(COTE X OC)The cheater is the red child

Chapitre 6-Explication

The negotiation went exactly as I had planned. Every action Kushida took was carefully calculated for this very moment. What satisfied me the most was how frugal I was in this matter; I had to find an amount that would allow me to not dip too much into my own wallet. So, I gave the 75,000 points to Kushida, knowing she would return them to me later.

I knew he would check my phone to see the number of points I had. If he had seen the exact amount, he would have demanded an exorbitant price. Of course, he could have speculated that I had given those points to someone else, but even then, he wouldn't have had any proof to back up his claims. Furthermore, knowing that I could negotiate with other students besides him, he must have realized that he risked losing 15,000 points.

In other words, no matter how much he thought about it or tried to find an alternative to raise the price, he was stuck. His intelligence limited him, and his desire to get those points ultimately took over. The man was truly pathetic: when he's unhappy and desperate, he can't always resist what he wants. Only those who don't have this obsessive attachment to money could refuse such an offer. But not him. Money was part of his happiness.

The reason I chose a smart student from the senior class D is actually quite simple. He is probably the leader of his class. Since his arrival, he has analyzed the rules well and knows all the potential threats among the first-year and senior students.

What I mean by this is that even though I anticipated a rivalry between the classes, it's possible that it will indeed materialize. In that case, the possibility of facing off against other years is non-negligible. This represents a huge danger, as these students already have the advantage of experience and know the school far better than I do. Having all the information about them allows me not only to elevate myself to their level but also to prepare better. After all, they don't know me, but I know a lot about them.

To identify this senior from class D, I had to rely on Kushida. However, there is a problem: Kushida is not trustworthy. She wears a mask and does not show her true nature. She seeks popularity and wants to make friends for reasons I still don't fully understand. It is clear that one should never trust someone who is too nice.

The risk I take in working with her is that she could reveal what I've discovered to the entire class. This would be disastrous, as I want to stay discreet and act in the shadows as much as possible.

So, I asked Kushida to find the smartest student in senior class D. With her social skills, there was a good chance she could spot this individual. Of course, she probably hasn't forgotten the rejection I gave her on the bus, and she could have easily refused. But she followed her own logic, which encouraged her to still help me, probably to redeem herself and try to form a friendship with me. I made her feel as though I was offering her a chance for redemption.

I could also easily entrust her with my 70,000 points. I knew she wouldn't be able to keep them for herself without facing the consequences. If she kept them, I could easily destroy her image, as the school could confirm my claims. And I know she cares about her image, otherwise, she wouldn't wear this mask of a kind and caring girl. She couldn't refuse me, especially if I explained that it was for the good of the class and that it was really important to me. Besides, she perfectly illustrates a characteristic of the Japanese people: when you say "yes" too often, it becomes hard to say "no."

However, asking Kushida for this favor also means revealing that I am acting for the class. This exposes part of my abilities that I generally prefer to keep secret. By acting in the shadows, I risk revealing one of my secrets, which she could then disclose whenever she wishes.

But I know that it's not in her best interest. She wants to be friends with me, even if, for her, it remains a false pretext. Betraying me would be counterproductive for her. However, she remains a person with unknown variables, and I must control her completely.

She's good socially, has a great influence in the class, and a vast network of information. But the question remains: how will I go about it, and most importantly, when?

I already know when I will act, but for that, I must wait. If Kushida fails and my intentions are discovered, she could reveal my involvement in the negotiation. On the other hand, if I wait until next month, when the school shows its true face, I could use Horikita. I could then say that it was Horikita who came up with the idea for the negotiation, and if I explain my intentions to her beforehand, she will be able to lie and say that it was her plan all along.

Horikita will thus serve as my cover and protect me from Kushida if I fail. But as I often say, it is unlikely that this will happen.