Ichinose responded with a cheerful smile:
"That's wonderful! Finding a good friend who shares your interests! I hope I can get along with everyone in Class B and become friends with them too!"
Kobashi Yume said:
"Ichinose, you'll succeed. Everyone thinks highly of you!"
Ichinose continued:
"Mm-hmm, I'll do my best! Speaking of which, is reading your hobby, Natsukawa?"
Natsukawa smiled and said:
"I'm interested in a bit of everything, and reading is one of them. (Yes, with my system, I can become an all-rounder anytime.)"
"What about you, Ichinose?"
"Hehe, right now, I just want to become friends with everyone in Class B. I guess I haven't really explored my hobbies much. I'm probably like you, Natsukawa, interested in a bit of everything!"
Hiyori stepped on Natsukawa's foot...
I'm innocent! If I'd known, I wouldn't have asked.
Ichinose continued asking with a smile:
"Kobashi Yume, what about you two? Tell us."
Kobashi Yume smiled and said:
"I like singing."
Shiranami Chihiro smiled and said:
"There isn't anything I'm particularly interested in either. But whatever Ichinose likes, I like!"
Ichinose said enthusiastically:
"I can sing a little too. Then it's decided! To celebrate you being my first friend, Natsukawa, I'll invite you to karaoke sometime!"
Just as the atmosphere grew a little awkward, a timely announcement came over the speakers:
"Ahem! Hello, new students! I'm Ju Qian, the Student Council secretary! Regarding the school club orientation... all new students must gather in the gymnasium at five this afternoon! That is all."
Meanwhile, at a table in another part of the Student Cafeteria.
A cute girl with short, shoulder-length, tea-brown hair was smiling, her chin propped in her hands as she watched the boy eating across from her.
These two were Kikyo Kushida and Kiyotaka Ayanokoji from Class D.
Ayanokoji said expressionlessly:
"So why did you suddenly treat me to a meal, Kushida? I get the feeling you're up to something."
Ayanokoji: What is she after? Kushida is the kind of person who's popular with the whole class, isn't she?
We've barely spoken a few times. This feels suspicious.
This development where a cute classmate suddenly treats me to a meal.
Could this be the start of a school romance story or something? (Ayanokoji's simulation in progress.)
Kushida smiled and said:
"Of course not! Anyway, just eat. It's nothing."
Once Ayanokoji had taken a bite with an expressionless face, Kushida said happily:
"All right, Ayanokoji! You've eaten the meal I treated you to, so now you owe me a favor!"
"You have to do something for me to repay that favor!"
Ayanokoji retorted expressionlessly:
"Kushida, you decided that all on your own."
Kushida glared at Ayanokoji and said:
"Anyway, you have to agree! You owe me a favor!"
Ayanokoji:
I knew she would have something to ask of me.
Still, an ordinary student probably wouldn't turn down a meal offered by a girl in his class.
But she's different from the Kushida I see in class. Does Kushida, who loves making friends with other classmates, have another side too?
? Would an ordinary student agree in this situation?
If the highly popular Kushida held a grudge against me, maintaining a peaceful life at school and in class would probably become troublesome. Wouldn't that make it even harder to make friends?
Kushida has a lot of influence in class, and there might be a time when I need her. From what I've observed, this school's rules don't seem simple either. For now, I'll establish a connection.
Mm-hmm, an ordinary student would probably agree to an unreasonable request like this too.
After running through his simulation, Ayanokoji looked up expressionlessly and said:
"All right, tell me what it is first."
Kushida smiled and said:
"That's wonderful! Ayanokoji, you're close with Horikita Suzune, right? I want to become friends with her, but I haven't been able to get a conversation going with her. Could you find a chance to invite her out at a certain time?"
Ayanokoji thought that, based on her observations, Horikita Suzune's personality probably meant she wouldn't make friends with others.
I do intend to observe Horikita Suzune, but I can't exactly say I'm close with her.
Failing to handle this properly would draw Kushida's attention too. It's troublesome either way. I'll try inviting Horikita Suzune.
As long as Horikita Suzune shows up at the time Kushida wants, my task will be complete.
Mm-hmm, I just need to find an excuse to trick Horikita Suzune. What happens after she meets Kushida has nothing to do with me.
I'm also a little curious about why Kushida is so determined to become friends with Horikita Suzune. I get the feeling it isn't that simple...
That's right! I'm also somewhat interested in Natsukawa from Class C!
Maybe I could steer Kushida toward him!
If I observe Natsukawa and Kushida interacting amicably too, then I'll know Natsukawa is interested in other female students as well...
It can serve as an initial test.
If everything goes normally, next time I can bring girls of other types to try making friends with Natsukawa Tatsuya.
Even though this is a free school life, making friends somehow feels difficult...
If Natsukawa knew what he was thinking, all he could say was that Ayanokoji thought differently from ordinary people. As expected of Ayanokoji, he liked making friends with difficult people. Has he taken an interest in me as a tool he might be able to use in the future?
Unfortunately, Natsukawa knew none of this yet.
Ayanokoji answered Kikyo Kushida:
"Horikita Suzune, huh? I don't know whether I'd call us close. She might not come out even if I invited her."
Unwilling to give up, Kushida smiled and said:
"But from what I've seen, it seems Horikita Suzune has only ever talked to you, Ayanokoji! Anyway, you have to succeed! Otherwise..."
Although Kushida didn't finish her sentence, her smile somehow seemed a little dangerous.
Ayanokoji continued:
"I'm not confident I can get Horikita Suzune to come out. Actually, Kushida, I know someone who gets along pretty well with her. Maybe you could ask him for help?"
Kikyo Kushida didn't know whether Horikita Suzune remembered her from their shared middle school. After all, the rumors had caused quite a stir back then. But she was very concerned about this student who had attended the same middle school as her.
I have to become friends with Horikita Suzune and test whether she remembers that incident. Ideally, I'll get something on her!! Given the chance, Kushida would rather have her expelled! (A month later, once Kushida learned the school's rules, she would want that even more...)
Hearing Ayanokoji's words, Kushida immediately became interested.
"Oh? Who is it? Tell me! If the information is accurate, I won't need you anymore, Ayanokoji."
"It's Natsukawa Tatsuya from Class C. I don't know anything else, but Horikita Suzune often interacts amicably with him."
Kikyo Kushida sank into thought...
Before you continue