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Chapter 734 Can I Fight Back?
"Can you confirm it?" Gin asked.
"No," Chi Feichei said, "So I need to confirm it."
Something doesn't make sense. He hasn't been in contact with Ubu Saika during this time. He's not sure if this can cause Stockholm Syndrome.
It's also possible that Ubu Saika is faking it to lower his vigilance and escape the Organization's control.
Moreover, even if Ubu Saika really has Stockholm Syndrome, he needs to confirm whether the 'perpetrator' Ubu Saika identifies, that is, the object of Ubu Saika's dependence, is the Organization or him.
"Why are you suddenly paying attention to her?" Gin shifted his gaze back to the computer, shut it down, and prepared to leave. "Have you thought about the Arrangement?"
"Enough people who can help confirm Intelligence and Safety without being noticed..."
In the next two days, students went to School, office workers went to work, and criminals committed crimes.
...
[October 13th, Sunny...]
In the Classroom of Class 3-A, Uehara Middle School, Ubu Saika sat in the Seat by the Window, her Pen in hand hovering over the open Notebook, sketching aimlessly without leaving any marks.
The Instructor in the Base, let's call him Instructor for now, the Man who taught her Reconnaissance told her to delete Emails after reading them. Also, Call Logs, Text Message records, and Photo Albums should be kept clean. Writing a Diary is even more foolish behavior that only exposes your Secrets to gain a little Psychological Comfort. If the existence of the Organization is exposed, bear the Consequences yourself.
What she fears most now is hearing 'bear the Consequences yourself', which Means being chased to death by a Group of madmen in a circle from which there is no escape.
Ban Tian Yu Zhi she saw in the Surveillance Room that Night, that kind of Predicament of having no way out and struggling to death, she could recall the entire Process even with her eyes closed. That was a more suffocating Feeling than witnessing someone die in front of her.
Fortunately, after that Night, she no longer had to stay with those madmen. Although the Guards in Management could play this 'cruel game' without changing their expressions, at least they still had reason and wouldn't Damage her.
She lived on the 3rd Floor, and only her Room was in use on the entire Corridor. She could have Meals delivered to her Room, and she could freely take the Elevator to any Floor other than the 1st Floor. No one bothered her, no one bullied her. She could even take the Guard to look around. She had even been to the 5th Floor, the Management Floor, and the Floor where Male Criminals lived. If someone attacked or spoke out to tease her, the Guards would block it for her.
She just needed to go to 'Course' every day and learn what she should learn.
Should she be Triumphant? She thought she had been Triumphant, taking the Guard to take a Circle around the Female Criminals. Originally, it was to let those Women who had laughed at her see who was worthy of being laughed at.
But after going there that time, she found it boring instead.
It was very strange. Overnight, she seemed to have been stripped away from that dangerous World. Although she could still remember the Fear and unease at that time, she felt that it was not so serious anymore.
She began to pay attention to the Organization's affairs. She heard that the Guards were just Outer Members, and even the Man in charge of the entire Base Management was just an Outer Member. That was a powerful and mysterious Organization. She sometimes thought that perhaps Cruelty was Normal for such a powerful and mysterious existence.
Compared to the deception and rudeness of those Criminals, the Guards were like Employees who stuck to their posts, going to and from work on time, not swearing, and not humiliating the Criminals inside. They were much better.
And that Person...
Raki.
Since that Night, she had been thinking of Raki more and more often.
She told Raki to remember to return the Necklace to her. Originally, after seeing the Darkness in the Base, she didn't have much Hope, but Unexpectedly, Raki returned both the Necklace and the Diary to her.
Raki let her leave those people's Residence, and Raki asked the Guards to ensure her Safety.
That Night, when she ran away, the Palm of her Hand was chafed by the Rope. Raki also had someone send her Medicine, and Said he would let her go to School, and he did.
Raki is a very good Person.
She began to repeatedly recall that Face with deep-set eyes and a calm, Indifference expression, whether it was the Front Face or the side Face half-hidden in the Shadow; recalled the Figure who calmly led people in when they first met; recalled the Black Plate nailed to the Wall; recalled his calm and assertive aura when he spoke; recalled the Display Screen illuminating his back when they met again later, his Face somewhat blurred in the dim light...
