"Looks like you've played all your cards again, Kushida." Sawahara rested his chin in his hands as he watched Kushida Kikyo sitting across from him.
"Surprised that I'm the one threatening you this time, instead of the other way around?"
Watching Kushida's face darken, Sawahara calmly explained, "Because I'm the stronger one, with more leverage. Sure, a barefoot person has nothing to fear from someone wearing shoes...but a shoeless beggar can still freeze to death in the street."
Kushida understood that, too. Getting Sawahara expelled was nothing like getting Horikita expelled. He could easily squeeze two million points out of Class C...but there had to be something he cared about.
"I'm 'friends' with quite a few people in Class C, too. Aren't you worried I'll reveal all their secrets?" That was the only...one of the few pieces of leverage she could think of.
"Class C isn't as loosely organized as Class D. It'd just take a little effort." Sawahara waved a hand. So what if people in his class had conflicts? He had nine ways of dealing with that kind of problem. Nine!
"Besides, no matter what happens to Class C, you'd be finished, Kushida."
Kushida was backed into a corner once again, but this time she seemed even more composed. Her face shifted back into the one she usually wore, with a pitiful, tearful expression.
"I understand." As she spoke, she gradually moved closer to Sawahara. "Even if it means...that, I don't mind. Please don't tell anyone about these things, and don't get me expelled."
Sawahara could tell Kushida was deliberately moving closer to him, though he still didn't understand what she was trying to accomplish. Was this some kind of honey trap? Wanting to figure out her intentions, Sawahara didn't move as Kushida placed his hand on her