A Greater Value in Peaceful Coexistence Than Total Opposition

Compared to complete confrontation, peaceful coexistence is more cost-effective.

First Semester of First Year:

Chapter 75, Chapter 70: In the end, they still ran into each other.

Therefore -- Unique Skill, [Pedagogue], activated!!

"Shiranami, is it possible that what you think is 'liking' is actually just 'friendship' and has absolutely nothing to do with so-called 'love'?"

Hoshino En poured out all her views to the girl in front of her.

Although she initially wanted to refute something due to intense shame, she eventually succumbed to Hoshino En's perfect logic and impeccable arguments, and vaguely admitted it in the end.

"So, actually I don't like... well, I can't say that. Is it just that my feelings for Honami-chan are friendship? No romantic love?"

"Actually, it's more of a familial bond. You treat her like an older sister you can act spoiled with... even though she is quite grown up, in many ways."

His whispers didn't escape Shiranami Chihiro's ears, and she unleashed an irrevocably disdainful Hoshino En Yui, who clearly thought, "He's a boy after all."

"You really like Honami-chan's breasts, don't you? How awful!"

"I'm just stating the objective facts, don't spread rumors."

"Hmph, a boy..."

Although she was convinced by Hoshino En's insightful explanation, Shiranami Chihiro was still somewhat confused.

After adding him as a friend, she left alone.

However, before leaving, she suddenly mentioned it.

"It seems your birthday is the same day as Honami-chan's. Come to Class B and celebrate Zero with us then."

"Huh? Why?"

"Because you don't seem to have many friends."

She said this as if mocking someone, then turned and left without looking back.

Hoshino En: "..."

That much is undeniable; apart from Kiyotaka, he seemed to have no one else he could really talk to.

However, birthdays? Putting aside whether he even celebrates birthdays, just considering Ichinose —if his initial assessment was correct—she should have a phobia of birthdays; she would never throw a birthday party.

"But it's my birthday... I need to find a way to connect with the outside world. Otherwise, even if I master swimming and can swim directly to the other side of the school, it's just a passing moment; if I can't bring the money, I can't do anything."

Hoshino En didn't leave immediately. Instead, she checked her phone and saw that Kiyotaka hadn't sent her any messages since.

Was he caught up in trouble and unable to be contacted? No, a guy who desperately wants to be average-looking wouldn't willingly get involved in trouble; with his abilities, if he really wanted to fake it, even if he was passively involved in some incident, he could easily fool everyone.

So he's currently lying low and shouldn't send messages? Hmm... I thought he was the type to just go through the motions and pretend.

Anyway, let's send a message to say hello first.

Hoshino En: [Kiyotaka, where have you gone to search for me now? You didn't leave me behind and go back to the classroom alone, did you? Then you'll have to watch me eat tonight~]

Not long after he sent his message, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka replied, sounding quite anxious.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: [Behind the corner in the direction Shiranami Chihiro came from, there are two stakeholders. They don't seem to have been sent there by Shiranami Chihiro, but rather they followed her secretly because they were worried about her unusual behavior.]

[Also, is swimming out of the school really a feasible method? Won't the school intervene?]

[Also, I risked being watched by recording their conversation. You can listen to it yourself when you get back. You'll have to double your share tonight.]

Hoshino En: "..."

It was just a joke, I didn't expect him to react so strongly, a rare triple bombardment.

But, the direction Shiranami came from? Wasn't that the direction she just walked? How come she didn't see him?? Has that child's vision finally been impaired?

Moreover, stakeholders... there seem to be only a few possible candidates.

According to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's testimony, Hoshino En silently darted in the direction Shiranami Chihiro had come from and quickly poked her head out.

Ichinose Honami was seen clutching her chest, her face flushed, while Sakayanagi Arisu was leaning against the wall with one hand and holding the middle of Cane in the other, gently poking the spot Ichinose Honami was covering with the tip of the Cane.

What kind of play is this?

Hoshino En didn't deliberately muffle the sound of his probing, so both girls looked in that direction at the same time he emerged.

They caught Hoshino En's [unspeakable] gaze, then looked at their own current actions, and then...

"Waaaaah..."

Ichinose Honami crossed her arms, turned her back to Hoshino En and Sakayanagi Arisu, and squatted down facing the corner of the wall.

I'm too ashamed to show my face to anyone if they see me like this.

"Hoshino-kun, it was just a misunderstanding, you have to believe me."

Sakayanagi Arisu immediately launched into explanation mode, though she wasn't sure why she needed to explain, but she instinctively wanted to cover up what had just happened.

"No, no need to say anything. I understand."

But Hoshino En stopped her from continuing.

"I think even the average girl would be curious about that scale, and since you lack that, it's understandable that you'd be even more curious."

He earnestly expressed his understanding and approval of Sakayanagi Arisu's actions, and offered his insights on the flaws.

"However, although that area is all fat, it is only supported by the person's shoulder. If you touch it with something so hard and don't control your strength, the person will be in a lot of pain."

Sakayanagi Arisu: "..."

Don't talk like you've experienced it yourself, thank you!!

"Hoshino-kun, you should be with Ayanokoji-kun right now, right? Where is he?"

Because the facts were indeed undeniable, Sakayanagi Arisu decided to open a second front in order to implement the tactic of "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao".

