It was March 18th, the final day of the third year's graduation and in two weeks our new school year will begin. I was currently speaking to Horikita-senpai just as he was about to leave ANHS.

"Ayanokouji-kun, I want to confirm something with you. I want you to answer it as a sign of my graduation." Horikita-senpai gazed at me expectantly. I nodded at his optimism for the last time.

"Why do you spend your time hiding your talents?" Unexpected, yet straightforward to the point.

"It's simple. I don't like to stand out."

"Even if you conceal your abilities, is it something you can stick by?"

"I haven't thought about it." I just wanted to live a normal high school life. Although, recently I've had doubts over it.

"Do you plan to continue this in the future?"

"It's hard to say. I won't get serious about most things, but it'll still be more than before." To be honest, I wasn't sure myself, so I bluntly told him what I was feeling.

"I was thinking about my three years in this school. What I've accomplished and what I haven't." Horikita-senpai looked over the school one more time. "Have I completely shown my strength, did I still have more room to grow, those things." A life in complete contrast to mine.

I asked. "Do you think that there's any meaning in continuing like this?"

"From my perspective, I'd say there's meaning in wanting a comfortable life. But don't you want to leave something here in this school?"

"Leave something behind... that's something someone who stands out would do."

"If you can't imprint your legacy in the school, then do it to the students. Let the person known as Ayanokouji Kiyotaka be carved into their minds, and they will not forget your existence."

Carve my existence into their minds? I've never thought of doing such a thing.

"I'm grateful to you for helping my sister grow in this past one year. You have great power, I've come to understand that in the little time I've known you. You're not a person who would stop at this level. That's why... don't disappoint me."

"I could be expelled in these two years, you know."

"Even so, you will remain in the memory of others. As long as students think back on their three years and think 'The existence of Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was truly great', then it can be considered a success."

I felt his words sinking into my heart. "I'll think about it."

I wanted memories. Memories that could make me feel happy. I was satisfied with what I had but that might not be the correct answer.

"Sorry if this turned out to be a cheesy lecture." He cracked a smile.

"No, no, these were the most meaningful words an upperclassman has said to me."

"Let's call it a day here. Although it's a selfish request, I'll leave Suzune in your care."

While saying this, Elder Horikita stretched out his hand. "Can I shake your hand?"

Just then, both of our phones dinged notifications. Usually this particular tone was for school related matters. Unlocking my phone, I read the mail. It was a meeting calling for all students to assemble in the school auditorium. How unexpected.

Seems like even Horikita-senpai received the same mail.

"Nii-san!!"

Since I was facing him, I could see his surprised expression on his face. Was it his sister's arrival that surprised him? He wasn't confused, rather amazed.

Turning back to look at her face, the Horikita I knew was different from the one yesterday.

"You've changed." Senpai said softly, feeling relieved.

I decided to leave the two a moment and stepped aside. I messaged Kei to ask whether she received the same mail. It was the middle of our spring holidays after all. Though I wouldn't put it past this school to make us compete in another special exam.

The brother and sister, after their moment alone, joined me to head towards the school auditorium. Inconspicuous to others but I could see the two were trying to hide their smiles.

How envious.

The three of us eventually ran into the current student council president Nagumo Miyabi. "Horikita-senpai! Do you have any idea why the school called us here."

"No, I was sure you'd have an idea why. It couldn't be a special exam, otherwise they wouldn't have called us third years."

"Hmm, you're right." He glanced at Horikita and I, immediately surprised at the new look of Horikita.

"Trying a new look, Suzune?" The maiden impassively nodded her head. The current SCP looked at me and grinned. Without saying anything else, he took his leave.

The school auditorium was a massive hall that could house over 500 people. The podium was occupied by a furious Mashima-sensei and Chabashira-sensei arguing with their voices down.

Just a few days back I revealed to the two about Acting director Tsukishiro's plans to expel me. With Sakayanagi as my vouch, we explained the foil created by Tsukishiro on the event selection exam.

Horikita-senpai split off with us to query his classmates. The seating arrangement class wise was posted in the mail we received. Class-1-D was allocated the first four rows in the left corner. To our right and behind were class-1-C and class-1-B respectively. In the right corner behind class-1-C were class-1-A. This pattern repeated for the second and third years.

Students were crowding in quickly into the auditorium and took their seats quickly. The teachers refused to give us any answers until everyone assembled.

"Kiyooooo-pon!" Haruka fled towards me.

"Haruka." I nodded towards her and the other three; Keisei, Akito and Airi greeted me.

"I've been worried about you cuz you didn't really hang out with the group at all that much over spring break." Akito said.

What he said was true. I'd barely interacted with the Ayanokouji group over the break. Rather, I'd been so occupied with other matters, I ended up neglecting them.

