The Cold Game is Wrong, As I Expected

The bathroom was quiet except for the faint dripping of a leaky faucet. I stood by the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My uniform was slightly wrinkled, my tie loose, and my hair a mess—not that it ever wasn't. The redness in my face had mostly faded, but the throbbing in my ribs and the dull ache in my chin were impossible to ignore.

Next to me, Hashimoto leaned casually against the wall, his phone in hand, scrolling through something with the kind of relaxed confidence only someone like him could muster. His gaze flicked over to me briefly, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"She got you good, huh?" he said, gesturing toward my wrists.

I glanced down. The scratches stood out starkly against my skin, red and angry. My brows furrowed as I gently ran a finger over them, wincing at the sting. "Yeah," I muttered, rolling down my sleeves to cover the marks. "Even Kamakura's never scratched me like this, and he once went berserk because I wouldn't share my fried chicken with him."

"Kamakura?" he asked curiously.

"My cat."

Hashimoto chuckled, shaking his head. "A cat's one thing, but I didn't think Kushida had claws like that."

"Neither did I," I replied dryly. "Pretty sure these are deep enough to scar. Didn't know she doubled as Wolverine in her spare time."

I pulled at my sleeves again, making sure the scratches were fully hidden. The last thing I needed was someone asking questions. My ribs protested as I straightened, the memory of the impact against the floor fresh and unwelcome. I pressed a hand against my side, grimacing slightly.

There was no way I could let Yukinoshita or Yuigahama see me like this—especially not Hiratsuka-sensei. If any of them noticed something was wrong, they wouldn't leave me alone until I gave them an explanation. And the thought of enduring their relentless concern was somehow worse than the pain itself.

"Back hurts from the floor, stomach hurts from her punch," I muttered to myself. "And now my wrists look like I picked a fight with a tree and lost. Fantastic."

Hashimoto let out a low whistle, his smirk never leaving. "Don't forget that bruise on your chin, boss."

I instinctively reached up to touch my chin, hissing under my breath when I felt the faint sting of a bruise forming. I turned to him, frowning. "Is it that obvious?"

He shrugged, his grin widening. "Nah, it's not so bad. Battle scars tell a story, though. What's that saying? Scars are just tattoos with better stories."

I raised an eyebrow at him, unimpressed. "Pretty sure whoever came up with that never had to deal with someone like Kushida."

Hashimoto laughed. "True. Still, you're alive, and we got what we needed. I'd say that's a win."

"Some win," I muttered, straightening my tie as I glanced back at my reflection. My face was still pale, but at least the blood wasn't rushing to my head anymore. "I look like I've been through hell."

"You have," Hashimoto said with a shrug. "But you walked out the other side."

I didn't respond immediately, letting his words hang in the air. My mind wandered back to the scene on the rooftop—the anger in her eyes, the desperation in her voice. For all her confidence, for all her cunning, she'd been reckless, sloppy. And in the end, she'd lost.

"She's not going to give up," I said finally, my tone quieter now.

Hashimoto's expression shifted slightly, his usual carefree demeanor giving way to something more serious. "No, she's not," he admitted. "But that's why we've got this." He held up his phone, giving it a small shake. "Proof. Leverage. Whatever you want to call it. She can't spin her way out of this one."

I nodded, though the weight of the situation pressed heavily on my chest. "Let's hope you're right."

Hashimoto grinned again, back to his usual self. "C'mon, boss. When am I ever wrong?"

I rolled my eyes, grabbing a paper towel to wipe my hands. "Don't make me start a list."

Hashimoto's grin faded, and his usual carefree expression gave way to something more serious. It was a subtle shift, but enough to make my stomach tighten uneasily.

I frowned, tossing the crumpled paper towel into the trash. "What's with the face? Did Kushida send you a thank-you card already?"

Hashimoto didn't laugh. Instead, he held up his phone, the screen glowing faintly in the dim bathroom light. "Just got a message," he said, his voice unusually neutral. "It's from Hime."

Sakayanagi. Of course. I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes. "What does she want?"

