A New Masterpiece (COTE x OC)

Chapter 54 - The Final Act Begins

"That's not it," Kioytaka cut me off.

"Then what's the matter. Why do you need to talk to me?"

Kiyotaka reached into the pocket of his blazer and pulled out his phone.

After fiddling around with it for a moment or two, he flipped the screen around in my direction.

I took the phone from his hand and analyzed the photo he was showing me for a minute.

"What's this supposed to mean?" I asked.

"I've had some contact with Ryuuen through a burner account, and shortly after the results of the Paper Shuffle Exam, I received this photo."

This photo was a clear message from Ryuuen to 'X'. Evidence that he was closer to reaching his goal than ever.

It was a photo of Karuizawa Kei. A close friend of mine. And it confirmed my suspicions of Kei being a close associate to the man sitting across from me.

"It's a clear warning that he knows Kei is a close person to you. Which makes Ryuuen ever so closer to discovering your identity... But could I ask: how long have you been collaborating with Kei?"

"It started on the cruise ship exam. That's when our 'relationship' began."

"How exactly did that happen? Because Kei doesn't seem to be the type of person to willingly work under someone. Not without compensation... or other means."

"You may know Kei superficially, but I understand her far more than you. She acts like the strong leader of the girls within Class D, but behind that mask is a scared and broken parasite."

"What do you mean?"

"She needs a host, someone to depend on, a person to provide for her so she doesn't have to herself. Before, it was Hirata, providing her a sense of security and status. Then me. She jumps onto the host who will benefit her more in the long run. But for her to do so, I needed her to fulfill a role only she could do for me. I wasn't going to make this a relationship with no benefit for myself."

"I see..." I rested a hand on my chin in thought. "I've noticed her acting out of character recently. And her change of attitude toward you. But I never had concrete evidence of you two working together. I applaud how well you cover up your trails."

"But I believe you're bothered by this situation with Ryuuen and Kei because if you do decide to act, you abandon a peaceful life that you so desperately seem to want. And by playing into Ryuuen's hand, you forfeit that entirely, am I right."

"You understand the gist of my dilemma."

"But have you ever considered that by coming to this school, you forfeited the right to a peaceful life since the beginning?"

Kiyotaka stayed quiet for a moment, giving more thought to my question and his circumstances.

"You can't have a 'normal' life within this institution. I doubt even a person like Yamauchi will lead a 'normal' life in this school."

"I understand," Kiyotaka finally replied. "Ryuuen plans to make his move tomorrow, on the last day of the second semester."

"How do you know that?"

Kiyotaka grabbed his phone from me and opened up a message for me.

It was a message from Kei, explaining to Kiyotaka that Ryuuen asked to meet with her on the roof near the end of the day.

"That could mean a multitude of things," I stated. "But following Ryuuen's behavioral pattern, I doubt it means any good for Kei."

"I agree," Kiyotaka said. "I believe he will use her history of bullying to blackmail her into giving up information about me."