After getting off the bus, we went to check the class assignments.

With Yuki and Shiro being placed in Class D, the unnamed mob characters whose names I didn’t remember have disappeared, but it’s not a significant issue.

It seems that everyone I interacted with before enrollment has been assigned to their original classes.

'I thought Ichinose would be in Class A if not for the shoplifting incident, but perhaps her tendency to prioritize others too much was judged as a weakness. As expected, I can’t help but question how this school assigns classes.'

Yuki: "We really ended up in the same class!"

Shiro: "Yeah, maybe matching our scores actually meant something."

Kiyotaka: "Since we don’t know what might happen, let’s focus on observing today."

Yuki: "We should make friends too while we’re at it."

Shiro: "Kiyotaka probably already has some."

Yuki: "Not sure if they’re just friends though."

'Shiro, you didn’t need to say that.'

Kiyotaka: "For now, let’s head to the classroom."

Yuki, Shiro: "Yeah."

When we arrived at the classroom and checked the seating, the seats that had belonged to mob characters who disappeared in the first run were now assigned to Yuki and Shiro, while everything else remained the same.

In other words, the seat next to me belonged to Horikita Suzune.

Kiyotaka: "Hey."

Suzune: "…"

Kiyotaka: "Hey."

Suzune: "…"

Kiyotaka: "Hey."

Suzune: "What? Can’t you tell you’re being ignored?"

Kiyotaka: "If anything, I don’t understand why a classmate would ignore me when we’ve just met."

Suzune: "That’s because I have no proof you’re talking to me, and I have no need for it."

Kiyotaka: "Are you so stupid you don’t even know the term circumstantial evidence?"

Suzune: "Don’t call me 'you'. And I don’t recall becoming that stupid."

Kiyotaka: "Sorry if I offended you. But isn’t it also your responsibility for choosing to ignore me before even suggesting introductions?"

Suzune: "…Horikita Suzune."

Kiyotaka: "I see. I’m Ayanokouji Kiyotaka."

Suzune: "I know. I can tell from the seating chart."

Kiyotaka: "Even if you know, it’s called courtesy. If you’re attending a school that calls itself elite, that’s basic etiquette."

Suzune: "You’re right. I was mistaken this time."

'As prideful as ever. The fastest way to win her over would be to use Nagumo’s method. Honestly, I’d rather not.'

While I was thinking that—

Yuki: "Kiyotaka’s already talking to another girl."

Shiro: "Let’s leave him."

'Hey, I can hear you.'

Even so, things progressed smoothly, and the entrance ceremony ended afterward.

* * *

~After the first homeroom~

After listening to Chabashira’s explanation, which was no different from the first run, we started self-introductions at Hirata’s suggestion.

After some hesitation, I decided that doing the same as before was safest and gave my failed self-introduction.

What was different this time was Yuki and Shiro desperately holding back laughter, and Horikita giving a sloppy introduction while looking at me with pity.

And after the introductions, I found myself surrounded by several students.

Yuki: "Kiyotaka, let’s exchange contact info!"

Honami: "Can I join too?"

Kei: "Me too~"

Arisu: "Then I shall ask as well."

Shiro: "I don’t have the courage to go in right now, so I’ll do it later."

'How did it come to this? No, considering their personalities, I should’ve expected this. Which means it’s my fault for not choosing to escape.'

Kiyotaka: "Alright. I’ll show my contact, so register it. It’s too much work to do everyone individually."

As I showed it, I looked around and felt the stares from the boys. Some, like the loudmouthed Yamauchi, were practically glaring daggers at me.

After things settled down, I told them, "I have somewhere to stop by, so head back first," and made my way to the library.

* * *

~Library~

When I arrived at the library, as expected, there was the nostalgic bookworm—Shiina Hiyori.

And just like the first time we spoke here, Hiyori was reaching for a book on a high shelf.

Kiyotaka: "Is this the one?"

Hiyori: "No, it’s a book from a different genre, so I was trying to return it to its proper place, Ayanokouji-kun."

Smiling gently as she spoke, Hiyori prompted me to ask, "How do you know my name?"

Hiyori: "On the day of the entrance exam, someone called your name loudly, so I remembered it."

Kiyotaka: "That’s true."

Even as I said that, I felt a slight sense of discomfort.

Hiyori, who is bad with remembering names, wouldn’t remember it from just that. The smile she showed was one she only showed to close people. And there’s the existence of me, an irregular who retained memories. That was enough information to reach a conclusion.

Kiyotaka: "You remember, don’t you…"

At that, tears welled up in Hiyori’s eyes as she said happily, "Yes. It’s been a while, Ayanokouji-kun."

Kiyotaka: "When did you realize it?"

Hiyori: "The first time I found it strange was when I mentioned earlier. I started questioning why you were already close with Ichinose-san and Sakayanagi-san."

Kiyotaka: "But if that’s all, didn’t you consider that they might have memories too?"

Hiyori: "At first, I did consider that possibility. But knowing how cautious you are, I thought it would be difficult for them to get close to you that quickly, so I concluded that you were the one with memories. Then when you came to the library on the first day, that confirmed it."

Kiyotaka: "I see. As expected of your insight. But I’m curious, if you were that certain, why didn’t you say anything yourself?"

Hiyori: "I was afraid I might be mistaken. And if my assumption was correct, I trusted that you would notice." 'I can feel my heart racing seeing my first love again after so long. It’s an unfamiliar feeling, but I want this moment to last forever.'

Hiyori: "I have something I want to ask too. Do you plan to change classes again this time?"

Kiyotaka: "No. I have a different goal this time, so I won’t be changing classes."

Hiyori: "A goal?"

Kiyotaka: "If you won’t be disappointed no matter what I say, I’ll tell you. Do you want to hear it?"

Hiyori: "Do you think I would be disappointed in you, Ayanokouji-kun?"

Kiyotaka: "In my first life, I used and betrayed the feelings of many women. So this time, instead of using them, my goal is to stay close to all of them. To put it simply, I’m aiming for a harem… polygamy."

Hiyori: "…"

Kiyotaka: "Even if I asked you not to be disappointed, it was too much, wasn’t it."

'I guess it was too soon.'

Just as I thought that, Hiyori spoke.

Hiyori: "Ayanokouji-kun."

Kiyotaka: "What is it?"

Hiyori: "You never used me for your own benefit. So why did you tell me?"

Kiyotaka: "…"

Hiyori: "Please tell me. I was already prepared to accept your words earlier."

Encouraged by those words, I gathered my resolve and continued.

Kiyotaka: "Hiyori… Shiina Hiyori… is the first person I fell in love with without calculation. My first love."

Hiyori: "!"

Kiyotaka: "And I still love Shiina Hiyori. I want you to be my girlfriend."

Looking at Hiyori’s face, it was a mix of surprise and joy.

Hiyori: "Yes! Please take care of me!"

And just like that, their first love was finally fulfilled.