I'm nervously waiting in the karaoke room. I put my whole plan in motion, success or failure, as a result, depends on how well I can execute my plan. Look at the time my cell phone was dialing.
I sighed wearily as I began drumming my fingers on the table in the room that I had challenged at karaoke. After a few minutes of waiting I could hear the sound of someone knocking on the door.
I stood up as I opened the only entrance so I could enter the room I had rented. When I opened the door, the person who was waiting to enter looked at me with great surprise.
"N-Nakatomi-Kun?"
Kushida was waiting in front of the door with a rather nervous look. I also noticed that she was quite anxious to know what was happening or rather Kushida wanted to confirm if it was the right person she was going to meet with. After all, I had sent part of the recording as an anonymous message.
"Kushida comes in please, I've been waiting for you," I told her as I stepped aside to let her in.
"Nakatomi-Kun what are you-"
"NOW" I raised my voice slightly making Kushida wince. With clenched teeth and resignation, Kushida had no choice but to comply with my order. Once she entered the room I closed the door with a click. With that, no one could enter unless he opened the door with the lead, but he was sure that no employee should interrupt.
As the room was soundproof, no one was going to hear what was happening inside the room. I turned around to look Kushida directly in the eye.
"Hmm. I know you are somewhat confused. Kushida, but before I tell you to call you to this place. Although I think you have, you have already realized, first I want you to sit down"
"Are you the person who sent me the message, Nakatomi-Kun?" Kushida asked with a tight smile. Even if she suspected it was the person, she first wanted to be completely sure.
"That's right. I know about you Kushida. I know you are not that bubbly and perfectly kind girl that everyone thinks about you. After all, I heard everything, when you let out your true feelings that day on the roof" I replied with the greatest calm possible.
Break
My body tensed when I felt an ominous feeling that came from Kushida. Kushida's eyes that were briefly hidden for a second, turned to see me. They were full of darkness ... rage and full of hatred.
Her crimson eyes met my scarlet eyes. Kushida's teeth were clenched with anger. We were staring at each other for a few seconds in complete silence.
My instincts warned me that I had just entered a situation that could get out of control too easily. Despite hesitating on the inside, I remained calm on the outside.
"You ... know everything, don't you?"
After a few moments of silence. Finally, Kushida addressed me in a voice that was completely used to hearing. It was deep and husky.
"Yes. I listened to your true thoughts about Horikita and also listened to how you threatened Ayanokōji-Kun when he also discovered your true feelings" I said sincerely.
So that Kushida is completely sure of who had control over the situation, I took out my phone while looking for the recording that I had saved before playing it.
Ah ... so annoying ... It's really annoying, irritating. It would be fine if she died ... I hate those cocky girls who think they're cute. Why is she such a bitch? A girl like her can't teach me how to study. Ah ... the worst. She really is the worst, worst, worst. Horikita is annoying, annoying, so annoying!
I held my phone with the speaker on at full volume. I also kept my distance between us so that Kushida can't take me by surprise. Even if she suddenly tried to take the phone from me, I could react in time and force her to subdue her with a threat.
Kushida was listening to the recording in shock. At this point, Kushida's mind must be quite confused. I'm sure she's thinking about how I could get the recording or why she hadn't seen me. When she was clearly able to easily discover Ayanokōji.
"How ..." she asked "How? How? How? How ... HOW ?!" she screamed in barely contained frustration and rage. If looks could kill, he was sure he would be dead right now.
"I don't have to answer you. You're clearly not in a position to ask questions" I told him.
"This doesn't make sense! I didn't see anyone else, of course, Ayanokōji-Kun may have discovered me because of my carelessness, but other than him. There shouldn't be anyone in that place! Check the whole place to be sure!"
"You clearly neglected Ayanokōji" I agreed with her, "You thought you would get away with it once you threatened to tell the school that he raped you, but you were clearly wrong" I made fun of her "You are a fool for thinking that you could get away with it without being discovered by someone else "
"You bastard ... what do you want?" She asked me directly after insulting me.
I shrugged "I want an ally" I replied.
"Are you kidding me? You must be thinking I'm a two-faced bitch right now, right?" Kushida spat. Hatred welled up in her eyes.
"Eh. Actually, I'm not thinking about any of that. If you are a hypocrite or a false saint. I couldn't care" I replied.
"So I was one of those guys, right? I accept you just the way you are, are you trying to make me feel comfortable with you by thinking that you would be special to me just because I know my truth? Is that what you are looking for? Ha, I bet you're in love with me or something? " Kushida scoffed at my possible motives.
Man, this girl has quite a bit of pent-up anger that has been kept away. As I manage to discover the truth about her, her bottled feelings are coming to the surface. I wonder how much mental stress she has had to endure by forcing herself to do something she doesn't want to do, but which gives her life meaning?
"I already answered you what my reasons were, I just want an ally to help me so that our class can reach class A. Our class at this time will not be able to graduate from Class A, we lack a sense of cohesion, unity" I explained to him.
"Eh? What are you ...-?"
"What I'm trying to say is that I need your help so that we graduate to class A. Your influence on the boys is quite beneficial so I need you to control them for me."
"Tch ..." Kushida's gaze was as noxious as ever, but aside from hatred and anger, I could tell that there was anxiety, quite extreme anxiety.
I didn't need to test Kushida to know how much she would do to protect her secret. I knew that she put her image, reputation, and status above herself. So it will not be necessary to go so far just to secure something, which you currently knew.
"Tell me about your past" I ordered.
"What...?" Kushida asked nervously.
"I'll give you 5 seconds to tell me about your past. Specifically about that incident" Kushida looked at me in shock. "What exactly happened? I want you to tell me everything. Without excluding any details."
"How did you ...?"
"I don't want you to lie to me either. Believe me, I'll know very well when you're lying to me. Don't put me to the test" I said seriously as I narrowed my eyes "5 ..."
Kushida hearing that he was serious and I started a countdown started to panic.
"4..."
"Wait wait-!" Kushida screamed in panic.
"So? Are you going to tell me or not? I don't have all the time in the world to keep waiting"
"Tch ... Good! I'll tell you! If I tell you everything, you'll be satisfied, right?" Kushida responded with a grievance.
"Yes. I just want to understand what really happened."
