Chapter 2.6 - Before The Storm

We were both walking around the dormitory side-by-side. On one hand I was glad that Kikyou finally agreed to help me. But on the other hand her bitter expression held the darkness of uncertainty.

"So now that I agreed to be your ally, you can at least delete the video?" she looked at me with puppy-dog eyes.

"No."

The chances of deleting her video was like a snowball's chance in hell.

"Eh? But why? Don't allies trust each other?"

"Our trust was purely based on a contract. You're helping me in exchange of not exposing your secrets. If I were to throw away the only element of negotiation, that would make me nothing but an idiot. Besides, even if I deleted the video, you'd still come after me."

"I promise you, I won't."

"You do realize that your words hold very little value, in both what you can and will do. I'm sure you will come after me the very moment I click confirm. We're allies only on terms of negotiation. In reality I don't trust you at all. That's why I will be keeping this video."

"Hm..." Kikyou looked down in frustration.

"If you're identity is so important to you, then why would you do something as reckless as shouting at the roof top?" her demeanor completely swapped after my remark.

"Well, I do it to in order to vent. I wish I could do it in my room. But being so close to my classmates stresses me out even more, even if the rooms were sound proof. The stress builds up, having to keep up this image is tiring and I need some way to let out this stress"

"So you go out there to kickbox and let yourself get caught?" I decided to joke about it.

"Levent-kun, are you perhaps an idiot?"

"Says the person who thought fingerprints on a cloth would be a good evidence."  although the blazer I had on me was still wet from her previous outburst, which could've been a viable alibi for her claims.

"You do realize that I hate you, right?" She asks while letting out an exasperated sigh.

"Is that so? I actually like talking to this side of you, rather than the façade."

"Huh? Are you for real now?" she said while giving me a disgusted look. Listen, I'm not a masochist, okay?

"Yeah. It gets easier for me to talk as I don't have to constantly try and read you. You don't know how tiring it can get."

"I don't care."

After a few more seconds of silence, I stopped walking. We had reached the furthest end of the shore. What lied beyond me was the great ocean. A gust of wind ran through me, undoing my neatly done hair. The moon finally came out of the vail and revealed itself.

"I'm all ears, Kikyou."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Didn't I previously agree to become your emotional punching bag? Go ahead. You can release your demons."

"So you were being serious about that?"

Kikyou gave me a suspicious look. While I was sure about the fact that it wouldn't be a pleasant experience, it was part of the agreement.

But the agreement would also prove to be beneficial on my side. Sometimes, people tend to release many vital information during their outburst. Gossip, or in this case talking behind others would inevitably lead Kushida to reveal some bitter information regarding her subjects. Those information would undoubtedly prove to be more than useful.

To force her into the agreement, I pretended to go away.

"I see. I guess you don't want it. Then–"

"Wait." Kikyou stopped me. I looked back. She then proceeded to sit on a nearby bench. While patting on the seat next to her, she gestured me to sit, which I followed. After releasing a heavy sigh, she finally began.

"Do you know that chubby girl in our class who always nags all the time? Yeah, that bitch is an actual fucking whore! She–" like a broken dam, words starting flowing down like an endless stream.

If you asked me, I'd say it was not a particularly pleasant experience; at least I most certainly did not find it enjoyable. Being a witness to my classmates being burned down and repeatedly cursed by an accursed being was quite the thing. 'Fortunately', I had the honor of not being a victim of her curses; probably because I had immensely pressurized her early on. She knew that it wouldn't be a good idea to wage war against me. In any case, the air instantly took a hundred and eighty from peaceful to a 'prickfull' one.

But I listened. I listened carefully to everything that she said, word-by-word. Without reacting the slightest to her undeniably harsh words. Because I know what happens when someone holds back too much of their emotions.

Just how many emotions are you trying to hide Kushida?

••••••

Half an hour had passed since we got out of the dormitory. After we parted ways, I headed back immediately. I didn't bother notifying Ayanokouji about the completion. I had a feeling that he'd already know about it anyway.

After returning to my room, I collapsed on my bed. I pulled my phone out of the pocket. An hour ago, I had copied all the information Kikyou had accumulated over the last two months into my phone. After navigating to a specific folder, I was met with multiple text files assigned with different names, mostly named after my classmate's. What was more interesting about those files were the contents. Not only did I find information revolving around our class D, but multiple class B and class C students were there as well.

