A Liquid Inspiration
Summary: (A re-telling of Classroom of the Elite sparked by a certain conversation between Masterpiece and Professor.)
One day, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka receives a surprising invitation from his father, Ayanokouji Atsuomi, to join him for a drink. It was unusual for Kiyotaka, who normally wouldn't be summoned by his father without a hidden agenda.
That's why even the emotionless Kiyotaka was surprised when his father began to open up about his own experiences with love and relationships.
For the emotionally distant "masterpiece," this conversation is a rare moment of connection with his father, and it sparked a curiosity within him to explore the world of human relationships, to be more specific: romance and intimacy.
It was that spark that pushed Kiyotaka to demand something from his father:
"Father, teach me everything about human relationships."
This then begins a ripple that changes how Ayanokouji Kiyotaka would approach the world in the foreseeable future.
Do check out this fic on Wattpad. It has the same title and content, but we do have illustrations there to increase immersion for the fic. Thanks, and here's the chapter!
Vol 2. Chapter 5 - Allies, Introspections, and Friendships
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka
The next day, at lunchtime, I was back on the rooftop with Chabashira-sensei. This time, she called me out here for us to talk about the upcoming trial with Class D.
Chabashira-sensei had been plenty helpful over the past three days, as she gave me a heads-up about Sakagami-sensei's move to appeal for a trial proceeding to be conducted, provided me with information on how these trials generally worked, and she also gave her word to overlook certain infractions from yesterday— not really overlook, as I paid her private points to delete said footages, but hey, it still counts.
I was, of course, talking about the time yesterday when I intentionally riled up Horikita to rope her into my scheme.
Using your phones during classes was a violation, after all.
"Quite the interesting plan you got there, Ayanokōji," Chabashira-sensei said, chuckling. "So you're intentionally removing yourself from the case to rile up that Ryūen kid? Heh... to psych him out, do you really think he won't give up?"
A rhetorical question, if ever there was one.
I simply shrugged, the wind picking up a strand of my hair. "I don't think he'll easily give up, sensei. I'm pretty sure that guy is just planning to minimize his losses and then wait for the perfect moment to strike again," I said, my words floating into the still air between us. "So I might as well make him think that I think nothing of him just to mess with him."
"Besides," I added, my gaze drifting to the distant, slow-moving clouds before once again meeting Chabashira-sensei's gaze," Horikita and Chiaki are more than capable of winning the case for our class. There's no need for me to make a show."
Chabashira-sensei chuckled, but her eyes held a different kind of spark. "That's a gamble, Ayanokōji. Horikita and Matsushita are talented, but they're not you."
"Ah, you misunderstand, sensei," I replied. "I wasn't saying I will take my hands off in this case. I'm just making it look like I took my hands off. The two of them are working under my directive, and they're capable enough of pulling off what I had in mind."
Chabashira-sensei raised an eyebrow at my response. "You're speaking as if you already saw through what Class D would do," she pointed out.
"Hmm... I wonder. Do you think I've already seen through them, sensei?" I asked, sparing the brown-haired woman a glance.
Chabashira-sensei crossed her arms and took a moment to appraise me. Her gaze was piercing, but her expression was unreadable. "After everything you've shown yourself to be capable of?" she asked, her words tinged with amusement. "I wouldn't put it past you."
I merely shrugged in response. "Perhaps," I said cryptically, a small smirk tugging at my lips. "Or perhaps not. But the fact remains that I can guarantee victory for our class here, sensei."
With a smirk still hanging on my lips, I leaned back against the cool metal railings of the rooftop, my gaze drifting away from Chabashira-sensei and toward the sprawling vista of the school below.
"As usual, you sound very confident, Ayanokōji. And how exactly do you intend to 'guarantee' this victory?" she asked, the amusement in her tone clear.
"Now that would be telling, sensei," I cheekily replied.
Although Chabashira and I were allies, for the most part, I believed that it would be for the best if I kept my cards hidden just yet.
It wouldn't do us good if Sakagami-sensei or anyone else, for that matter, picked up on the fact that I had been conniving with my homeroom adviser. After all, the faculty are supposed to be neutral players in cases like these.
In fact, the main reason why I had even been consulting with Chabashira-sensei was that she let out the information that Sakagami-sensei was someone who acts in a way that bypasses the traditional boundaries of an educator.
From what she had revealed, Sakagami Kazuma was someone who would unashamedly help out his students if that meant ascending to a higher class.
So I was simply evening the odds by enlisting the help of my homeroom teacher... although it was already lopsided in our favor.
Chabashira-sensei watched me with a thoughtful expression, taking in my sly smile and nonchalant demeanor. "Hah! To think you'd be bold enough to keep your plans hidden even from me," Chabashira-sensei commented, her voice tinged with amusement.
"It's always about balance with you, isn't it?" she mused, crossing her arms over her chest.
"In a way, yes," I responded, my gaze returning to her. "A balanced world is a fair one, wouldn't you agree, sensei?"
She chuckled, shaking her head slightly. "Well, it's certainly an interesting viewpoint. Although I wonder if it's really balance you seek, or is it control?"
That comment made me pause. While it's true that I always endeavored to manipulate circumstances in my favor, the question is, was I really seeking control? I chose to keep that to myself, however, offering her a noncommittal shrug in response.
"Maybe a little bit of both, sensei," I replied casually, once again turning my gaze to the view of the school grounds below.
She observed me for a few moments longer before breaking the silence. "Whatever your motives are, I expect you to live up to your guarantee, Ayanokōji."
Her voice had taken on a more serious tone, and I turned to face her once again. "Of course, sensei. I won't let our class down."
A faint smile crossed her lips at my response. "Good. I'm looking forward to seeing your plan in action, Ayanokōji. Just make sure that you're not underestimating Ryūen. With everything you've shared, it's clear that boy is incredibly resourceful."
