Ayanokouji Kiyotaka POV
"Hey. If it's alright with you, can we talk for a little while now?"
It was a little past six o'clock in the evening, just before dinner. Suzune had asked me that question just as I was watching the burner heat up a pot. The water came to a boil, bubbling excitedly.
"Were you just in the middle of making dinner?" she asked.
"Yeah, but don't worry about it." All I had done so far was boil some water. I hadn't really gotten started yet. "So, you wanted to talk? What about?"
If she was planning to request I help her come up with events, then I was going to refuse.
"Don't worry. I'm not asking you to decide what events we're going with. I promise you that," she told me, apparently having guessed what I was thinking. "But, if it's okay with you, I'd prefer we meet in person to talk. It should only take about an hour. That's all."
Was it something difficult to talk about over the phone? Or maybe there was something she wanted to ascertain by meeting face-to-face? Well, an hour wasn't that long. I wasn't going to turn her down.
"All right. Are you coming here?" I asked.
"How about my room?" she replied.
Well, had gone to Suzune's room before. There wasn't really any particular reason for me to refuse her.
I turned off the burner, grabbed only my phone, and left my room. Then, I got onto the elevator and headed toward Suzune's room. The sun was already down, but it was still actually pretty early in the evening, so it wasn't a surprise to see boys walking around the upper floors, which was the girls' area.
Shortly after ringing Suzune's doorbell, I heard the sound of her door being unlocked. I expected her to greet me with her usual serious look, but got a surprise when she opened the door.
"Welcome," she said.
Surprisingly, she didn't look in a bad mood. I, on the other hand, felt a little uneasy at this surprising change. The scent of miso faintly wafted from further inside her room.
"I was just preparing dinner. Come in," said Suzune.
If she was in the middle of making her dinner, she could've just called me later...
When I hesitated to enter, Suzune gave me a look, urging me to get a move on, so I decided to come in. Maybe she'd been reluctant to have me over later at night, or something like that. I figured I'd just leave it at that and not overthink things. But as soon as I set foot inside her room, I noticed something strange.
For some reason, places had been set for two people at her small table. I wondered if she was going to have dinner with someone after we were done talking?
"Well then..."
Just as I was about to try confirming her plans were, Suzune interrupted me.
"Please, don't be shy. Have a seat."
Wait. Hold on a second...
There was clearly a pair of chopsticks placed on the table at the spot she motioned me to sit at. My instincts were telling me this was a trap designed to force me into doing something.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Rather than sit down, I tried to start the conversation immediately.
"Are you going to stand and talk? I still have some stuff to finish up, so could you please sit down and wait for me?"
"Well... I just feel like I want to stand."
"You feel like what now? Having you just stand there makes me uncomfortable. Sit."
Her tone was growing harsher, so I decided to sit. It had been a surprisingly long time since I'd been subjected to her usual forceful, pushy and unreasonable attitude.
At any rate, I figured I should probably just sit down and wait quietly. However, a quick glance showed me that dinner was still a work in progress. It seemed it would be quite some time before she was done cooking.
"Hey, you did say this would take an hour, right?" I asked.
"Yes. The conversation itself shouldn't take more than an hour," said Suzune, speaking with her back turned to me.
I couldn't help but pick up on the way she worded that. It was certainly true that, when we spoke on the phone, she said the conversation would be over in an hour. Meaning anything outside the actual conversation didn't count toward that estimate.
"Okay, and how long with everything else?" I asked.
"Let's see... I'd say we'll be done in about an hour and a half to two hours or so," she replied.
I knew it.
"Considering what time it is, I thought that I'd at least offer you dinner," she added.
No one wanted this. I felt like I was at the mercy of her absurd word games. That being said, I could see she'd already started cooking, and I didn't really feel comfortable outright refusing to eat and then returning to my room. She had skilfully lured me into coming here.
Even though she had her back turned to me, I could see that Suzune's cooking skills weren't bad. If anything, she was fairly good for a first-year high school student.
"Both of my parents worked, so I was often put in charge of making dinner," muttered Suzune, as if she understood what I was thinking just from my gaze.
"You don't think it's a hassle or time-consuming?" I asked. While cooking could be fun, there were more than a few annoying aspects to the process.
"When I found out that oniichan got accepted into this school, I took the opportunity to cook more often."
"In anticipation of coming to this school yourself and living on your own, I'm guessing?" I asked.
"Correct."
