While climbing up the stairs, I faced no adversity. Not only... but also, something that surely alerted me happened. There were two staircases apparently. On the fifth floor, there weren't any assigned rooms in the first place.

However, one of the staircases would connect to a certain location. What crossed my mind was the possibility of one of the staircases entwining with the entrance of the rooftop. I realize just how convenient of a hiding spot that would be to Kuzan.

Despite this, I couldn't take both. I had to take one.

"Shall we flip a coin?"

If I get tails I go left, if I get heads I'll go right.

"..."

Tails it is.

I took the right way regardless. Fuck logic.

Then...

"Everyone!! Kuzan was on the second floor! He's heading up!! Don't let him run away!!!"

I heard Tsudo's war cry from the lower floors. That's good. Which means that I just have to wait for Kuzan to come. Either Sagasuga or Rayazaki could stop Kuzan yet I feel as if our infiltration did not go that well. After all, the fact that Tsudo is saying such words probably means that he is in the face of danger.

Similarly to how one reflects about life in any place, I reflected on the plan as a whole while I climbed the staircase. And what I found at the end was...

"What? It's just a damn kitchen."

Yet, what I glanced at, completely gave me premature happiness...

"...Let's assume the worst. This fails and they are all busted. That's fine, I can still escape. I know that there is an emergency escape route here... Plus... If I take all of this in, then I bet King George can make something out of it."

Not checking my surroundings, I continued.

I grabbed an apple and took a bite. It was perfect. I'm not an apple lover but once you only get two meals per day, consider it normal to adore apples.

Apples are great actually.

Seriously, how come I never paid any attention to them earlier?

I am dumb.

"This is really good..."

Another key thing to remember is that this was all an act. My real target had arrived. I do recognize that scent. The profound scent of blueberries filled my nostrils right away.

By contrast, I continued to play dumb.

"Now, all I need to do is grab that bag and take all this food.

3.

"I'm sure they will all thank me for this. Hahaha. Maybe I'm gonna get worshipped or something? Damn, that would be nice."

2.

"Also, with this much food, we won't have any difficulties anymore."

1.

"I wonder if I should suggest King George to add lunch to the menu? A normal eating schedule wouldn't be a bad idea."

0.

"Drop it. All of it."

I could've easily disarmed her by now yet I choose not to. I actually wanted to talk to her.

"Wow, you're paying attention to me now, what happened? Change of heart?"

Of course, this was a simple mockery. My audition is far too good honestly. No flex intended. Also, Kuzan obviously took the other staircase that would lead to the roof. He was already locked, so to speak. Now, I just had to deal with her.

"I'm not gonna repeat again. Drop it, or I will kill you."

It was hard to take a girl with such a baby face seriously yet what her eyes told, were a totally different story.

I decided to act out of my way.

"Nah. I won't. But hey, I can see it."

"You can see what?"

"You. You have killed someone before, right?"

I already knew this but the way she holds her knife isn't the way of an amateur. It's not as If I'm expecting every person in my class to be experienced in combat or anything but it takes minimal skill to commit crimes which indicate a sentence of 50 years of jail time.

Yes, this pink-haired girl who looks at me with the devil's eyes did something that gave her a sweet grand total of 50 years in jail.

Furthermore, her stance isn't bad at all. She is ready to counterattack.

Having said that, I really just wanted to confirm whether she truly did it or not. Anecdotal evidence is always nice.

We then stood under the silence which she created by not responding to my question.

Looks like I have to press her to talk or else she won't remove her knife from the border of my throat.

Indeed, my situation was in theory, dire.

"Let's assume you kill me. Then what? It's meaningless to actually threaten me. I know that you aren't illogical to that point."

"Do you really believe that I won't kill you?"

Christ, she's probably the type of girl who takes sarcasm serious.

"Not my point. My point is, you can definitely kill anyone but you shouldn't do that."

"I've been hearing what you've to say for the last minutes and you aren't making any sense. Give me one reason as to why I can't just kill you."

