Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's POV

"Ayanon!" Hasebe waved heartily, calling out to me. My usual posse of friends flanked behind her. To be more exact, Miyake, Yukimura, Sakura, and Nene "Please, please, please, please! Let's meet together for some lunch! I heard there was a one-day-only discount for cafeteria meals!" She let me know about it.

"Is that true? By how many percentages?"

"Well... I'm not sure how accurate the price is... However, I think it was..." In contemplation, she rubbed her chin. "15%–20% off? I'm not sure, but it should be in the neighborhood of those figures."

"I see... That's interesting. Alright, allow me a moment, please. I'm going to quickly snatch my bento out of my bag."

"Okie!" With her palm, she made a thumbs-up sign.

I crouched down as I tugged the zipper of my bag to open it. Inside my luggage contained some compulsory stationeries, the school-issued textbooks, some notebooks I purchased at a particular store, my phone, and of course, the lunchbox I had packed and prepared the night before. I swiftly lay hold of it and was about to take off with the rest of the gang, when an unexpected visitor barged in on us.

"Yo!" We were hailed by a masculine voice, who made his presence known. We all turned to look at the source of the voice, which turned out to be Eichiiro's. "Mind if I join you guys for lunch?"

"Matsuo-Kun?" Mori cocked her head to the side, sounding slightly startled.

"The one and only." In a humorous fashion, he bowed gracefully. "So, am I permitted to engage in the tiffin-eating activities with you all?"

"I mean, I'm not opposed to it." Yukimura expressed his point of view. "But don't you typically spend your lunchtime with Hirata's group of friends or the other boys of our class?" Yukimura posed a valid query.

"You're not entirely incorrect. During this period, I normally hobnob around them." He made a small nod articulating agreement. "But, eh, the boys are too preoccupied with fawning over our upperclassmen, and Hirata's harem is acting more irritating and clinging with him than habitually. I just suddenly thought, hey, what the hell, I'll just hang out with you guys today." He was forthright in stating his reasons. "Plus, it'd be fun for me to look over all of you to see what kind of friends my dear Kiyo has rubbed elbows with over the last few months."

"Your dear Kiyo? You make it sound like as if you own me or something along the lines of that."

"Eh?!" Mori squawked in surprise. "Matsuo-Kun, Ayanokouji-Kun, don't tell me you both have that kind of relationship..."

I realized she was thinking about something that made her cheeks flush with embarrassment. What was she thinking about in the first place? Is it possible that she misinterpreted my relationship with Eichiiro? Well, whatever it is, it isn't likely to be something positive.

"Huh? What do you mean-" Eichiiro widened his eyes as if everything had just clicked for him. "Oi, oi, oi, oi! It's not what you're thinking! We aren't in any kind of vulgar or sexual relationship! We're just technically stepbrothers!" Eichiiro frantically attempted to clear up the misconception.

"Stepbrothers?! Doesn't that make it sound more enticing?" Hasebe raised her eyebrows playfully.

"Get your head out of the gutter!" Eichiiro scolded them harshly. "We really aren't like that; I certainly don't swing that way, and I believe we can all agree that incest is sickening, right, Kiyo?"

"Indeed. I can confidently affirm that I am by no means homosexual nor am I attracted to people of the same gender. Not that there's anything wrong with people who are. Incest, on the other hand, is something I find very repulsive."

Avoiding inbreeding, a collection of genetic problems suffered by the children of parents with a close genetic tie is a prominent rationale for forbidding incest. Congenital diseases, mortality, and developmental and physical disability are all higher risks for such children, and the risk is proportional to their parents' coefficient of relationship, which is a measure of how closely the parents are genetically connected. However, cultural anthropologists have pointed out that inbreeding evasion cannot be the sole justification for the incest prohibition because the incest proscription's borders vary greatly between societies, and not always in ways that optimize inbreeding prevention.

Brother-sister, father-daughter, mother-son, cousin-cousin, aunt-nephew, uncle-niece, and other combinations of kin within a royal family were married as a way of continuing the royal bloodline in various societies, such as Ancient Egypt. Some cultures have differing perspectives on what constitutes criminal or unethical incest. Marriage between a brother and an elder sister was permitted in Ancient Egypt, as it was in Samoa, nonetheless, marriage between a brother and a younger sister was deemed unscrupulous. Sexual connections with a first-degree relative (a parent, sibling, or kid) are, on the flip side, is virtually invariably outlawed.

