Was That Blond Guy Miyabi Nagumo?

After hearing Hashigaki's reminders, the two graceful figures departed.

Only then did the poor captain of the Archery Club realize he hadn't gotten his junior's LINE account...

What a tragedy~

"Is Little Kikyo interested in that senior, Nagumo?"

Hasebe was a little curious. After all, she wasn't as oblivious as Hashigaki.

She'd naturally noticed what the person beside her was up to.

"I want to be friends with everyone, so it can't hurt to get to know some outstanding seniors first." Kushida Kikyo laughed it off, brushing the question aside.

"I see. Then, Little Kikyo, do you want to check out the other clubs too?"

"Yeah. It's a rare opportunity, and I want to meet more outstanding seniors."

The famous detective Kushida, once again confident of victory, nodded lightly, displaying the poise and composure of a winner.

And so, the girls, now at ease, continued enjoying the annual club fair...

A little while later.

The freshmen who had chosen their clubs gradually began to leave.

Only a dozen or so freshmen remained, along with some older students who were packing up their things and getting ready to go.

But there were still people making the most of the occasion.

Like Kikyo, who was dedicated to expanding her social network.

She was chatting enthusiastically with Haruka and two third-year girls,

and they'd even arranged to go eat together at the cafeteria later.

Just then, a blond guy pushed open the gym doors. He strolled up to the podium and tapped the microphone lightly.

"Attention, all students still inside the venue. The event will end in fifteen minutes. Any freshmen who haven't decided yet, please make your choice soon. Older students, please get ready to leave in an orderly fashion afterward..."

Below the stage, Kushida and the other three, still deep in conversation, were drawn to the sudden announcement.

"No matter how many times I see him, junior Nagumo is always so impressive~"

Third-year Kobayashi praised him, her face unconsciously taking on a lovestruck expression.

"Kobayashi, tone it down. Try to control yourself in front of the younger students," Harada said, mercilessly teasing her. "I really don't understand why you like that playboy so much."

"Because he's so handsome. Look, look! He smiled at me!"

Kobayashi didn't take Harada's words seriously at all.

Harada pressed a hand to her forehead. She figured her old friend was beyond saving.

Come to think of it, should she keep her away from host clubs from now on?

Kushida and Haruka also heard the familiar name they'd learned earlier, and followed Kobayashi's gaze.

Where's the senior? Where?

That was what Kushida was thinking.

Is this guy... handsome? He looks way too greasy. Is he seriously rocking that blond hair?

That was what Haruka was thinking.

Kushida Kikyo scanned the room and searched carefully for a while, but still didn't spot Dongfang Yi.

In the center of her view was only a blond guy who looked greasy at a glance, smiling at them as if he knew something they didn't.

A troubling suspicion suddenly crossed the girl's mind.

Beside her, Kobayashi was already waving excitedly, and the blond guy on stage smiled back at her.

Kushida Kikyo shifted her feet and discreetly moved closer to Harada. "Um, who is that?"

"Miyabi Nagumo, vice president of the Student Council. But I'd advise you not to get involved with him," Harada said seriously. As she looked toward the person on stage, there was a hint of barely concealed disgust in her eyes. "That guy..."

She shook her head and said no more.

Kushida Kikyo nodded seriously. "I see... I'll keep your advice in mind, senpai."

She hadn't liked that blond guy to begin with, but she still felt deeply wounded...

Detective Kushida had suffered another defeat!

Who on earth was that mysterious guy she'd met on the bus?!

It was all Hashigaki's fault! He couldn't even give her useful information!

She stamped her foot in frustration and, still unwilling to give up, asked, "Harada-senpai, did all the outstanding upperclassmen show up at the gym today?"

"Well," Harada said, thinking it over carefully. "More or less, everyone came by the gym, both second-years and third-years."

"After all, club recruitment is important, so every club sent its best people."

"..."

Kushida Kikyo fell silent.

"Kikyo, are you looking for someone?"

"No, it's nothing. I just thought someone I knew might be here, but I haven't been able to find him."

Kushida Kikyo put on a smile, but anyone could see how forced it was.

She looked so delicate and frail, and her bright eyes seemed to have lost their light in an instant. It was enough to bring tears to anyone who heard her story and break the heart of anyone who saw her.

"I see. What does he look like? I can help you look for him later."

Harada narrowed her eyes, her sense of justice and righteousness suddenly swelling within her.

What class was this scumbag from, to ignore such an adorable junior?

She'd find him and deliver divine punishment!

"He's pretty tall, about this tall." Kushida raised a hand to show her height. "He has short black hair, and his eyes are really nice..."

As she spoke, her voice grew quieter...

She'd blurted it out in a moment of excitement, but if she kept describing him like this, wouldn't it sound like she had a crush on him?!

She sensed the danger she was in.

For a girl determined to expand her social circle and become an angel in everyone's eyes—

Romance was poison to her ambitions, and so was acting lovestruck.

She couldn't let even the slightest hint of it show!

If word got out that she was in love, building relationships would become more than one degree harder!

After all, no guy would open his heart to someone else's girlfriend. If he did, then there had to be something unusual about him.

For example, a taste for married women.

At that thought, Kushida changed her tune. "But thank you for offering to help, senpai. I... don't think you need to."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Harada was surprised. She didn't understand why the girl had suddenly changed her mind.

"Maybe that kind senior who helped me doesn't like being bothered."

Kushida raised her fair hand and gently wiped away the nonexistent tears at the corner of her eye. Her strained smile was full of consideration and concern.

"If I make a big show of looking for him, I'll cause him trouble."

"Honestly, you..."

Looking at the thoughtful, adorable girl before her, Harada couldn't help feeling a pang of sympathy.

She gently patted Kushida on the shoulder to comfort her.

She also gave up on the idea of looking for the guy. If the person he was looking for didn't want her help, why bother trying?

The little angel she was comforting had no idea, and let out a long breath of relief.

She'd done it!

Her image was saved!

Kushida thought, As expected of me. I managed to turn around a hopeless situation just before it fell apart.

As for finding Dongfang Yi?

There was no need to rush anymore.

In that split second, the girl had already changed her strategy.

If rushing wouldn't get her anywhere, then she'd take her time!

Kushida narrowed her eyes and secretly made up her mind.

After all, as long as she expanded her network fast enough, one day everything about that detestable guy would be exposed.

She'd make sure that guy who'd played a trick on her understood:

Man, you picked the wrong person to joke with!