Oh you dumb, dumb, girl. I could give you trillions of reasons yet you are so self-absorbed to notice that.

Regardless of the facts, I should go with the route that will give me the upper edge in this.

After all, I will not let my previous heroic speech die in vain.

"Well, since you asked---"

Tilting my torso to the back of the sink, I perform a full reverse backflip, which resulted in her knife flying away.

She tried to get the knife back but I was faster than her and grabbed her right wrist.

I, of course, slammed her petite body into the wall.

"I will kill you... I will kill you... I will kill you... I will kill you!!"

However, her reaction was totally beyond my measure. I never thought that she would react so turbulently. Did I trigger some sort of bad memory for her? This wouldn't take a good turn, therefore I let her go--- is what I would say but I need her to confirm this.

"I need your help right now. This is important. I can't do this without you. Can you please listen to me? I will let you go if you do."

Yet, she continued. She fully dived into my neck while biting.

If this was a vampire story then I would've fucking dipped the moment she did that but for some reason, her bite, even though it hurt like hell, only went that far.

It was impossible not to hear her tearful noises and it was true, her lachrymose face did have tears in it.

Even so, I had no fucking patience for such a dramatic scenario.

"Stop crying."

"Give me a few seconds!"

By giving me an impulsive answer she gave her conditions. No, I would not wait still.

"I want you to convince all the other girls that we only came here because Kuzan was here as well. That's all."

"...Why did you come here?"

Does this girl have a brain? I literally just fucking said why.

Although, if her question meant: 'Why did you come after Kuzan?', then it would be dumb to rush to the conclusion that she asked that question just because.

"He stole all of our food. We are starving."

"Is that why you were stealing food?"

"Yes. In case this failed, I needed to provide everyone with something to eat."

I could've said much more but she doesn't need to know that I am acting on the premise that this will work. Hyunda's words still haunt my mind. That guy and responsibility clearly don't synergize.

"Are you hungry right now?"

"Yes. I am so hungry right now. Feed me."

I'm not the type to go with cliches. If this girl wants to offer me food as a way of showing affection or something like that, then, by all means, do.

"Do you like green soup?"

Oh, fucking hell...

"I'm good."

"W-What's that supposed to mean!? All I asked is if you liked it!"

"Get a damn clue, you idiot! Who the hell enjoys green soup!? I'm not a Shrek devotee!"

"How dare you talk bad about Shrek!"

"That's what we're arguing about?!"

No, wait. Priorities.

"What time is it?"

Heeding my request she takes out her cellphone from her pocket.

"6 am. Why?"

Damn it!!

"Please, just do what I told you."

"Hey, I won't do it though."

Excuse me, what the fuck did she just say?

I was pretty saturated from this unnecessary tired 'morning'.

Thus, I let go of all possible nobility that I had. Then I realized, I was betraying my early speech.

What about those words I said out of pure heroism?! Were they for naught?!

Hell no!

"Listen up, you damn damsel in the distress, I'm not sure if you have any brains cells in your brain at this point but get this straight. You have no possible upper edge on me, ever! Don't even get me started on that paper you wrote to me yesterday! I was so furious at you that I could've ripped your neck off if I really wanted to! You think that I am a man who merely obeys you just because you have a rare hair color? Or did you think it was because of your stylish nails! I will not pledge!!"

Naturally, I closed the distance of our faces to make sure that she got the full message.

"Too close! You're too close!"

That was the whole point.

"Throughout the previous week, you didn't even look at me. Don't misunderstand, it's not as if I wanted you to. But you have to question the audacity of someone who constantly treats others like trash! I bet you've lived a life full of luxury and all that but don't think you can act like how you want around me! I'm a man with a purpose which is to fulfill the purpose of being a man! You'd do well to remember that!"

I felt like she wanted to retort at me but my voice was far too high.

That's right, cliched romantic developments aren't my cup of tea. That's not how equality works. The male subject should not have to go lower than the female subject just because the female subject refuses to go lower! No! That's wrong!

