Let's Leave It at That

"Then would you mind adding me to the group?"

Kudou Koushu had just come up behind them, a faint smile on his lips.

Chapter 9: Let's Leave It at That

"Who are you?"

Shiba Tatsuya shifted a little to the right, shielding Shiba Miyuki behind him.

The others at the scene also looked wary. After all, Kudou Koushu had just been standing behind Saegusa Mayumi.

Kudou Koushu hadn't said anything, so they'd assumed he'd come back to settle a score.

Shiba Tatsuya, however, saw things differently. He suspected Kudou Koushu was the one who'd been watching him just moments ago.

That was why he'd hidden Shiba Miyuki behind him. If Kudou Koushu had any ill intentions, he could act immediately.

Kudou Koushu naturally noticed their wariness. He shrugged, then smiled warmly.

"Hello, everyone. I'm Kudou Koushu from Class 1-C."

"And I'm truly sorry about that attack just now."

Kudou Koushu then turned his gaze to the big guy in the group.

"Kudou."

Shiba Tatsuya's pupils contracted, but he quickly returned to his usual impassive expression.

"No problem. You were careful to control the strength of your attack, weren't you?" The big guy laughed heartily, clearly not bothered by what had happened.

"Well, I'm fairly confident in my control."

"Oh, right. I'm Saijo Leonhart. Just call me Leo if you like."

Kudou Koushu's warm manner toward everyone, combined with his immediate apology, won him their goodwill.

Everyone there introduced themselves in turn.

After all, they didn't know each other particularly well. Mitsui Honoka and Kitayama Shizuku were Course 1 Students, while the others were Course 2 Students; the two groups hadn't had much reason to interact.

The only connection was Mitsui Honoka's admiration for Shiba Tatsuya.

Shiba Tatsuya lowered his guard for the time being, though he would probably investigate Kudou Koushu once he got home.

Of course, Kudou Koushu would do the same.

Right now, he was extremely interested in the Shiba Siblings.

"Still, it's getting late. Shall we get going?"

"There's a café near the station. I've been there before. The atmosphere is pretty nice, and the coffee's decent too."

The four Course 1 Students—Shiba Miyuki, Mitsui Honoka, Kitayama Shizuku, and Kudou Koushu—and the four Course 2 Students—Shiba Tatsuya, Chiba Erika, Saijo Leonhart, and Shibata Mizuki—took their seats around one large table.

They didn't sit separately like the opposing Course 1 and Course 2 Students at school. Instead, they mixed together; for example, Kudou Koushu sat beside both Chiba Erika and Kitayama Shizuku.

Kudou Koushu glanced at the message that had just arrived on his terminal, then set it back down on the table.

"Seriously, she even predicted this? And earlier, she was acting like she had no idea."

"Shiba, the president just messaged me. She said you should come have lunch at the Student Council tomorrow at noon!"

Shiba Miyuki gave a soft hum to show she understood.

Kudou Koushu then looked at Shiba Tatsuya.

"Tatsuya, do you mind if I call you that? Calling both of you Shiba gets a little confusing."

"Of course. Then I'll call you Koushu."

Shiba Tatsuya nodded calmly. It wasn't that he particularly liked Kudou Koushu; he was simply trying to preserve his sister's happy high school life.

As long as someone didn't pose a threat to his sister, he would treat them with this same warmth.

"By the way, the president didn't just invite your sister. You'll need to come along too, Tatsuya."

"Me?"

Shiba Tatsuya was clearly taken aback, but he still agreed.

After all, he couldn't imagine why the president would want to talk to a Course 2 Student like him. Perhaps she just had something about his sister to discuss with him.

"But Koushu, are you close with the president? Aren't you a new student too?"

Leo, who had been quiet until then, suddenly spoke up. He was the only one there who hadn't realized the significance of Kudou Koushu's name.

"Are you stupid?"

Chiba Erika looked at Leo as if he were some carbon-based life-form.

"What do you mean by that? What gives you the right to call me that?"

Leo was clearly getting annoyed. Ever since they'd first met that morning, this woman had kept picking on him. Now she was calling him stupid again.

"Leo, you're the one in the wrong this time!"