Noon, Class A camp.
On a flat stone table, a handwritten contract lay quietly.
Class teacher Mashima Tomoya of Class A stood by with a serious expression, witnessing the entire secret inter-class transaction as a notary.
Katsuragi Kohei, his face grim, signed his name, representing Class A, on the contract that promised to "pay Natsukawa Sosuke 200,000 private points monthly." Although his hand was steady, the force of the pen on the paper conveyed an undeniable heaviness.
"Excellent, pleasant cooperation."
"I hope you'll keep your promise."
"Don't worry." Natsukawa Sosuke waved his hand and turned to walk into the forest. "I'm a man of my word. Your class will only lose 80 points in this exam."
"This guy..."
...After leaving Class A's stronghold, Natsukawa Sosuke was in quite a good mood.
As he hummed a tune and walked through a dense fruit orchard, a rustling sound from the bushes ahead caught his attention.
Through the gaps in the branches and leaves, he saw a petite figure struggling to stand on tiptoes, trying to pick wild fruit from a high branch.
It was Shiraha Chihiro from Class B.
'What a small world.'
"Yo, isn't this Shiraha-san? Picking fruit alone here?"
Hearing the voice that left a deep impression on her, Shiraha Chihiro's body stiffened abruptly.
She turned around, saw it was Natsukawa, immediately pouted, and took two steps back. "...I don't want to talk to you."
She dropped this cold remark and turned to leave. She didn't even want to glance at this scumbag who not only two-timed but also defiled her purest Honami-chan.
"Is that so? That's truly a pity."
Natsukawa Sosuke didn't stop her; he just stood there and said to her retreating back in a casual tone:
"Originally, I wanted to tell you that Ichinose might be betrayed, and Class B might lose very badly in this exam. Since you don't want to hear it, then forget it."
Upon hearing the keyword "Ichinose," her steps instantly froze in place.
The next second, she spun around and rushed in front of Natsukawa, her usually timid face now filled with panic and urgency.
"You... what did you say?!"
"Who wants to harm Honami-chan?!"
Looking at the small fish that instantly bit the bait, the smile in Natsukawa Sosuke's eyes deepened.
"Don't be so agitated." Natsukawa Sosuke leisurely leaned against a tree trunk, sizing her up and down. "Want to know?"
"Tell me quickly!" Shiraha Chihiro's voice was laced with urgency.
"It's actually quite simple." Natsukawa Sosuke lowered his voice, leaning slightly forward. "Because... someone leaked the identity of Class B's leader."
"And that leader... is you, isn't it?"
"!!!"
At this moment, Shiraha Chihiro felt as if her heart had stopped beating.
Immense fear engulfed her like a tide. Her eyes widened, her face instantly turned pale, and her lips trembled, unable to utter a word for a long time.
"You... how could you..."
"How did I know?"
"Is it... is it Honami-chan who told you?!" Shiraha Chihiro asked urgently, as if grasping at a last straw. "Because you're her boyfriend, so she..."
"How could that be." Natsukawa Sosuke mercilessly interrupted her fantasy. "With Ichinose's personality, how could she casually tell such a secret to others? How can you doubt Honami's character?"
"Then... then you..."
"I overheard it."
"Yesterday, when I was wandering in the forest, I accidentally ran into that Kaneda from Class C. He was secretly meeting with Ryuuen Kakeru. They were laughing at Class B's naivety, saying they had seen through your tricks long ago."
"They said, 'That girl named Shiraha is so easy to read; she gave herself away with just a little probing'."
"How about it? Doesn't that sound like intelligence leaked due to your incompetence?"
Every word Natsukawa Sosuke spoke was like a sharp knife, piercing Shiraha Chihiro's heart.
"No... no... I didn't..."
Shiraha Chihiro desperately shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Didn't?" Natsukawa Sosuke sneered, pressing closer. "Shiraha-san, you overestimate your acting skills. You think you're hiding well? In others' eyes, you're full of flaws!"
"Because of your carelessness, because of your weakness, Class B will not only fail to get first place this time but will also lose at least 70 SP, making all of Honami's efforts go to waste!"
"And all of this... is because of you."
"No... it's not..." Shiraha Chihiro's legs gave out, and she slumped to the ground, the wild fruit in her hands scattering everywhere.
Natsukawa Sosuke crouched down, looking directly into her eyes, which were filled with despair.
"Imagine this: when the exam ends, and Class A and Class C guess Class B's leader correctly, and the announcement states that Class B barely managed to retain less than a hundred points, what expression will Ichinose, who worked hard for a week, have?"
"She trusted you so much, entrusting you with such an important task. But you messed it up."
"She probably won't scold you, after all, she's the gentle Ichinose Honami." Natsukawa Sosuke's voice became soft, yet more cruel than a devil's whisper. "She'll just look at you with utterly disappointed eyes, then gently sigh and say: 'Ah... Chihiro-chan, turns out you couldn't do it. I should have known not to entrust it to you...'"
