Cote: Retelling

Chapter 8.2: Blackmail Material is True Evidence of Friendship

After the tumultuous wake-up call on May 1st, the entire class has become more focused. Tardiness and misbehaviour has gone down and study groups, led by Hirata, Yukimura and Wang have formed, as well as a class chat in case important information needs to be shared.

I've attended their study sessions a few times, and it's mostly been going well. The bottom seven were studying the best they can, even Ike, Yamauchi and Sudo. They aren't smart, but even they know it's their livelihood on the line. Though they still act disobedient and lazy and doesn't work as hard when Hirata's teaching (usually we have Kushida around to motivate them), they should still pass the midterms with some help. However, a week before the fateful day, we were disturbed with sudden news.

"Ahhh, I can't do this shit anymore!" Sudo suddenly gets up, breaking the silence of the library. "What's the point? That bitch teacher!"

"Sudo-kun, you're being too loud!" Kushida exclaims in a whisper. But even her cuteness isn't enough in this situation.

"What does she mean, "The test material has been changed" ! Why are you telling us this a week before the actual tests! Fuck!" Sudo throws his notebook in frustration. Well, it's reasonable to get mad, especially when you've been working hard over the last two weeks only to find all your efforts have turned to dust. He walks off with a furious expression.

"Sudo-kun!" Hirata gets up and chases him, but Sudo deflects his hand and leaves.

I take a look at Yamauchi, Ike, Shinohara and Rino Kurase. Sudo's outburst has gotten to them, reminding them of their hopeless situation. Rino looks on the verge of crying and is being comforted by Mii-chan (Wang told all of us to call her that) while Shinohara and Ike have their heads in their hands. Yamauchi just stares at the ceiling limply, looking the most lifeless out of everyone.

Well, this is quite the emergency, but it's understandable. They're tired, irritated and frustrated, and Sudo has simply expressed that in anger. It isn't the logically sensible thing, perhaps, but he can't help it. I'm sure even he understands the reality of the situation and that this won't help, but he can't help it.

After that, the study session fizzles apart. I head back with Hirata and Kushida while Mii-chan goes back with Shinohara and Rino.

"...That didn't go well at all, did it?" I start.

"Haha...well, it's understandable they're frustrated." Hirata says.

"Yeah...if only there was more we could do. Hirata-kun, do you think they can learn the material in a week?"

Hirata just smiles weakly. He can't even lie to himself and say it's possible. He's seen their academic inability first-hand, after all. But at the same time, he can't say they can't, either. Since he's a "good guy", much like how Kushida is a "good girl". They're both "good" "nice" and "perfect" in every way. Looks, demeanour, academics, social skills, attitude, physicality and so on. In fact, Hirata already has a girlfriend: another prominent figure among the girls, Karuizawa Kei. Both Hirata and Kushida were impressive students, no doubt.

It makes you wonder why they were placed in the 'defective' class D. Quite curious.

And to satisfy this curiosity, I've been stalking Kushida.

I've investigated Hirata as well, but I've yet to find anything suspicious about him. Since we spend time together in club as well, I've focused my efforts on Kushida, who I have less contact with. Besides, I'm still suspicious about her. It may be a fruitless endeavour, but with soccer club no longer being mandatory, I've been bestowed with an influx of free time. I came here partially to observe people, so I would call this a good use of my time.

And if I can find some blackmail material, that's even better. If I want to keep our class points up while remaining out of the limelight, it would be great to have a piece or two. In chess terms, Hirata and Kushida would be Queens, the highest-valued piece. Supremely versatile, universally capable and can fill nearly any role well. That's not my main goal, but it would be a nice bonus.

"Well, goodbye Hirata-kun, Ayanokouji-kun. I'll see you tomorrow." Kushida heads off to the female dorms, leaving me and Hirata behind. After a silent walk back to the male dorms, we split as well.

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I'm now in my room. Let's begin.

To start, it's not like I've been following Kushida around everywhere. That would be too conspicuous and considering Kushida's social breadth, if I'm seen by anyone the info would eventually reach her. So, what have I been doing?

I've attended every study session Kushida's been part of, and afterwards I've been tracking her position with the phone's GPS, which can display the location of people on your contacts. Through these past two weeks, there's been two suspicious locations Kushida frequented: the school roof and a far-off back alley, staying there for about ten minutes each time.

Noticing this, last week I bought a camera and positioned them inconspicuously on the roof since it was more frequently visited. It was a costly purchase and I had to live on a 0-yen budget for a few days, but I specifically bought from a store with a return policy, so my bank should be fine even if things turn out fruitless. I've been growing a reputation as the 'vegetable set meal first-year' though.

I open my phone's GPS and see Kushida has entered the school. Going back to the roof, as usual. She always heads there after a study session, though sometimes she waits a bit beforehand. Moving to an app on my phone, I view the footage from my camera. Hopefully, she'll show me something interesting. Shortly after, Kushida enters the roof and closes the door. Then, moving to the railings, she looks around for a moment. Then...

"Ahh, so annoying! Seriously, those guys piss me off... You cocky, useless, defective trash... do you know how much time I've had to waste teaching you the same basic shit over and over again!?"

Well, that certainly is interesting. It's recording, right? Good. Audio's clear as well. I lift my mug of diluted coffee and take a sip while listening to the feverish Kushida. Blackmail material and a deeper look into her character: This was everything I could've wished for.

"You're all too obvious! Why don't you stop staring at my tits and start focusing for once in your goddamn life, huh! Why don't you all go jump off a cliff!"

Wow. I didn't expect Kushida was harbouring all this frustration within her... So this is the other side of the "perfect" student, Kushida Kikyou. Could this be related to her interest in Horikita? Did Horikita do something to piss her off? I mean, she pisses me off too, but not to this degree. Did Horikita stare at her tits too much, as well? Does Horikita have an inferiority complex about her cup-ramen sized breasts?

"Honestly, they should all just get expelled! Thank god for the material switch. Now I only have to see your dumb faces for a week or so, then you'll all be gone! I'll give you dumbasses the best crying act and enjoy watching you bawl your eyes out! Serves you fucking right!!"

She starts kicking the metal fence in a frenzy while continuing to sprout profanities one after the other. Well, this new side of her certainly seems to fit the "defective" label. Eventually, she seems to have finished and leaves the roof. I'll retrieve the camera tomorrow at night when nobody should be around. Kushida, I'll have you work to save those seven you just dissed.

However, I should be careful with how I use this video. Firstly, anonymity is my greatest alley. The moment I use this video, Kushida might home in on me. She has the ability to socially destroy almost anyone in our class with a malicious rumour, especially someone who's name isn't Hirata Yosuke. Secondly, I don't know how effective this video will be. Her social reputation might just rise high enough to endure something like this getting out, or she might call my bluff and dare me to release it. Crushing Kushida, one of the cornerstones of the class, is only detrimental at this point and something to be avoided. I need the class to be somewhat capable to save up points.

Well, it just means I have to get her cooperation without the video. That's easy enough.