Shiyon stood still, his gaze lingering on Yuuto.
Students noticed.
"He's... looking at Pillow?" someone whispered.
"Ugh, he's so creepy... Wait, wasn't he with Shizume-kun at that resort?"
'Motherfucker,' Yuuto seethed internally. 'I dare you. I double dare you. Reveal me, and those dead fish eyes of yours will finally have a reason to look dead, you organ-harvesting bastard.'
Yuuto shot him a glare—a silent warning.
Shiyon, catching the dangerous glint in Yuuto's eyes, felt the tension shift. Then, unexpectedly, a playful chuckle escaped his lips, and his shoulders relaxed.
"Uhfu~..."
The change was subtle, but sharp enough to catch the teacher's attention.
'...Was that a chuckle?' the teacher thought, his gaze flicking between Shiyon and Yuuto. 'Why? That ruffian only glares at him...'
Then, realization hit. 'Shiyon thrives when someone challenges him without fear—like Sendo, who changed him for the better.'
'But...' The teacher clicked his tongue in frustration. 'He can't possibly be a good influence...' He thought, recalling the fanfiction Yuuto handed in instead of the test about a month ago.
'NO, HE'S DEFINITELY NOT A GOOD INFLUENCE! NOT A GOOD INFLUENCE! I MUST GET HIM EXPELLED AT ALL COSTS!!! AT ALL COSTS!!! EVEN IF... EVEN IF IT COSTS ME MY LIFE!'
The teacher's mind spiraled, internally hyperventilating as the memory resurfaced—Yuuto's abhorrent NTR fanfiction. He shuddered.
'How can a functioning member of society write something so vile...?!' he thought, gripping his temple. 'From that day forward, I prayed to the Dear Lord for just one slim chance to forget… To drown that cursed memory…'
His gaze fell on Shiyon.
'Shiyon-kun… Don't let him sway you! Please! You are a pure summer child compared to that LUNATIC!!'
The teacher grimaced as Shiyon met Yuuto's eyes openly, seemingly undeterred.
"You think he wants to recruit him for the Disciplinary Committee?" another student murmured.
"Don't be stupid! Why would he recruit Pillow, of all people?"
"Is he... actually strong?" someone else asked. Yuuto tightened his fists, irritation creeping through him as Riko and Shun exchanged glances—half worried, half curious.
Shun, in particular, couldn't help but recall how Yuuto looked without glasses, how his build matched—maybe even exceeded—Shiyon's.
'Come to think of it,' Shun mused, 'He always wears long sleeves, even when it's hot. Is he hiding how jacked he is? But why? Does he not want people to know he's really strong, for some reason? Why...!? Isn't that a good thing...? No one would wanna mess with you!'
Then, to everyone's surprise, Shiyon stepped forward.
"Sakurai-chun," Shiyon said calmly, "I believe you know what I'm going to ask."
Yuuto's jaw tightened as memories of Shiyon's promise rushed back. He had sworn not to reveal anything about Yuuto's abilities because Yuuto had beaten him in their first scuffle.
'I knew you'd break your word,' Yuuto thought bitterly, 'So... Why am I so angry about it—...?'
Shiyon's voice cut through his thoughts.
"A Blue Envelope drop-out could be useful to our Committee."
"...?" Yuuto blinked, clearing his mind.
"Did he say Blue Envelope?" someone whispered.
"Isn't that the school full of elitist nerds—top of the top in academics?"
The murmurs spread through the classroom, but Yuuto stayed silent, his fist still clenched.
Shiyon then smiled knowingly, "Back in the resort," He looked up, a casual smile returning to him as he noticed he provoked a response from Yuuto, "Sakurai-chun actually deduced where they took the girls, and pointed me in the right direction to save them in time... Hah, I'd hate to think what would happen if you weren't there~"
Yuuto's shoulders loosened as he looked up at Shiyon.
"Wait, Pillow led him to the girls' area...?"
