Kiyotaka POV
I'm currently inside the rabbit group's meeting room. There is literally nothing going on here. Then, someone broke the silence
Ichinose: "Your attention, please! I don't know most of you, but I think we ought to introduce ourselves. After all, there are probably people here who haven't met before," she said.
Machida: "Is it really necessary to introduce ourselves, though? I don't think the school seriously meant that. I think it's fine if only the people who want to introduce themselves do it, right?"
Ichinose: "Well, if that's how you feel, Machida-kun, I can't force you to do anything. However, a microphone might have been installed somewhere in the room to record everything we're saying, don't you think? If that's true, it may not be an issue for just the people who don't introduce themselves. The entire group might end up shouldering the blame,"
warned Ichinose. She had a point. Individual non-cooperation here could be a problem for everyone. Put like that, not even Machida could refute her. Ichinose introduced herself first. I tried to put a little effort into myself because I don't want to take too long.
Ichinose: "Hey there, Ayanokouji-kun. Looks like we're in the same group! I'm looking forward to working with you," said Ichinose.
Ichinose: "Now that we've finished, how do you think we should proceed? Please tell me if anyone disagrees with my taking the lead," said Ichinose. Ichinose appeared ready for someone else to volunteer as leader. Of course, whoever opposed her would have to publicly volunteer him or herself.
Some students might've been dissatisfied with how Ichinose handledthings, but since they likely feared being burdened with leadership, no oneraised their hand.
Ichinose: "Well, since it looks like no one especially wants the spot, I'll take the lead. To begin with, I think if there's any point that people don't understand or are worried about, we should all discuss it. If we don't, the situation will get worse over time. Does anyone have any questions?"
Because people never want to speak up in front of a group and make a fool of themselves, no one raised their hand. Ichinose put a hand on her hip and smiled, undaunted.
Ichinose: "There's something I'd like to talk to you all about. I'd like you all to assume that no one here is the VIP, and I'd like for us all to work together and clear this exam. In other words, I want to know if you think our best option is to pursue Outcome #1," said Ichinose.
Kei: "What the heck are you talking about? Isn't that obvious?"
snapped Karuizawa.Karuizawa didn't understand, but with that simple question, a hierarchy formed within the group. The dam had burst. Yukimura and a girl from Class C named Manabe followed suit. They agreed with Karuizawa and said they obviously wanted to cooperate. If everyone wished for it, we'd all pass the test with Outcome #1. A natural thing to say.
In response, one of the boys from Class B raised his hand. His blue, smooth hair swayed slightly. He was a thin, somewhat and rogynous-looking young man who'd introduced himself as Hamaguchi Tetsuya.
Hamaguchi: "I agree, of course. We're a group, and it's only natural for us to cooperate,"
said Tetsuya.This had been a good way to start things off. If Ichinose's question sounded obvious to someone, that meant they weren't the VIP. The VIP would be forced to lie, while checking to see if they shared the group's feelings. If someone fell for it, then we could start narrowing down the list.
Of course, the situation wasn't that black and white. It would be dangerous to assume anything based on this one question alone. Ichinose had spoken first, and Karuizawa had agreed first. Yukimura and Manabe had followed her closely. Then came Hamaguchi from Class B.
It wouldn't be surprising if one of them was the VIP. Boldly lying would divert suspicion, after all.I decided to jump in.
Kiyo: "I agree, too. We're a group, like you said, and we could all use some private points. If it's possible, I'd like us to work together. What do you say, Professor?"
The Professor, who'd been rubbing his swollen belly, recoiled in surprise when I called on him.
Sotomura: "Of course I'll cooperate. I want points," he answered.
It seems all of them is thirsty for points. I wonder what if I showed them I had 8 million points
Machida: "Ichinose, that question was unfair, wouldn't you say? If you say something like, 'assume that no one here's the VIP,' aren't you subtly calling the VIP a villain? Besides, no normal person would announce that they're going to betray anyone."