Hashimoto didn't answer immediately, tilting the screen toward me. "Take a look."

The message was short but unmistakably her:

Sakayanagi: Hashimoto-kun, please bring Hikigaya-kun to the old art storage room near the west wing. No delays.

No greetings, no pleasantries, just direct and to the point. Exactly what I'd expect from someone like Sakayanagi.

I raised an eyebrow, handing the phone back. "The old art storage room? Nobody even goes near that place anymore. I didn't even know it still existed."

"Well, it does," Hashimoto said, slipping the phone into his pocket. "And it looks like we're making a little field trip. Lucky us."

I leaned against the sink, arms still crossed as I mulled over the message. "Any idea what this is about? You're her guy, after all. Shouldn't you be in the loop?"

Hashimoto shrugged, a flicker of his usual smirk returning. "Honestly? No clue. But if I had to guess... it's probably one of her little surprises." He gave me a pointed look. "You should probably be ready for anything. Knowing Hime, she's got something up her sleeve."

"Great," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "Because this day hasn't been eventful enough already."

Hashimoto chuckled, pushing off the wall and heading toward the door. "Hey, look on the bright side. At least you'll get to hear whatever crazy plan she's cooked up first-hand. Should be entertaining, if nothing else."

I sighed internally, straightening up and following after him.

ㅤ

ᛚᛟᚾᛖᛚᚤᚲᚤᚾᛁᚲᚨᛚᛋᛟᚢᛚ

ㅤ

Hashimoto pushed open the door with a casual motion, stepping aside to let me walk in first. I hesitated briefly, a subtle unease prickling the back of my neck. My day had already taken several unexpected turns, and something told me this wasn't going to be the pleasant kind of surprise. With a cautious step, I pushed through.

The room was dimly lit, its fluorescent lights flickering faintly. Standing in the center, leaning on her cane with an air of absolute poise, was Sakayanagi Arisu.

Beside her stood a girl I didn't recognize. She had long, purple hair, and piercing eyes that seemed to size me up immediately. Her posture appeared deceptively sharp. Her school uniform wasn't worn sloppily, but the way she carried herself made it clear she wasn't one to play by the rules.

"Kamuro," Hashimoto said with a slight nod of acknowledgment as he entered behind me.

"Hashimoto," she replied flatly, barely sparing him a glance before her eyes landed on me. I could feel her gaze studying me, her disinterest almost as unsettling as her sharpness.

Sakayanagi's lips curled into a smile as her attention shifted to Hashimoto. "Just in time, Hashimoto-kun. It was starting to get a bit boring." Her voice was light, almost musical, but beneath it was a sharpness that made her words linger.

Then her gaze turned to me, "It seems your plan was successful after all, Hikigaya-kun."

I didn't reply. My eyes weren't on her anymore, or even on the girl she called Kamuro. No, my attention had been violently stolen by the two figures standing further back in the room.

The first was a boy with wild, magenta-colored hair and a twisted smirk.

Ryuen Kakeru.

I'd only seen him once before, during a brief encounter outside. I wasn't spotted at that time. He had been beating up some Sobu riajuu, and his aura back then had been enough to scream trouble. Seeing him here now, his smirk just as menacing, was like running into a storm you couldn't escape.

Behind him, like a silent monolith, stood a towering figure. He had a shaved head, broad shoulders, and a presence that demanded attention without saying a word. His expression was cold and unreadable, his eyes hidden behind sleek black sunglasses. If I squinted, I could almost mistake him for one of those "Men in Black" agents, but the intimidating kind—the kind who wouldn't bother with flashy gadgets when brute force would suffice.

"HELLO."

My stomach sank.

What in the world have I just walked into?

Without a doubt, this situation felt like one of those dramatic movie scenes where two rival gangs meet in an abandoned warehouse to settle things. Except, I was the unlucky bystander who accidentally stumbled in and was now caught in the crossfire.

"Ah, it seems you've noticed our other guests," Sakayanagi said, clearly amused as her gaze flicked between me and the Class C duo.

