Kushida Kikyō walked up to Shimizu Akira with a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling. "Shimizu-kun, would you like to come study with us tonight? My Japanese literature grades are excellent—I'm sure I can give you great guidance."
Before she even finished speaking, Horikita Suzune's sharp gaze shot toward Kushida like an arrow.
(Kushida Kikyō… What exactly is she plotting?)
An inexplicable irritation welled up inside her.
After all, for the past two weeks, tutoring Shimizu Akira had been her responsibility.
Yet before she could say anything, Shimizu casually declined with an air of indifference: "Sorry, I already promised Horikita today. Can't make it."
He had made plans with Horikita Suzune this morning—which was precisely why he had to turn Kushida Kikyō down.
Kushida, who clearly hadn't expected to be rejected, froze for the briefest moment, her ever-smiling eyes flickering with surprise before she smoothly regained her flawless demeanor. "I see… That's too bad, then."
"Kushida-san? Why are you so fixated on Shimizu? His grades aren't even that great, right?"
After the two left the classroom, Yamauchi Haruki sidled up to her, his tone dripping with poorly concealed jealousy.
"Yamauchi-kun…" Kushida turned to him with practiced politeness. "Shimizu-kun isn't like you, you know? He only failed Japanese literature—all his other subjects are above 90. Especially math, where he's the only one in class with a perfect score. Having him join us would help other students too. In other words, it's a mutually beneficial arrangement."
"O-Oh, is that so…?"
Yamauchi scratched his head awkwardly.
But something still felt off.
(Dammit! Don't tell me even Kushida is—)
His mind flashed back to the cold glare Shimizu Akira had given him during the entrance ceremony, the sheer intimidation in those eyes as he'd grabbed him by the collar. Even now, remembering it sent a chill down his spine.
(But… but this isn't fair!)
First Horikita Suzune, and now even Kushida Kikyō—the class's so-called angel—was showing interest in that violent bastard?!
The consequences of pissing off Yamauchi Haruki would be severe!
He instinctively glared at Shimizu's empty seat.
…Okay, fine. Yamauchi knew he couldn't do anything.
Pissing him off was the same as pissing off no one.
"Ah, right! Kushida-san? Didn't Shimizu win last month's vote? I heard he got you four extra ballots—did you two go on a date after that?" Ike Kanji suddenly chimed in, his tone brimming with gossipy enthusiasm.
"Hey! Ike! You idiot! Why the hell would you bring that up?!" Yamauchi's face twisted as he grabbed Ike's arm and yanked him into a corner, hissing through clenched teeth.
What the hell was this guy thinking?!
They were both into Kushida Kikyō, weren't they?!
"Yamauchi, you're the dumbass here! Haven't you realized yet? With our specs, there's no way we're getting Kushida-san through normal means!" Ike shot back in a frantic whisper, leaning even closer.
"Wha—?! Y-You really think I can't get Kushida-san to like me?!" Yamauchi stiffened as if struck by lightning.
The words hit him like a thunderclap, ringing in his ears.
"Yeah! You're ugly, you brag too much—who'd ever like you?! Our only shot is winning one of those bet-based dates she offers! Look, this is another perfect opportunity! If we keep helping her gather votes, we'll definitely earn a date eventually!" Ike's eyes gleamed with excitement as he spoke faster and faster.
"But!" His voice dropped suddenly, expression turning grave. "Before that, we have to confirm Kushida-san actually keeps her promises. So letting Shimizu go first… it's a necessary sacrifice! Trust me, it hurts me too!"
"Th-That's…" Yamauchi faltered, Ike's words hitting him like a blunt object. As much as he hated to admit it, there was some twisted logic here.
Now that he thought about it, ever since the first day of school, he'd done everything to get Kushida Kikyō's attention—religiously greeting her morning, noon, and night without fail. And the result? Not only did she not treat him specially, she hadn't even allowed him to call her by a nickname. To this day, it was still the stiff, formal "Kushida-san."
Could it really be… that their only chance was winning a date through some stupid bet?
The thought made Yamauchi's chest burn with frustration.
Calling him ugly? Saying he was all talk? Bullshit!
Back home, his relatives all called him "Yamauchi-sama"—who wouldn't say he was handsome and successful?!
"So that's why we have to make sure Shimizu actually gets to go on that date with Kushida-san!" Ike clapped Yamauchi's shoulder firmly, whispering, "Because next time… it'll probably be our turn!"
"W-Wha—?! We're supposed to help him now?!" Yamauchi's voice cracked in disbelief.
Hold on! What the hell was Ike even saying?! This whole idea sounded insane! And yet… why did it somehow make sense?!
For the first time, Yamauchi saw his usually airheaded classmate in a new light—one of startling intellect!
...
"Kushida-san…! Please, please honor your promise and go on that date with Shimizu-kun!"
Before Kushida could react, Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji bowed deeply in front of the entire class, their voices filled with solemn determination.
(What the hell are these two idiots doing?! Is everyone in Class D mentally deficient?!)
Kushida Kikyō's perfect smile nearly shattered. She couldn't fathom the depths of their stupidity.
These two, who usually followed her around like lapdogs, were now… helping someone else get closer to her? Were they brain-damaged? Had they eaten actual garbage?!
(Don't tell me they actually think that if I go out with Shimizu Akira, they'll get a chance too?)
(In your fucking dreams! Being in the same room as you single-celled organisms makes me want to vomit!)
But with the entire class watching, she knew she was trapped.
(I already paid Shimizu Akira 80,000 personal points!)
(...He even groped me in broad daylight!)
(And now I have to go on a date with him?! How many times is he going to freeload off me?!)
(This is losing on all fronts—spent the money, got taken advantage of, and now I have to throw myself in as a bonus?!)
Kushida's nails dug into her palms, yet her face blossomed into a smile more dazzling than cherry blossoms in spring. "Mmm… I understand, Yamauchi-kun, Ike-kun! Since it was a promise, I'll make sure to have a wonderful date with Shimizu-kun~"
(Once this is over… I'll make these two meddlesome morons pay.)
(I'M GOING TO MURDER THESE TWO DUMBFUCKS!!!!)