Classroom of the Elite: Crimson Usurper (Volume 4)

Chapter 3.2

GRAPHIC CONTENT (JUST WORDS) IN THIS CHAPTER. JUST A WARNING.

SOMETIMES a deep, heavy noise echoed throughout the dark level.

Perhaps it was the sound of the ship changing course, or maybe it was because the ship had bumped into something. I wasn't entirely sure. But a lone girl came here, a place where all you could hear was the sound of machines. I've scanned out this place before enacting my plan.

"What's going on? I can't connect to... There's no signal."

There were still over ten minutes left before her arranged meeting with Hirata. Maybe she'd arrived a little early to calm herself down. After she realized that she couldn't use her phone, she put it back in her pocket and leaned against the wall, apparently bored. She closed her eyes and opened her mouth slightly, muttering something to herself.

With how quietly she was muttering, I couldn't hear her at all. What was she talking about? Unfortunately, Hirata wasn't going to hear it. Once four o'clock rolled around, the door opened. I heard the dull sound of it. Three girls from Class C stepped through—Manabe and her friends. Wait... there was one other person with them.

She seemed meek, rather like Sakura. This was probably Rika. "It's all right," said Manabe. Then she saw Karuizawa. Naturally, Karuizawa noticed them, too.

"Wh-what are you doing here?!" she asked, trembling.

The passageways inside the ship were narrow, so there weren't many escape routes. Running away would be difficult.

"I just happened to see you come in here, that's all. Well, I suppose this is the perfect opportunity. Let me introduce you. This is Rika. Do you remember her, Karuizawa-san?" asked Manabe.

Manabe grabbed Rika, who was hiding behind her, and pulled her forward. She and Karuizawa were now facing each other. Karuizawa averted her eyes, pretending like she didn't know her, but judging from her behavior it was obvious she remembered.

"Yeah, she's the one." said Rika.

After hearing such a clear answer, Manabe smiled, looking happy as could be. Karuizawa, on the other hand, appeared increasingly anxious and confused. All I could do now was stay quiet and observe the miserable events that were about to unfold. Even if Karuizawa were subjected to an even more wretched ordeal than I could imagine, I had no intention of saving her.

"Apologize to Rika. She confirmed that you were the one who bullied." demanded Manabe.

"H-huh? Who's apologizing? Bullied? I haven't done anything wrong." said Karuizawa.

"Still acting tough. You're a real piece of work, aren't you? But I think I understand now, more or less." snapped Manabe.

"Understand what?" asked Karuizawa.

"Your behavior. You're unusually fearful. Karuizawa-san, you were bullied, weren't you?"

"Wha—?!"

She had been trying to hide the truth, but her past had caught up with her.

"I hit the nail on the head, didn't I? I knew it. I could feel it right from the start." Manabe continued.

"No, you're wrong!" Karuizawa denied it, but her words were weak. Even if she'd been an excellent actress, there wasn't any point. It wasn't as though Manabe was highly perceptive or anything. She knew because I'd told her everything beforehand. I'd told her that Karuizawa had been cruelly bullied ever since childhood. That she harbored deep trauma.

"If you get down on your knees and beg right now, I might forgive you. How about it? I mean, you're good at groveling, right? Being on your knees?" Manabe mocked Karuizawa.