Chapter 4 Part VII

The study session wrapped up with any issues, and all of the students began to prepare to go home.

"Ah, I'm too tired to stand!"

For Ike who couldn't even maintain focus in regular classes, after school studying sessions are simply hell.

We weren't under the supervision of the teachers, yet there was no free time so it was difficult to endure.

Ike had a radiant expression, but Horikita's eyes were cold to the sight of it.

"It's not over with just today. Don't forget that there is another study session tomorrow."

"I, I get it. Isn't it okay for me to be just a little bit happy? I've worked hard!"

As fast as rabbits, Ike and the others left the library.

"Class D seems so lively, so much so that I almost want you to share some of that with us."

"It's worse than you think, but I understand what you mean. I envy the stability of Class B."

Although both Ichinose and Horikita were desiring the things they didn't have, the environment of Class B was truly enviable.

The students participating in the study group had a higher level of capability than the ones in Class D, and they were all also very focused.

Above all, they were quiet, calm, and their intention to work together as a class was a strong one.

"Then, goodbye. Horikita-san as well, Goodbye."

Kushida also left the library with a bunch of other girls.

"Yeah, goodbye."

She did these short exchanges and left without incident. At the moment, there wasn't anything conspicuous about Kushida's approach. It felt like they were investigating and testing one another.

"Ichinose-san, can I ask you a few questions?"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"I'd like for it to just be between you and me if possible. It should only take a few minutes."

Horikita set her sights on the Class B students who were looking to return with Ichinose.

"A few minutes, huh? Alright, I'm sorry everybody, could you all wait in the hallway?"

"Yeah okay. We can chat while we wait."

The students from Class B seemed willing to accept it. Ichinose then agreed to stay behind.

All of the students in Class B and Class D finished up their work and left.

"Should I stay?"

"It's the same whether you're here or not, so do whatever you want."

For a moment, I thought she was being sarcastic, but she probably made it easier for me to stick around by saying so.

"So what's the story?"

It feels strange for two people to be alone like this despite the fact that I was also present.

Ichinose and Horikita, two people with contrasting personalities lined up shoulder to shoulder.

"Perhaps this goes without saying. Ichinose-san, you would help your friends if they're in trouble, right?"

"Uhhh? Isn't it natural to want to help if a friend is in trouble?"

"Yeah. Class B is now helping out with the study sessions. However, even if you want to help, there are all sorts of situations where it can be a handful. Situations like helping to improve academic ability, stop bullying, solve money problems, or fixing relationships between friends or teachers. People can be in many different types of trouble. Despite all of this, if a troubled friend were to still ask for your help, would you still reach out to them?"

"Of course I would. I would do everything I can."

Although the question was difficult, Ichinose answered it immediately. There wasn't a single ounce of doubt in her eyes.

"Well then, is there a clear criterion as to whether you consider someone to be a friend or not?"

Horikita was unable to find the answer due to her confrontation with Kushida.

Perhaps she was seeking relief by asking Ichinose these questions.

"Hmm... I'm a little confused. What do you mean by that?"

"For example: As long as they're a student from Class B, would you unconditionally be willing to help them? Even if it's a student that you don't normally interact with very much?"

"No matter what I think of the other person, I am a companion to the entirety of Class B. I will definitely help them if they are in trouble."

"I guess that might have been a foolish question."

In the face of Ichinose's unhesitatingly quick answer, Horikita sighed at the stupidity of her own question.

"Let me foolishly ask you another question. Let's suppose that there is someone in Class B who hates you, it follows that you would usually have a bad relationship with them. Would you be able to like that person? Or would you end up hating each other?"

"I don't know… That might be a little difficult. If the other side was really physically disgusted by me, I probably wouldn't be able to do anything about it on my own, so my only option would be to avoid contact with them to prevent irritating them further."

"So, if such a person was in trouble... What would you do then?"

"I would help them. Absolutely."

Ichinose answered this last question immediately.

"Even if they're physically disgusted by me, that would be my own problem. After all, I am a companion to the entirety of Class B."

"Class B is really important to you."

"Yup! Everyone in there is a good kid. At first, I was disappointed that I wasn't in Class A, but now I feel like I've been placed into the best class. Do you feel differently about your own class, Horikita-san?"

"Well... there is no place like home. Class D is surprisingly not that bad."

"...Oh…"

"What is it, Ayanokōji-kun? Do you disagree with something?"

I had been surprised by her praise of Class D. Horikita glared at me.

"Although it's rude of me to insert in the middle of your conversation, may I also ask you something?"

"I'll listen to anything you have to say."

"I understand that Class B is an unconditional partner. Horikita and I are both vaguely aware of that idea. I even feel that making friends with people in our same situation is something that's necessary. However, can you really say that people in Class A, Class C, or Class D are truly your friends?"

"To me, Ayanokōji-kun and Horikita-san are very important friends."

"Then, what if we run into trouble and need help? What if we begged you to borrow one million points?"

"If there's a good reason to, I would help you. The amount doesn't matter, I would do everything I could."

"Honestly... you're generous to a fault. At this rate, you'll end up trying to help everyone am I right?"

