Seeing Kaoru come out, Kushida stopped pretending to fiddle with her phone and quickly approached him, whispering.
"What exactly are you guys planning?"
"Didn't you say you wanted a party?"
Kaoru chuckled, "I don't mind indulging you later if you want."
"Stop joking around! You're the only one enjoying this!"
Kushida blushed and lightly hit him a few times before hesitating, "Are you really preparing a birthday party for me?"
Kaoru turned to Horikita Suzune and immediately said, "Suzune, Kikyo is asking if you got her a birthday present."
"Ugh, you're the worst!"
Kushida was furious—she had never asked such a thing.
"Yes, do you want it now?"
Horikita Suzune looked over as if she could materialize a birthday gift out of thin air the moment Kushida nodded.
For some reason, Kushida felt extremely uncomfortable.
Horikita probably assumed she hated her because of what happened in middle school.
But Kushida knew exactly why she despised her.
A lofty genius who didn't have to lift a finger yet effortlessly surpassed mediocrity like her—naturally the center of attention, shining so brightly that it eclipsed her own light.
Kushida relished her status, basking in the admiration and popularity she commanded wherever she went.
But ever since encountering more and more geniuses in middle school, they had stolen the spotlight that once belonged to her, leaving Kushida deeply resentful.
Yet there was little she could do except pour her efforts into social connections, meticulously maintaining her "little angel" persona.
In this way, even if she lacked talent, those around her would still flock to her.
Horikita was different.
This girl possessed striking beauty, exceptional abilities, and a natural charisma that drew people in.
If she were willing to lower herself to their level, Kushida believed that not just their class, but the entire grade—perhaps even the whole school—would revere her name.
Yet, Horikita never descended. She remained an untouchable goddess.
Kushida had originally thought she would never have any interaction with such a person—until they were placed in the same class.
During their time in Class D, she had witnessed Horikita being mocked and targeted by their classmates, but she had also seen Horikita attempt to change herself and integrate into the group.
Nowadays, the class no longer ridiculed her as they had at the beginning of the school year.
After all, they had spent so much time together and had come to understand her personality.
Moreover, it was clear that this girl was striving for the sake of the class, determined to lead Class 1-D to the heights of Class A.
Her emotions in turmoil, Kushida couldn't quite define what she was feeling.
She had once despised geniuses like Horikita—those who could effortlessly overshadow her own worth—and Horikita was the most arrogant of them all.
But now, staring into Horikita's bright, familiar eyes, Kushida found herself momentarily at a loss for words.
Noticing this, Kaoru smiled faintly. "Suzune's birthday is next month, isn't it?"
One born in January, the other in February—their connection felt strangely fated.
Horikita Suzune assumed he wanted to discuss birthday plans and immediately refused.
"If this is about a date, I don't need that kind of thing."
"Are you worried about Horikita-senpai seeing you?"
Truthfully, Kaoru was also nervous about that.
He had no idea what expression Horikita Manabu would make if he found out about him and Suzune.
At the mention of Horikita Manabu, Suzune's expression shifted.
For once, she stumbled over her words. "W-why would I worry about that? My brother is my brother, and I am me. I've already come to terms with that. I just… I just want to prove to him that I'm not the same person I was before."
Having said that, she inexplicably glared at Kaoru.
"Su-Suzune, is that… smoking?" Karuizawa pointed fearfully at the pan.
"Oh no, I almost forgot about this!"
Horikita Suzune no longer had time for him or Kushida. Frantically, she adjusted the heat, scrambling to salvage the poor cutlet.
Kaoru pretended not to see and headed to the bathroom, intending to draw a bath.
Meanwhile, Kushida hesitantly approached the kitchen, her gaze flickering between Horikita Suzune and Karuizawa.
"Want some?"
Assuming Kushida was hungry, Karuizawa stuffed a piece of tempura into her own mouth before skewering another for her.
Kushida leaned in and took a bite.
"Is it good?" Karuizawa mumbled through her full mouth. "I've had Kaoru's tempura before, but Suzune's is amazing too. I've already eaten two pieces."
"Don't compare me to him. Just take the whole plate if you want."
Horikita Suzune decided she probably didn't need this kitchen mouse's help and crunched down on something beside her.
Karuizawa was quite displeased.
She could only channel certain emotions into her appetite, otherwise she'd feel irritated just seeing certain people, even though she hadn't done anything wrong.
"Can I really eat all of this?"
"I can just make another portion."
"Suzune, you're the best."