Chop. She got done chopping something with her kitchen knife and then moved to finish the miso soup.
I wondered what she wanted to talk about, if we weren't discussing the special exam? It was the only thing I couldn't figure out yet.
About fifteen minutes later, Suzune had finished cooking and set out everything on the table. Everything looked better than I had expected. It was the kind of spread that you would sometimes see on TV shows.
Suzune sat down across the table from me. If Sudou were to see this, he'd probably fly into a rage and punch my lights out. Even if I told him it was all a misunderstanding, he probably wouldn't listen. I hoped he had already been treated to a feast like this himself...but, well, even if he had, he'd probably still feel jealous anyway.
"Eat," ordered Suzune.
In response to her demand, I picked up the chopsticks. The two of us sat facing each other, with the food between us. For some reason, this situation made me feel a strong sense of déjà vu. It reminded me of the time back when we first started school, when Suzune got me a meal from the school cafeteria and then used me.
"Do you feel suspicious of me?" she asked.
"Well, to be honest, I can't help but feel uncomfortable about all this," I told her.
"If you start to doubt the kindness of others, that's proof that you have issues, as a person."
"That, coming from you?"
"Today is special," she answered.
"........."
Well, if she'd made this out of consideration for me, it would be rude of me to not even touch it. But it was in my nature to be doubtful. Well, no...rather, it was everything I'd experienced that taught me to be suspicious.
Still, I'd been completely trapped by her. The outcome of this little game had been decided the minute I carelessly set foot in her room.
For the time being, I decided to try the soup. The smell of miso tickled my nose. She seemed to use particularly healthy ingredients, with daikon radish being the main one.
"Barley miso, huh?" Its characteristic intensely sweet flavour spread throughout my mouth when I took a sip of the soup.
"You know your stuff. It's a type of miso that people prefer in Kyushu, but I wasn't sure if it'd be to your liking," she replied.
"You're a good cook." I tried giving her a genuine compliment, but she didn't look particularly pleased.
"You don't need any particularly special skills to be able to cook, nowadays. It's nothing to be proud of. If there's something you want to make, all you have to do is go buy stuff at the supermarket or convenience store and then look up the recipe online. Right?"
Sure, it was easy to just throw something together. But you could still show off your skills in lots of other ways, like how you arranged everything on the plate or how you cut up the vegetables. Those weren't exactly skills you could learn overnight.
"Have you been cooking for Sudou like this, too?" I asked.
She shot me a somewhat disgruntled look. "Why should I have to feed him my cooking?" she snapped.
"Well... you've been tutoring him pretty often."
"That's right. But that being said, that has nothing to do with me cooking for him, does it?" she answered. "You tutor Sakura-san, Hasebe-san and Miyake-kun, do you cook for them?"
She had me there.
I thought it was just a trivial question, but Suzune continued to assail me with her objections.
"Now, if he were the one tutoring me, then I suppose I could understand your question. It would make sense, as an act undertaken to show thanks for everything that he had done. But considering that I'm the one doing the tutoring, there's no way I'd go to the trouble of doing all that for him," said Suzune.
It was such impressive logic that I was entirely at a loss for words, but...
"I can't tell if you're clever or if you're stupid," she added.
Honestly, she took the words right out of my mouth. Sudou had a crush on Suzune, and because of that, I thought she might have cooked for him sometime. But it seemed she had yet to come to terms with Sudou's affection, probably because she didn't place much importance on things like love. She hadn't matured to the point where she could even really be aware of such things. Although, it was good that she had friends now.
"Well, then. How about we get down to business?" said Suzune, taking out a notebook.
She handed it over to me. I didn't need to ask about the contents. This was what Suzune had been working on for a while lately.
"I've come up with a plan that I think is best for Class B. I'd like you to give me your opinion of it," said Suzune.
After saying that, she added one more thing.
"You did eat my cooking after all, didn't you?" Talk about playing dirty. She hands over the reward first, and then expects me to put in the work to earn it?
Without batting an eye, I took the notebook and opened it up. It was packed full of information about the special exam. There were also notes on the ten events from Class D, but because those events had just been announced today, they seemed to be a work-in-progress.
Incidentally, the ten events chosen by Class B were: English, Basketball, Archery, Swimming, Pop Culture Quiz, Mario Kart, Typing Skills, Table Football, Piano, and Rock Paper Scissors. The last one seemed like it had just been tossed in as a secret, last-ditch measure for when we were really in trouble. Suzune had also noted who would be best for each event and what our chances of winning were.
