Kushida Kikyo Wants to Make Friends

About half a month of school life has passed, and the classmates have become familiar with each other, with various small groups forming.

Ayanokoji occasionally acted with Konoe and was also enthusiastic about interacting with the small male group known as the Idiot Trio, namely Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo.

"Excuse me for a moment, Konoe." Ayanokoji signaled Konoe to follow him outside the classroom to talk.

"What's wrong? Ayanokoji."

Konoe followed Ayanokoji out of the classroom, where Kushida was waiting outside.

Ayanokoji explained what he wanted to do.

In short, Horikita Suzune in their class often acted alone and had no friends. Hirata found Ayanokoji, who often spoke with Horikita, and hoped that she could get along a little better with her classmates. It seemed that some girls were already unhappy with Horikita's cold attitude.

Although this was Horikita's personal freedom, Hirata worried that if this continued, there might be a risk of bullying. Hearing this reason, Konoe knew he couldn't escape, as he still owed Hirata a favor.

Coincidentally, Kushida also wanted to be friends with Horikita. She had heard that Horikita had rejected her multiple times and expressed her dislike, but she still hadn't given up. So, she found Ayanokoji, who often spoke with Horikita, hoping he could think of a solution. Thus, Ayanokoji enlisted Konoe as his helper.

"Can I ask you for a favor, Konoe?"

Kushida used her usual cute tactic, clasping her hands together in a plea, her eyes looking upward to charm Konoe.

"I'd be happy to help, but Ayanokoji is the one who talks to Horikita often, right? What should I do?" Konoe knew Ayanokoji must have a plan.

After school, students left the classroom one by one, enjoying their after-school lives. Konoe saw Ayanokoji give him a look, so he could only sigh and leave with Kushida.

Kushida took Konoe to a cafe called Palette Cafe, where many girls could often be seen.

According to the plan, Ayanokoji would bring Horikita over, and Konoe couldn't imagine the conversation between them.

"Konoe, why don't we order something first? My treat." Kushida's lively voice came, and Konoe shook his head.

"No need, let's go Dutch. And just call me Konoe."

"Okay! Then you can just call me Kikyo."

"Okay, Kushida."

Konoe ordered a Pudding and a cup of Blue Mountain Coffee, while Kushida chose a Latte.

"Thank you so much for this, Konoe... Konoe, although you didn't directly ask me, I'm very grateful for your help. I actually feel a bit bad for troubling you."

"It's fine, I'm not helping you just because of Ayanokoji. I agreed because it's about you." Konoe remembered what happened before, and it was always good to return a favor.

"Really? I'm so happy, thank you!" Kushida seemed very pleased.

As time passed, more and more girls poured into the cafe. At this moment, Ayanokoji actually succeeded in bringing Horikita in.

"Ah, Horikita, what a coincidence! And Ayanokoji is here too!"

Since Konoe and Kushida had entered first and were sitting at two separate tables, there were exactly four seats available even though the cafe was crowded. As soon as Ayanokoji entered the cafe, Konoe naturally sat down on Kushida's side, leaving two empty seats at the table next to them.

"Come sit here, Ayanokoji, there's a seat available." Konoe naturally invited Ayanokoji.

This way, it looked like a chance encounter. Ayanokoji brought Horikita and sat down at the seat Konoe had just vacated.

"Ayanokoji and Horikita, you came here together too?" Kushida asked happily.

"It's a coincidence, isn't it? Weren't you and Konoe here together too?" Ayanokoji replied while looking at the menu on the table.

"Yeah, something minor happened between Kushida and me earlier, and I wanted to explain it," Konoe chimed in.

"I'm going back." Horikita stood up and said bluntly.

Konoe was taken aback by Horikita's bluntness.

"Hey... we just sat down," Ayanokoji said.

"With Kushida and Konoe, who you're close to, here, you don't need me, right?"

"...Don't you think that's a bit rude? You're leaving right after Konoe finished speaking. Do you have a problem with him?" Ayanokoji stood up and quietly persuaded Horikita.

Horikita was silent for a moment, then sat back down.

Ayanokoji helplessly sat down too, but the atmosphere between the two tables had become very stiff.

"...Speaking of which, do you support Hirata's statement, Horikita?" Konoe awkwardly tried to start a conversation.

"Support or not, isn't a student's duty to obey discipline?"

"Yes... I suppose so."

Konoe was defeated, and Unit 2 Kushida followed suit.

"Perhaps meeting here is fate. How about I treat you all, and you can order whatever you like?"

"No need, I'll leave after sitting for a while. Ayanokoji, order quickly if you want anything."

Unit 2 Kushida was defeated, so Ayanokoji reluctantly ordered two Mochas and then asked, "Why don't you share your intel, Horikita? We're all in the same class, and Konoe doesn't know yet."

Intel? What intel? Konoe became curious.

Horikita glared at Ayanokoji, then said, "Recently, I went to the second year and confirmed Hirata's previous statement. Everyone refused to answer about the assessments, but I have confirmed that there is competition between classes, and the points distributed are based on Class Points."

"Class Points?" Konoe asked, his previous guess seeming to be mostly correct.

"Each class has its own Class Points. The school will distribute points to students based on Class Points, with each Class Point representing one hundred points."

"So, we first-years all started with 1000 Class Points?" Kushida replied. She had friends in other classes, so she also knew that other classes had 100,000 points.

"That's right, everyone starts from the same point, but..." Horikita seemed to recall something, her expression turning angry as she clenched her fists.

"Some of that information is just speculation and hasn't been confirmed yet," Ayanokoji said optimistically, trying to ease Horikita's emotions.

