I'll Be Waiting for You in the Classroom

However, the next day, he began to regret the decision he had made yesterday.

Lunch break.

Watching Kei, who was tugging at his hand and enthusiastically trying to drag him to lunch, he furrowed his brow into a deep frown.

"Hey, hurry up, why are you dragging your feet?" Kei said with dissatisfaction.

She seemed to ignore the stunned gazes of the people around them.

At this moment, Horikita, who was preparing to go to lunch with her classmates, also cast her gaze over.

She only observed for two seconds before walking over without hesitation and grabbing Kei's wrist:

"Let go."

Horikita's words were like the cold wind of September, blowing through Kei's heart and causing the girl to shiver involuntarily.

However, she stared back at Horikita without showing any weakness:

"Why are you grabbing my hand? Let go!"

"I should be the one asking what you're doing. Are you trying to provoke me?" Horikita said coldly.

By now, the surrounding classmates had also reacted and began whispering to each other.

"Damn, what is going on?"

"How could that Kei... am I seeing things?"

"Fight! Fight!"

In the distance, Hasebe watched the three of them with interest, her eyes full of gossip.

If this country had sunflower seeds, she would probably have taken them out to snack on.

Sakura Airi, standing beside her, tugged at her clothes and asked cautiously:

"Jiajia, what are they doing?"

Hasebe shook her head, looked at her, and said, "You wouldn't understand, don't ask."

"How would I not understand..." Sakura muttered in a low voice.

Her beautiful eyes looked at the figure at the center of the storm, lost in thought.

She still remembered the time Bai Ye tricked her onto the rooftop with a love letter; later, she just took it as a prank.

However, through her usual observations, she felt that he shouldn't be that kind of bad person and couldn't possibly do such a thing.

And Hasebe's praise also made her feel that it was all a misunderstanding.

She felt that she should properly thank this person; it was he who allowed her to make friends.

Back to Bai Ye's side.

He looked at Kei helplessly and said:

"Just go eat by yourself. It's not like you don't have friends, why are you dragging me along?"

Kei raised an eyebrow:

"You're my best friend, why can't I look for you?"

"Best friend?" Horikita's gaze was as strange as everyone else's. She looked down at the two hands still held together, "Is this what you call a best friend?"

"What's wrong with best friends holding hands? Why do you care so much?"

Kei showed no sign of fear and spoke righteously, "Go away, go eat with your own friends."

"I'm not going anymore." Horikita looked at Bai Ye, "Is everything she said true?"

"...Basically correct, but best friends don't need to hold hands, so... sorry."

He pulled his hand back, and Kei glared at him with dissatisfaction.

Horikita said, "Let's go, I'm coming with you two."

Taking one in each hand, she dragged them out of the classroom.

If they didn't leave, he was afraid he would be pierced to death by the gazes of others.

Accompanied by the disappointed looks of their classmates, they moved far away from the classroom.

Of course, no one dared to follow them; after all, no one in the class dared to provoke these two girls, and adding Bai Ye to the mix made them even more untouchable.

Not long after leaving the classroom, Kei immediately shook off Horikita's hand, her brows furrowed:

"Horikita, what are you doing?"

"You have the nerve to ask me... tell me, what is your goal?"

"Goal? I don't know what you're talking about..." Kei's eyes darted away, then she looked at Bai Ye, "Hurry up and tell her off for me, are you still my best friend or not?"

"Uh... actually, I'm curious about your goal too."

"..."

Under the gaze of the two, even Karuizawa couldn't help but blush despite her thick skin. She stomped her foot and said indignantly:

"Alright, alright, I'll tell you. I just want to get closer to Jingu. After all, what if I get bullied in class as a girl?"

Horikita: "Who would dare bully you? Are you joking?"

"Like you, for instance... and that red-haired brat."

The red-haired person she referred to was Sudo. Although she wasn't afraid of Sudo and he wouldn't dare oppose her openly, she knew that if he really decided to resort to violence, she wouldn't stand a chance. Given Sudo's lack of brains, it was entirely possible he might actually do it.

Horikita scrutinized her with a sharp gaze: "Are you sure that's all? It's not because... you want me to break up with Jingu?"

"..." Karuizawa lowered her head guiltily and scratched her cheek. "How could that be... stop joking... haha."

Anyone could tell from her expression that she was lying. Horikita sighed softly:

"You can go. I'll let you eat with him next time."

"Eh, you're being that kind?" Karuizawa asked suspiciously.

"I trust him... Anyway, there's nothing left for you here. Go on."

"Oh."

Karuizawa glanced at the two of them and walked away quickly.

After she left, Horikita stepped forward and took his hand: "Let's go eat too. I'm a bit hungry."

As he was led away, Bai Ye hesitated for a moment before asking:

"Aren't you going to ask me anything... like about Karuizawa?"

"No need, I trust you," Horikita said. "If there's something you really want to tell me, you'll tell me when the time is right, and I'll listen to you slowly."

"..."

For some reason, he suddenly felt an inexplicable stirring in his heart.

Horikita's words seemed simple, but they conveyed immense trust.

It made his heart feel warm.

After walking for a while, Horikita spoke again:

"Are you free this afternoon?"

"I still have some Student Council work today, so I'll be late... why don't you go ahead..."

"I'll wait for you," Horikita replied decisively, giving him no chance to continue.

"Alright."

He nodded helplessly.

She was being so firm and assertive at a time like this; if he were a young girl, his eyes would already be sparkling with stars.

Afterward, they went to the cafeteria and ordered their meals.

It had been a while since they had eaten together, and Bai Ye quite missed this feeling.

So, while eating, he picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks, blew on it to cool it down, and brought it to Horikita's lips:

"Here, Horikita, say ah~"

The girl blushed slightly, put down her chopsticks, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and leaned in to precisely take the food from his chopsticks.

She then covered her mouth slightly with her hand and chewed elegantly.

The sight stirred Bai Ye's heart, and after she swallowed, he repeated the action.

Horikita did not refuse and obediently accepted the food again.

Just like that, the food on his plate gradually disappeared, all ending up in Horikita's stomach.

Looking at his empty plate, Horikita frowned and slid her own tray in front of him:

"You eat mine."

"Okay."

He ate the food Horikita had left behind, feeling that it tasted even better than usual.

Once he finished eating, the two cleaned up and left the cafeteria.

Before leaving, Horikita said coldly: "I'll wait for you in the classroom after school."

"Mm."

He nodded and let go of their joined hands.

Watching the girl's retreating figure, the tenderness in his eyes deepened.