Volume 9, Chapter 5: Spreading Rumors Part 2

Tomorrow on the 15th, all of you will be expected to complete a comprehensive provisional test. However, just like with the test earlier this year, it wont have any effect on your grades. The goal is to thoroughly test your current strengths. Furthermore, it will help you prepare of the final exams coming at the end of the year. While the tests wont contain identical questions, the provisional exam will have similar questions to those found on the final exams. Do not be negligent with your studies simply because youve been promoted to Class C.

Chabashiras appreciated explanation finished, marking the end of todays lessons.

As the girl in the seat beside me began her preparations for returning home for the day, I opted to ask her a simple question.

Hows it going with Kushida?

What are you getting at?

Im asking if youve been successful with her lately.

I wonder. Im hard at work planning out how to improve my relationship with her. Are you looking to cooperate?

I was just asking.

Kushida-san has been changing, little by little.

In what way has she been changing?

Today, after we wrap things up here, Ill be having tea together with her at Keyaki Mall. The Kushida from before wouldve turned down such an offer without hesitation.

As it turned out, these unexpected developments seemed to be nothing more than superficial.

In other words, youre expecting to see results?

If we communicate, we might be able to come to a mutual understanding.

Glad to hear it. See you.

After giving a brief reply to Horikita, I got up from my seat.

What was that?

In response to my ridicule, Horikita looked at me with a slight trace of contempt in her eyes before looking away.

Shortly thereafter, Horikita stood up as well.

Ah, Suzune. Uh Whens a good time for you to help me with my studies?

Thats quite proactive of you, Sud-kun.

Thats well, I dont wanna drop out, ya know?

Despite what he said, he gave off a somewhat nervous appearance.

His true aim was, of course, to receive valentines chocolates from Horikita.

Any time works for me. Even today.

However-

Your club activities still havent gone on break yet, have they? Well have time for studying after the provisional exams.

With that, Suds dreams were shattered.

I left the classroom.

The Ayanokji Group was making plans to meet up, but I decided to refuse this time.

There were other matters that required my attention at the moment.

Kiyotaka-kun!

I heard my name reservedly being called from the hallway behind me.

Whats wrong, Airi?

Are you really not joining up with the group today?

That was the plan.

I-its fine if youre late, so could you still try joining up with everyone?

I suppose Maybe sometime after 6?

Sure! I think everyone should still be together then!

Alright. Ill get in contact with you then, okay?

With that, Airis firm expression changed into a beaming smile. I parted ways with her and started moving towards my destination. Class Bs classroom was strangely quiet by the time I arrived there.

Because there were only a few Class B students who I could reliably talk to, speaking with Kanzaki wouldve been my first choice. Sumida and Moriyama, who I had been lodging together with at training camp, wouldve also been fine.

However, as I looked around the classroom, the three of them were nowhere to be found.

I had been hoping to catch someone suitable before they left, but thats just not how it worked out.

I decided to turn back for the time being.

On the way out, I overheard a conversation between two girls as they left the classroom behind me.

Hey Do you think the reason why Honami-chan was absent today

Something like that totally isnt possible.

The two of them shared a brief back and forth.

Was Ichinose taking a day off?

Was it merely a coincidence, or was it related to what happened a few days ago like that girl just thought?

I thought about this as I distanced myself from Class B.

How did Sakayanagi come to know Ichinoses secret in the first place?

There are certainly conversational techniques designed to draw out secrets from other people, such as cold and hot reading. However, I cant imagine that Ichinose would want to let anything slip about her past with shoplifting. The fact that she was denying it even now is proof enough of that.

Considering how shes handled herself so far, it even makes me question whether or not she would ever cave into the incitement from the greatest enemy class to begin with.

It would be different if it was Ike or Yamauchi, but Ichinose is clever.

Did she get carried away by Sakayanagis coaxing?

Is it possible that theres someone else that knew Ichinoses secret?

But even Kanzaki, the person who seems to be Ichinoses closest ally, didnt know anything.

And after seeing her close friends, it doesnt seem like they know either.

Then one of the teaching staff or the student council?

If Nagumo abandoned Ichinose and sided with Sakayanagi, it would be possible.

However, this hypothesis rests on a few assumptions being true.

In the first place, theres no proof behind this conclusion other than what Kamuro told me.

Plus, the only person whod be able to disprove that premise would be Ichinose Honami herself.

The school may be wide, but when compared to society, its actually rather confined.

Due to that, if you want to speak with someone in secret, you must put top priority to ensuring that the two of you are truly alone.

Basically, this would mean limiting the interactions to early in the morning, or late at night.

While I dont know Ichinose Honamis room number, getting it at this point should be easy. Just make a call to the dormitory management office and ask for it directly. Theres no reason for the school to keep the room number of their students a secret. If you tell them that youre in a scramble to get in touch with them, they should be understanding.

I made the call to verify the room number as I continued walking, getting it without any difficulties.

I felt the presence of Hashimoto behind me, watching me from a distance, but I ignored him.

Recently, hed taken to tailing me both during the daytime and in the evening.

He didnt have a bad sense of distance, giving off the impression that hes had experience with tailing people before.

At first glance, it didnt seem like there were any advantages to going to see Ichinose with him following behind me. But, it was actually the other way around. The fact that he was watching was exactly what made it worth showing him what I was up to.

I had decided to return to the dorms early to confirm things with Ichinose, so I went to her floor. Unfortunately, there appeared to be several girls in front of her room as I got there.

A group of girls who were all particularly close friends with her.

I immediately turned around and got back on the elevator.

Id have to give up here for today.

(Part 2 End)