Life Reversal ~ I Was Cheated On and Falsely Accused, but Now the Most Beautiful Girl in the School Is Getting Close to Me ~ Volume 1 Chapter 9
Chapter 9
The Malice Directed at Kondo
──Somewhere in Tokyo・Kondo’s Perspective──
“Phew.”
I woke up to find it was nearly noon.So I’ve skipped school. Whatever. My university recommendation is practically in the bag anyway. Today’s just some school-wide mock exam, so one day off won’t make a difference.It’s probably about time to dump this girl. Then again, she’s convenient to have around, so maybe I’ll keep her for a little longer.
Take convenient-woman-number-one, for example.
I dumped her back in middle school, and even though she stopped showing up to class, she obsessively followed me all the way to high school. Practically a stalker. But a little half-assed attention, a sliver of hope, and she’s back to being a girl who’ll come running at my beck and call.
I’m keeping her on the hook, just in case.A king is supposed to have plenty of women, after all.Speaking of which, that Aono guy has somehow managed to catch Ichijou Ai’s eye. Pisses me off. He’s supposed to be nothing more than a slave sacrificed before the king.
I should rile up the underclassmen a bit more, make him stop coming to school for good. Takayanagi or one of the others might complain, but I can talk my way out of anything.After I dump Miyuki, who should I target next? If Ichijou dumps him too, Aono will never recover. That’s not a bad scenario.
It’d be fun to make that school idol mine, too.“Senpai, I love you… Let’s be together forever…”
Beside me, Miyuki mumbled in her sleep, a blissful expression on her face. This girl is just too easy.When I stroked her head, her face grew even more peaceful.Apparently, she’s popular with other guys because of her ‘innocent’ image.
In that case, maybe it’s time I shattered that little illusion. I could make her wear flashy gyaru makeup, brand her as mine and mine alone. That would crush any pathetic little crushes those other guys have. She might hate it, but I’ve already made her completely dependent on me.
A simple hint at a breakup, and I can force her to do anything I want.And then, once nobody else wants her, I’ll dump her. That’s the best part.A dark flame kindling in my heart, I pulled the woman in my arms closer.
※
“We skipped school, didn’t we…”
It was past noon by the time we left the hotel. She really is an honor student; I could tell she felt a little guilty.“Was it really okay? Staying out all night, I mean.”
“It’s fine,” she said. “I just told my parents I was staying over at a friend’s house.”
Still, I felt a flicker of unease as her eyes darted around nervously.“Oh well,” I said. “School’s almost over for the day anyway. Let’s head home.”
As expected, after skipping a whole day, the irritation from yesterday has calmed down considerably.Playing around with girls really is the best way to relieve stress.Just as we were leaving the premises, a car screeched to a halt right in front of us. A police car.“Eh?” Miyuki let out a small, involuntary shriek.
What the hell? I was speechless, completely blindsided.The police car’s window rolled down slowly. A young officer looked out at us, a cold smile on his face. His mouth was smiling, but his eyes weren’t. I could tell he was suspicious.“Sorry to bother you two,” he said, his voice deceptively casual. “We received a report about some high school students staying in a hotel they shouldn’t be. You know about the Entertainment Business Act, right? That particular establishment is off-limits to anyone under eighteen. I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding, but could you show me some ID, just in case?”
We froze. Miyuki was visibly flustered, trembling beside me. I glanced over at her; her face had gone deathly pale.“What do we do?” Miyuki whispered, her voice trembling and on the verge of tears. “Are we going to get arrested?” Her panicked plea only made me more agitated.
A report? Who the hell would do that? We’re not in uniform; we’re in street clothes. We could easily pass for university students. This couldn’t have been a random tip from a stranger. It had to be someone we know…
Did someone betray me?What do I do? At this rate, we’ll be taken into custody. If that happens, my reputation will plummet, and I absolutely can’t let that happen.Then, there’s only one thing to do. I have to run.But Miyuki is a liability. What do I do, leave her behind?If I run with a girl, the only future is getting caught by the police. Is there nothing I can do?“Hey, what’s wrong you two? You’re frozen. Could it be, are you really high school students?”
The two police officers got out of the car and started walking toward us. This is my only chance.“Run, Miyuki!”
I bolted toward the station. But Miyuki was too slow. She was immediately secured by one officer as the other broke into a sprint after me.Dammit, how did it come to this? I… I…I must have taken off too abruptly, because my legs tangled beneath me and I went down. Hard. Pain shot through me.The young officer was on me in an instant, pinning me to the pavement.“Dammit, let go! Let go of me!” I yelled.
But my struggles were useless. Writhing on the ground, all I could taste was despair.
