Shiori's Pov

The water trickled down my tender smooth skin drenching me all the way as I open my eyes to look at the bliss reaching every part of my core . The calming sensation and yet that constant drip in perfect symphony ..was a pleasant sight for my eyes .

"Kiyotaka.." Without realisation, I muttered his name . Those golden cold eyes of yours transfixed on only one goal of that destitute freedom...I would definitely give you something else to long for. That is my promise to you .

How did I arrive here? i suppose it was something vague of an answer that i gave to kiyo. Kiyo! Will he allow me to call him that if i ask him? I am not sure. He probably thinks of me as someone who wants to harm him right now. I can't blame him for thinking that but still it hurts.

Third Person's Pov

It was certainly a surprising news to Ryun of class C when he found that class D was destroyed from within and kushida was expelled. Ibuki who was with him when Ishizaki relayed the news stomped her feet on ground angrily and satisfactorily.

"That is what that bitch (horikita) gets for trying to take the lead. I always knew she was gonna be pathetic in keeping that defectives united"

"fufu! X, did you really think this would be enough to distract me?" He chuckled.

"Huh! what are you talking about? Something wormed into your big brain of yours? If there was some X, why would Class D be in shambles? He or she probably has stepped down scared " Ibuki spouted . Ryun wore an amused expression at her hardheadedness. 

Did she really forget when they found that there was a traitor in class C and Manabe was forced by someone to spy on them?

[Note in this timeline , X didn't contact Ryun to ask for papers nor did Ryun betray Kushida. All was done by Ayanokoji with help of Student council president for a favour and sending private points to one second year to threaten Kushida . That is why Ryun was surprised at results . But of course Manabe 's blackmailer was the one who sent recording to Ryun which means that Ryun couldn't simply believe that X had stepped down ]

Ryun was quite certain that X hadn't stepped down. It was simply a ruse planned by him to tell other classes to focus more on dismantled class due to internal strife . Obviously ! It would work smoothly on Class B and Ichinose who were just bunch of naivettes. But to plan it all to extent , to control the score of Kushida , to get access to the papers and then count on her to cause such a situation. It only means one thing. X was not planning to step down . 

No! It was simply a plan to change his pawn . Which means that whoever will re emerge as new leader in this situation must be the new pawn of X . He smiled internally ... finally he felt like he had found his worthy opponent. He can't wait to see his reaction when he faces him after finding him out . Will he be surprised or have some backup plan ? His blood boiled in anticipation.

Class B who was still in a cooperative relationship with class D was shocked to find out what had happened in class D . Ichinose had never thought that Kushida would turn out to a person who will reveal everyone's secrets . It really was a horrible thing to do . Ichinose clutched her heart as she worried about how Ayanokoji and Horikita were dealing with situation? Should she go over there right now or leave them ? She wasn't sure which action to take because she also had to think of her class's feelings.

"I always thought she was faking it ." Kanzaki remarked in disgust.

Class A was more or less fazed by what happened. They couldn't care less about class D if not for their leader Sakayanagi 's warning of a certain individual there who can be posed as threat. Sakayanagi still hadn't told them about that person yet but they could see a small smug smile on her face when she heard the news.

"Will you stop that creepy smile of yours again?" Kamuro , a purple haired girl grunted .

"Aw . you know you find it adorable , don't you b-e-e-r .." She emphasized on last part as Kamuro bit her lip looking away.

Meanwhile in class D , Matsushita entered the class and found everyone except Ayanokoji and Shiori already sitting there quietly with stoic expression. She took a deep breath.

"I have something important to tell you all . You see , the claims that Kushida revealed weren't completely true . " She paused as everyone was now looking at her .

"Not completely true . " Kesei looked at her .

"Was she serious? "

"It certainly seemed to be .." Sudo said looking down . He was given a photo of Horikita holding hands with some random guy with tint of red on her cheeks . ( Courtesy of editing skills by Ayanokoji )

"The real proofs are all here..." Matsushita took out a brown envelope with several of stuff . Once it was proven that three or four claims were utterly wrong or forged , it wasn't deemed necessary by all to keep checking it one by one .

 Matsushita knew as Ayanokoji told her "that humans are simply creatures of convenience. So even while they know that truth remains truth , if some of it was blotted with lie , then it remains quite convenient for them to think that everything else was nothing more than a farce . " 

That is why Matsushita was given certain items to clear the doubts that were put in by kushida based on false implanted information . Other stuff that was now actually true also seemed to be in question and when doubts arise , it becomes really quite easy to manipulate them into the direction that you want .

Matsushita put her trust in his plan speaking eloquently about how absurd it was to be wary and sceptical of each other based on rumours spread by a person who was basically a bipolar bitch . The fact that all trusted her and she used it to manipulate them should be known to them . As she continued , more and more students started to feel at ease .

"Hey ! Matsushita! It was quite amazing how you took initiative to clear all these doubts ! " Karuizawa remarked .

"Yeah ! I agree with Karuizawa . We didn't even know if anyone would be able to lead us out of this position." Satou agreed . Matsushita didn't know about karuizawa and Ayonokoji's relationship but she was thankful to have support she got. Ayanokoji had already texted karuizawa to say these lines in support of Matsushita since that would lead other students to agree and her being recognised as leader. Karuizawa was confused as to why Kiyotaka wanted her to be leader but she did as she was told .

Aayonokoji's Pov

I was currently waiting for lift . As it opened , I found a certain blonde girl waiting for me with smile on her face. It seemed that she was just expecting me to enter  as well at same time.

