The Girl Offering Friendship

Nighttime. The desk lamp cast a warm yellow glow, perfect for reading. Kitagawa Kai sat at his desk, his fingertip silently gliding across his phone screen.

Ever since he added Kushida Kikyo as a friend the other day (he forgot to give the Affection Level points—he'd make up for it later), she'd been sending him daily greetings.

Kushida Kikyo: Good evening, Kitagawa-kun~ Kushida Kikyo: If you ever need help, feel free to tell me anytime! (•̀ω•́)✧ Kushida Kikyo: Good morning, Kitagawa-kun! The weather's amazing today—hope you have a great day! (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ

Polite, warm, and meticulous, like the spring sun. It perfectly matched the "angel" image she'd always cultivated—helpful and well-liked by everyone.

Kitagawa Kai usually replied with enthusiasm and energy, picking up each topic just right, like an ordinary male classmate who had a crush on her.

Right now, for instance, at nine in the evening, a new message popped up:

Kushida: Kitagawa-kun, are you asleep? [Kitten peeking.jpg]

The sticker was carefully chosen—cute without being frivolous, with a hint of playful testing.

Kitagawa: Kushida-san, is there something you need this late?

[The other person is typing...]

Kushida: Actually, there's something I might need your help with, but I'm not sure how to bring it up. (´▽`)

Meanwhile, in the girls' dormitory.

Kushida Kikyo thought she'd laid the groundwork well over the past few days. Sweet appearance + needing help + not knowing how to ask—a classic combo. Surely no male classmate could resist.

In her mind, she was already rehearsing a few possible reactions.

"Kushida-san, don't hold back! Just say it—if I can help, I will!" "It's fine, don't feel embarrassed~"

The next second, Kitagawa Kai's reply popped up.

Kitagawa: If it's rude, then don't say it.

If the single-room dormitory's soundproofing weren't so good, Kushida Kikyo would have cursed out loud right then.

After a brief flash of shame and anger, her fingers flew across the screen, her expression shifting to one of tearful grievance.

Kushida: Huh??? Kitagawa-kun, how could you think that! (.＞︿＜), I wasn't planning to say anything rude!

Kitagawa: Haha, just kidding. I'm usually very helpful, just like Kushida-san.

Kushida: Oh, it was a joke! You scared me! [Tears turning to laughter.jpg] Kushida: Geez, don't make jokes like that next time. I really thought I'd said something wrong and made you hate me! (｡•́︿•̀｡) Kushida: Being helpful is only natural, right? I'm happy to help everyone! But hearing that from Kitagawa-kun makes me a little shy... (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)

Afraid Kitagawa Kai might joke again, Kushida hurriedly stated her request.

Kushida: Oh, right, what I wanted to say earlier was... Kushida: Kitagawa-kun, you're pretty close with Horikita Suzune, aren't you? Kushida: [Kitten twiddling fingers.jpg] Kushida: I have a dream—to be friends with every student in the whole school. Kushida: But Horikita-san never seems to want to talk to me, and I don't know what to do... Kushida: So, I was wondering, if it's convenient for you, could you help me out?

Kitagawa: I won't hate you, Kushida-san, you're overthinking it. Kitagawa: But if I help you become friends with Horikita-san, what do I get in return?

"..."

No beating around the bush, no polite formalities, not even a word of encouragement for her "befriend the whole school" dream.

This was completely different from every reaction she'd predicted!

This was straying from the standard script of how normal guys talked to Kikyo-chan!

Kushida Kikyo took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions.

Kushida: Kitagawa-kun, you're really direct. [Wry smile.jpg] Kushida: Alright, I understand. Kushida: Is there something you need me to do? I'll do my best to make it happen!

Kitagawa Kai stared at the latest message on the screen, thinking for a moment. The girl's response was within his expectations—she didn't promise outright, but asked him to make a request first.

Kitagawa: Something I need you to do... Let me think.

He deliberately paused, letting her guess, then unhurriedly sent the next message:

I've never had a girlfriend in my life... so, could I ask Kushida-san to go on a date with me for one day, as my girlfriend?

Girl...friend?

A... date?

One day?!

Kushida Kikyo knew too well how her perfect figure and angelic personality attracted adolescent boys—this was her invisible capital, the lubricant that maintained her vast "friend circle."

If she agreed to date Kitagawa Kai, wouldn't she lose a large portion of her friends?

But if she couldn't become friends with Horikita Suzune...

If she couldn't get close to her, learn her secrets...

Then one day, that aloof and cold Horikita Suzune might actually reveal what happened in middle school.

Those deliberately buried pasts, never allowed to see the light of day here.

Those fragments of a dark, unsightly story, the opposite of her current "sunny angel" image, enough to destroy her perfect high school life.

Forget it.

Kushida Kikyo said to herself, her voice hollow.

Dating Kitagawa Kai... fine.

That guy always carried a hint of nonchalance, and he wasn't bad-looking, was he?

At least this face wouldn't make her feel extra physical disgust when playing the girlfriend role—a silver lining in misfortune.

As long as her acting was on point, as long as no "others" found out...

Kushida Kikyo thought for a while, then finally typed on her terminal:

Kitagawa-kun... your request really puts me in a tough spot, but I agree, as long as I can become friends with Horikita-san.

[Ding!]

[Kushida Kikyo Affection Level -5, current Affection Level 25]

[Character Strategy Support Pack: Stamina +1 (Patch note: forgot to write it earlier.)]

Kitagawa: It's a deal.

Kushida: Kitagawa-kun... about Horikita-san, is there any recent opportunity for me to naturally talk with her?

Kushida Kikyo asked cautiously, trying to approach from the side.

Kitagawa Kai looked at this message, his brow twitching almost imperceptibly. Finally getting to the point.

He deliberately paused for a few seconds, letting the gap of waiting stretch her anxiety, then slowly replied:

I'll find a chance to talk to Suzune-chan about it, Kushida-san, no need to worry.

Suzune-chan.

That intimate address instantly choked Kushida Kikyo's heart.

Not even pretending anymore, huh.

Kushida: Really?! Kitagawa-kun is that close with Horikita-san! How enviable~ [Envious eyes]

Kushida: Then... I'll leave it to you, Kitagawa-kun! [Bow.jpg]

Kitagawa Kai casually sent Kushida Kikyo an OK, then stopped paying attention, letting her stew in her own emotional explosion.