Ichinose Honami.
Just as she noticed Kitagawa Ryo, he also noticed her.
Come to think of it, this was the first time he had seen Ichinose Honami up close. Even though a month had passed since enrollment, Kitagawa had been entirely focused on exploring the school's rules and laying out plans for Class D. Although they had passed each other a few times in the hallways, this was their first face-to-face conversation.
"Hello, I'm Kitagawa Ryo from Class 1-C. Is there something I can help you with?"
Letting Ryuuen handle the remaining Class D members, Kitagawa casually approached Ichinose. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, who had been next to her moments ago, had already vanished. But considering his nature, he was probably observing from the shadows.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Ichinose Honami, class representative of Class 1-B."
Unlike other classes, Class B had immediately elected a class leadership team after enrollment—class rep, vice rep, and committee heads. Although Ryuuen mocked it as childish, the effect was clear. A month in, Class B and Class C (through brute force) were the only cohesive units. Classes A and D were still fractured.
Honami responded naturally. Despite the standard red school blazer, she carried a faint elegance. Her white shirt and pleated skirt revealed long, slender legs. She stood upright, bowed properly—flawless etiquette.
If Kitagawa hadn't interfered, then the incident with the hair clips must have already occurred.
While analyzing her mental state, Kitagawa offered a warm smile.
"So you're Class B's rep. It's a pleasure to meet you, Honami."
Using her first name right away might seem flippant, but Honami didn't seem offended at all. She smiled gently, radiating warmth and approachability.
"I heard this year's Class C is the strongest yet. That must be thanks to you, Kitagawa-kun. Honestly, maybe placing you in Class C was the real mistake."
"You're too kind. I just got lucky. I heard Honami was top of the entrance exams and now Class B's rep. I'm sure you'll lead your class to Class A soon."
After trading compliments, both avoided the real issue: if Class C wanted to rise, Class B was their first obstacle. With only 60 points separating them, a class shift was likely between B and C.
According to the intelligence Ryuuen had gathered, Class B was even more unified than expected. Aside from Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji, there weren't any outstanding individuals, but the whole class executed their plans flawlessly.
"The reason I came today was to ask whether Class C and Class D had some sort of conflict?"
Only after the pleasantries did Honami get to the point. After all, Class C's entire class had surrounded Class D's door, sparking rumors of violence. But with school surveillance everywhere, such actions would've been shut down immediately. After ten minutes, Class D students emerged, tight-lipped when asked.
Sensing Class C might be executing a calculated strategy, Honami had chosen to approach directly. Her gaze met Kitagawa's without fear. Her presence now conveyed a composed strength. From "pretty," she had shifted to downright "cool."
"You're working hard, Honami. It can't be easy."
Kitagawa looked away. Knowing her past, her struggles, and the smile she now wore for everyone—it was like a wooden blade slicing gently into the heart.
"So, Kitagawa-kun, can you tell me what happened with Class D? It feels like you did something a bit... excessive."
Her question snapped Kitagawa out of his thoughts. That same smiling girl now stood before him not as an old acquaintance, but as Class B's representative.
"Oh? Want some intel? Then offer something in exchange."
Kitagawa blinked slowly, and when he opened his eyes, all hesitation was gone. His performance began.
"If you're thinking of trading personal points, just name your price."
"Not points," he shook his head.
The remaining Class D students had either paid or gone into debt. Class C had gathered naturally around Kitagawa. Yet Honami showed no fear. She even reintroduced herself to the group.
"Then what do you want, Kitagawa-kun?"
"Hmm. Let's play a simple game. Rock-paper-scissors. One round. If you win, I'll tell you everything. If I win..."
He smiled.
"You join me for lunch."
The stakes seemed unbalanced. Even Ryuuen couldn't guess what Kitagawa was up to. Rock-paper-scissors was 50-50. With such odds, why offer such unequal rewards?
But Kitagawa didn't explain. He simply waited, gazing into her ocean-blue eyes.
"Just lunch? Actually, I would've said yes even without the bet."
Honami smiled.
"Then if I lose, I'll also share some intel on Class A. Deal?"
Kitagawa nodded. The match was on.
Since neither knew the other's habits, it was pure chance.
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
Kitagawa played rock. Honami played scissors.
"Victory!"
Ishizaki cheered, but Kitagawa silenced him with a glance. Ryuuen and Yamada dragged him away, while Ibuki crossed her arms, noticing Kitagawa didn't look even slightly surprised. It was like he knew he'd win.
"Looks like you won, Kitagawa-kun."
Honami accepted it gracefully. She did tend to lead with scissors.
"Yes, I did."
He slowly opened his fist and revealed a small iris flower that had somehow appeared in his palm.
