The cold walls of the convenience store seemed to seep a chill into Hachiman Hikigaya's very marrow. He watched helplessly as Kaori Orimoto, like a moth to a flame, joyfully saved Kanjuro's number. That ominous feeling in his heart grew wildly like vines. After struggling with himself for a long time, he still couldn't sit idly by. Under the cover of night, he dialed Kaori Orimoto's number.
"Hello? Hikigaya?" Kaori Orimoto's cheerful voice came from the other end, seemingly still carrying a lingering smile.
"Kaori," Hachiman's voice was dry and serious, "listen to me. Stay away from that Kanjuro. He's really... dangerous."
There was a brief silence on the other end, followed by an outburst of unshielded mockery: "Huh? Hikigaya, are you okay? Is it because Kanjuro-kun is so handsome and such a good person that you're jealous? Please, just because you have no social life, don't stop others from making friends, okay? How disgusting!"
"I'm not..." Hachiman tried to explain, but the words died in his throat. He knew that right now, no matter what he said, to a Kaori Orimoto whose head was clouded by Kanjuro's charm, it would only sound like the laughable remarks of a sour grapes mentality.
"Fine, fine, I get it. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up. Don't say such boring things in the future." Kaori Orimoto interrupted him impatiently and then hung up.
Listening to the busy tone, Hachiman let his hand drop weakly and gave a self-deprecating laugh. As expected, he was just asking for trouble. He was clearly best at minding his own business, so why did he have to touch that obvious forbidden zone for the sake of a girl he'd only exchanged a few words with in middle school?
The next day, the classroom was still filled with that suffocating, bizarre atmosphere centered around Kanjuro. He keenly noticed that Yui Yuigahama seemed to be avoiding Kanjuro even more deliberately. Whenever Kanjuro approached, she would quickly dodge away like a startled fawn, her eyes filled with unspeakable pain and fear.
(She... must know something.)
(Maybe... she can tell me what kind of person Kanjuro actually is?)
A nameless impulse, mixed with concern for Kaori Orimoto's future, gave Hachiman the courage for the first time. During lunch break, he took advantage of Yui Yuigahama standing alone by the corridor window and walked over.
"Classmate Yuigahama..." he spoke in a low voice.
Yui Yuigahama was startled and turned around. Seeing it was him, a flash of panic crossed her eyes, but she quickly feigned composure. "Ah, Classmate Hikigaya, is something the matter?"
"That... about Kanjuro..." Hachiman weighed his words, asking cautiously, "Is he... does he have some..."
Before he could finish, Yui Yuigahama's face instantly turned pale. She shook her head violently, her voice interrupting him with urgency: "Classmate Hikigaya! Some things... are not for you to know! And... it's better if you don't know!"
Her reaction was so intense, carrying a fear that was almost a plea, as if saying: Don't ask anymore, stay away, for your own good!
Hachiman looked at the deep fear in her eyes, and all the questions he wanted to ask got stuck in his throat. He understood; it wasn't that Yui Yuigahama didn't want to speak, but that she didn't dare to. Perhaps... she was even protecting him.
He sighed, nodded, and didn't press further. He thought to himself: (If it weren't for that idiot Kaori Orimoto... I really wouldn't want to meddle in any more business...)
However, just as he turned to leave, a gentle voice that sounded like a nightmare rang out behind him:
"Classmate Hikigaya, what's wrong? You look like you have something on your mind. Interested in playing some basketball together?"
Kanjuro had appeared in the corridor at some unknown time, wearing that signature, harmlessly gentle smile, as if he were merely making a common invitation between classmates.
Hachiman's body instantly stiffened. Basketball? He could almost immediately imagine the scene on the court where Kanjuro would use absolute strength and elegant posture to toy with him and humiliate him until he was utterly embarrassed. This wasn't an invitation at all; it was another form of high-handed mockery and an assertion of dominance.
Almost instinctively, he used all his strength to squeeze out a humble smile, waving his hands repeatedly in refusal. "N-No need! Thank you, Kanjuro-kun! My motor skills are terrible, I won't go and make a fool of myself! You have fun!"
His refusal immediately drew a sneer from Yumiko Miura nearby. "Hmph, at least you have some self-awareness! With that look of yours, you think you're worthy of playing ball with my husband? Don't make me laugh!"
This merciless mockery made Hachiman hang his head even lower, his face burning hot.
"Yumiko!" Yui Yuigahama couldn't help but speak up, wanting to stop her, her tone carrying a hint of unfairness.
"What? Yuigahama, you want to stand up for him too?" Yumiko Miura immediately turned her spearhead toward her, her gaze contemptuous. "A stray dog that nobody wants and a weakling who can't even protect himself—you really are a perfect match!"
Yui Yuigahama was left speechless, her face turning red, and her eyes instantly grew moist.
"Alright, Yumiko." Kanjuro spoke at the right time. His voice was still gentle, yet it carried an invisible pressure that instantly silenced Yumiko Miura, who had wanted to say more. He looked at Hachiman and Yui, his lips curled in that inscrutable smile. "Let's not argue, everyone. Classmate Hikigaya is just a bit introverted. Since he doesn't want to play ball, then let's forget it."
