Time flowed like a loosed arrow.
During that interval, my double life—no, my triple life—was sustained by a schedule that could only be described as homicidal.
By day, I was compelled to perform the role of the model Vice President of Ashford Academy, a quintessential student of noble bearing. By night, I parsed through sensitive internal military data funneled to me in secret by Jeremiah, and issued operational directives to the Ohgi Group through encrypted channels.
To put it bluntly, the Kozuki Group was a disaster.
They were a stereotypical, disorganized rabble—long on passion but woefully short on intellect. A crude, slapdash organization.
In particular, as the group ballooned in size thanks to my recent exploits and the subsequent backing from Kyoto, they began absorbing minor resistance cells. This influx of disparate elements left the command structure in a state of absolute anarchy.
"No, why are you attempting a frontal breakthrough there? You must bypass their main force and sever the supply lines!"
"Haha… my apologies, Lelouch. Our boys are a bit impatient by nature…"
Calls with Ohgi followed this repetitive rhythm. Eventually, I found myself forced to take direct control of their development.
'If left to their own devices, they will become nothing more than a bloated, oversized punching bag for the Empire.'
I drafted a comprehensive military reorganization plan.
"The 1st Platoon will handle reconnaissance and guerrilla warfare. The 2nd Platoon is assigned to fire support. The 3rd Platoon will manage rear logistics and medical aid. Each platoon leader reports directly to Mr. Ohgi. I am granting field commanders discretionary authority to make independent judgments based on the tactical situation. However, large-scale engagement without final authorization is strictly prohibited."
It felt as though I were teaching a novice the fundamental build orders and unit groupings for a strategy game, step by agonizing step. Nevertheless, the results were undeniable.
When the patrol routes and supply schedules of the Britannian military—obtained through Jeremiah—were combined with my systematic organizational management, the Ohgi Group began to achieve terrifying efficiency.
[Sector A Patrol Gap: 02:00 – 02:45 → 1st Platoon successful infiltration.]
[Supply Depot 3 Guard Shift: 04:30 → 2nd Platoon logistics seizure complete.]
Thanks to a string of successes that caught the military completely off guard, my position as their strategist became unassailable.
"Another grand slam! Because we cleared out the stores in Supply Depot 3, we won't have to worry about ammunition for a while!"
Kaname Ohgi (male) looked on with an expression of pure rapture at the crates of Britannian military ammunition stacked in the center of the warehouse.
Beside him, the faces of Sugiyama (male), Inoue (female), and Minami (male) were alight with triumphant smiles.
"It's truly incredible. Just as Lelouch predicted, the guard shift happened at 04:30 sharp. We slipped in through the window and stripped them bare without meeting a single ounce of resistance."
"It's as if he can see right into the heart of the Britannian military. Truly, you are the lucky charm of our group."
Ohgi gripped my shoulder firmly, his eyes shining with sincere gratitude.
"You flatter me. It is only because all of you executed the mission perfectly in the field."
"Hah! There he goes, playing the humble gentleman again! Hey, what did I tell you? I told you this guy was something else!"
Shinichiro Tamaki (male) suddenly appeared, slapping me hard on the back. He puffed out his chest and raised his voice, acting as if he were the one receiving the praise.
"You lot were so suspicious of him just because he's a Britannian, and now you can't even hold a strategy meeting without him! Isn't that right, Yoshida?"
"…Yeah, I'll admit it. You certainly have an eye for talent, Tamaki."
Yoshida (male) scratched the back of his head sheepishly, offering a lopsided grin.
Though he had been the most wary of me at first, the hostility in his gaze had vanished. In its place was something bordering on reverence.
"Lelouch, what's the next operation? My platoon is ready to sortie at a moment's notice!"
The resistance members scrambled to crowd around me, eager for their next set of orders.
Their eyes burned with the heat and confidence only possessed by those who have tasted the sweetness of victory.
Basking in their collective expectation, I felt a peculiar sense of exhilaration.
To be recognized as myself—as Lelouch, with my own face exposed—and not as the masked persona of Zero.
It was a different form of kinship, one the original Lelouch likely never had the chance to experience.
"Now, now, everyone calm down. Lelouch needs his rest. He's busy enough as it is; don't make things worse by pestering him!"
Suddenly, Kallen Stadtfeld (female) stepped in to restrain the group. She naturally threaded her arm through mine, leaning her head slightly against my shoulder.
"She's right, Lelouch. Your complexion is terrible. You aren't overdoing it, are you?"
"I'm fine, Kallen. Just a bit fatigued."
"Liar. Those dark circles under your eyes have reached your chin. You're going home early today to rest. Right, Mr. Ohgi?"
Kallen fixed Ohgi with a sharp, pressuring glare. Ohgi waved his hands in frantic agreement.
"O-Of course! Lelouch, head out for the day. We'll take care of the rest here."
"Hey! You're just going to leave on a glorious day like this? We should have a drink! I'm buying!"
Tamaki, ever the oblivious one, interjected and grabbed my other arm.
"We need a victory toast! A toast! There's a killer skewer place near the hideout…"
"Tamaki! You want to pour booze down the throat of a sick person?! Do you even have a brain in that skull of yours?"
Kallen barked at him, punctuating her reprimand by delivering a swift kick to Tamaki's shin.
"Gah! My shin! Kallen, you brat…!"
"Shut up! I'm taking Lelouch home. Don't any of you follow us!"
Kallen shoved Tamaki aside and hauled me toward the exit.
