Chapter 49: The Beginning Of The End
Two months earlier, on a certain day in February.
In a meeting room at a facility in Tokyo, a man who appeared to be in his forties—Tsukishiro—was presenting data displayed on a screen.
Listening quietly were two young teenagers. But these were no ordinary children.
They were individuals raised in a top-secret facility known as the White Room, subjected to a highly specialized education.
"These are the complete profiles of Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, Yagami Hachiman, and all 156 second-year students. You've memorized everything, correct?"
Normally, even homeroom teachers wouldn't have access to such detailed records—compiled over an entire year by the school. But here, every piece of information was laid bare.
Names, birthdates, hometowns, family backgrounds, academic records since childhood, even personal relationships—no detail was omitted in this classified briefing.
"You already know this, but the top priority is expelling Ayanokouji. Yagami can wait. Though make no mistake—we have no intention of leaving him at that school either."
The supreme authority of the White Room—Ayanokouji's father—demanded his son's expulsion above all else.
"The critical point is removing both of them by April and bringing them back to the White Room. We cannot afford further delays. Execute this cleanly. No public incidents. If the government catches wind of our movements... it would tarnish the professor's reputation."
After Tsukishiro's explanation, one of the White Room students slowly raised a hand.