Ryuen shifted his stance, crossing his arms as his sharp eyes landed on me. His smirk widened into something darker, and he let out a scoffing laugh. "Who the fuck is this, Sakayanagi?" he said, voice laced with irritation. "Thought this was supposed to be an important meeting."

My instinct to vanish into thin air had never been stronger. If there was an award for worst timing, I'd have claimed it right here.

Sakayanagi's smile widened ever so slightly, a gleam of mischief in her eyes that set off every alarm bell in my head. "Please, calm down, Ryuen-kun," she said in that syrupy-smooth tone of hers, perfectly at ease. "This is Hikigaya Hachiman-kun. And while I understand your confusion, I assure you, his presence here is far more... interesting than it might seem at first glance."

Interesting? Oh no.

Ryuen raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting back to me. "This guy?" he asked, incredulous. "Doesn't look like much."

"Well, appearances can be deceiving, can't they?" Sakayanagi replied lightly, her cane tapping the floor with a faint click.

I wanted to say something—anything—that might clear up the misunderstanding. But between Sakayanagi's cryptic words and Ryuen's piercing gaze, my mind decided to take a vacation. All I could do was stand there, acutely aware of just how much of a mistake it had been to walk through that door.

Sakayanagi's smile deepened, her eyes glinting with an unsettling mix of amusement and cunning. I could feel the temperature in the room drop as she prepared to drop whatever bombshell she had been saving.

"Ryuen-kun," she began in her syrupy tone, tilting her head slightly, "I must admit, your confidence is impressive. But did you know? This seemingly unremarkable boy with 'rotten eyes,' as one might describe,"—her gaze flickered toward me, and I stiffened under the subtle jab—"has uncovered your tactic for the Special Exam. Specifically, how you acquired the mock test made by Horikita Suzune-san, delivered to you by none other than Kushida-san."

For a moment, silence blanketed the room. I wasn't sure what reaction to expect, but my body braced instinctively.

Ryuen's smirk didn't falter. If anything, it grew wider, curving into something far more sinister. He tilted his head, regarding Sakayanagi with an expression that screamed mockery. "Really now? That's your play?" he asked, voice dripping with amusement. "You think it's some grand revelation that Kushida was involved? Come on, Sakayanagi."

He turned his attention to me, scanning me up and down like I was an insect he'd just discovered on his shoe. "And this guy—you're saying he figured it out?" His tone was incredulous, but the derision was unmistakable.

I bit back the urge to shrink under his gaze, though I couldn't stop my hand from subtly twitching at my side.

Ryuen chuckled, the sound low and dark, before leaning casually against the table behind him. "Let me clear something up for you. You think Kushida Kikyou was my plan? Please." He waved a hand dismissively. "She was nothing more than a cherry on top—a little extra spice to amuse me while I trampled over this pathetic exam."

His eyes glinted dangerously as he leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping an octave. "Do you seriously think I needed her to win? Kushida was just... interesting. Her desperation to stay on top of her class made her easy to use, but she was far from the main event. In fact..." He straightened, throwing his hands out as if presenting some grand performance. "The Special Exam itself is the real joke here."

He smirked, clearly enjoying the tension in the room. "You see, it was my idea to push Kushida into this little scheme when she asked me how to get someone expelled. I wanted to see just how far this school's so-called 'flexible' rules would stretch. Turns out, pretty far." His tone turned dismissive as his eyes briefly flicked toward me. "Horikita Suzune? She's nothing. Class D is nothing. I couldn't care less about her or whatever pitiful ambitions she has."

He scoffed, shaking his head with mock frustration. "Honestly, I'm dying of boredom here. This entire exam is so predictable, so... pointless. I can't even understand why this school wasted the time to put it together. Where's the challenge? The thrill?" His smirk sharpened, his gaze locking with Sakayanagi's. "If this is the best they can come up with, then maybe you're all wasting my time too."

The room felt charged, like a storm brewing just beneath the surface. Ryuen's dismissive confidence was suffocating, and even though his words weren't directed at me, their weight pressed down hard enough to make me question why I was even still standing here.