She glared at me resentfully before letting out a long breath.
"Nakatomi-Kun, is there something you're good at that you can't risk losing against someone?" Kushida started with a question.
I frowned thoughtfully. Was I really good at something? I wanted to say that math was my best gift. My best quality, but I didn't really know. I know that there are people who are much better at math than I could ever beat. Of course, I am better than the average I understand mathematics much better than other people.
I could do large calculations in my head without needing a calculator or using a piece of paper as a support base. The truth did not have a quality that surpassed everyone. There is always someone better, but did I care? Not really.
"I'm good at math ... I guess" I answered hesitantly. Without taking into account Ayanokōji, because he is on a level that no one can reach. I don't think anyone in class D can beat me in math. The reason I'm sure of this is that I have college knowledge that many of my peers don't.
"I see. I can certainly believe you were good at it. The way you taught us in the library proves it. All the calculations were done mentally and it didn't take too long to solve the exercises. I don't think I can become as good as you are" Kushida told me.
"I admit that I am good, but I am not the best in the world. Many people surpass me by far"
"But I think you can understand what I'm feeling. Don't you think the best moment is when you feel the value of yourself that others can't have? It's like scoring the highest in a test or getting first place in a race, do you understand? the idea. Aren't there those moments where someone gives you a look that says: so powerful, so cool, so cute? "
I don't think I understand that feeling. Sure I have been praised, but feel satisfaction? Never, never did the satisfaction come from the compliments people gave me. The feeling of satisfaction that came to my body was always when I knew that I had overcome every challenge that I set myself. Achieve the goal I set for myself. Look back and be able to say: I've done it.
I never tried to get others to praise me. I tried hard not to disappoint my parents or my family. I always knew how hard they work to be able to support us and move forward in our future. The reason why I would never mind seeking the attention of others as Kushida does. It was because human beings are envious creatures.
People naturally want the approval of others. Working hard enough to deserve accolades for achievement was critical to the functioning of society, but what happens when a person who works hard does not receive any accolades? And in return, they have to watch how others are praised for hardly trying? Well, you don't have to be smart to add two and two.
"I think I'm probably more dependent on those kinds of things than average people. I really want to show off. I can't help but want to stand out, be praised. When these feelings are finally validated, I really feel how valuable I am, and how amazing it is to be I," Kushida said.
"But you know you can't be the best at everything" I commented.
"Yes. I know my limits. I know that no matter how hard I try, I can't be number one in homework or sports. Being in second or third place can't possibly meet my need, so I thought," Then I will do something that no one else can imitate. "I realized that I can be number one as long as I am more gentle and intimate than anyone else."
But Kushida must know that what she is doing is not that simple. You are even gentle or kind. you can't get along with everyone. There are many types of people in this world and there are always those people who are not worth approaching.
"Because of that, I became popular with both boys and girls. They trusted me, and I took pleasure in being trusting. The first school and middle school were so much fun."
"I don't understand. Why are you forcing yourself to do something you don't want to? Aren't you suffering from it? If it were me. I don't think I could take so much stress. It would get to a point where my mind would break."
"It is painful. Of course, I am suffering. Every day I accumulate so much stress that I feel like I am going to bald. I have pulled my hair out and vomited due to anxiety. But I cannot let anyone see this side of me to maintain my 'gentle side'. So I have endured and endured and endured constantly. But my heart reached its limit. It was impossible to keep letting it build up. "
How much stress did she have to endure and all for what? To feel satisfaction when people trusted her? To be loved and praised by both boys and girls? I think she has a big problem with her narcissism. How many compliments did Kushida have to receive to make her narcissism so great? If she continues her life as she has been doing so far. I don't think it can last long. Does she want to live alone? Without trusting anyone?
"My blog was where I supported my heart; it was the only place where I could open up about this pressure. Of course, it was all written anonymously, but there were all the facts. I put all my usual stress in there, and I finally started to feel relieved. Thanks to my blog, I was able to support myself. I was really happy when I received words of encouragement from people I did not know ... But, one day, my blog was accidentally discovered by a classmate. Even though I changed the names of the characters, it was impossible not to notice that the content was based on real events. It was inevitable that I would end up being hated for all the bad that I spoke of all my classmates "
"And that's how the incident began" what I said was a statement on my part.
"Yes. The next day, the blog content had spread throughout the class, and I was severely criticized by everyone. I had helped them a lot and yet they all turned against me. They're selfish, right? The boy said he liked me. Actually, he pushed me. However, as, it was understandable, I wrote on my blog that I was tired of his constant confessions and wanted him to die. The girl I comforted after they left her even kicked my desk. I had posted in detail about why she was abandoned and I made fun of her. Over thirty students decided that I was their mortal enemy that day."
And the only way for Kushida to get out of that situation was ...
"The only wood for you to get ahead ... was revealing every one of everyone's unpleasant truths, right?" said.
The situation Kushida would have gotten into was no joke. Having more than thirty students angry at you could lead to many humiliating situations for her. She was even in danger of being physically hurt. But as the saying goes "you reap what you sow".
"Exactly. I revealed all the secrets of my classmates. Who hated whom, or who thinks someone was disgusting. I exposed the truths that I had not even written on my blog."
Maybe too many people "The Truth" may seem harmless and even good most of the time, but I knew that very well. "The truth" was something you can only get through trust. "The truth" can also be used to hurt people and it depends on how much trust you have with that person. Greater would be the effect of getting hurt. Depending on how a person uses "The Truth". Chaos can be a possible outcome.
"At that point, my classmates stopped getting mad at me and started hating each other. The boys fought each other, the girls pulled their hair and pushed each other. The whole class was thrown into chaos. It was truly incredible .. . Due to everything I exposed, the class could not function. The school reprimanded me, but my blog was anonymous, and the only thing I did was technically told the truth to my classmates "Kushida spoke with indifference, but every word I spoke had weight.
"It was my mistake to use the Internet to vent my feelings. Everything you put there is saved forever. That's why I stopped blogging. Now, I vent myself by saying out loud what I have in mind when I'm alone."
"Like you did yesterday, right?" I told.
"If I admit that I was careless, I never thought that Ayanokōji-Kun would follow me up to the roof, but I still don't understand how you managed to record me, let alone listen without being discovered. But I can't deny the evidence" Kushida shrugged.
