After my conversation with Ryuuen and the older Horikita, I shifted my schedule and headed back to the dorm. Until the afternoon I leisurely spent time alone in my room, killing time by surfing the net and reading books. And then the next action I took, was to send a message to Horikita.

Having her be nominated for it by the older Horikita and having received his assurance, it's now possible for me to sound her out for the student council. For someone like Horikita, who is basically a loner, she may also be cooped up inside her room much like me.

Somehow, she seems like she'd be weak towards the cold. If so, that would make this easier.

"There's something I'd like to talk about".

Such a message I sent to her was marked as 'read' within a few minutes.

"I don't mind. But would a call suffice? Or do you want to meet in person?".

"In person, I guess. If possible, how about now?".

"I'm at a cafe right now. If you can come here, then I'll hear you out".

Contrary to the image I had, it seems Horikita is currently in the middle of an outing.

I felt slightly troubled by it, but it's better to get troublesome things over with as quickly as possible.

"I'll head over there immediately".

I replied with just that and covered myself with my coat. When I went down to the dorm's lobby, Ike and Yamauchi, and also Sudou, had gathered there. Having come down via elevator and seemingly on their way out, they didn't notice me behind them. As I began walking in the same direction as those three without calling out to them, I overheard their conversation.

"What's up with that, Ken? In the end, Horikita rejected a Christmas date with you".

"Shut up, Haruki. Leave it be".

"In the end, we're going to close off this year without having had any girlfriends, huh. I feel so empty".

"Tch. I'm going to take it nice and slow. It's not like Suzune already has a boyfriend. It's just, how should I put it, she hasn't shown any interest in things like romance yet. From now on, I'll act without rushing it".

Apparently, Sudou has been making a move on Horikita.

However he seems to have brilliantly suffered an honorable defeat.

But far from giving up, he seems to have decided to continue steadily onwards.

"You're an earnest one. Hey, Kanji, do you want to stay the night at the karaoke today? Let's earnestly, enthusiastically sing lonely Christmas songs".

"Ehh, what are you on about?".

"What do you mean what I'm on about? I'm saying we should stay the night at the karaoke today".

"No, sorry Haruki. I can't do that".

"Huh? What do you mean you can't? There's nothing for you to do on Christmas Eve right? Your only lover is your right hand".

".....even I have a variety of things to do".

Ike was obviously agitated, but he did not say the reason why he could not go to the karaoke.

"Oi, could it be, Kanji........!".

Sudou, who also seemed to have realized the bizarreness of his attitude, closed in on him.

"N-No, it's not like that".

Even though they had not asked him anything in particular, Ike said that in denial and then told them the reason.

"I'm just going out to have dinner with a friend, that's all......".

Saying that, Ike averted his gaze and the volume of his voice dropped. The fact that this 'friend' was not a male was something even I, listening from behind them, understood.

And then, a scene from yesterday came to mind.

"Who is it!? Who are you going out with!? Spit it out! Spit it out!".

Having lost his calm, Yamauchi grabbed Ike's collar as he shouted that out.

"I-It's really not that big of a deal.......it's S-Shinohara".

"Shinohara.....you mean, from our class, THAT Shinohara!?".

Having confessed that, Ike nods slightly.

"But why Shinohara? I mean, the two of you are constantly quarreling".

Yamauchi also likely agrees with Sudou's simple question. An unusual combination.

"Like I said, it's only for dinner. There's no way I'd be satisfied with a woman like that, right? She ran into some trouble a while back, and when I saved her, she said she wanted to thank me!".

"No, no, no. I don't know about thanking you or not but it's the Christmas Eve, you know, the Eve!?".

"It's nothing really, I'm serious. Going out with someone like that, even if a cataclysm were to happen, there's still no way I'd do that!".

"I don't believe you! Let's tail them, Ken. Tail them, tail them!".

"You guys, seriously cut it out. It'll be a bother for me if rumors about me and that ugly Shinohara were to spread!".

Ike answered like that, but he didn't seem all that unhappy. Ike and Shinohara, huh? They might unexpectedly be a well-matched couple. Of course, the probability of that happening is, at this point, still an unknown number.

2

Winter vacation, students crowded Keyaki Mall as though it were a part of their daily lives. My destination was also congested. Since more than 80% of its customers were females, I could not find Horikita right away. As I wandered around inside the shop, I finally spotted her from behind.

"I'm here".

"That was fast".

Right after having had that exchange with Horikita, someone beside her called out to me too.

"Good morning, Ayanokouji-kun".

I've really encountered a truly unexpected pair. Has this ever happened before? For Horikita to be alone together with Kushida. I can't help but think there's a third party present. I used my gaze to scan the surroundings.

"There's no one else here".

