Perhaps It Could Be Called a Wonderful Life

Following Honami's words, Makoto clarified the truth.

"The person who appeared before Karuizawa that day was me."

Although the scene wasn't specified, Kei Karuizawa nodded as if she understood everything.

"Then, Miyano-kun, could you start by being friends with me, and eventually become lovers?"

The sudden words shocked everyone present except for Makoto.

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

Makoto glanced at the expression on Honami's face beside him, trying to gauge what she was thinking at that moment.

"I don't mind."

"But I do."

Makoto considered himself a pure-love warrior, and since he had already said that last part, he wouldn't repeat it.

Kikyo Kushida's smile faintly stiffened.

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

What exactly is so good about this kind of man?

Kikyo Kushida began to doubt her own judgment of people, something she was actually quite confident in.

Because she had seen far too many people of all different kinds.

But in this school, she had encountered her Waterloo.

Makoto Miyano—she couldn't see through this man.

At least, she couldn't see the reason why girls would like him.

"Why don't we start by getting to know each other as the first step?"

Makoto couldn't believe these words came out of Honami's mouth; he was stunned for a moment.

"Mm, that's true. Nice to meet you—no, nice to meet you for the second time, Miyano-kun."

Just like that, a new girl was added to Makoto's right side.

"When did you start dating Miyano-kun, Ichinose-san?"

"...Probably about a month ago?"

Honami pressed her index finger to her lips, as if she were thinking.

"So it hasn't been that long. It looks like my chances have increased."

"But Makoto and I are childhood friends. Even though we're dating, it feels more like things just naturally fell into place!"

The two of them talked on Makoto's left and right, while Makoto played deaf in the middle, pretending he couldn't hear a thing.

"Sorry I'm late, kept you waiting!"

It seemed they had rendezvoused with the rest of the group. Honestly, after hearing Kikyo Kushida's voice, Makoto breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

Thank you, Kushida-san!

"Kushida-chan, I've been waiting for you for a long time! By the way, who is this guy?"

One of the boys jumped up and ended up falling hard on the spot; Makoto was left speechless just watching it.

"Ah, this is Miyano-kun from Class B, and next to him is Ichinose-san from Class A. The two of them are currently dating."

Kikyo Kushida introduced them to the three boys.

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

Is he Ayanokoji or just a little brother? That is the question.

"Why is Karuizawa-san hanging around him too!"

Kanji Ike was very confused.

"Hmm... I don't know about that either. Why don't you ask her yourself, Ike-kun?"

"Well, about that..."

The three boys huddled together and began whispering.

Although, from Makoto's perspective, it was just the other two unilaterally unloading on Kiyotaka Ayanokoji.

It's truly impressive that he can remain expressionless through all that; if it were Makoto, he wouldn't be able to do it no matter how he tried.

It's no wonder Kikyo Kushida's stress levels were off the charts just a few days after school started.

If it were him, he would have snapped long ago.

Respect.

The group of nine began their grand tour of the school.

Ike and Yamauchi were blatantly surrounding Kushida as they walked ahead, while the area around Makoto became a battlefield between Honami and Kei, with Matsushita and Mori silently listening from behind.

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji walked at the very back, following the group at a leisurely pace.

He listened with great interest as well.

So this is what a normal school life is like? He felt like he had learned a lot.

Come to think of it, is this the student who often appears on the sports field? So her surname is Miyano?

I'll ask Kushida for her full name later.

"Hey, hey, what places have Ichinose and Miyano visited together?"

Even while "happily chatting and laughing" with Ike and Yamauchi, Kushida did not forget to throw a topic toward the two students from the other class.

"Come to think of it, Makoto and I haven't even gone out together at all!"

Honami answered with great distress, because other than meeting Makoto in the morning, at noon, and in the evening, she hadn't disturbed his activities at any other time.

To the point that they hadn't even done something like going shopping together.

"Sorry, it's my fault."

Because Makoto did not interfere with Honami managing her own interpersonal relationships, their daily interactions were actually limited to the three meal times.

"Is that so... What about Matsushita and Mori?"

"Hmm... We went to the movie theater once, right? The two of us together."

"Yes, we went together after school."

Engaging in this kind of conversation to maintain their rapport, the group unknowingly arrived at the entrance of a clothing store.

"Do you still have points, Karuizawa? If you want to buy clothes, I can lend you some!"

On the surface, it sounded like a friendly conversation, but Makoto couldn't help but feel that Honami's intentions were somewhat sinister.

"No need, thank you for your kindness, Ichinose, but I think what I'm wearing right now is pretty enough."

Avoiding the dangerous response, Karuizawa declined Honami's offer to lend her points.

"Then, Makoto, pick one out for me!"

He knew it would turn out like this.

Following his true inner thoughts, Makoto picked out a beige trench coat for Honami; he liked that style.

Honami didn't hesitate to spend 20,000 private points to buy the garment.

"Is Ichinose really such a generous person?"

Karuizawa was a bit curious; through their brief contact, she didn't think the other girl was that type of person.

"Because it's clothes that Makoto picked out for me, no matter how expensive they are, I will buy them!"

"Then can Miyano pick one out for me too?"

"..."

Makoto glanced at Honami's expression, though, of course, he couldn't read anything from it.

Feeling a bit troubled, he picked out a pure white dress for Karuizawa, and she happily paid 25,000 private points for it.

I'm really worried about how she's going to live for the next few months.

Makoto could only offer a silent prayer for her.

"I'm so jealous of that guy!"

Yamauchi shouted, his teeth already gritting in envy.

"It's fine, a guy like that will get slashed by a kitchen knife soon enough; playing with two boats at once won't end well!"

Ike acted very magnanimous, though only he knew what he was actually thinking.

"Has everyone adapted to the school yet?"

Kushida began to ask everyone for their thoughts on the school; otherwise, it felt like Miyano was about to reach his limit.

"At first I felt a bit lost, but now I've completely integrated. I could even say that this place is practically heaven! I really hope I never have to graduate."

Hearing Kushida say this, Ike Kanji's attention was immediately diverted.

"Haha, Ike's thoughts are about the same as mine; I also hope to stay here forever."

Kushida's smile looked genuine; indeed, a life with 100,000 private points every month was something unimaginable before.

Many people don't even make 100,000 in a month's salary.

"A life with 100,000 private points is just too awesome! As long as you're a little careful not to spend it all before the end of the month, this kind of luxurious life can continue forever."

Yamauchi fell into a deep fantasy; perhaps he saw a bright future beckoning to him.