Kushida Kikyo's Change

"What's wrong, Tenyo? You wanted Private Points badly enough, didn't you? 50,000 Private Points should be enough to enjoy yourself for a while."

In the Back Corner of the Gymnasium, Horikita Suzune stood with her arms crossed, blocking Tenyo Yuyuki's path with a cold expression.

Tenyo Yuyuki glanced at the contract in his hand, somewhat helpless.

The moment he stepped out of the gymnasium, Horikita Suzune had dragged him to this secluded corner without a word and shoved a contract at him.

The terms of the contract were simple.

A ten-minute duel with Horikita Suzune. If he won, he'd receive 50,000 Private Points from her.

As if afraid Yuyuki might refuse, even losing only cost 5,000 Private Points.

And since both parties acknowledged it, such violence wouldn't be pursued by the School Authority.

This wasn't a balanced contract.

Finding it odd not to be suspicious, Tenyo Yuyuki raised an eyebrow. "Such an enticing proposal—could you tell me the reason?"

"I just want to test your strength. Don't worry, I'll go easy on you."

Though Horikita Suzune's tone was calm, she seemed almost impatient, which also hinted at her confidence in her own abilities. She clearly didn't think Tenyo Yuyuki had any chance of winning.

It seemed she didn't want anyone to discover her relationship with Horikita Manabu—or rather, she feared that her own weakness might bring negative judgment upon him.

But that was too naive. While Horikita's surname wasn't rare, some associations were inevitable.

Tenyo Yuyuki's frown deepened. "What's the point of testing my strength? Didn't Suzune say she didn't need allies? This isn't like the usual you, Suzune. What happened?"

"Given D Class's situation, it's only natural I want a capable assistant now. Enough, just sign it quickly." Horikita Suzune urged.

"True." Tenyo Yuyuki didn't argue, but added with a teasing tone, "But I believe I said I have no interest in Promoting to A Class. Suzune, what's the point of this?"

"Whether it has meaning is for me to decide." Horikita Suzune said coldly. "This contract should be appealing enough for you, Tenyo. Indecisive boys aren't popular with Girls, you know."

"So, if I sign this contract, will I earn Suzune's favor?"

"Whether you earn my favor is another matter, but it's a fact that it'll make me happy!"

Horikita Suzune declared with absolute certainty.

Pushing her further would bring no benefit. Tenyo Yuyuki nodded with a smile. "If it makes Suzune happy, that's a reward even more appealing than 50,000 Private Points."

On the contract, Horikita Suzune had already signed her name. Tenyo Yuyuki pulled a Gel Pen from his bag and wrote his own name.

The moment the last stroke of "Yuki" landed.

Horikita Suzune, standing beside him, immediately threw a punch at Yuyuki's abdomen. Due to their height difference—Yuyuki was a rare One Point Eight Meters in Sakurajima, while Suzune was only One Point Five Six Meters and still growing—attacking the abdomen was a solid choice if she wanted to incapacitate him.

As if expecting it, Tenyo Yuyuki instantly stepped back half a pace to dodge.

"Suzune, don't you think sneaking an attack is underhanded?"

"There's no such thing as underhanded in a fight."

Horikita Suzune was furious at the Guy who had nearly embarrassed her brother. She wanted revenge for her brother, even if Horikita Manabu didn't need such help.

Horikita Suzune immediately planted her left foot On The Spot, spun her body half a turn, and kicked at Yuyuki again with her right foot.

Yuyuki sidestepped to One Side while his right hand slammed toward Horikita's face without any restraint.

Feeling the wind pressure, Horikita, trained in martial arts for Many Years, instantly raised both hands to guard her face.

Seeing this, Yuyuki turned his fist into a grab, seized Suzune's left wrist, pulled and guided her off balance, then pressed Horikita to the ground and sat directly on top of her.

"Hiss~"

Her face met the floor, her left wrist caught in Yuyuki's hold. Pinned down, Horikita let out a pained hiss but didn't scream or shout, gritting her teeth and enduring it.