"I mean... He's always the top scorer in tests, except that one time he got failed for giving the teacher a fanfiction... But he scored A+ again on the next exam," a student pointed out.
'...This is still bad,' Yuuto's thoughts rambled. 'Their image of me is starting to change. Bad. VERY BAD...'
Time slowed as Yuuto locked eyes with Shiyon, realizing how subtly he was altering his image.
'We're lying now, huh? Fine by me.'
"You still owe me 20,000 yen for my deductions. 10,000 yen per girl saved," Yuuto said confidently. "And an extra 10,000 yen as compensation for delayed payment," he added flatly.
"W-what...?" Shiyon shook his head, confused. "What was that, Sakurai-kun...?"
'This guy… He can't seriously be trying to extort Shiyon-san, right?' Shun thought, watching in disbelief. 'COME ON… PEOPLE WERE THIS CLOSE TO ACCEPTING YOU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS PURPOSELY RUNING YOUR IMAGE!!? Aren't you... Tired of it!? Of being an outcast all the time!?'
"You heard me, dine-and-dasher. Pay up. You promised," Yuuto said, a sly smirk spreading across his face as he stood, facing Shiyon directly.
"What is that FUCKER saying!?"
"He's demanding payment... for saving the girls!?"
"Was it all about MONEY for him!?" Students murmured around them, their wrath rather quickly returning.
Yuuto held Shiyon's gaze, his thoughts spiraling in annoyance.
'You think I didn't notice what you tried to do just now, Harvester?' Yuuto thought, meeting Shiyon's confused gaze, "Purposely Rile You Up To Cushion My Actual Request So You're More Likely To Agree, But Still Think About What Annoyed You" Technique. B Grade. It's like when a dude hits on someone's wife, asking her to fuck him, which gets her mad. And then tells her "NOOOooOOoO, that's not what I meant! FUCKING in my country means shakings Hands over CoffeEeEeeEeEE" And the wife lowers her guard, but the idea is subtly planted in her mind so she CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT IT all of a sudden "Kyaaa, why am I thinking about him like this...!!? He just want a HaNdShAkE, it is Me WhO'S iNdEcEnT and thinks about SEX. Sorry, DEAR HuSbAnD. yOur WifE iS IndEcEnt ForgiVE mE." And then she fucks him. Like, you actually tried it on ME of all people, imagine the sheer stupidity; I should charge you extra just for trying to pull that shit.'
"Y-you want... money?" Shiyon stammered.
"What, you gonna say you forgot?" Yuuto leaned in, eyes narrowing. "You promised. You stood there, smiling, tapping my flimsy shoulder, and said you'd pay. You begged me to help save those girls." Yuuto's voice sharpened. "Noble effort. Now pay what you promised."
"He made... Shiyon-san beg...!?" The students all clenched their teeth in unison at the thought of Shiyon lowering himself to Yuuto.
"I bet he even planned the whole thing just to squeeze money out of this!"
The students exchanged knowing glances, their shared thoughts brimming with resentment.
'AS I THOUGHT, HE'S NOTHING BUT A SCUMBAG!'
"A-ah..." Shiyon chuckled nervously. "R-right... I did promise... Haha... I only have..." He trailed off, pulling out his wallet reluctantly.
"NO WAY! SHIYON-SAN'S REALLY PAYING!?"
"Shiyon-san... A man of his word. Even if it's to that scumbag..."
"So admirable!"
"But I never thought I'd see Shiyon-san like this..."
Shiyon's hands trembled as he offered the bills. "I only have 15,000 yen... I was actually hoping to save some for the chalkboar—"
"Not my problem," Yuuto snapped, snatching the bills from Shiyon's hand.
"You broke it for shock value, that's on you," Yuuto spat, casually counting the money in his hands.
"THAT FUCKER REALLY HAS NO SHAME!" the students fumed silently, gritting their teeth.
"ANIKI ONLY DID THAT BECAUSE IT'S THAT SERIOUS!!!" Gon erupted, slamming his desk as he whipped toward Yuuto; voicing all of the classroom's rage aloud.