"Well, that would be ideal, but reality is not so naive. There's a limit to the things that I can do on my own, and I think I understand this. Even if Ryūen-kun was to run into problems, I wouldn't be able to help him like the others. Hmm... But, well, as long as it's no big deal, I'd still choose to help you."

Let me add something. Most people can't normally handle those 'big deals' in the first place.

"That's probably my answer. As long as I consider you to be a friend, the size of the situation isn't an issue."

"Although I appreciate it, I wonder if you can say something like that very easily. You'll welcome me even if I cry and beg for your help, right?"

"I would definitely welcome you. I believe all the people who I consider to be friends also fall into my 'partners' category."

When Horikita saw this level of goodness, she seemed to think she was being teased. She responded in contrast to her usual calm demeanor:

"So, what would you do if Kanzaki-kun and I ran into problems?"

"Choosing to help both sides... isn't allowed, right?"

"If I allowed you to do that, you'd definitely choose to help both sides."

"Nyahaha, I give up."

Being presented with a very unreasonable imaginary scenario, Ichinose is at a loss for what to do.

"Sorry, there's probably no real answer. Based on what I understand from the information available, two friends are both in trouble with each other, and both have come to me looking for help. Whichever side I choose to help, I'll both be staying true to my beliefs, while also lying about them."

The answer that Ichinose had finally arrived at was very much her style.

When she heard this, Horikita was both genuinely surprised and impressed at the same time.

"I don't believe in purely good people. I think most people are creatures that seek rewards for their actions."

The ideals that Horikita stood for, what she upheld and believed in, made a noise and collapsed.

"But after hearing your words… I'm beginning to think that truly good people may be real."

She spoke her honest thoughts, but for some reason, Ichinose wouldn't accept them.

No… Would it be better to say that to her, she couldn't accept them?

"That's... That's giving me too much credit, Horikita-san."

Ichinose has been straightforward and honest this entire time, but this was the first time her eyes wandered. She got up from her seat and went to the library window.

"That's not true. At least, you're a better person than anyone that I've ever met. That's what I think."

"I'm not such an upstanding person."

She seemed so shaken that she couldn't even look Horikita in the face.

"Really, it's not a very big deal…"

Horikita also noticed that Ichinose had responded strangely to the praise, and made amends to her.

"I'm sorry. All I had meant to say is that you're a good person. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

"It's fine. I don't feel uncomfortable."

She was obviously shaken.

Based on what we've previously seen of Ichinose, I thought that there was nothing that could dampen her spirits.

But perhaps I may have misunderstood that part of this.

"Is that all you wanted to talk about? I don't want to keep Chihiro-chan and the others waiting, so I'm good to leave right?"

Ichinose stood in front of us as if looking to escape from the situation.

"Thank you for your willingness to answer my inexplicable questions."

"No problem. Well then, I'll see you tomorrow."

After Ichinose had left the library, there weren't very many students left. There were a few third-year students, as well as some who were librarians.

"Let's go back. I still have work to do today."

"Although this just repeat confirmation, what are you going to do about Kushida? The way you're talking, it sounds like you have a plan."

Horikita probably doesn't like to be asked several times either, but I have to make sure.

"She's special. In any case, I'll have to make sure to be careful with my persuasion."

"Special?"

"I've been thinking about it a lot. About what kind of school life Kushida Kikyō would have if I hadn't chosen to come to this school. I knew the answer immediately. She would be just as trusted and depended on by everyone as she is now, and she would be able to do sports and study without a single flaw. She would have carried on that way all the way until graduation. I accidentally took that future away from her. Even now she's working with our enemy, Ryūen-kun, impatiently working to get me expelled. She didn't hesitate to participate in an act of hostility against her own class. Of course, none of this is my fault. It's just bad luck we ended up at the same school. But even so, for me, it's still not irrelevant."

This was why she's trying to convince Kushida.

Horikita feels more responsible now than I had expected.

No, is it that she's just trying to fulfill her obligations?

"I have some suggestions. May I have your attention?"

"What kind of suggestions?"

"I feel like I've found a piece of the puzzle for your reconciliation with Kushida."

"What do you mean?"

"Ichinose is a good person. Whether or not she is purely a good person is another matter, but wouldn't you agree that she is a good person in general?"

"Yes. To put it mildly, she is undoubtedly a good person."

"Why don't you borrow the power of a good person and ask her to mediate you two? Honestly, having a one on one conversation with her won't get you what you want. And if we ask someone from Class D, Kushida would never reveal her true nature."

"Wouldn't it be the same for Ichinose-san? No matter who it is, as long as they go to this school, the outcome would be the same."

"Well, is there any other student who would be able to mediate it?"

"That's..."

"If you had to choose anyone from the entire school, you would pick Ichinose, wouldn't you?"

"I can't deny it. But even so, I don't think this is the right solution."

"I didn't say that this suggestion would solve everything. It's just a piece of the puzzle, a fragment that helps lead to the solution. Right now, you two aren't even able to open up discussion. If Ichinose were to mediate, the conversation would move forward."

In fact, I think the existence of Ichinose is the starting point of getting to the solution.

All that remains is the difference in the way the pieces are used.

"You've really put me in the hot seat, but I'm not going to get involved in something like this. I'm going to go meet with other people right now, and then I'm going to take care of this issue with Kushida-san myself."

In other words, she has no intentions of involving Ichinose?