Prank

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[-Continuation-]

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[Hachiman's POV]

"Let's exploit those things and use them to our advantage. All we need to do is sow the seeds of doubt. Create a situation where fingers point in every direction."

As I discussed the details with an indifferent tone, the others' reactions were varied.

"....." Some frowned deeply, their brows furrowed with unease, while others remained motionless, their expressions inscrutable as they grappled with the implications of my proposal.

Leaning back with a languid air of nonchalance, I delivered the final blow with a touch of wry humor in my voice.

"If everyone becomes a loner, no one will ever fight."

Hayama was the first to break the tense silence, staring at me with an intensity that almost made me uneasy. For a moment, I thought I saw a hint of admiration in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared behind a big, friendly smile.

"So that's the way you think, huh… I understand a little why she would look out for you."

Ehh? …who would look out for whom? I wondered.

I recalled a similar incident from the series.

Could he be talking about Ms. Hiratsuka? Nah, I don't think so.

I made a mental note to ask about this 'she' person later, but something else caught my attention first.

Glancing over at Yukinoshita, I asked curiously. "What are you looking so intensely at? Is there something on my face?"

She seemed startled by my question and replied coolly. "You just grinned really wide just then. It was rather displeasing and inappropriate."

"I wasn't grinning." I retorted defensively. "At most, it was a small smile."

Our small exchange went almost unnoticed, as everyone was still contemplating my words.

As a cue, Totsuka's soft and fragile voice cut through. "But guys... are we really going through with this?" His uncertainty hung heavily in the air, causing everyone to pause and contemplate.

This prompted everyone to pause their contemplation.

"I am in favour." Yukinoshita was the first to speak up.

"Seriously, what are we even voting for again?" Miura expressed her disinterest.

...and I could already sense the opposition gearing up for a fight.

Seriously, the only reason Miura bothered to voice her opinion is surely related to Yukinoshita's agreement with it.

Man. Their animosity runs deeper than the human body's veins.

"Hayama, let's go with this." I said with a serious expression.

Right, there are no ifs or buts in this for me.

I already gave my word, and if I can execute this plan [Solo], I wouldn't even hesitate to do it myself.

Alas, I need manpower to implement this plan, for better or worse.

Hayama finally agreed. "Okay. We will go with this… however, I am betting that they will band together and deal with the problem as a group."

"I want to believe that's their true nature when it comes down to it. I am sure they are nice kids at heart." He declared, expressing his unwavering faith in them.

"And I hope this plan fails, miserably at that." He added.

In the face of Hayama's blindingly bright smile, I was lost for words.

How presumptuous have I been until now to think Hayama and I could be friends? Even though we agreed on the same methods, just how deeply did our ideas clash?

….

[-Night Time-]

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The scenes in 'Test of courage' unfolded before me just as I had planned.

Hayama, Tobe, and Muara are currently playing their roles perfectly as some adult criminals who wouldn't go back on the things they claimed to do.

And now, credit to their acting, the plan is in its final but crucial moments.

"Twenty seconds left."(Hayama)

After a slight pause, someone in the group let out a lone murmur.

"…it has to be Yuka."(???)

"Yuka, stay behind."(???)

"…I think that's a good idea too."(???)

"…sorry, but we have no choice."(???)

And that is how they forced another scapegoat 'Yuka' for them, making her third on the list.

"[10], [9]…" Hayama's countdown reached single digits.

However, this time the two remaining elementary schoolers made angry roars and sobs as they didn't know whom to push among them. The black forest absorbed the girls' hatred and made their darkness look a shade thicker.

On the other hand, Rumi had already been pushed as their first scapegoat, while she had merely scrunched her eyes shut quietly.

"[8], [7]…"(Hayama)

As the countdown reached almost final, Rumi held onto the digital camera hanging from her neck tightly as if it were a protective charm. In her heart, she might have been doing something resembling a prayer.

However, I know it is far from it, as I remember glimpses of frames of what's going to happen.

"Shall we intervene now?" Yukinoshita interjected quietly.

Yeah, so far, everything turned out the way we predicted.

According to our initial plan, it was about the right time for us to swoop in and say 'You fell for it!' in a cheerful, singsong voice and return as if nothing had happened.

But deep down, I couldn't help but wonder if this was truly the best outcome I could have achieved.

Everyone has an ugly side they haven't even realized, or more likely, haven't had the chance to explore due to societal rules. In most cases, these sides remain hidden from the world.

