"I once dated Kiryu Hina," Kagura Hikaru said.
He glanced at Ayakoji Chiyoko beside him and, seeing her composed expression, Kagura Hikaru knew his guess was correct—she must have already known.
This matter was already known by many, at least their middle school classmates definitely had an impression.
At that time, both Hina and Kagura Hikaru were influential figures at school, and their union was even jokingly called the 'wedding of the century,' creating quite a stir.
Ayakoji Chiyoko probably thought she could use this information to help bring down Kiryu Hina.
As someone who'd been closest to the Student Council President, Kagura Hikaru would surely know a lot of her secrets.
"First, I want to know the reason you two broke up," Ayakoji Chiyoko said calmly, her gaze however, was piercing, "Also, give me the chat records from when you were in the throes of passion."
For the Student Council President, who always presented a perfect image to outsiders, having her flirtatious texts with a man exposed would be a devastating blow to Kiryu Hina.
If played right, it could even be possible to unseat her from the position of Student Council President.
However, Kagura Hikaru rejected the request outright: "We broke up due to incompatible personalities, and as for the chat records, I'm sorry, but I must refuse."
Ayakoji Chiyoko's look turned colder, "You're not willing to do even this small thing?"
"If you don't want to talk, we don't have to," he replied.
Kagura Hikaru stood his ground, his expression cool as he held her gaze.
This touched his bottom line.
The stiff air lasted for a few seconds before Ayakoji Chiyoko took a step back: "Fine, let's both make a concession. I won't ask any more excessive demands, but at least you need to provide Kiryu Hina's preferences and weaknesses. What she's allergic to, animals she's afraid of, every little detail, tell me everything."
[Stingy man, if even this is too much, then forget it.]
[You have gained through mind-reading: Sword Dao +1]
[Sword Dao lv4 (13/100)]
It seems this was the 'bottom line.'
Hina wouldn't be stingy about this cost, so he might as well give her some real information.
It would be enough to remind her to be cautious afterwards.
Kagura Hikaru hesitated before nodding slightly.
"Hina... President Kiryu likes painting, as well as romantic fiction. Her idol is Kawabata Yasunari. Her weaknesses are fear of darkness and ghosts, and she's scared of spiders. I'm not clear about any allergens; she most likely doesn't have any."
As Kagura Hikaru spoke, Ayakoji Chiyoko was typing on her phone with one hand, gathering information.
She would actively ask questions, many of which were quite aggressive, such as: "Would she agree to act in a play with a kissing scene?" "Does she have bisexual tendencies?" "Is there any chance you two could get back together?"
The questions grew increasingly difficult to answer, and Kagura Hikaru felt that it would be more comfortable to just leave her alone and return to the classroom to be with his classmates.
He would certainly have done so in the past.
Now, he was enduring it purely to fulfill Hina's request.
But even this tolerance had limits, and Kagura Hikaru couldn't let Ayakoji Chiyoko think he was a man without temper or boundaries, or she would become more and more outrageous.
When Ayakoji Chiyoko saw the eyes staring back at her gradually fill with anger, she knew it was time to stop.
"...Let's leave it at that for now."
Ayakoji Chiyoko typed out the last character, clicked save, and put her phone away.
"If there's anything I want to know from you in the future, you can't refuse."
"Depends on my mood," Kagura Hikaru said coldly.
"Heh, got it."
Ayakoji Chiyoko's mouth lifted slightly, and she wasn't particularly angry.
Getting so much information today was an unexpected gain; she was in high spirits now.
Even if Kiryu Hina were to make faces at her now, she felt she could forgive her with ease.
With Kagura Hikaru's part said, it was Ayakoji Chiyoko's turn.
That is to say, the topic of their so-called 'grudge'.
"Actually, I only met Kiryu Hina this year," she began, causing Kagura Hikaru to be taken aback.
With the way they were at each other's throats and scheming against one another, they appeared to be old enemies; he hadn't expected them to have known each other for such a short time.
...But thinking about it, if Hina had known someone as troublesome as Ayakoji Chiyoko before, Kagura Hikaru would have likely known about her during their time together.
"The first time we met wasn't at school, but at a small banquet," she continued, her eyes clouded as if lost in memories, "Three people attended: me, Kiryu Hina...and that guy's stepmother."
"Stepmother?"
Kagura Hikaru furrowed his brow; this was news to him, something that must have happened after their breakup.
To his knowledge, Hina's mother had died in childbirth, and her father had not remarried for a long time, which meant he must have found someone recently.