She began to miss him. Every time she finished the Course, she would repeatedly recall every bit of her contact with Raki. It was very short, but no matter how many times she recalled it, she didn't feel bored, only occasionally a little anxious, stemming from the anxiety of 'wanting to see him but not being able to'.
She no longer felt Fear and unease. Recalling Raki's hoarse Voice, she speculated whether he had been injured and would also worry and feel sorry for him.
Sometimes, when she thought of the tension she felt when Raki approached her that Night, her Heartbeat skipped a beat, and she didn't think it was due to Fear. It should be other Emotions.
Isn't this still not liking?
When she first entered Middle School, she secretly liked a Boy in her Class, who was sunny and generous, handsome and good at Exercise. But now, the Figure of that Boy and the Feeling he gave her had been completely washed away by another Person, becoming an insignificant Person like a Passersby.
Raki was like a Curse, possessing an attraction that other Male did not have. The longing and Affection in her Heart were deeper than ever before, like a volcano suppressing surging magma, sometimes so anxious that she wanted to burn away all reason.
This might not be liking, but an Emotion that she would not have easily recognized before.
Love.
Ubu Saika was not yet aware that she was constantly engaging in dangerous Self-suggestion, pushing herself into a Pitfall. She spun the Pen between her fingers, Staring at the Desktop in a daze, thinking over and over again, constantly finding Reasons enough to convince herself.
"Ubu Classmate!"
A shout came from beside her.
Ubu Saika regained her senses and looked up to see the Female Teacher walking to the Table.
The Female Teacher in her forties smiled and reminded her in a gentle Tone, "Don't be distracted in Class!"
"Sorry, Teacher," Ubu Saika Get Up and bowed very Politeness.
Although the Kind and peaceful expression of this Female Teacher always reminded her of Ban Tian Yu Zhi who had deceived her and wanted to kill her, although she used to be a Problem Student who liked to make things difficult for Teachers, Raki Said to her to get along well with Classmates, which must also include Teachers. And a Polite Person can easily gain some basic Good Impression, or... it's disgust.
Uehara Middle School is a Public School. Since her Stepfather is an Elementary School Teacher, she has heard too much about the advantages and disadvantages of Schools.
Public Schools enroll Students according to districts, and most of the Fee are paid by the state. Wealthy people will try to choose Private Schools with high Tuition Fee but better teaching resources and facilities, or enter National Schools with strict Exams. The rest will enter Public Schools and complete compulsory education step by step. Therefore, the Education and Environment of Public Schools are also uneven, and whether they are good or bad depends on the region.
If the residents in the surrounding area are people with Better Family Fortune, and the Student Backgrounds are similar, Guardians will restrain them, and bullying will rarely occur.
If there are Violent Gangs in the surrounding area, the public security was not good before, or the residents are mixed, the Environment in the School will be much more complex and chaotic. Compared to Private Schools being able to expel Students, Public Schools are not allowed to expel Students before compulsory education is completed, which also leads to many people who loaf around staying in School.
Uehara Middle School is inclined to the latter. The School she was in Kumamoto was okay. She was also a Problem Student and could not be bullied, but she learned about bullying and exclusion in similar Schools from her Biker Gang Friends in the past. When she first entered the Classroom yesterday, she had already felt the exclusion. When she did Self-introduction, there were two unfriendly Gazes Staring at her.
Now it is already the third grade of Middle School, and Class cliques have already formed. It is more difficult for an outsider like her to integrate. And the situation of upcoming higher education obviously will not bring study Pressure to people who are not going to higher education. She had a Premonition that the Days to come would definitely not be calm.
Of course, this does not prevent her from making a little change - don't cause Troublesome for Teachers, be more Polite and courteous, and while striving for Good Impression from other people and Teachers, she will not appear too childish.
Yes, it's just childish.
During this Time, she had been in contact with Raki who handled things calmly, the Polite Guards, and also those Criminals who were full of Thorns. Among those Criminals, very few people would 'act cool' like they used to. She suddenly Realized that her previous cursing behavior was really low-level.
"Just pay attention next time," the Female Teacher's Tone became gentler. "Please sit down."
"Tch..." From the Seat by the Corridor, a Girl deliberately made a low scoffing Sound that Ubu Saika could hear.
The Female Teacher turned her Head to look. She originally wanted to Say something, but she opened her mouth and still held back.
Ubu Saika didn't express her position either, and sat down obediently.
