Kushida's Harassment

"Is Kushida really going after you just because you know about her high school days?"

"That's the only explanation, isn't it?" Seeing Etsuka's slightly skeptical gaze, Horikita Suzune turned her head away in dissatisfaction.

To be honest, Etsuka felt it was a bit absurd, mainly because it didn't follow logic.

First: Horikita Suzune hadn't revealed anything about Kushida's past, nor had she shown any intention of doing so.

Second: Even if Kushida wanted to target Horikita Suzune, the worst-case scenario was expulsion. But even if she were expelled, couldn't she still talk?

The school has to let students pack their bags, right?

To put it bluntly, even at a job, you're given time to pack up and leave. Therefore, that time could be fully utilized to spread the truth about Kushida.

Third: The current special exam happens to have an Anonymous Chat System that the entire grade can see; it's the perfect time to spread rumors. If Horikita Suzune really wanted to spread rumors, the Anonymous Chat System would be the best opportunity.

Wait a minute...

Etsuka rubbed his forehead and slowly turned to look at Horikita Suzune, who was standing with her arms crossed and a serious expression on her face.

It seems girls are just this unreasonable, aren't they?

This reminded Etsuka of his own sister's smooth little formula.

If... then it's better not to...

Thinking about it this way, was Kushida's behavior actually logical?

"Sigh." Etsuka let out a long sigh: "Regardless, we have to stop Kushida from continuing to harass you."

Horikita Suzune nodded as well:

"Yes, although I don't care, it really is too troublesome. She might stab me in the back at a critical moment."

Watching his sister's troubled expression, Etsuka patted Horikita Suzune on the shoulder and said with a serious face:

"Don't worry, Sis. Your business is my business. As your younger brother, I naturally have to contribute to my sister."

"Hm?" Horikita Suzune tilted her head in slight confusion.

She had never seen her brother be this proactive before, so she tentatively asked:

"So... what are you planning to do?"

"Hehe." Etsuka smiled, and under Horikita Suzune's puzzled gaze, he slowly spoke:

"Naturally, I'll have Kushida harass me instead."

The next day, it was a brand new day.

While brushing his teeth, Etsuka heard the notification sound from his Student Terminal.

With a toothbrush in his mouth and foam on his lips, he picked up the Student Terminal to check it.

Notice to all students and faculty:

[The Class C spy has completed the Secret Key submission. The exam ends immediately, and summer vacation begins. We wish all students and faculty a happy summer vacation.]

Immediately after, another message followed.

Notice to all students and faculty:

[The entire grade has completed their submissions. The special exam is over. The point adjustments for each class are now announced.]

Class A: +250

Class B: +150

Class C: -50

Class D: -150

Current points for each class:

Class A: 1254cp

Class B: 930cp

Class C: 530cp

Class D: 0cp

[Sincerely, we wish all students and faculty a happy summer vacation!]

Etsuka rinsed his mouth and turned off the Student Terminal.

He looked at his handsome reflection in the mirror, his mind constantly pondering how each class gained or lost their points.

The points obtainable in the special exam can only be in multiples of a hundred or fifty. This means that without us being exposed, Class A obtained the Secret Keys of Class C and Class D? As for why it's 150 points instead of 200?

Etsuka thought about Ryuen's tactics again.

There was a certain logic to Ryuen waiting until Sunday to submit; after all, a spy can only submit the Secret Key early, so Ryuen had to wait until Sunday.

And on Sunday, not only could he submit the Secret Key directly to the school, but he could also submit the identities of the spies from each class.

In that case, did Ryuen not only obtain the correct Secret Key for Class D but also see through the spies of three classes?

Etsuka felt a bit shocked. He had never revealed his identity as a spy, and only Ichinose and Kanzaki knew, so there was no risk of it being leaked.

The only possibility is...

[Ryuen actually dared to gamble even though three classes knew his Secret Key?]

There is only one possibility Etsuka can think of, and that is a gamble.

After all, the spy was chosen by anonymous vote from the whole class, so if Ryuen calculated based on popularity, there were three people in Class B, meaning a 1/3 probability.

If you like this book, please remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.

[Is it luck?] Etsuka pondered, rubbing his chin.

Originally, Ryuen was supposed to be deducted 300 points, but he managed to sniff out the spies of three classes, plus the Secret Key of Class D, resulting in a deduction of only 50 points. It could be said that he single-handedly turned the tide.

Just yesterday, Etsuka had already guessed Ryuen's intentions.

