Rumors Spread: Ichinose's Boyfriend

After parting ways with Ichinose, Yuyuki came to Keyaki Mall to stock up on books. The school's facilities were indeed exceptionally well-equipped, with most books from around the world available here. Even if a book was unavailable, students could apply to have the school purchase it, so long as they paid the corresponding points. The school even covered the delivery fees.

Watching Yuyuki immerse himself in the sea of books, Ayanokoji finally could not hold back any longer. "Tenyo, you've been reading for two hours already. Isn't it about time we got moving?"

The two had met at the school gate—or rather, Ayanokoji had been waiting for him all along, and Yuyuki had simply gone along with it and changed his plans.

"Moving on what?"

"Didn't we agree to help Sudo find evidence to prove his innocence?"

"Are you in a hurry?"

"The school will hand down its final verdict next Tuesday, after all. And Sudo is my friend, so it's only natural that I'd be worried."

"I see. Then let me finish this book first. Ayanokoji, you don't have to wait for me!"

His eyes still fixed on the book, Yuyuki replied absentmindedly.

Ayanokoji: "???"

Could This Guy Tenyo Yuyuki be brushing him off?

Did he simply not care whether Sudo lived or died?

Still.

Sudo's fate was only a trivial matter.

Even if he were expelled, it would have nothing to do with him. If sacrificing an insignificant tool allowed him to learn about Tenyo Yuyuki's abilities and intentions, it would be more than worth it.

Ayanokoji said dejectedly, "I'd like to do that too, but I have no leads at all."

"I see. Then there's nothing we can do."

Yuyuki said perfunctorily.

There was no way he had no leads. If he genuinely wanted to help Sudo and trusted him, he could have started by probing C Class, rather than searching everywhere for witnesses like Kushida and the others, trying to prove Sudo's innocence.

That approach had already tacitly assumed that Sudo was at fault.

There wasn't a single person who truly trusted Sudo and wanted to help him.

They were all merely indulging in the self-satisfaction of thinking, 'I'm working hard for my companion.' That was why, after some time passed, everyone would give up without even discussing it.

Looking at the book in Yuyuki's hands, Ayanokoji asked curiously, "Fang Siqi's First Love Paradise? That's a rather uncommon Dragon Country book. Are you interested in Dragon Country, Tenyo?"

"As expected, Ayanokoji, your knowledge really is broad." Yuyuki replied without looking up.

"Well... that's my only good point."

He was completely impossible to deal with. Ayanokoji lost the desire to continue probing him and casually picked out a book to read.

The two simply stood quietly in the bookstore, reading, utterly unconcerned with whether Sudo lived or died.

"Ding."

No one knew how much time had passed when a chime rang out. Yuyuki turned his head and glanced at Ayanokoji beside him.

Taking out his phone and looking at it, Ayanokoji took the initiative to say, "It's a text message from Horikita. She's outside my room right now. It seems she has something to discuss. What should we do?"

"Have her come to Palette Cafe."

Ayanokoji readily sent her a text message, but she refused, insisting that Ayanokoji had to go over. In the end, by replying that Tenyo was with him and he had no choice, he managed to secure Horikita's agreement.

Putting away his phone and looking at Yuyuki as he put his book away, Ayanokoji casually said, "Tenyo, do you think Horikita likes me?"

"That doesn't sound like something you'd say. Horikita just thinks you're fairly useful. Besides, when you say something like that, you should at least smile."

Leaving the bookstore, Yuyuki spoke without looking back.

Even without looking, he knew this was one of Ayanokoji's tests.

Ayanokoji also knew very well that whenever Horikita Suzune faced Yuyuki, she always felt a stifled sense of helplessness. In contrast, when dealing with Ayanokoji, a few verbal pushes were enough to make him work effectively.

Though she was not particularly strong, Horikita Suzune was a natural chess player.

But once their relationship reached a certain point, it would change.

Palette Cafe.

The moment she stepped through the entrance, Horikita Suzune spotted the two men seated in the corner. They were unusually conspicuous, and she Walked Over without hesitation.

"Tenyo, I'm surprised you chose to help Sudo."

"In my own way, I'm also working for D Class."

"Should I take that to mean you've also started wanting to Promote to A Class?"

"Think whatever you like!"

What nonsense. He had spent the entire afternoon browsing a bookstore, and that counted as working hard?... Ayanokoji grumbled inwardly.

The three sat down in a triangular formation.

