Park (Seeking Everything)

"Watanabe..." Horikita Suzune poked Watanabe Hayabara's back lightly with the tip of her pen.

Watanabe Hayabara turned around, forced a faint smile onto his face, and asked, "Is something the matter, Horikita?"

"If you have something to say, could you just say it directly? Don't keep poking me like that."

Horikita Suzune glanced around to ensure no one was paying attention to their conversation before lowering her voice. "It's just... Watanabe, have you noticed that ever since Sudo and Yamauchi were expelled, the atmosphere in the class has become much colder?"

Watanabe Hayabara pondered her words for a moment before replying, "What's so strange about that, Horikita? When classmates are expelled, everyone feels a sense of crisis, so naturally, they don't have the heart to liven things up. Besides, Sudo and Yamauchi were the two loudest people in class; with them gone, it's naturally much quieter. Isn't that a good thing? Didn't you always prefer a quiet atmosphere, Horikita?"

"It's just..." Watanabe Hayabara's words were hesitant, as if he were carefully choosing his phrasing. "I feel like the atmosphere in class is a bit odd. The way they look at you seems strange."

Watanabe Hayabara was well aware of the peculiar looks the average students in the class had been giving him over the past few days—a complex gaze mixed with curiosity, suspicion, and a hint of hostility. However, he chose to ignore these looks; after all, he didn't care about the opinions of others.

Since Horikita Suzune had brought up the topic, Watanabe Hayabara couldn't very well refuse to engage. He paused for a moment and asked, "Strange looks? I don't think I've done anything, have I, Horikita?"

Horikita Suzune thought for a while and replied, "It seems so."

Watanabe Hayabara immediately followed up, "Then, after you returned from the rooftop, did you tell them that it was the points I provided that helped Iju, right, Horikita?"

Horikita Suzune nodded and replied softly, "Yes, that's right. After all, it was your contribution, Watanabe."

Watanabe Hayabara's brow furrowed slightly. He looked at Horikita Suzune and said slowly, "Horikita, do you understand why, out of the three, I only helped Iju? That is where the problem lies."

Upon hearing this, a look of guilt appeared on Horikita Suzune's face. She lowered her head and said softly, "I'm sorry, Watanabe-kun."

"I will explain it to them, Watanabe-kun. I'm sorry." Horikita Suzune lowered her head to apologize.

"You should make it clear to them, Horikita."

"Yes, alright."

"May I interrupt, Watanabe-kun, Horikita-san?" Just then, a soft and pleasant voice drifted into the ears of Watanabe Hayabara and Horikita Suzune. They turned their gazes toward the source of the sound in unison, only to see a petite and exquisite figure standing not far away, a sweet smile blooming on her face. It was none other than Kushida Kikyo.

"Of course you can, Kushida-san. Horikita-san and I were just about finished talking anyway." Horikita Suzune curled the corners of her lips, responding with a friendly smile.

"That's right, it's no interruption at all, Kushida-san." Watanabe Hayabara chimed in immediately, returning the smile.

Seeing this, Kushida Kikyo seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. She walked gracefully toward the two of them and said, slightly shyly, "Um... Watanabe-kun, would you mind accompanying me to the park after school? There's something I'd like to talk to you about."

Horikita Suzune silently lowered her head, looking as if she didn't want to intrude.

"I can do that, Kushida-san," Watanabe Hayabara replied gently.

"It's a deal then, Watanabe-kun. See you at the park after school!" Kushida Kikyo waved with a smile and then left.

"See you after school, Kushida-san," Watanabe Hayabara waved back in farewell.

"The scenery at the school park is truly breathtaking right now, Watanabe-kun." Kushida Kikyo wore a brilliant smile, spreading her arms like a dancing butterfly, fully enjoying the beautiful view.

"Indeed, the scenery is picturesque and intoxicating. However, compared to this beautiful view, I think there is something even more worth admiring." Watanabe Hayabara's lips curled into a faint smile, his gaze naturally falling upon Kushida Kikyo.

Kushida Kikyo felt Watanabe Hayabara's gaze, and a slight blush rose to her cheeks like a blooming peach blossom. After a sweet smile, she turned her gaze toward Watanabe Hayabara and said softly, "Watanabe-kun really knows how to flirt. I'm sure many girls must like you."

The smile on Watanabe Hayabara's lips did not fade. He chuckled softly, "You flatter me, Kushida-san. I'm just speaking the truth. However, you didn't ask me out just to talk about this, did you?" His gaze, gentle yet firm, rested on Kushida Kikyo, as if trying to look through her eyes to read her inner thoughts.

Kushida Kikyo hesitated for a moment, then nodded gently and replied with a smile, "There is indeed something, Watanabe-kun."

"I helped Watanabe-kun solve a big problem. How will Watanabe-kun reward me?" Kushida Kikyo flashed a smile.

"Is that so? Why don't you tell me? I will provide a reward commensurate with the matter," Watanabe Hayabara said with a playful smirk.

"I've resolved the controversy in class regarding you, Watanabe-kun. About you helping Iju—I went to great lengths to explain it to each and every student. What kind of reward should you give me for that?" Kushida Kikyo wore a mischievous smile.

"Tell me what you have in mind," Watanabe Hayabara chose to let Kushida Kikyo take the initiative in proposing the reward.

"A reward, huh..." She dragged out the end of the sentence, as if weighing something precious.

"Oh? It seems you've already made up your mind, Kushida-san."

"After all, I helped you solve such a big headache, Watanabe-kun." Kushida Kikyo suddenly leaned half a step closer; the citrus scent of her shampoo mixed with the smell of sunlight drifted over. "After all, I spent an entire day explaining it one by one," Kushida Kikyo said, acting coquettishly.

Watanabe Hayabara's gaze rested on her cheeks, and a light chuckle escaped his throat: "And so?"

"I heard a new café opened at school," Kushida suddenly clapped her hands, her voice as clear as a wind chime. "I heard their sea salt cake is a limited edition, and..." She lowered her voice, the corners of her eyes lifting slightly. "And the café has private rooms."

"Is that so? Kushida Kikyo, this doesn't seem like your style. I thought you would ask me to help you get rid of Horikita or something." Watanabe Hayabara revealed a smile.

"After all, I have to consider your feelings. Besides, I'm counting on you from now on."