(Ryuuen Kakeru, POV)

"That will be all for now," said Sakagami-sensei. "I'm going to remind you all now to be on your best behavior, even during this vacation, make good use of your time, and do not abandon your studies."

I took a nice, long stretch in my seat, looking at my phone as his meaningless words floated through my ears.

Classes were done today. The last day of the second semester. We would be free.

Club activities were put to a halt today, meaning there would be little to no students left in the building.

The perfect opportunity for me.

"It's going to be a real surprise. I've eliminated everyone I can, but this bastard eluded me every time," I muttered as my arm covered my forehead. I was down to my last, desperate attempt to uncover this individual. Personally, it would have been more satisfying for me to figure out who 'X' is without using Karuizawa. But I don't care much anymore about my methods.

This makes it more fun for me.

My blood was boiling on the inside from excitement. I could barely sleep for the past few nights from the buzz coursing through me.

My opportunity to unmask 'X' had finally come.

The person who had me dancing in the palm of their hand on multiple occasions. The person whom I had unknowingly come to admire.

The sweet taste of uncovering their identity would be mine alone. And the ultimate victory of crushing this phenomenon would be mine alone. What a feeling that would be.

I'd taken precautionary steps after the Paper Shuffle Exam. Enlisting every member of Class C to spy on targets I had assigned to them. This method was successful until this Class D punks caught on, but I didn't mind too much. The mental torment of knowing I was always watching them was crucial.

Making 'X' spend their last days in fear; cowering from my presence was what I wanted.

Yet, he still used those hollow leaders like Fukumoto and Suzune to avoid my gaze.

Which only meant I'd have to dive deeper.

Which led me to Karuizawa. I had made it abundantly clear to 'X' that I would target her to put them on edge. Wondering what Karuizawa had spilled to me, constantly living in fear of me. It was time for me to corner them, to see their paranoid and helpless face as I exposed them.

Students began to filter out of the classroom from dismissal. But time only seemed to slow down for me. I hadn't felt this kind of exhilaration in a long time.

Ibuki asked me once why I was risking so much to identify this 'X'. She told me it was a meaningless task. She was right, I only wanted to discover their identity. But after fighting Class D and discovering this mastermind, it was because this person thought and moved like me that fascinated me.

"Ryuuen-kun," said my desk mate, Shiina Hiyori.

"What?"

"Everyone seems to be on edge today, don't they?" She said while scanning the students who remained in the classroom. "What are you planning to do?"

"The stage has been set, and I'm going to put on a great show. Wanna see how it unfolds?" I asked.

Hiyori stood up from her desk as she grabbed her book bag. "I'm sorry, but I must decline your offer. I don't see the fun in it."

"Everyone gets their own enjoyment out of life."

"I suppose so... I'll be in the library. If you have any trouble, feel free to contact me."

"And what would you even do?"

"I suppose there isn't much I can do. Well, have a nice winter vacation," Hiyori said as she disappeared from the classroom.

"It's time, right, Ryuuen-san?" Ishizaki approached me immediately.

"Let's make the most of today," I replied.

I handed Ishizaki a bag, and Ibuki and Albert followed along. I didn't need a large number of people for this plan, just people who would stay quiet. Because we were about to do something that would rock this school to its core.

"Where are we going? What's even your stupid plan?" Ibuki cried.

I kept this plan to myself. To eliminate the chance of spies like Manabe cropping up again.

"Why? Are you concerned?"

"I hate being dragged along by a guy like you."

"Ibuki, do you remember Karuizawa? She's the reason Manabe and her friends were forced into spying on us for Class D."

"Seriously? That loud, idiotic girl from Class D?" Ibuki seemed to recall her time on the island with Class D.

"I sent her a message to meet on the rooftop. She knows I was the one who sent her the message."

"Why the hell would she actually come to the rooftop if you asked her to?" Ibuki questioned.

"She'll show. After all, I threatened to expose her past."

A pathetic past of being bullied would scare anyone if it went public, especially someone in Karuizawa's position, who was a leader within her class.

"So even if she does show up, do you expect her to spill right away?"

"No, not at all. I assume Karuizawa and 'X' struck a deal. Something along the lines of that 'X' will protect her no matter what," I replied.

"So what do you plan to do if you can't get her to expose 'X's identity?" asked Ishizaki.

"From what I've been told, Karuizawa has been bullied quite viscously in the past. I'll make sure those feelings of trauma are cropped up once again during our meeting. People tend to break when thrust into those nostalgic situations. We'll be putting on a great show."

"That's insane!" said Ibuki. "A bunch of us ganging up on and bullying a girl? Aren't there cameras on the rooftop anyways?"

"Don't worry. I have a plan for that," I said as I began to ascend the stairs to the rooftop.

Ibuki and Ishizaki lagged behind me.

"You can run now if you like," I called out to them.

"N-no, I'll stay with you, Ryuuen-san."

"If anything starts to seem dangerous, I'm leaving right away," Ibuki said. But deep down, I knew her curiosity about identifying 'X' had a strong hold over her.