"Of course. Thank you for the reminder, sensei," I said, pushing off the railing and preparing to leave the rooftop. "I'll see you later in class."
As I descended the stairs, leaving Chabashira-sensei behind, my mind drifted to Ryūen. Chabashira-sensei was right in her assessment that Ryūen was as resourceful as they came. After all, only a few would even think of doing what Ryūen had done:
An elaborate scheme targeting a notable problematic student in our class, and in Ichinose's Class C, he also orchestrated a scheme that sought to sow discord in Ichinose's tight-knit class.
And while he had failed in both schemes, it would be ignorant to discredit him.
After all, both Class B and Class C withstood his assault because of one thing: luck.
But as Ryūen would soon find out, I was not one to let go of a golden opportunity.
5.1
Matsushita Chiaki
Today was Saturday, and for this afternoon, Kiyotaka-kun ordered me to convene with Horikita-san about our plans for the trial next Wednesday.
Honestly, there really was no need for this, but Kiyotaka-kun insisted.
And... who am I to say no to that persistent guy? The same persistent guy that I was also madly in love with.
That said, I couldn't help but inwardly sigh. After all, I was pretty much aware of why he even bothered pairing me up with Horikita-san— he wanted me to get along with her and understand the girl.
But that was pretty pointless, as I did like Horikita-san.
She was a smart girl and didn't like to waste time. In fact, I appreciated the fact that she was someone who didn't hesitate to voice out her opinion and the fact that she was one of our few classmates that had shown an actual drive to grow.
My reservations about her stemmed from a different source— Kiyotaka-kun's possible interest in her. I had made peace with potentially sharing him with Yuki-chan and Tsubasa-chan, assuming she would even accept such an arrangement.
But Horikita-san was one step too far.
I mean... would Kiyotaka-kun even be able to evenly love four girls?
In essence, that was the crux of my dissatisfaction, a gnawing worry that Kiyotaka-kun's attention might be stretched too thin— that I might be left with nothing but scraps of his love.
While that nagging thought replayed itself in my head, I soon found myself standing before Horikita-san's room.
Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself and knocked on the door. After a few seconds, the door opened, revealing the stern face of Horikita Suzune herself.
"Ah, Matsushita-san. Come in," she said without further preamble, stepping aside to let me in. Her room was as neat as I'd expected, almost minimalistic, a perfect mirror of her personality.
"If I didn't know better, I would have assumed that this was Kiyotaka-kun's room with how minimalistic it looks," I joked, my eyes roaming over every corner of her room.
"Ayanokōji-kun doesn't have much furniture in his room?" she asked, arching an eyebrow as she closed the door behind him. "I guess I should have expected that."
"Well, he used to not have any, but Yuki-chan and I talked him into getting more," I replied. "I mean, could you even imagine living in a room without any furniture at all?"
Horikita-san tilted her head in confusion. "Is there anything wrong with that? If it served an efficient purpose, then there should be no trouble with it."
"Efficiency is important, sure," I responded with a chuckle, "but comfort is equally essential, don't you think?"
She nodded, considering my words. "I suppose. But there's beauty in simplicity too," she countered, as she motioned for me to take a seat on her neat couch.
"Perhaps," I agreed, easing into the soft cushion, "But sometimes, the simple things can get a bit...boring, wouldn't you agree?"
Horikita-san frowned slightly, stirring her tea absentmindedly. "I believe it depends on one's perspective."
"It seems like you and Kiyotaka-kun are... more alike than you think, Horikita-san," I mused, glancing at the dark-haired girl, who seemed to get flustered upon hearing my words.
Ugh... why did I even joke about that?
And with how Horikita-san got flustered, it would seem that Yuki-chan was right— this girl had feelings for Kiyotaka-kun, or at the very least, admired him.
Alright, calm yourself, Chiaki. Being territorial and petty was Yuki-chan's domain, not yours.
"Well, that's a surprising comment," Horikita-san managed, after a moment, shaking off her discomfort. "Do you really think so?"
I glanced at the dark-haired girl whose gradient ruby eyes seemed to be filled with curiosity.
It was oddly cute.
"Maybe just in the preference of how your dorm rooms should look like. I doubt you enjoy teasing people as he does, Horikita-san," I giggled.
With a curt nod, Horikita-san agreed, "Yes, you're right. I'm not much for teasing."
"In fact, I'm even bothered by some of the things he would tease me with," Horikita-san continued, sighing as she did.
I arched an eyebrow upon hearing those words. By the looks of it, it would seem like Kiyotaka-kun liked teasing her... a lot.
"Really?" I asked, my interest piqued. "What kind of things does he tease you about?"
Horikita-san seemed to hesitate before finally speaking. "I... I don't think I should be sharing those with you, Matsushita-san."
She even stammered!
"Hold on, Horikita-san. We're girls here, aren't we?" I asked, nudging her lightly on the sides. "And as girls, I think we ought to talk about it!"
Horikita-san looked a bit taken aback, her eyes widening as she stared at me. But after a moment, she shook her head, her stern expression returning. "I see what you're doing, Matsushita-san, but I don't think I'll be able to humor you."
Just what the hell did you tease her with, Kiyotaka-kun?
The fact that she wouldn't even share it with me and that look of stunned realization on her face made it clear that her relationship with Kiyotaka-kun had deeper layers than I had initially thought.
Mou~! You better not have teased her about marrying you or something, you dummy Kiyotaka!
"Oh, that's fine! I can understand if you're uncomfortable sharing what exactly he would tease you about," I said, my voice gentle. "I just thought that it would be nice for us to chat casually before we get into business, you know?"
For a second, her face softened, and she let out a sigh. "I guess that's true, but I still don't think it's appropriate for us to talk about it."
