The Nature of Fear

"Hey, what were you doing in the convenience store just now?"

Yeyue stepped right in front of Kamuro Masumi and asked, "Me?"

After Yeyue confirmed it, Kamuro's expression turned distinctly disgusted. "What do you want?"

"Did you do something in the convenience store just now?"

"Huh?" Kamuro let out a heavy sigh, even more impatient now. "That's none of your business."

"No, I'm just a little curious."

"Even if you're curious, I don't have to tell you. Move!"

Kamuro clearly had nerves of steel. She immediately snapped at Yeyue.

Their conversation alone made the difference in strength between A Class and D Class clear.

It would take more time to find a flaw in her words.

Yeyue had no intention of doing that, either. Looking doubtful, he said:

"I'm Tenyo Yuyuki from First Year D Class. You were stealing just now, weren't you? How can you still act so righteous?"

"Don't joke around. What proof do you have? Otherwise, I could sue you for slander."

"You stole beer, right? I saw you!"

"Huh?"

Kamuro Masumi scoffed. "If a random claim could count as evidence, the police wouldn't have such a hard time."

After thinking it over, Yeyue decided not to take out his camera. Instead, he rolled his eyes. "I don't have proof, sure, but there must be security cameras in the convenience store. Want to go back with me and check?"

Most places in this school had security cameras, so Yeyue's claim was quite credible.

"Tch." Kamuro Masumi accepted reality, turned her head away, and clicked her tongue. She made no effort to hide her disgust. "What are you trying to do? Report me to the school? Do whatever you want."

"Really?" Yeyue asked, puzzled. "Wouldn't that affect your standing in class? Come to think of it, I don't even know your name!"

"First Year A Class. Kamuro Masumi."

Kamuro said irritably, "What does my standing in class have to do with you?"

"It doesn't." Yeyue nodded, then countered, "But I think a normal person would at least try to do something about it. There might still be a chance to make things right, don't you think, Masumi?"

"You're already calling me by my first name?" Kamuro Masumi glared at Yeyue. "You've got some nerve. What's this about? Trying to make a deal, or threaten me? Do whatever you want. I don't care."

With her secret exposed, Kamuro Masumi simply gave up, not caring in the slightest about her class or her future.

In Sakurajima, drinking was forbidden for anyone under twenty, and theft was a serious crime.

She was only a student, but if her theft came to light, Kamuro Masumi's life at school would be over.

But Yeyue knew.

Kamuro really didn't care about any of that.

She stole things simply to seek a thrill. This beautiful girl had a penchant for excitement.

Using the theft to blackmail Kamuro into becoming his spy in A Class would have an excellent chance of success.

And besides,

something that thrilling would surely appeal to Kamuro's nature, even if she claimed to hate it.

There'd be no need to worry about her initiative or loyalty as a spy, either. Kamuro was quite capable.

But,

Yeyue had no intention of doing that.

He had never thought he was the most outstanding person in the world.

Sakayanagi Arisu of A Class had excellent strategic vision and was cold enough to treat everyone like a chess piece, willing to sacrifice anyone, even her allies.

Kamuro wasn't capable enough to stand up to Sakayanagi.

A strategy that could be easily exposed couldn't be called a good one.

"No, you've got it wrong." Tenyo Yuyuki hurriedly shook his head and said helplessly, "Didn't I tell you? I'm just curious about how you feel when you steal something."

"Huh?" Kamuro Masumi looked dumbfounded. "Is something wrong with your head? What's there to be curious about?"

"You don't have to put it that harshly..."

Tenyo Yuyuki awkwardly scratched his cheek. "Look, my name is Tenyo Yuyuki, so..."

Before Yeyue could finish, Kamuro Masumi frowned. It didn't take her long to understand what he meant.

"Oh, I get it." Kamuro sounded mocking. "The young master of the Tenmyouin Zaibatsu wants to experience ordinary life. How rich and ironic!"

"Tell me, Masumi, you definitely don't have any friends, do you?" Yeyue shot back.

"None of your business."

Kamuro Masumi immediately glared at him. After a long pause, she added, "You really aren't going to tell the school?"

"Only elementary school kids tattle to the teacher."

"In that case, I suppose I can tell you."

Kamuro beckoned him closer and leaned toward his ear, her voice teasing like a demon's. "When you're stealing, there's a slight sense of guilt, the worry that you'll get caught, the joy of getting away with it, and the satisfaction. When all those feelings mix together, it's a real thrill~"

"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. Anything else?"

Tenyo Yuyuki nodded eagerly, looking interested.

The two of them chatted for a long time on a bench below the Dormitory Building. Most of the time, Yeyue asked questions while Kamuro boasted about her thefts.

Now that someone had discovered her stealing, Kamuro had no reservations at all.

After exchanging contact information,

Kamuro Masumi stretched lazily, showing off her lovely figure, then stood up and patted Yeyue on the shoulder.

"That's enough for today. I'm heading back."

After a brief pause, Kamuro Masumi teased, "You're Yeyue, right? If you're interested in stealing, I can teach you!"

"Really?" Yeyue's eyes lit up, but he quickly shook his head. "Never mind. It wouldn't be good for the class."

"Coward."

Kamuro Masumi turned and waved, then added, "If you ever feel like doing something thrilling, come find me!"

Yeyue thought it over, then asked half-jokingly, "Anything thrilling?"

"You..." Kamuro Masumi spun around and glared at Yeyue. She stepped forward and lightly jabbed him in the waist with the edge of her hand. "There's something malicious in the way you talk. Don't make weird jokes with me."

"I'm leaving."

Kamuro Masumi waved and started off again, but she hadn't gone far when—

"How about you teach me something thrilling in my room next time?"

Hearing Yeyue's voice, Kamuro quickened her pace. After getting some distance, she turned back, tugged at the corner of her eye with a finger, stuck out her tongue, and made a face. "In your dreams!"

"See you next time."

Yeyue smiled brightly, and the two waved goodbye again.

Kamuro was the sort who said cruel things without holding back but secretly yearned for an exciting life. Chatting with Yeyue had been a novel experience, and she hadn't disliked it.

Nothing was more thrilling than dragging a good person into hell.

Their relationship had advanced by a big step.

Though they had only just met, there was a chance Kamuro Masumi would even accept if he confessed to her now.

His ability to gather information would be somewhat limited.

But even Sakayanagi wouldn't notice anything unusual about Kamuro Masumi in the short term. After all, Kamuro didn't think of herself as a spy. She was only sharing A Class information in search of a thrill.