Happy Cooperation

"Horikita, I've been waiting for you for a long time."

Ayanokoji's appearance startled Satsu.

When Suzune first approached Satsu, Ayanokoji wasn't there. Now, he suddenly appeared and claimed he had been waiting for Suzune.

This indicated that Suzune's actions today were likely a pre-arranged plan with Ayanokoji, or perhaps even his idea entirely.

Satsu instinctively looked at Suzune. Although she maintained a calm facade, she replied, "Ah... Ah! Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go."

"I don't know why Ayanokoji is here, but it's good that he came." (Horikita Suzune)

The moment he understood Suzune's thoughts, Satsu smiled confidently and said, "Kiyotaka has been here all along? I didn't see you just now."

"Actually, I only arrived a short while ago."

Ayanokoji didn't hide anything, stating calmly, "As soon as I got out of the elevator, I saw Satsu pull Horikita aside. Out of curiosity, I followed."

"So, you heard everything we just said!" Suzune asked urgently.

"Of course. It was only a corner's distance away; it would have been difficult not to hear."

"How impolite, Kiyotaka. I never imagined you had such a gossipy side."

Hearing Satsu's assessment, Ayanokoji immediately defended himself, "Normally, I'm not interested in such things. It's just that Suzune told me yesterday that she had found a way to get you to join her team."

"I was merely curious about her method, which is why I followed."

Satsu glanced at Suzune, who now wore a look of helplessness and bewilderment. "It seems her plan has failed, and Suzune won't be able to bother me anymore."

"I'm truly sorry, Kiyotaka. It looks like you'll have to handle Suzune's study group by yourself." Satsu's tone was laced with amusement and schadenfreude.

"Is that so? I don't think so. Suzune's plan was perfect. Now you have no choice but to help her!"

Ayanokoji's words made Satsu pause. A sense of disdain arose within him. The legendary 'Lu-ge' seemed to be nothing special, still failing to grasp the situation.

However, out of caution, Satsu patiently asked, "Kiyotaka, you heard my conversation with Horikita just now, right?"

Ayanokoji nodded slightly.

"In that case, you should understand that Horikita is in a dead end. I'd like to hear your brilliant insights."

"Horikita can no longer bother me. If she tries again, I'll release the photos."

"Horikita is a kidnapper with only one hostage, and aren't you the same, Satsu?"

At this, both Satsu and Suzune froze. They simultaneously realized that Satsu's kidnapper logic applied equally to himself.

"You wouldn't dare release the photos, Satsu. Hasebe's first thought wouldn't be to find out who took the photos, but who sent them."

"She'll discover that you sent the photos, and Horikita took them."

"What will be the final outcome? Horikita was acting under your coercion. Your goal was to force Hasebe into a relationship with you."

Ayanokoji laid out his meticulously crafted scenario, "As for why Horikita would help you, it's because you promised her that after this was done, you would join her team and help organize her study group."

"I am the witness. Yamauchi and the others did indeed receive invitations to Horikita's study group."

"You have no proof, do you?" Satsu said, feeling emboldened.

"But you also have no way to prove it's fake."

Ayanokoji immediately retorted, "Moreover, the fact is that Suzune did send the photos to you, and you did spread them. How do you explain that behavior?"

"Compared to that, who do you think everyone will be more inclined to believe?"

"Then what if I tell the truth? I was threatened by Horikita, and I was merely acting in self-defense." Satsu countered, presenting his own strategy.

"Then your relationship with Hasebe will end there. Are you willing to let that happen? Your relationship was quite good."

Ayanokoji stated without hesitation, "In this matter, Hasebe is the complete victim."

"And you, Satsu,"

"Instead of reporting the threat to the school authorities, you chose to proactively leak the photos. What will Hasebe think? Do you consider her a friend?"

Satsu bit his lower lip slightly, contemplating Ayanokoji's words, searching for any logical flaws.

Suzune remained silent throughout, merely listening. She could follow the logic of Satsu and Ayanokoji, but she had never imagined such a maneuver was possible.

It was like doing a math problem: when the teacher explains it, you understand every step, but when you try to solve it yourself, you often can't think of the right approach.

"Everything you've said is based on the premise that I sent the photos," Satsu argued.

"And Horikita's threat is based on the premise that the photos were sent."

"The current problem is that I don't dare send the photos, and neither does Horikita. If you send them or Horikita sends them, the result is the same, meaning the photos won't be sent."

"In that case, I still don't need to join you."

Ayanokoji's tone suddenly became firm. He knew this negotiation had ended in his victory.

"But Horikita will keep bothering you, won't she? She's already shown she has the ability to do so."

"This time it's photos, what about next time? Do you think the same response will deter Horikita twice?"

"Then I'll just report to the school that Horikita is harassing me," Satsu said dismissively.

Ayanokoji replied nonchalantly, "You know yourself that such actions do not constitute substantial harassment."

"Moreover, Horikita has always liked you, didn't you know? So her actions are understandable. The school will at most treat her as a girl infatuated during puberty and give her a few words of advice."

"Ah!!!" Satsu and Suzune exclaimed simultaneously.

"If you don't believe me, ask Horikita, is it true?" Ayanokoji said, completely disregarding the consequences of saying such a thing.

Satsu looked at Suzune in disbelief. He had never sensed any feelings of liking from Suzune, nor did he believe she would say she liked him for such a reason.

What nonsense is this bastard spouting? How could I possibly like Kato! (Horikita Suzune)

Suzune subconsciously glanced at Satsu. In just an instant, she met Satsu's questioning gaze.

She immediately averted her eyes and turned to glare at Ayanokoji with an angry expression.

"It's not like I absolutely need Kato's help! How could I say such ridiculous things?" (Horikita Suzune)

"It's okay, Horikita. Come on, speak your heart!" Ayanokoji encouraged.

"Bastard!" (Horikita Suzune)

Suzune's face involuntarily flushed, but her eyes looked as if they could kill.

"If I deny it now, isn't it a complete loss? Not only did Kato not join, but I also planted a seed in his heart that I might like him." (Horikita Suzune)

"Ayanokoji has already figured out the methods and reasons for Kato to join later. If I deny it now, isn't it giving up everything?" (Horikita Suzune)

After a long pause, Suzune said in a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum, "Yes, Kato. I like you!"

"Ah! Big sister, you really know how to go all out!" (Kato Satsu)

After a brief moment of shock, Satsu composed himself and, as if accepting his fate, extended his hand: "In that case, happy cooperation."