Wait, what the hell, why was I thinking about this irrelevant topic in the first place? This is both uncharacteristic and proverbial of me. Perhaps I've been plagued with an overabundance of knowledge as a result of the hundreds of books I've read in the White Room. My library sessions with Shiina Hiyori, my book buddy, may also have had an impact on me.

"See! As I predicted! You know what? This is starting to stray from the original topic." He wildly flailed his arms. "So, is it all right if I tag along with you guys for some grub?"

"Well, I'm not against it, to be sure. What are everyone's thoughts on the subject?" Everyone in my immediate vicinity was questioned.

"Sure! What's the harm?"

"I don't have any objections to more company."

"As they say, the more the merrier, right?"

Everybody seemed to be on board with allowing Eichiiro to join us for our little lunch rendezvous. We briskly made our way to the front of the class and out.

We came across three figures in front of us who were staring— well, more like gazing at us with wicked intent while sauntering our way to the school cafeteria. Particularly at Miyake and Eichiiro, to be precise.

The first person was a man with a punchable face with green hair and dark green eyes. The second man was a slim young man with bluish-purple hair that was long and wavy. He also had a white headband worn across his brow as well. The third and final boy had medium-length red hair and was the most scowling of the three.

Their names should be Ishizaki Daichi, Komiya Kyogo, and Kondou Reo, if my memory serves me well.

They were pupils who had previously been in Class C but had just been downgraded to Class D. It's safe to say that they must be one of Ryuen's subordinates considering his vicious and totalitarian modus operandi of dictating his class.

What are they planning to do now?

Although the fact that both of our groups happened to be in the same place at the same time was pure coincidence, it appeared that they had a bone to pick with us. They displayed diabolical and malicious motives on their features as if giving us the evil eye.

They suddenly began to slog in our direction, taking hefty steps. The others were too preoccupied with banal and idle chatter to scrutinize the strange change in their demeanor. They weren't exactly facing us directly, but they were only a few centimeters away, approaching us slowly and menacingly.

They didn't do anything yet, and I was ready to move past them when Ishizaki shifted his foot to the right and leaned in his shoulder before you could say knife, which collided with Miyake's.

Although it may have appeared to be a minor mishap, I could tell he did it on purpose and with a shady goal in mind. But what was his possible motivation for doing so?

Was it to annoy or provoke Miyake in some way? Has Ryuen placed a bounty on Miyake after his Janus-faced schlenter with Sudou fell through owing to Eichiiro's intervention? Whatever it is, the next few minutes of our interaction will be spent providing me with answers.

"You stupid fuck, keep an eye on where you're going." Ishizaki became enraged and confronted Miyake in a violent tone.

The jovial and upbeat ambiance we were in had abruptly changed to deafening silence and a nervous atmosphere. Everyone came to a halt to stare at the three criminals who had just confronted Miyake. The females had uneasy expressions on their faces as if they were afraid of an unnecessary altercation, while Yukimura was perplexed and Eichiiro looked at them with distaste as if he were peeping at utter garbage.

"Ah, sorry about that. I'll be more cautious and aware of my surroundings next time." Miyake apologized awkwardly in an attempt to alleviate the heated atmosphere. After apologizing, he attempted to walk away, but Kondou grabbed the sleeve of his blazer and yanked it.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Mr.Wanna be delinquent himself." Kondou addressed him in a satirical manner.

Miyake heaved an exasperated sigh before answering him. "What do you want, Kondou?"

I slipped my hand into one of my pockets and switched on my phone quietly. I pushed the record button on an app with a red circle cover on it. I did this just in case a conceivable brawl could transpire between them and we needed corroboration of who started the conflict in the first place.

"Buddy, what's with the long face? That's all I'm looking for is to reconnect with an old delinquent pal." He encircled him in his arm.

"We were never friends, Kondou. And get off me." He moved his arms away from his neck in a manhandling motion.

