Chapter 331: Final Exams |
"S-Self-Doubting Sakuramiya?!"
Petite Hitomi was startled and hastily hid behind Cool Sakuramiya, who was equally fully prepared for battle.
The ears atop Mouse Sakuramiya's head twitched slightly. She looked at them with a confused expression.
"Why... why do you refuse to stay in your own Barriers and insist on running over here?"
"Also, the President knows the true meaning of the countdown timer and wants to stop the High Table Dinner. You guys egged him on to do that, did you not?"
Hearing this, Petite Hitomi flew to the top of Cool Sakuramiya's head and earnestly retorted.
"That is not true! The President wants Hitomi back!"
"What is so good about having Hitomi back? She clearly cannot do anything. She is incapable of this and incapable of that..."
Self-Doubting Sakuramiya clutched her chest and muttered.
"But we are all a part of Hitomi. Even if I replace her, Sakuramiya Hitomi will still be Sakuramiya Hitomi.
"It is nothing more than eliminating everything bad inside her!
"A child breaking bad habits, an adult overcoming their flaws—these are all the exact same process!
"It is just that we have added the concretized element of the Barrier into the mix, which is why the President does not understand."
As she spoke, she could not help but take a deep breath before continuing.
"After the High Table Dinner, I will explain everything to the President properly. If he still cannot understand by then, it does not matter."
Listening to her, Petite Hitomi realized something. Her pupils shrank, and she asked angrily.
"Are you going to use Memory Correction on the President?!"
"That is merely a last resort."
Petite Hitomi wanted to keep arguing, but Cool Sakuramiya had already seen through the essence of Self-Doubting Sakuramiya's actions.
She furrowed her brows and bluntly questioned her.
"So, that is why you want to kill off the rest of us Sakuramiyas who represent Hitomi's flaws?"
"..."
Self-Doubting Sakuramiya paused for a second, took a step back, and shook her head, speaking softly.
"No, I will not kill you with my own hands. I am not as foolish as the previous Perfect Sakuramiya.
"I will let you stay in your own Barriers to spend your final, happy moments, right up until the very end when all the Barriers shatter.
"It will be like a collective euthanasia. This way is much more efficient, is it not?"
Behind her stood the only entrance to the Barrier.
"The same goes for you two.
"Since you refuse to return to your own Barriers and treat them as your graves, you can just stay here.
"However, I have slowed down the flow of time in this Barrier countless times over.
"In just a few hours here, the High Table Gala Dance in reality will begin~"
With that, Self-Doubting Sakuramiya offered an apologetic smile, turned around, and prepared to leave.
"You bastard!! How are you any different from that homicidal maniac, Perfect Sakuramiya?!"
Seeing that Self-Doubting Sakuramiya was going to trap them in here to die, Petite Hitomi shed tears of anger, roaring at her back with all her might.
Hearing this, Self-Doubting Sakuramiya suddenly stopped in her tracks.
Her shoulders trembled slightly. Then, she slowly turned around and stared straight at them.
"No, how could we be the same?
"She did not do a good enough job, nor did she ever gain the President's favor. She had absolutely no way to replace Hitomi.
"I will be more excellent than her, walk a better path than her, and do things far more perfectly."
With every word she spoke, the mouse ears on her head and the tail behind her grew smaller and smaller.
Watching the mouse ears on her head and the tail behind her completely vanish, the expressions of the two Sakuramiyas changed slightly.
Because, as fellow Persona Masks, they profoundly realized something:
The very essence of Self-Doubting Sakuramiya was undergoing a transformation.
Off to the side, the countless television screens replaying scenes of Hitomi's failures were the root of her self-doubt.
And finally, breaking through the soil of that very essence...
Was her inner desire to become better.
Precisely because she was just a mouse hiding in a wardrobe, she yearned to become a fox capable of stepping out of those doors.
Precisely because she felt her true nature was so unbearable, she wanted to learn from the surveillance cameras footage of the President to change herself, allowing her to perform better in front of him.
Precisely because she was so consumed by self-doubt...
She wanted to become so perfect!
"Rumble!!"
