Chapter 50: Paper Shuffle Exam.
"Uamm..." Yuto yawned as he strolled towards school, the soft hum of morning chatter barely registering in his mind. His gaze drifted aimlessly until it landed on Kei, animatedly conversing with her friends. Their eyes met briefly, instantly making Yuto flinch in embarrassment. Last night's display of waterworks made his cheeks warm as he noticed Kei's lips curl into a teasing grin.
She knew exactly what she was doing!
"Oh, Yuto-kun! Yahello!" Yuto turned around to see Ichinose waving at him. Yuto smiled as he waved back. Ichinose quickly joined him on his walk to school.
Of course, like last time, they stuck out in the crowd. This time, the crowd seemed convinced they were a couple.
"Haha, brings back memories, doesn't it?" Ichinose commented as she walked along with a smile.
Yuto chuckled softly. "Yeah... it does," he replied, his gaze lingering on her longer than it should have. This time, however, he saw Ichinose in a different light.
The rumors brought him a strange discomfort, but unlike last time, he didn't mind this discomfort. Back then, his heart was completely devoted—he even worshiped!—Horikita. But now, standing next to Ichinose, he allowed himself to entertain the possibility.
He couldn't say he had lost his feelings entirely, but he wanted to. He looked at Ichinose, smiling as she walked in front. She was really cute. Anyone who spent as much time as he had with Ichinose would've fallen in love with her. Except, he wasn't just anyone.
Yuto involuntarily bit his lip. He wanted to fall in love with someone other than Horikita. And deep down, he knew the disgusting reason for it too. It wasn't for the sake of falling in love. No, far from it. It was to reject his love and feelings for Horikita.
Yes.
He wanted to fall in love simply out of spite for Horikita. It was a disgusting, inhumane reason, but he wanted to regardless.
"Alright, Yuto-kun! All the best. Let's meet again after the exam!" Ichinose's cheerful voice pulled Yuto out of his rabbit hole. Yuto turned to his side and realized he was standing in front of Class-D's entrance.
"Ahh, alright. We'll meet up later! Good luck!" Yuto flashed a smile while Ichinose smiled back.
Waving each other goodbye, Yuto entered the class as everyone momentarily went silent. It wasn't for long, though.
"Yutoooooo! I'm dead, man! DEAD! I couldn't complete my English portion. What do I do?!"
Sidestepping the larger boy with practiced ease, Yuto dropped a stack of revision sheets onto the desk. "Use these. At this point, focus on what you know rather than trying to cram." Yuto said bluntly before turning to look at the class. Almost everyone was here.
He briefly made eye contact with Kei again as she wiggled her fingers in a cheeky wave, her grin wide and unapologetically mischievous.
Yuto groaned inwardly. That woman! She'd been relentless in teasing him ever since last night.
Soon, Sae entered, distributing the papers. After everything was done, she went up to the podium and announced,
"Start!"
Instantly, almost every student opened their paper. Yuto, however, took his sweet time as he perused the paper. It was easy enough; he should get a good score of 80+ with Kei as his partner. He was, however, more interested in Two-Face's reaction. The venom in his smirk was involuntary as his eyes flicked to her.
She was pale, her hands trembling ever so slightly as she scribbled answers. Her usual mask of cheerful confidence was cracking, and Yuto drank it in like a man parched.
An hour or so into the exam, Yuto was done with his paper and raised his hand to submit it early. No one was surprised—not that they had the time to notice.
'I guess it's time.'
He raised his hand again, cutting through the stillness like a blade.
"Sae-chan-sensei."
All eyes turned to him. Sae's brows furrowed slightly, sensing the tension radiating from his mischievous grin. "Yes, Kazuki? You've already submitted your paper, and as you know, the use of the lavatory is prohibited during exams."
Yuto leaned forward, his voice calm but deliberate. "I'd like to request a check of Kushida-san's uniform. I have reasonable suspicion she's cheating using chits."
The room didn't erupt, no, the room was veilled by a tense atomosphere. Heads turned subtly, students exchanging quick glances but keeping their movements restrained under Sae's watchful gaze.
A few pens froze mid-sentence, and the air grew heavy with unspoken questions. Horikita's lips went agape as she remembered Yuto's words last night. "No... Way..." she mouthed silently while Ayanokoji face was masked by his usual indifferent expression, but he too had to admit he was shocked.
Sae hesitated briefly, masking her own surprise. "Kazuki, you understand the seriousness of such an accusation? If false, you'll face penalties."
