"Haah~"
The elevator doors opened with a ding, and Satsu stepped out, yawning. He hadn't slept well the night before, apparently because of the memories of the body's original owner.
At midnight, something like a series of rapidly flashing images had begun playing through Satsu's mind. The strangest part was that he'd been fully conscious, as if he were having a lucid dream.
"Kato Satsu!"
Hearing someone call his name, Satsu instinctively turned toward the sound.
He was astonished to see that it was Horikita Suzune who had called him!
Suzune stood with her arms crossed over her chest, her handbag hanging casually from her right hand, her back against the wall beside the elevator.
When she saw Satsu look her way, she quickly straightened up. Then, as she walked toward him, she opened her handbag, took out a piece of white paper with a number written on it, and held it out to him.
"This is my contact information. Once you and Ayanokoji have organized the study group, just let me know the time and place."
Looking at the slip of paper in Suzune's hand, Satsu didn't take it right away. He was glad to finally have her contact information, but he didn't want to get involved with the study group.
Although Ayanokoji had given Satsu Horikita's contact information earlier, Suzune obviously didn't know that.
"I think I made myself quite clear. I won't help."
Suzune remained patient. She didn't lower her hand, but kept holding out the paper as she said, "Or you can give me your contact information. Either way works."
"Are you..."
Satsu furrowed his brow, his tone turning displeased, but Suzune cut him off before he could finish.
"Once we exchange contact information, you'll agree," Suzune said with confidence.
"You'll definitely agree."
Looking at Suzune's self-assured expression, Satsu couldn't help finding it amusing. Was this woman crazy?
Sure, he wanted her contact information, but not so badly that he'd do just anything to get it.
Suddenly, a sharp twinge flashed through Satsu's mind, and Suzune's inner voice appeared in his head.
So that's it. She saw the photo of me hugging Hasebe. (Kato Satsu)
Wait! What's going on with this mind-reading? It isn't happening in real time, and it even gives me a headache! (Kato Satsu)
Enduring the pain, Satsu decided to play along with Suzune. "Fine. Let's see what makes you so sure that I'll agree just because we exchange contact information."
As he spoke, Satsu took out his phone.
At its core, Satsu and Suzune were negotiating. Even if he wanted to refuse, he had to negotiate first and respond to whatever she tried.
Satsu's headache didn't ease. If anything, it grew worse, almost to the point where his eyes were closing involuntarily.
Suzune noticed something was off with Satsu, but didn't think much of it. She just assumed that her vague remarks had upset him.
She lowered her head and tapped away at her phone. Before long, she'd sent him the photo.
Looking at the photo, Satsu closed his eyes, putting on an expression as if his heart had sunk and he couldn't bear to face what he saw.
Mm! The headache's gone! (Kato Satsu)
If I close my eyes, I can't read minds. If I don't read minds, I won't get a headache! But it didn't work like this before, did it? (Kato Satsu)
I'll worry about that later. First, I need to deal with Horikita. (Kato Satsu)
Satsu stared at the photo for a long time before responding.
He led Suzune to a quieter spot nearby, acting as if he were ready to negotiate seriously.
"So, you're planning to threaten me? If I don't agree, you'll—you'll spread this photo?"
"Mm-hmm~" Suzune gave a small nod.
After seeing her admit it, Satsu glanced at the photo again. "And what if you spread it? Nothing happened. A few people might criticize me, but it won't hurt."
"What about Hasebe?" Suzune asked.
"What does she have to do with this?" Satsu replied, confused.
"You're popular with the girls. Surely you know that?"
"If this photo gets out, everyone will assume you're dating."
"What do you think the girls who like you might do? Could Hasebe end up getting... bullied~?"
Suzune put heavy emphasis on the word "bullied," making her warning clear.
Satsu opened his mouth, about to argue, but Suzune spoke first. "I know what you want to say. It's not that serious."
"But yesterday, in the hallway, Inogashira and Hasebe almost got into an argument over you, didn't they? If you think about it, is bullying really so far-fetched?"
"Still, you can't blame them. They're high school girls going through puberty. It's only natural that a few of them would be bored enough to do something like that."
Seeing Satsu's expression grow more serious, Suzune knew her words had hit home, so she pressed her advantage. "Now, give me your answer! Will you join me, and will we rise to Class A together, or..."
As she spoke, Suzune held out her hand. "Shall we work together?"
Satsu didn't answer. He simply kept looking at Suzune, who waited patiently without rushing him.
Suddenly, Satsu burst out laughing. His laughter started quietly, then grew louder and louder until it became mocking.
"What's wrong with my logic?" Suzune withdrew her hand and demanded. "In this situation, how could you possibly have another choice? Are you going to gamble that the bullying won't happen?"
"The truth is, I don't need to gamble. You won't spread it!"
Hearing Satsu's words, Suzune laughed too. She was so furious that she couldn't help laughing.
She immediately took out her phone, apparently to prove how ridiculous Satsu's conclusion was.
"It's just like when kidnappers threaten the police," Satsu said calmly.
"If you come any closer, I'll kill the hostage!"
"That's a classic line, isn't it?"
"Then why is it that every time they say it, the police really do just surround them instead of storming in?"
Satsu explained, "Because the police want to catch the kidnapper while keeping the hostage safe. And the kidnapper knows that."
Hearing Satsu's words, Suzune quickly understood and stopped what she was doing. Satsu continued.
"When a kidnapper has a lot of hostages, they might actually do something. But if they only have one hostage, would they still do it?"
"No~"
Satsu's voice was soft, but his words hit hard.
"Because once that lone hostage dies, the police can storm in and arrest the kidnapper without holding back."
"So in that situation, the kidnapper is usually just bluffing."
"And you, Horikita! You're a kidnapper with just one hostage!"
"Am I right?" Satsu finished, smiling at Suzune.
Meanwhile, around the corner in the wall, Ayanokoji silently listened to everything.
"If you spread the photo, I definitely won't help you, and you'll never achieve your goal. On top of that, you'll make me your enemy."
Satsu said, "You won't only fail to achieve your goal; your plan to rise to Class A has only just begun, and you'll already have made yourself an enemy."
"Would you really do something like that?"
"Most importantly, what would happen if I spread it myself? Hasebe would do whatever it took to find the person who took this photo!"
"Horikita, you've put a collar around your own neck and handed me the key," Satsu said coldly.
He actually managed to turn the tables and threaten Horikita. Not bad! (Ayanokoji Kiyotaka)
Looks like I'll have to step in! (Ayanokoji Kiyotaka)
Thinking this, Ayanokoji stepped out and said, "Horikita, I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Before you continue