Ichinose: "well, I never said you all have to follow me right? you guys can do whatever you want if you don't agree with me"
Machida: "then class A will stay silent until all of this is done"
Hah, this exam is troublesome. If only I can buy the names of the VIP
Tatsuya POV
Silence. Thats all that happens during our group's meeting. We did self introduction but thats all. Noting good happened at all
Hashimoto: "man, this is getting boring. Hey Shiba, wanna play UNO?"
Tatsuya: "I've got nothing to do anyway. Anyone wants to join?"
Hiyori: "me! me!"
Nishino: "count me in!"
Mako: "Me too!"
Shibata: "don't forget me!"
Chihiro: "umm, me too then"
Tatsuya: "how about you, Koenji?"
Koenji: "please don't mind me. I'm currently enjoying the sea"
Hashimoto: "because we have 7 people. We will play with 2 decks. Is it fine?"
All of us nodded. Hashimoto began shuffling and distribute the cards
10 minutes later
Hashimoto is currently on the lead. He only has one card left. Its currently Shibata's turn
Shibata: "take this, +4!" he said while throwing the card
Nishino: "sorry but, +2" said Nishino. So she's save huh?
Hashimoto: "too bad, Shiba. For a gambler that never loses, it seems luck has abandoned you"
Tatsuya: "I don't think so." I said while picking my card "+4 and +2. And UNO" I said. After my turn, it was supposed to be Hashimoto's turn. He immediately sweat drops after this. Now I'm on the lead while Hashimoto is left behind
Hashimoto: "what the!"
Hiyori: "I feel sorry for you, Hashimoto kun"
Hashimoto: "ah, damn it"
Yahiko: "tch, even at casual games he is still undefeatable"
Yahiko, who was silent before is now angry. He imagined that I would draw 6 cards after all. Well too bad for him, I won't go down that easy
Hashimoto then proceeds to draw 12 cards from the deck. Poor guy
Hashimoto: "hah, this sucks. Well, Shiba. Its now your turn because you're the last one who uses + card. Pick the color"
Tatsuya: "I pick red. UNO game" I said while throwing my last red 4 card
Shibata: "he is not even human! he always wins at card game! what the heck!"
Tatsuya: "Don't blame me. Blame the godess of luck for giving me an insane luck"
7 minutes later
Mako: "UNO game. Yeay! I'm not the last"
Shibata: "aw man, this sucks. How could I lost to Hashimoto"
Hashimoto: "Don't blame me. Blame the godess of luck for giving me an insane luck"
Tatsuya: "oi, don't steal my line"
Hashimoto: "hahaha, I'm sorry"
Announcement: "meeting has ended. You're free to do as you wish"
Hashimoto: "allright, the meeting has now ended, lets meet later on"
All of the group except Koenji just nods and left
Little did they know, this was their first and last meeting on this exam
Timeskip, 14.00
Kiyotaka POV
The meeting on my group was really bad. There is nothing interesting that happened. Hah, now I'm getting bored
Not only the meeting was boring, but Karuizwa caused problem against class C's Manabe. It seems luck has abandoned me and make me teams up with her. Well, atleast its not Shinohara
Yukimura: "so, Kushida is the VIP?"
Hoh? what an interesting situation
Kiyo: "what's up?"
Yukimura: "ah, Ayanokoji. Well, you see"
Yukimura proceeds to tell everything that he's discussing with Hirata
Kiyo: "I see"
Yukimura: "Speaking of Rabbit Group, it's equally possible for the VIP to be from any of the four classes. So in Class D, there are two VIPs that we know about. There should be one more VIP keeping his or her identity secret," said Yukimura.
Hirata: "Yeah. I think your logic follows. They certainly haven't talked to me about it, but they might've consulted someone else. After all, there's a high risk of being discovered if you talk," Hirata said.
Then suddenly, Koenji barged into the room
Koenji: "fufufu, I'm sorry if I disturbed your little bickering. Please continue"
Yukimura: "Kouenji, stop the happy-go-lucky act already! I'm not going to tell you to take things seriously, but you need to at least participate. We don't want you to screw everything up like you did back on the island," he shouted.
