Chapter 49: Kushida Kikyo's Little Thoughts
Ever since that day, I haven't been as obsessed with getting other people's approval as before.
The person who truly matters to me now is still only one, but that person, unlike the previous Horikita Suzune, isn't in this class...
Hmm, back in June, although I pretended to run into him and chatted with him a few times, it was only a brief conversation, and I feel like I didn't make any progress at all.
The most important thing is, since that guy isn't in the same class as me, and he always has an indifferent look like he's not interested in anything, there's no chance to approach him without a good excuse.
In the first-year Class D classroom, although school had already ended, Kushida was still distracted, sitting in her seat, frowning slightly in distress as she pondered.
Just then, the class's nice guy, Hirata-kun, came over to Kushida's seat and lightly tapped on her desk with his finger a few times, interrupting her thoughts: "Kushida-san, may I bother you for a moment?"
"Hmm? Is there something you need, Hirata-kun?" Kushida looked up, a sweet smile returning to her face.
"Kushida-san, what do you think about the dispute between Class C and Sudo-kun that Chabashira-sensei mentioned this morning?"
'I don't care if he dies!'
—She didn't voice the true thoughts deep in her heart. Kushida pretended to be organizing her words, hesitating and not stating her position immediately, intending to first hear out Hirata's thoughts: "Well, this... "
"Kushida-san, could you listen to me for a moment...? I know that everyone in the class distrusts Sudo-kun because of what he did a while ago.
However, I think this behavior of suspecting a classmate from the start is wrong. Sudo-kun already said he was dragged into the incident, and shouldn't a friend do everything in their power to help?" Hirata said firmly: "In order to prove Sudo-kun's innocence and to keep our class points, I'll go ask my upperclassmen from the soccer club whom I get along with... Kushida-san, could I ask you to help find students from other classes and ask if there were any witnesses? I'm begging you."
"Uh, Hirata-kun, I have my own things to do... Wait a minute! What did you just say, Hirata-kun?!" Kushida was about to refuse, but then suddenly stood up abruptly as if she had just thought of something, and asked Hirata loudly.
"Uh, I'm begging you?"
"Not that one, the one before that!"
"I need you to look for students from other classes and ask if there are any..."
Before Hirata could finish speaking, he saw Kushida's pair of red eyes suddenly brighten, and a sweet, adorable smile appeared on her face: "What are you saying, Hirata-kun? We're classmates, of course we should help each other. Don't worry, I'll go gather information from students in the other classes."
"Alright, thank you, Kushida-san."
"It's me who should be thanking you. I'm going to go find my friends in the other classes now, goodbye, Hirata-kun."
Leaving behind a remark that Hirata found a bit strange, Kushida picked up her school bag and rushed out of the Class D classroom.
"G-Goodbye," Hirata watched Kushida leave, standing in place and sighing softly: "Kushida-san is truly a gentle and kind girl."
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.
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The gentle and kind beautiful girl, Kushida, hurriedly arrived at the entrance of the first-year Class A classroom. Only when she saw through the window that figure still at his seat tidying up his things did she relax, and she started speaking quietly with a girl she knew from Class A.
Although she was chatting with someone else, Kushida's eyes occasionally scanned the doorway of the Class A classroom, fearing that that guy would leave the classroom when she wasn't paying attention.
Just as she was getting a little anxious from waiting, that guy finally walked out the back door of the classroom.
From Kushida's perspective, a man walked out of the classroom.
The dazzling evening sun shone through the window onto his slightly lowered face, leaving a distinct line between light and shadow. The shadow prevented Kushida from clearly seeing his expression, but the sunlight outlined his handsome facial features.
He was holding his school bag strap with one hand and a can of coffee in the other. He just stood there, and the swirling dust seemed to turn into particles of light.
However, behind that handsome man, an aloof student with "dead fish eyes" slowly walked out, completely destroying the beautiful atmosphere and imagery.
Kushida immediately found an excuse to leave the Class A girl, and after looking down to confirm her clothes were tidy and presentable, she put on an adorable smile and walked with cheerful steps towards that handsome... towards that dead-fish-eyed guy.
"Hikigaya-kun, long time no see."
"Kushida-san, long time no see. What brings you all the way here?" Hikigaya asked with some confusion.
"Hikigaya-kun, do you know about the dispute between the Class C students and our class's Sudo-kun?"
"Hmm, I know a little. Our homeroom sensei briefly mentioned it this morning."
"It's like this: my classmates asked me to come to Class A to ask if there are any witnesses who know about the situation..." Kushida briefly explained, then softly inquired: "Do you know any related information, Hikigaya-kun?"
"I usually stay in the classroom, and after school I go straight back to the dorm. How could I possibly know any information?"
"Hikigaya-kun is always alone. Could it be that Hikigaya-kun... you don't have any friends?"
"Guah! Ahaha, how could that be? E-E-Equality is my motto. I keep my relationships superficial, so I don't have anyone I'm particularly close to, but conversely, all of humanity is my good friend, right? Hahahahaha..."
"I feel, somehow, sorry for you, Hikigaya-kun," Kushida showed a sad expression.
'Don't apologize to me so seriously!'
"Then, do you have a girlfriend or something?" Kushida leaned forward slightly and took another step closer, her eyes staring earnestly at Hikigaya.
'What do you mean by "or something"? What would you do if I answered that I have a boyfriend?'
"Currently, no."
Filled with hope for the future, Hikigaya tentatively placed the emphasis on the words "currently."
"I see... Just as expected of Hikigaya-kun," For some reason, there was a hint of a smile in Kushida's eyes.
'Is this girl making fun of me?'
Just then, two cute, beautiful girls walked out of the Class A classroom.
"Hikigaya-kun, I thought you had already gone back, but you're here chatting with someone?"
Although Sakayanagi was smiling, there was no trace of a smile in her eyes, and she looked incredibly scary.
'—Darn it, I knew I should have hurried back.'
Because he thought it wouldn't be as hot outside after the sun set, Hikigaya, for a change, didn't leave as fast as possible right after school today, but slowly tidied up his things.
"Hello, Sakayanagi-san, I am Kushida Kikyo from first-year Class D. It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time." Kushida clasped her hands in front of her chest and slightly tilted her head to introduce herself, her inner guard quietly raising.
"Hello, Kushida-san." Sakayanagi nodded gently, appraising the girl in front of her with sharp eyes.
"You seemed to be chatting happily with Hikigaya-kun just now. Would it be alright for you to let me in on it too?"
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