COTE Collection

by TsukasaKawaii

Collection of Cote Fanfic from many authors

26. (3) Ayanokouji's Return - Chapter 06-10

COTE: Ayanokouji's Return

By : tobi7th

...

Chapter 6 - 10

---

Chapter 6 - Nagumo

Kiyotaka's POV

Leaving the guidance office, I once again sighed.

To be honest, I didn't expect this school to be so troublesome.

I knew that, as elite school, its standards were higher than somewhere else.

But I was not worried, since having top grades was never my goal.

I wanted to make some connections with people, who may become valuable for the country in the future. Or valuable for my plans.

This class competition may help me find such people.

But, aside for my classmates, practically anyone else would treat me as enemy.

After all, if it's just fight for points, there's probably no need to make such a big mystery from class competition.

There must be prize that any student would covet and fight for. And it doesn't take a genius to figure out what could it be.

A ticket for 100% sure employment and college entry.

Probably only a winner class will get it, while the others will get much less benefits or nothing at all.

I don't need it at all, but I doubt there will be many like me.

There will be a total war between students for the next three years here.

And from what Sae-sensei said, it seems like my class is not too good.

Of course, it's possible that they just need more time to confirm their suspicions about the school system. Or no one wanted to ask in the class.

But that last face of Sae-sensei looked like she doesn't expect more people to ask her today. Or at all.

At the very least, this conversation allowed me to get to know Sae-sensei a bit better.

At first I thought that she is cold, strict person, who believes in discipline and order.

A typical, lone teacher, who doesn't care about her students and doesn't have much experience in romance, since she thinks of it as a bother.

But I was mistaken.

This woman could be quite expressive, if you push the right buttons. She also seems ambitious. But that's not all.

Although I was the only one in our class, who figured out the S-System before her, I highly doubt a teacher would react this strongly to that. Especially that passionate vision.

She became emotional, when I was figuring out the school system, which made it easy for me to read her.

She must have some personal story about it.

I smiled internally.

It looks like my chances with her are not so slim. If only I could get more information. I need to increase somehow my personal encounters with her.

...

Speaking about personal encounters with beauties..

Looks like no one from my acquaintances were waiting for me before the staff room.

Although we didn't make any promise to wait for each other, I thought at least one would wait for me.

Didn't you want to hang around the school with me? Didn't we promise to exchange phone numbers with each other?

What a disappointment.

Well, I won't let them off so easily.

I wonder how much did they discover about S-System.

It would be a quite good occasion to evaluate their abilities and mindset.

?: "Oh, you are Chabashira-sensei's student. Why are you still before the staff room? Could it be that she still hasn't arrived yet?"

I looked around and saw Mashima-sensei, the homeroom teacher of the class 1-A.

Kiyotaka: "It's nothing like that, Mashima-sensei. Chabashira-sensei and me already met. I just left the staff room."

Mashima-sensei: "It took you a long time for that. Did Chabashira-sensei make everything clear to you?"

If only you knew, sensei.

But he seems like a nice guy, if he is actually worried about a student from enemy class.

Kiyotaka: "Chabashira-sensei explained everything to me. I didn't have any questions about the school rules after that."

Mashima-sensei: "That's good. If everything is clear, then go. I hope you can enjoy your student life here."

He looked like he expected that I wouldn't have any questions after teacher's explanation.

Is it because no one expect a student to figure out S-System after just explanation? Or is there more to that?

Kiyotaka: "Thank you. Do you happen to know, where did the other three students go? We became friends, because of the incident and I was hoping to exchange phone numbers with them."

Mashima-sensei: "Kamuro from my class left some time ago. She probably went to the dormitory. I didn't see Sakagami-sensei's student, but Hoshinomiya-sensei's student was in the park near this building, when I was coming here. "

Kiyotaka: "Thank you very much, sensei. Have a nice day."

He really is a nice guy.

So Kiryuin is still nearby. Let's try to find her.

Out of the three, I had the best impression about her.

Her abilities, specially her intuition and decision making, were top notch. She was also a good fighter.

I would like to compare my findings with her. Or at the very least I want to know her standing towards me after learning about class competition.

I went out of the building and started looking for the park. It only took me a few minutes to find it.

And then, I saw a familiar platinum haired figure.

Once again, Kiryuin sitting posture would be suggesting that she is actually owner of this park.

Sensing that someone is looking at her, she turned her head towards me.

After recognizing me, she smiled widely.

Seeing her smile with the background of nature, I had the impression of immaculate beauty.

If I had a canvas and paints, I would probably start painting.

But I decided to just stay and appreciate this wonderful picture.

She also didn't do anything and continued to watch me.

Finally, some shade of red appeared on her cheeks and she broke eye contact.

Kiryuin: "You are really rude to watch a maiden's face for so long."

Kiyotaka: "I'm sorry, but I just couldn't help myself in front of such wonderful picture. Thank you very much for a treat for my eyes."

Kiryuin: "Despite your cool looks, you are quite shameless, aren't you?"

Kiyotaka: "I am just being truthful. You didn't mind my vision for a while, aren't you?"

Kiryuin: "Some people may consider you a pervert. I advise against such actions in the future."

Kiyotaka: "I don't mind at all. But thank you for advice. If you aren't creeped with me, can I sit next to you?"

Kiryuin: "Sure, I was about to ask you for it."

She made room for me on the bench and I sat down next to her.

Kiyotaka: "So Kiryuin, what are you doing here? We just got our money. Shouldn't you be looking around for some shops or facilities here?"

Kiryuin: "I was waiting for you."

I wasn't expecting that, but was somehow happy. My earlier disappointment disappeared silently.

Kiyotaka: "Is that so? Why?"

Kiryuin examined my face for a moment.

Kiryuin: "You.. are interesting."

Kiyotaka: "What do you mean?"

Kiryuin: "In that bus, when that men came, I thought that I was the only one, who noticed that something is wrong. I was watching them sit, wondering what should I do, then our eyes met and I knew that you noticed them as well. Moreover, you just charged at them without fear. To be honest, I was impressed by your actions. If you didn't attack them, I would probably just call the police and run away."

Kiyotaka: "Well, I just thought that our chances would greatly rise, if we managed to attack them, while they didn't have their guns taken out."

Kiryuin: "Yet, I doubt that most of people would take the same actions. The same could be told, when Nishino's older brother attacked you. Not only you nullified his attack, you overpowered him. And then you didn't complain about it to that policeman, though you could."

Kiyotaka: "I took no damage. I also knew he was like that, because I endangered his sister. I just thought it would be my apology for that and we would be even."

Kiryuin: "You are doing things that most people wouldn't do. That's why I am interested in you."

Kiyotaka: "I will take that as compliment. To be honest, I am also interested in you. It's really rare that someone understood me with just eye contact. You also performed well in that situation. I was also impressed. If you don' t mind, I would really like to be at least a friends with you."

Kiryuin: "At least?"

Kiyotaka: "Yes, at least."

She looked at me a little stunned, then started laughing.

Kiryuin: "Haha, you sure are straightforward."

Kiyotaka: "As a certain beauty said, I am just shameless, despite looking cool."

Kiryuin: "Indeed, you are. Haha, alright, let's start as at least friends."

Kiyotaka: "I am honored indeed. How about we exchange phone numbers as a token of our friendship?"

Kiryuin: "Sure. You were aiming for that from the start, weren't you?"

Kiyotaka: "I could say the same for you, Kiryuin."

Kiryuin: "Fuka. I prefer my friends to call me by my name."

Kiyotaka: "Sure, Fuka. You can call me Kiyotaka."

I exchanged phone numbers with Fuka.

Despite not knowing anyone here nor meeting my own classmates, I got a phone number from the pretty girl from another class and I can call her by her name.

I'm starting to be grateful for that bus incident.

Well, since I achieved one of my goals, let's move to another one.

Kiyotaka: "As your friend Fuka, I want to tell you something. This school is not as easy as it seems from teachers explanation."

Fuka: "You mean that we wouldn't get 100000 points at the next month?"

Kiyotaka: "So you noticed."

Fuka: "Yes, it was quite obvious. Teacher said that our income is connected to our merits, so of course it wouldn't be the same all the time."

Kiyotaka: "Actually, it's not even about our individual merit, but our class merit. There is a hidden class score that is equivalent to number of private points we would get."

Fuka: "I see. I thought that something was fishy about this merit thing. How did you figure it out?"

Kiyotaka: "I used my irresistible charm on my teacher. At the end of our conversation, she was undressing me with her eyes."

Fuka: "Pff, this school probably doesn't have a bigger narcissist than you, Kiyotaka. Though when I was asking Hoshinomiya-sensei a few questions about S-System, her smile was getting bigger and bigger and her eyes was giving me some predatory feeling."

My imagination went wild thinking about what Fuka and Hoshinomiya-sensei could do.

Fuka: "You are thinking about something shameless, aren't you?"

Kiyotaka: "No, I was just wondering why our teachers act like that from the few questions."

Fuka: "You said that there's a hidden class scores. So there's probably a class competition or something and the teachers are involved as well."

Kiyotaka: "As expected, you think so too. This is just a guess, but not everyone will get a ticket for 100% sure employment and college entry, but only the top class."

Fuka: "I always thought that it was weird that the school could do that, even with a government's help. But if only the top students would get that, then it makes sense to me now."

Suddenly she came much closer to me. Her face presented a cheeky smile.

Fuka: "It means that our classes are enemies, Kiyotaka. Why did you reveal so much information to me?"

Kiyotaka: "It seems like you figured out some things on your own, so I don't think I revealed much. On top of that, it was actually you, who firstly told me about not getting 100000 points, though you didn't know what I was going to say. I just returned favor. But to be honest, I was curious how will you face me after knowing about competition."

Fuka: "Is that so? It's true, I actually revealed some information first. I thought that someone like you figured out at least as much as me. I was evaluating you as well. And to my suprise, you actually figured out much more than me. My curiosity about you just raised."

Kiyotaka: "Does that mean you and I are enemies, Fuka?"

Fuka: "No. We just became at least friends, didn't we? Why would I turn on you? I get the feeling that you would be much more interesting as friend that as enemy."

Kiyotaka: "Thank you. I hope class competition will not affect us much. Will you tell your class about your findings?"

Fuka: "No, I don't plan to talk about it with anyone other than you. I don't care about those graduation benefits, so I don't care about class competition. If I told my class about all of this, I would probably became center of the class or class leader. It would be just troublesome. I prefer my freedom more. You are the same, aren't you?"

Kiyotaka: "To be honest, yes, I also don't want to become a class leader and I don't care much about graduation benefits. But this class competition may help me be closer to my own goal, so I'm gonna pay close attention to it. I won't get involved directly though."

Fuka: "Hoh. And what is..."

?: "Well, well. I have finally found you, Fuka."

Our conversation was disrupted by appearance of another person.

He was a handsome, tall teenager with light blond hair and light blue eyes.

He looked confident and arrogant.

One look at him and I could tell he was someone, who was high on social ladder.

The aura of superiority exuded from him.

Fuka: "Tch."

Fuka was clearly irritated by the stranger's appearance.

The blond man: "Why such a sour face? Aren't you happy to reunite with your future husband after a year?"

...

Future husband?!

Fuka: "As annoying as ever. You didn't changed one bit, Nagumo. Why would I be happy to see you again?"

Nagumo: "Don't be like that. I was worried about you after knowing that you were involved in the incident and were late for school. You sure were unlucky. I was looking for you everywhere, when I heard you arrived safely."

Fuka: "Snort. The only unlucky thing was meeting you today."

Nagumo: "That temper of your also didn't change. But I am still happy to see you. Or rather I would be.. if not that guy next to you. Who are you?"

He looked at me menacingly. It was obvious he didn't like my presence.

So this Nagumo guy is a senpai.

Although he said that he was Fuka's future husband, she obviously didn't like him one bit.

Seeing him treating her with arrogance, I could feel slight irritation arising inside me.

Kiyotaka: "Hello, senpai. I am Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. Fuka's friend." I accented her name while looking with provocation at him.

Nagumo frowned. Pressure from him doubled instantly.

Nagumo: "I'm Nagumo Miyabi. This school Student Council Vice-President and also Fuka's future husband. I don't remember you around her before."

Vice-President?

As expected, this guy was not ordinary student.

He probably tried to intimidate me with his title.

What a fool.

I will play his game on my own rules.

Kiyotaka: "Today is the first day I have met with Fuka ."

Nagumo: "And you are already friends, who use first names?"

Fuka: "Yes, we are. Me and Kiyotaka became good friends just now, so I allowed him to use my name." She chuckled while getting closer to me.

As expected, Fuka figured out that I were trying to annoy Nagumo and decided to join my play.

Seeing her action, Nagumo became more irritated.

Nagumo: "Kouhai, just because you two are classmates doesn't mean that you could be so close with her."

Fuka: "I can be friends with whatever I want, Nagumo. And I don't want to see your face. So get lost."

Kiyotaka: "Oh, and here I was thinking how such good woman could have such bad eyesight. So it's just a one-sided delusion. But senpai, I need to correct you on one more thing. We are not classmates. I am from the class D and she is from the class B. So we became such close friends despite not being classmates."

