After school.
Pallet Cafe.
Sensing the strange gazes around her, Kushida Kikyo didn't care. With a cold expression, she followed Nanase Tsubasa to find a seat.
Having tasted the forbidden fruit.
She originally wanted to go back quickly to be intimate with Hikigaya, but she didn't expect Nanase Tsubasa to come looking for her.
The relationship between the two was average, at most just colleagues.
Trying to restore her reputation was impossible anyway; there was absolutely no benefit.
But after hesitating, Kushida Kikyo still came.
Sitting in her seat, she was somewhat impatient:
"If you have something to say, say it quickly. I have things to do next."
"Ah, yes, very sorry for causing trouble for Senior Kushida. Then let me treat Senior to a coffee as an apology."
"No need, just say what you have to say quickly..."
Kushida Kikyo crossed her arms and legs, her lower leg swinging slightly. She attracted many people's eyes, though they were only whispering mockingly.
Both of them now had Student Council status, which had some effect.
"Um."
Despite what she said.
Nanase Tsubasa still ordered two cups of coffee and desserts, unobtrusively observing the Kushida Kikyo in front of her.
A cute face, a plump figure, snow-white skin, and straight yet rounded legs.
Although her gaze was cold enough to keep people at a distance.
But Nanase Tsubasa had to admit.
Kushida Kikyo was truly beautiful. If not for her personality, she would certainly be quite popular.
"Senior Kushida, are you dating Senior Hikigaya?"
Nanase Tsubasa was somewhat concerned.
During this period.
Kushida Kikyo and Hikigaya's group had become mysteriously close.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated.
There were many intimate actions exceeding the scope of colleagues. Her relationship with Ichinose and the others also seemed to have improved; they occasionally ate lunch at the Student Council.
"Yeah, any problem with that?"
Kushida Kikyo rested her cheek on one hand, speaking with total indifference:
"You sought me out just to ask this?"
Though not explicitly stated, she had no intention of hiding it.
The people around had probably already sensed something. With Hikigaya's nature, it wasn't surprising to have another girlfriend now.
Instead, the ill-tempered Kushida Kikyo's side was more of a topic; most speculated that Hikigaya really didn't care about the quality.
"Yes. As expected, you are dating..."
Nanase Tsubasa nodded as anticipated, but she was curious:
"Senior Kushida, why are you dating Senior Hikigaya? Is it because you like him, so you don't mind Senior Ichinose and the others?"
"It's nothing, just playing around."
Kushida Kikyo felt a bit embarrassed, then looked at Nanase Tsubasa with suspicion.
"Nanase, don't tell me you like Hikigaya too?"
"Eh!? Eh?"
Nanase Tsubasa panicked instantly, waving her hands repeatedly:
"No, no, it's just... how should I say, after all, Senior Hikigaya is too conspicuous. He's smart and very kind, one can't help but be attracted..."
By the end, Nanase Tsubasa's voice grew smaller and smaller.
"Hehe..."
Scrutinizing the blushing girl before her, Kushida Kikyo gave a playful smile; this girl was simply too easy to read.
"What does it matter?"
Kushida Kikyo said nonchalantly: "If you like him, just say it."
As she spoke.
Kushida Kikyo took another look at her.
A smooth and innocent face, a voluptuous S-shaped figure.
Kushida Kikyo added another sentence.
"With your assets, handling Hikigaya would be incredibly easy."
"No, no, no..."
Instantly, Nanase Tsubasa's face turned crimson. Feeling guilty, she quickly changed the subject.
"I... I... how could I date Senior Hikigaya, and... Senior Kushida, don't Senior Ichinose and the others have a problem with it?"
"It's just a small issue, nothing big deal."
A smile couldn't help but appear at the corner of Kushida Kikyo's mouth.
During this period.
Although Karuizawa had been competing with her, vying for first place in everything and even making her call her "older sister" or the like.
However.
Kushida Kikyo didn't hate it.
Compared to the loneliness of being ostracized, she still preferred interacting with people and a lively atmosphere.
"Is that so..."
"What's there to be afraid of."
Seeing Nanase Tsubasa hesitating, Kushida Kikyo said mockingly:
"If you like Hikigaya, I can even help. If it's you, I think Ichinose and Sakayanagi won't have any objections..."
She wasn't sure if it was an illusion.
She felt Sakayanagi had been getting close to her lately, but Kushida Kikyo felt Sakayanagi was a bit scary, so it was better to be cautious.
However, someone as capable and good-natured as Nanase Tsubasa should be very welcome to Sakayanagi.
"I'll think about it a bit..."
"Whatever you want..."
Hearing this, Kushida Kikyo replied indifferently.
She could clearly feel Nanase Tsubasa had feelings for Hikigaya, but such a distorted relationship wasn't something to be praised; Nanase Tsubasa probably still couldn't cross that internal hurdle.
"Speaking of which, it's starting tomorrow..."
Nanase Tsubasa changed the subject: "How do the seniors plan to spend Christmas?"
"Well..."
Kushida wasn't very sure either, just guessing:
"Since it's a rare holiday, Christmas Eve will probably be spent in the dorm playing until we're exhausted. Christmas Day we'll probably go out to play."
"As expected, the seniors have experience..."
Since there were no boys she knew around, Nanase Tsubasa listened with a slightly red face.
"Of course, it's nothing to be embarrassed about."
Kushida Kikyo said playfully:
"Nanase, since you're considering it, why not try following us first? You can try hanging out with Karuizawa and the others first, and then make a judgment."
"Ugh..."
Nanase Tsubasa's face turned red.
This shouldn't be about Christmas Eve, but about going out shopping together on Christmas Day.
After all.
It was originally prepared like this; she wanted to go shopping with the seniors, so it wasn't a big deal.
"But, is it really okay? You seniors should be planning to play together. Won't an outsider like me interrupting spoil Senior Karuizawa's plans?"
"Don't worry, I'll go talk to them."
Kushida Kikyo said dismissively.
Although she teased Nanase Tsubasa, she didn't intend to force her.
It was just shopping, nothing to worry about. Anyway, it was just providing Nanase Tsubasa an opportunity to get along first.
When the time comes.
Let Nanase Tsubasa make her own judgment.
"As I thought..."
Nanase Tsubasa couldn't help but smile: "Senior Kushida is also a very kind person."
"Huh? What are you saying all of a sudden?"
Kushida Kikyo's gaze instantly turned cold.
"Nothing, nothing!"
Nanase Tsubasa waved her hands repeatedly with a smile.
Standing from an outsider's perspective.
Things were actually clearer.
Discovering that she had a talent for gaining others' trust indicated that Kushida Kikyo was originally a helpful person.
Maybe she wasn't like at the start of school, perfectly willing to help with anything.
But it was enough to show.
Kushida Kikyo's original kind and easy-going nature.
This point.
Was enough to surpass ordinary people by far too much.