"You didn't lie to me about anything, did you?" I asked for. I knew she hadn't, but it was still an answer that would put mental pressure on her.
"What? I didn't! Are you kidding me ?! Did you say you'd know when I'd lie to you? You know I didn't!" Kushida responded in panic.
Her concern came from hopelessness, not from lies. She told me everything sincerely. Anyway, as I knew her past beforehand I can quickly grasp when Kushida was lying to me.
"Have you ever considered changing as a person?" I asked for.
"This is what makes my life worthwhile. I love being respected and noticed by everyone. When they tell me secrets that are only confessed to me, I feel something beyond my wildest imaginations" Kushida said smiling.
Know the anxiety, suffering, shame, or hope that others hold within their own hearts. It was the forbidden fruit of Kushida.
"It's a boring past, right? But to me, it's everything" The smile on Kushida's face disappeared. Having already revealed her past.
"I don't think it's boring" I shrugged "Every person is different with their likes and dislikes. You have a lot of determination, I can grant you that. Not many people can achieve what you are doing."
Kushida narrowed her eyes looking at me suspiciously.
"You are a bomb, go away Kushida. Right now, you are quite harmless because school has just started. But once you start accumulating everyone's secrets, you can do pretty much the same thing you did back then. In other words, you will have the whole class hostage. You must have thought of using "The Truth" to threaten me, right? "
"Tch ... So what? Are you going to expose me now, so everyone can hide their secrets from me?" Kushida was upset that I knew of her plan to fight me back.
"I think I should if I get rid of you right now. You will no longer be a problem for our class in the future" I replied.
"Wait ... you're serious" Kushida panicked "You can't, you need me, right? I thought you said you enlisted my help to help you with the cohesion of the class" Kushida gave me a desperate look.
"It was my initial plan. Right. But honestly, the most logical plan for this problem is if I get rid of you. Kushida, letting you accumulate other people's secrets would be quite dangerous. Once you have the bomb ready and drop it. The class will go into chaos, just like your old school. "
"I ... Damn" Kushida's eyes started to fill with tears. It looks like she was about to break down due to having her cornered into the wall and had a sword pointed at her throat. I could easily destroy her right now, but ...
"Tell me Kushida. How do you plan to get out of this situation? I know all about you, but you don't know anything about me. Did you think I would let you accumulate the secrets of our entire class? Did you think I was going to let a walking bomb go?" I made fun of her.
Kushida didn't say a word to me. I walked over to Kushida and put a hand on her shoulder making her flinch. I leaned in so my lips were close to her ear.
"Kushida" sings softly and mockingly. "Why don't you tell me how are you going to solve your situation? Or did the cat eat your tongue?" The last words were said in a chilling tone.
"I ... Damn ... Please, just tell me what you fucking want and get this over with ..." Kushida's voice came out like a whisper. If I wasn't so close to her, then I wouldn't have heard him. Fuck I'm starting to feel bad for doing this.
With a sigh, I parted from her. Kushida gave me a confused look as she waited for my answer. I ignored her as I sat on the furniture that was in the room. I told Kushida to sit down, but she had ignored me. Not that I can blame her for that.
"I may regret it later, but I will not expose you. I will remain silent. If I release your secret it would not only ruin your life but also your reason for being" I explained. "Besides I think you can help me with the class, even if there is a risk to it"
If I revealed the secret. Kushida would have to put up with being hated by the entire class or choose to drop out of school. There was even a risk that his past would be leaked to the public. That would make society disown someone like her. Thus ruining his future.
I don't think she's capable of doing that ... even if she didn't know. This is not a dream where God can believe me. This was my new life. The real world.
"All I ask in return is that you be my ally. We can even become great friends if you let me. All you have to do is trust me."
"Trust you? Ha ..." Kushida wiped away the tears that came from her eyes "Well, I really don't have a choice, do I?
"I just want to ask you something else"
"What? I thought we were done with this?" Kushida was clearly upset. Unfortunately, she had no choice but to answer all of my questions.
"I'm sure you're wondering how I came to suspect you, right? How could I suspect that Kushida Kikyō was not the bubbly and super-kind person that people think they know. How did I come to know of the incident?"
"I have no idea how you found out about my past, much less about that incident. I don't remind you that you were in middle school. Believe me, I knew everyone who went to my old school, even the people who tried to avoid me" Kushida replied with confusion and irritation "I can only think of one person who might have told you about that, but I never saw you speak to her"
"Her? You mean Horikita?" I replied.
"Like ... don't tell me that ..." Kushida said in surprise.
"No. I've never spoken to Horikita, but for some reason, you were quite persistent in getting her friend right. When clearly Horikita didn't want to have anything with you" Deny your possible suspicions that Kushida could conclude "It didn't take me long to know why, You know? You clearly want to hit my friend with Horikita Suzune because she went to your old school and it is possible that she knows about that incident, right? "
"That ... that doesn't make sense. If Horikita-san, I'm not telling you anything, then ... how can you get to know about the incident?"
"I don't think you're in a position to make demands. Kushida" I replied in a flat tone "How did I find out? It's not important. What matters now is what we're going to do so that our class can get to class A."
"Tch ... Fuck you"
"Anyway, back to the question I really wanted to ask" I paused for a moment to make suspense "Do you hate Horikita and Ayanokōji?"
"Huh? Of course, I do. That bitch may know my past, that's why she has antagonized me from the beginning. Every time I try to make friends with Horikita-san. She coldly rejects me and about Ayanokōji-Kun. It's just an unfortunate one who found out about my true nature, I hate simple and melancholic boys like him "Kushida replied instantly.
"I see. I guess you hate me too, right? Because I know about everything."
"Hell? That's obvious. You threatened to reveal my secrets to the whole school. You even said you were going to get rid of me. He hated you more than anyone else in this school."
Even more than Horikita?" I asked.
"Yes. Even more than her" Kushida didn't hesitate to answer and let me know how much she hates me.
I sighed wearily "Is there a way you can't hate me? That you and I can be allies?
"What do you think?" Kushida scoffed.
"I see," I said quietly.
Peace had never been an option? ... Well, he who risks nothing then gains nothing.
