/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 III
Hatred
On an abandoned church in Europe, it was three years ago before Itachi and others attend ANHS.
Inside the church, a young man is seen wearing rags as he holding something akin to a train ticket on his right hand. He currently looks at another person inside the church, which is revealed to be Fyodor.
"Don't you wish for a home?" Fyodor asked the young man.
"Who are you?" The young man asked cautiously as this was his first time he truly talk with other people after walking alone on the countryside that led to this place. Well, it's not like he have a clear memories of his name or identity as the thing that he remembers is that he wakes up on grassland a few weeks ago.
"I only need your assistance that I can say you'll be interest in. If all of that is fulfilled, you will have the thing that you seek the most. As God already put your destiny to do so." Fyodor offered with cryptic tone.
Although he became wary at first, he can see that this man means no harm, at least for now. After all, something that is home is truly an alien word but one thing that he, someone who doesn't even know his reason of existence and kept being used by others truly craving for. "All right then. I will hold your words. However, I won't join if you decide to murder people for no reason at all." He said, voicing his terms.
"Trust me, God never disappointed his subjects. You will be rewarded quite fondly for your assistance. However before that, what's your name?" Fyodor assured him while remember he never get caught of the young man's name.
"My name?" The young man wondered in confusion as he doesn't have a name. He then looks at the train ticket he holding and look at a particular word that interests him.
Sigma.
"Sigma. You can call me… Sigma." He replied while feels somewhat alien and some kind of slight happiness as he now finally got a name to get called with.
"Sigma-san then. Let's get out of here. We need to explain to my boss first about your recruitment, as we won't have any difficulty for obtaining information with you around so at least… A slight change on planning is required." Fyodor explained as he turns around to exiting the abandoned church. "And we're going to search some new clothing for you first."
The young man, now christened as Sigma look at Fyodor back for a moment before following him slowly exiting the abandoned church.
As both Fyodor and Sigma walking on the countryside at night away from the abandoned church, there's no talking happen for a while as Fyodor said that they will wait for a few days for their 'transport to meet with the boss' arrived.
"So… Why you won't tell me what plan you have with me using my Special Ability?" Sigma asked bluntly as they walk.
"I'll tell you after we met our boss as I not permitted to say it unless the boss allows it." Fyodor simply replied as he then stop from his walk to look at something particular. "Hm?"
"What is it?" Sigma wondered why he stopped before looking at the direction Fyodor look upon. His eyes widen at a particular scene.
On a clearing, both he and Fyodor seeing a quite grizzly scene. A young girl probably around 16 or 17 years old was seeing drenched in blood. On her right hand, she's seen carrying a wooden pole and around her body, laid a body of several wolves. However, what makes her appearance strange is the fact of the outfit she wears. Instead of the outfit of a countryside girl, she wears a school uniform with red coloration and short, white skirt. Her eyes have an angered but hollow look as she looks at the closest wolf corpse.
'Did that girl really kill that pack of wolves on her own? From her outfit, she's a high school student without a doubt. However, from what I know only Asian school that have uniform like that. How could she…' Sigma thought in confusion as Fyodor suddenly chuckling.
"Khu khu khu. God really like to play someone fate doesn't he?" Fyodor said as he walks toward the girl to approach him.
"Oi! Don't approach her recklessly!" Sigma warned as he also following Fyodor on approaching the girl.
"How does it feel?" The girl asked in hollow tone toward the wolf corpse she just killed. "Did you finally feel how you shatter my heart to pieces? Huh!?" She said while stomping on the wolf's head harshly with a manic rage on her face. "Tell me! How does it feels, Karuizawa-san!? And whoever the fucking piece of shit that orchestrate my expulsion! You'll pay! Each one of you fucking shit will pay dearly! I specifically will prepare a hell for each of you so be prepared!?" She said as she repeatedly stomping the wolf head as hard as she can, crushing it.
"Ah. I see it now. Fate truly works in interesting way." The girl eyes slightly widened as Fyodor approaching him with Sigma walking not far behind.
The girl then glared at Fyodor with eye full of hatred and anger. "You… You want to die as well?" She threatened while clenching the wooden pole that reeks with blood of the wolves.
Fyodor however smirk hearing the threat. "Those outfit, I wonder what'd student of ANHS do on European countryside? For a school of sinners, what you did truly is against what the school believed." He said in cryptic tone.
"Like I fucking care about that shitty school anymore!?" She gloated before releasing the wooden pole and clutching her head in frustration as she feels vertigo due to slight insanity. "What is 100 percent job application… What is 100 percent college entrance… IF ALL OF THAT IS A PURE SCAM!? NOT ONLY THAT, THE SCHOOL SEEMS STUPID ENOUGH THAT A DELINQUENT ALLOWED TO ENTER AND EVEN RULE A CLASS IN THE SAME TERM AS COMMUNIST RULER!? NOT ONLY THAT, THAT PLACE IS LIKE A PLACE THAT CURSE SOMEONE CARE FOR THEIR FRIEND AND JUST BECAUSE THERE'S NO EXPULSION… THEY-" The girl stop talking as Fyodor touch her right shoulder.
"That hatred, I understand it very well. That place is the proof of fighting against His will, and like you said, a place that makes human becomes sinful and foolish." Fyodor said to the girl with a smile. "If you like to, we can join hand to delete that place from the existence… Permanently."
The girl gasps when hearing such proposal. "T-That's impossible!" She denied such proposal. "WHAT CAN YOU POSSIBLY TO THE PLACE WHERE THE GOVERNMENT PROTECTS IT!?"
"Not impossible if you decide to play outside the box. My goal is to cleanse this world of sin in order to make a better world from the ash of the old one. That also includes the destruction of place that makes young subjects of god manipulate each other even though they already know it. To see someone from ANHS shows its hatred… Was a truly refreshing sight for me. How about it? Join me… And you can see that ANHS along with the one that wronged you… Will be burn to ash by the time the rooster crows."
Now we return back to the present, a few hours before the sudden incident of Class 1-D. More exactly on the main camp of Class 1-C.
"U-Uuugh…" Honami grunted as she weakly opening her eyes. The first thing she sees when she awake is the dark blue fabric of the tent. 'W-Where am I? T-The last thing I remember… Is that Itachi-kun and Ryuuen-kun carries me… And Mako-chan…' She thought before she widen her eyes as she remember that Mako was being abducted by Nikolai. "M-Mako-Ugh!" She then flinched in pain as she looks at the wound on her stomach that being bandaged.
"That some terrible wounds you got there." Honami then look at Yosano who's sitting on her right side, examining her. "It surely a quite serious wound but not life threatening. If that friend of yours not treats you in time, there's a possibility that the wound will be infected and it can get much worse." She explained.
"Who… Are you?" Honami asked in wary tone as she never sees Yosano before. But from her eyes, she knows that Yosano meant no harm.
"I'm Speranza's head doctor. I come here to give you… Far better treatment." Yosano said with a smile. "However, promise that you'll not be freak out by what will happen for a few moments forward."
