Vol. 5 Chp. 6: Bitter Sweet

Silence...

It was as if everyone was mute for a couple of seconds after seeing the performance between Ayanokouji, Manabu, and Nagumo.

It didn't take long for the cheering to erupt from all the students.

~Timeskip~

A crowd of Class D students had gathered at our tent. Everyone was in shock and awe about our performance-namely, Ayanokouji.

"Kagu-kun," I didn't get a chance to turn around when I was tackled into a hug, "You did amazing!"

I wasn't bitter about Ayanokouji standing in the limelight. It allowed me to step out of it without being bothered by my classmates.

Ichihashi is an exception because she's weird like that.

"Ayanokouji!" Sudou yelled as he tightened his arm around Ayanokouji's neck, "I didn't know you were that fast! Have you been holding out on us?"

"You could say running is my specialty," Ayanokouji answered.

You should have gotten first place in the running events if it's your specialty.

"Well, it's time for this year's sports festival results!" A voice rang across all the speakers around the field.

Every student turned their attention to the electronic scoreboard. The words "Red Team" and "White Team" were displayed on the board. These were the points each team had acquired through all 13 events.

"Read Team wins" appeared on the board, along with each team's scores. It seems that despite the harsh competition, Class A and D came out on top.

Class D collectively held their breath. We constantly had mixed results throughout the festival.

1st place: 1st year, Class B

2nd place: 1st year, Class C

3rd place: 1st year, Class A

4th place: 1st year, Class D

Oh, come on!" Ike yelled in disappointment.

You can't win all of them.

Class A would lose 50 points, while our class would lose 100.

"Lastly, we will announce the MVP for each school year."

First-year MVP: Sudou Ken

"Yes!" Sudou cheered loudly.

Class D swarmed the young man as they realized his name was on the board. Sudou competed the most in our class while getting first place.

~Timeskip~

Horikita's POV

As soon as the sports festival ended, the students began to trickle out of the classroom, looking exhausted. With no club activities on the agenda, Sudou-kun lingered to chat with Ike and a few others until he finally left. Ayanokouji-kun, who sat next to me, quickly rose from his seat and appeared to be in a rush to depart.

Perhaps he became curious about me since I had yet to get up from my seat as he looked towards me.

"You're not going back yet?"

"Yes, you see... I have some business to care for".

"Even though you usually return early, this is rather unusual."

"Such things happen sometimes. Well then, that's enough for today".

"Yeah. I'll see you the day after tomorrow then".

After everyone else left, I found myself alone in the classroom. Ryuuen-kun had called me back there. During the sports festival, he dominated me, and I couldn't fight back. Despite losing completely, I felt relieved. I learned I'm not as strong as I thought, but I'm thankful for the experience.

However, Ryuuen-kun's requests are significant. Many other students, like me, are saddled with this obligation, and one million private points will be transferred to Class C. I must keep the chance of future conflict to myself.

"Sorry, I've kept you waiting, Horikita-san. I just got caught up in a conversation with my friends, sorry," Kushida said.

Kushida-san, who left the classroom with her friends once, returned while putting her hands together.

"There's still some time left until the appointed time. Shall we go then?"

~Timeskip~

"Yo. So you didn't run away, after all, Suzune."

"I'm not going to run away, Ryuuen-san," I said.

"Your heart's in the right place. You've become a finer woman than you were before."

I'm not pleased even if he praises me in such a manner.

"But before I talk with you," I turned to Kushida, "Let's put an end to this farce already, shall we? Kushida-san".

"Ehh? Farce? What do you mean by that?"

In the school building, bathed in evening light, I stared straight at Kushida-san.

"I don't mind you playing the good guy here, but that's not what you're after, right? This sports festival. You leaked the information. That's why Class C was able to pull it off so brilliantly. The fact that I'm here like this now with Ryuuen-kun is also for that sake...am I wrong?"

"Come on, where did you hear something like that from? Hirata-kun? Ayanokouji-kun?"

"No. These are my thoughts. I couldn't shake off that sense of unease. He's the only one here right now. Isn't it about time we confront one another?"

"Confront each other? What do you mean?"

"At the start, I saw you on the bus persuading Kouenji to give up their seat. I didn't recognize you then, but I remembered you afterward."

I made eye contact with Kushida-san. If she's colluding with Ryuuen-kun, she will interfere. She hadn't interrupted because she didn't see a need to.

"Kushida Kikyou-san. I remembered that a student like you had attended my 'middle school'".

