In Real Education, I Just Want to Drop Out Section 38

Kushida finished telling Bai Lan her story.

After speaking, Kushida lowered her head, dejected, like a frostbitten eggplant, awaiting judgment like a condemned prisoner.

Hearing her words, Bai Lan's many doubts were resolved.

Bai Lan said, "So, this is why you wanted to be friends with Horikita? You wanted to test her knowledge of your past through interactions with a friend?

You agreed to learn how to retort from me because I offered to teach you, which reminded you of something related to your dark history. Because of this, you suspected Horikita might have already leaked information about your dark history to me and wanted to test me during our practice sessions?"

Kushida nodded, "Yes."

"You threatened me, not only to keep my 'true self' exposed during our retort practice a secret, but because you suspected Horikita might have already leaked information about your dark history to me and could leak more in the future. Plus, I might help you approach her, so you wanted to control me through coercion?"

"Pretty much."

"Pretty much? What's missing?"

"Um... I also genuinely want you to help me practice retorting."

"Practice retorting? You want to use me as a target to retort against, don't you?"

"Ha, ha, ha..." Kushida laughed awkwardly.

"But what's the use of you telling me all this?" Bai Lan asked, confused.

Kushida looked up, her face displaying an angelic, cute expression, and said with anticipation, "I hope you can help me out of my current predicament!

For now, teach me how to deal with the hidden danger from Horikita. I don't want my dark history exposed.

At least, not until I learn that super skill from you where I can gain favor and respect from others without suppressing my dark side!"

"I really don't know that skill," Bai Lan reiterated.

However, Kushida's eyes were firm, giving off a "I think you totally do" vibe.

Under the expectant gaze of the little angel, Bai Lan's attention drifted, shifting to a name he was familiar with that Kushida's story had brought up.

Horikita Suzune.

Bai Lan suddenly remembered how Horikita, at the end of school that afternoon, had ignored everyone and followed him, despite the possibility of her being angry with him.

Although he could guess that Horikita's actions weren't about supporting him, but rather about proving something to him.

Even though their goals were different, this experience of "sharing hardships" was real.

He decided to help her, considering their shared experience of "sharing hardships," her past time spent retorting with him, and the fact that she would be his shield for a while.

Yes, Kushida had said that Bai Lan's popularity among his classmates was soaring, and therefore, Bai Lan needed a shield again.

Even though Horikita was unwilling to cooperate actively, she could serve as a temporary "rumor target" for now.

In short, Bai Lan decided to help Horikita a little, to see if he could resolve Kushida's hostility towards her.

After all, Kushida had threatened to expel Bai Lan, a "harmless bystander" who was only slightly involved.

Who knew what she might do to Horikita, the actual target? Expulsion would be the minimum.

While expulsion might be a good thing for Bai Lan, for normal students, it would be like the sky falling!

However, since their problems were intertwined, helping Horikita would also indirectly help Kushida.

After deciding to intervene in the matter between Horikita and Kushida, Bai Lan began to think of a solution.

Soon, inspiration struck, and he had an idea.

Moreover, his idea wasn't just about resolving the conflict between Kushida and Horikita...

With the idea in mind, Bai Lan said to Kushida, "I can teach you how to resolve the hidden danger from Horikita, but don't misunderstand, I'm mainly trying to help Horikita."

A straightforward, "guy-like" statement to start, suppressing any potential increase in favorability.

"Please teach me!" Kushida nodded repeatedly, clearly accustomed to Bai Lan's blunt way of speaking, and even somewhat... aspiring to it!

Then, Bai Lan said, "Actually, I've already taught you the method."

"Huh?" Kushida looked confused. "Did you teach me something? Wait... could it be?"

"That's right." Bai Lan's mouth crooked into a smirk, smiling wryly. "The way to solve the problem is—retort at her!"

But Kushida hesitated to believe it.

"Retort at her?"

"Yes. Retort at her," Bai Lan confirmed again.

Kushida couldn't understand. "You said at noon that if you want to be friends with Horikita, you should learn to retort at her. Were you serious?"

"Of course..."

Kushida: Expectant gaze.

"I was lying~"

Kushida: Expectation shattered.

"I told you, I don't know any friendship skills."

