Kidnapper and Hostage

"Hah~"

With a "ding" of the elevator doors opening, Kato Satsu walked out while yawning. He hadn't slept well last night, seemingly due to the memories of the original owner within his body.

Around midnight, something akin to a cinematic replay of a life began in Satsu's mind. The most significant part was that Satsu's consciousness remained clear, much like experiencing a lucid dream.

"Kato Satsu!"

Hearing someone call his name, Satsu instinctively turned his head toward the source of the sound.

The sight left Satsu stunned—the person calling him was none other than Horikita Suzune!

Suzune stood with her arms crossed over her chest, her handbag hanging casually from her right hand, leaning against the wall beside the elevator.

Seeing Satsu look at her, she quickly adjusted her posture and walked toward him. She opened her handbag, pulled out a white slip of paper with numbers written on it, and handed it to him.

"This is my contact information. Once you and Ayanokoji have organized the study group, just contact me with the time and location."

Looking at the slip of paper in Suzune's hand, Satsu didn't take it immediately. Although he was happy to finally have her contact information, he didn't want to get involved with the study group.

Even though Ayanokoji had previously given Satsu Horikita's contact details, it was clear that Suzune was unaware of this.

"I thought I made myself clear. I won't be helping."

Suzune remained patient. She didn't retract her hand, keeping it held out as she spoke on her own accord: "Or you can give me your contact information instead. It's the same thing."

"Are you..."

Satsu frowned, his tone turning displeased, but before he could finish, Suzune interrupted him.

"Once we exchange contact information, you will agree," Suzune said with absolute certainty. "You will definitely agree."

Looking at the confident Suzune before him, Satsu couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing. Was this woman crazy?

Although he really wanted her contact information, it wasn't to the extent that he would do anything just to get it.

Suddenly, a flash occurred in Satsu's mind accompanied by a slight stinging pain, and Suzune's inner thoughts appeared in his consciousness.

So that's it. She took a photo of me hugging Hasebe, huh~ (Kato Satsu)

Wait! What's going on with this mind-reading? It's not real-time, and it actually has a side effect of a headache! (Kato Satsu)

Enduring the headache, Satsu decided to play along with Suzune. "Fine. Let me see why you're so sure that I'll agree just by exchanging contact information."

As he spoke, Satsu took out his phone.

Essentially, Satsu and Suzune were negotiating at this moment. Even if Satsu wanted to refuse, he had to talk it out first, parrying each move as it came.

Satsu's headache didn't subside; instead, it showed signs of intensifying, almost reaching the point where his eyes were instinctively closing.

Although Suzune noticed Satsu's unusual behavior, she didn't think much of it, assuming only that Satsu was annoyed by her cryptic words.

She buried her head in her phone, and a moment later, she sent the photo over.

Looking at the photo, Satsu closed his eyes, putting on a performance of his heart sinking and being unable to face the reality.

Hm! The headache is gone! (Kato Satsu)

I can't read minds when my eyes are closed, and no mind-reading means no headache! But, it wasn't like this before, was it? (Kato Satsu)

Never mind that for now. I'll just deal with Horikita first. (Kato Satsu)

After staring at the photo for a long while, Satsu finally responded.

He pulled Suzune aside to a less crowded area, acting as if he were preparing for a serious negotiation.

"So, you're planning to threaten me? If I don't agree, you're going to spread this photo around?"

"Uh-huh~" Suzune nodded slightly.

Seeing Suzune admit it, Satsu glanced at the photo again and said, "And what if you do spread it? It didn't happen, so it didn't happen. A few people criticizing me won't hurt."

"And what about Hasebe?" Suzune asked.

"What does this have to do with her?" Satsu replied, confused.

"You're very popular among the girls. Surely you must know that?"

"Once this photo gets out, everyone will surely assume you two are in a relationship."

"What will those little girls who like you do? Might Hasebe end up being... bullied~?"

Suzune emphasized the word "bullied" heavily, the implication of her warning quite clear.

Satsu opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but Suzune spoke first: "I know what you want to say—that it's not that serious."

"But yesterday in the hallway, Inogashira and Hasebe almost got into an argument over you, didn't they? Thinking about that, is bullying really such an unfounded concern?"

"Though, you can't blame others. After all, they are teenage high school girls; it's normal for a few bored ones to exist."

Seeing Satsu's expression gradually turn serious, Suzune knew her words had taken effect, 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. "Pleasure doing business with you?"

Satsu didn't answer, merely staring at Suzune. Suzune remained patient, not urging him further.

Suddenly, Satsu let out a sharp laugh. His laughter grew from a faint sound to something louder, eventually devolving into mockery.

"Where is the flaw in my logic!" Suzune pulled back her hand and demanded, "In this situation, how could you possibly have a second choice? Are you betting that the bullying won't happen?"

"The fact is, I don't need to bet at all. Because you won't send it in the first place!"

Hearing Satsu's words, it was Suzune's turn to laugh; she was genuinely laughed to the point of anger.

She immediately took out her phone, seemingly intent on proving how ridiculous Satsu's conclusion was.

"It's just like how a hostage-taker threatens the police," Satsu said unhurriedly.

"If you guys come any closer, I'll kill the hostage!"

"What a classic line, isn't it?"

"Then why is it that every time a hostage-taker says that, the police really do just surround them instead of storming in?"

Satsu explained, "Because the police's goal is to capture the hostage-taker while ensuring the hostage's safety. And the hostage-taker knows this."

Hearing Satsu's words, Suzune reacted quickly and stopped her movements, while Satsu continued.

"When a hostage-taker has many hostages, he might actually go through with it, but if he only has one hostage, would he still do it?"

"He wouldn't."

Satsu's words were soft, yet they carried a heavy impact.

"Because once that sole hostage dies, the police will have no more concerns and will rush in to arrest the hostage-taker."

"Therefore, in such moments, the hostage-taker is usually just bluffing."

"And you, Horikita! Right now, you are a hostage-taker with only one hostage!"

"Am I right?" Satsu finished, looking at Suzune with a smile.

At the same time, around the corner of the wall, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was silently listening to everything.

"If you send the photo, I definitely won't help you, and you will never achieve your goal. Furthermore, you will turn me into your adversary."

Satsu said, "Not only would you fail to achieve your objective, but you would also be making an enemy for yourself just as your plan to reach Class A has begun."

"Would you really do such a thing?"

"Most importantly, what would happen if I were the one to leak it? Hasebe would do everything in her power to find the person who took this photo!"

"Horikita, you have placed a collar around your own neck and handed the key to me," Satsu said ruthlessly.

"To think he could turn the tables and threaten Horikita—not bad!" (Ayanokoji Kiyotaka)

"It seems I'll have to step in." (Ayanokoji Kiyotaka)

Thinking this to himself, Ayanokoji stepped out and said, "Horikita, I've been waiting for you for a long time."