"Rats in the House of the Dead? Quite a nefarious name for a terrorist organization." Itachi commented after Dazai explained to him, Ryuuen, Mio, and Hiyori about the true culprit behind the student's disappearance. 'At least… Nagato naming the Akatsuki makes more sense because of the ultimate goal is for peace although using twisted way to achieve it.'
"And its leader has the same name as one of Russia's best writer?" Hiyori commented. "Fyodor… Dostoyevsky…"
Dazai nods. "They not a normal terrorist group that foolish people can handle. I can even say… Not even the government can easily goes against them. That's why… On the morning, there'll be an announcement to immediately depart from the island with the remaining S-Points and the bonus you all obtained will immediately be added to your Class Point. In other words… If you manage to guess other class leaders… Our class can prevail greatly." He explained.
"However, why'd we must wait till' morning? Isn't it better that we evacuate now?" Mio asked in confusion.
"That can't be done so easily. Fyodor is a master of unexpected movement and planning. Moreover, night is about to falls and it was more dangerous to move at that time. It was better that we stay as a groups on this area till' morning arrives." Dazai denied Mio suggestion.
"If that so, who'll be the one that search for the missing students? Considers the longer time we take, didn't he will just break them to his liking?" Ryuuen wondered.
"He won't do that much. I can assure you that Ryuuen-kun." Dazai simply replied. However, before he can continue his explanation….
"AAAAAH!? STOOOP!?" Honami screaming was heard from the tent where she was resting.
Before Itachi and the others can question Dazai, he already replied with a smile. "Ah. No need to worry about that. That's how Yosano-sensei Special Ability works. Trust me, Ichinose-chan will be just fine." He assured with a smile.
"NOOOO! STOP IT! PLEASE STOP IT!? AAAH!" Honami keep screaming as she was clearly in pain of whatever Yosano Special Ability is. However, not long after that, Honami screaming suddenly stopped, making Itachi without any second thought immediately darts to the tent despite Ryuuen called him not to. He quickly opens up the tent, only to see an unexpected scene.
Honami was seen fully recovered from her injuries. Even her injuries on the head and stomach that cause by Nikolai already gone. Such is the power of Yosano Special Ability, which allows her to heal any injuries but with some gruesome condition.
However, what Itachi was surprised was not the fact that Honami was completely healed from her injuries. It's because the fact that she's just wearing her bra despite still wearing her sport trouser.
"I-Itachi-kun…" Honami stuttered as her face turns red. If this is the other man, she probably will think of them not in positive light. However, she already knows Itachi for long enough to know that he's not that type of man. "C-Can I put on my clothes for a while… S-So you can enter…"
"I apologize." Itachi said in honesty while a bit embarrassed himself as he quickly peek his head out from the tent. After Itachi not seen, Yosano chuckles a bit at Itachi calmness in such situation.
"He truly interesting. That Itachi…" Yosano admitted with a smile. "You really got a good friend. Tell me, is he your boyfriend?" She teased.
"E-Eh!? N-No! Of course not! After all, I-Itachi-kun already has a g-girlfriend…" Honami stuttered at Yosano teasing as she struggles to put back her clothes. "But… I feel like before I was injured. Is this how your Special Ability works? It was amazing…" She said in compliment, try to turn the tide of conversation. Of course she knows that Itachi was close to Hiyori back on the Literature Club but she don't think both of them are dating if what Mio said to her about Shiho is true.
"Better not get used to it. My Special Ability… Is not something that can toy with lives." Yosano said with a smile, although she bit look pained by it. "Life is precious young girl. Don't you dare try to waste it." She advised.
The time then skips after Honami finish on wearing her clothes. Currently inside the tent that use by the boys to sleep; there are Itachi, Honami, Ryuuen, Hiyori, Mio, Dazai, and Yosano.
"I see." Itachi nod in understanding after hearing Honami's recount of the event when she and Mako was attacked by Nikolai. "So whoever this Nikolai person is… He's probably in cohort with this Fyodor person." He points out.
"And you said that he can make his hands appears out of this strange portal?" Ryuuen asked as his and Itachi guess was right that Nikolai use space-time Special Ability. "Judging from the site of the battle when you fall unconscious, the man seems have quite sadistic feat worthy of respect."
"But that lead to another question here." Hiyori said, putting his right hand on her chin thinking about every detail that Honami told them. "Why'd he abduct Amikura-san? The pattern of it… It's like someone searching for a particular person in order to find out something." She opined. "Think about it. Yesterday, we got news that Yamamura-san from Class 1-A went missing. Today, Amikura-san from Class 1-B alongside Shiho-san and Yamashita-san went missing or rather abducted as well. Don't you think like in mystery genre, this sound like this Fyodor want something important to be known?"
"Hn. Make sense." Itachi nod, agreeing with Hiyori opinion. "The question is what could be so important for him to know about? And how'd he specially gets in here in the first place and know our precise location?" He wondered as he truly amazed that Fyodor really calculate everything in hands to make sure it becomes hard to decipher his goal on the island.
"I don't think I want to said this but… What if the possibility he put a spy? It was obvious. If our suicidal teacher here wary of this bastard does to they seem alike with one another, if I were him, I'll put several spies inside my enemies area to ensure the success." Ryuuen theorized. This theory however, make Honami disagree.
"That can't be… There's no way that's true! Sure the school is semi-opened but surely the security will take anything suspicious. There's no way that one of our friends is spy for some worldwide terrorist!" Honami argued, refuse to believe Ryuuen's claim.
"You forget one thing here Ichinose-chan. The one we dealing right now is not your normal terrorist. It was a man that feared even by the United Nations itself to the point he known as a Demon in human skin." Dazai said while picking something from his jacket pocket, which is revealed to be a poster with Russian Language. "In fact, he was among the most wanted global terrorist in the world per United Nations order."
"Holy…" Ryuuen gaped in disbelief seeing the price for Fyodor bounty. It was around 8 Million USD. If it was equalize to Japanese Yen, it was around 1 billion Yen or a billion worth of private points. "That shit tons of money was enough for paid a single class to rise to A-Class…"
"So he's that dangerous?" Itachi now finally realized the real gravity of the situation in hand. 'Not even the largest bounty back on the Elemental Nations reach that level of amount. Hn, knowing Kakuzu, he must be do everything he can to collect this amount of money.' He thought, nostalgically remembering the so-called Akatsuki Treasurer.
"W-What kind of evil deeds this man do to gain such high amount of bounty?" Mio wondered after seeing the insane amount of money the United Nations will give to just capture a person.
"T-That's…" Honami visibly shivered seeing that amount of bounty for Fyodor.
"However, now back to the main topic." Dazai turn the tide of the conversation as he put the bounty poster to his pocket once more. "The man you met Ichinose-chan is without a doubt a very dangerous terrorist. Nikolai Gogol. Sadly he's quite a mysterious fellow that rarely appears out in the open. His existence till' your explanation was even considers as myth. A myth of a crazed clown wearing a cloak that asking quiz before killing his victim in the most painful way possible."
