Perhaps This Could Be Called a Wonderful Life

As Honami spoke, Makoto learned the truth.

"The person who appeared in front of Karuizawa that day was me."

He hadn't explained the circumstances, but Kei nodded as if she understood everything.

"Then, Makoto, could you and I start out as friends and eventually become lovers?"

The sudden words shocked everyone present except Makoto.

"Uh... I already have a girlfriend."

Makoto glanced at Honami's expression beside him, trying to figure out what she was thinking.

"I don't mind."

"But I do."

Makoto considered himself a devoted romantic. He'd already said the rest, so there was no need to repeat himself.

Kushida Kikyo's smile seemed to stiffen.

Ichinose Honami was one thing, but now you're throwing yourself at him too?

What was so great about this guy?

Kushida Kikyo began to doubt her ability to judge people. She'd actually been rather confident in that area.

After all, she'd met all kinds of people—more than she could count.

But at this school, she'd suffered the greatest defeat of her life.

Makoto Miyano was a man she couldn't see through.

At the very least, she couldn't understand why girls liked him.

"Why don't we start by getting to know each other?"

Makoto couldn't believe those words had come from Honami. For a moment, he was stunned.

"Mm, you're right. It's our first—no, our second time meeting, Makoto."

And just like that, another girl had joined him on his right.

"When did you and Makoto start dating, Ichinose?"

"...About a month ago, I think?"

Honami pressed her index finger to her lips, as if thinking it over.

"So it hasn't been that long. Looks like my chances have improved."

"But Makoto and I are childhood friends, you know. Calling it dating makes it sound like we started seeing each other, but really, it feels more like things just naturally fell into place!"

The two girls chatted on either side of Makoto. Sitting between them, he played deaf and pretended he couldn't hear a thing.

"Sorry I'm late. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting!"

It looked like she'd caught up with the others. Honestly, when Makoto heard Kushida Kikyo's voice, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Thank you, Kushida!

"Kushida, I've been waiting for you! By the way, who's this?"

One boy jumped so hard that he fell flat on his face. Makoto couldn't help feeling speechless at the sight.

"Oh, this is Makoto Miyano from Class B, and the girl beside him is Ichinose from Class A. They're dating."

Kushida Kikyo introduced them to the three boys.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's and Makoto's gazes briefly met, then they both looked away.

Should I call him Ayanokoji or Ayanokoji-kun? That was the question.

"Why is Karuizawa hanging around him too?!"

Kanji Ike was baffled.

"Hmm... I don't know the answer to that either. Why don't you ask her yourself, Ike?"

"Well..."

The three boys huddled together and started whispering.

Though, to Makoto, it looked like the other two were simply talking at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

He was amazed that Ayanokoji could keep a straight face through it all. Makoto couldn't imagine managing that himself.

No wonder Kushida Kikyo had been overwhelmed by stress just a few days after the school year began.

If it were him, he'd have snapped already.

Respect.

The group of nine set off to explore the school.

Ike and Yamauchi conspicuously flanked Kushida as they walked, while Honami and Karuizawa waged their war around Makoto. Matsushita and Mori followed behind, quietly listening.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka walked at the very back, following the group at an unhurried pace.

He was enjoying the conversation too.

So this was normal school life? He felt like he'd learned a lot.

Come to think of it, was this the student who often appeared on the athletic field? So his surname was Miyano?

He'd ask Kushida about his first name later.

"Hey, hey, what places have you and Makoto been to together, Ichinose?"

Even while "happily chatting" with Ike and Yamauchi, Kushida hadn't forgotten to bring the two students from another class into the conversation.

"Now that you mention it, Makoto and I haven't gone anywhere together!"

Honami answered with some dismay. Aside from seeing Makoto in the morning, at noon, and in the evening, she'd never intruded on his time.

They hadn't even gone shopping together.

"Sorry. It's my fault."

Since Makoto hadn't interfered with Honami's efforts to build relationships with other people, the only times they actually saw each other each day were at meals.

"I see... What about you, Matsushita and Mori?"

"Hmm... We went to the movies once, didn't we? Just the two of us."

"Yeah, we went after school."

As the conversation continued, everyone found themselves in front of a clothing store.

"Karuizawa, do you have any points left? If you want to buy clothes, I can lend you some!"

On the surface, it sounded friendly, but Makoto couldn't help feeling that Honami had an ulterior motive.

"No, thank you for the offer, Ichinose. I think what I'm wearing now is already pretty enough."

Karuizawa gave a safe reply, turning down Honami's offer to lend her points.

"Then pick something out for me, Makoto!"

He'd known things would turn out like this.

Following his honest feelings, Makoto picked out a beige overcoat for Honami. He liked that style.

Honami bought it without hesitation for 20,000 personal points.

"Is Ichinose really that generous?"

Karuizawa was a little curious. From what she'd seen so far, the other girl didn't seem like that sort of person.

"Because Makoto picked it out for me, I'd buy it no matter how expensive it was!"

"Then could you pick something out for me too, Miyano?"

"..."

Makoto glanced at Honami's expression. Of course, he couldn't read it at all.

A little troubled, he picked out a pure white dress for Karuizawa. She happily paid 25,000 personal points for it.

He worried about how she'd manage over the next few months.

All Makoto could do was offer her his condolences.

"I'm so jealous of that guy!"

Yamauchi shouted, grinding his teeth with envy.

"Don't worry. That kind of guy will get chopped up in no time. There's no happy ending for someone two-timing!"

Ike put on a magnanimous act. Only he knew what he was really thinking.

"Has everyone gotten used to the school yet?"

Kushida began asking how everyone felt about the school. Otherwise, she had a feeling Makoto might not be able to take much more.

"At first I was a little lost, but now I've completely settled in. You could even say this place is paradise! I hope I never have to graduate."

As soon as Kanji Ike heard Kushida say that, his attention was drawn elsewhere.

"Ha ha, I feel about the same as you, Ike. I hope I can stay here forever too."

Kushida's smile seemed genuine. After all, life with 100,000 personal points every month was something she'd never even dared to imagine before.

A lot of people didn't even make 100,000 yen a month.

"Life with 100,000 personal points is incredible! As long as you're careful not to spend it all before the end of the month, you can keep living this luxurious life forever."

Yamauchi sank deep into his fantasies. Maybe he could already see a bright future waving at him.