The boy gently grabbed the girl's chin, lifting her gaze to meet his. He was about to kiss her when the girl stopped him, an action that froze Kiyotaka completely. A whirlwind of emotions rose inside him. - "Is this what people call rejection?" the boy thought.
"I'm sorry," said Kiyotaka in a low voice, words that surprised Suzune.
"Don't get me wrong... just give me a moment," said the girl, rushing to her bag, from which she took a small container with some pills. - "It's true, we didn't use protection yesterday," the brown-haired boy thought. After taking one, she turned to the boy and jumped on him, continuing what they had left unfinished moments before being interrupted. The sound of the shower muffled the noises they were making, or at least that's what the girl with black hair wanted to believe, as it was becoming harder for her to suppress her voice while she was with the brown-haired boy.
The silence in the room was instant.
Ayanokouji froze the moment Suzune on the screen stopped his kiss.
"She... rejected me?"
He couldn't fully comprehend the feeling it caused him. But then, when she grabbed the pills and returned to him, he let out a light sigh. He didn't even realize he had been holding his breath.
But before he could think more about it...
"PFFFT-!!!"
Ryuuen and Ichika exploded in laughter.
"Whoa! These two didn't waste time in the future, huh?" - Ryuuen teased, crossing his arms and looking at Horikita amused. - "Seems like our dear leader isn't as puritanical as she pretends to be."
"Ahh, I'm loving this!" - Ichika laughed. She turned to Ayanokouji and Suzune. - "Showering together, huh? Making all that... noise. Horikita-senpai, what's it like hearing your own voice like that?"
Suzune felt her face burning.
"S-Shut up!" - she shouted, burying her face in her hands.
"Ara, ara~" - Sakayanagi chuckled softly. - "So that's how things evolved... Horikita-san, you were holding back so much in the past, but in the future it seems you've... relaxed quite a bit to do this kind of thing with a committed man."
"N-No way! That's-!"
Suzune couldn't finish the sentence, simply shrinking further.
Meanwhile, Kei felt a slight pain in her chest.
"He never... never looked at me that way."
She bit her lip hard as she turned her gaze away from the screen.
"He never had that intensity with me... Never showed that emotion."
She knew that Ayanokouji was the way he was-cold, calculating. But seeing him there, so... human, so possessive, so completely given to Horikita, she felt sick. It was supposed to be with her, not Horikita. She wanted him acting that way with her and no one else.
"K-Kiyotaka..." - she whispered softly to herself.
Sato felt her cheeks burning.
"Damn, damn, damn! Why am I reacting like this?"
But still... that look of his, that intensity...
"Tsk..." - she reprimanded herself quietly.
Nanase turned her gaze away, blushing.
"S-Senpai..."
Ichinose tried to keep her composure but discreetly bit her lip.
"If it were me..."
She adjusted her seat, crossing her legs.
Sakayanagi still smiled, watching the scene with slightly gleaming eyes.
"Kamuro-san, what do you think about this?"
Kamuro, blushing down to her roots, growled softly.
"I think this crap should stop being shown, that's what I think!"
Hashimoto chuckled, resting his chin on his hand.
"Heh... The 'King' is showing why he's the 'King,' but I'm surprised Horikita can withstand the King's blade."
Ichika continued to laugh softly, crossing her arms and looking directly at Horikita with a mischievous smile.
"And then, Horikita-senpai~?" she teased, her voice carrying evident amusement. "You seemed pretty... excited in the bath with Kiyotaka-senpai, huh? You looked like you were really enjoying it."
Suzune choked on her own breath.
"I-Ichika!" she exclaimed, her voice louder than intended. Her face was already red, but the intensity increased further.
"What? I'm just stating the obvious," Ichika continued to smile, leaning forward slightly. "After all, everyone here heard it, right? No denying it."
Suzune tried to open her mouth to defend herself, but no words came out. How the hell could she counter something like that?! She looked around, feeling cornered.
"I-I-"
She swallowed hard.
"I guess that means you really like being dominated by him, huh?" Ichika teased, placing a finger on her chin as if reflecting.
Suzune wanted to dig a hole and disappear.
With no other choice, she turned to Ayanokouji, her eyes pleading for help.
Ayanokouji sighed calmly.
"Ichika, that's enough," his voice was neutral but carried a slight tone of authority.
Ichika pouted slightly, pretending to be hurt.
"Aww, Kiyotaka-senpai, you're so boring! I just wanted to have a little fun!"
"You've had enough fun."
Ichika chuckled lightly but didn't push further.
Suzune let out a small sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Ayanokouji," she said quietly, still blushing.
For a brief moment, her gaze fell on his hand, feeling a strange impulse. Without realizing it, her hand began to move as if to touch him...
But then, she restrained herself.
Her hand discreetly retreated, staying on the bench.
"No."
She knew she was getting carried away by what she saw, by the strange feelings surfacing inside her. But she couldn't allow it.
"I can't fall for him. Not someone like him. Someone so... ruthless."
Ayanokouji, silent as always, observed her small movement and calmly wondered...
"What is Suzune thinking now?"
Their morning quickly turned into afternoon after they enjoyed their time together. They both lost track of time in each other's company. The brown-haired boy was surprised after the black-haired girl made a delicious breakfast for him, as he was used to eating simple meals since he and his girlfriend were inexperienced in this area. Shortly after, they were back in bed, testing their endurance over the last few hours. It was only after 6 p.m. that they decided to stop.
Ryuuen laughed loudly, leaning back with a taunting expression.
"From morning until after 6 p.m?!" He shook his head, still laughing. "Damn, are you humans or rabbits?"
The comment echoed through the room, drawing everyone's gaze. Suzune felt her face burn violently but fought to maintain her composure.
"Why do you have to say things like that so loudly?!" She tried to sound firm, but her voice was clearly trembling.
Ryuuen crossed his arms, a mischievous smile on his face.
"Ah, relax, Horikita. There's nothing to be ashamed of. If you lasted that long, it just means you have more endurance than I thought."
Ichika, always ready to provoke, smiled openly.
"Hmm..." She placed her hand on her chin, pretending to be thoughtful. "So, Horikita-senpai, that long, huh? Must have been pretty... intense, right?"
Suzune tried to respond, but her voice failed. She looked at Ichika, unable to form an adequate defense.
"P-Please stop with these nonsensical teases!" she said in a desperate tone.
"Oh, sure. No problem. I'm just... admiring," Ichika chuckled softly, provoking even more.
Suzune lowered her eyes to avoid the stares, but, to her own dismay, an image of herself and Ayanokouji from the screen flashed through her mind. "For that long... Could it even be possible?" Her face flushed even more, but a slight smile appeared on her lips before she could control it.
Ayanokouji observed everything with his impassive expression, but inside he analyzed the comments and reactions. He didn't know what to expect from Horikita in the future, but surprisingly, endurance wasn't an issue for him.
"Looks like the White Room training was more useful than I imagined," he thought, unaffected by the laughter around him.
Nanase, blushing, quickly looked away. "Senpai... doing this for so many hours?" She lightly bit her lip, trying to push the thoughts away.
Sakayanagi, always elegant, hid her slight blush behind a polite smile.
Kamuro, beside her, couldn't hide her discomfort. "Why the hell am I thinking about this?" she muttered quietly, crossing her arms to restrain herself.
Sato, who had been trying to forget Ayanokouji, felt her face burn again.
"Dammit..." she furrowed her brows. "Why does he have to be so sexy?"
Ichinose, still angry inside with the whole situation, ended up blushing unintentionally. "Kiyotaka-kun... Is this the kind of thing you're capable of doing?" she thought, lightly biting her lips and drooling without realizing it.
Hashimoto laughed to himself, shaking his head. "The King knows how to enjoy things, huh?"
In a more distant corner, Kei was sitting with a portable Nintendo in her hands, a gift from Ryota to distract her. She was pressing the buttons absentmindedly, trying to stay focused on the game, but her mind was elsewhere.
She slightly curled up, determined to concentrate on the game.
"I'm going to suffer so much... I better distract myself while I can." she murmured to herself, pressing the buttons harder.
Ichika smiled mischievously, her eyes shining with clear intent. She stood up, crossed her arms, and launched her provocation loudly enough for everyone to hear:
"Hey, Ayanokouji-senpai. If you have so much stamina... don't you want to spend some with me?" The playful tone was impossible to ignore, and her smile grew as she saw Suzune's reaction.
Suzune froze in place. Her face turned completely red, and she clenched her fists by her sides, clearly about to retort but without words.
Ichika didn't stop there.
"After all..." she continued, with an exaggeratedly thoughtful expression. "You already showed you can cheat on Kei-senpai in the future, so it shouldn't be a problem to do it now, right?"
The room grew tense. Some students held their breath, while others disguised their looks to watch the reactions.
Kei stopped playing. The Nintendo in her hands shook slightly, and she lowered her head, hiding her eyes behind her hair.