Nagumo: "We shall see, Fuka. It's almost funny how you still have spirit to oppose. And you, defective brat from the class D, should not meddle in not your business. Your ignorance makes you not even worth for me to play with you. And I advise you to do the same, Fuka. Soon your acquaintance will fall to hell. At that time he will just beg superior people like me or you for a favor or money."

Defective brat from the class D? Hell?

Could it be that class hierarchy was established before we started school? With the class A as best and class D as worst.

That would explain why Sae-sensei said that no one had any questions to S-System in my class.

But it shouldn't be that easy. What kind of competition would that be?

And above all, why would I be placed in the worst class?

Because of my entrance exams? The school actually didn't get a hint with those 50s?

Although my stay in the USA was officially not impressive, Chairman Sakayanagi knows about my past in White Room.

There should be more reasons to this class placement than that.

Now I'm intrigued.

I hope Chairman Sakayanagi will call me soon.

But for Nagumo to just reveal it like that.. Could it be that senior students can actually warn us?

I don't think so. It wouldn't be much of secret for long.

Most likely, he is actually so arrogant that he gave us hints without fearing penalty. Or he thinks that we, or rather I, wouldn't understand the meaning of his words.

Let's try to gather more information from this blonde donkey.

Kiyotaka: "It's not nice for Student Counsil Vice-President to call a student defective. And what do you mean by 'hell'? We are going to get 100000 points every month, so why would I need help from you two?"

Nagumo chuckled seeing that I didn't get hints he was giving.

Nagumo: "Someone ignorant like you, who thinks he is some big shot, will sink in this school soon enough. Your future is already nailed. Don't ever think that you can chew more than that. Reality can be cruel, Ayanokouji. "

Kiyotaka: "I'm gonna spend my school life here enjoying myself to the full. There is no need for your worry, senpai."

Nagumo: "Haha, we shall see, Ayanokouji. You are not bad as a clown. I look forward to the day reality will slap your face."

It seems like the class D have even worse reputation than I thought. Otherwise this arrogant donkey would not be so sure of his statement.

Considering that my income is equivalent to class score, we probably will lose huge part of it or even all of it. And we probably will end up in the last place in class competition.

In other words, we are gonna be bottom feeders by the start of next month.

...

Hmm?

Another person is coming here.

A well-built young man of average height with short gray hair that is swept to the left. He had violet eyes and square-rimmed glasses.

He wore apathetic expression, but his vision was sharp.

His body build would suggest that he was high athletic person.

He had aura of highly capable man.

I could tell that this is another big shot of this school.

?: "Nagumo, what are you doing here? Our work today is not over yet." He said with stern voice.

Nagumo haughty appearance decreases by half, but he still wore a smug smile while looking at the glasses guy.

Nagumo: "I know, Horikita-senpai. I just wanted to greet someone I know. Please meet my future wife - Kiryuin Fuka."

So this man is a third-year.

I could sense some respect in Nagumo's voice, but it wasn't because of seniority.

Horikita-senpai looked at both of us with slight interest.

Fuka: "Please don't listen to his delusions, Horikita-senpai. I am Kiryuin Fuka, but I am not his future wife."

Horikita: "Nice to meet you. I am current Student Council President, Horikita Manabu."

He totally ignored comments about Fuka being Nagumo's future wife.

Either he didn't care, either he didn't want to join a troublesome topic between them.

So this is Student Council President, huh..

I feel that he is quite skilled and intelligent.

Though I wonder how someone like him could pick Nagumo as his successor.

His eyes then looked at me. A normal student would probably started trembling from the pressure he was giving.

Kiyotaka: "Nice to meet you, Horikita-senpai. I am Ayanokouji Kiyotaka from the class 1-D. I don't have any delusions and I am currently looking for the future wife."

Fuka: "Pffff.. hahaha!"

Nagumo: "What a disrespectful kouhai. But it's only to be expected from someone like you."

Horikita-senpai gave Nagumo a little, sharp look.

Horikita: "We already lost enough time, Nagumo. Let's go."

Nagumo: "I know, Horikita-senpai. Fuka, I need to go, but I will check on you tomorrow. And you, Ayanokouji.. you better remember my words and behave yourself."

Fuka: "Don't come. You will just ruin my day."

Nagumo and Horikita-senpai were about to leave.

I got some information from Nagumo about class hierarchy.

But I still wonder about information ban on the first years.

Would there be penalty for senior students for telling us some information?

How would the school react to that?

Especially, if that student was some blonde donkey senpai with arrogant attitude, who is supposed to be Student Council Vice-President.

I looked at Fuka and winked at her while smiling evilly.

Kiyotaka: "Please don't worry, Nagumo. I will remember all your advices about class competition and will not stay as defective from the class D."

The second I said it, the temperature around us dropped below zero.

Horikita Manabu turned around with quite scary face. The pressure he was releasing was huge.

Nagumo also turned around with surprise painted on his face.

Horikita: "What did you say?"

Kiyotaka: "Hmm? I was talking about class competition that is going on in the school. Though calling me defective was harsh, I learned much from Nagumo. My class will definitely going to rise in class hierarchy in the future."

Nagumo opened up his mouth so much that egg would fit in it.

Horikita Manabu looked at him.

Horikita: "What's the meaning of this, Nagumo?"

Nagumo: "No, I didn't say anything to them, senpai."

Kiyotaka: "What are you saying, Nagumo? Didn't you earlier call me defective from the class D, who will face hell as member of the worst class in class competition? Didn't you say that my future here in the school is nailed, because of that? Isn't that right, Fuka?" I looked at them as if I didn't understand why they had such big reactions.

Fuka looked baffled by my actions at first, then she put a huge grin on her face. She understood.

Fuka: "That's right, Nagumo. Didn't you warn me to not be friends with Kiyotaka, because he will ask for money, once our income will get lower in the next month? You said that students from superior classes like me or you shouldn't even bothered with lower class clown with delusions? They were all your words."

What a perfect response from her.

Nagumo looked very shocked at this moment. Not even in the wildest dreams he would think that we already know so much about S-System and his hints will be read perfectly by us.

No matter how much he wants to refuse, those were his words. Just with our interpretation added.

Horikita Manabu's face was cold and dark.

Though he is still suspicious of us, it was evident that we knew about hidden school rules and future competition.

Added Nagumo's present reaction, even he could tell that Nagumo really leaked some information to us through his provocations.

Horikita: "Did he say anything else?"

Kiyotaka: "No, I think it was all. So it was true? I was a little sceptical at the beginning, because of Nagumo's arrogant stance. No wonder you said that you look forward to me being slapped by reality at the beginning of the next month." I played a fool to the end.

So all of my suspicious were true and I am member of the worst class in the school year.

But there's no need to form conclusion that early.

I need to meet with my lovely classmates first.

Horikita: "Nagumo, is that true?"

Nagumo: "No, they are lying. I didn't reveal anything important to them."

Fuka: "Snort, why would I lie? You boast your superiority at daily basis. Where is that smug smile you had, when you were insulting my friend earlier?"

Fuka looks so happy. I guess she can finally vent some irritation from the past.

Horikita: "Nagumo, this is a serious violation of the rules."

Nagumo: "You have no proof of that. They may learn of it somewhere else, for example from teacher."

Horikita-senpai looked hesitant. Although two students can prove rule breaking, it seems like it's not that effective without solid evidence. Duly noted.

Horikita: "I will inform the school about a possibility of rule breaking by you, Nagumo. If you can't prove that they had other sources, you will be punished."

Nagumo nodded with irritated face. Although we can't prove that he is guilty, he probably will face some punishment.

Horikita Manabu looked at us with a firm look.

Horikita: "I ask you two to come with us to the council office right now, so we could talk about this. If I find out that you are lying or that you learned about the school rules in a shady way, you will be punished instead. Is that clear?"

Fuka: "Yes, I don't mind."

Kiyotaka: "Yes. I am sorry for the trouble I caused you, Nagumo. I didn't know that those information were secret, since you were saying them so bluntly."

Nagumo: "Just you wait, you bastard."

If Nagumo's eyes could shoot lasers, I would be a swiss cheese right now. Or rather that's what you would expect from me, if I was normal student.

Horikita: "Silence, Nagumo. Let's go."

I looked apologically at Fuka. After all, I caused this trouble for selfish reasons.

But she just shook her head. Pretty smile never left her face.

She looks rather amused than annoyed.

Man, she is such a great woman.

Just thinking about the possibility of her being Nagumo's future wife makes me annoyed.

I will definitely not let her rot in the hands of that blonde donkey.

...

Looks like my blacklist just got a new entry.

This is gonna be fun.

Let me show you, Nagumo, how deep is the depths of hell.

You will be surprised, I assure you.

.

.

.

Chapter 7 - Student Council

Kiyotaka's POV

Following Horikita-senpai and Nagumo, me and Fuka arrived at the Student Council office.

It was simple, yet prestigious office. I wondered if it always looked like that or Horikita-senpai personally arranged this room to fit his taste.

From what I observed in just several minutes, this person is really serious and strict man. He actually could silence that arrogant Nagumo in instant.

Someone like that would be worth trying to be close to, especially since I offended Nagumo.

Our next conversation will show me what is his stance against his successor.

?: "Welcome back, President."

When we entered, a single female student inside the room greeted Horikita-senpai.

She was a teenage girl of slightly below average height with purple hair that was tied in two buns with bangs hanging over her eyebrows. Despite her small stature, her figure was quite good.

Horikita: "I'm back, Tachibana. I'm sorry, but we need to delay our work schedule for today. There is important incident that takes priority right now."

Tachibana was surprised by President sudden announcement and looked at me and Fuka with interest.

Tachibana: "Nice to meet you. I am secretary of Student Council, Tachibana Akane from the Class 3-A."

We greeted her while introducing ourselves.

So this loli is third year. She and Horikita-senpai seems close. They are probably classmates at least. Being in the class A means that she is considered elite in this school after two years of class competition.

Horikita: "Sit down, you two. Nagumo, after them, you will be questioned by me, so I would like you to wait outside. Tachibana, I'd like to talk with them without disturbance. Please stay outside with Nagumo and watch him."

Nagumo: "Huh? Why can't we just explain everything together? They must have learned about the rules earlier and now they are framing me."

Horikita: "Whatever they are framing you or not will be known after closer investigation. Or do you think I will be fooled by them?"

Nagumo: "Tch."

He glared at us, or rather at me, and left.

Horikita: "Tachibana, keep an eye on him."

Tachibana: "Yes, President."

She left after one quick look at us.

There was silence in the room. Horikita-senpai was looking seriously at us.

Horikita: "What are you after?"

Kiyotaka: "What are you talking about, Horikita-senpai?"

Horikita: "Nagumo may be arrogant, but he is intelligent and sly. There is no way he would explain school rules to you two."

Fuka: "Didn't he introduce me to you as his future wife? He could tell me."

Horikita: "If you really know Nagumo, you would know that he wouldn't do that even for his actual wife. And your relationship doesn't look so well."

Kiyotaka: "Are you saying that we learned about it from other sources and are trying to frame him?"

Horikita: "That's the most plausible explanation."

Kiyotaka: "And what would this 'other source' be?"

Horikita: "I have no obligation to tell you that. If you tell me, why did you do this, I will take your situation into account."

As expected, Horikita-senpai didn't buy the story about Nagumo telling us everything.

The only reason he is talking with us is to learn from where we truly learned about rules.

He probably thinks it's a personal attack on Nagumo or even Student Council itself.

Trying to lie more would be bad for us. But I was going to tell him the truth from the beginning.

After all, I am trying to befriend him.

Kiyotaka: "I see. I guess I will be totally honest with you. Actually me and Fuka figured out most of S-System by ourselves with only our homeroom teachers explanation."

...

Silence.

Horikita Manabu became stunned for second. Then he started watching me intently.

Kiyotaka: "You don't believe me, don't you?"

Horikita: "That's right. No student in the history of this school could do that. This statement is even more ridiculous than the one about Nagumo telling you the school rules."

Kiyotaka: "Yet we know about the rules at our first day here."

Horikita: "And the school will investigate how did you do that. Even if what you said is true, why did you accuse Nagumo?"

Kiyotaka: "It isn't accusation. I just dislike him. So after he started sarcastically hinting me about school rules, thinking that I would not understand a thing, I thought that I would return a favor and report it to the school. That's all."

Horikita: "I see. Then, do you have any proof that he hinted you about school rules during your conversation?"

Kiyotaka: "I have Fuka as witness."

Horikita: "It helps you, but it's not good enough to put the blame at Nagumo."

Kiyotaka: "But he doesn't have any proof to prove his innocence either. So what will happen next?"

Horikita: "The school will investigate this incident. Anyone that you two contacted today would be suspect, including teachers."

Kiyotaka: "I see. That would be quite short list of suspects. For me it would be Chairman Sakayanagi, Chabashira-sensei, Mashima-sensei, Fuka, Nagumo and you, President."

Fuka: "And for me it would be Chairman Sakayanagi, Hoshinomiya-sensei, Kiyotaka, Nagumo and Horikita-senpai."

