The school campus gradually fell silent after classes, with most students either heading to club activities or returning to their dorms. In the empty corridor, only Kushida Kikyo's footsteps echoed.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
Although the sound of her indoor shoes on the floor was faint, Kushida clutched the brown file bag tightly in her hand.
(As long as I hand this to Chabashira-sensei, the mission will be complete...)
But deep within Kushida's heart, the demon that had always been suppressed was frantically clawing at the cage of her reason.
If this list were to leak... if Class C knew all of Class D's deployments... then Horikita Suzune would surely fall hard... Just imagining that scene sent a jolt of electric pleasure up Kushida's spine.
However—
"Ding-a-ling—"
In her mind, it was as if a crisp bell had rung.
(No... I can't actively betray them...)
'I just need to hand in the form obediently. While it's a pity I can't personally destroy Horikita, maintaining my standing with Sōsuke-kun is the most important thing.'
Having made up her mind, Kushida quickened her pace.
However, as she turned the corner that led to the special instruction building, her footsteps abruptly stopped.
In the shadow of the corridor ahead, a figure leaned against the wall, seemingly having waited for a long time.
Dark red hair, an open collar, and an expression radiating arrogance.
Class C's dictator, Ryuuen Kakeru.
"Yo, Kikyo-chan."
Ryuuen Kakeru straightened up, his hands in his pockets.
"I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Kushida Kikyo's heart pounded, and a strong sense of unease surged within her.
(Why is he here?)
She quickly adjusted her expression, a slightly puzzled smile appearing on her face.
"Ah, Ryuen-kun. What a coincidence, meeting you here."
She subtly tightened her grip on the file bag and shifted her body slightly to the side.
"I apologize, but I have something urgent to do at the office right now. Can we talk another time?"
"Urgent?"
Ryuuen Kakeru scoffed, showing no intention of moving aside. Instead, he took a step, closing in on her.
"Are you in a hurry to deliver a 'love letter'? Or... are you delivering Class D's form?"
"Instead of giving that to the teacher, how about letting me take a look first?"
Kushida's pupils constricted slightly.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She tried to remain calm, moving her foot to the left, attempting to bypass Ryuuen. "If Ryuen-kun is just joking, then I'll have to excuse myself."
"Joking?"
"I don't have time for that."
The next second, he suddenly reached out, aiming directly for the file bag behind Kushida.
"Hand it over!"
"Ah—! What are you doing!"
Without another word, Ryuuen directly reached out and roughly grabbed a corner of the file bag.
"Ah! No!"
Kushida let out a gasp, instinctively tightening her grip on the bag with both hands.
"Ryuen-kun! What are you doing! This is something we need to give to the teacher! You can't do this!"
"Huh? I'll do whatever I want."
Ryuuen suddenly exerted force, and the two engaged in a brief tug-of-war in the narrow corridor.
In this fleeting moment, countless thoughts flashed through Kushida Kikyo's mind.
(If it's stolen...)
(If it's an irresistible force...)
(Then it wouldn't count as me betraying them, would it? It wouldn't count as breaking my promise with Sōsuke-kun, would it?)
Once this thought appeared, it refused to leave.
She hated Horikita Suzune. She wished that woman would die.
If this entry form fell into Ryuuen's hands, Horikita Suzune would surely lose terribly, she would be utterly humiliated. That was a sight she dreamed of seeing.
And now, the opportunity was right before her eyes.
Moreover, the excuse was readily available—"I'm a girl, I'm not as strong as a boy, and I was forcibly robbed by a brute like Ryuuen, so I'm also a victim."
What a perfect reason.
The moment this thought crossed her mind, Kushida Kikyo's fingers, which had been gripping the file bag tightly, subtly relaxed a fraction.
What should have been a desperate struggle became a tacit performance at this moment.
With this slight concession, Ryuuen Kakeru gave a sudden powerful tug.
The huge difference in strength made Kushida stumble, and the file bag instantly slipped from her grasp, falling into the hands of Class D's sworn enemy.
"Ah! Give it back!"
Kushida let out a seemingly anxious shriek, lunging forward to try and snatch it back, but her movements appeared somewhat weak and powerless.
Ryuuen Kakeru pushed her away with one hand,
"Don't get in the way."
He triumphantly held up his spoils, tearing open the seal in a few quick motions and pulling out the form inside.
"So this is Class D's trump card... Heh, it's certainly interesting."
Ryuuen quickly scanned the names and event arrangements, the mocking smile on his lips deepening.
He took out his personal terminal and snapped several photos of the form, capturing every detail.
"Don't take pictures! Ryuen-kun! Please!"
Kushida stood by, feigning panic, even squeezing out a few tears from her eyes, looking utterly pitiful.
"If everyone finds out I lost the form, I'll... I'll be scolded!"
"Hmph, that's not my concern."
After confirming the photos were clear, Ryuuen casually stuffed the form back into the file bag and threw it back to Kushida like trash.
"Here, take it back. I have no interest in keeping such garbage."
Kushida hurriedly squatted down, picked up the file bag, and hugged it tightly, then looked up at Ryuuen with an angry gaze.
"You... what exactly do you want?"
"What do I want?"
Ryuuen Kakeru looked at her in this state, then suddenly leaned closer, a meaningful smile appearing on his wicked face.
"Hey, Kikyo."
He whispered in her ear, his tone laced with a hint of playful amusement and appreciation.
"You put on quite a convincing act."
"...Eh?"
"Wh-what do you mean? I don't understand..."
"It's fine if you don't understand."
"Anyway, I've accepted this great gift. Happy cooperation."
"What cooperation... I haven't cooperated with you at all!" Kushida retorted anxiously, a strange unease welling up in her heart.
What did Ryuuen mean by that?
Why did he say, "You put on quite a convincing act"?
No... that's not right, his tone was more like... more like he already knew I would give it to him!
"Heh heh, say whatever you want."
Ryuuen seemed to be in a good mood and didn't dwell on the matter. With his hands in his pockets, he turned and walked towards the stairwell.
"Give my regards to Horikita. Tell her I'm looking forward to the Sports Festival."
His laughter echoed in the empty corridor, gradually fading away.
Only Kushida Kikyo remained, standing alone in place.
Kushida hugged the recovered file bag, her heart still pounding violently.
(What did he mean by that last remark?)
(Did someone leak something? Or... was he just trying to be mysterious?)
The unsettling feeling lingered in her mind, but soon, it was replaced by another emotion.
That was—the pleasure of relief.
No matter what Ryuuen was thinking, no matter how it happened, the outcome was already decided.
The list was leaked.
And it was'stolen' by Ryuuen.
I am a victim. I am innocent. I did my best.
(That's right... I didn't betray Sōsuke-kun. I just... wasn't strong enough, couldn't fight off a boy.)
(It couldn't be helped. Who knew Ryuuen would be so rough?)
She lowered her head, adjusted her collar, took a deep breath, and rearranged the expression on her face.
"I need to give it to Chabashira-sensei quickly..."
She murmured to herself, hugging the file bag, and hurried towards the office.
However.
Immersed in self-exculpation, Kushida Kikyo completely failed to notice.
Just above and to her left, behind that seemingly inconspicuous ventilation grille.
A miniature camera's red indicator light was silently flashing in the darkness.