Chapter 24: Add a Line

Ai Cheng Hua Lian was shocked and bewildered. Originally, she thought it was ludicrous enough that Kagura Hikaru dumped milk on her head just to hit on girls.

What was even more outrageous was that this guy seemed to be planning to burn bridges after crossing them, aiming at his ex just to curry favor with President Ayakoji.

Mr. Kagura, you're actually this kind of person!

Ai Cheng Hua Lian was heartbroken.

[Hint: Ai Cheng Hua Lian's favorability has decreased ▼]

"You...," Ayakoji Chiyoko said, giving Kagura Hikaru a sidelong glance with a hint of resignation, "After all that grand-sounding talk before, now you suddenly change your tune. Do you think I'll believe you? You must be planning to infiltrate the Society Discussion Meeting and cause trouble."

Kagura Hikaru clicked his tongue, expressionless: "Tch, not fooled, huh."

"..."

"Eh? Is that so?!" Ai Cheng Hua Lian exclaimed in surprise.

[Hint: Ai Cheng Hua Lian's favorability has increased ▲]

Perhaps because she was at a loss for words, Ayakoji Chiyoko let out an overt sigh, then stood up with a cold expression: "Calling me here just for this, utterly boring."

"Hey, you're leaving before your coffee even arrives?"

"Drink it yourselves; I'll pay for the coffee."

Seeing that she really intended to leave, Kagura Hikaru could only try to keep her there: "Wait a moment, I have something else to say."

Ayakoji Chiyoko gave him a glance and sat down again with her arms folded, her face, already icy, now displayed an added touch of impatience.

If one could see an emotional value, Ayakoji Chiyoko's patience had decreased by at least fifty percentage points since she entered the door.

Sensing the murderous aura drifting about, Ai Cheng Hua Lian sat up straight, trembling, and stared down at her coffee cup as if there was a Smurf dancing inside.

She truly admired Kagura Hikaru, who was actually able to speak calmly in such an atmosphere.

"President Ayakoji, you must see the situation isn't right," Kagura Hikaru said slowly, picking up his coffee cup, his eyelids lowered, "Your Society Discussion Meeting is beating Kiryu Hina black and blue, yet she is unwilling even to fight back. This is not a good sign."

"Hmph, maybe she's just scared," Ayakoji Chiyoko sneered coldly.

Kagura Hikaru sighed: "If you really think so, then I have nothing else to say."

Of course, that wasn't the case. Ayakoji Chiyoko knew better than anyone else how troublesome Kiryu Hina was.

That person couldn't possibly passively take a beating and not fight back in the end. She wasn't a punching bag—no, even a punching bag would hurt if you hit it. She would be better compared to cotton.

It wasn't just her; any person with a normal IQ could feel the atmosphere tense up like a storm was about to break.

There was undoubtedly a pitfall ahead waiting for Ayakoji Chiyoko to jump in.

The problem was, she had no idea when this pit would appear, how wide it would be, or how deep.

Walking a night path, fully aware of the traps ahead, was precisely the situation Ayakoji Chiyoko faced now.

It seemed she had come far, yet peril lurked at every step.

"What are your thoughts," Ayakoji Chiyoko fixed her gaze on Kagura Hikaru.

But he just shook his head: "I'd advise you to stop now, it might not be too late."

"The moment I made my move on that guy, retaliation was already en route. She's that kind of woman," Ayakoji Chiyoko said with a cold laugh.

Kagura Hikaru fell silent for a moment, feeling she had a point. So, he raised his cup symbolically.

"Alright then, here's to you getting what you deserve."

"You... You have been getting more and more presumptuous with your words recently," she said.

"If you dislike it, I can be more respectful, Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee," he replied.

"Tch."

Ai Cheng Hua Lian carefully looked up, glanced around from side to side, and suddenly felt that Ayakoji Chiyoko and Kagura Hikaru really looked like a married couple.

Both liked to keep a straight face, expressionlessly dropping some frightening statements.

Watching this pair of 'happy foes,' Ai Cheng Hana felt that she shouldn't be here, but rather under the table.

"Ahaha... well then, I've got something else to attend to, so I'll be heading out first, see you tomorrow..." Ai Cheng Hua Lian said with an awkward laugh as she put down the money for her coffee and then stood up with her backpack slung over her shoulder.

"See you tomorrow." Kagura Hikaru didn't stop her, just watched her leave the Kafka Cafe.

It wasn't until Ai Cheng Hua Lian's figure was completely out of sight that Ayakoji Chiyoko spoke up: "What exactly was that girl here for?"

"She was the one who asked to meet me to discuss the Society Discussion Meeting, since we're both 'victims,'" Kagura Hikaru sipped his coffee, "and also, don't call her a little girl, she's at least a senior in the second grade."

"Is that so? I had almost forgotten."

"The strategy for the Society Discussion Meeting has already troubled her, can you not disturb her anymore? She's just an ordinary student."

"She only got involved in this mess because she brought it upon herself. She saw something she shouldn't have and then couldn't keep her mouth shut," Ayakoji Chiyoko remained unmoved.

"Protecting students is supposed to be the job of the Discipline Committee members," Kagura Hikaru's gaze toward her was inexplicable, "as the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, is it really okay for you to turn a blind eye like this?"

"I've told you before, you have your moral principles, and I have my way of doing things."

Ayakoji Chiyoko had thought she could be more self-righteous, since defeating Kiryu Hina was the main reason she established the Disciplinary Committee, not for any so-called discipline.

But looking into Kagura Hikaru's eyes, she inexplicably felt a twinge of guilt.

That fleeting sense of weakness was swiftly quashed by Ayakoji Chiyoko, her heart returning to its icy resolve.

"There's no room for discussion anymore?" Kagura Hikaru let out a sigh.

"If you're willing to join the Society Discussion Meeting sincerely, it wouldn't hurt to lessen her presence," she stated.

"That's probably going to be difficult."

"Is that so, it seems it's true what you've said about not being friends," Ayakoji Chiyoko revealed a mocking smile that was barely there as she swallowed the last of her coffee with a clink against the saucer.

"I'll leave the money here, I'm off," Ayakoji Chiyoko said as she stood up, "next time you contact me, I hope you can bring me some useful information, not like the time-waster we had today."

"Even if I had the news, it'd be impossible to contact you immediately," Hikaru replied.

Upon hearing this, Ayakoji Chiyoko hesitated for a moment, then took out her phone: "Let's add each other on LINE."

"..."

A minute later, Ayakoji Chiyoko left the Kafka Cafe.

Kagura Hikaru remained seated, fiddling with his phone.

Securing Ayakoji Chiyoko's contact information could be considered a task well exceeded.

The coffee in front of him had been finished, but Kagura Hikaru didn't stand up to leave; he sat there looking bored to death, as though he was waiting for someone.

About half an hour later, a girl in a school uniform with long, straight black hair pushed open the door of the cafe.

"Welcome to the Kafka Cafe, what would you like to order?"

"A cappuccino, thank you."

The girl, with a smile on her face, came to the table and sat down opposite Kagura Hikaru, tucking her long hair behind her ear with her left hand.

Pure, delicate—these words were insufficient to describe her beauty.

Her name was Kiryu Hina.