thank you, Sosuke-kun."

Hiyori laughed with genuine happiness and took a delicious sip of her tea.

"Thank you so much for today. Goodnight, Sosuke-kun."

"—Indeed. Let us slumber once more at the bottom of a sweet phantom dream. ...Have a good night."

**(Translation: Get home safe, goodnight!)**

After walking Hiyori to the entrance of the girls' floor in the same dormitory, I returned to my room.

The room was neatly tidied. In the dish rack sat the cups we had all used earlier.

I threw myself onto the bed and looked up at the ceiling.

*(...Ichinose, Kanzaki, Shibata, and the others. To think the day would come where I’d eat a meal as an ally—if not a friend—with a group of sparkling "normies" like them.)*

I wanted to tell that to my past self, the one who was shivering in the "Demon King's Solitude" on the first day of school.

*(It’s all thanks to Hiyori. Because she translated my words and connected me to others, I was able to find a place in this class.)*

There’s the heavy workload of the Student Council, and dealing with troublesome people like Nagumo and Ryuen. It certainly won't be a smooth road.

*(...But I’m really glad I came to this school.)*

Feeling a certain warmth within

me, I quietly closed my eyes.

The sound of the June rain tapped against the window like a pleasant lullaby.