A Liquid Inspiration
Summary: (A re-telling of Classroom of the Elite sparked by a certain conversation between Masterpiece and Professor.)
One day, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka receives a surprising invitation from his father, Ayanokouji Atsuomi, to join him for a drink. It was unusual for Kiyotaka, who normally wouldn't be summoned by his father without a hidden agenda.
That's why even the emotionless Kiyotaka was surprised when his father began to open up about his own experiences with love and relationships.
For the emotionally distant "masterpiece," this conversation is a rare moment of connection with his father, and it sparked a curiosity within him to explore the world of human relationships, to be more specific: romance and intimacy.
It was that spark that pushed Kiyotaka to demand something from his father:
"Father, teach me everything about human relationships."
This then begins a ripple that changes how Ayanokouji Kiyotaka would approach the world in the foreseeable future.
Do check out this fic on Wattpad. It has the same title and content, but we do have illustrations there to increase immersion for the fic. Thanks, and here's the chapter!
Vol. 1 Chapter 12.5 - The Aftermath
Horikita Suzune
"I think we broke her, senpai," I heard Ayanokōji-kun say to nii-san, his eyes twinkling with amusement in the dim evening light.
Nii-san, to my surprise, chuckled. "It would seem so," he replied, casting a sidelong glance at me.
The three of us then began walking to nii-san's dorm room, the sounds of our footsteps echoing in the quiet evening. The only sounds accompanying us were the distant chorus of crickets and the idle conversation between nii-san and Ayanokōji-kun.
As for me?
I remained silent, trying to process what had just happened and make sense of everything.
As much as it pains me to admit it, Ayanokōji-kun was right. But I wouldn't necessarily say that they broke me; I was simply taken aback by how everything unfolded.
Firstly, this encounter happened because I wanted to confront nii-san and show him that I had grown and was no longer the failure I used to be. I wanted him to acknowledge my progress and see that I was taking steps to improve.
Although... that was mainly thanks to Ayanokōji-kun, not that I'll admit that in front of him. Just picturing the smug look on his... admittedly handsome face is enough to infuriate me.
Now, where was I...
Right.
So upon confronting nii-san, things were more or less the same as during our childhood, but there were some variations. For one, nii-san did not entirely dismiss my progress and, in fact, agreed with some of my points.
That being said, he did mention that he only believed my words would come true because of Ayanokōji-kun... and that, while not unexpected, still managed to catch me off-guard.
After all, Horikita Manabu was a hard man to please.
And for nii-san to easily acknowledge Ayanokōji-kun without hesitation simply demonstrated how much he believed in him and his abilities.
In a way, it made me jealous, but if I were being truthful, I was actually happy that nii-san thought favorably of him.
That's because, aside from nii-san, Ayanokōji-kun is the other person I look up to.
I felt the soft rustle of leaves underfoot, and the cool evening breeze brushing against my skin seemed to mirror my conflicting emotions as I continued walking beside the two most important men in my life.
Wait... what am I saying.
I shook my head at the ridiculous thought. I do not think of Ayanokōji-kun like that... at all!
As we approached nii-san's dorm room, I couldn't help but notice the ease with which Ayanokōji-kun and nii-san conversed. Their camaraderie, born from mutual respect and understanding, was evident in their light banter and shared amusement. The low hum of their conversation was like a comforting melody in the night, and it soothed my troubled thoughts.
As we entered the dorm room, the warm, inviting glow from the lamps cast a cozy atmosphere.
"To think you didn't speak a single word while we walked," Ayanokōji-kun mused, looking at me in amusement. "You really need to get a grip, Horikita."
"I... was simply respecting your conversation with nii-san," I murmured, averting my gaze from Ayanokōji-kun's penetrating stare.
"I wouldn't have minded if you said something, Suzune," nii-san interjected, appearing from the kitchen with three glasses and a pitcher of orange juice. "It's been a while, after all."
"Are you really going to pretend like you weren't about to smack her, senpai?" Ayanokōji-kun asked nii-san, arching an eyebrow. "You're cold."
T-That's right! You're being unfair, nii-san.
Nii-san glanced at me, his silence making me squirm. After a moment, he just shook his head, amusement flickering across his face.
"For someone who just said you didn't want Suzune, you sure do sound defensive of her, Ayanokōji-kun," he said, turning his stare to Ayanokōji-kun, who kept his usual impassive look.
Stop saying stupid things, nii-san! Don't even bother pushing the agenda of me liking Ayanokōji-kun or vice versa ever again. That's not happening. I'd rather be a nun than marry someone who'd no doubt just tease me all day if we got married.
And... he probably likes Tsubaki-san. I can tell even if he kept denying it.
