Chapter 77: The Two faced Angel
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Sakagami Kazuma is an adult, and more importantly, a teacher responsible for guiding students!
As an adult and an educator, his admiration for bad boys was nothing short of hopeless.
"Apart from the violent incident in Class C, is there anything else worth mentioning, Kushida-san?" Rin asked.
"Well, I know Class B had a social gathering in their classroom yesterday afternoon."
"I know that," Rin Matsuoka replied, waving his hand. He had even attended that gathering himself.
"As for Class A, I haven't heard anything noteworthy," Kikyo added with a light tone. "Oh~ class is about to start soon, Matsuoka-san. I'll be going back now~ See you later!"
"Mm."
Three minutes before class began, Kikyo Kushida bid farewell to Rin and returned to her seat. Her desk mate, leaned over and asked curiously, "Kikyo-chan, what were you talking about with Matsuoka-san?"
"We were just chatting about some interesting things going on in other classes." Kikyo smiled sweetly, a hint of shyness in her expression. "Matsuoka-san is really easy to talk to—so warm and proactive. We've already become friends."
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[Host, Kushida Kikyo is telling other girls that you are passionate and proactive towards her.]
Rin Matsuoka: ?
A mental question mark floated over Rin's head.
"I am passionate and proactive towards Sakura, but how on earth was I like that with Kikyo Kushida just now?"
'I know exactly what's happening—she's slandering me!'
'She's totally slandering me!'
Unfortunately, the system that usually provided Rin with commentary simply crashed, leaving his complaints unanswered.
Meanwhile, Kikyo noticed the girls around her growing excited as they began discussing the most handsome boy in class—him. Sensing that the conversation was getting dangerously close to focusing entirely on Rin, she decided to change tactics.
Kikyo's expression shifted, showing a helpless and slightly aggrieved look. "Matsuoka-san is really easy to get along with," she said, "but Horikita-san is different."
"I really wanted to be friends with Horikita-san, but when I told her that, she just said, 'I don't have the intention to make friends.'"
Her smile faltered slightly, giving way to a sorrowful expression, as if she were on the verge of tears.
Kikyo Kushida was undeniably talented at acting. It was almost a waste that she hadn't pursued a career as an actress or artist.
The girls, who already had a favorable impression of Kikyo, instantly felt a wave of dissatisfaction toward Horikita Suzune. One of them spoke up without hesitation.
"See? I've always said Horikita isn't the type of person we can be friends with. We should just stop talking to her."
"Exactly," another girl agreed.
...
The collective agreement satisfied Kikyo immensely. She had skillfully planted the seed that Horikita was "difficult to get along with" in everyone's mind.
From now on, the other girls would subconsciously reject Horikita Suzune.
Kikyo knew that as long as she maintained this narrative, even if Horikita tried to expose Kikyo's dark past from junior high, no one would believe her.
After all, the comparison was clear:
One was a cheerful, friendly, and seemingly innocent angel.
The other was a cold, standoffish girl who avoided making friends.
Most people would instinctively believe the words of the cheerful angel over those of the aloof outcast~~
Kikyo Kushida went to great lengths to ensure no one believed in her dark past.
"We've almost dealt with Horikita Suzune. Everyone hates her, but what should we do with Matsuoka? He's not like Horikita. He's the most popular among the girls."
Kushida, having successfully isolated Horikita Suzune, now wore a troubled expression.
At that moment, something unusual struck her.
"Earlier, I talked to Rin Matsuoka, but his attitude toward me was completely different from other boys. He wasn't enthusiastic, nor did he sneak a peek at my chest... There's definitely something wrong with him!"
Her heart skipped a beat as she reflected on this strange interaction.
"Is he cold to me because he knows about my dark history in junior high school?"
The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became.
"If that's not the reason, then why would Rin Matsuoka—a boy—be so cold to someone as enthusiastic and proactive as me? This makes no sense!"
"Unless... Rin Matsuoka doesn't like girls!"
The possibility crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.
Kushida had been observing Rin closely and noticed that he actively interacted with the girl seated behind him.
"If he takes the initiative to talk with girls instead of hanging out with boys, then Rin Matsuoka is definitely not the type who likes boys."
This realization only heightened her discomfort.
"If Rin doesn't dislike girls, then why was he so cold when I spoke to him? There's only one explanation..."
"He must know about my dark past and the kind of person I am, which is why he's treating me like this!"
But in reality, Kushida was overthinking things.
Yes, Rin Matsuoka had recalled hearing some rumors about her junior high past, but he didn't know the details.
The real reason Rin was cold toward her had nothing to do with her history. He simply sensed a disconnect between the friendliness Kushida projected and her true intentions.
It was this subtle inconsistency that made Rin distant toward her.
Rin preferred to surround himself with sincere and genuine people.
Actually, it wasn't just Rin—most people gravitate toward others who treat them sincerely. Few are inclined to be nice to those with hidden motives unless they have something to gain.
While Kushida was caught up in her own thoughts, Rin Matsuoka was calmly sending a LINE message to Shiina Hiyori on his phone.
[Shiina, I just heard that there was a violent incident in Class C yesterday. Is that true?]
[And did Ryuen blackmail you for 20,000 points?]
Rin felt concerned about Shiina Hiyori.
The previous day, the elegant and soft-spoken girl had generously lent him her favorite classic novel.
Since he had accepted her kindness, it was only natural for Rin to care about her situation.
If the rumors were true—that there was a violent incident, and Ryuen had extorted 20,000 points from her—Rin wouldn't hesitate to step in and help.
He was prepared to take action against Ryuen and even have him expelled from school if necessary.
Though Rin lacked the authority to expel Ryuen himself, he knew someone who could: Sakayanagi Narumori, the strictest rule-enforcer in the school.
Chabashira Sae had previously mentioned that the school had a zero-tolerance policy toward bullying.
And if anyone would act on that policy, it was Sakayanagi Narumori—a man who abided strictly by the school's regulations.
If Rin could gather proof of Ryuen's bullying, he was certain that Sakayanagi would make sure Ryuen was expelled without hesitation.