"...I'm counting on you."

Refusing to torment her soul even further, I ended our conversation on that.

I left the kitchen and went straight to the other staircase. She followed me but instead of going to the other staircase, she descended. We didn't trade any glances. However, as I was reaching the top of the staircase, she decided to call out to me.

"Hey."

"What? You gonna apologize for treating me rudely?"

"Oh no. I just wanted to tell you something more important."

Something more important than an apology? Well, I didn't really care about the apology, I just wanted her to reflect on her unnecessary stupidity. That paper didn't do anything to deserve that treatment. My boy deserved better.

"Out with it."

Then, as if to raise my expectations, she creates a crescent smile and closes her eyes while saying:

"Please kill yourself, you waste of oxygen."

Sorry, there is no reaction coming from me. If she said anything remotely positive, then I would be genuinely surprised, however, this was to be expected.

Realistically speaking, I should not expect her to be able to accomplish anything. I just wanted to create a better interaction with her. Besides, knowing how she acts, she might not even try to fulfill my task. No, I made sure to enforce that she would. She, however, is probably not gonna accomplish much.

Ultimately, this was the last place.

As I opened the door to the rooftop, a massive gale of wind blows my hair to the back.

Aloof at the bay of the rooftop, stood a certain individual. In order for this to work, I could not express my anger towards him.

"Yo, man."

"Yo."

What a guy. Everyone's blood is out for this guy yet this guy doesn't give a fuck. Around him are two massive bags that are closed. This could very well be a hint that connects what type of person he is and what type of crime he commits.

I don't believe that it's easy to steal from King George, even when he is asleep. After all, his demonic sixth sense must be tremendous. Knowing such, you'd have to be either stupidly good at stealing or just a lucky bastard. So far, I couldn't tell which category fits Kuzan the best.

"Please don't kill me."

"That's kinda hard, Kuzan."

We didn't really exchange glances. We just traded those words casually while staring at the morning sunrise.

"Here, I'll share you a quarter of this bread. You don't have to kill me then."

Says Kuzan as he offers me a quarter of his bread. Not half. Not more than half, which by common sense, would be a good idea in this scenario to give to the person who is, out of nobility, not killing you. Yet no. A quarter.

"Sure, Kuzan. Thank you."

I eat the tasty quarter of the bread.

"Please give me more."

"Sorry I can't."

"Why though?"

"I don't really have that much food to share. A quarter was the only portion I could share. My apologies."

He's really testing my patience, isn't he? He most likely has a plethora of bread inside his pack yet he refuses to share because he supposedly could only share a quarter.

Now, how should I make this guy realize just how troublesome this guy is?

I also noticed something bad.

There were girls staring into us literally from the entrance.

"Oh? Are you worried about the girls? Don't be. They can't really harm me."

Wow, this guy is a joke.

"This is just a hypothesis, but maybe they will surround us with their number and eventually bring us down. Just a hypothesis though. Don't let it get to your head."

"Ummmm... Wait, isn't that like, really bad?"

Wow, you think?

"Yeah. What do you think you should do?"

"Oh, it's fine. If they harass me then I will just report it to Basara-sensei and then they will receive punishment."

"You fucking retard!! You managed to steal all the food from our dorm and to illegally invade the girls' dorm at the same time!! It's one hell of a feat, to be honest, but god, only a fucking retard would do it!!"

"Hehehe, are you praising me?"

Someone hold me, please.

Sigh.

I take a deep breath to calm myself down.

I suppose this is meaningless if I go in this direction. I need to solve the problem here, but I need his cooperation at the same time.

"Why don't you share the food that it's the kitchen with the rest of us?"

"Huh? Why should I? It makes no sense to share anything, to begin with. Taking ahold of something right away is always the best move. It's illogical to wait around to get what you want."

I'm surprised. I didn't expect this sudden retard to say such logical things. Surely, they are immoral yet they are logical. His desire for survival might just be the highest in class.