The soft, dim lighting in the room made it easier to hide the flush that crept into my cheeks, but my heart raced, betraying my true feelings.
The recording Ayanokōji-kun took from his conversation with nii-san fluttered into my mind.
"If you do end up having an interest in Suzune, you have my approval to pursue her."
That's just ridiculous, nii-san. You're definitely not helping the situation at all.
We settled into the dorm room, each of us taking a seat as nii-san poured orange juice into our glasses. The citrusy scent filled the air, bringing a refreshing touch to the cozy atmosphere.
"Ah, that said," nii-san began, his gaze focusing on me. "Suzune, would you mind preparing dinner now? I'm sure there are enough ingredients in the refrigerator, so feel free to cook whatever you'd like."
I couldn't help but click my tongue in annoyance, recalling why nii-san even bothered inviting me to his dorm room... he simply wanted me to cook. I wish I could muster up the courage to tell him off, considering what he was about to do earlier, but I held my tongue.
After all, it had been a while since I last cooked for nii-san, and those shared meals were among my most cherished memories with him.
Suppressing a sigh, I nodded in agreement and rose from my seat. "Alright, I'll cook dinner. But you two better help with the dishes afterward."
"Alright," nii-san replied. "That's the least we could do, right, Ayanokōji-kun?"
The brown-haired boy nodded before turning his head in my direction.
"You're building a backbone," Ayanokōji-kun said to me teasingly. "Good on you, Horikita. It'd be in your best interest to let your brother know your actual thoughts once in a while. He's a little slow in the uptake when it comes to human relationships."
His teasing tone irritated me, but I chose not to respond.
Like you're one to talk, Ayanokōji-kun... or were you aware of what you were doing to me and just wanted to intentionally push my buttons with your almost daily teasing?
Nii-san sighed. "Couldn't you at least speak of me with more respect when addressing Suzune? I do have an image to uphold, after all."
As I made my way into the kitchen, I could hear the low murmur of Ayanokōji-kun and nii-san's conversation, punctuated by occasional chuckles on the part of nii-san. The sound was soothing, and I couldn't help but feel a small smile tugging at my lips.
I rummaged through the refrigerator, finding an assortment of vegetables and some chicken. My mind raced with possibilities, and I finally decided on making a stir-fry, something quick and relatively simple. The familiar motions of chopping and slicing calmed me, providing a welcome distraction from the thoughts swirling in my head.
The sizzling of the chicken hitting the hot pan filled the room with a mouthwatering aroma. Ayanokōji-kun peeked into the kitchen, curiosity dancing in his eyes. "Smells great, Horikita. Looking forward to it. Impeccable chopping too."
My cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment, but I tried to brush it off. "You also know how to cook?" I asked in an attempt to make the conversation more casual.
Ayanokōji-kun nodded. "Yes, and I think I'm quite good at it. It'll be interesting to see if your culinary skills can rival mine, Horikita. It might be the only field where you can compete with me," he said with a challenging smirk, although I sensed he was just trying to tease me.
Absolutely insufferable... but knowing him, he could probably back up his claims of being a good cook.
I wonder how good he was at it.
"I see," I replied, focusing intently on the pan. "Could you please give me some space, Ayanokōji-kun? I'd prefer not to be distracted while cooking."
"Ah, so you're one of those ultra-focused chefs. Very well, I'll set the table instead," Ayanokōji-kun acquiesced, gathering plates and utensils from the cupboards.
As Ayanokōji-kun left the kitchen, I continued cooking, the sizzling sound of the chicken and vegetables in the pan creating a rhythmic, soothing background noise. The enticing aroma wafted through the dorm room as I occasionally stirred the stir-fry to ensure even cooking.
While I worked, I couldn't help but steal a glance at Ayanokōji-kun and nii-san, who was once again engaging in a conversation. I couldn't hear much from it, seeing as their voices were hushed, but I did capture the word "council" from them, so they were probably talking about their roles as Student Council President and Vice President.
A faint smile graced my lips. After all, nii-san had always been a solitary figure throughout our childhood. Despite his popularity and intellect, he was often alone, standing at the summit of his achievements by himself.
That being said, I couldn't help but be jealous of Ayanokōji-kun, despite my joy at his good relationship with nii-san.
After all, my deepest desire was to stand on equal footing with nii-san, to accompany him at those lofty heights and let him know he was no longer alone.
But I suppose that for now, that will simply remain to be a pipedream... for I was still not strong enough to stand beside nii-san.
Still, I am not giving up on that goal.
One day, I will stand by nii-san's side, maybe alongside Ayanokōji-kun as well.
Soon, the stir-fry was ready. I transferred it onto a serving dish and called Ayanokōji-kun and nii-san to the table. "Dinner is served."
