"The difference between good and bad is non-existent. It is just an imagination of the human mind, setting its borders. To create differences between people they think are good and people they think are bad. But there is no good, neither bad person." <?

"If there is a will, there is a way." > Lenin

What do you think about selfish and selfless people?

♤♡Bonds and Betrayals♡♤

As time passed, and I am afraid, we are getting closer to the more stretching and draining types of days, I set some things up.

Even though I am not certain about the possibility of success, since they are based on the conditions and decisions of Alya.

It could either end perfectly and I win that battle. Or it ends badly and I win that battle.

There is no in-between.

Ah right, Alisa was slowly, or more like quickly recovering from that night. And she is in physically top form, in comparison to some others.

At first, I thought that she wouldn't keep up for too long, but apparently, I have to level our game up a little.

At this pace, we will comfortably end up in the Top 5.

And currently, since our last few events ended miraculously perfectly good with a podium in every event. We were in second place.

Even though most of the people, mostly the average ones, would be glad about reaching the top 3, we were quite concerned.

Our place was closer to sixth than to first place, it's still not hard to catch up, but with the weight I am carrying in this special exam, I have to get rid of a lot of weight, making myself agile and adapt easier to the current conditions.

And who else could be in the first place except him...

First place: Kakeru Ryueen - Nishino Takeko

Mysteriously, there were now many more solos, but the numbers have stopped to increase.

But out of 80 duos, only 63 are remaining. In students: 143, which means there are 17 less than we started with.

This is rather worrying for most of the students.

Since there was something mysterious happening in the background, as to the part of students being physically not capable of continuing.

I assume it has something to do with nighttime, but it also could be due to the rain. I have no evidence to support any of those allegations.

Alya on the other hand...

"Do you think Ryueen-kun has something to do with this?" She asked me a question that she probably already wanted to ask for hours.

But there is no certain answer to that question, I suppose. It's a question of trust and distrust in him.

"Am I Akinator or what? There is no evidence. As long as there is no evidence which could support it, then it never happened. Besides, if he was the reason for it, I am sure that one of the 17 students has reported him."

No. That's not the case. Physical violence is not part of it. Rather something else.

I don't care what it exactly is, but I am going to push my plans to the highest priority. And this is to fix things.

My task is to fix the relationship with her, make her my girlfriend, get closer to Horikita and Kushida, re-establish a little control in Class B, win this special exam, and do some...

Well, let's say not so legal stuff.

However, this may sound like a thing that should take at least a year.

But the problem is, I have only 11 days for this. Quite the short timespan. And surely, there is a chance the time won't be enough.

For now, I will start with the easiest. Re-Establish the leadership of Class B.

For that, I need to get as much attention from Class B as possible. However, they are all located close to the beach of the southwest weirdly...

"Just because there is no evidence, it doesn't mean that they haven't had their hands in the game."

Sigh

You are naive Alya. To think that these people on this island would think like normal students.

If it's about winning, you have to take into account that the opponents you have are willing to play a dirty game, one which could maybe even lead to crimes being kept a secret.

"Alya, be serious. This island is not equipped with a single camera. This means, basically every rule that the school told us to follow, is not important. Who is gonna prove it?"

"...So you are saying we should play dirty as well?"

"Not necessarily. I think if needed, then I don't see a reason why we shouldn't. If we seriously want to have a chance to win, we need to sacrifice a lot."

Alya just looked at me, in disbelief. I don't get her. She is passionate about winning, but when it comes to the process of doing so, she gets unsure.

Just like every other lazy person on this planet. They love winning but hate the process of getting themselves winning.

I don't get it.

"I don't like the sound of sacrificing. I wanna get this class out of the exam with minimal damage...I am the leader and have the responsibility. You also have a problem with the bet, Kiyotaka."

Even though I am not the biggest fan of that, I must admit. I have to respect that, after all, everything that goes wrong is on her.

In this class, everybody is shameless to the point when they even give her the fault even though she can't influence their performance right now.

However...