She wouldn't be able to keep up her constant smile if I revealed something like that. I saw her change expressions for the first time, but that led to yet another smile.

"Of course, you'd remember immediately. I was quite a 'problem child'".

After saying that, Kushida-san stopped speaking and lowered her eyes in silence.

"I don't believe that phrase is quite accurate. You were not a problem child, just like how you are in Class D right now; you were a student everybody trusted. But..."

"Can you cut it out? Stop reminiscing."

"That's right. No point in talking about the past now."

Ryuuen-kun listened to our conversation with a smile as though he were enjoying it.

"If we're on the same page, then you understand, don't you? What I'm thinking about doing?"

"Yes. I've already realized that you want me out of this school. But aren't you also taking a big risk? If I reveal the truth, you'll lose your current standing, no?"

"Me. Or Horikita-san. It's clear who's trusted more. I guess it's what you'd call hedging risk".

"But if it were revealed, wouldn't you be in trouble too? For instance, even if no one believes what I say, they will still harbor doubts. At the very least, you cannot deny that we attended the same middle school."

"You're right. But... if you happen to tell someone else about me by any chance, I will thoroughly hunt you down. That is to say, I'll drag the brother you love so dearly into this."

As the words were spoken, my body tensed up. I had heard about Kushida Kikyo's past and knew that angering her could result in her involving my brother. It was a perfect defense against me, with no openings to exploit.

However, Kushida knew involving my brother would lead me to desperate measures. She created a strategy to openly chase me out without affecting him to avoid that.

"Then wouldn't it have been just fine to ignore me? You know full well I don't involve myself with other people and that I don't stick my nose where it doesn't belong, don't you?".

"For now. But there's no guarantee that'll still be the case in the future. For me to be me, I need to make everyone who knows about my past disappear".

"In that case, now that I'm privy to this, does that mean I'm also your prey?".

"Depending on the circumstances, that may be so."

Even as she colluded with him, Kushida-san still said so boldly.

"Kuku. You're a foxy woman. It's precisely because I like that part of you that I decided to cooperate, though."

"Let me just say this, Horikita-san. I will expel you. To do so, I'll conspire with even the devil himself," Kushida declared.

Kushida-san said so as she left my side to stand alongside Ryuuen-kun.

"What a shame, Suzune. Betrayed by a promising ally".

"You were always one step ahead of me, Ryuuen-kun. I kept losing during the exam on the cruise, on the uninhabited island, and during Sudou-kun's incident."

By acknowledging that once, the words came out quickly.

"Let's wrap this up then. Points and the kowtow, I mean. That's what you 'two' are after."

"It's important to clarify that Kinoshita running into you was an unintentional accident. There was no malice or hidden agenda involved. Accidents happen, and it's common to settle them out of court. That's just the way the world works."

"There's no evidence; I'll be framed as the culprit."

You'll need a fair amount of resolve and power to prove your innocence. In this case, I need to admit it honestly.

"But I'll also add that this incident was something you masterminded. You instructed Kinoshita-san to ensure I collapsed. I'm sure of that."

"That's your persecution complex speaking."

"I don't care, even if it's just my delusion. But I'd at least like to hear about it. What kind of trap did you set for this sports festival?"

"You're going out of your way to kowtow; if I had to imagine your delusions, it'd be something like this."

Ryuuen-kun laughed enjoyingly as he began talking about it as though it were a delusion.

"Our team emerged victorious in the sports festival. I contacted Kushida from Class D for their participation table, which I then acquired. I carefully selected the best members for each position, greatly contributing to our success. Furthermore, I researched Class D thoroughly to ensure our victory."

"Brilliant leadership. You lot did win against Class D and Class A."

Although they didn't measure up to Class B in terms of overall strength, there's no doubt that they fought well.

"But couldn't you have won more efficiently? To crush me, you utilized two of your aces, and one of them even had to withdraw after being injured. That's baffling."

"Kuku. To crush you. That's reason enough. I had no interest in winning in terms of overall points from the beginning this time around".

"But your strategy relied on luck. Good for you, when you ordered Kinoshita-san to make me fall, and she acted on it, you were saved by two coincidences. I was too injured to continue, and Kinoshita-san was severely injured after she fell alone. Those aren't things you can aim to pull off."

What caused the gears to fall apart inside me was that part.

Because if she had only received a light injury, things wouldn't have gotten this serious.

"I never meant to harm you. Your injury was just a coincidence, and I ensured Kinoshita knew how to make the fall look natural. If she makes a mistake, she'll feel the pain instead."

