The Essential Divine Artifact for Advanced Nurturing

"So this is the real Kikyo Kushida."

Before Horikita Suzune could say anything, Yuki Himeno grew somewhat flustered.

In her perception, Kikyo Kushida and Honami Ichinose were the undisputed queens of popularity among the first-years.

Both were equally gentle and beautiful, and the triple-digit friend counts on their personal terminals were proof enough of their charm.

Whether in the cafeteria or on the playground, wherever they went, laughter followed, as if they possessed a natural magic that drew crowds to them.

But at this very moment, under Yuki Himeno's gaze, the smile on Kikyo Kushida's face remained sweet, yet her eyes were terrifyingly cold.

Such a massive contrast left Yuki Himeno feeling a bit panicked.

She was genuinely afraid that Honami Ichinose might be hiding a side like this as well.

"Horikita, this is the real Kikyo-chan. Her gentleness is just a facade. Do you think someone like her can help you reach your goal?"

Makoto Nishikado ignored Kikyo Kushida's icy glare and posed the question to Horikita Suzune.

"Whether it's real or fake doesn't matter; it's her talent that I value."

Horikita Suzune's gaze was resolute.

In fact, she valued Kikyo Kushida even more now.

According to what Horikita Suzune knew, Kikyo Kushida had seemingly pulled off a world-shaking feat back in middle school.

It was said that by her own hand, she had driven an entire class to collapse.

In the end, not a single person from that class graduated normally, and even the teacher in charge had suffered a mental breakdown.

The incident had such a severe impact that the school had strictly sealed the information, with only a handful of students within the school aware of the truth.

This made Horikita Suzune clearly realize that Kikyo Kushida was like a sharp double-edged sword; used well, she could cut through thorns and brambles, but used poorly, she would wound the wielder.

However, Class D was currently in a state of total disarray, with morale shattered and grades at the bottom.

To survive in this highly competitive school, she had to leverage Kikyo Kushida's abilities to unify the class.

Therefore, even knowing the danger, she had to take the risk.

She had to firmly bring Kikyo Kushida under control!

"Horikita, are you out of your mind? I'm the one who wants you to drop out, you know."

Kikyo Kushida felt a strange sensation in her heart.

In the past, whenever someone discovered her true colors, they would either tremble in fear or avoid her at all costs.

Horikita Suzune was the first person who, upon learning the truth, remained so calm and even valued her more.

But Kikyo Kushida's intentions remained unchanged; she was determined to make Horikita Suzune drop out.

She had worked so hard to become the angel of Class D, the one everyone came to for advice when they had troubles—this was the life she craved.

Kikyo Kushida relished the feeling of being trusted and relied upon.

She had become a unique existence in everyone's hearts!

If her true face were exposed by Horikita Suzune, everything she had worked for would vanish into thin air.

No!

That was the one outcome that absolutely could not happen!

Therefore, whether it was Horikita Suzune, Makoto Nishikado, or even that dead-eyed sidekick, they all had to drop out.

"Since you're all so close to Horikita, why don't you all drop out together? That way, the three of you won't be lonely."

Kikyo Kushida continued to smile sweetly as she looked at Makoto Nishikado and Yuki Himeno.

She didn't know if she could succeed, but things had reached this point, and with her composure nearly shattered, she had to let the harsh words fly!

"Do you really think you can bury us?"

Yuki Himeno met her gaze without the slightest intention of backing down.

Are you kidding? Kikyo Kushida had no idea how powerful Makoto Nishikado was, but how could she not know?

Seeing Kikyo Kushida make such threats, Yuki Himeno only wanted to laugh.

"Judging by her attitude now, do you have the confidence to handle her?"

Makoto Nishikado ignored Kikyo Kushida once more, continuing to ask Horikita Suzune in a leisurely tone.

Kikyo Kushida's eyes were practically spitting fire.

At this moment, she truly loathed Makoto Nishikado's composure.

"As long as I don't violate school rules, it won't be that easy for her to make me drop out."

"Therefore, I have time to show her my sincerity."

After thinking for a brief moment, Horikita Suzune gave her answer.

She was not afraid of Kushida Kikyo suspecting her, because she was indeed sincere.

As long as these feelings could reach her, Kushida Kikyo would surely bow down and help her unify Class D.

"How truly naive, Horikita."

Kushida Kikyo mocked.

Horikita Suzune's words sounded sincere enough, but why should she believe them?

Betraying friends and being betrayed by friends—she had already experienced both.

"You've seen it too; she lacks a sense of security. To get you expelled, she'll likely use any means necessary, including defecting to other classes as a spy."

"If you can't stop her, you might eventually come to believe that your own existence is what's dragging the class down."

"Can you accept an outcome like that, Horikita?"

Makoto Nishikado took another sip of coffee, spoiling the plot for the three girls at a leisurely pace.

[Triggered Horikita Suzune's emotions, obtained 4488 emotional points.]

"Must it really come to this?"

Horikita Suzune's brows were tightly locked, her heart filled with disbelief.

Given her own experiences and mindset, she could not imagine Kushida Kikyo being crazy to such an extent.

"Secretly defecting to other classes? That actually sounds like a pretty good idea."

Kushida Kikyo's eyes lit up. After careful consideration, she felt it was indeed a great plan.

This way, she could take revenge on Horikita Suzune while simultaneously preserving her own image—it was killing two birds with one stone.

But immediately, a question surged in her mind: what exactly was Makoto Nishikado's background? He understood her past and personality so well, as if he had been watching her from the shadows all along.

"Teacher Ximen, if it were you, how would you solve this?"

Horikita Suzune could no longer think of any other way.

If she were the only one being pressured by Kushida Kikyo, it wouldn't be much of a problem; she could handle it.

But Makoto Nishikado would surely be concerned about her situation, and then her brother would inevitably find out as well.

That would not be good at all.

"There are only two methods. The first is for you to come up with a piece of information that absolutely cannot be exposed, and then disclose it to Kikyo-chan."

"Once she has the assurance that you won't betray her, she will have a sense of security."

Makoto Nishikado held up one finger.

Horikita Suzune looked at Kushida Kikyo and found that Kushida Kikyo was looking back at her.

The moment their eyes met, Horikita Suzune confirmed that Kushida Kikyo agreed with this method.

The problem was, Horikita Suzune had her own secrets, but she possessed no information serious enough that it could never be exposed.

"Teacher Ximen, is there a second method?"

This time, Makoto Nishikado did not explain; he simply took out the voice recorder he had been keeping in his pocket and pressed play.

When Kushida Kikyo's voice rang out, her entire face turned black.

Without a doubt, the content on this voice recorder could not be made public.

Kushida Kikyo's face twisted, and she lunged forward to snatch it.

Unfortunately, Makoto Nishikado was prepared. With one hand, he grabbed and restrained both of Kushida Kikyo's hands, while his other hand safely tucked the recorder away.

Seeing this comical scene, Horikita Suzune didn't know what to say.

Only then did she realize that Makoto Nishikado had been intentionally indulging Kushida Kikyo earlier, causing her to become reckless with her words.

To destroy someone, one must first make them go mad.

So this was the kind of tactic he was using.

But Makoto Nishikado was not so optimistic.

Looking at Kushida Kikyo's fierce gaze, he knew that the progress of subduing her had reached, at most, fifty percent.