The following afternoon, the dismissal bell rang at the usual time. However, unlike the dead silence of yesterday, Class D today had a bit more energy. Many students were glancing intentionally or unintentionally towards Hirata, clearly indicating that yesterday's study session had had some effect. Even if it hadn't immediately raised everyone's grades, it had at least given them a clear goal. Natsukawa was calmly tucking his modern Japanese textbook into his bag, planning to keep his Library appointment with Sakura, when a tangible hand gently rested on his shoulder.
Natsukawa turned his head and met Ayanokoji's perpetually lifeless fish eyes.
"Natsukawa," Ayanokoji's voice was flat and even, "do me a favor."
"Hmm?" Natsukawa raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised that this "Humanoid Gundam" would actively ask for help.
"Horikita wants me to persuade Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo to attend her study session," Ayanokoji stated concisely.
"Oh?" Natsukawa gave a playful smile. "That doesn't sound like trouble you'd willingly take on. What did she offer?"
Ayanokoji was silent for two seconds, his dull eyes shifting almost imperceptibly by one degree: "She first treated me to a set meal at a Luxury Restaurant in Keyaki Shopping Center."
Natsukawa instantly understood. He could almost picture the scene: Horikita expressionlessly taking the expressionless Ayanokoji to the cafeteria, claiming she wanted to treat him to a big meal and telling him to order anything. Then, right after his first bite, she'd expose her true intentions... Wait, not expose her foot, but reveal her true goal.
Suppressing his laughter, he asked, "And then?"
"The moment I bit into the first piece of Tempura, she said, 'You ate it, right? Since you accepted my treat, you should pay the corresponding price,'" Ayanokoji's tone was still steady, but it carried a hint of resignation. "Then she told me to gather Sudo and the other two to attend her tutoring session."
"Pfft..." Natsukawa finally couldn't hold back his laughter. "Only you, Ayanokoji. Falling so easily for a woman's trap."
He patted Ayanokoji's shoulder, his tone laced with schadenfreude: "So, now you're busy handling Horikita's affairs?"
"Not you, us." Ayanokoji nodded, throwing out a flat statement: "'Good friends have a mutually supportive relationship. You pull me up today, I push you tomorrow'—that's what you said before."
"..."
Natsukawa's expression froze. This was clearly a line he had fabricated at the start of the semester just to freeload Ayanokoji's help carrying things, and now it had come back like a precise boomerang, hitting him squarely. Looking at Ayanokoji's completely unperturbed face, he couldn't tell if the guy was naturally malicious or doing it on purpose.
"What were you planning to do originally?" Natsukawa sighed, asking resignedly.
"I talked to them individually," Ayanokoji replied. "I analyzed for Ike the consequences of failing and being expelled, such as being unable to interact with Kushida and others. I explained to Yamauchi that continued slacking would lead to long-term poverty. And I pointed out to Sudo that failing academic subjects would affect his Basketball Club activities."
Listening to this "Ayanokoji-style" rational analysis that targeted each person's weakness, Natsukawa couldn't help but rub his forehead. "What was the result?"
"Total rejection." Ayanokoji's tone held no surprise. "Ike and Yamauchi think exams are the kind of thing you can cram for and scrape by, which is what they've always done. Sudo said Basketball Club training is more important."
"Just as I thought." Natsukawa was not surprised. "Your straightforward, fact-based approach is useless on those three knuckleheads. If they listened to cost-benefit analysis, Class D wouldn't be in this state. Your tactic only works on someone who values rationality above all else, like Horikita, or..."
He paused, his gaze sweeping toward the short, brown-haired figure surrounded by a few girls at the front of the classroom, who was currently letting out a clear laugh.
"...the person we need to persuade is Kushida."
He patted Ayanokoji's shoulder. "Let's go. I don't want to waste too much time on those three. It's time to bring out our class's'Social Nuclear Weapon.'"
He first walked over to Sakura Airi, who had already packed her bag and was waiting quietly, and whispered a few words to her. Sakura nodded obediently and softly said, "I—I'll go to the Library and wait for you first." She then quietly left, hugging her schoolbag.
Natsukawa and Ayanokoji then walked straight toward Kushida Kikyo, who was preparing to leave.
"Kushida-san, excuse us for a moment." Natsukawa displayed a perfectly measured smile, tinged with slight concern.
Hearing his voice, Kushida turned her head, her face immediately blossoming into a warm, cheerful smile like spring sunshine. "Ah, Natsukawa-kun and Kiyotaka Ayanokoji! What is it? Is there anything I can help you with?" Her voice was clear and pleasant, and her brown short hair gently floated as she turned. Her entire being exuded an unclouded friendliness.
Natsukawa briefly explained Horikita's desire to organize a study session and the refusal of the three boys to cooperate, concluding sincerely: "We think the effect might be much better if Kushida-san were to invite them."
Kushida listened carefully, her slender finger lightly tapping her chin, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. The afternoon sun outlined a soft halo around her, making her look like a devout saint under a church's stained-glass window.
"I see..." she murmured, her eyes showing a perfectly appropriate level of concern. "Horikita-san is trying to help everyone. Ike-kun and the others really do need assistance... I'd be happy to give it a try!"
Just as Natsukawa was about to thank her, she changed the topic, clasping her hands in front of her and looking at Natsukawa with anticipation: "However, Natsukawa-kun, I have one condition too~ If I manage to persuade them, I want to join Horikita-san's study session! I want to contribute to the class too!"
Natsukawa understood immediately. Kushida's goal had always been "to become friends with everyone." Intervening in the study session wouldn't just expand her influence; it was also an excellent opportunity to get close to Horikita, that "Flower on a High Peak." Of course, these were all superficial reasons; everyone knew the reality. (Ayanokoji:?)
He kept a straight face, instead nodding in agreement: "Of course. But I need to give you a heads-up about something: Horikita-san's personality is... quite particular. She might refuse to let people join who weren't invited by her."
Observing Kushida's expression, he continued, "However, I believe that with Kushida-san's understanding nature, if you truly want to join, you'll definitely find a way that satisfies everyone, right?"
The smile on Kushida's face froze for an instant, like a pebble dropped into a calm lake. But it quickly returned to normal, becoming even brighter: "Yes! I understand! Just leave it to me to handle things when the time comes!"
She winked playfully, making a "mission accomplished" gesture. The sunlight danced in her hair, and her flawless angelic image almost made one overlook the sharp glint that flashed in her eyes.
"But, can I become friends with you two first? I don't have either of your contact details yet."
"No problem, Kushida-san, here is my number. As for Ayanokoji's, you should ask him for it."
"No problem. Here are my contact details."
"Great, remember to accept my friend request right away! I'm meeting a classmate at the Café, so I'll see you later. I'll give you an update on Sudo-kun's tutoring as soon as there's progress."
"We're counting on you, Kushida-san." Natsukawa smiled as he watched her leave, then turned to Ayanokoji and said, "Done. The rest depends on how our Little Angel performs. Hmph, Yamauchi, we'll make sure he bows down and surrenders immediately."