"I understand," Yuto replied, his arms crossed as he turned to see Kushida's reaction.
Kushida blinked, her expression a mix of confusion and disbelief. "Excuse me?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her fingers instinctively brushed the edges of her jacket as if reassuring herself of its innocence.
"Kushida-san," Sae's voice cut in. "Please stand for inspection. Your exam will be paused, and time will be compensated if you're found innocent."
Kushida didn't move at first. She glanced down at her uniform, brows knitting together in genuine bewilderment. "What…?" she murmured under her breath, her confusion tangible.
Yuto's smirk remained, but he watched her closely, knowing the exact moment realization would dawn.
Slowly, Kushida's gaze shifted to Kei. Kei's expression—momentary shock giving way to reluctant acceptance—told her everything. Realization struck her like a truck.
Kei planted them.
The color drained from her face as her breathing quickened, panic clawing its way to the surface. She bit her lip, her mind racing through scenarios, calculations, ways to salvage the situation—but every thread unraveled before she could grasp it.
"Please…" she croaked, her voice trembling as she turned back to Yuto, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. "Don't do this."
Yuto's expression wasn't unreadable, no. Even someone like Yamauchi could read his current expression. He was holding his laughter. "Get up," Sae prompted again, more firmly this time.
Kushida obeyed shakily, her legs feeling as though they might give out beneath her. Her eyes flickered to Kei one last time, looking at her pure disdain and shock. Kei looked at Kushida with pity as she mouthed:
"Sorry."
Like that would help!
As Sae gestured for a female staff member to step in for the inspection, Kushida's panic reached its peak. Her hands trembled visibly as she tried to protest again, words tumbling out incoherently. But her voice was swallowed by the suffocating silence of the room.
Hirata looked at Yuto with a shocked expression. Was this really the Yuto he knew? Sudo train of thoughts were cut as Yuto gestured him to continue with his exam. Like hell he could!
Ike and Yamauchi were shocked, not by entertaining the possibility that Kushida could get expelled. No!
They were shocked by how dumb Yuto was!
Like, how did he even think some one like Kushida could hold chits! Ridiculous!
Whisphers soon began to circulate from the back as Sae banged a table for decorom.
Yuto sat back, satisfied. He crossed his arms, his face unreadable but for the faintest twitch of amusement at the corner of his lips. In his mind, the game was already over.
Kushida's hands fisted at her sides as she whispered under her breath, a trembling mantra of disbelief: "This can't be happening… this can't be happening…"
But it was.
Her fate was sealed the moment she pissed of Yuto yesterday.
And as the staff member approached to carry out the inspection, Yuto couldn't resist leaning forward slightly, his lips moving silently as he mouthed his parting gift: "I keep my promises, bitch."
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[A/N: I mean, I bet some of you expected this from the last chapter but believe me, if you are writing a COTE fic, you would know how annoying of a character Kushida is to work with. Plus, she keeps annoying Yuto! Well, he didn't pull of some crazy big brain move here to expel Kushida but I feel that here, in this situation, simplicity was for the best.
Idk, what are y'all's opinions and where do you want for the story to take forword to.
And thank you all of you for the support and patience for keeping up with my upload sechedule. We finally broke 50 chapters! I ask you for the continution of you patience.
Also I started working on a novel I might upload on April (due to boards and I want to stock pile at least 20 chapters). So check it out when it comes. It is a fansaty story and a bit cliche. If you like very detailed, slow paced story with amazing world building, I think you will like what I am making.
Also, could someone teach me how to pace my stories as pacing and dialouge flow was always a problem for me. Still I believe if you look back to the first chapter, my writing has come pretty far and I can't say I'm not proud.
Again, thank you for all your support and this is you author-chan out!]
Chapter 51: Desperate Two-face.
[A/N: this chapter was kind of a rush, so I am sorry if the quality doesn't match. Infact, I didn't particularly enjoy writing this that much. Well, enough of yapping, enjoy.]
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The classroom was steeped in a tense, suffocating silence. Pens lay idle on desks, exams forgotten. The students' minds were not on the papers in front of them—they were on Kushida.
The fate of one of the school's most beloved figures hung in the balance, and the uncertainty gnawed at their focus. She was the epitome of kindness, the angel of Class D. The idea that she could be involved in something so underhanded felt unthinkable to most. Yet here they were, waiting, hoping it wasn't true.
