Offense

After Chabashira-sensei left, the classroom descended into chaos.

Many students wailed and complained loudly. Even students like Yukimura, who usually appeared to be model students, couldn't control their emotions and shouted.

Konoe understood perfectly. Everyone's motivation for entering this school was likely employment or further education, so complaints were normal. However, for him, this motivation was insufficient.

The chaos in the class even led to a minor conflict between Hirata and Yukimura. Fortunately, Kushida stepped in to mediate, and both sides calmed down.

At this moment, Konoe looked towards Horikita's side, hoping to see her reaction.

Unexpectedly, Horikita was also looking this way. Konoe's gaze met the bishoujo's.

After a few seconds, Konoe, for some reason, guiltily averted his gaze. But soon, he looked back, unwilling to give up. However, Horikita was no longer looking at him.

With the efforts of Hirata, Kushida, and others, the class was gradually discussing how to increase class points and avoid deductions.

However, as the discussion progressed, the students' opinions against Sudo grew louder. After a few arguments, Sudo left the classroom.

"Sudo-kun really doesn't understand the situation. He has the most tardiness and absences. If it weren't for Sudo-kun, our points would definitely be higher!"

Yet, while these students were verbally attacking Sudo, they also forgot their inaction when Sudo broke the rules. It was at this time that Hirata approached Konoe's desk.

"Konoe, to increase our class points, I'd like to discuss in depth after school what we should do next. I hope you can come. You will come, right?"

"..." Konoe felt that Hirata's tone didn't leave him much room to refuse.

"Don't worry, you don't need to make any speeches. Just listen."

"Will Ayanokoji and Horikita attend? If Ayanokoji goes, I'll go too. Because if there's no one I'm close to present, I feel like it will be very awkward. Of course, Hirata will be hosting, so he doesn't count." Konoe found an excuse, trying to pull Ayanokoji into it.

After school, Hirata, as planned, went to the podium to prepare for the strategy meeting.

At this moment, Horikita came to Konoe's desk. "I need a moment of your time."

Although Horikita's attitude was somewhat harsh, Konoe felt, for some reason, like he was caught doing something wrong. So, he followed her without speaking, feeling guilty.

It wasn't until they left the teaching building that Konoe realized.

"Horikita-san, where are we going? What about the strategy meeting? Aren't you participating?"

"...In this matter, I've realized one thing: a group of dim-witted students discussing and acting together will only sink deeper into the mire and only add to the chaos. However, not acting with them doesn't mean I accept the current situation."

"What do you mean? By the way, you haven't answered my question."

"You often stare at my face in class, don't you?" Horikita stopped and turned back, speaking in a stern tone.

He initially wanted to find an excuse, saying he was looking at Ayanokoji. But Konoe usually liked to glance at Horikita's reaction when looking at Ayanokoji. After all, her appearance was indeed striking.

"...So what? If it made you uncomfortable, I can apologize. But it doesn't mean I've made a mistake and need to be reprimanded."

A bishoujo like Horikita naturally attracted many gazes. She should be somewhat accustomed to it. Using this as a reason to reprimand Konoe wasn't entirely sufficient. Moreover, Konoe's gaze had a fundamental difference from those of others.

Konoe didn't know it at the time, but his gaze was actually more malicious.

"I don't intend to pursue this matter. I just want to ask if you are satisfied with the current situation? Do you know you've been assigned to Class D, yet you still seem indifferent? Are you also backed by some business group, like Kogenji?" Horikita stared at Konoe's face.

"I have no opinion on the school administration's evaluation. By the way, you wouldn't be asking me this question after seeing me get first place in the mini-test, would you? After all, besides Kogenji, the second-place opinions are very strong." Konoe suddenly brought up the mini-test, wanting to see Horikita's reaction.

Konoe recalled the mini-test results announced at the class meeting:

Konoe Hirakawa: 100 points Horikita Suzune: 90 points Yukimura Teruhiko: 90 points Kogenji Rokosuke: 90 points

After that, Konoe's memory became fuzzy. It seemed Hirata and Kushida followed closely.

