Chapter 167: Let Us Unite, Honami Ichinose's Shock (Combined 5k) (Patreon)

Kikyo Kushida's room.

After hearing Kikyo Kushida's "outrageous remarks," Kei Karuizawa was stunned and furious at once, her little face flushing bright red.

But a moment later, confusion crept in.

What on earth was this girl talking about?

"Do you even know what you're saying?"

Karuizawa folded her arms, her tone sharp.

"Why would you make a move on someone else's boyfriend?"

"Plenty of people must be making moves on him, don't you think?"

Kushida didn't look the least bit awkward. She just kept smiling.

"Relax, Karuizawa. I think you should consider what I just said."

Standing in front of Hikaru Naruse's "official girlfriend," Kushida didn't show a trace of guilt. She was completely at ease.

That composure only made Karuizawa laugh in exasperation.

"Why should I consider it?"

"Because it's good for you."

Kushida simply nodded with a smile, then went on.

"I think you're a smart person, Karuizawa, so you'll understand what I mean."

"What are you even talking about?"

Karuizawa folded her arms again, her whole posture turning defensive.

"If you called me here to provoke me, I'm leaving right now."

"Aw, I'm being sincere here, you know. You really won't think about it, Karuizawa?"

"Think about what?"

"Tell you what. Let me explain my reasons first, and you can decide after you've heard them."

Kushida remained unhurried, looking entirely sure of herself.

"..."

After a stretch of silence, the turmoil inside Karuizawa seemed to settle a little.

"Fine. Let's hear it."

"Hehe."

Kushida gave a soft, coquettish laugh before speaking slowly.

"Karuizawa, do you think your status as his girlfriend will last forever?"

"...What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing in particular, and I'm not trying to provoke you. I'm only stating a fact."

Kushida sat on the sofa, her leg swinging lightly.

"What I mean is, Karuizawa, do you think Naruse-san would ever stay devoted to just one person?"

"..."

Deep down, Karuizawa had always known the answer to that.

Hikaru Naruse had other women. She'd been certain of it for a long time.

"I'm right, aren't I?"

Kushida's smile faded by degrees, and her expression turned calm.

Those few jabs in a row had only been payback for what happened in PE class. What she was about to say was the real business.

"There are a lot of girls around Naruse-san, and every one of them is a charming beauty.

"Even someone as cute as me has to admit they're all adorable."

"You really are thick-skinned."

Karuizawa couldn't resist stabbing back at her.

"That's not thick skin. Naruse-san said so himself."

Kushida touched the ends of her hair and continued.

"Precisely because there are so many girls around him, and with time this will probably keep happening..."

"The women around him may keep multiplying."

"Since you're the girlfriend he acknowledged, shouldn't you do something about it?"

"What do you want me to do?"

Karuizawa's expression was cold. The truth was, she had no good answer to this problem. If she pushed it too far, she'd ruin the special treatment Hikaru Naruse gave her.

The girl knew that better than anyone.

"Haven't I already told you?"

Kushida let a faint smile show.

"We can team up."

"As time goes on, if more and more girls gather around Naruse-san, teaming up means we can at least prepare ahead of time."

"Otherwise, with more and more girls, the time Naruse-san can spare for you will probably keep shrinking."

"..."

Kushida's words were hard to swallow, but Karuizawa knew it was very likely to happen.

Still, being led around by the nose didn't sit well with her either.

So she shot right back.

"Even without teaming up with you, I can get Hikaru-kun to give me more time. It's none of your business!"

"That's true. If you act spoiled, I'm sure Naruse-san would do exactly that."

"But do you think that's a good thing?"

Kushida's voice was unhurried, yet it carried a strange pull.

"Karuizawa, don't be naive."

"I know what kind of person Naruse-san is. He respects every girl and cherishes every one of them."

"And whatever problem comes up, he pushes things forward step by step and lets her feel real happiness."

Kushida thought back to that earlier talk about her own "dark past," and a lingering warmth stirred in her.

"But that's exactly why girls keep throwing themselves at him like moths to a flame."

"Don't forget, there are a lot of girls in Class A who are close to Naruse-san."

"..."

Karuizawa thought about it. That was true.

She'd believed Class A had only Ai Morishita, but during the joint PE class she had also zeroed in on a girl named Asuka Shiraishi.

Hikaru-kun had pinched her cheek... and she hadn't reacted at all. She hadn't blushed, and she hadn't been annoyed.

What did that say?

It said the two of them were extremely intimate in private. For all she knew, he'd pinched her cheek plenty of times already.

Besides Asuka Shiraishi, a few other girls had looks in their eyes that weren't right either.

There were the two who called themselves best friends: Miki Yamamura, Ai Morishita's best friend, and Ryoko Nishikawa, Asuka Shiraishi's best friend.

The relationship between those two and Hikaru-kun surely wasn't as simple as ordinary classmates.

Counting it up, Karuizawa suddenly understood.