Horikita: "What?"

Kiyotaka: "It seems like there is something you overlooked, senpai. Me and Fuka were among late students involved in the incident outside the school. Chairman Sakayanagi picked us up from the police station and led us to the staff office, where our homeroom teachers explained school rules to us. Of course, what I mean is that they said what they could and nothing more. And after leaving the staff office, we met with Nagumo and later with you, senpai. No one else could tell us about hidden rules apart from those few people."

Horikita: "I see. So you guys were those late students. I heard about it. Indeed, If you are speaking the truth, a possibility that Nagumo leaked school rules to you two will rise. But it's still not good enough without solid proof . The school will contact your teachers about it."

Kiyotaka: "How will the school confirm they're telling the truth?"

Horikita: "That's not something for you to worry about."

Kiyotaka: "The school will probably check monitoring cameras in the staff room. They have audio recording function, so everything will be clear after watching them, isn't it?"

Horikita-senpai chuckled. He looked at me with interest.

Horikita: "That's right. After watching those videos everything will be much clearer. You are quite observant. You don't seem to be worried about it."

Kiyotaka: "Why would I? The only thing that could be faulted would be my flirting with Chabashira-sensei. She didn't say anything to me about hidden school rules."

Horikita: "..."

Fuka: "..."

Kiyotaka: "What?"

Fuka: "You flirted with your homeroom teacher?"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, didn't I say earlier that I used my irresistible charm on her?"

Horikita: "..."

Fuka: "Pfff.. haha.. Kiyotaka, you are so bold.. and saying it with straight face is just so much funnier.. hahaha.."

Kiyotaka: "You didn't see Chabashira-sensei in person, that's why you don't understand. She is so hot and charming, so I just couldn't help myself. Senpai, as fellow man, you understand that feeling, don 't you?"

Horikita: "No, I don't."

Kiyotaka: "..."

This person is so serious.

Or is he that oblivious? Looking at his face, I got a feeling that he really doesn't understand Sae-sensei appeal.

Fuka started to laugh once more.

Kiyotaka: "Cough.. Anyway, those videos will show that no rules were broken and me and Fuka learned partly about S-System on our own. Because of that, Nagumo's hints while looking down on me were quite obvious to pick. He never considered possibility of us knowing about rules and reporting him to Horikita-senpai."

Fuka: "Hehe, I didn't know half of what you knew after my conversation with Hoshinomiya-sensei. But as long as I can see Nagumo's irritated face, I will be content."

Kiyotaka: "You will not only see his irritated face, you will also see his punishment for getting carried away. After all, he really hinted us about some things that I didn't know after my conversation with Chabashira-sensei. And I can prove it."

Horikita: "And how exactly could you do that?"

I smiled a little.

Kiyotaka: "Well.. Apparently I am defect from the class D."

Horikita-senpai's eyes widened.

Kiyotaka: "The thing that I didn't know after my conversations with Chabashira-sensei and with Fuka was about class hierarchy being formed by the school itself before we even started to attend it. I firstly thought that the school formed classes with equal skills and class hierarchy will start in the next month. But Nagumo hinted something different. The school probably formed classes so that the class A will have best students, while the class D will have the worst from the admitted ones. That's why Nagumo got carried away and called me defect, who will see hell in the future and tried to prevent Fuka from being friends with me. Probably every year initial class D stays as the worst class for the next three years. Am I right?"

Horikita: "I can't disclose such information."

Kiyotaka: "The word 'defect' for the class D student is probably popular here. If I didn't hear it from someone from the school, would I speak this word right now to describe myself? I could use more popular words like ' moron' or 'idiot'. And at those videos, no teacher said this one word. That's my proof that Nagumo actually hinted us about initial class hierarchy and my current status in the school. On top of that he told Fuka to not lend me money, since she was going to be superior to me, which was a clear indication that our income will be different in next month, because we are in different classes."

Fuka: "Now that you said it like that, he really did hinted us about this. I knew he gave us hints as a way to taunt you, but he underestimated you, Kiyotaka. You are amazing for thinking about it." She said excited.

Horikita Manabu looked at us speechless.

For a few seconds he was in deep thoughts.

Horikita: "If all of what you said is true, then Nagumo really couldn't run from punishment. I will tell the school about all of this. The final decision will be in a few days probably. But don't be happy yet . Nagumo is sly. And vengeful. He will definitely target you after this. And that means all the second year students may be your enemy. After all, in one year in this school, Nagumo managed to control all of his year classes."

So he is ruler of second year students. That's a little troublesome considering my lack of information about life here.

Kiyotaka: "Does different year students often interfere in school competition of another year students?"

Horikita: "No, but it's not why Nagumo is dangerous. In his first year, 12 students were expelled. I suspect at least 7 of them were because of Nagumo's involment, but there wasn't enough proof. Those were people, who opposed him. It's also one of the main reasons he managed to become leader of his school year. Most of second year students fear him."

Kiyotaka: "I see. And that's why he became Student Council Vice-President, didn't he? No one else couldn't, unless he would let it. Am I right thinking that you are not exactly happy with your successor, senpai ?"

Horikita: "Me and Nagumo have different opinions about this school. That's all you need to know at this stage."

Kiyotaka: "You are not going to tell us anything despite information we already have?"

Horikita: "I still don't know, if everything said by you is true. I just gave you warning and some information about Nagumo. Consider it as my acknowledgment of you. You two may go now. Ask Tachibana and Nagumo to come here ."

Kiyotaka: "I understand. Thank you for your kind consideration, Horikita-senpai. Have a nice day."

Fuka and I got up and headed for the door when suddenly a thought came to me.

I turned to Horikita-senpai with a smug smile.

Kiyotaka: "You know, senpai. If you really doesn't like your successor, why not appoint someone else from the younger year? Some people do not fear that blonde donkey. It's just a small suggestion from unimportant person though."

Horikita-senpai looked astonished by my speech. Then, he smirked at me.

Horikita: "I see. The Council is always willing to listen to any student, Ayanokouji."

I like this person.

Although he is a little stiff, his level of understanding is not below Fuka.

With this, we left the Student Council Office.

In the corridor, we met Tachibana-senpai and Nagumo, who were waiting.

Nagumo was clearly annoyed and started glaring at me.

I just chuckled at him, while looking down at the blonde donkey.

Kiyotaka: "The president has asked you to return to the office."

Nagumo: "I don't know what you said to Horikita-senpai, but know that you will not succeed."

Kiyotaka: "But I didn't want anything. It was Horikita-senpai, who asked why we knew about something we shouldn't. I just told him the truth."

Nagumo: "You will see reality soon enough. I will lower myself down and play with you."

Kiyotaka: "Be careful not to descend to the level of the guillotine's frame. It's easy to lose head then."

Nagumo smiled as if he was looking at moron.

Then, he looked at Fuka.

Nagumo: "I don't know what you are trying to do, but you cannot change anything. This fool will just share the fate of others. Maybe then you will accept reality as well. I look forward to your face on that day. "

Fuka just furrowed her eyebrows. It seems like she remembered something unpleasant.

Tachibana: "Enough of that. Let's go, Nagumo. We cannot make Student Council President wait."

For the last time Nagumo looked at us with menacing smile and went after Tachibana-senpai to the office.

Kiyotaka: "Damn it. I should have asked Horikita-senpai to invite us to decision's announcement to see Nagumo's face."

Fuka: "..."

Kiyotaka: "Fuka?"

Fuka: "Ah, I'm sorry. Yeah, he should invite us, so we can laugh at Nagumo on that day."

Kiyotaka: "Is what Nagumo said bothering you?"

Fuka: "No, I just forgot how irritating this person is."

Kiyotaka: "I see."

...

Fuka: "Aren't you gonna ask me about this 'future wife' stuff?"

Kiyotaka: "I'm curious, but not inquisitive. We literally know each other only a few hours. If you want to tell me, I will listen any time."

Fuka: "Thank you. I thought this school gonna be boring, but thanks to you this feeling disappeared. As expected, you are interesting. And bold. Not many people would try to frame Nagumo Miyabi at the first meeting. Are you really thinking of becoming Student Council Vice-President?"

Kiyotaka: "Why not? It looks like my status in the school is quite low, because of my class. And this blonde donkey has himself to blame. I will turn him into salami soon enough."

Fuka: "Pff, you really are funny. It's too bad we are not classmates."

Kiyotaka: "But we are at least friends, aren't we?" I said while coming close to her.

Fuka didn't step back and kept eye contact boldly.

Fuka: "Yes, we are." She said with a little shade of red on her cheeks.

Kiyotaka: "I will visit you often, Fuka."

Fuka: "You better, Kiyotaka. I also will come to take a look at your defective class some times. I also want to see that hot homeroom teacher of yours."

Kiyotaka: "Is that jealousy I'm hearing?"

Fuka: "You are really a narcissist for thinking that I would be jealous, because of someone I met a few hours ago."

Kiyotaka: "I guess I need to work harder on that."

Fuka: "You are shameless womanizer, you know."

Kiyotaka: "Just a honest gentleman, my lady. Would you do me the pleasure of letting me escort you to the dormitory?"

I bowed my head elegantly.

She giggled amused with my actions.

Fuka: "Sure. Lead me on, Mr. Honest Gentleman."

We left together while talking about various things.

In the back of my head I started to organize plan for my future life in this school.

I offended a big shot on my first day, but I don't feel nervous at all.

On the contrary, this fight may be beneficial for me in the long run.

I still lack information and the Student Council would definitely cover this hole.

It would also boost my status, since being labeled as defective would be bad for my goal.

I also need to think about my future income.

Nagumo should be rich as the ruler of the entire second year students.

I don't think it's gonna be hard to provoke him for some betting.

Hm, although it's rough, it sounds like a good battle plan for the future.

...

First, I will take his resources.

Then, I will strip him from status.

And lastly, I will..

.

.

.

Chapter 8 - A Shoplifter

Kiyotaka's POV

While talking merrily with Fuka, we managed to arrive at the first year students dormitory.

On our way we saw many students, who seemed new in this place like us and was talking happily about this paradise as well as their future plans for shopping and enjoying themselves with huge amount of money they received from the school.

I guess they were first years like us, but without our knowledge.

That just confirm Horikita-senpai claim that never any student figured out S-System on their first day in the school.

I felt headache just thinking how much money will be lost before the beginning of the next month.

Well, almost, since it wouldn't affect myself in the slightest.

I already decided that my monthly income will not be important to my wallet.

If my battle plan against Nagumo will be successful, I should earn more private points from that blonde donkey that average student would get from monthly income for all three school years.

And from my talk with Sae-sensei I already deducted that there are more important things that could be bought that just food, items or pleasure activities. But those things are probably much more expensive. And it seems like our class score could be used as currency for important things as well.

Well, let's not rush things. It's my first day here after all.

Having thoughts like that I received keycard for my room and handbook with information about the dorm's rules.

I got myself room 101 on the first floor, while Fuka got herself room 1001 on the last floor.

Kiyotaka: "What a freaky coincidence."

Fuka: "Tch, it would be nice if my room was on the sixth floor and yours on the fifth floor under mine. You could climb to my room whatever I wanted."

Kiyotaka: "Do I look like a monkey to you?"

Fuka: "I think with enough reward you would turn into animal." She said while licking her lips slightly.

This seductress..

Kiyotaka: "Well, having you just above myself sounds good, but such scenario is not available now."

Fuka: "I guess so."

We boarded the elevator and went up on the first floor.

I left and turned around to Fuka.

Kiyotaka: "I guess this is goodbye for today, Fuka. It was one hell of day, but I had fun thanks to you."

Fuka: "Yes, it was definitely tiresome day, but thanks to you I started to look forward to my school life here. Thank you, Kiyotaka."

The elevator doors started to close.

I put my best smile on my face and waved to her.

Kiyotaka: "You know, Fuka. King Kong managed to climb skyscraper with ease, so maybe I too could manage to climb to the tenth floor with a proper reward."

In the last second before the elevator door closed, I could see her surprised face.

Feeling a little happy and proud at myself, I went up to my room's door.

My room was quite cozy. A living room with bedroom, small kitchen and bathroom with shower.

I also saw the electronic equipment provided by the school for use, such as TV, radio and laptop.

The school actually didn't impose limits on electricity or gas use. They were also for free, so I didn't have to save my money.

That's quite convenient.

The dorms were co-ed, but unhealthy intimate relationships were prohibited.

But according to Chairman Sakayanagi the room is soundproof for learning purposes.

I wonder how much the school is checking those.

I saw quite a number of cameras in corridor and entrance. There is also monitor to see inside elevator though camera.

Everything seems high-tech and supervised well.

I opened the window and checked outside.

My room was on the opposite side from the entrance to the dorm. Maybe that's why I didn't notice any cameras.

Being on the first floor, the distance from the ground wasn't great. Jumping out of the window and climbing back up would not be a challenge.

But going up to the tenth floor without any equipment and without being busted by someone seems really hard. Well, King Kong didn't have to hide while climbing.

I closed the window while sighing.

