What I Like About You

AYANOKOJI POV

The elevator that I've been patiently waiting for, arrived. As it opened, the boy who was inside smiled upon seeing me.

"Good morning, Kiyotaka-kun."

"Good morning, Yosuke.... It's unusual for you to come to school at the same time as me."

While I replied to him, I stepped inside the elevator.

"Well, I'm glad I didn't come much later or I might have missed the opportunity of meeting you here."

I was surprised by Yosuke's unexpected answer, who pressed the close button.

With the way he said it, this is not a coincidence at all.

"So you actually had plans to meet me. Is something wrong?"

"Well, I just wanted to say sorry for what happened yesterday."

"Sorry?"

I looked at him in confusion as I didn't understand why he had to apologize to me.

Yosuke turned his head towards me, wearing a thin smile.

".... You know, when Horikita-san asked you and Karuizawa-san to leave during our discussion at the cafeteria."

"That?...... Though it was something isn't worth asking forgiveness for, why are you the one apologizing?"

Could it be because he was the one who invited me and Kei to participate in the discussion?

"Horikita-san actually did it in consideration of my feelings."

I see.

"You see, she did not know that Karuizawa-san and I only dated before to protect her from bullies. She thought that I was hurt seeing you and Karuizawa-san being clingy to each other, especially that I was the one that got dumped."

Kei has always been a sweet and clingy girlfriend even back when she dated Yosuke, who she didn't have any intimate feelings with. Now that our relationship is known to the school, she started openly linking arms with me or holding my hand in the public.

"And I'm gonna apologize to Karuizawa-san as well as I told everything to Horikita-san including her bullying incident in middle school."

"To make it clear for Horikita?"

Yosuke nodded.

".... You don't have to. Kei already moved on from her past. She wouldn't be mad at you for it."

"You think so?"

"Yeah. Moreover, I don't think Horikita would care about it at all and she's not someone who would run her mouth and tell someone's past to anyone."

"Well, I do agree that Horikita-san is trustworthy enough."

Yosuke smiled upon knowing that he's worrying for nothing, but somehow, it's quite stiff.

"Since Horikita-san already knows everything, she would definitely agree if I'll invite you once again to participate in the discussion."

"Are you having a discussion again?"

"No. She only said that she'll approach me again if she needs something."

Just from the look of his face, I know he's worried about Horikita's sudden change of behavior. This was probably the main thing that he really wanted to consult with me.

"The truth is, I'm actually aware of this rumor that's circulating around the class."

And this is about Horikita avoiding me because of jealousy towards me and Kei.

"But I can assure you that it's not true.... at all."

Just then, the elevator reached the ground floor. Both of us stepped outside. Upon confirming that no one else was around, I continued.

"I don't know how much you know about her but Horikita is someone who's not open to romance yet. Self-destructing because of jealousy is so not her."

"... Yeah... I know."

He's saying that but.....

"Are you perhaps worried that she might not be able to do well in this exam?"

"That's.... just a part of it actually..... No..... I mean, I'm not that worried about the exam since I know that she can handle it even without our help. So far, this exam is the easiest. It's like a normal written exam." 

Which was very unexpected.

If Tsukishiro planned to use this exam to expel more students, he should have made a much harder exam to make it harder for Horikita to defend and to protect the whole student body. Instead, he only made an exam that could make Horikita do everything that even my involvement is not needed.

What was he trying to do?

"I'm not that particularly worried that it could affect her performance during the exam as I know how strong she is but..... I could actually feel that her heart is so heavy right now..... Though she was trying so hard to hide it.... unlike me before."

Yosuke's expression hardened as he realized that what Horikita is facing right now is something much more serious just like what happened to him before.

"So you got to know that Horikita is dealing with something personal right now."

"Yeah..... I know that my relationship with her became much better but we never had a conversation beyond class conflict until yesterday. But even that, it wasn't about her, but about someone else."

And the only time that he was able to hear more about her was when she opened up to the whole class about the reason why she enrolled in this school which was to reconcile with her brother, Horikita Manabu.

"She did tell all of us a little about her life, but that's it. Sudo-kun is indeed close to her but I doubt he knows more than I do."

I think I already know where this is going.

"But out of everyone.... it's only you, Kiyotaka-kun, who I believe knows a lot about her."

"Sorry to tell you but, we're on the same boat, I guess."