"FUCKING PILLOW! I'VE HAD A-FUCKING-NOUGH OF YOUR BITCH DICK MOUTH—SHUT THE FUCK UP!" he roared.
'Ah,' Shun thought, glancing at Gon's frantic expression, 'He seems to be back to his old self...' Somewhat relieved, he relaxed in his seat.
"What? Talking about my genitals again?" Yuuto replied with a sly smirk, his eyebrow shooting up as he locked eyes with the enraged Gon. "You know, there are subtler ways to ask me out."
"THE FUCK WAS THAT—!"
"Gon-chan," Shiyon's calm voice cut through the tension.
The classroom fell silent as Shiyon's gaze settled on Gon, his tone quiet but dangerous. "Since you swore in front of the classroom…"
Gon stiffened, a chill running down his spine.
"And with the teacher still here…" Shiyon's eyes sharpened, though his expression remained pleasant. "Why don't you leave the classroom for this lesson, and think about what you've done, okay?"
Gon's face turned pale. "S-sorry... Yes..." he stammered, bowing awkwardly to both the teacher and Shiyon before shuffling out of the room.
The teacher sighed. 'If Tsubasa-kun hadn't done that, I don't know if I would've stopped myself from cussing at that ruffian.. I understand your frustration, Tsubasa-kun.' He thought as he looked at Gon.
"H-holy shit..." students whispered, glancing nervously between Yuuto and the door Gon had just exited through.
"Is that guy suicidal or something...?" they muttered quietly among themselves. Yuuto caught their whispers with a flick of his ear.
'Ah, they've got a point,' Yuuto thought. 'I need to keep my image hovering between scumbag and abomination. If I keep taunting the school's so-called strongest people, they'll just chalk it up to me being suicidal.'
He let out a small breath, glancing at his seat before settling back into it.
"Thanks for the cash," Yuuto said casually, slipping the bills into his wallet.
"Miyu-Miyu, that pillow's the worst, isn't he?" One of Miyuki's friends whispered to her.
"Hmm?" Miyuki glanced at her briefly, her expression unreadable. "Ah, yeah, sure," she muttered dismissively, her eyes drifting back to Yuuto with a strange curiosity.
"Miyu-Miyu...?" Her friend blinked, puzzled by the detached response.
"...He's really good at turning everyone against him, huh...?" Miyuki murmured, almost to herself.
"What?" Her friend squinted, not sure if she heard it right.
"... nothing," Miyuki waved it off casually. "Just talking to myself."
Her friend frowned slightly, concern flickering across her face, but before she could say more, Shiyon's voice interrupted.
"Anyway, Sakurai-chun," Shiyon's voice cut in after clearing his throat. "I'd like you to join the Disciplinary Committee."
Yuuto said nothing, leaning comfortably into his chair. He picked up his pencil and began to write on the blank fanfiction page, the words flowing as if by instinct.
'My writer's block is gone... Nice.'
"Sakurai-chun," Shiyon pressed, his tone more insistent. "You may be eccentric, but I need capable people by my side."
He knelt beside Yuuto's chair, his eyes earnest.
"Please." He said.
"I want to protect this school and the students, but I can't do it alone. I need your help."
Yuuto paused, his pencil hovering above the page. Slowly, he looked up and met Shiyon's gaze.
There it was—the honesty, the softness, the seriousness.
'...Woah... To be invited into the Disciplinary Committee...' Shun thought, his legs bouncing anxiously as he observed the exchange.
'I'm... Jealous.' The thought weighed on him. 'I'll probably never get a chance like that... If I did, I could change everything. I could finally become someone worthy of her...' His gaze flickered toward Riko, and his heart sank.
'Someone who could protect her... A trustworthy boyfriend. Is it... Just a matter of time before I fail to be what she needs...?'
Bitterness curled in his chest as a haunting image of Male1 and Male2 flickered through his mind. 'Maybe it's only a matter of time before someone like them shows up again... and this time, takes her from me for good.'
