34 - Our plan to take down Rion

Today is a special day. My dad spared no expense in hiring the best hairdressers and makeup artists he could find.

They worked flawlessly. My eyelashes were styled to perfection, my eyes sparkled like gemstones thanks to the lenses they provided, and my face was covered in thick makeup— so much so that I couldn’t recognize myself in the mirror.

A long, burgundy gown draped over my body, its length trailing elegantly across the marble floor I walked on. The jewels adorning the gown shimmered with every step I took, drawing all eyes toward me.

With careful steps, I entered the luxurious hall where the banquet was being held.

The high ceiling gave the room a majestic feel, adorned with a massive golden chandelier. Its light blended with the candles placed throughout the space. The hall was surrounded by luxurious furniture and thick curtains that isolated us from the outside world.

I walked slowly, the sound of my high heels echoing with each step. Tables laden with delectable dishes stretched endlessly. At the far end of the room, an elegant stage added to the grandeur of the scene.

As I entered, followed closely by two personal guards, every eye in the room turned toward me. Some looked with envy, others with disdain, and a few with admiration.

Today, I was genuinely happy. Remembering all the effort Nagi and Yuichi had put in to save me from this arranged marriage, filled me with gratitude. Especially the moment I learned that my dad had always loved me— and only wanted the best for me.

"Yo, Akane-san." Rion greeted me from a distance, waving his hand with his usual expression.

Still as arrogant as ever, huh?

He quickly strode toward me, his steps confident. His eyes radiated arrogance, and his wide smile was impossible to miss. He gently touched my chin with his finger.

"You know, after this banquet, in just two weeks— our wedding will take place," he said.

"As I always say, no matter how much you wish to escape, it’s simply impossible to run from fate, Akane-san," Rion continued.

Rion leaned in closer, his stance intimidating, his sharp gaze piercing.

"YOU WILL BE MINE ENTIRELY."

I harshly swatted Rion’s hand away.

"E-eh..?" Rion stared at me with a confused expression. It seemed he hadn’t anticipated such a cold reaction from me.

"Rion— or should I call you Yamamoto-san?" I said, meeting his gaze directly.

"Akane-san, this is no joke. Show some respect to your future husband," Rion growled, gritting his teeth and clenching his fists tightly.

"Your position is mistaken. Haven’t you realized your place yet, Yamamoto-san? If you seek forgiveness, you should be groveling before me right now."

"YOU...!" Rion seemed about to hit me with one of his hands, but several servants quickly rushed in to stop him.

"Tch. Just wait. After our wedding, two weeks from now, I promise you’ll learn your lesson, Akane-san," Rion said in a low tone before storming off in anger. I merely watched him leave with a faint smile on my face.

I then glanced at my two personal guards who had followed me into the room. Without hesitation, they both nodded in silent agreement.

Perhaps you haven’t realized, but these two guards— they are Nagi and Yuichi. Both of them disguised themselves as my protectors in formal uniforms. I brought them here for a reason. Today, at this banquet— we will execute our plan together and reveal all of Rion’s misdeeds.

I shifted my gaze to my dad, who stood on the stage. He noticed my glance and returned it with a warm smile.

Now, I can trust my dad again. He isn’t someone who would exploit his own daughter for his personal gain. He is simply a father who cares deeply for his daughter’s well-being.

If only... I had realized it sooner.

Servants rushed around, setting up a giant projector to display the moment that would completely expose Rion.

To the point where he would never recover.

Rion, you weren’t wrong in saying that we can’t escape fate... But— even if we can't escape from it, we can still CHANGE it.

***

One week earlier...

In the spiritual club room, we meticulously discussed the plan to take down Rion.

Besides Nagi and Yuichi, there were two other people that I didn’t even recognize, who generously offered to help. Their names were Kaito and Chiharu. I had offered them money as compensation for their assistance— but they both refused, and then says, "We don’t need money, Akane-san. We’re helping purely because our hearts are moved by your situation."

Many bad rumors about me had spread since I stopped attending school three days ago. I figured they came from Rion, his way of further to break my spirit.

But even amidst the barrage of rumors— Kaito and Chiharu still believed in me and were willing to help.

I was glad... To find others willing to stand by my side.

"ALRIGHT!" Yuichi shouted enthusiastically, slamming a ruler against the board. She gestured toward the detailed plan written there. "IT’S TIME TO ASSIGN THE ROLES!"

"KAITO-KUN!"

"A-ah!" Kaito reflexively straightened up, saluting as his name was called. "I’ll be the cameraman!"

"With my amazing skills, I’ll CAPTURE every crucial moment with this 8K-plus-plus camera! With super audio that can even pick up cockroaches mating!" Kaito added.

"STOP JOKING!" Yuichi smacked Kaito’s bald head with the ruler.

"OW! SORRY!"