"I agree. It's illogical to wait around to get what you want. But, is running away all that you want to do?"

"I don't really mind. No one has ever accepted me. I'm fine with that actually."

Oh no, is Kuzan being emo? Fuck my life, I didn't want this conversation to take this turn!

"But at this rate, you will receive a heavier punishment, you know?"

"...You're right, I suppose. But everyone's angry at me. I wanted to fit in but I couldn't resist the urge to steal. Coincidentally, what I did, happened to piss everybody off..."

"So you want to fit in?"

"Duh, of course, I do! I have a 40-year jail sentence! Do you think that even though I have committed crimes that are immoral that I don't want to be accepted? Man, look around... In this world, there are people who judge people on the surface all the time. Don't be that person."

I didn't really judge him. However, I understood his main point. What he is trying to say is that even if you have a few screws loose, you can act like a human being.

"At this rate, you might just drop out due to too many disciplinary warnings. You already got one, right? Actually, I think you got more than one at this point."

"Yeah..."

To be more precise, disciplinary warnings are warnings given to students who have broken the rules. At the accumulation of 10 warnings, you are expelled. That's actually so generous. I'm assuming that Kuzan had already been called to the principal's office before. Otherwise, his past words about the principal yesterday wouldn't make sense.

"So, what now? What are you gonna do?"

"I don't really know. Is jail all that bad? I mean, you get to eat every day there, correct?"

"Please don't tell me that you are trying to make a comparison between prison and this school, because I swear, if you are, you need to get a brain fix."

"Relax. I am not. But it's just... I'll never be able to interact with you people. Everyone is so against each other. The thought of being pulled together with criminals is putting everyone off. Hey, I don't really mind it though! Isn't it kinda exciting?"

Yeah, man.

Being in the same class as people who can kill you in a flash.

The definition of excitement right there.

Though, I could see where he was coming from. It's truly exciting to be in a class without normies.

"What the hell... So that's your problem? Then, how about starting to show that you actually want to interact?"

"What do you mean?"

"You've been acting like you don't want anything to do with the rest of the class. Very much like the rest, there is this thread of insecurity that doesn't allow you to genuinely interact with another person."

"Aren't you kinda the same though? You don't really talk much. In fact, I was confident that no one would bother to come to where I was. I didn't expect anyone to come, especially you."

Why especially me?

I would like to ask that, but I couldn't care less.

"My goal is not to interact, honestly. I just want to successfully pass this program so I don't receive the same fate as that baldy."

"Oh yeah... That's pretty fucked up. Studying for three years only to achieve what you were hoping not to achieve. Hey... There is no guarantee that all of us will pass. As a matter of fact, we know nothing about the exams that Basara-sensei told us."

"Yes. We know nothing about it. But we will eventually know. It's just a matter of time."

While this conversation is appealing in a sense, I needed to get this over with.

"Kuzan, I'm gonna be honest here. You are bound to suffer consequences for what you did. However, if you return all the food that you have stole to King George then that's all there will be."

"Haha, what a lie! Everyone in that dorm wants me dead, haha."

"Not necessarily."

"Huh, what do you mean?"

To please people that are mad, you just have to give them something that far excels that which they have.

"Well, even though there are stores in this school, none of them actually sells food for meals. They just serve appetizers which are a bummer. You could, however, strike a nice deal with King George."

"W-What? Are you insane?! I can't strike deals with the Demon King! That's absurd."

I wanted to laugh but I just couldn't.

"When the month ends, buy as many foods as you can."

"Oh... I think I know where you are going with this. But I can't bring outside food to school, remember?"

"Exactly. Hence, you will strike a deal with King George. Ask him to meet up. Then, after you buy that food, give it all to King George. King George is part of the school staff. He is the one who brings the food to our dorm if you haven't noticed."

"I think I can ask my parents the money, yeah. Though, is that it? Will everyone be nice to me if I just buy the food?"