I nodded understandingly, even though curiosity was eating at me. "Of course, I understand. We don't have to talk about anything you're uncomfortable with. Let's move on to the matter at hand then - the trial next Wednesday."
Horikita-san seemed to appreciate the shift in conversation as her body language relaxed, relief washing over her face. "Yes, that would be a better topic for us to tackle."
I would definitely need to have a long, long talk with Kiyotaka-kun after this.
But for now, I suppose I should get into business mode.
"I don't know if Kiyotaka-kun had briefed you about this already, but he had assigned me to gather information about the students of Class D, their habits, how they interact with each other, the existing cliques in their class, and how they had operated," I began, a serious expression appearing on my face.
"You did all that?" Horikita-san asked, sounding impressed at what I had revealed. "That's quite impressive, Matsushita-san."
If only Kiyotaka-kun and Chiaki-chan would react like this!
Those two would just tease me for being a stalker— which I was not— when I shared something like this.
"I did. Well, it wasn't just Class D, to be honest. Once Kiyotaka had figured out the S-System and how we were essentially pitted against the other classes, he asked me to keep tabs on the other classes," I replied, smiling at her. "It's just that this week, with Class D's attack on us, that I focused on gathering intel solely on them."
"May I ask what you have gathered about our targets, as well as their leader, Ryūen-kun?" she asked.
"Of course," I replied before opening my bag and taking out several pieces of paper which contained the profiles of Ishizaki Daichi, Komiya Kyogo, Kondo Reo, and Ryūen Kakeru.
"Here are their profiles," I said, laying them out on the table in front of her. "It's all neatly categorized, as you'll soon find out."
I then handed over another file, one labeled 'Class D', which held notes on each Class D student.
"This is... beyond my expectation. You've compiled quite a comprehensive report here," Horikita-san murmured, visibly impressed as she skimmed over the notes.
"Thank you, Horikita-san. I've tried my best," I responded, a wave of satisfaction washing over me. It felt good to have my work appreciated.
Horikita-san read on for a few more minutes before looking up, turning her head to me with a curious look appearing on her face. "Does Ayanokōji-kun already know about all this data?" She asked.
I nodded my head. "He and Yuki-chan are aware of these notes."
"Then..."
Horikita-san's voice trailed off as she seemed to be lost in thought. I watched her intently, waiting for her to continue her question.
After a brief moment of silence, she finally spoke up again, her voice filled with curiosity. "Then he must already have formulated an idea of how to go about this case. Why would he even need my help here?"
"Well, Kiyotaka-kun and Yuki-chan aren't allowed to interfere in the case since they're part of the Student Council," I replied, shrugging. "So he had to pick people who he could trust to handle this case in his stead."
That was the logical answer in my mind. But knowing Kiyotaka-kun, there was always another, much deeper goal that he was trying to achieve by involving Horikita-san with this scheme.
And then it hit me...
He made the call to include Horikita-san in our scheme to help her confront her demons, so to speak, one that was manifested in her supposed fear of her older brother, Horikita Manabu.
Now that I thought about it, Kiyotaka-kun had most likely controlled the conversation until he got to the point where he revealed that this trial would be presided over by Horikita Manabu himself, which then led to him questioning Horikita if she was up to the challenge.
"I won't back down just because nii-san will be there. I want to help the class," those were the words Horikita-san said that day, accepting the gauntlet sent by Kiyotaka-kun.
Just as expected, Kiyotaka-kun got exactly the situation that he wanted.
And as I turned my attention back to the dark-haired girl, I saw that she was lost in her own thoughts, her brows furrowed in deep concentration. It seemed like she was processing the information and contemplating her role in the upcoming trial.
"I suppose you're right, Matsushita-san," she finally spoke, sighing as she did. "But I am certain that Ayanokōji-kun had another hidden motive in mind, and with how calm you look, you must have figured it out already."
"And since you're asking me, you've probably suspected it yourself," I countered, giggling. "Kiyotaka-kun sure has an odd way of trying to help someone, doesn't he?"
Horikita-san blinked, looking a bit taken aback before letting out a sigh, her stern expression softening. "I guess he does," she admitted.
"But..." Horikita-san started, then hesitated. Her gaze flitted towards me as if waging an internal battle over whether or not to continue.
"But what, Horikita-san?" I prompted her, my curiosity piqued, a crackling anticipation buzzing in the air around us.
As Horikita-san decided to be quiet, seemingly lost in the intricate web of her thoughts, I decided to steer the ship myself.
"Do you feel like you're unprepared to face your brother on your own? Do you feel uncertain that you could face him and not panic?" I probed, the echo of my words filling the dusky room.
Seeing that vulnerable look on her face was something that I was sure I wasn't meant to see. And so, I felt a sense of responsibility to offer her my support.
With a quiet sigh, Horikita-san swept her gaze over the scattered profiles strewn across the polished mahogany table. "I..." she began, the murmur of her voice trailing off as she turned her dark eyes to me, letting loose another sigh that seemed to carry the weight of her worries.
"Kiyotaka-kun had already told me about what he had observed between you and your brother, you know?" I reminded her, the gentle cadence of my words seeping into the tension-laden air. "It's okay to be afraid, Horikita-san. But one of these days, you'll need to face your fears."
"Besides, you've already faced your brother a couple of months ago, right?" I pressed on, striving to infuse confidence into the chilly silence that had settled between us.
"Y-Yes... but that was only because... Ayanokōji-kun was there," she replied, the usual steel in her voice softened to a brittle tenderness. "Somehow... I felt like things would be fine as long as he was there."
"But next week... I'll be facing nii-san by myself. I'm not sure if I could even live up to Ayanokōji-kun's expectations of me," she confessed, each word resounding with an undertone of dread that spread through the room like a ripple.
"If that's what you think, then why did you even accept his proposal in the first place?" I challenged, offering her a reassuring smile as I leaned back on the couch.
