"I-I'm... I... Can't say..." The hesitation and dilemma was clear in Kasuka's eyes. She's fighting against the reasons and her morals.
She wants to tell Atsuko the truth, but she also doesn't want to expose a secret.
Without a doubt, Kasuka was a good child.
But staying silent wasn't a choice.
"Tell me. Don't worry, I'll take responsibility if anyone comes after you." Atsuko reassured, pushing a lock of hair away from Kasuka's eyes.
Kasuka's eyes widened in response, but she simply shook her head.
"No... I won't go back on my words. I'm sorry, Hime. I'll take any punishment." Kasuka bowed slightly... still practically naked by the way.
"Also... Um... Can I put back my clothes...?" Although the situation wasn't something to be left aside, having a serious talk while naked wasn't something Kasuka preferred.
She's not an exhibitionist!
"Ah." As if finally realizing the embarrassing episode Kasuka's going through, Atsuko coughed into her fist and bowed her head.
"Yes, please put it back on. I'm sorry for suddenly forcing you to... take it off." Fortunately, they're still children and there's no such thing as a horny young girl in this world.
In fact, wouldn't the children of Arius be the most pure out of everyone?
They've only learnt how to kill students and all, but doesn't that mean their biology studies are neglected?
...Woah. Suddenly, it felt like Kasuka was going through an epiphany.
"It's alright if you don't say the specifics. But is it possible to give me a brief recollection?" Atsuko asked.
"Um.. I think that's fine?" Kasuka put back on her one piece dress. "Well, simply put, you'll live happily ever after! Just like the stories you read to me every night!"
Atsuko slightly tilted her head in confusion. The words Kasuka said weren't hard to comprehend. But the way she said it sounded wrong...
But she can't put her finger on it.
Something, it... just feels wrong...
What is it?
Why does it sound weird?
Why can't she feel relief hearing Kasuka say that?
Step Step
Suddenly, footsteps echoed outside. It seemed like everyone was finally returning back from Madam's office.
But Kasuka is awake right now, wouldn't she question where they had gone?
Atsuko lifted her hand to pat Kasuka but then stopped, she was suddenly reminded of what this hand had done just now.
Indeed, although she didn't do it hard, she still met her palm with Kasuka's cheek.
"..."
"Ah! Welcome back, everyone! Where have you gone?" Kasuka turned towards the sound like nothing ever happened.
The moment everyone saw her, Kasuka could've sworn she felt chills down her spine...
Also...
[100000 Points Gained] x4
"..."
That previous 150,000 Points she gained suddenly seemed so small...
What the hell happened!?
"Kasuka." The one to break the silence was Saori, who had stepped forward from the pack.
Azusa, Misaki, and Hiyori(who was being piggy backed by Misaki), everyone looked at Saori in awe.
Without beating around the bushes, as soon as Saori was within arm's length of Kasuka, she kneeled down, her forehead meeting the hard ground.
"I'm sorry."
"...Eh?"
"I..." Although Saori was about to continue talking, Kasuka saw Misaki, who had also slightly bowed her head, kicked Saori's side softly.
Saori changed her words. "I-- We... We're sorry. We sent you to Madam without any care for your consent. Due to that, you had to make a deal with her for our well being."
"Ah-- What... What's going on?" Kasuka tilted her head as she turned a look at Atsuko, who seemed almost as confused as she was.
"You asked where we went? We set up a meeting with Beatrice just now. She explained to us what kind of agreements you had set up with her."
---
"Under a couple of conditions, I will never lay my hands on any of you anymore. Be grateful. Though, such an individual is such a rarity nowadays..." Beatrice muttered the last sentence to herself.
"Firstly, Kasuka would take the full brunt of every punishment her 'Family' incurs. The individuals which are categorized as 'Family' by Kasuka include: Joumae Saori, Hakari Atsuko, Tsuchinaga Hiyori, Imashino Misaki, Shirasu Azusa."
"In return, my people shall never lay a hand on you."
"Second, Kasuka shall respond to my call whenever I require her presence, whether willing or not. The things I require help with won't be explained. If you want to know what it is... how about asking Kasuka herself? Maybe she'll tell you."
"In return, the risk of the missions which are given to her 'Family' shall be reduced."
"Third, the duration of the contract shall last forever." Beatrice grinned. After all, this meant that she could do anything she wanted with Kasuka without any consequences.
"In return, Kasuka's 'Family' won't ever be implicated in future missions after Kasuka's passing."
"Don't ask why her passing was included. Kasuka herself insisted on putting that in the contract."
Beatrice felt doubtful about that last condition. After all, Kasuka's life and death was practically in her hands. As long as Kasuka was still alive, Beatrice could still send Saori and her friends on a mission.
But as soon as Kasuka passed away, that would no longer be viable.
Would she honor that contract?
No.
But pretending to honor it would do her better, it'll prevent Kasuka from rebelling in the future.
After all, it's not easy trying to find students as competent as Saori and her friends. Perhaps in the future, she'd be the greatest asset Arius District would ever see.
But for now, they're merely children who are still in need of polishing.
Such a naïve child. This is why you should never put your full trust in an adult.
You'd be signing your life away uselessly.