Although Etsuka dislikes Ryuen's style and personality, he has to admit that this guy certainly has guts.

As for Class D, there is nothing to say; they are a bunch of rabble. If Class B hadn't stayed out of it, finding out Class D's Secret Key and mole would have been child's play, and in that case, Class B would have been first.

Etsuka suggested that Class B withdraw from the game so early not just for stability, but also because Suzune is in Class D, and he didn't want to get involved.

In Etsuka's heart, the temptation of being promoted to Class A and graduating smoothly isn't that great; after all, he can find a good job based on his own abilities.

Therefore, Etsuka cares more about campus life and the atmosphere, so naturally, he had no intention of participating.

After washing up, Etsuka dialed Kushida's number; after all, he couldn't break his promise to his older sister.

It connected after a short while.

"Moshi moshi, how do you have time to call me, Senpai?" A cute, energetic voice came from the other end of the line.

"Oh, nothing much, it's just that my sister told me everything about you," Etsuka said bluntly.

Inside the fragrant, soft little room.

Silence spread through the room as quickly as ink.

Kushida's fingertips holding the Student Terminal turned white. After a moment, she put on a cute smile again, pretending to know nothing, and said:

"What are you talking about, Senpai? Did Horikita-san tell you something funny?"

"Yeah, your high school days are indeed quite interesting." Etsuka's words struck straight at Kushida's heart.

Silence—is the Cambridge of tonight.

Kushida doesn't know how many times she has been furious in her heart.

She wanted to curse out loud so many times, but her acting skills forcibly suppressed it.

She held the Student Terminal, smiling without mirth, and spoke like a Burmese pyramid scheme recruiter:

"Um, Senpai, could you come to my dorm? Room 603. The water pipe here seems to be broken. Could you please come and take a look for me?"

No rage, and she didn't show her other side; even during the call, she was desperately maintaining her persona.

Etsuka rubbed his chin and thought for a moment before saying:

"Sure, as a Senpai, fixing a water pipe is something I'm duty-bound to do."

"Hee hee, then hurry over, Senpai!"

With that, Kushida hung up the phone quickly.

Etsuka only heard a few beeps of the busy signal.

Etsuka put the Student Terminal into his pocket, then took out the voice recorder from his pocket to look at it, but finally decided to leave it in his room.

[It wouldn't be worth it if Kushida destroyed the recorder.]

Thinking this, he opened the door and left with his hands in his pockets, looking quite dashing.

Arriving at Room 603, just as he was about to knock, Kushida opened the door.

[Damn, good thing I didn't knock.]

Etsuka luckily pulled his hand back.

He looked at Kushida. She was wearing a pink and white striped shirt and denim overalls, standing at the door with a smile. She looked like a totally adorable girl!

"You're here, Senpai?" Kushida's eyes lit up, and she reached out to hook her arm into Etsuka's.

Etsuka felt two soft, squishy things press against his arm.

"Senpai, come and take a look at the water pipe in my room; it's been leaking."

Kushida said softly as she led Etsuka into the room, not forgetting to hook the door shut with her right foot.

With a snap, the door was completely closed.

The next second, Kushida's face turned extremely gloomy, like a master of changing faces.

Etsuka, who was looking around the room, couldn't help but nod.

I have to say, a girl's room is much more fragrant, and she even put up pink wallpaper—though my sister is an exception...

Kushida watched Etsuka looking around with his back to her, so she suddenly reached out a hand to grab Etsuka's arm.

Etsuka seemed to sense it, suddenly turning and retreating to dodge Kushida's hand.

Seeing the arm Kushida had extended into the air, Etsuka teased:

"Yo, Kushida, are you always this enthusiastic?"

"Of course I have to treat a senior well when they come to visit." Kushida's expression remained as gloomy as ever, yet the voice she produced sounded incredibly cheerful.

Etsuka couldn't help but give a thumbs-up, then he took his Student Terminal out of his pocket and placed it on the desk beside them.

Watching the wary-looking Kushida, Etsuka spread his hands:

"Kushida, don't worry, I'm just here to discuss something with you."

Seeing Etsuka acting as if he were laying his cards on the table, Kushida asked in a low voice: "What do you want?"

A smile played on Etsuka's lips as he leaned forward, saying with a hint of mockery: "Kushida, you wouldn't want your past from middle school to get leaked, would you?"

If you can't find the book title, try searching for the author; perhaps the name has just been changed!