Alone with the Enemy

“Hell no.”

My refusal cut through the air like a knife. Not a thought went into it, simply slipping out of my mouth by reflex. Just a moment ago, this two-faced girl asked me to go somewhere alone with her. No way was I walking into an obvious trap like that. Kaori’s smile and friendly expression were unmoved, not even twitching. I expected a rain of insults and degradations to burst forth into my head, but her inner voice is entirely and eerily silent. The moment drags on. At this point, I’d rather hear the regular insults.

Here, in front of everyone? Suit yourself, dumbass.

Inner Kaori finally speaks, but the tone made her words come across as a warning more than anything else. Moments later, I come to understand why.

That bastard…

Who does that!?

The students who were, just a moment ago, admiring me for my high scores, were now recoiling with spite and staring daggers at me for rejecting their beloved idol.

She was just trying to be nice!

I would kill for her to want me alone…

I thought he was alright but he’s just scum.

Okay, this is bad. I let my tongue slip for a second and learned just how popular Kaori is. We might be on entirely different levels altogether. Forget ratting me out to the faculty, if I say the wrong thing to her in front of the other student’s I’ll be public enemy number one.

“I- well, umm…” Kaori pretended to stammer, awkwardly scratching her cheek with a finger and averting her eyes. “I just wanted to… Ask, you…”

Wow, are those tears welling up in her eyes? This girl might have a future in acting if she can spit out a performance like this on the fly. After she spoke, the crowd’s newfound disgust for me escalated from thought and into angrily hushed whispers.

Perfect. Now I just have to leave in tears and everyone here will spread the word. A fake story or two after about that bastard and he’ll get what he deserves!

“I uh… I have to…” The girl grabs her skirt as she ‘struggles’ to form a sentence. “I’m sorry!” Kaori turns on her heel and takes off in the opposite direction.

Damn it! Think, think, think! If she leaves now I’m screwed. All that work building up a reputation will be for nothing. The panic coursing through me makes it seem like she’s moving in slow motion, but that only serves to make the moment even more stressful. I’ll go from a casual and friendly genius to an arrogant scumbag in a matter of minutes.

I dash after her, taking hold of her hand before she can get too far. It seems to fit perfectly in mine.

Disgusting.

Yeah, you’re telling me.

“Hey, hey, I was just joking!” She turns and locks teary eyes with me, the crowd’s murmuring coming to a halt. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think it would upset you so much. Of course I’ll come with you.”

Heh, he fell for it. I guess he’s done for either way though…

“...really?”

“Yup! Lead the way!”

With the girl all but twisting my arm, she lures me to some secluded spot behind the school. In a different story, this sort of place would be where two passionate teens meet up to confess their love. Or maybe where a group of delinquents drag the unsuspecting protagonist to beat him down. I’d like to say that sort of development isn’t likely for me, but Kaori’s inner voice isn’t dissimilar to a gangster’s or a delinquent’s.

“Mhm. Here should be fine.”

I’m so on edge that I almost jump when she turns around to look into my eyes. As always, the sight is mesmerizing.

“So, why did you want to talk to just me?”

“This place is special.” Kaori held her arms behind her back. “I come here when I need to be alone or think things through.”

Well, when I put it that way I feel gross letting him set foot here…

Somehow she still manages to insult me even when her inner and outer voice line up for once.

“It’s definitely peaceful. Thanks for sharing it with me. But I gotta ask–”

Shut up, I’m getting to that. So impatient.

“--I wanted to get to know you a little, and ask you a question.” She sat on a concrete step, making sure to properly flatten her skirt underneath herself first. With a pat on the spot next to her, I’m also taking a seat and staring at the chain link fence in front of us. The section facing the outside is new and pristine, but after a corner, the rest is rusty and warped. I guess the school only bothered replacing the part people could see to keep up appearances.

“I keep hearing about how talented you are, and seeing how well you handled the midterms, you obviously value hard work.” She leans in a few inches as she speaks in a practiced motion. “You have a sense of humor and you’re well liked by a lot of the students here at Taizo High. Surprisingly athletic, intelligent, diligent, charismatic… I want you.”

…Huh? Did I hear that right?

“M-Miss Asano, could you maybe repeat that last part?”

I should wash my mouth out with soap for saying that. As if anyone would want you. You get ten points for not drooling over me right out the gate, at least.

“Sure! I want you to be an associate of the Student Council!”

Ah, now that makes more sense. I nearly forgot she’s the President. Please don’t say things that could give me a heart attack from now on. Those thoughts of yours already hurt plenty!

“You’re trying to recruit me? That’s a first. I don’t even know what to say…”

Oh please, I know your bag was overflowing with club invites after your first week. Scum.

“Please say yes!” She clasped her hands together in front of her face and bowed her head slightly. “I have a position that you’d be perfect for, and I

Hah! It’s a win-win! If he agrees I get to have an excuse to watch the guy like a hawk. He’ll screw up eventually and I’ll get the proof I need to end him. If he refuses I’ll just avoid him, that whole crowd will think I asked him out and he rejected me. He can kiss his popularity goodbye after that.

If Kaori’s inner voice could, there’s no doubt it would be throwing its head back and laughing maniacally. I knew even without hearing her not-so-secret villain monologue that I’ve been backed into a corner.

That said, it would be easy to dispel the ensuing rumors if I act first and talk about me turning the position down. Yeah, even if it’s a pain to deal with, keeping my distance from this girl is worth it. If I want to take her number one spot…

Wait. Her midterm score was flawless. Even if I keep using the method I did to cheat, the chance of my little victims having answers on Kaori’s level is slim to none. If I don’t adapt, I’ll be playing catch-up the entire time. I was really hoping to avoid this, but the only way to break even with her scores is to read her mind directly. Groaning internally, I realize what I have to do.

The smile that spreads across my face is one resigned to meeting an enemy head on. The same enemy I’m alone with this very moment. I should have known since the first time I witnessed how well she hides her true self. Just as I’m standing in her way, she’s the only thing standing in mine.

“If you have this much faith in me, how can I say no?” I stand up, intentionally looking down on her. “I’m looking forward to working with you.”