In Class D, when it came to looks and figure, perhaps Kushida wasn't the most outstanding person.
But Kushida possessed a unique charm—that subtle aura between girlish innocence and feminine allure, which made her the class's universally recognized sexiest girl.
When she spoke with boys, her unguarded, innocent expression—the slight tilt of her head, the naturally flowing smile—was more captivating than intentional seductiveness.
She didn't even deliberately pose. She simply displayed her youthful curves with grace, and that natural sexiness made the boys of Class D collectively sigh in their hearts:
—Kushida-san, you're truly unfair.
Akira sat on the edge of the pool, silently watching Kushida, who was surrounded by boys like a star among the moon.
She was raking her wet hair, and water droplets slid down her neck into the hollow of her collarbone, drawing a restrained stir from the surrounding boys.
'What a skilled performance...'
He recalled how Yamauchi and his group had been chasing Hasebe like puppies at the beginning of the school year, but now they had all become loyal followers of Kushida.
This seemingly sunny and cheerful girl was clearly much more astute than she appeared—she knew how to use elusive glances and perfectly timed physical contact to make boys willingly revolve around her.
Akira narrowed his eyes, and his memory suddenly flashed back to his university days in his previous life.
Weren't those girls from the neighboring major who were good at "fishing" the same? His roommate was played for a fool, even saving his meal money to buy them gifts.
Kushida was clearly not a "gold digger"—at least as far as Akira knew, she had never accepted any gifts or points from male classmates.
On the contrary, this girl often bought snacks out of her own pocket and enthusiastically distributed them to her classmates.
She was persistently determined to build friendships with all her classmates.
If she were truly a calculating woman, she would probably only orbit around wealthy heirs.
What Kushida truly desired was the attention from her classmates. She longed to be looked at with admiration and respect by everyone.
Akira remembered once seeing Kushida squatting in the corner of the classroom, patiently teaching the somewhat introverted Wang Meiyu how to fold paper cranes.
The sparkle in her eyes then was far more genuine than when she was surrounded by boys now.
Ultimately, all she craved was genuine attention and recognition from others—this kind of adolescent vanity, on the contrary, made Akira find her somewhat endearing.
Compared to those materialistic gold diggers, Kushida's "little schemes" were as pure as a youth drama.
Her level was simply too low.
Next, Horikita walked over with brisk steps.
Although not as voluptuous as Kushida, the fabric clinging to her skin clearly outlined her graceful figure—a slender but not thin waist, a perfectly proportioned bust, and toned leg lines sculpted by long-term exercise.
Akira's gaze also lingered on Horikita for a few more seconds.
After all, he had learned her measurements—79/54/79—through the information system on the second day of school.
He still couldn't understand why Yamauchi always described her as "slender."
This was clearly a well-exercised, balanced physique, with every curve just right, retaining a girlish slenderness while containing a sense of restrained power.
As he pondered, Horikita actually walked straight toward him.
Her sharp gaze swept over his well-defined upper body without evasion, her cool eyes narrowing slightly, with a hint of professional scrutiny.
"Your muscle lines are very symmetrical," she said directly. "What kind of training do you usually do?"
"Just basic exercises," Akira told her the exact words. "100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, plus a 10-kilometer run every day."
Horikita's eyebrows subtly raised. "I wouldn't have guessed you were so strict with yourself."
"It's just a basic requirement to maintain physical function." He rotated his shoulder joint. "Moderate exercise keeps the mind and body in optimal condition."
"Is that so?" Horikita's gaze lingered on his tensed back muscles for a moment. "My training volume isn't as intense as yours. I just stick to daily morning runs and basic physical conditioning."
Akira noticed the girl's subconsciously straightened back as she spoke. "You're in pretty good shape. Probably the fittest girl in class."
She narrowed her eyes slightly upon hearing this. "Oh? Your conclusion is based on... having carefully examined the 'physical fitness' of all the girls in the class? That doesn't seem to fit your persona."
Akira shrugged, a frank smile playing on his lips. "After all, I'm a healthy male high school student, and I also have some natural curiosity. It's perfectly normal for boys and girls this age to be curious about the opposite sex's body."
"By the way, in your mind, what kind of image have I been sculpted into?" He keenly caught the unusual tone in her words and retorted.
Horikita turned her face slightly. "...I just feel that you are somewhat similar to a certain person."
"Wait a minute." Akira had a bold guess. "You're not comparing me to your brother, are you?"
The girl's shoulders stiffened imperceptibly.
This reaction confirmed Akira's guess was correct—after all, given Horikita's social circle, the only person she could compare him to was her brother.
"Horikita-san," he took half a step back, a hint of helpless amusement in his tone, "I didn't realize I ranked so highly in your estimation."
Horikita Manabu was already the leader of Class 3-A and the Student Council President who stood at the apex of the entire school.
He could almost be said to be the foremost student currently.
He was also a genius praised by all teachers as "the most outstanding Student Council President since the school's founding," without equal.
Akira had never expected that Horikita had already placed him and her brother at the same starting point.
Horikita's gaze suddenly turned cold. "...Don't flatter yourself!"
Before her words finished, her right hand had already struck down sharply like a blade—but it was firmly intercepted in mid-air.
Akira had, at some point, already caught her wrist, his fingertip resting precisely on her pulse, clearly feeling her accelerated heartbeat.
"When discussing a problem, just discuss the problem." Akira slowly tightened his fingers. "Why the sneak attack? By the way, this should count as self-defense, right?"
The distance between them suddenly closed due to this action. Horikita could even feel his steady breathing, a realization that made her sharply pull her hand back, while he waved his hand, maintaining his usual calm expression.