Chapitre 172: Chapter 172 – Nagumo's revenge
Nagumo's face was almost twisted in agony, recalling the image of Yukio and Ichinose leaving side by side, his heart felt as if it was being wrung with coarse rope, the pain piercing deep.
At this moment, Nagumo was nothing like he had been at the beginning. Initially, Nagumo was handsome and confident, like a favored son of heaven, always walking with his head held high, looking down on everyone through his nostrils.
But now? He looked haggard, his eyes dull and sunken, as if he were a battle-hardened internet cafe warrior who had gone three days and nights without rest.
If he were to make a vivid comparison, Nagumo felt as if several tiny venomous snakes had burrowed into his heart, recklessly biting and gnawing at it.
The snake's fangs had pierced the surface of his heart, injecting venom. His heart then pumped this venom-laced blood throughout his body, causing him to become exceptionally irritable and feverish, as if a hundred ants were gnawing at his heart, making his eyes turn bloodshot.
He had been in a daze these past few days, in agony as if he were in hell, because having always been smart and had a smooth-sailing life, Nagumo had never experienced such a great failure.
First, he lost to Yukio, a first-year student, at the sports festival and was then embarrassingly hung on a bread roll in front of all the students and teachers of the school due to Yukio's scheme, losing ten million private points.
Surrounded by countless jeers, with mockery from the first-year students and the sound of camera shutters everywhere.
After passing out from sheer rage, he woke up in the infirmary. Every time he recalled these incidents, Nagumo felt like smashing the hospital bed to vent his immense inner rage.
Even tired and weary, he dared not close his eyes to rest, because once he fell asleep, he would have nightmares! He would dream of the bread race at the sports field!
He dreamed of waves of incessant mockery, of the humiliating camera shutter sounds echoing all the way to his grandmother's house, of the photoshopped parody images on the school forum!
Such nightmares were too deadly, always waking Nagumo up within half an hour, unable to sleep under the immense psychological shadow. After two days, he had become this haggard.
He knew he couldn't go on like this. Currently, he was still controlling Class 2-A through his smartphone, as his authority had been long established, and Class 2-A had no objections and still fell under Nagumo's control.
But if he remained out of sight for a long time, chaos would inevitably ensue. Thus, Nagumo felt he should quickly adjust his mindset and reengage in the school's competitions.
The idea was good, in order to adjust his mood, Nagumo went out for a walk on his own, but he accidentally stumbled upon Yukio and Ichinose together! He even saw them playfully joking around with each other!
For Nagumo, this was yet another three days of torment!
Yukio was Nagumo's archenemy, precisely because of him, Nagumo had suffered so much disgrace and humiliation.
Seeing Yukio certainly inflamed his anger, but seeing Ichinose by Yukio's side was what truly fueled his rage!
In Nagumo's view, Ichinose's inclusion in the student council was entirely due to his indulgence. Without Nagumo's help in the student council, how could Ichinose have joined it under the premise of avoiding the first-year students?
Initially, Nagumo thought that Ichinose, being such an appealing target, would be convenient to have in the student council for future pursuits.
But what happened?
Instead of obediently following him, this prey had completely betrayed him and become so close to Yukio?
In Nagumo's eyes, it was as if something that belonged to him had been completely stolen by Yukio! It was both Yukio's foul play and Ichinose's ingratitude, showing no loyalty at all!
Public humiliation and his prey being snatched away—these two issues combined made the already extremely irritable Nagumo decide not to adjust his mood but to take immediate revenge!
"Ichinose, you traitor! Since you are so ungrateful and disregard our past relationship! Well, don't blame me then!
"If there's anyone to blame, it's only yourself! You don't know how to choose, you don't know how to keep secrets! Who asked you to tell me that secret!"
Under the setting sun, on a deserted road, deep and ferocious curses, akin to a wild beast's growl, drifted through the air.
"Over here, Honami-chan," in the dining area of the Shopping Center, Ichinose's classmates, Shiranami and Amikura, two girls, were waving at the hastily arriving Ichinose.
Also seated were the male classmates, Kanzaki, the assistant class rep and Ichinose's deputy, and Shibata, a member of the football club and the best athlete in Ichinose's class, who had also scored a lot of points for the class during the sports festival.
These individuals were the core of the class, and since Ichinose was involved in a student council meeting today related to the special exams of the second term, they were particularly concerned.
They had reserved a private room in the dining area and were quietly waiting for Ichinose's arrival, eager to get the relevant information first.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, I've just finished inspecting the clubs with Yukio-kun," Ichinose apologized as she took her seat, briefly explaining the situation.
Shibata immediately waved his hand and said, "I know, I know. I just came from the football club. Didn't I greet you guys on the field just now?"
"Yes," Ichinose mentioned, squinting happily, her expression very relaxed, "Thanks to Yukio-kun, we finished the inspection in one evening. I was actually prepared to spend weeks on it."
Kanzaki was silently setting up the tableware and condiments, and couldn't help but admire as well, "Indeed, Yukio is very capable."
"What's so great about him?" Unlike the class leaders' praises, a girl named Shiranami seemed to have a particular grievance against Yukio. As soon as she heard their discussion, she muttered a complaint under her breath.
However, it wasn't meant maliciously, just a bit of grumbling on her part, and then she quickly changed the subject, "Honami-chan, eat more, the food here is really good."
Ichinose didn't think too much about it. While eating, she discussed the details of the upcoming special exam with everyone. Hearing that the special exam would involve all three grades and was some sort of mysterious workplace-themed test, everyone couldn't help but feel either nervous or excited.
"We don't even know what form or standards the school's workplace-themed test will take."
"Not sure, the President Horikita just said he would apply to the school administration. From his tone, it seems he's sure the school will approve, but what it will require after that approval, we still don't know."
"As long as our class continues to unite like this, there definitely won't be any problems!"
Amidst the laughter and chatter, they finished their dinner and headed back to the first-year dormitories. However, on their return, many people kept staring at Ichinose.
Ichinose found it strange, "What's up? Chihiro, can you check if there's food on my face?"
Considering her previous experience with Yukio and the soybean flour on his thumb, Ichinose reacted quickly, suspecting it might be something from dinner; why else would everyone be staring specifically at her?
Although she was indeed popular, after more than a semester, such attention seemed excessive. Everyone should be used to her by now.
But Shiranami shook her head, indicating there was nothing on Ichinose's face.
"Honami-chan, you, you look at this," because of Ichinose's great popularity, someone quickly handed her a printed paper, "This, the contents of this letter, have been spread all over, everyone in the dormitory has it."
"Let me see." Ichinose curiously took it, but at a glance, she stiffened as if struck by Medusa's petrification spell in the myths, her eyes vacant and revealing a deep shade of pain.
The paper had only one sentence, very brief, even less than ten words: "Ichinose Honami is a criminal."
***
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