That is, she understood the situation in Class D inside and out, and felt troubled because she thought she should persuade everyone to properly follow the school rules now that they knew them.
In other words.
She did not want to become the kind of person others disliked.
And that was not angelic enough.
Oreki thought to himself.
Meanwhile, Kushida had begun reading the... shop-opening agreement rules that Oreki had Horikita Suzune pass along to her.
Kikyou Kushida Is a Bomb!
The shop-opening agreement, whose full name was the Shop-Opening Project Agreement Through Borrowed Funds.
1. Fundraising. Upon joining, an investment of 50,000 was required for the first month, followed by 30,000 each month for the next five months, for a total of six months. Starting from the third month, interest equal to 15% of the invested funds would be returned each month. At the twelfth month, all principal would be returned. Participants would have priority rights to join the next fundraising round.
2. This contract was valid for twelve months after signing.
3. If the investor breached the contract unilaterally, they had to pay a penalty of 10,000 Points, and any Points already collected would not be refunded.
There were only three clauses in the contract.
Kushida blinked lightly.
"This was information Classmate Oreki investigated today. The second-years pooled their funds to open this Milk Tea Shop."
"Then they could earn a considerable number of Points from the shop every month."
"Based on the information we previously obtained from Classmate Oreki, students had very few opportunities to earn Points."
"Yet the second-years created a new method. They stood at a higher level and made money by opening a shop."
"And this—" Horikita Suzune paused for several seconds before adding, "was discovered when Classmate Oreki went to the second-year area today to investigate."
"I think we can make use of it."
That explanation left one rather speechless.
Because when analyzed, the conclusion was that they had obtained the information simply because she followed Classmate Oreki?
Yet Kushida nodded lightly.
Oh.
So, because you discovered Classmate Oreki, Classmate Horikita, you wanted a share of the pie?
"So, what you mean is... the few of us should gather Points together and open a shop like the second-years?" Kikyou Kushida said.
"That does not include you," Horikita Suzune said. "I only hoped you could help, but you would not be someone sharing the profits."
"%..." Kushida.
Kushida's expression seemed to turn aggrieved in an instant.
Then, just as Oreki thought she might not be able to keep it together, he found her turning directly toward him.
"Does Classmate Oreki think the same?"
She spoke while gazing into his dark green eyes.
She turned her body slightly, wearing a pitiful expression.
And that was a weapon girls used...
Oreki had seen that weapon used by Sakayanagi Arisu.
So he should have built up resistance to this sort of girl's weapon... he had not.
Classmate Sakayanagi was cute, Horikita was beautiful, and Classmate Kushida was the kind who... practically gave herself away.
She also possessed terrifying destructive power.
"Originally, we intended to gather enough Points to open a shop," Oreki said. "Then I would give Classmate Horikita a 10% reward. But if Classmate Kushida joins as well, I can give you a 5% reward."
"5%—"
Kushida maintained that same adorable expression.
"Only 5%, because obtaining information is not simple."
"When we first obtained the school rules, my class spent 2 million Private Points," Oreki said.
"Oh." Seemingly accepting this reason, Kushida turned back around.
"Then may I understand that Classmate Horikita wants my help?" she asked Horikita Suzune.
After all, Horikita Suzune had contacted her, and that was why she had rushed over.
She had run here with such effort, yet Classmate Horikita showed no appreciation at all.
Then she treated her like a Tool Person with the bluntness of an utterly straight girl. That was simply too much.
"Whatever you want. If it is not you, Classmate Hirata can do it as well," Horikita Suzune said.
"..." Kushida.
"..." Oreki.
Yeah.
Oreki personally thought it was possible to conserve energy, but Classmate Horikita had many years of experience having no friends. As expected, she was... the genuine article.
A completely straightforward girl could really anger people.
"Y-yes, that is true," Kushida said. Faced with Classmate Horikita, who did not understand social etiquette at all, she looked slightly aggrieved but did not get angry. "Classmate Hirata is popular and approachable too."
"Still, I hope I can become friends with Classmate Horikita."
In other words, Kushida wanted to use this opportunity to become friends with Horikita?
"I refuse," Horikita Suzune immediately said.
"..." Kushida.
Then Oreki noticed that Kushida, having been instantly rejected, looked toward him again.
"Then can I become friends with Classmate Oreki?" Kushida once again put on a pitiful expression.
Had she been instantly rejected by Horikita Suzune, felt embarrassed, and turned to him to save face?
Or was she taking a roundabout approach?
Because she had discovered that he could talk to Horikita, did she want to use him to establish a connection and approach Horikita Suzune again?
Oreki had also gained something from this meeting.
Classmate Kushida should be the type with high emotional intelligence, so she basically ought to know that a blunt girl like Classmate Horikita was difficult to approach.
Avoiding her should have been the proper course.
Yet she persisted.
So if she did not have obsessive-compulsive disorder, then she had a reason she absolutely needed to get along with Horikita Suzune.
"Classmate Kushida, how are your academic abilities?" Oreki asked.
"Me?"
"I'm pretty average, I guess. I can probably score around eighty out of a hundred," Kushida answered sweetly, not understanding why Oreki had suddenly asked.
And Oreki already understood.
The fact that Kushida could run over from the academic building in just a few minutes meant she was also fairly capable physically.
She also understood the atmosphere and had high emotional intelligence.
So.
The reason she had been assigned to Class D... was that she had a flaw no amount of positive evaluations could offset.
In other words.
She was probably a bomb that could explode at any moment.
Where Is Ryuuen? Kakeru Ryuuen Is Harassing Albert Yamada!
Kushida was a bomb.
Her risk level was extremely high.
Then should he use her?
Yes.
Because he had already begun interacting with Kushida, and approaching someone else would take time and effort.
It was not energy-efficient.
At the same time.
Kushida was obsessed with Horikita, and that was something he could use to keep her in check.
Therefore, she was quite convenient and usable under the current circumstances.
"Of course," Oreki gave the answer Kushida would be satisfied with. "Also, I will be in contact with Classmate Horikita throughout the next month."
"Oh." Kushida nodded lightly.
She seemed to begin suspecting the relationship between Oreki and Horikita Suzune.
But she was also sensible enough to read the situation.
"If you want me to collect investment intentions from the students, then I will need a few more days."
"Right now, I only know a small number of students."
In other words, give you a few days and you could get to know every new student?
That social ability was maxed out.
"That is fine." Oreki nodded. "But I only want students from Class B and Class C to participate."
"Class A students have no money left, and Class D students... not to be harsh, but whether they can still afford to invest next month is questionable."
"Okay." Kushida did not question it.
Because she herself felt that Class D would be in danger from here on.
So she had been considering where she could get some Points.
And now, no matter how many Points Oreki absorbed, she would receive a 5% return.
She had to work hard for herself too.
Kikyou Kushida began working hard.
She possessed extremely high affinity with others.
Although she had asked Oreki for a few days to socialize, the three gathered again on the evening of the third day.
And during these two days.
Oreki learned from Horikita Suzune that Classmate Kushida had continued with her previous harassment plan, still waiting outside her door every morning.
That sounded somewhat creepy.
Of course, it could also be understood as Classmate Kushida's perseverance.
She very much, urgently, and persistently wanted to become friends with Horikita Suzune.
And this was how Classmate Horikita described it.
"I cannot understand it at all. Or rather, I cannot feel any sincerity."
Yeah.
Classmate Horikita was a blunt girl who did not understand the atmosphere.
Classmate Oreki had already understood that.
At the same time, it could not be denied that this blunt young lady's intuition was very accurate.
Before you continue