Chapter 24
Two days later, Karuizawa Kei sat at her desk.
Her cheek rested on her palm, eyes drifting toward the window.
Her mood was unusually bright.
Ever since Ye Yu promised to protect her, she'd somehow enjoyed several days of genuine peace.
She didn't know what he'd done—but it worked.
As she silently prayed for this calm to continue…
A sudden sound of footsteps interrupted her thoughts.
She glanced up casually.
Then her body stiffened.
The two girls standing before her were from the neighboring class.
Both had bullied her before.
One had once dumped water over her head; the other had thrown trash at her.
Were they going to start again?
But… this was the classroom!
Were they planning to drag her out?
As the two drew closer, Karuizawa's body began to tremble.
The students around her were already smirking, ready to watch the show.
"Karuizawa must've done something again. Probably stole someone's boyfriend."
"She deserves it—dressing like that, acting so slutty."
"If only she'd flirt with me instead—I don't have a girlfriend!"
Just as everyone prepared to enjoy the drama, the two girls dropped to their knees right in front of Karuizawa.
…Huh?
The entire class froze in shock.
What the hell was happening?
Was this some new kind of play?
Even Karuizawa was completely bewildered.
What are you two doing now?
"I-I didn't touch you! Don't frame me! I…"
While she stammered in confusion, the two girls escalated further.
They raised their hands—and in front of everyone's stunned eyes—
Slapped themselves.
One slap. Two slaps. Three slaps…
"I'm trash. I'm scum. I shouldn't have bullied you!
Karuizawa-san, please forgive us! We'll do anything—just forgive us!"
Watching the two act like lunatics, Karuizawa felt a tiny spark of dark satisfaction.
But she still had no idea how to respond.
At that moment, Kushida Kikyo walked over from the back row with a gentle smile.
"Maybe Karuizawa-san hasn't seen how sincere you are yet… that's why she can't forgive you."
Hearing Kushida's words, fear flashed in the two girls' eyes.
Then, with even greater force, they began slapping themselves harder.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
A crowd gathered—students from other classes rushed over too.
Class time was approaching; a teacher could arrive any second.
Karuizawa panicked.
"I forgive you! I forgive you! That's enough—stop hitting yourselves!"
The two girls looked as if they'd been granted amnesty.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
After a fearful glance at the smiling Kushida, they fled the classroom like their lives depended on it.
Kushida watched their retreating backs, a quiet sense of pleasure rising inside her.
Thinking of Ibuki, still hospitalized and in agony…
Obeying Lord Ye Yu really was the correct choice!
In just one day, she'd gone from the terror of becoming a murderer… to reluctantly accepting enslavement just to survive… to receiving supernatural power from Ye Yu.
And now—she was addicted.
Compared to her old method of gaining trust, collecting secrets, and stirring chaos from the shadows…
This raw, total domination—the feeling of absolute control—was intoxicating.
Who needed to be a class-destroying witch?
She wanted to become the queen of this school!
As for why those two girls had been so terrified…
Simple.
She had merely imitated Lord Ye Yu's methods.
Controlled one group, forced them to kill another who was already doomed.
She held video evidence + insect control—double insurance.
Anyone who defied her orders would learn exactly what cruelty really meant.
With that thought, Kushida walked gently to Karuizawa's side.
She draped an arm affectionately around her shoulder, acting like the closest of friends.
Karuizawa looked at her in surprise.
So their friendship really had been real…
Ever since the bullying started, Kushida had distanced herself.
Karuizawa didn't blame her—but deep down, she had longed to regain that bond.
"Kei, let's eat lunch together today!"
"Huh? Y-Yeah… sure…"
Feeling the change in how the class looked at her, and having her lost friend back…
A genuine, heartfelt smile spread across Karuizawa's face.
Is this a dream?
If it is… then please let me stay asleep forever.
While Karuizawa basked in her newfound peaceful school life…
Ye Yu was inside a luxurious villa.
He sat casually on an opulent bed.
Kneeling before him on the floor were three people—faces swollen and bruised.
The older middle-aged man, dressed in a suit, trembled as he spoke to Ye Yu.
"Young man, leave now and we can pretend nothing happened.
Do you even know who I am? Harm me, and this country will have no place for you."
The younger man beside him immediately added:
"That's right! My father's influence is beyond your imagination.
Don't think beating up a few bodyguards means you can do whatever you want."
The elegant woman beside them kept her head bowed, shaking in silence.
She had lived a sheltered life—never experienced anything like this.
But she'd heard that anyone who saw a kidnapper's face would be killed to silence them!
"The famous Ziteng Congressman—how could I not know you?
With your immense power, to prevent you from retaliating… wouldn't it be perfectly reasonable for me to wipe out your entire family?"
Ye Yu's smile sent chills through all three.
Especially the Congressman—he could tell Ye Yu wasn't bluffing.
Panic flooded him.
"Young brother, calm down! I don't know how I offended you, but I can compensate you!
There's about 1 billion yen in cash here, plus antiques, paintings, and precious jewelry.
I'll give you everything—just spare my life!"
He had done many dirty things in his life.
So he assumed this was revenge for harming Ye Yu or his family.
But human greed is bottomless—he still believed money could sway anyone.
Ye Yu smiled, looking at him like he was amusing.
"Sorry, money doesn't really mean anything to me.
If you must blame someone… blame your son.
I can't rest easy unless I wipe out your whole family."
The Congressman froze.
"My son…?"
The young man beside him exploded in rage.
"You bastard—it's because of this piece of trash!"
At that moment, the villa's front door opened.
Ziteng Koichi walked in, impeccably dressed, and shouted into the empty space.
"Father! Mother! Are you here?"
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