[Torture Karuizawa Kei, gained 2325 Torture Points] [Torture Karuizawa Kei, gained 4199]... [Current Torture progress: 43%. Reach 60% to unlock a reward.]
Actually, Chihaya Rei did feel some sympathy for the tragedies Karuizawa Kei had suffered in the past.
If he and Karuizawa Kei had gone to the same middle school and he'd seen someone being bullied, he would've taken his bass over and smacked some sense into those bullies.
But since this was for Torture Points, he had to sound stern and a little cold when he said those things. That made the torture more effective.
Besides, he wasn't the gentle, sweet type.
It would've been too much to ask him to put on a tender expression and comfort her with hugs and head pats.
So, rather than put himself through that, he chose to put pressure on someone else.
When it came to torturing people, he treated everyone equally.
Even if the only little fan of his band around him, Sakura Airi, made a mistake, Chihaya Rei wouldn't pass up the chance to torture her.
And Karuizawa Kei's words and thoughts—comparing herself to a parasite, willing to do anything to find someone to protect her—left Chihaya Rei speechless.
As Karuizawa Kei's strictest father, he had to set her straight!
At that moment, Karuizawa Kei came out of her daze and realized that she was still gripping Chihaya Rei's wrist.
She hurriedly backed away, pulling her hand back at the same time.
But Chihaya Rei caught her wrist in return and pinned her against the back of the sofa, which was cold from the air conditioner.
"...L-let go of me."
Karuizawa Kei said it instinctively, but lowered her head in fear.
"We've only known each other for a week. We're just classmates."
Chihaya Rei's tone softened a little, but his words still cut deep.
"You made a blind judgment about me—and a wrong one at that—laying your weaknesses completely bare."
"You even told me you'd do anything. Where'd you get that kind of heavy-duty devotion? Are you some kind of obsessive lover?"
"Would you even sell your body just to be a parasite?"
"...Yes."
As she listened, Karuizawa Kei suddenly found the courage to speak, her voice choked with tears.
"What else am I supposed to do?"
"So many people bullied me. No matter what I did, I couldn't do anything about it..." she murmured.
"That's nonsense. I get that you can't take on so many people by yourself, but that's no reason to choose to become a parasite."
Chihaya Rei said without pulling any punches.
"Aren't you pretending to be a gyaru now, acting like Karuizawa Kei is strong and assertive? As long as nobody sees through you, just keep up the act, and no one will bully you."
"Yet you still want to sell yourself and find someone to protect you. Why?"
"Because I'm scared. I'm scared every day. I can't manage without someone helping me. I can't do it on my own..."
Karuizawa Kei's answer came out in a jumble.
Chihaya Rei explained:
"You're scared because you know you've never escaped the shadow of your past. The moment someone acts even a little more forceful than you, you become weak."
Chihaya Rei thought "paper tiger" described Karuizawa Kei perfectly.
After saying everything he wanted to say, Chihaya Rei finally let go.
As soon as Karuizawa Kei felt his grip loosen, she jumped up. Her golden ponytail swung through the air as she took off, trying to flee the room without even picking up the jacket she'd left on the sofa.
"Are you sure you want to run away just like that?"
Chihaya Rei stopped her with a single sentence.
She'd barely taken one step before her body froze in place.
That's right... Karuizawa Kei wondered if running away like this was really a good idea. And could she even get away?
Now Chihaya Rei knew her secret—that she'd been bullied at school.
If she ran away without satisfying him, the whole school might hear about her being bullied starting tomorrow.
Then she'd lose the standing she'd built up in her class. Everyone would laugh at her and bully her, and she'd be back to the way things were in middle school.
No. She couldn't let that happen!
At that moment, Karuizawa Kei was already imagining the worst of Chihaya Rei.
"You can't even run away?"
Chihaya Rei said as he stood up.
He passed by Karuizawa Kei and headed for the room's entrance.
Karuizawa Kei saw him through the gap in her bangs. Confusion and fear flickered in her eyes, and her fingers clenched nervously around her skirt.
Was he going to... make a move on her body?
But then a crisp snap rang out, and colorful lights suddenly illuminated the room. Karuizawa Kei instinctively squinted.
Chihaya Rei had no intention of locking the door. He'd just turned on the lights to end the darkness in the karaoke room.
After all, staying in a dim environment wasn't good for having a conversation.
Chihaya Rei walked over to Karuizawa Kei and looked down at her.
"Don't worry, Karuizawa. I don't intend to hurt you."
"It'd be even better if you could find the courage to look up and punch me in the face for the insulting things I said earlier."
There was a hint of anticipation and temptation in Chihaya Rei's voice.
"What are you going to do?"
Karuizawa Kei asked timidly.
How could she possibly feel reassured? She didn't have that kind of courage, either.
Chihaya Rei let out a breath, his expression hard to read.
"Although I criticized you just now, that doesn't mean I said I wouldn't help you."
"Huh?"
Karuizawa Kei stared at him, lips parted. Confusion and a flicker of hope showed in her eyes.
"You're willing to help me?"
Chihaya Rei shook his head.
"It's not as nice as you're imagining. If I saw a group of people bullying you, I wouldn't turn a blind eye."
"But I'm not going to help you unconditionally, and I certainly won't indulge your wish to become a parasite."
Karuizawa Kei looked even more confused, but at least she wasn't as tense and frightened as before.
"Can I see the wound you mentioned?"
Chihaya Rei looked down at Karuizawa Kei's abdomen, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry.
Karuizawa Kei's hand trembled. She hadn't been sure she could refuse him in the first place.
But for some reason, after all the strange things Chihaya Rei had said, she felt a peculiar sense of anticipation.
She didn't answer, but raised her arms. First, she placed her fingers on her lower abdomen, then slowly lifted the hem of her white shirt from where it was tucked into her skirt.
As the fabric rose, it revealed her slender, pale waist and her small, indented navel.
Only when she'd pulled the hem up to her chest did the scar beneath her left rib cage come fully into view.
The edges of the scar were faintly pink. Against the smooth, pale skin around it, it stood out all the more.
Chihaya Rei studied it closely without blinking.
Karuizawa Kei felt uncomfortable all over.
This was the first time she'd shown the scar to anyone outside her family—and the person in front of her was a boy she'd known for only a week.
Her cheeks flushed, and she turned her face away. Only then did she realize how bold and careless she'd been today.
"This is proof that you've tried your best," Chihaya Rei said softly.
Karuizawa Kei nodded, feeling the tension leave her body, then quickly straightened her clothes.
By then, Chihaya Rei had already figured out how he was going to help Karuizawa Kei.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. Looking Karuizawa Kei in the eyes, he said seriously,
"Karuizawa Kei, take a few days to prepare yourself. Starting next week, you're going to learn how to fight with me. You'll protect yourself."
"Huh?" Karuizawa Kei's mouth fell open.
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