"Because... I wanted to prove myself... to show myself that I now had the strength to face nii-san. I want to... make myself proud," she answered.
"And there you have it, Horikita-san," I replied, giggling. "There's your answer. Kiyotaka-kun probably pushed for you to do this because he already believes in you. So, don't worry about his expectations; worry about yours."
Horikita-san blinked at me in surprise before letting out a sigh. "I guess you're right...," she admitted quietly, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "I suppose I've been too focused on what nii-san or even Ayanokōji-kun might think that I've forgotten about what I want for myself."
And from what Kiyotaka-kun had told me, that had always been the case for Horikita Suzune.
She had always worried about what her older brother would think and had conformed to it and soon began to forget what Horikita Suzune actually wanted.
Well, her acknowledgment of her own desires wouldn't happen immediately, but she had shown that she was willing to take the steps, even if they frightened her.
And that was all that mattered.
"That's the spirit, Horikita-san," I said, a smile stretching across my face. "Now, let's get to work. We have a trial to win."
Horikita-san looked at me, and for a moment, I could see a glimmer of gratitude in her eyes. She then gave a small nod, her expression one of newfound resolve. "That's right. Let's get back to work, Matsushita-san."
And as we returned to work, my mind drifted back to Kiyotaka-kun. Had he anticipated that my meeting with Horikita-san would lead to a heart-to-heart talk of all things?
Who was I kidding... he had probably bet on it happening!
But still, my feelings haven't changed.
While I had come to respect Horikita-san more after seeing her resolve first-hand, I still disliked the idea of Kiyotaka-kun having feelings for her.
It was normal to feel this selfish, right?
5.2
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka
"Ha Ha Ha! I knew you'd see the light someday, Ayanokōji-boy! Truly magnificent! This news is worth canceling my lunch plans with four wonderful ladies!"
"What the hell are you even talking about, Kōenji?"
Today was Monday, and since Yuki and Chiaki had decided to have lunch with Karuizawa, Sato, Mori, and Wang, I invited Kōenji to accompany me for lunch.
Since there was no way Kōenji would spend lunch with me if beautiful senpais were waiting for him, I told him I had something very important to share with him— the conversation I had with Chiaki last week.
And now, I was starting to regret even inviting this guy for lunch.
"You told Stalker-girl that you would rather not pick between her and Psycho-girl, did you not?" He rhetorically asked, a smirk playing on his lips. "That simply meant that you are starting to accept the wonders of polygamy, Ayanokōji-boy."
"I think you're misunderstanding something, Kōenji," I replied, sighing as I looked at the smug face the blonde-haired boy was wearing. "Just because I didn't choose between them doesn't mean I'm considering... what you're suggesting."
"Oh, come now, Ayanokōji-boy," Kōenji said, chuckling. "Your modesty is admirable, but there's no need to be coy. What's wrong with appreciating the beauty and charm of more than one woman? As long as there is understanding and respect, I see no problem."
I took a deep breath, reminding myself that this was Kōenji I was talking to. Trying to argue with him would be as productive as trying to convince a cat not to chase a mouse.
"Kōenji," I responded, taking a moment to collect my thoughts, "Appreciating someone and considering a romantic relationship are two very different things. I think it's important not to conflate the two."
"But, Ayanokōji-boy," Kōenji rebutted, "Isn't that the same? When you admire the flowers, don't you want to take them home with you, to bask in their beauty at your leisure?"
I shook my head, recognizing the rabbit hole this conversation was leading us down. Trying to push Kōenji's idea of polygamy away was like pushing against a wall; it just wouldn't budge.
"You're really not giving up on this, are you?" I replied, a wry smile forming on my face.
Kōenji let out a hearty laugh, flipping his hair as he leaned back in his seat. "Ah, Ayanokōji-boy... once you've set your eyes on the horizon, it's simply impossible to look back at the ground. Don't you agree?"
"I guess that's one way to put it," I replied, finding a strange amusement in his unwavering enthusiasm. I took a sip from my drink, allowing the silence to settle between us. However, as expected, the quiet was short-lived.
"Ayanokōji-boy," Kōenji began, leaning forward on the table, a glint in his eyes. "With everything you've told me about your relationships with both Stalker-girl and Psycho-girl, I don't think it would even be possible for you to leave either of them behind."
"You said it yourself; you cannot stand the thought of Stalker-girl harboring feelings for another boy. That, itself, makes the choice simple, doesn't it?" He continued, meeting my gaze.
I sighed. While he did raise valid points, I found myself exasperated at how Kōenji always seemed to have an uncanny knack for turning even the most straightforward situations into philosophical dilemmas. "Kōenji, I think you're simplifying the situation a bit too much."
His laughter echoed through the cafeteria, causing a few heads to turn in our direction. "Perhaps, Ayanokōji-boy, perhaps," he responded, seeming entirely unperturbed by my rebuttal. "But the fact remains that you are clearly attracted to both of them... and maybe, not just the two of them."
My brow furrowed at his words, my mind running through the girls I knew. "What do you mean, 'not just the two of them?'"
"Ah, perhaps it was a hasty assumption, Ayanokōji-boy," he replied with a nonchalant wave of his hand. "I only wondered if there may be others you have developed feelings for, or at the very least, a sliver of interest for."
I couldn't help but find myself amused at Kōenji's theatrics. His flair for dramatics was, admittedly, entertaining. "Kōenji, you're jumping to conclusions again."
He chuckled, swirling the contents of his glass as he leaned back in his chair. "Aha, so you say, Ayanokōji-boy. But remember, I have a knack for noticing things people try to hide."
Despite myself, I found my curiosity piqued. "And what makes you think I'm hiding something, Kōenji?"
