Hideout. 7 pm.

"You hate to see it."

"..."

Why is Kawahara always such a rude jerk no matter what? That annoying confident permanent smirk on his face is starting to get on my nerves.

At the same usual place that I'm technically banned, Kawahara invited me.

However, this time, along with him, Kuzan, and Rayazaki, I got here through his room.

Back on his supreme desk, Kawahara glanced down upon us three with eyes of mockery.

Rayazaki was no exception.

"You monochromatic idiots never learn. And you, Daniel. Daniel, you hanged out with a whore instead of heeding my advice and coming with me. If you had come ahead, then I would've told you what would happen far ahead. Kuzan and Rayazaki had that privilege."

As I savored the sweet tea that Kuzan had made, I stopped sipping and questioned Kawahara.

"But why did I need to know that far ahead?"

"Fool. The psychological war has already begun. Couldn't you see our reactions? We already knew that this would've happened and thus we acted calm and confident. You, on the other hand, the only dork who didn't know acted like what that blonde bitch had just said was some new century discovery!"

I would bother to question how Kawahara knows all of this but I don't want to endure hours of reasoning.

He also rarely gets to the point, only through mountains of sheer reasoning and logic first.

I'm just not interested. Plus, I don't doubt him. Sure, he's mischievous and sneaky, but in the end, he is the one who wants to win the most.

"But the real psychological war will start now. Behold, the virgin's diagram!"

There was a caped border hiding beneath a red cloak which was on Kawahara's right side. With a swift pull though, Kawahara revealed a border that had explicit percentages and several names in it.

Specifically speaking, there were six names in general and below them, there were girl names with percentages right next to them...

Kawahara... Just how much did you stalk them?

"Unfortunately, a certain bastard refuses to come, but we don't need him. Four of us are enough."

Undoubtedly, Kawahara is referring to Hyunda.

I'll let Kawahara onto something...

"Kawahara, there's a very vast chance that Hyunda will not cooperate. And besides, what is that...?"

I had a general idea, but I didn't want to assume anything for certain.

Although, if that's what I think it is...

"I'm aware. Oh, this? As I've said, this is the virgin's diagram. Of course, I'm unironically referring to the poor losers we are going to crush thoroughly."

"How exactly though?"

Grabbing a near-by piece of white chalk, Kawahara started to explain, by pointing out the respective areas.

"As you can see at the very top of the diagram, there are six names. Virgin Ryoken, virgin Tatsu, virgin Susaga, virgin Sagasuga, virgin Tsudo, and virgin Kan!"

Without a doubt, Kawahara seems to be slightly mad at these respective six individuals. The fact that he is smashing the chalk so hard every time he goes through their names should prove it.

"Right below every single one of them, there are every single girls' names with percentages right next to them. Kuzan! What does this mean?!"

"Yes, master! The percentages are referential points to the chances of the individual that is above, having a crush on the girl!"

Kuzan, who is right next to me, enjoying his own tea to a very narcissistic extent, answered that question with fast speed.

Rayazaki on the other hand just keeps on reading books.

.......What the hell....

"Correct! Each and every single one of those fuckers is secretly trying to hide it, but they've made it too obvious for me to notice! Which is why we will act on what the diagram is telling us."

I still don't understand what we will be doing exactly...

And more importantly, why I need to do it...

"Kawahara, why do I have to do this? Can you give me a legit reason?"

"Sure I can. You'll fail the exam otherwise."

"How?!"

I don't understand. How is this related to the exam in general? I simply need to win 5 times and that's that.

I do understand why he's going this far. He started an open war. Kawahara has to stand up on his ground and fight against them.

Yet, that only applies to him...

"They will try to crush you. You might think that just because there are 50 events that you can escape them, but I doubt that's the case. We will be targetted. Hence, you need to crush them before they crush you. It's common sense, Dan."

"Yeah, I get what you are trying to say, but I won't lose to them."

"Get rid of that dumb mindset. Precaution is the key to winning. If you take precautions before the actual battle, your chances of winning will increase. Don't argue that it's the other way around because you know it's not."

..........

He's right... But I don't want to do it still.

"You still seem to not be convinced. Let me put this from another perspective then. Do you think that they are doing nothing right now?"

"Are you saying that they will come up with some sort of strategy?"

"I'm not saying that their strategy will even be as remotely good as mine, but they won't just sit around and do nothing. Statistically speaking, the chances of them already be thinking of a way to crush us before the actual battle is remotely high."

