In Classroom of the Elite, but in the Underworld 43

Takeda Eito.

Karuizawa did not know much about him.

After focusing her attention on Hirata, she had stopped paying any heed to this person, only vaguely hearing rumors about him and other girls.

One of them was Kikyo, though it was later proven to be false.

It was only in these past few days that this boy had gradually entered her field of vision.

Based on his outstanding performance over the last two days, she could tell that this person, who appeared to care about nothing on the surface, actually had some ability.

Furthermore, his reputation among the girls was quite good.

What worried her even more was that Hirata seemed to trust him.

What exactly had he done, and how did he manage to make someone like Kikyo, who treated all other boys equally, show him special consideration?

She had a premonition that if things continued this way, her status would be in jeopardy.

She did not want to return to the past; she did not want to experience that life of being bullied ever again.

For that reason, she had to work hard; she had to give it her all for her own sake.

Only then could she grasp her future.

"Kushida, do you have a boyfriend?"

Karuizawa decided to take a gamble and asked this question.

Upon hearing this, the expression on Kikyo's face froze.

But the next second, it returned to normal:

"Eh—why would Karuizawa-san ask that? I should have said before that I wouldn't be getting a boyfriend, right? After all, my goal is to become friends with everyone."

"But—" Karuizawa hesitated, "if you aren't in a relationship, would you hug someone?"

"Eh—" Kikyo said, "that... how could I possibly do something like that? Karuizawa, you must have seen it wrong. If you say that again, I'll get angry, mgu."

Kikyo puffed out her cheeks, feigning anger.

"Haha—sorry." Karuizawa laughed awkwardly, "Maybe I saw it wrong. Don't misunderstand, I was just joking."

"Then don't make jokes like that again next time. I'll let it slide this time, hmm, I'm joking too."

Kikyo revealed a relieved smile.

However, the way her fingers were pinching each other seemed to indicate that the girl's mood was not as calm as it appeared.

Chapter 55: A Changing Heart

The fifth day of the island exam.

After roll call in the morning, Kikyo used the excuse of patrolling to ask him to go with her.

Eito naturally agreed.

As they moved further and further away from the class, Eito guessed what she was planning to do.

Did she want to continue what happened in the morning?

That possibility existed, but it was very small.

It was more likely that it was another troublesome matter.

As expected.

Kikyo suddenly stopped, no longer maintaining that mask, and said with a cold expression:

"Karuizawa might have discovered what happened last night. What are you going to do?"

"This isn't entirely my responsibility, is it? You seemed to be enjoying it quite a bit yourself."

"Are you saying it's all my fault?" Kikyo grabbed his clothes, furious, "Are you that kind of irresponsible man? I really didn't misjudge you."

"Uh... alright." Eito stopped defending himself, "It's all my problem. I'll go explain to her that I forced you. Will that satisfy you?"

"...You don't have to do that." Kikyo let go of his clothes, "Just don't do that kind of thing again. Do you know how hard I work to maintain my relationships?"

"Yes, I know."

"You don't know." Kikyo pouted.

How could he possibly know? He was just a guy who spent his days doing nothing, doing whatever he pleased.

"I certainly do know."

Eito embraced her body, lowered his head to lean on her shoulder, and whispered into her ear:

"It's painful, isn't it? Having to endure so much negative emotion every day without being able to get angry."

Only those who have truly experienced it can understand.

When others insult you and call you trash, you cannot get angry; instead, you must greet them with a smile.

When others behave in ways you despise, you cannot punch them; instead, you must praise them.

When others sexually harass you, you cannot call them filthy perverts; instead, you must pretend not to care.

One or two incidents, an ordinary person might be able to endure, but when they accumulate over the years, even the kindest and most selfless person would eventually break down.

Only by closing off one's heart can one remain undisturbed by all things.

However, Kikyo is merely an ordinary person with a bit of talent.

Compared to talent, she is more like someone who climbed the ladder of genius through her own hard work.

She does not have a sufficiently strong heart; her spirit is just as fragile as any other girl's.