──Somewhere in Tokyo・Informant’s Perspective──
I watched the whole scene unfold from a hamburger joint across from the hotel. Seeing Kondo squirming on the pavement like a caterpillar was a small, satisfying relief. It was worth skipping school and waiting all this time. A truly delightful sight.
So, they’re being taken into custody. But that’s not enough.
Not even close.
When someone is taken into custody, the don’t usually contatc the school. Apparently, they only contact the school in special cases, like when they can’t reach the parents. I read that online.
That’s why my revenge doesn’t end with just reporting them to the police here. It’s meaningless if the school doesn’t find out.That’s where the photos capturing the facts become important. The photos of the two of them entering the hotel yesterday will be my real trump card.
And, of course, the shocking scene unfolding before my eyes right now. I coldly capture the moment on my phone’s camera, Kondo pathetically writhing on the ground while resisting the officer.
“Checkmate. I wonder how you’ll talk your way out of this one, King of the soccer club.”
Alright, I’ve got my ultimate proof. How should I use this? The easiest way would be to just leak this online. Doing the same thing they did would probably be extremely effective. But that’s a last resort. First, I’ll anonymously tip off the teachers and the soccer club. If this becomes public, it’ll have a huge impact on the soccer club’s activities, and it’ll probably cause an internal conflict.If they try to bury it, I’ll leak everything to social media, the city council, even the press, and crush them completely. As long as I operate from the shadows, they’ll never even know who holds the cards.I can’t be bought with money, after all.Their favorite tactics of violence and harassment are meaningless if they don’t know who’s behind it.Kondo.Everything you have… I’m going to take it all away. I’ll make you taste the same despair you made me feel back then.
──Kondo’s Perspective──
Damn it, damn it all. I’ll never forgive whoever sold me out. They took us to the nearest police station, where we’re currently getting an earful from some officer.“First of all, high school students shouldn’t be skipping school and going to places like that, right?”
“It seems a missing person’s report was filed for you, Amada-san, by your mother for staying out all night.”
“You’re still students, so you can’t be doing irresponsible things, you hear.”
When the officer mentioned contacting their parents, Miyuki was clearly distraught and pleaded, “Please, anything but that.” But the officer was merciless.“We can’t do that. I mean, there’s a missing person’s report out for you from your parents. They’re worried too. You’re a high school student, you should understand that much, right?”
Hearing those words, Miyuki broke down crying.But to me, it sounded like hope.I mean, it’s obvious, right? From the way he’s talking, the police won’t contact the school. I panicked and ran earlier, but from here on out, I just have to play the role of an honor student and get away with it. Alright, from here on, it’s the performance of a lifetime.“Miyuki’s not at fault,” I began, my voice full of practiced sincerity. “It was wrong of me to pressure her. Actually, she’d had a fight with her parents last night, and she felt like she couldn’t go home. That’s why I was the one who invited her to… a place like that. I don’t care what happens to me, so please, just leave her parents out of this…”
There. How was that? A picture-perfect, praiseworthy honor student protecting his girlfriend.“No, even so. We have to contact the parents, even if not the school. It’s our job, you see.”
He said it. Just as I thought, they won’t contact the school. My recommendation is probably safe. Now all I need to do is wait for my dad to get here, and he’ll smooth the rest of this over.“Then, I will apologize properly to Miyuki’s parents myself. Just, please… about Miyuki…”
As I spoke, I forced my body to tremble. If I pretended to cry now, it would be perfect.I’m a politician’s son, after all. I know a thing or two about how to deceive people.“I understand. We’ll explain it to her parents. I’m sorry, but we have to contact your parents, okay? Make sure this never happens again.”
While playing the part of an honor student bowing his head for his girlfriend’s sake, I was certain I had gotten away with it.
※
After that, my dad arrived to act as my guarantor in about an hour.“I apologize for the trouble my idiot son has caused.”
Spoken like a true politician, apologizing with a look of genuine remorse. As he did, my old man leaned in and whispered in my ear.“Listen,” he murmured. “They won’t contact the school over something like this. But it’s still a potential scandal, and I’m planning to run in the next mayoral election. So go easy on the womanizing and keep your head down for the next year. I’ll handle the cover-up so this doesn’t get out locally, and I’ll make sure it doesn’t affect your recommendation.”
Ah, life is too easy. I’m so glad my father is competent. Getting taken into custody is just another story to tell, right? Being an upper-class son is the best! At that moment, however, I never could have imagined that Miyuki’s parents, who arrived shortly after, would react in a way that so thoroughly defied my expectations.
