Have You Ever Been Confessed To?

The news brought by Horikita Suzune cast another shadow over the atmosphere that had briefly glimpsed a sliver of hope. Sakura Airi's value as a witness was largely offset by her introverted and timid personality. After a brief silence, a glimmer of inquiry flickered in Ichinose Honami's bright eyes as she looked toward Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, her tone gentle yet carrying a question that cut straight to the core:

"By the way, Ayanokoji-kun," she paused, as if choosing her words carefully, "has Class D internally... seriously considered the option of 'abandoning' Sudo-kun?"

Her gaze was clear, not probing, more like an inquiry based on practical considerations. After all, Shimiya Kuki had already thoroughly analyzed Sudo's "time bomb" nature earlier.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's expression remained as flat as deep water, almost imperceptible in its calmness. Meeting Ichinose's gaze, he replied in a steady voice: "Although there are indeed some students in the class who have issues with Sudo's behavior, thinking he's brought trouble," his tone carried no bias, merely stating facts, "for now, the mainstream opinion in our class hasn't decided to abandon Sudo-kun." He paused before adding, "Otherwise, we wouldn't be going to such lengths to find eyewitnesses like this." This reasoning sounded logical and consistent with Class D's current display of unity.

Just then, as if recalling something, a warm and slightly encouraging smile reappeared on Ichinose's face as she deftly shifted the topic: "Speaking of which, Ayanokoji-kun, Sudo-kun is... your friend, right? I heard he's working very hard in the basketball club, and he's quite talented—maybe he could even become a regular player in his first year? Isn't that impressive?"

Her words carried genuine admiration: "Right now, he might be dragging the class down a bit because of this incident, but in the long run, if he shines in the basketball club, he could become a significant 'asset' for Class D!" She emphasized the word "asset" with a playful, guiding tone.

"Doesn't the school administration also give positive evaluations for club activities or charity events, even awarding Personal Points as rewards?" Ichinose continued, her eyes sparkling with a "you should know this" light. "If he participates in inter-school tournaments and performs well, Sudo-kun himself will definitely receive a considerable amount of points. And," she stressed, her gaze sweeping over Horikita and Ayanokoji, "this honor and contribution will directly 'link to an increase in Class Points'!"

After speaking, she seemed to notice the puzzled looks on their faces, a hint of surprise and confusion appearing on her own. She tilted her head slightly, looking at them: "Uh... could it be... you didn't know about this?" Her gaze finally settled on Horikita Suzune's icy expression, carrying an undisguised question. "Didn't your class advisor... Chabashira Sae-sensei... tell you?"

This sentence was like a pebble dropped into a calm lake surface.

Horikita Suzune's pupils suddenly contracted! The expression of aloof calm she always maintained showed its first clear crack. She jerked her head up, her sharp phoenix eyes locking onto Ichinose, filled with shock, disbelief, and a hint of suppressed anger at being deliberately kept in the dark! Her lips pressed into a rigid line, and the knuckles of her clenched fist whitened slightly from the force. Chabashira-sensei hadn't informed them of such an important rule? Why?! This information was practically strategic-level intelligence for Class D! The immense shock left her momentarily speechless.

Although Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's expression wasn't as intense as Horikita's, his usually unfocused eyes now clearly fixed on Ichinose's face.

This momentary silence and their drastically changed reactions said it all. Ichinose got the answer she wanted—Class D had indeed been kept in the dark. Her assessment of Chabashira Sae, Class D's advisor, instantly became more complicated.

"It seems... you really didn't know." Ichinose let out a soft sigh, a trace of barely perceptible sympathy in her tone. "This is quite... a significant information gap." She didn't press further into Class D's internal reactions, stopping at just that point.

The atmosphere grew somewhat delicate due to the shocking information just revealed. Ichinose promptly took out her terminal, a friendly smile back on her face: "Ayanokoji-kun, Horikita-san, since we're temporary 'allies' now, would it be convenient to exchange contact information? If there are any new discoveries about the Sudo incident or things we need to communicate about later, it'll be easier to get in touch."

Ichinose first turned her terminal screen toward Horikita Suzune, an expectant smile on her face. However, Horikita only gave the lit screen a cold glance, her delicate chin lifting slightly, her eyes showing undisguised resistance and annoyance. Instead of taking out her own terminal, she very naturally turned her gaze to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka beside her. That gaze was sharp as a blade, carrying an unquestioning command—as if silently saying, "I don't want to. You handle it."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka received this silent "eye-dagger." His perpetually expressionless face showed no change, but he gave an almost imperceptible, slightly helpless twitch of his eyebrow. Silently, he swiftly took out his own terminal and skillfully operated it, preparing to add Ichinose's contact information, not looking at Horikita once, as if long accustomed to this situation of being "represented."