He bases a lot of his ideas on statistics. This is something that I've started to notice.

"Are you scared of them? Because I'm not."

"Who the fuck is scared!? That wasn't my point, you dumbfuck! You shouldn't act arrogant when you don't have a reason to! I act the way I act because I can back my actions up, but you? I strongly doubt that."

Now he's just pushing it...

"But, that's a bad point to make. You're proud of yourself, aren't you? That's why I'll suggest something different. Hey. If you are feeling confident enough, then you surely think that you can get the maximum value out of this exam, can't you?"

Why is he mentioning that...?

"That's something everyone will most likely aim for. It's normal that I feel that way."

"Yeah, it's normal alright. But, just how many will be able to achieve the maximum value of this exam?"

"Isn't that up to the individual?"

Why is Kawahara bothering to insist on this? I won't change my mind.

There isn't anything to lose just by achieving 5 wins. Surely, if I got 10 wins, it would be amazing. I can't deny that...

"Of course. Every individual sets up their own pace which will dictate their victory momentum. Yet if you ask me, not even three out of the twenty-four of us will make it." 

"And why is that...?"

"Because the majority is more preoccupied with just passing the exam. They don't want to win. They just want to avoid another supply exam. In other words, they just don't want to lose. You, for example, are part of them. You're probably thinking that it's fine as long as you don't lose, but it's those types of fucking thoughts that always bring your eventual downfall!"

Such a spirit... Sometimes I forget who I'm talking to.

But... Am I really just aiming to not lose? Even so...

"Isn't it fine though...? As long as I don't lose, that's all it matters."

"That's a shallow way of thinking. It's fine to not lose? That's what losers tell themselves all the time."

"Or maybe you just think differently..."

He's just obsessed with winning and now he's trying to portray his philosophy to me to strengthen his idea.

I hate when people do that... At that point, you aren't even caring for the individual's situation, but just your own thoughts.

"I do think differently, which is why I'm telling you how it is. Why is it so hard for you to believe me when I've never been wrong?"

"Just because you haven't been wrong that doesn't mean I should change my way of thinking."

"Alright, fine! Let's gamble then! If I'm wrong about this, then you've made your point. However, if not, then you will acknowledge my point!"

Whatever.

He just wants to make his point. I'm aware of how thirsty Kawahara is when it comes to arguments and making his own points.

In the end, I shrugged while sipping my tea once more.

"With that said, here is how we will be crushing them. We will commence the 'Steal Your Girl' project. SYG project for short. This project will revolve around one simple thing. As you three can see, I've ordered in my diagram each girl from the highest chance to the lowest chance. This means that the girl that is right below the virgin's section is without a doubt the go-for target! Rayazaki! Who does Ryoken have a crush on, according to the facts?!"

He meant to say statistics, not facts. I'm one-hundred percent sure that his arrogance kicked in at the last second...

Rayazaki closed his book and answered serenely.

In contrast to the last time he was here with me, he didn't seem to be disturbed at all now.

"Out of all the girls, Gale seems to be the one. A grand 76% chance, according to your diagram."

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"That is correctissimo. Kuzan, what about Susaga?"

"Yukishiro! 83% chance! I didn't know about this!"

Neither did I.

But this is just baiting. Because if someone asks Kawahara how he knows about this, he will just spend his time and explain.

Nevertheless, Kuzan opened his mouth once again.

"How do you k--"

I tapped his mouth.

Kuzan doesn't know, it seems.

"Dan! Spell the rest of the diagram!"

"Uhh... Tatsu's crush is supposedly Arkalee. With a 98% chance behind it..."

To be fair, he has white-knighted her more than once. I suppose I can agree to some extent.

"Tsudo's crush is Shizuku, with a 61% chance. Kan has a crush on Sana, with a 52% chance. And Sagasuga......."

Within the diagram, I was clearly spelling out the girl that was right below their names but... Sagasuga's case is...

There are only 50% chances in every girl's name that is below him... Not a single exception. All 50%.

"Sagasuga's case is complex. I suspect that the bastard is a Casanova, henceforth I attributed a bare 50% to all the girls."

"Wait, wait. Don't Sagasuga and Tateyana have something going on? How can you label that as just a 50%, Kawahara?"

Isn't he aware of their case? Even though it's a messy case, I think it deserves more than just a mere 50% chance...