"What are you dreaming about?" Horikita's cold gaze fiercely glared at Ayanokoji. "Anyway, that's how it is. I'm leaving."

"Wait a moment, why don't we exchange contact methods? If we get any other information, we can share it. At least on the matter of class points, our interests align, right?" Konoe suggested.

"...Fine." Horikita exchanged contact information with Konoe.

"Kushida has good people skills, so she should be able to gather some information." Konoe poked Kushida's shoulder, signaling her to quickly take out her phone.

Horikita hesitated but still exchanged contact details with her.

Thus, Kushida also obtained Horikita's contact information.

"Horikita-san, please be my friend!" Kushida seemed unsatisfied and directly stated her main objective for the day.

"I've already said this several times. I hope you won't bother me. I don't intend to cause trouble for the class. Rather, I have my own way of doing things. Is that not acceptable?"

"A solitary student life is too lonely. I want to be closer to my classmates."

"I have no opinion on your thoughts, but don't force your ideas onto others. And I don't feel lonely."

"But... but..." Kushida looked at Horikita with a wronged expression.

"Even if we force ourselves to become friends, will I be happy? Forced relationships cannot create any friendship. Don't text or call me afterward, or I reserve the right to block you."

Horikita's words were blunt, and the atmosphere became stiff again.

"In short, since I've made myself clear, don't bother me again. Otherwise, I won't be polite next time." With that, Horikita picked up the untouched mocha from the table and stood up.

Was that considered polite? Konoe thought in surprise.

"No matter what, I want to become friends with Horikita-san. I have a feeling we've met before. Horikita-san, do you feel that way too?"

This time, Konoe was even more surprised by Kushida. After such a 'polite' rejection, Kushida could still press on?

"There's no point in saying more. Everything you say annoys me."

Horikita responded with an even sterner tone, leaving Kushida speechless.

"Horikita, I can understand your feelings. In fact, I've also pondered the meaning of friendship and whether it's necessary to make friends," Ayanokoji said with a sigh.

"Do you have the right to say that? You've been seeking friends since the first day of school, haven't you? Isn't Konoe your friend?"

"I don't deny that, but at least until middle school graduation, I was like you. Before entering this school, I hadn't made any friends and didn't have anyone's contact information. I never went out with anyone after school; I was a completely lonely person."

Ayanokoji's words surprised Konoe. Could there be another expert?

Kushida couldn't believe it and looked at Ayanokoji curiously.

"I think the fact that we could chat so casually might be influenced by that."

"This is the first time I've heard of this. But assuming we have such a common point, you want friends but can't make them, while I don't need friends so I don't make them. Simply put, isn't that a false equivalence?"

"Perhaps, but saying Kushida annoys you is going too far. Is this really okay? Spending three years alone without making friends with anyone will be quite painful."

"It's already been nine years, so it's fine. Ah, to correct myself, if you count kindergarten, it's even longer."

This one is an even more severe case of loneliness, Konoe thought, watching the drama unfold, the pudding in his hand smelling delicious.

"Can I go back now?" Horikita looked directly into Kushida's eyes. "Kushida-san, as long as you don't pester me, I won't say anything. I promise you. You're not stupid; you understand what I mean, right?"

Huh? Another expert? Konoe turned to look at Kushida.

Kushida didn't respond, her expression just a little dejected.

"Then I'll take my leave." With that, Horikita left. The remaining three looked at each other.

"Sorry, Kushida. I wanted to cover for you, but that person is too accustomed to being alone," Ayanokoji said first.

"At least we got contact information, so it wasn't a complete loss. More importantly, I'm interested in Horikita's information," Konoe said.

As Kushida sat down dejectedly, she stiffened upon hearing Konoe's words.

"I didn't expect Hirata's efforts to be so effective. Horikita is actually helping out too." Konoe looked at Ayanokoji.

"Y-yes, that's right. It's already great that Horikita-san is participating in some class affairs. Hirata-san is doing better than me in this regard," Kushida said, relieved, as if happy that Horikita was interacting with her classmates.

"That's why I told you not to rush, Konoe."

Ayanokoji's reasoning was sound. It was unrealistic to get all classmates to agree immediately, but it couldn't be called a success at this point either.

"Speaking of which, Ayanokoji-kun, did you really not have any friends before? I can't tell at all. Why were you alone back then?" Kushida asked curiously.

"It's true. Konoe, who approached me, was my first friend. Perhaps Sudo and Ike too. I'm not entirely sure now whether it was my problem or the environment's problem."

"It's my honor. Don't dwell too much on the past; the future is more important."

"Making friends is indeed happy, isn't it?" Kushida asked Ayanokoji happily.

"Indeed. Although it can be troublesome, the happy moments are more frequent."

Hearing Ayanokoji's answer, Kushida's sparkling eyes showed a smile, and she nodded in agreement.

"As for Horikita, she has her own thoughts and goals, so we should probably give up."

"...Is that so? Is it impossible to become friends anymore?"

Konoe looked at Kushida doubtfully. Normally, would someone go this far for a friend? Constantly putting on a warm front to a cold shoulder, doesn't that hurt?

Ayanokoji voiced Konoe's question: "Why are you so fixated on her? You should have the most friends, right? What difference does one less friend like Horikita make? There's no need to be so stubborn."

"Because my goal is to get along well with everyone... so not just Class D students, but also those in other classes. If even one person isn't a friend, my goal can't be achieved..."

"It can't be helped. Let's wait for the next opportunity. Perhaps there will be a chance for you to become friends later," Konoe comforted.