Kushida

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Kushida Kikyo (櫛田 桔梗)
Alias(es)	“Angel Kushida”; Kikyo; Natsukawa’s “cat”
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Class D
Occupation/Role	Student; Class D’s social intermediary and information gatherer
First Appearance	Chapter 3

Background / History

Before enrolling in Class D, Kushida wanted to be the most noticed person in her middle-school class. Using her sweet appearance and gentle manner, she became a confidante for nearly everyone, but the constant burden of others’ negativity drove her to vent anonymously online. When classmates identified her account, she retaliated by exposing the gossip they had shared with her, turning the class against itself. 3

At the Class D introductions, Kushida presented herself as an energetic, universally friendly girl whose wish was to become friends with every classmate. Natsukawa’s deliberate avoidance of her during this introduction nevertheless caught her attention; she also took notice of Horikita. 3

Appearance

Kushida is a popular, approachable-looking girl known for her short brown hair, large brown eyes, and carefully maintained bright smile. Her hairstyle later grows from ear-length to shoulder-length, with slightly curled ends. 15 56 124 157

• Early in the school year, she wears her brown hair in a short bob. 15 56
• Her public expression is consistently described as sweet, lively, and sincere. 3 20
• She later follows Natsukawa’s request to grow out her hair. 124 157
• She wears a black leather choker with a silver ring and bell after the VIP Exam. 99 103

Personality

Kushida cultivates the image of a kind, energetic “angel” who wants to befriend everyone. She remembers classmates’ preferences and birthdays, avoids refusing requests, and uses charm to make people comfortable around her. Her friendliness is also strategic: building connections gives her information, social influence, and a sense of security. 3 15 66

Behind this persona, Kushida is deeply insecure about rejection and exposure. Maintaining her image exhausts her, and she releases pent-up anger through cursing, kicking doors, breaking branches, and other destructive outbursts when alone. 22 56 76

Her private temperament is sharp-tongued, resentful, and highly jealous—particularly toward Horikita, whose competence and recognition provoke Kushida’s fear of being overshadowed. 82 83 Once Natsukawa learns her secret, she increasingly treats his presence as a place where she can discard her public mask, though this dependence leaves her vulnerable to his manipulation and control. 29 33 77 123

Abilities & Skills

Social Influence

Kushida possesses exceptional charisma and an extensive social network across classes.

• Encourages classmates to participate in introductions through her own highly effective self-introduction. 3
• Can persuade classmates whom rational arguments cannot reach; Natsukawa calls her Class D’s “social nuclear weapon.” 20
• Questions students from other classes in a gentle, non-threatening manner while searching for witnesses in Sudo’s case. 48
• Helps Hirata rally Class D behind Sudo by combining concern, charm, and public morale-building. 47 48
• Her popularity allows her to gather information easily, but it also forces her to continuously maintain an exhausting persona. 48 66

Persona Management

Kushida can rapidly shift between her public “angel” persona and her unfiltered private self.

• Maintains an impeccable smile and polite speech even when angry or frightened. 22 97
• Smoothly defuses social conflicts, such as leaving friends to have lunch with Natsukawa while arranging compensation for them. 26
• Uses innocent expressions, vulnerability, and flattery to conceal ulterior motives. 48 49 83
• Her facade becomes unreliable around Natsukawa, who recognizes her expressions and motives quickly. 15 22 49

Information Gathering and Manipulation

Kushida uses personal connections to gather intelligence and influence people.

• Approaches Natsukawa to investigate his background shortly after meeting him. 15
• Seeks involvement in Horikita’s study group partly to establish a connection with Horikita and broaden her influence. 20
• Distributes past exam papers to Class D under Natsukawa’s direction, expecting the gratitude to strengthen her standing. 28 30
• Shares Class D secrets with Natsukawa after accepting his demand that she avoid boys from other classes for a month. 77
• Her schemes are repeatedly compromised when Natsukawa obtains evidence or anticipates her actions. 98 122

Emotional Release

Kushida’s suppressed resentment can become physically destructive when she is alone.

