Chapter 6 - Royalty

The classroom was filled with noise.

Everyone crowded around the newly posted list.

Whispers spread like wildfire.

“What is this list?”

“Wait… are these rankings?”

“Did something change?”

Kyosokei Tokito remained seated.

Lazily.

He glanced toward the front, uninterested at first.

But then—

His eyes caught something.

He paused.

“…Huh.”

For a brief moment—

His expression shifted.

Shock.

Disbelief.

…Then something else.

A small grin formed on his face.

Not wide.

Not obvious.

Just a subtle curve.

Pride.

But not for himself.

“…Not bad.”

At the front—

Soyoki Tokito scanned the list.

Her finger slowly traced down the names.

Then stopped.

Her eyes widened slightly.

“…90%?”

She blinked.

Then looked again.

It was real.

She passed.

And not just barely—

She scored high.

A soft smile appeared on her face.

“…I did it.”

A few girls nearby noticed.

“Soyoki! That’s amazing!”

“You scored really high!”

“Congratulations!”

Soyoki turned to them, surprised.

“Ah—thank you!”

She laughed shyly.

“I just did my best.”

But inside—

She felt something warm.

Pride.

Not just as a student.

But as someone who had finally taken a step forward in a life she once left behind.

Meanwhile—

Oku and Gojo stood frozen in front of the board.

“…This has to be wrong.”

“…Yeah.”

Oku leaned closer.

“That’s not my name.”

Gojo adjusted his glasses.

“…It is your name.”

They both stared again.

Oku Ryoukichi — 82%
Gojo Suzuki — 83%

Silence.

“…We passed.”

“…We passed.”

They slowly turned to each other.

Then—

“WE PASSED!!!”

The entire classroom jumped.

Some students stared in disbelief.

“No way…”

“Those two?”

“They actually scored that high?!”

Oku pointed at the list like he discovered treasure.

“I’ve never gotten this high before!”

Gojo held his head.

“…Me neither…”

Their hands trembled.

Not from fear.

But from excitement.

Moments later—

The two rushed toward Soyoki.

“We did it!”

“We actually did it!”

They stood proudly in front of her.

Chest out.

Heads high.

Soyoki clapped happily.

“That’s amazing!”

“You both worked really hard!”

Oku grinned.

“So…”

Gojo nodded seriously.

“…About the reward.”

Soyoki smiled.

“Of course.”

“You’ll both get it.”

Suddenly—

A voice cut in.

“That’s not happening.”

The three froze.

They slowly turned.

Kyosokei stood there, hands in his pockets.

Calm.

Unbothered.

“…Huh?” Oku blinked.

“…What?” Gojo added.

Soyoki tilted her head.

“Why not?”

Kyosokei looked at them with a blank expression.

“You’re not coming to my apartment.”

Silence.

“…EH?!” all three reacted at once.

Oku pointed dramatically.

“But you promised!”

Gojo nodded.

“We earned this!”

Soyoki crossed her arms.

“I did promise.”

Kyosokei sighed.

“This is exactly why I didn’t want this to happen.”

Soyoki stepped closer.

“Kyosokei.”

“…What.”

“A promise is a promise.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

The argument began again.

“…You can’t just invite people into my apartment like that.”

Soyoki smiled.

“But they worked hard.”

“They passed.”

“They deserve it.”

Kyosokei paused.

He looked at Oku and Gojo.

They both stood there…

Looking hopeful.

Like kids waiting for approval.

“…Tch.”

He looked away.

“…Do whatever you want.”

Soyoki’s face lit up.

“Yay!”

Oku raised his fist.

“FOOD!”

Gojo nodded.

“…Worth it.”

The kitchen was alive.

Soyoki moved gracefully between the stove and the counter, preparing multiple dishes at once.

The aroma filled the entire apartment.

Oku and Gojo sat at the table, watching like they were witnessing something sacred.

“Is that shrimp?”

“That smells amazing…”

Kyosokei sat quietly.

“…You’re overdoing it.”

Soyoki smiled.

“I’m just getting started!”

Soon—

The table was filled.

Five dishes.

Carefully prepared.

Beautifully arranged.

“Alright!” Soyoki said. “It’s done!”

The dishes included:

Oku stared in awe.

“…This is heaven.”

Gojo nodded slowly.

“…I think I can die happy.”

“Eat before it gets cold!” Soyoki said.

They didn’t need to be told twice.

“ITADAKIMASU!”

The three dug in.

“THIS IS SO GOOD!”

“THE SHRIMP—!”

“THE CHICKEN—!”

Their reactions echoed through the apartment.

Meanwhile—

Kyosokei ate quietly.

Like it was a normal day.

“…Same as always.”

The others continued praising every bite.

“This is better than a restaurant!”

“You should open one!”

Soyoki laughed.

“I’m glad you like it!”

Laughter filled the room.

For a moment—

Everything felt normal.

Warm.

Comfortable.

Then—

Knock. Knock.

The room fell quiet.

Oku blinked.

“…Someone’s here?”

Gojo looked at the door.

“At this time?”

Kyosokei stood up.

“…I’ll get it.”

He walked casually toward the door.

No hesitation.

No concern.

He opened it.

Click.

The door creaked open.

Standing outside—

Was a girl.

Neat posture.

Sharp eyes.

A composed expression.

The Class President.

Kyosokei froze slightly.

“…You.”

Inside the apartment—

“Who is it?” Oku called out.

“Yeah, who’s at the door?” Gojo added.

But Kyosokei didn’t say anything as he stood there confused as to why the class president was at his apartment.

She looked… nervous.

Her posture was slightly stiff, her hands lightly clasped together.

Her eyes avoided him for a second before meeting them again.

“…Tokito.”

Kyosokei blinked.

“…Class President?”

His attention stayed on Hanabi.

“…What are you doing here?”

Hanabi hesitated.

Then she lowered her gaze, clearly troubled.

“…I have a favor to ask.”

To be continued...