As we gathered again the next day in the afternoon, the form of Kushida was also there.

"Hello, Ayanokouji-kun".

"Oh, hello". Why is she here? Such questions were answered with the next words coming from Ike.

"No you see, yesterday I consulted Kikyo-chan. When I told her I wanted to buy a present for Katsuragi, she insisted on cooperating with us. And so she asked to join. Hey, Katsuragi would be happier too if instead of boys, a girl also celebrated his birthday" Ike told me.

He went on and on praising her, but I think he just simply wanted to create an opportunity where he could be together with Kushida. And on top of that, it would make her see Ike as someone who cares about his friends too.

"I'm also in Katsuragi-kun's debt so naturally please let me share in the costs for the present" Kushida said. And in response to that gentle consideration, Ike stared at Kushida with lovestruck eyes.

Yamauchi too, despite him gunning for Sakura, seems to be strongly affected by Kushida's charm as he seems to be having more fun than he did when it was only boys here.

"By the way, Ayanokouji-kun, why are you wearing your uniform?".

"It's just like that". I did take off my jacket earlier since it was overwhelmingly hot, but as expected the uniform makes me stand out in a bad way too.

"Let's hurry up and go!". Flanking Kushida's sides, the two of them walked out leaving me behind. And almost immediately after, a conversation started to bloom. I'm always impressed whenever I see someone capable of striking up a conversation with anyone at any time. I walk slightly behind the three of them. On the way, I spotted someone unusual outside.

"Sorry, can you go on ahead? I've got something to do" I told them.

"Fine but make sure not to keep Kikyo-chan waiting".

"Yeah". I excused myself and I approached that certain person.

"You're pretty carefree. The four of you going out shopping? Even though we suffered that much at the hands of Ryuuen-kun".

"Well, that just means Class C did something well. No point in worrying about it now. Right?".

"You're right...but, there are still a lot of things I'm not convinced of".

"Such as?".

"...nothing".

Then, with an expression like that of Sawajiri Erika, she turned her head and didn't seem to have any sign of answering me.

"When are we right now?".

"Ehh?".

"I'm asking when we are right now, our school year. The month too".

"What are you talking about?".

"Look here, we've just finished the first semester of our first year. There's no need to rush. Just because they've extended their lead by a little doesn't mean there's a need to despair".

"But even so, that was a crushing defeat. If we don't think of a way.....".

"Even though you can't see what's directly beneath you, you always look ahead. The student known as Horikita Suzune excels at academics, but when it comes to unique fights like this, you can't do anything at all. That's the current impression of you I have" I told Horikita.

"...I get that already".

"I see, so you were aware of it. In any case, I think it's better for you to fall until you hit the bottom" I told her.

"What do you mean?".

Right now it's fine for you to be thoroughly crushed, as long as you crawl back up in the end. I think Horikita has the potential to do that.

"There is an order to things. Right now you should take things slowly without rushing, isn't that fine?".

"You say there's an order to things, but then why did you act on the uninhabited island? There's a contradiction there" Horikita replies to me.

"Perhaps". It can't be helped if Horikita, who does not know about my interactions with Chabashira-sensei, thinks of this as something mysterious.

During the uninhabited island test, I was forced to 'show my ability' so I had no choice but to act. Of course, the cruise ship exam, in which I did not have many pawns to act through, proved to be difficult for me, but there were still several methods available to me. But the reason I did not use those methods despite that was, if I messed up too much, nothing good could come of it.

I am fundamentally disinterested in things like Class A or Class B. Therefore, without stirring up things too much, but still showing my abilities a little to Chabashira-sensei, I can buy time that way.

That's why looking at it from my perspective, even that earlier examination was a huge success.

"More importantly, don't you have any questions to ask about my appearance?" I asked her.

"I do think you're wearing awfully hot clothes, but I don't have any other impression of it". As usual, she's not interested in other people.

"What are you reading today?".

"It doesn't matter to you, right?". Saying that, she didn't show any signs of letting me see the book's title.

"Well, that's fine too. I'm making Ike and the others wait so I'll be leaving now. Do you want to come too?" I asked her.

"You must be joking. I will refuse" Horikita replied.

Having expected her to answer me like that, I decided to leave without hesitation.