Another Like Me - Part II (CoTE x OC) || 𝕆ℕ ℍ𝕀𝔸𝕋𝕌𝕊

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟛𝟛 - 𝔸 𝔻𝕖𝕔𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕠𝕗 𝕎𝕒𝕣

Word Count : 3888 words

After a grueling interview training session with Nagumo and Kiriyama, Ichinose and I parted ways at the dormitory lobby.

On our way back to the dorms, Ichinose hadn't spoken much about the conversation that we had had prior to the meeting. We only made small talk about the commencement of the junior interviews, and that was it. We did not touch upon any other subject, which made me aware of how hard Ichinose was trying to avoid the topic.

She could try and avoid the topic all that she wanted, but she'd eventually have to come to terms with it. She can't continue to live in the shadow of her former class. Eventually, she has to break free and learn to attack.

I guess it'll happen slowly. I'll make sure to try and subtly nudge her in the right direction, but for now, it's not the important matter at hand.

As soon as I reached the fourth floor, the phone in my pocket started to ring. I grunted abysmally, and attended the call from an unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Oh, Takeyama-kun. What a pleasure it is to be talking to you."

I narrowed my eyes. That voice.....

"Oh, my apologies. Have you not recognized me yet, Takeyama?"

I clicked my tongue in annoyance. "What the hell do you want, Director Tsukishiro? I've not got any time for your games."

"Games? Sure, if that's what you want to call it," the voice on the other end said. "You've got to understand that the situation is dire and calls for serious measures, Takeyama. Do you really think that you can survive in this school by just avoiding me?"

"That is the plan, yes. So if you may excuse me, I'll be cutting the call now."

"You'll make a grave mistake then, young man," his annoying voice continued to ring in through the speaker on my phone. "You're purposely making this harder for everyone."

"I'm not going to wait around like a sitting duck, Director," I replied. "You can try all you want to get me out. But I'm not going to budge. It's the same for Kiyotaka as well."

The line buzzed at the other end. "Hmm, I see..... you're truly something, Takeyama. You're so confident that you can remain in this school, even though you're going to be relentlessly attacked from all sides?"

"Your words are just bark and no bite, Director. Come at me with all you've got."

"..... you're a strange one. You're inviting trouble by saying that, aren't you?"

"And will you leave me alone if I ask you to?" I asked scathingly. "My words don't make a difference to you, Director, and both you and I know that. The only reason you've called me right now is to try and gauge my mental situation. Your plans will not be affected in the least by any of my actions. Isn't that right?"

"Right you are, kiddo. So how about you be a good boy and drop out of your own volition? It saves everyone the hassle."

"Nah, not interested. I like this school."

"You like it, huh....." Tsukishiro's words trailed off, and there was silence at the other end for a few seconds. I raised my finger to cut the call, but the voice came back just before I could.

"Takeyama. You're to come to my office as soon as you can."

I scoffed. "Your office? Do you take me to be stupid, Director? Why would I, in my right mind, come down to your office?"