Horikita Suzune did not appear especially close to either of them. Then, with a hint of mockery, she said, "One man is too embarrassed to come to a cafe, but two men aren't? Ayanokoji, it seems you're quite good at lying."

"That doesn't count as lying. I only dared to come this time because Tenyo was here too," Ayanokoji said expressionlessly.

This cafe was basically full of girls. Aside from couples, boys really needed a bit of courage to enter this kind of place.

"Suzune, you really are cold."

Without hesitation, Yeyue stood up and sat beside Horikita, smiling as he asked, "Did something happen between you and Ayanokoji?"

"This guy wanted to win Kushida's favor, so last time he tricked me into coming to this cafe to meet her. That's all."

Horikita spoke indifferently, yet she shot Yeyue a fierce glare.

She probably was not reprimanding him for sitting close to her. Horikita had long since grown used to his behavior. It seemed she had blamed him for Kushida approaching her, Yeyue silently thought.

After pressing the service bell, Yeyue smiled. "Anyway, let's order something first."

"No need." Horikita brushed her beautiful hair behind her ear in refusal and said flatly, "I came to offer some advice to you people who are only wasting your effort. There are witnesses, and they're right beside you."

Yeyue smiled as he watched Horikita Suzune speak with poise, saying nothing.

For some reason, Horikita Suzune found Yeyue's gaze somewhat irritating. Frowning, she asked, "What?"

"Nothing. Go on."

Sensing Yeyue's attitude, Horikita Suzune only felt a nameless anger with nowhere to vent. She glared coldly at Yeyue and stopped speaking.

What kind of attitude was that? She had come over of her own accord to share information and help them, yet Yeyue acted as though it were only natural. It was simply infuriating.

Ayanokoji also glanced at Yeyue beside him, somewhat curious. This approach would obviously only make Horikita angry and offered Not Any benefit. What exactly was Yeyue trying to do?

Just then, a pretty waitress came up to Yeyue and asked, "Welcome. What can I get for you?"

"A glass of water."

"Suzune, you can order something you like."

"No need."

Clenching her fists, Horikita Suzune continued to stare coldly at Yeyue. If she could beat him, she might have wanted to stab him to death with a compass.

No points had come in during this period, and she still had to prepare meals for Yeyue. She had been getting by entirely on the points she had saved up before.

There were not many left now, and Horikita Suzune felt a considerable sense of crisis. Yeyue clearly knew that, yet he still said something like that. It was truly hateful.

"My treat."

Yeyue said with a smile.

Completely unconcerned by Horikita's attitude, Horikita Suzune—who normally had no one in her eyes at all—finally changed her attitude. Though it was only disgust, as long as she entered Horikita's field of vision, that was enough.

"I see... A latte, a brownie, a canele, and also..."

The points spent easily exceeded five thousand. With the intention of making Yeyue bleed money, Horikita Suzune rattled off a long string of items.

The cooking skills Yeyue had freeloaded from her were worth far more than that, but Horikita Suzune's mood had calmed considerably. She happily took a sip of the coffee that had just been served.

Handing a cup of black tea to Yeyue, the pretty waitress teased softly, "So Yeyue likes this kind of girl?"

"Not bad taste, right?"

Yeyue replied with a smile.

He was Not At All worried that Horikita and Ayanokoji would spread what was said here. They were not that kind of people, and even if they did say anything, no one would believe them. That was the consequence of refusing social interaction.

"Mizushima Yuhime." Looking at the name tag on her chest, Horikita Suzune said coldly, "This guy is an incurable scumbag. You'd better not get close to him."

"Looks like I'd better leave first. Yeyue, remember to call me if you need anything~"

Ignoring Horikita, the waitress named Mizushima Yuhime kissed Yeyue on the cheek before turning around and leaving to continue working.

She naturally understood what kind of person Yeyue was. When they had first met, Yeyue had stated it very bluntly: he would use money to buy the rest of her life, without any feelings involved.

Mizuno Yuhime put up a token show of reserve before agreeing outright. She had once been a campus belle too, yearning for a beautiful, wealthy romance. Unwilling to compromise or lower her standards for a partner, she had ultimately failed to find a boyfriend she liked.

But only after entering society did she understand how great the pressure was. Beautiful women were as numerous as carp crossing a river.

Outstanding looks did not bring much of an advantage. Most people who approached her had ulterior motives, and her fantasies of Prince Charming had long been ruthlessly shattered by society.

Having been chosen by someone as young, handsome, and wealthy as Yeyue, she had no reason to refuse.