"This looks delicious, Suzune," nii-san said, giving me an approving nod. "It's been a while since I tasted your cooking."
"Thank you, nii-san," I replied, blushing at the rare praise.
With how my relationship with him had gone over the years and not having seen him in the two years before I got here in ANHS, those words felt foreign but welcome.
"Let's see if this is actually good," Ayanokōji-kun said, his eyes appraising the dish I had prepared.
Couldn't you be more grateful that I even cooked for you as well? If I had my way, I wouldn't even bother cooking at all.
"It's going to be good," nii-san assured him, turning his face toward Ayanokōji-kun. "Suzune has always been a talented cook. Wife material, isn't she?"
Nii-san! I couldn't believe he had said that.
"You're on that again?" Ayanokōji-kun asked, shaking his head. "Marry her yourself, Horikita-senpai, since you think that highly of her."
T-Think that highly of me? What are you two discussing behind my back? And since when would nii-san openly praise me to others?
I had the urge to rub my eyes just to confirm if this was real life, but I fought the urge to do so because I'd look stupid, and I'd rather not look stupid in front of these two.
"Don't say something so disgusting, Ayanokōji-kun," nii-san retorted, looking almost insulted by Ayanokōji-kun's joke. "What's wrong with you?"
That's right. Why would he make a joke about incest? That's rather vulgar, even by his standards.
"Hoh? The stoic Horikita Manabu is capable of being embarrassed, huh?" Ayanokōji-kun teased. "That said, why are you still standing, Horikita? Sit down already, so we can begin eating," he added, turning to me.
I hesitated for a moment before finally taking a seat, my cheeks still flushed from their conversation. As we sat down to eat, nii-san's face seemed to soften just a bit.
"Let's just eat," I muttered, wanting to move past the rather weird topic.
"Alright, let's dig in," nii-san declared, his eyes sparkling with genuine warmth.
As we sat down to eat, the sound of our utensils clinking against the porcelain plates filled the otherwise quiet room. I took a bite of the stir-fry, the mix of flavors exploding in my mouth, the sweetness of the bell peppers contrasting perfectly with the saltiness of the soy sauce.
Aside from that, the tenderness of the chicken was just right, and I couldn't help but let out a satisfied look on my face upon taking a bite.
"This is really good, Suzune," nii-san complimented, a hint of pride in his voice. "Your cooking skills have only improved since I last tasted them."
A small smile formed on my lips, and I nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you, nii-san."
Ayanokōji-kun agreed, his tone surprisingly sincere. "You've done an excellent job, Horikita. I have to admit that your cooking skills are quite impressive."
Though his words were complimentary, I couldn't help but sense a hidden challenge in them. I glanced at him curiously. "Do you think you can do better, Ayanokōji-kun?"
He smiled, not missing a beat. "Of course. Maybe I'll let you have a taste of my cooking when you've made enough progress. It's a proper reward, I think."
A proper reward? What am I to you, a pet?
That's more insulting than it is incentivizing, Ayanokōji-kun.
Thankfully, I had regained my composure, and as such, my thoughts did not reflect on my face.
"I'll look forward to that day, then," I said stoically, taking another bite out of the meal I had cooked.
"Sounded like a husband and wife bonding," nii-san said, smirking upon seeing the flustered look on my face. "But I suppose that'll take some time with Tsubaki vying for Ayanokōji-kun's heart."
"Did you know that Ayanokōji-kun said he's interested in you, Suzune?" He added, still smirking. "You better not let go of the chance and bring him home. Kaa-san would be happy to see you with a promising young man."
"You know it was a joke," Ayanokōji-kun said, sighing. "I really can't tell if you're serious about this, senpai, or if you simply found amusement in teasing your little sister and me."
Nii-san turned his head towards Ayanokōji-kun, his eyes narrowing as he considered his response. After a few tense seconds, he finally spoke. "Who knows?"
"That's copyright infringement, senpai. That's my line," Ayanokōji-kun retorted, feigning indignation.
"The two of you are ridiculous," I muttered, deliberately avoiding their gazes. "To think our reunion would devolve into this, nii-san."
Ayanokōji-kun shrugged. "It's either this or you being smacked into concrete, Horikita. If I were you, I'd pick a light-hearted dinner 11/10 times."
That was true.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intimidated when nii-san raised his hand at me as memories of the past flashed before my eyes. I don't think I was even able to move for a good minute, which meant that had Ayanokōji-kun not intervened, nii-san would have struck me with no problem.
I suppose... I should be grateful to him.
"I apologize for earlier, Suzune," nii-san said, catching me off guard. "This scene tonight reminded me that I had been too harsh on you," he added, releasing a tired sigh.
"I did keep telling you, didn't I?" Ayanokōji-kun chimed in, his amused eyes staring at nii-san.