Everything that we needed was collected in this notebook. I quietly scanned through the notes in great detail. Suzune made a face like she was surprised when she saw what I was doing.
"Putting the fact you fed me dinner aside, you didn't think that I was going to read this seriously, I'm guessing?" I asked.
"W-Well, that's true, I didn't. I was prepared for you to refuse, but..."
"I'm curious," I shrugged.
There wasn't a single discrepancy between what she had recorded here and the things that I had happened to learn about myself.
"The data you've collected here almost feels like it lays the entire class bare."
"That data is the culmination of everything I've collected after a week of intense struggling. If it wasn't accurate, I'd be in trouble."
As long as we had this, anyone could probably be the commander, if it came to that.
"I'm going to continue refining the information included in the notes. Eventually, I'll include who should be assigned to each of Class D's ten events. I was thinking you could take a look; you understand Karma's way of thinking the best," said Suzune.
"I see. Well, I suppose Sudou and Akito would both be a force to be reckoned with, even outside of a one-on-one event. In the swimming competition it was good to specify a women's race and a men's race. That way, Onodera's chances of winning won't diminish for being pitted against a guy," I told her.
Suzune quietly nodded. It would be a shame to jump the gun and commit a student to a certain event when there was a possibility that they might really shine in others. In any case, I had nothing to complain about so far. This was great work.
"I have no objections to anything in your notes. However, can I just add two things?" I asked.
"What is it?" she asked.
"The fencing event will be one of the five," I said. "We should give up on that one, no one in class can defeat Kocho."
"I see.... I suppose that makes sense. Kocho-san won the nationals last summer, right?"
I nodded. "Also, the boxing match will probably be one of the five as well, Karma will fight."
"Then—"
"If the event is selected, choose me to fight against him."
"Because no one else would be able to defeat him?" she smiled humorously.
"Kouenji could put up a fight, I think, but I can't tell how well he would do."
Even after all this time, I had no idea what Kouenji's full potential was.
"Well, that's good in any case. That means I already know what to do with two of Class D's events."
I nodded and Suzune continued to talk about her plans. It wasn't after I left that I remembered I didn't ask Suzune if she and Kushida had spoken already. I guess it wasn't my problem really.
Misaka Mikoto POV
As the evening turned into the night, Ryuuen and I were in my room looking attentively at the person in front of us.
My mind had been preoccupied with the upcoming exam, organising events, and evaluating my classmates. So, like I've been doing, I gave Magane complete freedom to deal with any possible attack coming from Class A as she saw fit.
I had no doubt that the little stunt in the gym had been Nao's idea, but when I tried to investigate the equipment there was nothing that could indicate someone had sabotaged it. When I tried the cameras, nothing. Albert had been the first one to approach that area that day. I even managed to look at the footage of the previous night and still nothing. I would like to believe the people in the gym liked me better than Nao and would prefer to right a wrong rather than help my childhood friend with her tactics, but I wasn't as naïve.
Then came Magane's payback. I understood why she would go after Mutoh but activate the fire alarm at the mall and do that... Mutoh was lucky to get away with some broken bones considering how she fell.
And Nao's response didn't take long. Thus, Ishizaki, Komiya and Kondo were out.
Magane and Ryuuen wanted to reply again but I put a stop to it after a phone call with Sakayanagi. At this rate, because of the exaggerated offensive strategy Nao and Magane were employing, we would have no one to compete in the exam. So, agreeing to a truce until the day of the events became the only solution despite what people in my class may feel.
Nevertheless, that wasn't the reason why we were here, looking at Magane in disbelief and anger. No, the purpose of this confrontation was completely different. It was that Magane was doing whatever she wanted... again, completely disregarding any previous plans we had.
Magane's lips curled into a malicious smile, her eyes narrowing with intent.
"So, are you going to say something?"
Unable to fathom Magane's decision to retain the role of commander instead of passing it to Ryuuen, he snapped, his voice dripping with disbelief and anger.
"Have you gone mad, you shithead!?" He shouted. "We had an agreement! A plan! And you just decide this on a whim!"
Magane responded with a nonchalant shrug, her enigmatic smile playing on her lips. "Well, it's not that important, really," she retorted.
"Are you sure you want to take the risk of being expelled?" I questioned.
She looked at me, raising her eyebrow, visibly amused. "Are you saying we're gonna lose, Mikoto-chan?"
