"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." - Oscar Wilde

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bonds and Betrayals~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The main problem of today's world is simple. Well, not exactly. There are way too many problems in this world. But is it not worth slowly doing something about these problems.?

There are many things wrong in this world. Today, I wanted to talk about one specific topic.

It's probably worth mentioning in all types of books. My question is, is the world truly equal? Was it ever equal?

I think the world isn't equal at all. It isn't and everyone will be taught that once they start speaking a language. Since birth, I always knew that something must have been wrong with this world. The problem I think worth mentioning is, that nobody cares anymore.

Rarely, do teachers teach about the problems in society. However, nobody listens, do they? And why I think it is only right to assume so, is that most of the people already started accepting it.

I am one of them. I mean, it starts right after your birth. Some get placed in poor families which don't face abuse. Some get placed into a poor family which faces abuse. The same could be said about the rich.

So please, never judge anybody or anything without knowing their backgrounds. You will face fewer problems with doing so, and so will the other. But sadly enough...

There are still people out there who continue to judge, so they could feel better about themselves. And then there are some, who don't even bother to talk with worse people.

But what can I do against that? I am a regular high school student, how could the whole world change by the doings of one guy?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bonds and Betrayals~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

'Listen, Yuki Suou. Your time is up. The clock is ticking.'

The clock is ticking for you. Not for my sister.

This 'letter' was directed to my sister, and the handwriting told me it had to be from a boy. No girl is writing this badly.

I found this on my sister's desk, next to the desklamp, she hid it quite well since the foot of the lamp was standing directly on it.

Perhaps Class C and A? But I am still unsure about who it was, I could exclude some students by the handwriting if I get to see every single student's handwriting at least once in three years.

But that is probably not possible. However, even if it takes three years, I will find that bastard.

I take this as a declaration of war. Even though my sister is part of the leadership of Class B which is built by Ichinose, a guy named Kanzaki and her. But I don't like it when people go on and threaten my sister's time at this school with terror.

I believe that this school is a hard environment to protect my sister in, after all, according to the rules we are opponents.

"Bad mood?" Horikita mumbled, not too loud but I was still able to hear it.

"Just missed out on a lot of sleep on the weekend. That's it. Any ideas as to how to improve the class further?"

She looked at me in confusion, just staring as usual. Horikita is probably the perfect example of how curious a human is.

There is nothing that gets left unquestioned by her.

"To be honest, nothing came into my head in terms of improvement ideas. Suou-kun, have you got any ideas?"

Even though everybody else would have expected that answer, it was still quite annoying to hear it...

That was quite disappointing, not gonna lie.

"No, not really. I must say that the situation we are in currently is quite complicated. Horikita."

"Yes?"

"What do you think would be the smartest option to choose from these two to have in our class? A strong and athletic student, or a smart student?"

"..."

As expected, she fell into silence. The empty classroom began feeling like an anechoic chamber. Zero sound.

"Ah, that question of mine came in an unfitting situation, I apologize-"

Suddenly I was cut off by another voice entering the classroom.

It was unusual for anybody to come into a classroom during this time. Lessons ended 8 minutes ago, which means that the only option is for students who forgot their notebooks in the classroom.

But this student was from our class but here for a completely different purpose.

"I would choose the Athlete, Suou-kun."

"What are you doing here, Matsushita-san?"

"Ah~ Sorry for interrupting. I will be gone in a few seconds. I just forgot my pencil case."

She is indeed right. There was an open pencil case positioned on her desk.

I guess she was staying next to the door for a few minutes. It always surprised me how well-informed she is most of the time.

As if she was stalking everybody and anything.

"It's fine. But may I ask you as to why you would choose this option?"

"You could fix the grades of a bad student much quicker than you can make an unathletic student athletic."

"But why is it about quickness, I don't get your reasoning Matsushita-san. Quality products take their time."

"Ah, well. I think that as of now, we need to speed up the processes of each student in this class. But I could be wrong."

What surprised me, was that she suddenly said something wrong on purpose.

Her first reasoning was perfectly logical, but why change it on purpose? And why did she begin to get nervous after Horikita questioned her decision?

Almost every student in this class is pretty unknown to me. I think that I should rather begin to change some of my original intentions.

"That is... Forget it. Have a nice day, Matsushita-san, Suou-kun."

Horikita then left quickly. Not even giving me any chance to follow her.

I was just here alone with Matsushita in the empty classroom. I sit on my chair, waiting until Matsushita finally leaves.

"...Sorry about that Suou-kun, I didn't mean to ruin your-"

"It wasn't a date anyway. Don't worry about it. We will see each other tomorrow."

"I will take the blame for it. Lunch tomorrow?"

"Sure."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bonds and Betrayals~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I arrived at my room, after a long 6 hours of school. It was 4 p.m. and I already prepared myself for a new episode of my favorite anime.

However. There is nothing usual about today's atmosphere. Originally, I would be greeted by Yuki who already is hyped up for it.

But today was different.

"Huh-"

Why does she look annoyed? And why the hell is she sitting like a normal human on my massage chair?

Usually, she sits with her legs crossed on the massage chair which makes no sense at all.