"You know this punk, Kondou?" Ishizaki pointed his thumb at Miyake.

"Was that not implied? We've known one other for quite some time." Kondou started explaining himself. "In middle school, this motherfucker and I got into a tussle, and he was lucky as hell that his senpai was there to save his crybaby wimpy ass." He was doing his utmost in endeavoring to ruffle his feathers.

We all knew who Miyake had been in the past because we were his closest pals. We didn't judge him or push him away because of that, of course. We recognized he was attempting to overcome his past and become a better person.

In view of the fact that the world is continuously changing and we must adjust to these changes, change can be a journey for everyone. Getting a promotion at work, for example, is an example of how change may be beneficial. Change can be discouraging or upsetting, such as when a close family member passes away. In any case, change is something that affects everyone at some point in their lives.

"If that's all you have to say, then I and my friends will be taking our leave." He tried to say goodbye again before Komiya stepped in front of us and blocked our path. It was clear that they weren't going to allow us through so simply anymore. If we're not careful, this situation could quickly devolve into a vehement one, perchance escalating into a gratuitous squabble.

"Hold on now, who said you could even leave in the first place?" Kondou continued to harass him even more."

"Seriously, what do you people want from me? If you have a bone to pick with me, then just say it already. You don't have to involve innocent bystanders in it." Miyake was visibly getting irritated by the second.

"Heh, look at this guy." Kondou scoffed. "I only said a few words to him and his blood is already boiling. What? You gonna cry, you sniveler." Kondou trudged forward and shoved Miyake's right shoulder slightly.

"Oi, that's enough, both of you!" Eichiiro, not being able to bear the mare's nest unfold in front of him anymore, finally decided to step in.

"Ugh, it's you again." Kondou groaned. "When will you learn to not nose yourself into other people's business?"

"Maybe when you learn to shut that filthy mouth of yours. Honestly, I feel bad for your ass considering all of the bullshit stored up in your body that comes out of your mouth instead." Eichiiro retorted.

"Pft, don't act too cocky Mr.Popular. if Sudou wasn't there with you in the special annex building, we would've beaten you to a pulp." Komiya made a daring statement.

"I'm sorry, but was I speaking to you, Walmart back street boy?" Eichiiro made a ripost.

"I mean seriously, gain some weight dude. Do you really think you can make the basketball team when you literally look like a low-budget slender man? And what's up with your hair, by the way? Are you attempting a cheap Leo DiCaprio impersonation or something? Unfortunately, buddy, it isn't working. You look like an American hippie drug dealer from the '90s who just recently got divorced. Your hairstyle is so ugly that my cat has probably coughed up better-looking ones. Let's not even discuss your facial structure. Even plastic surgery won't be able to conceal how hideous you are." Eichiiro unleashed a barrage of venomous insults at him in a matter of seconds.

"Why you-!" Komiya was fuming with anger and looked like he was about to punch him when he was stopped by Ishizaki.

"I didn't take you for someone who had the backbone to talk shit to other people. You tryna make us look foolish or something?" Ishizaki glowered daggers at him.

"Frankly, you don't need my help for that. Have you looked in the mirror as of lately?"

"Tch, you little shit." Ishizaki clicked his tongue in frustration. I could also see that he was a bit impressed by Eichiiro's quick and witty comments.

"I suggest you stop trying to get on our nerves before something bad happens to you," Kondou warned him in a threatening tone.

"Or what? You gonna beat me up or something?" Eichiiro persisted n antagonizing him.

"Was that not indicated by what I just said?"

"Heh." Eichiiro sneered, seemingly taunting them. "You're beyond delusional if you think you even have any chance of beating me in a fight."

"Oh? Arrogant, are we? Then why don't we fight right now, you son of a bitch. You talk all that trash, don't tell me your too much of a pussy to prove it?"

"Pussy? I can't believe you're calling me a pussy out of all the people. You literally ran away from a battle simply because you were terrified of Sudou. Don't ridicule me for being high-handed when a blatherskite like you probably can't land a hit Sudou even if you tried." Eichiiro snapped back at him.

"Blatherskite? What the hell is that even suppose to mean?"