The mouse ears on Self-Doubting Sakuramiya's head and her tail fell away bit by bit. At the same time, the entire Barrier belonging to Self-Doubting Sakuramiya was struck by a violent earthquake.
It seemed this Barrier had detached, turning into an ownerless public domain.
Because...
The appearance of the Sakuramiya before them had already become identical to the real Hitomi.
But she was stronger, more elegant...
She was Yan Huan's partner for the High Table Gala Dance. She was the Sakuramiya who could truly replace Hitomi.
"So... the one who was killed before was not the so-called Perfect Sakuramiya at all."
This Sakuramiya—having shed her mouse ears and seemingly stepping into the complete opposite of self-doubt—narrowed her eyes, looked straight at them, and spoke softly.
"I am."
As soon as her voice fell, a terrifyingly short countdown timer, displaying only a few hours, abruptly appeared above the entire Barrier.
"Tick... Tock..."
As the countdown timer ticked down, it corresponded to the sun and moon cycling as if on fast-forward.
Time was passing day by day.
"Rumble!!"
As the time for the High Table Dinner in reality drew closer, the earthquakes within the Barrier became increasingly frequent.
Yet within the Barrier, watching all this unfold, Self-Doubting... no, Perfect Sakuramiya showed no particular expression.
She simply turned around again, grabbed the doorknob, and opened the door.
"Click!"
"Halt!!"
Seeing this, Cool Sakuramiya hurriedly sprinted toward Perfect Sakuramiya amid the violent shaking.
But Perfect Sakuramiya did not even glance at her. She just took a step forward...
And, along with the iron door, completely vanished from the Barrier.
This abandoned, ownerless Barrier had suddenly transformed into an indestructible cage.
"Crack!!"
"Dammit!!"
Looking at the violently shaking Barrier around her, Petite Hitomi finally realized something.
"Self-Doubting Sakuramiya and Perfect Sakuramiya are two sides of the same coin of one Sakuramiya, so... killing Perfect Sakuramiya before was completely useless. I... I get it now!!"
Cool Sakuramiya stared at the blood-red countdown timer above, then turned back to look at Petite Hitomi, who was still rooted to the spot.
"What do you get?!"
"Right now, Perfect Sakuramiya's Barrier is in the exact same location as the previous Perfect Sakuramiya's was. It is on her body!!"
After saying that, Petite Hitomi hurriedly flew onto Cool Sakuramiya and spoke anxiously.
"Quick, take out the surveillance camera! Send this message to the President! Even Perfect Sakuramiya will not reject the President. As long as the President touches her Barrier, he can enter it..."
"Even if you say that..."
"Hurry!! We have to let the President enter Perfect Sakuramiya's Barrier before the High Table Gala Dance begins!!"
"The time dilation here compared to the outside is too massive! Even if you speak, the message the President receives might be incredibly blurry. By the time it is fully transmitted, there probably will not be much time left."
Petite Hitomi stared blankly at Cool Sakuramiya, but still could not help gritting her teeth as she spoke.
"We still have to try. If the High Table Gala Dance is ruined just like this...
"Hitomi will definitely be very sad."
Seeing this, Cool Sakuramiya sighed, but she still pulled out the surveillance camera.
"We are the ones who will definitely be very sad."
"Tick... Tock..."
As the countdown timer inside the Barrier ticked away second by second, the sun above Linmen rose and set as if on fast-forward.
In reality, it was naturally impossible to know about the drastic changes happening to Petite Hitomi and the others inside the Barrier. Yan Huan was simply acting methodically, preparing according to his plan.
Time passed day by day just like that. Only occasionally would a drawn-out, blurry sound suddenly transmit from the surveillance camera.
Yan Huan did not understand its meaning, so he could only carry the surveillance camera on him at all times, ready to record any messages that came through.
"Self..."
"...Doubting..."
"...Is..."
"...Perfect..."
When the fourth word popped out, Yan Huan's pupils shrank sharply, and he stood straight up from his desk.
"Clack."
Nearby, inside Examination Room No. 1 for Class A of the First Year, all the students who were writing rapidly stopped and looked at him.