Just then, Shimiya Kuki, who had been quietly standing beside Ichinose, also extended his hand. His movement was steady and silent, holding his own equally simple-looking terminal. Without looking at anyone, he calmly displayed the screen, his voice as flat as he was, clearly stating his identity:

"Class B, Shimiya Kuki."

His self-introduction was extremely concise, with no extra embellishments or pleasantries—just a statement of class and name.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's operation of his terminal didn't pause at all, as if Shimiya's addition was also expected. He calmly turned his gaze to Shimiya's terminal screen, swiped his finger across the screen a few times quickly, and completed the addition. At the same time, he responded in an equally flat tone:

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka."

No unnecessary pleasantries, no eye contact—the two similarly tempered young men completed the exchange of information in the simplest dialogue and actions. The whole process was quiet, efficient, carrying a strange sense of tacit understanding.

Ichinose watched this somewhat "odd" yet inexplicably harmonious exchange scene, then glanced at Horikita beside her with an "it's none of my business" expression. She couldn't help but cover her mouth with a light laugh, but quickly stopped.

"Alright!" Ichinose put away her terminal and smiled as she said goodbye. "Then, let's call it a day here. If there are any new developments, we'll contact you."

"Mm." Horikita only responded coldly, clearly still preoccupied with the class advisor issue. Ayanokoji remained his usual flat self, giving a slight nod.

Watching the two from Class D turn and leave, Ichinose and Shimiya also set off on the path back to the dormitory. The afternoon sun stretched their long shadows across the corridor. Shimiya Kuki walked in silence, his gaze fixed on the empty space ahead, as if lost in thought. After a while, he spoke calmly, his voice not loud but clearly reaching Ichinose's ears:

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka... and Horikita Suzune. These two people are far from simple."

Ichinose turned her head to look at him, no surprise in her eyes, but rather a knowing smile that said, "So you noticed too." She nodded emphatically, her tone carrying a hint of excitement and curiosity:

"Right? You think so too, Kuki-kun?" She leaned in a little, lowering her voice as if sharing an interesting secret. "Honestly, from the first time I met Ayanokoji-kun, I felt... hmm, how should I put it... like he was cut from the same mold as you! That kind of... seeming indifferent to everything, yet observing everything, and that... hmm, indescribable 'inhuman feel'?" She tried to find the right word, then playfully stuck out her tongue.

"And," she continued, her expression turning serious, "didn't our class advisor Hoshinomiya-sensei also call you to the office for a 'talk' before? I heard later that Chabashira-sensei also called Ayanokoji-kun for a private talk! I don't know what they discussed, but someone who gets this kind of 'special attention' from their advisor..." She drew out her words meaningfully. "So I've always thought that Ayanokoji-kun is definitely not as simple as he appears on the surface! Beneath that calm and unwavering gaze, there's probably something deeper than we can imagine."

Shimiya Kuki listened quietly to Ichinose's analysis, his face showing no change in expression, but a faint glimmer of agreement seemed to pass through the depths of his eyes. He didn't refute her, essentially acknowledging her observation.

The two returned to the dormitory and had a simple dinner there. The aroma of food and the soft clatter of utensils intertwined, filling the space with an everyday atmosphere. Ichinose ate in small bites, seeming somewhat distracted. She secretly glanced a few times at Shimiya, who was eating quietly across from her, then finally put down her chopsticks, folded her hands on the table, leaned forward slightly, and wore a rare, complex expression mixing seriousness, curiosity, and a hint of barely noticeable tension.

"Kuki-kun," her voice was softer than usual, her gaze focused intently on Shimiya, as if trying to pierce through his calm exterior, "I have a question... I want to ask you." She paused, as if gathering her courage, then added solemnly, "I hope... you'll answer me seriously."

Shimiya Kuki stopped his movements and looked up at her. The warm yellow light fell into his deep eyes but didn't melt the usual calm. He put down his chopsticks and responded flatly: "Go ahead."

Ichinose took a deep breath, her fair cheeks seeming to take on a faint, barely noticeable blush. Her fingers on the table unconsciously curled slightly, and then, as if mustering her courage, she asked the question that had been circling in her mind:

"Have you... ever been confessed to?"

This question came so abruptly, forming a stark contrast with the previous discussion about class strategy and Class D's predicament. Ichinose's gaze locked onto Shimiya with unprecedented focus and exploration, waiting for his answer.