After hearing these words from Shikime Natsu, Kushida Kikyou once again took note of that half-smiling, half-not expression on his face. Indeed, no matter how many times she saw it, this guy Shikime Natsu really was the kind of person who deserved a good punch.
Even though this guy Shikime Natsu had a rather handsome face, once you knew his personality, that face really only served to keep his likability from dropping below rock bottom.
The words Shikime Natsu had just spoken—about the two of them sharing something in common—were clearly a hint aimed at her. At least, in Kushida Kikyou's estimation, Shikime Natsu would absolutely never drop a meaningless hint.
If she let her thoughts follow along the line Shikime Natsu had laid out, she would surely end up being led around in circles by this guy. In short, the first thing she had to do now was stay calm—she couldn't go jumping into the pit Shikime Natsu had dug for her. And only then could she pry that peculiar thing out of Shikime Natsu's hands.
Kushida Kikyou thought this to herself, that gentle smile still hanging on her face.
She tilted her head, those eyes of hers utterly clear and innocent.
"I'm sorry, Natsu. Even though you've given me a hint like that, I still can't seem to guess what Airi and Kei have in common."
She paused, then let out a soft little sigh, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness—and within that tone, a touch of coquettishness too, just like a little girl who simply couldn't solve a riddle and was now whining for the answer.
But... very quickly, Kushida Kikyou smiled again, those eyes looking straight at Shikime Natsu.
"But, no matter what they have in common, it definitely has something to do with you, right, Natsu?"
She paused, then added one more line, her tone carrying a hint of certainty.
"I'm not wrong, am I?"
Hearing this, Shikime Natsu glanced at Kushida Kikyou.
The corners of his mouth curved up slightly, those pale golden eyes carrying a hint of amusement.
"Then... if it had nothing to do with me, Kikyou, who do you think it would have to do with?"
Shikime Natsu still wore that faint smile on his face, but at this moment, after he'd said those words, Kushida Kikyou felt as though she'd just been mocked by this guy.
It was like telling an ordinary high schooler that one plus one equals two. Saying something like that just made her look like an idiot.
That feeling left Kushida Kikyou rather displeased inside.
This guy was going too far.
But Kushida Kikyou still didn't let her inner dissatisfaction show.
The smile on her face remained, only the curve of her lips had grown a touch stiff.
"That's true too."
She smiled, then continued.
"So then, besides that one connection, is there anything else?"
Her tone carried a hint of probing, trying to coax more information out of Shikime Natsu.
Hearing this question, Shikime Natsu let out a soft chuckle.
"It can't be divided out."
Hearing this answer, Kushida Kikyou froze for a moment.
"Can't be divided out?"
She repeated the phrase, beginning to mull over the meaning behind Shikime Natsu's words.
What did he mean, can't be divided out?
Could it be that the method to improve physical fitness really was connected to becoming Shikime Natsu's girlfriend?
And this connection was the inseparable kind?
Thinking this far, Kushida Kikyou couldn't help but feel rather conflicted.
It was as if she'd picked up a lottery ticket, discovered it was a winner, only to find out the prerequisite for claiming the prize was marrying some complete stranger.
No—she should say it was even more absurd than that.
At any rate, it was an impossible thing.
Which is to say, you can't catch the wolf if you're not willing to part with the bait.
If she wanted to obtain that kind of ability to improve physical fitness, then she might just have to sacrifice a part of herself.
Thinking this far, Kushida Kikyou's gaze grew somewhat subtle.
She thought back to her several previous clashes with Shikime Natsu.
Basically, she'd come out on the losing end every time.
Making this guy Shikime Natsu suffer a loss was practically impossible.
Mooching anything off of Shikime Natsu for free was also basically impossible.
This guy was a jackal.
The kind that ate people whole and didn't even spit out the bones.
Kushida Kikyou thought this to herself, beginning to consider how she might profit from Shikime Natsu's hands without being picked clean by this guy in return.
This guy really was far too dangerous.
Just as Kushida Kikyou was scheming away inwardly, Shikime Natsu suddenly spoke up.