"That's how he speaks to me when he first introduces himself. Nonetheless, he's strong." Honami confirm that the myth is true. "He even manages to withstand my kick with a little sign of discomfort on his face. Also, if what our guess about his Special Ability was right… He probably already masters it… I can't react quickly to the surprise attack that he made." She then clenches her fist while her face turns into panic. "My classmates… They will-"
"I think it won't happen." Dazai stated with firm tone, making Honami's panic face a bit relaxed. "From what I see, it seems he already get what he want and probably not long afterward will leave this island." He said with confidence.
"Why'd you so certain about that, Dazai? There's no other chance to catch him other than now. It's true that he probably bring all of his strongest subordinates here. However, we currently have all the resources we need. ANHS is on our side, Hunting Dogs is on our side. He's vulnerable." Yosano asked in confusion about Dazai reluctance to move and catching Fyodor when the time is right.
"Because if I were him, there's no doubt I'll do the same. He's not a fool. From the time he arrived here, he already calculates everything. That's what we're facing right now." Dazai said with a ghostly smile.
'Judging from the way he speaking… Dazai-sensei seems already know or even converse with Fyodor numerous times. For once, I can see his expression. He shows seriousness and wary unlike the time with Sumireko.' Itachi thought after seeing his homeroom teacher expression. 'I wonder how dangerous this Fyodor to the point he have such a high bounty for himself?'
"Dazai-sensei!" The tent then opened revealing Ishizaki and Yabu that just return from the scene with an injured Siesta still carried on his back.
"Siesta!?" Itachi quickly get up from his seat after seeing her injured legs. "Put her beside Honami, Ishizaki."
"Okay!" Ishizaki quickly enters the tent then putting Siesta who's asleep due to her injuries on the bed that formerly used by Honami.
Honami of course was shock at the injuries that Siesta has. "H-How…" She then looks down like struggles to hold tears while clenching her fists. "How could… How someone could be so cruel toward others like this…" She said to herself in low tone, making her remember how Sumireko nonchalantly threatened Kushida with the death of her parents back then.
"Honami…" Mio said in sympathy because she knows best how the strawberry blonde-haired girl hates something like this more than anything.
"How'd Siesta-chan end up in such condition?" Dazai asked Yabu who already sitting beside Itachi as she knows the talking seems important.
"We honestly not know… I think Itachi-kun and the others already explained that I alongside Ishizaki-kun are looking for Shiho-chan and Saki-chan but of course empty handed. Then all of sudden, Siesta-san was like being thrown by something from the forest that stands beside the streams and falls right in front of us." She explained. "But at how she's thrown… Its not something that looks like she was being thrown by someone… It was more like she being hit by something hard."
"There's no doubt. One of Fyodor's rats." Dazai quickly had a conclusion.
"Fyodor?" Yabu tilt her head in confusion as she not join the entire conversation before.
"But Dazai-sensei… Although Nanami didn't see it, I see it a bit clear what thrown Siesta… I see some bits of rock." Ishizaki then joined in.
"I see." Dazai then sighed since what Ishizaki just said makes sense that whoever Siesta fight against, it probably tries to abduct Yabu who of course rather it ends up in failure or because Fyodor was without a doubt targeting Shiho, he already gets what he needs. However, he has other things on his mind that concern one thing in particular.
He already knows that there's a spy that Fyodor implemented among the new batch of students of ANHS in order to keep an eye on any progress. However, from what Ishizaki and Yabu informed, why'd Fyodor looks like he not trust his spy at all to get the job done and instead take some of his strongest forces here?
'Now I see.' Dazai finally get the gist of what Fyodor truly planned. 'You truly a demon didn't you?' He thought before he looks at Yabu and Ishizaki seriously. "Nanami-chan. Ishizaki-kun. I'll tell everything that we speak before the two of you along with Siesta-chan arrives. However, promise me that whatever we speak here doesn't come out to anyone."
Now we skip the time back to what happen in the previous chapter. Someone who disguise as Satou almost strike Kei if not for Kiyotaka deflecting the attack. The said person then remove her hair which is revealed to be a wig, introducing herself as Shiho Manabe, one of Ryuuen classmates from Class 1-C. However, Kiyotaka is not a fool. He manage to see some differences
For instance, the only thing that differences her from Shiho he seen is the fact that she has longer hair plus her expression is sterner. However, he manages to look a peculiar way to identified her.
A small scar on the right side of her face that being obscured by her hair.
"M-Manabe-san? There's no way… Who are you?" Kei asked although it is certain that she is trembling in fear by the looks of her legs that shivering.
"I can't see that you're Shiho Manabe from Class 1-C." Kiyotaka also agreed with what Kei is confused of.
"It's okay if you don't believe it or not. I don't really fucking care." The girl who proclaimed herself as Shiho Manabe said while shrugging her shoulders. "What I care about right now is right in front me. I must say that you truly did a good job to discover me: The Masterpiece of White Room." She said nonchalantly causing Kiyotaka to slightly widen his eyes in surprise.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Kiyotaka quickly dismissed.
'W-What're they talking about?' Kei thought in confusion about what the Manabe look-alike just said.
"Still act like you don't know anything? You know what… That attitude of yours…" 'Manabe' then dash toward Kiyotaka. "REALLY PISS ME OF!"
Kiyotaka easily guess that 'Manabe' go forward for a straight attack. He then deflecting her straightforward punch of her left hand, making 'Manabe' grit her teeth before spin the sword on her right hand into stabbing position, going for a full thrust to his stomach but the masterpiece of the White Room manage to grab a hold of her right wrist, preventing that from happen in the first place.
"Karuizawa. You better not stay in here and get the boys awake." Kiyotaka instructed as he hold 'Manabe' back.
"I-Okay!" Kei quickly nod although hesitate at first of leaving Kiyotaka behind before running back to the main camp.
'Manabe' who seeing it, scream at her. "You won't get-UGH!" She not yet finish her words as she gasps in pain from a powerful sideway kick from Kiyotaka, make her thrown aside a bit further from the location of the portable bathroom.
Kiyotaka quickly block her attempt from getting up and chase after Kei. However, despite all of it, 'Manabe' just smirk in satisfaction. "At long last. Just the two of us now." She stated with satisfied tone.
"You look happy for someone that being cornered. Who are you exactly?" Kiyotaka demanded.
"C'mon! I thought you're the mastermind! Surely you're not that dumb enough to figure it out!" With a simple flick of her wrist and a swing, the segmented sword moves in snake-like fashion toward Kiyotaka. "Mastermind should be smarter than just a regular person like me!"
"Is this the way you think you can win?" Kiyotaka asked without expression as he easily jumps upward from the sword trajectory before decide to grab the metal cable that hold one of the segmented parts together. After landing on the ground, he pulls it toward him, making 'Manabe' who still hold the sword also follows toward him and he gives her hard elbow to her gut.
"Guhuk!" 'Manabe' spat saliva and bit of blood as she truly feels the force of the elbow attack. This makes her lose grip on her segmented sword and crashes to the ground after some rolling. "Ugh…" She groaned as she then sits up while still wincing in pain and take gasping breath.
