1 Threatening Kushida Back

The first incident that starts this domino effect is when Ayanokoji Kiyotaka accidentally catches sight of Kushida Kikyou's true personality when she is ranting her personal feelings about Horikita Suzune in an empty classroom.

Due to a mistake on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's part, she notices someone nearby. And then rushes out of the classroom and catches Ayanokoji Kiyotaka on the staircase.

(Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's POV)

As Kushida descended the staircase with a brisk pace, I barely had time to react before she cornered me against the wall, her left forearm pressing against the base of my throat with surprising force.

The Kushida before me was unlike any I had ever known - her tone was sharp, her actions aggressive, and her expression downright terrifying. It was a stark contrast to the cheerful and friendly demeanor she usually displayed.

"If you breathe a word of what you just heard, I won't hesitate to make you regret it," she hissed, her words dripping with venom.

I felt a chill run down my spine at her icy tone, realizing that she was deadly serious. The threat hung in the air like a tangible force, leaving me speechless and paralyzed with fear.

"And if I were to tell someone?" I managed to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper.

Kushida's lips curled into a malicious smile, sending a shiver down my spine.

"In that case, I would make sure everyone believes that you raped me," she declared, her words cutting through the air like a knife.

The accusation hit me like a ton of bricks, and I recoiled in shock. It was a false charge, a blatant lie - but the cold, calculating look in Kushida's eyes told me that she didn't care about the truth.

"That's absurd," I protested weakly, my mind racing with disbelief.

But Kushida merely shrugged, unfazed by my protests.

"It doesn't matter if it's true or not. All that matters is what people believe," she said, her voice dripping with malice.

As she spoke, she grabbed my right wrist with a vice-like grip, slowly prying open my hand. I tried to pull away in panic, but she pushed back with surprising strength, forcing my palm against her chest.

"What are you doing?" I stammered, my heart pounding in my chest.

Kushida's lips curled into a twisted smile as she held my hand firmly against her soft breast, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

"Your fingerprints on my clothes will be all the evidence I need to make my claim stick," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "So unless you want your reputation ruined, I suggest you keep your mouth shut. Understand?"

A tremor of unease ran through me despite Kushida's theatrics. Expulsion. The word hung heavy in the air, unspoken but a very real threat. This facade of a cheerful classmate she maintained for the class was a powerful tool, and used against me, it could have dire consequences. Being expelled wasn't part of the plan.

Maintaining a facade of nonchalance, I reached for my phone, my fingers brushing the cool surface with practiced ease.

"Interesting threat, Kushida," I said, my voice betraying none of the apprehension churning in my gut.

"But before you get too carried away, consider this." I tapped the screen a few times, the familiar glow illuminating the corner of the room.

"The entire conversation, your little blackmail attempt included, is conveniently recorded on my phone."

It was a bluff, of course.

My phone was in sleep mode, the recording app nowhere near open. But the flicker of uncertainty in Kushida's eyes told me it landed.

The cheerful facade flickered for a moment, a flicker of fear replacing the malicious glint. Good.

"You wouldn't dare," she hissed, the venom in her voice replaced with a desperate edge.

A small smile played on my lips, barely a flicker on my face.

"Wouldn't I?" I countered, my voice a low murmur.

"Think about it, Kushida. Your perfect image, shattered. Expelled because of fake accusations. Does that sound appealing?"

The threat hung in the air, a silent battle of wills.

I knew the expulsion part was unlikely for her, but the damage to her reputation? That was a gamble I was willing to take.

The gears were turning in her head, the color slowly draining from her face. In that moment, the predator had become the prey, and the power dynamic had shifted.

"This doesn't change anything," she finally spat, her voice tight with barely suppressed anger.

"Oh, it changes everything, Kushida," I replied, my voice calm and collected. "You see, now you have a choice. Silence, and we both maintain the status quo. Or you continue down this path, and we both go down in flames."

The air crackled with tension, a silent power struggle humming between us. Kushida's facade had crumbled, replaced by a simmering mix of fear and anger. Perfect. I had her exactly where I wanted her.

"Silence," I said, drawing the word out, letting it sink in. "That sounds pretty good, doesn't it, Kushida?"

A tense silence stretched between us. Her eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape, but there was none. I had her cornered, and she knew it.

"But there are conditions," I added, a smirk playing on my lips. "Consider this your initiation."

Her posture stiffened. "What conditions?" she spat, her voice laced with defiance, a flicker of her old spirit returning.

"Simple," I said, leaning in closer, my voice dropping to a low murmur. "You become my tool, Kushida. Use your little pool of friends, your manipulative tricks, all for me."

Her eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across her face. This was the test. Would she submit, or would she try to break free? I needed to be certain of her loyalty before I could truly use her.

As if to answer my question, she scoffed. "And what makes you think I'd agree to something like that?"

I maintained eye contact, my gaze unwavering. Then, I did something unexpected.

My hand, swift and sure, reached out and squeezed her soft breast aggressively. A gasp escaped her lips, her eyes widening in shock.