His fists clenched as the envy burned hotter. 'If he asked me to join, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Who wouldn't? No one would mess with you under Shiyon's protection...'
Then, unbidden, a memory surfaced—Shiyon's words from the resort, sharp and mocking; after he asked him to train him.
============
"Thank you for showing me just how weak your resolve really is~..."
============
Shiyon's voice echoed through his mind, making his lips press into a hard line. His hands curled into fists, trembling slightly at the edges.
And then, Yuuto's voice cut through the fog in his mind.
"Of course not, Harvester," Yuuto replied calmly, as if nothing could disturb his rhythm.
"W-what...?" Shiyon blinked, tilting his head in surprise.
'Huh...?' Shun's eyes snapped toward Yuuto, wide with disbelief.
"I don't deny what you're trying to do," Yuuto said, his gaze steady. "Though I question you and your motives... But that aside—" he let out a deep sigh, still facing Shiyon without faltering.
"I'm already in the Culture Club," he declared boldly. "I'm not about to switch just because the school's hottie asked me. That manipulator—, I mean, Sato would cry himself to sleep without me."
His words were loud and unapologetic, earning a sharp gasp from Shun.
'And no way I'm joining a place with you in charge.' Yuuto's thoughts simmered.
'Resolve... Huh?' Shun thought, Yuuto's words settling in his mind. His shoulders eased, and his legs finally stilled, no longer bouncing with anxious energy. 'Resolve to stick to your decisions... To stay true to who you are and who you want to be... And where you're going,' His gaze sharpened, locking onto Yuuto.
'Now that I think about it... No matter how much people shunned you, threatened you... or even beat you that one time... You never strayed from who you are, did you? Is that why... Shiyon-san accepts you?'
The thought hit deeper than he expected, unsettling something within him.
Shun sank deeper into his thoughts just as the classroom erupted with chaotic chatter around him.
"This bastard... Taking money from Shiyon-san, and refusing him outright..." someone muttered in disbelief.
"Scumbag... He's always spitting on Shiyon's goodwill!" another whispered, venom lacing their words.
Shiyon sighed heavily as he rose to his feet. "I see. That's... a shame. A real shame." His voice was calm, but for a fleeting moment, his eyes lost their spark, returning to that familiar, empty stare.
Yuuto noticed the subtle shift. '...?'
But just as quickly, Shiyon's expression softened into a weak smile. "At the very least, I hope I can rely on you again sometime," he said gently before turning away and making his way to the front of the room.
'...It really is a shame,' Shiyon mused as he walked, though the faintest smirk tugged at his lips.
'But... I don't hate that about you, either.'
'... That aside, eventually...'
He reached the front of the classroom, turning to face the students once more with his head held high.
'... You will tell me how you're connected to Black Letter, Sakurai.'
And then, without missing a beat, he spoke aloud, his voice light and mocking. "Everyone~ School Hottie here," he echoed, mimicking Yuuto's words with an exaggerated tone.
Yuuto flinched as a ripple of giggles spread through the classroom.
"Given our recent difficulties, I figured an arm wrestle isn't enough to gauge all of your physical conditions," Shiyon announced with a grin, prompting the students to exchange glances.
"So, I spoke with the teachers... and they graciously approved—an early INK Public School Sports Festival!" He declared with enthusiasm.
"Holy shit..."
"The sports festival...? That's where all the craziest stuff happens... It's supposed to be at the end of the year!"
Unfazed by the murmurs, Shiyon pressed on. "Actually, thanks to the Culture Club president's diligence, everything will be ready by tomorrow!" He announced, "All thanks to our very own Shizume-kun!"
He threw a smug smirk in Yuuto's direction, clearly reveling in the moment.
Yuuto exhaled quietly, his eyes narrowing as he thought about how late he'd have to stay in the school today for the festival.
'You really are...' he thought with resignation.
'A motherfucker.'