Investigating the Hidden Agenda

I exited the principal's office and returned to my seat in the classroom. This whole situation had taken me by surprise, to say the least.

Being invited to join "Four Seasons" was not something I could have predicted. But before I dove into anything, I needed to gather more information. I was certain that my maids had some insights into this.

Standing up from my seat, I made my way to the classroom door and pulled it open. However, on the other side stood a familiar face.

"Hey, Ryo-san!" Senna greeted me cheerfully. "Heading to the cafeteria for lunch?"

"Actually, I was just going to the bathroom..."

Just then, my friend Satsuki chimed in with a playful smile. "Oh? Is she your girlfriend?"

"G-Girlfriend?!"

"Seems like that was an unexpected response," Satsuki said with his expression unreadable.

"Satsuki-san, isn't it a bit rude to barge into the conversation like that?"

"What do you mean rude? I'm just curious about the sudden appearance of a new girl."

I let out a sigh, rubbing my hand against my face in exasperation. "Fine, let me properly introduce her."

"Her name is Senna-san," I started.

She playfully coughed. "Senna Morine, Mo-ri-ne."

"Nice to meet you, Senna Morine-san. I'm Satsuki Tengan," he introduced himself with a friendly smile, extending his hand.

Senna shook his hand gracefully, and they exchanged bows.

These two were surprisingly courteous when meeting someone new. It was almost amusing how polite they were being.

"Anyway, back to the point... Do you mind if I slip past? I need to use the bathroom."

"A-Ah, yes, I'm sorry Ryo-san."

I nodded and quickly walked past her, making my way to the bathroom. I needed a moment to gather my thoughts and strategize.

Once inside the bathroom, I checked each stall to make sure it was empty. As I did, I retrieved my phone from my pocket and navigated to my maid contacts. It was crucial to reach out to someone who could provide some insights and advice about "Four Seasons."

My instincts told me to call Suzume-san, but I remembered she mentioned being away for two days. Maybe she could help, or at least point me in the right direction.

I located "Kasumi Sasaki" in my contacts and pressed the call button. The phone rang for a brief moment before she answered, as expected.

"Hello, Ryo-sama?" Kasumi's voice came through the phone.

"Kasumi, it's me, I need to talk about something important."

"Of course, Ryo-sama. I'm here to listen. What's on your mind?"

"Do you know the group called 'Four Seasons'?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end, punctuated by a yawn. "Ryo-sama, you're quite late."

"H-Huh? Late?"

"Yeah, you don't have to worry about them anymore. I've already instructed Lidiya and Nana to take care of the situation."

My eyes widened. "W-Wait! I never told you to eliminate them!"

"But Ryo-sama, didn't they aim a gun at you?"

How in the world did she know that?

"Alright, I won't ask how you got that information, but please, you have to call them off!"

"Are you absolutely sure, Ryo-sama? They did threaten you with a gun, and aren't they manipulating you?" Another yawn escaped her.

"I understand that, but please, just do me this favor. I need you to gather their background information for me."

She sighed on the other end. "Fine, I'll call off our involvement. I'll send you a comprehensive dossier on them shortly."

My phone suddenly vibrated, signaling the arrival of a message from Kasumi's email. I quickly opened the message and found a file titled "Four Seasons."

"Thanks, Kasumi."

Her voice carried a playful tone. "You know I've got your back, Ryo-sama. Just say the word, and I'll take care of things."

"Yeah, but for now, call off Lidiya and Nana."

Her sigh was audible through the phone. "Understood, Ryo-sama..."

As the call ended, I navigated to the file and tapped on it. The document opened, revealing a comprehensive profile of the "Four Seasons" group.

Details about each member's background, affiliations, and potential roles were meticulously laid out. It was evident that Kasumi had done her homework well.

I should read this later.

My focus on the file was momentarily interrupted as a group of four older boys entered the room.

some of them casually pulled out packs of cigarettes.

My gaze met theirs as they lingered near the doorway. One of them approached me, his tone casual but with an edge of authority. "Hey, you a first year?"

"No," I replied evenly, looking at the others. "I'm a second year. Excuse me." I attempted to move past them.

However, before I could make my escape, a firm grip wrapped around my arm, halting me in my tracks. Slowly, I turned to face the one who held me.

"Hey, you saw us with these cigarettes, right?" he asked, the implication clear in his words.

For a moment, I remained silent, my expression unreadable. A small smile curled my lips. "No need to worry. It's your choice to smoke, after all." I gently freed my arm from his grip, intending to continue on my way.

But my path was blocked as some of them closed the door.

"What's going on here?" I asked, my tone steady as I regarded them.

One of them stepped forward, a cigarette between his fingers. "How about trying one? You might like it."

"I don't smoke."

He smirked. "Well, you're gonna start now. Hurry up and take it."

I let out a sigh as I took the offered cigarette, my gaze sweeping over each of the boys and crushed the cigarette between my fingers, reducing it to a crumpled mess.

Their smiles faltered as they exchanged perplexed glances, clearly caught off guard by my unexpected action.

"Hey, buddy, do you have any idea how much that cigarette costs?" one of them sneered.

I met his gaze evenly. "I'm aware."

"You're gonna pay for that, right?"

A raised eyebrow was my only response. "Why would I pay for something I didn't ask for? You handed it to me."

His grin faltered as he seemed to process my words. He laughed nervously, his bravado wavering. Suddenly, his demeanor shifted as he lashed out with a punch aimed at me.

With practiced ease, I sidestepped his punch, evading his attack effortlessly. The two watching boys chuckled as if they found my evasion amusing.

"Whoa, looks like he's got some moves."

"Yeah, yeah... Alright, grab him."

In an instant, the two boys who had been lingering near the door lunged at me, each grabbing one of my arms.

But I twisted my wrists and slipping out of their grasp before delivering a precise punch to one boy's nose and a well-aimed strike to the other's stomach, finishing with an uppercut that sent them crashing to the ground.

Their groans were audible as they struggled to recover. As for the other two, they remained surprisingly unfazed, maintaining their nonchalant smiles.

"Well, well, seems like you know how to handle yourself."

"Yes, you could say that," I replied calmly, my stance poised and ready.

"Then let's get serious, shall we... Sasori?" The words were a challenge, spoken with an air of confidence.

So, the guy next to him was named Sasori, huh? An intriguing choice of name.

I thought as I braced myself for the confrontation that was about to unfold.

Sasori suddenly spun into action, launching a swift kick in my direction. I reacted instinctively, intercepting his kick by grabbing hold of his leg.

I swiftly used my elbow to strike his leg, causing him to let out a sharp yelp. However, before he could make any further noise, I covered his mouth with my hand and swiftly dragged him to the wall, delivering a solid blow that knocked him to the ground.

Sasori was now dealt with, but there was one more guy left in the bathroom.

He seemed visibly nervous, likely aware of the consequences he could face if he resisted.

"What about you? Are you in or not?" I asked, maintaining a firm and composed demeanor.

"N-No... I'm fine..."

I nodded in response, turning to leave the bathroom. But just before I walked out the door, I looked back at him. "Take them to the clinic room and... don't mention my name."

He nodded, a mix of relief and apprehension evident in his expression, as he began to carry Sasori out of the bathroom.

Tch... I can't believe I got dragged into this. I'm slightly annoyed now.

Walking back to the classroom, I took my seat at my desk. The other students were engrossed in their own activities, and the normalcy of the classroom felt like a strange contrast to the chaos I had just dealt with.

I couldn't wait for this class to be over.