Chapter Text
3.1
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Deep into the night, Ayanokouji was awoken by a loud chirp. For a brief moment, he had no idea what caused the sound as he shot up from bed, already assuming an alert stance. He wouldn't allow himself to be caught off guard, even if he were in bed. As he sat for a moment, he soon realized that the loud chirping sound was from his doorbell. His eyes shifted over to the nightstand.
2:47 am
There wasn't any business anyone had ringing his doorbell now. He silently stood up, making his way over to the door. A hazing of sorts? Probably not. An ambush from Ryuuen? Unlikely. The tyrant talked about torture, not attacking Ayanokouji in his dorm. It would be too risky to try and fight Ayanokouji here, since if he managed to keep the fight in the hallway, everyone would be woken up.
Ayanokouji peered through the peephole, not expecting to see anyone. Confirming his suspicions, the hallway was complete empty. Ding-Dong-Ditch, perhaps. It was a game in which you rang a stranger's door, and then you and your friends ran away before they could find who did it. The goal was to leave the stranger confused while also riding off of the adrenaline rush of potentially being chased by someone. Maybe that's what this was- ding-dong-ditch on a random stranger in their hallway. But would they be willing to break the curfew so they could play this game?
He stepped back from the door, returning to his bed. He was fine with ignoring the problem, since engaging with them would only result in them wanting come back. With any luck, they would just go onto his neighbor, and it would be their problem. It's better to be a wallflower than a target. Unfortunately for Ayanokouji, he wasn't a very lucky person.
Perhaps ten minutes later, the doorbell rang again- the high-pitched buzz tearing through the silence of his dorm. Now Ayanokouji was annoyed. Ever since he had come to this school, he was faced with multiple annoyances: Horiktia, Sudou, Ryuuen, and Manabe. Ayanokouji simply wouldn't tolerate his dorm's solitude being ended by another nuisance. He stood up, quietly tip-toeing over to the door. He stared through the peephole, quiet like a trained assassin as he watched the hallway. Since they had tried again, they would certainly be back.
Like a cockroach infestation, you could only kill it with sufficient preparation. The first step: knowing what kind of pest you're dealing with. To a man like Ayanokouji, who had been trained in many areas, he sometimes found, however, that it were the cockroaches that gave the most problems. Manabe could easily be dealt with by a swift kick or attack, but that wouldn't work in the modified ring of ANHS. Ayanokouji would be expelled, and she would take it as a lesson that some people are just insane. Instead, he would have to approach in a different way, lowering himself to her level so he could defeat her.
Ryuuen was the same- a sneaky cockroach that Ayanokouji couldn't just attack. He would have to play along with Ryuuen's schemes until he could make an opportunity. Unlike some, who wait for an opportunity to present itself, Ayanokouji made the opportunity.
Just as he predicted, not five minutes later, a figure came into view. Magenta hair shone in the hallway's lights: Ryuuen. He paused outside of the door for a moment before pushing the doorbell with his index finger. The buzzer rang out, and Ryuuen flew out of sight immediately. So that was the pest. Ryuuen.
Ayanokouji sighed, returning to his bed. Ryuuen's torture began like that, trying to deprive Ayanokouji of his sleep to wear him down. Unfortunately for Ryuuen, in a battle of endurance, Ayanokouji would always come out on top. He was content with waiting the pest out- letting him ring the doorbell until he realized Ayanokouji would never open the door for him.
This was Ryuuen's game, and although he had the first move, Ayanokouji would triumph all the same.
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3.2
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"Students, before we end this period, allow me to inform you about an exciting offer," Sakagami-Sensei said, his voice positively dripping with sarcasm. Most of the class, who was still awake, perked up at his words while the few students who were asleep kept on peacefully as if they were in bed. "Today, a club fair is being hosted by the Student Council in the gymnasium."
