Horikita Suzune was shaken.
Amane's words weren't without reason.
It was true—the remaining members were already enough to keep the class running smoothly.
Whether they saved the others or not wouldn't make much difference to the class as a whole.
If they couldn't make it to Class A just because someone dropped out, then those who'd already fallen behind were simply eliminated. There was no point even thinking about saving them.
Besides, Horikita's relationship with Ichihashi wasn't nearly as close as the one she shared with Amane.
So why insist on saving her?
Could Ichihashi really bring the class benefits worth fifty thousand points? Just thinking about it felt unrealistic…
Watching the conflicted look on Horikita's face, Amane felt a genuine sense of delight. Suzune was starting to judge her classmates by their value.
Once she began seeing them not as peers, but as clearly priced "pieces" on a board, she would begin making her own decisions about who to keep and who to discard.
Since Suzune wanted to play this make-believe game of reaching Class A, it might not be so bad to play along for a while—at least until Amane had gathered enough points herself.
But if Suzune spent all her time trying to save this person and that, always striving to help so-called classmates improve… that just wouldn't do. Because Amane would get jealous.
So no. It wasn't allowed.
Wasn't it better to just discard the useless ones early?
As for the idea that they might overlook a hidden gem…
What a funny joke.
"No! You're twisting the logic, Amane."
Horikita suddenly lifted her head and met Amane's gaze.
The smile on Amane's face gradually faded, until it completely vanished from her lovely features.
"What are you talking about, Suzune? Why would I try to lead you astray? Everything I said is true, isn't it? If you think I'm wrong, then tell me—what will you use to convince me to spend those points?"
Amane's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's. Even Suzune instinctively averted her eyes, almost lowering her head.
But… she couldn't stand the thought of losing to Amane just like that.
A girl's competitive spirit could be so peculiar sometimes.
Horikita Suzune bit her lip hard, suppressing the fear in her heart, then slowly raised her head and met Amane's eyes again.
Amane looked slightly surprised, as if she hadn't expected Suzune to withstand the pressure she was radiating.
"Pfft… hahahaha… Amane, you… hahaha…"
In contrast to Amane's serious expression, Horikita Suzune began to laugh. She had never laughed so heartily before.
Doubled over, clutching her stomach, Horikita's laughter could almost be called rude—but then again, not even Amane, not even her brother Horikita Manabu, and probably not even her parents had ever seen her laugh so freely.
It had to be said, a laughing Horikita Suzune was still a lovely sight.
Pretty people really were pleasing to the eye no matter what expression they wore.
"Suzune, what are you laughing at?"
Amane first glanced down at her clothes, then pulled out her phone to check her reflection.
Nothing seemed out of place.
So what was so funny? Amane couldn't find the answer from past experience, and it made her vaguely irritated.
The unknown always made her uneasy.
"This side of you feels more genuine, Amane. That cute act might be charming, but it must be exhausting, isn't it?"
In response to Horikita's question, Amane shook her head.
"This is more exhausting. But like this, I can think with 'absolute rationality.' This version of me can't be swayed by outside influences…"
Mwah.
Soft.
Horikita Suzune covered her lips shyly, a faint, embarrassed smile playing on them.
She'd been kissed. What was Suzune's goal? To seize the initiative in the following conversation? No, maybe…
Maybe she just kissed her because she liked her?
Could something like that really happen?
"I like Miyako Amane."
"Is that a confession?"
"Hmm, I'm not really sure."
Horikita Suzune looked up at the ceiling.
"I might take it seriously, you know."
"That's fine if you do."
B-But…
"Darn it!!! How can I keep teasing you when you're like this?"
Amane folded her arms and puffed out her cheeks in a huff.
"Why do you want to tease me, Amane?"
Horikita Suzune looked at her, puzzled.
It seemed Amane had always been fixated on teasing her.
Did bullying her bring Amane some kind of joy?
If so, that was a pretty strange preference…
"A beautiful flower is at its most stunning right before it withers…"
Thump.
"Don't say things like that."
"Ow, fine, I get it… That hurt… Check if it's swollen."
As she spoke, Amane leaned forward, offering the spot where Horikita had knocked her head.
"Did it really hurt? I didn't hit you that hard."
Horikita hurriedly brushed aside Amane's hair to check for any swelling.
But the moment she pushed the hair away, Amane suddenly lifted her head and stole a quick mwah.
"We're even now."
Amane wore the triumphant look of a cat that had just snuck a treat.
"You…"
Horikita Suzune pouted helplessly. Amane's act had been so convincing that even she had believed she'd actually hurt her.
Who would have thought Amane would still be thinking about ambushing her at a time like this?
Really…
"I think it'd be better if we got back to our earlier topic. If we keep messing around like this, we won't be able to save anyone."
Amane seized the opportunity to steer the conversation away.
Horikita knew exactly what Amane was doing, but she had no choice—compared to their horseplay, the issue of the expulsions was far more pressing.
Right now, the only one who could save Ichihashi and Sakura was undoubtedly Amane, with her ample points.
But Amane's attitude leaned toward abandoning the dead weight.
Amane's reasoning wasn't exactly wrong, but it wasn't the answer Horikita Suzune wanted.
"Then, Amane, what would it take for you to help me save one of them?"
Horikita Suzune's wording had shifted—to help her save one of them.
That way, Amane couldn't just dismiss it as having nothing to do with herself. If she wasn't even willing to help Suzune, there was no justifying it.
"Then, Suzune, can you tell me first—why are you so set on saving one more person? Fifty thousand points is enough for someone to live on for two months."
"And fifty thousand personal points is equivalent to one month of five hundred class points. I don't believe Ichihashi is worth the value of five hundred class points."
Amane's frank words made Horikita frown.
It was a nearly flawless argument. Profit was the most realistic measure. Pay a price, gain a return—that was Miyako Amane's principle.
"What if I said… it's simply because I want to avoid letting them leave this place in tears, if at all possible? Would you accept that, Amane?"
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.