"Sagasuga doesn't treat her especially. Something is wrong. What kind of boyfriend treats her girlfriend the same way he treats all the other girls? There's something going on and I'll find out. Sagasuga's case is mine. However, each and every single one of you will be tasked with a very simple task! Steal the bastard's crush."

I can see his strategy. It's actually not bad and since we are all hormonal teenagers, his strategy makes perfect sense. Our complexities aside, we are in the middle of our teenage years.

The theme of love is not something that can be labeled as orthodox when it comes to just about anyone of this age.

Or humans in general.

There is just a big massive problem with that strategy.

It involves me.

"I'll be attributing the respective targets for all of you. Kuzan! You'll be taking on Kan! Which means your target will be Sana!"

"Aye!"

Kawahara has yet to explain our set of methods or what the general idea of the SYG project is.

Though, it's not as if I don't understand what he is implying. Only someone dumb wouldn't understand.

He might just have a different idea in mind.

"Rayazaki! You'll be taking on Susaga, which means your target will be Yukishiro!"

"Understood."

Huh?

Wait, what?

Why is he not objecting to this!?

"Rayazaki, what the hell?"

"What's wrong?"

He just asked me what's wrong.

What is happening? Doesn't he realize what this means? Do I have to explain it to him?

"Don't you know what this means?"

"Yeah, I do? It means that I'll have to approach Yukishiro in a romantic and effective way which will demoralize Susaga since he has a crush on her. What exactly are you fretting over?"

Huh......

Am I missing something? He objected completely to this idea of Kawahara previously because it would mean that he would be making a move on someone who isn't Hinagiku.

Yet know he's completely fine with this.

What?

"What about Hinagiku?"

"What about her? You're talking about the blue-haired little girl, aren't you? Wait, there are two ones. The one that's being bullied, right now, right?"

..........?

"No, no, Rayazaki, that's Ikkiri. Aniki meant the other one!"

"Oh, I see. That one. I guess she's slightly shorter than Ikkiri. I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Kuzan."

What is this formality?! Actual integrity?! Dignity on top of it?! The hell is going on?!

"Rayazaki, you bastard, you are pretending! This is all an act! You want to make me look like a fool just because I broke your phone, don't you!?"

Yet despite my angry retort, Rayazaki looked completely unphased as his expression remained monochrome.

"You broke my phone? That's weird. It's here. Also, I'm not pretending anything. Why would I do that? Pretending means to trick people. I wouldn't do that."

"Liar! If you actually were speaking the truth you'd realize the contradiction you just put out right now! This whole project involves tricking people! Hahaha! You actually thought you were clever for a second, didn't you?!"

"I don't agree. Kawahara didn't mention anything like tricking. If that's how you do things, then I'll respect our differences, but I won't be tricking anyone in the process of this. It's better to be straight-forward and honest. Yukishiro seems fairly interesting. I think I'm going to enjoy connecting with her."

What the fuck!

Okay, this is too much for an act. Yukishiro? Interesting?

That does not work. You can't put her name and the word interesting in the same sentence. That's just plain stupid.

"Daniel, don't stress about this too much. He's not putting up an act."

"Lies! This is one-hundred percent an act! I bet he just wants to make me feel guilty for what I did!"

"And what exactly did you do to him?"

"I'm curious as well, Aniki."

"Since you are referring me, I'm naturally curious too."

All three of them started to look at me as if they had no idea what I was talking about.

I can understand Kuzan just because he's a scatterbrain, but Kawahara?

This doesn't make any sense!

"...It's nothing..."

"Well, whatever the case may be, Dan, Rayazaki is genuinely serious about this. Also..."

Kawahara, instead of finishing his sentence, looked at me in the following moments with a gigantic smirk. A smirk so big that all the previous ones were nothing compared to this one.

His white fangs were visible throughout the whole thing, which made me think I was interacting with a savage beast.

"You're not the only one cursed with knowledge."

......?

What did he mean with that?

"Moving on. Dan, you'll be taking on Tatsu. Naturally, your target will be Arkalee."

"About that... Can we talk in private regarding that?"

I've mentioned that I was the problem when it came to this task.

To be more specific, my own actions were the problem. It's impossible for me to approach someone else romantically right now.

"That is fine. I know what you want to talk about. Kuzan, Rayazaki, dismissed!"

Just like true subordinates, they did not object to Kawahara's imperial words and left the hideout.

Kawahara, on the other hand, sat on the parallel couch and relaxed his back all the way. With his arms loosen, he spoke in an extremely lax voice tone.

