[Editor's note: This chapter has been edited to remove content that breaks our content rules.]
“Why… why can you say something that makes enemies so casually? That’s not how it is…”
With that, Kikyo packed her bag and hurried away.
Kiyotaka watched silently without saying a word.
After sitting quietly for a while, Horikita picked up her bag.
“Kiyotaka, I’m going back to get some rest.”
Kiyotaka nodded and watched her leave.
That evening, Kiyotaka was lying in bed when he became thirsty.
“Ah, what a hassle. I guess I’ll go buy something to drink.”
He found a vending machine outside. As he was deciding what to buy, he heard a voice nearby. He recognized it as Horikita’s.
“Brother, I’m not the person I used to be. I’ll work hard and make it to Class A.”
Horikita’s brother grabbed her arm with one hand and pinned her against the wall. He drew back his right hand, preparing to strike her in the stomach.
“This isn’t a place for useless people like you. Withdraw from school immediately.”
As the blow approached, Horikita shut her eyes in fear. But even after waiting, she felt no pain.
“You really meant to hit her just now, didn’t you?”
Hearing that familiar voice, Horikita opened her eyes in surprise. Kiyotaka was holding her brother’s right wrist with one hand.
A conflicted expression crossed her face.
“Let him go, Kiyotaka…”
Kiyotaka released his grip at her request. But Horikita’s brother immediately threw a surprise punch. Kiyotaka dodged it in an instant. When the punch missed, her brother followed with a sweeping kick, which Kiyotaka also evaded.
“You’ve got some skill. Have you trained in something?”
“Do piano and tea ceremony count?”
“I remember someone in your class scored exactly fifty in every subject on the entrance exam. Fifty on the last quiz, too. Fifty out of a hundred. Quite a coincidence.”
“Yes. Coincidences can be frightening.”
Horikita’s brother adjusted his glasses and turned a cold gaze on his sister.
“I never expected you to have a friend. A pity. You should still withdraw as soon as possible. You don’t belong here.”
With that, he left.
Seeing Horikita’s dejected expression, Kiyotaka asked with concern, “Are you all right?”
Horikita shook her head. Kiyotaka took her hand and led her to the vending machine, where he bought her a hot drink.
“Here. Warm yourself up.”
“Thank you.”
Horikita turned the can over in her hands. After hesitating for a while, she spoke.
“Was what he said about the entrance exam true?”
“I already told you. It was just a coincidence.”
Horikita looked at him quietly, then sighed.
“I know you’re someone who hates trouble, but please. Will you help me?”
Kiyotaka raised an eyebrow and looked at her coldly.
“Are you sure you want to ask me like that?”
“No… I didn’t mean it that way. I just can’t accept this.”
Kiyotaka let out a soft sigh.
“I’ll think of something.”
Later, Horikita waved to him from a distance before heading back to her dorm. Kiyotaka shook his head as he watched her go.
“Am I indulging her a little too much?”
Just then, a gloomy voice came from nearby.
Without turning around, Kiyotaka said, “What is it?”
Kikyo had appeared.
“Would you help me get her expelled from this school?”
Kiyotaka shook his head at her persistence.
Some readers have said the characters are completely out of character and that I’m making things up as I go. But this is wish-fulfillment fiction, after all, isn’t it? I’ll do my best to preserve their original personalities, but making them exactly the same is impossible!
The next update will be after midnight, so don’t stay up waiting!
Chapter Eleven: A Chance to Bring Them Together
The monthly exam results came out. Sudo and the others had scraped past the passing mark, so they would not be expelled, and the class would not lose any points.
To celebrate, Sudo and his friends made a point of thanking Kikyo.
Although she had been reluctant, Kikyo had dutifully helped tutor the three of them to maintain her outward image. That was why they had managed to pass.
In truth, however, Sudo had fallen short of the passing mark. Kiyotaka had used his own money to buy one extra point from their homeroom teacher, allowing Sudo to escape expulsion.
Kikyo’s popularity in the class rose once again, and afterward she went to Kiyotaka to claim credit.
Kiyotaka raised an eyebrow. He still did not know exactly what would count as success for his task. There was a long road ahead.
“Kikyo, why do you hate Horikita so much?”
Kiyotaka’s sudden question made Kikyo freeze. Then she looked at him with a radiant smile.
“I can’t tell you. Otherwise, there’ll be one more person who knows my secret, and I’ll have to add you to my expulsion plans.”
Kiyotaka looked at the defiance that still lingered in her expression.
“Then what if she were in the same boat as you? Would you be able to get along?”
“I’ll think about it,” Kikyo said with a smile.
She laughed lightly. After spending time with Kiyotaka, she no longer seemed as hostile toward him and had become more relaxed in his presence.
“Good luck, Kiyotaka!”
With that, she left.
Kiyotaka lay quietly on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
“I need to find an opportunity to bring the two of them together.”
After school that evening, Horikita brought a pile of groceries to Kiyotaka’s room and began preparing dinner. Watching her work in the kitchen, Kiyotaka took out his phone and sent a message. Then he left the door slightly ajar and went into the kitchen.
Noticing someone behind her, Horikita asked, “Why did you come in?”
Kiyotaka said nothing.
Just then, the door opened. Kikyo walked in and locked it behind her.
“What are you doing here?” Horikita’s gaze immediately turned cold.
Kikyo ignored her and walked over to Kiyotaka before looking back at Horikita in a challenging manner.
“When it comes to getting along with people, you’re no match for me.”
The tension between them grew as Kiyotaka watched their silent rivalry.