"By the way, Kikyou."
"Hm?"
Kushida Kikyou raised her head and looked at Shikime Natsu.
"What events did you sign up for in the Sports Festival?"
Shikime Natsu's gaze still rested on Kushida Kikyou as he asked the question in a somewhat casual tone.
Hearing this question, Kushida Kikyou couldn't help but feel a little puzzled.
This guy, now he was even taking an interest in her affairs?
Still, she pulled out a smile and answered.
"I signed up for the running events."
She paused, then let out a soft little sigh, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness.
"But, I don't have much confidence."
As Kushida Kikyou spoke, her hand drifted involuntarily to her chest—well, these were her assets, but when it came to running, this particular thing was quite the hindrance.
Watching her like this, Shikime Natsu let out a soft chuckle.
"If that's the reason, then I can help relieve you of that burden, Kikyou."
His tone carried a meaningful undertone.
Hearing this, the smile on Kushida Kikyou's face instantly froze. She was reminded once again of that night—when she'd genuinely thought her chest was gone.
Her expression turned rather unfriendly, those eyes glaring straight at Shikime Natsu, an irritation rising within her.
Still, she quickly composed her expression.
She smiled, then spoke up.
"What are you talking about, Natsu? I don't understand."
Kushida Kikyou simply chose to play dumb—after all, that night's events were something she absolutely never wanted to recall again!
But... that said, even now Kushida Kikyou couldn't help but find that night's events resurfacing in her mind. Shikime Natsu's hands... that sensation... was absolutely terrible!
Especially that night when she'd gone back to sleep—even though she'd already taken a bath, she'd still had such an awful dream that she'd had to take another bath when she woke up the next morning.
And the subject of that dream had been none other than this detestable guy, Shikime Natsu!
Kushida Kikyou realized that even though she despised Shikime Natsu, she had to admit this guy occupied no small amount of weight in her heart.
This negative weight still counted as weight, after all. At the very least... in all of Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, the one who drew Kushida Kikyou's gaze the most was this detestable guy.
Watching her like this, Shikime Natsu didn't say much, only let out a soft chuckle.
At that moment, a petite figure emerged from around the corner of the hallway.
It was none other than Mei-Yu Wang.
She walked briskly back over, a slightly embarrassed expression on her face.
"Sorry, did you wait long..."
She said softly.
"It's fine, it's fine."
Kushida Kikyou smiled and shook her head, then naturally linked her arm through Mei-Yu Wang's.
Looking at Kushida Kikyou and Shikime Natsu, Mei-Yu Wang felt a bit curious—was there some kind of ambiguous atmosphere between the two of them?
But... judging purely from the two of their expressions, it seemed no different from when she'd left, really.
"Natsu, Kikyou-chan, what were you two just talking about?"
Mei-Yu Wang quite naturally brought up the topic.
Hearing this question, the smile on Kushida Kikyou's face didn't change in the slightest.
"Nothing really, just chatting about some little things."
Her tone was very natural, sounding nothing at all like someone who had just been engaged in a conversation full of undercurrents with Shikime Natsu.
After hearing this, Mei-Yu Wang didn't continue pressing further—perhaps it was a private matter between the two of them.
She nodded, then spoke up.
"So then... Kikyou-chan, where would you like to go browse with us?"
Kushida Kikyou thought about it, then smiled.
"Anywhere is fine."
She paused, then continued.
"When you're out shopping with friends, sometimes the destination doesn't matter."
She looked at Mei-Yu Wang, those beautiful eyes carrying a hint of sincerity.
"What matters is the very process of shopping together itself—that's what's so much fun."
She paused, then added one more line.
"And besides, when I'm out shopping with Mei-chan and Natsu, I'm truly so happy."
After she finished saying this, Mei-Yu Wang's expression faltered slightly.
In her heart, a wave of guilt couldn't help but surge up once more.
Kushida Kikyou simply enjoyed the process of having fun together with them.
And what about herself?
She'd been a bit greedy, only wanting to be together with Shikime Natsu.
Was she being...
too selfish?
Mei-Yu Wang thought this to herself, her expression growing somewhat complicated.