"Before you speak your mind, I'll suggest again. Join me. Before it's too late."

He's so persistent...

"No, I won't. And what do you mean by too late?"

"I'm handing you out free pieces of information while giving you simultaneously plenty of advantage that coincidentally means that you'll perform better in the exams. By the way, I lied. I said coincidentally, didn't I? No such thing. It's no coincidence."

In other words, he's saying that if I don't join him now that the chances might end.

He doesn't believe in anyone's potential except his own. This guy's so egocentric...

"Don't be silent now. You had something you wanted to talk about. I'm just going to assume that it's about the whore. Julia, was it?"

"Yulia... And yeah, it's about her. I can't do this."

"And why not?"

Why not...? Doesn't he know...?

"Dude, the act was far too excessive on my part. She got way too emotionally connected with me, to the point of developing feelings besides just a simple crush on me. It's impossible for me to suddenly make a move on Arkalee..."

Arkalee seems way easier to make a move when compared to Yulia.

She seems to be the type of girl who is overall sweet.

What can possibly go wrong?

"Her role is done. She was only relevant to the previous exam. Tell her how it is. Man up!"

"Easy for you to say... What exactly am I supposed to do? I can't just tell her how it is... But at the same time, I want this responsibility off me."

Laxing his posture even further, Kawahara crossed his right leg as if he was sitting on a throne.

"Break up with her. Just tell her simply how you feel and that your connection with her doesn't make any sense in the first place. Tell her something cliched like: 'It's not you, it's me.' 'You deserve better.' 'We were a mistake.' Stuff like that."

"I think she'll kill me if I say something like that..."

"Are you seriously afraid of her? Is that why you are acting like a little bitch?"

"I'm not acting like a little bitch..."

He laughed in response though.

"You totally are! You're the only one who's complicated your own situation. If you just change your way of thinking, then you can make the best out of this situation. If you think that you can't just tell her how it is, then don't tell her directly."

".....Huh?"

"Slow-minded, are we? Very well, I'll explain what I meant. If you tell her directly, then chances are, you'll just face the consequences you think you'll face. However, you don't have to tell her directly. Through acts of disinterest, she'll gradually understand that she means nothing to you. For example, throughout this operation, she should understand the mixed signals you'll send her. That you have feelings for Arkalee. Even if that's not actually the case."

Certainly, if I do that then Yulia would realize how I truly feel about her.

There's just one problem with that.

"I don't think that's going to work. She might become obsessed with me overtime if she isn't already."

"Look at you, man! Telling yourself that a girl will become obsessed with you! Hahaha!"

But I didn't bother to deny it.

Kawahara realized my intent.

"...You're serious. Hey, I'll tell you what. If you join me, I'll make sure she doesn't bother you again. Her presence is a bother to you, right? Let me get that off your shoulders real quick."

Such an opportunist...

Will there ever be a time where he doesn't act as soon as he sees an opportunity?

"I already said no. More importantly, what will you do about the other two? You said that you'd handle Sagasuga, but what about Tsudo and Ryoken? Ryoken should be the person who you'll have the most trouble with."

"No, I don't think I will. Sagasuga seems to be the odd case in that whole team. Don't overrate Ryoken like that. Also, don't worry. The targets will change over time. Until the festival hits the scene, we need to morally crush them so badly that their spirits will be gone when it's festival time."

I wasn't overrating him. But I do agree that Sagasuga is the one that needs to be taken with precaution.

Although, I know this for reasons Kawahara probably doesn't know.

No, it's not probable, it's impossible. Kawahara wasn't part of the Street Fighter tournament...

Therefore, he could not see the monster that Sagasuga is.

"I just want to briefly mention, but if you see that you are not being successful with Arkalee, then tell me immediately..."

"Hm? But why would I not be successful? I can just go the same way I went with Yulia."

"It's just a baseless theory... So I can't really explain it... Anyways, do that."

That was weird.

But there's no point in asking for his baseless theory since he wouldn't tell me something he doesn't think it's one-hundred percent certified.

Yet, why would I not be able to be successful here...?

"And I'm going to insist again. Break up with her nice and easy and be done with her. She no longer has a redeemable purpose. Plus, she's annoying as hell! What the fuck is wrong with you!? If I knew she was such garbage then I wouldn't even have suggested that shit!"

That really irritates me. Yulia's not as bad as Kawahara thinks. She honestly deserves someone better.

Kawahara said for me to say those cliched lines yet among them, there is one I can agree with.