His light remark made it seem as if all the mockery and conflict from just now had never happened. The surrounding students, who had been watching the scene, also immediately composed themselves, not daring to say another word.
Kanjuro stopped looking at them and led Yumiko and the others away.
Hachiman Hikigaya remained standing there with his head lowered, his body trembling almost imperceptibly. He felt like a wild rabbit being stared down by a fierce tiger. Before the other's absolute power and control, any reaction—whether resistance, escape, or humble submission—seemed so laughable and futile. Kanjuro's seemingly helpful words just now gave him a bone-chilling coldness more than direct humiliation. It was a fear that went deep into his marrow, brought about by being completely seen through and controlled, where even his struggles were treated as nothing.
In front of Kanjuro, he really was like a pitiful dog that could only shiver, lacking even the courage to bark. And this realization filled him with utter despair and self-loathing.
At the school gate after school, the setting sun stretched the shadows of three people very long. Kanjuro stood in the middle, with Yumiko Miura intimately holding his left arm, while Hina Ebina stood quietly slightly behind him on his right, her gaze as docile as a tamed cat. They were waiting for someone.
Before long, Kaori Orimoto came running over, out of breath, her face wearing carefully applied makeup and an expectant smile. However, when she saw Yumiko Miura and Hina Ebina standing on either side of Kanjuro, her smile stiffened for a moment.
"Kanjuro-kun..." She gave a somewhat awkward greeting, her eyes shifting between Yumiko and Ebina with a clear hint. "Um... I... I was wondering... if I could... talk to you alone..."
Before she could finish, Kanjuro gave a knowing smile, his tone relaxed and natural as if discussing the weather. "Alone? There's no need. Yumiko and Hina aren't outsiders." He applied a slight pressure with his arm, pulling Yumiko closer to himself, while signaling to Ebina with his eyes. The latter immediately gave a submissive, slight nod.
Kanjuro's gaze returned to Kaori Orimoto's face. Those deep eyes carried a playful look that saw through everything. His tone was gentle, yet every word was like a needle: "They are both my girlfriends. Why, Kaori, you asked me out specifically... don't tell me you don't want to join them?"
"W-What?!" Kaori Orimoto's eyes widened suddenly, and her cheeks instantly flushed crimson as if she had been greatly insulted. "Kanjuro-kun! What kind of person do you take me for?! How could I... how could I share with other girls..." She was so angry she was incoherent, feeling that her feelings had been completely defiled.
"Oh? Is that so?" Kanjuro raised an eyebrow, the smile on his face unchanging, but his tone carried a hint of mocking certainty. "But I heard that what you like, Kaori, are boys who are handsome, popular, and can bring you status and attention. As for how many women this boy has outside, essentially, you don't really mind, do you? What you want is that feeling of standing next to the center of attention, isn't it?"
These words were like the sharpest surgical knife, precisely dissecting the vanity in Kaori Orimoto's subconscious that she didn't even want to admit to herself. Her face turned from red to white, her lips trembling as she wanted to retort, but for a moment, she couldn't find any powerful words.
"Hmph!" Yumiko Miura let out a disdainful snort at the right time, looking Kaori Orimoto up and down with a contemptuous gaze. "Vulgar woman! You only see the surface glamour; you don't understand what true love is at all!" Internally, however, she was thinking distortedly: (Even if Kanjuro were my biological father, I could cast aside all worldly concepts for him! How can your shallow liking compare to me?)
Hina Ebina pushed up her glasses and didn't speak, only looking at Kanjuro with a gaze of near-worship and absolute obedience, as if proving she was the one who was "more sensible" and "more loyal."
Kaori Orimoto was stung by Kanjuro's blunt words and the unshielded hostility and "superiority" of the two girls. She gritted her teeth; her self-respect made it impossible for her to accept such a positioning and humiliation.
"I'm not the kind of woman you think I am!" she shouted back, with the shame and anger of being exposed, turning around to leave this place that made her feel embarrassed.
However, the instant she stepped out, Kanjuro, as if nothing had happened, turned his head and said to Yumiko in a volume that was neither loud nor soft, but just enough for her to hear clearly:
"By the way, Yumiko, what do you want to eat tonight? I heard a new French restaurant opened in Ginza. The head chef is from a Michelin three-star background, the environment is nice, and it's about a hundred thousand yen per person. After eating, we can go sit at the rooftop bar and look at the night view."
Yumiko Miura immediately cooperated with a surprised expression, her voice cloyingly sweet: "Really, hubby? You're the best! I'll listen to whatever you say!"
Ebina also whispered in agreement, "Whatever Lord Kanjuro decides is fine."
Kaori Orimoto, who was about to leave, suddenly stopped in her tracks as if her feet were nailed to the ground.
