Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Kushida Kikyo (栉田) 30 44 |
| Gender | Female 27 32 |
| Affiliation | Class D 17 30 |
| Occupation/Role | Student; influential classmate and later Yuan Yuyuan’s informant in Class D 17 31 46 |
| First Appearance | First identified by name in Chapter 17 17 |
Background
In middle school, Kushida sought recognition by becoming the student everyone trusted with their secrets. Overwhelmed by the complaints people brought her, she posted about them online. When the posts were discovered and she was ostracized, she used what she knew to incite conflict among her classmates; the resulting incident led to her class’s disbandment 31.
At her current school, she fears that Horikita Suzune may know about that past. Her resentment toward Horikita persists even as she maintains a friendly public image and participates in Class D activities with her 27 30 31.
Personality
Kushida presents herself as approachable and helpful, but privately resents Horikita and is fiercely protective of her reputation. When Yuan overhears her venting about Horikita, she threatens to accuse him of molestation if he exposes her; she then offers him points and favors when she learns he has evidence against her 29 30.
Her desire to be recognized drives both her sociability and her fear of exposure. She tells Yuan that being known as the most popular student was enough to make her happy, while acknowledging how exhausting it was to absorb other people’s problems 31.
Abilities & Skills
Social influence
- Kushida’s appearance and “good guy” persona give her significant influence in Class D, particularly among male students 17.
- Classmates confide in her, allowing her to learn secrets and speak with groups throughout Class D 30 31.
- She has excellent academic grades and above-average athletic ability among the girls 27.
Information gathering
- She reports on Horikita and Ayanokoji’s movements and keeps Yuan informed about Class D’s investigation into Sudo’s case 38 43 46.
- Her contacts extend beyond Class D: she knows where Ryuen spends his free time because Class C students have complained to her about it 49.
Relationships
- Horikita Suzune — Kushida resents her and wants her removed from Class D, partly because she fears Horikita knows about her middle-school past 29 30 31.
- Yuan Yuyuan — An uneasy ally. He holds evidence of her private behavior, while she supplies him with access and information from Class D 30 31 39.
- Himeno Yuki — Helps Yuan record Kushida’s confrontation with him; later shares a dinner with Kushida, where the two bond over their irritation with Yuan 30 32.
- Sakura Airi — Kushida apologizes to Sakura after Yuan breaks her camera 47.
Story Role / Major Arcs
- Exposure and alliance: Yuan and Himeno record Kushida cursing Horikita and threatening Yuan. Yuan proposes transferring Horikita to Class A rather than expelling her; Kushida agrees to help him gain influence in Class D in return 29 30 31.
- Strained cooperation: When Yuan delays the transfer plan and later helps Horikita prevent Sudo’s expulsion, Kushida challenges whose side he is on. He reminds her that gathering intelligence is her task 36 39.
- Sudo investigation: Yuan pressures Kushida to approach Ayanokoji for help. After she resists, he threatens to reveal her other side; she apologizes and resumes cooperating, bringing Class D students to question him and reporting their lead on Sakura 43 44 45 46.
- Class C lead: Kushida identifies Ryuen’s usual karaoke location, enabling Yuan to find surveillance footage of Ryuen attacking other students 49.
Notable Quotes
“As long as I could be the best at something, as long as everyone mentioned me by saying, ‘Kushida is the most popular student in our school,’ I was already happy.” 31