Chapter 131 - Pre-Planned

"I will spy on how the President meets with our Secret Video maker and that way we can formulate a plan," she said. 

"... If you could do that then I might think about changing my mind…" I said half-heartedly. I don't want my lie to get caught. 

"Don't worry about that yet. I will make sure you change your mind…!" her eyes lightened up. 

"Lily… I don't know if you get this but I don't want to get expelled," I said, "And the only person who is the most interested in getting me expelled is The President so…" 

"Don't worry. I am also not pleased by the way he used on you," she said, "I was just trying to make him take back his statement." 

"Why are you trying to vindicate yourself now?" 

"Huh?"

"You are going to find a way to catch the culprit," I said, "Till then consider us as strangers." 

"..." she couldn't reply. 

"Take care and don't take too long… because I might consider taking this matter to someone else so don't think you are the only person who can help me. I just accepted your kindness but I got fooled so think twice before you come and talk to me," I said and stood up from my seat.

I didn't take a single glance at her and left her behind. 

But she said something that echoed in my ears, "That's why Allen you should have reached out to me earlier," she seemed proud of herself, "I have a plan to catch her…" 

… 

I walked down the usual road I used to get, so the scenery wasn't much different than usual but on the contrary, it felt refreshing. 

Is it because I was able to take one step further in clearing my name? 

That can't possibly be it, I am just trying to not escalate the matter this high that it leads to my parents. All I care, they can go ahead and criticize, glare, or do whatever they want. 

It wasn't too dark nor was it too bright, the street lights were on but their presence hardly made any difference. 

Walking down, I noticed a couple of people but non-took interest. Watching the surroundings made me realize people don't really care what is happening to me. 

The only people that act differently against me are only from school. No one really takes interest in me. Each is busy with their own share of problems. 

"Allen…" about a couple of meters I saw someone standing just right in front of my house. 

I continued walking till the face started to become familiar. 

"Allen! I wanted to talk to you about the thing that happened today…" 

"Peter, how did you know where I lived?" I asked. 

It was Peter who was standing in front of me. Didn't he already have enough today after what he told me? Is he just faking it now or was he faking it then? 

"Well I asked our homeroom teacher…?" he himself seemed to be in doubt. 

"You know you have to try much better if you wish to fool me," I said. 

"?! I am sorry… I looked into our class register," he said. 

"IS that so? So, what did you want to talk about…?" I asked him. 

"Well…" 

"Before that, clear this f0or me first," I said. 

"What is it…?" he scratched his own head but only for a second. 

"I don't know exactly how close you were to Ryan but after you talked about him to me and by your looks, at that time it appeared that you felt guilt about what had happened to him but you are here within front of me as if nothing has happened," I took a step further.

"A-Allen you are scaring me…." he said. 

"I know but you won't have to be afraid of me if you could just answer a few of my questions first," I said as I was just a couple of fingers away from him. 

I could feel his breath getting staggered. Eyes weren't focusing at all. Hands shaking slightly but he tried to hide that. Lips trembling. Now I can see his true self. 

Now I understand, all the facade, the face he puts up all the time isn't his real identity. It's for him to hide his fearful self. 

All this time has he hidden this? If we look at it from a different perspective it's something many can't do. After a certain amount of time they break. But it seems like he held his emotions back for almost a year and was still able to put on a facade. 

Let's see if my final push exposes his real emotions to the outside world or not.

"How come you aren't affected by his DEATH? Did you lie in front of me all this time? You didn't actually feel guilt for what you did to him…??" 

Now tell me if you can actually hold back or not? I have already hit you hard enough to break you earlier. 

I don't know how you were able to maintain yourself but till now what happens if I knock at that same crack again? Show me the answer. 

"... A-Allen… we met… just right after school ended… and after that, you went somewhere… else… But I still wanted to talk about something… so I came here… so why don't we just… talk about that… as of… now…?" he said. 

That's weird. It feels like if I just touch him now he will burst into tears but with that expression, no one could believe that this person just had a major breakdown earlier today. 

Has he perfected not letting others see his real self, was it also because the wound was new and it hurt more earlier when I was going at him? 

That's new. I believed I could use that strategy to control him but it appears like I just have to do this in a much more fierce manner. 

Also, it was around noon when we both talked about his past and later it was when school hours ended but it was only for a couple of minutes because after that I had to go with Lily. 

"Sure," I said, "I just felt it weird since you were acting Just fine after what happened."

"..." he nodded. 

Does he not want me to face him, I mean if he didn't then he wouldn't be looking in the opposite directions, right? 

"So? What did you want to talk about…?" I asked. 

"Well… I was wondering whom you will be sitting with? You don't have anyone, right?" he asked me after he was completely embarrassed or putting on his facade. 

"I don't know," I said without giving it any thought. 

The answer was pretty clear, not just to me but to Peter and as well as the Entire School. 

"Right…? How about I sit with you?" he said something stupid. 

"Are you stupid? And also the answer is NO," I said. 

"What? Why?" he asked me. 

"Well first of all… I don't want to increase my 'popularity' as it is already," I said, "So in case you are here with another great idea just like this one then just leave." 

"No, no. I have another one," he said confidently, "I can ask someone to sit with you. Isn't that much better?" 

"But who? Who will agree to sit- sit with me…" 

"What? Do you know someone who will?" he asked me. 

"... This might feel stupid but can you help me out on this one?" I asked him. 

"Sure. What is it…?" he asked me. 

"Here's the idea," I began my plan. 

… 

I have placed a blind eye on the first thing I should have solved, to find the culprit who was the cause of all those 50 students' kidnapping. 

The only lead I have was Anna but before I could jump further into it I was blocked by not just one but the entire Student Council. 

But that doesn't concern me much since the Principal is back and also I have already got hints about who leaked the video. 

Now I just need to place a bit of my focus on Anna and the CULPRIT. I will ask Anna to sit with me and use my name as the first priority. I know for sure that she will accept it. If she won't I have to use other means.

She already told me that she will assist me and if she declines it I can just threaten her about the start rumors. Either way, she will have to comply with my request. 

We can no longer say it is just a request, more like a command. It's also predicted that there will be a few resistance about why Anna sat with me. And that's how I take advantage of the privilege school provides. 

The No Showing of Result.

It's possible not everyone will get to sit with their ideal partner and this could happen with Anna but it's only a matter of luck who gets the worst luck. Because at least one of the students has to sit with me willingly or forcefully.

Anna won't tell anyone because she fears everyone might get to know why she is complying with me and Peter won't say a word because I have already in my palms. 

It's a… Win-Win. 

Well not exactly for everyone but I want to call my win twice. So, Win-Win. 

At least let me end my day with one or two good things. 

TO BE CONTINUED…