"Very well this is what we will do. I will not tell anyone your secrets, and I will show you my sincerity by erasing the voice recording, and I will even help you keep your secret safe from other people" I explained.
"Will you erase it?" Kushida perked up a bit "Don't take me for an idiot, Nakatomi-Kun. You must have made a lot of copies by now"
"It is quite obvious that you have doubts about what I tell you. That is why I will give you my phone so you can see that I have not made any backup copy of the recording. You can even delete it yourself to be sure. I also do not have a computer because they cost too much. For your peace of mind, I can let you check my room "
"Are you serious?" Kushida continued to look with skeptical eyes. The benefits of the deal were simply too great to be considered true.
"Yes. I am" I told her as I handed her my phone for her to check. "Even if you still have doubts. You have no choice but to comply" I told him.
Kushida accepted my cell phone, which was unlocked for her to check. Kushida spent a long time checking my cell phone, to make sure there were no copies.
"Eh? What is this ... These are exam tests?"
Eh? Was she checking my messages? ... I thought ... Oh, shit!
Don't panic. Think of a way to use that to your advantage.
"Hmm. I guess you mean the exams I got from our seniors, right?"
I approached Kushida again to look at the open chat on my phone. It was a joint file with all the exams for each quarter for the first year. Kushida was reading the exam questions and was surprised when she realized that some questions were the same as those on the mock exam.
"You ... How did you get this? This is cheating, right? If the school finds out about this you could be punished" Kushida looked into my eyes searching for an answer.
"It is not. It is completely valid, otherwise, they would have put a rule that prohibits us from obtaining higher grade exams to study. Besides, they didn't give it to me for free, you know, I spent 30,000 points just for getting those exams"
I had spent 25,000 points, but she doesn't have to know about it. I had said 30,000 because I spent 5,000 to get a reply from senpai when I met Yōsuke in the cafeteria.
"Did you buy the exams? Looking at the date they sent you the message, it had barely been a week since we entered the school. How did you know there would be exams back then? Sensei hadn't earned anything at all" She asked
"At first I did not know, but I found out when manipulating a second-year student. It was quite silly not even realized that I had extracted information about the school system" I explained "Once I found out I would have a pop quiz I decided to buy the exams that the upper graders had taken when they were in their first year. "
"Eh? But how did you know that it was allowed to buy test answers from other students?"
"The transfer of points is something normal in this school" I replied
"Eh?"
Looking at Kushida's confused look, I decided to back off a bit to clarify some things for her.
"For you to understand better, in that week I had been suspicious about the school system. In my opinion, it was quite illogical that they gave us 100,000 points on the first of each month without the school asking for anything in return, but what confirmed my suspicions was that there were seniors who bought the food for free. Why would they buy a free meal that is known for its tasteless taste when we are spoiled by the school? One could say that they spent all their points. This is pretty silly though because at least they should already have a sense of abstinence. I also don't think it was because they wanted to save points, to buy something "
I shrugged casually. I could see that Kushida was looking at me with some amazement at what she was saying. She doesn't know anything about me. Take this opportunity to show him that I am not a stupid person and that it would be better not to mess with me. Although she would hate me, she could not deny that an alliance with me would be more beneficial than becoming her mortal enemy.
"If they were actually saving points, then there would be no need to eat that crap. They should make their own lunch or buy one of those cheap sandwiches. Trust me the sandwiches taste so much better than the free cafeteria food." the disgusting taste of vegetables. I was moments away from vomiting.
"But if you knew all that. Why didn't you warn the class about it? If you had told your suspicions to the classes from the beginning. We could have prevented us from losing so many points" Kushida asked me.
"Do you think the idiots in our class would take my word for it?" A snort left my lips. As if he had told me a joke and I barely restrained myself from laughing. "They were never going to believe me. The only people they would take at their word would be Hirata or you. Kushida."
Kushida frowned thoughtfully.
"That's why I befriended Hirata, made him my ally. Once I gained his trust, I explained all my insecurities about school and asked him to keep quiet about it."
Kushida looked at me in disbelief "That means you manipulated Hirata-Kun. To help the class. If it weren't for you ... then we would have lost all our points. I always knew there was something weird about you. Nakatomi- Kun, but I never bothered to talk to you because I was focused on making friends with Horikita-san "
"Eh? I wouldn't say manipulate him. Well, maybe a little I can't deny it. But the reason I told him about the school cheating is that I trusted him."
"Trust? What are you ...?" Kushida looked at me confused.
"That's right, I trusted Hirata, not to tell anyone. I didn't want to gain the attention and praise of the class. Unlike you."
I trusted Yōsuke, but at the same time, I didn't trust Yōsuke. That was the answer, the reason why I had risked telling him the truth. I trusted Yōsuke to help the class but I didn't trust Yōsuke to let him know about many things, due to his naivety.
"Anyway, I answered your question even if there was no need for it," I said before Kushida can speak "Did you erase the recording? Are you satisfied now?
"I ... I guess so" she replied.
I got my phone again, I opened the application to show him how many points he had "As you can see these are my total points balance" I showed him my balances so that he would not suspect that I had bought a hard drive.
Kushida looked at my balance before taking a big sigh and nodding her head.
"By the way, what are you going to do with Horikita and Ayanokōji? They know about my past" Kushida asked anxiously.
"Are you really sure that Horikita knows the truth about your past or about that incident? Horikita is hostile to everyone around her. She has a superiority problem that makes her see others as inferior to her. She has a Very big ego for a pretty dumb girl, who couldn't even figure out the truth about the school. Even when Hirata told them about the truth. She thought she wasn't going to be affected because she was a smart and exemplary student. " while making a gesture with my fingers, a sign between quotation marks in the last words.
Kushida snorted in amusement at my tone of voice.
"But still! Even if what you say is true, I cannot be satisfied with leaving Horikita! ... Besides, Ayanokōji already knows about my secret!" Kushida's concern was justified. After all, there is no guarantee that they will use their knowledge against Kushida in the future.
"I don't think Ayanokōji cares about you. What's more, I can bet he's not even interested in knowing what your true self is. There's no use worrying about him. Regarding Horikita, I don't think he cares about you. Horikita doesn't care. nothing that has nothing to do with her, but if she does something that endangers your secret, I will do my best to expel her myself or at least force her to sign a contract with a gag order "
After thinking about me for a brief moment, Kushida nodded her head.
