Not long after Ryuen Kakeru left.
Hirata Yosuke of Class D also walked in, a springlike smile on his face as he politely nodded to everyone in the booth.
"Sorry, have we kept you waiting?"
Right behind him was the chestnut-blond short-haired girl, Kushida Kikyo, her face beaming with a sweet, highly affable smile as she clasped her hands obediently in front of her.
"Not at all, Hirata-kun, Kushida-kun. Please, have a seat." Ichinose was the first to stand, returning their greeting with the same sincere, warm smile as she gestured for them to sit.
The same process played out again.
Hirata Yosuke gently voiced a question.
"Kitagawa-kun, the cooperation you mentioned can't be that simple, can it? Since it involves special information, why not just say it outright?"
He took out an identical contract.
A moment later, Hirata Yosuke set the contract down.
"Kitagawa-kun, I understand the contents of this contract... It's just that..." He paused, looking openly at Kitagawa Kai, then at Ichinose sitting quietly beside him. "I'm sorry, but given Class D's current circumstances, I'm afraid 500,000 Personal Points... would be difficult for us to afford."
"That's all right. You can go back and discuss it with your classmates."
"I understand," Hirata said, his voice carrying a hint of solemnity.
"We'll give it serious consideration. But, Kitagawa-kun, before we bring the information back to our class, could you give us a little hint about the... nature of this information?"
It was a perfectly reasonable request. After all, no one would buy a completely unknown product based on nothing but a contract.
Kushida Kikyo nodded vigorously beside him, pressing her hands together and making a cute, slightly pleading expression:
"Yes, yes, Kitagawa-kun, just a tiny hint will do! Otherwise, we won't know how to bring it up when we get back."
Kitagawa Kai answered readily, "Sure. This information is related to the points the school will distribute next month."
"...I see." Hirata slowly let out a breath. "Thank you very much for the hint, Kitagawa-kun. I think I understand how important it is."
The importance of this information had been laid bare.
Just then, Kushida Kikyo flashed her signature smile. "Um... Kitagawa-kun, Ichinose-kun, although we still need to discuss the points when we get back, why don't we exchange contact information first, so it'll be easier to get in touch later? Is that okay?"
That was very much in keeping with Kushida Kikyo's character. She didn't care what happened to Class D; she just wanted to be the most popular person in the entire school.
Everyone exchanged contact information in a relaxed atmosphere.
"Well, we won't keep you any longer. We'll contact you as soon as we have news." As Hirata spoke, he and Kushida left the booth, one after the other.
The door closed softly, leaving only the four students from Class B in the booth again.
"Haah! Kitagawa, our class is way ahead now, right?" Shibata Sō said cheerfully, sounding pleased with himself after accomplishing something big. "We got 500,000 points, and it looks like Class D won't be able to back out either. That information was really worth selling!"
Kanzaki Ryūji's steady voice cooled Shibata's excitement a little. "Shibata, don't jump to conclusions. Class D doesn't have a clear leader, and they probably won't be able to come up with many points."
Kitagawa Kai sank deeper into the sofa, his lazy voice drifting out. "Well, we've really offended Class C now, even though they're our class's direct opponents."
"We've accomplished something big too. Why don't we have a little get-together tonight to celebrate..." Ichinose Honami said with a bright smile.
In the end, everyone's gaze settled on Kitagawa Kai, who hadn't said a word.
Kitagawa Kai: "..."
Don't @ me.
Night had fallen, and the campus path was dark.
They had ended up having the get-together, and it had now come to an end.
Kitagawa Kai and Ichinose Honami walked side by side on the way back to the dormitory area.
The day's commotion had completely faded. All around them, there was only the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze and the quiet, somewhat unsynchronized sound of their footsteps.
"Kitagawa-kun," Ichinose's voice sounded especially clear and gentle on the quiet night path. "Today... you worked hard."
Kitagawa Kai turned his head and glanced at her.
The girl's pink hair gleamed softly beneath the lights. A faint blush from the get-together still lingered on her face, but her eyes were clear.
"It's fine. This is just everyday life."
"Kitagawa-kun's everyday life really is..." Ichinose said with a hint of helplessness. "...quite eventful."
"But I think it's great that we can all work together to make Class B better."
"Ichinose, don't you think our class has a few too many get-togethers?"
"Does that bother you, Kitagawa-kun?"
"I'm fine." Kitagawa Kai's steady voice blended with the night breeze.
"Class B really does have a strong sense of unity, and that's a good thing. It's just that every class has students like Himeno Yuki, who aren't very good at handling this kind of situation."
Ichinose Honami unconsciously slowed her pace.
She lowered her head slightly, her gaze falling on the shadow stretched out in front of her by the streetlights, and fell silent for a moment.
"...Yeah, I know." A moment later, she spoke softly. "Himeno-kun was with everyone at the restaurant today, but I could tell she seemed a little out of place."
She lifted her head and looked at Kitagawa Kai, confusion in her eyes.
"I always think that if I bring everyone together and make things lively, we'll naturally grow closer."
"When I see someone sitting quietly in a corner, I can't help wondering whether I've done something wrong, whether I failed to make them feel happy too."
"You're already doing more than enough, Ichinose."
Kitagawa Kai explained calmly. "A class's atmosphere can't be maintained by one person's enthusiasm alone, and it's impossible for everyone to move in step."
"Some people like the sunshine, while others need the shade. You created a bright, sunny day, and the quiet of the night is part of the day too."
Ichinose Honami walked two steps forward, then turned around, her eyes curving into crescents.
"Yeah, you're right. I was being a little impatient. I always want to gather everyone together and make them all friends right away, and sometimes I forget that distance and space are necessary too."
"Thanks for your hard work." This time it was Kitagawa Kai's turn to say it.
"It wasn't hard." Ichinose shook her head, her tone turning cheerful. "Besides, having a reliable companion like you, Kitagawa-kun, makes me feel much more at ease. I hope we can keep working together."
[ Ding! ]
[ Ichinose Honami's Affection Level +2, current Affection Level: 57 (Friend) ]
"Likewise."
They walked side by side into the dormitory building, their shoes making only a faint sound as they touched the polished floor.
The elevator's arrival chime rang out clearly.
They stepped into the elevator, and Ichinose suddenly spoke.
"Actually... it's really nice to be able to talk with you like this, Kitagawa-kun. When I think about some things on my own, it's easy to get stuck in a rut."
"I'm glad if I could help."
The elevator gave a soft ding and slowly stopped on the third floor.
"Well then, good night, Ichinose."
"Mm, good night, Kitagawa-kun." Ichinose stood inside the elevator car, smiling as she waved to him.