Chapter 4 Part II

Before 10 o'clock on the promised morning with Kushida. The person in question had already arrived in the lobby. 

"Good morning, Ayanokouji-kun".

"G-Good morning, Kushida".

Summer is already over so it'll only be for a while longer that I'll be able to see Kushida in her summer clothes. I met up with Kushida while feeling flustered about her plain clothes. 

"Sorry about suddenly making a weird request like that yesterday".

"No such thing. I didn't have anything planned for today either. Besides, I'm happy because it feels a little nostalgic".

"Nostalgic?".

"You know, during the exam in the 1st semester, Ayanokouji-kun went and asked a senior student for the past exam questions right? Somehow I felt this is similar to that".

"Is that...so?".

"Yep, yep".

I didn't think it was anything special but since Kushida happily nodded I decided to leave it be. Honestly I feel more comfortable taking along Karuizawa or Sakura for a walk but one should go to specialists for the best results.

I've ascertained that requesting this of Kushida is best considering she's the right person for the job. And, more importantly, is Horikita. It's almost 10 o'clock yet she hasn't shown up. 

Could it be that she's running away from having to meet Kushida? Just as I had begun thinking that, she arrived.

"...I've kept you waiting".

"Good morning, Horikita-san".

Kushida welcomes Horikita with an unfaltering smile.

On the other hand, Horikita seems somewhat sullen. She's desperately trying to hide that though but from my point of view it couldn't have been more obvious.

Kushida too, probably realized it. But what makes Kushida so amazing is that in spite of it, she is able to keep her usual attitude, without a bit of change. The three of us left the dormitory and headed in the direction of the school grounds.

The grounds past 10 o'clock was already packed full of students. 

"Woah, they're going at it".

From the boys, the sound of a ball being kicked resounded with a 'bon'. The ball followed a curve towards the goal post. It was a beautiful orbit yet perhaps it was easy to read precisely because of that as the keeper, with sharp reflexes, repelled the ball with a punch. Hirata's figure could also be seen in the midst of the match. Perhaps it's because the team consists of a mixture of 1st years up to 3rd years, but there were also students who I did not know. 

"Scouting out clubs to grasp information on the students of other classes. Somehow it makes me feel like I'm a spy. It's thrilling".

"It's nothing that splendid though. The information we can acquire here is limited".

"But Horikita-san doesn't think so. Right?".

"There's nothing better than acquiring it. There's no telling may be the key".

"That may be so---. But it was kind of you, Ayanokouji-kun. To cooperate for Horikita-san's sake".

"It can't be helped since she'd be annoying afterwards if I don't".

"You've got guts saying that with me right in front of you".

Ignoring that one frightening word from said person in question, I focused my attention on the grounds. 

Since it has come down to a corner kick, the folks in the soccer club, while calmly walking, were vying for their positions. It won't be long before the match resumes and an intense development occurs. And we too could almost physically feel the resumption of the match drawing near.

As Kushida smiles, I had an uncomfortable feeling about the state of the three of us. Surprisingly enough, the one who initiated it was Kushida. 

"The one who decided to invite me out here today was Ayanokouji-kun, right?".

"Why do you think so?".

"I mean, I can't imagine Horikita-san would invite me".

Still smiling, and after briefly looking at Horikita, Kushida turned back to me. 

"You think Horikita wouldn't invite you, why is that?".

"Ahaha, that's terrible of you Ayanokouji-kun. You know things aren't going too well between me and Horikita-san right?".

Since I am already in the know regarding that, Kushida said so without attempting to cover it up. Horikita too, was listening quietly without denying it. 

"Honestly I still can't believe that, or rather, I'm still half in doubt".

The ball kicked from the corner flies towards a teammate waiting near the goal post. The one who skillfully matched it was Hirata. However, since aiming the shot right now proved to be too exacting, he instead passed the ball to his teammate. 

That person was a familiar Class B student. The ball that was kicked with perfect timing brilliantly flew into the goal in one stroke. 

"So Shibata's from the soccer club".

"Yeah. Hirata-kun praises him often, that he's better than him. It seems they're close".

