On Thursday morning, Kushida Kikyo brought along sothing strange, feeling sowhat cheerful.
After running into a few friends, she greeted them with a smile.
"Hey, sorry to keep you waiting."
The people waiting for her downstairs were, of course, her two closest friends, Wang iyu and Inogashira Kokoro.
"We haven't been waiting long. But, Kikyo, you co to school with us every day—don't you have any thoughts of spending ti with your boyfriend?"
Given their close relationship, Wang iyu's tone carried a playful teasing note.
Kaoru Mitoma—this na was practically known throughout the entire school.
Even if so didn't know about his capabilities, at the very least, they knew he had many girlfriends.
Among them was their good friend, Kushida Kikyo.
ntioning this, Kushida Kikyo simply chuckled.
"I'm not the type to prioritize romance over friendship. I can be with him anyti, but being with you all also makes very happy."
Wang iyu felt a bit embarrassed, while Inogashira Kokoro on the other side breathed a sigh of relief, murmuring softly.
"That's good. We were worried it might affect your relationship with Mitoma-kun."
Kushida Kikyo smiled. Ever since she hadn't denied her relationship with Kaoru, there had been all sorts of opinions around her.
Although the two of them couldn't fully understand her perspective, they generally chose to accept and respect it, sotis even secretly suggesting she monopolize Kaoru.
Kushida Kikyo walked with them as usual, chatting about various topics and gossip along the way, as more and more students gathered around.
At that mont, Wang iyu noticed a boy.
"Hey, is that guy a new student?"
Her slight surprise made Kushida Kikyo instinctively look over.
There was Yagami Takuya, greeting his classmates with a sunny smile that easily inspired goodwill.
Perhaps it was his overly handso appearance, carrying a youthful and sunny aura, that gave an exceptionally good first impression.
Now, only in the second week of the sester, Yagami Takuya's social connections had already expanded to the entire grade level, with even so upperclassn knowing this good-looking junior.
"He's so handso! I saw him not long ago too—he even looks a bit cute!"
Inogashira Kokoro muttered under her breath, "He gives off a gentle vibe similar to Hirata-kun. I think he must be a good person."
Wang iyu was sowhat displeased, though she made sure Inogashira Kokoro didn't notice her expression.
Normally, Kushida Kikyo would have been able to sense what Wang iyu was thinking—this lovesick girl had always harbored unusual feelings for Hirata Yosuke, so naturally, she couldn't stand hearing Inogashira Kokoro ntion Hirata Yosuke's na, let alone compare him to soone else.
However, Kushida Kikyo wasn't in a much better mood herself.
The mont she saw Yagami Takuya, it was as if she had encountered a filthy ditch—she nearly wanted to take a detour.
If they weren't all in the sa school building, she would have turned and left already.
Yagami Takuya claid to be her junior, and from recent probing, neither Kushida Kikyo nor Horikita Suzune had found any flaws in his story.
Whether it was about the school's situation or her own affairs, Yagami Takuya appeared thoroughly knowledgeable while remaining extrely respectful and gentle toward her.
Thus, after the failed attempt to probe him, Kushida Kikyo's mood sank to its lowest point.
Although her middle school had suppressed the incident from back then and hadn't revealed much, Yagami Takuya likely knew what she had done.
In her view, not even Horikita Suzune deserved to know this secret, let alone Yagami Takuya!
If Kaoru had stumbled upon this secret, Kushida Kikyo would have been mildly annoyed at most.
Even if Kaoru were to threaten her harshly now, she would treat it as re playful banter—putting on a defiant act to let him have his fun.
But what right did this Yagami Takuya have to uncover her secret?
Kushida was furious.
Even if he truly knew nothing, she now wanted to drive him away—this secret was ant to be a private ga between her and Kaoru!
"Good morning, Kushida-senpai."
Yagami Takuya noticed Kushida Kikyo and the others and seed slightly surprised.
"Ah, it's Yagami-kun. Good morning!"
No matter what she was thinking, Kushida Kikyo wouldn't show the slightest dissatisfaction. Instead, she feigned equal surprise.
"I just saw soone greeting you—were they classmates?"
"Yes, I've made quite a few friends recently."
Yagami Takuya glanced at Wang iyu and Inogashira Kokoro beside her and smiled gently.
"Are these two your friends, Kushida-senpai?"
Under his warm gaze, Inogashira Kokoro had already blushed deeply, and even Wang iyu seed sowhat flustered.
Kushida Kikyo gritted her teeth in frustration but could only politely introduce them.
Fortunately, Yagami Takuya showed little interest in the two and instead brought up recent events.
"Speaking of which, I've already shared Horikita-senpai's earlier idea with several classmates. They seed quite interested—so might be willing to team up with you seniors."
Despite delivering what should have been good news, Yagami Takuya's eyes held a trace of regret.
"So quickly? Yagami-kun, you're really popular." Kushida Kikyo looked sowhat surprised. "I'll inform Horikita-san. Do you have their contact information?"
"I'll have them reach out to Horikita-senpai later."
Yagami Takuya seed unable to hold back any longer.
With genuine concern, he gazed intently at Kushida Kikyo. "Kushida-senpai, do you have a partner yet?"
"I'm still considering the partner matter."
Kushida Kikyo grew more guarded internally.
The next mont, Yagami Takuya's face lit up with delight as he brought up his suggestion again.
"Would Kushida-senpai consider teaming up with ?"
Even though she had already rejected him once, he brought it up again, making Kushida Kikyo even more wary.
"I'm happy that Yagami-kun, with your high academic ability, would be willing to partner with ."
Kushida Kikyo placed a hand over her chest, wearing an apologetic expression.
"However, I think there are others who need Yagami-kun more than I do. If anyone gets expelled in this exam again, everyone would feel even worse."
"It seems I didn't consider things thoroughly. Kushida-senpai is truly kind-hearted."
Yagami Takuya appeared even more regretful. "I thought having soone else's help would make things easier for Kushida-senpai."
Kushida Kikyo stiffened slightly, then saw the other party smile candidly.
"If Kushida-senpai changes your mind, I'll always be waiting to hear from you."
Yagami Takuya turned to look at Wang iyu and Inogashira Kokoro again, his smile unchanged.
"Wang-senpai, Inogashira-senpai, see you next ti."
Inogashira Kokoro waved gently, her face flushed red, though no one knew what she was thinking.
"This person... could he possibly like little Kikyo?"
Perhaps because she was a romantic young girl, Wang iyu's imagination easily drifted in that direction.
"Eh, really?!"
Inogashira Kokoro suddenly jolted, her eyes widening.
"There's sothing wrong with his gaze!"
Wang iyu declared confidently. "He was staring at little Kikyo the entire ti - he must like her!"
User Comments
0 comments from readers