I’m My Own High School Rival A Gangster Reborn as a Boy in a Matriarchal Clan World

Christina's Arc: Bend or Break

I gently closed my classroom door, knowing damn well that I should never be alone with a student, all while I feared the knowledge Nakamura possessed. Then she told me that she was from the future, a future where I was dead.

I fixed my hair and walked back to my desk.

"M-Ms. Igarashi?"

Which question should I ask first? I'm still not completely convinced that Kurobane would have killed me. Then there's the name Tsukikage. I've only heard it from two people: Trish and Antwon, and I'm not sure how Antwon knew it.

I sat on my desk, not the chair, and Nakamura's eyes grew wide enough for me to see her soul, metaphorically. If we even have souls. I didn't want to scare her, but I needed to know if Arkin, Nakamura's mom, was somehow involved with the distribution of intel. But I could not appear to be working for the Court.

I crossed my legs and placed both hands in my lap.

"Let's pause for a moment, Nakamura. You said that she killed me in your supposed future, but she didn't seem capable of winning when I encountered her. So, did something change, or am I better than you imagined?"

The kid almost jumped out of her chair, but I motioned for her to stay seated.

"Mr. Carter wounded her. That's the only difference, Ms. Igarashi!"

"Well, that seems to have excited you, but didn't Carter wound her in your future?"

She clasped her hands together as if to pray to the gods.

"Ms. Igarashi, Antwon wasn't here the first time I went through high school, so—if the killer was never injured, could you have won?"

I scratched my head.

"Well—"

I touched the scars on my face. She gave me a run for my money, injured. She was younger and probably stronger because of her age and potential training. Not to mention, I was beaten up to hell from everything that happened in Gifu. So, hungry, sleepy, and busted. No way I would have won under those conditions.

"If I'm being honest, no. So, if Mr. Carter wasn't here the first time and I die, where the heck was he?"

Nakamura bit her bottom lip. Maybe she didn't want to tell me. I won't push the topic.

"Nakamura, I—"

"He was in my classroom…with Christine Tsukikage…and she…she attempted to claim him."

Never in my nine years of teaching had a student surprised me with information, but I felt my jaw drop. I recovered, of course, but I'm sure she noticed.

"But Christine is supposed to be Christina's daughter?"

"Correct."

…

I closed my eyes to take in the information.

"So, Christina's daughter claimed Carter in the future, but now…the mother is claiming the same boy the daughter claimed. How, why?"

"I know it's a lot."

I need a drink.

"Okay, let's say that I believe you, which I'm debating, and Carter isn't supposed to be here, then how did he get here?"

"I'm unsure. Well, Carter and his sister, Sakura, are not supposed to be here. I taught Sakura in my first year after the credential program."

"So you taught them both?"

Nakamura brushed her hair from her ear and placed both hands in her lap. More importantly, she broke eye contact.

"Nakamura?"

"There was a substantial age gap between the siblings."

I slid off my desk, walked back to my seat, and rested my elbows on the flat surface.

"So, two kids are not supposed to be here?"

"Actually, Jenie is unfamiliar."

…

"That's the name Kai— Curses, I can't recall his last name, but he asked for a Jenie when he was being treated. I suppose it's a person."

"Yes, Jenie is…strange, but she and Kai Tanaka are…you know."

"There we go. Tanaka. So—" I said, bringing my face closer to her, "—there are three anomalies running around?"

Nakamura nodded.

"Well, four if you count yourself," I said, popping back into my chair.

"D-do you believe me, Ms. Igarashi?"

I stared out of the window, considering the world Nakamura presented to me. A world where Shizuka Kurobane kills me. I spent my youth fighting wars under the governance of two queens to restore my family's honor, and I think I have done a decent job of it.

But when do I find rest? Am I destined to serve until the day someone or something plucks me from this world?

"Um, Ms. Igarashi?"

"Yes, Nakamura?"

"Do you—"

The bell rang, and I pulled a set of worksheets out of my desk. But I had not asked about Arkin's position in all of this.

"Well, Nakamura, I'd be careful with that information. You're carrying enough secrets to find yourself in a lofty grave. Oh, and tell your mother that Trish is still waiting for an answer."

"W-wait! Ms. Igarashi, I haven't told you about R—"

"It will have to wait, Nakamura. I have a class coming in, and I must prepare."

I stood up and ushered Nakamura from my classroom. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't treat a bloodline sprout as such, but since Arkin, I mean Emiko, decided to abandon her title, I have no reason to grant her ceremony.

"Enjoy your lunch, Nakamura," I said, lightly pushing her out of my classroom, but not out of mind.

***

I waded through the tide of students rushing toward Ms. Igarashi's classroom, hardly believing that I had missed softness training. On the brighter side of things, I didn't have to sit in a room polarized by Carter's presence. I only hoped Abby fared well. Speaking of Abby, she was making her way down the hallway, since we didn't share a lunch period.

