Horikita Manabu Invites Kujo

Kujo knew nothing about Ryuen's movements, nor the matters concerning Ichinose and Sakayanagi.

He simply began to slowly adapt to life with a girlfriend, one school day after another.

The initial intensity of their romance seemed to settle into a sense of normalcy as time passed.

On his day off, he still tried to send an invitation for a date to her.

Kujo: [Hiyori, I want to go out with you.]

Hiyori: [...Right now?]

Kujo: [Yeah, but we aren't going to read books.]

Hiyori: [You're mean.]

Shopping mall.

"What is this?"

For their first date, Kujo had chosen a gift to give to Hiyori:

"Lutein. It's good for your eyes. You don't like it?"

"I like it, but Kujo-kun, why are you carrying a reusable shopping bag?"

"Isn't that how things are done when shopping here? Besides, it's a waste to spend extra money on a bag after buying things."

"Waste... that's what I should be saying to you. Kujo-kun~ don't buy me things randomly anymore, you don't have enough points to—"

Hiyori drew out her tone, deliberately emphasizing to Kujo, "Be—waste—ful."

Usually, Kujo would buy Hiyori many small gifts from time to time.

Basically, every time they went out, it was like this, and this time she couldn't help but speak up to remind him.

After all, Hiyori knew that Kujo didn't have many points left.

The time that followed.

Kujo and Hiyori began to stroll through the shops.

After a few days of research, Kujo had found the trick to reducing the frequency of her shyness while on dates.

First, he had to wear his school uniform; that way, he at least looked like a student.

Then, he had to wear sunglasses to reduce the chances of making eye contact with the girl.

To that end, Kujo had specifically sought out Albert to help him pick out a style of sunglasses.

Hard work pays off.

After spending a few days together.

Hiyori had slowly begun to accept doing slightly intimate things with Kujo.

Like taking a photo together.

"Smile, Kujo-kun."

The sun was too harsh, and Kujo's smile looked very unnatural.

"Kujo-kun, my feet are tired from standing on my tiptoes."

Kujo smiled.

Hiyori often used various almost-unfair methods to force Kujo to do things that met her expectations.

Without a doubt, when it came to mastering the user manual for the other person, Hiyori was far ahead of Kujo.

And just as the girl was editing the photo on the side.

Kujo saw a familiar figure approaching them from not far away.

If he could say one thing, it was that Kujo absolutely did not want to see this person at this moment.

But the other party clearly had a very clear target, stepping closer to Kujo's direction step by step.

"Senior Horikita, I am very happy to have such a coincidental encounter with you in a place like this."

Kujo stepped forward, standing in front of Hiyori, and said this to the approaching Horikita Manabu.

"A coincidental encounter? Kujo-kun, that's an interesting way to put it. Aren't so-called coincidental encounters just carefully designed meetings?"

The person who arrived was none other than Horikita Manabu.

As the president of the Student Council of this school, the leader of Class A of the Third Year, and currently the most famous person in Advanced Nurturing High School, he left a deep impression on the first-years.

No matter who it was, they would label the Horikita Manabu before them with words like composed, honor student, and all-rounder.

Kujo was also surprised as to why the other party would seek him out.

He shouldn't have done anything worthy of this big shot taking action personally.

In the original work, Horikita Manabu had very little screen time.

There were not many opportunities for him to take action personally, and he was even labeled by some as "a character with a lofty reputation who is actually inferior to Nagumo Miyabi."

His initial appearance was simply to discover Ayanokoji's hidden true strength and invite him to join the Student Council.

However, although the specific reason for him seeking out Kujo was unknown.

Since Horikita Manabu had taken the initiative to come, Kujo understood that he must have already conducted some investigation into him, and it was certainly not a coincidence.

In the silence.

Horikita Manabu shifted his gaze to Hiyori, who was standing behind Kujo.

Hiyori also keenly sensed the gaze from the Student Council President, so she spoke up:

"I am Shiina Hiyori from Class 1-C."

Horikita Manabu returned the greeting.

In Japanese schools, there exists an unwritten hierarchy between seniors and juniors.

Generally speaking, lower-year students are expected to respect their seniors, whether in clubs or in daily academic life.

Especially for a respected position like the Student Council President.

Basic courtesy was still necessary.

After the greetings, the group stood in silence for a few minutes.

The shopping mall had unexpectedly fewer students than usual at this time, most likely because the weather was getting warmer.

Horikita Manabu glanced at his watch, the minute and second hands overlapping for an instant, and he spoke:

"I know a place with good coffee. Would you like to join me?"

This was an invitation from the Student Council President of this school.

Even in the near future, it would serve as a topic of conversation for an average student.

"Since it is an invitation from Horikita-senpai, then very well."

Subsequently, Hiyori tugged on Kujo's sleeve and slowly followed behind him.

Horikita Manabu led Kujo and Hiyori to a cafe that looked very high-end.

If this were outside, Kujo would never have felt even a shred of curiosity about the layout of such a shop, regardless of the average cost per person.

The high-end nature of such upscale establishments can be reflected in the following aspects:

Emphasis on service, prices that are appropriately expensive, and few people.

However, if it were for a private conversation, this kind of place would be quite suitable.

After entering the shop.

The group began to order.

Kujo took a look; Hiyori had chosen the cheapest cup of coffee.

OK.

Kujo's finger slid to the end of the ordering app, and he decisively chose the most expensive cup of coffee in the shop.

This way, the two of them could balance out the average cost.

It was simply perfect.

Horikita Manabu, however, did not care about this at all.

A rich person is a rich person.

Or could it be...

Can the Student Council even reimburse this?!

However, Horikita Manabu also chose the cheapest option, which made Kujo sense that something was slightly off.

In the time that followed.

None of the three spoke.

Kujo was peeking at what Hiyori was doing.

She sat beside him, quietly reading a book.

The pocket-sized book was easy to carry, and if she wasn't carrying a school bag, Hiyori's books were usually carried by Kujo.

When the coffee was served, it was steaming hot.

Kujo was afraid of the heat and prepared to let it cool down first.

Hiyori, on the other hand, seemed to have no such weakness; she closed her book and then gently tucked her hand into Kujo's embrace.

Does one really need to unbutton their cuffs before drinking coffee?

Hmm?

To think he actually needs to savor the aroma of the liquid coffee beans first?

Kujo kept on learning.

A period of quiet waiting.

Something was wrong.

Hiyori felt that something was wrong.

Why were Kujo and President Horikita both not moving?

Why were they not saying anything?

Hiyori realized that their position in the grand hall was in the blind spot of several security cameras.

There was no one else in the hall.

As for students, there were only the three of them.

The waiters were also stationed at their usual spots not far away, their gazes not lingering on their location.

The meticulous Kujo should have noticed this long ago.

Then, what was President Horikita waiting for?

The sound of turning pages could be clearly heard.

The faint fragrance of the beans still lingered between her lips and teeth.

Although the quiet environment was intimidating, Kujo was by her side.

Hiyori was thinking calmly.

When alone with Kujo, Hiyori's head would always feel hot.

But when a third person was present, her train of thought became exceptionally clear.

Realizing that the two of them were likely not speaking because of her presence, Hiyori set down the cup in her hand.

"Kujo, you are not allowed to damage my book."

After saying that, Hiyori left the loft.