After the meeting, the members of Class D dispersed. Some went to their clubs, some worked on making test questions, and others just lazed around.
In Room 404, as soon as Kushida followed Kanda Shuichi inside, she exploded with rage.
"That bitch Horikita really went and spilled my secret! I knew she was a problem, and now she's even blabbing to unrelated people!"
Kushida was more furious than ever today. After cursing out Horikita, she immediately turned her sharp glare on Kanda Shuichi.
"Why didn't you stop her? You just let her run her mouth like that? I wanted to stop her too, but it's not like I can control what she says. She doesn't know much anyway, and with Horikita and Ayanokouji's social skills, even if she tells someone, no one will believe her. Don't worry about it."
Kanda Shuichi tried to calm the raging Kushida.
After all, it was true that he hadn't seriously tried to stop Horikita. Besides, he was curious about Kushida's past himself.
"No, I have to make Horikita drop out! And Ayanokouji too!"
...
"Give it up. Forget about Horikita for now—there's no way you'll be able to do anything to Ayanokouji."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean that Ayanokouji is a hidden monster. Even I'm not confident I could deal with him."
Kanda Shuichi's response left Kushida stunned.
She knew what Kanda Shuichi was capable of. Back during the deserted island exam and the VIP exam, he had easily played both Katsuragi and Ryuen like fools.
She wasn't sure what exactly he did during the sports festival, but she was sure he had been up to something.
And she was right—Kanda Shuichi had been laundering money and had successfully shorted 20 million yen.
In Kushida's mind, the strongest person in Class D wasn't Hirata or Horikita—it was Kanda Shuichi.
But now, Kanda Shuichi was saying that the guy who always followed Horikita around was someone even he couldn't handle?
Wasn't Ayanokouji just good at running fast?
"I can't tell you the details, but Ayanokouji is dangerous. You'd better stay away from him." Kanda Shuichi's expression turned serious. "Do whatever you want with Horikita—I can handle it. But don't do anything to Ayanokouji behind my back."
People tend to trust those who are stronger than them. Kushida believed Kanda Shuichi was more capable than her, so she took his words to heart.
Seeing her nod, Kanda Shuichi let out a small sigh of relief.
But he also knew that by saying this, he had sparked Kushida's curiosity about Ayanokouji.
Still, as long as she didn't act recklessly without telling him, Kanda Shuichi could manage the situation.
As for her picking a fight with Horikita? That was nothing to worry about.
Two weaklings going at each other—what's the worst that could happen?
"What are we having for dinner?"
"I'm not eating! I'm too angry to eat!"
After saying that, Kushida grabbed her bag from the door and left Kanda Shuichi's dorm.
Kanda Shuichi just shrugged, then took some ingredients from the fridge and slowly started cooking.
Before long, there was another knock on his door.
Did she come back?
"I'm coming, wait a sec."
After quickly washing his hands, Kanda Shuichi opened the door. But instead of Kushida, it was Karuizawa Kei standing outside.
"Oh, it's you. Come in."
He wasn't disappointed to see Karuizawa. He had already expected her to come—he just didn't think it would be this soon.
"What do I do? That bastard Ryuen is making me do things again."
The moment she stepped inside, Karuizawa's face was full of worry and frustration.
"Don't panic. I already expected this. Sit down, have some water, and take your time explaining."
Kanda Shuichi's confident tone and calm demeanor made Karuizawa relax without even realizing it. She took the cup of warm water he handed her and took a sip. It felt comforting.
"Ryuen wants me to find a way to get the test questions from Class D. He also said that in two days, he'll give me a test paper, and I have to submit it to Chabashira-sensei."
"So he's planning to expose you to Class D's radar?" Kanda Shuichi frowned.
Was Ryuen really being this careless? A spy is only useful if they stay hidden—what's the point of a spy that gets exposed?
Or was he willing to sacrifice Karuizawa just to deal a heavy blow to Horikita this time?
"Let me see your phone."
Without hesitation, Karuizawa obediently took out her phone and opened the message Ryuen had sent earlier.
Hmm, she hasn't replied yet.
"I'll reply for you."
Karuizawa quickly nodded.
[I'll try to get the questions Horikita made, but I don't want to expose myself.]
Not long after sending the message, Ryuen responded.
[You don't get to negotiate. If you don't do what I say, you know what will happen.]
[Getting caught betraying Class D and me exposing your past—both have the same consequences for you!]
Ryuen squinted as he read Karuizawa's reply.
Truthfully, he never intended to actually expose her. He was just testing her limits.
If she blindly followed his orders, it would prove that she was nothing special—just another disposable pawn. It wouldn't matter if she got exposed.
But now, it seemed like Karuizawa wasn't that easy to control.
This was a pleasant surprise for Ryuen—she wasn't just another replaceable piece; she was rare and valuable.
[Just kidding. Fine, then—get me the questions Horikita made.]
[I'll try.]
[I'll be waiting for your good news.]
After seeing Ryuen's final response, Kanda Shuichi handed the phone back to Karuizawa Kei.
"That's it?"
Looking at the message on her phone, Karuizawa Kei found it hard to believe. That was Ryuen they were dealing with, and yet he had been handled with just a few words?
"With Ryuen, the softer you are, the harder he pushes back. But if you show a bit of strength, he'll actually respect you," Kanda Shuichi explained to Karuizawa. "For now, he's under control. All we have to do next is hand over the test questions Horikita prepared."
"Are we really giving him the questions? If we do that, Class D will definitely lose 200 class points to Class C, right?"
"Don't worry, I have a plan. Ryuen won't come out on top this time, and I'll use this exam to settle everything on his side once and for all."
"...I won't be exposed, will I?" Karuizawa looked at Kanda Shuichi with anticipation.
"Relax, I won't let things get worse for you."
Compared to Kamuro and Kushida, Karuizawa always lacked a sense of security. That's why Kanda Shuichi was always patient with her, even a little indulgent.
And Karuizawa, for her part, was very understanding and never caused trouble. Compared to her, Kushida was on a whole different level.
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