The morning after swimming class, Class D carried a strange air of drowsy satisfaction—fatigue from the physical exertion, mixed with lingering gossip over races, swimsuits, and the unexpected display of athletic ability from several people.
But for Miyamoto Sōshi, the most notable thing was the way people kept glancing at him.
The tattoos.
Yesterday, he had exposed almost all of them for the first time. His entire back, shoulders, and parts of his arms had been on display, ink twisting over muscle like a living mural. It had left a deeper impression on his classmates than he expected.
Instead of fear, though, many now looked at him with a mix of awe and curiosity.
Still intimidating, yes—but no longer an unknown.
Airi peeked at him from across the aisle, cheeks flushing red immediately when he caught her staring. She quickly hid behind her textbook.
He smirked.
But the day wasn't about him.
It was about the girl who absolutely refused to let anyone into her world.
Classes passed by with monotonous rhythm. When the final bell rang, everyone stretched, ready to scatter.
Kushida Kikyo and her cheerful friend group packed their bags with lively chatter.
"Kushidaaa, let's go get something sweet after school! There's that café—"
"Right! The one with the strawberry parfait?" Kushida smiled brightly.
"Yeah! Let's go!"
Her friend grabbed her arm, but Kushida paused mid-step when she spotted Horikita standing by the door.
"Hey, Horikita-san!" she called, as warm as ever. "We're going to a café after school! Want to come?"
Horikita turned with the kind of cold sharpness that could pierce steel.
"No."
The abruptness didn't faze Kushida. "Just for a bit? It's really good there—"
"I said no. And stop inviting me out. You're wasting both our times."
Her tone wasn't angry—just tired. As though every attempt from Kushida chipped away at something unwilling to break.
Kushida wilted slightly.
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji watched from nearby, silent. His expression unreadable, as always.
Horikita noticed his gaze and narrowed her eyes.
"You're not going to try inviting me as well, are you?" she asked.
Ayanokōji lifted his hands slightly. "No. I'm not that reckless."
"Good." She brushed past him. "People need to learn their limits."
Sōshi, leaning back in his chair with his arms folded behind his head, watched the exchange with mild amusement.
There's the Horikita frostbite effect in real time.
He stretched lazily, ponytail swaying, rings clinking against his desk.
The classroom gradually emptied until only Ayanokōji, Hirata, and Sōshi remained.
Hirata approached with that gentle, too-perfect smile of his.
"Ayanokōji-kun, do you have a moment?"
Ayanokōji blinked. "Sure."
Hirata lowered his voice. "It's about Horikita-san. She's… really distant, isn't she? I'm concerned she might misunderstand others and isolate herself even more."
Ayanokōji's expression tightened ever so slightly. "And?"
"We should avoid any possibility of bullying in Class D," Hirata said sincerely. "If she continues acting that way, people may start to target her. Could you… talk to her? You seem closer to her than the rest."
Ayanokōji shook his head gently. "You should tell her directly."
Hirata looked troubled, but nodded.
Sōshi watched the two silently.
Poor Hirata. He really is the 'class mom.'
But he also noticed something deeper: Ayanokōji wasn't lying. He genuinely believed Hirata should be the one to act.
The boy understood people far better than he let on.
Ayanokōji finally grabbed his bag and headed for the hallway. Sōshi followed behind, intending to grab Airi for their usual after-school stroll.
But then—
"Kiyotaka-kun!"
Kushida stood by the shoe lockers, hands clasped behind her back in a cute pose. Her smile could revive the dead.
Ayanokōji visibly sighed inside, though his face hardly changed.
"Kushida?"
She stepped closer. "Um… do you have a moment? I wanted to talk to you about something."
Sōshi stopped walking, leaning against the wall several steps away. Not close enough to seem nosy, but close enough to overhear if he wanted.
Ayanokōji raised a brow. "What is it?"
Kushida twisted her fingers anxiously. "It's just… I really want to become friends with Horikita-san. But she keeps brushing me off."
"That's her nature."
"I know… but I don't want to give up!" she insisted. "She's the only one who won't open up to me. So I was hoping… maybe… you could help me?"
Ayanokōji tried to decline. Several times.
But Kushida's persistence was a force of nature.
Eventually, he sighed. "Fine."
Kushida's eyes sparkled instantly. "Thank you! Really, thank you!"
Sōshi crossed his arms.
This girl is dangerous when she wants something.
Kushida leaned forward eagerly. "Let's do this: you invite Horikita to the Pallet Café after school. It's popular, so it'll look natural if I 'accidentally' show up."
"That's… surprisingly elaborate," Ayanokōji murmured.
"Right?" She beamed.
Ayanokōji thought for a moment. "Actually, bring your friends too. It will look even more natural."