"I don't believe it, I don't believe it…"

Bai Lan ignored her and continued, "Rather than forming relationships, I actually prefer researching how to sever them.

This method of mine, while it won't let you become friends with her, should solve the problem between you two."

Kushida: "Really?"

"That's right," Bai Lan said confidently.

"I still don't understand, can you explain it?" As she said this, Kushida seemed afraid Bai Lan would misunderstand and quickly added, "Don't misunderstand, I'm definitely suspicious of you, I absolutely believe in your abilities. I mainly want to learn the intricacies. If you think I'm not qualified to learn, I won't ask."

Bai Lan glanced at her and then said, "In that case, I won't explain. You just need to be responsible for confronting her. As long as you try your best to confront her, your problem will be easily solved."

The method Bai Lan proposed would not only solve the problem between Kushida and Horikita, but it could also incidentally resolve Kushida's various misunderstandings about him.

Bai Lan: Kushida, you'll soon realize that you've truly misjudged me. I really don't make friends.

45. Schemes, Open Schemes, Clever Schemes! Strategy! Strategy! Strategy!

Bai Lan ultimately decided to explain his problem-solving approach to Kushida.

Bai Lan: "The reason you have a conflict with Horikita is because you feel she might know things about your past that you don't want others to know, and there's a risk she might reveal them.

You don't want Horikita to reveal those things because you believe that once your affairs are made public, everyone will see the 'true self' hidden beneath the perfect image you've worked so hard to maintain. Then, they'll no longer want to be friends with you, and you won't be able to re-establish your 'Kushida Empire.'

In my opinion, solving the conflict between Horikita and you is actually very simple.

Just confront her!

First.

Horikita is a very arrogant person, so she generally doesn't take others seriously.

Therefore, she usually doesn't target anyone specifically. She's straightforward, preferring to win head-on and overpower others. Under normal circumstances, she probably wouldn't resort to using dark history to suppress someone.

If she ever reveals your dark history, it's likely because she let it slip accidentally.

Besides being arrogant, Horikita is also a reclusive and disciplined person.

She spends most of her time studying and exercising, with very little free time. She has even less time to interact with people, and she even uses her spare moments to confront others.

If her study or exercise time is 'invaded' on a certain day, you'll make up for it with her future free time.

Once you confront Horikita.

Given Horikita's competitive nature, she will definitely retort.

You can use this method to deplete Horikita's already scarce free time, even overdrawing her free time for that day and the next few days!

To ensure she has enough time for studying and exercising, Horikita will not engage in any other extracurricular activities or interact with others on that day or the following days.

As long as Horikita has almost no time to interact with others, she naturally won't be able to leak any secrets.

This is the first line of defense.

Secondly.

Once you and Horikita confront each other frequently.

Over time, others will inevitably get used to the 'setting' where you and Horikita like to badmouth each other.

After that, any words spoken by Horikita about you will have their credibility significantly reduced.

One day, when Horikita speaks negatively about you in front of others, their first reaction will be, 'Horikita is badmouthing Kushida again.'

This way, Horikita's unintentional leaks will become ineffective.

Unless Horikita gets desperate, finds all the evidence and facts, and presents your dark history to everyone, proving it beyond doubt, will people believe it.

However, someone as self-centered as Horikita generally wouldn't do something so time-consuming for someone else.

This is the second line of defense.

With these two lines of defense, Horikita will basically pose no threat to you."

After listening to Bai Lan's words, Kushida became instantly excited.

See, this is professionalism!

You still say you're not a master strategist?

After being excited for a while upon learning that her predicament could be resolved, Kushida soon discovered another problem:

"You're asking me to use confronting Horikita to take up her free time. But, when I have the chance to speak with Horikita, it's usually in the classroom or during group activities. There are people around at these times, which means I'd be confronting Horikita in front of many people. Isn't that bad?"

Clearly, Kushida was worried about her painstakingly crafted "little angel" image.

To allow Kushida to confront Horikita with peace of mind.

Bai Lan said, "It's fine, just say I taught you to do this."

Kushida: "You taught me?"

Bai Lan: "Did you forget? Didn't you ask me to help you make friends with Horikita at noon today? The method I taught you is – confront her!"

"Huh? Can this trick really help me make friends with Horikita?"

"Why are you so slow? I already told you! I was messing with you, I don't make friends!"