Horikita Suzune's Negotiation

The morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, spilling into the classroom.

Tsukishima tore open a freshly bought band-aid and pressed it over the wound on his hand.

"Tsukishima-kun, good morning~"

Kushida's voice rang out, still in that fake, cutesy tone.

"Kushida-san, good morning. Hey~ one side of your face looks a bit swollen. Didn't sleep well?"

"I really didn't sleep well. Had a nightmare~"

"That might be from being too tired. Kushida-san, you should take care to rest."

The two chatted for a while, then Kushida went off to maintain her saintly image, while the swelling on half her face drew a stream of comfort from her circle of friends.

Tsukishima pulled out his exercise book and began drilling himself ruthlessly in full view of everyone.

A figure appeared silently beside Tsukishima, their voice calm and flat.

"Tsukishima-kun, do you have a moment?"

"Not really."

Tsukishima didn't even lift his eyes to know it was Ayanokouji.

"Horikita-san would like to invite you to eat lunch together."

"I prefer to enjoy my meals alone."

"Is that a refusal?"

"Yes."

"That's a shame, then."

The conversation ended, but Ayanokouji didn't leave. He remained standing by Tsukishima's desk.

Tsukishima ignored him, continuing to vent his desires fiercely on the math exercise book.

"About last night..."

"Ayanokouji-kun, have you never taken off?"

"If you mean airplanes..."

Tsukishima finally looked up, pity plain in his eyes, impossible to hide: "That's enough, poor kid. Go back. Not taking off is fine too."

"If I fail to successfully invite you, Horikita-san will stab me with a compass."

"Then you should ask the teacher to change seats."

The conversation stalled there.

The bell for class rang, and Ayanokouji returned to his seat.

Unsurprisingly, he was thoroughly ridiculed by the sharp-tongued Horikita, and the compass stabbing didn't get skipped either.

During the lunch break, before Horikita and Ayanokouji could get up, Tsukishima had already launched himself from his seat, vanishing in an instant.

The cafeteria was buzzing with noise. Tsukishima found a corner spot, his chopsticks spinning like a whirlwind and his mouth working like a shovel. In less than ten minutes, he'd finished his meal.

By the time the other two found him in the cafeteria, Tsukishima had already eaten and was elegantly wiping his mouth.

Horikita rushed over, her face cold. Just as she was about to speak, Tsukishima stood up: "Sorry, Horikita-san. I need to go back to the dorm and take a nap to rest."

He was like a boy of the wind, carrying the scent of early summer as he breezed away.

Whatever Horikita wanted to say, Tsukishima had zero interest. That woman was a cold-blooded iceberg, arrogant and self-absorbed, and on top of that, not too bright.

She clearly needed Ayanokouji's help with something, but not only did she offer no reward, she even stabbed him with a compass.

If it were Tsukishima, he'd beat the crap out of her until she couldn't even shit clean.

Dorm.

Tsukishima set his alarm, lay down on the bed, and between one breath and the next, he was already in dreamland.

Good rest is also part of studying.

The alarm clock's ring yanked Tsukishima out of his dreams.

He opened his eyes, stretched his back, and let out a long, meaningless sound.

"Ahh, that feels good!"

The afternoon passed normally. Ayanokouji didn't come looking for him again, as if he'd given up.

The bell for dismissal rang.

Tsukishima packed his things, grabbed his bag, and headed straight for the Manga Club.

Pushing open the activity room door, he saw a few people scattered inside.

Yamada, the club president, wasn't there. A couple of second-year seniors each occupied a corner, heads down, drawing.

When inspiration struck, they'd let out a chuckle.

Tsukishima walked to his seat, set down his bag, and his gaze landed on a life-sized anime character standee leaning against the wall.

A sailor-uniformed, twin-tailed anime girl with a sweet smile.

She even threw a wink.

Tsukishima clipped a sheet of drawing paper to his board and began sketching according to what Yamada had taught him yesterday.

First, guide lines—roughly positioning the limbs, their size and length, confirming the silhouette.

He slowly drew with his pencil, glancing at the standee with every stroke, stroking with every glance.

A senior who had just finished his own work walked over and said:

"Tsukishima, you don't need to be that detailed with the outline. Loosen up a bit, don't press so hard—just a few light strokes."

"Those guide lines get erased later. If you press too hard, they'll leave ugly marks."

"Besides, if you're too tense, a shaky hand will send the lines who-knows-where. It's just rough practice, so relax."

"Drawing people is like drawing landscapes—it's all about practice making perfect."

Tsukishima quickly stood up to thank him. The senior waved his hand and wandered off to check on others.

Knock knock knock.

A knock at the door. The senior didn't look up: "It's unlocked, come in."

Tsukishima didn't look up either, lost in practice, drawing as if the world outside didn't exist.

"Excuse me, is Tsukishima here? I need to speak with him."

Horikita Suzune's cool voice cut through Tsukishima's practice.

The senior glanced back at Horikita, sighed, and said, "Tsukishima, someone's here for you."

Tsukishima packed up his things. "Sorry for the trouble, everyone."

The senior waved his hand.

Tsukishima glanced at Horikita and Ayanokouji standing behind her. "Let's go."

No one spoke the whole way.

In the café's private room.

Horikita was about to speak, but Tsukishima raised a hand to stop her. "You're just going to talk to me dry like this?"

Horikita frowned. "Points? It seems we—"

Tsukishima sighed. "Alright, alright, hold on."

He pulled out his phone and sent a message to Horikita Manabu: "Senior, Horikita wants to have a chat with me. Want to come watch Horikita's art of conversation? No charge this time~"

"If you're not coming, I'll start now. If you are, I'll wait a bit. Room 203 at the café."

5,000 personal points arrived.

[Horikita Manabu]: Wait a moment.

Horikita Suzune frowned. "Playing on your phone while talking to someone. I guess I shouldn't expect manners from a blackmailer."

Tsukishima didn't even lift his eyelids. "Yeah, I'm in the middle of blackmailing someone right now."

Silence fell over the room again. Ayanokouji observed the two from the corner, expressionless, probably figuring out how to use these two tools.

Horikita Suzune slammed the table. "Will you just—"

The door suddenly opened. Horikita Suzune looked up. "Brother..."

Horikita Manabu ignored her and sat down on his own.

He crossed his legs, holding documents he was processing, with a girl in a bun hairstyle beside him.

"Hello everyone, I'm Tachibana Akane, current student council secretary."

She glanced at Horikita Manabu and continued, "The student council has the responsibility to witness and supervise contract signings between students at this school."

After saying that, she stepped aside.

Horikita Manabu didn't even lift his eyelids. "Tsukishima, Horikita, you may begin."