Yuki Himeno opened her mouth, but couldn't get a single word out.
She could only stare at Makoto Nishikado, who wore an expression that said, "I'm doing this for your own good." The anger in her chest felt stuck, unable to rise or fade.
Scenes from last night involuntarily flooded her mind.
Honami Ichinose's laughter still echoed in her ears, and the enthusiasm of everyone in Class B had swept over her like a tide.
For three and a half hours straight, one gathering ended only for the next to begin, and that one ended only for yet another to start.
When she got back to her dorm, she collapsed onto her bed, too exhausted to move a muscle.
If she had to live like that for the next three years, she really wouldn't be able to take it.
It seemed that only by accepting Makoto Nishikado's offer could she steal a little time for herself.
"Think about it. If you agree, from now on, I'll be the only one making you run around."
"When I don't have anything for you to take care of, you'll be free."
"Then you can use my name to get yourself some time to rest. Wouldn't that be great?"
Makoto Nishikado continued coaxing her patiently.
The system's notification proved that his words were working.
"What do you mean, you'll be the only one making me run around from now on?"
Yuki Himeno couldn't listen to any more. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her voice carried a hint of embarrassment and annoyance.
That sounded way too suggestive. He'd practically run her over with a truck, and he still claimed he wasn't flirting!
What was even worse was that she really was tempted.
At the thought of being able to openly turn down activities she didn't want to attend, she started to waver.
And Makoto Nishikado really was pretty impressive. Yuki Himeno meant that he was completely incapable of reading the room.
Class B had held a gathering yesterday, and naturally, they'd invited Makoto Nishikado too.
She still remembered the scene. Honami Ichinose had smiled warmly and invited him, her eyes crinkling. "Nishikado, come join us! Everyone's here."
But Makoto Nishikado had casually refused, without a trace of apology on his face. "No, I have something to do."
Then he'd turned and walked away, not giving Honami Ichinose and the others a chance to invite him again. Yuki Himeno couldn't help envying how composed and resolute he'd been.
She wanted to learn to be like that, not care what other people thought, and boldly refuse to do things she didn't want to do.
"All right, but you can't make me do things for more than two hours a day."
Yuki Himeno finally relented. Holding up two fingers, she stated seriously.
If a boy kept pestering her for more than two hours, he'd start getting annoying.
"Then it's a deal."
"Wait. You don't have a thing for me, do you?"
Yuki Himeno suddenly thought of something and asked with a frown.
"You are pretty charming, Himeno, but this really is for business."
Makoto Nishikado smiled, not denying it completely.
"...Nishikado, you look like a total playboy." Yuki Himeno pursed her lips, sounding certain.
She wasn't good at dealing with that kind of guy.
"Don't slander me. I've never even been in a relationship."
Makoto Nishikado's expression changed at once.
How could this little lackey just make up accusations against him?
He was only smooth-talking. He had plenty of theoretical experience, but absolutely no practical experience.
"Seriously?"
Yuki Himeno's normally half-lidded eyes widened.
"...Wait, why is that so shocking?"
Makoto Nishikado stared at her speechlessly.
Why were you giving me so many emotion points over something so trivial? What was that supposed to mean?
"Fine, I'll forgive you this time. Let's exchange contact information."
In the end, Makoto Nishikado didn't hold it against Yuki Himeno.
After all, she was the lackey he'd recruited himself. Even if she annoyed him, he still had to make use of her.
After settling things with Yuki Himeno, Makoto Nishikado turned to look for his next target.
Soon, he spotted a girl with long black hair.
Horikita Suzune stood in a corner, her posture straight and her face expressionless, as if the commotion around her had nothing to do with her.
"Hey, Suzune!"
Makoto Nishikado immediately went over to her.
Off in the distance, Yuki Himeno watched and pursed her lips, muttering under her breath, "And he says he's not a playboy? He just got me sorted out and now he's going after someone else."
Meanwhile, Makoto Nishikado had no idea Yuki Himeno was still slandering him. He approached Horikita Suzune with an enthusiastic smile.
If he were looking for a girlfriend, he certainly wouldn't choose someone like Horikita Suzune.
But if he wanted to earn emotion points, Horikita Suzune really was a great target.
"Hmph."
Horikita Suzune noticed Makoto Nishikado approaching and merely snorted. She didn't even spare him a glance.
She still remembered how Makoto Nishikado hadn't answered her question last time. After teasing her, he'd simply walked away.
Now it was her turn to get back at him.
Her attitude could be summed up as, "If you don't give me the time of day, I won't give you the time of day!"
Even though Makoto Nishikado had somehow learned her name and deliberately called her by it so familiarly, she ignored him.
But since Makoto Nishikado had dared to approach her, he naturally had a way to stir her emotions.
"The Student Council President's last name is Horikita too. Is he your brother?"
Whoa!
This was the largest single amount of emotion points he'd ever received!
After reading the system notification, Makoto Nishikado immediately softened his gaze toward Horikita Suzune.
Horikita Suzune really was a darling who adored her older brother!
"Y-you're talking nonsense!"
The Zen of Silence Horikita Suzune had been practicing instantly fell apart. She turned and glared fiercely at Makoto Nishikado.
When she noticed the gentleness in his eyes, she was completely baffled.
Hadn't this guy been provoking her just now? What was that look supposed to mean?
"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone, and I certainly won't use that connection to threaten you."
Makoto Nishikado waved a hand, his tone sincere, as if he truly had her best interests at heart.
"So you're going to use what you know about me to threaten my brother?"
Horikita Suzune thought she'd caught a flaw in Makoto Nishikado's words and looked at him sharply.
"Hm? So he really is your brother?"
Makoto Nishikado asked, feigning surprise.
"..."
Only then did Horikita Suzune realize that Makoto Nishikado hadn't been sure of her relationship to her older brother, Horikita Manabu. He'd been testing her.
Now she'd given herself away, because she'd taken the bait and let Makoto Nishikado reel her in like a fish.
How could this guy be so awful?!
Horikita Suzune said nothing, but her glare was vicious.
"Given your temper, your brother must worry about you a lot."
Makoto Nishikado ignored Horikita Suzune's glare and spoke casually.
In his experience, Horikita Suzune hadn't blown her top yet, so he could keep provoking her.
"It's none of your business. Call him something else."
Horikita Suzune lowered her voice, seething.
She really didn't want her relationship with Horikita Manabu to be exposed.
Given the way things stood, she felt that her very existence was an embarrassment to Horikita Manabu, the Student Council President.
If other people found out and she caused trouble for her older brother, Horikita Manabu, she'd want to drop out.
"The Student Council President is about to take the stage."
Before you continue