kiyopon can't communicate

by vamer

ok

Kiyopon Can't Communicate!
Lumi-chan!

Published: 2022
Source: https/

Kiyopon meets Horikita!

Yo. I made these little shorts back in my oneshots book, and people suggested that I should make a seperate fic for this series.

I love writing this series lol

So yeah. basically he'll act similar to Komi-san but in his own Kiyopon way?

Expect characters to be OOC.

Third Person PoV

1. Meeting Hoekita

" Hey. Why were you looking at me earlier?" Horikita asked.

Kiyotaka stared at Horikita, not saying a single word.

Horikita glared at him.

" Respond!" She snapped.

Kiyotaka opens his bag and takes out a notebook.

Horikita was now confused as Kiyotaka began writing in the notebook.

Kiyotaka showed her his notebook.

' You didn't give up your seat for the old woman. ' It said.

Horikita nodded as she stared at Kiyotaka with a confused look.

" Are you mute?" She asked curiously.

Kiyotaka shook his head 'no' and began writing in his notebook.

Kiyotaka showed his notebook to her again.

' I don't want to talk much. I dislike trouble.' It said.

" Is that so? Then I don't think we'll ever get along. This was a waste of time." Horikita said before sighing and walking off.

Kiyotaka stared at her back and silently sighed and began to walk as well.

2. Introduction

Kiyotaka was sitting on his seat, and staring at the window.

" What an unpleasant coincidence..." he hears a familiar voice say.

Kiyotaka turned his head to see Horikita again.

" Still won't speak, huh?" She mutters and sits down.

Kiyotaka thought about his next actions.

Horikita was busy reading her book until she felt someone poke her arm.

She turned to glare at the person but immediately recognized it was her seatmate, Ayanokoji.

" What?" She asked.

Kiyotaka showed his notebook.

' My name is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. I'm not particularly special at many things, but I am interested in a lot of them. I don't want too many friends, since a few would be enough for me...'

Kiyotaka turned to the next page and showed it to her.

'It's nice to meet you.' It said.

Horikita stared at Kiyotaka and then to the notebook and then back to Kiyotaka.

" My name is Horikita Suzune..." She says.

Kiyotaka nodded and wrote her name in his notebook.

" Why are you writing my name?" She asks

( Kiyotaka then started looking at his watch.

" Why are you looking at your watch...?" She asks.

Kiyotaka looked at her.

" ...Because I am Kiyopon." )

Lmao ignore that cringe part

Kiyotaka shows his notebook to her again.

' Friends - Horikita Suzune ' it said

Horikita blushed in suprise.

" W-What?!" She says

Kiyotaka looked at her confused and then wrote in his notebook again.

' Are we not friends?' It said.

" N-No, we are not..." she replied.

Kiyotaka nodded slowly and slumped down to his seat in disappointment.

' What? Why do I feel bad?' Horikita thought.

Horikita thought for a bit and then sighed in defeat.

She pokes his arm and he looks at her.

" Fine...we can be friends...but don't expect the best from me..." she says.

Kiyotaka looks at her for a whole minute without speaking.

' WHY IS HE STARING AT ME LIKE THAT?!' She thought.

Kiyotaka opened his mouth.

" That's more than enough Horikita..." he softly says.

Horikita was stunned by his voice.

It felt like a cool breeze up on the hills.

" You spoke..." She says.

Kiyotaka nodded and then began to stare back at the window.

Horikita snapped out of her trance and began to read her book again.

' What a weird guy...' she thought.

Vote for Kiyopon!

Horikita cares about Kiyopon!

Third Person PoV

1. Kiyopon waits for Horikita.

Kiyotaka stood outside of the dormitory, waiting for his new friend.

" A...Ayanokoji-kun...?" He hears the familiar voice and instantly turns his head.

Kiyotaka gave a little wave.

" What are you...? " Horikita was once again stunned by this boy.

They've only been friends for a few days. She could still remember his 'introduction' to the whole class and it was engraved in her mind as a cringe yet funny memory

Kiyotaka wrote on his notebook and showed it to her.

' I wanted for us to walk together.' It said.

" I see...wait, how long have you been waiting here?" She asked

Kiyotaka only stared at her silently.

Horikita sighed

" Whatever, let's go." She said and they immediately began walking together.

2. Swimming pool

Kiyotaka watched as Ike and a few other boys discussed about the girls breast sizes.

In fact, they were betting and planning to record them using the professors help.

Kiyotaka had a chance to be invited into Ike's little group chat, but for some reason, he was immediately pulled away by Horikita.

He asked her 'why' and she replied with .

--

" You could find better friends. Just don't be friends with people like them..." she said

--

Now he understood why. Ike and his friends were quite perverted and talking shamelessly about the girls' boob sizes, much to the girls disgust.

Kiyotaka slowly drifted away, in order to not be labelled as a pervert.

" There you are, Ayanokoji-kun." Horikita said.

Kiyotaka turns around and waves to Horikita.

Kiyotaka silently inspects Horikita's look with the school swimsuit.

Horikita notices this and glares at him.

" What are you looking at?" She snapped.

Kiyotaka tilts his head in confusion and points to her as if it was an obvious answer.

" I know that! But aren't you inspecting me a bit too much?" She fumed

Kiyotaka widens his eyes a bit.

He had wanted to apologize, but his notebook wasn't here.

He also did not deem it too necessary to talk.

So he resulted in his 2nd form of communication .

Kiyotaka used sign language.

' I'm sorry. I did not mean to.' he signed.

Horikita looked suprise.

" Now you're using sign language...?" She said.

Kiyotaka nodded.

Horikita sighs.

" It's fine. I forgive you." She said.

' You understand sign language?' He signed

Horikita raises a brow.

" Yes, I do. I was obligated to. " Horikita said as she remembered a special event during her family life.

' I see.' He signed.

Horikita's eyes flickers towards Kiyotaka's well-built body.

" Ayanokoji-kun, do you workout?" She asked curiously.

' Sometimes. ' he signed

" I see..." she said

Suddenly a new voice entered their space.

" Oh! Ayanokoji-kun and Horikita-san." A certain voice from a certain girl greeted.

Kiyotaka waves at Kushida.

" Are you and Horikita-san having a little date~?" She teased.

" We are not. Stop making assumptions." Horikita said.

Kiyotaka nodded his head in agreement with Horikta.

Kushida then says that she's joking and then proceeds to try and get along with Horikita, but of course she failed.

3. Kiyopon wants to order/ Horikita cares about Kiyopon.

Kiyotaka pokes Horikita's arm and she turns to look at him.

" What?" She asked.

Kiyotaka showed her his notebook.

' Could you come with me to Palate Cafe?' It said

" Why? Couldn't you go by yourself?" She asked.

Kiyotaka shook his head 'no' and quickly wrote in his notebook .

' I want to order, but it's filled with girls. I would stick out like a sore thumb' it said.

Horikita sighed and agreed to go with him, once again.

Currently, they were in front of the register.

Horikita had already ordered her drink, but it's been 5 minutes since Kiyotaka stared blankly at the menu.

" Hey...order already..." The girl at the register said.

Kiyotaka looked lost in his little world as he calculated the best possible drink.

Horikita was getting fed up with it, so she took a quick glance and noticed that Kiyotaka's eyes had been flickering to a certain drink and decided to order for him.

" He would like an iced white chocolate mocha." Horikita said.

Kiyotaka shot her a look of suprise at her accuracy.

" Your eyes were looking at that drink for most of the time that you've been reading the menu." She simply stated.

" Will...that be your order, sir?" The cashier asked.

Kiyotaka nodded in affirmation and the cashier sighed in relief.

Currently, they were sipping their drinks while sitting in their table.

" How is it?" She asked.

' It's good.' He signed

They both went back to sipping their drinks, until Kushida stepped in and interrupted their time.

" Oh! I didn't expect you two to be here!" She said in suprise.

' Not again...' Horikita thought

Before Kushida could say what she needed to say, Horikita immediately stood up.

" Let's go, Ayanokoji-kun." Horikita said.

" Eh? Wait! Where are yo-" Kushida couldn't finish her sentence since Horikita cut her off with one of her cold glares.

" Leave us alone. " she said.

Kushida was stunned by her tone of voice and she glanced at Ayanokoji-kun.

Horikita noticed that and immediately pieced together on why Kiyotaka wanted to go here and why Kushida went to their table.

She silently cursed the gods.

" Ayanokoji-kun and I have some business, don't we?" She stared at Kiyotaka with expectant eyes.

Kiyotaka slowly nodded, grabbed his drink and went with Horikita, but not before giving a small wave of goodbye to Kushida.

They were currently walking back to the dormitory, but Horikita wasn't talking to Kiyotaka.

It made him worried, so he grabbed her hand gently which made her stop.

" Horikita...?" Kiyotaka said slowly.

Horikita turned around to look at him

" Did you and Kushida plan all of that?" Horikita said.

Kiyotaka nodded.

Horikita sighed in disappointment.

" No wonder..." she muttered to herself.

' Why do you not wish to get along with her?' He signed.

" You of all people, should know that I don't intend to get along with everyone else." She said.

Kiyotaka slowly nodded in understanding.

Horikita sighed.

" Im telling you this because...you are my friend...and I care...so listen to my advice, alright?" Horikita said.

Kiyotaka stared at her.

" Kushida might not seem as nice as everyone else thinks...so please, don't get close to her. " she said.

Kiyotaka sensed the seriousness in her tone and nodded in agreement.

They began walking again.

Kiyotaka gave her his notebook and she read it.

' It's the first time that you said you cared about me.' It said.

Horikita turned red in embarassment and walked a bit faster.

" Shut up..." she said.

Kiyotaka slightly smiled and began catching up to her.

YEAH I MADE HIM SMILE.

IT FELT RIGHT.

Also, how do you like this Horikita?

Im also planning to make him interact with other girls too so ye.

Vote please! Do it for Kiyopon!

Horikita best girl? / Kiyopon makes a new friend!

I really love writing this cuz all I think about is Komi-san and her younger brother.

Also, to be honest, I planned for Horikita to just be a btch to our Kiyopon.

But before I realized it, I was already making her Best girl and I like it very much.

Third Person PoV

1. Kiyopon's entrance exam scores?

Horikita walked to the guidance office. She was irritated that she was placed in Class D.

Everyone was defective to her.

Well...there was one exception.

But she didn't want to think about Kiyotaka right now.

Horikita knocked on the door and Chabashira-sensei opens it.

( Timeskip through that boring dialogue. )

' Tch. A waste of my time...' Horikita thought before turning away to exit through the door.

"Oh. That reminds me. I've summoned another person to the guidance room. It's someone close to you." Chabashira said.

Horikita stopped.

' Close to me? ' Horikita thought as she turned to look at Chabashira-sensei with a curious look.

Suddenly a terrifying possibility came into mind.

" Y-You don't mean...Nii-sa-" Horikita tried to say but Chabashira cut her off.

" Ayanokoji, you can come out now." She called.

Horikita froze in both relief and confusion.

' Ayanokoji-kun is here ? ' she thought.

Silence was in the room for a while...

" If you don't come out, I'll have you expelled." She threatened.

Once again, complete silence.

Horikita was still confused while Chabashira developed an 'irk' mark on the side of her forehead.

Chabashira walked to the door of the kitchenette and opened it.

The door revealed the ever so silent Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, with his blank face as he stared at both Horikita and Chabashira.

" Ayanokoji, how long do you inte-"

Kiyotaka closes the door quickly.

' Did...he just shut the door again?' Horikita thought with visible confusion.

An aura was emanating from Chabashira as she clenches her fist.

" You are really testing my patience..." She said before sliding the door open and dragging Kiyotaka out by the collar of his jacket.

Both Kiyotaka and Horikita stood in front of Chabashira.

" Ayanokoji-kun...? What were you doing here..." Horikita asked.

' I was called here and then she shoved me in that room. I didn't want to come out because it looked awkward.' He signed.

Horikita nods slowly in understanding.

' But why was he called he-' Horikita's thought was cut off.

" You must be wondering why I called Ayanokoji, yes?" Chabashira asked as she took out one of the entrance exam papers.

" Yes. Why is he-" Horikita was cut off by Chabashira-sensei again.

" Here. Look at his exam scores and tell me what you see." She said.

Horikita takes the papers and reads through it.

" 50..." Horikita muttered.

Chabashira nodded while Ayanokoji slightly frowned ( Pouted? Ur choice) in disappointment at this current event.

" Indeed. Ayanokoji scored 50 across all the subjects...do you know what this means, Horikita?" Chabashira said while smirking.

" A-Ayanokoji-kun...did you...intentionally rig your scores...?" Horikita asked slowly as she looked at Kiyotaka.

Kiyotaka looked at Horikita and then to Chabashira.

And then back to Horikita.

Kiyotaka has still not responded.

Instead, Kiyotaka silently sighs and walks to the window and stares at the outside, leaving Horikita still confused.

" This uncooperative... anyways, in short, he most likely intentionally scored half of 100 on his papers. "

( Timeskip to walking in the hallway together after Chaboobashira's talk.)

Horikita and Kiyotaka walked together in silence.

' The ticket to Class A...is...he actually a genius? ' Horikita thought as she glances at Ayanokoji.

' Maybe I could...' Horikita thought as she prepared to try and persuade Kiyotaka to help her.

But Horikita closed her mouth shut.

' I can't...not to him. He's...my friend, right? This isn't what friends are for...even if I have zero experience in it...' She thought.

" Ayanokoji-kun." She called and Kiyotaka stopped to look at her, silently.

Horikita sighed.

" If you're worried about me forcing you...or anything like that. Please don't worry. We are friends, right? " she said.

Kiyotaka widened his eyes in slight suprise.

' Really?' He signed

" Yes." Horikita confirmed.

Horikita felt a sudden relief rush through her body after saying all of that.

It felt like some sort of pressure was intensifying if she were to try and persuade Kiyotaka.

( Probably the readers lol. )

Horikita felt slightly proud of herself, for not becoming a bad friend.

Horikita began walking but Kiyotaka suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her close to ki-

( Yeah right. Too early, ladies and gentlemen. )

Horikita began walking until Kiyotaka stopped her gently by the shoulder.

" Ayanokoji-kun? What is-" but she was cut off.

" I will help Horikita..." He softly said.

Horikita looked at him in suprise.

" H-Huh...?" She was stunned once again by our Kiyopon.

' I will help Horikita Suzune. With the effort being the bare-minimum, of course.' He signed.

" Pfft...haha-!" Horikita giggled in response.

" Hahaha! That sounds so like you..." she said as she tried to cover more giggles.

Kiyotaka stared at her, suprised by her laughter.

Horikita found this ironic. She thought he would hate it if he were forced to work for the class.

And here he is, offering his help!

Of course, with the bare-minimum effort.

' I guess...this is alright...' she thought before regaining her composure.

She looked at Kiyotaka and unknowingly gave a rare smile.

" Fine! That's better than nothing. " she said

Before she attempted to walk off, she was stopped by Kiyotaka once again.

" What?" She asked curiously.

' Did he have more to say?' She thought.

' You have a cute laugh. ' he signed.

Horikita's face turned slightly red and looked away in embarassment.

" Is that so..." she said while looking away from Kiyotaka.

Kiyotaka nods his head.

' And an even cuter smile.' He signed.

Horikita turned even more red as she tried to glare at Kiyotaka. ( But in his eyes, it was quite a cute view. )

" D-Do you even know what you're saying?!" She said before rushing off, leaving Kiyopon in confusion.

2. Kiyopon meets Strawberry haired big booba girl!

Kiyotaka was walking to the vending machine, until he noticed a beautiful woman with strawberry hair sitting down while sipping a drink.

He walked to the vending machine, while his eyes were subtly glancing on her.

He suddenly remembered her.

It was the girl who stopped Hoshinomiya-sensei from violating him prior to all this!

( I'll leave it your imagination on how Hoshinomiya acted towards Kiyopon while he was waiting for Chabashira.)

After Kiyotaka got his drink, he was about to walk back until the girl called out to him.

" Oh. Hello! I remember you." The girl said.

Kiyotaka slowly turned his head around to look at her.

" You were the one that was with Chabashira-sensei right? Oh! I apologize if Hoshinomiya-sensei bothered you... she can make a few students uncomfortable...hehe" the girl said while giving a cute wink.

Kiyotaka stared at the girl silently.

" Um...I- " she was cut off when Kiyotaka pulled out his notebook.

He quickly wrote his response and showed it to her.

' It's okay.' It said.

The girl looked suprise as she suddenly became curious.

" I see. Im sorry if it's rude to ask but...are you perhaps mute?"

Kiyotaka shook his head 'no' in response and began writing in his notebook again.

' I don't like to talk much.' It said.

" Oh..." The girl said in response.

She suddenly smiled and gave him her hand.

" Well, my name is Ichinose Honami of Class B! It's nice to meet you!" She said.

Kiyotaka shook her hand in response.

" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka...Class D." He said.

Ichinose was suprised by his soft spoken tone of voice.

It felt amazing to her ears but that thought was quickly extinguished when Kiyotaka showed her his notebook.

' Can we be friends' it said.

Ichinose looked suprise and blushed a bit at this.

' K-Kawaii!' She thought.

It took a while for her to respond since she was still stunned by our silent but cute protagonist.

" A-Ah! Yes, we can be friends!" She said while smiling

Kiyotaka nodded and wrote in his notebook.

' Friends - Horikita Suzune, Ichinose Honami. ' it said.

Ichinose was suprised once again and smiled.

" Yes, it's nice to meet you, Ayanokoji-kun!" She said.

And Kiyopon gained his second friend.

I love writing this series lol.

Annnndd Kiyopon has gained another girl!

I honestly plan to make these shorts until yr 2 where he meets his Kouhais.

Would you guys like that?

Vote for Kiyopon!

WholesomePaimon out~

Kiyopon meets Manabu/ Cute Kiyopon

I got too much ideas.

I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ELSE UNLESS I GET IT ALL OUT!

So ya'll better be happy.

Enjoy

Oh and I'm also considering the idea of making a fanfic for this short series.

Maybe I'll publish that fic when I got a ton of new parts.

Third Person PoV

1. Kiyopon meets Manabu

Kiyotaka sighed softly as he remembered the events that happened today.

They had assembled the study group, only to fail.

Horikita was too stubborn, though Kiyotaka tried his best to calm her down.

Kiyotaka decided to go out and get a drink from the vending machine.

( To the vending machine!)

After Kiyotaka got his drink, he then suddenly overheard voices from around the corner.

Kiyotaka was curious, so he sneaked and hid around the corner.

He saw two people.

It was Horikita!

Kiyotaka eavesdropped on their coversation.

" I told you. It's pointless. You really are a disobedient little sister." A voice said.

The voice which belonged to a boy, stepped closer to Horikita.

It's the Student Council President!

Kiyotaka knew that they were siblings.

But he wasn't aware that they had a tense relationship.

Suddenly, the Student Council President pinned Horikita's wrist to the wall, and Horikita showed no signs of resistance.

" No matter how hard I try to avoid you, the fact remains that you're my little sister. If people learned the truth, I would be humiliated. Leave this school immediately." He said.

Kiyotaka watched carefully on the brother's next move.

"I...I can't do that! I will definitely reach Class A! " she said.

But Horikita hadn't only thought about reaching it for herself.

She had also thought about Kiyotaka. She had wanted to reach it together with him, so he can also reap the benefits of Class A.

' That's what friends are for...right?' Horikita thought.

" How stupid. Do you want to relive the pain of the past?"

" Nii-san...I..."

" You possess neither the abilities nor the qualities needed to reach Class A. Get that through your head. "

He moved forward, as if about to act. When Manabu was about to strike Horikita with a palm strike...

Suddenly, Kiyotaka had instantly caught up and caught his wrist, which he pulled back.

" A-Ayanokoji-kun?!" Horikita said in suprise.

Kiyotaka had said nothing as he quickly glanced at Horikita to see if she was okay and then focused back on making sure Manabu doesn't make a move.

" You...Don't you know that eavesdropping is not an admirable quality? " Manabu asked as he turned his head slightly to glare at Kiyotaka.

Kiyotaka stared at Manabu silently like always.

" A-Ayanokoji-kun...let him go. " Horikita said.

Kiyotaka was suprised at her tone of voice and slowly released Manabu's wrist.

Suddenly, Manabu attacked Kiyopon with a backhand.

Kiyotaka dodged.

Manabu narrowed his eyes and then aimed a sharp kick at his open spot.

Kiyotaka also dodged.

Manabu seemed suprise and then aimed for a grab, disguised as an open palm strike.

To which, Kiyotaka slapped away.

Manabu took a step back as he looked at Kiyotaka.

Horikita was suprised and a bit relieved that Kiyotaka knew how to defend himself against her brother.

" Good reflexes. I didn't imagine you could evade all my blows so easily. Do you practice something?" Manabu asked with interest.

Kiyotaka stared at him silently.

~~~ Stareeeeee~~~~~

" ...Are you not going to say something?" Manabu asked with a now confused look.

' Even in a serious moment like this...' Horikita thought.

' I've learned some self-defense techniques. " Kiyotaka finally decided to sign.

' Sign language? Is he perhaps mute? Well, it's a good thing I can understand it.' Manabu thought.

" I see...you're in Class D too, aren't you? Is he your friend, Suzune?" Manabu asked.

Horikita looked at Manabu and slowly nodded.

" Yes...he is my friend..." Horikita answered.

Manabu widened his eyes in suprise as he looked back to his sister and then to Kiyotaka.

Kiyotaka felt happy inside to hear Horikita admit that to her brother.

" I see... I recognize you now, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka of Class D." Manabu said after making sure that what his sister said wasn't some sort of messed up dream.

Kiyotaka nodded.

Manabu stood in front of Horikita and blocked her vision with his back.

' Marry my sister.' He signed.

Kiyotaka widened his eyes in suprise.

Horikita couldn't see what Manabu signed so she was confused.

" Im just kidding. Though, the offer is open." Manabu said while chuckling.

Horikita was suprised at how this situation de-escalated to the point that her brother had chuckled.

' This always happens when Ayanokoji-kun is around huh...' Horikita thought.

" Offer...?" Horikita asked.

Manabu turned around to face her.

" I'm suprised and glad that you made a friend, Suzune. But the road to Class A, will not be an easy one. So struggle with all your might." Manabu said and then walked off.

( Now they are relaxing at the bench near the vending machine.)

It was silent for a while, until Horikita spoke.

" I didn't expect you to know how to fight." She said.

Kiyotaka looked at her.

' I was often bullied in Middle-school. So I picked up Martial arts. ' he signed.

" You were bullied?" Horikita asked in suprise.

Kiyotaka nodded as a response.

' Bullied...? It's so hard to imagine, for some reason...' Horikita thought.

" I see..." she responded and then took another sip of her drink.

" Ayanokoji-kun, what should I do?" She suddenly asked.

Kiyotaka looked at her and she began to continue.

" The study group failed. You once told me that if I were to expell them, then we might suffer a major deduction of Class Points." She said and then sighed.

Horikita was frustrated with this situation.

She was thinking of all the possible ways to help them and herself but it's always dead ends.

headpat*

" Huh?" Horikita muttered in confusion.

Horikita felt Kiyotaka's hand, patting her gently on the head.

" What are you doing...?" Horikita asked.

Kiyotaka decided to speak.

" I'm sure we can find a way..." He said.

Once again, Horikita felt suddenly calm by his voice and his headpatting.

" Horikita, if you want my suggestion...then perhaps we can seek Kushida's help? " he asks softly while still patting her head.

" mmmm..." Horikita hummed as she only focused on his headpat.

Kiyotaka took his hand off her head.

" Horikita?" He asked

Horikita suddenly snapped out of her trance and coughed awkwardly.

" Ehm...yes?" She asked while willing herself not to blush.

" We should seek Kushida's help again...and bring them back together and then you can try again..." He suggested.

Horikita groaned but realized that they had no choice.

" You're right...it seems like it's all we've got..." she said before standing up.

She then turned to look at Kiyotaka.

" You know, this is the longest that you've spoken to me using your words." She said.

Kiyotaka went back to silent mode.

' I thought it would help you.' He signed.

Horikita snorted in amusement.

" Whatever. Let's go back now, Ayanokoji-kun. " she said and then walked away.

Kiyotaka chugged the rest of his drink and quickly followed her.

2. Kiyopon deals with the senpai.

Horikita was currently busy teaching the three idiots.

So Kiyotaka had to make his own move.

He slipped past his classmates and went out of the classroom during lunchtime.

Well, not like anyone would notice him anyway.

Once he made it to the cafeteria, his eyes did a quick survey until he spotted his target.

He noticed a male senpai and quickly went to him.

Kiyotaka sat in his table.

" Huh? What are you doing here?" The boy asked in both suprise and annoyance.

Kiyotaka took out his notebook and began writing.

' Do you have the test answers for the midterms from last year?' It said.

The senpai looked at him in confusion and then stood up.

" No I don't. I'll be go-"

But Kiyotaka had quickly written

' I have a deal that you might like. ' it said.

The senpai slowly sat back down.

" Is it private points?" He asked.

Kiyotaka nodded in response.

" How much?"

Kiyotaka quickly wrote on his notebook.

' 10,000 points.' It said.

" Ha! No. Give me 30,000 and then we have a deal." He said.

Kiyotaka tried his best to lower the price but the senpai wouldn't budge.

Deciding to not waste his time any longer, Kiyotaka stood up.

" Huh? You giving up? Fine, I can finally go back to eating." The stubborn senpai said as he went back to eating his free meal.

Kiyotaka walked off to another table with 3rd year girls on it.

The Senpai watched Kiyotaka in confusion.

' What? Why is he going to those chicks?' He thought.

After Kiyotaka wrote his reasons and his offer, the girls giggled as they commented on how cute he is.

They decided to give it to him, free of charge.

Kiyotaka tried to pay but they said to not mind it.

Kiyotaka nodded, thanked them and left the table.

The Senpai watched, jaw dropped at that.

' WHAT? DID HE SERIOUSLY GET IT THAT EASY?' The senpai thought.

Kiyotaka passed by the Senpai's table and then stopped to look at him.

The senpai looked back.

Kiyotaka stuck his tongue out childishly in an insulting manner and then walked off, leaving the bewildered senpai even more confused.

( He did it with a blank face too. )

The senpai then immediately contemplated whether he should kill himself-

Later that day, Horikita was shocked to receive the sudden email from Kiyotaka about the test answers and his observations.

' What did he do...?' She thought

Ok. I promise myself that I will stop writing more Kiyopon can't communicate for tonight.

I MUST NOT WRITE.

Anyways, Goodnight!

SleepyPaimon, Out~

Horikita helps Kiyopon / Kiyopon saves Sudog

The manga is weird, but it's way closer to the ln than the anime that's for sure.

Also they got cute panels of Kiyopon

Like this!

KIYOPONNNNN

Anyways, let's begin the chapter.

Third Person PoV

1. Horikita wants Kiyopon to be trusted!

Horikita and Kiyotaka were once again, sitting down for lunch.

" How did you do it?" Horikita asked as she held the answer sheets.

Kiyotaka wrote on his notebook.

' Did you not read what I sent you?' It said.

" What I mean is, how did you get these? You said you made a deal with a senpai from Class B but I doubt you would have anything of value to offer them..." She said

Kiyotaka stared at her for a bit.

Horikita was suddenly getting impatient with his stare.

" What?" She asked

Kiyotaka shook his head before writing in the notebook.

' You look prettier than usual, today. ' it said

Horikita turned red from his sudden compliment.

" D-Don't change the topic!" She said while flustered.

Kiyotaka began writing in his notebook.

' I went to a table filled with female senpais and then asked for it. I offered to pay, but they decided to give it to me for free. ' it said.

Kiyotaka remembered the look on that male senpai's face.

It was a very funny memory to him.

Horikita was suprised by his explanation.

' They must have thought he was cute and decided to give it for free...' Horikita thought.

" Is that really all?" Horikita asked and Kiyotaka nodded in response.

Horikita scanned the papers again with her eyes.

" You said you wanted me to hand it out to everyone, right?" She asked and then glanced at Kiyotaka.

Kiyotaka nodded while munching on his food.

" I have a better idea." Horikita said.

Horikita dragged Kiyotaka by his wrist to the classroom after lunch time.

Kiyotaka stood his ground and Horikita stopped. Kiyotaka took out his notebook and wrote quickly.

' I don't want attention!' It said.

Horikita rolled her eyes

" It's better for them to be able to trust you. And this is the best time to do it." She said.

Kiyotaka shook his head in denial and wrote again.

' I already have you. Why should I get everyone else's trust?' It said

Horikita slightly blushed but she focused on the task at hand.

" Don't try to make dumb excuses like that. Besides, you might make new friends to put in that notebook of yours." She said.

Kiyotaka thought about it for a bit.

He wrote in his notebook.

' I doubt they would actually consider becoming my friend after this.' It said

" Don't underestimate my instincts. " she said before opening the door.

Everyone was talking to each other since the teacher hasn't arrived yet.

They were all talking about the midterms tomorrow.

Complaints and panick heard throughout the room.

Kiyotaka looked at Horikita, expecting her to at least gather their attention.

But Horikita was gone.

Kiyotaka looked around and saw that Horikita was sitting in her seat with a smug grin.

"..." He was completely caught off-guard.

What should Kiyotaka do?

Kiyotaka looked at the chalk and picked it up.

Kiyotaka sighed softly and then...

SCREEEEEEEEEECCCCCCCHHHHHHH!!!!*

The sound pierced everyone's ear as they tried to cover it quickly.

" AH! STOP!" Shinohara yelled.

" WHO THE FUCK IS DOING THAT?!" Sudo roared.

' I didn't expect that...' Horikita thought while covering her ears.

Kiyotaka stopped and everyone looked at him shock mixed with anger and annoyance.

" Huh-? Wait! It's that silent guy!" Yamauchi said while pointing at him.

" Ayanokoji-kun? Why did you do that?" Hirata asked.

Kiyotaka wrote on the board.

' Please pay attention.' It said.

" You certainly have it now..." Ike muttered.

Kiyotaka wrote on the chalkboard.

' I have some papers I would like to distribute. These papers are the answer sheets from last year. A senpai gave it to me and proved that the tests from previous years were also similar. Please study it well.' It said.

.

.

.

.

.

The classroom erupted in happiness as they received their copies.

" AYANOKOJI, YOU LIFE-SAVER!" Ike yelled.

" WITH THIS, ALL OF COULD PASS! " Yamauchu also yelled in joy.

A few boys and girls surrounded Ayanokoji, thanking him for his help.

Some girls even asked him for his number.

And with that, the classroom began to put some trust in our silent protagonist.

But a certain girl with beige-colored hair, disliked the attention that Kiyotaka was receiving.

Kiyotaka returned to his seat and sat down.

" Wasn't that bad, was it?" Horikita said.

Kiyotaka stares at Horikita.

Kiyotaka pinches her sides.

" W-WHA- HEY!"

2. Kiyopon saves Sudo!

The scores were revealed and everyone had bated breaths.

Most of them got 100 and others had scores above 50.

Everyone cheered but then Chabashira revealed that Sudo had failed because his score was under the average.

Hirata tried to reason with Chabashira but the result was unchanged.

Sudo was crestfallen while his friends tried to comfort him.

Horikita was disappointed with these turns of events, even after Kiyotaka had help.

Everyone was talking to each other about the events that transpired.

Kiyotaka sighed silently and stood up.

Kiyotaka stepped out of the classroom without anyone noticing him.

As Kiyotaka tried to go to the faculty room , suddenly the door opened and out of the door was...

Hoshinomiya-sensei.

Kiyotaka immediately stopped and hid around the corner.

He did NOT want to deal with her.

Hoshinomiya sensei suddenly stopped and glanced at the corner where Kiyotaka was hiding.

' That smell...it smells like Kiyotaka-kun...' Hoshinomiya thought.

Hoshinomiya-sensei walked slowly to the corner while Kiyotaka tried to stay still.

' Could he be hiding...?' Hoshinomiya thought.

Ever since she had encountered him, she couldn't possibly wait to see him again.

A cute boy who refuses to talk whilst wearing a stoic look? Oh, if she was 10 years younger, she would be ALL over him.

Kiyotaka heard her footsteps getting closer and his eyes widened.

Suddenly, Hoshinomiya-sensei stopped.

" Where are you-" she was suddenly cut off

" Hoshinomiya-sensei! There's a problem in class!" Ichinose interrupted.

' Huh? Seriously?!' Hoshinomiya thought.

" Alright~ I'll be there, Honami-chan~" Hoshinomiya responded while sulking in the inside.

Her footsteps faded from Kiyotaka's hearing range.

Kiyotaka exhaled his breath silently.

He inwardly thanked Ichinose a million times in his mind.

Kiyotaka went out of the corner and went into the faculty room.

But Chabashira wasn't there.

Kiyotaka narrowed his eyes and saw a no smoking sign around the room.

It was only a random guess, but he thought that maybe Chabashira-sensei liked to smoke once in a while.

And there was only one place where she could do just that.

Kiyotaka encountered Chabashira-sensei at the rooftop.

Chabashira took a quick glance at Ayanokoji and then went back to smoking.

" What are you doing here, Ayanokoji? Class is almost starting." She said before blowing his T-re- ( sorry) I mean, exhaling the smoke from her mouth.

Kiyotaka walked closer to Chabashira until he stood right in front of her.

Chabashira looked at him in suprise.

Kiyotaka took out his phone and pointed at it.

" What?" Chabashira asked.

Kiyotaka pointed at his phone repeatedly and then to her.

Chabashira sighed and glared at Kiyotaka.

" Just speak, already." She snapped

Kiyotaka stared at her silently.

And then opened his mouth to speak.

" I would like to pay for one point to be added to Sudo's english test..." he said softly.

He went straight to the point.

Chabashira was caught off guard by his voice but immediately regained her composure.

" Oh? Is that so?" Chabashira asked.

Kiyotaka gave his reasons and Chabashira laughed in amusement.

" But do you have the points for it? It's going to cost you a 100,000 points." She said while smirking at him.

Kiyotaka slightly pouted which Chabashira noticed.

She immediately turned away and tried to calm down.

' WHAT WAS THAT?' She asked herself in her thoughts.

She could admit that the ever-so-silent Kiyotaka was cute.

But she never expected it to go this far.

" I'll pay half of it." A voice said.

Horikita joined in the conversation.

( and blah blah blah...)

The points were paid and Chabashira had told them that they should return to class.

But Horikita had a certain question bugging her for a while now.

" Sensei, why has your face been red for a while now? " Horikita asked in curiousity

Chabashira widened her eyes and immediately brushed off that question and then left the rooftop.

Horikita looked at Kiyotaka for answers but he responded with a shrug.

I already have a plan for the next chapter.

You might like it or hate it.

Heck, it might even change the atmosphere of this story a bit.

But fuck it.

Vote for Kiyopon!

SadisticPaimon out~

Celebration at Kiyopon's dorm! / Shutting down Kushida

Well here it is.

I couldn't help myself from writing this part ( again )

Third Person PoV

1. Celebration at Kiyopon's dorm!

The 3 idiots,Kushida and Horikita were celebrating in Kiyotaka's dorm.

Kiyotaka tried to deny it, but they took his silence as a yes.

But since Kiyotaka would rather not spend his time alone with the 3 idiots and Kushida ( Horikita's advice) he decided to drag Horikita along, much to her dismay.

Now here they are, eating snacks and drinking softdrinks.

Kiyotaka sighed silently.

Kushida was busy conversing with the 3 idiots. ( Much to her displeasure)

Kushida was invited by Ike and she accepted.

But she only accepted to learn more about Kiyotaka, his secrets would be most preferrable.

Horikita was only reading a book silently.

So our protagonist decided to bother her.

He slipped a note onto the page she was reading.

Horikita was suprised, but she read it.

' Stop reading that book and talk to me. I'm bored. ' it said.

Horikita glances at Kiyotaka, only to see him staring back at her in silence.

She began to write her response on the note and sent it back to him.

' It's your fault for being a lousy host for this party.' It said.

OOF!

It was a sharp stab to the heart from Horikita to our Kiyopon!

What will be his response?

Kiyotaka quickly responded and passed it back to her.

' Don't blame me, I didn't even want this party!' It said.

A ghost of a smile formed on Horikita's lips as she began to write her next response.

She then passed it back to him.

' Then you shouldn't have submitted so easily. Besides, you ALSO dragged ME into this, when I wanted to just go to my dorm and relax.' It said

Kiyotaka wrote his response and quickly sent it to her.

' I would've had no one to talk to.' It said.

Horikita once again writes down her response and sent it back to him.

' Oh please, you don't even TRY to talk for most of the time. ' it said.

Another critical hit towards our protagonist.

It seems like Horikita was going to win this battle.

Is Kiyopon going to lose this battle?

Kiyotaka wrote down his response and sent it to Horikita.

Once Horikita read it, her face turned slightly red once again.

' Whether or not I use my words or a notebook to conversate with you, my loneliness just dissipates when you're around.' It said.

' Idiot...' Horikita thought while turning red.

Kiyotaka was confused.

He wondered why Horikita froze and is not responding anymore.

He was about to poke her until Ike called them out.

" Oi! You two are having your little moment, huh?" He said.

" You guys are really close, huh~" Kushida teased.

" W-Wait, so the rumors of you guys dating are true?!" Sudo exclaimed

" What? Of course not." Horikita responded.

It seemed she regained her composure.

Yamauchi whispered to Sudo's ear.

" Oh boy, you better hurry up or that silent guy would steal her. " he whispered.

Sudo glared at Yamauchi in response.

That's right, Kiyotaka convinced them that Horikita had paid for his point.

( It was revenge )

Horikita decided to just accept it and think of another way to get revenge later on.

2. SHUTTING DOWN THE TWO FACED BITCH.

( Timeskip to clean up. )

Kiyotaka and Kushida were currently cleaning the aftermath of this little get-together.

Why was it only them?

Well, the 3 idiots just left the door and not once think about cleaning up.

As for Horikita?

One word:

Revenge.

So now, Kiyopon is stuck cleaning with Kushida. And Kushida also found this as a great opportunity to try and pry into his life.

" Hey, Ayanokoji-kun, do you like girls like Horikita-san?" Kushida asked as a starter.

Kiyotaka paused for a bit.

He turned to look at Kushida.

' Yes. A good friend.' He signed.

Unfortunately for him, Kushida wasn't a candidate for best girl, so she didn't understand a SINGLE thing he just signed.

" Um...sorry, Ayanokoji-kun...but I don't really understand sign languahe..." Kushida said

' SERIOUSLY? IS HE ACTUALLY MUTE? HOW DOES HORIKITA EVEN TALK TO HIM LIKE A NORMAL PERSON!' Kushida thought.

Kiyotaka suddenly realized something.

He was so used to conversating with Horikita, that he probably assumed Kushida knew sign language.

Kiyotaka quickly searched for his notebook and began writing.

' Yes. Horkita is a good friend. ' it said.

Minus the fact that she took revenge by leaving him with the person she warned him about.

Kushida smiled and nodded in response.

" It was a suprise you know? She's quite cold to others and you don't really seem to be interested in befriending anyone. But here you are! The two people with common traits becoming friends! Hehe~ are you sure you're not secret lovers?" She said and teased at the end.

Kiyotaka shook his 'no' and began writing again.

' Horikita and I are not together. But what made you think I was not interested in becoming friends with anyone?' It said

" Well...you never said ANYTHING in your introduction...ah! Wait, I've been meaning to ask, are you mute?"

Kiyotaka wrote his response in the notebook.

' I'm not mute. I just don't like talking much.' It said

' SON OF A-! SO YOU CAN TALK! GOD, THIS GUY IS PISSING ME OFF!' Kushida thought angrily.

" Ah I see! Oh, Ayanokoji-kun, this might be personal but... what were you like in middle school?" Kushida asked.

Kiyotaka paused for a bit and then responded by writing it in the notebook.

' A nobody. Nobody knew me and I never knew anybody. ' it said.

Kushida wasn't satisfied with this answer.

" Really? Don't you have a good body? I managed to see it during swimming class, so you must have at least done sports right?" She asked.

Kiyotaka shook his head no.

' TCH. THIS IS USELESS.' Kushida thought.

" I see...well, it's getting late, so I'll go now!" Kushida said before leaving the door.

Kiyotaka sighed in relief.

He didn't like hanging around her.

Especially, when Horikita warned him about her.

Suddenly, a notification was heard from his bed.

Kiyotaka checked it out to see a message from Ike...

To Kushida's phone.

Kushida had accidentally left her phone before leaving.

He had to give it back to her.

Kiyotaka grabbed his pen and notebook and placed the cellphone in his jacket.

He left the dorm.

When Kiyotaka went out of the dormitories, he saw Kushida going to the school.

Kiyotaka was suprised but he followed.

Kushida ended up at the rooftop and Kiyotaka followed but hid himself in the shadows.

Kiyotaka wondered if she was meeting with someone.

If she was, then he should probably leave.

But then.

" Tch! That fucking fake-mute bastard..." Kushida said with distaste.

Kiyotaka was slightly suprised but now he can understand why Horikita warned him about her.

" Thinking he's soooooo cool by staying silent! Giving those papers away! I bet that Horikita bitch helped him. Ugh, I hate them both! I WISH THEY DIED! " She yelled.

Suddenly Kushida's phone had been notified.

" Huh?" Kushida was now alarmed.

Kiyotaka silently cursed Ike for being such a simp.

" Who's there!" Kushida asked as she turned around.

Kiyotaka stepped out of the shadows and presented himself to Kushida.

Kushida's eyes darken.

" You..." she said while stomping towards him.

Kiyotaka held her phone in front of her, in order to try and signal her that he only intended to give her phone.

Kushida snatched it and glared at him.

" How much did you hear?" She asked with venom.

"..."

As always, Kiyotaka stayed silent and simply stared at her.

" Answer me you mute shit!" She snapped.

Kiyotaka took out his pen and was going to write in his notebook in order to respond but-

Kushida slapped the notebook off his hands and it fell to the ground.

Kiyotaka stared at her again.

" ANSWER ME WITH YOUR DAMN WORDS!" She said.

But Kiyotaka had not wavered.

" Fine then..." she says as she suddenly grabs his hand.

Kiyotaka was suprised, but before Kushida could make his hand land on her breast...

Kiyotaka reacted quickly and slapped her with his other hand.

" AH!" She yelled in pain as she backed off, releasing his hand in the process.

Kiyotaka stood still as he watched her rubbing her cheek.

She glared at him.

A hand mark was left on her cheek from the slap.

" You...You piece of shit!" She said as she charged at him.

Kiyotaka dodged and tripped her on the floor.

" Ack!" She yelled.

Kiyotaka watched this pitiful display.

" You...I'll tell everyone that you assaulted me! Everyone will begin to hate you! And soon, even Horikita will begin to lose trust in you!" She said as a last attempt to anger Kiyotaka.

" That won't be true, Kushida-san." A voice interrupted.

" H-Huh?" Kushida looked at the entrance in shock to see Horikita walking towards them.

Horikita stood in front of Kushida.

She pulled out her phone and it showed a video from start to finish.

" It shows here that you were insulting your own classmates and wishing for their death. I was going to stop the video and interrupt earlier, but then you tried to frame Ayanokoji-kun for sexual harassment." She said as she glared at Kushida.

Kiyotaka was glad that Horikita had back him up.

" Y-You-" But Horikita cut her off.

" Ayanokoji-kun may have slapped you in response, but then you charged at him and he simply dodged and made you trip. Once this video is released, everybody would see how much of a horrible person you are." She said.

Kushida was shut down.

" N-No! HORIKITA-SAN PLEASE DON'T DO THIS! I'LL DO ANYTHING!" Kushida started begging.

Horikita thought about it for a while and came to a conclusion.

" Fine. All I want you to do is to continue contributing to class. And leave Ayanokoji-kun and I alone. We have no intention whatsoever to try and ruin your life, unless necessary. " Horikita said as she glared at Kushida .

Kushida nodded

" I promise...could you dele-"

" You wish. As if I'm going to delete the only leash that's tied to your collar."

Horikita said before walking past her and picking up Kiyotaka's notebook.

" Here." Horikita brushed the dust off and handed it to Kiyotaka.

Kiyotaka took it and nodded.

Horikita looked at Kushida for the last time.

" If you try and destroy our agreement. Then you will be expelled. Enjoy your school year." Horikita said " Let's go now, Ayanokoji-kun."

Kiyotaka nodded and they both left the defeated Kushida on the rooftop.

I actually wanted to make it darker by Kiyopon glaring at Kushida with his true eyes.

But I think this version was better and fits more with this series.

What do you think?

Also, is it only me, or am I simping over this version of Horikita that I had made

Anyways, till next chappie

SadisticPaimon, out~

Horikita makes lunch for Kiyopon! / Kiyopon hangs out with Ichinose

Art above aint mine.

Just found it on google.

Anyways, here is ur daily wholesome chapter!

Also

Apparently Kiyopon and Manabu-nii were steaming together.

Idk if it's part of the manga or if it's fanmade but...

THAT BODY THO-

Alright! Let's begin!

Third Person PoV

1. Horikita makes lunch for Kiyopon!

Kiyotaka stared at the window as he remembered the events from last night.

He was glad that Horikita managed to back him up.

Who knows what he would've done...

" Hey." A voice spoke.

Kiyotaka turned his head to see Horikita.

" It's already lunch time." She said before taking out her lunch.

Kiyotaka finally realized the time and immediately stood up to buy a sandwich.

" Where are you going?" Horikita asked.

' To buy food' he signed.

" There is no need. Please sit back down." Horikita said.

Although Kiyopon was confused, he sat back down anyways.

Suddenly Horikita gave him the lunch that he thought she'd taken out for herself.

" You can eat that..." Horikita said while looking away.

Kiyotaka stared at Horikita silently.

Horikita noticed his stare

" What?" she asked.

Kiyotaka took out his notebook and wrote in it.

' Why did you make me lunch?' It said

" I made a bit more food than usual...so I just decided to give it to you." She said.

In truth, Horikita wanted to make him lunch because she felt sorry about leaving him alone to clean with Kushida of all people , which lead to a troublesome confrontation.

Even though they were probably even because she saved his butt. She felt like this would seal the deal and no further revenge plans would take off anytime soon...

It's not like she wanted to cook for him or anything...

Not like she wanted to practice being his future wife or anything...

( Ignore that second line, lol. )

Kiyotaka slowly nodded in understanding and stared at the lunch box.

" Aren't you going to eat it?" She asked impatiently.

Kiyotaka wrote on his notebook and showed it to her.

' Take your chair and sit in front of me' it said.

" H-Huh!?" She stuttered in suprise.

He wrote again.

' I want us to eat together. Besides, I have the window seat, so you can stare at the view.' It said.

' That's not the problem...' Horikita thought as she glanced at some of the students who were looking at them both.

Kiyotaka wrote on his notebook.

' If you want, I can just take my chair and sit in front of you instead.' It said.

" F-Fine!" Horikita surrendered and stood up.

She grabbed her chair and placed it at the opposite end of his table, and then sat down.

" Happy?..." she asked while she was a bit red.

Kiyotaka nodded in satisfaction and opened the lunch box.

Kiyotaka widened his eyes at the meal.

The boys muttered how much of a lucky bastard he was.

The girls squealed because they're seeing such a cute display.

Kiyotaka wrote on his notebook.

' It looks great.' It said.

" Just eat it already..." Horikita said and then sighed while taking out her own lunch.

Horikita opened her lunch and took a glance at Kiyotaka to see his first bite.

' Come on...eat it already!' Horikita thought.

Kiyotaka noms his first bite.

His eyes widened a bit in suprise.

Horikira tried to cover her nervousness by also eating.

" It tastes good, Horikita..." He said softly.

His voice was only heard by the two of them, while everyone else who was watching had not manage to hear it.

Horikita turned slightly red as she took another bite of her food, acting confident as if she already knew it was good.

" I know." She said.

The Chibi Horikita in her head had started doing somersaults and calling a party with the other Chibi Horikitas as they celebrated their victory

' HE LIKED IT!' The Chibi Horikitas cheered.

' I'm glad he liked it...' Horikita thought in relief.

2. Kiyopon hangs out with Ichinose! Ft. Mako-chan and co.

It was after school and Kiyopon was strolling around the mall.

He just decided to walk around there on a whim, he had no actual business he needed to attend or an errand to do.

" Oh? Ayanokoji-kun! Hello! " A voice called.

Kiyopon turned and saw Ichinose Honami waving at him with her friends.

Kiyotaka slowly waved back as they suddenly went closer to him.

" Oh? Is he perhaps your boyfriend, Honami-chan~?" A girl with black hair teased.

" E-Eh? No! Ayanokoji-kun is my friend!" She said in response.

A girl with short blonde hair sighed in relief.

( It said in the wiki that Chihiro's hair color is blonde... idk about u guys, but my mind always registered it as light green when I saw her in the anime. )

Kiyotaka nodded his head in agreement.

" Aww, no fun!" The girl nicknamed as " Mako-chan" said .

Mako-chan suddenly turned to look at Kiyotaka.

" Amikura Mako! It's nice to meet you!" She said.

Suddenly, Kiyotaka had remembered that he left his notebook in his dorm before strolling around the mall.

Kiyotaka silently cursed his stupid Kiyopon self.

Kiyotaka finally opened his mouth.

" My name is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka...of Class D..." he said softly.

Suddenly all the girls including Mako had been caught off guard by his tone of voice.

Even Ichinose felt that same feeling from when they first met.

" Y-You speak so softly! So cute!" Mako yelled as all the other girls agreed.

" Girls calm down... Ayanokoji-kun is not a person that likes to talk much. He usually likes to express his thoughts through writing in his notebook." Ichinose said.

" Eh? Really?" Mako asked and Kiyotaka nodded.

" Then...where is your notebook, Ayanokoji-kun?" Chihiro asked.

" I left it..." he responded.

Mako squealed once again.

" He sounds like a cute child!" She exclaimed before suddenly squeezing his cheeks.

" W-WAIT, MAKO CHAN!" Ichinose said as she tried to stop Mako from mercilessly squeezing his cheeks.

" Hand me your phone, Ayanokoji-kun!" Mako asked.

Kiyotaka tilted his head in confusion and handed her his phone.

She took the phone and began to put her contact info.

After that, she immediately returned it to him.

" Here! Call me anytime when you want to hang out! " she said

Kiyotaka looked at his phone in suprise as he saw Mako's contact.

The girls also offered their contact info but Mako immediately ushered them away and left with them.

"..."

Kiyopon was currently confused but was happy to receive a new friend.

Only Ichinose was left with him and she chuckled nervously.

" Sorry if they pressured you, Ayanokoji-kun..." she apologized.

" It's okay..." he responded.

Kiyotaka wanted to say more but he felt as if his word limit has been reached for today.

" Hm...it's still a bit early...do you want to eat with me at the cafe?" Ichinose asked with a smile.

Kiyotaka nodded.

Ichinose and Kiyoon entered the cafe.

There were few students at this time, which was lucky for them.

They gave their orders and sat at the table, waiting for their drinks and snacks.

" Have you been here already, Ayanokoji-kun?" Ichinose said.

Kiyotaka nodded in response.

" Oh? Did you perhaps come with anyone~" she teased.

Kiyopon also nodded without hesitation which took Ichinose by suprise.

" Eh? Really? Who? Tell me!" She asked excitedly.

( Yeah, she aint falling for him...yet...)

Kiyotaka stared at her silently.

Suddenly a realization hit Ichinose's head.

" Right! I forgot you don't have your notebook...and you're probably tired from speaking... do you perhaps know sign language?" She asked.

Kiyotaka's eyes widened in suprise and he nodded.

' You know and understand sign language?' He signed.

Ichinose nodded.

" Back in my middle school, I was a member of the student council . We wanted to have everyone involved in our campaign and there were a few mute or deaf students, so I took it as a chance to learn sign language in order to communicate with them! " She said.

Kiyotaka was amazed by her dedication and her hard-working, happy personality.

Kiyotaka had also noticed her kindness on the few times that he saw Ichinose in school. Although ever since becoming friends, they weren't able to hang out like this much, but he Ichinose had been kind to him on the few times that they did.

Kiyotaka felt that she was definitely a different person from Kushida. She was most likely not hiding a different personality.

' That's amazing.' He signed.

" Hehe, thanks! What about you, Ayanokoji-kun? Got any stories to tell me from your middle school?" She asked without malicious intent and only filled with curiosity.

Kiyotaka thought about his answer before signing.

' I had nothing much to do.' He signed.

" Eh? Really? I'll take your word for it then." She said.

Ichinose suspected that he way lying but she was never the type to pry into someone's life.

" Oh, our orders are here." She said as they both turned to see the waitress coming towards them with their orders.

Now, Kiyopon and Ichinose were walking together to the dormitories.

" It was fun hanging out with you, Ayanokoji-kun. " she said.

Kiyotaka nodded in response.

Ichinose was good company.

They finally arrived at the dorms.

" Let's hang out again soon, Ayanokoji-kun!" She said with a smile.

Kiyopon responded with a thumbs up and a nod.

Kiyotaka entered his room and sat on his bed.

He grabbed his notebook and hugged it.

He was happy to be reunited with it.

He opened it and began to write in it.

Friends - Horikita Suzune, Ichinose Honami, Amikura Mako

Kiyotaka closed his notebook and checked his contact list to see the 3 girls mentioned and some other girls from Class D that he never texted.

He then realized that most of his contacts were girls.

Kiyopon wanted guy friends too...

Just another wholesome chapter before another storm in the next chappie.

For now, I made Mako his temporary ( maybe permanent) step mom until we find an opportunity to get Harukaa-san on board the Kiyopon train!

Stay tuned!

SadisticPaimon, out~

Kiyopon's thoughts about confession / Sudo begs for Kiyopon's help!

Hello. Feeling down?

Reading this new part because you want to be happy?

Well, you hopefully came to the right place!

Another episode of Kiyopon Can't Communicate!

Enjoy~

Narrator- Chan PoV

1. Kiyopon's thoughts about confession.

Currently, Kiyopon was walking around with Ichinose Honami.

They were talking about anything that interested them and also about the upcoming 'vacation' the school will have.

" Have you ever went anywhere special in the past, Ayanokoji-kun?" Ichinose asked.

Kiyotaka was silent for a while, thinking about his answer.

He then took out his notebook and wrote.

' I never went to a place like that. ' it said

" Oh? Well, maybe you'll find a place like that soon. After all, it's where you can make the memories you want to keep for the rest of your life!" She said.

Kiyotaka was indeed interested in that sort of thing.

He wrote in his notebook.

' Does Ichinose have a special place?' It said.

Ichinose nodded happily and had a look of nostalgia as she remembered her experiences.

" It was a place where my sister, my mom and I would go to. It's something we did at least once a year. It never gets old because I love spending time with them." She said in a happy tone.

Kiyotaka wished to understand what that feeling was like.

He wrote on his notebook.

' Will you help me find my special place, Ichinose?' It said.

Ichinose froze.

To her, it sounded like some sort of proposal which turned her cheeks red.

To him, it was simply an innocent and straight forward question.

Ichinose didn't respond for a while which made Kiyotaka slightly worried.

He wrote on his notebook.

'Ichinose?' It said, but she didn't respond.

Kiyotaka flicked her forehead lightly.

" Ow!" She said in suprise.

Kiyotaka stared at her questioningly.

Ichinose realizes this and bows in apology.

" S-Sorry! It's just that...your words could be misunderstood, Ayanokoji-kun." She said

Kiyotaka only tilted his head in response.

" Well...um...it sounded almost like a confession...that's all." Ichinose said while blushing.

The realization hit Kiyopon's head.

He quickly wrote an apology in the notebook.

'Sorry. Please don't take it the wrong way.' It said.

" N-No, I understand! And if you really think I could help with finding you a special place. Then I will gladly do it!" She responds.

Kiyotaka wrote on his notebook.

' Thank you.' It said

Ichinose smiled and responded with " No problem!"

"Um...Ayanokoji-kun...speaking of confessions, I have something I'd like to ask you. " Ichinose said quietly.

Kiyopon felt the atmosphere suddenly drop a bit.

Kiyopon was confused so he quickly wrote.

' What is it?' It said.

" Um. Can you meet me behind the gym later? I'll tell you there." She said and looked up to him.

Kiyotaka only nodded in agreement and suddenly the atmosphere brightened again.

" Well. I'll see you then, Ayanokoji-kun!" Ichinose said before walking off and waving goodbye.

Kiyotaka responded with a small wave of his own.

( Timeskip to the meeting.)

Kiyopon arrived at the place where Ichinose told him to meet .

When he told Horikita that he had to meet up with Ichinose and that he wouldn't be able to walk with her back to the dorms today...

Her reaction was...interesting.

Horikita looked suprise and then the atmosphere felt almost cold.

Kiyopon had asked her what's wrong and she immediately snapped out of it and silently cursed herself for thinking like she was his overjealous girlfriend or something ( which she was not ) .

She told him that it was okay and now it's led to this.

" Over here, Ayanokoji-kun!" Ichinose called.

Kiyotaka walked to where she was standing.

' What is it that you want to tell me?' He asked.

Ichinose took a deep breath before giving him a confession letter.

Kiyotaka's eyes widened in suprise.

" I-I'm about to be confessed by someone, here!" She said.

Kiyotaka took out his notebook and wrote.

' ...What?' It said

" I-I received this letter in my drawer...and I don't know how to answer it...so I researched on how to reject someone lightly and it said that it will ease the pain if I show them that I already have someone!" She said.

Kiyopon was NOT an expert in love.

This situation has turned quite difficult.

" S-So... I was wondering if you cou-" but suddenly she was interrupted by a paper that was shoved into her hands.

" Eh?" She said in confusion.

Kiyotaka looks at her and nods as if telling her to read it.

She reads the paper.

" Confessing is not an easy thing to do. Whoever they are, they've probably simulated this moment in their heads over and over in agony. They want to say "I love you" but it gets stuck in their throat. I think it's better if Ichinose deals with it herself and give an honest answer. If you do, then nobody will have regrets. ' it said

Ichinose looked at Kiyotaka.

He opened his mouth.

" A lie only builds up until eventually...it'll burst and cause pain for yourself and others... " he said softly

" I...I understand..." Ichinose said before looking down.

Suddenly her head shot up in realization.

" A-Ayanokoji-kun, leave or find a place to hide! I don't want her to misunderstand any of this, if I were to give her an honest answer!" Ichinose said before ushering Kiyopon to a hiding place.

Kiyopon hid around the corner where they would most likely not notice him.

But one thing was on his mind.

' her'?

Suddenly a girl with short light blonde hair called Ichinose's name and slowly walked towards her.

Kiyopon's eyes widened in recognition.

It was the girl from a few days ago!

Kiyotaka awkwardly and silently watched the events unfold.

The confession, the rejection and the utter heartbreak.

He heard Ichinose say to her that she would be happy if they can still be friends.

Chihiro had agreed but she immediately ran away, trying her best to hide her tears.

Ichinose released a sigh of relief and pity for Chihiro.

" It was the only way..." she said

Kiyotaka nodded in response.

Ichinose turned to look at Kiyotaka with a smile.

" Thank you...it seems I really owe you one, huh?" She said.

' It's fine.' He signed.

"No, it's not. I really do owe you for all this trouble..." She said.

Kiyotaka wrote on his notebook.

' I'll remember that, then.' It said.

2. Sudo begs for Kiyopon's help!

Kiyotaka sat on the bed and stared at the window with no particular interest.

The teapot was boiling in the kitchen.

Hopefully, nothing will bother our silent Kiyopo-

Ah, who am I kidding?

Suddenly the door barged open.

" AYANOKOJI!" A voice yelled.

Kiyotaka quickly turned his head to see Sudo with an anxious and exhausted look.

" I need your help!" He said.

Kiyotaka stared at him silently.

" Huh? What are you doing?" Sudo asked .

Kiyotaka was currently checking if any damage was done to his door or door lock.

Once he saw that no damage had been done, he looked at Sudo.

" What? Oh! I got in using these." He said as he pulled out a key card that can open his dorm.

Kiyotaka grabbed his notebook and wrote.

' Why and how did you get that.' It said.

" Oh. Isn't this our meeting place? Ike, Yamauchi and Kushida have it too! And I payed a lot of points for these!" He said.

" Is that so, Sudo-kun?" A voice said.

Suddenly Sudo's eyes widened and he slowly turned to look at the entrance of the kitchen.

Kiyotaka only sighed silently at his bad timing.

There, standing in the entrance of the kitchen, wearing an apron accompanied by a disappointed look on her face,

Was Horikita Suzune.

" H-Horikita?!" Sudo yelled in suprise.

' SHIT! THE ONE PERSON I DIDN'T WANT TO TROUBLE WITH THIS!' Sudo thought.

" You used points and forged Ayanokoji-kun's keycard? Not only is it a VERY big invasion of privacy. It is also very ILLEGAL. " she said with venom.

Horikita was annoyed at this predicament.

She had come to Kiyotaka's room to cook for him and also a discuss a few things.

But now, it's been interrupted.

" W-Wait, really?" Sudo replied dumbly.

Horikita's glare sharpened.

" Are you serious? Do you really think that barging into somebody's room without consent is okay? " she said in disbelief.

" W-Wait-" but he was interrupted when Horikita walked over and had her hand out.

" Give me the key card. You have no rights to keep it unless the owner, which is Ayanokoji-kun , allows you to do so. " she said.

Sudo reluctantly gave her the key card .

( little did he know, it was all according to Horikita's plan. She manipulated Ryuuen into making a clown out of Sudo, she then picked this specific day to visit Kiyotaka's room and stall enough time for Sudo's calculated arrival at his front door.

What was her goal?

It was Kiyopon's keycard.

She planned to use it to enter his dorm at night and eventually claim his virginity and the T-rex in the same night. )

Ignore that. It's currently 1 am so don't mind my late crazy thoughts.

Horikita then gave the key card to Kiyotaka.

" This better not occur again, Sudo-kun." She said .

Sudo gulped and nodded in response.

" I'm almost done making the snacks and some tea. You two can just sit there and wait for me." She said and walked back to the kitchen.

Sudo whispered into Kiyotaka's ear.

" Dude...she sounded as if she claimed your entire dorm..." he whispered.

Kiyopon also thought the same thing with the way she acted.

All 3 of them sat down.

Sudo took one of the snacks and ate it.

" It's delicious ,Horikita!" Sudo complimented.

Horikita only nodded in response as she glanced at Kiyotaka to see his reaction.

Kiyotaka had already stuffed a few too many in his mouth as he let out a thumbs up in response.

Horikita flashed a smile full of pride but quickly dropped it since another visitor was here.

" What is it that you needed help with, Sudo-kun?" She asked.

( After Sudo's explanation.)

Horikita sighed in disappointment.

" I can't believe this..." she said with a disappointed tone.

" I really am sorry, but it was self-defense! Im sure that they set me up!" Sudo said and tried to justify his actions.

" According to you, you said that they were the most injured from this ' scuffle'. Even if it were self defense, the evidence suggests otherwise. " she said.

Sudo hung his head low as he muttered another sorry.

Kiyotaka only sipped tea quietly as he stared between the two of them.

" What do you think we should do, Ayanokoji-kun?" Horikita decided to ask for Kiyopon's opinion on this matter.

" Please help me, Ayanokoji! I promise this will be the last time!" Sudo begged.

Kiyotaka placed his cup down and grabbed his notebook to write his final judgement.

' We should help him.' It said.

Sudo lightened up at that.

" T-Thank you!" He yelled in gratitude.

Horikita sighs

" Since he agreed. Then I have no reason to say no." She said.

"THANK YOU, HORIKITA, AYANOKOJI!" He said.

But then he lowered his tone.

" oh and uh...please keep it on the low...I don't want anyone else to hear about this..." Sudo asked.

Kiyotaka wrote on his notebook.

' Sooner or later, everyone will most likely find out about this matter. ' it said.

" But still! At least try to hide it..." he begged.

" We'll do what we must." Horikita said.

After that, Sudo had left Horikita and Kiyotaka alone.

Horikita turned to Kiyotaka.

" Why did you want to save him?" She asked.

Kiyotaka passed his notebook to her and she opened to read it.

' Sudo is one of the most athletic people of our class. It would be a shame if Class D lost his abilities. There's a possibility that we might need his physical abilities in one of these special exams. After all, everyone has a certain field that they excel in. Nobody is perfect.' It said.

Horikita sighed and nodded in agreement.

" It would've been more impactful if you were to open your mouth and say these words..." she said.

Kiyopon shrugged and continued eating the snacks.

I...Im gonna go to sleep now...

Actually there were a few cote fic updates so Im gonna check them out.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

SadisticPaimon, Out~

The Fated Encounter / Kiyopon wonders...

Alright, I basically skipped the whole trial and saving Sakura thing.

So the timeline rn is 3 weeks before they board the ship.

Ye we in vol 3 now.

1. The Fated Encounter

Kiyopon was currently at the library, looking for something to read in order to pass the time.

Kiyopon picked a book from one of the shelves and read the title

' The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides'

Kiyopon was intrigued by the title so he checked out what it was about.

' Alicia Berenson, a famous painter, is held guilty for the murder of her husband, photographer Gabriel Berenson. Due to a plea ofdiminished responsibility, she is admitted to a secure forensic unit called the Grove. Theo Faber, a forensic psychotherapist with a keen interest in the Berenson case, successfully applies for a position at the Grove. At his request, he is placed in charge of Alicia, who has not spoken since the day of the murder. Although she remains mute during their therapy sessions, Alicia gives Theo her diary. In it, she describes being watched in her home by a masked man in the weeks before the murder.'

Kiyotaka was definitely interested in the book now, and as he was about to open it.

He looked to see a girl with mid-length silver hair with black ribbons tied behind it.

She was struggling to place a book at the top of the shelf.

Kiyotaka walked to her and gently pokes her for her attention.

" Huh?" She says in suprise as she looks at Kiyopon.

Kiyopon points to the book she was holding and then to himself.

" Oh! You want to return it for me?" She asked.

Kiyotaka nodded silently.

" Ah, thank you very much..." she says and gives him the book.

He nods and then places the book at the top of the shelf.

" Oh! Are you going to read that book you're holding?" She asked in excitement.

Kiyotaka nods.

" You're going to love it then! Wait, have you read this book before?" She says and pulls out another book.

Kiyotaka recognizes the book.

It was the one of the books from the Lord Peter series by Dorothy

Kiyotaka nods in recognition, much to Hiyori's delight.

" Have you read it?" She asked.

Kiyotaka shakes his head 'no'

" Well, I highly recommend it because once you read the first book, you'll surely want to read the sequel." She said.

Kiyotaka stared at her, a bit perplexed by her sudden spontaneous behavior towards him.

Realizing that Kiyotaka was staring at her silently, she bows her head a bit and apologizes.

" O-Oh, Im sorry if I'm bothering you. You can go now, if you want." She says with a small smile.

But something was telling Kiyotaka that she didn't really want him to leave just yet.

And maybe he too, would like to stay with her for a while.

' It's okay' he signed.

Her eyes widened in suprise.

" O-Oh, are you mute? Im sorry if my chatter annoyed you..." She said and bowed again.

Only one thought ran in Kiyopon's mind.

headpats*

" Eh?" She said

pat pat pat*

She looks up to see him patting her head lightly.

' So strange...it feels nice...' she thought.

He stops patting her head and gives a small smile.

' Do you want to be friends?' He signed.

The girl was shocked by his cute proposal and an even cuter smile.

" Y-Yes! My name is Shiina Hiyori." She said with a smile.

" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka..." he said.

The soft tone of voice suprised her and also the fact that he can speak.

" Um. If you want to communicate with me using sign language, then you can!" She said. " I've read many books about sign language, so I can understand and communicate with you."

Kiyotaka nods.

" Would you like to come with me and read at the Cafeteria?" She asked.

Kiyotaka nods and then they went to the cafeteria.

' Yay! I have a book buddy! I never thought I would find someone like him in this school...but it almost feels like a fated encounter!' Hiyori thought as she read a book with Kiyopon at their table.

Kiyopon also enjoyed his time with Hiyori.

It was silent, but it was very peaceful.

Little did they know, the boys and girls in the cafeteria were in awe from the cuteness they both radiated.

" So cutee!" A girl said

" This...has to be illegal..." a boy muttered

" I...I think im going to die..!" A girl said before falling into her friend's arms.

" Kuku, this will sell very well." A boy with magenta hair said to himself.

He took a quick picture and planned to make a ton of money out of this.

But he quickly glanced at Kiyopon with a curious look.

' If I remember, he is Suzune's orbiter...' he thought but then brushed it off and went on his merry way.

' He looks boring, but crushing his class would be a ton of fun, kuku' he thought with a smirk.

2. Kiyopon wonders if boys hate him

Kiyopon was on his way back to the dorms.

He looked at his notebook.

Friends - Horikita, Ichinose, Amikura , Shiina

Although he was happy that he's making friends...

He wondered why he hasn't made any male friends yet.

So far, he's only ever made friends with girls.

His contact list is ALSO filled with girls.

He wondered if boys hated him.

" Ayanokoji-kun?" A new voice called him.

He turned his head to see a fellow classmate of his.

( she's so fking cute. Found it in facebook. )

It was Mori Nene!

" Hello." She waved with a smile.

Kiyopon recognized her as one of Karuizawa's friends.

He wrote in his notebook.

' Hello.' It said.

The air felt kind of awkward between them.

They were classmates and yet, they are also complete strangers.

The only thing they know about each other is their names...

" Um...do you want to hang out?" Mori asked with a nervous smile.

Kiyopon was suprised by her sudden question.

But he nodded his head, regardless.

Kiyopon did not expect this.

Currently, they were at an arcade.

" Are you okay with this, Ayanokoji-kun?" She asked.

He wrote on his notebook.

' I didn't expect you to take me here.' It said.

She giggles.

" What? You expected me to take you shopping? I'm sure boys like you would rather spend time doing this... and the arcade is fun for me too." She said.

Kiyopon wrote on his notebook.

' I've never played in an arcade before.' It said

She looked at him with a suprise look.

" Really?!" She asked.

Kiyopon slowly nodded.

" Well then, take this as a lesson from Mori Nene, then! " she said and then dragged him inside.

She took him to the basketball machine.

" I'm sure this is simple enough!" She said in excitement.

Kiyopon tilted his head in curiousity.

Mori turned to look at him.

" I'll put in a coin and then you have to shoot as many balls as you can through the hoop before the time limit ends! Also, we could get tickets, where we could get prizes! " she said.

Kiyopon quickly registered that information and nodded.

Mori slid the coin and then the game began.

The balls released and Kiyopon quickly picked up a ball and shot it through the hoop.

And another...

Another...

Another...

And then another.. ..

And even more...

...

Mori widened her eyes as she watched Kiyopon shoot the balls through the hoop with perfect accuracy.

' Amazing...' she thought.

The time limit was close to ending and Kiyopon managed to make one more shot a nanosecond before it ended.

" A-Amazing..." was all Mori could say as she looked at the score.

' SCORE : 669 POINTS'

' Depositing Tickets...'

The tickets started to come out from the box.

" SO MANY!" She said in awe as she tried to gather as many as possible.

Kiyopon quickly helped her.

They managed to place all the tickets in Kiyopon's bag.

And then Mori led him to one of the racing games.

" Hmph! It's time for me to show off my skills, Ayanokoji-kun! " she said.

Kiyopon was quite amused.

They both sat at different seats as the race began.

The race ended with Mori's victory.

" Yay~!" She said as she clenched her fist in victory.

' That was fun.' Kiyopon wrote in his notebook.

Mori smiled and nodded.

" Let's play some more games!"

After playing a few more games, they decided to finally use their tickets to buy some prizes.

The guy at the register was shocked by the amount of tickets and Mori looked happy and proud while Kiyopon averted his eyes.

In the end, Mori bought a laser pointer, a few plushies and also a free drink.

Kiyopon managed to get a disco ball, a few plushies and also a ton of snacks he can eat for later.

" That was amazing, Ayanokoji-kun!" Mori said.

Kiyopon nodded his head.

It was a very fun experience for him indeed.

" You know... I honestly thought you were just a normal and decent guy like Hirata-kun. But in all honesty, you were way more fun to hang out with! " she said happily as she slurped her drink.

Kiyopon was suprised by what she said but...

He liked the feeling.

" It was fun for me too..." he said

Mori stopped drinking and looked at him in shock.

" Y-You spoke!" She said.

He nodded

" I thought you were mute..." she said.

" Sorry, I just don't feel like talkig much..." he apologized

Mori shook her head and dismissed his apology.

" No. I get it! I was only suprised." She said.

They walked in silence until Kiyopon asked a question.

" Mori...do the boys in our class, hate me?" He asked

" Eh?"

She was suprised by his sudden question, but he was currently waiting for her answer.

" Ehm...well... I don't know with them. But it's a shame if they do, after all, like I said...you are a very fun person to hang around with." She said meekly.

" I see..." Kiyopon was satisfied with her answer.

" Would you...like to be fr-" Kiyopon asked but was suddenly interrupted.

" Of course!"

( Back at Kiyopon's dorm)

He sighed as he placed all the things he bought with the tickets on the table.

He had a very fun day.

But right now, he wanted to sleep.

But before that,

He quickly wrote on his notebook and then went to bed.

' Friends - Horikita, Ichinose, Amikura, Shiina, Mori

Additional notes: Mori thinks im fun to hang out with :) '

I hope you guys enjoyed that!

Question:

Horikita or Mori?

Im referring to the personality I altered for them in dis fic.

Idk about you but...

SadisticPaimon is slowly simping for Mori...

Anyways, that's all!

WholesomePaimon, out~

Chabashira and Kiyopon talk / Kiypon is worried for Horikita

Brain overdrive!

This fic makes me happy to write lol.

Anyways, enjoy!

Also, the talk scene will take place in the one they did in the anime. ( cuz I think it's cooler.)

1. Chabashira and Kiyopon talk.

( This scene will probably be serious, since author can't fit in too many jokes like in Mori's puss- )

Kiyopon arrived inside the theater room of the ship.

He was called by Chabashira to meet here, and as a student, he couldn't really say no.

He quickly spotted Chabashira and decided to sit down on the chair next to her.

" You've arrived." She said.

Kiyotaka wrote on his notebook.

' You called me. What for?' It said.

He knew for a fact that something was going to go down.

Chabashira suddenly chuckled.

" Straight to the point, I see." She said and took a quick glance at Kiyotaka before returning her eyes to look at the play.

" A man has contacted the school. He requested for your expulsion." She said.

Kiyotaka stayed silent.

" Of course, the school's rules will protect you and brush off any absurd requests like this from the outside...so long as you don't break any rules." She took a quick glance at Kiyotaka, only to see him staring at the play.

This was a win it all or lose it all for Chabashira Sae.

She knows that Kiyotaka had been cooperating with the class and with Horikita.

But he still has limits that he set for himself.

She knows that he is still holding back.

Kiyotaka wrote on his notebook.

' I don't intend to break any rules.' It said.

" Of course you won't. But if I decide that you are a problem, then you will surely be expelled." She replied , " and you will lose your freedom..."

Kiyotaka simply closed his eyes and let out a quiet sigh.

" If I will get expelled, then you will surely fail to reach Class A." He said.

He didn't say it with a quiet tone, instead he used a much more emotionless tone that almost made Chabashira flinch.

It wasn't something she expected, but she mustn't break under the pressure.

" But I can try again, no? I have many years as a teacher to do my best and reach Class A. How about you, Ayanokoji?" She retorted.

" ..."

Kiyotaka did not respond.

Chabashira saw this as her chance.

This gamble will begin.

" How about I offer you a deal? If you do your best and reach Class A. Then I will do my absolute best to protect you. " she offered with a smirk.

" Then I'd rather be expelled." His reply caught Chabashira off-guard.

Kiyotaka looked at her with a blank look.

" No matter how much you try to hide it. You need me in order to reach Class A, because you know that Horikita will probably not recover if she were to find out that I had been expelled." He said.

Chabashira's eyes widened.

He sighed and stood up.

" So, are you going to do it?" He challenged her.

"..."

Chabashira had no proper response. But before, Kiyotaka could turn around and leave, Chabashira decided to ask him a question.

" So you are using Horikita as a cloak to protect you from me? " she started.

Kiyotaka slowly glanced at her.

Chabashira still had some fight left, after all.

" I want to ask you a question, Ayanokoji. What do you really think of Horikita? Do you really see her as your friend? Or is she just someone you are willing to use if it came down to it. In simple terms, a bargaining chip? " She said.

Kiyotaka stared at Chabashira in silence.

And then, the play ended, and the lights turned off.

Kiyotaka turned around and walked away, leaving Chabashira behind.

He did not answer her question, it will only make matters worse.

He knew that Chabashira tried to see how he would respond if she were to also try to use Horikita.

And deep down, it irked him.

But saying or doing anything else, would give Chabashira an edge.

That's why, like always, Kiyotaka stayed silent.

And Chabashira...had lost the gamble.

( I was unsure whether or not to use this scene cuz it's not wholesome. So I want you guys to comment if I should keep it or revise it to a more wholesome/funny interaction. )

2. Kiyopon is worried for Horikita!

It was their second day in the boat.

Everyone had been enjoying themselves, thinking that this vacation was truly paradise.

But Kiyopon had noticed something.

He hadn't seen Horikita the whole day, and he barely saw her yesterday.

Kiyopon had also tried to text Horikita, but she hasn't responded.

He decided to go and check up on her.

Kiyopon knocked on her door and it opened.

Horikita was in her comfy clothes.

" Ayanokoji-kun...? What is it?" She asked.

Kiyopon narrowed his eyes as he observed Horikita.

He wrote on his notebook.

' Horikita, are you alright? I haven't seen you went out of your room since yesterday. ' it said.

Horikita nodded slowly.

" I'm fine..." she responded.

But Kiyopon was not content with that answer.

He wrote on his notebook.

' Can I hang out with you then?' It said.

Horikita widened her eyes in suprise.

" I'm sorry, Ayanokoji-kun...but I'm quite busy-"

But Kiyopon cut her off by entering the room, anyways...much to Horikita's dismay.

( Do u guys remember if Horikita had any roommates? Cuz let's just pretend she is all alone in this room. )

Kiyopon observed the room and looked for any clues on why Horikita was acting strange.

Horikita had only sighed at his antics and closed the door.

" What are you trying to achieve..." she asked him.

He looked at her and wrote on his notebook.

' I want to know why I hadn't seen my favorite person, enjoying her vacation like everyone else on this ship.' It said.

" F-Favorite?!" Horikita said as her face turned red.

Kiyopon nodded.

Horikita chucked a pillow at him and it landed right on his face.

He slowly fell down onto her bed, with the pillow still on his face.

" Such an idiot..." she said before giggling. " Haha...I can't believe you're going this far..." she said as she tried to hide her smile.

Kiyopon took the pillow off his face and only stared at Horikita.

Kiyopon was now definitely worried.

Something wasn't right and Horikita was trying to hide it...

Kiyopon sat up as Horikita went to sit beside him in the bed.

" You don't have to worry. I've just been a bit tired, recently." She tried to assure him. " That's why I didn't go out, recently. " she added.

Kiyopon stared at Horikita...

Horikita noticed his stare.

" What?" She asked.

Kiyopon lifts his hand to her forehead, in order to check her temperature.

But Horikita quickly slapped his hand away, before it could reach her.

Kiyopon narrowed his eyes as he used his other hand to try it again.

And Horikita also slapped that one.

" Stop it." She ordered.

Kiyopon stayed stubborn and kept trying to check her temperature and Horikita slapped away all of his attempts.

" You leave me no choice..." he softly muttered.

" Huh? WAH! " she was confused at first, but then suddenly, Kiyopon tackled her and pinned her hands on the bed.

" A-Ayanokoji-kun?!" Horikita's face turned red.

Kiyotaka leaned his head towards Horikita.

' I-Is he going to do it, right here and now?!' She thought.

--

' HE'S GOING TO KISS US?!' The Chibi Horikitas yelled in her head.

' W-WHAT DO WE DO?!' Chibi Horikita 1 asked.

' I-I DON'T KNOW! NONE OF US EXPECTED THIS! ' Chibi Horikita 2 said.

Each Chibi Horikita tried to brain storm until one Chibi Horikita spoke up.

' W-WAIT I GOT IT! ' a random chibi horikita raised her hand and all the chibis looked at her.

' It's just like the romance novels we read! This is where we should close our eyes and let our love interest kiss us!' She said.

' LET'S DO IT THEN!' The Chibi Horikitas all agreed

--

( You can decide if that's canon or not lol )

Horikita decided to surrender and closed her eyes.

And then...she felt contact...

But it wasn't on her lips...

She felt Kiyopon's forehead lean into hers as he muttered,

" 39.1 degrees..."

' HE CAN TELL?! ' Horikita thought.

Chibi Horikitas died.

Kiyopon leaned away and stood up.

" You lied..." he said.

Horikita averts her eyes as she hugged her pillow.

" It's really nothing...it will go away in a few days..." she muttered.

Kiyopon pressed x to doubt.

He sighed and wrote on his notebook.

' I'll go and buy some medicine, just sleep for now.' It said.

But before he could leave, Horikita suddenly grabbed his wrist and pulled down to the bed, forcing him to sit where he sat before.

" Please stay..." she requested.

She leaned her head into his arm.

" At least...until I can fall asleep..." she said while blushing at her actions.

" Okay..." he agreed.

Horikita slightly smiled at this and leaned her entire body into his arm, lulling herself to sleep.

Kiyopon only sighed and then took a picture of this, to tease Horikita when she's back to normal.

I hope you enjoyed that.

Warning: Random Idea

Yk, at the moment where it said " Kiyopon was worried"

It gave me an idea.

What if I made Horikita have a secret terminal illness that she discovered around her 2nd year of middle school.

Manabu never found out because yk how he tried to ignore her.

So she intended to have her brother aknowledge her as her last task, but then she got close to Kiyopon and now it adds more to her problem.

Eventually, Horikita will succeed but then pass away in her room.

Manabu is completely heartbroken and so were all the friends that she made and the whole of Class D.

Kiyopon tried to hide his feelings by acting like he always has, until eventually...

If you can recall his line from when he gave advice to Ichinose in this fic.

" If you tell a lie, it will only build up...until eventually, it will cause pain to yourself and others."

Basically Horikita lied about herself being fine, which led to her death and caused pain for herself and others.

Kiyopon also lied to himself by acting like normal, which eventually led to his breakdown and caused his friends to worry for him.

A very nice parallel/contradiction to his own words.

Eventually, he would decide to kill himself and think that losing her was equivalent to losing freedom, therefore, he will free himself from this cell called "life" and will eventually decide to meet her wherever death takes him.

Pretty dramatic, right?

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chappie!

SadisticPaimon, out~

Kiyopon is curious / Kiyopon is scared...

Before we start going into the island exam in the next chappie.

I wanted to write two more wholesome/funny scenes before they go to hell :))

Third person PoV

1. Kiyopon is curious!

After Horikita fell asleep, Kiyopon gently placed her on the bed.

He pulled up the covers gently on her body.

And then his eyes flickered to her sleeping face

Horikita was lightly snoring and her face seemed a bit red, most likely from the fever.

" Huff...foo..." she breathed as she sleeped.

It caught Kiyopon off guard on how cute that sound was.

It peaked his curiosity.

He takes his hand and places it on her cheek.

" Fuu..." she snored.

Kiyopon squeezes her cheek and she reacted to it in her sleep.

" Wah...stooppff..." she said before snoring again.

Kiyotaka didn't mind seeing this Horikita.

Kiyopon then used his other hand so he can squeeze both of her cheeks gently.

"Awwhhh...wahhhh..." she reacted.

Kiyopon stops and then suddenly realizes how close he was to her face.

Kiyopon tilted his head as he looked at Horikita's wonderful facial features.

She was truly a beautiful person, but then his eyes flickered to her lips.

He felt drawn in...

He placed his thumb gently on her bottom lip and he could feel her hot breath.

If he leaned in...just a bit more...

Kiyopon leaned away and stood up.

He was definitely curious, but this was going too far.

He still had to buy her the medicine...

As he turned around, his eyes widened as he looked at the door.

" Oh? Do continue with what you were doing...please don't mind me." Mori said before closing the door.

Kiyopon sighed as he opened the door to walk out, only to see Mori leaning on the wall with a smirk on her face.

" You're not gonna continue with what you were doing?" She asked in a teasing tone.

Kiyopon quickly wrote on his notebook.

' It's not what you think.' It said

" Hm, are you sure? You were leaning quite...close to her." She said.

Kiyopon stared at her.

And then he walked past her.

" H-Hey!" She called and caught up to his side.

" So, where are you going?" She asked.

Kiyopon wrote on his notebook.

' Going to buy some medicine for Horikita.' It said.

" Aww, how sweet~" she said.

Kiyopon was confused so he wrote on his notebook.

' Isn't that what friends do?' It said.

Mori sighed in disappointment and told Kiyopon to not mind it.

" Ayanokoji-kun, there's been rumors about you and Horikita-san dating. Is that true?" She asked.

Kiyopon shakes his head 'no' .

Mori suddenly stands in front of him, stopping Kiyopon in his tracks.

" Then she won't mind if you and I started dating, right?" She asked with a cute grin.

Kiyopon's eyes widened.

" Pfft, just kidding!" She said before stepping aside and giggling.

" Looks like I succeeded in gaining a reaction out of you!" She said.

Kiyopon wrote in his notebook.

' You actually got me.' It said.

Mori smiled

" Well, I'll leave you alone for now. See you later, Ayanokoji-kun!" She said and then walked back to her shared room with Horikita.

Kiyopon wondered if Mori was truly joking...

But he immediately brushed that thought away and focused on getting medicine.

Mori sighed as she made her way back to the room.

' I was obviously joking but...I wouldn't really mind dating him...' she thought while smiling at their earlier encounter and recalling all the fun she had with Kiyopon at the arcade.

2. Kiyopon is scared!

It was the 3rd day of vacation and currently, Kiyopon was simply walking around the different hallways, absent-mindedly.

He suddenly came upon a room that had a sign that said,

' Speranza's exclusive Spa and massage parlor!'

Kiyopon wondered if he should get a massage...

But instantly denied it since it would be a waste of his points.

But as soon as he was about to walk away...

Suddenly a random employee walked out and went to Kiyopon.

" Hey kid. Can you hold onto this for a sec? I need to get something." The employee said and gave him a bottle of oil and then ran off to who knows where.

Kiyopon looked at the bottle in confusion and then to the missing employee.

But before he could move, suddenly a woman went out of the store with an angered look.

" OI! KAZUTO, YOUR SHIFT ISN'T DONE! YOU STILL GOT ONE CUSTOMER!" She yelled but then realized that the man named " Kazuto" was gone.

She then let out a small 'tch' and then suddenly noticed Kiyopon with the bottle of oil that Kazuto had left him before he left.

She points to him.

" You!" She said.

Kiyopon's eyes widened and he pointed at himself as if asking ' Who? Me? '

The woman nodded and pulled him to the front door.

" It seems like Kazuto left you with the oil bottle. Do you know how to massage?" She asked impatiently.

But before Kiyopon could answer, he was suddenly cut off.

" Ah! Whatever! Just don't mess up and you will be rewarded with 10k points or whatever." She said and pushed him inside a private room.

And then she closed the door and locked it.

' So he won't escape like that damn Kazuto...' she thought before returning back to her desk.

Kiyopon stared at the door in silence.

He wondered how and why this happened.

He just wanted to roam around this ship with no particular plan in mind, but it seemed like the world says otherwise.

Suddenly, he hears a voice.

" Oh~? Have you finally arrived? Please begin, my back is killing me!"

Kiyopon stiffened as he turned around to see...

Hoshinomiya-sensei

She was currently laying on the bed and her back was exposed.

" Come in already, Masseur-san! " she kindly demanded.

Kiyopon immediately tried to open the door to no avail.

He remembered that the female employee locked the door from the outside.

" ..."

Kiyopon said nothing as he turned around again to look at her back.

" Hurry up!" Hoshinomiya yelled with slight irritation masked by her teasing tone.

Kiyopon sighed silently.

He'd rather do this quickly and then run away immediately...

He slowly approached her bareback and opened the oil.

With each step, he cursed everyone in the world for granting him with this luck.

He poured some oil on his hand and gently rubbed it on her back.

" Finally~" she said.

Kiyopon then gently pressed his fingers onto the most likely sore parts of her back.

" Mmm~ that's good...but could you do it a bit harder?" She said

Kiyopon put more force and it released a satisfying moan from Hoshinomiya.

" Oh~ Just like that~!" She moaned.

He then began his fingers and slid it up and down on the center of her back.

" Your hands are amazing~!" She moaned again.

Kiyopon silently cursed the world againm

With each press that he did on her back,

He wondered...

Was there some sort of sadist out there who's dictating his story? Which led it to this?

Was there some sort of audience who SEES this as entertainment?

" Ohhh~ my back feels so gooooddd~" she said.

Kiyopon felt like he was being violated even though she hasn't done anything but praise him with that seductive voice of hers...

After 15 minutes, Hoshinomiya was finally satisfied and she was panting heavily from the amazing massage.

" Huff...so amazing~" She said.

Kiyopon said nothing and continued wiping his hands.

" I must see your face and know your name! I might make you my favorite masseur, after all~" she said before turning her head around slightly to look at her "masseur".

Kiyopon's eyes widened as soon as Hoshinomiya's eyes landed on him.

She seemed suprised at first, but then she smirked.

" Ara Ara~ who knew that it would be YOU of all people, Kiyotaka-kun~" she said

Kiyopon slowly backed away to the door.

" How about you massage something else?" She asked.

Kiyopon tried to unlock the door but it was still locked!

Hoshinomiya began to sit up with her towel covering her chest.

" How about you massage me on my front next~?" She asked with a dangerous smile.

Kiyopon had enough.

Kiyopon decided to kick the door down and ran away.

" H-HUH? WAIT!" Hoshinomiya tried to call him

But our silent protagonist succesfully escaped.

With his purity intact...

I hope you enjoyed that~

Next chapter will be the start of interactions around the island arc!

Also, about my idea on the prev chap, let me clarify.

I am NOT going to let that be the route for this story.

I want this Kiyopon to have a happy ending just as much as you do

So don't worry!

Im going to bed!

SleepyPaimon, out~

The Island Exam begins / Kiyopon scouts the island.

Time for the island exam.

Ik ya'll are excited for Kiyopons
" monologue" I'm not gonna say much about it tho.

Anyways, let's begin!

Third Person PoV

1. The Island Exam Begins

( Class D is now currently brain storming on how to survive the exam. )

Though, in reality, most of the girls were fighting with the boys about buying a toilet...

" You can't expect us to use that ! " Shinohara yelled

" Huh?! If we buy a toilet for you girls, then we'll lose points!" Ike retorted.

" Can't you just suck it up and live with it? It's only for a week!" Sudo backed Ike up.

And then they started bickering.

Kiyopon was watching all of this silently, until Horikita sighed.

" Seriously...it hasn't even been 10 minutes..." she muttered.

Kiyopon glanced at Horikita and nodded in agreement.

Horikita is not sick anymore, which made Kiyopon glad.

If she were sick, he wouldn't have anyone to translate his sign language to the rest of their classmates, if ever they ask him a question or his thoughts on things.

Of course, he'd miss her too.

' Do you agree with the girls?' Kiyopon signed.

Horikita thought for a bit before answering.

" Personally, im fine without buying one. But you have to take in consideration that some girls just won't agree. " She said.

Kiyopon nodded .

Class D decided to buy a toilet ( Much to the boys dismay because of the points) and now they were currently looking for spots.

" Guys! Over here!" Ike called.

Everyone quickly went to where Ike said to come and immediately their eyes widened.

" We got a river and a spot!" He said before happily dancing in victory.

" Good job, Ike-kun. You really helped us out with your camping background. " Hirata complimented with a smile.

" Haha! Yeah!" Sudo screamed and joined Ike.

" Let me in!" Yamauchi said and also joined Ike.

Of course, everyone cringed but they were too relieved to care.

Kiyopon simply looked at the spot machine.

~~~Stareeee~~~~

" What are you doing...?" Horikita asked with confusion, evident on her face.

Kiyopon points at the machine.

Horikita sighs.

" Strange things always seem to have your interest huh..." she muttered

Soon, everyone gathered in a circle.

" Guys, who's going to be our leader?" Hondo asked.

" What about Hirata-kun?" A girl immediately said.

" What? You want to get us eliminated that quickly?!" Ike yelled in shock

" Hey! Don't yell at her! Besides, Hirata-kun is a good leader." Shinohara retorted.

" BUT HE'S GOING TO ALSO BE THE MOST OBVIOUS!" Ike responded.

" I agree with Ike-kun. Picking Hirata-kun would be dumb. " Horikita said.

Everyone was suprised at Ike's use of his brain and even Horikita who backed him up.

Kiyopon was busy looking at the bird on the tree.

" Even Horikita-san agrees!" Ike said.

" Then who are we picking? Karuizawa-san?" Sato asked.

" Eh? No way! " Karuizawa immediately rejected.

" Then who!" Yamauchi asked.

Everyone was busy arguing about who will be the leader.

" Ayanokoji-kun." Horikita poked Kiyopon.

Suddenly, the bird that he was looking at, flew away into the sky.

Kiyopon slightly pouted because his interest was now gone.

Seeing that the bird was never going to come back, he turned his head to Horikita.

" Who do yo-" but before she could ask, she was cut off.

" Everyone has shared their opinion on who should be leader. But how about we ask Ayanokoji-kun?" Mori asked as she looked at Kiyopon.

Kiyopon's eyes widened.

" Oh, right! Yo, who do you think should be leader, Ayanokoji?" Sudo asked.

" Don't be dumb about it!" Yamauchi added.

Horikita looked at him.

This was exactly the question she was going to ask, but Mori beat her to it.

Everyone looked at him.

Kiyopon barely paid attention to the discussion.

He had all of his attention on the bird that flew away from the tree.

He glanced at everyone but then his eyes landed on Horikita.

Horikita's eyes widened.

' No. Don't tell me-- ' but her thought was cut off when Kiyopon pointed at her.

Everyone was silent until Ike broke it.

" Wait, why haven't we thought of this before! Horikita-san would be the perfect leader!" Ike said.

" For once, I agree with you." Shinohara added.

" Well, if Suzune is going to be leader, then I'm all in!" Sudo said.

" Huh? Who gave you permission to call me by my first name? " Horikita asked.

Kiyopon's eyes widened as he remembered that he blatantly gave up her name because Sudo was prodding and shaking him around.

Kiyopon slowly backs away from the scene.

" Oh. Uh..." Sudo scratched his head as he quickly glanced at Kiyopon.

Kiyopon mentally wrote his last will.

But it turns out, he didn't need to.

" Oh, uh, I just saw it from your desk! Yeah!" Sudo said, trying his best to not sound nervous and also to protect Kiyopon.

Horikita narrowed her eyes as she looked into Sudo's soul.

" Alright... But remember this, I never gave you my permission to call me by my first name." She stated.

Sudo quickly nodded.

Kiyopon sighed in relief that Subro didn't sell him out

But Horikita turned around and noticed that Kiyopon was suspiciously far away.

" Why are you all the way there!" She said.

Kiyopon didn't respond.

2. Kiyopon scouts the island

Class D decided that Horikita should be the leader and Horikita also agreed.

" Alright, what should we do first?" Ike asked.

" Of course, we need to have a group look for possible spots." Horikita responded.

" Does anyone want to volunteer?" Hirata asked kindly.

Nobody volunteered until a laugh broke out .

" Hahaha! Fine then, I will scout for these spots! Only a perfect existence such as myself, is capable of doing it!" Koenji said out loud as he stood on the branch of a tree and gazed at the forest ahead.

Everyone mentally did a facepalm at this.

" Im sorry, Koenji-kun, but you won't be enough. I'm going to need two more people." Horikita said.

' Just to keep an eye on him...' Horikita thought.

" Ha! Just pair me with someone who won't taint my perfection!" Koenji said while grinning.

Horikita sighed and then her eyes landed on Kiyopon.

" I would like to volunteer Ayanokoji-kun to also look for spots." Horikita said.

Kiyopon's eyes widened.

" Hm, very well! Ayanokoji-boy may join my search for spots! He is a better existence than red hair-kun. " Koenji said.

" GRR. WHY YO-" Sudo was about to lash out until Ike held him back.

" DUDE RELAX! HE'S STANDING ON A BRANCH!" Ike tried to calm his friend down.

" Do you have any objections, Ayanokoji-kun?" Horikita asked.

Kiyopon sighs and shakes his head 'no' Signifying that he had no objection.

Horikita nodded.

" Oh! May I join, Ayanokoji-kun then?" Mori asked.

Everyone was suprised by her request, especially Horikita.

" Huh? Really, Mori-san?" Matsushita asked.

" Mhm! I don't mind." She said and walked towards Kiyopon.

" Do YOU mind, Ayanokoji-kun?" Mori asked Kiyopon.

Kiyopon shakes his head 'no'.

" Damn it...he's lucky..." Ike muttered.

Of course, to him, Mori may not be above Kushida but she was still definitely a girl he would like to date.

Horikita stared at Mori and Kiyopon silently.

' Why did she volunteer so suddenly? She volunteered right after Ayanokoji-kun agreed to scout with Koenji-kun... what is she planning...' Horikita thought as her face subconsciously formed into a small frown.

" Horikita-san? Are you alright?" Kushida asked.

Horikita snapped back to reality and nodded.

" Alright then, you three may go..." she said.

Koenji immediately swung around the trees like Tarzan while Kiyopon and Mori tried to catch up.

' It's strange...this feeling when I see them both...I...' but Horikita's thought was cut off when she realized that must focus on her job as a leader in this exam.

" Alright, Ike-kun. Please show us what we need to do."

...

" W-Why is he swinging around the trees!" Mori said as she almost tripped down a root but got her back on her balance.

Kiyopon shrugs as his eyes tried to keep track of Koenji.

" Where are you, Koenji-kun!" Mori yelled

But Koenji's laughter and words faded into the forest.

" Did...Did we just lose him?" Mori asked, bewildered as she slowed down her pace due to the fatigue.

