A Conversation with Honami Ichinose

"Tsk."

Manabe Shiho clicked her tongue in exasperation, seemingly wanting to retort, but the girl behind her whispered a few words in her ear, leaving her with no choice but to utter a couple of harsh words and leave dejectedly.

"Hui was so cool just now!"

"That's amazing! Thank goodness Hui arrived just in time."

Seeing the Class C girls who had been clinging to her leave, Sato and her friends cheered and surrounded Karuizawa Kei as she departed. Karuizawa Kei had not only paid them points but also dared to protect this little group in front of others. From this day forward, she had become the undisputed leader of this little group.

"It just feels... too deliberate."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka glanced at Kitagawa Ryo, who was still sitting in his classroom, but lowered his eyes after only one look.

"Did you arrange this?"

Just as Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was lost in thought, a girl walked up to him and greeted him:

"Hello, are you in Class D?"

"Ah, yes."

The girl standing in front of me had long, waist-length, golden-pink hair. Her azure eyes, like those of Karuizawa Kei, were as pure as the finest gemstones. Her features, framed by her bangs, were also exquisite. Coupled with her radiant smile, she easily gave off an Affinity and approachable vibe.

"I'm Ichinose Honami from Class 1-B. What happened? There's been a traffic jam here. Is there some kind of dispute?"

"This one."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, of course, knew that there was a clause in the contract that "the contents of the contract must not be disclosed to any third party," so he gave a vague answer:

"You'd better go ask that person yourself."

Following Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's gaze, Ichinose Honami also curiously peered into Class D' s classroom.

Although there were other students standing in the classroom, she spotted Kitagawa Ryo at first glance.

The word "goodbye" signifies both farewell and reunion.

Chapter Twelve: A Conversation with Ichinose Honami

Ichinose Honami.

Just as the other party noticed Kitagawa Ryo also noticed Ichinose Honami's presence.

Thinking about it carefully, this was the first time he had seen Ichinose Honami up close. Although he had been enrolled for a month, Kitagawa Ryo had focused on exploring the school's rules and the layout of Class D. Even though he had brushed past her a few times in the corridor, he had never had a face-to-face interaction like this before.

"Hello, I'm Kitagawa Ryo from Class 1-C, Grade 1. How can I help you?"

After letting Ryuen Kakeru take over dealing with the remaining members of Class D, Kitagawa Ryo casually walked up to Ichinose Honami. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who had just been standing next to him, was nowhere to be seen, but considering his status, he might be watching this exchange from some corner at this moment.

"Hello, I'm Ichinose Honami class representative of Class 1-B."

Unlike other classes, Class 1-B quickly held elections for class committees after the start of the semester, electing a class monitor, vice class monitor, and academic representative to lead the class forward. Although Ryuen Kakeru described this approach as "childish," the results were remarkable. Now, a month after the start of the semester, apart from Class 1-C, which was forcibly integrated, only Class 1-B can barely be considered a complete group. Classes Class A and Class D are still divided or even in internal strife.

Ichinose Honami responded naturally. Although they were all wearing the same red school uniform jacket, there was always a subtle air of sultryness about her. Underneath the pure white lining and pleated skirt were a pair of straight and slender legs. Her posture was also very upright, and her bow was meticulous and impeccable.

Without my intervention, it means that the theft of the hair clip has already occurred.

Kitagawa Ryo, while speculating on Ichinose Honami's current mental state, said with a smile:

"So you're the class monitor of Class 1-B. Nice to meet you, Honami."

Calling someone by their first name upon first meeting, a somewhat frivolous act, didn't elicit the slightest displeasure from Ichinose Honami. Instead, she smiled gently, exuding a natural Affinity and approachability.

"I heard that this year's Class C is the strongest ever, and I think that's all thanks to Kitagawa-kun. In that case, maybe it's unreasonable for the school to have assigned Kitagawa-kun to Class C."

"Oh, not at all, it's just good luck. I heard that Honami got first place in the entrance exam and is now the class monitor of Class B. I believe that under Honami's leadership, Class B will soon be promoted to Class A."

After exchanging compliments, the two tacitly avoided discussing the most sensitive issues. If Class C wanted to be promoted, Class B would be the first to be affected. In addition, the two classes were only 60 Class Points apart. In other words, the classes most likely to be promoted or demoted at this stage were Classes B and C.

