The Brewing Storm

For the next few days after that mock test, the delinquents obediently gathered after school and studied under Sakuya’s guidance. Of course, I was also helping out as Sakuya’s assistant. At first it was really difficult to teach them, since the delinquents—especially those who used to be rebels—didn’t quite trust me, but thankfully they still followed my words. In doing that, some of the delinquents were slowly but surely getting better at their studies.

“Ryuuji, what are you working on?” Shou took a peek from behind my shoulders. “The class is already over, you know.”

“Hm?” I raised my face from the practice questions that I was currently making. “Ah, I’m just making some questions to study for the final test.” I told a small lie so that I wouldn’t have to explain about the whole remedial thing.

“Are our final exam’s questions this easy…?” Shou frowned in confusion, but he didn’t pursue it further. “Well, I’m heading home first, so I'll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, see you later.” I redirected my attention to the questions.

I was so absorbed in my work that I didn’t realize everyone had left the classroom. I only noticed it once a voice called out to me.

“Are you studying by yourself, Shiba-kun?”

When I raised my face for the second time, my eyes met the curious eyes of Student Council’s vice-president right in front of me. I could see myself reflected in her blue eyes as she leaned even closer to me and I instinctively leaned away, nearly tumbling off my chair in the process.

“Y-Yeah…I’m a bit worried about the final test after all.” I stuttered from the surprise of being this close to a beautiful girl.

Sakuya, whom I saw nearly every day, was also a beauty in her own way, with her brilliant red eyes, reliable presence, and her awe-inspiring charisma. But the girl in front of me was more of a charming, refined beauty. She had sparkling ocean-blue eyes and straight, long black hair that was cut evenly. Her smile was like a blooming flower, tickling your heart with her loveliness.

To top it off, she had something that Sakuya was sorely lacking. And quite big ones at that. I had trouble keeping my eyes away from her voluptuous chest.

“Really? But I thought you’re smart enough to be accepted by Sakurazaki Academy?” The vice-president tilted her head while smiling knowingly.

“Well, I won’t deny that.” I smiled wryly. “But does the Student Council have that much free time to look into a random student’s background, Vice President?”

“Ah, my name is Tachibana Marika. Please call me Marika. And, no…” She shook her head. “If anything, we’re understaffed right now. There’s no one with that kind of leisure in the Student Council. Besides, I wouldn’t do research on any random student. You’re not just a mere student, Shiba-kun.”

I stared intently at her, wondering if she was complimenting me or trying to provoke me.

“We in the Student Council see a great potential in you, Shiba-kun.” Marika continued. “Even though you just transferred here, you managed to befriend the self-proclaimed delinquent leader and hang around with the delinquents every day, even going as far as sparking a war between the two factions. Your ability to mingle with other people and win them over is really amazing, Shiba-kun.”

I felt my face cramping at her words. “No, no, no, that’s definitely wrong. I’m just being dragged around by Sakuya-san. Besides, the war is going to happen whether I'm here or not. I was just caught up in the middle of it. I'm nothing more than an ordinary student who happened to catch Sakuya-san's eyes, that's all."

“Shiba-kun, you’re underestimating yourself.” Marika leaned closer and stared at me with her earnest gaze. Her chest bounced slightly and my brows twitched at that sight. “The very fact that you managed to attract Kagura-san’s interest means she also sees the potential in you. The potential to gather allies around you and change them into a better person. Please be more proud of yourself.” Marika put her hands on my desk as she declared confidently.

“More proud…of myself?” I lowered my gaze—and quickly averted it from her generous chest. “Even though I’ve done nothing but dragging Sakuya-san down? I don’t feel like I’ve done anything great enough to be proud of…”

“Shiba-kun, won’t you consider becoming a Student Council officer?”

Out of the blue, Marika suddenly threw me that offer.

“H-Huh?!” I was taken aback.

“The Student Council really needs someone like you, who can be a mediator for the delinquents! Please, won’t you join us?” Marika put her hands together and begged at me. “Even if you join the Student Council, you can rest assured that you’ll still be able to spend your time together with your delinquent friends! Isn’t that a good offer for you?” She asked.