She herself also had points worth attacking. Early yesterday morning, she went to the Principal to go through Enrollment Procedures. She vaguely heard a hint of inner meaning. It seemed that a Councilor had come forward to say hello. The Organization also Arranged a Residence for her in the Vicinity, so Enrollment was naturally no Problem. Moreover, the Principal completely ignored her Short Hair dyed Red.
By the time School Dismissal yesterday evening, she heard discussions and Realize that this School did not restrict hair dyeing, but required Girls to not tie their ponytails when keeping Long Hair, the Reason being that exposing the back of the neck and Forehead would stimulate the sexual impulses of adolescent Boys. If it was Short Hair, it could not reach the shoulders either. Unfortunately, the ends of her Hair just reached her shoulders.
If someone wanted to bully her, she could Handle it, but she still needed to Ask about Raki's Intention...
This was the last Course before the last Weekend. At 3:40 PM, the Female Teacher announced the end of Class and the start of the Holiday, and also called Ubu Saika to the School Green Area for a talk.
"Ubu Classmate, are you still adapting to School Life?"
"Thank You for your concern, Teacher. I think the School is very good." Ubu Saika looked obedient.
The Female Teacher felt more relieved. At first, seeing Ubu Saika's flamboyant Red Hair, and being a well-connected person who had been greeted by superiors, she originally thought she would be a troublemaker. Unexpectedly, the little Girl in front of her had such a good Personality. "That's good. If Ozawa and the others bully you, then come and tell Teacher. If there's nothing else, go back. Happy Holiday."
"Happy Holiday, Teacher. Then I'll go back first." Ubu Saika bowed slightly to the Female Teacher, and while turning Around to walk towards the teaching building, she took out her Mobile Phone and lowered her head to send an Email.
[Raki, this is Ubu. Can you tell me, what exactly do you want me to do? If someone bullies me, can I Fight Back?]
"Ding-dong."
The Email was Replied to quickly:
[If you are bullied and don't Fight Back, are you a fool? --Raki]
Ubu Saika: "..."
She always felt that Raki's Meaning was: You still need to Ask me such a stupid question, are you a fool?
But it's good that she can Fight Back.
(End of Chapter)
"Can you confirm it?" Gin asked.
"No," Chi Feichei said, "So I need to confirm it."
Something doesn't make sense. He hasn't been in contact with Ubu Saika during this time. He's not sure if this can cause Stockholm Syndrome.
It's also possible that Ubu Saika is faking it to lower his vigilance and escape the Organization's control.
Moreover, even if Ubu Saika really has Stockholm Syndrome, he needs to confirm whether the 'perpetrator' Ubu Saika identifies, that is, the object of Ubu Saika's dependence, is the Organization or him.
"Why are you suddenly paying attention to her?" Gin shifted his gaze back to the computer, shut it down, and prepared to leave. "Have you thought about the Arrangement?"
"Enough people who can help confirm Intelligence and Safety without being noticed..."
In the next two days, students went to School, office workers went to work, and criminals committed crimes.
...
[October 13th, Sunny...]
In the Classroom of Class 3-A, Uehara Middle School, Ubu Saika sat in the Seat by the Window, her Pen in hand hovering over the open Notebook, sketching aimlessly without leaving any marks.
The Instructor in the Base, let's call him Instructor for now, the Man who taught her Reconnaissance told her to delete Emails after reading them. Also, Call Logs, Text Message records, and Photo Albums should be kept clean. Writing a Diary is even more foolish behavior that only exposes your Secrets to gain a little Psychological Comfort. If the existence of the Organization is exposed, bear the Consequences yourself.
What she fears most now is hearing 'bear the Consequences yourself', which Means being chased to death by a Group of madmen in a circle from which there is no escape.
Ban Tian Yu Zhi she saw in the Surveillance Room that Night, that kind of Predicament of having no way out and struggling to death, she could recall the entire Process even with her eyes closed. That was a more suffocating Feeling than witnessing someone die in front of her.
Fortunately, after that Night, she no longer had to stay with those madmen. Although the Guards in Management could play this 'cruel game' without changing their expressions, at least they still had reason and wouldn't Damage her.
