A/N's:
Clarification for the previous chapter.
It's not an April Fools lmao. It's the real thing.
________________________________________________________________________________
( Takeyama POV, 2 Days Earlier )
"Kiyotaka."
I called out to the young man ahead of me on the road, and he stopped by to let me catch up to him.
"What is it?" he asked me.
"Tomorrow's the last day of school this term," I replied casually. "Wanna go out somewhere for a drink?"
"..... maybe," he replied after a small pause. "You realize that being seen with you too often raises suspicion that I might be the second mastermind, right?"
"It does," I confirmed. "But only to those searching."
"Only to Ryuuen and the others," Kiyotaka completed my sentence. "When you say it, it sounds oddly persuasive....."
"I want you to keep a watch on Karuizawa Kei."
Kiyotaka slowed down a little. "..... have you realized as well?"
"It's a hunch," I said. "Ryuuen will definitely approach Karuizawa. Because tailing us does not get him anywhere. Besides, we've got a tail right now, you know?"
"Why are you talking to me, then? It's suspicious."
"It's Tokito," I replied. "Or in other words, someone who doesn't care for Ryuuen."
"You're taking a risk," Kiyotaka replied. "I understand that Tokito doesn't have the best relations with Ryuuen, but will he let slip such an important evidence just because of a grudge?"
"It's already too late," I responded. "Ryuuen has lost patience. He'll resort to more aggressive and violent tactics now. In other words, he's going to approach his first connection to Class C's hidden mastermind."
"..... Karuizawa-san."
"When was the last time she messaged you?"
"..... yesterday," he replied. "She hasn't contacted me since. It's a bit unnerving. She's usually the one to initiate conversation even when we normally have nothing to talk about."
"You're telling me that Karuizawa-san should have messaged you today, and now you think that she's hiding?"
Just then, a mechanical beep. From Kiyotaka's mobile.
"Don't take it out just yet," I warned. "It could be a message from Ryuuen, and if he's around somewhere, then he'll know that you're the mastermind if you take out your phone."
"I've already thought of that," he replied. "I'll read the message once I reach the dorm."
"Hey, Kiyotaka?"
"Yes?"
"Do you want Ryuuen to know that you're the second mastermind?"
A long pause.
I turned to look at the brown-haired man. He was walking ahead as though he hadn't heard my question, but I knew deep down that he was thinking. Hard.
".....no. I don't see why I should," he finally replied. "I want nothing more than an ordinary school life. If Ryuuen gets to know, then that goes out of the window."
"Mhm. So you don't want Ryuuen to find out, whatever be the case, right?"
"Correct."
I nodded, and we set out towards the dormitory.
________________________________________________________________________________
The message on Kiyotaka's phone had come from Karuizawa.
After reading her message, which said that she had been asked to come to the rooftop at 2pm in 2 days to confront Ryuuen, I left Kiyotaka's room, and walked slowly towards the staircase.
I climbed up the dingy stairs up to the 5th floor, just one floor above my current.
I stood in front of a certain room, and knocked thrice, crisply.
Silence.
I knocked again, a bit harder this time, signaling my urgency.
A bit of shuffling was heard from behind the door, and it swung open to reveal a well-built man with swept back blond hair, wearing a body-hugging tee.
"Oh? Takeyama-boy has himself come to visit me and pay his respects? Alas, I must say that I'm a busy man," Kouenji said in his usual tone, but he did not close the door on me. I took that as a good sign.
"Kouenji-kun, are you free right now?"
"Free? You must be in a rather tense situation to ask for help from someone as perfect as me," Kouenji replied. "But as a man with never-ending virtues of honor and patience, I shall entertain your monkey business, Class Leader."
..... such a strange man.
"Excuse me, then."
I walked into Kouenji's room. Now that I think about it, I'm probably the first ever visitor in his room. I don't think anyone else in the grade even wants anything to do with him.
"Well, you've waltzed into my paradise without the permission of the King, Takeyama-boy," Kouenji replied, sweeping his blond hair back on his head. "But I shall pardon your incompetence this time."
I took a seat on his chair, while Kouenji sat down on his bed, and took out a clipper to trim his already-trimmed nails.
