Epilogue

Time: 12:00 pm

Location: Cruise ship theater

3rd person POV

Are all human beings truly equal?

"That is the end of the videos, I hope everyone here understands Ayanokoji-kun and the events that have lead him to this point."

Silence overtook the theater, everyone reminiscing about everything that they've witnessed in the last 4 hours.

"Well, then as I said before, my mission is to show these videos to everyone here so they can aid Ayanokoji-kun; and now, my mission is complete. Everyone is free to return to their rooms. There will be no exams over your cruise vacation, so enjoy your relaxation.... if you can that is...."

"Relax.... jeez.... is that even possible for anyone at this poi-"

"Haha, I found the show quite amusing I must say; now then, if everyone will excuse me, I have a date to attend to." Koneji said being the first one out the theater.

"Hey bastard! S-Suzune, we can't just let him go like that can we?"

"No Sudo-kun, leave Koneji-kun be; as promised if he scored 1st place on the island exam, he'd be free of any further class obligations...."

Horikita stood up to address her class whom couldn't even bare to stand up and leave.

"Everyone, I want your attention, the goal of our class is to rise up and graduate as class A.... however.... I think many of you will agree that there is an arguably more important goal now."

'I think I know where this is going.' Matsushita smiled having caught on to her speech.

'Fufu, how foolish Horikita-san, you clearly have learned nothing from these videos about Ayanokoji-kun, but I must say, I'm intrigued to see what happens.'

"As of today, the objective of this class is to help Ayanokoji-kun.... as his friends, it is our duty to aid him in his fight against the White Room.... I ask for everyone's support on this matter." Horikita asked with a bow.

'How naïve, their emotions are clouding their better judgment once again, or perhaps it's their denial. Either way there is one thing I am sure of.... something they must be thinking in the back of their minds as well.... your feelings, your goals, your views of Ayanokoji-kun.... they mean nothing to him.' Agent Tsukishiro thought with a grin.

"I want to help Ayanokoji-kun!" Surprisingly, Shinohara was the first to speak up, but soon the rest of her class soon followed.

"Hell yeah! Let's do this for our friend Ayanokoji! You with me Kanji?"

"Yeah, Ayanokoji helped me and Satsuki on the island, so of course I'll help him!"

'Him and there's also that first year Nanase I want to thank....'

"Horikita-san, I have a question I want to ask you." Matsushita said gathering the attention of her classmates.

"I have been wondering this since our first-year island exam.... and when Ryuen-kun was searching for the mastermind of our class.... after watching these videos.... Ayanokoji-kun is the true leader of our class, isn't he?"

"Yes, he is, all of our victories have been influenced by him while he worked in the shadows with me being his cover."

Without a shred of hesitation, Horikita answered this question, in which her classmates.... actually, weren't that surprised.

They have truly matured as well.

"Kuku, yeah that bastard was the one I was looking for." Ryuen laughed with a grin.

"Everyone here doesn't seem surprised, well not that I don't understand."

"Well, I knew Kiyotaka-kun was amazing beforehand, but after today, it doesn't surprise me that he has helped us so many times, but you are amazing too Horikita-san able to keep this a secret for so long." Hirata said scratching his cheek reminiscing about how Kiyotaka helped him.... susss....

The rest of the class also agreed, even keisei, having matured he no longer lashed out against Kiyotaka's secrets. He is his friend, that's all that matters.

"Thank you Hirata-kun, but I don't think I'm the only one in our class who knew about this.... isn't that right Karuizawa-san?"

"Eh.... o-oh yeah.... I knew about this, I knew Kiyotaka was smart and strong after the fact, but he doesn't do well with a lot of people or socializing, so I helped him gather intel to help our class."

"Um.... Karuizawa-san.... do you have a minute?"

"Huh, what is it Ichinose-san?"

"I.... I want to help Ayanokoji-kun!" Ichinose yelled this with a bow implying asking for permission from Ayanokoji's girlfriend.

"Hehe, you don't have to ask permission from me Ichinose-san, of course you can help him.... he's a great guy, he's amazing. I would be happy for everyone to help him."

'Kiyotaka is mine. Kiyotaka is mine. Kiyotaka is mine.'

"Oh-ho, getting close with Ayanokoji-kun's girlfriend I see Ichinose-san, if you ask nicely enough; you'd probably be able to have a threesome together with them two, hehe."

