The Undeniable Difference in Strength

Time had already passed a week, and Mizuno Yasuo's execution was swift. Yeyue had exchanged a total of ten thousand private points from the upperclassmen. Unlike the third years, most of the second-year B, C, and D classes chose to trade their private points with Yeyue. Under the pressure of Vice President Nagumo Miyabi, they had already lost the chance to compete for A Class in the morning.

First Year D Class had also undergone many changes.

The most obvious one.

The people in the class had clearly split into several groups.

Yeyue also noticed something happening around him. The most apparent was that his relationships with the girls in the class had grown much more distant.

With some doubts, Yeyue sought out Kushida Kikyo. After school, the two met at Palette Cafe.

"Yeyue, what's wrong?"

"Hm? What do you mean?"

Taking a sip of his coffee, Yeyue looked a bit puzzled.

Kushida Kikyo across from him quickly got up and sat beside Yeyue, covering her chest with concern.

"You've been a little off today, Yeyue. You keep spacing out alone. Did something happen?"

"Sigh..." He let out a dejected sigh, set down his coffee, and said bitterly, "It's just... lately, the atmosphere around me feels strange. I was wondering if I did something wrong, so it's been on my mind."

"That's not true at all. You're very popular, Yeyue."

"Oh, is that so? Then why does it feel like everyone's avoiding me?"

"Well..." After hesitating for a moment, Kushida Kikyo leaned in close to Yeyue's ear, covering her pretty face with her small hands, and whispered, "I heard that Matsushita likes you."

"No way?"

Yeyue said in surprise.

During this time, his relationship with Kushida had been getting better, but she was mostly the one taking the initiative. It was hard to tell from the surface whether this was her true feelings.

"Honestly, Yeyue, you should be a little more confident."

Kushida Kikyo took out her phone from her bag and handed it to Yeyue. "Look."

[Matsushita Chiaki: I think Yeyue is really great.]

It seemed to be a chat group for girls only, showing that line, followed by other girls praising Matsushita's good taste.

The whole chat group was harmonious, but Yeyue casually glanced and noticed there were at least thirty such groups. School had only just started, and the girls were terrifying.

"This is really unexpected."

Yeyue scratched his cheek awkwardly.

He had some suspicions before, and now they were confirmed.

This was how girls staked their claim. By declaring a target they liked first, other girls would find it harder to make a move.

No wonder Karuizawa and the others would take the initiative to leave whenever Matsushita was around, giving them space.

Seeing Yeyue's awkwardness, Kushida Kikyo giggled. "Yeyue, don't you like Matsushita? She's so cute."

"Well..." Yeyue looked into Kushida's eyes with a hint of anticipation. "Little Kikyo, do you think I should date Chiaki?"

Whether male or female, no matter how outstanding a person is, once they have a romantic partner, their popularity inevitably takes a hit. Even celebrities maintain a single persona.

Matsushita Chiaki was just a valuable talent, not a genius. Her priority was low, but rejecting her outright would leave an impression of being cold or having too high standards, making it hard for others to approach.

After all, Matsushita Chiaki was genuinely pretty, and in others' eyes, she was undoubtedly excellent in many ways.

Avoiding Yeyue's expectant gaze, Kushida lowered her head and was silent for a moment, then looked up and jokingly scolded, "Yeyue, this concerns your future happiness. You should think it over carefully yourself."

"That's true."

Looking a bit disappointed, Yeyue picked up his coffee and took another sip.

Kushida Kikyo couldn't answer that question directly. To gain the trust of all school students, she couldn't date anyone either.

But she didn't outright approve, and that brief silence—Kushida must have been hesitant herself.

Setting down his coffee, Yeyue said with some worry, "But Little Kikyo, is it really okay for you to tell me about the girls' topics? Won't it cause you trouble?"

Suddenly, two small hands covered Yeyue's palm. Kushida leaned in close, looking concerned. "So, this is a secret between us, okay? You'll keep it for me, right?"