"Well then, Takeyama-boy? Do what pleasure do I owe your mistimed visit?"
"Kouenji-kun, what do you think of me as the Class Leader?"
Kouenji raised his eyebrows, and let out a hearty chuckle. "My, it looks like you really have come to seek approval from the greatest! Hence, I shall not disappoint you. I shall give you a straight, honest answer."
He looked up from his nails, and stared at me.
"I am under the impression that you are being assisted from the shadows, Takeyama-boy."
I narrowed my eyes as I looked at Kouenji. Indeed, I knew that he was incredibly perceptive. Kouenji boasted of his abilities and was narcissistic to an unhealthy degree, but he backs it up with his abilities.
And the fact that he doesn't care for the class, works in my favor.
"So you think I am being assisted from the shadows, Kouenji? I don't have the foggiest idea of what you're talking about."
Kouenji simple smirked. "I don't think so, Takeyama-boy. I know so. You are being assisted from the shadows."
"I don't understand where you are coming from," I continued to spin lies. "You surely know who it is, then? You must back up your claims with proof."
"Proof? Your words are rather queer to a refined gentleman like me," Kouenji replied without an ounce of hesitation. "Granted, I am currently not in possession of any solid proof that would guarantee your servant in the dark. But I am sure of it. There is no need to be so defensive. After all, Dragon-boy himself has started looking."
Dragon-boy.....?
Oh. Ryuuen.
I stifled a chuckle. Needless to say, speaking with Kouenji was entertaining in its own way.
"Ryuuen, huh? It seems the news has spread out," I replied, after regaining my composure. "However, does it prove anything? Ryuuen is currently searching for a hypothetical enemy. He cannot fathom his loss against me, and now he wants to satisfy himself by showing that it wasn't a fair battle, but instead a 2 on 1. Ryuuen is being childish."
"Whether Dragon-boy is being childish or not, does not concern me," Kouenji said. "I know for a fact that you are not working alone, Takeyama-boy. Now if you will please leave my room? I have some important matters to attend to."
"I won't take much more of your time, Kouenji. I just have another question," I pressed on. "Do you know who is working behind me?"
"Oh? So you admit that you're not in this alone?" Kouenji faked surprise. "Ah, such a marvelous decision to bare yourself in front of me. You have come to realize that there is no point trying to hide anything from my all-seeing eye, haven't you?"
"I didn't get an answer to my question."
"Oh, my sincerest apologies," he responded blandly. "And what good would it do me to confirm whether I know or not?"
"It's not a matter of good or bad. Besides, there is no harm in telling me who you think of either, right?" I continued.
"Certainly, that is true," Kouenji said. "But you cannot barge into my room and extract information from me, Takeyama-boy. It is indeed vexing. You think I'm going to give you information for free?"
"No, you won't," I replied. "And that is why I trust you, Kouenji."
Kouenji raised his eyebrows, and merely scoffed. "Why, I must say that I don't swing the other way, Takeyama-boy. I shall wholeheartedly support you in your endeavor of gaining a man's affections."
"Getting that out of the way. You don't work for free, Kouenji. In fact, it wouldn't be an understatement to say that you don't work at all," I continued, leaving the topic of my sexual orientation aside. "But if you get something out of it, you'll help the class, won't you Kouenji?"
Kouenji silently listened to me.
"You want me to help the class, Takeyama-boy? I'm sorry, but I do things of my own volitions," he replied. "You cannot force me to help the class in which I have no interest."
"I'll pay you Private Points. In advance."
Kouenji narrowed his eyes. "You're bribing me?"
"I am, because your tunnel vision doesn't leave me any other viable option," I forcefully countered. "Besides, you're getting something out of it, aren't you? The job is extremely simple. Screw that, you don't even have to do anything. Just need to show up somewhere, and leave. That's it."
"You're dragging me into an unnecessary mess, Takeyama-boy," Kouenji replied. "I said that I have no obligation to serve the class, and I will not serve the class if I don't feel like it."
"I see."
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Then I have no choice but to expel you, Kouenji. Because you're being nothing but a liability."
Kouenji laughed out loud.
"Aha! You're strange, Takeyama-boy! Casually talking about expelling a perfect, model student like me?" Kouenji snickered.
