You Deserved to Become a Loser!!!

Sakayanagi Arisu didn't respond, but the flush on her face grew even deeper.

"Hoshino-kun, you idiot."

She muttered under her breath, then turned her head so Hoshino En couldn't see her flushed face anymore.

He always managed to guess what she was thinking, and after spending time with him, she could usually get a sense of what was on his mind, too. They understood each other so well—why did Hoshino-kun think their relationship was bad?

Compared to the blunt and foolish Kamuro, she and Hoshino-kun were obviously more like a team!

First Semester of First Year:

Chapter 39: A Chance Encounter with Ichinose and the Little Angels of Class B

"Hoshino-kun, what did you do to Classmate Sakayanagi this time?"

Just then, a familiar voice came from the side. Sakayanagi Arisu, who was "powerless," and Kamuro Masumi, standing behind her; Hoshino En, sitting across from her; and Shiina Hiyori, seated beside Hoshino En, apparently reading but actually paying attention to what was happening nearby, all turned to look.

It was Ichinose Honami, along with her best friend, Shiranami Chihiro.

There were also several other students present. They seemed to be Class B's Friend Group: the girls stood behind Ichinose Honami and Shiranami Chihiro, while a handsome purple-haired guy led the boys.

Regardless of who they were, they were all watching Hoshino En, whom Ichinose Honami was "scolding," with curious expressions.

"You should be a little more mindful of boundaries, too!"

Familiar people, a familiar setting, and a familiar scolding. Hoshino En felt like something familiar was coming over him.

"Ah, Ichinose, what are you—"

"Classmate Ichinose, are you trying to be the other woman again?"

The moment she heard that, Sakayanagi Arisu sprang to life. She sat up, placed her hands elegantly on the table, and fixed Ichinose Honami with a burning gaze.

She even interrupted Hoshino En's greeting, which he'd intended to use to "cool things down."

He stared blankly at the suddenly aggressive Sakayanagi Arisu across from him.

Hey, hey, didn't you just collapse from exhaustion? How did you recover so quickly?

I'm pretty sure the fruit candies I bought weren't Senzu Beans or SCP-500?!

However, before Ichinose Honami could respond to Sakayanagi Arisu's words, Shiranami Chihiro stayed silent, having learned her lesson last time, and the other Class B students were the ones who exploded.

Hearing her insult Ichinose Honami, the mild-mannered Class B students glared at the petite girl who looked like a little girl with a woman's body. Some of the more hotheaded ones could hardly stop themselves from cursing her out.

Of course, some of the smarter ones realized Sakayanagi Arisu might be saying this deliberately to test Class B, so they made a point of staying quiet.

"Am I wrong?"

Seeing how unhappy Class B's "good kids" seemed, Sakayanagi Arisu decided to let the "facts" speak for themselves.

"The first time was at the café. You interrupted while Hoshino-kun and I were getting close, ruining such a wonderful atmosphere. The second time was in the cafeteria. I could have enjoyed Hoshino-kun's head pats a little longer, but you came over and interfered again, using that lewd body of yours to tempt him."

"That's not true! That time, he was the one staring at you! How can you blame Honami-chan for it?!"

Shiranami Chihiro couldn't help cutting in, then shot Hoshino En another vicious glare.

Her words redirected the anger of the Class B students toward Hoshino En, the one who had "benefited" from all this.

Sakayanagi Arisu's behavior could be explained as "being wary of girls around her boyfriend." And Ichinose Honami really did give her reason to be wary. The kindhearted little angels of Class B could still "clear her name." But Hoshino En was different—he was a scumbag who already had a cute "girlfriend" and still wanted to cheat on the "Archangel."

There was no excusing a scumbag like that!

But their anger couldn't stop Sakayanagi Arisu from continuing her accusations.

"This is the third time today, isn't it? Hoshino-kun and I were in the middle of a lovely moment. Why did you come and interrupt us again?"

"I was just..."

Ichinose Honami wanted to explain. She'd only spoken up because Sakayanagi Arisu looked like she was having a hard time, while Hoshino En was watching her with an "amused" expression. She hadn't thought of anything else at all.

She was genuinely worried that Hoshino En, who had once selflessly helped her, would "go astray" during his adolescence.

But she didn't dare say the real reason in front of Hoshino En. She was afraid he would dislike her.

Seeing her stammer, Sakayanagi Arisu smiled smugly, while the Class B students behind Ichinose looked horrified.

Could Classmate Ichinose—Honami-chan—really have fallen for that shamelessly cheating scumbag?

But what if there was another reason? If they jumped to conclusions and warned her, they might only cause Classmate Ichinose—Honami-chan—trouble, so they didn't dare say anything.

Those confident in their position had no need to speak. Those who were afraid kept their mouths shut.

Ichinose Honami, the one who had tied this "dead knot," was trying to think of an excuse to justify her actions, so she didn't say anything either.

For a moment, silence fell over the group.

In the end, the "hero" who stepped forward to save the "world" was the wronged leading man himself.

"Enough, Sakayanagi. Your body's still weak, so stop teasing her. They outnumber us, and your little dog can't protect you."

"Hey! Hoshino, who are you calling—"

Kamuro Masumi tried to defend herself, but Hoshino En ignored her anyway.

Sakayanagi Arisu pursed her lips at Hoshino En's reprimand, then turned away with a huff.

After dealing with one of them, Hoshino En looked toward the other.

"And Ichinose, I told you before: you're nowhere near Sakayanagi's level. How are you still getting swept along by her way of thinking? Won't you turn back until you hit a wall? Or do you have to get whipped before you know it hurts? A whole month has passed, and you haven't improved at all."

"Y-yes. I'm sorry!"