Yosuke looked at me with a somewhat surprised look on his face.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Just like you and Sudo, Horikita and I only talk about exams and strategies for the class. Though, I admit that I might know something that everyone else doesn't know, but it's only a little. It's definitely not like what you imagined."

".... But.... maybe you could make her open up? Just like what you did to me and Karuizawa-san?"

As Yosuke's voice suddenly sounded pushy, I sighed a little and looked him in the eyes.

"... I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound pushy.... I'm also sorry if I'm trying to push the responsibility to you but-."

"It's okay. I mean, let me apologize also if I made it look like I didn't like it. It's just that..... the truth is, I already tried."

I interrupted him and said something that made his feet stop moving.

"You already did?"

I stopped walking also and answered him with a nod.

"When?"

"Last week. Friday night."

"Last week? That means....."

"You could still see it from her behaviour, right? Sadly, I failed."

"How come?"

"It appears to be too personal for me to get involved."

But it's actually the other way around. It's too personal for her to get involved.

Yosuke only looked down, looking hopeless.

"..... I don't know if I could do it but... I guess I'll try too. Maybe if Horikita-san could feel that she's not alone..... maybe..."

It's useless, Yosuke.

"It's okay. I'm planning to talk to her again."

Yosuke immediately looked up with a hint of hope in his eyes.

"You mean, you haven't given up yet?"

"She's our class leader after all. We need her. I know her personal problem could hardly affect her performance in the exam but I also know that she could do better if we can find a solution to her problem. If there's something I could help, then I will."

Yosuke's face lightened up a little.

This is something I couldn't help. If I don't say it like this, he definitely won't stop and would do everything to help Horikita even by himself. And his help couldn't be able to touch what Horikita is really dealing with.

"I'm really sorry Kiyotaka-kun if you're the only one I could ask for help. I tried thinking of someone else including myself, but I don't see any of us that could help when it comes to Horikita-san's personal matters."

"You don't have to apologize. And just like you, I'm doing this for the class."

"...... Thank you."

Yosuke said his thanks with a smile.

He started walking again which I followed.

"The truth is, I only became so worried after I noticed that the both of you suddenly became distant from each other."

"No wonder why you're trying so hard to make me interact with her again."

"Hm. But after hearing that you had talked with her, I already believe that the misunderstanding between you two was really not true."

"There's just no way that it would happen."

".... Then.... why was she avoiding you?"

As I tried to take a peek at his face, he was already looking at me, suspiciously.

"I get the feeling that you already heard about that new rumor coming from the second year that involves Horikita."

"A couple of girls from our class told me last night."

"I heard it from Kei last night as well."

Though I heard it first hand from the source of the rumor myself last week.

"Do you think that Horikita-san and Utomiya-kun are really dating?"

"Some are saying that they haven't yet though."

I ran into Ichinose last week at the Keyaki Mall with one of the second year student council members. When the other member arrived, which was Takahashi, he told us what he saw from the office that justifies his blushing face.

Apparently, he saw Horikita touching Utomiya's chest while their faces were so close to each other. He also stated Horikita's expression that he had not seen before. From his point of view, it looked like Utomiya was leaning in and was about to kiss Horikita.

Seriously, if I'm just a stranger to Utomiya and Horikita, I would also think they are romantically involved with each other just by hearing Takahashi's story. 

I wonder if he really saw it correctly.

Well, considering that there was a witness, that was probably the only real thing that happened.

Though I already expected it, students really created some drama by making up some scenarios that could fit to their imagination just by that little information alone. 

No. Not really, since my dating rumor with Kei was also included in the story.

From a few stories that were created, one certain scenario was accepted by many.

And it goes like this.

Horikita and Utomiya had mutual romantic feelings for each other but weren't dating yet. When Horikita got involved in my dating rumor with Kei, it created a misunderstanding for the two of them, resulting in Utomiya avoiding Horikita. 

According to Ichinose, Horikita and Utomiya started avoiding each other a day after my dating rumor happened. Really, the timing. I might think Utomiya planned this but from the looks of it, I don't think so.

But for real, teenagers are really good at connecting information especially if it relates to romance. It really excites them.

Sad thing was, even if it wasn't proven yet, most people already burned that story in their mind and accepted it to be true.

"Horikita-san has been going through a lot since the school year started."

I could only answer with a 'yes' since we already arrived at the classroom.

But upon stepping inside, Yosuke's energy immediately dropped as he felt the unusual atmosphere inside the room.

