Beloved by the Four Heavenly Kings: A High School Love Battle Royale - Two Approaches

On the third day after transferring, Yuma Kinose walked down a hallway bathed in morning sunlight. He was remembering the starry sky he'd seen through his window last night. How were those countless particles of light gazing upon him today? Such vague thoughts refused to leave his mind. Third floor of the main building. The end of homeroom. Students filed out of the classroom into the hallway one after another. Yuma went with the flow and began walking when it happened. "Kinose, might I have a moment of your time?" The voice was certain and composed. When he turned around, standing there was Soichi Yuzuki. Silver bangs parted precisely, clear blue-gray eyes, a perfectly arranged uniform. His very presence transformed the air in the hallway. Students unconsciously yielded the path to him, naturally keeping their distance. He was that much of a figure standing at the apex of the academy. "Yes. Is there something you need?" Yuma replied. Unlike when they'd met in the library before, Soichi's expression today held a faint softness. The sensation of the hand he'd touched yesterday when picking up the book still lingered in his palm. "It seems you've only recently transferred to our academy. I apologize for not properly explaining the main building's facilities and the Four Pillars system. I would like to give you a tour of the academy during lunch break, if you would permit it." The words were spoken in perfectly polite language, accompanied by a sociable smile. Yet Yuma unconsciously sensed something like calculation flowing beneath it. "Please, I would be grateful." His answer was straightforward. Soichi's lips curved slightly. That smile softened his icy perfection for just an instant. The family crest ring on his left hand reflected the hallway light. "Then, at twelve-thirty at the main building entrance." With that, Soichi walked away with perfect composure. Watching his retreating back, Yuma murmured. "The student council president is going to show me around personally..." But there was someone who had witnessed that scene from afar. A male student with short black hair standing on end, peering through a half-open classroom door—Takeshi Shishido. His deep brown eyes fixed on the two figures. The small scar between his eyebrows moved slightly. His expression held a complex mixture of colors, like a predator observing its prey. (Again, huh.) That murmur reached no one's ears. --- Lunch break. At the main building entrance, Soichi Yuzuki waited as promised. He didn't even glance at his phone, simply waiting quietly—the bearing of one who commanded time itself. "I'm sorry for being late." When Yuma arrived, Soichi shook his head. "Not at all. The timing is perfect, actually. Shall we proceed?" With that, Soichi began showing Yuma around the main building's various facilities. The administrative office on the first floor. By virtue of his student council president authority, the office staff bowed respectfully to Soichi. "This department handles student records, grade management, and student guidance. Within the Four Pillars system, the student council handles these administrative roles." The explanation was accurate and easy to understand. Soichi's voice emerged as if from a textbook, perfectly polished. Yet several times during the explanation, he checked Yuma's expression. Was he nodding along? Did he understand? Was he bored? Such attention to detail was hidden within his perfection. "Senior, you really do know everything, don't you?" The moment Yuma said this, Soichi's expression changed for just an instant. Behind his perfect smile, something else flickered briefly. Loneliness. "It's only natural as student council president." His voice in response was slightly quieter than usual. They moved to the library building. The second floor of the Seisou Library, the special reading room. This appeared to be Soichi's favorite place. "This is a place I'm fond of." When Soichi said this, his voice carried a rare hint of personal emotion. Through the window, the townscape of Hoshigaoka City was visible. Verdant hills, and beyond them a small town. Lower-year students could be seen sitting on benches in the courtyard, eating lunch. "It's quiet, and perfect for thinking alone..." Hearing those words, Yuma felt something catch in his mind. Behind Soichi's perfection, wasn't there a deep loneliness? Such a premonition. But he didn't know how to put it into words. Before he knew it, they were standing at a distance where they faced each other. When Soichi bent down to organize some materials, Yuma bent down as well. They touched. Hand to hand. Just a brief moment. But the contact was definite. "Ah... I'm sorry." Both said it simultaneously. That awkwardness, that distance, that atmosphere—it all stirred something within Soichi's chest. —This person is truly defenseless. That's what he thought. --- After school. As Yuma was gathering his things in the classroom, a shadow suddenly fell across him. "You're out of shape. Come with me." A clear, loud voice. It overwhelmed even the classroom's noise. When he turned around, standing there was Takeshi Shishido. His body in athletic wear. Well-defined muscles were clearly visible beneath his clothes. The small scar between his eyebrows. A fanged smile full of energy. An aura of excitement always surrounded him. "Eh... exercise?" When Yuma hesitated, Takeshi dragged him out to the schoolyard without argument. His forcefulness held no malice—just pure momentum. Once on the schoolyard, Takeshi immediately began running. Yuma followed after him. "I hate lies. So I'll say it. I'm interested in you." While running, Takeshi said this. A fastball. No decoration whatsoever. "Eh... interested... what do you mean...?" When Yuma grew confused, Takeshi laughed wryly. "I don't really understand it myself yet. That's why I want to spend time with you. That's all." There was no calculation in those words. Only pure desire. While running, Takeshi began telling the story of his upbringing. A firefighter father. A nurse mother. Rising to the position of one of the Four Heavenly Kings through karate skill alone despite his common origins. Making it his philosophy to always face things head-on. Listening to these words, Yuma was moved by Takeshi's sincerity. A different kind of charm from Soichi's perfection. Hot, direct, with no calculation whatsoever. The setting sun illuminated their backs. --- Night. Student dormitory Gekka-sou. Second floor, east end, room 218. Yuma sat on his bed. Outside the window, the starry sky spread out. The same starry sky as the night of his first day after transferring. (Why would Soichi-senpai and Takeshi-senpai be interested in someone like me...) Murmuring this, Yuma reflected on the day's events. In the morning, Soichi had spoken to him. At noon, he'd received a tour of the academy. After school, Takeshi had invited him running. The gazes directed at him by both seniors within a single day. What did those gazes mean? Yuma didn't yet fully understand. But he sensed it intuitively. (Am I causing some kind of problem...?) Such anxiety quietly settled into the depths of his heart. Two seniors. Both standing at the apex of the academy. And both showing interest in Yuma in some form. What did that mean for him? He lay down on the bed. Staring at the ceiling, Yuma murmured. "Dad, what should I do...?" His expression was mixed with guilt and responsibility. Wasn't he confusing the feelings of these two without doing anything? Such anxiety quietly gnawed at his heart. The starry sky outside the window continued to shine quietly. But to Yuma now, that light felt distant somehow. What would happen tomorrow? Thinking this, Yuma closed his eyes. But at that moment, somewhere in the academy, Shiori Shirakawa held a book in her study. And Nachi Kurosaki was organizing some information in the underground Akokurashitsu of the old school building. With two of the Four Heavenly Kings beginning to move, quiet cracks were forming in the academy's order.

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Episode 2

Name: Beloved by the Four Heavenly Kings: A High School Love Battle Royale
Author: Novelia

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