"Don't mention that bet ever again. I don't like talking about secrets, this is none of your concern. So don't worry about it."

"Huh? But-" Sometimes, I wonder why I am doing this.

Isn't the purpose of sharing a problem, to solve it together? So why am I trying to do it on my own once again?

There are several questions left inside my head unanswered. But I still have a lot of time to progress in those.

"Alya, please, for your good, don't pry into my life. It's only getting worse if you do."

The deeper the iceberg gets, the worse our relationship will evolve. And to fixate her on my side, I need to do that before she finds out.

It's not a question about personal and emotional views, but rather, because it's objective.

I have to, otherwise, the time to achieve my first love interest will run out.

"O-Okay... Kiyotaka, if we win this exam, will you then slow down on participating in such trivial class matters? Or go back to the sidelines?"

She didn't ask me for any other reason. She asked me for one exact reason. It's because my future is uncertain. Or rather settled when it comes to my family...

Yeah, I am trapped in a never-ending spiral.

I solve things and improve my situation by a huge bit, then suddenly the next problem appears, I solve that one as well and the cycle continues infinitely.

There is nothing I can do about it. But there is nothing I can't do about it as well. Just watching and hoping things will work out is stupid.

After all, before praying for a good grade, you also need to study for it. God won't give you knowledge that you are impossible for you to know or to understand when never even hearing of it.

It's a long, tiring, and rough process. Which I have been working on for two years already, or more precisely since I talked with the older man than my father.

It makes me mad, how he tried to decide my future with his own will and passion, not taking feelings and opinions into account. After all, I am the only successor of the Suou's and Ayanokouji's.

Next to Yuki, but since she is sure to take another name, I am the only option to expand this family's legacy into the future of Japan and Russia.

But as soon as it was revealed that I had no intentions of continuing this bloodline, rather ending it with my own hands, there was a huge conflict between me and my mother's dad.

Traditionally, my wealthy family wants to influence politics, schools, and other organizations. However, it was not planned that someone like me would put a stop sign on that.

To avoid such, my grandparents are secretly working to engage me with someone, my mother doesn't know this, and neither do my grandparents from my father's side approve of it, who I grew to like a lot.

Of course, my mother doesn't know about our tense relationship.

With that, I will be where this cursed family name ends. I have no cousins. Or any other brother. I am the only possible successor, one who is completely the opposite of what Suou's ideals tell one.

"I will go back to watch what is happening. And there is not a 100% possibility that we will win this exam. I am already doing as much as I could."

Her eyes were quite unfitting lately. It gave me a feeling of sudden unease whenever I saw them.

Something told me, that she isn't happy with how it turned out at all. She hates it actively.

And even though she is desperately trying to hide her true feelings, bits are leaking out here and there.

During the nighttime, people often tend to get a lot more honest and emotional with themselves and the people they have grown close to.

Alisa is no exception to that. Neither am I or anybody else on this planet.

♠︎Bonds and Betrayals♣︎

Today's night, on the fourth day, there will be no events held due to a maintenance break. And we are free to regenerate our stamina and mentality.

So we decided to go and take an outdoor bath in a warm spring, bath towels were pretty much very cheap, and there weren't too many people there. Thankfully, to avoid...sexual contact,

wood walls were separating it into female and male apartments.

Both are equally warm and have separate changing rooms and well, you can hear the voices on the other side pretty clearly, which means we are still able to hold a conversation.

The only problem is, that people tend to get too comfortable with the warm water, completely forgetting the chance of the night being cold.

However, judging by the weather today, it will be a fresh, yet not freezingly cold night. Means perfect ground and air conditions.

We could easily just rest in a comfortable temperature, without me suffocating to her hugs due to the cold.

As I got my towel at the men's shop, I got into the changing rooms and prepared myself for the water, believe it or not, there was someone I'd wanted to talk to for longer.

We went on to be good friends with each other, understanding each other very well, and honestly, it was nice to have someone like him to talk to.

"Greetings, Shibata."

