Getting closer, the shadowed expression on Kushida's face became clearer.
"You're not going to tell anyone about what just happened, right?"
It sounded like a question, but there was a sense of pressure from her.
"And if I say I will, what are you going to do about it?"
Kanda Shuichi kept a slight smile, unfazed by Kushida's intensity.
"If you tell anyone, I'll just say you almost assaulted me here."
Kanda Shuichi couldn't help but laugh at that. "No problem. I can just spend a few points to get the school to clear things up. Given my build, no one would believe I could force you, right?"
"Is that so? Then I'll just have to make it real."
Make it real? How?
Before Kanda Shuichi could figure out what she meant, Kushida grabbed his right hand and pressed it against her chest.
A soft sensation from Kushida's chest registered in his mind.
Yep, soft—definitely not fake!
Instinctively, Kanda Shuichi wanted to pull his hand away. It wasn't exactly ideal in such a public place.
But Kushida held his hand tightly, pressing it so firmly that her chest changed shape beneath his palm, leaving him no chance to pull his hand.
"Now, your fingerprints are all over me. There's proof. I'm serious, you understand?"
Alright, alright, you've got your proof. But since you've gone this far, I might as well return the favor.
With a sly grin, Kanda Shuichi suddenly pushed Kushida back with force, catching her off guard and pinning her against the railing. Then, he grabbed her chin with his left hand, and with her shocked expression, he leaned in to kiss her.
At the same time, he tightened his grip, leaving her momentarily stunned.
"Hiss..."
In just a brief moment, Kanda Shuichi was pushed away by Kushida Kikyo, who quickly covered her chest with one arm while furiously rubbing her lips with the other. The rage in her eyes looked like it could burn Kanda Shuichi to ashes.
"Are you looking to die?"
Kanda Shuichi wiped his lip, which had been bitten and was bleeding slightly. Seeing the blood on his hand, he smiled.
"Wasn't it you who started this whole thing? Why blame me? And how can such harsh words come out of such a sweet mouth? It really hurts my feelings, you know."
That only made Kushida angrier. Her original plan was just to use a bit of charm to tie Kanda Shuichi to her side. But now, not only had she given up more than she planned—she'd even lost her first kiss!
Kushida didn't usually care about things like that, but just thinking about it made her chest feel tight, and the lingering sensation from when he grabbed her made her even more furious. Damn it! Stupid Horikita! This is all your fault!
"You have no right to say that about me! What you just did was practically assault!"
"Oh, really? So, what are you going to do about it? Spread the word tomorrow?" Kanda Shuichi asked, clearly unconcerned.
Of course not. Kushida wouldn't do that. If she did, regardless of what happened to Kanda Shuichi, her own popularity would take a huge hit. Sure, people might sympathize with her, but others would likely start viewing her differently and gossip could spread.
For example: "Hey, did you hear? That girl Kushida from Class D—she's got a crazy side, huh?"
So unless absolutely necessary, Kushida Kikyo wasn't about to publicly accuse Kanda Shuichi. She had no interest in going down with him.
Besides, he wasn't like idiots like Ike or Yamauchi. If he was so confident now, he definitely had some kind of countermeasure in place.
So, what's your move, Kushida? I've already seen through all your tricks.
Seeing Kushida's silence, Kanda Shuichi took two steps forward, stopping right in front of her. He leaned in and whispered, "Don't worry. I'm not on Horikita's side, and I don't plan on spreading any of this around. Besides, I actually find you cuter like this."
With that, Kanda Shuichi turned and walked away. As he left, Kushida Kikyo could still hear his intentional laugh echoing back.
By the time he got back to his room, the bite on his lip from Kushida had already healed, but he still needed to apply some medicine. If he didn't, it could turn into a canker sore, and then even eating would be painful.
But before that, a sly grin appeared on Kanda Shuichi's face. He decided to send Kushida one more little gift. He sent her a video recording from earlier.
Only a few minutes later, as Kanda Shuichi finished applying the medicine in the bathroom mirror, there was a loud knock at the door.
So soon? She really is in a hurry.
Through the peephole, he could see that Kushida was alone outside the door, wearing an incredibly sweet smile.
"Hey, that was quick, Kushida."
"Oh, don't be mean, Kanda! After what you did, you should call me Kikyo. Aren't you going to let me in?"
Come on, Kushida, can you act normal? I still prefer your feisty side—please switch back.
"I didn't do anything, so don't go making things up, Kushida."
He said this while letting her into the room. As soon as the door shut, Kushida rushed inside, not even taking off her shoes, grabbed Kanda's phone, and threw it hard onto the floor. Then, without stopping, she stomped on it with her little leather shoes until the phone was completely smashed.
Kanda stood there, stunned.
You really don't waste any time, huh?
"Well, now you can't threaten me anymore, Kanda. I win."
"You're really a good girl," Kanda said with an annoyed laugh. Now how the hell am I supposed to buy breakfast tomorrow?
Back in his room, Kanda looked at Kushida, who was proudly grinning. He picked up the shattered phone, sighing.
"Don't bother checking. I can guarantee it's totally broken, beyond repair."
Kushida's face radiated satisfaction, as if to say, "So, you thought you could use that evidence against me? Well, too bad—it's gone now."
But Kanda ignored her, picking up the smashed phone and pulling something out of it.
"You really are an idiot, you know? Ever heard of a memory card?"
And just like that, the evidence was back!
Kushida was frozen in shock.
In her rush, she hadn't even thought about the memory card, and now it was safely in Kanda's hand.
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You can read 10 advanced chapters at my patreon.com/YeyeQiu