* Ding

After Kiyotaka had turned off his phone and rested for a while, an email arrived. It was a message from Ryūen.

[Who are you?]

' Another meaningless email... '

Kiyotaka decided to ignore the email and go to bed.

________________________

Over by Suzune's study group, Kiyotaka has been seated next to Satō, while Karma chose to sit close to them to listen to their conversation.

" This is my first time in the library. How about you Ayanokōji-kun? " Sato ask Kiyotaka.

" ...I've been here several times. " Kiyotaka replied.

The female giggle. " You're surprisingly studious. "

" It's more like I'm killing time instead of studying. "

Sato then stop as she tilt her head. " So in order to kill time, you come to the library? That's strange. Err... Ayanokōji-kun... am I bothering you? well, I did suddenly say that I was going to attend the study session. "

Kiyotaka shake his head. " We're not particularly bothered. Horikita and Kushida who are teaching today also shouldn't be. Honestly, we'd expect them to be happy right? "

" It's not like that... "

Sato became a little depressed. However, the location of the library was a bit troublesome.

Kiyotaka whispered to avoid disturbing other students, ultimately making the distance between him and Satō unexpectedly close. He could just barely feel Satō's breathing.

' The single thing that I desire the most right now is to go back home soon. ' Kiyotaka's face then became a little gloomy.

Karma, who could guess Ayanokoji's thoughts, smirked. ' You're not going home any time soon, Ayano-kun~. '

Sato fidget with her fingers. " Everyone is so serious, using the library and everything. "

" You two, spare me from the commotion like the one you made yesterday. Today you might not just get away with a warning; there's a chance that you'll be kicked out of the library. " They heard Suzune snap.

Ike groaned. " I know, I know. "

Suzune found a vacant seat while admonishing the two problem children, Ike and Yamauchi.

Kiyotaka turn to Suzune. " Horikita, what are you going to do? "

Suzune just flip her hair. " If that's what you're worried about Ayanokōji, you don't have to worry about it. I've already taken countermeasures for that. "

Someone in their line of sight moved in the area used by first years. She was Ichinose Honami. A total of eight Class B students were with her. It seemed like there were four guys and four girls, so if you add Ichinose there were nine in total.

Based on Suzune's expression, this didn't seem to be accidental. She came over as if to introduce herself.

" Have we made you wait? " Suzune ask.

The rest of the Class Ds looked wary of the students from the foreign classrooms.

Ichinose smile. " Oh no, not at all. We just got here ourselves. "

Suzune then explain to her classmates. " Yesterday, I met up with Ichinose-san here in the library and suggested a joint study group. Since we aren't competing with Class B in this exam, I think that we can help each other out a bit. "

Ike and the others had managed to settle down before they had arrived at the library, only to have their spirits soar in a strange direction.

" Ike-kun, didn't I just warn you? " Suzune grabbed Ike by the arm as hard as she could. He was scared just like a frog being watched by a snake.

Karma let out a gruntled sigh as he turn away feeling bored. He then feel a shadow coming toward his direction.

" Ah! Ayanokōji-kun and Akabane-kun also came today? " Ichinose exclaimed.

" I'm just lending help. " Karma plainly answer.

" I'm close to getting a failing mark. You might have to take care of me for a while. " Kiyotaka said.

Suzune huffed. " That's right. "

Since Ichinose had managed to secure good seats in the corner of the room, their conversation also wasn't very noticeable. In addition, the music flowing through the room wonderfully masked their voices from others.

It was Beethoven's Symphony No. 6, 'Pastoral'. The students from each class freely fill up the empty seats.

" Let's sit here, Ayanokōji-kun. "

" Ah, alright. "

Satō beckoned for Kiyotaka to come over, and just as she requested, he sat down in the seat next to her.

' Wuaah, is it bad I want to be the one to sit beside Ayano-kun!! ' Karma whined.

The redhead then regains his smile and decided to tease the girl. " Ooh, Satō. You've been around Ayano-kun a lot today. "

" Naturally. We are a pair, after all. " Sato proclaim.

Satō continues to attempt getting closer to Kiyotaka and he tries his best to get out of the situation and work around her questions as people are starting to look weirdly at them, especially Ike and Yamauchi, while Karma enjoys the situation.

Kiyotaka sighed. " ...Well, let's start by asking what your weaknesses are. Do you have your old midterm exams with you? "

" I do. "

Sato took crumpled test papers out of her bag and spread them out. Her scores for each subject hovered around 50 points.

