Hand Seal (Seeking Everything)

"Help me set up a meeting, Masumi." Watanabe Hayabara picked up the coffee cup in front of him, drained it in one gulp, and slammed it back onto the table.

Kamuro Masumi watched him with curiosity, resting her chin on her hand as she asked, "Hayabara, who is it you want to see?"

Watanabe Hayabara was silent for a moment before saying slowly, "Sakayanagi Arisu."

"Huh?" Kamuro Masumi was clearly taken aback. "Hayabara, you aren't into lolis, are you..." Her voice trailed off, turning into a near-whisper.

She lowered her head, looking somewhat embarrassed as she added, "She's just an isolated girl with a princess complex. There's nothing special about her."

Watanabe Hayabara's lips curled into a faint, imperceptible smile. He saw right through her, saying, "I know what you're thinking, Masumi. Don't doubt me; I have no particular interest in her. But if you were caught stealing by her, you'd understand why I need to meet her. If you had been caught, you'd likely be her slave by now."

"In your eyes, is my only worth that of a slave, Hayabara?"

Watanabe Hayabara's lips quirked into a playful smirk. He leaned in close to Kamuro Masumi, his right hand gently cupping her chin as if she were a piece of fine porcelain.

Kamuro Masumi's heart began to race. She could feel Watanabe Hayabara's breath against her face, the warmth causing a flush to spread across her cheeks.

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Watanabe Hayabara suddenly pressed his lips against hers.

"Mmph... hnn..." A low moan escaped Kamuro Masumi's throat. Her body shuddered, and she instinctively tried to struggle, but Watanabe Hayabara's strength held her fast.

The kiss lasted a long time, long enough for Kamuro Masumi to nearly forget how to breathe. When their lips finally parted, her chest heaved as she gasped for air.

Watanabe Hayabara watched her with a smile, his gaze lingering on her flushed, bashful face. "Why so shy, my little kitten?"

Kamuro Masumi's face burned even hotter. She glared at him, her mouth pouting in anger. "You just kissed me out of nowhere, you pervert!"

Watanabe Hayabara didn't seem to care. He raised an eyebrow and said languidly, "Is there something wrong with exercising my right to be intimate with my own pet?"

"You... you!" Kamuro Masumi turned away.

"See you tomorrow, Masumi. Remember to bring Classmate Sakayanagi along." With that instruction, Watanabe Hayabara stood up and left, leaving behind a resentful Kamuro Masumi.

"Could I have a moment, Classmate Watanabe?" A hollow voice reached Watanabe Hayabara's ears.

"Is there something you need, Classmate Ayanokoji?" Watanabe Hayabara forced a smile.

"Nothing too important. Classmate Kushida asked me to invite you to a study session."

"A study session? I don't think I really need one, considering my grades are well ahead in the nineties."

"It was Classmate Kushida's suggestion that you help tutor others. She said someone as kind as Classmate Watanabe wouldn't refuse."

"Is that so? Then I suppose I'll reluctantly agree."

[Kushida Kikyo is really causing me trouble.]

That night, Watanabe Hayabara sat alone on the stairs near the rooftop. He kept his eyes closed, enjoying the silence of the night until he heard the tap-tap-tap of footsteps climbing the stairs, followed shortly by the sound of "thwack-thwack."

[Finally here, are you?]

Watanabe Hayabara slowly rotated his stiff neck, producing a faint crack. He stood up from his seat and shoved his hands deep into his pockets. His steps were heavy, as if he were carrying a thousand-pound burden.

Watanabe Hayabara walked onto the rooftop step by step, each one appearing labored. When he finally stood still on the roof, his gaze naturally fell upon the lonely figure ahead.

The figure was facing the railing, kicking it repeatedly while muttering complaints: "Ah—so annoying. Really, so annoying. It makes me so mad. Why doesn't she just drop dead... Thinking she's so cute and putting on airs, she's probably just a slut anyway. A woman with that kind of personality could never teach anyone how to study. Ah—this is the worst. It's the worst, the worst, the worst. Horikita is so annoying, Horikita is so annoying... so damn annoying!"

This voice was completely different from her usual lively and spirited tone; now, it was low and repressed, like a cursed incantation that sent a chill down one's spine.

Watanabe Hayabara stood silently, watching her back, when a faint smile suddenly touched his lips. He began to clap softly, the clap-clap-clap echoing across the empty rooftop, sounding jarringly out of place.

