Correcting Karuizawa Kei

[Torturing Karuizawa Kei, obtained 2325 torture points.]

[Torturing Karuizawa Kei, obtained 4199 torture points.]

[Current torture progress bar: 43%. Rewards will be unlocked upon reaching 60%.]

In truth, Chihaya Rei was not entirely devoid of sympathy for the tragic past Karuizawa Kei had endured.

If he had attended middle school with her and witnessed those bullies, he absolutely would have marched over with his bass guitar and smacked some sense into that group.

However, for the sake of torture points, he had to appear stern and cold—at least while delivering those lines—to ensure the torture effect was maximized.

Besides, he wasn't exactly the "kind and gentle" type.

To force himself to put on a tender expression, then use comforting gestures like hugs or head pats, would be far too difficult for him.

So, to avoid making things difficult for himself, he chose to apply pressure to others.

When it came to torturing people, he only applied pressure to everyone equally.

Even if Sakura Airi, the only little fan of his band currently by his side, made a mistake, Chihaya Rei would never miss an opportunity to torture her.

Furthermore, Karuizawa Kei's words and her mindset—comparing herself to a parasite and claiming she would do anything to seek protection—left Chihaya Rei feeling speechless.

As the strictest "father" Karuizawa Kei had, he had to correct her!

At this moment, Karuizawa Kei snapped out of her daze, only to realize her hand was still gripping Chihaya Rei's wrist.

She hurriedly retreated while pulling her hand back.

Yet, Chihaya Rei caught her wrist with a backhand grip and pressed her against the sofa back, which had been chilled by the air conditioning.

"...Let, let me go."

Karuizawa Kei spoke instinctively, though she kept her head lowered in fear.

"We are merely classmates who have known each other for a week."

Chihaya Rei's tone had softened, but his words remained filled with genuine hurt.

"Yet you blindly make judgments about me—wrong judgments at that—and expose your weaknesses completely."

"You even tell me you'll do anything; what kind of obsessive girl are you?"

"Are you really willing to sell your own body just to be a parasite?"

"...Yes."

Listening to this, Karuizawa Kei suddenly mustered the courage to speak, her voice thick with tears:

"What else am I supposed to do?"

"So many people bullied me; there was nothing I could do..." she whispered.

"Nonsense. I understand you couldn't handle so many people on your own, but that is no excuse for choosing to become a parasite."

Chihaya Rei said bluntly.

"Aren't you already disguising yourself as a gyaru, playing the role of the strong-willed Karuizawa Kei? As long as you aren't found out and keep acting, no one will bully you."

"Yet you still choose to sell yourself to find protection. Why?"

"Because I'm scared! I'm scared every single day. I can't do it without someone helping me; I can't do it on my own..."

Karuizawa Kei answered incoherently.

Chihaya Rei explained:

"You're scared because you know you've never walked out of the shadows of your past. As long as the other party shows even a hint of being stronger than you, you become weak."

Chihaya Rei felt that the term "paper tiger" was the most fitting description for Karuizawa Kei.

After saying what he wanted to say, Chihaya Rei finally released her hand.

Feeling the release, Karuizawa Kei hurriedly stood up, her golden ponytail whipping through the air in an arc. She took a step, intending to flee the room, leaving her coat behind on the sofa.

"Is it really okay to just run away like that?"

Chihaya Rei stopped her in her tracks with just one sentence.

Having taken only a single step, Karuizawa Kei's body froze in place.

That's right... Karuizawa Kei wondered if it was really okay to just run away, and more importantly, could she even escape?

Now, Chihaya Rei knew the secret of her school bullying.

If she couldn't satisfy him and just ran away, perhaps by tomorrow, news of her being bullied would spread throughout the school.

Then she would lose the status she had built up in her class; everyone would mock her and bully her, and she would return to the way she was in middle school.

No, she didn't want that!

At this moment, Karuizawa Kei had already begun to view Chihaya Rei as a villain in her heart.

"Can't even manage to run away?"

Chihaya Rei said as he stood up.

He walked past Karuizawa Kei, heading toward the door of the private room.

Karuizawa Kei peered through the gaps in her bangs, a flash of confusion and timidity in her eyes as her fingers gripped her skirt hem tightly.

Is he really... planning to do something to my body?

But following a crisp snap, colorful lights suddenly illuminated the ceiling, causing Karuizawa Kei to instinctively squint.

Chihaya Rei, of course, had no intention of locking the door; he simply wanted to turn on the lights to end the darkness of the KTV room.

After all, staying in a dim environment was not conducive to conversation.

Chihaya Rei walked up to Karuizawa Kei and looked down at her:

"Rest assured, Karuizawa, I have no intention of hurting you."

"It would be even better if you could muster the courage to look up and punch me for the disparaging things I said earlier."

Chihaya Rei's voice carried a hint of anticipation and enticement.

"What do you want to do?"

Karuizawa Kei's voice trembled.

How could she possibly be at ease? She didn't have that kind of courage, either.

Chihaya Rei exhaled, his gaze subtle as he said:

"Although I criticized you just now, having said that, I didn't say I wouldn't help you."

"Eh?"

Karuizawa Kei froze, her lips slightly parted, a flicker of confusion and expectation showing in her eyes.

"You're willing to help me?"

Chihaya Rei shook his head:

"It's not as wonderful as you think. If I truly saw a group of people bullying you, I certainly wouldn't turn a blind eye."

"However, I do not intend to provide you with unconditional help, and I certainly won't indulge your desire to be a parasite."

Karuizawa Kei's expression grew even more puzzled after hearing this, but at least she wasn't as tense or frightened as before.

"Let me see that wound you mentioned?"

Chihaya Rei looked down at Karuizawa Kei's abdomen, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry.

Karuizawa Kei's hand shook; in truth, she didn't really dare to refuse.

But for some reason, because of Chihaya Rei's strange words earlier, she felt an inexplicable sense of expectation in her heart.

Although she didn't answer, she raised her arms, her fingers first resting on her lower abdomen before slowly pulling up the hem of the white shirt tucked into her skirt.

As the fabric moved upward, her slender, fair waist and small, indented navel were revealed first.

Only after pulling the hem up to her chest was the scar located below her left ribcage fully exposed.

The edges of the scar were a pale pink, appearing particularly jarring against the surrounding fair, delicate skin.

Chihaya Rei examined it carefully, not blinking once.

Karuizawa Kei felt a sense of unease throughout her body.

This was the first time she had revealed this scar to anyone other than her family, let alone a boy she had only known for a week.

She couldn't help but turn her face away, her cheeks flushing with shame; only now did she realize how bold and reckless her actions today had been.

"This is proof that you have fought hard," Chihaya Rei said softly.

Karuizawa Kei nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her, and immediately began to straighten her clothes.

At this moment, Chihaya Rei already had an idea of how to help Karuizawa Kei.

The corners of his mouth curled up as he looked into Karuizawa Kei's eyes and said earnestly:

"Karuizawa Kei, take a few days to prepare yourself mentally. Starting next week, you are going to learn how to fight from me so you can protect yourself."

"Eh?" Karuizawa Kei's mouth fell open.