"So, this is the new student. Nice to meet you, Mei Zhing-Hua."
Principal Chigiri greeted us with a smile. Though she did, she set her gaze on me for a moment before looking back at Zhing-Hua.
She still has some lingering thoughts about what happened with that one video.
"Likewise, Principal."
"Have you three come here merely for greetings?"
Bingo. She got it.
I looked back at Hoshi-san, who had a fairly troubled expression on her face.
That's how she knew.
"No, actually,"
When Zhing-Hua began talking, the Principal looked slightly surprised.
"We have come here to discuss a problem. Do you have the time, Principal?"
I felt a wave of discomfort as Zhing-Hua began talking. I've had this feeling since earlier. It seems to be every time she asks a question.
"The power of Active Suggestion? Who would have thought that someone from China would have gotten Coeus' Blessing? Are you perhaps his avatar?"
She asked.
"No, I'm not Coeus' avatar."
"Is that so?"
Principal Chigiri looked slightly disappointed.
"I would love to know more about your Active Suggestion but let's hear about what you have to say first."
"It's not about me."
Zhing-Hua said as Principal Chigiri's eyes moved toward me once more.
She makes me feel uncomfortable.
"It's about Shiba-san here."
"Oh?"
The woman hummed in interest as she listened to the girl.
"It seems like wrongful rumours are being spread about Kazuya."
"Really now? What types of rumours?"
Everyone looked at me but I then looked at Hoshi-san, who was slightly shocked.
"M-me?"
"Shouldn't you be explaining?"
Zhing-Hua asked.
"I-I guess..."
This Active Suggestion seems to be useful. It worked on me but it seems like it doesn't work on more powerful people. Principal Chigiri is an example.
Hoshi-san explained the rumour to the principal.
Unexpectedly, she seemed to be flaring with anger.
"Such false rumours were flying around the school for a year and I never heard..."
She gritted her teeth and shouted.
"Bring me the one who spread this rumour!"
"What're you going to do?"
I asked.
A sinister grin appeared on her face.
"Guess."
·———·
Kazuya ventured to Kisaki's classroom and knocked on the door. After a few seconds, he opened the door.
A whole class of third-years looked back at Kazuya. The girls began talking.
(Seems like even the third-years know.)
He thought to himself.
"What is it, Shiba?"
It seemed like Mr Matsumoto was still sour from his last lesson with Kazuya.
"Can I borrow Ichino Amakusa and Saya Kisaki?"
He asked.
"What if I say—"
"Principal Chigiri wants them."
"Sure."
The two got out of their seats and followed Kazuya. The girls seemed to be whispering louder as they left.
"So, why are we going to the Principal's office?"
Kisaki asked, slightly sceptical.
"No clue."
"Then why did Principal Chigiri send you?"
"Oi, Saya. You shouldn't be rude since—"
"Shut up, Ichino. You know I like Yuichi."
Amakusa closed her mouth and looked down.
"Well, answer me."
"Would you shut up?!"
Kazuya snapped.
"I swear to fucking god! You don't shut up! It's always been the same! Ever since third-year of middle school!"
Amakusa and Kisaki were taken aback. Amakusa thought that this boy was different from the one he met a few days ago. A lot more emotions were showing.
She found something strange though. The purple-haired girl did not mention anything.
"Tch. Fucking bitch."
They continued walking. Kisaki gave a slight smirk, without anyone's knowledge.
·———·
"Principal? Can I know why I've been called?"
Kisaki asked the Principal, who stared at the green-haired girl with a smile.
"Well,"
She looked over at the girl in the corner. Hoshi-san looked slightly dejected as she sat on the sofa.
"I've heard a certain rumour about you."
"What rumour?"
She pretended to play innocent. In fact, she already knew that Kazuya had found out. His attitude from earlier was proof.
"Apparently, there's a rumour going around about Kazuya supposedly assaulted you."
"What?!"
Amakusa shouted, surprised. Before she could shout anymore, she was interrupted.
"Supposedly?! Supposedly?! He did!"
Kisaki seemed insulted.
"Why do you think I avoided him from the end of middle school until now?!"
(What the biggest load of bullshit ever.)
Kazuya could not handle her lies. His disappointment and disgust could not be disguised. He rolled his eyes as his mouth twitched.
"Is that so?"
Principal Chigiri began thinking.
"But, if so, why did you not report this to the school?"
A tear leaked from her eye.
"I didn't want to disturb the teachers."
"But you sure disturbed the students."
Kazuya retorted.
Amakusa snapped and rushed over to Kazuya, snatching his collar and pulling him closer to her.
"You don't get to make such remarks after doing such a horrible thing. I regret giving you an apology for that misunderstanding."
"H-hey..."
"Sinners like you deserve to be punished."
She summoned a thin curved blade and was ready to pierce Kazuya.
"Hey, Amakusa, stop!"
The Principal shouted and the girl stopped.
"Why, Principal?"
(Dense girl.)
Kisaki thought, still attempting to look sad.
"Have you ever thought whether her story was true?"
The attention turned to Zhing-Hua, who no one noticed until now.
"Well, no? Why would I, a friend wouldn't lie to me."
"What restricts it so that she doesn't lie to you?"
"Of course, because—"
Then, she began thinking.
What did restrict her friend from lying to her?
She let go of Kazuya and continued thinking.
Kisaki stared in shock.
(Huh? What's this idiot doing? She was supposed to be my guard. This girl...)
She stared at Zhing-Hua.
"What?"
Zhing-Hua looked at Kisaki.
"Feeling that I'll ruin your plan?"
"What do you mean?"
She flawlessly continued her act.
"What? Or did you not tell the boys too?"
Kisaki seemed to pay attention to what Zhing-Hua said.
"..."
"Did you enjoy trying to be the manipulator?"
"..."
Kisaki clenched her fist and tightened her jaw.
Zhing-Hua chuckled slightly. She chuckled at the pathetic false manipulator called Saya Kisaki.
"Did you enjoy it?"
Active Suggestion was a skill. A skill that anyone could learn but it was an incredibly difficult skill to learn.
It used questions to incite its recipient. It was generally used by either those who did not want to fight the minority—
Zhing-Hua laughed manically in Kisaki's face.
—while the majority were manipulators.
Using Active Suggestion, Zhing-Hua only messed with Kisaki. She never used it seriously.
Though Kisaki had not been beaten, she had truly believed to have lost the fight.
"Kisaki. I'll expel you from this academy. Get ready."