He continued, "It's purely optional to join a club, but if I were in your positions, I would take advantage of this offer to make acquaint yourselves with your senpai as well as your classmates. There are certain rewards from involving yourself in the school community in that way." Sakagami-Sensei said, and Ayanokouji thought over his words. There were certain rewards? Surely he didn't mean just making friends.
The man took his leave just as the lunch bell rang, and students eagerly poured out of the class. As Ryuuen left, he threw a small glance towards Ayanokouji, before disappearing out the door.
"A club fair, huh?" Ayanokouji asked aloud, turning to Shiina who was in the midst of packing away her papers. Only some students appeared to actually be paying attention to the lessons, Ayanokouji realized, and even less so were taking notes or actively participating. For the most part, a boy by the name of Kaneda did most of the talking. He seemed smart, since he was able to answer most of the questions easily.
"I doubt there's any clubs that'd interest me," Shiina said over her shoulder. "How about you?"
Ayanokouji shrugged, "I'm not sure."
"Have you ever been in a club before?"
"Never."
"Me neither," She nodded. "I think Ayanokouji-Kun should go though. I think you'd enjoy making some friends."
"Eh, I dunno," Ayanokouji sighed. In a big setting like that, it wouldn't be too difficult for a normal person to make friends. Ayanokouji, however, was not a normal person. "If you go, I'll go."
Shiina gave him a puzzled look, "Do you not have anyone else to go with?"
Ayanokouji briefly though of his options: Horikita and Sudou.
He shook his head.
"Not really, no."
The silver-haired girl giggled, slinging her bag over her shoulder. Even she noticed Ayanokouji's desperation for friends, and Shiina thought it most pitiable that he failed in his mission so fabulously. She seemed to think about it for a moment before finally nodding.
"I suppose I could accompany Ayanokouji-Kun."
"Thanks for that, Shiina. I don't think I'd make it if I went by myself," He joked. If he went without someone to anchor him, he might just end up lost in the crowd, unable to say a word. At least he could rely on Shiina to help him in a conversation if he failed like he normally did. That's why it was useful to have Shiina, because even if she herself were quiet, the girl would be able to help him make more friends.
Making their way outside the classroom, the two were off to the library, but a girl stopped them. Apparently, she had been waiting by the door, looking for Ayanokouji.
"Ah, there you are, Ayanokouji-Kun!" Kushida said, much more excited than she had any right to be when seeing Ayanokouji of all people. Ayanokouji paused like a deer in headlights, unfamiliar with the excited greeting.
Kushida's red eyes flickered over to Shiina with a curious glance before refocusing on her target.
"Is this a friend of Ayanokouji-Kun's?" Kushida asked, and Shinna gave a polite nod. The conversation was incredibly strained, seeing the lack of interest from Ayanokouji and the general shyness of Shiina. "Ah, so he really is a nice guy!"
"What made you think that?" Ayanokouji asked. To suddenly declare he was a nice person was odd. Ayanokouji didn't even know what this girl did in her free time, but she acted like she knew him.
"He befriended Horikita-San," Kushida provided, before quietly adding. "She can be a bit rude..."
"There's no arguing that. What did you need with me, anyway?" Ayanokouji asked.
"So serious, Ayanokouji-Kun- you oughta lighten up!" She said with a playful wink. The look would have sent even the most serious boy into a coma, but Ayanokouji's heart was unmoved by her game. Kushida was somewhat surprised by the lack of reaction: did her charms really not work on this guy? It felt to her like she was trying to pull a truck with her teeth!
Mingling with people, even strangers, was Kushida's strength, and yet Ayanokouji kept her at arms length. She felt frustrated.
Shiina, observing the situation, spoke, "Perhaps you want some privacy with Ayanokouji-Kun. I'll give you two the privacy." Before the silver-haired girl could leave, Kushida quickly spoke.
"No, no, it's alright if you stay!" The blonde insisted. "I just wanted to ask Ayanokouji-Kun a question about Horikita-San."
"Horikita? What about her?"
