Kushida's demand

Item: [Specified Information Card]

Effect: Generates one random recent piece of information about a designated target, plus two additional random pieces of information.

Natsukawa examined the new item in the system shop. It cost 10 points more than a regular Information Card.

A regular Information Card randomly generated three pieces of information, while a Specified Information Card could generate one piece about a designated target, plus two random pieces.

It could be considered an upgraded version.

Ding! Specified Information Card redeemed successfully!

Natsukawa then used the Information Card without hesitation. It really was time to make some progress with Suzune.

After Natsukawa used the [Information Card].

Soon, three short, random pieces of information appeared in the system.

Information ①: At around 7 p.m., Suzune Horikita will meet Manabu Horikita behind the teaching building in Area C near Keyaki Mall.

Information ②: One day from now, at 3 p.m., Ibuki Mio will go to the movie theater at Keyaki Mall to buy a ticket.

Information ③: One day from now, at 1 p.m., Sakura Airi will go to Area D to take photos.

Natsukawa felt the information he had obtained this time was pretty good. The timing was just right; otherwise, he would have had to think of another way to ask Suzune Horikita out without it seeming abrupt.

So Suzune Horikita was meeting Manabu Horikita today. That meant he could approach Suzune Horikita again and leave her with a slightly different impression.

The last time they met, Natsukawa had casually told Suzune Horikita that she could come discuss the school rules with him if she had any questions. That counted as giving her a little information, didn't it? Unfortunately, her personality was just like in the original story, and she hadn't shown the slightest curiosity...

Kikyo Kushida, who had been watching Natsukawa's expression the whole time, asked:

"Have you come up with a plan? If you haven't, I happen to know Horikita's dorm room number. I can tell you! You just need to find a chance to ask her out."

Natsukawa said with a smile:

"Little Kikyo, why are you so fixated on Suzune? You've got me a little curious."

Kikyo Kushida raised her eyebrows and said with a vicious look:

"That's none of your business! Since you asked, though, I'll tell you a little."

"Horikita is someone I hate! Of course, you're no exception either, Natsukawa!"

Completely unbothered, Natsukawa replied in a pitiful tone:

"Little Kikyo, you'll really hurt my feelings saying that! I'm seriously trying to help you, you know. I thought we'd become friends through our deal."

"Hmph! I never said we were friends. Our relationship is purely transactional. And you're the one who owes me a favor! You have to fulfill our deal!"

Natsukawa noticed that some of her targets had personalities that differed on the inside and outside. Judging by the details of when he first met Kushida, her Affection Rating toward everyone should have stayed at around 50 while she maintained her persona, making it difficult to change.

But after a series of events, Kushida's Affection Rating had now reached 65. The system classified that as close friends; she simply refused to admit it.

Natsukawa replied:

"Haha, whatever works. Like I said at the start, I'm fine with Little Kikyo however she is. As long as I consider Little Kikyo my friend, that's enough."

Kikyo Kushida recalled the scene when Natsukawa caught her venting on the rooftop and the things he had said. Then she thought of the relaxed feeling of chatting with him without having to worry about others. And the way they had interacted just now...

This guy... his smile is so sincere...

Doesn't he care?

Even when I say I hate him, he still trusts me just as much as before?

Hmph! He's just another idiot like those similarly sincere people I met back in middle school!

I've seen plenty of them! Stupid. Ridiculous!

Once I get something on Horikita, I'll deal with you, the guy who knows my secret!

I'll let you indulge in your stupid fantasies for a few more days.

People who trust me this easily don't end up well!

Kikyo Kushida's expression softened a little as she retorted:

"Hey! Don't get the wrong idea. Like I said, our relationship is purely transactional, and I'm using you! You idiot!"

"Of course, for now, I hate you less than I hate Horikita. Until I'm done with my interest in her, I can pretend to be your friend in public."

Natsukawa replied:

"Is Little Kikyo the tsundere type?"

Kikyo Kushida tried to stomp on Natsukawa's foot, but to her surprise, he dodged.

"Hmph! Stop talking nonsense! Have you come up with a way or not?"

