Ayanokouji What If: Popularity Time

V8 Chapter 3: The Battle Of Titans

                           Kiyotaka Pov

It was after dinner when Yahiko began to shoot me awkward glances.

Just this morning, he requested to speak to me later and now was around the time that this "later" should be.

"Ayanokouji, can we talk for a second?" he asked sheepishly. That emotion was foreign to the boy who was constantly brash. Being belittled this morning by everyone in the group must have played a role in this sudden shift in emotion.

Yet, I find that it's odd that he switched perspectives so quickly. Was there another incident that I'm unaware of?

"Of course Yahiko. We should speak in private," I said, my eyes darting over to Hashimoto in the corner of the room. The blonde was lying on his side, letting his hand prop up his head while he stared at Yahiko with a devious smirk.

"Yeah, yeah."

We both left the room together and walked a few feet away from the door so that nobody from the other side could hear us.

"So," he started, "I wanna just say things plain and simple for you. The two of us should work together."

"Work together? Now why would you ask the help of somebody beneath you?" I asked boldly.

"Y-you too?"

I sighed, "Yahiko, I don't dislike you, but to say your negative comments about both me and my classmates didn't offend me in someway would be a complete lie. Unless you apologize for what you said, I'm not working with you."

Yahiko's mouth hung open as he searched his mind for an excuse, but he came up blank. If what he wanted was so important to him, then he would be willing to brush aside his preconceived notions about the skills of everybody in the other classes.

"Fine. I'm sorry for how I treated you and your classmates before this, I was being very...arrogant," he said finally.

"Good! Thank you for apologizing," I said with a smile.

His brow furrowed deeply after that, so I can guess that he isn't taking that very kindly.

"Here's what I want from you: We will work together, and expel Sakayanagi," he said, the determination evident in his voice. His eyes bore into mine, silently transmitting the ferocity behind his stare.

"Expelling Sakayanagi? Why would you want to expel your own class leader?"

"She's not my leader!" he blurted out suddenly.

I pretended to be shocked, allowing my eyes to widen at this sudden display, and he let out a sigh, composing himself, "She isn't my leader. Katsuragi is my leader, and I think he's the only person who can lead my class to Class A."

Yahiko is the most stubborn member of the Katsuragi faction still remaining. He despises Sakayanagi and anybody who follows her.

His outburst now was to be expected due to the events that followed the Island exam. Having his leader practically be dethroned, becoming Class C, and then having to submit to a new leader who he despised? Truly, it's a wonder how he hasn't broken down sooner.

"Are you sure this is what you want? Expelling Sakayanagi would deal quite the blow to an already weakened class," I explained, using hand gestures to get my point across to the green-haired boy.

"Sakayanagi is no good for my class. I'm confident in Katsuragi that he could lead us back to Class A!" insisted Yahiko.

"Why are you so confident that people will even rally behind Katsuragi after Sakayanagi's expulsion? Somebody might start their faction, you know."