"Since you're friends with Horikita-San," Kushida started, and although Ayanokouji felt like he should turn her down to avoid leading her on, he didn't. She was beautiful, by every definition of the word, but the brown-haired boy didn't trust her. Something was off about her that he couldn't put his finger on- a feeling in his stomach that you'd get after eating something bad. "I was wondering if you had her contact info? I tried to get everyone in my class's information, but Horikita-San refused!"
Ayanokouji shook his head, "Sorry, Kushida, but Horikita and I aren't even friends. She's more like..." His voice trailed off. He wanted to say "my bully", but if word got back to Horikita that he had said that, she would surely kill Ayanokouji where he now stood.
"An acquaintance?" Kushida asked. "But you two seemed so close the other morning." Kushida probed. She certainly had an ulterior motive, and it didn't involve befriending Ayanokouji. To her, he was just another pawn in her journey to a checkmate.
"I suppose that was just a coincidence. But if you want her number, you should just try and befriend her. Maybe she's not the type to give away her number without knowing you."
"Eh, Horikita-San's always turned me down when I ask her out."
Ask her out? Like on a date?
"Then you should give her some time, don't you think?" Ayanokouji proposed. "She might just be overwhelmed and trying to adapt to a new school."
"I don't want her to have no friends though," Kushida replied. "Most of the people in my class are already friendly with one another, and Horikita-San is missing the opportunity to make friends!"
"Perhaps she'd just rather not make friends at all," Shiina interjected suddenly. Where Ayanokouji was unable to tell the truth, Shiina was. Her boldness was masked by an air of politeness, matched only by a seasoned poet. Shiina appeared composed and rational- a powerful set of skills.
Kushida shook her head, finding the idea unfathomable.
"How could she not want friends?"
"In the same way you want to make as many friends as possible," Shiina explained. "Horikita-San may just be the type to like solitude, while you like having lots of friends."
Kushida ruminated on Shiina's words, before sighing and turning back to Ayanokouji.
"Since you've walked with her to school, can you at least tell me what kind of person she is?"
"What do you mean?"
"Like, if you're her friend, would she be more talkative around you?"
He shrugged, "Probably. But again, I'm not that close with her. Sorry I couldn't help you."
"That's fine, Ayanokouji-Kun! After all, I came up to you suddenly with such a random question. Let's exchange phone numbers, alright?"
Ayanokouji was surprised at her off, but obliged. As she walked away, meeting with her group of friends and disappearing, he stared at the very first contact in his phone with a childlike joy. Shiina watched him with a curious glance.
"You're so excited," She noted, a small smile present on her face.
"Ah, am I?"
She cocked her head to the side, "You didn't even realize that? What a funny guy." Ayanokouji's aloofness, to people like Shiina and Ryuuen who were well-adjusted, was a source of interest and entertainment. In the same way you view a zoo animal floundering about in its pen, the two watched Ayanokouji curiously. Ryuuen, for his potential, and Shiina simply because she was an observant person.
Ayanokouji kept his thoughts on Kushida to himself, but as he and Shiina approached the library, Shiina spoke quietly.
"That girl, Kushida-San, was acting pretty strange, wasn't she?"
"How'd you know her name?" Ayanokouji asked with a quizzical expression.
"Ishizaki-Kun- the boy with green-hair who was asleep today- was talking about a girl from Class D who was really pretty and friendly," Shiina explained, adjusting her hair as it flowed behind her. "Her name was Kushida, and that girl you were just talking to fit that description."
"I guess so," Ayanokouji said. Ishizaki, huh? So Kushida had already spoken to multiple guys in the class then. Even though she was a social butterfly, Ayanokouji found it hard to believe that Kushida already had such a strong foundation within Class D that she felt comfortable befriending the other classes. She must've been after that friendship with Horikita, and she realized to do that, she needed to befriend Ayanokouji. Like a snake coiling around its prey, Kushida intended to surround Ayanokouji completely.
All that effort just to befriend Horikita, though? Ayanokouji couldn't imagine anyone doing it, considering how rude Horikita was.