Mostly, the whole class would make a ruckus if they heard a new gossip. Not leaving the main characters of the rumor alone until they confirmed it to be true.

But since Horikita, who was already inside the room, had shut everyone up when they tried to ask her about her personal life before, no one dared to approach her now.

"Oi, Ayanokoji....."

A sad and weak voice of a man immediately approached me upon my arrival.

"... D-did you hear about it? About that new rumor?"

".... Yeah?"

"And?"

"The only thing that I can assure you is that the part about me and Horikita is completely wrong."

"That's fine. What's more important is the other one."

So Sudo's no longer bothered about me and already considered Utomiya as the real threat.

He was looking at me with such a pressing gaze, demanding for an answer as if he knows that I know what's the real issue between Utomiya and Horikita.

"... I don't know anything about it."

"Come on, Ayanokoji."

"Do I really look like I know everything that's happening in this world?"

"Tch!..."

Sudo clicked his tongue in frustration.

Even though more than half of the rumor wasn't true, I still felt pity towards Sudo as I watched his teary eyes.

"... If you're that desperate for answers, why don't you ask her?"

"You witnessed it yourself how angry she was when we asked about her personal life before, right?"

"But in the end, she told us everything. How about you take the risk? Even if she got mad at you, it would still be worth it as long as you got your answer."

"How about you ask her for me?"

"Don't be ridiculous. Unlike you, I don't care about her love life."

I took a step as I wanted to escape but Sudo stopped me as he put his hand on my shoulder.

"Please, Ayanokoji."

"No. Get it yourself."

I used my right hand to slap his hand away.

This guy really wants me to ask Horikita myself despite knowing that I was part of the rumor that might lead to another misunderstanding. 

I immediately went and took a seat, ignoring Sudo completely.

"It's better if you ask Horikita-san now before the class starts to make your mind be at peace or it might be very difficult for you to listen in today's class."

Before going to his seat, Yosuke patted Sudo's shoulder after leaving some words of encouragement.

After a few moments of thinking, Sudo finally went to the front row and approached Horikita, who was busy writing in her notebook.

"Ahemm.... Uhm Suzune, c-can I ask you a question?"

After clearing his throat, Sudo courageously asked Horikita.

The room was in complete silence as everyone stopped whatever they're doing, taking advantage of the situation to know the truth.

"What is it, Sudo-kun?"

"T-there's actually a rumor that's going around and..... I just wanna know if it's true."

"About me?"

Horikita stopped writing and looked up to face Sudo.

".. Uh... It's about you and-."

"It's not true."

After letting out a sigh and turning back to her notes, Horikita interrupted him and answered even without hearing everything.

".. R-Really?...."

"Yeah. Whatever it is, it's not true."

"... I-Is that so?"

Sudo seemed to be not entirely convinced as he only looked down and was only standing still.

"Don't you believe me?"

Sudo did not answer.

"..... I was actually expecting for you to know the answer even without asking me as I thought that you already know me, Sudo-kun."

Sudo flinched as he heard Horikita's statement. 

He did know that she's not interested in romance. It's just that he couldn't help but ask.

AYANOKOJI POV

Leaning against the wall, I was patiently waiting for Horikita to leave the student council office.

Ichinose told me that Horikita always goes home much later than everyone, which makes it the perfect time to talk with her without any students seeing. Students hardly pass by this alley also as this is the way to the school offices including the student council office.

Though Tsukishiro might have seen me going here through the school's CCTV. 

Well, it doesn't matter anymore as they already know that Horikita already told me everything. Though, except for that one thing.

After a couple of minutes of waiting, Horikita finally got out of the office as I heard the door opening.

I could tell that she's coming nearer through the sound of her footsteps.

After turning to the corner, Horikita was startled by my unexpected appearance.

Instead of asking why I am here, she only looked over her shoulder as if searching for someone.

"Are you neglecting the idea that it's you that I'm here for?"

"..... What is it?"

As if she's in a hurry, she immediately asked what my intention was after turning her face back to me.

"Yosuke is worried about you."

Though she found my opening statement to be surprising, somehow she looked disappointed.

"Hirata-kun and I already talked about it."

After saying that, she started walking, intending to leave.

"I've been observing you for a whole week and it seems like you are doing the exact opposite of what I wanted you to do."

Stopping her from her tracks, I said my real intention of meeting her.

