Subduing

And so, over the next few days, just as everyone in Class 1-D thought they could finally enjoy a little peace and quiet,

a terrible piece of news once again shattered all their hopes.

Ken Sudō.

That's right. As the main target for expulsion during the last midterm exams, he had barely escaped that crisis a few days ago before finding himself embroiled in another expulsion scandal over a violent assault.

What's more, the ones who reported him were from Class C, the class ruled by Ryuen Kakeru.

What did that mean? Anyone who had heard of Ryuen Kakeru knew that from now on, they would probably have a hard time getting through the school day without trouble, especially after classes.

Despite the angry glares from those around him, Ken Sudō kept insisting that the other party had called him over and thrown the first punch, and that he had only acted in self-defense.

But the medical reports showed that all three of the other students had suffered minor injuries, while Sudō, supposedly the one on the receiving end, had only a few slight scrapes.

It was hard to find that convincing.

Unable to defend himself, Sudō, who had never been a patient or easygoing young man, saw everyone blaming him and simply stopped trying to explain. If he got expelled, then so be it.

From their seats, Ayanokoji and Horikita Suzune exchanged a brief glance. The meaning in their eyes was clear: they both felt there was more to the incident than met the eye.

Just then, Hirata Yosuke, the class's resident good guy, immediately stepped up and showed his leadership skills. Before long, his calm persuasion had finally brought everyone to silence.

Meanwhile, Kushida Kikyo, the class's little angel, went over to Rinya's seat.

Ever since she'd heard that he had spent a fortune to save Ken Sudō last time, she'd felt there was something unusual about him. She'd wanted to find out more, but had reluctantly realized that his was the only contact information in the class she hadn't managed to get.

With Sudō in trouble again, she wanted to hear what Rinya thought and look for a chance to get his contact information while she was at it.

But as she wondered how to phrase her request so he wouldn't turn her down, Rinya, who had been silently gazing out the window, suddenly broke with his usual behavior. After greeting her warmly, he actually took the initiative and asked to exchange contact information. He also asked her to help look into whether there was anything suspicious about the incident and to let each other know immediately if they found anything.

Kushida, of course, didn't refuse this unexpected windfall. She hadn't imagined it would go so smoothly. Since helping with the case was already her responsibility, she felt all the more obliged to dig up some clues in return.

That evening, the trio of Horikita, Kushida, and the idiot gathered in Ayanokoji's room. Of course, when they invited Rinya, he once again declined to join them, saying he wasn't feeling well.

Even so, their enthusiasm didn't wane, because there were too many suspicious points in the case.

One remark from Horikita Suzune became the suspicious point everyone agreed on that evening.

During the day, when Kushida had invited the whole class to help with Sudō's case, everyone's attention had been focused on her. Only Sakura Airi had kept her head down, looking timid.

What did that mean? From a psychological perspective, she might have been the third witness at the time.

Unfortunately, they called her, but no one answered.

Even so, after the gathering ended, Kushida still sent Rinya this somewhat useful piece of information.

To her surprise, he replied right away this time. "I think I've found some important clues. It's hard to explain over the phone, so why don't you come over and take a look?"

Kushida found it strange, but since he'd found important clues, why would she invite the others along?

After all, if she had such important information and revealed it grandly at tomorrow's class meeting, she'd earn plenty of praise and approval.

"Heh... Horikita Suzune, don't think you can beat me!"

And so, after walking for a little while, Kushida Kikyo quietly made her way to Rinya's door.

"Knock knock."

"Sorry to bother you. Is Rinya there?" Perhaps worried that someone might hear, Kushida deliberately lowered her voice.

"Yeah, the door's unlocked. Come in."

At that, Kushida went right inside and discreetly locked the door behind her. After all, in a boys' dorm, if someone suddenly barged in and saw her, it would be hard to explain.

"Hey, Rinya, what are you doing?"

As soon as Kushida entered, she saw Rinya sitting in front of a computer in the other room, watching something.

But Rinya didn't answer right away. Instead, he pretended to be puzzled and asked, "Huh? It looks like you came alone. Where is everyone else?"

"They had things to do around this time, or so they said when I asked."

"So I came by myself. You don't mind, do you, Rinya?"

"Oh, I see. Why would I mind? I'm glad you came," Rinya replied with a faint smile.

But inside, he sneered. Kushida Kikyo, you made exactly the choice I expected.

Since his back was turned to her, Kushida couldn't see the strange smile on his face.

He still hadn't turned around to speak to her, and although Kushida felt that something was off, she thought about how she could get the important clues and win everyone's approval before anyone else. In the end, she decided not to worry about it.

"Really? I'm so happy to have your approval, Rinya."

"Then, Rinya, what are these important clues you mentioned...?"

"Oh, this? I'm looking at them now. Don't be shy, Kushida. Come take a look."

"Can I really? Then excuse me for intruding."

But the moment she walked in, full of anticipation, she froze.

The video playing on his computer showed her private conversation with Ayanokoji beside the path.

"How is this possible?!"

Kushida Kikyo let out a hoarse cry.

The warm, friendly look on her face instantly twisted into something terrifying and vicious.

"Who are you? Why are you doing this? Tell me!"

"Heh. So you're finally showing your true colors. This is getting interesting."

As the boy began to clap, Rinya, who had been sitting with his back to her, suddenly turned around with a wicked grin and said coolly, "I'm simply asking you to become my first tool. There's no need to get worked up."

"Bastard! Pervert! Delusional! Keep dreaming!"

"Get out! Get out!..."

As Kushida cursed, she seized her chance and suddenly lashed out with a furious kick, aiming straight for the computer that was playing the video.

She might have succeeded against someone else, but unfortunately for her, the person she was facing was Rinya—a being who had already broken through the limits of humanity. How could such a small trick possibly work?

"Smack!"

A sharp crack rang out. The girl had only just lifted her leg and hadn't even finished kicking when Rinya slapped her hard across the face, knocking her to the floor in a daze.

"You... you... you actually hit me! I'm reporting you! I'll get you expelled, expelled!"

Kushida clutched her swollen, reddened cheek and kept shouting furiously. But Rinya acted as if he didn't care at all. He seized her by the collar, hauled her back in front of him, and said coldly, "I think you've misunderstood one thing. Whether you become my tool is up to me. You have no right to refuse."

As he spoke, Rinya's half-lidded eyes suddenly opened wide.

"Buzz—"

Under his dark red gaze, Kushida felt a buzzing in her head. The arrogance she'd just been brimming with was instantly swept away by a terror that seemed to rise from the depths of her soul.

"Who... who are you?" Kushida stared at the boy before her, her throat catching as he seemed like a demon god. In that moment, she suddenly felt that she had provoked someone she should never have crossed.