Chaos in Classroom of the Elite: Class 1-C

"Well, since the outcome has already been decided, isn't it about time you let me leave?" Ayanokoji looked expressionless at the pair in front of him, feeling increasingly troubled, as if the pressure was unbearable.

Sakayanagi was one thing, but the most troublesome part was that Yukio was also staring at him. This made Ayanokoji's original plan of keeping a low profile throughout his three years at school vanish into thin air.

Ayanokoji knew full well that he had done his best in this special exam. He had indeed made an experience-related mistake by not reviewing the financial records during the exam.

He had mistakenly assumed that this special exam was solely about comparing workplace efficiency, without considering the bigger picture. He found the best promotional plan, passed it to Horikita, who then shared it with Matsushita, and the promotion was successfully executed.

However, what he hadn't expected was that the most crucial aspect was not about efficiency, but illegal operations.

What puzzled Ayanokoji the most, though, was why Sakayanagi, after defeating him, still insisted on this private conversation.

Was it a part of human nature—the need for the victor to flaunt their superiority in front of the loser, seeking some sort of emotional satisfaction? Due to his lack of emotional understanding, Ayanokoji couldn't grasp this kind of feeling.

He had no choice but to reluctantly meet with them.

Yukio, on the other hand, didn't care. He only needed to complete the full analysis of the AN School's rules and then take Ayanokoji away. He wasn't interested in dealing with other matters.

But since Sakayanagi wanted to talk, he just accompanied her.

Sakayanagi, now showing none of her earlier distress, leaned on her cane like a mangrove tree rooted by the sea, almost blending into the sea breeze, appearing so ethereal. "Don't misunderstand, Ayanokoji-kun."

"The reason I asked you to come here isn't for any ulterior motives. Since the results are settled, I will honor my promise and not interfere with anything."

"However, there is one thing I must clarify. When Yukio-kun pressed Fujii during the interrogation, he forced Fujii to reveal a crucial piece of information."

"Did you tell him about my congenital heart condition?"

This was the primary reason Sakayanagi asked Ayanokoji to talk again after determining the outcome of the exam. Flaunting her victory? Sakayanagi would never do something so petty.

What she was focused on was whether Ayanokoji had any intention of driving her to her death. Additionally, did Ayanokoji figure out the truth about the fish farm?

From Sakayanagi's perspective, if Ayanokoji had also seen through the truth of the fish farm and deliberately told Fujii about her heart condition, it would be suspected as an attempt to silence her by murder.

If that were the case, the outcome would not be considered settled. The motive would be easy to deduce—removing her would mean one less person interfering with Ayanokoji's future, a reasonable motivation.

If Ayanokoji hadn't figured out the truth and accidentally revealed Sakayanagi's heart condition, then the result was clear. Sakayanagi's long-held obsession of defeating the "White Room" and proving that a false genius couldn't win against a true genius would be fulfilled.

Thus, Sakayanagi needed to know the truth, and she specifically asked Yukio Tsuyoshi to accompany her for this reason. She wasn't confident she could discern the truth from Ayanokoji's expressionless face, but she trusted that Yukio could.

Ayanokoji, however, didn't immediately give a serious answer and instead first commented on Yukio's behavior: "By the way, even if Mr. Fujii had issues, isn't it equally problematic for Yukio to privately interrogate him?"

"Never mind, I really didn't know anything about Fujii. He just happened to see me and asked about your condition, Sakayanagi."

"He said he noticed how physically weak you appeared and was concerned that if you had an episode at the fish farm, it would disrupt his business and bring scrutiny from the school."

"So, he wanted to know your medical condition in advance to prepare for any medical emergencies and avoid complications in the fish farm."

Sakayanagi nodded to herself after hearing this. It seemed like Ayanokoji wasn't lying, but she couldn't help but turn to Yukio, seeking his judgment.

Yukio, too, felt that Ayanokoji probably wasn't hiding anything. If Ayanokoji had known, he wouldn't have set Fujii against Sakayanagi—it would have been a terrible move.

When Ayanokoji considered that if something had happened to Sakayanagi at the fish farm, it would lead to a thorough investigation, he realized that Fujii would inevitably implicate him.

As Ayanokoji spoke, his micro-expressions and the depths of his eyes showed no changes. Yukio was confident that, even with White Room training, it couldn't alter the most fundamental subconscious physical reactions of the human body.

Yukio then nodded to Sakayanagi, signaling that Ayanokoji was telling the truth.

"Phew," Sakayanagi let out a deep sigh of relief, finally feeling that the long-standing desire she had accumulated since her visit to the White Room in her childhood had come to fruition.

It felt as though the massive chains she had imposed on herself were now shattered into pieces. Her emotions were complicated, to say the least.

Happiness was certainly present—years of ambition fulfilled, bringing a natural sense of joy.

Relief was also there, as the obsession that had weighed her down for so long was now gone, freeing her mind and body, making her feel as light as if she could float away.

But there was also confusion. What should she do next? What should her next life goal be?

With such a complex mix of emotions, Sakayanagi took a deep breath and waved her hand, signaling that Ayanokoji was free to leave.

Yukio accompanied Sakayanagi, walking with her as they escorted Ayanokoji back toward the class buses.

It wasn't only Sakayanagi who felt conflicted—Ayanokoji shared the same sentiment.

He never forgot his identity: the ultimate product of the White Room, the most successful genius created through after-birth conditioning in history.

More than that, he was the pride and joy of his father, the head of the White Room.

Yet, he had lost to Sakayanagi?

Despite the emotional deficiencies that Ayanokoji often experienced, two distinct emotions arose within him. One was a primal human feeling—resentment.

The other was a strange sense of relief.

The reason he fled from the White Room to AN High School, to escape his father for three years, was because he wanted to see the world outside that the White Room had denied him.

Originally, his plan was to quietly return after three years, knowing full well that, no matter how talented he was, he could never be a match for his father, who controlled countless forces and was utterly ruthless. Ayanokoji understood that escaping on his own would be impossible.

He was able to take advantage of AN High School, which also trains mid-level talents, to evade his father for three years, gaining a period of freedom. It was the only way to ensure he left with no regrets.

However, the situation had now changed slightly. As the White Room's greatest masterpiece, he had been defeated by Sakayanagi, which indirectly suggested that the White Room might not be as invincible as it seemed.

It clearly indicated that the White Room was inferior to AN High School. Once this information spread... Ayanokoji's once listless eyes, now filled with rare clarity, gazed at the vast sky: "Atsuomi Ayanokoji…"

"Your White Room is finished. Perhaps, I truly can escape your control forever."

"You probably never imagined, did you? The White Room you poured all your efforts into... is inferior to Advanced Nurturing High School."