"Yes, you were right," nii-san conceded before turning his head to face me. "However, I will remain strict with you, Suzune. While you have shown improvements, it has been slow, almost at a snail's pace."
His piercing gaze bored straight into mine, paralyzing me into silence... just like old times, I suppose.
"As my little sister, I expect you to be able to adapt and overcome your crippling flaws," he continued, his eyes never leaving mine. "It is up to you whether you grow up or remain to be a failure as you've always been."
"Harsh words," Ayanokōji-kun mused. "But not entirely wrong."
I did not even have it in me to indignantly refute Ayanokōji-kun's words because, as usual, I found myself frozen when nii-san berated me.
"I apologize. I did not mean to ruin our dinner. But I do hope you consider my words, Suzune," nii-san said. "If not for Ayanokōji-kun's presence, I doubt you'd even muster the courage to even stand in my presence."
As much as I would like to deny it, nii-san was right on all counts.
Even after the confrontation outside, I barely spoke a word, still intimidated by the oppressive aura nii-san emanated. The only reason I began speaking up and feeling more at ease, albeit only slightly, was due to Ayanokōji-kun's encouragement.
I don't exactly understand why Ayanokōji-kun had this much of an impact on me, but for this very moment, I am glad that this was the case.
Perhaps... in due time, I would be able to stand up to nii-san under my own power.
"Enough about your problematic relationship," Ayanokōji-kun said, shaking his head. "Let's just eat in peace, shall we?"
"Both of you really are siblings," he mused as he took in our reactions.
We continued eating, the conversation occasionally drifting back to lighter topics.
It wasn't the most pleasant of reunions, but it served as a reminder that I still had much to learn and grow from. And perhaps, with time, the relationship between nii-san and me would improve as well.
But for now, I took solace in the fact that Ayanokōji-kun was there to support me for tonight.
He's... not too bad.
"Something in my face, Horikita?" I heard Ayanokōji-kun ask. "You've been staring at me for about a minute now," he added, an amused look on his face.
Ignoring nii-san's chuckle, I glared at the brown-haired boy. "I'm simply surprised at your confidence to brazenly insult nii-san."
"Whatever you say, Horikita."
I take it back... Ayanokōji-kun's irritating!
12.5.1
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka
After having dinner over at Horikita-senpai's dorm room, I headed back to the first-year dormitory building alongside Horikita, who was still upset at me for what had happened earlier.
"You're still upset at me, huh?" I asked the dark-haired girl, who did not even bother replying.
"Horikita-senpai kept saying it, so I couldn't help but play along with the joke," I explained, a hint of amusement in my voice as I recalled the memory.
That was because, after dinner, the three of us engaged in a light-hearted conversation that eventually turned into a discussion about my potential future relationship with Horikita. Since Horikita-senpai seemed rather insistent with his teasing—at this point, I think he might have been serious— I decided to play along, which led to the scene where I grabbed Horikita by her hand and jokingly asked her if she could be my concubine.
As expected, Horikita became angry and slapped me. Fortunately, she was the only Horikita who reacted negatively, as her older brother found amusement in my joke.
"That was not a good joke," Horikita finally spoke, her voice icy and sharp. "It's an insult to my pride to be asked to be a concubine of all things."
"Ah, my apologies."
"You do not exactly sound sorry."
"Horikita-senpai sent me a photo of your reaction when I asked that question. I can't stop laughing at it."
"You're insufferable."
"I guess so, but it's not like you've come to hate me. You're just reasonably upset."
"I... I suppose. That's why I'd like to ask for you to tone down jokes like that."
I turned my eyes to the dark-haired girl, who had a surprisingly bashful look on her face.
I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that the cold, stoic Horikita Suzune was capable of making a face like the one she wore just now and about two hours ago.
"Alright," I replied. "I suppose I went too far earlier. I'm sorry, Horikita."
"It's fine... but do remember to keep your promise, please."
The rest of our walk was engulfed by silence, neither of us saying a word, opting to just enjoy the solace of the night sky.
Hoh, that sounded poetic.
That aside, I let out a heavy sigh as my mind drifted to the scene I left in my room, one that had a scheming Yuki, a willing aide in Chiaki, and a prone Kushida.
I couldn't help but wonder how things were faring over there.
Hopefully, I wouldn't walk into a disturbing scene.
As we approached the first-year dormitory building, a cool breeze brushed against our faces, bringing with it the invigorating scent of fresh, dewy grass. The moon cast a soft, silvery light over the surroundings, casting a tranquil glow that seemed to pacify the lingering tension between us.
The gentle rustling of leaves and chirping of crickets in the distance completed the serene ambiance of the night.
