Kushida

Biodata

Background / History

Middle-school past

Kushida attended the same middle school as Horikita Suzune. Her behavior had been exposed there, causing a major disturbance and widespread rumors; the precise incident is not described in the provided chapters. At her new school, she worries that Suzune remembers what happened and could destroy the friendly reputation she is rebuilding 14 33.

Seeking access to Horikita

Kushida initially recruits Ayanokoji by treating him to lunch and declaring that he owes her a favor. She asks him to arrange an opportunity to befriend Suzune, but he suggests approaching Natsukawa Tatsuya, who already interacts amicably with her 14.

Kushida introduces herself to Natsukawa as someone who wants to befriend everyone. When he refuses to share Suzune’s contact information or discuss her personality, she agrees to obtain a bald student’s messaging account in exchange for his considering an invitation to Suzune. She supplies Katsuragi’s account, but Natsukawa delays fulfilling his side of the arrangement. A chance encounter at karaoke brings another promise, rather than a meeting 23 24 28.

Exposure to Natsukawa

While venting near the locked rooftop entrance, Kushida insults her classmates and vows to have Suzune expelled. Natsukawa reveals himself after overhearing her. Kushida attempts to pull his hand against her chest so that fingerprints on her clothing can serve as leverage, but he stops her 33.

She subsequently follows him to his dormitory to search for embarrassing material. Finding nothing in his tidy room, she instead vents on his punching bag. His acceptance of her angry side unsettles her, though she continues threatening him with expulsion if he reveals her secret. Before leaving, she successfully places his hand against her chest, presenting it as a reward while privately treating it as insurance 34.

By her next documented visit, Kushida has obtained his room key from the dorm supervisor and lets herself in to use the punching bag. She considers his room a safer outlet than the school stairwell. After confronting him over his delays, she demands that he obtain Suzune’s contact information that day and arrange a weekend meeting 43.

Meeting Suzune

Kushida helps Natsukawa by distracting Ayanokoji, inviting him to accompany her to a dessert shop under the pretext that she has forgotten her phone. This leaves Natsukawa free to approach Suzune 44 45.

Natsukawa eventually summons Kushida to join his café meal with Suzune. Kushida repeatedly proposes friendship, but Suzune rejects a forced relationship and promises not to say anything provided Kushida stops pestering her. Kushida interprets this as confirmation that Suzune knows her secret. Although she maintains her smile, she renews her determination to find leverage and have Suzune expelled 49 50.

Appearance

Kushida has tea-brown hair reaching around her shoulders, a slender build, and a full bust 14 23.

• Presentation: Neatly worn school uniform and a frequently smiling expression 23.
• Mannerisms: Uses cute poses, feigned shyness, and physical closeness when trying to persuade Natsukawa 23.

Personality

Kushida presents herself as gentle, cheerful, and eager to become everyone’s friend. Privately, she resents many of the people she entertains and enjoys the admiration and access to secrets that popularity brings. She explicitly views social approval as a way to distinguish herself because she cannot take first place in academics or sports 23 33.

Maintaining that image leaves her stressed and prone to private outbursts. She kicks railings or strikes a punching bag while cursing the classmates she treats warmly in public. Protecting her reputation takes precedence over others’ welfare: she pursues leverage against anyone who might expose her and is willing to threaten expulsion 33 34 43.

Her behavior around Natsukawa becomes less guarded once he discovers her secret. She acknowledges feeling relaxed when she can speak without worrying about appearances, yet insists that she is merely using him. Her growing affection does not immediately remove her intention to deal with him as another potential threat 43 44.

Abilities & Skills

Assessed Attributes

Natsukawa’s system records the following assessment 23:

Social Influence and Acting

• Popular throughout Class D and recognized across her year for her friendliness 14 28.
• Maintains a sweet expression and gentle tone despite intense anger, including during her unsuccessful conversation with Suzune 28 50.
• Uses apparent vulnerability, flattery, and physical closeness to encourage cooperation 23 50.
• Her performance is not universally convincing: Suzune considers her conspicuously fake 50.

Information Gathering

• Obtains Katsuragi’s messaging account for Natsukawa; her method is not revealed 23 24.
• Knows Suzune’s dormitory room number and offers it as another way for Natsukawa to approach her 44.
• Probes whether Suzune tends to disclose other people’s past behavior, disguising the inquiry as preparation for friendship 23.

Manipulation and Coercion

• Frames meals and assistance as debts that others must repay 14 45.
• Attempts to manufacture compromising evidence through unwanted physical contact 33 34.
• Threatens to get Natsukawa expelled even at the risk of her own expulsion if he exposes her 34.

Relationships

• Natsukawa Tatsuya — An intermediary to Suzune who becomes a private confidant and outlet for her frustration. She calls their relationship transactional, while his system records her affection rising from 50 after her first dorm visit to 70 after their later meal 34 43 44.
• Horikita Suzune — Classmate and former schoolmate whom Kushida regards as a threat to her reputation. Suzune’s promise of silence fails to reassure her; Kushida remains determined to have her expelled 14 33 50.
• Kiyotaka Ayanokoji — Classmate whom she recruits through favors. He directs her toward Natsukawa, and she later distracts him as part of Natsukawa’s plan 14 45.

Notable Quotes

“I'm Kushida Kikyo from Class D, and my goal is to become friends with everyone.” 23

“Hey! Don't get the wrong idea. Like I said, our relationship is purely transactional, and I'm using you! You idiot!” 44