I left Suzune the privilege of giving Sudo and the rest of the class the news about Sudo no longer being expelled. I left the room after class and was followed out by Haruka. My nerves kicked into overdrive and I started to sweat.

**I knew I wasn't going to be able to remain composed around her.**

Y/N: H-Hey, Haruka-

Haruka: Not HaHa?

Y/N: My bad.

I closed my eyes and tried to relax for a moment. I awkwardly kept my eyes closed for too long, but she still waited until I was ready.

Haruka: How's your arm?

I showed her the wound that was covered and stopped bleeding.

Y/N: The bandaid worked like a charm. Thanks for that, by the way.

Haruka: No problem. It's good to know it wasnt anything serious. But hey, are you doing anything right now?

Y/N: Not in particular. Why what's up?

Haruka: Well, I was wondering if-

Another student came flying out of the class. It was one of Class 1-D's problem students, Haruki Yamauchi.

Yamauchi: Ah, Y/N! Thank goodness you're still-

He stopped what he was saying and had his eyes fixed on Haruka. His cheeks went rosy and he didn't say anything.

Y/N: I'm still..?

Yamauchi: Oh, my bad! I was just-

He started looking at Haruka again. I peeked over at her and saw she was starting to become uncomfortable with his staring.

Y/N: Yamauchi... I'm over here.

Yamauchi: Damn... Right, sorry. Can you come with me to this electronics store?

Y/N: Me? Why?

Yamauchi: You seem like the type to be good at handling their money- or points, I guess.

**What lead him to think that? Why's he picking me?**

Y/N: You want me to come as your financial advisor..?

He rubbed the back of his head and nervously chuckled.

Yamauchi: Of sorts..?

**He's hoping I can slide him a few points if necessary... It's a shame for him I just blew 50,000 of them earlier.**

Y/N: Just... Just hang on.

I turned back to Haruka.

Y/N: What were you about to ask me, HaHa? You were wondering if?

Haruka: O-Oh. It's nothing. If you have somewhere else to go-

Y/N: You were going to ask first. You have priority. What is it?

Haruka: Don't worry. Maybe some other time.

I raised my eyebrow and stared at her. I had already been able to figure out she was timid and shy, but she and I hit it off on our first time talking, so I never actually got to see her act this way. With Yamauchi around, she became completely submissive and sometimes even stuttered her speech. I couldn't help but feel like the nervousness she was displaying was the result of my actions years ago. It was hard to not blame myself for anything negative that she exhibited.

Y/N: Okay, then... You have my number. Don't be afraid to call. Really.

Haruka: Of course. Bye, Y-Aka.

Y/N: Later, HaHa...

She headed off and left me with Yamauchi. I watched her leave before turning back to Yamauchi who was also watching her leave with creepy eyes.

Y/N: Dude?

Yamauchi: Do you know if she's single?

Y/N: Dude..?

Yamauchi: Ah, of course not. That was a dumb question... You even have cute nicknames for each other. You're a lucky person, Y/N.

I flicked his forehead.

Y/N: Can you stop? Focus, Yamauchi...

Yamauchi: Ow! What? Things like nicknames prove that people are close to each other. Come on, make something up for me, too!

Y/N: Okay, what is even going on right now? I'm not doing that, sorry.

Yamauchi: Please?!

Y/N: How about a secret handshake, then?

Yamauchi: Hell yeah, that's way cooler.

Y/N: So, this electronics store? Lead the way. We'll come up with a handshake on the way there.

Yamauchi: Right. Follow me.

We left the school and headed out to the store. We created a secret handshake on the way there. Eventually, we arrived.

Y/N: That was the worst handshake I have ever seen in my life...

Yamauchi: I concur. That was stupid. Forget about nicknames and handshakes... I'm over it now.

Y/N: Let's go in, then-

???: Oh, hey! Y/N!

Before we could enter the store, we saw a girl approaching. She had long strawberry-blonde hair that ran down to her waist and a well-endowed figure. The truth is that I had no idea who she was.

Y/N: Who's that?

Yamauchi: I don't know. She's calling you, not me. Damn it!

She made it over with a smile on her face. The longer I stared into her eyes, the more alluring they seemed. She was pretty and had a friendly demeanor that rivaled Kushida's.

???: Hey, Y/N.

Y/N: Hey, uhm... You?

It started to click in my head who she was. I only ever saw her a few times, and we never actually interacted. She was Kushida's friend, Honami Ichinose. She was a student of Class 1-B.

