Cote : I Just Want to Grant Your Wish!

Chapter 702 - 702: Murderer

In an instant, all eyes in the private room were on Ayanokoji, and he immediately grew uneasy."I've never killed anyone."

"Most murderers are stubborn till the end."

"..."

Kaoru found Ayanokoji's exasperated expression amusing, but facing Nanase's indignant glare, he eventually composed himself.

"Nanase-san, accusations without evidence are called slander. Although I also maintain a skeptical attitude toward Ayanokoji, without a reasonable explanation, I can't believe you."

The word "murderer" was chilling enough to hear, especially coming from a girl.

The reason Kaoru wasn't panicked was that he knew Ayanokoji's background.

The latter had grown up in the White Room; although he underwent various trainings, the White Room's ultimate goal wasn't to turn him into a killing machine, so it was unlikely he had killed anyone.

Later, when the White Room closed for some reason, Ayanokoji seized the chance while the guards were inattentive and decisively escaped, wandering outside for a year.

According to him, someone helped him evade Ayanokoji Atsuomi's search, and it was also with that person's assistance that he managed to apply to Koudo Ikusei.

But no matter what.

During his time in hiding, Ayanokoji had no reason to kill anyone—it would have attracted too much trouble.

Kaoru believed Sakayanagi Narumori wouldn't allow a murderer into the school.

"Sorry, my wording was too harsh," Nanase said, closing her eyes as if recalling something.

"Every time I remember these things, I can't help this anxiety and disgust. Just seeing Ayanokoji-senpai living in a place like this makes my chest feel tight and bitter. It should be him enjoying this life."

Hosen, adopting a spectator's attitude, sat back down on his sofa.

"Who?" Kaoru tilted his head to look at Ayanokoji, who was equally bewildered.

At that moment, Nanase opened her eyes, her entire demeanor shifting.

"It's me (boku)."

The girl inexplicably switched to a male self-reference, coldly staring at Ayanokoji.

"Since you've caught me, there's no point in pretending anymore. I returned here for revenge."

Kaoru was instantly stunned, the girl before him seemed like a different person.

As everyone knew, in Japan, self-references differed by gender, and the one she was using now was commonly used by males.

Generally, females wouldn't use "boku" as a self-reference.

If they did, it might indicate they were a tomboy or a "gender-bender" type.

Kaoru couldn't help but glance at Nanase's chest.

Obviously, the full, perky shape before him wasn't fake—it immediately reminded him of Ichinose Honami.

The girl's skirt revealed a pair of slender, straight legs, with black knee socks only covering below the knees.

The fair, tender skin of her thighs looked extremely enticing.

Looking at the girl's pretty face, her delicate cheeks showed no signs of heavy makeup, her rosy lips glistening with a natural moist sheen.

Long eyelashes fluttered slightly, without any masculine traits.

Not to mention, her neck was as white and smooth, with no trace of an Adam's apple—a living, breathing beauty.

Thus, Kaoru understood.

No wonder she had some strange desires—things like "a gender-bender without anything down there," "bro, you smell so good," "persona roleplay is too erotic"—she really was a tomboy.

In the world of anime, this would be a charming trait, especially since Nanase, as a tomboy, had both high looks and a curvaceous figure.

"What do you mean?" Kaoru couldn't help but ask.

"Do you know this person's identity?" Nanase gave Kaoru a deep look. "Being with him, do you feel he fits in with this school?"

"Have you met Ayanokoji before?" Kaoru felt puzzled.

Nanase fell silent.

She felt their conversation was particularly disjointed, each probing the other with questions and counter-questions.

"No, but I think Ayanokoji-senpai might have some impression of me."

Nanase's tone grew increasingly masculine. "Someone died because of him. He doesn't belong in this world; he should return to where he originally should be."

Kaoru looked at Ayanokoji, who seemed to recall something.

"Are you talking about… Mr. Matsuo?"

Ayanokoji still remembered that name because the person had not only sheltered him but also helped him apply to Koudo Ikusei.

However, that good person had committed suicide.

According to Ayanokoji Atsuomi, the reason he killed himself was because he had sheltered Ayanokoji and was thus forced to do so.

"And his son," Nanase said, a shadow crossing her eyes. "He had already gotten into a decent high school, but because of you, he was forced to drop out and eventually lost everything."

Ayanokoji was slightly taken aback, then asked, "Did you know him?"

Nanase replied expressionlessly, "I am him. I've returned for revenge. You shouldn't be here."

Not only was Ayanokoji stunned, even Kaoru felt a bit embarrassed, even tempted to take out his phone and secretly record Nanase's chuunibyou moment.

"You're the first. After you, I'll go after your father," Nanase said in a low voice. "That's why I borrowed this body."

"Huh?" Hosen grew more and more confused.

This story was taking a weird turn—was there a supernatural element here?

"You're not Nanase-san?" Kaoru tried to keep a straight face.

He had Emotion Perception and could see a "Going dark" status emanating from Nanase.

