Poverty

June sunlight streamed through the glass windows along the corridor, carrying the warmth of early summer, yet it did nothing to warm the dejected atmosphere hanging over Class D.

During lunch break, the crowd outside the Small Convenience Store on the ground floor of the teaching building was noticeably thinner than it had been at the start of the month. A faint tension hung in the air.

Kiyona unscrewed the Bottled Water she had just bought. Her gaze swept over Hoshino Kanade beside her, who was also twisting open a drink bottle cap. Lowering her voice, she said, "Kanade, look over at Class D..." Her eyes flicked toward two girls nearby who were choosing bread.

Their fingers moved repeatedly between the bread and the Price Tags, clear hesitation etched between their brows.

At last, they picked up the cheapest Sliced Bread and a basic Onigiri. They hurried somewhat as they headed for the Cash Register.

As they swiped their cards, their discomfort seemed to intensify. They lowered their eyes, deliberately avoiding any possible stares. Silence was their only communication throughout the whole process.

Hoshino Kanade followed Kiyona's gesture and looked over, her expression unchanged.

She took a small sip of her Bottled Water. "Just as expected. Class Points are still at '0' in June, and most of the people in this class have already used up all their points."

Watching the two girls walk away, she said calmly, "Those who spent all their points right from the start dragged down the people who lent them points, too. The only ones who still have any points now—"

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the somewhat barren shelves,

"—are the calculating misers and... the alert ones who've kept their wits about them. They know very well that 'poverty' is contagious."

She pointed at the shelves. "They have to look around before buying anything. They aren't afraid of the price. They're afraid their 'friends' will set their sights on those few points they have left."

Kiyona suddenly turned sideways and leaned her shoulder naturally against Hoshino Kanade's arm, her chin almost resting on her shoulder.

Her warm breath brushed lightly over the sensitive skin at her neck.

"Speaking of which," she said, her voice languid and slightly nasal, "I'm almost out of points, too. I guess I'll have to rely on you to support me from now on?" She sounded so casual, as if it were no big deal.

In reality, she still had forty thousand points in her account. But judging by the state of Class D, it would probably be a long time before any Class Points came in. It was only a matter of time before she ran out.

Hoshino Kanade's body stiffened almost imperceptibly, then relaxed.

She had grown used to Kiyona's sudden, almost clinging affection. She had gone from being at a loss at first to accepting it as a matter of course—and even... secretly enjoying it.

The clean Orchid Fragrance of Kiyona's shampoo, mingled with the sweet scent unique to her, easily overpowered the cold smell of the convenience store.

She didn't answer right away. Instead, she lifted her other hand and quite naturally wrapped it around Kiyona's shoulders, drawing her closer. The motion was smooth and effortless, carrying an unspoken possessiveness.

"Oh?" Hoshino Kanade turned her head, her lips almost touching Kiyona's temple. Her voice dropped very low. "Support you?" She paused, savoring the soft warmth in her arms.

"If it's you, I can." She lowered her head slightly, her breath barely brushing Kiyona's cheek. "But what are you offering in return?" Her gaze roamed over Kiyona's face, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

Leaning against her, Kiyona could clearly feel the faint vibrations in Hoshino Kanade's chest as she spoke.

Her question made Kiyona's ears grow warm, but more than that, she felt the comfort of being completely accepted.

She didn't pull away. Instead, she met Hoshino Kanade's gaze and playfully tapped her chest with one fingertip. "What am I offering? What do you want?"

She drew out the last word, her tone coaxing. "Are you asking me to do something... right here, right now?"

Hoshino Kanade's Adam's apple bobbed. The arm around Kiyona's shoulders tightened slightly without her thinking.

She understood the hint, of course.

Her gaze lingered on Kiyona's lips for an instant before sweeping over the convenience store.

There weren't many people around, but it was still a public place.

"We're in public, Kiyona," she reminded her in a low voice. There was no reproach in her tone, only helpless indulgence.

Kiyona pouted in displeasure.

Still, being able to lean against her like this and watch her usually calm, composed face reveal a helpless, doting expression was already a great pleasure.

"Cheap," she muttered, rubbing her head against Hoshino Kanade's arm as if seeking affection.

Hoshino Kanade let out a silent breath, though the corner of her lips lifted almost imperceptibly.

She tightened her arm to make Kiyona more comfortable. Her gaze returned to the shelves, but her thoughts had clearly drifted far from analyzing Class D's predicament.

She knew it very well.

If Kiyona really applied herself, her abilities would make earning those points easy. She might not even need to resort to the same "tricks" Hoshino Kanade used.

Hoshino Kanade knew better than anyone the intelligence and drive Kiyona concealed beneath her cool exterior.

Who knew? Perhaps one day... she would become the one who'd lost, and have to rely on Kiyona to support her.

At that moment, the card in her pocket, loaded with a huge number of points, meant far less to her than the girl in her arms, who radiated warmth, clung to her, and kept making her break her own rules.