The Angel Who Longed to Be Seen, and the Girl in a Corner No One Knew

Kushida Kikyou probably envied the idol path someone like "Shizuku" had taken. She could win the affection and approval of those around her while making legitimate use of her looks.

In Tatsuya Sakuya's memories, Kushida Kikyou had initially tried to earn the affection and recognition of those around her through excellent grades.

But as she advanced through the school years, she realized she had no way of becoming outstanding academically. Her grades would never reach that most dazzling tier.

She desperately craved recognition from her class, even from the entire school. It would not have been an exaggeration to say that this desire had become an obsession.

Completely unlike an isolationist such as Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, she desperately wanted that feeling of being watched.

Unable to become the center of the school through academic ability, she abandoned the image of the "model student" and instead pursued a social path of "being helpful," "being understanding," and "wanting to be everyone's good friend."

In the end, unable to bear the endless psychological pressure, she had vented it through her blog...

"Kushida, do you still use your blog?"

Tatsuya Sakuya rubbed his chin and asked curiously.

"No... I used to, but for certain reasons, I never used it again."

Kushida Kikyou froze for a moment, looking somewhat dazed.

The flawless smile that had just been on her face faded slightly, and the warmth in her eyes temporarily receded.

She lowered her gaze slightly, her eyes falling to the ground as though she had been pulled back to a time long ago.

But her distraction lasted only a second.

The next moment, she blinked softly and raised a gentle smile once more, as if that brief lapse had merely been an illusion.

"I see."

After school that afternoon.

Class 1-D's study session proceeded as