If one were to be given such an order, they'd typically rebel against it. What exactly needed to be done to make her so obedient?

"Also... about Kinoshita's injury... Do you think it was an accident?"

"Sure, she fell. But of course, serious injuries aren't so easily sustained. That's why I had her pretend to be in pain and drop out of the sports festival. After that, it's a simple matter. Before she received treatment, I injured her myself. Like this," Ryuuen said as he stomped on the corridor floor with all his strength.

Bam! A terrifying, eerie sound echoed through the corridor.

"She consented when I offered to give her 500,000 points, you know? It sure is scary, the power of money."

It meant then that from the very start, it was also determined that she'd be sustaining severe injuries... From the bottom of my heart, I found his thoughts and his execution of them to be terrifying. If it's for the sake of winning, then there's nothing he wouldn't do. But I didn't expect him to be this frank with me.

"Is it fine to go on and on about this just because I asked?"

"What?"

"If I happened to be recording your confession, what would you do then?" I said so as I brought out my phone.

"You thought about that just now, didn't you?".

"As my final gambit, I'll try to manipulate you at least. But I'm shocked that you'd unexpectedly tell me all that."

I fiddled with my phone and played it back from a specific point.

"Before the sports festival, I had Kushida get her hands on Class D's..."

"If you file a complaint against me or demand points and a kowtow, I'll fight back with this evidence. If that happens, I wonder which of us will be in trouble?"

"Ku....!"

Ryuuen-kun's smile disappeared for the first time, and he also stopped speaking.

"Suzune... You..."

"I'm not looking for trouble either. That's why let's settle it with---".

"Kukuku... kuhahaha!" Suddenly, Ryuuen-kun burst out in laughter again.

"It appears that you may have misunderstood the situation. It is important to consider all perspectives when evaluating a situation. Let's work together to understand better what has occurred."

"Even so, is there even a way to ascertain whether or not that delusion is real? I could delete only the part where you said it's a delusion and edit the recording, you know?"

If the first half of it gets cut out, there's no way to ascertain whether it's a lie.

"Of course, in that case, I'll just have to hand in the original. No problem."

Laughing fearlessly, Ryuuen retrieved his phone from his pocket.

"Do you know what this is? The full recording... no, it's visual footage." He said so as he pointed the camera on the back of the phone at me. Insurance that's more reliable than audio.

Ryuuen seems to have anticipated that I would try a last resort. This means it won't be easy for me to accomplish my plan. If I only submit the latter half of the audio data to the school, leaving out the inconvenient first part, there may still be an inquiry that puts Ryuuen-kun and his associates in the hot seat.

However, it won't be enough to prove their guilt. If I were to present Ryuuen-kun's statements, which he made under the assumption that they were mere delusions, as facts, it would be considered dishonest.

"Throw away that pride of yours and give me a kowtow, Suzune."

Having received that death sentence, I decided to get down on my knees quietly.

RING!

Ryuuen-kun's phone had unexpectedly rung in front of me. Although he didn't seem bothered, he glanced at the screen to see who was calling. His usual smile vanished as he began to fiddle with his phone, ignoring my presence. I could hear a strange recording playing from his phone, filled with various noises.

"Listen up, you lot, what we must do to crush her. I'm going to offer you that strategy. I'll show you something interesting," it was Ryuuen's voice.

Is it a conversation from when he planned the strategy he would execute at the sports festival?

He explained in detail what he had proudly told me a while ago.

"I don't plan on going against your strategy, but give me a chance to fight against Horikita..."

In the middle of that, as though interrupting him, Ibuki-san's voice came up.

"In the obstacle course race, you run against Suzune and make contact with her. Do whatever it takes to make her fall. Afterward, I'll take responsibility for your injury and plunder some money for you."

That voice was saying that. I have no idea what exactly is going on.

"What is the meaning of this, Ryuuen-kun? What's up with that audio?"

Kushida-san, too, seemed unable to comprehend the situation, so she requested an explanation from Ryuuen-kun.

"It is now clear to me. This situation is quite interesting. It seems that a member of Class C has acted as a traitor and manipulated both you and me. They had planned for Kikyou's betrayal and Suzune's weakness. It is intriguing to see someone orchestrating events behind the scenes."

Ryuuen-kun swept his hair back and gave a belly laugh, calling it a masterpiece.

"You got played, Kikyou. They'd already predicted that you'd turn traitor and hand over the information on the participation table's list to us. They had already predicted every little thing".

