A Wrong Decision and the Unfolding of Fate

Makoto stopped speaking after he finished and began reading a romance novel.

As a normal adolescent male, he was deeply drawn into the plot of the novel.

Ah, how could such twisted emotions exist?

Makoto was reading with great relish.

Seeing him enter his state of focus so quickly, Kanzaki had no choice but to turn his gaze toward the students who had failed.

He wanted to take this opportunity to organize a study group for the class; anyone who lacked confidence in their grades could participate.

Naturally, this did not include Makoto.

The other party was the lonely 100 at the very top.

After passing a morning that wasn't too difficult to endure, it was technically already time for Makoto to leave school after noon.

He was in Class B, or perhaps, he was the freest student in the entire school.

To be honest, he had already started to feel bored.

The most terrifying thing in life is boredom, as it means a person has lost the motivation to live.

So, Makoto quickly shook his head to cast that damn thought out of his mind.

He wanted to go check out the school's electronics store.

In his memory, that clerk was a fanatical fan of Sakura Airi.

Makoto decided to quietly take care of the other party.

But that was impossible.

He stepped into the electronics store.

"Welcome, is there anything you need?"

Although it was strange for a student to appear at this hour, the clerk still faithfully fulfilled his duties.

"I need to buy a micro-camera; points are not an issue."

Makoto said calmly.

"Understood, then I recommend this model."

The clerk led Makoto to the shelf and took down one of the products.

It was clear that the packaging was very compact, and the size could certainly be called "micro."

As expected of a school that was said to be able to buy anything with points, even such subtle items could be purchased.

Makoto readily paid his personal points; he had already obtained what he wanted.

Although it was only a brief glance, he could be certain that this was indeed the clerk.

He had just seen the reflection in the other party's eyes.

First was contacting Kushida.

"After school, I would like to ask you to invite Classmate Sakura to go to Class A together. I will be responsible for contacting Honami."

It felt like this message was a bit subtle, but Makoto didn't know how to explain it; in any case, sending it was the right thing to do.

Holding a heavy heart, Makoto pressed the send button.

What remained was Honami's side.

"I have something I want to ask of Honami. It's about a girl; I want Honami to become her friend."

It was a very inexplicable message, but Makoto knew Honami would be able to understand; they were already at that kind of relationship.

After arranging to meet at the entrance of Class A after school, Makoto fell into deep thought.

Should he go or not?

Yes, in this matter, it actually wouldn't matter if Makoto didn't show up, but...

It really wouldn't do.

He retracted the two messages; the recipients shouldn't have seen them yet, right?

He shouldn't have pressed the send button just now.

When school ended, he appeared at Class A.

"Long time no see, Classmate Sakayanagi, and, Classmate Kamuro."

"Tch, I didn't expect to see you again."

Kamuro seemed to dislike him, turning her head to the side.

"Good day, Classmate Miyano. Your girlfriend is truly quite something; of course, you aren't bad either."

Sakayanagi's tone was the same as ever, but it felt like it had softened a little.

Hmm, it must be an illusion.

"What did the message Makoto sent me this afternoon mean?"

Ah, so I was seen after all?

Makoto put on a troubled expression.

"I happened to see it because it was during the break," Honami explained patiently, seeing Makoto's troubled look.

"Then Kushida must have seen it too."

Without any intention of hiding it, Makoto stated the facts; expecting Kushida not to have seen the message at a time like this would just be self-deception.

"So, what exactly does that mean?"

Listening to the two of them talk, Sakayanagi and Kamuro looked on with interest from the side.

Could it be that Kamuro has been assimilated by Sakayanagi?

Makoto couldn't help but make a slight mental jab after seeing this scene.

"Because I didn't view the other party as an independent individual and acted based on my own assumptions, I decided to let things take their natural course once I realized that."

These were words only Honami could understand.

Sure enough, Kamuro already had a look of obvious confusion on her face, didn't she? She must truly not understand.

And Sakayanagi... wait? Why does her expression look so dark?

"Tell me, Makoto, you do view me as a so-called 'independent individual,' right?"

It seems the previous incident had left Sakayanagi feeling displeased.

"Are you referring to the 'arrogant brat' comment? I think that phrase fit you quite well at the time... though, of course, Sakayanagi has made progress since then."

"Heh."

Sakayanagi let out a hollow laugh; it was unclear whether she was agreeing or disagreeing.

"I'll just take that as a compliment."

As expected, she was still the same annoying Sakayanagi; a month is far too short a time to change a person.

But isn't it said that personal growth can happen in an instant?

Makoto couldn't wrap his head around it, so he turned his gaze back to Honami, who seemed to be deep in thought.

"Is something wrong, Honami?"

"No, nothing at all. Since everything is fine, let's go shopping together. Do Sakayanagi and Kamuro want to join?"

Honami extended the invitation naturally; if it were him, he would surely have accepted it happily just like that.

"Since Makoto is going to be there, I suppose I shall accompany you."

I get the feeling that some dangerous words just came out of Sakayanagi's mouth; calling it "accompanying a gentleman" wasn't entirely wrong in a certain sense.

Her body could, at most, handle that kind of activity.

Kamuro also looked quite interested, her gaze fixed intently on Makoto, which made the latter feel quite embarrassed.

Even he can feel shy, you know!

"Has Honami already taken control of Class A?"

To escape the pressure from Sakayanagi, Makoto changed the subject.

"...You could say that."

In the Class A classroom, the two of them discussed things that shouldn't be discussed.

But no one stepped forward to criticize them for it; it seems the trust in Honami has already seeped into the very marrow of Class A.

He knew it; compared to a rigid, bald man who kept a straight face all day, a beautiful girl like Honami who radiated youthful vitality was clearly more capable of gaining the approval of the class members.

Moreover, Honami was not just a pretty face; her strength was undoubtedly formidable.

In every aspect, that was the case.

The four of them left the classroom together.

As they passed by Class D, a girl came running out as if fleeing, colliding head-on with Makoto.

It was fortunate that he hadn't collided with Sakayanagi, or things would have been disastrous.

Feeling relieved about this, Makoto cast his gaze toward the fallen girl, his hand catching the digital camera she had just dropped.

"Are you okay?"

He said this, extending his free hand downward so that the girl could use it to pull herself up from the floor if she wished.