The Last Meal Before Leaving School

"Ding-a-ling..."

The bell signaling the end of the exam rang out, and many students in Class B stretched their bodies to relieve the fatigue of the day.

This phenomenon had become contagious, and Makoto, affected by the atmosphere, couldn't help but move his body involuntarily as well.

"It seems we got the same score this time."

Kanzaki Ryuji revealed a rare smile. He subconsciously turned his head toward Makoto, only to see him looking completely lethargic.

"Uh... I don't think you're going to like what I'm about to say."

Makoto had always been one to speak his mind, but this time, he felt he should beat around the bush.

Kanzaki Ryuji couldn't understand Makoto's hesitation, so he said:

"It doesn't matter, go ahead and say it."

"I scored 100 because the test was only worth 100, while you scored 100 because your ability is limited to 100."

"Fine, it's my fault, please shut up."

Kanzaki Ryuji turned his head back with a dark expression; he shouldn't have opened his mouth to let him continue.

Did he have no pride at all?

"By the way, I'm heading off campus tomorrow."

"Why are you telling me this?"

Kanzaki Ryuji felt puzzled, though his brows furrowed a moment later.

"Off campus? Do you have something to do?"

"Nothing much, just going out to participate in a swimming competition and bringing back a trophy."

"..."

"I finally understand why you don't have any friends."

Kanzaki Ryuji didn't want to deal with Makoto anymore.

Anyone who was friends with a person like this would only feel immense pressure; it was as if his strength existed in a different dimension, making one feel intimidated.

"I was wrong, will you please forgive me?"

Makoto felt that this sentence was becoming increasingly natural for him to say.

Kanzaki Ryuji helplessly turned his head toward him once more:

"Anything else? If not, I'll be busy in a moment."

"Nothing else, you were the first to know about that news, you know."

Seeing that Kanzaki Ryuji didn't take his previous words to heart, Makoto replied with a grin.

Kanzaki Ryuji couldn't help but chuckle; this was really...

It left one at a loss for words.

Returning to Room 301, Honami and Kei were already waiting there. Kushida Kikyo was nowhere to be seen; it seemed she had gone off to manage her social circle.

"Where are Arisu and Kamuro?"

Makoto looked left and right but didn't see the two of them.

He felt this was a truly incredible occurrence.

"Them... I asked Arisu to help me handle some class matters. They should be here soon."

Honami explained, her hands never stopping their work; it looked as if her stir-frying skills had reached a state of perfection.

She could easily handle cooking for three or four more people without breaking a sweat.

"Uh... did something happen?"

Makoto still wanted to ask about the specifics.

"It's nothing, don't worry, Makoto!"

Honami took a moment of respite to stand on her tiptoes, tilt her head, and gently kiss Makoto, who was standing beside her. Her full, bright red lips looked as if they were about to drip blood.

Although Kei had been staring at them, she didn't see this moment due to her angle.

From her perspective, she only saw Honami turn her head, and Makoto happened to turn his head toward her as well; she remained completely oblivious to the rest.

After watching for a while, Makoto walked over to her side to begin teaching her the basics, and Kei had no choice but to put her thoughts aside and focus on her studies.

Time is like water in a sponge; if you squeeze it, there will always be some.

"Am I late?"

Sakayanagi Arisu opened the door and walked in with Kamuro.

"Wait, since when did you have the key to my room?"

Makoto immediately noticed the problem. Did Honami give Sakayanagi Arisu a copy of the key?

How did he not know about this? This was his room!

"Didn't Honami tell you? I've had this key for a long time now~"

Arisu Sakayanagi pursed her lips into a smile that was quite beautiful, though at this moment, no one present had the heart to appreciate it.

Makoto was surprised by the fact that there was an extra key, Kei was mentally urging herself to improve, and Masumi Kamuro looked completely numb; this was the first time she had learned of this, too.

She had just been about to knock on the door to ask Honami to open it, only to watch Arisu Sakayanagi smoothly pull out a dormitory key card and open the door herself.

Regarding this, all she could say was:

What the...

As for Honami... she was still stir-frying, and besides, this was exactly what she had asked Arisu Sakayanagi to duplicate, so why would she be surprised?

"Fine, I just mentioned it, feel free to come in whenever you want from now on."

Makoto gave up on caring; his room was clean, tidy, and odorless, so let her come in—would a real man be afraid of something like this?

However, was it because Arisu Sakayanagi was physically frail that Honami felt at ease handing over the key card to his dormitory room?

Makoto didn't know, and he didn't dare ask.

He had already learned by now what should be said and what should not.

"I'm heading off-campus tomorrow for a swimming competition. Will Honami still be coming over to make bento boxes tomorrow morning?"

"What? Why didn't you tell me about such an important thing sooner!"

Honami jumped up like a startled cat, the spatula in her hand clattering into the pan, but she had no time to worry about that as she hurriedly asked:

"About when will you be back?"

"Tomorrow night or the morning after, maybe?"

Makoto wasn't entirely sure; the possibility of returning the same day wasn't zero, and if possible, he hoped to get some proper rest.

In every sense of the word.

Humans really are such self-sabotaging creatures~

"While there's still time, Kei, come over and help me stir-fry this; I need to go downstairs to buy something."

With just a quick greeting, Honami rushed out in a flurry.

"Uh... I'll just do it myself."

Makoto took over the dish Honami had left unfinished.

Don't let his appearance fool you; cooking was actually one of his specialties, though there were rarely opportunities for him to show it off.

If you asked why, it was because Honami spoiled him.

"Sigh, I really don't know what to say about you."

Arisu Sakayanagi shook her head and let out a silent sigh, but since Makoto was still right in front of her, she didn't want to say too much, so she whispered to Masumi Kamuro on the side:

"See? Never look for a man like this in the future."

"?"

Masumi Kamuro looked at Arisu Sakayanagi with a head full of question marks; was it really appropriate for you to be the one saying that?

"Right, what were you two doing in class just now?"

"Nothing much, just pacifying the students in the class."

Arisu Sakayanagi said indifferently. She never really cared much about graduating from Class A, so she had just spouted a mix of sweet talk and nonsense.

This school belonged to her family anyway; what difference did it make whether she was in Class A or not?

"I see..."

As expected, it wasn't as relaxed as Honami had made it sound; the narrow gap in class points between Class B and Class A was still putting immense pressure on the students of Class A.

Arisu Sakayanagi had stayed behind in the classroom precisely for this reason.

Makoto, who was lost in thought while stir-frying, suddenly had a brilliant idea (not).

"Did you think of a good idea?"

Seeing the look on Makoto's face, Arisu Sakayanagi knew he had come up with something, and she wanted to hear his thoughts.

"I wouldn't call it a good idea, but you'll know in a moment."

Makoto gave Arisu a mysterious smile.

He wanted to keep her in suspense for now.

If he just answered everything people asked him, wouldn't he lose all his dignity?