-188- What you really wanted to say
Just like Sakura Airi, Kushida Kikyou was no longer wearing the sportswear she'd worn for a week, but had changed back into her Advanced Nurturing High School uniform.
In the night breeze, the girl's shoulder-length hair fluttered slightly as she walked out from inside the ship, her skirt tracing somewhat dangerous arcs, creating an indescribable beauty.
If Ike Kanji were here, his eyes would likely be immediately drawn to that tantalizingly swaying skirt, and he would show a goofy expression.
But the person in question seemed completely unaware of this, as she slowly approached.
"Why are you here alone?"
Kushida Kikyou brushed aside the hair blocking her view and approached Hori, showing him an incredibly sweet smile.
Class D's little angel was as cute and captivating as ever, like a beautiful camellia, making people mesmerized.
Unfortunately, the camellia was just a facade.
The girl before him wasn't a pure flower but a rose with deadly thorns.
Of course, Hori hadn't seen this poisonous side of her for an entire semester.
And with that sweet, innocent smile, it was easy to forget the dangerous side of this girl if one wasn't careful.
Hori looked at Kushida Kikyou without showing too much intimacy or deliberately distancing himself.
"I'm just out here to enjoy the breeze," Hori replied casually. "Why are you here?"
Unlike Sakura Airi, Kushida Kikyou was extremely popular. A girl who aimed to be friends with everyone would surely attend a celebration party hosted by both Class B and Class D, right?
But now, she was alone on the deck, which even surprised Hori.
Even if she didn't want to attend, those charmed by her would certainly invite her, making her eventually agree.
And Hori's thoughts were correct.
Kushida Kikyou had indeed attended the celebration.
"Everyone's still inside, having a great time. Especially Ike, he's so happy chatting with the girls from Class B that he doesn't want to leave," Kushida Kikyou said helplessly.
Hori couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for Ike Kanji.
Being so happy chatting up girls from another class in front of the girl he likes, Ike's image in Kushida Kikyou's eyes had probably plummeted.
Now, even if no one else was competing, Ike likely wouldn't have a chance with this high-maintenance flower.
Unaware of Hori's thoughts, Kushida Kikyou continued speaking.
"I came out halfway through to use the restroom and saw Sakura running out with a flushed face. I couldn't stop her, so I came to see what was going on." Kushida Kikyou looked curious. "Nanaya-kun, did you do something to Sakura?"
Such phrasing sounded suspicious, right?
If an uninformed third party were here, they might really think Hori had done something to Sakura Airi.
But in reality, Hori was indeed the culprit.
"Even if I told you I did nothing, you wouldn't believe it, right?" Hori rolled his eyes, turned around, and continued looking at the sea, replying, "I just went a bit too far with a prank, don't worry about it."
"A prank?" Kushida Kikyou seemed both surprised and amused. "I didn't expect Nanaya-kun to play pranks."
After saying this, Kushida Kikyou seemed to have no intention of leaving. She came to Hori's side, leaned against the railing, and gazed at the sea.
The night breeze blew, bringing the faint fragrance from the girl beside him to Hori's nose.
"Not planning to go inside?" Kushida Kikyou asked softly, looking at the rolling waves. "Everyone's really looking forward to Nanaya-kun joining the party."
"Really?" Hori responded disinterestedly. "Has Ichinose arrived?"
"She has arrived," Kushida Kikyou immediately said, "and she's been bombarded with questions by everyone."
As expected.
It was a good thing Hori didn't go along.
"Poor little Honami, having to deal with everyone's curiosity," Kushida Kikyou turned her head to look at Hori, smiling, "Aren't you going to help your girlfriend, Nanaya-kun?"
Faced with Kushida Kikyou's words, Hori calmly responded.
"You don't have to pretend not to know." Hori replied indifferently, "Others might not see it, but I don't believe you wouldn't notice."
Indeed.
If it was Kushida Kikyou, she definitely would have seen through it.
Hori and Ichinose Honami were not actually a couple.
Someone as socially adept and observant as Kushida Kikyou would surely have noticed this.
Kushida Kikyou didn't bother to hide it.
"Was it that obvious?" Kushida Kikyou smiled slightly, "Honami-chan doesn't seem very good at this, she always looks flustered."
So, Kushida Kikyou had figured it out.
She saw that Hori and Ichinose Honami were pretending to be a couple.
"Though I don't know the details, it's quite surprising to see Nanaya-kun and Honami-chan doing something like this." Kushida Kikyou sincerely remarked, "Regardless of Honami-chan, I was quite shocked to see you pretending to be someone's boyfriend, Nanaya-kun."
Hori always appeared so detached from everyone.
Pretending aside, even if Hori did get a girlfriend someday, it would still surprise people.
"However, there might be quite a few girls interested in Nanaya-kun. If that day does come, it shouldn't be too surprising."
Kushida Kikyou then began listing with her fingers.
"Like Sakura-san, who is always close to Nanaya-kun. Also, Honami-chan wouldn't pretend to be your girlfriend if she really disliked you. The girls in our class were impressed by you during this special exam, and many have told me they envy Honami-chan."
Saying this, Kushida Kikyou tilted her head, looking at Hori with a smile.
"And then there's Horikita-san, who was only with Nanaya-kun during the special exam. You both acted together several times, who knows where you went. It's really intriguing."
Hearing this, Hori laughed.
He laughed rather indifferently.
Because...
"That last part is what you really wanted to say, isn't it?"
Hori glanced at Kushida Kikyou and responded coldly.
"You only care about Horikita; the rest doesn't matter to you."
Leaving those words, Hori turned around, ready to leave.
However...
"Nanaya-kun...!"
Accompanied by a somewhat urgent voice, a soft body pressed against Hori's back.