Fairness

Even if Tsubame had told her that it was fine to stay in the changing room of the gymnastics club, Kobachi didn't want to stay there any longer since the more she stayed, the harder it was for her to forget about the lewd kiss he exchanged with Tsubame. 

So, even if she was disappointed by him, she agreed with his invitation to walk with him. 

More importantly, it was good to talk as it could help her to forget about everything, but as they walked, Kobachi couldn't help but take a glance at the man that she loved, who also had made many girls fall for him. 

Not only Onodera but also Tsubame, and then there was Chika. 

When Kobachi thought of all of the women, she said, "...you are such a womanizer." 

"I don't think so." 

"Really?" 

"There are many who are worse than me, after all." 

"But there are more who don't have a girlfriend." 

"Is it?" 

"Yeah, I think that the majority of high school students don't have any experience in love, even if almost half have lost their virginity based on the survey." 

"...did you always read something like that?" 

"Not really, but I am a member of the Public Morals Committee, so I have to read those books to understand why they shouldn't be brought to the school." 

"I think that you shouldn't read them."

Kobachi didn't say anything and only gave him an elbow on his arm with a snort. 

Even if there was truth in his words, then there was no need to say it out loud, okay? 

Ishigami smiled and asked, "Was there anything interesting you had read lately?" 

"No, but I am a bit curious about the "Biography of Sada Abe" that you almost picked before." 

"...don't read that, okay?" 

"Why? Is it so scary? I have heard that she was a famous female killer in the past." 

"...how about you read something else?" 

"Such as?" 

"How about studying books so your grade will be better on the next mid-term exam?" 

Kobachi gave him another elbow, but this time, it was stronger with a louder snort. 

"Are you confident you can reach the Top 10? I heard that you made a bet with Iino, right? What was it? If either of you won, the victor could ask a request from the loser, right?" 

"You are right." 

"What if she asked you a pervy request?" 

"Do you think she will ask that?" 

"You don't know how perverted that girl is..." 

"...you shouldn't talk badly of your only friend like that, okay?" 

"Only friends..." Kobachi couldn't help but mutter at his words, wondering what Iino would do if she knew about her relationship with Ishigami. 

Would their relationship be broken? 

If she knew nothing about Ishigami's conduct, then she wouldn't care, even if her relationship with Iino was broken.

But now?

After all, while she knew that it was pretty pathetic, she easily got lonely and didn't want to be alone.

Iino should also be in a similar situation as her, and the two just didn't want to be alone, so they were together. 

"You don't think so?" 

"Hmm..." 

"Well, even so, you have been with her for so long, and I don't think that it is easy for you to ignore your past together." 

"Like you?" 

Ishigami stopped, looked at Kobachi, and asked, "Why do you love me so much, Kobachi?" 

Kobachi stopped, watching him, who looked at her with his usual gentle gaze, yet this time, there was part of him that appeared firm, clearly showing his confusion toward her feelings. 

Yet, wasn't it normal? 

Neither had the ability to read the mind, and it was impossible to understand each other without talking to each other. 

'Why do I love him?' 

As he looked at her, she also looked at him and couldn't help but reminisce about their past. The first time she knew him was when he helped Iino for the first time. At that time, she thought that everyone had their own purposes when they did kindness to someone. 

The girls aside, if a guy tried to be kind to her, she knew that they just fell for her and expected her to date her. 

That was how it had always been, yet Ishigami was different. 

His kindness wasn't because he asked for something but because of how he was. 

For her, who had seen the distorted and fickleness of emotions, Ishigami was her only light at that time and the person that she had fallen with. 

In her mind, she thought that this was the kind of person she wanted, but as Iino was with him first, she decided to give up. 

But then, when the chance came, she didn't make her move and just stayed in her comfort zone. 

But when she made her move, she realized how much it had changed him. 

Though, even if he changed, his core was the same, and she knew even if he had become a scumbag, he would treat her well, but—

"You are so narcissistic!" 

"....." Ishigami. 

Watching his speechless expression, Kobachi laughed, which made him also smile. 

"...why did you smile?" 

"No, it's just I thought that your smile was the best, after all."

"...don't say something so corny, okay? Do you think you are an actor in a Korean drama or something?" 

"Can't it be a Japanese drama?" 

"Most actors in the Japanese drama love NTR; are you okay with that?" 

"...how about we talk about something else now?" 

"Like how you also made a move on Fujirawa-senpai, too?" 

"...would you believe if I told you that she was the one who made the first move?" 

"I believe." 

It was because of that she also felt helpless, thinking that the morality of the people in this school had deteriorated. 

Or rather, all the people in the world had become degenerate! 

"By the way, did you make a move on Shinomiya-senpai too?" 

Ishigami stared at Kobachi in silence, which caused her to be in shock. 

"...you did?" 

"....if I did, then would you see me here now after I have made a move on many girls?" 

"You are right." Kobachi nodded and said, "The last time I heard of it, someone was moved to Cambodia after having gone into Shinomiya's bad side." 

"...I wonder, what should I say?" 

"You should say that you won't make a move on Shinomiya-senpai." 

"I will." 

"Really?" Kobachi looked at him with doubt, but his pause made her suspicious, "What's with that pause?" 

Still—

"But really, you shouldn't make a move on her." 

Somehow, she held his hand and said, "While you make me a mess, I don't want to lose you..." 

When she thought that she might not be able to see him... she felt that this situation where she was with others was more comfortable since even if she might make her a little annoyed, it was still great when she thought that she could be with him. 

"I won't." Shaking his head, Ishigami said, "I am just surprised by your actions." 

"Well, yeah. I am surprised at myself." 

She was in a mess before, but somehow, she came to a conclusion as they kept talking like this. 

"Don't forget about our date on the weekend." 

"I won't." 

"What kind of excuse did you make?" 

"It's a secret." 

"....." Kobachi. 

Ishigami smiled as he held her hand tighter. "Let's walk a little longer." 

"...okay." 

This smile was unfair, she thought. 

Holding his hand tighter, Kobachi followed him as she talked about many things. 

This was fun, she thought. 

Unfortunately, this guy was a scumbag. 

If he didn't, then would she even hesitate? 

Yet, she knew that they didn't urge her and just accompanied her, never asking her anything, but then, this also annoyed her since she wanted to make him fall for her, so that way, it would be fair. 

Like how she couldn't live without him; she wanted him not to be able to live without her. 

"By the way, we will be sleeping in the same room later in Nikko." 

"...." Ishigami.