Sato frown as soon as she saw Kiyotaka scrolling all her scores." How is it? Is it that bad? "

" Yeah... We will need to study together since I have about the same...

" Yes! " Satō nodded in high spirits, but Ayanokoji wished she could have used a quieter voice.

Ike then glance at the two. " Aren't you two being too intimate with one another? "

" We're paired together, so it's a given that we work with each other, right? " Sato said.

" Prepare for yourself instead of commenting on things you don't understand. " Suzune said as she struck an arrow on Ike's head.

" Tsk, I know that. " Ike rub his head, he seemed very dissatisfied, but he hastily began to prepare to study.

Karma rest his head on his palm. ' Ike began to be tamer now. '

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! " Ike whined as he slump on his face on the table.

He raise his head showing a radiant expression on his face, but Suzune's eyes were cold to the sight of it.

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

As fast as rabbits, Ike and the others left the library. Ichinose giggled and gave a comment on how lively the Clas D are which recieved a blunt reply from Suzune. All of the students in Class B and Class D finished up their work and left.

All what's left is Suzune, Ichinose, Kiyotaka and Karma.

Ichinose then cross her arms with a smile. " So what's the story? "

Suzune turn her attention to Ichinose. "Ichinose-san, you would help your friends if they're in trouble, right? Situations like helping to improve academic ability, stop bullying, and solve money problems. "

" People can be in many different types of trouble. But if a friend were be in trouble, you would obviously reach out to help them? " Karma added to the question.

Ichinose answered effortlessly with no hesitation. " Of course I would. I will do everything I can. "

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

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

Karma annotate. " For example: As long as they're a student from Class B, would you unconditionally be willing to help them? "

" 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. " Ichinose proclaim.

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

Karma observe Ichinose. ' A difficult question if the other was physically disgusted by me or her in this matter, she would probably avoid contact with them to prevent irritating them further. '

After a few seconds of silence Ichinose open her mouth. " I would help them. Absolutely. 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. " Karma comment.

Ichinose grinned widely. " 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, Akabane-kun? "

So he was included now, how nice.

" Well... there is no place like home. " Karma answered.

Suzune grip her arms with no hatred seen in her eyes. " ... Class D is surprisingly not that bad. "

" ...Oh... "

" What is it, Ayanokōji-kun? Do you disagree with something? " Suzune glared at Kiyotaka.

" Ah, sorry but may I ask Ichinose-san a question? " As soon as Ichinose accepts, Kiyotaka then spoke. " 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, Akabane-kun and Horikita-san are very important friends. " Ichinose chirped.

" Then, what if we run into trouble and need help? " Karma ask.

" What if we begged you to borrow one million points? " Kiyotaka ask next.

" 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. In the end, you'll end up saving everyone by a cost. " Karma comment fondly.

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

' I appreciate, but it's highly doubtful even when you said it so easily. ' Karma keep his lips shut.

He continue to hear Ichinose rambling on with a smile on her face, almost like picturing her own kind of peace if there were no inequalities between classes.

Karma frown to that, if that were true in his world then the E-Class wouldn't be built on top of a hill.

He turn to Suzune who looked a bit surprised as she listen to Ichinose while Kiyotaka just stared. It's true, Suzune was both genuinely surprised and impressed at the same time on Ichinose's beliefs and opinion.

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

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.

Karma watch as Ichinose say her goodbye before leaving the library. After Ichinose had left the library, there weren't very many students left.

Suzune rub her neck as if it's sore. " Let's go back. I still have work to do today. "

" 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? " Kiyotaka ask specifically at Suzune.

" Yes. To put it mildly, she is undoubtedly a good person. " Suzune answer with no hesitation.

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

Suzune shake her head. " The outcome would be the same. "

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

" That's... " Suzune trailed off.

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

Suzune didn't answer but he knew she can't deny it.

Kiyotaka then speak up. " We 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. "

Suzune huffed. " 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. "

The three leave the library to find a patient Kikyo.

Suzune cross her arms. " Kushida-san, I've kept you waiting for a while. "

Kikyo let out a reassuring giggle. " It's alright, there's still some time left until the appointed time. What were you talking about with Honami-chan just now? "

" Just a trifling topic. "

" I'm interested. Or is it something you can't tell me about? "

Karma scowl. Kikyo is being nosy today.