Despite her offer, it only took me an instant to find my answer.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.” I shook my head. “I’ve promised to become Sakuya-san’s strength, so it won’t do for me to run away and leave her behind.”

“Are you…absolutely sure?” Marika asked with disappointment in her voice.

“Yes.” I nodded, leaving no room for rebuttal.

“I see…” She sighed. “Well, I’m not giving up yet, though. If you ever change your mind, please come to me, Shiba-kun. The Student Council will definitely accept you.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.” I smiled wryly at her stubbornness.

Marika turned around and headed for the door. “Well then, good luck with the remedial test.” She said before leaving.

“Yeah, thanks…” I returned to making questions.

A beat later, I finally noticed it.

“Wait…” My hand paused at the realization. “How did she know about the remedial test? When we came to the Student Council room, there was only the president there. Then, did he tell Marika-senpai about it? If so…”

I stared at the classroom’s door.

“…how did the President know about it in the first place?”

*****

As I was thinking about that mystery, I headed to the drama club practice hall where everyone already gathered. Unfortunately, I walked right into the scene of carnage.

BAM!!!

I nearly jumped out of my skin and quickly scanned the whole room. The delinquents, who were studying quietly, all raised their faces at the sudden loud sound. Sakuya had slammed her hands on the table, her red eyes burned with tremendous anger.

“Why is your homework still in blanks?” In contrast to her burning anger, Sakuya asked with chilly voice that sent shivers down your spine.

The two delinquents in front of her, Delinquent A and B, trembled under her harsh glare. Despite so, those two still put up their tough act.

“Why should I do the homework that you gave us? It’s a waste of time and you’re not our teacher!” Delinquent A argued bravely—even though his knees were visibly buckling.

“T-That’s right, it’s not l-like doing your homework w-will get us anywhere! W-We a-also have our own homework, y-you know!” Delinquent B supported his partner with teeth chattering from fear.

“I’m giving you this homework to help improve your poor grades, you dimwits!” Sakuya roared. “If you don’t do it every day, then you won’t ever see the results! Don’t you get it?!”

The two flinched at Sakuya’s display of anger, but they still stubbornly resisted.

“Y-You’re the one who doesn’t get it! We told you, we don’t need your help to study! You’re the one who forced us to study with you!” Delinquent A raised his voice to match Sakuya.

“B-B-Besides, why did you suddenly decide to help us?! Don’t you find it weird that you care so much about our grades?! What is it to you if we fail the test anyway?!” Delinquent B tried to accuse her.

Much to everyone’s surprise, Sakuya slightly reeled back from their words. She kept her mouth shut and her knuckles tightened.

“Sakuya-san, why aren’t you saying anything to them?!” I anxiously examined the other delinquents’ reactions.

They all started whispering with each other while staring suspiciously at Sakuya.

“At this rate, they’ll lose trust in…!”

“Well?! What do you have to say for yourself?!” Feeling victorious that he managed to corner Sakuya, Delinquent B taunted her even further. “I bet you did this just to make yourself feel better, right?!”

Delinquent A joined him. “Yeah, I’m sure you’re actually smirking to yourself, laughing at us for being idiots that needs your help to pass a test! Isn’t that right, Kagura—?!”

“SHUT UP!!!!!”

Sakuya’s red eyes flared up and her fist instantly swung to beat the two insolent people to a pulp—

“Stop, Sakuya-san!”

Somehow, I managed to reach Sakuya and held her back before she actually punched them.

“Let me go—!”

“Don’t use violence to teach someone else! It won’t solve anything!” I shouted as I firmly grabbed Sakuya’s arm.

I was scared that if I loosened my grip even just for a bit, Sakuya’s fist would come flying at those two.

“But…!”

“Definitely no!” I desperately clung to her arm. “You can be angry and scold them, but you definitely can’t beat them up to make them study! It won’t bring the result that you want!”

Thud!

Delinquent B fell on his bottom. His eyes were filled with terror as he realized just how close he got to Sakuya’s fist.