**How does she know my name? Did Kushida tell her, or somebody else? Am I just being oblivious to something? I shouldn't underestimate the ability to gain information of a Class B student.**

Y/N: Ichinose, hey.

Ichinose: Oh, you know my name? I guess we can spare the introductions, then.

She looked at Yamauchi.

Ichinose: Hello, I'm Honami Ichinose. Nice to meet you!

Yamauchi: Yamauchi. Haruki Yamauchi.

Ichinose: I was just about to head into this store, too. Mind if I join you?

I looked at Yamauchi. He was clearly unstable around girls he found attractive, but I believed it'd be fine.

Y/N: Sure.

We went into the store and started looking around.

Y/N: So, uhm... How'd you know my name exactly, Ichinose?

Ichinose: Kushida has brought your name up before. She said you were kind of scary at first, but she really likes being your friend.

Y/N: That's good to hear. She really has been a joy to be around.

Ichinose: Isn't she?

Yamauchi: Hey, Ichinose-chan?

Ichinose: Hm?

Yamauchi: You're a first-year, aren't you? What class are you in?

Ichinose: Oh, I'm in Class 1-B.

Yamauchi: Sheesh! What's it like up there?

Y/N: I'm sure it's borderline the same as it is for us in Class D. At least in terms of academics. The real trouble begins outside of classes...

Ichinose: Yeah, I'm sorry you all have to go through that. I've spoken with my class about treating everybody fairly before, so I hope none of them have given you all a hard time.

Yamauchi: No, but Class C has...

Ichinose: Oh... Class C, huh? They've tried to pick a few fights here and there with my class, too.

Y/N: Do you guys need help..?

Ichinose: It's nothing we can't handle! I just feel bad for some of the students in the class is all. Ryuen rules with an iron fist.

Yamauchi: Ryuen?

Ichinose: Kakeru Ryuen. He's brash and brutal, but he's pretty scary because of how smart he is. Much more so than he gives off. He probably became Class 1-C's leader through fear.

Y/N: Compared to Class 1-D, that sounds even worse...

Ichinose: He plays by the rules, or at least keeps his hands clean enough to not be targeted by the school staff.

**Keeps his hands clean, huh? Kakeru Ryuen of Class C. I'd better remember that name.**

Ichinose: By the way, what'd you two come in here to get?

Yamauchi: I, uh... Well, I'll be back.

Yamauchi ran off without even giving a straight answer to the question.

Y/N: Okay..?

Ichinose: What about you, Y/N?

Y/N: I'm just looking around. I was actually just accompanying Yamauchi. You?

Ichinose: Same here. I haven't had a chance to check out this shop even though I wanted to. I'm just looking around, too.

We walked around the shop looking at random miscellaneous items. I didn't have enough points remaining to splurge on anything, but a little window-shopping didn't hurt anybody. We ended up finding a bunch of spy glasses.

Y/N: Spy glasses?

Ichinose: That's cool. It says here that they record both video and audio 24/7 as long as they're charged.

Y/N: That's a lot of storage space needed for all that footage...

She took a closer look at the packaging.

Ichinose: Apparently, they only save video footage when you press this button here.

Y/N: So it records constantly, but unless you save the footage, it'll get deleted automatically?

Ichinose: Seems that way. We should get them!

I chuckled.

Y/N: I wish I could, but...

I checked the price tag. They were each 30,000 points. I didn't even have 20,000 remaining after my transaction with Chabashira.

Y/N: Points are a little low right now.

Ichinose: I'll pay.

Y/N: Woah, no way. 30,000 isn't exactly cheap, Ichinose.

Ichinose: I can afford two pairs no problem if you want one.

Y/N: I can't ask you to do that. I wouldn't even be able to pay you back any time soon-

Ichinose: You don't have to pay me back. It was my offer.

She grabbed 2 pairs of spy sunglasses.

Ichinose: I guess if you don't want one, I'll just have to carry around an extra for no reason.

She was insistent on purchasing two of them, so I didn't try to argue anymore. We went to the front and she excitedly bought the glasses. We exited the store and she handed me a pair of glasses.

Ichinose: Come on, just take them!

Y/N: Are you really sure about this?

Ichinose: Yes! Things like this are much more fun when you have somebody to share it with.

Y/N: You're right.

I put on the glasses.

Y/N: How do they look?

Ichinose: Like any regular glasses. I wouldn't even be able to tell their recording right now if I didn't read the box.

