If Even These Feelings Were Dug Out

... Huh?

Could it be because of this?

Even Hirata Yosuke doesn't want to touch her?

No, no, no, no, no, it's because Hirata a very upright and serious person, but Asakusa would definitely be different.

Because he had heard it himself! The girl from Class C hugged him right in front of Ichinose Honami, and he didn't refuse!

He even said things like he wouldn't refuse a pretty girl.

Am I not a beautiful girl?!

"Oh, it's alright, you don't need to stay and wait after the discussion time is over." Asakusa Toru smiled and looked at Manabe Shiho, who seemed to be smiling very brightly, "You, invite your friend over now."

As soon as she finished speaking, Manabe Shiho's smile froze.

"Huh?" She started to get a little confused. "Wait, wait a minute, Asakusa -Asakusa, um, now...?"

Asakusa Toru nodded and confirmed:

"Yes, now."

"No, no, no, this is exam time! Didn't the teacher say yesterday that if you don't participate in the exam or the discussion, you'll lose points?" Manabe Shiho shook her head vigorously.

Even though it wasn't her points that were deducted, how could she possibly call her friends over at a time like this!

"I have no intention of upholding justice for anyone." Asakusa Toru raised an eyebrow. "But if we're going to stick to the facts, wouldn't it be reasonable to simply verify whether the other person's words are true, and whether the other person is indeed the one your friend described as having 'bullied' her, without disturbing the other person, or rather, on the premise that the other person is willing to accept it?"

"Of course, speaking objectively, since Manabe's Personal Terminal was destroyed, Karuizawa, please apologize for that as well."

The snap of fingers echoed in the room, and suddenly, as if by magic, the atmosphere shifted back towards Manabe Shiho.

Eh eh eh???

Karuizawa Kei couldn't understand it.

Was Asakusa Toru speaking up for himself? Was he speaking up for himself?

"Um?"

Oh right, right, I need to apologize now.

"I'm so sorry, I knocked out your Personal Terminal." Clutching a strand of hair from the side of her face and turning her head away, Karuizawa Kei actually apologized.

That's right, Manabe Shiho and her friends were demanding an apology from girls of equal caliber, or even girls who might be considered inferior to them in terms of status at school.

No, it's not allowed. It will damage your position and cause it to decline.

However, Asakusa Toru demanded an apology for destroying his Personal Terminal, citing reasons such as "fairness and equality."

That means it's possible, it's permitted.

There is only one fundamental reason: Asakusa Toru has a significantly higher status on campus than the other two.

At least for now, with the Uninhabited Island Special Exam just finished, he enjoys unparalleled status on campus.

Just like a favorite to win a major event under the spotlight at Sports Festival, or a dazzling band's lead performer at a concert watched by everyone at a school festival.

They deserve that right.

Karuizawa Kei acknowledged this.

The two boys in Class D found Karuizawa Kei's performance quite unbelievable.

"Hey, is this Karuizawa?"

"Is it that domineering, unreasonable Karuizawa?"

"Wow, it seems being good-looking really does come with its privileges. I'm so envious!"

"She actually apologized!"

Whispers and whispers.

Seeing that Karuizawa Kei had been so resistant to apologizing just moments before, had actually apologized, Manabe Shiho was momentarily confused.

"Oh, oh..." She clutched her Personal Terminal, unsure how to react.

Huh? Could it be that I really misunderstood, or that I was really too aggressive and went too far?

Karuizawa that Rika mentioned someone else?

Are there any other schools named Karuizawa at this school?

"Ah, since you've accepted the apology, let's just let this matter rest!" Seizing the opportunity, Karuizawa Kei quickly clasped her hands together. "If your friend wants to come find me, she should do as Asakusa- san said and come during the discussion time. I won't be waiting for her during my free time, you know."

Even though she wouldn't really be willing to apologize even if she came, let's just get this over with as quickly as possible!

Then!

"Thank you so much, Asakusa." Without hesitation, she abandoned her attention to Manabe Shiho and focused all her energy on Asakusa Toru... and Ichinose Honami behind him.

Great! I'm not being watched!

That means it's possible! It should be possible! This is definitely a signal that it's okay!

"I really don't know what I would do without you."

"Oh, speaking of which, haven't we exchanged contact information before? If you'd like, please exchange contact information with me!" She quickly launched her offensive. "I haven't had much of a chance to get in touch with Asakusa before. It's so nice that Asakusa- san is such a reasonable person."

With a ding, both players' names were displayed on their respective Personal Terminal.

Karuizawa Kei immediately broke into a smile.

