Do you know the term contrapunctus?
It's a musical theory also known as counterpoint, but in recent years, it has come to be used as an expression technique in film. And I'm here to talk about the latter.
To put it simply, you've probably seen it before—a relaxed piece of music, like a classical tune, playing during a cruel scene, such as a psychopath or a serial killer committing a murder. That's it.
By deliberately inserting a sense of ease into a tense scene, the tension is amplified. A famous example is how it was used in Evangelion.
On a different note, Bach's cantata is currently playing in my head. If you look it up on YouTube or something, you'll find that everyone has heard it at least once. It was used in a commercial a while back.
Now, if you're a discerning reader, you've probably already guessed what kind of situation I'm in from the way I've set the stage, haven't you?
After a long bout of escapism, I returned to reality. In front of me, Arisu-chan was staring at me with cold eyes.
"Is there anything you would like to say before you go, Tsugumi-kun?"
This is my personal theory, but a love triangle with a woman is a hundred times scarier than any serial killer.
"Um... Arisu-chan?"
"Yes? It's not time to leave the room yet, is it?"
"No... that's not it."
After finishing breakfast, we would normally be chatting, but we've had the same conversation about three times in the past few minutes.
"If there's something you want to say, why don't you say it clearly? I have nothing to say, especially."
And then, silence again... Now, what should I do?
Honestly, if you ask whose fault this is, it's 100:0 in my favor.
I had been sleeping on the floor, but with everything going on, I completely forgot that Arisu-chan was coming over in the morning. And when Arisu-chan came into the room with her spare key, she was furious. The first thing that woke me up was a blow from her cane. A two-piece set to the throat and groin. And with that commotion, Horikita-san woke up, and that's where the real problem started.
"It's noisy in the morning."
"Horikita-san! I'm sorry, it seems my childhood friend misunderstood something. Could you please testify that nothing happened?"
"Misunderstanding? What kind of misunderstanding could there be when a man and a woman sleep in the same room? Or are you saying that she doesn't have the charm to assault you?"
Well, that was the exchange. Just when I thought things were going to be resolved, Horikita-san, who was annoyed by her words, retorted.
"...He didn't assault me, but Saito-kun mumbled that he wanted to make a child with me."
Horikita-san's remark, which instead of putting out the fire, poured gasoline on it, made the situation even more heated. It would have been better if they were the type to curse each other viciously, but it was the opposite, and it was so awkward it was awful.
"If I had held Horikita-san, it would be weird for me to be sleeping on the floor, and she wouldn't normally wear her uniform, right? If that were the case, I would have lent her my pajamas."
Finally, by stating the obvious truth, the situation was resolved. However, Horikita-san, who had gone through such a heavy exchange in the morning, left the room without listening to me at all.
And what was left was a furious Arisu-chan. What should I do? I'm sure I'll die if she stops talking to me. While I was thinking that, Arisu-chan, who had been silent all this time, began to speak bit by bit.
"...Honestly, I never thought you would assault her, Tsugumi-kun. I was just surprised when I entered the room."
"I'm sorry..."
I wanted to object to the word "assault," but it was completely my fault, so I kept my mouth shut.
"However, I can't overlook that remark. What on earth did you say to make her misunderstand like that?"
Ah... I think I said something similar at the end. However, it was because Horikita-san looked so endearing, like a small child, and there was no other intention. When I explained that, Arisu-chan looked down at the table in front of her and sighed.
"I'm dumbfounded. You really are a woman's enemy, aren't you, Tsugumi-kun?"
"I'm sorry..."
The only word I could utter was an apology.
"...Given the nature of this school, it's probably impossible to crush her right away."
"Huh? Did you say something?"
"No, it was nothing."
Anyway, I have to apologize to Horikita-san too... I'm so depressed.
"Tsugumi, can I have a word?"
"Hmm, what's up, Ayanokoji-kun?"
Perhaps because of the awkwardness of the morning, Ayanokoji-kun, who I was indebted to for the study session, came to talk to me when I arrived at the classroom a little early. None of the members from the study session yesterday had arrived yet.
He must have a tough time, too. After all, he gathered all the members, including Kushida-san, only for them to fall apart in one day.
"It's about Kushida—"
"...Seriously?"
Ayanokoji-kun told me what happened. After I left, Horikita-san and Kushida-san got into an argument. I could pretty much imagine the situation. Horikita-san probably got angry when her attitude was pointed out.
What Ayanokoji-kun saw when he went to apologize to the angry Kushida-san was Kushida-san bad-mouthing Horikita-san fiercely. So the benevolent Kushida Kikyo everyone sees is just a mask, and underneath, she's a malicious woman who curses others.
"—And then you were found out, and she threatened you not to tell anyone?"
"Yeah, something like that."
That's unexpected. I thought Ayanokoji-kun would never tell anyone.
"...You're already telling me, are you sure?"
"Yeah. I've judged that the benefit of having you, who has the same influence as Kushida, on my side outweighs the disadvantage of telling you."
No, this is the type that even Ayanokoji-kun himself doesn't fully understand. At first glance, it seems like a rational decision, but considering the risks, it's definitely better to keep silent. So...
"You trust me? Thank you, Ayanokoji-kun."
"Yeah. Just make sure no one finds out."
This must mean he's testing me. He has a desire to trust me, but he's testing me because he doesn't know if I'm worthy of it. And it's more natural to assume that he has a backup plan in case I betray him.
...Come to think of it, I feel like we had a conversation like that the other day.
"Ayanokoji-kun. If you're ever threatened by Chabashira-sensei again or get into a fight with a girl, you should immediately record it, or at the very least, audio-record it. Just like with false accusations of groping, men are basically at a disadvantage unless they have evidence."
"I-is that so? I understand. I'll keep that in mind."
...You managed to record it properly, Ayanokoji-kun.
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