• Kicks a rooftop door while cursing Horikita after school. 22
• Damages school property during periods of stress. 56
• Breaks branches and vents in the woods during the uninhabited-island exam. 76
• Uses karaoke as a safer outlet after Natsukawa refuses to serve as her emotional dumping ground. 103

Items

• Black leather choker with bell — Given to her by Natsukawa as a symbol of their unequal relationship and her role as his “cat.” 99 103
• Class D sports-festival entry forms — Entrusted with delivering them to Chabashira; Ryuen takes photographs of the forms after confronting her. 109
• Past exam papers — Prints and distributes them to Class D during the midterm period. 28 30

Relationships

• Natsukawa Sosuke — Initially exposes Kushida’s hidden nature after witnessing and recording one of her outbursts. Their shared secret develops into a romantic but coercive relationship shaped by manipulation, dependence, threats, and repeated reconciliations. 22 23 77 98 123 158
• Horikita Suzune — Initially a target for friendship and influence, but ultimately Kushida’s principal rival. Kushida resents Horikita’s success and repeatedly seeks to damage her reputation or have her expelled. 20 82 83 123
• Ryuen Kakeru — A covert collaborator during the VIP Exam, when Kushida gives him information to target Horikita. He later takes Class D’s sports-festival forms and exploits Kushida’s conflicted intentions. 98 109 122
• Ayanokoji Kiyotaka — A Class D peer Kushida tries to include socially. His literal acceptance of an invitation intended as polite dismissal leaves her visibly flustered. 15 86
• Hirata Yosuke — Works alongside him to rally Class D and investigate the Sudo incident. 47 48
• Class D — Her public social circle and source of influence; she appears devoted to classmates while privately viewing many relationships as superficial and burdensome. 3 15 66

Story Role / Major Arcs

Midterm and Study Group

Kushida agrees to help recruit Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo for Horikita’s study session, on the condition that she may participate herself. Her real interest is gaining access to Horikita and expanding her social reach. 20

Soon afterward, Natsukawa discovers her alone on the rooftop stairs, cursing Horikita and violently kicking a door. He records the incident, and Kushida attempts to secure his silence through a coercive “contract.” Natsukawa instead offers to help connect her with Horikita, creating the foundation for their secret relationship. 22 23

During the midterm crisis, she handles and distributes past exam papers to the class. While she views the task as a chance to earn appreciation, Natsukawa uses it to make her increasingly reliant on his direction. 28 30 33

Sudo Incident Investigation

Kushida helps mobilize Class D to find witnesses who can clear Sudo. She then recruits Natsukawa into the search and uses her connections to question students from other classes. 47 48

Although she presents the investigation as class solidarity, Natsukawa concludes that she is also motivated by a desire to spend more time with him. 49

Uninhabited Island and VIP Exam

Kushida’s attachment to Natsukawa intensifies during the uninhabited-island exam. After he encourages her to view her unmasked self as genuine rather than ugly, she accepts his claim that she is special to him and begins supplying Class D information. 66 76 77

Her envy of Horikita’s growing status leads her to work with Ryuen during the VIP Exam. She reveals herself as the Dragon Group’s VIP and helps him plan against Horikita, but Natsukawa has already exposed her identity and photographs of her meeting with Ryuen. Class D loses 100 Class Points as a result. 83 98

Following the confrontation, Natsukawa forces Kushida into submission and gives her the choker that becomes a visible symbol of their relationship. 98 99 103

Sports Festival Fallout

During the sports festival, Kushida summons Horikita to the infirmary, where Ryuen attempts to force Horikita into paying compensation and kneeling before Kinoshita. 117

Kushida later allows Ryuen access to Class D’s entry forms, driven by both her resentment toward Horikita and fear of losing Natsukawa’s approval. She later insists that Ryuen forcibly took the forms after cornering her. 109 122

Natsukawa breaks up with her over the incident, leaving her devastated. When he later allows her to explain herself, Kushida fully reveals her past and motivations to him. Their relationship resumes, and she agrees to grow out her hair at his request. 122 123 124

Christmas Eve

By Christmas Eve, Kushida’s hair has grown to her shoulders. She hides inside a gift box in Natsukawa’s dorm room to avoid being discovered by Horikita, demonstrating her continued trust and obedience toward him. 157 158

Notable Quotes

“My wish is— to become good friends with everyone in this class!” 3

“You don't have to force yourself to be friends with everyone.” — Natsukawa to Kushida 66

“Since you care so much about Horikita... then I'll destroy her! And destroy you along with her!” 83