Nanase felt a chill run down her spine at her friend's audacity. "Did she really just say that...?"
Ryuuen, on the other hand, found it hilarious and burst into laughter once again.
"Damn, Ichika, you're braver than I thought!" He leaned forward, eager to see how this would turn out.
Ayanokouji, however, remained impassive. He let out a low sigh, as if wondering why he was still surprised by the provocations.
"Ichika..." he said calmly, with an almost bored tone. "You're just trying to provoke certain reactions, aren't you?"
Ichika raised an eyebrow, not losing her smile.
"And if I am? It's fun seeing Suzune-senpai like this... And maybe other people will be a little shaken too."
She threw a quick glance at Kei, who was still curled up in silence.
Ayanokouji turned his gaze back to Ichika, his tone still calm and controlled.
"You shouldn't be saying things like that, especially right now, Ichika..."
Ichika pouted exaggeratedly.
"So boring, Ayanokouji-senpai. Can't I have a little fun?"
Suzune, still very red, finally found her voice.
"You really have no limits, do you, Ichika?" she tried to sound firm, but her voice was still slightly shaky.
Kei, still silent, gripped the Nintendo harder. Ichika's words echoed in her mind. "He already cheated on me in this possible future... Am I really doomed to this?"
She bit her lip, trying to push away the depressive thoughts as she went back to playing to distract herself.
Ichika realized she had touched a nerve and sighed lightly, smiling calmly. "Alright, alright. I'll go easy... for now."
The room fell silent again, but the emotions lingering in the air were far from dissipating.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Kiyotaka," said Suzune.
The boy simply nodded. However, before the girl with black hair crossed the threshold to leave, she turned around and went back to kiss him. This surprised the brown-haired boy a bit, though he couldn't deny that it was something he wanted.
This time, the girl let him go, knowing very well that if she didn't, she might end up spending another night there, and her body couldn't handle it. This was evident in her unstable way of walking. "Who would have thought that behind that expressionless face, a beast was hiding," she thought.
The initial silence after Suzune's words on the screen was soon broken by a series of reactions. The words "a beast was hiding" still echoed in everyone's minds.
Suzune, in the present, felt her face burn violently. She tried to hide her embarrassment by looking down, but she knew she wouldn't escape the teasing.
Ichika, with a mischievous smile, didn't miss the chance to tease:
"Suzune-senpai, who would have thought you could handle Senpai's beast like that, how exciting." She slowly licked her lips, her sharp gaze full of intent.
Suzune quickly lifted her head, trying not to be shaken by the words.
"Don't say such absurd things!" she tried to sound firm, but the redness in her face gave her away.
Hashimoto didn't waste any time launching a provocation:
"This is the power of the king, huh? Controls everything, even... these situations." He laughed loudly, clearly enjoying himself.
Before he could continue, Kamuro, her face red with frustration, tried to land a perfect kick to his parts.
"Hashimoto, shut up, you idiot!"
Hashimoto managed to dodge in time, nervously laughing as he stepped back.
"Tsk, not this time, Kamuro!" He raised his hands as if surrendering.
Kamuro crossed her arms, looking away.
"You're a pervert, as always."
Sakayanagi, beside her, smiled calmly.
"Interesting..." she thought, briefly imagining what it would be like to be in that position with Ayanokouji. The slight blush on her cheeks was impossible to hide.
Ichinose, in turn, quickly looked away.
"If he were like that with me..." the thought came involuntarily, making her blush slightly. She shook her head, trying to push away the images that came to her mind.
Then, Ryuuen, as usual, seized the moment to provoke:
"Seems like Horikita found Ayanokouji's beast in the future, huh?" he laughed loudly, crossing his arms.
Suzune, already at her limit, turned to him with eyes blazing.
"Ryuuen, shut up!" she nearly shouted, her tone firm and full of anger, though her face was still burning with shame.
Ayanokouji, who had been silent until now, lifted his gaze.
"Ryuuen, you're going too far."
Ryuuen, however, didn't seem intimidated.
"I'm just commenting on what you guys did in the future, Kiyotaka. I'm not to blame if it was... intense." He laughed again, clearly enjoying the reaction of both.
Suzune clenched her fists but tried to control herself.
Kei, in the corner, curled up with the Nintendo in her hands, watched everything in silence. She forced a smile, but there was something dark behind her expression.
"This pain... it's going to last a long time."
She turned her attention back to the game, trying to distract herself. But deep down, she knew it was impossible to completely escape what was happening in front of her.
"Considering we're in chapter 1 of the first timeline, yes, you'll suffer much more, Kei, so you better stick to the little game I gave you." Ryota thought calmly, seeing how many chapters were left for his creator to write.
"What do I do...? Should I take Kei? I think my sense of morality is deteriorating more and more..." the boy thought. "No, it could be worse if I don't invite her... Now that I think about it, she was supposed to spend the day with her friends, but I find it strange that she hasn't called me yet..." As he turned to grab the phone, he realized it was out of battery. "This could be a problem..." Ayanokouji thought as he lay down, half-sleeping, on his beloved bed that now smelled of Suzune mixed with his own. After a while, after connecting it, he turned it on and was surprised at how quickly it rang. The name 'Karuizawa Kei' appeared on the screen.
Kei quickly connected her headphones to the phone, letting the music blast in her ears at full volume. It was a desperate attempt to isolate herself from the scene that was being shown on the screen. She didn't want to see, much less hear, how Ayanokouji would hide everything from her in the future. The betrayal was a pain she couldn't process, and the loud music seemed to be her only defense at that moment.
Sato, noticing her friend's state, approached without saying a word. She sat beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder in a silent gesture of comfort. Kei didn't lift her eyes, but the touch was enough to make her feel that she wasn't alone.
On the other side of the room, Ryuuen laughed with gusto.
"So, Ayanokouji... looks like you've been pretty busy in the future," he provoked, his tone filled with malice.
Suzune, in turn, smiled discreetly. Knowing that Ayanokouji's bed in the future smelled like her, not Kei's, brought an unexpected feeling of pride. A touch of feminine possessiveness flickered behind her serene expression. But she remained silent, preferring to observe how things would unfold.
Ayanokouji sighed deeply and closed his eyes. He already knew that Ryuuen's provocations were inevitable, and the only question was how far he intended to go this time.
Ryuuen noticed that he had captured everyone's attention and took the opportunity to continue:
"Hey, Ayanokouji, if the bed already had your and Suzune's scent... what happened to poor Kei? Did you reserve another room for her, or not even that?"
Ayanokouji opened his eyes and stared at Ryuuen with his characteristic indifferent gaze.
"You're exaggerating again, Ryuuen," - he replied, in a controlled and calm tone. - "I'm not playing your game."
Ryuuen just laughed even louder, which only increased the tension in the air.
"What? I'm just commenting on what we saw. Or are you going to say it's a lie?"
Suzune, who had been observing up until then, crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at Ryuuen. Her discreet smile disappeared.
"You talk too much, Ryuuen," - she said, her tone sharp. - "Maybe you should think a little before you open your mouth."
"Oh, calm down, Suzune," - Ryuuen raised his hands in a false sign of surrender. - "It almost seems like you liked the idea of taking Karuizawa's place in the future. I mean... your smile gives it all away."
Suzune's face flushed deeply, but she didn't look away. On the contrary, her pride and determination wouldn't allow her to back down.
"And what if I liked it or not? That's none of your business," - Suzune retorted, with a firmness that made several heads turn.
Ryuuen just shrugged, enjoying himself even more.
"Relax. I'm just commenting on what's already there. Or are you going to say it's not true?"
Ayanokouji watched silently, but his eyes narrowed slightly as he listened to Ryuuen's provocations. Finally, he broke the silence:
"You're having too much fun with this, Ryuuen. Maybe it's time to stop before you go too far."
"Go too far?" - Ryuuen raised an eyebrow, still with a mocking smile. - "Me? I'm just saying what you guys did in the future. Don't blame the messenger."
Meanwhile, Kei continued immersed in her music, clenching her fists tightly. Her mind was a storm of conflicting emotions, and Sato's touch on her shoulder barely calmed her.
"Kei, if you want to leave here, I'll go with you," - Sato whispered softly. - "You don't have to listen to any of this."
Kei remained silent, not even lifting her eyes. The music was still loud, drowning out everything around her, but the weight of the words still reached her.
Sato looked at Ayanokouji with a disapproving expression, but he kept his neutral gaze, handling Ryuuen the best way he could.
Suzune, on the other hand, felt a little more in control now.
"If all you're doing is watching and commenting like a cheap spectator, maybe it's you who needs something to occupy your time, Ryuuen," - she shot, her voice laced with a venomous calm.
Ryuuen just laughed once again but didn't continue the provocation.
The tension in the room was still palpable, but Suzune felt a slight victory. Ayanokouji, on the other hand, knew the provocations would only increase as more secrets were revealed.