At least I could go through the campus at night, if I wanted.

I just need to take care of the monitoring in my own way.

My things were already there after check up from the school.

I started unpacking.

There was no need to be in such hurry, but I wanted to check up, if my hidden items went unnoticed.

Although the checking of things must have been very thorough, none of my hidden stuff were missing.

Good.

Those tools will make my life so much easier here. Especially this portable disk.

Let's later see how good is network and system security here.

But for now I am hungry. Let's go to convenience store and check food and drinks here. If one private point is worth one yen, the prices shouldn't be different from the outside world.

Thinking like that I left my room.

I noticed that staircase is nearby, so I decided to check it up.

As expected, there were also cameras here. It looks like the only areas without surveillance were student's rooms.

I left the dorm and started going to the convenience store I spotted earlier while walking with Fuuka.

It was late afternoon, so not many students were walking around at the moment.

When I was close to my goal I saw a familiar figure entering the store.

It was Kamuro Masumi.

She probably was also out for shopping.

What a nice coincidence.

I wonder how much information she gathered.

Since the class A is supposed to have the best students from recrutation, Masumi should be quite clever.

Although my own evaluation of her was lower than Fuka, there is no saying what criteria the school used to judge us.

I had a good impression of her. She was a beauty as well. Her tendencies were cute.

I managed to call her by her first name with small effort and I would like to pursue this even more.

I am curious about her deal with her father, but I doubt she would tell me about that so easily.

I have some theories though.

I hope she have time for some talk and doesn't have arrogant fiancee in this school. Just that one donkey is more than enough..

Thinking like that I came close to the convenience store while observing purple haired girl through the window.

Masumi's behavior was a little weird.

She was watching closely a clerk, who was busy behind the counter.

Then, she was watching cameras placed in the store.

And then she viewed the products in places with limited visibility.

She made several rounds around the store in short time.

She was quite natural about it. One couldn't tell she was acting weird without watching her for some time.

In my mind bold assumption was created.

I took out my phone, doing my best not to be noticed by her.

I also started watching cameras and busy shopkeeper.

Considering clerk position and cameras placement, there were a few blind spots in the shop right now.

Masumi was currently in one of them, probably the best one.

She was good in this.

She didn't hesitate even for a moment. She took the product and put it in her bag.

What a bold girl. It's definitely not the first time she has done this.

What surprised me the most was a product of her choice.

A can of beer.

A highschool girl just shoplifted a can of beer in front of my eyes. And it's her first day in this school.

I was seriously impressed.

This boldness, this fast action under heavy circumstances, this swift decision making regardless of consequences.

My impression of her gone up by huge margin. And so was my interest.

I should say as expected of the class A student, but I doubt the school actually appreciated her for shoplifting skills.

Masumi left the convenience store without buying anything.

This really was playing with fire, yet she looked so calm.

She would be successful flawlessly, if not my presence here.

I went after her. She was going back to the dorm.

After we had moved a little further from the store, I decided to talk to her.

Kiyotaka: "Hello there, Masumi. What a coincidence. Are you going back to the dorm?"

She stiffed slightly, probably surprised that someone actually talked to her, especially at such time.

Masumi: "Hello, Kiyotaka. Yes, I am going back to the dorm."

Kiyotaka: "That's just like me. Would you mind me accompanying you? I would like to chat with you a little."

Masumi: "Well, if you want."

I must say that this girl has nerves of steel to actually agreed in her situation.

Kiyotaka: "Thank you. How was your day, Masumi? This school really is something else, don't you think? We actually got 100000 yen to use."

Masumi: "It was really surprising. To actually give so much money to students, just what is this school thinking?"

Kiyotaka: "Do you think there is some catch here?"

Masumi: "I don't know. It's suspicious, but Mashima-sensei didn't say anything about it. The school rules from his explanation were quite clear."

Kiyotaka: "I guess so."

Unlike Fuka, Masumi didn't want to talk too much about her doubts about the school rules.

Well, in this particular case I didn't need to try to explain some things for her to get more information.

Kiyotaka: "So, did you find some interesting shops or buy some good things?"

Masumi: "No. I got my room card, unpacked my stuff, bought myself some things for daily use and food."

Kiyotaka: "I see. I noticed you, when you were leaving the convenience store, yet I don't see you having any groceries. Was it a bad store? I was thinking of checking things there later."

Masumi: "No, there just wasn't anything I wanted, so I went back."

Kiyotaka: "Is that so? I will check it out later. I could see through the window that they were even selling alcohol there. It's surprising considering that the shop is on the highschool campus. Sensei said that we could buy anything with our private points. Do you think we could buy something like beer as well?"

Masumi's movement slightly stiffened. I could tell that she became more wary of me even without close observation.

Masumi: "Huh? Are you serious? We are underage, of course they wouldn't sell alcohol to us. Why are you asking that? Are you some alcohol-addicted deliquent?"

Kiyotaka: "No, I'm not. Well, you are right, they wouldn't sell it to us even, if we have money. After all, you would just normally buy that can of beer that you have in your bag rather that steal it, when shopkeeper wasn't looking."

...

Silence.

Masumi stopped suddenly, her face was painted in surprise.

But it took her only a second to compose herself. She looked sharply at me.

Masumi: "What are you talking about? Are you accusing me of stealing?"

Kiyotaka: "No, I am not accusing you. I am stating a fact. There is a can of beer in your bag. I saw you shoplifting, when I was close to that convenient store."

Masumi: "You are really that certain that I stole a beer?"

I sighed and took my phone out.

Kiyotaka: "Here."

I showed her a video I took, where it's clearly visible that she stole a can of beer."

Masumi: "You bastard..."

Kiyotaka: "How about we talk in some better place?" I said while pointing at the park close to our road.

She nodded with huge frustration on her face.

We went to the park and stood past some trees so that was we would not be so visible from the walking path. There was no camera there as well.

Masumi: "So? What do you want? Are you going to report me to school, if I don't comply to your request?"

Kiyotaka: "Firstly, I wanted to tell you how impressed I am because of you. This is our first day in the school and you already successfully shoplifted in the store with monitoring without much of preparation. I must say that such a bold and sly girl like you is truly rare. Your vision and space awareness was also superb. It was not a work of amateur. You must have already a big experience in shoplifting."

Masumi: "What's the point of your compliment, when I was caught by you?"

She reached her bag and pulled out the can of beer.

Masumi: "Here, take it and contact the school."

I smiled at her.

She is so strong mentally. Despite huge disadvantage, she still play strong front well.

I like her.

Kiyotaka: "Do you often drink alcohol?"

Masumi: "Why would I tell you? I am not alcohol-addicted."

Kiyotaka: "I see. Were you planning to drink this?"

Masumi: "Maybe. What does it matter to you? Just hurry up and contact the school."

Kiyotaka: "What do you like to steal apart from alcohol?

Masumi: "Forget it. If you are not going to contact the school, I will do it myself."

She tried to take out her phone.

Although I appreciate her, this lack of understanding and communication is getting annoying.

Looks like I need to use stronger ammunition.

Kiyotaka: "Are you sure, Masumi? If the school finds out about this, there is a big chance that you will be expelled. The police will be notified as well. And of course, your father will be contacted as well."

Masumi's hand stopped the motion. For the first time, her headstrong face crumbled a bit.

Masumi: "So what?"

Kiyotaka: "I don't know your history or your family, but I can deduct some things based on our encounter in the police station. It's not like you didn't want to bother your father at that time, you didn't want your father to know about the incident at all. I had a feeling that you were even afraid of that a little."

Masumi: "..."

Kiyotaka: "But apart from just being involved at the incident you didn't play any role there. You were just one of the victims. So why were you afraid of your father knowing about it? It was because you didn't want your father to know that you were there, didn't you? You didn't want him to know your location, especially since it was the police station. If they called your father, he may tell the police to stop you there, so he could take you back."

Masumi's face turned slightly pale.

I faced her head on, looking at her beautiful eyes.

I felt like an eagle looking at my prey.

Kiyotaka: "You ran away from home, didn't you?"

Her body shook up violently. She tried to turn around to run from me, but I pinned her to the tree and blocked her body with mine.

I lifted her chin.

She looked afraid. In her eyes tears started to form.

I smiled devilishly.

Kiyotaka: "Considering your actions, I take that I am right. You put quite a show just now."

Masumi: "..."

Kiyotaka: "You ran away from home and managed to get to this school, probably in secret from your father. If you get expelled for shoplifting, the police will escort you to him and your life will become just like it was before. It will probably be even worse, since you will be punished for running away."

Masumi: "What.. do you want?"

Kiyotaka: "I don't want anything especially. I actually quite like you, Masumi. I just want to be friends."

Masumi: "You are just after my body, aren't you? You are just like any other man. Looking at me with perverted eyes, while trying to play a nice guy!"

Kiyotaka: "Is that how you see me after our encounters?"

Masumi: "..."

Kiyotaka: "You really are making this hard for me. But if I can only be a pervert in your eyes, so be it."

I let her go and took a step back.

Then I looked at her with playful vision.

Kiyotaka: " Spread your legs. "

Masumi: "Huh?"

Kiyotaka: "Did you not hear me? I said spread your legs. I am just a pervert, who is after your body, aren't I? And you don't want to go back to your daddy, don't you? I can keep quiet for the price."

Masumi looked shocked at my words. Although it was her with some weird ideas, she must have thought subconsciously that such scenario is unlikely to happen.

Masumi: "You.. you bastard! You pervert! I am gonna report you!"

Kiyotaka: "Sure. You were going to contact the school anyway, weren't you? Feel free to report both of us. I am waiting."

I looked at her with defiant smile.

At this point there was nothing she could do unless she was really ready to go back.

Despite having a phone in her hand, she didn't move one inch.

She glared at me with eyes full of tears.

But I wasn't going to let her off so easily.

Kiyotaka: "Why are you looking at me? Hurry up and call. Or... bend over to that tree and lift your skirt. I want to see your juicy ass and thighs."

Masumi looked at me with vision full of hatred. Her face became redder and redder.

Kiyotaka: "Okay, since you are not going to call, I will do it. Reporting a shoplifter is a duty of the good citizen after all."

I took out my phone and started to fiddle with it.

Masumi: "Wait!"

I stopped and looked at her in silence.

Masumi's vision was burying a hole in my head, but I could see in her eyes that she surrendered already.

She turned around to the tree and started to bend down.

I sighed.

Kiyotaka: "Stop."

She stopped and looked at me surprised.

Kiyotaka: "Is the fear of your father this strong?"

She didn't say anything and still was looking at me wondering why I changed my attitude.

Kiyotaka: "You girl is really blessed by heavens. If it was any other boy, he would probably try to take advantage of you like this."

Masumi: "...eh?"

I got near her and strongly pinched her cheeks.

Kiyotaka: "I was just teasing you, Masumi. I have no intention of doing anything bad to you. I was just pissed at you for treating me unfairly, so I decided to show you how a real pervert would treat you."

Masumi: "You.. won't do anything to me?"

Kiyotaka: "No, I wasn't planning to. I was just impressed by your skills earlier, so I was trying to befriend you more. Though things went in the wrong side a little with my teasing."

Masumi: "A little..? THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL A LITTLE, YOU BASTARD?! I ALMOST HAD A HEART ATTACK, YOU PERVERTED SCUM! MORON! IDIOT! SEXUAL HARASSER!"

Masumi went out full berserker and started to trash me with her fists. Tears ran down her cheeks.

The look of relief and anger was mixed on her face.

Kiyotaka: "I know. I apologize to you, Masumi. I really am sorry. It was a bad joke."

She was punching me for a few moments and finally started to calm down.

Kiyotaka: "I know it's probably no consolation, but it's better you ran into me than some degenerate."

Masumi: "You are degenerate! You big pervert!"

Kiyotaka: "But I didn't do anything bad to you. Have a mercy, Your Honor."

She glared at me.

Kiyotaka: "It really could have ended badly for you, Masumi. Why did you steal that beer? It was impressive, I admit, but the risk was high as well. Not only because of the law, but also because it could be a huge blackmail material for anyone. Especially since you have a reason to stay in the school, even at the cost of your body."

Masumi: "..."

Kiyotaka: "You should be calm enough to understand that at very least I don't have any evil thoughts about you. But you are not in position to play strong. You know that a few minutes ago you would tell me everything while pointing your ass at me."

Masumi moved her hand in order to slap me. I was watching her without doing anything.

She stopped her movement in midair.

She lowered her hand and looked down.

Masumi: "I was just trying to celebrate my freedom."

Kiyotaka: "So you really ran away from home. How long?"

She nodded.

Masumi: "I left yesterday. Secretly from my father, I enrolled in this school and passed the admissions process. He didn't know about it. When the time has come, I just took my things and ran to this school. I thought that this place could be my escape. We cannot contact with outside world here. And after finishing the school I could go abroad to study or work."

Her plan was not bad. If she wanted to run away, this school was one of the best choices. Not only she could be free for three years, she would get the best education here and free pass to go abroad after graduation. Her father would have a hard time searching for her.

