A Life Without Color

Chapter 14

What a sorry group we were. Horikita's wrist was bound in a makeshift splint from Kouenji's violent grip. I'd put it together using what I could from some of the contraband I'd managed to collect over the past few weeks. Angry red streaks marked her cheeks from the force of being dragged against the rug. Kei's forehead was mottled and swollen. Not to mention her currently emanciated state.

Kouenji's golden eyes were rimmed with purple bruises from where I'd hit him. We looked like we'd just emerged from a war zone. Only Yosuke and Sudou seemed to have escape without any visible wounds. They'd both been knocked out via pressure point at the beginning of their matches.

As we sat down together, I could sense the animosity brewing among my classmates.

Horikita was still sulking over her defeat, and Sudou was nursing his emotional wounds. Kouenji sat next to me, a scowl o his face, as he stared daggers at me. I knew that he was still angry over my attempts to manipulate him.

"You should be proud of yourself, Kiyotaka," Yosuke said, breaking the silence. "You did well to win all the fights."

I nodded, but I could sense the resentment in his voice. He knew that I'd manipulated him to make him feel awful during the psychological component of our match.

But Sudou wasn't having it. "You guys don't understand. We were forced to hurt each other. How can we just move on like nothing happened?"

Kei spoke up next, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Yeah, let's all just forget that we were forced to beat each other to a pulp."

She turned to Horikita who was silently observing the dialogue.

"Horikita, I want you to know that I don't believe a word you said up there. I know you've been gunning for my boyfriend since the beginning and one day I will get you back for it."

Horikita looked mildly amused at that threat.

"Karuizawa-san, I'd like to assure you that you are no threat to me whatsoever especially in your current weakened state. I'd also like to advise you not to threaten the person who sleeps in the same room as you.

Of course, I'd never take advantage of a situation like that, but it's something to keep in mind for the future."

That was vicious even for Horikita. I guess she's finally reached her limit for dealing with Kei's insecurity. I had a brief vision of the two of them sitting on their mattresses night after night discussing me. Surely they must discuss other topics as well.

Yosuke scoffed loudly. Everyone's attention turned to him at this uncharacteristic action.

"Don't you all see that you're just playing into the hands of the professor? He wants us to turn against each other. That's why he made us do the psychological battles. Otherwise, he would have just had us fight each other."

That was surprisingly perceptive of the withdrawn Yosuke. I hadn't realized he'd even been paying enough attention to pick up that kind of thing.

Kouenji smirked and ran his hand through his formerly flawless hair that now seemed to be permanently mussed.

"Let's not forget, dear classmates, that playing into the professors hands might be the same as playing into the Ayanokouji-boys. Are we quite certain that he hasn't aligned with his father dearest?"

"What would be the point of him doing that?" Kei rebutted. "We were brought here to torture him, right? Well, everyone except for you, Kouenji."

There was a moment of silence as my classmates contemplated her words. Finally, Sudoku spoke up.