/N: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. Classroom of the Elite belongs to Shougo Kinugasa. Bungou Stray Dogs belongs to Asagiri Kafka. I don't own three of the series since both of them belongs to their respective owners. Other Anime characters also belong to their respective owners.
Volume II
Kikyo Kushida
"Kushida-san." After hearing who's calling her, she immediately frowned. "I wish to know… What'd she done to you to make you like that in the class? Not only Inogashira-san and Mei-san… The entire class including me is worried about you." Suzune said with concerned tone. "I hope your cooperation… In order to stop whatever Hanabusa-san plan to do to my classmates."
"Hmph." Hearing it just make Kushida scoffed in disgust at Suzune's concern. There's no need to be concerned with her. In any way, all of them should be concerned with their future inside this school after they know her true persona. "Just shut up… You damn bitch."
Suzune slightly widen her eyes as such profanity but still manage to maintain her concerned look toward her classmate. "I'm sorry, Mio-san. However, can all of you leaving the room except for two of us? I'm afraid this talking will probably become personal." She said with low tone.
"Sorry but that can't be done." Mio stated with finality.
"This matter is not just yours. If that bastard Hanabusa didn't stop, our Class Points can be affected." Ryuuen argued with joking tone, but Itachi can tell he's not joking around this time. "There's no way I let my class fall to D-Class because of her stupid actions." He stated. 'Not when someone dares to do something that embarrass himself to get someone respect.' He thought, glanced toward Itachi.
"I also the same. We already conduct our own way to investigate Sumireko and there's no way I can let this slide." Itachi agreed with both Mio and Ryuuen.
Suzune just sighed before look at the last two people in the room. "Atsushi-kun. I suggest you shall take Karuizawa-san back to her dorm room. Judging by the recent events, she must be traumatized. It's better if she rest back to her dorm-"
"And let Hanabusa just come and do whatever she has in mind to me and Kushida-san?" Kei suddenly speak up with fear evident on her tone. "I-I see it H-Horikita-san. S-She will do more than bully me… S-She…" Kei start to shivering remembers what Sumireko try to do to her if Atsushi not arrive in time. 'She'll do that to me like them… No. P-Probably even worse…'
"She's dangerous Horikita-san. If I must be blunt, she seems shooting something like a cable with sharp end toward Karuizawa-chan and it was directed right to her face. I see it myself how that dangerous weapons can create hole on the brick wall of the school rooftop. I can't help but imagine if that weapon hit Karuizawa-chan." Atsushi explained to make Suzune understand how dangerous Sumireko is as she someone that even dares to critically injure others to covers up whatever plan she have in mind. Not to mention that she seemingly a Special Ability user. "It's better if Karuizawa-chan stay here with us. Not to mention like it or not, she already enters this fiasco. I also want to know her reason for doing all of this in the first place. During our small scuffle, she seems obsessed with a survivor or something and she want to defeat someone that according to her called a masterpiece of a certain man and by defeating him, she can called herself strongest or something." He explained what he got.
"Masterpiece?" Ryuuen asked in curiosity. "Her reasoning however is rather ambiguous for me."
'Could it be… It has connection to the mysterious organization that Hagoromo-sama said to me years ago?' Itachi quickly pick this up. So that mysterious organization makes it way to the so-called elite school in Japan? "Did Sumireko have some grudge toward this man that code-named Masterpiece?" He asked Atsushi.
"Let just code him as X, Itachi. Masterpiece is sounds exaggerated and arrogant codename." Ryuuen opined.
"Fine then." Itachi agreed.
"Unfortunately, I don't know that much." Atsushi said to Itachi in apologetic tone. "After all, my priority is to make sure that Karuizawa-chan and Kushida-chan able to get away from the school rooftop as far as possible. However, I never count that Mio-san able to get to them."
"It's nothing Atsushi. After seeing how scared Karuizawa and Kushida being injured like that, there's no way I just keep silent and walk away like nothing happened." Mio said to Atsushi.
Suzune then smiled at Mio. "I owe you this one, Mio-san. I promise I'll equal it in the future." She thanked.
"No need for that. I just do what's right." Mio politely declined her thanks.
"For that Kikyo, I need your cooperation to say whatever Sumireko have in mind for this X person. If not, I can easily assume you in cohort with her." Itachi stated while look toward Kushida with serious look.
"Ku ku ku. You seem can be ruthless if the condition fits." Ryuuen teased in no nonsense tone.
"If must be, I can become a monster to protect my class." Itachi replied with firm tone.
"What are you… Like I ever joined forces with bitch like her!" Kushida immediately screamed at Itachi. "All of you just here for false accusations right!? I haven't done anything to harm Class 1-C! She's the one that comes to me first!"
"Yet one of my classmates that I won't tell her name to you sees you sometimes come to Sumireko's room and comes out with a bruise on either your hand or face. She's our responsibility yet we have no information about her goal except from what Atsushi get and you." Itachi quickly shut her off while hiding Minori's involvement. He knows something after seeing Kushida eyes. She looks someone that is threatened with something that involves death of someone close to her. This kind of practice is a mere child game for him back on the Elemental Nations.
"Like I said I don't know anything!" Kushida screams now seems in panic before turn hateful toward Suzune. "I want to get out from here! I can't stand this bitch who just put a façade she's concern with-" She unable to finish her panic ranting as Mio slap her in the face.
"Mio-san." Suzune is still shocked from Kushida revealed her hatred toward her so she not sees that slap coming.
"Do not call Suzune a bitch." Mio said while holding back her anger toward Kushida. "She's my friend that manages to become a better person than you. If you called her a bitch again, the next won't be a slap anymore." She threatened Kushida with cold tone.
"T-This doesn't concern you who cried like a baby after her defeat at the tournament three years ago!" Kushida not admit her lost and keep argue. But alas, she touches a sore spot as some participants of the room flinched, more on Itachi, Ryuuen, and Atsushi.
As Mio look down but she seems boiling in anger as the last straw of her patience wear off. With lightning fast movement, she choke Kushida before she have any chance to reply back and lift her up slightly while Mio stand up from her seat, showcasing her strength. "You dare… To say something like that? Then it's okay… If I make you lose your vocal cord, right?" She asked in low but murderous tone as she tightens her hold on Kushida's neck.
"Ggh…" Kushida tried her best to release Mio's right hand from her neck but to no avail. She simply more powerful than her. "G-Gaah…" She then began to gasp for air as Mio strengthen her grip as her own grip start to lessen due to lack of oxygen.
"Mio-san that's enough!" Suzune in panic try to stop her but flinch when she looks into her eyes.
It's a cold gaze that will not hesitate to act even further, if someone that close to her didn't stop it.
Ryuuen didn't even bother to stop her. Kushida after all dig her own grave by blabbering Mio's weak moment that only known to all of the people inside except for Atsushi and Kei. He can understand why she's pissed off.
"Mio." Itachi then grab her right shoulder. "Stop it." He said as Mio murderous aura suddenly dissipate, making she lessen her grip on Kushida's neck before releasing her. She then takes a deep breath for a moment.
*Cough* *Cough* Kushida cough before try to take a breath herself.
"I'm sorry, Itachi. Suzune." Mio then apologized as her gaze return to normal. "However, I'll go to the outside for a while." She then turn around and goes to the door of her dorm room. "If she already done giving the valuable information about Sumireko rampage on Class 1-D, I want to her to immediately get out from my dorm room." She said as she opened the door to exit the room, only to find unexpected person waiting in front of it.
"Sorry for intruding. My room is on the right side of yours… And those screaming really make me unable to sleep properly." Masumi said to each people inside the room with plain tone, although one can realize she emit hidden annoyance because she can't sleep well, with the fact she still wearing her purple sleeping gown. "So… What's this about exactly? I'm surprised that Shiina didn't wake up at all due to this ruckus."