Kiyopon only nodded.

It's a shame that he couldn't bring his trusty notebook to communicate with Mori.

It didn't seem like she knew sign language either.

" Haah...guys like that are so troublesome..." Mori said.

Kiyopon couldn't help but agree.

Koenji was an unstoppable force with spontaneous energy, accompanied by his narcissistic personality...

He's like a random tornado that just spawns in the world and creates unintentional or intentional havoc without a care...

" I guess, it's just you and me for now..." Mori said.

Kiyopon nodded.

They both slowed down their pace and made their way through the forest.

" Ayanokoji-kun, isn't this exam a bit crazy? I seriously thought we were going to get some sort of vacation...but yet again, this school ruined my dreams of relaxation. " Mori said with a sigh.

Kiyopon nodded.

" You are aware that just nodding along and shaking your head won't be enough to sustain a conversation, right? You're gonna have to open that mouth of yours if you want to communicate." Mori said and then giggled.

Kiyopon slightly pouted at that and Mori stopped giggling.

She suddenly turned a bit red.

" cute..." she uttered to herself.

They finally saw a cave from the distance.

" It's a cave...let's check it out!" Mori said and Kiyopon nodded.

They were walking towards it and were about to come out from the bushes until Kiyopon's eyes widened and he stopped.

Mori looked at him with a confused look.

" Ayanokoji-kun? What are-" she was suddenly cut off when Kiyopon pulled her behind the tree and covered her mouth with his hand, succesfully muffling her cute squeak of suprise.

' W-WHAT'S HE DOING?!' She thought.

Suddenly they overheard voices.

" You're amazing, Katsuragi-san! This spot you found was great!" A green haired boy said while entering the cave.

" Be quiet, Yahiko. Just do a quick inspection. " a bald man said.

The boy named Yahiko nodded and entered the cave with a grin on his face.

Kiyopon noticed Katsuragi holding a card in his hand.

Kiyopon narrowed his eyes and wondered if that was really the card.

The boy named Yahiko quickly came out of the cave.

" It's amazing!" He said.

Katsuragi nodded.

" Alright, let's just save this for later..." Katsuragi suggested.

Soon, both Yahiko and Katsuragi left the area.

"Mmmppff!!!" Mori's sounds were muffled as she tried to tap Kiyopon's arm to remove his hand from her mouth.

Kiyopon quickly let go, once he realizes that they are truly gone.

" Pfwaahh! Haah...haah..." she breathed heavily.

" Sorry..." Kiyopon apologized softly.

" Y-You really suprised me... why did you even do that...?" She asked once she regained her breath.

Kiyopon decided to speak.

" There were two people...from Class A. They entered the cave and then left..." he said.

Mori's eyes widened.

" W-Wait, could they have secured it as their spot? " she asked.

Kiyopon shrugs.

" It doesn't matter. We should get out of here before we get spotted..." Kiyopon suggested.

" Ah, your right..." Mori nodded.

They both stood up and went back to their path.

Koenji will return for Endgame.

( Jk. Wrong line.)

Koenji was never found.

Alright, yeah I felt like simping for Mori today so I gave her more screentime.

Mori and Horikita are best girl for me in dis fic.

Yk, it's actually so funny to think that Mori is occasionally one of the people who would trashtalk Ayanogod in reaction fics.

I would expect her to at least have Shinohara's looks.

But I was wrong :))

Even Anime Mori Nene looks cute.

But this fanart will always bring her to life.

Oh. I'll give u a small tease for next chappie.

Next chappie,

Kiyopon meets Ryuuen ( on screen for the first time, since author skipped their first interaction after saving sudo )

Anyways, that's all!

Bye bye!

MoriSimpPaimon, out~

Just wanna share something

Not a chapter.

Just wanted to share this cuz i couldn't help it.

My heart...she's so fking hot.

New chapter?

Who knows, I still got class lol.

We'll see how it goes.

Hope u enjoyed Suzune Yumeko

Also this

And a random meme

Why they no add Ayano in there.

But then again, he'd just go for an average score.

Bye bye!

Kiyopon wants to be a bird / Kiyopon meets Ryuuen

You all have been waiting for their interaction on screen.

Also tell me if u agree me on this.

If I suddenly made Ryuuen a girl in this fic, then she would definitely end up with Kiyopon.

Would u ship it?

Tho, im not gonna do it lol.

Third person PoV

1. Kiyopon wants to be a bird

It was a new day at the island, a nice peaceful morning. And soon, Class D will discuss their current plans to gain poi-

" HUH?! KOENJI RETURNED TO THE SHIP?!" Everyone yelled.

Horikita sighed and nodded.

" Sensei said that he simply walked into the ship and brushed past anyone who tried to stop him..." she said begrudgingly.

" S-So we lost 50 points?" Kushida stuttered due to the shock.

" THAT FUCKI-"

While everyone was busy dwelling on the past.

Kiyopon managed to see the same bird from yesterday.

~~~Staaareeeee~~~

Kiyopon was relieved to see that the bird returned.

And as he stared at it, he also began to wonder what it was like to be able to fly freely into the sky, without a single care.

Kiyopon decided that if he were ever reincarnated , he would want to reincarnate as a bird or at least someone who can fly.

Yes, a nice dream.

Meanwhile, back to Class D's discussion...

" I highly suggest that you all should just put this matter about Koenji-kun aside for now. Currently, we need to gain spots. We can't play defensively forever." Horikita said.

Everyone decided to agree but Ike asked a question.

" But Horikita-san...what do we do about... her?" Ike whispered.

He was referring to the girl they picked up from yesterday.

Ibuki Mio of Class C.

Apparently, while Yamauchi had been scouting with Sakura and Akito, they stumbled upon a bruised Ibuki.

Yamauchi, being the nice person that he was...

Immediately offered his help and while Akito tried to stop him because he was suspicious, Yamauchi persisted and Akito gave up on trying to convince him.

Sakura simply did not say anything and watched it all unfold.

Back to the current events,

Horikita did a quick glanced at Ibuki and then returned her gaze back to Class D.

" I want a few of you to keep an eye on her. At all cost." She said.

" But who?" Shinohara asked.

" If it's not too much, I would like to Kushida-san to watch over her for a while..." Horikita said as she smirked at Kushida.

Kushida's eye twitched but she quickly remembered that Horikita can ruin her school life if she didn't comply...

" Of course, I have no problem with it, Horikita-san!" Kushida said while vomiting in her thoughts.

She HATED having to listen to Horikita of all people...

Horikita nodded and turned to the others and seperated them into groups.

A few groups were instructed to fish and search for edible fruits.

And other groups were instructed to guard the area.

Class D got to work.

Horikita sighed in relief that things seemed to be going more smoothly.

' Now...there's one thing left to do...' Horikita thought.

She turned around and walked to Kiyopon but immediately stopped a couple of meters from him.

Why?

It was because Kiyopon currently had a white bird relaxing on his finger.

Kiyopon simply stared at it and gently pet it with his other hand.

He didn't know how to handle a bird, but he tried to not show that he was nervous so as to not frighten the bird.

" Good...bird..." he said to the bird, quietly.

Horikita stood there, wide-eyed as she stared at this blessed sight.

' So...cute...' she thought.

But Horikita immediately snapped herself out of her trance.

' No! Stay focused!' She thought to herself as she walked closer to Kiyopon.

" Ayanokoji-kun." She called him and he turned his attention to her, while the bird was still on his finger.

" I want you and I to scout for spots and perhaps other classes along the way." She said.

Kiyopon nods in agreement and then suddenly the bird flew away into the sky.

Kiyopon was suprised but he didn't mind.

He did a small wave of goodbye as the bird flew farther away.

Horikita covered her face and turned around.

She tried her best to regain her composure and to stop blushing.

" L-Let's go now..." she said before walking off.

Kiyopon was confused on why she stuttered, but he silently went along.

( An hour later, they stumbled into Class B's base.)

" Class B...?" Horikita said as she stared at the sight.

Everyone in Class B was working together and had great cooperation with one another.

Kiyopon was also suprised. It was completely different from their class.

The morale here was quite high.

" Oh! Horikita-san and Ayanokoji-kun!" A voice called.

" Ichinose-san." Horikita said and nodded to her.

" It's nice to see that you guys found us! " Ichinose said.

" It seems very well organized around here..." Horikita commented.

Ichinose smiled and nodded.

" Well, when everyone is on the same page. Work tends to finish faster, no?"

Horikita nodded to that.

Both Horikita and Kiyopon were impressed by this amount of cooperation.

" Oh! Ayanokoji-kun!" A familiar voice called.

Kiyopon turned around and saw Amikura walking towards him.

" I didn't expect to see you here!" She said

" Oh! Are you talking with them, Honami-chan?" Amikura asked Ichinose.

" Ye-" but she was instantly cut off by Amikura.

" I'll be borrowing Ayanokoji-kun for a bit!" Amikura said before quickly dragging Kiyopon to her other classmates.

Kiyopon just accepted his fate and let himself get dragged away

He's realized by now that women can be extremely stubborn, so he's just going along with it.

' Did...Did she just...' Horikita was bewildered and Ichinose only chuckled nervously.

" I'm sorry for suddenly dragging your partner away, Horikita-san..." Ichinose apologized.

Horikita shook her head and dismissed her apology.

" It's alright, I just want to ask you a few things..."

Meanwhile, Kiyopon.

" Look who I brought~" Mako said as she stopped in front of a couple of boys and girls.

" Oh! It's Ayanokoji-kun!" A girl said in recognition.

It was one of the girls who were with Amikura during their first interaction with Kiyopon.

Kiyopon nodded in recognition.

" Oh! So you are the guy that Amikura and Ichinose were talking about , huh?" A boy said.

Kiyopon was suprised that people were talking about him.

He didn't really think of himself as someone that special to anyone.

" Oh, right. My name is Shibata Sō. It's nice to meet you." He introduced himself.

Kiyopon nodded.

" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka...nice to meet you..." Kiyopon responded.

The boys were suprised and the girls squealed in delight.

" Kawaii!!" The girls yelled.

Kiyopon tilted his head in confusion.

He didn't understand what made them react like that.

Kiyopon's eyes landed on Chihiro.

He noticed that she was working together with an unusual group.

" Let's go. Ayanokoji-kun." A voice broke him out of his thoughts.

He turned to see Horikita.

" Aww you guys have to go?" Mako pouted

" They have their own class to care about as well, Amikura." Kanzaki said.

" Yep. But you two are always welcome here! If you want to bring your classmates along, then we don't mind." Ichinose said to Horikita and Kiyopon.

Horikita and Kiyopon noddef and then left their area.

2. Kiyopon meets Ryuuen

" I managed to get some information about Class A." Horikita said.

Kiyopon turned to look at her.

" Apparently, Class A is rumored to be divided. With two factions, the Sakayanagi faction and the Katsuragi faction."

Horikita began to explain all the information she gained from Ichinose to Kiyopon.

He paid attention and nodded to what she said.

Soon, they heard loud sounds around the area.

" Huh?" Horikita let out a sound of suprise.

They both looked around and followed the sound.

Eventually, it led them to a beach.

" Class C..." Horikita muttered.

They were all currently partying and having fun.

Kiyopon and Horikita were bewildered by this.

The amount of points needed to spend to get all of this equipment...

" Kuku, it seems we have visitors." A voice said.

Horikita and Kiyopon glanced to see Ryuuen grinning at them while relaxing on his chair.

Horikita decided to talk towards him and Kiyopon followed

" I'm sure your aware that you won't gain any points by doing this, right?" Horikita said.

Ryuuen laughed and told a green haired boy to fetch him a cold soda.

" My My, Suzune. Of course I know. But I simply don't care about that!" Ryuuen said.

" That doesn't seem to be fitting for a Class C student." She said.

" And yet, I'm still placed in a classroom above you." Ryuuen retorted.

Horikita glared at Ryuuen but Kiyopon placed his hand on her shoulder and calmed her down.

" Oh. It's you." It seems like Ryuuen finally spoke to Kiyopon.

" Kuku, you know, you made me a LOT of money with the picture of you and Hiyori." He said .

' Hiyori...?' Horikita thought.

Kiyopon tilted his head and suddenly Ishizaki arrived with Ryuen's soda.

" Here you go. As a token of thanks for the private points, kuku." Ryuen said as he took the can and tossed it to Kiyopon.

Kiyopon caught it.

" Now. If you both are going to stay here, then Suzune and I can spend some alone time in a tent while Hiyori's " book-buddy" can spend time reading or whatever." Ryuen said.

Horikita was disgusted.

Kiyopon simply opened the soda and took a sip.

" NOT interested." Horikita said.

" Kuku, your loss! Now get lost! " Ryuen said and returned back to relaxing.

" Tch. Let's go, Ayanokoji-kun." Horikita said.

Kiyopon's eyes lingered on a certain object for a bit.

Horikita had begun leaving and Kiyopoon soon followed after he took a good look at that certain item.

' That Ryuen will most likely test my patience...' Horikita thought to herself.

Kiyopon continued sipping his cola.

Ye the interactions for both of them are pretty small since Ryuen doesn't care much about Kiyopon at this point in time.

But don't worry, soon after he realizes that Kiyopon is a god.

He will soon join the Kiyopon supremacy.

Anyways imma sleep!

SleepyPaimon, out~

Underwear Incident / Kiyopon and Ibuki

New chappie for Kiyopon!

Question:

What do you think would happen if the Canon COTE cast were to meet this Kiyopon?

Anyways, let's begin!

Third Person PoV

Some boys woke up as they heard some noise from the girls outside of their tents.

" What the fuck are they yammering about..." Sudo muttered with an annoyed tone.

Kiyopon also woke up and rubbed his eyes and then yawned quietly.

Kiyopon was curious on the commotion.

" Hirata-kun, please wake all the other boys up." Shinohara said.

Kiyopon stepped out of the tent and looked at what's happening.

Shinohara seemed angered and flustered.

And the girls seem to be pissed as well.

" Ah, good morning Ayanokoji-kun" Hirata greeted.

Kiyopon nodded as a response.

" Sorry for bothering you Ayanokoji-kun. Don't worry, this will not involve your and Hirata-kun." Shinohara said.

" What's happening exactly...?" Kiyopon asked.

" Well...apparently-" Hirata was cut off.

" Oi! What is it..." Sudo asked as more boys went out of their tents.

" Why did you want to take us up..." Ike asked, annoyed.

Shinohara crosses her arms and glares at the boys, excluding Hirata and Kiyopon.

" Well, this morning... Karuizawa-san's underwear went missing. Do you know what this means?"

" U-Underwear?" Hirata stuttered in suprise.

Kiyopon's eyes was also suprised by the revelation.

Shinohara continued,

" Karuizawa-san is crying inside the tent right now. Kushida-san and others are comforting her but..." she trailed off as her glare intensified.

" Huh?! So you're blaming US for this?" Ike said

"Isn't that obvious? Someone went through her bag in the middle of the night and stole them. Our luggage was outside the tent, so if someone wanted to steal something, they easily could have!" She retorted.

The boys exchanged looks with each other.

" Was it you?" One asked another.

" Huh? Hell no!" He denied.

" Ike, weren't you pretty late coming back from the toilet yesterday?" Miyamoto suspected Ike.

" No! It was dark, so I was struggling!" Ike said in panic.

" One of you confess already!" Shinohara yelled.

" W-Wait, Shinohara-san we should at least listen-"

" No, Hirata-kun. One of them MUST have done it!" Shinohara stayed stubborn.

" Give it back already!" A girl yelled to the boys.

" Oi, Kanji just give it back..." Yamauchi said.

" Huh?! It's not me! Wait, maybe it's you Haruki!"

" HUH?! HELL NO."

Kiyopon watched this all unfold, the spark of resentment during a time like this.

He wondered who could have done it?

He wondered if the boys were telling the truth.

But he stayed silent, this was none of his business.

" I don't believe that they stole it." A voice said.

Everyone turned to the voice, which belonged to Horikita.

" H-Horikita-san..." The boys said as hope sparkled in their eyes.

" What do you mean, Horikita-san? All of them are perverts! The only boys who couldn't have possibly done it would be Hirata-kun and Ayanokoji-kun!" Shinohara said.

" The boys wouldn't do something stupid at a time like this. Even if you call them perverts, they wouldn't throw away the opportunity to earn class points for some underwear." Horikita countered.

" B-But-"

" Quiet." Horikita glared and silenced Shinohara.

The boys silently praised Horikita in their heads.

" But since you still hold some distrust for the boys. I will allow for you to conduct a short test to see if they are lying. " Horikita said.

' I'm going to be classmates with these people for three years... we will never reach Class A if they keep grudges like this for years to come...' Horikita thought.

" Fine..." Shinohara nodded and looked towards the boys, " Show us your bags! Now!"

" Wait, hold on. Let's relax a bit first. " Hirata calmed the escalating situation down.

" I'll do the checking for their bags. For privacy concerns." Hirata said.

Shinohara reluctantly nodded since she could trust Hirata.

The boys were opening their bags, just in case it was really in there.

They were nervous but did their best to not show it.

' Not in mine...phew...' Sudo thought

' Not in mine...as expected!' Yamauchi thought proudly.

' Oh thank god. Not in mine either...' Ike thought in relief.

Kiyopon began to slowly open his bag.

No underwear was found.

Kiyopon sighed softly in relief.

The boys then showed their bags to Hirata and Hirata sighed in relief that none of them had stolen it.

The boys walked out of the tent.

" I checked it all. No underwear was in any of their bags." Hirata said.

" Really...?" Shinohara asked in suprise.

The girls started murmuring to themselves.

" Hirata-kun couldn't be lying...right?"

" Are the boys really innocent?"

" This doesn't make sense."

The boys did a victory pose in their heads as they proved their innocence in this argument.

" Wait! Check their pockets!" Shinohara said.

But the boys felt very confident.

" Ha! Go ahead! " Sudo taunted

" Yeah! Go ahead and embarass yourselves!" Ike said and stepped in front " In fact, check mine first!"

' To be touched by a woman, no matter the context... I have achieved Zen...' Ike thought.

" Hirata-kun, please check them."

' WAIT, THIS ISN'T HOW YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PLAY THE GAME!' Ike thought .

Hirata nodded,

" Ike-kun, I'm going to search you, alright?" He asked

" S-Sure..."

' NOOOO! MISSION ABORTTTT' Ike screamed in his thoughts.

After all the boys were checked out.

The girls decided to take away their accusation and gave an apology, much to the boys enjoyment.

Everyone was currently doing their daily tasks.

" Hirata-kun, please come with me in the tent. I have something to discuss with you." Horikita asked.

" Oh, sure thing." Hirata nodded and followed Horikita to the tent.

The girls who overheard this quickly gossiped.

" W-Wait, is Horikita-san trying to hit on Hirata-kun?!" Mii-chan whispered.

" Eh? But Hirata-kun is already dating Karuizawa-san..." Another girl who crushes on Hirata whispered.

" W-Wait, aren't Ayanokoji-kun and Horikita-san dating?" Another said

The girls gasped.

They slowly turned to look at Kiyopon and their eyes widened.

Kiyopon was staring at the tent that Horikita and Hirata entered.

The girls quickly turned to look at each other.

" He's jealous!" They said.

But in reality, Kiyopon simply stared at the tent because he was curious of Hirata and Horikita's discussion.

But he decided to mind his own business and decided to go to a certain spot and wait.

" What is it that you needed to discuss with me, Horikita-san?" Hirata asked.

Horikita unzipped her bag and took out an underwear.

Hirata's eyes widened.

" T-This is-"

" Yes. It's Karuizawa-san's underwear." Horikita confirmed.

" Horikita-san...did yo-"

" No I did not." She instantly shut him down.

" I see...im glad..." Hirata sighed in relief.

" But...how did you get it?" Hirata asked.

" I saw someone sneak into the boys tent. After they left, I checked it out myself to see if they had done something." She said " And then I found the underwear in Ike's bag, so I took it out."

" I-I see...thank you, Horikita-san." Hirata smiled.

He was glad that the class didn't split up because of their leader's intervention.

" But...we should find out who did this..." he said.

Horikita nodded and their conversation ended.

Kiyopon relaxed on the tree trunk while he sat down.

Suddenly he hears a voice.

" Ayanokoji-kun."

He turns his head to look at Horikita.

" You were right. I'm glad I took your advice about staying up late and wait for Ibuki's move." She said and sat down beside him.

' You're tired.' He signed.

Horikita sighed.

" Of course I am." She responded.

Kiyopon lifts his hand and touches the back of Horikita's head.

Horikita was alerted.

" What are yo-"

Kiyopon pressed her head to lean on his arm.

" Rest..." He whispered softly.

Horikita turned red.

" R-Right..." she said before fully relaxing and leaning on the trunk while leaning her head on his arm.

--

" Good job girls!" The leader of the Chibi Horikita's said.

" Ahhhh! We're leaning on his arm!" Another one squealed.

" Why does this feel familiar, though..." A chibi Horikita wondered.

The first time this happened was actually during when she was sick.

But since the Chibi Horikitas died, they weren't aware of it.

" Well whatever! We won't let that Ichinose, Amikura or Mori Nene claim his heart!" One yelled.

" UMU UMU!" They agreed.

--

Horikita slept soundly on Kiyopon's shoulder.

Kiyopon smiled a little bit and also relaxed a little.

He soon fell asleep for a while.

2. Ibuki and Kiyopon

( Kiyopon took Horikita back to camp after one hour of nap )

' Damn it...what happened? I thought I placed it in Ike's bag! ' Ibuki thought to herself as she sat down.

' Ugh...I have to think of something else...'

Suddenly, she saw two feet in her vision.

She looked up to see Kiyopon looking at her.

" What...?" She asked

Kiyopon points to her and then to himself and then to a route in the forest.

' Is he mute? Come to think of it, I haven't heard him speak...' She thought to herself.

" You want me to come with you and pick fruits?" She guessed.

Kiyopon nodded.

Ibuki sighed and agreed.

She needed Class D to have some sort of trust in her by helping them out after letting her stay.

" Lead the way..." she said.

Kiyopon nodded and went ahead with Ibuki following him.

Currently, Ibuki and Kiyopon were picking fruits from trees.

And right now, Ibuki was struggling to pick a fruit because of her height.

' Should I kick it? But if I accidentally kick it too hard, it's going to get squashed...' she thought

Kiyopon walked behind her and reached it for her.

" Thanks..." She said as he gave her the fruit.

Kiyopon only nodded before picking more fruits.

' He's been silent ever since we interacted...is he really mute or is he just extremely introverted...wait no, an introverted person wouldn't ask someone like me to come with them so suddenly , not only that... it's also our first interaction! So is he just naturally silent?' She thought to herself.

" Hey."

Kiyopon looked at her.

" What's your name?" She asked.

~~~~ stareee~~~

' IM JUST ASKING YOUR NAME, SO WHY THE HELL ARE LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT!' She thought to herself.

But Kiyopon finally opened his mouth.

" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka..." he simply said before returning back for fruit picking.

Ibuki's eyes widened as she heard his voice.

' W-WHAT THE?! HOW IS HIS VOICE SO SMOOTH AND YET MONOTONE??? ' She thought while flustered.

" Are you okay...?" He asked.

Ibuki slapped herself in the face and nodded.

" Yeah. Don't mind me."

Kiyopon was suprised by how she slapped herself in the face so suddenly, but he just silently shrugged to himself.

They had a peaceful time...

Fruit picking...

Be honest, some part of you expected the underwear to be in Kiyopon's bag.

That WAS my original plan but...

I decided to change it cuz the aftermath would've been cringe to write.

Anyways, that's all for the chapter!

MoriKitaSimpPaimon , out~

Who does Kiyopon like? / Class C vanished?

Yey, Island exam is almost over!

Question:

How do you think canon Horikita will react to this fic's Horikita.

( I'm not exactly planning a reaction chapter for this fic.

But if u guys wants to make a reaction out of it. Then feel free. )

Anyways, let's begin!

Third Person PoV

1. Who does Kiyopon like?

" Yo! Ayanokoji, would you like to come fishing with us?" Ike called.

Kiyopon turned his head to look at Ike and a few boys waiting for his answer.

Kiyopon was once again reminded by Horikita's warning during their first few days in school.

But Kiyopon would like to experience this, so he nodded in agreement.

" Alright! Meet us at the river spot." Ike said before leaving with the boys.

Kiyopon did a thumbs up sign in response.

Kiyopon then arrived to the spot and he already saw that the boys started fishing and waiting patiently for the bite.

" Oh, you've arrived!" Ike said and waved.

Kiyopon nodded

Ike handed him a fishing rod and pointed at a spot.

Ike recited some basic tips and tricks when it comes to fishing and Kiyopon nodded.

" Alright, let's try to catch more fish today!" Ike said.

Currently, it's been 10 minutes and no fish has been baited by Kiyopon yet .

He passed the time by staring at his reflection througj the water, while waiting for the fish to bite.

Ike set his fishing rod down and sat beside Kiyopon.

" Hey, caught anything yet?" He asked.

Kiyopon shook his head 'no'

Ike chuckles

" Well, it's always a waiting game when it comes to fishing. You'll get used to it." He said.

Kiyopon nodded.

" Hey. Ayanokoji, do you have someone you like?" Ike asked.

Kiyopon was suprised by the question and looked towards Ike.

" I mean, I'm just curious. " Ike said.

Kiyopon sighed.

" No...I don't really have anyone I like..." he said.

" Huh?! Wait, seriously?" Ike exclaimed in shock.

Kiyopon was confused by his reaction but he nodded nonetheless

" Then what do you want in a girl?" He asked.

Kiyopon thought hard about this.

" Maybe...someone kind...and gentle? Someone who is the opposite of me..." he said.

Ike widened his eyes.

" L-Like Kikyo-chan?!" He said.

Kiyopon widened his eyes and cringed at the thought of her.

" No." He said sternly, which suprised Ike.

Ike scratched his and let out a laugh.

" Haha! I see." He said

' Damn I'm glad he isn't aiming for Kikyo-chan... the girls already seem charmed by him enough...' Ike thought in relief

Suddenly Kiyopon widened his eyes as he felt a tug from the line.

" What? You got something?" Ike asked.

Kiyopon nodded and quickly tried to apply the tips that Ike taught him.

" Alright! Don't be too hasty or else the line will snap!" He said

Kiyopon nodded and stayed patient.

" ALRIGHT! REEL IT IN!" Ike yelled and Kiyopon followed.

Kiyopon reeled the line and also pulled the whole rod.

And a huge fish came out from the river.

All of the boys eyes widened at what Kiyopon had caught.

" IT'S MASSIVE! " Ike yelled as he touched the fish.

" SUGOIIII!!!" all the boys yelled.

" IT'S A REALLY GOOD ONE!" Miyamoto complimented.

" GREAT JOB! " Okitani added.

" I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU MANAGED TO CATCH A BIG ONE. BUT GOOD JOB!" Ike said with a huge smile and thumbs up.

The boys started sharing their praise and how proud they were.

Kiyopon was stunned by all this attention but he didn't mind it.

Kiyopon looked at fish he caught and poked it, completely stunned that he had caught something like this.

" Ayanokoji, let's keep fishing! You might catch another big one!" Ike said.

Kiyopon slightly smiled and nodded.

Kiyopon enjoyed his time fishing.

2. The two best girls investigate!

( the setting was in the camp, 30 minutes after Kiyopon left to go fishing with Ike. )

Horikita looked around the area, searching for Kiyopon.

' Where is he? I thought he finished his task earlier...' Horikita thought to herself as she walked around the camp.

' Wait, is he with Mori-san?' She thought to herself.

An uneasy feeling began to build in her heart but she stayed strong.

' I'll just ask her then.'

Suddenly she hears a voice.

" Horikita-san!" Suddenly, the voice in question decided to come to Horikita instead.

" What is it, Mori-san?" She asked

" Have you seen Ayanokoji-kun?" Mori asked.

" Is...he not with you?" Horikita said with a confused look.

Mori shakes her head 'no'

" I haven't seen him the whole day...I though he was with you, so I asked you." She added.

Horikita felt slightly worried now, but she didn't show it.

" Let's ask someone else, then." Horikita proposed.

Mori nodded and they both went to the closest person they could find.

The two best girls approached Hirata.

" Hirata-kun." Horikita called.

Hirata looked at the both of them.

" What is it?" He asked.

" Do you know where Ayanokoji-kun is?" They both asked at the same time and then glanced at eachother.

" Ayanokoji-kun? Ah, I think he's currently fishing with Ike-kun and the others." He said.

" I see..." Horikita said.

" Um, where do they fish again?" Mori asked.

Hirata told them the directions and soon they left to find Kiyopon.

' Why is she looking for him?' Both of them thought in their heads as they glanced at each other.

" Horikita-san, why are you also searching for Ayanokoji-kun?" Mori decided to ask with a smile.

" I need him to come with me and investigate something." Horikita simply said.

" What about you, Mori-san?" She threw the question back.

' Straightforward...' Mori thought.

" I just wanted to talk to him, that's all." She responded.

" I see... but sorry to tell you, I have something very important to do with Ayanokoji-kun." Horikita stated.

" Is that so? How about we let Ayanokoji-kun decide that?" She retorted.

" That's ridiculous. This is important for the class." Horikita said.

" Oh? But it's still his choice, no?"

...

...

" Fine. I'll humor you this time." Horikita said.

--

" He's going to come with me!" Both the Chibi Horikita and Chibi Mori yelled.

--

They finally arrived at the spot but then they heard laughing and happy sounds from the boys.

" YES! ANOTHER BIG CATCH BY AYANOKOJI!" One of them yelled

Horikita and Mori got curious so they peaked through the bushes.

" You're awesome, Ayanokoji!" Ike praised

" Yeah! We're all gonna have a feast at this rate!" Another praised.

And more and more praises went towards him.

' So sweet...' Horikita and Mori thought as they watched the scene.

" Okay! Let's do a few more and call it a day!"

Kiyopon smiled a bit and nodded.

Both the girls who were watching the scene, instinctively hid their faces.

' S-SO CUTE!' They both thought.

" H-How about we just let him be for now?" Mori asked.

Horikita nodded without saying a word.

They both quickly stood up and left the scene.

They were currently walking back to camp.

" So...Horikita-san, if you don't mind me asking. What were you exactly going to do with Ayanokoji-kun?" Mori asked.

" I wanted his help on investigating something...and usually he was free." She responded.

" Oh...I see..." Mori said.

" If...it's alright with you...then I can help..." Mori slowly offered.

Horikita's eyes widened in suprise.

She hadn't expect Mori to offer her help.

Horikita sighed.

" I would like your assistance , then." Horikita said.

Mori smiled and did a salute.

" Yes ma'am!"

Horikita decided that they take a detour to Class C's base.

Horikita explained to Mori that she wanted to check on the other classes bases in order to make a plan.

And Class C was first.

" Um...Horikita-san...?"

" Yes...?"

" Is it just me...or is the beach empty..."

"..."

" Or...were they never even here in the first place?"

"..."

" Or maybe, they were gho-"

Horikita covered Mori's mouth.

" Alright...enough..."

I hope u enjoyed that chappie!

Next chapter will also be a continuation of Horikita and Mori's investigation.

It's a bit awkward right now, but next chapter will probably be more comfortable.

If only that mark was out of there :((

The two best girls

Till next chappie

SadisticPaimon, out~

MoriKita / Kiyopon finds a dragon

The first part will probably either have high Yuri levels or not.

It will depend on how I write it lol.

Also, think about this.

Kiyone Can't Communicate!

Who would be the best boys/girls in her harem? And explain why you think they would be fit for silent Kiyone.

Anyways, moving on.

Enjoy the chappie!

Third Person PoV

1. A suprisingly good duo?!

" They're all gone..." Mori said as she skipped a stone at the ocean.

Horikita sighs.

' Could this have been their plan? Simply spend all their points and leave?' Horikita thought.

" Hey, Horikita-san. What's that Ryuuen guy like?" Mori suddenly asked.

Horikita turned to look at her.

" A tyrant. I'm sure you've heard the rumors that he rules his class with an iron fist." She responded.

" Well, yeah. And it adds even more with how that guy treated Ibuki." Mori said and skipped another stone at the ocean.

It made 8 skips.

' Yes!' Mori thought proudly.

" You're seriously skipping stones at this time?" Horikita asked with a brow raised.

Mori grins and nods.

" Have you done this before?" She said while holding a stone.

" Yes I have." Horikita responded.

" Oh! Then show me how you do!"

" No tha-"

" Come on, Horikita-san! I'm curious to see it !" Mori said while quickly handing it to Horikita's hand.

"..."

Horikita looked at the stone and then to the ocean.

' I haven't done this in so long...' Horikita thought to herself as she remembered her first time doing this.

--

" Nii-san, what are you doing?" A young Suzune asked her older brother.

Manabu smiled and skipped a stone across the ocean.

" It's called stone-skipping. Wanna give it a try?" He asked.

The young Suzune nodded shyly and Manabu handed her the stone.

Suzune quickly tries to copy what her older brother had done but her stone immediately sank to the floor the moment it touched the water.

Suzune pouted and Manabu chuckled.

" Listen up. I'll explain the trick..."

--

' It's all in the wrist and angle...if you throw it faster, then the reaction force from the water will increase, thereby, bouncing the stone back and so on and so forth, until it loses it's speed...' Horikita remembered Manabu's words.

She got into position.

Horikita flicks her wrist quickly and throws the stone on the water.

plop*

plop*

plop

plop

plop*

plop*

plop*

The stone kept on skipping and finally stopped after 40 skips.

" S-Sugoi!" Mori said in shock.

" Were you some sort of stone-skipping champion or something?!" She asked.

" No. I'm not, it was simply something I used to practice for no particular reason." Horikita replied.

" Ehhh? Is that really it?" She asked.

Horikita nodded.

" If you say so..." Mori decided to accept her answer.

" Let's check out Class A." Horikita said. " Class C wasn't the only class I wanted to check out."

Horikita then suddenly remembered something that Kiyopon had said to her.

She looked towards Mori.

" You were with Ayanokoji-kun at the time, right? " she asked.

" Yes." Mori replied.

" Then lead the way, Mori-san."

" Hai! Horikita-san." She jokingly said before walking.

Horikita sighed, shooked her head and then followed her.

" Horikita-san, what are you planning to do when we get to their base? I mean, Class A would surely brush us off..." Mori said.

" We'll see how it goes." Horikita replied.

" Well, I hope tha- WAH!!!" Suddenly, before she could finish what she was about to say, Mori fell in the ground.

" Mori-san?!" Horikita said in suprise.

Mori had stepped into a trap and fell down into a manmade hole.

" Ouch..." Mori muttered.

' Tch. Class A...quite cunning...' Horikita thought before checking if Mori was okay.

" Are you alright?" She asked.

" Yeaaahh..." Mori responded.

Suddenly, Horikita heard voices from a distance.

" Wait! Yahiko, I think our trap worked!" A voice said.

" Huh, really?" Yahiko responded

Horikita widened her eyes and immediately lent her hand to Mori.

" Mori-san! Take it! " Horikita whisper yelled.

Mori also heard the voices, so she quickly took Horikita's hand.

" Alright...3...2...1!"

Horikita pulled Mori with all her might but she was still struggling.

" M-Mori-san-"

The two voices started coming closer to the two best girls.

" Man, I wonder what kind of animal we caught." Yahiko said.

" Im still confused, why did we set this trap? Didn't sensei inform us that there are no animals?"

" Eh? He did?" Yahiko asked.

' Shit.' Horikita cursed in her thoughts.

" Come on...one more time!"

" A-Alright!" Mori responded.

" 1...2...3!"

Horikita pulled Mori up with all her might and Mori also tried to climb the walls of the hole.

Mori finally managed to get out of the hole.

" Horikita-san...we-"

" We've finally arrived!" Yahiko said in excitement.

" Woah...Did the trap actually work?" The other boy asked.

" Of course it did! Im a genius after all! " Yahiko replied proudly.

The two boys walked to the hole and checked what's inside.

.

.

.

.

" What?! There's nothing?!" Yahiko said.

The boy beside him sighed in disappointment and quickly turned back.

" What a waste of time..." he muttered.

" Ugh, I thought there were actually animals!" Yahiko reasoned.

" Sensei already told us that there weren't! " the other boy replied.

They both bickered as they walked away.

Horikita and Mori let out a sigh of relief.

They were both hidden by the trees as they watched the two boys walked away.

" That...was...close" Mori said.

" Mori-san...please watch your steps, next time..." Horikita said.

" Nobody would've expected that! Can you blame me?" She shot back. " Besides...that was quite thrilling...right, Horikita-san?"

" We would've been caught..." Horikita said. " and then our investigation would've failed..."

" But it didn't! Though...we did get dirty..." Mori said while looking at her clothes.

They were both currently covered in dirt.

Horikita sighed.

" Nothing we can do about it for now...let's just check out Class A and call it a day..." Horikita said.

" I agree..." Mori replied.

Mori and Horikita entered Class A's territory and Yahiko with some of the boys immediately surrounded them.

" Hey! What are you two doing here!" Yahiko said.

The two girls wore angry looks as they both glared at Yahiko for indirectly dirtying their attire.

Yahiko noticed this and stuttered.

" W-Why are you looking at me like that?!"

" Yahiko, what is going on." Katsuragi said as he came out from the cave.

" K-Katsuragi-san, there are intruders!" Yahiko reported.

" Shut up..." Horikita muttered.

" Rude intruders!" Yahiko then added.

' I wanna hit him...' Mori thought as she glared at him.

Katsuragi nodded and took a good look at Horikita and Mori.

His eyes widened.

" Before anything else...why are you two dirty?" Katsuragi asked.

" Oh...I wonder, why..." they both said.

2. Kiyopon finds a dragon!

Kiyopon had finished fishing with Ike an hour ago, and he was told that both Horikita and Mori were out investigating a few places.

Kiyopon thought that it was a weird duo at first, and he considered looking for them, but he wanted Horikita to have a girl friend.

Horikita was pretty isolated to everyone, besides him after all.

So he decided that it was a good time for both of his friends to get along.

Kiyopon was picking berries until he saw the same white bird from 4 days ago, on a tree branch.

~~~staareeee~~~

The bird tilted it's head as it seemingly looked at Kiyopon's direction.

Kiyopon tilted his head in response.

Suddenly, the bird finally recognized Kiyopon and immediately flew from the branch to him.

The bird landed on Kiyopon's shoulder.

" It's nice to see you again..." Kiyopon greeted the bird softly.

The bird nuzzles it's head on Kiyopon's cheek as a response.

Kiyopon took a small berry and tried to feed the bird.

The bird took it in gratitude.

Kiyopon smiled slightly.

Then, he noticed something on the bird's wing.

It has dried blood on it's feathers.

Kiyopon wondered if the bird had injured itself, or if someone had tried to kill it.

Well, it's a good thing that the bird had found him.

Kiyopon kept feeding the bird berries as he walked deeper into the forest with the bird on his shoulder.

While walking into the forest, he heard noises from deeper within.

Kiyopon stopped and stayed silent.

He contemplated whether he should check it out or not.

But his curiosity got the best of him.

" Bird...stay quiet..." Kiyopon whispered.

Although the bird did not understand Kiyopon's language, it stayed silent nonetheless.

Kiyopon then went deeper into the forest, in search of where the noises are coming from.

Kiyopon kept walking until he heard a voice.

" Tch. These fishes are so damn bland...if only I killed that juicy fucking bird..."

Kiyopon quickly hid behind the trees and looked at the person.

It was Ryuuen Kakeru.

Ryuuen was eating a fish on a stick, but he seemed to be annoyed with how bland it was.

" I should've killed that damned bird sooner..." he muttered while taking another bite.

Kiyopon narrowed his eyes.

So it was him who tried to kill his favorite bird.

Kiyopon was not one to hold grudges...but he didn't like how his bird friend almost died.

Then suddenly, Kiyopon realized something else.

Why was Ryuuen here? Isn't Ryuuen supposed to be spending his time, partying with Class C?

Then why is he currently munching on poorly cooked while looking rugged?

Actually, this whole scene confirmed a suspicion of Kiyopon.

A day ago, Kiyopon had followed Ibuki without her knowing, and he saw her dug up a walkie talkie.

It was the same object he saw on Ryuuen's table from when he and Horikita stumbled into their base.

Things were finally starting to piece together...

But he doesn't plan to say a word to Horikita.

Kiyopon was curious to see if Horikita can truly lead the class.

So he'll let her have this one.

After all, he only promised doing the bare-minimum.

Kiyopon quickly left the scene and started walking back to the camp.

While walking, Kiyopon wondered about something else.

What should he name his bird?

Kiyopon started brainstorming in his head.

The bird was flapping it's wings on his shoulder.

Kiyopon suddenly remembered a name that Sotomura or mostly referred to as ' The Professor' had mentioned before.

" Eren..." Kiyopon said and the bird stopped flapping it's wings.

" From now on...your name is...Eren..." Kiyopon said.

The white bird made sounds of approval ( ? ) and Kiyopon nodded.

After nearing the base, the bird decided to fly away.

Kiyopon bid it goodbye and then entered back into the camp.

" Oh, there you are! Where have you been?" Matsushita asked.

Kiyopon only shrugged in response.

Suddenly a voice yelled.

" M-MORI-SAN AND HORIKITA-SAN?! WHY ARE YOU TWO COVERED IN DIRT?!"

Kiyopon's eyes widened in suprise and immediately tried to see what was going on.

Kiyopon looked at the dirt-covered Mori and Horikita.

They both wore annoyed looks.

" It's nothing..." they both said and immediately brushed past everyone.

And then they stopped at Kiyopon.

" Ayanokoji-kun...next time, you are going to be the one dirty..." They both said and then brushed past him.

Kiyopon watched as they both walked to the path leading to the waterfall to rinse off the dirt.

It seemed that they've gotten along...right?

Kiyopon let out a sigh

" Oi, Ayanokoji! Come here! We're gonna cook all these fish!" Ike called.

Kiyopon nodded and then went to Ike.

What did you think of Horikita and Mori's bonding?

And yes, the bird is now officially his pet on the island.

Vote for Kiyopon and Eren!

SadisticPaimon, out~

Ryuuen's move / Desperation

Next chapter will be the end of the island exam.

Question of the chapter:

Will Kiyopon do his monologue or not?

Or you can also comment down what you THINK he'd say.

Anyways, moving on.

Enjoy the chappie !

Third Person PoV

1. Ryuuen's move.

Currently the final day of the exam, and tomorrow will be the final role call.

And so far, Class D had played safe and stuck together up to this point.

" What are we going to do?" Ibuki asked through the walkie talkie.

Ryuuen took a bite of his bland fish and then responded.

" Find a way to get the name of Class D's leader. Are you really that dumb?" He taunted.

" You idiot. There's no way we can do that! There's no opening for me to take her card!" She yelled.

' Kuku, narrow-minded as always.' Ryuuen thought.

" That's because you wait for the opportunity, while I create it." Ryuuen said.

" Isn't it supposed to be ' I take it'? " Ibuki said confused.

" KUKUKU! You'll see what I mean. Be sure to be ready." Ryuuen responded before turning off the walkie talkie.

' All the classes are going to be destroyed...kukuku how exciting!' Ryuuen thought as he imagined the shocked faces of the school.

' Suzune and that other girl have already checked out our base 2 days ago, though I doubt they've figured out what I had planned.' Ryuuen thought while taking another bite.

" Kuku...this damn fish is still fucking bland..." He muttered.

" Caw!"

" Huh?" Ryuuen quickly looked up and saw that white bird on the tree.

" You..." Ryuuen remembered that bird clearly.

It was the bird he tried to kill, but it fucking escaped.

" Caw!" The bird flapped its wings.

Ryuuen's smile tensed.

' Is...it mocking me?' He thought.

" Caw!" It said.

' Thats it. Im gonna kill that bird.' Ryuuen thought while getting a rock to throw.

Ryuuen turned around only to see that the bird has disappeared.

" Fucking bird..." He muttered before sitting down again and eating his fish.

It was now currently night time.

" Yes! I can already smell those points! " Ike yelled.

" Finally, we can have more private points!" A few of the girls cheered.

" Maaannn, all of this is starting to feel worth it!" Sudo said.

" Haha! I can finally buy that new game!" Yamauchi said

Class D was celebrating loudly around the fire.

Where is Kiyopon and Horikita you might ask?

They were currently at the same spot where Kiyopon let Horikita rest on his arm.

They were sitting down and staring at the moon.

" This exam is finally coming to an end..." Horikita suddenly said.

Kiyopon nodded in agreement.

' We can finally rest peacefully.' He signed.

Horikita nodded and let out a small smile.

" Yeah..." she said.

She looked back to the moon.

In all honesty, Kiyopon truly thought that Horikita did a great job being a leader.

She did well in keeping the class together, preventing potential conflicts and played it safe.

But there was one thing Kiyopon had been expecting but never got.

Horikita hasn't pieced together what Ryuuen had planned.

Not one bit.

But she looked quite relax right now, so Kiyopon didn't bother to give her a clue.

" H-Horikita-san! Ayanokoji-kun! The camp is burning! " Mii-chan screamed.

Annnd...that didn't last long...

Both Kiyopon and Horikita eyes widened in shock and they quickly got up and went to the camp.

" GET SOME WATER!" Keisei yelled.

" SHIT SHIT SHIT!" one cursed.

The girls were also panicking and trying to help the boys extinguish the fire.

Meanwhile, Ibuki was also helping out in order to blend in.

' SERIOUSLY?! IS HE FUCKING SERIOUS?!' Ibuki thought as she couldn't believe that he would actually try this.

Sneaking in while they were distracted and creating a fire to burn their tent?

She couldn't believe it.

' Tch... But this might work...' she admitted in her thoughts.

This will create the perfect distraction.

She just needs Horikita to be here now...

" What happened." Horikita said as she arrived with Kiyopon.

" I-I don't know! The tent just set on fire!" Shinohara said in a panic.

" The boys are trying to extinguish it, but it's overwhelming!" Matsushita added.

" Tch..." Horikita looked at burning tent and " What about our stuff?" She asked.

" All the boys managed to get it out before it got worse..." Shinohara said.

Horikita nodded in response and then looked to her side.

" Ayanokoji-ku-"

But he wasn't there.

' Where is he- no wait, not the time!' Horikita thought before turning to the boys and giving them instructions.

Ryuuen went to the other tent and lit up a match.

' Kuku, it seems like Ibuki needs another opportunity...this will do the trick' Ryuuen smirked at that thought and then lit the other tent on fire.

He then quickly retreated back to the forest.

This was Ibuki's last chance.

" H-HEY THE OTHER TENT!" Yamauchi yelled.

" Ike-kun, Sudo-kun. Come with me! Let's get more water!" Hirata yelled.

The two boys agreed and followed him.

Horikita's eyes widened as she froze.

Why was this happening? Are the other tents going to be the same?

All these thoughts ran through her head.

' My chance!' Ibuki thought as she swiftly bumped into Horikita and using the time to sneak her hand in her pocket and immediately snatched the card.

" Egh!" Horikita let out a sound as she fell on the ground.

Ibuki looked at her with a fake concerned look.

" S-Shit! Sorry about that!" Ibuki apologized and ran off.

Suddenly, everything clicked into Horikita's mind.

She quickly got up and chased Ibuki down.

2. Desperation.

' I CAN'T LET HER ESCAPE!' Horikita thought as she chased Ibuki down through the forest.

Meanwhile, Class D tried to extinguish the other fire but it was still going.

" WHY?!" one of them yelled in frustration.

Suddenly, rain droplets started to fall from the sky, and as each second passed, it started to rain a bit heavier.

" T-The rain!" Miyamoto said.

The rain successfully extinguished the fire.

Class D sighed in relief but then they realised something else.

" OH FUCK, IT'S RAINING!" Ike yelled.

" Everyone! Get under the trees!" Hirata said and everyone immediately followed.

Kiyopon was still standing in the rain, staring at path where Horikita left to chase down Ibuki.

" Ayanokoji-kun?" Hirata called.

" Oi Ayanokoji! Get under here!" Ike yelled.

" Ayanokoji-kun, you're going to get sick! " Some girls said.

" Ayanokoji-kun!" Mori called.

Kiyopon turns his head to look at his classmates.

He shakes his head and then runs to where Horikita went.

Everyone was shocked by his speed.

" W-WHAT THE- HE RUNS SO FAST!" Sudo said in shock.

' What is he doing?! Wait...Horikita-san isn't here...is he...' Mori thought.

" WHERE THE HELL IS HE GOING?!" Ike said.

" Shit, should we go after him?" Sudo asked.

" But it's raining really hard...won't you guys get lost? Are you that dumb?" A Class D girl said.

Ike looked at her with a disgusted look.

" So you want us to sit here and let Ayanokoji get lost?! " he said.

" What?! That's not what I'm-"

Hirata cut them both off and tried to de-escalate this.

" Please, we must not fight at this moment...but I agree with Ike-kun. We need to find Ayanokoji-ku-"

" Wait, Hirata-kun. I don't think we should chase him." Mori said.

Everyone looked at her with a suprised look.

" What do you mean?" Hirata asked.

" Ayanokoji-kun...he doesn't want any of us to follow him...I just know it..." Mori said with an unsure tone.

" Hah?! You don't seem like you know at all!" Ike retorted.

Mori sighed and looked at him.

" I know Ayanokoji-kun. Did you see the way he looked at us? He shook his head and ran off! Don't you think that's his way of telling us to stay put?" Mori said.

Everyone was silent as they took in her answer.

" I...But..."

" Look, Ayanokoji-kun will come back...right now, he's just looking for Horikita-san..." Mori said.

" W-WAIT! HORIKITA'S NOT HERE?!" Sudo yelled in suprise.

The rain got even more heavy and currently, Horikita was almost in reach of Ibuki.

' Almost...!' Horikita thought.

' Shit! She's getting close!' Ibuki thought but then she slipped on mud and fell to the ground.

Horikita stopped and looked down at her.

" End of the line...Ibuki-san..." She said while panting.

" Heh...not bad..." Ibuki said but then she looked up at her with a defying look " You want this card?"

Horikita narrows her eyes.

" Then you're gonna have to fight me for it!" Ibuki said before tripping Horikita into the ground.

" ?! " Horikita fell to the ground and Ibuki stood up .

" Don't let your guard down, Horikita!" She yelled before preparing to kick Horikita's side.

Horikita quickly rolled to the far left and stood up.

' She's not going to negotiate...' Horikita concluded.

Ibuki smirks as she got into a stance.

' I have no choice...I'm desperate...I must not fail. ' Horikita thought before getting into her own fighting stance.

Immediately, Ibuki extended her slender leg towards Horikita's face.

Horikita stepped back and dodged it but then Ibuki quickly recovered and stepped forward to do a roundhouse kick.

Horikita blocked it and grabbed her leg to throw her off her balance.

Ibuki noticed this and quickly used her other leg to kick Horikita's torso and Horikita's grip released the leg.

" Fwah!" Horikita was caught off guard by that.

" Is that all you got?" Ibuki asked mockingly.

Horikita glares at her and goes back into her stance.

She quickly charges at Ibuki and engages in close-quarter combat.

Horikita threw a quick right hook at Ibuki but she blocked it.

Horikita then aimed for her torso, but Ibuki dodged to the side.

' Wrong move.' Horikita thought before swiftly kicking Ibuki's knees which caught her by suprise.

" AH!" She yelled and instinctively bent down.

Horikita took this opening and quickly ended the fight by kicking her by the jaw.

" Hwah!" Ibuki let out a noise of suprise and went down.

Ibuki clutched her jaw as she glared at Horikita.

Horikita had won this battle.

" It's over." Horikita said.

" Kuku, you sure about that, Suzune?"

Horikita's eyes widened in suprise but before she could react, Ryuuen kicked in the abdomen which made her gag.

" I'm suprised that Ibuki lost to you. Kukuku, interesting...but I'm going to have to crush you." Ryuuen said before shoving Horikita to the ground.

Horikita was panting, the shock she felt from that sudden strike in the abdomen.

' I...I cant...' she thought as she clutched her abdomen.

Ryuuen looked at Ibuki with a smirk.

" The mud suits you, Ibuki" he said.

Ibuki glared at him.

" Shut up, you bastard..." she said.

Ryuuen cackled while Ibuki stood up slowly.

" Where is the card?" He asked.

Ibuki pulled out the card from her pocket.

" Right here." She said and handed it to him.

Ryuuen grabbed it and examined it with his flashlight.

" It's legit." He said.

" What? You expected me to grab a fake?" Ibuki asked in anger.

" No. It would be funny though." Ryuuen replied and then looked at Horikita.

" I had a fun time playing with you and your class, Suzune. Hopefully you'll make things even more interesting, next time." He said before turning away.

Horikita watched as he turned to leave.

' No...I...I need to get up!' She thought while slowly standing back up.

Ibuki quickly noticed this and kicked her on the chest, which sent her back down.

" Stay put. We'll have our rematch next time. You got lucky." She said before leaving with Ryuuen.

" No..." Horikita said.

" I...I lost..." she said before clenching her fist in frustration as both Ryuuen and Ibuki disappeared through the forest.

Horikita gritted her teeth.

" Horikita." A voice called her.

She slowly turned her eyes to see Kiyotaka.

" Ayanokoji-kun..."

Yeah, imma leave that there.

I know. Im terrible at fight scenes, lol.

I read fight scenes from different fanfics to get an idea on how to write one.

This was the best I could come up with.

It was more serious than usual.

But I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless!

Oh and imma give u dis

Ryuuen's card. Tbh he looks kinda good.

But he also looks like a rip off Kanzaki lmao.

Seggs.

Anyways see u in the next chappie! ( which I will probably write later and maybe publish later. )

SadisticPaimon, out~

A Failure / His decision

Here it is!

Officially the end of the exam!

The next chappie will be the final interactions and finally vol 3 is done!

And then I'll give this fic a week break and work on the reaction fic.

(I want to update at least 4 chappies of it.)

Ya'll be giving WAY too many comments and messages.

SHEESH

Anyways, enjoy the chappie!

1. A Failure

" Ayanokoji-kun..." Horikita weakly said as she looked up at him.

Kiyotaka silently went to her and picked her up in his arms.

Horikita stayed silent as she was carried by Kiyotaka.

' I...didn't expect him to be here...and why him...the one person that I don't wanna show this type of weakness too...' Horikita thought.

Kiyotaka arrived to a big tree where they can both relax and not get hit by the rain.

Kiyotaka gently leaned Horikita to the tree.

" Ayanokoji-kun..." She started but Kiyotaka cut her off.

" Horikita, did you lose the card?" He asked softly

Even with his tone of voice, she flinched because it was a definite reminder that they did indeed stole the- no, she did indeed lose the card.

Horikita stayed silent and stared at the ground as she lamented over her failure.

Kiyotaka noticed this and didn't try to do anything that might worsen it.

Seeing that Horikita wasn't going to talk, Kiyotaka softly sighed and stood up to stare at the rain.

Kiyotaka closed his eyes and listened to the sound of the rain.

'" Ayanokoji-kun..." Horikita suddenly said.

Kiyotaka opened his eyes but he didn't respond to her.

" I-Im...sorry..." She apologized with sincerity.

Kiyotaka's eyes widened slightly from this.

" Im...Im so sorry...I lost the card...I failed to get it back...Im so sorry..." she apologized even more.

" Even when I did my best...I still failed...as your leader...Im so sorry..." Horikita said with tears slowly building up.

" I failed...Class D..." she continued, " I failed my brother..."

And then she it all out.

" I...I failed...you!" She said as the tears finally came rolling down her cheeks.

' Im so weak...here I am , crying...but...I can't take it anymore...' Horikita thought as she tried to wipe her tears.

" I'm...an incompetent leader...an even more incompetent person... a failure..." she clenches her fist.

Kiyotaka didn't turn around, but he listened to her every word.

" ...My life...is full of disappointment...no matter how hard I try, I still fail..."

" When everything was going well... the fire happened...I was caught off guard...and eventually...I lost the card to Ibuki..." she said.

" You can't blame yourself for tha-" Kiyotaka tried to say but he was cut off.

" No...It's my mistake..."

Even when she wiped most of the tears from her face, she could still feel the effect of it all.

The urge to cry and let even more tears come out.

" I...disappointed my brother...I disappointed Class D...I disappointed sensei...haha...I most likely disappointed you...even when you don't say anything..." she said with a laugh full of pity for herself.

" And most importantly... I disappointed myself..." she finished before leaning back onto the tree and pulling up her knees to hide her face.

" Especially myself..." she emphasized.

This defeat... is a memory that Horikita will forever etch into her mind.

Imagine, all the effort you put into something and then suddenly, one mistake caused you to fail...for everything to crumble.

It's even worse when you are a leader, just like Horikita.

Horikita blamed herself for it all.

" You should leave me here...Class D definitely would...after all, they will hate me once they find out about this...I don't want you to be hated too..." she added

Even at times like this...

Horikita always thought of Kiyotaka.

" You're almost right...about everything..." Kiyotaka finally said.

Horikita flinched.

But one word from that sentence didn't sound right.

"...Almost...?" She asked as she lifted her head up to glance at his back.

" Yeah..." He said and then turned his to look at her, " Almost..."

She refused to look at him in the eyes.

He started walking towards her.

" But you were wrong about one thing..." he softly said as he finally stood in front of her.

She was confused...she wondered what could she have possibly been wrong about?

Then again, she won't be suprised if she were wrong again...

The damage had been done...

And god, it hurts...

Kiyotaka kneeled down and gently placed a hand behind her head and the other on her back.

" And right now...just for this moment...I'll tell you." He said.

" Tell...me wha-"

Kiyotaka pulled her close and hugged her gently.

Horikita was suprised but she didn't push him away.

" I've never once thought of you as a failure...not once was I ever disappointed in you..." he said and hugged her tighter.

Horikita stayed silent.

" I would never leave you over something like this...I don't think Class D will hate you either...and you didn't fail as a leader...because..." Kiyotaka paused.

" The true failure...is me... I failed as your classmate...I failed as someone you can rely on...I failed as your friend. "

Horikita's eyes widened and when she was about to deny it, he immediately continued his words.

" It was hard for you...being a leader...the burden was too high...I should've helped you..."

" I should've shared that burden with you...and yet, I kept to my selfish desire and only did the bare-minimum...while you gave your all in every moment in this exam...and for that..."

Kiyotaka pulled back from the hug and wiped away Horikita's remaining tears.

" I'm sorry..." he apologized for everything.

" Im so sorry...Horikita..." he apologized again.

Horikita puts her hand over his and gives a small smile.

" It's okay...I never blamed you..."

She holds his hands.

" So please...let me take all the blame..." she pleaded.

Kiyotaka couldn't believe it.

This feeling...deep down inside...he couldn't understand it...

But this feeling...is urging him to do this one thing...

" I see..." he trailed off before standing up and lending her his hand.

" But let's take the blame together...the rain is clearing up...let's go back to camp." He said.

It was true, the rain was slowing down.

Horikita slowly nodded and took his hand.

" You go on ahead." Kiyotaka said.

Horikita nodded but not before saying one more thing.

" Thank you...for being here for me...Ayanokoji-kun..." she said.

" Whenever you are in trouble, don't be afraid to show this side of yourself to me. I will never judge you...and I'll always be there for you...for as long as you need me to." Kiyotaka suddenly promised out of nowhere.

This made Horikita suprised but then a genuine smile appeared on her face.

" I see...you know, this is the longest that you talked to me using your words..." she commented.

Kiyopon nodded.

" Back to the silent act?...well...if it's not too selfish of me to ask...I do hope you can keep your promise..." She said.

Kiyopon nodded again.

Horikita had fully accepted this loss now.

She was ready to tell Class D that she failed and admit all her mistakes.

This courage is propelling her to become a better person.

But this loss will still forever stain her mind.

But before Horikita could step into the path, she was suddenly falling to the ground and losing consciousness.

Kiyotaka gently caught her.

Kiyotaka had knocked her out.

He gently put her in a princess carry and made sure she was comfortable in his arms.

The rain has slowed down, so it was easier to navigate around the area now.

Kiyotaka set off unto the path while carrying an unconcious Horikita in his arms.

Kiyotaka had made a decision...

2. His decision.

Ayanokoji PoV

Why was I doing this?

I asked myself as I quickly walked through the forest.

It's because I care.

I made sure to avoid slipping while carrying her.

I care about Horikita. What I said to her was my full honesty.

I need to get there before the new day begins.

All my life...I always wondered what it was like to have a friend.

Someone you can rely on.

Someone you can care for.

Someone that can genuinely make you happy.

But am I happy?

Or was it simply another act.

I finally made it out of the forest and arrived at the beach.

I walked towards the ramp that will eventually lead me to the ship's deck.

No, it wasn't an act.

The time I spent with Horikita.

Is something...I could never throw away.

But is that enough of a reason...for me to do this?

" Ayanokoji, what are you-" I immediately cut off Chabashira-sensei.

" Horikita is unconcious and sick." I said.

But it was also a half-lie.

She looked at Horikita in my arms.

" Hold on, let me check her temp-" but I cut her off again.

" Let me take her to her room. She needs to rest." I said sternly.

She looked at me, suprise evident on her face.

In truth, there was no reason for me to do this.

I could simply watch it unfold by the sidelines.

I didn't care about reaching Class A

I didn't care about Class D

I didn't care about showing off my skills to anyone.

Sensei had failed to blackmail me

I had absolutely nothing to prove to anyone.

Sensei stared at me for a while and slowly nodded.

" At least let-" I cut her off once again.

" I'll take her there." I said as I stepped back from Sensei a bit.

She looked at me with a brow raised.

" You don't trust me?" She asked.

" I don't." I replied.

No, I just didn't want her to check Horikita's temperature.

There are other teachers here after all.

So I must be careful.

" Fine..." she surrendered. " But I'll come with you since I have her keys. And also to make sure you won't try anything."

I decided to agree with her terms.

And yet...here I am...

Am I doing this because I simply cared for Horikita?

No, that would be too vague an answer.

I carried Horikita through the hallways until I finally ended up at her door.

I looked at sensei.

Sensei nodded and unlocked her door.

" Could you stay here for a moment?" I asked.

Chabashira-sensei sighed and agreed to stay outside.

I nodded in thanks and stepped into Horikita's room.

Was it because I wanted her to win?

I gently laid Horikita down on her bed.

I went to the bathroom to get a clean towel to wipe her face.

Was it because I pitied her?

I got a clean towel and went to Horikita.

She was breathing softly in her unconcious state.

I gently wiped her face.

No...it was because she cried...

But why?

I've watched many break down and cry...

Not once did I ever feel this way...

Not once did I ever feel the need to do something like this

I pulled the towel away and looked at Horikita's face.

I kept thinking.

So why?

Was it because I felt guilty?

Was it because I indirectly caused her to break down back there?

No...

" It was because...I didn't want to see you cry again..." I muttered

I genuinely did not want to see her cry again...

I didn't want her to belittle herself again...

Because...she is my friend...

My very first friend...

I stood up and looked for a piece of paper around the room.

I quickly found one in the drawers and also a pen.

I quickly wrote in it.

That's why...I'll make sure you won't cry again...

I'll make sure that you will never think of yourself as a failure or a disappointment ever again...

Because... that's what friends are for...

I'm sorry Horikita...for being a bad friend... for not helping you earlier...

But you don't have to worry...

I won't let your effort go to waste...

Because...I'll make sure that...

I left the note on Horikita's desk which was right by her bed.

' Class D is going to win' it said.

I took one more glance at her and walked out of the room.

" You took a while." Sensei said.

I looked at her silently and nodded.

She sighed.

" You better go return to Class D." She said.

I nodded silently and went down the ramp which led me back to the beach.

The rain had already cleared.

I let out a sigh and walked to the forest and to return to the camp.

Kiyopon has finally decided to win!

Next chapter will be the last chapter for volume 3.

And then I'll put this fic on a week break so I can update new chapters in the reaction fic.

So yeah, Kiyopon will take a break when that happens.

And yep, the first character PoV in this whole fic is Kiyopon.

I won't do many character PoV's tho since I think the 3rd person PoVs suit this fic more.

I just did one for now cuz it was a special occasion.

Yeahhhh after all this development...

I wasn't gonna go for the whole tool monologue at all.

Decided to make it my own.

Anyways, thats all for this chappie, gtg to class!

SadisticPaimon, out~

The bird shocks the Dragon / I don't care about your dreams.

I have returned.

1. The bird shocks the Dragon.

Third Person PoV

It was the day of judgement.

All the classes have gathered on the beach.

" We are now tallying the test results. Please wait a moment. Feel free to use the rest area if you would like, or have a drink." Mashima announced.

Class A seemed very sure that this exam was for their taking.

Class B was neutral, after all, they only played the defensive.

And unbeknownst to them, that was part of their soon to be downfall.

But Class D in particular...

Were currently discussing after Hirata had submitted the guesses.

" Man...I'm so scared..." Ike nervously said.

" Yeah...we'll lose a lot of points if we're wrong, right??" Sudo said.

" But Ayanokoji-kun looked so...sure about his guesses. Did anyone else feel some sort of determination from him?" Shinohara asked.

The students looked at each other.

" Hey. Wait. Where is Ayanokoji?" Yamauchi asked.

Everyone quickly looked behind and in the small distance...

Was Ayanokoji petting a white bird.

" Eh? When did he get a bird?!" Hondou asked in shock.

' It seems like even animals like him...' Mori thought and giggled quietly .

" Still...it's a pity that Horikita-san had to retire..." Hirata said.

" But don't you guys think it's strange? I don't know if I'm oblivious but...I can't possible be the only one thinking that Horikita-san didn't look ' sick ' at all in this exam, right?" Matsushita shared her thoughts.

A few hours ago, Kiyopon arrived to the camp and told them that Horikita had to retire because she was extremely sick.

They accepted that answer because she ran into the rain for a long time...

But...

Still, it was quite strange how severe her condition went.

" Maybe she has a weak immunity system?" Keisei said.

Everyone thought about it for a while until they heard the bushes move.

" Huh? Wait! WHAT?!" A Class A student yelled in shock as they witnessed who came out from the bush.

Kiyopon stopped petting the bird and glanced at the bush as well.

" Kuku, suprised?" The magenta-haired boy said.

' Ryuuen? What is he doing here...this wasn't part of the plan...' Katsuragi thought.

" D-Didn't Class C retire...??" Amikura asked her classmates.

Ichinose nodded slowly because she too was shocked.

Ryuuen looked disheveled and covered with dirt.

Class D was suprised...

Suprised that Kiyopon was right.

" It was just like what Ayanokoji said would happen..." Ike whispered.

" Holy crap..." Sudo said.

Yhey all glanced to look at Kiyopon who was busy feeding the bird some berries.

" Damn...he looks so nonchalant..." Miyamoto said with a chuckle.

" T-Then...could it be that his other guesses were right?" Sato said excitedly.

" Ayanokoji-kun is so smart!" Kushida cheered in a low voice.

' Fuck him' She thought with bitterness.

And with that, Class D's confidence sky rocketed.

' Kuku...look all their faces...' Ryuuen thought as his eyes scanned each class.

Class A and Class B seemed shocked.

But his eyes widened a bit when he saw Class D's faces.

' What? What is that look for? Why are they not suprised...' Ryuuen thought deeply.

His interest was peaked and also a certain unease began to settle in.

' Could it be that they...no...no there's no way' Ryuuen tried to assure himself.

Ryuuen walked towards Class D with a grin.

" Hoh? Where's Suzune?" He asked Hirata.

" Horikita-san retired. I thought you'd do the same, Ryuuen-kun." Hirata responded.

Ryuuen chuckles.

" What a shame, I've always dreamed about squeezing her ass." He said.

" You motherfuck-" Sudo was about to go aggro on this mofo.

But Ike place held him back.

" Hey. Relax! Don't let him get to you, bro!" Ike tried to say.

" Huh? No way! He has no right to-" But he was suddenly interrupted.

" Relax, Sudo. It's not worth it." A monotone voice interjected.

Class D was suprised at how quick Ayanokoji got here.

But they were much more suprised when he ran through the rain to chase Horikita...

Ryuuen looked at Kiyopon.

" Well well, it seems like the mute has finally spoken, huh?" He said.

Kiyopon didn't respond.

But...

~~~staareeeeeee~~~~

' Fucking weirdo...' Ryuuen thought.

" Students, we are now announcing the results of the exam. Please gather around!" Mashima said.

The classes immediately obeyed and gathered around.

' Heh. It's over. I can't wait to see the look on all their faces...' Ryuuen thought.

" We will now begin to announce the rankings, starting with the lowest." Mashima said.

Ryuuen's smile widened in anticipation.

Katsuragi felt a bit nervous after seeing Ryuuen coming out of nowhere.

Ichinose felt nervously confident.

Kiyopon felt tired and yawned.

" The lowest with 0 points, is Class C . " He announced.

And Ryuuen's entire career took a major hit.

" What...?" He said to himself in shock with his eyes widened.

Class B and Class A were suprised since they expected some sort of secret trick after seeing Ryuuen appearing out of nowhere and looking confident.

Class D only laughed amongst themselves.

" HAHAAH! TAKE THAT, RYUUEN!" Sudo said.

The bird on Kiyopon's head also began taunting the dragon in his own little way.

It chirped as loud as it can in Ryuuen's direction.

' Impossible...' Ryuuen thought.

" 3rd place is Class B with 90 points." Mashima announced.

" N-Ninety?! " Shibata said in shock.

" What? Did they..." Kanzaki trailed off since he was in shock.

' But...how?' Ichinose thought.

Class B didn't believe they would get 3rd place with just 90 points.

" H-How did the other classes find out?" Chihiro asked.

Meanwhile, Mashima announced second place.

" Coming in second, Is Class A with 120 points." He said.

" H-Huh?!" Yahiko said in shock.

Class A couldn't believe it.

They all looked towards their leader and he too was shocked.

" But...how..." Katsuragi uttered.

" W-Wait...doesn't that mean that Class D is..." A random student trailed off.

Everyone on the beach heard that and every student looked at Class D.

And finally...

" In first place, is Class D with 275 points. This concludes the announcement. " Mashima said.

Everybody gasped in shock and disbelief.

And as for Class D...

" YESSSSSSS!!!!" Ike screeched in joy.

" LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO" Sudo and Yamauchi cheered.

All the boys and girls happily joined in the cheer and raised their hands in victory.

" C'mere, join us Ayanokoji!" Ike said with tears of joy.

Kiyopon was suprised to be pulled in the group with Ike.

But he also began to raise his hand in the air in victory.

The Class watched with bewildered looks at Class D's victory...

But Ryuuen felt the most shock.

' How...? Did Ibuki mess up? Had I messed up?' Ryuuen thought.

And then he began chuckling to himself.

' Despite this loss, now it's getting interesting...' he thought.

( Meanwhile in Horikita's room. )

Horikita looked at the screen in shock.

" C-Class D took first place? But...ho-" And then the realization kicked in.

She grabbed the note that Kiyopon had left her and read it again.

' Class D is going to win.

Rest well,

- Ayanokoji ' it said.

" Ayanokoji-kun..." Horikita said to herself.

( Back at ship )

" Hahaha! Nicely done, Classmates! You've impressed me just a bit!" Koenji said with a laugh.

Class D sighed and Sudo looked pissed.

" We lost points because of you, Koenji!" He roared.

Koenji slicked back his wet hair and gave a smile.

" Haha! You see, I was quite sick and unable to go forward with the exam!" He said.

" Stop lying! And get out of the pool! You are contaminating it with your narcissism!" Ike yelled.

And the banter between the 3 idiots and Koenji soon began.

The rest of Class D simply watched and were content with how the exam ended.

Kiyopon walked away from his classmates and went up the stairs until a voice called him.

" Wait!" Horikita said.

Kiyopon turned his head to look at her.

" I...I want you to explain this...if you will..." she asked.

Kiyopon silently nodded in agreement and jerked his head, signaling for Horikita to follow him to the upper deck.

Horikita and Kiyopon now stood at the empty upper deck of the ship.

Kiyopon leaned on the rails as Horikita got ready to ask her question.

" I want to know...how you did it. What exactly did you do?" She asked carefully.

Kiyopon took out his trusty notebook ( which he was quite happy to be reunited with at long last...) and wrote on it.

He showed Horikita his notebook.

' I didn't really plan to do anything this exam...at least, until a certain moment occured.

I already knew the leaders of each class after a few days.

When Mori and I first found the spot at the cave, we saw Katsuragi nearby it.

He was holding a card. And then soon, Yahiko went out of the cave.

Most would probably assume that Katsuragi was the leader. But his card was simply a decoy in case others found them at the cave.

So I concluded that Yahiko was Class A's leader. Since Katsuragi probably improvised on the decoy as soon Yahiko's greed took over and immediately tried to secure that spot.

Therefore, doing anything else...

Would've been a waste of time. ' it said.

Horikita's eyes widened as she processed that quickly.

" Go on..." she said.

Kiyopon nodded and turned the page.

' Class B was...a gamble.

While You and Ichinose were having a conversation.

I was busy observing how Class B worked together in this exam...and then I noticed something peculiar.

I noticed that Shiranami was being grouped with different students of Class B. She wasn't grouped with Amikura like usual and I found that a bit strange.

I thought that maybe Ichinose planned this so Shiranami can blend in and to not get spotted by anyone.

But at the same time, there was also the possibility that Shiranami wanted to make new friends too.

And thus, I took a gamble and told Hirata to guess Shiranami as Class B's leader.

And it paid off in our favor. ' it said.

Horikita was shocked.

" Y-You took a gamble? If it was wrong...then..." Horikita tried to say but decided to regain her composure again.

" Please...continue." she asked.

Kiyopon nodded and turned the next page.

' I was sure that Ryuuen was still on the island, but it was immediately confirmed once I spotted him camping, myself.

He planted spies into Class B and Class D.

And as you know, Ibuki had stolen the card. ' it said.

" W-Wait...then how did we not lose points? Ryuuen had still guessed us because of my mistake, right?" She asked.

She still felt bitter about it but put it aside for now.

Kiyopon placed his hand in his pocket and took out a card and handed it over to Horikita.

Horikita's eyes widened as she read the name.

' Ayanokoji Kiyotaka'

" H-Huh? But how did you..."

Kiyopon turned to the next page and showed it to her.

' It is impossible to change the leader without suitable justification.

Chabashira-sensei judged you as sick once I took you back and then you were forcefully retired.

While I nominated myself as leader.

Therefore, Ryuuen was automatically wrong. ' it said.

" So...you..." Horikita began to realize something.

She frowned and glared at Kiyopon.

Kiyopon was suprised by the look in her eyes.

" That reminds me..." she growled as she stepped closer to Kiyopon.

Kiyopon was confused...and quite scared.

Horikita immediately placed her hands on each of his cheeks and began squeezing.

" YOU KNOCKED ME OUT!" she yelled as she tried to tear his face off.

"?!?!?!?"

Kiyopon quickly tried to tap on her arm in surrender.

After a whole minute of his face cheeks getting absolutely violated...

Kiyopon held his cheeks as he narrowed his eyes at Horikita.

Horikita crossed her arms.

" Don't look at me like that. You deserved it." She said.

Kiyopon wrote on his notebook.

' Sorry...' it said.

Horikita sighed.

" It's fine...but I have one more question to ask..." she said.

Kiyopon nodded, signifying that he was listening.

" Why? I thought you didn't plan to do anything like you just said? What was the moment that made you do this...?" She asked.

Horikita was confused.

She wanted to know why he decided to lend his hand even though he clearly stated in his first sentence that he really didn't plan to do anything.

She was curious about the moment that led it to this.

Kiyopon began to write on his notebook and then showed it to her.

' You were crying.

When you cried because of the frustration and when you thought that everything was your fault, despite doing your best.

It did something to me.

I realized...that I didn't like to see you cry like that.

That I didn't want to hear you talk so low of yourself like that.

I realized that because of my selfish desire to not help Class D and only do the bare-minimum...

I hurt you.

I indirectly caused those tears.

And it made me feel like the most horrible human being.

That's why...I wanted to win.

So I wouldn't have to see you cry like that again. ' it said.

Horikita didn't know what to say.

Kiyopon simply stayed silent.

" I..." she began, " Thank you...Thank you so much..." she said.

And then she quickly pulled him for a hug.

Kiyopon was suprised but then he listened to Horikita's gratitude.

" Thank you...Thank you..." she muttered over and over again.

Kiyopon hugged her back.

" What are friends for, right...?" He softly said.

She then pulled away from the hug and smiled.

" I...honestly would've felt broken if we lost. But you...you won it...for me. Thank you..." she said once again.

Kiyopon nodded.

" If...you want my help often...just ask. We are friends, after all." Kiyopon said.

Horikita chuckled.

" I'll keep that in mind..."

" Yo! Ayanokoji- oh! Horikita is up! " A voice yelled.

Both Kiyopon and Horikita turned to look at Class D coming towards them.

" We won it, Horikita-san! Ayanokoji-kun helped us out a lot!" Karuizawa said with happiness.

" Yeah! He saved our asses!" Ike said.

" Ayanokoji-kun really gave us that win..." Mori also said.

" Yes. I'm glad he did." Horikita said.

Everyone began singing praises to Kiyopon...

But Kiyopon put his hand up as if signalling them to stop.

" Eh? What is it?" They asked.

Kiyopon began writing in his notebook and showed it to all of them.

' It's Horikita that you should be thanking. She was the one who did her absolute best into maintaining the class before she got sick.

If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have guessed anything if she hadn't told me about her findings when she was out scouting.

So please thank her. ' it said.

It wasn't a lie.

Without Horikita's information, the guesses would've taken a whole lot more thinking.

And possibly might have been wrong.

And she also led the Class well until the fire happened and Ibuki stealing the card.

Class D's eyes widened as they turned to Horikita and began apologizing.

" W-We're sorry, Horikita! You did great, too! Thanks for not giving up on us!" They said.

" You were the only one who stood up for us at the underwear incident!" Ike said with gratitude.

" Yeah! You also stayed up all night and made sure that nothing went wrong while we were all asleep!" Mori said.

" You're awesome, Horikita-san!" Kushida cheered.

" The best leader we could've asked for!" Karuizawa complimented.

Horikita was stunned and she glanced to look at Kiyopon.

Kiyopon shrugs and gave her a look that meant ' Just go along with it. '

Horikita looked back at them.

" Thank you...I hope I can improve as your leader in the future and reach Class A. " Horikita said.

" YEAH! LET'S GO EAT SOME FOOD TO CELEBRATE!" One said

" I AGREE! LET'S PARTY!' Another said.

" Come on! Ayanokoji-kun and Horikita-san. Let's eat!" They said and grabbed both Kiyopon and Horikita.

" W-Wait-" Horikita tried to say but was interrupted.

" No buts!" Mori said.

Kiyopon sighed softly and so did Horikita as they were both dragged away by their classmates.

2. I don't care about your dreams.

It was 7 pm as Kiyopon walked to the empty deck and saw Chabashira waiting for him at the railings.

" Sorry for calling you out late. But I have a few things to say." She said.

Kiyopon nodded and went to stand beside her as they both stared at the sea.

" I'm suprised that you carried Class D to its first major victory in this exam. I thought you had no plans to do so?" She asked.

Kiyopon wrote on his notebook and showed it to her.

' I had my own reasons. ' it said.

" Was it because of Horikita?" She asked as she looked and examined his expression.

' Blank as always...' she thought.

Kiyopon wrote on his notebook.

' Who knows.' It said.

She sighed.

" I can never get a straight answer from you... anyways, are you planning to continue helping?" She asked.

Kiyopon shrugs.

" Well, either way, you did a great job. You are definitely a superior student." She complimented.

Kiyopon wrote on his notebook.

' I'm not. I was just lucky to find some clues and then I simply pieced it together.' It said.

" Even if luck wasn't part of the equation, the answer would still be the same. You would have definitely won." She said.

Kiyopon wrote on his notebook.

' Who knew you had so much faith into me?' It said.

Chabashira chuckled in response.

" You are definitely a strange student..." she said before sighing.

" Though, I wish you were just a bit more cooperative..." she said.

It was silent for a while...

She then spoke again.

" But what you did...puts me one step closer into achieving my dream of having Class D reach Class A. It eases my heart. It's selfish, but we're all selfish people,no?" She said.

Kiyopon nodded in agreement.

They both stared into the ocean silently once again...

" Nonetheless, I'll be placing my dreams unto your shoulders. Please don't break it." She suddenly said.

Kiyopon was bewildered as he narrowed his eyes to look at Chabashira.

" I'm just saying it. That's all." She added.

Kiyopon sighed softly and began writing on his notebook.

He tore the page and handed it over to Chabashira.

He then left silently.

Chabashira read the page and began laughing.

" This kid..."

' I don't care about your dreams. ' it said.

How was that for a return?

Yeee Imma go back to daily updates for this book now.

WholesomePaimon, out~

Special Chapter : COTE reacts to Kiyopon Can't Communicate!

Before we begin volume 4...

I wanted to make this special chapter to celebrate the inspiring,wholesome, heartfilled story of Kiyopon and his journey to making a hare- too- I mean... F r i e n d s.

Now it's time for the actual COTE cast to react to this universe.

I'll only choose scenes where he's at his cutest...

Or also his coolest moments...

And his run ins with Hoeshinomiya ( His predator).

Anyways, be grateful! And enjoy.

Koro PoV

Huh? Wait...why is it my PoV?

Strange, I don't think I'm at the oneshot book or the 5 animes react to COTE book...

" Hey, Koro-san are you alright?" Ichinose asked.

Huh? Did Paimon change the writing style for the reactions?

" He looks shakened up..." I hear some girls mutter.

These people are definitely the same cast from the oneshot book reaction chapters but...

...

Oh...I see...

" YES!" I yelled out loud.

Everyone was shocked at my show of excitement.

" O-Oi is he broken or something?!" Sudo asked in confusion.

I know where we are now...

It's the Kiyopon Can't Communicate! book.

And that means...

WE'RE REACTING TO IT!

I don't have to be serious or stoic...

I can act freely.

Thank god...

But...I'd rather we switch to third person so it's easier.

Third Person PoV

' Much better...' Koro thought to himself.

" Kuku, did he finally go batshit crazy or something?" Ryuuen said.

Koro sighed and regained his composure.

" Most likely. Anyways, we're going to be reacting to...a different universe." Koro announced.

" Huh? Different universe? " Everyone asked in unison.

Koro nodded.

" We're going to react to a universe where Ayanokoji is..." He paused.

" Is?" Kei asked.

Koro decided to just play the video.

" You'll see. " He simply said.

Everyone looked at the screen with curiousity.

Video Start!

Kiyopon Can't Communicate!

" Huh? Kiyopon Can't Communicate?" Haruka asked.

" But...Kiyotaka-kun can communicate just fi- oh...right, it's a different universe. " Ichinose said.

" So, the monster has some sort of disorder or something? Ha! That would be interesting to watch." Ryuuen commented.

' Why does he like to see me suffer? Even in different universes? ' Kiyotaka thought.

The girls in Kiyotaka's harem were glancing at Kiyotaka and to the screen in curiosity.

' I wonder what this will show...' Horikita thought.

1. Meeting Hoekita

Everyone widened their eyes at the title.

Ryuuen, Amasawa, Ibuki, and Sakayanagi began laughing like maniacs.

" KUKUKU! ALREADY OFF TO A GOOD START! " Ryuuen said while clapping loudly.

" Fufufu, while I am not one to use nor support such ' typos '. I really hope it WASN'T a typo" Sakayanagi added.

" It suits Horikita-senpai well~ " Amasawa chimed in.

" HAHAHAHA! TAKE THAT BITCH! " Ibuki said.

Horikita glared at all of them.

Even Class D had to hold their laughter.

It WAS unexpected after all.

Kiyotaka glanced at the fuming Horikita.

He sighed and patted her head.

" Relax, you're turning to an angry ketchup bottle. " Kiyotaka the harem king said.

"...You're not helping." Horikita said while trying to hide the fact that she likes the headpat.

Sakayanagi, Ibuki and Amasawa stopped laughing and stared at Kiyotaka giving Horikita a headpat.

' Tch. Wasn't a worthy sacrifice...' they thought.

Kei really wanted headpats too but she made a promise to share Kiyotaka with the rest of the girls in his harem...

" Ah mouuu...why did I agree to this... ' She thought.

" Hey. Why were you looking at me earlier?" Horikita asked.

Kiyotaka stared at Horikita, not saying a single word.

" Uhh...why is he just staring?" Ike asked.

" He looks...creepy?" Shinohara said.

Horikita glared at him.

" Respond!" She snapped.

" Sheesh!" Most of the boys said.

' So she's still the same, huh." Kiyotaka and Manabu thought.

" Wow...Horikita-san you were quite...spicy even on the first day, huh?" Ichinose said while giggling.

Horikita looked down in embarassment.

' It's a different universe...and yet I still act like that? ' Horikita thought to herself.

Kiyotaka opens his bag and takes out a notebook.

Horikita was now confused as Kiyotaka began writing in the notebook.

Everyone was also now confused.

" Is he mute?" Kushida asked.

" It seems like it..." Mori added.

Kiyotaka showed her his notebook.

' You didn't give up your seat for the old woman. ' It said.

Horikita nodded as she stared at Kiyotaka with a confused look.

" Are you mute?" She asked curiously.

Kiyotaka shook his head 'no' and began writing in his notebook.

" Okay, he has to be writing in a notebook because he's mute. " Ibuki said.

Some began to agree.

Kiyotaka showed his notebook to her again.

' I don't want to talk much. I dislike trouble.' It said.

" Is that so? Then I don't think we'll ever get along. This was a waste of time." Horikita said before sighing and walking off.

Kiyotaka stared at her back and silently sighed and began to walk as well.

Manabu sighed at this behaviour.

" Are you okay, Manabu-kun?" Purple haired loli senpai asked.

" I'm fine, Akane. Just...a bit disappointed . " Manabu said.

' Don't worry, soon, Horikita will evolve to best girl in that universe. But she also has a strong rival named Mori Nene as of right now...' Koro thought.

" This is...embarassing to watch..." Horikita muttered.

she cringed at her past even if it was a different universe.

" Man... Horikita-san really isn't making it easy for Ayanokoji" Ike said.

" Yeah..." Sudo agreed.

" Tell me about it..." Kiyotaka muttered.

Kiyotaka was sitting on his seat, and staring at the window.

" What an unpleasant coincidence..." he hears a familiar voice say.

Kiyotaka turned his head to see Horikita again.

" Still won't speak, huh?" She mutters and sits down.

Kiyotaka thought about his next actions.

' It's useless to try. Horikita would never even give me her name so willingly no matter what I do during our first meeting' Kiyotaka thought.

Ha! he dares underestimates the power of Kamipon.

Horikita was busy reading her book until she felt someone poke her arm.

She turned to glare at the person but immediately recognized it was her seatmate, Ayanokoji.

" Do you just naturally glare at people, Horikita-san?" Mori asked.

Horikita sighs, " Yes, but that was the past me. It's different now." she said.

" Man. Horikita is like a cat that looks like she hates her owner but secretly cares either way..." Ike commented.

Horikita looked at Ike with a death stare and he immediately put his hands up in defense.

" F-FORGET WHAT I JUST SAID! " He pleaded.

Ryuuen cackled, " So the monster is her owner huh? Not far from the truth!" he said.

Kiyotaka wanted to joke about it as well but once he noticed a murderous aura coming from Horikita...

He decided to value his life more.

" What?" She asked.

Kiyotaka showed his notebook.

' My name is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. I'm not particularly special at many things, but I am interested in a lot of them. I don't want too many friends, since a few would be enough for me...'

Kiyotaka turned to the next page and showed it to her.

'It's nice to meet you.' It said.

Horikita stared at Kiyotaka and then to the notebook and then back to Kiyotaka.

" I'd be pretty confused if that were to happen to me. " Asahina said.

' Is he actually mute in that universe? or is this some sort of tactic?' Nagumo thought.

A tactic to win all the girls' hearts? Yes.

" My name is Horikita Suzune..." She says.

Manabu's eyes widened in suprise and so did Kiyotaka's.

' Is this...hope?' Manabu thought.

' Impossible...it couldn't be...' Kiyotaka thought.

" Kiyotaka-senpai, are you okay?" Nanase asked.

" Yeah..." He lied. He was too suprised to see that Horikita surrendered in merely a few sentences.

' Kiyotaka's reaction is...unexpected.' Kei thought as she eyed her boyfriend carefully.

Kiyotaka nodded and wrote her name in his notebook.

" Why are you writing my name?" She asks

" Imagine if it was the death note..." Sotomura muttered.

Kiyotaka shows his notebook to her again.

' Friends - Horikita Suzune ' it said

Everyone's eyes widened.

' W-WHAT?! ' Everyone thought as they blushed ( boys were no exception ) because of this sudden attack.

' K-Kawaii! ' The harem thought.

Even Amasawa blushed by this.

And she's usually the one who wouldn't be fazed by " cute " things.

But her favorite senpai and God acting cute?

Oh...she'll become another predator.

Chie tried her best to restrain herself.

' W-What...s-so sudden...' Horikita thought in shock.

' K-Kiyotaka...' Kei couldn't even finish her thoughts as she covered her face.

' S-So cute! I want to give him a big hug...' Ichinose thought.

Hmm...Ecchinose might suddenly take over and choke Kiyopon with her bazoombas.

Horikita blushed in suprise.

" W-What?!" She says

" E-Even Horikita-san is stunned..." Okitani said.

" Kukuku, Suzune is so red. Well played, mute monster. " Ryuuen said.

' Ah...bliss...inner peace...' Manabu thought.

He was happy to see his little sister act like a normal girl for once.

Kiyotaka looked at her confused and then wrote in his notebook again.

' Are we not friends?' It said.

" N-No, we are not..." she replied.

The girls stared at Horikita.

" How dare you reject my child's offer of friendship!" Harukaa-san roared.

" That's not me! " Horikita retorted.

Sadly...

' Knowing Kiyotaka, he'd probably have her running right back to him...' Kei thought.

' Man, I have a feeling that other me is living the life...' Kiyotaka thought.

Kiyotaka nodded slowly and slumped down to his seat in disappointment.

" Nooooooo" The girls said.

" I would like to enter that universe and cheer him up!" Haruka demanded.

" I don't think you can just do that..." Keisei said.

" Of course I can! Koro-san, do it now!" She said to Koro.

" Lol, you wish. " He said.

" Ah mou! " Haruka said.

' Eh??? Did she really just-' Kei's thought was cut off when Kiyotaka decided to lean on her shoulder.

" H-Hey, what are you doing? " Kei asked in suprise.

" I want to rest. Can I rest on you for a while? " Kiyotaka replied.

Kei's face turned red.

" Fine..." She said.

' crisis averted. ' Kiyotaka thought.

' What? Why do I feel bad?' Horikita thought.

" Surrender to senpai!" Amasawa cheered.

' Amasawa-san seems...submissive right now...' Nanase thought

I would love to see some Amasawa x Nanase...

Or should I do it myself?

Idk, not good with yuri.

Anyways, that aside...

Horikita thought for a bit and then sighed in defeat.

She pokes his arm and he looks at her.

" Fine...we can be friends...but don't expect the best from me..." she says.

Manabu dies of happiness into Akane's arms.

" E-Eh?! Manabu??? " She said in shock as she tried to shake him.

' Yes...just what I wanted to hear and see from my little sister...' He thought to himself.

' He...He conquered the compass devil...in one day...in mere minutes... Sugoi...' Kiyotaka thought.

Kiyotaka looks at her for a whole minute without speaking.

' WHY IS HE STARING AT ME LIKE THAT?!' She thought.

" I think I'm pregnant from his stare..." A random girl said.

Everyone turned to the girl with a shocked look.

The girl then blushed in embarassment.

" W-Wait! Forget what you all just heard!" She tried to say

" Nope, too late." Koro said.

' Thank you for your sacrifice. For we too, feel pregnant from his stare. ' The rest of the girls thought.

Kiyotaka opened his mouth.

" That's more than enough Horikita..." he softly says.

Horikita was stunned by his voice.

It felt like a cool breeze up on the hills.

' Im die, thank you forever' The girls thought.

' Shit...he's getting another harem for sure...' The boys thought hopelessly.

' Troublesome again...' Kiyotaka thought.

Kiyotaka glanced at his harem members and saw all their faces as red as a tomato and also drooling a bit.

He saw some wetness coming from under Amasawa and Arisu's seats but he immediately pretended that he never saw that.

He glanced at the rest of the girls and they had similar reactions.

" I can't take it!" Hoshinomiya yelled.

" I want him to speak dirty in that voice of his and pull my hair and shove his dick into my-" Hoshinomiya was interrupted when Mashimma quickly placed a gag on her mouth and some duct tape.

" THERE ARE CHILDREN HERE. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SHUT YOU UP THIS WAY." Mashima scolded.

Sae sighed in relief.

Nobody noticed her wetness to-

" You spoke..." She says.

Kiyotaka nodded and then began to stare back at the window.

VIDEO END

" Oi. Get ahold of your perverted selves. There is still more." Koro announced.

" M-More?!" Everyone asked.

" Yep. Let's see this interaction between Ichinose and Ayanokoji." Koro said and played the video.

' M-ME? I hope I didn't lose control or anything...' Ichinose thought with a nervous smile.

" Actually...before that, I'll show a funny scene." Koro said.

VIDEO START

Horikita walked to the guidance office. She was irritated that she was placed in Class D.

Everyone was defective to her.

Well...there was one exception.

But she didn't want to think about Kiyotaka right now.

" I'm glad the other you is fond of me..." Kiyotaka commented.

" Do...you want me to act like that towards you...?" Horikita asked in a small voice.

" Could you repeat that?" Kiyotaka asked.

" Nothing. " She said and sighed.

Horikita knocked on the door and Chabashira-sensei opens it.

( Timeskip through that boring dialogue. )

' Tch. A waste of my time...' Horikita thought before turning away to exit through the door.

"Oh. That reminds me. I've summoned another person to the guidance room. It's someone close to you." Chabashira said.

Horikita stopped.

' Close to me? ' Horikita thought as she turned to look at Chabashira-sensei with a curious look.

Suddenly a terrifying possibility came into mind.

" Y-You don't mean...Nii-sa-" Horikita tried to say but Chabashira cut her off.

" Ayanokoji, you can come out now." She called.

" I wonder what trick will he do now, kuku." Ryuuen said.

" Ayanokoji is there?" Ike asked.

'So it's around that time huh...' Sae thought.

Horikita froze in both relief and confusion.

' Ayanokoji-kun is here ? ' she thought.

Silence was in the room for a while...

" That's awkward..." Akito commented.

" If you don't come out, I'll have you expelled." She threatened.

Once again, complete silence.

" Huh? Expelled?" Everyone said.

Mashima stares at Sae with disappointed eyes.

Sae averts her eyes.

' Good times...' Kiyotaka joked in his head.

Horikita was still confused while Chabashira developed an 'irk' mark on the side of her forehead.

" She looks extremely pissed." Hondou said.

" Yeah dude. She kind of looks like some sort of death godd-" Ike was cut off when he felt Sae's glare boring a hole through his skull.

" N-N-Nevermind..." Ike said.

' Whatever he was about to say, I agree wholeheartedly. ' Kiyotaka thought.

Chabashira walked to the door of the kitchenette and opened it.

The door revealed the ever so silent Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, with his blank face as he stared at both Horikita and Chabashira.

" What is Kiyopon doing in there?" Haruka asked.

" Ayanokoji, how long do you inte-"

Kiyotaka closes the door quickly.

Everyone bursts into laughter.

" H-HE REALLY JUST DID THAT!"

" MANS GOT BALLS TO CLOSE IT ON CHABASHIRA-SENSEI OF ALL PEOPLE! "

Many comments were made but it was Hoshinomiya who laughed the hardest.

" THE LOOK ON YOUR FACE, SAE-CHAN~! " She said.

' This kid...' Sae thought while glaring at Kiyotaka.

' Oi oi, don't stare at me...' Kiyotaka thought.

' Did...he just shut the door again?' Horikita thought with visible confusion.

" Even Horikita-san is bamboozled!" Class D student said.

" Kiyotaka-kun in that universe is so cute..." Ichinose commented.

" Oh? Does Ichinose-senpai want two Kiyo-senpais to double pentra-" Amasawa was interrupted by Nanase covering her mouth.

" Bad Amasawa-san!" She said.

(( Amasawa...really looks like Marine...I can clearly imagine her saying " Ahoy!" very cutely...totally not nosebleeding at that thought.))

An aura was emanating from Chabashira as she clenches her fist.

" Uh-oh...he really made her mad this time..." Shibata commented.

" RIP Kiyotaka." Akito said while saluting.

' Chabashira-sensei does look intimidating...good thing that's not me. ' Kiyotaka thought.

The students all felt a chill from the aura emanating from the screen.

" You are really testing my patience..." She said before sliding the door open and dragging Kiyotaka out by the collar of his jacket.

Everyone began laughing again .

" He's like a kid getting scolded!"

" That fucking monster is acting like a 5 year old."

" Kawaii!" The girls praised.

Everyone was slowly banding together to protecc the Kiyopon.

But it is still imperfect.

" Alright, now I'll show you the interaction between Ichinose and Ayanokoji." Koro announced.

Everyone nodded and Ichinose seemed more excited than most.

Kiyotaka was walking to the vending machine, until he noticed a beautiful woman with strawberry hair sitting down while sipping a drink.

He walked to the vending machine, while his eyes were subtly glancing on her.

He suddenly remembered her.

It was the girl who stopped Hoshinomiya-sensei from violating him prior to all this!

Everyone raised a brow at that last part.

Ichinose's class simply sighed in disappointment as they turned to look at their cheater.

" mmmmhmm!!!!" Ah right, she was gagged.

" Man, that Ayanokoji would've been hunted down if he were here..." Shibata muttered.

" I agree." Kanzaki said.

" Hoshinomiya-sensei...you really restrain yourself..." Ichinose said.

' Don't tell me to do something so impossible, Honami-chan!!!!' Hoshinomiya thought.

' Typical of Chie...' Sae thought while sighing.

After Kiyotaka got his drink, he was about to walk back until the girl called out to him.

" Oh. Hello! I remember you." The girl said.

Ichinose simps were wishing to be in Kiyopon's place right now.

