"That's scary. You start grilling me the moment we meet. What am I, a criminal?"
Toru Hasegawa complained as they made their way to the Student Cafeteria.
"Sorry, sorry. You just give off the impression that you're the type to keep asking questions until you get to the bottom of things." Masayoshi Hashimoto laughed awkwardly.
So it was my fault after all?
Hasegawa reflected on himself. He'd just interacted with Airi Sakura that morning, and he'd gotten the same impression from her.
"So, are you buying me lunch?" Hasegawa took every opportunity to get something for free.
It had nothing to do with whether he was rich or broke. He just liked doing it. It had become a habit.
Hashimoto knew he was in the wrong. "Of course. It's my honor to treat Lord Hasegawa."
"Forget it. After hearing you say that, I'd rather pay for my own lunch... Also, what's with that weird way of addressing me?!"
Calling Sakayanagi Her Highness was one thing, but why call me Lord?
We're the same age! This is so embarrassing, damn it!!!
"Huh? You don't like it?"
"Other than Sakayanagi, who probably doesn't mind, who would?" Faced with Hashimoto's confusion, Hasegawa decided to correct his misguided thinking.
"I see. Got it." Hashimoto nodded. "Anyway, Hasegawa, I'm definitely paying for your lunch!"
So Hasegawa had no choice but to accept his offer, albeit reluctantly.
Who would turn down a free lunch? (Laugh)
After lunch, the two went to Keyaki Mall to wait for Kikyo Kushida.
She'd just sent them a message saying she'd be there soon.
Some other students would be coming along, too.
Since she'd told them about that in advance, the two had readily agreed.
Then Hasegawa got to see just how terrifying someone could be when they set out to "be friends with everyone."
"So many people?"
A quick glance showed that, besides the two of them and Kikyo Kushida, there were—
A seemingly mature girl with long, light-brown hair.
< src="https://e1.kuangxiangit./uplos/chaptersnew/964/264132/250330/1743333497-100434764-113171851.jpg" alt='Chiaki Matsushita'>
By contrast, a cute girl with shorter hair.
< src="https://e1.kuangxiangit./uplos/chaptersnew/964/264132/250330/1743333512-100434764-113171851.jpg" alt='Nene Mori'>
A gyaru with long, honey-colored hair tied in a high ponytail.
< src="https://e1.kuangxiangit./uplos/chaptersnew/964/264132/250330/1743333524-100434764-113171851.jpg" alt='Kei Karuizawa'>
A cheerful, sunny boy.
< src="https://e1.kuangxiangit./uplos/chaptersnew/964/264132/250330/1743333536-100434764-113171851.jpg" alt='Yosuke Hirata'>
Honami Ichinose, whom he'd met that morning, and two girls who stayed close by her side.
< src="https://e1.kuangxiangit./uplos/chaptersnew/964/264132/250330/1743333554-100434764-113171851.jpg" alt='Asako Amikura'>
< src="https://e1.kuangxiangit./uplos/chaptersnew/964/264132/250330/1743333561-100434764-113171851.jpg" alt='Chihiro Shiranami'>
"..."
It seemed like something strange had gotten mixed in, but that didn't matter...
There were way too many girls here!
Was this some kind of illusion? If it was, please let me stay lost in it forever!
Honami Ichinose had spotted Hasegawa, too. Looking a little embarrassed, she turned her head away, apparently not expecting to run into him here.
"Is something wrong, Ichinose?" the other two girls asked in unison, noticing her unusual reaction. It was nothing like how Honami Ichinose normally acted. Was something going on?
"N-no, it's nothing!" Honami Ichinose waved her hands in a flustered denial.
The other two clearly didn't believe her, but they had no reason to press her, so they let it go.
"I'm so happy everyone could make it!" Kikyo Kushida said with a clap, acting as the social lubricant among the ten people present. "Ah, it might be a little awkward to stand in the middle of the walkway. Let's save the introductions for the karaoke room!"
With that, the group of ten headed in a lively procession to the karaoke facility set up by the school. The largest room could reportedly fit more than forty people, so there was plenty of room for them.
Kikyo Kushida chose a medium-sized room and paid a hefty sum of points for it.
Looks like having enough money is essential if you want to make friends with this many people.
Hasegawa took note of that and worried silently.
Kushida, this won't do. You might be in trouble by next month.
"Okay, we can introduce ourselves while we sing. Of course, you can also introduce yourself right now, or not at all."
Kikyo Kushida had thought of every possibility, keeping the mood lively in a way that wouldn't make anyone uncomfortable.
No one looked uneasy. That was another reason for her success. She really was good with people.
"I'll go first. Though I'm sure you all already know me, right?" Kikyo Kushida said, tilting her head playfully. The song's instrumental began at just the right moment. "I'm Kikyo Kushida from Class D. My wish is... to become friends with everyone!"
The unrealistic wish sounded almost magical coming from Kikyo Kushida. Everyone seemed to believe she could actually achieve it.
Weren't all the people here already proof of that wish coming true?
Everyone except Class C was represented by students from the different classes.
As one song ended, the lively mood carried on with the microphone—
"I'm Honami Ichinose from Class B..."
"I'm Yosuke Hirata from Class D..."
Every few minutes, another student introduced themself, and Hasegawa got to know quite a few people from other classes.
Among them was Yosuke Hirata, the Class D leader Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had mentioned to him.
Hirata really did give off a friendly air. The girl with honey-colored hair, Karuizawa, sat beside him as if she wanted to keep him all to herself.
Were they already dating?
"Is this what youth is like?" Hasegawa mused. Before long, the microphone reached him.
"I'm Toru Hasegawa from Class A. New school, new beginning. My wish is to find my first girlfriend here."
The same comment could be received differently depending on a person's looks and demeanor. Kikyo Kushida blinked, then smiled.
"Hey, are you saying you're not very good at talking to girls, Hasegawa?"
That reminded Hasegawa of what Masumi Kamuro had told him. He understood the point himself, of course, but...
"Yeah. So I'm really grateful you invited me here, Kushida."
"I hope you find your soulmate at this school, Hasegawa." Kikyo Kushida offered him her blessing. The way she acted in public made it hard not to believe she truly meant it.
Hasegawa finished singing, feeling a little embarrassed. He wasn't a good singer; if anything, he was kind of terrible.
His introduction didn't cause any kind of stir. At least, that was how it seemed on the surface.
Time flew by, and the afternoon passed.
During that time, Kikyo Kushida made full use of her talent, keeping the conversation lively.
Sometimes Hasegawa felt as if he were someone important to her, but he quickly put that thought aside.
"A kind girl... huh?"
After they parted ways, Hasegawa murmured to himself.
He didn't yet know how much this day would affect his school life in the future.
Before you continue