"No!!!"
Shiraha Chihiro covered her ears, letting out a sharp scream.
That image... the image of being disliked and abandoned by Honami-chan, was ten thousand times more painful than killing her.
"Don't... Honami-chan... don't hate me..."
She curled into a ball, large tears rolling down like broken pearls, completely shutting herself off.
Seeing that the time was right, Natsukawa Sosuke reached out and gently patted her shoulder.
"However... luckily, you met me."
Shiraha Chihiro suddenly looked up, and a flicker of hope instantly ignited in her tear-filled eyes.
Like a drowning person grasping at the only piece of driftwood, she hugged Natsukawa's leg and cried out:
"Save me... please save me! As long as Honami-chan isn't disappointed... I... I'll do anything!"
"Anything, really?" Natsukawa Sosuke lifted her chin, looking at her tear-streaked face. "Even... sacrificing yourself?"
Shiraha Chihiro froze for a moment.
She looked at Natsukawa's face, then at the deserted forest around them.
(Sacrifice... myself?)
A thought surfaced in her mind.
This man is a scumbag. He not only toyed with Honami-chan's feelings but also had an entangled relationship with that girl from Class D. Now, he made such a request... (He wants my body.)
Shiraha Chihiro felt a surge of humiliation.
But... (If I don't agree, Honami-chan will be disappointed, and Class B will lose.)
(Anyway... I'm just a useless person. If this body can bring Honami-chan's smile...)
Moreover, an even more twisted, more pathological thought quietly sprouted in her heart.
(He's Honami-chan's boyfriend... if I and he... wouldn't that mean I'm united with Honami-chan in another form?)
This immoral, twisted logic actually made her feel a strange excitement amidst her despair.
(I can't resist anyway... can I?)
Shiraha Chihiro seemed to have made some kind of decision. She closed her eyes, and her trembling fingers reached for her collar.
"Okay... I agree."
She slowly unzipped her tracksuit, and the jacket slid off, revealing the thin T-shirt underneath.
Then she reached for her waist, slowly yet resolutely. Just as she was about to take off her lower body attire in one go, a large hand grabbed her wrist.
Natsukawa Sosuke's voice sounded from above, "I've felt your resolve."
Shiraha Chihiro opened her eyes blankly, looking at the man who had stopped her.
(Eh? Not... not doing it?)
Natsukawa Sosuke pulled her up, picked up her jacket from the ground, draped it back over her, and even carefully brushed off the dust.
"Your determination is very touching, but I'm not someone who takes advantage of others in their time of need."
He leaned close to her ear. "To turn the situation around, to protect your beloved Honami, what you need to do is become a shadow in this darkness."
"Next, I'll tell you a method. You just..."
"This method might be painful. Can you bring yourself to do it? Even if Honami doesn't know, even if she might blame you for it."
Shiraha Chihiro tightly clutched Natsukawa's sleeve, the confusion in her eyes gradually fading, replaced by a fervent determination.
"For Honami-chan... I'll do anything!"
"Very good."
Natsukawa Sosuke cupped her cheek with one hand, forcing her to look into his eyes.
Their faces were so close their noses almost touched. "This is a secret between the two of us, Chihiro."
"Absolutely do not tell a third person, especially Ichinose. You know her personality; if she knew the truth, she would never agree to you doing this."
"We all know Honami's abilities are strong, but everyone has moments of oversight. At such times, someone needs to be in the shadows to help her patch up that loophole."
"And you are the one I've chosen, the one who can bear all the darkness for her."
"From now on, if there are any unusual actions from Honami's side, or any stirrings in Class B, you must report them to me promptly to avoid similar incidents, understood?"
"This isn't betrayal; this is so I can protect her better. After all... I'm Honami's boyfriend, how could I do anything to harm her? Don't you agree?"
These words completely shattered Shiraha Chihiro's last bit of hesitation. This wasn't betrayal; it was protection. This was the deepest love for Honami-chan that only she could provide.
(Turns out, he's not so detestable after all.)
Shiraha Chihiro looked at Natsukawa, who was so close, and nodded blankly.
Ever since her inner defenses were completely breached, her thoughts had been entirely taken over by Natsukawa's logic. Now, she was merely a devotee willing to heed the devil's whisper to protect her goddess.
"Yes... you're Honami-chan's boyfriend... you're helping her..."
"Good girl."
Natsukawa Sosuke extended his thumb and gently wiped away her tears.
"Tomorrow night, it's up to you."
"...Yes."
After tidying Shiraha Chihiro's clothes and taking her around to ensure no traces of crying remained on her face, Natsukawa Sosuke escorted her to the vicinity of the Class B camp.
Watching the petite figure disappear into the forest, Natsukawa Sosuke's smile at the corner of his mouth grew even more...