"I accept your challenge."
Horikita Suzune confidently chose to take on the challenge. But inside, she wasn't nearly as self-assured as she appeared.
First of all, she had no idea what had actually happened with Kushida in middle school.
If she made something up and got caught…
Not only would she be unable to maintain her standing in the class, but Amane would also completely cut ties with her.
In other words, not accepting the challenge was the best option.
But she couldn't afford to lose face right now.
That's why Horikita had chosen to accept.
She was the perfect example of 'buying glory with suffering'. If things were still good between her and Amane, accepting any challenge would be no big deal.
She'd never have believed that Amane could one day be swayed by someone like Kushida.
But now, Amane seemed much closer to Kushida.
She was bound to be influenced by her.
So, no matter how you looked at it, this challenge was a death trap.
"I admire your courage. We'll see how it goes, then~"
Kushida went to the bathroom first to change into her dried clothes.
Then she picked up her toiletries, gave her cheeks a little pat, and right in front of Horikita, switched back to that gentle mask of hers.
It made Horikita feel a bit sick.
Seeing how effortlessly Kushida could switch expressions told Horikita one thing: That hypocritical face had probably fooled plenty of people.
Kushida opened the door.
She found Amane squatting on the floor.
She was poking at the ground with a small twig she'd found who-knows-where.
She looked like she was trying to tease some ants.
But this was the twelfth floor.
And the floors were cleaned daily.
There was no way there could be any ants.
"Are you two done talking, Kikyo-chan?"
Seeing Kushida come out, Amane tossed the twig aside and happily scurried over.
She'd been so bored out here by herself.
Her phone was still on the desk, so she couldn't even do anything.
"Mhm, Horikita-san and I had a friendly chat, a thorough exchange of views. It was very productive. Who knows, maybe we can even become good friends in the future."
Hearing this, Amane broke into a happy smile.
"That's great! I was worried you two might start fighting in there."
"Pfft, Amane-san, your imagination is just too wild. Sadly, I don't know how to fight. I've really troubled you today, Amane-san. Next time, I'll treat you to bubble tea."
Kushida leaned forward slightly, offering a cute smile.
"It's a promise, then!"
"Mhm mhm! I'll be going now."
"Bye bye, Kikyo-chan~"
After seeing Kushida off, Amane, who had just stepped back inside, saw Horikita's gloomy face.
Was this what she called a friendly chat?
It looked more like they'd had a huge argument.
But she hadn't heard any noise from outside the door. Maybe Kushida had said something harsh?
"Horikita-san, are you okay?"
"Could you… call me Suzune?"
Horikita had finally overcome her desire to run away.
She was scared.
Terrified that Kushida might really take Amane away from her. If that happened, she would lose her only friend completely.
"Huh? I thought you didn't like it when I called you that anymore…"
Before Amane could finish, Horikita pulled her into a tight hug.
"Suzune? What's wrong? Don't scare me…"
It was the first time she'd seen Horikita be so forward.
She seemed a little unaccustomed to it.
Amane let Horikita hold her for a few minutes before reluctantly pulling away.
"I'm sorry. I really should have apologized to you sooner. My original intention was to help you escape from all that negative talk. But because I didn't communicate with you properly beforehand, I acted on my own and let our relationship become… what it is now."
Horikita hung her head. "I'm truly sorry. I want to take back all those words that hurt you, Amane."
Seeing Horikita apologize so formally, Amane couldn't help the smirk that tugged at her lips.
"Words once spoken are like water spilled on the ground. You can't take them back."
That single sentence plunged Horikita into despair.
"Amane… are you still angry? I can—"
"Unless, ahem~"
Amane tapped her own cheek.
In the past, Horikita wouldn't have hesitated to pinch Amane's cheek.
To teach her the price of getting cocky.
But now…Horikita's face flushed slightly red.
She slowly leaned closer to Amane.
This was different from their usual roughhousing.
Horikita's actions here would determine Amane's attitude towards her.
So she had to take it seriously.
But just as she was about to make contact… "Amane… could you ask for something else? I'm still a little…"
Horikita, her face bright red, tried to get Amane to change the requirement.
"It seems Horikita-san's sincerity is a bit lacking."
Horikita was left speechless.
But Amane wasn't wrong.
If Horikita wasn't even willing to do such a small thing, how could Amane believe her words were genuine?
Horikita was at a loss for what to do.
"Then… you'll stay with me tonight. If you refuse even this, I really won't be able to believe you, Horikita-san. After all, we used to sleep together all the time."
Amane finally showed her little claws.
Horikita thought about it.
This request didn't seem too difficult.
At worst, Amane's hands might get a little restless…
But it was still better than having to…
Her face still red, Horikita nodded.
Amane's face lit up with a 'plan accomplished' expression.
"Since you agreed, Suzune, no backing out, okay?"
Amane actually seemed worried Horikita might renege.
"If I said I'd stay, I'll stay." Horikita shot Amane an exasperated look.
Really.
Had their trust really fallen this low?
It was just… sleeping over, right?
Pretty normal for girls, wasn't it?
Even though Horikita felt a little uneasy about what the night might bring, she still didn't choose to go back on her word.
Amane didn't mind Horikita's attitude.
She scampered over to the bed, lay down, and began patting the mattress rapidly with her little hand.
Knowing exactly what Amane wanted, Horikita could only inch her way over to the bedside.
This was her first time spending the night in Amane's room.
Horikita felt a bit nervous.
Back in her own room, Amane used to squeeze into her bed almost every night.
Horikita could treat Amane however she wanted then.
Who would've thought, in such a short time, their positions would be completely reversed.
Amane, as the room's owner, was giving the pitiful Horikita a chance to mend their relationship.
But it might involve… enduring some excessive behavior.
Even so, Horikita had agreed.
"Suzune."
Amane called her name. Then she reached out, pulled Horikita under the covers.
"Wait… Amane… Could you turn off the light first? I… I'm a little…"
Amane blinked.
It was just sleeping. Why was Horikita's face so red?
But she could understand wanting the lights off for sleep. Amane hurriedly got up and switched off the light.
The room was plunged into darkness.
Amane could just make out Horikita's tightly closed eyes.
She looked like she was bracing for an incoming storm.
Amane thought about it.
Something felt a little off…
Whatever.
Time for sleep.
"Suzune, here I come~"
The next moment, Horikita, with her eyes tightly shut, felt something soft bump against her cheek.
Since when did Amane play so rough?
--+--
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.