I must deal with the traitor quickly but carefully. The one that I'm sure who snitched on us is Kinoshita.
'But how do I make him confess?'
Maybe I should scare him to death so that he will not have the guts to oppose me the next time.
I shouldn't beat him in the process. It will leave marks that could be conspicuous to his parents. Then they will ask the teachers to investigate the matter. As a result, I will be in big trouble.
"Aki, you can go home without me."
"I want to see who the traitor is."
"If that's what you want, can I ask you a small favour?"
"Sure."
.....
It was after school. Me and Aki were waiting at a Sakura tree behind the school building.
It was a place where students could eat lunch in the calm breeze while watching sakura petals fly off from trees. It's a breathtaking view.
There was even a small garden that consisted of different kinds of beautiful flowers. Every once in a while, each student would take care of them.
After a while, our expected guest have arrived here. Kinoshita was holding Aki's bag and coming towards us.
"Here it is Fujimoto."
"Thanks for your help. I didn't think that I would forget it in class."
Kinoshita handed Aki's bag over and was about to leave.
"Wait, Kinoshita."
Aki interrupted Kinoshita. He turned around and looked at us. He was confused a bit.
"There's actually something that Tenma want to discuss with you."
He turned his head towards me
"W-What is it Kaburagi?"
I came closer to him. He stepped back but I continued to move forward slowly. There was clearly a sign of fear in Kinoshita's face.
"Did you know that someone reported to the teachers about the fights?"
"Eh?.... I didn't know...that."
"Is that so. Apparently, someone snitched on us. I want to find out who it is. Do you have any idea of who it might be?"
"Uh... Ummm. I don't k-know."
Kinoshita was sweating. As I thought it was really him. But why? How did I make him hate me that much?
'Think! Think Tenma! Think harder! Where did I make a mistake of angering him?'
....
....
Ah... I think I got it.
I laughed on the inside at how humans are emotional fools. Weak creatures. They are vulnerable to stupid things. They get swayed by this senseless thing called love. Really, this is so idiotic for him to do that.
But well, I also was like him before. But now, it is different. And now, I will use love against Kinoshita as a weapon.
"Is that so. Then if you don't then that's not a problem."
Kinoshita did a sigh of relief and asked.
"Then... what will you do?"
"Oh, nothing big. I'm just gonna ask Miyake. Aki, let's go."
"Eh?...but do you really think it was her?"
I turned around to look at him again.
"Oi. Lately, I've been seeing you defending her a lot. Why?"
"No.... you are m-misunderstanding me."
"Is it really? Let me tell you something frankly. Do you have a crush on her?"
"N-No w-what are you t-talking about!"
I started to think of something. Kinoshita was losing his cool now. I think it's a good time to make him confess if he really did betray us.
"If you have no connection with her then that's fine. I don't want you to harbour any hatred towards me because of what's going to happen."
I and Aki started to leave but we heard Kinoshita speak in a high voice in panic.
"W-What are you going to do with her!"
I stopped in my track. I only turned my head to look at Kinoshita
"Are you worried about her?"
"....N-No. I just want to know."
"Well, at least I'll tell you."
Kinoshita was tensing up. His body became stiff. He was bracing for the impact of my answer.
"I think I'll make her experience hell."
"Eh?"
He was confused at my reply.
"I'll make her suffer then make her confess. I guess I will be- no, Aki will beat her up a bit."
"Huh! Why me?"
"I can't hit a girl Aki. It will affect my reputation."
"Your reputation is already tainted."
"Even so, I am not that kind of a jerk."
"Hooo... aren't you becoming a gentleman."
"I am a gentleman."
While we were conversing, Kinoshita stood there in shock. We ignored him and walked towards the school building. Before, Kinoshita himself said to me that Miyake was in the Literature club, the same as Reika.
"Wait!"
Turning myself once again towards Kinoshita, I looked at him. He was trembling.
"What is it again. You are bothering us."
"....I did it."
"Huh?"
"I was the one who reported about the fights and the bullying to the teachers."
My deductions were right. It was Kinoshita. He confessed so easily. For what?
For the stupid and irrational thing called love. He put himself in the hole instead of someone else.
'What a stupid fellow.'
I silently walked near Kinoshita. Aki watched me while Kinoshita stood in the same place, looking at my face.
I grabbed him by the collar of his school uniform and pushed him near a Sakura tree. He was stuck between me and the tree. There's no place for him to escape.
"You love Miyake, don't you?"
"....how do you know?"
"It was obvious. You went to console her in the lunch break didn't you."
Kinoshita gave up. He was not resisting my hand. He looked at me with a smile and eyes of satisfaction. Satisfaction of being able to protect her.
At that moment, I saw a noticeable red-haired girl who was peeking at us behind another tree. She saw me glancing at her and she quickly ran away.
'Tch. More unneeded attention."
I looked at Kinoshita again. He still had that smile on his face.
I let go of his collar and backed away a little from him. He was looking at me with that stupid look.
Then I punched him right in the face.
"Gah!!"
Both Kinoshita and Aki were surprised. Kinoshita fell on his back, holding his face. Blood was seen flowing through his hands.
"You know, that smile on your face was irritating to me, so you shouldn't do that in front of me."