Lonely and Wanting Company

Kamuro Masumi felt goosebumps rising all over her body as she looked at Sakayanagi Arisu, who was trying so hard to force a smile.

However, her attack had no effect on Hiyori Shiina, who was seemingly stunned by Shiina Hiyori.

"Ryuen can't treat us, but it's rare for Classmate Sakayanagi and Kamuro to come all this way. How about... you come eat with us?"

Upon hearing this, Sakayanagi Arisu's smile crumbled, and Kamuro Masumi secretly shook her head.

Look at you, look at you! You treat others with jealousy, yet they treat you so kindly. Isn't your conscience aching right now?

"Kamuro, please stop overthinking. Your thoughts are disturbing my eyes."

"Kamuro, being merciful to your enemies is being cruel to yourself. Since you're rivals in class competition, Sakayanagi won't feel any guilt towards you. You're being too narrow-minded."

However, the voices of Sakayanagi Arisu and Hoshino En rang out one after the other, both pointing directly at Kamuro Masumi.

You two are truly a match made in heaven!!!

"Since Shiina is so kind as to accept, then I shall take his leave."

Sakayanagi Arisu walked around to the other side of Hoshino En and put her hand into his palm.

"Then, Hoshino... En-kun, let's go."

In the end, they still had to hold hands!

Hoshino En Enishi gently took her small hand in hers, and held Shiina Hiyori's soft hand in her other hand, leading them out of the Yakiniku Restaurant.

"Who exactly is that guy? How can he so brazenly hold hands with two girls?"

"He's holding the hand of a cute girl on his left, supporting a little girl on his right, and there's a mature woman following behind... Just who is he?!"

"Three minutes! I need all of this guy's information. Get him on the [Boys' Must-Kill List]!!"

"..."

"I always feel like the gazes of other people around me are a bit irritating."

Walking down the street, listening to the gossip around her, Hoshino En suddenly spoke.

"Really? It's about the same as usual, I don't feel anything."

As always Shiina Hiyori was oblivious; she swayed the hand that was holding Hoshino En's, her attention completely focused on that.

Hmm~? En-kun's big hands are so warm, hmm~?

"Of course, after all, you're probably the only guy in Kodo Ikusei who's walking down the street with two pretty girls."

Sakayanagi Arisu spoke slowly and deliberately, completely ignoring the gazes around her.

"Besides, although Kamuro's ideas are sometimes childish, she herself is a stunning beauty. Being surrounded by three girls, you'll probably be the envy of many boys!"

"En-kun, you're about to become famous!"

However, Kamuro Masumi's thoughts were exactly the opposite of Sakayanagi Arisu's; she couldn't stand those gazes at all.

"Let's hurry up and find somewhere to eat! Aren't you hungry?"

"If you want to hold hands and stroll along the street, then wait until after you finish eating!!"

At least she won't have to follow them around like a lapdog anymore.

"So... how about this one?"

With both hands occupied, Hoshino En could only offer suggestions by gesturing with her chin.

That's a family restaurant.

Since the dinner rush had passed, there weren't many people in that restaurant.

"The food is a bit like fast food; will the young lady's stomach be able to handle it?"

Sakayanagi Arisu Hoshino En looked at Sakayanagi Arisu to her right and asked.

"Don't think of me as some sheltered young lady who doesn't know anything about life. I can eat home-cooked meals too, okay!"

Sakayanagi Arisu squeezed Hoshino En's right hand as a form of protest.

"What about Shiina? Is this place okay?"

Hoshino En turned to look at Shiina Hiyori, who was still swinging her arm to her left, and asked.

"A family-run restaurant? Isn't that great? Cheap and affordable."

"Besides, there are booths here, and it's not too crowded, Classmate Sakayanagi can chat with En-kun about whatever he wants."

Shiina Hiyori had no objections.

"Let's do it here then."

Hoshino En led the two inside.

"Kamuro, hurry up and catch up. If you do, this meal is on me; if you don't, you'll have to pay for it yourself."

Kamuro Masumi: "..."

So you're not even going to ask for my opinion? Logically speaking, I'm the one who got the intelligence!

First Semester of First Year:

Chapter 135, Chapter 127: Feeling lonely, wanting someone to keep me company.

After several rounds of drinks, though there was no wine; and after five dishes, though they were just simple fast food—in short, after a satisfying meal, Hoshino En and Sakayanagi Arisu and finally got to the main topic of the evening.

"So, Sakayanagi, is there something you wanted to discuss with me this time?"

"Given your previous deliberately aloof attitude, you probably want to talk about something related to the class competition, right? Considering the Student Council's latest announcement, it's about the conflict between Sato Maya and Tokito Yuya, isn't it? Let me guess—"

Kamuro Masumi Hoshino En looked at Sakayanagi Arisu.

"Could it be Kamuro, or her friend? My classmate Sakura has probably photographed something amazing again?"

Kamuro Masumi: "..."

Didn't you already guess it?!

"Didn't you already guess it, En-kun? That's exactly it."

Sakayanagi Arisu placed her Cane on the edge of the table, rested her chin on her hands, and wore a threatening smile.

"Kamuro did indeed take some very serious photos. If these photos are leaked, Class D's attack on Class C will be ruined, and they might even be punished by the Student Council."