"M-Mako-san!" Ichinose's face turned fifty shades of gra- I mean red until she looked like a fruit roll-up.

'I will admit I can't defeat Ayanokoji-kun on my own.... but despite him being this masterpiece, here at school he's just a student like anyone else, which means.' Kushida thought as she sent a video recording to a 3rd year student.

Meanwhile, the teachers approached agent Tsukishiro.

"Tsukishiro, were you telling the truth about leaving the school after the vacation, you aren't going to target Ayanokoji-kun anymore, right?" Chabashira asked with a hint of worry for her ticket to class A.

"Yes, as I mentioned before, attacking Ayanokoji-kun was a part of my cover, Shiba-sensei follows the professor's orders so I had to deceive him. I ask that you four keep a close eye on him until we leave, he may very well attempt to forcefully expel Ayanokoji-kun. I may be a White Room agent, but here I'm still the acting director, I must follow the guild lines if he breaks the rules. Even he is no exception to this."

'Unfortunately.... I may be too late for this.'

'The next move is yours Ayanokoji-kun.'

Ayanokoji POV

"Haah, Amasawa, just how many times do I have to say it.... I am not going to cook for you wearing nothing but an apron."

"Awh, you're mean Senpai, how can you be so rude to your favorite kouhai?"

Since when did I say you were my favorite....

It's been 4 hours since Tsukishiro planned on revealing my past and the White Room during which time Amasawa has accompanied me.... no dragged me around to various locations on the ship avoiding huge crowds.

Despite it being her, I can't say the experience has been totally unpleasant, the views were beautiful, the calm sea was a color of azure, the sky was clear and a gentle breeze carried the scent of salt as it blew through my hair.

During this time, I couldn't detect any malice or ulterior motives from Amasawa; she truly seemed to be.... happy spending time with me, although I could sense the faint trace of sadness or perhaps loneliness coming from here. The latter I knew quite well, not that it bothers me.

However, there was a more pressing matter at hand....

"You can come out now."

I turned around and glanced at a corridor leading into the interior of the ship; I had sensed one or two people trailing us for quite some time now.

[Spoiler warning for 4.5, Ye has been warned, argh.]

"So, you did notice me senpai, well it doesn't really matter either way."

Two figures came from around the corner, and once I glanced at the one beside Shiba-sensei, one of my questions has been answered.

"Yagami Takuya huh.... since you have been following us with Shiba-sensei, I take it you're the second White Room enforcer sent to expel me then."

"Bingo! Hehe, Yagami-kun here has quite the vendetta against you senpai."

"Amasawa-san, you're no longer apart of the White Room, why are you interfering any longer?"

"Haah, you just don't get it do you Yagami-kun...."

Amasawa turned her head towards me and gave me one of the most authentic smiles I think I have ever seen.... it was on par with Matsuo's warm smile and Ichinose's.

"Ayanokoji-senpai means everything to me.... to love him could never bear weight to how I feel about him."

I suppose she truly does care about me....

But her feelings mean nothing to me.

Yagami's feelings.

Shiba-sensei's feelings.

Tsukishiro's feelings.

My classmates' feelings.

Everyone's feelings....

They are useless to me.

My decision was decided the minute Amasawa told me about agent Tsukishiro's plan.

No matter the process.... as long as I win in the end....

That's all that matters....

"Yagami.... I suggest you listen to my words...."

"As of right now I will-"

Time: 4:01 pm, one week since the cruise vacation began

Location: White Room, professor Ayanokoji's office

3rd person POV

"Professor, I have brought him here as you requested."

"Good, leave us and close the door."

A lone figure walked into the office to meet eye contact with professor Ayanokoji.

"So, you decided to come back on your own accord after all...."

"Yes sir."

"That saves me the trouble of retrieving you using.... unorthodox methods.... do you have any idea the gravity of the situation we're in....."

"Agent Tsukishiro...."

The man that stood before professor Ayanokoji was agent Tsukishiro, the man who deliberately went against his orders and released confidential information about the White Room to the public.

"Tsukishiro, follow me."

With that the professor and agent Tsukishiro made their way out of the office and down the long white corridor. Silenced engulfed them apart from the sound of their steps.

As they turned around the corner, the professor signaled to the guard at attention to follow them into a particular room.

A room that was the most known.... and the most feared amongst the generations.

