COTE:SHATTERED BONDS

[6] TENSIONS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

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Tensions Behind Closed Doors
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In a dimly lit study, Ayanokouji Atsuomi sat at his desk, his expression cold and unreadable as he signed the letter with a swift, decisive motion. His eyes lingered for a brief moment on the words he had written before folding the paper and placing it into an envelope. A delicate seal bearing the Ayanokouji family crest pressed against the wax, securing its contents.

He handed the letter to a waiting servant, giving a curt nod.

"Make sure this reaches Sakayanagi immediately," Atsuomi said, his voice devoid of emotion.

The servant bowed deeply before swiftly leaving the room. Atsuomi leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing as he stared into the void, contemplating the consequences of his actions.

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Sakayanagi Koutarou, the principal of *
Advanced Nurturing High School, sighed heavily as he read through the letter in his hands. The ornate script and impeccable phrasing were unmistakable-it was from Ayanokouji Atsuomi.

After carefully reading the contents, his brow furrowed. He had always known Atsuomi-sensei to be a man of secrecy and strict control, especially regarding his family affairs. The principal had heard whispers of another son, older than Kiyotaka, but the Ayanokouji patriarch kept his personal life carefully guarded.

Sakayanagi shook his head slightly, still absorbing the weight of the revelation. "Anzai Kazue ..." he muttered under his breath. He glanced toward the window, where the sprawling grounds of the school stretched out beneath the clear sky. Kazue, the newly appointed teacher, was Atsuomi's first son.

"First Kiyotaka, and now Kazue," Sakayanagi murmured. "This school truly attracts the most interesting players."

A light knock on the door broke his reverie.

"Come in," he called, folding the letter neatly and placing it on his desk.

A secretary stepped into the room and gave a small bow. "Sir, the next session is about to begin. Shall I inform Mr. Anzai of your request to meet?"

Sakayanagi nodded. "Yes, please. Also, tell him to prepare for a more... involved role."

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Kazue stood at the front of Class A, explaining key concepts in social sciences. The students listened attentively-Class A was known for its disciplined and competitive nature, after all. As he spoke, Kazue couldn't help but notice the distinct differences in the atmosphere between Class A and the other classes. This group thrived on order and academic excellence, and in a way, it reminded him of his upbringing.

Just as he was about to wrap up the lesson, his phone buzzed quietly in his pocket. He glanced at the screen: a message from the principal's office requesting his presence immediately.

"Please continue reading the chapter we discussed," Kazue instructed the class. "I'll be back shortly."

With that, he left the classroom, heading toward the principal's office.

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On his way to the office, Kazue noticed someone walking toward him down the hallway-a tall figure with an imposing yet composed presence. It was Horikita Manabu, the president of the student council. Their eyes met, and Manabu gave a small nod of acknowledgement as they neared each other.