That really was a lot. Add herself and Kushida standing in front of her, and that made six.

Six?

Any more, and she'd probably get only one day a week!

Watching Karuizawa's expression swing back and forth, Kushida struck while the iron was hot.

"See? Now you know I'm not just talking nonsense, right?"

"This plan I'm proposing is good for both of us."

After another stretch of silence, Karuizawa finally asked.

"What are you planning to do?"

"It's simple. Once we team up, you can tell Naruse-san something, the way I suggest."

"Tell him what?"

Kushida suddenly smiled alluringly, as if she could already see Hikaru Naruse's surprised face.

"Do you know what men like most?"

"What?"

"Suppose you tell Naruse-san, 'I know you have relationships with a lot of girls, but I don't mind.' What do you think he'd think then?"

"Mm..."

When the two of them were alone, Karuizawa avoided the subject of other girls whenever she could and basically never said much about it.

If she said something like that outright...

Hikaru-kun... would probably be really happy, right?

Judging by his attitude, he didn't seem to care much about these things.

But if she showed him how big-hearted she could be, surely he'd feel relieved?

Thinking of that, a sudden sourness welled up in Karuizawa for some reason.

She could be generous and say it was fine, but if she handed over her trump card so easily, wouldn't she lose the chance to use jealousy as an excuse from then on?

"Never mind that."

Karuizawa stared at Kushida across from her and narrowed her eyes.

"I think you still don't understand Hikaru-kun. Even if I complain about the other girls around him, he really wouldn't mind."

"Even if I get jealous or lose my temper, he'll put up with me."

Hearing that, Kushida only laughed.

"That part is true, but I still think you're too naive."

"Even if Naruse-san isn't an ordinary guy, everyone's patience has a limit."

"Say you lose your temper now and then and make him coax you."

"But then there's another girl who's cuter than you, has a better figure than you, and does everything Naruse-san says, never once going against him."

"And she never shows even a hint of jealousy."

"What do you think Naruse-san would do after a while?"

Kushida had grounds for saying this. She had no intention of giving up the combative banter she shared with Naruse, and her acting spoiled and throwing small tantrums were only there to make things interesting.

But she knew of one person who would absolutely do whatever Naruse said.

"Who?"

Karuizawa pictured someone in a flash, and her face darkened.

"I'm just supposing."

In truth, it was Airi Sakura.

But Kushida was never going to tell Karuizawa that now.

Because once she'd won Karuizawa over, the next person she planned to "discuss cooperation" with was Airi Sakura.

After a moment, Kushida spoke slowly.

"In short, I asked you here today just to give you a chance.

"It's fine if you refuse, and even better if you agree."

"Besides, I'm not interested in romance anyway."

Karuizawa was actually startled to hear that, and shot back at once.

"You're not interested in romance?"

"Then why are you making a move on Hikaru-kun?!"

After all that talk, Kushida had landed on this, which left Karuizawa baffled.

"Hm? I'm just not interested in dating. That doesn't mean I don't like men."

The girl blinked softly and spoke with a hint of meaning.

"I may not care about romance, but I'm very interested in Naruse-san."

"You two have been together so long... surely you know where Naruse-san's 'strong suit' lies?"

When she said "strong suit," Kushida deliberately raised her voice.

That line spelled out exactly what she was hinting at.

The next moment.

Karuizawa understood, and her little face turned red.

She really did get Kushida's meaning. Of course she knew exactly what Hikaru-kun's "strong suit" was.

Karuizawa had a bit more stamina than Airi Sakura, so she could last somewhat longer whenever they got intimate.

But only somewhat. Afterward, the girl was always drenched in sweat, and Hikaru Naruse had to gently wipe her dry.

That was why Naruse's bedroom always had plenty of tissues stocked. If anyone else saw them, they might get the wrong idea.

"Ahem."

Karuizawa faked a cough to steer away from the topic, then asked.

"Fine, I'll team up with you for now."

"Besides the plan you just described, do you have any other ideas?"

"Of course I do."

Kushida looked confident, her tone assured.

"As long as you do what I tell you, you can make Naruse-san give way on his own.

"Every time he gives a little, you get to take a little more.

"Understand?"

"What about you?" Karuizawa asked instinctively.

"I'll trade information with you. We're alike in that."

Kushida's smile was gentle.

"Trade information?"

"Yep. I know lots of girls in Class A. Do you?"

Karuizawa's circle of friends wasn't large. At most she had a few people in other classes whose word carried weight, nothing compared to Kushida, who had friends in every class.

"All right, then."

"Mm, let's work well together."

Kushida smiled, her feelings inside quite calm.

Honestly, she'd been dissatisfied with Karuizawa's girlfriend status for a long time.

All that talk today, straight and twisted both, wasn't really meant to build a partnership with her. Kushida just wanted to give her a push.

Even if it failed, it would still leave a bad taste in Karuizawa's mouth.