I closed my phone and threw it on my bed. Then I continued to stare at the white ceiling silently. All I wanted was a few seconds of absolute silence. There was an unexplainable serenity in the blankness that surrounded me.

White.

The color white brings back distant memories.

Now that I think about it, that day was actually my first date, wasn't it?

What exactly did I do that day?

Hmm...

Ah, I remember. Teruko was complaining about the bad pacing of a movie that we watched that day. I had no idea of what she was talking about. I actually enjoyed the movie.

So we had a movie date...

After the movie she dragged me to a convenience store. We bought ice creams from there.

...

Ice cream, huh?

Haha, I wonder if that's a coincidence. That was a funny incident. When I tried to lick the ice cream, I accidentally dropped my scoop on top of my jacket, leaving only the cone on my hand to devour upon. The image of a laughing Teruko still lingers on my mind. In the end, I silently chew on the waffle cone while watching her enjoy the ice cream.

We then continued walking around  the shore, chattering about trivial stuff. It was mostly her talking while I kept nodding or joining when necessary. All of it trivial, but surprisingly interesting. She kept talking about her studies, her pet, her plans for the future.

Hours passed away in a second.  Evening approached while marking the end of our outing. If you asked me, I'd say, it was a 'fun' date. That was the first time I had experienced something like that. New experience sows a different kind of emotion inside ones soul. It was a warm feeling. My chest felt hot even though it was winter. If I were to name that emotion I'd say, it was 'happiness". Yes, I was happy.

But right now however, one thing's for sure...

That I will never be seeing that person ever again.

••••••

"Yawn~"

For some reason, I felt unusually sleepy that day. While I was making yoga poses in front of my door, my neighbor Ayanokouji also came out.

"Gud mownin~." I greeted him in a yawning voice.

"Good morning. How much sleep did you get last night?"

"Not enough."

"I can see that."

We walked towards the elevator, waiting for it come down. I nonchalantly glanced at the monitor. There was an usual pair standing inside the lift. One was was a certain ice cold 'princess', while the other was a façade.

*Ting!

The elevator door opened a few seconds later.

"Are you getting in?" Horikita asked. Kikyou was standing right behind her, grinning.

"You guess.." we both entered the elevator. The first person I noticed was Kikyou, but she also noticed me looking at her.

"Good morning, Levent-kun. You seem tired. Did you get enough sleep last night?" Kikyou asked.

"Thank you for your concern."

"Hey, you have a few bed hair on the front."

"Natural hair is the new trend nowadays. I thought I would try to be trendy once in a while."

"Haha, you're funny, Levent-kun."

Ignoring her, I pulled out my phone and started randomly scrolling through the internet.

"It's unusual for you to be with Kushida." Ayanokouji asked Horikita.

"She waited for me outside the room."

The lift finally came down revealing a good amount of students in the lobby, most of them leaving for school. While I was about to do the same, we were met with a familiar face.

"Ichinose." I muttered to myself.

"Good morning, Kushida-san."

"Oh, Ichinose-san. Good morning."

"Ah, Levent-kun's here too. Good morning."

I looked around. Apparently, Ayanokouji and Horikita had already left.

"Nihao." I greeted.

Again, I completely replaced Ayanokouji from the scene. There was enthusiasm in my voice. What have I done?

"Could it be that Levent-kun is your boyfriend?" Ichinose asked in a somewhat teasing manner.

"Of course not." Kikyou replied.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Kikyo-san and I are just friends."

"Kikyo-san?"

Crap, that was her first name. I forgot about that.

"We're good friends. That's why we're already on our first name basis." I defended.

"Hmm... I see."

"Why do I have feeling that you're misunderstanding someth–?" my statement was cut off halfway through by Ichinose.

"Ah that reminds me... Did you guys get your points today?"

"Huh?" Kikyou looked at me, surprised by her sudden question.

"Let me check."

I opened the official Points application. I had six-thirty-one thousand private points available, the exact same amount of points I had yesterday. It goes without saying that not a single point was added to our accounts. And I knew exactly why.

"Did you receive your points Ichinose-san?" I asked.

"No. Actually no one from our class received any points." Ichinose replied in a worried manner.