According to the information that Ryuen Kakeru has gathered over the past month, Class B's unity is higher than he expected. Although there are no other talents who need special attention besides Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji, they can execute the plans of the two of them perfectly, showing an impenetrable and impenetrable force.

"I'm here today mainly to find out if there's any conflict between Class C and Class D?"

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Ichinose Honami finally revealed the purpose of her visit. After all, the actions of Class 1-C were quite grand, with the entire class blocking the entrance to Class D. Although the students in Class B initially suspected it might be a violent incident, there were surveillance cameras installed in the corridors and classrooms. If there had been a deliberate large-scale act of violence, the school should have intervened quickly. After blocking the entrance for more than ten minutes, the students from Class D gradually emerged. Students from other classes curiously inquired, but they could only shake their heads with wry smiles.

It was only after realizing that Class C might be carrying out a major plan against Class D that Ichinose Honami chose to take the initiative. At this moment, she looked directly into Kitagawa Ryo's eyes with a confident and dignified aura. Compared to the "beautiful" impression she left on people when they first met, Ichinose Honami was undoubtedly more deserving of the adjective "cool".

"Oh, it seems like you've been working very hard. Honami is a person who has it tough."

Kitagawa Ryo reluctantly avoided the other person's gaze. After learning about Ichinose Honami's past and her struggles, he now saw her suppressing all her thoughts and giving everyone a bright and gentle smile.

This kind of natural smile is like a wooden knife; it's blunt on the heart, but it still hurts a little.

"So, Kitagawa-kun, can you tell me what happened between Class C and Class D?"

"It feels like we did something really bad to them."

Ichinose Honami's questioning pulled Kitagawa Ryo out of his past memories. The smile in front of him flickered twice. It was clearly the same person, but now he was acting from the perspective of Class 1-B, as the Class 1-B representative.

"Oh, you want information? Trade me something."

Kitagawa Ryo closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, there was no longer any hesitation or doubt. He began his performance with perfect naturalness.

"If it can be exchanged for Private Points, please name your price, Kitagawa-kun."

"Not Private Points."

Kitagawa Ryo shook his head in denial. The remaining students in Class 1-D also obediently paid their 10,000 points or incurred debts. After finishing their business, the students of Class C naturally gathered around Kitagawa Ryo. Although facing the seemingly fierce Class C students, Ichinose Honami showed no fear. Instead, she generously introduced herself to Ryuen Kakeru and the others again.

"So, Kitagawa-kun, what would you like to exchange for?"

"Hmm, let me think... let's play a simple game."

Kitagawa Ryo seemed to have come up with a good idea and eagerly began to speak:

"Rock, paper, scissors, one round to decide the winner. If Honami wins, I'll share the information about Class C and Class D with you for free. But if Honami loses..."

"How about having lunch with me today?"

The seemingly unequal rewards left even Ryuen Kakeru puzzled about Kitagawa Ryo's plans. In a game like rock-paper-scissors, with a win rate of around 50%, even Kitagawa couldn't guarantee a 100% win rate. Why offer such disparate rewards for equal odds of winning? What was he thinking?

However, Kitagawa Ryo showed no intention of explaining. He simply looked into Ichinose Honami response.

"Just having lunch together? Actually, even without this bet, I'd be happy to have lunch with Kitagawa-kun."

Ichinose Honami doesn't seem to want to take advantage of Kitagawa Ryo yet.

"How about this, if I lose, I'll tell you some information about Class A, okay?"

Kitagawa Ryo nodded, and the bet between the two was thus settled.

Since it was just a game of rock-paper-scissors based on luck, and the two were complete strangers, there was no way to guess based on the other's habits. Therefore, neither Ichinose Honami nor Kitagawa Ryo hesitated.

"Rock, paper, scissors!"

"Rock, paper, scissors!"

Ishizaki Daichi widened in surprise. His boss had thrown rock, but when he looked at Ichinose Honami, it was scissors.

"We won!"

He had just started shouting excitedly Kitagawa Ryo gave him a look, and Ryuen Kakeru and Yamada Albert dragged him aside without hesitation. Ibuki Mio stood to the side with her arms crossed, noticing with some confusion that Kitagawa Ryo did not show any joy or surprise after winning the game, as if he knew from the beginning that he would win.

"Kitagawa-kun won."

Ichinose Honami wasn't discouraged. She smiled, nodded, and withdrew her hand. She did indeed have a habit of throwing scissors before punching.

"Yes, I won."

