Unexpected Discovery

Stepping out of the elevator, Hoshino found Sudo standing in front of his dorm room door with a somewhat reserved expression, accompanied by Sotomura.

Seeing Hoshino approach, Sudo and Sotomura quickly walked up to meet him.

"Let's go inside to talk; it's not great to stand out here," Hoshino said, pulling out his key to open the door and inviting them in.

"I only have juice right now, is that okay?" he asked, gesturing for Sudo and Sotomura to sit at a small beige table.

"Uh... oh..."

"That's fine." Compared to the somewhat reserved Sudo, Sotomura seemed quite at ease; after all, he had been here several times before!

Taking out three glasses and pouring the juice, Hoshino brought them over and pushed them in front of Sudo and Sotomura.

"...Thanks!"

Sudo seemed to want to say something.

"So, what did you guys come to see me about?" Hoshino asked after bringing over his own glass and sitting down.

"Uh... sorry, thank you! Hoshino!" Sudo said, stammering.

"What?" Hoshino didn't understand what Sudo meant for a moment.

"I mean... thanks for helping me buy those three points for English!..." Sudo rubbed his head.

Sigh—Hoshino felt a bit of regret internally as he took a sip of his juice.

Horikita was truly still too green! And to think she even mentioned paying back the points!

If one wants to become a leader, they need to buy people's hearts by any means necessary! Furthermore, since Horikita had mentioned paying back the points, Hoshino had assumed she was doing it to better win people over. As it turned out, after all this... Hoshino couldn't understand Horikita's logic at all.

However, since Chabashira-sensei was keen on promoting her, Hoshino was happy to stay out of it.

"...Are you mistaken about something?" Hoshino looked up, staring into Sudo's eyes. "This was Horikita's achievement. Whether it was the negotiation with Chabashira-sensei or the points provided, it was all Horikita and Ayanokoji. I was just a witness."

"Eh? But Horikita said..."

"...Sudo! Do you think Horikita is the type to admit she helped someone? She's very prideful, you know! How do they put it these days? Tsundere?" Hoshino said, spouting nonsense with a straight face.

"Haha!... I guess that's true!" Sudo laughed, seemingly realizing it.

Sotomura, on the side, looked full of confusion but didn't say anything.

"Right, right!"

"Anyway, thanks for this time!... I'll head back now; I need to properly thank Horikita!" Sudo said, his face full of joy as he stood up in a hurry. "Professor, what about you?"

"I'll sit for a while longer; I haven't finished my juice yet." Sotomura seemed to have something he wanted to say.

"Fair enough, I've seen you two hanging out a lot lately... Alright, that's it then! See ya!" Before the words had even faded, Sudo rushed out.

...What did he mean by "hanging out a lot"? Hoshino felt like retorting.

"Say, Hoshino, it was you who put up the points to buy Sudo's three points, right?" After a moment of silence, Sotomura spoke first.

"Yes, and no..." Hoshino himself wasn't entirely sure; it was just that, as far as the current result went, it was his 300,000 points that had been used.

"Eh? What does that mean?"

"...It's complicated, don't ask. But it's true that most of the credit belongs to Horikita."

Thinking about that unexpected turn of events, Hoshino suddenly didn't want to explain.

"Is that so?" Sotomura looked at Hoshino, half-doubting.

"Yes."

After Sotomura probed around for a long time, he finally left, still looking unconvinced. The resentful look he gave on his way out made Hoshino feel like he had goosebumps all over.

"It's still early, I'll go for a walk." After resting for a while, Hoshino felt a bit bored.

Walking out of the dormitory building, there was a small plaza nearby. Following the glow of the streetlights, Hoshino wandered over.

Before he even entered, Hoshino caught the thick, sour stench of romance!

What is up with all these couples? Doesn't the school regulate this? Don't they know how much damage this does to single guys? Hoshino felt a bit of resentment, feeling as if his "FFF Order soul" was about to awaken.

Turning around, Hoshino headed toward the artificial lake, where there were fewer people.

Perhaps because it was near the road? Or because there were so few places to sit? Even though this place was more suited for couples, he didn't see anyone.

But that was fine; taking a stroll along the lake was a good choice too!

"...Hey, if you tell... I won't... forgive you!" The voice was familiar, and Hoshino felt a spark of curiosity.

Passing through a small thicket and looking up, Hoshino saw a truly shocking scene: Kushida was grabbing Ayanokoji by the collar, and they were about to kiss!

Hoshino felt dizzy, not knowing how to react at all. So, this was the kind of relationship they had?

It wasn't just Hoshino; Ayanokoji and Kushida were also frozen in place.

A strange atmosphere permeated between the three of them.

"Uh... you guys! Carry on!" A moment later, Hoshino regained his senses and made a gesture he thought looked cool.

"Ah--" Kushida pulled away quickly as if she had just realized what was happening, covering her chest with both hands and looking flustered.

"Wait! Hoshino, it's not what you think." Ayanokoji called out to Hoshino, who was trying to escape.

"Is that so? Haha..." Having been called out by name, Hoshino could only turn around awkwardly, scratching his head.

"That is correct." There wasn't a trace of wavering on Ayanokoji's face.

"...I just accidentally tripped, and Ayanokoji-kun caught me!" Realizing what was happening, a smile appeared on Kushida's face, mixed with a look of apology, though the corners of her eyes remained stiff.

"Ah! That was my misunderstanding, sorry, sorry!" Hoshino took the hint, apologizing as if he had suddenly understood something.

Although he had been a bit dazed at first, after thinking about it carefully, given how Ayanokoji had behaved so far, Hoshino didn't think Kushida would be dating him. Plus, having vaguely heard some words earlier, Hoshino also belatedly formed a guess; it was highly likely that this guy Ayanokoji had discovered some secret of Kushida's, perhaps related to her true self.

However, Hoshino had no interest in that, so he took the opportunity to step down.

After the apologies, the three exchanged a few pleasantries, and Kushida was the first to leave.

"It's not like that, really." Ayanokoji followed him afterward.

"Oh, I already know." Hoshino stopped in his tracks, puzzled.

"I just happened to bump into the other side of Kushida, the scene where she was venting."

Sure enough, as for other matters, Hoshino didn't think there was anything that could make Kushida "break down" like that. The only thing he couldn't quite understand was why Ayanokoji would tell him such a thing? Didn't Kushida say she wouldn't forgive him if he told anyone else? Hoshino felt that Ayanokoji didn't have good intentions.

"Oh? Is that so? Let me tell you, Ayanokoji, spreading rumors is bad! Be careful, or others will find out you're secretly bad-mouthing people behind their backs..." Hoshino put on an expression of complete disbelief, "lecturing" Ayanokoji with righteous indignation.

"..."

When it comes to things like this, it's better to act like you don't know even if you do! Hoshino had a premonition!