At the podium, a bald head giving off a faint gleam under the setting sun also had its attention drawn by his sudden movement.
"Hey, hey, Yan Huan, I know you have finished answering, but double-check your work. It is not time to turn in the papers yet..."
Yan Huan raised his eyes toward the lecture hall. In front of the chalkboard that read "Spring Semester Final Exam", Zhou Bin, holding a cup of tea, was looking at him and patiently advising him.
"Teacher, I need to hand in my paper right now."
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Zhou Bin was stunned. He spat a tea leaf back into his cup and shook his head.
"No, no, no, do not set a bad example. Even if you are the Student Council President, you cannot do that."
Yan Huan, however, slapped his exam paper onto the desk and forced a smile.
"Then I will just go to the restroom, is that alright?"
"Hey, you—"
But before Zhou Bin could finish his sentence, Yan Huan turned his head without looking back and bolted out of the classroom.
"Hey, hey, hey!"
Zhou Bin was baffled but could not stop him at all. He simply stood at the doorway, watching him run in the direction of Class E of the First Year.
That was absolutely not the direction of the restroom.
Rather...
It was Sakuramiya Hitomi's class!
"Tap! Tap! Tap!"
Yan Huan sprinted wildly. Although the text from the surveillance camera had not finished transmitting, Yan Huan had already deciphered the message Petite Hitomi and the others were sending through.
If Self-Doubting Sakuramiya was Perfect Sakuramiya, then their Barrier was in the exact same place!
Right on her tongue!
Therefore, as long as he could kiss her in advance, he could enter her Barrier...
The hiding place of Hitomi's main body!
"Bang!"
The classroom door for Class E of the First Year was forcefully thrown open.
Inside, Yurianna was clutching her pen with a bitter look on her face, trying to discreetly strain her eyeballs to their absolute limit to peek at the exam paper of the student next to her.
'Hmm... let me see, is this question A or C... Huh? D?'
Hearing the door slam open gave Yurianna a massive fright. Her eyes did not even have time to dart back, nearly giving herself an eye cramp.
"Hiss!"
She covered her face and stealthily peeked at the door, thinking some big shot from the Academic Affairs Office had caught her cheating through the surveillance cameras.
But the person who arrived was actually...
"P-President?! Why are you here?!"
Looking at the doorway, Yan Huan's face was fraught with anxiety as he gazed at all the students in Class E and the utterly bewildered invigilator at the podium.
"Student Yan, you—"
Yan Huan swept his gaze across the room but did not see Sakuramiya Hitomi. A bad premonition arose in his heart.
"Where is Sakuramiya?"
The moment they heard Yan Huan mention Sakuramiya Hitomi's name, the entirety of Class E instantly revealed knowing smiles and began to collectively jeer and hoot.
"Ooooh!!"
Looking closely, it was actually Yurianna, the ultimate shipper, who was leading the charge!
Yan Huan's face darkened, while the invigilator's face turned as black as coal.
"Silence!!"
After shouting that, the teacher adjusted his glasses and looked at Yan Huan.
"Student Sakuramiya handed in her paper early just a moment ago. She said she had some family matters and needed to leave early."
"She left?"
"Yes. And Student Yan, it is not my place to lecture you, but even though this is the final subject and I can understand your excitement for summer vacation, you..."
"Look, Vice-President Sakuramiya is downstairs, she's running!" Downstairs?!
"Hey, hey, hey, Student Yan, where are you going?!"
Hearing this, Yan Huan's expression shifted slightly. He immediately spun around and sprinted toward the courtyard.
Seeing Yan Huan turn and chase after Sakuramiya Hitomi, the entire Class E went into a frenzy.
"Whoa! The President is chasing her!!"
"Could it be a confession?!"
"Or maybe an invitation to the High Table Gala Dance?!"
"Isn't that practically a confession?!"
Upon hearing this, everyone in Class E slapped their exam papers down and madly swarmed toward the window side that overlooked the ground floor, scrambling to see what was going on.
"You lot! Get back to your seats right now!! Or else... or else I will..."