'Disposure Room'

"Tsukishiro, I'll only ask you this once, why would you do such a thing and betray your employer's direct orders."

'I guess I do take after you in the end Matsuo-sensei, haha.'

"My reasons were my own sir."

"That doesn't answer my question.... is it because of Matsuo, the man who saved you?" Professor Ayanokoji said narrowing his eyes.

"I will not lie to you sir, honoring Matsuo-sensei's sacrifice was indeed a part of my mission, however my goal was what I was truly seeking."

"Your goal.... I take it you won't tell me about it either then."

"You are correct professor Ayanokoji."

"No matter, I believe it know it anyway, but that is the least of my concerns at the moment, as for you Agent Tsukishiro.... you are relieved of your position as agent effective immediately."

"I understand professor, if you'd excuse me, I'll prepare my items and lea-"

"That won't be necessary.... Tsukishiro, your termination as my agent is reparation for you disobeying my direct orders."

Professor Ayanokoji signaled to the armed guard as he walked next to Tsukishiro staring at the 'Disposure Room' Sign.

"As for reparations for you hacking into the White Room to steal confidential data about the White Room and Kiyotaka, then releasing it to those low-lives in ANHS.... your punishment will be much more severe."

"Tsukishiro.... you are useless to me." Professor Ayanokoji glared at the guard who raised his rifle and-

*BANG* *BANG*

*THUD*

Tsukishiro having been fatally shot in the chest fell to the ground as he slowly began to lose blood and consciousness.

"Professor to security 1, report to the 'Disposure Room' for clean-up immediately."

With that professor Ayanokoji and the guard left the room leaving the dying Tsukishiro alone in the dark, cold room.

Tsukishiro POV

Well.... this was fated to come....

I guess this is my final moments of this cruel world....

But it wasn't all bad in the end....

Thank you, Matsuo-sensei.... for saving me.... for showing me the kindness that does exist in this world....

I will always be grateful to you.... and to your wife....

I am sorry, I pulled you into all this mess for my own selfish reasons....

You and your son, Eiichiro-kun....

I want to ask for your forgiveness, but I'm in no position to do so....

Perhaps.... I have no right to ask for anyone's forgiveness, not for what I have done....

But I guess I shouldn't sell myself too short now should I....

I have spent years.... so many years leading up to this moment....

So much planning.... and praying went into my mission....

And now with my death....

My goal....

Your freedom is all but guaranteed now....

Amasawa Ichika.... my beloved daughter.

Like Ayanokoji-kun.... your first memories of life began in this cold, cruel world.... this facility was your home....

You never knew your parents.... I doubt you ever gave them much thought....

But....

You were all that I ever thought about....

I watched you through that glass as you grew stronger....

I was happy that you were becoming so strong.... but....

I wanted you to see a glimpse of the kindness that exists in the outside world that Matsuo-sensei had shown me.

All this time....

The hacking of the White Room.... giving Matsuo-sensei the opportunity to free Ayanokoji-kun....

 Persuading professor Ayanokoji for me to take this mission to retrieve Ayanokoji-kun.... the bounty on him....

Recruiting you as a 1st year student.... your exile from the White Room....

All of it.... was for you....

All of it was for you to be free to decide your own fate.... free from the shackles of this stupid and frightening facility.

"Oh, my sight.... it's getting.... hazy.... I guess.... it's my time...."

And now.... I shall die here.... along with all those children.... defeated by these white walls.... I shall die....

Alone....

"Tsukishiro-kun.... Tsukishiro-kun...."

That voice....

"Tell me.... what is a man like you doing in a place like this...."

"Is.... is that you.... Matsuo-sensei?"

"Come on.... me and Eiichiro are waiting for you.... my old comrade."

"Hehe.... it looks like you found me again.... Matsuo-sensei...."

Forgive me Ichika.... but I think I will be going with them now.... promise me Ichika....

Follow the path that you want, not the one you are forced to walk.... follow the path that makes you happy.

Promise me that you'll do that....

I will never forget about you my daughter....

I love you Ichika.

The man known as Tsukishiro.

3rd person POV

"Instructor bring Kiyotaka to my office."

"Of course, sir."

At the moment, Ayanokoji was doing several physical evaluations and bloodwork to determine how much his body has deteriorated after escaping from the White Room for a year and a half.