He shrugged, that infuriating smirk never leaving his face. "Call it intuition, or perhaps just the wisdom of experience. You seem too calm, too composed. But beneath that exterior, I can see a stirring in your eyes. A stirring that suggests... uncertainty?"
My lips pressed into a thin line. Despite his playful demeanor, there was an unexpected sharpness to Kōenji's words, a sharpness that I most likely needed to hear.
After all, Kōenji— although odd and roundabout in his approach— was someone who I could count on to provide me with insightful advice.
"And what do you suggest I do about this... uncertainty?" I asked, meeting his gaze squarely.
Kōenji placed his chin on his palm, seemingly lost in thought. "Hmm, what to do indeed," he muttered. "You're not like most boys, Ayanokōji-boy. You are not one to ignore these feelings and hope they go away."
He paused, his eyes gleaming with a mix of mischief and wisdom. "The way I see it, you're not uncertain about your feelings. You know exactly what you feel, but you do not know what to do with them."
I couldn't deny that he hit the nail on the head.
While I was uncertain whether these feelings I had for both Yuki and Chiaki were tantamount to love, what I did know was that I wanted them to continue standing by my side, to continue with the habits we had gotten accustomed to doing.
But that was where the problem lay.
I didn't know whether or not holding on to both of them was the right thing to do.
Kōenji leaned back in his chair, eyes gleaming in thought. "Well, Ayanokōji-boy, it seems you're at a crossroads," he said, steepling his fingers. "But as I've said to you numerous times, polygamy is the answer to your girl problems."
"Why bother with the drama of choosing when you can simply have everything that you want? Stalker-girl is more than willing to share you with Psycho-girl, and since they're best friends, they'll eventually figure things out. And so, I don't see any issues here," he added.
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Kōenji, your way of thinking is really... unique."
"Unique or not, Ayanokōji-boy," he countered, his smirk ever-present, "I'm just speaking the truth. If both of them are willing and you are willing, then why the hesitation?"
"Because it's not about what I want, Kōenji," I answered, leaning forward. "I care about them. They aren't objects that I can just 'have'."
Kōenji let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "And that, Ayanokōji-boy, is why you are in this predicament. You care too much. And while that's not a bad thing, you must understand that sometimes, in trying to prevent pain, you might actually be causing more of it."
The blonde-haired boy winked at some passing girls before he turned his attention back to me, an amused look evident on his face. "Ha Ha Ha! To think I would live to see the day to witness you sounding like a pretentious fool, Ayanokōji-boy! But I am glad that you have decided to share this with me for me to provide you with enlightenment. After all, it would be unsightly if the only other person I recognized as a fellow perfect existence would struggle at the mere chore of dealing with girls!"
As always, Kōenji's words were as irritatingly insightful as they were eccentric.
"Yes, Kōenji, your words of wisdom are always... enlightening," I said, finishing the rest of my lunch, though his statement left me with something to mull over.
"Ha! My wisdom is as clear as the pristine waters of a mountain stream, Ayanokōji-boy," he replied, eyes sparkling with amusement. "But it's good to see that you're thinking. And remember, as long as the parties involved are willing, happy, and aware of the circumstances, there should be no problem."
"Should be," I echoed, a note of skepticism in my voice. I wondered if things could be as simple as he made it out to be. Would it really be fair to Yuki and Chiaki? The thought of causing them distress bothered me, but it was a reality I might have to face eventually.
"Hmm, well, I suppose the only way to find out is to see for yourself," Kōenji said, pushing his empty plate away. "Just don't make the mistake of making decisions for them. They're not delicate flowers, Ayanokōji-boy. They can handle themselves."
"After all, I do not think delicate flowers would survive hanging around you for this long, Ayanokōji-boy. Ha Ha Ha!" He continued, a teasing smirk appearing on his face.
As Kōenji's words lingered in the air, a playful glint in his eyes, I couldn't help but sigh, even though I was accustomed to his playful banter.
The boy had a knack for light-hearted jabs, even though they sometimes went a bit too far.
And just as I was about to reply to the blonde-haired menace, my phone vibrated, signaling an incoming notification. Seeing Kōenji give me a silent nod, indicating that he didn't mind the interruption, I decided to grab my phone and unlock it, curiosity piqued by the message that awaited me.
I then glanced down at my phone's screen and found that it was a message notification from Ichinose. A sense of anticipation swelled within me as I quickly tapped on the message to read its contents.
[12:37:10 Ichinose Honami] Hey, Ayanokōji-kun, sorry to bother you, but are you free later after class?
[12:37:20] I am. What is this about, Ichinose?
[12:37:28] Oh, that's great news! Can you meet me at the school entrance after class?
[12:37:35] Did you just ignore my question?
[12:37:45 Ichinose Honami] Oh, I'm sorry! It's just that I think someone might confess to me later.
[12:37:50] I don't see the problem. What's up with that?
[12:37:59 Ichinose Honami] Well, I might need your help. Please, Ayanokōji-kun! I'll owe you for this, I promise.
She'll owe me, huh?
I suppose it wouldn't hurt to make a joke here.
[12:38:10] Then I'll be collecting the kiss that you withheld from me last month, Ichinose.
A few seconds passed before I received a reply, the anticipation causing a small smile to form on my face.
[12:38:20 Ichinose Honami] Wait, what?!
[12:38:28] I'm kidding, Ichinose. I'll see you later.
[12:38:33 Ichinose Honami] That was mean! But I'm glad you'll be there. See you after class!
"Who was that, Ayanokōji-boy?" Kōenji inquired, his interest piqued by my laughter at the message exchange. "Is it a new member of your growing harem? That should bring the number up to five now. Ha Ha Ha!"
"Ichinose Honami," I replied, glancing at the blonde-haired boy. "And what do you mean five, you idiot?"
