Four in the afternoon.
Filtered through the curtains, the afternoon sun turned into a hazy amber glow.
Kushida Kikyo's lashes fluttered as her mind drifted up from deep sleep.
Her head felt fuzzy, thoughts floating off into nowhere—like a hangover after a night of heavy drinking—yet her body was unexpectedly relaxed. A tension that had been stretched taut for ages seemed, in this long nap, to have melted away.
Since enrolling in this school—no, perhaps since junior high—this was the most peaceful, most comfortable sleep she'd ever had.
No nightmares, no nauseating false smiles, no fear of secrets being exposed.
Because the worst had already happened… and she had, miraculously, survived—and found a place to belong.
Kushida rolled slightly, her gaze settling on the sleeping boy beside her.
Natsukawa Sosuke's resting face was serene, stripped of his usual calculating depth and unfathomable air. Right now he looked like any ordinary high-school boy—almost… cute.
She lifted a finger, tracing his outline in mid-air: from brow to bridge of nose, to those thin lips that always spoke words that frightened her yet made her sink deeper.
An indescribable sweetness melted in her chest.
Actually, she had sensed something amiss earlier; she guessed Horikita might have leaked certain information to him, which only hardened her resolve to force Horikita out. But after this nap, so what if their bond was twisted and schemed, so what if his acceptance wasn't pure?
In her life, only he had seen her ugliest self—and still chose to hold her.
"Meeting you… I'm so glad."
She murmured so softly only the air could hear.
As long as she could stay by his side, as long as this two-person world lasted, she'd be happy—even if she lost the mask she'd always lived behind.
While she wallowed in that possessive joy, the supposedly sleeping Natsukawa suddenly opened his eyes.
"Eek—"
Startled like a peeking kitten, she tried to yank her hand back, but he caught her wrist in one swift grip.
"Done staring?"
His voice carried the hoarseness of someone just awakened.
"N-not yet…" Blushing, she didn't retreat; instead she boldly snuggled closer. "Because Sōsuke-kun looks so cute when he sleeps—I couldn't help myself."
"Is that so?"
With a slight curve of his lips, he slid an arm around her and pulled her soft body tight against his.
The feel of skin on skin made her let out a sweet, cloying little moan.
"Since you watched so long, let's collect some interest first."
"Eh? But it's still afternoon…"
Before she could finish, he lowered his head and sealed her chattering mouth.
"Mm…"
Breath mingled, oral flora exchanged.
Kushida Kikyo felt like chocolate melting in hot water—mind blank, clinging instinctively to his shoulders and answering his demands.
A long while later.
Only when both were slightly breathless did Natsukawa slowly release her.
"Ha… ha…"
She leaned weakly against his chest, panting, eyes glistening with tears, cheeks crimson, gaze dazed.
Though they'd already bared everything to each other, doing it in broad daylight… the remnants of maiden reserve still flooded her with shame.
"Sōsuke-kun… y-you're so mean…"
She gave his chest a gentle push, her voice soft and limp, utterly lacking threat.
"Keep this up… and I'll really lose all strength."
Looking at her shy state, he didn't tease her further; he merely pressed a kiss to her forehead and let go.
"Off you go."
As if pardoned, she scrambled off the bed and began scooping up clothes strewn across the floor.
After tidying herself and donning her "angel" mask again, she turned around.
Just as she was about to say goodbye, Natsukawa's voice rang out first.
"By the way, Kikyo."
Leaning against the headboard, he rested his gaze on her shoulder-length hair.
"Grow it out."
"Eh?"
She blinked, fingers drifting to her ends.
"Long hair? But… everyone says my current short cut suits me and looks cuter…"
Cutting it short had been her fresh-start decision when she entered high school.
It was her subconscious way of severing the past.
"That's what 'everyone' thinks."
"I don't like short hair. I want to see how you look with it long."
There was no deep reason—simply "I want to see."
If anyone else had asked, she would have given a perfunctory smile and brushed it off.
But... it was Sosuke who made the request.
Kikyo's mind flashed back to her repressed self in middle school.
Yet, if it was for him... "...All right."
"Since it's what Sosuke likes... I'll grow it out."
She gently ran her fingers through her hair. "I'll take good care of it and make it beautiful..."
"Mm. I'm looking forward to it."
"Then I'm off, Sosuke."
"Take care."
...Silence returned to the room.
Natsukawa Sosuke sat up on the bed, rubbed his stiff neck, and his expression slowly calmed.
He walked to the fridge, cracked open an ice-cold can of Coke—pfft—and took a long swig.
The chilled liquid slid down his throat, instantly clearing his head.
"Haah..."
Natsukawa began his habitual debrief of this special exam—the Sports Festival.
In his mind he unfurled an invisible checklist.
First: [Point Gains].
This exam hadn't brought in any huge point windfall. Points were always welcome, and he wasn't indifferent to money, but he saw no need to chase every coin; priorities mattered, and so did needs. With the monthly tributes from Classes A and B, he no longer felt any urgent hunger for points, so their importance moved down the list.
Second: [Subordinate Cultivation].
Karuizawa Kei: through this "borrowing authority" act he'd boosted her confidence and clarified her place in his system—not a mere hanger-on, but an "agent" who carries out specific tasks. Her performance proved she had the makings of an excellent glove.
Horikita Suzune: her pride had been shattered, forcing her to admit her incompetence and, in despair, accept his "charity." She would never say so aloud, but seeds of reliance and fear had taken root in her subconscious.
As for Kushida Kikyo... Natsukawa glanced at the rumpled bedsheets and smiled faintly.
After this complete laying of cards on the table, little Kikyo's mindset should have shifted—just a bit. Right now she might be drifting toward a mildly yandere direction, but he wasn't worried; he had never hidden his own greed from her.
Girls are prone to reverse rationalization: once they accept you, they start persuading themselves, gradually embracing everything about you, growing used to your greed and even defending the balance. (That's why some delinquent boyfriends can hit their girls and still be doted on—good kids, don't copy this.)
Plenty of people share this psychology. When someone asks for a recommendation, they'll likely tout whatever they're using—phones, cars, whatever. Challenge their choice and the more emotional ones may even argue, because you're essentially calling them blind and foolish; the more they've invested, the fiercer they'll defend it.
"The risk of internal strife in the class is gone for now—peace at last."
Finally: [External Situation].
Ryuuen Kakeru lost Kinoshita and gained zero points. That man won't let it rest. Although C Class performed well at the Sports Festival, they still got no tangible reward, so dissent within the class won't stop. It's a volcano ready to erupt; sooner or later Ryuuen's suppression will reach its limit, and if he can't show real results his tyrant status in C Class may be toppled.
"A cornered beast is the most dangerous. Who knows what he'll do next—win by any means, or just grab the hidden mastermind of D Class..."
But that Dragon Boy is a side issue; the one Natsukawa was truly wary of was the cane-carrying girl.
Sakayanagi Arisu.
That white-haired, suspender-clad girl only had eyes for her duel with Ayanokoji; the look she gave Natsukawa held none of the kindness she showed Ayanokoji, nor the patience.
"If that woman's set her sights on me, things could get annoying if I don't satisfy her... but if you dare give me attitude..."
"A disobedient Little brat needs to be taught a harsh lesson."