"He's not with you, and you're having a secret rendezvous with another girl in this secluded place, so I'm thinking—could he have been sent to stand guard around here?" qi

Wow, sister, you're really something! You understand my approach so well.

Hoshino En Ayanokoji Kiyotaka behind them, and quickly turned her gaze towards the wall.

This kind of "genius," who is so easy to understand, is indeed difficult to deal with; his thoughts are easily guessed by the other party.

For example, Sakayanagi Arisu, simply by knowing him well, could accurately discern his actions based on the situation at the scene.

For example, when Ayanokoji Hoshino En merely glanced away from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, he quickly and nimbly circled back towards the wall.

"After all, there are no surveillance cameras here. If we run into a group of people lying in ambush, I won't even have a chance to call for help. I have to be on guard."

"However, I have my reasons, but it's quite rare to see you with Kamuro and not with Ichinose. What are you two doing here?"

Hoshino En immediately launched a counterattack.

"You didn't trick Ichinose into coming to this secluded place because you wanted to experience the feel of that pile of fat, did you?"

First Semester of First Year:

Chapter 76, Section 71: Exam Review, The Trouble with the Idiot Trio

"Well... you'll have to ask Ichinose, since I just came along with her to watch the fun."

"But it's not what you think!"

However, unusually, Sakayanagi Arisu did not continue the confrontation with Hoshino En, but instead passed the buck to Ichinose Honami state of [darkness] and [twistedness].

There's nothing wrong with what she said.

"Well... I was just worried about Chihiro-chan. I was worried she'd be tricked by someone, that's why I followed her."

Unlike her, the upright Ichinose Honami did not try to evade the issue, but rather openly admitted it.

She composed herself, stood up, and solemnly apologized to Hoshino En for being overheard.

"Hoshino-kun, I'm sorry, we overheard your conversation with Chihiro-chan."

"That's alright, since what we're talking about is related to you. But since you've heard everything, you'll have to guide that child properly afterwards, so her sincere feelings don't go to waste."

"I... I understand."

Hearing him bring up that matter again, Ichinose Honami's face flushed slightly.

"Yuan, you're here."

At this moment, Kiyotaka Ayano, who had been assigned to [guard post 8] by Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, also returned. Under the dual gazes of Sakayanagi Arisu and Ichinose Honami, he did not show any awkwardness. He perfectly balanced his confusion about their appearance with his relief at finally finding Hoshino En.

This guy might become an actor and make it in the entertainment industry someday.

"Now that Kiyotaka is back, we'll be leaving now."

However, he probably didn't want to get too close to the two class leaders, so before Sakayanagi Arisu Hoshino En directly took her leave.

"Ichinose, please take Sakayanagi back."

"OK."

The two groups went their separate ways.

"Classmate Sakayanagi, you seem a little different today. Aren't you going to pester Hoshino-kun to take you back to the classroom?"

Watching Hoshino En and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's retreating figures, Ichinose Honami suddenly asked a question.

Am I the kind of awful girl who enjoys causing trouble for others?

Sakayanagi Arisu somewhat speechless. "You were the one who said she was strange before, and now you're the one who thinks she's abnormal. What exactly do you want from me?!"

"Furthermore, I also want to seriously consider that I was too excited before."

"Is that so?"

Meanwhile, on the other side --

"I sent you the recording; you'll have to give me extra food tonight."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, quite pleased with himself, boasted to Hoshino En.

"Of course, I didn't expect you to be able to do it."

"Also, is it really possible to swim straight out of the school?"

"This is just a guess, don't overthink it. Besides, there could be many unexpected situations along the way, which I can't handle right now, so don't even think about it."

"... Okay then."

Although his expression remained indifferent, Hoshino En sensed that this guy was already smitten. #3×/∥¤

"Don't try it, it'll cause a lot of trouble."

"I see."

You know nothing!

However, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka never had the time to try out that dangerous idea again.

In the days that followed, the same routine continued every day. Hirata Yosuke successfully made contact with the angel of Class B and started holding study sessions in the library; Horikita Suzune also successfully caught Ayanokoji Kiyotaka doing all the work.

"Yuan, Horikita isn't human, she's not human!"

One day, after Ayanokoji Kiyotaka became a [slave], during the night's poisoning session, Hoshino En overheard his complaints.

Although he tried his best to look annoyed, his expressionless face completely betrayed his indifference.

This style of trying to stir up a conversation but appearing stiff is very much like Kiyotaka's!

To avoid an awkward silence, Hoshino En chimed in with a question.

"So, what did she do to you?"

"She asked me to gather Yamauchi, Ike, and Sudo together; she wanted to tutor them."

These three were the only three in the Failing Group who hadn't attended Hirata's study sessions. If things continued like this, this Midterm Exam would probably be their end.

Those who willingly degenerate are not worth saving, and the rest of the class seemed to have no intention of caring about them anymore, but Horikita, who was determined to get an A, was different.

"Isn't this perfectly normal? You're so close to them, it's no problem for you to handle this."

"... You know I'm not good at socializing, how could I possibly do something like that?"

Upon hearing his explanation, Hoshino En understood: this guy probably wanted to slack off... to be precise, he wanted to experience a fulfilling daily life like an ordinary person, so he used this excuse to negotiate with Horikita Suzune, but was rejected.

The mission was finally assigned, and to maintain his previous story, he definitely needed to find someone with MAX social skills to cover for him, such as -- Kushida Kikyo.

"So, you went to see Kushida?"