Kiyotaka slowly turned his head around to look at her.

" You were the one that was with Chabashira-sensei right? Oh! I apologize if Hoshinomiya-sensei bothered you... she can make a few students uncomfortable...hehe" the girl said while giving a cute wink.

" ICHINOSE-SANNN!!!" The simps praise.

Ichinose only smiles and nods formally.

" You look cute, Honami. " Kiyotaka complimented.

Ichinose turns red and covers her face.

" D-Don't say that so suddenly..." She said.

' Nooooooooo' Ichinose simps looked down in sadness.

Hmm... what if Kiyopon winked?

...

Nah, let's not kill the readers.

Kiyotaka stared at the girl silently.

' Oh god...that look again...' a girl thought.

' W-What if Kiyotaka-kun stared at me like that...' Ichinose thought.

" Haah~ Senpai~ please stare at me like that~" Amasawa said.

" No." He replied.

" Ouch~ so cold! " She teasingly responded.

" Um...I- " she was cut off when Kiyotaka pulled out his notebook.

He quickly wrote his response and showed it to her.

' It's okay.' It said.

The girl looked suprise as she suddenly became curious.

" I see. Im sorry if it's rude to ask but...are you perhaps mute?"

Kiyotaka shook his head 'no' in response and began writing in his notebook again.

' I don't like to talk much.' It said.

" Oh..." The girl said in response.

She suddenly smiled and gave him her hand.

" Well, my name is Ichinose Honami of Class B! It's nice to meet you!" She said.

" Honami-chan is always so kind~ Especially for her boyfriend~ " Mako teased.

Ichinose turns super red again.

' Ichinose really needs to stop blushing or else I'd mistake her for being sick...well, I don't really mind anyways. ' Kiyotaka thought as he patted her back.

Kiyotaka shook her hand in response.

" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka...Class D." He said

The girls clutched their hearts again.

' How...How can something be so precious? ' they thought.

' If that monster and Hiyori were to team up...they'd probably take over the school...' Ryuuen thought.

Though, Ryuuen stilll thought it was a stupid idea...

It is still a possibility...

Ichinose was suprised by his soft spoken tone of voice.

It felt amazing to her ears but that thought was quickly extinguished when Kiyotaka showed her his notebook.

' Can we be friends' it said.

" IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY NO." The girls said.

" Saying no would be a crime..." Kei muttered.

" That's why...the only answer...is yes!" Sato said.

' God...he's...admittedly...cute...' Kamuro thought.

' It almost makes me wish to not ever destroy him due to his cuteness...ALMOST...' Arisu thought.

" The girls are getting thirsty..." Ike said.

The boys agreed.

' Yeah sure, like ya'll ain't gonna simp for a Kiyone Can't Communicate version...' Koro thought.

Ichinose looked suprise and blushed a bit at this.

' K-Kawaii!' She thought.

The entire female population liked that.

It took a while for her to respond since she was still stunned by our silent but cute protagonist.

" A-Ah! Yes, we can be friends!" She said while smiling

Kiyotaka nodded and wrote in his notebook.

' Friends - Horikita Suzune, Ichinose Honami. ' it said.

' I WISH THAT WERE MEEEEEE' the girls thought.

But Horikita and Ichinose smiled smugly and made sure nobody noticed.

Ichinose was suprised once again and smiled.

" Yes, it's nice to meet you, Ayanokoji-kun!" She said.

And Kiyopon gained his second friend.

And that was the end for the speciall chapter...

Koro PoV

Huh?

That's it?

no.

That CAN'T be it.

PAIMON PLEASE CONTINUE-

Anddd done.

Hope you enjoyed that special chapter.

Next chappie will be the beginning of Volume 4.

And the most iconic line?

You guessed it,

Some good ol' spreading.

But...would Kiyopon say it?

Who knows!

Type your scenarios on how you think it would go since this is a different Kiyopon.

Paimon,out~

Hirata wants Kiyopon / Koenji shenanigans

Yes.

The first title is exactly as you see.

Enjoy.

The start of Volume 4!

Third Person PoV

1. Hirata wants Kiyopon...

Hirata opened the room door to see Kiyopon laying on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Kiyopon was randomly daydreaming about something.

" Ayanokoji-kun, do you have nothing in particular to do?" Hirata asked.

( Kiyopon looks at Hirata and walks over to him silently.

" E-Eh? Ayanokoji-kun?" Hirata said while he backed away.

Kiyopon pins him to the door.

Kabedon!

Hirata blushes.

Kiyopon whispers to his ear.

" Spread your legs " )

Ignore the upper section .

That does NOT exist.

Anyway...