Mizushima Yuhime was even very happy about it.

As long as she waited for Yeyue to graduate, she would be able to wave stacks of cash around and freely buy everything she had once wanted.

...Request Flowers...

When Yeyue no longer wanted to support her, she could just find an honest man and marry him.

However.

Thinking of Yeyue's behavior in her dorm room, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Mizushima Yuhime's mouth. A man with such a strong desire for control would probably never allow a woman to leave his side. Simply put, her future life was already secure.

But as far as Mizushima Yuhime knew, there were many people at this school similar to herself. In this cafe alone, two of her coworkers had close relationships with Yeyue.

After all, the four people had played together before. Thinking of those novel ways of playing, Mizushima Yuhime blushed, yet now she instead hoped Yeyue would favor her more.

This was all her own choice.

Horikita Suzune did not Say More. She merely said coolly, "You can even make a move on an older woman like this. Yeyue, your level of scumminess really exceeds my imagination."

"Is that so? Yuhime is only � years old. Isn't it pitiful that she's never had a boyfriend? I'm just fulfilling her wish."

Yuyuki raised a brow. He was fairly satisfied with Mizushima Yuhime—after all, she had once been a campus belle. More importantly, she was very obedient and had never once contradicted him.

In fact, he no longer needed Private Points for everyday expenses. Countless people would be willing to support his lifestyle, placing their bets on the belief that he would not abandon them.

"Twenty-four is already plenty old. As expected, I simply can't understand the mindset of trash like you, Yuyuki," Horikita Suzune said, her delicate brows furrowed.

To a high school student, twenty-five was already uncle-and-auntie-level old, wasn't it?

Ayanokoji frowned as well.

Horikita Suzune had only seen Tenyo Yuyuki's personality, but he had a different view.

Leaving aside whether his methods were morally problematic—something Ayanokoji would not comment on—Tenyo Yuyuki had indeed gained control over the school staff.

Although this school was fully equipped, Keyaki Mall was its only such venue.

From now on, no matter what any class did here, the information would flow into Tenyo Yuyuki's ears. That was an enormous advantage.

With such an advantage, Promote to A Class would not be difficult at all. Ayanokoji instantly thought of several methods.

Then why was Tenyo Yuyuki forcing him to show his abilities? As expected, he had some other objective—or perhaps Tenyo Yuyuki was actually a pure and kind person?

Ayanokoji immediately dismissed that thought.

Watching Horikita Suzune polish off dessert after dessert, Yuyuki teased, "So Suzune likes sweets too, huh?"

Ignoring Yuyuki, Horikita Suzune finished the last dessert and leisurely sipped her coffee before frowning. "Putting Yuyuki aside—his personality really is awful—but Ayanokoji, aren't you at all curious about the witness?"

"Huh? You said earlier that the witness is someone around us. Is it someone we know?"

"It's Sakura."

Having calmed down, Horikita Suzune could understand that Yuyuki, with his terrible personality, had been deliberately provoking her.

"Is that so? I think she's the girl with glasses."

Ayanokoji nodded and turned his gaze to Yuyuki again, handing him the lead.

Yuyuki stretched lazily and nodded. "Sakura Airi, right? I remember her. But it's not a big deal. Tomorrow."

"The final verdict will be handed down next Tuesday, Yuyuki. Do you really understand that?"

With time running short, Horikita Suzune was clearly dissatisfied.

It would have been one thing if he refused to help, but if he was going to help, this half-hearted attitude was probably what someone as serious as Horikita hated most.

"Whatever. Since I've decided to help, I'll naturally do my best," Yuyuki said with a shrug.

"Then I'll wait and see what you do. Hmph."

After a cold snort, Horikita Suzune got up and left. Though she disliked Yuyuki's way of handling things, she still had to prepare dinner for him that evening.

She had just eaten her fill, so Horikita Suzune decided to make tonight's food extra spicy.

Only after Horikita left did Yuyuki speak. "Ayanokoji, Sudo truly sees you as a close friend. Aren't you going to do something?"

"If it were an exam, I might have a few ideas, but this is my first time dealing with something like this. I can only ask you for help," Ayanokoji said helplessly.

"Let's talk to Sakura tomorrow. Are you going to keep following us?"

"Forget it. I'm not very good at talking to girls, so I'll leave for today."

Ayanokoji shook his head, got up, and left.

Yuyuki had done nothing today. Perhaps as long as he was present, Yuyuki had no intention of showing his true abilities. He could only try another method.