"I'll give you up to the teachers so they can determine the punishment for you." Kiyotaka said in emotionless tone as he walking towards her.
"Surrender… To the likes of you?" 'Manabe' asked to particularly no one as four throwing knives suddenly slid from her sleeve. "I'd rather die!" She proclaimed before throwing it at tremendous speed toward Kiyotaka, who effortlessly just tilt his head to the right, dodging all of the knives that pierce the tree behind him. Wasting no chance, Kiyotaka quickly dash toward 'Manabe' and give her a hard punch to her face, making her crashes against the ground as he quickly sit on her stomach, preparing to pummel her.
Without giving her any time to breath, Kiyotaka giving the first punch but 'Manabe' protect herself by bringing both of her arms in front of her face to protect it. She also still wears her metal gauntlet, diminished the force of the punch.
"Now you'll tell me. Who are you exactly?" He asked without any change in emotion.
"Heh…" 'Manabe' just smirked beneath her arms. "D-Do you really think… I'll tell you that easily?"
"You will." Kiyotaka stated with the dark look on his eyes as now he start to pummel her mercilessly. "Because honestly, this thing doesn't concern me at all." He said.
"Gugh!" 'Manabe' grunted as her arm finally can't stand Kiyotaka punches that it makes her face getting punched once again.
"After all, you just a stranger who appears out of nowhere." He said between his ruthless punches.
"Ha… Ha ha ha *Pant*… That's probably right *Pant*… For you, I'm nothing more than dirt *Pant* to be step upon…" 'Manabe' said as she looks toward Kiyotaka with a look of hatred on her face, seemingly not even afraid by what he did to her. "However… I have many *Pant* reasons to hate you with all my soul… You son *Pant* of a bitch…" She said with pure venom on her tone.
"Is that so?" Kiyotaka wondered before punching her face again. "Unfortunately, your hatred means nothing to me. Because you're weak." He simply stated before giving her a hard punch to her chest.
"Ahak!"
"Even if you truly hate me, I won't feel anything. Trivial matters such as these will never move my heart. Not even my emotions will surface." Kiyotaka stated as he continues punching 'Manabe' relentlessly.
However, suddenly someone appears from the branches and throwing several senbon toward him from behind, which he manage to duck by moving his head under the trajectory of the senbon. He then glances to see someone that wearing a cloak dons with a mask to hide her face. This of course was Saki who dons the outfit to avoid being noticed by others.
'He deflect it at this range!?' Saki thought in surprise because she's confident enough that her throwing speed was too fast for most people to avoid in time. She now truly understands why Fyodor warn her not to underestimate the children from White Room.
'Another one?' Kiyotaka thought because although he expected Saki's aura, he not truly think that she will come to assist 'Manabe'.
However, he failed to realize in time that 'Manabe' was smirking. It was true that Kiyotaka can be considers perfect human because he won't let his emotions take over his logical thoughts and the fact the continuous regiment he received throughout his entire life plus his ability to adapt in almost every scenario possible made him unmatched in physical confrontation except for some special cases. However, like all humans, he have one fundamental weakness.
The inability to focus at two things at the same time. Thanks to Saki's distraction, Kiyotaka although having super adaptability still need time to register what kind of threat that Saki possess thus leaving 'Manabe' not on his focus for at least three seconds.
And that's all that she need with his body also closer to her.
Suddenly opening her mouth, 'Manabe' revealing that her fang tooth look akin to a snake's fang. Suddenly filled with adrenaline, both of her hands manage to hold Kiyotaka in a hug before biting her on the right shoulder.
"Ugh." Kiyotaka said as he feels something sharp akin to a needle pierce his right shoulders. Because of the sudden pain although he having high tolerance to it, his sitting on 'Manabe' lessened, allowing her to launch herself backward using his body as a momentum. After being released from Kiyotaka's hold, 'Manabe' then stand albeit with struggle as he really did number on her especially the face.
"*Pant*… You take too long. While you're on the way… I *Pant* was pummeled rather badly." 'Manabe' said to Saki. "What's… He thinking? *Pant*" She wondered with narrow look.
Saki just shook her head. She really not want to talk by now since she's afraid Kiyotaka will discovers her from her voice alone.
Kiyotaka who thrown off-guard even for just a moment then focused his attention toward Saki this time. He then launches toward her and does a palm thrust which she tries to avoid by bring out her right hand to block it. However, the force cause her to thrown backward and hit the tree not far from her back.
"Aah!" She screamed as she slump to the ground although not losing consciousness. However, this leaves her incapacitated for a while.
Looking at her coldly, Kiyotaka then look toward 'Manabe' once again. "That was quite a cheap shot." He stated as he cracking his neck because of discomfort of the bite location.
"So it was true… You're a damn monster." 'Manabe' stated with a frown. "Not even that cheap shot affect you at all."
Kiyotaka then launch forward toward 'Manabe' to kneeing her in the stomach. However, he suddenly felt jolt on his body as suddenly stumbled, almost falling to the ground. 'What is this?' He wondered without any signs of discomfort.
"I want to say so… However." 'Manabe' frown then turn into a smile. "It seems your greatest asset can be your greatest weakness as well. Really, for all his ambition, that man was nothing more than a short-sighted fool." She remarked with a satisfied look on her face. "You think I don't know that you have a high tolerance to pain? I bet that bite I give you feels like a compass being stabbed on your iron skin. However, having a high tolerance of pain can be quite a boomerang. Especially if you have venomous creatures around you."
"Venomous creature?" Kiyotaka tilt his head in confusion as he falls to the ground at last due to the something that 'Manabe' inject to his body. 'My muscle can't move at all or rather… It's like I'm freezing.'
"You know what the venom of Greater Blue-ringed Octopus does? I think you do consider your education on that wretched place." 'Manabe' said in delight as she grab a hold of Kiyotaka's hair after crouch close to him to make the masterpiece of White Room look at her. "Let me tell you something interesting although it's pointless. It basically has venom 10,000 times more toxic than cyanide and quite fast-acting as it will shut down the muscles, rendering most senses useless that can lead to death. That's what happens to you now." She then kicks Kiyotaka who rendered weakened by the venom by the chin, making his body laid on his back.
"I... See…" Kiyotaka said as he feels it even start to be difficult to talking. 'That time… When she bit me. So she's a Special Ability user then, like that man said.' He concluded. 'The dose also is something that surpassing my normal resistance.' He however still manages to look around only to find out that Saki isn't anywhere in sight. 'Where's the other one go?'
"However no need to worry. I manipulate the component from the real animal so death won't come to you but the way it takes effect is quicker. At least you'll be on severe spasm and muscle freeze for six hours." 'Manabe' said as she cracking her fist. "Enough time for you to taste what my pain feels like when you used me like I was your damn puppet… X."
Rats in the House of the Dead Assassin
'Shiho Manabe'
Special Ability: Venom-manifestation Ability
Meanwhile on Kei's side, she manages to reach the tent of girls. She then tries to peek to her tent, only for Kushida to come out from it.
