COTE: Stealing Back What's Mine

Third Term

Back at the karaoke place, Sakayanagi and Ryuen stood face to face, the atmosphere between them tense and charged. Sakayanagi carried a scowl, while Ryuen had an unusually serious expression. They stared each other down, as if testing one another's resolve.

"Why did you decide to help?" Sakayanagi asked, her voice steady despite the lingering frustration from the earlier encounter.

Ryuen waited a moment before responding, "You saw how Ayanokoji was, it's like he was a dog tied to a leash."

"You suspect it too then?" Sakayanagi's tone was inquisitive, probing for confirmation of her own suspicions.

"Yeah," Ryuen affirmed. "I don't know the details, but Ichinose seems to have complete control over Ayanokoji."

"Perhaps blackmail," Sakayanagi suggested, her mind piecing together the possibilities.

"Yeah, that sounds about right," Ryuen agreed. "I've seen my fair share of blackmail, and their interactions looked just like it."

Ryuen rubbed the back of his head in contemplation before continuing. "I don't know what Ichinose has over Ayanokoji, but whatever it is, it's significant enough to have him take her seriously."

"He also seems to not want anyone to find out whatever she has on him," Sakayanagi concluded.

"Yeah, he was deliberately vague when I questioned him."

"Whatever the reason, it still doesn't change the fact that Ichinose needs to be dealt with," Sakayanagi said, her voice barely able to contain her fury.

"You're right about that," Ryuen responded.

Sakayanagi narrowed her eyes. "You still haven't answered my question. Why did you decide to help me? And how can I trust you won't betray me?"

Ryuen frowned, his eyes hardening. "If I want to crush Ayanokoji, then I can't have someone like Ichinose in the way. With the way things are right now, he's completely under her thumb."

"Agreed," Sakayanagi said, her tone thoughtful. "However, with Ayanokoji-kun at her side, this next exam will be much trickier."

"It will be, but that's why you'll have to trust me," Ryuen said, a grin spreading across his face.

"While I don't trust you fully, as long as our goals align, I can use you."

"That's fine with me, the enemy of my enemy is my friend after all." Ryuen added.

Sakayanagi smiled, one that conveyed her approval and acceptance. She held out her hand.

"To a temporary alliance."

Ryuen took her hand, and they shook firmly. Despite being natural adversaries, a mutual understanding and respect fell between the two. They both knew that such alliances were as fleeting as they were necessary. For now, they would work together to bring down a common enemy.

---

THERE WERE CROWDS on the way to school. A sight not seen during winter break. I didn't dislike the previous quiet scenery, but unexpectedly, I may have preferred watching the waves of students walk by. Or perhaps, I had just gotten used to the current view in front of me. This may be a subconscious feeling, due to my time at this school getting closer to its end.

"What's the matter, Kiyotaka? You've stopped."

My right arm was enveloped in warmth, and looking up at me from it was Ichinose, my now girlfriend. Her eyes sparkled with a possessive intensity that always kept me on edge. Her moist lips caught my eye. She must have put on her favorite lipstick before leaving.