As we stepped outside the warehouse, the cool night air brushed against my cheeks. Kallen, still clinging to my arm, looked up at me with eyes filled with worry.
"Are you really okay? Nothing hurts?"
"Really, I'm fine. Having you by my side makes me feel much more secure."
At my words, Kallen's face flushed crimson. She looked away, clearly embarrassed.
"…Idiot. I told you not to overexert yourself."
Kallen hesitated for a moment, glancing around to ensure no one was watching. Then, she stood on her tiptoes and whispered into my ear.
"This… is a bonus."
A soft, warm sensation pressed against my cheek briefly before pulling away.
"...!"
As I stared at her in shock, Kallen, whose ears were now as red as her uniform, abruptly let go of my arm and hurried ahead.
"C-Come on! Hurry up! Nunnally will be waiting!"
Watching her retreating figure, I absentmindedly touched my cheek. An involuntary smile spread across my face. With these people by my side, I felt as though I could overcome whatever cruel destiny lay in wait for me.
At least, that was what I believed at the time.
The problem, however, was my own physical vessel.
A muffled cough escaped me.
A nosebleed. This was already the third time this week.
My sleep was insufficient, my stress was mounting, and the face reflected in the mirror was that of a literal panda, with dark circles hanging down to my jaw. But there was no respite.
Acting as the strategist for a resistance movement was taxing enough, but a more immediate fire had broken out right under my feet.
[End of Term Examinations: D-3]
The notice pinned to the academy bulletin board seemed to be mocking me.
"Ha… exams…"
I was in a state of utter despair.
The Lelouch of the original story was a genius who never relinquished his rank as the top student, even without attending lectures. But me? I was merely a common transmigrator.
Furthermore, this was a prestigious institution for the scions of the Britannian nobility. Subjects that only existed in such aristocratic schools—like Britannian Imperial History and Royal Etiquette—were far beyond the reach of my common sense.
'At this rate, my grades will hit rock bottom. And what of the image of the genius Lelouch? My dignity as Nunnally's elder brother? It will all be obliterated.'
I sank into deep contemplation. I had no time to study, yet my grades had to be flawless. In the end, only one solution remained.
'If I cannot become a genius, I shall simply pretend to be one.'
A thin, predatory smile tugged at the corners of my mouth.
That night, I donned a black hoodie and infiltrated the Academy's main building. In my pocket was the master key I had obtained through my authority as Vice President.
And in my mind was a perfect map of every CCTV blind spot within the school, which I had mapped out under the pretext of Student Council duties.
'1st-floor lobby CCTV rotation cycle: 30 seconds. Now.'
I moved like a shadow across the lobby and entered the corridor leading to the faculty office. My heart hammered against my ribs with an intensity far different from when I had hijacked the Sutherland.
This wasn't a matter of survival; it was a desperate struggle to protect my pride.
Arriving at the faculty office, I expertly swiped my card and stepped inside. The silence of the empty office rushed over me like a cold wave.
'Let's see… the storage for the first-year exam papers should be…'
Without hesitation, I headed for the inner cabinet where the safe was located. Fortuitously, I remembered a passing comment made by President Milly.
"The password is just the date of the school's founding. Isn't that too cliché?"
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
Click.
With a satisfying mechanical sound, the safe door swung open. Inside, stacks of exam papers—apparently freshly printed—were neatly categorized by subject.
"Found it. My lifeline."
Overcome with relief, I pulled out the papers and produced a compact camera from my pocket, painstakingly photographing each page one by one.
Click, click.
Only the soft shutter sounds echoed in the darkness.
'Mathematics… subjective question number 3? It's impossible to solve without knowing this specific formula. History… list the names of the Emperors in chronological order? Is this instructor insane?'
As I scanned the questions, a chill ran down my spine. Had I not peeked, my grades would have been utterly decimated.
Once the filming was complete, I returned the papers to their original positions and closed the safe. Having completed the perfect crime without leaving a single trace, my footsteps felt light as feathers.
'With this, being the top student this term is a foregone conclusion.'
Though I had tossed my morality into the wastebasket, I had preserved the honor of Lelouch Lamperouge.
I hummed a quiet tune as I vanished into the night.
A few days later: the day of the results.
"Perfect marks in every subject?! Whoa, Lelouch, are you even human?"
Standing before the bulletin board, Rivalz Cardemonde (male) couldn't close his mouth.
"How do you even study to get scores like this? You were swamped with Student Council work. Do you even sleep?"
"Hmph. I merely focused on the core curriculum of the textbooks."
I brushed my bangs back with a carefully maintained air of arrogance. Though my conscience pricked me slightly, I performed the role of the flawless genius, Lelouch, to perfection.
"So infuriating! I'm dying of jealousy over here!"
Rivalz grumbled, playfully hitting my shoulder.
"My, my. Our Vice President. Impressive as always~."
In that moment, an ominous aura accompanied a familiar voice from behind. It was President Milly Ashford (female). Her eyes were sparkling like those of a child who had just discovered a delightful new toy.
"P-President?"
"Now that exams are over, it's about time we start preparing for 'that,' isn't it?"
"'That'?"
Sensing impending doom, I instinctively took a step back. Milly grinned and dropped an absolute bombshell of an announcement.
"The school festival, of course! This year's concept is… a Cosplay Cafe!"
"Wha—?!"
"And I have a very special role in mind for our Vice President Lelouch, so you can look forward to it."
Her gaze swept over my entire body with a sinister, appraising glint. I realized instinctively that I had to stop this at all costs.
'No!'