Volume 2 - Ch. 4 Kikyou Kushida's Talent

The first time I met him was in the library.

At that time, he was the one who stopped the conflict between Class C and Class D.

And now... he is a male friend who has formed a cooperative relationship with me.

I dislike him.

The second time we met, that feeling was engraved in my mind to the point of disgust.

He excels in studying, surpassing even that infamous Horikita.

I dislike it.

He achieves results in various athletic events.

I dislike it.

He associates with a mentally unstable guy obsessed with violence.

I dislike it.

His appearance is neatly put together, except for his strange hairstyle.

I dislike it.

His eyes are as red as blood.

I dislike it.

I dislike it.

His calm face seems to see through the depths of my heart, and it creeps me out.

He possesses talent that mocks my efforts. I wish he would just die.

He is capable of anything, yet he remains passive and doesn't take action on his own, which irritates me.

But once he starts moving, no one can stop him, which irritates me even more.

I can't stop my own personality, even if I want to. Even if I don't want to return to that situation again after failing once, the symptoms reappear.

This is cancer. It can no longer be controlled by merely suppressing its invasion.

It must be completely eradicated from the root.

But as long as I am human, that is difficult.

However, even so, I want to shine.

I want to be recognized by everyone, relied upon by anyone, and yet never lose to anyone.

I want to become a human like a fairy tale.

I want to be everyone's "hope."

So... if having a unique personality and talent means not losing to anyone...

Hey, instead of making such a face, why don't you share that talent with me?

Ah, I hate him so much... I'm envious.

***

"I am Kushida Kikyou! Nice to meet you!"

On the second day of the weekend, before noon, I greeted the long-haired guy in front of me like that.

Our encounter was truly coincidental.

Today, we planned to go out with Sakura-san, a classmate, and Ayanoukouji to repair her camera (which I accidentally broke).

While heading towards the meeting place, I found him resting in the break area.

To be honest, it's lucky. I can use this opportunity to get closer to him.

He, Kamukura Izuru, is a mysterious person.

There are many rumors about him because he rarely talks to people and has not been denied the opportunity, so they tend to circulate wildly.

For example, he is the best friend of the tyrant in Class C, Ryuuen-kun, or the only person recognized by him.

He has extremely high potential and can excel in anything he does.

He had a conversation on an equal footing with the student council president.

He didn't pay any attention to the vice president Nagumo.

He's already involved with two beautiful girls.

And there are rumors that there is a fan club of him and Ryuuen-kun among some of the first-year girls.

In short, he is an enigmatic but amazing person.

You could say he's the C-class version of Koenji!

I'm going to become "friends" with him.

Information is power, and friendships are power. And "trust" is the only power I won't lose within the power I can build.

Becoming friends is the first step in wielding that power.

To enhance it, I have to become friends with even someone who looks creepy... I mean, someone unique.

Right now, there is an ongoing violent incident we all know about. So it's easy to start a conversation.

Now, let's quickly finish and join Ayanokouji-kun and Sakura-san, the gloomy guys!

"Please make it brief."

His emotionless voice and unchanged expression are a bit eerie.

Even when our eyes meet, he remains expressionless.

As expected, he is even more gloomy than Ayanokouji.

"Sure, understood! Oh, by the way, do you have plans after this?"

I want to make it brief, so I lightly ask him, suppressing the desire to say what I want. I dislike gloomy people. They are generally negative, unhygienic, and, above all, they lack the effort towards self-improvement.

Whenever I talk to someone, I exhaust my nerves, so I have always had a complaint that the other person should put in a bit more effort. And gloomy people are often the ones who bring up such complaints. That's why I dislike them.

I emit an atmosphere of apology from my whole body to please him.

"Yes."

"I see! By any chance, what do you have planned?"

Still expressionless. He went out of his way to emphasize his indifference, but I can't help but think he could show a little more excitement. Well, it would be troublesome if he reacted like the three idiots in Class D.

Now, with a slightly deeper and curious atmosphere, I tilt my head while showing a lovely smile. Many guys like this kind of calculated gesture.

