Saturday and Sunday felt more like legitimate rest days for Shimizu Akira.
Although his status was just a student, he was effectively drawing a "salary" at this school—in the form of points, of course.
With over ten million points now in his possession, if he didn't consider transferring classes, he could live quite comfortably for the next three years, even saving a considerable surplus.
After all, there didn't seem to be any particularly point-draining facilities at this school.
...
At 6:20 AM, the moment Shimizu Akira pushed open his door, the door next to his also swung open, revealing Ayanokōji Kiyotaka.
He was holding an empty trash bin. Judging by the situation, he must have just returned from taking out the trash.
He remembered he owed the other boy from last time—it was Ayanokōji's reminder that allowed him to detect Kushida Kikyō's intentions in advance and start recording on his phone in time.
Although he did treat the other to coffee as thanks afterward.
"Ayanokōji-kun, want to go for a run together?" Shimizu tentatively invited, his gaze resting on the other's placid face.
"Why are you inviting me?" Ayanokōji Kiyotaka seemed slightly taken aback, his tone revealing little emotion.
"For some reason, I feel like there are several pairs of eyes watching me when I run. Feels like at least five people," Shimizu said, not joking but speaking quite seriously. "With you around, I'll probably feel more at ease. As thanks, breakfast is on me today."
"...Alright." After a brief silence, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka agreed directly.
This time, it was Shimizu who was momentarily stunned.
He had been prepared for rejection, given this classmate's usual air of detachment. He hadn't expected such a straightforward acceptance.
...
The two walked side-by-side on the path to the track. Morning dew dampened the grass blades lining the path, and the air carried a faint, fresh scent of vegetation.
Shimizu glanced sideways at Ayanokōji. He was wearing simple athletic wear, his pace neither fast nor slow, his expression still unreadable.
"Speaking of which, do you usually run at this time, Ayanokōji-kun?" Shimizu broke the silence.
"Occasionally." Ayanokōji's reply was succinct, his gaze fixed on the track ahead as if measuring something.
The synthetic track gleamed a dark red under the morning light, with a few scattered early-rising students jogging slowly.
The moment Ayanokōji stepped onto the track, he instinctively scanned the surroundings.
"What's wrong?" Shimizu noticed his pause, stopping to look back at him.
"Nothing." Ayanokōji collected himself and shook his head.
Shimizu, meanwhile, picked up his pace and started running. "Let's go. Let's see who finishes ten laps first."
The wind whistled past his ears, carrying the morning's chill.
Ayanokōji's running form wasn't exactly textbook, but it was exceptionally steady. His breathing was even, like a metronome. Whether Shimizu sped up or slowed down, Ayanokōji always maintained a half-step distance.
On the third lap, Shimizu deliberately surged forward, trying to create a gap. But when he looked back, Ayanokōji was still following closely behind, his face showing no extra strain. He even had the spare focus to turn his head and observe their surroundings.
They maintained a parallel stance throughout, finishing the run at an unhurried pace.
They sat down to rest on a bench beside the track. Shimizu was tugging at his collar to cool off when Ayanokōji Kiyotaka, breathing lightly beside him, suddenly spoke: "There were at least five people from the first-year girls' section watching you run. Also the Chairman's office. And the Student Council room. At least seven people or more."
"Huh?" Shimizu was taken aback, only then realizing the other was talking about the people surveilling him. "You were looking around for that? Wait... you were looking around while running just to see that?"
Ayanokōji looked down at his hands folded on his knees. "Mhm..."
"How did you reach that conclusion?" Shimizu asked, now curious.
Ayanokōji looked toward the school building. "In the high-rise section where the first-year girls live, five windows had their curtains drawn simultaneously while you were running. It was the same with the Chairman's office and the Student Council room—someone deliberately opened the windows. Of course, coincidence can't be ruled out. You can pay attention tomorrow during your run."
Shimizu followed his gaze. The windows in the high-rise section were densely packed, most closed now, with only a few open.
So! Those people—Kamuro Masumi and the others—really had nothing better to do than watch his live-streamed running sessions every morning?!
"Shimizu-kun," Ayanokōji's gaze settled on his face, "You seem to know exactly who is watching you. Otherwise, you wouldn't look this unsurprised."
Shimizu's mouth twitched. "Probably." His voice held a note of helplessness. "A few of them already mentioned it to me beforehand. But even knowing it's them, being watched for the entire run still feels uncomfortable. Although, hearing you say it, the number of people doesn't match up at all. There are several more."
He certainly knew exactly which individuals it was.
It was nothing but Horikita Suzune, Kushida Kikyō, Kamuro Masumi, and the Chairman.
He just never expected someone from the Student Council to be watching him too.
But the Student Council President could be ruled out first—Shimizu didn't think Horikita Manabu was the type to do something so trivial.
His gaze swept over the direction of the Student Council office. He wondered which idle person was sitting inside.
It couldn't be Nagumo Miyabi, could it?
"Anyway, Ayanokōji-kun, thanks for the analysis, even though that wasn't my intention at all," Shimizu said, standing up from the bench.
"?" Ayanokōji looked at him, surprised. "You invited me to run specifically so I could help you deal with the surveillance issue, didn't you?"
"Uh... You're overthinking it!" Shimizu looked at him, speechless. "What normal person stares at the school building windows while running? Who else would analyze things like you do? I was just purely inviting you for a run! At most, to use you as a shield against those people's line of sight."
"However, last time, Yamauchi invited me out for a stroll. After he called me out, he bought me a drink and then asked me to help him create a chance encounter with Kushida-san," Ayanokōji said matter-of-factly.
"?! You agreed? He bought you off with just one drink?"
"No, I refused. Because I'm not very familiar with Kushida-san."
Shimizu felt there was an implied meaning in the other's words.
Ayanokōji was comparing him to Yamauchi!
This guy was really good at indirectly insulting people!
Who was he calling Yamauchi?!
"I am not Yamauchi! You just have poor judgment in people! If Yamauchi had any decency and considered you a friend, he shouldn't have tried to pay you off with a single drink."