Koenji: "Well, I couldn't exactly help it. I was in awful shape. I couldn't force myself to do the impossible," answered Kouenji.
Yukimura: "You just faked being ill to get out of it!"
Koenji: "My, this test will be nothing but troublesome, wouldn't you say?" Kouenji sniffed.He continued his push-ups, then stood gracefully. He grabbed the towel from his bed and started wiping his neck.
Yukimura: "Troublesome? You're not even thinking about this test at all!" countered Yukimura.
Koenji: "Well, there isn't any point to continuing a test that isn't interesting, is there? Finding a liar is simple."
Kouenji, phone in hand, started to fiddle around. Soon after, all four of us, including Kouenji, received a notification from the school on our phones.
Yukimura: "What did you just do, Kouenji?!" shouted Yukimura. Hirata and I read over the email we'd just received from the school.
Mail: "The test has now ended for the Monkey group. Those in the Monkey group are no longer required to participate any further. Please do not disturb the other students."
Yukimura: "Monkey Group? Hey, that's your group, Kouenji!" shouted Yukimura.
Koenji: "Of course. And now, I finally have my freedom once again. Adieu."
He tossed his phone aside before slipping into the bathroom. The rest of us were simply dumbstruck.
Yukimura: "Y-you've got to be kidding me! We're desperately trying to think of away out of this, and that guy, he just..."
Hirata: "We still don't know anything yet. He probably had his own ideas," replied Hirata.
Yukimura: "You're being way too generous! That guy will screw anyone over, so long as he's able to enjoy himself and take it easy. This sucks!" shouted Yukimura.
Kiyo: "not exactly though, its Koenji we're talking about. I'm sure finding a VIP is not a hard thing for him. But knowing his attitude, he must've aimed for outcome 3"
Now I kinda want Koenji inside my group. This exam is really troublesome. I kinda envy Shiba tho
Yukimura: "tch, lets just hope he's correct then"
Then suddenly, Horikita asked me to meet up
Kiyo: "I'm heading out."
Hirata: "oh, okay"
Yukimura: "okay then. Discussing with a bad mood is not good after all"
Cafe
Tatsuya POV
Suzune: "...are you kidding?"
Horikita greeted me and Ayanokoji with a blaming tone of voice.
Tatsuya: "Unfortunately it is true. Kouenji just suddenly up and ended the exam for his group" I reply to her.
Suzune: "Are you an idiot? Why didn't both of you stop him from rampaging around like that?"
Kiyo: "you're being unreasonable"
Suzune: "I'll scold him for it next time I see him, I'd like to avoid such incidents again in the future" Horikita said.
Tatsuya: "You should know that's pointless, words won't reach him. You'll just get dragged into his pace."
Suzune: "ah, I'm getting irritated"
Kiyo: "aren't you always irritated?"
Tatsuya: "oi, you don't have to roast her like that."
Suzune: "whatever."
Tatsuya: "I'm leaving. I'm going to the casino. My exam has ended after all"
Kiyo: "well, bye"
Horikita just nods
Timeskip, next day
Kiyotaka POV
As always, the meeting was boring. I didn't find anything at all like this. Hah, I wish I was on the same group as Koenji
Manabe: "You're Karuizawa-san, right? There's something I want to ask you"
the girl from Class C named Manabe called out to Karuizawa. Karuizawa herself didn't seem to be expecting her name to be called out here, and she quickly turned away from her phone.
Kei: "What?".
Manabe: "Perhaps it's just my misunderstanding, but over the summer holiday, did you have a quarrel with Rika?" she asked.
Kei: "Huh? What's that supposed to mean? Who's Rika?" Karuizawa asks.
Manabe: "She's from our class. The one wearing glasses? She wears her hair like a dango? You don't recall her?" Manabe replies to her.
Kei: "I don't. You've got the wrong person". Karuizawa brushes them off as if they had nothing to do with her and glanced back towards her phone.
But Manabe's next words caused a change in Karuizawa's expression.
Manabe: "Isn't it strange, then? We heard a different story. That Class D's Karuizawa bullied our Rika. That she was waiting in line at the cafe and you pushed her out of it" Manabe says.
