Wanting to Be the Only One (Seeking Everything)

However, Horikita Suzune suddenly fell silent at this moment, as if she had lost the ability to speak. Her lips were pressed tight, and her gaze drifted uncertainly, as if she were pondering something of great importance.

Just like that, the three of them walked in silence through an eerie atmosphere, with no one daring to break the quiet. Their footsteps echoed through the empty corridor, sounding exceptionally sharp.

Finally, they returned to the classroom. The students inside were rowdy, discussing various topics.

The trio reached the back of the classroom.

Watanabe Hayabara tilted his chair back, the metal legs scraping against the floor with a harsh sound. Resting his chin on one hand, his amber pupils locked onto the two people by the window like a predator: "You heard it all, didn't you, Horikita Suzune?" A subtle, probing tone hid within his deliberately drawn-out syllables.

Standing by the window, Horikita Suzune's dark hair fell to cover half her face. "So Ayanokoji, was your score really just a coincidence? And Watanabe, what exactly is your true ability?" Horikita Suzune turned to face the two of them.

"Let Ayanokoji-kun provide the answer for you." Watanabe Hayabara smiled slightly.

The corner of Horikita's brow twitched imperceptibly. She watched as Ayanokoji carelessly twirled a pen, the metal tip tracing faint glimmers in the twilight.

"Uh... Horikita," Ayanokoji's voice seemed to drift from far away, "I had no need to control my scores; it was a coincidence." He suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze behind his lenses sweeping over Watanabe. "As for Watanabe-kun, even though the school's evaluation of him is a question mark, the fact that he was assigned to Class D speaks for itself."

Watanabe Hayabara slowly straightened his posture, the taut contours of his muscles visible beneath his school uniform: "So, what are your plans now, Horikita Suzune?"

"I will first ascertain the school's true intentions. I will figure out why I was assigned to Class D. Assuming it is truly as Chabashira-sensei said, that the school judged me to be a D... then I will set my sights on A. No, I will absolutely promote to Class A." Determination radiated from Horikita Suzune's words.

Watanabe Hayabara turned slightly, leaning against the window with a faint, ambiguous smile on his lips. A low, suppressed laugh escaped from the depths of his throat, audible only to him and Ayanokoji.

Though his eyes were obscured by his lenses, it was impossible to hide the gleam of excitement flickering within them, as if he had discovered something incredibly amusing.

Ayanokoji's gaze slowly shifted toward Watanabe Hayabara. Their eyes met, yet he ultimately said nothing, merely staring at the other in silence.

"A peaceful life is always destined to be broken, Ayanokoji." Watanabe Hayabara spoke suddenly, his voice calm and firm. "Rather than waiting passively, it is better to take the initiative to experience the various changes in life."

After saying this, Watanabe Hayabara straightened up, stepped away from the window, and began walking out of the classroom.

Inside the cafe.

"Long time no see, Kamuro-san."

"Watanabe-kun, my urge to steal is acting up again! (ﾉ´д｀)" Kamuro Masumi said to Watanabe Hayabara with a distressed expression, as if this were a matter of grave importance.

The corners of Watanabe Hayabara's mouth curled up into a playful smirk as he replied: "Kamuro-san, if you want to steal something, don't report it to me."

Kamuro Masumi's eyes widened in disbelief. "Didn't you say that if my urge to steal acted up, I should come to you?!" Her voice rose an octave, laced with a mix of anger and grievance.

Watanabe Hayabara explained unhurriedly: "That was on the premise that you are my little kitten." His tone was light, as if he didn't consider it a significant condition at all.

Kamuro Masumi's expression darkened further. She pouted and shouted: "I don't care, you have to take responsibility!"

Seeing this, Watanabe Hayabara raised an eyebrow and continued: "Then say it: 'Kamuro Masumi will always be Watanabe Hayabara's little kitten.'"

Kamuro Masumi's face turned bright red, like a ripe apple. She bit her lip hard, the struggle within her intensifying.

"Impossible, o(´^｀)o" She ultimately refused firmly, her voice small but filled with resolve.

Watanabe Hayabara seemed to have anticipated her reaction. He said flatly: "Then cough up those 200,000 points."