"Abby, it's so good to see—"

"Tiffany, you sit with Antwon, right?!" she screamed to be heard over the roar of students.

"Y-yes!"

"You might want to skip lunch because he knew!"

Oh, dear.

"Abby, what happened?" I asked, but the tide of students carried her away.

"You'll see—"

I didn't want to see the aftermath of Christina Tetsusen's choice. I didn't even want to imagine how either of them behaved during class, and if I focused on the beautiful reality that Carter was still alive, then it didn't matter. This reality is better than mine.

A student bumped into me as she passed.

It doesn't matter because I'll ensure that everything works out this time. So what if Carter is claimed by another? So what if he chose me—claimed me in my bedroom? I'm not royalty—I mean, I am, technically. But I cannot challenge Christina.

My face flushed with warmth.

I pushed the red double doors to the cafeteria open, and everything seemed to be in place: Jenie Nocturne was with Kai Tanaka. Sakura Carter was there, but that's understandable, and then there were Christina Tetsusen and Antwon Carter. He sat with his arms crossed with a reflective look on his face, and she—she didn't seem to care.

I exhaled, but didn't express it, and made my way to the table. However, I didn't know whether or not to bow to Ms. Tetsusen. Typically, I'd already be seated, and she would allow me to stay seated, by her grace, of course. When I got to the table, Christina didn't even acknowledge me.

"Hello, Nakamura," Jenie said, "Your absence impacted the group's stability, causing civil unrest among the denizens of—"

"Oh, shut up," Christina sneered, stopping Jenie's strange way of communicating. I almost felt sorry for her.

"Cut it out, Christina!" Antwon shouted, surprising everyone, and I mean everyone in the cafeteria, as he caught the attention of nearby students.

Christina looked around, chasing away stray eyes with a glare. "Sit the fuck down, Nakamura!" I quickly sat beside Christina, and she passed me a bento box. I can't say that I was upset that she was still feeding me, but I didn't expect this form of treatment. Had the future truly changed?

"As for you, you little— Look, I wouldn't have changed Hoshikawa's class if I knew it would have made you so fucking mad, but you're out of your fucking mind if you think I'm going to take any more of your shit in public."

"Cut it out, Antwon!" Sakura scolded.

"It's okay, sister-in-law, I won't punish you for your brother's sins."

That's—almost nice.

"G—thanks?" Sakura stuttered.

…

Christina turned back to Carter. "So, now you want to shut down." Carter didn't respond, but I couldn't stop looking at Jenie. "Fine. Consider this your last—"

"Jenie, are you—glowing?" Of course, I didn't mean literally. But there was a gentle afterglow about her that made her dull expression warmer.

Every head at the table, save Sakura's, turned toward Jenie. Sakura sat with her head lowered.

"I don't see it," Antwon said. "She just looks like she always does." He stood up and leaned in, examining her more closely.

"Okay, that's enough, Antwon," Christina growled before pulling Antwon back to a seated position. "It's strange that you didn't notice this first. Boys are normally more receptive to the change. Congratulations Jenie."

The change?

"Sister-in-law, do you see it, too?" Christina asked. But Sakura didn't look at Jenie. She just glanced at Christina, who smirked. "Oh, so you knew this whole time, didn't you?" she said with felicitation. However, as quickly as her joy came, it had vanished, replaced with a silent scowl directed toward Antwon.

Antwon just stared at Jenie the way he normally did, which was odd because Christina was right: boys are typically more perceptive to changes within women. But if we were truly anomalous, we were all strange. Also, if Carter could cause changes to the future I knew, could I?

"Didn't feel like eating, Nakamura?" Christina said, always with a superior edge in her eyes.

"N-no, Ms. Tetsusen. I was just trying to figure out her strange glow."

Christina smiled and flipped her hair back, which seemed to have grazed Carter's face enough to score a side eye. "You and my consort are sooo unaware of what's painfully clear. Jenie is a woman now."

"Pfft. What the hell are you talking about, Christina?" Antwon said, arms still crossed.

Sakura blushed, but said nothing.

Christina turned to Carter and lowered her eyes, adopting a softer presentation.

"Okay," Antwon said before turning back to Jenie. "I still don't know what the big deal is."

"Well, hani—"

"I'm not talking to you, and you can't control that."

Sakura slammed her hand against the table. "For fuck's sake, Antwon. They are—I mean that Jenie and Kai are— Damn it. Think about the contract you're fighting against."

"PFFT! It's not like Jenie and Kai have to deal with this or even have a contract," Antwon said.

"But Antwon, Kai and I have a contractual agreement, binding us together."

Oh, by the goddess. They're kids, and I don't think Jenie fully comprehends what she has done. I've got to change the topic!

