Chapter 9

Airi felt her heart thump, it was as if it wanted to burst out of her chest. Her head felt dizzy and her hands started to shake.

Her anxiety was kicking in.

Tatsuya raised his hand causing her to flinch but unexpectedly he patted her head softly. His touch, as if having a soothing effect, calmed her heart.

But it didn't reduce her fear, sure he was patting her head softly but his face was growing colder.

"Could it be you know something, Airi-chan?"

"I-I-I don't... don't." She could barely speak, the pressure Tatsuya was putting on her was too much.

"Then why are you avoiding me and Kushida so much?"

Airi's hope was shattered hearing that. If he knew about Kushida he obviously knew something. Were he and Kushida plotting something?

She didn't know, she could only tell if someone had malicious intentions.

"Airi." Tatsuya returned to his gentle self, "I'll be coming to your dorm room tonight at 7. Be sure to welcome me, I have something to talk to you about."

Airi quickly nodded wanting to escape him, she was DEFINITELY NOT going to let him in.

Just as she thought of this Tatsuya flashed his mobile in front of her face.

Time seemed to be frozen.

Tatsuya walked away with his hands in his pocket leaving behind a pale-faced terror-stricken young girl.

***

Elsewhere,

Ayanokouji looked at Horikita sitting in front of him with some surprise.

A few dozen minutes earlier.

At first, he was just lying in his dorm doing nothing but pondering over the S system of the school.

That was when he got a message from someone. Believe it or not, his contacts were only Kushida Kikiyo, Tatsuya Yamamoto, and Horikita Suzune.

So who was messaging him?

Instead of trying to think it over he picked up his mobile and unlocked it.

"Horikita-san?"

He wasn't that surprised but when he read the contents of the message he was for sure surprised.

"She's asking me out for a meal?" Ayanokouji never thought this was possible, "Is she finally trying to be my friend?"

What he didn't know was that originally she intended to invite him during lunch but Tatsuya's presence made her too ashamed to ask him in front of Tatsuya.

"Order whatever you wish, consider it my treat." While suspicious he didn't think much and ordered an expensive fried chicken meal.

When his and Horikita's food was done they both sat down to enjoy their meals. Ayanokouji's chopsticks picked up a piece of fried chicken.

But just as he was about to eat it he noticed Horikita staring at him with... anticipation?

???

"Is something wrong Ayanokouji-kun?" She asked innocently.

"No... But are you sure it's fine to buy me such an expensive meal knowing we won't be getting points anymore?"

"I'm fine, I saved quite a bit of points out of suspicion, I thought something like this would happen."

Ayanokouji nodded and dropped the fried chicken in his mouth, enjoying the taste.

Something he would regret a second later.

"By the way I had a favor to ask."

"Hmm?" Ayanokouji who was chewing paused and gulped the food.

"What favour?"

"You saw the results of the mock exams right?"

He nodded.

"While most of the class is fine there are three people that will most likely fail if they keep this up..."

"Ah, Sudo, Ike and Yamauchi."

Horikita nodded, "If they keep this behavior up they will most likely be expelled. I want to make a study group of my own since they've rejected Hirata's study group."

"Are you worried about them?"

Horikita shook her head, "I'm not. I'm worried about myself and Class D. I will not accept failures, I will reach Class A."

"Hmm...? Class A, not C?"

Horikita nodded.

Ayanokouji looked towards the meal but hesitantly said, "You know I don't like trouble, and this task... It's troublesome."

Horikita narrowed her eyes, "You don't have a choice in the matter. You've already taken a bite of the food and don't think I've forgotten how you tried to set up that meeting in Pallet Cafe."

Ayanokouji inwardly cringed knowing he couldn't refuse anymore and let out a defeated sigh.

Horikita left as soon as he agreed and Ayanokouji slowly enjoyed his meal.

"Sigh... I really hate Chiyabashira-sensei..."¹

"Hmm, tomorrow's swimming class right?"

***

It was 6:55 pm.

Most of the girls had returned to their dorms while some were still shopping or having fun outside.

But for one girl it was entirely different.

Airi sat on her bed still in her uniform, trembling as the clock ticked. He would soon come and knowing she couldn't refuse him made her feel depressed.

How?

Just how did he have that?

What does he want?

Will he tell everyone?

She couldn't understand.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts the bell rang. She snapped her head towards the clock, it was only 6:57.

She slowly stumbled to the door and looked through the pinhole.

It was him!

With shaky hands, she unlocked the door and he strode in as he owned the place. Flashing her a smile he sat down on her bed.

"I'm feeling a bit thirsty." She nodded hesitantly but he stopped her, "Lock the door."

Her heartbeat increased.

She brought him a glass of water and he gulped it down without waiting.

"Haaa! So satisfying." He then looked at her. She was standing in front of him in a submissive posture, twiddling her fingers with anxiousness.

Tatsuya found that cute.

"Remove your glasses and lose the ponytails." His voice was authoritative. She finally had an inkling of what he wanted and her heart sank.

She obeyed and first let her long pink hair wildly rest on her back and put her glasses to the side, staring at him with her big watery eyes.

Her eyes were full of innocence and fear, like a little lamb.

It took all of Tatsuya to not just push her down and have his way with her.

***

A/N- You can already guess what's going to happen hehehe (smirks like a degenerate)

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1- Explained in later chapters if you're unaware of why. Also note this fanfiction is following the novel so don't expect many anime scenes.