In the beginning, people said I was faking it or acting, but now when I do it, it doesn't look like that at all.

"Just meeting up with classmates in a few minutes. But more importantly, you were a student from Class D, right? Is there something you want to ask about the violent incident?"

He responds politely, taking my intentions into consideration, which surprises me internally.

Honestly, I thought he would respond with something like "It's none of your business" or "It doesn't concern you" at best, or even ignore me and continue the conversation.

Furthermore, he doesn't have those creepy pauses and stuttering typical of weird guys during conversations. He looks me in the eye and speaks properly, which is unexpected.

And he understands my intentions, which is another point in his favor.

Congratulations, Kamukura-kun! You're better than the three idiots in Class D!

"Correct... Well, to be honest, I remember seeing you once in the library."

"Wow, even though you give off an indifferent vibe towards others, it seems you can still perceive your surroundings. At that time, you were talking to Horikita-san, so I didn't think you'd remember someone like me!"

Yeah, it annoys me. What annoys me is that i had to bring up the name "Horikita" in the conversation.

"...You left a stronger impression on me."

What was that just now? Maybe he's trying to be considerate? Usually, I would consider such consideration unnecessary, but I'll let it slide because the comparison is with Horikita-san!

I feel a slight sense of superiority, and with the biggest smile of the day, I continue the conversation with him.

"Liar! Ichinose-san was there too. Well, it's natural for boys to be attracted to cute girls, so you don't have to worry about it."

"I'm not worried. The level of memory retention varies from person to person. If it matches preferences such as hair length, color, appearance, height, and behavior, it tends to be more memorable."

I respond with an affirmative nod to his continued words.

"In the case of that situation, for example, you didn't seem to do anything, but you quickly approached Ichinose-san, providing an opportunity for Horikita-san. You played the role of a bridge and smoothly facilitated the conversation. Such actions don't happen overnight; you must have made corresponding efforts. That's why you left an impression."

...Listening to his easily understandable tone of voice, I feel relieved. It's actually quite easy to listen to... Ah, what's it called again, this effect?

When you have a positive opinion about one aspect, other aspects start looking good... I can't remember, but it's fine.

"...I'm glad you say that!"

"...I'm sorry, but let's get to the main point. We're running out of time."

"Oh, sorry. I was enjoying the conversation with Kamukura-kun!"

His expression remains motionless.

Hmm, the muscles in his face must be dead.

Then he averts his gaze slightly, places his chin on his hand, and strikes a pose as if lost in thought.

"...What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?"

"...I didn't do anything. I just thought you were unlucky today."

"That's not true! After all, I got to meet Kamukura-kun today!"

I bring my fingers together, sway my body a little, and bring my face closer.

In addition, I show a happy smile to fill the atmosphere with genuine joy.

Well, in reality, I did feel better after the conversation with him, so I've escaped from the top of my creepy ranking!

It's not unlucky. It's not lucky either, but still.

Now, I just need to get his contact information and quickly go to the gloomy guys... Ayanokouji-kun and Sakura-san!

"That's what's unfortunate."

"Just like that───"

"───Because you're affected by my whims, your mind collapses."

"?!?"

Just before he finishes saying that, a sharp red gaze pierces through.

Confused by his sudden change without any context, my voice involuntarily turns inside out.

Terrifying.

It's different from the imminent violence between the men I felt two days ago with Sudo and Koenji.

It's not derived from disgust or hatred or anything like that.

This is just pure something.

Though to be more accurate, it seems like a mixture of several emotions wrapped together.

"... I forgot to mention, but I'm not involved in any violent incidents. I cannot provide you with the information you expect."

"Uh, um! Well, I guess there's nothing I can do~"

While his red eyes remain unwavering, they capture me.

Though it's been just a few tens of seconds, I feel a sense of anxiety as if I've been cornered to the edge of a cliff.

What's with this guy?

Why did the atmosphere suddenly change like this?

It's like everything has been muddled and mixed together.

Almost like... despair.

At the moment when our intense red gazes lock, I feel like he has read my "inner" self.

My "true" self.

"...Nonsense."

"Huh?"