"You're intending to go against them, right?

"What? You really came all the way here just to remind me that I should be your enemy?"

"Isn't expelling the person who's causing chaos in this school for selfish reasons like rebellion the right thing to do, student council president?"

"Could be.... but without taking into consideration that selfish reason of yours, the real one who's causing trouble in this school are your parents, the acting director and Utomiya-kun."

So her mind has come to this conclusion.

"If the acting director and Utomiya-kun get kicked out, everything will go back to normal..... that's what I believed."

Should I be thankful that she chose to protect me? I don't know about that.

But, was it really to protect me?

"Then, wanna be on the same page?"

She turned her gaze to me, surprised as she heard my proposal.

"Same page? Will that be even possible with our conflicting opinions?"

"I changed my mind. I no longer want you to be my enemy."

Instead of a sense of relief, she was looking at me in confusion.

"Isn't your change of attitude too fast? I could feel from your firm voice just a second ago that you don't want to get involved with me."

"There's no reason for me to ignore your decision when it's going well in my favor."

How's that? Did that make you change your mind, Horikita?

You already know me to a certain extent. You've experienced being used by me a couple of times without you knowing. You saw me pretending, changing my behavior and acting like a fool just to play and manipulate someone's actions. Everything, in order to win. And most of the time, you only realized this when everything was done.

Her mind was probably debating if she made the right decision or not. Though I could see it clearly from her face.

Not any longer, Horikita hardened her expression and said.

"That's right. I'm naive. I've been fooled by you so many times. Fooled by Utomiya-kun, by Ryuen-kun...... but for this, I want to stick to my plan and not be swayed by your words. With everything that's happening, I have no one to trust but myself."

So she already reached this point where I couldn't manipulate her anymore.

She started walking again. I stopped leaning against the wall as she was nearing.

"So what's your answer?"

With that, Horikita paused and glared at me.

"Why are you acting like you haven't tried to manipulate me just now?"

"I tried or not, it is still a fact that my change of decision is going in your favor as well....... Don't you need me? To fight against them?"

Faced by these true words, Horikita wasn't able to answer.

"Or perhaps you're being overconfident that you can protect the whole student body on your own because of how easy the exam is?"

Horikita wasn't fazed at all, instead she looked strongly into my eyes.

"........ I know too well how hard it is to win against a person who holds so much power and uses dirty tricks at the same time, Ayanokoji-kun."

Does that mean you have a strategy in your mind?

"What's your plan?"

"It has nothing to do with you."

I went and stood in front of her, blocking her way as she started moving again.

"What's your plan?"

She raised her head to face me, feeling irritated by my actions.

"Fine. If you really want to help that much, then handle your girlfriend's circle of friends. If it's not enough for you then tell Hirata-kun, he might give you some students from his big study group. Even if the acting director will fabricate the result, we can still use the answer sheets as evidence that the students indeed passed."

You just don't understand, Horikita.

"Do you know what's the reason why the acting director Tsukishiro only created a very easy exam, Horikita?"

She only stared at me, waiting for the answer.

"It was to make you do everything."

Her eyes widened as she realized that she was doing exactly what Tsukishiro wanted her to do.

"It was to make you feel all the responsibility and take all the blame to yourself for the expelled students after he did his plan...... leaving you in a devastating state."

Horikita looked away, as if she felt embarrassed. 

I could see from her face that she was scared but wasn't that scared that I was expecting her to be.

Have you really grown this much, Horikita? Or is it because there's something else that you feared more?

As if putting her emotions back in place, she started speaking but without looking at me.

"So basically, you want me to share that pain that I'm going to experience in the future."

"Yosuke would definitely accept it. Ichinose would too. And....... I wouldn't mind also."

As she heard those last words, she returned her gaze back to me.

"...Then....... how about you share your pain with me as well, Ayanokoji-kun?"

But then, Horikita took advantage of the topic to turn the story to me.

"We're talking about you here."

"No. This is all about you."

I became quiet when she suddenly raised her voice, sounding desperate.

"...... I can't be fully confident that I really made that right decision if you keep on hiding that information from me, Ayanokoji-kun."

That my family is indeed doing something illegal? That I'm just a poor kid that needs saving?

"... I know how strong you are. So strong that I couldn't find someone who could defeat you..... But that's only true inside this school, considering that you can't do anything but to surrender to your parents when you graduate."

