His Goal is...

AN: If you've forgotten about the details of the exam, revisit last chapter. Also, two harsh words will be used.

Whilst holding her hand, we both run deep into the woods.

Atop the mud,

Below branches,

Through bushes,

Into the distance,

All whilst clinging onto our cases.

An ambush whilst running at this speed would be close to impossible.

Besides, the others are probably resting after running such distance.

No one will risk an early clash.

We stop by a small stream, deep into the woods.

And we catch our breaths.

"Maybe I should carry both after all," I say.

"Hah... I'll... Hah... be fine..."

"In any case, we should rest here for a few minutes."

The water in the stream seems dirty, so we can't use it to hydrate ourselves.

"Suzune, you have our camera, right?"

"Yeah... why?"

"Hand it to me. I need to check something."

"Fine..."

She hands me the waterproof camera.

It seems expensive.

If we lost these cameras, that would sure be a waste for the school.

I closely examine this piece of object.

It doesn't seem there was any irregularities.

Just a small amendment and that was a sticker with our names written on it with a marker.

I guess we can't do much for now...

"Huh?"

20 minutes later

"Let's get going. Staying here will mean waiting to get ambushed."

"Right now...?"

"Are you still nervous?"

"I just... don't want to lose."

"What about getting to Class A?"

"Well..."

I walk up to her and grab her hand, "We need to get going. Today's win will mean a lot."

"Do you mean it? That you want to win?"

"Of course."

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

We run off once again, after our brief break.

For now, I need to find Ryuen.

I'm sure he wants to beat me, knowing who I truly am.

His triumph over me will be a cover up for my true intentions.

But...

We need to avoid Class A, who is deliberately trying to lose.

That girl, Sakayanagi is scheming something totally reckless. All to rise to the pinnacle of Class A itself.

"Kiyotaka! Slow down!"

"Huh?"

I immediately halt.

"Jeez, why are you rushing things? Is there anything on your mind?"

"No, it's just..." I stutter, "It's nothing."

"Then, slow down, okay? I can't run as fast as-"

"Be quite," I cover her mouth.

I hear rustling in bushes.

Directly next to us.

"Move, Suzune!"

I push her away from the path of Ibuki, who tries to lunge at her subsequently leaping out from the bush.

As for me.

The shadow of a manly figure is casted onto my body.

"Yo, Ayanokoji. I've been waiting."

"Ryuen, huh?"

This place is full of strategies.

Hiding in the bush to await for the enemy is one of them.

"That case. Will you politely hand it over to me?" he asks

"This case? You realize that you and I will have to fight for it? And you? Where is your case?"

"Oh, my case? I've hidden it away, under a pile of leaves. No one other than myself will know where it is."

That is another strategy.

"Ibuki! Go for Suzune-chan! And don't hold back!"

She glares back at him, "I already know, don't need you to order me."

"Now-" he punches the palm of his opposite hand, "You and me, Ayanokoji. No one will interfere."

I glance over to my side, where Suzune laid on the ground. "Suzune, don't worry about me and run," I say

She stares back at me, before standing back up, "Don't take me lightly, Kiyotaka. The last time I fought her, I was a little bit ill. But now that I'm healthy, I can fight."

Was she ever this strong-willed?

In any case, I do hope she loses.

"Enough chatting, Ayanokoji! Let's go at it!"

Another fight, huh?

And I have to fake my abilities again... which means...

I'll have to get hurt again...

She'll cry again...

And I'll suffer again...

In order to attain my desire...

"I guess I have no choice."

I pretend to activate my fighting stance, and form a fist.

I look to my side once more.

Suzune and Ibuki are preparing to fight too.

Once this is over.

What life will we lead there on out?

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Ryuen's punch aims for my face, wherein I dodge in a split second.

"Wait..."

Why did i dodge?

Am i afraid to get hurt?

"You dodged that? I'm surprised... but can you dodge this?!"

He throws his helmet at me, in which i catch and throw to the side.

Little did I know...

BANG!

It was a distraction.

"Kiyotaka!" Suzune screams.

Ah...

I guess she'll see me all beat up again.

I lay on the ground, holding my stomach.

"Get up, Kiyotaka-chan!" He shouts upon kicking me whilst I'm down.

How can I get up if you kick me?

"Tsk, useless. Did you lie about being the mastermind... huh!?"

He kicks me again.

"Kiyotaka!" She runs toward me.

But is grabbed by Ibuki.

"Horikita, if you hand over both cases, we won't need to beat Ayanokoji up. Is that a deal?"

"Huh?! What are you saying, Ibuki!" Shouts Ryuen, "We're not done yet!"

"Shut up! You've already broken the rules! You hit him in the stomach!"

"Oh shi-"

Ryuen finally realizes.

"Was that your plan all along, Ayanokoji? To provoke me into beating you up?"

"No, there's no way I'd do something reckless like that."

"Tsk... I hoped it was. At least that would prove your worth even if by little... but after all, I guess you are a just an incompetent person..."

He takes away my case forcefully.

"Horikita, hand it over now." She says softly.

She was not reluctant at the least, to hand over the case for my sake.

"Atta girl, save your love," Says Ryuen, "Now, Ibuki. Class A seems fun to target next, how about it?"

"Tsk, do what you want. Just don't break the rules next time."

As they both walk off, I sigh.

"I did it..." i whisper to myself.

"You... did what." Did she hear me? "Kiyotaka... don't tell me... you lied?"