"Kamuro-san… Forgive for being blunt but… This matter is better safe if you don't know about it. You maybe don't know but-" Suzune said before Masumi cut her off.
"At 06.00 p.m., there's an incident in the rooftop that involved four people. Is that correct?" Masumi easily guess which earn shock from all of the participants except for one. "I see that you know the way I know the incident then, Atsushi?" She asked in plain tone.
"I did. It seems you also have sharp senses like I did. Or to be exact… You're Special Ability user right?" Atsushi acknowledged before speak to the others. "I think it's okay if Kamuro-san wants to know about this. After all, we can't hide everything from her."
'Special Ability user?' What Atsushi said caught the attention of everyone inside the room.
"But still, how'd you able to guess the case so easily and in a perfect like that? Is this connecting with this Special Ability user that Nakajima just said?" Ryuuen wondered in curiosity. He hate to admit it but among the former participants of the Middle Grade Martial Arts Tournament three years ago, Masumi seems have the greatest increase in strength of all of them. He must said that she can probably beat him if that's still him three years ago. Not to mention, she seems hiding something more than just training physically.
"Like Nakajima said, I was a Special Ability user. However, let's put that away. We have more important thing right now." Masumi dismissed Ryuuen as she glance toward Kushida that had her back being caressed by Suzune due to difficulty breathing. "I don't know about why she's being used by Sumireko Hanabusa. However, I know the girl very well." She revealed much to the shock of everyone.
"If so, what information that you can give us Masumi? Because I'm afraid that she'll not hesitate to attack even her own classmate for whatever she aims." Itachi pressed on.
"That's what she'll probably do I'm afraid. After all, Papa and I once come to her birthday when she's 9 years old. At that time we visits her, she already lost her left arm." Masumi explained her experience. "According to the rumors I've heard, seems she was being targeted by numerous people, business rival, assassins, and many others…. Ever since she was a baby."
"That sounds rough. Maybe she got shot on her brain making her a bit insane." Ryuuen lightly joked about it.
"It's not good said something like that about someone suffering, Ryuuen." Atsushi reprimands him for his uncivilized rudeness speaking so lightly about someone's past that probably sensitive.
"You can forgive Kakeru for that Atsushi. Sumireko after all manage to make him angry on several occasions." Itachi said, defending Ryuuen statement.
"W-Wait a minute…" Kei suddenly speak up, with fear evident on her tone. "If that's true… Then how about t-that strange thing that shot from her fingertips…" She said, still in fear remembering it. This makes everyone look at Kushida for confirmation. She's still caressed by Suzune.
"I know nothing." Kushida immediately spat.
"If that so, why'd you warn me to dodge?" Kei demanded. "There's no way you warn me if you not knowing that she have such tools at her disposal to begin with."
"I really don't know anything!" Kushida denied it with high tone. "It just a reflect warning!?"
"If that so…. Why'd you scared? It was evident in your tone. Did Sumireko threaten you with something?" Itachi demanded, which cause reaction of surprise from Kushida's eyes. "I see. It seems my theory was right. Sumireko… She threaten you with the life of someone that precious to you isn't it?" These earn a surprise from most of the participants inside the room sans Atsushi, Masumi, and Ryuuen.
"K-Kill… Someone?" Suzune can't even believe what she just heard. "Did she even a high school student with that kind of threat?"
"S-She…" Mio stammered as well despite has her own experience watching Itachi's past. This kind of threat already become common for her.
Atsushi just narrowed his eyes in hidden anger. How dare she do something like that!
Ryuuen just chuckling. "Ku ku ku. What a bastard she is it seems." He commented.
Masumi also narrowed her eyes, like she was expecting it in the first place.
"W-What on earth…" Kei is shivering more in fear, remembering the past of her middle grade school. 'I-If she captures me… T-Then…'
"You already caught up in this Kei Karuizawa whether you like it or not. If what I know of her was correct, Sumireko won't stop to silence anyone that knows her plan. That includes you and all of us inside this room. She's smart enough to realize that much." Masumi explained the cold fact to Kei, knowing what she's thinking right now. "Especially with the fact that all of you in here already heard about Special Ability."
"B-But…" Kei step backward in terror as her breath become like she was exhausted. "I-I… Don't want to follow a-any of this…" She uttered to no one as she looks down.
"Karuizawa-chan." Atsushi then gently touch her left shoulder in a vain attempt to calm her down. "I know that you're afraid but… This situation is no longer safe for you to just running away."
Masumi feeling not well seeing the scene. "Forgive me. I just want to say the hard facts." Masumi quickly apologized; not feeling well on Kei's crying form.
"It's okay Kamuro-san. I know you meant no harm." Suzune assured her before look seriously toward Kushida. "So Kushida-san… Did what Itachi said was true? Who's the one that Hanabusa-san threatened to k-kill?" She asked; feel the words are foreign to her thoughts.
Kushida then look toward Suzune with tired look on her eyes, unable to find any strength to keep her fake persona tone of talking. "It's true… However, someone like you will never understand it… Not someone that's pretty and able to get attention as easily as you." She said the word with hatred evident in her tone. "After all… I won't let anyone that knows about my true self… I'll not allow them to exist at this-"
"Why'd you hate your true self so much?" This picks up Itachi's curiosity, since it reminds him of Kabuto when he said from the beginning he has nothing. However, he can see that Kushida's situation is completely different than Kabuto. "If I take a guess, someone that threatened by Sumireko must be really important for you if you dislike your true self."
"You're wrong sadly. After all, maybe that brain of yours already rusty considers the tear mark on your face." Kushida deny it while take her time to mock Itachi.
"And then what?" Masumi demanded calmly. "You realize your situation inside here, Kikyo Kushida. If we want, we can silence you for any devious plan you have in mind to expel all of us in here because some damn ego of yours. I know your type: Someone that thirst for attention but doesn't know their limits. It's a sad way of life… Truly."
Kushida eyes widened in surprise before snarl in anger. "W-What do you know about it!?"
"Let me take a wild guess about your past and whose Sumireko is targeting." Masumi begin which picks everyone interests. They never expect her to be this observant. "To sum it up: You're thirst for empty acknowledgement from others, which in your case is something like obsession which raise your fake persona. That makes you so obsessed to the point you try to dispose anyone that knows the other you, which is your true self. As for whose Sumireko is targeting to make you obey her, it's your parents… Am I right?"
'I see. So she's a bit like Kabuto but not the same problem as him.' Itachi thought to himself after hearing Masumi's wild guess. But he knows he won't get the real truth unless it comes out from Kushida herself.
"Ku Ku Ku, so you're nothing more than an attention-seeker with two faces? You're fit to be a geek like that Nightmare Alley novel I can assure you. Y'know, the one that becomes geek in the end." Ryuuen commented in plain tone after hearing it.
"I hate to say this but for once, I agree with you." Mio said before narrow her eyes toward Kushida. "You're disgusting. Even if I know your past, I think it won't change that much for me to sympathize with your condition."
Kei is still too broken to comment. She still sobs while Atsushi tries to calm her down.
'I see. She just like-' Atsushi thought as he somehow understands Kushida pain. The emptiness of formal attention against those that truly gives you true attention in any form. "Now I see. Kushida-san… You… You can't find your own reason to live… Can't you?" He asked softly.
The question from Atsushi really caught Kushida and the others except for Itachi off-guard. Gritting her teeth at first, she then relented. She then sighs in exhaustion. "Why… Why'd you able to guess it correctly?" She asked in plain tone.
"Kushida-san…" Suzune now start to feel sympathy for her.