I clearly heard his muttering.

Nonsense, he said.

My mind turns blank, and an indescribable anger starts to well up.

What's nonsense? Even his consideration earlier, now his words are negative.

Right now, I am not composed, and due to the unsettling atmosphere he suddenly created, I can't manage my actions or tone of voice.

Still, I try my best to adjust my attitude and expression.

My instincts appeal to my brain not to reveal any more vulnerabilities.

"... Why the sudden change, Kamukura-kun? Is it because of something about me───"

"───The 'mask,' it's coming off."

My breath gets caught in my throat.

Cold sweat flows down my back.

Nonsense. He's just a delusional guy who hasn't outgrown his chuunibyou phase.

That atmosphere gains strength. No, perhaps the expression "muddled" is more appropriate.

I'm almost on the verge of hyperventilating, but I keep my eyes on him, refusing to look away, and I maintain a smile.

I must pretend to be the ideal version of myself, and get through this situation.

But with the next words, I lose that composure.

"'What happened to you?' Please don't say something like that. You might end up becoming an uninteresting existence like that."

He read my next words.

Word for word, identical to what I was going to say.

Why? How?

My communication skills are flawless. There shouldn't have been any opening for him to grasp.

We only exchanged a few words, yet how does he know what I'm thinking?

No, it must be a bluff. He's just saying whatever comes to mind.

Is that really the case?

Let's calm down first.

He's an annoying but capable guy. If that's true, he should be able to make assumptions beyond my comprehension. I shouldn't be disturbed.

Stay calm, connect the words, and go back to how it was.

Adopt a defensive stance, and the agitation will vanish.

"...'Want to be praised by everyone'? Is that how you feel, using 'that talent' of yours?"

Before I can string my words together, his kotodama pierces through my "mask."

As if my heart had been shot through with a bullet, I feel torn apart.

It's just an inference based on a situation that is incomplete and intuitive.

There was no need to be so shaken by it, and I should have just let it pass without reacting.

Yet, for some reason, his words carry weight, and I find myself acknowledging them.

At that moment, the terrifying atmosphere from earlier also vanishes.

Finally, I start to regain some composure, little by little.

"... What's wrong with you...? Why, all of a sudden..."

I no longer have the composure to conceal myself. I've completely forgotten about my original purpose.

I don't care that this is a shopping mall on a holiday, nor that there are many people passing by; I'm just panicking.

"Why? Ah... Because I wanted to analyze you."

Analyze?... My communication ability, or rather, my "mask"?

What a selfish and ridiculous reason.

And because of that, I'm being exposed to this miserable state.

"But despite using the talent of a 'fraud,' you haven't lost yourself. Most frauds lose themselves as they deceive others and become someone else. Once they deceive someone, unless they reset their life, they can't turn back. You're the same."

...Enough. Don't meddle in my territory like you know everything about me.

"However, you're using the talent of a fraud, even if it's a degraded version. Yet, you're still being yourself, not losing yourself, and finding your value by becoming someone ideal. I had quite an amusing time."

"... Quit it. This is just laughable."

It's fine if you don't laugh about it.

My ability is not some pathetic thing like what you described.

Becoming someone ideal... It's not some incomprehensible thing.

Everyone must have thought at least once that they wanted to become someone they admire.

An idol with a cute face and gestures, a talented celebrity, someone with greater abilities than oneself in close proximity.

Everyone must have projected themselves onto such beings.

By doing that, they can avoid the stress and suffering of reality, escape and fulfill their uncontrollable desires.

I create an ideal version of myself that anyone would desire, just to fulfill my own desires.

That's all.

So this is for me... It's not like that... It's not like this...

"... I trusted you, Kikyou-chan."

"I thought you felt that way about your classmate, Kushida-san."

"Was your attitude towards us all just a lie?"

"How awful... Now I can imagine him deceiving and sneering at people in the future."

"Kushida, is this true? You should tell the teacher the truth... the teacher should be able to understand your worries. However───"

"Ha-ha, I might have found an interesting treasure."

Sitting in front of the man, I lower my head, my back bending as if offering it to him while standing.