“I-I’m leaving!” Next to him, Delinquent A proclaimed with shaky voice. “Y-You can beat me up but I don’t care anymore!”

He hauled his partner up to his feet and the two of them ran away from the practice hall.

“Ah, hey!” I shouted, but they quickly disappeared.

“…tch!” Sakuya wrenched her arm away from my grip so easily, making me realize that she was holding back just now. “I’m going to cool my head off. You guys, go back to work.”

Leaving those words behind, Sakuya left the room.

Once everyone was sure that she was gone, the whole room instantly erupted in ruckus.

“Hey, did you see that? Those two escaped unscathed, you know?”

“What do you mean, unscathed? They nearly pissed their pants off from Kagura’s overwhelming terror.”

“But Kagura let them run away without hitting them.”

“Does that mean this is really one of her whims?”

“Damn, if I knew this was going to happen, I wouldn’t waste my time going along with her games!”

“Yeah, what were you expecting anyway? Kagura Sakuya wouldn’t suddenly turn into a saint and care about our grades.”

Everyone was chattering about what just happened and Sakuya’s reaction.

I looked around the room, a sense of powerlessness and frustration welled up inside me. At this rate, Sakuya would completely lose their trust and fail the bet. When I thought that way, I realized that I needed to talk to Sakuya.

“Ouji-senpai, Hiiro, can I leave this place to you?” I turned toward the two most reliable people.

“Yeah.” Ouji nodded curtly.

“Go and calm Sakuya-chan down, okay?” Hiiro flashed his usual smile.

I turned around and dashed out of the room. I felt like I heard the sound of people screaming for help and heavy things hitting the floor, but I pretended that I heard nothing. Though, on the hindsight, it may be a mistake to rely on the muscle-headed Ouji.

*****

“Sakuya-san!”

I spotted her as she walked through the empty hallway. I called out her name and made Sakuya stop walking.

“What do you want?” Sakuya asked in scathing voice without looking back at me. “Are you going to lecture me for wanting to beat them up?”

“No, that’s not it.” I stopped right behind Sakuya. “I’d be lying if I said that I don’t want to beat them up, but that method won’t give you the result that you want.”

“The result that I want? I just need them to study enough so they can pass the test—I don’t care about anything else.” Sakuya replied coldly.

“Then what if they studied hard now but decided to flunk the test to get back at you? What can you do about it?” I suggested a possible scenario and Sakuya’s shoulders jolted in surprise. “Sakuya-san, this is meaningless if you have to force them to study.”

“So?” Sakuya finally turned around and faced me. “What do you propose I should do?” She asked in bitter voice.

I took a deep breath before saying, “I think we should tell them what happened between you and Shijima-sensei.”

Once I mentioned Shijima, Sakuya’s face instantly darkened. “No way. Definitely no. End of discussion.” She turned her back at me.

“Wait—please hear me out, Sakuya-san!” I grabbed her shoulder. “If you keep hiding the truth from those guys, they’ll lose their trust in you! And when that happens, they won’t cooperate with you, no matter how much you threaten them! At this rate, you’ll lose the bet—”

“Telling them won’t change anything!” Sakuya shook my hand off. “So what if they knew about the bet?! Those guys who hate me will use this chance to take me down instead! They should just do as I said and they’ll profit from it! I don’t need to tell them anything!”

I clenched my fist tightly as I felt my patience thinning. “As I said, everyone has already started doubting you! But if they knew that you were forced to go back to the Kagura Family even though you don’t want to be the heiress, they’ll be more likely to help you out!”

Suddenly Sakuya turned on her heel and grabbed my collars, forcing me to bend down to match Sakuya’s petite height. I couldn’t keep up with her superhuman speed, and when I realized it, I was staring right at Sakuya’s angry face. Rage practically oozed from her pores.

“U-Um…Sakuya-san…?” I squeaked out.

“How did you know that?” Sakuya demanded.

“H-Huh…?” I was completely bewildered.