"Kiyotaka, your father wants you in his office, we'll conclude your evaluations later."

'Haah, well let's get this over with.'

Ayanokoji slowly made his way to his father's office, this will be the third time he's done so in his life. As he walked, he glanced around at his surroundings to see that this was indeed the same white walls that he has lived and trained in.... nothing has changed. No color. No laughter. No friend meet-ups.

Nothing.... it was just nothing.... just like how he felt.

Despite not completing his three years in a regular school, he felt no sadness or anger. After all he choice to drop out on his own accord.

Flashback:

"As of right now, I will be leaving this school and returning to the White Room."

"W-What, no you truly don't expect me to believe that do you senpai."

"I guess you'll have to wait and see."

'It doesn't matter how it's done; I will win.'

"Senpai, you have fought against Tsukishiro-sensei and Shiba-sensei along with the first years to stay in this school.... what's with the sudden change of heart?"

"I came to this school out of curiosity, I wanted to know what it feels like to be a normal student in a regular school. Surely you can understand this, yes?"

"This school and these people are pathetic; all I've cared about is retrieving you and returning to the White Room."

"I see.... that brings me to my second reason for coming to this school. Whether or not the students of ANHS can be on par with the generations of the White Room, whether or not the professor's ideal is correct or not."

"The conclusion I came to is they are not.... as a whole, they can never be on par with us.... but I believe that they should still strive for it."

'Throughout my life here at school, I've observed their behavior, how they handle different situations. There are those who have great potential and could even surpass the less fruitful subjects in the White Room. Koenji, Sakayanagi, Ryuen being the cream of the crop to compete with us. Horikita however.... if she continues her delusion of being acknowledged by Horikita Manabu.... and by me; she'll never grow.'

'Let the student known as Ayanokoji Kiyotaka be carved into the minds of the students, and they will not forget your existence.'

Flashback end:

"Your words left quite an impact of me, Horikita Manabu.... I guess I did what you said even if it was through someone else's actions."

'Now.... if my plan is seen through.... the 2nd year students of ANHS, will never forget my existence.... for better.... or for worst.'

Ayanokoji opened the door to his father's office to be greeted with a set of eyes glaring back at him.

"Kiyotaka, take a seat; there are important matters to discuss."

"Tsukishiro has committed an unforgivable act of mutiny.... you, him and Matsuo all seem to have that in common."

Ayanokoji said nothing and waited for his father to continue.

"Nonetheless, Tsukishiro has been dealt with, but that brings us to the bigger issue at hand; that school full of garbage knows about the White Room and it's interworking; as such they too will have to be dealt with."

"Sir, I have an idea relating to this issue that could serve as a deterrent from word spreading about the White Room's true nature and be seen as goodwill to the public eye."

"And?" Professor Ayanokoji said narrowing his eyes at his son.

"What I suggest is this.... we will-"

*A gust of wind drowned out the conversation.... which is weird since they're indoors. *

".... You can't be serious.... what is the merit of approving such a ridiculous plan?"

"Indeed, it can be seen as a ridiculous plan, but considering the situation we're in; it will prove effective. Fight fire with fire as the saying goes." Ayanokoji paused and continued adding effect to his next words.

"This plan if seen through, could help raise our favor as I said before by displaying the effectiveness of our 'school.' Similar to when we went to New York to satisfy your investors. In the eyes of the government, this won't be an issue with your influence and since this particular group knows about the White Room, no further secrets can be revealed. The school's no contact to the outside will work in our favor as well."

Professor Ayanokoji said nothing further as he pondered his son's words.

"Regrettably, with the situation we're in and with me having little power in that school, this plan of yours better prove effective. If not those.... friends of yours will suffer greatly. You understand this too, correct?"

"Yes sir."

"Good, report back to your training and wait for further orders; If we are to see this plan through, I need to make some calls in advance."

Ayanokoji nodded as he left the office, while his father made several phone calls with several people of high authority and one individual he was quite acquainted with. 

As he walked down the white corridor back to gym 4, he pondered on his next course of actions as the puzzle pieces he made were being put into place by his father.

I wonder.... from an outsider's point of view.... why would Ayanokoji willingly throw away his freedom to return immediately back to the facility....

"Check."

Time: 4:30 pm, same day

Location: school gymnasium

Horikita POV

The cruise ended with no exam as promised by acting director Tsukishiro, or I guess agent Tsukishiro....