Y/N: Amazing.

I took the glasses off and hung them from my shirt collar.

Y/N: So, where are you off to now?

Ichinose: To meet up with some friends from class. I'd invite you, but this is sort of something we already planned in advance.

Y/N: No offense taken. Go have fun.

Ichinose: Oh, hey! We should share contact information, you know?

Y/N: Hm? Sure, why not?

We traded phones so we could exchange numbers and emails. The first thing I noticed, however, was the value of her Points. I was surprised at the number I was seeing.

**What the hell?!**

I pretended I didn't see that and just entered my contact information before giving her phone back.

Ichinose: Thanks. Don't be a stranger, Y/N.

Y/N: Likewise. I'll pay you back for these glasses someday.

Ichinose: No need, but if I ever need your help-

She waved her phone in the air.

Ichinose: I'll give you a call or text.

Y/N: I'll be waiting then. See ya.

She waved as she left. I started heading off, too. However, I couldn't help but feel like I was forgetting something... or someone... at that store.

{Later That Night}

I finally returned to my dorm after being out all day and found my room had been infiltrated. Sudo, Ike, and Yamauchi were sitting on the ground with a bunch of snacks and drinks while playing a card game. Kushida and Suzune sat on my bed watching them and reading a book respectively.

Kushida: There you are, Y/N!

Y/N: Uhm... What's going on here?

Ike: A celebration for Sudo's expulsion being overturned!

Y/N: Sure, but why in here? Wait- how did you all even get into my room..?

Kushida: You left the door unlocked.

Yamauchi: Not smart, by the way.

Y/N: I do not want to hear that sort of criticism from you... And how'd you even convince Horikita-san to come..? Okay, know what? I don't even care...

Sudo grabbed a handful of chips and stuffed his face. I picked up a drink and sat in my chair at my desk.

Y/N: Aye, watch the crumbs... I don't have a vacuum yet.

Yamauchi: Where'd you run off to earlier, Y/N? You left me stranded at that store.

Y/N: Stranded is an exaggeration.

Yamauchi: I needed you to tag along and make sure I didn't spend points stupidly. Since you left with Ichinose-chan, I ended up buying another game...

Y/N: You need some more self-control.

Kushida: You were with Ichinose-san?

Y/N: We ran into her at the store. She's a nice girl.

Kushida: She is.

Yamauchi: But that sure was close today. If Kushida-chan hadn't gotten those old test questions, Ike and Sudo would've been out by a mile!

Ike: Hey, you just barely passed, too.

Yamauchi: I just haven't gotten serious yet.

They started teasing each other as Kushida got up and came over to me.

Kushida: Hey, Y/N. How did you get them to rescind Sudo-kun's expulsion?

Y/N: Oh, that...

I didn't want that unnecessary attention, so I decided to use the usual scapegoat.

Y/N: Horikita had a talk with the school. She said you can't expel someone without explanation just because they got a failing score.

Suzune: W-Wait a sec-

Kushida: You did that, Horikita?

Suzune: I've never seen her so serious about anything. It was incredible. Not a single teacher could fight her on it.

Ike: You're kidding! Horikita-chan, that's amazing!

Yamauchi: I guess we had the wrong idea about you!

Sudo: You did all that for me? Why?

Suzune decided to just go with it since everybody was already convinced now.

Suzune: I merely acted for my own benefit.

Ike: Wow! Beauty and dedication!

Yamauchi: Of course, I knew the whole time!

We spent the rest of the night having a celebration for Sudo before wrapping things up. Everybody had left except Kushida. She stuck around to help me clean up my room afterward.

Y/N: Thanks for helping clean up.

Kushida: I should be thanking you for letting us use your room.

Y/N: No problem. Just warn me next time...

For some reason, it felt like the mood was about to shift to a bit more serious conversation.

Kushida: Y/N...

Y/N: Hm?

Kushida: Do you like girls like Horikita-san?

**Where'd that question just come from? Is she jealous? Well, the truth would be-**

Y/N: I don't really have a type. Anybody I can connect with has a chance. Why?

Kushida: I always see you together with her. All the girls in class are talking about it.

Y/N: Hooray for gossip! Suzune's just a friend.

Kushida: I see. I'm going back to my room. Well, goodnight.

Y/N: Night...

She left the room. For whatever reason, she seemed upset about something.