“How did you know that I’m the heiress? Who did you hear it from?!” Sakuya’s hand was trembling, as if she was doing her best to hold back from shaking me violently.

“I-I thought everyone already knew that…and that’s why they’re following you obediently…” My voice trailed off when Sakuya’s gaze turned more and more suspicious with my every word. “Eh? Um, is it not the case? Am I misunderstanding something this whole time?” I felt a headache coming as I realized my misperception.

“Don’t joke with me!” Sakuya growled. “I never told anyone about my family, much less those idiots! I’d rather die than letting anyone know about it! So how did you find out?!”

“T-That’s…” I desperately tried to remember, but it felt like such a long time ago that I couldn’t recall anything. “I…I forgot…I’m sure someone told me, but I can’t remember who…”

Sakuya abruptly let my collars go and I crashed to the floor.

“…I see.” She said coldly. “Let me give you a warning, Ryuu. Don’t ever talk about that to anyone. I won’t tell those guys anything about this bet either. I’ll handle those delinquents by myself, so don’t say anything out of the line and just do your job.”

Without waiting for me to answer, Sakuya left me behind.

I sat on the floor, clenching my hands so hard that my knuckles turned white.

“Why…?”

That strange feeling of irritation welled up inside my chest.

“Why won’t you tell me anything…?!”

For the first time in my life, I felt like punching someone just to clear this irritating feeling away.

“Why won’t you let me help?!”

“ARGH!!!”

Unable to take it anymore, I stood up and punched the wall with all my strength.

“…that hurts…”

*****

The next day after school, just as they declared, Delinquent A and B didn’t show up at the practice hall.

“Kagura-san, should we look for them?” Ouji approached Sakuya, who was standing at the door with a blank face that hid her seething rage.

Sakuya didn’t answer and kept staring into the hallway, as if expecting those two delinquents to miraculously appear.

“Sakuya-san, we’ve been waiting for half an hour.” I gently reminded her. “I think we should start now.”

The other delinquents had been glancing repeatedly at Sakuya, curious about her reaction toward the two delinquents who dared to defy her.

Sakuya let out a sigh. “…fine. No need to look for them, Pochi. Just focus on your study.” She said.

As we started the study session like nothing had happened, I saw many of them—especially those who used to be the rebels—shot a dissatisfied gaze toward Sakuya when she wasn’t looking at them.

I could only silently pray that the other delinquents wouldn’t follow those two’s example.

*****

Alas, my prayer didn’t come true.

More and more delinquents started skipping the study session after school, now that they knew that Sakuya wouldn’t beat them up over skipping.

As days went by and more people didn’t show up, I decided that we need to do something before the situation turned for the worst.

“Sakuya-san, we need to talk.”

I called out to her during our usual study session. We were already missing around fifteen people and we couldn’t afford to lose more.

“What is it?” Sakuya, who was walking around to monitor the delinquents, stopped and turned at me.

Even though she was putting a strong front, I could see that the pressure was taking its toll on her. She looked like she hadn’t been sleeping well for a long time and she seemed harder to approach than usual.

I took a breath to brace myself. “I think we should tell them about the—”

Before I could even say the word ‘bet’, Sakuya already grabbed my chin, forcibly cutting off my sentence.

“Outside. Now.”

Without waiting for my approval—though I couldn’t exactly say anything since she was nearly choking me—Sakuya dragged me outside the practice hall, ignoring everyone's curious stare.

“Pochi! Tarou! Keep an eye on them until I get back!” Sakuya didn’t forget to instruct her most loyal dogs—subordinates before she went out.

*****

BAM!!!

Sakuya took me to the hallway and pushed me against the wall before slamming her hand on it, right next to my ear.

“Which part of shut up and do your job do you not understand?!” Sakuya asked in a voice so low like it was crawling on the floor.

Facing Sakuya’s wrath head-on like this, my legs trembled and my back was drenched with cold sweat. I wondered if this feeling of powerlessness was what a rabbit felt when being glared by a furious tiger. Even though Sakuya was shorter than me, her rage made her look more intimidating than usual, like she was ready to bite off my head if I didn’t tread carefully.