Hearing the applause, the figure turned around abruptly, like a startled beast. Kushida Kikyo's face still bore traces of anger and irritation. When she saw Watanabe Hayabara, a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by cold indifference.

"Watanabe Hayabara, what are you... doing here?" Kushida Kikyo's voice was icy, devoid of any warmth, as if she were interrogating a stranger.

Watanabe Hayabara put on a look of profound grievance. He looked at Kushida Kikyo mournfully and said, "How cold, Kushida Kikyo. I thought I was Little Kikyo's confidant, especially since I learned Little Kikyo's true colors back on the bus."

"What you just heard... if you tell anyone, if a third person finds out, I won't let you off." Kushida Kikyo threatened viciously.

"If Little Kikyo is trying to intimidate me, I suggest you drop the idea." Watanabe Hayabara remained unbothered.

"If you dare tell anyone, I'll accuse you of raping me."

"Can Little Kikyo produce evidence? Fabricated claims will only ruin your reputation further. Do you think it was a coincidence that I discovered your secret?"

"Evidence? I'll have evidence soon enough, and then it won't be a fabrication."

Kushida Kikyo stepped closer to Watanabe Hayabara, leaning her body against him. She grabbed his hand and pressed his palm against her chest.

Watanabe Hayabara felt the soft, supple sensation against his hand and gave a playful smirk.

"Now your fingerprints are on me. There's your evidence. I won't wash this uniform; I'll keep it in my room. If you betray me and tell anyone, I'll hand it over to the police."

"Is that so? I'd be delighted, Little Kikyo." As he spoke, Watanabe Hayabara began to unbutton Kushida Kikyo's school uniform on his own.

"What are you doing!?" Although Kushida Kikyo's words were cold, the shock in her voice was unmistakable.

"Naturally, I'm completing the evidence so Classmate Kushida has a more comprehensive case." Watanabe Hayabara undid one button after another, then removed his glasses, revealing his true face.

Kushida Kikyo's first reaction wasn't to struggle, but to laugh—a cold, mocking laugh. "Classmate Watanabe is quite the dark soul, aren't you?"

"Is that so? The sky is actually colorless. It didn't deceive you; you simply deceived yourself with your own eyes. You should be grateful to be facing the most authentic version of me."

"However, if Classmate Watanabe keeps moving, I'm going to call for help. Such an egregious act would likely mean spending your youth in prison." Kushida Kikyo threatened.

"Hahahaha," Watanabe Hayabara laughed wildly, not the least bit worried that someone might come by. "The reason you were assigned to Class D is because of your true face, isn't it? Then why don't you guess the reason I was assigned to Class D?"

"Could it be that your experience is similar to mine?"

"That's a truly amusing joke. I merely acted in excessive self-defense and accidentally sent four people to paradise. Now, guess what my punishment was?"

"What!?"

"Of course, there was no punishment. The families of those four people forgave me, so there was no punishment at all!!"

"Why?! Why would they forgive you?!" Kushida Kikyo could not comprehend it.

"Do you know Koenji's background? He is the young master of a conglomerate."

"And I was his classmate during middle school. Guess what my status is."

"Are you a conglomerate young master too?"

"Yes, but to be precise, not exactly. So, have you thought it through, Kushida Kikyo?"

"No matter what, you still can't contend with public opinion!!!"

"If I say you were the one who initiated it, then you were the one who initiated it!"

"You... you!" Kushida Kikyo suddenly felt as if she couldn't catch her breath.

"What's wrong, Little Kikyo? If something were to happen to you, what would I do?" Watanabe Hayabara switched back to a gentle expression, as if he were caring for his own lover.

However, watching Kushida Kikyo's bewildered appearance, Watanabe Hayabara lost interest. "How boring!"

Watanabe Hayabara shook his head and released his grip on Kushida Kikyo. She collapsed to the ground, her eyes losing their luster.

"I won't tell anyone else, but you also need to learn to hide yourself better, Kushida Kikyo. If you are discovered by others, no one will be able to save you. If you need help, or if you're worried, you can come to my dorm room. I won't keep the complete evidence, Little Kikyo. You must work hard, ciao~."

Watanabe Hayabara waved and left, departing from the rooftop. He then used his phone to send the entire recording of the encounter to Kushida Kikyo, covering everything from the moment they met on the rooftop.

Stunned and motionless for a long time, Kushida Kikyo picked up her vibrating phone, opened the chat box with Watanabe Hayabara, and played the video. After watching for a moment, she closed it with an expressionless face, stood up, and kicked the railing with all her might. "You will regret this!!!"