That was such a big praise but it's not wrong, especially that last thing that she said.

"But..... but if we could report this to the-."

"Authorities can't do anything about it."

Hearing what I said together with my confident voice after I interrupted her, she couldn't help but to shut her mouth, shocked.

"........ Is your family..... really that dangerous?"

Probably. But....

"They can't do anything because my family is innocent."

Believing from the bottom of her heart that I was lying, Horikita showed her disgust to my response through her eyes that were full of anger.

Thinking that she couldn't get the answer that she wanted despite her persuasion, Horikita decided to wrap our conversation up as she took a big step, ready to leave me alone.

But as she reached my side and was about to walk past me, I grabbed her right arm and stopped her.

"What? Let go of me."

I already did my best but it only made her hold on to her intuition more.

I already know this. That once she gets suspicious of something, she will hold on tight to that belief of her until she proves it right. 

It might be considered good for some but for me, for my situation, this is something I don't like about her.

If everything is already set to head that way then....

"Tell me the other threat that they used against you."

"What's the use? It's not like there's anything you can do about it. "

"You were about to tell it to me the first time we talked anyway."

After thinking for a while, Horikita spoke weakly.

"...... Ayanokoji-kun.... we just either lie or hide a lot of things from each other. We broke each other's trust a couple of times that it's so easy for me to doubt whatever words you say. It's so bad that fate really had to step in and put me in the same situation as you to help me understand you more...... and I believe it was for you to understand me more too."

She did not say it explicitly, but she vaguely told me the other threat.

The reason we hid it...... because it already involved our family.

"I don't know if it was intentional but you know too well that I could decipher your message just now. Why can't you just say it directly?"

That they threatened you about your brother.

"It's because I really want to tell you. Despite the risk. It's just that..... I would only get hurt if I didn't receive an equal amount of honesty."

I...... can't say anything back.

I slowly let go of my hand from her arm as she said what she felt.

AYANOKOJI POV

Sitting on my bed, I dialed the phone number that I saved in my brain for more than a year now.

I didn't think that a time would come that I'm gonna use this.

Horikita's mind is already set to go against them. It may look like she was trying to protect me but her main reason was probably because it was the right thing to do.

Though it's not going the way I wanted, it still didn't change the fact that what she was doing was going in my favor.

Doing this is the least that I can do. 

Putting my phone on my ear, I waited for the person on the other side of the line to answer.

<Hello?>

He only spoke one word but I remembered this familiar voice.

"Hello..... It's Ayanokoji."

He became silent. He was definitely surprised and probably looked to his phone to check the number.

<I didn't expect that I would get a call from you now. Have you gotten expelled?>

"No. I'm still at school right now."

<... How-?.....>

How was I able to contact the outside world? was what he's about to ask. But as if realizing something, he held his tongue and laughed.

<Why did I even try to ask that? It's you that we're talking about.>

And then he praises me.

<You were really able to find a way to contact the outside world. Impressive. But, is it okay for you to do this? Unless you're calling for a very important reason or your expulsion wouldn't feel worth it if you get caught.>

"Thanks for worrying but I do believe that what I'm doing is worth it."

It would be a waste if a person like you would be gone.

<Well, I believe we shouldn't talk for so long, so what's this important thing that you want?>

"Right. So, just wanna ask. How are you?"

Confused by my question, he became quiet once again.

<..... You really broke the one of the most forbidden rule just to ask if I'm okay?>

"I really am."

I could only hear his breathing as he became silent one more time. I couldn't see his face but it felt like he thought and realized something.

<...... I see. Well, I was having a normal life until recently but I could say that I'm okay.>

"Something unusual happened?"

<Yes. Though, facing this wasn't actually surprising. Now that I'm an adult, it not that hard for me to understand especially by looking at my parents.>

His parents? What is he talking about? 

Were the unusual changes that he had only something family related and not because of my father? Did they haven't moved yet?

No. Instead, this could be a clue.

"May I know why?"

Hoping to dig even further, he only replied...

<I'm sorry. I can't give any further information about that. It's actually considered confidential as it relates to my parents line of work. Hope you understand.>

"No, it's okay."

It might be considered unfortunate but his answer already gave me a good hint.

"Though it's good to hear that you're doing good despite that, I'm afraid I'm about to add one more problem to you."

<I'm fully prepared. Tell me.>

"Your sister got involved in a very serious battle. Unfortunately, her enemy is such a high profile individual in the school that has connections outside...... and he included you to the list of people to be targeted to make your sister surrender."