"Well ... make sure you kick her out if she does anything suspicious"
"Yes, I will do it"
At least she hadn't asked me to promise him anything about Ayanokōji. The only thing I could say to him is that I would refuse to bother him. The last thing I want to do is disturb your peaceful life. I could never win against him. The only way I can win against Ayanokōji would be to lose.
"What are you going to do with my plan then? I can continue to follow your demands right now, but once I have enough secrets at my disposal, I can still destroy the class in the future" Kushida asked with a serious expression.
"Nothing"
What? Don't you have some kind of contingency plan against my potential betrayal? "
"No. Once you drop the bomb it's over for our class, but I don't care" I replied "I don't have enough allies to fix the chaos you will cause once you have enough secrets from our class. Besides, if you try to expel me I'll do it. everything possible to defend me "I told him.
"Wait ... are you being serious? Don't you have any plans for when I decide to betray you?" Kushida was confused by my answers "Wouldn't it be easier to expose myself right now? Once I decide to betray you all lose, including you" Kushida explained to me.
"You're right and it will be my fault for trusting you" I looked directly into Kushida's eyes.
"Trust me huh?" Kushida scoffed at herself
"But even if the class is destroyed and there is no way to repair it, that does not mean that it has lost."
"I don't understand ... You're bluffing, right?" Kushida looked at me for any lies about me.
"No. The bomb is inevitable once you have enough secrets to destroy the class, but will you have enough secrets to ruin other classes? I don't think the same trick works twice in this school."
"What are you trying to say?" Kushida couldn't see my point of view.
"What I'm saying is that I have the option to change classes" I replied.
"Wait ... You're saying that ... but that's impossible, no one can reach that amount" Kushida looked at me in disbelief. I could also feel her frustration return.
"Maybe for many people, it can be impossible," I said before giving him a serious look "But it is not for me"
"You ... You don't mean it, do you?"
I did not answer. Let her draw her own conclusions.
"Damn it. You're totally serious" Kushida gritted her teeth in frustration.
"Before finishing Kushida. I want to ask you one last question, do you trust me?"
"Me..."
"I guess you still don't trust me" I narrowed my eyes at Kushida "Hmm, how about I tell you something about my life. I know almost everything about you, but you don't know anything about me. If I tell you something about myself? Would it gain some of your trust?" I asked.
"Well ... I think it would be fair for you to tell me. I told you all about my past. I should at least know something about yours ... What is it?" Kushida asked while giving me a curious look.
"First I want to tell you that I am telling you this because I really want us to be allies. I am not lying about that. I want the two of us to help each other and trust each other" Explain my reasons for telling him something about myself.
I was not going to tell him about the whole story of my life, because many people would consider it uninteresting, but what about the life I had in this world. Well, I had created a cover story in case someone asked me about my past.
"I'm an Orphan," I told him a lie quietly.
I did not know if this character was named Nakatomi Hiroki. Does it have relatives or was it just created and arranged by the people who sent me to this world? But even if I had a family, I had no way of contacting anyone, plus I would refuse to accept unknown people like my new family.
I'd rather pretend I had an accident and say I had amnesia than replace my old family. Besides, I will soon be old enough to be able to support myself. I did not know what age is required to be an adult, but in most countries, the legal age is 18.
"WHAT?" Kushida yelled in surprise.
"I never knew my parents," I said shrugging as if I was used to people being surprised by this fact "I lived in an orphanage with other children. I moved to Japan a few months ago, before that, I lived in a small country located in Central America."
Kushida narrowed her eyes looking suspiciously.
Raise my hands in defense "Hey don't look at me like that, Kushida. You're the one who wanted to know about my past. But believe me despite all the hardships I had to go through not to starve. I never came to hate the way I lived. If it weren't for my past, then I wouldn't be the person I am now," I explained.
"Tch ... don't think why you're telling me about this I'll stop planning to expel you" Kushida looked away while biting her lip.
"I didn't tell you about my past so you would pity me" I shrugged dismissing her threat "Anyway, I won't let you expel me. I will do everything possible to graduate from this school. If someone were to expel me... Well, it would be quite disastrous for my life. I would not have a place to go, I would basically live on the streets. That is the reason why I cannot be expelled, no matter what method I have to use to save myself.
I told the truth. If I were expelled from school, I would have nowhere else to go. I would not have the money to pay for a hotel room, therefore I would have to live on the streets until I found a way to earn money. Fortunately, I could take all the things that I would have bought with my private points with me. I had read it in the school handbook, therefore I would have a few things that I could sell to support myself for a long time.
"So Kushida, did I gain some of your trust or it was all a waste of time on my part"
I looked at Kushida who was completely silent. I think I was thinking about "My Past" that I had created as a cover story that I had to adapt to.
"I ... well, I'll trust you! It's okay! Are you happy already?" Kushida asked me.
I gave him a tired smile "Yes. I appreciate that you put your trust in me and as I told you before I will protect you as long as you help me. I will not let anyone else know about your true nature"
Kushida sighed wearily as she sat on the karaoke cabinet "So what are you planning to do now? Term exams are coming up. Do you have a plan for that?"
"I have a plan, but don't worry. I have everything covered under control" I explained.
"So what is it? Will you pass out the old answers from the previous exams you bought?" Kushida asked me, She was pretty smart so she could come to several conclusions.
"No. Handing over the answers about the old exams would be counterproductive to the plan I'm making. Also, if I give the copies to our classmates, their motivation to study would be lost. Wasn't that the reason why the study group did Horikita destroy herself too fast? "
"But, it wouldn't be better if you turned them in. I mean, I think if everyone makes an effort to learn the answers. Then no one would fail" Kushida said.
"I'm not looking for us to get the best grades, Kushida. I'm trying to prevent anyone from our class from being expelled. The rest would just be greed on our part" I told her "Also if people lose their motivation to study, then we would be affected in the long run. Deadline. People like Ike or Yamauchi would get used to getting a copy of the answers that would come out in the exams. But what if there is a special exam where they can't get the answers? "
"Then that would affect our class. I think I'm starting to get your point. You are quite smart Nakatomi-Kun. I will admit that I am quite impressed" Kushida said reluctantly
"Ara" I gave her a big shit-eating smile "Don't tell me your heart is starting to get hot, Kushida-san" I chanted jokingly.
