Partners

After waiting nearly another hour...

Horikita returned to the classroom carrying a two-tier lunchbox and a thermos.

"Suzune-chan~ Why did you take so long? I'm starving."

At the sound of his voice, Horikita's expression visibly darkened, though she quickly recovered.

"I made pork cutlets, so I ate my fill at the dorm before coming over."

Horikita looked rather proud of herself.

She knew pork cutlets tasted best fresh out of the pan.

Suzuki Tsubame's reaction did not disappoint her.

"Damn it! Don't you know pork cutlets are best eaten within half an hour of coming out of the pan?"

His voice was loud enough to startle Sakura four meters away.

"I know." Horikita nodded.

"Then why would you—damn it!"

Watching Suzuki Tsubame put on his act, Horikita held back her irritation and asked softly, "Are you eating or not?"

In fact, Horikita Suzune had loved to laugh as a child. But she had admired her excellent older brother so much that she had adopted his solemn manner in an effort to be like him.

"I'm eating!"

The lunchbox had two tiers. The first held curry rice and three pieces of tamagoyaki; the second held the pork cutlets.

The thermos, as before, held miso soup.

Hakikita, you magnificent woman! Suzuki Tsubame looked at Horikita gratefully.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I just want you to honor our bet in a month and do as I say."

Horikita quietly read Crime and Punishment. Her expression had barely changed, but she was noticeably less cold than she had been yesterday.

Earlier that morning, before classes had officially begun, Horikita had taken Suzuki Tsubame to see Chabashira Sae and sign a contract.

Its terms were simple: if Horikita Suzune entered Class A next month, Suzuki Tsubame would work for her unconditionally. If she failed, the reverse would apply. Anyone who broke the agreement would be expelled.

Under Chabashira Sae's complicated gaze, Horikita Suzune signed first.

"Don't worry, Suzune. I'll treat you well next month," Suzuki Tsubame said confidently. Horikita Suzune took his words to mean something else entirely.

"Mm." She gave a small nod, pleased to have gained a powerful ally.

The curry rice had a rich, authentic flavor, while the tamagoyaki was filled with vegetables, making it tender and sweet.

The pork cutlets were especially good. Kept in a separate container, they had retained most of their texture. The crust was crisp, the meat tender and juicy, and together with the curry sauce, they were absolutely delicious.

"Suzune." Suzuki Tsubame's expression turned serious.

"Hmm?" Seeing his earnest look, Horikita closed her book for the moment and turned toward him.

"Have you ever thought about getting married?"

At those words, Horikita's face burned bright red.

From embarrassment, right?

Her compass would give you the answer.

After that little incident, Suzuki Tsubame finished every bite of his lunch.

Horikita had made quite a lot. Two days ago, Suzuki Tsubame would never have managed it, but his improved physique had brought an increased appetite with it.

Just as Suzuki Tsubame wondered whether he should wash the lunchbox before returning it or simply hand it back...

"Give me the lunchbox. What do you want for dinner?"

[Ding! Solitary Maiden: 20% complete. Reward: Ball Sports Mastery, including but not limited to basketball, Soccer, Table Tennis, Badminton...]

"Huh?"

"Wasn't this your idea? I cook, and you pay for the ingredients." Horikita gave him a strange look.

On her way back, she had thought it over carefully. Suzuki Tsubame was highly capable, but even with a contract binding him, there would inevitably be times when he did not take his work seriously.

As the saying went, the way to a person's heart was through his stomach. She had decided she would make sure he could not do without her.

Suzuki Tsubame obediently returned the empty lunchbox to Horikita.

He transferred her the points as well. After tonight, he would no longer have to worry about points.

Hmm... Did the task progress because Horikita had come to understand what it meant to be partners?

No! It was only 20% complete. Maybe it was simply because she had recognized her own shortcomings and needed someone to gather information for her.

Either way, he still had a long road ahead.

The afternoon classes were just as easy, right up until the final period with Chabashira Sae.

Suzuki Tsubame had never imagined classes could have such a relaxed atmosphere.

Now he had energy to spare and nowhere to put it.

"Suzune, don't you think Chabashira-sensei looks like an older version of you?" Suzuki Tsubame whispered.

He reached out and gently poked Horikita, but she ignored him.

Suzuki Tsubame poked Ayanokoji instead. "Ayanokoji, don't you think they look alike?"

"Mm, they really do." Ayanokoji's robotic voice came from beside him. He merely nodded without turning around.

