Chapter 44: Chapter 8 (Volume 2) – Abiding By A Deal.

-------------------------------------Yuka Higashi's POV-----------------------

7 years ago

I sat on a bench next to Dante who was reading a book.

He was actually deep into the book I must say. After becoming curious enough.

I finally said something.

"Um what book are you reading?"

He ignored me for a bit.

I kicked his left shin and said, "Don't ignore me."

He sighed then replied, "The Tempest."

The Tempest?

"Huh. What's the book about?"

Dante closed the book and placed it on his lap.

"If I give a summary of the play then I'll just end up spoiling it for a first time reader."

In a confused voice I asked, "Who are you speaking about?"

Dante then picked up the small book and waved it next to my face.

"I am speaking about you. It will be a good switch up from all those dress up dolls television shows you watch."

My cheeks became red and I shuttered out, "I d-on't watch thos-e."

How did he know that?

"I am sure right now you're probably thinking, 'How does he know that?' but all I can say is that it's written all over your face."

I turned my head away from him in slight embarrassment.

"Calm down. I'm just messing with you but you should balance your intake of things that expand your horizons and things that limit it."

I slowly took the book from him and kept silent.

"Hey Dante, why do you have conversations with me when you rarely speak to the other students?"

He reclined on the wooden bench and looked up at the blue sky.

"Hmm. Maybe I am just using you to ease my boredom or is it something else? I am not sure if I'm being honest."

"You're using me?"

Dante sighed when he heard my statement.

"Everyone uses everyone else in different ways. In our case, I use you to satisfy my boredom and you use me to satisfy your need for a friend, whenever you visit your father at this school right?"

"Wait, how do you know that?"

Dante turned towards me and said, "I am very perceptive at times but I won't judge you."

I got up from the bench and replied, "Fine. I'll read the book and tell you what I think about it."

Dante kept his silence after I said that.

Present Time

I'm lying in my bed while looking up at the ceiling.

It's a Saturday so we don't have any classes.

I'm still annoyed at the fact, he pulled something that reckless without me realizing it at the last second but hey what can I really expect from him.

We did get first place, 15 points and the deal with class 1-4 which will benefit us in the long run. It seems that Minori Takeda girl is actually learning something from him.

I picked up my phone and checked my notifications.

Hmmm. There's one from Masaki asking me if I wanted to eat out today.

I think I'll pass on that. A good home cooked meal trumps everything.

The next notification is from Ayano. She's still beating herself up over the envelope thing and the betrayal in class.

Sigh how many times, do I have to tell her to let it go? Dante obviously shook her confidence in herself and the class with that 'Leaked List'.

I'll have to sort everything out bright and early on Monday. I would do it now but I'm not sure if everyone would be available.

Tossing my phone to the side and peeling myself off the bed.

I was finally up for the day. I have a bad case of bed head going on which is alright because it's not like anyone is going to see me like this.

*Vibration*

Did Ayano reply to my message already.

I turned over my phone.

From: Dante Sato

Subject:

You are reading story Den of Lions at novel35.com

Send me a clear picture of the written deal you struck with class 1-4 inclusive of Yogi's signature.

He must have finally heard about it and is now suspicious, or is he having an active role in class now?

What if the Minori girl offering that deal was already part of his plan so he can void it with a loophole.

No, that can't be it. The way she and I structured the deal, there aren't any loop holes. So it must have been her own thinking.

*Vibration*

Another text?

From: Dante Sato

Subject:

I am not planning to find a loophole so you can relax.

I'll have to think about it first. Just to make sure he isn't trying to pull anything.

Out of the capable year ones. He seems to take delight in staying in the shadows. He doesn't have any reason to do things in that way, unless he's hiding from someone.

Who is it? Is it the ex Higashi Workshop students?

To my current knowledge regarding them.

There are two of them in class 1-1.

One of students in class 1-2 (That's me)

One of the students in class 1-3.

Two students in class 1-4 (inclusive of Dante)

But they were in the cycle 100 (my cycle) and not cycle 99. So that means, they wouldn't be aware of who he is because Dante left 3 years into his 10 year cycle.

The way the cycles are ran. If a certain number of students drop out before graduation. The cycle is reset and the remaining handful of students are absorbed into the new cycle, so they could finish their remaining time left in the school.

Which means one thing. One of his ex classmates got absorbed into my cycle and is aware of him but I am not sure which class they are in. I can be wrong though and he is concealing his ability for a whole different reason.

Finals will be coming up soon and I should be preparing the class because the way the school has been so far, I won't be surprised if they had a twist for one of the written examinations.

----------------------------------Yuu Kaneko's POV(Dante's Brother)---------------------

The student council activities were actually winding down because of finals. The school term is coming to an end and so far my brother has been underperforming. Bringing disgrace to the name of the Kaneko with his below average class and his average grades.

I sighed and said, "Sayuri, what's the current rankings for the year one classes."

Otani (the student council secretary) flipped the light switch off and pulled the curtains.

The room become a bit dark almost like one of those movie theaters.

Sayuri connected the projector to her laptop and typed a bit on the keyboard. Shortly after the rankings were displayed on the white backdrop to the left of us.

Year One Class Rankings (updated)

Class 1-3: 35 points (1st) ~stagnant

Class 1-1: 32 points (2nd) ~Lost 3 points to class 1-4 due to a penalty

Class 1-2: 30 points (3rd) ~gained 15 points

Class 1-4: 23 points (4th) ~ gained 18 points

Sayuri observed the rankings and replied, "Your brother seems to be hard at work pulling off this win."

I tapped my fingers on the desk, "This is still not good enough. He should be in first place like our class 2-1, Sayuri please pull up our rankings."

Sayuri nodded and did just that.

Year Two Class Rankings (current)

Class 2-1: 170 points (1st)

Class 2-4: 130 points (2nd)

Class 2-3: 97 points (3rd)

Class 2-2: 98 points (4th)

Otani sighed and said, "Only class 2-4 is putting up much of a fight. Their leader Arima Takeda is quite the irritating individual with his intellectual prowess. Our recent battles have been cutting it rather close."

I'll admit that Arima is someone that bothers me to quite an extent but I can't let the others know.

I stopped tapping my fingers when I realized something then replied, "Doesn't he have a sister in one of the first year classes?"

Sayuri pondered about it for a moment.

"Oh yes. I believe she is in class 1-4, which would be your brother's class."

Otani chuckled a bit, "How ironic that the sister of your intellectual enemy is teamed up with your brother."

How ironic indeed.

I exhaled, "The Finals are coming up and let's propose something interesting to the principal."

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