the build up

// Ichinose's POV //

The sky was a particularly nice shade of baby blue today, and the clouds fit in nicely. we are in the early stages of autumn and the weather is lovely, especially with the way that the wind blows the same strand of hair tucked behind Lucy's ear into her face every other minute. "Hehe"

She gave me grumpy eyes and it only made me giggle more, "Hey it's not funny, it's actually really annoying."

I smirked at her, "I bet it is."

Because of how thick my hair is these weak winds don't really effect me, so I c an flaunt how lucky I am. Slowly I brush through a bit of my hair with my finger tips.

We were having a nice chat on the walk to school before Lucy got a message on her phone and told me that she will meet me in class. "Okay, but try not to be late."

"Yes, yes." She waved as she walked away toward the stairs to the science labs.

// Lucy's POV //

"I gave you one job, how hard is it to make a deal with one class D girl?" I wasn't happy, not one bit.

The boy I was talking to was from the year above me and in class B, I've been receiving a lot of points from him actually. A little black mail can go a long way, you know.

He looked at me with hatred, if I didn't have him scared with the threat of ruining his life I'm sure he would attack me right here, right now. Not that he would get far of course.

That look of contempt stayed, "She said no okay? What do you want from me? I can't force her.

I just had a thought, "So if I were to go right now and propose her the same deal she will say no?"

Of course she wouldn't, I know that she will make a deal with the devil himself if it means kicking Horikita out of this school. Also if I get involved in her business then Ayanokoji will attempt to deal with me, just like he will with Ryuen.

The boy in front of me held his ground, "Of course she will, who would want to make any deals with you?"

I smirked, "Well if you need something done, you've gotta do it yourself. Jeez how useless can you be?"

I turned around and started walking to my class, I heard a noise that sounded like teeth grinding coming from behind me. Boy is he angry.

I giggled and I know he heard it because the sound only got louder, I wonder how long it would take for him to blow.

// Ichinose's POV //

I saw Lucy enter the classroom only a few seconds before the bell rang and Hoshinomiya sensei came in behind her. I smiled at Lucy before waving at sensei and I got a smile in return from both of them.

She walked up to the podium full of energy it seems, has she not been drinking? That's a first. "Hello class! I know what your all waiting for and I have your mid term results right here." She waved them above her head.

As the results were displayed, everyone had proud smiles. We all passed again, this was expected of course but it's nice to celebrate our achievements. I saw sensei was happy as well, looking at the results with pride. These are our best scores yet, with one person getting full marks, 2 people in the 90's, and the rest with a passing mark of 60 or above. The person with full marks was obviously Lucy. Me and Kanzaki had both gotten in the 90's.

Sensei began speaking again, "Okay class, I think now is a good time to tell you all this but you have another written exam coming up."

"Huh?"

"But we just had that mid term."

"Isn't this too soon?"

Things like that went around the classroom and Sensei was quick to stop any worrying, "Ah please don't don't stress over this test, it has no effect on your grade what so ever."

This did calm down the students but it also confused me a bit, "Sensei? If this test doesn't influence our grade then why are we taking it?"

Sensei smirked, "Well Ichinose I was just getting to that, this test is going to be used to determine your pairings for the paper shuffle exam!"

Paper shuffle exam? Is this a new special exam? It must be if it's been given a name like that right?

Everyone else in the room sounds like they are having the same thoughts as me and Lucy is beginning to collect a lot of stares. She clearly noticed this and decided to speak up, "Sensei, can we get more details on this exam please?"

Lucy was received with a smile, giving everyone the wrong impression on what was about to happen, "No. You guys need to focus on the exam coming up, not the special exam that comes after it..."

Everyone in the room gave sensei an unimpressed look, "Okay I guess you do need to know this now that I think about it, hehehe... The paper shuffle exam will be an exam where each class will make up tests to give to another class, in each class people will be put into pairs determined by these test results. In each exam that the class is given, there will be one per subject mind you, both of the students will have to get a combined result of 60 or more. The penalty for not getting that is expulsion."

I see, so we attack with a test and defend by doing the test huh?

Sensei had one more thing to say, "You will get an email shortly with more details about the exam."

The bell rang shortly after and we had 10 minutes free time that will be used to discuss our game plan for the upcoming exams.

// Class B, Sakayanagi's POV //

The class is silent as I move to the front of the class and onto the podium, "Okay I think it's clear but I'll say it anyway, everyone in here has a decent level of education and is relatively smart." Most of them had a proud look on their face at being called smart, "Despite this I won't be taking any risks, please raise your hand if you feel like you need a strong partner for the upcoming exams."

No one raised their hand, well I suppose that's good. fufufu.

