Just because he was somewhat interested in Kikyo Kushida didn't mean Kikyo Kushida had to do something, or that Subaru had to follow her around and watch. In fact, Subaru didn't interact much with Kikyo Kushida.
On the contrary, the frequency of Suzune Horikita speaking to Subaru was obviously much higher.
It wasn't just Kikyo Kushida; even with Hiyori Shiina, Subaru was far from reaching the level where he had to be by her side at all times.
His attitude had always been that it was best if they were there, but if not, he wouldn't care too much.
At least, until a person possessing color—a genuine article—truly appeared, this was Subaru's attitude.
Horikita's idea that dragging Kikyo Kushida along could influence his thoughts was still a bit too naive.
"However, Horikita-san."
"Why have you suddenly become so close with Kikyo-san?"
Subaru looked at Horikita and asked with a tone carrying a hint of curiosity, "I recall that you used to hate and resist Kikyo-san's approach and attempts to talk to you very much, didn't you, Horikita-san?"
Subaru was actually somewhat interested in the follow-up between Horikita and Kushida.
Back when Kikyo Kushida had not yet displayed the potential to become real—to possess color—the reason she could make Subaru look at her sideways was precisely because of the matters between her and Horikita.
Hmm...
Thinking about it this way, Subaru suddenly realized that the relationship between Horikita and Kushida, which hadn't made any progress for two months, seemed to have changed. Horikita was actually able to have the patience to seek out Kushida.
This signified that Kikyo Kushida had tentatively gotten close to Suzune Horikita.
This made Subaru slightly interested.
Subaru still wanted to see how Kikyo Kushida would treat Horikita after really becoming friends with her. Would she maintain her original intention and find a way to expel Horikita, or would there be another result?
It seemed it wouldn't be impossible to spare a little time to watch the drama.
Subaru pondered.
"Did you still refuse?"
Horikita didn't show much expression regarding Subaru's refusal.
Rejection was the norm.
The invitation just now was merely a small attempt by Horikita. If Subaru agreed to her invitation, that would be hitting the jackpot; if he refused, it was equivalent to eliminating a wrong option.
Either way, it wasn't a loss.
Looking at Subaru, who seemed completely unaware of himself, Horikita gave a light hmph and said, "My relationship with Kikyo Kushida improving should count as letting you get what you wished for, Natsuki."
"Why do you say that, Horikita-san?"
Subaru was slightly surprised, then realization dawned on him. He smiled gently and said, "Do you still remember the first few days of school, Horikita-san, when I accompanied Kikyo-san for coffee?"
The only thing that could be linked to what Horikita just said was the time right after enrollment, when Kikyo Kushida saw that both Subaru and Kiyotaka Ayanokoji were communicating with Horikita, and asked them to set up a situation.
"You can deny other things, Natsuki."
"But now, I can already confirm one thing."
Horikita tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed tightly on Subaru, and said in an unusually serious tone, "Natsuki, regarding the matter of Kikyo Kushida wanting to approach me and become friends with me... you are interested."
Ever since sensing some of the behavioral frameworks Subaru displayed, Horikita had chatted and analyzed with Ayanokoji more than once, finally reaching the conclusion that Subaru was interested in Kikyo Kushida.
He was interested in some of the things Kikyo Kushida wanted to do.
And the fact that Subaru was willing to give up a certain amount of personal time to cooperate with Kikyo Kushida when he had just enrolled—and possibly didn't even know Hiyori Shiina—proved this point even more.
Subaru had a very high interest in the matter of Kikyo Kushida wanting to make friends with her.
After reaching such a conclusion, many things became logical.
After Yosuke Hirata became thoroughly decadent, Kikyo Kushida could almost be said to have directly become the de facto leader of Year 1, Class D. As long as Horikita still wanted to make Year 1, Class D into Class A, she simply couldn't bypass Kikyo Kushida.
Coupled with the fact that Subaru seemed very interested in Kikyo Kushida, and very interested in the fact that Kikyo Kushida wanted to make friends with her, Horikita decided to simply let it be and actively cooperate.
She started gradually contacting Kikyo Kushida last week.
Regardless of whether Kikyo Kushida truly harbored ill intentions toward her, at least on the surface, Kikyo Kushida did a very thorough job. Many things Horikita had made no progress on had seen great progress with Kikyo Kushida's assistance.
Including the speech just now, there were factors involving Kikyo Kushida.
Due to various considerations, Horikita had thoroughly pulled Kikyo Kushida into her small circle, becoming a link in the plan. As long as she guarded against Kikyo Kushida slightly, Kikyo Kushida was still quite useful.
"That speculation is correct."
"I am a little interested in what extent Kikyo-san and Horikita-san can ultimately reach together."
Subaru nodded, not denying Horikita's speculation.
This was all very obvious and clear. Or rather, for Horikita to only discover this now, under Ayanokoji's assistance, was actually a bit too slow.
"If you are interested, why did you refuse when I invited you just now?"
Hearing Subaru's answer, Horikita asked bluntly.
"Because I'm interested, but not that interested."
"I haven't reached the level where I want to push aside many things to specifically attend your meeting."
Hearing Horikita's inquiry, the smile on Subaru's face didn't change. "If it were a time when I had nothing to do, I probably would be interested and might go over to listen to your discussion."
"In other words, Kikyo Kushida and I combined are not more important than going to the Library?"
Horikita nodded in understanding.
Although Subaru didn't say it directly, Horikita understood the general meaning very well. Hiyori Shiina obviously interested Subaru a bit more.
This allowed Horikita to further eliminate a wrong answer.
"If you don't have time in the afternoon, then how about scheduling the meeting for the evening, in Ayanokoji's room?"