Suzune didn't take it to heart. " Yeah, after all, it wasn't something unrelated to you. Let's talk. I asked her about what could be done to treat everyone equally. "

" Really...? "

" I'm not going to beat around the bush about who it was about. I had been referring to you, Kushida-san. "

Kikyo didn't look surprised as she open her mouth. " You see, Horikita-san. Maybe I can't really get along with you, but I'd rather you not share such a story while Ayanokōji-kun and Akabane-kun are present. Or... is it that Ayanokōji-kun, Akabane-kun and Ichinose-san now know something else? "

Suzune close her eyes before turning to the boys. " I'm sorry Ayanokōji-kun, Karma-kun, but could you please head home without me? "

Kiyotaka nod slowly. " ...I guess we're in the way. "

Karma gave a side-glance before following Kiyotaka.

..........................................

After leaving, Ayanokoji receives a call from Suzune, who uses her phone to help them eavesdrop.

" You and I came from the same middle school, and because I know your past, you want me to drop out of school. These are the facts, correct? "

Suzune's voice was heard before another follows.

" What short notice, why bring up the past so suddenly? I don't like that topic. " Kikyo then continues. " Let's see, after all, we hardly ever have the chance to be alone. Yes, sure, I do hope you disappear from this school. This is indeed because of the fact that we came from the same school, and that you know about my past. "

" I did hear about the incident, but it wasn't interesting to me as I didn't have any friends back then. All I ever heard were rumors, not the truth. "

A few silence occur making it seem that Kikyo is doubting Suzune's statement.

" Do you want to hold a bet with me, Kushida-san? "

" Bet? "

" Do you have any plans on dropping out yourself? "

" No way. If anyone is dropping out, it would be you, Horikita-san. But I know you won't. I don't think we're going to get along. "

" Yeah... Maybe so. "

" Well then, what are you going to do? What did you mean by bet? " Kikyo's voice ask warily.

" If I get a higher score than you on this upcoming final exam, I want you to cooperate with me in the future without being hostile. No, I won't expect you to help me. However, I hope you won't continue to interfere with me in the future. That's it. " Suzune declare.

" Does that mean you want to have a personal battle, regardless of the total points that your pair gets? That's a bad bet, Horikita-san. "

" Yeah I know-

That's where Karma block the unecessary conversation.

What's the point to listen if the girls are going to have a their own personal battle, even when it also complies with the class as a whole it didn't excite him much.

" You could lose and then just treat the bet as though it had never happened. Of course, I also might not keep my end of the agreement. Can we really establish this bet based on just trust alone? "

Karma can hear Suzune smirk.

" Well. In order to avoid that kind of situation, I think I have prepared a reliable witness. "

" A reliable witness? " Kikyo ask in a confused tone.

" If you would please, nii-san. "

Karma's mouth grew agape. Wait what?

Kikyo also sound shocked. " Eh-! "

" I'm terribly sorry, nii-san. I absolutely had to borrow your power, so I called you here. " Suzune said to what Karma assume to be Manabu.

In the other line Manabu face Kikyo with a nod.

" Long time no see, Kushida. "

" ...Do you remember me? "

" I won't forget the people I've met. "

" He is the person that I trust the most in this school. He should also be someone you can also trust to some extent as well. Of course, I didn't tell my brother any of the details. " Suzune explain.

Manabu gave a disinterested look as the same with his sound of voice. " I was just called in as a simple witness. "

" Are you alright with this, Horikita-senpai? If your sister loses the bet- "

Manabu cut Kikyo. " My sister is the one who made the bet, so it's not something I should weigh in on. "

Suzune then add. " I also swear that I will not say anything to anybody in the case where I lose. My brother's reputation would be hurt if it became widely known that his sister was the type of person who goes back on her promises. I would never behave in such a way. "

Kikyo gave an incredulous look before sighing. " Alright. I'll play this game with you. The subject that we'll compete over will be mathematics. The terms of the bet are just as Horikita-san had said earlier. If our scores end up tying, is it okay to invalidate the whole bet? "

" I'll do my duty as a witness. If one of you decides to break the agreement, you better be prepared. " Karma can feel Manabu push up his glasses.

" Thank you very much, nii-san. " Suzune said sounding grateful.

The phone temporarily became silent. It felt like they were waiting for Suzune's brother to leave.

" I'll be looking forward to the final exams, Horikita-san. " Kikyo then proclaim with a half-hearted confidence.

Suzune nod in the other line. " Let's do our best for each other. "

" Yeah. For Ayanokōji-kun and Akabane-kun as well. "

" ...Why are you bringing them up now? "