"I am an avenger," Nanase said, likely cautious of Hosen's presence and not revealing more about the White Room.

"I am the son of the man your father killed, Ayanokoji."

Ayanokoji remained silent for a long time, forcing Kaoru to take over the conversation.

"So, you're saying both you and your father were killed by Ayanokoji's father?"

"Yes. I hadn't planned to expose myself," Nanase said with a sorrowful smile. "But, Mitoma-kun, I hope you'll stay away from him and not interfere in matters between him and me."

Kaoru's expression turned odd.

Not wanting to involve others?

"Since it was his father who did it, why do you want Ayanokoji expelled?"

"Because that will make him return to where he should be."

"You feel he shouldn't exist, and his existence caused others to die?"

"Some people simply shouldn't exist," Nanase suddenly grew agitated. "Look at his eyes! Hearing that someone died for him, he doesn't show even a hint of sympathy or sadness!"

Kaoru glanced at Ayanokoji.

The so-called Greatest Masterpiece looked bewildered.

He surely knew what expression he should display now, but he couldn't understand why he should feel sad.

"Mitoma-kun, you know where he comes from. Do you really think he belongs here?"

Seeing Kaoru's silence, Nanase felt more confident in persuading him.

He knew about the White Room; he understood what kind of person Ayanokoji was—perhaps even better than she did.

If she could convince Kaoru, maybe this time she could get Ayanokoji expelled directly.

Just as Nanase was about to press on, she saw Kaoru suddenly sigh softly.

"Nanase-san a bird living in a cage, no matter how skilled, is merely someone else's plaything—a tool with ornamental value."

To be honest, Kaoru had always felt some sympathy for White Room Students, including Ayanokoji, this so-called Greatest Masterpiece.

They were born in a white room where they never saw the sun, subjected day after day to intense knowledge infusion, with no recreational activities—like emotionless learning machines.

The White Room existed solely to satisfy the desires of powerful figures, people like Ayanokoji Atsuomi.

Many children had suffered psychological trauma to varying degrees.

Although Kaoru didn't like Yagami Takuya, he hadn't done anything to him beyond having him expelled.

"Mitoma-kun, do you feel sympathy for him?" Nanase felt somewhat disappointed, thinking Kaoru hadn't seen through Ayanokoji's true nature and hadn't even corrected how he addressed her.

In response, Kaoru shook his head.

"I'm just curious why Nanase-san hasn't targeted his father instead," Kaoru said. "One day, the bird escapes. The hunter, enraged, shoots any bird he sees. Shouldn't we blame the hunter instead of the escaped bird?"

"I am not Nanase!" she finally emphasized her identity, then added, "I will also make his father apologize... to me!"

"Just an apology?" Kaoru chuckled. "The person is already dead, and all you want is an apology? It seems your desire for revenge isn't very strong."

"You..." Nanase grew irritated. "Just because they did such things doesn't mean I'll sink to their level!"

"So, a righteous messenger," Kaoru said leisurely. "Send Ayanokoji back to where he came from, then get his father to apologize—that's your revenge plan?"

What else could it be? This was the best plan Nanase could come up with!

"So, you plan to stop me, is that it?" Seeing Nanase gritting her teeth, Kaoru shook his head.

"Stopping you isn't the point. I'm just deeply disappointed in your plan, Nanase-san."

"I am not Nanase right now!" she bit her lip, her full chest heaving dramatically, revealing her current state of mind.

"Have you considered that you might be being used?" Kaoru said calmly. "Did you find out about Ayanokoji's situation on your own, or did someone tell you he was here?"

Nanase was instantly silenced. Indeed, someone had informed her about Ayanokoji.

"Before you came here, did someone tell you they planned to send Ayanokoji back and promised you various benefits," Kaoru continued, his smile growing more teasing as he watched the girl's reactions.

"For example, having Ayanokoji Atsuomi apologize to you?"

At those words, Nanase's face turned pale, her eyes wavering.

Because Kaoru was right.

The high school she had originally enrolled in wasn't Koudo Ikusei but another one.

However, Tsukishiro Kazunari had suddenly visited her, told her about Ayanokoji's situation, and promised that if she could get Ayanokoji expelled, he would arrange a meeting with Ayanokoji Atsuomi.

"I can understand your dislike for Ayanokoji, but the real culprit isn't him," Kaoru said quietly. "Also, the reason I'm helping Ayanokoji isn't because I like the guy, but because Ayanokoji Atsuomi is too troublesome. I don't like him."

That person had not only forced Sakayanagi Narumori to step down but also had Tsukishiro pressuring Ayanokoji step by step, wanting to showcase this Greatest Masterpiece to everyone.

If that person's plan succeeded, the first to suffer would be Kaoru himself.

Kaoru was here to fulfill their wishes, not to confront anyone.

Last semester, he replaced a chairman, this year, they sent several White Room Students.

If it weren't for the fact that Amasawa Ichika and the others also had wishes, Kaoru would have likely already turned hostile.

