Digimon: I reached the top using the Knight item.

While the two were talking, Kenichi Ichijoji had already walked out of the classroom and joined the bustling crowd of students in the corridor, heading towards the school cafeteria.

Bai Yu immediately followed behind, all the way to the school cafeteria.

This school has not only an elementary school section but also a junior high school section, and there are many students in total, so the cafeteria is built to be quite spacious.

It was lunchtime, and the cafeteria was bustling with activity.

In the noisy cafeteria, Shiraha silently watched Ichijouji Ken go from getting his food to sitting quietly alone at a corner table to eat.

He seemed somewhat aloof and out of place amidst the bustling surroundings.

Just as Bai Yu was about to find a spot not too far away to sit down and continue his surveillance mission, he caught a glimpse of another familiar face out of the corner of his eye.

Bai Yu looked at the location; it was a good vantage point.

Bai Yu walked straight over and plopped down in that spot.

Suddenly, someone sat down next to him. Koushiro, who was eating, subconsciously turned his head to look. When he saw that it was Shiraha, a look of surprise immediately appeared on his face.

"Baiyu-kun? What are you doing here?" Koushiro asked in surprise, then, as if remembering something, he asked curiously, "Are you from our school too?"

As Koushiro spoke, he subtly looked Shiraha up and down.

It doesn't look like it. I don't see any student-like qualities in Shiraha.

"No, I'm a graduate, I'm not in school anymore. Also, you don't need to be so formal, just call me Bai Yu, or even 'Brother Bai Yu', I don't mind." Bai Yu answered Koushiro casually, but his eyes never left Ichijouji Ken, who was eating not far away.

Upon hearing Bai Yu's reply, Koushiro's face showed a slightly speechless expression.

I couldn't help but silently complain to myself, "If you dropped out of school, just drop out. Why make it sound so nice? And call yourself a graduate?"

"I have seen geniuses like you who graduated and skipped grades at your age, but I have never seen anyone who stopped going to school after graduation."

However, Koushiro had no objection to the change of address.

After his rant, Koushiro noticed Shiraha's gaze and looked in the direction Shiraha was looking, somewhat puzzled.

There were people coming and going over there, and apart from the students who were busy eating, there was nothing special about it.

"What exactly are you doing here?" Koushiro asked again in a low voice.

Bai Yu replied without looking away, "You should know Chief Yamaki, right? I got a job from him."

Koushiro's expression froze instantly. He knew Mitsuo Yamaki very well, of course.

The mission entrusted to him by Mitsuo Yamaki must be related to Digimon.

Koushiro's tone suddenly became anxious. He lowered his voice and asked nervously, "Has a Digimon come to our school?"

If so, then things are going to be bad.

With so many students in the school, even a small disturbance could have serious consequences.

Before Bai Yu could answer, Koushiro immediately added, "Bai Yu, the battle can't take place in the school; there are too many students here."

Bai Yu, annoyed by Koushiro's anxiety, looked away and explained, "No Digimon come to your school; I'm here to keep an eye on them."

Upon hearing this, Koushiro visibly breathed a sigh of relief, and his tense nerves relaxed.

But then, an even greater curiosity arose, and he pressed on, "Watching someone? Who is it? Why are you watching him?"

Bai Yu looked at Koushiro with some surprise after being bombarded with three questions in a row.

As the owner of this knowledge badge, you should be craving knowledge, right? But it seems like you crave gossip instead.

Are you just curious?

Bai Yu's lips curled into a playful smile as he said to Koushiro, "You want to know?"

He then leaned back and continued lazily, "Your cafeteria only accepts meal cards. Go and swipe my card for a meal, and I'll explain in detail later."

Driven by curiosity, Koushiro got up and actually went to get Shiraha a meal.

"Here you go." Koushiro placed the plate in front of Shiraha.

"Thank you." Bai Yu picked up his chopsticks and ate his meal slowly while continuing to observe Ichijoji Kenji not far away without making a sound.

The cafeteria was bustling with activity, filled with the aroma of food and the cheerful laughter of students.

Although Koushiro was itching like a cat was scratching him, he still refrained from asking any further questions.

Koushiro still observes the proper etiquette of 'not speaking while eating or sleeping'.

Unfortunately, Bai Yu didn't manage to finish his free lunch.

Not far away, Ichijoji Ken ate his meal quickly, finishing his lunch in no time. Then, he picked up his plate and walked towards the dish return area.

"Damn, you're eating so fast." Bai Yu complained under his breath, then quickly put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"Let's go." Bai Yu said to Koushiro, then immediately got up and quickly followed Ichijouji Ken's footsteps.

Seeing this, Koushiro followed without thinking.

Leaving the noisy cafeteria, the midday sun shone outside.

After lunch, there was a considerable amount of rest time. Students walked to the playground in twos and threes, enjoying their rare leisure time.

Kenichi Ichijoji didn't go back to the classroom, but instead walked alone to a corner by the playground.

There was a row of benches for people to rest on, next to a lush green lawn.

Kenichi Ichijoji found an empty bench, sat down, took out the book he always carried with him, and quietly began to read.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on him, making him look like a carefree, literary youth.

Shiraha and Koushiro stopped behind a large tree not far away, where they could clearly see Ichijouji Ken but were not easily spotted.

