Kushida Kikyo was choked and speechless.
Whether it was the moral high ground or the actual situation, she had completely lost.
She lowered her head and her eyes stayed on Kazehara Tetsu's big hand for a moment.
Then he suddenly looked away, and a blush appeared on his cheeks not because of shyness, but because of humiliation.
"... Have you touched enough?"
Her voice was cold and hard, with a hint of gritted teeth.
"Heh."
Kazehara Tetsu chuckled slightly, opened his fingers slightly, and then retracted them neatly.
"What a fickle woman."
He spread his hands, his tone full of innocent ridicule.
"You obviously grabbed my hand, why are you acting like a victim now? In terms of 'touching', this is a benefit that you took the initiative to bring to my door. I just... slightly tested the quality of this benefit."
After that, he ignored the girl who was shaking with anger.
Kazehara Tetsu turned around and even showed his unsuspecting back to Kushida Kikyo.
Even in this face-breaking confrontation, he behaved very calmly.
He walked to the guardrail by the river in a few steps and rested his hands casually on the cold railing.
He leaned back relaxedly and looked towards the dark flowing river.
"..."
Kushida Kikyo stood there, his hands tightly clenched into fists, and his nails dug deeply into the soft flesh of his palms.
The unsuspecting back was just a few steps away.
Just rush over now.
Just push with all your strength.
Evil thoughts are growing like weeds in my heart.
Her steps moved forward uncontrollably.
But at that moment, reason still pulled her back.
Can't do it.
At that time, it was no longer a simple loss of reputation, but real intentional harm or even attempted murder.
"Huh..."
Kushida Kikyo took a deep breath, took stiff steps, and walked to the side and back of Kazehara Tetsu.
"Since you said there was no recording, you were lying..."
"So, that promise just now...'I won't tell anyone about this', was that also a lie to me?"
This issue is critical.
If Kazehara Tetsu not only holds the handle in her hand, but also plans to use it as some kind of time bomb to detonate according to her mood, then even if she is lingering now, it will be meaningless.
Kazehara Tetsu did not answer immediately.
He was still looking at the river, tapping his fingers on the railing.
"Da, da, da..."
Each crisp knocking sound is like knocking on Kushida Kikyo's heart.
The silence lasted for ten long seconds.
Just when Kushida Kikyo thought he was acquiescing in disguise or planning a more sinister plan, Kazehara Tetsu finally spoke.
"That promise..."
He turned his head slightly, leaving only the profile of Kushida Kikyo.
"Whether it's a lie or not depends on Kushida's next performance."
"... Performance?"
Kushida Kikyo was stunned for a moment, and then understood what this meant.
"Kazehara Tetsu... Are you planning to raise me as a dog?"
"As long as I disobey, as long as I make you unhappy, you will wave this whip at any time?"
Faced with this sarcastic question, Kazehara Tetsu not only did not deny it, but turned around to face her with a smile on his face.
"As expected of Kushida."
He even clapped his hands, like a teacher praising a smart student.
"Surprisingly, I'm very enlightened. Generally speaking... it's just as you said, that's it."
"You..."
Kushida Kikyo felt like his lungs were going to explode.
She has lived for so many years, and she has always been the one to play with others. When did she ever feel so angry?
"How dare you think about it... Aren't you afraid of being bitten by a dog?"
"Bite back?"
"Kushida, you are Akito. You should be very aware of the current situation."
He took a step forward, forcing Kushida Kikyo to retreat.
"You don't want to just give up everything you have worked hard to manage for so long, right?"
"If that image that is loved by everyone is accidentally broken, what will happen to you?"
"Let's not talk about whether I will hand over the recording of you threatening to frame me for molestation to the school..."
"Just the transaction you just made with Ryuen."
"What would happen if I told Class D who leaked the intelligence..."
"Your friends and your network of relationships will turn into hanging you in an instant."
"Even that Horikita Suzune will treat you like garbage before you step on it."
"Do you... want to see that ending?"
Kushida Kikyo clenched his teeth, making a squeaking sound when his teeth rubbed against each other.
She doesn't want to.
I don't even want to die.
If it really becomes like that, it will be worse than death.
If she doesn't even have a foothold, what's the point of it all?
Seeing the struggling light in her eyes gradually dimming, Kazehara Tetsu knew that the heat had come.
"So, the choice is now yours."
He stepped back slightly, giving her room to breathe.
"As long as you listen to me and be my dog. Then you will not be exposed and you can still be the Kushida Kikyo that is loved by others."
"You can even continue to implement your plan and trample to death the Horikita Suzune that you hate so much."
Having said this, he paused.
"And... as long as you stay here, I can't give you a chance."
"Give you... a chance to find a way to kill me."
Kushida Kikyo raised his head suddenly, his eyes burning with blazing fire.
Yes.
As long as you haven't quit, you still have a chance to make a comeback.
If it is the current Desperate Situation, it will definitely lose.
But if you lower your head temporarily and gain some living space, you may not be able to find this man's flaws in the future and repay today's humiliation a hundredfold.
"... Okay."
The word came out of her throat, extremely hard.
"This time... you won."
"But just wait for me, Kazehara Tetsu. One day... I will destroy you with my own hands and everything you do in this school!"
"Heh..."
Kazehara Tetsu didn't have any fear about this oath full of resentment. Instead, it was as if he had heard the most pleasant praise.
"Then, you have to work harder, Kushida."
"Don't let me down. If it breaks too easily, then the game will be too boring."
Said.
He slowly extended his right hand.
It's not high, about at chest level.
With the palm of the hand facing upwards and the fingers slightly bent, he made an obvious movement.
It's like summoning a pet.
There were no words, just that movement, hanging quietly between the two.
Kushida Kikyo looked at that hand.
A few seconds of stalemate.
Her breathing became heavy, but her body slowly began to move as if out of control.
She took a small step forward.
She lowered her head slightly and slowly moved her chin to Kazehara Tetsu's palm.
That moment.
Kushida Kikyo put her chin on his hand.
Kazehara Tetsu looked down at her.
Looking at the face that was clearly full of dissatisfaction, resistance, and resentment, he had to obediently put his head over.
That huge sense of contrast brings an indescribable pleasure.
"So good."
he said softly.
Then, the fingers were slightly bent.
His fingertips scratched Kushida Kikyo's soft chin.
Once, twice.
"Well..."