[- "Moshi moshi, KIYOTAKA!? Why weren't you answering? I was worried!"]
[- "Sorry, Kei. I was tired and didn't realize my phone had died."]
[- "Ehh!? Well, I'm glad you finally replied. Can I come to your room tomorrow? I want to spend some time with you and make up for the time we lost before the last exam."]
Taking a quick glance at his room, the brown-haired boy noticed how messy it was. The girl with black hair and he had really gone overboard, not to mention the persistent smell of sex that filled the room.
Kei kept humming softly, the headphones still in her ears. She tried to keep her mind away from the images and words invading the screen, as if the music could create a barrier against the pain and confusion she felt. Her voice, almost inaudible, trembled slightly, but she wouldn't let anyone see her weakness.
Meanwhile, Ryuuen didn't waste any time and took the opportunity to throw in more provocations.
"So, Ayanokouji... looks like you and Horikita really went overboard in the future, huh? Was the smell still in the room? You two are wilder than I thought!" - Ryuuen laughed loudly, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
Ichika, who had been quiet until then, decided to join in:
"Kiyotaka-senpai," - she began, with a provocative smile on her lips. - "I think you're having quite a lot of fun in the future. Who would have thought that behind that expressionless face there's someone so... enthusiastic?"
She moved a little closer, leaning in as if to whisper something, but her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.
"If Horikita's already so satisfied in the future, maybe you should add me to the list in that future, Ayanokouji-senpai. It may not seem like it, but I'm much more flexible than I look."
Suzune blushed deeply at the words but didn't stop herself from smiling slightly. A nearly imperceptible smile, but filled with a strange pride. She knew that what was shown on the screen was proof of connection, something neither Kei nor anyone else could deny. The thought that her scent had lingered in Ayanokouji's room filled her with a silent possessiveness, but hearing Ichika's words gave her a feeling she couldn't quite place. All she knew was that she wanted to attack her for flirting with Ayanokouji.
Ichinose felt a pang in her chest. Jealousy bloomed in her mind. She wanted to be the one by Ayanokouji's side in that future. She wanted to be the one he desired so much that he couldn't contain himself. After all, she loved him more than anyone there. She deserved it more than all of them.
Ayanokouji sighed, his eyes briefly closing to process the provocations.
"You're crossing the line, Ryuuen," - he said, his tone low and firm. - "And you too, Ichika. Enough."
"Tsk," - Ryuuen smirked, his eyes gleaming with malice. - "Take it easy, Ayanokouji. I wasn't the one who overdid it in the room. I'm just commenting on what everyone saw. If you're going to call someone excessive, call yourself or Horikita."
"Ryuuen!" - Suzune finally spoke, her sharp voice flushed. - "Shut up. Now."
Ryuuen raised his hands in a theatrical gesture of surrender but didn't lose his provoking smile.
"Alright, alright. I'm just having fun. You guys are so easy to irritate."
Ichika only laughed softly, but her attention never left Ayanokouji.
Kei, even with the loud music, couldn't avoid hearing parts of the conversation. Her body shrank even more as her mind tried to suppress the images that came with every word. Sato, still by her side, held her hand to offer comfort.
[- "Actually, I was planning to invite you to the pool."]
[- "Eh!? This is the first time you're taking the initiative to invite me on a date, Kiyotaka. Although... the pool, I don't know..."]
[- "Are you still bothered by your scar?"]
Kei's scar on her torso was a painful reminder of her past, something she had to endure before coming to this school. One of the reasons behind Kiyotaka's relationship with the blonde girl was to help her overcome her parasitic mentality and leave that past behind. But it seemed that goal was far from being achieved, and the brown-haired boy was slowly losing interest.
Kei still had the headphones on, but the words on the screen were like a knife through her chest. She let out a low, depressive laugh that slipped out even with the loud music. "I failed him again..." she thought, the sound in her ears unable to drown out the suffocating feeling of failure surrounding her. She knew that Ayanokouji had entered the relationship to help her overcome her insecurities and traumas, but the screen showed something clear: he was losing interest.
She tried to hold back the tears, but she felt empty, especially thinking that now everyone knew about her scar. Something that only Ayanokouji and Sato knew had now been exposed to everyone. The slight mockery invaded her mind: "Now everyone knows why I never go to the pool... great."
Kei's friends, like Shinohara and Chiaki, exchanged looks of surprise and understanding. It all made sense now. All the times Kei made excuses to avoid swimming or the pool became clear. Chiaki, who always thought her friend was just lazy, bit her lip, feeling guilty for her past assumptions.
Ryuuen didn't miss the chance to provoke.
"Tsk, Ayanokouji. Looks like you're getting more and more dissatisfied in your future relationship. Losing interest, huh? Not surprising. After all, who wants a girlfriend full of insecurities and traumas?"
Ayanokouji lifted his gaze to Ryuuen, his eyes neutral, but his voice firm and direct.
"That's none of your business."
Ryuuen's mocking smile only grew.
"Oh, relax. I'm just stating the obvious."
Ichika decided to add fuel to the fire, a mischievous smile on her lips.
"Maybe, Kiyotaka-senpai, you should break up with Kei and go for someone less parasitic. Someone like me."
She crossed her arms, her eyes fixed on Ayanokouji, daring him with her bold stare.
Horikita, who had been silent until then, was visibly irritated. Her face flushed with anger, and her hand instinctively clenched into a fist.
"Ichika, control your mouth. You've crossed the line."
Ichika raised an eyebrow, as if she was enjoying the reaction.
Nanase, standing next to her, looked at her friend with surprise. Once again, Ichika showed an audacity she hadn't expected.
Ichinose, on the other hand, was silent, but her jealousy was palpable. Ichika's words only reinforced the feelings she had been trying to suppress. She wanted to be the one who would take Ayanokouji out of his cold indifference. She wanted to be the woman he would look at with desire and affection, not just a friend.
[- "I'd be lying if I said no, but it's the first time you've taken the initiative, so I'll go!"]
[- "Actually, Kei, Sudou and Horikita will also come."]
[- "Really? Maybe Horikita-san will finally accept poor Sudou-kun, although it seems a bit sneaky on his part."]
The room fell silent for a moment as everyone processed the words from the conversation displayed on the screen.
Kei, still listening to music, seemed unaware of the tension her words had created, but Ayanokouji didn't hide his reaction. His normally expressionless eyes glinted with slight irritation as he heard Kei suggest that Horikita should accept Sudou. His hand discreetly clenched the edge of his chair with enough force that his knuckles turned white.
Horikita calmly rolled her eyes.
"I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I don't like Sudou, and I will never have any kind of relationship with him."
Onodera, hearing this, let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank God," she muttered softly, but loud enough for those nearby to hear.
Sudou, contrary to expectations, seemed to relax a little. He had accepted, albeit with difficulty, that he had no chance with Horikita, but still feared any comment that might fuel false hopes. Hearing Horikita say that brought some joy to him.
Ryuuen, of course, took advantage of the situation.
"Oh? Looks like Ayanokouji got upset about that. You're worried about your little pet, huh?"
Ichika didn't miss the chance to join in on the provocation.
"Or did it bother you? I bet Sudou is the last guy you'd want to see near Horikita."
Ayanokouji calmly turned around, his eyes meeting Ryuuen and Ichika's without any apparent emotion.
"No. I'm not."
However, Horikita, observing closely, noticed the tension in his hand still gripping the chair. A small, subtle smile appeared on her lips. She liked seeing him like this, even if it was just a slight reaction. Knowing that Ayanokouji could feel bothered because of her was, in some way, comforting.
Ichinose, who had been watching everything with a serious expression, rolled her eyes internally. If Horikita and Sudou ended up together, that would create an opening for her to get closer to Ayanokouji with less resistance. But seeing this tension and Ayanokouji's reaction made her jealousy rise even further.
Ayanokouji, pushing past the initial anger, returned to reflecting on the last part of Kei's words on the screen: "although it seems a bit sneaky on his part."
His sharp gaze narrowed for a moment. "What exactly did she mean by that?"
Ignoring the comment that mildly irritated the brown-haired boy, what Kei said next piqued his curiosity.
[- "What do you mean?"]
[- "Ah, maybe you didn't hear. Sudou-kun was planning to confess to Onodera-san today, but she didn't give him the chance. Apparently, she heard him talking about perverted things with Ike-kun about her, and she slapped him and ran out crying. All the girls knew Onodera would say yes to going out with him, but Sudou ruined everything. Shinohara-san is furious with Ike-kun."]
He knew Sudou could be an idiot, but this much? And to think he was finally starting to show some positive changes...
The mood in the room drastically shifted as Kei's revelation was displayed on the screen.
Onodera stared directly at Sudou, her eyes mixing hurt and betrayal. The entire room seemed to hold its breath.
"Sudou... you really did that?" - Her voice was heavy with disillusionment.