Yuto sat at his desk, his head resting lazily on his palm, humming a tune that grated on the nerves of anyone listening. His nonchalance only heightened the room's unease. Eyes darted to him—searching for answers, perhaps courage—but his expression remained maddeningly indifferent. If not for the exam setting, they might have swarmed him with questions, demands even, for an explanation.
Kei shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her hands clasped tightly over her chest. Her fingers trembled slightly as guilt twisted like a knife in her gut. She knew exactly what was happening, every step of it. The plan was playing out precisely as Yuto had envisioned, but that knowledge didn't make it any easier. She stole a glance at him, her lips pressing into a tight line before she quickly looked away.
Horikita's exam was long finished, but her pen lay untouched beside her paper. Her sharp eyes moved in a deliberate rhythm—Yuto, Kushida's empty chair, Ayanokoji. Again and again. Her gut churned with unease, and she found herself murmuring under her breath.
Could Ayanokoji have had a hand in this? Her instincts told her yes, even if she couldn't prove it. And if that were the case… Kushida didn't stand a chance.
But then her gaze settled on Yuto, and her throat constricted. That familiar lump returned, the one that always surfaced when she truly looked at him. This time, though, it was worse. Her face paled as if her body sensed the truth before her mind could fully process it.
Horikita was one of the few who had glimpsed a sliver of what Yuto truly was. She didn't know the full extent of his capabilities, but she knew enough to be terrified. Whatever was waiting for Kushida the moment Yuto raised his hand, it would be far more devastating than mere expulsion.
She snapped out of her reverie as footsteps could be heard coming from the door as Sae, Kushida and a staff member walked into the room. Kushida's face was grey as the staff member came up front.
"These..." the staff member announced, holding the chits up for all to see, "...were in Kushida-san's possession."
The murmurs began immediately. Horikita's eyes narrowed, Hirata's face twisted in disbelief, and Kei feigned shock perfectly.
Yuto, however, stood up. "Ah, Sae-chan-sensei," he said casually, stretching his arms as if bored, "before we finalize anything, shouldn't we consider why Kushida did this?"
All eyes turned to him, and the room fell silent. Kushida's lips quivered. "Kazuki-san, please… stop this…" she whispered, but her plea only made him grin wider.
"You see," Yuto continued, walking slowly toward the center of the room, "Kushida has always had a knack for playing innocent. But the truth is…" He leaned in close, his voice dropping low enough that everyone strained to hear. "…she despises all of you. She's been smiling in your faces while stabbing you in the back."
Everyone looked confused, while Kushida's fists clenched, her nails digging into her palms. Yuto clicked his tougnue. "Looks like no one is buying it." A malicious smile appeared on his face.
"Would you like me to elaborate, Kushida-san?" Yuto taunted. "Or should I let everyone know how much you enjoyed tearing people down in middle school?"
Kushida's eyes widened, her breath caught in her throat as dread overtook her. Her gaze flickered to Ayanokoji and Horikita, the only two people she believed knew her buried past. It had to be one of them.
Horikita's expression mirrored her shock, though a flicker of suspicion darkened her features. She glanced briefly at Ayanokoji, whose usually indifferent eyes momentarily widened before returning to their signature emptiness. His nonchalant demeanor was maddening; he closed his eyes, seemingly piecing something together.
The rest of the class, though unaware of the details, watched with morbid curiosity. Whispers hummed beneath the surface of their silence.
"Kazuki," Sae snapped, her voice sharp enough to pierce the tension. "This is an examination hall. Refrain from speaking unless you want to face consequences."
Yuto raised his hands in mock surrender. "Of course, Sae-chan-sensei. My apologies," he said smoothly, though his eyes remained locked on Kushida, a sly grin playing on his lips.
Sae turned her attention to Kushida. "Kushida, take your seat. We will discuss your punishment after the exam concludes." Her gaze then shifted to Yuto, narrowing with authority. "And you—I expect to speak with you later."
Kushida felt her legs wobble as she lowered herself mechanically into her chair. Her hands clutched the edges of the desk as if anchoring herself to reality.
"Wait."
The sudden interjection drew everyone's attention. Horikita had raised her hand, her voice calm but carrying an edge.
"Sensei, when you said punishment, do you mean that Kushida-san might not be expelled?"
Sae's sigh echoed across the room. "Horikita..." Her gaze darted briefly to Ike, a subtle message in her expression. "Expulsion is not taken lightly, and the school prioritizes fairness above all. The matter will be brought before the faculty and student council, where an appropriate decision will be made."