We arrived at the entrance and proceeded to the elevator. The polished metal doors slid open with a quiet hiss, revealing the glowing panel of buttons. I reached out and pressed the button for the fourth floor, where my dorm room was located.
As the elevator began to ascend, the soft hum of its motors filled the space. I turned to face Horikita, her form illuminated by the dim lighting of the elevator.
"Horikita, do you mind if I ask you something?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, the quiet of the night adding to the intensity of the moment.
She looked up at me, her face impassive. "What is it?"
"Are you content with your goal of just imitating Horikita-senpai and hoping to be his equal?" I asked, staring at her intently. "You're Horikita Suzune. While you may think of senpai like some sort of a higher being, you're better off being just yourself... and forging your own path."
"You don't have to give an answer now, but do think about it," I said, my voice barely above a whisper as if we were sharing a secret.
"Perhaps, there's a reason why no matter how much you improve, senpai would never acknowledge you," I added cryptically.
As I spoke, I noticed the faint smell of perfume emanating from Horikita, mixing with the sterile scent of the elevator.
She sure does smell good, doesn't she?
That said, I could feel a whirl of emotions flashing through Horikita's eyes as my words sank in, and her pupils dilated slightly in the low light. I wondered if she could feel my own gaze upon her or if she was lost in her own thoughts.
Now that I had realized what had been holding back Horikita Suzune all along, I suppose it was time for me to subtly guide her in the direction she was meant to walk.
The soft hum of the elevator filled the silence as I shook my head at my thoughts, my gaze fixed on the metallic doors that separated us from the outside world.
I couldn't help but ponder over the words Horikita-senpai had said to me earlier. Was he perhaps correct when he noted that I've come to value Horikita? After all, I had taken two different approaches between her and Kushida.
As I mulled over my thoughts, the elevator slowed down, and the faint sound of mechanical gears grinding against one another echoed throughout the confined space.
With a gentle ping, the doors slid open, stopping at the fourth floor, and I paused for a moment, turning to face Horikita. "Well, this is where we part ways. I hope you have a good night, Horikita."
"Thank you," she replied, her voice softening. "You too, Ayanokōji-kun."
The cool draft of the hallway air brushed against my face as I stepped out of the elevator, the metallic doors closing behind me with a soft clank.
Now, let's see what Yuki and Chiaki have been up to.
I briskly walked down the hallway, my footsteps echoing against the walls as I approached my room.
As I pushed open the door, the pungent scent of sweat and fear assaulted my nose, and my eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room. A rather disturbing sight met my gaze as Kushida was tied down to a chair, directly facing Yuki, who was sitting across her, a sinister grin showing on the blonde's face.
As I took in the scene before me, my eyes slowly adjusting to the dim lighting, I could smell the faint aroma of something sweet and floral wafting in the air. It seemed like Yuki and Chiaki had been burning scented candles, adding a strange and eerie atmosphere to the room.
"What's going on here?" I asked, my voice firm and authoritative.
Yuki turned to look at me, her grin widening. "Ah, Kiyotaka, you're back! How was dinner at Horikita-senpai's dorm room?"
"That's for tomorrow. A lot of things to unpack from there," I replied, sighing. "Now, do you mind explaining what is going on here?"
As I took a step further into the room, my senses were overwhelmed by the sight of Kushida's tear-stained face, her chest heaving with each labored breath.
The flickering light of the candles cast strange shadows on the walls, giving the room a macabre and unsettling feeling. I could hear the faint sound of dripping water, adding to the already ominous atmosphere.
As I moved closer to the scene, I could feel the rough texture of the ropes that bound Kushida's wrists and ankles to the chair, the fibers digging into her skin. The smell of sweat and fear grew stronger, mingling with the sweet aroma of the scented candles.
"Relax, Kiyotaka. We're just having a little fun," she said, her voice low and husky. "Don't worry! We didn't hurt her too badly."
"Didn't hurt her too badly?" I asked sarcastically. "You threw her down the stairs earlier."
Yuki giggled. "Well, you didn't stop me, didn't you?"
"That's true. But seriously, what's up with tying her up?"
"I simply told her all of my orders. Thankfully, Kikyō-chan had been obedient and had agreed to obey me," Yuki then strolled her way to where Kushida was, patting the beige-haired girl's head. "Well, it wasn't like she had a choice, but at least she was compliant."
"Just don't get her to the point where she goes crazier, I guess," I replied, shrugging. "Kushida's crazy enough as she is."
"Well, I just have the solution for that," Yuki giggled. "To make up for the pain she has to endure, I'll allow her to sleep with the three of us for tonight."
What? Don't be ridiculous, Yuki. No, just no.
"But of course, she's not allowed to cuddle with you, so we'll make her sleep on the foot of the bed."
