The Relaxed Atmosphere of Class D

"Hey, Sotomura. How's that program I asked you to write coming along?"

Ayanokoji asked.

"Oh, almost done, almost done. Ayanokoji, can this thing really...?"

"Yeah, I guarantee it."

Sotomura gazed at Ayanokoji with blissful eyes, as if declaring that from now on, he was his best friend.

"Hey, Kagami. What's going on with you and Nene? I feel like she's been looking at you differently since she got back."

Kushida went over to talk after Nagami and the others returned.

"Nene? We're just ordinary friends."

"Oh, just friends. That's a relief."

Kushida pressed a hand to her chest, calming herself down.

"She confessed to me once, but I turned her down."

"She confessed... Wait, she confessed?!"

Alarm bells rang in Kushida's mind, and her face paled. Fighting down her panic, she forced a smile.

"So, did anything happen afterward? Why did you reject her?" she asked, firing off questions one after another.

"Nothing happened. I just didn't get that heart-fluttering feeling."

Nagami shrugged. Hearing that, Kushida felt a glimmer of hope, but it was immediately followed by a new worry.

"Ah, I know your type. First, you tell her to start as friends and get her hopes up. Then you gradually control the girl's thoughts, fool around with her under the guise of friendship, and finally dump her once you're bored, without taking any responsibility. Am I wrong?"

"You've got quite an imagination, Kikyo."

Nagami spread his hands helplessly.

"Can't it just be a purely platonic friendship?"

Nagami had a feeling he'd said that somewhere before, but he couldn't remember where.

"Then what kind of girl would make your heart flutter?"

Kushida asked as if it were just a casual question. Nagami scratched his head, thinking.

"Hmm... Probably someone kind, gentle, and attentive."

Kushida's heart suddenly beat faster. Was Nagami hinting at her? Was he making a bold move on her?

But she wanted to make absolutely sure, so she pretended to ask jokingly.

"Then if a girl like that confessed to you, you definitely wouldn't turn her down, right?"

"In theory, yeah."

Nagami smiled.

Then Kushida gathered her courage and looked Nagami in the eye.

"Then... what if... that person... is right here in front of you?"

Nagami froze for a moment, looking at Kushida's flushed face and nervous expression.

He understood at once, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

"I'd turn her down. One of the things I like best is telling girls who think they're really cute 'NO.'"

Hearing Nagami's strange way of rejecting her, Kushida didn't know whether to feel angry or dejected. It sounded like a rejection, but also like he was teasing her in a joking way. She couldn't tell whether to smile or cry.

"Hey, Kagami~ What are we to each other now?"

Kushida asked one of those classic, self-destructive questions. At times like this, a relationship either took a step forward or ended in unbearable heartbreak.

Nagami fought the urge to tease her and gave a serious answer.

"I can be your guy best friend."

That was what he'd meant to say in his head, but what came out was, "I think of you as my best friend."

"Tch, you're the worst!"

Kushida didn't get the answer she'd hoped for and started getting flustered. Pouting, she headed for the girls' tent.

Nagami sighed and went back to planning beef dishes in his head.

Unnoticed, a shadow lurked in a dark corner, glaring viciously at Nagami.

Night fell~

Noisy bursts of laughter rang out from the tents now and then!

King's Game

"Who's the king? Who's the king?"

Everyone turned over the playing cards in their hands.

"Why did I get dragged into this game?"

Ayanokoji looked at Sudo, puzzled.

"Please, Ayanokoji. Without you, a lot of the girls won't join in. There's no atmosphere at all."

"Oh, I see. I guess I'm kind of unnecessary."

"I'm the king."

Ike looked at his card and announced excitedly.

"Number 3 and number 5, give each other a hug."

"I'm number 5." "I'm number 3."

Ayanokoji and Karuizawa looked at each other.

Karuizawa's face instantly turned red to the tips of her ears. She was utterly embarrassed.

"Kiss! Kiss!"

Everyone started chanting. With no choice, the two reluctantly brushed against each other.

"Oh, what are you playing? It looks like fun. Let me join!"

After Nagami entered the tent, he saw how lively things were and figured it had to be fun.

"Welcome!"

Nene took the lead, and quite a few girls chimed in.

"Tch."

The Three Idiots all made the same sound. Because Nagami was popular with girls, he'd become the boys' public enemy. They weren't afraid of a friend doing well; they were afraid of him doing too well.

Seeing their friend surrounded by girls was more painful than being killed.

Horikita was off to the side, eating snacks and reading. When she saw Nagami join in, she said she'd play too.

"Who's the king? Who's the king?"

Sato drew the king card.

"Number 7, say how many relationships you've had."

"I'm number 7."

Nagami raised his hand, and everyone turned to look at him.

"Zero. I'm still waiting for my first love!"

"Yeah, right!" Everyone jeered, clearly unconvinced.

"Really. Whether it was in X High or middle school, I turned down every confession."

"Why did you turn them down?" Nene asked.

"It's a long story. I couldn't explain it all in a moment. We can't exactly stop the game, can we?"

Nagami explained.

"Who's the king? Who's the king?"

Sudo drew the king card.

"Number 9, describe your ideal type."

"I like mature, dependable men, like the Student Council President in the third year."

Horikita said expressionlessly.

Total brother complex! everyone thought.

"Who's the king? Who's the king?"

Horikita drew the king card.

"Number 8, tell us what you think of this class."

"What a sharp question!"

Everyone exclaimed.

Once again, Nagami answered.

"Class D is a united, friendly, and ambitious group. The whole class works hard together, creating a positive learning environment and a strong team spirit. It's a lively class, where everyone works hard to show their best in their own field."

Nagami said a lot, yet it felt like he hadn't said anything at all.

"Who's the king? Who's the king?"

The next round began.

"Number 4, feed a piece of food to someone of the opposite sex here."

Yamauchi drew the king card this time.

Horikita turned over her card and saw that she had number 4.

She looked around. All the boys were staring at her expectantly. In the end, her gaze settled on Ayanokoji, who gave a slight start.

"You'd better be grateful."

Horikita picked up a cookie and walked over to Ayanokoji. Whistles and cheers immediately erupted around them.

As she spoke, she held the cookie up to Ayanokoji's mouth. Ayanokoji hesitated, then opened his mouth and took a small bite.

The red-haired gorilla's heart shattered into pieces at the sight. He'd hoped this would give him a chance to get closer to Horikita, but instead, it only made him feel worse.

"Who's the king? Who's the king?"

The game continued...