Horikita Manabu, the person on the other side of the line, became silent once again, trying to process what he heard.

<So basically, Suzune was threatened.>

"Yeah."

<That high profile individual is pretty cunning. And for you to really went out of your way to call me, does this mean you believed that person will really do something to me if Suzune won't yield?>

It was like he was asking if the high profile individual, which was Tsukishiro, is someone I know personally that I know him pretty well.

"..... Probably."

<And you're telling me this to give me a warning to.....>

The elder Horikita paused. It's as if he was telling me to fill in the second part of the statement myself.

".... To watch your back."

<..... I see. Your choice of words made me feel that it is rather life threatening.>

"For assurance, I guess."

<You're right.>

Despite knowing that his life could be in danger, Manabu still sounded calm, no hint of worry from his voice.

Does he believe in his sister? In himself?

<Did you tell Suzune about this? That you're gonna give me an advance warning?>

"No."

<Then, any intention of telling her?>

"I don't think so. Your sister is the current student council president. I'm afraid she's gonna punish me with expulsion after knowing that I broke the most important school rule."

<Considering how serious the situation is, do you really believe she could do that?>

Upon receiving a silent answer, the elder Horikita continued.

<Sure, as a former student council president, it is a must for us to follow rules obediently. But I too turned a blind eye as long as it doesn't harm anyone which you knew.>

He was talking about the Katsuragi incident.

<In fact, you did it to save someone from an enemy who uses dirty tricks. I'm sure, Suzune would understand.>

".... I'll think about it."

With his honest persuasion, I just can't answer with a 'No'.

<Well, in the end, it's for you to decide.>

"Hmm."

<Aside from that, is there something else?>

"No. No more. Just that."

<Thank you so much, Ayanokoji. Not only because of this but for taking care of my sister as well.>

"It's nothing, really."

<One last thing. Though I know you already know this, but I just wanna say.>

It seems like he wanted to give me a parting gift once again just like before.

<In decision making, every little information is crucial. If a not so worth it information could cause damage to the outcome, how much more if you missed the valuable one. It leads to a bad decision that can cause considerable damage even to a lifetime.>

Just like what he said, I already know it. He was just trying to remind me. Not just for my sake but for her little sister's too.

<Hope you'll keep that in mind, Ayanokoji.>

Horikita Manabu's words of wisdom really hit hard.

HORIKITA POV

Class just ended. I just got out of my classroom to go to the student council office, our last day of duty before we take a break to prepare ourselves for the upcoming exam.

Since the exam is fast approaching, I had to do what I had planned.

I was heading to the office with a resolve that I really made the right decision. 

That's what I wanted to believe, but I couldn't help but doubt myself.

Unlike the Class Vote exam where I had my brother to give me courage, I have no one right now. In fact, Ayanokoji-kun and Utomiya-kun, the people I trusted the most, only gave me more confusion.

"Suzune."

How I wish my brother was here to give me courage. I might not be walking right now with an empty heart.

"Suzune."

Getting startled from a loud voice behind me, I stopped and turned around, only to see Sudo-kun who hurriedly stopped himself from running as I faced him.

"S-sorry. I've been calling you like four times but you did not hear me. There's a few students in the hallway but I don't think I disturbed them."

Thinking that I would be mad at him, he explained himself.

"What is it, Sudo-kun?"

"Uhm. I just wanted to show you this."

He handed me his notebook happily.

Though confused, my eyes went to have a look right away. Written there were the Math problems that I taught him last week during our study session. But most importantly, they were the ones he was having a hard time with.

"Uhm... I showed that to Ayanokoji just a minute ago and he said that I solved everything right."

Indeed. Unlike last time where he only mixed everything, he was able to find the right solutions to every problem and solved it correctly. Amazing.

"You've done a very good job, Sudo-kun."

"Right?"

He smiled widely. While there's me who was just staring at his notebook proudly.

"I'm glad."

".. R-Really?.... I-Im glad I made you happy, Suzune.... even just a little bit."

"Yeah. Thank you for that, Sudo-kun."

I raised my head to face him, who immediately looked away as our eyes met, and genuinely said my thanks. 

Shyly scratching his cheek, Sudo-kun said.

"...... S-Suzune... I wanted to say thank you for everything."

"What do you mean?"

