Chapter 44 The Mastermind

The Mastermind

“Hey, can I talk to you for a second? I want to talk to you about something.”

Waiting for the right time, Sou calls out to a tall, handsome male student who has left a classroom and entered the hallway.

This male student belongs to a science class. He is different from Sou, who is in a social class.

“It’s okay. Sorry if this is rude, but who are you? I don’t know you.”

With a confused look on his face, the handsome male student replied rudely.

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t introduce myself. How rude of me. I’m Amane Sou, class 2–6. I’m a normal, introverted student at Seidou High.”

With a fake smile, Sou calmly finishes his introduction. He’s not usually this charming. His facial expression is not that expressive. In fact, he’s the type who changes his expression depending on how he feels. To put it nicely, he’s an honest person.

“Hmm. So what does Amane-kun, who has no connection with me, want from me?”

He must’ve heard the word introvert (陰キャ) and perceived him as someone beneath him. He becomes more intimidating than before.

“A little bit… I guess we can’t talk here. The topic is a bit… Anyway, I want to change the place. Is that okay?”

Sou doesn’t show any signs of being particularly bothered. But Sou is clearly suggesting that they should move to another location. It’s Sou’s minimal consideration.

“Why? Is there something embarrassing you can’t talk about here?”

The proud and relaxed male student questions Sou harshly, almost as if he’s accusing him.

“Oh no~ I don’t think we can talk here. I think you’ll understand when you hear this sound.”

Taking out his smartphone from his blazer pocket, Sou shows the saved voice recording and taps the play button. A voice is heard from the smartphone.

[Maruyama-kun is the mastermind behind the bullying of Nakatani Mizuki. He is the mastermind and gave the orders to the three of us.]

The voice of the girl who was the leader of Mizuki’s bullying is spat out in a trill of mechanical sounds.

“What!!”

Opening his eyes wide, the handsome male student lets out a cry of surprise. His composure is instantly gone, and his face is visibly shaken.

“Do you understand the situation now? That’s why. Should we move to another place? If we don’t hurry, the lunch break will be over. I also want to finish this quickly.”

Ignoring what the male student was thinking, Sou continued to push him.

“And you can’t move without listening to what I’m saying. If you go that way, I’ll spread this voice recording all over the school. I’m not threatening you. Maruyama-kun, the ace of the baseball club. I’m serious, okay?”

Saying the surname of the male student in front of him, Sou grins fearlessly.

“I-I understand. I’ll do as you say!”

He must’ve imagined the worst possible future. Shaking his shoulders up and down, Maruyama nods his head repeatedly to show his agreement. He can no longer be rude and intimidating towards Sou. On the contrary, he might even have to be more submissive.

“It’s good that you understand so quickly. Thank you very much! Let’s go somewhere else!”