"You said she was acting strange, and I'd have to agree. It's weird to put that much effort into befriending one person from your class, right?"
Shiina nodded, "Maybe Kushida-San is the type who likes knowing everyone's business, like a gossip."
"I don't trust her," Ayanokouji said finally, showing only half of what he was truly thinking. Distancing himself and keeping Kushida separate from him would be the best-case scenario, but with a girl as pushy as her, it would be difficult.
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3.3
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It was after classes had officially ended for the day, and before his classmates fled the room that Ryuuen stood up at the front of the classroom. Before they could leave, he shouted, in a gravelly voice:
"Hey, wait a second- all of you!"
Out of pure curiosity, Ayanokouji stopped packing up his bag and directed his full attention to the front of the classroom alongside his peers. A row of eyes watched Ryuuen, but he hardly seemed intimated by the sudden attention. Ishizaki and his friends, who were halfway out the door, paused suddenly. A strange energy rippled through the air of the classroom, following Ryuuen's eyes as they went around the classroom. The classroom suddenly felt uncomfortable and intrusive.
"Hah? Whaddya want?" Ishizaki asked, breaking the awkward silence.
"I figured, since we're all gonna be classmates for the next three years, we should all get to know each other, shouldn't we?" Ryuuen proposed, and a giggle came from Manabe's group of friends.
She raised her hand mockingly, before saying, "What're we, middle schoolers? Are we gonna do some icebreakers?"
"He probably doesn't have any friends, Manabe-Chan, don't be mean!" One of her friends said, but it was hardly a suggestion. Instead, it was just an insult.
"Not icebreakers," He clarified. "But just introductions. Since some of us are gonna be in clubs, we should at least be friends with each other, right?" Ryuuen continued. His words, although kind, radiated the same fake nature as Manabe and her friends. Ryuuen's words were calculated.
"Pah, I'm not doin' this little kid shit," Ishizaki declared, walking right out of the classroom. One of his friends held behind, while the others followed right after him. No one, not even Ryuuen, made any attempts to stop them, but Ryuuen watched them go with a smirk.
He continued, "Unlike that idiot, I think you'd all be smart to go along with this." Ryuuen said, dropping the act of kindness.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Ishizaki's friend asked, his hands shoved into his pockets while he stared defiantly at Ryuuen.
"Didntcha hear me? You can go with that loser- I don't care."
"Oi, have some respect why don't you," The black-haired boy warned, and Ryuuen chuckled.
"For that guy? You gotta be kidding me!"
"Hate to say it, but that weirdo has a point," One girl said. "That kid sleeps in class all the time, so who cares what he does! Besides, he's a delinquent!"
"Tch," The boy hissed, muttering something to himself before leaving the classroom. Once again, Ryuuen's eyes followed him, and as he left, Ryuuen asked a question.
"Does anyone know his name? Or the names of the guys with him?" Now that the nameplates had been removed, one had to ask for the names of their classmates, and Ryuuen seemed to be interested. There wasn't any reason to associate himself with his classmates, and his reasoning didn't line up with Ryuuen's prior indifference to his classmates. He must have been trying to not only find out who they were, but see how they acted. Since Class C consisted of students with varying personalities, many of which being "faulty" so to speak, Ryuuen was measuring just how faulty they were.
The green-haired boy's delinquent behavior, as well as Manabe's taunting wouldn't go unnoticed, Ayanokouji thought.
Ayanokouji stayed quiet for a moment, finding it easier to stay out of the conversation, but Shiina raised her hand. While this happened, Ayanokouji noticed the blue-haired girl trying to find her way out of the classroom.
"Ishizaki-Kun is the green-haired boy, and I think the red-haired boy with him is Kondo-Kun," She provided. "I don't know the others."
Ryuuen rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Ishizaki and Kondo, eh? Well, you there, introduce yourself." He said, pointing to the blue-haired girl who had tried sneaking out of the room just then.
"You introduce yourself," She replied quickly. "Since this was your idea."
