If It Were Someone Else?

He released Horikita's hand when they reached a deserted corner.

"Go ahead and ask. I'll tell you anything."

Horikita nodded and said,

"Why did you want me to make friends with them?"

"To improve your social skills. At your current level, you're worse than a middle schooler."

Horikita nodded stiffly. "And then?"

"Socializing is a practical lesson. If you don't put it into practice, then no matter how many books you read, it's all just theory."

"Oh."

"Are you unhappy about it?"

"No... If you want me to do it, I can try. It's just..."

Horikita looked up at him.

"Are you really okay with me getting along with other people? Won't you get jealous?"

"...Sigh. I really can't keep any secrets from you."

Bai Ye nodded helplessly. "Of course I'll be unhappy. My wish is to make Suzune mine alone."

Hearing him say it so bluntly, Horikita glared at him in embarrassment. She was about to punch his shoulder to hide her shyness, but Bai Ye caught her wrist and pulled her into his arms.

His gentle words brushed against her ear.

"This is a more convenient way to talk."

"You... let go... Someone might come by."

Horikita struggled slightly, the tips of her ears bright red.

Bai Ye continued, "But more than what I want, I want to see you happy. That's what makes me happy."

He knew that true love wasn't about taking, but giving. Seeing the person you loved happy was what brought real happiness.

Yet truly putting that into practice was almost impossible. Everyone had their own selfish desires, and he was no exception.

Some parents loved their children, yet still wanted to dominate and control them.

The two things weren't contradictory.

Romantic love was ultimately selfish; only great love was selfless.

"Of course, I'm not asking you to give them your whole heart. I still want you to show your truest self only to me."

Horikita's gaze turned distant. "Is that okay...? Wouldn't that mean I was using them?"

Bai Ye sighed softly.

"How do you know they truly want to be friends with you, with no selfish motives?"

"...Then never mind. I don't want to scheme against them."

"If you don't try, you'll never understand. Just like what happened a moment ago," he said. "You could've ignored Sudo. Why did you have to run your mouth and call him an idiot?"

"Isn't he an idiot?"

"He is."

"See? You think so too."

"Of course I know he's an idiot. Not just you and me—the whole class knows. But why don't they say it?"

"They're afraid he'll hit them?"

"Exactly." Horikita had a good grasp of the situation, though she could be a little rigid.

Bai Ye went on, "There are so many idiots on the street. Do you have to point out every single one? If something doesn't need to be said, don't say it. Like how you're an idiot—have I ever said that out loud?"

"You called me an idiot?" Horikita pinched his soft flesh at once, glaring at him.

Bai Ye held back, but when he saw her lovely face, faintly angry, he unexpectedly found her cute.

Was this what they meant by love being blind?

There was no hope for him. He might as well find a place to bury himself.

"...Did I say that?"

"You did. I heard you loud and clear."

"All right... Actually, I think a slightly silly Suzune is pretty cute."

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Horikita pinched him harder, embarrassment and annoyance showing on her face again.

"Suzune, do you like dogs?"

"Who are you calling a dog!?" Horikita tugged open his collar. "You think I won't really bite you to death?"

"Go ahead. I won't fight back."

Horikita stared at him for a few seconds, then lowered her head and really did bite him.

Hiss—

Bai Ye sucked in a sharp breath.

Just as he was about to cry out, he suddenly felt a cool sensation where she had bitten him.

A soft, slick tongue glided over his skin.

He quickly realized what it was.

He couldn't help wrapping an arm around Horikita's waist. His other hand settled on the back of her head, helping her move more easily.

After a long while, the girl seemed tired. She leaned her head against his shoulder and tilted it up slightly.

Meeting her bright eyes, he saw her lovely face, full of springtime charm, flushed faintly as her little mouth parted to catch her breath.

"So beautiful..." he murmured, placing his hand against her pretty face.

As he gently caressed her, the girl let out a dreamy little "Mm..."

They shared a tender moment longer. Then, coming back to herself from the emotions she couldn't quite name, Horikita straightened her clothes and lowered her head with a hint of shyness.

"I'll talk to them. I just don't know what to say yet... Could you come with me...?"

"If I'm there too, it'll be completely different... How about this? I'll ask a girl to help you. You know her—Wang Meiyu, the one sitting in front of you."

"Her?" Horikita looked up at him. "What's your relationship with her?"

"My younger sister... Uh, actually, she's my ex-girlfriend."

"Ex... So you've had a girlfriend before. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"To be honest, she was the first person I ever dated, and we only dated for a day. We didn't even kiss. You can just think of her as my younger sister."

"Your younger sister..." Horikita seemed to be thinking about something. "There was also an older sister last time... And Kushida called you Daddy. Are you looking for your family?"

"That thing with Kushida was just an accident... Anyway, don't worry. You're my girlfriend now. Nothing will happen with them beyond friendship."

"You make it sound like you're going to break up with me someday."

"Uh... What if—just hypothetically—it really happened?" he asked tentatively.

Although he'd said it jokingly, Horikita frowned slightly and lowered her head to think.

"I've never thought about that. I don't know."

"Why don't you try thinking about it?" He was saying this now so Horikita would be prepared, and wouldn't be too heartbroken later.

But he realized his own heart seemed to hurt more.

It wasn't because of the breakup. He knew he'd never let Horikita go; he just couldn't stand the thought of seeing her sad.

He understood now. This system was here to torment him. It just had it in for him.

If the system could talk, it would surely retort in exasperation: I'm obviously here to help you build a harem. Without me, would you ever date a girl in your whole life?

But he was destined never to understand the system's good intentions.

Some people just didn't know how lucky they were.

Horikita could be serious sometimes. Hearing what he'd said, she really thought it over carefully before replying,

"If that really happened, I probably wouldn't trust anyone ever again."

"..."

"But I trust you." Horikita looked at him, a trace of tenderness shining in her cool eyes. "You like me, and I like you."

"You won't abandon me. You swore an oath."

"So..."

The girl leaned close to his ear, pressed her lips together, then trembled as she planted a light kiss on his cheek.

"...I'll wait for you to come marry me."

After saying that, she covered her face and hurried away from him.

"..."

His heart began to ache.