She had made a certain resolve in telling Yeyue about the girls' matters. If it got out, she'd be seen as a gossip, and earning others' trust would become even harder.

But considering Yeyue's unease, Kushida still thought it was worth the risk.

"Of course, since Little Kikyo did it to help me."

Showing a bright smile, Yeyue added with a clear hint of probing, "Speaking of which, you seem to be getting along really well with Ayanokoji lately. Did something happen?"

This was his biggest doubt.

Matsushita Chiaki was just a minor issue—he already had some guesses. But Kushida was something he couldn't figure out.

If Kushida wanted to get close to Horikita, it would obviously be more advantageous to approach through him, who had a closer relationship. The success rate would be higher, and it would be more logical. Yeyue had always arranged things that way.

Yet.

Kushida still sought out Ayanokoji, trying to get close to Horikita through him.

Yeyue didn't believe in some protagonist halo, but he really couldn't fathom Kushida's thoughts. Truly, a woman's heart is as deep as the ocean floor.

"Nothing at all." Kushida Kikyo explained with a smile. "I just want to become good friends with everyone in the class. Ayanokoji is also a member of D Class, that's all."

Not willing to say, huh.

Yeyue gave her a deep look.

Such a straightforward probe—someone of Kushida's intelligence wouldn't fail to grasp it.

Even the phrase "that's all" was worth pondering, but it seemed Kushida had interpreted his words as jealousy.

Wanting to befriend Horikita wasn't something worth keeping secret. So why did she need to hide it specifically from him?

To keep him from perceiving her true nature?

If that were the case, Kushida should be trying to stop him from interacting with Horikita, even scheming to sabotage their relationship.

On the first day of school, he had spread rumors about Kushida and then "saved" her. Yeyue was certain that had left a ripple in her heart.

Kushida trusted him, to some extent.

Otherwise.

She wouldn't have so easily handed him information about Matsushita. That was essentially leaving a weakness in his hands. From this, it seemed she had a fair amount of trust in him.

Without a doubt, his setup had been successful so far.

And yet.

What was this strange behavior from Kushida Kikyo now?

Ring, ring.

Kushida Kikyo's phone rang. She glanced at it, clasped her hands together, and said apologetically, "Sorry, Yeyue. Actually, I have a gathering with some friends from B Class later, so I'll head off first."

"It's fine. I should be the one apologizing—I didn't check Little Kikyo's schedule before inviting you out of the blue. In fact, Little Kikyo took time out of her plans to comfort me. Thank you, Little Kikyo."

"Not at all." Kushida shook her head, a gentle smile on her face. "If you have any other worries, Yeyue, be sure to tell me. See you tomorrow, Yeyue!"

"Hm, see you tomorrow!"

Yeyue smiled and waved. After a bit more polite back-and-forth, Kushida picked up the bill and headed to the register.

To become friends with the entire school, she had to spend more time and money maintaining her social circle. Kushida's lifestyle wasn't easy either—he wondered how often she ended up footing the bill for others.

Reading Kushida's heart through her expression was undoubtedly difficult.

Was that just now an attempt to gain his trust and extract his secrets? Or was it merely social pleasantries? Or perhaps the truth?

Where had things gone wrong? If he kept going, he should have been able to fully control Kushida.

Or rather.

Yeyue couldn't help but form a guess: Kushida saw him as someone in need of care, like a big sister looking out for him.

Even if there was some risk, it fell within Kushida's tolerance.

Whether it was the information about Matsushita or picking up the bill.

Then everything would make sense.

She didn't want to use him to get close to Horikita—that would stir guilt in Kushida's heart!

For someone who had never felt guilt before, that must have been an incomprehensible experience.

And that silence just now.

Kushida might also not want him to get involved with Matsushita. But when weighing the trust of the entire school against Yeyue on the scales, he still didn't tip them.

"Now this is getting interesting."

Yeyue couldn't help but smile. Though Kushida's development was unexpected, it seemed to be heading in an even more perfect direction.