I Hate You

"If you're going to take action, you must be absolutely certain of success."

"After all, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka has no bottom line when it comes to doing things."

Kitagawa Ryo offered a timely word of advice, explaining that Class 1-B's style of doing things meant they would have a hard time dealing with unscrupulous opponents like Ryuen Kakeru or Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. However, Karuizawa Kei was not the same Ichinose Honami from before, so he simply gave a brief reminder and did not interfere further.

"Speaking of which, it seems that Kushida Kikyo also got into Class A. I saw her at the shopping mall this afternoon."

"I threw her there on my own initiative."

Kitagawa Ryo began by explaining:

"I always felt that Kushida Kikyo was a bit unstable. Ever since middle school, I've felt like she's been hiding something."

"Having many friends naturally brings more troubles; you might even be used as a dumping ground for others' trash every day."

"Several students from our Class B exchanged contact information with her today. At this rate, she'll probably have all the contact information for the entire grade in less than a week."

"Kushida at least got an A in coordination."

Kitagawa Ryo also took a piece of biscuit that was still warm and started chewing on it:

"At least your class has already elected a class monitor, while our class hasn't even decided yet."

"It seems that Honami and Arisu are interested in this, and I can't judge who is better or worse at this stage."

"Um..."

Karuizawa Kei's movements slowed slightly; she remained silent for a moment before speaking:

"Why doesn't Ryo lead Class D in the operation? That way, Ichinose and the others probably won't get involved."

"Because I don't want to, that's all."

Kitagawa Ryo shook his head and said:

"If my estimate is correct, at least ten students in Class D have spent more than 50,000 points today alone."

"... Yes, that's right."

Karuizawa Kei naturally knew the specifics of Class D. In Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School, where one person's mistake could ruin the entire class, there were as many as seven or eight students in Class D who were like Yamauchi Haruki.

If it takes careful planning to instigate infighting among other classes, Class D doesn't even need other classes to intervene; the boys and girls, the boys and boys, and the girls and girls can create a huge commotion on their own.

Suddenly remembering something, Karuizawa Kei gave a strange smile:

"I think the Leader chosen by the students of Class D won't be Ichinose or Sakayanagi."

"It should be Airi."

Karuizawa Kei stretched, revealing her beautiful curves, and nodded, her tone carrying a hint of schadenfreude.

"This is absolutely something they're capable of doing."

Chapter 42: I Hate You

My mood is different from usual.

I think it's because I haven't been able to calm down since I met my mother.

It's like a gear in my head is malfunctioning, clicking and rattling, making my consciousness and thinking sluggish.

When I came to my senses, I was already sitting opposite the psychologist.

"Ichinose Honami."

"Um."

"I want to double-check what happened."

"Um."

"At the time, your intended target for murder was Karuizawa Kei, not Kitagawa Ryo, right?"

The name in the last sentence overlaps with words that person had heard countless times at that time or before.

Ichinose Honami's body went limp, as if she were about to faint. The illusion that all the strength in her knees and body was slipping away surged into her mind, stuck in her throat, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

In the past, when she rejected him, she would always remember her mother's words and deceive herself by saying that all promises made by a boy of that age were false.

However, the other party was serious.

Cool is serious.

He genuinely hoped that Ichinose Honami could change, and that he could gain Ichinose Honami's approval.

That's why he always gazes at himself with a broad smile, no matter what.

Even at the very very end.

A wish that I firmly believe will one day come true.

A relationship that I firmly believe will be recognized someday.

"Yes, I never intended to kill Ryo."

Rather, it's more accurate to say that everything one feels for him is the complete opposite.

Real.

Real.

Ichinose Honami had never been so certain of her own feelings as she was at this moment.

However, it was precisely because these were the most genuine and truthful words that Ichinose Honami discovered something.

We've finally found it.

Now that things have come to this...

"This feeling..."

If it were now, Ichinose Honami could say it a thousand or ten thousand times without hesitation, but the person she wanted to tell these words to no longer exists anywhere.

Even if you search to the ends of the earth and try every possible method, you still can't get any message to him.

No words could express anything to him anymore.

"I've always liked coolness."

The person who should accept this statement no longer exists.

No matter how much I think about it, no matter how much I want to forget it, this is the most painful fact that is beyond my control, unchangeable, and irreversible.

Despicable, despicable, despicable.

An overwhelming surge of dark emotions was unstoppable.

Memories of the past keep overflowing and cannot be stopped.

But no matter what we did, it was no use.

Everything ended the moment Liang stopped breathing.

Now, all that awaits him is destruction. He can go nowhere and can only remain in a world where the other no longer exists, constantly seeking words to say while walking towards death.

By the time Ichinose Honami noticed, tears were already streaming down her face.

Then, she woke up in bed, fumbled for her phone, and it was four in the morning. Today was her second day of school.

After being reborn for so long, Ichinose Honami once again dreamed of the most unbearable Matoba from her memory.

On the second day of school, since it was the first day of formal classes, most of the class time was spent explaining the learning guidelines. The teachers of each course were so cheerful and friendly that it didn't feel like a preparatory school. However, all the students sitting around Ayanokoji Kiyotaka were still listening attentively and taking notes without slacking off.

