For lunch today, Kiyomizu ordered the signature Tonkotsu ramen with pork bone broth. He had always been a fan of Japanese ramen, especially the rich broth paired with chewy, thin noodles. The shop had specially added tender fish cakes and vibrant green spinach as toppings. The green spinach leaves, peeking through the thick broth, were a feast for the eyes.
Just as Kiyomizu was about to dig in, an unexpected guest sat down across from him. "I don't drink. Take it back," the purple-haired girl said abruptly.
It was Masumi Kamuro. She pushed a bulging plastic bag across the table towards him. Through the semi-transparent plastic, he could clearly see the neatly arranged cans of beer inside.
Kiyomizu raised an eyebrow, sizing her up. "Don't tell me the alcohol content is too low for you."
"That's not the point!" Masumi Kamuro's voice suddenly rose, drawing glances from the neighboring tables. "I have questions for you. Which class are you in? What's your name? And how do you know my class and my name?" She leaned forward slightly.
Kiyomizu calmly took a sip of his soup before answering slowly, "First-Year Class D, Kiyomizu Akira." He paused. "As for how I know your information..." He shrugged. "Arisu Sakayanagi told me." Technically, it wasn't a lie. After all, during their first meeting, the black-bellied Class A student had indeed inadvertently revealed Masumi Kamuro's information.
"...It was Sakayanagi-san?"
Of course, she knew Arisu Sakayanagi. During the new student registration yesterday, the girl with the cane and a boy named Kohei Katsuragi had almost instantly become the center of attention for all of Class A.
(Why would Sakayanagi tell a Class D student about me?)
(And why did this guy help me in the first place?)
Masumi Kamuro frowned slightly, her gaze scrutinizing Kiyomizu. His calm and nonchalant demeanor didn't seem like someone who had a crush on a girl.
(Could it be... I misunderstood?)
Perhaps he had genuinely helped her out of kindness?
"...I owe you one," she said stiffly, her eyes darting away.
"It was nothing, don't worry about it," Kiyomizu waved his hand dismissively. After all, he had only bought the beer for his bet with Sakayanagi; helping her out was just a byproduct.
"Give me your contact info," the girl ignored his reply, taking out her phone and locking her gaze on him.
Kiyomizu was slightly taken aback, realizing that the girl before him was a complete egoist. He took out his own phone and added her as a friend.
"You use your real name as your ID? What a textbook-boring man."
"It's less confusing this way."
"You can ask me for help if something important comes up. But you only get one chance..." After saying this, she picked up her phone and turned to leave without another word.
Kiyomizu had to admit, Masumi Kamuro was a person full of contradictions. Although she was prickly and kept everyone at a distance, she had frankly acknowledged that she owed him a favor. She acted like she did whatever she wanted, but deep down, she was surprisingly principled.
"That kind of awkward honesty... isn't so bad."
He looked down at the new contact in his phone. Compared to insincere pleasantries, he actually preferred this kind of sharp directness. However, his contact list still only contained two lonely names: Masumi Kamuro and Arisu Sakayanagi.
"Maybe... I should try talking to my Class D classmates?"
Although he wasn't against socializing, he was the type who would only initiate conversation with people he found interesting. On the second day of school, his friend list still only had two names. His gaze drifted downwards, and the second piece of intel came into view:
[Intel 2: First-year Class B student Honami Ichinose—after only one day of school, the number of friends in her contact list has already surpassed triple digits, including many upperclassmen.]
"Someone already has over a hundred friends..."
He stared at the bag of leftover beer on the table. Dealing with it had become a problem. As a non-drinker, he pondered the best way to dispose of it. Perhaps giving it to an adult was the best option? His homeroom teacher, Sae Chabashira, seemed like a suitable candidate.
As his thoughts wandered, he remembered another important matter—the upperclassman named Miki Yamamura seemed to be hiding a secret. Getting information about some of the S-System's rules for just 10,000 personal points seemed like a pretty good deal.
"Hey there! You can't drink if you're not 20 years old~"
While he was lost in thought, a sweet voice came from his side. Turning around, he saw a beautiful girl with long pink hair, her concerned eyes fixed on the beer on his table.
Kiyomizu was slightly startled. It was the leading girl from Class B. "Actually, I don't drink. I was just wondering what to do with all this beer."
"Really?" The girl's eyes lit up. "My homeroom teacher happens to love drinking~ If you don't mind, why don't you let me take care of it?" She tilted her head in thought and added, "By the way, how much was the beer? I can transfer you the points."
"No, that's not necessary," Kiyomizu quickly waved his hand. "You'd be doing me a huge favor just by taking it."
"I can't do that!" the girl shook her head vigorously. "That would be too unfair to you. At least let me do you a favor in return!"
"But before that, please let me introduce myself!" the girl said with a smile. "My name is Honami Ichinose, from First-Year Class B. It's nice to meet you~"
Kiyomizu's pupils dilated slightly, and for a moment, he was dazed.
—Honami Ichinose?
The "social genius" from the intel, who had amassed over a hundred friends in just one day? He composed himself and replied politely, "I'm Kiyomizu Akira from Class D. A pleasure to meet you."
"Eh? Class D!" Ichinose's eyes brightened. "What a coincidence! I know Kushida-san from your class. We just exchanged contact info yesterday!"
Kiyomizu couldn't help but take a second look at her. She had already connected with someone from Class D on the second day of school?
(...Her social skills are... terrifyingly good.)
(Wait!... This could be a perfect opportunity!)
A gleam appeared in Kiyomizu's eyes. He seized the chance. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Ichinose-san! Actually, I was just looking for a senior from Second-Year Class D. Could you possibly help me with an introduction?"
"Second-Year Class D? No problem, leave it to me~" Honami Ichinose cheerfully patted her chest, her face beaming with a smile as bright as a sunflower.
(Is this person an angel?)
They had just met, yet she had not only offered to help him with the troublesome beer but had also readily agreed to introduce him to a senior. He hadn't experienced this kind of unguarded kindness in a long time.
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