That's... just like Yuki, I suppose. She had a weird way of rewarding people she disliked.
I flicked Yuki on the forehead. "Kushida's not sleeping here, and that's final. Just lead her into her room later, and if anyone asks, just recite what I instructed earlier."
"Boo, boring!" Yuki whined. "But fine. I'd probably wake up cranky if I saw her in your bed anyways."
Kushida, throughout our conversation, remained despondent, her eyes looking as if she was broken and helpless... and considering her situation, she might as well be.
"Kiyotaka's really mean, isn't he, Kikyō-chan?" Yuki asked the beige-haired girl, who didn't respond. "But we cannot disobey him, so we'll have to follow through with what he wants."
While Yuki continued to play with Kushida, Chiaki walked up to me and kissed me on the cheek.
"I'm sorry you had to walk into this," she said sheepishly, her eyes reflecting the tension in the air. "Yuki-chan really went and ensured that Kushida-san won't blab... and to ensure her loyalty."
"Was she successful with that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me.
With how Kushida reacted even to the slightest of inconvenience, like a wounded animal lashing out, I was pretty sure she was not going to be loyal to Yuki anytime soon.
"No, I don't think so. I think all she did was make Kushida-san hate her more," Chiaki replied, shaking her head, her hair swishing softly like the whisper of leaves in the wind. "But Kushida-san isn't going to blab any time soon. Yuki did have plenty of ammunition against her, you know?"
That was true.
"And to my surprise, unloading them was enough for Kushida-san to break. It seemed like it really bothered her if her name got ruined, which led to her spilling everything that happened during her Junior High," Chiaki revealed, her voice tinged with disbelief, as if she couldn't comprehend the depths of human fragility.
"Horikita did say something about that," I replied off-handedly.
"Well, Horikita-san didn't tell you about Kushida-san making a blog site where she shit on everyone she knew. That was the reason why shit hit the fan in their Junior High."
"I see," I replied dismissively, the image of Kushida sitting in front of her computer, typing out malicious words, filling my mind.
Again, Kushida's not proving herself to be as intelligent as she fancied herself to be. Anonymity on the internet can only last for so long.
"Just make sure both you and Yuki are safe with this plot, alright?"
"Don't worry about us, Kiyotaka-kun," Chiaki said reassuringly. "We can take care of ourselves."
"Can you give me a brief rundown of what Yuki even did?" I asked, idly observing some of the materials laying beneath Kushida's feet.
While I did know, for the most part, what Yuki was planning with Kushida, it wasn't outside the realm of possibilities for her to do something I didn't expect.
This was Yuki, after all.
"Woke up Kushida-san by splashing water on her, which made Kushida-san grumpy waking up," Chiaki trailed off, her index finger touching her chin thoughtfully.
"Obviously, she'd be pissed. What was Yuki even thinking?" I muttered under my breath, sighing, the cold air mingling with my exasperation.
"Which led to Yuki kicking down her chair, and since Kushida-san was tied up... it didn't end well for her," Chiaki paused, looking at Kushida with pity, her eyes clouded with regret.
"Then, once I helped Kushida-san back up, Yuki began taunting Kushida-san for a few minutes, trying to probe information out of her and then threatening her that she'll send some recordings to our group chat," Chiaki continued.
"I doubt Yuki would even consider doing that. She's just making fun of her," I replied, sighing.
"Yep."
"What's next?"
Chiaki sighed, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air. "This is where it gets uncomfortable..."
Chiaki then told me a summary of what Kushida had to endure and just how far Yuki had played with her.
It was... unsettling and extreme, to say the least.
But I understand the rationale behind it. Yuki wanted to implant the idea in Kushida's mind that crossing her was not an option, and even if Kushida mustered the courage to do so, she would ultimately lose.
However, I couldn't help but feel that this treatment was too much, even by Yuki's standards. To call what Kushida had undergone "torture"... would be an understatement.
Well, it was not like I had gained a sudden affection for Kushida, but... abuse a person too many times, and consequences will come— that's the concept of karma.
That being said, there was one part of the plan that really bothered me, but it wasn't related to what Yuki did to Kushida.
Hah... I guess I'll let it go for tonight. It had been quite a tiresome night, after all.
"But seriously, Chiaki? Candles?" I said, changing the topic, much to Chiaki's relief. "Did you girls actually torture her or something?"
"Kushida-san wasn't tortured... physically, at least," Chiaki replied, looking at Kushida with some semblance of pity.
"Yuki-chan simply thought it was a good prank to see how you'd react upon seeing your room feel like a torture chamber," she continued.
These girls...
Since when was turning someone's room into a torture chamber a prank? That would be a war crime if there were one.