"I was also like that at the beginning. However, thanks to many people that helps me… I'm able to finally find my reason to live." Atsushi replied honestly with a smile. This earn respect from Itachi, if only he exist on the Elemental Nations, seems he can get along with Atsushi first rather than Shisui but in the end, it's all wishful thinking.
"I… See…" Kushida unable to retort or mock Atsushi. What he hits is really her sore spot, something that she expects no one will find behind her façade and her true persona. "So… There's no way… I can get away from this…"
"Indeed. However, I-no, all of us here really must know your past in order to solve why Sumireko targeting your parents and what's her goal attending this school. I promise you here… That not a single words about your past will exiting this room. We promise to keep our mouth shut. In return, please… Help us." Itachi tries to negotiate with Kushida. "I realized people have one or two past that they don't want to talk about however for now, there's no other way."
Not moving at all for a moment, Kushida slowly nod while look down toward the bed as she sit up on it. "I see… In the end… I can't get away with this at all… Of someone discovering my true self." She said in self-depressed tone, giving up any sorts of resistance by now. "What Itachi-san guess was the truth… Hanabusa-san… In order to make me comply to her… Sh-She threatened to kill my parents." She revealed which earns shock from Suzune and Kei who gasp in shock hearing it. "As for her goals… I truly know nothing about it but it seems… It involved a male student in my class. She said she'll beat him to prove that she was the strongest queen or something in that line... Just like what Atsushi-kun said before…"
"I can't believe that she's that deranged to the point of threatening innocents." Masumi comment her disgust about it.
"What can you say? Maybe those assassination attempts from her childhood till' now broke her mentality and worldview to the extreme." Ryuuen opined.
"As for the tools that she try to use on Karuizawa-san… That wasn't a tool at all. That thing… Was a part of her body…" Kushida revealed which earn shock from all of the participants on the room. "She's… Partly an android…"
(Flashback – April 7th; Sumireko's Dorm Room)
A tied up Kushida is slowly awakened as she feels something cold touching her cheek. 'W-Where am I?' She thought in confusion as she tries to move her body but find herself being tied up to a chair. 'Why am I being tied up?' She thought in surprise as the first thing she sees was Sumireko's smiling face.
"Welcome back Kushida-san. I'm afraid that my sedative spray really knocks you out for good you know." Sumireko said with her smile which Kushida can see means no good.
Remembering the event last night despite still being dizzy, Kushida can feel cold sweat is dripping on her face. For the first time in her life, Kushida can't contain herself as fear is emerging like a burst of a geyser from her. "W-What did-" She stammered to say as Sumireko put her right index finger to her lips.
"Relax. Can we do civilized talk? Or you prefer to vent yourself out again like yesterday?" Sumireko asked in civilized manner despite her intentions.
Hearing that Sumireko knows about her vent last night make some resistance built on Kushida's heart. Her eyes expression change as it turns narrow and she start to smile that was unlike her kind persona. "If you ever tell anyone about it… I promise that you will live a living hell inside this school! I can promise you that!" She screamed in retaliation.
"And… You think I'll be scared with just that bravado? Kushida-san, seems you must realize your position right now as my dog." Sumireko keep maintain her calm attitude despite the threat, like she takes Kushida's threat as a mere childish tantrums. "After all, you can't compare to me since you're not the queen that able to endure everything."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Kushida asked with a hint of confusion shown on her tone.
"You see Kushida-san, ever since I was a toddler; I was targeted by various assassination attempts due to my family being an influential one. You've known the Hanabusa Family correct?" Sumireko begin to tell her story.
"What of it then?" Kushida asked which replied with a gut punch from Sumireko that happens so fast that even she not registers the pain in time. The force of the punch make she gasps for air as she feels her consciousness start to leave her body.
"Seems you still need some whipping. However, seems I not held back as much as I want." Sumireko commented while slightly irritated with her accomplishment. "Well, you can't escape anyway." She then touches her left hand which she uses to punch Kushida. "Seems it needs some maintenance for a moment huh?" She said to herself as she pull out her left arm skin which revealed to be a disguise sleeve, which show something that make Kushida's horrified before she become unconscious again.
A metallic arm or more like an arm of a robot.
(Flashback End)
"That's… What I see back then. The reason I tell Karuizawa-san to dodge... Is from what I know about cyborg from the movies I watch…" Kushida tell the truth of what she saw back then.
"That's… Hard to believe." Itachi tried to swallow the information.
"Indeed. Can I be certain that this is not some lie for you to escape our investigation?" Ryuuen asked, suspicious of Kushida's claim that Sumireko's a cyborg. "However, based on your expression, I can tell you tell the truth… Since it was really true fear that shown in your face."
"How'd someone like that being admitted to this school in the first place?" Suzune asked in clear shock of what she just heard.
"Remember that she alongside Atsushi and Karuizawa also the witness so I don't think she's lying." Mio defending Kushida's claim despite the fact she badmouthed her not long before. "In that case, we shall prepare for giving her some lessons. At this rate, she'll be threat to everyone inside this school."
"Ku ku ku, I can't believe that I'm agreeing with you on this." Ryuuen chuckled in agreement. What Mio said is true though, Sumireko is a threat that needs to be subdues quickly. "Seems we must resort to violence again this time Itachi. I'll enjoy make her never try to do this stupid stunt ever again."
"I also see there's no other choice." Itachi for once agreed with Ryuuen. After the fuss of Kushida and Atsushi on the rooftop, he knows that Sumireko probably can't be negotiating to stop her rampage. "Atsushi. I suggest you shall use Mio's dorm room to guard Kushida, Karuizawa, and Suzune. I think she'll not be suspicious if it's the room of her own classmate." He suggests.
Atsushi nod. "All right. I can hold my own against her if she somehow comes inside." He agreed before look toward Mio, which she nods in agreement.
Suzune look still worried by what she just heard. Even though she herself learns martial arts, she hates violence of any kind. "Wait a second! Please everyone think it again. We talk about violence you know? Talking about beating up someone who beats up my classmates! Is there really no other way?" She asked in high but worried tone.
"Suzune. In this world, there are some people that can't be negotiating with. Even if you do that either Sumireko will manipulate you to her conditions or… She'll silence you considers all of us in here knows her secret." Itachi advised her. "I won't tell you as naïve since I understand how you loathe needless violence ever since we start training together but unless with it, someone like Sumireko that almost injured Karuizawa and torture Kushida for how long that we don't know will keep doing this over and over again until she reach her goal of beating this X person from your class." He then looks toward Kei. "Karuizawa. I hope you keep stay inside Mio's room alongside Atsushi, Kushida, and Suzune. I can't promise your safety if you not inside."
Kei is still sobs though, but she meekly nodded.
"Maybe you'll know immediately what I'll say Itachi but I follow you to confront her. Considers this as my payment for not visits you and immediately return to home after your victory three years ago. After all, all of you here except for some accept me so I'll gladly help the way I can." Masumi voiced her decision to join the beat up.
"Are you sure? After all, it doesn't concern you at all." Ryuuen tried to make sure if she's really going to help them.
Masumi nod calmly to confirm it. "After all, I not spent my three years doing nothing." She said.
"Ku ku ku. You want to tell me you're stronger than back then? Interesting, maybe we should have a spar." Ryuuen said, agree with Masumi's assistance.
"That can wait for later." Masumi kindly reject the offer. "We shall contact each other more frequently then. If any case Sumireko decides to make her move, I can at least stay inside Mio's room if she comes." She suggested which earn nod from the Class C students.
"Let's return to our dorm room except for Atsushi, Suzune, Karuizawa, and Kushida. Mio, for momentarily you shall stay on Masumi's room." Itachi firmly said which earn nod from his adoptive sister. After he said that, without any words, all of them except for Kei, Atsushi, Suzune, and Kushida are leaving, return to their dorm room but not before Mio give Suzune her dorm room key. "And Masumi, it seems we need to talk about this so-called Special Ability. I can see this is something that important next time." He said to the purple-haired girl.
