Spark.
Footsteps sounded in the empty hallways, bringing a slight chill down my spine. I turned around to see Ayanokouji coming up to me in shallow and deliberate steps.
"Ayanokouji."
"Horikita, let's make a deal."
I furrowed an eyebrow.
"A deal? My, aren't you quite active lately? Are you sure you have your priorities straight?"
His eyes showed no flicker of emotion. I wonder if whatever's hiding under that stoic mask of his would ever surface. I felt the urge to reach out to his face and forcefully lure the demons out of him.
"I've been curious all this time. If you're truly what you say you are, where is the actual Horikita?"
I locked my gaze onto him.
"What are you trying to say?"
"She can't just be locked somewhere, right? You mentioned that you made a promise to her. In other words, you can communicate."
A subtle, self-assured grin slowly curved at the corners of my lips.
"You possess quite the imagination, Ayanokouji. But I can't blame you since you're in front of the supernatural, after all."
"I suppose. That's why I went to confirm a few things. As they say, when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
"You went to Chabashira, didn't you?"
One of the most essential aspects you need to survive in this environment is curiosity. If you are not afraid to experiment to determine what is possible, one way or another, you will find something worthwhile. As such, there is nothing in this school you can not buy with private points.
"That's right. I saw the footage. All of this. Ike and Yamauchi's rebellion, their evidence, Horikita Manabu's appearance, and the fact that you'll probably lose your contract soon. It was all because of me."
"So?" I dropped the grin. "You're gonna hold me hostage with the case? The investigation will end with Ike and Yamauchi being branded as fools. They will most likely face punishment for wasting everyone's time, but the worst is yet to come."
"Yes. I can hold them accountable for defamation on top of it all. Expulsion won't be farfetched."
I let out a sigh.
"What do you want?"
"I want to help you reach Class A."
A jolt of disbelief coursed through me. My eyes narrowed to a slit.
"Huh? Are you listening to yourself? If you wanted that, you would have never got in my way."
"I've told you before that you can't reach Class A like this. If I can foil your plans, then so can anyone else."
"What are your motives even?"
"Let me help you. I want you to show me what someone from another world is capable of."
"You are a mere child."
"I'm sorry, but you don't seem to have a choice. Once Ike and Yamauchi get expelled, Class D will forever be stuck at rock bottom. It's only downhill from there."
Through a burst of frustration, I reached for Ayanokouji's collar, my fingers tightening around the fabric of his uniform.
"You will come to regret trying to manipulate me."
I stared right into Ayanokouji's bottomless soul. He stared back, completely undeterred—not a flinch.
After calming down, I let go of my grip and stepped back.
"I will remember this, Ayanokouji."
"Then, I'll take that as a yes."
Spark. Spark. Spark. Spark.
Before heading back to the classroom, I turned my head to look at Ayanokouji once more.
"Try your best to not be boring."
Somewhere around the back of my head, a memory from when it all slowly crept into my head. It was something I disregarded before, but it couldn't have been more clear.
Find your spark.
✦•·····························•✦•·····························•✦
Ike and Yamauchi's case ended with them being suspended for one week for frivolous action against school authorities and practically wasting everyone's time. They lacked evidence to overthrow Chabashira, and the fact that they also had fingers pointed at Ayanokouji and me didn't make their case any easier. However, they did search his room. Nothing substantial was found, of course.
Per my deal with Ayanokouji, he didn't add any more weight to the case and let them go. I'm still doubtful of what he really wants but at least it's not boring.
My plans weren't totally ruined because of this. Actually, the situation might turn out for the better but I'll still have to push things through.
"Uhh...Horikita, can you come with me for a second?"
Tuesday hasn't been great, but it could be worse. However, lunchtime came with an interesting guest in front of my table.
"What can I do for you, Sudou-kun?"
I didn't look at him at all. Instead, I reached for my lunchbox and laid out my meal in front of me. Then, I took out my utensils, flashing a smile on my face doing so.
"Can we take this outside? It's kinda private," he said while scratching his head.
"As you can see, I'm about to have my lunch. So, if you want to ask me something, private or not, you need to ask now."
"Are you serious?"
Today's course consisted of stir-fried sausages and perfectly seasoned sunny-side-ups. It's not typically a meal you'd put in a lunchbox as it would lose moisture by the time you first take a bite. At least, that's what Suzune said. But it's all I had. Perhaps I can try out grocery shopping for once.
"Hey, it's really important. Can't you—"
"Sit down, Sudou-kun," I interjected.
Good grief. This person needs to understand what it means to bother someone at the right time and place.
Sudou eventually gave up and used Mei-Yu Wang's empty desk to sit in front of me. He looked around to see if anyone was trying to eavesdrop. As soon as he felt like the coast was clear, he leaned in and lowered his voice.
"What are you planning, Horikita?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Y'know, I've been thinking what you said to me before and it's confusing the heck out of me."
"What part of it was confusing?" I took a bite out of my food.
"You said you're gonna protect the class, but you're the reason Ike and Yamauchi got suspended. They're sorta my friends, so I thought you would go after me next."
"Well, I'm not."
"That ain't convincing."
"I promised you that no one will be expelled. They're only suspended."
"What kind of idiot will be assured by that?"
"You are asking a lot of questions, Sudou-kun. I thought you didn't care what happened to the class?"
"I care what happens to me, though. And if you're gonna go after me next, I got to stop you."
"I'm not. Also, if you don't cut this short, our classmates will be suspicious."
"Eh?" Sudou sneakily glanced around, meeting a few gazes in the process.
"See?"
"What do you want from me, Horikita?"
Well, since it's come to this, I might as well.
"I don't know why you're asking me that when you're the one who came up to me but I'll let it go. By any chance, are you free after class?"
Sudou furrowed an eyebrow.
"Huh? I have club practice. Why?"
"I want you to accompany me somewhere. After that, perhaps we could study for the midterm exams."
"What?! I ain't studying with you again."
"Then, just come with me later."
"What are you guys talking about?"
Ayanokouji abruptly approached us from the right, holding a water bottle in one of his hands. He looked as stale as ever, his lunch not appearing to have made his face any healthier.
"Well, it's none of your business, Ayanokouji-kun. Please go back to your seat."
"Is that so?" Ayanokouji glanced at Sudou while making his way towards his seat.
"W-Wait a minute, Ayanokouji!" Sudou turns to me. "Where do you even want to go, Horikita?"
I let out a sigh.
"The sports annex. I assumed it'd be easier for you to accompany me since you're familiar with the facilities."
"What are you planning to do there?" Ayanokouji intruded.
"Yeah, what's up with the sports annex? I can show you around but why?"
"I'm looking to join a club."
"Really?!" Sudou exclaimed.
"That's surprising. I thought you had no interest in those kinds of things," Ayanokouji tilted his head slightly.
"Well, I changed my mind. In any case, you don't need to come, Ayanokouji-kun. Sudou-kun should be enough to show me around."
"Now that you mentioned it, maybe I should join a club as well. Looking around won't hurt, surely."
How annoying.
"That's the spirit, Ayanokouji! Guess you had some life in you, huh? Let him come, Horikita. We're still not done talking, and he's also kinda part of the thing."
"What thing?"
"Never mind that. Go back to your seats already."
"Fine."
Sudou stood up and put back the chair he borrowed.
This should be fine.