Midnight after the second day had ended. The pool that was crowded during the daytime was now silent. Kiyotaka and Karma were there to wait for Chabashira-sensei.

Chabashira did come as she was looking indifferent. " ...Sorry to keep you waiting, Ayanokouji, Akabane. "

" We don't really care. " Karma said. " Sorry we call you out this late. "

" It's a consultation from students, as a teacher I have an obligation to respond. It's nothing strange. For better or for worse, this is your first time calling me out here alone, especially you Akabane. " Chabashira let her eyes roam around the two boys.

" There's something we'd like to ask sensei... " Kiyotaka turn to his teacher. " Your face is looking quite pale. "

" ...Don't worry about it. It's just adult things. So what's the matter? "

Kiyotaka nod. " In this school, you told me there's nothing that cannot be 'bought' with points. But are there exceptions correct? "

Chabashira rub her head. " I suppose so, exceptions naturally exist. For example, if you try to buy the lives of teachers and students with points we cannot allow that to happen. "

" Then the most expensive thing ever bought with points in the past— "

" Ya-ha! Sae-chan, are you feeling good~? "

The two boys turn to see the teacher of Class B running towards their direction.

" ...Aren't you drunk? " Chabashira ask the happy woman.

" Hmm? No of course not, there's no way I could be drunk. Are you perhaps playing dumb with me? "

" Really...you can hold your liquor really well as usual. Both yesterday and today as well. " Chabashira comment.

Hoshinomiya Chie then took notice of the boys. " Hello Ayanokouji-kun. Are you feeling well? Oh, and you. Are you that famous Akabane Karma-kun? "

She approached them and put her hands around their shoulders.

Karma looked uncomfortable as he hesitantly replied. " Yeah.. "

" I'm fine. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't. " Kiyotaka answered without a care.

The teacher giggled. " A really impressive cute answer. So do Ayanokouji-kun and Akabane-kun like tsundere onee-sans like Sae-chan? "

" Don't do that with students. It will interfere with our professional conduct. " Chabashira-sensei grabbed Hoshinomiya-sensei by the nape and dragged her off them. 

" So what are the two of you talking about late at night? Isn't this by itself a big problem? "

Chabashira let out a scoff. " Big problem? As a teacher, isn't it obvious for me to respond to my student's anxieties and consult them on it? "

" But if that's true, couldn't you do it in a more open place? There's no need to be sneaky with him. "

" They both wanted to consult me in private without anyone knowing. " Chabashira reasoned.

Hoshinomiya hummed. " Hmmm...well it's not like I have any complaints towards this. "

" I see, if you understand then go back to the bar. I'll join you shortly. "

" Ok, ok! Take your time, but remember not to do anything sexual. " Hoshinomiya-sensei then went back into the ship.

Chabashira shake her head. " Sorry. For being troublesome teachers. "

" No such thing. " Kiyotaka said.

" Anyways, continuing where we left off. The biggest thing bought with points in the past. If I have to say, it would be 'to change the rules of the school'. Of course you can only change it realistically. For instance, you could change the regulations to allow you to arrive at school a minute later than usual and such. "

Karma arch a brow. " So only an example? "

Chabashira glance at Karma. " Dissatisfied? "

" No, it's ok. With this we can more or less understand the school system and the uses of points better. " Kiyotaka said. 

" You could've asked that through mail. You didn't need to call me out for that. "

" Because sending mail to you leaves a record. We'd like to avoid that. " Karma said as he left his body off the railings.

Kiyotaka too turn around with Karma. " We will be asking you for a favor soon. "

As they leave and walk away, Chabashira-sensei for a moment looked at them with uncertainty.

_____________________

Two hours past midnight. Yosuke slowly got off the bed. The duo also grabbed their room's card key and got off the beds. Once he realized they were also awake, he quickly turned to look at them. They told him there's something they needed to talk to him about. He replied that he would be waiting in the corridor.

" Did I wake you or were you already awake, which one is it? " Yosuke ask the two.

" The latter. " Karma simply answered.

" I thought you'd leave the room tonight. " Kiyotaka said.

