"Followed you?"
Ryuji shook his head, seemingly hesitant.
"Your face was pale and you seemed somewhat scared. You also left so suddenly without a word and I got worried…"
He stopped speaking as Horikita's face turned icy.
The tears from her eyes vanished and she quickly wiped her face. She glared at Ryuji with as much venom as she could.
"Did you hear everything…?" Her plump, glossy lips parted and Ryuji's eyes flickered for a second before he adopted an apologetic look.
"I didn't mean to,"
Horikita's face became even colder as she clenched her fists, not believing someone from her own class had witnessed her miserable self.
She shoved the feelings of embarrassment aside and quickly began to take her leave, "Don't you dare utter a word of this to anyone else or I'll make your life hell."
Ryuji was stunned by the threat and involuntarily a flicker of disdain shone in his eyes. However, it disappeared as soon as it had appeared.
"I can help you reconcile with your brother." He spoke without turning his head and Horikita who had been leaving paused before scoffing in utter disdain.
"Know your place," she spat without turning around, continuing to leave.
"Will you really gamble over the chance of getting your brother to acknowledge you for petty pride?"
Horikita froze once again, her nails dug into her palms as she trembled.
Acknowledgment.
That was all she sought from her older brother.
Acknowledgment of her efforts.
Acknowledgment of her skill.
Acknowledgment of her discipline.
Acknowledgment of her willingness to strive towards greatness without being burdened by those she deemed lesser to herself.
Ryuji's words pierced her heart as she fell into deep retrospection.
"Tell me, are you willing?"
Ryuji's words brought her back to reality.
She slowly turned around and saw him doing the same. They stood face to face and Horikita took this chance to scrutinize this unfamiliar classmate for the first time.
He had sharp features, marred by slight chubbiness. His black hair was styled messily but it didn't seem unkempt. The fade at the sides accentuated his sharp looks. What unsettled her was his eyes. They were bright and pure, shining as brightly as the sun. She had never seen such glowing eyes before.
(A/N-Black hair black eyes, normal physique no muscle. Please share some pictures here so I can choose his appearance.)
The confidence that radiated from him was a sheer contrast to his stuttering self during the introduction.
"Is this the real you?" Horikita frowned, confusion coloring her face, "Why pretend otherwise?"
How could someone like this possibly stutter during a mere introduction?
Of course, Ryuji couldn't explain that he hadn't transmigrated by then.
"Don't divert the conversation, whatever the real me is like, does it matter to you?"
"No," Horikita confirmed quickly.
After all, no matter what his personality was like it mattered little to her.
"How will you help me in making my brother acknowledge me?" She asked, "And what is it that you want?" She didn't for a second believe he was doing this out of kindness.
Oh?
She was much sharper than he expected, he had intended to play the good guy card but unfortunately, she had caught on.
Should I say as expected of a genius?
Ryuji immediately concocted a different plan. The process would very well alter but the end result would remain the same.
"Tutor me." He spoke indifferently, his voice not as warm as before.
Seeing him no longer pretend Horikita subconsciously felt more comfortable.
"Tutor you…?" Horikita was bewildered by the request.
"You are definitely a top student, your entire demeanor screams 'I'm above everyone else', without really good grades how would you dare have such confidence?"
"Correct." Horikita nodded.
"But no matter how much of a studious student you may be… you've ultimately failed to realise the treacherous scheme of this school, Horikita."
His words held an ominous edge and Horikita's frown deepened.
She felt uneasy inwardly.
She had felt some suspicions about the way the school had been operating but she had subconsciously ignored it. The free 100,000 Private Points every month, the free products at the convenience store and senior students working as clerks or assistants…
It didn't make sense.
Despite having come from a privileged background, Horikita was quite accurately aware of how 100,000 yen a month was way more than a mere student needed. Even 1/10th of that amount would be more than sufficient, so why was the government operating on such a loss?
There were at least a few hundred students in this school.
A simple calculation could tell this.
Three grades, four sections and forty students in each section.
That would mean 480 students.
Did the government really spend 48 Million yen a month on students?
The faint uneasiness that had lingered in her heart from the start now burst out fully due to Ryuji's words.
"Have you realised it?" Ryuji interjected, halting her thoughts, "Quite an extravagant school, no?"
It was as if he could read her thoughts.
Horikita looked at the unassuming student in front of her again and felt shaken inwardly, had he realised this from day 1?
"Do you know something?" Horikita couldn't help but ask.
"This isn't the place to talk," Ryuji gestured behind her and Horikita noticed the students who had started to leave the club fair, completing their visit.
"Follow me,"
Horikita turned around and led the way.
Ryuji obediently followed her, a soft smile playing on his lips.
…
They walked together, reaching the dorms.
After entering the lift Horikita pressed the button to the 13th floor.
"It must be inconvenient living so high, no?"
"Somewhat, a minor inconvenience."
Ryuji nodded and pressed the button to the fourth floor.
"What are you doing?" Horikita frowned.
"I'm just picking up my notebooks. Hold the lift for a few seconds." Ryuji waved his hand and darted towards his room, not giving Horikita the chance to refuse.
Horikita watched him go with irritation.
"1…2…3…4…5…"
By the time Ryuji returned she had counted to nineteen.
Ryuji heard her say nineteen and felt confused.
"You took nineteen seconds instead of the 'few' seconds you said," Horikita spoke expressionlessly.
"Okay…?" Ryuji scratched his head, "Sorry, I guess?"
Horikita didn't say anything else and they soon reached the 13th floor and headed towards Horikita's room.
Stepping inside Ryuji noted the girls' dorms were slightly bigger than the boys'.
Horikita's room in particular was a 1K (1 Kitchen) but since there was a door installed inside too, he could not see into the bedroom. There was a corridor and a small kitchen.
Ryuji had to say the dorms were somewhat luxurious compared to some of the rooms he had rented in the past.
"Water? Tea? Or Coffee?" Horikita took her blazer and the bowtie off, setting it aside. She pulled her hair in a ponytail and went straight to the kitchen, washing her hands.
"Tea,"
Ryuji sat down in front of the small round coffee table and set his notebooks down.
He looked forward to the incoming discussion.
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A/N- Had a badminton session yesterday and feel asleep as soon I got home so couldn't upload yesterday, sorry for that.
Also thank you for the lovely support, let's reach 200 power stones tonight and I'll post an extra chapter, we're at 120 or something right now! We're slowly getting towards the juicy part of this fanfic.
Cya!