Looking at Kushida Kikyou's little expressions, Shikime Natsu couldn't help but sigh with emotion. No matter how many times he saw it, he found it quite remarkable. Clearly, she despised him, yet she had to put on a smiling face to welcome him. She must be very 'happy' to see him, right?
Regardless of what Kushida Kikyou was thinking in her heart, at least that was how she behaved on the surface. Therefore, Shikime Natsu decided to treat it as if that was exactly what she thought.
Shikime Natsu began to size up the outfits of the two beautiful girls today.
Ichinose Honami was wearing a pale pink dress today. The hem just covered her knees, and a white ribbon was tied around her waist, outlining her slender waistline. The material of the dress was soft and elegant, swaying gently with the breeze.
Kushida Kikyou, on the other hand, was dressed in a more lively and cute style. Her upper body featured a beige short-sleeved shirt with a delicate bow tie at the collar. Her lower body was paired with a dark blue pleated mini-skirt; the hem was quite short, revealing those fair and slender legs. On her feet, she wore white short socks and small leather shoes. This kind of outfit made people feel a sense of intimacy just by looking at it.
"I just finished lunch and planned to walk around casually to digest my food," Shikime Natsu responded to the question Ichinose Honami had just asked. "What about you, Ichinose-san and Kikyou?"
Whether it was Class B's Ichinose Honami or Class D's Kushida Kikyou, both were quite popular figures in their respective classes. If it were any ordinary time, as long as they were willing, there would absolutely be crowds of people lining up to invite them to spend the weekend together.
Their schedules were usually packed full. Now that these two busy people were together, it must be a time slot specially cleared out.
"Actually... today I was the one who actively invited Ichinose-san out," Kushida Kikyou explained with a smile. "Although we've known each other for over a month, I haven't had the chance to have a proper chat with Ichinose-san."
"And... I have some things I want to consult Ichinose-san about, so I brazenly asked her out." As she spoke, she stuck out her tongue in embarrassment.
My hint should be obvious enough, right? Kushida thought. I plan to chat with Ichinose Honami next, so please, Shikime Natsu, don't think about being a third wheel.
If it were an average person, they might not pick up on it. But Shikime Natsu, this guy, was most skilled at observing people's expressions. He definitely knew what she was hinting at. If he knew what was good for him, he should scramble off immediately!
However... for some reason, looking at Shikime Natsu's face, which always hung with a faint smile, a sense of unease suddenly rose in Kushida Kikyou's heart. She always felt that... after meeting Shikime Natsu, the development of events would deviate from the original track. Don't even think about things developing according to the original plan.
After all... Shikime Natsu was fundamentally a guy with a rather terrible personality!
Sure enough.
After hearing Kushida Kikyou's words, Shikime Natsu did not leave tactfully as she had expected. Instead, he revealed an expression that looked very interested. But he didn't speak; he just stood there quietly, sizing up the two of them.
Kushida Kikyou subconsciously looked at Ichinose Honami. And Ichinose Honami, after feeling Shikime Natsu's gaze, also looked at Kushida Kikyou.
Although no words were spoken, the expression on Ichinose Honami's face was simply too easy to understand. Those large, clear eyes were written full of anticipation. She was obviously thinking: Since we met Shiki-san, let's invite him to join us!
Seeing this, Kushida Kikyou almost sprayed out a mouthful of blood. She cast her gaze back onto Shikime Natsu, the unhappiness deep in her eyes almost impossible to suppress.
This guy... is really detestable!
On the surface, it seemed like the decision-making power was in her hands, and she was the one deciding whether or not to invite Shikime Natsu. Clearly, the initiative seemed to lie with her. But Kushida Kikyou knew very well that the person truly holding the initiative was actually Shikime Natsu!
He merely put on an "I'm interested" expression, said absolutely nothing, and unexpectedly won over Ichinose Honami directly! This woman, Ichinose Honami... was quite disappointing to her! She was simply a brainless woman!
And this guy, Shikime Natsu... He was definitely doing it on purpose! He just wanted to deliberately sabotage her plan!
Although in her heart she wished she could tear Shikime Natsu into eight pieces, on the surface, Kushida Kikyou maintained that cute, angelic smile. She had no choice. To maintain her persona as the "little angel loved by everyone," she could not show any behavior that rejected a classmate.
"Um... if you don't mind, Natsu, would you like to join us?" Kushida Kikyou issued the invitation with a smile, her voice sweet. "It just so happens I also want to hear Natsu's opinion!"
Hearing this expected invitation, Shikime Natsu's face revealed just the right amount of surprise.
"? Is it really okay?" He looked at the two of them somewhat hesitantly, his tone carrying a few degrees of reluctance and... green-tea-like affectation. "Kikyou invited Ichinose-san alone, so you probably don't wish to be disturbed, right? Will I be bothering you?"
"If that's the case, it would be better for me to avoid this, right?"
Ugh... Hearing these words and looking at this expression, Kushida Kikyou only felt her stomach churning like an overturned sea, nauseous enough to vomit. This tone... this expression... He was simply more of a "green tea" phony than she was!
