Kiyomizu slowly withdrew his gaze from Suzune Horikita's retreating back, a hint of confusion in his eyes.
"Stop looking back at me in the future?"
He was sure he had heard correctly. That didn't sound like her. Based on her personality, she should have shot him an icy glare and then verbally eviscerated him with her textbook-standard sharp tongue.
"You must be Kiyomizu!" Before Kiyomizu could react, a boy approached him with an overly familiar air.
Kiyomizu turned to see three male classmates standing beside him. They introduced themselves one by one: Kanji Ike, with his sharp eyes; Haruki Yamauchi, with his average looks; and Ken Sudo, with his red hair and delinquent-like aura.
Since Kiyomizu had missed the class's self-introduction session, Ike enthusiastically took on the role of guide, introducing him to their classmates. However, during the introductions, Yamauchi kept making his "manly" assessments of the female students. He commented on how Haruka Hasebe had an amazing figure and how Airi Sakura, though shy, also had great curves. As for Kei Karuizawa, her face was perfect, but her bust was a real shame—
Since Yamauchi made no effort to lower his voice, many of the female students were already shooting him looks of disapproval. However, he seemed completely unfazed and continued his commentary with gusto: "Yep! Kikyo Kushida is definitely the best! Great personality, great body, and a face that's totally my type! It's decided, I'm going to ask her out!"
"I'm so jealous of you, Kiyomizu! It seems like Horikita-san was only willing to talk to you today. You've got a good shot! She's really pretty, after all." He winked and lowered his voice. "Even though her figure is a bit slender, maybe she'll still develop more—"
Kiyomizu glanced around. Many of the girls' faces were now showing clear disgust. As a man, he wasn't entirely unsympathetic to Yamauchi's feelings... but they were in the gymnasium, and some of their classmates were still around. These were thoughts you keep to yourself, why say them out loud? If this continued, he might get labeled a "creep" by association and lose all his dating prospects on the first day of school.
"Yamauchi," Kiyomizu interrupted him. "I suggest you pay attention to your surroundings, that is, if you ever want to get a girlfriend." After saying this, he nodded to Ike. "Thanks for the introductions, I'm heading out."
"Who do you think you are, acting so high and mighty!" Yamauchi, now angry and embarrassed, reached out to grab Kiyomizu's collar. "Aren't you a man—"
Before he could finish, Kiyomizu had already clamped down on his wrist with lightning speed. Yamauchi was horrified to find that this seemingly mild-mannered guy had him completely immobilized with one hand. No matter how much he struggled, he couldn't move an inch.
(This guy... he's about the same size as me...) Cold sweat beaded on Yamauchi's forehead. (Why is he so strong?!)
Kiyomizu impassively tightened his grip. Yamauchi immediately winced in pain, his body twisting uncontrollably. "Ah—it hurts, it hurts! Let go!"
His cry for help instantly drew the attention of the surrounding students. Not only did Karuizawa, Kushida, and other girls from Class D look over in surprise, but even students from Class B and C turned to look.
Kiyomizu glanced around, noticing the increasing number of eyes on them, and finally released his grip. In a voice only the two of them could hear, he said coldly, "When it comes to strength, you don't seem much like a man." His icy tone dropped. "If there's a next time, I'll make sure this hand of yours can't hold chopsticks for three months."
Yamauchi rubbed his reddening wrist. When he met those cold eyes, he couldn't help but shiver. Ike finally snapped out of it and quickly stepped between them, trying to smooth things over with an awkward laugh. "Hey guys, it's the first day of school, let's not fight! It'll be bad if you get a disciplinary mark and it affects your graduation!"
Since it was their first meeting, there was no real friendship between the three of them. Ike's intervention was more of a social nicety than a genuine attempt to defend Yamauchi.
Sudo looked on with surprise, re-evaluating Kiyomizu. He was more interested in the skill he had just displayed—the swift turn and the strength to subdue Yamauchi with a single hand.
"You're right. Ike, Sudo, I'm leaving now."
Kiyomizu paid them no further mind. He had said what he needed to say and turned to leave the scene.
Not far away, Kikyo Kushida walked over with light steps, tilting her head. "What's going on, everyone? Why the sudden argument?" She clasped her hands in front of her chest, a worried expression on her face.
Yamauchi, as if his soul had finally returned to his body, complained indignantly, "...Tsk... I just said a few things about Suzune Horikita, and that guy acted like a completely different person! It's totally unreasonable!" He waved his arms dramatically. "Don't tell me those two are already a thing?"
"Yamauchi, that's enough!" Ike interrupted, frowning. "They were just talking like normal classmates. They're deskmates, and they weren't doing anything inappropriate. Stop being so extreme."
"He fought because of Suzune Horikita...?" A strange, imperceptible glint flashed in Kushida's eyes, but she quickly reverted to her gentle smile. "Okay, okay! I'm sure Kiyomizu-kun didn't mean it. After all, he's the kind person who gave up his seat for the elderly lady! What our class needs most right now is unity. Yamauchi-kun, can you let this go for my sake?"
"...Alright! Since you're the one asking, Kushida-chan..." Yamauchi theatrically rubbed his reddening hand, pretending to be magnanimous. He was secretly pleased, thinking this was a great opportunity to get closer to the girl he liked. Just as he was about to invite Kushida to go sing karaoke, he saw that she had already turned away to talk to students from another class.
Yamauchi's outstretched hand hung awkwardly in mid-air.
...
A small group of four girls were whispering among themselves not far away.
"Hmph! Serves him right!" Satsuki Shinohara said with her arms crossed. "They should have taken the chance to teach him a proper lesson!"
Chiaki Matsushita's eyes lit up. "Who cares about that creep Yamauchi! His mind is full of dirty thoughts! Did you guys see what Kiyomizu-kun did just now? It was so cool!"
Nene Mori coughed lightly. "Weren't you the one who just said Hirata-kun was the most handsome guy in school? You change your mind faster than you can turn a page."
"Oh, stop it! Hirata-kun is handsome, of course... but the way Kiyomizu-kun looked just now was even cooler!" Matsushita suddenly lowered her voice and leaned in conspiratorially. "If you could date someone like that, you'd feel super safe! You'd never have to worry about being bullied by anyone else again!"
Kei Karuizawa, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly looked up at this, a strange light flashing in her eyes.
"...Won't get bullied?"
-------
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