"C'mon, I wanna know a pretty girl's name," Ryuuen smirked. The girl's preexisting frown depended, and her purple eyes showed a dangerous glare. Despite this, Ryuuen didn't lose his confidence.
"You're annoying," She hissed bluntly, before continuing towards the door. She didn't bother lecturing him, only pointing out the same thought most people in the class had. After her, a few other students stood up and followed, including Manabe and her friends. This left only about 27 of the original 40 left.
Ryuuen chuckled to himself, "Kuku, what a strong girl." The magenta-haired boy proceeded to ask about the people who left the room, and only the name Albert came up to describe the foreign boy. Besides that, everyone else was unknown. With all of those people gone, the self-introductions proceeded uneventfully.
Ayanokouji learned the names of Kaneda, the boy from the second day of school who participated in class, Morofuji Rika, a shy girl with red-hair that could hardly say her own name, much to the amusement of a few people in the class. Those two were the only ones that stuck out, while everyone else were unremarkable. A few weird boys later, and the introductions were over besides for Ryuuen's.
"I'm Ryuuen Kakeru," He continued. "I think that all of you are gonna get along fine with me, but those who left..." His voice trailed off before his eyes found Ayanokouji. They attempted to pierce through him, but they were met only with a strong wall of indifference.
Timidly, Morofuji spoke, "W-what do y-you mean?"
"Only that the people who cause issues are gonna be met with punishments is all," He explained, yet somehow not elaborating at all. Ryuuen existed in a world of hidden meanings and intrigue- one that an unobservant person would never exist in. Would the punishment be from the school, or him, was the question.
"You're a pretty weird guy," A boy named Oda said with a slight smile. It was one born from the awkwardness and tension in the room.
"Ah, how so? For stating the obvious, I'm a weirdo? Is that it?" Ryuuen questioned, and Oda's brow furrowed.
"I never said that..."
"So how am I 'weird'?"
"Cause you just talk weird, I guess."
"Explain it," Ryuuen said, straightening up and walking closer to Oda, who sat nearer to the back of the classroom. The small boy shrunk back from the intimidating form of Ryuuen, and he shot the boy in front of him a glance, which was either never seen or outright ignored. A silent cry for help, muffled by Ryuuen's mere presence.
Now, with Ryuuen right in front of him, Oda was at a cross-roads: Either he tried to explain it, or chickened out. That was Ryuuen's goal, after all: to teach Oda that silence and submission was far easier than fighting Ryuuen.
"Nothing," He finally murmured.
Ryuuen chuckled, "That's exactly what I thought." Despite not forbidding them from leaving, no student stood up to leave. Only when Ayanokouji decided to stand up did Shiina follow suit.
"Where're you two going?" Ryuuen asked, and Ayanokouji shrugged.
"The club fair," He replied. "I'm sure most of us want to go there." A few nods from the rest of the class.
"Did I tell you you could go?"
"You didn't tell me no. Besides- you can't tell us what to do."
"But what if I said I did?" Ryuuen asked boldly. "If I said I was your leader, would anyone fight me on it?" He asked. A random question, but a probing one at that. The remaining students looked around at each other, confused.
Kaneda shrugged, "I suppose it depends on the context. If it were over an important topic, I think it's only natural there'd be some push back, but if it's for a Sports Festival, or something unimportant, I wouldn't mind all that much." That seemed to be the consensus of the entire class, with many other people nodding alongside that sentiment. There was no point in causing problems over an insignificant event, and for the first time, Ayanokouji was relieved by the laid-back nature of the class.
If they were the type to be competitive, Ayanokouji would find himself on the outskirts due to his tendency to hold back.
"You're a smart guy, Kaneda," Ryuuen said.
Kaneda paused, "Thank you, Ryuuen-Kun. I think."
Ryuuen seemed pleased with this answer.
"Alright," He said, taking one last sweeping look over the class. "You're all fine to leave."
