---Notice---
Here is the conclusion to the last chapter.
I still don't see your powerstones.
My discord (Best server in the world): discord.gg/xFk7znZW
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"It is not the violence that sets men apart. it is the distance that he is prepared to go." ~Tom Hardy, Lawless
"I want to talk to Ryuen," I said directly, speaking to Ryuen and Yagami's main supporters—Ibuki, Ishizaki, and Albert.
The three of them were lounging near the edge of the school building, talking amongst themselves until I approached. Their eyes shifted toward me, mostly indifferent.
"He's busy right now. I'm sure you can wait," Ibuki replied, her tone completely uncaring as she leaned back.
"I have something I need to tell him," I insisted.
"I'm sure you do," she said again, eyes narrowing slightly. "And once again, I'm also sure you can wait."
The dismissiveness in her tone ignited a spark in my chest. I clenched my fists.
"I can't believe you follow such a disgusting leader and then stand here acting unrelated while that bastard does as he pleases," I said, each word presenting my disdain.
"What did you just say about Ryuen?" Ishizaki growled, stepping forward. His muscles tensed, and his fists balled as he glared at me hostilely.
"I said he's disgusting," I replied confidently.
"Don't let him get on your nerves, Ishizaki. It's what he wants," Ibuki cut in.
"Tch. I can tell that much—I'm not that dumb," Ishizaki grumbled, though he didn't back down.
"I know about your plan," I said firmly, "How you've set up Horikita to accuse her of purposely breaking Kinoshita's leg."
The three members of Class B fell into complete silence.
Ibuki was the first to break it, a faint smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "I don't think we have any idea what you're talking about," she said coldly. "To me, it seemed like Horikita obviously tried to harm Kinoshita. It was all caught on camera, after all."
She was lying, obviously. The answer she provided was the kind of answer that was rehearsed and prepared in advance.
"Fine," I said, adjusting my tone. "If you're not willing to talk to me about this here, or take me to Ryuen, then at least discuss this with me in private. I also have a message I want sent to him. I need him to receive it soon, or it will be too late… there will be consequences for Class B."
Ibuki tilted her head slightly, intrigued. I had her attention.
She looked over at Ishizaki, who sighed as he stood up from his seat. "Really? He's obviously spouting bullshit," Ishizaki muttered, scratching the back of his head.
"Better safe than sorry," Ibuki replied smoothly. "Besides, Ryuen likes for us to be thorough. He doesn't like loose ends."
Ishizaki let out another irritated sigh. "Fine. I guess I'll talk to you."
"Wait." Ibuki stepped in again, walking directly up to me. "Your phone. Hand it over."
I hesitated briefly before doing as she asked. My phone had been recording since the moment I began this conversation—I had hoped I could get a confession, some piece of evidence, but it seemed that plan had failed.
Ibuki quickly ended the recording, remaining completely unfazed as she pocketed my phone with an experienced hand. "You can get this back once you're back," she said curtly. Then she turned to the silent giant beside her. "Now, Albert—can you pat him down?"
Albert stood from his seat without a word. He approached and gave me a quick but thorough pat-down. It was brief—we were all in gym clothes, after all—and there weren't many places to hide anything. And, of course, I hadn't tried to.
After the pat down, Ibuki's voice cut through again.
"Ishizaki, don't let him lead you anywhere. And make sure you bring him to an enclosed area," she said cautiously, her eyes never leaving mine. "We're not taking any risks."
She was being meticulous. Guarded. This wasn't the reckless Ibuki most people saw. No—Ibuki was sharper than she let on, far more calculating than her personality suggested.
And right now, she was making sure I would have no opportunity to act freely. No opportunity to interfere with Class B's schemes.
Damn it… Even Ishizaki, while impulsive, doesn't seem like a complete fool.
And now, with my phone confiscated and Albert confirming I wasn't hiding anything, I had no backup. No proof. Just my words, and whatever I could draw out of Ishizaki alone.
Still, this was something I had to do.
Ibuki signaled for us to leave.
Her eyes lingered on me as I turned away, watching like a hawk sizing up its prey. Every step I took, I could feel her gaze burning into my back. Ishizaki led the way, guiding me inside the school building.
There were students around, but only a handful. Most of them were loitering lazily, grabbing a snack or catching their breath before the next round of events resumed. No one paid us much attention.
"This way," Ishizaki grunted, not even bothering to glance back at me.
We turned down a quiet corridor, one that grew quieter the further we walked. Ishizaki stopped in front of a door and, without hesitation, pushed open the heavy metal frame of the men's bathroom. A space that, notably, was one of the few places in the school without surveillance cameras.
As long as Ishizaki kept his voice low and the door was shut, our conversation would stay private.
He motioned for me to enter.