" Why did you think that? Tonight's the first night I actually left the room at night. "

Karma lean on a nearby wall. " Isn't it just that Karuizawa contacted you tonight? "

" Do you know something? "

" We're in the same group as Karuizawa after all. We don't know to what extent, but more or less we understand the situation. You once told us you wanted us to act as the bridge between you and Suzu-chan, right? "

Yosuke scratch the back of his head. " I see, so you're here because Horikita-san ordered you to, is that it? "

Kiyotaka nod. " Yes. She ordered us to report everything from (Rabbit) group to her, including Karuizawa's situation. So once we heard about Karuizawa's situation and reported back to her, she ordered us to watch you as well. "

" Of course she ordered us to eavesdrop on you, but since you told us to be the bridge between you and her, we thought we'd rather not sneak up on you. This is a chance for us to hear it from you as well. " Karma add after.

Yosuke tilt his head cautiously. " What information does she want? "

" Everything that Hirata knows about Karuizawa and the contents of your talk with her. "

" I'm not sure how much I can tell you, I still need to consider Karuizawa-san's feelings. " Hirata and the dup then started walking down the corridor.

" I'm sure Ayanokouji-kun and Akabane-kun won't say anything unnecessary, but what I'm about to tell you is extremely sensitive information. And there's the possibility Karuizawa-san will simply refuse to talk and go back. I'd just like you to keep those facts in mind. "

___________________

The meeting place was in front of a vending machine on the second floor. 

Kei was already there. At first when she saw him she smiled for a moment, but when she saw them behind Yosuke she quickly lost the smile and it was replaced with an angry expression, but it was most likely because of Kiyotaka.

Karma let out a sympathetic look at Kiyotaka, who is unknowingly hated by a girl.

Kei cross her arms. " I can understand why Karma-kun is here, but why is Ayanokouji-kun together with Hirata-kun? "

Yosuke said assuringly. " It's ok I called them and we came together. "

" Hirata-kun did? ... Why? I told you I wanted to talk to you alone. "

Yosuke sighed. " I know, but I was worried about what Karuizawa-san told me on the phone. So I brought along Ayanokouji-kun and Akabane-kun, who seemed to understand the situation. Sorry for acting alone like this. "

Kei stand helplessly. " But...I still want to talk to you alone... "

" If need be, but you never told me we'd be talking alone on the phone though. You were telling me about the quarrel you had with Manabe-san and her friends from Class C. Is that true? Do Ayanokouji-kun and Akabane-kun already know about your quarrel with Manabe-san and the others? "

Karma chuckled a bit. " Yeah.. "

" From what Karuizawa-san told me, it seems they accused her first. And then dragged her off to an isolated place and were on the verge of attacking her violently. " Yosuke explained.

Kiyotaka nod. " Yes. That's true. We witnessed it. Yukimura also witnessed it. "

" I see... If Manabe-san and the others indeed used violence, then we definitely need to do something about it. I cannot allow friends to use violence against each other. "

Kiyotaka and Karma saw Karuizawa smile at Hirata. But once she realized Kiyotaka was looking at her, she immediately reverted back to her angry expression.

Yosuke then turn to Kei. " Karuizawa-san, you were bullied to the point of not being able to fight back right? "

" No.... "

" I see that's why you told me something like that. " Yosuke nod in understanding but it didn't wash away the worry from his face.

Karma scroll his pupils to Kei. " Something like that? "

" Karuizawa-san told me to stand up for her and get back at Manabe-san and the others. "

Kei rushed. " Why are you telling them all this...? 

" Because this isn't the usual Karuizawa-san. You're not the type to try and fight violence with violence, Karuizawa-san. "

" But she's being bullied right? " Kiyotaka step in. " If you really are her boyfriend, then you have an obligation to save her. "

Yosuke declined. " Yes, I know that's the case. But I don't believe in that eye-for-an-eye talk. You know don't you? Let's think about it together then, how to get along with Manabe-san and her group! "

Kei gave Yosuke a pleading look. " That's impossible. I was one-sidedly attacked by them. Please understand... "

" One-sided? Wasn't it because you bullied Morofuji-san first, Karuizawa-san? "

" But that's...I had no other choice...Shinohara-san and the others were watching me. "

Kiyotaka raise a brow. " So basically because Shinohara was there, you had no other choice, is that what you mean? "

Kei send a glare at Kiyotaka. " You shut your mouth! I beg you, please save me...Hirata-kun you'll protect me right? "

Yosuke still looked troubled. " Of course I intend to protect you, but I won't do anything to Manabe-san and the others as well. I'll try and find a way for you to talk with each other and get along together. "

" I'm telling you that's impossible! If things were that easy I wouldn't even ask you to help me in the first place. " Kei nudge harder.