"Fuck you" Even though Kushida insulted me. I could see that her cheeks had slightly flushed. I laughed.
"What? Stop laughing idiot, or I'll have to hit you" Kushida threatened me.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry" I apologized to her, then pretended to cough so I could get back to my "serious mode". I stared at Kushida for a few moments.
"What are you looking at?" Kushida narrowed her eyes.
"It's nothing" When Kushida gave me a flat look, I decided it was best not to make her angry "It's just that ... you seem less tense, you know? Like some weight has been taken off your back"
"Tch ... Anyway, I'll go now. It's getting late" Kushida said coldly. She got up from the furniture and picked up her bag. I grabbed her wrist before she could reach the door.
"Kushida"
"Now what?" Kushida gave me an annoyed look.
"You know when you want to express your feelings again. Come to me. I will listen to you and help you to remove all the stress that you accumulate" I said.
My eyes widened slightly as my face grimaced. I instinctively let go of Kushida while holding my abdomen. Kushida had hit me with all her might.
"Gah" I tried to catch my breath "What was that like? Did I do something wrong?"
"If it wasn't for your flat tone, I would have thought you were trying to flirt with me," Kushida said.
"W-What? I swear I wasn't planning on doing it. It would be dangerous if you express your feelings on the rooftop again. Someone could hear you." I tried to express myself quickly, making me stutter at first.
"Next time, don't you dare record me, or I will kill you for real" Kushida threatened me.
"Hai" God women were scary sometimes. I advise men. Never make a woman angry. You always get lost with them. Even if we men are right.
"Bye, Nakatomi-Kun" Kushida looked away as she walked out the door.
Suddenly I remembered something and started to follow her.
"Wait, Kushida. I thought you were going to check my room so that you would be completely satisfied. Also, I can give you some copies of the answers from the old exams, I have some that I have leftover" I told her.
Kushida sighed. "Good, but make it quick"
I just nodded. So we both started heading towards the bedrooms.
I said goodbye to Kushida when she left my room, to be calmer regarding our relationship, I had let Kushida check that there was nothing suspicious in my room. Once she checked everything, I handed her the answers from the old exams so she could study. I also warned him not to trust himself just because he had the answers.
Kushida had rolled her eyes in response while telling me that she wouldn't be trusting.
I closed my bedroom door before letting out a big sigh.
Bump, bump, bump, bump, bump, bump, bump, bump
I could feel my heart beating quite fast. I was really nervous about what I was doing. It was normal for someone like me to be afraid of ruining everything. It was like an exhibition that you had to prepare for and hope everything goes well.
Bump, bump, bump, bump, bump, bump
Nerves in people were something that would be considered normal, especially in situations like these. Where a single mistake could prove quite fatal to my plan. If Kushida looked that was not enough of a threat to her. Then I wouldn't even have considered allying with me.
Bump, bump, bump, bump
At least I was one of the people who could stay calm even under pressure, but once I finish completing my goal, that's when I start to calm down. Kushida was not someone I could underestimate even if I knew what would happen in the future.
Bump, bump
Once my heartbeat returned to normal.
I smiled.
Kushida had totally fallen into my trap. Does she believe that once she clears the recordings on the ceiling, she will be completely free? I do not believe it.
I put my hand inside my shirt before I took out the voice recorder and played the new recording that I had saved.
This was my contingency plan in case Kushida tried to betray me. Why had I asked him to tell me about his past, when I knew about his past by heart, due to my knowledge of the novel? Well, the answer is easy: I now had Kushida's whole life on tape. If she tries to betray me. Well...
Kushida would regret it.
I threw myself onto the bed while letting out a deep sigh of relief. I wanted to sleep. He was not a natural genius, nor was he an artificial one. So I have been thinking of a solution to the problem for a week.
The idea occurred to me when I remembered, that Horikita had tried to record Ryūen's conversation in volume 5. In a failed attempt to get proof of the plan that Ryūen had achieved with the help of Kushida at the sports festival.
Then I thought? Because I don't do the same, but I knew that I couldn't use something too obvious to record our conversation because I knew that Kushida was going to be suspicious immediately. Then I remembered those movies where the super spies hiding a voice recorder inside their shirt and they used it to record conversations and have evidence. Incredible true?
Now that he was thinking about Horikita, she had been useless in all the volumes I had read, right? Horikita always ended up being saved by Ayanokōji.
I shrugged, It was her fault for having a huge ego. Even after Horikita improved as a character in the second year, She was still useless.
For example, Against Hōsen. Horikita could do absolutely nothing and it is always thanks to the true mastermind. Kiyotaka Ayanokōji. What Class D, manages to save itself from the various situations.
I rub my forehead when I can suddenly feel a small migraine appear. I made a face. I really should rest, when was the last time you slept at least 8 hours? I didn't even remember it anymore.
Since I came to this world, I have felt quite alone. I mean, it's great to be able to meet your favorite characters from the show and be able to converse with them, and even know that your actions can make the timeline change, but ...
I couldn't vent to them, because I would never understand my situation. It's not like I can go up to them and tell them. Hello, did you know that I was from another world and was forced to come to this school by a mysterious being? The first thing they would think is that I was crazy.
I wasn't that close to anyone in class D either. Sure I had friends, but close friends like the ones I had in my world? I do not believe it. The worst of all is that no one would understand my references to anime or meme phrases, because they did not exist here or they were totally different from the ones I knew.
In addition, the references that I knew were mainly of Spanish origin, therefore, they would not understand me, and I also did not understand any Japanese references, because I am not used to them. Bottom line ... I'm starting to get frustrated that I have no clue as to who drank here and why.
I also feel somewhat isolated. Normally I would tell my frustrations to my siblings or my parents, but in this place? I had no one.
The only good thing was that I can still see memes in Spanish and even Japanese, so at least I could stay distracted. Also, I was not a hormonal teenager who couldn't take care of himself, I was mentally older than all the students in this school.