"Karuizawa-san? You're all right?" Kushida asked with concern without any fake persona. "I'm glad… I thought you're get lost by sleepwalking."
"Kushida-san? What's wrong?" Kei asked in confusion at Kushida's tone as if something bad is happen.
"You better not get to the inside. I-I don't know why but… Everyone can't be awaken from their sleep no matter how hard I try. I also tried to the boy's tent and none of them even Kouenji-kun can be awaken. It… It was not normal sleep. Like they've been lull or drugged to sleep by something or someone..." Kushida explained in worried tone. "Not even Horikita-san can be-"
"Kushida-chan! Karuizawa-chan!" Both of them look toward Atsushi who quickly jump down from the tree. "So both of you are fine, I'm glad. However where's Ayanokouji-kun?" He asked.
"That's why I'm here! Please Atsushi-kun! He needs help!" Kei quickly remembers her reasons to come here in the first place. "Like you said back then! That 'Satou-san' was an imposter! I-I don't know who is she but-"
Atsushi however widen his eyes at Saki who suddenly appears from one of the trees around the camp and throwing her senbon toward Kei who not even realizing it. He then tries to stand in front of her to block the senbon but someone already does that.
As Kushida stood in front of Kei and being stab by the senbon on her left chest. "Ugh!"
"Kushida-san!" Kei screamed as she finally catch the glimpse of the assailant.
"No need to worry." Kushida said as she pulls out the senbon from her left chest. "I am-" She not even finishing her talking as her eyes roll on her head and she slumped to the ground.
"Kushida-san!" Kei said in panic as she quickly crouches down to touch her, only to find out that she seems let out a light breath, indicating that she falls to a deep slumber. "Kushida-san! Wake up!" She then shakes Kushida body to wake her up, but to no avail.
"As the one being cursed by the Evil Witch… She won't ever wake up again." Saki said, reciting the important pieces of Sleeping Beauty. "Which is why… You'll suffer the same fate." She then prepares collection of senbon from her right hand. However, before she can throw it toward Kei, Atsushi quickly appears on her right side, kicking her with such force that thrown her several feet but she later slid off four knives from her left hand sleeve which she then stab to the ground while she still holds it to halt off the force of the kick before she thrown the senbon toward Atsushi. However, using both of his arms that already transform into tiger arms, he deflects all of the senbon with a single swipe of it.
"Atsushi-kun…" Kei said as she supports Kushida body to stand although she currently fall asleep thanks to Saki's Special Ability.
"Karuizawa-chan, don't let her stab you with any of weapons she carries. It seems carries some high sedative concoctions. You shall go to the tent and protect Kushida-san and the other girls. Leave this person to me." Atsushi instructed with hard look on his eyes, signaling that there's no room to argue at this situation.
"O-Okay…" Kei uttered as she carries Kushida back to the female tent. 'Please be safe.' She thought before entering the girl tent although after put Kushida on her own bed, she secretly peek her right eye from the opening of the tent to watch over Atsushi.
After Kei already entering the tent, Atsushi then narrowed his gaze. "Why don't you just release the cloak and mask. I know who's inside it. Isn't that right… Yamashita-chan?" He demanded.
Stunned, Saki then let out a sigh before unbutton her cloak, revealing that she still wears her ANHS tracksuit but with a pair of utility bag on her waist that put on a black belt. Bring her right hand toward the mask, she then open it, revealing her face. "How'd you find out I wonder?" She asked with serious tone.
'What!? T-That's Yamashita-san right!?' Kei voiced her shock and disbelief upon seeing Saki was the one that attack her alongside 'Manabe'. She knows Saki because of her chunni nature was quite widespread among the first years.
"It's easy. I know from the beginning that there's something wrong about you. Some parts of you expressing yourself feel forced while you also shows genuine one from time to time. Furthermore, you seem wary when Dazai-san closes to you for an unknown reason. For that I create a conclusion. You're the spy that Demon Fyodor sent am I right?" Atsushi voiced his own theory on why he knows Saki hides her affiliation of being Fyodor's spy.
'W-What!? Fyodor? Who's that? What'd Atsushi-kun was talking about?' Kei wondered as the matters start to confuse her more and more.
"That's right." Saki replied; find there's no benefit to keep hiding it. "So what Fyodor-san said was right. Armed Detective Agency already takes notice of our movements." She then slid another four knives from her right hand sleeve. "If that so, you already know that I won't give any information about him."
"That's what I already expected." Atsushi said as he prepares his stance. "However, can I ask you of one thing? Yamashita-chan, why'd you serve someone like him? From what our interactions, I can tell that you're not bad person at heart." He wondered.
Hearing the question, Saki then let out a smile that looks genuine. "Why I wonder? You can say…" She then dash toward Atsushi with the intention to do sideway slash using the knives on her right hand. "Because I owe him everything." She stated with hard tone before delivers the attack, only for Atsushi to dodge it by duck below the slash. He then kicks Saki on the chest but she blocks it using the knives from her left hand, which shatters thanks to Atsushi's tiger power. Seeing that she can't beat him in physical strength, she jump backward by doing acrobatic backflip before throwing the knives on her right hand with great precision toward Atsushi, who this time jump upward to avoid the knives that stab harmlessly to the ground.
Thinking quickly, Atsushi then also transform both of his legs into tiger legs to enhance its strength. 'From what I see, Yamashita-chan seems a mid-range fighter that using sharp objects to attack. Means she has mastery of martial arts. However, in strength I'm above her so I'll finish this quickly.' He deduced before jump toward Saki from mid-air.
'He jump on mid-air!' Saki thought as she didn't expect that maneuver. Thinking quickly, she then brings out other bands of senbon from her utility bag and throws it toward Atsushi. However, the were-tiger manage to dodge it once again using his speed and land on one of the closest tree before launching himself toward her. 'Oh no!'
Without any battle cry, Atsushi delivers hard punch using his tiger arms at Saki's unprotected stomach. The force is such that it launches her till' her body hits the tree that located few meters away from Class 1-D main camp.
"Ahak!" Although not coughing blood due to the fact Atsushi was holding back his fist, Saki unable to get up due to the pain caused by it as she later slumps to the tree and can't get up due to pain. 'Ugh… I can't get up... So this is the power… That brought down the leader of The Guild two years ago.' She thought as she can see Atsushi approaching her. "It seems… I underestimate you…"
"Please just stay like that Yamashita-chan. If can, I don't want to hurt you. After all, you're one of our friends." Atsushi said with a bit pleading tone.
"I… Won't." Saki said as she struggles to stand up while using the tree as support. "I have my own reason for doing this…"
"But why? Why'd it have to be Demon Fyodor of all people? You already know how evil he was right?" Atsushi pressed on. Among the members of Armed Detective Agency, he knows about the Demon the most due to Dazai already tells him beforehand.
Saki then look down, remembering a certain event in her past when she meets the Demon.