Kei: "...I don't know what you're talking about. Do you have a problem with me?" Karuizawa replies.
Manabe: "Not really, just checking. If that's true, I want you to go apologize to Rika. Rika's the type to keep quiet over matters like this, so it's our job as her classmates to stand up for her"
Manabe says. It looks like it's not just our class, Karuizawa has a reputation as a troublemaker in other classes as well. I turn my eyes away from them. After all, even Class C can be a pain to deal with.
Karuizawa also tries to ignore them but it seems to have made Manabe angry.Manabe then takes out her phone and points the camera towards Karuizawa.
Manabe: "Then you won't mind if I check again with Rika, will you? If you didn't do anything, then you surely won't have a problem with that right?".
And at that moment, Karuizawa suddenly stood up and grabbed the phone from Manabe's hands. She used quite a bit of force as the phone flew through the air and fell down to the floor with a thud.
Manabe: "What the hell are you doing?!" Manabe shouted at Karuizawa.
Kei: "That's my line, don't take photos of me without my permission, I already told you I didn't do it!".
Both sides were denying the other's claims, and as their argument heated up, Ichinose stared at them as if trying to discern who's in the right and who's in the wrong.
Manabe: "What're you going to do if my phone breaks?".
Kei: "What? Just tell the school and get yourself a new one!"
This is getting annoying. I want to silence them all but its too troublesome
I just stared at the window, enjoying the view
Timeskip, 15.00
After the meeting ended, I got bored and decided to stroll around the ship. I explored every part of the ship, and suddenly
Thud!
Is that... A sound of a kick?
I opened the metal door slowly and saw it. Manabe and 2 other girls from class C. They're bullying.. Karuizawa?
Kei: "Just leave me alone already. Otherwise I'll call for someone" Karuizawa tells them.
Manabe: "Call? Call who? Hirata-kun? Machida-kun? Or perhaps a prostitute like you can call as many men as you like".
I won't lie that seeing someone as arrogant as her stomped like this is satisfying. But well, it seems they're going too far.
I took my phone and recorded everything. From the moment I discovered them
Now then, this could be quite useful against Ryuuen. Sorry Karuizawa, but your fate is none of my concern. You deserve it after all. I hope she atleast changed to a better person
(Don't hate me. You guys hate her too at first right :p)
I closed the door and just walked away, feigning ignorance
Timeskip, Midnight
Tatsuya POV
Another insomnia. Hah, why is this happening to me?
I decided to go to the vending machine, and....
Kei: "You liar! You told me you'd protect me!" Karuizawa shouted at Hirata.
Hirata: "Liar? I told you from the start I would take this stance" Hirata replied to her. Hirata said those things that Class D students would find hard to believe suddenly.
Hirata: "I told you from the start, didn't I? That we are not boyfriend and girlfriend. Not for real. I don't mind pretending to date you, but I won't help you like this and you won't be able to depend on me" Hirata declared to her. It seems the relationship nobody doubted at all between these two, was actually faked all along.
Kei: "...why are you telling me this now?"
Hirata: "I thought to save you, a new approach was required" Hirata said. It's not like he's completely abandoned Karuizawa, he is really trying to save her in his own way.
Hirata: "I will do my best to save you. In the morning, I intend to have a chat with Manabe-san and the others. To ask her to stop bothering Karuizawa-san. You might not like it, but I intend to tell them you wanted to apologize to them" Hirata said.
So, Karuizawa gets into trouble with Manabe? things got real so quickly
Kei: "That's not what I want!"
She is being rather unreasonable. Solving this with eye for an eye is not going to help at all. The only thing to stop that is using evidence. But I doubt Hirata have any evidence
Hirata: "I see. If that's the case then there's nothing I can do for you. Sorry about that"
Hirata coolly told her that. Even in a situation like this, he is capable of keeping his cool. But even while maintaining his cool, Hirata gave Karuizawa, who could not do anything but depend on him, the death sentence.
