Just then, a crisp knock suddenly rang through the quiet room.
Wu Qiao clearly froze for a moment. He glanced at Ayanokoji Kiyoha, then got up and went to open the door.
Kushida Kikyo stood outside, looking at the two seated across from each other inside. She blinked innocently and asked in her sweet voice, "You two... need something?"
"Come in." Wu Qiao's expression didn't change as he stepped aside to let her enter.
Ayanokoji Kiyoha remained seated. She didn't really understand why Kushida Kikyo had come over in the middle of the night, but she didn't particularly care, either. She simply lifted her teacup and finished the last sip, then looked up in confusion. "Should I leave?"
As far as Ayanokoji Kiyoha was concerned, she wasn't going to interfere with what Wu Qiao did or intended to do. As long as her peaceful life remained undisturbed, other people's social circles had nothing to do with her.
At that, Kushida Kikyo gave a playful blink, the corners of her mouth lifting into her signature perfect smile. "No need, Kiyoha-chan. You'd probably find this interesting too, right? Wu-kun, you're not really expecting tutoring alone to get the whole class to pass the midterms, are you?"
Wu Qiao chuckled at her words, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes. "Very perceptive. What do you have in mind?"
Kushida Kikyo dropped her sweet act, her gaze turning shrewd. "The passing score is different for every class. I checked, and it's half the class average. If you're planning to control the scores, would you like me to help?"
A flicker of surprise passed through Wu Qiao's eyes. He clearly hadn't expected her to notice the loophole in the school's rules. But he quickly returned to his usual calm tone. "I'll let you know if I need anything. As for you... Never mind. There's no need to talk about some things right now."
Once their business was settled, Kushida Kikyo's gaze naturally fell on the glass vessel on the table. She leaned closer to examine the translucent pieces of fruit inside and raised an eyebrow. "That's alcohol, isn't it? You know that's against the rules."
Wu Qiao frowned slightly and asked tentatively, "How did you know it was alcohol?"
As soon as he said that, Kushida Kikyo's heart gave a sudden lurch. She realized she'd sounded far too certain and had probably given herself away. But she was a skilled actress, and she quickly put on her sweet smile again, pouting playfully. "I've seen people make alcohol before. I could tell from the smell. So? As your accomplice, don't I deserve a glass?"
Watching her seize the opportunity and press her advantage, Wu Qiao was at a loss for words. He didn't hold back as he said, "I've barely made any, and you're already asking for a whole glass?"
"Oh, don't be stingy! I can help you with something else in exchange later." Kushida Kikyo pressed her palms together and gazed up at him with big, innocent eyes. After much coaxing and cajoling, she managed to wheedle an entire glass of alcohol out of Wu Qiao.
In the end, Kushida Kikyo downed the whole glass in one go. It held about half a jin, mixed with sweet-and-sour pieces of fruit.
The rich fruity aroma and tipsy warmth burst across her palate. It really did taste astonishingly good.
But after thanking them and leaving, the moment Kushida Kikyo stepped out of the dormitory elevator and onto the corridor, she realized something was wrong.
A rush of heat rose from the pit of her stomach and quickly spread through her body. Her cheeks burned as if on fire, and her steps began to falter.
"Ugh... I'm so dizzy..." Kushida Kikyo braced herself against the cold wall, barely steadying herself. She couldn't help grumbling to herself, That was a mistake... I guess I really can't hold my liquor...
Meanwhile, deep in her mind, Future Ayanokoji Kiyoha was luxuriating in the sensation, her soul stretching out in contentment.
"Ah... that's the taste." Future Ayanokoji Kiyoha sighed with satisfaction, as if even her soul were trembling slightly. She was still savoring the sweet alcohol from a moment ago. After all, this was the first time she had ever truly tasted alcohol.
At this point in time, her present self had only taken a tiny sip. Now, experiencing it through Kushida Kikyo's senses, she had finally gotten a proper taste of the alcohol she'd first come to love.
"Seriously, how did that guy brew this? The aftereffects are so strong..." Kushida Kikyo leaned against the wall, panting heavily as she tried to clear her head.
Just then, a puzzled female voice came from the far end of the corridor. "Kushida-san? Why are you standing here? Why is your face so red? Do you have a fever?"
Kushida Kikyo abruptly raised her head and saw Ichinose Honami passing by. She quickly forced a signature sweet smile, though her voice carried an unmistakable softness and languor. "Ah... good evening, Ichinose-san. I'm not sick! I just... just ate something pretty spicy, so I'm feeling a little hot."
Ichinose Honami stepped closer and looked at her with concern. "Something spicy? But it's so late already. And you seem a little unsteady on your feet. Would you like me to help you to the infirmary?"
"No, I'm fine!" Kushida Kikyo instinctively took a step back and waved her off, afraid Ichinose Honami might get close enough to smell the alcohol on her. "Really, I'm okay. I just lost my balance for a second. Thanks for worrying, Ichinose-san. You should go back and get some rest. I can make it to my room on my own."
Seeing how hard Kushida Kikyo was trying to brush her off, Ichinose Honami still looked a little concerned, but she obediently nodded. "All right. Just be careful. If you still feel unwell tomorrow, remember to get some medicine from the infirmary."
"Got it. Good night~" Kushida Kikyo waved at her. Only after Ichinose Honami's figure disappeared around the corner did she let out a long breath of relief.
In her mind, Future Ayanokoji Kiyoha chuckled. [Not bad acting. But you can barely stand now, and you're still trying to tough it out?]
Shut up... Kushida Kikyo grumbled inwardly as she edged toward her room, using the wall for support. If you hadn't been making a big fuss and insisting on drinking it, I wouldn't have come over...
There was a rare hint of pleasure in Ayanokoji Kiyoha's voice. [I was just enjoying your first experience. I have to admit, he's very good at this. We should get him to brew more next time we have the chance.]
You want there to be a next time? Give me a break... Kushida Kikyo finally found the doorknob. She pushed the door open and stumbled inside, then shut it behind her and collapsed straight onto the bed.
"Ugh... the whole world's spinning..." she murmured. Her final thought before closing her eyes was that tomorrow, she absolutely wouldn't touch anything of Wu Qiao's again.