"I also curious as well. If this Special Ability is like what I see on various Manga or superhero movies, then I can say… We're screwed." Ryuuen said in grim tone.
Mio gulp hearing Ryuuen statement, knows that better after seeing Itachi's past of how Jutsu change the tides of battle quickly if someone have zero knowledge about their opponent.
"I want to decline it but it seems I can't get away from it." Masumi just sighed in agreement before look toward Atsushi. "Nakajima. I think you shall tell the three of them as well." She said.
"I know." Atsushi nod in agreement with Masumi.
"Very well then. We'll take our leave. Take care of Karuizawa, Kushida, and Suzune; Atsushi." Itachi bid his farewell as he, Ryuuen, Mio, and Masumi exiting the room.
However, unknown to all of them, Mio's other neighbor Hiyori is listening the conversation that occurs inside. It was revealed that the wall that separates each dorm room is not that sound proof against loud noises. Considers Kushida's loud noise, it was heard to her room.
The difference is rather than Masumi who feel disturb and thus decide to listen the conversation, Hiyori is fully awake all the time due to a certain person request. Her phone is revealed to have ongoing call.
[How is it, Hiyori-chan?] The sound from Hiyori's phone was revealed to be Dazai.
"It's like you predicted, Dazai-sensei. With this, I think Horikita-san passed the entrance test for the literature club, right?" Hiyori asked her homeroom teacher. "I actually feel this is not the right thing to do… Eavesdropping on Itachi-kun and the others like this…"
[It's all right Hiyori-chan. Don't forget our priority is to know whether those that wish to enter the Literature Club being swallowed by this school nature or not. I must say Suzune-chan passed like you said, Hiyori-chan.] Dazai agreed with Hiyori before his tone turn serious. [As for Sumireko-chan problem, it seems a serious matter… No matter what, pretend that you don't hear any of it.] He warned Hiyori.
"O-Okay Dazai-sensei." Hiyori stammered, knowing the consequences if Sumireko ever learn that she know about this. "B-But… What about that Special Ability-"
[For now, all we need to do is to stay with the flow. As for that… We'll talk about it in a right time. Goodnight~] Dazai said as he hang up the conversation with Hiyori.
"So that's your move." Dazai pondered to himself before smiled. "Interesting. However, your throne as a queen will surely fall, because there's monster that'll crush it down. And the good thing is, seems I found more potential." He then dials another contact from his phone. "Let see if he already arrive on the scene. I wonder what kind of joke I must prepare for him this time~"
(An hour later)
Inside Mio's dorm room, the lamp being turned off since Atsushi change it to night lamp. Currently, only Kei is seen sleeping soundly on Mio's futon that being put on the floor while Atsushi is still awake sitting on Mio's chair reading comics on Mio's room. Suzune is seen lean her body to Mio's bed while she's sitting on the floor, sleeping.
One person though is awake as well. Kushida seems can't sleep well due to black bags under her eye. The stress mentality thanks to Sumireko seems caught up with her. She now does one thing though, glaring with contempt at Atsushi who seems not mind her presence at all.
"You shall sleep Kushida-chan." Atsushi said to her with low voice and concern, cutting off her thought. "You'll get sick if you don't."
"Yeah right." Kushida harshly dismiss his concern in low voice as well before she decided to ask something. "Nakajima-kun. Why'd you said that?"
Atsushi immediately understand what Kushida is meant. "It's because… That reflects in your eyes. Your eyes… Is someone that seeks any kind of recognition, whether it was empty or not. However, at the same time, it makes you become unhealthy in mentality and will make you try to dispose anyone that know this particular personality of yours… I guess." He honestly replied before continued. "To tell you the truth Kushida-chan. This is not the first time I was cautious of you. I already take caution of you since the first day, when the first time you introduce yourself to the class per Hirata-kun suggestion."
Atsushi's revelation makes Kushida completely shocked. Up till' now, no one has ever discovered her hidden side that easily. On that introduction she also makes sure not let anything suspicious slips from her mouth. Yet here, Atsushi able to deduce her true persona by mere precaution.
"From the way you introduce yourself, I can sense your anger toward someone in particular that from what I know now is Horikita-san. No, not only anger, it also shows you're jealous if someone able to do something better than you. To be honest, you remind me a bit of my partner. The difference is that he strives for acknowledgements from a single person while you… Who exactly you want to get acknowledgement from Kushida-chan?" Atsushi asked.
That question was easy enough for her. "I'll be whatever I wish-"
"Even though you destroy a class to do so?" Atsushi suddenly said something unexpected which makes Kushida's shock. How'd some unknown guy from Yokohama that's said to be invested with underworld organizations managed to know about that incident!? "I read the article and I must say… I don't like it one bit."
"Because the media covers it up. The truth is… All of them are at fault for finding my blog which is my secrets of venting myself when I was wearing my mask in public. All I did is self-defense to preserve myself." Kushida retort but lower her voice afraid that Suzune or Kei wake up and makes thing more complicated. She truly in a corner now since the revelation of a past she truly want to forget. It was truly the pillar that can easily crumbles if someone manages to find it and can completely destroy her image inside the school as a kind, angelic person that will do anything to help people.
"You don't curious what happens to at least some of them? For all that happened in the past, in the end they're still your classmates." Atsushi asked to Kushida which she scoffed at.
"Why should I care? They bring that upon themselves for blaming me of all things. I'm the one that help them whenever I can even though it hurt me to do so. If they not such disgusting piece of shit they are…. None of that shit will happen." Kushida rant to Atsushi with anger and hatred on her tone.
"To make Dazai-san accept me, I'll surpass even death itself if I must!" – Akutagawa, Unknown.
Kushida words slightly remind him of Akutagawa when he's still a cold-blooded killer. "Kushida-chan…" However, Atsushi is not give up that easily. After seeing how Kushida was beat up like that by Sumireko with someone precious to her is on danger for whatever sick plan the Class 1-C female have on her head, he feels sorry for her so at least, he must know something crucial about Kushida.
Her past which make Sumireko able to manipulate her.
"I see. So my guess back then is correct. You're the one who's responsible for it, Kushida-san." Both Kushida and Atsushi didn't expect it as Suzune suddenly open her eyes while look toward Atsushi with hardened look. "Now I finally understand why you seems hate me for no apparent reason. It's not jealousy or something important. It just the fact that since I and nii-san from the same middle grade as you… You're paranoid if either of us speaks about it toward the others, right?"
"Horikita-san, when'd-"
"I was pretend to be asleep actually, waiting for Kushida-san to speak it out from her own mouth." Suzune revealed to Atsushi before she fixed her sit position to look toward Kushida with hardened look. "To be honest Kushida-san, I could care less what happened in the past since in that time, I was busy on make myself to be a better person rather than gossiping about something that I don't see with my own eyes. If I must be honest, I heard about you as the kindest person in my middle grade year, nothing more." She firmly said, hoping it at least will lessen Kushida worries a bit.
"Even if what you claim was true, sorry though… But that can't be done." Kushida said in her true persona, seemingly disregarding Atsushi and Kei presence as she focused on Suzune completely. "To protect that thing… I'll do anything to expel those that have the possibility of knowing about it. Including that Cyborg bitch. So-"
"Even if in order to protect it… You'll kill the said people?" Atsushi suddenly asked out of nowhere which makes Kushida flinched hearing him speaking that word so casually like it was regular basis. 'Like I predicted. I spent the last two months studying the students of this school that seemingly have personality that unique compare to the others. No matter what sinister or immoral thought they have in mind… They can't be like Kyouka-chan or Lucy-chan. In the end, they're still regular teenagers.' He concluded.