"So, En-kun, what price are you prepared to pay in exchange for my [non-interference] this time?"

Although she appeared very intimidating, this move did not harm Hoshino En.

Why should I stop you from interfering?

Sakayanagi Arisu's smile froze.

This is not what I expected!

En-kun was so active this time; he must take this matter very seriously! Shouldn't he be racking his brains, trying to find a way to retaliate? Why... why does he seem so indifferent now??

2. "If you want to go in and play, then go ahead and play. Why am I stopping you? Go have fun and enjoy yourself."

What does this tone, like coaxing a child, mean?

The smile on Sakayanagi Arisu's face vanished, and her eyebrows involuntarily furrowed.

Hoshino En took a sip of the juice that came with the set meal and spoke calmly, like a patriarch.

"But play around as you please, don't actually fight with them afterwards. I don't want to waste my energy mediating your conflicts; it's too much trouble."

"That's right, that's right! Classmate Sakayanagi needs to get along well with others!"

Shiina Hiyori chimed in from the side.

Although Classmate Sakayanagi's fate would be more in the best interests of Class C, En-kun didn't stop her, so let Classmate Sakayanagi decide for herself; she won't stir things up.

Watching the two of them singing and responding to Sakayanagi Arisu felt her nose turn red and her face was covered in white, ghostly marks.

"You, you... what kind of attitude is this?!"

Sakayanagi Arisu slammed her hands on the table and stood up excitedly.

"I'm going to attack your class! Your Class D, is going to have an even worse time! And I'll spread the word tonight—it's all because of you that Class D is going through this ordeal. You'll be ganged up on by the other students in Class D, and you'll be in big trouble from now on."

"Aren't you going to do anything about this?!"

Being told that does seem quite troublesome.

Hoshino En rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.

But he had promised Chairman Sakayanagi that he would take care of Sakayanagi Arisu, so it seemed like there was no problem with him taking on some of the trouble she caused.

Rather, the more trouble she caused, the more confident he became in demanding compensation from Chairman Sakayanagi.

It's reasonable for the father to pay off his daughter's debts, right?

However, if he acts in accordance with her wishes, there will be fewer problems, and he can also ask for compensation from Chairman Sakayanagi afterward, which doesn't seem to be contradictory.

I see...

Therefore, after careful consideration, Hoshino En made a new decision.

"Hmm, whatever."

Why should he serve the young lady? He's not like Kamuro, who Sakayanagi Arisu. So what if it's a little troublesome? He can just consider it as raising another [Ai-chan].

Moreover, given how much trouble he caused before, the others in Class D probably won't dare to mess with him for the time being; if there are any stubborn ones, then take them out: taking one out will break even, taking two out won't be a loss.

"You--"

Seeing his nonchalant attitude, Sakayanagi Arisu slumped back into her seat, a strong sense of powerlessness washing over her.

It's so rare to have an opportunity, with everything going perfectly in place, so why is it so hard to get En-kun to listen to her even once?!

"Ha ha..."

Her breathing gradually became rapid, and she felt as if the world before her was being gradually covered by a layer of black.

Her unusual dejection made Hoshino En realize that he had misunderstood something.

He had thought that Sakayanagi wanted to defeat him, so he was trying to provoke him with this incident to make him stand up and then defeat him; but now it seems... this child is just lonely and wants someone to play with her!

It hasn't even been a few days, how could she have bottled herself up like this?

"If you want me to play with you, just say so directly. You don't need to beat around the bush."

Hoshino En Enishi's large hand caressed the back of Sakayanagi Arisu's hand. Her fair and delicate hand was completely covered by his large, well-defined hand, and his warm body temperature was transmitted to Sakayanagi Arisu through the skin that touched it.

"Huh?"

Sakayanagi Arisu's breath hitched.

"Kamuro, help Sakayanagi her breath, she's having trouble breathing."

Taking advantage of her momentary daze, Kamuro Masumi Hoshino En gave an order to Kamuro Masumi, who was sitting next to Sakayanagi Arisu, while simultaneously pinching the inside of her palms hard with both hands. The just-right stimulation instantly snapped Sakayanagi Arisu back to her senses.

"Seriously, it hasn't even been a week since we last met, how did you get yourself into such a state?"

"I--"

"Just say what you want directly, don't beat around the bush. Besides, isn't Kamuro here? You can't say it to me, someone of the opposite sex, but it shouldn't be a problem to say it to her, right?"

"She..."

Sakayanagi Arisu in her seat, her gaze straining as she looked at Kamuro Masumi, who was patting her back to help her catch her breath.

"She's too stupid, I... I don't want to..."

"Classmate Sakayanagi, you'd better be more honest."

Although she couldn't offer much help due to her position, Shiina Hiyori still kindly offered her words of comfort.

Even a born genius is still just a human being. Humans have shortcomings, which is why people seek out like-minded friends. There's nothing shameful about relying on friends.

"Besides, even if Kamuro isn't that quick-witted, she'll still have strengths in other areas that you don't."

"Be honest with yourself, and be honest with your friends, okay?"

Sakayanagi Arisu: "..."

I never expected to be lectured by Shiina; this is awful.

First Semester of First Year: