Chapter 9: Malice Directed at Kondou

──Somewhere in Tokyo, Kondou’s Perspective──

“Phew.”

I wake up to sunlight streaming through the curtains, nearly noon. Skipped school again. No big deal—my university recommendation’s practically locked in. Today’s just a school-wide mock exam, and missing one day won’t dent my plans.

Time to ditch this girl, maybe. Though, she’s so convenient, I might keep her around a bit longer. Like that clingy one from middle school—dumped her, and she turned into a shut-in, yet followed me to high school like a lost puppy. Give her a crumb of hope, and she’s at my beck and call. Perfect standby material.

A king needs a variety of women at his command, doesn’t he?

That Aono guy, though, snagging Ichijou Ai’s attention—it burns me up. He’s nothing but a pawn, meant to be crushed under a king like me. Maybe I’ll stir up some underclassmen to drive him out of school. Takayanagi-sensei might yap, but I can smooth-talk my way out, like always.

Once I’m done with Miyuki, who’s next? If Ichijou dumps Aono, he’ll be broken for good. Not a bad plan. Claiming the school’s idol for myself sounds entertaining.

“Senpai, I love you. We’ll be together forever, okay?” Miyuki mumbles in her sleep beside me, her face glowing with bliss. This girl’s too easy.

I pat her head, and her expression softens even more. She’s got this pure, innocent vibe that makes her a favorite among guys. It’d be fun to ruin that—slap on some tacky gal makeup, turn her into my personal toy. Crush the dreams of every guy crushing on her. If she resists, a hint of a breakup will have her begging to please me. Then, when no one else wants her, I’ll toss her aside. That’s the thrill.

A dark spark ignites in my chest as I pull her closer.

※

“We skipped school, huh?”

Past noon, we leave the hotel. Miyuki, ever the goody-two-shoes, looks uneasy, guilt flickering in her eyes.

“Was it okay? Staying out all night?” she asks, voice small.

“It’s fine. You lied to your parents about a sleepover, right?”

Her nervous glance stirs a flicker of unease in me, but I brush it off. “Whatever. School’s probably over by now. Let’s head home.”

Skipping today has cooled the irritation from yesterday. Nothing beats messing around with girls to blow off steam.

As we step out of the hotel grounds, a car screeches to a stop in front of us. A police car.

“Huh?” Miyuki lets out a startled squeak.

What the hell? I’m speechless, my mind blank.

The window rolls down slowly, revealing a young officer with a cold smile—his mouth curves, but his eyes are sharp, suspicious. “Hey, sorry to bother you kids. We got a tip about high schoolers staying at a hotel they shouldn’t be at. You know about the Entertainment Business Law, right? That place is off-limits for anyone under eighteen. I’m sure it’s fine, but can you show some ID, just to be safe?”

Fear roots us to the spot. Miyuki trembles, her face drained of color. “What do we do? Are we going to get arrested?” she whispers, her voice pleading, only rattling me more.

A tip? Who reported us? We’re in casual clothes, not uniforms—could pass for college students. This isn’t some random report. Someone we know… Did I get betrayed?

If this continues, we’re done for. My reputation can’t take a hit like this. We have to escape.

But Miyuki’s a liability. Do I leave her? Even if I get away with her, the police will catch up eventually. Is there no way out?

“Hey, what’s wrong? You kids are frozen stiff. Could it be… you’re really high schoolers?” Two officers step out of the car, approaching us.

This is my only shot. “We’re running, Miyuki!”

I sprint toward the station, but Miyuki hesitates. An officer grabs her instantly, and the other gives chase after me.

Damn it, how did this happen? My legs tangle in my panic, and I trip, pain shooting through me as I hit the ground. The young officer pins me down in seconds.

“Damn it, let go, let me go!” I thrash, but it’s no use. Rolling in the dirt, I taste the bitter sting of despair.

──Somewhere in Tokyo, Informant’s Perspective──

From a burger shop near the hotel, I watch the scene unfold, a cold satisfaction settling in. Kondou writhing on the ground like a trapped insect lifts my spirits. Skipping school and staking out here all day was worth it for this spectacle.

They’ll be taken in now, but that’s not enough. Online research taught me that police typically don’t notify schools when minors are detained unless it’s a special case, like unreachable parents. For my revenge to hit its mark, the school needs to know.

That’s where my photos come in. The shots of them entering the hotel yesterday are my ace. And now, this pathetic display—Kondou flailing against the officer, rolling in the dirt. I snap pictures with my phone, each click a step closer to his ruin.

“Checkmate. Let’s see you talk your way out of this, Soccer Club King.”

With these damning images, the question is how to play them. Leaking them online would be the simplest route—mirroring what they did to others, devastatingly effective. But that’s my last resort. First, I’ll anonymously tip off the teachers and the soccer club. If this goes public, it’ll throw the club into chaos, maybe even cripple it.

If they try to bury it internally, I’ll escalate—leaking to SNS, the city council, or the media to crush them completely. As long as I stay in the shadows, they’ll never know who holds the evidence. Money won’t sway me. Their usual tactics—violence, harassment—are useless against an invisible enemy.

Kondou, I’ll strip you of everything. You’ll taste the despair you forced on me back then.

──Kondou’s Perspective──

Damn it, damn it, damn it. I won’t forgive whoever ratted me out. Dragged to the nearest police station, we’re met with stern lectures from the officers.

“High schoolers skipping school for a place like that? That’s a hard no,” one says, his tone sharp.

“Apparently, Amada-san’s mother filed a missing person report for an unauthorized overnight absence,” another adds.

“You’re students. Don’t pull stunts like this.”

When they mention contacting our parents, Miyuki panics, her voice trembling. “Please, anything but that!” But the officer’s unmoved.

“We can’t do that. Your parents filed a missing person report. They’re worried sick. You’re a high schooler; you should know better.”

Miyuki breaks into tears, her sobs echoing in the sterile room. But for me, their words spark a glimmer of hope. They’re not contacting the school. I panicked and ran earlier, but from here, I just need to play the perfect student to slip out of this. Time for the performance of my life.

“Miyuki isn’t to blame. It’s my fault for pressuring her,” I say, voice heavy with feigned guilt. “She fought with her parents last night and didn’t want to go home, so I took her there. I don’t care what happens to me, but please, don’t tell her parents…”

How’s that? A noble student shielding his girlfriend—textbook heroism.

“I get it, but we have to contact your parents, even if not the school. It’s our job.”

Bingo. They confirmed no school involvement. My recommendation’s safe. Now, if Dad shows up, he’ll handle the rest.

“Then I’ll apologize to Miyuki’s parents myself. Just, please, for Miyuki’s sake…” I let my voice quiver, squeezing out fake tears for effect.

I’m a politician’s son. Manipulating emotions is second nature.

“Alright. We’ll explain things to her parents. But we have to contact them, sorry. Just don’t do this again.”

Bowing my head as the devoted boyfriend, I’m certain I’ve dodged the worst. I’m home free.

※

An hour later, my dad arrives as my guardian, his presence commanding. “I’m terribly sorry for the trouble my idiot son has caused,” he says, his apology polished to perfection.

As expected of a politician. He leans in, whispering, “Listen up. Getting taken in won’t reach the school, but it could spark a scandal. I’m running for mayor next election, so keep your womanizing in check. Stay low for a year. I’ll ensure this stays quiet locally and won’t touch your recommendation.”

Man, life’s too easy. A competent dad is a cheat code. Getting hauled in? Practically a trophy for a guy like me. Being an elite’s son is the best. But I had no idea Miyuki’s parents, arriving soon after, would react in a way that would shatter my smug confidence.

──Miyuki’s Perspective──

What do I do? My parents know I was taken in. No, no, no—how can I face Mom? I didn’t just betray Eiji; I’m the worst kind of daughter, betraying her too. Trembling, pale as death, I brace for judgment.

