Kiyotaka Ayanokōji is a tall and lean young man with brown hair, brown eyes, and a fair complexion. He is usually seen wearing the standard Advanced Nurturing High School uniform, maintaining a neat and composed look. Outside of school, he is often dressed casually, wearing a white hoodie over a green shirt with an orange stripe, along with brown pants. On other occasions, he is seen in a blue vest over a white shirt and brown pants. Over time, he has grown noticeably taller since his initial arrival at the school.

In terms of appearance, Kiyotaka is considered to be very handsome, as mentioned in the light novels. Kikyō Kushida ranked him fifth among the most attractive first-year boys, and his good looks have drawn the attention of several female classmates, including some of the most popular girls. Kei Karuizawa, before officially dating him, noted that he was regarded as one of the top ten most attractive boys in the school. Additionally, Satō Maya, who had a crush on him, found him even more appealing than Yōsuke Hirata, despite being rejected by Kiyotaka.

Beyond his good looks, Kiyotaka possesses an exceptionally well-built physique, which is subtly concealed beneath his uniform. Suzune Horikita took note of his impressive muscular structure when seeing him at the swimming pool, particularly his lower arms, and questioned if he was involved in sports, though he denied it. His well-defined build is likely the result of the rigorous and extensive training he endured in the White Room, a secret facility designed to cultivate elite individuals with peak physical and mental abilities.

Kiyotaka’s attitude is typically calm, indifferent, and detached, often giving him an air of passivity toward his peers. He rarely displays emotion, maintaining an unmoving expression that he has had since childhood. His lack of emotional responses, such as never smiling or crying in front of others, leads some classmates to perceive him as abnormal or devoid of feelings. However, in contrast to the anime adaptation, the light novel portrays him with slightly more dynamic facial expressions, hinting at subtle emotions beneath his otherwise unreadable exterior.

Kiyotaka Ayanokōji is an inconspicuous and reserved student who deliberately keeps a low profile despite his extraordinary intelligence and analytical abilities. Though he appears indifferent and unmotivated, he is a master strategist capable of manipulating situations and people to achieve his desired outcomes. His intelligence is evident in his ability to read others with pinpoint accuracy, allowing him to either assist or dismantle them as needed. Though his grades are deliberately average, he has demonstrated an extensive understanding of history, psychology, and strategy, often quoting famous historical figures known for their intellect. His cunning nature is displayed when he exploits the school’s point system and rules, such as bribing a senior student to obtain past exam questions and manipulating his homeroom teacher, Sae Chabashira, into preventing Ken Sudō’s expulsion. Despite his calculated and sometimes ruthless approach, it is heavily implied that he could have easily been placed in Class A if he chose to apply himself.

Socially, Kiyotaka is awkward and emotionally detached, often struggling to communicate naturally with others. He tends to isolate himself, avoids forming deep connections, and speaks in a monotone voice, which makes him appear cunning, apathetic, and uninterested in the affairs of his classmates. As a result, he remains an enigmatic presence to those around him, even after spending significant time with them. However, when interacting with people he respects or considers useful, he engages in conversation more meaningfully, as seen with Kikyō Kushida, Suzune Horikita, and Kei Karuizawa.

Despite his detached attitude, Kiyotaka keeps his word and follows through on his commitments. This is evident when he rescues Airi Sakura from a stalker after promising to help her and when he pledges to assist Suzune in reaching Class A, albeit for his own strategic reasons. Though his motivations are often unclear, his actions leave a lasting impact on those around him. He intervenes when Suzune’s brother, Manabu Horikita, physically confronts her, despite having no personal reason to do so. Similarly, he sacrifices 50,000 points to save Ken Sudō from expulsion, not out of compassion but because it benefits his long-term goal. His ability to manipulate social situations is further demonstrated when he falsely attributes credit to Suzune and Kikyō for strategic moves that were actually his doing, ensuring that his influence remains hidden while controlling the outcomes from behind the scenes.

Kiyotaka dislikes unwanted attention and avoids showcasing his abilities whenever possible. He declines an invitation to become a Student Council secretary, despite being personally recruited by Manabu Horikita, and consistently downplays his role in crucial events. This aversion to recognition is tied to his mysterious past, particularly his upbringing in the White Room, a secret facility where he was rigorously trained to become a perfect human. His father, Professor Ayanokōji, instilled in him the belief that hiding one’s talent is foolish, yet Kiyotaka deliberately suppresses his full potential, possibly as an act of defiance or self-preservation.

