A Pleasure Doing Business

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

Ayanokoji's sudden appearance startled Satsu.

After all, when Suzune first approached Satsu, Ayanokoji hadn't been there. Now he had suddenly appeared, claiming he'd been waiting for Suzune the whole time.

That suggested Suzune's actions today had very likely been arranged with Ayanokoji, or perhaps it wouldn't be too much to say the whole thing had been his idea.

Satsu instinctively looked at Suzune. Though she was forcing herself to stay calm, she quickly played along. "Ah... ah! Sorry for the wait. Let's go."

I don't know why Ayanokoji is here, but thank goodness he showed up. (Horikita Suzune)

The moment he caught Suzune's thoughts, Satsu smiled confidently and said, "Kiyotaka, have you been here the whole time? I didn't see you earlier."

"Actually, I only just got here."

Ayanokoji made no effort to hide it. "I'd just gotten out of the elevator when I saw Satsu pull Horikita aside. I got curious, so I followed you."

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

"Of course. I was only around the corner. It would've been hard not to hear."

"You're so rude, Kiyotaka. I never thought you had such a gossipy side."

Hearing Satsu describe him that way, Ayanokoji immediately defended himself. "Normally, I'm not interested in this sort of thing. It's just that yesterday, Suzune told me she'd found a way to get you to join her group."

"I was just curious about what her plan was, so I followed you."

Satsu glanced at Suzune, who was now looking both helpless and stunned. "Looking at it now, her plan seems to have failed, and Suzune won't be able to bother me anymore."

"I'm really sorry, Kiyotaka. I'm afraid you'll have to organize the study group yourself." Satsu's voice carried a hint of amusement, and he was clearly gloating.

"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 feeling of disdain rose in him. The legendary Ayanokoji didn't seem all that impressive after all. He still hadn't figured out the situation.

But, cautious as ever, Satsu patiently asked, "Kiyotaka, you heard my conversation with Horikita just now, right?"

Ayanokoji gave a slight nod.

"Then you should understand that Horikita's at a dead end. I'd like to hear what you think, Kiyotaka."

"Horikita can't keep bothering me anymore. If she does, I'll spread the photos."

"Horikita's a kidnapper with only one hostage. Aren't you the same, Satsu?"

Those words left both Satsu and Suzune stunned. Almost simultaneously, they realized that Satsu's logic about a kidnapper applied just as well to him.

"You wouldn't dare send out those photos, Satsu. Hasebe's first thought wouldn't be to look for whoever took them. She'd look for whoever sent them."

"She'd realize that you were the one who sent the photos, and Horikita was the one who took them."

"And what would the outcome be? Horikita acted at your behest, and your goal was to use this to force Hasebe to date you."

Ayanokoji laid out the story he'd pieced together, one sentence at a time. "As for why Horikita helped you, you promised that once this was over, you'd join her group and help her organize the study group."

"I'm a witness. Yamauchi and the others really did receive invitations to Horikita's study group."

"You have no proof," Satsu said confidently.

"But you can't prove it's false either."

Ayanokoji immediately retorted, "And the fact is, Suzune really did send the photos to you, and you really did spread them around. How are you going to explain that?"

"By comparison, who do you think everyone would be more likely to believe?"

"Then what if I tell the truth? Horikita threatened me, and I was only defending myself." Satsu countered, laying out his response.

"Then your relationship with Hasebe would be over. Can you accept that? You two are on pretty good terms."

Ayanokoji said without hesitation, "In this whole situation, Hasebe is the victim, plain and simple."

"And you, Satsu..."

"When you were threatened, you didn't tell the school. You chose to expose the photos instead. What would Hasebe think? Did you ever consider her a friend?"

Satsu lightly bit his lower lip as he considered Ayanokoji's words, trying to find a flaw in his reasoning.

Suzune hadn't said a word from start to finish. She just listened quietly. She could follow the logic between Satsu and Ayanokoji, but she'd never imagined there was a way to play it like this.

It was like following a teacher's explanation of a problem: every step made sense, but when it came time to solve it yourself, you often couldn't think of that approach.

"Everything you've said depends on the photos being sent by me," Satsu said.

"While Horikita's threat depends on the photos being sent out."

"But the problem is, I don't dare send them, and neither does Horikita. If you send them or Horikita does, the result is the same. In other words, the photos aren't going to get sent."

"If that's the case, then I still don't need to join your group."

Ayanokoji's tone suddenly grew firm. He already knew the negotiation would end in his victory.

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

"This time it's photos. What will it be next time? Do you think the same response will stop Horikita twice?"

"Then I'll tell the school that Horikita's harassing me," Satsu said dismissively.

Ayanokoji replied calmly, "You know her actions don't actually constitute harassment."

"Besides, Horikita has always liked you. Didn't you know? So her behavior is understandable. At most, the school will think she's a girl who's been led astray by a crush and give her a few words of guidance."

"Ah!!!" Satsu and Suzune cried out at the same time.

"If you don't believe me, ask Horikita. Is it true?" Ayanokoji asked, utterly unconcerned about the consequences of saying such a thing.

Satsu stared at Suzune in disbelief. He'd never sensed any affection from her, and he didn't believe she'd say she liked him over something like this.

What the hell is this idiot talking about? How could I possibly like Kato! (Horikita Suzune)

Suzune instinctively looked at Satsu. For just a moment, her eyes met his questioning gaze.

Then she looked away and turned to Ayanokoji, her face full of anger.

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

"It's okay, Horikita. Go on, tell him how you really feel!" Ayanokoji encouraged her.

"Idiot!" (Horikita Suzune)

Suzune's cheeks flushed despite herself, but her eyes looked murderous.

If I deny it now, I'll lose everything, won't I? Not only will Kato refuse to join, but he'll be left thinking there's a chance I might like him. (Horikita Suzune)

Ayanokoji has already figured out how to get Kato to join and come up with a reason for it. If I deny it now, won't I be giving up on the whole plan? (Horikita Suzune)

After a long pause, Suzune said in a voice so faint it was barely audible, "Yes, Kato. I like you!"

"Whoa! Big sis, you've really got guts!" (Kato Satsu)

After a brief moment of shock, Satsu collected himself and held out his hand, as if resigned to his fate. "In that case, it's a pleasure doing business with you."