Oh? / So Happy~

The people in Class B seemed to notice their arrival and went on alert.

Before long, Ichinose Honami, their leader, came out to greet them.

"You're from Class D?"

Although they were three meters apart, Ichinose's tall figure and full yet slender curves still impressed him.

She had a very cute face, too, and even when facing students from a rival class, she could still give them a warm smile.

"My name's Takeda Eito, and this is my girl—uh, friend."

He'd just been about to joke that she was his girlfriend when Suzune stepped on his foot.

Their antics made Ichinose suppress a laugh.

"You two are really close."

"Hmph." Suzune turned away, apparently with no intention of joining their conversation.

"I'm Ichinose Honami from Class B, first year. What brings you here?"

"I came to scout the competition and see if there's anything that catches my interest."

"Oh—Takeda, you're so direct. But there's nothing here for you to find. If you're planning to cause trouble, I'll personally make you leave." Ichinose's words were threatening, but there wasn't a trace of disgust on her face. Instead, she seemed more like a hostess inviting her neighbors over.

"Ichinose, you're so cute. No wonder your classmates in Class B look up to you."

"Oh, not at all. It's just a coincidence that everyone trusts me. If there's anything I haven't done well, I hope they'll point it out to me."

With her gentle, humble attitude, it must have been hard to dislike someone like her.

"It's getting late, so we should be going."

"Oh, you're leaving already? It's only been a few minutes."

"If we stay any longer, Ichinose will have to kick us out. Well, goodbye!"

He pulled Suzune away.

Ichinose was left staring blankly in the direction he'd disappeared.

A long while later...

"Hehe, what an interesting person."

Chapter 46: Oh?

"Horikita, what do you think of Class B?"

"They're united."

Even after only a glance, Suzune could tell the atmosphere in this class was completely different from theirs.

It was probably the difference between good students and bad students—or the difference between having an outstanding leader and not having one.

"So, do you want to become someone like Ichinose?"

"No." Suzune replied without hesitation.

Eito could tell she didn't fail to recognize Ichinose's appeal. It was just that her goal was someone like Horikita Manabu. With her greater ambitions, she naturally wouldn't concern herself with someone like Ichinose Honami.

Did a leader have to be someone friendly to others, like Ichinose?

No.

As long as their subordinates respected them and they had the ability to back it up, they were a competent leader.

They didn't need to win their position by sucking up to people, nor did they need to be too close to their subordinates.

In that respect, Suzune still had a chance to become Class D's leader—as long as she could prove her ability.

And in Eito's eyes, apart from Ayanokoji, Suzune was the only one in the class with real leadership potential.

In other words, Suzune was the key to the class's success or failure.

"Horikita, your goal is to catch up to your brother and earn his recognition, right?"

"I can't deny it, but I still want to ask: where did you get that information? How do you know what I'm thinking?"

Suzune looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Well... At the club recruitment fair, you kept staring at the Student Council president. You even cried. I put that together with your surnames and guessed."

"Don't make things up. I didn't cry."

Suzune accepted his explanation. "That's right. That's why I enrolled at this school. Go ahead and laugh if you want."

"Why would I laugh?"

"Because... isn't it ridiculous? Someone like me wanting to catch up to him—"

"It's not ridiculous at all." He took Suzune's hands and held them to his chest. "I really like how pure your wish is."

"Is... is that so?" Suzune lowered her head, a little embarrassed.

Being acknowledged by someone felt wonderful.

Even Suzune, who usually liked to shut herself away, couldn't stop her little heart from trembling when she heard those words.

"So many people in this world don't know why they're alive. But you have a goal of your own. It may only be a short-term one, but being able to strive toward it is a happy thing."

"...Oh."

"It's obvious you really care about your brother."

"It's not that I care about him... It's just..."

"What is it?"

Without realizing it, Eito had put an arm around her waist. He lifted her smooth chin with one hand and looked into her evasive eyes.

"I admire him. He's the person I've respected most since I was little, even though he..."

"Has he been neglecting you?"

"No. He has his reasons. He's just too busy."

"You're still making excuses for him?" Eito brushed the strands of hair hanging over Suzune's forehead behind her ear. Then he rested his palm against her cheek, his fingers gently rubbing her soft skin.

"You don't understand. I'm the one being selfish. It has nothing to do with my brother."

Suzune looked at him stubbornly.

"Really? If I had a cute little sister like you, I'd cherish her in the palm of my hand. I'd never let her suffer even the slightest grievance."

"..."

"What, did you ever hope he'd treat you like that, too?"

"None of your business."

"How about this?" Eito straightened her chin again, his thumb gently gliding over the corner of her lips. "As compensation, I could show you some affection in his place."

"...You're not him."

"Didn't I promise to teach you about love? I'll take good care of you as part of my duty. I'll make up for the grievances you've suffered because of him."

"W-what are you going to do?" Suzune asked, flustered. His breath brushed against her face, making her feel unsettled. She was so focused on her brother that she'd even ignored the hand moving around her waist.

The hand holding Suzune's chin tightened slightly.

"Come on, open your mouth. Let me have a look."

"Are you a pervert?"

"I'm only looking. I'm not going to put anything in. What are you afraid of? Aren't we talking about your brother?"

"That has nothing to do with it. And why should I let you look? You just want to tease me."

"No, I don't." Eito let go of her chin. His hand traced the outline of her clothes and slowly moved to her waist. With a slight pull, he drew the slender girl closer to him.

Their noses almost touched.

Her serene face shimmered with a silvery glow.

"Suzune, you're beautiful."

As he spoke, he leaned in again. In just two more seconds, he'd be able to touch those pale pink lips and savor their softness.

"..."

"...W-wait!"

At the last moment, Suzune shoved him away with both hands, then braced herself on her knees and panted heavily.

"So close. What a shame," Eito sighed.

A moment later, Suzune's voice came, edged with anger.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you? You distracted me so you could take advantage of me."

"That's right. That's men for you. Have you learned your lesson?"

Eito smiled and winked at her.

"I... have. Thank you."

Suzune spoke through gritted teeth.

"So, never let another man get close to you. That was a lesson. A cute girl like you is bound to have lots of people lusting after her."

"You don't need to remind me. Anyone else would've been on the ground by now."

"Good."

Eito stopped teasing her.

"Anyway, back to your brother. I actually think he cares about you."

"How do you know?"

"There are people in this world who have high expectations for the people they love, but like to act cold. Maybe they're not good at expressing their feelings, or maybe they think there's no need to."

"You're saying... he's really that kind of person? How can I believe you?"

"If you don't believe me, next time we'll put on an act in front of your brother. Then we'll see whether he cares about you."

"...All right."

Suzune nodded.

Then she stared at him.

"W-why are you helping me so much?"

"Oh? You're still asking that after all this?" Eito stepped forward and took her hand. "Of course it's because I like you."

"Is that so?" Suzune swept her hair back. "...How many girls have you said that to?"

"Uh..." Eito said. "My love is equal, just as I love all humankind."

"Go to hell, you pervert!"

Suzune suddenly squeezed his hand hard.

It hurt so much he almost cried out, but he managed to hold it in.

Chapter 47: Happy, Happy~

After returning to camp with Suzune, he lay down beneath a tree to rest.

What a relaxing life.

The lush leaves overhead filled his view. Shafts of sunlight flickered through the gaps, shining like gold.

He slowly closed his eyes.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he opened them and saw a cute face crouched beside him, watching him.

His gaze shifted to the left, where a pair of white teddy bear panties came into view.