Shirogane Miyuki in COTE

Because people always want to believe in what's beautiful. And when something beautiful is mixed with anything ugly, it gets thrown away.

Like how someone who's done countless good deeds gets harshly judged for one mistake, while someone who's done many bad things is quickly forgiven just because they decide to change.

People are always like that—so quick to go easy on the wrong ones and too hard on the right ones.

But Shirogane decided to act like he didn't see any of this.

After all, he had already guessed what kind of mood Kushida would be in. He had prepared himself for it.

But still, he felt disappointed.

In the end, people are just people. No one truly puts others first all the time.

But still.

Kushida.

Shirogane had been standing there for several minutes now, and all you've done is curse Horikita—twisting the truth while you're at it.

And you keep blaming Horikita for her attitude, but have you ever thought that maybe it's because you won't leave her alone?

You keep bothering her. Of course she's going to feel uncomfortable.

Can't you at least offer up one of your own secrets?

This was exactly what Shirogane was aiming for.

Thinking that—

"Ayanokouji, that shut-in freak!"

"He found out about the old test questions but didn't even invite me to go buy them with him!"

"If he had, then everyone would be thanking me instead."

Oh?

Shirogane was drawn in again.

So Kushida was upset about not being in the spotlight? She really seemed to enjoy being praised and trusted by others.

"Ike Kanji, that guy seriously thinks someone would want to be friends with him? He should take a look at his own behavior."

"No girl wants to be near him. It's disgusting!"

"And Yamauchi, we're not even close, but he still tries to call me Kikyo? Gross."

"Then there's that stupid ranking of whose boobs are the biggest in class — disgusting, just disgusting..."

"..."

Kushida was still going all out.

It was clear she was under a lot of stress. The students around her were pretty awful too.

But still.

Shirogane glanced at his phone screen.

It was already 10:50 p.m.

It would take about six or seven minutes to walk back to the dorm, so Kushida only had around three more minutes to keep ranting. And yet, she still hadn't let slip her big secret. She could really go on.

But Shirogane figured this was enough.

Because aside from checking the time, his voice recorder app had been running the whole time.

Which meant—

He had originally planned to record Kushida's secret and hand it over to Horikita's brother to complete the mission. But now—

Kushida had gone on and on, trash-talking more than ten of her classmates.

That recording might be useful too.

It could be used to make a deal with her — to get her to spill her secret.

After all—

Even though he didn't know what her dark past was, her ranting about so many of her classmates, especially since most of them were from her own class, would be enough to ruin her social standing.

At the very least, her sweet and angelic image would be shattered.

So even without learning her real secret, just exposing this nasty side of Kushida could help him get it.

It looked like the mission Horikita's brother gave him could be halfway done tonight.

As he thought that—

"And then there's that Shirogane Miyuki!"

"Sure, inviting me to the student council is impressive, but how am I supposed to finish all that paperwork?!"

"You think everyone's some genius like you?!"

Yeah.

Shirogane originally planned to give Kushida three more minutes.

But Kushida, why are you being so ungrateful?

You're upset even though I tried to bring you into the student council?

"And today you even kicked me out… so you're on Ichinose's side too, huh?"

?

Oh.

Shirogane remembered now. This morning, he was in the elevator with Kushida and Horikita. Then Horikita left, Ichinose came in, and soon after Kushida was also told to leave first.

So... she didn't actually want to leave back then?

Was she even a little upset about it?

That was kind of surprising. But it seemed like she was comparing herself to Ichinose.

Thinking this,

Shirogane checked the time on his phone.

10:51 p.m.

Only 2 minutes left before he had to rush back to the dorm.

"Sorry for bothering you now."

"But if I wait any longer, I won't make it back before curfew."

So Shirogane stepped out.

"Ah—Shirogane Miyuki!"

Kushida, who had just lifted her left leg, suddenly looked shocked. She almost froze on the spot.

As he walked closer, Shirogane saw how Kushida had raised her leg.