Such a person will sooner or later suffer a mental breakdown due to negative emotions.

Yet, she cannot stop doing what she does.

Because this is the meaning of her existence; there are people in this world who must prove they possess unique, distinct traits in order to acknowledge their own existence.

They are unwilling to be ordinary, yet they can only struggle bitterly within the mundane.

Kikyo is not ordinary, but she is not outstanding enough either.

However, her actions are destined to be condemned by many, and once exposed, she will face collective boycotts.

No one wants to see a monster that toys with human hearts right by their side.

Unless that person is themselves.

Only now does Eito truly understand Kikyo as a person.

But he will not hate her like others would, because he truly loves all people equally.

Likewise, if Kikyo were to truly betray him, he would make her pay the price just the same.

He held Kikyo and said nothing.

Kikyo was silent for a moment, then suddenly said:

"If my secret were discovered and everyone hated me, what would you do?"

"In that case." Eito lifted her chin, making her look into his eyes, "I would be very happy, because then Kikyo would be mine alone, and no one could take you away."

"Tch—" Kikyo averted her eyes evasively, "I mean... do you really like someone like me? Are you sure? You should know by now, I'm not some naive, sweet girl; my cuteness is all an act."

Even Kikyo has her insecurities; after all, she is well aware that her true self is ugly. Facing such a version of herself, how many people could truly like her?

"Sigh, I suppose you won't believe me even if I say it." Eito sighed, "If I were only interested in your body, I would have gone to someone else. Most men would have been scared impotent the moment they saw that expression of yours. I am not an ordinary man; it is precisely because I am interested in you that I like your body."

"I really don't believe it, but—" Kikyo leaned in close, "I can test it."

"...What do you mean?"

"If you can still tell me you like me after taking my virginity, then I'll believe you."

"Oh?"

Kikyo said indifferently:

"Aren't all men like that? Once they get a person's body, they become cold, and some even disappear the next morning."

What cannot be obtained is always restless, and once obtained, it becomes dull and uninteresting.

There is no helping it; this is human nature, though the degree varies. Some people simply take responsibility more seriously.

So, Kikyo was destined to be disappointed.

"Are you sure?" Eito asked, puzzled.

He hadn't done anything, yet Kikyo suddenly proposed such a good thing, making him feel like it was all surreal.

Could he be having a wet dream?

"It doesn't matter. I'm almost used to it anyway, and it's just a membrane. If you don't do it, who knows, maybe one day I'll just break it myself."

"Hmm, so that means—" Eito said meaningfully, "So Miss Kikyo also comforts herself from time to time. Tell me, who were you thinking of? It wasn't me, was it?"

"What business is it of yours?" Kikyo pushed him away, her face flushed with shame, "So, are you going to do it or not? Be quick about it."

If he were to say, "I'm not ready yet, let me think about it," at this moment.

He would probably be thoroughly despised.

So.

"Come on, do you want to do it here?"

"What do you think?" Kikyo glared at him, looking as if he were beyond saving.

"Then let's go find a better place."

"Mm."

Just like that, the first time in the true sense with Kikyo came to an end.

If you were to ask him for his thoughts.

It felt great, she sounded very cute, and that was all.

Inside a cave, Kikyo finished putting on her clothes.

She looked at Eito, who was staring at her from the side, and couldn't help but say:

"What are you looking at? Is there something worth seeing?"

"Mm, it's good. Kikyo is the best-looking, even the way you put on your clothes is so beautiful."

"Hmph." Kikyo turned her face away, and after a moment, said, "You must still have something you want to tell me."

"Understood." Eito put on his clothes, walked over to her side, and pulled her into his arms. "I love you, little Kikyo."

"Oh."

Kikyo struggled a little, then stopped moving.

After holding her for a while, Eito said:

"Have you fallen in love with me yet, little Kikyo?"

"No."

"Not yet? What a pity."

"Isn't this what you were hoping for? Do you want to see me fight with other women?" As she said this, Kikyo pinched him.

"No, I think you should be able to handle the relationships between them just fine, Kikyo."

"You really are pushing your luck."