Ayanokoji: 50 points. Konoe wouldn't believe this score. He just understood that Ayanokoji scoring 50 points meant he was already confident that this mini-test wouldn't affect his points.

The bottom three were the idiot trio, with Sudo being the last.

"...Even so, that doesn't mean my ability is inferior to yours, because the last three questions were outside the scope of study."

Horikita's expression indeed darkened as Konoe had predicted. Seeing this, Konoe wanted to add fuel to the fire.

"You haven't studied it, do you think that excuse is acceptable in society? Does society have to teach you everything hand-in-hand? Oh, they will teach you, but you'll naturally learn after you fail. I assume you know how to solve those three problems now?" Konoe responded to Horikita mercilessly, with a harsh and even slightly hostile tone.

At this moment, Konoe's mind was constantly flashing warnings, repeatedly reminding him that his tone was highly problematic. The number of times Konoe had used such a tone in his life was probably countable on one hand, let alone the fact that the other person wasn't his enemy, but just a classmate. His usual character should have restrained his unbridled behavior, but it was to no avail.

Konoe stared at Horikita's face, unwilling to miss any expression on her face. Her stern, darkened expression turned into a somewhat flustered blankness, which, for some reason, made Konoe feel a little pleased.

"Most importantly, I could do it, and you couldn't. Horikita, those who don't realize they've already lost naturally won't realize something else: that I scored 100 points because the maximum score on the test was 100, and your limit has already been revealed." Konoe stared at Horikita, almost pathologically, wanting to see her next reaction.

Horikita was a girl who had put a great deal of effort into her studies, or rather, self-discipline. She had a dedicated study schedule, spending most of her day studying, and went for a morning run every day.

Day after day of effort, never a moment of slack. This meant it was impossible for her not to have a solid goal in her heart. And whenever she wanted to give up, Horikita would remember this goal.

Or rather, a person.

Struck by the blow, Horikita involuntarily thought of him. Finally, this girl, who was always cold and strong, showed a vulnerable expression and lowered her head.

Horikita suddenly felt that the person in front of her had some common points with the person in her heart. But she quickly denied this thought. If Konoe were like that person, he would have directly stepped forward to lead the class upon learning Hirata's information and resolved all the opposition within the class.

Seeing Horikita's wronged expression, Konoe finally realized his actions. Guilt suddenly surged within him. After all, Horikita had called him out without even stating her purpose. To an outsider, wasn't he just bullying a girl?

Although Horikita's attitude was usually cold, she treated everyone equally with this attitude. She wasn't targeting Konoe. Rather, she was only good at conversing this way; it was her personality.

Konoe, who actually didn't need social interaction, instead approved of Horikita. It was just that Konoe understood better than Horikita that some things couldn't be done alone.

"...I'm sorry, Horikita, I went too far."

Konoe felt the need to reflect, not on why he did what he did, but on why he acted recklessly with the simple excuse of self-satisfaction.

Those who cannot control the reins of their emotions will inevitably struggle to control their own fate once they reach the sea or a cliff.

Seeing that Horikita didn't react to his apology and was still looking down dejectedly, Konoe unconsciously reached out his hand.

"Don't touch me!" Horikita slapped Konoe's hand away with great force. "Whether I accept your apology is something I'll reserve for now. Although I don't think you did anything wrong either, what you said was indeed the logical argument."

Just because you didn't do anything wrong doesn't mean I have to forgive you? However, Konoe had already defined this incident as a mistake in his heart.

Still, seeing Horikita return to his usual demeanor relieved Konoe.

"...Something suddenly came up, I'm heading back. Sorry for taking up your time." It seemed Horikita was still bothered by Konoe's harsh words earlier. Before he could react, Horikita excused himself and left.

"Hey, I already said I'm sorry... Sigh... Why am I like this..." This time, he was the one who was hit hard.