What to explain?

Beihai's eyes lit up—this was a good opportunity. He immediately stood and took two steps forward. At moments like this, Airisu Sakura's role became clear.

"Eh? Sakura, aren't you coming down to play with everyone?"

Airisu Sakura lifted her head. Seeing Beihai standing, she instinctively rose as well.

Then Beihai took two more steps forward, and she naturally followed behind. She had no idea what they were going to do, but following him was the right call.

That was just her personality. She might be a bit introverted, but she didn't seem to know how to refuse others. Even now, not knowing where they were headed, she still trailed after Beihai.

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka watched his buddy take the lead. He lowered his head, blinked once, then stood up as well—only for someone to block his path.

Suzune Horikita stood in front of him. An ice-cold face meeting an expressionless one—a mid-lane showdown.

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka's inner world was rich, and he immediately started complaining.

This plot development feels a bit off. Why am I the one getting stopped? Does this girl have no sense of boundaries?

For the first time, he truly hated someone with no boundaries.

Meanwhile, Beihai had successfully escaped. He led Airisu Sakura to the convenience store, using their free time to buy some snacks.

Finally, they found a spot to sit down and share the snacks, no longer needing to think about the swimming pool.

"Mmm... Beihai, this candy tastes weird. It has a peppery kick that stings a bit."

"Is that so? The snacks at this little shop really are something else."

Beihai said this without a shred of conscience, his mood incredibly light. But that lightness didn't last long.

After swimming class ended, they changed clothes and gathered in the classroom. Finally, class was dismissed for dinner.

By the time dinner rolled around, the crisis awareness within the class had awakened. Most people started borrowing points frantically. Game consoles that had cost tens of thousands were being sold off cheap for twenty thousand.

Beihai couldn't care less. He only cared about one thing—that expressionless guy was sidling up to him again. He hated people with no sense of boundaries.

And he'd even scared off his precious Sakura.

"Want to go eat together?"

Faced with his friendly invitation, Beihai flatly refused.

"Sorry, not likely. You've got some trouble you haven't dealt with yet."

No sooner had Beihai finished his polite refusal than the trouble in question walked over. Yes, it was that same black-haired, straight-laced Suzune Horikita.

"Do you have time? If so, how about we grab lunch together?"

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka: "..."

She's a beautiful girl, and she's inviting me to lunch—that's part of campus life. But I have to admit, I really hate people with no sense of boundaries.

Faced with her proposal, Kiyotaka thought it over. On one hand, there was the temptation of letting the little head control the big one. On the other, there was building a friendship and having a proper talk with his first real friend to strengthen their bond.

It didn't take him long to decide. This girl was clearly trouble.

"No thanks. I don't have time. I already made plans with a friend."

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka tried out the circle defense technique. Everyone had their own friends, and those friends formed social circles that outsiders couldn't break into.

Suzune Horikita frowned, looking at the two of them standing together. They didn't look like they'd be able to hang out at all.

"Is that your excuse? It's far too flimsy. And I don't want to say this twice."

With a shing, she pulled something out that gleamed coldly. It looked like a compass!

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka's face remained calm as he refused again.

"I don't—"

A sharp pain shot through his shoulder. Kiyotaka Kiyotaka clutched it and yelped.

Beihai instinctively took two steps back. This guy next to me might be a masochist.

Damn it. These two are treating me like part of their little game. How infuriating. If my Sakura were here, would I let you two act so boldly?

After his inner rant, Beihai turned and walked away.

For the first time, a flicker of emotion appeared in Kiyotaka Kiyotaka's eyes. He might not understand a lot of things, but he knew he couldn't let his friend think he was a pervert—otherwise, he'd never wash that stain off.

If things got worse, and his friend refused to help him, what would he do?

Forget about the cold beauty. He hurried after Beihai's retreating figure, and when the moment was right, grabbed his arm. He couldn't let a misunderstanding fester. If the "pervert" label stuck, that would be even more terrifying than having no social life.

Once that reputation was set, he'd lose all dating prospects for three years, plus three years of campus life. From then on, every meeting would start with "Hey, Pervert."

"Beihai. She came to me—probably because she wants to rise to Class A. But I'm not interested in that. Still, it's clear she's set her sights on me and wants my help.

More precisely, she wants to take me on as her retainer."

Beihai's pace didn't slow. In fact, it quickened.

"You don't need to explain yourself to me. You're making me nervous. And I don't believe she could see your talent at a single glance."

Beihai knew perfectly well. A character like Kiyotaka Kiyotaka—expressionless, with a grating way of speaking—would at best be labeled a weirdo in class.

At worst, he'd never fit into any circle. As for talent, most people would overlook it.

First impressions were just too important. They even factored in a person's appearance.

And as for Suzune Horikita, Beihai had never interacted with her nor understood her, but her way of doing things was even more outrageous—just the fact that she used a compass to stab someone was already beyond description.

"It's because of that exam last time. The teacher called me into the office, and my disguise slipped. Right at that moment, the homeroom teacher also called Suzune Horikita in. She wants to rise to Class A, and the teacher pushed me forward, so she latched onto me."

Beihai didn't stop walking, only replied, "How did you handle that exam?"

"I took a middle ground—scored 50 on every subject. I thought it was a perfect disguise, but it got seen through. I should've just written one subject and then slept through the rest like you did."

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka answered honestly, because he was open to advice. That's what happens when you have a confidant you can naturally discuss things with. Not to mention, saying all this out loud felt good in his heart. Having an outlet changes a person's state of mind. After all, a psychologist's role, besides guiding, is to serve as an emotional vent—someone you can pour all your inner thoughts into.

The other guy felt relieved, but Beihai didn't. "You think I wanted to sleep? But hearing you talk, you sound a bit pitiful. Still, I can't help you much. Is that even human speech? Taking a middle ground and scoring 50 straight—like you're afraid people won't figure out you're holding back points and hiding as a big shot, right?"

The two arrived at the cafeteria together. Beihai said nothing, just ordered a normal set meal for himself.