A few murmurs from one side of the room indicated there was some annoyance at his assumption that he could boss the class around. Despite this, as both Ayanokouji and Ryuuen predicted, none of them publicly stood up to Ryuen. They all left the classroom, and Ayanokouji and Shiina followed.
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3.4
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Just as the duo seemed content on leaving, Ryuuen interrupted them. He stepped forward, blocking their path.
"Sorry, but I need to borrow Ayanokouji," Ryuuen said, not bothering to ask. It seemed he was already intent on acting as their leader, as he promised earlier. Ayanokouji felt like denying Ryuuen, but he was curious to see where this was going.
"Ayanokouji-Kun is his own person," Shiina said, stopping Ayanokouji in his tracks.
Ryuuen rolled his eyes, "Jeez, you got someone speaking on your behalf, Ayanokouji." True, it was unconventional to have someone speak up for you in this situation, but that showed the difference between Ayanokouji and Shiina. Where he opted to stay silent, Shiina was blunt with her judgment. If she were more extroverted, Shiina would be a good leader who could lead her subjects effectively and fairly. "Tell me, do you prefer a strong woman?"
Ayanokouji was taken off guard by that question, which was clearly Ryuuen's intention.
"Huh? I can't say I have a preference," Ayanokouji replied. "That's a random, and weird, question."
"Is it? Even weird questions have purposes. A guy who likes strong women is probably weak-willed himself, and the reverse is true," Ryuuen smirked.
"And if I said I didn't have a preference?"
"Then you're just as weak-willed as the guy who likes a strong woman, cause at the end of the day, you only take what you're given- you don't take what you want!" Ryuuen declared. The difference between Ryuuen and Horikita, Ayanokouji realized, was as clear as the bright blue sky above them, it turns out. Even though Ryuuen and Horikita both seemed rather strict in certain fields, Ryuuen was far more relaxed socially, and didn't care how his words affected those around him. Selfish, yes, but it showed that he wasn't one to be anchored by those around him.
"Ryuuen-Kun must've hit his head to be able to ask that question without any shame," Shiina remarked, dumbfounded. Despite Shiina's insult, Ryuuen could only laugh.
"Well, Hiyori, I can tell you're not like most people- you're bold."
"As are you, Ryuuen-Kun. Even so, I don't disrespect you by using your first name out of turn," Shiina replied wittily. "We're classmates- and it'd be incorrect to say we're more than that."
"You wouldn't even be my friend?"
"Only if you were a bit respectful," Shiiina replied. "Ryuuen-Kun's a smart guy, if a bit rude, so if he decided to be a bit more polite I wouldn't object." Her words carried an air of peaceful resilience that forced Ryuuen to back off ever so slightly. She wasn't the kind of girl you would want hating you- not because she would hurt you, but because of her wisdom. It would be integral to Ryuuen's regime if he ever hoped of being Class C's actual leader.
"The only way I'll talk to you is with Shiina watching," Ayanokouji insisted.
Ryuuen cocked his head to the side with a teasing smirk, his magenta eyes sizing Ayanokouji up for possibly the one-hundredth time. What reason was there to drag a girl like Shiina into this, Ryuuen thought.
"Kuku, you afraid or something?" Ryuuen taunted. His words fell on deaf ears as Ayanokouji didn't budge one bit.
"I think she can provide some valuable insight," The brown-haired boy explained, shoving his hands into his pockets. "That's what you want, right? Insight?"
"Something like that," He replied. His magenta eyes fell on Shiina's fragile form and a small smirk played onto his lips yet again. Class C was full of surprises, Ryuuen realized. Excitement coursed through his veins and anticipation bloomed in his stomach at the possible characters lying in wait.
He paused before speaking.
"So whaddya think of our class, Ayanokouji?" The question was directed to the brown-haired boy, who had expected as much. Whether or not Shiina was present didn't matter, since at the end of the day, Ryuuen's main focus was on Ayanokouji to an obsessive degree.
"Unremarkable," He replied dryly. "For the most part, I think most people just want to blend in."