"For being patient. I never imagined myself to be able to get these grades if it wasn't because of you."

"What are you saying? Everything was because of your hard work. You should be thanking yourself for not giving up, not me."

"Yeah, but you also did not give up on me. From studying and even before when I almost got expelled. I probably wouldn't be able to see my worth if you did not save me back then."

That's right. He doesn't know.

"I think it's okay now to tell you the truth."

"Huh?"

"You had the wrong person to express your gratitude. It was actually Ayanokoji-kun who persuaded me and came up with all the ideas. It was him who really saved you."

Hearing the truth, Sudo-kun became quiet. Though somewhat disappointed, he does not look surprised at all. Well, I already expected that.

"Well, after I got to know more of Ayanokoji, it's actually not that surprising. I'll say my thanks to him next time, but I believe you deserve it also."

How come?

"Sure, he was the one who persuaded you but you actually had a choice to reject him. Still, you decided to help him and saved me. It was still you who stood up for me during the class C incident. And I still haven't forgotten when you decided to lower your score in English test just to prevent me from falling under the red line.... That's why, I thank you for deciding to save me, Suzune."

Sudo-kun definitely became one of the most important students in our class. Listening to him made me feel that I actually made a good decision in my life. 

".... Uhm... D-Did I perhaps say something weird?"

While trying so hard to find a place to look, somehow Sudo-kun's face turned red.

"W-Why are you looking at me like that, Suzune?"

I don't know what he sees but this is one thing I'm sure of.

I never thought that I would find courage from him. I managed to steel my resolve from an unexpected person.

I only focused my attention on the people who hurt me, wondering why they have to do that, that I forgot about Sudo-kun, my other friend.

"Thank you so much for being honest to me all this time, Sudo-kun."

HORIKITA POV

I already sent a mail to Utomiya-kun saying I wanted to talk with him. He did not reply but since he was staying in the office even after finishing his work, that means he agreed.

After finishing their work, the other second year members started preparing to go home.

Somehow, before closing the door, Takahashi-kun took a quick glance at me and Utomiya-kun.

After a minute of silence, Utomiya-kun spoke while still sitting on his chair.

"What is it?"

Do we really have to talk this far?

Seeing no sign of him getting up from his seat, I decided to move and went to his side instead.

Reaching in front of his desk, Utomiya-kun looked at me.

"I already decided."

Showing no reaction at all, he waited.

"All your plans in this exam and to my brother, you can stop it already. I decided to help you."

I was able to say it in a strong tone and with a straight face.

But Utomiya-kun only stared at me, not saying what he thought about it.

"... You were right when you said that I would still choose you despite hearing Ayanokoji-kun's side of the story."

Still not talking. So I continued.

"But most of all, I couldn't find any solution at all in facing the acting director who uses dirty tricks like fabricating-."

"You..."

When Utomiya-kun suddenly talked, I paused.

"You're really not afraid to face any opponent no matter how powerful they are."

Huh? What does he mean by that?

"What-?"

"But.... that's actually what I like about you."

What's up with this sudden turn of our conversation? This isn't what I was expecting.

But was he talking about Ayanokoji, the powerful opponent that I'm not afraid to face? Or perhaps...... he was talking about them?

Could it be......

Not giving me time to think, Utomiya-kun suddenly stood up from his seat and slowly walked towards me.

Upon reaching in front of me, that was actually quite close, he slowly raised his right hand.

I was supposed to move away from him but I didn't react at all. 

Why? Cause I didn't feel any malice from him.

Not any longer, I felt his gentle hand on top of my head while I only stared at his soft eyes which were looking back at me.

"You're really a strong woman, Horikita-senpai."

Aside from him saying my name with honorifics again, Utomiya-kun said something unexpected while patting my head.

No, he..... he said the words that I really wanted or should I say, I needed to hear right now.

Authors Note:I wanted to use as reference the Ayano and Sakayapapa phone call about calling outside of the school to Manabu-Ayano call in this fanfic but when I read it again, it seems like it wasn't an outside call since it wasn't mentioned at all. Sakayapapa must be under house arrest but was still inside the school.

Well, it's Ayanogod that we're talking about, let's just say that he was able to find a way to call the outside world without getting caught. LOL

Anyway, hope I'll be able to upload the next chapter one week from now. Wish me luck.😂😂

Thank you for still coming back and reading my fanfic and hope you enjoyed it😊😊