If I relax my leg muscles even a little, I feel like I'll collapse.

I understand that this guy is saying something.

But my ears, my hearing, reject his voice.

I don't want to hear it. Just go somewhere else quickly.

If I listen to his words any further, I feel like everything about me will be overturned at its core.

So just disappear already.

"...We'll meet again."

I wonder if my desperate plea reached the gods, as he stood up with those words and passed by me, making the sound of rustling plastic bags.

I don't possess the talent to toy with other people's lives like that person.

I only follow my desires and do what I can to become the ideal version of myself.

See, now my "restart" is almost a success. Once I erase Horikita, it will be perfect.

"Restart" is not necessarily a bad thing.

Although it may end up deceiving those around me, I'm not imitating a fraud by taking something from someone.

I only retaliate when I'm entrapped. It's different from actively deceiving people like a fraudster.

"...Kushida?"

Towards the direction where I heard a somewhat emotionless voice, I move my body slowly.

There is no rejection reaction because I recognize this voice.

The voice of a plain-looking guy who is always with Horikita.

Ah, right. Come to think of it, I was supposed to meet him today.

"...Why do you have that 'expression'?"

I look at him, feeling somewhat relieved.

Although I actually dislike him, this time, it's good that it's him.

It's good that there's someone who can handle seeing this face.

Switching gears. I'll do what I can do.

I'll use this talent for the sake of my friends and gain their trust with false reliance.

This isn't that kind of talent.

He also said it, right? It changes depending on the person using it.

"... Ayanoukouji-kun, sorry for being late for the gathering time."

"No, it's not time yet. But more importantly, Kushida... Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go quickly. I'm okay."

Ah, I wonder if the current Kikyou Kushida can still smile as usual.

***

"The room remains the same, empty as ever."

As soon as she entered my room, she stabbed me with her prickly words, almost like a tradition for her.

I had several encounters with other students, but on the way back, nothing particularly noteworthy happened, and I finally managed to make grass mochi.

I organized the things I bought and placed only what I needed in the kitchen.

"You're planning to make curry for dinner?"

"Yes."

"You really go to such trouble just for yourself."

"That's how I felt."

Ibuki-san, who was helping me sort things out, seemed to be somewhat interested. Her voice sounded a bit tense, like a pet waiting for its next command.

"...Do you want to eat?"

"!? I-I don't particularly want to."

"Hmm."

Ignoring her tsundere attitude, I continued with my next task.

I put on the apron I usually use.

Ibuki-san noticed and also put on her apron, as she said, "As expected, a black apron."

"You like that color, don't you?"

"...It's not like that."

She averted her gaze as she always does, trying to act cute.

She really doesn't learn.

She should have noticed by now that her lies don't work on me.

"Jokes and casual lies make you look away."

While washing new bowls and pots, I looked at her and said that.

She looked puzzled, and a question mark seemed to be floating above her head.

"Trustworthy lies are spoken while looking into the other person's eyes."

"What are you talking about?"

"It's a subconscious habit you display when you lie."

"Really? I had no idea."

She opened her eyes wide, showing a surprised expression.

"We've been together the longest since coming to this school. I had plenty of time to analyze you."

"Oh, wow, I never noticed you were doing that, but I guess you're right. I might have that tendency if I think back."

She put her left hand on her hip and touched her head with her right index finger, striking a pose that seemed somewhat fitting.

I wonder if there's any meaning to that.

"You are easy to read, for better or worse, so be careful if you ever find yourself deceiving someone."

"There's almost no deception in everyday life anyway."

"Well, just keep it in mind. If you think it's trivial, treat it like a horoscope. It will come in handy at some point, I'm sure."

With this kind of casual smile, you might make friends other than Shiina-san.

Of course, I won't say that to her, though.

"...Hey, can you do 'fortune-telling'?"

As I was thinking about such things, she surprisingly caught on to those words and started to inquire further.

I only said that as a joke, but, of course, I have the talent of the Super High School Level Fortune-Teller.

"I can. Though it's not 100% accurate."

"Hmm... How do you do fortune-telling?"

