Cote : I Just Want to Grant Your Wish!

Chapter 692 - 692: Do you think i'm useless?

Ever since last year's uninhabited island exam, where everyone learned Horikita Suzune had prioritized the class despite having a fever, their perception of her shifted significantly.Subsequent exams further demonstrated Horikita Suzune's competence and determination.

Many concluded that while her temper was problematic, her intentions weren't malicious.

After all, who would dislike someone who constantly thought about the class's welfare?

"Don't judge Horikita solely by her demeanor. If her personality were slightly better, everyone in class would be willing to interact with her."

Kushida Kikyo felt dejected—this might be the first time she revealed such negativity to Kaoru.

"But I'm different. I have no talent. I can't achieve what she does. The only thing worth praising about me is my cute face—no one dislikes my appearance."

"I think Kikyo is actually quite remarkable for being able to befriend so many people."

Kaoru tried to comfort her.

"If making friends is a talent, you're better at it than Suzune."

Kushida Kikyo pressed her lips together, unable to feel happy. Instead, she forced a faint smile.

"You know? I was actually outstanding as a child—always first in my class. Everyone wanted to be my friend. But in middle school, I became... dull. There were always people better than me. No one clustered around me anymore. No one needed me. I grew so jealous of those with real talent."

Kaoru fell silent.

This was her deep-seated insecurity—the stark contrast between elementary and middle school likely fueled her obsessive drive to make friends.

"I get lonely very easily. When no one talks to me, I don't know what to do. So I started wearing a mask, trying hard to build good relationships with others. If everyone becomes my friend, I won't feel lonely anymore."

Kaoru could understand her perspective - some people enjoy solitude while others thrive in lively environments.

Kushida Kikyo couldn't stand being alone.

She wanted to talk with people, she wanted to chatter endlessly, she wanted someone to pay attention to her.

While she appeared to be a super extrovert, her true nature was simply someone afraid of loneliness.

If she were isolated and forced to live like Sakura Airi, Kushida Kikyo would immediately become withdrawn.

Back in middle school, when her classmates tried to ostracize her, she ended up exposing everyone's embarrassing pasts.

She simply couldn't accept that kind of life.

In a way, Kushida Kikyo was a creature who understood social dynamics perfectly.

Because she was so adept at reading the room, she navigated interpersonal relationships with ease, sitting at the top of this social food chain.

How could she possibly endure the feeling of falling from grace?

If she went to university, she'd probably become even more skilled at social manipulation, perhaps turning into the type of woman who toys with naive boys at mixers.

"Horikita thinks I'm just trying to please others, that I have no sense of self, that my mind is full of nothing but social maneuvering."

Kushida Kikyo's voice grew low. "She said that if you wear a mask for too long, you can't take it off anymore, and if someone forcibly removes my mask, it would be the death of me."

From Horikita Suzune's perspective, Kushida Kikyo was a hypocritical creature - always smiling at everyone, treating people gently, creating this little angel persona for herself.

In reality, the little angel was just the devil's mask.

Her persona was entirely fabricated because it allowed her to cater to everyone, to make people like her.

Her true nature was that of a little demon who toyed with people's hearts.

Therefore, Horikita Suzune particularly disliked Kushida Kikyo's behavior.

She felt that Kushida had no will of her own, merely maintaining several fragile relationships that held no real value.

When you thought about it carefully, to maintain these relationships, Kushida Kikyo sometimes couldn't handle the pressure and would often go home to vent her frustrations, only to continue pretending nothing was wrong afterward, treating people she despised with gentle smiles.

Like with boys such as Ike Kanji - though she found him particularly annoying, she had to work hard to pretend they were friends.

Now even Kushida Kikyo herself was starting to wonder if she was doing something meaningless.

She was beginning to waver about her persona and her friendship kingdom.

If Yagami Takuya were to remove her mask, she didn't dare imagine what might happen.

"Kikyo, if someone looked at you with lecherous eyes and spread rumors about you behind your back, would you hate that person?" Kaoru asked softly.

"Of course I would. That kind of person is disgusting."

Kushida Kikyo answered without hesitation.

"Would you say it directly to them?" Kaoru asked again.

At this, Kushida Kikyo began to hesitate.

After a moment, she whispered: "Prob...probably not. That would offend people."

Kaoru remained silent for a while.

He wasn't angry, but continued asking: "If this person already makes you feel disgusted, why can't you say it?"

Kushida Kikyo was about to say something, but Kaoru already knew what she was going to say and couldn't help but sigh.

"Sometimes, when you care too much about other people's feelings and opinions, you end up losing yourself." Kushida Kikyo bit her lower lip.

She knew that too, but what could she do?

"Some people simply aren't worth making friends with. Hate is hate, love is love. Forcing yourself to like someone you dislike will only exhaust you."

"I never intended to be friends with everyone. I just don't want people to have a bad impression of me or speak ill of me behind my back."

"If anyone badmouths you, tell me. I'll take care of that trash for you."

In an instant, Kaoru's expression turned serious.

Kushida Kikyo felt her throat go dry, her already full chest growing even more stifled and heavy.

"There will always be people who dislike you in this world. Even if you care about their opinions, they won't cooperate with you."

Kaoru didn't want Kushida Kikyo to continue carrying such heavy pressure.

While he had remained silent and respectful toward her previous actions, that didn't mean he agreed with her mindset.

"So... do you think I was wrong too now?"

Looking into his eyes, Kushida Kikyo felt inexplicably wronged, as if he was teaming up with Horikita Suzune to bully her.

"My Kikyo did nothing wrong."

Kaoru said seriously, "She's always been my little angel. I just want to tell her she doesn't need to be afraid or worried this time. When no one stood up for her before, now someone will."

Don't be afraid of people disliking her. Don't worry that removing her mask will leave her with nowhere to belong.

Don't fear others' gazes, because Kaoru would stand behind her and support her!

"Even if many people come to dislike her after she removes her mask, I'll continue to love her. Like I said before, compared to a masked little angel, I prefer her true self."

At this point, Kaoru smiled.

"If you're just afraid of loneliness, I'll always stay by your side. Besides, it's not just me who knows Kikyo's true nature now - Honami and Kei both know, and they don't dislike Kikyo either."

Kushida Kikyo suddenly felt her nose tingling with emotion. She recalled scenes from middle school, when her alt account was exposed and the entire class isolated her, labeling her a hypocritical demon.

No one had stood up for her back then.

Those who were supposedly friends all treated her with cold indifference.

Kaoru returned her phone and said softly, "Let me handle this person. My little angel's secrets should only be in my hands."

"Mm."

Kushida Kikyo held her phone, carefully pressing it against her chest while gazing tenderly at him.

That's right.

Her secrets should only be in Kaoru's hands.

Only Kaoru could threaten her, and she would continue being his pet.

Because she knew her master truly loved his pet.