Yosuke then argued back. " It doesn't matter what the reason is, I cannot do what you expect me to do. For me, Karuizawa-san is indeed a precious classmate. If there's something troubling you I'll protect you. But whatever the reason, I won't hurt someone else either. Even if it's a student of Class C. "

" You liar! You told me you'd protect me! " Kei trembled as she tightened her fist.

" Liar? " Yosuke slightly glared. " I told you from the start I would take this stance. I told you from the start, didn't I? That we are not boyfriend and girlfriend. Not for real. I don't mind pretending to date you, but I won't help you like this and you won't be able to depend on me. " 

" ...Why are you telling me this now? "

" I thought to save you, a new approach was required. " Yosuke then approached Kei. 

" Are you saying...I need to use violence myself? "

Yosuke's face stayed serious. " I didn't say that. I will do my best to save you. In the morning, I intend to have a chat with Manabe-san and the others. To ask her to stop bothering Karuizawa-san. You might not like it, but I intend to tell them you wanted to apologize to them. "

Kei shake her head aggressively. " That's not what I want! "

" I see. If that's the case then there's nothing I can do for you. Sorry about that. Akabane-kun, Ayanokouji-kun, if you have any ideas please tell us. " A sigh escaped Yosuke lips as he said.

" No need! If you're not going to listen to my request, then I don't need someone like you! " Kei shouted that while kicking a can of juice from the vending machine down the corridor.

* Clank! Bang!

" Our relationship ends here today. It's over! " Despite Kei running away, Yosuke did not show any signs of chasing after her.

Instead he turn to the two witnesses. " ... Ayanokouji-kun, Akabane-kun there are certain things that I cannot do. That is why you're here right now; I'd like you to understand that. "

Karma scratch his head. " You seem to want to be more than a bridge that connects everyone; That's quite selfish of you. You're everyone's ally right? "

" Yes. I'm on Karuizawa-san's side and I'm also on Akabane-kun and Ayanokouji-kun's side. But depending on who I'm talking to, I also end up changing my attitude. You're far more capable than what everyone else thinks. "

" You're praising us too much. " Kiyotaka said.

" Really, I'm quite confident in reading the feelings of other people. That's why I can tell. " Yosuke stated.

Karma place his hands in pockets as he stare directly at Yosuke. " Firstly, we'd like to ask about your relationship with Karuizawa. It looks like your relationship with her is just a front, and not real. " 

" That turn of phrase, it seems you two already suspected this? "

" It's been almost four months since you started going out with Karuizawa. But I haven't seen any signs of your relationship having progressed since then. " Kiyotka explained. " Of course, you could consider the option that you are maintaining a pure and platonic relationship with her. But you've always been keeping your distance from her, and you're still calling each other by your last names. "

Yosuke sighed as he idle on the corner. " That's right. We weren't really dating. We only went out with each other because we felt it was necessary. Do you understand the contradiction here? "

Kiyotaka nod. " The rumors started roughly three weeks after the start of semester, and from that point onwards Karuizawa's popularity soared. "

Karma understand completely. " So you pretended to be Karuizawa's boyfriend to help raise her status. "

Yosuke smiled at them.

