Leaving the library, I chased after Kushida. I wanted to thank her and apologize to her about the study group. Besides, I want to get along with cute girls, you know?

Taking out my phone enthusiastically, I looked through my address book for Kushidas name. Its only my second time, so Im nervous to contact her. I heard the phone ring two, three times.

However, theres no sign that shes picking up. Did she not notice? Or is she ignoring me?

She wasnt in sight, so I ran around, looking for her. Inside the school building, I saw someone that looked like Kushida from the back. It was around 6 oclock, so there was no one other than club members. Well, theres also the possibility that Kushida is meeting one of her friends thats in a club.

Ill chase after her; if shes meeting up with someone, I can talk to her at a later date. Time to go inside.

Getting my indoor shoes from the rack, I headed for the hallway, but didnt see Kushida. Did I lose sight of her? I thought that, but I heard the faint sounds of someones shoes.

I arrived at the stairs leading to the second floor. Still following her. I heard the footsteps above me, going to the third floor. The next floor is the rooftop, no? Its open during lunchtime, but I believe that its locked after school. Feeling curious, I went up the stairs. I hid my presence in case she was meeting with someone. And then I stopped in the middle of the stairs.

I could see the outline of someone up there.

Leaning against the handrail, I peeked through the crack in the door. As I looked through the opening, I saw Kushidas figure. There was no one else. Is she waiting for someone here?

If shes waiting for someone in the deserted place perhaps, is Kushida meeting up a boyfriend? In that case, theres a possibility that I would be cornered from both sides. As I was wondering whether or not I should leave, Kushida put down her bag on the floor.

And then

Ah so annoying.

Her voice was so low that I didnt think that it was Kushida.

Its really annoying, irritating. Itd be fine if she just died

She was grumbling to herself as if she was saying some kind of spell or curse.

I hate those kind of stuck-up girls that think theyre cute. Why is she such a bitch? A girl like her cant possibly teach me how to study.

Is Kushida annoyed with Horikita?

Ah the worst. Shes really the worst, the worst, the worst. Horikitas annoying, annoying, so annoying!

I feel like the image of the class most popular girl has been burned down. It was a figure that she didnt want seen by anyone else. My brain told me that it was dangerous to stay here.

However, a question arose. Regardless of the fact that she was hiding her true feelings, why did she agree to help me if she hates Horikita? I thought that she would know enough about Horikitas personality and character. She couldve refused to help, leave the study group to Horikita, or have done countless other actions to take her hands off the issue.

Why would she force herself to participate in the study group? Did she want to get along with Horikita? Or did she want to get closer to someone participating?

None of those make sense. With that much stress, if there isnt a different reason as to why she participated, I cant explain it.

No She mightve showed signs of this from the very beginning.

I never thought much about it, but looking at the state shes in right now, I had a thought. By any chance, are Kushida and Horikita

Anyway, I should get away from here. Kushida probably wouldnt want anyone else to see her like this. Hiding my presence, I tried to quickly leave.

Thump!

In the school at dusk, the sound of kicking the door was louder than I thought. Unexpectedly loud. Kushida, also hearing the sound, immediately tensed up and stopped breathing. As if someone called out to her, Kushida turned around and spotted me.

What are you doing here?

After a brief silence, Kushida asked in a cold voice.

I lost my way, My bad, my bad. Ill leave now.

Kushida kept looking at me, seeing through my obvious lie. She had an intense gaze Id never seen before.

Did you hear?

Will you believe me if I said I didnt?

I see

Kushida briskly walked down the stairs. She put her left forearm against my neck and pushed me against the wall.

Her tone of voice and behavior wasnt the Kushida I knew.

The Kushida now had a scary look that I couldnt help but compare to Horikitas.

What you heard just now if you speak a word of it to anyone, I wont forgive you.

That sounded like a threat.

And if I did?

Then Ill spread a rumor that you raped me up here.

Thats a false charge, you know.

Thats ok, since its not a false charge.

There was a strong impact to her words.

Kushida then grabbed my left wrist and slowly opened the palm of my hand. She held the back of my hand and put my palm on her breast.

The feeling of her soft breasts was transmitted throughout my whole palm.

What are you doing?

At her unexpected behavior, I tried to pull away, but she pushed back on my hand.

Your fingerprints are on my clothes. Theres evidence. Im being serious. Get it?