(Authors note: Yes I did want to sneak in a cheeky little fufufu)

I I spoke one last time before moving to leave the classroom, "We will have another meeting when we get more details on the exam."

// Class C, Ryuen's POV //

I stood at the podium in front of the class, "Listen up, we're going to attack class D. It's simply the easiest way to get us points, over there all they have are stupid brutes like that Sudo."

Their were a few laughs at that, "I also think they will attack us back as we are the second lowest in the year, that's good for us. Now all we have to do is force classes A and B to attack each other. Any suggestions?"

I look over the classroom, nothing from anyone. I'm not even surprised, we've not been doing too well recently and that's obviously effected the moral of everyone. Well I guess it's time to step my game up.

// Lucy's POV //

For the next test it's been decided that everyone just tries their hardest so duo's can be chosen fairly, for example the strongest will end up with the weakest and so on. The paper shuffle exam is actually going to be a bit of a challenge however, I don't know who to attack.

In a perfect world we would attack class D and have an easy win but they are going to be the main target of everyone.

~Ding~

~Ding~

Two peoples phones received messages at the same time, I quickly noticed that I was one of those people and by looking at the notifications Ichinose was the other. We have been added to a group chat along with Hirata Yosuke, Horikita Suzune, Sakayanagi Arisu, Katsuragi Kohei. We have all been added by Ryuen. Naturally I along with everyone else accepted the invitation almost instantly and messages from everyone came through.

Horikita - "What is this about?"

Sakayanagi - "Well if it isn't dragon boy"

Hirata - "Is this all the class leaders?"

Katsuragi - "What do you want Ryuen?"

Ichinose - "I think this is a great idea Ryuen!"

~Group name has been edited by Lucy~

"hehehe" I giggled an evil laugh as I change the group chat name to 'dragon boy'.

~Privileges have been removed from Lucy~

~Group name has been edited by Ryuen~

Lucy - "Don't be so boring Ryu-chaaaaan"

(Authors note: She just loves to cause chaos!)

Ryuen - "Do you want to be removed from the chat? Or would you rather continue and meet Albert outside your door tomorrow morning?"

Lucy - "Your so cold to me!"

Hirata - "I don't think violence is the best way to respond to this, it was just a harmless joke please calm down"

Katsuragi - "I agree that violence is the wrong approach here"

Ryuen - "Shut up all of you, I want to set up a meeting between everyone here to discuss the next exam"

Sakayanagi - "Do you need help understanding the rules of the exam Ryu-chan?"

Ryuen - "Sakayanagi you would be lucky to wake up with any working legs tomorrow"

Horikita - "Where are we meeting and when?"

I walked over to Ichinose's desk and asked her for a favor already anticipating this question.

Ichinose - "If possible can we not do it tomorrow? I'm very busy at the moment."

I smiled at her, "Thanks Ichinose, I owe you one."

She had a sly smile on her face and pulled my ear close to her mouth so no one heard what she was saying, ~Whisper~ I felt my ears and cheeks turn bright red and walked back to my own desk in a rushed manner.

When I sneakily looked over at Ichinose she was smiling as if she hadn't suggested what she did. tch, damn woman.

~Ding~ I look at my phone again to see that a meeting was in place, Kayaki mall in a kareoke place in two days at 4:30 PM. That's fine with me. I had to get in one more message before this group chat went dead however.

Lucy - "I guess I will see you then, Ryu-chan <3"

Ryuen - "Ichinose, train your dog"

Ichinose - "Will do... Ryu-chan"

Lucy - "Haaaah?"

Sakayanagi - "This is very entertaining, please continue"

And from there everything died off and no one messaged in that chat for a few days.

// The next day, 5:00 PM, Lucy's POV //

I sat on top of the roof of the school, I was the only person up here and was awaiting a specific person to meet me here. It just turned 5:01 PM and my mood had just gotten sour, I don't like to wait on people, people wait on me.

"Tch" As i'm about to get up and leave, the door opens and a certain brown haired girl walks out.

We stand face to face for a few seconds before she scrambles to collect herself meanwhile I just stand there, "U-urm your Lucy right?"

I don't say anything, contemplating just leaving this instant but a memory suddenly flashes through my mind. I can just hear Miyu screaming in my ear not to let an opportunity like this fall through just because i'm not in a good mood.

My silence obviously makes her uncomfortable because she's trying to start a conversation, "So are you the one who called me out here?"

She had a finger on her chin as if trying to figure me out, "I have a problem with one of your classmates Kushida."

I saw a very small flash of excitement? annoyance? greed? on her face before she tried to show concern and worry for me, "Oh... Would you like to talk about it?"

I don't actually know what one I saw, maybe all three of them? Oh well, it doesn't matter. "Kushida, I don't want to talk about it, I want you to take action for me."

