"O—Of course, Cerise… we are all equal, right?"

"Yes!" Cerise looked so happy, she hugged Kristen's arm excitedly, "I'm sorry for doubting you, Kristen!" ​ ​

I kept watching from aside, enjoying the game that progressed right like what I expected. Now all I needed to do was to make sure to persuade Cerise, even more, let her eat that fantasy of befriending Kristen again, and then push her to the deepest pit of hell until she realized that she was stupid all along.

Kristen's generous smile already cracked, and at this point, it would push Kristen to the edge.

I wanted to see Kristen cracked her own mask. But that wouldn't be enough. I wanted that secret to make sure that Kristen was destroyed to the core.

Call me a ruthless girl because that would be my pleasure.

I checked my watch and then grabbed Cerise, "Ah, sorry, Kristen, Cerise and I will go to class first. Our first class is History, and you know how strict Mr. Carman is."

Cerise released Kristen and smiled at her, "I'll see you again later!"

Kristen was left alone, standing like an idiot in the middle of the corridor, being watched by her admirers and other students. It must've been humiliating to get dropped by Ashley.

People always said that they would never befriend a rich and arrogant person like Ashley. But most of them secretly admired and envied her for everything she had, including Kristen.

After Ashley confronted us and dropped Kristen right in front of everyone, I could see the disbelief on Kristen's face. I had a guess other than trying to distance herself from Cerise due to that dark secret, Ashley also disliked if her friends befriended the poor.

Cerise was both poor and weird, and she was so easy to bully.

I dragged Cerise to our class. The teacher wasn't there yet, so we took a seat. I observed Cerise's glimmering eyes. She really swallowed everything that Kristen said, especially when it made her happy.

It was ridiculous, I know. But there were people like Cerise, who lived in her own world, thinking that everyone was goodhearted inside.

"Cerise, you look happy," I said, trying to find the right topic.

"Of course, hehe~" Cerise nodded. "She has been my friend since middle school. We were so close after she protected me. But after that thing…."

Cerise paused for a moment, and then she shook her head, "I—I mean, we weren't just as close after graduation in middle school."

"I thought she dropped me, but thanks to you, Emmy…." Cerise held my hands. "I really should thank you, I didn't know that I need your help until you showed me."

I smiled and replied, "Of course, I told you before, right? I will always be there for you."

"But… do you think Kristen speak the truth?" Cerise asked.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"I mean, what if she is forced to befriend me again?"

"Oh, Cerise, that's just your fear. Who forced her anyway? She said it right in front of Ashley, and many students witnessed it. I don't think you need to doubt that kind of sincerity," I tried to coax Cerise with even more sweet words.

"Anyway, you should try to contact Kristen. She was so fun to talk with. I think there must be some misunderstanding between you two," I suggested.

"D—Do you think she will reply if I chatted with her?" Cerise asked. "I… I've blocked her for a while, you know…."

"Blocked her?"

"Y—Yeah, I was just afraid… but since things have been cleared now, then it should be safe for me to chat with her, right?" Cerise asked.

"Of course, I also think that you should tell me if you have any problem with her. I will try to help you as much as I can," I suggested.

"T—Thank you, Em, you're such a good friend for me. I don't even know how to repay you…."

Okay, first, I'm not a good friend to you, Cerise. I did this out of necessity.

And second, you could repay me by simply giving me that dark secret. I wouldn't have to do this in a roundabout way if you could just… spill everything.

Oh well, I didn't expect it to be an easy task anyway. So might as well enjoy myself in this game. The success of breaking Kristen lied on Cerise's willingness.

Once I could gain all Cerise's trust and put myself in Kristen's previous position as Cerise's savior while painting Kristen as the bad guy, victory will be in my hand.