Now, the plan was set in motion. With Ibuki, Albert, Ishizaki, and myself on the rooftop. The time was nearly upon us.

I swiped the bag I gave to Ishizaki from his hand and grabbed the tool I needed to set up this plan.

Opening the door to the rooftop, I stood directly below the doorframe, taking the black spray paint, I aimed it at the security camera that sat there.

The camera was perfectly placed to view the entire rooftop, but with some simple spray paint, the job was done.

"There. Now no one will be able to see what we do up here," I said. "Albert, remain on standby down the stairs. When Karuizawa comes, let her pass. If anyone is making an unexpected visit, call me right away."

Albert quickly nodded and went back downstairs.

"You painted over the camera?" asked Ibuki. "Isn't that punishable?"

"It's only a simple prank. I've done my research."

"She better show up now."

"Don't worry. This is a matter of life and death for her."

~~~

After a few minutes of waiting. The doors to the rooftop slowly opened.

Our first guest had finally arrived.

"Yo, Karuizawa," I called out to her.

Her movements were rigid. She was definitely on guard and worried, but she still came. It showed how worried she was about the truth being exposed.

"I'm so glad you could make it."

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(Karuizawa Kei, POV)

"I knew you'd come," Ryuuen called out to me as I stood on the rooftop.

"That message you sent me, what's it supposed to mean?" I asked.

His message had threatened to expose my past if I didn't meet him here. But I had a suspicious feeling that the reason for me being here wasn't just to threaten me.

"It's nothing of importance now. I also suppose you told no one of this meeting like I asked? What am I saying, I'm sure you wouldn't let anyone know about your troubled past, right?"

"Look, I don't really have a clue as to why I'm here, but it's cold, so I wanna finish this quickly, alright?" I tried rubbing my arm to emphasize my statement.

What I was really trying to do was find out Ryuuen's intentions from this meeting.

Having worked with Kiyotaka for so long now, I became aware of Class D's biggest enemy at the moment. And he was standing right in front of me. I knew my chances of getting anything out of him were slim, but he didn't consider me a threat at all. With his guard down, if I played my cards right, I could squeeze out some valuable information from him.

"Well, why come here then?" Ryuuen asked.

"Well... I didn't want the chance of my history leaking, that's all. I didn't want lies to spread."

I had a goal in mind for this meeting. But I couldn't help but shake in the presence of Ryuuen.

The thought of Kiyotaka abandoning me still lingered in my mind. Making me lose face every second I stood on this roof.

"Lies. There are no lies here. Everyone knows about your past here," said Ryuuen.

I was feeling more and more defenseless as I talked to Ryuuen. I was starting to feel hopeless.

"If anything, you should be blaming yourself. After all, you let Manabe and her gang learn about your past."

"What... what do you get out of threatening me?" I asked with shakiness in each of my words.

"Alright, Ryuuen. She might have some trick up her sleeve, or she might tell the school. We don't want to get carried away," Ibuki said.

"Karuizawa's powerless here," Ryuuen snapped back. "All she can do is rely on 'X'. No matter how she tries to expose us, she ends up exposing herself, which is her number one fear."

"But-"

"Shut up."

The only reason why I was forced to come here was because Ryuuen had gotten information about my past. If I wasn't so scared of losing the reputation that I painstakingly built at this new school; I wouldn't have cared as much.

But I didn't want to return to my old life. I had a new image and chance at life. I didn't want it to be trampled so early on.

"Fine. Let's cut to the chance," Ryuuen snapped me back to attention. "You don't want to be here long. I want some information that you have. Simply tell me who's been protecting you, and we'll move on."

"What do you mean?" I asked, slightly upset. Had Ryuuen figured out my connection to the person he was looking for?

"The person who saved you from Manabe."

"I don't know..."

"Stop hiding, Karuizawa. I've got proof."

"What?"

"How do you think 'X' protected you? They threatened to expose Manabe and her friends for bullying you. Then forced them to betray me during the Sports Festival."

"What do you mean? I have no clue..."

This was the first time I had heard of Kiyotaka using Manabe against Ryuuen. How could he have threatened them-.

"Ah. Your eyes seem shifty now. Is this the first time you learned about the Sports Festival?"

What was going on now? What had Kiyotaka really been doing?

"All I need is a name, Karuizawa. I could care less about your stupid past."

"I seriously know nothing. It's too cold out here," I replied.

"It sure is cold, isn't it? But, if you insist on covering for 'X', I'm going to expose your past, it's my only option."

"I..."

"No use in fighting me. No matter what, you'd never beat me."

"Even if Class D had someone like that, how do you know if the name I give you is truly that person?"

"She's right, Ryuuen-san. We won't now-."

Ryuuen shot one of his classmates a death stare in response.

"All I need you to do is tell me who 'X' is, plain and simple," said Ryuuen.

"Who's to say now that we are in this position 'X' will challenge you again? Won't they be far more cautious now that you've made these bold moves?" I asked.

Ryuuen sighed in response. "You're smarter than you look, Karuizawa. But I simply need their name, and we can go on our merry way."

