This bastard was plotting against me!
That was the only thought that crashed through Kushida Kikyo's mind the moment she spotted the camera.
Everything suddenly made sense.
Kure Ragna had dragged her along despite her slow pace, running farther than necessary. He had refused to stop even when threatened or bribed. Now, the reason was clear.
He knew exactly where the cameras were.
Kushida's mind raced.
Kure Ragna had deliberately avoided areas without surveillance, refusing to let her catch him until they reached a monitored zone. And the moment she succeeded—**the moment she became the aggressor in the camera's view—**she had played right into Ragna's hands.
Her heart pounded as she considered the worst-case scenario. If this was all part of his plan, then…
"Back up."
"…Eh?"
Kure Ragna's firm voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
She hesitated for a fraction of a second—before sharp pain shot through her chest.
Kure Ragna's fingers tightened. Kushida gasped, instinctively arching her back in pain, trying to break free.
But the moment she struggled, he loosened his grip slightly, only to push her backward.
Ten steps.
That's how far she was forced back before Ragna finally let go.
Then, he spoke words that made her blood run cold.
"Alright, we're out of the camera's range now."
Kushida's breath hitched.
"…What do you want?" she asked, clutching her chest. Her voice was laced with wariness.
She had no chance in a fight. Running was pointless—she'd seen the gap in their physical abilities. If Ragna truly meant her harm, she was at his mercy.
Kure Ragna, however, simply shoved his hands back into his pockets and strolled past her.
"Relax," he said, stopping a few steps ahead and tilting his head. A faint smile played on his lips. "I just want to chat."
Kushida didn't answer immediately.
She weighed her options.
If she bolted now, she might reach the camera's view in time.
But if she tried and failed… there was no telling how far things would spiral out of her control.
As if sensing her hesitation, Ragna chuckled.
"Friendly reminder—" he said, tapping his temple. "You're only about three to four meters away from safety."
"Three…"
"If you run, I will catch you before you get there."
Kushida's fists clenched.
"Want to test it?" he added, amusement flickering in his voice.
Silence.
"I'm giving you a choice here," he continued. "Right now, I just want to talk. But if you run, and I catch you, things won't stay so simple. After all, you not only threatened me—you tried to frame me."
He took a step forward.
"And that," he said, voice calm but firm, "is something that has consequences."
Kushida inhaled deeply.
After a moment, she walked to his side, her head held high as she met his gaze.
"…Fine. Let's talk."
Ragna smiled. "Good choice."
He turned and resumed walking, speaking casually as if discussing the weather.
"Let's start with your little threat earlier. Even if I hadn't run, and you'd gotten my fingerprints, there were at least three ways I could've dealt with it. Want to hear them?"
Kushida remained silent.
But Ragna continued anyway.
"The first is the easiest—I'd just throw you into the sea. Fingerprints on clothes don't last long, especially if soaked in salt water. By the time anyone found you, any evidence would be long gone."
Kushida's shoulders stiffened.
"The second option," Ragna continued, "is even simpler. I'd just beat you up, take your coat, and walk away. No cameras here, after all—who would prove I even touched you?"
He paused, then smirked.
"The third option, though… That one's a bit extreme."
Kushida's stomach twisted.
"…And that is?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ragna gave her a sideways glance, as if gauging her reaction. Then, without warning, he strode toward a public bench near the sidewalk.
She watched in confusion as he grabbed the armrest—
—and, with one powerful tug, ripped the entire bench from the ground.
Crack!
The concrete below split, and screws popped loose as the bench wrenched free.
Ragna grinned, hoisting it slightly before dropping it back into place.
"See?" he said cheerfully. "If I really wanted, I could've tied you up, weighted you down, and tossed you into the ocean. And just like that—poof!—no more Kushida Kikyo."
A chill crawled down her spine.
This guy is insane.
Seeing the undisguised fear on her face, Ragna laughed.
"Relax, I'm not a serial killer," he said, walking back and playfully ruffling her hair. "I'm just saying—there were plenty of ways I could've handled this. But instead, I'm standing here, having a civil conversation with you."
Kushida swallowed hard, trying to maintain her composure.
"…You're crazy," she muttered.
Ragna shrugged. "Maybe. But you know what? Compared to that fake, sweet persona you put on in class, I like this version of you better."
Kushida's expression darkened.
"Do you?" she challenged.
"Of course." Ragna didn't hesitate.
"It's like making friends," he explained. "If you're going to get close to someone, you should at least know their likes and dislikes. If all you ever do is agree with whatever people say, are you really their friend? Or just an acquaintance?"
Kushida looked away.
"…You wouldn't understand," she murmured.
"Try me."
She let out a slow breath, as if debating whether to speak. Finally, she said, "Because only by acting this way can I enjoy the feeling of being the center of attention. I like when people revolve around me. That's how I survive."
She turned to face him fully.
"That's why I hate anyone who tries to take that feeling away."
Ragna blinked.
"…That's it?"
He had expected something deeper. A tragic backstory, maybe. But this?
Reality is often disappointing.
"Yes," she said, her voice steady. "That's it."
Ragna sighed. "Alright then."
A beat of silence passed.
Then, Kushida's gaze sharpened.
"…Let's make a deal."
Ragna raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"I want you to keep this secret," she said, her voice unwavering. "Promise me you'll never tell anyone."
Ragna hummed, pretending to consider.
"Hmm… Makes sense. If people found out how hard you worked to keep up that perfect act, it'd be a disaster for you."
He gave her a slow once-over.
"Alright. In that case, how about this? You disrupted my workout today, so you owe me an exercise session." He smirked. "How about using your body to make up for it?"
Kushida froze.
"…What?"
A deep blush crept onto her face.
There was no way. She refused—but looking at her situation… what other option did she have?
She couldn't fight. She couldn't run. He held all the cards.
After a long silence, her trembling fingers hesitantly reached for the buttons of her uniform.
Bang!
A sharp flick to her forehead made her yelp.
Ragna clicked his tongue. "Pervert."
Kushida blinked. "Huh?"
He smirked. "I meant sparring, idiot. What were you thinking?"
A vein popped on Kushida's forehead.
"You—!!"
Kushida Kikyo looked up in astonishment—but Kure Ragna was already walking away, his back turned to her.
Under the glow of a nearby streetlamp, he raised a hand in a casual wave. The evening breeze carried his voice back to her.
"Forget it this time. I'm not the type to go around exposing people's secrets, so let's just pretend none of this ever happened."
His footsteps didn't slow, but just before he disappeared into the night, his voice turned sharper, colder.
"…But don't ever try this again."
The warning lingered in the air, leaving Kushida frozen in place, her chest tightening with unease.
---
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