"No way in hell, dude. Buying food is only the beginning. We starve every day during lunchtime. And you, Kuzan, are the guy who is going to put a stop to that. Starting next month, as a compensation, you will cook the lunch for everyone in the dorm."

"Brooo. What a drag! Are you gonna do me like this!? I'll be worked to the bone..."

"Shut your fucking mouth, Kuzan! Do you not understand how fucked up your situation is!? People actually want to kill you, in that dorm! Stop being so damn selfish for once and do something for others."

"But no one does anything for me though."

It feels like I'm talking to a child or something. It appears he has yet to understand something very basic.

"Kuzan, we live in a world of chance. If you do nothing for others then chances are, no one will do anything for you. If you do something for others, then chances are, others will do something for you. You don't live in a world where everything is guaranteed. Just because you see people who are lucky to have what they want for granted, that doesn't mean that the others are equal. You and I are part of the majority, not the minority. And, let me tell you something additional to that, everyone in our class is part of the majority."

God man, I didn't want to essay Kuzan like this but he really needs to process this useful information that he is receiving right now. I swear this is not hard to understand, by minimal standards.

"So I have to do something for others and others will do something for me, right? Mhm... Interesting. Then, if I pay you a beer once the month is over, you'll do something for me, right?"

I already am doing something for you. I am offering you the best suggestion to get out of this situation without getting harmed yet this guy has the balls to tell me that I will, only after paying me a beer, have to do something for him.

No words for this guy.

"Kuzan, do you agree with this?"

"Mhm... I guess? It's probably gonna work so I'm confident!"

I wanted to tell him that it's probably not going to work since the others aren't as forgiving as I am, but I decided to not tell him.

Furthermore, Kuzan could not be allowed to be caught here. That's right. There was a bigger problem at hand. Since we were out of sight, we couldn't see their demonic gazes, but I could feel them. I knew that the moment I would descend that judgment day would come.

Seriously. Fuck you, Kuzan. I hate your emo problems so much.

Nevertheless, I had to tell Kuzan something.

"Kuzan, you know the emergency escape right?"

It was a serious question. I was down on the floor checking whether or not all the girls were there. And they were. All 12 of them. They did not look happy. In the slightest. But, this confirmed it. If they were all there, then there would be no one to intercept the emergency escape exit. Kuzan could not afford to get caught here.

"Yeah. Do you think I didn't know? I might not be the smartest but I'm somewhat clever when it comes to stealing."

You're definitely not the smartest.

"Good, go that way. I will face the girls."

"B-But Aniki!"

.........

I think something amazing just happened.

"Good, go that way. I will face the girls."

"...Ok?"

No, not the answer I wanted.

"Good, go that way. I will face the girls."

"...Aniki, is there something wrong? Oh sorry, I meant to say, Daniel Aniki."

Alright, that does it.

"Kuzan, I will protect you with all my might. Go on and be free. Leave everything to your Aniki."

"Aye. Catch you later, Aniki."

I might've hit a bar of happiness that I didn't know it even existed.

Also, he is gonna pay me a beer at the end of the month.

Although I'm still 15 years old, I'm happy nonetheless.

Wait, that's illegal.

Now then. Onto the main problem. After parting ways with Kuzan, who out of respect called me Aniki, I gazed upon the rising sun from afar. That, for some reason, steeled my resolve.

After briefly descending down the stairs, I was immediately assaulted by the looks of several girls.

If this was a harem, I would be blushing. But this isn't.

My poor comrades were all defeated in one way or another.

For example, Tsudo had handcuffs on his wrists. Akihiko was trembling in fear. Rayazaki was being held down to the ground by a girl in our class, who is rather small, called Hinagiku.

Well, to be more precise, Tsudo had actual handcuffs but what bothered me was how Shizuku, was the one applying them. As for Akihiko...

"Please for the love of all gods put that chainsaw away! Why is no one doing anything about this?!"