Kiyopon turns his head to look at him.

~~~ Stare intensifies~~~

Hirata stared back with a confused look.

Kiyopon then turned his back to the ceiling.

" I'll assume that you don't have anything to do then..." Hirata said.

Hirata then received a text from Karuizawa.

' A hang out with her and the girls...again...?' Hirata mentally sighed.

He had a difficult time getting along with the guys of Class D for some reason that he can't seem to understand.

Then he suddenly had a bright idea.

" Ayanokoji-kun, would you like to join me for lunch with Karuizawa and her friends?" He asked.

Kiyopon extended his arm to the side and reached for his notebook and pen.

He began to write on it.

He then threw it to Hirata and Hirata caught it.

' Do you think I can get along with Karuizawa and her group?' It said.

' Ah...he seems to be a bit reluctant, huh...' Hirata thought.

Hirata gives an assuring smile to Kiyopon.

" I'm sure you can get along with them. In fact, I'm pretty sure that they like you. " He said.

Kiyopon puts his hand out, asking for his notebook back.

" Oh. Here." Hirata said before throwing it back to him and he caught it.

Kiyopon began writing again.

He then threw it back to Hirata and he caught it once again.

Hirata began reading.

' Really? ' it said.

Hirata then throws it back to Kiyopon.

" Just give it a shot! Besides, I'll be there to help you." Hirata said.

Kiyopon thought about it for awhile...

Kiyopon lets out a sigh and nods.

" Good! Let's get going then." Hirata said.

But Kiyopon did not move.

Noticing that Kiyopon wasn't geting up, Hirata looked at him with a confused look.

" Uhh...Ayanokoji-kun?" He called.

Kiyopon wrote in his notebook and then threw it to Hirata.

He caught it and read it.

' Help me up. The bed is too comfy for me to leave.' It said.

Hirata chuckled.

( At a table. )

Hirata and Kiyopon sat at a table, waiting for the girls to come over.

Hirata was...nervous?

But he was calm.

Hirata thought that Kiyopon was a bit of a strange person.

He doesn't speak a lot and he does his own little shenanigans.

But at the same time, he personally held Kiyopon in high regards.

He initially wanted to team up with Horikita and unite the class.

But Kiyopon had already done it.

Hirata was relieved that Horikita has fully accepted herself as leader.

She was definitely capable.

But there was also something else clouding Hirata's mind.

He thought that maybe Kiyopon was also capable.

After all, he secured the win all by himself.

' But...I don't feel like he would lead the class...' Hirata thought.

Hirata sighed and decided to put aside these thoughts.

" Thank you very much for your major help in the exam, Ayanokoji-kun." Hirata said.

Kiyopon nodded in response.

" Though...I want to ask. How did you become friends with Horikita-san? She was quite...distant with us after all." He said.

Kiyopon wrote on his notebook and gave it to Hirata.

' I asked her if she wanted to be friends. She denied it. But then she said yes anyway. ' it said.

Hirata's eyes widened in suprise.

" Is...Is that really it?" He asked.

Kiyopon nodded.

Hirata then had a funny thought.

' If Ayanokoji-kun were to propose to Horikita-san...would she say that quickly?' He curiously thought.

" Well, without your help...Horikita-san would probably be distant like before. So I thank you on behalf of the entire class." He said.

Kiyopon nodded.

" There you are, Hirata-kun!" A voice called.

Both the boys turned their heads to see the familiar blonde and her group.

There was Karuizawa, Shinohara, Mori , Sato, Matsushita.

The girls eyes widened in suprise as they see Kiyopon.

Kiyopon waved at them.

" O-Oh, I didn't expect to see Ayanokoji-kun here!" Sato said in suprise.

Kiyopon wrote on his notebook.

He then showed it to them.

' I can leave if you want.' It said.

" No! It's okay with us, right girls?" Karuizawa said.

The girls nodded repeatedly.

The girls then sat down.

Karuizawa sat beside Hirata

Shinohara and Matsushita sat across each other.

Sato sat beside Karuizawa.

Mori sat next to Kiyopon.

Kiyopon glanced at Mori.

Mori smiled at him.

" Hopefully you can keep up with the conversation~" she whispered to him.

Kiyopon wrote on his notebook and showed it to her.

' If I don't, then I can just conversate with you right?' It said.

Mori giggled and nodded.

The rest of the girls on the table were staring at both Mori and Kiyopon with interested looks.

Hirata was also quite interested himself.

" Huh? What are you all staring at?" Mori asked.

" Mori-san, you've been awfully close with Ayanokoji-kun hm?" Matsushita started.

" Are you two dating?" Sato asked with a grin.

" No way, isn't Ayanokoji-kun dating Horikita-san though?" Shinohara asked.

" It seems like it...or is he two-timing them?" Karuizawa teased.

Mori blushed from all the questions.

Kiyopon wrote on his notebook and showed it to them.

' I'm not dating Mori nor Horikita. They are my friends. ' it said

" Aww, bummer." Karuizawa said.

" Yeah, you could've been the second best couple of the year after Karuizawa-san and Hirata-kun." Shinohara said.

" Hey now, don't pressure them into dating. If they don't see each other romantically, then it's best to leave it at that." Hirata said.

Kiyopon noticed something peculiar as he glanced at Karuizawa right after Hirata said those words.

Karuizawa's eyes had a small bit of guilt in them which Kiyopon took note of in his brain storage.

" Ah your right, your right. " Sato said.

Chibi Mori pouted when Kiyopon had just called her a friend.

And the group soon ordered their drinks and food.

2. Koenji shenanigans

Kiyopon was tired.

He simply wanted to go back into his room now.

But then he noticed a trail of wet footsteps and watched as a bellhop was trying to catch up with a wet Koenji.

Koenji was almost nude but he wore a speedo.

It was a dumb thought but...

For a brief second, Kiyopon wondered how he himself would look while wearing only a speedo.

Just a fleeting thought, nothing more nothing less.

" S-Sir, please! The floor is getting wet. Just wear the towel!" The bellhop said in a panic.

Koenji stopped and turned to look at the young bellhop with a grin.

" Do you have a pen and paper?" Koenji asked.

The bellhop looked confused but he nodded.

" Give it here." Koenji said.

The bellhop took out a pen and paper and handed it to Koenji.

Koenji wrote on it and gave it to the bellhop.

" W-What? What am I supposed to with this???" He asked.

" As a token of appreciation, I handed you my signature. Though it is written on a cheap piece of paper, it's value will grow in a few years." Koenji said while smiling.

" Why?" The bellhop asked.

" Hahaha! Isn't it obvious? You're looking at the future CEO of Koenji conglomerate. I'll become quite known around the world and many people such as yourself would spend a fortune on a mere signature of me!" He said.

The bellhop looked at him with a look of disbelief.

" Sir...please...JUST WEAR YOUR TOWEL! " The bellhop said.

Kiyopon decided to leave the scene.

He then received an email from a certain someone.

Kiyopon read the name.

' Sakura Airi'

Kiyopon typed his response and went to the place where she wanted to meet up with him.

Sakura was waiting at the deck of the ship.

Kiyopon arrived to the deck.

" A-Ayanokoji-kun...thank you for coming!" She said.

Kiyopon's eyes widened in suprise.

" Sakura...?" He said.

Sakura was currently not wearing her fake glasses.

Her hair was styled in the same way as her idol persona.

She looked like a much more confident person.

This truly suprised Kiyopon since he didn't expect this.

" Do...Do you like my look?" She asked with a nervous smile.

Kiyopon simply stared at her.

" Ayanokoji-kun...?" She called.

Kiyopon returned to reality and walked towards her.

He wrote on his notebook.

' I didn't expect you to change like this. You look beautiful.' It said.

Sakura blushes because of the compliment.

" Well...you did say that I could make friends if I look confident...and...you said you liked this look of mine..." she said.

Kiyopon wrote on his notebook.

' I do. But don't force yourself if you're not comfortable. ' It said.

Sakura shakes her head in response.

" I'm not. I wanted to do this..." she said. " I want to be able to get out of my shell...because...I..." she trailed off.

Her face began to turn red.

Kiyopon checked her temperature by placing his palm on her forehead.

Sakura turned even more red as she felt his touch.

Kiyopon dropped his hand back down.

He concluded that Sakura wasn't sick, but she was still red for some reason.

" Are you okay, Sakura?" He asked softly.

Sakura nodded.

" I just want to say that I-" But she was interrupted by a loud notification from her phone.

Kiyopon's had also notified him at the same time.

They looked at each other confused before pulling out their phones and reading the message.

A special test will begin soon. Please gather in the designated room at the designated time. Anyone who arrives ten minutes later after start time may be penalized. Please gather in Room 204 on the second deck by 18:00 today.

" A special exam...?" Sakura said in shock.

Kiyopon plays a game of Werewolf / Kiyopon about the ways of the gentleman

Man, Paimon is finally back!

I've been re reading the past ln volumes to pass the boredom when I had free time.

I didn't know Kiyo flipped off Ryuuen.

I completely missed it.

Anyway, let's actually start making progress in volume 4!

Third Person PoV

1. Kiyopon plays a game of werewolf?

Kiyopon looked around and saw many students going to the respective rooms they were supposedly assigned to.

Kiyopon wondered who'd be in the room he was assigned to...

Well, whoever it is...

New friends to make, right?

Yes.

He must fill his notebook, no matter what!

Kiyopon breathed in and out before opening the door.

" Hoh? So the silent Ayanokoji-dono is one of our two missing spots? Welcome to my domain!" Sotomura spoke with a somewhat jokingly condescending tone.

" Ayanokoji?" The boy with glasses named Yukimura Teruhiko also looked suprised.

Kiyopon turned his head to look towards the other person who was present which was the teacher of Class A, Mashima-sensei.

" Please sit down, Ayanokoji-kun." Mashima said.

Kiyopon sat next to Yukimura.

" I hope the fourth person isn't someone troublesome..." Kiyopon hears Yukimura mutter.

To be honest, Kiyopon felt awkward with these two.

Despite getting along with most people he met...

It was mostly because they approached him first...

Horikita was an exception since Kiyopon had approached her first.

But for the rest? Nope.

The door suddenly opened and all three heads turned quickly to see who it was.

Sotomura wore a suprised jojo expression. ( well, he tried to.)

Yukimura looked like he lost his sanity.

Kiyopon simply stared.

The girl with blonde hair tied into a ponytail looked at the three in suprise.

Her face then morphed into one of disappointment.

" You've got to be kidding me..." She mutters to herself.

" Karuizawa-san, please sit down so we can begin the discussion." Mashima said.

Karuizawa sat next to Kiyopon.

' Well, at least Ayanokoji-kun is here...' she thought in relief.

They weren't friends, per say.

But they were both connected to one person and it was none other than Hirata Yosuke.

So neither had felt uncomfortable with the other.

" All right, I will now begin to explain the exam." Mashima said.

Karuizawa immediately interjected, " Exam? Aren't we, like, finished with that already?! Come on! I really wanted to spend the rest of the week in peace!" She said.

Kiyopon wrote in his notebook and showed it to Mashima-sensei.

' I second that.' It said.

Kiyopon was tired of thinking.

He wanted to spend the rest of his summer on his bed...or maybe finding potential names to fill up his notebook.

" I apologize, Karuizawa-san, Ayanokoji-kun. But this is a different exam. So please let me explain." Mashima calmly said.

Karuizawa huffed and crossed her arms.

Kiyopon slightly pouted.

Man, the best friend energy between these two is...rising.

( Skipping their brief explanation and the reading the outcome thing...)

" If it makes it easier to understand. Think of it as a game of Werewolf. I'm sure you four understand how it is played." Mashima suggested.

" Werewolf huh..." Yukimura said as he carefully read the rules again.

" I see. So a marvelous game of deceit and betrayal?" Sotomura said.

" I guess that makes it easier to understand..." Karuizawa mutters.

Kiyopon looked at all their expressions.

What is Werewolf? He wanted to ask.

He's heard of it before but that didn't mean he had any knowledge about it.

But...should he really risk asking?

It's awkward when the so called genius can't seem to understand something that most people seem to be aware of...

Not like these people were aware of Kiyopon's intellect but still...

Karuizawa noticed Kiyopon's expression.

" Hey. You look confused. Wait, don't tell me you don't what werewolf is?" She asked.

Both Yukimura and Sotomura also lookrd at Kiyopon in slight suprise.

Kiyopon felt like flinching under their scrutinizing stares...

If he were like a certain female character...

He'd be shaking non-stop...and sweating nervously.

" Do you want me to explain it or something?" Karuizawa asked.

Kiyopon immediately nodded.

Karuizawa thought about her words carefully before answering, " So, like, there are two groups of people. The villagers and the werewolves. Basically, the main goal for the villagers is to work together and smoke out the werewolves in their morning discussions. The werewolves main goal is to avoid being found out and kill all the villagers until they are on equal numbers. I think that's enough, right?" She said.

Kiyopon now understood and wrote on his notebook.

' Thank you.' It said.

" Y-Yeah..." she said while averting her eyes.

' Why was that cute? I don't get it!' She thought.

" I'm suprised Karuizawa-san managed to give an explanation like that." Yukimura commented.

Karuizawa instantly glares at him

" I'm not dumb. Even I know how to summarize things like this!" She said.

Kiyopon focused on the different outcomes.

So they were being divided into twelve groups...more specifically, groups that followed a Zodiac sign.

Kiyopon understood that having a VIP assigned to their class was going to be a huge advantage but will definitely hold a ton of pressure.

They'd have to conceal their VIP no matter what...

But on the other hand, if the VIP were to be on the other classes that will be joining them...

Kiyopon would have to work together with everyone to discover the VIP's identity within the week...

The VIP can also use one of the outcomes that presented betrayal...

Outcome 1 was impossible to achieve, he concluded.

This was going to be a game of wits.

At least...for everyone else.

Kiyopon had a different goal in mind for this exam.

2. Kiyopon about the ways of the gentlemen

The discussion had just finished and the 4 Class D students were told to meet up later in a different room to see their other group members from different classes.

But for the time being, they were free to do whatever.

Karuizawa,Sotomura and Yukimura wore looks of discontent as they strode in the hallway.

Kiyopon was neutral.

Yukimura spoke, " I hate to say this, but if we have to be in the same group, we need to put up a unified front. A lot of things will depend on who the VIP is, but for now, the four of us should discuss things." He suggested.

Sotomura and Kiyopon seemed to agree...

However, Karuizawa took out her phone and began talking to the person she called.

" Ah, hi, Hirata-kun? There was something I wanted to talk to you about." She said without a care.

Kiyopon was suprised by her nerves of steel.

" Karuizawa, are you even listening!" Yukimura exclaimed.

She ignored Yukimura and strode down the hallway quickly and disappeared whilst still on her phone.

" My disappointment is immeasurable... why was I lumped up with a bunch of space cadets?! " he cried.

The three boys decided to walk together to their rooms.

" This has turned into quite a troublesome ordeal. Being partnered with a bitch like that, I mean. " The professor said.

Kiyopon remembered that the Professor only had eyes for 2D girls.

Kiyopon had seen the different arts of those anime girls sometime ago...

Though he was curious about the eroge type of manga.

He mentioned it to Horikita earlier in their school days and she immediately banned him from it.

Of course, he can simply search in his own time.

In fact, if this exam hadn't been announced...

He probably would've done it by now.

" To be honest, I really hate it. No matter what I do, she'll only drag us down." Yukimura responded with a sigh.

" That is certainly true, hmm? She's an unforgiveable bitch. She's a bitch among bitches, wouldn't you say?" Replied the professor.

A bitch huh...Kiyopon wondered.

He didn't consider Karuizawa a bitch.

A memory from the night where Kushida tried to blackmail him appeared in his head.

She trashtalked everyone she ever encountered that night.

She tried to force Kiyopon's hand upon her breast.

Despite that, he didn't consider her a bitch either.

He categorized her as a person with personal problems.

Besides, Karuizawa hadn't been rude to Kiyopon, anyway.

Or maybe it was because during one year...

A certain person taught him the ways of being a gentleman.

Kiyopon cleared that thought off his head.

Yukimura spoke once again, " Maybe in the morning, there'll be a notification that one of us was the VIP. If one of us is chosen, it'd be smart not to spread it around carelessly. We don't know who might be listening. Let's get to a secure location before sharing info. "

Kiyopon agreed with that plan.

Kiyopon wrote on his notebook.

' Karuizawa may be gone. But we should definitely discuss about tomorrow. We can do it with the three of us.' It said.

Yukimura nodded.

But Sotomura had other plans...

" I am terribly sorry, but I must decline your invitation. For you see, the Love Love Alive anime calls me, and I cannot afford to ignore its siren song! I bid you farewell, Hi-ya!" He said before leaving.

Yukimura's eye twitched.

Kiyopon stared blankly at Sotumura's back as the chubby professor left the both of them.

Yukimura looked depressed.

Kiyopon concluded that there will definitely be no discussion.

He had no choice but to simply wait for Horikita now.

Short chapter for now since I want to re read volume 4.

While I was on an unexpected Hiatus, I already had a plan for volume 4 up to Volume 7

But...now that I'm actually writing again...

My brain refused to cooperate.

So bear with me, yeah?

SadisticPaimon, out~

Horikita will never bow down / Kiyopon is NOT a clingy tagalong

Third Person PoV

1. Horikita will never bow down

" Fuu...haaahh..." Kiyopon's snores filled the room as he slept peacefully on his bed to pass the time.

He was currently wrapped around by his blanket like a burrito for some odd reason.

Even PoV-chan does not know why that happened.

Maybe Kiyopon aimed for maximum comfort?

Haah...it's still hard to decipher him fully.

But a noise instantly woke our silent protagonist from his slumber.

Kiyopon immediately propped up on his bed.

" Oh, sorry. Did I wake you?" An apologetic voice said.

Kiyopon's eyes landed on Hirata Yousuke.

Hirata was currently getting ready to go out for his group meeting.

Kiyopon nods in response, implying that it was no problem.

Kiyopon was planning to wake up sooner or later anyway to discuss with Horikita.

Hirata sighed in relief, " That's good. I didn't mean to interrupt your sleep if you were really tired." He said.

Kiyopon simply nodded.

Hirata noticed that Kiyopon was still in his burrito form but made no comment about it.

" Ah, my meeting is about to begin. Would you like to come with me? Besides, I believe that the notification will come soon after my meeting." Hirata said.

Kiyopon turned his head to look at the clock.

It was just before 20:30. Whether due to coincidence or fate, that just happened to be the time Horikita had been summoned to her meeting.

Kiyopon looks at Hirata and nods.

" Very well. I'll wait for you outside. " Hirata said and began walking to the door.

Kiyopon nods.

But...

As Kiyopon tried to shuffle and move.

The burrito blanket was too strong...

"..."

Kiyopon tried to twist and turn but he couldn't seem to free himself.

Kiyopon decided to call out to Hirata but-

Click! The door had already been closed.

Hirata had left the room and was currently waiting outside.

"..."

Kiyopon lets out a quiet sigh.

Kiyopon had spent 5 minutes trying to free himself from the burrito roll until he finally tumbled to the floor.

Hirata had wondered why he heard a loud thump so he quickly checked back into the room to see a funny sight.

On the ground, was a Kiyopon wrapped into a burrito by his own blanket, whilst wearing a seemingly irritated expression.

" Um...do...do you want me to- pfft...I'm sorry...!" Hirata tried to hold in his laughter.

Kiyopon felt embarassed being seen this way.

After laughing for a couple of minutes, Hirata regained his composure and proceeded to gently unroll the Burritopon.

" Come, we're going to be late." Hirata said but Kiyopon grabbed his sleeve.

Hirata turned to look at Kiyopon, " What is it-" Hirata paused as he saw Kiyopon staring at him with a grave expression.

Kiyopon grabbed his notebook and began writing.

' Don't ever speak of this to anyone.' It said.

Hirata only smiled and patted Kiyopon's shoulder.

" Don't worry. I would never do such a thing." He assured our silent protagonist.

Kiyopon accepted his response but was secretly making contingency plans in his head if this ever leaks.

Kiyopon and Hirata were currently making their way towards the designated meeting spot.

" Hey, Ayanokoji-kun. Is it just me or does this exam feel a bit strange?" Hirata spoke.

Kiyopon responded with his notebook.

' It does. But currently I have nothing much in mind to think about this specific exam. ' it said.

Hirata nodded.

" Yukimura-kun told me about the rabbit group right after your group's meeting. And then several classmates also came to me to talk about it. It seems like everyone is receiving explanation of the tests." Hirata said.

Kiyopon nodded.

Hirata looked at Kiyopon.

" I know you said that you don't have much to think about the exam. But have you noticed anything weird?" He asked.

Kiyopon shrugs.

Hirata continued, " Well, I noticed that the explanations seemed so... scattered. At first, I thought maybe the school wanted to avoid confusion and trouble and concluded that as the reason to why they are telling us in groups but...now that I think about it again..." Hirata trailed off.

Kiyopon wrote on his notebook.

' It would've been easier if the school were to explain it to everyone at the same time, right? That's why you think it's weird.' It said.

Hirata nods, " Exactly." He confirmed.

Kiyopon agreed with Hirata's doubts. The school was using an inefficient method on purpose. Perhaps the school was currently testing their thinking.

Kiyopon inwardly sighed.

He still felt a bit sour that his 'vacation' had to be delayed because of another exam...

" I'm planning to ask the teacher about that later." Hirata said as they were now close to their destination.

Kiyopon was curious on how Hirata would deal with things in this exam.

Hirata excelled in acting like glue for the entirety of Class D, he usually acted on the behalf of Class D on multiple occasions.

But now that Class D was split up into different Zodiac groups...

He wondered how Hirata would fare with these rules...

Hirata and Kiyopon's eyes widened at the sight before them.

Ryuuen and Katsuragi were currently having a seemingly tense discussion.

A stare-down.

Horikita was standing by the side and calmly observed them.

Hirata and Kiyopon went to Horikita.

" Horikita-san, sorry I'm late. Did something happen?" Hirata asked.

" Katsuragi-kun had approached me earlier and wanted to talk to me. He said that he was currently reevaluating his thoughts about me after our victory on the island. " Horikita said.

Hirata nods

" Katsuragi-kun also said our win was entirely by luck and that I shouldn't grow arrogant and consider us equals. He reminded me about our massive gap between our class points. " Horikita said and chuckled. Horikita knew that their win was entirely by luck.

Horikita's eyes glanced at Kiyopon.

' If it weren't for him...we would have definitely lost that exam...' She thought.

Kiyopon tried to pay attention to Ryuuen and Katsuragi's conversation.

Ryuuen had an entourage behind much, similarly like Katsuragi's but the students behind Ryuuen seemed to be more like slaves to their king.

" I originally thought that our group would be comprised of solely students with a high level academic ability. Now that you and your lackeys are here, I'm not so sure now." Katsuragi said.

Ryuuen laughed. " Academic ability? How droll. That kind of thing is meaningless." He responded.

Katsuragi narrows his eyes, " That's incredibly deplorable. Especially when academic success is the most important factor in determining our future. You do realize that Japan is often referred to as an academic society?" He said.

Kiyopon was entertained by this exchange of words.

A Class A leader who was seemingly betrayed by the tyrant leader of Class C.

Ryueen only chuckled and gestured for a response from the students behind him. " Can you believe what this idiot is saying?" He asked them.

His minions agreed immediately, their response to Ryuuen felt almost robotic.

" I won't let you bring your awful attitude to this test." Katsuragi said.

" Awful attitude? What in the world are you talking about? Ha! I can't possibly imagine. Can you perhaps tell me how I am, in fact, awful." Ryuuen responded.

Kiyopon could list down a million ways but stayed silent.

But Horikita decided to interject, " In so many ways, Ryuuen-kun. After all, your class totaled about hmm... zero points in the last exam, no? Your leadership is quite awful." She said.

Horikita decided to provoke Ryuuen this time, to see what he would do.

After nearly losing to Class C.

Horikita fully intended to learn from her mistakes.

Kiyopon's lips curled up slightly at what Horikita was attempting to do.

But it was unnoticeable , so nobody could really tell.

Ryuuen's eyes turned to Horikita.

" My, My. I didn't expect you to attack me like this, Suzune. Perhaps Katsuragi was right about arrogance, hmm?" He said with a smirk.

" I'd like to refer to it as confidence, Ryuuen-kun. If anything, it was you who was arrogant since it was you who lost , after all." She replied.

" Kuku, I like this new spice in you, Suzune. You are going to be fun to destroy. But let's make one thing clear, " he said and stood in front of her.

" You better beg for mercy when I release my relentless attacks against Class D. Just a kind warning."

Kiyopon looked at Horikita for her response.

Horikita refused to back down.

" Class D won't lose to the likes of you. You'll never see me beg for any mercy." She said and glared at him.

Silence followed soon after Horikita's response.

" Hey, um...sorry I'm late...what's happening?" Kushida asked as she walked and stood beside Hirata and Kiyopon.

Hirata turned his head to look at Kushida, " Um...it's a confrontation between our class leaders...I should put a stop to this." He said.

It seemed like everyone in the room was zoned into the conversation between Katsuragi and Ryuuen and also when it switched to Ryuuen and Horikita.

2. Kiyopon is NOT a tagalong!

" Haah...that was a waste of time. I didn't seem to break through Ryuuen's shell." Horikita said as she sipped her tea.

Kiyopon and Horikita were currently sitting together at a table.

" After carefully examining the members of my group and yours...I can't help but think it's utterly biased." She spoke after she placed her cup down and examined the papers.

Kiyopon agreed.

He wrote on his notebook.

' Ichinose should've been in the Dragon group.' It said.

Horikita nodded in agreement.

" It's certainly unnatural that the leader of Class B wasn't placed in our group. But maybe she had lacking qualities that the school reconsidered her position...?" Horikita said her thoughts.

Kiyopon listened to her.

But he disagreed.

He wrote on his notebook.

' I can't help but disagree with your thoughts. Ichinose definitely should've been in dragon group. I don't know much about her academic ability... but she certainly has a few qualities that can go up against Katsuragi and Ryuuen. ' it said.

" You're right. But we can do nothing about that now. " she said and looked st Kiyopon, " Are you still going to work behind the shadows?" She asked.

Kiyopon nods.

" I see. Then we should all be careful, especially you. " she said.

Kiyopon nods.

Kiyopon did not intend to underestimate Ichinose.

She was still an unknown factor to him for now.

He wasn't sure if she had something up her sleeve after all.

" Anyway, who do you think I should be most wary of in my group?" Horikita asked for Kiyopon's advice.

Kiyopon immediately wrote his answer.

' Ryuuen.' It said.

Horikita sighs, " That's what I thought as well... "

Suddenly, both of their phones had sounded a notification simultaneously.

Kiyopon and Horikita quickly checked their phones.

Kiyopon read his text.

' After thorough consideration, you have not been chosen as the VIP. Please remember to be a team player as your group tackles the challenges of this test. The exam begins today, and will be held over a period of three days. The members of the Rabbit Group should gather...' the last bit of info was simply the meeting place.

" I'm not the VIP..." Horikita said quietly and looked at Kiyopon.

Kiyopon shakes his head 'no', signifying that he ,too, wasn't chosen as VIP.

They both put their respective phones away and shifted in their seats.

" We weren't chosen. I'm not sure if I should be happy or sad." She sighs.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' Always stay happy. You look prettier with a smile, after all.' It said.

Kiyopon had sneakily attacked her.

Or so he'd thought...

Horikita writes her response.

' How about you smile, then? Your lips curling up back at the meeting wasn't good enough.' It said.

Kiyopon's lips parted in suprise as he stared at Horikita, who wore a knowing smile.

" I'm not losing to our little game very easily." She says.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' Well played.' It said.

Kiyopon hadn't expected anyone to notice his lips curling up to a small smile.

But it seems like Horikita had been observing Kiyopon at the same time while testing Ryuuen.

Horikita was slowly maturing...no...

She was maturing faster than that, it seems.

" Well, well. What do we have here." A voice said.

Horikita immediately dropped her smile and turned to look to the intruder.

It was Ryuuen.

But he wasn't alone.

He brought Ibuki Mio. The girl that Horikita defeated.

Ibuki looked irritated as she looked at Horikita.

" Ryuuen-kun, Ibuki-san. I wonder what you two are doing here? I'm having a busy conversation with my friend, after all." Horikita spoke calmly.

Kiyopon inwardly cheered to himself whenever someone refers to him as 'friend'.

Ryuuen smiles, " Sorry to interrupt your little 'date'- wait actually, no I couldn't really give a shit." He said.

" Nobody expects you to." Ibuki mutters.

Ryuuen ignores Ibuki and proceeds to ask Horikita, " Anyway, you received the message haven't you? Were you chosen as VIP?"

" I'm suprised that you are asking me so directly. Even if I were the VIP, I would have no intention of telling you." Horikita responded. " Or perhaps, would you mind telling us about your message?"

" If you wish." Ryuuen said before taking a seat and sitting down in their table." But before that, I am actually curious to know on how you managed to get those results on the island. Mind telling me?" He asked.

" I have nothing to tell you." Horikita said.

Ryuuen chuckles, " Well, I suppose you wouldn't give anything away. But that doesn't matter. There's no way that you should've led Class D to victory after your big mistake of losing the card."

Horikita remembered her failure.

But she stayed expressionless and responded to Ryuuen , " Is that so?"

" Though I am impressed that you managed to beat Ibuki. It was a sight to see her so angry haha!" Ryuuen jabbed at Ibuki.

Ibuki glares at Ryuuen and then to Horikita. " It was a fluke. Let's have a rematch, Horikita !"

" Regrettably, I must decline your offer. Violent actions are considered a violation of the test rules. If you do happen to strike me, I will not hesitate to report it to the school. At any rate, please feel free to do whatever you please." Horikita replied flatly.

" Tch!"

Ibuki was about to close the distance, seemingly ready to lunge at Horikita. But she held herself back.

She'd rather prevent a violation that she may cause affect her class.

Moreover, she was beneath Ryuuen. She didn't have the right to act freely.

" Since we're all together, why don't we have some coffee or tea?" Horikita suggested.

Kiyopon silently took his cup and began to drink.

Ryuuen carefully observed Horikita's expression. " Yesterday, Katsuragi seemed very cautious of you." He said.

" Well, nobody would have guessed that someone from Class D could do so well. Isn't that why you and Ibuki-san are here, to check on me?" She replied.

Ryuuen's smile grew, " You aren't wrong about that. I came here to measure your abilities for myself."

" Of course." Horikita said before calmy taking another sip of her tea.

Ryuuen leaned back on his seat, " Katsuragi and I think differently. When I'm dealing with someone, I'd like to keep an eye on them." He added, " I'm remembering the test on the island. More specifically, the result and the process that led to it. There are only certain types of people that can conceptualize and execute a plan like that. And from what I observed from you in the island, you couldn't had possibly done it." He said.

" Could it be that you're just in denial, Ryuuen-kun? That I'm better than you?" She replied and gauged his reaction.

Ryuuen merely snorts at that.

" At the end of the test, I wrote your name as leader. I was wrong. And there is only one reason I was wrong: the leader was switched right before the test ended. " Ryuuen said.

" That is not hard to deduce. Any idiot could have deduced that. Including Katsuragi, the person you've been making fun of."

Ryuuen puts up a finger as if mocking Horikita like she was wrong in a test, " Ah, but Katsuragi thinks you planned the whole thing. But was that really the case? In my opinion, someone simply used you as a distraction and took the chance to slip right under my nose." Ryuuen said as he briefly glanced at Horikita's quiet companion before averting his gaze back to Horikita.

" I could have simply planned precautions. Your argument is quite flimsy. You've said nothing suprising." She replied.

" Personally, I believe there is a puppet master pulling your strings. And that person was the reason you won the exam." Ryuuen said.

The atmosphere felt tense as this conversation continued.

Kiyopon knew that he was probably a suspect in Ryuuen's mind.

" A puppet master, hm? A stupid thought. I don't have many friends who I can trust to do that sort of work. And although , Ayanokoji-kun is my friend, he simply isn't capable of doing anything behind the scenes, no?" Horikita briefly directed the attention to Kiyopon.

" Heh, I see." Ryuuen took one more glance at Kiyopon before looking away, " Well, I suppose that's expected of a clingy tagalong. "

Kiyopon felt offended by that.

Kiyopon felt he should've bonked Ryuuen on the head with his trusty notebook.

Kiyopon was NOT a tagalong!

" Will that be all then, Ryuuen?" Horikita asked.

Ryuuen chuckles and gets up from his seat. " Perhaps so. It was nice talking to you, Suzune."

' Still. Although that guy seems relatively harmless...and incredibly average. There is still something mysterious about him.' Ryuuen thought as he looked at Kiyopon.

He held his hand out.

" Just so you know, you're still a suspect. Don't expect me to stop investigating you, Suzune and the rest of Class D." Ryuuen said to Kiyopon.

Kiyopon took his hand and shook it.

Soon after, Ryuuen and Ibuki left.

Ah, the long game of Ryuuen searching for the mastermind has begun at this point.

Although that won't be the focus yet...

After all the spreading of thy legs is priority in this volume, no?

SadisticPaimon, out~

Discontinued

Yep.

As the title said.

Volume 4 will be discontinued.

I quit.

My brain is dead.

That's why I'm going straight to Vol 4.5 XD

As to how Vol 4 ended? Well yk, Ryuuen destroyed owned the classes in this exam, Kei became Kiyopon's friend, Kiyopon is now getting excited for what's to come and

Manabe became his first friend/tool

That's all.

So expect an update...later?

Ye

Bai.

Kiyopon invitations! / Kiyopon's...betrayal...?

Paimon wanted a new cover for this fic.

And Sora unexpectedly delivered!

Me likey.

Anyway, let's begin.

Third Person PoV

1. Kiyopon invitations!

Horikita was currently in her room, reading a book to pass the time or just a method to try and relax.

She was still a bit affected by how Ryuen managed to get the biggest victory in the zodiac exam but she can't dwell on that for long. After all, she could've faced this type of fate way earlier during the closing of the island exam.

' If Ayanokoji-kun hadn't lend his hand...' Horikita thoughts trailed off towards her friend, Ayanokoji Kiyopon- I mean, Kiyotaka.

Her unusual classmate and friend, someone who stays silent and prefers to communicate by his notebook, sign language or even his little gestures.

Suddenly, she began to giggle about how ridiculous of a person he can be.

" Seriously...I just couldn't understand him..." she said to herself with a small smile.

As she was about to turn to the next page, her phone had suddenly received a message notification.

Horikita checked the message and she was suprised by who texted her...or rather the contents of the text.

Contact: Ayanokoji

' Do you like fortune telling? ' he texted.

Horikita rose a brow as she sent her response.

' You have the strangest ways of starting a conversation...' she sent.

Kiyopon quickly replied,

' Sorry?' It said.

Horikita sighed and replied.

' To answer your question. I'm not exactly an enthusiast or anything, but it would be a lie to say that I disliked it. ' she sent.

' Have you ever had your fortune told before?' He quickly replied.

Horikita was curious on where he was going with this, but she replied nonetheless.

' No, I haven't. But I have noticed horoscopes and such in the morning news.' Sent.

' I see. Have you heard about the rumors of a fortune-teller going around in Keyaki mall? ' he quickly replied.

' Fortune-teller? I have heard some news about it, quite an uproar. Is he perhaps interested in going?' She thought as she began to type her response.

' I have, actually. Are you interested in going?' She sent.

' Yes. ' he replied.

" Ah, so he is interested in going..." she muttered.

' That's good. I think you should go, if you want to.' She replied.

She didn't particularly believe the literal power of fortune-telling that these fortune-tellers " hold ". But she is impressed by their ability to cold read and notice things that the other person couldn't, and with that, all they had to do was to mix a few words here and there to make it sound convincing.

Horikita thought their conversation was over until Kiyopon sent an unexpected text.

' Would you come with me? I'm inexperienced in so I would like your guidance plz ' it said.

Horikita felt her cheeks warming as she read the message.

" Am I seriously feeling this way...from a mere text message?" She said to herself as if she was going insane.

' Well, it's not like I have anything to do...and spending time with Ayanokoji-kun was never something I disliked...' she thought as her thumbs had already automatically typed her response.

' Sure, but when are we going?' She sent.

' Tmrw, 9 am. Is that okay?' He replied instantly.

--

Kiyopon was in his room, staring at his phone, waiting for Horikita's response.

' Yes.' She replied.

Kiyopon did a mental cheer to himself as he successfully managed to invite Horikita. He began to type his response.

' ' annnndd sent.

Kiyopon immediately switched to his private message with Sudo.

' Horikita's on board. ' Kiyopon texted to Sudo.

' Nice! Did you tell her to meet us tmrw at 9 am?!' Sudo texted back.

' Yes. ' he sent.

' Cool! I'll, uh, see you there!' Sudo responded with a conversation ender.

Kiyopon turned off his phone and began charging it, in order for him to use tomotrow.

Kiyopon checked the time and it was currently 10 am. He didn't have much to do as of now, but he was curious on what the fortune-teller was like.

So he decided to check it out for himself first.

He grabbed his trusty pen and notebook before leaving his room.

--

S-So hot... Kiyopon thought to himself as he began to slowly regret coming here at this time.

Even with the air-conditioning inside the mall, Kiyopon was still sweating due to the walk from the dormitories to the mall in the scorching heat from the sun during the intense late-August.

He made his way to the fabled fortune teller and he immediately paused in his tracks as he saw the long line of students for the fortune-telling.

This...wasn't what Kiyopon had envisioned the fortune-telling to be like.

He didn't expect fortune-telling to be THIS popular!

As Kiyopon took slow steps and observed his surroundings, he noticed something a bit off.

Most students were in pairs...they looked like couples. Kiyopon wondered if that was the requirement.

He then stumbled upon a sign with a written notice,

' Guidance is for couples only. We humbly ask for your understanding.' It read.

It was then, that Kiyopon managed to piece everything together. From Sudo inviting him and convincing Horikita to join in, to the reason why this fortune-teller has become popular among the students.

I needed a partner... he thought.

But his usual blank face turned into a small frown of disappointment once he realized something else.

Yep.

Sudo planned to abandon Kiyopon tomorrow in order to pair up with Horikita to get their fortunes read.

Kiyopon sighed.

Kiyopon now felt bad for convincing Horikita to join in, without a doubt, if she knew the entire context...she would've left for sure.

Kiyopon released another silent sigh and made his way back to the elevator.

Well, nothing to be done about that...he thought to himself. Maybe Horikita wouldn't entirely reject the idea of pairing up with Sudo? Maybe it was false hope from Kiyopon's end but he'd like for them to get along better.

Still, he would've liked to join in...

But he had no partner and he couldn't exactly bother one of his other friends.

Mori was probably too busy hanging out with her group.

Karuizawa was probably doing the same.

Ichinose...well he didn't want to disturb her.

Shiina? She's probably too busy reading...

Amikura would've been nice... but...she's part of Ichinose's friend circle and will most likely be not available.

Sakura, perhaps? But he didn't want to bother her too much since despite her confidence boost after changing her appearance...Kiyopon can tell that she's still too shy...

He couldn't ask Ike and Yamauchi since well...it'll be pretty awkward to bring a guy here. Especially when you're not in THAT type of relationship.

That also immediately ruled out Hirata.

Kiyopon was nearing the elevator until he heard a familiar voice.

" Huh? So you're saying I can't have my fortune read alone?" An angry voice said.

Kiyopon's head snapped towards the originator of that voice and his eyes landed on Ibuki Mio of Class C.

She looked visibly disappointed, she too hadn't expected this to be " couples only". The world was unfair.

Kiyopon silently stared at her until Ibuki noticed his familiar...awkward stare...

Stareeeeeee~~~

Brought to you by Eren the Birb!

" Could you stop staring at me like that? You're such a weirdo." Ibuki said in an annoyed tone as she went towards Kiyopon with her arms crossed.

Kiyopon began to write...

' Sorry.' It said.

Ibuki sighs and averts her gaze, " I didn't expect to see you here..."

Kiyopon nodded and began to write in his notebook...

' You came here alone too?' It said.

Ibuki nodded as she spoke, " I didn't know that I needed a partner to get my fortune read. Tch. It's annoying." She said.

Kiyopon nods.

" What about you? Did you get your fortune read?" She asked.

Ibuki wondered why it felt easy talking to Kiyopon like this. Her guard's down and despite noticing that, she refuses to let it up.

To her, Kiyopon was one of the most confusing human beings to exist...

Kiyopon shook his head ' no' and wrote his response.

' No. I just came here to check what all the buzz was about since I was sort of planning to get my fortune read at a later date. I was also disappointed to find out that we needed a partner...' it said.

Ibuki laughed, " Man, you and I have no luck, do we?" She said in an amused tone.

Kiyopon stares at her silently as he began to think about something...

' Why is he staring at me like that again...' Ibuki thought as she began to shift uncomfortably under his gaze.

" Hey, could you seriously stop doing tha-" But before Ibuki could tell him off, he had suddenly written something in his notebook.

' Would you like to be my partner?' It said.

Ibuki's face tinged with red due to embarassment as she began to splutter her words.

" W-What?!" She said.

Kiyopon tilted his head in confusion as he wrote in his notebook.

' I'm asking if you'd like to be my partner in getting our fortunes read?' It said.

Ibuki glares at him, " Could you at least write it in a way where I wouldn't mistake it for something else entirely!" She roared.

Kiyopon was taken aback by her sudden tone of voice, but he was mostly confused. He didn't think he wrote anything wrong, right?

He just asked her if she'd like to be his partner in fortune-telling...

But apparently, they both seemed to have experienced a misunderstanding...

Ibuki regained her composure before looking at him with narrowed eyes ,

" What about Horikita? Aren't you two close? You could ask her." She said.

Kiyopon began to write...

' Horikita isn't free currently. Also, I could ask you the same with Ryuuen. Aren't you two close?' He had written.

Ibuki made an expression full of disgust as she read what he had written.

" Don't. Don't ever ask me that again. I'm only working together with him because I owe him. That's all. I hate his guts." She spoke bluntly.

Kiyopon was suprised by her honest answer but nodded in understanding.

After thinking for a bit, Ibuki sighed.

" Okay, I have no problem with coming with you to have our fortunes read. When are you planning it?" Ibuki asked.

Kiyopon nodded approvingly before writing down his answer.

' Tomorrow at 9 am.' It said.

Ibuki nodded in agreement. " Okay, see you then...I guess..."

Looks like Kiyopon had managed to snatch a partner during his time of need.

Truly an interesting creature...

2. Kiyopon's...betrayal...?

( 8:45 am...Keyaki Mall...)

Sudo and Kiyopon waited outside of the line for the fortune-teller.

Sudo was looking around, nervously while Kiyopon stared at nothing in particular.

" Hey, is Horikita really coming?" Sudo asked anxiously.

Kiyopon turns toward him and nods reassuringly to which Sudo nodded in understanding and tried to calm himself down.

" Ayanokoji-kun, sorry for being late." Horikita's voice called him.

Both boys turned around to see Horikita in her casual clothing, walking towards them.

Sudo's simp heart went to a new high since this is the first time he saw Horikita in casual clothing.

Kiyopon waved in greeting.

Horikita finally arrived and looked at Sudo with a confused look before looking back towards Kiyopon again.

" What is Sudo-kun doing here?" She asked.

Kiyopon wrote in his notebook.

' Well, he wanted to come along.' Kiyopon lied..

Horikita nodded slowly, " I see..."

' I thought it was going to be just us...' Horikita thought to herself.

" Since everyone's here, why don't we line up now?" Sudo initiated.

Kiyopon nodded and no complaints from Horikita.

As the three went to line up for the fortune-telling. Sudo had initiated phase two of his plan to get himself and Horikita alone.

" Ah...wait...look at that!" Sudo pointed at the written notice.

Horikita read it with narrowed eyes.

" Guidance...for couples only..." she read.

" Ah...what a shame...I guess the three of us couldn't go in together..." Sudo did his best to act. And it was horrible.

Horikita glares at Sudo, " Were you planning to abandon Ayanokoji-kun?" She said in a pissed off tone.

" W-Well-" Before Sudo could respond, Horikita interrupted.

" You were. I can't believe you." She sighed and also looked towards Kiyopon. " Ayanokoji-kun, did you know about this?"

Kiyopon shook his head 'no' to try and play dumb but Horikita stared at him with a serious look.

" I'm serious." She spoke.

Kiyopon stared back at her before glancing at Sudo who wore a nervous look.

Already knowing the obvious answer, Horikita had enough.

" I'm leaving." She said.

" W-What? Wait, Horikita! Don't you want to get your fortune read!" Sudo yelled.

Horikita looked at Sudo with a cold look, " No. You were going to abandon Ayanokoji-kun just like that. I'm not stupid." She spat out.

" B-But Ayanokoji was in on it too! C'mon tell 'er, Ayanokoji!" Sudo pleaded to Kiyopon.

Sudo had never actually told him about this but Kiyopon already found out about his plan yesterday when checked out the fortune teller.

Still, Kiyopon went along with it and nodded to Horikita, confirming that he was ' in' on it.

" So Ayanokoji-kun was in on it, hm?" Horikita wanted to confirm.

Sudo took this as a chance and nodded furiously, " Yes! He was!"

" And you were planning to use him as an excuse for us to be alone, right? You asked him to play the part for being abandoned. How does that exactly make anything better?" She shut him down coldly.

Sudo's eyes widened as he had realized that there was no escape out of this. Horikita was going to leave and he couldn't do anything about it.

Well, except one person...

As Horikita was about ready to leave, Kiyopon grabbed her wrist and stopped her.

He spoke softly.

" Please stay...Horikita..." he pleaded softly.

Horikita's cold expression, slowly shifted into a warmer one.

She bit her lip as she weighed her options.

" Ayanokoji-kun...he's being a horrible friend to you. You're going to let him use you like that?" She asked as she turned her head to look at him.

" ...I decide who my friends are...I know that he didn't mean harm..." he started.

He looked at her with a soft pleading gaze.

" Trust me, Horikita." He said.

" I can't let him use you like that...not on my watch because you're my friend too. But..." she heaved her breath before releasing a sigh of surrender.

" If that's what you want...then I'll stay." She said .

Sudo managed to pick up on that and released a sigh of relief while simultaneously apologizing and thanking Kiyopon in his kind for being such a bro.

He definitely owed Kiyopon. Big time.

Kiyopon nodded.

" But what about you? This is...unfortunately only a couples guidance." She said before muttering something else, " I'd prefer it I went with you alone rather than with Sudo-kun..."

Kiyopon patted her head before writing in his notebook.

' I do have a partner in fortune-telling.' It said.

" Huh?" Horikita sounded confused for a second.

" Ayanokoji, sorry I'm la-..." Ibuki went towards them but immediately stared at Horikita with a blank look.

Horikita returned the stare with a blank one of her own.

Kiyopon...betrayed them both...

" AYANOKOJI-KUN/AYANOKOJI, ARE YOU SERIOUS?! " They both yelled at Kiyopon.

Welp, this has turned into quite an awkward situation...

Chapter end!

How was that for a Kiyopon return?

I feel a bit rusty in writing this fic, so pls forgive me.

And uh...put down your pitchforks :)

I rlly got you on that discontinued chappie huh?

HAHAHHAHAAH!

Vanik especially threatened me with his comment.

Anyway, see you on the next chappie!

SadisticPaimon, out~

The holder of the fate chunchunmaru- tenchuusatsu! / The Detour

Third Person PoV

1. The holder of the fate chunchunmaru- wait wrong one. Uhh... Tenchuusatsu!

Both girls stared at Kiyopon, waiting for his explanation while Sudo was just confused and shocked that Ibuki was apparently Kiyopon's partner.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook...

' I thought we could come as a group. Sudo can pair with Horikita and I can pair with Ibuki.' It said.

Their faces morphed into incredulous expressions.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook again...

' Is something wrong with that...?' It said.

" There are multiple reasons on why this was a big mistake." Horikita said plainly.

" Yeah, with the number one reason being the fact that I HATE her guts." Ibuki says and glares at Horikita while Horikita merely sighed.

" Your petty rivalry against me is quite irritating, Ibuki-san. Grow up, will you?" Horikita jabbed at her.

Ibuki wore an irritated grin as she began to crack her knuckles, preparing for a potential fight.

" Oh? Is that so? Why don't we settle our rivalry right here and right now, hm? " she suggested. " I'll kick your ass this time." Ibuki added.

Horikita crossed her arms to her chest and shook her head as if disappointed by Ibuki's behaviour.

" A fight? Seriously, Ibuki-san. Real mature of you to suggest a FIGHT in PUBLIC." Horikita spoke.

" Oh don't worry. We can find somewhere else private and I'll kick your ass there! A fight is the quickest way to settle this type of situation, don't you agree?" Ibuki said coldly.

Kiyopon was starting to regret inviting Ibuki at the same time Horikita would arrive. Kiyopon just wanted to have a partner...not a random fight between these two stubborn individuals.

" H-Hey, would you two calm down-" Sudo tried to calm them down but they both turned their heads towards him.

" This is none of your business." They both spat out. Sudo immediately raised his hands up in surrender.

" Hey, are you four going to move?" One of the employees said.

The two ' couples' faced towards the employee.

" Are you all couples?" The employee asked.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook...

' Yes.' It said.

Horikita and Ibuki looked at Kiyopon with bewildered looks.

' WHY! WHY DID YOU WRITE THAT!' Ibuki and Horikita thought as they both planned to leave.

' Yes!' Sudo thought as he still felt some hope that this might work out.

" Then please move forward with everyone else." The employee gestured for them to go.

Before Ibuki and Horikita could protest, Kiyopon grabbed both of their wrists and basically dragged them to line up while Sudo followed.

The group of four had lined up silently with the two girls surrendering to Kiyopon and decided to just bear with it for now.

Still, the atmosphere felt awkward.

" Damn, this line is long..." Sudo muttered.

" I will pair with Ayanokoji-kun." Horikita suddenly stated, " Ibuki-san will go pair with Sudo-kun."

" HUH?!" both Sudo and Ibuki said in disbelief.

" Hell no! What makes you think I want to pair with HIM? Besides, " Ibuki points to Kiyopon and then to herself,
" Ayanokoji asked ME to partner with him." She said in a smug tone.

Welp, there goes the awkward atmosphere...

It now turned into a tense one.

Horikita narrows her eyes, " Let me share an important detail that you seem to not know of. Ayanokoji-kun technically asked me out first while I was resting in my room. He sent me a text, see?" Horikita said and immediately pulled out her phone to show the text messages that had indeed happened.

Ibuki glares at Kiyopon, " I thought you said Horikita WASN'T free..." she growled.

Kiyopon stared at her back, refusing to say anything nor write anything.

" See? I only came here since I thought Ayanokoji-kun had invited me alone, but it seems like he was...asked to by Sudo-kun." Horikita says before looking at Sudo coldly, while Sudo tried to avert his eyes from her cold look.

Horikita sighed and then turned to look at Ibuki once more. " Give up. I will pair with Ayanokoji-kun, since I had already shown proof that he had asked me first."

" No." Ibuki rejected.

" No?" Horikita rose a brow.

" We'll let him choose. Right here, right now. Just to make things entirely clear for both of us." Ibuki said.

Horikita silently looked towards Kiyopon and Ibuki did the same.

Staaarrreeeee~~~~

Kiyopon tensed slightly as their stares became more intense. He tried to ignore it as best he could by focusing on the line which was in fact, getting smaller.

" Ayanokoji-kun...who would you choose to partner with you?" Horikita asked.

Kiyopon shook a bit due to her tone.

Ibuki also stared intently at our silent protagonist. Although she suggested out of pure spite against Horikita, it would be a lie to say that she wasn't even the least bit curious.

Sudo looked at Kiyopon and sighed. He felt bad now about this situation, the guy is trying to help him but Sudo is just doing it for himself.

" Hey! Stop pressuring him like that, will ya? Ayanokoji just wanted his fortune read and I basically started this whole mess . " he said and both girls looked at him.

Sudo released a sigh and facepalmed himself, " I messed up. This is Ayanokoji's first time getting his fortune read and even though we were just texting about this, he seemed excited to go but then I had to go ruin and it by planning to...well...er...leave him. And that lead to him inviting Ibuki."

Kiyopon wore a slightly suprised look as he stared at Sudo.

' I can't believe I'm doing this...' Sudo thought.

" Let's just get our fortune read. I'm fine with whoever I partner with, let's just get this over with..." Sudo finished.

Both girls seemed to be deep in thought after hearing out Sudo's words and then they looked towards Kiyopon who returned his focus to the line.

Ibuki and Horikita looked at each other silently.

Finally, Horikita released a sigh before speaking, " As much as I dislike to admit it. Sudo-kun is right. We're both acting immature about this whole thing." She admitted.

" Tch...right. Then just for today, let's have a truce." Ibuki proposed.

" I can accept that." Horikita said before taking her hand out.

Ibuki stared at Horikita's hand before reluctantly shaking it with her own.

' Just for today.' They both thought.

Sudo released a sigh and felt a bit proud of himself for calming the situation down, though he probably still messed up his image in Horikita's eyes. At least he managed to save Kiyopon.

And with that, the group decided to wait patiently for their turns. Horikita had decided to accept being paired with Sudo and Ibuki with Kiyopon.

--‐--

" Next please." The clerk said.

" Sorry to have kept you waiti- oh! Are you perhaps a group?" The clerk asked the four members.

They exchanged looks with eachother before nodding.

" Ah! If so, then the four of you may come inside. " the clerk offered.

The group was suprised but they accepted the offer and entered the dark barely-lit room.

Kiyopon was amazed by this atmosphere for fortune-telling. Everyone looked towards the elderly woman with a hood covering her head, you can barely make out her expression. She had a book and a
" magical" crystal ball on the table.

" Ah, a group, hm?" She said to us and gestured on the chairs, " Please sit down."

Everyone complied and sat down on the chairs.

" But first...you must pay." She commanded.

She pulled out a card reader from under the table and placed it before them. Kiyopon thought that such a product of modern civilization felt so out of place within this dark atmosphere but he shrugged it off.

" What kind of fortune are you going to read?" Ibuki asked the fortune teller.

" It can be about your academics, career, love life, or anything you like." The fortune-teller answered with an unsettling grin.

The fortune-teller then showed them the many plans sorted into multiple categories. The " Basic Plan" contained what she had previously mentioned while there were other plans that were related to something called Tenchuusatsu and another plan would let you " see" the end of your life.

" So, uh, Horikita. I got a ton of private points so pick anything you like and I'll pay!" Sudo said.

Horikita was suspicious towards Sudo after hearing that. They were Class D so how is he condient that he possesses a " ton" of private points? Not only that, he also offered to pay for her expenses which only increased her suspicions.

Kiyopon poked Ibuki's arm.

" What?" She asked.

Kiyopon gestured to the plans.

Ibuki realized what he was ( probably) asking now.

" I'll just go with the basic plan." She said and Kiyopon nodded as he began to write in his notebook and then showed it to the fortune-teller.

' I'll have what she's having.' It said.

The fortune-teller nodded and gestures for them to slide their cards on the reader, to which the duo immediately swiped it.

Horikita sighed, she'd rather not pester the matter about Sudo having a ton of points and just go along with it.

" I'll have the basic plan." She said.

" Huh? Really? You could go for something more expensive..." he insisted but Horikita stayed true to her word.

" I'm not too much of an enthusiast about this fortune-telling business. A basic plan will do fine." She said in a tone of finality.

Seeing that everyone else in their group was going for the basic plan, Sudo sighed and did the same and soon swiped his card, paying for both himself and Horikita's plans.

" Wonderful. Let's start with the young lady. What's your name?" The fortune-teller asked Ibuki.

" Ibuki Mio." She replied.

" When I tell the fortunes, I see the face, the hand, and then the heart of the person I'm reading, I may see something that you won't like. Are you prepared for that?" The fortune-teller said.

" Do whatever you want." Ibuki replied.

( timeskip cuz Paimon is bored with everyone else's fortunes )

Everyone had managed to get rather positive predictions from the fortune-teller, of course there negatives here and there like a few warning here and there but overall good.

There was only one person that had not gotten his fortune read just yet.

" Las but not least, the young silent one. May I ask your name?" The fortune-teller turned to Kiyopon.

" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka..." Kiyopon spoke.

The fortune-teller was taken aback by his voice.

" Wow, your voice is melodic. If I were still a young woman, I'd be head over- Ahem, sorry, off topic." The fortune-teller excused herself.

I guess Kiyopon can charm people...no matter the age.

Horikita and Ibuki were suprised by the fortune-teller being also taken aback but they quickly accepted it and moved along.

While Sudo was just flabbergasted to the point where he couldn't say anything.

The fortune-teller began reading Kiyopon's fortune. Kiyopon received fundamentally good things from the fortune-teller but then the fortune-teller said something which caught everyone else's attention.

" I see...it seems that you had a harsh childhood." She spoke.

Everyone looked at Kiyopon to check his expression but to their disappointment, he wore the same blank expression, seemingly unfazed by the fortune-teller's words.

But then, the fortune-teller abruptly stopped moving her hands. " This is...you're the holder of the fate tenchuusatsu!" She exclaimed in shock.

The holder of what? Kiyopon wondered since he has never heard of that in his entire life. Almost anything related to fortune-telling was new to him, after all.

" Wha- seriously?" Ibuki said in disbelief.

Horikita and Sudo looked at Ibuki.

" What is fate tenchuusatsu, Ibuki-san?" Horikita asked curiously.

" To put it simply, it means that Ayanokoji has lived a life of constant misfortune since he was born." Ibuki clarified.

' Misfortune...?' Horikita thought as she glanced at Kiyopon who returned her glance.

' It's...hard to believe...' she thought.

" This is incredible! A rare one indeed..." The fortune-teller marveled.

Kiyopon stayed silent on the situation at hand. But he did acknowledge the fact that the claim was accurate, at least in his own mind. Still, he determined that it was too much of a broad generalization.

" So...is Ayanokoji going to continue living with bad luck or something?" Sudo asked.

But the Fortune-teller shook her head
' no'.

" The little girl wasn't quite right when she said that the tenchuusatsu meant you lived a life of misfortune." The fortune-teller clarified.

But Ibuki seemed a bit put-off by the
" little girl" title.

" Fate Tenchuusatsu is certainly rare. However, that doesn't mean your entire life will be full of misfortune. It's true that the overall outlook is bad. There are negatives: you won't have the blessing from your parents, or your family. And..." The fortune-teller suddenly paused.

" What is it?" Horikita decided to ask for Kiyopon.

" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka...it seems that in the future you might experience a certain loss, it might affect the way you think, the way you feel and the way you see yourself." She spoke ominously.

Kiyopon was confused by what she had meant, it was skeptical at best.

" But...despite all these misfortunes...in your past or your future." Her grim tone turned to a lighter one,
" Everything depends on you and you alone. How you see and act on these misfortunes is entirely up to you. So chin up, not everything will be negative." She said.

" You alone decide what you can do and can't do." She finished.

It was silent for awhile as everyone, especially Kiyopon had let those words sink for a bit before nodding.

The fortune-teller was about to end her guidance but she had one last thing to tell.

" Oh...and a last piece of advice: Go straight home without taking any detours. If you stray, you might get stuck for a long time. Even if you do get stuck, don't panic. If you can stay calm and work together, you should be able to overcome it."

2. The Detour

Sudo had split off from the group due to Ike calling him for something important.

Currently, Kiyopon,Ibuki and Horikita were making their way to the main elevator, they realized that tons of people were waiting in a line.

" Crowded...again..." Ibuki muttered. She wanted to seperate from Horikta and Kiyopon as soon as possible since she had already got what she wanted.

Horikita's eyes scanned the surroundings and she soon spotted another elevator.

" How about we take a detour." She suggested.

After saying that, the three of them remembered what the fortune-teller had just advised them about .

" Tch. Well, I can't exactly wait for the main elevator...might as well try." Ibuki shrugged and made her way towards the other elevator.

Horikita was about to follow until Kiyopon stopped her by grabbing her arm and pulling her back a bit.

" What?" She asked him.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook...

' Are you sure about this? The fortune-teller did warn us...' it said.

" Hmm...well, we'll find out right here and right now." Horikita says before gesturing towards the elevator.

Kiyopon felt like this was going to go south real fast...

--

The three entered the elevator and pressed the first floor.

Kiyopon was in between Horikita and Ibuki as a safety measure. He'd rather not have a fight happen in such a closed space.

However, the fortune-tellers prediction had come true the moment the elevator stopped and shut down.

The emergency light had fortunately turned on.

" Is this a power outage?" Ibuki furrowed her brows.

" It seems so..." Horikita said.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook...

' This was a bad idea.' It said.

" No need to panic. Let's just use the emergency phone." Horikita assured before proceeding to use the emergency phone.

But unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be connecting to anyone...

" Well?" Ibuki asked impatiently.

"...Nobody seems to be answering." Horikita said quietly.

" Please tell me you're joking." Ibuki glared.

" I wish I was." Horikita said plainly before sighing.

" Is the phone not working due to the power outage?" Ibuki asked.

" No. Elevators normally have a back up battery that lasts for several hours. The emergency lights are proof of that. There must be some kind of internal failure instead." Horikita concluded before trying to press the button for the hearing impaired.

Unfortunately, that didn't seem to work either as she began to try pressing the other buttons which also resulted to nothing.

" Ibuki-san, can you try calling someone for help?" Horikita asked.

" Huh? Why me? Why don't you do it?" She shot back.

" I'm trying to figure out a way to get us out of here. But while I do that, I want you to try calling someone to save time." Horikita responded and began pressing buttons again.

Ibuki scoffed before pulling out her phone.

But then she stiffened once she saw her phone.

Kiyopon peeked over her shoulder and his eyes widened in suprise. He began poking Horikita to get her attention.

" What?" Horikita asked and glanced at them both.

Ibuki held up her phone in front of Horikita's face as the percentage went to 0.

" I don't have anyone to talk to. So I don't usually notice when my battery's about to die. You do it." Ibuki grumbled as she placed her phone back in her pocket.

Horikta sighs, " Allrigh, then..." she said before pulling out her own phone but then her eyes widened.

" Mine is also dead. " she grimly annouced.

' The charger must've been not plugged in last night...' she thought. Don't worry Horikita, most people have experienced that type of disappointment at least once in their lives.

" What about you? Please tell me your phone is charged." Ibuki said to Kiyopon.

Kiyopon nodded and took out his phone in an almost smug manner and fortunately, it has 90% battery left.

Ibuki and Horikita sighed in relief.

" Call someone who you think is capable of getting us out..." Horikita said.

" And is ALSO capable of keeping their mouth shut." Ibuki added.

Kiyopon nodded and instantly began dialing Ichinose's number but unfortunately she didn't pick up.

Kiyopon thought that Ichinose would instantly pick up but right now wasn't the case, unfortunately. Kiyopon scrolled through his contacts and tried to search for someone that Ibuki and Horikita would agree on.

" Don't even try calling any of the three idiots." Horikita coldly said as she peeked over his shoulder.

Kiyopon sighed silently before nodding and continuing his search for the chosen one.

Kiyopon instantly ruled out girls like Karuizawa and that included Mori.

Kiyopon also scrolled over a contact that had " Manabe Shiho " since she's pretty useless for this situation and he doubt that Ibuki would allow a classmate to see her like this. With that, it also ruled out getting Shiina's help.

After a minute of skimming through his contacts, he settled on a certain guy and showed it to Horikita.

Horikita seemed suprised, " Why do you...nevermind. Call him now." Horikita approved.

Kiyopon began to call him and handed his phone to Horikita.

" Are you serious?" She asked and he nodded.

Horikita sighed before taking it and placing it near her ear. " Fine." She said.

The guy picked up and soon, Horikita began to explain the situation while Kiyopon and Ibuki leaned against the elevator wall.

--

Horikita gave Kiyopon his phone back.

" Don't worry, help will come soon. We just have to wait." She assured them both.

The both of them nodded and soon, the waiting game had begun.

And soon, due to the fate chunchunmaru, the vent had stopped working.

" You've gotta be kidding me." Ibuki said in exasperation.

Horikita sighed as she too felt pissed off by this situation. She regretted not listening to Kiyopon.

' Seriously...her predictions are spot on...' Horikita thought.

The temperature began to rise dramatically in this closed space where three people are occupying it.

Sweat began to drip down Kiyopon's face but he tried to keep calm while wearing his usual face.

Horikita was also beginning to sweat but she too is also doing her best to keep calm.

Ibuki however...

" Isn't there a way for us to get out ourselves!" She impatiently said.

" Looks like there is an emergency hatch but..." Horikita trailed off as she began to think.

" How do you get it open?" Ibuki asked as she looked up.

' Emergency hatches aren't that easy to open. They were usually opened from the outside rather than from the inside. Of course, it isn't impossible to open it from the inside but that would require a lot of force. The best solution would be to...' Horikita sighed.

" I think we should just wait. I already asked someone to come and help us and the golden rule in this type of situation is to wait it out, anyway." Horikita said.

" If you can deal with being in a sauna, sure." Ibuki scoffed.

Horikita began to sit down to try and calm herself down. The best way to endure hot places without any shade or cool air, is to distract your mind from the temperature.

Kiyopon took off his sweaty blazer and placed it on the ground next to him as he tried to do the same thing as Horikita.

" I'm going crazy...it's so hot..." Ibuki muttered complaints filled the elevator.

Kiyopon wrote in his notebook, albeit slower than usual.

' If you want, you can sit down with us or you can try to take off your clothes off to try and cool yourself.' It said.

Horikita didn't seem to be suprised in the slightest about how Kiyopon had suggested it. She accepted the fact that Kiyopon tends to write misunderstandings.

But Ibuki was still not ready for that.

" Huh? You can't possibly be thinking of something sleazy in this situation, are you?" She interrogated our protagonist.

Horikita sighed before speaking for him, " He didn't mean to be sleazy or any of the sorts. He's merely suggesting it if you want to try cooling off..." she clarified.

" Still, you do realize that this is a guy, right? And with his usual silent persona , we can never know what he's truly thinking. He might just be a pervert and we just don't evidence to prove it!" Ibuki accused him.

" Ayanokoji-kun is not a pervert." Horikita spoke.

' He's likely the purest person you can ever meet.' She added in her head.

" He's not the type to have lewd thoughts at all. Especially in this troublesome situation..." Horikita said.

Ibuki grunted before sitting down as well, muttering a small " fine." Before trying to fan herself.

Kiyopon closed his eyes as he began to try and clear his mind off things.

Horikita just leaned back and prayed to god that this would end soon.

Ibuki's patience was slowly decimating to dust.

Eventually Ibuki stood up, " That's it. I'm going to try and open the hatch."

" You'll only waste your energy-" Ibuki completely ignored Horikita's warning and tried to use the walls as a spring and tried to kick the elevator hatch open.

Clang! Ibuki managed to kick it but she lacked enough force to even make it budge.

" See?" Horikita sighed.

" Tch. I'm trying again." Ibuki said but Horikita stopped her.

" Stop. You're going to make yourself even more tired and sweaty. Just calm down." She said.

Ibuki sighed, " I hate to say this...but you're right." She sat down in surrender, " Whoever you called to help us, better come quick." She muttered.

" I'm sure he's already on it...just give it some time..." Horikita said before sitting down as well.

" So...fucking hot..." Ibuki whined as she looked melted butter.

" Ngh..." Horikita groaned in agreement as she felt like melted icecream.

Kiyopon's eyes were still closed but he was definitely sweating like the two girls beside him.

" If we die here...I just want to let you know...I hate your guts Horikita." Ibuki said with a tone of acceptance.

Horikita chuckled tiredly in response,
" You really are childish, Ibuki-san..."

In this situation, there was a sense of union between these two rivals. A storm that had previously shook their connection had cleared and now it felt calm as they both began to consider accepting death via elevator sauna.

" I'll kick your ass in the afterlife..." Ibuki said.

" Don't bother...I'll win anyway." Horikita replied.

Kiyopon simply stayed silent like usual.

But then, the elevator had shook and it began going down.

" Huh?" Ibuki said in suprise as both her and Horikita began to stand up.

The elevator door opened and cool air had begun to fill the space.

Two adults had stared at the three in shock. " Are you three okay?!" One of them asked worryingly.

" We're okay...it was...just really hot." The sweaty Horikita replied.

" What about your friend there?" They gestured to Kiyopon.

Ibuki tapped Kiyopon's head. " Oi...wake up...we're free..." she said.

But Kiyopon didn't respond to her touch.

Instead, his snores had begun to leak out as both Horikita and Ibuki's eyes widened in realization.

' He was asleep...the entire time...' both concluded in shock.

Kiyopon was snoring comfortably, as if he wasn't trapped in a troublesome situation despite his sweaty body.

" Is...he asleep?" One of the adults asked in suprise.

Horikita nodded slowly, " Yes...he is..."

The adults began helping the sleeping Kiyopon up as they carried him gently in their arms and made their way towards the nearest clinic.

Ibuki had split off from the group while Horikita followed the adults, she wanted to make sure Kiyopon was okay.

But as she was walking, her eyes landed on Katsuragi who stayed by the sidelines.

She gave a curt nod and Katsuragi responded with one of his own before leaving completely.

As Horikita followed the adults,

She began to wonder.

' Why does Ayanokoji-kun have Katsuragi-kun's contact number? Since when were they close?' She wondered curiously.

Hmm...well...

Guess we'll find out about that on the next chappie, ehe~

Chapter End!

Next chappie will be Kiyopon helping our favorite doctor,plumber,astronaut, JOHNNY SINS- i mean, Katsuragi Kohei...yes.

Stay tuned for the next chappie of Kiyopon Can't Communicate!

MasochisticPaimon, out~

Johnny seems troubled... / Kiyopon scolds Kaichou

Third Person PoV

1. Johnny Sins seems troubled...

Well, let's move on the next side story...hmm...ah right!

Though most of you had probably read volume 4.5 but you're still curious about how our silent protagonist will deal with its events, right?

Yep.

Well, the friendship of Katsuragi and Kiyopon had begun prior to the elevator incident...

--

While Kiyopon was busy looking at a certain name in his notebook...

He had suddenly received a message notification from his phone.

Kiyopon checked his phone and began to read the message which was from Mori Nene.

Contact: Mori Nene

' Heya! Have you seen Kushida-san's message?' She had sent.

Message? Kiyopon was curious about what she meant so he decided to inquire her about it.

' No. What was it?' Kiyopon replied.

' Next wednesday is Inogashira-san's birthday. Would you care to celebrate with us?' She forwarded Kushida's message.

Kiyopon was a bit suprised. So it was Inogashira's birthday huh...

' Our group is planning to buy some presents for her. If you want, you can join us!' She texted.

A group of girls? Kiyopon would usually join but...he still wasn't too comfortable with that much attention.

Especially when it's a group filled with the opposite sex .

Kiyopon already predicted that if he were to join in, then he'd likely just make their conversation awkward.

A boy in a girls conversation will make him stick out like a sore thumb. With that, he decided to politely decline her offer.

' Sorry...I'm not too good with being in a group of girls...I'll probably drag the group down.' He replied.

' Huh? What are you talking about? You wouldn't drag us down at all! Besides, the girls think your presence is well-appreciated and I think so too! ' she replied instantly. She was suprisingly insistent on having Kiyopon join their group.

' But...I'm not too good with conversation...' he still tried to decline her.

' Yes you are! You're suprisingly good to talk to...despite the fact that you communicate via notebook but that doesn't matter! ' she replied.

Kiyopon genuinely felt happy from that.

He was glad that people didn't think of him as a bad person to talk to...due to the inconvenience of him communicating through his notebook.

He sighed quietly to himself before making his final decision after thinking it over once more.

' Okay, I'll join.' He replied.

' Yay! ' she replied.

' But who are the girls joining with you?' Kiyopon decided to ask.

' Myself, Karuizawa, Shinohara, Sato, Matsushita. I also tried to ask Horikita-san to join us buttt...you of all people know how she is~ ' she texted.

' I thought you and Horikita get along well?' Kiyopon questioned.

He clearly saw the friendship they managed to develop during the island exam. It couldn't have possibly vanished after that exam...

' We do! But she doesn't want to go simply because of the other girls with me. I really wanted her to get along with other girls too, you know?' She answered .

Ah...Kiyopon understood now. Horikita is definitely improving, she knows she can't do things alone. She did her best to lead the class in both the island and zodiac exam after all.

But...she was still quite distant when it came to friendships. She still built a wall around herself that only a few people were allowed through.

Of course, one of them being Kiyopon himself.

With that question answered, Kiyopon had no further questions.

' I see. I understand. When do we meet up?' He asked.

Mori quickly sent the details and Kiyopon replied with a thumbs up before they both bid their goodbyes. Successfully ending the conversation.

Kiyopon sat on his bed.

With only one question in mind.

What exactly should he gift Inogashira?

He also had to take in account of the fact that he had...little points right now.

Well, not little. But it isn't big enough to buy something expensive for a girl...

Was Inogashira the type to like expensive gifts?

Kiyopon immediately shook that question away and sighed.

No. She isn't like that. Kiyopon concluded.

Kiyopon then began to realize how little he knows his classmates besides Horikita, Mori, Hirata, and the three idiots.

The only thing that Kiyopon knew about the girl named Inogashira Kokoro was that she was quite shy and that sewing is her favorite hobby.

Maybe he can ask Mori about some cheap but good suggestions of gifts to buy as Inogashira's present tomorrow when they meet...

--

" Oh, you're finally here!" Mori waved Kiyopon over.

Kiyopon walks towards them.

" Hm? Oh, Ayanokoji-kun!" Karuizawa greeted with a wave.

Kiyopon nods and soon exchanged greetings with the other girls.

After that, Kiyopon's hare- I mean, the group proceeded to roam around Keyaki mall in order to shop for Inogashira's present.

While the other girls were having a conversation about their usual topics and sometimes switching it to gushing about Kiyopon.

Mori decided to slow down and match Kiyopon's pace since he was mostly trailing behind the group, likely on purpose.

Kiyopon seemed lost in thought until Mori gently knocked on his head.

" Hello~~ Is Ayanokoji-kun here?" She says teasingly.

Kiyopon snapped out of his thoughts and jolts in suprise when he sees Mori behind him.

" Did I startle you? My bad. You seemed distracted and you were trailing behind quite a bit..." she said with a grin.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' Sorry.' It said.

Mori giggles before waving away his apology dismissively.

" It's no problem. But if you don't mind, may I know what you were thinking about?" She asked curiously.

Kiyopon nodded and began writing in his notebook once more.

' I want your help on picking out a gift for Inogashira. Something not too expensive since...I'm not that abundant in points right now.' It said.

" Hmm...okay!" She nodded.

" But!" She propped a finger, emphasizing her ' but ' .

Kiyopon tilted his head, which was a sign of him giving his attention.

" You'll have to go on a date with me one day!" She said with a grin.

Kiyopon's brain froze.

A date? Kiyopon wondered if it was a friendly date or...a romantic one.

But he erased those thought soon after. This was Mori, after all.

She likely wanted a friendly date, from what he could deduce. He shouldn't make it complicated for the both of them by asking whether or not this was a romantic date.

" Deal?" She said while lending her hand for him to supposedly shake.

That's right.

It was probably a friendly date...

Mori doesn't seem to be the type to like boys like Kiyopon in that way. She just wanted to hang out but phrased it in such a way that may suggest either a friendly date or a romantic one.

After concluding that , Kiyopon was about to shake her hand until she suddenly grabbed his hand and held tight before suddenly moving towards the store.

" I'll take it as a yes, but let's hurry up! We're losing the group!" She said with urgency as she began dragging Kiyopon.

--

The duo made it to the department store and managed to catch up with the group.

" Huh? Where did Karuizawa-san go?" Asked Mori.

" Karuizawa-san is out trying some clothes with Sato-san and Matsushita-san." Shinohara answered.

" You're not joining them?" Mori asked.

Shinohara shakes her head, " I was actually waiting for you two. Where were you guys?" She asked Kiyopon and Mori with suspicious eyes.

Mori casually laughed before answering, " Gomene~ I was having an interesting conversation with Ayanokoji-kun and we didn't even realize we were trailing behind. Right, Ayanokoji-kun?" She said and glanced towards Kiyopon.

Kiyopon nodded before writing in his notebook.

' Sorry we had to make you wait.' It said.

Shinohara seemed to be satisfied with that answer.

Kiyopon was impressed with how Mori lied so seamlessly...

It looked so natural and if Kiyopon were to be in Shinohara's place, then he'd most likely believe Mori too.

Kiyopon inwardly sighed to himself. Why was he overthinking on such a small thing?

Brushing those thoughts aside, he began to notice a small group of girls approaching towards them.

" Oh? Hey!" Kushida happily greeted.

" Kushida-san? Are you here to pick out a gift too?" Shinohara asked.

Kushida nodded before presenting she girls she brought with her.

" Mii-chan and Ruri-chan." She said.

The two girls that were introduced, Mei-Yu Wang and Ichihashi Ruri, waved at us with polite smiles.

" Would you three like to join our group? After all, we're here for the same reason as you." Mori happily proposed.

" Sure! What do you girls think?" Kushida asked Mii-chan and Ichihashi.

" Sure!" Mii-chan quickly agreed.

" It'll be more fun that way, right?" Ichihashi also seemed to agree.

Soon, their groups merged and this time, Mori was being dragged into their conversation while Kiyopon stayed behind looking at the items in store.

Kiyopon realized that this may be harder than he initially thought.

Not only was he with a group full of girls.

He was also in a store in which girls frequented. And he obviously had zero experience in picking out a gift for a girl.

Mori was seemingly busy with the conversation she was having with Mii-chan and Ichihashi and Kiyopon didn't want to interrupt her, even though she made a deal with him about helping him select a gift.

Kiyopon sighed to himself as he halted and decided to look at the different items on the aisle that was nearby.

Kiyopon picked out a stuffed bear. It was snow white, decorated with ribbons and its belly captioned ' Little Darling' .

It looks pretty. Kiyopon thought.

He checked its price and soon after, he immediately placed it back on the shelf before exiting the aisle.

He decided to look around for different shelves until his ears picked up a certain name.

" Oh! This dress looks so pretty, Manabe-san!" A girl said.

Manabe...Kiyopon's eyes slowly glanced towards the place where he had heard the voice.

There she was, not too far away from where Kiyopon was standing. She was currently with two other girls.

Kiyopon managed to recognize them as Nanami Yabu and Yamashita Saki, those two were the people that she hangs out with often.

" Ooo, you're right. It does look pretty ." Manabe agreed, though she lacked much enthusiasm in her tone.

Her friends didn't seem to mind though.

I guess that's normal for them...Kiyopon thought.

Kiyopon wondered why they were here though. Their trio didn't seem to be too fond of shopping.

" Hey, let's give Rika-chan this dress. Maybe she'll like it!" Yamashita suggested.

" Huh? Where did you come from Saki? Weren't you supposed to guard Rika while she's changing?" Nanami said in a confused tone.

" A." Yamashita seemed to have realise her mistake and immediately apologize, " S-Sorry! I completely forgot! I'll head back now!"

Manabe sighed and calmed her friend down, " It's fine. But you know how nervous Rika gets so don't do this next time...anyway, we were just about to return to the dressing room." She assured while lightly reprimanding her.

Yamashita apologized again before she went back to the dressing room with Nanami Yabu while Manabe seemed to stop.

Manabe slowly turned her head to meet Kiyopon's gaze.

She wore an irritated expression upon seeing him while Kiyopon stayed blank as usual.

T ense Starreeee~~~~ vs

' Why does he have to be a weirdo...' Manabe thought.

Kiyopon decided to give her a slight nod as a greeting.

Manabe sighed and gave him a small, wave as her greeting before going to the dressing room where her friends are.

Manabe Shiho.

A student from Class C.

A recent friend of Kiyopon.

And also his own tool to use.

Kiyopon immediately erased that last thought.

He'd rather not think about it now.

During the island cruise ship, he had a certain interaction with Manabe.

They started on good terms but Kiyopon had done something unexpected that had transformed their relationship to something that'd be frowned upon if others knew.

Oh? You want to know the details? You're curious on his version of spreading legs?

I won't explain that just yet. :)

As Kiyopon walked around the store once more, he was suddenly suprised with a sight he never thought he'd see.

Katsuragi Kohei of Class 1-A was...examining a box he picked up from the shelf?

It seemed to be a red velvet colored box, though Kiyopon didn't know its contents.

Katsuragi wore his usual stern look but he also seemed a bit nervous. Worried even.

Is he going to shoplift? Kiyopon wondered.

But Katsuragi returned the thin box back to the shelf and took down a similar one and proceeded to do the same motions again.

After a while, he finally settled on a box before leaving the shelf and proceeding to the counter.

Out of curiosity, Kiyopon walked to shelf to see what Katsuragi had picked out.

" Yo, Ayanokoji!" Ike had called.

Kiyopon turned his head to see Yamauchi and Ike coming towards them with quick strides.

The idiot duo stood on opposite sides of Kiyopon.

" Did you see that? Katsuragi checking out this shelf, I mean." Ike whispered.

" This shelf is...wait...its products are chocolate!" Yamauchi said.

" Huh?! No way!" Ike's expression morphed into one of shock.

What were these two going on about... Kiyopon silently wondered as he poked Ike.

" Huh?" Ike snapped out of his trance.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook..

' What's wrong with Katsuragi buying chocolates? ' it said

" Nothing. But the box he picked had such cute wrapping with ribbons to top it off! He must be giving it to someone special..." Yamauchi theorized.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' What if it's for a friend?' It asked.

" Oh...poor little innocent Ayanokoji." Ike shook his head in a way which suggested that Kiyopon was naive.

Well...Kiyopon is pretty naive.

" It's weird if you give a friend that type of chocolate box! No. this must mean something else..." Ike added.

Something else? Kiyopon thought.

But before he could ask, the two boys instantly hid behind the shelves near the counter where Katsuragi had walked to.

Kiyopon silently walked towards the two boys and curiously listened in.

" Is this a birthday present for someone?" The clerk asked.

" Yes." Katsuragi confirmed.

" Would you like to add a birthday card?" The clerk asked.

" Yes, please. The birthday is August 29." Katsuragi replied.

The clerk nodded and proceeded to add a birthday card on the gift before putting it in another bag.

Katsuragi soon left.

" HE HAS A GIRLFRIEND!" Yamauchi and Ike yelled at the same time which gathered the attention of nearby students.

" Ah, shit." Ike whispered, soon realising that slip up.

Kiyopon honestly thought that these two were being unbelievable with their thought process. It didn't necessarily have to be a girlfriend but at the same time...it could be.

Now that Kiyopon had thought about it more. It seemed to be the natural thought process of a normal boy to assume that such a gift would be gifted to a girl.

Kiyopon decided to store that information in his mind. If ever he gets a girlfriend.

" Uhh...what are you three doing?" Kushida's voice was heard.

Kiyopon and dumb and dumber turned their heads to Kushida with their merged group.

" Uh, nothing!" Yamauchi and Ike said, looking more suspicious than ever.

" Okay...oh! There you are, Ayanokoji-kun." Kushida turned to Kiyopon.

" Mori-san was looking for you-" but Kushida was suddenly interrupted when suddenly a girl went past her.

Mori stood in front of Kiyopon with an apologetic face.

" Sorry! I got distracted in the conversation till I realized that I had to help you out first." then she took a deep breath before continuing, " Where were you? I was looking for you and- ah, whatever!"

She grabbed Kiyopon's hand and proceeded to go to a certain aisle.

" Let's pick out your gift!" She said while she dragged him away.

' Lucky guy...' Both Ike and Yamauchi thought in both envy and respect.

--

2. Kiyopon scolds the president?!

Kiyopon rested in his room.

And he bought NOTHING.

Even with Mori's help, he couldn't seem to be content with the items she suggested he should buy as a gift for Inogashira.

He believed in her judgement but...

Something didn't sit with him right with these suggestions...

It didn't feel like something he should gift her...

Well, he still appreciated Mori for helping him out and he was intending to keep his side of the deal.

Mori said she'll call him when they're both free for the date she wanted.

So he'll just have to wait for that particular day.

Kiyopon sighed to himself.

Maybe he can search around in different stores by himself tomorrow.

--

Why is it so hot... Kiyopon mentally complained as he roamed around Keyaki mall, scanning the multiple shops lined up on opposite sides.

Kiyopon glanced at the many students who were relaxing in the mall and hanging out with their friends, dressed in casual clothing.

Kiyopon then realized that he forgot about a certain detail yesterday.

Katsuragi was in his uniform at the time.

Why? Kiyopon wondered as he furrowed his brows, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation for his behaviour.

" Hey, it's been a while." A familiar voice greeted.

Kiyopon snapped out of his thought and looked towards two familiar senpais of his.

Horikita Manabu of Class 3-A , student council president, Horikita's brother, the same man who offered his little sister's hand in marriage to Kiyopon so suddenly.

The short woman who accompanied him, Tachibana Akane of Class 3- A, the diligent secretary of the student council, sticks to Horikita Manabu...almost like glue.

Kiyopon wondered if she was interested in Horikita's brother romantically...

" Hello? President Horikita is speaking to you, Silent Kohai." Tachibana said with narrowed eyes.

Kiyopon snapped out of his thoughts and bowed his head slightly for his rudeness.

" It's okay, Ayanokoji." Manabu dismissed Kiyopon's apology.

Kiyopon nods before writing in his notebook.

' I'm suprised to see you here.' It said.

" Are you? Well, I suppose so. After all, I was shopping while Tachibana stubbornly accompanied me." Manabu said with a sigh.

" Kaichou, I thought you said I wasn't a bother..." Tachibana interjected.

" You aren't. But that didn't erase the fact that you were quite stubborn in accompanying me." Manabu retorted.

Tachibana merely pouts at that.

They're cute together. Kiyopon thought to himself.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' I see. Is the student council busy like always?' It said.

" Yes, it is. We decided to do some reorganizing work in the student council room." Tachibana explained.

Kiyopon nodded.

Manabu looks towards Kiyopon with a serious gaze, " Ayanokoji, if you have no prior engagements, aside from the engagement you have to my sister of course. Would you accompany me?" He asked while unnecessarily mentioning that...engagement part.

" Huh? Ayanokoji-kun is going to marry your sister?" Tachibana asked in shock.

Kiyopon furiously wrote in his notebook in order to correct this misunderstanding.

' I never said anything about marrying Horikita Suzune.' It said.

Manabu chuckled.

' Only time will tell, Ayanokoji...' he silently thought to himself before dismissing it.

" It was just a joke, Tachibana. Anyway, back to the matter. Are you free?" Manabu asked.

Kiyopon nods.

He was curious to see what the president wanted from him.

--

Manabu and Kiyopon sat on the bench.

Manabu looks at Tachibana, who was standing next to him like a loli bodyguard.

" You can return to the dorms now, Tachibana." Manabu offered.

" No. If you don't mind, I'd like to stay here." Tachibana said.

Manabu didn't seem to mind her presence so he just dismissed it with a sigh before turning towards our silent protagonist.

" The student council has received reports of the results from the island test, and the test on the ship. Were they difficult?" Manabu asked.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook...

' Yes, they were. But I'm suprised to find out that the student council managed to get ahold of those results.' Kiyopon had directed the question to his favor.

" Well, I don't know how detailed the reports really are. The individual actions taken during the tests remain unclear." Manabu replied.

Kiyopon nodded and inwardly sighed in relief.

" But one way or another, some information always ends up leaked. I know that you outsmarted the other classes on the island and managed to prevent the Class D's VIP from being discovered in the Rabbit group." Manabu added with a smirk.

Kiyopon inwardly sighed in disappointment.

Manabu continued, " The name Horikita Suzune came up after the island test. I heard that she became Class D's true leader and outsmarted everyone. However, I think that you were responsible."

Everything was handed to me on a silver platter...Kiyopon silently thought to himself.

He was simply lucky enough to gain some clues regarding what Ryuuen had planned to do.

At first, Kiyopon was content with Class D either winning or losing. He didn't really care about Class A.

But...

"I...dissapointed my brother...I dissapointed Class D...I disappointed sensei...hah...I probably disappointed you as well...even when you don't say anything..." She said before chuckling to herself.

" And most importantly..." she pulled up her knees and hid her teary face.

" I dissapointed myself..." she said.

" Especially myself... " she emphasized.

That scene in particular.

Kiyopon...had a difficult time identifying the feeling he had felt at the time when he heard those words from her.

She was broken...well...she was close to breaking until Kiyopon decided to win.

It was then, that he realized, that he had truly begun to care for another person. And it was his first friend in this very school. Horikita Suzune.

Kiyopon promised that he'll help her reach Class A.

But before that, preparations had to be made.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook...

' Is this information exclusive to the council only?' It said.

" Not entirely. The special committee and I are the only ones who know this. Well, and now Secretary Tachibana. The homeroom teachers don't have this information, so you can relax." He assured.

Kiyopon could not believe how much power the student council held. He didn't think they possessed information that not even the teachers were aware about...

With that in mind, Kiyopon wrote down his question.

' What exactly is the student council?' It said.

" The student council itself has no power. The abilities of the person seated at the top are paramount." Manabu answered.

A bold statement. Kiyopon thought.

But he kept it to himself and nodded, understanding Manabu's little hint.

" Well, I have only one question to ask you, Ayanokoji." Manabu says before staring at Kiyopon with a serious look.

" Are you sure that you don't want to join the student council? I can even make you vice presi-"

Kiyopon had written his answer and showed it to him.

' Nope.' It said.

Tachibana was flabbergasted.

' SERIOUSLY?! HE REJECTED HIM TWICE?! ' Tachibana thought to herself.

Manabu lets out a small chuckle before standing up from his seat. " Very well then."

" Let's go, Tachibana." Manabu said.

" Y-Yes!" Tachibana said before picking up the shopping bags.

" Let me-" but Tachibana denied Manabu once more.

" I...can do it!" She somehow managed to carry 4 bags by herself.

Manabu sighs.

" See you later, Ayanokoji-"

" Hold on." Kiyopon suprisingly said before standing up.

It seems that he has one question he'd like to ask.

" Hm? Have you reconsidered-"

" No." He denied it with a soft tone before speaking again.

" I want to ask you this: Why do you push Horikita away?" He asked softly as he stared him dead in the eye.

This question was in the back of his head for quite a while ever since his first meeting with Horikita's older brother.

Their relationship seemed...rocky.

But Horikita had told him stories about herself and her brother during the times when they were happier until he pushed her away.

Kiyopon wondered why that was the case.

Had Horikita Manabu develop some kind of grudge against his little sister?

Did Horikita Manabu possess a superiority complex over his sister?

Whatever it is, he intended to find out now since this seemed like the best time.

Manabu and Tachibana stared back at Kiyopon siilently.

Seeing that Manabu hadn't answered.

Kiyopon continued, " I don't know what it's like to have a sibling. But I'm sure that older siblings wouldn't push away their younger siblings without a certain reason. I want to know that reason. It may be prying into both yours and your sister's private life, but I can't help being curious." He said.

" Ayanokoji. " Manabu finally spoke.

" That's not the question that you really want to know, right? I'm sure you already deduced the reason why I push her away due to Suzune most likely telling you her side of the story. You're a smart person, after all." Manabu said.

He had basically implied that Kiyopon knew how to piece the puzzle pieces together quite easily. That he had already deduced the reason why by hearing out Horikita's stories.

Kiyopon nodded slowly, admitting to it.

" What's your actual question, then?" Manabu inquired.

" Why do you think Horikita will never reach Class A?" Kiyopon asked, intending to lead this to a certain path.

" I know everything there is to know about my little sister's capabilities. She's a stubborn brat who confuses independence with solitude. With that mindset as one of the reasons she'll-"

" That's not true." Kiyopon said.

Manabu raised a brow. " If you're talking about her opening up to you and accepting you as her friend, then that's not even-"

" You know nothing about the current Suzune." Kiyopon boldly states.

Manabu closed his mouth at that.

Tachibana stared, wide-eyed at this conversation.

' Should...should I even be here...' she thought as sweat began to drip down the side of her head.

" She was stubborn at first. I noticed that trait immediately, the moment we met. But she's not the same person you think she is today. She's changed." Kiyopon releases a sigh before continuing.

" She's embracing her role as leader. She knows that she needs to work with everyone to reach the top. She knows that she still has much to learn and a lot to prove to herself and others." Kiyopon says.

It was silent for a while...

" Have you heard of this quote, Ayanokoji? ' Knowing is not enough, you must apply.' " Manabu said.

" ' Willing is not enough, you must do.' " Kiyopon completed the quote.

" So you have heard of it." Manabu said.

" Yes. One of Bruce Lee's famous quotes." Kiyopon nodded.

" That applies to Suzune. You're telling me that she's aware of her role and is fully embracing it and realizes that she still has much to learn. But none of that will matter if she does nothing that can reflect your bold words. " Manabu said.

" The reports were not detailed to point where it reported each individual's actions, yes?" Kiyopon inquired.

Manabu nodded, confirming once more.

" Which means you had no way of confirming whether or not Horikita applied all of which I mentioned before." Kiyopon says.

Manabu slowly nods.

" So let me give you a brief explanation of what she had achieved during the island test and zodiac exam. During the island test, Horikita had already grouped us into different teams for collecting food and searching for spots. The next day, one of our classmates had to retire due to him being " sick" which caused frustration amongst my classmates, but Horikita calmed that situation down and had us focused on the exam at all cost. A few days later, another situation was escalating. A certain issue between the girls and the boys which could've torn the class's unity if it weren't for Horikita de-escalating that situation and building the trust back. " Kiyopon decided to leave it at that. Intentionally leaving out the last day of the exam.

Manabu nods slowly.

" The zodiac exam. Despite the slight problem with class communication, Horikita kept tabs on everything that happened within our class as to increase our chances of getting the biggest win in that exam. Unfortunately, Class C had managed to one-up over us and we only managed to scrape-by with a small win because of the Monkey group and my group, the Rabbit group. This failure affected Horikita but it only added to her growth as a leader, and now, she's more determined than ever." Kiyopon finally finished.

Manabu took all that information in. He was suprised by it all.

Could his sister had really changed? This much?

An awkward silence ensued once more...

Kiyopon sighs before bowing his head slightly, " Sorry. I said too much. I'll leave now." He said before turning around, intending to leave it at that.

" Why do you care so much for my sister, Ayanokoji? So much to the point that you're willing to defend her from my words." Manabu suddenly said, halting Kiyopon's movements.

" Because..." Kiyopon paused.

He was doing it again...

That familiar feeling...

Kiyopon wondered why he said all that.

This was a troublesome predicament that he placed himself in...but...oh well...

" She's my friend." Kiyopon said.

" You must be a good friend then. As you had mentioned, you do know a lot more about the ' current' Suzune than I do..." Manabu said.

" Wanna know something else then?" Kiyopon said before facing him once more.

" What?" Manabu asked.

" I think as her older brother. Instead of leaving her alone, pushing her away, to find her own path to grow. You should instead guide to her own path. You don't have to hold her hand like a child, just advise her and walk with her until she's ready to go down that path alone. Don't you think?" Kiyopon said.

" I..." Manabu trailed off.

Kiyopon had a point.

Manabu realized now...that he was going about it the wrong way...

How dare he call himself her older brother when he barely knows anything about the current her.

Not only that, he misunderstood the differences between guiding her and letting her become independent to find her own path.

Suzune was all alone and he...

" I understand..." Manabu says.

Kiyopon slowly nods before silently walking away, leaving the shocked Manabu and the even more shocked Tachibana.

" Tachibana." Manabu suddenly calls.

Tachibana flinched and replied quickly, " Y-Yes!" She squeaked.

" Do I have any work or appointments on saturday?" He asked.

" U-Um...no..." Tachibana answered.

Manabu sighed in relief before walking back to the dorms with Tachibana by his side.

" Then please set an appointment for my sister and I . I have...much to discuss with her." Manabu said.

" Understood." Tachibana noted.

--

Horikita yawned as she just woke up from her sleep.

She noticed that she had an email notification that was sent yesterday.

She checked her phone and read the email.

Her sleepy eyes began to widen the further she read into it.

" N-Nii-san...wants to talk to me...?" She choked out in suprise.

Chapter End!

That was long.

Sorry for not updating for like...two days?

Yep. More Manabe and Kiyopon interactions will come soon in this volume and also the backstory on how they got into contact.

Johnny sins is quite troubled and yes, Kiyopon will try to help him.

And as for the relationship between Suzune and Manabu?

It seems like Kiyopon is mending their bond quite early on.

Kiyopon is the best homie you could ever have.

Casually reprimands the student council president despite said president being both feared and respected among the students.

Tachibana prolly having a breakdown throughout that entire conversation lmao.

Till next chappie~

SadisticPaimon, out~

Just one person. / A deal with Kamipon himself!

Third Person PoV

1. Just one person...

Kiyopon watched as Katsuragi entered the school building.

So that's why he wore a uniform...Kiyopon thought.

Well, that solved one mystery. But Kiyopon noticed he went in with the gift he held in his hand.

Could he be delivering that gift to someone in the school? Kiyopon wondered.

Kiyopon sighed quietly to himself and left his hiding spot to go back to the mall.

This was none of his business, so why bother?

Besides, he still had yet to decide on his present for Inogashira.

--

Kiyopon stood in front of the shelf with its selection of boxes chocolate. The same shelf where Katsuragi had been agonizing on before settling on his gift.

Kiyopon took a box and examined it.

Would she like chocolate? He wondered.

Would a box of chocolates be okay for her?

Kiyopon inwardly sighed.

This was getting harder and harder...

Maybe he should've just went along with Mori's suggestions, even if he himself didn't feel right about it.

Kiyopon sighed and decided to place the box back on the shelf. There's still time to search for a proper gift.

But when Kiyopon tried to exit the aisle, a loud female voice suddenly yelled.

" W-Watch out!" She warned frantically.

Kiyopon looks towards the voice and his eyes spotted a woman with chestnut brown hair, and some sort of flower hairpin on the right side of her head. She was running at an urgent pace while holding a bunch of bags.

Bam! Her body suddenly collided with Kiyopon's

" Oof!" She lets out a sound as she began stumbling back.

Swip! She suddenly began slipping back due to a wet floor.

" W-Woah!" She said in suprise as she began falling.

But Kiyopon quickly placed an arm behind her and successfully caught her before she could fall on her butt.

" Eep!" She squeaked in suprise as Kiyopon slowly helped her regain her balance.

" Thank you... phew..." she sighed in relief.

Kiyopon silently nods.

Kiyopon observed her appearance a bit further. She is pretty, that's for sure. She wore green off-shoulders with skinny ripped jeans.

The girl looks at Kiyopon and smiles awkwardly, " Thanks for saving me...that would've been an embarassing moment..." she said.

Kiyopon nods.

Suddenly, as if a switched flipped inside her head.

The girl began to narrow her eyes as she took a step closer to Kiyopon and closed in on his face.

Kiyopon was a bit taken aback, so he tried to step back but the girl simply took another step forward in response.

Eventually, Kiyopon's back bumped into the shelf behind him and a few items began falling off the top of the shelf.

Kiyopon's eyes widened and he immediately reacted to the situation by catching them as quickly as he can before they hit the ground.

He held all the items in his hand. Kiyopon sighed in relief.

But...unfortunately...

" Wow...nice reflexes..." The girl blurted out.

Kiyopon paused.

She saw everything.

S h e s a w e v e r y t h i n g . . . .

Kiyopon silently placed the items back on the shelf before slowly turning towards the brown haired girl.

Stareeeeee~~~~~~~~ vs

Oh! And Kiyopon greets everyone a happy valentines day!

Accept Kiyopon's cream! Ice cream :)

" You're...the one who communicates via notebook, right?" The girl finally asked.

Kiyopon nodded and began writing in his notebook.

' How do you know? ' it said.

The girl began giggling before speaking, " Are you seriously unaware of what's going on around you?" She said in an amused tone.

Kiyopon shrugs.

" Well, first of all. There was that viral cute picture of you and...Shiina Hiyori from Class C, if I'm not mistaken." She said and pulled out her phone to show the photo.

Kiyopon stared at the photo in suprise.

Is this why...Ryuuen was thanking him when they encountered eachother on the island exam?

" Not only that, but you're currently ranked high on a list made by the girls in our school." She said before accessing another app on her phone and proceeded to show Kiyopon the rankings.

List ranking of the cutest boys in school!

1. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka

Kiyopon stared at his own name in silence.

" Seriously? No reaction? No ego boost or anything like that?" The girl said.

Kiyopon glanced at the girl once more before writing in his notebook.

' I'm definitely suprised. I didn't think I'd be number one on a list like that...' it said.

She looked at him in suprise,
" You're...suprisingly modest, huh..." she said.

Kiyopon shrugs in response.

The girl grins and held her hand out,
" Can I borrow your phone?" She asked.

Kiyopon raised a brow but took out his phone anyway and handed it to her.

Since he had already unlocked it for her, she had no problem and proceeded to type fast before handing the phone back to Kiyopon.

Kiyopon took it and checked what she did with his phone.

His eyes widened in suprise.

Contact: Your Favorite Senpai~

" I hope you don't mind~ oh, and my name is Asahina Nazuna." She said before picking up her bags and walking past Kiyopon to exit the store.

Kiyopon stared at her back until she took a turn and disappeared from his view.

Asahina Nazuna...Kiyopon repeated her name and looked at the contact she made for herself in his phone once more.

Much to his suprise, she was a senpai.

A senpai that proudly nicknamed herself as Kiyopon's " favorite senpai" in his contact list, even though they just met today.

But the question that really mattered to him was...

Was she a friend?

Kiyopon wasn't sure yet. But maybe this was her personal way of saying that they were friends now?

If that was the case...then...

Kiyopon began writing her name in his notebook.

Friends - Horikita, Ichinose, Amikura, Shiina, Hiyori, Ibuki, Hirata, Karuizawa, Asahina.

Kiyopon closed his notebook with a satisfied hum.

But when Kiyopon turned around, another suprising figure stopped in his path.

It was Katsuragi.

" It's a suprise to see you here..." he said.

Kiyopon nods slowly.

Kiyopon notices that Katsuragi was still holding the gift bag. Kiyopon guessed that Katsuragi had likely not handed his present to whoever it was for.

Kiyopon begins to write in his notebook...

' I was picking a present for a girl.' It said.

" Hm? Do you have a girlfriend, Ayanokoji?" Katsuragi asked.

Kiyopon immediately denies that assumption and immediately writes in his notebook...

' No. It's for a girl classmate.' It said.

Katsuragi let out a small 'ah' and nodded in understanding.

Kiyopon begins writing in his notebook...

' I'll be frank with you. Were you wearing your uniform because you wanted to enter the school?' It said.

It wasn't the question Kiyopon had actually wanted to ask. But if Kiyopon seemed too aware of Katsuragi's motives, then Katsuragi will be definitely on-guard around Kiyopon.

And that's something our silent protagonist would like to prevent.

Katsuragi's eyes widened a bit in suprise due to Kiyopon's observation.

" You noticed, huh. But to answer your question, Yes. I've various private matters that requires me to enter the school." Katsuragi calmly answered.

Kiyopon points at the bag that Katsuragi was holding.

Katsuragi raised a brow.

" What...?" He asked.

Kiyopon repeatedly points at Katsuragi's back and tilted his head slightly to express his curiosity.

" Ah, I see. Well, it's a birthday gift for someone important to me. A box of chocolates is what I planned to give them." Katsuragi said.

Kiyopon nods in understanding.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' Well, I'll get going now. It was nice talking to you, Katsuragi. ' it said.

But before Kiyopon could walk past Katsuragi.

Katsuragi suddenly spoke, " How about we walk for a while? I'm curious about something."

Kiyopon's eyes gazed at Katsuragi's expression.

" Of course, it wouldn't be related to class matters or private life. I just want your opinion on something." Katsuragi clarified.

Kiyopon thought about it before eventually nodding to his request.

--

Johnny Sins and the yet to be discovered king of the dinosaurs, walked side by side in a decent pace.

And yes, PoV-chan confirmed that Kiyopon does indeed possess the T-Rex.

But that leaves one question.

Does Hornykoji or as some of you may have nicknamed it, " Hornypon", exist in this fic?

Who knows!

Anyway, back to the matter at hand...

" Have you ever thought about the disadvantages of attending this school?" Katsuragi finally spoke.

Kiyopon wondered if this was the question Katsuragi wanted his answer or opinion on.

Taking Kiyopon's silence as a sign to elaborate the question further. Katsuragi continued.

" I don't particulary mean the division of students in classes. I mean something that affects all of us equally." Katsuragi said.

Something that affects all of us equally...Kiyopon had a guess but decided to stay silent about it.

" You know, the stipulation that you can't contact anyone from the outside." Katsuragi finally said.

Kiyopon gives noises of agreement.

Though, Kiyopon had personally considered that an advantage. No contact from the outside was what led him here in the first place.

Or...to be more precise...

That particular rule is what got him sent here in the first place..

" What do you think of it, Ayanokoji?" Katsuragi said before stopping and staring at Kiyopon in the eye.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' It is definitely a disadvantage but I'm not too bothered by it.' It said.

" You're not too bothered by it?" Katsuragi repeated in question.

Kiyopon nodded.

" Don't you want to contact your parents or siblings?" Katsuragi asked.

Kiyopon didn't respond to that but instead stared at Katsuragi silently.

Katuragi averted his gaze soon after.

" I apologize. I was prying too much, wasn't I? " he said.

Indeed he was.

But...it would be a lie to say that Kiyopon didn't have a person from the outside that he'd like to message.

His loyal maid, Matsou Emiko.

Lmao. Just fucking with ya'll.

His loyal caretaker. A butler named Matsou.

Kiyopon would've liked to message him and tell him about everything that's happened.

Well, he can't dwell on that forever.

Kiyopon began writing in his notebook.

' No worries. I suppose I do have a person I'd like to contact from the outside. But don't you think the benefits of this school outweighs the cons?' It said.

Katsuragi nodded. " True. Both the point system, and the quality of the facilities here, are things that ordinary students can only dream of." He said.

This entire school felt like a little city. It provided everything that students from other schools would be crying for.

But Kiyopon noticed that Katsuragi is still dissatisfied with the rule in which outside contact is prohibited .

That's when it hit Kiyopon's head.

Kiyopon began writing in his notebook.

' You're planning on sending that gift to the outside, aren't you?' It said.

Katsuragi froze.

They both stopped walking.

Kiyopon stared at Katsuragi's expression.

" Let's seperate here. Thank you for accompanying me, Ayanokoji." Katsuragi said, curtly, before walking away.

Kiyopon stared at Katsuragi's retreating back and sighed to himself.

Now Katsuragi will be a bit more guarded around Kiyopon...

Well, it wasn't all too bad. Kiyopon managed to identify the reason why Katsuragi was wearing his uniform and the reason why he was still holding onto that gift.

Student requests go through the student council, if Kiyopon wasn't mistaken.

But...

Didn't Tachibana-senpai mention something about renovations? Kiyopon wondered back to his last conversation with Manabu and Tachibana.

Well, besides that, there was only one question remaining but it seems unnecessary to ask.

Who exactly is the person he's gifting it to?

--

2. A deal with Kamipon himself!

Kiyopon noticed the group of Kushida, Ike and Yamauchi, standing around the outside of the dormitory.

What are they doing? Kiyopon wondered to himself until he overheard their conversation.

" Kikyo-chan will help with buying a present for Katsuragi as well?" Ike asked.

" Of course! Katsuragi-kun has done quite a bit for me, too. " Kushida nodded with a smile.

Yamauchi and Ike both seemed happier with Kushida around. Kiyopon wondered what would happen if...her other side was shown to the entire class.

Horikita still held the video of Kushida's other side as proof for everyone to see if Kushida violates the deal and tries to sabotage their class.

Kiyopon hoped that Kushida won't do anything stupid.

If they were to expell Kushida, then they'd lose class points as well.

Kiyopon wondered if there's a situation...that...

Kiyopon sighs, brushing away his thoughts as he turned his gaze to a suprising figure who was currently sitting on a bench.

Kiyopon walks towards her and sits beside her.

" Ayanokoji-kun?" Horikita glanced at Kiyopon.

Kiyopon nods.

" Good morning. I didn't expect to see you here." She says in a softer tone than usual.

Kiyopon raised a brow.

He observed her expression and noticed that her usual stern look had transformed into a look of calm excitement.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook and shows it to her.

' You look excited. Did something happen?' It said.

" I do? I didn't think you'd notice..." Horikita muttered as she sighed.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' We're close enough to the point where I can identify your different expressions by mere glance.' It said.

Horikita chuckles, " I suppose so..."

It was silent for a while.

Until she spoke again, " I have a scheduled appointment with the student council president..." she said.

Kiyopon's eyes widened in suprise.

Horikita continued, " I was shocked since I was sure that I hadn't caused any trouble nor did I really did anything that could garner their attention. But...lool at this." Horikita says before taking out her phone and showing the email.

Kiyopon read it carefully.

An email from her brother...Kiyopon observed.

He begins to write in his notebook.

' What do you think he'll say?' It said.

Horikita sighed and shrugged.

" I don't know...that's probably why I'm also afraid. But this could be my chance..." she trailed off.

Kiyopon pats her head which caught her by suprise.

But she sighed and decided to accept his touch like usual.

" It's going to go well..." Kiyopon assured with his soft tone.

Horikita smiled genuinely. " Thanks..."

Kiyopon didn't understand why.

But he really liked Horikita's smile. It accelerated her beauty.

" By the way...why are you wearing your uniform? It's an ill choice for this type of weather." Horikita said as she narrowed her eyes at Kiyopon.

Kiyopon just shrugged, refusing to elaborate.

--

Kiyopon watched as the group confronts Katsuragi. The latter seemed rather perplexed by things they were saying.

" Since it's your birthday. We were wondering if you had any plans? We'd like to set up a small hang out to celebrate!" Kushida said and clasped her hands.

Birthday? Kiyopon raised a brow at that sudden information.

" Well, yes but...I'm suprised you found out." Katsuragi replied with a puzzled expression.

" We wanted to celebrate with you, Katsuragi-kun." Kushida smiled.

But...today was August 29...was Katsuragi gifting it to himself? Kiyopon was a bit puzzled now.

If that were the case then...that'd be pretty sad.

Wait.

But wasn't Katsuragi intending to send that gift to the outside? Of course, Katsuragi never explicitly said it but Kiyopon already figured out his intentions from yesterday.

Is there someone from the outside that coincidentally shared Katsuragi's birthday?

Or...

Perhaps a biological twin of his?

Kiyopon decided to keep those thoughts in his head for now and continued listening in their conversation.

" Oh, that's all right. There's no need to do anything special." Katsuragi said, seemingly far from welcoming.

But the group kept insisting that Katsuragi accepts their offer.

" I'm terribly sorry to be rude, but we're not exactly close friends. If you have an ulterior motive, please tell me." Katsuragi eyed them, his suspicions rising the more this continues.

" No, we don't have an ulterior motive. We really just wanted to celebrate your birthday, Katsuragi." Ike said with a serious look. Kiyopon noticed that Ike almost seemed sympathetic.

Katsuragi sighed, clearly he's had enough of this conversation.

" I'm sorry, but I have some business in the school building." Katsuragi left without further notice, leaving the group confused but they didn't try to stop him.

Time for Kiyopon to shine.

Kiyopon caught up with Katsuragi and tapped his shoulder.

" Hm?" Katsuragi turned to look at Kiyopon, " Ayanokoji..." he greeted, though he looked on-guard as expected.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook...

' You're going to the student council, right? To get your package approved?' It was straight to the point.

Katsuragi didn't see any reason to lie, so he just sighed and nodded.

" Yes...but why are you also wearing your uniform?" Katsuragi inquired.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' I have business with the student council. Can I come with you?' It said.

' Business? What kind of business does he have with the student council...' Katsuragi thought as he gave a side-eyed glance towards Kiyopon.

" If I remember correctly, the student council room was being renovated until yesterday. It should've been unusable." Kiyopon suprisingly spoke.

' He spoke? This is the first time I've heard him speak...' Katsuragi thought in suprise.

" How did you know that?" Katsuragi asked.

" The president told me." Kiyopon answered.

' But why? Why would the student council president tell him THAT? ' Katsuragi thought to himself.

" Are you an aquaintance of his?" Katsuragi asked curiously.

Kiyopon nodded in response.

" Very well, then. Let's go." Katsuragi asked no further questions.

The duo made their way to the student council room.

--

" Pardon the intrustion." Katsuragi said in a loud,clear voice as he knocked on the door.

They both entered and they were greeted by Manabu and Tachibana.

The older Horikita's gaze immediately landed on Kiyopon.

" It would seem we have unexpected visitors." He said.

Both Katsuragi and Kiyopon bowed in greeting before Katsuragi began speaking.

" I came here today with a request. I heard that student requests go through the council." He said.

" Apparently, you stopped by yesterday. The day before, as well. We were absent because the room was being renovated. I apologize." Manabu explained and apologized.

" Oh, no, it's all right. It's summer vacation. The fault was mine. However, I'm glad to meet with you today. I was afraid I'd have to go directly to your dormitory to find you." Katsuragi said.

Manabu nodded in understanding.

" The school forbids students to establish contact with anyone on the outside while we're enrolled here. I'd like to inquire further about that." Katsuragi began...

5 minutes have passed as they battled with their own wits while Kiyopon and Tachibana watched silently.

Kiyopon was suprised that he was right about Katsuragi having a twin. Not only that, it was a twin SISTER and that they were both orphans.

Katsuragi seemed desperate to deliver this package to her which was understandable considering their situation.

But Horikita Manabu abided by the rules and denied Katsuragi's attempts.

Katsuragi was now currently trying to use the points and unusual rules of the school into his advantage but...

" There's nothing odd. The school purposefully made rules that allow for loopholes." He calmly retorted. As expected of someone from Class 3-A and someone who is also the student council president.

Manabu was too tricky of a person for someone like Katsuragi, even if the latter was quick-witted himself.

" So you're saying there's nothing I can do...?" Katsuragi asked.

" Correct. If school rules forbid something, you cannot circumvent them, even with points." Manabu said.

This looked like the end of the line for the plumber,doctor,astronaut, Johnny sins himself...

" If you're finished. Please leave." Manabu said.

" I see. I understand." Katsuragi bowed slightly in defeat before making his way to the door.

Katsuragi glanced at Kiyopon once but Kiyopon gestured that he was going to stay, so Katsuragi continued his way to the door.

He left.

" You're not going?" Manabu asked Kiyopon.

Kiyopon went towards Mamabu while writing on his notebook.

' Earlier, you were talking about what happens when a rule violation is exposed, right' it said.

" Yes. What are you trying to get at, Ayanokoji?" Manabu asked , almost amused.

Kiyopon writes his response...

' The first time we met. You attacked me. I'm sure violence was against the rules, but you attacked me without hesitation. Doesn't that prove the fact that as long as nobody reports or exposes those who break a rule, can get away with anything?' It said.

Manabu smirked.

" And?"

" Only you, Katsuragi and I are aware of this situation which could break one of the rules. Couldn't you simply overlook it?" Kiyopon spoke.

" So you want to resolve everything without involving the school." Manabu said.

' Ayanokoji sees through everything once given the chance. Even if Katsuragi was an outstanding individual himself, he wasn't as cunning and as intelligent as the man who's standing before me.' Manabu thought as he stared at Kiyopon.

Tachibana gasped, " A-Are you serious?!" She asked in shock.

" Perhaps there is a way to contact someone on the outside. Unfortunately, Katsuragi didn't realize that, and he missed his chance." Manabu admitted.

" Will you help him?" Kiyopon asked.

" No. I do not want to violate the rules for his sake." Manabu rejected.

Kiyopon's face morphed into a small pout at Kaichou's stubbornness.

Manabu's eyes widened in suprise.

' I-Is this what attracted my sister?' He thought in suprise.

" K-Kawaii!" Tachibana blurted out which caught both Manabu and Kiyopon's attention.

" G-Gomene!" Tachibana turned red as she bowed repeatedly and covered mouth.

Manabu coughs awkwardly before speaking, " Why didn't you tell Katsuragi this before? You let him leave without knowing this information." Manabu tried to be calm.

Kiyopon shrugged.

" You don't even have a reason huh...typical of you, Ayanokoji. " Manabu said and sighed.

" Well, I'm tired. So I'm leaving. Sayonara." Kiyopon softly said before turning around to walk to the door.

" Are you sure you have nothing else to say? I could ask Tachibana to prepare some tea, if you'd like. " Manabu called and offered.

Kiyopon stopped his movement.

Kiyopon turned to Manabu and nodded silently.

--

The brother - in - laws sat on opposite couches. ( Ignore the term. I just used it since it was faster ;) )

Tachibana arrived with the tea and placed them on the table.

" Thank you. I'll handle it fro-" but Manabu was interrupted by Tachibana immediately slapping Manabu's hand away from pouring the tea himself.

" I'll do it, Kaichou. " she spoke in almost cold tone which sent shivers up Manabu's spine.