Unfortunately, she was wearing a skirt today—and she lifted her left leg that high.

Pink.

"..."

Shirogane.

It was the first time Shirogane had seen a girl's panties, and he was surprised that he didn't feel shaken at all.

Was that a good thing or a bad thing?

"Watch how you present yourself,"

Shirogane said.

"..."

Kushida.

She didn't react right away, so Shirogane continued,

"Calm down. I've been watching you for the past 20 minutes, so your image is already completely ruined."

"And I also recorded everything you just said about those other students."

"And you, Kushida—"

Shirogane said,

"You don't want the other students in class to find out who you really are, do you?"

"Stuff like how you called Horikita stuck-up and fake, said Ike Kanji was gross, thought Yamauchi was a pervert, called Ayanokouji a shut-in, and said Hirata was stealing your spotlight—"

Yikes.

Kushida froze.

A moment ago, she was still wondering how much Shirogane had actually heard.

But now…

It's not just that he heard it all—it's obvious he recorded everything.

And this is the guy who brought her into the student council. It looked like he was helping her build up her resume.

But now, she'd handed him something he could totally use against her.

So there really is no such thing as a free lunch, huh?

Kushida quickly lowered her left leg, then walked up to Shirogane Miyuki.

"It's 10:53 PM now. If I head back right away, I can just make it before curfew."

"And Kushida,"

Shirogane said.

"You don't mind if we talk a bit more later, do you?"

"..."

Kushida.

What does he mean, "don't mind"? If they can't talk it out here, does that mean he'll call her over to his dorm later?

Even though she still trusted Shirogane's character, something deep down told her that if she stepped foot into his room, he'd have something on her forever.

No way. No way that's happening.

She'd only been at this school for two months. Was it all already over?

Think. Come on, Kushida, think.

Get your brain working.

Got it.

"You might've recorded me talking just now,"

Kushida Kikyo said, "but you haven't sent it to anyone yet, right?"

"That's right."

Shirogane nodded.

He planned to use it to trade for Kushida's secrets about Horikita. If he spread the audio around, Kushida might just give up and go full scorched earth.

So right now, the recording is still a one-of-a-kind copy.

"Then there's no problem,"

Kushida Kikyo said.

Maybe it was the lighting, but the way it hit her blonde hair made it look almost silver-gray, and her eyes looked a deep shade of purple.

Only her uniform made her look like the same "Kushida the angel" everyone at school admired.

It was like looking at a totally different person.

But this was the real Kushida Kikyo.

Shirogane wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but this unfiltered version of her—with no mask and her true expression showing—actually looked... even more beautiful than usual.

What a scary thought.

He hadn't felt a thing earlier when he accidentally saw her underwear, but now his heart was weirdly racing.

"Still trying to fight back? There's only about a minute and a half left before curfew. If you think you can change my mind, go ahead and try in that time."

Shirogane said.

He could tell Kushida still wanted to put up a fight.

And if he wanted this deal to work, he had to break through her defenses first.

"Heh. A minute and a half? I can deal with you in thirty seconds."

However, the real Kushida Kikyo seemed to show a strong sense of pride.

Just when Shirogane was wondering what kind of confidence she had, she suddenly spoke.

"You'd better hand over that recording. Or else."

She paused. "I'll tell everyone you tried to force yourself on me. Who do you think they'll believe, you or me?"

Her tone was sharp and threatening.

Yeah, Kushida really does seem like an angel and is popular with both guys and girls.

So if she said something like that, it would definitely stir things up.

But Kushida, don't you realize? If you really say something like that, it'll ruin your own reputation too.

"Then I'll report it to the student council and the school. I want a full investigation to clear my name."

Shirogane said.

"You really think I'm bluffing?"

But Kushida suddenly reached out with both hands, like she was going to grab his.

Shirogane lifted his hands.

Huh?

Kushida tried to grab them.

Shirogane raised his hands again.

Huh?

Kushida tried again to grab them, but he kept raising them out of reach.