Sudou, still processing what he had seen, stammered, unable to find the words. The shame was palpable. He knew the future had shown a version of him that had acted in an unforgivable way, and the weight of it bore down on him in that moment.
Ayanokouji watched the scene in silence, shaking his head in disappointment. Sudou, despite being impulsive and often stupid, had shown progress. However, seeing something like this happen in the future proved that Sudou still hadn't matured enough.
He was finally starting to change, and then he ruined everything like this?
Shinohara was visibly furious.
She quickly turned to Ike, her boyfriend, and pulled his ear forcefully.
"Ike! I can't believe you would do something like that!"
Ike panicked, desperately trying to defend himself.
"I swear that didn't happen! We never said anything about Onodera-san! I would never say something perverted about her!"
Shinohara narrowed her eyes.
"You're telling me the future is lying? Because that sounds exactly like the stupid thing you would do!"
Ryuuen took the opportunity to laugh loudly, his laughter echoing through the room.
"Hahaha! Sudou, you really outdid yourself! You messed things up with Onodera and then went crawling to Horikita? Pathetic, even for you."
Ichika crossed her arms, shaking her head slowly with a dramatic expression.
"I'm disappointed, Sudou-senpai. You were the protagonist of a pathetic romance story all along?" Her voice oozed sarcasm.
Nanase watched everything with a silent, surprised expression.
She glanced at Ichika, clearly bothered by her friend's boldness in continuing to provoke. However, she remained silent, choosing not to intervene.
Sudou finally understood everything. Now he knew why his future self had given up on Onodera and ran back to Horikita. He felt a mix of shame and anger at himself. How could he have been so stupid?
Determined to redeem himself, Sudou knelt down, bowing deeply to Onodera.
"Onodera-san, I'm sorry. I would never do something like that. It didn't happen in this timeline and it never will. I know what you saw was embarrassing, but please believe me!"
Onodera was visibly surprised. Seeing someone as proud as Sudou bowing in front of everyone wasn't something she had expected.
"I'm disappointed and hurt, yes. But..." She hesitated, studying the sincerity in Sudou's eyes. "If you're really sorry, I want to believe you can be better than that version of you in the future."
Sudou quickly raised his head, his eyes shining with hope.
"I promise I will never do that, Onodera-san. Never."
Horikita intervened coldly.
"I hope not, Sudou. Because if you do, and still have the audacity to run after me, you can be sure the punishment will be severe."
Sudou nodded vigorously, clearly nervous.
"Never, Horikita! I would never do that!"
Ayanokouji watched Horikita silently. The way she handled the situation caught his attention in a different way. His thoughts boiled down to a single idea at that moment: Horikita looks incredibly sexy in this serious mode of hers.
Horikita noticed Ayanokouji's gaze and narrowed her eyes.
"Did you think something strange, Ayanokouji?"
He responded with his usual calm, not even blinking:
"I didn't think of anything strange."
Horikita studied him for a few more seconds before nodding slowly, accepting the answer.
Ayanokouji sighed inwardly. The female instinct is truly terrifying.
The tension in the room was still palpable, but slowly, the gazes began to return to the screen as everyone eagerly awaited the continuation of the events.
[- "So now that he ruined his chance with Onodera, he wants to try with Horikita?"] If she finds out, she will kill him.
[- "Looks like it, but why do you seem so upset? I don't remember hearing you like this before."]
Upset? Was he really sounding like that now? Did Sudou trying to date Horikita after ruining his chance with Onodera bother him? Or maybe it was something else? The thought of Horikita going out with someone else seemed to be the thing that irritated the young brown-haired boy the most.
As soon as the image on the screen revealed Ayanokouji's future thoughts, the atmosphere in the room became even tenser.
Kei remained curled up in the corner, the headphones snugly in place as the music muffled the sounds around her. She was emotionally exhausted, tired of repeatedly seeing proof that her boyfriend seemed to care more about Horikita than about her. It was something she couldn't ignore, even if she tried.
Horikita, on the other hand, blushed slightly. Ayanokouji's future thoughts surprised her. He was really bothered by the idea of me going out with someone else? The thought made her smile discreetly, though she tried to keep her expression neutral.
Ayanokouji sighed softly, knowing exactly what was coming.
"Oh? Looks like someone's jealous." Ryuuen was the first to throw the provocation, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I never thought the great Ayanokouji would have a weakness."
Ichika didn't miss the chance to join in.
"Ayanokouji-senpai, who would have thought you'd get upset just imagining Horikita-senpai with someone else. It's actually cute."
Ayanokouji rolled his eyes.
"I'm not upset."
"Of course not." Ichika responded, her tone exaggeratedly sarcastic.
Sudou, who had been silent until now, gave a small smile.
"Hey, Ayanokouji. Relax. I would never be interested in Horikita, not now, not in the future."
Ayanokouji looked at him, his eyes cold and fixed, but there was no animosity. Just a faint tiredness.
"Good to know."
Suddenly, he noticed Horikita's subtle smile. It caught him off guard. She rarely let her emotions show like that. Something about that smile, so subtle yet so genuine, stirred an unexpected feeling in his chest. He couldn't help but smile inwardly.
Horikita noticed his gaze and quickly turned her face, but the blush on her cheeks remained. Silence took over the room for a few seconds as everyone awaited the next part of the events.
Ichinose, who had been watching everything from her seat, crossed her arms and frowned slightly. She couldn't help the jealous thoughts running through her mind. Why does he always act like this when it comes to Horikita? He never seems this bothered by anyone else... It bothered her deeply. She hated seeing how Kiyotaka seemed to care more than he should about Horikita, even if he didn't admit it.
Sakayanagi, who rarely missed an opportunity to provoke, let out a soft giggle.
"Ayanokouji-kun, it's fascinating to see how you get... 'protective' when it comes to Horikita-san." Her voice sounded sweet but full of ulterior motives. "Even though she's not your girlfriend, you act almost like she is. Isn't that a bit possessive?"
Ayanokouji raised his eyes calmly.
"You're mistaken, Sakayanagi. I'm not like that." His voice was cold and direct, but there was no mistaking the faint discomfort that flickered in his eyes.
Sakayanagi just smiled, pleased with herself for having poked him.
Horikita watched the conversation in silence, but her mind was elsewhere. She remembered several moments in the past when Ayanokouji had subtly teased her, trying to annoy her or get her attention. It wasn't always, but there was a pattern, and now that Sakayanagi had mentioned it, everything seemed to make more sense.
He is a bit possessive when it comes to me...
The thought made her smile mentally, though she kept her face impassive. Even though she tried to ignore it, she couldn't deny that she liked that part of him. Something about the way he showed concern, even indirectly, made her heart beat faster.
[- "It's just your imagination. See you tomorrow, Kei."]
[- "Ah, I still want to talk to you, wait..."]
He didn't let her finish and hung up the phone.
Ryuuen couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Hahahaha! That was unbelievable! You just hung up on her!" He pointed at Ayanokouji, his eyes gleaming with fun. "Man, you're so cold. Cold and to the point. Kei must have been furious."
Ichika watched closely, but soon laughed quietly.
"Ayanokouji-senpai, that was so... cruel. Kei-senpai just wanted to continue the conversation and you completely cut her off. Are you sure you weren't trying to irritate her?"
Sakayanagi smiled slightly, her tone always tinged with a bit of provocation.
"What a lack of courtesy, Ayanokouji-kun. Hanging up on a lady while she's talking? I expected something more refined from you."
Nanase made an adorable pout, crossing her arms with a disapproving expression.
"Senpai, that wasn't cool at all. Kei-senpai seemed like she really wanted to talk more with you. Was it really necessary to be that rude?"
Sudou, for his part, burst out laughing loudly.
"Hahaha! Man, I've done that before and it didn't go well! You've got guts, Ayanokouji. Or maybe you just don't care."
Shinohara and Nenê Mori exchanged looks, clearly irritated.
"Hanging up on someone is the worst thing you can do!" Shinohara complained, her eyes fixed on Ayanokouji. "Seriously, why do that? It's so disrespectful."
Nenê Mori nodded energetically.
"If someone did that to me, I would never forgive them!"
Ayanokouji sighed deeply, keeping his serene expression, but everyone could see he was a bit bothered.
"The future version of me has a lot to think about. What happened between me and Suzune seems to be complicating everything. My relationship with Kei, the class, all of that needs to be processed. He probably needed time alone to think."
Ryuuen rolled his eyes, visibly skeptical.
"That's a load of crap. You just didn't want to deal with anyone's feelings, like always."
Horikita, who had been silent until then, felt something strange inside her when she heard his words. She knew she should ignore it, but she couldn't help but reflect on Ayanokouji's behavior. He seemed cold and distant with Kei, but always showed a careful gentleness toward her.
He's so... different with me, she thought, feeling her heart speed up slightly. Why does he have to be so perfect, so... sexy and gentle?
She tried to push those thoughts away quickly. Falling for Ayanokouji would be troublesome, both for her and for him. But the faint pleasure of being treated differently still lingered deep in her mind.
