The Stubborn's Self-Imposed Limitations and the Free-Spirited's Adaptability to the Times

After Makoto and Honami left, Horikita withdrew her gaze.

Having developed a rhythmic lifestyle of waking up at six every morning since elementary school, she had spotted the trio while out for her morning exercise.

What surprised her most was that Karuizawa from Class D was among them.

Horikita did not know Makoto, though she had often heard the boys in her class mention the person beside him.

The golden-pink long hair, a bust even more generous than Kushida's, and a smile so radiant it couldn't be hidden—everything confirmed her identity.

The leader of Class A, Ichinose Honami.

The person whose arm she was holding must be that "kept man" occasionally mentioned by the boys, what was his name... Miyano, was it?

With too little useful information, Horikita turned her gaze toward Ayanokoji.

"Do you know what kind of relationship Karuizawa has with those two at the entrance?"

"That? I saw them among the group following Kushida the day before yesterday. As for Karuizawa, it seems she said she wants to pursue Miyano."

Ayanokoji said flatly, hinting to Horikita about the importance of Kushida.

"How terrible. No wonder they were assigned to Class D."

Horikita sighed; why was Class D full of such strange people?

She had no self-awareness that she was also a member of Class D, feeling only that leading such a class to Class A would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Yet, even in such a situation, she possessed ample confidence.

"Hearing you say that, my heart stings for some reason."

Consciously making the reaction a normal person should have, Ayanokoji remained silent in his heart as he saw the confident expression on Horikita's face.

He, too, had to make a decision.

"You just need to follow me and carry out the tasks I assign you."

Horikita asserted, intending to take action.

"So, have you found a way to gather those three without relying on Kushida?"

Ayanokoji reminded her; the idea he had struggled to come up with yesterday (not really) had been ruthlessly rejected by Horikita.

"Didn't I already assign that task to you?"

Horikita retorted with a question.

"?"

Ayanokoji wore an expression of obvious confusion.

"I thought that after you rejected my proposal, my task was already over."

"That is your problem, not mine, so do your best."

Horikita pronounced the verdict to Ayanokoji.

"I don't think there is any way other than relying on Kushida."

Ayanokoji couldn't think of any other method. Ike and Yamauchi muttered all day about wanting to find a girlfriend, and the name that appeared most frequently was Kushida Kikyo.

Even the slight connection he was forced to have with Horikita was interpreted by them as him having found a girlfriend, and they had approached him time and again to confirm it.

Since Sudo was so close to those two, he was likely the same kind of person.

Therefore, without using a beautiful girl as bait, Ayanokoji was truly at his wit's end.

"Sigh."

Horikita sighed once more.

"Is that all your ability amounts to? And here I was holding expectations for you."

"I think that's unfair; I clearly already came up with a method."

Ayanokoji defended himself. Yesterday, he had been tricked into the office by Chabashira, and under the teacher's hints, Horikita had realized he was unusual.

Nothing but troublesome matters.

"That's why I said you're no good. Can't you think of any other way?"

"Then think of it yourself!"

For once, Ayanokoji stood his ground against Horikita; this was not the kind of life he wanted.

"Forget it. I knew long ago that the only person I can rely on is myself. Just watch closely."

Horikita seemed to have forgotten that it was precisely because she couldn't do it herself that she had asked Ayanokoji for help.

Because she couldn't imagine why someone would stubbornly refuse to attend a study session even when on the brink of expulsion.

She could not understand such an existence.

But the facts were right in front of her, and she had to admit it.

There really were such people in this world.

"Mm, good luck."

Ayanokoji watched as Horikita stood up to go talk to Ike.

With an expressionless face, he sentenced Horikita to death in his heart; she didn't understand those three people at all.

More broadly speaking, she didn't understand the vast majority of people in the class.

Although she prided herself on her ability to judge character, she had absolutely no idea how to negotiate with others.

It was a wonder she had managed to survive until now.

In Ayanokoji's view, Horikita had already fallen outside the category of a normal person.

It was a pity, given her excellent physical appearance.

Ayanokoji felt a tinge of regret.

Before long, Horikita returned with a cold look on her face.

Although she didn't say a word, the air pressure around her seemed to have dropped slightly.

It would be best not to get on her bad side.

Ayanokoji played the coward.

"I saw you having quite a fun time with those two girls this morning?"

Kiryuin-senpai wore a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Have you thought about how you want to die in the future?"

"Don't say such terrifying things. It's gym class right now, let's just get started."

"Besides, the only way I'm going to die is of old age. I sincerely hope to reach that ending."

Makoto denied any other outcome, and wanting to end the topic quickly, he began his warm-up exercises.

"Forget it. I can already feel that what remains isn't a realm that can be reached through effort alone."

Kiryuin-senpai sighed helplessly.

"I really envy your talent."

"Even so, you still need to properly maintain your current physical fitness!"

Makoto encouraged her.

"Do you want to practice long-distance running today? You shouldn't have any special exams requiring much effort in the next few days, right?"

"Forget it. I still need to save some energy to deal with class-related matters. Who do you think is to blame for all of this?"

Kiryuin-senpai rolled her eyes. Why did she suddenly feel like hitting someone?

"...Ahem, then let's just do what we usually do."

Makoto coughed deliberately to hide his awkwardness, though in truth, there wasn't much left he could teach her.

Kiryuin wasn't interested in board games, so all that remained was sparring.

Since they had already cleared it with the gym teacher, the two began to spar as if no one else were around.

Action scene.jpg (serious face)

After a back-and-forth exchange, Makoto tilted his head to dodge a feinted kick that turned into a straight punch from Kiryuin. He smiled and praised her, "Senpai's level is truly improving by leaps and bounds; it's getting higher and higher."

Kiryuin stopped her advance. She was panting slightly, her expression one of utter helplessness.

"Is that the reason you can still talk so easily while I'm giving it my all?"

"...If I said it was an accident, would you believe me?"

Makoto felt a bit guilty inside.

Crap, he'd gotten carried away and she'd realized he was holding back before.

"Forget it, I'm not fighting you anymore. It's pointless. I've discovered that class competition isn't without its fun side—at least it's better than sparring with you."

Kiryuin smiled dashingly.

"You don't need to come looking for me anymore. Take care of yourself."

"I'm referring to your love life."

Realizing that what she had just said was ambiguous, Kiryuin added.

"...Thank you for your concern, Senpai."

After exiting the state of constant combat, Makoto couldn't help but yawn.

So sleepy, I want to go to bed~