How dare this guy, Shikime Natsu?! Since you know you'll disturb us, then actively stay away! You insisted on putting on an interested look to seduce that stupid woman Ichinose, and now you're here pretending to be innocent?!
Shikime Natsu, needless to say, naturally guessed what Kushida Kikyou was thinking. However... this was Kushida Kikyou's own tactic. Truly impressive. Although she was already cursing Shikime Natsu in her heart, Kushida Kikyou's face still smiled like a flower, even more enthusiastically than before.
"How could that be!" She smiled and waved her hand. "We don't mind at all! Whether it's me or Ichinose-san, we both welcome Natsu to join us quite a bit!"
Saying this, she turned her head to look at Ichinose Honami, asking as if seeking confirmation. "Right? Ichinose-san?"
Such insincere words were already a daily routine for Kushida Kikyou, who had long been accustomed to living with a mask. When she said them, there was absolutely no change in her expression; it was very natural.
"Mhm-hmm! Of course, no problem!" Ichinose Honami was completely unaware of Kushida Kikyou's internal breakdown. She nodded vigorously, her face overflowing with a happy smile. "If Shiki-san can join, that would be great!"
"In that case..." Shikime Natsu looked at the two, finally putting away that expression of feigned hesitation and revealing a satisfied smile. Then I won't stand on ceremony. I accept with deference.
"So... where did you two originally plan to go?"
"We planned to go to that dessert shop ahead to sit for a while," Kushida Kikyou answered first. She reached out and pointed to a beautifully decorated shop not far away. Then, her eyes rolled, and she seemed to think of some wicked idea.
She glanced slightly at Ichinose Honami beside her, then turned her head and revealed a meaningful smile to Shikime Natsu. "It's the same dessert shop... that Natsu and I, and also Mei-chan, went to last time."
When saying the words "me and Mei-chan," Kushida Kikyou slightly emphasized her tone and even deliberately slowed down her speech, seemingly to make it easier for Ichinose Honami to hear more clearly. She had originally thought that the two of them would mind their own business. But just now, Shikime Natsu obviously offended her.
Then... Kushida Kikyou naturally had to find a bit of discomfort for Shikime Natsu.
Hmph, keep pretending! Hearing that you went to eat sweets alone with other girls, especially with me and another girl, I don't believe that woman Ichinose Honami won't have a single shred of grudge in her heart!
Of course, finding this "discomfort" was still built upon the foundation of her "little angel" image. After all, as a little angel, even if she was taking revenge, she could only do this kind of seemingly unintentional, yet actually hidden with mystery, itchless action.
"So it was that dessert shop." Shikime Natsu raised an eyebrow, immediately understanding Kushida Kikyou's petty thoughts.
Kushida Kikyou spoke while slightly turning her head, secretly observing Ichinose Honami's expression. However, to her disappointment... After hearing that Shikime Natsu had already been there with herself and Wang Mei-Yu, no look of jealousy or loss appeared on Ichinose Honami's face. Instead, she remained that innocent appearance, and even asked curiously.
"? Even Shiki-san has been there?"
...
Kushida Kikyou was somewhat speechless. This woman... doesn't she hold affection for Shikime Natsu? Hearing that the boy she likes went on a date with other girls, even if they are ordinary friends, her expression surprisingly doesn't change at all?
Truly a... hopelessly stupid woman! This made Kushida Kikyou feel a sense of powerlessness like punching cotton. How did this kind of person become the leader of Class B?
Shikime Natsu let out a light chuckle and proposed to the two. "Do you want to... try the desserts I made personally?"
"?!"
"Shiki-san... actually knows how to make desserts?" Ichinose Honami looked at Shikime Natsu in shock, her beautiful eyes filled with disbelief. The cuisine Shikime Natsu made was delicious, and she had tried it... but she hadn't heard that Shikime Natsu could also make sweets.
"Of course." Shikime Natsu nodded confidently and said with a smile, "If you two are willing... how about going directly to my dormitory? It just so happens I prepared some new kitchenware for making desserts a few days ago and haven't had a chance to test them yet."
"Go... go to the dormitory?!" Ichinose Honami's face reddened slightly. She subconsciously looked at Kushida Kikyou. After all, she had been to Shikime Natsu's dormitory before, so she wasn't actually resistant to the matter of going to Shikime Natsu's dormitory again; she even had a little bit of expectation.
But... she felt that Kushida Kikyou was different. It should be Kushida Kikyou's first time going, and she didn't know if she would mind.
Kushida Kikyou did indeed mind. She minded very much! Originally, it was just sitting in a dessert shop; even if there was a third wheel, fine. But now, how did it suddenly turn into going to Shikime Natsu's dormitory?!
Although she often went to Shikime Natsu's dormitory with that stinky woman Horikita Suzune, that was with a purpose! That was to admire the expression of that stinky woman Horikita Suzune eating crow; only then did she go reluctantly. Now that Horikita Suzune wasn't here, and it was only Shikime Natsu and Ichinose Honami... Why go to his dormitory? To be a free maid for him? Or to watch him and Ichinose Honami display their affection?