Nonetheless as he stated, he and Shiba-sensei both left the school as agreed and chairman Sakayanagi returned to a chaotic second year. Chabashira-sensei along with the other 2nd year teachers told him in detail Tsukishiro's doings and everything they witnessed at the theater.

And now.... Chairman Sakayanagi had all the 2nd year students report to the gymnasium for an important message, no doubt about the horror we witnessed relating to Ayanokoji-kun's past.

"Alright.... students.... teachers, first off, I'm sure everyone is aware by now who I am and yes.... I knew about Ayanokoji-kun being from the White Room as everyone as seen from the videos. With that being said, it should be obvious as to why his past needed to be kept secret.... but now.... another issue has come up...."

"C-Chairman.... where is Ayanokoji-kun?"

I turned my gaze over to class B's leader, Ichinose Honami, whom like me.... and many other students couldn't help but wonder this question.

After the videos ended on the cruise ship, everyone frantically looked for Ayanokoji-kun, but....

He was nowhere to be found.... not even when we returned to school.

"Yes, about that.... Ayanokoji-kun's wish was to live a peaceful life here at school and keep his identity a secret as that would be detrimental to his high school life.... but now that his past has been released...."

No don't tell me....

"No....no....." Karuizawa-san was crying.... but she wasn't alone....

"To answer your question Ichinose-san.... Ayanokoji-kun has dropped out on his own accord to seek a new life in a different high school, I'm very sorry everyone has to hear this."

.... what....

.... Ayanokoji-kun....

First nii-san.... and now you....

.... Why.... I.... I....

".... Haah...."

I'm alone again....

What is this feeling....

Anger, betrayal.... sadness.... why am I feeling this, I can't get him out of my head....

Why.... why does it hurt so much....

It hurts so badly.... I'm crying.... what is happening to me....

"N-No..... A-Ayanokoji-kun.... don't leave me too...."

"NO! AYANOKOJI-KUN!"

Wiping my tears, I looked back over to see Ichinose-san crouching on the floor crying.

"You promised me! You promised we'll see each other again here at school! Why would you break your promise!"

"A-Ayanokoji-kun.... please don't break my heart too, n-no...."

"Fuck that bastard! When did I say he could tuck tail and run, tch!"

"Ryuen-sama...."

"No, I want to see Ayanokoji-kun, why" I glanced over and seen Ryuen-kun along with Shiina-san; Ryuen-kun had an intense aura of anger while Shiina-san was being comforted by her classmates.

I then turned my gaze to one person in particular and a question popped in my mind.

"Sakayanagi-san.... did you know this was going to happen?"

"...."

No response huh....

Did she not know.... or did she know, but didn't want to accept it....

"Everyone must understand, this is who Ayanokoji-kun is, he wanted to enjoy a glimpse of the outside world here at school, I helped him enroll and placed him in the now class C (class D at beginning) so he could enjoy that peaceful life that he was fascinated about. He couldn't do that if his past was revealed, so now this was the option he found most viable. Please understand this."

Right.... the peaceful life that he fought to protect.... one that I tried to steal away from him because of my own selfishness.

"Kiyopon, that's not fair!"

"Haruka.... Airi...."

Ayanokoji-kun's friend group was devastated, they were all crying, my whole class was in a pit of gloom. Hirata-kun and Karuizawa-san seemed to be the worst off.

What do I do....

I'm the.... class leader.... what do I do in this situation....

"E-Everyone, I know this is hard to digest, but we should honor Ayanokoji-kun's decision; his past was worse than what anyone could've imagined, its true he'd no longer be able to live his life here at this school."

"W-Where.... d-did K-Kiyotaka-kun go...." Air(i) asked the chairman.

"I'm afraid that is something even I don't know, unfortunately any information I have on this subject must be keep confidential to protect his privacy, all I know is that he filled out a transfer paper to enroll in a different high school; now then there is an important message I need to tell everyone."

Where would he have gone....

"The White Room, as everyone here must know, is a secret facility that shouldn't have been seen by the public, I need everyone here to remain quiet about everything they heard and seen on this subject. If any rumors are heard revolving around this in the school, the teachers will track it down and any parties involved will be severely punished."

The chairman knows that isn't possible, people will gossip and the teachers won't be able to track it down to the source every time, but.... what will happen when professor Ayanokoji learns about this....

