Kushida Kikyo's Darkening

The day after the midterm exam results were announced, the classroom of Class 1-D was enveloped in an unprecedented wave of excitement.

Midterm Exam Class Point Totals:

A: 1120

B: 1090

C: 940

D: 930

"180 points! We gained 180 points!" Sudo Ken's booming voice nearly blew the roof off. He slammed his hands onto his desk, his face twisted in undisguised ecstasy. "Did you see that! We're only 10 points behind Class C! Next time! Next time we'll definitely surpass them!"

"It's all thanks to Hoshida!"

"Yeah! Hoshida is a genius!"

"That mock exam was a total lifesaver!"

The crowd naturally swarmed around Hoshida No's desk. He maintained his usual indifferent expression, offering only the occasional nod in response without saying much.

Standing at the edge of this jubilant scene was Kushida Kikyo.

Her face still wore that familiar, everyday smile. She clapped her hands lightly, echoing the cheers of the others: "It really is! Hoshida is amazing!" No one noticed that the hand she kept behind her back had her nails dug deep into her palm, leaving several crescent-shaped red marks.

Why is he the center of attention? The thought shrieked in her mind.

I'm the one who has been holding the class together, helping everyone, and listening to all their troubles! I'm the core that keeps everyone united!

Hoshida No... he just handed out a mock exam! How does he deserve this!

She saw Ichinose Honami, the recognized angel of Class B, standing so close to him; she saw Takaoji Rokusuke, who usually couldn't be bothered with anyone, cast a thoughtful glance in that direction; and she saw Horikita Suzune, that unapproachable honor student, completely captivated by Hoshida No.

She maintained her smile until the crowd gradually dispersed as the bell rang for class. Returning to her seat and opening her textbook, she whispered to herself, "I can't let this continue. I have to do something."

During the lunch break, instead of heading to the cafeteria with the other girls as usual, Kushida Kikyo claimed she had "some documents to look up" and went alone to a quiet corner of the library.

She opened her phone, but instead of looking up study materials, she pulled up an encrypted contact list.

The list contained friends she had cultivated since enrollment across various classes and even upper-year levels by selflessly helping them and listening to their secrets.

She carefully packaged her inquiries as harmless curiosity and concern, using her vast network to begin a comprehensive investigation into Hoshida No's background. She needed information; she needed to understand this man.

At the same time, she turned her gaze toward the interior of the class.

During the afternoon break, she "accidentally" passed by Horikita Suzune's desk and said in a worried, hushed tone, "Horikita-san, about this exam... Hoshida-san is really amazing, isn't he? Our class points went up so much, and everyone is so happy. But... I'm a little worried about him."

Horikita Suzune looked up from her textbook, her cold, clear eyes fixed on her: "Worried?"

"Yeah." Kushida nodded, her brow slightly furrowed in a display of sincere concern. "That test paper... it was too precise. I just can't help but wonder if Hoshida-san used some... well, risky methods to help us? I'm so afraid he might get into trouble because of it. After all, the school takes the rules very seriously, right?"

Horikita Suzune was silent for a moment before saying flatly, "His methods are indeed questionable. But he should be the one to bear the consequences."

Not getting the resonance she expected, a flicker of imperceptible irritation flashed in Kushida's eyes, but her smile remained unchanged: "I suppose so... I hope I'm just overthinking it. I just don't want to see anyone in our class get hurt."

She played the role of the angel who cared for everyone perfectly before walking away with a light step.

The moment she turned, the smile on her face faded, and her eyes turned gloomy.

She recalled the heavy expression Hirata Yousuke had worn after the exam. During the break, she had found Hirata talking to a few boys and, using the class celebration as an entry point, naturally steered the conversation toward Hoshida No.

"Hirata-kun, Hoshida-san deserves the most credit for our great results this time! Shouldn't we thank him properly, maybe by throwing a small party?" Kushida suggested.

Hirata Yousuke smiled gently: "Yes, Hoshida's contribution was huge. A party... that's something to consider, but..." He paused, his voice dropping, "Kushida-san, don't you think things went a little... too smoothly this time? I can't help but feel uneasy."

Kushida's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately put on an empathetic expression: "Hirata-kun, you feel that way too? Actually... I do too. Hoshida-san's ability is beyond question, but it's just... it's too good, good enough to be a little scary.

I heard that some teachers were questioning Takaoji-kun about his challenge to the exam questions... could they also be noticing the abnormal improvement in our class's grades?"

Hirata's brow furrowed even deeper: "That is indeed a problem. Progress gained through unconventional means might not have a solid foundation and could lead to unexpected trouble. Thank you for the reminder, Kushida-san."

Success. Kushida sneered inwardly. Hirata's sense of justice and responsibility was, as expected, the easiest point of entry to exploit.

Over the next few days, Kushida continued her double life.

On the surface, she was the gentle angel, actively participating in class activities, caring for every student, and maintaining just the right amount of gratitude and closeness toward Hoshida No.

In the shadows, her investigation network was slowly and steadily feeding her information.

The frustrating result was that Hoshida No's past was like a fog. People only knew he was close to Ichinose Honami and Karuizawa Kei, and that he was the vice-captain of the Martial Arts Club.

Kushida Kikyo only knew the last three years of Hoshida No's life; anything before that was a blank slate. How could an "orphan" have such formidable strength?

What made her even more anxious was Hoshida No's attitude toward her.

No matter how cleverly she probed or tried to get close, Hoshida No's reaction remained one of indifferent detachment.

The way he looked at her seemed no different from how he looked at other students, yet it also seemed... as if he could pierce through her carefully maintained smile to see something else entirely.

Once, when she mentioned his data again with a tone of admiration, Hoshida No just glanced at her and said flatly, "Kushida-san really cares about the class." That sentence was perfectly ordinary, yet it made cold sweat break out on her back instantly.

She couldn't wait any longer. Hirata was just a bleeding heart; at most, he would make the class more wary of Hoshida, which wouldn't accomplish much.

I have to control this person myself. If there's no dirt on him, I'll just manufacture it, won't I?

May 17th, 10:00 PM.

Hoshida No splashed cold water on his face, the stream washing away a hint of fatigue. He dried his face with a towel and walked back to his bedroom.

Standing by the window, he held the pink handkerchief. Yesterday, Morikawa had sent him a message: "A student from your class was asking about you. I found out it was Kushida Kikyo from your class."

These past few days, Hoshida No had also noticed Kushida Kikyo's unusual behavior. She would inadvertently approach him, her gaze hinting at a hidden, somber emotion.

Just then, the phone on his bedside table lit up, vibrating continuously. It wasn't a call, but a message notification.

Kushida Kikyo: "Hoshida-kun, can you walk with me tonight? There's something I want to tell you... Please."

Kushida Kikyo: "I'm behind the dormitory."

Kushida Kikyo: "The other party has sent you their location."