You Don't Want That, Do You?

"I never would've guessed. Which version of her is the real one?"

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka thought back over the days he'd spent in Class D. He'd never seen such a stark contrast in Kikyo Kushida before. But he'd been alone just now. What would happen if she accused him of rape or sexual harassment?

When you actually went up against a feminist fist, you'd realize the other person could make you cry with three punches.

Beihai's hands were trembling a little too. That last incident had happened before the rules had been updated and adapted. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten away unscathed either.

Now that he had the indecent photos of Kikyo Kushida, he'd gained some leverage over her. With that safeguard in place, she wouldn't dare come and pick a fight with him.

That was just how Japanese girls were. Their attitudes toward hierarchy were strict, but more importantly, once you had dirt on someone, it was time to bring out that classic line: You don't want...

"You scared the hell out of me. Let's call it a day, Ayanokouji. I need to soothe my wounded heart. You'd better get those workbooks ready."

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka nodded without arguing. He had been the one who'd dragged her into this mess, after all. Compensating her was only fair.

The two of them parted ways in the hallway. Nothing happened for the rest of the day or into the next morning.

It was as if Kikyo Kushida had heard what Beihai said. That morning, she was just as radiant as ever, mingling with the crowd with a sweet smile.

She no longer seemed interested in interacting with Beihai. She didn't even look his way. The only exception was when she passed by him; then she'd nervously twirl her hair around her fingers.

They kept a safe distance from each other, both understanding that they couldn't cross the line. After watching Beihai for the whole day, Kikyo Kushida finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she left him alone, he wouldn't reveal her secret.

She couldn't afford to take any chances, but she couldn't think of a better solution, either.

The worst-case scenario she could imagine was Beihai threatening her and demanding Personal Points. She couldn't think of anything else he might want.

When classes ended, she was supposed to head back to the dorm with Sakura Airi. Kikyo Kushida finally felt at ease.

Sakura Airi had packed her bag early and slung it over her shoulder before following Beihai out of the classroom. As usual, neither of them said a word as they walked back to the dorm, where they went their separate ways.

As for the photography, that was just a way to keep their relationship going.

Beihai raised a hand in farewell and watched her enter the elevator and head up to the fourth floor.

Then he turned and walked back the way he'd come. He didn't head straight for the dorm or the stairs. Instead, he went outside and looked around. On the way back, Sakura Airi had seemed very uneasy, as though she wanted to say something but couldn't bring herself to.

Maybe it had something to do with cats, or maybe there was another problem.

During that stretch of the walk, Beihai had sensed someone following him. A malicious gaze had settled on him, as if its owner wanted to tear him to pieces.

But once he'd gone outside, he couldn't spot anyone suspicious. He could only suppress his doubts and decide to ask about it the next morning.

During class, Beihai wrote a note, crumpled it into a little ball, and flicked it onto Sakura Airi's desk.

The note was brief. He simply asked which places she often visited. There had to be a reason someone was following him.

Once he got her answer, Beihai would take action. He'd always been the sort to act.

After school, Sakura Airi brought her camera and waited for her deskmate as usual. But today, she'd guessed wrong.

"Sakura, go on ahead. I have something to take care of today."

Sakura Airi was an obedient girl who didn't like inconveniencing other people. She could only nod, pick up her schoolbag, and leave the classroom.

Following the answer Sakura Airi had written down, Beihai's first stop was a camera shop.

The shop sold all kinds of cameras and even offered repairs. Since Sakura Airi liked taking photos, it made perfect sense that she'd come here.

When Beihai entered, he saw a middle-aged man sitting behind the counter. The man didn't get up to greet him; he only sized him up.

Beihai took out his Terminal and stood nearby for a while. Neither of them spoke, each waiting to see who would lose patience first.

Gradually, that dangerous gaze settled on Beihai again.

Beihai couldn't be sure, but that didn't stop him from testing the waters. He took a photo from his pocket and set it on the counter. It was a picture of Sakura Airi.

Because of the way it had been taken, the photo wasn't exactly proper. It was a little playful instead.

When Beihai took pictures, he usually caught people at their silliest. They'd think they looked mature and that a particular moment had been especially impressive, but what Beihai actually photographed were the candid moments after they were done posing.

You could tell right away whether a photo would get a reaction. A normal shop assistant would just be curious or glance at it, then maybe make small talk and say something like how cute she was.

But this shop assistant's gaze went way too far. He looked like a wolf that had spotted a sheep.

"Hey, mister, it's rude to keep staring at my girlfriend like that."

That single line sent the man into a frenzy. He nearly leapt over the counter to grab Beihai by the collar.

Unfortunately for him, his right hand missed. He ended up throwing his whole weight against the counter and sprawling over it.

"Hey, what are you getting so worked up about? She's my girlfriend. What does that have to do with you?"

"No way! Absolutely no way! You're an outsider. She and I are the ones who were made for each other. It's fate!"

Beihai's interest was piqued. It looked like he'd run into a stalker fan. Maybe Sakura Airi didn't take photos every day just for the scenery after all.

He was surprised, too. He'd thought he'd have to investigate the shops one by one, but he'd hit the jackpot at the very first one. What else could that be but fate?

"Heh. Why not? We walk home together after school every day. Haven't you seen us, or are you blind?

"You were the one secretly following me yesterday, weren't you? How pathetic! You're like a goblin lurking in the shadows. There's nothing heroic about that.

"Hehe, though I'm starting to get bored of her. Mister, do you want to play the hero? Can you give up everything for her?"

Now that they'd dropped all pretenses, there was no point in hiding anything. They could lay it all bare. Beihai had just talked himself into a corner, but that didn't matter.

"Of course I can! I'd do anything for Shizuku, you devil!"

The tables had turned. Now it seemed Beihai was the villain.

Looking at the man's frenzied expression, Beihai remembered the obsessed fans of idols he'd heard about in his previous life.

They'd do anything. They'd buy all sorts of milk and pour it down wells just to impress their idols, among other things.

The most absurd example was a huge group of women who'd never even met their idol, yet still showed up at a concert wearing wedding dresses. The sight had truly been spectacular.

"I'll give you three days. Borrow from the surrounding shops or apply to the school, I don't care. I want 40 million points."

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! You can't just ask for 40 million. Where am I supposed to get that kind of money?"

"Come on, mister, be serious. That's your problem, not mine. If you can't get it, borrow it. If nobody will lend it to you, ask the school.

"I'm the one in control here. If I tell the Student Council or a teacher about you, tsk-tsk... You won't have a chance then. I'm giving you an opportunity and even allowing you three days. Otherwise, you don't want your Shizuku to leave you, do you?"

Those formula problems sure went fast.