Perhaps your body is that of a 15-year-old teenager, who is just going through a hormonal process, but was mentally old enough to take care of himself. How many do you ask? Well, I was about to turn 21, but hey now I was 15 again.
Damn, the depressing moments that come out of nowhere. All people must have had one of those at some point in life, but hey it was better not to think about useless things at this time. I took out my cell phone to see the time of day.
6:38 PM.
Fuck, I thought it was going to be later because of the "friendly conversation" I had with Kushida. I got out of bed to go to the bathroom.
When you leave the bathroom after you finish. I took off my school jacket and hung it in the wardrobe, then I took off my tie and did the same. I needed to find a place to think and relax for a few moments. Even though I like to be locked in my room doing frivolities. Right now he needed fresh air.
Once I checked that I did not forget my cell phone and my student ID in my wallet. I left my room, fortunately, I did not meet anyone I knew.
When I leave the freshman dorms. I could feel the icy breeze reaching my skin making a shiver run through my body. At least it wasn't that bad. It was worse to be in a place that has air conditioning and to leave the building only to be abruptly hit by overwhelming, suffocating heat.
After a few moments, I found a vending machine with drinks. First I choose the number of drinks I would buy in this case it would be two cokes, then I took out my student ID before scanning it. There was a beep coming from the machine before releasing the drinks to me.
It was still something I was not used to. Private Points was definitely an impressive system.
Once I bought the drinks, I was in a place where other people wouldn't bother me. It was in one of the corners of the school. Where he could be sitting on a bench while feeling the pleasant breeze that the wind would produce and listening to the pleasant sound of the ocean.
After a few moments I arrived at the place, but when I was there I found a person sitting on a bench while he absent-mindedly watched the waves produced by the sea.
She was a woman, she had shoulder-length brown hair, she was also short. At first, I did not recognize her and was about to leave the place so as not to disturb her, but after looking at her for a few moments I recognized her. It was Inogashira Kokoro one of the Class D students.
What is she doing here? I couldn't help asking. Inogashira wasn't paying attention to her surroundings, even as I approached her, she didn't recognize me at all. It was as if she was thinking deeply in her mind. I might also feel an aura of depression coming from her.
Has something happened to him? I tried to remember if something like this had happened in the light novel, but nothing came to mind. I didn't remember there was an event like this. I should be going? o Should I go over and ask him if she was okay? It was what a person would do in this world, right? At least ask him if she was okay by appearances.
The last time I had asked a person he did not know if he was okay. He had sent me to shit. Rude, huh? But that's how some people were. When I was about to leave I briefly remembered when Inosgashira had asked me well on the day of the introductions. Even though she didn't know me, I could tell that she was worried.
It was quite troublesome if I was being honest with myself, but it doesn't hurt to try to ask and if she doesn't feel comfortable then I can leave her with whatever is bothering her.
I moved closer to her so I could touch her shoulder.
"AGH!"
The cry of panic that came from Inogashira caught me by surprise, causing me to instinctively step back, pitifully tripped over my feet, and landed on my butt.
Shit, She almost scared me to death!
Inogashira, realizing that I had fallen, quickly pulled herself together.
"Oh sorry ... I didn't mean to be scared like that" Inosgashira stood up and offered me her hand while giving me a nervous look.
"It's not your fault. It was mine anyway" I accepted his hand so I could get up, then I dusted myself off the dust I'd gotten from the fall. "I'm sorry, Inogashira I didn't want to scare you, I just wanted to ask you if you were okay" I explained my reasons for approaching her.
"Eh?"
"I mean, I like to come here to clear my mind, you know? Then I found you sitting staring at the sea while you were lost in thought, so I got a little worried because you didn't even realize I was getting close. to you" I commented.
"I-I see ... but it's nothing ... I-I appreciate your concern though. Nakatomi-san" Inogashira told me before sitting down on the bench again.
I didn't say anything for a few seconds and was just looking at her with a cryptic eye. Then I shrugged "If you say so, then I believe you. Do you mind if I accompany you? The truth is that I am a bit stressed and I always like to listen to the ocean to relax" I said as I closed one eye and smiled lazily at him "but if you don't feel comfortable with me then I can go if you want."
I could see that she was quite nervous about my presence, well not to mention not trying. I was about to leave when Inogashira stopped me.
"Wait ... you're not a bother, Nakatomi-san. I-I'm a little nervous. It's just ... I'm not used to being around a boy."
Inogashira took a deep breath before continuing.
"You don't have to go if you don't want to. Because. I'd feel bad if you had to do that."
"Okay. So" I shrugged as I sat on the same bench as Inogashira, but kept some distance from her. Then I offered him a drink that he had plenty of. Although I preferred to have both Coca-Cola.
I shared one with Inosgashira it could help her calm her nerves "Do you want to? I have one to spare" I replied.
"T-thanks. Nakatomi-san" Inogashira took my drink shyly.
Neither of them said anything. We were completely silent. It wasn't comfortable, but it wasn't uncomfortable either
"I ... had planned to apply to a club" Inogashira broke the silence.
"I'm sorry? You can repeat it" I said wanting to confirm if what I had heard was correct.
"I had planned to apply to a club" Inogashira repeated with more confidence.
"Did you plan? Does that mean you didn't apply?" asked.
"II ... I'm not sure. I didn't have the courage to do it" she replied, for each sentence, she said her voice became softer.
"Which club were you planning to apply to?"
I was wondering what kind of club this quiet and shy girl would be interested in. It was a bit difficult for me to think of a club that she could easily fit into, considering her personality. All I could think of was a club that involved sewing. So I have to admit that I was really curious about what his choice would be.
"..." Inogashira said something, but it was inaudible to me since he had done so in a very low voice.
"I'm sorry. Can you say that again? I didn't get it."
"... T-the D-Drama club ..."
A surprising choice. The Drama Club, also known as the Theater Club, was a club for performing plays and for learning the ins and outs of theater. For the quiet Inogashira, she would not have imagined it as her favorite club.
Still, I wonder why she hadn't joined. It was a week late to register, but considering that The Drama Club accepted everyone with its members with open arms. I was sure they would still allow him to join.
"The Drama Club, huh? Then why haven't you joined yet?" I asked.