"The betrayal was already assumed from the start.....? Who could be capable of something like that? Could it be Ayanokouji-kun? I didn't know he was that fast after all..."

"I can't jump to any conclusions, even though he's a candidate. It's uncertain whether someone capable of creating such a recording would leave behind traces so easily. It's possible that Suzune, Ayanokouji, Hirata, or Kagurazaka are being manipulated by someone else. I'll take my time and investigate carefully to uncover the truth. Even though I couldn't get points or respect from Suzune, I'm satisfied with the outcome."

It seems that someone from Class C was recording Ryuuen's strategy, but I am uncertain about how they accomplished it. Moreover, it's unusual for this person to compete against my brother because they usually prefer to stay under the radar. However, the only person I can think of would be Ayanokouji. Ryuuen couldn't identify Ayanokouji-kun as the culprit, suggesting he'd been setting traps without my knowledge.

Kagurazaka... is a wildcard. I don't know what he would plan...

"This is it for now, then. The sender of this mail probably won't hound us any further".

"Is that fine? What if they threaten you with the recording?".

"If they had intended to submit it to the school, they would've done so later. Doing so after we've already filed our complaint would be most effective. I wasn't able to make her kowtow, but as for me, I've accomplished half of my objectives. Not bad."

Ayanokouji's POV

After changing into my uniform, I went to the front gate as promised, and just as she said she would, the girl was waiting for me.

"You said you had something to tell me...?" I asked.

"Follow me," she said.

Without providing a reason, the girl led me to the school's third floor of a building designated for particular use. Interestingly, this area is one of the few without surveillance cameras.

She then went to a corner in the corridor and quietly whispered, "Can I go back already?"

"Yes. You did well, Masumi-san. I'll be counting on you again."

"Whatever..."

The girl named Masumi quietly nodded and left.

The person behind the voice slowly revealed herself. Carrying a cane, she looked at me with a cold smile.

1st year. Class A. Sakayanagi.

"You called me?"

I asked Sakayanagi, but she did not reply.

Then, for a brief while, Sakayanagi and I stared at one another.

As the sun set, I noticed a girl standing alone in the school building, holding a cane. She addressed me and said, "That last relay caught much attention, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka-kun."

Although I thought it might lead to a more extended discussion, it was just a passing remark.

"Yeah, sorry, but can I send a mail first? I've got someone waiting."

"Please go ahead."

Sakayanagi did not react with displeasure, but rather, she smiled at me.

I sent what I had prepared.

"So... May I assume that it's you? The one who called me out here, that is".

"Yes."

An immediate reply...

"So what's the matter? If possible, I'd like to wrap this up quickly..."

"After seeing you run, I remembered something. I called you here so I can share with you the shock I felt at that moment. It's almost like this is the lead-up to a confession, don't you think so?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about..."

Propping herself up with a cane, Sakayanagi stood right next to me.

"It's been a long time, Ayanokouji-kun. Approximately eight years and 243 days."

"You're kidding. I don't know you."

"Fufu. I suppose so. After all, our acquaintance isn't a mutual one."

"White Room."

As those words reached my ears, I unconsciously stopped walking and began to question 'why' and 'how'.

"It's unpleasant, isn't it? To be swept about by information only the enemy possesses".

"You..."

"This is a nostalgic reunion, so I thought I just had to greet you."

Reunion?

I looked back at Sakayanagi while still keeping my back turned on her. I haven't seen her before; she truly is a girl who doesn't have a place in my memories.

I haven't lost any memories in the past, either.

I met this girl, Sakayanagi, at this school.

There's no mistaking that fact.

"I can see why you might be skeptical since we haven't met. But I do know who you are. It's pretty wild that we're both here. I never thought I'd see you again. But everything has been figured out now - the deserted island, the cruise, and Class D's close call with expulsion. I had a tough time believing that Horikita Suzune was behind it all. It turns out that you were the one in control."

"Whatever do you mean by that? We have quite a few strategists, you know. Kagurazaka is one of them."

"Yes, but since your existence has come to light, it doesn't matter who it is anymore."

She's not lying. She knows me.

"Please relax. First of all, I have no intention of telling anyone else about you."

"Wouldn't it be easier if you did?"

"I don't want to be interrupted. I'm the only one worthy of burying the false genius."

"I've found some slight enjoyment in this boring school life."

"Can I ask you one thing?"

"I'm honored to be questioned by you. Please ask away. If you'd like to know why I know you, then I don't mind giving you an answer, you know?"

"No, I'm not interested in that. I want to know one thing."

