After Linmu had "generously paid for" lunch with Kikyo Kushida—that is, after he'd simply treated her to a meal in the cafeteria—the two of them quietly settled into a new routine. Whenever nothing unusual came up, they went to the cafeteria together at lunchtime.
Linmu had an absurd amount of points to spare and didn't care about the cost of a meal, so he simply kept "helping" Kushida out this way.
After all, she was the first person at this academy he'd gotten to know on his own initiative—though, in truth, it had been more passive than anything—and with whom he'd kept up a friendly relationship. She could almost be called a "friend."
Watching her lend away so many points because she was too kind for her own good, then sadly make do with the bland, tasteless free meals, made Linmu feel a little... guilty. It was only one extra place setting, anyway.
Kikyo Kushida naturally felt a little guilty about it...
Whenever they ate together, she'd remind him several times that once the school handed out points the following month—assuming Class D got any—she'd pay him back for the meals right away.
Linmu would always wave her off, food stuffed in his mouth as he mumbled, "No rush," or "We'll see." He never actually expected her to pay him back.
This little bit of money wasn't even a drop in the bucket for him. He might as well consider it an investment in "friendship," though he wasn't sure whether what he had with Kushida really counted as a standard "friendship."
It was a sunny afternoon.
The two of them were sitting in their usual quiet corner by the cafeteria window, with two fairly fancy teriyaki chicken rice sets in front of them.
Linmu ate at an unhurried pace while Kikyo Kushida picked at her food and animatedly told him the latest classroom gossip.
Who'd fallen out over lending points, which small study session Yosuke Hirata had organized, and how Kei Karuizawa had a new hair accessory today...
The mood was relaxed and pleasant, like two ordinary friends having lunch together.
Just then, the phone Kushida had left at the corner of the table lit up and began to vibrate.
A call was coming in from a number in Class D's internal directory, but there was no name saved for it.
Kushida looked at the screen, her face taking on an apologetic expression. She glanced at Linmu and silently mouthed, "Just a moment."
Linmu nodded indifferently and went back to focusing on his chicken.
(Here comes the food police...)
Kushida answered the call, her voice returning to its usual gentle sweetness. "Hello, this is Kikyo Kushida."
A flat, emotionless male voice came from the other end.
It was faintly audible through the phone, enough for Linmu beside her to make out:
"Is that Kushida? It's Ayanokoji."
It was Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, the inconspicuous, expressionless boy from Class D.
His voice didn't waver in the slightest, as though he were reporting something that had nothing to do with him but still needed to be passed along.
His usual cool detachment was fully on display. "You've been chosen as the 'Friendly Ambassador.' Do your best for the class."
Kikyo Kushida froze at that, genuine confusion appearing on her face. She instinctively asked, "Um... Ayanokoji? What do you mean? I don't really understand..."
She hadn't understood what Ayanokoji was talking about at all.
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji remained just as calm on the other end, as if he were reading from an instruction manual. He clearly and concisely explained the situation from beginning to end.
It turned out that Suzune Horikita had organized a study group on her own to help Ken Sudō and several other students who were on the verge of failing their midterm exams and facing expulsion.
And Kikyo Kushida, because she was cheerful, sociable, and very popular in class, had been unilaterally appointed—or, rather, needed...
As the "Friendly Ambassador," she'd be responsible for coordinating, rallying, and organizing more students to join the study group.
Ayanokoji explained that Horikita's imposing, keep-your-distance attitude made her completely unsuited to rallying people.
After hearing Ayanokoji's utterly emotionless explanation, the confusion in Kikyo Kushida's eyes quickly faded.
In its place came a sense of duty at having been entrusted with an important task—or, perhaps, at being needed...
Almost instantly, her tone turned firm and energetic, and even her voice rose a little.
"You're holding a study group for Sudō and the others? Horikita organized it herself!"
There was a hint of admiration in her voice. If Horikita was the one who needed help, then Kushida would gladly do it.
"When a friend is in trouble, of course you do whatever it takes to help! I'll definitely pitch in! Don't worry, Ayanokoji.
(This is really hard to feel reassured about, with Kushida and Horikita supposedly doing whatever it takes for each other.)
"I'll work closely with Horikita and do my best to get more people involved! This is for everyone in Class D!"
Linmu had heard their entire conversation, but kept his head down.
He slowly ate the last few pieces of teriyaki chicken from his bowl. He didn't stop eating, and his face showed no reaction. His thoughts were just as undisturbed.
He neither supported nor opposed Kushida joining the study group Horikita was organizing.
That was simply how Kushida was: enthusiastic, devoted to her "friends," and fond of feeling needed.
(Not friends. Not, not friends.)
Joining the study group to help her classmates, especially a troublesome character like Ken Sudō...
As for the study group itself... Linmu could tell it wouldn't go smoothly without even having to think hard about it.
Was Ken Sudō the type to sit still and study? Would anyone respond well to Horikita's icy teaching style?
Could this scattered bunch from Class D really pull together just because of one study group? He had serious doubts.
But so what?
He'd never been the type to meddle in other people's affairs, especially not in Class D's petty, uncertain "struggles."
He respected Kushida's choice. He didn't care in the slightest about Class D's future. It had nothing to do with him, and he couldn't be bothered to interfere.
After Kushida hung up, she still wore that bright, newly energized smile. Her eyes sparkling, she turned to Linmu, eager to share the news.
"Linmu, I'm going to join the study group Horikita's organizing!
"I'll help tutor Sudō and the others so everyone can pass the midterms and avoid expulsion!
"This is for the whole class!"
Linmu looked up at her, full of energy and seemingly ready to throw herself into a great cause. He nodded faintly, chewing as he mumbled, "Mm. Sounds good."
Then he lowered his head again, picked up the miso soup beside him, and swallowed the last bite of rice.
He didn't ask for details about the study group, offer any advice, or express any concern or encouragement.
Kushida had chosen her own path, and whether it turned out well or badly, she'd have to walk it herself.
He only needed to be himself and live his own life.
As for Class D's future, the inevitably bumpy study group, and the midterm results...
To Linmu Fujimiya, they were just another little incident about to unfold in this meritocracy school—perhaps something entertaining to watch.
He'd wait and see... No, maybe he couldn't even be bothered to watch. He'd just hear how it turned out in passing.
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