She lived on the 3rd Floor, and only her Room was in use on the entire Corridor. She could have Meals delivered to her Room, and she could freely take the Elevator to any Floor other than the 1st Floor. No one bothered her, no one bullied her. She could even take the Guard to look around. She had even been to the 5th Floor, the Management Floor, and the Floor where Male Criminals lived. If someone attacked or spoke out to tease her, the Guards would block it for her.
She just needed to go to 'Course' every day and learn what she should learn.
Should she be Triumphant? She thought she had been Triumphant, taking the Guard to take a Circle around the Female Criminals. Originally, it was to let those Women who had laughed at her see who was worthy of being laughed at.
But after going there that time, she found it boring instead.
It was very strange. Overnight, she seemed to have been stripped away from that dangerous World. Although she could still remember the Fear and unease at that time, she felt that it was not so serious anymore.
She began to pay attention to the Organization's affairs. She heard that the Guards were just Outer Members, and even the Man in charge of the entire Base Management was just an Outer Member. That was a powerful and mysterious Organization. She sometimes thought that perhaps Cruelty was Normal for such a powerful and mysterious existence.
Compared to the deception and rudeness of those Criminals, the Guards were like Employees who stuck to their posts, going to and from work on time, not swearing, and not humiliating the Criminals inside. They were much better.
And that Person...
Raki.
Since that Night, she had been thinking of Raki more and more often.
She told Raki to remember to return the Necklace to her. Originally, after seeing the Darkness in the Base, she didn't have much Hope, but Unexpectedly, Raki returned both the Necklace and the Diary to her.
Raki let her leave those people's Residence, and Raki asked the Guards to ensure her Safety.
That Night, when she ran away, the Palm of her Hand was chafed by the Rope. Raki also had someone send her Medicine, and Said he would let her go to School, and he did.
Raki is a very good Person.
She began to repeatedly recall that Face with deep-set eyes and a calm, Indifference expression, whether it was the Front Face or the side Face half-hidden in the Shadow; recalled the Figure who calmly led people in when they first met; recalled the Black Plate nailed to the Wall; recalled his calm and assertive aura when he spoke; recalled the Display Screen illuminating his back when they met again later, his Face somewhat blurred in the dim light...
She began to miss him. Every time she finished the Course, she would repeatedly recall every bit of her contact with Raki. It was very short, but no matter how many times she recalled it, she didn't feel bored, only occasionally a little anxious, stemming from the anxiety of 'wanting to see him but not being able to'.
She no longer felt Fear and unease. Recalling Raki's hoarse Voice, she speculated whether he had been injured and would also worry and feel sorry for him.
Sometimes, when she thought of the tension she felt when Raki approached her that Night, her Heartbeat skipped a beat, and she didn't think it was due to Fear. It should be other Emotions.
Isn't this still not liking?
When she first entered Middle School, she secretly liked a Boy in her Class, who was sunny and generous, handsome and good at Exercise. But now, the Figure of that Boy and the Feeling he gave her had been completely washed away by another Person, becoming an insignificant Person like a Passersby.
Raki was like a Curse, possessing an attraction that other Male did not have. The longing and Affection in her Heart were deeper than ever before, like a volcano suppressing surging magma, sometimes so anxious that she wanted to burn away all reason.
This might not be liking, but an Emotion that she would not have easily recognized before.
Love.
Ubu Saika was not yet aware that she was constantly engaging in dangerous Self-suggestion, pushing herself into a Pitfall. She spun the Pen between her fingers, Staring at the Desktop in a daze, thinking over and over again, constantly finding Reasons enough to convince herself.
"Ubu Classmate!"
A shout came from beside her.
Ubu Saika regained her senses and looked up to see the Female Teacher walking to the Table.
The Female Teacher in her forties smiled and reminded her in a gentle Tone, "Don't be distracted in Class!"
"Sorry, Teacher," Ubu Saika Get Up and bowed very Politeness.
Although the Kind and peaceful expression of this Female Teacher always reminded her of Ban Tian Yu Zhi who had deceived her and wanted to kill her, although she used to be a Problem Student who liked to make things difficult for Teachers, Raki Said to her to get along well with Classmates, which must also include Teachers. And a Polite Person can easily gain some basic Good Impression, or... it's disgust.
Uehara Middle School is a Public School. Since her Stepfather is an Elementary School Teacher, she has heard too much about the advantages and disadvantages of Schools.