Yuichi then turned her attention to Chiharu. "Alright, what's your role, Chiharu-san?"

Chiharu’s eyes sparkled as her turn came. "I’ll use my influence on social media to draw people to our side! They could even serve as witnesses if our evidence isn’t strong enough."

"Mhm. Good, good." Yuichi nodded in approval.

"Okay, now— Nagi." Yuichi’s tone softened as she called out Nagi's name, her gaze lingering, and a faint blush spreading across her face.

"I’m still a bit unsure about this. But... Are you serious..? My role is just to protect Akane-san?"

Eh..? Nagi, protecting me?

Yuichi nodded slowly. "Yeah. You just need to do that. Besides, you don’t like to do complicated stuff, right?"

"It's true… But..."

"Okay. No complain." After finishing her talk with Nagi, Yuichi turned her attention to me. She gave me a warm smile, while tilting his head slightly.

"Akane-san, you don’t need to do anything. Just leave everything to us, okay?" Yuichi gently held my hand. Her gaze was so kind that I found it hard to look back at her.

"T-thank you."

Yuichi chuckled softly. "You’re welcome. That’s what friends are for, after all."

Nagi raised his hand with a curious expression. "Sorry to interrupt, but Yuichi— now that everyone has their roles, what’s yours?"

Yuichi hesitated for a moment before answering, "I... Will be the bait."

"Eh?"

"Huh?"

Everyone in the club was bewildered by Yuichi’s statement. Be the bait? That was impossible! Rion was far too dangerous!

Rion was a totally different person from me. I wore a "mask" to hide my weaknesses, but he was the opposite.

Maybe he wasn’t very smart, but his actions were unpredictable. That’s precisely what made someone like him so dangerous...

"Yuichi-sa—!"

Before I could finish speaking, Nagi had already stepped forward. His eyes widened, his brows furrowed in disbelief, and his voice trembled. "That's a stupid idea, Yuichi. You can't just do that. He's a very dangerous person. What will you do if he does anything bad to you?"

Yuichi maintained her awkward smile despite Nagi’s concerned expression. "Don’t worry, Nagi. Remember what Rion said before? He claimed that he doesn’t like to hurt women."

"Besides, it’ll be easier for Rion to slip out if his opponent is just a weak girl like me," Yuichi added.

Nagi grabbed Yuichi’s shoulders firmly, his gaze sharp. "Don’t be stupid, Yuichi. Rion is someone we don’t fully know; we can’t just predict his actions. Besides, your statement is wrong. It’s precisely your position as a weak girl that makes him even more dangerous."

Nagi was right— this wasn’t something that could be resolved by a girl alone. Let alone as bait...

Perhaps Kaito would stay near Yuichi as the cameraman from a hidden spot. But even with Kaito there, Yuichi’s safety couldn’t be fully guaranteed.

Yuichi clenched her fists tightly, her head lowering. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, one at each corner. "Ugh... I just don’t want to push all the burdens onto you, Nagi."

"You’ve helped me so much— even though this is my problem with Akane-san. So... I just want to prove to you, that I can be useful too..." Yuichi said.

Nagi shook his head gently. "Don’t shoulder all the burden alone, Yuichi. Remember, this problem isn’t your fault— it’s Rion’s. Don’t forget that."

"I know, but…"

Without another word, Nagi responded with a warm smile, gently patting Yuichi’s head. "Alright, alright. Are you sure you’re not just in your period right now?"

BAM!

A swift, high-speed punch instantly landed on Nagi's face, sending his body crashing to the floor in an instant.

Yuichi’s face turned bright red, as red as a ripe tomato, following Nagi’s earlier remark. Her lips quivered, her movements erratic, and her hands also trembled slightly. "W-what do you mean!? You idiot...! Idiot, idiot, idiot!!"

"Ah... That’s the Yuichi I know..."

Nagi got up from where he had fallen as if nothing had happened. "Yuichi, I’ll be the bait."

"...!?"

Yuichi’s head lowered again at Nagi’s declaration. Honestly, I could understand Yuichi’s feelings to prove herself— but even so, I still disagreed. Our plan had to be executed flawlessly, without unnecessary sacrifices.

I once thought Yuichi was perfect, but it seems even she can act impulsively under the influence of emotions— just like everyone else, huh? Not that I’m in a position to judge, since I also can feel the same way...

Nagi comforted Yuichi by patting her head, even though Yuichi still pouted stubbornly.

"Hey, Yuichi, it’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just that this isn’t the right situation. Maybe you can prove how useful you can be to me another time, but for now, we need to stay focused on the plan," Nagi said with a faint smile.

Yuichi wiped her eyes with both hands before nodding in understanding.

THE EXECUTION PLAN TO TAKE DOWN RION BEGINS.

TO BE CONTINUED.