Is It My Fault for Being Popular?

The classroom was sparsely populated, with students scattered here and there. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka sat quietly at his desk, watching the trio led by Haruki Yamauchi whispering about something.

"I've decided that as soon as Kikyo Kushida walks into the classroom, I'm going to invite her out for a meal after school."

As he spoke, Haruki Yamauchi pulled a pair of movie tickets he had prepared long ago from his pocket. His thoughts began to drift, and his tone grew frivolous.

"Then we'll go watch a movie, take a walk, or something like that. If I do this a few more times, little Kikyo will definitely realize that I'm a humorous, gentle guy."

"And finally, she'll fall into the ocean of love with me."

"Hey, hey, even if there are few people in the classroom, you don't have to say it so loudly. It's hard for others not to know your plan!" Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said in a voice only he could hear.

"He really is quite humorous."

Horikita Suzune spoke up suddenly, though her gaze remained fixed on the book in her hands, as if she were so engrossed in her reading that she was just talking to herself.

"Yamauchi? Well, he's a teenager going through puberty; it's normal to have a few fantasies," Ayanokoji Kiyotaka replied.

"It's quite rude to just start talking to me. Don't presume that I was speaking to you."

Faced with Horikita Suzune's blunt words, others might have called her crazy on the spot, but Ayanokoji Kiyotaka showed no emotional fluctuation.

"Oh, so you weren't? I didn't see anyone else around you besides me."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the noisy sound of girls chatting and laughing drifted in from outside the door.

Kato Satsu walked into the classroom, surrounded by seven girls led by Kikyo Kushida.

"How pitiful. Someone's plan has been declared a failure before it could even be implemented." (Ayanokoji Kiyotaka)

"Hm? What plan?"

Sensing Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's inner voice, Kato Satsu quickly scanned his surroundings. With just one glance, he saw Haruki Yamauchi clutching the movie tickets, his face full of resentment.

Kanji Ike had one hand on Haruki Yamauchi's shoulder, saying something with a consoling expression. Although the words were inaudible, Kanji Ike's inner thoughts revealed everything.

"After all, the other guy is that kind of top-tier handsome guy!" (Kanji Ike)

"I see. Is there someone among these girls that Haruki Yamauchi is interested in? No need to guess, it's definitely Kikyo Kushida."

Kato Satsu smiled slightly and said softly to Kikyo Kushida: "Kikyo, I wanted to say this on the way here just now. I'd like to invite you to dinner after school tonight. I wonder if you have the time?"

"But since everyone here is your friend, I'd like to invite everyone along. What do you think?"

Hearing this, the girls immediately became interested. A free meal, and they might even get to see some drama—why wouldn't they go?

After all, if a boy invites a girl to dinner alone, what else could it mean but romantic interest?

Seeing everyone looking at her with pleading eyes, Kikyo Kushida replied timidly: "If it's not too much of a burden for you, Kato Satsu, then sure."

"Really! Little Kikyo, you're the best!"

"Yeah, you're just like an angel."

"If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be able to have this meal from Kato Satsu."

At this point, Kato Satsu didn't even need to read minds; he could see the visible joy on Kikyo Kushida's face just from her expression.

"It feels so good to be praised, but since this person is paying, why is he giving the credit to me?" (Kikyo Kushida)

"He could have just said he was inviting everyone to dinner, but he had to go and ask for my permission." (Kikyo Kushida)

"It seems necessary to prepare a script that can reject his romantic advances without offending him. He's still useful for maintaining my high popularity." (Kikyo Kushida)

These inner thoughts almost made Kato Satsu laugh out loud. Dating someone with a split personality?

What a humorous idea. However, Kikyo Kushida's looks were certainly top-tier, and as a healthy male, it was impossible not to have some thoughts.

As the old saying goes: "A gentleman values food and sex."

"Kikyo, can I go too?"

A highly discordant voice rang out. Everyone turned to look at the source; the speaker was none other than Haruki Yamauchi.

"He isn't planning on doing that, is he? This is unwise." (Ayanokoji Kiyotaka)

"To think he'd invite so many girls to dinner at once, and keep calling her Kikyo and Kato Satsu so intimately. If I don't make you look like a complete fool, I'll change my name to Uchiyama." (Haruki Yamauchi)

"If you want to change your name, just say so. No need for all this extra process." (Kato Satsu)

Haruki Yamauchi spread his hands and continued: "That's fine, right, Kikyo? We're friends too, aren't we?"

"What kind of crazy is this Pinocchio with a head full of women pulling now?" (Kikyo Kushida)

Even though she felt disgusted to her core, Kikyo Kushida still wore a harmonious smile: "I don't mind, but since Kato Satsu is paying, so..."

Kikyo Kushida looked at Kato Satsu, tossing the problem over to him. Before Kato Satsu could respond, Haruki Yamauchi spoke up in a mocking tone, eager to jump in:

"Kato Satsu shouldn't have a problem with it, right? The whole school knows you won a huge amount of points yesterday. It's just one extra person for dinner; you aren't that stingy, are you?"

"If he wants to find a girlfriend, speaking like that in front of so many girls is a huge turn-off." (Ayanokoji Kiyotaka)

"That's why I say it's better to be alone. The people around here are all trash." (Horikita Suzune)

Haruki Yamauchi's provocation was obvious to everyone, but Kato Satsu had no reason to be afraid.

"Of course, you're welcome! Yamauchi-kun~"

"If someone is willing to perform a circus act at the party for free, why wouldn't I want that? Everyone knows that I, the great Lord Uchiyama, studied under Heath Ledger." (Kato Satsu)

Satsu walked toward his seat while speaking, deliberately drawing out the end of his sentence to respond to Yamauchi with that kind of sarcastic tone.

"Kato-kun is truly popular, isn't he?"

As soon as Satsu sat down, Ayanokoji took the initiative to strike up a conversation, but it was Suzune who responded to him.

"Though it seems he's a bit too popular for his own good."

Satsu smiled, and while taking out his textbook, he replied, "Being popular~ surely that can't be my fault."

"It seems someone is already blaming you for it."

Faced with Suzune's warning, Satsu didn't say much more.

"Kato-kun, it seems you're left-handed."

Ayanokoji's sudden remark caused Suzune to look at Satsu's left hand as well.

"What's wrong? Is being left-handed that rare?"

"Oh right, you two can come to the gathering tonight as well."

"I don't have a problem with that," Ayanokoji said.

"Great! Let's exchange contact information, and I'll send you the restaurant location in a bit."

Satsu appeared very excited; the contact information for Ayanokoji that he had always dreamed of was actually obtained in this way.

"The first contact information I've added since entering the school." (Ayanokoji Kiyotaka)

Although Ayanokoji felt it was strange, he still took out his phone, and immediately after, Satsu looked at Suzune with great anticipation.

"I'll pass; I don't like those kinds of gatherings."

"Alright then~"

After school ended at noon, Satsu first went to the restaurant to book a table, then immediately headed to the mall.

"Before the gathering tonight, I should get that matter taken care of," Satsu muttered to himself.