"No need to worry. Your Special Ability for me is not a curse. In fact, it was a perfect tool to bring salvation to this accursed world. Join me… And you'll see the Promised Land that will born from His will." – Fyodor to Saki, Three Years Ago
"Because… He's the one that not evil or good." Saki then look at Atsushi with determined but pain look on her face. "I genuinely believe… That he'll bring that world to fruition." She then shakily takes another weapon from her utility bag, which is revealed to be a folded spear. "Because of that… I'll support him with all my might! Even if I must die for that to happen!" She said while using nothing more than adrenaline to launch herself toward Atsushi. Doing a forward stabbing movement, it was dodged by Atsushi with ease. However, it was revealed to be a ruse as Saki stab the spear to the ground as using its momentum to jump to the air and delivers a kick to Atsushi's face, making him stumbled backward. Not stopping there, when she landed on the ground, she doing forward flip to land a slash on Atsushi's body.
"Aah!" Atsushi grunted in pain. 'Her battle style completely changes from before! It was more refined!' He quickly noted.
"I never expected that you're among the few people that forced me to use this battle style. Prepare yourself, Atsushi-kun." Saki stated as she twirls her spear before taking a battle stance. "I won't hold back anymore this time."
Back on Kiyotaka, he still feel his body numb thanks to the modified Greater Blue-ringed Octopus that 'Manabe' injected toward him as she stomp on his stomach.
"Just you know… This feels not justified enough from all the pain I went through because of you." She said as she used an iron brace on her left arm. "NOT ENOUGH!" She then gives a hard punch to his face, making him spat saliva.
"This is just the beginning, you son of a bitch!" 'Manabe stated as she punch Kiyotaka's face again twice. "That two punch was for leading me to that damn fucking basement!" She then do another hand punch to his chest. "This for making me lost stand in my class for using me as your fucking spy! And this one… Is for making me expelled!" She screamed while punch his face again with everything she has. This make Kiyotaka although not feels pain and not change his expression one bit cough lots of blood as his right cheek also become swollen due to the punch.
"Is that it?"
'Manabe' widen her eyes as Kiyotaka still wearing that cold eye of his look at her without any change of his expression although his gaze a bit shaky and his body start to shiver from the pain and effect of the venom. "Why you…"
"Is this the limit of your hatred toward someone that doesn't even know you? If I must say, it was quite pathetic. Your hatred… Still lacking." Kiyotaka said with his monotone voice. "Even with all the power you have… You still afraid to kill me."
"What'd you just say…" 'Manabe' uttered with venom in her tone. How dare he said such thing! She always bottle up all of her hatred for three years, train hard in order to at least able to defend herself against him and she dare to say that her hatred is pathetic! "Damn you…" She then picks up a knife in her utility bag before stab it deep to his stomach. "DAMN YOU!"
"Ugh." Now he truly grunted in pain. Despite his usual high tolerance to pain, the venom really damages his nervous system.
"THAT'S IT!? I'LL KILL YOU!" 'Manabe' said as she prepares to stab Kiyotaka's neck. However, suddenly a branch of a plant suddenly strike her mid-section, making her gasps for air as she thrown back and hit the ground close to the place where her Jian sword was located.
Kiyotaka also slightly widen his eyes, not expecting at all about the plant branch that disappears into greenish light.
"To think that the Masterpiece of the White Room being defeated. Well, like Papa deduction. In the end, he just a mere human." A familiar female voice speaks up. From the forest, a girl with shoulder-length light brown hair and brown-gradient violet eyes appears on the scene while still wearing the ANHS tracksuit.
"Y-You're still awake… But how? I make sure that I-" 'Manabe' spit out that she was the one responsible for Class 1-D mass sleeping instead of Saki's Special Ability.
"That plan of yours was quite smart if I must say. To think that you put up concoction with strong sedative that even manage to put someone like Rokusuke Kouenji to sleep." The girl said while groups of vines grow behind her. "However, it seems your planning really need some learning in order to fool those who aware of their surroundings. After all, you just got Kouenji and Horikita by luck."
'She is Nene Mori. One of Karuizawa's friends.' Kiyotaka noted before he being constricted by the vines that produce from behind of Nene.
"Forgive me Ayanokouji-kun. However, I won't let you see this battle." Nene apologized as she constricting Kiyotaka harder, making him losing consciousness. "I know that you in fit condition will without a doubt will silence me. Think of it as a way to make the venom spread slowly till' the effect runs out." She stated before she look seriously at 'Manabe' who got up after sitting for a while.
"For what reason one of Karuizawa's whore get in my way? This doesn't even concern you." 'Manabe' said in aggressive tone as she wields back her segmented Jian sword. "If you get in my way, I won't hesitate to kill you."
Nene however maintains her calm smile. "It seems you have some misunderstanding, 'Manabe'-san from different world." Raise her right arm to the right, tons of vines emerges from behind. "I just act with the order from Papa: Protect Kiyotaka Ayanokouji till' the time expires. That's all he said." Then all of a sudden, the vines launches toward 'Manabe' at tremendous speed, intending to snare her just like it did to Kiyotaka. She manages to dodge it to the side despite her injuries thanks to her battle against Kiyotaka.
"Huh. A long-range Special Ability to control plants? Surely you not joking if you think you can best me!" 'Manabe' said arrogantly as she later swing her segmented sword toward Nene with tremendous precision and speed. However, the vines suddenly intervene and grab hold of the sword on the metallic cable that holds the segment together.
"That was quite unique weapon you have there. However, such thing is useless against my Special Ability." Using several hand gestures, suddenly collections of sharp rose vines shoot out from the ground around 'Manabe', holding her limbs in place. Strengthening the hold on the segmented sword, the metallic cable then snap under the pressure.
"Tch-Ugh!" 'Manabe' squealed in pain as she can feels the thorn that constricting her limbs starting to pierce her flesh, making her losing grip on her segmented sword. "D-Damn it…"
"Now then, what shall I do with you? I know that you're one of those disgusting rats members. Killing you will be beneficial for our existence but at the same time, the information inside your head is the most important thing we need." Nene said as she walks toward 'Manabe' with the vines behind her disperse into greenish light. "Koyou-san will do the best torture she can do for you. For that, I suggest you shall sleep for a moment."
"Ayaya! Sadly we can't allow that to happen!" All of a sudden, yellowish portal with knife at hand try to stab Nene in the head. However, she manage to duck it by squat below the attack and give the hand a hard kick, dropping the knife and she quickly take hold of it, slicing the hand as it returns back to the portal. "Itta!"
"Oh. What pleasure do I have that The Clown, Nikolai Gogol honored me with his presence?" Nene asked calmly as not long afterward, Nikolai appears close to 'Manabe' via warped portal. His left hand was shown to bleeding, indicating that Nene manage to strike him before his left hand escape.
"I'm sorry to disturb your torture. However! She's still essential to our plan as that what Dos-kun said." Nikolai said with a smile despite his injuries and touch 'Manabe' right shoulder. "Now if you excuse-"
"Wait. Nikolai-san." 'Manabe' said before closing her eyes. "You're one of Karuizawa's friend… Nene Mori, right?" She asked.
"I suggest you have something to say before you escape even though I won't let you. Fine then, humor me." Nene replied as vines start to appear from behind her once again.
