Ayanokoji's Way of Thinking

(PS: Shown is Hoshimiya)

Just as he stepped out of the Teacher's Office, he found Horikita Suzune still waiting outside. "You really have patience, Suzune."

Passing by Horikita Suzune, Tenyo Yuyuki spoke up.

"Wait."

Horikita Suzune quickly grabbed his sleeve, her voice cold as she demanded, "What did you talk about with Chabashira-sensei?"

Looking at the small hand tugging his sleeve, Tenyo Yuyuki naturally understood she was desperate for information about this school, but he hadn't expected Horikita to be so direct.

Tenyo Yuyuki flashed a teasing smile. "Suzune, if you agree to go on a date with me later, I might consider telling you."

"Foolish. Do you think I'd agree to such a condition?" Horikita Suzune's tone faltered, and she instantly withdrew her small hand.

"Tenyo Yuyuki, don't overestimate yourself."

Leaving behind a cool silhouette, Horikita Suzune turned and walked straight into the Teacher's Office. How could she possibly agree to Tenyo Yuyuki's request over something like that?

Tenyo Yuyuki shrugged indifferently. That was the expected response. He didn't dwell on it and headed off—the opening ceremony was more important.

"Chabashira-sensei, what did you discuss with Tenyo Yuyuki just now? Of course, you don't have to share anything personal. But as a member of D Class, I hope to receive information I'm entitled to know. A teacher should treat every student equally."

Standing before Chabashira Sae, Horikita Suzune asked directly.

Even facing a teacher, Horikita Suzune's presence didn't waver; it sounded more like an interrogation.

Chabashira Sae found it somewhat amusing.

She had immediately dismissed any reply about personal matters while using the teacher's duty as leverage to force a response.

Admirable, indeed, but that was all.

A teacher couldn't refuse to answer questions within the rules.

But the fact that Chabashira Sae had graduated from this school already proved she was no slouch.

She lit a cigarette, took a light drag, and scrutinized the Horikita Suzune before her. Her tone was cool as she said:

"Horikita, when faced with a problem, shouldn't you first learn to solve it yourself?"

"That's... correct."

Faced with Chabashira Sae's absolute logic, Horikita Suzune clenched her hands, at a loss for how to respond.

She only knew that Tenyo Yuyuki had definitely discussed the rules with Chabashira, but where to even start, she had no idea.

Watching Horikita Suzune like this, Chabashira Sae couldn't help but feel a hint of disappointment. She said flatly, "As for information, I've actually already told you everything. Whether you can perceive it depends on your ability. Alright, the opening ceremony is about to start. You should head back first. Of course, if you have more specific questions, I can naturally help answer them."

Hearing Chabashira's words, Horikita Suzune pressed her lips together in frustration.

Wasn't she basically saying Horikita lacked ability?

But when it came to asking a specific question, she couldn't think of one.

Besides, solving her own problems—just like her brother, who could handle everything himself—that was the posture of a true strong person.

"Kno—"

"Ah, Sae-chan actually ditched me to secretly date someone else? How mean~"

Before Horikita could finish, the Teacher's Office door was roughly shoved open.

A woman with chestnut-colored long hair walked in, casually waving the clipboard in her hand, her cheeks puffed out. Even her angry expression looked somewhat cute.

"Hoshimiya Chie."

Chabashira Sae rubbed her forehead helplessly, finding this lifelong rival and best friend a bit of a headache.

Spotting Horikita, Hoshimiya casually tossed her clipboard aside, pressed both hands on Horikita's shoulders, and leaned close to her face, delighted. "Such an adorable kid, totally cute~ Name?"

"Horikita... Suzune."

Overwhelmed by an indescribable presence, Horikita Suzune stammered out her name.

It was the first time she'd had such close skin contact with someone. Even though it was a female teacher, Horikita's face flushed red, and she felt a bit out of her element.

"Chie, that's enough. Horikita, you should leave now."

"Sorry, I'll take my leave."

Grateful for Chabashira Sae's intervention, Horikita Suzune fled the Teacher's Office as if escaping.

She simply couldn't handle someone like Hoshimiya, who so easily and naturally closed the distance.

Watching Horikita's retreating figure, Hoshimiya hugged Chabashira Sae tightly, her expression instantly darkening as she whispered, "Sae-chan, you wouldn't be thinking of overstepping your bounds, would you?"

"Don't joke around." Chabashira Sae pushed her away directly, saying flatly, "I have no interest in A Class."

After years as best friends, Chabashira Sae naturally knew Hoshimiya inside out.

Sure enough, Hoshinomiya instantly regained her bright, innocent smile and hugged Chabashira. "That's right, Sae-chan has been the D Class advisor for so many years now—don't let me down, or I'll be super~ sad."

But Hoshinomiya's gaze was secretly fixed on the direction Horikita had left. Whether or not Chabashira Sae had any intention of promoting to A Class, she had to nip that possibility in the bud.

That child named Horikita Suzune was probably Chabashira Sae's key observation target.

Leaving the Teacher's Office, Horikita Suzune was extremely unwilling.

It wasn't that she looked down on Tenyo Yuyuki—she had simply treated Chabashira Sae as a fallback.

If she couldn't get information from Tenyo Yuyuki, the teacher naturally would provide it.

And yet.

Horikita Suzune couldn't understand why she had been so casually brushed off by Chabashira Sae.

Now, the path to gathering information from Chabashira was already cut off.

What should she do?

Was the only option left really to go on a date with Tenyo Yuyuki?

"Hah."

Letting out a soft breath, Horikita Suzune's gaze hardened.

It's just a date.

No big deal.