Ichinose, who was also watching attentively, let out a quiet giggle. She wasn't bothered by Ayanokouji's behavior in the future. In fact, she liked seeing how he was treating Kei.
They're definitely going to break up soon, thought Ichinose, with a competitive gleam in her eye. And since he and Horikita haven't done anything yet, that means I'll have a clear path. I just need to be faster than Horikita… and Kiyotaka will be mine.
Sakayanagi glanced at Ichinose with a subtle smile.
"You seem deep in thought, Ichinose-san. Planning something, perhaps?"
Ichinose quickly turned her gaze away, smiling to cover it up.
"Oh, nothing special. Just thought... interesting."
Sakayanagi chuckled softly.
"Be careful what you wish for, Ichinose. You never know when it might come true, or when it could be destroyed right before your eyes in the blink of an eye."
Ichinose shivered slightly at Sakayanagi's words, not knowing why.
He had a lot on his mind… what he had done with Suzune just hours ago, what he had felt while being with her, the warmth of her body against his was something the brown-haired boy couldn't get out of his head. It still seemed incredible to him that the girl with black hair would do something like that with him, considering he always saw her as someone distant from such matters. Especially when she knew about his relationship with Kei. He had noticed how, since his relationship with Kei became public, Suzune had stopped visiting his room as she used to. He knew Suzune had been considerate, which made her actions even more inexplicable. Still, he couldn't deny that what they had done was mutually enjoyable, and they certainly wanted to do it again.
Ayanokouji remained calm, but his mind was working at full speed. He couldn't ignore the thoughts from his future self about Horikita and what had happened between them.
Yes, Suzune really changed her behavior when my relationship with Kei became public, he thought. She stopped coming to my room and kept a careful distance. I always thought it was just out of respect for my relationship with Kei.
Horikita, on the other hand, felt her cheeks warm at the sight of that scene. She discreetly turned her face away and made a small pout to try to hide her embarrassment.
I did that because I respected Kiyotaka's relationship with Kei, she thought to herself. And also because I didn't want to cause trouble or jealousy for her. But… it seems that in the future I changed my mind when I realized their relationship was falling apart.
The memory of her own feelings made her smile involuntarily. It was a small smile, almost imperceptible, but filled with conflicting emotions.
Ichika, who hadn't missed a thing, narrowed her eyes and focused on Horikita's face.
"Oh? Suzune-senpai, you're smiling?" Ichika teased, her voice full of mischief. "Did something about this scene please you, perhaps?"
Horikita immediately flushed even more and turned to Ichika with a serious expression, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"You're imagining things, Ichika." She shook her head firmly. "There's nothing to smile about. And even if there were, it's none of your business."
Ichika continued to smile mischievously.
"But your face is saying otherwise. Suzune-senpai, you're not as good at hiding your emotions as you think."
Horikita huffed, trying to ignore the warmth in her cheeks.
Ryuen, on the other hand, couldn't resist another provocation aimed at Ayanokouji.
"So, it seems like Mr. Kiyotaka really has something to think about. Or are these lame excuses just a way to avoid admitting that you're having fun in the future?"
Ayanokouji looked at Ryuen with an impenetrable calm.
"My future self answered clearly. They weren't excuses. What happened between me and Suzune is something that needed to be thought about. Simple as that."
Ryuen dramatically rolled his eyes.
"Simple, he says. I bet it wasn't simple at the time."
Ayanokouji didn't respond, maintaining his neutral expression. But internally, he knew that the situation with Suzune wasn't something he could ignore.
Ichinose, from a corner, observed everything with a look of displeasure. She hated seeing how Ayanokouji seemed deeply affected whenever the topic was Suzune. Jealousy quietly burned in her chest.
Whenever it's about Horikita, he changes. He becomes more involved, more possessive. It irritates me.
Nanase looked at Ayanokouji with a worried expression.
"Senpai, I hope all of this resolves in the future..."
She didn't like what Ayanokouji did involving his betrayal of Kei, but she still didn't want anything bad to happen to him concerning his class situation.
Sakayanagi smiled softly, watching the whole dynamic with great interest.
"I'm happy to see that Kiyotaka-kun is finally feeling what it's like to have feelings, too bad it's not because of me, but I'm happy for him."
Kei was sitting in the corner, messing with the Nintendo that Ryota had given her while listening to music. With this device, she could see that this future luck was nearing its end, something she was thankful for because if it continued any longer, she'd end up crying in front of everyone again, something she absolutely didn't want to do.
With the image of the black-haired girl in his mind, he was starting to close his eyes, slowly drifting into dreamland, when the sound of his phone rang...
[- "Good night, Suzune."]
[- "Good night, Ki-Kiyotaka-kun."]
[- "Isn't it a little late, don't you think?"]
[- "I know, I promise I won't take up too much of your time."]
Not that he minded, on the contrary, he seemed to like just hearing her voice.
"Damn, Ayanokouji. That thought would be sweet and romantic if it weren't for the girl you were using to cheat on your girlfriend."
Everyone's eyes turned to Ayanokouji, waiting for a reaction.
Ayanokouji remained calm, with an impassive gaze, but internally he knew that Ryuen wouldn't miss this chance for provocation.
"You can interpret it however you want, Ryuen," he responded in an icy calm tone. "And I'm sure my future self isn't using Suzune. He must be feeling something he can't fully comprehend yet, so don't jump to conclusions."
Ryuen rolled his eyes, hating how Ayanokouji was dodging his words perfectly.
Horikita Suzune blushed slightly upon hearing Ayanokouji's words.
Ichika smiled mischievously, not missing the chance to add more fuel to the fire.
"But it's so cute! Ayanokouji-senpai... it seems like Horikita-senpai was really wanting to talk to you again, calling you in the middle of the night. I never thought I'd see Horikita-senpai so nervous, saying it would be quick. Maybe she just wanted to tell you 'I love you' before going to bed? That would be so romantic."
Horikita immediately flushed as she heard her nervous voice being played on the screen. She turned her face away, crossing her arms tightly.
"I'm sure my future self was just being polite, saying it would be a quick thing and not something about an 'I love you.'"
"Polite? Ah, yes. Calling him 'Kiyotaka-kun' and calling late at night seems very casual and not romantic at all, Horikita-senpai," Ichika teased with a falsely sweet tone that made Horikita's face turn crimson with a mix of embarrassment and anger.
Sakayanagi, who had been watching closely, smiled softly and spoke in her gentle, but sharp voice.
"It's fascinating how even Horikita-san's voice sounds softer when it's about Kiyotaka-kun. She really gets shy around him."
Nanase pouted lightly, crossing her arms.
"Senpai... It's not right to flirt with another girl in the middle of the night when you're already dating someone."
Ichinose couldn't help but roll her eyes with jealousy.
"What a desperate girl, she really can't be away from him for a second and already wants to call him at bedtime."
Kei, still listening to music, seemed completely oblivious to everything, but even from a distance, some students couldn't help but think that she wouldn't react well to this situation in the future.
Sudou, on the other hand, tried to alleviate the tension and improve his situation involving Onodera.
"Hey, I just want to make it clear that I'd never do anything like that with Onodera, okay?"
Onodera smiled softly seeing how Sudou was trying to show everyone that he wouldn't do anything wrong.
Ryuen scoffed.
"Who cares? You'd never have the luck to get something like that with two girls, Sudou."
Ayanokouji sighed internally, ignoring all the provocations, but he couldn't help but notice Horikita's discreet gaze.
She was nervous... and maybe a little happy. This is unexpected, but not bad, I like seeing how she is, I like seeing how happy or nervous she is. I think I really enjoy seeing her like this.
[- "What do you want to talk about, Suzune?"]
[- "It's... about us."]
He knew that sooner or later, they'd have to talk about this.
[- "Are you sure you want to discuss this over the phone?"]
[- "I'm not sure I could do this face to face, after what we did,"] confessed the black-haired girl.
Ryuen didn't waste any time throwing one of his provocations.
"So, they can have sex all night and afternoon, but they're too shy to talk about their relationship face-to-face? This is hilarious!"
Ryuen's loud, mocking laugh echoed through the room, drawing everyone's attention. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed behind his head, savoring every second of the tension he had created.
Horikita froze for a moment. Then her face turned as red as a pepper, her narrowed eyes glowing with anger and embarrassment. She turned to Ryuen with restrained fury.
"Shut up, Ryuen! What happens between me and Ayanokouji in the future is none of your business! Especially when it involves stuff like that!"
But Ryuen, as always, wasn't easily intimidated. He laughed again, shaking his head as if the situation was the funniest thing in the world.
"Ah, Suzune, don't get so mad. After all, you clearly enjoyed spending so much time with him in the future, right? So why be embarrassed to talk about this kind of stuff with him?"
Before Horikita could react, Ichika joined the conversation with a mischievous smile on her lips.