But today...she was sitting on it like a normal human being would.

"Something's wrong Kiyotaka?"

"Something's wrong with you."

"Wha- What was that?" She took it like a joke, usually she did. But this time, she was quite a bit serious.

And I don't get her mood today. Horikita was quite...neutral. No...Rather not completely hostile. She broke the record and only insulted me once the whole day.

That is a crazy statistic. It's not that Horikita is always in a bad mood, but to be honest, it started to feel like she isn't joking anymore and honestly hates me. But that is nothing new for someone like her. That's who she is, I would rather have someone who is openly hostile than a fake friend who eventually will backstab me one day.

"Just kidding. I meant that you behaved strangely today, what is it-"

"You are spying." She was direct and formal with it, with no delay at all and no hesitation in framing her brother for such an outrageous thing. I believe that most siblings would be in denial for the first few days until they finally accept it. That their sibling set them up.

"Woah. That came quite direct. Usually, you would go a roundabout way to tell me this, Yuki."

I am quite surprised how she noticed. There was something that failed me.

"Did you?" She went on to pressure me, but well, good luck in doing that against your older brother. She isn't necessarily bad at this, but rather the complete opposite. Yuki is great at pressuring people. However, such tactics won't always work.

"Why should I spy out my little sister? How did you come to that conclusion anyway?"

"Conclusion? Well, who wouldn't have noticed this?"

She then took out a voice recorder from her pocket. Funnily enough, I thought she would never take a look at what it was.

The worst-case scenario would be that she would report it to Class B which is very likely.

"What is that?"

The 'What is that?' technique. Most of the time it works in the beginning, however, the longer the discussion takes, the harder it gets to cover it up. It's nothing new after all, most of the well-thought lies are going to be exposed either way. Even if it takes years or decades.

The truth always wins. And that is nothing new.

"Good question, Kiyotaka. What is that?"

"How am I supposed to know? You already know that I have absolutely zero idea about tech and stuff."

"This is a voice recorder. Used to record the audio around me."

"I don't know what I am supposed to do with that piece of information. But why are you so mad about it, if it was somebody that you are unsure of?"

"Well, this was also with me during homeroom."

"So?"

"Kiyotaka. Was it you? If you say no then I must report this. There is a big chance that we may not be allowed to talk to each other anymore."

It was certainly the most logical option by far. After all, this affects her future drastically.

But there is no need to surrender yet. If I do, then there will be even bigger problems, since Class B would cut ties with me.

"I don't think that whoever did that would affect my relationship with you. If it did, then I am sure to take action if needed. Besides, when did you find it?"

"Alright. Forget this conversation since you are not giving me any valuable information." Woah, I am honestly impressed with her vocabulary nowadays. It's like she is beginning to use her smartness at some point.

She then turned casual again. Her laid-back posture and her seating position were like usual again. Her mood changes are something iconic for me. One second she is mad, the other she is friendly and all that.

Yuki was surely too cute to spy. So I guess I made a mistake in choosing her to frame.

I guess I need to take someone else from Class B as my hotspot of informational leaks. After all, I need every kind of information this school offers.

It's no secret that I have ill intentions towards most of the students. I mean, almost everyone does at some point. Whether it's for their ego, for their hatred, or any other thing. The arguments aren't that different in the end.

"Ah, I almost forgot. Haruka and Mako-chan wanted to go to the swimming pool with-"

"No." A quick and direct answer from an older brother is everything a girl needs in their life, am I right?

"Huh? Why?!"

I couldn't ever let my innocent little sister go to a public swimming pool in which the possibility is high that Yamauchi and Ike are present as well.

That is just terrible, to be honest. I seriously don't want to ruin the fun of Amikura and Hasebe due to a strict older brother.

But I have to.

"I won't let you. There is no reason to go there."

"...Could you at least tell me the reason?"

"Yuki. Most of the guys are in the most problematic phase of puberty right now, so please just don't go there."

"Please stay realistic. If there is Haruka-chan with those huge assets, who would look at me-"

"Don't underestimate a guy at this age. Don't make the same mistake as many other girls did. But well... you could join them if you wear a rash guard. Of course, that is only if you have one and I doubt that."

The problem isn't only that, it's mostly just due to overprotectiveness.

"Please?"

Well, I can't decline her cuteness overload technique. I guess I have to allow her that for once... Well, I wouldn't have been against it if it weren't for these guys in my class constantly stalking girls.

"I guess you can... Just don't give them fan service you know? Don't go there too exposed."

The reaction to that was an extreme squeeze from her arms. Something that I am always glad to receive. I rarely get those but since that old man's imprisonment, she did that regularly.

"Thank you... Also, why don't you come as well? I think you have a great body and can show off in front of some of my friends. They would be glad to have someone like you on their side~"

"You are dreaming way too much. But well I will ask Akito to accompany me before we go. After all, he likes Haruka at some point, I believe."

I think it wasn't that smart to tell her if she didn't already know before me, since deep down she is happy to receive more teasing material.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bonds and Betrayals~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arriving at the open-air swimming pool with my sister, Akito, Haruka, Amikura, and Shibata, there was one thing I noticed immediately.