The question was, how did Ayakoji Chiyoko become involved with the Kiryu family?
As if sensing his thoughts, Ayakoji Chiyoko spoke in a slightly somber tone, "That person's current stepmother was once my stepmother, at least that's what I used to believe."
"..."
Kagura Hikaru sensed the flavor of a family drama in her words.
As she narrated the story, he gradually pieced together the relationships involved.
Simply put, Kiryu Hina's current stepmother, who used to date Ayakoji Chiyoko's father (a divorced, single man) for several years since she was in elementary school, maintained contact with Ayakoji Chiyoko even after they broke up, as close as if they were biological mother and daughter.
Right before high school started, she suddenly received news that her former stepmother was getting engaged and was asked to meet her fiancé's daughter.
The reason being that they were of the same age and would be attending the same high school in the future, so they should support each other.
And that so-called peer was Kiryu Hina.
So the 'person' she had mind-read at the school gate was referring to Kiryu Hina's stepmother, who used to be Ayakoji Chiyoko's stepmother...
After hearing this, Kagura Hikaru had only one feeling—confused.
This relationship is really a mess, a complete jumble that seems to involve the emotional problems of the previous generation.
But even so, this doesn't seem like a sufficient reason for Ayakoji Chiyoko and Kiryu Hina to become enemies.
"Could it be that your stepmother's breakup with your father is related to President Kiriyu?"
"I hope not."
"Then why do you still... hate her by association?"
"You can think of it that way if you want."
Don't want to talk about it, fine.
Mind-reading.
[I don't hate Mom, she just made her own choice, and in fact, that bastard of a dad really isn't a good marriage partner.]
[But Kiryu Hina, she stole the happiness that was supposed to be mine, I can't pretend I didn't see it!]
[Moreover, she might be the only one who knows the whereabouts of that guy...]
[You have gained through peering into the mind: Makeup +3]
[Makeup lv4 (22/100)]
"..."
The true identity of 'that person' had just been clarified, and now a 'that guy' popped up.
Why does it feel like the mysteries are increasing?!
After hearing so much, he also roughly knew why Hina had sent him to approach Ayakoji Chiyoko; she wanted to divert her attention, to keep this obsessed person off her back, presumably.
Kagura Hikaru suddenly felt a bit drained, with the urge to rub his temples.
Before knowing the truth, he originally thought this was going to be a very heavy story, perhaps involving one or two lives, connected to the dark secrets of Tokyo's upper society?
It turned out to be two high school girls fighting over a stepmom!
How charming could that woman be...
Ayakoji Chiyoko hugged her arms and snorted coldly.
"I won't do anything too excessive, just causing her a little trouble, and we'll be even."
This is a lie.
Kagura Hikaru knew that Ayakoji Chiyoko still had secrets that hadn't been unearthed, and her purpose in tormenting Kiryu Hina was something else.
But he couldn't just ask outright, so he had to pretend to still be in the dark.
"That's just wishful thinking on your part."
"So what if it is," Ayakoji Chiyoko said, with a look of complete self-assurance.
Even if he said something now about the 'endless cycle of vengeance', she probably wouldn't listen.
Kagura Hikaru shook his head: "Just don't splatter blood on me."
"Ha, I can't guarantee that."
Ayakoji Chiyoko stood up, "We're done here, I'm leaving."
"Okay."
Ayakoji Chiyoko told Kagura Hikaru she would come to find him when she needed him and left in a hurry, not wanting to disturb his rest.
Not exchanging contact information, did she feel he was not important enough?
Kagura Hikaru leaned back in his chair, tilting his head back in thought.
The sky above was clear and transparent, and the fluffy clouds were being moved slowly by the breeze.
He could hear the soft sound of the wind and the rustling of the leaves.
He closed his eyes, momentarily forgetting his worries, emptying his mind of all thoughts.
No one spoke to him, no noise from life interfered.
He liked this quiet time, which was rare.
The world was too noisy, only when alone could he enjoy a moment of peace, and even though he knew it would soon be shattered, he was still enchanted by these moments to the point of being unable to let go.
Kagura Hikaru began to feel a bit sleepy and decided to take a short nap.
But it was at this moment that he suddenly heard the sound of someone stepping on dry leaves behind him.
He opened his eyes, and an upside-down beautiful face appeared before him.
Kagura Hikaru knew this face well, one that would be recognized instantly even if he lost his memory.
"Oh, taking a nap? Don't mind me~"
It was Kiryu Hina.