But even if she didn’t like it, I still had to say it.

Because I didn’t want her to lose the bet.

“The one who doesn’t understand is you, Sakuya-san!” I summoned all of my courage and glared back at Sakuya. “Normal people, you see, cannot follow someone they don’t trust!”

“…!”

I thought I saw Sakuya flinched, but I ignored it.

“With the way things are, they can’t trust you! All they know, is that you somehow got interested in their test score and forced them to study! In their eyes, this is just one of your whims! That’s why some of them can’t accept this and refuse to come!”

“Then I just have to beat them up until they acknowledge me!” Sakuya refuted furiously. “We’re delinquents! We’ll follow the strongest person—!”

“It will just make you a tyrant, won’t it?!”

“…!”

Sakuya instantly fell silent.

“That’s not the person you want to be, right?! The reason why you subjugated the delinquents, why you forced them to attend classes, and why you protected the normal students, all of it is because you want them to acknowledge you as their true leader, isn’t it?! Forcing them to study like this, it’s not like you at all!”

I took a step forward, confident that I could make Sakuya listen to me.

“I don’t know why you really hate talking about yourself or your family situation, but the delinquents—all of us had the right to know! We got dragged into this because of your past, and if we don’t know what really happened, we won’t be able to do a thing!”

“No!” Sakuya stepped back, as if she found the very idea repulsive. “No matter what you say, I’m not doing it!”

She sounded like a child desperately throwing a tantrum.

“Sakuya-san, if you don’t want to do it yourself, you can tell me and I’ll tell those guys in your stead.” I forcibly suppressed my impatience and coaxed her in soft voice.

“Didn’t you hear me?! I said no!” Sakuya took another step back and glared daggers at me while covering her ears.

Almost like…

…she was afraid of her own past.

“What are you so afraid of?”

Before I knew it, my mouth already blurted it off.

Sakuya’s shoulders jumped with a twitch when she heard my words.

“Ah…s-sorry…I mean…” I stammered, trying to find the right words to fix my mistake.

“It’s none of your business!” Sakuya snapped, as if I just touched a nerve. “Don’t talk to me like you know everything! It’s irritating! My life is my own so I get to decide whether I want to tell other people or not! I decided not to tell anyone about it and you can’t change my mind! Who are you to me anyway?!”

I froze as her last sentence hit me.

“…Ryuu is a chess piece of mine! I still don’t know which piece he is, but I know that he’s an irreplaceable piece for me!”

Sakuya’s words from back then flashed through my mind.

“Wasn’t it you who said that yourself?!”

I clenched my fist, feeling hurt that she denied her own words. The strange feeling of irritation that had been boiling inside me for the last few days finally burst out, dyeing my vision red.

“Uh…no…that’s…” Sakuya seemed to be in a fluster when I fell silent, but I couldn’t hold my irritation back anymore.

“Why are you always like this?!” I lashed out to her. “You keep pushing me away and you won’t tell me a single damn thing about yourself! I’m not a mindless pawn who will only say ‘yes’ to all of your orders! I’m a person who simply wants to be your strength! But how am I supposed to help you if you don’t tell me anything?!” I shouted until my throat was hoarse and my breathing ragged.

“I never asked you to—I don’t NEED your help!” Sakuya yelled back—and instantly froze.

My whole body was trembling—not from fear, but from unimaginable anger. I clenched my fist so hard that it hurt, because if I didn’t do so, I might do something that I would regret later.

“…is that so?” I spoke through gritted teeth.

Sakuya fell silent, looking down and refusing to meet my eyes.

“Is that so?!” I repeated with more force. “Even though your subordinates are falling apart and you’re about to lose the bet and get dragged back home—you still don’t need my help?!”

“…” Sakuya remained silent.

“…fine then.” With voice shaking from anger, I walked past Sakuya. “I quit. You can go ahead and do whatever you want. I never wanted to be here anyway.”

Without looking back, I quickly walked away from that place.

As if I was trying to run away from Sakuya.