Maybe she could be a bit shy and nervous, but considering that Kushida, Mii-chan, Onodera were friends with Inogashira, I was sure that they would encourage Inogashira to join the Drama Club. So I was a bit confused about it.
Inogashira was silent for a few moments without saying anything to me. I was quietly waiting for her answer, it was not necessary to rush things, it would only make her feel more uncomfortable with me.
"I ... I don't think I can now." Inogashira commented "Anyway, I ... I'm not really a talkative person ... and I have a hard time talking to others. II can't act that well either. I'm not strong either. I don't think I fit him very well. Drama Club "
Apparently due to the anxieties and insecurities that Inogashira had. She hadn't managed to have the motivation or the courage to join the Drama Club. Due to her fear of ruining things, she was unable to express her feelings towards other people. That was the reason why Inogashira had not received the support of Kushida or Mii-chan.
But like two people who knew each other but barely spoke they found themselves in the same place to be able to think and relax, for different reasons, and how I had been honest with her about my reason for coming to this place isolated from others. She had unconsciously created in Inogashira's mind that she could open up a bit and release some of her anxieties.
"I see. I don't think you're fit for the Drama Club either."
Inogashira looked at me in surprise. It was true that she had said herself that it would not fit in well, but it is something completely different to hear someone else say it as well.
"Inogashira, I don't really know the ins and outs of a drama club, but I imagine it's a place where you need to constantly communicate to see a play through to its end. You may also be asked to perform or help with the preparations. Certainly, I know. they would need acting skills or strength there. It would also be awkward if I couldn't talk to other people as well. From what I can tell about your presentation on our first day, you would have a hard time. "
I hammered truth after truth on Inogashira. With each sentence, she lowered her head lower and lower, feeling dejected and certain of her unfitness for the Drama Club. She was aware of her flaws, but this was probably the first time someone else made it clear to her.
"I see. You're right. I really don't fit into the Drama Club after all, huh?"
As Inogashira thought it was too late to join, he lost the will to join the Drama Club. It had become clear to her that someone like her would have a hard time at the Drama Club.
"Yeah. Not really. But Inogashira ... in the first place, who said you needed to be eligible to join the Drama Club?"
"Huh?" Inogashira, who was almost on the verge of tears from despondency, snapped out of her stupor at my words. "W-what do you mean by that?"
"Inogashira, do you know that you don't need to be eligible to join the Drama Club? From what I remember it was a club where you have no requirement to join, you know? They would accept anyone with open arms. The only thing that they ask you to be responsible and nothing more "
"B-b-but, it would be useless for everyone. "
"Certainly that could be the case, but that would be a concern by the time you've joined the club, right? Inogashira you have to stop thinking about what if?" I commented "What if I am useless? What if I screw it up? You worry too much about what is going to happen, but do you really need to have worries about things that may be unnecessary for you, Inogashira? These worries that you carry With you make you unable to enjoy the present ... There is a saying where I come from that says: Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But today is a gift ... that's why it is called present "
Inogashira fell silent while thinking about my words.
"Tell me, Inogashira, why did you choose the Drama Club?
"I ... I have liked the theater since elementary school. When I went to my first play, I ... couldn't help but be amazed at the different costumes and how great everything was. I ... wanted to do something people would enjoy wearing. I ... thought maybe I could do something at the club ... "
"So why don't you join the Drama Club? The important thing is whether you have the will to join or not. Nothing else matters."
"But ... I can't. I don't think I have the courage to do it, plus I can't join anyway anymore ... because it's too late" she replied.
"Inogashira, who said it was too late to apply? Never say. Never. Those are just excuses on your part."
"Eh? ... But the time to apply is over. We only had until the end of April and right now it is May 10."
"It is true that in some clubs you have until the end of April, but not in all. I guess you did not know about this" I told him to calm his worries and give him some hope "Inogashira, I will not tell you that you should join or not. Al, In the end, it's something you have to decide for yourself. But if you run away now for a reason like 'I would be useless', then when will you stop running away? Certainly, you can think about it tomorrow or the next day, but take the time to think about it will it really change the way you think? "
I challenged Inogashira's way of thinking. She already knew in her heart that she wanted to join. It's just that she was plagued with a lot of insecurities about herself, so she couldn't muster the courage to apply, and ended up making excuses for herself.
"That's..."
"Besides, the one who decides if you're useless isn't you, is it? If you're really useless to them, then that's what it is, but you won't know until you take the first step. Other than that, don't you already have something? to call yours? " asked.
"Own?" Inogashira looked at me questioningly.
I shrugged. "I thought you said your hobby was sewing. That's a skill that would come in handy in drama club."
"..."
Inogashira was speechless and contemplative after what I said. I might have been too strong with what I said, especially for someone so shy, but I couldn't reassure her either. In the end, I told him the plain truth. If even after that, she couldn't find her own answer, then that's the end.
"You are ... really amazing, Nakatomi-san. I wish I could be as confident as you."
"I really don't think I've done much. I just said what was on my mind. That's it" I shrugged as I waved my hand lazily as I dismissed his compliment.
"No. You really helped me and I thank you ... but can I really join the club?"
"I thought you would know the answer to that. In the end, it is you, who has the option to choose, Also if you still have some insecurities I can accompany you to join the drama club"
"Do you really think they will accept me?"
"Yes. I have no doubts about that" I answered honestly.
Even if they no longer allowed students to join the clubs. He would force the students to accept Inogashira. All you had to do was buy your ticket with private points. Clubs were one more thing you can buy at this school anyway, due to their school system.
"Then ... I'll accept your help ... Nakatomi-san. Thank you very much. I really appreciate it!"
"You really don't have to thank me for anything, but ..." I commented before looking directly into her eyes and giving her a sincere smile "You're welcome and thanks to you too" I raised my hand to show her thumb up.
"Thanks?" Inosgashira asked confused.
In my country. May 10th meant it was Mother's Day. So I had been quite frustrated, but at least helping Inogashira had made me forget the worries I had previously had. I could only hope my family is okay.
"Yes. For keeping me company. You don't know it though. You really just helped me too."
Inogashira was a bit confused, but she didn't say anything and in return, she nodded. We both simultaneously opened our drinks as a comfortable silence formed around us. I don't remember when we went by without saying anything, but I think I could get used to this.
