Class D was in danger.
Or rather, the group hovering around the failing line was in danger.
If someone from another class who read the diary—like Sakayanagi Arisu—started taking action, those students might really get expelled.
Staring at the words in the diary, Horikita Suzune suddenly realized this.
But…
What did it have to do with her?
First, she had nothing to do with the failing group.
Second… she had no money.
Wouldn't it be better to save any extra points for transferring classes?
Whether someone got expelled or saved had nothing to do with her, right?
"Today's reading completed. Reading points +1."
The familiar notification sounded in her ears.
She gently closed the diary and leaned back.
Lying flat, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts began to drift.
Was she improving?
Was she getting better?
If she stood in front of her brother now, what would he say?
And what about Asakusa Tōru?
If she really managed to find the person behind the diary…
Taking a deep breath, Horikita sat up and lightly slapped her cheeks.
Two crisp sounds echoed.
She stopped herself from overthinking.
Let's tidytoday's diary again.
The first half was about romance and related topics.
The second half was about the midterms and how to use points.
"Girlfriend, girlfriend, girlfriend…"
She muttered the word three times, a strange glint flashing in her eyes.
Was it really that easy?
Not about getting a girlfriend—but about the clues.
From today's diary and the previous entries, the writer's gender was basically confirmed.
Male. Without question.
If you added the clue of "recently got a girlfriend," it would be easy to narrow the candidates among the first-year students.
…And that was exactly why Horikita was confused.
Was it really that simple?
Would that person really be so careless?
Leaving such obvious hints in the diary…
It was completely different from how he usually wrote from different class perspectives.
Besides, she remembered clearly—
The first diary talked about hide-and-seek.
And earlier in the month, he had mocked Sakayanagi for targeting the wrong person.
It was probably another trap.
But…
It wouldn't hurt to pay a little attention.
Maybe he really had been blinded by love and wrote it without thinking.
"…I'll take a bath."
The diary had updated relatively early today.
She couldn't just go to sleep after reading it.
But she didn't feel like studying either.
So she decided to soak in the bath and clear her head.
...
Bathroom.
Rising steam.
Warm water.
Light distorted through mist, reflecting on a hazy silhouette.
"Hmm~ hmm~ hmm~"
Sakayanagi Arisu was soaking in the bathtub, flipping through her diary.
For all its flaws, the diary's quality was top-tier.
Even soaked in water, the pages didn't warp.
The text didn't blur at all.
The only thing she needed to worry about was whether she'd faint in the tub.
Hot water put strain on the heart, and if she got too excited reading the diary…
In theory, she really could pass out in her room.
But she wasn't worried.
That was experience talking.
She'd taken baths her whole life and never had problems.
Besides, she had insurance.
"Hey, Masumi."
While casually skimming today's entry, she suddenly spoke.
From the phone placed on the sink, a voice answered:
"What?"
"Have you ever kissed anyone?" Sakayanagi asked lightly.
"Huh?" Kamuro Masumi was baffled. "No. Why are you asking that?"
"…" She paused. "Don't tell me you're actually into girls."
Usually, when girls asked each other things like this, it was just curiosity.
But Kamuro didn't dare gamble.
After all, there had been rumors about Sakayanagi's orientation recently.
She didn't care about other people's preferences.
The problem was—
She was the rumored partner.
You're not seriously thinking of using your fingers on me, right?
Kamuro clearly remembered how she first met Sakayanagi.
Back then, seeking excitement, not long after the entrance ceremony, she went back to her old habits.
After scouting the area, she stole something when no one was around.
Honestly, she hadn't planned to start that early.
School life had just begun.
She wasn't bored enough yet to need that kind of thrill.
But at the club recruitment event, she saw him.
A man with recording pens stuck between all his fingers, playing messy recordings.
Her stagnant heart started beating again.
Her black-and-white school life gained color.
It wasn't love.
She didn't fall for people at first sight.
It was just—
If it was about doing crazy stuff, she wouldn't lose to anyone.
No, wait.
That wasn't it.
Anyway, her head overheated that day, and she went stealing.
And of all people, she got caught by Sakayanagi.
Honestly, she didn't care much about being reported or suspended.
If she was stealing for thrills, she'd already accepted that risk.
But Sakayanagi spoke.
"As long as you follow me, I don't think you'll be bored anymore. Maybe I can fill that heart of yours that only feels alive through stealing… with something else."
She said that, her eyes curved slightly, her small lips forming those words.
Leaning on her cane.
Looking like she'd faint if someone kicked her.
Yet standing there with absolute confidence.
Daring to threaten her alone.
With no solid evidence.
No photos.
No recordings.
Nothing.
Except the stolen beer can in Kamuro's hand that she couldn't take back.
And yet—
Looking at that confident Sakayanagi Arisu…
Kamuro had a strange illusion.
This girl might actually be incredible.
So she believed her.
Without hesitation, she trusted Sakayanagi.
And became her follower.
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