A Conversation Between Three, 'Class 70' Appears!

Tennoji Kaede and Shiina Hiyori were shopping when they unexpectedly ran into Kushida Kikyo.

['Cause': Kushida Kikyo's invitation to that woman Horikita was rejected again, leaving her extremely frustrated. While out shopping to relieve her boredom, she unexpectedly encountered Tennoji Kaede, for whom she had developed some feelings. But he was out shopping with a beautiful woman? Not happy!]

['Effect': Charisma +1, Persona Masking +10]

Tennoji Kaede pondered...

"Ah, this is Kushida Kikyo from Class D. We were on the same bus to school. Some things happened later, and we became friends on the bus."

Hiyori was purely curious. There was a story here~

Kushida Kikyo chimed in, "It was thanks to Kaede's help back then. Oh, sorry! Am I interrupting your date?"

Tennoji Kaede calmly replied, "Kikyo-san, you've misunderstood. I'm also a student in Class C. If you don't mind, would you like to shop together for a while?"

"I'd also like to hear about what happened on the bus. Please join us."

Kushida Kikyo appeared conflicted, but ultimately agreed.

On the first floor of the school building, inside the Palet cafe.

"So it was a seating dispute..." Shiina Hiyori took a sip of her original coffee and nodded.

Tennoji Kaede remained composed, silently noting the coffee varieties Hiyori was interested in.

"That's right, it was thanks to Kaede's intervention at the time. Speaking of which, that guy's name was Kouenji Rokusuke. He was also in Class D like me, but..." Kushida Kikyo revealed a hint of pain at the opportune moment.

"Kouenji-san must be difficult to get along with, am I right?"

After hearing his reason for not giving up his seat, Hiyori made an obvious judgment.

She was knowledgeable and skilled at assessing situations, or perhaps the core of a person?

In the original work, Tennoji Kaede vaguely recalled that Ryuen had tested Ayanokōji with Hiyori in the early stages. Afterward, he immediately asked her, "What do you think of this person?"

Therefore, Hiyori seemed to possess some special judgment ability. Kaede couldn't quite remember the specifics, as Hiyori's role in the original work was too limited later on.

Inside the cafe, Kaede sat quietly listening. Kushida Kikyo continued, "It was much more exaggerated than you might think, Hiyori-san. Kouenji-san is an extremely self-willed person."

"I really want to be friends with him, but he never actively communicates with others and acts without any regard for consequences. It truly worries me. Can he really get through a relatively complete high school life like this? Sigh~"

Interesting. As expected of you, playing the game of "cursing the locust by pointing at the mulberry." Kikyo, who are you actually talking about? It's so hard to guess~ Kaede chuckled inwardly.

The two women began to chat again. It had to be said, Kikyo's linguistic skills were truly remarkable. Even Hiyori, who wasn't very talkative, could frequently be drawn into topics that interested her.

Unfortunately, Kikyo was still a "gold digger with a dark heart."

"Kaede-san, what do you think?" Hiyori suddenly asked.

Uh, where were we just now? Gotta think fast...

Tennoji Kaede smiled, "Horikita-san's personality is indeed quite solitary. It's probably much more difficult to communicate with her than with Kouenji-san, isn't it?" They had just been discussing Kikyo's inability to invite Horikita.

A hint of joy appeared on Kushida's face. "Kaede-san, you're absolutely right. But I still want to invite Horikita to be my friend."

Hiyori looked a little puzzled at this point and asked her tactfully, "Kikyo-san, why do you want to be friends with her so badly? I think this Horikita-san probably has some unspeakable difficulties."

"Well... I just want to be friends with everyone after entering high school. This is my dream! I will definitely achieve it."

Tennoji Kaede raised an eyebrow. Befriending everyone, and then using that to gain access to everyone's private secrets, right?

If he were the type of overly good-hearted person who went to great lengths to establish a gentleman's agreement specifically to protect others' privacy, then Kikyo was the complete opposite.

In the past, during middle school, Kushida Kikyo accidentally discovered the joy of digging up people's private information and quickly became addicted, unable to extricate herself.

Later, by chance, she exposed all her classmates' secrets in public. The entire class fell apart, and a free-for-all began on the spot. This became the core reason for her entry into Class D.

Fortunately, Hiyori had strong judgment and wasn't someone who spoke carelessly.

Tennoji Kaede decided to proceed as planned. "Kikyo-san's ideal is very grand. I've had some contact with Horikita-san. Perhaps I can help you arrange for her to meet you, and she won't refuse to appear with you."

"Really!? Thank you!"

For a moment, Kushida Kikyo subconsciously thought that Tennoji Kaede also knew her secret.

But she immediately denied it. She was a super social butterfly and was certain that a handsome guy of this caliber couldn't possibly be from their school, otherwise, she would have no impression of him.

"Then let's arrange a time later." Tennoji Kaede tapped his temple, appearing to be in deep thought, and then said:

"Hmm~ Let me think... I'll notify you in advance. Kikyo-san, after you find Horikita, tell her these few words--"

Tennoji Kaede paused for two seconds, and both Kushida and Hiyori focused their attention.

"'Class 70' needs you for something. It's a golden opportunity, and it won't wait. You must attend with Kushida-san."

"Just tell her that, and she'll definitely agree," Tennoji Kaede said with a mysterious smile.

"Kaede-kun, I'm curious about your method. Is there a story behind it?"

On the way back from the cafe, Hiyori couldn't help but quietly ask Kaede.

"Haha, I thought you'd hold back and not ask. Look." Tennoji Kaede took out his personal terminal and sent a message.

"Hmm?"

Hiyori opened her terminal in confusion. It was a screenshot of a point balance sent by Tennoji Kaede, clearly showing a figure over a million.

"Does the terminal have a photo editing function?" Hiyori asked with a dazed expression.

"Whoa!" Kaede's whole body twisted. "I pulled my back... This is real, okay? I'm actually quite wealthy~"

Hiyori chuckled behind her hand, tidied her appearance, and said:

"I understand. So, Horikita saw the moment you had 700,000 points saved up."

"You truly are intelligent and perceptive~" Kaede stated honestly.

"But wouldn't it be friendlier if Kaede-kun just gave your name directly? Although I don't know the specifics of what happened, she'll probably investigate thoroughly when she sees you have so many points, right?"

"Horikita never asked for my name. You could say I'm the one who understands her more, unilaterally," he said with a cold laugh.

"There's a chasm between being aloof and being arrogant," Hiyori said, speechless, and could only summarize.

"Little Hiyori's observation is truly spot-on."

He sighed with emotion. Wasn't Horikita just arrogant and dismissive? Even when asking for a favor, she lacked the most basic manners.

"Kaede-kun, you're getting more casual with how you address me."

"...I quite like it. What do you think, Hiyori?"

Let's try a feint to advance.

Shiina Hiyori: "Whatever is fine."

After sending Hiyori back to the dorms, Tennoji Kaede secretly sighed. Hiyori's birthday was January 21st, so he'd have to wait until next year.