"I'm not joking, Kouenji. It is true that your abilities are top-notch," I said. "But there are certain exams in the future that I am aware of. Special Exams that require you to expel a student."
I calmly thought back to the Special Exam held 9 years ago during Chabashira-sensei's time. I remember there being a choice to expel a student.
In other words, there is probably some way of expelling students in Special Exams. It's a gamble. I did not know anything about the rules of this exam, or how it works. However, it would be enough to keep Kouenji on guard.
This man values nothing more than his time and freedom in his school. An extreme version of Kiyotaka.
All I have to do to get him onto my side is to throw out the threat of expulsion into the air.
"Your measly threats do not work on me, Takeyama-boy."
"Measly threats? Would you like me to take you to the storeroom of the school for confirmation?" I replied casually. "Or maybe you would like to talk to Chabashira-sensei herself? I have several ways to confirm the authenticity, Kouenji. And there are exams where I can expel you without batting an eye. Help me now, Kouenji, or regret it later."
Kouenji's calm demeanor faded from his face, and he looked at me with a bit of an annoyed expression.
"As I've said, I do not care for your class antics. Go ahead and do as you please."
I let out a sigh. This man is incorrigible.
"You're annoying, Kouenji. The next time I get a chance, I'll expel you from this school. If you think you can save yourself with class points, I won't allow you to. The class is under my command. If I decide to expel you, I will expel you."
Kouenji merely smirked at my words.
"Such raw authority. I'm amused at how someone like you can command such a lowly class filled with defects," he said. "Your threats currently don't have any bite. Come back later, Takeyama-boy."
"300,000 Private Points."
"Hmm?" Kouenji's interest peaked.
"300,000 Private Points," I said slowly. "I'll cough up 300,000 Private Points for you. I'll pay half in advance. In return, you'll do a little job for me."
"..... it seems I am being underestimated," Kouenji sighed. "Why do you think I'm going to do anything that you say?"
"Because if you don't, I'll expel you the very chance that I'm able to. Believe it or not, things are going to get very hard for you if you don't cooperate."
"Wonderful!" Kouenji beamed. "It surely has been a while since I've been cornered like this. But you surely don't think that I'm going to believe your antics of expelling me?"
"It's up to you. Is it worth taking the risk, when you can easily avoid it by doing a simple task? Besides, its not something demoralizing. You're going to be paid for what you do as well. I can't think of a more appetizing deal."
"So persuasive," Kouenji said heartily. "Remember, Takeyama-boy. I still don't believe that you can expel me. But I do not underestimate you. You're a worthy opponent, and hence I shall not risk my school life."
"I understand, Kouenji."
"I want half of the money right now."
"I'll transfer it over right away. We can even draw up a memorandum if you're conflicted," I said.
"There is no need for that. A deal between gentlemen does not require a memorandum," Kouenji replied, and he lazily picked up his mobile phone, and beckoned for me to transfer the points.
I looked at me balance.
Private Points - 1,357,000
I had approximately one and a quarter million points.
Most of it was from my victory at the Zodiac Exam, where I was the VIP. Besides, our class points have also increased dramatically, so we get almost 50,000 Private Points per month now.
However, paying Kouenji 300,000 Private Points would deplete quite a bit of my balance. Even if Kiyotaka and I split the bill, it doesn't seem like it is worth it.
However, this deal can be considered a permanent ban for Ryuuen.
Our Class C will gain a permanent advantage over Ryuuen's class this way. We can fool Ryuuen completely, since he'll think that Kouenji is X.
One of the reasons I approached Kouenji was his apathy towards class affairs.
In other words, he does not care who the second mastermind is. He only wants the Private Points I'm supplying him.
The perfect person when it comes to situations like these.
I transferred 150,000 Points to Kouenji, and the beep on his phone indicated that he had received them.
"The transaction is complete," I said, and I pocketed my mobile. "Your job will most probably be 2 days from today, on the second day of winter vacation. I'll text you the details later. You'll receive the rest of the points only when you finish."
"How professional," Kouenji mused. "I'm a man of my word, Takeyama-boy."
I nodded, and headed out of Kouenji's room.
________________________________________________________________________________