Yuto leaned back, his lips twitching into a hidden smirk. 'So that's how they'll spin it. If Kushida is expelled, Ike will go down too because of Paper Shuffle. that's the front of the case isn't it Sae-chan-sensei.'
he obviously didn't fall for it. The exam rules were the final. If Kushida got expelled because of chits. It's Ike's fault for not knowing that, hence, he also gets expelled.
'Kushida is important for Class-D if they ever want to reach Class-A. Clever, Sae-chan-sensei... but not clever enough.'
Kushida's breathing quickened as the weight of Sae's words settled. Her mind spiraled further into chaos, haunted by the thought of what the student council could uncover.
Yuto leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand, his palm obscuring his mouth. His eyes glimmered with unspoken intent as he mouthed something to her.
Kushida froze, her blood running cold as the words etched themselves into her mind. "This isn't the end of it."
Her vision blurred with tears. The faint tremor in her hands turned into uncontrollable shivers as she clutched her head, her elbows propped on the desk. Each sob that escaped her lips was quieter than the last, but no less heart-wrenching.
As the exam hall clock ticked on, the looming specter of what awaited her became unbearable. Time passed, and though most of the class completed their papers, all eyes occasionally flickered to Kushida, who seemed like a shadow of herself.
Yuto glanced at the clock, a satisfied smile forming. Perfect timing.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the exam, and almost instantly, Kushida found herself surrounded.
"Kushida-san, what's going on?"
"Kikyo, did Kazuki set you up? This must be a misunderstanding!"
"Kushida-san, what was he talking about? What did you do?"
Tears streamed down Kushida's face as she clutched her hands to her chest, her voice trembling. "Guys! I didn't do anything! Kazuki-san is framing me—I don't know why!" Her sobs broke into sniffles, her wide eyes seeking the sympathy of her classmates.
Across the room, Yuto groaned audibly. "Two-face," he muttered, shaking his head. "You're still playing the victim? How insufferable can you be? Just fuck off to your parents already."
Kushida froze, her tear-streaked face snapping toward him. "Kazuki-kun!" she wailed, her voice thick with desperation. "How could you say that?!"
Before anyone could react, Ike stormed forward, grabbing Yuto by the collar. "What the hell, Yuto?! Not only did you betray the class, but now you're trying to tear it apart! What's wrong with you?!"
Yuto met Ike's fiery glare with calm indifference, tilting his head slightly as if Ike's anger amused him. "Tear it apart?" he asked, his voice smooth but cold. "I'm trying to save it."
He pushed Ike's hands off him with ease and turned to face the class, his voice carrying an edge that silenced the murmurs. "You don't know what this two-faced parasite is capable of," he said, pointing a finger at Kushida. "In middle school, she ruined her entire class. Everyone's darkest secrets—spread like wildfire. Why? Because of her. If you think she won't do the same to us, then you're all retards."
Gasps rippled through the room, and the uncomfortable glances shifted toward Kushida.
"That's a lie!" Kushida screamed, her voice cracking under the weight of her panic. "I've never done anything like that! You're making this up, Kazuki-kun!" She looked to her friends, her eyes pleading. "You believe me, don't you?"
But doubt was already creeping into their expressions. No, not doubt.
Fear.
Its seemed only now that they realized the power Kushida held.
Yuto scratched the back of his head lazily, then pointed at her, his tone casual yet cutting. "Annoying," he said simply.
"Oi, Kazuki, stop it!" Ike shouted again.
"Kazuki-san, you're being horrible!" another classmate chimed in.
"This isn't like you!"
Amidst the mummers, a familiar voice rang out. "Kazuki-kun!"
The crowd parted slightly, revealing Hirata, his usually cheery self was replaced with someone showing visible desperation. He stepped forward, his gaze sharp. "Do you have any proof of these accusations? If not, stop spreading baseless rumors! You're breaking this class apart!"
Hirata's words lit a fire in the room, and more voices joined the chorus.
"That's right, Yuto!"
"Apologize to Kushida-san!"
"You planted the chit, didn't you?!"
Yuto watched them impassively, his eyes flicking to the clock. He pulled his phone from his pocket, glancing at the time before striding to the whiteboard. Without warning, he slammed a duster against it, the sharp sound cutting through the noise like a knife.
The room fell silent.
Yuto grinned faintly, his movements deliberate as he snapped his fingers. At that exact moment, every phone in the room buzzed simultaneously.
A collective murmur of confusion spread as students fumbled for their devices. Screens lit up with a single but different message for everyone.
— New chapter is coming soon — Write a review
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