"Senpaku, I am Sakamoto. What brings you here?"

Since we've been found out, let's play along.

A gentle smile returned to her face as she tried her best to play the role of a caring teacher:

"Hello, Sakamoto-san. I am Hoshinomiya Chie, the homeroom teacher of Class B."

She readily admitted her identity.

"I happened to be passing by here today and saw you working, so I came in to sit for a while. As a teacher, I feel very gratified to see my students being so diligent and responsible outside of school."

She paused, then continued in a gentle tone:

"However, Sakamoto-san, as you know, the school rules generally discourage students from working. Although... I heard that you obtained this opportunity through special means."

"I'm just curious, how do you balance your studies and this kind of 'work'? After all, the academic pressure in Class A must be quite high."

Hoshinomiya wants to dictate the direction of the conversation, so let's see how Sakamoto responds.

Sakamoto's expression remained unchanged; his gaze behind his black-rimmed glasses was calm and serene.

"Thank you for your concern, Professor Hoshinomiya. Within the rules, there is a natural working order. Studies and work are both different paths within the framework of the rules. By following their inherent logic, they can coexist without conflict."

Sakamoto's answer was very calm and watertight.

This put an invisible pressure on Hoshinomiya Chie.

Looking at Sakamoto's calm and expressionless face, her desire to investigate intensified.

But they also realized more clearly that getting any substantial information out of this boy would be harder than climbing to heaven.

Hoshinomiya Chie picked up the now-cold coffee, took a small sip, and felt the bitter taste spread across her tongue.

She looked at the enigmatic boy before her, her gaze deep and unfathomable.

"Sakamoto-kun, you seem to have a very unique understanding of 'rules'."

Sakamoto didn't answer, but simply looked at her calmly, waiting for her to continue.

Or... end this conversation.

First Year Enrollment: Chapter 032: Sakamoto Being Tested

Hoshinomiya Chie held the cup of coffee, which had long since gone cold, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the cold rim of the cup.

She looked at the dashing young man in the burgundy school uniform in front of her.

That calm and composed demeanor was as if all attempts to test him had crashed into a smooth and hard ice wall.

In their first encounter, his identity was exposed;

The problem was resolved after a second attempt.

This Sakamoto is completely impervious to reason.

The sense of defeat in Hoshinomiya Chie's heart grew clearer.

But at the same time, an even stronger stubbornness arose.

She couldn't just give up like that.

Since directly inquiring about the rules and information is not an option,

Let's try a different approach.

The information she had gathered about Sakamoto flashed through her mind.

One detail caught her attention:

Although Sakamoto is exceptionally capable and his behavior is noteworthy,

But interpersonal relationships seem quite distant.

The students in Class A held him in awe, but it seemed that no one was truly close to him.

He was always alone, a loner.

Perhaps we can start from here?

As a teacher who cares about students' mental health.

Hoshinomiya Chie put down her coffee cup, a gentle smile returning to her face, her eyes filled with concern, and asked softly:

"Sakamoto-kun, you seem to handle your studies and work with great ease. However, as a teacher, I am also concerned about whether students are enjoying their school life. For example... have you made any like-minded friends? In an environment like Advanced Nurturing High School, mutual support and encouragement among friends are also very important."

Hoshinomiya's gaze fell on Sakamoto's face, as if he were just an ordinary teacher who cared about his students' interpersonal relationships.

Sakamoto's gaze behind his black-rimmed glasses remained unchanged.

"Thank you for your trouble, Master Hoshinomiya. The essence of friendship lies in mutual understanding. Just as stars each have their own orbits, they shine when they intersect. In my opinion, the way to get along is to go with the flow."

Sakamoto's answer carried a philosophical and enigmatic quality.

He neither denied having no friends nor admitted to being lonely.

Hoshinomiya Chie's smile almost froze again.

How could he possibly get around that?

She was secretly annoyed.

She took a deep breath and decided to play her last card.

She recalled that Honami Ichinose had mentioned Sakamoto's performance during the student council interview.

"Speaking of it,"

Hoshinomiya Chie's smile remained unchanged, and she naturally changed the subject.

“Ichinose, a classmate of mine, mentioned you to me a few days ago.”