His emotional suppression is another defining trait, as he has never displayed genuine happiness, sadness, or fear in front of others. Even in life-threatening situations, his heartbeat remains unaffected, highlighting his complete detachment from emotions. His upbringing has conditioned him to view people as pawns to be used, prioritizing winning above all else. He manipulates, deceives, and sacrifices others without hesitation if it serves his objectives. While it is unclear whether he genuinely cares for those he interacts with or simply sees them as tools, his ability to gain trust and influence others is undeniable.

However, Kiyotaka does have moments of anger and defiance, particularly when confronted about his past. He reacts coldly to Sae Chabashira’s insistence that he aim for Class A, even resorting to threatening and physically grabbing her collar when she attempts to manipulate him. He also expresses disdain for being controlled, refusing to comply with his father’s plans for his future. While Kiyotaka rarely acts on impulse, these moments reveal a deeper, unresolved conflict within him, possibly hinting at his struggle for independence from his past conditioning.

Ultimately, Kiyotaka is an enigmatic and calculating individual, always operating from the shadows while ensuring that his true abilities remain hidden. His lack of emotional connection, manipulative tendencies, and unwavering pursuit of his goals make him one of the most complex and unpredictable students at Advanced Nurturing High School.

Almost everything about Kiyotaka Ayanokōji’s life before entering Advanced Nurturing High School remains a mystery. However, flashbacks reveal that he was raised in an elite and highly secretive facility known as the White Room, an institution overseen by his father, Professor Ayanokōji. Designed to create perfect individuals through relentless training, the White Room subjected children to extreme physical and intellectual conditioning from an early age.

As a child, Kiyotaka exhibited an unnatural level of emotional detachment, maintaining a stoic and expressionless demeanor even when his fellow trainees collapsed from exhaustion or strain. In one particular memory, he was seen watching impassively as a child next to him struggled to breathe and fainted, showing neither concern nor reaction. His father ingrained in him the belief that “those who do not reveal their talents are fools”, reinforcing a strict ideology where only victory matters and human connections are insignificant. Under these conditions, Kiyotaka underwent intense physical training, combat exercises, and rigorous academic examinations, developing an exceptional level of intelligence, physical prowess, and tactical thinking.

As time passed, many of the children in the White Room succumbed to the harsh regimen, leaving Kiyotaka as the sole survivor of his group. His success pleased his father, who viewed him as the pinnacle of human perfection, believing that he would surpass all others. However, this upbringing shaped Kiyotaka’s cold and calculating nature, instilling in him the belief that humans are merely tools and that sacrificing others for victory is justified.

At some point, the White Room was temporarily shut down for one year, providing Kiyotaka with an opportunity to escape. With the help of Matsuo, his personal butler, he managed to enroll in Advanced Nurturing High School, a prestigious institution where his father’s influence could not easily reach him. Matsuo believed that by attending this school, Kiyotaka could experience a normal life, free from the suffocating control of the White Room.

When taking the entrance exams, Kiyotaka intentionally scored exactly 50 out of 100 points in every subject, ensuring that he would be placed in Class D, the lowest-ranked class in the school. While some speculated that this was a deliberate move to avoid drawing attention to his abilities, Kiyotaka dismissed these claims, stating that it was merely a coincidence.

In the manga, Kiyotaka later reflects on his true reason for choosing Advanced Nurturing High School his desire for freedom. He reveals that while attending middle school, he was forbidden from forming friendships or interacting with unapproved individuals, reinforcing his isolated upbringing. By enrolling in the academy, he sought to break free from his father’s control, though whether he truly desires a normal life remains ambiguous.

Overall Capabilities
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji is an extraordinarily gifted individual, possessing exceptional intelligence, strategic foresight, and unparalleled physical abilities. While he intentionally downplays his talents to avoid attention, glimpses of his past and interactions reveal his vast intellect, combat skills, and ability to manipulate situations to his advantage. Though he has claimed to have participated in after-school activities such as piano, calligraphy, and tea ceremonies, it remains unclear if this was true or merely a fabricated background. His past before enrolling at Advanced Nurturing High School remains largely unknown, aside from his rigorous training in the White Room under his father’s supervision.