No one, not family, friends, or cherished partners, ever sees that side. Sometimes, not even the person themselves.

And it's better that way.

But what if a situation arose where they were pushed towards that unexplored side? What if it were laid bare for all to see?

That's exactly what is happening now.

Obviously, I knew that my eventual goal of dismantling this group would be achieved.

I knew that my ultimate goal of dismantling this group was within reach. They would be so desperate to erase these memories that they would do anything for that power. But since they couldn't do that, their only option would be to erase it from their memory.

Humans are good at forgetting things, after all.

To achieve that, they would scatter and distance themselves from each other, clinging to the fear of being exposed, constantly looming over them.

Additionally, this time with the threat of someone within the group revealing their secrets. In this case, it would be Rumi, since she was the only one who stayed true to herself and was not consumed by fear.

They would never dare mess with her again. She had finally earned the respect and fear she deserved, and she could now live in peace.

But this brought me back to my earlier question: Is this enough?

Could she really move on from the past that has haunted her for so long?

Even considering the anonymity that was about to take place, I doubted it would be sufficient. Looking back, it wasn't as I remembered.

And so, I made a decision.

I am going to give the final push to settle this once and for all.

"Hold on…" While gazing solemnly at Rumi, I said this to Yukinoshita's surprise.

"Hikigaya, you are not planning to do something that was not discussed, are you?" Following my line of sight and finding it was on Rumi, Yukinoshita inquired.

Bingo! - "No."

Not convinced, but picking up the hint too, Yukinoshita still sat down, trusting my words.

"[5], [4], [3]..."(Hayama)

"Excuse me…" Rumi raised her hand, interrupting Hayama's voice, and the countdown stopped.

What? Hayama's gaze fell on Rumi, voicing an unspoken question.

That was when it happened.

–Beep!Beep!Beep!

A bright flash enveloped the surroundings, accompanied by a continuous mechanical sound. The torrent of light flooded the darkness of the night and whitewashed the world as far as the eye could see.

Reacting quickly, I closed my eyes at the right time while raising my hand, shielding Yukinosita's intently staring eyes at the scene.

"Can you run? This way! Hurry!" In the midst of all the chaos, I could hear Rumi's voice.

–thud!thud!

Then a bunch of footsteps tried to move past us.

In that short amount of time, I jumped onto the path, blocking the escape route.

"Where do you think you are going, kids?" I challenged them, standing firm in their way.

As I made my entrance, Hayama, Tobe, and Miura came to a halt as well.

'A…. flash?' Hayama rubbed his eyes, which had gradually become attuned to the darkness.

As the time passed, everyone started understanding what just happened…

"Hachiman…" Rumi muttered, looking at me as if seeing a dead person return to life.

And her voice managed to grab attention from our side.

Observing the camera in Rumi's hand that she still held onto, gripping tightly, everything started making sense.

'Did she just try to save everyone?' - Everyone has the same question on their face quietly… as if they could not believe it.

"Hey, Hayama, is the 'prank' still not finished yet?" I asked, adopting an aggressive tone to make it seem like I had just arrived and was oblivious to what had transpired.

My eyes scanned the group of kids who stared back at us with confused expressions, their faces were pale and frightened.

Hayama, however, was quick to respond. "Everything went well."

The kids remained silent, their eyes wide with fear, as Ryota emerged from behind the bushes, startling them momentarily.

Sensing their terror, Ryota flashed a bright, reassuring smile.

"Relaaaax~ It was just a prank. A game." He spoke, his voice calm and soothing.

One of the girls muttered. "W-what do you… mean b-y prank!?"

The others echoed her question, their voices trembling with fear.

"Ahh, i-it's a game..!" - "Um-hm…"

The girls muttered in unison, unintentionally relaxing a bit, but still on edge.

"Right." I intervened, my tone smooth and convincing. "It was a game that your 'teacher' and us stupid 'high schoolers' came up with to test how good of 'buds' you brats are."

The tension in the air seemed to ease slightly as they processed my words.

Okay, that wasn't so hard. I thought to myself. But now was the real test, and I needed to take a more serious approach.

I just hope Ryota will catch on quickly.

I turned to Ryota, my expression serious, and gave him a subtle wink. "So, how did 'it' go with these groups... Ryota? The prank."

!!..!! Hayama's eyes flickered towards me, and I gave him a subtle nod, urging him to back off.

I knew Hayama had already played the bad cop role, and now it was Ryota's turn to be the good cop.

I needed him to use his god-like tongue to ease the kids' fears.

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[To be continued….]

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