CHAPTER 62: ASSEMBLE

Room 207, Igris Pavilion – 09:00 AM

Shigeo’s dorm room, located on the third floor of the first year housing block, wasn’t much to look at.

Standard furniture except for his gadgets and its tools. Blue curtains, gray walls like a prison cell.

And yet, Shigeo sat stiffly upright against his pillow, shooting side-eyes at every one of his "guests."

— "Why... why... why my room for your meeting ? There are so many places like the library, the gardens..." Shigeo asked, awkwardly adjusting his collar.

He looked like a hostage held captive in his own bed by overly familiar intruders.

— "Because it’s is the most discreet option. And more importantly, the easiest to access. You wouldn’t want us to do it in these ladies’ room, would you ?" Dante replied, sprawled out on the plush carpet, arms behind his head.

He crossed his legs with the smug ease of someone who’d just moved in.

Shigeo squinted at him, visibly displeased by the overwhelming "logic."

— "You should be grateful I didn’t bring Ginny with me." added Dante with a sly, mocking grin.

There were five of them in the room : Giana, Johanna, Mina, Shigeo, and Dante.

Everyone sat properly—except Dante, who was actively disrespecting all social decorum.

His boots were still on, digging into the light rug. Shigeo stared at him in silent agony, somewhere between anxiety and defeat.

— "Enough chit-chat." Giana clapped her hands.

— "This campaign against Dante isn’t random. The higher-ups feel threatened. They’re uncomfortable."

She paused.

— "It’s contempt, sure. But it’s more than just gut reaction. There’s tradition too. You’ve all heard of it — the annual hazing ceremony."

— "Ceremony ?" Johanna echoed, frowning.

— "Yes," Giana continued. "Every year, the first years get tested. Sometimes it’s subtle — social pressure, rigged trials, passive exclusion. But other times, it’s brutal. Harassment, slander, and in rare cases, targeted takedowns."

She crossed her arms, eyes serious.

— "This year, they’ve picked a clear target : Dante."

Johanna sat up straighter in her chair, her brow furrowed.

— "But... why him ? I mean... I got the medal too. So did Shigeo."

— "You, Johanna, are from House Solheim. Untouchable. Your lineage alone protects you from a lot of things. And Shigeo..."

She turned to him.

— "...knew early on how to stay in his lane."

Shigeo looked away, cheeks reddening with shame.

— "No one bothers breaking a dog that’s already leashed."

Her gaze turned to Dante.

— "But he... challenged the system from day one."

— "He stood out too much," Johanna murmured, eyes distant. "And darkness hates light."

Giana nodded.

— "They want to isolate him, tarnish him, and push him until he snaps. An expulsion for misconduct would be the perfect ending to their story."

Dante let out a dry exhale. He twirled a pencil between his fingers, eyes somewhere else.

— "Classic playbook... get the guy to burn himself. I know the game."

— "It’s sick," Johanna whispered, voice trembling. "Why does everything have to be so damn cruel ?"

— "That’s the world," Shigeo shrugged. "And honestly, Dante brought it on himself. His TV appearance, that dramatic entrance at the opening ceremony... he asked to be noticed."

All eyes slowly turned toward Mina, who until now hadn’t said a word.

Sitting cross legged on a floor cushion, knees tucked against her chest, she kept her head down, hands clutching the hem of her skirt.

A member of the journalism club.

It was bold of them to even invite her — especially here.

But Dante hadn’t objected. And that was already a kind of approval.

Mina let out a long breath.

— "I... I know it’s weird that I’m here. But I’m here for my realfriends."

She looked up.

— "Goethe Faust. He’s the club president. At first, he was a good guy. He wrote about flowers and bugs. Always smiling. Even the older students remember."

She swallowed.

— "But lately... he’s changed. I’ve seen him talking to himself, like... like he’s hearing things."

A silence fell across the room.

— "His eyes changed too," she added. "Like he’s... wearing a mask. And now the club—it’s not the same. It’s a weapon. He barks orders. Screams sometimes. He’s not the Goethe who recruited me."

Giana nodded.

— "I agree. Goethe was always a bit eccentric, but never cruel. People used to say he had the heart of a Sylvian. He was always an outsider in Dravon House. But now... he’s their leader."

— "Maybe they got to him ?" Johanna suggested.

— "Maybe... but that would be late influence. Goethe hated everything the Dravons stood for. Now he is them."

Dante gave a joyless smirk.

— "Maybe Youpi was like that all along. Nobody really knows him."

Shigeo nodded slowly.

— "...That’s unsettling."

Mina continued, more hesitant this time:

— "There’s something else. I went through old forum threads. I think I found a similar case... five years ago. Sylvians working with Dravons."

Johanna’s eyes widened.

— "You’re a walking encyclopedia... and you’re still a first year. That’s amazing."

Shigeo scratched his head.

— "If that’s true, it means... they’re everywhere."

— "Maybe they’re here right now." Dante whispered, staring straight at Shigeo.

Their eyes locked. Then everyone started looking at each other.

A strange silence. The spiritual pressure in the room suddenly thickened, like they were all one breath away from fighting to the death.

And then—like the absurdity of it all finally caught up to them—

They burst out laughing.

Even Mina, shyly. A nervous, half-laugh — half relief.

It was strange, sure.

But it felt good.

Johanna returned to seriousness first. She sat up straight.

— "I’m going to file an official complaint against Goethe Faust. That’s defamation, manipulation of public image, and violation of administrative integrity. Enough’s enough."

Then finally, Dante sat up.

He gave them all a look — and for once... his gaze was bare.

Just... honest gratitude.

— "Thanks."

Just one word — but they all looked at him like they’d just witnessed a miracle.

— "Wait... he can say that?" Giana said, feigning shock.

— "Confirmed : he has a heart." Shigeo added.

— "Or he’s just a feelings-mutant." Johanna giggled.

— "Stop it..." Mina mumbled, laughing through her hands.

And they all laughed again.