That weekend, at Ichinose Honami's invitation.
Natsukawa and Ichinose browsed Keyaki Mall, planning to go sing karaoke.
Advanced Nurturing covered a vast area; for details, one could refer to the manga. It was like a large island. The school's Keyaki Mall offered a wealth of buildings and facilities, with everything from clothing shops and cafés to a movie theater.
Along the way, Ichinose Honami also ran into many girls from Class B and greeted them.
Natsukawa said with a smile:
"You're really popular, Ichinose. Your classmates seem to trust you a lot."
Ichinose replied with a lively smile:
"It's nothing, really. Mostly, everyone in class wants to get along."
"Well, I'm happy they trust me, too. It makes me feel I should do what I can for the class, maintain our friendships, and things like that."
"Is it really okay, Ichinose? Giving up a get-together with your classmates on your first weekend to go sing with me?"
Hearing Natsukawa's uneasy, questioning voice,
Ichinose replied cheerfully, looking a little happy:
"Oh, it's really fine! You don't need to worry about me, Natsukawa. My friends in Class B are very easy to get along with, and we have other times to meet up."
"Besides, you're the first friend I made here, Natsukawa. We need to maintain our friendship too, don't we? And we already made plans!"
Is Natsukawa worried about how I'm getting along with my classmates?
What a kind friend.
Still, Natsukawa is my first friend at school. That gives him a special place, too.
I feel like I could ask Natsukawa for advice about things that are hard to discuss with my classmates.
He'd probably agree to help, wouldn't he?
Ding! Affection +10
Natsukawa smiled and said:
"Yeah, if you say so, Ichinose, then I have nothing to worry about."
"Speaking of which, this is my first time coming to the school's karaoke place, and with a girl as pretty as you, too."
"Ah, compliments like that make me happy, Natsukawa!"
Ichinose pointed energetically toward a spot.
"In that case, let me lead the way! I've actually been getting together with my classmates quite often this week!"
In the karaoke establishment's hallway, Kushida Kikyo spotted Natsukawa and Ichinose.
Kushida smiled and told her Class D classmates:
"Sorry! Go on in and wait for me. I have something to take care of, so I'll be gone for a little bit. I'll be right back!"
The two girls with Kushida said:
"Sure, that's fine. Go ahead, Kikyo."
After saying goodbye to her companions, Kushida Kikyo glared fiercely at Natsukawa Tatsuya.
That damn jerk!
He got to take advantage of me so much at the Gymnasium last time, all for nothing.
What an awful person! He hasn't even gotten back to me about our deal to invite Horikita out.
And here he is, on a date with a pretty girl!
To think I'd run into him here. He certainly seems to be doing well.
That's Ichinose Honami, isn't it? She's popular throughout our year.
That damn womanizer!!!
Furious, Kushida Kikyo wanted to demand an explanation from Natsukawa about why he had not kept his promise to invite Horikita Suzune out.
He must have forgotten. How infuriating! Besides, she had gone to Class C to look for Natsukawa after lessons on both of the past two days, but he had been nowhere to be found...
After Natsukawa and Ichinose chose their package, Kushida Kikyo suddenly appeared in front of them in the hallway.
Although Kushida was very angry, she still put on a sweet smile and said:
"Long time no see, Natsukawa. I didn't expect to run into you here."
Hmm? Could this be about what happened last time?
But I've been spending time after class raising my affection with Hiyori and the others, so I forgot.
Natsukawa suddenly remembered the deal he had agreed to with Kushida Kikyo. Knowing Kushida's personality from the original story, she must have been very angry now, yet still had to maintain her gentle façade.
Still, he did not know Suzune's contact information at the moment.
Last time, he had simply happened to need Katsuragi's social media account, so he had taken the opportunity to string Kushida along...
Natsukawa currently had no idea how to contact Suzune. He could only hope to bluff his way through or extend the arrangement.
In any case, Natsukawa figured Kushida Kikyo would not turn on him or show her anger, for the sake of maintaining her image.
Having a cute girl come to question him about something he had promised, while she was too embarrassed to ask outright, was rather amusing, too.
So Natsukawa greeted her with a smile:
"Hi, Kushida. What a coincidence. Are you here with your classmates, too?"
I'm not fine at all! Kushida Kikyo thought.
Bastard! With a popular girl like Ichinose beside him, he's probably long since forgotten what he promised me!
Damn it! I should be demanding an explanation, but I can't even ask him directly without exposing my real personality!
What an awful jerk! Womanizer! This is so annoying!
Suppressing the anger in her eyes, Kushida smiled sweetly and said:
"Yes, I came with my classmates, too. This place is really nice. I hope you have fun."
"Yeah, I hope you have fun too, Kushida."
Damn it, has he really forgotten? Kushida thought.
Or is he doing this on purpose?
He doesn't show the slightest sign of feeling sorry for failing to honor our deal!
There was nothing she could do. Natsukawa showed no intention of mentioning their previous deal, and she had finally managed to run into him.
Kushida could only smile, feigning embarrassment:
"Thank you, Natsukawa. I should be getting back soon."
"Oh, sorry. I just remembered something else. Um, Natsukawa, about that matter?"
Natsukawa feigned confusion:
"Hmm? What matter?"
That damn jerk!
With an expectant look in her eyes, Kushida smiled and said:
"You know, that matter. About the Gymnasium. You haven't forgotten, have you, Natsukawa?"
"Oh, right, I remember! Yeah, I'll arrange it later! Don't worry, Kushida."
"That's a relief! Then I won't keep you and Ichinose any longer. Bye!"
That damn jerk. I suppose I can only trust him one more time! Kushida thought.
If I weren't trying to maintain my image, I'd definitely punch that lecherous bastard! He actually forgot our deal.
Still, there's no good alternative. This will have to do!
Although we ran into each other by chance, I'm dressed so casually and prettily that he's bound to take notice, right? Then he'll fulfill our deal so he doesn't disappoint a pretty classmate.
Yes, that's it!
Damn it, now I still have to deal with those troublesome classmates.
Tonight, I'm going to the rooftop to really let it all out!
Ichinose watched Kushida leave, and the two entered their private room.
Ichinose asked with seeming nonchalance:
"I didn't realize you knew such a cute girl, Natsukawa."
"That was Kushida Kikyo from Class D, wasn't it? She's popular throughout our year too, the type who loves making friends. What was that matter she came to talk to you about just now?"
Ichinose Honami had previously seen the beautiful, gentle Hiyori beside Natsukawa, and now she had seen that another girl, Kushida, whose beauty rivaled her own, knew him too.
Somehow, it bothered her a little.
Even though she was his first friend.
"Oh, just a little thing between friends. It's nothing. You don't need to worry, Ichinose."
Ichinose said brightly:
"All right, then. Let's sing, Natsukawa!"
It's still bothering me a little, Ichinose thought. Why do I feel this way? Never mind. It must be a matter of friendship.
Perhaps I'm just a little jealous because I feel my place in Natsukawa's heart isn't what I expected. I'm his first friend, yet my place isn't all that special.
Yes, that must be it! Ichinose, how can you think that way? Perhaps Natsukawa doesn't see it like that, and you really are a little special to him...
Ah, this is so annoying. I can't figure out this strange feeling. Let's keep singing!
It's decided! I'll show Natsukawa something I'm good at!
Before you continue