After school.
To prepare for the Sports Festival.
Recently, training must be maintained even after school, and other classes presumably are doing the same.
Hikigaya, along with Ichinose, Himeno Tera, Sakura Airi, and Tsube Hitomi among others, left the classroom together.
Their eyes were suddenly drawn to Horikita Suzune in the hallway.
Without much thought.
Horikita Suzune appearing here definitely meant she had something to discuss with them.
"Hikki, Honami, Airi-chan, then shall we head out first?"
"Yeah, see you later, everyone."
As she spoke.
Andou Sayo also tactfully led her people away; even if Hikigaya and the others had things to do, they couldn't neglect their training because of it.
Every time the leader had something to do.
On the girls' side.
Basically, it was Andou Sayo who was in charge; her role was equally indispensable.
...
Soon.
"Ichinose-san, Hikigaya-kun."
Horikita Suzune's expression still carried a hint of coldness, yet her words were much smoother than before.
"I have something I'd like to talk to you about. I wonder if you could spare some time?"
As she spoke.
Horikita Suzune's gaze couldn't help but land on Sakura Airi; Sakura Airi, with her twin tails, was a completely different person from before.
"I don't have any problem."
Ichinose also turned back to look at Sakura and said softly, "Airi-chan, what do you think?"
Roughly speaking.
The purpose of Horikita Suzune could be guessed.
Having learned that Sakura Airi was not expelled, Horikita Suzune certainly had something she wanted to say to her, but the opinion of Sakura Airi had to be considered even more.
"I'm fine with it too."
Sakura Airi looked at Horikita Suzune's cold gaze, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.
After all.
Hasebe Haruka was still in Class D.
She had to consider Hasebe Haruka to some extent; offending Horikita Suzune would definitely not benefit Hasebe Haruka.
"Thanks."
Hearing this.
Horikita Suzune nodded.
She gazed firmly into Sakura Airi's eyes.
"Sakura-san, what happened this time has caused quite an impact on you. I didn't expect you to be so beautiful; does this represent your determination?"
A change in a girl's hairstyle.
Mostly represents some kind of determination.
With just a single glance.
Horikita Suzune could see the difference in Sakura Airi.
Although still a bit timid and introverted, she still firmly did not shy away from the eye contact.
"Yes."
Sakura Airi nodded, her voice weak: "I have already made up my mind. Whether it's for myself or for the class, I will work harder from now on and not drag the class down anymore."
However.
This class was Class B.
Ichinose and Hikigaya, who were on the side, did not speak.
"Is that so."
Horikita Suzune's gaze toward her softened, and she said with some emotion:
"If everyone had known your true face earlier, perhaps the result would have been different..."
Hearing this.
Sakura Airi couldn't help but lower her small head.
Watching the scene before her, a trace of rationality was hidden within Horikita Suzune's complex gaze.
To ease the relationship.
The best way.
Was undoubtedly to let Sakura Airi perceive her own mistake.
Let her reflect by herself.
In this way, it would also be easier to resolve the misunderstanding.
Fortunately.
This was not a very difficult thing; just a few words were enough.
"However."
Horikita Suzune looked at Sakura Airi, her tone even softer:
"Being able to see you make such a change, I believe not only me, but also Hasebe and Yukimura and the others will be happy for you. You will definitely become even more outstanding in Class B."
"I will... work hard..."
Sakura Airi nodded without thinking much.
The second step.
To let Sakura Airi understand that she gained benefits from this expulsion; it was precisely because of this expulsion that she could make such a change.
By the way.
It could also leave a good impression on Ichinose and the others.
It was precisely because of this expulsion that Sakura Airi could make such a change, and the ones who obtained the results of this effort were Class B!
As for Sakura Airi.
Horikita Suzune didn't take her to heart too much.
Although she didn't have the powerful control over the field that Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had, where every word guided the opponent.
But Horikita Suzune considered that she had also grown over these two years, and guiding a person like Sakura Airi was more than enough.
Of course.
Being able to see that Sakura Airi was not expelled and had made a change, Horikita Suzune was also sincerely happy for her.
However.
As the leader of Class D, she must be responsible for the class.
Only then did she mix personal motives into the dialogue, consciously guiding Sakura Airi's thoughts.
Just to ease this relationship and resolve the misunderstanding with Ichinose and the others.
"However."
Horikita Suzune took a deep breath, and her gaze toward Sakura Airi revealed an unprecedented will.
"Sakura-san, I will not apologize for the last exam. I believe you also understand that in the situation at that time, that was the best choice."
"I did indeed do something I'm ashamed of to you, but I will not seek your forgiveness; you can turn this emotion into the driving force for your growth."
"Or, it doesn't matter even if you hate me for a lifetime."
"That is your right!"
Horikita Suzune said in a serious tone.
Ninety percent of this sentence was sincere.
She still doesn't feel she did anything wrong; keeping Kushida and expelling Sakura was the most correct choice.
As the person concerned, Sakura Airi.
Naturally had the reason and the right to hate her.
Horikita Suzune was already prepared to bear it.
On the other hand.
The third step.
Was sincerity.
Only sincerity is the ultimate move.
Horikita Suzune did not feel she was in the wrong.
Therefore, she was full of confidence.
As long as the words were spoken openly, she believed everyone could understand; even if they couldn't, at the very least, they wouldn't hostilize Class D because of it.
That was enough!
"It won't happen."
Sakura Airi shook her head, her gaze clear:
"I know it. I have always been dragging Class D down, always causing trouble for Kaka and Yukimura and the others. It was unavoidable that I would be expelled."
"So, Horikita-san, you don't need to apologize to me."
As she spoke.
Sakura Airi blossomed with a brilliant smile.
Although it was indeed somewhat uncomfortable, she could indeed understand Horikita, Yukimura, and the others.
Or rather.
Anyone could understand.
For the sake of profit.
Such a simple thing, who could not understand?
But now that she had transferred to Class B, there was no meaning in obsessing over the past.
Sakura Airi looked forward; as long as she worked hard herself, it would be fine.
As for Horikita Suzune, Yukimura, and the others, although she could understand them, she would no longer approach them.
After this exam.
Sakura Airi knew very well what she wanted and what she should do.
She would never let herself regret it!
Even if she was timid and introverted, even if she was still lacking, she would face everything bravely.
As for Horikita Suzune and the others.
Whether they rose to Class A or failed, that had nothing to do with Sakura Airi anymore.
"Mm."
Horikita Suzune nodded and did not say much more.
Nor did she feel any sense of unexpectedness.
Persuading Sakura Airi and gaining her forgiveness was such an easy task.
What was difficult were Ichinose and Hikigaya's side...