"I'm asking if you're ready to take that risk," I replied coldly.
"Of course, I am, I'm gonna win," she said with a sweet smile.
"And you would renounce to participate in that murder mystery event you created?" Ryuuen questioned. "You're just being a brat, Magane. I'll take the role of commander and move as planned."
Naturally, like me, Ryuuen was concerned that Magane being the commander would affect the participants of each event. Knowing Magane, she could very well have Ibuki do the Flash Mental Arithmetic and send Hiyori to a karate fight.
"You worry too much, Kakeru-kun," Magane waved a hand dismissively. "I won't change the plan... much."
My brows furrowed, my frustration evident. "Magane..." I said in a warning tone.
"Besides," she continued. "If I'm the commander, I can interact more directly with Nao-chan during the murder mystery event. And let's not forget, I'll be in the same room as Sakayanagi-chan. That'll be so much fun!"
Ryuuen's eyes blazed with a mix of fury and determination. "Magane, you clearly don't understand the significance of this. Handing the commander role to me is the logical choice!"
Magane's gaze lingered on Ryuuen, her expression inscrutable. "Oh, I understand the importance of the Protection Point you have, Kakeru-kun," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of mystery. "But trust me. Sometimes, it's worth taking a gamble."
My frustration intensified, as I spoke with a tinge of urgency. "Magane, we've worked hard to have actual cooperation in our class, to plan and strategize for this moment. Don't throw it all away for personal whims."
Magane's smile widened, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Ah, but Mikoto-chan, the class doesn't know we were planning to have Kakeru-kun as the commander, does it? And who knows? Maybe my presence as commander will introduce a twist to the events, one that might work in our favour~"
Ryuuen's annoyance grew, his voice laced with an edge of warning. "Magane, remember that we need to win here, we cannot afford to lose points now. Not anymore. And having the most unstable girl in my class be the commander isn't reassuring at all."
Magane's expression remained unfazed, her voice dripping with an unsettling confidence. "Oh, Kakeru-kun, I know very well how important victory is. I'm merely taking a different path to achieve that victory. Trust me, it will all become clear soon enough."
From the way she was speaking, one could believe Magane had a plan, but I had my doubts, she wasn't one to have plans, at least not like this. She would seek allies that could give her the fun she wanted and let them do the job, if not, then she would just... act.
So, if Ryuuen and I weren't her allies in this, who was? It couldn't be anyone in our class nor Karma. Karma could probably have his idea of what my plan was, just like Nao and Sakayanagi had their idea but he couldn't predict Magane's whims. That reduced the candidates considerably. Kiyotaka had no interest in this and...
A possibility appeared in my mind.
I headed over my backpack, took the paper where the events we had submitted and went over the rules of the event Magane had created. My eyes widened as I realised.
My gaze drifted towards Magane who was listening attentively to Ryuuen's insults, a smirk on her face. When she noticed my gaze, her smirk grew.
I had to wonder, though...
What kind of victory are you after, Magane?
I could see more clearly, but I still didn't agree, neither did Ryuuen. But I understood now, even if we tried to replace her as the commander, it wouldn't work. If that event was selected, Magane would be judge, jury and executioner.
The die was cast the moment I allowed Magane to have that event on the list.
After Magane and Ryuuen left, the tension remained but one certainty loomed over my head.
I couldn't satisfy myself with leading the class and having friends in the track and field club.
I needed a real network over the school, just like Nao and Karma had one.
I needed influence.
Akabane Karma POV
Ichinose's room was bathed in the soft glow of the evening sunlight, casting a warm hue over the cozy space. For some reason, her room always seemed to have this welcoming and homely feeling.
Ichinose was pacing back and forth through the room as I sat on the floor by the bed. We were waiting for Yuki to arrive since Ichinose wanted us to be friends again and much to my dismay her solution was to have me and Yuki in the same place and force us to talk. Therefore, Yuki didn't know I was here.
When the bell rang, Ichinose rushed towards it, disappearing from my sight. The door creaked open, and I heard the sound of chatter. After a few moments, Yuki stepped into the room, and I raised my hand in greeting. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she immediately turned around to retreat. However, before she could make her escape, Ichinose stepped forward, blocking her path.
"Yuki-san, I'm glad you could make it," Ichinose said with a gentle smile.
"What is the meaning of this, Honami?"
"I believe you understand very well, Yuki-san. This conversation has been delayed far too long," Ichinose pointed out as she gestured for Yuki to enter and take her seat in front of me.
