Another Invitation

"What do you mean? Didn't you say you'd help me get Horikita Suzune out today?!"

In a somewhat secluded corridor, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka listened to the complaints of the boy named Yamauchi in front of him. These past few days, he had been devising plans to help resolve the "conflict" between him and Horikita Suzune.

"Hey! Ayanokoji, what are you thinking?! I'm talking to you!"

Yamauchi Haruki's mood swung sharply, and since he believed Ayanokoji ranked lower than him in their social circle, he shouted loudly.

"Didn't you say you could help me get closer to Horikita, maybe even make her my girlfriend?"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka shook his head. Choosing Yamauchi Haruki had been a last resort from the start, but time was too short, and there was no other option.

The easiest person to provoke, someone whose mind would heat up and who might even commit a crime, was only this one.

His plan had originally been simple and likely to succeed, but because of Yamauchi Haruki's urgent desires, no matter how well he tried to hide it, it couldn't be concealed, and that person had keenly noticed.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka roughly guessed what would happen next and said expressionlessly:

"I never said that."

Right, he had never promised anything. He was merely acting as a friend, offering "suggestions" and lending a hand.

As for using the Student Council President's name to lure Horikita Suzune out, that was indeed hard to explain, but it didn't matter—it was just deception at most.

The biggest trouble might be the cafeteria, but without evidence, as long as he stuck to his story, he couldn't be convicted.

"What do you mean, you never said that?"

Yamauchi Haruki continued, "I don't care. You have to get her out. If that's impossible, then someone else—anyone, as long as she's good-looking. At the very least, someone like Kushida."

When Ayanokoji Kiyotaka heard "Kushida," he thought of how she looked this morning. Her relationship with You En seemed to have grown considerably closer.

Since that was the case, if he couldn't test the Student Council President, he might as well try You En.

Yamauchi Haruki spoke up, "Hey, why aren't you saying anything? I'll be lenient—someone a bit worse than Kushida is fine too. Even someone like Hasebe would do."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka nodded.

"I'll think of something. Kushida should start paying attention to you."

Yamauchi Haruki's eyes lit up. "Really? You can get Kushida alone for me?"

"It'll take a little time for her to notice you."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was careful with his wording. Although the person in front of him probably didn't have a bug on him, it was best not to leave any evidence.

Yamauchi immediately beamed.

"Ayanokoji, you're really my good friend—no, my brother!"

The bell for class rang.

The two returned to the classroom.

You En also came back from the infirmary, and they happened to run into each other at the door.

Yamauchi Haruki muttered, "Tch, so what if he can study? What's the use if he can't make friends? Right, Ayanokoji?"

In the past, You En might have teased Ayanokoji, but now he ignored it.

He entered a step later, observing the expressions between the two. Ayanokoji showed no emotional fluctuation or flaw, but Yamauchi seemed to still harbor some anticipation. Could their plan not be over yet?

Back at his seat, You En sent a message to Horikita Suzune.

"You En: 'Are you still in the infirmary?'"

"Horikita Suzune: 'Yes.'"

"You En: 'Try not to go out.'"

"Horikita Suzune: 'You've told me several times already. I understand. I won't be tricked.'"

"You En: 'If only that were true.'"

"Horikita Suzune: 'Enough of that. Can you take notes for me this period? Write them in that notebook you borrowed from me. I'll organize them myself later.'"

"You En: 'Notes, huh? No problem.'"

"Horikita Suzune: 'Thanks.'"

You En flipped through the notebook Horikita Suzune had lent him. He'd need to take notes for her this class, so he first checked her note-taking habits.

He skimmed through it roughly.

How to put it—

Horikita Suzune was very diligent. No one could be more diligent than her.

But her method was still lacking. There was no systematic organization, no thorough summarization—just simple classifications. She relied entirely on her strong memory and intelligence to study.

Of course, that was one method. Building a system didn't show results at first.

In fact, for a period, grades might even drop. Only when the system was fully established would the effect become apparent.

This wasn't something he could teach. He could only remind her to think about it herself.

You En listened attentively through the last class of the afternoon, then headed to the school infirmary first.

Horikita Suzune was chatting with Hoshinomiya-sensei about something, looking somewhat tempted, but in the end she shook her head and refused.

"Oh, You En-kun, you're here?"

Hoshinomiya-sensei's smile was full of energy, yet not at all forced.

"I was just talking with Suzune-chan here. She said she's quite interested in our Class B. I could let you both come over, you know."

Horikita Suzune immediately denied it.

"I never said anything like that. She just claimed that classes are ranked based on student ability, which I find unfair. And whether or not you go to Class B is your decision—I can't and won't make that choice for you..."

Hoshinomiya-sensei didn't seem embarrassed at all about being caught lying to her face. She just smiled and got to the point.

"I've already looked into it. The results came out pretty quickly, mainly because these things were bought at a pharmacy..."

You En frowned. "What?"

