The Deal

Sakata Akio's POV

After Nii-chan and I parted ways, I immediately told my mother about me meeting Nii-chan. My mother's eyes teared up with joy.

Hina: I can finally feel relief now that Ah-chan and Aki-chan have already met. I have been itching to tell you that your brother is okay.

My mother reached out her warm white slender hand onto my cheek. I tilted my head towards her hand and enjoyed her comfort while closing my eyes and smiled. Only my mother and Nii-chan call me 'Ah-chan' while my father calls me 'Akio-kun'. My mother loves to call her sons with cutesy names.

HIna: I always observed you while you were at home. Your smiles are way different when your brother was still living together with us. But lately, after entering Seishin, you always looked troubled. Is something bothering you, Ah-chan?

I opened my eyes and my mouth stopped smiling. Did mother notice?

I held my mother's hand that was on my face with my hands. I gently massaged and rubbed my cheek on her hand, closing my eyes and feeling her warmth, once again. I don't want her to know about father. I don't want our family to fall apart. With my brother out of the picture, I cannot imagine losing either my mother or father. I just wish my father I once knew was still there.

Akio: No mother. It's just that the lessons are harder than what I learned in junior high school. Don't worry much mother.

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I remembered about our conversation with Kai-senpai at the ice cream parlor. I am still thinking about what to reply to Kai-senpai's proposal.

*****

Kai: I really came here to talk about school.

I slightly tilted my head with a muddled look on my face.

Kai: I befriended you because I wanted to team up with you.

Rei-kun's eyebrows crossed and Yamazaki-kun was taken aback.

Akio: Team up with me? For what reason?

I had a slight idea as to what he meant. He meant about my father's business but I pretended to be ignorant as to what he was talking about. I don't know if I could trust him with our lives. I am also carrying both Rei-kun and Yamazaki-kun's lives with me.

Kai: I knew about what happened when both you and Matsumoto-kun were unable to participate the first tournament for this school year. I have watched both of you being beaten up by Saito Reiko, the new scholar.

He changed his posture and rested both his arms on the table and interlocked his fingers, ready to offer a deal.

Rei: So? What would you like to imply? I find you suspicious from the moment you approached Akio-kun on that day.

Kai-senpai raised his arms as if he was surrendering. Rei-kun's voice sounded firm, leaving no openings to fool him. He really is a protective friend.

Kai: Woah. Hold up. I mean no harm here. What I wanted was to team up with you since you are someone who could get close and kiss up to your father.

Rei-kun's eyes squinted and I was surprised as to what I have heard.

Akio: Uhm, senpai, I am no longer suitable to kiss up to my father. I couldn't bear staying with him even just for a second. My moves are also currently monitored.

Rei: You mean no harm? But you are already putting Akio-kun here in danger by making a deal with you. He is someone who really hates fighting. You aren't even careful if someone is watching us.

Rei-kun was furious and I stood up to calm him down. Father wasn't that strict on monitoring me after the incident we had before. He knew me so well and he have already given us a warning and it would be worse the next time we try to disobey him.

Akio: It's okay. Calm down.

Rei-kun stared at me with earnest eyes that showed deep concern about my well-being. I nodded and he finally sat down and calmed himself.

I sat down and faced senpai, ready to listen to him.

Akio: What is your plan and why should I trust you? I am truly concerned about the school's situation but I currently have no power or whatsoever to stop this. My previous actions have made me realize my place even though I am the headmaster's son. We are just mere students held under the grasp of filthy adults. I do believe it would take guts, courage, and a hundred powerful adults to help us get out of this shithole.

Kai-senpai smirked playfully.

Kai: Oho! Do you not realize who I am? I am J Company's future successor.

Kai-senpai said it so proudly.

Rei: So what if you are the future successor? Does your father know or support your plans? I thought your father is one of the biggest sponsors of our school. Do you think you hold more power than your father, thinking you'll be the future successor? He is still the current head of the company, not you.

