-53- On the surface

The midterm exams passed amidst various upheavals.

After overcoming the first hurdle at Advanced Nurturing High School, Class D underwent significant changes.

Firstly, there was a noticeable shift from their previous lax attitude to a more studious demeanor, both during and after classes. This change was evident not only in Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken but throughout the entire class. Classroom discipline improved drastically compared to the chaotic first month of school.

The reasons for this transformation included the exposure to the school's system at Advanced Nurturing High School, students recognizing a sense of urgency and crisis, as well as the cohesion generated during the midterm exams.

Although the cohesion wasn't exceptionally strong yet, it was considerably stronger compared to the previous state of disarray.

Especially Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken, after receiving help from their classmates, became more obedient, as Ayanokouji Kiyotaka predicted.

Even Sudou Ken, faced with the whole class saving them, couldn't continue his reckless behavior.

However, Horikita Suzune seemed unchanged.

After the midterm exams, Horikita Suzune realized that continuing as before was unsustainable. However, she was accustomed to her solitary style and found it challenging to change.

So, unlike Ike Kanji and others, Horikita Suzune didn't integrate into the group or actively join any faction, preferring to act alone.

Similarly, Nanaya Hori faced isolation.

While Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken began to integrate after the midterm exams, Nanaya Hori found himself increasingly isolated from the class. The reason was simple: during the midterm exams, Nanaya Hori didn't step forward to share the burden of personal points with Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken. Going against the tide inevitably led to isolation.

Even though Nanaya Hori displayed remarkable observation and analytical skills on the day the results were announced, earning surprise from the class, his introverted nature prevented him from gaining popularity.

Therefore, within Class D, those who interacted with Nanaya Hori were truly few.

However, there was one exception.

Today was no different.

Nanaya Hori had just finished his morning run, opened his door, and found Kushida Kikyou standing cheerfully outside with her backpack, greeting him.

"Good morning, Nanaya-kun."

Like an angel descending from heaven, Kushida Kikyou stood outside Nanaya Hori's room, smiling as she greeted him.

Nanaya Hori could only maintain his posture of opening the door, silently watching the girl standing outside his room.

This wasn't the first time this happened.

Since the end of the midterm exams, Kushida Kikyou often waited outside Nanaya Hori's door early in the morning to walk to school together.

This subtle behavior had already sparked some unreliable rumors.

Many who witnessed the two walking to school together spread rumors that Nanaya Hori and Kushida Kikyou were secretly dating.

As a result, in Class D's chat group, led by Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki, there was often uproar every night.

"Sigh..."

Nanaya Hori could only sigh.

What was this girl thinking?

Even Nanaya couldn't guess.

Despite revealing his true nature and warning her not to have any ulterior motives, she still approached him more frequently. Was she not afraid of his outbursts?

"What exactly are you scheming?" Nanaya Hori remained direct, speaking in a tone that could easily offend.

"Wow, it sounds like you think I have ulterior motives." Kushida Kikyou replied with a somewhat bitter smile. "I just want to walk to school with you, Nanaya-kun, nothing more."

Even if Kushida Kikyou's words were sincere, to those who knew her true nature, the suspicion only grew, never diminished.

"Never mind, I don't feel like investigating anymore." Nanaya Hori sighed again, expressing his sentiments. "As long as I don't sense hostility from you, I'll deal with it when I do."

That was Nanaya Hori's approach to dealing with Kushida Kikyou.

"Don't... don't sound so scary!" Kushida Kikyou seemed startled but curious. "But what do you mean by 'sense hostility'? What constitutes 'hostility'?"

Facing this question, Nanaya Hori simply replied, "You wouldn't understand even if I told you."

Leaving these words behind, Nanaya Hori headed towards the elevator.

Kushida Kikyou immediately followed.

"It would be great if you could get along better with your classmates, Nanaya-kun." Kushida Kikyou expressed in a tone that seemed to maintain her angelic facade.

Nanaya Hori wasn't uninterested in this conversation.

"I've been meaning to ask, why did you go to such lengths to help those three during the midterm exams?" Nanaya Hori asked a question he had been curious about.

And Kushida Kikyou's response was as follows.

"Is it so wrong to want everyone to like you?"

From the beginning of the school year, Kushida Kikyou had been initiating conversations with passive individuals, exchanging contact information, and even inviting them out. This was her way of making friends.

"I've said it before, wanting to be friends with everyone is the truth, you know?" Kushida Kikyou said with a smile.

"Is that so?" Nanaya Hori asked casually. "Even Horikita?"

"Even Horikita." Kushida Kikyou's smile remained undiminished as she replied, "Even someone like Horikita, I want to appear close to her on the surface."

This was Kushida Kikyou's way of survival.

Even if the deeper meaning was unknown, at least on the surface, Kushida Kikyou genuinely wanted to be friends with everyone.

And for Kushida Kikyou, Nanaya Hori was the same, right?

A friend who, at least on the surface, wanted to become closer.

Kushida Kikyou subtly hinted at this meaning.

And so, the two entered the elevator in this state.

However, as soon as the elevator door opened, an unexpected person appeared inside.

"Isn't this little Kikyou?"

A lively and cheerful voice immediately emanated from inside the elevator.