Flashback

Arisu's Pov

The class ends, and I can finally see him, but I lack the courage to approach him. I do, however, have a plan in mind for how we will meet; all I need is the cooperation of the entire class and Ayanokoji's friends if there's any. After the bell rings, I immediately stand up and approach Kamuro. Who can blame her for being suspicious of me? I had already appointed her as my assistant.

"Kamuro, come with me," I said, smiling smugly.

"Huh? Where are we going?"

"We're going to meet someone special."

I didn't say anything to her and walked away; I don't have time to waste because I'm sure he'll leave his classroom right away. Why I asked Kamuro to accompany me is so that if anything goes wrong and he spots us, I can use Kamuro as a shield.

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We're not watching as my husband exits the corridor following an interaction with a blond boy named Koenji. My Kiyotaka looks great as usual, but there is one issue. Who is the girl who is following him? Are they close? To be honest, watching them interact with each other makes me envious. I tighten my grip on my cane as I watch them walk together.

Kamuro gave me an odd look, but I ignored her because Kiyotaka is more important to me. After that, we followed them into the convenience store. He's back together with that girl... Tch, she's lucky to have a conversation with my husband.

I require confirmation of their relationship. If at all possible, I'll use her to meet with Kiyotaka. My Kiyotaka then befriends the red-haired delinquent boy who appears aggressive.

"Arisu, who is that boy, are you going to use him as well?"

What she said to my husband irritated me. What exactly did she say? I'm going to use on my husband? That's not going to happen! I'll absolutely love him. He is mine!

"Shut your mouth"

She didn't say anything else after that. My husband then blackmailed the three seniors into giving him half of their points. He is literally flawless. He even makes that delinquent with red hair his subordinate. I'm getting hot just watching him. I motioned Kamuro to approach the black-haired girl after my Kiyotaka said his goodbyes to his friends. I'd like to speak with her.

I sat on one of the benches, admiring the scenery, wishing my Kiyotaka was holding my hand. After a few minutes of waiting, Kamuro returns with the girl from earlier.

"You're the one who summoned me... what do you want?"

Why do I feel like I have to perform some kind of ritual just to call her?

"My name is Arisu Sakayangi, and it's a pleasure to meet you."

"State your business"

I am the one who called her here. What gives her the guts to question that?! 

"I had a question for you... What is your relationship with my Kiyotaka?"

I noticed her lift her brows. Kamuro seems surprised, possibly because I mentioned my husband's name as if I owned him. I waited for her response but received none.

"Hey, I have a question for you. Please respond."

"Why would I? Who are you to me?"

This girl was really getting on my nerves. I kept my cool and looked at her calmly.

"You simply need to tell me about your relationship with him."

"What does your inquisitiveness have to do with me?"

This girl. Arisu, relax, this is for your husband.

"I've loved him since I was a kid, so I have a right to know the answer."

"What if I told you we confessed to each other?"

I froze, and cold sweat ran down my face. I gave her a horrified look. It has to be a lie, right? Yeah... It's a lie; my Kiyotaka would never choose someone like her over me. Yeah... I need to calm down, but what if what she says is true? No, no, no!

"You..."

"Kiyotaka and I are now happy; please respect our relationship."

I stand up and clutch her jacket. My eyes became moist as I looked at her.

"Why would I believe you? You're lying! He'll never choose you!"

My mind is a complete mess. Hearing what she said to me hurts. It hurts my heart.

"But he chose me; please don't intrude on our lives."

"No, I'm not going to accept it! Take back what you said!"

This is my first experience with rage, but who can blame me? I'm just a regular high school girl who has been in love for over eight years. I had waited for so long to be with him. How am I supposed to give up?

Tears stream down my cheeks. Total despair. I'm defeated, it hurts, and I don't want to feel that way again. My dream, my dream of being with him, has been shattered by a girl he just met.

"No... I... It's unfair, it's so unfair; I've loved him since I met him, and I even wish to be with him forever; it's unfair; I can't accept it."

When I cried, Kamuro looked stunned. Who would have guessed that a manipulative girl like me would be so obsessed with her childhood crush? Even if you turn the world upside down, I'm just a girl in love.

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"just kidding"

Huh? What exactly did she say? I don't think I heard correctly.

"Can you repeat what you said?"

"I was joking, I'm just testing you to see if you're sincere or not... it's suspicious for a class A student like you to have a crush on a Class D student. If others interpret what I said, they will suspect that you met him with an ulterior motive."

"You mean you're not with Kiyotaka? I... I have a chance to be with him? "

"It depends on what you do, and it is up to him whether he will accept you into his heart or not."

Hearing that I have a chance makes me happy all over again. It brings me joy, but I'm glad she said those words to me. Others perceive me as manipulative; if I approach him abruptly, others will misinterpret and interpret it as if I'm using him as a pawn. His reputation is also at stake, and I don't want others to be mean to my Kiyotaka.

"Will you then help me?"

"It depends on your strategy."

"I see..."

I then told her about my entire plan for meeting Kiyotaka. While listening to my plan, I noticed her impressed expression. She must have believed it would work. I'm pleased with myself... I know, I know, I'm fantastic.

"That's a nice plan, but Ayanokoji knows me as a cold-hearted girl with a superiority complex; it'll be strange if I suddenly ask him to go eat with me, and depending on how smart he is, he'll immediately find out about the plan, but there's someone who is more suitable for the job."

"Who?"

"It's his bodyguard... Ken Sudo, and with him asking Ayanokoji out for lunch, Ayanokoji will not be suspicious and will accept Sudo's invitation as a token of gratitude for saving him."

"How am I going to meet that Sudo?"

"Don't worry, I'll explain the plan to him; he's Ayanokoji's bodyguard, after all."

"Thank you for your assistance! Uhmmm... what's your name?"

"Horikita Suzune"

"May I have your phone number?"

I request her phone number in case the plan fails. She handed it to me without hesitation. I'm overjoyed; my plan will undoubtedly succeed, and my husband and I will finally meet. I can hardly wait!

"Many thanks, Horikita; you saved my life."

"Sure, but I have a favor to do for you."

"As long as I'm capable of doing it."

"Please make him happy."

She then walks away. I watch as she walks away, slowly disappearing. I let out a sigh of relief because it feels like all of my burdens have been lifted. I look at my assistant Kamuro, who is surprised.

"Are you Arisu? Are you an imposter?"

"Stop asking stupid questions."

Horikitas's Pov

I immediately leave Arisu's presence to go to my dorm. She's not bad, and I can tell she likes Ayanokoji. I just wanted to put her to the test because I can't let my friend be deceived. Speaking of friends... He is my first friend since 'that' happened to me. Just thinking about it makes me shiver in fear. I want to tell my brother what happened, but he kept pushing me away. I don't want to be a burden anymore. That's why I just gave up. I even pretend to have a superiority complex to protect myself so others won't take advantage of me. As usual, my brother became even colder towards me and stared at me with disgust in his eyes.

He is no longer affectionate toward me. It's as if he forgot I'm his sister. I don't have anyone... I'm completely alone. There are many times when I want to end my pain and kill myself, but... I can't because I'm still hoping for my brother to accept me. Even though I enjoy being alone, I am afraid of being lonely. I want someone on whom I can rely. That's why I've worked so hard to get my brother's attention. My favorite person is my brother. It hurts me when he looks at me with a disappointed expression; I want to change, but I'm afraid. I'm sacred to the fact that if I open my heart again...

Someone is going to take advantage of me and rape me.