Sakayanagi and I make eye contact.

"Can you bury me?" That was what I asked.

Sakayanagi laughed a bit and then laughed yet again, "Fufufu. I apologize for laughing. But I did not intend to insult the statement you made. I know very well just how awe-inspiring a person you are. I've just begun to enjoy this. Because I will fulfill my life's wish by destroying your father's greatest masterpiece."

If I am defeated, humanity is defeated as well. I truly desire to eliminate the sorrowful paradox within me.

"But I do have a problem with you. You must remember Mizutani Kunie, right?"

Mizutani Kunie...? I remember her. She helped me at the White Room until that man killed her.

"What does this have to do with her?" I asked.

"That's my childhood friend's mother. You already know him," Sakayanagi said.

Only one name came to mind... Kagurazaka Norogumi.

3rd POV

Kagurazaka walked from the area and followed Chabashira-sensei to the chairman's office. He could feel his teacher eyeing him occasionally as they walked. Something didn't feel right to the young man.

Upon arriving at the double doors, Chabashira knocked, "Sir, I've brought him here."

"Come in."

Chabashira opened the door and gestured for the young man to enter. He went inside, hearing the door close behind him. Sitting by a large desk was a man around his late 30s or early 40s. His hair slightly resembled Sakayanagi's.

"Good afternoon, Kagurazaka Norogumi," the chairman greeted him.

In response, the young man nodded. He looked out the window as a crow flew by. The feeling was getting worse.

A solemn expression appeared on the chairman's face as he pulled a file from his desk, "I don't usually allow this, but this a special case. I would like you to read this."

Kagurazaka made his over to the desk and opened the folder. There was a letter inside addressed to him.

Noro, how have you been? This is your aunt, Mizutani Yuuko. I wanted to see how my favorite nephew was doing. I hope you're doing well and making many friends in school. The other kids should be grateful to have a friend like you.

It pains me to tell you this, but this is my goodbye. There's a good chance that I've passed away while you're at school. It breaks my heart that I won't be able to see you anymore.

Kagurazaka could feel his hand trembling as he stared at the short letter he received, 'She's not dead. She's fine... There's no way she would be dead.'

"I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, Kagurazaka-kun, but..." The chairman reached underneath his desk and pulled out a small box.

The label read, 'From your number one auntie.'

Kagurazaka put the letter down with a shaky hand and hesitantly grabbed the box. Opening up the contents, his mind went blank upon seeing what was inside.

It was a necklace, and hanging off of it was a giant crow.

Kagurazaka took the necklace out of the box before throwing it aside. Rushing toward the door, he gripped the knob with intensity and roughly twisted it, opening it and leaving, slamming it as he went.

"The kid doesn't deserve this..." The chairman muttered.

Outside the office

Chabashira looked toward Kagurazaka, who had exited the office. She crossed her arms and began asking her question, "How was it..."

Her words got caught in her throat when Kagurazaka ignored her existence and kept on walking. Chabashira went after him, "Kagurazaka... Is everything alright?"

Kagurazaka stopped and turned to look at Chabashira. She saw the face of a broken young man as he stared at her with lifeless eyes. Tears were streaming down his face as he clenched his right hand tightly.

She was at a loss for words and wondered what put him in this state. It provoked a sense of worry for her student. Before she could get a word out, Kagurazaka walked away. Her attention was drawn to the necklace he was holding tightly.

'Something severe happened in there...' Chabashira thought, glancing back at the office doors.

Kagurazaka's room

Kagurazaka entered his room and collapsed to the ground, clutching the necklace to his chest, 'I don't want to believe she's dead... It can't be true!'

He stared at the floor with an empty gaze before getting up. Walking over to his dresser, he opened it and revealed a battered notebook. He opened it and flipped to the last page.

There was a message written for him.

Dear Noro,

I'm proud of you for making it into ANHS. I understand you have trouble speaking with others because of being mute. I hope you can make many friends and memories you can treasure.

I love you as a child of my own. Your father and step-mom will be cheering for you alongside me. I don't want to start crying and dropping tears on your notebook, so I bid you farewell and can't wait to see you when you graduate.

Sincerely, your favorite aunt and best friend,

Mizutani Yuuko

Teardrops hit the notebook as Kagurazaka stared at the message. Dropping the notebook, he broke down into a sob.

He wasn't able to sleep that night... The following nights were rough for him.

~~~

Class A - 1154 cp (-50)

Class B - 1030 cp (-50)

Class C - 462 cp (-50)

Class D - 278 cp (-100)

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