"Atsushi-kun please doesn't talk something like that so-" Suzune tried to retort but Atsushi keep continue.
"I have the proof if you don't believe it. You can listen to this audio of my friend's deduction of the incident. I think you must know… What happened to some of them." Atsushi then play an audio on his phone. Glad that he already moves some important data from her old phone which of course cost him huge amounts of private points which is around 50,000 private points.
[Hmm… The famous Class Massacre Incident on January 7th huh? This is quite interesting case…] The voice of someone that seemingly older than Atsushi and any others inside the dorm room appears. [Let see now…. Ha ha ha! I take it back! This is an easy case! Actually not worth the time of the Great Detective such as myself!]
'Wait a minute… Great detective!?' Suzune thought in surprise. She have in mind that she probably know who is the one that speak on the audio recording but she decide to put it for later as the audio recording still playing. She then looks at Kei, who seemingly in a deep sleep that she doesn't bother at all with the entire ruckus.
[The main culprit is… Their own foolishness. However, the true cause is… The girl named Kikyo Kushida. She hides quite a data on the internet blog. If I must deduce, all of it is about her ranting of their darkest secrets which they dumbly said to her. The rest is on your to be discover Atsushi-kun. I going to eat my candy again so Ciao~] the audio recording is seemingly stopped before the mysterious person speaks again. But this time the voice is different and it sounds a bit formal, a different person altogether. [I see you're talking about that horrid incident. It was said on the news from the early March Newspaper edition, not long after the incident, all of them have mentality problems. Some become Hikkikomori, some enters psychiatric hospitals, however five of them… they commit suicide.] The unknown speaker said with grim tone as Atsushi pause the audio. He then looks at Kushida to know what kind of emotion that she makes. However, what he sees is something that rather unexpected from someone that destroy a class on her own.
Kushida eyes widen in surprise as her look strangely become shocked. Does that mean… Although not indirectly, she killed five people? No, that can't be true… Right? "So… Five of them… Is dead?" She asked to one before look down. "Ha ha… Ha ha ha…" She later laughed, which make Suzune widen her eyes in disbelief. "Ha ha ha ha ha! Serves them right. They deserve it! I only tell them the truth of each of them and look how foolish they're behaving! They deserve it…." She then looks up while streams of tears escape from both of her eyes. "They… They… Deserve it… But…" She then flinched, like she's about to throw out. Acting quickly, Suzune picks one of the plastic bags on Mio's desk before giving it to Kushida and she throws up in there.
'I don't believe this! It makes sense now why my middle grade immediately act fast and cover it up as a small brawl between students and that was followed by the news! However, that voice I've just heard…' Suzune then look toward Atsushi. "Atsushi-kun I just want to make sure. Did that voice on the first is the one that's known as Great Detective Ranpo Edogawa? The one that have the same name as the famous writer of Japanese mystery fiction?"
"He is. He also the one that I meant when I said they help me to become what I am now. I know him long enough to know this much. Ranpo-san deduction is never wrong." Atsushi firmly stated before his face turn to a confused one. "But why'd you know about him in the first place?"
"Don't you ever realize he's on the television many times? It also the fact that he once help solve some hard murder case on my complex that even the police can't do it but he manage to do it… According to rumor in just under five seconds… To think that you under his care of all people…" Suzune said in amazement knowing Atsushi know such a person.
"That's Ranpo-san for you." Atsushi sweat-dropped, remembering how Ranpo hates attention to him despite his super deduction which considers as inhuman.
"Damn it… Damn it…." Kushida meanwhile starting to screamed while also crying at the same time and try to wipe the tears away. "I… Indirectly… Kill them…*Hiks*…. I… I never meant it *Hiks* to go this far…" She then openly sobs. "I… *Hiks* my lack of purpose in life…. *Hiks* I'm such a big idiot…"
"I'm relief then. At least this is proof that you're not a heartless killer." Atsushi stated with a relief smile knowing that even Kushida has her own limits. "However, that's the mistake you make. Are you not think what could be happen forward even though you're the one in the right? Every acts no matter right or wrong, have consequences that can be good or worse. And we won't ever know what impact our decision will make in the future."
Kushida then look at Atsushi as a realization suddenly kicks in inside her head. "D-Don't tell me… No… Kaa-san… Tou-san… T-They're… *Hiks*" She want to deny it but that's the possible scenario of Sumireko blackmail to her about her parents: She manage to contacts those that have their son or daughter died in such a short time and probably heat them up or worse, paid them so they can unleash their anger on her parents despite the fact that she basically doing self-defense and not at fault.
Suzune grit her teeth in anger. Never in her life has she encountered someone like Sumireko. "I can't believe that she resorts to vile blackmail like this… Even though what Kushida-san did, she didn't deserve this."
"No." Suzune widen her eyes as Kushida denied her words with accepting smile. "I deserved this. Like they said, karma will befall on you soon enough. Looks like… My time is running out. After all, I'm a cold-blooded killer-"
"You're not a cold-blooded killer!" Suzune then rise and hold Kushida shoulders. "The fact that you crying right now… None of cold-blooded killer will cry after knowing what they did!"
"That logic of yours flawed, Horikita-san. Sometimes, even someone kill for a reason. While me, I like those serial killers… That tortures their victims slowly but not kills indirectly…" Kushida said, still in self-accepting tone while her tears keep streaming down from her eyes. "I deserve all of it…"
Atsushi listens to the conversation between Kushida and Suzune, try to find something that will turn the topic. After all, he curious how'd Kushida turns out to be like this. Normally he's the type that respects someone's privacy but… He can't let someone in pain keep wallowing in sadness and accepted herself as killer. That's against his personality. "Kushida-san, I know maybe with this question I'm out of the line and shown disrespect to your privacy but… How'd you turn out to be like this? Why'd you seek attention so much? Was there someone that you want to acknowledge you achievements? I ask it in curiosity. However, if you not want to-"
"It's all right." Kushida replied with accepting tone, clearly depressed before wiping her tears away. "After all, you manage to discover it… That I truly have no purpose in life." She said as she remembers her past like it was yesterday. "Horikita-san, I think you'll know as well… How bad I was in the past."
(Flashback – 3 Years Ago)
Ever since she attends grade school, Kushida have a question to herself due to her amazing achievements both in academic and athletic abilities. When someone have a moment that no other people can get… Isn't that such a great feelings?
"Cool!"
"Cute!"
"Amazing!"
"Incredible!"
This appreciation words are always filled Kushida's way of life even when she doing something insignificant or small things like cleans up the class on her own. She looks at how happy people around her because of her actions.
Even her own parent is happy with her achievements.
"That's my daughter."
"You shall keep it up Kushida"
These words from other people and her parent are what drive Kushida to do something that will get praise and attention in return. She really wants to be the center of attention, where people will look at her as a champion instead of the others. This in turn makes her happy, without realizing the dark effects of it.
Instead of doing it in genuine and healthy manners, Kushida seeing her desire to be the center of attention is more than just words. It later become her own 'reason of living' as she realize how attached she is to such a thing compare to the others.
However, she later comes to a grim realization. Everyone has their own limits, including her. Even with any of her efforts, she can't match those who truly dedicate themselves to it. This realization comes to her when she attends her middle grade.
In the form of Suzune Horikita that try to change to be a better person on her own accord. From what she remembers of her before the Middle Grade Martial Arts Tournament was started, she's an arrogant, self-serving, and no nonsense girl who evens her image outside of her class was anything but negative. However, now she looks different for some reason. Although her old personality is still in there, she tried to converse with others, hang out with the girls, and help them on certain situation instead of immerse herself in books.