' So what exactly—was the trigger that caused her to approach Machida? '

Kiyotaka close his eyes. ' Now I finally feel like I understand the girl named Karuizawa Kei. 'To protect herself' huh? '

Yosuke gave a slight chukle. " You understand now don't you? To be honest when I heard this answer from you, I had goosebumps. "

" We just heard it from Horikita, that's all, that Karuizawa has her own reasons for using Hirata and the others. " 

" Ayanokouji-kun, Akabane-kun if I had to tell you honestly...it might sound rude but I find you creepy. Like an ominous existence. If I've offended you I apologize. "

Karma curiously raise his head as he fiddle the hem of his shirt. " Ominous? I can understand that if it's me, but why do you think Ayano-kun is like that? "

" I've been looking at you two ever since the school year started. Akabane-kun didn't change much, but Ayanokouji-kun then and the Ayanokouji-kun now are like different people. The presence you emit, and the words you use. Almost like you're a different person than usual. "

' So he noticed, huh. ' Karma wasn't suprised, Kiyotaka does slowly show his own sense of character the more he stayed with him.

" But I do think you're still amazing, Ayanokouji-kun, Akabane-kun. You're different from Ike-kun or Yamauchi-kun. " Yosuke said with a harmless grin.

" I'm inferior to both of them. " Kiyotaka said.

That sentence alone made Karma want to snort.

" Even if you two are only following Horikita-san's orders, it's still you who's talking to me right now. It's not like the conversation will include only the details of her order. To adapt to the flow of the conversation takes clear logic. It's not something you can simply think up overnight. It's something you said, but the reason I accepted Karuizawa-san's request to be her boyfriend was to help her 'protect herself'. That's what she requested. That she wants me to save her. It might be hard for you to believe but, throughout her elementary and middle school years, for 9 whole years. She received a horrifying amount of bullying. " 

As Yosuke finished confessing, he gave a guilty expression.

" We don't doubt you, but this story is real isn't it? " Karma ask.

" Of course I only met Karuizawa-san after she entered this school, but I do understand. I know the look and smell and presence of a person who's been a victim of bullying. That's why I agreed to go out with her. By using her position as my girlfriend, Karuizawa-san would be able to escape her past of being bullied. I think right now, the attitude she has isn't the real Karuizawa-san. She's desperately trying to act tough isn't she? " 

Kiyotaka felt more curious. " We can understand that now more or less, but wait, what are the benefits of doing this for you? "

Yosuke blink. " Benefit? That would be Karuizawa-san living her high school life without being bullied. That's all. Won't you believe me? If that's my only reason. "

Karma watch as Yosuke walk towards the vending machine. " It's not that we distrust you, but there's a deeper meaning behind that isn't there? "

As Yosuke bought the canned drinks, he then toss them each to Kiyotaka and Karma.

" Until my second year of middle school, if I have to honestly say I was an average guy who didn't stand out much. "

' I can't imagine that.. ' 

Yosuke noticed the hesitant glance at both boys as he chuckled lightly. 

" I didn't stand out too much, but I also wasn't invisible. I had a friend I got along with really well ever since I was a kid named Sugimura-kun. For six years in elementary school we were together in the same class. When we entered middle school, for the first time, we were separated into different classes. I began playing with boys from my new class. It's a normal story you could've heard anywhere.

 But you see...even though I was busy playing with my friends. In the back, Sugimura-kun was actually being bullied. Sugimura-kun sent me an SOS many, many times. But I instead prioritized playing with my new friends and never took him seriously. When we both became 2nd year students, we reunited with each other. And by that time, Sugimura-kun's had become heartbroken. He was not even allowed to go to the toilet and forced to leak in the middle of class. That sort of thing became routine... 

I didn't do anything. I was too afraid that I would become the new target. I was afraid that my enjoyable life would then be destroyed...and towards Sugimura-kun who'd always been together with me, I continued to pretend to not see him. I believed that one day the bullies would get bored of him.

Karma became more intrigued in the story. " And that Sugimura person...what happened to him in the end? "

" Even now the memory of that day is burned into my head. After morning soccer practice, I returned to my classroom. And there, I saw Sugimura-kun and decided to wait until going in. Honestly, at the time, I felt uncomfortable. I could not help but think cruel thoughts like I would be bullied along with him. Perhaps Sugimura-kun also saw my ugly heart, but he didn't say anything. But almost like a plea for help...that day in the middle of class, he jumped out the window. "

" Jumped out? " Kiyotaka repeats.

" Is he dead? " Karma ask.