(PS: The picture is Hoshimiya.)
As soon as he left the Teacher's Office, he noticed Horikita Suzune waiting outside. "You're really patient, aren't you, Suzune?"
As he passed Horikita Suzune, Tenyo Yuyuki spoke.
"Wait."
Horikita Suzune hurriedly tugged at his sleeve and asked coolly, "What did you and Chabashira-sensei talk about?"
Looking down at the small hand gripping his sleeve, Tenyo Yuyuki knew she was eager to learn the school's secrets. Still, he hadn't expected Horikita to be so direct.
Tenyo Yuyuki gave her a teasing smile. "Suzune, if you agree to go on a date with me later, I might consider telling you."
"Don't be ridiculous. Do you think I'd agree to that?" Horikita Suzune's voice faltered, and she immediately pulled her hand back.
"Tenyo Yuyuki, don't think too highly of yourself."
Leaving him with a graceful parting image, Horikita Suzune turned and walked into the Teacher's Office. There was no way she'd agree to Tenyo Yuyuki's request over something like this.
Tenyo Yuyuki merely shrugged. It was the answer he'd expected, and he didn't care. Getting to the opening ceremony was more important.
"Chabashira-sensei, what did you and Tenyo Yuyuki just talk about? Of course, you don't have to answer if it was personal.
"But as a member of D Class, I hope to receive the information I ought to know. You should treat every student equally, too."
Coming up to Chabashira Sae, Horikita Suzune asked outright.
Even when facing a teacher, Horikita Suzune didn't back down. She sounded more like she was interrogating him.
Chabashira Sae found it somewhat amusing.
She'd immediately ruled out any answer involving personal matters, then invoked his responsibilities as a teacher to pressure him into replying.
She was certainly impressive—but that was all.
A teacher couldn't refuse to answer questions that fell within the rules.
But the fact that Chabashira Sae had graduated from this school already proved he wasn't ordinary.
He lit a cigarette and took a casual drag, studying Horikita Suzune before speaking in a cool tone:
"Horikita, when you run into a problem, you should first learn to solve it yourself. Don't you agree?"
"You're... right."
Faced with Chabashira Sae's indisputable 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 she had no idea where to start.
Looking at Horikita Suzune, Chabashira Sae felt a little disappointed. "I've actually already told you all the information. Whether you notice it depends on your ability.
"Anyway, the opening ceremony is about to start. You should head back. Of course, if you have a more specific question, I can answer it for you."
Hearing Chabashira's words,
Horikita Suzune pressed her lips together, unwilling to accept it.
Wasn't he saying she wasn't capable enough?
But she couldn't think of anything specific to ask.
Besides, she should solve her own problems, just like her older brother, who could handle everything himself. That was how a strong person ought to act.
"Chie..."
"Ah, Sae-chan, you left me behind to have a secret date with someone else. That's so mean~"
Before Horikita could finish, the Teacher's Office door was shoved open.
A woman with chestnut hair walked in, swinging a clipboard in her hand. Her cheeks were puffed out, and even her angry expression looked adorable.
"Hoshimiya Chie."
Chabashira Sae rubbed his forehead helplessly. His lifelong rival and close friend gave him a headache.
Looking at Horikita, Hoshimiya casually tossed aside the clipboard, placed both hands on Horikita's shoulders, and leaned close to her face with delight. "Such a cute girl—she's just too adorable~ What's your name?"
Overwhelmed by her indescribable presence, Horikita Suzune stammered out her name. "Horikita... Suzune."
It was the first time she'd ever been in such close physical contact with someone. Though she was a female teacher, Horikita still blushed and felt completely out of her depth.
"Chie, that's enough. Horikita, you can leave now, too."
"Excuse me. I'll be going."
With Chabashira Sae's help, Horikita Suzune hurried out of the Teacher's Office as if she were fleeing.
She really couldn't handle someone like Hoshimiya, who'd so easily and casually gotten right up close to her.
Watching Horikita leave, Hoshimiya clung to Chabashira Sae. Her expression instantly darkened, and she whispered, "Sae-chan, you're not thinking of trying to climb above your station, are you?"
"Don't be ridiculous." Chabashira Sae pushed him away and said coolly, "I have no interest in A Class."
After all those years of friendship, Chabashira Sae knew Hoshimiya extremely well.
Sure enough, Hoshimiya immediately returned to her bright, adorable smile and hugged Chabashira. "That's right. Sae-chan, you've been D Class's Class Advisor for so many years. Don't let me down, or I'll be sooo sad."
But Hoshimiya's gaze secretly followed Horikita as she left. Whether or not Chabashira Sae intended to Promote to A Class, Hoshimiya had to nip any possibility in the bud.
That girl named Horikita Suzune must be the one Chabashira Sae was keeping a close eye on.
After leaving the Teacher's Office, Horikita Suzune felt deeply frustrated.
It wasn't that she looked down on Tenyo Yuyuki; she'd simply treated Chabashira Sae as a fallback.
If she couldn't get information from Tenyo Yuyuki, then surely she could get it from a teacher.
However,
Horikita Suzune couldn't understand how Chabashira Sae had brushed her off so casually.
Now,
the path to getting information from Chabashira was closed.
What should she do?
Was going on a date with Tenyo Yuyuki really her only option?
"Phew."
Horikita Suzune let out a soft breath, her gaze firming.
It was just a date.
No big deal...
Before you continue