Kei Kaurizawa's POV
When I entered this Academy, I was glad that none of my classmates or anyone from my previous school were here, especially in Class D. It would've been humiliating if someone knew my dark history of being a bullying victim and used it against me.
As soon as I walked into the classroom, I made friends and quickly formed a group, making sure my position in school was solid. I couldn't allow myself to look like someone who could be easily picked on by bullies again.
When everything went smoothly and my new friends laughed at my jokes, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. For once, it felt like things were going right.
It seems it was a wise decision to dye my hair into a trendy color and dress up like a queen bee, just like the girls I watched in those Korean dramas back when I was being bullied. If I looked strong, maybe no one would notice how weak I actually was inside.
With this, maybe I could finally be free and enjoy my Academy life normally. But deep down, I knew better. This was never enough.
I need someone stronger. Someone reliable, someone solid enough to protect me. Because in truth, I'm only strong on the outside. Inside, I'm fragile. Weak. I knew myself well enough, I would fold the moment someone acted tough at me.
For example, when I saw Sudou jumping up during the class introduction and acting like a thug, my heartbeat almost stopped. My façade of strength almost crumbled in that instant. Luckily, he was aiming his temper at the class, not me.
Everything still seemed to be leaning in a good direction.
My eyes shifted between Hirata and Takashi. Both of them radiated strength, in their own way, whether through their presence in class, their attitude, or their physical side. They looked like perfect shields for me, a way to survive these three years without being crushed again.
Their characters also seemed good. Especially Takashi, I heard he was skilled at writing, painting, and even famous as a game developer. His status in the real world was solid, a reliable anchor. On the other hand, I knew almost nothing about Hirata. All I saw was that he acted good-natured in class.
I didn't doubt Hirata's character though. After suffering three years of bullying, I can tell the difference between fake and genuine. Hirata's kindness felt real. But the question remained: is he truly reliable when things get rough?
As for Takashi, he also seemed genuine. Many girls already had their eyes on him, which only made me more uncertain.
And so, my thoughts tangled in circles.
Should I choose Hirata? Or Takashi?
Decision… decision…
"Kei-chan, what do you think? So intense..."
The new friend I made in class leaned closer and asked in a teasing tone. She had the same gyaru-style fashion as me, light makeup, loose brown hair, accessories dangling and carried herself with that same carefree, relaxed aura that made it easy to be around her.
Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief as she spoke. She was attractive, the kind of girl you'd notice right away, and honestly, she felt like a good choice to have as a close friend.
More importantly, she didn't give off the vibe of being domineering or toxic.
She was just chill.
So, I answered her in the same nonchalant way. "Nothing, I'm just thinking about something."
"Really?" Maya Sato tilted her head playfully, her grin widening as her eyes followed my gaze. "Because it looks like your eyes have been stuck for a while on those two guys. If you're interested in them, Kei-chan, you're definitely going to face a lot of competition."
Of course, I knew exactly who she was talking about: Hirata and Takashi. The two most noticeable guys in class.
Since I couldn't decide on my own, I thought maybe it would be easier to hear it from Maya's perspective. She seemed more experienced when it came to this kind of thing.
"So, Maya, who do you think is the better one between them?"
But before Maya could even answer, Kikyou, always quick to smile and even quicker to help, chimed in softly.
"I think Takashi is the better choice for a boyfriend, Kei-chan. Hirata may be reliable as our classmate, but he falls more into the idol type. He doesn't belong to one person. He belongs to everyone. If he had to choose between being there for his girlfriend or for the class, I think he would choose the class every time."
My eyes brightened instantly. Kikyou wasn't just the little angel of the class, in that moment, she was like an angel for me too, giving me the perfect direction I needed.
"Thank you, Kikyou-chan. If you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to come to me."
I reached out and squeezed her hand tightly, and her cheeks turned pink as she smiled, looking slightly embarrassed but still warm. "It's nothing, Kei-chan. I'm just glad I could help you."
Even Maya joined in with the fun, laughing lightly as she added her own playful jab.
"Then how about we celebrate together and invite Ichinose-san too? Don't waste this opportunity, Kei-chan. Make sure you grab him before anyone else does."
"Well… I think I'll give it a try." My face flushed red as I answered, acting shy, like a maiden in love, though in truth my thoughts were running far deeper.
On the surface I played along, but inside my mind I wasn't focused on something so small as innocent flirting.
I was carefully observing, weighing whether Takashi Ichinose, the one Kikyou recommended was truly reliable or not.
Even so, the atmosphere among us was lighthearted, easygoing. The bonds I had were already strong enough to cement my position in class. I had friends I could rely on, groups I could call at any time, and within the circle of girls, I was already standing naturally in a position of leadership.
The rest would depend on whether Takashi could help me protect this little perfect world of mine.
Hopefully, he could. I had high expectations of you, Takashi-kun. I hope you won't disappoint me.
...
Tsubasa Nanase's POV
"Takashi-kun, thank you for saving my father. If not for you, Father would have been in a dire state and died at the hands of Professor Ayanokouji. My friends would have also remained trapped in that institution."
I bowed my head, expressing my gratitude to the man before me, Takashi Ichinose. He was someone who knew about the White Room, and we were also old acquaintances from when he once visited the place with Arisu Sakayanagi.
Even if most of my friends didn't share the same sentiment as me, even if they still clung to their misguided loyalty toward the White Room, my own mind had already been freed. It happened the moment Professor Ayanokouji revealed his hand. He tried to assassinate my father simply because of his unauthorized act of rescuing Kiyotaka from that hell. He wanted to put Father to death. If not for the Ichinose family intervening, my father would have been lost forever.
Since then, I've been indebted to them. I even tried my best to get transferred into Class D, where my benefactor Takashi would be placed.
Of course, I understood why he was thrown into this class, and so I warned him, "Takashi-kun, be careful of Kiyotaka and many others from the White Room. Even if they were rescued by you, it doesn't mean they're your allies. Their loyalty to Professor Ayanokouji is difficult to shake. After all, they've been brainwashed since childhood."
He listened quietly, then nodded with that calm confidence of his. "Thanks for the reminder, Nanase-san."
I shook my head lightly and softened my tone. "You can call me by my first name, 'Tsubasa,' Takashi-kun."
My voice dropped to something almost gentle, intimate, before I added: "Actually, Professor Ayanokouji may have had a hand in why you were transferred into this class of misfits."
Just as I was about to say more, the teacher's voice interrupted.
"Takashi Ichinose, come to my office."
Her tone was sharp and non-negotiable. My face darkened instantly.
How dare she treat my benefactor like this?
I wanted to speak up in his defense, but Takashi stepped forward and gently stopped me. "I will take my leave first, Tsubasa. Maybe the teacher wants to say something important."
Ah… so gentle.
Even in such moments, he didn't let anger or pettiness stain his voice.
Since Takashi-kun himself said so, what else could I say?
"Then, Takashi-kun, if you need anything, please don't hesitate to call for me." I forced a smile onto my face as I replied.
"I will." He nodded firmly.
"Goodbye, Tsubasa-san."
"Goodbye to you too, Takashi-kun." I answered softly.
With that, we parted ways as he walked toward the teacher's office.
I looked at his back reluctantly, my chest tightening.
Hah… I wished we could talk more, Takashi-kun.
But it couldn't be helped. Business always comes first.
As his figure disappeared down the corridor, I let out a quiet hum, steadying myself. If I wanted to repay him properly, I couldn't just cling at his side. I had to integrate into this class fully, to gather more allies, to build the foundation that would protect him from the shadows of White Room.
...
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