I had the same doubts. Sana was for some reason, holding a chainsaw, which was not active, against Akihiko. Rayazaki, despite being held down was not resisting. Crap, did I shatter his spirit too much?

And, of course, the one who, for some reason isn't receiving any harsh treatment as the others, is being held down by Tateyana. By the way, her face is red as fuck. I have no idea what one could do a girl to make her blush that much.

"Wait. Where is Kuzan?"

The one asking me that was, Akimiyashika.

I had no reason to tell her the truth.

"He's still on the roof. He decided not to come down after all. What a shame. After trying to persuade him, it failed."

"Well, you're a bad liar. I'm assuming you don't know the limit to our vigilance cameras."

"What does that have anything to do with it?"

"Everything, really. Ikkiri, sorry, could you show him?"

"Aye, sure thing! Here, look at this! Right in the middle!"

Her cellphone, which she already had in her hands, on the screen, displayed a video being played. However, it wasn't recorded. It was actually happening. Kuzan was escaping through the emergency staircase.

"W-What the fuck, Daniel!? You let Kuzan go!? Are you nuts!?"

"What about the food!? We can't afford to starve more!"

I wish they had a bit of patience. Nevertheless, Rayazaki and Tsudo's complaints were fairly understandable.

"Relax. It's all under control. Have a little faith."

"Faith? Faith!? Faith my fucking ass! I'm better off chopping off a leg and roast it! Because this way I will actually have a breakfast to eat and not have to depend on the chances of Kuzan returning the food or not! What in the fuck is wrong with y-- Kaah!!"

Unfortunately, before Rayazaki could finish his massive salty rant, Hinagiku knocked Rayazaki the fuck out. She stepped on his balls by the way.

"You're being so rude right now! Why do you boys curse so much!? I can't comprehend!"

"Hinagiku, it's fine."

Akimiyashika looked Hinagiku in the eyes as if to say: 'Leave this to me'.

"Daniel, I'm a reasonable person, so..."

Someone who has supposedly committed a crime isn't reasonable in some way, however, I decided to wait for what she had to fully say.

"We can decide how to punish this group and as a whole, Kuzan included, now or we can wait until cl-"

Unexpectedly interrupting this conversation, two huge black silhouettes could be spotted. I tried to hide my happiness but a wide smile on my face unraveled itself in the end.

"Yo, deepshits! Good fucking news! King George just started to make breakfast!! Would you fucking believe it! The rat actually returned his food back!!"

Bursting with energy, Kawahara waved at us while saying those reassuring words.

Also---

"Kuaaahhh... Wh-What's going on here? It's so cold here outside, come on in."

Hyunda, with his hand on his mouth, showed a sleepy expression.

Though, someone was not happy about this.

"Could you two not interrupt?! We are having a very serious conversation here."

"Huh? What's your deal? You got something against us having breakfast?!"

Acting out of his character, Kawahara stands up to Akimiyashika.

Since this was about to escalate into an argument, Hyunda intervened.

"Akimiyashika, we will discuss this is class. I believe it's for the better interest of both parties to do so. Wouldn't you agree with me on this?"

"The fuck?! Don't get in my way man!"

Now, acting more like his character, Kawahara throws a punch at Hyunda... only to be intercepted by Sagasuga. Smart move. Sagasuga probably understood the necessity for this event to happen.

In all likelihood, we are in a bad position. We can't possibly retaliate here.

"Chill. Let him do this."

Realizing his fist was completely blocked, Kawahara angrily backs off and returns to the dorm, which allowed the conversation to proceed.

Thus, Sagasuga returned to his initial position, alongside Tateyana.

"That's fine. It's meaningless either way. This group will receive proper punishment regardless."

In response to Akimiyashika's words, Hyunda turned his back without saying any other word.

Akimiyashika then spoke up.

"Well, let's eat, shall we?"

Even though she demonstrated leadership, not all the girls followed. Especially one, who traded a single glance with me.

Let's see if she can do something about this mess.