The Killer in The Clasrroom Of The Elite

Chapter 25

Chapter 25: A New Kind of Trust

The atmosphere in Class A had shifted. Though Ryuuen's presence continued to loom, the students had developed a stronger bond with Alex. They appreciated his silent, watchful nature, and the subtle assurance he provided them, even in Ryuuen's tense, manipulative gaze. Arisu's influence over the class also grew as she maneuvered subtly to instill confidence in her classmates, redirecting Ryuuen's attempts to sow fear.

Arisu and Alex continued their daily routine, but Alex could tell that Arisu was keenly aware of Ryuuen's looming schemes. Her piercing intuition never missed a detail, and Alex often found her watching the classroom or hallways as if anticipating Ryuuen's next move. Today, her focus was unusually intense as she glanced across the room.

"Is everything okay?" Alex asked, following her gaze.

Arisu's eyes shifted back to him, a slight smile on her lips. "As much as I can expect, yes. But I have a feeling Ryuuen might make another play soon. We need to be ready."

Alex nodded, his expression firm. "I'll make sure to stay vigilant. Ryuuen has been growing more desperate. I don't think he'll wait long."

She offered a nod of agreement. "Precisely. And this time, we'll make sure his actions backfire."

During the afternoon, the class was occupied with a collaborative exercise, a rare chance for the students to work together in a shared environment. The assignment required Alex to team up with a few other classmates, each of whom seemed eager to prove their worth to him. Among them was Kakeru, whose interactions with Alex had been wary since the last confrontation, especially after sensing Alex's restrained but lethal energy.

As they worked through the project, Alex noticed Kakeru glancing at him from time to time, an uneasy expression on his face. Alex kept his focus on the task, but his mind was still on Arisu's earlier comment. He was mentally preparing for a confrontation, each interaction with Ryuuen's lackeys only solidifying his resolve to remain unfazed. But Kakeru's silence was disconcerting, his reluctance visible as he hesitated to even speak to Alex.

Eventually, Kakeru cleared his throat, drawing Alex's attention. "Alex, I... I didn't mean to... Well, back when I...," he stumbled over his words, avoiding Alex's direct gaze.

Alex raised an eyebrow, his voice calm. "You mean when you tried to undermine Arisu?"

Kakeru's face reddened, and he shifted uncomfortably. "Yes, that. I didn't realize... Look, I was only following Ryuuen's orders. I never wanted to get on your bad side. I didn't understand how serious this was."

Alex watched him for a moment, noting the genuine fear in Kakeru's expression. "Then why work with him?"

Kakeru sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Because I thought Ryuuen was invincible. But now... I'm not so sure. You and Sakayanagi—both of you are different from the rest of us. And you... you're terrifying when you're angry."

Alex didn't respond immediately, processing Kakeru's words. It was rare for anyone to admit their fear openly, and he could see that Kakeru was starting to see the cracks in Ryuuen's confidence as well.

"You can choose who to follow," Alex finally said, his voice measured. "But if you choose Ryuuen, know that he will drag you down. He doesn't care about loyalty or unity, only control. Don't let fear be the reason you make your decisions."

Kakeru seemed taken aback by Alex's words, his eyes widening slightly. He nodded, a new look of determination settling over him. "I understand. Thank you... for the advice."