The next afternoon, the dismissal bell rang at the usual time. But unlike yesterday's lifeless silence, Class D had a little more energy today. Quite a few people kept glancing toward Hirata, whether intentionally or not. Yesterday's study session had clearly made a difference. Even if it hadn't immediately improved everyone's grades, at least it had given them a clear goal. Natsukawa was unhurriedly packing his modern Japanese textbook into his bag, planning to keep his library appointment with Sakura, when a large hand gently came to rest on his shoulder.
Natsukawa turned around and met Ayanokoji's perpetually dead-fish eyes.
"Natsukawa." Ayanokoji's voice was flat. "I need a favor."
"Hm?" Natsukawa raised an eyebrow, surprised that this "human Gundam" was asking for help.
"Horikita wants me to convince Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo to join her study group." Ayanokoji kept it brief.
"Oh?" Natsukawa gave him an amused smile. "That doesn't sound like the kind of trouble you'd volunteer for. What did she offer you?"
Ayanokoji fell silent for two seconds. His dull eyes shifted almost imperceptibly to the side. "First, she treated me to a meal at the fancy restaurant in Keyaki Mall."
Natsukawa immediately understood. He could almost picture the scene: Horikita leading Ayanokoji, both of them expressionless, to the cafeteria and telling him she'd treat him to a big meal and he could order whatever he liked. Then, once he'd taken his first bite, she'd shown her true colors—no, sprung her real motive.
Holding back a laugh, he asked, "And then?"
"Just after I took my first bite of tempura, she said, 'You've eaten it, right? Since you've accepted my hospitality, you should pay the appropriate price.'" Ayanokoji's voice remained steady, though it carried a hint of resignation. "Then she told me to round up Sudo and the others for a study session with her."
"Pfft..." Natsukawa finally burst out laughing. "That's so like you, Ayanokoji. You fell right into a woman's trap."
He patted Ayanokoji on the shoulder, his tone tinged with schadenfreude. "So, now you're busy dealing with Horikita's request?"
"It's not you. It's us." Ayanokoji nodded, then said without a change in expression, "'That's what good friends do. We help each other out. Today you give me a hand, tomorrow I'll give you a push.' That's what you said before."
"..."
Natsukawa's expression froze. Those were clearly the words he'd made up at the start of the school year to mooch off Ayanokoji's help carrying his things. Now they'd come back like a boomerang and smacked him squarely in the face. Looking at Ayanokoji's utterly blank expression, Natsukawa couldn't tell whether the guy was naturally devious or doing it on purpose.
"What were you planning to do?" Natsukawa sighed and asked resignedly.
"I spoke to each of them separately," Ayanokoji replied. "I explained to Ike that if he failed and was expelled, he'd no longer be able to spend time with Kushida and the others. I told Yamauchi that if he kept fooling around, he'd be poor for the rest of his life. And I pointed out to Sudo that failing his academic classes could affect his club activities."
Hearing the very Ayanokoji-like, rational analysis that went straight for each person's weakness, Natsukawa couldn't help rubbing his forehead. "And how did it go?"
"They all refused." Ayanokoji didn't sound the least bit surprised. "Ike and Yamauchi think they can scrape by with some last-minute cramming, like they always have. Sudo said basketball practice was more important."
"Figures." Natsukawa wasn't surprised. "That matter-of-fact approach of yours won't work on those three clowns. If they listened to that kind of cost-benefit analysis, Class D wouldn't be in this state. That approach might work on someone as rational as Horikita, or..."
He paused, his gaze shifting to the front of the classroom, where a short-haired girl surrounded by several other girls was laughing brightly.
"...You need Kushida to do the convincing."
He patted Ayanokoji on the shoulder. "Come on. I don't want to waste too much time on those three. It's time to bring out our class's 'social nuke.'"
First, he went over to Sakura Airi, who had already packed her bag and was waiting quietly, and leaned down to whisper a few words to her. Sakura nodded obediently and said softly, "I-I'll wait for you at the library," then slipped away with her bag in her arms.
Natsukawa and Ayanokoji headed straight for Kushida Kikyo, who was getting ready to leave.
"Sorry to bother you, Kushida." Natsukawa gave her a suitably troubled smile.
At the sound of his voice, Kushida turned around, her face immediately lighting up with a warm, cheerful smile like the spring sun. "Oh, Natsukawa and Ayanokoji! What's up? Is there anything I can help you with?" Her voice was bright and sweet, and her short brown hair fluttered as she turned. She radiated a completely sunny warmth.
Natsukawa briefly explained that Horikita wanted to organize a study group and that the three boys had refused to cooperate. Then he said earnestly, "We thought that if you invited them, Kushida, you'd have a much better chance of getting them to come."
Kushida listened attentively, lightly touching her chin with a slender finger as her long eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings. The afternoon sunlight traced a soft halo around her, making her look like a devout saint beneath the stained-glass windows of a church.
"Oh, I see..." she said softly, her eyes showing just the right amount of concern. "Horikita's trying to help everyone, too. Ike and the others really do need some help... I'd be happy to give it a try!"
Just as Natsukawa was about to thank her, she changed tack. She clasped her hands in front of herself and looked at him expectantly. "But, Natsukawa, I have a condition, too~ If I manage to convince them, I want to join Horikita's study group! I want to do my part for the class, too!"
Natsukawa understood. Kushida's goal had always been to "become friends with everyone." Getting involved in the study group would expand her influence and give her the perfect opportunity to get closer to Horikita, that "unapproachable beauty." Of course, that was only what it looked like on the surface; everyone knew the real situation. (Ayanokoji: ?)
He kept his expression neutral and nodded in agreement instead. "Of course. But there's something I should warn you about first: Horikita's personality is... a little unusual. She might refuse to let anyone who wasn't invited by her join."
He watched Kushida's expression and continued, "Of course, I'm sure someone as considerate as you can find a way to make it work for everyone if you really want to join, right?"
Kushida's smile froze for an instant, like a small stone had dropped into a calm lake. But it soon returned, brighter than before. "Mm! I understand! Just leave it to me to improvise when the time comes!"
She gave him a playful wink and made a gesture promising she'd get the job done. Sunlight danced in her hair. Her flawless angelic image almost made it easy to miss the glint that flashed briefly in her eyes.
"But, first, could we exchange contact information? I don't have either of your numbers yet."
"Sure, Kushida. Here's my number. You can ask Ayanokoji for his."
"No problem. Here's my contact information."
"Great. Make sure you accept my friend request right away, okay? I have plans to meet a classmate at a café, so I'll see you later. I'll let you know as soon as I have an update about Sudo joining the study group."
"Thanks, Kushida. I'll leave it to you." Natsukawa smiled as he watched her leave, then turned to Ayanokoji. "All set. Now we just have to see how our little angel works her magic. Hmph, Yamauchi will bow his head and come groveling in no time."
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