"Except for Ishizaki-Kun," Shiina added.
Ryuuen nodded. Ishizaki had no problem speaking his mind and acting on his own desires, as did those who went with him or after him. In that regard, Ishizaki could easily become a key-player within the class's hierarchy. Most people believe only those who cooperate with the class contribute, but even those who shirk their civil duties contribute. They can serve as examples, or as scapegoats in case anything bad happens. Just like the worms in an ecosystem, Ishizaki still had his uses.
"That blue-haired girl, as well, and Manabe," Ayanokouji said. "I'm sure they'll all cause problems if you're gonna try and get this class to cooperate."
A beat of silence passed.
"Ryuuen-Kun," Shiina started. "Why exactly are you so intent on uniting our class?" The question hung heavy like lead in the air. His eyes flickered to Shiina, and behind them was a boundless desire for the truth.
He spoke, "This school is...strange, don't you think? 100,000 yen for a high schooler? That's downright wasteful. When you think about it, spending 100,000 yen at the start of each month on each student when there's four-hundred and sixty students in total means they're shelling out 46,000,000 yen- just on the students alone! That doesn't include the utilities they pay for, the vendors, and everything else," Ryuuen explained, crunching the numbers easily. Clearly he had put lots of thought into that.
"It's a government school," Ayanokouji said. "But yeah, even that's too much money."
"Not to mention the cameras all over the place. It's like they're always watching us in case we slip up."
"Slip up?" Shiina asked.
"Y'know, just acting like an idiot in public," Ryuuen replied.
"Well, the students who graduate are a reflection of the school themselves, so surely they'd discipline us- but when Ishizaki was asleep in class, the teacher didn't say anything."
"So they're just observing us for now," Shiina finished. "Do you think we'll be punished later on?"
"Wouldn't put it past them, but I don't know how they'd even do it," Ryuuen said. Yet again, silence fell over the trio. Debating the mystery of the school could only get them so far with limited information, and none of them felt the need to go into needless speculation. Despite this, Ayanokouji already had a general idea. To what a normal person would be an unclear image, Ayanokouji could put it together and make sense of it with ease.
"Maybe they'll target our allowances," He proposed, and that appeared to be the answer that made the most sense. He removed his hands from his pockets and crossed his arms. He closed his eyes, letting the darkness facilitate his thinking. "Assuming not every student received exactly 100,000 points every month, that'd mean the budget would make a lot more sense. Sakagami-Sensei said we'd be receiving 100,000 points this month, but he never said that it would be every month." Relying on what may have been just a slip of the tongue wasn't what Ayanokouji preferred to do, but he was relatively confident in his deduction.
Ryuuen hummed, and nodded, staring at Ayanokouji still, "That makes sense. I remember that old fart talking weirdly, but I couldn't put my finger on it."
"It's fine then, right, if we lay low?" Shiina suggested. "Ishizaki-Kun's allowance will be low next month, but that'll just teach him to behave. As long as we behave, it won't be a problem."
"But what if the class is punished as a whole?" Ayanokouji asked. "Inaction can be just as bad as doing the action itself, and we all saw Ishizaki sleeping. We'd be guilt by association."
That seemed to worry Shiina slightly, but Ryuuen shook his head without worry.
"It'd be useless trying to convince him with words."
"So then what will you do?" Ayanokouji asked. Ryuuen said words wouldn't help, but he never denied the possibility of taking action. If Ayanokouji was correct, it wouldn't be kind to Ishizaki.
Ryuuen grinned menacingly, and his eyes glimmered now with ferocity. Ayanokouji didn't fail to notice the twitch in his hand as his curled into a fist for a brief moment.
"I'll convince him with...other methods."
"I hope Ryuuen-Kun isn't considering violence," The silver-haired girl interjected, but Ryuuen threw his head back and laughed.
"Kukuku, don't worry! It's not like I'll lose!"
"That's not my concern. We'll surely get in trouble if Ayanokouji-Kun's theory is correct and you get caught starting fights."