Despite his social inexperience, Kiyotaka made some attempts at forming friendships when he entered the school, though his detached nature inadvertently led him to become isolated. He eventually formed an association with Suzune Horikita, though he was initially put off by her prideful and individualistic mindset. Although he desired a quiet and ordinary student life, he frequently found himself helping others during moments of crisis, such as protecting Suzune from her brother, preventing Ken Sudō’s expulsion, and saving Airi Sakura from a stalker, earning admiration and affection from some of his classmates.

Physical Abilities
Kiyotaka possesses inhuman levels of physical prowess, honed through the rigorous training of the White Room. His martial arts mastery, agility, endurance, and reflexes surpass those of even the most skilled fighters in Advanced Nurturing High School.

His true capabilities were first hinted at during his encounter with Manabu Horikita, a seasoned martial artist and Student Council President. Though Kiyotaka remained on the defensive, he effortlessly dodged all of Manabu’s attacks, forcing the latter to acknowledge his talent. His exceptional speed and reflexes were further demonstrated during a track race, where he matched Manabu’s pace and only lost due to deliberately changing lanes to avoid another runner. Observers speculated that he could have easily won under normal circumstances.

Kiyotaka’s combat skills became more apparent when he effortlessly defeated multiple skilled fighters, including Kakeru Ryūen, Mio Ibuki, Albert Yamada, and Daichi Ishizaki, all of whom were experienced in physical confrontations. During his battle with Ryūen, he ruthlessly overpowered him, mercilessly delivering blows without hesitation, which left Ryūen utterly helpless. Even after sustaining attacks from multiple opponents, Kiyotaka emerged completely unscathed, showcasing his incredible durability and endurance.

Despite his overwhelming physical capabilities, Kiyotaka deliberately conceals his strength, only using it when necessary. When Suzune questioned why he hid his true abilities, he simply expressed disinterest in revealing them, keeping his full potential unknown.

His combat prowess was further emphasized when Mio Ibuki challenged him to a rematch and lost, believing he was fighting seriously, despite Kiyotaka still holding back. In another encounter, he easily dodged all of Ryūen’s surprise attacks, leading Ryūen to call him a “monster”, the highest praise he had ever given. Kikyō Kushida and Ichika Amasawa also remarked on his abnormal physical prowess.

Academic Abilities
Although he prefers to remain unnoticed, Kiyotaka’s academic talents are undeniably superior. His placement in Class D was the result of intentional underperformance, but those aware of his true potential including Sae Chabashira and Manabu Horikita recognize that he could effortlessly surpass all students if he applied himself.

His ability to solve university-level problems with ease far exceeds the brightest students, including Honami Ichinose and Arisu Sakayanagi, both of whom struggled with questions he found trivial. In a conversation with Kei Karuizawa, he casually stated that there wasn’t a single academic question in the school that he couldn’t solve, emphasizing his intellectual superiority.

Despite his vast knowledge, Kiyotaka avoids drawing attention to his intelligence, often deflecting credit to others. His teacher, Sae Chabashira, eventually ordered him to aim for Class A, threatening him with expulsion if he refused to apply himself.

His memory and information processing abilities are beyond human comprehension, as revealed in Light Novel Volume 0, where he recalls conversations from infancy with extraordinary detail. He even remembers a test he took at the age of two, demonstrating autobiographical memory, making him mentally far older than his peers.

The given name Kiyotaka (清隆) is composed of the kanji 清 (kiyo), which means “clear, pure, or clean”, and 隆 (taka), which means “noble or prosperous”. Together, the name conveys a sense of purity and nobility, which contrasts with Kiyotaka’s hidden nature and morally ambiguous actions.

His surname, Ayanokōji (綾小路), consists of the kanji 綾 (aya), meaning “design” or “pattern”, and 小路 (kōji), which translates to “alley” or “small path”. The meaning of his surname can be interpreted as a “woven pattern” or “intricate path,” possibly alluding to Kiyotaka’s complex and strategic nature, as he maneuvers through challenges with calculated precision and hidden intentions.

This name may symbolically reflect his intellect, hidden depth, and intricate way of handling situations, embodying the contrast between his unassuming public persona and his true capabilities.