"Horikita-senpai, relax. After all, if you've already gone through all of that in the future, what's the problem with talking about it now? I bet your future self will get used to talking about it too."
Horikita's face, which was already red, seemed to reach a new level of color. She opened her mouth to respond but simply couldn't find the words.
Sakayanagi delicately placed her hand over her lips, laughing softly.
"Who would have thought that Horikita-san, the most reserved girl at school who seemed to care nothing about romance, would get so shy about a relationship? Truly, it's an adorable side of her."
Ichinose, who was beside her, crossed her arms and rolled her eyes in jealousy.
"Oh, so this is how things will be in the future? Sleeping together and then she gets embarrassed to talk to him? This is ridiculous. I'd never be like that, it's unfair, he deserves someone better than her."
Nanase, who had been silent until then, blushed violently. She tried to look away but ended up murmuring softly.
"I still turn red just thinking about those scenes..."
Horikita finally gathered the strength to speak, but instead of facing Ryuen or Ichika, she looked directly at Ayanokouji with a pleading expression.
Her gaze seemed to say: "Please, get me out of this situation before I explode with anger and embarrassment."
Ayanokouji immediately noticed. He calmly sighed and, with his usual composure and coldness, intervened.
"You're all exaggerating," he said, his voice firm and controlled. "What happens in the future between me and Suzune is our business, and no one here has the right to interfere, especially when it happens in the future. Right now, nothing is happening between me and Suzune, so talking about it now would be disrespectful and pointless provocation."
The room fell silent for a moment. Ryuen stopped laughing, though he still had a provocative smile on his lips. Ichika shook her head but said nothing more. Sakayanagi just continued smiling enigmatically.
Horikita let out a sigh of relief so discreet that only Ayanokouji noticed.
"Thank you," she murmured quietly, not looking directly at him.
Ayanokouji gave a small nod, signaling that she didn't need to worry.
But Ichinose couldn't let it go. She looked at Ayanokouji, her eyes gleaming with a mix of jealousy and frustration.
"Sure, sure... always Suzune, always protecting her, just like in that damn exam when he did that," she murmured to herself.
[- "Tell me, Kiyotaka, what kind of relationship do we have now?"]
[- "We definitely aren't just friends, right?"]
[- "I want you to know I'd never do... this kind of thing with anyone."]
[- "Does that mean I'm special to you, Suzune?"]
[- "I don't like this arrogant attitude of yours, Kiyotaka... but you're not completely wrong."]
As the screen showed Suzune admitting that Kiyotaka was special to her, the atmosphere in the room grew tense, but full of expectation. Horikita's declaration in the future was unexpected, and she herself seemed surprised to hear her words. Her face immediately turned red, a color that only deepened as all eyes turned to her.
Horikita tried to turn her face away, but Ayanokouji noticed her discomfort. He looked at her with his usual calm and controlled expression, but inside, he couldn't help but smile. That subtle confession in the future was something he'd always wanted to hear, and hearing Suzune admit it out loud brought a feeling of happiness inside him.
"So... I'm special to you, Suzune?" he teased, directing his gaze at Suzune, who was looking at the screen.
Horikita suddenly turned to him, her eyes shining with a mixture of shame and controlled anger.
"Shut up, Kiyotaka!" she whispered, clearly trying to keep her voice low so the others wouldn't hear, but failing miserably. She reached out and gave him a light punch on the arm. Obviously, Ayanokouji didn't move, the punch was harmless, she didn't even use any strength for it.
Ryuen, always quick to seize any opportunity for provocation, let out a loud laugh.
"Wow, Suzune, looks like in the future you finally stopped being so cold and opened up to Ayanokouji, huh?" He leaned forward, eyes shining with amusement. "I guess that means you two are almost at the altar!"
Horikita turned even redder, imagining herself marrying Kiyotaka, but before she could respond, Ichika joined in with a mischievous smile.
"Suzune-senpai, you're being really honest in the future, huh? I never imagined we'd hear something like that from you."
Suzune bit her lip, clearly frustrated and speechless. She just turned her face away, refusing to look at Ryuen or Ichika. However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't deny to herself what she felt. Ayanokouji really was special to her, and that was something that wouldn't change.
Ichinose, who was farther away, crossed her arms and frowned. Jealousy burned in her chest.
"If Horikita really loved Kiyotaka, she wouldn't have a problem saying it face-to-face," Ichinose thought angrily. "But she can only say those things over the phone? Ridiculous."
Nanase, on the other hand, was blushing up to her ears. She had found the scene on the screen cute, but at the same time, she couldn't deny that she also felt a pang of jealousy.
"This is... cute, but I wish I could have said it," she murmured to herself, trying to avoid anyone's gaze.
Ichika, who seemed to notice everything, leaned toward Nanase with a smile full of teasing intent.
"Nanase-chan, are you jealous? Or do you want to be the next to confess to Ayanokouji-senpai?"
Nanase quickly turned her face away, her blush intensifying.
"D-Don't be stupid, Ichika," she whispered, trying to control her trembling voice. "Don't say that near Kei-senpai or Suzune-senpai!"
Meanwhile, Kei was sitting in the corner of the room, absentmindedly fiddling with a Nintendo 3DS that Ryota had given her. She preferred to isolate herself at that moment, even pushing Sato, who usually stayed by her side at times like this. She was enjoying finding something to pass the time with on the device.
Suzune, on the other hand, was lost in her own thoughts. Her confession in the future was clear, and now, knowing what she felt, it was hard to deny. But admitting it to others was a whole different territory. Why did Kiyotaka have to be so impossibly perfect, sexy, and gentle at the same time?
Ayanokouji noticed Horikita's silent gaze and, with his typical calm, simply spoke:
"You all should stop making so much noise about this. Suzune's future self just said what she felt. There's nothing more to it."
But the truth was, internally, he felt a strange sense of happiness after hearing that and wanted to hear it again.
[- "It's been a while since I started suspecting I had some special feelings for you, and after what we did, I confirmed it."]
Those words made the brown-haired boy happier than he could express at that moment. However, his joy didn't last long.
[- "Even so, I'm not sure I'm ready for a relationship,"] the girl with black hair said.
As the screen displayed Suzune's words in the future, saying she wasn't ready for a relationship, there was a wave of tension and quiet murmurs throughout the room. Many students had to hold back their laughter, but Ryuen, as always, made no effort to hide it. He let out a loud, provocative laugh.
"So you two spend the night together and then, the next day, she backs out? Damn, Ayanokouji, that one hurt!"
Ayanokouji remained with his serene expression, but inside, he felt his joy evaporate. His thoughts grew dark, and a phrase echoed in his mind: "My joy is dead, and my day is ruined." He knew Suzune had her reasons, but he couldn't deny that those words affected him.
Suzune, on the other hand, sighed lightly. That was the right thing to say. But then, why did she feel a weight in her chest? Why did it feel like she was about to cry, even though she knew that distancing herself was the right thing? She was anguished. Why do I feel like I should be by his side? Why am I wishing for something I've denied?
Ichinose, always trying to maintain her calm demeanor, smiled softly and commented:
"I think Horikita-san still doesn't fully understand her feelings. If she doesn't think she's ready for a relationship, we have to respect that."
Sato, Nene Mori, and Shinohara nodded, agreeing with Ichinose. They seemed to understand Suzune's point of view, but Ichinose's thoughts were far from being so understanding.
What the hell is this? Ichinose thought, clenching her fists under the table. She has the nerve to sleep with Kiyotaka and then, the next day, say she's not ready? Does she think he's a toy that can be used whenever she wants? Who does she think she is?!
Nanase also couldn't hide her irritation. Disguising her feelings as much as she could, she murmured:
Inside, however, she was furious. Ayanokouji-senpai clearly wanted to be with her, and she said that? Many girls would give anything to hear something like that from him!
Ichika, who usually limited herself to teasing Suzune in a light and playful manner, acted differently this time. Smiling more coldly, she launched a direct provocation:
— "You know, Horikita-senpai, maybe you should stop playing with other people's feelings, especially involving Ayanokouji-senpai. Maybe next time, you'll think twice before acting since you don't seem happy with this decision either."
Ichika's words were full of intent, and Suzune, already feeling terrible, lowered her head. She couldn't argue, not even defend herself. Her future words were etched in her mind, and the weight of decisions not yet made seemed to crush her.
Ayanokouji, seeing Suzune shrink into herself, intervened with his calm and firm voice:
— "Ichika, that's enough. Leave Horikita alone. This is her decision, and no one has the right to force her into anything."
Ichika rolled her eyes, clearly irritated at being reprimanded, and turned her attention back to the screen. But Suzune, who should have felt relieved that Ayanokouji had defended her, felt her heart tighten even more.
He had called her "Horikita." Throughout the entire display, he had used her first name, Suzune, something rare and intimately special. But now, he had reverted to her last name, and that hurt deeply. It was as if an invisible barrier had been raised between them again.