"With a guy like that, it'll be the only way to get him to listen. There's nothing stronger in this world than violence."
Some might agree with Ryuuen there. Violence caused nations to rise and fall- it caused people to throw themselves to the feet of others to protect themselves. Naturally, the human body tried to avoid pain at any cost, so violence resulted in either submission or a frenzied state. All of this only applied to those who were strong, however. A toddler slapping an adult would do no good, but that same adult slapping a toddler would bring an entirely different reaction.
"Ryuuen, you're truly a headstrong idiot," Ayanokouji murmured. Ryuuen rolled his eyes.
He snapped, "If that's what you think, then you'll end up on my list soon enough. After all, I can't let a guy like you roam around free. You're just begging to be caged."
Those words, as menacing as they were, hardly evoked a reaction from Ayanokouji. Petty threats had no effect on a boy who was as seasoned as him. Shiina, however, crossed her arms defensively at Ryuuen's threats.
Ayanokouji's eyes narrowed, golden irises crinkling. They shone in the bright lights, like the eyes of a wolf staring at its prey through the darkness. A familiar chill made its way up Ryuuen's spine- the same feeling from the other day. He still couldn't name it, but he felt as if he were filled with dread and excitement all at once.
There was little that could excite him about a fight; he didn't fight for some selfish pleasure or inherent desire. Most people thought he was a senseless beast who craved that battle, but instead, Ryuuen was thoughtful with violence. Weak people didn't need to be attacked, since they would crumble with ease, while the strong would fall directly by Ryuuen's hand.
But the eyes staring back at Ryuuen?
They swirled with malice- the kind that could turn a man into a murderer. Ryuuen, for the first time, felt threatened. Part of him thought that if he fought the brown-haired boy now, he might actually lose. No, Ryuuen thought, quickly shaking away the thought. He figured Ayanokouji was just good at bluffing: that was half the fight after all.
"If you push me, you'll be the one whose caged," Ayanokouji threatened. His words had the coldness of ice and the pain of fire all at once.
Yet another interaction between the two had been reduced to an exchange of threats. It seemed that between the two, they were waiting for the other to make the first move. After all, making the first move would leave you open to an attack. That's why many generals played it safe in war to avoid needless death, yet history only remembers the side that scored victory. Safety or honor? What would Ayanokouji choose?
To Ayanokouji, the puppet master, there was no such thing as one or the other. He created these decisions: he did as he pleased and the rest would follow.
"Tell me, Ayanokouji, for such a smart ass, you're always keeping quiet? Why is that?"
"I just want to live a peaceful, ordinary life," Ayanokouji explained truthfully. And that was sincere. He would return to that place after graduation, so why bring attention to himself now when he can relax? He'd have all the time in the world after high school to be forced into a foreboding place on center stage. Like the lead of a musical acting as stage crew, Ayanokouji yearned for the sidelines to be his home.
"Then you came to the wrong school," Ryuuen declared. "Cause I'm here- and you're far too interesting to let live a peaceful life." He gave a fleeting glance to Shiina before waving over his shoulder.
"I'll be off! But you guys'll see me later!" He yelled, walking down the hallway. Part of Ayanokouji felt like asking about that cryptic threat, but Shiina did for him.
"What did he mean by that?" Shiina asked, nervousness creeping into her normally composed voice. "Do you think he'll resort to violence with you, Ayanokouji-Kun?" The silver-haired girl had nothing to worry about- Ryuuen had no need to force her into submission. Instead, Ayanokouji would surely end up his target.
Despite this, he remained cool and composed, shaking his head.
"I doubt it. If anything, he'll try to show me what's in store."
Instead, Ayanokouji figured another person would be targeted, and who better to set an example than the one who opposed Ryuuen so publicly. Ayanokouji felt a sensation in his stomach like the roots of a tree spreading throughout him, warmth moving along with them. His body trembled, not with fear, but with another feeling entirely:
Excitement.