It was a calculated move, a way to remind her of her vulnerability, to push her off balance.

"Because," I continued, my voice a low growl, "the alternative is far worse. Don't forget, that recording" - I tapped my phone pointedly - "might accidentally find its way to the right ears. The teachers, perhaps? Or even better, the entire student body."

The color drained from her face. The threat hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the precarious position she was in. She might be good at manipulating others, but I had just shown her she wasn't untouchable.

She clenched her jaw, her bravado faltering.

 "Fine," she hissed, the word laced with venom. "But this isn't over, Ayanokoji."

A slow smile spread across my face. "Excellent," I purred. "Now, about those connections of yours..."

"For now," I continued, my voice calm and devoid of any heat, "you'll maintain your usual behavior. No need to arouse suspicion. Act as if this little exchange never happened."

Kushida's eyes narrowed, but a flicker of understanding passed through them. She knew the game had changed. She wasn't the one pulling the strings anymore.

"I'll send you instructions," I said, taking a step back and regaining a respectful distance. "Targets, methods, desired outcomes. You'll use your connections to subtly influence them, nudge them in the direction I see fit."

There was a hint of a challenge in her gaze, a silent question of whether she was capable of pulling it off. I met her gaze unflinchingly.

"Don't worry," I said, a hint of a predatory smile playing on my lips, "you're more than capable. After all, manipulation is your specialty, isn't it, Kushida?"

The sting in my words was unmistakable. This wasn't a partnership, it was a leash. She could squirm, she could fight back, but ultimately, I held the collar.

"Just remember," I added, my voice dropping to a low murmur, "one wrong move, one misstep, and that little recording becomes a chorus broadcasted for the whole school to hear."

The threat hung heavy in the air, a chilling reminder of the power dynamic. Kushida swallowed hard, her eyes flickering down to my hand, a silent acknowledgment of my dominance.

"Understood," she finally muttered, her voice tight with suppressed anger.

"Excellent," I replied, the smile on my lips turning genuine for a fleeting moment. "Now, go. Mingle. Be the charming Kushida everyone knows. We'll talk again soon."

As she turned and walked away, her posture stiff and shoulders tense, I couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. A pawn had been acquired. The game had just begun.

With a final, dismissive nod towards Kushida's retreating figure, I allowed the amusement to fade from my eyes. The air, thick with tension moments ago, felt strangely empty now. My work here was done, for now.

Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I turned and made my way back to my dorm room. The quiet solitude felt strangely comforting after the high-stakes exchange with Kushida. Reaching my room, I unlocked the door and stepped inside, letting out a sigh as the door clicked shut behind me.

Almost immediately, my phone buzzed with a notification. It was the usual group chat, a digital space where the elite students of Class D congregated to gossip, vent frustrations, and occasionally, share grudging respect for one another. This evening, however, the mood was decidedly unpleasant. The topic of discussion: Horikita.

Scrolling through the messages, I saw a litany of complaints.

"I heard about what happened today. Horikita is really frustrating, huh?"

"I was really pissed at her. Sudou was super mad. He almost lost it. I think he would've hit her."

"If I see her tomorrow, I might hit her. I was really annoyed with her today."

"Aha ha ha, it'll be a big problem if you hit her lol. That would be overkill!"

"Hey, I have an idea. Starting tomorrow, how about we completely ignore her?"

"Ha, I've always ignored her (lol)."

"I kind of want to hit her with some payback. Bully her a little and make her cry, you know? Do something like hide her shoes."

"Ha ha, what are you, kids? Lol lol lol but I do kind of want to see her squirm."

My eyes skimmed through the messages. The usual suspects – Ike, Yamagishi, and a few others – were voicing their frustration with Horikita's leadership style. Her bluntness and unwavering determination rubbed most of the class the wrong way. While some complaints were valid, the undercurrent of personal dislike was unmistakable.

A sigh escaped my lips. This predictable drama was a waste of energy. Ignoring the notifications, I closed my eyes, focusing instead on the events that had transpired earlier. The confrontation with Kushida had been a necessary maneuver, securing a valuable asset within the class. But it was only a single step in the larger game.

Sleep, however, refused to come. My mind replayed the events leading up to this point.

Deciding a change of scenery might help, I grabbed my student ID and headed out the door.

The cool night air felt like a welcome slap in the face. The vending machine in the lobby buzzed as I selected a can of chilled coffee.

Glancing at the elevator doors as I made my way back, a flicker of movement on the CCTV screen caught my eye. It was Horikita, descending alone.

Curiosity piqued, I finished my drink and waited, hidden behind a pillar, for the elevator doors to open and reveal an empty hallway. Horikita's determined stride took her towards the exit, and with a silent decision, I followed, maintaining a safe distance.

The night air was cool against my skin as we exited the dorm building. She headed towards a secluded corner of the campus, bathed in the soft glow of a nearby streetlamp. My heart skipped a beat when a tall figure emerged from the shadows, meeting her there.