Sakayanagi, however, didn't flinch. If anything, she seemed utterly delighted. "Oh, Ryuen-kun," she purred, tapping her cane lightly against the floor. "You truly are one of a kind."

Her tone dripped with amusement, but there was an undeniable edge beneath it, something sharp and calculated.

This situation only confirmed what I'd suspected for a while now—Class A and Class C had some sort of truce, at least for the duration of this exam. Sakayanagi was preoccupied with her battle against Tsukishiro, while Ryuen... well, he had his own motivations, motivations I'd been piecing together for some time.

And then, Sakayanagi dropped the nuke.

Straight on me.

"Oh, Ryuen-kun," she began again, her words as sweet as poisoned honey. "You might find it interesting to know that Hachiman-kun here isn't just aware of your true plan for this Special Exam." She paused, her smile widening, her eyes flickering with something dangerous. "He also knows the final results for this stage of the exam."

The room froze. It was as if someone had stopped time. All eyes turned to me. I was suddenly the center of attention, and I hated every second of it.

Ryuen's smirk faltered for the first time, replaced by a flicker of genuine disbelief. He blinked, leaning forward slightly as if trying to gauge whether this was some elaborate joke. "What did you just say?" he asked, his voice slow and deliberate, like he couldn't quite believe the words that had left her mouth.

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the silence pressing down on me. My mind raced, trying to assess the situation. Sakayanagi hadn't just placed me in an uncomfortable position—she'd put me in a no-win scenario.

If I said nothing, it would confirm their suspicions, and Ryuen would pick me apart until he got what he wanted. If I lied and said I didn't know anything, it wouldn't matter. Ryuen would see through it in an instant, and I'd end up in an even worse situation.

Thanks, Sakayanagi. Really.

I felt the heat of their stares—the curiosity from Kamuro and Hashimoto, the mockery from Ryuen, and that calm knowing amusement from Sakayanagi herself. Even the man in black stopped his statue act and stared at me. For a moment, I wished I could just melt into the floor and disappear. But instead, I forced myself to stand there, silent, my mind running through increasingly desperate options.

And Ryuen? He took a step closer, his smirk slowly returning as he tilted his head, studying me like a predator sizing up prey. "Well, well, looks like the quiet guy's more interesting than I thought," he muttered, his voice dripping with curiosity and menace.

Finally, I opened my mouth and responded.

For a second, his expression froze. And then, like a switch being flipped, his head tilted back, and he erupted into a fit of wild laughter, the kind that would make a hyena reconsider its priorities. "Kukuku...!" The sound echoed through the room, sharp and unrestrained. It was manic, almost unhinged, and it only confirmed what I'd already suspected: Ryuen Kakeru was completely insane.

Even Sakayanagi couldn't suppress a giggle, her delicate laughter intertwining with Ryuen's chaotic cackles. For someone usually so composed, the fact that she was genuinely amused sent a shiver down my spine.

These people were batshit insane. Every single one of them. They didn't belong in a school—they belonged in a high-security psychiatric ward where they couldn't terrorize anyone.

Hashimoto, his ever-present grin somehow wider, stepped forward and clapped me on the shoulder like we were old friends. "Nice one, boss," he said, giving me a thumbs-up. "You've got guts, I'll give you that."

Guts? Sure. If by "guts," he meant the sheer stupidity of walking into this nightmare.

Ryuen finally managed to catch his breath, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye as his laughter subsided. His gaze shifted back to me, but there was something new in his expression now—a spark of genuine interest.

"What the fuck are you doing in this pathetic school!?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and amusement.

I had enough of this bullshit. If I refused to speak now, I'd be swallowed whole by their insidious game.

I met Ryuen's gaze, unwavering, and finally said the words I should've said from the start. "I'm here to stay as far away from people like you as possible."

Ryuen blinked, his smirk never faltering. Then, he let out a laugh that was far too loud for the situation. "Hah! So that's it? You're just trying to keep your distance, huh? Not exactly the most noble of reasons for attending this shit-place for losers, is it?"

"It's honest, at least. Unlike some people who act like they own the place because they can make everyone miserable."

