At night, the dormitory lights had been adjusted to a warm yellow, perfect for reading. Kitagawa Kai sat at his desk, silently scrolling through his phone.
Ever since he'd added Kushida Kikyo as a friend last time (I forgot to give her an Affection Level; I'll add it later), she had often sent Kitagawa Kai greetings about her day.
Kushida Kikyo: Good evening, Kitagawa-kun~
Kushida Kikyo: If you ever need help, just let me know! (•̀ω•́)✧
Kushida Kikyo: Good morning, Kitagawa-kun! The weather's wonderful today. I hope you have a great day! (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ
Polite and friendly, attentive in every way, like the warm spring sun. She perfectly embodied the "angel" image she had always cultivated: helpful and well-liked.
Kitagawa Kai usually replied with warmth and enthusiasm, picking up each topic just right, like an ordinary male classmate who had a crush on her.
For example, right now, just past nine in the evening, a new message popped up:
Kushida: Kitagawa-kun, are you asleep? [Kitten peeking out.jpg]
The sticker had been carefully chosen: cute without seeming frivolous, with a playful hint of tentativeness.
Kitagawa: Is something wrong, Kushida?
[The other person is typing...]
Kushida: There's actually something I might need Kitagawa-kun's help with, but I'm not sure how to bring it up. (´▽`)
Meanwhile, in the Girls' Dormitory.
After what she considered several days of groundwork, Kushida Kikyo was convinced that sweet appearance + needing help + not knowing how to bring it up was a classic one-two-three punch. Surely no boy could resist.
She had already begun rehearsing several possible responses in her mind.
"Don't be shy, Kushida. Just tell me. If I can help, I will!"
"It's okay, you don't have to feel embarrassed~"
The next second, Kitagawa Kai's reply appeared.
Kitagawa: If it's something inappropriate, don't say it.
On receiving the message, Kushida Kikyo almost swore out loud. The soundproofing in her single room was the only thing stopping her.
After a brief flash of humiliation, her fingers were already flying across the screen, her expression shifting to one of tearful hurt.
Kushida: Huh??? Why would you think that, Kitagawa-kun! ( .>︿< ) I wasn't going to say anything inappropriate!
Kitagawa: Haha, just kidding. I'm usually happy to help, just like you, Kushida.
Kushida: Oh, you were joking! You scared me! [Wiping away tears and smiling.jpg]
Kushida: Honestly, don't joke like that next time. I really thought I'd said something wrong and made you hate me, Kitagawa-kun! (｡•́︿•̀｡)
Kushida: Of course we should help others. I'm happy when I can help everyone! But hearing you say that, Kitagawa-kun, makes me feel a little embarrassed... (⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)
Afraid Kitagawa Kai might tease her again, Kushida hurried to make her request.
Kushida: Oh, right. What I wanted to say was...
Kushida: Are you and Horikita Suzune pretty close, Kitagawa-kun?
Kushida: [Kitten touching its paws.jpg]
Kushida: I have a dream: to become friends with everyone at school.
Kushida: But Horikita doesn't seem very willing to talk to me, and I'm not sure what to do...
Kushida: So I was wondering, if it's not too much trouble, could you help me, Kitagawa-kun?
Kitagawa: She doesn't hate you. You're overthinking it, Kushida.
Kitagawa: But if I help you become friends with Horikita, what do I get out of it?
"..."
No beating around the bush, no polite formalities. He hadn't even offered a word of encouragement about her dream of "making friends with everyone at school."
This was completely different from every response she'd anticipated!
This was way off the standard script for how an ordinary guy would talk to Kikyo-chan!
Kushida Kikyo took a deep breath, trying to keep her emotions under control.
Kushida: You really are direct, Kitagawa-kun. [Wry smile.jpg]
Kushida: All right, I understand.
Kushida: Is there something you need me to do, Kitagawa-kun? I'll do my best!
Kitagawa Kai stared at the latest message on his screen and thought for a moment. The girl's response was just as he'd expected: instead of agreeing outright, she'd first let him make a request.
Kitagawa: Something I need you to do... Let me think.
He deliberately paused to give her time to guess, then sent his next message at a leisurely pace:
I've never had a girlfriend, not once in my life... So could you go on a date with me for a day, as my girlfriend, Kushida?
Girlfriend...?
A date...?
For a whole day?!
Kushida Kikyo knew all too well how much her perfect figure and angelic personality appealed to teenage boys. They were her invisible capital, the lubricant that kept her enormous "circle of friends" running smoothly.
If she agreed to go on a date with Kitagawa Kai, wouldn't she lose a large part of her friend group?
But if she couldn't become friends with Horikita Suzune...
If she couldn't get close to her and learn her secrets...
Then one day, that aloof, cold Horikita Suzune might really reveal what had happened to her in middle school.
Those deliberately buried memories, never to be allowed to see the light of day here again.
Those dark, sordid fragments of a story that ran counter to her current "sunny angel" image, enough to ruin her perfect life at this school.
Forget it.
Kushida Kikyo told herself, her voice hollow.
Going on a date with Kitagawa Kai... would be fine, too.
He was always so nonchalant, and he wasn't bad-looking, either, was he?
At least, his face wouldn't make her feel any extra physical revulsion while playing the part of his girlfriend. That might be a blessing in disguise.
As long as she acted well, as long as she didn't let any "other people" find out...
Kushida Kikyo thought it over for a while, but in the end, she typed on her Terminal:
Kitagawa-kun... Your request really puts me in a difficult position, but I'll do it, as long as I can become friends with Horikita.
[Ding!]
[Kushida Kikyo Affection Level -5, current Affection Level: 25]
[Character Strategy Support Pack: Stamina +1 (A patch. I forgot to include this earlier.)]
Kitagawa: It's a deal.
Kushida: Kitagawa-kun... Regarding Horikita, is there any chance soon for me to talk to her naturally?
Kushida Kikyo asked cautiously, trying to approach the subject indirectly.
Kitagawa Kai looked at the message, his brow twitching almost imperceptibly. She'd finally gotten to the point.
He deliberately waited a few seconds, letting the delay heighten her anxiety, then replied at an unhurried pace:
I'll find a chance to talk to Suzune-chan. Don't worry about it, Kushida.
Suzune-chan.
That affectionate nickname made Kushida Kikyo's heart sink.
So he wasn't even pretending anymore.
Kushida: Really?! You and Horikita are that close, Kitagawa-kun! I'm so jealous~ [Envious eyes]
Kushida: Then... I'll leave it to you, Kitagawa-kun! [Bowing.jpg]
Kitagawa Kai casually sent Kushida Kikyo an OK and then paid her no more mind, waiting for her to explode on her own.