COTE: Reaction

Chap 9: Interlude 2 + confession

Ryuuen POV

I was walking along the corridor to my cabin, a creepy grin forming on my face.

Kukuku, all these happenings were making me excited. 

Who is Bob? How did he get these footages, with Ayanokoji's thoughts no less? And how much could I learn from all these videos about him? Probably a lot. 

Suddenly, I thought back to the video about his past. I faltered my steps a little and shivered. Even someone as cold and ruthless as I wouldn't be able to keep my composure when I thought back to what I had seen.

A monster, huh... Truly an understatement. 

My slight fear and pity soon turned to excitement. I understood that all the struggle I had gone through to defeat him was pointless. It was impossible to do so. I had acknowledged him as someone far more superior than me. However, I just wanted to fight with him one more time - now that I somewhat knew how good he was. That urge to fight him and get acknowledged stayed in my heart as I headed to my cabin.

Kukuku, Ayanokoji... 

Ichinose POV

Ayanokoji-kun... You're so amazing! You're smart, strong, handsome, cool, amazing, handsome... 

The way you got those test papers and bought the test point as if it were nothing, the way you deflected Horikita-senpai's hits... a-and even though I don't want to think of it, the way you defeated the 10 grown men in that horrible white place... 

I felt pity and a slight bit of fear immediately. Then, anger. Anger towards the White Room, anger towards myself, for being so naiive. 

I had heard of the term White Room before this, from Acting Director Tsukishiro and Shiba-sensei. Then, why didn't I try to chase after them, or research about it, to understand what it meant?

It was all because I was afraid. Afraid, while a peer of mine was suffering much more than I could ever imagine. Afraid, while that peer of mine kept a calm, brave front no matter what happened. Afraid, while many more children were still suffering by their hands. 

Still... I felt like my love for Ayanokoji-kun has grown... After knowing him more deeply, I... I love him more. I felt like there was no going back from this love any longer. He would be my first - and only - love. That was what I felt.

"Ne, Honami-chan, what're you thinking about? Your face is growing red. Could it be... You're thinking of Ayanokoji-kun?" Mako-chan teased me.

Instantly, I felt my face go red. 

"Oooh, so I was right? Well, I'm not blaming you. He's pretty cool, from what i've seen so far. I wouldn't be surprised if you have grown a crush on him," She said.

"E-ehh? Mako-san, isn't that going too far?" Chihiro-chan said.

"Actually, I agree with Mako-chan. Seeing Honami-chan's face, I'd say that she has a pretty major crush on Ayanokoji-kun," Yume-chan commented.

I turned redder. By now, I'd say my face was as red as a tomato.

"Honami and Ayanokoji sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G..."

They teased me all the way as we went towards a restaurant to eat lunch. 

Sakayanagi POV

Due to my poor physical condition, while everyone rushed out of the theatre, I stayed on my seat with Masumi-chan, Hashimoto-kun, and Kitou. 

I saw Bob about to go backstage, so I called out to him.

"Bob-san, wait a moment," I said. I wanted to try getting information out of him.