Amane couldn't bear to see Sudo's pathetic appearance anymore.
Sudo, snot and tears streaming down his face, cursing everyone.
He probably didn't even know what he was saying, did he?
To give him release.
Amane raised her fist.
This was her full-power strike.
If Sudo could take it.
She might even think highly of Sudo.
Amane could guarantee that this punch would absolutely not be fatal, but a small lesson was unavoidable.
The reason was that Kiryuin, who had been beaten up last time, was still alive and kicking.
Although she almost died back then.
"Amane, wait!"
Horikita grabbed Amane's arm at this moment.
"Sudo and I have no grievances; I'm sticking up for you right now. Are you going to play the good guy?"
Amane's cold words made Horikita tremble, but she still met Amane's gaze with determination.
"If you're sticking up for me, I think it's enough. He's already learned his lesson, hasn't he?"
Horikita glanced at Sudo, who was clutching his hand and crying, a truly pitiful sight.
Even the hard-hearted Horikita found it difficult to watch.
She didn't know what would happen if Amane landed that punch.
But she knew that Sudo was completely defenseless now.
If Amane continued, she would become the new aggressor.
"..."
Amane didn't speak, but her attitude softened considerably.
Seeing this, Horikita gently put her hand down.
"Let's go home."
Hearing "home," the expression on Amane's face melted like ice and snow.
"Mm, home."
Amane scooped Horikita into her arms.
"Hey, hey! Amane, what are you doing! I can walk, you know. So many people are watching, put me down quickly!"
Horikita was flustered by Amane's actions, frantically patting Amane's chest.
This damn touch.
"I want to hug Suzune."
Amane's single sentence choked Horikita.
She came all this way late at night and fought someone for her.
Could she not even hug her?
"Sigh, just this once."
Horikita closed her eyes.
Out of sight, out of mind.
As long as she couldn't see other people's strange looks, she wouldn't feel embarrassed.
Suddenly, she felt a kiss on her lips.
"Amane!!!"
Horikita glared at Amane angrily.
Why had she been doing such rude things outside all day?
Luckily, Amane had her back to Kushida and the others.
Otherwise... she would already be considering transferring schools.
"You closed your eyes, I thought..."
"You thought what...?"
"That's how they film it in TV dramas..."
Amane pouted, looking at Horikita with a wronged expression.
"I can't do anything with you. No more strange things."
"Oh."
Amane turned, holding Horikita, intending to leave.
"Amane-kun?"
Only then did Kushida dare to come over and greet her.
"Sorry, I used a little too much force. I'll leave the aftermath to you, Little Kikyo."
Amane irresponsibly dumped the matter on Kushida.
"What are you talking about! You and Sudo fought like this, how am I supposed to clean this up?"
Kushida's eyes widened.
The two had just been fighting fiercely.
The scene was still a mess, with books and stationery scattered everywhere.
Ike was still unconscious.
Ayanokoji also saw that the situation was not right.
Yamauchi was lying on the ground for some unknown reason.
Sudo was still covering his hand, crying shamefully.
Oh my god.
How was she going to smooth this over?
"That's not my problem, Little Kikyo. You don't want us to still have no points next month and never get into Class A, do you?"
Amane's words were like the whispers of a demon, but they struck a chord in Kushida's heart.
Even if Horikita and Sudo killed each other, it had nothing to do with her.
But without points, she couldn't maintain a normal life and social interactions.
She couldn't accept not shining in her field of expertise.
"But someone has to take responsibility."
Kushida stepped back.
This matter could clearly be entirely blamed on Sudo.
So why did Kushida say that?
Because she didn't want to be the bad guy.
Only if Amane personally said it was Sudo's responsibility, then even if Sudo was expelled later and someone was unhappy, it would be because Amane told her to say it, and it would have nothing to do with Kushida.
Kushida's little scheme was seen clearly by Amane.
"Sudo is the culprit behind this, isn't he? Or was it Suzune who made the first move?"
Faced with Amane's cunning question, sweat broke out on Kushida's palms.
This was the first time she had experienced Amane's difficulty.
If Kushida said Sudo made the first move, it could still be seen that Kushida played a decisive role in the subsequent punishment of Sudo.
Kushida hesitated.
"Sudo made the first move."
Ayanokoji answered Amane's question for Kushida.
Amane glanced at Ayanokoji.
"You seem fine, Ayanokoji."
"Just got punched once, no big deal."
"That's good."
Amane judged that Ayanokoji had hidden his strength.
However, he indeed had no obligation to help Horikita.
In addition, Ayanokoji was actually friends with Sudo.
He didn't switch sides but chose neutrality, which was already commendable.
Amane also didn't intend to dwell on this issue.
After all, Ayanokoji was a boy she could get along with.
"If you have time, let me treat Ayanokoji-kun to a meal on behalf of Suzune. After all, you got beaten for Suzune, and if I don't show some appreciation, I'd feel a bit bad."
Ayanokoji was somewhat speechless.
Could the intention to win him over be any more obvious?
But he currently had no plans to join a small group.
However, judging purely from their utility value, Amane plus Horikita's utility value was probably the highest in Class D.
So he was also unwilling to become estranged from the two of them.
"Then I'll shamelessly take you up on that offer."
"Then it's settled."
Amane nodded to the two of them, a form of farewell.
As she left, holding Horikita, she saw Ichinose rushing with several boys towards the room they had just left.
Could it be... Ichinose also worked as a librarian?
No, she needed to get out of there quickly.
Amane, carrying Horikita, jogged out of the library.
Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.
"If you're tired, you can put me down."
Horikita, who had been quietly lying in Amane's arms, heard Amane's somewhat heavy breathing.
She was about to get down and walk.
But Amane held her tightly.
"I'm not tired, it's just Suzune is a bit too heavy."
It's just Suzune is a bit too heavy.
Suzune is too heavy.
Too heavy.
Heavy!!!
"What are you talking about? I don't even weigh a hundred pounds, do I?"
"How is that possible! Definitely! I'm exhausted."
Amane's strained look made Horikita doubt herself.
Had she gained so much weight since coming to school?
Impossible.
She exercised every day.
Amane was the one who ate and slept, slept and ate... Suddenly.
Horikita saw Amane's mouth twitching rapidly.
The almost uncontrollable smile was clearly seen by Horikita.
Oh, you, Amane.
"Did you eat your vegetable salad tonight?"
Amane's steps suddenly paused.
"What? You didn't eat it, did you? I carefully prepared it for you."
Horikita deliberately emphasized her tone.
"Eat, of course I ate it!! I love all the food Suzune makes, hehe."
"Then you must have finished it, right? If you didn't finish it, I won't make you dinner anymore."
Amane was completely stunned.
She was practically on the verge of tears.
She should have known better than to say Suzune was heavy.
Wuwu.
-----------------------
To read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can follow and support me on Patreon.
I'll be posting early chapters there so you can always stay ahead and never miss any new content.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"