Ginza... Michelin three-star chef... a hundred thousand yen per person... rooftop bar night view... These words were like keys, instantly opening the door in the depths of her heart labeled "Desire" and "Vanity." She could almost see herself wearing an expensive dress, sitting elegantly in such a high-class restaurant, enjoying the envious gazes of those around her, becoming a part of that glamorous world... and all of this, only Kanjuro could give her.
The anger and humiliation from moments ago began to rapidly dissolve in the face of such concrete and tempting material prospects. In its place arose a strong sense of jealousy—jealousy that Yumiko and Ebina could enjoy all of this as a matter of course; and an even more burning desire—a desire to become one of them herself, to step into that 'high society' she had always dreamed of.
Her back stiffened as she stopped in place, her heart undergoing a fierce internal struggle. Morality, self-respect, and the craving for material wealth and vanity tore at her soul. That imaginary, luxurious dinner flickered before her eyes like a mirage, radiating an irresistible light.
With his back turned to her, the corners of Kanjuro's mouth curled into a cold, controlling arc. He didn't even need to look back to sense the struggle and the shift in the young girl's heart behind him.
He knew the fish... had already taken the bait. All that remained was to see when she would completely give up struggling and be dragged ashore.
(It seems... tonight's 'dinner' might have one more guest.) Kaori Orimoto's feet felt as heavy as lead, pinned to the spot. Behind her, Kanjuro's casual yet seductive words circled her ears like a curse—Ginza, Michelin, a hundred thousand yen, penthouse night views... every word struck her most sensitive nerves with precision. She craved to be noticed, craved to escape the ordinary, and craved to touch that world of luxury and debauchery. Her pitiful scrap of self-respect was incredibly fragile when faced with such specific and massive temptation.
She suddenly spun around, forcing a somewhat distorted smile of fawning eagerness onto her face, and quickly caught up with the departing trio of Kanjuro and the others.
"W-Wait! Kanjuro-kun!" Her voice trembled slightly from tension and excitement.
Kanjuro stopped and slowly turned his head. There wasn't a hint of surprise on his face, only an expected, faintly mocking expression. He looked at her quietly without speaking, as if waiting for her to say the next words herself.
"I... I want to go eat with you guys! Is that okay?" Kaori Orimoto looked up, her eyes filled with longing and anxiety.
Hearing this, Kanjuro smiled slightly. The smile was as gentle as ever, but his eyes held a cold, scrutinizing gaze. "Of course you can, Kaori." His voice was soft, yet carried an indisputable weight. "However, if you want to join in, there's always a price to pay. You should... understand that, right?"
"A price?" Kaori Orimoto's heart tightened as she subconsciously repeated the word. She looked into Kanjuro's eyes, which seemed able to see through everything, and then instinctively glanced at Miura Yumiko and Ebina Hina beside him.
Yumiko was looking at her with a contemptuous gaze mixed with mockery and realization, as if saying, 'I knew you'd be like this.' What shocked her even more was Ebina; the once calm and sharp girl now looked at Kanjuro with nothing but pure, fanatical adoration, even showing a hint of... almost expectant excitement at the mention of a 'price'?
(Have they... all...?)
(Is this... the ticket to enter that world?)
Kaori Orimoto's heart was in a violent struggle. Her moral compass was screaming a sharp warning, but the image of that glittering high society and the temptation of standing at the top pushed her desperately in that direction like an invisible hand.
Kanjuro did not rush her, merely watching her with composed ease, as if admiring the final hesitations of his prey.
Finally, the craving for vanity overrode everything. Kaori Orimoto took a deep breath, as if using every ounce of her strength. Her forced smile carried a trace of desperate determination as she shouted with unusual clarity:
"I understand! I'm in!! I want to become a woman of high society! Whatever the price... I'm willing!"
After saying those words, she felt something deep in her soul shatter with a 'crack,' but what followed was a twisted, relieved pleasure. She had chosen a path—a path that seemed paved with flowers but actually led to an unknown abyss.
The smile on Kanjuro's face deepened, achieving his desired effect. He reached out and seemingly gently stroked Kaori Orimoto's hair, a gesture that carried the implication of marking his property.
"Very good, a smart choice." His voice was like a whisper tempting one to fall. "Then, welcome to the group, Kaori. Tonight, you will see... what the real 'world' looks like."
Yumiko gave a cold snort and turned her head away, but she didn't speak out in opposition. Ebina pushed up her glasses, her gaze behind the lenses lingering on Kaori Orimoto for a moment with a strange, kindred-like recognition.
Kaori Orimoto tried her best to ignore the remaining unease and shame in her heart, forcing her attention onto the upcoming luxurious night. She took the arm Kanjuro proactively offered, feeling as if she had already stepped into that long-dreamed-of circle, even if the price was something she had just discarded with her own hands.
The setting sun elongated the shadows of the four, intertwining them as they walked toward the neon-flashing depths of the city. A new 'member' had joined this twisted game, and Kanjuro, the one orchestrating everything, wore a deep smile no one could fathom, enjoying this ever-expanding kingdom built on desire and corruption.
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