"You're both idiots," I replied, shaking my head in amusement before I walked in the direction of the fridge, intent on grabbing an ice cream popsicle from the freezer. The cold air brushed against my skin as I opened the door. "And how come you're willingly playing along with Yuki's crazy plan?"
"She said that it would help you out in a way, and well... those four guys were really disgusting, so I don't really feel bad about helping them get expelled," Chiaki explained, clicking her tongue. "That said, I'm starting to think only sick fucks would affiliate themselves with Nagumo-senpai with how those four talked."
"Nagumo-senpai's many levels above them," I replied nonchalantly, licking the ice cream popsicle I just retrieved. "He's probably just someone who'd utilize whoever was willing to be used by him. I mean, even fodders have their uses."
"Hmm... that's true," Chiaki replied disinterestedly, her eyes flickering toward Kushida and Yuki. "Quite the contrast from Horikita-senpai, judging by what you guys told me about him."
"Yeah, he's... interesting," I said, pausing for a moment to savor the cold, sweet treat. "But what about Kushida? You've seen what happened to her."
Chiaki had a rather conflicting look on her face upon hearing my question. "It was... something. But I suppose there's really nothing I can do about it."
Knowing Chiaki, she probably thought that what happened to Kushida, albeit extreme, was borne out of necessity, and with her loyalty to her best friend, she went out and helped her by ensuring the plan went swimmingly.
That didn't mean, however, that Chiaki didn't have regrets over what happened because, at her very core, Matsushita Chiaki was a good person.
Something that Yuki and I could never claim to be.
I offered Chiaki a small smile and patted her on the shoulder. "That's how you feel, huh? Well, enough about that. Let's wrap things up here and call it a night."
I strolled over to Kushida and Yuki, where the blonde-haired girl was having too much fun with Kushida.
"That's enough, Yuki. Untie Kushida and... Chiaki, lead her to her room," I ordered, my voice echoing off the walls.
Yuki, to her credit, did not complain and proceeded to untie Kushida from the chair, the sound of the rope loosening echoing in the tense silence. Kushida was finally allowed to stand up unsteadily, her legs weak from being restrained for so long.
"Are you alright?" I asked, my eyes carefully studying her face.
Kushida merely nodded, her eyes downcast and her expression sullen, strands of her hair sticking to her tear-streaked face. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity for her, despite all the trouble she had caused.
"I... I'm sorry for earlier, Ayanokōji-kun," Kushida spoke in a voice similar to what I had heard earlier on the rooftop door.
"Do you mean it?"
"Y-Yes."
I let out a heavy sigh. Whatever it was that Yuki did to Kushida had broken her, but I wondered for how long that was going to last. After all, I could still see a small ember of fight in the sullen girl's eyes.
She was probably just bidding her time, waiting to get back at Yuki and, to some degree, me.
But that's unlikely to bring the results that Kushida would have wanted.
She's simply not on our level.
I nodded at Kushida, acknowledging her apology. "Just get some rest, Kushida. Chiaki will be guiding you along for what you need to do for tomorrow," I replied, looking at Yuki, who still had a sickly sweet smile on her face. "Since I doubt you'd be comfortable with Yuki's presence."
As Kushida shuffled towards the door, Yuki gave her a parting shot, "Sleep well, Kikyō-chan~ Don't have any nightmares!"
I sighed at Yuki's antics before turning to Chiaki. "You're staying over again, I presume?"
"Yup, so don't lock the door, Kiyotaka-kun," Chiaki replied, grinning. "I'll just make sure Kushida-san gets back to her room safely."
"Got it," I nodded, finishing up my ice cream before throwing the popsicle stick into the trash bin. "That said, take the bag from the sofa and return as soon as you can. Don't forget to lock the door when you do come in."
"Okaaay!" Chiaki replied, gently taking Kushida's arm, and guiding her out of the room, the floor creaking softly beneath their footsteps as they disappeared down the hallway.
As they left, the air in the room seemed to lighten, the heavy atmosphere dissipating with their departure.
Yuki and I remained, standing amid the remnants of their twisted prank. The candles flickered, casting eerie, dancing shadows on the walls, while the scent of burnt wax mingled with the faint smell of Kushida's fear in the air. Shaking my head, I focused on the task at hand.
"Help me clean up this mess," I said to Yuki, who nodded in agreement.
Together, we began to extinguish the candles and remove any traces of their prank, the sound of our footsteps and the rustle of discarded items breaking the silence as we returned the room to its normal state.
Once everything was cleaned up, Yuki and I sat on one of the sofas inside my room, the cushions sinking slightly beneath our weight.
"You really enjoyed playing with Kushida, didn't you?" I asked, sighing.