Hirata: "Ayanokouji-kun, if you have any ideas please tell us"
Kei: "No need! If you're not going to listen to my request, then I don't need someone like you!"
Karuizawa shouted that while kicking a can of juice from the vending machine down the corridor. The juice inside was scattered all over the floor and the sound of the can resounded through the corridor.
Kei: "Our relationship ends here today. It's over!"
Karuizawa declared that towards Hirata. Rather than the truth of their relationship being revealed, Hirata seemed annoyed at himself for being unable to help her. Despite Karuizawa running away, Hirata did not show any signs of chasing after her
Interesting. I decided to pry further
Some skip (I was too lazy to add the whole conversation xD)
Now this is interesting. Karuizawa is a victim of bullying and she asked Hirata for help? And hirata just accepts because he doesn't want to lose a friend.
And more importantly, she is also revealed to be the VIP of the rabbit group. What an interesting situation.
Ayanokoji will surely do something about this. Lets see what will he do in this situation.
Karuizawa's influence is indeed a big one in the class. Just like Kushida. If I were Ayanokoji, I'm going to use Karuizawa's weakness and turn her into my pawn by blackmailing.
But knowing him, its exactly what he will do.
So, lets think. Think, what is the best place for blackmailing.
Ah, I see. There is that place. That secret place, it is indeed a great place to blackmail a person
Lets see how Ayanokoji will handle this situation
Timeskip, Tomorrow
Kiyotaka POV
Finally, its done. Manabe took too long to just bully her that I'm getting impatient
To be honest, I can't believe she actually came here. How easy is it to manipulate her into coming here.
But too bad, this very bullying will turn into her downfall
Now then, lets take my pawn
After I made sure Manabe's gang has left, I re-entered the room. Karuizawa probably heard the door opening, but she continued to squat on the floor and cried. Perhaps her overwhelming sense of fear had prevented her from noticing me.
Kiyo: "Karuizawa"
Kei: "Wh, how...?!"
The man she never thought of seeing here, had seen the thing she does not want anyone to see. She started to panic.But the experience was too traumatic for her to stop crying at once and pretend everything is fine.
I will eventually stop crying. I will eventually calm down. As long as he leaves before that- this small and futile wish of her will not come to pass. I silently waited.After a while, Karuizawa sobbing gradually turned to quiet subdues.
If you put 2 people alone in this dark and isolated environment, they can't help but mentally feel closer. This works even if the 2 people normally hated each others. This is what humans do.
Kiyo: "Calmed down yet?"
Kei: "...More or less..."Karuizawa used her sleeves to wiped her swollen eyes. She is still paralyzed and couldn't get back up. I reached out my hand to help her up, but she didn't take it.
Kei: "Where is Hirata......"
Kiyo: "Even though you two were supposed to meet here, but I believe the teacher called him. I was with him then, so I came in place of him."
This explanation should be sufficient in explaining how everything ended like this.For now I don't need to let know know the truth. First item on the to do list is to make her let her guard down and fill the cracks in her psychic.
Kiyo: "So, why are you crying?"
Kei: "It's Manabe and her gang......I will not let them get away with this."
Looks like she is remembering what just happened to her. Karuizawa's body started to shook. Even if she doesn't want to show me this humiliating side of her, but the fear that tainted her body is not so easily removed.
Kei: "Do not tell anyone that I cried. If you do I will not forgive you."
Karuizawa's weakness is that she cannot report what happened to her to the school. If Manabe and co's physical assault on Karuizawa is known, then the school would want to find out the reason behind it. To protect her social status, she cannot let this happen. Which is why she is now planning to use Hirata to get back at the girls.
Kei: "You know, to get back at them, even someone like you can do it. They are just girls after all."
Kiyo: "What an unreasonable request."
Kei: "Are you afraid that they will payback? And you claim that you are a man......"
Kiyo: "It is apparent from Sudou's incident that a simple 'payback' is not going to solve anything. An eye for an eye would only escalate the conflict. It would also brings the school in and start an investigation. This is not what you wish, yes?"
Kei: "So you are telling to suck it up?"I know how to answer her, but I choose to remain silent.