Manabu averted his eyes.

" Okay..." he gave in to her desire.

Kiyopon looked at them both in amusement. Kiyopon wondered if they had a relationship beyond that of classmates and council members.

Tachibana handed a cup tea to Manabu and then to Kiyopon.

Kiyopon accepted the tea.

" Thank you, Tachibana-senpai." Kiyopon said.

" No problem, kohai." She smiled.

" KYAAAA!!! HE'S SO CUTE! IT'S KILLING US ALL!!!!" The chibi Tachibana's yelled as they tried to calm down their systems.

" We're so lucky to have such a cute Kohai!" One of them said.

" Maybe we can ask Manabu-kun if we can adopt and make Ayanokoji-kun our child?" One of them suggested.

" HUH? WE CAN'T DO THAT! WE HAVEN'T EVEN CONFESSED!" One retorted.

" But wait, didn't Manabu-kun say that Ayanokoji-kun will marry his sister?" A chibi Tachibana inquired.

" Huh? Wasn't that a joke?" One of them said in confusion.

" H-Hey! If he DOES end up marrying Manabu-kun's sister, then we can be in-laws!" A chibi Tachibana said.

But that chibi Tachibana got bonked.

" Itai!"

" IDIOT! YOU'RE ALREADY THINKING ABOUT MARRIAGE WITH MANABU-KUN WHEN WE HAVEN'T EVEN CONFESSED!" One said angrily.

In short, ChibiBanas are having a war.

Back to reality...

Kiyopon sipped his tea and quite liked the flavor it had.

" It's relaxing, isn't it? The student council room is usually empty due to most of the members having certain roles in their class to play." Manabu said before taking a sip of his tea, " So it's usually Tachibana and I here."

" Is that so?" Kiyopon was suprised.

" Of course, the council members perform their council work splendidly. But since I am the president and Tachibana is my secretary. We feel obligated to stay here, just in case students with request like Katsuragi for example, come through here." Manabu explained.

" It's extra peaceful, especially when it's vacation time like now." He added.

Kiyopon nods in understanding.

" I took your advice, Ayanokoji. " Manabu suddenly said as he stared at his own tea cup.

Kiyopon looked at Manabu. " Horikita did mention...that you wanted to meet with her...I saw the message too..." Kiyopon said.

" What was her reaction like?" Manabu asked.

" Excited, nervous, scared...hopeful...those type of emotions." Kiyopon answered softly.

" I see." Manabu begins to chuckle,
" That's good to know. "He said.

" Are you nervous, Kaichou?" Kiyopon asked curiously.

" Perhaps I am. For the past few years, I've acted cold towards her. It's weird...to warm up to her again." Manabu admitted.

" I'm rooting for you...for her...for both of you..." Kiyopon said.

Manabu grinned slightly at that.

" You truly are a good friend to her. I'm glad she found a friend in you." Manabu said before looking towards Kiyopon with a serious gaze.

" Regarding the matter with Katsuragi, nothing happened today. There was no meeting. And if you act behind the scenes, I won't investigate. Do what you will." Manabu suddenly gave his permission.

Kiyopon nodded and sipped his cup of tea once more.

--

When Kiyopon returned to the dorm lobby, he immediately spotted Katsuragi sitting on one of the couches, looking depressed.

Kiyopon silently went towards him.

Katsuragi noticed Kiyopon's presence and stood up.

" You took a while." Katsuragi said.

Kiyopon began to write in his notebook...

' Sorry. Were you waiting for me?' It said.

Katsuragi chuckled, " Yeah. I wanted to give you this as a fee for troubling you with such an errand." He said and tried to give the box of chocolates to Kiyopon.

Kiyopon stared at the box and then to Katsuragi before writing.

' I know a way where we can get your package delivered.' It said.

" Huh?" Katsuragi lets out a sound of his suprise.

--

Katsuragi entered Kiyopon's room and looked around.

" Your room is clean and organized. Well, you don't have much in it in the first place, huh?" Katsuragi mused.

Ack! That comment actually hurt Kiyopon's heart quite a bit but he let it slide.

And as for Kiyopon's defense, he doesn't really know what to buy other than necessities!

He did buy a carpet though in case people come in his room. Though, it's usually Horikita that comes in his room to ' practice' her cooking and lets Kiyopon be the judge.

Totally not because she just wanted to simply COOK for him. Nope. Not at all.

Kiyopon turned on the air conditioner and then poured some tea.

" So what is it you have in mind?" Katsuragi asked as he accepted the tea.

( Skipping the explanation cuz Paimon got no time for more words )

" I see...a student...that could prove risky..." Katsuragi said.

" It's ultimately your choice. But if you really want to deliver that gift, then this is the only way to do it." Kiyopon said.

Katsuragi sighed before looking at Kiyopon with narrowed eyes.

" You are a really strange individual, Ayanokoji. You proved to me that you possess great observation skills and cunningness. To do this without the school itself knowing, therefore no records of a rule violation is not something an ordinary person would think of. " Katsuragi said.

" ..." Kiyopon didn't respond and simply drank his tea before pouring another one.

" Do you have a student in mind?" Katsuragi inquired.

Kiyopon nods, " He'll do it. But you have to offer him points." He said.

Katsuragi nodded like it was obvious,
" Naturally. This plan of yours is risky for the student involved, after all. But...I want to know something." He said before staring at Kiyopon with a serious gaze.

Kiyopon returned his stare.

" What's in it for you?" Katsuragi asked.

" There must be something you want from this. I didn't take you as the type to help others despite putting yourself at risk. Name your price, Ayanokoji. " Katsuragi said.

Kiyopon sighed and placed down his cup.

" What I want...? Hm..." Kiyopon began to think while Katsuragi waited silently.

" I want you to be my friend. That's all." Were his words.

" Are you...serious?" The baffled Katsuragi asked.

Kiyopon nodded.

" Why?" Katsuragi asked.

Kiyopon takes out his notebook and proceeds to show his friend list.

" I lack guy friends..." Kiyopon said in an almost embarassed tone of voice.

Katsuragi was shocked at the amount of girls in Kiyopon's list while there were only a few guys.

" I-I see..." Katsuragi stuttered.

' It's strange...he doesn't seem to have an ulterior motive, well, other than this...lack of guy friends.' Katsuragi thought.

Katsuragi sensed that Kiyopon would keep his promise if he goes along with this plan.

For some reason, it was hard for Katsuragi to suspect Kiyopon of lying and being unfaithful to his end.

Maybe Katsuragi has to take this leap of faith...

The bald man resolved himself.

" Just to be sure. This is all you want? Another guy friend?" Katsuragi asked to make sure.

Kiyopon nods silently.

Katsuragi sighed before lending his hand for a shake.

" Deal." He said.

Kiyopon smiled internally as he shook Katsuragi's hand, completing a contract between a King and Johnny Sins.

Chapter End!

BY THE WAY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HORIKITA SUZUNE!

The girl most of you are siding on in this fic!

Shower her with praise and ignore year 1 Horikita!

Johnny's arc will end in the next chappie ( hopefully)

KawaiiPaimom, out~

" Ayanokoji-kun...I'm stuck."

Title seems sus?

I'm pretty sure ya'll know what this chappie will be about

Johnny's arc ended sooner than expected so let's go straight to this!

Third Person PoV

1. " Ayanokoji-kun...I'm stuck."

This event began on a certain day. Around 6 pm, a text message from the school informed the students that the entire dormitory wouldn't have water for quite a while , due to trouble with the water department.

Kiyopon was currently cooking a meal for himself without using any water. But as he was cooking, his phone began to ring.

Fortunately, he placed his phone on the counter next to him so he just had to grab it and check the caller.

' Horikita ️' is calling...' it said.

Kiyopon narrowed his eyes at this. Horikita would generally text him rather than calling him so either this is serious or she's trying to develop a calling habit this time rather than texting to be more direct with him.

Kiyopon answered the call and turned on speaker mode.

" ...Ayanokoji-kun...?" She said in a weird tone.

" What...is it?" Kiyopon replied softly but loud enough for his voice to get through the call.

Kiyopon took a sip of his drinking water.

" What are you doing right now...?" She asked.

" I'm cooking." Kiyopon replied.

" Ah...nevermind then. Sorry for bothering you." She suddenly apologized and ended the call.

Kiyopon looked at his phone with a confused expression.

What? He was bewildered by Horikita's strange behaviour during the call. Her tone of voice seemed...frustrated and tired?

Kiyopon began to plate the food and placed the pan in the sink to wash when the water comes back.

" Itadakimasu..." he quietly said before picking up his utensils until his phone began ringing once more.

Kiyopon stood up and saw the same caller ID. He quickly answered it.

" Horikita?" He said.

"...Sorry for calling...there's something I want to ask you." She said.

But suddenly, metallic thunk! came from Horikita's end which made Kiyopon slightly worried.

" What's that?" He asked.

" Urgh, i-it's nothing! Just...answer my question, okay?" She requested.

Kiyopon decided to not question it for now and agreed to answer whatever question she had for him.

" Let's say there was a turtle," she began.

Kiyopon tilted his head in question of where in the world this conversation was going...

" It's an extremely smart and talented turtle...and it's also cute." She added the last trait slowly before continuing, " If I accidentally hit it, and flipped it on its back, that would be terrible, wouldn't you agree? It couldn't right itself under its own steam."

" I suppose so, but...in most cases, turtles can extend their necks and use their legs to flip over. The only turtles that absolutely can't right themselves are giant tortoises and sea turtles." Kiyopon replied, clearly not understanding the meaning behind Horikita's words.

Sasuga, Kamipon-sama! Turtle specialist of Class 1-D !

"..." Horikita fell silent in the call which made Kiyopon confused.

" Horikita?" He checked if she was still there.

"... I sometimes forget how much of a dork you can be, Ayanokoji-kun." She said in an amused tone.

" Huh?"

" I'll be more direct with you then. It seems like...you didn't understand what I was trying to say nor did you get the implication of it. " she said.

What implication? He wondered to himself.

" Could you please come to my room?" she said in an embarassed tone.

" Your...room?" Kiyopon suddenly began getting nervous about where this was heading.

Was she going to prank him in her room?

Hit him?

Get revenge for something he doesn't remember deserving of revenge?

A thousand scenarios ran through his head at this very moment.

" Oh...and if you have any food...could you please bring that too?" She added.

" Sure..." Kiyopon softly agreed.

And then the call ended.

--

Kiyopon managed to reach Horikita's room undetected while holding a container full of the food he had just made.

Kiyopon knocked on the door but there was no response.

" Horikita?" He called but there was still no response.

Kiyopon tried opening the door and to his suprise, it wasn't locked.

" I'm...coming in." He announced before walking inside her room.

He had been here a couple of times. Horikita's room was a one-bedroom and kitchen model. Kiyopon glanced around and noticed that Horikita didn't buy much decorations like usual.

The bedroom door was locked. Kiyopon didn't see Horikita in the hallway or kitchen so he assumed she was in there.

" ...You're here now?" Horikita's voice says behind the door.

" Yeah." Kiyopon replied.

It was silent now before Kiyopon heard some shuffling in the bedroom and that same mentallic sound that he had heard during their call.

The shuffling stopped and Horikita spokr once more, albeit in that same embarassed tone.

" Okay...you can open the door." She said.

" Okay...?"

Kiyopon slowly opened the door and he was greeted with the sight of Horikita's back faced towards him.

" Horikita?" Kiyopon softly called in confusion.

" ...Whatever you're going to see in the next few seconds...promise me you won't laugh." She spoke softly.

" ...I promise?" His response sounded more like a question but Horikita accepted it anyways.

She took a deep breath before turning towards him and revealing the very reason she wanted him to come to her room.

Kiyopon's eyes widened in shock.

Horikita was currently holding a ball gag in one hand and a strap on dildo on the other. Her pupils turned to hearts, her face red and her breaths ragged.

" I called you here...because I wanted to give you some pegging, Ayanokoji-kun~" she said in a desperate tone.

Nahhh, just kidding.

This is a wholesome fic!

There will be no pegging!

Ya'll wouldn't ACTUALLY want Kiyopon to be pegged by Horikita or other girls...right?

Anyway, snapping back to reality...

Kiyopon stared at Horikta's right hand...which was...trapped...in a water bottle...

His eyes then stared back into Horikita's. She was red due to embarassment.

Starrreeee~~~ vs

Without a word, Kiyopon shut the door, leaving Horikita confused.

' Huh?' She thought to herself in suprise.

' Why did he...' her thoughts trailed off as she walked towards the door with the intention to open it.

But when she did open it, she immediately saw Kiyopon covering his mouth, trying to supress his laughter while his body shook due to the pressure.

" Pfft...pffffft!" He tried to breathe slowly but that clearly wasn't working.

Horikita stared at him with dead eyes.

" A y a n o k o j i - k u n." She called him in a flat tone which immediately ceased Kiyopon's laughter.

He regains his composure and looks at Horikita with a blank look.

But Horikita glared at him silently.

Kiyopon placed the food container on Horikita's counter before taking out his notebook to write...

' I didn't laugh.' It said.

" Yes...you didn't. But you were going to." She responded flatly.

He wrote his response.

' ...Yes, I was. But could you blame me? The sight was so out of character and cute that I almost couldn't hold myself back from laughing right in front of your face.' He reasoned.

" Cute huh..." she muttered but then Kiyopon decided to add one more thing.

' Horikita, when you tried to explain that turtle story. When you said the turtle was smart and talented and cute . Were you perhaps complimenting yourself? ' it said.

Horikita blushed and averted her eyes.

"...Do you disagree?" She said.

But then, Horikita insantly blushed even more and tried to take back her words.

" W-Wait! That's not the-"

But Kiyopon already showed his notebook.

' I disagree.' It said.

Horikita fell silent, her mouth closed to a thin line.

" I-I see..." was all she could reply.

His answer definitely bothered her without a doubt. It hurt her a bit.

" Well...anyway-" but before she could change the subject, Kiyopon interrupted her once more.

" Horikita is definitely smart,talented and cute...but it was still lacking something, that's why didn't agree." Kiyopon spoke.

" What...?"

" Horikita is also beautiful. If you're gonna compliment yourself next time, then please do it right." He said.

Silence ensued.

" Eh?" She uttered.

" EHHH?!" her face turned the brightest red as her heart beat quickened.

Swish! She swung her bottled hand towards Kiyopon but he quickly dodged that and stared at her with a bewildered look.

" D-D-DON'T SAY THINGS LIKE THAT IN A MOMENT LIKE THIS!" She yelled.

' You almost gave me a heart attack , Ayanokoji-kun...I thought I was used to your flirty lines but...ugh...you got me...again...' she fumed in her thoughts.

Kiyopon only gave a small teasing smile towards her in response to her sudden attack.

Perhaps he was playing with the devil, but he didn't care about that.

" Anyway...can you please help me now? It's uncomfortable being stuck like this..." she said after regaining her composure.

Kiyopon nodded and proceeded to grab the water bottle.

" Okay...3...2...1...pull!" Horikita said and they both pulled in opposite directions to try and free Horikita's hand.

" Ugh..." she made a sound of disappointment as they both stopped. Kiyopon was suprised by the strength of this water bottle.

Kiyopon looked towards her with a questioning gaze.

Horikita already knew what Kiyopon wanted to ask just by the look on his face. She sighed before explaining how this had happened.

" I was washing my water bottle...my hand was in the bottle but then suddenly the water stopped and my hand got stuck..." she said.

Kiyopon nodded, still suprised about this situation and still quite amused by it at the same time.

They kept trying to free Horikita for around 30 minutes but their effort didn't bear fruit.

Horikta seemed tired by this situation while Kiyopon was getting irked deep down but refused to show it.

Suddenly, a rumbling noise came from Horikita. She immediately blushed and tried to cover her stomach with one hand.

" Ugh...I'm being utterly humiliated one way after another..." she sulked.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' Is that why you asked me to bring you food? You couldn't cook this time?' It said.

Horikita meekly nodded.

That made more sense now. Kiyopon wasn't the best cook and Horikita would much prefer to eat the food she cooks herself and when possible, would convince Kiyopon to do the same.

So it was quite unnatural for her to be asking for food...

Kiyopon patted her head.

" Let's eat then." He said. " Besides, you look tired and you're hungry. We can try again after dinner."

" Okay..."

Short chapter this time since I wanted to write the rest for the next chappie.

Also, Sadistic Paimon is no more.

Only Lumine!

So this is the Abyss Princess, Lumine!

Paimon was sadly driven to suicide by Mochibear. A sad day.

And I decided to force Paimon's widow ( Shioridesu) to marry me instead! ;)

Well that's all from me.

QueenLumine, out~

Rocket Punch!

Third Person PoV

Kiyopon opened the container and grabbed plates for the both of them to place the food.

Since Horikita's dominant hand was currently stuck in a bottle, she had to use her left hand in order to use the chopsticks.

" Itadakimasu..." they both said at the same time before digging in.

Kiyopon nommed his first bite and hummed in satisfaction. After all, he didn't get to eat his dinner when Horikita had called him over to a rather...funny situation.

Kiyopon took a few more bites until he heard something drop on the table.

" Tch." Horikita glared at the chopsticks on the table as she slowly picked it up again

Kiyopon silently watched as she struggled to maintain her grip on the chopsticks and struggled even more to pick the food from her plate with such an awkward grip.

Plack! She lost grip again and it dropped on the table once more. Horikita groaned in frustration while Kiyopon watched in amusement.

" Why is this harder than it needs to be?!" She complained as an irk mark was threatening to appear on her head if this continued.

Horikita tried again.

Failed!

And again...

Still failed!

Once more...

And guess what? Failed again! :D

Horikita's eye twitched in irritation.

' AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH' she screamed internally.

Kiyopon decided that this was enough for now and decided to pick up some of her food with his chopsticks.

" Huh?" She looked at Kiyopon in suprise.

He directed it to her mouth but stopped since she didn't open her mouth yet. He stared at her silently.

"...Ahhh..." she opened her mouth and Kiyopon fed her the food.

She chewed slowly as she tried to ignore the warmth on her cheeks and focus on the flavor of the food.

She swallowed before speaking,

" You got better at cooking, Ayanokoji-kun." She said.

Kiyopon nodded with pride before picking up more food with his chopsticks and directing it to her mouth.

" Ahm." She accepted it again and chewed a bit faster.

Kiyopon continued to feed Horikita silently while Horikita silently accepted Kiyopon feeding her for the entire dinner.

--

After they were finished eating, Kiyopon decided to head to the cafeteria to get some water in order for Horikita to use via rubbing the soap up and down till her hand gets unstuck.

Unfortunately...

" I'm very sorry...so many students came that we're all out." The cafeteria lady said.

Kiyopon's eyes widened in suprise before checking the time on his phone.

7:11 pm... it said.

It's only been roughly an hour after the notification about the water problem was sent to all the students. Kiyopon was slightly taken aback by their quick decision to ransack the cafeteria for water...

Well, it was no problem... Kiyopon thought as he exited the cafeteria.

There was still the vending machine :) he thought.

"..."

Kiyopon silently stared at the empty vending machine in disappointment.

W-What...he was quite shooketh since he had never seen the vending machines EMPTY throughout his time in this school.

He checked for the other vending machines but all of them were empty and it didn't seem like the staff were going to fill it anytime soon...

So with a dejected sigh and his head down low, he quietly made his way back to the dormitories with a sullen expression.

" I see..." Horikita nodded in understanding after what Kiyopon had informed her about the water situation.

" This is indeed...complicated now..." she muttered before looking toward the sad Kiyopon.

Horikita was curious about something.

She bit her lip before lifting her hand in a hesitant manner.

' Should I? Ugh...I really want to try it...' she thought.

She slowly led her hand towards the top of Kiyopon's head.

' I-It's only fair, right? I mean...he does it to me a lot! This is just...an equivalent exchange...yes...' she assured herself in her thoughts.

So with the most plain expression she could wear, she placed her hand on Kiyopon's head which suprised Kiyopon.

Kiyopon lifted his head up a bit to look at the stone-faced Horikita.

Starreee~~~ vs ?

Horikita began patting Kiyopon's head slowly.

" It's...okay...no need to be so sad about it...alright?" She did her best to not stutter.

' His hair feels...so nice...' she thought.

Kiyopon's gaze softened at her which caught her by suprise and in turn, caused her to lift her hand off his head.

But Kiyopon gently grabbed her wrist and placed it back on his head.

He stared at her with an expression that said,

' Who told you to stop?'

Horikita released a sigh before patting his head again. Kiyopon relaxed to her touch and closed his eyes.

' He's like...a cat...' she thought as she smiled while patting his head with her free hand.

After a minute of patting, Kiyopon's eyes suddenly lit up as if he got an idea.

Horikita took that as a sign to stop patting and watched him searching his pockets.

Kiyopon took out his phone and showed Horikita his contacts.

Horikita backed her head away a bit due to suprise, but the biggest suprise was...

' WAIT. WHY DOES HE HAVE SO MANY GIRLS IN HIS CONTACT LIST?' She thought.

But she immediately shoved away that thought for now and took a few seconds to process what Kiyopon was trying to gesture.

" You're suggesting we call someone for water?" Horikita asked.

Kiyopon nodded in response.

Horikita sighs, " Okay...but just don't tell them the real reason we need the water. And...could you call Mori-san first? She's the least troublesome one." She said.

Kiyopon nodded and scrolled over to Mori's contact before hitting call.

The phone was ringing...awaiting for Mori to pick it up.

" This is Mori Nene! If I didn't pick up, then it's likely because I didn't charge my phone! Ehe~ gomene~ anyway, please leave a message at the beep!"

But it went straight to voicemail...

" Why..." Horikita said in a tone of pure disappointment.

Kiyopon was also a bit disappointed but he immediately searched for other people to call on his phone.

Kiyopon showed his phone to Horikita.

Horikita's expression turned to a blank one.

" No. Not Ike and Sudo." She immediately rejected them.

"...why?" Kiyopon asked.

" I refuse to use any water they might have. Who knows where it'd been or what they might've put in it." She muttered.

Kiyopon sighs and looks for other contacts.

" How about Hirata...?" Kiyopon asked.

" Hmm...I'm fine with that. " Horikita agreed.

Kiyopon immediately gave Hirata a call.

Unfortunately, he didn't pick up either.

Horikita groaned at that.

" It's still around 7:30 pm...don't tell me he sleeps THAT early!" She complained.

Kiyopon proceeds to abandon Hirata's help and began searching for other options to call.

Kiyopon exhaused his entire contact list but for some reason absolutely nobody answered his call.

" ...You can't be serious..." Horikita said in disbelief.

The duo wondered if there was some sort of spiritual being who was currently deliberately messing with them both.

"...Are you sure you don't intend to wait until 12 for the water to come back?" Kiyopon slowly asked.

" No. I don't want my hand to be stuck for so long. I can't possibly allow myself to wait that long." She flatly said.

Kiyopon sighs before scratching the back of his head.

" Then...we have no other choice." He says in a certain tone before turning his gaze to Horikita.

Horikita narrows her eyes at him.

" ...I don't like that tone. Ayanokoji-kun, what are you planning..."

--

" Let's go." Kiyopon said before quickly dragging Horikita to another corner.

" N-Not too fast!" She whispered but managed not to trip when he dragged her.

They both gazed at the elevator ahead of them.

Before Kiyopon could make a move towards it, Horikita tugged his sleeve and halted his movement. He turns towards her with a confused gaze.

" Isn't there a surveillance camera in the first-floor lobby? My bottle hand isn't exactly covered and I doubt we could slip past the cameras without getting seen." Horikita said.

Kiyopon hummed and thought carefully about this before switching their tactics.

" Let's take the stairs?" Kiyopon asked.

Horikita nodded, more accepting of that decision rather than the former.

What was their goal? They planned to reach the faucet that was outside of the dormitory and if it doesn't, then they might just resort to walk towards Keyaki mall.

Kiyopon and Horikita quietly made their way towards one of the emergency stairwells located not too far from the elevators on this floor.

But then they suddenly heard a door open about three rooms behind them.

They quickly glanced at the door that opened with tense expressions.

" N-Not good. That's Maezono-san's room." Horikita whispered.

But instead of Maezono stepping out, it was actually Kushida who stepped out and was currently bidding farewell to Maezono outside of her room.

" This is bad..." Horikita muttered.

Kushida could notice them at any moment now. If they suddenly make a move, it'll just increase the chances of them being seen by her or Maezono.

Kiyopon glanced around to find any sort of cover and his eyes immediately landed to the door right next to them.

It was a supply closet.

Kiyopon grabbed the knob and twisted it slowly...

It was open! Kiyopon concluded.

" Ayanokoji-kun what are yo-AH!" Horikita was suddenly dragged into the supply closet and Kiyopon closed the door immediately after Horikita entered.

" Hm?" Kushida tilted her head to the side as she looked at the distance.

" Is something wrong?" Maezono asked.

" Hm...did you hear a door slamming?" Kushida asked.

" I didn't pay attention..." Maezono replied.

Kushida smiled and shrugged, " Nah, all good! Maybe it was just me hehe!" She giggled.

" Ah, okay!" Maezono chirped.

" Anyway, I better go now!" Kushida said before waving goodbye to Maezono.

" Bye bye and thanks again, Kushida-san!" Maezono also waved her goodbyes before closing the door.

" No problem!" Kushida said and then turned around to be on her way.

Kushida hummed to herself as she went past the supply closet and turned the corner, officially out of range.

Meanwhile, Kiyopon had pinned Horikita to the wall in the supply closet as he kept his gaze at the door behind them.

Horikita, however, was a blushing mess as she immediately noticed how intimate this scene would look to outsiders.

' So close...' she thought to herself.

Horikita then noticed a sweat trickling down from Kiyopon's neck. Her blush intensified at that while Kiyopon didn't seem to notice that.

' H-Helppp!' Horikita begged inside her head as she tried to ignore this cute, beautiful creature that was currently pinning her on the wall.

Kiyopon backed away a bit and opened the door a bit to see if the coast was clear.

His eyes scanned the hallway and concluded that the coast was clear for now.

" ...I think the coast is-" Kiyopon's eyes widened as he looked at Horikita. "...Horikita? Are you...okay?" He asked softly.

" H-Huh? Why do you ask?" She stuttered.

"...Your face is red...and you're sweating." He slowly points out.

Horikita touched the side of her face and immediately felt the sweat that Kiyopon had called out.

' You can't be serious!' She thought to herself.

She felt absolutely ashamed.

But she mustn't show vulnerability to him like this!

Horikita wiped the sweat away with her sleeve before speaking.

" I-It was hot, alright! And you said the coast was clear? Let's go then. We mustn't waste time." She replied as calm as she could.

Kiyopon nodded in understanding and they both proceeded to exit the supply closet.

"..."

Kiyopon stayed silent as he stared at the door knob which belonged to the emergency exit.

"...What is it?" Horikita asked.

Kiyopon sighs before turning around to shake his head at her. Horikita's face turned pale.

" No..." She tried to hold onto hope.

Kiyopon shakes his head again, effectively throwing away her hope in the garbage can.

" Uggghhh..." she began sulking while Kiyopon tugged her along and led her back towards the elevator.

Luckily, the way to the elevator was clear of any witnesses so they boarded it without much hassle.

" The camera..." Horikita muttered.

Ah, right. Kiyopon just remembered about the cameras in the elevator. He quickly acted as Horikita's cover by standing directly infront of the camera's view while Horikita stood behind, effectively covering her bottle hand.

They rode the elevator in silence.

--

Kiyopon managed to cover Horikita as they sneaked out of the dormitories, doing their best to remain unsuspicious.

" There it is..." Horikita said before sighing.

The faucet they were looking for was just a few meters away.

" Let's hope for the best..." Horikita muttered before they walked towards the faucet quickly.

They twist it but...

"..."

Plop! One single drop of water came out of the hole and then hit the drain.

" HIYAH!" Horikita suddenly smashed the faucet with her bottle hand due to pure frustration.

Kiyopon looked at her wide-eyed while Horikita took deep breaths to calm herself down.

The faucet was deformed a bit which was a big problem.

" Horikita...you-"

" I know. But I don't care." Horikita said.

Kiyopon was suprised to see this side of Horikita. Sure, she was angry and frustrated but not to the point where she would express it in this way!

Kiyopon's eyes darted around their area for any possible cameras situated there but luckily enough, there was none.

Still, this was no time to relax. They needed to get away from the now broken faucet before somebody spots them.

Kiyopon quickly grabbed Horikita and led both of themselves away from the scene.

" Ayanokoji-kun...I'd like to just go back to my room now." Horikita said as they walked towards the dormitories.

Kiyopon glanced at her and Horikita glanced back.

" I'm...tired. Tonight has been troublesome and I doubt it'll get bet any better if we keep continuing like this. I'm willing to give up and just wait for the water to come back." She said in a dejected tone mixed with acceptance of the situation.

' And Keyaki Mall? Yeah no. I'm not even going to attempt it.' She silently added.

Kiyopon silently nodded and decided to accompany Horikita to her room for the last time.

--

They made it back to the elevator and Kiyopon pressed Horikita's floor.

The elevator was going up and its occupiers were currently silent as they rode it.

But suddenly, the elevator stopped on the fifth floor.

" Huh?" Horikita noticed this immediately and soon her eyes widened in slight panic.

Kiyopon glanced at her, they both knew what this meant.

Someone had called for the elevator in the fifth floor...and that meant somebody was going to come in...

Horikita immediately shuffled further to the back of Kiyopon as the elevator doors opened.

"...Koenji-kun?" Horikita muttered to herself at the unexpected specimen.

The blonde existence waltzed into the elevator with his usual haughty air. He went straight to the mirrored wall and began admiring himself.

" Top floor. Elevator boy." Koenji commanded, not even sparing a glance towards Kiyopon and Horikita.

Horikita mentally sighed in relief, somehow glad that it was just Koenji instead of someone else while Kiyopon silently pressed the top floor as told.

Horikita and Kiyopon watched intently at the machine above the elevator door which showed the floor they were in while Koenji proceeded to brush his hair.

' Almost there...' Horikita thought.

But as they were 3 floors away from their stop, Koenji suddenly spoke.

" My, My. Horikita-girl. Mind if I ask what had happened to your bottle?" He said before chuckling.

Kiyopon and Horikita tensed.

" What are you talking about, Koenji-kun? " Horikita stayed calm.

" Haha! What am I talking about, you ask? Well, my perfect self can't help but notice your rather deformed bottle. I'm quite curious and you should be grateful that such a perfect existence decided to grace you with his curiosity."
He announced proudly.

Horikita stayed silent...

" Roketto...panchi..." Kiyopon suddenly said.

Horikita looked at Kiyopon with a suprise look.

" Rocket punch? Hah! Who knew you'd be this childish, Horikita-girl. Nonetheless, my curiosity is satisfied now. Good job." Koenji accepted that answer with a smirk.

The elevator doors opened and the duo stepped out of the elevator.

Horikita lightly punched Kiyopon's arm as she glared at him with a red face.

" WHY DID YOU SAY THAT?!" she inquired...calmly.

Kiyopon tried to stifle his laughter with one hand.

" C-Couldn't...help it..." he managed to say.

They were now sitting in Horikita's room.

" That embarassed me...you really had to put the icing on the cake with that one huh..." Horikita said in disappointment.

Kiyopon had no particular regrets in uttering those words to Koenji. He simply stared at Horikita with an amused expression.

Horikita sighed and patted her bottle hand.

" Well...I just have to wait now..." she said.

Indeed, she chose to wait and gave up on the quest for water after their incredible bad luck.

Suddenly, Kiyopon's phone received a message notification.

Kiyopon checked it and his eyes widened in suprise before showing it to depressed Horikita.

" Hm...?" She read the text that Kiyopon had received.

" Sakura-san has water?" Horikita asked in disbelief.

Kiyopon nodded and immediately replied to Sakura about stopping by to grab the water bottle.

--

" It's done..." Kiyopon proudly announced.

Horikita nodded and sighed in relief that this troublesome situations of hers is finally put to rest.

" Thank goodness..." Horikita muttered after seeing her newly freed hand.

Horikita gives a small smile of appreciation to Kiyopon.

" Sorry for troubling you about all this...thank you." She said.

Kiyopon merely nodded and gave a thumbs up in response before standing up and making his way towards the door.

' He just silently gives me a hand...he really is...kind...but still mysterious...but...he's always there for me...he keeps his promises...' she thought to herself.

But then, the ' hot' events had also hit Horikita's mind. Her face turned red, especially at the memory during the supply closet.

'...I'm in love with him, aren't I...'

' The way I've acted around him from back then to now...ugh...I'm in love...I'm actually...' she released a sigh and decided to accept this sudden realization.

Kiyopon opened the door but before he left.

He turned around and looked at Horikita.

Horikita noticed this and looked back at him with a questioning gaze.

Kiyopon formed a fist before punching the air.

" Rokettopanchi!" He childishly said.

Horikita didn't know how to respond nor did she have time to since Kiyopon left immediately after that random
' goodbye'.

Horikita chuckled to herself after a few minutes of silence.

She covered her red face with her pillow.

' I'm in love with an idiot...' she thought to herself.

Horikita part is done!

Horikita realizes her love for our silent protagonist now!

But...it doesn't necessarily mean she'd act on it, hehe~

There are only two more events before we wrap up 4.5!

Stay tuned~

Cuz I'm sleepy af so not much to say.

SleepyLumine, out~

Yamauchi needs Kiyopon's help! / The boy that Sakura likes.

Third Person PoV

1. Yamauchi needs Kiyopon's help!

" Ayanokoji, I need your help!" Yamauchi yelled to our silent protagonist.

Kiyopon stared at him with a confused look.

" Today...is going to be a special day! The day where I finally make a move on Sakura!" Yamauchi proudly announced.

Kiyopon's confused look turned stone faced at that statement.

" " was how Kiyopon stared at Yamauchi.

" H-Hey! Why are you looking at me like that!" Yamauchi cried. " Besides, I messed up back at the cruise ship and I'm pissed about it. But this time will be different!" He said in a determined tone...with slightly bloodshot eyes.

Kiyopon tilted his head to the side, gesturing for Yamauchi to elaborate further.

" Check this out." Yamauchi takes something out from his pocket.

It was a letter.

" I've written down all my feelings for Sakura...on this paper!" Yamauchi said.

Yamauchi showed the letter to Kiyopon and had him read it.

' Dearest Sakura Airi-sama, you've been on my mind for a long time now. Please go out with me.' It read.

Kiyopon stared at it blankly before turning to Yamauchi.

" What? Is something wrong with it?" Yamauchi inquired but Kiyopon turned his attention back to the letter.

Kiyopon was honestly disappointed with Yamauchi's love letter. Instead of being handwritten, it was printed and to make it worse, it was typed with a scary looking font.

Although it was incredibly short and straight to the point, it lacked his actual ' feelings' in it. Kiyopon was no expert, but you could at least write a poem or describe how you came to see her as the opposite sex.

Kiyopon thinks back to the situation between Ichinose and Shiranami. Shiranami's letter had effort in it, her feelings felt genuine with each word.

Kiyopon releases a sigh.

No. It would be unfair to say that Yamauchi's words contained no feelings, when he clearly had the guts to make a love letter with the clear intention of giving it. Perhaps his actions, might get a bigger point than the letter itself.

" Oh, and check out the last part." Yamauchi said.

Last part? Kiyopon wondered what he'd meant before his eyes travelled down to the very last sentence in the letter.

' If you go out with me, I'll give you all my points every month as tribute!' It read.

"..." Kiyopon didn't think the letter would get any worse...but Yamauchi proved him wrong.

" I know, I know. It's short but even if I write something long, it wouldn't exactly be automatically good, right?" Yamauchi said.

Kiyopon sighed before picking up his notebook and writing...

' That's not the issue. First of all, you printed this instead of writing it yourself. Secondly, you even used a weird font to convey your message. Lastly, the last part makes the letter seem like a bribe.' It said.

Not to mention the fact that Sakura's personality also played a factor in this. Even though she gained more confidence by dressing up more like her Shizuku persona and interacting with her classmates a bit more.

Kiyopon was worried that deep down, she might still be the same shy girl she once was. He wasn't entirely sure how Sakura would take a letter like this.

" Well...my handwriting is bad, okay! And don't you think the font adds impact to the letter? Also for the last part. Don't they say that cute girls like men who can support them? If going out with Sakura means I gotta hand over all my points, I'll do it." He makes a fist and raises it up to the air. " That's how I'll communicate my passion!" He proudly said.

Kiyopon gave Yamauchi an unimpressed look.

Yamauchi quickly noticed this and immediately looked at Kiyopon with a confused look.

" Is it still not good enough???" He asked.

Kiyopon sighed and shook his head
' no'.

" But...I already asked Kikyo-chan to call Sakura in my stead! We're meeting up later!" Yamauchi said.

This is bad...Kiyopon thought as he took one another glance at Yamauchi's love letter. There is no way this letter will pass unless they revise it right now.

Kiyopon silently picks up his pen and grabbed a new paper.

" Huh? Are you going to revise it for me?" Yamauchi asked.

Kiyopon nodded and wrote in his notebook.

' Please tell me your feelings in detail for Sakura. I'll write as you talk.' It said.

" O-Okay then!" Yamauchi then began preaching about how his love for Sakura began.

--

" You're a lifesaver, Ayanokoji!" Yamauchi praised as he read the newly revised letter. " It's less crappier than what I made! And wow, your handwriting is really good." He said.

Kiyopon nodded.

This newly revised letter would probably boost Yamauchi's chances but the question is how much? Sakura used to shield herself from men on every occasion. It only worsened after that incident with that creepy employee who nearly raped her if Kiyopon hadn't arrived in time witn Ichinose.

But then, Yamauchi interrupted Kiyopon's thoughts.

" Ah, wait! There's actually an important role I have for you." He suddenly said.

Kiyopon raised a brow at that, awaiting for his next words.

" I want you to be the one to deliver the letter to Sakura." Yamauchi handed the letter back to Kiyopon.

Kiyopon once again gave Yamauchi a blank stare. Was he serious? Kiyopon didn't expect this.

" H-Hey! Stop giving me that look! I-I just get really nervous, okay? My hands start fidgeting uncontrollably and my speech slurs. I haven't been this nervous since I won the final match at the Ryougoku Kokugikan Sumo hall. That's why I don't have the confidence to deliver it myself." Yamauchi reasoned.

Yamauchi clasped his hands together and began begging.

" Please, Ayanokoji!" Yamauchi said.

Kiyopon sighed and nodded.

" Thank you!" Yamauchi said with a tone filled with gratitude.

--

Kiyopon made his way towards the place Yamauchi had told him to go.

This confession will take place behind the school building near gym two. Yamauchi said that there were rumors of confessions having a higher chance of being accepted in that specific spot.

Kiyopon didn't exactly believe that, but at the same time, who was he to tell Yamauchi what to do? Kiyopon had absolutely zero experience in this whole romance business.

The thing with Ichinose and Shiranami didn't really count, after all, he just told Ichinose to be more honest with Shiranami rather than blatantly lying to her about having a boyfriend with the intention of making it less painful for Shiranami.

Suddenly, Kiyopon came to a stop as he stared at another figure who also stopped and stared back at him.

" Why do we have to keep encountering each other like this." The girl with light blonde hair muttered in a disappointed tone.

Kiyopon shrugs.

" Coincidences...can be freaky." Kiyopon spoke softly.

" It seems so." The girl sighs before making her way past Kiyopon.

But before she could completely go past Kiyopon, the latter suddenly opened his mouth to speak .

" Manabe." He called, his tone lacked the usual softness to it as he said her name.

Manabe suddenly stopped as her attitude began changing slightly due to this familiar tone of voice that he used back at the cruise ship.

"...What?" She asked.

" I want you to meet with me by the bench near our dormitories." He said.

" Now?" She turned to look at him, but Kiyotaka didn't turn his head to meet her gaze.

" Tomorrow afternoon." Kiyotaka answered.

It was silent between them for a while.

"...Will that be all?" She asked.

" That will be all." Kiyotaka said before walking off silently, leaving Manabe to ponder his words.

What does he have planned for her? That was the main question that Manabe desperately wanted answers to, but already knew that she would never receive it until tomorrow.

She sighed to herself as she began to clench her fist.

' I hate you...I wish...I never had to get involved with you, Ayanokoji. ' Manabe thought bitterly as she stared at Kiyotaka's back.

--

2. The boy that Sakura likes.

Kiyopon was on stand-by as he waited in the designated spot. Sakura was bound to arrive soon.

Kiyopon's phone then began ringing. He picked it up.

" H-How's it going? Can you see Sakura yet?" Yamauchi asked. He sounded incredibly nervous.

"...Not yet." Kiyopon replied.

" A-Ah, I see." Yamauchi stammered in response.

" ...Are you sure you want me to be the one who delivers this letter?" Kiyopon asked for the final time.

" Yes! I'm too damn nervous to do so!" Yamauchi said.

Kiyopon sighs, " Okay then..." but then as he looked towards the pathway, he saw Sakura's figure approaching.

" Sakura is here...I'll end the call." Kiyopon said.

" Oh shit! Okay! Don't mess up!" Yamauchi said before the call finally ended.

Kiyopon straightened his back as he stared at Sakura's approaching figure.

" Ayanokoji-kun?" Sakura's footsteps stopped as she stared at Kiyopon, suprise evident on her face.

She was currently dressed in casual clothing with her hair tied into the pigtails her Shizuku persona is usually seen with. She was also no longer wearing her fake glasses.

Kiyopon waved at her.

Sakura smiles and makes her way towards him.

" I didn't expect Ayanokoji-kun to be here. I was supposed to meet Kushida-san...or...did she...call in your stead?" Sakura asked curiously.

So far, Kiyopon noticed the clear differences this Sakura has compared to the Sakura he first met early in the year.

She sounded more confident, her stuttering and nervous tone were replaced with a more confident way of speaking while still sounding casual with a dash of formality in it.

Kiyopon began writing in his notebook.

' Yes. I asked Kushida for a favor and called you out here.' It said.

" Ohh...I see..." Sakura nodded in understanding.

" But you could've just called me yourself, Ayanokoji-kun? I don't really see any reason for you to ask Kushida-san to do it..." Sakura said, confused.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' No need to worry about that. ' it said.

Sakura giggles at that.

" Hehe! Ayanokoji-kun is really weird sometimes. You really do confuse me and others with your actions, is this what Horikita-san has to deal with everyday?" Sakura asked.

Kiyopon shrugs in response.

" Anyway, um...what did you call me here for?" Sakura finally asked.

Kiyopon quickly took out the letter and gave it to Sakura.

" H-Huh? Wait...this...this is...!" Her confident tone immediately dropped as her face began to turn red.

" A-A-Are y-y-you c-confessing?!" Sakura stuttered. HARD.

Kiyopon's eyes widened as he began to realize that this was quickly turning into a misunderstanding.

Kiyopon quickly wrote in his notebook.

' I'm not the one confessing! I'm just the messenger! Please don't misunderstand.' It said.

" H-Huh..? Really?..." she asked.

Kiyopon nodded.

Sakura gripped the letter tightly.

" A-Ah...I see..." she said as she began to calm down. But Kiyopon sensed the disappointment in her tone for some reason.

" Someone...asked you to give this to me...?" She asked.

Kiyopon nodded.

" I see..." she looked at the letter but didn't open it just yet.

' I thought Ayanokoji-kun was going to confess...ugh...how embarassing of me to misunderstand something like that!' Sakura thought.

Kiyopon noticed that Sakura was staring at the letter silent for quite a while now.

So he decided to poke her head gently, which immediately caught her attention.

" Huh? Wha?" She was suprised.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' You should read it now. It might have come from someone you like.' It said.

Sakura chuckles, " I'm not sure that's the case now..." she muttered.

Kiyopon heard that but he didn't really understand why she said that in the first place.

" Do you...have someone you like, Sakura...?" Kiyopon softly asked.

Sakura's cheeks began blush a bit as she smiled and nodded.

" Yes I do." She answered.

'And it's you.' She wanted to say so badly but felt that this wasn't the best time.

Kiyopon was suprised to hear that but he felt happy for her, so he nodded in understanding.

Still, instead of opening the letter, Sakura decided to ask Kiyopon a question.

" Ayanokoji-kun. Do you mind if I ask you a question? Please give me an honest answer." She asked.

Kiyopon nodded, giving her the go-ahead.

" How would you confess your feelings to a girl? Would it be by letter? Or are you the type to confess face to face?" She asked.

Kiyopon was a bit taken aback by this sudden question. He hadn't really thought about this before.

He didn't really...see ANYONE in a romantic way, so this never crossed his mind.

"..." he was silent as he pondered over his thoughts while Sakura waited patiently for his answer.

"...I would just...tell her, I guess. Straight to the point?" Kiyopon finally answered.

" I see... that's good to know." Sakura answered but whispered the last part to herself.

Kiyopon tilted his head to the side.

" ...Are you going to read the letter now?" He asked.

" A-Ah, right!..." she said as she slowly began to open the letter.

As she read the letter, her face shifted into an unreadable expression. Kiyopon wondered what was going through Sakura's mind as she read the letter that he technically wrote...but was meant to be a confession from Yamauchi.

Meanwhile, Sakura began to feel the pressure as she read the letter. It was handwritten...and the contents were...very flattering. The sender complimented her personality, her looks, everything...

But then her eyes landed towards the very bottom where it had the name of the sender.

' Yamauchi Haruki' it read

Sakura furrowed her brows as she tried to remember who Yamauchi was.

( Yeah, that's right! Nothing more fitting than Sakura forgetting someone's existence :D )

' Yamauchi-kun? It sounds...familiar...' she racked her brain for any information about a classmate named Yamauchi Haruki.

But soon, she gave up and meekly looked towards Kiyopon.

" Um..." she started. " Who is...Yamauchi Haruki, again?" She asked in a sheepish tone.

Kiyopon's eyes widened in suprise while simultaneously generating so much pity for Yamauchi.

F in the chat- Ah, who cares! PoV-chan does not give a single fuck!

Anyway, back to the scene...

Kiyopon wrote on his notebook.

' He's friends with Ike and Sudo. They're the three idiots?' It said.

Kiyopon didn't really mean anything insulting when mentioned their nickname, which was given by their own classmates. Kiyopon just thought it might help Sakura remember if he also mentioned the nickname.

" O-Oh! I see! " Sakura finally remembered.

" Well...this was suprising...I didn't expect to be confessed to, in all honesty." She said as she glanced at the letter before sighing.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' You look like as if this was your first time receiving a confession?' It said.

" That's because it is!" Sakura whined.

" ...Really?" Kiyopon asked.

Sakura nodded furiously before elaborating.

" Nobody confessed to me back then since...I just blended in with the background...and I looked like a plain girl." She said.

" So this...is an entirely new experience..." she added.

Kiyopon nodded slowly as he took all that information in.

"...So what's your answer?" Kiyopon asked after a moment of silence.

" Oh!...right...my answer..." she trailed off as her face scrunched into a thinking expression.

" Um...is it okay if I give my answer tomorrow? I'd like to think about it more..." she asked.

Kiyopon nodded and Sakura bid her goodbyes before leaving the area with the letter in hand.

Immediately after, rapid footsteps were coming towards Kiyopon as a loud voice boomed.

" AYANOOKOJIIII!!!!" Yamauchi yelled as he rushed towards Kiyopon.

" H-HOW DID IT GO?! WHAT DID SHE SAY?!" He asked.

Kiyopon wrote in his notebook.

' She said she'll answer you tomorrow.' It said.

" H-Huh? So she's still thinking about it?!" He asked.

Kiyopon nodded while Yamauchi groaned.

" Well...this is better than being flat-out rejected right? Ugh! But then the wait will kill me!" Yamauchi complained.

Kiyopon merely shrugged before they talked for a bit and soon parted ways.

Chapter End!

Sakura Airi development showcase?

She's confident but still quite shy.

What do you think of our...usually left-out/forgotten stuttering machine?

She might just show off her best girl energy if I intend to add more scenes for her ;)

Anyway, dis is all for now!

QueenLumine, out~

To be under the rain with a person you love / Their first encounter

Third Person PoV

1. To be under the rain with a person you love.

Kiyopon was in the bathroom, drying his wet body with his towel after taking a nice shower to rinse himself before going to bed.

Kiyopon wrapped his towel over his lower half, concealing his dangerous weapon before proceeding to brushing his teeth.

A few seconds later, his phone had received a message notification while he was still brushing his teeth.

But to Kiyopon's convenience, he had brought in his phone in the bathroom while he took a shower, so he can check it easily.

Kiyopon grabbed his phone with his free hand and checked out the message.

' Is it okay for us to chat? Did I disturb you? ' It was a text from Sakura Airi.

' Yes, it's okay. I just got out of the shower.' Kiyopon typed his response and sent.

Kiyopon saw Sakura's bubble icon typing her response...but it took quite a while before she sent her response.

Her icon kept typing and then suddenly disappearing again. This had repeated 4 times in a row...which made Kiyopon a bit concerned.

' Sakura? You're taking a while to respond. Are you okay?' He sent.

' I'm okay! Plz don't worry! ' she responded after a few seconds.

' Okay. Well, let me just finish brushing my teeth, you can go ahead and chat whatever you want. I'll respond in a bit.' Kiyopon sent before placing his phone down before continuing the brushing of his pearly whites.

Meanwhile, Sakura's face went red as she couldn't get a certain image out of her head.

I'm pretty sure the image I'm talking about is obvious to you, right?

But in case you're a complete cinnamon roll and didn't get the implications. Then I will gladly ruin your non-horny mind with a proper description of what our dear Sakura Airi had imagined in her head.

She imagined our silent protagonist, fresh out of a warm shower. His body dripping wet, his eyes staring at you with an inviting, seductive gaze, hot mist covering his lower region while we gawk at his wonderful upper body as he walks towards the horny Sakura and slowly pulls her close, whispering sweet nothings and dirty everythings, igniting a fire somewhere down her nether regions as she melts in his hot gaze.

...Should I continue?

Nahhh, I'm pretty sure I made my point clear, so there's no need to go into further detail. :)

To summarize, Sakura was horny. :)

Authors, I want a dominating horny Sakura Airi! She's wasted potential in the LN but not in Wattpad! So for the sake of Sakura simps...WRITE HORNY DOMINATING SAKURA!

Anyway...back to the main story.

Sakura fumed red as she muffled her cute screams in her pillow, in an attempt to extinguish such inappropriate thoughts of her crush.

" A-Airi, how could you think of such things!" She spoke to herself as she kicked her legs in the air.

" I-If A-Ayanokoji-kun knew about my thoughts...how would he...no...don't even go there, Airi!" She reprimanded herself, her voice was still muffled due to the pillow.

' Okay...calm down! You've got to focus on the main reason why you wanted to chat with Ayanokoji-kun!' She thought before putting her pillow down and taking a deep breath.

She picked up her phone and began typing...

Back to Kiyopon...

He stepped out of the bathroom, towel still wrapped around his lower half as he placed his phone on the night stand while he picked out his bedtime clothes from the closet.

Kiyopon managed to change before his phone received a new message. He quickly went to it and checked it out.

' I've decided on my answer, now. I'm supposed to meet Yamauchi-kun tomorrow at 10:30 AM. ' it said.

Kiyopon nodded in approval, he felt proud of Sakura once more as he typed his response.

' That's good. Yamauchi would appreciate that.' And sent.

' Is that so?' She asked.

' Yes.' Kiyopon responded.

Sakura stopped responding after that. Kiyopon assumed that their conversation had just ended until moments later, after he had settled into his bed...

He received another message.

Kiyopon grabbed his phone from the night stand and checked the message.

' I'm sorry for bothering you over and over, is it okay if we call?' She asked him.

Kiyopon typed his response.

' It's okay. Go ahead.' And sent.

And a few seconds after Kiyopon sent his response, a call was being initiated by Sakura. But Kiyopon was suprised to see that it was a video call, but nonetheless, he answered it.

" Eep! I-I didn't mean it to be a video call!" Kiyopon's phone screen showed a very flustered Sakura Airi. Her long pink hair was loose and she was currently wearing her pajamas, while she was seated in her chair.

" H-Hold on, I'll end the call and make a normal one instead-"

" It's okay, Sakura. I don't mind video calling." Kiyopon softly assured her.

" Really...?" She asked.

"...Unless you have problems on your end...?" Kiyopon redirected the question back to her.

" No! I'm completely fine on my end. J-Just making sure that you're comfortable on your end, since...well...I kept bothering you for quite a while now." She said in an apologetic tone.

" You're not bothering me..." Kiyopon reassured her, " So...why did you want to call?" He asked.

" Well...you recall when I said that I'd meet Yamauchi-kun tomorrow?" She asked.

Kiyopon nodded.

" Well...um...I don't really want to go alone...so...ugh, this will be a bother for you..." she looked down as she said that.

" What is it? " Kiyopon asked.

" Is it okay for you to...come with me? Just be around the area while I give my answer to Yamauchi-kun?" She asked, meekly.

" It's not a problem, Sakura." Kiyopon replied.

" Really?" Her eyes lit up in suprise, to which Kiyopon nodded, confirming it.

" Oh...thank goodness!" Sakura said before releasing a sigh of relief.

" But...why do you need me there? I'm sure you can handle it...you've improved yourself, after all. You're not the same girl you used to be." Kiyopon asked, curious about Sakura's true thoughts.

Sakura chuckled at that before sighing.

" That's not true, Ayanokoji-kun. Even though I've gotten better...I still get flustered and scared when it comes to things like this...especially when I don't know much about Yamauchi-kun in the first place. " She said.

Kiyopon nodded in response. Looks like he was right about Sakura still holding the fear of talking to others deep in heart...but he can tell that she'll get over it soon.

" Um..." Kiyopon noticed that Sakura was trying to say something, but was struggling to do so.

Sakura's cheeks turned a bit red before she looked straight into the camera and gave a small nervous smile.

" Thank you for always being there, Ayanokoji-kun...even now, you still are . If...If I hadn't met you...I would've probably stayed the same...like I always had." She said with a tone full of gratitude.

Kiyopon felt touched by that. Her sincerity and gratitude was appreciated by our silent protagonist.

" I promised you, didn't ? I'll be there for you, when you need me to..." Kiyopon repeated his promise to her back when they were still aquaintances and not quite friends.

Sakura giggled at that.

" Hahaha! I just realized how cheesy all that sounded..." Sakura said before releasing more giggles.

" ...Hm...I guess it was..." Kiyopon agreed.

" Well..." Sakura finally stopped giggling, " I think it's time we end this call? You still have to sleep, right?" She said.

Kiyopon nodded.

" Then...goodnight, Ayanokoji-kun!" She said.

" Goodnight, Sakura." Kiyopon said, softly.

--

Kiyopon walked to the meeting place, he decided to arrive 10 minutes early and as he predicted, Sakura was also already there.

She seemed confident but Kiyopon could tell by the fidgeting of her hands that she was still nervous.

Sakura's eyes scanned the area until she spotted the approaching Kiyopon.

" Goodmorning, Ayanokoji-kun." She smiled as she walked from her spot to meet him half way.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' Goodmorning to you, as well. How are you feeling?' It said.

" Um, sorry. Why don't we walk around a bit? You wouldn't want Yamauchi-kun to spot us like this, right?"

Sakura suggested quickly and grabbed his arm as they walked to the tree-lined spot at the back of the school building.

Kiyopon noted that she took him to a hidden spot, most people wouldn't be around here so it was quite a nice choice.

They finally stopped.

" Oh, sorry!" She quickly lets go of Kiyopon's arm and bows apologetically.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' It's okay.' It said.

Sakura sighed in relief before speaking.

" And to answer your question...I'm absolutely jumpy! Today has arrived and Yamauchi-kun should be arriving in 8 minutes! " she said as she began playing with the strands of her hair, in an attempt to brush away her nervousness.

" Why did he have to like...me...confession on both ends...feels awful..." she said in a sad tone. She was feeling guilty now.

Kiyopok writes in his notebook.

' Are you going to reject him?' It said.

Sakura slowly nodded.

Kiyopon continues writing in his notebook...

' Then there's no need to feel guilty. Yamauchi confessed to you but you're not obligated to say yes if you don't want to. He just wants an answer from you, even if it'll hurt him.' It said.

Sakura's eyes widened as she nodded slowly in understanding. " You're right..." she said.

Kiyopon watched as she began to take deep breaths to try and quell her unsure heart.

But then...

Plop! Kiyopon felt a single water droplet land on his cheek.

Could it be...? Kiyopon stretched his hand and felt more droplets of water hitting it, which basically confirmed his thoughts.

Sakura didn't seem to notice yet, so he had no choice but to grab her.

" Huh?" Sakura was suprised to feel a warm piece of clothing over her head.

" H-Huh? Wait, Ayanokoji-kun why did you-" she tried to ask but Kiyopon didn't answer and instead handed her his notebook.

Sakura subconsciously clutched it tight to her chest but was still confused until she looked around and looked at the sky and ground.

" Oh no! It's raining!" She said.

The shower quickly started pouring down, and quickly drenched Kiyopon in rain.

But Kiyopon didn't care about that and quickly ushered Sakura to a place with cover. Kiyopon spotted a waiting area nearby and decided to head there while he quickly but gently ushered Sakura.

Throughout the way, the rain shower showed no mercy on our protagonist while Sakura was protected by Kiyopon's jacket along the way.

--

They made it under the waiting area, which was covered by its own roof.

Sakura quickly looked at the heavily drenched Kiyopon and immediately started fussing about it.

" A-Ayanokoji-kun! " she quickly took out her handkerchief and placed his notebook on the bench.

Kiyopon turned towards her but didn't expect her to be so near to him.

He felt her handkerchief gently wipe away the excess water from his hair. Sakura stood on her tippy toes as she continued drying his face at the very least.

" Why did you even do that..." she seemed disappointed.

" Would you have wanted to get drenched like me?" Kiyopon asked.

Sakura pouts, " Well, it would certainly make me feel better if we got drenched together instead of letting yourself get drenched and saving me." She wiped his forehead and gently went down to his cheeks.

"...I don't understand your logic, but I won't question it." Kiyopon said while Sakura just sighed.

Kiyopon stared at Sakura's face as she continued wiping the sides of his face and making her way down to his neck.

Suddenly, everything clicked into his head all at once.

So this is...the appeal of romance...He silently thought as he focused on her expression. A beautiful girl who was doing her best to dry the rainwater drenched boy under a shelter to cover from the rain.

And they'd talk to pass the time. They'd talk until they'd ran out of things to say. And then their eyes would meet once more...before they start drawing in closer to the other.

And then...well...they'd kiss.

Sakura and Kiyopon sat beside each other in silence until Sakura spoke.

" Do you think Yamauchi-kun is still waiting? " she asked.

Kiyopon shrugged and Sakura immediately groaned into her hands.

" Aaahh...I feel so bad! What if he's waiting under the rain? " she said.

" I don't think he'd do that..." Kiyopon tried to assure her.

" I hope not..." Sakura said before sighing. " This is a very unlucky day, huh?" She mused.

Kiyopon disagreed as he silently began to think back to the water bottle problem he helped Horikita with...

" Well...today wasn't that bad...just inconvenient..." Kiyopon said.

Sakura hummed sadly in agreement.

" I wonder if it'll pass?" She asked.

Kiyopon checked his phone and then placed it back down.

" It's just a passing shower. It should stop soon." He reassured her.

" Ah, that's good..." she said.

" I'm sorry that I got you soaked again..." she said.

" It's okay, really. After all, a kind old gentleman would kill me if he were to find out that I let a girl get soaked by the rain." Kiyopon joked.

Sakura giggled.

" A kind old gentleman? Are you talking about your father, Ayanokoji-kun ?" Sakura asked, curiously.

Kiyopon averted his eyes after that.

" Huh? Did I say something wrong?" Sakura immediately panicked.

" No...it's just...the person who I was actually referring to...was my caretaker." Kiyopon admitted, there was no need to lie.

Instead, he just needed to divert the attention away from the topic about his " father ".

" I see..." Sakura nodded along.

Soon, the rain began slowing down.

" Oh, it's slowing down!" Sakura said.

Kiyopon nodded.

--

Kiyopon hid around the corner as he watched Sakura walking up to Yamauchi, who had just arrived.

" S-Sorry to have kept you waiting." Yamauchi stuttered out. " So, did you read my letter?" He asked.

" Yes..." Sakuta took a deep breath to try and calm down her nerves.

Sakura...gambatte ne...Kiyopon cheered for her in his thoughts.

" I like you too, Yamauchi-kun! Let's go out!" Sakura smiled.

" H-Huh?! Really?!" Yamauchi's jaw dropped to the floor.

Kiyopon widened his eyes in suprise. He didn't think she'd return his feelings.

Lmao, just fucking with you all again.

Snap back to reality!

" I'm sorry. But I can't return your feelings." Sakura bowed apologetically.

Kiyopon felt a bit bad for Yamauchi, but he had to accept this, even if it's painful.

In a confession...

Either both become happy,

Or one of them becomes heartbroken.

Either way, you gotta live with it.

" I-I see..." Yamauchi looked like he was trying to digest this rejection. His voice shook, it was clear that he was indeed hurt.

But after a moment of uncomfortabke silence, Yamauchi suddenly spoke.

" Thank you, Sakura. For coming all the way here...to tell me in person." He said.

After that, Yamauchi bid his goodbyes and walked away, leaving Sakura alone to sigh in relief as she placed her hand on her chest.

Once Yamauchi was definitely gone, Kiyopon stepped out of his hiding spot and walked to Sakura's side.

" I feel bad for hurting him...it's a shame he somehow...liked a girl like me..." Sakura said.

" Nobody can blame him for doing so. And you shouldn't feel bad about it...I think...this was the best possible ending..." Kiyopon said.

Sakura smiled at Kiyopon.

" I-I think so too!" She said. " Thank you again...for helping me out, Ayanokoji-kun."

Kiyopon nods.

They began walking together.

" Hey, since you're all dried up...do you wanna go and have some lunch? My treat!" Sakura quickly asked with a red tint on her face.

Kiyopon was about to say no until-

GRKRKRKRKRKR

Yes. Those are stomach grumbling noises. :)

Kiyopon immediately put a hand over his belly.

Sakura giggled. " Can I take that as a yes?" She asked.

Kiyopon shyly nodded before Sakura bursted out in fits of giggles as they walked towards Keyaki mall.

--

2. Their first encounter.

( Back in volume 4...)

Kiyopon sighed as he walked around the ship, looking for the rabbit group's private room.

But then his eyes spotted a girl with shoulder length bright coloured hair that were tied into pigtails. Her eyes were hazel brown.

She was currently grimacing at her phone. Kiyopon wondered what was up with her but he simply stayed silent and stared at her.

She looks familiar... Kiyopon thought to himself as he stared at her.

Staaarreeee~~~

" Tch...this Karuizawa bitch..." She muttered.

Kiyopon's eyes widened in suprise. He wondered what has Karuizawa got to do with her mood.

But unfortunately, Manabe looked up from her phone and finally noticed Kiyopon staring straight at her.

"..." They both didn't say anything.

She placed her phone in her pocket and made her strides towards him.

" Hey. What are you looking at?" She said, aggressively.

She was definitely not in the mood.

And Kiyopon shouldn't have been there, staring at her in the first place.

Kiyopon backed up until his back hit the wall and Manabe stood inches away from him as she glared at him.

Kiyopon nervously wrote in his notebook.

' Sorry! I didn't mean anything by it. I was just curious why you look so mad...' it said.

Manabe looked at the notebook and her eyes widened in realization.

" Wait...you're the guy that communicates via notebook...right?" She said.

Kiyopon nodded and Manabe released a sigh before backing away.

" Sorry...ugh...you caught me in a bad mood." She apologized ( ? ).

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' It's okay. It was rude of me to stare anyways...' it said.

" No...it was rude of me to come up to you like that. I guess we're both at fault..." she chuckled.

Kiyopon took a good look at her face. She was pretty cute, though, comparing her to all the other girls he's met...

' No...that's unfair...' Kiyopon shook those thoughts away. It was rude to compare their beauty when every person is beautiful in their own way, it just takes different people to see and appreciate that type of beauty.

" If I'm right...your name is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, right?" She asked.

Kiyopon nodded but he looked a bit suprised about how she knew his name.

Manabe smiles in amusement, " You're probably wondering how I know your name, right? Let's just say that...most likely every girl in the school knows your name and how you communicate. Other than that, we don't really know much about you." She said.

Kiyopon nodded in understanding.

He felt relieved that nobody knew more about him since...that could trouble him and Horikita in the future.

" Well...I better head off now. It was nice to meet you, but I wished I gave a better first impression." She said before walking away.

Kiyopon wanted to stop her, he wanted to ask her if she wanted to be friends...but she was already gone.

But unbeknownst to them at the time...

Their relationship...was going to be different from everyone else's...

--

( Present time )

Manabe walked towards Kiyopon, who was current sitting on the bench.

" What do you want from me?" She went straight to the point.

Kiyopon looked at her and patted the space beside him, gesturing for her to take a seat.

Manabe silently obliged and took the seat beside him on the bench.

" So hot..." she muttered, cursing the afternoon heat.

Kiyopon handed her a cold bottle of tea he hadn't drunk from. He bought it just for her.

Manabe accepted it. " Thanks..." she said before unscrewing the cap and drinking it.

" Did you drink from this?" Manabe suddenly asked. She noticed that the cap felt a bit easier to open than expected of an " unopened" bottle.

" No. I just unscrewed it earlier to make it easier for you." Kiyotaka answered, his tone much more monotone instead of the usual soft tone he uses.

" I see..." she accepted that answer.

" Anyways, what do you want. " she asked once more. She'd rather get this interaction over and done with.

" Tomorrow's the last day of summer vacation. One of my friends invited me to make some fun summer memories." He started.

" ...Are you talking about the pool?"

" Yes." Kiyotaka nodded.

And immediately soon after, Manabe grimaced at that.

" So you're openly telling me that you and some others boys are going to make some " fun" memories by enjoying the wonderful sight of girls in swimsuits?" She glared at him.

Kiyotaka looked at her as she said that.

" Do you like swimming, Manabe?" He asked.

" Oh. Now what? You're asking me to go there too and entertain your friends? Hell no." She immediately snapped.

" Do you like swimming?" He completely ignored her previous words and asked the question once more.

Manabe felt irritated by that but answered nonetheless, " I don't hate it. That's all." She reluctantly admits.

" Hm..." Kiyotaka hummed as he stared at the view ahead.

" Could you tell me what you want now? It's so hot here. Why in the world did you pick this spot of all places." She complained.

" How's Rika? And your other friend?" Kiyotaka suddenly asked and Manabe went silent.

"...They're both fine...Ryuuen doesn't know...I hope he doesn't know that I'm working with you...forced to work with you." Manabe said in a more blank expression.

" That's good." Kiyotaka said.

It was silent between them for a while.

" It's a shame, no?" Kiyotaka suddenly said.

Manabe looked at him.

" Kind people are selfless...they give everything and simply receive verbal gratitude and nothing else. Kind people are selfless to the point where they might even think that they don't need that gratitude from the people they help." He said.

His eyes then went to Manabe.

" Kind people are more likely taken advantage of by smart people. Don't you agree?" He asked her.

What Kiyotaka just described was a near accurate description of his and Manabe's relationship. Manabe was aware of this and the way he described it.

It irritated her but she couldn't do anything about it.

"...So are you calling kind people dumb? Are you calling me dumb? Because you're not the first to call me that." She chuckled in defeat.

Kiyotaka shook his head ' no'.

" I never said kind people are dumb. I simply said that they can be easily taken advantage of. " He corrected her.

"...Then...I agree with you..." she said.

" ...and kind people are dumb, no matter what you say...they give and give but never take. " she added.

"...I don't believe that...but that's your opinion." He replied.

" What? You believe there's a truly kind person in your life? That's also smart?" She asked.

Kiyotaka sighed and ignored her question.

" Anyway...about what I called you here for..." he said as he took out a slip of paper and handed it to Manabe.

Manabe took it and her eyes widened in suprise. " So you really did want me to go there..." she muttered.

" Yes. Just do that one task and meet me when it's closing time." He said.

" Whatever." Manabe accepted it and placed the paper in her pocket.

" Will that be all?" She asked.

" That will be all." Kiyotaka replied and Manabe soon stood up to walk away.

But she suddenly stopped and turned around to meet Kiyotaka's questioning gaze.

" I have one question, I'd like to ask." She said.

Kiyotaka gave a small nod.

" Which one is the real you?" She asked.

" The real me?" He repeated.

" You act differently you're with your friends...and you only act like when you're with me because you...ugh I don't wanna remember." She refused to reminisce what got her here in the first place.

" So which one is the real you? The one talking to me right now? Or the
' innocent' silent person your friends see you as." She asked.

" ...The real me...hm...I don't know. I just act like this when I have to..." he admitted.

" That doesn't make sense..." she said.

" Then I'll leave it to you, to decipher the ' real ' me that you suspect. But most importantly, just do your job... or else."
He said the last part in a subtle threatening tone.

"...Understood." she nods before walking away at last.

Kiyotaka sighs.

" I wish...our relationship...didn't have to be like this..." he muttered before getting up from his seat and silently making his way back to the dorms.

Chapter End!

More best girl Sakura vibes.

Introduction of Horny Sakura :)

Another Kiyo and Manabe talk.

Manabe shedding a bit more light into the other side of Kiyopon but still quite vague.

Next chapter will be the pool scene!

And also...the spreading of legs scene but Kiyopon and Manabe's version.

;))

QueenLumine, out~

The final event!

Welp...here we are.

The long awaited pool event of volume 4.5

Right after this would be the sports festival of volume 5.

But I won't work on vol 5 immediately after this chapter. Imma take a break from writing this fic for at least a week

Third Person PoV

1. The final event!

Well, well. We finally made it to the last event in this volume, huh?

This chapter...will be quite long. But you've read longer and I've also written longer ones, so this shouldn't be a problem.

Anyway, introductions aside...let's begin.

Kiyopon finally arrived to the lobby, where he met up with Horikita,Sudo, and Ike.

" Good morning, Ayanokoji-kun. You took a while." Horikita greeted Kiyopon.

Kiyopon responds with his notebook...

' You make it sound like I'm late when I'm actually not.' It said.

" Tell me, are they planning something?" Horikita gestured to the two boys, Yamauchi and Ike.

Kiyopon shakes his head and writes in his notebook...

' Just planning to have fun.' It said.

Horikita raised a brow at that.

" Is that so..." she didn't really believe his words this time. Something about today felt suspicious to her but she couldn't exactly determine what exactly is causing that feeling of dread.

" Man...where is Sudo..." Ike whispered to Yamauchi.

" I don't know dude! Maybe he's sleeping?" Yamauchi whispered back.

" Shit. We can't do this without him!" Ike panicked.

" Can't do what without who?" Horikita interrupted.

" AH! Nothing! It's just something we have to do later after the pool!" Ike immediately made up an excuse on the spot.

Horikita crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at the two boys.

Kiyopon silently sighed to himself, he wished that they never had a dirty plan in the first place and just enjoy the pool with no stress.

Before Horikita could interrogate them further, a familiar voice entered their little group.

" Yahallo~" Mori greeted with a wink while carrying a plastic bag with her towel on display.

" M-Mori-san?!" Ike and Yamauchi were suprised to see another beauty pop out of nowhere.

" Is it right for me to assume that all of you are going to the pool?" Mori asked.

Kiyopon nodded and Mori smiled.

" Do you mind if I join you guys? " she asked.

" No! Not at all! The more the merrier, right?!" Yamauchi said and Ike nodded in approval.

" Great!" She replied before turning towards Horikita with a teasing grin.
" Ara~? I didn't expect for Horikita-san to join in~" she said as she stepped close to Horikita.

" Ayanokoji-kun invited me. He wouldn't leave me alone until I said yes." Horikita quickly replied.

Kiyopon looked at Horikita with a confused look before writing in his notebook.

' But you accepted my invitation without hesitation...?' It said.

" He says otherwise." Mori gave Horikita a smug grin.

" ..." Horikita averted her eyes, not bothering to reply as to not dig herself a deeper grave.

" Horikita-san is so tsuntsun!" Mori teased her.

Horikita ignored her teasing but little did she know, it only increased Mori's desire to tease her.

" Hmmm...what made you accept his invitation so quickly, hm?" She started.

Horikita gave her a look that basically had ' Are you serious' written all over it.

" He's my friend. Isn't it natural for me to accept an invitation from a friend?" Horikita asked.

" But am I not your friend too? You didn't accept my invitation to hangout with the girls!" Mori shot back.

Horikita huffs, " I apologize for not accepting your invitation. But I have no interest in hanging out with the other girls." She said.

" But Ayanokoji-kun managed to invite you and you seemed to have accepted with no complaint according to him. " Mori stated.

Horikita raises a brow, " So? I like hanging out with Ayanokoji-kun, no matter what he drags me into." she gave a suprising reply.

Mori was a bit suprised by such a blunt response, but she wasn't going to let her win this battle.

" I see..." she nods before she started giving Horikita a suggestive smile.
" Or...perhaps Horikita-san has another goal." She teased.

Horikita tilted her head curiously,
" What do you mean by that?" She inquired.

Mori smirks before whispering to Horikita's ear.

" You want to see Ayanokoji-kun in swimwear."

Horikita's eyes widened in shock at her words. She pushed Mori away ( gently ) and glared at her with a seemingly red tint on her cheeks.

" NO!" She immediately denied her assumptions.

Mori laughed , " Are you sure?"

Horikita groaned and covered her face to hide her embarassment while Mori just giggled at her personal victory.

Kiyopon was curious about what Mori whispered to Horikita but then immediately switched his attention towards the elevator since it had opened.

" Good morning." Sakura greeted, politely.

" G-Good morning!" Yamauchi stuttered in suprise even though he already knew she was joining in.

Things seemed awkward between them since the confession event, but it wasn't too suffocating.

" Glad you joined us, Sakura-chan!" Ike said.

" Ah, yes!" She said before turning towards Kiyopon. " Thanks for the invite, Ayanokoji-kun." She smiled.

Kiyopon nodded and gave a thumbs up.

" Oh! So you're joining too, Sakura-san?" Mori asked to which Sakura nodded in response.

" You too, Mori-san?" Sakura asked.

" Yep...except..." Mori gave Kiyopon a strange smile, " This guy over here...didn't seem to have sent me an invitation." She said in a totally chill voice.

Kiyopon tensed and immediately began writing his notebook.

' I'm sorry! I didn't think you'd join if I asked since I'd have expected you to go with your usual friend group!' Even though he'd rushed in writing it, his handwriting was exquisite.

Mori wagged a finger towards Kiyopon in a disapproving manner. " You should always ask me! You never know unless you try, so don't hesitate to ask me."

And then she pressed a finger to her cheek and winked cutely, " And if you're asking me on a date, then trust me when I say that I would 100% give a yes." She said.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook...

' I know.' It said.

Of course, this didn't really come to a suprise to Kiyopon. After all, she did try to help him out to pick a present for Inogashira ( despite failing ), so he still owed her that date...

However, Sakura and Horikita, were not aware of the entire context behind the scenes.

And Mori absolutely took advantage of that fact to tease them both.

" Huh?!" Sakura and Horikita looked at Mori in shock, while the sly girl simply winked at them both.

Sakura glanced at Horikita and also noticed that she seemed pretty suprised.

' Could it be that...Horikita-san...likes him?' Sakura thought to herself.

' Mori-san...also seems to like Ayanokoji-kun...they both...' her thoughts trailed off when Ike suddenly announced something.

" All right, I'll just go check on Sudo since he's not answering my calls! Stay right here, guys!" Ike said before entering the elevator.

" Drag his ass here if you have to!" Yamauchi yelled.

" Huh?! No way! He'd kill me and he's too heavy anyways!" Ike managed to retort before the elevator closed.

--

" Oh, what's this? Goodmorning everyone!" Ichinose greeted as she stepped out of the elevator with her friends, carrying their plastic bags with their swimwear.

' Oh shit! It's Ichinose!' Yamauchi's horny mind immediately thought about her breasts .

" Are you guys heading to the pool?" Ichinose asked the group.

Kiyopon nods.

" Well, why don't we go together?" Ichinose asked.

" Of course! The more the merrier!" Yamauchi agreed instantly.

The girls behind Kiyopon didn't mind either...actually that's cap.

They accepted Ichinose's company with open arms but this was the perfect opportunity to discern whether or not the beautiful maiden named ' Ichinose Honami' holds any affections for our silent protagonist.

" Glad to have you with us, Ichinose-san." Mori greeted.

" Glad to be here! I hope you don't mind if my friends come along." She sheepishly replied.

" Of course not. It's only natural for them to join you wherever you go." Horikita stated.

" It's nice to see you again, Sakura-san." Ichinose gave a gentle smile to Sakura.

" Same here, Ichinose-san. Thank you again for helping me." Sakura said.

" Haha! No problem! " Ichinose chuckled before properly observing the group.

" Hey, don't you think it's strange?" Ichinose suddenly said which confused the trio.

" What's strange?" Horikita questioned.

Meanwhile, Kiyopon was being bombarded by the girls who accompanied Ichinose.

" Nice to see you again, Ayanokoji-kun!" A girl named Ando said with a cheerful smile.

" You didn't forget about us, did you?" A girl named Ninomiya Yui said.

" Of course he wouldn't! Well, at the very least, he can remember me!" Amikura said proudly.

Kiyopon nodded and wrote in his notebook.

' Ando, Ninomiya, and Amikura.' It said.

The three girls smiled and nodded.

" Glad you remembered!" Amikura said.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' We're friends. It'd be rude of me to forget all your names.' It said.

" Awww~ still cute as ever!" Amikura immediately playfully squeezed Kiyopon's cheeks, much to his dismay as he immediately tried to tap out.

He was still having PTSD from the amount of times Horikita destroyed his cheeks.

Hey, readers. We're all thinking about FACE cheeks, right?

Nothing else?

R i g h t?

I'll just assume that we are indeed all on the same page. :)

Anyway, back to the other girls conversation.

" What's strange?" Horikita previously asked.

" Most of our company here are girls." Ichinose said.

"..." They stayed silent as they glanced towards the Class B girls who swarmed Kiyopon, the same way Hirata would get swarmed by his bimbo hare- sorry, group of girls.

" Now that you mention it...you're right..." Sakura slowly said.

Mori sighed , " Who knew Ayanokoji-kun was such a playboy..." she said, teasingly.

' And he's incredibly dense to the other boys' envious stares when girls surround him...' Mori thought.

Ichinose giggled, " No doubt that Ayanokoji-kun is easy to be friends with. I wonder how many names he'd already written in that notebook of his." She mused.

' He's unpredictable in every aspect...' Horikita thought.

The elevators suddenly opened. Ike and a sleepy Sudo stepped out of the elevator.

" Sorry guys, I overslep-" but Sudo choked on his words as he began to realize the amount of girls in their group.

Ike also had his jaw dropped to the floor when he noticed that fact as well.

While Yamauchi's sad existence was...well, to put it kindly... very out of place.

" Ike. Why the hell are there so many of em!" Sudo grabbed Ike and whispered.

" I-I don't know! Could it be because of Ayanokoji???" Ike replied and then they both looked at Kiyopon and then turned back to each other.

" Definitely, Ayanokoji." They both said.

" Hey! Stop complaining about the amount of girls. This just means more content, right?" Yamauchi whispered.

" Y-You're right! Okay, let's just go along with it." Ike said and the boys started tk regain their composure.

" Okay, everyone! I'm assuming that everyone here is joining us?" Ike asked.

" Hope you don't mind us doing so!" Ichinose said.

" Of course not!" Ike happily replied,
" Anyway, let's go!" Ike said and soon, the large group were on their way towards the pool.

--

They arrived to a hallway with seperate lockers to change.

" All right! Let's meet at the pool in twenty minutes." Ichinose took charge.

Everyone nodded and soon went their seperate ways.

Kiyopon noticed Ike's heavy breathing, he was obviously excited about this plan of his.

They entered the locker room and the three idiots began to make conversation while Kiyopon silently changed.

Kiyopon knew that they were only putting an act around him by talking about their usual things. The guys were not aware that Kiyopon knew their true intentions.

A week ago, Ike had texted Kiyopon if he would come to the pool and maybe invite some girls as well, to which Kiyopon obliged.

But then, later that day, Kiyopon managed to spot Ike carrying an RC while he was making his way towards his floor.

That made Kiyopon a bit suspicuous, so he took the liberty of consulting the professor since he'd guessed that the professor likely has a part in this when you consider their last stunt during swimming class early in the year.

Kiyopon went to the professor and pretended to know what Ike was doing with the RC by starting the conversation with ' Just asking if you managed to deliver the RC to Ike.' , this approach made the professor relax and nodded his head while assuring that the
' camera' is a good enough quality to successfully record the girls'...you know.

But then Kiyopon gave him a blank stare and that's when the professor realized...that he fucked up.

He immediately begged Kiyopon to not tell anyone. Kiyopon agreed, but in exchange, he had the professor tell him every single bit of detail about this plan.

And that's how we got here.

Kiyopon checked his phone and received a message from Manabe, saying that she'd just entered the locker room.

--

( Meanwhile, girls' locker room...)

The girks entered the locker room and began to change.

" Wow, Ichinose-san...your figure is outstanding!" Mori complimented.

Ichinose, who was changing right next to Kushida, seemed a bit embarassed.

" Your figure is also nice, Mori-san. Very slender and it suits your looks quite well." Ichinose countered.

" I know." Mori proudly said.

' Well, I was never one to be jealous of big breasts...just wondering if Ayanokoji-kun might be into that...' Mori thought.

" Well, fear not. We ALSO have someone who can compete with your wonderfuk body, don't we, Horikita-san?" Mori nudged Horikita suggestively.

Horikita sighs, " Please leave me alone so I can quietly change..." she muttered.

Mori ignored that and immediately gently pulled Sakura Airi.

" H-Huh? Mori-san, what are yo-" but then Sakura immediately squeaked in suprise when Mori forcefully opened her top.

" WAH!" Sakura's face turned red.

Ichinose was suprised while Horikita sighed at Mori's antics.

" Our Sakura-san can go against your body! This is now truly a battle of the best figure! And best figure means breasts, waist, thighs, and-" Mori slapped Sakura's butt, which elicited a squeak from her. " Butt!"

" M-Mori-sann..." Sakura whined.

" You're quite wild, aren't you, Mori-san?" Ichinose giggled.

" Well, I just felt like we had to show off our best assets. An act of pride, you can say." Mori giggled while Sakura tried to shuffle away to continue changing.

" Oh, sorry about that, by the way!" Mori immediately apologized to Sakura.

" I-It's okay...just...please warn me next time..." she begged.

" I won't ever have to do this again, don't worry!" Mori assured and Sakura nodded.

" To quote Ichinose-san... you really are " wild", aren't you? I didn't expect this from you, even when you were already care-free." Horikita said.

" Well...just wanted to ease the tension with some fun, y'know? I mean, I know we're different classes but can't just chill for now and not think about anything else other than enjoying our last day of summer?" Mori asked.

Ichinose smiled cheerfully at that, " I second that, Mori-san. What do you think, Horikita-san?" She asked.

Horikita sighs, " Whatever. Let's just hurry up." She said.

" Oh. Right!" Ichinose immediately speedrunned and changed to her swimsuit in a minute.

" All right, done! See you out there!" Ichinose waved before grabbing her keys and quickly making her way out.

" She's like a human typhoon..." Horikita mused.

Ichinose was on her way out until she encountered Manabe and some of her friends.

" Morning, Manabe-san." She greeted kindly.

" Morning..." Manabe replied in a disinterested tone.

Their interaction was incredibly brief, so they quickly passed eachother.

--

To be continued in the next chapter!

Yep. I felt incredibly lazy today, but rest assured, next chappie will be released tomorrow and it'll conclude volume 4...

( totally not capping)

But just in case I fail to deliver it tomorrow...

Pls don't shoot me :)

QueenLumine, out~

Closing of 4.5!

Third Person PoV

Kiyopon waited at the pool, simply sitting down and sticking his toes in.

Some students noticed him and gave a small smile as they adored how much he acted like a child.

Kiyopon hummed to himself as he waited for the others to arrive. Suddenly, a voice called out to him.

" Ayanokoji-kun! " Ichinose walked up to him with a smile.

Kiyopon turned his head towards Ichinose and his eyes immediately widened as he witnessed her badonkers jiggling menacingly.

" Whew, this place sure is crowded, huh?" Ichinose was completely oblivious to the stare that Kiyopon was giving her and everyone else's stares too.

"...Hai..." Kiyopon quietly answered as he desperately tried to return his focus back to the pool water.

" Where are the others? I thought the boys would be faster?" Ichinose asked.

" They're...still changing..." He answered.

" Ahh, I see." Ichinose nodded in understanding.

In actuality, those three idiots were likely executing their plan at this very moment. Every girl that enters that locker room to change will be oblivious to what they had set up.

Well, except for the girl that Kiyopon had deployed to sabotage their plan.

" Hey, Ayanokoji-kun. Why are you staring so intently at the water?" Ichinose asked, curiously.

Kiyopon stayed silent at that, deciding not to answer for his own sanity. After all, he was still a boy.

But Ichinose wasn't having it.

She sat beside him and began to peek in on his face.

" Eh?" Ichinose said in suprise as Kiyopon quickly turned his head to the side, avoiding the urge to return her gaze.

" Ayanokoji-kun?" Ichinose tried to grab his attention but Kiyopon didn't budge.

Ichinose pouted, still confused on why he was acting like this when he usually gave his full attention to the person talking to him.

" Hmm..." Ichinose hummed before deciding to poke his cheek.

" Poke!" She said but it elicited no reaction.

Still, Ichinose decided to persist and began poking his cheeks and going lower and lower to try and get a reaction.

But after several poke attempts, she began to realize something.

' He's hard...' she thought to herself , completely suprised but was soon overtaken by curiosity as she began touching his shoulders,arms and torso.

Kiyopon tensed slightly. He felt a bit uncomfortable by Ichinose's sudden rubbing.

Kiyopon grabbed her hand and gently stopped her as he finally turned his head to look her in the eye.

"..." he gave her a blank stare.

Ichinose suddenly realized why he had stopped her and immediately blushed in embarassment.

" Sorry! I got carried away. I was suprised when I felt your body...you have the ideal amount of muscle, without being too muscular." She said.

Kiyopon sighed and lets go of her wrist.

" Ayanokoji-kun, do you work out?" She asked.

"...I used to." Kiyopon answered.

" Ohhh...I see..." She nodded but then noticed Kiyopon quickly returning his gaze back to the water.

Ichinose pouts again.

" Ayanokoji-kun, are you avoiding me?" She asks.

Kiyopon shakes his head no but still refused to look at her.

She furrowed her brows in confusion.

" Then why are you not looking at me? Is something wrong?" She asked, curiously.

Kiyopon didn't respond for a while but he gave up after a minute of silence.

He sighs.

" It's because...Ichinose's body is...dangerous...for me..."

he slowly said and with each word that came out of his mouth, he felt like drowning himself in the pool.

" My body is dangerous for you?" Ichinose repeated as she processed the meaning behind his words.

" O-Oh! " Ichinose's face began turning red as she finally began to realize what Kiyopon meant.

She immediately crossed her arms in embarassment as she turned to look at the other way.

" I...I didn't...oh my goodness..." she didn't know what to say. She felt bad for making Kiyopon uncomfortable like that.

" I'm...sorry for making you uncomfortable..." she apologized with a red face.

" There's no need to apologize..." He assured her.

" Ahaha..." Ichinose awkwardly chuckled at this situation. " It was a suprise...to see you embarassed like this, Ayanokoji-kun..." she said to ease the atmosphere between them.

Kiyopon hummed in agreement before deciding to fall straight into the water.

Splash! He goes.

" Eh? Ayanokoji-kun?!" Ichinose wad suprised.

A moment later, Kiyopon popped out from the water and stared at Ichinose.

Ichinose giggled moments later before jokingly saying,

" Oh, Ayanokoji-kun of the pool. What is your wisdom?" She asked.

Kiyopon furrowed his brows in confusion. Was it a reference to something? He wondered.

But before he could inquire about that, bunches of voices entered their space.

" Yo! " Ike called and the rest of the girls and boys in their group trailed behind.

" Hm? Ayanokoji-kun already began swimming, huh?" Mori mused.

" Huh? Get out of the water, Ayanokoji! We're planning to find a better spot." Ike said.

Kiyopon quietly swam to the side of the pool and pulled himself up.

Horikita,Sakura,Ichinose,Airi,Amikura,Ninomiya, and Ando immediately focused their gaze on him as he got out of the water.

' This sight...is a wonder for the world...' They thought simultaneously.

--

Manabe entered the locker room with her friends. Her friends began chatting while Manabe used them as a sort of shield for what she's about to do.

She went to the back of the room and bent down to open the grate. It opened easily, but it was clearly already unscrewed beforehand.

" ...These perverts." She muttered in disgust as she saw the RC with a camera attached to it. She then began following Kiyopon's instructions and swapped the sd cards.

She closed the grate once she finished and stared at the sd card in her hand.

" He's the only one who..." she trailed off as she thought about Kiyopon.

She felt conflicted about him. He has control over her, he threatened her, she could never forgive him for that.

But despite that, she knows that he doesn't act that way when he's with others. It's not like his actions are lying either, he feels genuine when he acts like...' normal ' ?

" Seriously...who in the world are you...which one is the real you, Ayanokoji..." she muttered to herself before changing and heading out with her friends to the pool.

--

Along the way, the group had met up with more of Ichinose's classmates. Ichinose suggested they joined in after seeking approval from the students already with her. As a result, their group grew larger.

A large crowd of screaming girls surrounded one of the pools, in which students were playing a game of volleyball. The game was feirce, the students that were playing definitely put on a show for the spectators.

" He's awesome." Sudo seemed suprised at one student in particular.

Kiyopon glanced towards the object of Sudo's admiration and it landed on a blonde handsome boy with a slim build. He was most likely a senpai.

Actually, ' handsome' would be an understatement for him. He was a beautiful young man who attracted all the girls around him as he played hard in volleyball.

" Ugh, he's the kind of guy I hate the most. Even though he not that talented or hardworking, he's a winner because of his looks." Ike spat and Yamauchi agreed.

Kiyopon could understand their envy, but they weren't exactly right. The young man had a gleam in his eyes and a calm expression as he played amazingly, these traits also play a part in gaining attraction from the surrounding girls.

The way he jumped made Kiyopon think that he must've done track and field or perhaps soccer due to that leg strength.

" Ah, that's Nagumo-senpai from Class 2-A." Ichinose said.

' Nagumo...' Kiyopon recalled that name during his encounters with Manabu.

" Who is he, exactly?" Horikita inquired.

" You don't know, Horikita-san? He's part of the student council y'know." Mori chimed.

" Student council? That's amazing..." Sakura said.

Ichinose nodded, " And he's the vice president to go along with it." She added.

The group watched as the young man named Nagumo showed off his skills. His team based all of their plays around Nagumo alone and it was working quite nicely and soon ended with their victory over the opposite team.

" Even though he seems popular with the ladies. I've never heard of him until now. You didn't know him either, right, Ayanokoji-kun? He's obviously skilled, but considering his notoriety, I imagine some of that must be hype. I'm sure the student council president can surpass him in any activity, wouldn't you say?" Horikita asked Kiyopon.

Kiyopon rose a brow at that. Was Horikita trying to direct the praises to her brother instead? How sly, Kiyopon thought.

" Yeah. They say the president is amazing. He's possibly the most extraordinary student in this school's whole history. Wait, he has the same surname as you , right, Horikita-san?" Ichinose asked.

Horikita nodded.

--

" Hey, why don't we play some volleyball? With Shibata-kun and the other guys in our team, we'll have six people, and you guys will have seven. If we rotate, we should be set!" Ichinose suggested as she picked up the volleyball.

Kiyopon looked at his classmates' expressions but they didn't seem to be against it. Though, he predicted Horikita would try to back away.

" Um, sorry but I'm really bad at physical ability. Is it okay if I just watch?" Sakura asked.

" Sure!" Ichinose nodded and Sakura gave her thanks.

" I don't really feel like playing, either." Said, Horikita.

Kiyopon was spot-on with his prediction.

But before Horikita could make a move to back away completely. Mori decided to grab her by the arm, halting Horikita's movements.

" Oya~? Is Horikita-san running away?" Mori said, as if trying to provoke her.

Horikita glares at Mori.

" It's not ' running away' when it's just a game, no?" Horikita snapped back.

But Ichinose decided to back up Mori.

" You're certainly right. But this is like a microcosm of our class. Who's more ambitiou, and who has superior teamwork? In that sense, it's a mock competition. Or are you saying that you don't want to compete against us?" Ichinose said.

" What happened to thinking of this day as day of relaxation? Didn't you and Mori-san agree to not think of anything related to class matters for this day?" Horikita said.

Ichinose giggles, " Of course! But aren't you curious on how our class works? Class D vs Class B in a game of volleyball. Losers treats the winners to a free lunch." Ichinose decided to add some stakes.

That alone, immediately alerted Kiyopon's senses.

Before Horikita could try and deny Ichinose, Kiyopon had placed a hand on Horikita's shoulder.

Horikita turned her head to him in confusion, but she was met with an intense gaze as if urging her to say yes.

' Is he going to play just for the free lunch?' She wondered, but that was most likely the case.

Horikita sighed and nodded, which pleased Kiyopon before he takes his hand off her shoulder.

" Fine. Let's do it." Horikita reluctantly agreed.

" Yeah! I'll attract the girls just like Nagumo-senpai!" Ike stated something quite delusional.

" Yeah! Same here!" Yamauchi joined in on Ike's delusions.

" Yeah! Let's beat these meatheads!" Sudo seemed pumped up as well, even though he was the actual meathead...but I won't ruin his dreams.

" Are you any good at pool volleyball, Mori-san?" Horikita asked Mori.

" Nope. But I'm still playing. What about you?" She threw back the question.

" It seems like we're on the same boat, then." Horikita said.

" What about Ayanokoji-kun? Does he know how to play?" Mori asked.

Horikita shrugs, " I don't know." She said.

--

" All right, leave it to me!"

Sudo looked up at the ball as it arced down. He jumped into the air and slammed the ball at the opposing team, as fast as a bullet. Ichinose tried her absolute hardest to keep the ball in play but her movements in the water were slow and dull. She couldn't make it in time.

And that marked the first point of the game, courtesy of Class D.

Kiyopon glanced at Sudo and thought that perhaps Sudo's strength was equal to or greater than Nagumo's. His experience playing basketball also must've helped with his arm strength in order to perform that powerful slam.

" Yeah!" Sudo struck a victory pose.

' As expected, Sudo can dominate the athletic activities. ' Horikita thought.

" Wow! That was an amazing shot, you really got us good on that one. " Ichinose said as she scooped up the ball and handing it back to Sudo.

" Heh. Well, I guess a girl couldn't really repel my attack. Suppose I need to dial it down a little, huh?" Sudo boasted.

" Are you being sexist now? Don't underestimate us girls." Ichinose said with a smile on her face, not the slightest hint of anger evident.

" Sudo-kun has a wide defensive range and high attack power. We need to avoid his area as much as possible." Kanzaki observed. Looks like Class B is planning to turn Class D's biggest strength into their biggest weakness.

All they needed to do, was to aim the ball towards the more unathletic class D students...

For example...

" Ichinose, give me the ball!" Shibata called and Ichinose nodded as she guided the ball towards Shibata, who immediately leapt up to strike.

" I-I got it!" Yamauchi said as the ball was heading towards him, but as Yamauchi leapt, his hand missed the strike and as a result, the point belonged to Class B.

" Shit!" Yamauchi cursed.

" Haruki! What the hell, man?" Ike called.

" I-I just missed!" Yamauchi replied.

" Yeah no shit! Don't miss next time!" Sudo said and Yamauchi nodded quickly.

Ike picked up the ball and proceeded to strike it towards the opposing team. It awkwardly sailed to their side, much to Class B's satisfaction.

Ichinose then leaped to pitch it back to the other side.

" Come on! Move!" Sudo scolded the guys before leaping for it himself and striked the ball back into the opposing side.

Kanzaki managed to keep the ball in play and sent the ball in the air for another girl to strike it towards Class D's side.

Amikura striked it towards Kiyopon.

Kiyopon looked up to see the ball heading down his way, he prepared to strike but in his mind, time began to slow down as he realized a few things.

1. Ichinose was watching.

2. He felt another person's gaze on him. Someone that's not from Class B or Class D.

3. If he tries to play his best, then this will go into B's advantage.

Who knows if there was going to be an event, in which you earn class points through physical activities.

Kiyopon released a small sigh before tuning his strength to at least strike the ball, sending it into Sudo's direction.

" Nice one!" Sudo complimented before leaping up and slamming it, might, towards B's side.

Class B failed to save the ball and Class D earned that point.

" Nice pass, Ayanokoji!" Sudo said and Kiyopon nodded in response.

" He's good." Mori said, amazed. " I thought Sudo-kun would be carrying us in this game...but perhaps Ayanokoji-kun is also good at sports? " Mori said.

" It seems that way..." Horikita suspected that Kiyopon might be good in sports activities as well, judging by how he dodged Manabu's attacks when they first met.

But Horikita felt that he was still holding back, which was quite understandable since it'd be giving away free information to the enemy.

Ichinose smiled as she scooped up the ball.

" Aww, we didn't expect that! " she cooed. " Nonetheless, let's keep it together Class B! The game's just begun!" She motivated her class and they all nodded in response as they prepared to get serious.

Kiyopon glanced to the side and found the person that was gazing at him from afar.

' Nagumo-senpai is watching...' Kiyopon thought. He can't show off too much of his abilities, he'd rather rely on Sudo to win the game for their team.

The ball was in the air, and Ichinose leapt up to strike.

" Eat this!" She said, her breats jiggling as she sent the ball back towards D's side. Unfortunately, Yamauchi and Ike's gaze were towards her breasts so they weren't moving.

Horikita did a small 'tch' for their behavior before she managed to send the ball towards Sudo's direction, keeping the ball in play and in Sudo's striking range.

" Great!" Sudo did his usual leap and striked it hard, sending the ball speeding like a bullet towards the opposite side.

Shibata managed to hit it back and it was currently heading towards Mori's direction. Luckily enough, Mori was suprisingly good at reacting and managed to strike the ball back towards B's side.

' So all of them except Ike-kun and Yamauchi-kun can react well...' Ichinose observed.

Well, that was a bit debatable since they were distracted by your monstrous boobs, Ichinose.

Ando sent it back towards D's side.

" Back!" Sudo called and Horikita reacted, managing to send the ball straight into the air.

Sudo tried to jump but his foot slipped on the pool floor, causing him to miss the opportunity.

" SHIT!" Sudo cursed as he tried to get up quickly.

Unfortunately, Yamauchi and Ike, who were the closest to the ball at the time had failed to react.

And there goes another point for Class B.

" Yes!" Class B cheered.

The game went back and forth, but in the last two possessions, Class B managed to score over them and soon, Sudo's frustration bursted.

" UGH! CAN'T YOU GUYS AT LEAST KEEP THE BALL IN PLAY!" He roared at Ike and Yamauchi, who had been unreliable the entire game.

" W-We're trying dude!" Ike said.

" R-Relax, man! I-It's just a game!" Yamauchi tried to calm Sudo down but that wasn't helping.

Horikita sighed.

' This is bad...' she thought.

Class D called a time-out so they can regroup.

" Sudo-kun is really into this game..." Mori said.

Horikita crossed her arms. " It's only natural that he is. After all, sports is everything to him." She said.

Ichinose kept glancing towards Kiyopon from time to time during the time-out.

" Honami-chan~ trying to sneak glances at your crush~?" Mako teased.

" Huh? What do you mean?" Ichinose asked.

Mako smugly pointed at Kiyopon, which made Ichinose a bit flustered.

" Y-You're mistaken! I was just observing!" Ichinose tried to say but Mako didn't seem too convinced.

" Suspicious, I tell you~" she said.

" Seriously!" Ichinose bickered back and forth with Mako until the latter finally gave up.

Ichinose sneaked one more glance towards Kiyopon.

She was a bit suspicious of Kiyopon's abilities in this game. Something is telling her that he was holding back.

After all, she witnessed the way Kiyopon ran when they saved Sakura. He was incredibly fast.

Sudo was still reprimanding the two idiots and urging them to focus on the game instead of the boobs.

" Come on! Boobs will get you nothing right now! If we win, we get a free lunch and personal pride!" Sudo barked.

" Okay Okay! We get it-" Ike tried to say but was interrupted.

" Then show me!" Sudo said before turning his back towards them and walking back to his position.

Yamauchi and Ike sighed and seemed irritated at Sudo but they decided to do what he says for now since they obviously couldn't win in a fight against him.

" No way, no way!" The game had resumed and Yamauchi tried to get the ball but his face landed into the water after he slipped, which gave Class B another point.

" Oh for fucks sakes..." Sudo muttered.

Class B's superior teamwork was quickly overpowering Class D's and they were close to winning the game.

" Come on! Even the girls are more useful than you two!" Sudo scolded again, his frustration was really building up.

The ball went up in the air and Class D managed to score a point but nothing had really changed since Class B had quickly returned it.

*grrkkfppp* Kiyopon's stomach grumbled quietly.

Kiyopon was clearly hungry now. He was the one who urged Horikita to agree to this game, after all.

Kiyopon scooped up the ball and glanced towards the cranky Sudo.

Kiyopon sighs. Sudo can't win alone. Not like this.

That's why...

" You know what? Just hit the ball and make sure it doesn't hit the water! I'll handle all the moving while the girls try to pass it towards me- " Sudo was in the middle of instructing until Kiyopon tapped him on the shoulder.

" Huh? What!" Sudo said, his anger evident.

Kiyopon gave him a look before forming a fist in front of Sudo.

" Huh? What are you trying to do?" Sudo asked, now confused.

Horikita eyes widened.

' Is he going to...actually try? ' she thought. A bubbling feeling of excitement began to form inside her at that possibility.

Kiyopon just gave him a silent look, refusing to communicate through words this time.

Suddenly, the wheels inside Sudo's head had began working as he began to suspect what Kiyopon was silently suggesting.

"...Are you sure you want to work with me?" Sudo asked.

Kiyopon nodded.

" Are you SURE you want to be our second ace...?" He asked again.

Kiyopon nodded with a determined look.

Sudo looked at Kiyopon's fist and then back to his gaze.

Sudo's face morphed from confusion to a more excited look as he returned his Kiyopon's fist bump.

" Let's go then!" Sudo said and Kiyopon smiled a bit, signaling his agreement.

' They're going to work together...this will be interesting now...' Unbeknownst to Horikita, she began smiling at this development.

The ball was in the air and Class B was ready for whatever Sudo was going to dish out at them.

Except...

" Huh?" Class B wore a look of suprise as they see the person leap into the air.

It wasn't going to be Sudo that's scoring this time...

" Go, Ayanokoji!" Sudo said.

Kiyopon slammed the ball with a little bit more strength compared to Sudo's, and Class B couldn't react due to suprise.

Class D earned their first point for a comeback.

" Nice!" Sudo grinned and Kiyopon nodded.

This duo was going to dismantle Class B's strategy.

" Holy crap! That jump was almost near to Sudo's jump!" Shibata was amazed.

" And that power...it was similar too..." Kanzaki added, as he began getting cautious of Kiyopon.

Ichinose was speechless because she truly hadn't expected that.

Kiyopon couldn't go overboard in this game. He needed to match with Sudo and appear equal, he shouldn't go beyond that.

Nagumo's face morphed into one of interest at Kiyopon's sudden development.

Class B launched the ball back to Class D's side and Kiyopon managed to send it straight towards Sudo.

' Okay! Sudo will strike!' They concluded.

But suddenly, the ball was sent flying back towards Kiyopon's direction.

' Huh?!' They thought in suprise since they didn't expect Sudo to pass it back.

Kiyopon made a fierce jump and striked it once more with Sudo-level strength.

Another point for Class D.

" G-Geez! Those two are concering me..." Shibata said with a nervous smile.

" They're amazing...can we still win?" Amikura asked.

" We can! Don't let them hinder our victory!" Ichinose said and once more, their morale was boosted.

Sudo and Kiyopon moved in sync as they watched the ball heading towards their side.

Kiyopon managed to keep the ball in play and slapped it towards Sudo.

Sudo jumped, he wore an excited grin as he slammed it towards the opposing side. " TAKE THAT!" he yelled.

Somehow, Kanzaki managed to keep the ball in play and hits it back to Ichinose, to which she guided it towards Shibata.

" Not yet, bro!" Shibata said as he leaped up and striked it towards Class D.

" I got it!" Mori said and hit the ball towards Kiyopon's direction.

Kiyopon did a small nod before he quickly guided it towards their first ace, Sudo Ken.

But before Sudo could leap, he noticed Kanzaki and Shibata rushing towards the net in an attempt to block it in the closest distance.

Sudo's grin only widened since this time, he wasn't completely alone. He immediately sent the ball back to Kiyopon's direction.

Kiyopon jumped and slammed it once more towards their side. A flawless hit.

Another point went to Class D.

" Woah! " Ike and Yamauchi were amazed by Sudo and Kiyopon's teamwork.

In fact, it began to attract attention from other students.

" Yo! Look at these defectives! They're not that bad...especially those two over there!" One senpai pointed towards Sudo and Kiyopon.

" This looks like an exciting game!" A female senpai cheered.

" Yo guys, let's bet on who'll win. B or D? " one of the male senpais suggested and began pooling in their bets.

Meanwhile, Class B was struggling to keep the lead since Class D was quickly catching up.

The game was about to be over in a few more points.

" Go for it!" Ike called and sent it towards Kiyopon.

Kiyopon leaped up and with a determined look, slammed it towards Class B's side.

Another point!

The crowd cheered.

' heh...these two are incredible...' Horikita thought as she spiked the ball towards them.

Sudo jumped but he was once again encountered with a block attempt from Kanzaki and Shibata.

' Shit!' He couldn't pass in time so he simply tried to power through.

Bam! As expected, he couldn't get through and the ball went flying towards their back.

" DON'T WORRY! WE GOT IT!" Ike and Yamauchi hurried to where the ball might land and threw themselves to keep the ball in play.

BAM! Their heads clashed but they successfully managed to keep the ball in the air.

" OW!" They screamed in pain.

" Nice one you guys!" Sudo praised them both since they actually saved it.

Horikita sent the ball towards Kiyopon's direction. " Ayanokoji-kun!" She called.

Kiyopon nodded and prepared to jump but saw a block attempt fron Amikura and Ichinose on his side. Kiyopon decided to pass it towards Sudo instead.

" HYAH!" Sudo made his biggest jump in the entire game and slammed the ball with all his might.

The ball made a huge splash into the pool from the opposite side.

Game point!

" Let's go! Just one more!" Sudo roared and Class D seemed motivated as well.

Kiyopon and Sudo's teamwork also lit a temporary fire in them for this game.

" Let's give it our all! Final play!" Ichinose said.

Shibata launched the ball and Kanzaki leaped up to strike but was instantly blocked by Sudo.

" Shibata!" Kanzaki called and Shibata quickly reacted as he jumped to strike the ball once more, sending it to Class D's side.

The ball was flying towards the far back but luckily, Ike managed to hit it towards Horikita's direction.

In response, Horikita directed the ball towards Sudo.

Sudo jumped but was once again in a block attempt from Kanzaki and Shibata.

Sudo decided to power through until he saw another hand on the ball.

' Ayanokoji!' He thought as he glanced at Kiyopon who had jumped beside him.

" It's over!" Sudo said before he and Kiyopon slammed the ball together with all their might, the ball broke through Shibata and Kanzaki's block.

Splash! The ball landed on B's side.

The crowd went silent for a few seconds as they witnessed the game ending shot.

" THE GAME IS OVER!" Someone announced.

" WOOOOOOO!" the crowd all went crazy and began applauding at the wonderful game.

Class B sighed in disappointment but they accepted the loss.

Meanwhile, Class D celebrated.

" LEZGOOOO!!!" Ike said.

" GREAT GAME!" Yamauchi cheered.

Mori was released a deep breath, completely amazed from what had transpired.

" Great game, Ayanokoji!" Sudo walked to Kiyopon with a huge smile.

" We make a great team! " Sudo formed a fist bump towards Kiyopon.

"...Yeah." Kiyopon also smiled a bit and returned the fist bump. Sudo immediately messed up Kiyopon's hair like a kid, much to the latter's dismay , before Sudo went towards the idiots.

" Great game guys! Looks like you won the free lunch!" Ichinose told them.

" Great!" They all said before getting out of the pool.

The crowd had dispersed but not before showering Kiyopon and Sudo with praises.

Horikita matched her pace with Kiyopon as they trailed behind the rest.

" What made you do that?" Horikita asked, referring to Kiyopon's sudden team up with Sudo.

Kiyopon's stomach answered for him as it grumbled loudly.

"..." Kiyopon felt embarassed about that, so he clutched his stomach.

Horikita giggled, " I see. It's so you to go somewhat all out for these type of reasons. " she mused.

Nagumo narrowed his eyes at Kiyopon. His interest had been peaked.

' Could this be the person that Horikita-senpai was hinting at? Hm...' he thought to himself before sighing and leaving the pool area.

' Doesn't matter. Nobody has tbe ability to shut me down. I'll be sure to turn our school system into that of a meritocracy.' He mused.

--

" Feel free to pick anything you like! I'll pay for it all!" Ichinose announced.

Class D didn't even hesitate to oblige to doing so since this was Ichinose's idea and she was going to bear the consequences whether she likes it or not.

" Ayanokoji! You should definitely join the basketball team! " Sudo said before munching on his food.

" You were incredible, dude! You and Ken dominated the game!" Ike said.

Mori, Sakura and Horikita nodded.

" You were so cool, Ayanokoji-kun!" Sakura praised.

Kiyopon shrugged their praises away.

" Ayanokoji-kun doesn't really like to be in clubs." Horikita said before taking a sip of her drink.

" Eh? How do you know that?" Yamauchi asked.

" He likes his free time. Isn't that right, Ayanokoji-kun?" Horikita asked Kiyopon, to which he nodded in agreement.

" Damn, bummer, dude. Anyway, if you DO intend to join the basketball clun, just come to me and I'll put in a good word for you." Sudo offered.

Kiyopon nodded to that, he appreciated the offer.

--

( Now, let's rewind back to Volume 4.)

Kiyotaka waited at the place where Manabe and her friends assaulted Karuizawa. He was waiting for Manabe's arrival.

The door opened and Manabe stepped in.

" You...why did you call me here." Manabe said as she stared at his back, she wasn't aware yet of the true identity of the person that set her up.

Kiyotaka turned around and faced Manabe.

Manabe's eyes widened in shock.

" N-No...you...it can't be..." she stuttered.

" Ayanokoji-kun...what are you doing here?" She decided to ask. She thought that maybe this was a bad coincidence.

" Someone called you here?" He repeated her previous words.

" It's none of your business..." she stated.

Kiyotaka walked towards her. " I believe it is." He spoke, his tone was completely flat.

Manabe crossed her arms as she tried to deny the situation in front of her.

" No...it isn't." She said.

" Someone set you up, right? Someone told you to bully my classmate, Karuizawa, correct?" He asked, his eyes staring right at her. Manabe felt chills run up her spine as she instinctively backed away.

"...How...do you know that." She asked, even though the context was clear.

" I'm sure you already know the answer." He said and finally stood in front of her.

Manabe laughed, " No...No it can't be you...not you..." she tried to deny the reality.

" I recorded the entire thing. You wanna see?" Kiyotaka asked.

She stopped laughing as she looked down. Kiyotaka stared at her, waiting for her to say anything else, waiting to see if she still wants to deny it.

"..." Manabe's expression changed into one of frustration as she glared at Kiyotaka.

" What the hell do you want?" She said.

" I want you to work for me. I want you to tell me any possible future plans that Ryuuen has shared with your class. I want to know everyone's greatest strengths and weaknesses. " Kiyotaka answered.

" Like I know anything about that." Manabe spat. " And even if I do. You think I'm going to snitch? No thanks." She said before making her way towards the door.

" I'll upload the video online for everyone to see." Kiyotaka started and Manabe stopped but still didn't turn around.

" Your reputation will be ruined. And maybe, they'll even try to bully you for Karuizawa's sake. Nobody will be on your side when that happens, you'll be ostracized." He turns to her.

" And when the school finds out. You and your class will be punished...most likely a deduction of class points since you'd be either expelled or suspended for a long time." He said.

Manabe turns to Kiyotaka.

" So what? Why don't you just go ahead and do it, huh? If you lower our class points then Class D can overtake us, right? So what the hell is stopping you?" She sneered.

" Anyway, do whatever you want. You can go fuck off." She said and turned once more.

" As expected, you don't really care much for personal punishment." He said.

" Hah?" She looked at him again but suddenly, he was way too close to her.

" What the he-" Manabe couldn't finish her sentence since she was quickly shoved towards the wall.

" Agh!" It felt a bit painful but she was too suprised to care in that moment. She looked at Kiyotaka with a look of disbelief.

Kiyopon pulled out his phone and played the video.

" Ow! Ow! It hurts! Let me go!" Karuizawa screams in pain.

The video showed Manabe slapping her and hitting her where the bruises will not be too visible.

" How's this, huh!" Manabe says before hitting Karuizawa once more.

Karuizawa's screams and cries of pain were heard throughout the video.

" Whoah, Shiho. Don't you think you're hitting her a little too much? Wow, you're harsh..." one of Manabe's friends said.

" Who cares! She's been pushing my buttons lately and this feels so good! Rika, why don't you join in? We're doing this for your sake, after all." Manabe urged Rika to join in.

" H-Huh? I can't-"

" Come on! Slap her!" Manabe said and to demonstrate, she gave a huge slap to Karuizawa's face.

" Agh!" Karuizawa shouted.

Rika relented and gave a light pathetic slap to Karuizawa's cheek. Pap!

" Huh? Put in a little more force!" Manabe insisted.

Due to Manabe's instructions, Rika decided to give a harder slap to Karuizawa, which elicited another scream of pain from the blonde.

" That's it!" Manabe encouraged.

" S-S-Stop it!" Pleaded Karuizawa.

Soon after, Rika began slapping Karuizawa multiple times.

" Ha ha ha! T-This is fun!" Rika began smiling.

" I know right!" Manabe grinned.

Her slaps turned to punches. Her punches turned to kicks. It was obvious that the impact was rather strong as Karuizawa cries sounded the room.

" FUCK YOU!" Manabe interrupted the video by aiming a punch towards Kiyotaka.

Kiyotaka caught her by the wrist and twisted her arm to her back, making her back face him before shoving her right to the wall.

" AGH!" She lets out a grunt of pain as she struggled to move.

Her front was pressed to the wall while Kiyotaka pressed her back.

Kiyotaka leaned and whispered to her.

" Oh...I wonder why you reacted like that just now." He whispered.

Manabe struggled to move, her hands weren't free.

" Oh...is it because I managed to also catch your friends in the act? Especially... Rika. " he said.

Manabe stopped moving, she stayed silent.

" You couldn't care less about yourself, huh? As long as your friends don't get punished for your mistakes, you'll endure anything. " he added.

" Shut up..." she muttered.

" If the school sees this video...they'll punish everyone involved besides Karuizawa." Kiyotaka whispered.

" Shut up." She repeated.

" Everyone will mock you and your friends. And isn't Rika naturally shy? She's too weak to handle such mean words from her peers, isn't that right? Isn't that why you act like a sort of bodyguard?" He said.

" You...don't know anything..." Manabe insisted.

" I know everything. I know exactly how the scenario would play out. Would you like to know the predictions I made up for Rika once this leaks?" He asked.

Manabe stayed silent, which Kiyotaka took as a sign to continue.

" I predict that she'll be bullied by everyone. They'll draw insults on her desk, shove her around the halls, bully her online. And who knows? They might not even give her a break when she's in the bathrooms." Kiyotaka said.

" The...cameras...will prevent that...everyone will be too afraid to lose points..." Manabe countered.

" Cameras can have blind spots, Manabe. Even if you guard her, it doesn't matter. They'll target the both of you. You and Rika will live in fear throughout the entire year...perhaps...it might even extend to the rest of the 3 years...that'd be pretty bad, no?" Kiyotaka whispered.

Kiyotaka didn't give her enough time to think over his words. He had to make her fear him one way or another.

" But do you know what's the worst case scenario? Would you like to know?" He inquired.

Manabe dreaded whatever he was going to say next.

" She might just kill herself over it."

" SHUT UP! DON'T YOU FUCKING SAY THAT!" As if a fire lit inside Manabe, she desperately tried to move.

" Suicides are pretty common. Especially when it's due to bullying. Nobody will even bat an eye if Rika decides to end her life...except you...you'll live with the guilt of it all..." Kiyotaka said.

" LEAVE RIKA OUT OF THIS! DON'T UPLOAD THAT VIDEO!" Manabe begged.

" Oh? How submissive. The moment I put Rika's life on the line, you're acting like this. Looks like I found your weakness." Kiyotaka said, tauntingly even.

Manabe began to tear up as her movements began slowing down.

" Please, please! Don't...Don't drag her into my mess!" She pleaded.

" I...I'll never forgive myself...please...please...leave her alone..." she cried.

" What will you do? In order for me to leave her be?" Kiyotaka tested her.

" A...Anything..." she croaked out.

" I see...very well then." Kiyotaka backs up a bit, letting go of her hand.

Manabe slowly turned to look at him with a teary face.

" You really care about your friend." Kiyotaka observed but Manabe refused to reply.

" You're willing to do ' anything' , right?" Kiyotaka inquired.

Manabe's eyes widened.

" Y-You...can't...be...thinking of..." she trailed off but Kiyotaka understood what she meant.

" And what if I am?" He asked. " You'll do it, right? For Rika's sake?" He added.

She looked down silently.

What Kiyotaka was doing to her was truly cruel. Something neither side had expected but Kiyotaka knew it had to be done. This was the quickest way.

"...F-Fine..." she reluctantly said.

Kiyotaka stepped closer towards her and stared her down with a cold look.

" Spread your legs."

Manabe slowly did as she was told, Kiyotaka's hand touched the side of her thigh.

Manabe shivered at his touch but didn't do anything to stop him. She couldn't allow herself to do anything at this moment.

She was trapped.

And Kiyotaka finally secured her.

Kiyotaka backed away, hands in his pocket.

" H-Huh...?" Manabe looked at him with a confused look.

" I have no need for your body. I just need you to cooperate with me." Kiyotaka said.

" Cooperate..." she repeated.

" You're willing to do anything for your friends sake. You were willing to let me go that route...if I wanted to." He said.

" You...You were toying with me..." she said.

" I was testing you." He corrected her.
" You're the perfect tool for me to use, Manabe."

' Tool' that word echoed in her mind.

" Tool...?" She looked up at him.

" You will do as I say, no matter what. You will report to me about any news that goes on in class C. In exchange, I won't upload the video. Both you and Rika's lives will be safe." He says, holding his phone for her to see.

" Also, it's obvious enough that you don't say a word to Ryuuen." He added.

" You...You are worse than Ryuuen..." she stated.

" I don't care. Your complaints mean nothing. You are nothing but a tool to me now, remember that." Kiyotaka said before walking towards the door.

" You...You're nothing but a liar, Ayanokoji! Is this how you think of everyone else! You put on an act?!" She yelled at him.