"Of course, Kiyotaka~ It's always fun to put people in their place," Yuki replied, giggling. "But I must admit, I'm a bit disappointed Kikyō-chan didn't put up more of a fight. She's much more boring than I thought."
"Maybe that's because you went too far," I pointed out, making my way to the closet to change into my nightwear.
Yuki shrugged, her shoulders rising and falling gracefully. "Probably. Although, I do kinda feel bad about it now. A lot of the things I did were 'heat of the moment' things, so I didn't have the time to properly process what I was doing."
You don't say, Yuki.
You literally beat her up, threw her down a flight of stairs, mentally tortured her, and manipulated her into helping you get rid of four people for a fake crime.
I shook my head in exasperation, the fabric of my uniform rustling as I began to change. Yuki's plan was truly intricate... and morally questionable, which would be an understatement, considering how Kushida looked.
"Well, it's good that you realized that," I replied, slipping off my uniform and putting on a comfortable t-shirt. "But I hope you'll think twice before doing something like this again. I don't particularly care about Kushida, but a lot of things could have gone wrong, Yuki."
"I know, I know," Yuki said, her lips forming a slight pout. "But it's so hard to resist sometimes. Especially when I see someone like Kikyō-chan, who's always trying to manipulate people and act all innocent, it's like she's begging for someone to put her in her place."
"I can't argue with that," I replied, shrugging.
I headed over to the bathroom, the cool tile floor beneath my feet, to brush my teeth. After a good minute spent brushing, I made my way out of the bathroom to see Yuki already changed up into her own nightwear, the soft glow of the lamp illuminating her figure.
Ah, that's right... she had clothes in my wardrobe, considering how often she slept here.
I shook my head in amusement. "You really make yourself at home here, don't you?"
Yuki merely giggled in response before plopping down on the bed and making herself comfortable, the mattress dipping slightly under her weight.
I joined her on the bed, the soft fabric of the sheets welcoming me as I settled in. The blonde-haired girl snuggled up to me, her warmth radiating through the covers.
"Good night, Yuki," I said, reaching over to switch off the bedside lamp
"Good night, Kiyotaka~" Yuki replied, snuggling further under the covers, her breath a whisper against my skin.
I lay in the darkness for a few moments, my mind wandering over the events of the day. It had been eventful, to say the least.
And I'm pretty sure that this would be tame compared to what the future has in store.
But for now, I would push those thoughts aside and focus on getting some rest. Tomorrow is a new day, after all.
With a yawn, I closed my eyes and let myself drift off to sleep, the sound of Yuki's breathing lulling me into a peaceful slumber.
End of Chapter
A/N: I decided to make a separate chapter where the aftermath of the two key scenes from Chapter 12 would be tackled and further fleshed out. What do you think?
(And... I just wanted to do a double release for today, so I apologize if there were some mistakes in the writing. I'll get back to the few that I've missed tomorrow)
For Suzune, I decided to give her another scene narrated from her perspective just so that everyone could tell what was going on in her mind. I'm actually not that confident with what I had pulled off, considering I had to take into account that she's somehow different in this story compared to her canon counterpart. But at the same time, I didn't want Horikita Suzune to feel like an OC, I still wanted her to feel like Suzune, but with my personal touch. Let me know what you think about the scene.
As for the last scene, I'm intentionally keeping the entire plan about Nagumo's cronies a little vague for now since they're, quite frankly, irrelevant, and the issue can just be tackled in the next couple of chapters. That said, I think you guys have an idea already on how Chiaki and Yuki plan on expelling the four senpais.
That being said, the last scene had two main plots that I tackled.
1. Horikita Suzune's purpose; and
2. The Aftermath of Yuki's plan.
To put it simply, I had Kiyo and Suzu have that conversation in the elevator so that we could start with Suzune keeping her act together and actually being a little sister that Manabu could be proud of. It's not going to happen instantaneously, but with the seeds planted, it's only a matter of time.
For Yuki, while she did go full-on YandeYuki on Kushida, I made sure that she was also well aware that she went too far with what she did... but, since it was Kushida, she simply couldn't afford to care.
Also, I did try to give people a glimpse of just how close Yuki and Chiaki actually are, with them being capable of working together when not competing for Kiyotaka's affections. I believe they're a really scary duo, with a dark mastermind in Yuki and a willing and capable ninja-esque character in Chiaki, who's not above getting her hands dirty if it means the safety of the people she cares for.
I... kinda love their sisterhood, and well, I hope you guys do too.
That being said, I do actually like Kushida. All of this is just a setup to make her into a better character that would have a place in this story. I think her current placement as someone who's terrified and anxious with the realization of playing a game she had no business playing would be an interesting character study. I'm still thinking about how I'll make her act moving forward, but this chapter provided me with a baseline, so I guess I'll just work with that.