"Don't get me wrong, there's no rule stating you gotta hang out with us, but Haruka was worried and on top of that, Airi really seemed to be thinking about you alot."

He was essentially advising me to consider the girl's feelings too.

"My bad. I'll hang with you guys more often moving forward."

"That sounds good. I was starting to get a little lonely, you know."

It didn't seem like Akito was staying for too long as he casually raised his hand and sat alongside the others, a row behind. I started to think about how I found myself a truly good friend. After all, he goes out of his way to give me some good natured advice like that.

Kushida was happily chatting to Inogashira and Ichihashi about how excited she was to meet the new first years.

Ike, on the other hand, was trembling at the thought of another special exam.

Sudou stood transfixed with his jaws dropped. The others, curious about this, turned their heads towards where he was looking.

"S-Suzune...? Wha... What's up with your hair?"

"Horikita-san, that's quite the drastic makeover, I'm surprised." Kushida giggled.

"Is it really strange that I got a hair cut?" She glared not only at Sudou, but at the many students who were now staring at her.

"N-No, it's rather surprising. It's like you're a totally different person. Not that short hair makes you look bad or anything. If at all, it suits you. W-Wouldn't you agree, Kushida?"

Kushida nodded. "Did something happen, Horikita-san?"

"If I had to say, I suppose I'd call it my way of showing my resolve."

Kei and Yousuke quickly slid into the free seats next to mine. We made eye contact with each other and nodded discreetly.

"Take your seats quickly please." Mashima-sensei said.

Everyone scrambled to their places as they chatted jovially. The third years were particularly cheerier. With the burden of graduation lifted off their backs, they could take a moment of respite and enjoy the remaining time in this school.

"I'll get straight to the point. Starting from today, for the next two weeks, your schedule is going to be significantly different from before."

No one voiced their thoughts as they were patiently waiting for Mashima-sensei to explain the details.

"This is a government funded school as you may know. If there was a request sent from a higher-ups, we'd have no choice but to realise it. Before explaining more semantics, I'd like to congratulate the graduating third years." Before he could continue, a huge cheer from the back reverberated.

"This request is not necessary for the third years to participate but if you do then you can occupy your dorm rooms itself for the remainder of your stay.

The school has received these tapes that we have to watch. The letter explained the details so I'll summarise them for you.

A new pioneering device has been created by the government which can oversee the future and relay this data back in the form of frames. They felt it was best to test it in this school and have taken the initiative in entering the data of the students into it to begin processing. The results were these tapes."

Disbelief was written across everyone's faces.

"Future...?" One of the third years said,

"That makes no sense." Horikita said.

"Neh Ken, if we're watching the future, I wonder if I'll be driving a flying car or a hovercraft to work. Oooh I want to know if GTA 6 has been released yet."

"C'mon Kanji! You're buying this shit! Future my ass." Despite Sudou's unique slur, I couldn't help but agree with him.

That man wouldn't allow such a thing to be openly used, that too in a school. With more white room students enrolling to expel me, I wouldn't be surprised if that place got exposed in these videos.

"I want to know whether 'No game no life' has a second season yet." Sotomura murmured.

Nagumo stood up. "Sensei, despite my scepticism regarding this matter, let's assume on the hypothetical that such a device is possible, then why test it in a school?"

"That's true. Unfortunately they've given no explanations on that matter. I, too, am not an advocate of my students' personal privacy being revealed to others. But we've got no say in this decision."

Frowning, Nagumo bowed and headed back to his seat.

"Sensei, what's the content in these videos?" Horikita asked.

Hondou said. "Probably about special exams and stuff right? I mean, what's the point in showing our everyday classes?"

Mashima-sensei answered. "We haven't had an opportunity to review these tapes being direct orders from the higher ups to follow the instructions. One more thing, in the case of sensitive information being spread, any student may opt for a private viewing in the first floor of the auditorium."

"Sensitive..?" Kei said, looking at me.

Yousuke clapped twice and calmed down the agitated hoard of class-D. "Let's calm down everyone. If these videos do include such information of our private lives and class matters, then we'll deal with it together. I'll make sure nobody is hurt by whatever is shown."

A stopgap. That's the best Yousuke could do. His growth over the past year has been incredible and has become a person than anyone can rely on.

"I agree. Let's not be too hasty to judge someone if their secrets are revealed." Kushida said with a smile.

I couldn't help but snort internally at her rhetorism. Nonetheless, I was in the same sinking boat as her. I couldn't help but sigh at the incredulity of my situation.

Mashima-sensei loaded the tape and the huge projector brightened to life. Hearing the all familiar voice, I thought of the advice Horikita-senpai gave me earlier.

I'm sure every student in ANHS will not forget the existence of Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.