"Ooh! That's perfect! I'll ask them!"
She waved and hurried off.
Ayanokōji exhaled deeply.
Sōshi chuckled. "Good luck."
Ayanokōji glanced at him. "You're not offering to help?"
"Nope," Sōshi said with zero hesitation. "This is your circus."
Ayanokōji accepted that with a shrug and headed toward the dorms.
Later, after classes ended and the sun dipped low, Sōshi went to find Airi.
He found her in a secluded courtyard, tapping away on her camera as she took photos of a stray cat.
"Oi."
Airi squeaked, jumping so hard she almost dropped her camera. "S-Sōshi-kun?! Y-You scared me…"
"You scare easily," he said with a grin.
"I-I wasn't scared. Just… startled."
"Mm-hm."
She puffed her cheeks defensively.
Sōshi cracked his neck. "C'mere. I need you."
"F-For what?"
He tapped his bicep. "Weight training."
Airi stared at him blankly.
"…What?"
He scooped her up effortlessly.
"Eeeeh?!"
"Relax," he said, lifting her in slow reps. "You're light."
Airi, face red enough to melt metal, clung to his shoulders like a trembling koala. "P-Put me down… i-it's embarrassing…"
"Just a few more," he said, voice steady. "You're perfect weight."
"I'm… not sure how to feel about that…"
Her protest was barely a whisper.
Passersby stared at the bizarre scene: a tattooed, muscular delinquent doing weightlifting reps with a blushing girl in his arms.
Some guys turned away with jealousy. Some girls giggled. A few whispered about how cute they looked.
Airi was mortified.
Sōshi? He was completely unfazed.
After a few sets, he finally set her down.
Airi wobbled but stayed upright, face still steaming.
"Y-You're unbelievable…" she muttered.
"Thanks."
"That wasn't… a compliment…"
"Was to me."
Airi covered her face with both hands.
He ruffled her hair. "Let's get you some ice cream."
"R-Really…?"
"Yep. You earned it."
Her smile bloomed like a shy flower.
Meanwhile—
Ayanokōji's plan was underway.
He invited Horikita with a calm, factual tone. She initially refused but relented once he framed it as an observation exercise.
The Pallet Café was packed, as expected. Fresh pastries, soft lighting, warm chatter.
They ordered, took a table, and sat in silence.
Too perfect. Too quiet.
Sōshi could imagine Ayanokōji enduring the painful awkwardness.
A few minutes later, the table next to them opened up. Immediately, Kushida approached with her friends, smiling like destiny itself had guided her.
"Oh! Ayanokōji-kun! Horikita-san! What a coincidence!"
Horikita set down her drink slowly.
"Drop the act," she said coldly. "You planned this."
Kushida's friends froze. Even Ayanokōji stiffened.
Horikita stared at both culprits with razor precision.
Ayanokōji exhaled. "Yeah. You caught us."
Kushida clasped her hands, eyes pleading. "I just… really want to be friends with you, Horikita-san…"
"Stop," Horikita said firmly. "I told you before. I will get angry if you continue."
Kushida's smile faltered.
Horikita continued. "For me, friends are unnecessary. They always have been."
Ayanokōji watched quietly, but then spoke.
"I understand the feeling," he said calmly. "I… never had friends before high school."
Horikita's eyes turned sharp again. "Don't compare us. You were alone because you couldn't make friends. I was alone because I preferred it."
Ayanokōji didn't argue.
Horikita stood.
"I've spent the last nine years alone. Another three won't matter."
Her voice didn't tremble. Not even once.
She left swiftly, without looking back.
Kushida watched her go with visible sadness.
Ayanokōji sighed. "Well… that failed."
"Because she's used to being alone," Kushida whispered.
Ayanokōji nodded.
Kushida fidgeted. "Um… Ayanokōji-kun? I'm sorry if Horikita-san will hate you now. Because of me."
"It's fine," he said simply. "I wanted her to consider the benefits of friendship too."
Kushida tilted her head. "Still… it surprised me that you never had any friends."
Ayanokōji looked away. "Yeah. It just… happened that way."
They talked a while longer—about friendship, loneliness, and Kushida's unwavering desire to be friends with everyone in Class D.
Her smile never wavered.
But somewhere underneath, something darker flickered.
Sōshi didn't know the details yet.
At that moment, he was sitting on a bench with Airi beside him, finishing their ice cream. She hugged her camera, leaning against his shoulder lightly.
"Sōshi-kun…" she said softly.
"Mm?"
"You're… warm."
He snorted. "You're freezing."
"Then… um… can I stay like this? For a bit…?"
He didn't shove her away. Didn't tease her.
He let her stay.
Her small weight against him felt comfortable.
Airi closed her eyes.
Sōshi looked at the sunset.