"I see. Maybe the distribution process got delayed." I suggested exactly what had happened in the light novel.

The points that we receive as currency are produced from billions of taxpayers money. I'm sure the transaction process goes through multiple layers of security and paperwork. The fact that we're receiving free money and education itself was something to be thankful about.

Ah, if only I had been to a school life this in real life~

"Oh, that would make sense then." Ichinose replied.

"Then let's go to our classes. Maybe the teachers have something to say to us." Kikyou said.

"Hm! Let's go, Levent-kun."

"S-sure." I fumbled.

While walking, I felt multiple gazes upon me. Those envious eyes were piercing through my body. I understood why everyone was jealous though. Being escorted by two beautiful girls is like a dream to all boys. And don't get me wrong, I was actually living the dream in the fullest.

What beautiful day, isn't it? The sus was shining, birds were chirping, wind blowing through my hair. On days like this...

Boys like me should be dating a beautiful woman!

••••••

"You sure took your time." Horikita asked me as soon as I stepped in the class.

"Sorry, I received a few confessions on the way."

"I'd much rather you not make such impossible jokes, Levent-kun. What kind of Business could you possibly have with Ichinose-san from class B?"

"The kind that is none of your business."

"Hah.. By the way, did you receive any points this morning?"

Horikita gave up interrogating about my conversation with Ichinose as she moved the conversation towards the issue at hand.

"No. I was about to ask you the same question."

"I see. I think no one from our class received any points."

"Even beyond. Class B seemed to have not received any points either. This is just a technical inconvenience, probably."

"Probably? You're not sure about that?"

"I'm not a staff member of the school. I'm just an average student. I don't have any knowledge regarding the officials. We should wait for Chabashira-sensei's instead of making speculations."

"You're right. Let's see what happens."

"Everyone take your seats. Homeroom is starting."

Speaking of the devil, Chabashira entered the class devoid of emotion. She held a straight face as if nothing happened. I already knew what had happened, so I determined that it was not worth paying any attention.

As I had nothing better to do, I opened my notebook and started scribbling random Kanjis. Then it hit me.

Why don't I just draw a timeline of the events? That way I could determine which events are influencable and which ones should remain canon. I already had a mental image of the timeline, but it'd be much efficient for me organize that way.

One by one, I wrote all the events along with the duration and brief description. After writing a rough timeline, I divided the events into two sides. 'Variables' and 'Canon'.

Variable events were events that were within my range of influence, while the canon were either outside my expertise or harmful for the progression. It was practically useless to think about canon events. That's why the list became narrower and easier for me. That's when I realized how big of an idiot I was.

Seriously, why didn't I think of this before?

As I finished sorting everything out, Chabashira ended her discussion marking the end of homeroom.

"What are you doing, Levent?" Ayanokouji suddenly asked me.

Surely he noticed some bits from the timeline. There was no saying what could happen if Ayanokouji were to learn about those informations. Fortunately, there was nothing to worry about. Every single word that I wrote in that page was cryptic. It was a self-developed encryption that could only be cracked by me. That being said...

"I was writing the plot of a story that I'm writing." I said whatever came to my mind.

"Story? What kind of story are you writing? I'm curious."

Uh oh. I think I made an blunder. Let's answer like I'm really going to write a story. That way it'd be more trustable.

"Well, I'm a big fan of Psychological thriller. So I guess it has to be something related to that?"

"Can I read your work?"

No.

"I didn't even start writing yet."

"Oh. I see. In that case let me read it when you're done."

"Sure, I guess? Let's see if even write anything."

With that, the English teacher entered the room. The remaining classes continued normally afterwards.

••••••

It was the end of the class. I was headed towards the back of the campus building, alone. Ichinose decided to call me instead of Ayanokouji. At that point I was completely sure that I had replaced Ayanokouji entirely from his spotlight.

Just, what the hell are you trying to do, 'creator'?

Slowly I approached Ichinose who was impatiently waiting for me. From the moment she asked, I knew exactly where this was headed. Honestly I couldn't care less about the event that was about to unfold.

"Ichinose-san. You called me here?"

"Yes. Sorry to call you here so suddenly."

"Don't worry. What did you want to talk about."

