Amane casually handed a can of drink to Horikita.
The moment Horikita took the drink, its cold touch quickly spread through her palm.
Click.
Seeing Amane pull open the drink tab and begin to drink heartily, Horikita also subconsciously wanted to open her drink. But when she looked down, the drink Amane had given her was not tomato-flavored, but barley tea.
"Suzune, why aren't you drinking? Is it not to your taste?"
Amane couldn't help but ask when she saw Horikita staring at the drink bottle.
"Why is it barley tea? I remember you liked to buy the same drinks."
Horikita asked in a low voice, somewhat uneasily.
Amane didn't directly answer Horikita's question but played with the bottle of the drink. After about half a minute, she spoke somewhat sheepishly.
"I used to think everyone liked tomato-flavored drinks, but then I realized that those who like this flavor are a minority, the odd ones out. It's all Kiryuin Fuka's fault; she was the one who recommended it to me back then. She even told me that if you're out with friends and don't know what drink to get them, this is the one to buy. That's why I thought it was everyone's universal preference. Ah, I genuinely thought it tasted good, which is why I recommended it to you, Suzune, but—"
Amane's voice became a little heavy.
"Later, I realized you don't seem to like this flavor of drink, Suzune. You always left a lot behind when you threw it away."
Amane shook the bottle of the drink, and the liquid inside repeatedly collided with the can, making a rustling sound.
Horikita didn't know what to say, so she just lowered her head, unscrewed the barley tea, and took a small sip.
So bitter.
It was the first time she felt that barley tea could be so bitter.
"I... I rarely drink beverages... so..."
"I know."
Amane smiled, then drank the can's contents in one gulp. Immediately, she squeezed the can, and with a crushing sound, it was thrown out, landing precisely in the trash can next to the vending machine.
Amane didn't even look at it, as if it were a matter of course. Her gaze was only on Horikita.
But at this moment, Horikita dared not meet Amane's eyes, not even for a glance.
Amane took Horikita's hand again and walked along the path all the way to the stern deck of the cruise ship.
At this time, the stern deck was empty, a good place for conversation. The only pity was that the temperature on the sea was not low, and the air was full of salty, fishy smells mixed with something like burning.
As soon as they reached the stern, the heat wave that rushed towards them almost made Amane change her mind, intending to return to the air-conditioned room to continue their conversation. However, the atmosphere had already reached this point, and not saying something felt inappropriate.
Horikita's mind was a mess the whole way, like paste. She didn't know what she could do at this moment, or what she could say to Amane.
No, rather than not knowing, perhaps she was more unwilling to think about that matter.
At that time, because of Amane's counterattack, the outcome of the situation developed in a direction favorable to her, but it was not as she had planned.
Amane did indeed start to be wary of those around her and became more careful in her actions, but Amane did not become more dependent on her.
Perhaps... Amane had already discovered her cooperation with Shibata at that time.
Then why had Amane endured until now?
Horikita had too many 'whys' she wanted to ask Amane, but looking at Amane's back as she walked ahead, she couldn't utter a single word.
Even if she knew the answer, what then? Would Amane truly forgive her past mistakes?
Her jumbled thoughts combined with Amane's unusual behavior brought Horikita extreme unease.
Even if Amane had slapped her a few times, she would have felt relieved.
Heh, thinking about it now, it's quite ironic. If I had been a little more clear-headed back then, I probably wouldn't have done such a foolish thing that could easily be used against me, right?
What a pity.
There are no 'ifs' in this world.
What she had to do now was face reality, but she, Horikita Suzune, was not ready to face it.
Amane stopped.
The heat wave sweeping in from the sea slapped Horikita's cheeks, making her feel a stinging sensation.
Just as she was about to hide behind Amane, Amane slowly turned around, as if she had something to say to her.
Is this the moment it finally arrives?
Horikita's heart, which had been hanging, finally settled.
Normally, the closer one gets to judgment, the more fear one should feel, but when she saw Amane's eyes sparkling in the night, she felt a sense of relief.
From now on, she wouldn't have to spend nights in fear, constantly thinking about keeping secrets.
"Amane, do you have something to tell me?"
Horikita proactively broke the silence.
A genuine, relieved smile appeared on her face.
For a sinner to show such a smile could be considered shameful.
But Horikita truly wanted to smile from the bottom of her heart at this moment.
Because she didn't know if she would ever have such close contact with Amane in front of her again.
Looking at Horikita's smile, Amane showed a look of appreciation.
There were many reasons why Amane chose Horikita as her first friend: for example, Horikita was alone and easier to approach; also, Horikita seemed unskilled in social interaction, which was a beginner level for her, perfect for practice, and so on.
But the most important point was that Horikita was beautiful.
Beautiful people make any expression seem pleasing to the eye.
So, when Horikita showed a genuine smile, Amane's heart couldn't help but beat faster.
However, this flutter was quickly suppressed by Amane.
She knew there were more important things to do now; if she wanted to satisfy her desires, she could shed her human disguise when she returned.
But now, it was the time for Horikita's "judgment."
No one has the right or power to judge others based on personal opinions.
But what if someone has already bowed and voluntarily placed their head under the guillotine?
Even if the wielder of the blade is unwilling to strike the blow of judgment, judgment has already arrived.
"Suzune, what do you wish for me to say?"
Amane kicked the ball back to Horikita.
She didn't want to judge Horikita's actions as right or wrong, because Amane clearly understood the purpose and reasons behind Horikita's actions.
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