──Miyuki’s Perspective──
What do I do? What do I do? My parents found out. They know I was taken into custody. No, no, no. What am I going to tell Mom? I didn’t just betray Eiji… I’m a horrible daughter who betrayed her own mother. I trembled, my face pale, as the moment of judgment arrived.“Amada-san? Your mother is here for you.”
A female officer called out to me gently.The door opened, and my mother peeked in, her face deathly white.“…”
Her expression… I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget that sad, disappointed look on her face. This is my punishment. It has to be.My mother questioned me in a cold, flat voice I had never heard from her before. “Miyuki? Why are you here? I’ve been looking for you frantically since yesterday. I even took the day off work. But… why aren’t you with Eiji-kun? Who is this man you were taken into custody with? What is your relationship to him…?”
“Th-that is…”
On the verge of tears, I barely managed to squeeze the words out, but…“You know, I went to the Aono’s house last night.”
My mother’s words were daggers of despair.The sweat on my back wouldn’t stop. Mom talked to Eiji’s mom. I knew this day would come eventually. I was so scared of it that I kept looking away. I just kept running away.“…I’m sorry.”
Scared and pathetic, I forced out the words.“Why are you apologizing? Do you really think you did something wrong?”
How much does she know? Can I still talk my way out of this? Or does she already know everything? I’m so scared… so, so scared.That I cheated. That I let Eiji take the blame. That because of it, he’s been isolated at school.It’s all my fault. It’s all because of what I did.“Eiji-kun’s mother told me she never wants me to get involved with you again. She said to ask you for the details, Miyuki. Hey, why did you go into a love hotel with a man I don’t know instead of Eiji-kun, who’s supposed to be your boyfriend? The person who called you out before you left was this man, wasn’t it?”
I see. She doesn’t know everything yet. Eiji’s mother has given me the ultimate punishment: the choice to either confess everything to my own mother or try to hide it all away.“Ma’am, please calm down. My idiot son is the one at fault.”
Senpai’s father opened his mouth to try and mediate.“You stay out of this! I’m talking to my daughter.”
But my mother, who was normally so gentle and mild-mannered, cut him off with a shout that left no room for argument.“My apologies.”
The two of them in front of me could do nothing but stay silent. The police officers were also looking over here with worried expressions.“Well, Miyuki? Let me hear it from your own mouth. I didn’t raise you all by myself for you to do something like this.”
Her anguished cry echoed through the waiting room.“I broke up with Eiji,” I said. “Kondo-senpai… he’s my boyfriend now.” Another, more cunning version of myself emerged, trying to hide the truth without technically lying. As if I could ever deceive my own mother with such a flimsy pretense.
Slap.A sudden, stinging heat bloomed across my left cheek. It took a moment for my mind to catch up with the sensation. I’d been slapped. My mother, who was always so gentle, who had never once raised a hand to me no matter how angry she got…The first display of anger from my gentle mother. And then, I understood.Ah… she’s completely given up on me.We can never go back to how things were. We can’t be that close mother and daughter ever again. I understood that with a crushing finality. I felt sad, I felt blameworthy, and above all, I felt a deep, gnawing regret.“I’m sorry.”
“Why did you cheat on him? Eiji-kun treasured you more than anyone. Why, why, why would you betray the person most important to you! I’m not the one you should be apologizing to!”
Perhaps because she spoke with such anger, my mother clutched her chest in pain and collapsed.“Mom, are you okay?”
I rushed to catch her, but my mother even refused that.“I don’t understand you anymore. Please, let’s go apologize to the Aonos together, okay?”
Saying that, my mother collapsed. The police officers rushed over in a panic, and the scene became chaotic.
──Kondo’s Perspective──
Tch. What a pain this has become. If Miyuki’s mother actually goes with her to Aono’s house, everything might come to light.But my brilliant father noticed that right away.“Looks like it’s just anemia. Don’t worry. Once things calm down a bit, it should be manageable. Worst-case scenario, we can just pay them hush money. Most adults will bend for money.”
It’s a relief he’s so rational, unlike Miyuki’s hysterical mother.Well, once Miyuki’s situation is settled, I guess I’ll just have to be extremely careful not to let it leak to the school and stay quiet until graduation. I’ve spread so many bad rumors about him, Aono will fall on his own.As for Miyuki, I’ll just make her even more dependent on me now. After all, her own mother—her biggest supporter—is rejecting her.
Once her childhood friend Aono is gone, I’ll be the only one she has left to cling to.And just like that, she’s my slave. Destined to be exploited by me forever, right alongside that underclassman from the soccer club and convenient-woman-number-one.Now then, I wonder just how many slaves I can collect before I graduate. My future is looking rosy indeed.
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