Kiyotaka didn't respond and left Manabe in the room.

Manabe wiped her tears away.

She was now controlled by two people.

The tyrant leader of her class, Ryuuen.

And Ayanokoji...

She could tolerate Ryuuen's orders because at least he was leading their class.

But Ayanokoji is forcing her to betray Ryuuen. Betray her class. For the sake of her friend.

" I hate you...Ayanokoji..." she muttered and clenched her fists.

She silently left the room after she fixed herself up.

--

( Present time )

It was closing time and Kiyopon waited for his visitor by the pool while everyone went to change.

Manabe finally arrived and stood beside him silently.

" How was it?" Kiyotaka inquired.

Manabe showed him the sd card. Kiyotaka nodded.

" Good." He said.

" Your classmates are disgusting. " she expressed her opinion.

" It's just youth run amok. You could give them a break-"

" They can go to hell for all I care." She interrupted.

"...Fair enough." Kiyotaka decided to not argue further. He took the card from her hand and examined it before closing his fist, concealing it.

" ...Why did you save them? I didn't think of you as the type to care for other people." She asked.

" They're my friends-"

" Like hell they are. Please stop putting on the act." She snapped.

" You're awfully casual when talking to the person who can ruin your life in mere hours." Kiyotaka stated.

" You wouldn't do it unless I disobeyed an order. I'm not disobeying. I'm just asking a question." She countered.

Kiyotaka releases a sigh. There was no reason to argue about that, even if he had the ability to ban her from asking questions.

" I do care about other people." That's something Kiyotaka had realized back at the island exam when he saw Horikita crying.

" It's your problem if you think otherwise." He adds.

" ...I refuse to believe that. Which one is the real you? The one talking to me right now? Or the one who acts all cute towards everyone else." She asked.

" Cute?"

" Answer the question, Ayanokoji." She said.

Kiyotaka sighs.

" Both are the real me. It's not like I'm faking my personality when I talk with you and other people. I just hide...this side of me from everyone else, I suppose." He answers.

"..." Manabe went silent.

" What?" He looked at her.

" I didn't expect you to give me an honest answer..." she said.

" Honesty is the best policy...at least that's what they say." He said.

It was silent between them for a while.

Until Kiyotaka suddenly spoke.

" I'd like to discuss something with you. Walk with me." He said and began walking along the pool side.

Manabe followed him, unsure of what he wanted to discuss.

" I was thinking...of preparing a certain trick. It'll be devastating to whoever is on the receiving end." He said.

Manabe widened her eyes,
" What...trick?"

" I'm talking about expulsion. " he said.

" Explusion?!" She looked at him in suprise but then things began piecing together.

" Is that why...you ordered me to get the card...? To use it to expell someone?" She asked.

Kiyotaka nodded.

" Preferably, someone from our grade. Perhaps I could expell Ryuuen with this." He mused

" ..." Manabe stayed silent.

" But I couldn't. After all, there's no proof that he'd been seen in the pool as far as I know. Unless...you spotted him?" He turns to Manabe.

" I didn't see Ryuuen." She answered immediately.

" If you're trying to cover it up, I will find out one way or another...and upload the video-"

" He's not! I swear!" She insisted.

Kiyotaka stopped and grabbed her by the shoulders to stare into her eyes.

" Are you sure..."

Manabe felt chills as she stared back into his eyes. It felt see through...felt empty. It felt incredibly terrifying...

" I-I p-promise...I'm not lying..." she whimpered.

Kiyotaka lets go of her shoulder and his eyes returned back to their relaxed gaze.

" Okay. I believe you." He says.

He then sighs, " I guess I have to expell someone else. Hmm...maybe I can expell the vice president himself?" He said.

" The vice president...are you serious...?" She asked in disbelief.

" Hm...nah, that won't work. He was here way before we arrived. There are tons of people who'd testify to his innocence." He scrapped that thought immediately.

" Then who will you expell?" Manabe was curious.

" ...If push comes to shove...then I have no choice but to expell an unnecessary human being from Class D." He said in a nonchalant way.

Fear will motivate the survivors. That could be a way.

" You're...willing to expell...a student from your class? And the way you referred to it..." Unnecessary human being" ? You really do think of people as tools...you're cold, Ayanokoji." Manabe said.

" You already know that." He said.

"...I'm not sure whether or not I should be happy to know that..." she replied.

Kiyotaka hummed in agreement before he clenched his fist and a cracking/bending noise was heard.

" Huh? What are you-" before Manabe could ask, Kiyotaka threw the card in the trash can.

" Why did you-"

" It's of no use to me. If it backfires, then I'd suffer the consequences. Besides, holding onto that thing is quite nerve-wracking y'know?" He said.

" And holding me under blackmail is not?" She snapped back.

" That's because I know you wouldn't be able to do anything. " he said. " Let's go." He said and led Manabe back to the pool.

" By the way, I saw the how you played in that volleyball game." Manabe said.

" Did you, now..."

" As much as I hate you with every fibre of my being. You played well. It was...entertaining." she admitted.

" Glad you enjoyed the show, then." He said before they stopped near the pool.

" Hey, have you swam today?" Kiyotaka turns to Manabe.

Manabe rose a brow.

" No." She replied.

" Then swim." He points to the pool.

" No." She rejected.

" Why?" He asked.

" I don't want to. " she answered.

" I see...do you hate swimming?" He asks.

" I already told you that I don't hate swimming. I just dont want to, right now." She said that loud and clear.

" Ah, same here then. I, too, don't like swimming." He suddenly says.

" Why is that?" She asked.

Kiyotaka stayed silent and averted his gaze.

" Wait...do you not how to swim?" She asked with a look of disbelief.

He didn't answer that.

" BAHAAHAHAHA! " she began laughing, " No. There's no way!" She wheezed.

" Way mature of you, Manabe." He said.

" Y-You actually can't s-swim?! I find that hard to believe! There is absolutely no way that's true!" She said in fits of laughter.

" Sure, keep laughing at my inability to swim." He said in an annoyed tone.

" Please! I don't believe you at all!" She cried.

" Well, you should." He said.

" Let's see then." She suddenly said.

" Huh?"

Splash! Manabe pushed Kiyotaka to the pool and he immediately sunk.

" Like I'll ever believe you!" She said as she stared at the water.

...

" ...Ayanokoji?" She called after 20 seconds.

Kiyopon had not responded.

" H-Hey!" She went kneeled down by the pool side and tried to see through the water.

' Shit! He wasn't lying!' She panicked.

But the second after she thought that...

" AH!" Manabe screamed after Kiyopon quickly emerged from the water and dragged her down to the pool.

SPLASH! she goes.

They both emerge from the water.

" Puwah! You- asshole!" She glares at the smug Kiyopon.

" You-" she splashed water at him,
" LIED TO ME!" She yelled.

She kept splashing water at him while Kiyopon tried to avoid getting some in his eyes.

" Sorry. Couldn't help it." He said, completely unapologetic.

" You scared the crap out of me!" Her face relaxed into a smile as she felt a bit relieved.

Kiyopon simply gave a small smile in response.

Manabe's eyes widened.

" You're...smiling at me..."

Kiyopon silently nodded.

"...Is that...really you?" She asked.

Kiyopon nodded.

Manabe bit her lip before deciding to splash more water at him.

" I hate you!" She said, but she still wore a small smile.

It was strange.

But this was fun.

" Hey! You two! Get out of the pool!" The life guard said.

Kiyopon and Manabe ignored the poor life guard and kept splashing water at each other until they both felt satisfied.

...Yeah.

I failed my promise ;-;

I had no motivation yesterday, so I wrote nothing.

But my ass woke up at 4 am in the morning and I just began writing since my brain started throwing in words.

It managed to reach over 8k, so this marks the longest chapter of Kiyopon Can't Communicate

So uh...

Pls don't shoot me? :)

And Imma be taking a break from this fic for a week or two to relax my poor brain.

Yeah imma still publish oneshots tho if I feel like it during that time.

Anyway, this is all for the chappie!

Be ready for vol 5 when I go back to writing.

QueenLumine, out~

I have something important to tell.

No.

No pranks this time.

I just wanna say smth regarding this fic.

But first, I wanna thank all the votes and all the reads this fic got. I honestly didn't expect it to blow up when I made the first oneshot about this fic.

It was supposed to be just a short oneshot series. But then ya'll suggested I make an entire fic for it so it won't clash with my oneshots book.

I took 5 minutes of considering it, and then I just fuking did it! Even tho I rlly had no plan for this fic at all!

I was just writing whatever came to mind and as long as it made sense, I thought I could continue that way.

But then...recently...I began to realize that it was a bad idea.

I'm proud of this fic. I had fun writing it. I had fun making random ideas for its future chapters.

But now, I realize that was foolish of me to think. I should've not made a plot. But I did. And i regret it deeply.

But there's no going back.

No matter what, I will change nothing of this fic's past chapters. Because the mistakes I made in prev chapters shows my growth and it makes me proud as I make future chapters with better writing.

But nowadays, I'm simply too lazy to write for this fic.

Did I lose passion? Not exactly.

Will I discontinue it? Definitely not.

Am I willing to reach the ending? Yes.

But not like this.

Not in the way I progressed this fic for the past 20 chapters.

So, with that out of the way. Imma give the important news.

Im going to skip.

A lot of shit.

I will focus on only important events or interactions throughout each volume.

Currently, we are at volume 5.

But the volume will only take one or two chapters before we move on to vol 6- or maybe straight to 7.

But at the beginning of the chapter, I will just list the things that happened so you can somewhat get the context.

Like

- Kiyo deployed Kushida to act as a traitor for Class D and interact with Ryuen

- Kiyo and Mori's relationship improved since he was her personal coach for the sports festival.

- Kiyo and Sudo were the main leaders for Class D in the festival

And then yada yada yada...

And then I just start writing fr like the Relay Race between Suzune's brother and Suzune's husband to be- ay wait hold up. My bad.

Still unsure about tbe endgame. Mhm. Definitely :)

So anyways that's all!

I hope you understood my half-assed explanation! :D

This fic will update soon with the aforementioned format.

Bye bye!

Volume 5 : Summary before the actual chapter

Here it is...I hope this format works better...

Events that happened prior:

- Sports festival announced

-Class D brainstormed shit but Sudo kept insisting that he and Kiyopon lead the class for the sports festival.

- The class was inclined with Sudo's proposal but Horikita still required Kiyopon's personal answer to it. Kiyopon agreed.

- Although Kiyopon agreed, he whispered to Horikita that he won't overextend his help as a condition, to which Horikita agreed.

- At the assembly when the rules were further elaborated by the third years and teachers, Sakayanagi Arisu was suprised to see Kiyopon. The moment her eyes landed on him, she thought it was a dream until a moment later, Kiyopon softly bumped against her small stature.

- Kiyopon quickly wrote an apology and Arisu was lucky enough to get a closer look at his face. That's when doubt began to pool inside her. His apology seemed so genuine despite it being a written one. She expected him to struggle socializing but she watched him hang around his friends just fine.

- And at the time, she decided to sigh and dismiss the possibility of it being really him since it crashes with her personal perspective of him during the WR.

- Kiyopon and Horikita met up at Kiyopon's room to have a snack break. Horikita discussed her thoughts about the festival and imagined the many different underhanded tactics Ryuuen would take.

- Kiyopon then stealthily convinced Horikita into using Kushida. Horikita was shocked by that idea coming from Kiyopon of all people but was quickly smooth talked into considering it.

- Horikita gave Kiyopon the go signal and soon began his plan to sneak in a traitor and his own personal spy in class C ( Manabe ofc ).

- Kiyopon showed a bit of his crue side and successfully blackmailed Kushida using the evidence Horikita had already recorded back at vol 1.

- Class D training arc!

-Sudo acted as captain while Kiyopon acted as the usually silent co-captain.

- For some reason, most of the girls tried to hog Kiyopon's attention but Mori came out victorious and usually had personal sessions with the both of them alone.

-Kiyopon received an image attachment from Manabe, which had the summary of Ryuuen's plan and even sent a voice recording which confirmed that everything has been successfully set in stone.

- Kushida did her job well, and managed to get a deal with Ryuuen. She sent the fake schedule made from the quick witted Horikita Suzune and as a result, Ryuuen's entire plan was based on the fake schedule that Kushida submitted.

-The festival began. Sudo and Kiyopon hard carried in the recommended participants field.

- Ryuuen was in shock on how Class D was winning. But soon realized that either Kushida fooled him intentionally, or she was a puppet sent by the secret mastermind of class D.

- He quickly switched his plan and told his classmates to forget about the former plan and quickly improvised a new one on the spot.

- Class C played aggressively and managed create a stalemate between their class and class D.

- Ryuuen opted to be as condescending as possible towards Sudo and Kiyopon. But he only managed to get the former to burst like he had intended, but unfortunately for him, Kiyopon was still there to quickly cool down Sudo's anger, which in turn, disappointed Ryuuen just a bit.

-Seeing that nothing was going to get through Sudo with Kiyopon around. He opted the next best thing; Injuring an important figure in their class.

-Of course, the original plan had been to stealthily injure Horikita but while the victim of this new plan remains the same...the intention and method to do is going to be different.

- While Horikita was finishing her obstacle course race, a female class C student, Kinoshita, intentionally played as aggressive as possible towards Horikita during the race. She often bumped to her side and spouted insults.

- Horikita wasn't too affected until Kinoshita finally committed to her role and bumped into her at just the right moment, sending them into a violent tumble across the lane.

-It was done in a way where EVERYONE could witness it. It wasn't going to be ruled out as an accident.

- Both Kinoshita and Horikita got injured and it went according to Ryuuen's plan. The teachers asked Kinoshita about why she did that, and Kinoshita lied that it was a personal grudge. Naturally, she was punished and lost the points she had earned in this festival from the prev events she participated in.

-Sudo was at his peak. He stormed towards Ryuuen and was about go get into a scuffle until ishizaki and Albert stopped him and sent him to the ground while Ryuuen rubs salt on the wound with taunts and lies.

-Albert and Ishizaki held Sudo on the ground, pinning him down, unable to move.

-Kiyopon quickly gripped both Albert and Ishizaki's wrist at the same time. His eyes darkened and he lived up to his grip strength and surpassed 150 as a warning.

-Shocked by the sudden pain, Albert and Ishizaki quickly lets go and looked at Kiyopon with bewildered expressions. Kiyopon quickly lets go as well and returns to his normal expression and checked on Sudo if he was all right.

- Ryuuen asked Albert and Ishizaki why they were looking at the mute like that and Ishizaki told him about how strong Kiyopon's grip was, which made Ryuuen's initial suspicion of Kiyopon grow a little bit higher.

-Sudo releases a heavy sigh and refuses Kiyopon's hand, telling him that he needs to go somewhere private to let out his anger before he makes a stupid mistake.

-Kiyopon sighs but doesn't argue and lets Sudo go.

-Kiyopon decided to check on Horikita at the clinic and sees her lying on the bed with a temporary leg cast. Fortunately enough, it was a minor fracture which should be healed in 6 to 8 weeks depending on her amounts of proper rest.

- Horikita seemed disappointed that despite their preperations, they still managed to get her and even received news that Sudo was nowhere to be seen.

- Kiyopon assured her that Sudo just needs alone time and says that it was a mature thing of him to do, despite almost getting in real trouble before Kiyopon stepped in.

-Horikita clutches her bed sheets in anger and muttered small profanities at Ryuuen as if he were in front of her.

-Kiyopon understood her frustration but quickly eased her worries. He asked if he could take her position in the relay race, which suprised Horikita.

- " Are...you sure? You've done a lot already-" but Kiyopon quickly wrote, ' Class D needs to win. Right?'

-Horikita sensed that Kiyopon was serious about this. She chuckled and nodded, giving him the go signal once more to take her position.

-Kiyopon commanded Class D as the main leader during the last remaining events before the relay race.

- Soon, Kiyopon prepared himself to become the anchor for the relay race.

- Up till now, Kiyopon played as Sudo's right hand man when they were dominating in the events. He let Sudo shine while he stayed as inconspicious as possible.

- This was going to be the first time where everyone in the festival...will witness Kiyopon's ability to shine.

- And maybe...unlock a certain memory...

That's all!

This is the summary of the things I planned but will skip. ( If there are plot holes, nonsensical details, or whatevs. Then that's evidence of how much I didn't plan ahead. lol )

So next chapter will be the relay race and our favorite " reunion" between childhood friends.

Look forward to it!

KawaiiLumine, out~

A True Homie / Relay Race

Third Person PoV

1. A True Homie

The final competition would begin soon. Horikita gave Kiyopon the go signal to take her place since she was facing injury on her right leg.

But Kiyopon can't do this alone.

Their class might be leading but...

He wants a guaranteed victory.

Always, a guaranteed victory.

And in order to secure it, he needs to bring back Sudo. Kiyopon's decided that he's given Sudo enough time already. It's time for him to come back, whatever means necessesary.

There he is...Kiyopon thought as he watched Sudo leaning against the dormitory walls. He wore a look of disappointment and anger, the former towards himself, and the latter towards Ryuen.

Kiyopon couldn't blame him. After all, that troublesome dragon boy had injured his closest friend and forced her to withdrew from the last event.

" Ayanokoji? What are you-...ah...you came here to tell me about the last event, right?" Sudo asked when he saw Kiyopon walking towards him.

Kiyopon nodded in response and Sudo sighed and quickly averted his gaze, " Thought so." He muttered.

Kiyopon leaned on the spot beside him, staring at nothing in particular while Sudo lets out a few hums or grumbles here and there.

" You should go back, Ayanokoji. I won't follow. It was a waste time for you to search for me."Sudo finally said.

Kiyopon turned his head towards Sudo with a curious expression.

" I almost messed things up. Imagine how many points could've been taken away from us if you hadn't stepped in. The fact that they pinned me down just makes my blood boil!" He seethed but quickly calms himself down before continuing.

" This shitty weakness of mine...about being hot headed and stuff. It, er, pisses me off even more because people remind me of it every damn day. It's not like I WANT to be angry, these fuckers just make it harder for me to be calm! But...I still can't justify shit that's my fault." He said.

" But I think I know why things are like this for me." His expression soured. " Trash born from trash...will stay as trash. That's all there is to it."

Kiyopon's eyes widened and while he instinctively searched for his notebook, he realized that it wasn't here with him. He'd forgotten that it was left in his locker for safekeeping while the festival was ongoing.

Kiyopon decides to rebuke his statement.

" You're not trash..." He said softly.

" Sorry but you don't really know shit about me, so you're opinion is worthless. Which is quite fitting for an idiot like me." Sudo was seriously self-deprecating himself.

" Ya know, my mom abandoned me and my dad when I was young. Ha, I don't even know why I'm telling you this. But bear with me would ya? " He asked.

Kiyopon nodded silently.

" Anyways, so for most of my childhood I was left with my dad. It hurts to see him working his ass off as a janitor just to make ends meet...but since I was an idiot trash piece of shit, I abandoned my studies and turned to sports. For a while, things were looking good for me when I played basketball. I even got recommended to one of the best high school basketball teams in the country! But then...as expected...I messed up because I got in trouble...and my recommendation got pulled away. I wonder how my dad feels deep inside to see his son failing over and over. Not like it'll affect me, ya know? Since deep down I already knew how trashy I am. I just hate it when people remind me of it time and time again. I keep trying but nothing is working out. We may be winning now, but if I go back there...and mess everything up...everyone will hate me. Again." He sighed, finally finished with his rant.

" ...I stand by my statement. You're not trash."Kiyopon stated which made Sudo flinch in suprise.

" Without you, our class wouldn't have gone far in this festival. During the island exam, you also made things easier for everyone else. You're not trash, not at all. You worked hard on your basketball skills, even managed to become a starter in a span of a few months being in this school. You caused trouble, but everyone is over it." He reasoned.

" Keep trying, Sudo. Keep trying to be better. As human beings, we are destined to experience trial and error throughout our lifetime. Few just experiences error more than others, but it shouldn't stop them from trying until they find success. Until they're happy. Don't give up on yourself because everyone in our class believes in you. They...WE...need you." Kiyopon said before looking into Sudo's eyes with a calm expression.

" You're a treasure in Class D. Remember that." Kiyopon said, " Keep trying, even if you fail, even if you fall. Get back up and try again. You can take short breaks on the ground but you shouldn't stay there forever, you MUST keep moving. "

"..." Sudo was stunned. He didn't know how to respond.

Nobody had said such...kind words to him in forever. But was it enough to motivate himself to keep moving like Kiyopon said? There were still doubts in his mind that no motivational speech could permanently extinguish.

Kiyopon sighs softly before he stood up straight and slowly made his way back to the path.

" Ultimately, that's if your willing to get back up. It's all up to you. But I personally...hope you will get back up." He turns to look at Sudo one last time. " If we're going to win as Class D. Then you need to be there to celebrate with us. "

" Win? You're...confident, Ayanokoji." He managed to utter a reply.

" We've come this far. I'll make sure it won't go to waste. Your effort won't go to waste. Not this time." Kiyopon said before turning back and making his way back to the festival while Sudo was left behind to contemplate his decision.

2. Relay Race!

The last event of the sports festival, the 1200-meter relay race, was about to begin.

He arrived back at Class D's tent.

" Ayanokoji-kun, there you are." Hirata waved Kiyopon over.

Kiyopon went towards him.

" Is Sudo-kun coming back? If not then...we'd have to subsitute him too..." Hirata said.

" Not yet..." Was all Kiyopon could say.

" ' Not yet' ?...Oh, I see...yes, let's wait for a bit. But I'll go ask Onodera-san if she could sub just in case." Hirata said.

Kiyopon nodded, approving the back up plan since Onodera was also athletic.

" Ayanokoji-kun, are you going to...participate for Horikita-san?" Sakura asked.

He nods.

" W-Well, I never really got the chance to say this earlier since...I was...too stunned speak..w-wait!" She shakes her head and takes a deep breath before smiling. " I'm rooting for you!"

" Thank you, Sakura." Kiyopon pats her shoulder gently which made Sakura gasp a bit in suprise but she happily smiled soon after.

" Eh~? What's going on over here, huh?" Mori hangs an arm around Sakura's shoulder with a teasing smile on her face.

" M-Mori san!" Sakura squeaked in suprise but immediately retained her calm manner.

" Good luck, Ayankoji-kun! If you win then I might just give you a little reward~" Mori giggled.

" Huh? ' R-Reward' ?!" Sakura was shocked by the suggestive tone in Mori's words!

" Reward?" Kiyopon tilted his head question while Mori laughed.

" Just kidding~ " She said, which made Sakura a bit relieved since if it were true, then she too would give Kiyopon a reward!

" By the way," Mori stopped smiling and frowned. " Is Horikita-san okay?"

Kiyopon nods. " She'll stay in the clinic for now..." He said.

" Oh...I hope she gets better..." Mori and Sakura said.

--

" Man...is Ken really not coming?" Ike asked Kiyopon.

" Man! Why is he having a tantrum now! We're about to win but without Ken here, then everything might go to waste!" Yamauchi whined.

" H-Hey calm down, Haruki! We still got Ayanokoji! He's athletic! I mean, that shit he did during the volleyball match was awesome!" Ike tried to reassure his friend.

" Oh...you're right!" Yamauchi turns towards Kiyopon. " You can do it, right?" he asked.

Kiyopon shrugs.

" HE'S SHRUGGIING! NOOOOO!" Yamauchi passes out in defeat.

" HARUKIII!!!" Ike cried out.

Kiyopon sighs at this.

" Ayanokoji-kun." A voice called. Kiyopon immediately snapped his towards Suzune.

She was supporting most of her weight with her crutches, she slowly made her way towards him but she was clearly struggling.

Kiyopon immediately walked towards her and stopped her from walking.

" Why are you-" but he was interrupted.

" I can't miss the race. I want to see how it ends..." She says.

Kiyopon sighs before helping Suzune to the tent.

" Is Sudo-kun going to participate?" She asked.

Kiyopon stayed silent. Suzune immediately understood what his silence meant and stopped inquiring for now.

" Huh? Horikita-san?!" Hirata called in shock.

" Please don't mind me." Suzune said as Kiyopon sets her down gently on the seat.

Their worried classmates immediately surrounded Horikita and checked if she was okay. Suzune tried to extinguish their worries and to switch their focus on their plan but they were stubborn.

Kiyopon goes to the staff tent to get a water bottle refill.

" Kuku, we meet again." Suprisingly enough, Ryuuen was also there, right next to the water dispenser.

Kiyopon ignores him and begins filling water bottle from the dispenser while Ryuuen only chuckled and stayed by the side.

" Ishizaki and Albert told me that your grip was suprisingly strong." He mused.

" Are YOU the mastermind of Class D?" He interrogated and gauged Kiyopon's reaction.

Kiyopon drinks from his bottle, not giving Ryuuen a second of attention.

" Heh. Ignoring me, eh? Fine by me. " Ryuen shrugs. " Anyway, did that red haired dog run away? I don't see him around your tent."

Kiyopon finally looks at Ryuuen.

Ryuuen smirked. " I'm guessing he did. Ha! What a weak guy. All I had to do was to trigger his anger and he'd burst like a volcano. Though, you annoyed me by being present and effectively stopped the situation from escalating too much." He looks at Kiyopon with a suspicious gaze.

" Let me ask this again: Are you the mastermind of Class D? "

They stared at each other in silence. The tension, the atmosphere was thick.

Ryuen's eyes shifted to the side when a familiar person entered the area.

" Well, well, well...speak of the devil." Ryuuen chuckles at the boy who stopped at Kiyopon's side.

" Ayanokoji, is this guy bothering you?" Sudo asked Kiyopon without looking at this direction.

" Woah! You're suprisingly calm! Looks like I changed you for the better, huh?" Ryuen said, mockingly.

Sudo glares at him.

" Welp, I better head back to my class. Nice chat, Ayanokoji!" Ryuen laughed before walking past them both.

" You're back." Kiyopon finally spoke and turned to Sudo.

" I couldn't stay on the ground for too long. You were right. I had to get up and try again no matter how many times I fail..." Sudo chuckles. " Thank you for smacking some common sense."

"...I'm glad." Kiyopon smiles a bit.

Kiyopon felt happy to have had helped another friend with their self doubts.

In the back of his mind, in the deepest pits of his heart.

He wondered what Matsuo would think if he saw him now.

--

( Skip shit...)

" To think you that you're the anchor." Manabu said as he lined up with Kiyopon.

" I'm assuming you're a subsitute? Suzune planned to be the anchor, right?" Manabu guesstimated.

Kiyopon nods.

" How is she..? I saw the way she fell." Manabu asked with the smallest tone of worry in his voice.

" Minor fraction. But she'll be okay in six to eight weeks." Kiyopon said which made Manabu relieved.

" I've observed your class." Manabu started. They were back to business. " I didn't think it would be too active. But you suprised me, I hadn't expected you to be co-leader."

Manabu pushed up his glasses. " Not only that, you were also shining quite a bit during the festival. Though, I doubt it attracted too much attention from most of the students."

Not for long...Kiyopon sighed in his thoughts.

Kiyopon will undoubtedly get attention in this relay. Throughout the festival, he had relied on Sudo as a shield from the spotlight, only assisting and not necessarily going too far with his own moments alone.

This time, however, is different.

Without a doubt, people are bound to pay attention to him now since he was in the anchor position.

But Kiyopon is prepared for the consequences.

Right now, the students who ran ahead were about to hand the baton to their anchors.

It was now or never.

" Senpai." He grabbed Manabu's attention.

" Hm?'

" I'll race against you seriously." He bluntly spoke.

Manabu rose a brow at that.

Kiyopon then turns to look at him.

" But you'll have to give up your chance at second place to race me." He stated.

Manabu chuckled and stood still. " Interesting..." He had already accepted.

The fifth runner passed the baton to Manabu but was completely perplexed when Manabu stood still after taking the baton. This also grabbed everyone's attention in the festival and some were confused about the spectacle before them.

" Good job." He told his runner and the student meekly accepted the compliment and returned to position.

Kiyopon lets out a deep exhale of breath as he closed his eyes...

He opened his eyes to see the familiar cold, sterile, empty, white room.

The runner beside him wasn't Manabu. Rather, it was another child his size. The child wore the same gown as Kiyotaka did.

The child's breathing was heavy and nervous while Kiyotaka stayed calm and focused on the goal ahead.

This room...the world he used to live in...

Kiyotaka never thought about the beauty beyond this world of white.

" Prepare to run!" An instructor commanded.

Kiyotaka got into his position.

There was no color.

His competitor was completely erased from his view.

Only the goal was visible.

The finish line is all that mattered...

He inhaled a deep breath.

Kiyopon exhaled slowly as he opened his eyes.

The color returning to his view.

The competitor becoming visible.

The noises of the spectators rumbling as he began to hear the rapid footsteps of Kushida Kikyo, running to his back, intending to finally hand the baton.

This isn't the world he used to live in.

This world does not possess only one color.

This world didn't force him to erase unnecessary objects,people,thoughts from his mind. He could see Manabu beside him. He could see his class cheering for him.

He could hear them,

" Don't hold back, Ayanokoji." Manabu requested before getting into position.

Kiyopon was glad.

Glad that his competitor wasn't a child who suffered, who was struggling to breathe, who was tired.

This time, Kiyopon can enjoy the race.

" Hai, Kaichou..." He said.

Finally, the baton was passed to Kiyopon.

" Run, Ayanokoji-kun!" Kushida cried out.

And both Manabu and Kiyopon bolted down the track at full throttle.

As Kiyopon ran down the track.

He felt free.

There was so much color.

So many different sounds from the crowd and the natural ambience.

Kiyopon...was having fun doing something he once felt nothing for.

And the person running with him also shared the feeling of ' fun' as they rushed towards the finish line.

But ultimately, it was a race. And the race needed a winner.

They turned on the last curve.

Kiyopon used up his final burst of energy to boost himself as fast possible to the finish line while Manabu was stunned.

" HE WON!!!!" Class D cheered.

The students were shocked once Kiyopon crossed the line with Manabu crossing it a moment later.

' S-So fast?!'

" Who knew the number 1 cutest could also be impressive at running!'

" He's amazing!"

" Good race, Ayanokoji. You've won." Manabu offers a handshake.

Kiyopon nods and accepts the handshake.

Soon after, Kiyopon was bombarded with shouts of praise and group hugs by his classmates.

Manabu sighs.

' You really are an interesting person, Ayanokoji.' he thought.

' Is he really the mastermind...' Ryuen thought in silence as he recalled Kiyopon's words. He stated it so bluntly that it was suspicious...

Ryuen snorts at that thought.

' Well played, Ayanokoji. You made things a tiny bit difficult for me to decipher, but I will find the mastermind, And if it really does end up being you? I'll put you in your place, kuku.' he smirked at that thought.

" It really is you..." Sakayanagi Arisu, another leader of Class 1-A. muttered to herself. " At first, I didn't think it was you...but now I know."

" You want me to lead him to the special building?" A girl with purple hair asked.

Sakayanagi smiles. " Would you please be kind enough to do it?" She said, politely.

The girl scoffs in response. " Fine."

" Thank you, Masumi-san."

' Eight years and 243 days...fufu~ This is going to be quite the reunion, Ayanokoji-kun.' she thought to herself.

Chapter End!

Man, this was way easier to write.

yep, next chapter is the last chapter for volume 5 before moving on to volume 6 ( which will likely consist of one chapter ).

How do you think Kiyopon will react to his self proclaimed childhood friend?

KawaiiLumine, out~

Hornypon/Kawaii Arisu/ Volume 6: Summary

Third Person PoV

1. Hornypon ( ? )

1st place: First year, Class D

]

2nd place: First year, Class A

3rd place: First year, Class B

4th place: First year, Class C

The red team, which consisted of Class A and Class D students from each grade, had won by a landslide. Furthermore, first year Class D students had accomplished first place in the festival, which ultimately earned them 100 class points for both the placement win and overall win.

And with that...

Class C was in danger of losing their rank to Class D.

" Ryueen. they're closing in! That Kushida lied to us!" Ibuki whispered, angrily.

" Ryuuen-san, what are we going to do?" Another accomplice, Ishizaki, had asked in worry.

" Well, she tricked us. That's that." Ryuuen shrugged nonchalantly.

" Huh? You're just going to let it go like that?!"

"Tsk, Tsk. Such stupid thinking from you Ibuki, well, that's to be expected from a girl who only deals in physical confrontations." Ryuuen said.

Ibuki glares at him. " Then do you have a plan or not?!" she asked.

" Heh. Albert, show the attachment." Ryueen said.

" SURE, BOSS." The intimidating yet gentle giant grabbed Ryuuen's phone from the table and searched through the emails.

Albert then showed the certain email to Ishizaki and Ibuki.

' You must've found out by now that I had sent Kushida to deceive you with a fake schedule.' The first sentence read.

" Anonymous..." Ibuki read the sender's user.

" Yep. This is without a doubt, the mastermind of Class D. They were bold enough to send me this." Ryuuen chuckled.

" But why? " Ishizaki asked.

" Read furthermore, then you'll understand." Ryuuen said.

Ibuki and Ishizaki glanced at each other before continuing to read...

' But you are yet to realize another factor that led to your defeat. Have you ever considered a traitor in your own class?'

" W-Wait...someone snitched?!" Ibuki exclaimed.

" I've thought about it and it's likely the case. Kushida sent us their fake schedule but nobody told her anything about what we were planning to do with it. That's when the so called traitor in our class comes in. Whoever they are, they revealed the details to the mastermind. And so, they were prepared." Ryuuen said.

"...But who do you think is the traitor?" Ibuki asked.

" We'll find out." Ryueen finally faces them. " And when we do. We'll extract any information they might have on...let's just call them ' X ' for now. We'll extract all the information that little traitor may have on X through any means possible." He said.

" Is that all we're gonna do, Ryuuen-san? What if we're playing right into X's hands?" Ishizaki asked.

" Or what if X is just messing with you again? It might just be a bluff!" Ibuki said.

" That's why we're going to observe for now. And by ' observe', I mean dispatching Class C students to spy on the Class D students." Ryuuen responded calmly.

" At the same time, we'll scour our own class and observe the assigned observers. That's your task now." He added.

--

" I'm glad you came back, Sudo-kun." Suzune said.

Sudo blushes a bit and scratches the back of his neck.

" Well...Ayanokoji said a few things...he kinda motivated me." He admitted.

" I see."

' Well, can't say I'm suprised. Ayanokoji-kun is just...helpful...no matter who it is.' She thought.

" Oh! Uh, can I...you know...since I won mvp and all..." He nervously asked about their little deal.

" Yes. You did well, you held up your end of the deal so you may go ahead and call me by my first name." Suzune sighed.

" Yes! Thank you, Suzune." He gave her a big grin.

" I should be thanking you. The outcome might have went a to a different route if you hadn't come back. " She said.

Sudo nodded, he was in complete bliss. He finally made the first step!

Kiyopon gave a thumbs up for Sudo's victory.

" Oh, and could excuse us for a bit, Sudo-kun? I have something to discuss with Ayanokoji-kun." Suzune said.

Sudo nodded, and was too happy to process her words, so he happily skipped away to his group of friends to preach the good news.

Kiyopon stares at Suzune silently.

Suzune blushes in embarrassment for what's to come and sighs.

" Fine...you can go ahead and draw on my cast..." She muttered.

Kiyopon immediately pulls out his colored sharpie pack.

--

( Suzune's room...)

Suzune sips tea quietly while Kiyopon is by her side, doodling stuff on her leg cast.

" Are you done over there?" She asked Kiyopon.

Kiyopon nods and stops drawing. Putting the sharpie back in the pack.

" What did you even-" Suzune leans forward a bit to get a better view of what Kiyopon had drawn on her cast.

' Kiyotaka's best friend!'

There were a couple drawings there too. But one drawing stood out the most, it was a drawing of a...bird?

' Eren the bird!' Was the name, apparently.

Further to the side, there was another drawing of a bird but this time it was an owl.

' Mumei!' it was named.

" What's with the birds?" Horikita asked, curiously.

Kiyopon immediately stood up and began telling the story through his expressive hand gestures.

Suzune COULD tell Kiyopon to use the notebook, but he looked too excited to tell the story through a charade-like method, so she didn't bother and just tried to decipher it as best she could.

Which SHOULD be easier for her since they'd been together since the first day of school...

" Back at the island exam...? Oh, wait, are you referring to the bird that was perched on the tree? The one you kept staring at?" Suzune asked.

Kiyopon nods.

" So you named it Eren, huh..." She said, amused. " Then what about the owl named Mumei?"

Kiyopon paused for a bit. Brainstorming a way to explain the creatures known as Vtubers.

Kiyopon looks around the room for a box. He quickly spots one near Suzune's cabinet and quickly grabs it.

He laid it on its side, front open. He then searched for another item, which could represent Mumei.

Suzune was curious as to what he was doing. Kiyopon seemed to be in the zone as he scoured the vicinity for anything close to what he's thinking at the moment. He goes to Suzune's drawers and opened the first row, which had her daily items.

He opened the second row and it was full of extra school stuff. He closed that and immediately opened the third one.

It was filled with more miscellaneous items.

Kiyopon closes that drawer and goes to open the last one. But then, Suzune's mental alarm goes off once she realizes the drawer Kiyopon was going to open next.

" W-WAIT, AYANOKOJI-KUN DON OPEN THA-" But it was too late.

Kiyopon, with a determined expression, pulled the drawer open without remorse.

' N-No...' Horikita's face turned tomato red.

The last drawer...consisted of her underwear...

"..." Horikita stayed silent while Kiyopon stared at the drawer with an unreadable expression.

" A-Ayanokoji-kun...please stop looking and close the drawer..." She managed to utter.

But for some reason...

Kiyopon picked up a couple of underwears.

"H-HEY! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!" Suzune cried.

Kiyopon ignored her and began digging through her underwear drawer.

'N-NO WAY! IT CAN'T BE! HE'S NOT A PERVERT, RIGHT???' Suzune was facing denial. She can't pretend this is normal because no chance in hell will this ever be normal!

Perhaps..this was Kiyopon's true form...

But the question is; Can Suzune accept that?

" No...I can't..." She whispers to herself.

' I won't let him go down the path like the three idiots! I will not accept this! I'm sorry Ayanokoji-kun, but I'm going to make you change.' She thought with resolve.

" Ayanokoji-kun, I won't let you become like this. As your friend, it is my duty to ensure that you won't make horrible decisions. And right now, what you're currently doing? Is something I need to intervene. Think about this carefully, Ayanokoji-kun. Going through girls panties? This isn't the way, You're better than this. I KNOW you're better than this." She says.

" That's why...you need to stop! Close the drawer and let me help you rehabilitate, let me change your ways-- let me HELP you change your ways! " She insisted.

Suzune kept preaching about an intervention while Kiyopon was still zoned in.

Ah, there it is... Kiyopon thought once he saw the little object that caught his eye.

It was a small dildo- I mean, girl doll.

It was just what he needed! :D

"-So, please do not give up on going back to the righteous path, Ayanokoji-kun! Don't become what people refer to as a hopeless degenera-...wha?" She paused once she saw Kiyopon folding the underwear neatly and placed it back in the drawer.

"Huh?" She was baffled when Kiyopon closed the drawer and returned to the spot where he placed the box.

He places the doll in the box.

' That's the doll that Nii-san me as a gift...years ago...' she thought.

She treasured it and decided to secretly bring it with her and now that it's been discovered by Kiyopon, she felt the waves of cringe and embarrassment hit her all at once.

" Oh...a Vtuber..." Suzune finally understood after Kiyopon finished his little model. The box acted as a computer and the doll acted as the vtuber, he even wrote down usernames and red super chats on the side.

" You like Vtubers. Ayanokoji-kun?" Horikita asked, curiously.

Kiyopon writes on his notebook...

' I watch them now and then. Sotomura introduced me to it back at the zodiac exam.' It said.

" I see..." Suzune nods but then blushes again once she remembered what had happened a few minutes ago.

" Ayanokoji-kun...did you...even realize...what you were doing a while ago...?" She asked shyly.

Kiyopon tilts his head to the side, seemingly oblivious to what Horikita was referring to.

" haah..." She sighs and dismisses it. " Nevermind, just forget about it..."

' Well...at least he isn't a pervert...' She thinks in relief.

--

2. Kawaii Arisu!

The sun was going down. Currently on the verge of becoming a beautiful sunset, and usually, Kiyopon would be chilling in his room. But not this time.

Kiyopon silently followed the purple haired girl from Class A. He was asked to follow her to the special building.

Kiyopon, the ever curious individual, obviously followed with short hesitation.

Kamuro Masumi, the fortunate one, tasked to lead Kiyopon to the special building...didn't really consider herself fortunate, rather, it was the opposite from her perspective...

After all, she hated cute things because she loved them. Whenever something cute is in her head, it's quite hard for her to rid those thoughts from her head. And Kiyopon belonged to that cate--NO! He is the entire freaking category himself!

' Damn you, Sakayanagi. You cruel crippled bitch! Why the hell did you task me with this! I can barely hold myself together dammit!' She complained in her thoughts.

She tried to keep a straight face.

She tried not to do the classic anime nosebleed due to cuteness cliche.

SHE'S TRYING HER BEST, OKAY! :(

Suddenly, something grabbed Kiyopon's attention, which made him stop.

No longer hearing Kiyopon's trailing footsteps, Kamuro also stopped and wondered why Kiyopon had suddenly stopped.

' Why'd he stop?' Kamuro asked herself before turning around to see what he was doing.

Kiyopon found a conveniently placed tulip flower on the ground. He bent down to pick it up and inspect it since it looked beautiful in his eyes.

" What are you doing?" Kamuro asked since Kiyopon's back was turned to her.

Once Kiyopon's ears registered Kamuro's question. He'd suddenly recall a certain memory where Matsuo had educated him a bit about being a gentleman once more.

He must offer the lady some flowers, when possible. Simple as it may be, it still holds meaning. An act of courtesy, depending on the context.

Kiyopon hummed in a tone of approval before turning around and walking towards Kamuro.

" Here. Flower." He softly said as he presented to her the beautiful red tulip.

" Huh?" She responded in suprise and looked towards the tulip he was holding.

Her eyes widened at the tulip.

' Red...It's a red tulip...red s-symbolizes true love...and...passion...H-HUH?! BUT WE JUST MET! HE COULDN'T POSSIBLY HAVE DEVELOPED FEELINGS!' She panicked in her thoughts whilst still wearing a stone faced expression.

She took the flower, earnestly. " Thank you." She said and Kiyopon nodded.

' AHHHH! THAT WAS TOO SMOOTH DAMMIT! A CUTE PERSON UNINTENTIONALLY HANDING ME A TULIP WITH THE COLOR OF LOVE AND PASSION! AHHHHHH I HATE YOU SO MUCH SAKAYANGIII!!!!' She cried in her thoughts.

" A-Anyways, let's go." She said.

Kiyopon nodded and soon, they were both back on track.

Well, Kamuro would've preferred if she wasn't on the verge of a heart attack like now, but whatever! She just needs to get this job done.

--

" Stay here." Kamuro softly instructed and Kiyopon nodded.

Kamuro headed around the corner and saw Sakayanagi Arisu waiting.

" He's here...and by the way, I hate you." She said, bluntly.

Arisu giggles. " Thank you for your hardwork, Masumi-san." She thanked before exiting the corner and seeing Kiyopon once more.

' That's really him...' she thought before walking towards him slowly, her cane making clacking sounds with each step she took.

Kiyopon squinted his eyes and widened them once more when he remembers her.

It was the girl he'd accidentally bumped into!

Why was she here? Kiyopon was confused. Was this the person who wanted to meet with him?

The girl finally stopped in front of him. She looked up at him with a fond smile.

" It really is you, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka..." She said, softly.

Kiyopon wondered if this girl knew his name before he got popular, or did she know it simply because she participated in the girls rankings on the forum?

" I've dreamed of meeting you in person...for a long time. Specifically, eight years and 243 days ever since I saw you in that little world." She said.

Little world? Kiyopon sensed a bad feeling about this.

Could she...possibly...know about that place? He wondered.

But before he could deduce anything that could lead to that scenario, he suddenly felt warmth leaning on him and began feeling weight.

Sakayanagi Arisu...was hugging him...?

" I'm so glad...to finally do this to you..."She whispered.

Kiyopon froze due to shock.

" I know where you're really from. I know about the world you used to live in...the world you were raised in...a cruel world...that stripped away the humanity of those that were born into it.." She said in a somber tone.

" Was it cold there?" She asked.

Kiyopon didn't respond...no...rather...he felt defensive.

"...Who are you...really..." He asked.

Arisu chuckled before pulling herself away from the hug. " I'd like to refer to myself as your childhood friend, Ayanokoji-kun." she said.

Kiyopon stares down at her with a serious expression.

But Arisu remained unfazed.

" Don't worry. I don't intend to expose you, rather, I'll do everything I can to give you everything you'll ever need in this school. As long as it's within my realm of possibilities, then I will grant it without hesitation." She said.

"...Why?" His eyes soften, he felt that she was sincere with her words. His defensiveness, was now replaced with genuine confusion and curiosity.

" I want you to experience things you're missing out on. Isn't that why you're here? To live a peaceful life without trouble...I can give you that." She said.

"...But what do you want from this?" Kiyopon asked.

Arisu's eyes lit up in excitement.

" I want to battle you, and prove that no matter how hard one works to become a genius. They can never truly defeat a natural born genius like myself. I believe you're a false genius, a carbon copy of what a genius is. I want to see if you can disprove my beliefs...and perhaps...become friends. " She said.

"...is that really all?" Kiyopon asked.

Sakayanagi nodded.

"...I won't battle you. But I can be your friend." Kiyopon said.

" Sorry." He added.

She giggles. " You know what? That can satisfy me for now. I'm glad that you accepted my offer of friendship. I still wouldn't have thought that this day would occur..." She says.

Kiyopon lets out a small smile. " I'm glad that you're happy."

" You're...smiling..." Sakaynagi's jaw dropped a bit.

Kiyopon nods.

She smiles. " So you're changing..." She never would have believed it. But it was clear.

"would you mind telling me about it? I'll tell you my backstory too." She said and points towards a classroom in the hallway which had seats.

Kiyopon nods and they both entered the empty classroom and took their seats.

And they spent the next few hours, catching up with each others lives, talking as if they were old friends when they had just formally met today.

Of course, Kiyopon resorted to using his notebook as always, which didn't bother Sakayanagi one bit. She suspected that the notebook held a deeper sentimental value to Kiyopon that nobody could ever fathom. Not even her,

But she was ecstatic when Kiyopon wrote down her name...but it was placed in another category...

' Childhood friend - Sakayanagi Arisu '

--

3. Volume 6: Summary

I don't really intend to change much in volume 6.

- Kiyopon group is formed! With the confident Sakura Airi and teasing Mori Nene in the mix.

-Manabe getting paranoid when she realized that her own classmates were ordered by Ryuuen to follow her around discreetly.

-Arisu and Kiyopon growing closer and Katsuragi is suspecting that they are in kahoots...but Sakaynagi's dominating aura silenced the situation and Johnny gained nothing from it.

-More wholesome snippets of Kiyopon with girls he's close to and more bro moments with his new bros like Keisei and Akito and sometimes even doing stuff with the three idiots.

-Ryuuen keeping a close eye on Kiyopon himself.

- Annnd that's about it.

There will only be two chapters for volume 6.

One will be about Kiyopon's birthday and the other will be related to Manabe.

So ye, that's it!

Speedrunning this shit lmaooo.

But if there are future changes in this plan, then I will explain it in the next chapter.

but for now...

KawaiiLumine, out~!

Who does Kiyopon like? The sequel! / A promise.

Yep.

This will be the only chapter for volume 6.

oh and uh added more context for this volume:

- This chapter is taken after the paper shuffle exam

- Kiyopon doesn't lie about his intelligence, so he became a tutor.

- He worked with the Kiyopon group in an attempt to lighten Keisei's load, but he often taught Sakura one-on-one since she needed the most help.

- Lots of Sakura x Kiyo moments happened but I'm not exactly in the mood to write it.

-Class C students were doing their task and spying on each class D student.

-Manabe's position up until this point, has not beenexposed yet.

And that's all!

Lez kick start this chapter with a taste of the Kiyopon group dynamic!

Third Person PoV

1. Who does Kiyopon like? The sequel!

" Fwahh~ That exam was so stressful!" Mori leaned on the table, releasing a sigh of relief.

" But we passed! Keisei did taught us well. Kiyopon too!" Haruka said.

Keisei nods before pushing up his glasses. " I'm glad Kiyotaka lightened the load. Things ran so smoothly to the point where I hardly felt any stress." He sighed.

" Thanks, Kiyotaka." Keisei said to Kiyopon who was currently texting on his phone.

Kiyopon looks up from his phone ands nods before texting once more.

" Hey, Kiyotaka, are you still going to eat your cheesecake slice?" Akito asked.

Kiyopon didn't answer. He was unusually focused on his phone.

Akito shrugs and slides Kiyopon's plate towards himself to finish.

" Miyatchii! You can't do that!" Haruka scolded.

" His silence means yes, Haruka." He stated before taking his fork and taking bite, " Besides, he's been so distracted on his phone for the past 15 minutes. I bet he isn't even hungry anymore."

" But Akito-kun! Kiyotaka-kun paid for that!" Airi said.

" Then I'll get him another slice if he's still hungry." Akito chuckles before taking another bite.

" Ehhh? Aki-chan is so mean to our little Kiyopon." Mori laughed.

" Why out of all nicknames...did you choose ' Aki-chan' ? " Akito visibly cringed.

"Indeed, it sounds stupid." Keisei bluntly said and side eyed glanced Akito.

" It's not like I had a choice to decline...these two girls, " Akito points to both Haruka and Mori, " are incredibly stubborn. "

" You're just incredibly weak, Miyatchi~ If you could actually fight back against our remarks, then you might actually shine as a man!" Haruka taunted, jokingly.

" If I said you're beautiful and that I wanted to go out with you for so long. Would THAT count as me shining as a man?" Akito replied.

" Eh?" Haruka paused and took a minute to process what he just said.

" Ooooo~" Mori winked at Haruka and nudged her a bit. " C'mon, say something!"

Airi blushed in embarrassment due to the suddenness of Akito's unexpected reply and the context. Keisei just coughed awkwardly and averted his eyes while a small blush adorned his face as well.

Kiyopon puts away his phone and then realized the silence in their table. He looks at his friends in confusion.

"...Um...What happened?" He asked, softly.

Akito was the first to break the silence. " Nothing. I just told a joke that might have went a little too far." He said.

"...So that was a joke, huh..." Haruka whispered to herself, thinking nobody would catch that but Airi and Mori DEFINITELY caught that.

Mori whispers to Airi, " Hey, did you hear that? She sounded quite disappointed~" She said.

Airi nods before whispering back," Should we help?"

Mori glances at Haruka and Akito for a second before whispering her reply to Airi, " Let's see how this plays out first. Wouldn't it be annoying if we meddle with other people's relationships?"

Airi immediately realizes and covers her mouth and giving out muffled apologies.

" It's okay, Airi. I get it! You've been hanging around the gyaru girls for, like, the past few months? I can totally understand if their mindset rubbed off on you." Mori tried to calm Airi down.

" S-Still...that was rude of me to even suggest..." She moped.

" Nahh, don't worry about it. You had good intentions. No problem there." Mori said.

" What are you two talking about?" Keisei asked, raising a brow in suspicion.

" Nothing! Just girls stuff you wouldn't understand~" Mori played it off nicely,

Keisei sighs and turns to the confused Kiyopon." Do you have any clue?"

Kiyopon responds by nodding his head ' no' .

"...What happened? Why was everyone silent a moment ago?" Kiyopon asked, curiously.

Keisei was prepared to answer. " Well, Akito basically-" But Akito immediately placed a hand on Keisei's mouth, which made the latter jolt in suprise.

"MMPHHMM?!"

" Nothing happened, Kiyotaka!" Akito said.

" Y-Yeah, don't worry about it Kiyopon! It's a joke you'll never understand, anyways, hahaha!" Haruka immediately snapped out of her personal stupor to try and back up Akito.

Haruka regained her composure and smiled like nothing happened.

" Anyways! Who were you chatting, Kiyopon? We were also talking about how you've been distracted by your phone for the past 17 minutes." Haruka switched the topic.

" Yes, we're curious about that." Mori said.

" ...I wasn't chatting with anyone?" He said.

"Eh? Then why were you so focused?" They asked.

Kiyopon takes out his phone once more and showed them.

" Corridor rush? Ohhh! That makes sense." Akito nodded.

Corridor rush, a complete copycat of the original game called Subway Surfers. In this game, you run through different corridors ranging from school corridors to spaceship corridors whilst avoiding being caught by the assigned chasers. For example, if your stage is set in a school corridor, then you'll be chased by school staff, but if it's set in a normal office building, then you'll be chased by the ceo and the board. It's a simple game that Kiyopon had been addicted for a week now.

And his highest score was...

" What the hell?" Keisei was shooked.

" E-Eh? " Sakura was also completely taken aback by the score.

" K-Kiyopon...how many hours have you played this game for..." Haruka nervously asked.

" ...80? I think." Even Kiyopon was unsure.

" YOU SPENT 2 DAYS AND A HALF ON THIS GAME TO GET 69696969696969 POINTS?!" Mori exclaimed.

Kiyopon nods.

" Dude, you should take a break once in a while-" But Akito was interrupted.

" BATTLE ME, AYANOKOJI-KUN! FOR I, TOO, HAVE EARNED AROUND THE SAME POINTS!" Mori pulled out her own phone to show Kiyopon.

Her highest score was definitely not too far from his.

" HEY! BAD!" Haruka snatched away Mori's phone.

" H-Hey!" Mori whined and tried to get back her phone but Haruka stood up and held it up in the air.

Mori also stood up and tried to reach for her phone while their chests collides.

Keisei immediately looks away, Akito continues eating his cheesecake while staring at them with a blank face, Sakura was lost on what to do, and Kiyopon was still VERY confused.

" Nene stands no chance against Haruka's well nurtured puppies." Akito says.

" You're suprisingly shameless..." Keisei muttered.

" And you're too much of a prude to enjoy the show that's been given to you. Loosen up a little, Keisei." Akito says before taking another bite. " Ewven Airi dwoesn't seem to mind..." He says while chewing.

" I-I just don't know what to do!" Sakura cried out.

Mori slumps on her shoulders before glaring intensely at Haruka's boobas. " You have an unfair advantage, Haruka-san..." She muttered.

" I don't want you and Kiyopon to spend extra days wasting your life away on this game! " Haruka spoke as if she were their mother.

"Fineee, but please give me my phoneeee..." Mori begged.

Haruka slowly hands back Mori's phone and Mori puts it away for now before sitting back down and facing the others.

" Looks like the show ended." Akito said.

" What show?" Haruka asked.

" Nothing. Absolutely nothing." Keisei immediately answered while Sakura furiously nodded.

" Okaaayy?" Haruka was confused but then she turned to Kiyopon.

" Hey, Kiyopon. I didn't really get to ask you this before since we were all focused on the study sessions, but are you and Horikita-san dating?" Haruka asked.

" Yeah, I'm curious about that too. " Akito said, " You two are awfully close. I thought it was platonic at first but then there were times where you and her acted a little...romantic?"

" Since when?" Keisei asked, completely oblivious to most things besides his own grades.

" Since the first month of school, I think." Mori answered instead.

" Huh? I didn't notice." Keisei said.

" That's because yukimuu always his head in the books! Please look around for once when we're not with you!" Haruka said.

" I noticed that too but Kiyotaka-kun already said they weren't dating...at least to me...back at summer vacation." Sakura said.

" Maybe things have changed since then?" Akito suggests which evoked a feeling of nervousness in Mori and Sakura.

" Horikita is my best friend...she's my very first friend in this school...we're not in a romantic relationship at all." Kiyopon explained.

Sakura sighed softly in relief while Mori chuckled.

" But you do see Horikita-san as girlfriend material, right? I mean, I see you two eat lunch together everyday! Not only that, you're eating the lunch she made for you." Haruka pressed on.

Kiyopon shakes his head in denial.

" I don't see her in that way...nor do I see anyone in that way." Kiyopon admits.

" Hoh? Are you perhaps implying that you've got zero crushes in this school?" Mori asked.

" I've never had a crush, actually. I don't know the feeling of having one." Kiyopon revealed his non existent dating life.

" Eh? Impossible! People like that exist? That's crazy..." Haruka seemed amazed.

" You're kind of lucky there, Kiyotaka. Having a crush is super exhausting..." Akito sneaks a glance at Haruka before averting his gaze once more. " Trust me, I'd know."

" How so...?" Kiyopon asked, curiously.

" Well, you start feeling weird all around them. You feel hot inside but you try to play it off cool so nothing is out of the ordinary. Your heart beats fast and your mind gets clouded with the thoughts of that person...their image gets stuck in your head for the rest of the day..." Akito trails off but then realizes the stares he was getting.

" ANYWAY, there's a lot more to elaborate but that's the gist of it." Akito said.

" I...I can attest to what Akito-kun just said...that's how it feels..." Sakura admitted shyly.

" Well...he's not wrong." Mori chuckles. " In fact, he might just be spot-on."

" Hmm..." Even Haruka seemed to be in agreement.

"...I see...I'll keep it in mind." Kiyopon nodded.

" Don't worry too much about the crush thing, okay? Instead, the thing you should be worried about is the level BEYOND a crush." Akito says.

"Huh? What is it?" Keisei decided to ask.

" Love. When you start realizing that it isn't just some simple crush, it gets worse. Deep down, you might feel sorta desperate, you want to be with them, you don't wanna lose them. And love only amplifies the feelings you have when they were just a simple crush, it maxed em up to the extreme. At least, that's my opinion." Akito stops there.

" Who knew Aki-chan...was really passionate about this subject, hm? Does Aki-chan have a crush?" Mori asked.

" Yeah...but maybe not for long." Akito said.

" Good. The way you described things about crushes, love, and whatnot is honestly not my sort of thing. As students, we should be focusing on our studie-"

" Oh shut up Yukimuu!" Haruka slaps Keisei's back, which made him jolt and then proceeding to argue with Haruka. Sakura and Mori just sighed.

" Akito..." Kiyopon called.

" Hm?"

"...My cheesecake..." Kiyopon frowned.

" O-Oh, right. I'll buy you another one." Akito says before standing up and making his way towards the counter.

--

2. A Promise.

' Ugh...these guys are getting on my nerves...' Manabe thought, irritated by the recent plan of Ryuuen.

Manabe was aware of what Ryuuen was doing. And that shocked her just a bit.

After all, the old Manabe would never understand a single bit of Ryuuen's intentions, but right now, she can tell that Ryuuen is searching for the traitor in their own class but in a very discreet way. He sent each Class C student to go around and spy on Class D students, they even have a rotation planned in order to avoid suspicion.

But the only people exempted from this task...were Ryuuen's personal lackeys.

Manabe took note of the way Ibuki, Ishizaki, and Albert have been secretly glancing at her direction every now and then. Sure, it could've been simple paranoia on her part...but they've also been waiting around places where she'd usually hang out with her group.

' Ryuuen...he must be suspecting me the most...but how? Why specifically me? There's no way that knows...right?' Manabe thought as she continued looking at the different clothing stands with fake interest.

' There's no way that he could've known. Ryuuen didn't keep an eye on me before and not once did anyone in this school see me interact one on one with Ayanokoji. So it doesn't make sense! ...unless...' Manabe's expression shifted into an uncomfortable look.

'...Did...Did I get ratted out by Ayanokoji...?' she thought. For some reason, if that were truly the case...it evoked a pain in her chest.

Manabe didn't want to admit it. But she had fun doing these things for Kiyopon, and they have moments where they did things that had no relation to their contract. She felt that she could call him a close friend, but she's stopping herself from doing so.

Since another part of her, the cynical part of her, expected this to be the case right from the very beginning. She expected to be betrayed, it was a defense mechanism for each encounter she had with another person. She reminds herself that the only reason she's doing this, is to defend her friend Rika from being targeted by Kiyopon.

She fears that Rika...really will break...once they see that she's part of the video in where they beat up Karuizawa. And to make it worse, it was Manabe's own fault for coercing her to join in without worry. She was foolish.

Her feelings are complicated when it comes to Kiyopon. She can never quite trust him and yet, she's enjoying the moments they spend together, deep within her heart. But she gets reminded by her logical sense that in the end, nothing really matters since he's just using her. A master and its slave. That's their relationship.

Losing control of herself, she pulled out her phone and began texting Kiyotaka.

' Hey, where are you?' she asked.

' Pallet cafe with some friends.' he responded immediately.

Manabe sighs internally, she thought she could meet with him in person but this doesn't seem to be leading to that.

' Fine. I'll get straight to the point. Did you rat me out to Ryuuen?' She asked.

' Sort of.' he replied.

' He...He really...' Manabe pursed her lips. Even when she expected it, it still hurts.

But to her suprise...

' Does he know you're the traitor?' Kiyopon continued the conversation.

' No.' She replied.

' At least...I don't think so.' She added.

' Good. By the way, I'm almost done hanging out with my friends. I'm assuming you have something you wish to discuss with me face to face, so please meet me at the top floor of the dormitories in 30 minutes. I'll be going offline for now.' Kiyopon sent his last message.

Manabe felt a bit relieved but it didn't erase her dread. Nonetheless, she agreed with the plan and placed back her phone in her purse before she creates more suspicion for herself.

--

Manabe managed to shake off her observers by walking into a clustered group of people that was conveniently formed in the lobby of the mall.

She ran to the dormitories immediately and waited for the elevator doors to open.

" Good afternoon. Manabe-san." A girl with familiar long black hair arrived behind her.

Manabe turned around to see Horikita Suzune staring at her with her usual serious look.

"...Horikita-san, I didn't expect to see you here. How did you even-"

"-know your name? Weren't you part of the rabbit group? " Horikita said.

" Well...yes, but I didn't expect you to memorize my name. It's not really useful information, right?" Manabe said.

" I think otherwise, in this school, information is important. Besides, isn't information the same thing your class has been seeking? More precisely, certain information from Class D in particular?" Horikita interrogated.

" I don't know what you're talking about." Manabe turns around and the elevator door opens.

They both walked in and pressed their own floors.

" Top floor, huh?" Of course, Horikita noticed it.

" My friend told me to meet with her there." Manabe lied.

" I see." Horikita decided to accept that answer but Manabe suspected that she was still suspicious in her eyes.

" What is Ryuuen planning?" Horikita asked as the elevator slowly went up.

" I don't know. I'm not really invo-"

" Stop lying. Some of my classmates reported seeing you around their usual spots in the school, as if you were spying on them."

" Pfft, and you think I'm up to something? What gave them the idea that any spot in the school could be monopolized for their personal preference? " Manabe said.

" You're not the only one that's suspicious. I've been aware that your other classmates had also been spying on other students, but most of them were spying on Class D students." Horikita said.

"..." Manabe decided to sigh. " I really have nothing to do with what Ryuuen is planning. I seriously couldn't care less. "

" How convinicing."

The elevator stopped at Horikita's floor. The doors opened and Horikita stepped out, but instead of going to her room, she decided to turn around once more and gave Manabe a look.

" Tell Ryuuen-kun that whatever he's searching for in our class. He'll never find it. Even if he begs, nothing will happen. I have an idea of what exactly he's searching for, but if I'm right, then I'm a hundred percent sure that he'll fail. " Were Horikita's words of parting before the doors closed.

Manabe releases a sigh.

" I hope you're right...because if he does find out...then I'm in trouble..." Manabe muttered.

--

Manabe finally arrived.

Kiyopon stood at the end of the hallway, staring through the balcony window, gazing at the sunset.

" Ayanokoji." Manabe called for his attention.

Kiyopon turns around and nods at her.

" Why did you rat me out?" She immediately asked.

Kiyotaka sighs.

" Sorry about that. But it had to be done." He said.

" Why?"

" This game needs to end. That's why."

' Game?' Manabe didn't understand.

" Yes, this game. This game between me and Ryuuen. It needs to end now." he said.

" By giving me away...?"

" Yeah."

"...Haha...I see...I forgot that I was expendable in your eyes..." Manabe chuckled.

" But...wouldn't that violate our deal..." She begins glaring at him. " If Ryuuen finds out that I'm the traitor, then what about Rika-"

" He'll do nothing. He'll be unable to do anything once this game is over."

" H...Huh? Could you please stop speaking vaguely? Just tell me! Is Rika going to-"

" Nothing will happen to you. Nothing will happen to her. Ryuuen will be the only loser once we reach the climax." Kiyotaka said and walked towards Manabe.

" Why...what are you...how are you going to end this..." She asked.

Kiyotaka stopped in front of her. His figure towering a bit above her and his eyes piercing her soul with his empty gaze.

" By baiting him with the prey...and then the prey will lead him to the trap...and soon, the hunter will come out and shoot the hunted. Somewhere along those lines, I hope." He said.

" So I'm the bait..." She looks down in discontentment. " Can you...really promise me that?"

" I promise that neither you nor Rika will suffer the consequences once I'm finished with him. This loss will only affect Ryuuen." He assured her.

"...Fine...but I have one more thing to ask..." She looks up at him with a seemingly hopeful gaze.

" When this is all over...could we...maybe-"

But before Manabe could finish, one of the doors near them had suddenly opened.

A girl was stepping out.

' Shit!' Manabe panicked internally.

Kiyopon grabbed Manabe by the shoulders and pinned her to the side of the wall, his face leaning as close as it possibly could to her face without touching. Manabe was stunned as she felt Kiyopon's breath on her, her face turned red and her heart was beating insanely fast.

The girl who stepped out of her room looked to the side to see a boy pinning a girl...

" E-Eh?" She blushed in embarrassment.

The sunlight from the sunset made it hard for her to identify the two figures by the balcony window. It blinded her a bit but she assumed that they were kissing.

'EEK! I BETTER GET OUT OF HERE!' She thought to herself before quickly leaving the scene with a red face.

Sensing that the girl's presence was no more, Kiyopon leaned back and stood straight.

" Sorry about that." He apologized but when he looks towards her...

"...Manabe, are you okay?" He asked, feeling a bit concerned for the girl.

" Y-YEP!" She said.

" Anyway, what did you want to ask-"

"I'LLTELLYOUSOMEOTHERTIMEGOODBYE-" She blurted out words that Kiyopon couldn't comprehend.

Manabe immediately ran away while feeling up her red face and trying desperately to forget what had just happened.

She hopes that Kiyopon will keep that promise.

' He has to...right?' her last thought.

CHAPTER END!

Welp, that's it for volume 6!

I hope the friendship dynamic of the kiyopon group is okay?

And yes, I changed Keisei and Akito's attitudes cuz why not? I did it for Sakura, so why not do it for them too?

Yes, Haruka is only taking the mother role. No crushes on kiyopon. She is only useful as the mom friend of the group!

As for volume 7 summary?

Nothing!

I don't wanna spoil anything since volume 7 has been the volume I've always wanted to write about since volume 3.

I'm pretty excited and scared ig.

So no spoilers at all!

Anyway, look forward to the next chapter.

KawaiiLumine, out~

Still here?

Ofc you are.

well, I lied.

I do wanna spoil a few things...

are they major? definitely.

Well...idk. Anyways, here are some dialogues for volume 7.

Keep in mind; These dialogues are just what I have planned. Plans can change, so I might not even use them in the actual chapter. But they definitely contain spoilers.

Enjoy!

--

" Do you wonder about how Matsuo is doing, Kiyotaka?"

"..."

" Heh. Silent as ever, it seems like Matsuo really died for nothing. He died for someone that wasn't worth an inch of his life. Such a pity, even his son , Eichiro, died for his mistakes."

"..."

" Do you understand what I'm saying, Kiyotaka?"

" ..."

" Your so-called ' freedom' is stained with their blood."

--

" hey...have you guys got any news about Kiyopon?"

" No...I think we're all experiencing the same effect."

" It's been a week and a half since he last came to class...nobody has seen him since..."

" Horikita-san...do you...know anything? anything at all...?"

"...No...I'm afraid not."

--

" Ayanokoji...why aren't you answering my messages...stop ghosting me...Ryuuen is close to finding out about everything...please...PLEASE answer me...:

--

" Huh? Sakayanagi-san, what are you-"

" Horikita-san. Please check up on him."

--

" Ayanokoji-kun...when was the last time you ate? You look pale, thin, and tired...

"..."

" Ayanokoji-kun...please answer me-"

" Go away, Horikita."

--

Annnd daz all!

Remember I might not even use these dialogues since the chapter is still in planning stage cuz like i said before, volume 7 of this fic has been something I'd been planning for a while.

Also, from these very major spoilers.

Tell me what you think will happen! Even if it's obvious!

KawaiiLumine, out for realsies~!

Freedom stained with blood.

Third Person PoV

1. Freedom stained with his blood.

While Kiyopon was conversing with his friends, he noticed a particularly odd aura from Chabashira-sensei. Well, if anyone looked her direction, then they would've noticed the pressurizing gaze she was giving Kiyopon while subtly faking her paperwork on the desk.

" So the plan's set, right? We're meeting later at the mall?" Haruka asked while twirling a strand of her blue hair.

" Yep." Everyone answered except for Kiyopon ( Who was still wondering about Chabashira's intentions. )

" Kiyotaka? What about you?" Akito asked.

Kiyopon turns to him and nods before proceeding to excuse himself, " ...Please excuse me...I'll be back in a bit." He said.

" All right." Akito said and the rest of the Kiyopon group accepted the excuse and asked no further questions.

Kiyopon walks out the door and he quickly heard Chabashira's footsteps following him from behind.

Kiyopon avoided the main hallway and opted to rendezvous at the stairs.

Once they had privacy, Chabashira called out to Kiyopon.

" Ayanokoji."

Kiyopon turns to look at her, blank-faced.

" Please follow me. " She said.

" And if I don't?" Kiyopon dared to ask.

She sighs, " Unfortunately, the option to refuse is non-existent with the current circumstances. This is extremely urgent." She was serious.

That evoked a bad feeling to begin swirling in the pits of Kiyopon's being.

Kiyopon quietly followed Chabashira, trying to figure out what exactly is this urgent manner. He hadn't done anything wrong or anything suspicious. Maybe because he was spotted at the top floor, fake kissing Manabe, to avoid being identified by the female student who'd just left her room?

Kiyopon doubted that. The school would rather not waste their time on romantic flings between students, even if him and Manabe weren't really like that.

Could it be...? A thought formed in Kiyopon's head. A dreadful thought if it were to end up being true.

If it does end up being what he'd thought of, then Kiyopon must ready himself in advance.

She knocked on the office door. " Principal, I've brought Ayanokoji Kiyotaka."

A gentle voice that carried the dignity of age, responded, " Enter."

Chabashira-sensei opened the door, Kiyopon noticed the nervous grip she had on the door before opening. His face immediately turned serious since the thing he'd been dreading for a few minutes, is about to become reality.

A man, who looked to be around his 60's, sat on the sofa. He was the school's principal. Kiyopon recognized him during the few ceremonies that this school had done. But he didn't seem calm like he usually was, in fact, sweat even trickled down the side of his face.

Kiyopon didn't bother looking at the second man who was present in the room. He sat opposite of the principal.

" You two may talk now," said the principal, " I trust this is acceptable."

" Of course." The other man answered.

" Very well, I'll be taking my leave now." The principal said. He bowed humbly before making his exit, he had bowed to a man who was only in his forties.

" I'll excuse myself as well..." Chabashira carefully said before bowing and taking her leave. But as she passed by Kiyopon, she had spared him one last glance, a glance full of worry but exited immediately.

" Been a while, hasn't it, Kiyotaka?"

"..." Kiyopon has not once spared a look to the man.

" Why don't you take a seat? I came all the way here to meet with you, after all."

It had been a year and a half since Kiyopon had heard this man's voice. As expected, nothing really changed except the subtle growth of gruff and command in his voice due to aging.

After another moment of silence, a chuckle escaped the man's lips. " Still silent as ever, I see?"

Kiyopon offered no response.

" You used to talk a lot back then, especially to the other kids who were your age." The man took a sip from his tea before continuing, " A pity that they couldn't keep up with your mental growth. Weak fools, they were."

Kiyopon glares at his father.

" Great. I knew that would get you to look at me." The man grinned. " Let's get down to business, shall we?"

The man places his cup back on the small plate.

" I've prepared the documents for you to drop out. I already spoke to the principal. All I need now is for you to say yes."

.

.

.

.

" Silence again? How annoying. Truly annoying." The man sighed in disappointment. " Despite your troublesome refusal to talk to me, you are still the most valuable thing the white room had ever produced. The greatest milestone I had ever achieved, and to add more weight to my words, it was my own flesh and blood...my own son...who had achieved that title." He said.

"..."

" Drop out, Kiyotaka. That's an order." His father commanded. " Haven't you had enough? I believe you've been defying me for a short while now. It's time for you to return back home."

"..."

" Tch, this school has escalated your " rebellious phase". If you had only obeyed me, and stayed in the mansion. This annoying attitude of yours wouldn't have been established." he spat out his frustration. " Putting the white room under renovation for one year, has certainly become my biggest mistake in a LONG time."

"..."

Kiyopon decided to turn around and headed for the door. His father noticed and only smirked. This was his chance to pull out his trump card, which will definitely affect his defiant son.

" But personally, I think there's one person who has bigger regrets than myself." His father started while Kiyopon continued marching to the door, attempting to tune out whatever his father had to say.

Kiyopon reached the door knob, but as he began to twist it open. His father spoke,

" I'm sure you know him. He WAS your butler, after all. The employee who went against his employer, the man who granted you this sliver of freedom; The man named Matsou."

Kiyopon stopped. His eyes widened when his mind registered his father's words.

Kiyopon immediately turned to look at his father once more with a serious expression.

" Yes, he truly shocked me to my core. He had told you about this school as way for you to escape my control. He encouraged you to ignore your real father's wishes and you chose to let yourself be manipulated with his words, and then decided to accept the offer, and thus, you were enrolled into this school without any real issue." The man paused, " But all this had been done without my permission. And so, I was of course... angered when I had found out that my little masterpiece had escaped with the help of his caretaker." He said and waited. He made sure to etch this information deep into Kiyopon's mind before continuing.

" Naturally, Matsuo had to be punished." He started,

" He was disciplined and dismissed." And then he gave a cruel smile, " But that ' punishment' would be too kind of me, isn't that right? "

Kiyopon unknowingly clenched his fist, as his began to shift into an expression that gave a sense of upcoming despair.

" I assume you know about Matsuo's son?" His father asked.

Unexpectedly, Kiyopon spoke.

" Eichiiro..." He didn't mean to speak but his mind couldn't process his own command until after it had happened.

Kiyopon knew who he was. He was Matsuo's pride and joy, he could recall all the silly stories and memories Matsuo has of Eichiiro and Kiyopon, despite not having met him, listened to Matsuo's stories with great interest. Even if it didn't show on his face, Matsuo continued to speak until he had enough for the day.

Kiyopon remembered Matsuo telling him that Eichiiro had promised to work hard everyday so he can get a job to support and repay back his father for all his effort. The smile of Matsuo as he looked back fondly on that story, was still burning in Kiyopon's memory.

" Yes, that was his name. When you enrolled at this school, Matsuo's son also managed to pass the difficult entrance exam for a wonderful, prestigious private high school. He worked exceptionally hard, and achieved it all on his own."

The man paused once more and tried to decipher Kiyopon's expression.

" But now he's been expelled." He said.

"..." Kiyopon knew that it didn't end there. His father predicted that he KNEW this wasn't the end.

" But instead of moping about it, his determination hadn't faded. He bounced back and immediately tried to enroll in other high schools. I did whatever was necessary to crush his attempts to advance. I made him give up." He said.

" I did the same to Matsuo, too. I tarnished his reputation to the point where he was unable to get another job. His son also lost his way, and is now unemployed." He said.

Matsuo...Kiyopon felt an ache in his heart. It grew bigger and painful the more he thought about what his father just said. Kiyopon knew that he wasn't making this all up...

Matsuo and his son lost everything...because Matsuo had helped Kiyotaka...

" But this was more than the old man could bear. He could handle this burden alone, but he simply could not accept that due to his stupid actions, he had sabotaged his son's future. And so, he came and begged me to leave his boy alone. He said he'd do anything to appease my ferocity."

"...What...did he-"

" He committed suicide last month by self-immolation." His father finished.

Kiyopon's pupils sharpened at that. His clenched fists lost its power and unclenched.

...Why...Why does it hurt? Kiyopon asked himself. The pain inside him was expanding. It was something he'd never felt before.

" Right now, his son's working part-time, earning enough to live on and nothing else. No future. No dreams. No hope. His family's tragedy is your fault. The boy must surely hold a deep grudge against you. Even in death, he'll never forgive you." The man taunted.

"..."

Kiyopon tried to keep himself together. He told himself to ignore the aching feeling and think about this rationally, thinking about this logically. He can't let these unknown emotions get the best of him, not at this moment.

He closed his eyes and cleared his thoughts. He masked his feelings once more with his blank expression.

" Look at you, your expression doesn't seem to have any ounce of remorse. The man who took care of you, who saved you, had died. And your face remains expressionless. Ha! If Matsuo saw you now, he'd start despising you as well." He said.

Kiyopon finally spoke up with a serious tone.

" You have no proof whatsoever to what you're saying. No evidence to suggest that it's true. I refuse to believe in your pathetic attempts of lying to me." Kiyopon said, coldly.

" Matsuo's death has already been recorded. If you want, I could sent the documents that confirms it." The father shot back.

" Documents could easily be faked. I won't believe anything that comes out of your mouth, nor any of the papers you'd try to show me. " The son retorted.

" Is that so?" The man asked.

" And I do not intend to leave the school. Matsuo enrolled me here, he wished for me to enjoy my three years. I will honor his wishes and continue my school life, there is nothing that you can do to affect that." Kiyopon said before turning around.

" Are you sure?" He stopped Kiyopon once more. "You argue that I might be lying through my teeth and faked documents about his death to convince you." He said.

" So what if I were to show you something." The man stood up and walked towards Kiyotaka with a dark grin etched upon his face. " Something that could prove everything I've said up until now."

The man forcefully turned Kiyotaka to face him once more and showed him a video on his phone.

The video played...

Matsuo's screams filled the silent office.

His screams as he burned. Kiyotaka's expression completely changes, his so-called resolve falling apart at the sight of his butler screaming for mercy for his son and screams due to the pain from the burns.

Kiyotaka could only imagine the absolute pain Matsuo had to go through. Each scream that pierced Kiyotaka's ears were getting disturbing the more he watches.

Eventually, the screaming stopped, and the only sound that was heard...was the fire continuosly burning Matsuo even after he had passed.

"...Matsuo..." Kiyotaka gritted his teeth.

" Do you see now? I wasn't lying, now was I?" The man laughed evily before putting away his phone and taking his seat again at the sofa while Kiyopon stood frozen.

" Well, even with that. I doubt it could convince you...after all...you DID say that there was nothing at could affect your resolve, yes? I'm quite proud of that. It means that my masterpiece is still strong...but unfortunately, in exchange, he's quite stubborn to cherish and savor his freedom."

The man poured the now cold tea in his cup.

His father glanced at him once more.

" To savor a freedom...stained with the blood of his caretaker. " He sneered before drinking his cold tea.

" You may go now, Kiyotaka. It seems we just can't agree on some things, right? But do beware, I won't stop here. I will take you back and when I do, I will make sure you will never be out of my reach ever again. Enjoy fighting for the rest of your three years." The man paused, " That is, if you STILL choose to fight."

"..." Kiyotaka looked down and took a deep breath before turning around once more.

He gripped the door knob with such intensity and roughly twisted it, opening the door and leaving, slamming the door as he left.

" Foolish boy. I'm utterly disgusted by how weak you've gotten under his influence. But breaking you mentally is not something I haven't done before. I'm simply forced to remind you of the fact that the more people get close to you, the more likely they are to get hurt because of you. I'd expect you'd learnt that by now." The man muttered.

--

Chabashira looked towards Kiyopon, who had just exited the office.

She crossed her arms and began asking her question.

" How was it-"

But Kiyopon swiftly ignored her existence and kept on walking.

Chabashira, unknowing of what Kiyopon was currently feeling, continued on her pursuit.

" Ayanokoji, I want you to answer me. How did it go?" She asked more sternly.

Kiyopon stopped.

He turned his head to her.

He looked at her coldly.

"...Why are you..." Chabashira was at a loss for words. She wondered what had happened to have made look at her with those eyes.

She froze on the spot, her mouth closing in on a thin line.

"..." Kiyopon, seeing that Chabashira finally had finally shut up.

He continued walking.

' Ayanokoji...what happened back there? ' She asked herself in her head. She wanted to ask him, but he wasn't willing to answer and he'd forcefully shut down her attempts of knowing. She concluded that something serious took place between him and his father, and that...as a teacher...it provoked a sense of worry for her student.

But she couldn't do anything.

Perhaps it was best to leave him alone...for as long as he needs.

--

Kiyopon entered his room...

Why...Why is it getting worse... He thought as he clutched his chest. He wondered why he's feeling such immense guilt. Such immense pain...for something he didn't do.

It was his father who did all those horrible things. That's what he tried to justify himself with.

But then...

Isn't he the cause? He's the reason Matsuo and his son had to go through such struggle, the reason why Matsuo had to kill himself in an attempt for his father to leave Eichiiro alone. He's the reason why Eichiiro no longer has a future, no longer has dreams, no longer has hope...

Kiyopon's selfishness...took away all of that. His selfishness...took away...his father.

His selfishness destroyed a good man.

If...Kiyopon had just said no that day. That he had no interest...that he had no motivation to experience freedom...if he didn't let Matsuo's words inspire him to do so...

If he just...just...said no...
Then he'd still be alive...

Kiyopon sat on his bed. He stared at the floor with an empty gaze.

He recalled the sounds of Matsuo's screams from the video...the image of him burning to death...forever engraved into his mind.

...

"..."

Kiyopon reached for his notebook that was on the night stand. He had forgotten to bring it this morning.

His hands were shaking as he held the notebook.

He hesitantly opened it to the very first page.

What was written on that first page...was a message.
The last message he'd ever get from him...

' Dear, Kiyotaka

Remember to use this notebook as a means to make friends and to record the amount of friends you made. Use this as your way of communication since I know you have trouble speaking with others due to your tendency to mask your feelings with your expression.

Please make great memories with your friends. Memories you can treasure for the rest of your life! And, by chance, if we see each other again. Then please tell me all about your first experience of having a normal life as a high school student. I would like to listen to any stories you might have, just like the way you have listened to mine this entire time!

And one last thing, before I end this short message.

I love you, my child. Yes, I consider you as another son of mine. I think you'd make a great brother for Eichiiro! So no matter what hurdles you encounter in high school, then please remember that I'm always on your side, cheering for you like a father. Even if you don't consider me as your father.

Ah, I better end this message before a tear drops on the notebook, huh? Well, I bid you farewell and I hope we will encounter each other again. Have fun, Kiyotaka.

Sincerely, your butler and friend,

Matsuo. '

Kiyopon closed the notebook.

His grip tightens as he held the notebook.

PLACK! He then threw it against the wall with all his might.

He then lies down on his bed, staring at the ceiling with empty eyes.

Once more...

He attempts to mask his feelings with his silent expression...

He couldn't sleep that night...

He couldn't sleep for the nights that followed...

CHAPTER END!

5 minutes to spare before it hits 12 am.

POG!

My sleep schedule is totally fine :)))

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed Kiyopon suffering since ik most of us are sadists towards cute things.

I mean, I myself enjoyed writing this lmao.

And the next chapters will continue like this for quite a while, so stay tuned~

KawaiiLumine, out~

The first few days of absence...

Third Person PoV

It's been a few days.

A few days since Kiyopon had locked himself in his room.

A few days since the people close to him had received any news about him.

" Kiyopon is not here again..." Haruka muttered, sadly as she stared at Kiyopon's empty seat.

" He's still not replying in our group chat. He's ghosting us...but why?" Akito also showed concern.

" 3 days...3 days since we last talked to him." Keisei frowned.

" Horikita-san, did he reply to you at least?" Mori asked once again.

" No." Suzune sighed. An anxious feeling welling up inside her." This is all...so unlike him. I tried knocking on his door yesterday but there was no response."

Sakura gasped. " W-What if he-"

But before Sakura could assume the worst, Suzune quickly stopped that thought from escalating.

" Please don't assume the worst. I inquired about him to the receptionist lady and she said she'd seen him exit the elevator while it was class hours. He came back in precisely an hour." But then Suzune leans her cheek on her palm. " But...she also said that he didn't look well..."

" Then we need to pressure him to go out, right? I don't know why he's doing this but if it's affecting his well-being then we should just-" But before Mori could finish her suggestion, Chabashira-sensei entered the classroom and the students quickly quiets down and sits properly in their seats.

" Good morning, Class D. Class is about to begin in a few minutes, if you have any questions then please ask-"

Ike raises his hand.

" What is it, Ike?" Chabashira asked.

" Sensei, I tried to ask you this question yesterday but where is Ayanokoji? Is he sick or something?" Ike asked, curiously.

" Most likely. Does anyone else have questions?" She gave Ike a quick answer and immediately moved on.

Suzune raised a brow at that.

' She brushed that question off so fast. Does she know something?' Suzune thought. She found Chabashira's dismissive response a bit suspicious.

In fact, wasn't Chabashira avoiding the subject of Kiyopon during the past few days? Like Ike had just said, he tried to ask Chabashira-sensei questions regarding the absence of Kiyopon but she always made excuses that class had begun and that questions should be saved for later.

' She knows something. I need to find out from her.' Suzune decided.

After all...

She misses her seatmate.

She misses her closest friend.

Suzune glanced at his empty seat.

' For some odd reason, I just don't feel the same...without you here.' She frowned slightly before turning back to the teacher.

45 minutes into the lecture, the students ears picked up a few knocks from the door.

Chabashira looks at the door and her eyes widened slightly at the person who had opened it.

It was a man in 40's with a gentle smile and an aura that compelled the students to show proper respect.

" Good morning, Chabashira-sensei." The man greeted.

" Good morning, Chairman Sakayanagi." Chabashira said before bowing.

' CHAIRMAN?!' The Class D students were now getting a bit afraid. They wondered why the CHAIRMAN of the school was here...in their classroom.

" Sudo what the hell did you do this time?!" Ike whispered to Sudo.

" I swear this isn't me!" Sudo whispered back.

Ike had thought Sudo was the cause since Sudo has an unfortunate record of getting their class in trouble. And getting the chairman involved? Ike didn't think he would take it that far but here he is.

" I swear dude. I didn't do shit this time." Sudo continued defending his innocence.

" O-Okay man...I'll try to believe you." Ike nodded nervously.

' Sakayanagi? He shares the same last name as the Sakayanagi from Class A. Could it be that-' but before Suzune could finish her thoughts, the chairman looked towards the students with a gentle smile.

" Good morning, Class D students." He greeted.

" G-G-Good morning, Chairman Sakayanagi-sensei..." the students awkwardly replied.

" Well then, I'm only here to announce something in regards to your classmate's absence. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, if I'm not wrong." He said.

The class stayed silent. For some reason, the atmosphere shifted into an atmosphere of worry. Suzune felt a feeling of dread stirring in her chest when the chairman released a sigh.

" Please forgive Ayanokoji-kun for not attending his classes. You see, the reason he's been absent is because he's going through a rough time. A few days ago, I called him to the principal's office to personally inform him that his caretaker had passed away." He announced solemnly.

The class was silent.

Suzune raised her hand.

" Hm? Your name is Horikita Suzune, am I correct?" The chairman looked at her.

" Yes."

" Since you raised your hand, I assume you have a question? "

" Yes, sir. "

" Then ask ahead."

The class looked towards their leader, who stood up from her seat . They wondered about the question she might be asking.

" Do we suffer any loss of class points if Ayanokoji-kun keeps skipping class, even when he is in this current state?" She asked. It might've been insensitive, but Suzune still needed that question to be answered to ensure a few things.

Meanwhile, the students of Class D had to process that for a moment. Class points didn't really cross their mind since they were all collectively worried for their absent classmate. Now they, too, wondered if they will suffer any consequences.

" Good question. Let's see...I can't exactly excuse him forever. Since it's not fair to other classes. Ah, I've decided." The chairman had a plan in mind, " I'll give him a month for recovery. During that month, if he is skipping class, then he'll still be excused and you will lose no points. But once the month ends, if he STILL skips class..." he paused.

" Then you will lose class points equal to his absences."

" Huh?!" The class exclaimed in shock.

" I think it's fair, no? And besides, he has a lot of time." The chairman said.

"B-But someone close to him just passed away!" Inogashira said.

" Some people will take even years to recover from loss like that!" Another girl complained.

The chairman smiled. " Then, it's all up to you guys, right? You're his friends and classmates. You have the ability to help him so choose wisely." He said before giving one last smile and then facing Chabashira. " Well, I'll be taking my leave now."

Everyone seemed nervous about the entire situation.

Chabashira coughed and announced that morning classes will begin.

--

It was currently lunch time.

Suzune took out her two lunch boxes.

She turned to her seatmate.

" Ayanokoji-kun, I made-...oh...right..." She had forgotten that he wasn't here. Her face turned downcast and she sighed and stared at her two lunch boxes.

' This is the third time in a row...' She thought.

Just when she was about to store away the extra lunch box, someone took a chair and placed it opposite of her desk.

" Did you forget again?" A familiar voice said.

Suzune looks up to the familiar brown haired girl...her other friend.

" ...Yes." She admits.

Mori chuckles and sits down in front of Suzune.

Her amethyst colored eyes gaze towards the same spot where Suzune had been gazing at, the past hour or so.

" The day just doesn't feel complete when he's not here, huh..." She solemnly said.

" Mmm." Suzune hummed in agreement. " I'm so used to his presence. I can't help but do the things him and I do everyday...even though he's not around."

Wayyy to make it sound like he's dead, Suzune...

" I agree. I think everyone shares your opinion. But none of us really knows how to help Kiyotaka-kun right now. None of us ever thought of the possible scenario where he ends up being...well...depressed. At least, that's the state I'm assuming he's in since it's the most likely." Mori said.

" Should I...try that option..." She whispered to herself.

" Did you say something, Horikita-san?" Mori asked, curiously.

" No. Nothing at all." Suzune denied.

" I see...hey, me and our group are meeting up at the cafeteria. I actually came here to ask if you'd like to join." Mori switched the conversation.

" Mori, you know I'm not good with gyaru-"

" I'm talking about the ' Kiyopon' group, dummy." Mori smirked in amusement.

"...Oh." Was all Suzune could respond with. She'd forgotten that Mori has been hanging out less with her gyaru friends and spending more time with their newly formed group around Kiyopon. Suzune didn't feel bothered with the group, in fact, she was happy for Kiyopon to have a better group around him.

But that didn't exactly mean she'd join in...

Despite having the closest relationship with Kiyopon...

" Sorry, but I'll have to pass-"

"Nope!" Before Suzune could deny the offer, Mori quickly pulled her out of her seat and began dragging her to the cafeteria room.

" M-Mori-san!" Suzune tried to break off her grip without resorting to violent tactics, but Mori was steadfast in making sure Suzune eats lunch with them.

" Horikita-san, I'm not going to let you eat lunch alone! You look like a sad puppy when Kiyotaka-kun is not around, and I'm sure Kiyotaka-kun would NOT like that at all. Just eat with us." Mori said.

Suzune sighed, not having the energy to retort. She surrendered.

--

( Kiyopon's room...)

Kiyopon slowly ate his food.

He felt hungry.

At least, that's what his body is telling him.

His mind, however, is saying otherwise. His mind was telling him that he didn't need to eat, that the food will taste like nothing, telling him that there was no point in eating.

Kiyopon didn't eat often for the past few days.

But this once, he thought that maybe...if he just ignored his mind...maybe if he just tried to eat food...that the pain will be relieved for at least a few minutes.

But all it did...was bring him back bittersweet memories.

He recalled the memories when Matsuo would cook all types of food every day. And on a few occassions, they would sneak out of the mansion together and Matsuo would introduce him to the classic japanese street foods and ramen stands.

Kiyopon places down his utensils. Suddenly, he didn't feel like eating anymore. The memories were bittersweet, and the food in front of him is bland. It tastes like nothing. It perfectly replicated the emptiness of Kiyopon's heart

But it still hurts...please...please stop... Kiyopon frowned.

I don't...I don't know this feeling...but it just hurts...why? Kiyopon tried to figure out why he was feeling like this. His eyes felt heavy, but he couldn't rest them. He didn't know why his eyes felt heavy, he didn't know why he was aching all over.

Was it...perhaps fear? He wondered about that. Did he fear Matsuo hating him after death? His son, Eichiiro ,despising his very existence?

Guilt...is not enough to describe the feelings inside him. He's too confused on how to identify such strong...yet empty feelings. It didn't make sense...but when he feels it...it just does.

He sips his glass of water slowly and only managed to drink a quarter before suddenly stopping and placing it on the table. He was thirsty, yet, his mind told him to stop drinking.

He wondered when the pain will stop...if it'll ever stop...

--

" Horikita-san is joining us today?" Sakura asked.

" Yep!" Mori said.

The members of the Kiyopon group looked at Suzune with scrutinizing gazes.

Suzune felt bothered by their gazes.

"...It's okay if you won't accept me. I'll just eat alone-"

" Nope!" Haruka interrupted Suzune and quickly forced her to sit down in one of the seats.

" Glad you finally came to join us." Akito said, cooly.

" Mori-san was stubborn." Suzune blurted out.

Keisei sighs at that before pushing up his glasses, " Tell us something new..." He muttered.

" Hey!" Mori pouts. " I can't let Horikita-san eat all by herself. She looked like a sad puppy!"

" Was it really necessary to tell them that..." Suzune sighed.

" Well, I'm glad Mori-san managed to drag you here. Since well, we planned for you to join us one day...but...it was supposed to be...Kiyopon...who would convince you..." Haruka's smile turned sad.

"..." The table was silent. Akito and Keisei stared at their lunches in awkward, Haruka looked downcast, Sakura and Mori just didn't know what to say.

Suzune felt like she was given the duty to break the ice this time.
She had to.

This is what Kiyopon would've done if he were here.

Suzune coughs and clears her throat. " Well, I'm here now. And I want to say one thing. I think it's important for you all to hear it."

" What?" They asked at the same time.

" Ayanokoji-kun is glad to have you all as his friends." she continued, " When this group was formed, he texted me about joining in because it was " fun". I declined since I didn't really have any intentions of joining in, but I knew he was happy. He was happy to have found his own circle of friends. " She said.

"...Thank you..." Haruka nodded, tears threatening to come out from her eyes.

" O-Oi, why are you crying! You're making it look like Kiyotaka died!" Akito immediately tried to comfort Haruka.

" S-Sorry, I can't help but get emotional! Hearing this from Kiyopon's closest friend...doesn't make any of you feel emotion?" She asked.

" W-Well...of course it does...but not to the point where I have to cry about it." Keisei awkwardly responded.

" That means a lot...thank you for telling us." Sakura said in gratitude.

Suzune takes a bite of her food, " I just felt like it had to be said." She brushed away Sakura's thanks.

While they were eating.

Haruka popped out the big question.

" Hey, Horikita-san."

" Hm?"

" I've been wondering...why are you not referring to Kiyopon by his first name?"

"...Wha..." Suzune just realized that.

" Come to think of it, Kiyotaka has always referred to her by last name. How you two NOT on first name basis?" Akito asked, eyebrow raised.

"...I don't think neither of us really thought about it. Is it required to refer to your close friends by their first name?" Suzune asked, curiously.

" Hmm...well, not really but if you give eachother nicknames or go on first-name basis then that'll be an indicator for how close you two are! And we all know that you're his first and closest friend so..." Haruka shrugged.

" That might be difficult to get used to." Suzune sighs. " I don't think Ayanokoji-kun would be bother by it but...I'm so used to referring to him as ' Ayanokoji0kun' instead of...Kiyotaka...-kun." She had an awkward pause.

" Eh? Why the pause?" Mori asked, already knowing why but just had to call Suzune out on it.

" Hoh~? Is Horikita-san embarassed?" Haruka teased.

" S-Silence!" Suzune said in a defensive tone before stuffing her mouth with her lunch. " I'm just not used to it!"

" Horikita-san is so cute when she's like this, hehe!" Sakura giggles.

Suzune blushes in embarrassment.

" Heeeyyy, so just to be clear, Horikita-san is in our group now, right?" Mori asked everyone.

" Huh? Wait, I didn't-" Suzune tried to deny it but everyone else answered simultaneously.

" Yes." They said, completely sealing her fate.

" Great! I guess I'll call her ' Suzu-chan' from now on." Mori smirked before turning to the flabbergasted Suzu-chan.

" In this group, there aren't many rules to follow. Anyone here is free to do whatever. But there is one rule that Haruka-chan implemented that MUST be followed." Mori turns to Haruka. " Would you like to inform our new member?"

Haruka nodded before putting a hand on her chest in dramatic fashion. " In this group, we must all refer to each other by our first names! Nicknames can be fine too!" She recited.

"..." Suzune stared at them blankly.

" Well, welcome to the group, Suzune?" Akito tried to test out her name.

" Yeah...welcome, Suzune." Keisei also felt strange calling her with her first name.

"...Thanks, I guess." Was the best response Suzune could say.

" Great! Now then, let's try to discuss a way to talk to Kiyopon so our group will be complete." Haruka sounded motivated now.

" It's best to not force it on him too much...he's still dealing with loss." Keisei reminded. He was considerate of Kiyopon's situation.

" I hope we can help him since I owe a lot to him." Sakura nodded.

" Yep, I'll buy him as many cheese cake slices , as long as it brings him back." Akito chuckles.

" Mhm." Mori was in agreement.

Suzune stared at them as they began discussing.

' Ayanokoji-kun...you really did find good friends...' she thought.

' I owe a lot to you as well, don't I? That's why I'll do whatever I can to help you. I won't give up on you and neither will your friends.

The class needs you,

Your friends need you,

And most importantly...

I need you.'

Chapter End!

Kiyopon is now suffering! yay!

And Suzune is finally in the group!

Will the group succeed in helping Kiyopon heal?

Or is the pain going to stay forever in Kiyopon's heart.

And eventually...

The class might just go back to 0.

Stay tuned~

KawaiiLumine, out~

Lonely upbringing

Third Person PoV

Arisu waited patiently in the chairman's office. She had paid a visit and was instructed to wait for the chairman's arrival so their discussion may begin.
Instead of having her trusty attendant accompany her like usual, Arisu opted to go alone which had suprised her purple haired companion at first but she was more than glad to have free time for herself, so she had no complaints.
Arisu hummed a small tune to herself. It was a bedtime song that her beloved mother had sung to her ever since she was a little girl.

The door finally opened.

" Ah, my dear daughter!" A voice called, a tone full of warm.

Arisu gazed towards the chairman, a small smile forming on her lips.

" Good morning, papa." She greeted sweetly.

The Chairman approached Arisu and gave her a small embrace, leaving a kiss on her forehead before pulling away.
" Would you like tea?" He asked.
" That's fine. I took the liberty of preparing tea before your arrival." Arisu responded.

Her father chuckled before taking a seat and pouring himself a cup of tea. " As expected of my daughter. Always prepared." He said, proudly.

" Well, you've always told me that the way to success is a difficult road. But with preparation, it'll make things a whole lot easier." Arisu says.

" Yes, indeed. There a lot of factors in being successful, but preparation is the majority among them all. It is the foundation to success." Her father said.

They talked a bit more. Arisu asking about her mother's well-being and her father shooting back questions about her time in school. They rarely see each other nowadays, but their bond is still as close as ever.

" Papa...may we finally begin the actual discussion?" Arisu asked.

" Ah, right. The main topic regarding him, correct?" Her father replied.

Arisu nodded hastily.
" I haven't been seeing Ayanokoji-kun around." She said, she even sent Masumi to go look for him but the search bore no fruit.

" And I've heard rumors that you entered Class D and announced something. Some students were whispering about it, making theories that perhaps you told them a big hint on how to reach Class A." She puffed her cheeks.

" Obviously, I quickly shut those rumors down. So nonsensical. But I want to know the real reason and I have a feeling that...it's related to Ayanokoji-kun's disappearance." She said.

" You're right. It is related to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's disappearance...I thought I could hide it from you just a little bit longer but since you're my precious daughter, how could I possibly resist myself from spilling the tea." He chuckled. He knew that she knew that he always loved spoiling his little princess.

He was just lucky that Arisu didn't grow up to be a spoiled brat due to his doting nature. If she WAS a spoiled brat, then his wife would kill him.

That thought...that possibility still makes him shiver in fear.

But not now. He had to answer Arisu's questions, since he also has a personal motive in telling her this private information.

" Hm...let's see..." The older Sakaynagi crossed his arms and leaned back on the sofa.

" Do you recall our visits at that facility?" He asked.

" Yes." Arisu quickly recalled back to their visits.

" What were your thoughts about Kiyotaka?" Her father asked, curiously.

" He was amazing." Arisu quickly answered. " I couldn't believe that he could defeat all those masters in chess, solve university level equations, possesses great memory, an expert in multiple fighting styles. At first, I thought he was a natural genius, but then you shattered that idea when you said that he was no genius. That he had no special genes or inheritance. That everything was simply hard work...to become a genius." She said.

" And I do remember you being defiant of that? You wished to prove that natural born geniuses will triumph over false ones?" Her father asked.

Arisu giggles. " I still do. I'm waiting for that day to come...but..." She paused before her gaze began softening. " I'm satisfied with out friendship. I've realized that I didn't need to fill that particular dream...and now...I just want to know about his whereabouts." She said.

" ...What else have you observed?" Her father continued to question.

" Hmm...well I have taken note that he was placed as the top product of that place. I assumed that his colleagues developed or held a grudge against him. My basis for that assumption are the looks they give him." She said.

" Anything else?" He pressed on.

Arisu paused for a bit.

' Isn't that all there was?' she wondered. She carefully tried to remember her previous thoughts but she was sure that that was all she thought about when she saw him through the one sided window.

But then it suddenly hit her head.

" He was lonely." She answered.

" Yes, but I'm sure you already know that. What you didn't notice was the feelings that leaked out of the young Kiyotaka when he was ostracized by his peers." Her father said.

Arisu furrowed her brows, her cute face morphing into a slightly puzzled expression.

" Please elaborate..." She said.

Her father exhales a breath.

" It was the looks the young Kiyotaka gave towards them. A look that said, " Why are they so mean to me?" or " Did I do something wrong?" his young mind was confused by the negativity that his peers emanated. " He said.

Arisu felt irritated by that.

" Does it matter? Ayanokoji-kun was just better than them. They were defectives products compared to hi-" but then she was interrupted.

" But Kiyotaka never thought of them like that. At least...that was the case...until Ayanokoji-sensei influenced his way of thinking." He said.

" Wait just a minute. Father, how are you so sure of the fact that Ayanokoji-kun never saw them as that? " She asked.

" That's because...there was a certain student that stuck by him." He said.

" What?" Arisu was suprised. " May I know who?"

" Hm...well...she was a younger than him. She was from a generation after him. If I recall correctly, she had scarlet hair tied into twin tails. " he chuckles, " I rarely saw them interact with one another, though. But on the few occasions where I have seen them, it was mostly the little girl who blabbered while Kiyotaka seemed confused but listened quietly."

" Then...he wasn't lonely. So he has a friend..." Arisu muttered.

" Hm...I wouldn't say that. I'm sure Kiyotaka at the time, never really considered anyone as a friend because he had trouble understanding the purpose...the feeling...of having friends. And since he was influenced by his father, his inability to socialize properly only increased. After all, Sensei was never one to have faith in friendships." He said.

"...I see...so that's why he was lonely. And yet, he wasn't able to identify the feeling that he was lonely." Arisu finally understood.

Her father gives a sad smile. " Indeed. He wasn't aware of such feelings...which is why...that in itself was a problem."

" Problem? "

" ...I can't tell you the specific details. But to put it simply, since Kiyotaka has trouble identifying his own feelings. He'll only end up hurting himself as he tries to understand strong negative feelings...and that...is what's likely happening to him right now." he said.

" You're wrong. He's changed, I saw it-"

" He might know the feeling of happiness. But what about the feeling of sadness? the feeling of loss? the feeling of despair? " Her father said.

The chairman sighs. " Right now, as I predicted, Kiyotaka...is probably hurting himself without realizing it."

" But why!" Arisu shouted, which was out of character. " Why would he feel such negative emotions? He's been having a great time in this school. He made friends and he had SMILED. So why are you seemingly trying to imply otherwise!"

" I guess there's no more stalling." He continued, " I will now tell you the reason why I went to D class."

. . .

" Someone...close to him...died?" Arisu slowly repeated the information.

" Yes...that person was important to him, but Kiyotaka, who had never felt remorse,sadness,despair up until now...he is currently trying to understand these feelings. He must be wondering why it hurts. Things like that." He said.

"...So right now...he's...suffering?" Arisu said.

" Yes. And if nobody can support him through this...then I'm afraid..." he paused.

" He'll end up like the rest of those children..."

--

( Kiyopon's room...)

Kiyopon was sitting on his bed.

Doing nothing.

He still has not slept and it's almost the end of the week.

He had not eaten anything for the past few days.

His water intake had significantly decreased to mere sips.

And his headaches were getting worse, due to the aforementioned dehydration, hunger, and lack of sleep.

He was lost in his thoughts.

All he hears are the repeated screams of Matsuo's voice.

All he thinks about is a way to erase this feeling of pain in his chest,

his mind refuses to allow rational thoughts to enter. Instead, he drowns in bittersweet memories and unidentified remorse.

But suddenly, a knock had interrupted his thoughts.

Kiyopon's eyes slowly looked from the ground towards the door.

Muffled familiar voices were heard beyond his door.

" Kiyopon! " Haruka called.

Kiyopon's eyes widened in recognition.

It was his friend.

A voice he hadn't heard for a short while...

" Kiyopon, you've been absent for the past few days! We're worried!" Haruka yelled through the door.

Worried...? Kiyopon thought.

" Kiyotaka-kun~ we even brought some of your favorite snacks!" Mori singsonged.

" Kiyotaka, you've been ghosting us for the past few days. We don't know what you're going through, but whatever it is, as your friends we are here to help!" Akito also said.

They decided to keep hidden the fact that they knew about the news since it might just make Kiyopon reluctant.

Help? Can they really help? Kiyopon thought as he began to move out of the bed.

He stood on his feet, his head was in a daze, but he tried to focus on the door ahead.

Can they...make the pain go away? He clutched his chest as he began taking slow steps towards the door.

" Kiyotaka-kun, please let us in!" He heard Airi's voice as well.

" If you can't handle the pain alone, then please share it with us. We're with you on this." Keisei also showed support.

Kiyopon arrived at the door. If he opens the door right now...then his friends can enter.

But for some reason, he was hesitating.

The pain was worsening.

" Your freedom is stained with his blood."

" M-Monster!"

" Let's stay away from him everyone...it's his fault that we're experiencing these hardships!"

" This isn't his fau-"

" Quiet, Amasawa! It's best if you stay away from him too. He's just as cruel as the professor. Heartless. Like father like son."

" Even in death, Matsuo's son...will never forgive you."

Voices from his father, voices from his former peers...they all echoed in his mind.

He froze. His hand was just about to unlock the door but the voices stopped him.

Why...why are they so loud...why...why...why... The pain grew exponentially.

" Ayanokoji-kun, open the door!" Suzune's voice snapped him out of his thoughts for a moment.

" We're worried about you. So either you open that door or we'll bust in. Your choice!" Suzune said.

" E-Eh? Are we really going to bust in?" Airi asked.

" It all depends on whether or not Ayanokoji-kun opens the door," Suzune replied.

"...They can help me..." Kiyopon tried to softly convince himself.

" I need their help..." He whispered softly as he tried to clear away those negative thoughts.

That's why...I've got to unlock the door...He guides his hand towards the door lock.

But...

" Why do they hate me..."

" Because you're hurting them."

"...How?"

" Because you're close to them."

"..."

" Remember this. You're different from the rest of them, Kiyotaka. They are not worth a second of your time nor are they worth a mere glance. They are merely test subjects while you're becoming a masterpiece...that's why-"

" How...How do I stop hurting them?...Father...I don't want to hurt anyone..."

" Then give up on being close with them. Because no matter what you do, the closer you are to them, the closer they are to you...they'll only get hurt in the end. That's why they hate you."

He stopped.

It was his fault...

He was close to Matsuo...and Matsuo was close to him...

The consequence? Matsuo died. Died because of him.

It's my fault he's gone...His negative thoughts returned and quickly swarmed his mind.

The closer I am to them...the more likely they are to get hurt...He was reminded.

The Kiyopon group waited outside the door.

Haruka began knocking on the door again.

" Kiyopon-"

" I'm fine..." Kiyopon spoke through the door, which suprised the Kiyopon group who hadn't heard his voice for what felt like forever.

Haruka's motherly nature immediately took over as she began questioning Kiyopon in a rapid pace.

" KIYOPON! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?! ARE YOU EATING WELL? OH MY GOD IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE WE LAST HEARD YOUR VOICE! LET US IN! WE WANT TO SEE YOU-"

" No..." His voice rejected.

" Eh? ' no' ?" Haruka repeated, she wore a puzzled look.

" Kiyotaka, come on now! Don't be so bashful!" Akito tried to joke, " We brought your favorite snacks and desserts-"

" I don't want them." Kiyopon interrupted.

" Then we'll get something else." Keisei said.

" Yep! So please tell us what you want!" Mori said.

" I...want..." But his voice faded into whispers. These whispers couldn't get through the door.

" Ayanokoji-kun, what do you-"

" I want you all to leave...that's it..." He finally managed to say.

" L-Leave...?" Airi couldn't believe it.

" W-Wait, c-come on now, Kiyotaka. You're going through a tough time, that's why-"

" That's why I want you all to leave...please...just leave..." Kiyopon said.

" But-"

" I'm going to be fine...I promise..." Kiyopon lied through his teeth, " I'll return in the next week...please just...leave me alone for now..."

' He's lying...' Suzune thought.

" I-...w-well...um..." Haruka stuttered her words. She really wanted to help her friend but if he insists that they leave...then isn't that what's best?

Akito releases a sigh.

" Let's go, guys." Akito said.

" Huh?" the 4 memebers turned to him in suprise.

" If Kiyotaka says he wants to be left alone...then let's not force ourselves in his space." Akito suggested.

" Huh? But we came here with the resolve to-" Before Sakura could finish, Keisei interjected.

" I...agree with Akito. Maybe he'll get better if we leave him alone-"

" But we've left him alone for days! T-This is the first time any of us had heard his voice after those few days! We can't just give up, right?!" Haruka said before turning to Suzune and Mori.

" Nene-chan, Suzune-san, you two agree with me, right? Besides, Suzune-san suggested we just bust through his door!" Haruka was desperate.

"...Well...I'm split on that..." Mori admitted but quickly began waving her hands as she elaborated further, " B-But both sides have great points! I'm fine with any! "

" T-Then...Suzune-san, what about you?" Haruka asked.

"...I-" But Kiyopon quickly interrupted Suzune before she could answer.

" Haruka...please...don't fight me on this. Just this once...don't be stubborn..." Kiyopon pleaded.

" I...I..." Haruka paused.

" O-Okay...we'll go...if it makes Kiyopon feel better..." She finally surrenders.

Akito gently pats her back. " It's for the best...for now." he tried to reassure her.

Haruka nodded and soon, the Kiyopon group began to leave with a bitter taste in their mouth. They had failed to realize their resolve, after all.

But for some reason, Suzune decided to stay.

Mori glances at Suzune in question and Suzune returns her gaze.

Mori somewhat understood where this was going, so she kept silent and followed the rest of the group.

' Only the best friend...has a chance to help...'Mori thought.

"..." Suzune stood in front of Kiyopon's door.

She knocked.

" Ayanokoji-kun, it's me."

No response.

" Why do you refuse our help?"

No response.

" Ayanokoji-kun, I'm not leaving without an answer." She decided to sit by his door.

" The class is worried for you too. " Suzune said.

"When...we received the news-"

" What news." Kiyopon quickly said.

" It was about someone close to you...who had recently passed away..."

Kiyopon was silent.

" Ayanokoji-kun...I don't know what you're doing in there or how you're feeling but please...if you're feeling too much pain then please tell us. We can help you...or if it makes you more comfortable then you can tell me...and I'll do my best to help you." Suzune said.

"..."

" You're not alone...so-"

" Leave, Horikita."

" Huh...?"

" Leave me alone."

CHAPTER END!

Wew, finally!

Bet you didn't expect that Amasawa mention huh?

Some white room background revealed.

Kiyopon's depression getting worse,

and lastly, the kiyopon group failing to help their friend! Oh how pitiful!

Don't worry though! we are close to the Kiyopon recovery arc!

See you in the next chapter

KawaiiLumine, out~

" You're...his childhood friend?"

Third Person PoV

( 2 hours after classes ended...)

Manabe sat in her desk, fiddling with her phone to hide her nervousness from the current situation.

" Ishizaki, lock the doors." A familiar voice instructed.

" On it!" Ishizaki said.

He slid the doors close and a small click! sounded from the lock.

Ryuuen walks over to Manabe.

" You're the traitor, right?" Ryuuen asked.

" I told you I'm not." Manabe quickly replied.

Manabe was prepared for this interaction. She needed to act defiantno matter what, in order to fool Ryuuen into using her as bait without hesitation. If she were too submissive, then Ryuuen would've suspected that X had a plan in mind. That X had intentionally given away Manabe as bait.

" Manabe, are you afraid of X?" Ryuuen asked.

" Why are you asking me these questions?" She said, " I'm not the traitor, I already told you that!" She said.

Ryuuen chuckled.

" Is that so? Then how come X knew of our plans?" Ryuuen asked.

" I don't know. And again, why me? Maybe Ibuki is the traitor. It's not a secret to anyone that she hates your guts!" Manabe points to Ibuki.

Ibuki scoffs at that.

" Heh, that's what any other person would think. Ibuki clearly shows her distaste of me and I am well aware of that. But even SHE'S not dumb enough to willingly sabotage our own class. Despite my way of leading this class, none of you would have gotten far without me." Ryuuen said.

" Yeah! Ibuki knows that Ryuuen-san's way is the only way! Just admit it already, Manabe!" Ishizaki backed Ryuuen.

" But why me? All of us heard about your plan for the sports festival. But you've only been targeting me. This is unfair." Manabe scoffs.

" Would you like to hear my reasons then, Manabe?" Ryueen proposed.

Manabe crosses her arms and leans back on her chair. " Fine, whatever."She said.

" Number one," Ryuuen shows one finger, " When I was discussing my plans for the sports festival, you were closer to me than usual. In the previous plans, you'd often stay back with your group of bimbos while still managing to hear me out." He said.

" Don't you think that's pretty suspicious? You were in the first row, seperated from your group, and you seemed absolutely attentive when I spoke. I was suspicious about that but I didn't dive further into it until now. What's your response to that?" He said.

" My response? I think you're just stupidly paranoid after losing to Class D in the island exam." Manabe said.

Ryuuen's eye twitches at that, indicating the hint of irritation. But it was only for a second.
He laughed.

" Perhaps that statement of yours has some truth in it. But my main reason; is to discover the mastermind who can think like me. " He said.

' Tch, we all know it's just some weird obsession of yours. You prick.' Manabe kept that thought to herself.

" Someone as cunning as me. Someone as scheming as me...I want to find that person and destroy them. " Ryuuen said.

" And you're the only one who knows their identity." Ryuuen twirls a strand of Manabe's hair.

" You-" Manabe was about to lash out until her eyes met Ryuuen's serious gaze. That gaze alone silenced whatever she was about to say.

She had no intention of messing with Ryuuen when he looks like this...

After all, this was the same man that managed to get Albert under his command. Albert, an african-american transfer student who possessed a large build and intimidating aura. Ryuuen was able to relentlessly pursue him no matter how many times he was beaten down. That determination that couldn't be fathomed by most people.

" Say, Manabe..." He spoke.

Manabe keeps her eyes on his.

" If I were to hurt you...would X step in and save you?" He asked, a smirk forming on his lips.

Manabe furrows her brows. " Stop asking me such a dumb question. I'm not their accomplice-"

