The classroom was nearly empty. Students sat in twos and threes, while Ayanokoji sat quietly at his desk, watching the trio of Yamauchi and his friends plotting something.
"I've decided. Once Kikyo comes into the classroom, I'm going to invite her to dinner after school."
As he spoke, Yamauchi pulled the movie tickets he'd prepared earlier from his pocket. His thoughts began to wander, and his tone grew frivolous.
"Then we'll watch a movie together, maybe take a walk or something. If we do that a few times, little Kikyo will definitely realize I'm a funny, gentle guy."
"And then she'll fall into the sea of love with me."
"Hey, hey. Even if the classroom's nearly empty, you don't have to say it so loudly. It's hard for anyone not to hear your plan!" Ayanokoji said under his breath, in a voice only he could hear.
"He really is funny."
Suzune suddenly spoke, but kept her eyes on the book in her hands, as if she'd gotten carried away reading and was talking to herself.
"Yamauchi? He's an adolescent boy, after all. It's perfectly normal for him to have a few fantasies," Ayanokoji replied.
"It's rude to jump into a conversation like that. Don't just assume I was talking to you."
Suzune's words were blunt enough that most people would have cursed her out on the spot, but Ayanokoji showed no change in emotion.
"Oh, you weren't? I thought you were the only one around me besides myself who was talking."
As soon as he finished speaking, the noisy chatter of girls came from outside the classroom.
Satsu walked into the classroom, surrounded by seven girls led by Kikyo.
"Poor guy. Someone's plan failed before he even got to put it into action." (Ayanokoji Kiyotaka)
"Hm? What plan?"
Noticing Ayanokoji's thoughts, Satsu quickly looked around. With one glance, he spotted Yamauchi, holding movie tickets and looking disgruntled.
Ike had one hand on Yamauchi's shoulder and was saying something to him with a consoling expression. Satsu couldn't hear what he was saying, but Ike's thoughts said it all.
"She's a ridiculously handsome guy, like he's using cheats!" (Kanji Ike)
"I see. One of these girls must be the person Yamauchi likes. It has to be Kikyo, no question."
Satsu smiled faintly and said gently to Kikyo, "Kikyo, I was just thinking about this on the way here. I'd like to treat you to dinner after school tonight. Do you have time?"
"But since you're all friends, I'd like to invite everyone. What do you think?"
The girls perked up at once. Who wouldn't want a nice meal for free? And they might even get to watch some drama. Why not go?
After all, if a guy invited a girl to dinner alone, it had to mean he was interested in her, right?
Seeing everyone look to her for permission, Kikyo replied timidly, "If you don't mind the expense, Satsu, I'd love to."
"Really? Little Kikyo, you're the best!"
"Yeah, you're just like an angel."
"If it weren't for you, we wouldn't get to enjoy a meal on Kato's dime."
By now, Satsu didn't even need to read minds. Kikyo's delight was plain to see on her face.
"It feels great to be praised, but why are they thanking me when he's the one paying?" (Kikyo Kushida)
"He could've just said he was treating everyone to dinner. Why did he have to ask if I was okay with it?" (Kikyo Kushida)
"I'd better prepare something to say. I need to turn down his request to date me without offending him. I still need to keep my popularity up, and he could be useful." (Kikyo Kushida)
Satsu nearly laughed when he heard her thoughts. Dating someone with a split personality?
What a hilarious idea. Still, Kikyo was attractive, and as a healthy young man, he couldn't help having some thoughts about her.
As the old saying went, "Food and sex are human nature."
"Can I come too, Kikyo?"
An extremely out-of-place voice rang out. Everyone turned to look. It was Yamauchi.
"Is he thinking of doing that thing? This isn't wise." (Ayanokoji Kiyotaka)
"He's inviting so many girls to dinner and calling Kikyo and Satsu by their first names like they're so close. If I don't embarrass him so badly he'll never live it down, I'll change my name to Uchiyama." (Haruki Yamauchi)
"If you want to change your name, just say so. No need to go through all this." (Kato Satsu)
Yamauchi spread his hands and continued, "That's okay, right, Kikyo? We're friends too, aren't we?"
"What's gotten into this Pinocchio with nothing but girls on his mind?" (Kikyo Kushida)
Though she felt sick to her stomach, Kikyo still wore a friendly smile. "I don't mind, but Satsu's the one paying, so..."
Kikyo looked at Satsu, passing the question to him. Before Satsu could respond, Yamauchi rushed to speak in a mocking tone.
"Kato wouldn't say no, would he? Everyone at school knows you won a ton of points yesterday. It's just one more person at dinner. You're not that stingy, are you?"
"If he wants a girlfriend, talking like that in front of all these girls is a terrible move." (Ayanokoji Kiyotaka)
"So this is why I'm better off alone. Look at the kind of people around me." (Horikita Suzune)
Yamauchi's provocation was obvious to everyone, but Satsu had no reason to be intimidated.
"Of course! You're welcome, Yamauchi."
"Why wouldn't I want someone to put on a circus act for free at the party? Everyone knows I'm the great-grandfather of Uchiyama, a disciple of Heath Ledger." (Kato Satsu)
Satsu spoke as he walked over to his desk, deliberately drawing out the last syllable. His sarcastic remark was a pointed response to Yamauchi.
"Kato sure is popular."
As soon as Satsu sat down, Ayanokoji struck up a conversation, but Suzune was the one who responded.
"Though it seems you're a little too popular."
Satsu smiled as he took out his textbook and replied, "Popular? How could that possibly be my fault?"
"Seems like someone's already blaming you."
Satsu didn't say much in response to Suzune's warning.
"Kato seems to be left-handed."
Ayanokoji's sudden comment made Suzune look at Satsu's left hand too.
"What's wrong? Is being left-handed unusual?"
"Oh, right. You two can come to the party tonight too."
"I don't mind," Ayanokoji said.
"Great! Let's exchange contact information, and I'll send you the restaurant's location later."
Satsu looked excited. He'd finally gotten Ayanokoji's contact information, something he'd dreamed of for ages, and in a way he'd never expected.
"The first person whose contact information I've gotten since enrolling." (Ayanokoji Kiyotaka)
Ayanokoji found it strange, but still took out his phone. Satsu then looked at Suzune expectantly.
"I'll pass. I don't like this sort of gathering."
"Okay~"
After school at noon, Satsu immediately reserved a spot at a restaurant, then headed to the shopping mall.
"Before the party tonight, I should take care of that thing first," Satsu said to himself.
Before you continue