"Good morning Kiyotaka!" She said.

"Kiyotaka! Huh! I suppose then I should call you Shiori then " As she nodded her head getting bit red.

"Aren't you elated to start your day with a cute girl, Kiyotaka?"

Cute! She was one but still to just call herself that . I suppose she is gonna be like this for rest of term . I better get used to it .

"Yay! I am so excited." I said with bored voice as she pouted . The lift stopped as we walked together towards the class.

"Ayanokoji! Are you in a hurry right now ?" A familiar voice called me .

"Not particularly. I have to get to my class now." I replied honestly. What did the student council president want with me so early? And where was secretary Tachibana . Isn't she always following him around . Well ! I suppose it is better for me . She would just get mad at me for refusing student council President like earlier times have met.

Horikita looked putting his glasses up at Shiori recognising her existence for first time . She stared at him for few seconds before she looked away . Horikita just blinked and then turned back to me .

"It is quite important. Do come when you get time after school " He simply said as he left with powerful aura around him. All the students who were standing in the corridor listening to our conversation just stood there. That was the influence of man known as Horikita Manabu and the man to whom I owed a favour . I better clear it up as soon as I can as I don't know what kind of troublesome stuff he will ask of me if I wait too long .

Though it was better to hurry to class right now not only because Chabishara sensei was about to come but I was receiving  glares and attracting lot of attention from boys standing there as I was standing next to new girl with whom no one had chance to hang out yet .Shiori was certainly not helping the situation by continuing to smile looking at me .

As I entered the classroom , I saw Matsushita surrounded by my classmates . I was easily able to use that as a chance to go to my seat without anybody noticing except Horikita and Kei. Matsushita just glanced at my direction but then averted her gaze back to students again.

"Hey Ayanokoji! " Shiori interrupted me as I was enjoying my peace looking out the window .

"What is it ?"

"So far in this school , do you truly consider anyone as your friend?" She asked looking at my eyes . What was the point of such a question right now? Was this small talk? Or is she just curious ?

"Of course! I consider Ayanokoji group and few others to be my friends."

"That is a lie." She smiled . If you don't want to believe it , then why even bother to ask? And if you know it already , do you just want to confirm it . I couldn't care less. She was simply an unknown quantity , an aberration into my life who came unexpectedly . If she hadn't come , everything would have gone much more peaceful. But if she keeps asking such questions and saying such things bluntly , it would definitely attract my classmates attention towards me.

"Please don't say such lies about me . It would be troublesome if people hear that ." I simply replied .

"Oh! Are you perturbed by me saying facts? Then why don't you start by considering to start a friendship with me .I know about your past already so why can't we form a bond ?" She wristpalmed herself. Just when was Chabishara sensei going to arrive. This conversation was going on longer than I had expected .

But it would definitely be only beneficial to me to go along with her . If I don't , she might blurt out something related to me plus if she just wants to think i am her friend , it is really quite easy request as long as she doesn't bother me too much .

"Sure."

"Well! If you are going to be serious about this, Kiyotaka you gotta learn to smile. You gotta show your emotions" She suggested. At her words, I felt a sudden pain in my head. "Emotions. They are nothing more than asking your thoughts to be read by your enemy. If you show it , if you even decide to feel it , you have already lost. You are far from being perfect. Discard it or forget about winning. And if you can't win , you are nothing more than imperfection." The teachings of White Room were still ingrained in me. It seemed her suggestion triggered an old memory.

"Out of question. I can't show my emotions." I simply replied. She looked a bit down but then smiled again.

"Then how about eating lunch together with me today then. We can start by that ." She said hopefully. I sighed in agreement telling her tomorrow. Really! Just let me enjoy the tranquility of this world just a bit more. Even here , there are people trying to restrict me from being me in my freedom . Or is it that my desire for freedom simply too hard for this world to accept!

Soon Chabishara sensei came and the usual routine began with Class D looking more or less normal. Though I had to do something about Hirata. He hadn't spoken since yesterday to anyone. Mi-chan had went to him but to no avail . It was quite bothering for girls when Hirata refused Karuizawa's help. Of course, they didn't know that their relationship was fake and Hirata didn't feel like getting help from her.

At lunch

I left Shiori and quickly scampered before devil named Horikita could approach me . I would deal with her later . Right now , I had an appointment to keep as I entered Student Council President's office .

"Sit down , Aayonokoji. This may take a while."

"Please hurry though. I do want to eat in lunch as much as I want to hear what you have to say ." I told Elder Horikita. Tachibana Senpai was still not here again . It seemed that it really must be important enough that he didn't even her to hear it .

"I suppose you must have heard of Nagumo , a second year who was going to run for student council president after I graduate this year ?" He looked at me as I nodded. Was? So he is not running now. But why would that happen? 

I knew that he had lot of support in second year according to what I have heard . So why would he deliberately decide to drop out of race now ? Is it a tactic adopted by him to keep student council president at ease . If so , not a very good one with little advantage. Why is he telling me this? Don't tell me, that he wants me to make sure that he doesn't join this race in future too because his plan and ideology is entirely different to Horikita's.But I am sure he can do that . So why ? Well I suppose I can just hear out what he has to say .

"Well! It seemed he was found stabbed today with last unsent text message to you . Second year teachers and Chairman have been trying to keep it under wrap but you know how it looks for you right now ."

I had never expected to hear this when I came here. Things sure were developing at faster rate than expected.