“Amada-san? Your mom’s here,” a female officer says gently.

The door opens, and Mom steps in, her face ghostly white, eyes hollow with sorrow. That look—I’ll never forget it. This is my punishment.

“Miyuki, why are you here?” Her voice is cold, stripped of warmth. “I’ve been searching for you since yesterday, even taking time off work. Why aren’t you with Eiji-kun? Who’s this guy you were taken in with? What’s your relationship with him?”

Her questions cut like blades, each one sharper than the last. “Th-that’s…” I stammer, tears choking my words.

“You know, I went to Aono-san’s house last night,” she says, her tone heavy with despair.

Sweat drenches my back. She spoke to Eiji’s mom. I always knew this day would come, dreaded it, ran from it. But now it’s here.

“…I’m sorry,” I whisper, pathetic and scared.

“Why are you apologizing? Do you even think you did something wrong?”

How much does she know? Can I still escape? Does she know everything? Fear claws at me.

That I cheated. That I framed Eiji. That my lies left him isolated at school. It’s all my fault.

“Eiji-kun’s mom told me never to contact them again. She said to ask you for details. Why, Miyuki? Why were you at a love hotel with some guy I don’t know instead of Eiji-kun, your boyfriend? The person who called you out before you left was this guy, wasn’t it?”

She doesn’t know the full truth. Eiji’s mom gave me the cruelest choice: confess everything or keep hiding. A punishment worse than any words.

“Mom, please calm down. It’s my idiot son’s fault,” Kondou’s dad interjects smoothly.

“You be quiet!” Mom snaps, her usually gentle voice a roar. “I’m talking to my daughter!”

“Sorry,” he mutters, silenced alongside his son. Even the officers watch with quiet concern.

“What’s going on, Miyuki? I want to hear it from you. I didn’t raise you alone for you to end up like this.” Her anguished cry echoes, raw and piercing.

“I broke up with Eiji. Kondou-senpai, over there, is my boyfriend now.”

Cowardly, I cling to half-truths, hoping to dodge the full weight of my sins. But Mom’s not fooled.

A sharp sting burns my left cheek. At first, I don’t understand. Then, as my head turns from the force, it sinks in. She slapped me.

Mom, who never raised a hand no matter how angry, whose kindness defined her. This is her fury, unbridled. And I know—I’ve been abandoned.

We’ll never be the close mother and daughter we were. Grief, regret, and self-loathing crash over me.

“I’m sorry,” I murmur, voice breaking.

“Why did you cheat? Eiji-kun cared about you more than anyone. Why would you betray the person who mattered most!? You shouldn’t be apologizing to me!”

Her rage overwhelms her, and she clutches her chest, collapsing in pain. “Mom, are you okay?” I rush to her, but she pushes me away, even now.

“I don’t understand you anymore. Please, let’s go apologize to the Aonos together.”

With those words, she faints. The officers scramble, and the room dissolves into chaos.

──Kondou’s Perspective──

Tch, this is a mess. If that woman’s mom drags Miyuki to Aono’s place, everything could unravel.

But my dad’s already on it. “Looks like anemia. Don’t worry. Once she calms down, we can handle it. Worst case, we pay her off. Most adults fold for money.”

His cold pragmatism is a lifesaver. Unlike Miyuki’s hysterical mom, he’s got this under control.

Once Miyuki’s dealt with, I just need to keep this from reaching the school and lay low until graduation. I’ve already spread enough rumors to ensure Aono’s downfall. He’ll crash on his own.

Miyuki? I’ll make her even more dependent. Her mom—her biggest ally—has rejected her. If her childhood friend Aono vanishes next, I’ll be her only lifeline. She’s my slave now, just like that soccer club underclassman and convenient girl number one, doomed to be mine forever.

How many slaves can I collect before graduation? Life’s looking pretty sweet.