He chuckled in response, a teasing grin on his face. "Ah, the class C beauty that the simpletons declare to be a match for Psycho-girl. Another fine choice, Ayanokōji-boy! Well, by my count, you've got Stalker-girl, Psycho-girl, Puppy-girl, that abrasive seatmate of yours, and now, her. Quite the formidable lineup!"
"It's not like that, Kōenji," I clarified, shaking my head in mild exasperation. "Ichinose just needed some help with something."
"Mm, yes, 'help'," Kōenji mused, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "And the fact that she singled you out for this 'help' is merely a coincidence, is it not? I find that hard to believe, Ayanokōji-boy."
His logic was as absurd as ever, but I suppose it was what made Kōenji... well, Kōenji.
"I'm simply helping a friend," I retorted, not wanting to fuel his baseless assumptions further. "Just because I interact with girls doesn't mean I'm starting a harem, Kōenji."
"Ha! That's where you're mistaken, Ayanokōji-boy," Kōenji retorted, his laughter echoing in the cafeteria. "What you call interaction, others might perceive as flirting."
"Kōenji, have I ever told you that you're a massive pain in the ass?" I replied, sighing.
"Far too many times that I can't be bothered to count! And with that, I would like to declare my victory over this banter, Ayanokōji-boy."
"You're an idiot."
Kōenji chuckled before he rose from his seat, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint. "Well, this has been an enlightening conversation, Ayanokōji-boy. But, alas, I must depart. I have a date with destiny," he said, winking at a group of passing girls.
"Destiny, huh?" I replied, a slight smile on my face. "Good luck with that, Kōenji."
He gave me a flamboyant wave, his laughter echoing throughout the cafeteria as he sauntered away. "Ha Ha Ha! Luck, Ayanokōji-boy, is for the weak! Until next time!"
5.3
Students overflowed through the school gates as they made their way back to the dormitories or wherever it was that they wanted to go. Ichinose didn't specify where exactly she would be waiting for me, but I was able to find her without issue. Even in this sea of students, Ichinose Honami stood out.
And while her beauty could have been one reason why she would stand out in a crowd, she also had the type of presence that dominated wherever she was.
To be honest, I didn't really know how to describe it. I could only describe it as an intoxicating, gentle power. A power that was amplified by how many of the first-year students recognized her.
It was similar to Yuki, now that I thought about it. Both of them were heralded as gentle, unattainable beauties among first-year students, and with their innate charisma, people gravitated toward them.
But while it might be interesting to observe Ichinose mingling with other students, I wasn't really keen on wasting ten minutes to call her myself.
"There you are, Ichinose," I called out, turning the attention of the students gathered around Ichinose to me.
"Oh, it's Vice President Ayanokōji," one of the students pointed out before sending me a smile.
"Do the two of you have work to do, Ichinose-san?"
"Or... they might even be going out for a date!"
"What? There's no way! Ayanokōji-kun and Tsubaki-san are an item, aren't they? No way that's happening."
"But they'd look good together, don't you think? Ichinose-san is tied with Tsubaki-san as the prettiest girl in our year, and Ayanokōji-kun is the Vice President... and did I forget to say he's handsome?"
As I listened to the whispers and speculations around us, I couldn't help but find the whole situation utterly ridiculous. People had a way of jumping to conclusions and creating wild fantasies in their heads based on the tiniest hint of information.
Turning my gaze towards Ichinose, I couldn't help but appreciate her composure. Instead of being embarrassed or flustered by the exaggerated assumptions, she simply giggled, clearly amused by the far-gone theories circulating among the students.
"Geez, you guys are silly! I'm not going on a date with Ayanokōji-kun. I simply asked him for a work-related favor," Ichinose interjected, skillfully diffusing the possibility of any rumors being set off.
Well, I suppose that should do the trick. It would be troublesome if Ichinose actually revealed that she asked me to help her out with a potential confession.
I waved at the students around us before looking at Ichinose. "Shall we get started, then?"
She nodded, flashing me a warm smile that temporarily melted the bustle and chatter of the surroundings into a serene atmosphere. "Sure, Ayanokōji-kun. Let's go."
As we walked through the sea of students, the rumors and comments still swirled around us. It was then that I realized that I still haven't fully understood the psychology of high school students, particularly about the flow and reason for gossip.
Despite Ichinose's skillful deflection, the mere act of the two of us walking side by side was enough to incite gossip.
"People sure like to talk, don't they?" I whispered to Ichinose. "Should we hold hands to mess with them?"
Ichinose's eyes widened at my suggestion, and a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. She seemed momentarily flustered, caught off guard by my teasing comment.
"A-Ayanokōji-kun!" she stammered, glancing around to see if anyone had overheard our conversation. "We shouldn't encourage more rumors. What would Yuki-chan even think?"
"Yuki would probably find it funny," I replied, shrugging. "You know that girl wouldn't be jealous of you, right? In her words, 'Honami-chan doesn't have the guts to try and steal you.' That's how assured she is."
"I now understand why Yuki-chan would say, 'I hate it when Kiyotaka is right.' You're really mean, Ayanokōji-kun," Ichinose replied, playfully glaring at me.
"Not as mean as you, Ichinose. I still remember what you did last month, you know?" I countered.
Ichinose let out a giggle, covering her mouth with her hand. "As if I would believe you were actually bothered by it. You said it yourself that you didn't think I would do it."
"And I also said it would be nice if you actually did," I replied, glancing at the pink-haired girl.
"If you want a kiss, just ask Yuki-chan," Ichinose quipped, her eyes dancing in amusement.
"I'll do that later," I replied.
With our conversation coming to a close, we continued walking, navigating through the crowd, until we arrived at a spot right behind the gymnasium. This did seem like the kind of place where someone would confess their feelings.
"Now then..." Ichinose took a deep breath and faced me. "As I told you over the phone, I think someone will confess their feelings to me here."
"Is that so? How sure are you about that?"