Public Schools enroll Students according to districts, and most of the Fee are paid by the state. Wealthy people will try to choose Private Schools with high Tuition Fee but better teaching resources and facilities, or enter National Schools with strict Exams. The rest will enter Public Schools and complete compulsory education step by step. Therefore, the Education and Environment of Public Schools are also uneven, and whether they are good or bad depends on the region.
If the residents in the surrounding area are people with Better Family Fortune, and the Student Backgrounds are similar, Guardians will restrain them, and bullying will rarely occur.
If there are Violent Gangs in the surrounding area, the public security was not good before, or the residents are mixed, the Environment in the School will be much more complex and chaotic. Compared to Private Schools being able to expel Students, Public Schools are not allowed to expel Students before compulsory education is completed, which also leads to many people who loaf around staying in School.
Uehara Middle School is inclined to the latter. The School she was in Kumamoto was okay. She was also a Problem Student and could not be bullied, but she learned about bullying and exclusion in similar Schools from her Biker Gang Friends in the past. When she first entered the Classroom yesterday, she had already felt the exclusion. When she did Self-introduction, there were two unfriendly Gazes Staring at her.
Now it is already the third grade of Middle School, and Class cliques have already formed. It is more difficult for an outsider like her to integrate. And the situation of upcoming higher education obviously will not bring study Pressure to people who are not going to higher education. She had a Premonition that the Days to come would definitely not be calm.
Of course, this does not prevent her from making a little change - don't cause Troublesome for Teachers, be more Polite and courteous, and while striving for Good Impression from other people and Teachers, she will not appear too childish.
Yes, it's just childish.
During this Time, she had been in contact with Raki who handled things calmly, the Polite Guards, and also those Criminals who were full of Thorns. Among those Criminals, very few people would 'act cool' like they used to. She suddenly Realized that her previous cursing behavior was really low-level.
"Just pay attention next time," the Female Teacher's Tone became gentler. "Please sit down."
"Tch..." From the Seat by the Corridor, a Girl deliberately made a low scoffing Sound that Ubu Saika could hear.
The Female Teacher turned her Head to look. She originally wanted to Say something, but she opened her mouth and still held back.
Ubu Saika didn't express her position either, and sat down obediently.
She herself also had points worth attacking. Early yesterday morning, she went to the Principal to go through Enrollment Procedures. She vaguely heard a hint of inner meaning. It seemed that a Councilor had come forward to say hello. The Organization also Arranged a Residence for her in the Vicinity, so Enrollment was naturally no Problem. Moreover, the Principal completely ignored her Short Hair dyed Red.
By the time School Dismissal yesterday evening, she heard discussions and Realize that this School did not restrict hair dyeing, but required Girls to not tie their ponytails when keeping Long Hair, the Reason being that exposing the back of the neck and Forehead would stimulate the sexual impulses of adolescent Boys. If it was Short Hair, it could not reach the shoulders either. Unfortunately, the ends of her Hair just reached her shoulders.
If someone wanted to bully her, she could Handle it, but she still needed to Ask about Raki's Intention...
This was the last Course before the last Weekend. At 3:40 PM, the Female Teacher announced the end of Class and the start of the Holiday, and also called Ubu Saika to the School Green Area for a talk.
"Ubu Classmate, are you still adapting to School Life?"
"Thank You for your concern, Teacher. I think the School is very good." Ubu Saika looked obedient.
The Female Teacher felt more relieved. At first, seeing Ubu Saika's flamboyant Red Hair, and being a well-connected person who had been greeted by superiors, she originally thought she would be a troublemaker. Unexpectedly, the little Girl in front of her had such a good Personality. "That's good. If Ozawa and the others bully you, then come and tell Teacher. If there's nothing else, go back. Happy Holiday."
"Happy Holiday, Teacher. Then I'll go back first." Ubu Saika bowed slightly to the Female Teacher, and while turning Around to walk towards the teaching building, she took out her Mobile Phone and lowered her head to send an Email.
[Raki, this is Ubu. Can you tell me, what exactly do you want me to do? If someone bullies me, can I Fight Back?]
"Ding-dong."
The Email was Replied to quickly:
[If you are bullied and don't Fight Back, are you a fool? --Raki]
Ubu Saika: "..."
She always felt that Raki's Meaning was: You still need to Ask me such a stupid question, are you a fool?
But it's good that she can Fight Back.
(End of Chapter)