The teacher was still raging on the podium, but everyone in Class E had their attention completely captured by the scene below. They could not tear their eyes away.
Because, just as Yan Huan ran downstairs, Sakuramiya Hitomi—dressed in a princess dress up ahead—glanced back and smiled. She tapped her chin and called out.
"President... Hehe, come and catch me."
'She guessed that I figured out where her Barrier is!?'
Behind her, Yan Huan shot forward like an arrow.
"Sakuramiya!!"
That shout triggered cheers from Class E, as everyone began speculating about what exactly had happened between the two of them.
"Hey, hey, hey?! What does Vice-President Sakuramiya mean by that?!"
"This is definitely a trial for a confession, right?!"
"Ahhhh! 'I will accept your confession if you can catch me' is way too unfair, isn't it?!"
Saying so, a nosy boy in Class E slid the window open entirely and shouted down at Yan Huan.
"You can do it, President!! You have to catch the Vice-President!!"
"Yeah, you can do it!! We definitely want to see you two lead the dance at the High Table Dinner!!"
"Go for it!!"
The moment they started shouting, the entire First-Year Department's attention was drawn over.
As soon as the other classes heard it involved Yan Huan, Sakuramiya Hitomi, the High Table Gala Dance, and dance partners, their gossip-loving hearts compelled them to stand up and flock to the window side.
"Ah!! It really is the President!!"
"He is chasing Vice-President Sakuramiya!!"
Well, that did it. Every classroom in the First-Year Department was packed with standing students, all raising their hands and cheering for Yan Huan.
"Quiet down! Sit back in your seats!!"
No matter how much the teachers yelled, the law could not punish everyone. Furthermore, this situation was unfolding in more than just one classroom.
Left with absolutely no other option, they could only step out into the corridor to find the school leaders who were on patrol.
"Principal, look at these students!!"
"Oh? Such a thing is actually happening..."
Hermes stroked his long goatee, a serious glint in his eyes as he asked.
"Who are they looking at?"
"It is President Yan Huan, chasing Vice-President Sakuramiya Hitomi!"
"..."
Hearing the names of Yan Huan and Sakuramiya Hitomi, Hermes paused for a second.
Then he turned his head and patted the invigilator's shoulder.
"Just let him finish chasing her, ah. Do not worry about it."
"??"
Of course, the invigilators were not the only ones who were baffled and distressed.
There was also Student Bai Yi from Year B Class of the First Year.
"Don't push me! Dammit!"
Many of the girls nearby boiled over with excitement upon seeing this romantic "man chases, woman flees" scene. They clung to the window side, screaming phrases like, "You can do it, President!" and "Go, Yan Huan!"
But these words were incredibly grating when they reached Bai Yi's ears. She struggled to squeeze her way to the window side. Watching Yan Huan furiously chasing after Sakuramiya Hitomi, and seeing the distance between them closing, she became completely frantic.
"Yan Huan, ahhhh! D-Don't chase her!!"
The moment she yelled this, everyone in Class B looked at her.
Bai Yi, who was originally puffing her cheeks like an angry Pink Pufferfish, instantly froze.
She awkwardly lowered her head, burying it a bit deeper, but still raised her feminine fists and continued in a small voice.
"Y-You're just not allowed to chase her..."
"..."
But next door in Class C, someone was far less shy than her.
"Yan Huan, you can do it, awoo!!"
Spencer stood on top of her desk and let out a massive roar, which instantly forced all the students crowded by the window to block their ears.
To the side, An Le also covered her ears. Looking at Spencer with some helplessness, she asked.
"Hold on, Student Spencer, do you... do you even know what Xiao Huan is doing, for you to be cheering him on?"
"Awoo? Are they not having a footrace?"
Hearing this, Spencer turned her head blankly and looked at An Le.
"..."
An Le did not know what to say, so she just covered her face and murmured.
"Ugh... you really are an idiot..."
Seeing that all the other students and the invigilator had stepped out, Spencer's eyes suddenly darted around. She hastily sat down and grabbed her exam paper.
"What are you mumbling about, let me check my answers against yours!"