Kushida Kikyou was unwilling a ten thousand times over. But... looking at Ichinose Honami's expression that said "if you agree, I'll agree," the current situation simply did not allow her to say "no." As a "little angel," she had no right to reject a classmate's good intentions.
Truly... damn it! Kushida Kikyou gritted her teeth fiercely in her heart. This really was success due to the little angel, and failure due to the little angel. She enjoyed the gazes and praise brought by the little angel image, but she was also restricted in her actions by this image.
Even if she had any negative emotions, she couldn't express them. No matter how disgusted she was in her heart, there was no way to directly reject others. Also, even if she was rejected by others, she still had to lick her face and keep smiling. This feeling was truly too stifling!
"Wah! Really?" MMP in her heart, smiling on her face. Kushida Kikyou clapped her hands, revealing a look of great anticipation. "Since Natsu said so, then we definitely can't miss it! Then I'll look forward to Natsu's craftsmanship!"
Soon, the two followed Shikime Natsu to his dormitory.
Shikime Natsu led the two into the dorm, skillfully invited them to sit on stools, and poured two glasses of water for them. "You two sit for a while and chat. Just think of what kind of dessert you want to eat? Don't stand on ceremony, just say it."
Shikime Natsu rolled up his sleeves and said with a smile. "That... anything is fine!" Ichinose Honami hurriedly waved her hand and said, "As long as it's made by Shiki-san, I feel I'll look forward to it all!"
"Me too~ Whatever Natsu feels he is best at is fine~" Kushida Kikyou also chimed in, only her smile was slightly stiff.
"Alright, then just leave it to me." Shikime Natsu nodded, then turned and walked into the kitchen, leaving the two girls in the living room.
The living room was quiet for a short while.
Ichinose Honami held the water glass somewhat cautiously, her gaze wandering a bit. She first glanced at Kushida Kikyou sitting beside her, then her gaze, as if attracted by a magnet, shifted uncontrollably and landed on the busy figure in the kitchen. Ichinose Honami's cheeks felt slightly hot.
Subsequently, she seemed to realize her loss of composure and hurriedly moved her gaze back to Kushida Kikyou. "Um... Kushida-san." To mask the awkwardness, she took the initiative to ask, "Just now you said you had something you wanted to consult me about... what did you want to talk to me about?"
Kushida Kikyou naturally noticed this series of small movements. Heh... She sneered in her heart. Clearly, her eyes are almost glued to that man, yet she's still pretending to be reserved. Truly a... hopeless, stupid woman.
However, since she was already here, she had to play the role to the end. Kushida Kikyou sighed lightly, restrained the smile on her face a bit, and put on an expression that was somewhat distressed and slightly melancholic.
"Actually... it's about class management." She cupped her face with both hands, her brows slightly furrowed, looking pitiful and lovable. "Ichinose-san, you know as well, although I really want to get along well with everyone, I always feel a bit powerless."
"So... I want to ask Ichinose-san for advice. How exactly... can I unite everyone in the class like you do?"
Hearing this question, Ichinose Honami was stunned for a moment. Immediately after, she scratched her head somewhat embarrassedly and revealed a bitter smile. "This... regarding this question, actually, it's also hard for me to answer."
? Why?
"Because... everyone in Class B is really, really good people," Ichinose Honami said with gentle eyes. "Actually, it wasn't that I did anything special, but that everyone is very kind and very united. I just slightly proposed some opinions, and everyone supported me, and then I was inexplicably recommended to be the class leader of Class B."
"But... I feel that as long as you maintain the feeling of wanting to treat others well seriously, you can definitely obtain everyone's support."
"..."
Kushida Kikyou listened until the corners of her mouth twitched. Is this a 'Versailles' moment [humblebrag]? This is definitely a humblebrag, right?! What does "everyone is a good person" mean? What does "inexplicably recommended" mean? Are you trying to say you are a natural-born leader?!
Thinking of the current Class D, Kushida Kikyou was very angry. The two classes really had no comparability. She had done so many things, so why couldn't they fully support her and trust her?
"The situation in every class might be different," Ichinose Honami continued. "My situation is quite special; it might only serve as a reference for Kushida-san and may not be completely applicable."
Speaking of this, she seemed to suddenly think of a good idea. Her eyes lit up, and she pointed in the direction of the kitchen.
"Right! Kushida-san can also go ask Shiki-san! Shiki-san is also the leader of Class A, and I heard people in Class A admire Shiki-san very much. I feel if it's Shiki-san, he can definitely give even better advice!"
Ichinose Honami suggested with a face full of sincerity.
Kushida Kikyou's smile froze on her face.
Go find Shikime Natsu? It would be a ghost if he gave me good advice! If she had known early on that Ichinose Honami was this useless, she wouldn't have been alone with Ichinose Honami. She should have just casually found a few girls and played with a few girls from Ichinose Honami's class, taken a photo to prove the relationship was good, and improved her image in Class D again. That would have been enough.
There was absolutely no need to come to this place to suffer!
____
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