'Manabe' then open her eyes that full of hatred and malice as she looks toward Kiyotaka who's unconscious on the vines' constriction. "Tell him and the bastard that soon becomes my target including you. You can enjoy this peaceful time inside this pathetic school as much as you can. However… Soon all of you pay… I SWORE EVERY WORD! THOSE BASTARDS THAT WRONGED ME… THEY WILL LOSE SOMETHING PRECIOUS TO THEM! THEY WILL FEEL WHAT I FEEL! I SWORE OF IT!" She screamed as Nikolai quickly covers both her and him with his coat, teleporting them in time before Nene rose vines manage to struck them down.
"Tch. So they've escaped." Nene said in disappointment before she looks at Kiyotaka's body. "At least I manage to save him. However, judging from what she said back then… I think this won't be the last time they will bother ANHS. Akutagawa-san surely will have many things to do when he succeeded Horikita-san." She then disperses the rose vines into greenish light. "I wonder if Atsushi-kun manages to hold off the other attacker." She wondered as she walk back to the camp. "For now, I must take him back to the camp so the venom can slowly reduce."
On Atsushi side, he surprisingly found herself on defensive by Saki's assault. The chunni girl in disguise swing of her folded spear in quick and precise move try to stab him in order to have his Special Ability affects him. It was like fighting against the user of Cai Li Fo, a battle style from China that usually using iron fan as a method of guard and distraction. However, she manages to use it with her folded spear in such skills that even the were-tiger a bit hard to find the opening to strike. Not to mention he is holding back afraid that he will hurt her more than necessary.
However, Atsushi was not a fool in battle of attrition. No matter how fast and precise Saki had become, she start to suffers from exhaustion thanks to her attack and start to panting due to the injury Atsushi manage to land to her stomach before. This is seen as when Saki try to do upper right slash movement, Atsushi deflect the spear using the swipe of his left hand before kicking Saki once again in gut using his feet that's is not transformed. This makes her stumbled backward a few meters before she fall to her knees.
"*Pant*… *Pant*…" Saki panted in exhaustion as she truly not believes despite at first she seemingly gain the upper hand, it was just revealed to be a ruse to exhaust her. "I… I lost…"
"Please… Just give up Yamashita-chan." Atsushi once again pleaded while he also tries to catch his breath. "I know that you not want any of this. The way you barely aim my vital despite using such weapon convince me more. I beg of you, please stop."
"*Pant* … Shut up… *Pant*" Saki uttered while look at Atsushi with angered look on her eyes. "You not know anything Atsushi-kun… *Pant*… Don't pretend you know me!" She said in anger despite she look pained when said it. "All of you in this school… Doesn't know me. However, I… I also not want *Pant* to hurt anyone of you…" She said while look down.
"If that so, why-"
"Even so, I can't disappoint Fyodor-san… I just… Can't…" Saki then look at Atsushi with sad look on her face. "Atsushi-kun. I know from the beginning that you have Special Ability. Tell me, do you at the beginning… Also saw your Special Ability as a curse?" She asked but with soft tone.
Atsushi was surprised with such question because although he suspects something is wrong with Saki, he never expected that she is a Special Ability user. With hardened gaze as it touches a thing that he already make peace with in the past, he only nod his head.
Saki only smiled seeing Atsushi reaction. "I see. If that so, you must be understand how the other people treat us just because we're different from them. You're lucky if I must say… Before falling further into the darkness, you manage to find a good mentor and friends. When I read the information about it… I must say, I'm quite jealous of you…"
"Yamashita-chan…" Atsushi make a sympathetic look toward Saki. He knows that she's being genuine. "However, if you truly know what Fyodor did was wrong, then why-"
"Like I said, it because he's neither good or evil. Also… He's the only one that reaches his hand to me when I… Was nothing." Saki then look up before her eyes had a glint of surprise when she see someone behind Atsushi. "Because of that… Even though my heart thinks this is not a right thing to do." She then suddenly stand up. "If it is for him… I'LL BECOME ANYTHING!" She then dash toward Atsushi right side, targeting for someone who's watching the entire battle.
'Why'd she-' Atsushi quickly look on his right side, surprising to find Kei was watching the whole time. "Karuizawa-chan! Dodge!" He screamed as he dash toward her to block Saki advance that still holding her spear, intending to put her to sleep using her Special Ability.
Kei can only gasp as Saki suddenly appears close to her. 'How c-could she-'
'I only need to put her to sleep and quickly get away from here! With my current strength it is still enough to return back to the base to warn Fyodor-san about the current outcome! For now, I just need to do what Nikolai-san requested in order not to make the one that being captured hurt any further.' Saki thought as without any words, she thrust her spear toward Kei, who's too stunned to even dodge the attack. Because she has no intention to kill, the spear manage to create shallow stab wound.
However, what she hit is not Kei.
As Atsushi manage to reach her in time to stand in front of her blocking the spear. However, he's the one that get stab instead.
"Ggh." Atsushi grunted as he starts to feel drowsiness thanks to Saki's Special Ability.
Saki widens her eyes as she not expecting that Atsushi manage to close the gap in such a short time. 'Damn it! I forgot that Atsushi-kun Ability give him inhuman aspects! To think he can reach me in time even though I make the first move!' She thought in surprise.
"A-Atsushi-kun…" Kei stuttered as she sees that Atsushi stomach leaks out blood thanks to Saki's attack. "T-That wound-"
"Now I see…" Atsushi despite the wound, manage to let out a smile. "So… This is your Special Ability isn't it, Yamashita-chan?"
Saki narrowed her eyes as she knows that Atsushi manage to figure her out. There's no point in hiding it anymore. "You're right. I think there's no point in hiding it anymore." She then pulls out the spear from Atsushi stomach. "My Special Ability allows me to put anyone into deep slumber. However, to do so I must stab them using any sharp object… Like the Sleeping Beauty of old. You'll never be awaken unless I desired so." She explained. "Goodbye Atsushi-kun. I hope with this, I have no need to injure you any further."
"I see… However, let me say this…" Atsushi then fall to his knees as the Special Ability start to affect him. "Your Special Ability… Is not a curse…" He said as he falls to deep slumber at last.
Saki stunned as she hears it. However, she for a split second let out a smile. "… I know…" She uttered. She later look at Kei who look at Atsushi in shock.
"A-Atsushi-kun… Atsushi-kun!" Kei quickly crouch down and roll over Atsushi body to see the leaked wound on his stomach suddenly gone without a trace. 'The wound… It's gone! B-But how…' Shook her head, she tries to wake him up.
"It's futile." Saki said as she use her folded spear as a support as her injuries catches up to her. "Unless it was me, he can never wake up. You can say… Unless I not awaken it till' the limit a human body lack of nutrition… He's the same as dead." She said.
"D-Dead?" Kei uttered as her eyes look at Atsushi in shock before suddenly her vision become blurry as her eyes lose its light and her face become plain and emotionless.
