On the other side, the dormitory building.
Having received a contact.
After school, Ichinose hurried to Kushida Kikyo's dorm room.
Looking at Ichinose Honami sitting at the low table, Kushida Kikyo didn't even brew a cup of tea. Instead, she said sarcastically:
"Ichinose, it's really bold of you to come to my room completely unguarded. Aren't you afraid I'll set a trap to frame you?"
"Because I know Kushida-san is not that kind of person. And Kushida-san has never done anything bad; instead, you've always been providing help to those around you, so I'm not afraid at all."
Ichinose said nonchalantly with a smile.
It was the truth.
At least in Ichinose's eyes.
Aside from liking to hear people's little secrets, Kushida Kikyo had never done anything bad to her.
Furthermore.
Kushida Kikyo had always been keeping secrets for others.
At least at this school, Kushida Kikyo had never leaked anything and had already reached her limit.
However.
Ichinose had also discovered that Kushida Kikyo was actually quite naive.
When she couldn't do something, she would just give up and smash everything, and after smashing it, she would intentionally act malicious and sarcastic. Actually.
She just wanted to reveal her true side and seek recognition from those around her.
Unfortunately.
Except for Horikita Suzune.
There seemed to be no one in Class D willing to approach Kushida Kikyo again, though Kushida also seemed to hate Horikita Suzune.
After all.
Losing her communication skills.
Kushida Kikyo was just an ordinary person with relatively excellent grades. Although important, she wasn't especially important.
"Tsk, it's no use saying nice things to me."
Hearing Ichinose's words, Kushida Kikyo was somewhat disdainful.
"What are you drinking?"
"Then I'll just have cocoa, or juice or tea is fine."
Three choices.
The possibility of having none of them at the same time was very low.
Soon.
Kushida Kikyo brought the cocoa to Ichinose, and she sat on the edge of the bed with her legs crossed.
"Whew..."
Ichinose took a nice sip before smiling and saying:
"Did Kushida-san come to see me because you changed your mind?"
During this period.
Due to Hikigaya strengthening the surveillance range and violent punishments, there were often various conflicts that needed the Student Council to mediate.
Although the costs were paid by the school, people still needed to be found by the Student Council, and Ichinose had contacted many people.
Unfortunately.
Possessing a large amount of individual points.
Too few people were willing to work for the school.
With that time.
Isn't it better to go out and play?
Even with a monthly reward of 40,000 individual points, most people chose to refuse, including Kushida Kikyo.
This was normal.
Even in her current state.
Kushida Kikyo's ability to mediate conflicts was beyond doubt, at least much stronger than those two stinky men, Katsuragi and Hikigaya.
Moreover, joining the Student Council had many benefits.
Having a Student Council status and often being by Ichinose's side, people who continued to attack Kushida Kikyo would also think twice.
After all.
Horikita Suzune was the same.
Occupying a Student Council status, people around her mostly just whispered.
However.
Despite the many benefits, Kushida Kikyo still chose to refuse without hesitation.
Kushida Kikyo and Ichinose Honami were equally gentle.
But the two had significant differences.
Aside from their abilities.
Kushida Kikyo needed rewards even more. Even if it was something intangible like trust, that was still a reward.
Without a shred of reward.
Kushida Kikyo had no desire to approach people like Ryuuen or Ike Kanji.
"I remember."
Kushida Kikyo said indifferently: "It's about letting me join the Student Council to assist in resolving disputes, right?"
"Yes, I think Kushida-san has quite a talent for this."
"No problem, but there is one condition."
Hearing this.
Ichinose immediately became serious.
Although the opponent this time was Class A, the possibility of Class A collaborating with Class D afterward was not low. She didn't know what the request would be.
"Tell me the condition first. If it doesn't affect the class competition, it shouldn't be a problem."
"Then... lend Hikigaya to me for a bit."
Kushida Kikyo's face turned bright red as she turned her head to the side, her fingers twirling her hair.
Watching this scene, Ichinose was momentarily confused.
It took a good while for her to react, yet she was worried she had misunderstood.
"Um, does Kushida-san have business with Hikki? What do you mean by 'lending' him to you?"
"It's... that..."
Kushida Kikyo stammered, unable to speak.
She heard that Hikigaya didn't hate her true side and even thought the real her was better.
Thinking of these things.
The joy and satisfaction in Kushida Kikyo's heart felt as if they were about to overflow.
Furthermore.
Staying in Class D gave her nothing to do. Continuing like this would just mean muddling through the rest of her time.
Anyway, hikigaya already had so many women.
Adding her wouldn't be too many, and missing her wouldn't be too few.
During junior high.
She heard about several classmates playing together.
Even cases of compensated dating and abortions were not few.
Therefore.
The well-traveled Kushida Kikyo didn't think it was a big deal either; it's just that she should at least mention it to Ichinose.
But thinking about what she wanted to say was truly a bit embarrassing.
Watching this scene, Ichinose immediately confirmed it.
"Kushida-san, could it be that you like Hikki?"
"I don't!"
Kushida Kikyo turned back, her voice involuntarily rising a few notches. But seeing Ichinose's gaze, her eyes immediately darted away again.
"Who would like a guy like that? I just feel bored. Since I have nothing to do anyway, I might as well play around with that guy Hikigaya."
"Moreover, didn't you say Hikigaya is particularly amazing in that regard, even stronger than the guys in movies? I was planning to try it out."
"That's right, just trying it out. Just like a f-buddy... f-buddy!"
Kushida Kikyo's face was beet red as she spoke with a stiff neck.
Watching this scene, Ichinose couldn't help but let a smile appear at the corner of her mouth; this person was indeed very naive.
Like a child whose inner secret had been discovered.
Only stubborn with words.
"Alright then, why did Kushida-san have to tell me these things? If you just wanted to maintain that f-buddy... that relationship with Hikigaya, wouldn't it be better to act in secret?"
"There's no particular reason. I'm just notifying you first."
Kushida Kikyo turned her head to the side, acting indifferently again.
"If you agree, I'll join the Student Council. If not, then forget it. I'm not exactly required to seek your consent."
"..."
The smile at the corner of Ichinose's mouth grew.
Leaving everything else aside, being able to come and seek her consent first was indeed something to be happy about.
At least, like Sakura Airi and the others, she showed her respect.
"As expected... Kushida-san is a gentle person."
"Ha?"
Kushida Kikyo's face turned even redder:
"Ichinose, I've thought this since a long time ago—is there something wrong with your brain? If you're going to be so indirect, just leave."
"Okay, okay."
Ichinose nodded and pondered slightly:
"It's fine to agree, but if it's just for being f-buddies, wouldn't anyone else do too? Kushida-san, can you tell me the reason you chose Hikki?"
"There's no special reason."
Although she said that.
Kushida Kikyo still recounted the events of the school trip.
However.
Although Hachigaya's recognition made her heart race, the main reason was still boredom.
She had nothing left to do by continuing to stay at school!