The day after I slept with Yuki, I went to school as if nothing had happened and deepened my relationships with my classmates.

In the original story, I followed a trouble-avoiding, passive attitude, but if I want to fulfill his regret, it’s more convenient for me to act somewhat like a playboy.

In the original story I ranked fifth in the handsome rankings, '5/80', so if I behave the part a little, I can recreate a pseudo-Hirata phenomenon.

On top of that, having Yuki around meant I never lacked topics to talk about with girls.

Girls this age love gossip about romance.

Yuki and I are perfect targets.

Naturally, I keep quiet about the fact that we already have a physical relationship and only say that Yuki and I are childhood friends who get along well.

Once they learn I don’t have a girlfriend, the girls swarm immediately.

As for Yuki, her appearance looks normal, but perhaps her body still feels a bit strange, since she keeps shifting her legs slightly.

Even so, she doesn’t show that discomfort outwardly and continues acting like the model student she was yesterday.

“Ayanokōji-kun and Tsubaki-san… right?”

While things were like that, lunchtime arrived.

As usual, Yuki and I were about to head to the cafeteria when our classmate Kushida called out to us.

She probably came to poke into the conversation between me and Horikita just like in the original story.

Looking at her again, at least her appearance really is that of a beautiful girl.

“You’re Kushida, right? Do you need something from us?”

“Actually… there’s something I wanted to ask. It’s just a small thing, but are you two maybe close with Horikita-san?”

I answered Kushida’s question with a wry smile.

Can you really call that being close?

At first it was practically an argument.

“If you ask whether we’re close, that’s debatable. We only talked a little yesterday.”

“I’m not particularly close either. Just normal. Did something happen with her?”

“Ah, yeah. You see… I want to become friends with everyone in class as soon as possible, right? So I’ve been going around asking everyone for their contact information… but Horikita-san turned me down.”

“I can easily imagine that scene.”

“With that personality, she probably wouldn’t say yes easily. Kiyotaka even said she hesitated to introduce herself.”

“Ayanokōji-kun, you were talking with Horikita-san in front of the school on the day of the entrance ceremony too, right? What kind of person is she? Does she talk more when she’s with friends?”

The entrance ceremony day?

Ah, when we got off the bus.

She observed quite closely.

At that point we hadn’t even confirmed class assignments yet.

It would be easy to ask why she cares about Horikita that much, but that would only stir trouble, so I held back.

“Well, we’re not close enough to call ourselves friends either, but she’s the type that’s a bit hard to approach.”

“I think she’s just not very good at socializing. But why are you so concerned about Horikita-san?”

“Well, she doesn’t seem to talk to people much, so I got a little worried.”

Hearing that alone makes her sound like a very kind girl.

But there are plenty of classmates who still haven’t settled in either.

Focusing only on Horikita is clearly strange.

Yuki seemed to notice as well and tilted her head.

“I understand what you’re saying, but we only met her yesterday, so I don’t think we can help.”

“I see… I thought you looked close, so I wondered if maybe you came from the same middle school. Sorry for asking something strange so suddenly.”

She looked at us as if evaluating us.

If I remember correctly, Kushida’s middle school in the original story was a huge school.

She’s probably wary that Yuki or I might secretly know Horikita from there.

“I only knew Yuki before enrolling.”

“Yeah. I only knew Kiyotaka too.”

When we denied it, Kushida seemed relieved.

She apologized for interrupting lunch and left.

She’ll probably be the next one I devour in this class.

According to the original story, she reveals her true nature when the May midterm study session fails because of Horikita.

I plan to gather evidence then and make her spread her legs.

Even if her personality is rotten, her appearance is top-tier.

Until that day, I’ll keep improving my techniques using Yuki.

Thanks to the White Room training, once I experience something once, I can quickly master the technique.

Thinking about that while heading to the cafeteria, I found it far more crowded than expected.

At this point it would be easier to give up, buy bread at the convenience store and eat in the classroom.

Yuki seemed to agree.

When we returned to the classroom, Horikita was already there eating a sandwich.

I returned to my seat.

Yuki joined me and we began eating bread together.

Soon music flowed from the speakers and an announcement about the club activity briefing began.

I didn’t have any club I particularly wanted to join, but Yuki’s eyes sparkled.

She was probably sheltered before, so she must be curious.

When I asked if she wanted to go see it, she happily replied yes.

I might as well invite the girl who acts like it doesn’t concern her too.

“Horikita, what about you?”