"Agh!- Damn...you surprised me, could you maybe make your steps get a sound, it's weird when you creep up right behind me..." He exhaled in relief, I was aware of the fact that I would scare him, but I did nothing against it.

After all, it's his problem if he is scared of something this simple.

"Sorry. How's your teammate doing?"

"...Uhm? Fine? Well, I am unsure. Your sister is very nice to talk with, but lately, she has been showing signs of exhaustion. And this is bad when happening this early."

Wait a second...

"You are in a team with Yuki?"

"Yeah. You didn't know?"

He is with my sister?!?! And that he has a crush on her is no secret...

This is dangerous.

"...Honestly, let me rewind it for a second. If you are with Yuki, who is with Ichinose?"

"Ah, Ichinose is working together with Hamauchi."

"Who is with Mako?"

"Ah, Miyamoto is together with her. Why asking?"

"I was just a little confused. Then Himeno and Kanzaki are a duo I assume?"

"Yes, that is correct. I never knew someone like you could get confused, Kiyotaka. But let's talk about men topics right?"

Sigh

People like him starting weird conversations. But I couldn't blame him it's not a hot spring bath, if there is no weird topic to talk about.

And most of the people I know are professionals in bringing up weird topics.

"First off...Let me admire your damn eightpack..." He counted my abs, and well. It was damn uncomfortable.

I wonder if Alisa and Yuki are talking on the other side of the bath.

◆pov change◆

Yuki Suou POV:

As I leaned on the wooden wall of the spring, my eyes were scanning the insane body of Alisa. The girl who is my brother's girlfriend.

And damn...One towel wasn't enough to cover up her boobs and lower body...It makes me ashamed of my own body, even though I get complimented about my body daily.

It's just not comparable. My body is a lot more petite whilst hers has insane curves, and the insane part is, she did no surgery and this is all nature.

Woah...

"Something's the matter Yuki~san?"

"N-Nothing. But do you do daily workouts as well? Your body seems perfect..." It does.

It looks like the result you get when doing those hard woman workouts for a Brazilian-style body but more naturally and beautifully.

Her skin is also so insanely white in comparison to mine...Don't get me wrong. I am almost as white as the average wall, but she is like even whiter.

Is that something to brag about? I mean that's pretty racist towards her since she is Russian...

But is it racism when I am obsessed with her looks?!

"Workouts? Do they improve size?"

Did...That felt like an insult to me, who began working out daily after we enrolled in the school.

It sounded like saying 'People need that?'

"I-I guess so. What do you think of such body workouts? I mean nowadays the standards of men are insanely high. And I am sure I will fail to meet them when this continues."

"Ah, you are worried about it huh? I don't think your worries are unreasonable, but honestly, men are simple, yet complicated."

But how do I tell her it's an insecurity? In comparison to my brother, I look insanely unfit...Everyone does, but it still doesn't make me feel any better.

Every time I think about it, I think that I am dragging down his impressive looks and physique.

"Yuki-san. Don't worry about that. Honestly, sometimes I wish to be in your body. You look insanely adorable and beautiful...But seem to get a little weird during late night time..." She joked.

I can't blame her, who isn't doing some weird autistic stuff when bored and sleep-deprived?

What else do you want me to do?

"You as well, which weirdo wants to be that idiot's girlfriend? Why are you two a couple?"

This question was stuck in my mind a lot, I had already answered that two days ago, but guess what?

During that conversation, I zoned out and completely forgot to listen. So I have no idea who confessed first.

"W-W-Well..." Oh no.

Wait, wait, wait...

No, No, No, No!

"Don't tell me..."

"Yeah...Rejection is weird."

"No fucking way!!!"

"(Don't yell! Only a wood wall is separating us!)" She said, closing my mouth and avoiding me to make further noises.

But what the fuck were you thinking, Kiyotaka?! Do you never use your brain!?

If I were in your position and she confessed to me, I would have just gone for it! Fuck these feelings! Just do it! Look at her!!!

