Everything Was Part of the Plan

Casting aside his distracting thoughts, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka steadied himself.

He still had important business to handle.

As for that matter, he could take it slow.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka then took out his phone again and opened his contacts.

Then he stared at it blankly.

Never mind that he did not have anyone else's contact information.

But why did he not have Kushida Kikyo's?

He clearly remembered.

Kushida Kikyo had particularly emphasized that she wanted to be friends with everyone in the class.

She had even gone around adding people one by one.

There was no reason for her to forget him.

Did he really have so little presence in class?

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka suddenly felt a little discouraged.

I'm tired. Let it all burn.

He lowered his head and forgot about what had just happened.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka pulled himself together again.

It was fine.

He just had to pretend he did not know.

Afterward, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka waited for an opportunity when Kushida Kikyo was alone.

Then he caught up with her.

"Kushida, please wait!" A voice devoid of emotional fluctuation came from behind her.

In this empty hallway without a single passerby, it sounded especially eerie.

A terrible expression flashed across Kushida Kikyo's face as well.

Fortunately, it was broad daylight.

She knew that was impossible.

But that voice was terrifying, okay?!

Kushida Kikyo turned around with a bright smile and looked at the person approaching. "You're Ayanokoji, right?"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka scratched his head shyly. "I didn't expect Kushida to remember me. That's great."

Kushida Kikyo narrowed her eyes slightly. Was he so shy that he could not call her Kikyo directly?

Kushida Kikyo said teasingly, "Of course. I remember everyone's name in the class."

"That's amazing! I could never do that." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was quite good at flattering people.

Unfortunately, that level of praise did little for her.

She had heard it all long ago.

"Ayanokoji, what do you need?" Thinking he was surely asking her to add him, Kushida Kikyo felt a swell of pride rise in her heart.

As long as it did not involve Horikita Suzune.

She could have a happy day every day.

"Kushida, there's something I'd like to ask of you."

"Mhm, mhm." Kushida Kikyo's adorable eyes sparkled.

Go ahead. Helping others was what she loved most.

"I'm going to ask some upperclassmen for help to make sure Sudo and the others aren't expelled. I'll need your assistance during the process."

Upon hearing that it concerned the trio.

Kushida Kikyo's expression froze in stunned disbelief.

She did not have much of a problem with the dense Sudo Ken.

But she had deep grievances against the other two.

There was no other reason.

Their conversations showed no consideration for girls' feelings at all, and they made crude evaluations openly.

Since she was not some saint.

It had left her deeply hurt inside.

But now that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had come asking.

She had no choice but to grit her teeth and accept.

Kushida Kikyo revealed a relieved expression. "That's great. I was actually worried about them too, but I never knew how to help."

"Then let's go." It was just about time to head to the cafeteria for lunch. If they moved quickly, they could settle it today.

"Okay, I'll let them know."

Thinking of the friends waiting for her back in class, Kushida Kikyo took out her phone.

After notifying them, Kushida Kikyo gave a playful smile.

"How did you think of asking upperclassmen for help, Ayanokoji? I'm really curious." Kushida Kikyo's eyes flickered like dazzling stars.

"I happened to discover that they could help." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka did not intend to explain clearly and brushed it off.

Liar.

Kushida Kikyo made an accurate judgment in an instant.

Her eyes flickered.

She began guessing who was behind this matter.

With Ayanokoji Kiyotaka looking so blank and foolish, how could he possibly have come up with a solution?

It was true that he was a little handsome.

Unfortunately, Kushida Kikyo was not completely obsessed with looks.

She would not show favoritism.

Besides, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's timing was highly suspicious.

Even though she had not attended the study group Horikita Suzune had organized.

She had still heard about it.

Horikita Suzune's study group had fallen through.

That was within her expectations.

With that personality.

How could Horikita Suzune possibly organize it successfully?

Yet even so.

She had still attracted some people to her side.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had stepped forward now, so was he one of them too?

Kushida Kikyo secretly clenched her pearly teeth.

Being pretty really was nice.

Kushida Kikyo felt an indescribable jealousy.

She had put in tremendous effort just to make friends.

Yet Horikita Suzune had done nothing, and her personality was terrible.

What gave her the right?! Was it just that face?!

Kushida Kikyo's anger immediately flared.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who was walking ahead, suddenly felt as though something was off in the air.

He glanced sideways at Kushida Kikyo.

Kushida Kikyo smiled sweetly. "Ayanokoji, is there anything else you need to tell me?"

Maybe it was just his imagination. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka considered it and said, "No. Kushida, just improvise as you see fit."

If he laid out the arrangements in too much detail, it would expose too many problems. He was not stupid.

"Don't worry." Kushida Kikyo patted her chest.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka quickly looked away.

Kushida Kikyo covered her mouth and giggled. Case closed—the person behind this was definitely Horikita Suzune.

Only she would have the free time to concern herself with the trio.

Thinking of that, Kushida Kikyo became a little angry.

It was one thing for Horikita Suzune not to be friends with her.

But she was willing to spend time helping those awful guys.

Horikita Suzune, don't go too far!

Kushida Kikyo clenched her fist.

Everything afterward proceeded smoothly.

With Kushida Kikyo's cuteness working its magic.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka bargained fiercely and reduced the cost of buying the questions to the absolute minimum.

Then, wanting to hide his achievements and reputation, he handed the fruits of his labor over to Kushida Kikyo.

That approach left Kushida Kikyo somewhat dumbfounded.

What did he mean by not wanting to show his face? Did he really take her for an idiot?

And had this plan not been Horikita Suzune's idea?

But after hearing Ayanokoji Kiyotaka put it that way.

The little confidence in Kushida Kikyo's heart began to waver.

But if it was not Horikita Suzune, who would use this matter to curry favor with her?

Even if there was someone.

She had no concrete clue. Was she supposed to play the fool?

Kushida Kikyo did not think so.

After making things this complicated, there was no reason they would not want her to know their identity.

As for it being Ayanokoji Kiyotaka himself.

Kushida Kikyo did not consider that possibility at all.

Kushida Kikyo racked her brains, but she could not find anyone suspicious.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka saw Kushida Kikyo's hesitation.

He understood.

He just needed to persuade her a little more.

There was no reason someone as kind as Kushida Kikyo would refuse.

Actually, it would be fine even if she revealed it.

Because this was a plan that killed two birds with one stone.

If it was exposed.

It would mean Kushida Kikyo was not trustworthy in the future, and he could also use it to draw Horikita Suzune's attention.

In Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's view.

Shi Cheng had merely done something that attracted Horikita Suzune.

He could do that too, and it would be easy.

If it was not exposed.

That would be even better.

If what he wanted came too easily, he would quickly lose interest.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had no other hobbies here.

One was experiencing an ordinary life, and the other was finding a little excitement as seasoning.

After all, life being too monotonous was no good.