With that, Ichinose took out a letter and showed it to me. It was a cute love letter adorned with a heart sticker. Although she wanted me to read it, it felt rude to look. The handwriting was pretty, much like the letter's exterior, and the handwriting was cute, telling me that a girl had written this letter.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Ichinose was beautiful enough that even those of the same sex would be attracted to her.
That said, even though I felt it was rude to look over the letter, I couldn't help but take in certain details from the letter— and it wasn't by design; I simply have the ability to recall things even though my eyes simply passed by them.
I noticed that the meeting time and location were written in the letter. It was set for Monday afternoon at 4:00 PM, behind the gymnasium. That was about 15 minutes from now.
"So why do you need me to be here, Ichinose? Wouldn't it be better to face this on your own?"
"Love is kind of alien to me, so I don't know how to respond to the confession without hurting her feelings. That's why I want you to help me," she replied.
"Hmm? Are you saying you never got confessed to before? That should be the only reason you needed my help, right?" I asked. "But that's really weird. Someone like you should have been used to people confessing to you all the time."
That should be a normal conclusion to arrive at. Even I would admit that I found Ichinose incredibly beautiful, which should say something considering the beautiful girls I was constantly around.
Someone like Ichinose Honami should have gotten many confessions in the past, but somehow, it seemed like that wasn't the case.
"Huh?! N-no way. Not at all! I've never experienced this before," Ichinose replied, confirming my suspicions. "In fact, I really don't understand why this is happening at all."
"You're beautiful, Ichinose, and you also have a great personality. I don't understand why you would be shocked that someone would even confess to you," I replied, glancing at the girl.
Ichinose blushed at my compliment, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. "Thank you, Ayanokōji-kun. But sometimes, it's hard to see ourselves the way others see us."
She had a point there, so I simply nodded my head in understanding.
"That said, why me? I'm sure you have plenty of friends in Class C that could help you out," I asked. "And if not them, I'm pretty sure Yuki would be willing to help."
"Well... the person confessing to me... is from Class C," Ichinose replied. "And... I don't think asking Yuki-chan would be for the best."
Now... that was suspicious, Ichinose.
"Anyways, Ayanokōji-kun, I did some research and discovered that the rejected person hurts less if the object of their affection is already in a relationship..." she trailed off, her expression a mix of contemplation and uncertainty, as if carefully choosing her words.
Ah... so that was why she didn't want to ask Yuki.
"...So you want me to pretend to be your boyfriend to soften the blow for the person confessing?" I finished her sentence, a hint of amusement in my voice.
Ichinose's eyes widened, surprised that I had figured out her intention so quickly, and upon composing herself, she nodded her head in confirmation.
"Yes, that's right," she admitted. "I thought it would be easier for her to accept the rejection if she believed I was already in a relationship."
"But it seems like you think I'm going at this the wrong way, right?" Ichinose continued.
And she was right.
Rejecting a heartfelt confession by lying was just something that would hurt more once the person found out about it.
While Ichinose was well-meaning in her plan to soften the blow, there simply was no way that would happen.
However, even though I thought it was the wrong approach, I decided to help her out.
I saw a certain opportunity, after all.
"You sound too sure when you haven't even heard me say it," I replied, shaking my head. "I'll help you out this time. I'll pretend to be your boyfriend."
Ichinose's eyes widened, clearly taken aback by my unexpected response. "A-Ayanokōji-kun, are you sure? I didn't expect you to agree."
I shrugged casually. "I don't see any harm in helping you out for this one instance. After all, it's not like we're actually dating. It's just a role we'll play temporarily."
Relief washed over Ichinose's face, followed by a bright smile. "Thank you so much, Ayanokōji-kun!"
I nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Don't mention it, Ichinose. Just consider it a favor between friends."
"A favor, huh? I wonder— Ah!"
Ichinose seemed to have noticed something and awkwardly raised her hand. It would seem that the person in question had arrived earlier than expected.
And as expected, it was a girl.
While she had an androgynous appearance, the shape of her body and the uniform she was wearing made it obvious that this person was indeed a girl.
"Ichinose-san... and Vice President Ayanokōji?" The short-haired girl said, seemingly unnerved upon seeing me with Ichinose.
"Chihiro-chan," Ichinose acknowledged the girl, nodding at her and showing her a small smile.
The girl, now revealed to be named Chihiro, turned her gaze in my direction. "I apologize for being rude, Vice President Ayanokōji, but do you mind going somewhere else, please? I have something important that I need to talk with Ichinose-san about," she requested.
"Ah, I don't think I can do that," I replied, smiling at her. "Honami did ask me to be here, after all."
Since I was supposed to act as her boyfriend, then it should be natural for me to try and call her by her first name, right?
That being said, I decided to interject in their conversation as I wanted to push Chihiro to ask Ichinose if I was actually her boyfriend.
And upon making her own assumptions about the current situation, Chihiro began to cry, tears welling up in her eyes. "Is he... by any chance, your boyfriend, Ichinose-san?"
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way, Chihiro," I apologize, but not for what Chihiro had assumed.
I was simply apologizing as she was soon about to find out that Ichinose tried to go for a cop-out solution to avoid hurting her feelings.
With that out of the way, I decided it was time for me to enact my revenge on Ichinose for that fake-out kiss from a month ago.
I figured out that the whole set-up of me pretending to be her boyfriend would make Ichinose more accepting of some advances on my end, and that was just what I needed to enact my revenge to full effect.
This was the 'certain opportunity' I was talking about—to give Ichinose a taste of her own medicine.
And so, before either Ichinose or Chihiro could react, I leaned in on the pink-haired girl, my eyes meeting her surprised azure eyes. And as I leaned in closer, Ichinose's face turned beet red, but she didn't react negatively to my advance, as if already accepting her fate.
The set-up... done.
But instead of closing the gap, I pulled back and flicked her on the forehead.
