[Editor's note: This chapter has been edited to remove content that breaks our content rules.]
Chapter Forty-Four: Airi’s Gentleness
Meanwhile, in Ryūen’s room.
Ryūen was reclining on the sofa, slowly swirling a glass of red wine.
Reflected in the glass was a powerfully built man beating a girl with all his strength. The girl was Ibuki.
Ibuki lay on the floor clutching her stomach, the intense pain making her eyes roll back involuntarily.
Ryūen stood up and crouched beside her, pouring a stream of red wine over her head.
“Useless. You couldn’t even handle that little task. What a waste!”
Ibuki struggled to get up and spoke between ragged breaths.
“How can you blame me? Horikita Suzune’s name was clearly written on that ‘Ghost Card.’ You and Katsuragi both saw it yourselves!”
Wine covered her face, and she looked utterly bedraggled.
Ryūen sneered and flung a sheet of paper into her face.
“I never cared about those hundred points in the first place. I’ve already gotten what I really wanted.”
Ibuki picked up the paper. It was a signed contract. After reading its contents, she forgot her pain for a moment and exclaimed in astonishment.
“What? Class A has to give us hundreds of thousands of points every month until graduation?”
“Hmph. I didn’t deceive Katsuragi. He witnessed everything himself, and this contract has already taken effect. I’ve achieved what I came here for. But I’m still pissed off. Class D actually dared to pull one over on me!”
With a crash, Ryūen smashed his wineglass to pieces. A trace of madness slowly crept onto his face.
But Ibuki was no longer paying attention to his behavior. Before she realized it, Kiyotaka’s image had surfaced in her mind.
After Ryūen let her go, Ibuki still couldn’t suppress her curiosity. Limping along, she went in search of Kiyotaka.
Unfortunately, Kiyotaka was in his room, and Ibuki had no idea which room was his.
After searching for a long time, she had no choice but to give up.
Later that afternoon, Kiyotaka and Kikyō went to the restaurant to get something to eat.
During the meal, Kiyotaka felt his terminal alert him. He checked it and found a text from Chabashira.
“Come to the theater.”
His brow involuntarily furrowed when he saw the message.
“Kikyō, take your time eating. Something’s come up, so I’ll head out first.”
“All right.”
Kikyō nodded agreeably and watched him leave.
There was no performance in the theater, so the interior was extremely dark. The only light came through the gap as Kiyotaka pushed open the door.
By that faint light, he made his way to Chabashira and sat down beside her.
“What did you want to see me about?”
Seeing that he had arrived, Chabashira raised her hands and gave two light claps.
“First, congratulations on taking first place. I don’t know how you did it, but you really are frightening.”
Kiyotaka wasn’t buying any of it. Looking at Chabashira, he spoke flatly.
“First, tell me whether you actually met that man. If you can’t give me proof, I won’t help again.”
Chabashira gave a contemptuous smile.
“That man—your father—said that Ayanokōji Kiyotaka would choose to withdraw from school himself.”
“Ah… Talking like this really is pointless. I don’t think this conversation is going anywhere.”
Chabashira smiled and shook her head.
“Ayanokōji, sometimes you can be quite naive. Do you think I need to produce evidence right now? Don’t forget the terms of our agreement. You work toward Class A, and I ensure you can remain safely at this school. Otherwise, in my eyes, you’re a mistake—someone who ought to be expelled. Do you understand?”
To Kiyotaka, that was an undisguised threat. Holding back his anger, he stood and headed for the exit.
“One day, you’ll regret this.”
The door slowly closed, and the theater was plunged into darkness once more.
Kiyotaka walked along the deck. The night breeze off the sea should have been cool, but against his skin it felt unusually hot.
“Kiyotaka? What are you doing here?”
Airi’s surprised voice suddenly came from behind him. He turned and saw her wearing a tracksuit, with a little sweat at her temples. It looked as though she had just left the gym.
When Kiyotaka said nothing, and she noticed that his expression was different from usual, she hurried over anxiously and took hold of the hem of his clothes.
“Kiyotaka, what’s wrong? Are you upset?”
When he still didn’t answer, Airi took his hand and led him back to his room.
Once inside, she gently comforted him.
“It’s all right, Kiyotaka. I’m here with you.”
Her words brought Kiyotaka back to his senses, and he switched on the light.
Airi’s eyes were wet with tears, but her expression was filled with concern for him.
Seeing her face, Kiyotaka felt deeply ashamed.
“Airi, I’m sorry. I lost control of my emotions.”
Airi gently shook her head.
“It’s all right, Kiyotaka. As long as you’ve calmed down.”
She thought for a moment before speaking softly.
“Why don’t you take a bath? A hot bath should help you feel better.”
Seeing that Airi was thinking only of him, Kiyotaka’s expression finally softened.