Watching her like this, Shikime Natsu more or less knew what this excessively kind-hearted girl was thinking.
It had to be said, the stereotyped impression of Kushida Kikyou in everyone's hearts really was deeply ingrained.
Always the image of a good person.
Always that gentle, kind, understanding "little angel."
So when she said something like "I'm so happy shopping with you all," Mei-Yu Wang would feel that her earlier little ulterior thoughts were a kind of betrayal.
Shikime Natsu didn't say much, only let out a soft chuckle.
The three of them continued browsing through the Keyaki Mall, with no destination in mind, just walking and chatting as they went. With Kushida Kikyou present, the three of them's conversation never fell into an awkward silence.
Say what you will, Kushida Kikyou had put in considerable effort to learn how to keep every single person from being pushed to the edge of the conversation.
The topic soon shifted to the upcoming Sports Festival.
"By the way, Natsu, has everyone in Class A finished preparing for the Sports Festival?"
Kushida Kikyou quickly turned her gaze toward Shikime Natsu once again. By asking about Class A's affairs, Kushida Kikyou also had a bit of a probing intent—she wanted to know whether all of Class A had received the blessing of that buff.
Besides, this Sports Festival was, after all, the first collaboration between Class A and Class D, so asking a little something wouldn't hurt.
"Everyone's been working hard preparing for the Sports Festival. The students in Class D are the same, right?"
Shikime Natsu answered with a light chuckle.
"That's right. For this Sports Festival, everyone's giving it their all. And being able to collaborate with Class A this time has made everyone really happy too."
Kushida Kikyou said with a smile. Those words Shikime Natsu had just spoken really hadn't contained a single piece of useful information. Of course, in terms of conversation, they were effective enough—it was just that they gave Kushida Kikyou no way to obtain any more information about Shikime Natsu's special abilities.
But then again, that made sense. This guy Shikime Natsu would absolutely never expose himself so easily in front of her—otherwise he would have already said something earlier.
Soon, the topic shifted again, this time to the period after the Sports Festival.
"Speaking of which, after the Sports Festival ends, the school will probably arrange another special exam, right?"
That was the style of this school. There was absolutely no way there wouldn't be special exams—in the time to come, there would surely be plenty more.
"That's true."
Kushida Kikyou smiled, then looked at Shikime Natsu.
"But for you, Natsu, dealing with all sorts of exams shouldn't be any problem at all, right?"
Her tone carried a hint of sincere envy. This guy Shikime Natsu's abilities really were quite enviable; she wished she too could be like this guy Shikime Natsu, handling everything with ease.
Hearing this question, Shikime Natsu didn't bother being modest—he simply nodded.
It wasn't that Shikime Natsu was being arrogant; it was just that this was simply the truth.
He'd activated a whole pile of cheats by now. If he couldn't even pass these basic exams, then he might as well just be tossed straight into the trash can.
Hearing this answer, the smile on Kushida Kikyou's face grew even more radiant.
"You really are quite outstanding, Natsu. Not just in your studies, but in athletics too you're amazing, and... you've mastered all sorts of incredible skills as well."
"You're outstanding too, Kikyou."
Shikime Natsu replied offhandedly.
"Compared to you, Natsu, I can't measure up at all."
Kushida Kikyou smiled and shook her head, then continued praising him.
"Natsu, you don't just have good grades—you're popular too, everyone likes you and admires you."
Kushida Kikyou praised him left and right, her ulterior motive quite obvious, one might say.
It was nothing more than her wanting to use the soft approach to extract from Shikime Natsu the information about improving physical fitness.
Shikime Natsu didn't expose her, however, merely going along with her with a few smiling remarks.
As the three of them walked on, they arrived at the entrance of a dessert shop.
Shikime Natsu stopped in his tracks, looked at the dessert shop, then turned his head to look at Mei-Yu Wang and Kushida Kikyou.
"I came here once before, with Kikyou and Mei-chan."
"That time we'd just finished buying clothes, and then rested here for a bit."
He paused, then continued.