As expected, the well-informed Kushida appears to have heard of such things too. Once the match started up again, the ball again went to Shibata as he runs around the enemy team with agile movements. 

"His speed is also considerable".

He's equal to Hirata.....no, if it's just speed alone then he seems to be faster. It doesn't seem like Hirata was just being humble.

"Ohh, they're going at it. They're lively today as well, this is amazing!".

The figure of a tall man wearing the club's uniform walked past the spectators, namely us. I had assumed he practiced some form of sports, so it was soccer after all. 

"Good morning, Nagumo-senpai".

Perhaps she was acquainted with him, but from beside me, Kushida called out to him. On the other hand, towards the name Nagumo, Horikita gave an almost imperceptible response. 

It's because he's a candidate for the next student council president and someone whose abilities equal that of Horikita's brother after all. 

"Hmm? If I recall, you're Kikyo-chan right? You're on a date with a boy on your day off. Not too shabby".

"Ahaha, it's not like that though...I got curious and came here to watch".

"Take it easy. My club doesn't know how to hold back so I think you're right on the mark if you've come to measure their skills".

Nagumo winked, then headed down to the ground field for a meetup. 

Apparently he's seen through our intent. 

The mood of the soccer club changed dramatically, starting with Hirata, when Nagumo joined them. 

"Hey, is our school ok with letting someone hold positions in both the student council and a club?".

"It doesn't seem to be expressly forbidden but he appears to have left the club now. But even though he's quit, he's still the best so he shows up to practice from time to time and coaches them".

"Can you go like that, Nagumo?".

"Yep. I overslept but then after running a few laps my body's getting all warmed up".

As a student swapped with Nagumo and the match resumed, in an instant, both the ball and the players all gathered around Nagumo. He's probably just that reliable as a teammate and just that dangerous as an enemy. 

He seems to be on the team opposing Hirata and Shibata's. As the situation changed, Nagumo's play shone.

Hirata challenged Nagumo to steal the ball away. His movements should have been just as sharp as before but almost as though dandling a baby, he ended up being splendidly passed by. 

Right afterwards, Shibata also charged at Nagumo but Nagumo interwove several feints together and dazzled him before passing him too. 

I believe both of them to be considerably talented but Nagumo was a level above them. 

Passing one more person, he let loose a powerful shot from mid-distance. The ball which flew in a terrifying curve exceeded the keeper's prediction and quickly enough, he scored a goal. 

"So the title of succeeding student council president isn't just for show".

".....it's just athleticism though".

It appears Horikita has no intention of honestly acknowledging Nagumo since she couldn't see the full picture regarding him. Even as I exchanged words with her, I snuck a glance at Kushida who was watching the match to peek at her expression. 

She was smiling as usual and not a single trace of her true nature could be seen. 

"Even if you stare at me with those eyes, it'll only embarrass me".

As though seeing through my thoughts, Kushida met my gaze and laughed. 

"I promise not to ask any further so can you please tell me this one thing?".

In the presence of the parties concerned, I had dared to step into an area that should have been inviolable. 

"What's the cause of your strained relationship with Horikita?".

And I added one more thing. 

"This is an unfair way of putting it. To ask you to tell me by promising not to ask any further".

It was psychological manipulation but Kushida, on top of understanding that, understood my question too. 

"That's really all, ok?".

"Yeah, I promise".

As long as she despises the other party, it's natural to blame them instead. However---

"It's me".

Even as she turned her eyes back towards the soccer match, Kushida lightly answered like that. It was an answer that betrayed my expectations. Even as she admits she's the one at fault she still despises Horikita. That is a contradiction. 

I'd say I'm relatively good at reading people but as I thought, I can't quite read Kushida. Besides, I've also started to no longer quite understand Horikita either. Horikita had deduced from the start that she was hated by Kushida yet she did not speak to me on this. That has not changed even now. However, judging from Kushida's way of putting it, Horikita may know the cause of Kushida's hatred towards her. 

But even if I ask Horikita, she wouldn't breathe a word about Kushida. Why is that?