3rd person POV

"Now then, with that everyone please try to enjoy your day, oh and don't forget that-"

*Ring* *Ring*

"Hm, excuse me, everyone is dismissed."

"Hello, Sakayanagi speaking...."

"Hello Sakayanagi."

"S-Sensei?"

Time skip:

A few days has passed since the students returned from their luxurious ship vacation, it would seem to be another normal day, but.... the entire school was a different place.

All because of a single student.... the existence of this individual that has been carved into their hearts.

The 2nd years were the most affected by this of course, as they bared witness to the horror of the White Room and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's past. That experience is something no one could ever forget; and now, upon returning to school to find out their classmate, their friend, and in some eyes.... their love is no longer there.... no one could forget him.

The pain and sadness never left their hearts, and for some.... it broke their hearts to see the one they hold dear no longer there with them.

Ichinose Honami shut down.... she stayed in her room every day after school and during school, the once cheerful lively girl was now a husk.... devoid of happiness. She was pale, she held her head down low, her eyes remained bloodshot most of the time from crying, she would walk around aimlessly.... like a zombie. Every day she would go to the dorms to room 401 where upon seeing that door.... she couldn't help but break down longing for Ayanokoji's presence and kind words.

"A-Ayanokoji-kun.... please.... I beg you.... come back...."

Ryuen Kakeru was the complete opposite, he was angry.... no.... anger couldn't begin to describe how he felt. The one he wanted to destroy, the one he wanted to best and completely crush under his power.... was now gone of his own accord. It infuriated him.... he wanted him back.... he wanted to plunge his fist into his face. He needed that.... he needed to remember who he was.... the tyrant of now class D.... ruthless and cunning, never wavering before anyone.

He though this.... but deep inside, despite his denial, the existence that was Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was one that even he fears.... and respects above all.

"Don't think for a moment you bastard that this is all over, I will go to the depths of hell and drag your ass down with me."

"THE FUCK YOU LOOKING AT!" Ryuen shouted at some 1st years staring at him causing them to flinch and walk quickly away.

In Ryuen's class, the news of Ayanokoji's dropout compiled with his past has left many of the battle-hardened fighters in shock, grief, anger. Ibuki was in a similar state to Ryuen, pissed that she no longer has the chance to kick Ayanokoji.... completely ignoring the fact that her panties would be shown....

Ishizaki and Albert were filled with grief and sadness no longer able to hang out with their bro.

But one student in that class was more hurt than possibly anyone in the school....

Shiina Hiyori, the usual quiet but happy little angel was now just.... quiet.... she barely ate.... barely slept.... the books she'd read all had water stains from her tears.

 In the library she would find the most secluded corner to avoid people's concern for her. When she sat down and got out her book, she would unconsciously look over to the seat in front of her imagining her book buddy there with her. Every time she did this, her eyes would widen and she would silently weep to herself all alone, begging for Ayanokoji to return.

"I-I can't take this.... Ayanokoji-kun.... it hurts, I-I had.... a book.... for you...."

In class A, it was a similar state, most of them weren't acquainted with Ayanokoji apart from a few, but to see what a fellow student like them grew up in such a hell.... it was traumatizing to them.

Sakayanagi Arisu, the one student whom knew more about Ayanokoji before the cruise ship was sad about this.... even though she knew it was bound to happen. It still hurt her that her childhood friend was no longer at school for her amusement. She could no longer toy with him. Test him. Challenge him. Spent every possible second with him. Now she spends more of her free time playing chess with herself as she had done before her reunion with Ayanokoji.

"Check.... haah, you sadden me Ayanokoji-kun, I don't find chess quite as enjoyable now...."

In the now class C after their great win on the second island exam with Koneji leading the pack, as Ayanokoji's classmates and now friends. The news broke the once united and strong class.

The Ayanokoji group still met up with one another.... at least once in a blue moon.... it was too painful for them to have fun as a group without the existence that brought them all together.

Airi was heartbroken.... but.... she changed.... she was sad every day, but her appearance changed.

She no longer wore glasses, her hair no longer in twin pony tails, she was beautiful. She could be seen as perfect if she would smile.... that however, can no longer happen. She changed her appearance to strength her resolve when she meets Ayanokoji again on the outside.... she was determined to see his face again.... she would repeat this to herself all the time, but every time she did.... it would be painful for her....