Kiyotaka: "I see. No wonder you were so nervous at the police station. You were practically one step away from your goal and the police was trying to call your father. It seems like I helped you more than I initially thought."

Masumi: "I was grateful for you at that time and allowed you to call me by my first name. I didn't think that you were a perverted scum."

Kiyotaka: "Didn't you say earlier that all men are the same?"

Masumi: "You just confirmed that."

Kiyotaka: "..."

I decided to not argue with her anymore.

Kiyotaka: "Will you tell why did you ran away?"

Masumi: "Do I have to?"

Kiyotaka: "No."

Masumi: "Then I don't want to talk about it. He was a bastard, that's all you need to know."

Kiyotaka: "I see. Then, why did you steal this can of beer? Do you often drink alcohol?"

Masumi: "No, I drink sometimes, but it's not like I have a strong urge."

Kiyotaka: "So you probably did that for the thrill of stealing, didn't you? I could tell from your movements that you were not amateur at that. That confidence was the result of the experience. You shoplifted often in the past, right ?"

Masumi: "First your accurate guess about me running away and now you could tell about my past from my behavior. Just who are you?"

Kiyotaka: "I am just more smart and observant than the most of people. If the story with your father is that bad, I can guess a think or two. At the first time you stole something in the spur of the moment and managed to do it easier than you thought. Then, you did it again and again, while thinking about some conditions to make it harder and more exciting. It was your way of running away from the reality at home, wasn't it? Drinking alcohol was probably like that as well. You wanted to forget about bad things."

Masumi: "You are getting creepy while telling me my own personal story from some scraps. But you are right. How did you know that?"

Kiyotaka: "I too know the thrill that comes, when doing something forbidden, so I can understand you. I became homeless orphan, when I was 12. In order to survive I did many things, good and bad."

Masumi: "Didn't you say that you were in the America?"

Kiyotaka: "Yes, that's right. I don't know my mother. And when I was 12, my father died, when we were on the trip to the USA. That's how I ended up alone in the foreign country. I was adopted a few months later in somehow odd conditions. This is my first time in Japan after that accident."

Masumi: "I see. Looks like you had it tough as well."

Kiyotaka: "That's why I could tell that your skills were truly impressing, Masumi. In this world, there are many people, who carry darkness within themselves. But not many people, who could accept the darkness of others. They just couldn't understand it and was fearing it. But I am not one of those."

The world is really a dark place. If someone else took a video of Masumi, her new life here could turn into hell quickly. Not many people would appreciate a shoplifter, but many would appreciate a beauty.

I also feel some closeness with her. As if her story was somehow familiar to me. I wonder why.

I took out my phone and gave it to Masumi.

Kiyotaka: "Take it and delete that video. I didn't need it from the beginning. I just thought that you wouldn't admit it to me without a evidence."

She took my phone and after checking the content inside she gave it back to me.

Masumi: "Thank you." She said with small voice.

I smiled a little and extended my hand to her.

Kiyotaka: "Friends?"

She looked at my hand and, after a moment's thought, shook it.

Masumi: "Friends."

She smiled for the first time.

Kiyotaka: "Congratulations of your freedom, Masumi."

She blushed a little.

Kiyotaka: "How about celebrating it with a dinner made by your friend?"

Masumi: "Eh?"

Kiyotaka: "I was actually going to that convenience store for some ingredients for a dinner. I would like to invite you as well. Not that I boast, but I could open my own restaurant with my skills."

Masumi: "Are you seriously inviting me to your room after all this?"

Kiyotaka: "Yes. I want to celebrate with you."

Masumi: "You..."

Kiyotaka: "Don't tell you are going to call me pervert and think I just want to do something shameless with you?"

Masumi: "..."

Kiyotaka: "I was wondering about that, but could it be that, while trying things that are forbidden, you watched some porn and now you got some weird ideas in your head, because of some videos?"

Masumi turned quite red and looked to the side embarrassed.

...

Kiyotaka: "Are you for real? Masumi, you.."

Masumi: "Shut up! I didn't! I didn't do that! What are you saying, you pervert?!"

She started hitting me again, but this time to hide her embarrassment.

Kiyotaka: "Ohh, my. It's okay, Masumi. I understand. I will not tell anyone about this."

I nodded while making an understanding smile.

Masumi glared at me, still red.

Kiyotaka: "So? Would you like to have dinner with me? It's getting late and there is something that I would like to discuss with you about this school. I swear you won't regret it."

Masumi: "Fine. I will go. But try anything funny and you will regret it."

Kiyotaka: "And what exactly do you mean by 'funny'? Could you elaborate or give some examples?"

Masumi: "You bastard know well what I meant by that."

Kiyotaka: "It depends, if the videos we saw were the same. What genre do you like the best?"

Masumi: "I will go back to my room if you will continue to talk nonsense."

Kiyotaka: "Okay, okay. I was just joking. But..."

I went close to her and looked straight into her eyes with smug smile on my face.

Kiyotaka: "As for me, know that I prefer to be a dominant side."

Masumi's head started to turn into boiling tomato. I could see some smoke coming from it.

Masumi: "You damned pervert!"

I smiled as I looked at the embarrassed girl.

First Fuka, now Masumi.

This school is getting more and more interesting.

.

.

.

Chapter 9 - Winter Drop

Kiyotaka's POV

I was always wondering, when exactly do people consider others as friends. And why did they thought so.

Was it when they had a pleasant conversation with another and thought that they could talk more?

Was it when they exchanged their contact information and were actually conversing by it?

Was it by actually asking, if they could be friends and made it official?

Was it by mutual understanding or mutual interest that they became friends without even thinking about it?

With how many people there are in the world, there can be so many definitions of friendship.

On my first day in the high school, I made two friends with different methods.

In Fuka's case, we went through mutual understanding that lead us to becoming close.

From the start to the end it was chain of positive emotions and some kind of subconscious attraction to each other.

I felt that I could tell her many things about myself with ease and knew she would accept them.

In Masumi's case, we went through more complicated process.

For me, it was just some interest because she was pretty, then I witnessed her skills and was genuinely impressed by her, so I wanted to befriend her.

But for her it must be quite a roller coaster of emotions. I think she had some good impression of me, especially since she allowed me to call her by her name.

But I learned her dark secret and past and teased her in evil way, which made her quite angry at me.

I guess the only reason she let me off was my honest feelings and actions towards befriending her.

I understood and accepted her darkness. Something she probably thought was impossible to do by stranger.

Although she was still wary of me, I could feel that I recovered some trust.

She agreed to become friends. A good start.

And she agreed to have dinner with me in my room. Which was actually surprising.

I once again remembered Christine's words that handsome boys have easier life, when they know how to use their charms.

Was my handsome face part of reason Masumi was not so angry at me?

If so, this is really a powerful weapon.

Masumi: "Why are you touching your cheeks?"

Kiyotaka: "I just thought about how world peace could be achieved."

Masumi: "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Kiyotaka: "Nevermind. Is there something you would like to eat?"

Masumi: "I will let you decide. I am staying here. It would be suspicious if I went to that store for the third time today."

Kiyotaka: "Indeed, as a great beauty, the employee definitely remember you already. It's a wonder how you were never busted, when eyes just naturally goes to you."

Masumi: "What?! S-shut up, you pervert! Hurry up and go buy what you need."

She went crimson again.

I found out that teasing her came naturally to me. And it's very comfortable. I'm such a sadist.

I went to the convenience store and took some products.

The clerk looked tired and wasn't on high alert.

I thought that it would be a little sad celebration with just one can of beer.

So while he was not looking I took a few more.

I doubt he would figure it out today, since probably many people went here on their way to the dorm.

To make me even less suspicious I made some small talk with him about my and his day. But he wasn't too eager to talk.

I said goodbye to him and left with my purchases.

Masumi was still waiting for me.

Good. Some part of me was wondering if she would run away, when I left her.

Kiyotaka: "I'm back. Let's go."

Masumi: "You are so slow. What were you doing there so long?"

Kiyotaka: "Oh, I was busy stealing things. Then I had a little chat with the employee. Poor guy, he looked tired. Students must have to give him a hard time today."

Masumi: "What?"

Kiyotaka: "Why so surprised? It's the first day of the school. Of course, he would be busy today."

Masumi: "I'm not talking about that guy. You stole something?"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, I thought celebrating with just one can of beer would be kinda sad. So I took more. See?"

I showed her three cans I took from the store.

She looked surprised by this.

Masumi: "You.. Are you not scared that I would inform the school about it?"

Kiyotaka: "You don't look like such hipocrite to me."

Masumi: "..."

Kiyotaka: "Now we can celebrate, Masumi." I said with smile.

Masumi: "U-umm... Thank you." She said somehow embarrassed.

It seems like my action of trust towards Masumi got me some points.

We went to the dorm in silence. But it wasn't unpleasant silence, rather a cozy one.

In a few minutes, we arrived at my room.

Kiyotaka: "Welcome to my humble home."

Masumi hesitated for a second then stepped inside.

Masumi: "What a plain room."

Kiyotaka: "Is your room different from mine?"

Masumi: "No, they are the same. I just thought it would be more messy, since it's boy room."

Kiyotaka: "It's our first day. What were you expecting? Well, I guess there won't be much change here after some time, since I am not type to decorate my room. But if you have any interesting design suggestions, I' d like to hear them."

I decided to take care of my groceries.

Kiyotaka: "I will start preparing our dinner. Please sit down on the bed. It will take some time. Would you like to drink something? I have tea, coffee, cocoa, beer, whiskey, vodka, wine, rum... "

Masumi looked at me with weird face.

Kiyotaka: "Okay, for now I have only tea, coffee, cocoa and beer, but I will try to expand my bar offer in the future."

Masumi: "Cocoa, please. I don't want to drink alcohol on empty stomach."

Kiyotaka: "Okay, that's a good decision."

I started to prepare it in the kitchen.

Masumi sat on the bed. I must say that seeing pretty girl on my bed made me a little excited. But I quickly let go of such thoughts.

Masumi: "You sure are bold, aren't you?"

Kiyotaka: "Certainly not as much as you."

Masumi: "Are you really thinking of getting more alcohol in your room?"

Kiyotaka: "Depends on the security here, but maybe. Are you interested in some sort? I will pay attention to it in the future."

Masumi: "I only drank some beer and wine in the past. I never had a stronger alcohol. It was always highly monitored, so the risk was too big."

Kiyotaka: "I see. I will let you know, if I manage to get one of those."

Masumi: "You seem confident."

Kiyotaka: "I am an optimist."

I put cocoa that I made in front of her.

Masumi didn't take it.

Kiyotaka: "You are not going to drink this?"

Masumi: "I have a sensitive tongue."

Kiyotaka: "I see. Then, I'm gonna start cooking right now. Look forward to it."

I went to the kitchen and started to prepare ingredients.

After some time, Masumi came to the kitchen.

Masumi: "Can I help you somehow? Just sitting on your bed is boring."

Kiyotaka: "Sure, you can prepare table set. I am half done already."

In next hour I finished up all dishes and I started putting them on the table.

Kiyotaka: "Ta-dah. I hope it will please your sensitive tongue."

Masumi: "Your wording is a little weird, but I must say that it smells great."

Kiyotaka: "I guarantee that the taste is even better."

Masumi looked a little suspicious, but took a bite anyway.

Then, her eyes widened in surprise. Her face made a pleasant expression.

Kiyotaka: "How is it?" I said with smug smile.

Masumi: "Well, I guess it's good." She said without making eye contact.

Kiyotaka: "Only good?"

Masumi: "S-shut up. It's really good and tasty okay?"

Kiyotaka: "I'm glad that you like it."

Masumi: "It's surprising. You don't look like someone, who is often in the kitchen."

Kiyotaka: "Yet, you came here for a dinner."

Masumi: "I thought that you would make something fast that is hard to mess up."

Kiyotaka: "You sure are shooting me through my heart without hesitation. No dessert for you."

Masumi: "Being a petty man is not praiseworthy."

Kiyotaka: "It's funny coming from tsundere."

Masumi: "You are so annoying. Stop smiling smugly like that."

Kiyotaka: "I am just happy that my friend is enjoying my cooking."

Masumi: "D-don't get the wrong idea. It's not like I am enjoying it that much, you know."

Kiyotaka: "Ohh, such hurtful, tsundere-like words."

Masumi: "They are not. And you don't look hurt at all."

Kiyotaka: "You are cooking next time. I will get my revenge."

Masumi: "You wish. As if I would let you into my room and cook for you."

Kiyotaka: "I see..."

...

Masumi: "W-what?"

Kiyotaka: "Nothing."

...

...

Masumi: "W-well, you actually did all of this. The food is pretty good as well. I guess cooking one day for you may not be that unacceptable."

Kiyotaka: "This humble person is gratified beyond words for Masumi-sama generous offer." I bowed slightly my head.

Masumi: "You bastard..."

Kiyotaka: "It's a joke, Masumi. You don't need to pay me back as well. I invited you without such thinking."

Masumi: "Now you are making me look like a jerk."

Kiyotaka: "The thought never crossed my mind. In the first place, I don't know if you could cook, so demanding it from you would be inappropriate."