Natsukawa replied with a smile:

"I already have. Come on, Little Kikyo. Let's get something to eat first."

Kikyo Kushida was a little curious about what plan Natsukawa had come up with, but her words were cold:

"You'd better have a plan ready. Otherwise, hmph! Oh, and you're paying for the meal. You got the better end of things earlier, so you owe me a favor!"

"Little Kikyo, you can't just arbitrarily add favors I owe you..."

"None of your business! Anyway, as punishment for delaying our deal, Natsukawa, I'm going to fleece you this time! You'd better treat me to a proper meal!"

"Little Kikyo, did you lend your points to someone?"

"How did you know? It's all those awful people's fault!"

The two walked outside, chatting like friends.

"I'd like some ham and eggs, and a big, quality chicken-fried steak. With all the sides, and smother it in thick gravy!"

"That'll cost quite a few points."

"I know. And add some more thick gravy."

"No, make that a specialty drink."

The server wrote down the order and called behind him:

"Boss, the customer wants a quality steak set, smothered in thick gravy, with more thick gravy on top..."

Kikyo Kushida watched Natsukawa and the server's performance as though she were looking at monsters.

Natsukawa thought that shouldn't be strange. Why was she staring at him? He had a million points, after all. He was just trying out that big-spender scene he had seen in his previous life.

Natsukawa said with an awkward smile:

"Little Kikyo, order something. Why are you staring at me?"

Out in public, Kikyo Kushida had returned to that gentle personality that had become second nature to her. She smiled sweetly:

"Natsukawa, ha... haha, you really are strange."

Then Kushida continued cheerfully:

"In that case, I won't hold back! I'd like a delicious cheesecake, strawberry daifuku, a matcha soufflé..."

At the table, the two chatted happily.

"Little Kikyo, don't you get sick of eating so many sweets?"

"Not at all. Since you're treating me, Natsukawa, of course I have to make your wallet hurt."

"Hehe, your personality really is strange, Little Kikyo. I can't tell which you is which anymore."

Kikyo Kushida smiled with a gentle expression, but the complaints that came out of her mouth didn't match it:

"Natsukawa, don't you already know about this? To maintain my dream, this is my only choice. What's wrong with it? Didn't you say you liked me no matter what I was like? Or were you lying?"

"If there weren't other students at the tables around us, I wouldn't want to do this either. What a pain!"

After complaining, Kushida put little bites of cake into her mouth.

Natsukawa said with a smile:

"Of course I meant what I said. I think every side of Little Kikyo's personality has something cute about it."

"Natsukawa, shut up! Ah, this food tastes so familiar! I'm going to make up for everything in one go. You don't mind, do you? You're the one who said you'd treat me!"

"Of course, my school persona is very popular too, you know. You should feel proud to be seen with me, Natsukawa."

"Eat, eat. I don't mind."

As Kikyo Kushida ate her desserts, she asked:

"By the way, can you tell me your plan now?"

"Oh, right. In a bit, just lure away a guy in your class named Ayanokoji. Unless something unexpected happens, I'll get Suzune's contact information today, and I can ask her out tomorrow."

"Huh? Ayanokoji? Right, he does spend a lot of time with Horikita. He's a gloomy guy. Mr. Gloomy."

Kushida had also wanted to mention that Ayanokoji had been the one to introduce her when she first wanted to approach Natsukawa.

Kikyo Kushida asked doubtfully:

"Are you sure you can get Horikita's contact information?"

Natsukawa nodded with a smile:

"Of course. Anyway, Little Kikyo, just do what I say. Once you've lured Ayanokoji away, your job is done. Just wait for my good news tomorrow."

Kikyo looked puzzled:

"Why do I need to lure Ayanokoji away?"

Natsukawa looked at Kushida, at a loss for words, and answered:

"To give me some time alone with Suzune, of course."

Kushida snatched back the pudding she had earlier offered Natsukawa a taste of.

"I know that."

"Shut up, and don't touch my pudding! You've already tasted it..."

Kikyo Kushida, current Affection Rating: 70