"Ayanokoji, do you think Horikita will grow up to be as... Ow! What was that for?" Suzuki Tsubame sprang up.

The entire class looked over at once. Horikita had already withdrawn the hand holding her compass.

"Suzuki Tsubame, stop getting carried away." Chabashira Sae did not pause as she wrote on the blackboard with her chalk, nor did she intend to punish him.

When Horikita Suzune had brought Suzuki Tsubame to her that morning to sign the contract, Chabashira Sae had known she had found a treasure.

Her original plan had been to let Class D receive as few points as possible and teach them a harsh lesson.

Now that she had this secret weapon, she was even more inclined to sit back and do nothing. She had no idea what preparations to make anyway, so she might as well let him play around.

"That's the first time Chabashira-sensei has told anyone off. He really got carried away." The Black Room Masterpiece, Yamauchi Grandmaster, could not resist gloating.

No one else joined in. The boys saw no reason to.

As for the girls, it came down to looks. Suzuki Tsubame's handsome face was the complete opposite of Hirata Yosuke's.

One was warm and outgoing, the other gloomy and reserved. Though the former's personality was more popular, Suzuki Tsubame had a slight edge in looks.

Of course, he was still a little short of the readers.

Yamauchi Haruki, you've signed your own death warrant!

It looked like Ike would not be receiving Yamauchi's return gift after all.

Suzuki Tsubame decided to help Yamauchi find a better place to develop his talents. Advanced Nurturing was wasting him.

...Hmm. School ended at three in the afternoon. Suzuki Tsubame would never have dared dream of that before.

"At five this afternoon, a club information session will be held in the First Gymnasium. Students interested in joining a club, please gather at the First Gymnasium. I repeat..."

A cute female voice came from the electronic speaker above the blackboard.

[Ding! Timed Task activated: Crazy God of Gamblers. Back in the day, Chen Daozai used... Host must earn 3.7 million Private Points. Time limit: 11:59:59]

Twelve hours? 3.7 million? Are you serious, system?

Suzuki Tsubame ran through the numbers. It might not be impossible.

"Suzune, are you joining a club?"

Horikita Suzune shook her head. She had no intention of wasting time on anything pointless.

"Ayanokoji, what about you? Any clubs you want to join?"

"Hmm..." Ayanokoji thought for two seconds.

"I was in the Going-Home Club before. I suppose that hasn't changed."

"Well, in that case, I'm off. See you~" Suzuki Tsubame seized the chance to slip away.

Just as he stepped out of the classroom, a hand grabbed him and pulled him aside.

She moved so fast that, if not for the soft weight pressing against his arm, Suzuki Tsubame might have reflexively driven an elbow into her. Twice.

"Oh, it's you, Kushida. What's up?"

The person holding him was Kushida Kikyo. She was leaning a small part of her weight against him.

She must be tired, right?

"Suzuki, we still haven't exchanged contact information."

She looked both playful and adorable.

"Ah, that's right. Sorry, Kushida."

Horikita had been so entertaining that he had forgotten all about Kushida Kikyo.

"It's fine. We can do it now!" Kikyo smiled playfully, her rose-colored eyes narrowing to slits.

"Oh, sure." Suzuki Tsubame obediently took out his phone.

After they added each other, Kushida Kikyo looked a little hesitant.

"What's wrong, Kushida?" Suzuki Tsubame knew what she wanted, but he asked with concern anyway.

"Suzuki, you can call me Kikyo."

Kushida Kikyo pressed closer, her eyes looking especially appealing.

"Are you close with Horikita? I want to be friends with her."

Kikyo, I admit you're charming, and you know exactly how to use it. If I didn't have my cheat, I might actually have fallen for that look.

"Well, why Horikita? Her personality doesn't seem like a good match for yours."

"The truth is, my dream is to become friends with everyone at school. If I can't even get along with a classmate..."

Kushida Kikyo trailed off, as though reluctant to say more. But her words had nothing to do with the real answer. She had approached Horikita Suzune solely to get her expelled.

"Mm, I understand."

"I'll help you."

Suzuki Tsubame did not refuse her.

Even if he did, Kushida Kikyo would simply find someone else to help.

Better to keep Kushida Kikyo under his control from the start.

"I'll find a chance for you two to meet. Don't worry, leave it to me."

"Mm, thank you, Suzuki!"

Kushida Kikyo smiled happily.

But how much of that smile was genuine?