Suzune clenched her hands, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall. Even though she knew it was just a future projection, the feelings she was experiencing were very real. I really pushed him away... didn't I?
[- "That's a bit unfair, Suzune. After coming to my room yesterday with clear intentions, now you're trying to backtrack?"]
[- "Don't get me wrong, I'd be more than happy to be with you. However, you're still in a relationship with Karuizawa-san, and if you suddenly started dating me, our reputations would plummet, not to mention the class unity would be severely affected."]
Ayanokouji looked at the screen, eyes fixed on his future self. He sighed softly. Horikita's reasoning made sense. She was worried about social implications and class unity, something that couldn't be ignored. However, what bothered him the most wasn't the logic behind the words but the emotional weight they carried. Even being rational didn't make the situation any easier to accept.
Horikita, sitting beside him, was equally uncomfortable. She understood the feelings of her future self. She knew her other version was trying to protect herself and Ayanokouji from social consequences. But that didn't make the pain in her chest any less intense. She lowered her eyes, struggling against the weight of that feeling.
— "I don't want to feel this," she thought, her hands trembling slightly over her knees. "I don't want this pain. I want to do things differently. But how?"
On the other side of the room, Sato rolled her eyes at Horikita's words on the screen.
— "What a joke. She had the audacity to sleep with my best friend's boyfriend and now she's worried about reputation? That should've been thought about before getting into bed with him," she muttered, crossing her arms.
Nene Mori and Shinohara exchanged glances but said nothing. The atmosphere was too tense for unnecessary comments from unnecessary and useless people.
Ichinose, although usually friendly and sympathetic, was furious inside. Her calm expression hid her true frustration.
— "If she really loved Kiyotaka," she thought, clenching her fists under the table, "she shouldn't care about others' opinions. She should only care about what she feels. This 'reputation' excuse is ridiculous."
Ichika, always observant, noticed the tension on Ichinose's face but didn't comment. However, she seemed interested in how things would unfold.
Kei, sitting in the corner, was smiling slightly while looking at something on her Nintendo. She wore headphones, making it seem like she was just playing to distract herself. But something in her expression suggested it wasn't just any game. There seemed to be silent satisfaction in her eyes, something no one could fully understand.
Nanase, observing everything from her seat, felt conflicted. On one hand, she sympathized with Horikita's feelings, but on the other, she couldn't ignore the frustration she felt for not being in the black-haired girl's position.
Ayanokouji noticed Horikita's unease and, with a subtle movement, placed his hand on the table, close enough for her to notice his presence without being too obvious to others. Horikita looked at him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of sadness and confusion.
— "Relax, this hasn't happened yet, so don't worry about something that hasn't even happened yet. Remember, we're just seeing a possibility of our future. Everything we're seeing can be changed," he murmured, low enough for only her to hear.
Horikita blushed slightly and looked away, but the gesture didn't go unnoticed by Ryuen, who immediately flashed a mischievous smile.
— "Here we go again," Ryuen teased. "Looks like even here in the present, you two are already rehearsing for the future."
Horikita rolled her eyes but didn't react explosively this time. Something about Ayanokouji's gesture had calmed the storm within her, even if just for a moment.
[- "So, you want us to forget what happened and move on as if nothing happened?"] Her irritation was evident.
[- "I'm telling you, that's not the case!"]
[- "I don't regret what we did. I don't want you to think that, not even for a second."]
[- "Then what do you want, Horikita?"]
[- "Stop... please, don't call me by my last name... don't sound so distant,"] she said, her voice full of emotion.
[- "Then tell me, what do you want, Suzune?"]
[- "..."]
[- "Do you just want a purely physical relationship?"]
Horikita froze in her chair at hearing the words on the screen. Her heart raced, and her face turned deeply red. The future version had taken the situation to that point, and now Kiyotaka was questioning what she really wanted from him. The words echoed in her mind, leaving her restless.
"Why would I say that?" she mentally berated herself. "I don't just want that... I want more! Something that can't even be summed up in words!" She felt growing anger at herself. It was as if she was being forced to face something she preferred to ignore.
Ayanokouji remained serene, but internally, he too was troubled. He didn't want to be just "a friend with benefits" to Horikita. But at the same time, he knew anything would be better than nothing.
The heavy silence was broken by loud laughter.
— "Wow, this is getting good," Ryuen mocked. — "So, Horikita, seems like you just want to be Kiyotaka's special friend, huh? Or is it something more?"
— "Shut up, Ryuen!" Horikita exploded, her face even redder. Her emotions were at the surface, and his provocation was the last thing she needed.
Ichika, taking advantage of the moment, smiled mischievously. — "Wow, Horikita-senpai, didn't know you had this bold side. You should be more honest with yourself."
— "This... is none of your business!" Horikita responded, but the insecurity in her voice betrayed her.
Ichinose, sitting a little further away, rolled her eyes. "If she really wanted something with him, she would have been clear by now." Although she kept smiling, inside she was seething.
Ichinose, sitting a little further away, rolled her eyes. "If she really wanted something with him, she would have made it clear by now." Though she kept smiling, she was silently seething inside.
Nanase, on the other hand, seemed more concerned. Those provocations were hurting Horikita, and she didn't think it was fair.
— "Ichika-san, that's enough," Nanase said gently. — "We don't need to pressure Horikita-senpai like this."
Ryuen just laughed louder, completely ignoring the warning. — "Why stop? It's fun to watch Horikita blow up."
At that moment, Ayanokouji decided to intervene. He spoke with a calmness that cut through the air like a knife.
— "What happens in the future was a decision made by me and Suzune from that timeline," he said, looking directly at Ryuen and Ichika. — "It has nothing to do with our current versions. So leave her alone."
Ayanokouji's words resonated in the room. Ryuen raised his hands in a surrendering gesture, still wearing a mocking grin.
Ichika also rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the screen, though a flicker of irritation remained in her eyes.
Horikita felt relief wash over her. But what made her feel even more emotional was hearing Ayanokouji call her Suzune again. She nearly cried from the relief.
"He called me Suzune..." she thought, feeling a mix of emotions. "I don't want him to ever call me Horikita again. Never. Just Suzune. Or..." She blushed even more. "Or love... but that's not the point right now... yeah, not the point right now."
She sighed inwardly, feeling her heart finally calm from the anxiety, but still racing from the embarrassment.
She was scared... the mere thought of falling in love terrified the girl with black hair. She knew that was the one thing she should avoid. Still, she couldn't deny that she longed to feel the boy with brown hair again.
[- "Would this bother you?"]
Ryuen normally would have burst into laughter upon hearing the phrase on the screen, but this time, he was incredulous.
— "Does she really think she's not in love with Ayanokouji?" Ryuen shook his head. — "Even I, who don't care about this romance stuff, can see it."
Ichika laughed loudly. — "Ah, Horikita-senpai, you're slower than I imagined. I mean, look at you now!"
Ayanokouji watched the screen with his usual expression, but his thoughts were a whirlwind. He wasn't exactly a relationship expert, so he couldn't blame Suzune for not fully understanding her own feelings. For both of them, it was uncharted and complicated territory.
Ichinose maintained a serene smile, but inside she was boiling. "She really had the nerve to sleep with Kiyotaka without even knowing if she loves him? What was she thinking?!"
Sakayanagi, on the other hand, chuckled softly, reflecting. — "Horikita-san is more like Kiyotaka-kun than I imagined. They both have an impressive ability to ignore their own emotions."
Horikita lowered her head, deeply embarrassed. Watching her own actions on the screen was a painful experience. Seeing the decisions and words of her future self, she began to see her own feelings more clearly. "By the actions of my future self... it's obvious. I qualify as someone in love."
But that only intensified her anger and shame. "How did I not realize it before? I love Kiyotaka. I love Ayanokouji Kiyotaka... and my future self is wasting that out of fear and ignorance." Her fists clenched in frustration.
Ayanokouji noticed the movement. Calmly, without drawing attention, he extended his hand and held Suzune's under the table. The touch was firm, but comforting.
Horikita looked at him, blushing lightly, but unable to look away. Ayanokouji, however, kept his eyes on the screen, pretending to observe the next scene. Still, the message was clear: "I already said, this is just a possibility of a future. Don't get mad at yourself for something your current version didn't do."
Suzune took a deep breath. The warmth of Ayanokouji's hand conveyed a sense of peace. She was still grappling with her feelings, but at that moment, everything seemed a little less heavy.
In response to the bold question, the boy with brown hair felt a sharp pang in his chest, but still answered.
[- "...I won't deny my disappointment, but if this is what you want, I won't oppose it."] The girl with black hair felt her heart tighten upon hearing that the boy with brown hair wanted something more with her. Deep down, she wanted the same. However, she knew this was the right thing to do—she couldn't allow herself to fall in love with him, not with someone as relentless as he was.