That is: It's hot as hell. There is no way that this is only 34 degrees Celsius. It feels like at least 40.

And that is partially also the reason we came here in the first place. There is nothing to do in this heat except going to swim. And it looks like many other students had the same idea. So there was no use in arguing with Yuki about going or not since everyone else already went anyway.

I am not sure if the amount of cold drinks we took with us will be enough, Ichinose was already here before us, talking with Hirata from our class. I am honestly impressed how our classes are on good relationships naturally without forcing an agreement between these two beforehand.

That is nothing paranormal in the world, but this school seems a bit different regarding that.

However what I noticed quickly was, that there was some type of kiosk close to the sunbeds, probably a way to just buy cold drinks instead of walking back to the dorms in this heat if you forgot them.

"Dang, it's hot as heck..." Akito said. And how damn right he is.

"How damn right you are..." Yuki worded out my exact thoughts.

It's scary how she can read my mind. As if she was living in my brain-

Well, she does, but weirdly she only says something inside my head when something very controversial happens around girls.

"Shibata-kun, you seem energetic huh?"

He was motivated for some reason, just as Amikura said. Maybe because he wasn't in a pool for long?

But we had swimming lessons two days ago?

"Don't mind me, I was waiting for so long to get here...It's so damn hot and my skin is melting at this point." How damn right he is there.

Akito and Shibata are fellow quality men of good nature.

"How damn right you are..."

Yuki said, in frustration as we were still waiting for one particular person.

And that person is known for wasting a lot of time.

"How about we claim some sunbeds, and thus we could wait under the shade of the sun umbrella?"

As to my proposal, everyone walked in front, leaving me standing here and claiming some sunbeds for themselves.

Just as I wanted to follow them, the person I waited for finally came. And it took ages.

"Ah, Kiyotaka-kun, have you waited long?"

Normally I would make a sarcastic joke if it was Horikita, Yuki, or Akito. But around a lady, one must stay serious.

I think...

"Not really, don't worry about it, Alisa." The first stage is, to gain her trust.

Inviting her to make important memories together, will make her feel more attached to me I believe.

However, I am still curious if this is effective for her. After all, you could be married to her and if you make a little mistake a divorce is the answer from her.

Sadly, I am not planning to use her in the future.

After all, the time will always win. And there will be someone who is much more effective for our class.

It's only natural that one day you will lose your use in this class.

The time is running currently, as of now, we haven't made any progress on Alisa. Horikita is slowly maturing in that matter, same with everyone else.

However, Alisa is taking too much time. And that is a huge problem for me.

"Ah, well then, let's join the others." She suggested and walked in front of me.

But, I didn't follow yet.

"Huh? Kiyotaka-kun, have you forgotten something or what is the matter?"

"Ah, sorry for zoning out."

There was a little problem. And that is, that realization hit me.

Something was brutally off today. Something is going wrong in my strategy. That is, that I am leaving her way too much room.

And that I am taking too long with ineffective techniques.

I need to slowly adjust the tempo to the current situation. If not, there might be a problem later on.

And I do not like to have a civil war in my class yet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bonds and Betrayals~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As we got our sunbeds and placed our things on them, I was quickly surprised at how Yuki listened to me earlier.

Even though she was wearing a bikini below, her upper body was thankfully covered by a rash guard.

It appeared weird to everyone else in our group, but she still left it on.

Alisa on the other hand, was in a normal black-red bikini. She had her thighs revealed, which were usually covered by her long white socks.

Amikura wasn't different either.

Impressively, Akito and Shibata seemed to be built pretty well, in comparison to most students in this school.

Akito had a strong chest, and Shibata at the area of his stomach was as strongly built.

But in comparison to Sudou, they weren't quite there yet.

Well, it is quite the body type difference between these two and Sudou.

"Huh? Yuki-san, is there a particular reason for a rash guard?" Alisa was the first to question it loudly, the others wanted to probably ask the same but refrained from it.

"Hmm? Ah, well I don't feel that comfortable anymore, to be honest... You know the rumor where some boys from the other classes were just caught peeking at the girls?"

Right, there was a problem going on some guys were just caught trying to set up a camera in the girl's garderobe.

I wonder who brought this rumor into this world.

"Well yeah, but I don't think that anybody can peak here in a public pool, there are cameras guarding the area around the changing cabinets."

"There also were in the schools changing rooms, your point?"

Yuki just as usual fired back immediately, not leaving her any room for a valid argument.

"Whatever. Where is Shibata-kun by the way? Wasn't he supposed to come as well?"

Just as she worded it out, I noticed that they were already in the pool. They were just talking with each other in there, not paying attention to anybody.

"You think they will notice that they are getting a sunburn right now?"

Alisa also noticed that they probably were too lazy to put sunscreen on, and thus would get a painful sunburn from this strong sun.

"Nah, don't let them know."

"Woah, you are pretty sadistic Kiyotaka-kun."

"No, just wanted to test when they will notice. But as you just said that, I almost forgot to put some on myself."

After all, I was the type of person who put it on just before getting into the