Looks Like You're Stuck With Me

As they neared the classroom, Horikita finally pulled her hand free under the intense gazes of those around them.

He smiled but said nothing.

Yet when the two of them entered the classroom one after the other, everyone turned to look at them, their expressions varied—some envious, others relieved.

He was still wondering why when Kushida smiled brightly and explained:

"Jingu-kun, you have to check the class group chat. You and Horikita actually... Hehe..."

He opened his phone and saw the photo in the group chat of him kissing Horikita that morning.

Although it had been taken from a distance and was rather blurry, the two of them were so striking that anyone paying attention could recognize them at a glance.

He didn't bother reading the scattered messages below it. They were all discussing what had happened.

The classroom fell unusually silent, and Kushida asked the question on everyone's mind:

"Are you two really dating?"

"That's right." He nodded calmly.

"Whoa!"

"Woohoo~"

"Lame..."

"Couples like you should explode!"

Everyone reacted differently. Bai Ye could even feel several girls looking at him with faintly resentful expressions.

Sato was one of them.

Kushida, however, didn't seem fazed at all. She continued smiling sweetly.

"Congratulations, Jingu-kun. You're the first person in our class to officially start dating someone."

Before, people had only been guessing about his relationships with Horikita and Hasebe. Now, with the photo exposed and his public admission, it was official.

Seeing that Kushida still had the nerve to tease him about it, Bai Ye silently glared at her before returning to his seat.

As for Horikita, she ignored everyone around her and their varied expressions without even looking at them.

Hasebe walked into the classroom afterward and acted as if nothing had happened, answering everyone's questions normally.

By the time noon rolled around, Bai Ye was thinking of having lunch with Horikita when Hirata Yousuke came over and said warmly:

"Jingu-kun, Chabashira-sensei wants to see you."

"Let's go, then." Bai Ye furrowed his brow slightly and gave Horikita, who was sitting some distance away, a look that meant, "Wait for me." She just snorted and looked away.

He gave a wry smile. Hirata gently patted him on the shoulder.

"Want me to explain things to Horikita?"

"No need. Why are you involving yourself in her business?"

"Then let's go." Hirata led the way out of the classroom.

When they reached the teachers' office, Hirata bowed at the doorway and left him there. He went over to Chabashira Sae alone.

The beautiful teacher lounged in her chair, exuding a lazy air. He asked plainly:

"What did you want to see me about, Chabashira-sensei?"

"You're here... It's nothing much. Horikita Manabu wants to recommend you for a position on the Student Council, so he asked me to get your opinion."

"May I ask why he chose me? There must be plenty of students more capable than I am, like Hirata and Kushida."

"How would I know?" Chabashira glanced at him. "My guess is he wants to keep you close and keep an eye on you?"

"I'm just an ordinary student. Why would anyone need to keep an eye on me? Teacher, should I take this as a form of imprisonment?"

His tone was rather cold.

He suspected that the timing wasn't a coincidence. Horikita Manabu must have seen a photo of his sister kissing a guy in public, and summoned him in a fit of anger.

Joining the Student Council was just an excuse. He simply wanted to put him in his place.

If he actually joined, they'd make him run around serving tea and dump all the dirty, exhausting jobs on him. He'd be worked to death.

"Oh, and Horikita Manabu also said he'd let you off for lying to him last time. If you refuse to join the Student Council, you have to break up with Horikita Suzune right away." Chabashira watched him with a slightly teasing look.

"...I understand."

In the end, he nodded.

He really had been in the wrong when he lied to Horikita Manabu last time, so he had no grounds to argue now.

He could only swallow his anger.

"Go see him right after school this afternoon. He'll be waiting in the Student Council president's office."

With that final instruction, Chabashira sent him on his way.

When he returned to the classroom, he saw Horikita Suzune waiting for him in the hallway.

"What did Chabashira-sensei want?" she asked coolly.

"She said... Horikita Manabu wants me to join the Student Council."

"Oh. I didn't realize my brother had such high expectations of you." He could hear a note of admiration in Horikita's voice.

"What do you mean?"

"I heard that every student who applied to join the Student Council this year was rejected. But he personally singled you out. You can tell he thinks highly of your abilities."

"I don't think that's the reason."

"Hm?"

He gently took Horikita's hand and smiled.

"He's angry that I stole his beloved little sister, so he wants to use his position to make my life difficult."

"..."

Horikita's cheeks inexplicably flushed. She pulled her hand away.

"Stop saying such ridiculous things. He'd never do that. He's fair and impartial. Why would he let my affairs influence him...?"

As she spoke, Horikita's expression grew downcast. "I hope you don't let him down. Otherwise, I won't forgive you."

"Hey, don't tell me you're upset because Horikita Manabu didn't pick you for the Student Council."

"Why would I be...? Don't talk nonsense. Keep it up, and I won't make you lunch anymore!"

Seeing how suddenly worked up Horikita had become, Bai Ye knew he'd guessed right.

He stepped closer and put an arm around her waist.

"Don't be sad. You still have me. I'll take care of you from now on."

"Who said I wanted you to take care of me?"

"If you don't want me to, who will?"

"I can always find some man who's better than you. I'm pretty cute, after all."

A faint smile tugged at Bai Ye's lips. "Who was it that said she'd never throw herself into another man's arms in her life?"

"Th-then I'll just be alone. I don't need a man anyway."

"That won't do. It'd be such a shame for someone as cute as you to grow old alone."

"That'd still be better than ending up with someone like you."

"Even better, then. Your brother doesn't want you, either, so you and someone like me are a perfect match. We can just make do together."

"..."

Horikita sighed. She rested her head against his shoulder and murmured:

"You really won't leave me?"

"...I won't."

"How can I be sure?"

"If I do, you can do whatever you want with me."

"...I'll believe you this once."

"Mm." His eyelid twitched slightly. He had a bad feeling something was about to happen.

Could the "shura path" Sato had mentioned really have something to do with Horikita?

Impossible.

He shook his head, banishing the absurd thought.

"Let's find somewhere to have lunch first."

The gazes around them were growing harder to ignore, so he took Horikita's hand and hurried away.

This time, Horikita didn't resist at all. She let him lead the way.