Of Course I Like Him

Kushida Kikyou came back to her senses and took one look at Wang Meiyu's expression before seeing right through her.

She took her hand. "Meiyu, do you like Jingu?"

"Huh?"

Wang Meiyu hurriedly looked away. After sneaking a glance at Kushida, she lowered her head and stammered, "Kushida, what are you talking about...? There's no way I... like him... I don't like him, no, I don't like him at all!"

"Then why have you been staring at him with that lovestruck look? Come clean, or I won't be your friend anymore!"

Kushida Kikyou pretended to be angry.

She wasn't actually angry, nor did she want to act angry. It wouldn't be good for her image.

But she had to get to the bottom of what was going on with Bai Ye.

"Do I really have to tell you?" Wang Meiyu clutched her hand, looking pitiful.

She was very happy to have become friends with Kushida.

Kushida was considerate and looked after her, so she didn't want to lose this friend.

But that matter...

Kushida continued coaxing her. "If you really like him, I'll help you. Or did—"

"Did he do something to hurt you?"

She could tell from Wang Meiyu's expression that it wasn't just a simple crush. There was bitterness in it, so something must have happened between them.

Of course, it was only a guess. If nothing had happened, she could just treat it as a little probing.

Hearing Kushida's tone as she questioned Bai Ye, Wang Meiyu panicked and hurriedly waved her hands.

"No, no! It's my fault, all my fault. You—you mustn't blame him."

"So what happened?" Kushida asked with a smile.

"It's like this—"

Wang Meiyu thought it over and decided to tell her. They were going to be friends for a long time, after all, and it was only a matter of time before Kushida figured it out.

But she still lied, saying that she had been the one to break up with Bai Ye.

She did it because she was afraid Kushida would dislike him.

"I see..." Kushida looked at her with an odd expression. "Meiyu, I don't understand. Why did you break up with him?"

"I, I might have... Maybe I didn't really like him... I just wanted to be his little sister... Um..."

She wasn't entirely lying.

Ever since she'd confessed to him, she'd felt uneasy.

Even now, she couldn't tell what kind of feelings she had for Bai Ye.

Did she just want him to take care of her, or was there something more?

As it turned out, her unease had come true just one day later. It made her feel that Bai Ye didn't like her and only saw her as a little sister.

If only she'd known, she wouldn't have confessed.

That was also why she'd gone to Bai Ye that morning, trying to salvage their relationship.

Fortunately, it had worked. She hoped this breakup wouldn't put a crack in their relationship.

Kushida sighed softly and patted her head, trying to comfort her.

Then she thought of something and asked tentatively, "Meiyu, your first time..."

"No, no! I'm still a... a virgin..."

It was too hard for the poor girl to say it clearly, so Kushida nodded in understanding.

After that, neither of them felt like talking about anything else. They finished their meal in silence, then left the cafeteria arm in arm.

Not far away, Bai Ye and Horikita were eating quietly too.

He didn't keep pressing Horikita.

He'd already planted the idea of dating him in her mind. Pushing any further now would be too hasty.

Even though his suggestion hadn't worked, the idea would still take root in Horikita's mind. As they spent more time together, it would gradually grow, and making it a reality would come naturally.

That was what they called boiling a frog in warm water.

He could only take his time if he wanted Horikita to fall for him. Only by showing her that he was sincere would she slowly let her guard down.

Once the distance between them had faded, she would show others her cute side.

After they finished eating, the two of them left together.

When they reached the bottom of the dormitory building, he finally said, "Horikita, give me your phone number. If I hear anything about the school, I'll get in touch with you."

Horikita didn't answer. Instead, she asked, puzzled, "I've been meaning to ask—how do you know my name? Did I ever tell you?"

Bai Ye pressed a hand to his forehead. "I told you I'm your classmate. Is it so strange that I remembered your name? I've memorized everyone in Class D, actually."

Since he already knew the story, he naturally remembered most of the people in Class D. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he might as well bring up this "setting" in advance.

Horikita didn't dwell on it. "What's your name?"

"Jingu. Jingu Byakuya."

"What should I call you?"

"Just call me Dad."

"..."

Horikita looked at him as if he were an idiot. She wasn't angry, either. His words were apparently so incomprehensible that she had nothing to say.

"Why don't you call me Mom?" Horikita shot back.

"I wouldn't mind. I just thought you might hit me."

"..." Horikita was speechless again.

As if she couldn't be bothered to talk to him anymore, they exchanged phone numbers and went their separate ways.

Back in his dorm, Bai Ye stretched out comfortably on his bed.

His whole body seemed to sink into it, as if even his soul were submerged in the soft bedding.

He began thinking about his plans for the future.

He had come to the school to break up with girls. All he had to do was date one, then break up.

But even the cleverest cook couldn't make a meal without ingredients. If he wanted to get by at this school and have the means to pursue girls, he needed points—a lot of them.

And he didn't want to earn the points himself. It was too much trouble.

He was lazy. Going with the flow and doing whatever he wanted was his philosophy in life. Making money and all that was too much hassle.

He decided to have someone else do it.

The best person for the job was Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

Although he was a little wary of Ayanokoji's abilities, he still intended to make use of him. Compared with Chabashira, he had a better way to use Ayanokoji without being found out.

He raised his hand and watched the sunlight shine through his fingertips. A brilliant light gleamed in his eyes.

That exquisitely beautiful face of his softened, taking on a dreamy, intoxicating look.