Yuki's eyes darted between Ichinose and me, uncertainty etched on her face. She hesitated for a moment before reluctantly taking a seat, keeping a cautious distance from me. It was clear that she was wary of me, her guard up.
Ichinose took a deep breath, her voice gentle yet resolute. "Karma-kun told me the reasons of your... disagreement. And I can understand why you would feel hurt, Yuki-san. But this it's not healthy for either of you or our class. The exam is coming and it's time you two make peace."
Yuki avoided Ichinose's gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about, I don't hate Karma. If anything, you should be having this conversation with all the other idiots in our class."
Ichinose turned to me. "Karma isn't there anything you would like to say to Yuki-san?"
I wasn't particularly eager to do this, but I could humour Ichinose.
"I'm sorry, Yuki. I should've talked to you about the money and well... informed you of my plans for the class poll—"
Yuki scoffed. "You think that's the reason I've been avoiding you?"
"Is it not? I mean I know I was acting like a real asshole too but—"
"It's not that, Karma," Yuki interrupted me again. "It's..." she looked down. "What you did to Matsuo that day at the karaoke... It scared me, okay? I've seen you angry, I've seen you snap, but... never like that. It felt like you could truly hurt someone and I'm not talking about some injury. It felt like you could truly hurt someone... like if you were capable of... of..."
"Killing?" I finished for her with a wry smile on my face.
She nodded slowly, her eyes still on the ground. "And then when I asked Chie-sensei about the three hundred thousand points, she explained to me what you did in the classroom and the story she told me... it didn't reassure me at all."
My gaze softened as I understood why Yuki had really been avoiding me.
"Yuki, I..." I began, searching for the right words. "I didn't mean to scare you. Matsuo had it coming, what he said... but I understand that it was too much."
Yuki's eyes met mine for the first time, filled with a mixture of fear and longing. "It's not that I hate you or anything," she said, her voice filled with a touch of vulnerability. "I know you're our best shot at reaching Class A, and I appreciate that. But it's not easy to see my best friend snap at people like that."
My brows furrowed and my eyes widened in surprise. "Best friend?" I repeated, my voice laced with disbelief.
I always joked about that and about Yuki and I dating but Yuki always shut me down, not liking those types of jokes. In truth, at best I thought Yuki saw me as a partner-in-crime, someone she needed to lead the class and take us to the top.
Yuki let out a bitter laugh, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Karma, you're the one who's been with me since the beginning," she said softly, her voice filled with affection. "You know me better than anyone else. You know how I feel about being surrounded by these goody-two-shoes," she added, shooting a playful look at Ichinose, who grinned in response. "Of course, you're my best friend and I've never tried to pry into your life before... this," she gestured around her, referring to the high school. "But I thought you knew I was here, if you ever needed someone to listen."
"That's..."
"And I know Matsuo's words about your talent affected you for some reason and I have no idea why! I just thought you were scary and avoided you and you act so confident and full of yourself that I never thought... you could be hurting, and I wished I had pried into your life even if it meant you'd hate me and... oh, God, I'm such a shit friend!" By this point, Yuki was crying, her tears flowing like a river. Ichinose began to move towards her but I was faster and held Yuki in my arms as she clung tightly, apologising to me for being a horrible friend. I looked at Ichinose as I had no idea what to do in such a situation and she encouraged me to talk to Yuki.
"Yuki... umm... I... thank you," I managed to say. "I—I don't believe you've been a bad friend you know? It's... you've been the only one I have been able to talk freely about my plans and... heaven's you visited me on my birthday and congratulated me!" I laughed in disbelief. "Do you know you're the only person to have ever done that?" Not even Matsuo-sensei, ever so diligent, wished me a happy birthday. Maybe he had his reasons, but the fact remained... Yuki had been the only one to bring a smile out of me on a day I usually despise. "So... so, don't cry, okay? It's... it's really weird."
Yuki and even Ichinose laughed. Yuki then escaped my grasp and hit me playfully in the arm. "You're such an idiot!" she laughed. "I'm a mess and you tell me I look weird."
"It's true, though."
She rolled her eyes as she continued to wipe her tears. "That's why you don't have a girlfriend."
"Hey!" I protested in the same jesting manner. "I'd have one if you didn't keep refusing me."
"Now, Karma, you better stop with those remarks about us dating, got it?"