" Personally, I don't think they'd save you. The moment they hear that you've been caught, they'd abandon you because in the end, you were always expendable. " He said.

"..." Manabe averts her eyes.

" I, too, think you're expendable. If you were expelled, you wouldn't make a permanent impact in our class. My plans for this class are left unaffected, and people will just move on. Isn't that cruel? The reality of it all?" Ryuuen provoked.

" You're expendable...to so many people. " He added and watched her expression carefully.

" But...that can change. All you have to do..." He trails off before grabbing her gently and then turning her head to look at him.

" Is to give me their identity."

Manabe looks into his eyes.

" Piss off, will you?" She was still resistent. Completely committed to her role. She was instructed to not give the information no matter what until Ryuuen fully commits into taking matters into his own hands.

She needed to keep fighting.

"Heh..." Ryuuen steps away and breaks out into chuckles of laughter. " Kukukuku! "

" Ryuuen, what are you laughing about?" Ibuki asked, irritated and confused.

Ryuuen gives Manabe a smile which caused goosebumps around her body. " Nothing. My questioning is done. "

Manabe scoffs, " Finally." She said, exasperated by the situation. She stood up and grabbed her bag before heading towards the door.

" Oh. By the way, Manabe. " Ryuuen called out before she could slide the door open. She halted.

" Tell X that I'm going to take his bait. When school is about to end and winter break begins, tell him to come to the rooftop. He wants to end this game, right?"

Manabe flinched.

' How...How does know...' She tried to hide her shock.

" I don't know X." She said one last time.

" Kuku, whatever." Ryuuen simply brushed away her weak response.

Manabe slides the door close.

Her face lost its previous composure.

' R-Ryuuen wasn't supposed to be aware! S-So...h-how...?' She thought to herself as she rushed out of the school buildings into somewhere more secluded.

' Not this early...he shouldn't be aware until Ayanokoji revealed it himself...or...d-did Ayanokoji already did that without me knowing?' once she arrived at the usually empty special building. She took a breather.

' I have to ask him.' She thought and pulled out her phone and then began dialing his number.

' Hey. Ryuuen is aware that I'm bait. Did you tell him without me knowing?' she sent.

5 minutes passed...

Manabe stared at her phone, the worry began creeping in.

she began typing her next message...

' Hey could you answer me? What am I supposed to do?' sent.

' No response...again...' She frowned.

" Come on, Ayanokoji...please..." She began typing her next message.

' Ayanokoji stop playing this sick joke and answer me you idiot!' she sent. She hid her panic by sending an angry text.

But once again, there was no response.

" ...He's not even reading my messages...Ayanokoji...are you...ghosting me?" She furrowed her brows.

She then decided to call him to confirm.

" Pick up...please..." She pleaded in a low voice as the dial tone rung.

" I'm begging you...please..." She closed her eyes in anticipation.

But it went to voice mail.

Manabe looked defeated as she stared at her phone in silence.

She wondered...

If Ayanokoji had lied to her...

" Am I...really...that expendable..." She said in a defeated tone.

She wondered where Kiyopon was. She wondered why he wasn't answering her...

And in the deepest part of her heart...

She wondered if she truly meant anything to him...

--

( The next day...)

Suzune tried to pay attention to the subject teacher that was currently giving a lecture.

But her thoughts couldn't help but think of Kiyopon...

And his cold voice...

" Leave me alone."

Those three words sent a shiver down her spine. The way she said it...it felt like if she were to disobey...then grave consequences would occur...

A commanding tone and yet, she could feel the pain behind it. She couldn't understand it. He wouldn't LET her understand it.

Or was it because she didn't try to show him that she's willing to understand? to listen?

She was having an internal conflict in both her mind and heart.

Her mind instructed her to give him as much time as he needs, convincing her that it was the smart thing to do.

But her heart was arguing whether that was the RIGHT thing to do. It ached whenever she tried to imagine the pain he was feeling, the pain he was trying to endure...she hated the fact that she's currently hesitating on helping him.

Not all smart decisions are the right decisions...and vice versa...

Right now, she was indecisive..

And indecisiveness was never a trait most people would associate the Horikita Suzune with...

' What should I do...what CAN I do...' she thought deeply as she began drifting away from reality into her personal void full of thoughts.

' If I try to push the matter further, it might just worsen the situation...and Ayanokoji-kun...might hate me for it.' her logical side spoke.

' But does it really matter? Ayanokoji-kun is my first friend...he was there for me when I was down...aren't I supposed to do the same? Why am I hesitating!' her heart argued.

' Ayanokoji-kun will distance himself from me if I try to risk it...' her logical side tried to reason.

'But no matter how much he distances himself...I need to be able to close that distance. I need to help him.' her heart continued to argue.

' Think about what's best for him, Suzune!' both her mind and heart yelled out in her void of thoughts.

" I don't know...I really don't know..." She whispered to herself in defeat.

" Ayanokoji-kun...I'm so...sorry..." She closed her eyes for a few seconds and opened them once more.

She returned back to reality and continued to ( bitterly ) listen to the teacher.

--

It was lunch time once more.

Suzune stood up from her seat with the intent to eat somewhere more private.

"Suzu-chan...are you okay?" A voice called out to her, worry evident in her tone.

Suzune turned towards her caller, Mori.

" I'm okay." She lied.

" You're not." She could tell.

"..." And Suzune decided not to respond.

Mori inwardly sighed.

' I guess...not even Suzu-chan could get through to him...that's...incredibly shocking...' Mori thought in disappointment.

' But she looks beyond troubled right now. What exactly happened when she decided to stay?' Mori wondered as she examined Suzune's expression.

" I'm going to have my lunch now, Nene-san..." She told her before taking her bag.

' Huh? Crap, say something, Nene!' Mori quickly shook away her thoughts and quickly blocked Suzune's path.

" Let's go together! The group is waiting for us-" But she was interrupted when Suzune stared her dead in the eye.

" Forgive me, but I'd like to eat alone for today." She said.

" Huh?" Mori took a few seconds to process what she'd just said and Suzune quickly walked past her. Mori turned around and watched as Suzune exit the classroom.

' This is bad...this really bad...' Mori frowned in worry.

The situation was worsening. And she didn't know if she could relieve it before more damage is done.

--

Suzune sat on an unoccupied bench, facing the ocean. The atmosphere was peaceful, the wind was just right, the heat from the sun was normal, and the ocean view was still calming as always.

But as she ate her food.

She realized that not even this scenery nor atmosphere could cool down the emotional turmoil in her.

' I need to do something'

' What can I do?'

' How do I help him?'

' Is it by giving him space?'

' or is it to close the distance and comfort him?'

Those were the kind thoughts running through her head.

Thoughts of indecisiveness, hesitation, worry, anxiety...

Those feelings were caused by one person and it was the object of her thoughts, the cause of her emotional turmoil, the root of her current indecisiveness...

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

A friend she hasn't seen for days...

But she heard his voice the day before.

She was relieved but it was quickly overpowered by the sudden cold tone he gave her...telling her to leave him alone.

That was the first time she ever felt intimidated...maybe even scared of Kiyopon.

' ...It's cowardice...' she realized.

And yet another reason had been discovered...another reason that could explain her hesitation.

' But don't you love him?'

"..." She stopped eating.

She began to recall a certain thought from a few month ago...

'...I'm in love with him, aren't I...'

That...was the time when she realized her feelings for him.

He was always there for her, even through her embarrassing moments.

She needs to do the same for him, right?

Be there to comfort him.

' But...I can't move...a part of me is still scared...I'm still hesitating...' She sighed in pure disappointment at herself.

Not even her feelings could get her to move-

" How unexpected for me to encounter you here of all places, Horikita-san." A new voice called out to her. It was an unfamiliar voice.

She slowly turned her head towards the girl with a short frame, lilac colored hair, and her signature black beret with a white ribbon attached to it.

"...Sakayanagi-san..." Suzune was visibly suprised.

Arisu smiled and pointed at the spot beside Suzune.

" May I sit?" She asked, politely.

" Of course." Suzune replied and Arisu gave a nod of gratitude before sitting on the empty spot beside Suzune. She placed her cane by the side.

" I believe this is the first time we've encountered each other one-on-one..." Arisu mused.

Suzune nods slowly in agreement. " Indeed...it's a freaky coincidence..."

Arisu turns to look at Suzune. " Is it now?"

Suzune turned to her, confused. " Huh?"

Arisu stared into Suzune's eyes. " Do you really believe that this was a coincidence?"

"..." Suzune stared back. Sakayanagi Arisu's aura was strong despite her cutesy appeareance...this was an aura befitting the leader of Class A.

Suzune puts her guard up.

" I do." She answered.

" Wrong~" Arisu quickly replied. " Actually, I was admittedly looking for you since I have something I'd like to discuss."

' So this was intentional...' Suzune quickly noted.

" Discuss with me? The leader of Class A wishes to discuss with me?" She narrowed her eyes at Arisu.

" Fufu~ Worry not, Horikita-san. This has nothing to do with class battles." Arisu assured.

"...Nothing to do with class battles?" Suzune repeated to make sure.

Arisu nodded, " But this is highly important. I wish for you to hear me out and think about my words deeply."

Suzune dropped her guard just a bit and relaxed her expression. She was curious, if this is truly important to the point where Sakayanagi would go looking for her...

she had to hear her out.

" What is it?" Suzune asked.

" You need to help him." Arisu dropped her light tone and spoke seriously.

Suzune's eyes widened in suprise.

' By him...does she mean-' but her thoughts were quickly interrupted.

" Yes, I'm referring to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka-kun." Arisu said.

"..." Suzune wondered if Arisu...possibly knew about Kiyopon's situation. If so, then how? How would she able to know?

" Of course I'd know. He's my childhood friend, after all." Arisu read Suzune's mind like a book. Her smug smile returned for a short while as she proclaimed her title.

"You're...his childhood friend?" Suzune muttered.

" Suprised?" Arisu giggled. " He never told you, huh."

' Ayanokoji-kun...never mentioned about a childhood friend,much less being childhood friends with Sakayanagi-san of all people...' She thought in disbelief.

" Well, that aside. When was the last time you checked up on him?" Arisu quickly asked.

" Yesterday-"

" Did you manage to see him?"

" Well, no-"

" What do you mean ' no', Horikita-san?" Arisu was firing question after questions at the stunned Horikita Suzune.

" We only got to talk to him through his door...nothing more." Suzune replied.

" How did he sound like?" Arisu asked.

"..."

Arisu sighs at her silence, " Not good...as expected." She muttered.

" You need to check up on him." Arisu states.

" I can't." Suzune quickly replied. " I can't do that..."

Arisu was suprised by that quick rejection.

" Why?' She asked, with genuine curiousity.

"..." Suzune didn't reply.

" Are you scared?" Arisu asked in disbelief. " Don't tell me you're scared..."

" I'm not...it's just-"

" Then why are you hesitating!" Arisu unexpectedly spoke louder than usual.

For once, Arisu wore an angry expression.

" Are you and him not close? Why are you hesitating, Horikita-san." She asked.

" You wouldn't understand." Suzune glares at her." I couldn't possibly tell you-"

" I don't care about whether or not you can tell me whatever pathetic reasons you have. I'm simply asking you one question and that question is; Why are you hesitating." Arisu said.

Arisu didn't want to hear her reasoning.

She wanted to hear the truth.

" ..." Suzune averts her gaze from Arisu.

Arisu's angry expression faded and turned into confusion.

"...I don't get it. Aren't you the one closest to him? You shouldn't be hesitating on helping him-"

Suzune interrupts, " But I am. And I can't tell you why."

"...How disappointing..." Arisu sighs.

" I thought you of all people could help him...but it seems like I was mistaken." Arisu said as she gazed towards the sea.

" Sakayanagi-san, if you weren't lying about being his childhood friend. Then please help him." Suzune stood up and looked down at her. " Because I can't."

Suzune quickly packed her lunch and was about to walk away until Arisu called out to her once more.

" Wait." Arisu called and halted Suzune's movement.

"..." Suzune turned to look at Arisu.

Arisu lets out a sigh. " I can't help him either. No matter how much I want to."

"...Wha-...why? Aren't you two-"

" It's one-sided."

" One-sided?"

Arisu smiles sadly. " It is only I, who thinks of him as a childhood friend. Ayanokoji-kun and I are still new when it comes to our friendship, but I know things about him that you don't." she said.

" But those things don't matter right now. What matters if Ayanokoji-kun's wellbeing." Arisu quickly added.

Suzune silently stares at Arisu.

" He spoke fondly of you, Horikita-san. He told me about his first day at school and how you became his first...and most treasure friend." Arisu giggled as she recalled their conversation after meeting for the first time.

" I was quite jealous of you when he had all those good things to say...but I was happy for him." Arisu said.

"...DId he...really..." Suzune blushed a bit. She didn't expect to hear this from Sakayanagi of all people.

" The friendship he has with you...I could tell it was strong. That's why...when I heard about his situation...from my father, the chairman, I immediately sought out for you." She confessed.

" Your father...that's right...you and the chairman share the same last name. I thought it was a coincidence but..." Suzune clenches one of her hands. " Nevermind that... please continue."

Arisu nods, " But when I came to you and asked you to help him. You shocked me with your hesitation. It angered me...it confused me...that's why...I want to know why. Why are you hesitating? Was the friendship between you and him one-sided-"

" It's not one-sided. Don't you dare ever assume that." Suzune spoke.

" Very well. Then why?" Arisu asked calmly.

"...Because..." Suzune struggled to spit out the words, " I...I don't know...I just don't know what to do. What choice to make. I'm disappointed in myself right now because...I'm being indecisive at such a crucial time. I'm angry about it." Suzune says.

" Isn't the choice simple? Go to him and comfort him." Arisu said.

" It's not that easy." Suzune shakes her head. " Ayanokoji-kun might need the space-"

" Stop listening to your head, Horikita-san." Arisu said before taking her cane and standing up.

She walked towards Suzune.

" This time, ignore the smart decision. And choose the right one. It's that simple. " She said.

"..."

" Please...you're the only one who can help him...the only one he just might listen to...please..." Arisu bowed her head a bit.

" S-Sakayanagi-san-"

Arisu looks up at Horikita with a pleading expression.

"Help him, please..."

--

Suzune stood in front of Kiyopon's door.

"...Sakayanagi is right...I need to make the right decision. And this...is the right decision." Suzune muttered to herself.

She resolved herself and took out a duplicate key to his room.

This was the method she hesitated to use.

But screw that.

No more hesitation...

Suzune is resolved to help him no matter what.

She inserted the key and unlocked the door,

She took a deep breath before slowly opening it...

Her eyes widened at the sight before her after she fully entered the room.

" A-Ayanokoji-kun..."

Golden brown eyes met her Gradient red colored ones...

" ..."

CHAPTER END!

Welp, sorry for not updating.

I read the entire ao aishi manga till the latest chapter ( which was amazing ) and read some other mangas too.

Also had to focus on schoolwork as well.

But I'm glad to have updated right now!

Because my favorite part of this volume is actually going to begin!

KawaiiLumine, out~

One thing that will never change.

Third Person PoV

"...Ayanokoji-kun..." Suzune muttered.

Kiyopon immediately returned his gaze to the floor.

Suzune couldn't believe this. There, sitting on the bed, is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. But...he looked so pale, skinny, and absolutely tired. She closed the door and made her steps towards him.

But then she accidentally stepped on something and she quickly lifted her foot and backed away. She looked down on the ground and she was suprised to find his notebook just laying there.

She bent down and picked it up.

' Why was it on the ground? Ayanokoji-kun is never that careless when it comes to his notebook...' She thought as she continued her way towards him.

" Ayanokoji-kun." She sat beside him on the bed.

He didn't turn to her. He didn't hear her. Kiyopon was currently trapped in his own little world, blocking out everything in his surroundings.

"...Ayanokoji-kun, please look at me." She tapped his shoulder.

But he didn't respond to her touch, her voice, nor her presence. Even when they locked gazes when she entered the room, Suzune foolishly assumed that he had noticed her and was suprised to see her. But in reality, he was looking right through her, in his little world, she didn't exist. He couldn't hear her.

Suzune didn't know what to do. The lack of response was killing her little by little. This entire atmosphere felt suffocating, she didn't know how to help someone with depression but Sakayanagi insisted that only SHE is able to help him.

After a moment of thinking, she looked towards the notebook in her hand and quickly found an idea.

" Hey, you dropped your notebook on the floor. I almost stepped on it, you know?" She spoke in a light tone, holding the notebook in front of his direction.

Kiyopon's eyes sharpened at that.

She continued, " It's very unlike you to-"

Before Suzune could finish her sentence, a swift hand immediately slapped the notebook off her hand.

" Huh? Ayanokoji-ku-" She turned to him but was shocked to see that he finally locked gazes with her once more.

" Don't touch that notebook." He finally spoke. His voice sounded hoarse and

Suzune froze at his gaze. It was like she was looking into the eyes of another person, some part of her refused to believe that this was the same Kiyopon she became friends with ever since the first day.

Her mouth drew a thin line, she couldn't speak under his gaze.

" What are you doing here..." He asked.

Suzune was about to reply but he spoke first,

" Didn't I tell you to leave me alone? So why are you here." He said.

" I was worried...everyone was worried." She replied.

" Why are you here, Horikita." He repeated the question, he didn't accept her previous words.

" ...Didn't you hear what I just said? I was worried...that's why I came here...I wanted to check up on you." She said.

What followed was a few moments of uncomfortable silence.

" I'm fine..." Kiyopon finally broke the silence.

Suzune didn't believe that, not even a second, but before she could utter a reply. Kiyotaka stood up.

" Now that you know I'm fine. Please leave." He ordered.

Suzune's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, she immediately shot up from her seat in protest.

" ' FIne'? You're anything but fine, Ayanokoji-kun." She said. " Look at you...you're so pale, thin, and...tired..." She worried.

"..." He didn't reply.

" Ayanokoji-kun...you even slapped away your notebook...you...you never do that. The Ayanokoji-kun I know cares about that notebook." She said.

" I don't. Not anymore." Kiyotaka replied bluntly.

" That's-" Once again, Suzune was immediately interrupted when she felt her wrist being pulled by Kiyotaka.

" H-Hey!" She tried to hold her ground but Kiyotaka, despite not being at the best shape, was still strong enough to pull her towards the door. She struggled but Kiyotaka refused to budge.

They reached the door and Kiyotakamyanks her towards it before letting go. Suzune looks at him, full of disbelief, but was immediately shook deep in her core once she heard his next words...

" Leave me alone. I don't need you here. If you refuse to leave, then consider our friendship over." He spoke, coldly.

" That's my last warning." He added before turning around, assuming that Suzune would finally get the message.

But he was wrong.

" W-Wait!" She called out, stubbornly. Kiyotaka halts, he released a sigh.

He turns to look at her coldly again.

" Did you not hear what I just said?" He asked, his tone was clearly running out of patience.

" I did. I heard it loud and clear. But do you really think I'll leave you alone like this? Please let me-"

BAM! Before she knew it, he had already rushed back towards her and slammed his hand on the the door spot right next to her head.

Suzune held her breath as her gaze slowly meets up with his.

" I just want to be alone. Is that too much for me to ask of you, Horikita? Can't you be useful for once in your life and heed my damn request." He said and she flinched at his even scarier tone.

" I don't need an annoying existence like you to come barging into my room, destroying my privacy, and then lecturing me about shit you don't understand. I know I'm not okay. I'm aware of that, so please shut your mouth and stop nagging me about it." He said before grabbing her by the collar of her uniform.

" I'm tired of a lot of things. But do you know what I'm most tired of?" He asked and stared her dead in the eye.

" A-Ayanokoji-kun-" Suzune tried to respond but Kiyotaka refused to hold back his words.

" I'm tired of keeping a stupid promise to you. I'm tired of having to help an incompetent girl who couldn't improve herself unless prompted to. I'm tired of seeing your face everyday, especially at this very moment. I'm tired of you, Horikita." He spoke words of venom.

"..." Without realizing it, the words affected her so deeply to the point where if this went any further, she would've cried. She was subconsciously trying to keep the tears from falling.

Kiyotaka lets go of her collar, she stumbled till her back hit the door.

" Leave now. Before I call someone to make you leave." He turns around and treads back to his bed.

She clenches her fist but quickly unclenches it. She exhales a breath before turning to the door and gripping the knob.

' He's just angry...he doesn't mean that...right?' she tried to reassure herself that these were just the words of a boy who couldn't think properly at the moment.

' It...was just in the heat of the moment...i-it has to to be...' She tried to deny his words, as she gripped the knob tightly.

' I can try again tomorrow...I can't give up on him...he needs someone to be there for him...' She thought to herself.

But she knew that his words hurt her deeply. She never expected to hear those words from him of all people. It just made it hurt more.

' Or maybe...being alone...is just what he needs...maybe I just have to listen to him...' she began to think.

Doubt. She'd begun doubting her ability to help him in his time of need.

She wondered if she really was the best person to help him. Could Sakayanagi be wrong? It was possible.

...

" I understand..." Suzune released a sigh as she said that.

She decided to give him the space he needs. She shouldn't have come here after all, this,was a dumb decision on her part.

" I'm sorry for barging in like this. I'm sorry for being an annoyance to you..." She apologized sincerely.

Without looking at him, she decided to add one more thing before leaving.

" And...I'm sorry for being a bother to you...if what you said, was your full honesty regarding your opinion towards me...about me being incompetent...useless...annoying...bothersome..." She pauses before taking a deep breath,

" Then I apologize for all of that. "

Suzune had nothing left to say.

That's a lie.

She had a ton of things to say, but these were the only necessary words that needed to be said.

" Well...I'll see you...when you get better. Goodbye, Ayanokoji-ku-"

A loud thud interrupted her exit.

' Huh?' Suzune was suprised by the sudden sound.

She turned around.

Kiyotaka laid on the ground, unconscious. Suzune wore an expression of shock at the sight of his unconscious body, but quickly rushed towards his side and began shaking him gently.

" Ayanokoji-kun!" She repeated his name a few times and checked his temperature by placing her palm against his forehead.

' Ah...it finally got to him.' She concluded.

The dehydration, hunger, and his burning fever had finally reached his body's limit which then led to a complete shut down.

' What was I thinking! If I had left even a minute earlier, then this would've happened without me even knowing!' Suzune scolded herself before slowly picking up Kiyotaka and wrapping his one arm over her shoulders.

' He's...incredibly light...' She mentally noted for concern as she quickly helped him to the bed.

--

" Ayanokoji-kun...you...hadn't slept for days, huh..." She muttered as she observed his sleeping face.

She's never seen it so...relaxed...in forever. Ever since coming here into his room, this was the first time she saw him wore a calm expression contrary to the glares and cold looks he'd been giving her.

She estimate that for the entire week, he hadn't sleep.

Suzune soaks the clean washcloth in cool water. She dries it up a bit before placing it on Kiyotaka's forehead, gently patting it.

She sits by the side of his bed, staring at his expression with a sad smile.

" I'm sorry, Ayanokoji-kun. But it seems like I'm going to have to be a bother once again..." She apologizes.

She slowly grasps his hand.

" You can hate me for it. You can end our friendship over it. You can...ignore me for the rest of your life...but...please allow me to help yo-...no...I'll help you regardless of your answer." She said.

She looks at the time.

" I should make him something to eat." She said to herself before standing up and heading towards Kiyotaka's fridge.

She opened it and was suprised to see that it barely contained any ingredients.

"...I guess I'll have to go grocery shopping for a bit...and pick up some medicine on the way back. " She said.

She headed towards the door but glanced one more time at Kiyotaka's sleeping self.

" I'll be back in a bit, so..." She smiles. " Please rest, okay? Let sleep take over until I get back. You need it." She said before leaving and closing on the door.

Kiyotaka's soft snores filled the silence.

CHAPTER END!

Future chapters will contain wholesome Suzune doing her best to help Kiyopon heal!

But can she do it before the month ends?

Nah, she doesn't care about that. Not this Horikita anyways.

KawaiiLumine, out~

" Are you happy, Kiyotaka?"

Third Person PoV

Kiyopon opened his eyes.

He was back at the old mansion.

A sense of nostalgia and dread hits him at once. He hesitated opening the door, but for some reason...he was unable to stop himself from opening it anyways.

He wandered through the halls and looked around.

He began to remember every little thing that transpired during his time here. It was mostly happy memories with him and Matsuo.

Unfortunately, that's changed. What once was deemed " happy memories" has now completely turned bitter. Kiyopon wondered when this dream will end. He wanted it to end, the pain in his chest was only getting worse and worse the more he wanders around aimlessly-

" Kiyotaka? Finished with your training?"

Kiyopon froze.

" Hold on just a moment. Let me finish this report to your father and then I'll begin cooking." The voice said.

Kiyopon immediately followed where the voice came from and discovered that it came from the study room. Kiyopon placed his hand on the door knob, slowly twisting it and then opening it.

" Kiyotaka? I'm sorry, young master. But please give me a few more minutes-"

" M-Matsuo..." Kiyopon called, his voice hesitant and slowly breaking.

Matsuo was there. Sitting in the chair, back turned, and writing the so called report. The moment the old gentleman heard his young master's much older voice, he stopped writing.

"...Young master? Kiyotaka, is that really you?" Matsuo's tone changed.

"..."

Matsuo chuckles. " That is you. Only you can stay silent at moments like this. "

"..."

" My child, what brings you here? You should be awake now and enjoying your school life, no?" Matsuo suddenly said.

" Huh?" Kiyopon furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

" What...how do you-"

" You sound much older now. I can tell, even without turning around, that something has changed about you." He admitted.

" How's the notebook? How many names have you written? How many friends have you made? Please tell me about it. " he asked.

Kiyopon clenches his fist.

" ..."

" Kiyotaka? Please don't be shy-"

" Turn around."

" Huh?" Matsuo paused.

Kiyotaka stared at Matsuo's back with an empty gaze.

" Why won't you turn around? "

"..." Now it was Matsuo's turn to be silent.

" Matsuo..." Kiyopon took at step forwards but was suddenly halted.

" Don't." Matsuo said.

He sighs. " Please, stay right there, young master."

" Why?"

"...My current appearance...will be too unsightly for your eyes. I cannot let you see such a horrible image." Matsuo answered.

"...Why?...Why would you appearance be unsightly to me-"

" I'm sure you know..." Matsuo said.

Kiyotaka's eyes widened in realization as he quickly arrived to the conclusion as to why Matsuo refuses to look at him.

" I...Matsuo...I-I..." his breathing slowly shifted to a faster rate.

" Young master...please calm down. Your breathing is getting me quite worried. Even if...this is all...a dream." He said.

Kiyotaka leaned against the shelf and tried to calm himself down while Matsuo still sat in his seat.

"You...You must hate me." Kiyotaka spoke.

" I began hating myself too. It's because of me...that you-"

" Kiyotaka. Please do not hate yourself." The older man interrupted.

"..."

" And please don't assume that I hate you. I'll never hate you. You are like a child of mine, so-"

" Why? Why are you brushing it all of like it's nothing? Why aren't you mad at me. Are you hiding it? Please don't. Please tell me how you REALLY feel. Please."

" I am already telling you my true feelings. I don't hate you. I still love you, equal to my son-"

" IT'S BECAUSE OF ME THAT YOUR OWN SON IS SUFFERING OUT THERE! SO DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT YOU LOVE ME THE SAME AS YOUR SON. YOU SHOULD HATE ME!" Kiyotaka yelled out.

" PLEASE HATE ME." He closed his eyes.

" Please..." He kneeled on the ground, his legs suddenly giving out.

"..."

" I...I can never forgive myself...my father...I should've predicted that he'd end up doing something like this...I should've said no to your offer. I'm sorry. I made a mistake that cost you and your son's lives. I'm so- " he coughed due to the dryness.

" So...sorry..."

" That cough just now...it didn't sound too good. It sounds as if you've been sick for quite a while. Are you? Are you sick?" Matsuo asked.

" Does...it matter?"

" Of course it does. It worries me."

"..."

" Kiyotaka...please...you need to take care of yourself better. Don't dwell on something that wasn't in your control-"

" It was in my control. I just chose the worst option. I should've picked no. That way...you would've-"

" I am the only one at fault here, Kiyotaka. I was the one who gave you that choice in the first place. I was the sole man responsible for ruining my son's life. I am the one who deserved the blame." Matsuo spoke seriously.

"..." Kiyotaka was silenced for a bit.

" Do you...Do you regret it?" Kiyotaka asked, softly.

" No. I do not." He answered.

"..." Kiyotaka closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths.

" How is school, Kiyotaka? Are you having fun?" Matsuo asked.

"...Can we...not talk about that. This is not the time-"

" This is the perfect time. I wish to know about everything that's happened to you." He chuckled. " Maybe you already have a girlfriend and I wouldn't know it!"

"...You're not real." Kiyotaka opens his eyes. " This is just a dream, anyways. So why should I bother-"

" It will help you feel better. That's what I believe. Besides, the possibility of me being the real Matsuo in spirit sounds quite possible."

" That possibility...it's stupid. I won't delude myself with such a thing-"

" You've already been doing that ever since you received the news of my passing." He interrupted.

"..."

" You've been deluding yourself with assumptions. You believe that the cause of my death and my son's struggle is all your fault. But as I said earlier, it is I, who shall bear that fault. The consequences end with me." He said.

"..."

" Are you happy, Kiyotaka?"

"..."

" I'd like to assume that you're enjoying the freedom in your life, even if that small bit of freedom is restricted to that school alone. I'd like to assume that you've made many friends and have written down many names in that notebook. Ironically, it seems I've also deluded myself with assumptions." He mused.

"..."

" But I'd like to hear it from you. Please tell me..."

Matsuo slowly turns around to face Kiyopon.

Kiyopon's eyes widened in shock at the severe burn scars on his butler's face. A shocking reminder of the video his father had shown.

A pained smile was worn on Matsuo's face.

" Are you happy, Kiyotaka?"

--

Kiyopon wakes up and his coughing fit begins to show.

" Here, drink this!" Someone handed him a glass of water with something mixed in it.

Kiyopon drank it and he felt the refreshing feeling of water, and the strange bitter taste soon after.

Kiyopon was still coughing, but it was less than before.

" Phew...I'm glad it worked quickly." She said in relief.

Kiyopon finally notices and realizes the person who was currently with him.

"...Horikita?" His voice managed to say despite the sick tone.

" You still have a high fever. Please rest on the bed, I'll make something for you to eat and then give you some medicine. After that, I'll leave." She said.

" ...W-Wait-"

" Ayanokoji-kun...please listen to me. You're not well and I'm not going to stand by and watch you hurt yourself further. " she said. " I don't know...what your mind is like...but I know it's in deep pain...I know I won't be able to help but I'd like to try regardless."

She smiles. " Of course, I'll give you the space you need by leaving at exactly 6 pm. But then I'll be coming to check up on you before going to school, and then check up once again at lunch time, and then when school dismisses me. I will be watching over you for the rest of the time until 6 pm."

"..."

" This will be my daily routine from now on until you're better. Now please rest a bit more, I'll be back with your dinner." She said before walking towards the kitchen.

Kiyopon looked at the clock and squinted his eyes to see the time better.

5:15 pm.

45 minutes till Suzune will have to leave.

"..." Kiyopon relaxed into his bed again and began thinking about his dream. In particular, the question that Matsuo repeatedly kept asking.

Kiyopon placed a hand on his chest. It didn't hurt like before. The deep feeling was still there, but at the very least, it was only numbing instead of getting worse.

"..."

Chapter END!

KawaiiLumine, out~

Watching over him.

Third Person PoV

" Here, please eat." Suzune places down the food tray which contained a cup of water, a bowl of porridge, and fruit slices.

Kiyotaka didn't seem to hear her. He was simply staring at the window, lost in his own mind.

Suzune sighed.

She poked his cheek. " Ayanokoji-kun. "

No response.

She pokes him again. " Ayanokoji-kun."

Still no response.

She scoops up a spoonful of porridge before suddenly reaching for Kiyopon's chin, turning his direction to her, and then shoving the spoon of porridge into his mouth.

" Ghf!" Kiyopon didn't expect that. But he slowly chewed and swallowed.

He gives Suzune a look that had the energy of " What the hell was that?" written all over it.

" I tried to grab your attention, but you didn't look my way." She says before scooping up another spoon. " I'm not sorry, by the way."

Kiyopon looks away.

" It's bland." He plainly said.

" I can't tell if you're telling me that out of spite, which by the way, is quite a rare thing for you to do. Or if the food does actually taste bland. I know it's porridge but I did my best in adding flavor in it." She replied.

" ...Perhaps a bit of both." He said.

Suzune raises a brow.

But then she notices Kiyopon's gaze turning dim once more.

"...It does taste bland, though. I'm sorry that I can't really appreciate it like usual." He apologized.

" ...It's all right. I understand." She said with a small smile. " But please eat more, okay?" She said.

" Oka-" but he was interrupted once more when Suzune immediately shoved another spoonful in his mouth.

" Your health concerns me very much. The fact that your starving and dehydrating yourself...it scared me when you passed out on the floor yesterday." She says.

Kiyopon stares at her in silence while swallowing his spoonful of porridge.

" I...don't want to see that happen again. I want to make sure it doesn't happen again. So please...please start eating more until you're better." She pleaded.

Kiyopon stayed silent for a bit. Suzune was staring at her bowl, seemingly lost in thought, likely reliving the scene when Kiyopon passed out.

Suzune gasped when she saw a hand reach for the spoon in her hand. Kiyopon took the spoon from her and scooped another spoonful of porridge before nomming on it.

" ...Sorry...for worrying you." He said between chewing the meat bits that were in the porridge.

Suzune smiles again and nods. " It's okay..."

--

After Kiyopon finished eating and Suzune making sure that he actually ate everything. She quickly handed him a glass of water and some medicine before carrying the plates to the kitchen where she would wash them.

Kiyopon sighed.

For a while, he wanted to say something. But he couldn't.

He didn't know how to say it. No, he did know how to say it...he was just a bit anxious of her response.

It wasn't only Matsuo's words that were haunting his mind, but also the realizations of what he had said to Suzune the day before.

He gripped his blanket in frustration, but he dared not to show it on his expression. He needed to control his emotions. It's been leaking out too much.
But he wondered if that's the exact opposite of what Matsuo would've wanted?

People might say that it's easier to let things like emotions go when you've been holding back for so long to the point where you forgot about its existence...
But it was the exact opposite.

It's easier to hold things back than letting it all go. After doing it for so long, your mind will subconsciously do just that without being completely aware of the process.

Kiyopon knew that it was unhealthy. Perhaps it's the very reason why this deep dark feeling is eating away at him and costing both his physical and mental health, but he didn't know what to do with it. He didn't know how to act upon it.

Letting go of his emotions...the best way to describe Kiyopon's thoughts towards it...is simply fear. The fear of the unknown. The fear of something he no longer knows. The fear of something he is unable to understand.

A fear that the Matsuo in his dreams...is trying to get him over with.

Kiyopon knows that he had displayed his pain and anger towards Horikita Suzune, but it didn't ease anything. Nothing. He still felt an intense pressure, a currently numbing feeling in his chest that likely hurt again. He drowns in his own thoughts.

He wonders if he's even worthy to be saved, after having ruined the life of a good man and his son.

He wonders if he truly bears zero fault in the entire situation. But that's a false dream.

" Okay, It's 6 pm now...I already washed the dishes." Suzune said as she walked out the kitchen.

She looks at Kiyopon but Kiyopon does not return her gaze.

" Did you drink your medicine?" She simply asked.

Kiyopon slowly nodded.

Suzune sighs, " That's good."

" Well...I'll go now. I did promise you your alone time." She said before making her way to the door. " Please take care of yourself until I'm back. I'll follow the routine I promised to do. Good night, Ayanokoji-kun."

She was about to open the door.

" I didn't mean it." He finally spoke and halted her exit.

Suzune doesn't look at him, but she was waiting for his next words.

" What I said to you...I...I didn't mean it." He finally looks at her, but her back was still turned.

" I was angry...but that isn't an excuse. I'm sorry for saying such things...if they hurt you...then...you can hurt me back." He offered.

" Are you serious..." Suzune gritted her teeth before glaring at Kiyopon.

He looked suprised at her fierce gaze as she angrily stomps towards him.

" Are you seriously offering that of all things?! What in god's name do you think, in any universe, in any sense, in any reality, where I would choose to hurt you, huh?!" She stood next to his bed.

" ...I...I thought it would make things even-"

" You thought wrong." She interrupted. " You're only thinking of yourself."

" ...Thinking of myself? How could you-"

" Did I stutter? You're not thinking about my feelings. You're using it to your advantage because despite all my effort, you STILL feel like you have to punish yourself. To hurt yourself." She said.

"..." Kiyopon didn't think about it that way. But it made sense. He DID still felt like punishing himself...because he believed he deserved it.

"...Your words did hurt me." She admits. " I try to act like I'm okay...but it does hurt. A lot."

She then kneels by his bed looks up at him with a serious gaze,

" But the way you're treating yourself...it's killing me, Ayanokoji-kun." Her voice cracked.

"..." Kiyopon's eyes widened in suprise at her words.

She averts her eyes. " I don't know what happened to you...I don't know if you're ever going to be confident enough...to tell me your feelings but...please..." She grabs hold of his hand without looking at him.

" Please...promise me...don't hurt yourself..." She croaked out, trying to suppress her emotion.

' You can't fathom how much you mean to me, Ayanokoji-kun...' She wanted to say but hesitated.

Kiyopon places his hand over Suzune's. The sudden reciprocation of warmth suprised her and made her look up at him.

" I'm sorry...I'm sorry for hurting you." He apologized. " I promise I'll get better."

She nods silently and they held hands for a while before she eventually left.

When she left, Kiyopon realized something.

He still felt her warmth even when she'd already left. Ever since this pain began, he felt empty and cold. But now there was a bit of warmth. He could feel it.

He felt a tiny bit of pressure being lifted from his shoulders after hearing Suzune's words. His heart remained heavy, but this small sense of relief was enough to spark something in him.

Kiyopon stared at the ceiling in silence.

Perhaps he has to stop moping and instead try to understand Matsuo's words...

Find a way to express his feelings, to expel the negative thoughts out of his mind. To accept things as it is and move on.

To find a way in order to forgive himself...

Yes...

That night, he made a promise to both himself and to her...

Kiyopon will do his best to hold on to that promise...

CHAPTER END!

The healing process begins!

Maybe the pain will finally stop here :D

Right?

KawaiiLumine, out~

Something only a person deeply in love could understand...

Third Person PoV

( 1 year ago...)

Kiyopon gazed at the horizon, the spark of excitement and wonder was visible in his eyes. The ocean amazed him.

He slowly made his way towards the coastline. He was drawn in by the beauty of the ocean, he didn't expect it to be this...peaceful and calm...the books he'd studied about the ocean never really described its beauty. It was a shame, or perhaps even the writers themselves couldn't find enough adjectives to describe one of earth's greatest wonders.

Matsuo trailed behind with a smile on his face, he was amused by the look of excitement that the usually silent, indifferent, boy would wear in usual days. A complete contrast.

Kiyotaka felt the sand tickle beneath his feet as he began approaching the water which gently pushed on the sand and returned back. A light wave gently made contact with his toes.

Kiyopon stopped and stared at the ocean waves reaching his toes. He knew what water felt like, he knew what the ocean should look like.

But seeing it in person...feels like a different experience.

" We'll be here for a while. So why don't you take a little swim?" Matsuo suggested.

" I'll just be over here while you have fun and experience the beach. I'm too old to swim like I used to anyways." He chuckles.

Kiyopon nodded and walked further into the sea. The water slowly elevating from his legs up to his torso as he sunk deeper the further he walked.

Kiyopon looked at the surrounding water.

He raised his hand which was soaked by the salt water...

He moved it closer to his lips and he licked it a bit.

"...It's salty..." He murmured.

His lips curled up a bit.

" It's salty...heh..." Kiyopon felt fuzzy all over. He assumed that it was positive emotions that were circulating through his inner being as he began splashing around in the water with his arms.

The saltwater tastes salty. An obvious answer, no?

But Kiyopon didn't care, as someone who'd been closed off from the world ever since he was born and only knows his knowledge through the books given to him...this was one hell of a personal discovery to confirm that knowledge.

Matsuo watched from the distance. He observed the way Kiyopon acted childish in the water, a behavior completely opposite from his usual demeanor.

" He's incredibly childish when he's introduced to new experiences...don't you think so too? Himeko?" He mumbled out loud.

Himeko...

The name of his beloved wife who had passed away 7 years ago.

' I wonder if there'll ever come an opportunity where Kiyotaka could meet our son. Don't you think they'll get along? Even if their personality contrasts with each other...I think with enough time, they could balance each other. ' Matsuo mentally asked his love.

--

" Did you have fun?" Matsuo asked once Kiyopon finished swimming.

Kiyopon nods and begins using sign language.

' The beach is wonderful.' He signed.

Matsuo smiles and nods. " Indeed. I'm glad it amused you, young master. " He said before handing Kiyopon a towel to wipe away the excess water.

Kiyopon took it and began wiping his hair.

" Young master, I have somewhere I'd like to go first. Would you like me to drop you off at the mansion? Or would you like to come with me?" Matsuo asked.

Kiyopon tilted his head in question.

" Are you wondering about the place I'm going to? Well, it's something important to me. Haha! Rethinking it now, it'll seem boring to a young man like you. So why don't I just drop you off-"

Kiyopon began waving his hands frantically, interrupting Matsuo, and gesturing him to let him come along.

" Very well, then." Matsuo said.

--

Kiyopon followed Matsuo. He gazed at the tombstones with names written on them on each individual stone.

Kiyopon didn't expect this to be the place where Matsuo would be going.

Matsuo stopped walking, staying still as his eyes gazed at a particular grave.

' Matsuo Himeko' was the name written...

Kiyopon silently gazed at the grave and was suprised by this information...

" My wife passed away 7 years ago...I come here on our special days." Was all that Matsuo said before taking out the candles and lighting it. He then place the now lit candles near her grave.

" And the reason why today in particular is special...is because it's our wedding anniversary." Matsuo smiled fondly and kneeled in front of the stone in a formal manner.

" Happy wedding anniversary, Himeko." He bowed his head slightly in prayer.

Kiyopon didn't know what to do. This was an intimate moment for Matsuo and his departed wife. He stood a few feet away, frozen in his standing position, and silent.

" Ah, my love, I'd like you to meet someone." Matsuo spoke, excitement in his proud tone.

" Kiyotaka-sama, please come here." Matsuo called out to the boy.

Kiyopon hesitates at first but slowly made his way towards Matsuo's side.

Kiyopon decided to follow what Matsuo was doing and also kneeled in the same formal manner.

" This is the child I've been wanting you to meet." Matsuo chuckled before putting a hand on Kiyopon's shoulder and gesturing him to introduce himself.

"..." Kiyopon looked at the grave.

He bowed his head slightly, closing his eyes while doing so.

" ...My name is Ayanokoji kiyotaka..." He said in a soft tone, " It's nice to meet you..."

The cold breeze blew through the trees, many leaves fell from their branches. Silence filled the air.

" See? Isn't he such an awkward boy?" Matsuo laughed and broke the silence.

Kiyopon stopped bowing his head.

" Matsuo..."

" Hm?"

" ...You've never mentioned anything about your wife..." Kiyopon said.

" That's because you never asked." Matsuo said.

"..."

" If you'd like to me questions, then you're to do so right now. " Matsuo said.

" What was she like?" Kiyopon asked.

" A wonderful woman. Beautiful, smart, optimistic, headstrong, stubborn, tough, and the worst at cooking. Eichiiro choked on her food many times..." Matsuo said.

Kiyopon gave him a bewildered look. He was confused about the contradicting traits that wouldn't usually be associated with a term such as ' wonderful' if it included nearly killing her own and being stubborn.

Matsuo finally noticed the look of bewilderment that Kiyopon was giving him, and immediately began talking further...

" Ahaha...those last few details must have contradicted with my earlier statement, right? Hm, well...how do I put this...it's something only a person deeply in love could understand and relate. Even now, even after her passing...I'm still in love with her because her memory is alive in my mind." He said. " Her being ' wonderful' despite those other aforementioned traits have no effect on how I feel about her."

Matsuo smiled fondly at the grave as he spoke, " You'll understand when you get to that stage in your life."

"..." Kiyopon nodded and accepted that explanation.

He, too, began staring at Himeko's grave again in silence. He wondered if there'll be a time where he could understand Matsuo's words...

But it's only wishful thinking...

He's not free, after all...

--

( Present time...)

Kiyopon coughed.

" Here." Suzune immediately handed him the prescribed medicine tablets for his fever and cough, and a glass of water.

Kiyopon took it and drank the medicine with the water.

He places down the empty glass on the tray.

"...Thanks." Kiyopon said.

" No problem." Suzune replied while taking a bite of her own lunch since it was currently lunch time and thus, she could only spend 1 hour before returning to class and then continuing later in the evening once class dismisses.

" Horikita." Kiyopon softly called.

" Hm?" She stopped eating and looked at him.

He gazes at her. " ...It's been a few days since you started coming here...and not once did you mention anything about our class."

She didn't respond and instead opted to give him a blank stare of her own.

"...How much class points did we lose due to my absence?" He asked.

" None." She quickly replied.

" None? Why?" Kiyopon asked in suprise.

"...When the chairman informed us about your situation. He decided to give you as much time as you need to recover without our class having to lose points..." She explained the truth...well...most of it. She intentionally tried to hide one small truth from him.

Kiyopon observed her facial expression as she said that. And he eventually arrived to one conclusion.

" You're hiding something. What is it?" He asked, straight to the point.

" I'm not-"

" Horikita." He emphasized her name in way where she would have no choice but to confess.

"..." She averted her gaze in an attempt to resist telling. Even if the information was harmless, she didn't want to pressure him to recover fast. She wanted him to take his time.

In other words, she was ready to sacrifice her class points.

" Horikita, what are you hiding..." He asked.

"..."

" Why won't you tell me? Please, I need to know if it's important." Kiyopon pleaded a bit.

" it's...really something you don't need to be concerned about but..." She sighs, giving up. " He added one condition."

Kiyopon waits for her to continue.

" He said that for a month, during your absence...our points will remain unaffected. But once the month ends and you still continue to remain absent...then the points we'll lose will be equal to your past absences." She explained relucatantly.

"..."

" But please don't worry about it, all right?!" She waved her hands frantically, " Focus on your recovery!"

Kiyopon sighs and lies back down on the bed,

" Anyways...how are you? Mentally speaking, I mean." She asked,

"..." Kiyopon releases a sigh. " I don't know... I thought I was getting better but...it stopped. "

" ' Stopped'? "

Kiyopon points to his chest. " When I heard the news...I felt a pain in my chest. The weeks that followed, it only grew worse until you showed up and began taking care of me. The pain stopped. That's it. It just...stopped." And he was only left with a deep empty pit.

"...I see..." Suzune nodded.

Kiyopon could tell that Suzune was currently having trouble understanding his current ' feelings' so he decided to dismiss her.

" It's almost time for classes to start...you should go." He told her.

" Ah, okay." Suzune said and quickly packed up her lunch box and other things.

She then headed towards the door. " Okay, I'll be back to take care of you, later." She said.

" Okay." Kiyopon said.

And she finally left.

Kiyopon was about to close his eyes and sleep until he turned over his side and spotted something peculiar on the table.

" Hm?" He sat up and looked at it from a closer view.

It was a key...it wasn't his key but it was-

" Horikita's key..." He mumbled. To be exact, it was Suzune duplicate key for Kiyopon's room that she's been using often to enter especially when he was still asleep. It's often the best time to make his meals.

Kiyopon picked it up and headed to one of the drawers.

He decided to place it inside the drawer for safe keeping until Suzune will visit again later in the afternoon. He was comfortable enough in letting her have her own key to his room, so he'll simply give it back to her once she returns.

Kiyopon opened the drawer and he paused as he looked at the notebook in the drawer.

"..." He stared at the notebook in the drawer.

...

He wasn't ready yet.

He closed the drawer and opened the second drawer, placing the key inside there instead.

He then made his way back to the bed until his eyes landed on his uniform blazer.

He stopped.

He felt an odd feeling forming inside him. It felt uncomfortable the more steps he subconsciously took towards the uniform blazer he wore that day when he saw his father.

His focus landed on the blazer's pockets.

"..." For some unexplained reason, he stuck his hand into one of the pockets and began searching around.

And then he felt something.

He took out a letter.

"...?" He examined the paper and opened it.

His eyes widened in suprise.

' From: Matsuo

To: Kiyotaka '

"...Matsuo? But when..." He looked at the date in which this was written.

' September 4, 2015'

"...A month ago?" He couldn't believe it. Matsuo had written a letter for him...a month before took his own life to appeal to his father.

But why did Kiyopon receive it now?

Was this in his blazer's pocket the entire time?

Did his father sneak it in when he was in close contact without prior notice?

Kiyopon had multiple questions and multiple reasons to automatically discard this letter due to his rising suspicions that his father had something to do with this. What's in this letter probably has the intention of worsening Kiyopon's mental health, so the best decision would be to ignore this letter.

"..."

Right?

"..." He opened the letter.

"..." His eyes widened in shock.

His hands trembled.

And the pain that had once stopped...

It had begun once more...

It was all because of this one letter...that is Matsuo's exact handwriting...

And the first sentence in the letter?

' Dear Kiyotaka,

I regret saving you. In this letter, I will explain all the reasons why I now despise you.-' That was the first sentence.

The first sentence already elicited such a horrified reaction.

But he continued reading...

And when he finished...

His hopeful thinking...went to waste.

Chapter END!

Dropped a nuke right there in the ending, didn't I?

Kiyopon's pain is even worse than before.

I may or may not reveal the full contents of the letter. But the whole subject in the letter was already stated in the first sentence :)

Written by his own butler.

KawaiiLumine, out~

The words he said, the words she repeated

Third Person PoV

Classes ended and currently, as promised, Suzune was making her way back to Kiyopon's room. She brought some grocery along the way to fill Kiyopon's fridge.

' Ayanokoji-kun's been eating better now...' She thought before sighing, 'But he still couldn't taste anything...'

Suzune worried if the symptom relating to lack of taste was either due to an unsuspecting virus that he may have caught, or was it simply due to his depression. Suzune hoped that it was the latter since viruses are often dangerous, especially if it's new and has no known cure for it.

' I should stop assuming the worst...' She scolded herself for that.

Kiyopon is doing fine. That's what she believes, that's what she's seen for the past week. He'll get better.

She arrives at his door and begins searching through her bag for her key.

"...Ah...I left it in there, didn't I..." She sighed in disappointment. She'd forgotten to grab her key, and thus, it was left in Kiyopon's room.

Well, it's not an issue. She can just knock.

*Knock*

*Knock*

*Knock*

" Ayanokoji-kun, I left my key in your room. Could you let me in?" She raised her voice a bit.

She waited a few minutes...

" Ayanokoji-kun?" She knocked once more.

Her call was met with silence.

Suzune's panic activated and she began knocking rapidly on the door.

" Hey! Answer me already!" She said in a desperate tone. She didn't what was going on behind the door, nor why he was silent.

But she's already panicking because he might be hurting himself again, pushing her away, closing himself from everyone else. She didn't want him to go through that again, not when he was seemingly getting better.

The door opened.

His hand stopped her knocking motion, she flinched and quickly looked at him with widened eyes.

"...What's wrong?" He asked.

A sense of relief flooded over Suzune. Perhaps nothing went wrong, after all...

That is, until she felt something off about his eyes.

It had the same feeling of when he stared at her with anger and pain, the first time she visited since he locked himself in his room.

His gaze felt fake.

"...A-Are you okay?" She subconsciously stuttered while asking.

" I'm fine, Horikita." He replied like normal.

She narrowed her eyes at that response.

"..." For some reason, she couldn't believe him now. Something has definitely happened and to confirm it...

She brushed past him without a word and entered his room.

Her mouth parts in suprise but quickly returned to its thin line.

The room was a mess.

Things that previously on the counters, tables, and shelves were now all on the ground and furinitures were also displaced.

She clenches her fist.

" You were lying to me...you were trying to lie to me...again." She said in a low voice.

"..." Kiyopon didn't say anything and instead closed the door. He walked past her and sat on his bed in silence.

" Are you just going to stay silent? This is the wrong time to stay silent, Ayanokoji-kun." She said.

"..."

" Why..." She took a few steps towards him, " Why is your room like this? Did something happen?" she stopped right in front of him.

"...Horikita, I know this is troublesome for you but you don't have to pry into it. I can deal with it on my own-"

" That's not the answer to my question. You know that." She interrupted him.

"..."

Seeing that Kiyopon wasn't going to make it easy for her. She began looking around the room for any clues to why he's acting like this again. She checked around the furniture, inside the drawers, etc.

" Hm?" And finally after a few minutes of searching, her eyes landed towards a letter on the ground, located next to the heel of the study table. She picked it up and curiously began reading it.

Her eyes widened in suprise at its contents.

--

"...Is this why you're acting like this?" Suzune held the letter in front of him.

Kiyopon's eyes glanced at the letter for a moment before redirecting his gaze back to the ground.

"...Do you really believe this letter to be true?" She asked.

"...It's his handwriting. What reason is there to not believe it to be true..."

" That's because it doesn't add up to the letter prior to this one. The letter you have in your notebook."

Kiyopon looks at Suzune.

"...You read it..."

" I was curious, and I apologize for doing so. But that letter compared to this one...is too big of a shift. " She said.

"...And so what..."

" Huh?"

" So what if it's too big of a shift? The letter you have in your hand contains his true feelings for me. He hated me. "

" He didn't-"

" I'm sure you've read the entire letter. How my actions...my choices...led to both him and his son's suffering. He had no choice but to seek forgiveness...and he paid for it with his life." He said.

"..." And now Suzune was silent. She did indeed read the letter, and was suprised of the small description of Kiyopon's father. Matsuo described his father to be a strong man with powerful connections...mixed with absolute cruelty and ruthlesness.

Suzune would've never thought that Kiyopon would be the son of that man.

In the letter, Matsuo confessed his hatred for the boy and how he regretted his actions for setting him free. How he was foolish to have his son suffer for his mistake. It was written there that Matsuo was going to visit the man who was condemning both him and his son's lives to hell. He wanted to seek forgiveness, willing to offer anything, EVERYTHING, so that man can at least leave his son alone.

"...I think I know why my chest is aching now..." Kiyopon spoke as he slowly placed a hand on his chest.

" It's because...my heart hurts. It's filled with guilt...and self-loathing." He said in a low voice.

"...I thought I could forgive myself...but it was wishful thinking. I thought I could allow myself to recover, but that's also wishful thinking. Why should person like me, who caused pain for an innocent man and his son, be ever allowed to feel peace...to feel joy...to feel...anything...but pain and self-loathing." He said.

" It's not your fault...it's okay to forgive yourself-"

" You don't understand. It's NOT okay...it'll never be okay. He hates me and that's something I deserve...no...rather...I deserve even worse. The people I get close to...they get hurt because of me...even back then...I..." He paused. He was losing control of his emotions once more and he almost shared something unnecessary.

The noises in his head were reminding him of his past. His fellow colleagues who despised his existence, who put him at fault for their suffering even if that wasn't his intention.

And now the image of Matsuo was cracking to pieces. These are feelings he couldn't feel before. These are feelings he thought he could never unlock after the influence his father had on him...

Kiyopon closed his eyes and began looking back...

1 year...

The 1 year he'd spent with his butler. A kind man.

1 year where he felt close to being a "normal" child was because of that butler.

1 year when he began to care for someone else for the first time since his father's influence.

The 1 year where he finally roamed around the city, visited the beach, and ate the local delicacy.

...

But that 1 year...no longer matters.

Kiyopon wished that he never had to spend that one year with Matsuo. So that he'll still be an empty shell...remain uncaring and cold to others...

He'd be fine with that because at the very least, Matsuo and his son would be safe.

He wants to take back that 1 year...he was willing to sacrifice everything he has now to take back that 1 year...

So that the pain he's feeling will never have happened...

So that everything bad that's happening to himself and others...will never have happened.

he wishes that...from the bottom of his heart.

Even in death, Matsuo ...will forever hate him-

" Dear, Kiyotaka. Remember to use this notebook as a means to make friends and to record the amount of friends you made. Use this as your way of communication since I know you have trouble speaking with others due to your tendency to mask your feelings with your expression."

The voices in Kiyopon's head suddenly stopped as he heard those familiar words. He looks up at Suzune and there she was, his notebook in her hand as she began reading off the letter.

" Please make great memories with your friends. Memories you can treasure for the rest of your life. And, by chance, we see each other again. Then please tell me all about your first experience of having a normal life as a highschool student. "

" Stop..." Kiyotaka said to her but she continued.

"...I would like to listen to any stories you might have, just like the way you have listened to mine this entire time."

" Stop it, Horikita..."

" And one last thing before I end this message."

Kiyopon stood up and Suzune took a few steps back in order to continue reading.

" I love you, my child. Yes, I consider you as another son of mi-"

" I TOLD YOU TO STOP!" He finally yelled as he charged towards her and snatched the notebook from her grip. He held it up in the air as he glared at her.

Suzune returned his glare.

And she dared to continue speaking,

"...He said that you'd make a good brother for a person named Eichiiro."

"...Stop." He told her.

" He said that no matter what hurdles you may encounter later in your life, he'll cheer for you like a father."

Kiyotaka looks at his notebook and gripped it tight.

" He wrote all of that...because he could he loved you." She said.

" He doesn't..." His voice cracks. " Not anymore..."

" He does."

" How in the world...would you know that...you don't know him...you don't know him at all..."

" But I understand him better than you do, suprisingly." She takes out the latest letter and points to the ending paragraph. " Do you see this?"

"...See what..."

" Tear stains."

Kiyopon looked closer and there was indeed tear stains, it wasn't too visible but it was there. And Kiyopon missed it, but Suzune didn't.

Still, what was she trying to prove with that?

"...And? Where are you trying to go with this..."

" While writing, he was holding back his tears, and whether or not he was aware of it, a few of his tears landed on the paper. It's because...it pained him to write those words that are untrue." She said.

"...That doesn't matter."

" ' Doesn't matter' ?" She repeated.

" He's already written it..." He then looks into her eyes, wearing a pained expression.

" And he's no longer here to erase it..."

He places the notebook back in the drawer and sits back down on the bed while Suzune stared at him in shock.

"...Please leave now...you've already done enough and I'm grateful but...stop wasting your time on someone who could never forgive himself..." He said, weakly.

He looks down to the floor once more, as the voices began to grow louder in his head again.

"...I'm sorry...I'm sorry for disappointing you, Horikita..." He apologized with sincerity. " I'm sorry for being selfish...I'm sorry that I won't be able to keep my promise...of helping you reach Class A. "

" I don't think I can keep a promise like that with the way I am now..." He finished before finally succumbing to the noises in his head once more.

" I don't care about that promise. " She says.

" You don't have to keep that promise." She says.

She sits beside him.

" ...Then what use am I to you? All you want is to reach Class A, right?" A miracle happened. Kiyopon suddenly responded.

"..." Suzune stays silent for a bit before sighing.

" I want to reach it with you..." She muttered.

Kiyotaka slowly looks at her.

" ...And I'll use everything I've got to make sure that happens. " She said.

" Why?" He asked. " Why are you persistent on helping me...on pulling me with you..."

" Why?" She repeated before chuckling and then looking back at him.

" Because you're an important person to me, Ayanokoji-kun." She said, " It was you alone who changed me for the better. To open my eyes. It was you who also helped me...who saved me." She smiles fondly at the memory

"..."

" But..." She then averts her eyes, her lips drawing into a thin line. " If...you don't want me to help you. If you really want me to leave...then I'll give you chance to tell me that one last time and then I'll stop. If being alone works better for you, if it will help you recover better...then I'll let it go. But I want to hear you say it." She said.

" Do you want me to stop?" She asked without looking at him.

"..."

After a few minutes of silence, she decides to get up from her seat.

"...Fine...if you won't say anything. Then I'll just assume that silence is a 'yes'." She says.

" I hope you get better soon, Ayanokoji-kun." She said before heading to the door.

Time slowed down...

Kiyopon stared at her figure, slowly walking towards the door. Ready to finally leave him.

That's what he wanted, right?

He'd been trying to push her away.

But after hearing her words.

Why does he want to call out to her?

Why does he want to reach for her?

Why, after everything he's said and done, does he want her to stay with him?

For a moment, the voices drowned out.

For a moment, some rational thinking finally formed...

For a moment...for a small moment...

He made his decision.

" Horikita." He calls out to her.

She turns around and looks at him.

He's decided that he wants her to stay.

"...My eyes feel heavy." He started, " It's been heavy ever since his death. I don't understand why it's heavy, it's never went away ever since I heard about his death...I don't...I don't understand such a feeling...I want it to stop...I want my eyes to stop feeling heavy but I don't know what to do. Even after getting enough sleep, nothing changes...how...how can I stop it?" He asked.

Suzune walks towards him.

" Horikita...?" He called her name once more. She stood right in front of him. He wondered why she still didn't sound a response.

Suddenly, he felt his head being pulled towards her body.

She was hugging him.

" Cry." She said, softly.

"...Cry?" He repeated in slight confusion.

" You haven't been crying...your eyes feel heavy because of that. You're still holding back your true feelings and it's time to let it out...so go ahead. Cry." She said.

"...I can't just...do that-"

" You can." She hugs him tighter. " You're allowed to cry..."

" Are those tears, Kiyotaka?"

"..."

" What? Are you shedding tears because one of them dropped dead?"

"..."

" He was a weak child. He complained and cried a lot due to the training, and it finally caught up to him. He failed to realize the lesson and the biggest lesson of all; Is to always stay strong, no matter what."

"...Am I not allowed to cry...?"

" You're not. You're strong and different compared to them. You have no business feeling pity for the weak, much less shedding tears for the weak. "

"..."

" Crying is for the weak. Don't ever be weak. Don't ever shed tears again, understand?"

" It's okay..." She said in a soothing tone as she brushed through the back of his brown hair with her fingers. " It's okay to be weak with me around. I won't judge you. It's okay to cry..."

"...Horikita-"

" Call me Suzune."

"..."

She chuckles, " We've been friends for so long and we aren't even on first-name basis. I think that needs to change, no?" She mused.

Suzune then felt Kiyopon's arms wrapping themselves around her waist and began to pull her closer.

"...I-is it...really o-okay...?" He said with shaky breaths.

" It's okay." She assured him.

And finally, after holding back...

Warm tears began to fall down Kiyotaka's cheek as he pulled her tighter, embracing her stomach as he began crying and releasing his held back tears.

For the first time in what felt like forever...

He's finally crying.

Suzune soothingly patted his head as he continued crying his feelings out.

But then...

She recalled his words from back at the island exam...when she was in a similar state...

A small smile tugs on her lips.

" Whenever you're in trouble, don't be afraid to show this side of yourself to me. I will never judge you and I'll always be there for you...for as long as you need me to." She said.

Kiyopon realized that those were the words he said...

And that those were the words she repeated...

" That's what you said to me. Remember?" She asked.

" It applies to you too... Kiyotaka..." She said and finally called him by his first name.

" I...I..." He tried to say something in response but the tears wouldn't stop. They kept cutting off his train of thought and what he wanted to say.

" Take your time...let it out first..." She said.

Kiyopon wanted to do just that, but he couldn't help but desperately trying to form his words. To regain enough composure to say it.

Because she of all people, deserved to hear it.

" Thank you...for being here for me... Suzune..." He managed to say.

Suzune's heart beats faster and a cute red blush began to form on her cheeks.

" You're welcome, Kiyotaka-kun."

CHAPTER END!

Wew, that's done.

Anyways, I'm planning to rewatch plastic memories so I could cry like a little bitch.

Also just watched I Want To Eat Your Pancreas for the first time...

It didn't make me cry due to two factors.

1. It just made me very bittersweet.

2. The girl's name is literally Sakura Yamauchi...how can I take that seriously? HAHAHA A

Bunny girl senpai movie got me to cry harder.

Anyways, the movie was good and definitely recommend for those who haven't watched it due to their unforgiving schedules or lazy nature.

KawaiiLumine, out~

A wonderful woman

Third Person PoV

" How does it taste?" Suzune asked after Kiyotaka chewed his first bite.

His eyes widened in suprise.

"...it...it tastes good..." Kiyotaka looked down on his plate and quickly began shoving more spoonfuls of it in his mouth. " So...good..."

Suzune sighs in relief. " You can taste again...I'm glad." She said.

" Would you like to eat more? I'll cook another-"

Kiyopon looks up from his food and nods at her immediately.

" I'll eat all of Suzune's cooking." He said.

She laughs at that, " Well, you do need to gain a bit of weight back. Okay, please continue eating while I cook some more."

Kiyopon nods and Suzune proceeds to cook in the kitchen.

--

The room was now tidy, the dishes were washed, and Kiyopon was currently back in bed. Suzune sat by his bed.

" Do you need anything else?" She asked.

"..." She was met with silence, not an uncomfortable one but rather it felt like an awkward type of silence radiating from Kiyopon's side.

" Kiyotaka-kun, do you want anything else? If it's within my power, then it will happen." She said.

"...Anything?" He asked.

" Anything."

" Then...just for tonight...could Suzune stay?" He asked, softly.

"..."

--

' My heart is beating so fast...' Suzune thought.

The lights were off and she was currently laying in bed beside him.

( What happened:

Suzu: Sure...but let me just get a few clothes from my room and then look for a futon-

Kiyo: Sleep beside me.

Suzu: ok. )

Well, now they were both simply staring at the ceiling in silence, not knowing what to do except sleep and yet, they can't even do THAT.

"...Um...I'll sleep then..." Suzune awkwardly spoke and turned to her side, away from Kiyopon and closed her eyes.

She yawns, feeling herself relax. Her body was ready to sleep.

But before that...

" Good night, Kiyotaka-kun."

" Suzune, what were your first impressions of me when we first met?"

"...I guess we're not sleeping, huh..." She sighs

She turns from her side and goes back to her previous position where she just stares at the ceiling.

" Well...let's see..." She hummed and began gathering her previous thoughts of Kiyopon.

" Well, I thought you were a weirdo."

" ?!" Kiyopon felt his heart getting pierced by that comment.

Suzune chuckles, " Well, you WERE staring at me quite weirdly back at the bus ride. It's a normal assumption, no?"

"..." Kiyopon can't argue with that, after all, that's how most of his friendships began in this school.

Just silent...unadulterated...s t a r i n g.

Until the person being stared at eventually concedes and succumbs to his circle of friendship.

" And then you made think you were mute until you informed me that you didn't like to talk and rather opt to use your notebook. You're a weird individual." She continued,

" And somehow, you convinced me into becoming friends with you...and...now I-" She pauses.

Her face turns red.

" And you what?" He asked.

"...A-And...now I...now I'm better...than my past self..." She said.

' I almost told him that I have feelings for him...Suzune you idiot!' She thought and sighed before composing herself and adding one more thing.

"...I'm better now...because I have you by my side. A person I could lean onto whenever I feel like it and that...makes me happy." She finished.

"...I see..." Kiyopon felt comforted by that.

" What about you? What were your first impressions of me?" She shot back the question.

"...Hm..." Kiyopon hummed.

" Well...I just thought you were interesting...everyone on the bus was looking at the commotion while you alone kept reading your book unbothered." He started,
" That trait alone gave me the idea that you were a loner." He said.

Suzune sighs at that. She can't really argue against that since that's the label her past self decided to portray.

" But suprisingly, you became my friend. Also, I didn't really convince you into becoming my friend." He looks at her with a smug expression. " You saw that I was sad when you rejected me at first, and you felt bad so you decided to accept, am I right?"

She also turns her head to look at him.

" You're making me want to ignore you out of spite."

Kiyopon quickly returns to staring at the ceiling.

" I retract my statement then..." He said.

" Also, I'm also thankful for having you. A person I could lean on and it's you. I never thought I'd cry again but you changed that...you were persistent in helping me..." he continues,

" I think throughout this year, you've helped me a lot more than you think. Thank you." He says.

"...Did I?"

" Yep."

She stares at the side of his face, trying to determine any evidence of a lie for some reason. But she couldn't find any, for as long as she could remember, Kiyopon stayed genuine with people he's close to...

"...You're welcome." She said and returned to staring at the ceiling as well.

A moment of silence...

" Suzune."

" Hm?"

" I think...tomorrow, I'm ready to go back to school."

" You don't have to force yourself to go if you still don't feel like it, you know?"

" It's almost the end of the month...I don't want the class to lose points."

" Don't worry about them. I'm sure our classmates will understand...after all...they DO care for you a lot more than you may think."

"..." Kiyopon pondered on her words regarding how the class really feels about him. He wondered if they really cared for him as a person to the point where they're willing to lose class points and be okay with it.

" Your group of friends...the Kiyopon group? I forgot to inform you this but...I was forced to join in." She said.

" Really? That's great." Kiyopon was delighted by that.

Suzune hummed in agreement, " They're a nice group of friends. I don't necessarily mind hanging out with them but...hopefully...you'll back in the picture too. When you're ready. ONLY when you're ready."

" ...Understood..." Kiyopon replied.

"...Well, I'm quite tired. So I'll sleep now, okay?" She said and turned to her side.

" Okay. " Kiyopon was tired too, anyways.

He turns to his own side and closes his eyes, erasing all thoughts, and focusing on that certain feeling of falling asleep...

Until he felt the shuffling of the bed and a warm hand touching his back. His eyes immediately shot open in suprise.

" ...Suzune?"

" P-Please don't look over here..." she said in an embarrassed soft tone.

" I just...like this side more...but I'll hit you if you look at me..." She said.

Fearless of her half-hearted threat, Kiyopon immediately turn to his other side to look at her.

Kiyopon's vision was blessed with a timid-looking Suzune, a red blush over her face, and a cute angry expression on her face.

" Why did you look at me..." She asked.

" Why didn't you hit me for doing so?" He shot back.

"...I don't want to hit you..." She avoided eye contact but still faced him, " Like I said...I just like laying on this side more..."

" I see...looks like I discovered another new aspect of the girl known as ' Horikita Suzune'. " He mused.

" Ugh, be quiet." She mutters and tries to close her eyes and fall asleep,

" Just...let me sleep...like this..." She slowly said before going into complete silence.

A few minutes later, Kiyopon realized that Suzune already fell asleep. He was suprised by how fast she fell asleep, but smart and hardworking people would often fall asleep like this...in addition, she had to take care of his recovery...

She needed the rest. She's more than deserved it.

But why is it that Kiyopon couldn't stop staring at her...?

This feeling was similar to that of when she was sick back at the cruise ship. At the time, he had touched her face and had complete focus on her lips...but that was just curiosity.

But there's something different now...

Another feeling has surged...another feeling that Kiyopon can't identify...

But it was a positive feeling...

"..."

He decides to turn to his own side, he can't bear to sleep while facing her for reasons unbeknownst to him.

He eventually fell asleep...

--

He was here again...

The old mansion. Another dream.

Kiyopon was honestly glad that this dream occurred again, for he has something to say to Matsuo, even if it was just a dream...through this dream, he plans to move on once and for all.

Through his friend's actions, even if there were no exchange of words regarding what he was thinking...

Through her, he realized that he is allowed to be happy.

Matsuo was already dead. He's accepted that.

And the dead shouldn't influence his life.

For Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, is another living, thinking creature. A human being that can think and feel emotion. He is not a test subject for a selfish man's dream, he will not be the stepping stone to Japan's future, he refuses to lead society in exchange for his personal freedom.

The White Room made him out to be a cold-hearted, self-improving machine.

But Matsuo and Suzune sees him as a human being that has the right to be happy, the right to cry, the right to suffer, the right to cope, the right to be depressed...

The right to recover.

" Matsuo..." Kiyopon called out to the old man whose back was turned to him.

" Kiyotaka...you've returned." The old man said.

"...Well, I assume you have something to say? If so, then please-"

" I'm happy." Kiyopon said.

" ...Say that, again? I do not want to be mistaken..." Matsuo said.

" I'm happy, Matsuo..." He said.

" I'm still at fault, but moping around won't fix anything. Hating myself won't fix anything. Punishing myself won't bring you back...nothing...will bring you back." He looked down on the ground.

" That's why, I'd like to continue living as I am. To honor your wishes when you sent me to that school. I've made many friends, I've made many memories...if you wish, I could tell them all to you right now. I've listed down their names in the notebook, I've listed down all the fun memories..." He said.

" But...it was all thanks to you. My happiness...it was all because of you and your actions. Even if you hate me, I will continue to live in gratitude for your sacrifice...I will continue to live my 3 years making new memories to hold onto for the rest of my life...s-so..." Tears began to prick at the corner of Kiyopon's eyes.

He clenches his fists,

" Thank you, Matsuo..." He said in a broken voice as tears began to cascade from his eyes.

" Young master..." Matsuo said.

Kiyotaka looks up from the ground and sees Matsuo standing right in front of him.

The burnt scar was no longer there...

It was a ghost of the Matsuo that Kiyotaka knows...

" I'm happy for you." Matsuo smiles.

And then he pulls the boy into a hug.

" Continue...to live...okay? Continue to enjoy living...promise me...okay?" Matsuo said as his own tears began to fall as he hugged Kiyotaka tighter.

" I'll always support you...just like how I'll support Eichiro even in death. You both are my sons. Remember that. And if ever fate allows it...if you ever see him...please...talk to him for me." Matsuo said.

" I will...I swear I will..." Kiyotaka replies as he reciprocated the hug.

" I-I'll...I'll m-miss you..." Kiyotaka said with shaky breaths as the tears increased in volumes.

" You've changed...look at you, this is what I hoped the school could do for you. Never allow your father to take away your emotions, okay? You're not a weakling if you feel such things. Emotions give us a reason to be strong...and when we are strong, we help others become strong by empathizing with their own troubles. " Matsuo said.

Matsuo pulls away from the hug and places both his hands on Kiyotaka's shoulders.

With a tearful smile, he wanted to leave him with one last remark.

" It's important to think with your brain...but you should also consider your heart. We need both to survive, after all. Controlling your emotions is not synonymous with locking them away...don't be afraid to feel and to show, okay?"

Kiyotaka nods and wipes away his tears.

" Ah. it seems like...my time is up." Matsuo said.

" Huh?" Kiyotaka wondered what that meant until he saw cracks beginning to form on Matsuo's hands.

" What...?" he mouthed as the cracks increased.

" Matsuo-"

" It's okay..." Matsuo assured, " I'm glad...that everything paid off...I'll get to see my wife again."

"...Right..." Kiyotaka replied as Matsuo's hands began to fade and slowly spreading to his entire body.

" One last thing; That girl...Horikita Suzune is her name, am I right?" Matsuo suddenly said.

" How do you..." Kiyotaka stops his own question and decides to nod, " Yes...that's her name." There was no point in questioning how this Matsuo knows about her.

Matsuo smiled fondly.

" You've found a wonderful woman, Kiyotaka."

--

( The next morning )

Horikita Suzune had left Kiyopon's room early in the morning to return to her own. She made herself breakfast, made her bento for lunch, and took a bath before changing into her uniform.

After finishing her morning routine, she left her room and took the elevator.

Once she made it to the lobby, she left the dormitories only to be met with a suprising view.

" K...Kiyotaka-kun...?" She said in disbelief.

Kiyopon gives her a little wave. He'd been waiting outside the dormitories, he'd already donned his uniform and his school bag.

" What are you...?" A sense of deja vu hit Suzune as she began to remember their earlier encounters being similar to this.

Suzune watched as Kiyopon pulled out his notebook and pen.

He began writing in the notebook and then showed it to her.

' I wanted for us to walk together.' it said.

' This...has definitely happened before...' Suzune thought.

Kiyopon waited silently and Suzune realized that and quickly snapped out of her thoughts. She slowly walked towards him and stood next to him.

" Are you sure that you're ready?" She asked. " I don't want you to feel like you need to-"

Kiyopon immediately wrote down his answer and showed it to Suzune.

' Stop worrying about me and let's go.'

Suzune sighs, " Fine..." She relents and they both began walking side by side.

" You know..." Suzune started,

Kiyopon glances at her as they walked.

" It's been so long...since we last walked together like this. When you were gone, I got used to taking these walks alone...but..." She turns to him and smiles.

" Even so, I felt lonely. So I'm glad you're here." She said.

Kiyopon was engrossed in her eyes for some reason. He felt weird, it's like his entire body's temperature is rising...he felt the urge to randomly twitch the longer he stared at her.

He wondered why his entire vision focused on her...everything was drowning out to the background...

What is this? Kiyopon wondered. He liked her smiles but they made him feel something different this time...

Her smile made him feel fuzzy...

" Kiyotaka-kun?" Suzune said in a sudden tone filled with concern.

Kiyopon snaps out of his trance and nods to her.

" Are you okay? Your face looks red..."

Red? Kiyopon thought, confused by her words.

" Stop for a sec." She said and they both stopped. Kiyopon wondered why she said his face was red.

He didn't feel sick...well...he did feel warmer but it's not the type of warm you get from fevers-

Suzune lifted her bangs and also Kiyopon's.

" What are you-" Kiyopon was suddenly interrupted when Suzune pulled his head down.

Their foreheads touched.

"...Strange, your temperature feels okay..."

Kiyopon's eyes widened when he realized just how exactly close they were. But didn't he do to this to her before? Back then, he didn't feel really strange about it but something's definitely changed.

The reddening of his face...

This fuzzy feeling...

His heart rate increasing...

This sudden need to close the distance-

" Well, maybe it's just a false alarm. You're fine." Suzune said and pulled away.

Kiyopon silently stared at her in disbelief.

"...Wait...oh...o-oh..." Suzune realized what she just did and she immediately looked to Kiyopon with an apologetic expression. " Sorry...I...I didn't..."

She covers her face and internally screams, cursing herself for such a stupid thing to do.

' Why did I do that?! I could've just used my palm or something but why did I opt to do that?! ' She thought to herself in panic.

She then felt warm hands over hers. They slowly pulled away her hands from covering her face...

She looks at Kiyopon with an awkward expression.

" I...uhm...that was weird of me to do. I apologize." She managed to say.

Kiyopon shakes his head as if saying ' Don't worry about it'.

He writes in his notebook...

' Didn't I do the same to you back at the speranza ship? I should apologize for that too.' It said.

"...Right...I do recall that..." Suzune said. But she didn't feel any better, rather, she still felt a bit better when she got faked out.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' We're even then.' It said.

" Huh?"

Kiyopon continues walking, leaving Suzune to recover from that response. She quickly caught up to his side and chuckled.

" You're such a weirdo, Kiyotaka-kun..." She said in a fond tone.

Kiyopon sneaks once more glance at her...

While walking, he opens his notebook and goes to Suzune's name.

He adds another title to her name...

( A wonderful woman.)

--

" AYANOKOJI'S BACK!"

Class D immediately looks towards the door once they heard his name.

Kiyopon stared at his classmates in silence...

Staaarrreeeeeeee~~~~

" K-Kiyopon...?" Haruka called, giving the benefit of a doubt that this might just be some hallucination.

Kiyopon turns to her.

He waves ' hi'.

" Haruka-"

"KIYOPON!!!" Haruka immediately hugged the boy tightly and crying about how she misses him and such. The rest of the Kiyopon group followed , all fo them were equally relieved to see him return.

" Glad you're back!" Akito laughs.

" I hope you're doing well now." Keisei said.

" Kiyotaka-kun, I hope you're okay now..." Airi said, hesitating just in case he wasn't.

Kiyopon squeezes out of Haruka's hug to write in his notebook...

( Haruka pouted when he escaped her mama hug )

' I'm okay now.' it said.

" Gosh, you had us so worried!" Mori said.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' Sorry about that.' It said.

Mori sighs and smiles, " Please don't be sorry!"

Kiyopon nods but then suddenly another girl entered his vicinity.

" Ayanokoji-kun...here." It was Inogashira. She held both her hands towards him and laying on it was a handmade snowman plushie.

" I-It's not much...b-but I just wanted to give it to you...a-after...you know..." She stuttered.

Mori whispers into Kiyopon's ear.

" She's been working on it in an attempt to gift it to you once you were well. " She informed.

Kiyopon was suprised to receive a gift, but gently took it from Inogashira's hands.

" I...back at home...whenever I felt sad, mom would make me these type of dolls or plushies...and I'd be happy again. S-So...I thought it might work for you too..." She said.

" O-OR YOU KNOW WHAT? IT MIGHT LOOK UGLY SO WHY DON'T I JUST TAKE IT BACK AND R-REDO-" She was interrupted when Kiyopon begins patting her head.

" Thank you..." He said, softly.

inogashira blushes and smiles, her nervousness and anxiety dissipating as the sense of relief over took her.

" N-No problem!" She said.

" Ayanokoji-kun, we got something for you too!" More of the girls stepped forward with small gifts on their hands.

" Us too!" Boys suddenly stepped forward as well.

Kiyopon was suprised by all the gifts.

" Don't worry about them. I'm sure our classmates will understand...after all...they DO care for you a lot more than you may think."

He was reminded by Suzune's words.

He didn't know how to thank them all...

The girls and boys wished him good luck and asked if he was well and Kiyopon struggled to address each of their concerns at a time.

Kiyopon's desk was surrounded with all his gifts...since...well...he had no other place to put them away for now.

An arm suddenly snaked its way and wraps around Kiyopon's shoulder. Kiyopon jolted and turns to see who it was, and was suprised to see that it was Ike!

" Man...I'm jealous! All the girls gave you gifts...man if I was the one who didn't come to school, they'd give me nothing, man!" He said in agony.

Before Kiyopon could respond, Ike suddenly chuckled and gave a toothy smile.

" Just kidding bro. I hope you feel better, oh and uh, here. " Ike hands him some restaurant coupons. " use it for one of your harem members or something."

Kiyopon writes in his notebook,

' But I don't have a harem?' it said.

A vein popped on Ike's forehead but still kept his smile. Though, his grip on the coupons tightened after hearing that. He was 100% jealous...

" Just...take it..." He pleaded with gritted teeth.

Kiyopon thanks him and accepts the coupons.

" Oh, by the way, those coupons were from Ken, Haruki, and me. We collectively offered our coupons to you, alright?" Ike said.

Kiyopon nods and tells Ike to send his thanks to the other two.

Kiyopon sighs until Akito stops by.

" Man, look at those gifts..." He said. " You even got dessert over there..."

Kiyopon looked towards the many dessert boxes and decides to give one to Akito.

" You sure?" Akito asked and Kiyopon nods.

" Oh, well. It'd be rude to not accept it." Akito shrugs before accepting the box.

Meanwhile, Kiyopon's gaze lands towards Suzune's figure as she spoke with Hirata, Kushida, and Karuizawa regarding plans he'd already been told about before.

He couldn't shake off her image. Or maybe he didn't want to.

Akito notices this and follows to where Kiyopon was staring at before silently chuckling to himself.

' God...I know that look...so you know what it's like now, huh, Kiyotaka?' He thought.

' You're in love with her.'

CHAPTER END!

Fully recovered Kiyopon! Well, mentally recovered at least!

He's still pretty skinny.

But now we can move on to the final event of volume 7

Yep.

It's time for Kiyopon to end his game with Ryuuen.

Next chapter will probably be the last chapter for volume 7 before we move onto 7.5.

Also,

Yep. Kiyopon is in love but he just doesn't realize it yet.

Look forward to skinny kiyopon fighting Ryuuen and his gang!

KawaiiLumine, out~

Im sorry

Hello everyone! Sorry if you expected a chapter but...from the title alone, you could probably guess where this is going right?
Im sorry for no chapters for like...two-three months?
I just had no motivation anymore to continue this fic from that point. I was slowly burning out of wholesomeness. Like compare the wholesomeness from recent chapters to early chapters.
It's like night and day right?
Anyone could tell that I was slowly losing my touch. The 2nd half of this fic was just KawaiiLumine writing in denial, but now KawaiiLumine has reached acceptance.
That's why Lumine just disappeared...leaving the fic for ded.
During the second half...what i've been dishing out? I was pretty disappointed with myself. I could pinpoint the exact written lines where I feel like I was just writing for the sake of writing and no longer for fun. And that affected the results.
There were some chapters in second half that I was satisfied with...but the rest were pretty much a desparate attempt to keep myself alive while writing. lmao.
Maybe you won't notice the difference because you enjoyed the fic regardless of its multiple errors ( thanks for being patient with my typing errors, Im way too lazy to correct em ) and regardless of the subtle lack of attraction that the first half gave.
From then on, I really was just gonna dodge questions...and leave the fic for ded. Pretty horrible of me I know. I truly am disappointed.
Thank you for everyone who's read this far
Thank you for the votes
I may not respond to comments a lot nowadays, but I will respond to you all at once.
For those that commented their support and how much they love this fic.
Thank you! I love you all too! You guys were my support in the shadows when writing in wattpad. You guys are the reasons why I felt like updating everyday ( which I did back then ) but now...im drained from this fic.
And for those who critiqued the fic ( I think? ) Thank you for that as well, it helped me imagine a better future for this fic ( which...is ironically not gonna happen hahahah )
And for those that commented dirty shit in this fic...I love those comments the most! ( actually debatable with the praise comments but whatevs ) It made the effort worth it. Comments can really help an author, no matter what random shit you type. I appreciate it all the same.
I just realized how the words I've written up until now sounds like im gonna retired from wattpad lmao. But the purpose is for me to retire from this fic...a proper formal goodbye i suppose.
I love this fic. When I made small oneshots about it...who knew it'd gain so much traction to the point where it spawned an entire series on its own. I really didn't think much of it...just thought of how cute this and that would be if Kiyo was like Komi...
But im glad it is the way it is.
Welp...this is goodbye. Thank you for reading till now, pls consider reading my other books. ( Tho the only ones im updating is oneshots and last elite standing )
Anyways...
KawaiiLumine is outta this fic~!
Is what I would say before today.
What happened today?
Oh nothing...
hehehe
Did I get you guys this time? Did it seem more convincing?
They weren't lies btw. I genuinely meant everything I said prior to this.
But...a certain comment in this fic...from the earliest chapters...
*sigh* You guys are lucky...
If it weren't for that comment, i would've left this fic for dead but...
That comment brought back some inspiration...the same inspiration I had from the first half of this fic.
It gave me ideas. Such a simple out of context comment gave me ideas and is building inspiration! Oh how this crazy world goes! never ceases to suprise!
I'll be revealing that comment in the future.
I'll only say this; Stay tuned for chapters! ( Already beginning to write the rooftop fight ( kiyopon version! ))
And with that, I say...
KawaiiLumine is revived back into this fic!

The update...THE UPDATE IS REALLLL!!!!

1. Just like those fairytales wherein the Knight battles the Dragon in order to save the princess...

Third Person PoV

1. Vengeance will be Kiyopon's!

Hello everyone! PoV-chan here!

It's been a while, huh? Lumine was seriously considering on letting this fic silently die and disintegrate to dust...

I mean, I thought Lumine would pull through with it! But Lumine didn't!

And for what?

Just because of some random wattpad comment in this fic's early chapters? Seriously? That easy? You've gotta be kidding me. I wonder what comment revived Lumine back into this fic because that's pretty absurd since Lumine isn't that easy to sway--

(( Hey! Shut up will you?! Readers are itching to read this chapter! Stop stalling you useless Third person! ))

FINE!

No need to be rude!

Hmph.

Anyways...

" A...Ayanokoji...?" Ibuki said in shock as her eyes locked on the boy who'd just entered the rooftop.

Huh? What? This fast?!

We're already at the rooftop scene?!

For Kamipon's sake, slow down--

" Ayanokoji-kun,y-you...actually came?" Manabe, who was on the ground spoke in shock. Her manga year 1 hairstyle was completely redone by Ryuen himself. Yep, our not-so-friendly neighborhood tyrant threatened and bullied Manabe by cutting her hair and shaving it down to the hairstyle you see in Classroom of the Elite season 2!

Kiyopon takes out his notebook and begins writing.

' Sorry I'm late.' it said.

Manabe squints her eyes.

" What the hell does that say?! YOU THINK I COULD READ THAT FAR????" She exclaims in disbelief.

Kiyopon widens his eyes a bit in realization. Indeed, it was not right for him to assume that Manabe could read his notebook from his distance. A mistake on his end.

" kUKUKU!" Ryuen drops the scissors in his hand. The metal landing on the floor as it made a 'clanking' sound. " Well, well! Isn't this a suprise. " the magenta haired dinosaur smirks and glances towards Manabe. " You were quite lucky, Shiho. I didn't think X would actually come and save you...seeing as how he ratted your identity without a care earlier." He says in an amused tone.

' Ayanokoji-kun...why did you...' Manabe thought to herself in confusion. She wondered why he'd come after having ignored ( she assumed ) her messages for weeks...until this moment.

" W-Wait...this SKINNY GUY is X?!" Ishizaki finally says something.

" Oh I don't know Ishizaki." Ryuen chuckles, " Maybe he's just some random fodder that X sent in his place."

" Oh? really? Phew, that's goo-"

BONK!

" OF COURSE THAT'S X , DUMBASS!" Ryuen barks as he slapped the back of Ishizaki's head.

" Ow!" Ishizaki yelps in pain.

Meanwhile, Ibuki was the most shocked out of them all. She clenches her fists and her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, she couldn't believe it. Not one bit.

" No...you're not X, Ayanokoji..." She mutters and Ryuen hears it. He turns to her. " Oh? What makes you say that, Ibuki?" He asks her and gauges her expressions.

Ibuki turns to him, shaking her head vehemently in denial, " It can't be him. It just CAN'T!" She then points to Kiyopon. " This guy wouldn't hurt a fly! I'm telling you. "

" Oh spare me the denial." Ryuen chuckles. " Nah, it's him. "

" No! Listen to me for a second--"

" Oh for god's sake, what the hell do you intend to come up with, Ibuki? You in love with this bastard or something?" Ryuen asks bluntly.

Ibuki ignores that. " This guy must've been sent in X's place. Think about it, why would X HIMSELF come here? If X predicted your previous moves till now, then wouldn't he have also had readied some precautions in case you'd force some sort of physical confrontation? If he's some big brain mastermind , wouldn't he be prepared to send a decoy in his place?" Ibuki tries to reason, and Ryuen had to admit that she does share a few valid points there.

However,

" Fishy as this may seem, " Ryuen wasn't convinced. " This guy is indeed X. I've had my eye on him for a while now, his connection to Horikita, his connection to Karuizawa. And the fact he was present during our interrogation with Koenji...not to mention the fact that this guy had been absent from his class for a month or so." He enumerates his own reasons.

" For someone to disappear just like that, isn't that suspicious?" Ryuen asks Ibuki with a smirk.

" But--"

" Tell me, Ayanokoji." Ryuen takes a step forward, still keeping the distance between himself and Kiyopon. " Are you X?" he asks straight again.

" No." Kiyopon responds.

His eyes weren't focused on Ryuen at all, instead they've always been gazing at Manabe.

" I'm just a friend of Manabe that's going to rescue her from this situation." His eyes finally look at Ryuen. " Even if it means taking all of you down."

Kiyopon spoke softly and calmly. He was on the point with Ryuen with absolutely no reason to hide his intentions.

"...Pft...Kukuku!" Ryuen begins laughing hysterically. " Really now? Kukuku! " Ryuen and everyone else in the roof top was caught off-guard by Kiyopon's answer. Manabe's lips quivered, fighting the urge to cry and another urge to smile. Maybe Kiyopon didn't mean it, maybe it was just his false side speaking those words.

She couldn't tell.

But it doesn't matter. The fact that he called himself her ' friend'. She recalled the time when he told her how this would end, during that time, she wanted to ask him.

' When this is all over...could we be friends?' Call her insane, but that's what she wanted from him. She wanted to talk with him freely, without having to act under the pretense of a task assigned by him. She wanted to discover his real self...she wanted him to be comfortable around her with his real self.

A selfish wish, but it's what she wanted.

" Taking us all down? Now that's a funny and interesting statement to hear from you, Ayanokoji. But before that, it seems Ibuki is especially insistent on having you leave unharmed. Mind filling in the blanks and confirm that you are the bastard behind everything?" Ryuen says.

" I'm telling you, he isn't--"

" Whether or not I elaborate the proof you need...to confirm the person you deem me to be. It doesn't matter." Kiyopon interrupts. " I just want to take back Manabe. That's why I came here."

" You can expose my so-called identity as the mastermind behind Class D's victories, and I'd be fine. However, if you harm Manabe any further, or harm any of the people within my class..." he trails off, his eyes slowly turning sharp as he glares at the tyrant of Class C.

" You'll pay for it dearly, Ryuen."

Ryuen's smile drops.

" So you're really not here to humor for even a second? After everything I set up for this confrontation to happen, you're going to ignore all of it? Just to save Manabe and play the role of Hero?" Ryuen deadpans.

" B-Boss...why don't we just give Manabe back-"

" Shut up, Ishizaki." Ryuen says, gritting his teeth. He was starting to feel pissed off with the way this situation is turning out. This isn't how this was supposed to go, everything is supposed to be in HIS favor and Ayanokoji should be feeling trapped like the prey he is.

And yet...with all the odds stacked against him, he still has the gall to threaten him on the enemy's side of the battlefield. Not willing to entertain the war and making it seem like Ryuen was the only truly invested while the other guy merely saw it as a task needed to be done or some sort of game to pass the time.

No, this can't be how this ends. At least, that's what Ryuen believes.

He walks towards Manabe, and Manabe shivered as she looked at him approaching her, her mind quickly identified a bad premonition that's soon to take place. Ishizaki and Ibuki looked towards Ryuen, wondering what he's about do but knowing his nature, they already had an idea in mind.

Their boss is stubborn, but never angry like this.

" So you came for this girl, huh, hero?" Ryuen says as he looms over Manabe's figure.

Kiyopon didn't respond, only stared at him silently.

" If that's the case...then..."

He grabs her by back of her head, gripping her hair tightly. He yanks her forcefully to make her stand up.

" A-Ahh! S-Stop it! " She yells in pain as she reluctantly takes a stand with Ryuen's grip still on her hair.

" Ayanokoji, what do you think is the most powerful force in this world?" He asks him.

Again, Kiyopon doesn't bother responding. This time, he refuses to communicate whatsoever.

Ryuen grins, hiding his secret irritation. " It's violence. Extreme violence can make anyone heed to your will, as long as you remain on top then the people at the bottom will follow you. That's how the idiot good-for-nothings in Class C continue to follow my orders no matter harsh the treatment I give them."

" Ryuen! Enough!" Ibuki finally spoke, snapping out of her trance. She only cooperated with Ryuen for class points sake, but now this was unnecessary. " Let her go. There's nothing you can do-"

" AHHH! L-LET ME GO!" Manabe cries.

" RYUEN!" Ibuki takes a step forward but immediately halts once Ryuen gave her the look which told her that if she tries to get in his way...that there'll be far harsher consequences.

Ishizaki watched this happen, his body feeling rigid. The situation is spiraling out of control. He's spiraling out of control. What is with Ryuen's obsession of conquering the mastermind?

" Ishizaki." Ryuen calls out to his subordinate. The latter is alarmed and quickly looks at Ryuen. The magenta-haired boy only narrowed his eyes and gave a single nod and Ishizaki immediately understood what he needed to carry out. But should he do it?

He doesn't want this.

Especially in the physical state Kiyopon is right now. What the hell happened to him?

However, Ishizaki has no choice but to follow. He forms a fist as he approaches Kiyopon.

" Ayanokoji, no hard feelings. You shouldn't have come here." Ishizaki decided to say.

" Don't you dare hold back, Ishizaki!" Ryuen warns.

' Damn it.' Ishizaki thinks as he prepares to seriously punch the silent boy before him. He doesn't want to do this, this is wrong but what can he do?

" Ayanokoji-kun!" Manabe screams.

Bam!

Fist meets head contact, Ishizaki held nothing back as he threw his strongest right hook. But something was amiss...

The punch did land successfully...but that's actually the root of the problem.

" Y...You didn't dodge...?" Ishizaki asks out of shock.

Kiyopon absorbed that punch completely, his face was turned to the other side due to the momentum. A visible mark was left on Kiyopon's cheek, he slowly turns his head to look at Ishizaki with an expression that showed no visible sign of him feeling pain.

" What the..." Ishizaki subconsciously takes a step back.

" I-Ishizaki?" Ibuki stutters.

" Ishizaki, what the hell are you doing. Didn't I tell you to not hold back?!" Ryuen roars.

Something uncomfortable tugged Ishizaki's heart strings as Kiyotaka stared him down. He couldn't tell what it was that was scaring him, but he figures that something bad will indeed happen if he chooses to punch him again.

" Get him, Ishizaki!" Ryuen orders.

" But boss, I don't think-- AGH!"

Suddenly, Ishizaki was met with a palm strike to the chest which knocked the air out of his lungs, it prevents him from breathing for a few seconds due to the shock. But Kiyotaka didn't stop here, he began palm striking Ishizaki's face as well which stunned him and dazed his vision till eventually Kiyotaka ended the quick combo with a punch to the jaw, knocking Ishizaki out cold completely.

Ibuki was stunned by the speed of Kiyotaka.

' Ayanokoji...?' Manabe thinks in shock. She didn't think he could take down Ishizaki that fast, and his striking speed was too blurry to catch on.

Ryuen paused, processing what had just happened. But a small grin began forming on his lips as the excitement finally rises. This is what he wanted to see.

" KUKUKUKU! NOW THAT'S IT! FINALLY, SOMETHING WORTH THE DAMN WAIT!" He laughs even more.

Ibuki gets into a fighting stance as she glares at Kiyotaka. " I don't want to hurt you. But..." She trails off, not knowing what to say. This was too much for her to understand.

Is this guy...this innocent guy really the one Ryuen is after?

' No. This isn't the time to question it. This is Ayanokoji's fault for coming here, whether he's X or not. He didn't take the chance to leave. I'll just knock him out quick and get this over with.' She resolves herself in her thoughts.

Kiyopon takes off his blazer and drops it on the ground as he got ready into fighting stance. His eyes betrayed no emotion, just pure concentration on the task at hand. He knows what Ibuki is capable of, and unlike Ishizaki, the girl in front of him possesses actual skill in fighting due to her martial arts background proven by what happened during the island exam.

" ! " Ibuki rushes forward and proceeds to try and hit him with a flying kick. Kiyotaka evades it and steps to the side, making sure some distance was kept between them for now.

But as soon as Ibuki landed on the ground, she proceeds to throw more kicks towards him. Roundhouse. front kicks, spinning kicks, the list never ends as her stamina seemed endless. Kiyotaka blocks most with his arms on guard while also looking out for the possible low sweep kicks she might do.

He also caught a glimpse of her panties but that didn't really matter.

After a minute of having to endure her relentless attacks, Kiyotaka finally sees an opening when she telegraphed her huge roundhouse kick. Timing it perfectly, he does a low sweep to defenseless foot and tripped her on the ground.

" Augh!" Ibuki's eyes widened in suprise. She immediately tried to get back up but Kiyotaka had already followed up with an attack of his own. Before she could even try to dodge, he had already striked her nerve points on both of her arms, rendering her mobility for the time being.

" Just stay down." he says to her, softly this time.

" You-" But the words got caught in her throat once she noticed that look in his eyes. He didn't want to hurt her, nor did he want to hurt Ishizaki.

A realization begins forming itself within her mind.

" Ayanokoji...you..." Before she could finish what she wanted to say, Kiyotaka quickly dodged a huge right hook from Albert's massive arm.

And now, the battle moves to Kiyotaka versing the most intimidating figure in Ryuen's group. Kiyotaka could see his own reflection from Albert's black shades.

With the way, Kiyotaka's physical state is right now. Absorbing a serious punch from Albert will be a game-ender. Not only that, but the problem also lies within his own ability to dish out the damage necessary to put Albert down. This requires extra care.

Kiyotaka immediately dodges a jab thrown by Albert, followed up with a powerful straight, to which Kiyotaka also dodged. Kiyotaka finds an opening and punches Albert on the body, but it had little to no effect. Kiyotaka's current physical state was finally showing in this fight. Even at peak condition, Kiyotaka would still have to be careful around a guy as huge as Albert.

Kiyotaka begins distancing himself while evading Albert's jabs and straights. Kiyotaka has a plan in mind in order to take Albert down. He just has to lead Albert towards a certain spot on the rooftop and deal with him there.

Albert doesn't seem to be aware of what Kiyotaka is doing at this moment, even if he did, he never would've predicted what Kiyotaka was about to do. Albert throws another huge right hook and Kiyotaka finally takes the opportunity to duck and grab his blazer from off the ground.

He tightens it up. This action confused Albert a bit and made him wonder about what Kiyotaka was trying to do. But he didn't let such thoughts stay in his mind for too long as he proceeded to continue his onslaught of attacks to which Kiyotaka keeps dodging over and over again, even throwing some counters of his own ( But again, it doesn't affect much even with his current full strength due to his physical status ).

Wait for it...Kiyotaka thinks to himself. Just a little bit more. Just a little bit more till the second perfect opportunity arrives.

Swish! a straight punch whiffs through the air. Kiyotaka finally found it.

" HUH?" Albert released a sound of suprise once he felt something being wrapped around his right arm in quick speeds. He looks and finds Kiyotaka tying his blazer on Albert's arm.

Kiyotaka then tugs the blazer and Albert's arm is forcibly being brought down, Albert quickly tries to retaliate by using his other free arm to punch but little did he know that it was part of Kiyotaka's plan as well. He ties albert's other hand as soon as he tried break free with a punch and now both fists were trapped under the knot of Kiyotaka's blazer.

Taking away Albert's defenses. This opened new opportunities.

First , Kiyotaka starts off with a kick to Albert's knees.

BAM! Albert felt a cracking pain on his right knee, he had no choice but to go down. But he still persisted maintaining a stand, so he tried putting his right foot back but falls on his left knee, the pain hurt him like hell.

Kiyotaka by spreading his hands and clapping them on both sides of Albert's head. The impact stunned Albert and he was left with a ringing noise from one of his ears, completely stunned.

Finally, Kiyotaka finishes things off with a strong front kick to the face, knocking Albert down and leaving him unable to get back up. The big man was slowly losing consciousness after going through such unexpected attacks.

It wasn't before long that he finally gave into his body's complete surrender.

Kiyotaka's deep inhales fill in the silence. Fighting Albert for a few minutes was testing his current endurance, things would've been a lot easier if he hadn't grown weak...but...there's no time to dwell on that now.

" AMAZING! YOU'RE FUCKING AWESOME, AYANOKOJI!" A booming voice retains Kiyotaka's attention. His golden brown eyes lands on the lone Ryuen standing alone in the battlefield.

He was clapping his hands, no longer gripping Manabe like before. instead, she was thrown to the sidelines, watching the confrontation with a look that's mixed with shock, worry, and amazement. Kiyopon relaxes his gaze after seeing that she was still okay.

But his gaze turns sharp the moment he returns his attention to Ryuen. It was identifiable. Ryuen's style of fighting was one born from the streets, and countless physical confrontations. Ryuen adapts everything he comes across and uses what works best when fighting the next opponent. But it didn't come without a cost, Ryuen didn't look particularly strong compared to someone like Albert so it makes a person wonder how a man like Ryuen got Albert under his wing?

It must've been from persistence. That's what Kiyotaka deduced.

The man in question was grinning like a madman.

" It's time for the final boss, Ayanokoji. Are you ready?" He asks.

"..."

" I know what game you were playing through these fights. You were intentionally looking for options that avoided hurting them more than unnecessary or to avoid hurting them at all. Ishizaki being knocked out in seconds to lessen the need to pummel him, Ibuki being left to stay conscious but temporarily disabled, and now Albert being tied up and knocked down to unconsciouness as well." He chuckles.

" You're a real piece of work, aren't ya?" He raises his hands in fighting position. His smile getting wider and wider. " But I'm going to be a much more different opponent, Ayanokoji. I'll force you to give me all you've got to show. I'll force you on the deeper offensive." Ryuen resolves to break Kiyotaka's passive act no matter what.

He immediately charges towards Kiyotaka, throwing punch after punch and mixing some kicks in there too. Kiyotaka dodges them but notices something about the way Ryuen fights.

Ryuen then begins to try and grab Kiyotaka, to which the latter responded with a counter grapple. But now it was a contest of power and the winner was clear.

That is,

" Heh." Ryuen chuckles.

If it were any other student.

Ryuen gives up on the power struggle and uses the opportunity to switch to grabbing Kiyotaka by his head and ramming his knee to his abdomen.

" !" Kiyotaka couldn't react in time and so, the knee kick landed.

But Ryuen didn't stop at one single strike. No, he kept going, kneeing Kiyotaka's abdomen repeatedly until Kiyotaka's upper body went numb and his vision getting a bit hazy.

" COME ON! FIGHT BACK YOU BASTARD!" He laughs maniacally as he tackles Kiyotaka to the ground and raining down punches.

Kiyotaka raises his arms, trying to block them and looking for a counter.

Unexpectedly, one of Ryuen's punches broke through Kiyotaka's guard and lands a mean punch right to his face. Ryuen grins as Kiyotaka seemingly looked stunned from it.

And then he began raining punches down towards Kiyotaka's body, each punch was packed with his full power with the intent to really turn the boy into nothing more than a mangled toy.

" KIYOTAKA!" Manabe screams his name. Not caring about the permission. It was the only thing that came to her mind; his name. But this wasn't some sort of anime where calling someone's nickname would magically awaken some inner power.

No, this was just a beatdown and nothing more.

Blood spills on the ground. And black marks are formed on Kiyotaka's face as he no longer guarded Ryuen's attacks. His body and face felt numb. His ears were ringing.

He could only faintly hear Manabe's cries and pleas to get back up.

He could mostly hear Ryuen's laughs and taunts.

Everything felt numb...

Ryuen pauses for a moment and decides to pull him by the collar, while staying atop of him.

" Is this really all you have to offer? Did you really tire this easily? I expected more." Ryuen says. " Why won't you fight back, huh? I want to see it. I know deep down that you're some monster."

Monster, was it? Kiyotaka was used to that nickname.

" I know deep down that you really have nobody you care about."

Maybe if it was the Kiyotaka from back then, he would've been right...

" I can guess that you have nobody to come home to."

...

" Unleash it, Ayanokoji. Show me the monster that you are. Unforgiving, Uncaring, Merciless, Ruthless, Manipulative. SHOW ME ALL OF IT!" He yells. " THIS COULDN'T POSSIBLY BE THE GUY WHO'S PLAYED ME FOR A FOOL, RIGHT? NOW I SEE WHY IBUKI THINKS YOU AREN'T X!"

Ironically enough, despite the magenta haired boy gaining the upper hand. He was frustrated. But why? He's beaten the mastermind to a bloody pulp. The bruises, the swelling, the bleeding is proof of that.

But there was still no satisfaction to gain.

" Fine." Ryuen glares. " If you wanna get destroyed here, then be my guest. I'll gladly accommodate you to an incredibly painful experience."

Ryuen raises pulls back his fist.

Bam!

" To lose this battle--"

Bam!

" To lose this war--"

Bam!

" ALL BECAUSE YOU LET IT HAPPEN!"

Bam!

" Disappointments like you.."

Bam!

" DESERVE TO GET REDUCED TO A BEATEN BODY!"

Bam!

Bam!

Bam!

The punches were relentless. Filled with anger. Ryuen thought he'd experience something interesting from his opponent, but there was nothing to gain. His opponent refuses to hurt him? That's pathetic. The bastard could die if this kept up any longer, that's why Ryuen's assault finally comes to a stop.

" Tch. What a waste of time." He seethes. " Putting you through this pain when I gain nothing from it. You were a disappointment."

But just as Ryuen was about to let go fo Kiyotaka's collar...

He felt a hand latch onto his wrist.

" Huh?" Ryuen looks down and--

Bam! His forehead was met with a headbutt from Kiyotaka.

" SHI-" Before Ryuen could try and recover, Kiyotaka uses this chance to aim a punch on his chest and quickly kick the former off of him.

Ryuen lands on his back, after a few moments, he sits up and looks at Kiyotaka with a shocked expression.

The bruised boy, stood up.

And no, he didn't stand up slowly.

He stood up as if there was no pain with him to begin with.

No pain to be even felt.

Ryuen's eyes widened as he gazed into Kiyotaka's same golden brown orbs. His expression was the same as ever. He was silent.

" You..." Ryuen was stunned.

How? How is he still standing there? Like nothing happened? When put through physical abuse, the victim shouldn't be able to get up as easily as he did. Even if they tried, they'd still limp or even tremble. But Kiyotaka looks as if nothing had happened as he stared Ryuen down with an unnerving gaze.

His stare only intensifies...

" h...How...how the fuck are you still standing?" Ryuen asks.

" Didn't you feel anything? Any ounce of pain? ARE YOU TRYING TO INSULT ME, YOU BASTARD?" He stands up.

It wasn't that.

Pain? No, Kiyotaka just felt numb by it all.

There was never a second in this event where Kiyotaka felt pain. And even if he did...

He's already felt the greatest pain any human could bear,

He's already lost something, that any human will desperately try to find again.

It's worse than losing a war.

It's worse than going through hell.

No matter what pain Ryuen tries to inflict upon him, it'll just be numb.

The only thing that will hurt Kiyotaka ever again...

Is to lose another loved one.

" If you're standing up...then does that mean you're done playing ' pacifist' with me?" Ryuen grin returns after moments of silence. " Are you finally ready to fight seriously? "

Kiyotaka answers that question by spitting away the excess blood he has in his mouth off to the side, before getting into fighting position.

Ryuen chuckles. The excitement sparked again. " I'll take that as a yes...now..."

He rushes him.

" DON'T YOU DARE HOLD BACK, MONSTER!" He yells.

Ryuen throws a barrage of punches, to which most were dodged by Kiyotaka. But when Ryuen launches a kick, Kiyotaka does not waste time in grabbing him by the leg and pulling him down.

" ?!" Ryuen is stunned by his quick movements even whilst clearly injured. Before Kiyotaka could mount atop him, Ryuen raises his legs and pushes him back with the built up force.

Ryuen gets back up immediately, his smile wider than ever,

" That was a good move. But you'd better try harder than that." He says before-

" AGH WHAT THE HELL?!" Before Ryuen could react. his face made contact with a roundhouse kick from Kiyotaka. Once again, his speed shows and Ryuen didn't see it coming even though something like the roundhouse kick would telegraph so many signs of its approach.

But then, Kiyotaka followed up with another attack Ryuen couldn't block in time. An uppercut to the gut and then a right hook to the face. Ryuen stumbles back, barely keeping his ground now. He wasn't ready to take these sudden hits, if he saw them coming then the pain would've hurt less but it caught him off-guard and now he's paying the price.

" How...How are you beating him..." Manabe wonders, the dread settling. The look in Kiyotaka's eyes was similar to that back during the zodiac exam when he blackmailed her...no...that's an understatement.

The look in his eyes right now is way worse. This wasn't the eyes of a heroic knight trying to save a princess like from those fairytales...this wasn't the Kiyotaka she knows at all...

It's something else entirely...

Right. Left. Right. Left-- it doesn't end. Kiyotaka didn't hold back in reflecting the damage Ryuen had done to him.

And finally, Ryuen staggers, breathing haphazardly. it was now he, who has begun bleeding. Ryuen senses Kiyotaka making another attack and this time he puts his guard up but Kiyotaka wasn't going to throw a kick or a punch.

Thud! It was a tackle.

" B-Basta- OGFH!" Ryuen's face proceeded to get pummeled by Kiyotaka's hard punches. His emotionless eyes loomed over him as he beat Ryuen's face over and over.

Ryuen tries to put his guard up and block the attacks but then Kiyotaa switches to body shots as a quick counter. Ryuen tries to block both his head and body from the damage as much as possible, but it was before long that Kiyotaka punches started breaking down his guard.

Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left...

The fear began settling in within Ryuen's heart.

Right.Left. Right Left. Right. Left. Right. Left

He was starting to feel the regret...

This build-up..

Right. Left. Right. Left.

The fact that the silent guy was still able to serve a beatdown like this when he endured one himself just a minute ago.

The fact his eyes showed nothing. No light whatsoever. No emotion seeping out.

Right. Left. Right. Left. Right. Left.

This is it for Ryuen...

Complete defeat...

Right...Left...Right...Left...

The tempo comes to a halt. Ryuen opens his eyes once more, the emotion of fear in full display for Kiyotaka to see.

It wasn't a knight that came to battle the dragon and save the princess...

It was a monster even bigger than the dragon itself.

" ...Don't look at me like that..." Ryuen speaks, out of breath.

" Finish me off...that's the last thing you have to do..." He says.

" Do it...Ayano...koji..." Ryuen doesn't know why , but despite this loss. He still saw what he wanted to see.

The monster that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka really is...

That's enough of a small victory for his part...

Kiyotaka raises his fist.

" Kiyotaka...stop!" Manabe yells, having had enough of this. Ryuen has gone too far, but she can't let Kiyotaka go farther.

Even if he might've already done so.

She stands up and tries to run to them. Her legs feeling like jelly.

" Do it, Ayanokoji..." Ryuen gives one last bloodied smile.

Kiyotaka wants to end this now.

" KIYOTAKA!"

Kiyotaka will seal his victory with one final move...just like Ryuen wants.

SWISH!

" KIYO-!"

...

...

...

Ryuen...

Ryuen didn't feel anything.

" H...huh?" Ryuen was still able to open his eyes.

" What...?" Ryuen was confused.

His eyes glance a little bit lower and he finally notices that Kiyotaka's fist stopped a few inches away from punching his face. Ryuen looks up towards Kiyotaka and notices that his eyes have reverted back to normal...there was light.

" You..." Ryuen was...humbled. Completely humbled.

Kiyotaka's fist slowly goes towards Ryuen's face...and..

Lightly makes contact with it.

" Take that...my signature...rocket punch." Kiyotaka breaths out.

"...kuku...kukuku...you fucking bastard..." Ryuen coughs.

" Kiyotaka..." Manabe sighs in relief.

Kiyotaka slowly gets off of the beaten magenta haired boy. He walks towards Manabe, his pace staggering here and there.

He gently places his hand on her shoulders.

"..." He says nothing.

But Manabe knew what he wanted to ask.

" Yes...I'm okay...you saved me." She smiles. She was wrong. He wasn't a monster at all.

He was just a knight disguised as a monster.

Kiyotaka nods... but then...

His world...turns black...

And he could faintly hear Manabe's voice calling him in alarm...

Ah, it must've caught up to him.

His body finally reached his limit and now wants to shutdown for a while...

Very well, this chapter needs to end anyway.

CHAPTER END!

Was it worth the wait?

I seriously didn't know how to write a confrontation without Kiyopon the character he has in this fic.

But I think this was the best possible outcome, no?

I hope you enjoyed this!

Because future chapters will go back to SoL mode!

KawaiiLumine, out?

Or should I say LumineNoLongerActive, out?

Makes no sense, does it?

Well then, imma just go with this;

KawaiiLumineNoLongerActiveButWillProbablyUpdateFromTimetoTime, out~

Checking up on Him/ Checking up on Her

Short chapter this time...h o p e f u l ly .

Third Person PoV

1. Checking up on Him

"...Itai..." Kiyopon mutters as he lies in the comfort of his bedroom.

It's been a few days since that event on the rooftop. After beating up Ryuen's gang and even Ryuen himself...