Aside from Koenji Rokusuke, this guy had been completely oblivious to the teachers since the very first class, trimming his nails, fixing his bangs, and taking naps with his eyes closed. However, the teachers turned a blind eye to this behavior. Because of the teachers' leniency and his threatening remarks during his self-introduction on the first day, even some Class A students who wanted to dissuade him from this behavior shook their heads and gave up after seeing the bulging muscles on his arms.

The morning classes ended quickly. A few minutes later, about half of the students in the class disappeared without a trace, mostly heading to the cafeteria in groups of two or three. Katsuragi Kohei was surrounded by five or six boys and girls, and Totsuka Yahiko's loud voice could be heard from a distance. Kushida Kikyo, on the other hand, chose to go to the courtyard to share her lunch with the other students who had brought their own.

"I'm thinking of going to the Student Cafeteria next, anyone want to come with me?"

The lines that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka could never have imagined were spoken so cheerfully that Hirata Yosuke, who stood up, quickly gathered up many of the remaining students in the class, mostly girls. After all, in terms of appearance, Hirata Yosuke's appearance was much more pleasing to the eye than Katsuragi Kohei's bald head.

Although it was only the second day of school, three small groups had already begun to form in the class. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka casually raised his hand and joined Hirata Yosuke's group in the crowd.

The group headed to the Student Cafeteria in high spirits Hirata Yosuke was very tactful; even Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who was following at the back, was greeted by him in a friendly manner.

"Ayanokoji, are you planning to attend the club recruitment this afternoon?"

This is a notice broadcast after the morning classes ended. This afternoon at 5 o'clock, various clubs of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School will hold club information sessions at the First Stadium to recruit new members.

"I'm planning to join the soccer club. Would you like to come along, Ayanokoji? You look quite muscular; your upper arm muscles are clearly the result of training."

"Ah... yes, I'll consider joining if there's a suitable club."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka brushed the topic aside, Hirata Yosuke didn't mind; he nodded and said:

"I heard that Katsuragi wants to participate in the Student Council recruitment."

"The Student Council's approval process seems to be the most difficult among all clubs. I hope Katsuragi succeeds."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka nodded, and Hirata Yosuke then started chatting with the others. Because the soccer club of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School had won the Summer Tournament several times, he looked quite excited.

"Soccer club..."

After carefully considering Hirata Yosuke's suggestion, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka did indeed have the idea of joining a club. After all, under the model of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School, clubs were almost his only universal communication channel with students from other classes and even upperclassmen. They could play a significant role in both gathering information and expanding his network.

However, sports clubs seem to require a significant amount of time and energy to participate in club practices.

After a moment's thought, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka abandoned the idea of joining a sports club. He tucked his hands into his sleeves, squinted, and decided to make a decision after the afternoon's presentation.

However, he had already vaguely set a goal in his mind.

"Student Council?"

Ichinose Honami placed her plate on the table, clasped her hands together, and softly said, "I'm starting to eat." Then she heard Kitagawa Ryo sitting opposite her and asked in surprise.

"Yes, the Student Council."

Kitagawa Ryo methodically put the food on his plate into his mouth. A long queue had already formed at the window for the deluxe set meals in the Student Cafeteria, and a quick glance revealed quite a few students from Class 1-D.

So, to save time, Kitagawa Ryo only ordered a normal set meal. Although the dishes weren't lavish, they were enough to fill his stomach. Ichinose Honami chose a set meal that was even cheaper than Kitagawa Ryo's, and it was basically a home-style meal.

"Does Honami have any thoughts about joining the Student Council?"

Kitagawa Ryo repeated his question, staring into Ichinose Honami's eyes, awaiting her answer.

"After all, Honami High School also has Student Council, and he even served as the Student Council for over a year."

Yes, that's right.

Mentioning the past, Ichinose Honami couldn't help but smile nostalgically. She took a sip of the miso soup in her bowl and said:

"If possible, I'd like to give it a try."

"Honami will definitely be fine."

Kitagawa Ryo Ichinose Honami still wanted to join the Student Council, and continued to eat the food on his plate.

"I feel like I could buy my own ingredients and cook next time. Not only would I save some points, but the food might even taste better than here."

Ichinose Honami propped her head up and watched Kitagawa Ryo eat. Whenever she was next to Kitagawa Ryo, her usually energetic voice would inexplicably drop three notes, becoming soft and coquettish.

"Liang, stop for a moment."

Kitagawa Ryo looked up at Ichinose Honami with a hint of confusion. The other man extended a fair right hand, his delicate fingers gently pinching a grain of rice stuck to Kitagawa's lips, and then naturally put it into his own mouth.

This is probably a move that only Ichinose Honami could make.

This is because it's something her mother has done to her countless times since she was little, and Ichinose Honami has done it to her younger sister many times as well.

Coincidentally, Kitagawa Ryo and Hotaru also had quite a few similar interactions.

Therefore, compared to the ambiguity aspect, what the two of them felt more deeply was something else, and so they laughed together.

"When Hotaru used to eat..."

"Maki is like that too..."

They both started talking about their younger sisters at the same time, then stopped abruptly, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Three years of complete isolation is indeed quite a long time."

Ichinose Honami sighed.