As though responding to that, Horikita indifferently answers me. I had thought it was possible that Hirata might have been involved too, but that's not the case either.

"I don't mean to stick my nose into this but.....which one of you invited the other?".

In response to that question of mine, Kushida gently smiled.

"Me. I invited Kushida-san out".

That question was resolved with an answer that I did not think would be the case. No, I suppose this isn't that unnatural. On the contrary, recently, Horikita has been proactively attempting to resolve the problem of her conflict with Kushida. In all likelihood, this gathering too, can be attributed to that. If it were only Horikita here, Kushida would not speak reservedly but in a public location like this, she would have no choice but to wear her mask. Horikita did a good job drawing her out here.

"By the way, Horikita-san, how's it going with Sudou-kun recently?".

"How? What do you mean by that?".

"Aren't you going to spend Christmas together with him---is what I was thinking?".

"There's no way I would do something like that".

She flatly replied like that.

"Really? Didn't Sudou-kun ask you out?".

"Isn't that something irrelevant right now?".

Kushida had attempted to use my interjection to change the flow of the conversation here but that was prevented by Horikita.

Horikita, who by nature, already possessed a bullish attitude, is using two points: her predominance from having won during the test and the fact that it's a public cafe to lay siege to the impregnable fortress that is Kushida.

"And also, Ayanokouji-kun. How much longer do you intend to stand around? If you have something to say, would you mind getting on with it?".

'Right now I'm busy talking to Kushida', is what she seems like she wants to say.

As a matter of fact, looking at it from Horikita's perspective, this is a valuable occasion.

"Sorry. I didn't expect someone else to be present too. I'll leave it for next time".

I decided to leave since I was clearly unneeded here. However, because it was a moment like this that, on the contrary, Kushida judged that my presence was welcome.

"Isn't it fine, Horikita-san? If it's all the same, let's have Ayanokouji-kun join us for tea?".

She said that and stopped me from leaving. However, receiving the pressure of Horikita's silence, I didn't have the guts to calmly sit down.

"Maybe next time".

I said that and hurriedly tried to break away.

"Wait. I'll hear you out here".

"No, it'll be a completely unrelated matter".

Since I disliked the idea of Kushida overhearing unnecessary things, I tried to escape like that. Recently, I've been telling various people about the circumstances at hand but as far as this case is concerned, there are absolutely no benefits in letting her know. Not even that, there's nothing but a mass of disadvantages in this case.

"Could it be, that it's something you don't want her to overhear?".

I got pointed out like that by the sharp Horikita.

"Is that true, Ayanokouji-kun?".

Kushida looks at me with sad eyes. Of course, I had every intention of denying it immediately.

However, Horikita came around again as if to seal that off.

"I'm sorry but she's also a member of our class. Keeping secrets like that is unnecessary".

"That's not it. This has nothing to do with the class. At best, this is between me and Horikita as individuals".

"I see. Then I don't mind. This has something to do with me, right? Say it here".

"I'll have to decline".

"Then, what you have to say right now, I'll never hear you out elsewhere".

Apparently, Horikita's resolve has been firmed. Perhaps she thinks speaking with me without hiding anything is the first step towards improving her relationship with Kushida.

As always, Kushida's expression was overflowing with kindness.

No matter how many times one gets lured into a swamp and no matter how many times one comes close to dying from it, just by seeing that smile of hers, 'maybe this time' is something they'd end up thinking.

I may be able to convince them here by fabricating an appropriate story. But, I doubt Horikita, who is on guard now, will be accepting the proposal I am about to tell her in the future either.

"Understood. Then I'll be speaking frankly. Is that fine?".

"Yes. Tell me".

"Do you have any intention of joining the student council?".

No use crying over spilt milk. I don't know how Horikita will take this. I stated my business as it is.

".....I'm sorry, but I'm not keeping up".

She tilted her head as if to ask why I'm saying this to her.

"Isn't the context deeply lacking? Why did you say that?".

"I wanted to talk more about that as well".

"Very well, continue".

"Umm, is it fine, Horikita-san?".

The one who interrupted me was Kushida.

"Fine? What do you mean by that?".

"It's about the student council, so I think Horikita-san's brother might also be involved in this matter. Is it ok even if I end up hearing this?".

"Ever since middle school, you've known about my brother. What are you saying now after all this time?".

The reason Horikita used her brother as a witness, too, is related to the fact that Kushida is aware of their relationship as siblings. As long as it's not something to hide she'll be using it effectively, is what she means, huh?

This isn't something that'll be over quickly. I firmed my resolve and took a seat beside the two of them.

"A certain person desires your induction into the student council".

"A certain person?".

".....your brother".

Of course, strictly speaking, the older Horikita requested no such thing. He only told me I was free to choose whether to use Horikita, or to not use her. However, to make Horikita take action, I have no other choice but to use her brother.

