After finishing the meal Horikita Suzune had prepared, Kaoru initially wanted to help with the dishes, but the more enthusiastic Kei Karuizawa beat him to it, using the excuse of showcasing her domestic skills.
With nothing to do, Kaoru watched them busily working, and an increasingly peculiar feeling arose in his heart.
"Life might just be like this from now on."
Kushida Kikyo sat beside him, lazily stretching her back.
For a moment, her perfect waistline was exposed, and her full chest arched even higher.
"Given Horikita's personality, she really might end up turning you into a useless person."
Kaoru couldn't refute this.
Although Horikita Suzune was aware of her own issues, her inherently dominant nature was too strong.
She would undoubtedly take charge of their married life, whether in work or daily matters—she absolutely had to achieve perfection.
In more extreme terms, Horikita Suzune might very well cultivate a worthless husband.
"As for me," Kushida giggled, leaning close to him, "I might not be able to match Horikita's level, but I'd have no problem taking care of you."
Her fingers hooked onto her collar, revealing a generous expanse of snow-white skin.
"Besides, there are things Horikita can't bring herself to say that I can. So, how about a taste of dessert?"
The round, plump "ice cream" faintly revealed a hint of crimson "grapes," emitting a subtle, sweet, and enticing fragrance.
As a post-meal treat, it was certainly alluring enough.
Kaoru reached out his hand, and her smile brightened even more, her eyes curving like crescents as she attempted to embrace him like a mother would, pressing him against her bosom.
"Someone is pulling the strings behind Yamauchi's actions. Don't let your guard down," Kaoru said, rejecting her embrace.
"I haven't figured out who his target is yet. If possible, do your best to take Yamauchi down."
For the timid Yamauchi Haruki to attack Kushida Kikyo and Kei Karuizawa, it was likely Nagumo Miyabi's doing.
Factoring in the Praise Votes from Class 1-C, the other side indeed had a chance to manipulate the exam results among the first-year students.
Kaoru not only had to consider the safety of Kushida Kikyo and the others but also look out for Manabe Shiho, whose surroundings were even more dangerous than those of Class D.
"Like with Sakura, are we getting dragged into your troubles again?" Kushida Kikyo raised an eyebrow, then slowly relaxed.
"Well, never mind. You'll handle it, right?"
Unconsciously, she had developed immense trust and dependence on Kaoru, much like Kei Karuizawa had.
"How sneaky, you two! Can you not flirt while others are working?" Kei Karuizawa had returned to the living room and, seeing Kushida pressed close to Kaoru, grew visibly flustered.
Kaoru had no choice but to extend his arms toward her, and the girl immediately bounded over happily into his embrace.
"If you want to keep him company, go ahead. I'm heading back," Horikita Suzune said, removing her apron and resuming her usual aloof demeanor.
To be honest, Horikita Suzune was the one without any rumors involving him—perhaps because they'd never been on a date.
Compared to Kei Karuizawa and Kushida Kikyo, she didn't visit frequently.
"Hey, didn't you have something to say to him?" Kushida frowned, calling out to stop Horikita Suzune.
Horikita paused as if remembering something, slightly turning her body.
Her fingers unconsciously brushed through her hair, her voice calm.
"I almost forgot, thanks for reminding me. Though it's just a small matter."
"What small matter?" Kaoru couldn't gauge her attitude.
Could it be that she was...?
"Her hair," Kushida chuckled. "Someone was thinking of cutting her hair short, but she's been agonizing all day over whether he'd like it, pretending to be composed."
Horikita Suzune froze mid-action, gritting her teeth. "Do you have to deliberately speculate about my feelings like that?"
"Isn't it because someone deliberately tried to disgust me first?" Kushida Kikyo gave a lazy smile.
"Is calling your name also disgusting you?"
Horikita Suzune said coldly, "On the contrary, you've never had any intention of building a good relationship with me."
"Not really, I'm just not used to calling you by your first name yet."
Kushida Kikyo flatly denied her words, "Actually, you were fine as you were, why did you cut your hair short?"
Although she knew Kikyo was changing the subject, Horikita Suzune hesitated for a moment before finally explaining the reason.
"I used to have short hair before. The reason I grew it long was because my brother liked it."
Horikita Suzune said quietly, "If you don't like it, I'll keep it like this."
Kushida Kikyo grinned slyly, saying "you" but actually meaning him, right?
"It's not that I don't like it. Both long and short hair look fine to me."
Kaoru patted the nearby Kushida Kikyo, "I quite like short hair like Kikyo's too."
For some reason, both Kushida Kikyo and Horikita Suzune had dark expressions.
"This guy is hopeless, Horikita. Don't count on him. Whether to cut it short or not is your decision."
Kushida Kikyo paused, "But I think cutting it short would be fine too. Changing hairstyles gives you a fresh feeling."
Horikita Suzune couldn't help but glance at Kaoru, who was actually somewhat conflicted.
Although Kei Karuizawa, Ichinose Honami, and Asako Amikura all had long hair, it seemed only Horikita Suzune had straight black long hair.
Kaoru fell into decision paralysis.
"Stop thinking, idiot."
Kushida Kikyo suddenly whispered to him, "Don't you want to experience Horikita with short hair?"
In that instant, Kaoru's balance was shaken.
Horikita Suzune's face slightly reddened, pretending not to hear: "I'll cut it a bit shorter. It should grow back eventually."
After she left, Kaoru inexplicably began to look forward to it.
"Your reaction is so obvious. Whatever, do you want to do it in my hair tonight?"
Kushida Kikyo poked him playfully.
If he didn't give her and Kei Karuizawa an exclusive wish list tonight, this guy wouldn't get any sleep.
"You're a pervert too."
Kaoru couldn't help but shift.
From earlier until now, Kei Karuizawa had been sitting silently in his lap, her small hands mischievously playing with something naughty, thoroughly enjoying herself.
Just as Kushida Kikyo was about to continue teasing him, she suddenly heard a phone ring and her gaze fell on his pocket.
Kaoru silently took out his phone from his pocket.
The two girls immediately leaned in, seeing Tachibana Akane's name displayed on the screen.
Instantly, their expressions became extremely vivid.
"Hey, are you free tonight? I bought a lot of things. You have another chance to show off your feminine side!"
As soon as the call connected, Tachibana Akane's cheerful voice came through.
She was humming a tune, sounding very happy.
"Hehe, I figured out what you meant by 'Chalice' last night."
Tachibana Akane was in high spirits, "You really are a lewd kouhai, having such thoughts about your senpai. Aya, what can I do? I'm just too cute. Being able to fulfill my kouhai's fantasies - if you say you like me now, I might continue being your 'chalice' and satisfy your desires in the future?"
It was clear that, like Horikita Suzune, she completely misunderstood the meaning of Chalice.
However, Kaoru felt she was now thoroughly disgraced.
Because the two listeners beside her had already heard her words—Kushida Kikyo was brimming with excitement, while Karuizawa Kei looked utterly devastated.
"Hey, hey, hey, aren't you listening to me?"
This elementary school senior clearly had no idea what was happening and was even somewhat dissatisfied with Kaoru's silence.