Looking at Horikita, who had lost the ability to counterattack, Yuyuki teased with amusement, "Suzune, are you feeling happy now?"

A dull ache spread from her shoulder, and sweat dripped from Horikita's forehead, but she showed no sign of discouragement or surrender. "True, underestimating your strength was my mistake. Did Tenyo study something before?"

"Well, I studied a lot." Tenyo Yuyuki Shrugged and emphasized again, "Suzune, I told you, your habit of judging others arbitrarily is your weakness. How do you feel now?"

"A little frustrated... and..."

While drawing Yuyuki's attention, Horikita used her excellent flexibility to slam her free right hand into Yuyuki's side.

Left with no choice, Yuyuki released her shoulder and took the hit.

Horikita gritted her teeth, pushed off the ground with both hands, forcing Yuyuki off her.

Stepping back a few paces, Yuyuki stood still, somewhat helpless. "Suzune, was that necessary? If I'd used a bit more force just now, your arm would have snapped."

"Hm, I know. Thank you for that."

Horikita Suzune rubbed her shoulder without denying it, but said flatly, "Still, it's quite surprising, Tenyo. I didn't expect you to be such a naive person."

"Shouldn't it be gentle?" Yuyuki raised an eyebrow. "Suzune, it's better to admit defeat. You're no match for me, and you know it yourself."

"True!"

Without objecting, but with her shoulder feeling much better, Horikita Suzune assumed a Judo starting stance and stared coldly at Yuyuki.

"Speaking purely of technique, Tenyo, you are indeed above me. But battle isn't just about strength and skill. I will never forgive you today—prepare yourself!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Horikita Suzune warily began to circle toward Yuyuki. The gap in their abilities was an objective reality, but that didn't mean there was no chance of victory.

Watching Horikita slowly close in, Yuyuki gave no reply, only casting a deep, penetrating glance her way.

Battle isn't just about strength and skill—it's also about the strength of one's will.

A first-class martial artist can read an opponent's intentions mid-fight.

The earlier exchange might have led Horikita to believe that Yuyuki wouldn't strike a woman.

The strength Yuyuki had displayed also didn't seem like an insurmountable gap.

"What a colossal misunderstanding."

As Horikita drew within two steps of him, Yuyuki's figure flickered, and in an instant, a whip-like kick lashed toward her abdomen.

"So fast!"

Even as she gasped in astonishment, Horikita Suzune felt a searing pain erupt in her stomach, her gastric juices churning violently.

Without any chance to react, Horikita Suzune was sent flying backward three or four meters, tumbling twice across the ground before curling up, clutching her stomach in spasms.

"Suzune really doesn't learn, does she." Stepping in front of her, Yuyuki looked down from on high. "I told you before—it's best not to judge others on a whim. Why can't you remember that?"

Horikita Suzune lay on her side, clutching her stomach and coughing violently. The sheer agony made it impossible for her to speak; she could only glare sideways at the man before her.

She never imagined the gap between them could be this vast.

What kind of training did it take to forge such physical power? Stronger than her teacher—no, even stronger than her brother!

After a moment, the pain in her body gradually subsided. Horikita Suzune's gaze remained resolute, tinged with frankness.

"Fine, I admit it. Your strength is the greatest I've ever seen. In martial arts, I am no match for you."

The implication was clear: she acknowledged Yuyuki's prowess, but in areas beyond martial arts, Horikita still held unwavering confidence.

This was within Yuyuki's expectations, so he paid it no mind.

"Alright, I concede." Horikita Suzune gave a reluctant nod and said coldly, "Give me your account. I'll transfer the points to you."

"Suzune, failure comes with consequences. Do you understand that?"

Without answering directly, Tenyo Yuyuki pulled out his Student ID and checked the time.

"What are you trying to say?" Horikita Suzune frowned. "Didn't I already say I'd give you the points? What more do you want?"

"Heh." Yuyuki pulled out the contract from earlier, a playful tone in his voice. "'A ten-minute battle.' I don't know what happened to make you hate me this much, but Suzune, you clearly didn't want me to surrender—you wanted to beat me up for ten minutes straight."

