After breaking up, my ex asked me to win her back

"Yui-chan?" Minister Uchida was taken aback and nodded, "Yes, she's here."

"Could you ask her to come out, please," Kagura Hikaru requested politely.

Minister Uchida couldn't figure out what they wanted with their club manager, but he still went back to call Hosaka Yui over. Find your next read at empire

After a day's absence, the little girl with fluffy curly hair, like that of a squirrel, remained as approachable as ever, with her deeply engaging smile. She ambled over leisurely and lifted her glasses slightly, "What can I do for you two?"

But now, neither Kagura Hikaru nor Ayakoji Chiyoko could view her with the same eyes as before.

Ayakoji Chiyoko looked at her intently, "Hosaka Yui, come with me; let's have a talk."

Hosaka Yui replied with a surprised smile, "Sure."

They walked out of the Kendo Club, neither of them wanting to talk, just walking in silence, the atmosphere heavy.

This was probably because all three of them knew what was going to happen next.

They made their way to a secluded spot in the school courtyard.

Kagura Hikaru looked up at the maple tree in front of them; the previously slightly desolate branches were now beginning to sprout new green shoots.

A sense of spring's arrival welled up inside him.

When it comes to the onset of spring, the first thing to come to mind wasn't enjoying flowers or rain, but holidays.

In Island Nation schools, there are three long breaks a year: spring, summer, and winter. Since spring was on its way, it naturally meant that holidays were approaching.

People tend to deal with all the troubling matters at hand before a holiday, so they can rest easy during the break.

Naturally, the current trouble was no different.

They sat down on a bench under the tree.

"Spill the beans," Ayakoji Chiyoko said bluntly, as soon as she sat down.

Hosaka Yui laughed in confusion, "Sorry, what are you talking about?"

"That photo of the lodging record, you tricked the daughter of the Ryusongan Warrior Matriarch to take it. The person who anonymously sent the photo to the News Department staff's email was also you," Ayakoji Chiyoko's tone was decisive as she stared intently at the other, like a beast eyeing its prey, "Hosaka Yui, you're the mastermind behind this."

"I'm sorry, I really don't know what you're talking about," Hosaka Yui replied.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Under such intense scrutiny, Hosaka Yui didn't change her expression, but instead deepened her smile.

Her words clashed with her expression, creating an unmistakable sense of hypocrisy without the need for further elaboration.

Ayakoji Chiyoko didn't need her admission, and scoffed, "I know, you're also Kiryu Hina's dog, and I imagine wearing a collar around your neck feels quite comfortable."

Kagura Hikaru subconsciously touched his neck.

Not good, he had unwittingly taken it personally.

"What does the Student Council President have to do with this? I don't understand," Hosaka Yui continued to feign ignorance with a smile, impervious to persuasion, as if she was certain nobody could touch her.

"You've exposed too many flaws," Kagura Hikaru said, "At the inn, you were very close to that little girl, presumably winning her favor then manipulating her. Also, the money in our wallets and our cell phones were stolen by you, weren't they? The items were still there when we went shopping yesterday afternoon, but after returning to the inn to pick up luggage, they were gone.

In the rush of the moment, someone must have taken the opportunity to steal our phones and put them in the inn, and took some money out of our wallets.

The only ones who could've done all of this are the people from the Capital City team, and you, Hosaka Yui, are the prime suspect," Kagura Hikaru postulated.

"Hmm... but really, I don't understand what you're talking about."

Hosaka Yui continued her poor acting with a smile, adamantly refusing to confess.

Her demeanor was strikingly similar to that of Kiryu Hina.

She seemed to be on guard for the possibility of being recorded, and even though everyone present was clear that everything was related to her, she maintained a stance of denial.

"At the station, we all thought the mobile phone was lost on the road, until you reminded us that it might have been left at the hotel."

"That was just something I thought of on the spur of the moment. Is there something wrong with giving a reminder?"

It seemed she was determined to deny everything to the bitter end.

Unfortunately, there was not much they could do about her since they lacked evidence.

Kagura Hikaru stared deeply at her, "Hosaka Yui, when you and I made that promise, to participate in the national competition next year, was it also a disguise?"

"You're too cute, Mr. Kagura." Hosaka Yui tilted her head, smiling as she said, "That kind of talk is obviously just to tease you, don't take it seriously."

"What exactly is true about you, and what is false?"

"You seem to have misunderstood me, Mr. Kagura. I'm a girl who is consistent inside and out~"

"..."

"Don't be angry, Kagura. She's just a blind fool who doesn't know disaster is looming," Ayakoji Chiyoko suddenly said.

Her words drew the attention of both parties to her.

She leisurely took out a mobile phone from the inner pocket of her jacket, screen facing outward, and showed Hosaka Yui something.

Due to the angle, Kagura Hikaru couldn't make anything out from the reflection on the phone's screen, but Hosaka Yui, who saw the display, had a drastic change in complexion and stood up abruptly.

"You, why do you have that....."

"I got it from your ex-boyfriend," Ayakoji Chiyoko said calmly, "As soon as he heard it was to be used against you, he gave it to me for free."

Hosaka Yui's expression fluctuated, her eyes filled with defeat, and she slowly sat down, remaining silent.

This prompted Kagura Hikaru to look curiously at Ayakoji Chiyoko, hoping she would explain.

"In fact, even before we left for Capital City, I knew she was from Kiryu Hina," said Ayakoji Chiyoko, surprising everyone with her revelation. "Or rather, it was because of her presence that I insisted the Kendo Club give up some competition slots to the Disciplinary Committee, with the goal of creating an opportunity for Kiryu Hina to actively utilize Hosaka Yui."

"You did all that just to take part in the national competition?" Kagura Hikaru said in disbelief.

Ayakoji Chiyoko lifted the corner of her mouth slightly, "What else could it be? Do you think having one or two more trophies from a Sword Dao competition has any practical use for the Disciplinary Committee?"

Honors that the Kendo Club fought hard for seemed to her as worthless as toilet paper.

No wonder the Disciplinary Committee suddenly got involved in the sword-fighting competition. Participating was just a front, the real goal was to remove Hosaka Yui, the hidden pawn.

"If she didn't take initiative against me, it would be difficult to link her to Kiryu Hina, even with leverage in my hands. But now, with us being 'falsely accused', the opportunity has presented itself."

Ayakoji Chiyoko's gaze was deep as she looked at the pale-faced Hosaka Yui and threatened in a villainous tone, "I want you to publically admit that all your actions were instructed by Kiryu Hina, and to hand over all your call records with her!"

It was for this reason she had endured humiliation, followed the intentions of a manipulator behind the scenes, and stayed with Kagura Hikaru in Capital City, sharing a room, and smoothly allowed herself to be framed.

Otherwise, with her capabilities, finding a better solution at that time would have been a piece of cake.

All of this was just to make Kiryu Hina face the consequences of her own actions!

"I....."

Hosaka Yui's face went through a myriad of changes, clearly distressed.

"Before you answer, you'd better weigh the consequences. If you don't do as I say, the contents of my phone will appear in every line group of this school now, causing your reputation to be utterly ruined."

"..."