Kei: "Like, they would, no, for sure they would continue to do all kinds of things to me......"
Karuizawa's body continued to shake. True, there is no guarantee that Manabe would stop at this. There are more escape points once we return to the school campus, but Karuizawa can not continue to play hide and seek for the rest of her time here.
At the same time, our classmates would start to notice Karuizawa's changes. As both sides close in, Karuizawa will have nowhere to run to.Karuizawa realizes this and is now extremely anxious at stopping this. And this anxiety is what I have been aiming for all along.
Kiyo: "It would be a shame if things returned back to how they were before. I can empathize with you on this."
Kei: "Ah......? What did you say? What do you mean?"
Karuizawa is trying to see judge how much I know. I saw that Manabe's gang was bullying her, but I shouldn't know of her past. If I truly don't know, then her past is something that she must hide from me.
Kiyo: "What do I mean? Exactly what the sentence meant. Against all odds you escaped to this isolated ward, and even claimed the throne of the D class leader. But the fact that you are a victim of bullying has not changed."
Kei: "Who, who did you say is a victim of bullying!"
Kiyo: "I mean you, Karuizawa!"
I grabbed Karuizawa's wrist and dragged her up.
Kei: "Wait, what are you doing!"I pinned Karuizawa onto the wall and forced her face towards me.
Kiyo: "You were being tormented by Manabe, weren't you? They dragged your hair. They slapped your face. They kicked your breasts, you waist, and your stomach. And that's how you ended up on the ground, miserable, humiliated, pitifully sobbing."
Kei: "!?"
Even though she did not want to face to face with me, but she cannot get away.As if we are getting suck into them, we stared at each other's eyes. There's no romance involved- what we shared here is darkness itself.
Kiyo: "Ever since you were little you were a victim. Grade school middle school the bullying was non-stop. Isn't this why you want to put a stop to it?"
Kei: "Did you hear...from Hirata kun?"
Kiyo: "I don't know if I should tell you this or not. Hirata fancies himself as everyone's trusted companion. He will help you, and he will help others. Even if you did secure your place in D class by pretending to be his girlfriend, he will not be much use to you in situations like this. In other word, as a parasite, he is not a good host."
Karuizawa is much smarter than her appearance. She understands that Hirata's neutral alignment, so initially she didn't do anything stupid in the Rabbit group. Too bad for her, to show her social status, she picked a fight with Rika and by extension her gang. This leds to her downfall.
She couldn't possibly show this weak side of her to the rest of D class girls.
Kei: "Why you......What gives you the right to pretentiously lecture me!"
Kiyo: "My right? You haven't realize it yet? You should know your place. Do you know who is in front of you? It's not Hirata. It's me. I know your checkered past. I know about the fake relationship between you and Hirata. I know that Manabe just physically assailed you and all you could do was haplessly cried. I know all these."
Everything Karuizawa Kei doesn't want others to know. I, an outsider, now knows all of them.
Kiyo: "In other word? If you become too much of a handful, I can at any time release these information."
How terrifying would it be? Karuizawa should know it very well.
Kei: "Don't, don't joke around! Who do you think you are!"
Kiyo: "Someone who knows the truth. That's all there is to it. Isn't this all you care about?"
As I closed in on her, Karuizawa turned her face away to avoid looking at me. I grabbed her cheeks and forced her face back towards me. She desperately wants to avoid my gaze, but a man's stength is too strong for her to resist. She closed her eyes in a furtile attempt to escape.
Kei: "What! What do you want from me! Are you aiming for my body?"
Kiyo: "Your body huh. That might not be a bad idea."
My finger tips slides across Karuizawa's thighs. The softness I feel is almost inhuman. The smoothness of her skins is very different from what I know and what I have.
Kei: "No!!"
She desperately tried to get away from me. I strengthened my hold on her cheeks and made her look into my eyes.
Kiyo: "Do not resist. If you do then I will release everything about to the school."
This line, like a curse, had cursed her body into a constrained stiffness. Anger, horrified, fear, despair. Yes, how much emotion has Karuizawa been carrying?She should notice that right now I am completely different from the persona I projected in everyday lives.