It's not her fault, it's mine.

"She's pretty hot though. You can't deny that, Kawahara."

"Yeeaaaahhh, true. Pretty fine boobs. A fantastic ass. Thick legs. Her appearance is top tier. However, that personality? What the hell is that?! This is why I have trust issues! Because girls like her mask themselves under those pretty appearances while hiding horrendous personalities beneath them!"

Our thoughts on this matter are almost, if not, completely identical.

This is true.

Every man in his life goes through this dilemma. There is not a single masculine soul on this planet that has not faced this wall of trust issues before.

"The major issue here is that I probably won't be able to interact with Arkalee without having Yulia on my jizz 24/7. Guess how many texts she has sent while I've been here."

"Tough question. 25?"

Just to be certain, I checked my phone and...

"31."

"Close. But I get your point. She needs to be distracted. Does she have any friends, to begin with? God, no way she does. She makes people crawl off as soon as she opens that mouth of hers."

He's exaggerating... I would defend Yulia, but I don't have any sense of morality whatsoever.

Nor compassion towards her.

"No, I don't think so. But why would she need friends?"

"Are you kidding? If she's busy with someone then, you'll be free from her temporarily. Since you don't have the balls to just tell her how it is, I don't see a more plausible suggestion. Essentially, make her befriend someone and in that free time, make your move on Arkalee. You're not against this, are you?"

This is a suggestion I can actually get behind with.

Also, it's not as if I don't have the balls... I just have an extremely guilty conscience from time to time.

"No, not at all. I'll actually take this suggestion instead. Though, it might take a while."

"Be quick then. Starting from tomorrow, we will only have 15 days. This might sound a lot, but it will quickly be over, trust me. Also, you should have some fun, man. You seem to be so tense all the time. Don't you know how to have fun?"

It depends on what kind of fun he's referring to.

Being in this school against my freedom doesn't exactly give me a pleasing sensation...

School, in general, is something I've always hated. Waste of time. Waste of everything. Nothing good ever comes out of it...

"What is your definition of fun?"

"My definition of fun might be something that many wouldn't label as fun. However, in your case, I have a suggestion that might turn out to be fun. Want to hear it?"

"Yeah, why not."

I really wouldn't mind listening to his own definition though.

"Before you are done with Yulia, you should have some fun with her. Bang her, for example."

"Oh! You're right! How the hell did I forget that!?"

"How the hell can you forget that when such a beauty is in front of you 24/7?! If you are planning on keeping her around for a while, then take her out for a few spins. It wouldn't hurt to have a little fun!"

If anyone with a minimal shred of morality were to listen to this conversation right now, that person would feel entirely revolted, due to how malicious and disgusting this is.

"Dude, you're a literal savage. Makes me wonder how you still haven't made your move onto your own crush. I still haven't found out who it is, by the way. You still remember the deal, right?"

It's been a while since the deal has been mentioned but I still haven't forgotten about our first proper interaction.

"Of course I do. If you find out who she is, then you'll have to wingman me. Though, I'm doubting your wingman skills now..."

"Please don't. They are amazing."

"So you say. Furthermore, you'll have to make her see me in a positive light. While keeping your silence about this. Hey, you haven't told anyone, right?!"

"No, I really haven't."

This is something I really won't tell anyone.

Because there are tons of people that hate him and if there is a rumor about Kawahara having a crush, then I will be blamed for it, no doubt.

"Good. Also, I'll get to listen to your story regarding that."

"That was the deal."

"Still, Dan. You'll never get it right. I'm doing it on purpose, in case you haven't noticed."

Ahhh, so he was aware all the time.

"But what if your love interest is expelled?"

"She won't. I'll make sure she isn't. In ways that neither you nor her, nor anyone will notice. When I actually put my mind onto something, there's barely anything I can't do."

Impressive confidence.

To me, Kawahara is the most confident person I have ever met. Moreover, the only person who can actually back up his confidence.

Confidence usually destroys the individual in case of failure, but he's always successful somehow.

If he was a good person, then I am positive that he would contribute a lot to society in general and perhaps the whole world as a whole.

However, he's submerging with his evil thoughts and intertwining with his miscellaneous ideas constantly.

A nonstopping momentum of paradoxical complexity. That's how I feel about him.

What exactly drives him?

"Let's return. It's almost dinner time, Kawahara."

"About time!"

With everything in momentum, the already started SYG project was looking promising to both of us.