"Horikita-san truly looks different. She now friendlier than before." One of her classmate gossiping with the others. For information, Kushida and Suzune not share the same class for the next three years.
"She is. Does Horikita-kaichou manage to slap some sense to her?"
"I don't know. However, the fact that she able to kindly converse with others now… Seems disregard the theory that people is hard to change from their usual way of life."
Kushida narrowed her eyes at the comments about Suzune. Ever since she enters the middle grade, she starts to build up a fake persona as an angel, someone that always kind, never angry, helping others in everything in order to become the center of attention. At first, she never sees Suzune as a threat because of how prideful and arrogant she is. However, ever since her sudden change, she start to get worried with how the outcome will turns out.
"Kushida-san?" One of her classmate called her. "Want to go to the canteen today?"
"Wait a moment!" Kushida 'smiled', accepting the offer as she follows them to the canteen in order to maintain her angel persona, trying to exiting the thought about how Suzune probably can match her in popularity.
"I'm home kaa-san, tou-san!" Kushida said happily to her parent but only her mother that in the house, currently reading the newspaper.
"Welcome home Kikyou." Ms. Kushida said while smiling at her daughter. "How's the school?"
"Fine as always kaa-san! Did tou-san still not return home yet?" Kushida asked, not seeing her father anywhere inside the house.
"He still on the office and probably will return shortly." Ms. Kushida said. "I've heard that you manage to gain perfect score in Math again and now have positive views inside your class? Congratulations as always Kikyou. You're really our family pride!"
When she on conversation with her parents, never once Kushida using her fake persona. She always replied to them genuinely. "Thank you very much kaa-san! I promise I won't disappoint you on my middle grade!" She said with grateful tone as she walks up toward the stair to do some… Privacy business.
"Damn it! Damn it all Horikita! So now you dare to bare your fangs at me!" Kushida said in jealousy and anger as she kicks her bedroom wall in frustration. "I'm sick of act like goody-two-shoes and listening to their worthless secrets of all and yet you dare now to act that way as well! Won't forgive! I won't forgive you!"
With the acts, come the consequences. To tell the truth, Kushida hates acting like an angel to the point it makes her a bit mad about it although she chose it herself. After school and dining with her parents, she spent her time before sleeping ranting about anyone that she disgusted at, combing her hair with frustration to the point it it loosen it, brush her teeth so harsh to the point it make her gum's bleeding. However, she must endure it. It's the path she chosen and she won't back from it at all. As for her current standing, she already on the top class of attention on her middle grade.
She won't let some selfless bitch who suddenly tries to become angel like her steal this position from her! Never!
(A Year Later – on the aftermath of the end term before go to the 2nd Year of middle grade school)
"Your grade is dropping greatly Kikyou. What's the problem with you recently?" Mr. Kushida asks in firm tone as he looks the rapport of his daughter. Thanks to her frustration to maintain her acts plus always listening to some disgusting dark secrets of her classmates not to mention her jealousy to Suzune who start to become more kinder to others, Kushida start to make easy on most of her studies except Math, making her not quite that popular on academic like before. "If it comes to this, I suggest you shall stop playing with those that gives bad influence on you and start to study better."
"Papa, you're too harsh to Kikyou. She already tried her best." Ms. Kushida tries to ease the tension.
"F-Forgive me… Tou-san. B-But… My friends never bring any bad influence towards me…" Kushida uttered while feel scared at her father firm gaze. Why not, after all, she disappoints both of them.
"I know that you seems have thirst for attention but this is go too far. From now, I forbid you to go out with your friends during the 2nd year. Focus to fix your academics." Mr. Kushida stated.
"B-But-"
"I also agree with Papa this time Kikyou." Ms. Kushida said to her. "I don't know why but… Why you always looks tired when wake up from your bedroom before go to school? What's happen? Did someone bully you?"
"N-No one is b-bully me! B-But…" Kushida then sighed; feel it's useless to argue anymore. "You're right tou-san, kaa-san. Sorry for making both of you disappointed." She said in apologetic tone. Of course she can never tell her parent that she makes a fake persona that stressed her out after school.
Mr. Kushida smiled. "At least you understand that you are at fault." He said in relief tone. "Kikyou, know this. I understand that since you're 6 you love attention more than anyone else but you must realize that it must have limits. Otherwise, you'll be consumed it and it will not healthy for you. I'm not angry because of your scores, but because of your neglects it for something not important." He advises her. "Know this. Even if you not become number one in everything, you're always our family pride."
"Papa was right Kikyou. You become our beloved daughter…. Is more than enough rather than force yourself to become number one in everything." Ms. Kushida supports her husband words.
"Tou-san… Kaa-san…" Kushida uttered as she wipe her eyes before smiling warmly at both of them. "Th-Thank you." She thanked but her mind thinking otherwise. 'However… Forgive me. I can't do what you said tou-san. These feelings that enters me…. Is much greater than your advice. I'll still become the angel of my class no matter it hurts me!'
(Two Years Later – Kushida Classroom; January 7th)
Ever since her parent knows her grade was dropping significantly, Kushida start to lay low. Instead of ranting all night due to stress of her angel persona brought, she start to vent all of it on a special blog (AN: I try to equalize it with my Indonesian sites for blog, ) That in her eyes allows her to vent all of her stress without no one knows it. In order to prevent anyone including her parent found about it, she's using initial K on it.
As from what she observed, it appears her worry of Suzune become the new center of attention is misleading. Suzune from what she see only kind when the need arrives and mostly only keeps that on her class. Even so, that still not changes her decision to rant about her as well in her blog.
After all, soon all of this will be over. She at last will be free from this toxic class where even the most darkest secrets are disgusting and then start anew on her high school, which is revealed to be ANHS and she manage to pass and put on Class 1-D. She also glad that seems there are none of her classmate manages to pass the entrance exam as well.
However, on this particular day, something went wrong.
Suddenly, one of the boys inside her class slams his right hand on her table. "Kushida! What's the meaning of this?"
Kushida feel startled even when she's using her kind angel persona. She then looks toward the boy. "U-Um… What're you talking about?" She asked while act innocently but to no avail.
"Don't joke with me! What's this blog!? You are talking shit about us behind our back!" He said in anger.
Kushida startled again. Her blog being discovered!? B-But how? She makes sure it was hidden due to the initial name!? "I-I don't know. M-Maybe you mistook it for something else e He he~" She tried to escape by still using her fake persona.
"That's if you right." The collected male inside her class said while fixing his sunglasses. "Everyone knows that from the way of writing, it's you. Why you did something like this I wonder?"
Kushida however don't reply at all. She was caught and has no other weapons to retort… Except for one thing. Suddenly, she feels something hit her head. It was a plastic glass threw by one of the female that she used to hang out with.
"You bitch!"
"How dare you!?"
"So you're nothing more than an attention seeker? Quite fitting because someone kind is an illusion in the first place."
Continuous blame keep befall on Kushida, who seemingly feels no pain at all as everyone keep blaming and scold her. How dare them! After what she did to them to the point she close to almost madness to maintain her persona… They basically blame her for just a mere blog where she can vent her stress.
However, in a small part of her heart, she wonders. Is this what her father meant back then? About her goes too far in her quest to be the center of attention?
As she pondering that, the first boy that scold her grab her collar and lift her up to look at him in the eye. "I demand some shitty explanation about this! It's the first time I'm this angry with someone like this!"
Kushida face however remains neutral as she doesn't bother using her fake persona anymore. No one is there to defend her. The male student that once asks her to hang out with him called her whore. The female student that comforted by her when she breaks up with her boyfriend just narrow her eyes toward her, feeling betrayed. All she can feel right now…Is threat from all sides. Seemingly she had no choice but to use that in order to save her own skin.