She observed Sakamoto's reaction; his expression remained calm, without the slightest fluctuation.

"She said that your performance during the student council interview was outstanding and left a deep impression on her."

Hoshinomiya Chie's tone was appreciative.

"Ichinose is cheerful and sincere, and she's quite curious about you. Sakamoto-san, what are your thoughts on Ichinose's performance during the student council interview?"

Hoshinomiya tries to steer the conversation toward Sakamoto's evaluation of Ichinose, which might offer a glimpse into his attitude toward other outstanding students, or even toward Class B.

Sakamoto tilted his head slightly, seemingly pondering for a moment, before calmly speaking:

"Ichinose is enthusiastic, approachable, and a good communicator, possessing the charisma required of an excellent leader. Her performance in the student council interview already showed her potential. She will surely be able to make the most of her strengths in Class B in the future."

Sakamoto's evaluation of Ichinose was objective, positive, and even tinged with admiration.

However, his tone was flat, as if he were stating an objective fact, without any personal emotion.

Hoshinomiya Chie was completely speechless.

No matter what she asks or from what angle she approaches the question...

Sakamoto can always respond in such a watertight and philosophical way.

She felt that all her attempts to probe were like punching cotton, completely ineffective.

Instead, it made him look like a clumsy performer.

But at the same time, a thought arose in her mind with unparalleled clarity:

This Sakamoto is definitely not simple!

This composure beyond his years, this precise control over language and emotions, this impeccable ability to cope...

He must be the one who possessed and sold information about the S system.

Only someone like that could achieve such a feat.

Just as Hoshinomiya Chie's heart was in turmoil, and she was almost unable to maintain the gentle smile on her face—

A soft electronic sound rang out.

Sakamoto's phone, which was in his school uniform pocket, lit up and began to vibrate continuously.

Sakamoto lowered his head slightly, his gaze sweeping towards his pockets.

Hoshinomiya Chie was greatly encouraged.

Cell phone? Message?

Who contacted him at this time?

Could it be... his "client"?

Or perhaps one of his hidden confidants?

This might be a breakthrough.

"I'm sorry, Hoshinomiya-sensei."

Sakamoto looked up, his gaze calmly meeting hers behind his black-rimmed glasses.

"I need to check some information."

"Oh, it's okay, you can see."

Hoshinomiya Chie nodded immediately, a knowing smile on her face.

Sakamoto smoothly pulled his phone out of his pocket.

His fingers were long and slender, and he unlocked the screen with a crisp and efficient motion.

My eyes fell on the phone screen as I read the new message.

Hoshinomiya Chie stared intently at his face, trying to catch a change in his expression.

However, Sakamoto's expression remained calm and still, like a deep pool, without the slightest ripple.

His lips did not curve upwards, his brows did not furrow, and his eyes remained completely still.

It was as if what was displayed on the screen was just an insignificant spam text message.

But the next second, Sakamoto did something that surprised Hoshinomiya Chie.

He quickly put away his phone, without the slightest hesitation.

"Teacher Hoshinomiya, excuse me. Something urgent has come up and I must leave now."

Urgent?

Hoshinomiya Chie's heart skipped a beat.

What's the urgent matter? Could it be related to the content of the message?

She subconsciously pressed for an answer:

"Is it urgent? Do you need help?"

"There's no need to trouble the teacher."

Sakamoto politely declined, his demeanor remaining elegant, but his steps as he turned and left were quicker than usual, carrying an unusual, almost hurried quality.

Moreover, it seems he went into the coffee shop's kitchen again?

As Hoshinomiya Chie watched Sakamoto's figure quickly disappear from her sight, the smile on her face finally vanished completely.

She picked up the now-cold coffee and took a big gulp.

The cold, bitter liquid slid down her throat, but it couldn't extinguish the resentment and doubt in her heart.

Today... I gained nothing.

No, perhaps it wasn't a complete loss.

At least, she was more certain of Sakamoto's identity.

And then there was that unexpected interlude, that "urgent matter" that made Sakamoto leave so "hastily".

Perhaps this will be a new clue.

Hoshinomiya Chie put down her coffee cup, a complex light flashing in her eyes.

She looked in the direction Sakamoto had disappeared and muttered to herself:

"Sakamoto-san...we'll meet again."