Sakamoto's service movements, as fluid as an artistic performance, held the gazes of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Horikita Suzune for a moment.
That inherent elegance and composure, in the afternoon cafe, formed a unique sight that made it difficult to look away.
Ayanokoji was the first to withdraw his gaze.
He scanned the slightly crowded cafe and quickly located his target.
"There's an empty table over there."
He spoke in a calm voice, pointing to a small round table near the corner where two students had just left.
That table was relatively secluded but offered a good view.
They could observe the interior of the cafe and also see outside the window.
Horikita Suzune didn't object and silently walked forward.
The two, one after another, walked past several tables.
He quietly sat down at the empty table in the slightly noisy environment.
Horikita-san's gaze once again turned to the center of the cafe, watching Sakamoto carrying a tray, moving through the customers like a butterfly flitting among flowers, his movements precise and elegant, without the slightest delay.
"Doesn't the school forbid students from working part-time?"
Horikita Suzune's voice broke the silence between them, her gaze fixed on Sakamoto.
"Why is he here?"
Ayanokoji did not answer immediately.
He paused for a moment, as if contemplating, then slowly spoke: "Perhaps he obtained this position by utilizing some special rules."
He paused, then added, "Anyway, some of the rules at this school seem to be very problematic."
Upon hearing this, Horikita-san turned her head, her cold eyes sharply looking at Classmate Ayanokoji: "You mean... that Sakamoto might have figured out the rules?"
Classmate Ayanokoji did not answer directly; his gaze calmly met Horikita Suzune's sharp eyes, seemingly acknowledging her statement, yet also seeming to wait for her to ask further questions.
Horikita Suzune's expression shifted to one of slight confusion.
Classmate Ayanokoji's words hit upon the doubts in her heart.
This Koudo Ikusei High School, which outwardly proclaimed "meritocracy" and boasted top-tier educational resources and environment, had shown various signs since the start of the school year—
the mysterious S-point system, the seemingly lenient but subtly strange school rules, and Sakamoto, who was openly working part-time in an off-campus cafe—
all exuded an indescribable sense of incongruity.
Was this really just a key high school run by the state?
The D Class students' laziness and lack of purpose during class were even more incompatible with the school's "elite" positioning.
Sakamoto, this elegant, capable, and seemingly always rule-breaking A Class student... did he really comprehend the hidden rules of this school?
Horikita Suzune was about to speak, to delve deeper into Classmate Ayanokoji's views on "rules"—
"Horikita-san! Classmate Ayanokoji! What a coincidence!"
A clear, pleasant voice, tinged with surprise, suddenly interjected into the slightly heavy atmosphere between the two.
Classmate Ayanokoji and Horikita Suzune turned their heads simultaneously.
Kushida Kikyo stood by their table, her face beaming with a brilliant and enthusiastic smile, her purplish-red eyes sparkling.
Her brown short hair fell smoothly to her shoulders, and her whole being exuded youthful vitality.
"Do you two come here often?"
Kushida Kikyo asked with a smile, her tone so natural as if it were a chance encounter.
Classmate Ayanokoji replied expressionlessly: "I just happened to want to come today."
The moment Horikita Suzune saw Kushida Kikyo appear, her face instantly darkened.
She understood.
Classmate Ayanokoji suddenly asked her to come to the cafe today, not because he himself wanted to come, and certainly not because he "didn't dare to enter the shop alone."
All of this was orchestrated by the smiling Kushida Kikyo in front of her.
This woman, who constantly claimed she wanted to be friends with "everyone," even used Classmate Ayanokoji, this "lone wolf," to get close to her.
A strong sense of repulsion welled up in her heart.
Horikita Suzune lowered her head, avoiding Kushida Kikyo's enthusiastic gaze, her cold profile taut.
She hated this feeling of being manipulated, hated being forcibly dragged into social situations.
She just wanted to be alone, quietly studying and pondering the mysteries of this school.
Being a lone wolf suited her better.
However, Classmate Ayanokoji's earlier words about "rules" and Sakamoto had piqued her curiosity.
The hidden secrets of this school, the key Sakamoto might possess... these questions attracted her, making it impossible for her to get up and leave immediately.
Horikita Suzune fell silent.
She lowered her head, struggling internally between repulsion and curiosity.
"Is that so? I came alone, so it's such a coincidence to run into both of you!"
Kushida Kikyo seemed oblivious to Horikita Suzune's coldness, still smiling brightly, and said in a cheerful tone.
She very naturally pulled out the empty chair next to Horikita Suzune and sat down.
Classmate Ayanokoji gave a cold "hmm," which served as his response to Kushida-san's "what a coincidence."
His gaze swept over Horikita Suzune's downcast profile, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Given Horikita-san's personality, upon seeing Kushida-san appear, especially after realizing she had been "set up," she should have immediately left with a cold face.
Her current silence was somewhat unusual. Was it because of Sakamoto? Or was it because of the "rules" he had just mentioned?
The atmosphere became subtle and awkward for a moment.
Kushida Kikyo's enthusiasm was like hitting an invisible wall,
Horikita Suzune's silence exuded a chill that warned others to stay away, and Classmate Ayanokoji's indifference seemed to freeze the air even further.
Just at this slightly tense moment—
"Is that Kushida-san? What a coincidence!"
Another pleasant female voice rang out, with a hint of surprise and delight, breaking the slightly stagnant air around the table.
The three at the table simultaneously looked in the direction of the voice.
A tall, gentle-looking girl stood a few steps away, a soft smile on her face.
She had smooth, long pink hair that shone faintly under the cafe lights. Her features were beautiful, and her eyes were clear and bright, radiating a natural friendliness.
She wore the Koudo Ikusei High School uniform, her posture elegant, exuding a unique blend of cheerful vivacity and intellectual grace.
Kushida Kikyo reacted instantly, her face breaking into an even brighter smile, and she enthusiastically waved a greeting:
"Ichinose-san! It really is such a coincidence!"
She then turned to Classmate Ayanokoji and Horikita Suzune, introducing them in a cheerful tone:
"Classmate Ayanokoji, Horikita-san, this is Classmate Ichinose Honami from B Class!"
Ichinose Honami's gaze fell on Classmate Ayanokoji and Horikita Suzune, a gentle, friendly smile on her face as she gave a slight bow:
"Hello, I'm Ichinose Honami from B Class. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Her gaze lingered for a moment on Horikita Suzune's downcast profile, seemingly sensing the subtle atmosphere, but the smile on her face remained warm and sincere.
Horikita Suzune still had her head down, showing no reaction, immersed in her own world.
Classmate Ayanokoji nodded expressionlessly: "Hello."
Kushida Kikyo enthusiastically invited Ichinose Honami to sit down:
"Ichinose-san, please, sit down! We can chat together!"
The hubbub of the cafe seemed to be isolated at this moment.
Around this small circular table in the corner, the atmosphere became even more complex.
The D Class "lone wolves" Classmate Ayanokoji and Horikita Suzune, the widely social Kushida Kikyo, the B Class leader Ichinose Honami, and Sakamoto, who was like the eye of a storm in the center of the cafe... The small cafe seemed to have gathered the First Year bigwigs.