The fact that neither of them are willing to talk about the details would unmistakably have to mean they don't want the other to know basically.

"I quit. I'm starting to feel like just thinking about it is a waste of time".

"Ahaha, that's right. Right now our priority is to conduct reconnaissance and gather information right?".

"I suppose.....".

"Ahh, by the way, the one who possesses the ball now is Sonoda-kun from Class C. He's quite fast".

As expected, the students in the soccer club are all agile. The only ones in our class who could compete would be Hirata and Sudou and in a pure contest they'd still be at a disadvantage. 

"But Horikita-san is also properly keeping our class in mind....that makes me happy".

"I intend to do what's necessary to rise up to Class A, so it can't be helped".

"I have to work harder so I can contribute to everyone else too".

I couldn't sense even a bit of modesty. 

As I watched the practice go on for a while, the players who had finished with their match started their break. As if to do the same thing, Nagumo calls Hirata over and talks to him.

Then perhaps he realized that we had been watching the match, Hirata approached us. 

"Good morning, both of you. How unusual for you to be in a place like this".

Seeing us talk from a distance, Shibata also came running over and an unusual 5-person group was formed. 

"Good morning, Kikyo-chan. And also---Ayanokouji and Horikita-chan, was it? Are you on a date surrounded by two beautiful girls?".

"No, that's not it".

I was acquainted with Shibata but I had not expected him to remember my name properly. That made my slightly happy and I desperately suppressed my face that was about to burst into a grin. 

"What's up today? This is an unusual combination".

While feeling appreciative towards Hirata, who did not suspect anything strange, I decided to boldly speak the truth. 

"It's reconnaissance. We've come to mark the students from the other classes that we ought to keep an eye on".

"Ohh. So that means right away Shibata man's been perfectly marked?".

Shibata swiftly stepped forward to show off his speed. That cheerfulness of his that made no effort to conceal his abilities. I wonder if that's because he's part of Class B under Ichinose's leadership or because it's simply his nature. 

"Shibata-kun is as fast as the rumors say. Both Ayanokouji-kun and I were shocked".

Praised by a beautiful girl, Shibata happily rubbed the bottom of his nose with his index finger. 

"Shibata-kun's someone we need to pay special caution to. In Class B, he's the fastest. As for me, I'd rather not run in the same group as him".

"Even if you say such things, I won't let my guard down, Yousuke. Because you're fast too. How about Ayanokouji?".

"Since I'm part of the go-home club please take the hint".

That's right too, as though saying that, Shibata crossed his arms together and laughed. 

Having observed the soccer club's practice in general, we left that spot. And we decided to go around and watch the other clubs conduct their activities. But even so at the very most this is only the official story. 

What I really want to know, what I really ought to know, that's different. I've set the table. As for what the two of them will think of on top of it is something I've decided to leave to them. 

"Kushida-san. I have no interest in you".

"Woah, that's a harsh word all of a sudden.....".

"But right now there is something I must ask you. I wonder if you could answer me?".

"Today seems to be interrogation day along with Ayanokouji-kun. What is it?".

"During the shipboard exam over the summer vacation. Did you tell Ryuuen-kun or Katsuragi-kun about you being the 'target'?".

I had expected to her to ask straightforwardly to a certain degree but she really got straight to the point. 

Towards Kushida, who was still surprised and puzzled, Horikita continued on like this. 

"It's fine if you don't answer. Because it's meaningless to dig up the past. That's why I'll just ask one thing. Is it fine if I trust you as a comrade from the same class from now on?".

"Of course. I want to aim for Class A along with everyone from Class D. I want you to include me as one of your comrades, it's exactly what I've been saying from the start".

That feeling has not changed one bit, is what Kushida said. 

"I don't know why you said something like that to me but I want you to trust me".

Kushida smiles at Horikita even as she made her appeal with a serious expression. 

"Then, I'll be heading back. I'll leave the remaining reconnaissance to the two of you".

"Huh? Hey, what are you talking about, Ayanokouji-kun?".

"The one who thought of this strategy in the first place was Horikita. It'll be enough if you have Kushida's connections right?".

Saying that, I moved to leave this place.