Karuizawa crunched loudly on the tempura, and Kushida found it amusing, mimicking her crunching sounds.
"Did you already do it today?"
Kushida nearly spat out her food.
This gyaru was way too blunt, wasn't she?
"Ahaha, Suzune's cooking is really good," Kushida awkwardly changed the subject. "By the way, why are you all here?"
Karuizawa stared at her for a while, until it became unnerving, then flashed a smile.
"Isn't today your birthday? So we decided to celebrate it for you. Surprised?"
Kushida's feelings were complicated as she whispered, "It is surprising, but it kinda feels like a harem gathering."
Yes, she finally understood why she had jokingly mentioned an "orgy" earlier.
Because this felt too... normal.
Their relationships seemed to have progressed beyond just close friends, even though they were all technically part of Kaoru's harem.
The very people she should be jealous of were all here now.
Kushida couldn't even bring herself to say anything insincere, because Karuizawa clearly held some resentment toward her, yet was still willing to hang out.
What surprised her even more was that Horikita Suzune was also here.
"Harem... what a disgusting term," Karuizawa Kei muttered. "I prefer the term 'teammates.'"
"Teammates?" Kushida didn't understand.
Horikita Suzune interjected, "Kei thinks anyone with a ring is a teammate. Those without are enemies."
"W-well, that's just how it is! If more and more 'stray cats' keep appearing, you'd all get annoyed too!" Karuizawa Kei flusteredly but firmly asserted her stance.
Kushida recalled the name Kaoru had told her and hesitated to speak.
If Karuizawa found out about this, she'd probably consider the whole world her enemy.
Horikita Suzune, however, remained unfazed and said coolly, "My relationship with him won't progress any further. I might lose to him in high school, but not in my future."
Where did this confidence come from? Kushida turned her face away—this was exactly why she disliked Horikita Suzune.
"But Suzune, you also got a ring. You'll get married someday and have babies, right?" Karuizawa asked shyly, as that was her own post-graduation goal.
Horikita Suzune was momentarily speechless.
Marriage... and babies?
In her over ten years of life, she had never once imagined these words would ever apply to her.
"N-no, that won't happen," Horikita Suzune denied Karuizawa words.
She believed Kaoru wouldn't constrain her life. "If he tries to force me, I'll just return this ring."
A flicker of delight crossed Karuizawa Kei's face.
Great, one less "stray cat" to worry about.
"Hahaha, Horikita, I was overthinking things after all!" Kushida suddenly burst into laughter, nearly to the point of tears, leaving Horikita Suzune utterly confused.
"You think I can't do it?" Horikita Suzune grew irritated.
Come to think of it, it was Kushida who had dragged her into this mess in the first place.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be in this situation today.
"No, you should be able to do it."
Kushida suppressed her smile and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Who else but you would even think of doing something so foolish? Who else but you would actually go through with it?"
Horikita Suzune suspected she was being attacked and took a deep breath.
Today was her birthday—she wouldn't stoop to arguing.
"How strange. It's bizarre that I've been competing with someone like you all this time. Even lying in bed, I'd feel resentful just thinking about it."
"Enough!"
Horikita Suzune was furious.
Why did she have to bring up what happened in bed?
But Kushida simply grinned at her.
"Don't be mad. We're both part of his harem now, teammates, so let's call it even. Next month, I'll prepare a birthday gift for you too."
Horikita froze for a moment at her words.
Meanwhile, Kushida nonchalantly picked up a piece of tempura from the plate and crunched into it.
"Why don't you two go eat somewhere else?"
Karuizawa, seeing the plate emptied, narrowed her eyes and volunteered, "I'll stay behind to learn cooking from you! I want to make delicious miso soup in the future!"
Horikita's gaze darkened.
Was she planning to sneak bites while also building up her image in front of Kaoru?
Kushida, however, breezed out of the kitchen with ease, intending to pester Kaoru in the bathroom—when suddenly, she heard noise from the entrance.
Turning her head, she saw Ichinose standing at the door, holding a large box.
"Wow, Kikyo! You guys came back so fast!"
The moment she saw her, Ichinose's eyes widened in surprise.
Kushida was speechless.
If she was going to pull something like this, she could've at least planned it more carefully.
"I didn't see—"
Halfway through her sentence, it was Kushida's turn to be shocked.
Because behind Ichinose stood a petite figure—a familiar-looking girl with a round bun hairstyle, peeking timidly into the room from the doorway.
"U-um, excuse me..."
Tachibana Akane, a former member of the student council from Class 3-A, greeted Kushida with visible awkwardness.