Karuizawa Kei's Thoughts (2)

"None."

But if I said that, there would likely be unpleasant consequences, right?

I should ask Sakayanagi what she wants first.

Oreki thought to himself.

Thus, he asked Sakayanagi:

"Is there something you need?"

"My father is very curious about you and would like to meet you."

"Hm?"

This... this isn't right, is it?

Things are moving too fast.

Meeting the parents already?

A look of confusion appeared on Oreki's face.

Seeing this, Sakayanagi let out a soft laugh.

"I didn't say my father has taken a liking to you, you know."

"Cough, cough..."

"Your plan is quite excellent, and the success rate is very high."

"I just thought of it on the spot."

"That is not something just anyone could come up with."

Sakayanagi deliberately gazed toward Oreki.

She was very curious as to why Oreki didn't agree immediately.

Opportunities to meet the school's board chairman are few and far between.

If things went smoothly, he might even be able to establish a connection.

At that point, he would have a backer worth relying on.

Oreki was silent for a moment.

He had previously promised to meet Karuizawa Kei in the afternoon.

Furthermore, his goal was to plant his own eyes and ears within Class D.

Such confidential matters could not be let known to Sakayanagi.

He, Oreki, was not yet Sakayanagi's subordinate.

Nor had he formed an alliance with Sakayanagi.

It was merely an exchange of interests.

"There is too much going on today; let's meet another day."

"You certainly know how to take the initiative."

"I have no choice. I can't exactly show up to meet your father looking exhausted, can I?"

"Hmm, that's true."

Sakayanagi ended the conversation quite readily.

This was completely unlike her usual style.

In the past, she wouldn't have given up so easily.

Oreki felt suspicious about this.

But it wasn't the right time to speak his mind.

"Prepare for class."

The portly homeroom teacher walked in through the front door.

Soon, the previously noisy classroom fell silent at once.

Oreki listlessly took out his textbooks.

Several hours later.

The bell for the end of the school day rang out.

The homeroom teacher left quickly, not dragging the class out at all.

"I'm heading back to the dormitory first."

Oreki stood up and left his seat.

He glanced at Sakayanagi, who was still in her seat.

She showed absolutely no intention of following him.

"What is it? Didn't you say you were heading back?"

"Yeah..."

Oreki grabbed his satchel and walked out the back door.

Not far away.

Karuizawa Kei saw Oreki emerge and immediately ran over.

She said, looking somewhat uneasy:

"Could you come with me for a moment?"

"Right now?"

"Please..."

"Fine."

Oreki nodded in agreement.

He had intended to exchange email addresses with Karuizawa Kei and then leave.

After all, the situation with Sakayanagi was feeling off.

"Let's go to the Lake Pavilion in the park."

"Okay!"

And so, the two took a detour toward that location.

But what they didn't know was...

All of this was being watched by Sakayanagi from the rooftop.

She adjusted her beret slightly.

"Being a flirt isn't very nice, little Oreki."

On the other side.

Upon arriving at the Lake Pavilion, Oreki stopped in his tracks.

He asked Karuizawa Kei:

"You can tell me now, right?"

"It's her..."

"Who?"

"That girl you said had a messy collar."

"Oh..."

"She wants me to give her fifty thousand points."

"Why?"

"Because... I made her lose face..."

Karuizawa Kei kept her head down.

In reality, it wasn't her fault.

It should have been Oreki.

But Oreki was from Class A, and he was on close terms with the director's daughter; generally, no one would be blind enough to offend him.

Karuizawa Kei was different.

No background, no strength.

She gave off the feeling that... anyone could push her around.

"So, what are you getting at?"

"..."

Karuizawa Kei bit her lip.

She understood that if she didn't make things clear now, she wouldn't get another chance.

Hirata couldn't compare to Oreki.

"That! Could you... pretend to be my..."

"Sorry."

"I figured as much..."

"But I can protect you from getting hurt."

"Really?"

"Of course. As long as you agree to one condition."

"What condition?"

"Help me keep an eye on someone."

Oreki said with a grave expression.

He couldn't shake the feeling that...

The girl named Ayanokoji Kiyoko was not simple.

If he couldn't figure out her true colors soon, something unexpected might happen.

"Who is it?"

"Ayanokoji Kiyoko."

"Her? I suppose I could... but that girl gives off a dazed vibe, and she rarely speaks."

Karuizawa Kei said, looking puzzled.

Her impression of that person was rather vague.

When it came down to it, Ayanokoji Kiyoko simply had too little presence.

Yet, whenever something important arose, everyone would remember her.

"This is my email address. We'll talk more later."

Oreki handed a piece of paper to Karuizawa Kei.

Just as he was about to turn and leave...

"Can I... be a little selfish?"

Karuizawa Kei whispered.

"What?"

Before Oreki could finish his question, Karuizawa Kei grabbed his right hand.

"I want you to walk me back. Walking alone... it makes me feel so insecure..."

"...Fine."

Oreki nodded helplessly.

"But we must maintain a distance of two meters between us."

"...Do you hate me that much?"

"That's not the reason."

Oreki looked at Karuizawa Kei.

His tone was firm:

"If you aren't willing, then just pretend I never said anything."

"I'm willing!"

Karuizawa Kei replied hurriedly.

"Good."

Oreki turned and walked away.

After he had covered some distance, Karuizawa Kei quickly followed behind.

The two of them arrived at the dormitory in this single-file formation.

The time had already reached three-thirty.

"You should stay in your dorm today and lay low."

"Mm..."

After seeing Karuizawa Kei to the building entrance, Oreki headed toward his own room.

Quite a lot had happened today.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't tired.

So sleepy... I don't want to move at all.

Oreki, who had just blinked, suddenly perked up.

Because he saw Katsuragi.

The other party was heading toward the elevator with his luggage.

It looked like he had only just been released.

How pitiful.

Oreki thought indifferently.

But suddenly...

Katsuragi turned to look at Oreki.

"It's you?"

--To be continue