After shoving Amane out of the room, Horikita sat down face to face with Kushida.
Yet she didn't make the first move—instead, she simply watched Kushida in silence.
That threw a wrench in Kushida's plans.
She'd already prepared all sorts of comebacks and strategies, but Horikita's wordlessness made every one of them useless.
If things kept going like this, they could sit here till sunrise without making any progress.
Looks like I'll have to take the initiative after all, Kushida thought.
"Didn't you have something to say to me, Horikita-san?"
"If I recall, you also mentioned having something to discuss with me, Kushida-san?"
Horikita's icy tone grated on Kushida's nerves. She couldn't stand people who acted all high and mighty like that.
So she decided to drop the friendly mask altogether.
"So you really do know something, don't you?"
Horikita Suzune didn't seem surprised to see Kushida's true colors.
She'd sensed all along that Kushida's approachable persona was just an act.
As for how she knew—when you spend enough time alone, you learn to spot a performance from a mile away.
"I'm not sure what you're referring to, Kushida-san."
Horikita took a sip of the drink Amane had left on the table.
Hss—So cold.
How could anyone drink something this freezing, with ice cubes no less?
She crunched the half-melted slush between her teeth, suddenly worried about Amane.
Did she not realize this could upset her stomach?
I'll have to teach her some basic health sense later.
"Cut the act. We came from the same middle school, so we ought to know a thing or two about each other. Too bad I never got along with honor students like you."
Kushida shot Horikita a cold smirk. Horikita rested her chin on her hand, as if trying to recall something.
"Now that you mention it, I think I did hear some strange rumors."
Kushida's fists clenched tightly.
"And what exactly did you hear, Horikita-san?"
"Something about a class in our grade falling apart over some incident—to the point it couldn't function anymore. If I said I don't really know the details, would you believe me?"
To be honest, Horikita only had a vague idea about the whole thing.
She'd never had many friends and lived a simple, repetitive life.
No one ever shared gossip with her. Besides, what did it matter to her if some other class collapsed?
So she'd never looked into what actually happened.
But judging by Kushida's reaction, it seemed Kushida was deeply involved.
"Don't lie. You must know."
Kushida's eyes burned with anger.
"If you say so, I can't really argue. How do I prove I don't know something?" Horikita met Kushida's furious gaze calmly.
"Then I'll just assume you know."
Kushida's voice grew dark.
Her expression no longer hid her disgust for Horikita.
"Suit yourself. But I'm curious—what could have happened to make you like this, Kushida-san? Do you really want to erase your past that badly? That's impossible, you know."
Horikita's words cut deep.
"Whether it's possible or not isn't up to you."
Faced with Kushida's stubbornness, Horikita massaged her temples in frustration.
It looked like a civil conversation was off the table. Still, she'd finally uncovered the real reason Kushida resented her.
In a way, that was progress.
"I am a bit curious, though—how exactly do you plan to erase your past?"
Horikita had a rough idea of what Kushida intended, but she wanted to hear it from her directly.
"That's none of your business, Horikita-san."
"You're getting close to Amane with an ulterior motive, aren't you?"
Horikita wasn't afraid of Kushida coming after her.
But if she was using Amane—taking advantage of her desire to make friends—just to get close to Horikita and dig for information…
That crossed a line.
"Hah? You think pretty highly of yourself, don't you? Amane-chan and I are genuine friends. It's just a shame you're always in the way—honestly, it makes me sick. And since you know something you shouldn't, don't blame me for what happens next."
Kushida's voice was eerily cold, laced with a hatred so intense it surprised Horikita.
Just what happened back then to make her so desperate to bury her past?
"What are you planning? To hurt Amane?"
Horikita rose to her feet.
She only took a slight step forward, but Kushida flinched back several paces.
Only after putting distance between them did her expression ease slightly.
"I'm not stupid enough to do something that would leave evidence. But I heard you and Amane-chan haven't been getting along too well lately?"
Kushida's tone was taunting.
In truth, she already knew perfectly well—the friendship between Amane and Horikita was already cracking.
It might still be hanging by a thread, but one good tug would snap it for good.
"That's none of your concern."
Horikita's face remained neutral, but inside, she felt a growing unease.
She knew better than anyone—if this dragged on, she might never again hear Amane call her "Suzune" like she did today.
"Then how about we play a game, Horikita-san? I'm going to take Amane-chan away from you for good. You're always putting on that cold, superior act, aren't you? Well, I'll steal your only friend. Then you can enjoy the rest of your school life in lovely isolation."
Kushida's words shook Horikita more than she expected.
"You're overthinking this, Kushida-san. Amane isn't the type to abandon a friend."
"Maybe Amane-chan wouldn't, but you might. I bet the reason your relationship soured lies with you, Horikita Suzune. Since you're the one who broke it, don't blame me if I… hehe."
For the first time, Horikita felt real pressure.
She didn't even know where she stood in Amane's heart compared to Kushida.
"Do what you want. I don't mind sharing some rumors I've heard with Amane."
Backed into a corner, Horikita pulled a shameless move—using unverified gossip as a trump card.
If she told Amane about Kushida's shady past, it'd be just like tattling to a teacher.
Amane might keep her distance from Kushida, but that didn't mean she'd warm back up to Horikita.
It could even backfire, making Amane avoid Horikita too—just to keep her own secrets safe.
"How low, Horikita Suzune. So you're that type of person after all. Since you've declared war, want to see who's faster? Let's find out whether you can break my friendship with Amane-chan before I tear her away from you."
Kushida had officially thrown down the gauntlet.
Meanwhile, Amane, who'd been squatting by the door all this time, had no idea she'd just become the prize in a high-stakes bet.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.