His body reached its current limit and thus, he too, was knocked out cold. According to what he'd been told, he was sent to the clinic shortly after his body gave up on him. He stayed there for a day and was then sent back to his room to rest for about 2 weeks for a full recovery ( at least, just enough for him to move without worry. )

Suddenly, the room to his door slowly opens and in came Horikita Suzune with a bag of his prescribed ointment for his wounds and such. Kiyopon glances to her. If he recalls correctly...he hadn't seen Suzune that day after his admission. This was the first time he saw her after the rooftop incident, but it was to be expected since he requested Suzune with a particular task that had to be carried behind the scenes during the event.

But if things went accordingly, then Suzune should've made it to the rooftop, probably by the time Kiyopon passed out. It's likely that she took him to the clinic.

" ..." He didn't speak. His throat was honestly tired of speaking for now, and he can't exactly reach for his notebook either, so the best he could do was to try communicating with eye contact.

" ( ' - ') " He proceeds testing out the waters of their friendship.

" Good afternoon, Kiyotaka-kun." She greets softly before taking a chair and placing it down beside his bed. There, she takes a seat.

" Does it hurt?"

He nods in response.

" Good. I hope it does." She deadpans.

" ( '-') ?! "

Kiyopon was suprised to see Suzune, his best friend, glaring at him with animosity. He's had a fair share of experience when it comes to receiving cold glares from his companion, but this has to be the worst one yet. The girl crosses her arms and heaves a sigh.

" Do you recall the time when you first informed me of your plan on ending Ryuen?" She asks him.

Kiyopon nods.

" And do you also recall me being highly against it?"

Kiyopon slowly nods, he quickly connected the dots and knew exactly where this conversation will go...and he didn't like it.

" You see?! This is why I wanted you to reconsider, I mean, look at you! You're all bruised up and now you've basically been chained to your bed because of your wounds. I knew I should've went to the rooftop and stopped you from committing such a dumb mistake-"

And there she goes, rambling like a mother.

" I don't care if Ryuen and his stupid gang are there. I'll knock them all out if it means getting you safely out of danger. They mess with you , then they sure as hell are gonna be messing with me. Did I ever tell you how sharp compasses are? Especially mine? I can stab them in the jugular before they'd even react to it--"

" ( ' ' ) ..."

She wasn't going to stop anytime soon. Kiyopon thought it best for Suzune to finish her lecture than interrupt her mid-sentence and then accidentally escalate into an even longer lecture. Perhaps this was a decent simulation of what it'd be like if Kiyopon were placed in a normal family, where his mother would lecture him about things like these...

A real family...

A normal family filled with warmth and love...just like Matsuo...

...

Nah,

Suzune is just enough.

" Oh and don't even get me started when that egpplant prickhead had the audacity to mock me after getting his ass kicked by you. I wanted to kill him right then and there. Not only did he hurt you, which in turn, is basically picking a fight with me. But he also decided to pick fights with my pride? Is he asking for death? Why don't I answer him if Death refuses to. I'll make sure to send that guy to the underworld. That rooftop incident was going to turn into a crime scene real quickly if my brother wasn't there to stop me."

Ah, that's right. That's the exact task Kiyopon requested of Suzune during that day. To fetch her brother and act as ' witness' for the incident and hold the key to expell Ryuen if he still continues onwards with his frivolous acts against Class C.

" Ah, and one other thing." She suddenly narrows her eyes.

The air turns cold.

" So that girl from Class C, huh...Manabe Shiho, was it?" Her voice turned deep.

" ( " '-' ) " Why did the mood suddenly change?

" I didn't expect you to have another woman behind my back, Kiyotaka-kun." She scoffs.

Hold on, how did she go from scolding mother mode to jealous girlfriend mode? Kiyopon wanted..no, NEEDED to properly communicate his thoughts since it seems mere eye contact won't be enough to deter away the trouble that's upcoming.

But today, his throat was not cooperating--

" Of course, it's not like I care. " Suzune turns averts her eyes. " Despite your recklesness, it seems there was some chivalry to save you there. After all, she was the priority when you came the rooftop, no?"

" ( '-' ) "

" That's why..."

She sighs, her previously aggressive face no longer there to be seen.

" Perhaps doing something reckless to save someone you deem your ' friend'...is not something I should've stopped you from doing HAD you told me prior." She glances back to him again. " I'm not going to ask why you didn't tell me about your partnership with her sooner but, " She says, uncrossing her arms and taking out the ointment from the plastic.

" The next time you plan to do something risky like that...at least tell me, all right?" She pleas in a small tone. " You gave me quite the scare when I saw you passed out and hurt... I don't want to see that again. Especially when..." She trails off.

Kiyopon knew what she wanted to say, even without the words leaving her lips. She was implying back to the time where Kiyopon was...well, not in the best mental health and physical shape. Back when he failed to properly process his father figure's death...

Kiyopon suddenly feels the guilt creeping in now.

He hadn't thought about it before, but he's troubled Suzune once again. The first being his depressing arc, and now this? She had every right to be worried.

As Suzune was about to open the ointment bottle, she heard a soft-spoken voice.

" I'm sorry...Suzune..."

Followed by that, was a hard cough. But his words didn't stop there.

" I've...troubled you a lot...sorry for that. I'll make it up to you..." He manages to say.

Suzune just sighs in disappointment.

She flicks his forehead.

" ?!" Kiyopon looks at her, confused. Was the apology not sincere enough?

" I'm tired of hearing apologies from you. Why not just say ' thank you' ? " She smiles beautifully. " ' Thank you for being here, Suzune' , ' Thank you for putting up with my shenanigans all the time, Suzune' , ' Thank you for always taking care of me, Suzune'. Saying that instead of boring apologies will make me happy, Kiyotaka-kun." She says with sincerity in her tone.

"..."

Thump. Thump. Thump...

There it is again...that erratic heart beat.

"...Thank you, Suzune." He says.

" That's better." She releases a contented sigh before going back to business. " Anyways, let me apply ointment and replace your bandages. Can you sit up for me?" She asks.

Kiyopon nods and did what she asked without another word. And she begins removing his bandages and gently applying the ointment on the damaged spots silently...

...

...

...

But for some strange reason, Kiyopon's mind is once again placed somewhere else...

Her touch...it felt weird to him. It sent weird tingles up and down his spine, but why is that?

Ah.His heartbeat doesn't seem to be calming down either. He wonders if it beats fast and loud enough, would Suzune hear it?

...

Does he want her to hear it?

That thought increases the tension within his inner-self. He still can't seem to place his finger on what exactly this feeling is...it makes him warm, it makes his heart face, it sends tingles down his very being...

And this feeling...only occurs when Suzune is around.

Could it be...?

The thing Akito once said...about a crush, was it?

He wonders if the description Akito gave, matched his current feelings. And it did. But Kiyopon wonders if it's just some fluke on his end since he doesn't understand romance like most do. He's not a fanatic of romance novels and such, he may have to ask Akito about love later on.

Akito thinks Kiyopon is oblivious to it, but everyone in the group ( except Haruka ) is gravely aware of it.

--

" There, all done." She announces before keeping away the items.

Kiyopon nods in gratitude before easing himself back into his previous position on the bed. He was both glad and disappointed that it ended rather quickly.

Her touch...he wouldn't have minded it if it was there for just a second longer...or more.

" Oh, and...she wants to see you." Suzune suddenly mentions.

Kiyopon turns her head to her in question. Who is the ' she' that she is referring to?

" Manabe-san wants to see you." She says.

" ( '-') ..."

" Don't worry. She's doing okay, but if I recall, she caught a cold after the incident. Once you're ready to walk, I suggest checking up on the person you worked so hard to save." Suzune suggests.

Kiyopon nods.

He still hasn't properly settled somethings between them...there is still some room for doubt that Manabe might have for him. And he wants to clear that as soon as possible.

" Anyways, I'll be heading out now. Rest well, Ayanokoji-kun." She turns and heads to the door.

" Thank you for taking care of me, Suzune." He says, not missing a beat.

Suzune pauses her steps. She didn't turn to look at him, for if she did, then her blushing face will be all clear for him to gaze upon. And the thought of that is embarassing. Blushing over words of gratitude from your crush? How pathetic!

...

Pathetically accurate.

But besides that, a smile crept upon her lips once more.

" Anytime, Kiyotaka-kun."

2. Checking up on Her

It was christmas break...

Most students would spend their break hanging out with friends or revert themselves to hermits and chill in their rooms. A lot of time to be spent developing new skills or enjoying your hobbies without the need to worry about assignment deadlines or...those goddamn special exams.

" Achoo!" Manabe sneezes.

She grabs a tissue and blows into it before throwing it away in the half-filled bin full of her snot tissues. She sighs and leans back into her bed.

" This stupid cold..." She mutters.

It's been a week since the rooftop incident. Having water dumped on her body and her hair being cut short is NOT a good start for a typical winter break. After that, she developed a cold that hasn't gone away yet, and that frustrates her so, because she wouldn't be able to hang out with her friends at the mall for quite a while. Going out with a cold just isn't her style.

She checks her phone and she sighs at the amount of message notifications sent by her friends. She clears the slate and proceeds to type a response that should placate their worries in the group chat.

* Knock Knock Knock! *

But then all of a sudden, a couple knocks interrupted her. She stops typing and looks towards the door, wondering if it was really her door that was getting knocked.

*Knock Knock Knock!*

She raises a brow. The knocks weren't stopping anytime soon so she was forced to get up and walk to the door.

' I swear to god if it's Saki standing outside...' She thought. Saki and Yabu were the two girls who spammed her notifications. It wouldn't be too far-fetched to think that they'd inevitably end up going to her room when she's stated before that now isn't a good time, or anytime for the matter until her cold goes away.

She reaches the door, turning the knob and finally opening the door.

" Saki, I literally just said to not bother me--..."

She pauses.

Her eyes were met with the presence she didn't expect to see around this time, but it was also the same person she'd been wanting to see after all this time.

Kiyopon waves ' hello'.

Manabe smiles just a tiny bit.

--

" I didn't expect you to come here." Manabe says as they both sat down.

She can't help but constantly glance at the bandages around Kiyopon's face, and also the bandage wraps covering his knuckles.

" In fact, are you sure you should be even moving right now?" She asks in concern.

Kiyopon takes out his notebook and begins writing. Ignoring the soreness.

' It's just a little sore. Don't worry, I'm fine.' it said.

Manabe leans cheek to palm, raising a brow.

" A ' little' ?" She repeats.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook again.

' Ok. It's very sore. ' it said.

" Figures." She sighs.

And then...the small talk just dies. And what's left behind is an awkward silence between the two of them.

' Shit. What do I say?' Manabe begins to think as the awkward atmosphere begins suffocating her.

' I know I wanted to see him and all...'

' BUT WHAT THE HELL DO I SAY NOW?!'

' Have we ever had a talk that didn't include him using me for secret missions? Is this the first time that we're talking to each other without any ulterior motives?!'

She subconsciously begins tapping her knee with her index finger.

' Say something, Shiho! Because we all know that this guy ain't saying shit!'

' C'mon, just say something that friends say to each other. You're experienced in that department, so this should be a breeze!'

She mentally nods to herself. Just talk to him like any other friend she has. Yep, easy peasy lemon squeezy.

" So, we have winter break right now. What do you plan to do?" She asks.

It was a good starter. Manabe gave herself a mental pat on the back for that one.

Kiyopon begins writing in his notebook...

' Spend some time with my friends. That's all I have planned.'

" Oh, I see. Actually, that's also what I had in mind-- ACHOO!" She interrupts herself midway with an ugly sneeze.

She reaches for the tissue box again and does the same procedure.

Kiyopon stares at her blankly.

" S-Sorry about that..." She mutters shyly, clearly embarrassed. " That was an ugly sight, wasn't it?" She chuckles nervously.

" Is...Manabe okay?" He finally speaks. He seemed concerned.

" Yeah, I just have a cold." She replies. " It's been annoying me for the entire week since that...rooftop fiasco." Clearly, she was bothered by just remembering what had happened to her before Kiyopon arrived.

" But the nurse said my cold should be gone within a few days. I had a check-up about it yesterday." Manabe adds.

Kiyopon nods silently. His gaze softening, it seems like it wasn't anything serious. The tension between them slowly starts to dissipate as Manabe takes the initiative once more.

" Speaking of which, " She narrows her eyes. " Couldn't you have come to the rooftop sooner? Preferably, before the bastard cut off my hair." She says, half-jokingly.

Kiyopon quickly writes his apology.

' I'm really sorry that I was late. But if it helps, I think your hair somehow suits you right now.'

Manabe blushes a bit. " Really?" She says, reaching for the short strands.

Kiyopon nods.

" Hm...Well, it's not like I'm holding a grudge over it. I think it somehow suits me as well, but no way am I ever gonna be grateful for that Ryuen bastard for something like this. " She says. She had to admit that her hair style looked cute on her if she does everything in her power to forget that Ryuen was the reason her hair style even ended up like this.

Having short hair, huh. For someone like Manabe who had always adorned longer hair, she's not entirely used to short hair. But she accepts that it has a few perks, most notably the fact that isn't that stuffy anymore.

Ah, but another question arises within her. Something she needed to ask Kiyopon about...

Might as well do it now.

" By the way..." Her tone shrinks to a lower volume, indicating that the topic is a bit more serious. " Why exactly were you late..? And why had you gone MIA for an entire month...?"

Kiyopon stares at her silently.

She stares back, perhaps maybe an answer lies within his eyes alone. But he was always unreadable and absolutely unpredictable. Whatever answer she gets, it needs to come from his mouth. His words, alone.

Kiyopon debates whether or not to tell her. Of course, telling her wouldn't cause any problems but this was something personal. She's bound to ask more questions if he tries to be vague about it and he doesn't feel particularly comfortable enough to go into detail and accommodate her curiosity.

But he couldn't just leave her without a reason, can he? The least he could do is be honest. He definitely owes her after letting a terrible experience happen to her when he previously made a promise that guaranteed nothing would happen to her.

" I received news that my butler had passed away..." He confesses, not breaking eye contact. " It...broke a lot of things within me and..."

Manabe notices Kiyopon's hands twitching slightly.

" I was left...to pick up the pieces as best I could. But no matter how hard I tried to digest the fact that he died...I still couldn't move on quickly enough. The process was long and it hurt." He admits, softly. He slowly reminisces the pain he felt back then, the pain he couldn't register nor identify.

He was left empty and confused.

"...I see...I...I'm sorry for your loss." Manabe's tone turns somber after hearing the news. She bows her head slightly, " I have to apologize to you. I thought you abandoned me and I was angry...but now I know. And I wish I could go back to the past and slap myself for thinking that."

" If you need someone...I may not be much but...I can be there for you." Manabe offers, shyly. " I'm not good at comforting people, and I can't fully understand your pain. I know it's something unfathomable until experienced but...I can try to. That's the least I can do."

" It's okay. It's already faded away and I've put it behind me. There was someone else important at the time that I had to save." He says.

Manabe was suprised by that statement. How dare he deflect her offer just like that?

Kiyopon's eyebrows suddenly furrow in what seems to be confusion.

He quickly writes something down in his notebook.

' Is your cold getting worse? A fever perhaps? Your face is turning red...'

" Huh?" Manabe reaches for her face and her blush only deepens before she quickly grabs a pillow and hides behind it. " Shit!" She mutters.

Meanwhile, Kiyopon wonders if she's okay. If her cold is getting worse then this might be the perfect time to hand her the present.

He pulls out the plastic bag and hands it to her.

"...What's this?" She asks him as she holds up the bag with a questioning expression.

Kiyopon only stares at her silently.

' Wait...could it be...a christmas present?' Manabe thinks. It might be possible. I mean, sure it's stored in a plain plastic bag but what if Kiyopon had no time to use an actual present box or bag to put it in before coming here? It's possible that this was improvised.

If it is a present...A warm feeling begins to flutter inside her heart.

Wait, a warm feeling? Nah, couldn't be romance or something like that. Warm feelings can occur when friends do these things for you like handing out gifts and whatnot. This is normal platonic behaviour and nothing more to it!

" Um...before opening it, can I ask you something?" Kiyopon halts her.

Manabe looks up to him and tilts her head.

" What?" She asks.

" At the rooftop, you called me by my first name."

" YOU HEARD THAT?!"

" Just barely..." He says.

" Ugghh..." Now she's hiding her face with the small plastic bag ( but compared to the pillow from before? This one aint doing much favors for her. ).

" Y-yeah, I did...so what?"

" So...you do consider me your friend..?"

"..."

Manabe wondered why this was embarrassing for her. I'm sure if people could see her right now (especially her friends ), they'd all make fun of her for being nervous about something miniscule like admitting your friendship. Seriously, this was absolutely ridiculous!

' WHAT'S THERE TO BE TSUNDERE ABOUT?! JUST SAY YES! '

Manabe coughs awkwardly before nodding her head.

" I do...for a while, actually." She admits. " Do you remember that day when you told me you were going to end this game between you and Ryuen?"

Kiyopon nods.

" Well...I wanted to ask you if we could be friends once everything was over...but then...that got interrupted when we needed to hide quickly. " She sighs, " Geez, I'm acting so shy over something like this. It's pathetic."

"...Thank you."

" Hm?"

She takes a peek, moving the bag slightly to see his expression but she wasn't prepared...

Kiyopon had a small smile adorned on his face. A smile of gratitude.

" Thank you...even after all the wrongs I've done to you..." A bit of guilt was laced in his tone but the feeling of gratitude overwhelmed it all. " Thank you...for becoming my friend, Manabe."

"..."

' I think I can die in peace now.' Manabe peacefully resigns herself to death.

But unfortunately, Lumine didn't want her to die yet. So she is still going to respond...

" ...N-No problem...and you can just...start calling me Shiho..."

" ? "

" Look, I called you Kiyotaka, all right? And I'm going to keep calling you Kiyotaka whether you like it or not! So...you're also given permission to call me by my first name as well whether I like it or not..." That excuse...didn't sound particularly convincing.

But Kiyopon was happy nonetheless.

" Ok, Shiho..." He says in a careful manner.

" Say it again?"

" Shiho?"

" ..." He face turns even redder.

She coughs. " All right, let's open this bag, shall we? " She wants to desperately change topic now.

And now both of their attention lies within the bag.

Shiho releases a breath before opening the bag slowly and taking out its contents...

She feels the object.

She takes it out for both of them to see...

And it's...

" Kiyotaka..."

"..."

" Did you just gift me a contraceptive pill?"

JUST KIDDING!

" This is cold medicine. You gifted me cold medicine..."

"..."

Kiyopon writes in his book.

' Merry Christmas?'

CHAPTER END!

...I give up. Whenever I say short chapters.

I always write more than what's required.

Ha ha ha ha ha...

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the first part of volume 7.5!

KawaiiLumineIsNotATsundere, out~

Going to the homies for love advice / Grudges are for losers

Third Person PoV

1. Going to the homies for love advice...

Three boys sat around the table in Kiyopon's room.

Akito

Keisei

And Kiyopon himself.

Kiyopon called out for his closest homies to gather in his room, for he had something he wished to inquire. That strange feeling whenever he sees Suzune. Although Akito most likely had the answer, he thought hearing a second opinion from someone like Keisei would clear a few details out.

Well, he's already told them how he's feeling.

It's time for the two boys' verdict on the matter.

Akito and Keisei both looked serious. The former, crossing his arms and sighing. The answer was obvious for someone who's been in the battlefield for quite a while.

" Before I say anything, I'd like to repeat the list of the things you told us just now." Keisei speaks up first.

Akito glances to him and Kiyopon nods slowly.

" So...your heart has recently begun beating erratically for the past few weeks...?"

Kiyopon nods.

" And you also said that you've begun feeling warmer inside?"

Kiyopon nods again.

" And you sometimes lose focus or get lost in your thoughts? And that you feel these weird things happening in your stomach...?"

Kiyopon nods.

Akito chuckles. It's obvious. Akito knew exactly what Kiyopon is feeling.

Keisei releases a hum. " I see, well don't you think it's obvious, Kiyotaka? These symptoms...it all leads to one possible conclusion." He says.

" Oh? I didn't expect you to understand so quickly, Keisei? Seeing as that you've never had such experiences if I recall..?" Akito was genuinely suprised.

Keisei glares at him, clearly offended. " What? I don't need to experience it in order to know. I've seen tons of people go through this once in a while, and besides, these symptoms have been listed down on websites as well. So anyone could identify this without having to go through it."

" Well...I guess you do have a point." Akito scratches his head, " I sorta underestimated you. Sorry about that." He says. Guess Akito shouldn't have expected less from someone as sharp as Keisei.

Keisei waves his hand dismissively before turning to Kiyotaka with the same serious expression.

" Anyways, unless you really don't know what I mean. This is a serious condition, Kiyotaka." He warns.

Condition? That's...one way of putting it... Akito nods along. Keisei wasn't exactly wrong, being in love is a serious condition depending on how severe your feelings are.

" Do you still not get it?" Keisei asks and Kiyopon shakes his head no.

" Just tell him, Keisei." Akito chuckles, " He's never experienced it before and he's a unexpectedly dense. Just make it easy for him." He says.

Keisei sighs, shaking his head. " It seems I really do have to spell it out for you, Kiyotaka."

" So listen up."

Kiyopon does just that.

" Those erratic heart beats, that growing warmth, and those weird feelings in your stomach. Those symptoms all lead to severe heart palpitation that might lead to possible cardiac arrest or heart disease." Keisei says, fixing his glasses.

Akito nods confidently, " Yep, that's exactly-..." He pauses before slowly turning to Keisei with a confused look. " Wait what?"

Kiyopon's eyes were widened in suprise. Cardiac Arrest? Heart disease?!

" Calm down." Keisei raises a hand. " The cardiac arrest or heart disease is just a possibility. I only said that these symptoms COULD lead to it." He tries to assure the nervous Kiyopon.

"W-Wait, hold on. Keisei, I don't think you--" Akito tries to stop his friend but was interrupted by Keisei speaking.

" That's why, we need to get you checked out by a doctor immediately! Quick, let's go the clinic and tell the nurse so that they'll call for a doctor!" Keisei gets up from his seat and goes to Kiyopon's side.

" Come, I'll assist you." Keisei places Kiyopon's arm on his shoulder and he begins assisting Kiyopon to the direction of the clinic within the school building.

Kiyopon quickly nods and follows Keisei's leads.

" Kiyotaka, you'd better start praying that the doctor's diagnosis isn't going to be bad, all right?!" Keisei yells to his friend.

Kiyopon quickly nods and begins praying...

POW!

POW!

Keisei and Kiyotaka fall to the ground, rubbing their heads in pain, muttering a bunch of ' ows' and ' ouch that hurt! '

Keisei was the first to voice out his disbelief. " What'd you do that for, Akito? Are you dumb? Do you really want our friend, Kiyotaka, to potentially die?!"

" Idiot." Akito bonks Keisei's head again. " Kiyotaka ain't dying! "

Kiyopon writes in his notebook..

' But the heart palpitation...' it said.

" Kiyotaka, buddy, what you're feeling right now isn't some disease or fever or any illness whatsoever!" Akito facepalms. Why did Akito believe in Keisei? Of course the bespectacled boy wouldn't understand any of this.

" hah? Then what else could it be if not a potential life-threatening condition???" Keisei asks for himself and Kiyopon.

"Tch." Akito rolls his eyes, before placing his hands on Kiyopon's shoulders. " Tell me, do these symptoms only occur when you're near Suzune?"

Kiyopon raises his brow in suprise. He slowly nods and Akito releases another sigh.

" Then it's simple; You have a crush on her. You like her, or perhaps you love her."

.

.

.

.

"...Oh, right. That does sound more plausible now that I think about it-" Keisei gets bonked again.

" You're an idiot, Keisei." Akito was blunt.

Meanwhile, Kiyopon sat there on the snowy ground. Love? That...actually makes sense now.

What?

You expected some monologue to express Kiyopon's confusion in romantic love? No, it doesn't need to be explained to him. He was just confused if it was really love or not, but now there's no doubt it.

He accepts the fact that he loves his best friend, Horikita Suzune. Anticlimatic, I know. But it's honest and that's just how life is.

"..." Thump. Thump. Thump.

He places his hand on where his heart is. Unaware that his face is turning slightly red and his temperature is rising, he registered this feeling inside his mind cabinet. This is a feeling he doesn't want to forget. Love. What a strange thing.

" Hey, are you okay?" Keisei asks after he and Akito stopped fighting.

" Your face is turning red, you sure it's not actually not a fever-"

" Keisei, don't even finish that sentence or else I'm going to shove snow down your throat."

" R-Right..." Keisei shuts up now.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' That's right. I suppose I like Suzune a lot more than I thought.' it said.

Akito raises a brow. " ' Like' ? Why not just say love?" He teases, smirking while he's at it.

But Kiyopon wasn't phased in the slightest. Instead, he shoots a reply that stuns both Akito and Keisei.

" If I tell you guys that I love Suzune...it won't mean anything." He turns away.

" I want Suzune, herself, to hear it first-hand."

"..." Akito and Keisei were speechless.

Kiyopon feels his heart again. It was now beating at a comfortable pace, he figured his heart must be satisfied for admitting to his own feeling at the least.

" Kiyotaka...if I were a girl right now, my panties would be totally soaked after that line." Akito confesses with zero shame.

Keisei turns away, not exactly denying it either. " Same." he mutters.

Kiyopon smiles a bit. The two of them may not be showing their support verbally, but they're showing it in more roundabout way. That's just how boys are, he thinks to himself. If they're true friends then they'll always have your back and support you in unorthodox methods.

He's glad to have found some bros he can count on.

2. Grudges are for losers.

It was 7:00 in the morning. Few students would be awake at this time, since this IS during winter break. And one of those students is Ryuen Kakeru, the tyrannical leader of his respective class.

Well, he WAS leader.

Ever since that event on the rooftop, he resigned his position and left it to his group. He was beaten after all, through and through. After having lost to Kiyopon, someone like him could never take up the mantle of leader like nothing had happened. Much to the dismay of Ishizaki, Ibuki, Albert who constantly try to convince him to reconsider this decision but Ryuen didn't feel like budging on it.

Anyways, his class matters aside, Ryuen arrives to the bench where Kiyopon had told him to go. On one side of the bench, lied a huge pile of snow.

Ryuen ignores it soon after and sits on the clear side of the bench and begins waiting.

' That bastard Ayanokoji...calling me up to meet here and he's the one who ends up being late.' He thinks to himself.

.

.

.

.

The pile of snow suddenly begins rustling a bit.

Ryuen glances to it.

"..." He narrows his eyes at the snow pile.

' Could it be...? No. Nah, that's ridiculous.' Ryuen sighs. He's not going to believe that this random pile of snow just-

*rustle*

*rustle*

*rustle*

" Fuck this, I'm out." Ryuen gets up and immediately begins walking away...

But he walks back to the bench anyway, this time with a more cautious and wary approach. His pride wouldn't let him run.

" Relax, it's not a ghost. Ghosts aren't real." He reassures himself. Oh what? I made Ryuen scared of ghosts in this fic?

Oh well. Why not?

Ryuen has developed a hidden fear of ghosts ever since he was a young child. To the outside world, he deemed himself fearless against anything and that he possesses guts nobody else has. And that WOULD'VE been true had he not actually possessed a deep fear of ghosts in any kind...

This was his kryptonite. A pathetic fear but he couldn't help himself but be suspicious of things like these. Moving pile of snow? That seems like ghostly activity.

However, his rational side is desperately trying to convince him that it might've been just some small animal or something that's rustling in that snow pile. I mean, why would a ghost possess a pile of snow? That sounds so ridiculous...

It begins rustling again and Ryuen jumps back.

" Yeah, no." Maybe he should really just go back to his dorm and pretend this never happened. Yeah that sounds good.

"...ugh, fucking hell." But he facepalms himself. His mind wants to run but his pride ain't letting him. He has to get over this stupid fear at some point. And maybe, perhaps, this was a sign that now's the time to do just that.

He approaches the snow pile with a stone face, showing no expression of fear. This is his moment. To overcome the fear that shouldn't be even setting him back as a fearless human being. This will prove his dominance against the living and the undead.

He clenches one fist and uses one hand to sweep away the snow...

"..."

Golden brown eyes meet purple ones.

It was Kiyopon.

"...Ohayo." he greets.

BAM!

--

Kiyopon rubs his new black eye ( courtesy of Ryuen ) in pain.

" Bastard, the hell were you thinking letting snow pile on you? Dumbass." Ryuen says through gritted teeth.

Kiyopon frowns. Just when his wounds were healing nicely, Ryuen really had to just give him a new black eye.

Suzune is going to kill him.

He writes in his notebook.

' Was punching me necessary?' it said.

" Even if it wasn't. I have no regrets in doing so." Ryuen replies.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' Maybe I should've let you been expelled...' it said.

Ryuen chuckles before turning towards the ocean view.

" Speaking of which," He speaks in a more serious tone. "Suzune held the power to get me expelled after our little battle." He glances to the silent boy with a suspicious gaze. " But she didn't expell me. Was that your doing?"

Kiyopon looks at him and does nothing but nod. After that, he grabs a generous amount of snow and uses it for his black eye, to act as an ice bag.

Ryuen grins. " Figures. It had to be your doing. I just couldn't imagine Suzune NOT taking the chance to expell me right then and there unless some...' otherwordly' force stops her from doing so." he chuckles.

Kiyopon was flattered to have been titled in such a way. At least, he assumes that Ryuen is referring to him.

But it wasn't just Ryuen who had questions to ask. Kiyopon had a few of his own as well.

He writes in his notebook...

' Why did you step down as leader? ' it said.

Ryuen sighs, finding it hard to keep up his usual grin.

" Once a tyrant's power has been defeated. They'll lose everything, and that includes leadership. People under a tyrant's rule, will only follow until that same tyrant begins to show failure and lead to defeat. That's how the world works." He answers.

Kiyopon nods, understanding his reason. But he knows there was something more personal to it, maybe it was just a decision made by Ryuen himself instead of being taken out of power by the people under him. Seeing as how Ryuen took all the blame for the rooftop incident and endured suspension by himself...

Taking himself out of power and stepping down sounds plausible too.

He sits there silently until he began writing in his notebook...

' So you give up after one loss?' it said.

"...Pft-" Ryuen suddenly starts laughing. " Pfft! As if, Ayanokoji." A fire was lit in his eyes.

" I'm simply taking a break to figure out how to beat you next time. I admit, losing to you was absolutely humiliating. Especially that ' rocket punch' of yours. It pisses me off." He says.

Kiyopon chuckles.

" I'll kick your ass once the next special exam comes. You can bet on it." Ryuen says, sounding confident.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook...

' So you're going to hold a grudge against me until you win? Sounds pathetic, no? Only a loser would hold a grudge.'it said.

Kiyopon didn't mean anything by it. It was simply curiosity as to how Ryuen would respond to this type of provocation.

And Ryuen didn't disappoint.

" Indeed, grudges are for losers." Ryuen nods. " Seems fitting, considering I'm the loser for now. So yeah, I'm holding this grudge until I beat you and make you beg for mercy. So be prepared to give it your all again when the time comes, Ayanokoji." He says.

Kiyopon nods, completely interested in that scenario. Someone like Ryuen will definitely keep to his word.

' So you want to act as my rival?' Kiyopon had written.

" Doesn't sound too bad of a goal." Ryuen shrugs, his grin showing absolute excitement.

Kiyopon silently agrees. Having a rival doesn't sound too bad to him either. Initially, he just wanted to stop Ryuen from targeting his class, but now the endgame has changed. He decided to save him from expulsion at the very last minute in order to see if Ryuen's spirit had broken...

And it hadn't. Not one piece is missing from his spirit. That impressed Kiyopon, for someone to recover from a loss that quickly...that's quite admirable indeed.

' I'll be looking forward to it then.' Kiyopon writes.

Ryuen laughs in good fun after that response.

The two of them are...rivals. Not friends, but not quite enemies either. Who knows what may come their way? The only thing they're both aware of, is that there are definitely boundaries set between them.

If Kiyopon attacks Ryuen's class. Then the latter will fight back.

If Ryuen attacks Kiyopon's friends. Then the monster will arise once more.

As long as neither cross that unspoken line...then all will be fine in this newly established rivalry.

" By the way...what're you gonna do about that ' cancer' within your class?" Ryuen asks out of curiosity.

Kiyopon glances to him before averting his eyes again to the snowy view.

" You do realize that it'll only spread unless you cut it out. I'm sure Kikyo is still stupidly determined to try and expell both you and Suzune. Kukuku."

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' Suzune says that she'll deal with Kushida herself once the time arrives. This was the sacrifice I had to make in order to stop her from expelling you.' It said.

" Suzune, huh...that's interesting. " Ryuen muses. " Only a bit interesting though." he leans back on the bench.

" You have a pathetic crush on that woman, don't you?" Ryuen says, referring to Suzune.

" And you're afraid of ghosts, aren't you?" Kiyopon responds, softly.

" OH YOU PIECE OF-!"

Kiyopon throws a snowball at Ryuen before getting up and running way.

Ryuen angrily wipes away the snow and begins chasing Kiyopon soon after with murderous intent.

CHAPTER END!

Why make them friends when they can be comedic rivals? Isn't that how their dynamic usually is?

I hope you enjoyed this chapter's character interactions! I wanted to make a good Kiyopon, Keisei, and Akito bond from here on out.

As for Ryuen, it's going to be more like the rivalry this chapter had just established from here on out. A comedic rivalry where the two of them might be forced to work together to get out of the most ridiculous situations sorta thing.

Anyways...see you in the next chapter!

IdkWhatToAddBeforeLumine, out~

The ' other' childhood friend?

Third Person PoV

1. The ' other ' childhood friend?

Kiyopon hears a knock on his door. He gets up from his bed and opens the door.

" Hello, Kiyotaka-kun."

He was met with a suprise visit from his ' Childhood friend'. Her usual smug radiance was replaced by a more warm and gentle complexion.

Kiyopon also notices another presence, and it was none other than Arisu's companion ( slave ), Kamuro Masumi. The purple haired girl waves at Kiyopon in greeting, and Kiyopon waves back before returning his attention to Arisu.

" May we come in?" She asks.

Kiyopon nods and steps aside.

--

" That black eye looks new. Who did it?" Arisu asks.

For some reason, Kiyopon felt a dangerous aura emanating from the small figure before him. Her smile didn't reach her eyes, and her eyes showed malicious intent. Even Kamuro shivered by the dangerous energy from Arisu, scooting a bit farther away in order to distance herself from the walking time bomb.

" Please do tell me." Arisu insists, " A name will do. Or if that option is not available, then a description will suffice." Her aura only grew more aggressive.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' Why do you want to know?' it said.

Arisu releases a strained laugh.

" Fufufufu...I'm just curious, is all." She tilts her head, " I'm far too weak to try anything."

' Liar.' Kamuro thought.

Even Kiyopon thought that it was an obvious lie.

He writes in his notebook...

' Ryuen.' it said.

Arisu nods, " Ah, I see."

" Very well, I'll be sure to make arrangements for Dragon boy's funeral right this instant." She takes out her phone, dialing a number. " I'm sure my father will conform to my wishes. Even if it means killing another student." She says with venom.

" No." Kamuro snatches Arisu's phone.

Arisu glares at Kamuro. " Give it back." She says.

" Nah." Kamuro shakes her head in defiance.

" Masumi-san, that wasn't a request. That was an order." She threatens.

" And what are you gonna do if I defy that order?" Kamuro replies.

" Do you wish to be ordered a coffin as well, Masumi-san? I can have that arranged along with Dragon boy's coffin." Arisu says, her smug smile turning more strained.

" Sure." Kamuro rolls her eyes.

" You--"

Kiyopon interrupts Arisu by placing his hand on her small shoulder and pulling her back. Arisu looks at him, confused before smiling again.

" Don't worry Kiyotaka-kun. Since that purple dumbass attacked my childhood friend, I'll make sure to give the most violent death possible." She says with a sweet sickly voice.

Kiyopon sighs before writing in his notebook.

' Please don't do that.' it said.

" No, no. It's really not a bother, if that's what's making you reluctant, Kiyotaka-kun." Arisu insists.

" The fact that you aren't reluctant about killing another student is concerning you stupid loli..." Kamuro mutters under her breath, to which Arisu left no comment on.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook...

' I settled things with him. We're buddies now.' it said.

"...What?" Arisu sounded confused.

Kiyopon tilts his head. He assumed they were buddies now, after all, he did read from internet-sensei that boys usually make up a lot quicker after exchanging fists since they're horrible at words more often than not. Or maybe it was just one-sided.

Kiyopon mentally frowned at that.

That would be sad. He hoped Ryuen would consider him a friend, or even an acquaintance at least.

After all, they did just have a snowball fight yesterday-

" You're telling me that you two are...friends...?" Arisu asks to be sure. Even Kamuro looked confused.

Kiyopon nods.

" I see..." Arisu takes that all in.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

' Now that you know about that. Please don't hurt my friend.' It said.

Kamuro tries to hold back from nosebleeding.

" Hm..." Arisu sighs, shaking her head. " I suppose I'll refrain from doing so, since my childhood friend insists that I spare his life. Just this once, I'll let go of the matter then." She says, the dangerous aura around her dissipating.

Kiyopon smiles.

Arisu turns to Kamuro.

" Masumi-san, I suggest you clean that nose of yours and give me back my phone." She says to the nosebleeding and blushing Kamuro Masumi.

The purple-haired girl absent-mindedly hands Arisu's phone back and slowly walks towards the bathroom, eventually disappearing inside and fixing her look.

Kiyopon wonders if Kamuro was okay but Arisu didn't seem to be worried, so he doesn't ask.

" Anyway...I want to ask you something a bit personal, if you don't mind?" Arisu says in a gentle manner.

Kiyopon already has a feeling as to where this was going to go. He nods.

"...Are you okay?" She asks. " My father told me about what happened...and you locked yourself in your room for 1 month, correct? I was worried." She releases a sad sigh.

She looks down to her hands, fiddling with her fingers. " I wanted to help you, but there was only so much I could do. I call myself your ' childhood friend', but I couldn't be there because I didn't know much about...the real you."

" I thought you were a cold calculating person, similar to that of a natural genius like myself, except you were just nurtured to become one. A false genius. I thought you'd be secretly cruel due to that facility but...it seems, you still have a lot of humanity left in you. It was because of that butler, wasn't it? He taught you things the white room never could. And you live with his teachings." Arisu says.

" At first, I thought the current you is the fake but...you're genuinely happy. I can see it. The way your eyes shine and the way your smile seems natural...you are happy with the way you're living now. You formed a new personality for yourself, a personality you like. It's touching to me, I never would've thought that...the boy once called a ' monster' would be someone beloved in this school. The current you is without a doubt the real you." She looks to him with a soft smile.

" I always wished for you to experience warmth. But it's easy to see that you've been feeling it all this time. I'm happy for you." She says with sincerity.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook.

He shows it to her.

Arisu gasps a bit before forming a smile.

' I appreciate everything you've done for me. And don't feel bad for not being able to help me, because your words right now have reached me and I'm grateful that you felt that way. Our meeting was sudden, but I'm happy we met, Sakayanagi Arisu.'

Arisu never thought a written message could touch her heart this deep. The smug smile she was always associated with wasn't there at all whenever she interacts with this boy. Her smile is always sincere around Kiyopon.

And this...just makes it 10x better.

" I'm even happier, Kiyotaka-kun..." She says.

Kiyopon nods.

*click!*

The bathroom door opens, and Kamuro finally steps out after wiping away the excess blood. She was back to her composed and unapproachable self. She takes a seat beside Arisu again.

" Did I miss anything?" Kamuro asks.

" No, nothing. I was just catching up with my childhood friend." Arisu's smug smile returns. She didn't want anyone else to witness her true smile except her dear childhood friend. Kiyopon also seems to get the message and says no comment except nodding along.

" Oh? That so? Hm..." Kamuro narrows her eyes at Arisu in suspicion, before an idea suddenly it her head. She quickly turns to Kiyopon.

" Ayanokoji, how did you and this loli meet? I've been curious about it." Kamuro asks.

" Fufufu, didn't I already inform you about how we met? It was a beautiful day where cherry petals swirled in the blue sky--"

" I'm not asking bullshit from you. I'm asking Ayanokoji." Kamuro interrupts and Arisu just giggles in response.

"...The truth is, she knew of me before I knew of her. We just met this year...in this school." Kiyopon answers.

"...Hah?" Kamuro's jaw drops to the floor.

" Fufufu~" Arisu laughs amusingly.

" SO YOU TWO AREN'T CHILDHOOD FRIENDS??? I KNEW IT! I KNEW THIS LOLI WAS JUST MAKING UP SHIT!" Kamuro yells.

" Language, Masumi-san." Arisu says, amusingly. Completely disregarding the fact she herself spoke some vulgarity when Kamuro was in the bathroom.

Kamuro ignores Arisu and continues to press Kiyopon further.

" Can I ask you another question? Have you ever had a childhood friend???" Kamuro asks out of nowhere.

Arisu stops smiling. She, too, began looking at Kiyopon, curious about his answer. After all, her father did mention a little girl back at the white room who used to keep the boy company.

She wonders about what Kiyopon thinks of her.

" ...I never had one?" Kiyopon answers, confused.

Arisu's eyes widen in suprise.

" Oh. Well that was anticlimatic." Kamuro leans back on her seat.

Arisu coughs, " Say, you really hadn't considered any of the children as your friend back at...' home'?" She asks.

Kamuro wondered why Arisu's question felt a little off, but had no idea whether she should question it or not. It's likely the loli wouldn't give her a straightforward answer like usual. Geniuses are annoying to deal with.

"..." Kiyopon understood Arisu's question, and was grateful that she hid it decently.

Perhaps...there was someone back at that place...

--

" So you're the one theh call 'masterpiece', huh?" A small little girl calls out in the empty room.

Kiyopon stands still as the little girl with twin tails began inspecting him.

" Are you all talk? Or are you actually the real deal?" She narrows her eyes. " I find it difficult to believe-"

SWOOSH!

"..." The little girl had just dodged Kiyopon's kick in time. Her trained reflexes had kicked in before she could even processed what had happened.

Kiyopon stares at her with a rather sharp gaze.

" ...Haha...Hahahahaha!" The little girl began laughing.

Kiyopon's sharp gaze melts into one of confusion at the girl's sudden laughter. He wondered what was so funny.

" You almost got me there...if that kick actually connected then I would've seriously been injured!" She beams, unusually enthusiastic.

The little girl was bouncing up and down, looking happy as if she'd just received a new toy. Kiyopon sighs and tries to walk past her but-

She grabs his hands and holds it close, looking deep into his eyes.

" Let's be friends, Kiyotaka~!" She randomly suggests.

' Friends?' Kiyopon wondered if she was hearing herself right now. No, rather, he wonders if she's even aware of the environment she's in right now.

"...Let go." He softly commands.

" Aww, you sound so cute! Now we HAVE to be friends! Pretty please? Don't you wanna be friends with a cute girl like me- AH!"

Kiyopon flips her to the ground, her back making a loud thud after the harsh impact.

" Ow..." She rubs her back in pain before looking to Kiyopon.

"..." He says nothing, deciding to avert his gaze to the exit and walking away leaving the little girl alone.

But before he could get far, he heard her final words:

" My name is Amasawa Ichika by the way!!!!"

Kiyopon just sighs and keeps walking away.

--

Kiyopon remembers.

The girl that introduced him to ' friendship', she was persistent in trying to annoy him as much as she could. At the time, Kiyopon saw friendship as nothing but a distraction, a detriment in the white room.

But...somewhere along the way...

After their curriculums bave greatly differed due to his rapid improvements...

He no longer saw her again.

It was only until then, that Kiyopon began to feel the loneliness seeping in. As annoying as she was, she kept him company. Unwanted as it is, it became something he slightly looked forward to, though the past Kiyotaka would've never admitted to it.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook...

' There was someone back home who considered me her friend. At the time, I failed to reciprocate the same feelings. So no, I really never had a childhood friend. Arisu is my first.' It said.

Another girl... Both Kamuro and Arisu thought in unison.

Kamuro thought that Kiyopon must have some hidden charm that lures women to him. That underneath his cute facade, lies some horny lustful devil that seeks to devour every woman he seeks and claim as his.

Meanwhile, Arisu was more happily preoccupied with the fact that she is indeed the ' first" childhood friend and not the ' other' childhood frie-- oh wait, Kiyopon doesn't consider her a childhood friend. Ha. Take that!

Arisu was quite petty.

--

" Thank you for humoring me, Kiyotaka-kun. Today has been pleasant." Arisu smiles.

Kiyopon was bidding them farewell at the door. After a few final words, the two Class A students eventually left. Kiyopon closes the door and begins cleaning up until he suddenly receives a message notification.

He checks his phone and it was a message from Mori.

He opens her message and reads it...

' Remember that free date pass you promised me back then, when we searched for a suitable present for Mii-chan? I'd like to officially use it for Sunday! I'll meet you at Keyaki mall at 9 am. Don't be late! '

Thud!

Kiyopon had dropped his phone in suprise.

He'd totally forgotten about the date he owed her-

--

" Annnd there." Mori smiles as she receives an immediate response from Kiyopon, confirming their date.

" He said yes...?" Airi asks.

" Of course! He owes me after all." Mori says with confidence.

" Lucky..." Airi mutters.

The pink-haired girl fiddles with her drink. She had mixed feelings about this, but it's her fault for not being as confident as Mori. Even when Airi has certainly improved her social life...she just couldn't ask out the boy she likes.

" I'm a coward..." she groans.

" Yep. You are." Mori sighs. " I really...thought you'd try and ask him, but once I began to realize that you weren't going to do it..." she trails off.

Airi gives a somber smile.

" I know. It's okay. You asked him out before I could...so it's unjust for me if I were to be offended by you." Airi knew that Mori liked Kiyopon as well. The both of them liked this one particular boy.

And Mori was the first to make a move. With a confidence that Airi could only dream of achieving.

" I plan to confess to him at the end of the date. Will you be all right with that?" Mori's usually fun tone was nowhere to be found. A more serious, and careful tone took its place.

Airi nods slowly.

" Airi...look, I-"

" If he says yes," Airi exhales a breath, smiling. " I'll just move on. And if he says no, then that means I still have a chance. That's all there is to it."

The two of them stare at each other, a few moments of silence...

Mori's face breaks out a smile. She chuckles.

" Good. That sounds fair to me." She says, giving a thumbs up.

" Good luck, Nene-chan." Airi says to her rival in love.

" You better not stalk our date, Airi~"

" W-What gave you the idea that I would even think of that?!"

" They say the quiet ones are the most freakiest-- wait, then what about Koyo-"

" Nene-chan!!! Don't lewd him!"

CHAPTER END!

Next chapter is the final chapter for 7.5 and it'll be pretty long!

Mori finally made use of the free date card.

Perhaps she'll actually win this bout of love?

Oh who am I kidding

You guys already know who's winning...

Or maybe i'll pull smth out of my ass and destroy your expectations because why not?

Seems plausible.

Oh!

And before I go,

I don't plan to adapt volume 8 and maybe volume 9.

No, I do not plan to skip and go straight to volume 10.

I just said i dont wanna adapt them. Which means, I'm going to be planning my own non-canon events to act as filler in the place of the missing volume 8 and 9.

Think of it as...Kiyopon-verse oneshots. It'll be nonsensical but just think of it as canon, okay? Because i'll be developing characters in my own way to fill in this wacky timeline. ( Nagumo, Asahina, Ryuen, Arisu, Suzune, etc. )

And dont worry.

Although I said that I wont adapt volume 8

I will adapt one thing: The T-rex reveal. The only scene that matters but the setting might be different from canon.

Anyways,

Thats all!

LumineIsSomehowActive, out~!

Cashing in the dating pass!

Here it is...the last event for Volume 7.5 before I go crazy on making my own storylines for Volume 8 - 9!

And since this is Mori's time to shine.

I've procured a chibi art I found of her!

Kawaii!!!

Anyways, you may read on!

Third Person PoV

1. Cashing in the dating pass!

" Oh, it seems we both arrived on time." Mori says to Kiyopon.

Indeed, the both of them arrived simultaneously once the clock hit 10:00 in the morning. Kiyopon was just naturally the type of person to arrive early regardless of any event, so this was nothing new to Mori. However, Mori's early arrival actually suprised Kiyopon a bit as he remembers all the times when Mori would actually arrive 10 minutes after the agreed time, so he assumed she was always the late type of person...fortunately, it seems today was different.

" Early, aren't I?" Mori laughs. " You're probably thinking that it's strange for someone of my track record to be early, eh?"

Kiyopon nods.

" Well, It'd be rude of me to be late for my date, no~?" She said, winking along with a cute smile. " That would definitely lower my girlfriend material level too." She adds.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook and then shows it to her.

' It wouldn't. I'm sure a lot of boys would be happy to have you as their girlfriend.' it said.

Mori's heart skipped a beat, her smile widened.

" And what about you? How would you feel if I became your girlfriend?" She attacks without hesitation.

"...Huh?" Kiyopon let out a confused noise at that, his blank expression changed into one that expressed his flabbergast at her words.

" Just kidding, " She sticks her tongue out at his amusing expression. " Let's not waste any more time, yeah? Let's head inside already!" She says before quickly taking hold of his hand, snapping him out of his frozen trance.

She proceeds to drag him inside the mall.

--

" It's crowded..." Mori says as she looks around left to right. " REALLY crowded." She emphasized.

Kiyopon nods. He's never seen the mall so crowded like this, but perhaps the explanation could stem from the concept of christmas spirit? Students will spend their time here with their friends and enjoying the limited christmas events happening in the mall, christmas shopping discounts, or just enjoying the overall christmas interior within the mall that only happens in winter season.

" Hmm...I was thinking of watching a movie with you buuuutt..." She sighs, " It sounds pretty cliche, doesn't it?" She asks.

Kiyopon shakes his head before writing in his notebook.

' I'll go along with whatever you want today.' It said.

" Is that so? You'll really go along with whatever I want?" She says, narrowing her eyes.

Kiyopon felt a bit nervous from the look in her eyes. But he nodded nonetheless since he didn't really know what to do in a date.

" Then just for the day. Be my boyfriend." She grins.

"..."

Before Kiyopon could give a response, a mall employee wearing a christmas costume waved at both Kiyopon and Mori.

" Excuse me, Miss, Sir. Are you two a couple by any chance?" The employee asks.

Again, before Kiyopon could respond-

" Yes we are." Mori says, the joy of this situation visible in her eyes. Kiyopon took notice of it, and quickly decided to keep his words to himself for now. He did agree to go along with whatever Mori has in mind for today...he can't back out now.

" Awesome!" The employee beams before pulling out a pamphlet, " Well it's your lucky day. The mall is holding a ton of events that couples can do to celebrate this wonderful time of the year. I thought you two might be interested in taking part of these events, but you're also free to choose not to."

The employee hands the pamphlet to them. Mori takes it quickly and begins skimming through the listed events, her smile growing wider by the second. Kiyopon wondered what was on the pamphlet but he figured that he could just ask Mori about it later on.

" I'll be heading off now, I hope you two can enjoy the events!" The employee says, waving goodbye before leaving off to find another couple to advertise the events to.

" Mm, yes...we should probably do this...and this...oh! and also this..." Mori mumbles to herself. Kiyopon could barely catch on to what she was saying.

.

.

.

" All right! I've selected the events we should do for today, Kiyotaka-kun!" She smiles brightly before showing Kiyopon the pamphlet and leading his gaze downwards to the listed events she circled with a red marker.

[ Christmas Shopping Spree ]

[ Gift hunt challenge event ]

[ Christmas Dessert eating competition ]

Kiyopon's mouth watered at the last circled event. Mori giggles at that before putting the pamphlet away and taking his hand, leading him to the department store.

" For the Christmas Shopping spree event. According to the pamphlet, there should be a huge discount for everything in the department store. So let's go check it out before eating lunch, all right?" She winks.

Kiyopon nods, wiping away his saliva with his other sleeve.

Eventually they entered the busy department store, many special clothes were on display. They all shared the theme of christmas spirit and Mori found almost all of them adorable that she can't help but awe at the many choices. Kiyopon notices Mori's awe expression, she was practically frozen solid to the ground to the point where other customers were glancing at them in confusion.

Kiyopon takes the initiative this time, grabbing her hand and leading her to one of the aisles. This action shook Mori out of her unexpected trance, and she blushes slightly from the sudden contact initiated by Kiyopon ( But she very much appreciates it~ ).

.

.

.

" Oh hey! Check out this sweater!" Mori says, pointing to said sweater.

Kiyopon takes a look...

Kiyopon's expression immediately shifts to one of disgust.

" Pfft! We should buy it for you~" She teases.

Kiyopon immediately shakes his head like there was no tomorrow, clear absolute rejection. Mori couldn't help but break out in laughter at his reaction before waving her hand dismissively.

"Just kidding! I meant the one next to it." She says, pointing to the sweater next to it.

Kiyopon hesitates in taking a look...

" Ever watched Home Alone? This line is iconic!" Mori proudly states.

Kiyopon has seen it, actually. During the break him and the boys had a christmas movie night and fortunately, Home Alone was one of them. Kiyopon was impressed by the main character's wits when setting up those house traps, but perhaps the idiocy of the two robbers also contributed to the overall success of his little plan.

In reality, the robbers would carry a weapon when breaking in a home. If it were a gun, then as soon as they see that boy it'd be lights out.

Kiyopon writes in his notebook...

' I've seen the movie. It's funny, and the ending was quite heartwarming.' it said.

Even though the movie was a comedy, the ending did incite something within Kiyopon when the mother finally reached home, when the mother finally reached her son. Kiyopon was reminded of the past back in that mansion with Matsuo, the warmth the old butler radiated was something he could never thank him enough for. After all, back in the White Room...Kiyopon was just an empty husk, a cold vessel.

" I know right." Mori smiles as she begins recapping the ending. " When Kevin's mother came home, I remember breaking in tears. He took her for granted at first, but as soon as she came home he hugged her like there was no tomorrow."

She sighs, chuckling awkwardly. " It sorta reminds me of my own relationship with my mom. So overbearing and I found her annoying at times...maybe I've said hateful things to her once or twice...but in the end, I'll probably run to her like a baby once I see her again." She admits.

Kiyopon smiles at that. He can tell the deep fondness she holds for her mother, her words were sincere and not a trace of a lie was there.

" Ah--well, that aside..." She hides her blush from Kiyopon's stare, quickly picking up the iconic sweater. " Why don't I buy this for you as a christmas present?"

Kiyopon writes in his notebook...

' You don't have to. Just spending this day with you is a present enough.' it said.

Mori snorts at that before punching his arm lightly. " I don't want to hear it." She very much likes hearing it, " We're buying this for you whether you like it or not. You'd better wear it!" She says with finality.

Kiyopon sighs and nods in surrender.

" Oh, and let's buy those santa hats too!"

--

( 2 hours later, after the shopping and lunch...)

" Hey, do you like pets, Kiyotaka-kun?" Mori asks as they walked together in the mall, carrying a few bags full of things they shopped.

Kiyopon couldn't write in his notebook due to having his hands full currently...if he had the power of telekinesis then he'd be stubborn enough to write instead of talk.

" I like dogs." He softly says.

" Woof~" Mori imitates, winking while she's at it.

"..."

Kiyopon drops one bag on the ground and proceeds to pat her head-

" Ahahaha-- hey! I'm not a dog y'know!! " She laughs but wasn't opposed to his touch, rather she welcomed it. She had no idea why she imitated a dog's bark but if this was going to be Kiyopon's reaction then she doesn't mind.

" Kawaii." He simply states, ruffling her hair.

.

.

.

" What is your favorite animal...?" Kiyopon asks next.

" Hm, I like cats." She grins.

" That's nice." Kiyopon nods.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...Well?"

" Well what?" Kiyopon asks.

" Meow for me."

"...No."

" Oh come on! I barked for you, it's only fair you do the same and meow for me too!" She reasons.

"...No."

" Please?"

"..."

" Pwetty pwease~?"

"..." Kiyopon glances to her and she had her hands in pleading motion. He sighs at the look on her begging face...

" Meow..."

*Stops recording*

" Annnnnddd sent~"

Kiyopon's head snaps towards her and he quickly tries to reach for her phone but she hides it behind her back, a smug smile adorned on her lips.

" Haruka-chan is gonna have a FIELD DAY with that one!" She says.

Kiyopon's face turned pale at that. He can already imagine Haruka's reaction to an embarassing video like that, she'd smother all over him and treat him as if he were her sweet little boy and the last time it happened in public...to say the least, it was one of Kiyopon's most embarassing moments in his life. He doesn't want people looking weirdly at him again.

But Kiyopon wouldn't let Mori win over him like this. No. He's lost too many times to her antics, but this time he has something to make it even.

" Mori..." He called her by her last name. He preferred it over her given name, he felt as though this sounded a bit better on the tongue.

" Hm?" She responds.

" Do you remember that time...?"

" What time?"

" That time when you...wrote that literary piece between you and Sebastian Stan..."

" ?!" Mori's face turns pale. " Y-You...wouldn't...do anything with that information r-right?" She stutters, nervously chuckling. " You promised me that day-"

*Message sent to Haruka!*

Kiyopon smiles while Mori is as white as a deceased person. ( Like Matsuo- oh wait, nah, he blacker than charcoa--)

" TRAITOR!" She shakes him by the collar while Kiyopon wore a look of satisfaction. If he was going to suffer, then so will she. That's the beauty of friendship.

.

.

.

.

" Oh it's almost time. We only have 15 minutes to get to the main lobby of the mall before the gift challenge event starts." Mori alerts, " Come, we can't miss it!" She begins dragging Kiyopon with haste.

They made their way through the busy mall, their path was straight to the lobby but Mori's eyes suddenly landed on a figure who had just exited the bookstore. Her red gradient eyes, her long black hair, and her pretty face instantly rendered in her mind, causing her to stop much to Kiyopon's confusion.

' Suzu-chan is there...she might see us...' Mori thought. Selfish as this sounds, she can't let the both of them see each other. It's clear as day that Suzune holds feelings for the quiet boy, and it's possible that the boy also holds feelings for her.

Horikita Suzune had just exited the busy store, carrying a gift bag. Mori wondered what it was but she needed to make a quick decision first, it seems Kiyopon has yet to notice Suzune yet so this was her chance!

" How about we go the long way, huh?" Mori suggested , pointing to the direction where it'd take them to their destination through a more roundabout matter.

" Huh? But-" Before Kiyopon could protest, he was quickly ushered to the other direction by Mori.

' Sorry Suzu-chan...but...' Mori had a bit of guilt stored in her heart by doing this, it felt dirty. But she likes Kiyopon too, and the single boy is fair game.

And soon, much to Mori's relief, they successfully avoided Horikita Suzune.

--

" Hm? Was someone staring at me...?" Suzune murmured in wonder. She looks around the area curiously, she could've sworn that someone had been gazing at her. Eventually, she shrugs it off and walks to the mall exit with the gift bag in hand.

--

" Aha! We made it." Mori says.

Kiyopon looks at her weirdly, she was acting pretty unusual a while back. For her to suddenly announce that they'd be taking the long way instead of the straight path is quite sussy. But he doesn't ask, he predicts that she'd keep dancing around his question if he were to ask anyways.

" Hello. Are you two here for the gift challenge couples event?" A female staff approaches them.

" Mhm! My boyfriend and I were told of this event, so we didn't wanna miss it." Mori proudly says.

Kiyopon nods along.

" Ah~! Very well then." She smiles, clapping her hands before leading the both of them to the sign-up table. " Write your names on the sheet and wait for a bit. I'll be fetching something real quick." The woman says.

Kiyopon hands Mori the pen first, she graciously accepts it and begins writing her name while humming. She then hands it to Kiyopon and he does the same.

.

.

.

" All right you two~ I'm back." The woman says. She seemed to be carrying two wrist bands with a small antennae on each. " Please wear these." She requests.

Mori and Kiyopon wore them, they were curious as to what these were for.

" Great! Now please allow me to explain the mechanics of how this challenge will go." The woman announces,

" The Gift Hunt challenge goes like this; Couples will gather in front of our exclusive christmas department store, the purpose being to satisfy your partner with a nice christmas gift that reaches her deepest desire. There will be two rounds, both partners will have a turn. The wrist bands I told you to wear are actually happiness detectors. Through that, we'll be able to tell the happiest couple amongst all the others by the end of the game. The couple that wins will earn their gifts for free!"

" Oh, and you won't be able to ask your partner what exactly do they want or else you'll be disqualified. So take a good guess! This is a test for how much you two know each other's deepest desires~"

.

.

.

.

Kiyopon and Mori placed their shopping bags by the side before going to the front of the aforementioned christmas department.

" Wew...this is quite nerve-wracking..." Mori admits as she felt some slight intimidation from the ACTUAL couples surrounding them.

Kiyopon nods as his eyes latched onto a couple who couldn't keep their hands to themselves in public-

*kissing sounds*

Kiyopon averts his eyes, feeling very awkward now.

" But this is okay, right?" Mori whispers, " We may not be a couple.." Yet. Mori secretly thinks. " But we've been friends for so long, so this should be no problem." she assures.

Kiyopon nods, " Right...no problem at all." He tries to agree. But the both of them were actually having second thoughts about thi-

" Huh? A-Ayanokoji?! What are you doing here?!" A male voice interrupted their thoughts.

Kiyopon turns to the voice that called him and he was shocked to find that it was Ike who had called.

"...Ike?" He said in suprise.

" Well...uh...this is awkward now, isn't it." Ike nervously grins.

" Ike-kun?" Mori also recognized, " This is a suprise...what're you doing here? You participating in the event as well?" She innocently inquired.

Ike's face slightly reddened at that question as he scratches the back of his head. " Er...well...I guess..." He nervously answers.

" You guess? Who are you coming with-" Mori wanted to ask, but then a new familiar voice enters their conversation.

" Ike-kun, there you are." A girl arrives at his side. " I thought you wandered off somewhere far but thankfully you didn't since the event was gonna--" She then pauses as her eyes landed on Mori and Kiyopon.

"...start..." She finishes in a quiet tone.

" No way...are you...and him...toge-" Mori began piecing things together.

" NO WE'RE NOT!" The duo quickly denied.

" Hahaha! As if I'd pair with an uggo like her!" He mocks, with very fake laugh.

" Yeah, no. I have standards, Mori-san!" Shinohara also scoffs.

"..." Kiyopon and Mori glance to each other, they could tell these two individuals were capping.

" Then why in the world did you wound up here? And Shinohara-san also mentioned of participating in the event here. I wonder why that is, hmm...?" Mori grins.

" F-For our own respective benefits, of course!" Shinohara excuses.

" Yeah! I mean, doesn't the winning couple get their items free? Only idiots wouldn't take this opportunity!" Ike backs her up. Shinohara nods.

" Riiighhttt, I suppose that is true." Mori could deem that as true, but not quite the whole story. As far as she could remember, Shinohara always ranted about Ike and how he's terrible at this and that.

Kiyopon also recalls his conversation with Ike in regards to Shinohara's so-called ugliness. Saying she's the most disgusting female yet.

For a while, their hatred for eachother seemed legitimate...

But to see them both here...in a place like this...participating in a couple event...

Something is definitely up between them.

" A-Anyways, what're you two doing here, huh? On a date?" Shinohara forcefully steers the conversation to Mori and Kiyopon.

" Ayanokoji and Mori, huh? I mean, I kinda expected it but it's still a suprise..." Ike mumbles.

" Ah, well. Same reason as you guys, I suppose." Mori smoothly replies. " Couldn't pass up the opportunity to get free stuff, am I right Kiyotaka?" She glances to the boy next to her.

" Yeah..." Kiyopon softly agrees.

" Cool. So we're all in the same boat, then." Ike sighed, feeling as though the situation has de-escalated. This was incredibly bad timing to meet Kiyopon and Mori here, Shinohara also found it an incredible bother.

Neither of them wants the class to think they're in a relationship with a person they hate...

Yeah, they hated each other. Definitely. Nothing more and nothing less. They only agreed to meet up here and ' work' together in order to get free shit from the store. That's it.

" Though, the two of you might as well give up." Mori says, lips forming into a confident smirk as she crossed her arms. " Kiyotaka and I have known each other for quite a while, we're going to rock at this event. And it doesn't seem like the two of you have the chemistry to match up to us, so drop out."

" Huh?" The two of them took offense to that.

Kiyopon wondered what got into Mori. Why was she acting provocative? How unusual of her.

" O-Oh yeah? We may hate each other, but when it comes to winning free stuff, we're going to win!" Ike was the first to reply.

" Yeah! Don't underestimate us, Mori-san!" Shinohara also says.

" Ohohoho~!" Mori laughs like an Ojou-sama. " Then prove it~"

Ike and Shinohara glare at her, accepting the challenge.

" Fine!"

.

.

.

" Why did you do that...?" Kiyopon asks after they walked back to their spot.

" Why not?" Mori chuckles, " It actually eased my worries a bit when I saw them here. This might be more fun now." She admits.

Kiyopon had to agree with that, as much as it was a suprise to encounter that unlikely couple here...it was also a huge relief having people they know participating this event. And the competition did sound fun with them in the ride.

" All right everyone! We are now set to begin the Gift Hunt couple challenge!" The announcer says.

" In 5 minutes, please be ready with your partner. The first round will have the ladies pick out the present. Again, we will begin shortly." he said.

" Let's win this, Kiyotaka-kun." Mori says with determination.

" Hai." He replies.

" Round 1 has begun! Girls! You may now select your gifts!"

As soon as those words were announced, all the female partners ran into the store...

--

" Hm...what gift would be Kiyotaka's innermost desire..." Mori murmurs to herself as she stands in the boys aisle. The shelves were all stacked with items specifically for boys.

She has to make Kiyopon's happy meter rise through the roof, thus, she needs to find the appropriate gift that will strike him deep. Well, he IS a boy...would he like eromangas?

" Nah, I doubt he thinks about that often..." She says, shaking her head in disapproval.

If eromanga isn't the case. Then what else? Hm, perhaps Kiyopon likes something sweet related?

" An ice cream stuff toy...?" Mori voices out, debating on it. It felt lacking though, but it could be a viable choice if there's none else.

" Maybe something dog related..." Her eyes land on the dog ears headband.

She smirks.

That woouulldd be fun...but Mori wants to win.

In the end, she decides to take the ice cream stuffed toy.

--

" Ta-dah~" Mori presents the toy to Kiyopon.

Kiyopon's eyes turned into stars as he graciously accepted the gift.

" What do ya think?" She asks, smugly.

" I like it."He answers.

* beep!*

Mori looks at Kiyopon's wrist band and the happiness meter went up to 75.

" Just 75 huh..." She frowns. She thought she knew Kiyopon good enough that it'd be a perfect 100...or even more.

Kiyopon, noticing her sad expression, quickly comforted her by patting her head. Mori sighs before smiling again.

" I'm all right. Just disappointed, is all." She chuckles.

" It's okay. This challenge is harder than it looks..." He says.

It shouldn't be if they had perfect chemistry-

*beep*

" Ah! A perfect 100!" Shinohara gasped.

" Y-yeah..." Ike said, blushing a bit.

" A 100..." Mori repeated in shock as she stared at the both of them.

' How? What did she even gift him?' She thinks to herself as she tries to see what Shinohara brought Ike.

"...A keychain...?" She said, confused.

" I didn't think you'd like a keychain, Ike-kun. I didn't mean to rush your gift...I didn't really know what you liked so..." Shinohara confesses shyly.

" Oh nah! It's good! I like keychains, yep! I'm a Key chain enthusiast!" Ike immediately announces. it was a lie, anyone could tell. But Shinohara seemed blind to it.

She smiles and nods, " Glad you liked it then..."

" ... " Mori was beyond confused.

Kiyopon pats her back in comfort.

.

.

.

.

" All right round 2 begins! Go boys!"

--

Kiyopon wanders in the store, scanning everything in the girls aisle and contemplating on what Mori would want.

It's clear that Mori picked that gift thinking it would give her a perfect 100 score, but unfortunately it only reached to 75. He doesn't plan to disappoint her by getting anything lower than 100. If Kiyopon could get perfect scores in all school subjects ( if he really wished ), then deciding on a gift that could score another 100 shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Harness everything he's learned about Mori...

And manifest it into existence...

Kiyopon's eyes land on the mirror wall, his stature being reflected right back at him.

--

" Soo~ What did you get me?" Mori smirks. She was curious as to what Kiyopon had in store--

Suddenly, she was staring right at her reflection. Kiyopon was holding up a hand mirror in front of her.

" ...A mirror?" She says.

Kiyopon nods.

" The greatest gift you have...is yourself." He says, " Your beautiful personality reflects your beautiful appearance...I gift you this mirror so you can see it from my point of view. I want to convey how other people see you and know you through this mirror...that's all." He finished.

"..."

Her face turns bright red.

*beep!*

" Look...a 100." Kiyopon points out.

" ..."

"...Mori?"

She doesn't respond, instead she turns around and refuses to look at him.

Kiyopon wondered for a split-second if she even liked his gift...but her happy meter reached a perfect score so she DOES like it. But why is she acting like this?

Well, as long as Shinohara and Ike don't get another perfect 100 then they should be goo-

*beep!*

" Oh it seems that couple over there got another 100!" The announcer points out.

" I didn't think you'd...like this hairpin that much,Shinohara..." Ike laughs nervously.

Shinohara carefully accepts it, blushing. " W-Well, I've always been a simplistic girl...so it's no suprise that I like these type of things...thanks." She said.

The rest of the couples didn't grab any perfect 100s in either rounds. It seems the only couple that achieved this feat was none other than Ike and Shinohara...how...unexpected. They claim to hate each other and then they pull up with these type of results?

Mori sighs.

They lost.

--

The two of them were currently at the last event, which was the christmas dessert eating competition.

" Ugh...oh my god...I'm full."

" My stomach...is going to burst-- PWOOGHLL!"

" Hey! Disgusting!"

" I should've never participated..." *passes out*

" Looks like everyone quit..." Mori notes. " I guess this is the event where we win huh..." She muses, feeling full herself after eating all those sweets to overwhelm the bitter taste from the gift challenge event.

" Though, I really want to ask..." Mori slowly turns her head to Kiyopon.

" HOW IN THE WORLD ARE YOU STILL EATING?!?!" She screams in absolute horror.

Kiyopon's mouth sucked everything in like a vaccuum, all the cakes, all the cookies, all the icecreams, every sweet in existence failed to avoid the black hole that is his mouth. None was spared, he even ate what's left on the plate of the other competitors. Mori and everyone else watched in horror as Kiyopon turned into a dessert monster that will slowly shift into a diabetic beast.

"...More." Kiyopon's sharp eyes faced the pastry chefs.

" GIVE ME MO-"

" Kiyotaka-kun stop-"

--

The date was over...

They finally left the mall, but they've yet to part ways. They simply walked together in silenceas the snow gently falls on them.

Today was fun, hectic, chaotic, and diabetes galore.

" Kiyotaka-kun, how did you eat that much without vomiting." Mori asks.

"..." Kiyopon shrugs as he adjusts his grip on the shopping bags.

" I wish I could say I envy you, but that was just..." Mori shivers, " Absolutely terrifying. Remind me to never take you out to those sort of things again." She says.

Kiyopon frowns. It wasn't THAT bad. I mean, sure, he enslaved all the pastry chefs in the area to make him more christmas sweets but he can get away with it because he's cute...right?

" But anyways...to think Ike and Shinohara made a better couple than us, huh..." She muses.

" They were formidable...even when neither of us were in a relationship with the other." Kiyopon had to give it to them. if Ike and Shinohara do end up hitting it off and dating, then it'd be pretty sweet.

" Haha, I know right? Oh, why don't we take a break on that bench?" Mori points to a lone bench situated under a tree and beside a lamp post. " My legs are killing me."

Kiyopon nods and they both head towards the bench, placing their bags at the side and then taking a seat. Mori leans back, stretching her arms and legs on the front while Kiyopon sits in a neutral position, releasing a sigh of relief.

Mori looks at her hands, everything has come to this moment. The scenery of this location, the gentle snow, the single spotlight due to the lamp and the sky turning into an orange hue. This was scene straight out of a romance novel...the perfect confession one could wish for.

She releases a sigh, hiding her anxiety with a smile.

" Today was...really fun. I know I had fun, what about you?" She asks.

" Any day spent with you is fun, Mori." Kiyopon replies as his gaze was attached to the view before him.

Mori giggles. " Well, I'm glad you think so." She hums before sitting up straight.

" So...I'd like to say thank you for going along with my whims for this little ' date'. " She says.

Kiyopon looks at her and nods as if saying ' no problem'.

" Today, you've been a wonderful boyfriend, Kiyotaka-kun." She smiles. " I couldn't have asked for anything better."

" You were a wonderful girlfriend too, Mori." Kiyopon softly replies. Mori blushes by that but she knows that he meant it in a more platonic position than a romantic one...

But right now...that could change.

She just has to voice out her desires...

" But you know...this deal of ours...could extend just a little longer..." She says.

Kiyopon's content look drew to a halt. His lips formed into a thinner line as his eyes also narrowed slightly. He wasn't too dense to be blind to where this was going...

"...You know...like...you becoming my boyfriend and all that...while I become...yours..." She says in a low tone, but Kiyopon could still hear her. Her eyes faced downwards, her fists clenched on her lap. She just has to say it now, say it with her heart/

" Kiyotaka-kun...I like you, y'know? " She finally confesses. her voice soft and fragile, her eyes glimmering in hope. Any man...would fall to their knees and say yes.

"..."

Silence between them with only the winter ambience filling in for the lack of noise. This was a delicate moment, a love confession in these conditions could change an adolescent's life swiftly. It was a yes or no, whether or not one can reciprocate that person's feelings or reject it...prolonging the answer will bear no fruit. You have to be honest.

But if Kiyopon were to be honest...he knows Mori would be hurt.

And he doesn't like hurting people he cares about or anyone at all...

But still...

"...I can't return your feelings, Mori..."

Prolonging the answer and keeping her in limbo will hurt much more than being rejected. It'll be akin to torture.

And lying, is even worse.

"...Haha...I guess, I kinda expected that." Mori heaves a sigh. " ...Hey, do you know why Shinohara and Ike won that event? I was befuddled at first but...I think I figured it out."

"...?" Kiyopon waited. He was curious for her next words.

" It's because...they received gifts...from the person they love." She looks to him, " That's why they were both a perfect hundred...while mine was only a one-sided hundred." Mori's santa hat droops to the side, threatening to fall off any minute.

Kiyopon looks into her eyes, a deep sadness lies within. The eyes of a girl who's been rejected...he didn't want to face it but he thought it wouldn't help if he were to avert his gaze like some coward when she came forth and told him her feelings without stutter.

The least he could do is to take her feelings head-on.

" Tell me, if Suzune were here...and participated with you...and gave you that gift. Would it have been a hundred?" She asks.

"...I don't know." Kiyopon shakes his head slowly. " Technology no matter how advanced, can never define emotions such as love. "

" ...So you admit it? That you love her...?" Her santa hat falls off, but Kiyopon quickly catches it.

He gently places it on her head, fixing it in place...he doesn't dare look down for he can sense her threatening tears.

"...Yes, I do." He answers, honestly.

"...Thank you..." She says as the tears no longer held themselves back. They freely fell down the sides her cheeks like a waterfall.

" Thank you...for being honest..." She says, her tone still full of pain but there was definitely relief and gratitude mixed in.

Kiyopon offers her a small towel to wipe her tears and she quickly accepts it, proceeding to wipe her ugly tears from a broken heart.

" D-Don't worry...w-we'll still be friends..." She makes it sound like she's assuring him, but perhaps it was more directed towards herself than to him. " T-This won't...change anything, right, Kiyotaka..?"

" You won't...be awkward with me by tomorrow...right?" She asks him weakly.

Kiyopon grabs the towel he gave her and proceeds to gently wipe away the tears himself.

" We're still the closest of friends, that will never change no matter what happens." He says as a means to comfort her, but he and her were we;;-aware of its hidden implications; That the boy will never see her in that romantic light.

God, it hurts. Mori thinks.

Back when she first met him, she didn't think she'd fall for him. She thought he was just an interesting guy to befriend, but each day throughout that platonic stage he kept suprising her over and over till eventually...she just fell in love with all of him. She didn't know when it happened, she didn't know how, and she couldn't exactly explain in detail as to why.

But...there was no need for an answer to any of those.

All that mattered was that she fell in love with this boy. Her heart got broken, but each shard carried enough wonderful moments to piece itself together in due time.

She wants to stay strong, but the tears won't stop. From her perspective, crying like a fool was weak. But in his eyes, she had the right to cry all the tears she needs to let out for she'd come out strong till now.

And so, she continues to cry.

While Kiyopon continues to wipe her tears away.,

.

.

.

.

" Thank you for that..." She says.

Kiyopon nods.

They didn't look each other in the eye, but there was no awkwardness to be felt. Just a sense of relief with a twinge of sadness from Mori's end.

Eventually she claps.

" Well, the date is officially over!" She exclaims weakly, putting on one of her smiles as she faced him again. " Thank you for indulging me today and letting me cash in that dating pass I've been holding for so long. Hehe~" She winks.

Kiyopon nods, going along with the flow, along with her small facade to hide the fresh wounds.

" You should...tell her soon, Kiyotaka." her smile was thin, " And make sure it's worth the wait, all right?" She jokes.

Kiyopon nods slowly.

" Ah...well, that's about it. You should go now...I'll just stay here for a while longer." She dismisses him.

Kiyopon waits for a few seconds before finally getting up and grabbing his bags. He turns to look at her one last time for today.

" Merry christmas..." She cheers softly.

Kiyopon puts on a small smile.

" Merry christmas to you too..."

After that, he turns his back and proceeds to walk away while Mori stayed behind and watched his slowly disappearing figure in longing. Her heart aches...but she was content. There's no need to describe it any further than that...

" Ah...another one..." Mori muses as she feels a few more tears drop, " Guess it didn't stop just yet..." She chuckles sadly to herself.

Slow footsteps arrive to the scene...

A girl occupies the seat next to Mori. Her long pink hair hit with the gentle breeze from the cold winter wind as she too wore a sad expression.

Mori didn't even have to look to know who it is...

" I thought stalking wasn't your thing, Airi...?" Mori quips. But it was weak, and ended up sounding more like a serious question.

"..."

" Well...did you hear everything he said...? Who his heart belongs to...?"

" Y-..." Airi pauses, she couldn't voice out her answer as tears began falling as well. She instead opts for a nod, this action reminded her of back then she used to be so shy and had low self esteem...

" We never stood a chance..." Mori chuckles as she looks up to the darkening sky.

" Not even close..." She mutters.

"..." Airi releases a sigh as she clenches her fists.

" Even so...nothing has to change, right..?" Airi asked.

"..." Mori looks to her, and she was met with a smile from the teary eyed girl.

" W-We...can still be his friends...r-right? That's what you said...and he said yes...right?" She said in a trembling voice.

Mori wipes away Airi's tears as the latter began to sob.

Still, she had to answer her with the undeniable truth.

" Yes, we'll still be friends." Mori smiles sadly.

At least that was certain. For sure.

CHAPTER END!

Finally...finished...im going to bed.

Goodnight.

KawaiiLumine, out~

2. Debt.

Kiyopon enters his room, releasing a deep sigh of relief. He'd finally returned back into his lovely room after such a tiring day and...a very bittersweet aftermath.

He places the shopping bags on his desk and stretches his limbs.

He was about to undress until he noticed a gift bag on his bed. He raises a brow, wondering where it came from. He approaches his bed with cautious steps...

As he loomed over it, he finally noticed a note sticking out of it. His eyes quickly recognized the handwriting.

He picks up the note and begins to reads it.

' Merry Christmas, Kiyotaka.

Firstly, I'd like to ask why you never informed that your birthday had passed, hm? Or rather, why didn't you say anything about it at all? And don't try to flip the argument on me by saying ' I never asked'. If you do, I'm going to stab you with a compass.

Kidding.

But I am disappointed...and bitter that you never told me this. I had to find out from the ' Kiyopon' group. Why didn't you tell me? Did you simply forgot? Or had no need to tell? Either answer is completely unacceptable so now you owe me a debt.

I expect the debt to be paid on February 15th, my birthday. So don't you dare forget!

Anyways, enjoy your present and merry christmas and belated happy birthday.

P.S: D-Don't expect anything too extravagant! it might not be what you want...but...I tried my best in searching for a gift that could be useful to you. Anyways...enjoy your present...

Signed, Horikita Suzune. '

Kiyopon opens the gift bag and out comes another letter alongside a red notebook.

He reads the second letter.

'Yep...it's a notebook. What? You're complaining? If you have any complaints, I'll punch you in the throat.

just kidding.

This notebook...you can use it whenever. I know you already have a notebook and it still has a dozen of pages left blank...it might take a while before it'll be filled up completely...additionally, that notebook is important to you because it was gifted to you from your butler.

But this notebook...think of it as an extra, okay? You can write anything you want in it. Maybe a diary? It depends on you. I hope you can find use for it.

But if it's useless then you can throw it away! I won't care! Not one bit.

...

Actually, if you really don't want it...could you just return it to me? I'd be hurt if you actually gave it away to someone else or throw it to the trash can. I'm still a girl with feelings y'know?

I tried my best...it's not the coolest looking gift...in fact, i didn't know a single thing about what boys around your age would like. ( Don't even think about eromangas. ) So I settled for this one...in all honesty, I really hope you'll cherish it either way...

Anyways! That's it! And...happy birthday! Don't forget your debt by February 15, I don't care what you gift me as long as it's something you chose with thoughts! I'll be happy.

- Horikita Suzune '

Kiyopon smiles softly after reading the letter. He turns to the red notebook and decides to open it, its fresh pages scent immediately made way into his nostrils. Ahh, that good book smell.

He thinks for a bit on what to do with the notebook.

He recalls Mori's words from earlier...

' Make it worth the wait...'

An idea finally hits him as he scrambles off to search for his pen, after finding it, he quickly grabs it and opens the book to its blank title page.

' My feelings for Horikita Suzune.' he titled.

He turns to the next page and begins writing his first entry...

' Entry#1:

Thank you for the gift, Suzune. I love it.

The same way as I love you. '

After having written that for now, he closes the book and stores it in his drawer for safekeeping. He looks to the calendar and walks towards it, he flips the calendar to the month of february. And with the same pen, he circled the 15th.

' My debt to Horikita Suzune.' it says.

He hums in satisfaction before placing his pen back on the desk and then heading into the bathroom to take a shower before bed.

Kiyopon will make sure that his confession is worth the wait.

REAL CHAPTER END!

*dies*

Nagumo-senpai!

Before we begin the first random chapter to fill in for Volume 8 and Volume 9...

I'd like to show you this unexpected Kiyopon art made from a reader!

Credits are due to the sweet@Sara07er!

It's so fucking cute! Literally Komi-san but Kiyo version!

And Sara-chan, if you're reading this, I want you to know that I was super duper omega 9000 very much tempted to make it the latest cover for this fic.﹏

But my current cover right now is pretty special to me since it's made from my wattpad sister! So gomenasai, Sara-chan(つ﹏。)

Again, I would like to extend my appreciation to you for suprising me with this art. Things like this always reminds me of how much this fic has grown to many people yk?

Didn't think it would blow up in popularity at all but here we are, I suppose. ( Fun Fact to those who only read this work of mine: The very first chapter of Kiyopon Can't Communicate was created in my oneshots book...

Right after a lemon of Nanase getting fucked out of her mind by Kiyotaka-sensei :) )

Anyhow, I've said enough for now.

Let's begin the first random filler chapter of volume 8!

Third Person PoV

1. Nagumo-senpai!

" All right, council dismissed. " Manabu officially ends the meeting for members of the student council.

As expected of the said members, they bid their goodbyes and went out of the room finally free from the work of student council. All except three people. That being President Horikita Manabu, Secretary Tachibana Akane, and their very own vice-president Nagumo Miyabi.

The very latter among the three released a light chuckle before standing up as well, intending to leave. However,

" Nagumo, about your plans when you take over my position." Manabu says, forcing Nagumo to stop and look at him.

" What about it, Senpai?" Nagumo asks with his typical smile.

" Do you really...intend to force the student body to become a meritocracy?" Manabu asks.

" I'm sure I already told you the answer before, no?" Nagumo responds, " This school's doctrine stated that all of these facilities were made to nurture students of today into leaders of tomorrow. But from what I can see, it's more or less failed to back it up, don't you think?"

He spreads his arms, a confident grin plastered on his handsome face.

" I'm only doing what I can to preserve the school's reputation, Senpai. Something that you couldn't." he threw some salt.

" Disgusting. " Tachibana voices her disappointment, " You dare say all this, when you're responsible for expelling students from the second year who hadn't done anything wrong?" She says.

" Huh? Me? Responsible?" Nagumo laughs, clearly amused which only made Tachibana seethe. " Tachibana-senpai, I really have no idea what you're talking about!" He acts.

" If they got expelled then it must've been a problem they failed to solve on their own. Or rather, it's their lack of ability to continue studying in a place like this." Nagumo says. " Besides, ruling things with an iron fist doesn't sound like a bad thing-"

" Liar!" Tachibana flares, pointing at him accusingly. " You're nothing but a tyrant, Nagumo! Ruling with an iron fist? Why can't you share more sympathetic ideals like--"

" -Like the soon-to-be former president?" Nagumo glances to Manabu, to which the latter responds with an apathetic expression. Nagumo looks to Tachibana again.

" Tell me, what did someone like Horikita Manabu ever achieve throughout his three years as council president?" Nagumo asks, firmly placing his hands in his pocket. " Everyone admires him, including me of course but...I have to ask..."

" What changes did he make? Had this man improved anyone's abilities? Leading his class to Class A and staying Class A for three whole years is certainly impressive but... he hasn't done anything else deserving of praise, right?" Nagumo sighs while shaking his head. " Not only that, but even the first years are infected by the hype around him. They don't know a single thing about Horikita-senpai and yet they continue to praise him as the best student this school has ever produced...how pathetic. A weak mindset like that can never be a leader. A sheep will only stay as sheep if they continue to aimlessly follow a shepherd."

Tachibana's mouth simply closes back. There were no words coming out of her, and Manabu also had nothing to say against that. Manabu folds together his hands as he releases a sigh of defeat, Nagumo was right. He had performed no changes on the school. He had done nothing to truly improve the chances of the students within his grade and below to become leaders of tomorrow.

But even so, it doesn't mean Nagumo's methods are correct.

" Discarding people who are incapable and keeping those that are capable. This ideology of mine benefits the school. A meritocracy. To provide power to those deserving of it, everything will be based on their abilities and what they can provide. That's how I'll solidify my memory and stir up everyone's heads during my stay." The blonde boy smiles proud, " This is how they'll remember Nagumo Miyabi."

...A moment of silence slowly passed after his last statement.

But then...

" Heh. An impressive dream you have there, Nagumo." A chuckle escapes from the previously silent president, it suprised both Tachibana and maybe a little to Nagumo too.

" Unfortunately," Manabu smiles as he uses his right hand to rest his cheek, " I don't think your ambition will come to fruition."

" Oh...?" Nagumo raises a brow, his smile growing thin.

" After all, there's a little someone in the school who'll pose a major obstacle to you." He confidently said. But there was something strange about his confidence--no rather, he seemed proud. Almost like a proud brother in la-

" Might you be referring to that Kouhai you've set your eyes upon?" Nagumo asks, " Ayanokoji, was it? From what I've seen of him, he seems to be quite athletic. Judging from the way he played volleyball during summer, and then winning a race against YOU, president."

" Yes, you are correct." Manabu confirms.

" Seriously?" Nagumo smiles, absolutely incredulous to Manabu's words. " I think you're overestimating his abilities, senpai. Do you really think someone like him can beat someone like me? He has no power, according to the news I've gotten a hold of in regards to him. He's just your little sister's follower, nothing more, nothing less."

" On the contrary, I think you're underestimating his abilites." Tachibana interjects, " That silent Kohai will put you to rest, you scum."

" Them fighting words..." Nagumo muses.

" To think even Tachibana-senpai holds faith in that guy." Nagumo snorts in amusement, " Amusing! Maybe he might have something special if the ever-stubborn Manabu simp, Tachibana Akane holds faith in that boy."

" I-I'm not a simp!" The simp lies.

" Whatever, " Nagumo shrugs off her denial, " If he really will pose an obstacle, then I'd like to see him try. Although, I would like to add a more serious opinion on that kid."

" I heavily dislike the way you put him above you, Senpai." Nagumo's smile drops for once. " I don't like it all. it makes it seem like he can crush you anytime he wants, but he doesn't have the power to do that. He's just a bug. After all, despite our contrast in beliefs, I do adore you above everyone in this school. That's also why I'm the only one allowed to crush you. Nobody else."

" Understood, president?" Nagumo says.

" You sound more of a simp than me..." Tachibana mutters her remark.

" Whatever you say, Nagumo." Manabu says, undeterred, " You will lose to him. It's a fact I'm sure of."

" You really are putting everything on that guy's shoulders, huh?" Nagumo raises a brow. " You really think he'll be able to protect your legacy?"

" No. Of course not." Manabu grins. " Rather, that boy will likely create a legacy for himself far higher than both you and I. I'll be happy to help him on that path if he so needs it."

Nagumo sighs, turning around and waving his hand with finality. " Well, I suppose there's no point in convincing you otherwise for now. I'll just destroy your expectations right in front of you. Only then, will you understand the difference."

" Ayanokoji will kick your ass, dickhead!" Tachibana yells.

" Language." Manabu scolds.

" Sorry..."

--

Nagumo exits the school building and makes his way to the second year dormitories. While doing so, he passed by a few students and greeted them like the well-known Ikemen he is. Putting on fake pleasantries and making some girls swoon over him, he knows his charming assets and is absolutely willing to flaunt them.

'My whole entire grade is under my control...and some even in Horikita-senpai's grade. Heh.' Nagumo smirks.

' As for the first years? I've got my eyes set on Honami for now, but almost everyone is within my grasp. It's only a matter of time...'

" Ayanokoji's got nothing-" But then his leg suddenly bumps into something.

" ...Meow..."

" Huh?" Nagumo looks down to see the small furry creature that had bumped his leg. It was a small cat with chestnut colored fir and brown stripes stretching from the top of his head to his back.

It wore an almost bored-like expression, and it had golden eyes.

" A cat...? What is a cat doing here.." Nagumo murmurs as he crouches down to inspect it closer.

"...Meow." The cat voiced.

" Hungry?" he asked it.

" Meow." It responded.

" Hm..." After a moment of thinking, Nagumo sighs and stands up.

" If you're hungry, then follow me. I'll buy you some onigiri." Nagumo said, to which the cat responds with a meow. Nagumo takes that as its way of saying ' ayt, bet' so he begins walking to the direction to the mall.

And the cat follows him, walking alongside.

.

.

.

.

" Is that Nagumo-senpai?"

" Yeah it is!" Some students muttered as they see him walk around in the mall.

" Huh? What's that cat doing following him around?"

" A what now?"

Students looked down to Nagumo's side and they there was indeed a brown bored-looking cat walking or...crawling alongside the popular vice-president. Nagumo got tired of their stares and decides to confront them head on, once again plastering another ikemen smile.

" Hello, is something the matter?" Nagumo asks.

" N-no, senpai!" One of them quickly answered before curiously pointing their fingers towards the cat. " it's just...is that cat yours?"

" Oh this?" Nagumo looks to the brown cat.

" No, not really. I'm just going to buy it some onigiri, is all." Nagumo answers warmly. The girls were quickly enamored by Nagumo's ' kindness' and silently proceeded to raise him up on the best boy popularity poll.

" Ah, I see..." One of the girls answered.

" Well, I'll be on my way now. Take care of yourself, lovely kouhais." Nagumo flashes a smile and a wink before waving goodbye. The blushing expressions left on the girls' faces were to be expected as they watched Nagumo continue his stride while the cat alongside.

" Haah, " Nagumo releases a sigh, dropping his smile. " People do need to mind their own business sometimes, no? Popular as I may be, I still have a life. Although gaining everyone's attention is useful for my future plans in this school, I sometimes wish I could've dialed it back a bit."

" Meow."

" Well, no use dwelling on past decisions now. Besides, this was only a minor inconvenience, nothing I can't handle on my own." Nagumo's grin returns.

They walked a bit further until Nagumo eventually came to a halt. His blue eyes landing on the store that sells great snacks and quick meals. He looks down to the cat, stretching his hand to pat its head.

" Wait here." He orders.

" meow." It responded in a bored tone, but obedient nonetheless. Nagumo quickly goes to the store, promising that it'll only take a few minutes.

The cat sits there, licking its paw out of boredom.

--

Ting! The door bell sounded as Nagumo exits the store with a small plastic bag filled with onigiri.

" Meow." The cat looked up at the blonde boy with bored golden eyes.

" See? Told you I'd be quick." Nagumo muses before taking out a small-sized onigiri.

" Here-"

" Miyabi? This is a suprise." A familiar voice halts Nagumo's feeding. The cat looked disappointed that the onigiri stopped half-way.

" Oh! A neko-chan!" Footsteps came surging into their space, a girl with chocolate brown hair and a familiar amulet bent down and gazed at the cat.

" Meow." The cat looked angry, although you probably couldn't tell due to its apathetic countenance.

" Nazuna, it's a suprise seeing you here." Nagumo says.

" No no, it a suprise to see you here. " Asahina laughs. " And with a cat. When I heard whispers about the famed vice-president walking around inside the mall with a cat alongside him? I HAD to come see it for myself."

" Haha, it suprises me how words about the most trivial of things can spread like wildfire." Nagumo says before gently shoving Asahina away, to which she sounds a sound of complaint soon followed by a pout.

" Well, you've seen what you came for. So leave me be." Nagumo says before finally giving the onigiri-

" HEY WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE FEEDING THE CAT?!" Asahina fumes.

" What's wrong?" Nagumo asks, halting the food again. The cat begins meowing repeatedly in disappointment.

Asahina shakes her head with a sigh, " You're seriously feeding it onigiri? It's not the nutritional diet for a cat, y'know? " She said, crossing her arms.

" It's just rice and some fish in the center." Nagumo spent extra for the employee to make a fresh fish onigiri that's also small-sized. " Don't cats like fish? And I don't recall them being allergic to rice either."

" Idiot, you're supposed to feed it some all-nutrition cat food." She says.

" I think you're the idiot if you think those commercial brand cat peanuts are gonna do any cat good." He rebukes.

" Says the guy who has never owned a pet for all I know." She scoffs, rolling her eyes. " Besides, my kitty at home is doing just fine with those commercial brand cat food you detest for some reason, even though they actually provide great nutrition to cats!"

" Isn't your ' kitty' obese?"

" HE'S JUST BUILT DIFFERENT OKAY!"

--

" Meoowww..." The cat paws Nagumo's leg, pleading for food.

Nagumo, who stood outside of the store Asahina went into, looked down to the cat and sighed.

" Sorry, but Nazuna told us to stay put while she buys those commercial cat food she keeps feeding her obese cat. Just hold on a while longer, okay?" He assures it.

" Meow."

"Thanks."

.

.

.

After exiting the mall, the three of them convened at a distant bench where nobody would really pass by at this time of day. It is there that Asahina takes out the pet tray and then pouring in...a ton of cat food.

" Bon apetit!" She says, proudly.

The cat looked at the tray, seemingly unsure. Its head turns to Nagumo in question, to which the latter replies with a shrug.

" Good luck." He says. The cat's face matched that of a frown before turning back to the tray.

"...Meow..." The cat approaches the tray and digs in...

" Aww~ See?" Asahina clasps her hands, smiling before looking smug to Nagumo. " I told you that I knew what I was doi-"

" BWHWHWHWH" The cat vomited its contents.

Asahina freezes while Nagumo raised a brow.

" You sure do know how to kill a cat, Nazuna."

--

" Here." Nagumo finally places down the Onigiri while Asahina sulks as she cleans the cat vomit.

" Meow..." The cat's eyes lit up in joy before quickly diving into the onigiri to eat.

So far, the cat looked absolutely content.

Nagumo hums,

" Well, well. Lookie here, Nazuna. The onigiri I specially ordered is doing wonders." He smugly said which made Asahina sink even more in embarassment.

The cat still looked famished and was currently searching for more food. He paws Nagumo's leg again, its eyes pleading again. Nagumo smiles softly and places another small-sized onigiri in the tray. The cat meows in joy before eating again while Nagumo sighs in contentment as he gently strokes the top of the cat's head.

Asahina watches the scene in silence, a smile etched on her face as well. It's rare for her to see Nagumi wearing a real smile on his face, a smile that doesn't hide any ulterior motives, nor a frown that betrays his real feelings. Just a happy smile of contentment. Although she is his friend and is willing to support his goals due to them being the same class, she doesn't actually want to. She actually disagrees with his ideals for the school and considers it overkill but she also believes that Manabu hadn't done enough to cause a change.

She has nothing against both sides, she is always a neutral in these sorts of disputes.

She prefers living school life like normal. Without the worry of battling other classes, or the amount of points you lose or earn, or some maniac seeking to establish meritocracy in the school body...

She only seeks these type of moments when everyone is just enjoying the little things and not taking them for granted. Just like how the usually busy and scheming Nagumo is doing right now, he's enjoying the little things with a real smile. She doesn't turn weak whenever Nagumo flaunts his charm on women like usual...

But moments like these are unfair exceptions...

" All right, that's enough. Don't want you to get obese like Nazuna's cat." Nagumo says.

" meow." The cat nods.

" Hey!" Asahina took offense, pouting.

" I'm not wrong," Nagumo turns to a cat, " You agree too, right? I mean, she almost killed you."

"Meow." It nodded.

" That was never my intention!" She cried out.

.

.

.

The two sat on the bench with the cat resting on Nagumo's lap. Asahina had taken the seat beside him, the both of them looked towards nothing in particular but Nagumo's hand was preoccupied in gently petting the cat as it slept.

Asahina was the first to break the silence.

" I went by the student council room a while back, a bit before I heard the rumors of your stringing along a cat."

Nagumo hums to that.

" Tachibana-senpai was livid, she kept complaining the to the student council president about you being an unruly brat that only wants to start trouble for his own selfish desire." Asahina chuckles, " Almost like how a mother would complain to the father that the child wasn't raised right."

" What a horrible comparison. Imagining either of them as my parents makes me wanna barf." Nagumo responds.

" Well, despite their complaints. I also heard one interesting little tid-bit. They seemed awfully confident that a certain kouhai will step up and stop you." She says, looking to him.

" Ah, right. Ayanokoji." Nagumo turns to her, " What do you think of him, Nazuna?"

" I think he might just stand a chance." She smirks, " You're a cocky prick who doesn't know when to stop once you get going. Someone oughta teach you how to sit down and be humble."

" You too, huh..." Nagumo didn't take any offense, instead he just smiled in amusement. " I'll humble senpai and that kouhai he keeps hyping up for no reason."

" I'll crush anyone who stands between me and my ambition."

" Chill, will you? You're starting to sound like a shounen anime villain." Asahina says, cringing.

" It's only the truth, " his arrogant attitude makes its return. " I'll really topple the school and turn it into a perfect meritocracy. I can't wait to see all of their faces, my little toys."

" Ew." Asahina groans in disgust.

Suddenly, rapid footsteps began approaching their vicinity.

" THERE YOU ARE! UGH, I TOLD YOU TO STAY PUT!" a voice yelled, sounding absolutely tired. Both Asahina and Nagumo turned their heads to the arriving commotion but they quickly realized who it was. A person they're both familiar with by gossip alone.

" Well, what might be the president's little sister be doing running around and screaming in this time of day?" Nagumo asks.

" Nagumo-senpai..." Suzune says, catching her breath before composing herself and slipping back to her normal attitude.

" Asahina-senpai." Suzune also greets the chocolate brown haired senpai, to which the latter replied with a wave.

She turns back towards Nagumo.

" The cat on your lap. I'd like to take him back please. It's Kiyotaka-kun." She went straight to the point.

" Oh? Ayanokoji's cat?" Nagumo stopped petting it, finding himself a bit disgusted now after finding out who the cat was associated to.

" Meow?" The cat wondered why the blonde stopped petting him.

" No, it's not his cat. He is the cat." Suzune corrects.

" Pardon?" Nagumo says, beginning to be confused but then his eyes widened in realization, chuckling.

" Ohh, I see. So you named him after Ayanokoji? I didn't think you'd be that obsessed with your classmate." He laughs.

" No, you misunderstand. The cat IS Ayanokoji Kiyotaka-kun." She corrects again but Nagumo only grew more confused.

" What? "

Suzune sighs, taking out a small glowing onigiri.

" Look." She says before shoving the onigiri down the cat's throat-

*POOF!*

"..."

"..."

There, lying on Nagumo's lap, was no longer the cute brown cat...no...it was actually Ayanokoji Kiyotaka...in the flesh.

"..." Kiyopon looks awkwardly to Nagumo, then to Asahina, before settling his gaze firmly on Suzune.

Suzune hands him his notebook and pen. " Welcome back, Kiyotaka-kun." She smirks.

" GET OFF ME YOU SHIT!" Nagumo shoves Kiyopon off of his lap while Asahina breaks out in uncontrollable laughter. Nagumo's face was red in anger, deeply regretting feeding the cat and petting him and even laying it on his lap...he did all these things unaware that it was the enemy!

Thud! Kiyopon lands on his butt.

Suzune glares at Nagumo. " Rude." She seethes.

" I-It was you...the entire time...b-bastard..." Nagumo felt absolutely humiliated at this.

" AHAHAHAHAHAHAHH! I C-CANT BREATHE--PFFT AHAHAH!!!" Meanwhile, his friend Asahina Nazuna continued to laugh at this entire situation.

" How the hell did he turn to a cat?! What was with that glowing origiri?! Answer me!" He barks at Suzune.

Suzune crosses her arms. " Some creep offered him magical origiri."

And then Suzune flicks Kiyopon's head, to which he responds with a pout. " And my dear friend ate without a second thought."

" Where in the hell do you even get magical onigiri? Magic isn't real!" Nagumo shouted.

" Clearly both of our expectations are subverted now. After all, Kiyotaka-kun literally turned to a cat and now back to human." Suzune plainly states.

" This goes against everything-" Before Nagumo could voice out more of his distraught position,

Suzune had enough of today and began scolding Kiyopon as she dragged him back to the dormitories.

" Don't take food from strangers again, you hear me? And don't you leave my sight ever again if you turned into an object, animal, or even a god! You hear me?" She says, frowning cutely.

Kiyopon smiles a bit and nods before writing out his apologies to her along the way...

" Ahaha...oh...that was goood..." Asahina catches her breath but her face was still flushed from all the laughing.

Nagumo looked absolutely pissed off. He spent MONEY on his enemy!

" I'm going to get him back for all of this..." Nagumo seethes as he clenches his fist. The fire ignited in his eyes to destroy Kiyopon for this humiliation.

" Oh, Miyabi look! My favorite kouhai left us a note before his girlfriend dragged him away~" Asahina says as she picks up a note indeed left by Kiyopon.

" Your favorite kouhai? Seriously?" To think Asahina would support Kiyopon too...

" Read it!" She hands him the note. " he left it for you!"

"...?" He takes the note and opens it...

' Thank you for taking care of me, Nagumo-senpai.

- Ayanokoji. '

Nagumo crushes the paper and throws it in the bin.

" Hey! Rude!" Asahina yells, but was clearly amused by his reaction.

" I swear that from this day onwards, I won't humiliate myself further under Ayanokoji's whims. I'll crush him." Nagumo makes a promise.

" I highly doubt that..." Asahina murmurs.

CHAPTER END!

Level 1 randomness has been completed!

The randomness will increase more and more

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I had fun writing Nagumo honestly.

I hope you'll look forward to the upcoming chapters that feature more randomness to act as filler! ( and a way to develop characters )

And it seems Kiyopon has unknowingly made another rival...

wonder how Ryuen would react to this. Nobody likes getting two-timed.

KawaiiLumine, out!

" What else do you expect me to do when my homie just turned into a hot chick?!"

From the background image and the title of this chapter.

Yeahhhh I don't have to spell out anything as to what this chapter will be about, huh?

I hope you enjoy!

Third Person PoV

It was 5 in the morning, on a Saturday. Still during winter break. All of the students would still be asleep at this time, and our main protagonist was no different.

However, his eyes reluctantly open. He was taken away from a wonderful dream and back into the real world, his eyes focus on the alarm which read exactly 5 am. He wonders why in the world would he wake up at this time but he quickly realized the reason.

His throat felt absolutely parched. He needed water. Now.

But he pouts to himself at the thought of having to make the effort in getting up from the sweet comfy morning bed. Nobody would wanna get up from the bed. Each second of thinking is giving him every reason to stay in bed and go back to sleep while dehydrating himself further, but who cares about the latter right? Tons of people sleep dehydrated!

Despite that wonderful logic he definitely agreed on, he had a hard time doing just that. He tossed and turned in his bed completely bothered by the dryness of his throat. He was on the verge of a mental breakdown caused by his own stubbornness in such a trivial matter.

"...Mnh..." He groans softly before lightly punching his bed in defeat.

He reluctantly gets up with heavy sleepy eyes. He yawns to himself as he made his journey towards the fridge. His hand clumsily grips the fridge door handle, opening it and grabbing the pitcher of cold water. After closing the fridge, he seeks out for a glass from the cabinets and once he had that he began pouring in the water.

He drinks it clumsily, not minding the obvious loose droplets of water sliding down his mouth. He places the glass in the kitchen sink before returning the pitcher back in the fridge.

He feels some wetness from his chest. It didn't feel too wet, so he raised his hand to his chest and began rubbing it in an attempt to slightly dry away the wetness...

"..."

But instead of his hand meeting his hard chest, it instead lands on a soft, plump texture.

"..." He slowly shifts his sleepy eyes downwards to his chest.

"..." He was met with two huge lumps on his chest.

His eyes widened in slow realization.

No, it couldn't be, right?

Yeah. hahahah! This must be some sort of hallucination from Kiyopon of sorts.

There was absolutely no way he has breasts or anything like that. Yeah, this is just a dream.

Just a dream...

Confident that this was nothing more than a dream. Kiyopon decides to squeeze his brea-

" Ahn~..." a soft womanly moan escapes his lips.

"..."

Did...Did he actually just...

No..

No.No.No.

NO.NO.NO-

THIS WASN'T A DREAM-

--

Suzune was sleeping peacefully within the comfort of her own room. Her snores were light but barely audible as she laid on her side with the blanket tightly wrapped around her, almost like a burrito. God knows how she even managed to do that in the first place.

But then, her phone began to ring. Her eyes stayed shut, thinking it was just some random noise that'll eventually go away. It was winter break, why should she wake up early anyway.

*RINNGINGINGINGINGINGINGIGNIGGN*

The incessant noise reluctantly opened her eyes just slightly, she didn't answer the call just yet. Her eyes went to the alarm clock and it read 5:20 am. Her thoughts were all over the place but one thought was definitely taking charge amongst the rest.

Who in the hell would call her at this time?

She grumbles to herself before reaching her arm out to grab her phone. Her eyes widened a bit once she saw that it was Kiyopon. she quickly decides to hell with sleep.

She yawns before answering the call and then putting it on speaker, placing it on the side as she lays on the neutral position on the bed, trying not to fall asleep.

" What is it..." She says, loud enough for the caller to hear.

" Suzune...I need you to come here..." A soft...womanly voice answered...?

" Kiyotaka-kun...your voice sounds softer than usual..." She sleepily points out. " It almost sounds like a woman..." A small chuckle escapes at that thought.

" Suzune...I need your help...please listen..." The soft womanly voice pleaded.

" Mm, what is it...?" She turns to her side, facing her phone.

...

...

...

Her eyes went wide awake after hearing out Kiyopon's words. She shot up from bed and began dressing.

--

" Just last week, you turned into a cat and now..." Suzune's eyes went to Kiyopon's huge...chest.

" You...turned into a girl..." She mutters.

Kiyopon nods slowly, he wears his apathetic expression but inside he was freaking out.

" Why am I not too suprised anymore..." Suzune sighs, " Waking up to this at 5:30 in the morning. Weird things always happen with you, Kiyotaka-kun." She says before stepping closer.

" But I do have to ask..." She says as he hand slowly reaches out. " Is this even real...?" She squeezes-

" Anh~!" That soft moan-

" H-Huh?" Suzune retracts her hand quickly, just as Kiyopon quickly shot his hand to his mouth and covering it. Both of their faces were red from embarrassment.

" S-Sorry!" She quickly shoots an apology and quickly turning away. It was real. Those were real breasts.

"...I...it's okay..." Kiyopon responds. But he quickly tries to improvise and not make it more awkward than it already is.

" Are breasts...always this...sensitive...?" He asks her. But little did he know, that type of question only embarrassed Suzune even further.

" Yeah..." She answers before suddenly reaching a realization. She quickly turns her head to him, a serious look plastered on her face.

" Did you look at your down there?" She asks him, blankly.

" No...but...I think it's gone." He answers, rubbing his womanly thighs on instinct.

" I see...so you really did turn into a complete woman...aside from the mind, of course." She hums before taking a seat. " And you said you just woke up as a female, right?" She asks him.

Kiyopon nods.

" Now this is troublesome. What could've possibly caused this to happen? There are no leads to go by..." Suzune says, crossing her arms as she began to try thinking deeper.

Kiyopon grabs his notebook and begins writing...

' Should we call the group for assistance?' it said.

" I think that will be a good idea, yes." Suzune agrees before taking out her phone and calling the group chat.

But while the call was waiting to be picked up, Suzune felt a finger poking her arm.

She turns to Kiyopon.

" What?" She asks.

"...Can you ask Airi or Haruka if they can lend me one of their bras?" He asks with no shame.

Suzune's eyes glance down once more to Kiyopon's huge bazonkers. A faint blush crept upon her face before looking away.

" R-Right." Suzune will make sure those two pieces of meat are accommodated...

--

" Can I touch them?" Akito asks.

"..."

It was currently 5:45 am and everyone was gathered in Kiyopon's room. Airi, Haruka, Keisei, Mori, and Akito were now informed of Kiyopon's issue. Also, Haruka did provide Kiyopon one of her bras that fit our male-turned-female protagonist quite well.

And now, back to Akito's question.

" WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!" Haruka looks at him in disbelief.

" I'm asking Kiyotaka if I can touch his boobs." Akito blankly repeats as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

" A-Akito, what the hell man..." Keisei says, blushing in embarrassment for him.

" Keisei wants to try it too." Akito casually drags his friend in the line of fire.

" I DIDN'T SAY SHIT!" Keisei retorts quickly while Akito looked at him in disappointment. " Don't look at me as if I'm a disappointment, you perverted beast!" Keisei adds.

" I honestly wanna try it too." Mori raises her hand.

" You too?!" Haruka's jaw drops.

" Nene-chan?!" Airi gasps.

Suzune just shakes her head in disappointment...the situation was shifting away from addressing the real issue as each second passes. This happened last week too when Kiyopon turned into a cat. Everyone's brain cells just dissipates.

" I'm just checking if they're authentic!" Mori says her excuse.

" DOES THAT EVEN MATTER?!" Haruka asks.

" Authenticity? To hell with that. I just wanna grope my best friend's boobs." Akito turns to Kiyopon. " Speaking of which, may I?"

" Miyatchii, this is unreasonable! Kiyopon may be a man on the inside but his body is a female. What you're asking is just perverted!" Haruka reasons. " Is that really the only place your mind is stuck on?!"

" What else do you expect me to do when my homie just turned into a hot chick?!" Akito argues passionately.

Kiyopon just looks between them, as an electric spark sizzled in their eye contact. He sighs, it seems another fight between Haruka and Akito was inevitable after all.

" Kiyotaka is originally a man! My best friend! Even if his body turned to a girl, his heart remains masculine! So me asking to grope his newly acquired breasts is far from perverted. I'm simply asking to grope my friend's new appendages, that's all!" Akito reasons.

" Listen to yourself, will you?!" Haruka fumes, gritting her teeth. " You sound like a total creep-o! Even male friendships should have limits, don't you think?! Besides, Kiyopon looks creeped out!"

Kiyopon just stared at them with a bored look. Airi doesn't even wanna get in the middle of THAT. Mori is just watching this in amusement. Keisei wants to sleep. And Suzune wishes to snap both Haruka and Akito's necks if this escalates any further.

" You're insane to suggest that I shouldn't test out Kiyotaka's new appendages." Akito says, shaking his head.

" Me? Insane?! Don't even speak you perverted piece of-" And now the exchange of profanities begin. They were going at each other's throats. A normal sight for their group, but an unusual one from the outsider's perspective.

Suzune nudges Kiyopon's arm. He turns to her, she gives him a suggestive gaze.

" May I?" She says, clenching her fist. Ah, it seems Suzune has reached her limit.

Kiyopon sighs before his--' her' head in affirmation, giving Suzune the green signal to do what needs to be done.

--

" Shall we discuss solutions on how to fix this now? Or do you two intend to keep going at it." Suzune glares.

Haruka and Akito quickly nodded, opting to go ahead with the discussion without further interruption. The both of them rubbed their bruised heads, courtesy of Horikita Suzune.

" Yes, please continue. I am no longer the man I was 5 seconds ago." Akito says before muttering an ' ow'.

" Same here...ow!" Same for Haruka.

" Good. Without further ado, let's figure out how to fix this and turn Kiyotaka-kun back to a male."

2. They didn't fix this.

Kiyopon, or rather should we start referring to her as ' Kiyone-san' in order to avoid confusion? Yeah, let's go with Kiyone-san!

The group wasn't able to fix the situation. Not at all. Not even a smidge.

Kiyone-san sulks silently, she wonders to herself if this'll be her form from now on? It's a scary thought. Everyone in the group promised to help Kiyone-san return to normal but they also told her not to get her hopes up. There was almost nothing to go by except for a suggestion from Suzune.

--

" For now, just practice being a girl. While we figure things out, you should try and get used to this form in the scenario that this is irreversible. That's the best you can do for now, Kiyotaka--I mean, Kiyone-san..."

--

Kiyone-san sits on the lone bench, she lets the snow pile up on her head again. How does one act like a girl? He wanted to ask everyone that but they quickly left her alone before she could write or ask.

Well, she guesses that she could try and figure it out herself. What's the worst that could happen?

Kiyone-san begins writing in her notebook...

' How do I act like a girl?

Do I act like Suzune?

Mori?

Airi?

Ichinose?

Haruka?

Chabashira-sensei?

Which girl has the best personality...'

Kiyopon's lips form to a small pout as she thought deeply about this.

And then she circled a name.

' Ichinose - The ideal girl everyone would like '

Kiyone-san hums to herself, maybe she should pay Ichinose a visit. Perhaps her assistance could prove fruitful in this current situation. Although he was closer to Mori and considers her personality to be similar to Ichinose's, she currently can't reach her. So Ichinose is the way to go.

Besides...since when was the last time Ichinose even made an appearance in this fanfic?

Ignore that random 4th wall break.

Welp, it's decided. Kiyone-san will seek Ichinose's help to teach her in the ways of being feminine!

Kiyone-san pulls up her phone and quickly shoots Ichinose a message for help. It's time to begin this new mini series of Kiyone-san Can't Communicate!

" Kuku, nice boobs. Ayanokoji."

Kiyone-san freezes. She slowly tilts her head to the side...

Ryuen stood there with an amused smirk. His eyes surveyed her entire being from head to toe.

" You don't look half-bad for a chick." He approaches her, the grin plastered on his face only widening.

Kiyone-san turns red, she quickly looks away, silently cursing the gods for creating this unnecessary encounter! She didn't want anyone to see her like this! Even though she made the choice of going outside...

" So, wanna fuck?"

What a great start to Kiyone-san Can't Communicate...

CHAPTER END!

Yes, this mini-arc will last for another chapter or two!

Look forward to Kiyone-san's interactions with everyone! Interactions will be kept short though! Since the entire point of this mini-series is to satisfy my what-ifs ( and probably a lot of yours ) of this fic if Kiyopon was a girl.

Anyways, see you next chapter!

KawaiiLumine, out~