"Ah, I forgot, you're a Class D student. No wonder you wouldn't know." Eichiiro flashed a disparaging smile towards him.

"Oh, you're gonna get it now you fucking retard!"

Sigh...

I suppose I should call it a day now. I need to put a stop to this before something awful happens between both of our gaggles. It was amusing while it lasted.

I snatched his wrist, which was pointing at Eichiiro's face, and tightened my grip.

"All of you, that's plenty." With a chilly and frightening tone, I threatened. "We don't want to cause any trouble for you and your classmates. So why don't we just move on with our lives and forget about it? Now scram, the three of you." I let go of his wrist and walked forward.

"Hah?! Who the hell are you?! I'm not done with any of-"

I frowned my brows together and did my damnedest to form a grimace on my lips as I peered at him with murderous intent.

It appears that my attempt to intimidate him was successful. Hearing my unusually strong and stern tone of voice and peering directly into my eyes, he flinched. The others were similarly taken aback when they saw me cowing someone without hesitation. When he jerked awake from his stupor, he hauled his hands away from my grasp at full tilt and growled at me with rancor.

"Tch! Whatever. Let's get a move on, Ishizaki, Komiya. You're lucky I'm not in the mood to wreck your ass right now."

That sounded so horribly worded...

They then turned their figures and went away like greased lightning, leaving us on our own. I started walking forward, but the group didn't seem to notice, and everyone was staring at me as if I had just entered the women's restroom by accident.

"Are you guys just gonna stand there or...?" I took the initiative to break the unpalatable silence.

"You really surprised us, Ayanon." Hasebe was the first to remark. "We've never seen this scary side of yours."

They all agreed with a modest nod, as though they shared her thoughts and feelings. If me louring at him made their bloods run cold, it's probably best if I never show them my despotic and merciless side. Of course, It's not like I had that in view, to begin with. I don't intend to be unduly unfriendly or abhorrent to my friends unless they may be of assistance to me. Although I will do everything it takes to win, even if it means using dastardly procedures, there is no need to act in this manner if the situation does not demand it.

"I think you're exaggerating a little, but it's fine." I dismissed it with a shrug of my shoulders. "In any case, Miyake, it appears that you and Kondou have some sort of history together."

"Well, let's just say we're not on speaking terms." He started elucidating things. "He was well-known in my neighborhood for being a troublemaker, and he also attended the same middle school as me. I once witnessed him bullying a helpless student into giving him money for lunch. I tried to reason with him peacefully, but it didn't work out. We got into a fiery confrontation in one way or another, and there was some violence involved. Fortunately, one of my senpais saw me and aided me in addressing him."

"Woah, you've been in a real fistfight? That sounds awesome man." Mori voiced her opinion.

"Eh, not really." He scratched his head, feeling marginally embarrassed. "I went home with some injuries. They were minor, but they still hurt. If my senpai hadn't shown up to help me, things probably would've gone even more south."

"I don't mean to be strict, but don't be fooled by their ruses. He was clearly trying to persuade you to assault him once more. I don't want you to get into problems at school because you disobeyed the rules. Furthermore, because the school takes acts of violence extremely seriously, I hope you are aware of the potentially lethal repercussions if you do so."

"Jeez, that much I know. I'm no longer the person I used to be in middle school. When I recall my cringy delinquent phase, I honestly wince at myself."

We've all had periods in our lives that we've regretted and wish we could take back. Right now, you could say I'm in the midst of my rebellious phase. I essentially defied that man's commands and fled to a location where he had no control of and couldn't reach me. But after you've seen what I've seen, you'd probably do the same.

"I was likewise taken flabbergasted by your rash behavior, Matsuo-Kun," Mori spoke up. "I didn't think you'd be able to stand up to the likes of those hair-raising delinquents. You even confidently declared that you could beat them in a fight. Are you familiar with martial arts or other types of fighting techniques?" Mori was as curious as a cat.

"I wouldn't call myself a terrific fighter. Kiyo mostly taught me the fundamentals, and in comparison to him, I'm a word-for-word namby-pamby." He laughed sarcastically at himself.

"Ooo, you can fight, Ayanokouji?" It was Yukimura who raised the query.