(Flashback – Two Years Ago)
Kei is walking alone back home. Today, she suffers yet another bullying. Her school uniform is wet thanks to being poured by cola. Her lunch also being tainted by a black rat carcass. Her shoes also being ripped off by an unknown assailant. That makes her return back home using her tracksuit and sandals.
All of it is a natural occurrences that happens to her ever since the beginning of her middle grade. She even doesn't know why she being bullied in the first place.
'It happened again. Yet… I didn't do anything. I just let it happened and after all… Why I bother? No one cares about me.' Kei thought in sadness as her eyes clearly red from crying. 'For now, I must clean up first. I don't want to make tou-san and kaa-san worried about me. For that reason alone… I must stand up!' She thought to assure herself as she walk on the lone street.
However, what she not realizes is there's someone follows her.
After cleaning up on a public bathroom that located on an alley that not too far from her home and change her clothing to casual one, Kei just exiting it when she spotted a familiar faces approaching her. Seeing them make Kei shivering in fear as her leg also trembling.
"W-Why…" Kei uttered as she quickly turns around to run as quickly as possible to her home. She certain that they won't bother her once she reaches the only safe heaven she has on her middle grade. 'Why they follow me here!? In any case, I must quickly-' She don't finish her thought as she bumps into someone. She then quickly looks up, only to see a tall, muscular man with a samurai at hand. Before she can respond, she was immediately gagged from behind and quickly taken away by the mysterious person as she feels her consciousness start to leave her.
"Oi. Wake up you bitch!" The pain of someone kicking her stomach make Kei gasp for air as she awake.
"*Cough*… *Cough*…" Kei coughed up as her vision is still blurry because she just awake from whoever that cause her to pass out. As her vision gradually cleared, she finally seen the true perpetrator and start trembling. "W-Why're the three of you-Ugh!" Kei unable to finish her question as she being kick in the face by none other than the three main girls that always bullied her since the first year. She currently inside an empty shed and both of her limbs being tied up to prevent escaping.
"We still have unfinished business, Karuizawa-san. How dare you already look beautiful again when today you're nothing more than simple trash." The one that kick her, which is revealed to be a girl with a bob reddish hair, spat with malice.
"To think that close to your house there's quite clean public bathroom. I think sooner or later we must vandalize it so Karuizawa-san unable to return shine and clean isn't it?" Another of her bully, a glass-wearing girl with neck-length black hair said with a smirk.
"W-Why… I-I don't bother you-Gaah!" Kei was once again being kick in the face by the reddish haired girl.
"Everything about you bother us Karuizawa-san. You always dress like rich and bratty girl while the truth you're nothing more than a weak person unable to stand on her own." The reddish hair girl said. "That's why someone like you deserved this. Including those that defending trash like you."
Kei widen her eyes as she hears that sentence. There's someone that cares for her!? Why she didn't ever knows it! Why that person never help her.
However, like a cruel twist of fate. The last of her bullies, a girl with green hair and yellow eyes, speak up about it. "Indeed. A foolish girl tries to stand up to us who hold the greatest influence among the other girls in our year. Well, she get what she deserved for that. What's happen to her again?" She wondered in fake confusion.
"You mean she accidentally falls from the stairs and crack her right leg." The reddish hair girl recalled without any sign of empathy on her tone.
"Ha ha ha. Yeah… I hope she just die already for daring to stand up against us." The black hair girl said.
However, the last word she said is what sealed their tracks of bullying and awaken something sinister.
"D-Die?" Kei uttered to herself as her purple eyes suddenly lost its light and her face becomes blank.
"Yeah that's right. Now-" The reddish girl unable to finish off her word as she suddenly being slash in the chest by something at lightning speed.
(Flashback End; Will Continue…)
Back on the island where Atsushi going against Saki with her victory because of him protecting Kei from being affected by her Special Ability, she was clearly tired thanks to Atsushi's strength and speed. However, she must finish what she started.
Although she was tasked to return to Class 1-C to continue her espionage mission, Nikolai in secret ask her to collect one more person from Class 1-D to play in his deadly game. Although she was quietly disagreeing, she knows there's no turning back.
'Although Atsushi-kun was the one that being affected, it makes not much difference. I already said to Nikolai-san to escort Manabe-san from the other world while let me return on my own to the base.' She thought before straighten up and twirl her spear to wash away the blood on its tip. 'For now, I'll continue. I'm sorry Karuizawa-san.' Saki thought before she suddenly widen her eyes. Instead of trying to stab Kei, she put her folded spear in defensive position as all of a sudden, something elastic and wavy try to slash her in the chest. Although she manages to block it, the force of the attack cause her to thrown backward before she can balance herself by doing backflip. 'Th-That's impossible!?' She thought as she truly can only open her mouth at disbelief at what she saw.
Walking passing Atsushi unconscious body, Kei looks down as her eyes is obscured by her bangs. However, what make Saki shock that how her hair moving. Instead of submit to the gravity, her hair looks like moving on its own with some of it gathers together, forming a knife-like shape.
"You… Killed him." Slowly, Kei then look up. However, her pupil is lost like she was being possessed by something. "If that so… You prepare to die, right?" She asked in plain tone as the knife-shaped hair strands quickly rush toward Saki, who narrows her eyes at the incoming strike.
Author Notes
At last! Sorry for taking a long time to update. Because all of it will goes to this scene that prepares one of the most unexpected Plot Twist: Kei Karuizawa possessing a Special Ability!
Well, there are many events that happened much in this chapter. Now I'll explain it one by one.
The mysterious girl that attacked Ayanokouji and Kei from the previous chapter is truly revealed to be Shiho Manabe from the Canon Classroom of the Elite Timeline. More precisely a few weeks after the event of Volume 10 where the Voting Exam happens. Why'd she ends up on this timeline at the same time Sigma was summoned? How'd she ends up in Europe of all places and what cooperation that she and Fyodor have? All of it will be revealed later on so keep following the story.
Yosano at last make her debut. And yeah, Honami be the first Classroom of the Elite characters that get her 'special treatment'.
Fyodor have Bounty is something that I planned on despite he probably not having it in Canon due to how mysterious he is. Well, thanks to the reveal of his Special Ability in Canon Bungou Stray Dogs, I think some lucky person probably manage to get photograph of him in secret, lol.
For Canon Manabe (Which is to differentiate her from Shiho from my fic timeline) against Ayanokouji. Now, before I think many of readers will confused why Ayanokouji let his guard down that easily, remembers that the situation is not like when he goes against Ishizaki and Albert who lack teamwork and weapons. In this situation, he fights against someone wielding a weapon and despite he dominates her, Saki interference make him distracted although for only three seconds, giving Canon Manabe the opening she needs to attack him using her Special Ability.
Saki Vs Atsushi. Her battle style I based on Lord Shen from Kung Fu Panda 2, probably the best antagonist that is ever created by Dreamworks. And now, we also start to see the real her behind her chunni attitude and her devotion to Fyodor. Will she probably turn to allies? Find out later on.
Mori revealed have a mysterious affiliation. What loyalty she lies on? Find out later on.
See you in the next update.