Kikyo

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Kikyo Kushida (Kushida Kikyo; 桔梗) 2
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Class D 1
Occupation/Role	Student; prominent figure in Class D's girls' social circle 12 46
Status	Active 49
First Appearance	Chapter 1 1

Background / History

Kikyo begins school as a highly approachable Class D student, introducing herself warmly and quickly drawing positive attention from her classmates. She approaches Kiyotaka Ayanokoji to propose friendship, then asks him to arrange a meeting with Suzune Horikita because Horikita will not speak with her. 1 2 5

Her attempt to meet Horikita at a café is staged as a coincidence and fails immediately. Soon afterward, Kikyo reveals that she wants Horikita expelled. She refuses to disclose the reason for this hostility, warning that anyone who learns her secret could become another target of her expulsion plan. 5 7

During the investigation into Sudo's alleged violence, Kikyo helps Class D search for information and is sent to ask Airi Sakura to testify. Airi refuses, leaving Kikyo unable to secure the witness. 8 9

Kikyo later attempts to blackmail Kiyotaka with a storage card she claims contains footage of him and Horikita. Kiyotaka identifies the card as empty and forces the situation into a working arrangement in which Kikyo serves his needs. 11

On the uninhabited-island special exam, she supports Class D's decision to shelter the injured Mio Ibuki and offers Ibuki food and companionship. Afterward, Kiyotaka assigns Kikyo to help win Ibuki's confidence and secure an inside connection to Class C. 19 20

By the Sports Festival period, Kikyo works openly with Kiyotaka and Horikita to gather intelligence on other classes. Her social awareness also lets her recognize when to intervene in Class D's disputes. 47 49

Appearance

Kikyo is a short, golden-haired girl whose sweet smile and carefully friendly presentation make her immediately appealing to her classmates. 1 2

• Short golden hair. 2
• Often wears an intentionally cheerful, harmless expression in public. 5 6
• Her private demeanor is markedly more playful, provocative, and defiant than her public persona. 5 7

Personality

Kikyo cultivates an image of warmth, sociability, and universal friendliness. She wants to be liked by everyone and has enough popularity within Class D to lead one of the class's major girls' social circles. Her reach is significant enough that Kiyotaka considers her unusually useful for gathering support and information. 5 12 46

Behind that image, Kikyo is calculating and secretive. She engineers encounters, conceals her motives, tries to leverage compromising information, and openly pursues Horikita's expulsion. Even when challenged, she remains quick-witted and refuses to explain the secret behind her hatred. 5 7 11

Her relationship with Kiyotaka is initially transactional and adversarial. After repeated coercive confrontations, she states that she will obey him and becomes more consistently cooperative, though Kiyotaka remains wary of her tendency to scheme. Her playful jealousy, attention-seeking behavior, and habit of tracking his movements continue afterward. 11 14 17 20 42

Abilities & Skills

Social Influence

Kikyo is one of Class D's most socially connected students and can readily approach classmates who would be difficult for others to engage.

• Leads a major social circle among Class D's girls. 12
• Is considered capable of mobilizing substantial support within the class. 46
• Helps Kiyotaka and Horikita observe other classes before the Sports Festival. 47
• Her influence is not absolute; Airi Sakura rejects her request for testimony. 9

Deception and Manipulation

Kikyo is skilled at presenting fabricated situations as innocent coincidences and using apparent vulnerability to influence others.

• Arranges a staged “chance” meeting with Horikita at a café. 5
• Conceals her hostility toward Horikita behind a friendly public facade. 5 7
• Attempts to blackmail Kiyotaka with a storage card she claims contains incriminating footage. 11
• Her schemes can fail when opponents verify her claims; Kiyotaka recognizes that the storage card is empty. 11

Recruitment and Mediation

Kikyo is frequently selected to make contact with students outside her immediate circle.

• Is asked to bring Sudo, Yamauchi, and Ike to Horikita's study group. 6
• Assists the search for evidence in Sudo's case and approaches Airi Sakura. 8 9
• Offers Ibuki food and company after Class D accepts Ibuki into camp. 19
• Steps into Class D's Sports Festival roster dispute after recognizing Kiyotaka's signal. 47

Relationships

• Kiyotaka Ayanokoji — Initially a prospective friend and later a transactional partner; Kikyo repeatedly tests, manipulates, and seeks his attention before eventually pledging obedience and assisting his plans. 2 11 20 42
• Suzune Horikita — Classmate and original rival. Kikyo initially seeks Horikita's expulsion, but their hostility gradually gives way to cooperation through their shared connection to Kiyotaka. 5 7 47
• Airi Sakura — Kikyo approaches Airi for testimony in Sudo's case, but Airi refuses to cooperate. 8 9
• Mio Ibuki — Kikyo treats the injured Ibuki kindly during the island exam and is later tasked with helping Kiyotaka gain Ibuki's trust. 19 20
• Yosuke Hirata — Hirata entrusts Kikyo with speaking to Ibuki after Class D agrees to take her in. 19
• Class D — Kikyo is a major social presence within the class and supports its information-gathering and coordination efforts. 12 46 47

Story Role / Major Arcs

Horikita Expulsion Plot

Kikyo's hidden hostility toward Horikita becomes clear after the failed café meeting. Her desire to expel Horikita, and her refusal to explain why, establishes her as an unpredictable internal threat within Class D. 5 7

Sudo Violence Case

She assists Class D's response to the accusation against Sudo, organizing searches for leads and attempting to persuade Airi Sakura to provide evidence. Her failure with Airi demonstrates the limits of her social charm. 8 9

False-Recording Blackmail

Kikyo attempts to pressure Kiyotaka with an allegedly incriminating recording. When he exposes the bluff, their power struggle changes into a tense arrangement in which she is expected to work for him. 11

Uninhabited Island Special Exam

Kikyo helps Class D accommodate Ibuki, shadows Kiyotaka while he investigates other classes, and ultimately accepts his assignment to bring Ibuki closer to Class D's side. 18 19 20

Sports Festival Preparation

She joins Kiyotaka and Horikita in scouting competitors from other classes and later assists in handling Class D's internal disagreements over the relay roster. 47 49

Notable Quotes

“I want Suzune Horikita to be expelled.” 5

“From now on, I'll obey only you. What you say goes.” 20