Horikita sat on the bench, feeling somewhat surprised by the newcomer.
"Am I bothering you by sitting here, Classmate Kushida?"
Kushida was someone who could speak normally with Karuizawa, and specially inviting Karuizawa out for a conversation on a hot summer weekend.
This in itself suggested some issues.
And... Karuizawa had no reason to entertain such a request.
Couldn't they just communicate directly via phone?
What was the other party worried about? Call recordings, or... fearing a third person being present?
And why would Karuizawa agree to such a strange request from Kushida?
Most likely, Kushida used a reason Karuizawa couldn't refuse, which easily brought Karuizawa here.
What could it be?
"It's not exactly bothering me; I just simply dislike you."
Kushida made no secret of her aversion to Horikita.
As the only person who might know her past, Kushida had never let down her guard.
"You're quite direct, but that's good, because I dislike you quite a bit too."
Horikita gave Kushida a faint glance, then lowered her head to look at her phone.
Seeing that Horikita had no intention of continuing the conversation, Kushida also didn't bother to say more to Horikita.
She wasn't here to see this woman she disliked.
However... what she found strange was that the time she had arranged with Karuizawa had long passed; Kushida even thought she was already late.
But to her surprise, Karuizawa was even later than her. What an unpunctual woman.
After silently complaining about Karuizawa in her heart, Kushida could only remain where she was and continue waiting.
Because what she had to tell Karuizawa was extremely important.
Once she missed this best opportunity, it would be difficult to turn things around later.
Kushida tried sending Karuizawa an inquiry text, but unfortunately, Karuizawa, who had her phone on silent and in her bag, didn't notice Kushida's message at all.
After waiting for about another half an hour, Kushida also grew a bit impatient, but she didn't want to make a call directly in this spot.
After all, the matter they were discussing involved Amane-san, and if Horikita overheard anything, Kushida didn't want to end up like Ichihashi, being manipulated by Amane-san.
She forcibly suppressed the urge to make a call.
Kushida, having been exposed to the sun for a long time, couldn't help but look enviously at the bench in the shade.
To show her disdain earlier, she had deliberately kept a considerable distance from Horikita.
But now, the only shaded spot nearby was by the bench where Horikita was sitting.
Horikita, enjoying the shade, occasionally deliberately looked up at Kushida.
This action infuriated Kushida, yet she was unwilling to swallow her pride and sit on the same bench as Horikita.
Left with no choice, Kushida could only continue to endure the torment of the sun.
Meanwhile, Amane-san, whose movie had finally ended after another hour, was all smiles, her left arm around Karuizawa and her right arm around Ichinose. Just as she was about to leave the screening room, she was stopped by a purple-haired girl who had previously argued with her.
"You! Don't think I don't know what you did to Classmate Ichinose!"
Facing the sudden accusation, Amane-san paused, then glanced at Ichinose beside her.
Ichinose subtly shook her head, indicating that this was not at her instigation or arrangement.
So, this was the other party's personal wish?
What kind of idiot would jump out to challenge Amane-san?
"Classmate Morofuji..."
Ichinose had just started to speak when she saw that Morofuji's eyes were filled with tears.
"I admire and respect Classmate Ichinose so much, yet you're doing such things with this culprit who caused Classmate Shiraha to withdraw from school! I, I cannot accept Classmate Ichinose like this!"
Morofuji's loud accusations attracted the attention of many people.
Amane-san thought for a long time but couldn't figure out what she meant by "such things."
"Firstly, the description 'culprit'... don't you think that's more fitting for yourselves? Secondly, do you need to accept whatever Ichinose and I do?"
After Amane-san finished speaking, she intended to bypass Morofuji and leave.
But Morofuji, as if determined, once again blocked Amane's path.
"You're doing such indecent things in public, and you still have the nerve..."
Morofuji held up a photo of Amane kissing Ichinose's cheek while reaching her hand inside Ichinose's top, loudly accusing Ichinose and Amane.
The next second, Morofuji's phone flew out of her hand, and Amane casually deleted the photo.
"What did I think it was? It's just a kiss. Is it really worth getting so jealous over? Ichinose, kiss me."
Amane said to Ichinose without looking back.
Ichinose seemed a bit embarrassed in front of so many people, fidgeting for a long time without making a move.
Seeing this, Amane simply put her arm around Ichinose and gave her a loud peck on the cheek.
It was even audible.
Morofuji's eyes went wide.
"See? I can kiss the person you respect and admire whenever I want. What can you do about it?"
Amane stuffed Morofuji's phone back into her arms.
Then, she coolly left with Karuizawa.
The students of Class B watched in shock at such behavior.
They couldn't believe that Amane would be so audacious, doing something so outrageous to Ichinose in plain sight.
But what was even more unacceptable to them was that Ichinose didn't resist!
They didn't dare to criticize Amane, whose strength was clearly not on their level.
They could only turn to blame Ichinose's weakness, angry that she didn't fight back, even talking about reporting Amane for deleting evidence and so on.
But would Amane care?
Of course not.
"I didn't expect you to be quite cool sometimes, Amane."
Karuizawa couldn't help but praise him.
Facing accusations and interrogations, Amane forcefully retaliated with her actions, watching the other party gnash their teeth in anger but not daring to stop Amane. Karuizawa felt a genuine envy.
She wished she could also be feared by others like that someday.
If so, surely no one would bully her anymore?
"So, Kei, who do you think is cooler, me or Hirata-san?"
Amane looked at Karuizawa with ill intent.
Karuizawa couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.
Even though Amane was already so formidable, he sometimes liked to tease others like a child.
"Of course, Yosuke is cooler. It's so comfortable when he holds me..."
Before Karuizawa could finish her sentence, Amane pulled her into his arms.
"Now?"
Amane's voice softened.
For a moment, Karuizawa didn't know what to say.
The warm body heat radiating from Amane continuously transferred to her through her skin, and the faint scent of lavender made Karuizawa want to immerse herself in it.
If only it could stay like this forever, no one would be able to bully her in Amane's arms, right?
Speaking of which, she also didn't know how to answer Amane's question.
She had never experienced Hirata's embrace or anything like that.
Despite her gyaru appearance and her seemingly expert romantic demeanor, she was merely a novice who had never even been in a relationship.
No, to be precise, she wasn't even a novice.
Because... she was just using Hirata.
There was no talk of liking him at all.
So, naturally, it was impossible for them to reach the point of hugging each other.
Then, without a doubt.
Amane's hug was the most reassuring.
After all, it was the first time she had been held by someone not in the context of bullying.
"It's warm, very comfortable... I think I kind of li..."
"Cough cough, Amane, are you acting like I don't exist?"
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!