This Is Heaven? No, This Is Hell!

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

the fact that they no longer needed her.

She couldn't say exactly how she felt, but Horikita quickly calmed down.

Compared to the matter with her brother, this was insignificant.

This was fine, too. She needed to think carefully about what she should say when she saw her brother tonight.

"Let's call it a day. Looks like starting tomorrow, even lunchtime won't be peaceful."

After stretching, Makoto sighed with feeling. Studying together with everyone felt really nice!

All this time, he'd been alone and out of step with those around him. Being able to work hard alongside everyone like this was truly unbelievable to him.

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

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

"Yes, ma'am!"

Hearing Honami's words, Makoto blinked.

He straightened up and answered in kind.

Everyone around them cast strange looks their way.

Honami puffed out her ample chest. She no longer felt embarrassed about it.

There was nothing shameful about this. She needed to properly teach Makoto how to become a respectable adult.

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

Sakayanagi came over just then and asked without the slightest hesitation:

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

Makoto glanced at Honami and saw that she didn't seem opposed, so he nodded in agreement.

Ayanokoji nudged Kushida's shoulder with his elbow. She turned to look at him, puzzled.

He gestured with his eyes toward Makoto and Honami.

Kushida nodded as if she'd suddenly understood.

Ayanokoji wasn't sure whether Kushida had grasped what he meant, but this was the best he could do for now.

Ike and Yamauchi had already hooked their arms around him from either side and dragged him away. It was time for the interrogation.

Meanwhile, Makoto and Honami—

"Let's go to the supermarket and buy some ingredients first. We should make sure to treat Makoto to something nice tonight!"

Everything was going quite well.

Sakayanagi had come along too, so Kamuro had no choice but to trail behind the three of them with an annoyed look on her face.

"What makes today different from usual?"

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

Honami rose onto her tiptoes and lightly tapped Makoto on the head with her knuckle, her tone carrying a hint of reproach.

"Fine. Looks like I'm truly hopeless."

So this was what Honami was like in this world?

After everything that had happened, Makoto suddenly realized that this Honami wasn't the same as the Honami he knew.

In this life, thanks to his involvement, Honami had grown up bright and cheerful, showing no signs of turning dark.

Until now, it had all just been wishful thinking on his part.

Honami had grown into a respectable adult. If he had to name a flaw, it might be her feelings for him.

But to Makoto, that was definitely a good thing.

"That's true. I also think you're truly hopeless."

Kamuro, walking at the back of the group, looked entirely in agreement. Watching them was driving her crazy.

She wished she could jump in and take Makoto's place, getting all close and cuddly with Honami herself.

"Don't say that. I'm the only one who's allowed to say that about Makoto."

Honami shot Kamuro a sharp look, then tapped Makoto on the head again.

"Wait, why?"

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

Fine, fine. So he wasn't even allowed to make fun of himself anymore.

Hearing Honami's words, Makoto dutifully started hauling things for them.

Kamuro was so jealous she nearly ground her back teeth to dust.

No, seriously, why?

How could the two of you have such a good relationship?

Could you tell her the secret?

At the supermarket, Sakayanagi and Honami picked out ingredients while Makoto and Kamuro stood to the side, bored.

Unable to hold back any longer, Kamuro asked the question she'd been thinking about.

"If you want to know, why not just ask them yourself?"

Makoto looked completely unconcerned, which made Kamuro want to punch him.

"Also, how did you know about what was going on in Class D?"

That's right. At the study session, she'd only asked one question, but he'd answered as if he already knew the truth.

She was curious.

"I'm just saying, don't you know that getting curious about a guy is often the first step to falling for him?"

"Bullshit!"

Kamuro blushed as she retorted. She was angry—

"Who would ever fall for someone like you?"

"Uh... you know Honami's right here, don't you?"

As Makoto spoke, Kamuro realized she'd said the wrong thing. She stiffly turned her head toward Honami, who gave her a friendly smile.

Sakayanagi was smiling, too.

Could it be...?

Kamuro decided to go for broke. She was already at rock bottom, so there was nowhere to go but up.

"Sakayanagi, could it be that you also...?"

"It's very rude to meddle in other people's feelings, Kamuro."

Sakayanagi spoke elegantly as she continued picking up the ingredients she liked.

"Seems like you've been getting too little exercise lately. You've got plenty of energy, huh~ Not bad, not bad."

Kamuro was defeated. She couldn't become the courageous person she'd imagined herself to be.

She'd be better off as a follower.

She silently thought that way. No matter what happened, she wouldn't end up taking the blame.

"I'll help you!"

Kamuro abandoned her alliance with Makoto and joined the shopping team, leaving him alone to stand there in a daze... under the lights.

Was it really okay for him to just stand here?

Honami hadn't scolded him, so presumably it was fine.

Yeah, that was it.

It wasn't that he didn't want to help!

"What are you all having for dinner tonight?"

At last, the inevitable came. When he saw Kushida suddenly appear, Makoto looked utterly helpless.

Great. There were already five people. Anyone else? Come on in!

"I didn't get to talk to Makoto at all during the study session. Can I come too?"

Kei had appeared beside Makoto at some point.

Great, great. Six people now.

The thing was, everyone except him was a girl. Good grief!

He had never hated his old ideals more than he did at that moment.

Was this heaven? No, this was hell!

"Looks like we'll have to start charging people from now on."

Honami sighed. Even she could get tired.

Six whole mouths to feed!!!

She felt like her cooking skills were being put to the test.

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

Kei was the first to speak. If she was eating food someone else cooked every day, it was only right to offer something in return.

"Me neither."

Kushida chimed in right after her. She hadn't come here only for herself, but for Ayanokoji, too.

Yes, that was it.

She thought so with conviction. It wasn't because she really wanted to spend more time with Makoto!