The Killer in The Clasrroom Of The Elite

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: The Threat in the Shadows

Tension at Advanced Nurturing High School was steadily building as the various classes engaged in their strategic maneuvers. But for Alex, the threat from Kakeru Ryuuen still loomed large. While Arisu focused on her plans to maintain Class A's dominance, Alex kept one eye on their adversaries—particularly Kakeru.

Since their last confrontation, Kakeru had been avoiding direct conflict with Alex. The fear that Alex had instilled in him was evident in the way Kakeru now kept his distance, rarely making eye contact and carefully planning every move he made around Arisu. But Alex knew it was only a matter of time before Kakeru tried something desperate.

Despite Kakeru's shaken composure, Alex couldn't let his guard down. A cornered animal was often the most dangerous, and Kakeru was nothing if not cunning when it came to manipulation and creating chaos.

It was a quiet afternoon, and Arisu was in a meeting with several key members of Class A. They were deep in discussion about an upcoming exam that would determine the class rankings, a crucial part of their strategy. Alex was standing nearby, his usual vigilant self, watching the room, keeping an ear on the conversations but focusing primarily on any potential threats.

Everything seemed normal until a message arrived on Arisu's phone. She checked it briefly and then handed it to Alex with a slight frown. It was from an unknown number, and the message was cryptic but alarming.

"Be careful what you think you know. There are things in the shadows you can't control."

Alex's eyes narrowed as he read the message. This was clearly from Kakeru or someone associated with him. It was a threat, plain and simple, though it was veiled in ambiguity. He handed the phone back to Arisu.

"Ryuuen's playing with fire again," Alex said, his voice cold.

Arisu tilted her head slightly, as if thinking through her next move. "It seems he hasn't learned his lesson," she replied calmly. "But we won't be rattled. Let him make his threats. We'll deal with him when it's necessary."

Alex didn't respond, but his instincts were on high alert. He didn't trust Kakeru to play by the rules—not that there were many rules at Advanced Nurturing High School. But he also knew that Arisu wanted to handle things strategically, without letting emotions dictate their actions. Alex respected that, but he couldn't shake the growing feeling that something worse was on the horizon.

Later that evening, Alex was doing a routine patrol around the campus. He wasn't officially required to do this, but keeping Arisu safe was his highest priority, and that meant staying ahead of any potential threats. The campus was mostly quiet, students either studying or resting in their dormitories, but Alex's sharp senses were attuned to the slightest disturbances.

As he walked near one of the darker parts of the campus, his instincts suddenly flared. Someone was watching him. He slowed his pace and pretended not to notice, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement. The shadows between two buildings seemed to shift unnaturally, and Alex's blood ran cold.

"Kakeru," he muttered under his breath.

Without warning, a figure darted out from the shadows, charging directly at him. But Alex was ready. He stepped to the side, easily avoiding the attack, and grabbed the assailant by the wrist, twisting it with precise force. The attacker cried out in pain, and Alex slammed them against the wall, pinning them in place.

It wasn't Kakeru.

The figure was a student—one of Kakeru's lackeys, Alex realized. His face was pale, eyes wide with fear as he looked up at Alex. The student had clearly been sent to test Alex's reflexes, or perhaps to catch him off guard, but he had underestimated Alex's skills.

"Ryuuen sent you?" Alex asked, his voice calm but menacing.

The student struggled against Alex's grip, but he was no match for the assassin's strength. "I-I don't know what you're talking about!" the student stammered.

Alex tightened his hold, making the student wince in pain. "Don't lie to me. You're working for him. What's his plan?"

The student swallowed hard, panic creeping into his voice. "I was just supposed to... distract you. That's all I know! I swear!"

Alex's eyes narrowed. He could sense that the student was telling the truth, or at least some version of it. But a distraction? That meant something else was happening elsewhere on campus—something Kakeru wanted to keep Alex away from.

Without another word, Alex let go of the student, who immediately stumbled back, rubbing his wrist. "Get out of here," Alex growled, his patience wearing thin.

The student didn't need to be told twice. He turned and bolted, disappearing into the night. But Alex didn't waste time. He needed to find Arisu.

Alex made his way back to the common area where Arisu had been studying. His mind raced as he considered what Kakeru might be planning. Was it a direct attack on Arisu? Or something more insidious? Kakeru was smart, but Alex was determined to be smarter.

As he reached the common room, Alex's heart skipped a beat. The door was slightly ajar, and the lights were dim. Something was wrong.

He pushed the door open carefully and stepped inside. Arisu was seated at her desk, but she wasn't alone. Standing in front of her was Kakeru Ryuuen, his expression smug and triumphant. Alex's blood boiled at the sight.

"Alex," Arisu said softly, her voice steady despite the situation.

Kakeru turned, a twisted grin on his face. "Oh, look who it is. The dog finally arrives."

Alex's fists clenched. The bloodlust he had suppressed before now surged to the surface, filling the room with an oppressive atmosphere. Kakeru had come too close to Arisu—too close to the person Alex had sworn to protect. And now, there was nothing holding him back.

"You made a mistake coming here," Alex said, his voice dangerously low. His eyes locked onto Kakeru with lethal intent.

Kakeru's smile faltered for a moment as he felt the intensity of Alex's bloodlust, but he quickly recovered, trying to maintain his composure. "Relax, I'm just having a little chat with Sakayanagi here. No need to get violent."

Alex took a step forward, his presence dominating the room. "Get away from her. Now."

For the first time, a flicker of fear crossed Kakeru's face. He had felt Alex's bloodlust before, but this was different. This was raw, uncontrolled, and directed solely at him.

"Alex," Arisu's voice cut through the tension once again, calm but firm. "Don't."

Alex stopped in his tracks, but the bloodlust didn't dissipate. His eyes remained locked on Kakeru, his body ready to strike.

"You think you can just walk in here and threaten her?" Alex's voice was ice. "You're not walking out of this room if you try anything."

Kakeru swallowed hard, clearly rattled, but he tried to keep up his facade. "I'm not here to hurt her. This was just... a conversation."

"Get. Out," Alex repeated, his voice sharper this time.

Kakeru hesitated for a moment longer before deciding that Alex wasn't bluffing. He slowly backed away from Arisu, his gaze flickering between her and Alex. "This isn't over," Kakeru muttered under his breath as he turned and walked out of the room.

The door closed behind him, and the oppressive air in the room finally lightened. Alex took a deep breath, his bloodlust slowly receding as he turned to Arisu.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softening now that the threat had passed.

Arisu smiled slightly, her calm demeanor intact. "I'm fine. I knew he wouldn't do anything. But thank you, Alex."

Alex sighed, the adrenaline fading but the anger still simmering beneath the surface. "Next time, I won't hold back."

Arisu stood and approached him, placing a hand on his arm. "You did well. But remember, we need to stay in control. Kakeru wants to provoke us. Don't let him win."

Alex nodded, though his instincts still screamed at him to deal with Kakeru once and for all. But for now, he would follow Arisu's lead.

The game between them and Kakeru was far from over. But Alex was ready for whatever came next.