I raised my hands in surrender, a mischievous glimmer in my eyes. "Alright, alright," I chuckled. "I promise, no more dating jokes. But don't blame me if people start shipping us anyway."
"Good," Yuki nodded. "I'd rather have my best friend... that's the one I need."
Need?
For a moment, I failed to understand her words.
Why would she need a best friend?
What was the difference with any other type of relationship?
People use each other for their own gain. Whatever my relationship with Yuki was, that fact remained.
So, why would she want me as her best friend specifically?
Was it about putting her faith in me? In reaching Class A? In trusting my judgment?
What would be the difference?
I'm just Karma in the end....
I'm impulsive and rash. I want loyalty but I don't like rules nor restrictions and I often bend them without regard for consequences. I want excellence. I'm competitive. I hate to see a bigger fish. I don't want to lose, who wants to lose?
The weak.
They are satisfied with participating, they give up and create excuses. They are just happy to be there. To be a part of something. But I don't want that.
I could never content myself with that.
I don't want to be a part of something.
I want to be something.
I'm not some pawn, some lab rat that will be set aside.
The fourth out of one hundred?
What an outstanding achievement. I should be proud. Behind the Demon. Behind Miss Perfect. Behind the Sorcerer.
I could laugh.
The fourth of my generation?
How could I ever be satisfied with that?
People forget the second place as soon as the awards are given.
What happens to the guy who can't even make the podium?
But I'm Karma in the end.
What can I do, really?
I've tried but I'm not stable. I snap when things don't go my way and I'll probably do so again. I killed sensei because I panicked and for what? I've been sent to isolation countless times for pushing the boundaries. I've harmed people, I'm not someone reliable, not really. So, why would Yuki need me as her best friend? Why would Honami continue to be kind after I said some dumb story about my past?
I can be useful.
I can be resourceful, but I'm not...
Trustworthy.
I want your trust, your loyalty for my goals.
I don't deserve it.
I have no talent, that's why Matsuo's words affected me. I have no talent. I'm just stubborn, I never know when to throw in the towel. I just...
I just...
...I wanted to survive.
But in the end... I'm just Karma.
I don't deserve the kindness of others.
The world is not like that...
My eyes widened.
In the end...
...Huh
I let out a joyful chuckle.
"Don't worry, Yuki. I'll be there," I said as warmly as I could, trying to convey how grateful I was for her words. "And if I need it, I know you'll be there too."
Hearing my words, a radiant smile appeared on Yuki's face.
I'm still Karma in the end... huh?
Whatever I want to call what I'm pursuing, heh?
That's what you said.
Right?
Tsukasa.
No purpose...
All I want is to achieve my goals but then what?....
Didn't you say that?
Kiyotaka.
A soft chuckle escaped my lips.
Why is it...?
...that I always end up lectured by the two of you?
Ichinose clapped her hands in delight, snapping me out of my thoughts, a mischievous glint in her eyes and a wide smile on her face. "Well, now that we've cleared the air, I think it's time for a fresh start," she declared, a playful tone in her voice. "However, Yuki-san, I'll have to remind you, Karma-kun isn't the class leader anymore so he and I are a package deal." Yuki rolled her eyes. "Now!" Ichinose extended her hand to the middle of the table. "Yuki-san, after Karma-kun, you're probably the most knowledgeable when it comes to class competition, planning and execution. I'll need your support now and in the future."
Yuki did the same as Ichinose, placing her hand on top of Ichinose's. "You have it, Honami."
Ichinose looked at me again. "What about you, Karma-kun? I'm gonna need my ace and saviour if I want our class to move forward."
Ace and saviour?
...How theatrical.
"You know you have my support, Ichinose," I said, rolling my eyes.
Ichinose prompted me to join their hand-stack and I couldn't help but chuckle.
"What are we? Seven?" I laughed.
"I know it's silly," Ichinose said. "That's why I want us to do it. So? What do you say? We need you, Karma."
They need me, huh?
With a chuckle, I joined, placing my hands above. Then, Ichinose cheered for the class and proceeded to envelop me and Yuki in a hug.
The room filled with laughter, the tension from before replaced with a newfound warmth and camaraderie. And Ichinose bathed in bliss as Yuki and I reconciled. The plan was going like clockwork, I suppose.
I couldn't help but feel a bit proud as a genuine smile appeared on my face. I was really eager to see Honami's potential.
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There's a conversation between Horikita and Kushida that will be an SS.
Thank you for reading. I hope you're liking the volume so far.