"Time to fulfill your promise."
"You even know magic?"
Honami took the flower, surprised.
"Where shall we eat?"
Kitagawa stretched, whispered something to Ryuuen, then turned back to her.
"Just follow me."
"Okay."
She didn't resist. It was just lunch, after all. Carefully wrapping the iris in a tissue, she slipped it into her pocket.
Kitagawa glanced at her as she followed behind and started whistling, hands behind his head.
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"The situation in Class A is a bit complicated. Right now, there are three main factions. The radical faction led by Sakayanagi Arisu advocates using Class A's point advantage to go on the offensive and suppress any class aiming to rise. The conservative faction, headed by Katsuragi Kouhei, believes that Class A's lead is already sufficient, and prefers a steady, defensive approach. Outside of these two, there's also a neutral group of students who are still observing."
Ichinose Honami shared this information with refreshing honesty right after sitting down at a ramen shop with Kitagawa Ryo. They hadn't even placed their order yet. Though Ryo had already obtained this intelligence from Ryuuen Kakeru, he feigned surprise and said, "Sounds like the kind of problem that comes from having too many capable students."
"Because everyone is so competent, it's hard to choose a clear leader."
"That's one way to look at it," Ichinose smiled, handing him the menu the waiter just brought.
"Don't worry about me. Order whatever you like. I'll cover today's meal," she offered.
"What if I call the entire class here right now? Will you still treat everyone?" Ryo teased while flipping through the menu.
To his surprise, Ichinose began to seriously consider it.
"If it's 2,000 points per person... 80,000 points total? I could manage that."
After all, Class B still had 650 class points, equating to 65,000 personal points per month, not to mention the 100,000 points distributed last month. She wasn't lying.
"Actually, if spending that could help Class C understand Class B's goodwill, it might be worth it."
"Goodwill, huh?" Ryo asked, handing the order to the waiter and resting his chin on folded hands.
"That doesn't count for much in this school, does it?"
"But it's still a school. I just hope students from all classes can get along."
"Oh?" Ryo stirred his iced coffee, watching Ichinose sip her cocoa. "Then let me ask: what would you do if one student from Class B had to be expelled?"
Ichinose paused, surprised by the question, but soon replied, "I'd try to find a way to avoid that."
"And if you couldn't?"
"Then it would be my fault. I'd choose to be the one expelled instead."
Her voice was calm, but her words carried conviction.
"...Really?"
Their food arrived. As Ryo picked up some noodles, he asked, "I just picked something random. Does it suit your taste?"
"I thought you'd take me to a cafe like the Palette or something. Didn't expect a ramen shop."
She took a sip of the broth and smiled. "I don't mind. But if you're bringing other girls out, ramen might not be the best choice."
"Why not?"
"Taste preferences differ. Ramen is one of those foods people are really picky about—soup base, toppings, noodle firmness. If you order for someone else without asking, it might backfire."
She explained seriously. Ryo blinked.
"Do you have any specific preferences?" she asked.
"Firm noodles, mildly spicy, add vinegar, no cilantro, light broth."
"Got it."
She smiled sweetly, murmuring it under her breath a few times as if to commit it to memory.
"Also, girls usually put on makeup when they go out with boys. Eating steaming food can mess that up."
Despite never having dated, Ichinose was surprisingly good at social dynamics. Ryo was a little stunned.
"No wonder your classmates admire you so quickly."
But then, he grinned mischievously. "What if someone confessed to you? How would you respond?"
"Eh?"
Ichinose Honami, who was talking excitedly just now, suddenly stuttered after her brain stopped working for a while because of Kitagawa Ryo's words:
"Confession... For things like this, if you feel something, I think you should respond properly."
"I mean, if it were a classmate and you still wanted to stay friends, how would you turn them down?"
The scenario clearly overwhelmed her. She imagined it for a moment, then grimaced.
"Lie and say I already have a boyfriend?"
"But didn't you just say confessions should be responded to sincerely?"
"...Sorry."
She fell silent, unsure what to say.
"Just be honest with yourself. If you like them, say yes. If not, say no. Don't overthink others' feelings. Sound good?"
Ryo offered quietly. Whether it was just an answer to the hypothetical, or a piece of advice to the girl in front of him, was unclear.
Class C and Class B were likely to become direct rivals soon. But at least for this lunch, it was just Ryo and Honami, alone in a ramen shop.
The boy twirled another bite of noodles. He wasn't cold like he was in class, nor teasing like he was with Horikita. He simply looked at the girl eating with him and suddenly said something out of the blue:
"Delicious."
The iris flower's meaning includes good news, a messenger—and longing for you.
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