26 -26- Object that could be utilized

////I see many people asking, the original name of this book is 直死无限, this is an extra story after the original story and it starts around chapter 2100, I believe. /////

Watching Kushida Kikyou explain earnestly to Hirata Yousuke and Karuizawa Kei while receiving furious glares from Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki, Nanaya Hori's heart wasn't filled with joy from being noticed by a cute girl, but rather pure confusion.

(What is Kushida Kikyou playing at?)

That was the only thought in Hori's mind.

Because Hori himself didn't see any trend towards developing a sweet romantic relationship with Kushida Kikyou. 

Perhaps, for other guys, being approached by a cute girl in such a lonely class might spark thoughts like "Does she like me?" But Hori wasn't that naive. He had discarded such unrealistic fantasies long ago.

So, to Hori, Kushida Kikyou's behavior seemed meaningless. It wasn't that Hori didn't understand women's hearts. He knew that girls could be inexplicable, perhaps falling for someone for some reason or another. From that perspective, there was a possibility that Kushida Kikyou might be interested in him.

However, Hori was certain that Kushida Kikyou didn't like him. The reason was simple. In that moment when Kushida Kikyou glanced at him, it wasn't the gaze of someone interested in the opposite sex. Rather, it was like she was looking...

Of course, that was just Hori's feeling.

But Hori always trusted his instincts. Therefore, he was sure that Kushida Kikyou didn't like him but had another purpose.

(Is this also the reason she's been getting close to me lately?)

Hori gazed at Kushida Kikyou.

"N-Nanaya-kun..." Kushida Kikyou seemed to notice Hori's gaze and hastily explained, blushing, "D-Don't listen to them! I don't have those kinds of feelings!"

She said that, but Kushida Kikyou's shy, blushing demeanor lacked conviction.

In the eyes of others, Kushida Kikyou's behavior seemed like she was hiding her feelings in front of someone she cared about. Only Hori, looking at her with a probing gaze, smiled indifferently.

"I know. I didn't take it seriously."

The indifferent words made the lively atmosphere instantly awkward.

"That... that's good."

Kushida Kikyou seemed to breathe a sigh of relief or disappointment.

Of course, this was seen as putting up a strong front by others.

"I can't stand it anymore." Karuizawa Kei sighed very frankly and said, "Kushida, let's just ignore this loner. There are plenty of good guys in this school. Let's continue shopping!"

After saying that, Karuizawa Kei held Kushida Kikyou's hand and pulled her away, leaving Kushida Kikyou bewildered.

Even Hirata Yousuke had a hesitant look and finally patted Hori on the shoulder.

"Nanaya-kun, maybe you should pay more attention to your surroundings. That's the only way you'll see those who truly care about you."

After leaving this mature advice, Hirata Yousuke quickly followed them.

At this point, Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki rushed over.

"Nanaya!"

"You!"

The two of them seemed to want to devour Hori alive, rushing towards him with fierce expressions.

Naturally, such clumsy actions couldn't possibly touch Hori.

Hori simply stepped back calmly.

"Thud!"

With a dull thud, Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki collided fiercely, their heads directly hitting each other. Both of them clutched their heads and fell to the ground.

"It hurts...!"

"Ow..."

Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki both held their heads in pain, lying on the ground.

Hori watched their antics and sighed.

"What are you two doing?"

That nonchalant demeanor made Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki even angrier.

"I'm telling you, Nanaya!" Ike Kanji threatened with a fierce face, "Kushida is my target! You're not allowed to make a move on her!"

That target seems quite distant.

Hori didn't think Ike Kanji had the level to successfully pursue Kushida Kikyou.

"I... I'll tell you too!" Yamauchi Haruki also clenched his fist and declared, "I and Kushida made a childhood promise to get married when we grow up! If you hinder this destined union, you will incur heavenly retribution!"

It would be best if such a thing were true.

If that were the case, why won't that rumored childhood friend of yours even look at you?

There are too many loopholes, and Hori didn't know where to start.

As a result, Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki started quarreling with each other.

"What childhood promise?! Haruki! I've always felt like you're lying! This must be nonsense, right!?"

"W-What lying?! Everything I said is true!"

Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki started arguing and even began to wrestle with each other.

Until this moment, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka approached.

"You've had it rough."

The boy who had been advocating his reclusive tendencies from the beginning spoke with great emotion.

Hori couldn't be bothered to say anything else.

"Everyone, shall we continue?"

"What are you guys doing? Stop fooling around, okay?"

"Come on, hurry up!"

Hirata Yousuke, Karuizawa Kei, and Kushida Kikyou waved at them from the front.

Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki reluctantly stopped, snorted at each other, didn't even look at each other, and only put on big smiles when they looked at Kushida Kikyou before following after her.

Hori and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka also picked up their pace and walked forward again.

Hori watched the back of Kushida Kikyou, who seemed to have returned to her usual self, chatting and laughing with Karuizawa Kei, then suddenly asked Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.

"Do you know Kushida Kikyou?"

The sudden question caught Ayanokouji Kiyotaka off guard.

"Kushida?" Ayanokouji Kiyotaka hesitated for a moment, then said, "Although I don't know her very well, isn't she considered gentle, cute, kind, and popular with many friends?"

But that was basically everyone's understanding of Kushida Kikyou.

Everyone knew Kushida Kikyou as gentle, cute, kind, and popular with many friends, but no one knew anything beyond that.

Hori also realized this only now.

"This woman has secrets too..."

Recalling the meaning behind the gaze Kushida Kikyou gave him just now, Hori narrowed his eyes.

Until the evening when everyone dispersed, Hori couldn't understand the meaning behind Kushida Kikyou's gaze.

That gaze was like looking at an object that could be utilized.