Conflict

On one side was his childhood sweetheart, and on the other, three girls from his class he wasn't particularly close with.

If one were to place these two options on a scale and ask how to choose, it would be a truly harsh and difficult dilemma.

Yet now, such a choice was laid right before Hoshino.

"Don't worry about me, just follow your heart."

The instigator who had asked the question said this with a wicked, playful smile.

"If I didn't care about Arisu, I wouldn't have come here with you in the first place."

"That counts as a standard answer. Or rather, it's so standard that it feels quite boring."

"Tch, you're demanding."

"Hehe, I'm just kidding. Go on, Akira, keep your appointment. Those beauties must be getting impatient."

Arisu smiled faintly, waved her hand lightly, and bid Hoshino farewell.

Hoshino wasn't in any particular hurry, walking at a leisurely pace toward Keyaki Mall.

Passing by the gymnasium, Hoshino glanced over and saw a significant number of students gathering there; they were likely heading to the club orientation. If Karuizawa and the others hadn't invited him, Hoshino would probably be heading there too.

Hoshino had no real interest in club activities. To him, the activities of high school students were as childish as playing house.

Although, depending on the circumstances, a club could serve as a decent platform, Hoshino didn't have that much ambition. At this stage, he still preferred to spend his school life in a relaxed manner.

However, people often find that the more they want something, the more things go against their wishes.

When Hoshino arrived at the karaoke parlor in Keyaki Mall, he witnessed an incredible scene.

Two groups of girls were confronting each other. One side consisted of the three girls from his own Class D—Karuizawa, Sato, and Matsushita—while the other side was comprised of four girls he didn't recognize.

From the sidelines, the atmosphere between the two groups was extremely tense. Karuizawa and Sato were shouting excitedly at the opposite side, with only Matsushita managing to maintain some composure, pulling on their arms to keep them from lunging forward. The situation on the other side was much the same. A single impulse could easily escalate this into a physical altercation.

Hoshino habitually scanned his surroundings. There were many onlookers, but no one wanted to step in.

Whether to continue watching or to step forward and intervene—both options had their pros and cons. But considering the deduction he and Arisu had reached earlier, that the words and actions of students at this school might reflect on their class evaluation and subsequently affect the amount of money deposited at the start of each month, the choice became indisputable.

To continue enjoying good food, to buy entertainment supplies, and to hang out with Arisu or other girls—for the sake of money, Hoshino acted decisively.

As he walked up quickly, the girls from his class spotted him.

"Hoshino-kun!"

Karuizawa's eyes lit up, and she waved at Hoshino.

"This doesn't look like a very friendly scene. What happened?"

"They—"

"Karuizawa-san, please calm down. Matsushita-san, you tell me."

Although his tone was calm, Hoshino's words carried an incredible sense of pressure. Not only did Karuizawa and Sato stop shouting, but the girls on the other side fell silent as well.

"...Karuizawa-san accidentally bumped into that girl over there."

"And then?"

"...She already apologized to them, but—"

"Ha? You call that arrogant remark an apology?"

Before Matsushita could finish, she was interrupted by a short-haired girl from the opposite side. It seemed she was the one who had been in direct conflict with Karuizawa.

Hoshino turned to face her and asked with a smile, "Hello, I'm Hoshino Akira from Class D. May I ask who you are?"

"...Class C, Manabe Shiho."

"Hello, Manabe-san. I am currently speaking with the girls from my class; could you please be a little quieter? It's very impolite to interrupt someone else's conversation."

"What did you say!"

"Was I not clear enough? Or are you incapable of even understanding that much?"

As he spoke, Hoshino took a step toward Manabe. Facing this tall boy with a smile on his face, Manabe felt a sudden sense of trepidation.

Was it his presence, or his sheer force of will? Regardless, at this very moment, Hoshino was in complete control of the situation.

With a smile still on his face, Hoshino swept his gaze across the faces of the Class C girls one by one. Only after confirming they wouldn't speak again did he turn back.

"Matsushita-san, please continue."

"Well... we arrived at the shop, and because it was crowded and we were chatting, we didn't notice, and Karuizawa-san accidentally bumped into Manabe-san here. Manabe-san lost her balance and fell. Karuizawa-san apologized to her immediately, but Manabe-san wouldn't let it go..."

"Matsushita-san is right, isn't she, Karuizawa-san?"

"Yes... that's right."

Karuizawa answered with some hesitation. It was safe to assume that at least some parts of the story weren't entirely accurate, but that was irrelevant.

"Manabe-san, that's how it is. My classmate has clarified the facts; do you have anything else to say?"

"What facts? That's not it at all! That woman suddenly bumped into me on purpose, and it hurt like hell, okay? And then she just smirked and said 'sorry, didn't see you,' which is a total lie—there was zero sincerity in that apology."

"I see. I understand."

Hoshino nodded with a smile, then turned back and took Karuizawa's hand.

"It seems you have nothing more to say. Then let us part ways here; we have already wasted quite a bit of the time we booked for our private room."

"Wha—eh? What are you talking about? Things haven't been cleared up yet, are you trying to just run away like this?"

Manabe was stunned for a moment, then reacted, screaming as she blocked the path ahead.

"Pardon me, but I do not enjoy conversing with liars."

"Lying? Are you saying I'm lying?"

"It is obvious. Before this, Karuizawa and her friends did not know you, Manabe. Furthermore, in my view, Karuizawa is slightly shorter and more slender than you, not to mention the three-versus-four numerical disadvantage. I cannot imagine any benefit they would gain from intentionally picking a fight. Therefore, your claim about being intentionally bumped into by Karuizawa is a complete and utter lie."

She had felt humiliated after tripping and falling, so she made a scene, never expecting that Karuizawa would also have such a stubborn temper.

A boring matter that could be seen through at a glance; it was a pure waste of time.

Hoshino looked down at Manabe from his superior height.

"So, can you move aside now? Precious time is being wasted. It is already an act of benevolence that we are not holding you accountable."

"Ugh..."

Pushed to this point by Hoshino, Manabe had no rebuttal and could only bite her lip, stepping aside in frustration.