Kushida took a few steps back, "I'm sorry but I can't betray my classmates! If you want I can help you reconcile?"

~Sigh~ It was a long, drawn out sigh and when I finished it I flashed some teeth, "Kuuuuushida, don't you get it? I want to make a deal with you, to expel Kyotaka Ayanokoji!"

To be fair to her she held up her facade, "Why would you want to do that?" She sounded bewildered, "I already told you that I can't do something like that didn't I? It's just so wrong..."

For a moment I thought she was showing me true sympathy for what she saw as sad, but you can't fool someone who already knows the truth, "Stop it with the act won't you?"

She seemed confused, "Eh? What do you-"

Suddenly I pushed her back into the closed door behind her, with a thump she dropped to her knees in shock and maybe pain. I didn't give her a moment to think though, I grabbed her breast. "This is what happened isn't it?"

With one last show of desperation she looked me in the eyes, "What do you-"

I grabbed her jaw to shut her up, "Shh, let me speak. You made him grab your breast right? You have his finger prints don't you?"

She went to speak but I didn't let go of her face, "Just nod or shake your head, you showing up late put me in a bad mood."

She shook her head, "Are you serious? Still trying to play it up huh? So you aren't the girl that spread all of her classes secrets and ruined any and all friendships in her class? It was your final year if I remember correctly, am I right?"

Her eyes went wide and she seemed to be angry, I smiled, "That's what I wanted to see."

I let go of her jaw and she stands back up, "How do you know?" Wow her voice changed up real fast, so cold, "Was it Horikita? Or were you in my school as well?"

I smiled, "Neither, just a shot in the dark. Lucky hit huh?"

She seemed to get even more mad at me, "Don't fuck with me! Who told you!?"

My smile faded away, "Does it really matter?" Her look of anger didn't fluctuate, "If you must know I lived in your area when I moved to Japan." That was a huuuuge lie of course but what else was I going to tell her? That I read it in a story focused on this school and it was told as a side characters back story? I don't think that would go over well.

Kushida's eyes went even wider, "So now there are two people who know, it doesn't matter. I'll just have to get rid of you."

I reel back in shock, "Huh? You think you can get me expelled? Hahahahahhaha!" I couldn't hold it in, how can someone like her be so bold? It just doesn't make sense, hahahahhaha.

She just seemed to get even more pissed off at me, "How about this Kushida? If you can get Ayanokoji Kyotaka expelled then I will help you get Horikita expelled."

Despite what I just said Kushida seemed to have some sort of realization, "So your who he was talking about, that boy who wanted to meet me a few nights ago and warned me."

oh? He warned her? "So he didn't do what I asked huh? I guess we will have to have a meeting about that soon. What did he tell you?"

Kushida looked lost, deep in thought but still coherent enough to answer me, "That I shouldn't make any deals with you, that your nice on the surface but evil at heart."

I grinned, Hahahahahhaha "Hahahahhahaha, So were just alike then! What a coincidence."

Kushida seemed to have some sort of revelation, "So you know how it feels don't you?"

I didn't answer her, I just gave her a soft smile.

"You know how disgusting it feels to pretend to care for other peoples problems while you try to hold back the vomit. You know how it feels to finally release all your frustrations after months of holding back. You understand!"

Well this took an unexpected turn, "I do, do you know how many times I've caused excessive injury's at the dojo just to blow off some steam? It's the only way to cope in the end."

Kushida looked at me with... revelry? Is she amazed? Well I can't have her thinking we are equal now can I?

I slowly walked back over to her standing form and softly grabbed her by the neck, "The difference between us though Kushida... is that i'm not weak like you." I whispered in her ear.

I gripped harder and she began choking, suffocating on empty air. "I will do anything to get what I want." She began to claw at my arm and she caused multiple scratches on my arm so I released some of the pressure so she could breathe again but I didn't let go.

She was gasping for air and wasn't even worried about the fact that I still had my fingers wrapped around her neck. I drew her close to me, "Get Ayanokoji Kyotaka expelled and I will help you solve your Horikita problem okay?"

She nodded, "Good, I have your number so I will call you tomorrow after my meeting with the other class leaders."

She nodded again instead of giving me a verbal response, "Go get that checked out, it's a good thing that it's Friday so no one will see the marks before it's fully healed huh?"

I left her on that roof and I met up with Ichinose in her room for 'fun activities'

// Kushida's POV //

I look at my phone and it displays the time, 22:00 PM. I'm still on the roof and it's raining, I've been crying for hours and the rain had covered it up nicely. I did come to a conclusion in the end of all my crying though, Lucy is a devil in human skin...

But... then why do I feel the need to become her?