Ryuen's eyes glinted with amusement, but he didn't back down. Instead, his grin only widened. "Ooh, we're throwing jabs now, huh? You think you're smart, don't you? Yeah, you talk a big game, but when it comes down to it, you're just another pawn in our little chessboard. Probably hoping to blend in, keep your head down, and avoid being noticed by me."

I gave him a flat stare. "Avoid being noticed by you? You're not exactly a true threat, Ryuen."

"Is that so?" Ryuen leaned in closer, his smirk turning into something more dangerous. "Then let me remind you, that I'm the one who decides who stays and who goes in this school. I'm not the one running from the consequences of my actions. I actually play the game, unlike you, who's content to stay in the corner like some useless bystander."

"Is that what you think? I'm from Sobu not from this circus," I said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "You think playing the game correctly means making me fear you? Look at you. All you do is scare people into submission. And for what? I'm not interested in your petty power struggles."

"That's your life, not mine."

Ryuen's eyes narrowed, but there was a flicker of something beneath his cool exterior—something similar to respect. Or maybe it was annoyance. Hard to tell with him. "You think you're above it all, huh? Just because you don't throw tantrums like I do doesn't mean you're better. It just means you're too scared to face reality."

"Scared?" I scoffed. "If anything, it's the other way around. You can't even see the truth, can you? That you're just another cog in a broken machine."

The air between us crackled with tension, and Ryuen's grin slowly morphed into something more predatory. "Maybe you're right, Hikigaya. Maybe you've got a bit more spine than I thought. But don't get too comfortable. This school's full of people just like me, and I'm not the only one who plays dirty."

I met his gaze, "Good thing I'm not part of your school then."

Hashimoto chuckled from behind us. "Damn, you two are really going at it, huh? I gotta say, this is entertaining."

The tension hung thick in the air as I took another step forward, my eyes never leaving Ryuen's. I wasn't done yet. I wasn't going to let this slide. "Don't mess with Class D during this Special Exam. You've already caused enough trouble."

Ryuen raised an eyebrow, a lazy smirk playing on his lips. "Oh? And what are you going to do about it, Hikigaya? You think you can stop me?"

I held his gaze, unflinching. "I'll expose your little plan to the whole school. And then, let's see how long you last here. Do you know what happens then? You get expelled."

"You absolute cold bastard."

His expression didn't change. Instead, he let out a short laugh, a genuine one, with no anger behind it. "Heh. You are something else. I've got to hand it to you."

I felt the insult, but it rolled off me like water off a duck's back. He was trying to rattle me, but I wasn't about to let him see that he had any effect.

Ryuen continued, his smirk now a full-on grin as if he were enjoying himself. "You're cold, man. I respect that. But let me ask you this—what does it matter to you? You don't even care what happens to the other students in your precious Sobu, do you? You think I care what happens to Class D? I could care less."

I looked at him, deadpan. "I'm a loner, Ryuen. I don't know most of the names in my class, let alone give a damn about what happens to them. So tell me...

...what's the difference?"

Ryuen stared at me for a moment, his grin fading slightly as he seemed to weigh my words. Then, with a huff, he straightened up, clearly deciding I wasn't someone he could easily intimidate.

"Fine," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I won't touch Class D during this Special Exam. But don't think for a second that I'm not curious whether those losers will even manage to do anything. It'll be fun watching them fail, anyway."

He went for a handshake of all things.

I didn't respond to his jab. Instead, I raised my hand and gave him a casual shake, as if we were sealing some kind of deal. "Glad we're on the same page."

Ryuen looked at my hand, then back at me, his smirk returning full force. "You know, Hikigaya, you're a weird one. But I gotta say, it's been a pleasure doing business with you."

I let go of his hand, the deal made in silence.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Sakayanagi's gaze, her smile sharp and knowing, as though she were relishing this exchange, savoring the quiet round between us.

With that, Ryuen stepped back, his eyes still gleaming with that unsettling mix of amusement and challenge. I didn't need to say another word. He had his plan, and I had mine.

The game wasn't over yet.