Kiyo: "Spread your legs."
Tatsuya POV
Well, well, well, Ayanokoji. Good thing you're a classmate. If you're from other class I would surely report you to the school. Karuizawa just cries and Ayanokoji just looks at her with that dark eyes
I witnessed everything. From the moment Manabe entered the room and to this moment. Good thing I predicted this outcome after that talk yesterday
Kei: "I will not bow down to you......I am not being bullied by you......You merely got hold of my weakness and used me! You asshole just do whatever you want and violate me!"
She begins to break down. Poor thing, but its not my business to interfere
Kei: "But it's fine. This is not the first time I've succumbed to forces..."
She mockingly laugh. I'm impressed she still has this spirit
Kei: "Ho ho......Hey, do you know? When a immutable truth is presented, how do humans react......?"
Well too bad I don't care about that
Kei: "I give up. Yes, I was preyed on and devoured. I was reduced to mechanically reacting to stimulus. I couldn't even muster the courage to resist. I couldn't do anything else. All I can do is receive them."
As she finally comes to term with this decision, Karuizawa herself lifted her skirt, and placed her hands on her panties. But Ayanokoji stops her
Kiyo: "What did you received. Where were the pains that tormented you?"
Kei: "What......Of course everything I had. My shoes were tacks put in. My table drawer was filled with dead animal carcasses. When I go to washrooms I get splashed on with dirty water. My uniforms were written with words like 'prostitue'. My hair was dragged on. Punches and kicks were so numerous they were not worth mentioning. Any kind of bullying that you can imagine, I've experienced it. What I said was just a selected sampling. They were so relatively 'gentle' I could laugh. So why don't you start laughing? Laugh at me who was continuously spit on and bullied?"
After experiencing all this, it is impressive she can still muster up her courage and throw herself into battle again.Her 'core' is strong, and this is why she can still stand up and enter this high school.So this is what's going on.
Kiyo: "Are these the only torments that you experienced?"
Kei: "What......"
Kiyo: "What you said, were they the whole truth?"
There is more to that? I feel bad for her tho
Kiyo: "What, are you hiding?"
Kei: "Wha, nothin......"
In an instance, Karuizawa turned her head and her gaze to her left waist.
Ayanokoji then proceeds to lift her clothes on that area
Kei: "s-stop!"
I can't see anything from this far, so I took my costumized camera and zoomed into that direction
(the one that he used to find Yahiko's identity)
And when I saw it, it was a scar. A deep scar that caused by a sharp blade. Now she is really a poor girl. I kinda pity her
Kiyo: "this is it? this is your darkness?"
Karuizawa can't retort and just cried silently
This scar is not a product of mere kids tormenting each other.
A scar this deep must have gravely endangered her life.
Even if her past carries such baggage, she still chooses to stand up.
I changed my evaluation. She is really strong in the inside
Ayanokoji, go for it. Make her yours
If you can make her yours, she will be your most powerful tool, just like I have Kushida as my tool.
And not just tool, I can feel it. I don't know if this is just my intuition, but I think he can free her from her past that's binding her
Kiyo: "Despair comes in many shapes and forms; But what you have experienced was, indisputably, despair."
Karuizawa's darkness. Her pupils. They overlapped with his eyes. Even if its not as deep as mine or Ayanokoji, she still experience despair that most teenager can't handle.
Even if I do not know her deeply, but I can feel the darkness she has. I now genuinely felt sorry for her.
Kei: "Wh, what....You......!"
Kiyo: "I can promise you one thing, and that is from now on I will protect you from intimidation. I am much more reliable than Hirata and Machida."
Kei: "You mean you can stop Manabe and her gang......?"
Ayanokoji then uses his casual tone again
Kiyo: "What you should do now is to decide how trustworthy my words are. A tiny kinder is easy to blown out, but a larger flame would have the opposite effect. At the end, the fire will evolve to something that no gust or wind can extinguish. You will act on my behalf. I will act on your behalf. Your emotion does not and should not come into play here. Do you agree with this relationship?"
