A Series of Twists and Turns

Just like that, the commotion caused by Kushida Kikyo set off a chain of events.

Even Ryuen Kakeru, who was usually so calculating, finally decided after much deliberation to temporarily give up on targeting Class D and turn his attention to Class B.

Although Kushida Kikyo had brought Class D a wave of fame, many students had even claimed to be close to Kushida and earned extra points as a result.

But now, she felt that this dazzling situation wasn't as wonderful as she had imagined. The wish her master had promised to grant her was already halfway fulfilled before she had even realized it.

Yet when she saw her classmates greeting her with smiles, then turning sour-faced the moment they saw her master, something inside her wavered.

For some reason, even though she would once have rushed over without hesitation to make peace on her master's behalf, now she found herself hesitating...

Was she worried that she would ruin the image her classmates had of her?

Kushida asked herself, but for a moment, she had no answer.

Meanwhile, Hirata Yosuke, the class representative who had first proposed the Study Fund Support Plan, didn't seem discouraged by Ryuen Kakeru's interference last time.

This time, however, he clearly had a new target in mind: a girl who had recently caused a sensation across the entire school...

"Kushida, do you have a moment to talk?" Hirata Yosuke's voice rang out, as warm and gentle as ever.

"Huh? What did you want to talk to me about, Hirata?" Kushida Kikyo turned and replied with a sweet smile.

Seeing that, Hirata Yosuke eagerly said with a smile, "Haha, it's nothing much. I just wanted to thank you in particular for the attention you've brought to our whole class recently. As class representative, I felt it was only right."

"Not only have we been treated with the respect we deserve in our daily lives, but you've also made Class D a bright spot for the whole school."

"Thank you, Kushida."

Faced with Hirata Yosuke's sudden, heartfelt thanks, Kushida Kikyo responded politely, caught off guard. "Huh? Please don't say that, Hirata. It's my honor to contribute to the class. Hehe~"

With all the attention she'd received lately, her gentle, sweet voice immediately made the surrounding students pause what they were doing and applaud her.

Seeing that so many students were now watching, Hirata Yosuke joined in the applause. As he reflected on the situation, his gaze flickered slightly.

Given Kushida's reputation, influence, and attitude, it seemed she might be even more suited than Rinya to lead this beneficial project that could help the class improve.

With that thought, he couldn't help voicing what was on his mind. "Kushida, as one of the core members of Class D, there's a worthwhile project that could benefit the class in the long run. If you're willing, could I ask you to take the lead?"

"Huh, really? If it's for the class, I'd be happy to do it," Kushida immediately replied aloud, with everyone praising her.

"R-really, Kushida? That's wonderful!" Overcome with excitement, Hirata Yosuke grabbed both her hands before letting go almost immediately when he felt her resist. His voice, however, remained just as enthusiastic.

"Do you remember the Study Fund Support Plan I proposed earlier?"

"It was interrupted by some unexpected problems, but now that you're leading the way, Kushida, I'm sure this good cause—which can benefit the class in the long term—will succeed."

His voice rang out bright and clear, soon drawing applause and support from most of the class.

But Kushida, who had just been basking in the moment, froze in place, her expression blank.

She wasn't the only one. Because the room had grown so loud, even Rinya, who always sat in the back gazing at the clouds drifting past the window, lost in his own world, turned halfway around in surprise.

His cold gaze soon turned away again, but Kushida Kikyo happened to catch it just as she was looking his way to give him an apologetic look.

Already at a loss, she grew even more flustered.

She didn't know how she would explain this to her master later, let alone what she should say now.

If you like this book, add it to your bookshelf so you won't have trouble finding it next time.

She looked around, hoping someone would help, but the friends she was usually close to all chose to avoid her gaze.

She searched helplessly from side to side. Seeing the classmates who had been praising her grow increasingly puzzled at her silence, she knew that if she didn't respond soon, they'd start to resent her. But...

At that crucial moment, a cool gaze came her way, forcing her to look over.

"Horikita Suzune!" Kushida's face twitched.

The girl she had always tried her hardest to avoid was now the only one meeting her gaze head-on.

"..."

As her emotions churned, Horikita Suzune's gaze signaled for her to get ready to make a break for it.

Kushida had been trying to convince herself to ignore her, but it seemed Horikita wasn't going to give her the chance.

Before Kushida could react, Horikita Suzune suddenly slammed her hands on the desk and stood up.

"Bang!"

The sudden crash made many people jump and turn around. Some asked irritably what was going on, while others glared in anger.

But that was all they did. After all, Ken Sudō was right there. Anyone who dared run their mouth would have to watch their back on the way home.

"Horikita, what's going on?" The first to speak were Ken Sudō's underlings, Yamauchi and Ike, who had been dreaming of wonderful things in their sleep.

"None of your business. Get back to it," Ken Sudō waved them off.

The two wiped the drool from their faces. Though thoroughly annoyed, they could only lie back down. But first, they had to sneak a glance at the girls they had crushes on. Otherwise, it just wouldn't feel right.

Horikita Suzune had made the loud crash, and when she saw that Kushida had already slipped out, she thought she could explain it away with a quick excuse. She hadn't expected to accidentally provoke someone terrifying.

A clear, booming voice rang out, tinged with anger. The sound made many people's ears buzz.

"Ah, beautiful lady, would you mind telling me why you just shouted?"

Koenji looked at the broken pieces of his precious mirror, and for once, a trace of regret appeared in his eyes.

But that was only in one eye. His other eye was already fixed coldly on Horikita Suzune.

Horikita Suzune had never met anyone whose two eyes could show such completely different expressions at the same time.

She was shocked, but what surprised her even more was that this man, who usually lived in his own world, exuded pressure several times greater than what she had felt from Ryuen Kakeru when he had cornered her.

She realized she might have made a grave mistake. Not only had she failed to notice this hidden powerhouse in time, but she had also made him hostile toward her.

Horikita Suzune was about to apologize and ask for his forgiveness, but before she could get the words out, he said something that made her swallow them.

"If you can't give me a reasonable explanation for what just happened, I'm afraid I'll have a hard time forgiving you~"

"I..." Horikita Suzune lowered her head, at a loss for words.

A reasonable explanation...

She couldn't exactly tell him the truth. But if she lied, Horikita Suzune's instincts told her he would see right through her, and the consequences would be even worse.

She turned and saw that Ayanokoji had no intention of getting involved. Sighing, she was about to stand and apologize, but Ken Sudō's angry voice interrupted her first. "Hey, you self-absorbed jerk! So what if you broke one lousy mirror? Why are you yelling at Horikita? You want me to beat you up?"

Faced with Ken Sudō's scowling face, an ordinary, timid person might have already backed down. Koenji, however, didn't seem fazed.

"Oh dear, oh dear. Why are your words so vulgar and uncouth, reckless sir~"

"I'd love to downplay the value of this mirror, but it's probably worth more than you could ever imagine, even in your dreams~"