Compared to the nearby First-Year Department, the Second Year Department was a bit further away, but they could still hear the commotion coming from the first-years.
They merely felt confused and did not dare to get up and see what was happening outside.
Only Ye Shiyu faintly caught the words "Go, Yan Huan," and turned her head to look out the window.
She happened to be sitting right by the window side.
With a single glance, she saw Sakuramiya Hitomi and Yan Huan under the watchful eyes of the entire school—one running in front, the other chasing from behind.
"Smack!"
Her pupils shrank, and she slammed her hand on the desk, shooting to her feet.
"Hey, Student Ye, what are you—"
The invigilator was just about to issue a warning when Ye Shiyu abruptly turned her head and gave him an expressionless stare.
This single stare completely struck the invigilator dumb.
He actually could not force out another word.
Down below, watching the distance to Sakuramiya Hitomi gradually closing, Yan Huan finally could not help but speak up.
"Sakuramiya!!"
She was running far too fast. With the buff from her Barrier, it was as if she was using cheats, making it a grueling chase for Yan Huan.
But, he was just about to...
"Rumble-rumble-rumble!!"
Just as Yan Huan was about to make his final sprint and grab Sakuramiya, a powerful gust of wind abruptly blew down from above.
Yan Huan was buffeted by the gale, his clothes whipping wildly. Even the muscles on his face distorted slightly from the pressure, causing him to subconsciously shield his face.
"Ah?!"
"I-Is that a helicopter?!"
"No way... You can do that?!"
Behind them, the students in the Teaching Building exclaimed in shock.
Yan Huan also looked up in disbelief, only to see Sakuramiya Hitomi turn back and offer him a slight smile.
In her hands, she had already grasped a rope dropped from the helicopter. With just a gentle tug, she would be lifted off the ground.
"I am sorry, President..."
"Sakuramiya... No, I should call you Perfect Sakuramiya, right?"
Hearing this, the Sakuramiya before him was noncommittal. She simply said,
"Therefore, I will not give you the chance to enter my Barrier, President. Before the High Table Dinner, I will not even go home. I will just take this helicopter straight to the ball."
"..."
Seeing Yan Huan clench his fists, she turned back, gripped the rope tightly, and slowly ascended toward the helicopter.
However, she did not immediately enter the helicopter. Instead, she pulled out a box she had prepared long in advance.
On top of it rested a vibrant red rose.
"This is for you, President!"
She tossed the box down from the helicopter. Yan Huan reached out and caught it, noting that it did not feel very heavy.
Looking down and opening it, he discovered a highly luxurious black formal suit lying inside.
"..."
Yan Huan furrowed his brows and looked up at Sakuramiya.
She merely smiled faintly and shouted loudly at Yan Huan,
"President, I will be waiting for you at the High Table Dinner in two days!!
"Waiting for you... to dance the first dance of the ball with me!!!"
Perhaps due to the power of the Barrier, her full-throated shout faintly reached all the way to the Teaching Building.
Upon hearing this, the entire Teaching Building boiled over once more.
"She accepted!!"
"The Vice-President accepted it, ahhhhh!!!"
All the teachers and students pressed against the windows were even more thrilled than Yan Huan, collectively popping metaphorical champagne.
Of course...
An overheated Bai Yi...
A cold-faced Ye Shiyu...
A squinting An Le...
A Spencer who was busy checking answers...
Were all exceptions!!
"Rumble-rumble-rumble!!"
As soon as Sakuramiya Hitomi finished speaking, the mid-air helicopter ascended once more, flying off into the sky.
On the ground, Yan Huan panted slightly. Gripping the evidently high-end custom-made suit in his hands, he took a deep breath.
"..."
He massaged the space between his eyebrows and turned around...
Only to see the windows of the entire Teaching Building plastered with the Yuanyue Townsfolk, all staring wide-eyed back at him.
"Congratulations!! President!!!"
"Congratulations!!"
"Clap-clap-clap-clap!!"
In an instant, cheers and applause erupted, echoing endlessly.
But hearing that thunderous applause, Yan Huan could not help his face turning completely dark.