"He he he… Ha ha ha…" Kushida suddenly laughed which startled the entire class because her change in tone that suddenly become deep. "Too bad though… This is how you treated me… After all that I've done. The truth however, is even painful." Kushida said in triumph as she uses the weapon she most confident of.
Truth. Yeah, the darkest secret that even not written on her blog and get from her interaction with her classmates. Kushida can feel her victory as her classmate fell silent while the male student release his grip from her collar and she keep spitting out the truth.
After that, all hell is about to break loose.
An hour after that, Kushida class looks like a mess while she herself sitting on her desk looking at her amazing works. Desk being toppled over, chair being break like it was used to throw at something or rather someone. Many marker doodles, break items, even speck of blood is shown on the floor, toppled desk, whiteboard, and wall. All results from something like a battle royal that happens inside Kushida's class thanks to her weapons.
The result was astounding. The commotion cause many male teachers arrive on the scene and manage to calm it down although the result still horrid. Most of the student suffered serious injuries like bruises from kick or punch, bleeding due to being hit by punch, kick, and hit by blunt items. Some of them even have puncture wounds from ballpoint or sharp pencil.
'It's their fault. It's their fault for rejecting me.' Kushida chanted to herself as she feels proudness at her work. However, what she don't realize it yet… Is what's about to come later in the future due to this incident, which will later be known as Class Massacre Incident. The aftermath is enough to make her middle grade dropped in popularity and civilian views, forcing the headmaster to do the most heaviest things of all: Kushida and Suzune's year become the last batch of students that graduate from the school as it later closes down by the government two weeks later after finding out the school was guilty for not ensure the attitude of their student and also the pressure from the affected students' parents.
Few weeks had passed since the Class Massacre Incident.
"You feel proud at what you did?" Mr. Kushida said as he although reluctantly slap her daughter who makes her fall to the floor butts first. It was not long and it only take days for the news of the Class Massacre Incident reaches the ear of her parents from the headmaster, who apologize for not watching that such incident can happen. Ms. Kushida comfort Kushida and said she's glad that her daughter is okay. But Mr. Kushida has different opinion about it.
Years in office making him not blind at just the headmaster proclamation to them. He then does his own investigation on one of the Kushida's classmates in secret from her and his wife. What he heard from one of them that willingly talk break his trust toward his daughter.
"T-Tou-san-"
"I advise you and you spit it on your own parent's face. You… You bring disgrace to this family! Do you ever realize the consequences of what you've done?" Mr. Kushida said in angry tone that not fit at all with his usual firm tone.
"They're the wrong one for rejecting me!" Kushida retorted. With the investigation done, both of her parent quickly piece the puzzle of her blog and the reason of her grade dropping.
The fact that she disregards her parent advice for her own ego… Or maybe her empty purpose in life.
"Papa, please calm down." Ms. Kushida said to calm her husband.
"I can't my dear! Our daughter… I feel failed as a parent! If it just a small skirmish between friends I can agree but… She makes her own class like a gang war and never feels sorry about it! You're a nurse previously my dear! You should've known what this disastrous incident can lead into!" Mr. Kushida keeps steel on his reasoning. No matter what kind of self-defense that Kushida use and the fact the school never blame her for it, the consequences that happens because of her acts is nothing but horrific.
"They were the ones at fault!" Kushida shouted at her father while stand up. Why her father doesn't try to understand!? She was not in the wrong for fucking sake!? "They were the ones that keep blaming me for something private that they shouldn't see!? It's natural if I have any bad thought about a friend and decide to speak about it!?"
"Kikyou…." Ms. Kushida is shocked. She never expected her daughter have this kind of nature in the first place.
"That's true." Mr. Kushida admitted. "We as humans always sometimes have bad thought about the others. However, that's not the problem we talk about currently. I'm glad that you not become a victim on that incident but… I'm angry with the fact that you disregard our advice."
"But-"
"No but. The fact that all of this fuss happened because you cannot control your desire for attention sickens me." He then exhales a breath to compose himself. "However, the fact that you're admitted to ANHS of all the high school calm me down a little however, I won't let this behavior just go unpunished. From now own, you're grounded till' I decide to revoke it. In fact, it started from now till' April 1st when you go to ANHS. During the vacation days, you also grounded. You also forbidden from using your social media or the internet. I already ask my close friend to modify your phone to be unable to catch any internet signal. Understand?" He demanded, giving Kushida what she thought is the proper punishment for her.
"B-But…" Kushida flinched in fear with her father gaze intensifies toward her. "I-I understand…"
"Good then. I hope you'll use that time to mirror yourself, lady." Mr. Kushida stated as he walk to his bedroom and close it with loud bang.
Ms. Kushida looks at concern of her husband before look toward Kushida with disappointment. "I… Truly can't say anything but disappointment in you, Kikyo. When you'll grow up from your childhood? Not all praise is worth it." She reprimands her as she also follows her husband, leaving Kushida look at shock of what she witnessed.
"Why…" Kushida slumped to the floor while look down. "I'm not doing wrong at all. They're the wrong ones. I just defend myself. I… Only act like that because…" Kushida said to herself as tears fall from her eyes and to the floor.
To think… Her thirst for attention and acknowledgment from the mass due to the fact she feels ecstasy because of it… Lead to this outcome…
From that day on, she never got the same love from her parent, ever again.
After three months passed, the day finally comes. April 1st, the day she will go for ANHS for the next three years and… Leave her parent behind except during vacation or important matters, when she'll be grounded again. She currently packing some of her favored items that she will brings to ANHS.
Three months of being grounded make her become bored and all. But one thing is certain… Even with her being grounded… She can't let go of her desire to be the center of attention and acknowledged. Even after knowing from neighbors that her parent sometimes being viewed negatively because of the gossip she's the perpetrator of the so-called Class Massacre Incident, she can't let go of it because she realized something realist.
She after all… A monster that was born from sickly desire to become the center of attention and acknowledgement… That's her purpose in life… Or so it was…
'Why I was born into this world I wonder? Did I really just seek something like that? What am I after?' She thought to herself as she already prepared to leave her home. As she goes downstairs, only her mother that is seen tidy up the family room. 'Kaa-san…' After the whole grounded fiasco, Ms. Kushida never talks to her the same way ever again. Sure she still show care toward her like Mr. Kushida did but that's it. "Kaa-san… I… I'm going to go to ANHS now. Take care alongside tou-san" Kushida said to her mother.
"You did?" Ms. Kushida momentarily stops her cleaning before look at her daughter with plain look on her face. "Okay then Kikyo. Be careful out there. Don't forget what you must do during vacation okay." She reminds her of her punishment.
Kushida nod before pick up her shoes and exiting her house, ready to go to the closest bus station that will escort her to ANHS. However, she decide to look back, seeing if her mother bids her goodbye but she never go out from the house. Sighing, she then walk to the closest bus station, wondering what she'll do on ANHS.
Unknown to her though, Ms. Kushida exiting the house but only after Kushida already far away. She let out a sad smile as she watches her daughter walk away. "Kikyo…"
(Flashback End)
"And there you go… My boring past." Kushida said as she explained her past to Atsushi and Suzune with sad smile. Who knows that tortured by an android, blackmailed, and someone manage to see right through her make her realize… How wrong her path of life is. If that also she have purpose in life which of course she lacks. "I really am rotten to the core am I? My selfish desire which so pointless… Destroy my relationship with my parents. I even disregard my parent stupid advice… Calling it pointless. However… To think I realized that just now…" She then grip her blanket. "In the end… I don't even know why I was born? Was I only some monster that born because of unhealthy desire? Maybe I-"
"You're not a monster Kushida-chan." Atsushi denied her own accusation. "I now at least understand why you act that way and why you really thirst to put out anyone that knows about it. From your perspective, your classmate is in the wrong? For that I'm agree. However, your twisted desire for attention and acknowledgement is really wrong from the start."