I understand. I got it, so let go of my hand.

Im going to leave this uniform in my room without washing it. If you tell anyone, Im going to give this to the police.

For a while, I glared at Kushida as she kept my hand on her breasts.

Dont forget.

Making sure that I understood, Kushida stepped away from me.

I somehow couldnt remember the feeling even though it was my first time touching a girls breasts.

Hey, Kushida. Which one is the real you?

That has nothing to do with you.

Is that so However, watching you made me realize something. If you hate Horikita, then theres no need to involve yourself with her, right?

I didnt mean to ask that. I knew that she probably wouldnt answer. But I was curious as to why she went so far to befriend her.

Is it bad to try to be liked by everyone? Do you understand how hard that is? You dont, right?

I dont have too many friends, so no, I cant say I do.

Ever since the first day, Kushida certainly made an effort to talk to, exchange contact addresses with, and invite a pessimistic and negative girl. Anyone can imagine how time-consuming and hard that would be.

Like Horikita I wanted to at least look like I got along with Horikita-san.

But you were stressed, huh.

Yea. Thats my way of life. That way, I can feel my own real significance.

She answered without hesitation. Kushida has feelings and rules that only she herself knows. Thats what she was saying. Following her own rules, she frantically tried over and over to get along with Horikita.

Im telling you this because of the circumstances, but I really hate gloomy and plain boys like you.

My image of the cute Kushida has been shattered, but Im not really shocked. People tend to have both public and private images, after all.

However, Kushidas answer felt like it had both truths and lies.

This is just my intuition, but were you and Horikita acquaintances? Before coming to this school.

When I said that, Kushidas shoulder flinched for a split second.

What the I dont know what you mean. Did Horikita-san say something about me?

No, I thought that it was your first time meeting her. Its funny, though.

Funny?

I remembered the first time Kushida talked to me.

When I was introducing myself, you instantly remembered my name, no?

Kushida asked in reply, So what?

Where did you hear Horikitas name from? At that time, she hadnt told her name to anybody. The only one who knew was Sudou, but I doubt you met Sudou then.

In other words, she shouldnt have had the chance to learn her name.

Also, you probably got close to me so you could keep tabs on her, right?

Just shut up. Im getting irritated from listening to you talk. I only want to say one thing. Do you swear that you wont say a word of what you learned here?

I promise. Even if I told anyone, no one would believe me, right?

Kushida is really trusted by the class. A difference of heaven and earth between us.

Ok. I believe you.

Although she didnt change her expression, Kushida closed her eyes and exhaled deeply.

Is there anyone that would even believe me?

I accidently blurted out those words.

Horikita-sans kind of unusual, right?

Well, Id say shes really unusual.

Shes not affected by anyone, nor does she involve herself with other people. The exact opposite of me.

Kushida and Horikita are really two opposite poles.

You know, she only opens herself up to you.

Wait. Let me make a quick revision. She doesnt open herself up. Absolutely not.

Probably. Even so, she trusts you the most. Out of everyone I know, she has the most confidence in herself and the most wariness towards others. She wouldnt trust anyone whos worthless and stupid.

Youre saying she has a good eye for people, right?

Thats the reason I said I believed you. After all, youre pretty apathetic towards others, right?

I dont remember showing Kushida that kind of behavior, but she seemed to have confidence in her words.

Its not like its that strange to say. You showed absolutely no signs of giving your seat up to the old woman, right?

I see, thats what shes talking about. She noticed us on the bus. And then she realized that we werent even thinking of giving up our seats.

If you believed me, then dont spread pointless rumors like that.

If you had that much confidence before, you wouldnt have had the chance to feel my breasts.

ThatsI was really confused there. I panicked

Her facial expression softened, and changed to one of impatience.

So, can I think of you as a bitch that would let boys touch your breasts without any hesitation?

She kicked my thigh with all her strength. In a panic, I took hold of the railing.

Dangerous! I couldve gotten injured!

Thats because you said something stupid!

With a flushed face (from anger, not bashfulness), Kushida snapped at me.

Hey, wait for a bit.

I gave her a small nod.

Going back up the stairs, Kushida quickly got her bag and came back. She had a wide grin on her face.

Shall we go back together?

S-sure.

I wondered whether this was a bad dream as her attitude did a complete 180. It was the usual Kushida. In the end, I couldnt tell which one was the real her.