When Hikaru saw the short-haired girl waiting at his dorm room door, he couldn't help but feel a wave of exasperation. He had expected Kushida to react after seeing him seek out Suzune earlier today—but he hadn't imagined she'd go so far as to stake out his room in broad daylight.
If anyone else saw this, rumors would spread like wildfire. And Hikaru's carefully crafted time management plan was still in its early stages; he couldn't let it get derailed this easily.
So, without hesitation, Hikaru invited Kushida into his room. After she slipped inside with quick, agitated steps, he calmly closed the door behind her. Then, walking over to his mini-fridge, he retrieved two cans of peach-flavored soda—a new favorite of his, perfect for the warm, humid days of May.
Returning to the room, he found Kushida sitting stiffly on the edge of his bed, arms crossed. She seemed disinclined to sit on the floor around the table, as if asserting her presence by taking the higher ground.
"Kushida-san, here—peach soda," Hikaru offered casually, extending the chilled can toward her with an easy smile.
"..."
Kushida's sharp purple eyes met his, but she didn't lash out immediately. After a moment of hesitation, she reached out and accepted the soda. The coolness of the can seemed to calm her anger, if only slightly.
"So, Kushida-san," Hikaru said as he cracked open his own soda and leaned back in his chair. "You waited by my door. I'm guessing you have something on your mind?"
"What exactly is your relationship with Horikita?" she asked, her voice devoid of its usual warmth.
Hikaru arched an eyebrow. "Didn't I already answer that last time?"
He took a slow sip, watching her carefully. Her expression remained icy. The tension in her shoulders was obvious, and her lips were pressed into a tight line.
"We're acquaintances, of course," he said, setting his drink down. "Unless you think there's some other possibility?"
"I want the truth." Kushida's lips curled into a mirthless smile. "From the café where I saw you two together to you actively seeking her out today… If she's just a classmate, why would you go that far?"
"Hmm… I suppose we're a little closer than just acquaintances," Hikaru admitted, carefully observing her reaction.
Kushida's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"But we're definitely not friends," he added with a self-deprecating chuckle. "Horikita told me that herself. Apparently, it's pretty hard to earn that title."
"...Is that so?" she muttered.
Hikaru could practically hear the gears turning in her mind. So predictable. Seeing him with Suzune had clearly rattled her. Her jealousy was obvious—not because she liked him, but because Suzune was involved.
Kushida was afraid of what Suzune might learn.
"And didn't I already say I was helping you get closer to Horikita?" Hikaru tilted his head slightly. "Yet you still haven't managed to befriend her, have you?"
"..."
"And that reminds me… I've got a question for you."
As Hikaru spoke, he stood up and casually moved to sit beside her on the bed. The mattress dipped slightly under his weight, bringing them closer than social convention allowed for acquaintances—especially when the girl in question was known for carefully maintaining her boundaries.
Kushida's eyes flicked toward him, and Hikaru noticed the subtle tremble in her shoulders. Her breathing shifted ever so slightly, too.
Interesting.
For all her manipulative charm, Kushida didn't seem entirely unaffected by close proximity.
"What kind of question?" she asked warily.
Hikaru let his gaze soften just enough to feign curiosity. "Well, it's just something I've been wondering. You and I only got to know each other because I was helping you get closer to Horikita. That was the starting point, right?"
Kushida nodded cautiously.
"So why does seeing me interact with Horikita bother you this much?"
He shifted slightly so that his shoulder brushed against hers. "If you trust me like you claim, this shouldn't be an issue. But instead, here you are, interrogating me at my door."
Kushida's throat bobbed as she swallowed. "I… It's just…"
"And that night, at the karaoke place…" Hikaru's voice dropped to a near whisper. "I heard you. Heard how angry you were."
Kushida froze. The memory of that night—the night she'd lost control and vented her hatred for Suzune—was clearly still fresh for her.
"What are you trying to say?" she demanded, though her tone lacked its initial aggression.
"Well, here's my guess," Hikaru said with an amused smile. "You've tried hard to get along with Horikita, but she's stubborn and hard to crack. So that frustration's been building inside you. And when you saw me spending time with her—getting closer to her—you felt… what? Jealous? Angry? Maybe both?"
Kushida's jaw tightened.
"So you came here to get answers," Hikaru finished. "Did I get it right?"
The girl beside him exhaled slowly. He could feel the tension leaving her shoulders. She didn't correct him, even though his analysis—while close—wasn't entirely accurate.
After several long seconds, she forced a smile onto her face and gave a light shrug. "Looks like I can't hide anything from you, huh? That's pretty much it. I guess I was just… frustrated."
"I get it," Hikaru said with practiced sympathy. "Horikita's not exactly the friendliest person, is she?"
"No," Kushida agreed softly. "She's… difficult."
That's one way to put it.
Kushida shifted slightly, turning to face Hikaru more directly. Her arm brushed against his as she did. The sweetness of her perfume drifted into the air between them, light and intoxicating.
"So… what were you two talking about today?" she asked, voice softening as she leaned in.
Hikaru feigned a thoughtful look. "Oh, nothing much. Just the upcoming midterm exams."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I figured that since Horikita's a top student, she might have some useful study techniques."
Kushida's eyes glimmered with something unreadable.
"Well, if it's about the midterms, then I can share something interesting with you," she said, adopting her usual, cheerful tone. "Our class has come up with a pretty clever plan."
Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "Really? A plan for the exams?"
Kushida smiled cryptically. "That's right. But before I tell you… I want to make a deal."
"A deal?" Hikaru echoed, intrigued. "Go on."
"You stay away from Horikita," Kushida said, her tone suddenly turning ice-cold again. "Completely."
Hikaru blinked. The shift in her demeanor was so abrupt it might have been comical if it weren't for the genuine malice in her eyes.
Ah. So this is what it's about.
"So," he said slowly, "you're offering me exam intel in exchange for me cutting ties with Horikita?"
"Exactly."
"And if I refuse?"
Kushida's smile didn't waver. "Then I guess you'll have to find out the hard way."
Hikaru chuckled under his breath.
So she's finally making a move.
She thought she was being clever. Manipulative. But she didn't realize that she'd walked straight into his trap.
Who's the prey here, Kushida?
"Alright," he said, giving her a lazy grin. "I'm listening."
Let me play with you.
~~~
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