"Why is my brother telling me to join the student council? That sounds absurd".

Looking slightly dissatisfied, Horikita repudiates it.

"It's the truth".

"If it really were the truth, then my brother should have told me this directly. Why did he go through you?".

"Do you think that brother is the type to tell you directly?".

"I don't. In the first place, he's not one to say things like join the student council".

In other words, Horikita did not believe my words from the very beginning.

If it's a sibling relationship that has frozen up to this extent, it would only be interpreted as a lie. However, even so, Kushida's existence is unnecessary if I'm to deal fully with the truth.

Once the 3rd semester begins, she'll learn of Ryuuen's downfall and she may become convinced that I'm the one behind the secret maneuvers. If that happens, it'll get even more troublesome. Leaving aside that this would have inevitably happened, such a time does not necessarily have to be now.

"I have no intention of playing along with your lies. What exactly is your point?".

"It's the truth. If you think I'm lying to you, why don't you directly confirm it for yourself?".

I changed the subject from a lie I cut in with to the truth.

"You're acting rather bullishly.....".

"Bullish or not, you're doubting me right? Then you can just contact him".

"Then you, umm, you know my brother's contact number?".

"I don't know but since you're his sister, isn't it obvious for you to know?".

"I don't know".

"If you don't mind, shall we try contacting Tachibana-senpai?".

"Tachibana, she's the one who acts as my brother's secretary?".

"Yep. I've talked with Tachibana-senpai many times before, I know her contact number".

As expected of Kushida, it seems she's been making friends even in unexpected places.

"It's ok even if I really confirm it, right, Ayanokouji-kun? If it turns out to be a lie, the consequences will be heavy".

"Please do as you wish".

Either way, if the older Horikita realizes my strategy, he'll match it accordingly. Everything Horikita tries to confirm will be rewritten into truth.

"Thank you, senpai. Yes, please excuse me".

Having finished calling, Kushida began to operate her phone. Soon afterwards, Horikita's phone briefly rings. Apparently she's successfully acquired the older Horikita's contact number, and has forwarded it to Horikita.

"Thank you, Kushida-san".

"No, you're welcome".

Even though there were people around, having to show such a friendly response to Horikita must have been hard for her.

It's impressive that she didn't let any of it show. Horikita drops her gaze down to her phone's screen. And I had thought she would call immediately, but her hands did not move and she kept on gripping her phone in both hands.

".......fuu".

A deep sigh, no, a deep breath.

To be this nervous from just calling your family is not normal.

"If everything turns out to be a lie.....you should prepare yourself".

"No need for caution".

This is Horikita's gamble.

There's no way her brother could possibly be telling her to join the student council. Yet the fact that I'm brimming with confidence concerns her. Even as she thinks this may just be a bluff, she also thinks it may be the truth. If she could somehow confirm the truth without having to directly contact her brother, that would be ideal for her, but that's an impossible task. Horikita, who could not bring herself to trust me, firmed her resolve and pressed the call button. For a few seconds she pressed the phone to her ear.

Perhaps the person on the other end of the line answered, but the fact that Horikita had become even more nervous was conveyed.

"Ahh, umm, i-it's me. It's Horikita Suzune".

Horikita speaks in a formal manner.

"I asked Tachibana-senpai for your contact number, umm, and I called you, nii-san".

Then, showing us a flustered look that one cannot usually see on Horikita (even though she herself probably doesn't wish to let us see), she asked the necessary question.

Then, she was probably told that the induction into the student council matter I was talking to her about earlier was true.

"Yes, t-thank you very much. Please excuse me".

A pause after ending the call, then she intensely glared at me.

"It was the truth, wasn't it? Why do I have to be glared at?".

"Why are you acting the role of the bridge? It's because that's baffling to me".

It's a truly easy-to-understand matter. Certainly, no matter who looks at it, it's unnatural.

"Horikita-san, are you going to be joining the student council?".

".....no. I won't be joining".

"Hold up. Your brother told you to join, didn't he?".

"To join would be for my sake, is what he told me. But.....I doubt joining the student council will be for my own sake".

Even if it happened to be the wish of an absolute existence like her brother, Horikita seems to have no intention of going along with it. Even if I persist any further here, there's nothing to be gained.

I'd like to stop giving Kushida unnecessary information at this point.

"I got it. For the time being, please give me another chance to talk to you again next time".

"I wonder. I think it'll just be a waste of time though?".

"Probably".

It seems Horikita has also realized that I've made a move to end this, as she didn't do anything to stop me. What's important right now is to connect to her again. As long as Kushida is here, I cannot continue speaking any further.

"See you later, Ayanokouji-kun".

From Kushida who gently called out to me like that, I felt something unusual.