Masumi: "I can cook pretty good."

Kiyotaka: "Is that so? You also didn't strike me as chef."

Masumi: "Don't get too cocky, Kiyotaka. I will let you taste food better than this and admit defeat wholeheartedly."

Kiyotaka: "I look forward to that day, Masumi."

Masumi: "You better be."

Kiyotaka: "I will take a bottle with some good things inside on that occasion."

Masumi: "Like what?"

Kiyotaka: "Depends on what I will find on the school ground."

Masumi: "I see."

Kiyotaka: "Actually, I was thinking if you are interested in helping me. Getting some things with a partner would be much easier."

Masumi"You want my help?"

Kiyotaka: "Of course, I do. You are quite skilled, Masumi. If you are interested, we could be partners. Having an ally, who knows about some secrets, would be benefical for both of us. Especially in this school, where class competition will soon turn this place into battlefield."

Masumi: "Hmm? What are you talking about?"

Kiyotaka: "Before I will answer you, I want to ask you something. What do you really think about this school and its rules?

Masumi: "Well, I guess some parts of it are suspicious. Giving students so much money every month without some catch is unlikely. But if there was something more, teachers would tell us about it, wouldn't they?"

Kiyotaka: "Did your teacher told you that the school will give you 100000 yen every month? I never heard anything about it."

Masumi: "What? Well.. I think so? Or maybe not?"

I looked at Masumi, waiting for her to gather her thoughts.

Then she looked at me surprised.

Masumi: "He didn't. Wait, if we are not going to get 100000 yen next month, then how much will we get?"

Kiyotaka: "How about analyzing it a bit more before getting answers from me? For now, I only will tell you that there is a big scheme here. Think about what your teacher said to you."

I was gonna tell her everything anyway, but I was wondering how much would she get on her own with small hints.

This was also a test from me. I wanted to see the difference between class A student like Masumi and class B student like Fuka, who managed to understand part of S-System on her own.

As expected, the class placement system was not as simple as making class A the best and class D the worst from the start. There was more to it.

Masumi: "If we don't get 100000 yen next month, the school probably will evaluate our income in different way. Since we are students, the tests would be the best method. Something like getting 100 points on test would get you 100000 yen ."

Looks like Masumi really is quite smart student. With small hint from me, she deducted that the school may give us some tests to earn money. I think it would not be as simple as her example, but it's good enough to think like that.

Masumi: "Wait, didn't you said earlier that there will be class competition here? Is that what's it about? We are going to compete to get money?"

She picks up things fast.

I started clapping with my hands.

Kiyotaka: "Congratulations, Masumi. You figured out some main parts of S-System."

I took two cans of beer and gave her one.

Then I opened mine and started to drink it.

Kiyotaka: "Ahh, there nothing better that beer after a hard day. Don't you think?"

Masumi: "Are you some old man? Stop being so secretive and tell me what's going on."

Kiyotaka: "You better start drinking as well, Masumi. Don't be a party pooper."

Masumi: "If I drink it, you will tell me what's going on?"

Kiyotaka: "I thought we would drink it anyway to celebrate. Was I wrong? Friends drinks often with each other without even a reason."

Masumi sighed and opened her can, then took a sip.

Good girl.

Kiyotaka: "I have some good and bad news for you, Masumi."

Then I started to tell her about everything I figured out about S-System, including my talk with Fuka.

I only skipped a part about Nagumo and Student Council. I didn't want to scare her. At least for now.

After hearing about my findings, Masumi went silent for a while.

Then she took a can of beer and took a huge sip of it.

I guess for her it must be quite unpleasant information.

In the first day of new chapter of her life she got caught at shoplifting and then she learned that she may not be able to go abroad after graduation.

It's no wonder that her mood went sour.

Kiyotaka: "Are you okay, Masumi? I know it's quite a lot to digest, but at the very least your starting point is the best, since you are in class A. The school recognized you as a student with this much potencial. It's something to be proud of."

Masumi: "If it was true, then why are you in the worst class? You figured out everything in a few hours, yet I at most just had some suspicious."

Kiyotaka: "I don't know. The school had its reasons. I think everything will be much clearer after first month, when S-System rules will be introduced."

Masumi: "If everything what you said is true, then we are enemies. Why did you tell me all that?"

Kiyotaka: "Well, we became friends, so I treat you like one. Apart from that, I am not interested in winning this competition, so I don't treat you as enemy. And I hope you will not treat me as enemy as well."

Masumi: "..."

She looked at me for some time, as if wanting to perceive my true intentions.

Kiyotaka: "Look, I know that graduation with ticket to go abroad is very important for you. But I just went back from the America. If I want, I can go back there anytime. I really have no interest in competing. It's just that simple. If I really had some other intentions, I would just blackmail you with video I took earlier. It would be easier. I only hope our relationship will be above this competition."

Masumi: "What?! What do you mean by relationship? I just agreed to be your friend, nothing more."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, I know. That's what I'm saying. I want to interact with you without thinking about this competition stuff. Of course, if you will feel troubled because of something, feel free to consult it with me."

I knew that I was asking for much.

Masumi was not Fuka. She had interest in class competition and will probably try her best for her class. It was for her own survival after all.

That's why I wanted to convey to her that I was her ally. Someone, who will not take advantage of her. Someone to feel at ease around.

All my previous actions were exactly because of this.

Masumi sighed.

Masumi: "I understand. I will give you some credit of trust for now. After all, you really could make my life much worse with what you know."

Kiyotaka: "Thank you. You should really be on alert, if you try to steal something in the future. Someone may blackmail you into his pawn or spy, while also take advantage of you in other way. That's why I suggest we partner up for such actions. We will look out for each other in this way. You don't want to repeat that mistake, don't you?"

Masumi: "You don't need to remind me. It was so humiliating. Fine, I agree. I acknowledge that having an ally would be benefical for me. But just because I treat you as friend, don't think that I will forget that you are a pervert."

Kiyotaka: "Great. Thank you, Masumi. From now on, we are friends with benefits."

Masumi: "You.. you are doing it on purpose, aren't you?"

Kiyotaka: "What are you talking about? Friends that are also allies because of certain benefits are called friends with benefits, aren't they? Why are you getting angry?"

Masumi: "You.. never mind. Since everything is clear, I am going back. It's getting late and we have lessons tomorrow."

Kiyotaka: "I see. Would you mind exchanging phone number, so we could be in touch in the future?"

Masumi: "That's okay. But try to spam me with messages and I will block you."

We exchanged quickly phone numbers. This is my second contact after Fuka.

I must say that having numbers of two beautiful girls made me quite proud.

Masumi: "I'm gonna leave my beer can here. If I feel like it, I'll come back for a drink. Hide it somewhere and don't get busted."

Her words were quite surprising.

I thought she would not take initiative to meet with me anytime soon.

And she even warned me.

I smiled to her.

Kiyotaka: "Masumi, you are a good person, aren't you?"

Masumi: "Huh? Stop sweet talking to me every moment. You won't get anything from that."

Kiyotaka: "I wonder. But if possible I really want to be your friend, not enemy. I like people like you quite a lot."

Masumi: "!"

Masumi was turning into boiling tomato at terrifying speed.

Masumi: "I-I'm going. Good night, Kiyotaka."

Kiyotaka: "Good night, Masumi. Once again congratulations on your freedom. I hope you will sleep well tonight."

Masumi: "T-thank you. See you later."

Masumi left my room in rather rush, but I knew she was just trying to hide her blushing mess.

This girl is really cute.

...

It's really getting late.

Most students were probably in their rooms right now.

And since it's their first day they are likely trying out their new stuff, like laptops and phones.

It means that right now there should be many people on the Web and it will be harder to see that something is off for administrator.

I guess I should start to check up the security here.

I turned on my laptop.

Standard software and programs, mainly to aid learning.

There were also antivirus programs and blockers on websites and messengers.

And of course, invisible monitoring programs, aimed at direct insight into the activity of the device.

As expected of government facility, the school has put a lot of effort into network security.

Hacking the system with school equipment would be nearly impossible without external help or special software.

Luckily I had some tools with me.

I typed in the appropriate code in the browser, allowing to download the unidentified software immediately.

Officially I were downloading a movie. But with it comes a virus that allows me to stun the monitoring program and antivirus for a while.

Even if the system found it as some problem and reported to the school, I could still explain it as some malware on a par with various things that pop up when viewing adult sites.

I am a teenage boy after all. At most it would end up with a warning.

But looks like this system couldn't see it as dangerous.

Good.

My malware started to work and stunned all the programs in the laptop.

I connected the disc that I smuggled with my stuff with the laptop.

There were softwares on the disk that allowed me to add the appropriate programs and components to the system on the laptop.

Using time that all the programs were stunned, I could easily install the right stuff without being detected by the system.

Then, using these programs, I overwrited the laptop's software and created a second desktop that is undetectable by any program and is not subject to the administrator.

With this, on my laptop there were two desktops - the original one that was under school's monitoring and the second one that was invisible for the school.

After prep work was done, I started installing some files and softwares without getting noticed. On my official desktop I played the movie that I downloaded earlier.

I started tracking down main security system and started mapping main valuable points that could be worth cracking.

After some time, I managed to pinpoint some.

Network system, camera monitoring system, S-System core, students information database, workers information database, investors information database, government-related reports database.

As expected, those points were heavily guarded. It will take many hours to go past any of them single handedly without noticing, but I was not worried. I had time, there was no need to rush.

Time to back off for today and go to sleep.

When I was backing off using the same route that I went in, something surprising happened.

I saw that someone was trying to enter this network, using the same route I did.

He was slower than me and less accurate, but I could tell that he was trying to map the path to systems, just like me.

He hadn't noticed me yet, but it was obvious he was digging in my direction.

Could it be that some student had the same idea as myself and is trying to hack the system?

Judging from where he's coming from, he's using his school laptop as anchor point for entering the system. He must have bypassed security and monitoring from his laptop like me.

This school is getting more and more interesting.

I decided to greet this brave soul on my own.

[King T-Rex]: Welcome comrade.

As expected, he stopped instantly. Then without any warning, he started to run away.

A predictable decision. An unknown person detects him while hacking, so he started running away.

But since I managed to find him, I could also see some of his escape route.

[King T-Rex]: I mean no harm. We are doing the same thing. I was just faster than you.

He once again stopped. Probably trying to figure out my intentions.

[WinterDrop]: What do you want?

WinterDrop? Never heard of such nickname.

[King T-Rex]: I was about to back off for today and saw you on my way back, so I decided to say hello.

[King T-Rex]: Be careful while mapping points. This system is heavily guarded.

[WinterDrop]: Thanks.

[King T-Rex]: "Wish ua fruitful night. Bye, bye."

[WinterDrop]: Wait.

[King T-Rex]: ?

[WinterDrop]: That nickname 'King T-Rex' belongs to someone, who is quite famous in hacking world. You shouldn't use it carelessly.

[King T-Rex]: Is that so? Are you a fan?

[WinterDrop]: Yes, I am. I appreciate that you are not making any move against me, but you using a nickname of famous hacker spells nothing, but trouble. You better change it.

[King T-Rex]: What if I am genuine one?

[WinterDrop]: Huh? Why would genuine 'King T-Rex' try to hack the high school system security?

[King T-Rex]: Who knows? Maybe I am student here and I am checking out my school security system. Maybe I am employee here? Or I got a commission to get some information about this school? There are many options.

[WinterDrop]: I still don't believe you.

[King T-Rex]: I am not asking you to believe me to begin with. But thank you for your kind warning. As a reciprocate, want some tips about this system?

[WinterDrop]: Sure.

[King T-Rex]: Your current speed and accuracy is lacking to get to the main core of S-System and governance-related files, not to mention cracking them. I don't know what you are looking for, but camera monitoring system and some less important databases are your current limit.

[King T-Rex]: For now, strengthen your own invisibility in network. Once you get caught, the security will find you in a few minutes. This system is no joke. As expected from facility sponsored from the government.

[King T-Rex]: Also, the monitoring program and antivirus on your laptop are quite good, so you shouldn't stay too long. Create some dummies to fake your actions, so the school won't find out that something is missing . Personally, I recommend an invisible, second desktop for your own activities. You just need to protect it from potential scanning and data control.

[King T-Rex]: That's all :-)

[WinterDrop]: Omg, you may really be that 'King T-Rex'!

[WinterDrop]: Thank you very much for your guidance!

[King T-Rex]: No problem. I am tired, so I am leaving for today. You should as well. You are a student here, aren't you? Probably a first year student that started today. It's not good to be tired during lessons .

[WinterDrop]: Yes, I am first year student. Could it be that you are really in this school as well? Are you senpai? Or some employee or teacher?

[King T-Rex]: Who knows? It's not good to answer personal questions for a hacker. Figure it out yourself just like I figured you out.

[King T-Rex]: But don't worry. I didn't check out your info. A courtesy from me.

[WinterDrop]: Yes, I am sorry. I became too excited. It's basic to not ask such questions. Thank you once again.

[King T-Rex]: I don't mind, but be careful in the future. I would also appreciate, if you could keep this talk to yourself.