Ichinose Honami immediately seized the opening he'd given her and bowed in apology.

Seeing this, Class B's "little angels" finally realized they'd been played by the cute, petite girl—and had misunderstood both Hoshino-kun and Classmate Ichinose, their Honami-chan.

"Since you know you were wrong... tell me, what are you and your Class B classmates doing in the library? A team-building activity?"

The purple-haired guy immediately grew wary. How was this guy any different from that girl? They were both fishing for information!

And this guy was even more direct. He'd just come right out and asked. He had no shame at all.

"Oh. Some people in our class are having trouble keeping up with the lessons, so we're helping them study."

"...As expected of Class B."

Hoshino En praised them sincerely.

With Class C forcibly united through violence and Class A split into opposing factions, Class D's class dynamics—held together by the Super Glue that was Hirata and Kushida—were actually most like Class B's, which had united through "harmony."

But Class B's students were already preparing for their future exams, while Class D...

To be honest, aside from the first little while, the students in Class D had spent the last three weeks doing whatever they pleased, as if they'd let themselves go completely. They treated the camera in the corner of the classroom as if it didn't exist. Even Hirata and Kushida had stopped trying to do anything about it.

Sigh... their future looked bleak!

"So, are you done studying? Getting ready to go have dinner?"

"Yes. We're planning to invite the others who still have club activities to a celebration. Would you like to come, Hoshino-kun?"

The kindhearted Archangel invited Hoshino En to join students from another class.

"Me? What would I do at a celebration with Class B? Bring bad luck? No thanks."

"Besides, I'm busy here. I have to look after this young lady."

Hoshino En turned his head and gave a slight nod in Sakayanagi Arisu's direction.

"Okay, then. We'll be off?"

"Yeah, see you~"

First Semester of First Year:

Chapter 38: You Deserved to Become a Loser!!!

After Ichinose Honami left with her entourage, Sakayanagi Arisu finally spoke to Hoshino En in a "sour" tone. "Well, well~ You finally sent your little sweetheart away?"

"She's your little sweetheart? Then what are you?"

"Obviously, I'm the 'official wife'!"

Sakayanagi Arisu looked extremely pleased with herself.

Her answer came so naturally that Hoshino En was at a loss for words.

"Official wife, my ass. If you keep saying things like that, you'll really never find a boyfriend. At least not during these three years of high school."

"Then Arisu will just have to be with Hoshino-kun~"

"Don't. I don't want the Chairman to beat me to death."

As they chatted, they both looked over at Kamuro Masumi, who was standing nearby.

Being stared at by Sakayanagi Arisu was one thing, but now another "pervert" had joined in. Kamuro Masumi shivered and immediately started wondering what she'd done wrong this time.

But they'd only looked at her. Neither of them had said anything about her...

No, wait. They had!

"Sakayanagi, I didn't expect even you to make a mistake at this."

"I couldn't help it. Kamuro's too stupid, and I've never played chess with her. When I'm in my room, I always play against myself, and I never put the chessboard away."

"This one was custom-made just for today. Its first time was with you, Hoshino-kun!"

"Hey, don't make it sound so suggestive!"

As they talked, Sakayanagi Arisu turned to Kamuro Masumi again.

"Kamuro, could you put the chessboard away for me?"

Though she phrased it as a request, her tone left no room for refusal.

How scary! And so weird!

Kamuro Masumi grumbled inwardly as she packed up the chessboard.

If she wanted Kamuro to put the chessboard away, she should've just said so! What was with giving her a look and expecting her to understand? She wasn't a mind reader!

Once Kamuro Masumi had put the chessboard away, Sakayanagi Arisu looked back at Hoshino En.

"Then let's talk about the bet over dinner."

As she spoke, she glanced at Shiina Hiyori, who had been forgotten off to the side.

"Of course, Shiina, I don't mind if you want to join us."

"After all, I'm not some 'jealous wife.' If my husband wants to keep a pretty mistress, I'll agree to it."

You'd already acted like a proper "jealous wife" when you went after Ichinose Honami.

Kamuro Masumi continued to grumble inwardly.

But seeing that Sakayanagi Arisu's friendliness toward Shiina Hiyori seemed genuine, Kamuro Masumi suddenly realized what she was really thinking.

It had to be that! Sakayanagi, that sadistic little imp, would never reach that level. She'd just been driven over the edge by her own insecurity about Ichinose Honami.

"Huh? O-okay..."

Shiina Hiyori replied to Sakayanagi Arisu's invitation, a little dazed.

This girl, whose heart had once held only books and now held a good friend as well, hadn't really been listening to their conversation.

Even when Ichinose Honami had shown up just now, all she'd thought was: Hoshino-kun knows so many pretty girls.

Then came a little anxiety and unease. Her only friend had other friends besides her, and that left her feeling empty.

But now—jealous wife? Mistress? Wait!

In that instant, countless titles of novels about "forbidden love" flashed through her mind.

Then she looked at Hoshino En, who was sighing, and at Sakayanagi Arisu, who was smiling kindly at her from across the table, and suddenly realized something.

"I-I'm not in that kind of relationship with Hoshino-kun, Classmate Sakayanagi! You've got it wrong!"

She hurriedly explained, looking flustered. There was also a hint of disappointment on her face that was hard to notice.

"Hey, calm down... Shiina, take it easy. Sakayanagi's just teasing you!"

Hoshino En's big hand once again settled on the girl's lovely head, gently reassuring her. After petting her before, his hand had apparently developed a mind of its own.

"Don't pay attention to what she says. Just think of it as going to dinner with me. We eat dinner together all the time, don't we? Think of it as an apology for promising to read with you and then failing to show up today, okay?"

"Oh... Mm, okay."