**Was that not what she wanted me to say? It was the truth, what more could she ask for?**

I tidied up what remained and saw a phone lying on my bed. It was Kushida's. I picked it up and headed out of my room to go catch up with Kushida. I stopped as I saw her turn a corner. She was walking sluggishly and had her head down. I couldn't tell what she was feeling, but it was certainly negative. I followed her at a distance because she seemed like she needed some space to herself.

**I should go check on her, but she really looks like she just needs her space... I'll keep following her until she gets back to her dorm.**

But she didn't head for her dorm room. Rather, she went outside and moved across the street. At this point, I was intrigued and curious, so I kept following from a distance. She made it to the pier and stared off into the water. I had no reason the be hiding, but I was in too deep and wanted to know what she was up to. After a bit, she started talking to herself in a tone of voice I'd never heard her use.

Kushida: What a pain in the ass.

I hid behind a tree and some bushes and watched her.

Kushida: You think you're so great just because you're pretty...

**What, or who, is she venting about?**

Kushida: I hate you! I swear, I hate you, hate you, hate you!

She started to kick the metal railing.

Kushida: Just die, Horikita! I hate you, hate you! Stupid cow!

**Woah. What's this about?**

Just as I was about to leave my coverage and head back to the dorms, Kushida's phone received a notification and went off.

**Crap...**

Kushida: What? Is someone there?

My cover was blown. There was no point trying to hide any longer or run. I came out of hiding.

Y/N: It's me. You forgot your phone in my room.

She hurriedly approached me.

Kushida: Did you hear?

Y/N: You wouldn't believe me if I said no, would you?

She had a cold look in her eyes.

Kushida: If you tell anyone about this, you'll pay.

Y/N: How so?

Kushida: I'll tell everyone you tried to rape me.

That word echoed in my head.

**Rape..? Okay, Kushida... There's a line you don't cross with me.**

My left eye was seeing red, but I kept enough sanity to not lose control. Kushida didn't know it, but that word was one of my most dangerous triggers. I was losing my temper at hearing the word "rape" and her threatening to falsely accuse me of it. I had planned to not say anything more and just agree to her terms, but now I was getting triggered.

Y/N: I don't appreciate false accusations.

I thought back to the incident all those years ago between Haruka and myself that was the cause of my drastic personality change.

Y/N: Especially not ones about something like that...

Kushida: Oh no, it's not a false accusation.

She took my arm and pulled it along as she moved my hand up and made me grab her breast.

Y/N: Hm?!

Kushida: Your fingerprints are right there.

She moved my hand around and made me fondle her. Her breasts were soft and my hand sank into them, but I was on the verge of become enraged, and I had no desire to appreciate the situation.

Kushida: See, there's proof right there-

She froze up for a moment as I maniacally chuckled. She was visibly taken back a bit by my laughing. Both of us were now showing sides that we'd never seen before. I knew something that she didn't which made her entire contingency plan and accusation worthless.

Y/N: Well-

I lifted my other hand and stuck it out for her to take it.

Y/N: Might as well let me feel them both at this point, right?

Kushida: Huh..?

Y/N: Your boobs... Let me feel them both...

Kushida: You- I'm serious... Tell anybody, and I'll make you regret it.

I was trying to get inside her head with my comments and actions, and I think she was smart enough to start understanding that.

Y/N: Fine, I understand. Could you let go now?

She let go of my arm and backed away.

Kushida: You hear me? If you betray me, you'll pay.

**There is nothing you can do to me, Kushida. With all due respect, you are not a threat.**

I closed my eyes for a moment and started to think.

**What happened to the attractive, bubbly, and energetic Kushida? Was that all fake?**

I opened my eyes again and stared at her. She looked at me with cold and angry eyes.

**Or is the one I'm talking to now the fake..?**

Kushida: Y/N. Let me ask you one thing. Can you promise me, right now, that you won't tell anyone what you saw?

Y/N: I wasn't going to tell anybody regardless... You just didn't let me get that far.

Kushida: Very well...

She turned around and looked off into the water.

Kushida: I'll believe you.

She exhaled before she quickly turned back towards me. Her entire expression had changed again and she switched back to her cutesy mode. It was a complete 180 from what she had just shown me.

Kushida: Okay! I guess we've got another secret now, huh?

Y/N: Mhm...

**Why is she putting on that act around me still? Maybe it's not an act. Does she have a split personality? Tell me, Kushida. What are you like really?**

Y/N: So, is that all? Don't forget the reason I came out here was to return your phone.

I reached into my pocket and