"Well actually..." Ichinose's cheeks turned red afterwards. Averting her gaze she looked down. As if restless, she started fumbling with her hands. Her nervousness was obvious as day.

"Actually, I have a feeling..."

Honestly, if I weren't aware of the event, it would've created a certain expectation in my mind. How boring.

"Is this related to a confession?"

"Huh? How did you know!"

"Your body has shrunken into a log. You are stammering with your words. There is sweat all over your face. Clearly, you are very nervous and uncomfortable with this situation. Finally you called me somewhere devoid of public attention. You wouldn't do that unless the topic was very sensitive." I tried playing detective for once.

"Did you just figure all that out just by looking at me?"

No, it was pretty obvious, even without seeing the future.

"Also, you've been holding that letter with a heart-shaped closure for a while now." I pointed towards her hand. "Surely you wouldn't discuss about classwork while holding onto something like that."

"Wow. Levent-kun, you're surprisingly observant, aren't you?"

"So, how can I help you, Ichinose-san?"

"I don't have any knowledge regarding dating. Yesterday I found this love letter on my locker. It was probably from one of my classmates. I don't feel the same they do for me. But I don't know how to turn them down without hurting their feelings. So..."

"So?"

"I was wondering if you could pretend to be my boyfriend and make them give up."

What a cliché pattern, huh?

Let's see. I don't care about some random minor character like Chihiro, nor do I care about her feelings. And of course I was not obligated to "do the right thing". In this world, I was the only one who was sentient and self-conscious. Currently I was willing to everything to reach my objective. That's why I needed to think this through logically from an objective point of view.

Ichinose was the leader of class B. She was technically our future enemy. But on the other hand, their cooperation would prove invaluable in the future. So I needed to gain her trust in order to win.

"I think I've grasped the entirety of your situation. Ichinose-san, you're not thinking this the right way."

"But–"

"I-Ichinose-san.... Who is he?"

I didn't even need to look. It was Chihiro, the Romeo... no, the second Juliette. She had already arrived as per calculation. Ichinose was visibly shocked by her sudden appearance.

"U-um... Chihiro-san.... Sorry for bringing someone you don't know. He is..."

Before Ichinose could say anymore I introduced myself.

"My name is Levent. I am from class 1-D. Nice to meet you, Chihiro-san."

"Is he perhaps... your boyfriend?" Chihiro asked while being on the brink of crying.

Should I say 'yes' and break that tiny little heart?

It didn't matter what I did. If I agreed to become her boyfriend, she would still feel grateful towards me. The relationship between Chihiro and her would gradually become cold. She would be the one to face the consequences, mind me.

However... something inside me didn't let me do that.

"Well... He is my–"

"We're just friends, that's all." I replied while turning back to Ichinose.

"Confessing your feelings isn't an easy feat, Ichinose. Your chest feels tighter than ever and your head feels like it would explode from holding all the feelings. You spend everyday in anguish, but still can't do it. It takes great courage and willpower to say the sentence 'I love you'. "

I stepped back a little to give her some space.

"That's why I advice you, Ichinose-san. Please don't take her feelings lightly. At least give her the answer that she deserves." I turned my back on them leaving the two on their own.

••••••

Two minutes had passed since I left the two of them. I was sitting in a bench nearby. All of a sudden my phone vibrated. After opening the phone, I saw a notification title "points received."

Problem's solved, I guess.

It was a second after when I noticed a crying Chihiro who ran past me towards the dorm. Her dreams of dating Ichinose got shattered. Well, I already knew it was inevitable. A depressed Ichinose shortly came out afterwards.

"Rejected, huh?"

"Hmm... I was trying my best not to hurt Chihiro-san. But I was actually wrong, wasn't I?"

"Your heart was on the right place. So you shouldn't beat yourself for it."

"Thank you, Levent-kun. I promised Chihiro-san that everything will go back to normal tomorrow. But I don't know how normal it will be." Ichinose showed me a sad smile.

"It is now upto the two of you. But I have a feeling that everything is going to be okay."

"I hope that's the case. Again thank you, Levent-kun. I guess I owe you one, huh?"

...

Of course you do.

I needed your favor in order to gain advantage against the future wars. This peaceful life that I'm living will soon turn into an eventful one. Ryuen would try to land his first strike however...

:)

Current balance: 656,900 ¶¶

End of Midterm Arc...