"Think what you like. Anyway, transferring you 50,000 points is enough." Even caught red-handed, Horikita Suzune showed no embarrassment.

"Heh!"

Yuyuki let out a mocking laugh. Instead of replying, he scooped Horikita Suzune up from the ground, laid her across his lap, and began to spank her.

Smack.

A crisp sound rang out. Horikita Suzune's eyes went blank, her mind slow to catch up.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

"See for yourself—no, feel for yourself?"

"Damn it, let me go right now, or I'll report you to the school. You'll definitely get expelled for harassing a girl. Let me go now, and I'll pretend this never happened."

"What a pity, Suzune. This is the unfortunate reality of battle. About seven minutes left—bear with it."

Even if he did the same thing under normal circumstances, given Horikita Suzune's personality, she'd most likely never report it to the school. Instead, she'd retaliate through force or other means to crush her opponent.

Bullying Horikita required a certain level of capital.

But Yuyuki would never allow any danger to arise.

At this moment, Suzune's contract had become the shackle that bound her. She had no choice but to endure, then obediently hand over 50,000 Private Points.

"Tenyo Yuyuki, that's enough! This isn't even hitting—what's the difference between this and groping?!"

"Don't underestimate me, Suzune. Even if my stamina gives out, I'm a man who never gives up!"

Her shouts left Tenyo Yuyuki completely unmoved.

Pleasant moments are always fleeting. Seven minutes passed quickly, and Yuyuki released Suzune right on time.

"You bastard, delete that photo right now!"

Horikita Suzune clutched her rear, her face flushed crimson as she glared at Yuyuki.

That bastard even had the nerve to take a picture as a souvenir—absolutely despicable.

Yuyuki scrolled through his phone, thoroughly satisfied.

In the image, Suzune stared at the camera with a face full of indignation, a blush coloring her cheeks. Yet she still hadn't uttered that satisfying sound. Her strength of will was truly admirable.

"Don't joke around, Suzune. This is part of the spoils of war."

Yuyuki tucked the phone into his pocket, which now held the 50,000 Private Points Suzune had transferred to him.

Horikita Suzune's complexion had gradually recovered, and her voice was cold as she said, "There was no such spoils in the contract, Tenyo. Don't go too far."

"This is to commemorate my heroic stance in battle—the first victory in this school. Is there a problem? Suzune, you're just a loser in this! I believe this doesn't violate any school rules either!"

"You..."

Horikita Suzune's face stiffened as she nearly exploded with rage.

Most of the photos captured her in embarrassing states, while Yuyuki simply flashed a peace sign for the camera.

However, what Yuyuki said wasn't wrong at all!

Even if she reported it to the school, the worst they'd do is force Yuyuki to delete the photos on moral grounds.

But.

That would expose her own incompetence and bring shame to Horikita Manabu. Suzune also disdained using elders to solve things this way.

Horikita Suzune switched tactics, her voice turning icy. "You understood the 'Ten Minutes' from the very start, yet you still chose to sign that contract. You did it on purpose, Tenyo Yuyuki. Don't you think you're despicable?"

"There's no such thing as despicable in battle."

Struck by her own words, Horikita Suzune was momentarily speechless.

After a brief silence, Horikita Suzune gritted her teeth and said:

"If you dare let anyone see these photos, I will never let you off."

Leaving that one sentence behind, Horikita Suzune covered her rear and fled as if escaping.

As for Tenyo Yuyuki's actions, she actually didn't feel anger.

Horikita Suzune didn't place much weight on emotions.

When she was being beaten, she did have the urge to kill Tenyo Yuyuki, but after it was over, all that remained was the frustration of being unable to take revenge and a faint strange feeling!

Compared to getting back at him, promoting to A Class and her brother were far more important.

Even if Tenyo Yuyuki didn't want to promote to A Class, she couldn't deny his ability. Wasting too much time on Tenyo Yuyuki just wasn't worth it.