"I don't know what you're talking about-"

"You... liar..."

I lift my face up and look at her.

"You're crying?"

"Didn't I say? That I wanted to reach Class A?"

I know, I did not mishear.

"Didn't I say? That I don't want to be expelled?"

I know, I did not mishear.

"So why?"

Because...

"Suzune, I also said something. That I will gurantee your happiness."

"Is this happiness? So why am I crying?"

"Well..."

"Why are you so insistent on failure!? When you're capable of winning!?"

What? Did I do something?

"Suzu-"

"Why do lie to me as if it's nothing?! Have I ever lied to you?!"

"But-..."

"Kiyotaka..." she rubs her eyes, "How much time do we have left?"

I check my watch, "30 minutes."

"Then, let's split up."

...

"Huh?"

"I don't trust you anymore."

"But I-"

"I'm off now."

"Wait, Suzune."

"If I wait, we will lose. And then... expelled."

"I said wait."

I can't lift my body up.

I can't stop her.

"Bye, Kiyotaka. See you when it's over."

Wait...

Is she mad?

"I'll do my best... you can just rest now..."

What did I do wrong...?

I accomplished what I desired.

And that desire shall multiply her happiness.

So why is she mad?

Isn't this... what she wanted?

"Happiness?"

Her figure disappears into the distance.

I've done what I need to do...

Yet...

I feel the worse.

As if my soul is being eaten away slowly.

These emotions can be rough sometimes, eh?

"I guess I'll wait here until it's over."

Nothing is left to be done. Everything has been accomplished.

Now my final task is to merely wait until the light shines.

30 minutes later

"Ayanokoji..." Ms Chabashira is the first to meet me after I leave the woods, holding my stomach, "What happened? Did someone violate the rules and hit your stomach?"

"No... it's nothing like that. I just tripped over and fell."

"That's good to hear... about Horikita..."

"Where is she?"

"She's... on the bus..."

"I see..."

Judging by things, she did not accumulate a single note.

And she'd rather agonize over it by herself.

After all, the thought of being expelled is a scary one.

"And you, Ayanokoji? Where's your cases? Did you, perhaps, lose them all?"

I nod.

"Ryuen took them both. So he has gained another 7500 notes, and has a total of 15000 notes assuming he hasn't taken anymore. But..."

If this exam has played out exactly as I had imagined, then...

"Yes, he has 22500 notes altogether now. He... even took Class A's notes."

"I see."

So, according to the standings, Class C would be first, following them would be Class B, and at the bottom is Class A and D.

"So what will happen now?" I ask.

"Well, both pairs of Class A and Class D will now get excluded."

"That's harsh."

"It's in the rules. Though, I'm surprised you managed to lose."

"I was planning this result anyway."

But...

"You don't say! You meant to be excluded!?"

"That's up to you to determine for yourself."

"Wait, Ayanokoji!"

I walk off, leaving her to her thoughts.

Not long from here is a tent where the participants has to measure their notes and take a picture of it.

I may as well take a look-

"Ah! Ayanokoji-kun!"

Ichinose calls out my name.

"Ichinose... I'm assuming you're safe judging by your expressions."

"Well well, me and Kanzaki-kun decided not to pursue anyone. We would just be happy with the 7500 notes given to us by default, so we camped out until it was over, hehe. But it's not like we gained or loss anything in terms of points, so I'm just the same as usual. And you, Ayanokoji-kun?"

"As you can see, I have no notes. So I'm going to get excluded."

She laughs, "Ha! Well, it's good that I did this then!"

"What?"

What is she talking about?

"Here!"

"Huh...?"

She holds out... a single note.

"Is that..."

"Since we are safe, I decided to swipe a single note just in case you guys are in trouble. So, whilst Kanzaki-kun is weighing our notes, I decided to look for you and gift you this!"

"I..." No... "I can't accept it."

"Heh?"

"I can't rely on Class B to save us. Expulsion is a befitting judgment for us, and we must accept it. Thank you for your thought, though. But, I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"Why?" I turn around, "Because I'm already happy with our results."

I walk away.

She must be confused.

She must think I'm weird.

But it doesn't matter.

After all, there is no need for her help.

30 minutes later

"Now! I shall announce the winners!"

We all stood side-by-side, this time, with a single absence.

On my right stood Ryuen, who smirked.

"Oh my, Ayanokoji. What's with that gloom?"

"Congratulations Ryuen, on the win. I guess I will get expelled at the end."

"Oh, admitting defeat? That's a good attribute of wise men. Though, I'm starting to pity you. We could always donate a few notes to save your as_?"

"I'd have to refuse for now, I'm sorry."

"Well, that's a shame."

We both turn to the front again.

I wonder...

If I did the right thing?

Was-...

"AT FIRST PLACE, WITH 22500 NOTES..."

-changing my mind... the best choice?

"IS AYANOKOJI KIYOTAKA AND HORIKITA SUZUNE!"

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"Huh?"

My goal is...

Main account: https://www.wattpad.com/user/Diefeel

I feel sorry for Ryuen, this is the second time he's been turned upside down by Kiyotaka after thinking he's won XD (explanation next chapter)

Ahh... I've already written out next chapter, so I can chill tomorrow.

Btw, I'm currently writing two fanfics, but I'm planning to write another one about Arisu x Kiyotaka.

But it's hard to write that out along with this fanfic, but getting 100 followers will make my hardwork payoff.

Impress me :)

Thanks for reading!