Kitagawa Ryo slowly opened his clenched fist and extended it in front of Ichinose Honami. With a flick of his wrist, a small Iris appeared out of nowhere in his previously empty palm.

"Then please keep your promise, Honami."

"Kitagawa-kun can actually do magic tricks?"

Ichinose Honami accepted the Iris that Kitagawa Ryo offered her with some surprise.

"I wonder where Kitagawa-kun would like to have lunch?"

Kitagawa Ryo stretched, whispered a few words of advice to Ryuen Kakeru, and then turned to greet Ichinose Honami, who was still staring intently at the tiny Iris:

"Just follow me."

"Oh oh."

Ichinose Honami didn't object, after all, she was the one who lost, and having lunch with Kitagawa Ryo wasn't a big deal. She carefully wrapped the Iris in a tissue and put it in her pocket; she was never good at refusing other people's kindness.

Kitagawa Ryo glanced back at Ichinose Honami, who was following closely behind him, then put his arms behind his head and whistled.

"The situation in Class A is hard to say. Right now, there are roughly three factions in the class. The radical faction, led by Sakayanagi Arisu, advocates using Class A's point advantage to actively attack and suppress any class that wants to advance to Class A. The conservative faction, led by Katsuragi Kohei, believes that Class A's advantage is already large enough, and they only need to play it safe and defend. In addition to these two factions, there are also some students who are in a neutral state of observation."

Ichinose Honami and Kitagawa Ryo walked side by side to a ramen shop and sat down. Without even ordering, Honami honestly told Kitagawa Ryo about the information she had about Class A. However, Kitagawa Ryo, who had already received the same information from Ryuen Kakeru, pretended to be surprised and said:

"Isn't this a problem caused by having too much of an advantage in student recruitment?"

"Because everyone is very capable, it's actually quite difficult to elect a clear leader."

"That's not entirely wrong either."

Ichinose Honami passed the menu from the waiter to Kitagawa Ryo:

"Kitagawa-kun, don't worry about me, just order for yourself. I'll pay for today's meal."

"What if I call the whole class now?"

Will Honami still pay for them?

Kitagawa Ryo joked as he ordered, but to his surprise Ichinose Honami started thinking about it seriously:

"If it's 2,000 points per person, that's 80,000 points, which I can actually afford."

After all, Class B still has 650 Class Points, and can receive 65,000 Private Points each month. In addition to the 100,000 points given last month, Ichinose Honami's words were not a lie. However, what left Kitagawa Ryo speechless was that she was actually considering this obviously joking statement.

"Actually, I think if this can make the students in Class C realize the goodwill of Class B, then the 80,000 points should be worth it."

"Bona fide?"

Kitagawa Ryo casually handed the order to the waiter, crossed his arms over his chest, and asked:

"Kindness probably won't do much good in this school."

"But this is still a school, and I simply hope that students from all classes can get along well."

"Oh."

The drink arrived fastest. Kitagawa Ryo Ichinose Honami, who was sipping her cocoa, and asked:

"If faced with someone who has to drop out of Class B, what would Honami do?"

Faced with Kitagawa Ryo's sudden question, Ichinose Honami was taken aback for a moment, but quickly replied:

"I will try my best to find a way to avoid dropping out of school."

"What if it's not found?"

"Then it means it's my fault. I'll just have everyone drop out of school."

Ichinose Honami answered so calmly, but the emotion conveyed in her words was not just empty talk; if that day ever came, she would definitely make that choice.

"... Yeah?"

Kitagawa Ryo's food had arrived, and as he picked through his noodles, he asked:

"I just ordered whatever was available, is it to your liking?"

"I thought Kitagawa-kun would take me to a coffee shop like Palette, but I ended up at a ramen shop instead."

Ichinose Honami didn't seem to dislike the soup Kitagawa Ryo ordered for her; she took a sip and replied:

"I don't mind, but if you're bringing other girls out, a ramen shop isn't a good choice."

"Why?"

"First of all, everyone's tastes are different, especially with ramen. Many people are extremely particular about it, having their own preferences for the broth, toppings, and even whether they like the noodles firm or soft. If you order for someone without their consent, you might end up with a bad experience."

Ichinose Honami started answering the questions seriously again.

"Does Kitagawa-kun have any particular tastes?"

"The noodles should be slightly spicy with vinegar, but without cilantro; the broth should be bland."

"I've got it."

The girl smiled sweetly and repeated it several times in a very soft voice before continuing to speak with confidence: