This Is What Bonds Are! You Bastard...

"That would obviously be Ichinose," a boy said immediately.

As the topic shifted, the boys instantly shook off their drowsiness, answering with high spirits.

"Actually, I think Kobashi Yume is pretty cute too. Does anyone get what I mean?"

"I think cuteness is nothing compared to sexiness."

"Though, I think Himeno Yuki is really pretty, she's just a bit too cold and aloof," this boy said, unable to help but shiver.

"Hmm--" the group of boys nodded in thought.

"Heh heh, you guys should stop discussing the girls in our class," a boy named Nakanishi Jiro spoke up. "Just today, I already got to know a senior from the second year."

Nakanishi Jiro looked dreamy, resting his chin on his hands as he said, "I still remember, it was a beautiful afternoon..."

"Stop, stop, stop!" Someone quickly interrupted, "Nakanishi, you want to talk so much, but don't tell me you don't even have the senior's contact info?"

"Th-that... of course I do!" Nakanishi Jiro said, stiffening his neck. "I'm not bragging, you know."

"Then why don't you invite the senior to join our gathering?" someone suggested.

Kanzaki Ryuji frowned. "This is a boys' gathering. Isn't it inappropriate to invite girls?"

"What's wrong with that? It's just a simple chat. But Nakanishi, can you actually get her to come?" a boy said, looking at Nakanishi Jiro.

Nakanishi Jiro stammered a bit at this. "Th-this... I think it should be possible."

"Then invite her."

"Yeah, yeah, it'll be livelier that way." Some boys, feeling more comfortable with each other, began to egg him on.

Nakanishi Jiro swallowed hard, took out his Student Terminal, and sent a message directly.

Afterward, he shook the Student Terminal in his hand. "I've already sent it. As for whether she comes or not, I don't know."

"Awesome, awesome. Come, have a drink." A boy filled a glass with a beverage and handed it to Nakanishi Jiro.

"Whoa, you poured me this much?" Nakanishi Jiro waved his hand.

At this moment, Horikita Etsuka was sitting in the corner of the sofa, replying to a message.

Sakurajima Sweet: "Junior, let me guess, are you at a party right now?"

Etsuka: "Yeah, it's pretty lively."

Sakurajima Sweet: "I'm quite bored. Can I come over and hang out with you guys?"

Horikita Etsuka was slightly puzzled.

Etsuka: "Senior, are you at the KTV too?"

Sakurajima Sweet: "Yeah, just the three of us. Is it okay?"

Horikita Etsuka didn't reply immediately. He looked at the rowdy crowd before replying:

"Sure, I'm in Room 1."

Sakurajima Sweet: "Okay, okay."

Horikita Etsuka turned off his Student Terminal and began eating some snacks.

Nakanishi Jiro, currently being flattered by the others, felt a bit inflated. He looked at Horikita Etsuka on the side and said:

"Horikita, you're so handsome, you must have met quite a few seniors by now, right?"

Horikita Etsuka smiled. "It's alright, I haven't met many."

Nakanishi Jiro said, "Horikita, if I were you, I'd invite some too. It would be so much livelier."

"Nakanishi-kun..." Kanzaki Ryuji frowned. He felt that what the other person said carried a tone of condescension, so he wanted to intervene.

"Inviting some people would indeed be lively." Horikita Etsuka continued eating his snacks. He tossed a candy bean into his mouth and chewed it before saying, "Sure, I'll give it a try."

Seeing the other person respond, Nakanishi Jiro smiled and turned to talk to the others. "The senior I invited is coming. I wonder if Horikita-kun can manage to invite anyone?"

The other person didn't reply, only offering an awkward smile.

Even a fool could sense that the atmosphere had turned sour, so no one took the bait.

For a student like Nakanishi Jiro who had just entered university, being a bit full of himself was normal; essentially, there was no difference between him and a high schooler, so Horikita Etsuka's tolerance for him was still quite high.

Hamaguchi Tetsuya patted Horikita Etsuka on the shoulder and said softly, "Don't be angry. It's normal for people at this age to have a desire to show off."

Horikita Etsuka smiled and replied with only a single "Mm."

Although the atmosphere in the room was still relatively lively, the vibe had become less harmonious than before.

A moment later, a knock sounded at the door.

Nakanishi Jiro quickly stood up, smiling as he said, "That must be the senior. I'll go open the door."

As the door opened, he froze.

Standing outside were Sakurajima Sweet and two other girls with excellent appearances.

"Uh, hello, who are you looking for?" Nakanishi Jiro asked nervously.

When he opened the door and realized it wasn't the senior he knew, his mood plummeted, but he was even more afraid that they had been invited by Horikita Etsuka.

Nakanishi Jiro swallowed hard, waiting nervously for the other person's answer.

I've already talked such a big game, it has to be that she walked into the wrong room. If she was actually called here by Horikita, I'll be humiliated.

He had gotten carried away and boasted quite a bit just moments ago; if the person really had been summoned by Horikita, his reputation would be dragged through the dirt.

And if I get labeled as a braggart before I've even fully integrated into the group...

Nakanishi Jiro couldn't help but tremble; he would likely spend the next three years being the butt of everyone's jokes.

Sakurajima Sweet's lips finally parted slowly:

"Um, I'm here to look for Hori..."

Nakanishi Jiro felt his heartbeat skip a beat.

Ding-dong!

Just as Sakurajima Sweet was about to say the name, a message suddenly arrived on her Student Terminal.

Sakurajima Sweet glanced down at the message, then exchanged a subtle look with Horikita Etsuka, who was sitting in the corner of the booth.

"Hehe." Sakurajima Sweet gave a shallow smile. "Sorry, classmate, I walked into the wrong room."

"W-wrong room?" Nakanishi Jiro was stunned. He had been on the verge of hearing her say the name "Horikita Etsuka," yet she suddenly claimed she was in the wrong place?

"Yes, sorry for the disturbance." Sakurajima Sweet nodded slightly, then turned and left with the two girls in tow.

"Haha, Nakanishi, I thought the upperclassman you invited was finally showing up." Someone teased.

"Yeah, seriously." Another chimed in.

Nakanishi Jiro slowly turned his head and gave an awkward laugh. "Actually, the upperclassman just messaged me saying she's busy and won't be coming."

"Ugh, what a bummer."

"Then we can only pray that classmate Horikita can manage to invite an upperclassman."

Horikita Etsuka sat on the sofa with his legs crossed and said, "No luck on my end either. The upperclassman turned me down directly just now."

"Wow, no way. She even turned down an invitation from a handsome guy like you." The group groaned in disappointment.

Nakanishi Jiro subconsciously looked at the indifferent Horikita Etsuka, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions.

Time passed quickly, and everyone had a great time at the KTV, but since school was officially starting tomorrow, they wrapped things up early.

8:03 PM, on the campus path.

Horikita Etsuka was walking leisurely with his hands behind his head when Nakanishi Jiro suddenly caught up from behind.

"Horikita! Wait up!"

"Hm? Nakanishi?" Horikita Etsuka turned around to look at the panting Nakanishi Jiro. "Is something the matter?"

Nakanishi Jiro took a few deep breaths, then slowly straightened his back. "Horikita, thank you for not calling me out back at the KTV and for saving my face."

Horikita Etsuka smiled slightly. "We're going to be spending the next three years together, after all. I wouldn't want our relationship to turn sour."

Nakanishi Jiro stared at Horikita Etsuka's face, momentarily dazed.

The moonlight hit Horikita Etsuka's handsome features, making them appear soft.

"Yeah, but I still want to sincerely say I'm sorry here! Classmate Horikita! Please forgive me!"

Nakanishi Jiro bowed deeply.

Horikita Etsuka slowly helped him stand upright, the corners of his mouth curling into a bright, sunny smile. "I forgive you."

Nakanishi Jiro was overcome with emotion; he gripped Horikita Etsuka's hand and said, "Thank you, Horikita!"

"Don't mention it. From now on... just call me Etsuka, Jiro."

Nakanishi Jiro was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant and nodded vigorously.

"Yeah, Etsuka!"