บท 11: -11- I don't need friends
"A good person?"
Even Hori, upon hearing Kushida Kikyou's evaluation of him, had a somewhat peculiar expression.
"What's wrong?"
Kushida Kikyou asked in surprise.
Hori just shook his head, smiling wryly. "No, it's nothing. It's just that hearing the least likely compliment in my life feels a bit refreshing."
This statement from Hori left many people puzzled.
"The least likely compliment in your life?"
What did that mean?
Even Kushida Kikyou seemed to be confused by Hori's words, tilting her head with a floating question mark above it.
In this situation, another person responded to Hori's words.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
With a cold and ruthless tone, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka directly conveyed how unsociable he was.
Horikita Suzune, carrying her bag, walked into the classroom from outside, calmly sat at her desk, and nonchalantly spoke up.
"Admitting that you're a good person might make you more popular."
This comment was clearly directed at Hori.
"Horikita-san!"
Upon seeing Horikita Suzune entering, Kushida Kikyou's eyes lit up, and she was about to greet her. Unfortunately, before that happened, Horikita Suzune threw a line.
"Unfortunately, I'm not a good person."
Horikita Suzune took a book from her bag without even lifting her head, saying, "So, I don't plan to cater to your interests or be friends with you."
Her ruthless words made Kushida Kikyou, who was about to approach, stop in her tracks, and her expression became somewhat awkward.
Seeing Kushida Kikyou being bluntly rejected by Horikita Suzune, the classmates in the room began whispering.
"Hey, don't you think that person was too harsh?"
"Kushida-san was just being kind..."
"What an annoying girl..."
In Class 1-D, both male and female students whispered similar comments.
It was evident that, compared to Horikita Suzune's high-pressure rejection, the gentle and kind Kushida Kikyou was more likely to win the affection of everyone in the class.
However, at this moment, the atmosphere between Horikita Suzune and Kushida Kikyou became somewhat strained.
As a result, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, in his usual indifferent tone, rescued Kushida Kikyou.
"It's almost time for class. Before the teacher comes in, it's better to return to your seat."
Almost as if it had been planned, the bell for class rang at the exact moment Ayanokouji Kiyotaka finished speaking.
Kushida Kikyou then reacted.
"I'll go back to my seat now." With a smile returning to her face, Kushida Kikyou said to Hori and Horikita Suzune, "Nanaya-san, Horikita-san, let's talk properly next time."
After saying that, Kushida Kikyou returned to her seat.
The rest of the students in the class also did the same, returning to their seats.
However, after the recent incident, the atmosphere in the classroom subtly changed.
Specifically, there was a tendency to lean towards Kushida Kikyou's side, and an invisible barrier seemed to have formed between Hori, Horikita Suzune, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, and the others.
Clearly, the students in the class had already classified Hori, Horikita Suzune, and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and their group as incompatible with the rest of the class, leading to isolation.
From this moment on, Hori, Horikita Suzune, and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka became the unwelcome trio in the class.
Realizing this, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka spoke with a somewhat gloomy tone.
"Did I get involved in this as well?"
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka hadn't done anything excessive, and he had even smoothed things over. However, he was inexplicably rejected by the class, making this socially awkward youth wonder how he could avoid such thoughts of isolation.
"Don't worry." Hori shrugged, saying, "At least, I'm in the same boat as you."
Although he had no intention of deliberately pleasing anyone or making friends, Hori's recent actions were commendable. Yet, he, too, faced rejection from the classmates.
Being seated with Horikita Suzune only fueled suspicions of being associated with her. It was understandable to be implicated in this situation.
"School is a place for learning, growth, and gaining experiences, not a venue for social games."
Horikita Suzune expressed this with a cold demeanor.
"Relying on connections with others to maintain the meaning of one's existence is just an immature expression. If one can do anything by themselves, then there's no need for communication."
This seemed to be Horikita Suzune's creed.
In other words...
"I don't need friends."
Horikita Suzune summarized with this statement, clearly stating the reason for refusing Kushida Kikyou.
However, to others, it appeared as nothing more than arrogant self-importance.
"I see."
Hori gave a light comment, "Quite high and mighty, aren't you?"
This evaluation sparked a strong reaction from Horikita Suzune.
"I can't just ignore that." She stared at Hori, asking sharply, "Can I consider this as slander?"
"Suit yourself." Hori ignored Horikita Suzune's piercing gaze and nonchalantly said, "After all, for you, other people's opinions are just like the wind in your ears. You don't care, do you?"
Indeed, Horikita Suzune didn't care about others' opinions.
"Just continue living in your own world, Miss High and Mighty."
With this line, Hori ended the conversation, took out his textbook, covered his face, and fell silent.
Seeing Hori like this, Horikita Suzune frowned tightly, seemingly wanting to retort and defend herself.
In the end, she gave up, glared at Hori, snorted coldly, and turned her head away.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka observed the situation from the side, from start to finish.
As the atmosphere between Hori and Horikita Suzune became increasingly hostile, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, the person sitting closest to them, could only sigh deeply.
"My school life is probably going to be quite troublesome..."
This was Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's only premonition, and it turned out to be the most accurate one.
Not long after, Chabashira Sae entered the classroom.
"Class begins now."
The first-year curriculum at Advanced Nurturing High School unfolded.
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