The Chapter of Truth

The entire bridge and campus werepacked with people and swarmed by news reporters.

The students sat on red audience chairs in the campus auditorium as the grand stage in front of them was slowly unveiled, the red curtains parting like the sea.

Tall and blond, dressed perfectly for the occasion.

Mr. Kyousei, the institute’s owner, stepped up to the microphone and began his speech.

“Welcome, dear students. We’re all gathered not just to honor one student who gets admitted but all of you who have worked day and night to be here today.”

Sitting in the audience, Kujo and Arata couldn’t care less about the man’s pretentious words.

The commotion had made the hall chaotic, as students seemed quite anxious and worried about the announcement, hoping to be the one admitted.

A thousand students are present here, Arata and Fuyumi simultaneously thought, their fingers tightening on the armrest. The chances of the winner being me... they're almost zero.

From there, however, their thoughts began to drift in different directions.

Arata thought highly of the institution, just as Mr. Kyousei intended. The fact that so many students had been invited purely for their grades impressed him.

Meanwhile, Fuyumi sighed.

She understood the marketing stunt all too well. Inviting such a large number of candidates for a single winner would only make the institute and the exam seem more out of reach for ordinary students.

She could already imagine the depressed faces of those walking out after the announcement.

They both turned their heads as they realized they were seated right beside each other.

“You’re the boy from the bridge, aren’t you?” Kujo-san asked politely.

“Yeah, I apologize if I was too informal back there. I didn’t even know you were an esteemed Kujo.”

Then it clicked for him, as he thought why is she here if she was already a student at Kyousei.

“Wait up, you're not in Kyousei yet?” asked Arata

Fuyumi replied softly, “ I simply chose to take the normal admissions route instead of using my connections.”

“It's nice to hear you want to prove yourself instead of taking the easy way out.”

Arata replied with slight admiration.

Arata softened for a moment at her response but stayed on guard, aware that even if she wasn’t the winner announced today, she could still be admitted through her connections, unlike Arata, for whom this was his only chance.

Fuyumi’s gaze darkened. She didn’t want to become a burden to her family. If she failed here, they’d have to go back to that man and to owe him a favor, as the thought alone made her stomach twist.

“Before you start speculating. I’m not some prodigy like my sister.”

“You… have an older sister?” Arata asked, his tone curious.

Fuyumi was visibly puzzled. Everyone knew her as the sister of Sayaka Kujo, the Family prodigy.

“You don't...know who Sayaka Kujo is?”

Arata shook his head, having never heard the name before.

Fuyumi felt the urge to list her sister’s famous accomplishments, but she held herself back, keeping her elegant composure.

She noticed the old Kujo-branded pen tucked into Arata’s upper pocket and felt a flash of frustration, wondering if he was just pretending to be clueless.

The speech, full of pretentious lies about the institution's aim to improve students’ career opportunities, went on.

Fuyumi found herself subconsciously scrutinizing how well Mr. Kyousei had turned the announcement into a live advertisement for the academy as she felt the studio lights of several reporters focused on the stage.

The speech continued.

“And most importantly, this yea,r Kyousei Academy is making big changes to empower students to take on challenges and build qualities of leadership and trust.”

The reporters behind the audience had gone completely silent, poised to capture the “unexpected” announcement.


Beside her, Arata’s mouth hung slightly open in anticipation. Fuyumi’s lips curled into an amused smile as she took in his innocent expression.

“Students will now meet foreign exchange students, as Kyousei is going to invite pupils from around the globe for special occasions,” Mr. Kyousei announced.

“That’s not all. Our students must collaborate with them and help them integrate into our esteemed community. We shall welcome them with open arms.”

The sounds of applause and the shuttering of the reporters’ cameras went wild.

Fuyumi was used to such grand promises designed to attract media attention. She noticed how mesmerized Arata looked, clapping along with the audience, a subtle smile still on his face.

The time for the long‑awaited announcement of the Exam winner had finally come.

The digital screen behind Mr. Kyousei glowed with the title: Winner of the Merit-Entry Exam.

He lifted his chin and announced grandly,

“The student who has shown great potential and will be admitted into Kyousei is…”

He turned to face the huge screen. Around him, the audience clutched their seats in anticipation. Even Fuyumi found herself leaning forward, anxiety tightening in her chest.

The screen flickered and switched to reveal the winner’s name.

It stayed completely blank, empty, and white.