Hmph, easy peasy.

Once we chat a little more and get to know each other better, we can start testing the waters!

The sounds of casual conversation, with people searching for topics, and Karuizawa Kei's boisterous laughter echoed in the room, while Asakusa Toru's voice, seemingly calm but occasionally responding, would break the silence.

The discussion session quickly came to an end.

As if she hadn't had enough, Karuizawa Kei shut her mouth when the bell rang.

I packed my bags and prepared to leave.

"Well then, Asakusa- kun, see you tonight!" With a smile, Karuizawa Kei immediately prepared to make her escape, as if she had greased her feet.

Nonsense, if she doesn't run now, Manabe Shiho call people over to confirm it in front of her.

Although we haven't successfully defeated them yet, with a little more effort, we'll definitely succeed!

Seeing that Karuizawa Kei seemed to be about to run away, she whispered a few words to each other, Manabe Shiho and the other two left the conference room with different expressions on their faces.

They started stalking Karuizawa Kei.

Logically speaking, they shouldn't have impulsively started a conflict, or followed others in doing such things right on the spot when a conflict arose.

But Manabe Shiho was somewhat at a loss.

From the moment she was forced to accept Karuizawa Kei's apology, she had been holding back some anger.

Who is this woman? What's wrong with her?

How inexplicable! How utterly inexplicable!

But with Asakusa Toru present, she couldn't lash out, not just because of Asakusa Toru's good looks, but also not because of Ichinose Honami's presence at all. The famous Ichinose Honami was surprisingly barely noticeable today.

Importantly, it seems that Asakusa Toru and Ryuen Kakeru, the leader of their Class C, have a rather deep cooperative relationship.

Everyone saw what they were talking about on the deck when the Uninhabited Island Exam ended.

Whether or not there would be cooperation was unclear to her until Ryuen spoke up.

But at least, there was one thing she understood.

Asakusa Toru and Ryuen Kakeru are at the same level.

Therefore, she couldn't lash out in the meeting room.

But I'm so frustrated by keeping these feelings bottled up inside.

This woman gives off a feeling that makes you want to bully her.

Manabe Shiho a feeling, or you could call it intuition.

Karuizawa Kei – She was very likely bullied.

She is quite perceptive in this regard.

Thanks to her friend Rika, Manabe Shiho was particularly familiar with this type of person who was timid, easily bullied, and would sulk alone.

As a true-blue hottie, she also knows very well what a normal hottie should do.

This guy seems like the type who's all talk and no action.

If that's the case... wouldn't it be enough to just bully her a little, and she'd be crying and begging for forgiveness?

"...Sigh." Asakusa Toru sighed softly as he looked at the little red dot moving on the Mini-map.

How did it end up like this?

These two groups seemed to be drawn together by some kind of destiny; one was attacking, and the other was being attacked.

The conflict might have needed time to build up before it erupted, but it seems that, perhaps because of him, it started to escalate and erupt on the very first day.

Well...

It feels just right?

Although this development was not his original intention, the result was exactly what he expected.

If you actually asked him to willingly become that villain, he'd find it somewhat difficult to do so.

"Tetsu." Before he could even stand up, the girl behind him wrapped her arms around him in the same way she had with Kushida Kikyo not long ago. "Go."

Unlike the little Angel Kushida Kikyo, the Archangel Ichinose Honami didn't say anything comforting or make any special soothing gestures.

She simply hugged him, tightening her embrace slightly and pressing her body closer together.

Then he said this.

Go ahead.

Save her, protect her, tame her.

Put that two-way chain on her.

As you thought, as you wished.

Chapter 255 If even this innermost thought were to be dug out

"Huff, huff, huff, huff..."

My heart is racing a little.

It wasn't because of a chance encounter, nor because of any close contact with anyone.

Karuizawa Kei suddenly realized that she seemed to be followed by someone.

Before I knew it, there seemed to be hardly anyone around.

She should have walked towards where there were more people, but she subconsciously avoided walking in the direction of people.

Why?

Because I didn't want anyone to see the fear that might appear on my face.

Because she didn't want anyone to notice her weakness.

Even if...

"Hey, Karuizawa, what a coincidence, what brings us together again?"

The three members of the Manabe Shiho trio, who were blocking them from both ends, pressed in with a provocative air.

"Honestly, the more I look at you, the angrier I get."

"What... what do you want to do?" Karuizawa Kei's voice trembled slightly. "I'll tell the teacher! I'll call the teacher!"

"If we do anything reckless—"

"Hey," her voice was interrupted by Manabe Shiho, "Karuizawa."