Karuizawa is still not answering. I can't blame her though, she is cooperating with a complete stranger after all
Kiyo: "First let's get rid of your worries. I have a way to stop Manabe's actions."
Ayanokoji proceeds to take his phone and opened the screen. I zoomed into that area and saw it. A video of Manabe bullying Karuizawa. He really covers all his bases huh.
Kei: "This is......"
Kiyo: "If I send this to them, they should reconsider doing any more things to you. If they still decide to pursue you by spreading rumors, this would give me good ammunition to intervene."
Good move, Ayanokoji. Good move. You clearly makes everything plays as you wish. Luring Manabe's group here, and taming Karuizawa. I'm impressed
Kiyo: "I am only seeking someone to assist me. I hope that in the future, you will be my aid when needs arise."
Kei: "What, my aid? What do you want me to do......"
Kiyo: "If the current situation continues, D class will never overtake A class. While D class's members' individual abilities are passable, but we are severely lacking in cohesion. We are like beach sand. However, if you can control the girls for me, this situation will gradually turn for the better.And that makes you, a more valuable being than Horikita, who only knows how to fight alone."
Well, that is true. The current Horikita is not someone that he can rely on other than covering his actions.
Kei: "You, what are you doing......"
Kiyo: "The first step of our cooperation shall be to lead our group to victory for this exam."
Kei: "Victory? But how do-"
Kiyo: "Because you are the VIP, isn't that right?"
Karuizawa's eyes widened in suprise. She probably thinks only Hirata that knows her identity. Well, she is wrong
Timeskip
Kiyotaka POV
Kiyo: "its done. You can go back now. Thanks for your cooperation"
Kei: "fine. You better keep your promise, Ayanokoji kun"
Kiyo: "I will. You can go back first"
Kei: "what about you?"
Kiyo: "I have something to do first"
Kei: "okay. See you tomorrow at the meeting. I hope your plan works"
Kiyo: "I hoped so too"
Karuizawa left the room. Now then, lets call the stalker out
Kiyo: "you can come out. Shiba"
Shiba then comes out from the shadows
Tatsuya: "How long did you notice me?"
Kiyo: "none of your business. So, what are you going to do?"
Tatsuya: "what do you think?" he said with a taunting tone
Kiyo: "I see."
I proceed to throw a kick at his face, but he dodged it and moved backwards. As expected
Tatsuya: "that's dangerous"
Kiyo: "I need some insurance. Are you going to expose me or what?"
Tatsuya: "you don't trust me?"
Kiyo: "I can say the same. We can't trust each other after all. Even we worked together sometimes, that doesn't mean we're friends. You have your goal, I have my goal"
Tatsuya: "that's certainly true"
Kiyo: "what are you going to do then? expose me?"
Tatsuya: "I never intended to do it at all. Karuizawa is your pawn. I have no interest of taking her from you. I already have my own pawn after all"
Kiyo: "If that's the case, then why are you here?"
Tatsuya: "Sightseeing"
Kiyo: "you're being rather vague"
Tatsuya: "you're one to talk"
Kiyo: "whatever. I guess atleast you won't tell anyone about this?"
Tatsuya: "there is no merit of doing that"
Kiyo: "I'm leaving then"
Tatsuya: "go on. Oh yeah, that was a quite good strategy you told Karuizawa before"
Kiyo: "thanks for the compliment, I guess?"
Tatsuya: "you're welcome"
Kiyo: "I'm leaving. Don't stay here too long"
Tatsuya: "That was never my intention"
I then left the basement and moved to my room
Now then, lets see what the rabbit group would do
To Be Continued
Hi BigFrog Here, I Hope you enjoy the chapter xD
A/N
Kei is finally redeemed!
Tatsuya and Ayano is still wary of each other. They can't trust each other yet
Sorry if there is a lot of copy paste. Volume 3 and 4 is kinda boring though. I just can't find moments to make my own plot
Sorry if it had an uncomfortable pace and boring
Feel free to critisize the chapter!
Published date: 14-8-2021