Her best friend Haruka was perhaps in a worst state then her.... she was as lifeless as Ichinose; she was no longer cheerful when she did meet up with her friends. She stared at her feet; her grades began to plummet despite Keisei tutoring her. She wanted to see Ayanokoji, she wanted to tease him, she wanted to remove the horror she witnessed about his past.... the screams, the blood, the death, the pain.

Matsuo's death. The death of a loving father.... unlike her own....

Her father.... a man she never wanted to think about, one that she had hoped to escape from during her high school life....

Haruka grew up well-endowed, her figure was more pronounced than most girls her age.... her father thought so too....

Living along the coast of Tokyo, the two would regularly visit the beach, her father though, made Haruka were quite.... revealing.... bikinis despite her being uncomfortable with everyone staring at her. Then one day, after one too many beers, her father, the one she had loved and wanted to make proud....

He sexually assaulted her....

Since then, during middle school, she avoided boys, she couldn't trust them or anyone for that matter.... she was lonely.... she wanted a way out.... a way out from living with her father and escaping her past.... then she was given a red envelope by a high school recruiter.

After her enrollment in ANHS, she steered clear of boys, she didn't participate in swimming class or visit the pool.... until the 'Ayanokoji group' was formed. She was happy.... even with the three boys, she was comfortable around them, she smiled. She slowly erased that painful memory of her father and came out of her shell, she even started to wear bikinis again no longer feeling chained down by her past.

That was until videos were shown.... she now has returned to a state that had influenced the school's decision to first enroll her in class D.

Then we have Karuizawa Kei.... the girlfriend of the masterpiece Ayanokoji.... without her host, she suffered. She no longer was an outspoken person, she became introverted. She barely talked even to her best friends like Sato. The memories of her boyfriend played in her mind like a broken record. The boy she hated.... the boy she worked with.... the boy she needed.... the boy she grew to love.... was no longer with her.

All she wanted.... right now.... was to be in the same spot she was when Ayanokoji confessed to her.... she wanted her heart to pound. She wanted to feel hot, she'd go into his room.... with a shred of hope that he'll be behind that door only to have that hope scattered upon seeing the empty room. There she would lay down on his bed sheets to comfort herself.

She wept.

She cried violently remembering her boyfriend's apathetic face, a face she begged and prayed to see again.

"Kiyobaka.... why.... y-you weren't s-supposed to leave m-me behind, you idiot."

'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.'

-Alfred Lord Tennyson

Like Karuizawa, her previous 'boyfriend' Hirata Yousuke became distant from his class.... at least briefly.

However, unlike last time, he was willing to open up to his classmates for support. Having learned his lesson from the person he had hoped to see in school; he refused to shut everyone out again. He carried on as a central figure in class C, supporting them and in full support of his friend Kiyotaka. He vowed to himself to reunite with him and thank him for everything.

Kushida Kikyo was sad.... at least on the surface.

On the inside, she was overjoyed that one of the people who knew about her past was no longer in the school. She put on her mask and cried tears.... the tears were genuine, but not for Ayanokoji. They were from the painful memories that she seen of the children who suffered in the White Room. When she thought of them, Ayanokoji would pop into her mind.... and strangely for her.... she didn't feel angry.

It didn't matter what he went through in life nor what his reason for being at the school was. To her, Ayanokoji was a threat to her peaceful life, so now with his dropout. She felt less angry and more at peace, only to be reminded of another existence that disgusted her....

Horikita Suzune, the 'leader' of class C, the once cold-hearted Tsun- I mean girl now had mixed feelings about the entire situation. She understood Ayanokoji's decision to drop out, but it was painful for her.... she didn't understand why she felt this way.

She seen him as a classmate and ally, a friend perhaps, even if she did deny the latter. With his drop out, she persevered with her class to rise up to class A; it was a struggle.... the existence that she went for advice, suggestions.... companionship.... was no longer with her.

She felt.... alone. The first person she ever opened up to at ANHS was the one to leave her behind.... just like her nii-san, she no longer had anyone to prove her worth to.

"Haah...."

"You okay Suzune?"

"I'm fine Sudo-kun, w-wait, that's...." 

Horikita sped up her pace after seeing the sight of a girl with red hair.

"Amasawa, a moment please."