"So—um clubs—yes, clubs are starting up tomorrow. Any idea as to which club you all are joining? I-if I may—" I said, feeling my face grow warmer at the thought of sharing my passion while Christina was at the table, " a few girls and I gather and play Golden Bloom: Oathbound Guilds. We could always use new—I mean, if you like tabletop–"

Christina laughed, but bestowed mercy by covering her mouth as she did. I felt my blush etch its refrain in my skin as I stared into the bento box.

"Knock it off, Christina," Antwon said, but the damage was already done.

"So, now you talk to me?"

"I'm sorry, but I have baseball practice," Sakura said.

I picked up the chopsticks, pinching them between my fingers, and picked up a piece of unagi. I examined it as I had done with the previous lunch Christina bestowed upon me yesterday. It, to say the least, was well composed and professionally wrapped, so not Charter's craft.

"Maybe you should try out for baseball, too. Who knows, you might enjoy not telling people what to do," Antwon chuckled.

"Nah, she'd probably decree that the coach…let you, um—" Christina glared at Sakura. "Never mind."

"No, it might be a good idea to spend some quality time with my sister, and don't worry, I won't run the team." Christina turned to me. "Nakamura, how's the lunch? The boys at the estate don't typically have an outside opinion, so do be honest."

I placed my chopsticks on the table and prepared my review.

"Hey, Jenie—" Antwon interrupted, "can we talk in the hall for a moment?"

Strange.

Jenie nodded and stood up. Then they both walked toward the exit without saying a word.

"Well, Nakamura—" Christina said, tapping on the table, surrendering my attention, "is my meal fit for a queen or what?"

***

We stepped into the hallway just outside of the cafeteria's double doors. I'd wanted to ask this question since the alleyway—no—since before I ran away from home. I needed to know if that plain-faced freak was controlling me again.

I checked the hallway to make sure it was safe to talk, and it wasn't completely empty, but it had to do.

I balled up my face and glared at her because maybe she already read my mind, but she just stared back at me. I still didn't see a glow.

"Yo, Jenie. What was up with the alleyway?"

…

"Don't feel like talking anymore now that you can't hide behind…now that we're mostly alone?"

"Antwon, the lucidity of your vexation is inexplicable. A salient explanation about the event in question would expedite your immediate turmoil and provide potential relief."

I tapped my foot on the floor.

"Didn't you tell Kai that you would start speaking like normal people?"

"Please forgive my obstinacy. Antwon, your emotional disposition emanates, leading me to feel your anguish. However, I cannot assist you without a clear event to reference."

I brought my hands up like I was going to choke her, but she was a girl. I can't hurt her, even though I hurt Shizuka…

"Now, you lament."

"Are you… Look, when I was in the alleyway, before I saved Kai, I… I don't remember making the decision to throw the trash can I threw." I hung my head low. "Jenie, I…I wasn't going to save Kai."

I looked up, checking to see if her expression had changed, but it didn't. Does she even care?

"Jenie, were you controlling me? Did you make me save Kai?"

…

"Jenie—"

"I have never controlled you, Antwon. Doing so would violate my station."

A few girls walked past me, but I didn't see their faces because I was too focused.

"Yes, you have, like the time with—" I moved closer and whispered in her ear, "the time with Christine and the fight with Ryo. You controlled me then."

…

"Antwon—" she said, but she paused for about a minute. No strange thinking face or heavy breathing, just a short orange-haired weirdo, staring into my soul, "consider one's emotional state of mind after losing a loved one, or an analogous event."

"Um, okay. Consider it considered."

"Individual humans experiencing psychological affliction become credulous and often capitulate to propositions." I stared, slowly decoding unfamiliar words. "Those enduring mental or emotional anguish are easier to influence."

I crossed my arms and glared.

She's full of shit. I was never emotional enough for her—no, it—to influence me.

"What about the strange feeling I got just before I did something I didn't want to?"

"I amplified dismay to elevate the probability of compliance. However, only specific emotions yielded desired results."

"B-but—" I lowered my arms and slouched forward, "I don't believe you."

…

"Antwon, ensure Christina is properly regulated before the next school session. While I do not agree with the trepidation she brings to your life, it's more pertinent than a collection of slain students."

I waited for a strange sensation, a ringing noise, or a cold touch, but nothing happened.

"Are you controlling me now?"

"Socially, I must thank you for saving Kai, though I cannot give you an honest response."

Jenie bowed, then turned and walked back through the cafeteria's red double doors, and I just stood there because I knew Christina was insane. Would she really kill other students? Why? Can she kill people outside of her clan's reach?

Shit! I know that Jenie's right, and if I do it, I kind of prove her point. But I can't let her screw up my life any more than she already has.

I squatted down and held the sides of my head, and then the bell rang.

Spoiler

Song for Probability of Compliance here

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