"Since we've walked all the way here again today, why don't we go in and sit for a while? My treat."
"Th-this... how could I impose..."
Mei-Yu Wang said, a little embarrassed.
"It's fine."
Shikime Natsu smiled.
"No need to stand on ceremony with me."
Looking at Shikime Natsu, Kushida Kikyou didn't decline.
"Then thank you, Natsu."
History seemed to be repeating itself—back then, too, it had been Kushida Kikyou who'd readily accepted.
Kushida Kikyou smiled, then pulled Mei-Yu Wang along into the dessert shop.
The three of them found a seat by the window and sat down.
Shikime Natsu ordered three desserts: a strawberry cake, a tiramisu, and a matcha mille-crepe.
Soon, the desserts were brought over.
Each one was plated quite exquisitely, giving off an enticing aroma.
"They look so delicious..."
Looking at the strawberry cake in front of her, Mei-Yu Wang's eyes sparkled.
"Go on, have a taste."
Shikime Natsu said with a smile.
Mei-Yu Wang picked up a small fork, cut off a little piece of cake, and put it in her mouth.
The cake's texture was soft and dense, the sweet-and-sour strawberry and the rich sweetness of the cream blending together perfectly in her mouth, leaving her feeling immensely satisfied.
"So good..."
Mei-Yu Wang said softly, a blissful expression appearing on her face.
Kushida Kikyou also took a bite of the tiramisu in front of her, then nodded.
"Mm, the flavor's quite nice."
The first time the three of them had come to the dessert shop, Kushida Kikyou's other side had already become known to Shikime Natsu. So, back then, when there was a chance to take a little advantage of Shikime Natsu, Kushida Kikyou wasn't about to be polite about it.
Indeed... people really are at their best when they've only just met.
Say what you will, when the two of them had first met, Kushida Kikyou's impression of Shikime Natsu had actually been quite good—he hadn't left her stuck in that troublesome business with Kouenji Rokusuke about giving up a seat.
And besides, this guy Shikime Natsu's appearance was quite handsome too, which couldn't help but give people a sense of familiarity in their hearts.
And so the three of them ate their desserts while chatting, the atmosphere quite relaxed and pleasant.
After finishing their desserts, the three of them walked out of the dessert shop.
It was already nearly noon.
"Well then, I'll be heading back now."
Kushida Kikyou spoke up, that gentle smile on her face.
"Going shopping with Mei-chan and Natsu today was really fun."
"Me too."
Mei-Yu Wang nodded, feeling somewhat conflicted inside—next time, maybe she should be the one to invite Kushida Kikyou along after all.
"Then let's hang out together again next time."
Kushida Kikyou waved her hand, then turned around and walked off in another direction.
Her retreating figure soon vanished into the crowd.
Shikime Natsu and Mei-Yu Wang also turned and headed in the direction of the dormitory.
Just at that moment, Shikime Natsu's phone buzzed.
He pulled out his phone and took a glance.
It was a text message.
The sender was Kushida Kikyou.
[Kushida Kikyou: Natsu, are you free tonight? I'd like to talk with you. If it's convenient, please set aside a little time for me~ (^_^)]
At the end of the message, she'd even sent a tiny little heart.
Even though it was nothing more than an exchange over a phone, Kushida Kikyou's sense of ceremony really was quite heavy.
Kushida Kikyou's purpose in sending the message over was simple, too: to get him to set aside some extra time, especially the evening hours. After all, in Shikime Natsu's dormitory these days, girls always seemed to randomly spawn at night.
If Kushida Kikyou were to go over at night and run into someone she shouldn't, it might just stir up no small amount of trouble.
Kushida Kikyou had absolutely no interest whatsoever in getting involved in the play between Shikime Natsu and that group of girlfriends of his. In Kushida Kikyou's heart, what she needed was, ultimately, her own interests first and foremost.
Kushida Kikyou glanced at her phone, then secretly stole a glance at Shikime Natsu and Mei-Yu Wang, who hadn't yet walked far. Shikime Natsu's movement had clearly been him checking his phone and seeing the message she'd sent.
But... read and left unanswered!
____
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