As for the tip that Kushida Kikyo was going out that night, Wu Qiao didn't know exactly where Karuizawa Kei had heard it, but he figured it had slipped out during some private chat among the girls.
To anyone else, it really was a completely useless tidbit. After all, at a school with this much freedom, it was perfectly normal for students to go out at night for a walk or to buy something.
But... Kushida Kikyo was different.
Wu Qiao knew all too well what this two-faced person was like: sunny and cheerful on the surface, but always stirring up trouble behind the scenes.
She usually played the role of Class D's social butterfly to perfection. If she was going out of her way to sneak off alone in the middle of the night, it definitely wasn't to buy snacks or admire the night scenery. She was most likely carrying out some shady stress-relief plan. This was the perfect chance to catch her in the act.
The two of them had been waiting in the shadows of a landscaped area not far from the dorm entrance for a while. The night breeze carried a slight chill.
Before long, a familiar figure slipped furtively out of the dorm building.
Kushida Kikyo looked around, and after making sure no one was nearby, hurried toward the depths of the campus. Wu Qiao gave Karuizawa Kei a signal, and they followed at a safe distance.
Seeing how cautiously Kushida Kikyo was acting—so unlike her usual self—Karuizawa Kei's heart began to pound. She followed close behind Wu Qiao, her palms damp with sweat. She was both nervous and curious, with no idea what Wu Qiao was planning.
What if Kushida spotted them? The thrill of walking a tightrope left her afraid to even breathe.
Hidden behind a tree some distance away and concealed by the night, Wu Qiao and Karuizawa Kei watched Kushida Kikyo venting her anger by the railing beside a small lake.
Her large eyes, usually brimming with smiles, were now full of malice. She kicked the railing until it trembled, while every kind of vile, unspeakable insult poured from her lips. She was nothing like the angelic girl she'd been during the day.
Seeing that Kushida Kikyo had nearly finished venting, Wu Qiao handed the phone he'd been using to record to Karuizawa Kei. Then, clapping slowly, he stepped out of the shadows. "What a show. The angel turned into a devil."
Kushida Kikyo's face instantly darkened. She glared at Wu Qiao, who had suddenly appeared, and didn't speak right away. Her mind raced. Perhaps she was wondering why Wu Qiao was here, or how she could explain her crazy behavior just now.
But the moment Wu Qiao approached, Kushida Kikyo made up her mind. He definitely hadn't come over to say hello or admire the scenery.
Wu Qiao walked up beside Kushida Kikyo and leaned against the railing without a hint of courtesy, looking down at her. "Why so quiet? You must have plenty to say right now. Tired from all that yelling? Want to take a break? I can wait while you do it all over again."
"Don't tell anyone!" Kushida Kikyo stared straight into Wu Qiao's eyes. Her voice was a little hoarse from all the shouting.
"You think you can order me around?" Wu Qiao asked indifferently.
"Don't tell anyone!" Kushida Kikyo suddenly grabbed Wu Qiao by the collar, trying to intimidate him. But he didn't budge, his gaze as calm as still water.
"You serious?" Wu Qiao sighed and flung her arm away. The next second, his hand was clamped firmly around Kushida Kikyo's throat.
Wu Qiao actually hated using a chokehold. It was too crude. But he had to admit, it was an effective way to intimidate someone with sheer force.
The girl's neck had no Adam's apple, and her skin felt delicate and fragile. Wu Qiao applied only a little pressure before letting go, leaving her a little room to breathe.
Like a marionette with its strings cut, Kushida Kikyo slumped to the ground with her legs splayed to the sides, coughing violently. Her full chest heaved with every breath.
"Your secret is in my hands now. If you don't learn to behave, you're going to suffer." Wu Qiao looked down at her.
"I'll report your violence to the school! Your fingerprints are on my neck!" Kushida Kikyo, unwilling to become his prisoner, made one last attempt to fight back.
Wu Qiao didn't bother answering. He suddenly punched Kushida Kikyo on the head. She clutched her head in pain, tears welling up at once.
"So what? Violence at this level would at most get me a warning or a demerit. I didn't do much to you, and you don't have any obvious injuries." Wu Qiao shrugged, looking utterly unconcerned.
Seeing Wu Qiao act as though he had her right where he wanted her, a mad glint flashed in Kushida Kikyo's eyes. She lunged forward and pinned Wu Qiao's hand against her chest. "But what if it's rape? You'd be expelled and sent to prison. Your life would be over!"
"Stupid woman." Wu Qiao rolled his eyes in exasperation. His hand stayed on Kushida Kikyo's chest, pressing harder as he kneaded it without the slightest gentleness.
They were big and firm... but that didn't give her the right to threaten him. As Wu Qiao increased the pressure, the buttons on Kushida Kikyo's shirt gave way, revealing her deep cleavage and pale pink lace. The pain made her suck in a sharp breath.
"Do you really think you're strong enough to hold on to my hand? Do you think I'd let you leave here with my fingerprints on you?"
Fear and panic finally filled Kushida Kikyo's face. Wu Qiao's questions made her realize that she had been at an absolute disadvantage this whole time. All her resistance had been pointless.
Tears fell one by one from the corners of Kushida Kikyo's eyes, ran down her cheeks, and landed on her chest and Wu Qiao's hand.
The beautiful school life she'd imagined was about to fall apart. The little angel persona she'd worked so hard to maintain was about to be torn to shreds, while that bitch Horikita Suzune was still doing just fine at school.
"Why me? Why is it always me? Why? What did I do wrong? Why am I always the one who gets hurt?" Kushida Kikyo murmured blankly. The damage to both her body and her heart had driven her to the verge of collapse.
"Did I say I was going to expose you? On the contrary, I'll help you. All you have to do is pay a small price." Wu Qiao gently reached out and wiped the tears from Kushida Kikyo's face.
The bright moon hung high, and the clouds had dispersed.
When Kushida Kikyo raised her head, a glimmer of hope returned to her eyes. She had found a lifeline. "What do you want? My body?"
Wu Qiao took the opportunity to touch her neck, rubbing his index and middle fingers up and down over her fragile artery. "No need. Just cooperate with some things I do. Don't make trouble. That's all."
Wu Qiao's words were vague and hardly reassuring, but Kushida Kikyo had no choice. She stared at him with clenched fists, as if struggling with herself. Finally, she gritted her teeth. "You choked me and hit me. Let me punch you once, and I'll agree to your terms."
Wu Qiao knew that even if he refused, Kushida would have no choice but to do as he said. Still, letting the girl vent might not be a bad thing. It could even help him win her over.
"Fine." Wu Qiao agreed readily. It was a great deal for him.
Wu Qiao stood right in front of Kushida Kikyo, leaving his abdomen completely exposed. Seeing him like that, Kushida swung her fist and slammed it into his stomach with all her strength. She really did put everything she had into it, as if she were trying to unleash all the humiliation and fear she'd felt just now in that single punch.