There were too many people in the cafeteria before, so Koushiro didn't know who Shiraha was watching, but now he does.

Koushiro lowered his voice and asked Shiraha, "Is the person you're watching Ichijouji Ken?"

Chapter 42: Why did you specifically want to get to know Meimei?

Bai Yu looked at Koushiro beside him with some surprise and asked, "Do you know Ichijouji Ken?"

At this point in time, Koushiro and Kenichi Ichijouji should not have had any interaction yet.

Koushiro shook his head and explained, "Although we've never met, Kenichi Ichijouji is a famous genius at our school."

"He not only gets the top grades in all subjects, but he's also very good at sports. He's practically an all-rounder."

At this point, Koushiro's tone carried a hint of barely perceptible admiration.

Although he himself is a genius, sports are indeed his weakness.

"Oh, I see." Bai Yu nodded in understanding.

It turns out that the genius has a great reputation.

Koushiro looked at Shiroha, his eyes gleaming with curiosity and a thirst for knowledge.

"Alright, now you can tell me why you're keeping an eye on Ichijouji Ken, right?"

If you eat someone else's food, you have to satisfy their curiosity.

Bai Yu still respects this unwritten contractual spirit.

Bai Yu leaned against the tree trunk behind him, crossed his arms, and briefly explained the whole story to Koushiro.

"Here's what happened: a beast tamer named Makino Ruki has gone missing."

"According to her partner's description, the attackers were an ice demon beast and a black-robed figure wielding the Divine Plan."

"And I now suspect that the man in black robes is none other than Ichijōji Ken."

After hearing Bai Yu's account, Koushiro's expression instantly turned one of utter shock.

His first reaction was disbelief!

“How is that possible?!” Koushiro instinctively retorted.

Koushiro didn't believe anything else, but he simply couldn't believe that there could be a 'Chosen Child' who would become partners with an evil Digimon like Glacial Demonmon.

They even committed heinous acts such as attacking other animal trainers and kidnapping humans!

Seeing Koushiro's incredulous expression, Shiraha simply shrugged indifferently.

He could completely understand Koushiro's feelings at that moment.

After all, his initial reaction was exactly the same as Koushiro's.

If it weren't for remembering the ruthless Ichijoji Ken later, Shiraha would probably still be racking his brains trying to figure out who was behind this.

Koushiro still had his brows furrowed, his expression filled with confusion and struggle.

Some people still can't accept this fact.

"But... why Ichijouji Ken in particular?" Koushiro looked at Shiraha and asked his question.

"I've never heard of him being a 'chosen child' before?"

As an "idol-level big shot" in the industry, Koushiro is very well-informed.

Although he had never met the three beast tamers, Ruki, Kenryo, and Keito, he knew of their existence.

However, he had never heard of Ichijoji Ken, who was in the same school as him.

Bai Yu deliberately put on a serious expression, looking at Koushiro with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Then what do you suggest we do? Right now, besides your group, the only one with a sacred plan is this Ichijoji Ken."

"If I don't doubt him, then why should I doubt you?"

"No, no, no! Please don't!" Upon hearing this, Koushiro shook his head and waved his hands.

Their tense expressions suggested they were afraid Bai Yu would actually cast a suspicious glance at them.

"We are honest people, we would never do such a thing, please don't misunderstand us!"

"I think Kenichi Ichijoji is quite suspicious, so you should investigate him!"

Koushiro was just curious; he didn't want to drag himself and his companions into this mess.

Seeing Koushiro's eagerness to shift the blame, Shiraha couldn't help but smile slightly.

Then she reached out and hooked her arm around Koushiro's shoulder, pulling him a little closer to her.

"Alright, enough joking around." Bai Yu's tone became more relaxed.

"I remember, those other legendary figures besides you, weren't they from the same school as you?"

"Why don't you introduce me to him?"

Bai Yu revealed a malicious smile, emphasizing, "Especially Tachikawa Mimi, I really, really want to get to know her."

"Ok?"

Koushiro's eyes instantly became wary, and he tried to break free from Shiraha's arm without making a sound, only to find that the other's strength was surprisingly great.

Koushiro frowned, looking at Shiraha with a scrutinizing gaze, and asked, "Why did you specifically try to get to know Mimi?"

Bai Yu's smile grew even brighter, making no attempt to conceal his purpose.

"The young lady is rich!"

"Think about it, if I can help her solve one or two problems, the reward will definitely be substantial."

Upon hearing this reason, Koushiro's eyes narrowed instantly, and he looked Shiraha up and down with a gaze that was a mixture of contempt and speechlessness.

"Let's not." Koushiro's tone turned cold.

"I think it's better for Meimei to be free of trouble."

Koushiro didn't want his kind and innocent friend to be used as an ATM by this guy who didn't seem very serious.

Bai Yu, however, seemed not to have caught the refusal in Koushiro's words and continued to hold onto his shoulders.

"Hey, you can't say that."

"This is called prevention; consider it like buying insurance."

"Think about it, if something really happens to her, at least she'll have someone she can ask for help immediately, right?"

"Besides, none of your Digimon are with you right now."

“Look, even someone like Makino Ruki, who carries her Digimon with her at all times, got into trouble.”