Chapter 22: Public Betrayal

"Your plan already failed when you collapsed. I'm pretty sure whatever else you're thinking won't end up like you want."

Angelie was writing notes on a piece of paper and didn't even look at Akuma.

"Oh, what is this? You already kissed and made up?"

Kiba leaned forward towards Angelie, smirking at her.

"K-kissed?! Don't you even dare think about something like that!"

Angelie snapped the pen she was holding.

"Of course… I just misspoke is all."

Kiba looked away and whistled lightly.

"I don’t care what you all think will happen. What matters is we push through until the end of the week and don't lose sight of my goals. Especially you, Sanaka!"

Akuma pointed at the crying Sanaka.

"Yes!"

She wailed even louder.

---

The following morning, Akuma was at the school gate during the appointed time they meet up every day. No one else was around.

"Where the hell is everybody? I just said yesterday to not lose sight of my goal! Damn those insolent minions…!"

He waited for a little while longer. He checked near the school entrance, the track and field grounds and the school gym building. He went back to the school gate to see if anyone came. When nobody else showed up, Akuma proceeded to jog on his own.

During his jogging session, his mind was filled with thoughts on how to further increase his profile on the school body. He knew that since this first request was already a success, he can use it to elevate the club as a proficient organization that provides the desired result, if not better. More and more requests will be coming and he can choose which ones will present wider exposure for the club. Thus, his name, Jizen Akuma, will be renowned all over the school. He will even surpass that accursed student council Vice President in popularity.

(You think you're popular, Mr. Vice President? Well, you'll see what a popular student is like.)

As his thoughts of grandeur swirled inside his head, he didn't notice that he was already on his third lap around the school. His stamina was only built to last up to the second lap. When he was about to reach the school gate to end his jog, he was already gasping for air and walking slowly. Akuma then collapsed as soon as he passed the school gate.

---

Akuma slowly regained consciousness. His eyes were sluggishly opening. As he was lying on the ground, he felt something hitting his ribs from the opposite side of where he was facing. He turned his head to see what it was. He saw someone kicking him.

"Hey! Stop that! That hurts!"

Akuma shouted and looked up to who it was.

"It hurts? Very well, then."

It was Mimi who was kicking him. She continued on kicking his sides.

"I said stop! I'm already awake!"

"Oh. I didn't notice."

"You already heard me talk! What do you mean you didn't notice!"

Mimi finally stopped kicking him on his ribs. Akuma gradually stood up while touching his sides.

"You're late! And where are the others? Why didn't anyone show up earlier?"

"Huh? You were not aware?"

Mimi tilted her head sideways and looked at Akuma, her eyebrow raised.

"Aware? Aware of what?"

"It seems Angelie-san was right again."

Mimi covered her mouth as she laughed quietly.

"I think you should just talk to Futoi-kun. His class is 1-C, I believe."

"Damn it, what is it now?"

Akuma immediately dashed towards the school building.

---

As it was still a little bit earlier, there were still few students at school. When Akuma reached the classroom of 1-C, he looked inside to look for Taida. He still wasn't around. He decided to wait for him by standing on the hallway in front of 1-C. He closed his eyes, and leaned on the wall with his arms crossed.

Some of the students who passed by Akuma stared at him. Finally, Taida appeared in the hallway and approached his classroom. Akuma sensed his presence and opened his eyes. When he saw Taida, he could only widen his eyes and stare. His jaw dropped so low it could have hit the floor.

"Hey, Futoi! What the hell happened?!"

Akuma rushed towards the unsuspecting first-year. Taida was plumper than he was yesterday.

"Y-you, you gained weight? How?!"

Akuma grabbed both shoulders of Taida.

"Good morning, Jizen-senpai. Why are you so surprised—"

"Of course, I'm surprised! You were supposed to be leaner and fit. Look at you, you're even eating a hotdog sandwich now!"

"I messaged everyone yesterday that I already finished all the games I have. So now I have time to study. I don't need to diet anymore. I believe I messaged everyone last night… Oh, I don't have your mail address. I'm sorry Senpai. At least I could tell you personally now."

Taida smiled at Akuma.

"But… but my plan…"

Akuma slowly slumped towards the floor, his knees then hitting the ground. Taida saw that students around them were looking at their direction. He quietly moved and entered his classroom.

"I collapsed… twice… for nothing…"

Akuma collapsed on the floor.

---

Akuma was taken to the hospital after he collapsed on the hallway of the school. He was admitted for a few days in the hospital due to exhaustion and slight malnutrition. He missed the health checkup at school.

One afternoon on his hospital room, Akuma was reading a manga while he was sitting down on his bed. His legs were still tucked under the blankets. His door opened and someone entered.

"Oh, how are you feeling?"

His mother brought folded clothes inside the room. She went to the side of Akuma's bed.

"I could have been discharged a few days ago, you know."

He didn't look at his mother as he kept reading the manga.

"What are you talking about? You needed the rest. I wish you could have told me what you were up to. You didn't have to do things by yourself—"

Akuma loudly closed the book he was holding.

"I just have a way of doing things on my own."

"I see. Just don't go worrying me and your dad."

"Him? Worried? Sure."

His mother stayed quiet for a while as she placed the clothes she brought inside a cabinet.

"Tomorrow, you will be discharged. I left a change of clothes here. Do you want me to pick you up?"

"No worries. I can go home by myself. You should rest, too."

"Okay, then. I'll see you at home tomorrow—"

The door opened again.

"Hey, Demon Lord. I didn't want to come here but the school nurse wanted—"

Angelie stepped inside the room without looking at who was there. She was busy taking out a piece of paper from her bag. When she looked up, she saw Akuma and his mother looking at her.

"Um, I'm sorry for barging in like that! You must be Mrs. Jizen. I'm Fukushuu Angelie, your son's classmate. It's a pleasure to meet you."

She bowed down from the waist, fully hiding her flushed face.

"Oh, is she a friend of yours, Akuma? What a lovely lady."

"Lovely? What's so lovely about a barbaric—"

His mother punched the top of Akuma's head.

"Are you trying to extend my stay here in the hospital?"

He rubbed the large bump on his head.

"That's no way to talk to a lady. Especially someone so cute and courteous as her."

Akuma's mother kept her smile on the whole time. She then faced Angelie.

"Well, I should leave you two alone to talk. I'm sure you've missed each other—"

"We don't!"

---

After Akuma's mother left, Angelie was just standing still inside the room. She was mumbling to herself.

"Why do I keep meeting his family members… At this rate I'm going to meet his dad, as well…"

"I doubt that."

Akuma continued reading his manga right after his mother closed the door behind her.

"So, why are you here again? How long will you just stand there?"

"Oh, that's right."

Angelie handed over the paper she was holding.

"The school nurse said you need to ask the doctor to write down here your condition when you get discharged. Since you missed the health checkup, this will be their record."

"Another hassle. What the heck."

He took the paper from Angelie. He skimmed thru the words and placed the paper on top of a table beside his bed. He put down the manga he was reading on top of his leg.

"By the way, what's that you're reading there?"

Akuma looked up at Angelie.

"Why do you care?"

Angelie furrowed her eyebrows and looked away.

"I've done what I needed to do. Bye."

"Begone, then."

As she was opening the door to exit the room, she looked back at Akuma.

"Oh, I forgot. Our homeroom teacher said you better be back to school by next week."

"Why is that? Does he miss me that much?"

"No one misses you."

"Then, what?"

"Our school trip will be discussed. He doesn't want to repeat everything just for you."