Ryuen laughed loudly, seizing the moment to provoke:
— "This is the weight of being a bastard, Ayanokouji. Your own coldness is biting you back."
Kushida, sitting next to Horikita, masked her expression well, but couldn't help a small smile of amusement as she subtly glanced at Ayanokouji.
Ichinose rolled her eyes and squeezed her hand, she loved Kiyotaka and had firsthand experienced his cruel and relentless side, and still loved him without stopping, and now Horikita was getting his attention and love and wasting it over something so insignificant, it was deeply irritating her.
Mako-chan gently placed a hand on her friend's shoulder, noticing that Ichinose was not happy with this.
Ayanokouji kept his neutral expression, but internally he thought: "So this is it... consequence of my past actions. The punishment isn't that strong, huh, god?"
He felt he should release Horikita's hand to avoid drawing attention, but when he tried, Horikita tightened her grip even more.
She couldn't put her feelings into words, but was determined to show them in the only way she could at the moment. "Don't let go... don't mind what my future self is saying. This isn't what I want right now."
Ayanokouji understood the silent message and gave a slight nod, keeping the handhold. It was a simple gesture, but one full of meaning.
Horikita blushed lightly. A subtle but comforting warmth filled her chest, making her happy from that small contact.
But Ichika didn't miss the opportunity to notice. With a mischievous smile, she teased:
— "Hey, Horikita-senpai, why the flushed face? Did something special happen?"
Horikita froze for a moment, quickly glancing at their still-joined hands. Her face turned even redder.
— "N-nothing..." she tried to divert, turning her face to the screen, but her trembling voice betrayed her nervousness.
Ichika laughed softly. — "I see, I see. Nothing at all. Sure."
— "Isn't it something, Suzune-san?" — Kushida asked with a smile next to Horikita, lightly teasing her.
— "Shut up, Kushida! It was much better when you were silent!" — Horikita whispered, blushing.
Ayanokouji continued staring ahead, pretending to be oblivious to the conversation. Still, the gentle squeeze of his hand conveyed the same message as before: "Don't worry. I'm here."
[- "If that's all, see you tomorrow."] His tone still carried irritation as he bid farewell.
[- "Good night, Kiyotaka-kun. Sleep well."]
Without another word, he hung up. Horikita knew that was the right decision, but why did her chest hurt so much? She knew she had feelings for him, but didn't want to admit it. She thought maybe it was just hormones, and after a few encounters, it would pass. But after the recent encounter, all she could do was solidify those feelings. Even so, she remained firm in her resolve.
— "I won't fall in love with him," she vowed.
And to think she had promised herself never to lie to herself again.
Horikita stared at the screen, her eyes narrowed and her face flushed, full of thoughts she could barely control: "You're already in love with him, you idiot!"
She clenched her hands in her lap, frustrated with herself. Every word from her future self was an annoying reminder that she hadn't been able to understand her own feelings. "I really only realized what I felt for him by watching this damn screen?"
Ayanokouji watched the screen with his usual calm, but internally he was processing everything. He understood the anger and frustration of his future self. It was fascinating to see how his emotions had evolved because of Suzune — anger, desire, frustration, possessiveness, and love, all mixed together. Even here, in the reaction room, he had already experienced new emotions because of her. Horikita Suzune was, without a doubt, unique in his life.
Ryuen let out a provocative laugh. — "Seriously, Suzune, your future self is way too innocent. Who doesn't realize they're in love with Ayanokouji after all this?"
Ichika also laughed at the provocation. — "I agree. It's almost cute how oblivious she is."
Horikita sighed heavily, diverting her gaze. She wanted to retort, but couldn't. Part of her was as angry with her future self as the others were.
Ichinose rolled her eyes again, something she was doing automatically every time she saw Horikita's future self. — "I've lost count of how many times I've had to watch this and see her being so dense."
Kushida, with her mischievous smile, seized the moment. — "Maybe future Horikita just doesn't want to admit it because she's scared? Who knew even our Suzune-san had a shy side."
— "Shut up, Kushida," Horikita murmured, her face as red as it could get.
Ayanokouji, without changing his neutral expression, gently squeezed Horikita's hand for a brief moment before releasing it. The message was clear: "Don't let them affect you."
Horikita sighed inwardly. No matter how angry she was with what she was seeing, just his touch was enough to calm her down. And, deep down, she knew — whatever happened, she wanted Ayanokouji Kiyotaka to always be by her side.
And then the screen went black.
The screen finally went dark, signaling the end of the first chapter of that timeline. The theater fell silent, and Ryota stood up slowly, with his usual enigmatic smile. He snapped his fingers, and the large doors of the theater opened again, just as they had during the previous intermission.
— "You'll have a two-hour break this time," Ryota announced, looking at everyone with a satisfied expression. "You'll need it. That was the end of the first chapter. We still have four more to watch."
The students breathed a sigh of relief, but the emotional weight of the scenes they'd witnessed still hung in the air. Each of them reacted differently, but they were all clearly affected.
Kei was the first to leave again. However, unlike the previous break, this time she had a light smile on her lips. She was holding the Nintendo Ryota had given her earlier, and without a word, she walked directly to the room.
Soon after, Ryuen stood up, accompanied by Ibuki, Ishizaki, and Albert. Ryuen, as usual, cast a provocative glance at everyone around him, but no one reacted this time. They were emotionally drained.
Ichinose, with Mako-chan by her side, walked in silence. Her expression was calm, but those who knew her well could see a certain tension in her eyes. She had processed every detail of the scenes and still didn't know how to deal with everything she'd seen.
Sakayanagi and Kamuro also left together. Sakayanagi kept her usual smile, but there was something different in her eyes. It seemed even she was reflecting on what she'd witnessed.
Finally, Ayanokouji and Horikita were the last to leave. They walked side by side, in silence. It was as if both knew they didn't need words at that moment. The silence was more than enough to express the whirlwind of emotions they were feeling.
In the hallway, Ayanokouji suddenly stopped. Horikita felt a gentle tug on her wrist before realizing he was guiding her into his room.
Horikita's heart raced at the unexpected gesture. Once inside, Ayanokouji softly closed the door behind them. The room was simple, but the tension between them made the atmosphere almost suffocating.
— "We need to talk," Ayanokouji said, looking directly at her.
Horikita, still surprised and blushing, nodded timidly.
— "Yes, we do."
For a few moments, silence reigned again. But it wasn't an empty silence; it was charged with emotions and expectations. Horikita finally gathered the courage to speak.
— "It was hard to see that," she admitted. "I saw myself so lost… so confused about my feelings. And the worst part is that now, looking from the outside, everything seems obvious. I was in love the whole time and couldn't even admit it to myself."
Ayanokouji listened silently, his eyes fixed on hers.
— "I understand how you feel," he responded calmly. "It was uncomfortable for me too. But what we saw isn't a sentence. It's just one possible future."
Horikita felt her eyes fill with tears. It was hard to admit how frustrated she was with her own actions in the future. But at the same time, she felt a strange sense of relief at finally being able to talk about it.
— "I don't want you to call me Horikita," she said suddenly.
Ayanokouji raised an eyebrow, surprised.
— "Why?"
— "Because when you call me Horikita, it feels like there's a barrier between us. I don't want that. I want you to call me Suzune."
He remained silent for a few moments, processing her words. Then, to Horikita's surprise, he gave a soft smile.
— "Understood, Suzune."
Her heart raced upon hearing him say her name that way. It was the second time she'd seen his smile off the screens, and, like the first time, it was enough to make her feel on cloud nine. Without thinking twice, she gave him a soft smile in return.
They were still holding hands, and Horikita felt a sudden impulse. Without letting go of his hand, she slowly moved closer to Ayanokouji. He understood what she wanted and, without hesitation, wrapped her in a gentle hug.
Horikita closed her eyes, relaxing in his arms. The warmth and sense of security he conveyed were exactly what she wanted. All her insecurities and fears disappeared at that moment. All that mattered was the perfect feeling of being in his arms.
After a few seconds, she looked up and met his gaze. Their hearts beat in unison. Without further hesitation, she leaned in and kissed him, finally fulfilling something she had wanted to do for a long time.
Surprisingly, Ayanokouji kissed her back. His hands gently slid to her waist, while Horikita wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. Unlike what had happened on the screen, this kiss wasn't driven by lust, anger, or frustration. It was a pure kiss, full of emotion and sincerity.
In the heat of the moment, Ayanokouji lost his balance and fell backward onto the bed. Horikita, who was on top of him, blushed slightly but couldn't hold back a soft smile.
Ayanokouji observed her silently, and Horikita leaned slightly forward, still with her arms around his neck.
They stayed like that for a few moments, the world around them completely disappearing. No words were needed. Just the comfortable silence and each other's presence.
Ayanokouji lay on the bed, Horikita on top of him, both gazing at each other with a mix of affection and acceptance. The doors to the future were still uncertain, but at least at that moment, everything was exactly as it should be.
End of Chapter 1 complete.