And if it succeeded, Karuizawa's choice would have a consequence.

A girlfriend who always wants to take, versus a cute little lover like herself...

Did anyone even need to ask which one a man would pick?

*

Meanwhile.

On the other side of the girls' dormitory, in Honami Ichinose's room.

Honami Ichinose sat on the carpet in the living room. On the other two sides of the small coffee table sat Sayo Ando and Mako Amikura.

Apart from Ichinose, Sayo Ando was currently the most popular girl in Class B and one of the class's key decision-makers.

Mako Amikura was now Ichinose's right-hand helper in the Student Council. Hikaru Naruse had recruited her because he valued her competence, and she now carried considerable authority in Class B as well.

Today was the three girls' get-together.

The conversation had started light, covering school, food, makeup and skincare.

But as they chatted, the topic gradually turned to Hikaru Naruse.

"Ichinose, how are things between you and Naruse-san these days?"

"What do you mean, how are things?"

Ichinose was puzzled, not understanding why Ando across from her had suddenly brought him up.

"I'm just curious! You and Naruse-san are good friends, right?"

"Mm... yes, we're good friends."

Remembering that hug, Ichinose felt her face grow warm.

"Besides good friends, there's nothing else between you?"

"Oh, stop asking, you two. Naruse-san has a girlfriend."

When Karuizawa came up, Ichinose's mood visibly dipped. She had originally believed that he and Karuizawa were only a fake couple, never expecting the pretense to become real.

"Having a girlfriend doesn't mean they can't break up. We just feel Naruse-san means a lot to you."

"Right. Ichinose, we're not asking you to steal Karuizawa's boyfriend. We just want you to understand your own feelings."

Class B was, after all, a bunch of good kids, so even on this topic the two held back a little.

Someone of Kushida's caliber would probably have said long ago, "If Karuizawa can be his girlfriend, so can you, Ichinose!"

"My feelings?"

Ichinose shook her head, still wearing a gentle smile.

"My feelings are that I want to stay good friends with Naruse-san.

"That's all."

"Um... well."

Ando exchanged a glance with Amikura beside her, and then Ando spoke up.

"Ichinose, actually we've reached a consensus behind your back, and that's what we came to tell you today."

"What is it?"

Ichinose thought they were about to play some kind of game, and smiled sweetly.

But the next moment, Ando's words caught her completely off guard.

"We talked it over, and if possible, all of us could make a deal with the school."

"What kind of deal?"

"Ichinose, do you want to go to Class A?"

"What do you mean?"

Ando's abrupt question left Ichinose utterly bewildered.

"Ando, what are you talking about? How would I get into Class A?"

"Ichinose, after a whole term together, everyone in our class has seen how much you've given for us."

Ando and Amikura exchanged another glance, and then Amikura took over.

"The school's rules are already clear, and the rules of the class competition won't change."

"But there's a harsh reality in front of us: Class A, led by Naruse-san, holds an overwhelming advantage, and we have no chance of beating them."

"The best outcome for our class is to stay in Class B until graduation."

"So after Kanzaki, Shibata and the others, along with Himeno, talked it over with us, we came up with a very good way to settle the class competition problem."

"What way?"

Ichinose never imagined that everyone had been discussing this behind her back, and she was deeply shocked.

"According to school rules, once twenty million Private Points are gathered, one person can move freely into a different class."

"If possible, we'd like you to go to Class A."

"No way!"

Ichinose objected loudly at once. Using the strength of the whole class to promote herself was far too underhanded, and she would never do it.

"Ichinose, don't rush. Hear us out first."

Amikura was better at organizing her words, so she stepped in to explain.

"Of course the transfer we're talking about isn't just that. Besides paying for you to go to Class A, we'd negotiate with Class A in advance and build a deep partnership.

"By deep partnership, we mean that from then on Class A and Class B could form a rock-solid alliance."

"Together we'd stand against the two classes behind us. That would keep our rankings stable, and we could even keep moving forward."

"The two classes could share intelligence and help each other."

"Even after you move to Class A, Ichinose, you could still direct our moves."

"Our goal is to follow behind you, Ichinose, and keep watching over you.

"This isn't a plan we came up with in a burst of enthusiasm. We decided it after everyone voted and thought it through."

"Of course, this is only a preliminary plan."

Amikura's tone was sincere and full of respect for Ichinose.

"Most importantly, we want to know what you think, Ichinose."

"The second term is a time of transition and saving up points. If this plan is really workable, we might have to wait until the third term... or even the second year to carry it out."

"This is the best way we could think of."

"The partnership will only work if you go to Class A, Ichinose, because that shows Class B's absolute sincerity."

"With how excellent you are, Ichinose, you can naturally carve out a place for yourself in Class A."

"That way, Class A and Class B would be close comrades-in-arms."

"So... what do you think of this plan?"

"This..."

After Amikura finished explaining, Ichinose's mind was already in a tangle.