Kai: You are quite stubborn and sharp, Matsumoto-kun. I have my ways without my father knowing. And it's not like I am the only student who is part of this plan. I cannot tell you the details of our plans and the students involved unless you become our ally. I can also guarantee that we mean no harm but for us all to escape your so-called shithole. Even if you won't become our ally, we won't do anything stupid to hurt you just because you didn't join us. We'll just leave you alone and we'll continue the plan on our own. So, is that enough for you to trust me? Do we need a contract for terms and conditions?

Rei-kun and Yamazaki-kun shifted their gaze towards me, waiting for me to make the final decision since I was the person Kai-senpai wanted to make a deal with.

I had no idea whether to accept the deal or not. I cannot make rash decisions for our lives here are at stake. I don't even know whether they are powerful enough to go against the adults. It is not only my father who is the enemy here. He even has powerful people covering for him.

It was quite dumb of me to start a little petition against him. I have regretted my actions for it has caused harm to Rei-kun, also.

I took a deep breath and opened my mouth.

Akio: Kai-senpai, I would like to humbly decline your offer. As a man of justice, I am honestly tempted but my decision to join you might affect the lives of my friends. This is a matter that I should think over and over again. I need more time to think whether I should take action or not. But I guarantee you, not a single word from our conversation today will reach my father. Though I trust your words senpai, I would like to make a contract for my friends' safety and also for your safety that this won't reach my father. Is this a fair deal?

Kai-senpai sighed in dismay. He opened his hand asking for a pen and paper. Rei-kun politely handed him his needs.

While writing down the details of the contract, Kai-senpai spoke.

Kai: You are quite meticulous, Akio-sama. And the way you turned me down made me even want you more to be a part of our plans. You really live up to your rank in academics. It was a smart move. You really avoided making a rash decision, though it would still be wise of you to be part of our plan. You are a little bit of a coward. It's okay to be a coward sometimes for the sake of others but it hinders you to do the things you want to achieve in life. I hope you will not become a coward forever and turn a blind eye about this matter. Even if you have declined now, if you decide to join, we will welcome you with open arms and help you survive with us. I am not giving up on you joining us. I'll wait but I hope it won't take you too long to give your final decision.

I nodded in reply while reading the contract he made. The contract was detailed and all the terms and conditions we both agreed on are already written on the paper. It also included that if I would change my mind, the offer they gave me would still be valid.

After I have already read everything written in the contract, I signed next to Kai-senpai's signature.

Akio: I will be the one to keep this to ensure our safety.

Rei-kun snatched the paper from me.

Rei: No, I will be the one to hold on to this. Your father and mother might see this at home.

Yamazaki-kun snatched the paper from Rei-kun.

Tatsuo: No, I will be the one who should hold on to this for my father and mother doesn't care about my stuff at home.

Kai-senpai placed his hand on his forehead while shaking his head and let out a soft chortle.

Kai: I do not regret meeting you three today. My offer is valid for the three of you. You really value your friendship, ah no, scratch that. What you have is camaraderie. It is rare to have comrades in our situation in Seishin High.

Kai-senpai stood up and gently smiled at us.

Kai: By the way, you can have my hoodie there, I'll take yours. I like your hoodie better. Bye! See you at school!

Kai-senpai then left the scene.

Tatsuo: That senpai is weird. Why would he take a hoodie that's small for his body?

Rei: Yeah. Even though he's kind of trustworthy but I still don't like him.

Akio: Oh come on. He's just fond of me like a little brother.

*****

I've been thinking about it over and over.

Even after my encounter with my Nii-chan, I still didn't change my mind. I still won't change my decision.

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Third Person POV

As Nanase Kai went out the ice cream parlor, a foreign car stopped in front of him. He rode on the back seat of the car and sat beside a guy on his early 20's.

Nanase Kai removed the hoodie he wore that was originally Sakata Akio's and handed it to the guy seated next to him.

Kai: He is still very cautious and doesn't plan to join us yet. This is the only souvenir I could give to you as of now.

Guy: It's okay. Only one tournament has passed and he even did not participate. Let him taste the merciless ways of Seishin High firsthand. Sooner or later, he will surely join us. I know him too well. But make sure he is still safe, understood?

Kai: Yes, Boss.

Guy: Stop calling me boss! Just call me by my name.

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END OF CHAPTER 13