"Hm, oh Horikita-senpai, sorry I'm looking for Ayanokoji-senpai to cook for me tonight."

".... Ayanokoji-kun.... he is no longer at sch-"

"W-Wait Suzune, should we really be telling her this.... you remember what the chairman said, right?" Sudo said wary of the cheeky girl before them.

"Regardless of those videos and what chairman Sakayanagi stated, they can't prevent all 2nd year students from leaking information in the school, besides this is important."

"R-Right...."

"Amasawa, Ayanokoji-kun dropped out of school.... you see, during the cruise ship; the 2nd years were showed videos relating to his past."

Horikita revealed all this information, but gazing directly at Amasawa's face looking for any sign that she knew this beforehand.

"Awhhhh, Ayanokoji-senpai is so mean.... oh well, I guess I'll have to find another senpai to cook for me instead. If you'll excuse me senpais I must be going now."

"Amasawa, I won't beat around the bush on this.... you're from the White Room, aren't you?"

"Hm? White Room?" Amasawa said tilting her head gazing up at the ceiling seeming to be deep in thought.

"I'm sorry senpai, I'm not sure what you mean by White.... Room.... OH, I KNOW! It's a paint company isn't it!"

"Haah, no never mind, we'll be taking our leave now, Sudo-kun let's go."

The two left the cheeky Kouhai as she waved them good-bye.

'I should feel sorry for you senpais shouldn't I? Hehe, I can't help but be excited waiting to see your faces when you see what is fated to come.'

"Suzune, shouldn't we have asked her more questions to get answers?"

"No, this was a pointless mission, haah, we can't prove she's from the White Room based on a blurry picture from years ago, even if she is from that facility; she'd never tell us."

"So, what do we do now?"

"There's nothing we can do, approaching Nanase would be just as fruitless. All we can do is push forward.... rise up to class A and graduate.... as a classroom of the elite."

'I will graduate from class A, then one day I can hold my head up high to you nii-san.... Ayanokoji-kun.'

If only she knew.

*Ring* Ring*

"Let's go Sudo-kun, we'll be late for homeroom." 

All the students of class C slowly made their way into the classroom, all of them staring at the same empty chair in the back. Karuizawa immediately began crying again while many others tried to fight back their tears.

"Where's Chabashira-sensei? She's usually right there in the door at the bell?"

It was odd for their punctual teacher, Chabashira, to be late, the students began turning towards one another asking questions.

Matsushita unconsciously looked to the empty seat next to her just to glance away as small tears formed in her eyes.

".... Everyone.... b-be quiet.... I have.... something to say to everyone...."

The students' eyes widened and their blood ran cold seeing Chabashira come into the classroom.

White as a sheet and visibly shaking.

"S-Sensei.... is.... is it about Ayanokoji-kun?" Sato meekly asked as her classmates just stared at their teacher....

Wanting to know the answer....

But terrified to know it as well.

The silence was deafening.

"No.... there is no new information about what school Ayanokoji-kun went to.... I-I will be announcing a new special exam...."

This time nobody lashed out against this, not even Ike, their minds were elsewhere. After the horror they witnessed on the cruise ship, any exam was nothing for them.

At least that's what they thought....

Chabashira grabbed the controller and turned on the projector displaying the name of the new exam....

'Battle of the elites: ANHS vs. The White Room'

The students stared at those words.... their brains short-circuited....

Now....

With Ayanokoji's plan being laid out before their eyes, the 2nd year students will soon discover the difference between them.... and the true elites.

They will now witness first-hand the subjects of the White Room.

The demon of the fourth-generation, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, and....

The darkness he carries

And complete!

Thank you to everyone who has read my first fanfic; I never expected it to get this many views with so many other WR fics out there, I'm truly grateful.

I hope everyone enjoyed this epilogue and the entire fic in general.

As you may have deduced, I am thinking of creating a sequel fanfic where WR students and Ayanokoji will come back to ANHS and compete in an exam against the 2nd years, in which Ayanokoji's true personality will come to light. However this will only happen if I can come up with a good story plot for it, I don't want to half-ass it so I welcome any ideas for it.

If I do make it, it probably won't happen any time soon since I'm taking a break from writing and enjoy others work.

With all that being said, once again, thanks to everyone who enjoyed this and we may see one another in the near future. Take care. :)

Word count: 6779