She seems to have lost interest in this exchange, finding it bothersome to continue pressing me.

Yet, she appears unusually energetic.

It's a topic she enjoys, though I apologize if it doesn't suit her.

"...Do you want to know? People who enjoy fortune-telling tend not to like spoilers."

"Oh, it's fine. I'm not bothered by that."

The bowls I'll be using immediately are now dry, and I turn the pots upside down to let the water drip off.

"Well, basically, fortune-telling is an application of 'cold reading.' You discern what the other person wants to hear in the conversation and convey it as if you predicted the future."

"I guess that makes sense. Peering into a crystal ball and talking about this and that just seems suspicious."

"Crystal ball fortune-telling has about a 50% accuracy rate, so..."

"50% is good enough. ...Huh? You can do that crystal ball thing?"

"I don't plan to explain in detail."

Seeing her stunned expression without any retort, it seemed that she was genuinely interested in fortune-telling.

"Then, can you do Tarot and such?"

"That's just a matter of memorizing all the patterns."

"What do you mean?"

"Tarot cards typically consist of 78 cards, including the Major Arcana of 22 cards and the Minor Arcana of 56 cards. These cards can also be interpreted in reverse, resulting in a total of 156 possibilities."

Some people apparently choose not to consider reverse interpretations, either because they can't remember them all or because they can't handle them.

"Based on these results, you use cold reading, observing the subject's eye movements, habits, and other cues to guess the words they want to hear and create a message to convey. Skillfully weaving lies and truths into it enhances its credibility. That's the outline of Tarot fortune-telling."

By combining cold reading with my super analytical ability, I can practically understand human psychology with almost 100% accuracy.

It was the same for Kushida Kikyou today.

Although I had some preliminary knowledge, I easily deduced her "inner side" without any substantial information.

Even if she told lies as naturally as breathing, my super analytical ability would expose those lies.

I knew she was a "liar" from the beginning.

So, I chose the words she wanted to hear.

She told me about Horikita-san with a slight sense of disgust.

In response, I hinted that she was superior to Horikita-san.

Depending on her reaction, I could verify what kind of negative emotions she had towards Horikita-san using cold reading.

Her response was surprisingly positive.

From this, I deduced that she was someone with a strong desire for recognition.

People with a strong desire for recognition have human-like beauty and a certain regularity about them.

Even if they have to deceive others, or in her case, deceive herself, to obtain the desired words.

Those words are nothing more than words of admiration and envy.

However, even so, she hasn't lost sight of herself.

Perhaps... no, let's put a stop to this analysis here.

After all, I'm making grass mochi. Instead of analyzing others, I should focus on analyzing my own preferences.

By the way, using Super High School Level Despair was just a whim.

To analyze her as a swindler, I decided to unsettle her and make her lose her composure, exposing her completely.

For that purpose, I showed her just a glimpse and casually connected some words before she did.

Well, in short, it was the easiest and quickest method to use.

"...I see. So, from the 156 possible outcomes, you modify the words to match the person you're reading for and make it sound more believable."

As she folded her arms and fell into silence, Ibuki-san summed up what I had said quite nicely.

"Fortune-tellers sure have it tough... By the way, what were you doing when you memorized all of that back in the day?"

"...Well, I had a lot of free time."

I skillfully evaded the question since it's not like I could say that the data was directly implanted in my head.

But, this way, it will create a pitiable high school student who had no friends.

"I'm not really interested in prying into your past, so you don't have to sound so serious about it."

She gave a faint smile.

It's a cool smile befitting her character.

But thank goodness. It's good that her personality doesn't delve too deeply.

"Oh, but were you also this long-haired in middle school?"

"Well, I don't remember ever cutting it."

I've trimmed it before, but I've never drastically cut it.

Not once in my life... That's pretty horrifying in its own way.

Everything is prepared, and I receive the mochiko (glutinous rice flour) and domyojiko (mochi flour).

"Well then, let's get started."

"Yeah, understood."

Over the course of several hours, we enjoyed making mochi out of season!

Intimacy with Ibuki Mio has increased!!!