[WinterDrop]: Of course, I will keep quiet about this.

[King T-Rex]: Thank you. Sweet dreams, 'WinterDrop'.

[WinterDrop]: Good night.

After backing out for good this time and cleaning all my activities in the laptop, I turned it off and went to sleep.

So there is someone here, who is trying to crack school security like me. In addition, it's my fan.

I should be careful in keeping my identity hidden from him.

But if he or she turns out to not be dangerous, maybe I should try to recruit them.

Let's see how he will progress in later days.

For now, it's time to sleep.

Tomorrow I will finally meet with my classmates, the defective students of class D.

I look forward to see what kind of people they are.

.

.

.

Chapter 10 - A Ghost

2nd April

Kiyotaka's POV

I woke up on the usual time and started my morning exercises.

After that I usually would go to the gym, but I still didn't know whereabouts of the one here.

I made a mental note to check it up later today.

While stretching myself, I started to think about my biggest dilemma today.

Namely, how I should behave towards class D and if I should share my findings with them.

A normal student would probably share everything at the first occasion and basked in the glory of success.

Such person would definitely be named as class leader or at least a key person in the class.

I would be quite popular and became center of attention not only in my class, but also in other classes.

At first glance it sounds great, but it's actually quite troublesome.

Popularity among masses was like double edged sword.

When you are doing good, they will like you. When you are doing bad, they will stop to like you, even start to hate you for worse results.

I would be judged for all of my behavior and actions. I would need to constantly care about my image in my classmates eyes.

I would also need to pay attention to all annoying things and people. They would put a responsibility on my back without my consent as if it was the most natural thing to do.

And that was something I disliked and would want to avoid.

I prefer my freedom much more. I wanted to use my private time to do things that I like or would be beneficial for me.

My contact with students from the other classes would also be very limited and probably would be misunderstood most of the time.

As class leader, meeting with enemy students in my free time would be considered as trying to spy and acquire information for the class competition or me trying to betray my class.

Just thinking about trouble I would get while meeting with Fuka or Masumi in such scenario gave me a headache.

As if I would give up on spending my time with them because of that.

I genuinely didn't have any interest in this competition.

My goal from the start was to make a lot of acquaintances and allies for the future. It would be hindered, if I was actively helping my class.

I didn't want to sacrifice possibility to befriend those 120 students for my 39 classmates.

But on the other hand I needed to make an individual reputation for myself.

For now many people will treat me as a member of the worst class and a defective student. Not a good start.

I couldn't afford to be looked down upon. It would be a detrimental for me and my plans.

Fortunately, an opportunity already showed itself for me to play a role that would make me respectable for other students, despite my class D student status.

I needed to become a member of Student Council, preferably a Vice-President.

Such position would give me attention, but I could still stay neutral. If I showed everyone that I have no ambition towards class competition, people would treat me as someone important, but not dangerous. At least to some degree.

I still would need to work, but I wouldn't be involved in my class affairs more than I wanted.

A perfect position to gain some recognition without being treated as enemy.

Also, it would be my biggest shield against that blonde donkey Nagumo.

Only by having the same position as him, I could stand against him without involving more people.

I could also observe him from close distance and have a good grasp of his abilities and influence. Maybe I could find some of his weakness or mistakes.

Becoming a Vice-President would also give me some repellent force for students from my year as well as senpais.

Picking a fight with defective that is looked down would be easy for anyone. But with Student Council Vice-President? Many would think twice before they would do that.

But to get that position I needed to prove to Horikita Manabu that I am worth of it.

I think he will contact me after the school ends investigation about breaking rules by Nagumo. Let's just wait and see his attitude towards me.

Assuming that I will get that position, my work for class D could be minimal.

But I didn't want my class to be treated as losers group.

I probably should give them some hints without giving myself out too much.

Or find someone who could do this in my stead.

Someone, who would take a job, but couldn't rat me out.

Someone, who could become a key person in the class without coercion.

I could give such a person some advises when needed, while being sure that he won't pull me into class competition nor reveal my part in it.

Having someone important in the class as my friend or at least as my pawn would be beneficial to me. I could influence some class decisions through him or her and avoid some dangers towards myself.

After all, I can't neglect the game, even if I don't want to participate.

For now, let's check things up without giving any help. After getting to know my classmates, I will decide what to do next. We have entire three years, there is no need to rush.

While convenient, let's observe Sae-sensei as well.

If I really want to get closer to her on personal level, she needs to stop seeing me as just student. I somehow needs to destroy this student-teacher relationship, preferably by guiding her into doing it herself.

Her reaction back then was quite big and may be a hint.

Did she react like that because figuring out S-System on the first day was so unbelievable or was there more to that?

She seemed ambitious. Considering class competition format, she probably would want our class to win.

My lack of action for the class despite my knowledge may be an opportunity to see how much she cares about winning and to get closer to her.

I should also try to contact with other classes as much as I can in this month before the competition will be known for everyone.

Masumi and Fuka may be a good way to befriend class A and class B. I should also contact with Nishino to make a way to class C.

If I manage to somehow anchor my presence in other classes, I could use my status as member of Student Council to stabilize my position after big revelation in the next month.

So much to do during this quiet month, but let's try to fish as many benefits as possible.

Figuring out my initial plan, I ended my exercises and went to take a shower.

Then I made myself a breakfast and a lunch box for later.

It was rather early, but I decided to go to the school.

Having a slow walk may be not bad to map up surroundings.

I already memorized the school map, but outside facilities are still mainly unknown to me.

I left the dorm and went to explore the area.

I paid attention to the facilities around as well as security cameras.

Although the monitoring area was big, I noticed several blind spots, but mainly in plain sight, like in parks.

I also spotted a gym. I decided to pay a visit there tomorrow.

While I was walking around for some time, the amount of students on their way to the school were growing.

Following the crowd, I suddenly noticed a familiar face.

It was Nishino Takeko, a student from class C and the only acquaintance that I didn't manage to befriend yesterday.

Seeing her alone I could guess that she didn't have an opportunity to make friends yesterday with anyone.

Or she was on the voyage through the area like me.

I came closer to her, so she could notice me.

She smiled slightly to me and waved. I waved back.

Kiyotaka: "Good morning, Nishino."

Nishino: "Good morning, Ayanokouji-kun. Are you on your way to the school?"

Kiyotaka: "Yes, I made some detour to check out some facilities here. After all, yesterday we didn't have much time to explore. I must say that I am impressed by the number of attractions here."

Nishino: "I see. I made a slight tour around yesterday and I had the same impression as you."

Kiyotaka: "This school is really great. I still can't believe that we received 100000 yen just like that."

Nishino looked at me for a second as if she was considering something. She also observed our surrounding, probably to confirm that no one is listening.

Nishino: "Hey, don't you think there may be a catch here? It's actually quite suspicious that the school would give so much money to students for free, even if it is backed by government."

Oh? Unexpected development.

I was planning to do some probing to see how much she deduced yesterday and if she would share some of her findings with me. To think she would make her move first.

Either she is like Fuka and found out some things, so she asked me to confirm what I know.

Either she is like Masumi and have some suspicious, so she asked me to brainstorm about rules.

At any rate, this is definitely some sort of inquiry to gauge my reaction and knowledge as well as probing my attitude towards her.

She is giving me a signal that she may know something and is trying to see, if I want to join this debate.

She plays it friendly, while also being wary of me. A clever girl.

Since I was planning to befriend her from the start, this is a good way to gain some of her trust.

I didn't even meet my own classmates, yet I am about to betray them for the third time. I am such a bastard.

But I didn't feel the slightest guilt. It's a reasonable sacrifice to gain friendship of three beautiful girls.

Kiyotaka: "Actually I also found it suspicious and asked my homeroom teacher about it. But she couldn't tell me how much money we are gonna have in the future. She said it was beyond her authority to answer. Quite a weird wording. But based on that I think we will not get 100000 yen in the future."

Nishino looked surprised by my answer.

Was it my cooperativeness that surprised her or did she not make the same conclusion as me about our income?

Nishino: "I asked Sakagami-sensei about the same thing and he answered in the same way as your teacher. It is really weird that teachers wouldn't answer about our income situation, if we would be getting the same amount of money every month ."

Kiyotaka: "Maybe they didn't know because it will depend on some things, like our academic performance. It's a school after all."

Nishino: "I see. This may be true. But why would they hide it? Something like that should be clear from the beginning."

Kiyotaka: "Maybe it's a form of test as well. Didn't this school boast of 100% chance for college and employment after graduation? Maybe you need to pay some big amount of money in order to achieve that as a main test. After three years, either you get a money and graduate, either you didn't earn enough money and must drop out."

Nishino: "This may be true. I didn't think about it. You are really smart, Ayanokouji-kun."

Kiyotaka: "Thank you. You are smart as well, Nishino. You did notice that something is suspicious with this school."

She smiled slightly.

For now, I think this is good enough.

I probably earned some of Nishino's trust through honest conversation.

I didn't want to suggest her anything about the school competition, unless she would mention it herself. There wasn't any benefit in that.

I didn't have a deep understanding with her like with Fuka nor did I bond with her through some event like with Masumi.

There was also no guarantee that she wouldn't tell others about me, if I told her full truth.

But I wanted to know more about her. Not only because of my strategy, but also because I thought that Nishino was a pretty girl worth befriending. Pretty and smart.

Since a business time has ended, time for a pleasure time.

Kiyotaka: "Nishino, I remember you wanting to hang out with me after school. How about exchanging phone numbers now? We could contact each other and have some fun one of those days."

Nishino went a little stiff, then she put on a teasing smile.

Nishino: "Are you asking me out for a date? Aren't you a fast one, Ayanokouji-kun?"

Kiyotaka: "I remember you saying 'I also want to hang around with you after school, Ayanokouji-kun'. Did I interpret something wrong here?"

Nishino: "No, I did say that. But I didn't think you would boldly ask me out like that."

Kiyotaka: "Does that mean no?"

Nishino: "I will gladly hang out with you in my free time, Ayanokouji-kun."

Kiyotaka: "It's decided then. Thank you, Nishino. I was feeling so nervous while going to my class, yet I feel like I could go to even war zone right now."

Nishino smiled with a slight shade of red on her cheeks.

Nishino: "You are overreacting, Ayanokouji-kun. What's there to be nervous about? You will just meet with your classmates. It'll be easy for someone like you."

Kiyotaka: "Are you not nervous at all, Nishino? Because of the incident, we sure are left behind in terms of making new friends."

Nishino: "I am a little nervous, since it's a new environment, but that's all. I want to get along with my classmates, but I am not in rush to make friends. I don't feel comfortable hanging around with bigger groups. I prefer having a bit more freedom while being with less people."

Kiyotaka: "If you really are not in rush to make friends, yet you accepted my invitation, then I am even more happy for our future meeting. We are quite similar in that aspect. I am a type who would sacrifice a big group of acquaintances for one friend. I have a feeling that we will get along well, Nishino."

I smiled widely at her.

Nishino's slightly red cheeks became even more visible.

Nishino: "My intuition is telling me the same, Ayanokouji-kun. Please take care of me from now on."

Me and Nishino walked together to the school building, then we parted to get to our classrooms.

After walking for a few minutes, I saw the sign of class 1-D classroom.

I sighed.

Time to meet my classmates and figure out why the school put them in the defective class.

To be honest, after my encounters with representatives of the other classes, it's hard to say, what type of criteria the school used to divide students to the certain classes.

I hope it's not that bad as it seemed after my conversation with Sae-sensei.

I will probably get some attention because of my absence yesterday.

Now that I think about it, I don't even know where my seat is.

The school probably removed nameplates after lessons yesterday.

I need to ask someone about my seat.

?: "Umm.. Excuse me. Do you have some business with our class?"

It seems like I stood before the classroom long enough for someone else to come and consider me suspicious.

I turned around and saw a beauty.

She was blue-eyes elegant girl of average height with long brown hair that has bangs swept to the right.

She was quite lovely and had a model-like body figure. Especially her long legs and thighs were really worth attention.

She had a really pleasant voice as well.

She seemed friendly, although I could see that she was wary of me, a stranger.

When she saw my face, she tensed up a little and her eyes slightly shined.

It happened to me a few times.

Apparently this is a standard behavior of a girl who at first did not notice that she was talking to a hottie.

I put a smile on my face.

Kiyotaka: "Hi. My name is Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. I am actually a member of the class 1-D, but I was absent yesterday because of unfortunate incident. Before coming to the classroom I noticed that I probably won't know, where is my seat unless someone would tell me, so I hesistated to enter. Would you mind helping me?"

?: "O-oh, so it was you. Some of us were wondering about the empty seat. There were even some theories about ghost or invisible human. You seat is in the rearmost near the window."

Kiyotaka: "Thank you, um..."

?: "Ah, I'm sorry. My name is Matsushita Chiaki. I am also a member of the class 1-D. Nice to meet you."

Matsushita? I have heard about this family.

Kiyotaka: "Nice to meet you, Matsushita. Tell me, did I miss much yesterday? I have met with our homeroom teacher, Chabashira-sensei, who told me about school rules, but that's all."