"You're threats aren't working, Ryuuen. You are going to have to try a different approach if you intend to make me talk," I took a bold and risky move, almost forcing him into action now.

"Ibuki, hold her down."

I took a shocked look toward Ibuki, who was equally surprised at his request.

"Why me? Why can't you do it? I don't want to be associated if something goes wrong."

Ryuuen grabbed Ibuki's arm harshly and pulled her closer. "This is your time to fulfill your duties for me. After failing again and again, don't you want to amend those mistakes?"

"Tch..." Ibuki clicked her tongue in response and shook her arm free from Ryuuen's grasp.

"W-what?" my voice squeaked in response.

"We've all got our own problems to deal with," Ibuki took a step around me and forced my hands behind my back.

"Ouch! Hey, stop that!"

"How pathetic," Ryuuen looked at me for a moment. "Ishizaki, take those buckets and fill them with water. Start with two."

The boy named Ishizaki looked worried for a moment but immediately scampered through the rooftop door to fetch buckets of water.

"Now, let's enjoy ourselves until Ishizaki gets back," said Ryuuen.

No.

No.

No...

This situation was beginning to feel all too familiar. My feeling of helplessness and loneliness, the looming threat over me. This is what I hated the most.

"No!" I started to scream and try to kick out of Ibuki's grasp. "If you do anything to me, I'll tell everyone!"

"I assume 'X' promised to keep you safe from situations like this, right?"

My eyes started to dart around the area, hoping for something, anyone, to save me.

Kiyotaka promised to protect me no matter what. He can't abandon me now. He wouldn't be so heartless to let me go now.

"You must spend your days in fear, cowering from who you really are. If your history had become known, people besides Manabe would start targeting you, correct? But you've come this far with only one issue, why's that?"

"Because of 'X'?" asked Ibuki.

"Precisely. But that wasn't until recently. Before, it was Hirata, correct? The pretend boyfriend."

"W-what do you mean... you're wrong..." I could feel my pupils dilating and my heart racing at his every word.

"It's best not to lie to me, Karuizawa."

"How would you know that, Ryuuen?" Ibuki said.

"Experience. We've all dealt with our fair share of rotten people in life."

Suddenly, the door to the rooftop burst open, and a tired Ishizaki walked through with a heavy bucket of water in each hand.

"Ugh... Sorry... to keep... you waiting."

"Time to get my experiment underway," said Ryuuen.

At the sight of the two water buckets, all I could do was shiver. Not just from the cold being atop the roof. But the shiver was caused by the trauma of my early life.

"Trauma is easily awakened through the senses, rather than words," Ryuuen stated as he made a signal toward Ishizaki.

Ibuki suddenly pushed herself away from me, and Ishizaki followed quickly, as he dumped one of the massive buckets of water on my head.

"Ah!" I let out a pathetic scream as I collapsed to the floor. Shivering from the cold, completely chilled to the bone.

I tried to hug myself to contain any heat I was losing, but it wasn't working.

"Do you remember how you were baptized like this at your previous school?" asked Ryuuen.

"N-no!" I covered my ears, trembling from fear.

Ryuuen crouched down to my level and started to record me with his phone. "Come on, Karuizawa! If you don't talk, I'll circulate this video throughout the entire school! Your reputation will be ruined!"

That was probably a lie, but I was more focused on the situation at hand to do anything else.

"Scream! Beg for mercy!" Ryuuen kept taunting me.

"N-no!" I managed to squeak out.

Ryuuen viciously grabbed me by my bangs and forced me to look at him. "Here's the thing about human nature. People don't change. Whatever you're born to be, you are for the rest of your life. You were born to be bullied, not to bully."

He picked up another large bucket of freezing water and dumped it on me.

I screamed once again as the rush of cold enveloped my body. All I could do was curl into a ball and wait.

Wait and hope that someone will save me.

Ryuuen's pawn went to get more buckets of water as this torment continued.

"Just tell me who's protecting you! That's all I need," demanded Ryuuen.

"No one... there's no one!" I screamed back as I violently shook my head.

"Fine. Guess this isn't enough for you yet," Ryuuen yanked me by my arm. "This may not be even close to what you've experienced, so you're forcing me to ramp things up now."

Ibuki seemed to mutter a few words to Ryuuen, but I wasn't able to hear anything.

I was freezing. The icy water dripped from my hair and soaked my clothes. They continued to dump water on me.

I was chilled to my heart.

"Make things easier on yourself, Karuizawa," Ryuuen sneered.

I could tell him of Kiyotaka. It might save me here, but would it save me in the future?

All I could do was hold onto hope. Kiyotaka wouldn't leave me, he wouldn't break his promise, that was all I had left. My final defense against the darkness in front of me.

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AN's:

hi everyone once again!

Im v happy to be posting a chapter again after a long break lol

unfortunately midterms had happened alot so i needed to prepare which took away time from writing this story

but i'll still continue to write and add to here, it may just be awhile sometimes.

i thank you for all your support on every chapter it means a whole lot to me:)

and heres your APPLE FACT

One of George Washington's hobbies was pruning his apple tree

until next time, legends