Since she couldn't compare with Hiyori Shiina in the Library, then she wouldn't compare. There was no necessity to compete over whose weight was heavier; simply changing the time was much more convenient.
At the same time, as Horikita's voice fell, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, who was originally sitting in front of Subaru with an expression like none of this had anything to do with him, turned his head in astonishment to look at Horikita.
"My room?"
Ayanokoji looked at Horikita, unable to understand.
There were so many people with rooms—Horikita's, Kushida's, even Subaru's would work. Why use his room? He hadn't expected that even after Haruki Yamauchi left, his room would still be reduced to the level of a gathering point.
"Yes, that's right. Your room."
Horikita's tone was quite self-righteous.
"Alright."
"What time in the evening?"
It wasn't Ayanokoji's first day getting along with Horikita. Since Horikita had already decided, Ayanokoji didn't care that much; it was nothing more than being slightly troublesome.
It was even more troublesome when he used to hang out with Haruki Yamauchi and the others.
Every time, they left a mess for Ayanokoji to clean up by himself after the gathering. On the contrary, Horikita and Kushida would actively help tidy up.
So it wasn't as troublesome as imagined.
"What time in the evening?"
Horikita placed her gaze back on Subaru, the meaning of inquiry overflowing in her words.
"Hmm..."
"In the evening, after dinner, I'm free. I don't have anything important."
Hearing Horikita rearrange the time directly, Subaru didn't continue to refuse.
Since it had reached this point, and coupled with the fact that Subaru was indeed relatively interested in the progress of the relationship between Kikyo Kushida and Horikita, it didn't matter if he spared a little time to attend this so-called core meeting.
"Since that's the case, then it's decided."
"As for the time, let's set it for 7:30 in the evening. We'll gather at Ayanokoji's dorm then."
Horikita nodded slightly after hearing Subaru's answer.
"Natsuki, regarding the plan I just mentioned, what are your thoughts?"
"Do you think Class D executing such an action will be able to obtain the expected harvest?"
Seeming somewhat unable to wait for the evening, Horikita continued to ask Subaru directly.
Even though she had already discussed the subsequent series of situational changes with Ayanokoji and Kikyo Kushida, Horikita just wanted to hear Subaru's thoughts and opinions.
She wanted to see what kind of different insight Subaru, the man her elder brother regarded highly, would have.
Her infinite admiration for her elder brother ultimately led to Horikita having very high expectations for Subaru as well.
She felt that if Subaru were willing to cooperate with her, he could definitely lead Class D to become Class A without any accidents, and guard the position of Class A to finally graduate from this school as Class A.
"There is no problem with the plan."
"I think it's enough to win the class a chance to turn the tables."
Subaru had no thoughts on the plan Horikita just proposed.
Although the methods were a bit extreme, if they really pushed it through thoroughly, it would absolutely give Year 1, Class D the ability to influence the entire situation of the first year.
The only problem was probably just one point.
As the leader of this Class D operation on the surface, Horikita would easily be targeted by the other three classes. Basically, she was a scapegoat. When the time came, they could just push everything onto Horikita and retreat unscathed.
It was just that, based on Subaru's understanding of Horikita's character, Horikita didn't care about such things at all.
As long as she could finally graduate from this school as a member of Class A.
'Did she stand on the stage of her own initiative?'
Subaru pondered slightly.
If this matter really blew up to be somewhat serious, even if Year 1, Class D could obtain the capital to turn the tables and ultimately make Year 1, Class D into Class A...
Horikita, who attracted the vast majority of the hatred from the other three classes, might not necessarily be able to last until graduation.
There was a not-insignificant probability she would be knocked out by the other three classes.
Especially Kakeru Ryuen of Year 1, Class C. If Horikita really made Ryuen suffer a big loss, Ryuen would definitely try every means to retaliate.
At that time, the one facing Ryuen's malice would probably be Horikita, who was standing on the bright stage.
Horikita had no ability to earn personal points, nor did she gradually unite the entire class to become a vague class leader like Kikyo Kushida. Facing the targeting of other classes, it would be very difficult for Horikita to take the blows head-on.
If she couldn't take it, Haruki Yamauchi's end would probably be Horikita's final end.
Thinking of this, Subaru placed his gaze on Kiyotaka Ayanokoji in front of him, and Kikyo Kushida in the front row, looking thoughtful.
If it wasn't arranged by Ayanokoji, it was arranged by Kikyo Kushida.
Obviously, although he didn't know why Kikyo Kushida possessed such high malice toward Horikita, there was no doubt that Kikyo Kushida was a factor in Horikita standing on the stage.
At least, Kikyo Kushida knew the final consequences brought about by the self-destruct racketeering plan. She was happy to see Horikita standing on the stage to lead the plan's execution, and even happy to see the power-seizing behavior itself.
A type of currency, perhaps.
Looking at Horikita, whose expression was very calm from beginning to end as if everything was within expectations, Subaru shook his head slightly in his heart.
Compared to Kikyo Kushida, Horikita was simply too green.
Green to an extraordinary degree.
Ding!
Arisu Sakayanagi: [Good day, Natsuki-kun.]
Arisu Sakayanagi: [I have heard people say that Class D really has an incredible big plan.]
Before Subaru could think further, Arisu Sakayanagi, who hadn't contacted him for a while, sent a message to Subaru.
Because she had contacted Subaru many times, Sakayanagi also roughly knew some of Subaru's personality.
She didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the main topic.
Subaru: [It can indeed be called an incredible big plan.]
Subaru: [Sakayanagi-san's news is really somewhat well-informed, considering Horikita-san just sat down not long ago.]
For something that had clearly just happened, Arisu Sakayanagi, far away in Year 1, Class A, had already received the news.
Year 1, Class D had completely become Arisu Sakayanagi's back garden.
____
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