Woman, You're Quite Interesting

The world was full of surprises. He had originally set his sights on Hasebe, but never expected to end up as Horikita's boyfriend.

And yet, he found he couldn't bring himself to feel happy.

That made sense. His feelings for Horikita Suzune were still limited to her appearance. Though her sincerity had touched him a little yesterday, it wasn't enough to make him infatuated with her.

And she had clearly said she didn't like him.

He'd have to be crazy to feel happy about that.

But fortunately, he was the sort of man who developed feelings for women over time. He could slowly cultivate feelings he didn't have yet.

The trouble was, he still didn't know what he was supposed to do.

With that inexplicable feeling weighing on him, two more days passed. He didn't say a word to Horikita or go looking for her during that time.

Horikita didn't pay it any mind at first. It was only today, the third day, that she finally came to his dorm room.

"What exactly are you doing?" the black-haired beauty demanded, full of bluster.

"What's wrong?"

He sounded a little tired.

"Didn't we agree to work hard together?"

"Then do you know what we're supposed to do?" He looked up at Horikita's lovely, refined face.

The girl frowned, but somehow looked even prettier for it.

No wonder she was a beauty. No matter what expression she made, she never seemed unpleasant.

Horikita sighed and took out a boxed lunch, setting it on his desk.

"Didn't you say last time that you wanted to try my cooking? Here it is. Eat."

He paused, then ran his hand over the steaming lunchbox and said languidly, "That's thoughtful of you... But why would you do something like this? It's nothing like you."

"That's a really obnoxious thing to say. Aren't you my boyfriend? I don't like making you lunch, but you're so pitiful that I figured doing it once wouldn't hurt."

Horikita spoke coldly, wearing an expression that suggested she was doing him a favor.

Her expression irritated him a little, but when he thought about the care she'd put into it, Bai Ye still felt a warmth in his chest.

"In that case, I'll take it. Thanks."

"Hmph!"

Horikita folded her arms and turned away.

The room was dim, but with twice the eyesight of an ordinary person, he could still see a flush creeping up the side of her neck.

He smiled faintly and pointed to the spot beside him.

"Sit down. Let's talk."

"What is there to talk about...?" Horikita hesitated for a long moment, then sat down.

"Hey, Horikita, do you have any hobbies?"

"Reading, studying, and exercising."

"...I meant hobbies."

"Why can't those be hobbies? I like doing them. What else am I supposed to do, argue with you?"

"You think I want to argue with you? It's not like I have that much free time."

"Likewise. Watch what you say from now on, or don't blame me if I..." Horikita pulled a pair of compasses from her chest. Their sharp point glinted. "...teach you a lesson."

"..."

Bai Ye was at a loss for words. "Why do you carry a weapon around? What man would ever marry you like that?"

"It's for self-defense. Don't worry—as long as you don't try anything with me, I won't do anything to you."

While Horikita was going on, he snatched the compasses from her and tossed them into a corner.

Then he looked at her smugly. "And now? What are you going to do?"

Horikita looked taken aback, then said angrily, "Why did you throw my things? Go pick them up."

"I'm not picking them up."

"...I didn't expect you to be that kind of person. But..." Horikita pulled another pair from her pocket. "I saw that coming. Go on, pick them up."

"Uh... Fine."

He was strong enough to stand up to Horikita, but these were compasses. It wouldn't be fun if one of them accidentally poked a hole in him while they were messing around.

So he had no choice but to give in.

But just as he was about to hand the compasses back to Horikita, he quickly snatched up the other pair and tossed both pairs into the corner.

All's fair in war. Horikita had slipped up twice in a row, and he couldn't help laughing at her.

"You..."

Horikita was just about to protest when he pounced on her, grabbed both her wrists, and pinned her to the bed.

Her long black hair spread across the bed. The girl's exquisite face registered surprise, but the next second she began to struggle fiercely.

"Let go... you pervert!"

"You really are a bad person..."

"I'll bite you!"

"..."

After half a minute of struggling in vain, Horikita finally gave up. She panted slightly and shot him a chilling glare.

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

"Now you understand how big the strength difference between men and women is, right? Maybe you'll be a little nicer to me now?"

"I understand now. So what?" Horikita's expression gradually turned cold. She let all the strength drain from her body, tilted her head back, and bared her pale neck. "Go ahead. Give free rein to those disgusting, filthy desires of yours."

"If I do, will you kill me?"

"No. I'll cut off your equipment."

"..."

Bai Ye sighed and let her go.

Only then did Horikita's gaze soften. She sat up and straightened her disheveled clothes.

Then she stood. "If there's nothing else, I'm going back."

After she'd taken two steps, Bai Ye spoke up.

"Wait. I'll be waiting for you downstairs in the dorm tomorrow morning. Get up early."

Horikita considered it for a moment, then nodded.

"Anything else?"

"And... I'm sorry about what just happened."

"I see." Horikita looked at him and teased, "I understand. I am a beautiful girl, after all. It's only natural you couldn't control yourself for a moment."

"But since you managed to restrain yourself, I'll give you a little praise this once."

At Horikita's words, the trace of guilt on his face vanished at once. He said flatly, "Then I thank Lady Horikita for her gracious favor... I bid Lady Horikita farewell."

"Don't bother."

Horikita tossed her beautiful hair and swept away with a graceful stride, leaving her lovely silhouette behind.

Bai Ye was left staring after her, speechless.

"That woman really is... interesting."