I stepped inside.
The bathroom was blindingly bright, the stark white light reflecting off every clean surface. Almost unnaturally so. It was as if the world itself was sending me a message: It's too late to go back now. This is the moment of truth.
The room was spotless. Not a speck of dirt on the tiles, not a single paper towel out of place. Even the scent of disinfectant was faint but ever-present.
Ishizaki moved toward the back wall, arms crossed and face locked in a scowl as I took everything in.
My eyes scanned the space from the closed stall doors… to the row of pristine urinals… and finally toward the sinks.
And there, above them—were the mirrors.
I stopped.
In that mirror, my reflection stared back at me. Caught in the glow of the sterile lights, it was me in my truest form. No shadows. No distractions. Just the raw, vulnerable truth.
I had to decide which version of myself I wanted to see in that mirror.
Would it be the version that continues to fail the people around him—paralyzed by fear, unable to move forward?
Or would it be the version that has learned from every mistake, every painful misstep?
A version that has persevered?
I wanted—needed—it to be the one that had persevered.
"Are you just gonna stand there and stay silent like some weirdo?" Ishizaki suddenly barked. "I don't have all day for this shit."
"You're right. I'm sorry," I said, my voice quiet. The gaze on my reflection persisted as I spoke. "I was just thinking…"
What Ayanokoji said was right.
"There aren't many who could even think of, let alone pull off, the kind of stunt Ryuen did—setting up Horikita the way he did. It doesn't leave Class D with many options."
"What are you blabbing about?" Ishizaki snapped, his voice echoing lightly off the tiled walls.
"It just helped me realize…" I muttered, my eyes still locked onto the mirror. "Sometimes… you have to think like a crazy bastard to beat one."
And then—without hesitation—I drove my head forward into the glass.
CRACK.
The sound reverberated through the bathroom. A loud, jarring smash as my forehead collided with the mirror. Shards spider-webbed outward, but it didn't fully break.
"You crazy bastard! What the hell are you doing?!" Ishizaki shouted, stepping forward in surprise. But I moved faster.
Before he could react, I slammed my head against the mirror a second time.
CRASH.
I felt the sting immediately. Warm blood began to trickle down my face, staining the pristine porcelain sink and peppering the fractured glass that rained down onto the tiles.
I could still see Ishizaki rushing toward me, shouting something—but it was already too late.
One more.
With a third and final headbutt, the mirror exploded into a shower of shattered pieces, scattering like falling snow. The fragments clattered across the sink and floor with a sound that felt strangely… satisfying.
I was lightheaded now. Dizziness was creeping in, but it was expected. I welcomed it.
My job wasn't done yet.
Turning slowly, I faced Ishizaki—who had just reached me. But before he could react again, I lunged forward.
Not to strike him.
To hug him.
I wrapped my arms around his torso in a tight, erratic bear hug, pressing my bloodied head against his chest and screamed.
"HELP ME!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, voice shaking with fabricated terror. "SOMEBODY, PLEASE—HE WON'T STOP HITTING ME!!"
The sound rang through the hallway, piercing and desperate. Ishizaki stood frozen for a second, eyes wide.
"The hell are you doing?! Are you insane?!" he yelled, trying to pry me off. "Let go of me!"
I held on for just a moment longer before collapsing to the floor, releasing him as my body hit the broken glass. Pain surged up my side—but I didn't flinch.
That's when the bathroom door opened.
Ayanokoji stepped through.
He stood calmly, holding his phone up—already recording.
Ishizaki's eyes locked onto it, and I saw panic flicker behind them. His body tensed, like he was about to lunge for it.
But then he stopped cold.
Standing beside Ayanokoji was the second person I'd contacted for help she stood by Ayanokoji more suprused by the scene in front of her.
Matsushita.
She, too, held her phone in hand, camera pointed at the scene.
I turned my head slightly and muttered loud enough for them to hear:
"Go… You two have to report this to a teacher…"
Without hesitation, Ayanokoji and Matsushita split off, sprinting in opposite directions.
It seemed they'd already decided who would go where.
Good.
This was enough.
Now alone, I laid flat on the cold tile floor, blood still trickling, breath slowing.
My eyes landed on a piece of the shattered mirror nearby.
I reached out, picked it up with trembling fingers, and held it above me.
The reflection staring back at me wasn't perfect. It was cracked, fragmented—but there was something to be proud of in that image.
A version of me I hadn't seen in a long time.
A small, tired smile crept onto my face.
This time… I did something right.
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What did you guys think? I enjoyed writing this chapter. It was my favorite in a while, so I hope everyone enjoyed reading it. I'm curious about your opinions on the plan I thought up this time; I thought it fitting. I could also see some not liking it, though, but I hope the majority enjoyed it.