Hoshinomiya Rie said, "They're all drugs that easily cause side effects—not lethal, and the properties don't conflict with each other. Some are even health supplements. It wasn't a one-time dose either; it was mixed into food at least three times."

Horikita Suzune felt a chill in her heart. They were all classmates—why would Ayanokoji hold such malice toward her? Was he really planning to use Yamauchi to disgust her?

You En spoke up. "We'll report this to the Student Council later.

Also, Suzune, your daily routine is too predictable. It makes you easy to exploit. Be more careful from now on."

Horikita Suzune nodded. She couldn't bear to imagine what would have happened if You En hadn't noticed today, hadn't stopped her—if she'd endured class while fighting her period and the drug's side effects, then gone out to meet someone else with ill intent.

"Are you two planning to go to the Student Council? Not going to report it to your homeroom teacher, Chabashira-sensei?" Hoshinomiya asked.

You En shook his head. "Would it do any good to tell her?"

Hoshinomiya nodded.

"Looks like you understand her pretty well. But your choice is right. Actually, we teachers don't get involved in conflicts between students.

The Student Council is the unofficial organization that handles you students. If there's a conflict or cooperation needed, go to them."

You En stood up. "Then we'll take our leave. Thank you for your help."

"Mhm."

Hoshinomiya extended her right hand and made a heart shape.

"Don't worry. If you ever need treatment, you can always come to your big sister Hoshinomiya. Even if you don't join my class, that's fine too."

You En walked out of the infirmary and asked Horikita, "How do you feel?"

Horikita Suzune moved her body to check. "Great. In fact, I've never felt better. I suddenly understand why you said Hoshinomiya-sensei's treatment is like magic."

As she spoke, she unconsciously grabbed You En's hand and linked her arm through his, like a couple in a relationship.

You En looked at her. "What's this?"

Horikita Suzune realized her subconscious action and quickly let go.

"Sorry. I think I'm still a bit out of it."

Was the person Horikita Suzune had imagined in the infirmary really him?

You En wondered, but wasn't sure. As that Hachiman guy once said, a man shouldn't be too confident. But maybe he could boldly verify it later?

He pulled his thoughts back. "First, we'll go to the Student Council to report the situation. Then we have to tutor the Class B students. Can you still handle it?"

Horikita Suzune closed her eyes and adjusted herself.

"No problem. I'm in good shape—too good, actually. If I do anything out of line, please don't take it to heart."

"That's fine."

You En decided not to dwell on why she'd voluntarily grabbed his arm.

Business first. Time to tattle. Was this basically telling on her to her parents?

After all, it was her older brother.

Student Council Room.

You En entered. This time, not only was Tachibana Akane-senpai there, but the Student Council President, Horikita Manabu, was also inside.

The President looked up. "What is it?"

He was asking You En.

You En first described the actual events without any personal speculation or emotion, then laid out his inferences, clarifying that these were only his personal views and not to be taken as evidence.

After listening, the President showed no visible change in expression. He simply nodded to indicate he'd heard everything.

Tachibana Akane-senpai, however, was visibly angry. Her eyes held undisguised disgust, along with concern for Horikita Suzune.

You En felt that the relationship between these two might be different from what he knew?

How far had they progressed for Tachibana to see Horikita Suzune as her own little sister?

Perhaps Horikita Suzune would be better off calling Tachibana Akane "sister-in-law."

While he was lost in his own wild guesses.

Horikita Manabu pulled his hands out from under the desk and folded them on top, like a commander issuing orders.

"So, what do you plan to do about it? As you said, there's no evidence for this matter—just your speculation."

You En understood the moment he heard this: Horikita Manabu had no intention of handling the matter. Once someone switched to bureaucratic language and kicked the ball back, it meant they didn't want to get involved.

"Of course, we find the culprit and make them face the punishment they deserve."

Horikita Suzune spoke, voicing her truest thoughts.

Horikita Manabu seemed somewhat disappointed, shifting his gaze to You En.

"And you?"

You En knew full well that, for an individual, Horikita Suzune's idea was the most reasonable. But a school was different—or rather, any collective was different.

He spoke: "I think we should treat this as a model case. Strengthen the self-defense capabilities of both male and female students. To prevent certain campus incidents from happening, we should focus on prevention first, while also having measures to stop them."

Horikita Manabu lowered his hands and asked with some seriousness.

"Specific measures?"

You En said offhandedly, "I'm just offering some personal opinions—they may not have practical value.

First, distribute self-defense items for free or at a discount, and keep proper records.

Second, after school or activities end, close and lock up unused facilities and equipment to prevent them from being occupied or misused as a breeding ground for crime.

Third, organize campus patrols or disciplinary committees to supervise and look after the school grounds and individuals to a certain extent."

"Come to the Student Council."

Horikita Manabu extended his hand, issuing the invitation once more.

"The Student Council needs talent like yours. Staying only in the Kyudo Club is too much of a waste."