Kamuro Masumi was so angry she nearly fainted. "Who gives something away and then asks for it back!! (′д｀σ)σ" Her voice trembled; she was clearly pushed to her limit.

Watanabe Hayabara remained unmoved. He said calmly: "Then just say it."

Kamuro Masumi cursed Watanabe Hayabara in her heart. How could this guy be so detestable! She felt as if her cheeks were about to burst from anger, and on the other end of the phone, she was flushed crimson, as if scorched by an nameless fire, with a thousand ants crawling under her skin, making her feel completely restless.

Just as Kamuro Masumi was struggling internally, hesitating, Watanabe Hayabara added unhurriedly: "Or you could ask Hashimoto Masayoshi to help you solve this problem."

"Don't mention that hooligan to me!" Kamuro Masumi blurted out, her disgust for Hashimoto Masayoshi plain to see.

"Haha, he's actually quite interested in you, you know." Watanabe Hayabara seemed to find Kamuro Masumi's reaction amusing and teased her deliberately.

"Someone like him? I hate him the moment I lay eyes on him!" Kamuro Masumi's tone grew more intense; she clearly had no affection for Hashimoto Masayoshi.

"Oh? Is that so? And what about me, Kamuro-san?" Watanabe Hayabara's lips curled slightly, a faint smile playing on them. His gaze was like a torch, landing directly on Kamuro Masumi, as if he wanted to pierce through her eyes and see her true inner thoughts.

Kamuro Masumi clearly hadn't expected Watanabe Hayabara to turn the topic to himself. Her face turned bright red again, like a ripe apple. She looked at Watanabe Hayabara, at a loss, her lips slightly parted, but unable to utter a complete syllable.

"This..." Kamuro Masumi's voice was as soft as a mosquito's. Her gaze darted around, not daring to meet Watanabe Hayabara's eyes, fearing her feelings would be seen through.

Seeing Kamuro Masumi so flustered, Watanabe Hayabara couldn't help but find it amusing. He shook his head gently, his smile widening, and said: "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. The simplest way to solve the urge to steal is to keep yourself busy."

Hearing this, Kamuro Masumi felt as if she had been granted a reprieve. Her complexion gradually returned to normal, though she remained puzzled and asked: "Keep busy? What counts as keeping busy?"

Watanabe Hayabara paused for a moment, as if thinking quickly, then the corners of his mouth lifted into a faint smile: "Hmm... actually, you could try doing things that require a lot of focus, like cultivating a hobby, or working hard to surpass others, or perhaps falling in love." His tone was very casual, as if these things were mere trifles to him.

Hearing Watanabe Hayabara's words, Kamuro Masumi said hesitantly: "This... cultivating a hobby or surpassing others, I don't think I can keep that up." Her voice revealed a lack of confidence.

Seeing this, Watanabe Hayabara's smile grew more pronounced. He teased: "Oh? Then can I take it that Kamuro Masumi-san has chosen the option of falling in love?"

Kamuro Masumi's face turned red in a flash. She waved her hands hurriedly to explain: "No, Watanabe-kun, don't misunderstand."

However, Watanabe Hayabara didn't seem to intend to let it go. He continued with a smile: "Is that so? But a little kitten's behavior is hard to hide in front of its master. How about this: I'll play the role of your boyfriend and supervise you properly. How does that sound?"

"Um... okay... alright." Kamuro Masumi's face was incredibly red.

[What an honest little kitten.]

"Masumi."

"Yes. What is it, Watanabe-kun?"

"We are in a relationship now, Masumi. You should mind how you address me."

"What's wrong, Watanabe Hayabara?" Kamuro Masumi lowered her head.

"Let me have a sip of your coffee."

"Mm, sure." Kamuro Masumi handed over the latte sitting in front of her.

Watanabe Hayabara took the coffee and sipped it, then gently ruffled Kamuro Masumi's hair. "My Masumi is my favorite little kitten."

"Fa... favorite?" Kamuro Masumi whispered in a voice only she could hear.

"Does Hayabara intend to find other little kittens? I won't just be Hayabara's favorite, I will be the only one!"