Is this heaven? No, this is hell!

Horikita had already noticed when she saw Ayanokoji leaving with Kushida and the others—

The fact that they no longer needed her.

It was hard to describe the feeling, but Horikita's mood quickly settled.

Compared to matters regarding her brother, this was trivial.

That was fine, too; she needed to carefully consider what she should say when she saw her brother tonight.

"Let's call it a day. It seems like even lunch breaks won't be peaceful starting tomorrow."

Stretching his back, Makoto felt a bit sentimental; the feeling of studying together with everyone was really nice!

He had always been alone and out of place, so being able to work hard and study with everyone like this today was truly incredible to him.

As he thought this, Honami pinched his side and gave it a light twist:

"What do you mean 'won't be peaceful'? Interacting with others is a very important part of life, you know. Please make sure you remember that."

"Yes!"

Hearing Honami's words, Makoto blinked.

He stood at attention and replied in cooperation.

The people around them cast strange looks in their direction.

Honami puffed out her full chest; she was no longer shy about this.

There was nothing embarrassing about such things; she was going to properly re-educate Makoto into becoming a qualified adult.

As his girlfriend, she believed she had both the responsibility and the obligation to do so.

Sakayanagi approached them at this moment and spoke without the slightest hesitation:

"I have something I want to ask you later. Can we go together?"

Makoto glanced at Honami and, seeing that she didn't seem to object, nodded in agreement.

Seeing this, Ayanokoji nudged Kushida's shoulder with his elbow, and she tilted her head toward Ayanokoji with a puzzled expression.

He simply gestured with his eyes toward the direction of Makoto and Honami.

Kushida nodded in sudden realization, indicating she understood.

Ayanokoji wasn't entirely sure if Kushida had grasped his meaning, but this was all he could do for now.

Ike and Yamauchi had already grabbed him by either side and dragged him away; the interrogation time was next.

On the other side, with Makoto and Honami.

"Let's go to the supermarket to buy some ingredients first. I'm going to properly reward Makoto today!"

Everything was progressing quite well.

Sakayanagi had followed along, and as a result, Kamuro had no choice but to trail behind the three of them with a look of disgust.

"Is today any different from usual?"

"Sometimes, playing dumb isn't very cute, you know~"

Honami stood on her tiptoes and lightly tapped Makoto's head with her knuckles, her tone carrying a hint of reproach.

"Alright, it seems I'm truly hopeless."

So, is the Honami of this world like this?

After this series of events, Makoto suddenly realized that this Honami was not that Honami.

In this life, under his influence, Honami had grown up to be very sunny and cheerful, with no signs of turning dark.

Everything before had just been him overthinking things.

Honami had grown into a qualified adult; if one had to name a shortcoming, it might be her feelings for him.

Though, for Makoto, that was definitely a strong point.

"Indeed, I also think you're truly hopeless."

Walking at the back of the group, Kamuro wore an expression of agreement; she was dying of impatience watching them.

She wished she could enter the fray herself and take Makoto's place to get close to Honami.

"You aren't allowed to say that. Only I am allowed to say that about Makoto."

Honami glared at Kamuro, then tapped Makoto's head once more.

"No, why?"

"Because Makoto isn't allowed to say that about himself either."

Fine, fine, I can't even make fun of myself anymore.

Hearing Honami's words, Makoto obediently took on the role of the pack mule.

Kamuro was so envious that she felt like she was going to grind her back teeth to dust.

No, seriously, how is this fair?

Why are the two of you able to get along so well?

Could someone tell her what the secret is?

Inside the supermarket, Sakayanagi and Honami were picking out ingredients, while Makoto and Kamuro stood to the side, bored out of their minds.

Kamuro couldn't help but blurt out the question that had just been on her mind.

"That? If you want to know, why don't you just ask them yourself?"

Makoto wore an indifferent expression, which made Kamuro really want to punch him.

"Also, how did you know about the situation in Class D?"

That's right, she had only asked one question during the study session, yet he had provided the answer as if he had known it all along.

She was very curious.

"Say, don't you know that feeling curious about a man is often the beginning of falling for him?"

"Bullshit!"

Kamuro retorted with a flushed face; she was fuming.

"Who would ever like someone like you!"

"Uh... I mean, is there a possibility that Honami is right here..."

Following Makoto's words, Kamuro realized she had said the wrong thing. She stiffly turned her head toward Honami, only to see her flashing a kind smile at her.

Sakayanagi was doing the same.

Could it be?

Kamuro decided to go all out; she was already at rock bottom, so any direction she moved would be an improvement.

"Sakayanagi, you wouldn't happen to also...?"

"It is very impolite to point fingers at other people's feelings, Kamuro-san~"

Sakayanagi said elegantly, continuing to pick out the ingredients she liked without missing a beat.

"It seems you haven't been exercising enough lately, you have so much energy~ Not bad, not bad."

Kamuro was defeated; she simply couldn't become the brave person she imagined herself to be.

It was better to just be a follower.

She thought this to herself silently, that way, no matter what happened, she wouldn't be held responsible.

"I'll come help you!"

Kamuro abandoned her alliance with Makoto and joined the shopping group, leaving the latter alone to stand in the wind... or rather, the fluorescent lights, in a daze.

Is it not a good look for him to just be standing here?

However, Honami didn't criticize him, so it should be fine.

Yes, that's right, that's it.

It's definitely not that he didn't want to help!

"What are you all having for dinner tonight?"

The moment that had to come finally arrived. Looking at Kushida, who had suddenly appeared, Makoto's expression was one of helplessness.

Very well, there are five people now. Are there any others? Bring them on!

"I didn't get to talk to Makoto during the study session, can I come too?"

Kei had appeared by Makoto's side before he knew it.

Fine, fine, fine, six people now.

The key is that besides him, everyone else is a girl. Good heavens!

He had never hated his past ideals so much.

Is this heaven? No, this is hell!

"It looks like I'll have to start charging a fee in the future."

Honami sighed; even she could feel exhausted.

Six whole mouths to feed!!!

She felt like her culinary skills were being challenged.

"It's fine, I don't mind."

Kei spoke up first. If she were to eat someone else's cooking every day, it would only be right to pay for it.

"Me too."

Kushida followed closely behind. She wasn't just here for herself; she was here for Ayanokoji.

Yes, that's right, that's it.

She thought this firmly to herself; it was definitely not because she really wanted to spend more time with Makoto!