Everything Is Ready

You cannot wait until things have already happened to try and fix them.

This was the life experience of Miyano Makoto.

The next day, Ichinose Honami arrived at Miyano Makoto's dormitory to prepare a bento as if nothing had happened yesterday.

Even though her demeanor was no different from any other day, even though she had readily accepted his apology just moments ago, even though...

"Are you really not angry anymore, Honami?"

"I'm not. How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not angry anymore, Makoto?"

"Then can you forgive me, Honami?"

"No."

"..."

"Didn't you say you weren't angry anymore?"

"Those are two different things."

Ichinose Honami said earnestly.

"Then what do I have to do to earn your forgiveness?"

"Guess?"

Guess if I'm going to guess.

Miyano Makoto didn't say those words out loud.

"Spare me, Honami..."

"Only regretting it now? It's too late."

"Yesterday really was just an accident!"

"Fine, I admit it, I was indeed aiming for Kushida, but I truly didn't expect to run into her yesterday of all days!"

"Finally willing to explain yourself?"

Ichinose Honami crossed her arms, looking quite smug. Even though she was a head shorter than Miyano Makoto, it felt like she was the one in control of the situation.

"It's just that you felt really scary, Honami..."

"And then? How did you know that Kushida was there venting her stress?"

"I didn't know the exact location. I only knew that Kushida would definitely be somewhere deserted to vent her stress."

"Aren't you a little too well-informed about girls, Makoto?"

Ichinose Honami narrowed her eyes; she wanted a definitive explanation.

"Do you really want to know, Honami?"

"Yes."

"Even if it might be something you don't want to hear?"

"Yes."

Ichinose Honami nodded firmly.

Seeing this, Miyano Makoto whispered something into her ear.

"..."

"So, that's why you were there at that time..."

"Yes. Are you satisfied now, Honami?"

Miyano Makoto's expression was one of helplessness.

"..."

"I'm sorry."

"Only apologizing now? It's too late."

Faced with Ichinose Honami's apology, Miyano Makoto chose not to accept it.

Such a strong sense of déjà vu made Ichinose Honami pout in grievance.

But she didn't say anything more, instead handing two filled bento boxes to Miyano Makoto.

"What happened before was my fault. I will serve you well from now on, Makoto."

Feeling like he had just heard something incredible, Miyano Makoto took the bento boxes from Ichinose Honami and placed them into his backpack.

"Your choice of words is a bit too exaggerated, Honami..."

"I'm serious. Since things have turned out this way, I have to take corresponding responsibility."

Ichinose Honami's tone was very serious. She took Miyano Makoto's hand and held it tightly, as if trying to feel something else from it.

Though, in reality, nothing had actually happened, Miyano Makoto thought to himself.

"Isn't your change a bit too fast, Honami? I haven't even been able to process it yet."

Miyano Makoto muttered to himself, finding the sensation of Ichinose Honami gripping his palm quite pleasant, much like the hug from yesterday.

No wonder others called her "Fat-nami."

She really is quite substantial!

"Because I'm so happy! Since Makoto has told me everything, I naturally have to offer an equal return. I'll do my very best!"

"Thanks?"

Miyano Makoto wasn't quite sure what the appropriate reaction should be.

"Makoto is saying those kinds of things again. You aren't allowed to say that in the future, do you hear me?!"

Ichinose Honami's slightly fleshy face was filled with a serious expression.

"I feel like Honami will be a very strict mother in the future..."

"..."

"I'm leaving now."

Ichinose Honami ran away.

Heh, one sentence was all it took to scare her off.

Miyano Makoto thought to himself, feeling quite pleased.

Days began to pass by uneventfully. Every day, Miyano Makoto would skip half his classes, and Hoshinomiya Chie would readily approve all of his leave requests.

It just goes to show that having a good relationship with your homeroom teacher is incredibly useful.

During the time he wasn't in class, besides coaching Kiryuin Fuka, he would wander over to the third-year side by himself.

Miyano Makoto had already agreed with Kiryuin Fuka that she would handle the second-year students, while he would be responsible for taking care of the third-years.

He was primarily focusing on making contact with people from Class C and Class D.

Because Class B still harbored the ambition of challenging Class A, while Class C and Class D had already fallen into a state of giving up after two years of exams.

One could say they were very easy to buy off.

However, that didn't mean everyone was worth his investment; he was targeting those who acted as de facto leaders within their classes.

"Got a moment to chat?"

Miyano Makoto approached the upperclassman with a seemingly casual air.

Based on his observations, the person in front of him shouldn't have a low status in the class; he was likely a leader-type figure, or at the very least, a strategist or a star athlete.

"What do you want?"

The upperclassman displayed an expression that was thirty percent wary, thirty percent confused, forty percent impatient, and ninety percent bewildered.

"I'd like to talk to you about life after graduation."

Miyano Makoto smiled faintly, giving the other party plenty of time to think.

"What did you say?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. Although the school year hasn't been going for long, I imagine the 100% employment and college acceptance rate the school advertises only applies to graduates from Class A, right?"

"Since that's the case, I think those who have fallen into Class C and Class D during two years of struggle should be more willing to accept my proposal."

"I have a set of benefits here that are no less than what the school can provide to Class A. I wonder what you think, upperclassman?"

Upon hearing Miyano Makoto's explanation, the expression on the upperclassman's face became very rich and constantly shifting.

"Lead the way..."

The upperclassman asked the PE teacher for leave, waved to his close friends, and followed Miyano Makoto away from the sports field.

"If you are willing to assist me in the potential future grade-wide integrated exam and support my bid to become student council president, I will provide you with the following resources."

Miyano Makoto had come prepared and handed over a list.

It included, but was not limited to, letters of recommendation from the Kiryuin Conglomerate, job opportunities within the conglomerate, and much more.

He felt this was enough to prove his sincerity.

In the end, what really matters is one's own true strength.

As the saying goes, to forge iron, one must be strong oneself.

People without ability will only let opportunities slip through their fingers, even if they manage to grasp them.

"Only one copy... isn't enough."

Although the upperclassman was already breathing heavily and his face was flushed, he still managed to say these words.

"Of course, it's not just one copy."

Miyano Makoto smiled slightly. Unless the other party was a dictator like Ryuen Kakeru, they would certainly have other subordinates or lieutenants under their command.

Even Ryuen Kakeru sometimes had to rely on other figures within his class.

Especially when it came to academics.