"I know that. But this feeling of ecstasy whenever I receive acknowledgement and attention also by knowing someone darkest secrets… It's like my purpose in life. I… I can't let it go…" Kushida said somberly.
"But the fact that you not feel well after hearing the audio before prove to me that you not rotten to the core like serial killer… Or any of human that do evil for the sake of evil. I also understand why your parent is disappointed with you for doing something for such trivial reason. However, you already know it was your fault right?"
"I-"
"Kushida-san." Kushida now look at Suzune, who have sympathetic look at her. "You want to know why I changed in the first place. Remember Itachi-kun? He's the one that manage to see through my wrong way of life of mimicking nii-san and that make me see my past self… Who truly a sad existence that don't have a better purpose in life other than receive empty praise from him. During my time to change myself to be a better person, I realized something. I was wrong to see him as a perfect being."
"But why?" Kushida asked, surprisingly lost her aggressive tone when talk with Suzune unlike before, instead filled with curiosity. The suicide revelation still lingers inside her mind. "Horikita-senpai is truly perfect. I mean, he able to do everything in his own. For me, he's like the ideal person that you can have as an older brother."
"Sure he is. However, he also has flaws. No, in fact there's nothing as perfection. Everyone had their own flaws. Because of that, I try to change and I find out what makes me able to do so: I accept my positive side or rather… Accept myself." Suzune then gently touch Kushida's hand. "When someone accepts that they can change and during the process they not return to their old ways, they can. I experience that myself and it really bring positive impact in my life. Thanks to it, I got friends that I never thought will get if I still the same as back then."
"You just lucky Horikita-san. I know that Itachi-kun seems wise from his way of talking. As for me… I don't have anyone that can do the same as him…" Kushida said with saddened tone.
"Your father already said it if what you said about your past is true. Like they said, sometimes regret comes too late and that's what going on with you now. Because of that tell me Kushida-san, in your deepest heart, what's that you truly want?" Suzune asked.
"What I… Truly want?" Kushida repeat Suzune's question before shook her head. "But… I already told you that-"
"Not your thirst for attention and acknowledgement Kushida-san. What are you truly want?" Suzune insisted.
"I…"
"Know this. Even if you not become number one in everything, you're always our family pride." – Mr. Kushida
"Papa was right Kikyo. You become our beloved daughter…. Is more than enough rather than force yourself to become number one in everything." – Ms. Kushida
"I…" Kushida bit her lip. If it's okay that she really tells both of them what she really wanted? She even never told this to her parent, only to herself.
"I…"
Kikyo Kushida maybe a monster that born from seeking attention and acknowledgement to become the most popular in everything and feels ecstasy from it. However, deep inside her, there's a hidden desire, a merely pure wish that every human want to achieve from another person.
"I… *Hiks*" Kushida then look down while crying once again as it falls to the blanket. "I… *Hiks* Just want someone… *Hiks* to accept me for whom I am… Nothing… Uuh…" She can't hold it anyone as she clearly sobbing loudly this time. Suzune can't do anything as she tried to calm her down by caressing her back.
"It's okay Kushida-san. You can let it all out. We won't judge you at all." Suzune assured her.
Atsushi smiled in the background, happy that his thought of Kushida is like Akutagawa before was a mistake. 'What I'm thinking? Equalize a high school girl who despite her personality never even thought about killing people to someone like Akutagawa? I… Feel bad. I must apologize properly to Kushida-chan later…' He ponders to himself as Suzune called him.
"Atsushi-kun." Suzune said with determined tone. "I decided I'll go against my principle for this one case only. What Itachi-kun said was true, Hanabusa-san really can't be reasoned with. Not after she blackmails one of our classmates in such vile way." She then stops caressing Kushida's back for a moment before look toward Atsushi in hardened look. "I'm sorry to say it the way Ryuuen-kun said but… I want to kick her ass for this."
Atsushi nod in agreement. "All right then. But before that, I think I shall explain what's a Special Ability to you, Horikita-san." He said as he begins his explanation. "In short-term, Special Ability is something that some people in the world have within themselves. If you ever read the comics about superhero, that's what Special Ability are. Each person has one Special Ability that varied between each user and they know as Special Ability User." He explained as he turns his right arm to a tiger front leg with white fur which make Suzune widen her eyes in surprise. "My Special Ability: Beast Beneath the Moonlight, allows me to transform myself to a white tiger at will."
"What the…" Suzune can't help but amazed what she just sees while she still caressing Kushida's hair, who without a doubt listening as well but not bother to comment. This is something like a science-fiction movies. "Amazing…"
"I know." Atsushi agreed with a smile as he disables his Special Ability.
"Atsushi-kun… There's something I wonder though…" Suzune suddenly wondered. "Early on, you said to me that Special Ability was varied for each person. However, is it obtainable for all people in general?" She asked. "Because from what you just explained. There's a possibility a way to unlock someone Special Ability… Right?"
"You're right on that. Most Special Ability User already has theirs since birth. I included." Atsushi said, confirming Suzune's suspicion. "However, there are some people with their Special Ability laid dormant and unable to be used at all… Unless using one way to do it from what I know. From my wild guess, both Sumireko and Kamuro-san… Obtain their Special Ability using this way."
Morning finally arrives.
Inside of her dorm room, Sumireko sigh a little. Her plan probably can be break throughout the entire Class 1-D thanks to Atsushi and Kei. First, she really needs to capture both of them first.
Lucky for her though, she already has precaution plan to make them comply with her demand if Atsushi somehow contact her class to stop her from her goal. She then dials a certain number on her phone. The dial tone is heard before an old voice.
[Hanabusa-sama. What'd you need?] The voice that seemingly a man on his 30s asked in excitement.
"Good morning Hiruma-san. I think that you can do it today." Sumireko said with a smile. "Bring all men ready at Kikyo Kushida house at 08.00 p.m. Wait for my instructions."
[As you wish my lady.] The man known as Hiruma said as he hangs up the phone.
"Now then. I think I must prepare to approach my loyal dog at night." Sumireko said to herself as stretch her arm, which both of them revealed to be made of metal along with her feet as well. "Even if Nakajima-san asks for help from my class, I doubt they can defeat me." She said, clearly underestimating her class which full of many martial artists.
A mistake that will result in her defeat, as unexpected team will be formed… Next time.
Author Notes
And there it goes the 14th Chapter of Itachi of the Elite! I must say this chapter takes a very long time because I want to make my modified past of Kushida more make sense as possible compare to her Canon self that basically a wicked person that cares for nothing except her popularity and no sense vendetta against Suzune, in turn making her probable "redemption" that starts from Y2V6 sounds strange and not make sense at all.
One of the aspects I also notice from Classroom of the Elite that lacks explanation is where is the parents? This is the most glaring question that I found with most of the characters except for few one like Yukimura which we know hate his new parent or Ichinose who have kind parent.
Where Kei parents when she was bullied?
Where Ryuuen parents when he display abnormal love for violence?
Why the Chairman never give Arisu advice about her mindset and arrogance?
This is for me the most glaring plot hole in Classroom of the Elite. I know that in Japan their age are considers adult but they still their parent guidance. Which is why that inspired me to make my version of ANHS semi-opened to the outside.
At last, the simple explanation of Special Ability finally brought on. And there's a way to unlock it? How's it done? Keep reading to know it!
And as we can see in the end, Sumireko really plan to kill Kushida's parent as blackmail for Kushida to bring this X person from Suzune's class to the open?
Who is X that Sumireko targeting?
Why is Sumireko so obsessed in becoming the strongest?
Did her plan will succeed? And who'll bring her down?
Find out on the next chapter. See you on the next update.