"(Let me explain, Yuki-san. I confessed at the worst possible moment...)"

This annoyed me. No. It was frustrating and depressing for me. I made a bet with Mako-chan a while ago, about whoever will be the end girl of Kiyotaka, and he just rejected my waifu!!!

"(See, our relationship had insanely many ups and downs the past few days, so I don't blame him. I plan on confessing to him again, in the future days. If that doesn't work as well...)"

She whispered, after all, I would have been anxious if we were talking about me if I got rejected by Shibata-kun.

Yes, I did fall for him, but no, I didn't confess it yet.

There is no reason for me to rush. He has already claimed property of mine.

"(Please, Alisa-san, do it and I hope for the best, I need you as a sist-)"

Before I could finish my sentence, I heard someone talking, on the other side of this wooden wall.

It was Shibata-kun and Kiyotaka. They had a rather interesting conversation, which just interrupted me, as we both moved closer to the wall, listening closely.

I easily could hear Sou. But Kiyotaka on the other hand wasn't audible. Probably already aware of the massive chance of being overheard.

Their conversation didn't have anything to do with class battles or this special exam. It made me just a blushing mess.

Kiyotakaaaaa!!!

"So you want my sister?"

"(Y-Yeah)"

"And you asked me for permission?"

"(I wanted to have no conflicts with you.)"

My heart was racing. He wants me!!!

Inner peace is finally a thing!

"Honestly. I do not care. I am just concerned about one thing. And you probably know what right? If you get together with her, there is no reality where you are alive after you hurt her."

KYAAAAA~

ONII-CHAN CARES ABOUT ME!!!!

SUCK THAT ALISA! HE AIN'T DOING THIS MUCH FOR YOU!!

Cough Cough. I mean it's nice that he is protective over me, as he is my older brother and that is normal.

But wait a second...W-Why would he ask for my brother's permission to date me?

I don't mind dating him, he is handsome and kind. But Kiyotaka is probably a bit...

"(U-Understood sir.)"

"That's nice. Oh also, I am sorry."

"For what?"

"There is no way back anymore. She is going to drive you into suicide."

Why did I foresee this?

"T-That's a crazy warning...But I will manage."

I am somehow glad. If I had begun dating Sou without Kiyo's awareness, it would have given me a lot of pressure.

Because honestly, I would have never been able to ask him that. Even though he would never reject that, I was scared of what he would do when there was something unexpectedly happening in my relationship with Sou.

"What do you like about my sister? I am genuinely curious."

Sou Shibata. Let's turn that question around.

Lately, more like since the beginning of my high school life, I was actively hanging out with Sou, Mako, and Kiyotaka, sometimes even Alisa.

It's a great friend group. Everyone is being respected here and nobody pushes it.

But back to that. I think I fell for him because of his bright personality, his motivation, and his passion for winning.

He looked handsome, but rarely finds any time for us, thus rarely joining us, and if he does, he leaves earlier than usual.

Just like Kiyotaka, which somehow annoys me. I do want more attention, I admit.

It is only natural for a human to crave attention after some time.

And luckily, I have the maximum attention now, since I was in a duo with him.

But still, in the end, he will return to almost forgetting me, due to his practice and full timetable.

But let's ignore that for now.

"Honestly...I am not after looks. She looks stunning tho. A bit like you as a female edition, and somehow not so monotone. She is fun to talk with, a bit weird though but I don't blame her, it's only natural for a girl our age. And she somehow has a caring side, even though it is quite hidden I must say, it's still a nice detail. Plus lemme be honest...You also play a great factor in it, Kiyotaka. Ah, and she is cute."

I won't lie, but I wanted to just drown now. Usually, only my Kiyotaka calls me cute...but now even Sou?

I mean every girl likes to get called cute by a guy who they are admiring. But this came quite randomly to me...

"Why is that?"

"Because you are a great man. Even though a little dense and innocent, you are insanely fun to talk with, but somehow creepy ya'know? It's a book that is building even more up, and it seems like there is