And revenge completed.
Ichinose yelped in surprise, her hand coming up to hold her forehead.
"Ki-Kiyotaka-kun?!" she squeaked out, her eyes wide in shock.
"Consider that as revenge for last month," I replied, patting her on the head. "I really did want that kiss, you know?"
"T-That's not how you treat your girlfriend!" She protested, somehow believing that I was simply putting on an act to make our fake relationship convincing.
I wasn't doing that anymore as I had already succeeded in my objective.
"Alright, let's drop the act, Ichinose," I replied, a serious look replacing my previously playful one. "While you did have good intentions in mind, I don't think lying would ever fix anything, not if the thing you're dealing with is the feelings of another person."
"There is no way a rejection wouldn't hurt, Ichinose. Softening the blow? As if that would actually happen. The least you could do is respect Chihiro's courage and answer her confession truthfully. A lie would just hurt her more, you know?" I continued.
"Ayanokōji-kun..."
I left without waiting for Ichinose's reply, as I believed it was best for her and Chihiro to settle things among themselves. I headed back but didn't return to the dormitory right away. Instead, I stopped by the tree-lined pathway, leaned against the handrail, and sighed as I looked up at green leaves.
It was clear to me that Ichinose had never experienced seriously falling in love with someone before; I mean... she said it herself. Therefore, she didn't really know what to do or if she was doing something wrong.
Hopefully, she'll be able to settle things with Chihiro.
5.4
About five minutes later, I saw Chihiro run past me with tears steadily streaming down her face. That must have meant that she had already finished talking with Ichinose. Once Chihiro was out of sight, I made my way back towards the gymnasium, expecting to find Ichinose there.
As I navigated the corner leading to the rear of the gymnasium, the sight of Ichinose greeted me. She stood alone, her face an amalgamation of concern and regret. Our eyes locked, and an almost tangible wave of her unease washed over me.
"Hey, Ichinose," I initiated, my strides measured as I approached her.
She turned to face me, her voice trembling as she confessed, "I made a mistake, Ayanokōji-kun. I realize now that I handled the situation with Chihiro-chan all wrong. I tried so hard to avoid causing her pain, but I only ended up inflicting more. I should've confronted it directly."
While that introspection was great, I didn't think it was also right for Ichinose to beat herself over the situation. Because even though she made the wrong call, humans were bound to make decisions based on what they've actually gone through.
And Ichinose, who had never fallen in love before, wouldn't be able to truly comprehend Chihiro's feelings.
"Once we talked it over, I asked Chihiro-chan if we could carry on like usual, but... I don't know if we can go back to how things were," she continued as a sad expression made its way onto her face.
"While I do agree that you made a mistake, I don't think it would be right for you to beat yourself over what happened, Ichinose," I replied, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, offering support. "Hindsight can be a powerful teacher, but dwelling on what could have been won't change the situation."
"I know... but still, I want Chihiro-chan and I to remain friends, so I can't help but feel regret over what I did," she replied.
"That really depends on both of you, Ichinose. And if you really want for you and Chihiro to still be friends, then you'll have to take the initiative."
"Mhm-mm," Ichinose hummed in response, bobbing her head in agreement. "You're probably right."
"Just as always," I lightly teased.
Ichinose let out a small giggle, the heaviness in her expression starting to lift. "I guess I can't argue with that. Just as always."
As we stood behind the gymnasium, a comfortable silence settled between us. The tension that had once filled the air seemed to dissipate as Ichinose's mood improved.
"You only agreed to pretend to be my boyfriend to do what you just did, didn't you?" Ichinose asked, breaking the silence. "That would have been my first kiss, you know?"
"Do you think I shouldn't have pulled back?" I questioned, casting her a sideways glance.
Ichinose's eyes widened in surprise at my question, her cheeks flushing with a tinge of pink. She seemed taken aback by my response, perhaps not expecting me to turn the question back to her.
Caught off guard by my response, Ichinose's eyes widened, her cheeks blooming into a soft shade of pink. She stuttered, flustered, "I... well, it was just an act, so it's not as if it would've had any deeper meaning, right?"
"That's true," I replied, my tone remaining neutral. "But still, your willingness to go through with it surprised me. You didn't resist at all."
This observation caused Ichinose's cheeks to darken further. She averted her gaze, a bashful smile gracing her lips. "Well, I... perhaps I just got swept away by the moment."
I couldn't help but smile at her response. It was rare to see Ichinose display such vulnerability, and I found it endearing.
"Swept away by the moment, huh?" I mused. "Well, perhaps next time, we should make good on it. It almost happened twice already. Maybe the third time's the charm?"
Ichinose's eyes snapped up to meet mine; surprise etched clearly on her face. Her lips parted as if she intended to say something, but no words were formed.
"You're so easy to tease, Ichinose," I chided playfully, shaking my head in gentle amusement. "That should teach you not to pull pranks on me again."
"It wasn't like I intended to do that, you know?" Ichinose replied. "I simply wanted to get back at Yuki-chan for teasing me and saying I couldn't do it."
"And since you haven't actually kissed me, you just proved her right. All you did was make Yuki laugh for pulling back," I countered, leading Ichinose to pout in response.
An amused smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I observed Ichinose's puffed-up expression.
And at that moment, I couldn't help but wonder if my teasing had awakened a hidden desire within Ichinose.
Would she actually go through with it if I continued pushing her?
End of Chapter
A/N: I decided to push the trial chapter to the next one as I found myself enjoying the character-driven theme of this chapter. First, we briefly saw Chabs and Kiyo's growing alliance, then Suzune and Chiaki's duo, then Broenji and Kiyo having their bro talks, and lastly, Kiyo's growing friendship with Honami.
Might edit this chapter tomorrow or the day after, but for now, I think I'm satisfied with what I've done.