Thus, his implication was clear.

However, Nanase seemed not to have considered that someone would refer to Ayanokoji Atsuomi so directly and harbor such audacious thoughts.

She was stunned for a moment.

"What do you... mean?"

"Don't understand?" Kaoru patted Ayanokoji beside him. "This guy plans to rebel against his father, so he's sided with me. Probably only I can help him in this school."

"Didn't we agree on equal cooperation?" Ayanokoji whispered in rebuttal.

"What's the difference?" Kaoru comforted him. "Don't worry, even if you're expelled, you won't go back. You're under my wing now."

Once he left this school, everyone would likely be watching him.

Although Kaoru had plenty of means to protect himself, being a lone king was different from leading an army.

He needed his own influence and personnel.

Since last year, Kaoru had been consciously gathering his own people.

He could choose not to eat beef, but not eating beef wasn't his goal.

His goal had always been them.

"Rather than clinging to your fantasies, immersing yourself in your imagined persona, and expecting favors from them, why not rely on your own hands to achieve your goals?" Kaoru looked at the silent girl. "Nanase-san, if you want to punish the real culprit, I can help you."

For Nanase, even meeting Ayanokoji Atsuomi once was incredibly difficult, even humbly fantasizing about a mere apology from him.

But with Kaoru, it was Ayanokoji Atsuomi who had to figure out how to maintain relations with him.

Therefore, as long as Nanase trusted him, he could offer a promise that would definitely be fulfilled.

"Hey, I'm not dead. Don't poach people right in front of me," Hosen interjected, though he didn't fully grasp their conversation, he understood Kaoru's intent.

"Nanase is from our class. Be careful, or I'll kill you."

"I'm the Student Council President. I'm just inviting Nanase to join the Student Council," Kaoru said. He wasn't interested in the big guy, he wanted Nanase, this gender-bender without anything down there.

Because anyone could see that Nanase was projecting herself into the role of the son who had committed suicide—probably a close friend, hence her desire for revenge.

In other words, this was a girl fantasizing about being a boy.

"Student Council? Mitoma, next exam, wait for me with your neck clean," Hosen said coldly.

Kaoru ignored him, waiting for Nanase's response.

"Helping me—what benefit does it bring Kaoru-senpai?" the girl asked softly, biting her lip.

She had returned to her usual self.

"I don't know what you can offer me, but there's no harm, right?" Kaoru said. "If you insist on a reason, I hope you'll join the Student Council."

Nanase was silent for a moment. "Aren't you worried I might betray you?"

"We'll deal with that if it happens," Kaoru replied.

Ayanokoji silently watched Kaoru.

He felt this guy's eloquence was impressive—wondering where he had practiced it.

If Kaoru knew what he was thinking, he would surely shake his head.

Anyone could become a master of guidance after spending two years in a noisy office.

"You don't have to make a decision so quickly. I'll always be waiting for you in the Student Council."

Kaoru added, "We can chat when there's a chance."

With a large figure watching now, neither Tsubasa Nanase nor Ayanokoji Kiyotaka found it convenient to speak.

The reason Tsubasa Nanase had earlier started "Going dark" was because she felt exposed, and forcing herself to continue the act risked being exposed by Kaoru.

Moreover, she also wanted to know the relationship between Kaoru and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, so she deliberately revealed herself to extract useful information.

However, it was now Kaoru who had tightened his grip on her.

Kaoru's proposal was full of temptation, and for Tsubasa Nanase, it was hard to refuse.

"Alright, I'll apply to join the Student Council."

Surprisingly, Tsubasa Nanase made her decision quickly. "However, I'll also withdraw from the Student Council at any time."

This meant she would observe Kaoru.

If she found him lying or having ulterior motives, she would leave the Student Council and resume her own plans.

"Of course, that's not a problem."

Kaoru smiled and extended his hand to the girl. "Welcome aboard, Nanase."

Tsubasa Nanase hesitated for a moment but ultimately shook his hand.

"By the way, were you role-playing earlier?"

Kaoru took the opportunity to ask, "Who else can you portray?"

The girl tightened her grip on his hand expressionlessly, with considerable force.

...

On the way back, Kaoru walked ahead, with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka following behind.

"How do you feel, hearing that someone died for you?"

"Sad. I didn't know he could go that far."

"So, you're surprised?"

"Sorry, I don't know how to interpret it."

"Would you get angry if I scolded you?"

"Yes."

"Have you ever thought about meeting your mother?"

"I have no feelings for her."

Kaoru paused slightly.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka thought he would stop, but instead, he continued walking back as if nothing had happened.

"Ayanokoji, you have so much to learn."

His voice carried over.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka wondered if it was because he hadn't given the correct answer.

But Ayanokoji Kiyotaka truly didn't understand why the correct answer was the correct one.

He wanted to know the reason.

That was precisely why he had come into the outside world.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka quickened his pace to keep up with Kaoru.