Matsushita: "You didn't miss much, if you know about S-System. We were introducing ourselves on the class forum to get to know each other better. Although there were some that didn't want to do that and left."

Kiyotaka: "I see. I guess it isn't as bad as I thought. I'm glad. Though it's too bad that I missed an opportunity to know about my classmates. It will be harder to make some connections now."

Matsushita: "Hehe, relax Ayanokouji-kun. I think you will not have problems with making friends."

Kiyotaka: "It's the second time I have heard this today. Why did you think so, Matsushita?"

Matsushita: "Huh? Well, you seems friendly and nice. Somehow I just had this feeling."

Kiyotaka: "Thank you, Matsushita. Hearing it from a pretty girl like you sure is soothing my nerves. Especially since you have such beautiful voice."

Matsushita: "H-huh?!"

Matsushita's face turned red from my compliment.

Kiyotaka: "Did no one tell you that you have beautiful voice? It's really pleasant to hear it. Are you perhaps a singer?"

Matsushita: "T-thank you. People sometimes praise it. I am interested in music, but I don't sing. I can play a violin though."

Kiyotaka: "That's nice. I would like to hear it one day. I can play a piano, so maybe we could play a duet."

Matsushita: "Is that so? Maybe one day we could try."

?: "Good morning, Matsushita-san."

Just when I was half way to get Matsushita's phone number, another person came and greeted her.

It was pretty girl with short, beige hair and gradient crimson eyes. Her well-endowed figure was really eye catching. She had a bubble aura that could suggest friendly manner.

She looked at me and Matsushita with big smile.

Matsushita: "Oh, good morning, Kushida-san."

The girl named Kushida looked at me with interest.

Kushida: "Matsushita-san, is this your friend? Don't tell me.. a boyfriend?"

Matsushita: "N-no! It's not like that, Kushida-san. This is our class ghost that was absent yesterday."

Kiyotaka: "Nice to meet you. I am official class 1-D ghost, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka."

Kushida: "So the mystery of that empty seat has been solved. Nice to meet you, Ayanokouji-kun. I am Kushida Kikyo. We are gonna be classmates."

I take back my earlier suspicious about conspiracy of beautiful girls being everywhere but not in my class.

This school's girls level of beauty is really high.

Both Matsushita and Kushida were high-rank girls with different strong points.

Matsushita was elegant, pretty young lady type, while Kushida was really cute and lively.

Kiyotaka: "It seems like my absence has become one of this school mysteries. A short-lived one, but still."

Kushida: "Indeed. But I'm glad you joined us, Ayanokouji-kun. The more the merrier. I hope we will become good friends."

Matsushita: "Kushida-san told the class yesterday that her goal is to become friends with everyone. It wouldn't be fulfilled without you, Ghost-kun."

Kiyotaka: "I see. Since I am a little late with knowing everyone, a friend right now would be a big help. I shamelessly accept your offer, Kushida. If you don't mind, let's exchange phone numbers."

Kushida: "Hehe, you are funny one, Ayanokouji-kun. Thank you. I am happy that I got another friend. I don't mind giving you my phone number."

Kiyotaka: "I am also happy to get my first friend from my class. And to improve this happiness even further I will go ahead and shamelessly ask you for your phone number as well, Matsushita. Let's be friends."

Matsushita: "And you were troubled about going to the class. Sure, I don't mind, Ayanokouji-kun. Please take care of me in the future."

Kiyotaka: "Of course, I will. Getting two pretty girls phone numbers in the morning, this day couldn't start better. Thank you."

I put on my best smile.

Matsushita and Kushida became stunned. Their cheeks flushed with bright red color.

It seems like my deadly smile is quite effective. Though Masumi still wins award for the best reaction.

Kiyotaka: "Is something wrong?"

Kushida: "N-no, everything is fine, Ayanokouji-kun."

Matsushita: "T-that's right. Don't mind it, Ayanokouji-kun. Let's exchange phone numbers."

Both girls exchanged their phone numbers with me. Everything went according to my plan.

Right now my phone has five numbers of pretty girls from all four classes. What a lucky streak. I have a feeling that I am the first boy that managed to achieve such feat in such short time.

I must say that I sure have lucky encounters with women from the first school day.

Kushida: "Then excuse me, but I am going ahead to greet with my friends."

After saying it, Kushida opened the door to the classroom and went inside.

Matsushita: "Let's go as well, Ayanokouji-kun."

I nodded and we went inside the classroom.

The second I went in, I felt several pairs of eyes looking at me. But it wasn't all.

This feeling.. so there were cameras in this room as well. But unlike outside, they seem to be meticulously hidden. There must be a reason why.

I looked around the classroom for a moment, watching the cameras and people inside.

Matsushita's seat were in the center of classroom, so she waved to me and left.

I went to my own seat. It was strategically the best possible place. I could see everything, while not many could see me.

Looks like my seatmate still wasn't around, so I had some time to observe my class more.

Both Kushida and Matsushita were talking with some girls in their own groups.

While Kushida seemed to be a center of her group, in Matsushita's group a center seemed to be a girl with waist-length blonde hair tied in a ponytail and purple eyes. Although blonde haired girl was cute, she looked proud and feisty. Her actions were rather bossy.

Seeing girls that were already in the classroom, I thought that my luck was even better than I previously assumed.

Although there was no one here, who I would call ugly or even average, there was absolutely no discussion that the best looking ones were Kushida, Matsushita and the pony girl.

And I just became friends with the first two and even got their phone numbers.

I was about to monologue more about my great luck with girls, when the door to the classroom opened and another person went in.

It was well-built boy with above average height and straight shoulder-length blonde hair. He was giving aura of superiority and excellence. In his hand there was a mirror that he usually used to look at his perfect self.

What a surprise.

I stood up from my seat and went to this boy with smile.

After all, he was my friend.

Kiyotaka: "Long time no see, Rokusuke. You look as perfect as ever." I said extending my hand.

Rokusuke looked at me, a surprise flashed in his eyes. Then he put on a huge grin on his face.

Rokusuke: "Well, well, well. And here I was thinking that some lowly peasant blocked foolishly my way. It turned out to be His Excellency Demon Lord Kiyotaka himself. What a surprise, indeed."

He squeezed my hand tightly.

Koenji Rokusuke. Half Japanese, half American. A sole male heir to the Koenji Conglomerate, a giant corporation that is well know in Asia, America and even Europe. A weird narcissist, who think of himself as a perfect human. Though he really have abilities to boast about himself.

Me and him met two years ago during banquet made by his father that Christine took me with. He was attending a prestigious american middle school back then. Despite his specific behavior, we hit off rather well because of our high skills. He was also one of people, who taught me about interactions with girls and flirting.

I have heard that he came back to Japan, but I didn't think we would attend the same high school and even became classmates. Coincidences can be freaky.

Kiyotaka: "You didn't change one bit, Rokusuke. Still overlooking the world from the highest position, aren't you? Your narcissistic aura was so bright that I thought I would gone blind before I manage to walk up to you."

Rokusuke: "Hahaha, as always the sense of humour don't leave you, Kiyotaka Boy. But you are right, my perfect existence shines to the point that one could go blind. As expected of you to notice the full glow of my beauty ." He flipped stylishly his long, flowing bangs.

Kiyotaka: "I'm sorry, I don't swing that way. Let's stay as friends. Also, please don't say things that people may misunderstand. I already got some girls numbers, so don't spoil opinion of me. "

Rokusuke: "Ohoho, flaunting about your conquests already? But you are still deluding yourself, if you think you could beat my perfect existence. I already have phone numbers of over ten ladies that were attracted to my beauty. I will amuse myself with them for a while."

My pride and joy that I felt, when I was entering the classroom, crumbled. This fellow was still great in attracting women with his appearance and status. Poor souls don't know that they will go through perfect hell of this narcissist.

Kiyotaka: "I see you are doing good as always. Maybe between dates with your fanclub, you will find some time for me? I would like to talk with you."

Rokusuke: "Well, I am actually quite busy with getting to know my ladies, but I guess I could muster some time for you, Kiyotaka Boy."

Kiyotaka: "Alright. Let's exchange contact info, so we could stay in touch."

Rokusuke: "I only save numbers of girls. But I will reluctantly compromise and will let you know my phone number. You should be grateful by my generous decision, Kiyotaka Boy."

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, yeah, I am moved beyond tears. You better pick up, when I call you."

He showed me his contact info and then without more words he left me and sat on his seat.

I saved it in my phone. I could just memorize it to not break my lucky streak, but I decided to not act like this playboy.

I sat down on my seat.

While talking to Rokusuke I noticed that we got attention of everyone else, especially of girls.

Either they were interested in our conversation because we were handsome boys, either Rokusuke already made himself know for his antics and our classmates were wondering why a ghost is speaking with that weirdo. I would bet for the second option.

I sighed and started looking through the window to pass some time.

Soon the class should start. More people started to come to the classroom and fill empty seats.

Suddenly, I heard noise nearby. Looks like my neighbor finally arrived.

I turned a little and saw another beauty.

She had long black hair with one braid tied with a pink bow as well as gradient red eyes. She has a slim waist and quite big breasts that could probably fill perfectly my hands. Her face was really gorgeous, despite her stern look. She looked like a traditional japanese beauty. I bet she would look great in kimono.

I appreciated her body for a second and turned away my vision. For some reason I got a feeling that she looked familiar. But there's no way I would forget such pretty girl.

She also noticed me and were stealing a few glances at me, yet didn't greet me at all.

Suddenly a wild thought came to me. I decided to play a little trick on this girl.

I started looking at her, then at the rest of the class, then at the window. And I repeated this again and again. I did all of this without changing my expression to make myself look unimpressed by worldly affairs.

I could tell that black haired girl became bothered by my vision, but she still didn't say anything.

For the last time I looked at her for a few seconds, then I started to completely avoid looking at her and just focused on everything else.

Come on, girl. React to me.

Just when I started to lose hope, my neighbor opened her mouth.

?: "Hey. You were looking at me just now. Why?"

I pretended to not hear the girl and minded my own business.

?: "I am talking to you. Why were looking at me?"

I acted as if I was not hearing her, but decided to look at her naturally.

Our eyes met and I acted as if I was surprised by her vision.

I broke eye contact and acted as if I was confused while sneaking a peek at her often.

?: "How rude. I was asking you a question. Why were you looking at me just now?"

I acted stunned by her question, then started to speak with trembling voice.

Kiyotaka: "Y-you.. you can see me?"

?: "Of course, I could see you looking at me. Why were you doing that? I dislike being watched, so I ask you to refrain yourself from now on."

I moved my body to resemble trembling. I made my face look as if I saw something unbelievable.

Kiyotaka: "You.. y-you really can see me? My heavens.. you really can see me. Finally.. after all those years.. someone can see me.."

?: "Huh? What are you babbling about?"

Kiyotaka: "Finally.. after thirty years.. I could be saved.. I could finally be free.."

The girl looked stunned by my reaction.

Kiyotaka: "P-please.. hear me out.. you must help me! I beg you.. please save me!"

?: "What.. are you talking about?"

The girl hesitated, not sure what exactly is going now.

Kiyotaka: "Please, hear me out.. long time ago.. I was also a student of this school.. but I died.. I was killed.. after I woke up.. I was here in this school.. I don't know why.. no one could see me.. no one could hear me.. I couldn't leave the school ground.. as if I was chained to this place.. thirty years.. I am stuck in this school for thirty years.. You are the first one.. to see me.. after all those years.. finally.. I beg you.. Please help me.."

I used a hoarse, emotional voice as if I was about to cry. I didn't rise my voice to not get any attention from others. My body was still trembling. I looked at the girl with a plea in my eyes.

The girl seemed to realize what was going on and frowned. She looked at me with an incredulous expression.

?: "What nonsense are you spouting about? Do you actually want me to believe you are ghost? Do you think I am a kid?"

As expected, the girl suspected my acting.

I decided to gamble using a scrap of information I got from Matsushita.

Kiyotaka: "P-please.. I beg you.. I am telling the truth.. you must believe me.. I was here yesterday.. just like always.. but no one saw me, even you.. Y-you .. left yesterday.. when others were introducing themselves.. without introducing yourself to the class.. "

The girl stiffened and looked at me with unbelievable expression.

Bingo.

It was time for the finale.

I turned around to directly face the girl. My face turned greatly pale. I slightly extended my hand towards her.

Kiyotaka: "Please.. you must believe me.. I am telling the truth.. it's so painful.. it's so lonely.. I beg you.. help me.. save me.. Please.."

My voice was getting colder and darker. I kept the eye contact with her, making myself look more and more mad and crazy.

I could see some fear in the girl's eyes. Her face paled slightly. She was looking at me intensively.

Kiyotaka: "Please, save me... otherwise.."

I moved my eyeballs greatly up so that only the whites were visible.

Then I used the darkest and the squeakiest voice to match the horror atmosphere.

Kiyotaka: " I will curse you. "

?: "!"

Then the girl fainted and slid from the chair to the floor with huge ruckus.

...

Damn it, I went overboard.

To be continued..