“I’ll pass. I have no interest in club activities.”

“Ehh, Horikita-san, come with us.”

Yuki seems to believe fun things should be shared with everyone and tried to invite Horikita.

“…Does that mean you two plan to join a club?”

“Not really. I haven’t thought about it, but I probably won’t.”

“I might join if something interesting appears.”

“So you don’t intend to join, but you want to attend the briefing? That sounds like a waste of time.”

“But maybe there will be clues about the school’s mysteries, like the free items yesterday.””

That made Horikita hesitate.

It’s certain this school still hides secrets.

Something might become clear only by being there.

“…Fine. If you insist that much, I’ll go for a bit.”

So the flow changed slightly thanks to Yuki.

* * *

After school, we headed to the gymnasium for the club briefing.

Yuki had already grown used to Horikita and talked with her naturally.

Maybe this was also because Yuki had never had female friends before.

“Thank you for waiting, first-year students. We will now begin the club activity briefing. I am Tachibana, student council secretary and host of this event.”

The presentations began.

Yuki murmured, “Judo, huh.”

Horikita asked if she was interested.

Yuki laughed awkwardly and said she used to practice it.

Horikita didn’t pry further.

In that sense, Horikita might actually be a decent friend for Yuki.

Then Horikita suddenly said something blunt.

“Every club says beginners are welcome, but isn’t it really about increasing members to gain more club budget?”

Yuki gave an awkward smile.

“Look, they’re welcoming beginners. Maybe you should join—for their budget.”

Horikita said that while watching the archery club’s presentation.

“I refuse to join just to be used. And sports clubs are always full of popular social types. I can already see the future where I’m ignored and quit.”

“That’s just your twisted personality.”

“No, I’m certain. Sports clubs are out.”

“If Kiyotaka says so, I’ll skip sports clubs too.”

“…Tsubaki-san. I’ve been thinking since yesterday, but even if you’re childhood friends, you should decide important things for yourself—”

Horikita suddenly stopped speaking.

Her face turned pale as if she had seen a corpse.

“Horikita-san?”

Yuki looked worried.

Following Horikita’s gaze, I saw a man with glasses on the stage.

That must be her older brother.

He also noticed Horikita and looked at her sharply.

That alone was enough to make her shrink.

The club presentations continued.

Eventually the final presentation arrived.

But the person remaining on stage was not a club representative.

It was Horikita’s brother.

He stood before the microphone silently.

Even when first-years shouted encouragement or jokes, he didn’t move.

Eventually the gymnasium fell silent.

Then he finally spoke.

“I am Horikita Manabu, the student council president. The student council will soon accept candidates from the first-year students.”

Joining the student council has many advantages.

But it sounds troublesome.

Still, sending Yuki as my proxy might allow me to gain the benefits.

Perhaps she could infiltrate it.

“We do not welcome candidates who apply with naive expectations.”

Eventually Horikita Manabu left the stage.

But Horikita still hadn’t recovered.

Yuki supported her as we left the gym.

Sudō soon approached me with Ike and Yamauchi.

After talking briefly, Yuki insisted on escorting Horikita back to the dorm.

I followed.

While walking, Yuki asked carefully, “That student council president… he has the same surname as you. Is he?”

“…My brother.”

Horikita admitted it.

Yuki said he seemed impressive.

“Yes. My proud brother.”

But her expression didn’t match those words.

“You admire him but also feel inferior.”

Horikita sighed.

“You two are very sharp.”

I changed the topic.

We discussed what the second-years said yesterday.

They called Class D ‘defective products.’

This suggested that classes are ranked A to D by evaluation.

Horikita resisted that conclusion.

But eventually we reached the dorm.

She thanked us and went inside.

After that, Yuki blushed and asked, “K-Kiyotaka… can I go to your room?”

Of course I accepted.

As soon as we entered the room, Yuki asked for a kiss.

I carried her to the bed.

Looks like we’re going full throttle until morning again.

* * *

Changes from the original work.

• The three of them, with Yuki included, participated in the club activity briefing session.

Unlike the original work, Yuki and Horikita talk with each other fairly often, so Kiyotaka is slightly becoming a background presence.

• Kiyotaka becomes interested in the student council.

Entering the student council himself would be troublesome, but he came up with the idea of using pieces to seize control of the student council’s power from behind the scenes.

• He escorted Horikita to the dormitory.

In the original work she disappears on her own, but Yuki forcibly brought her all the way to the dormitory.

Seeing her getting along with someone other than himself made Kiyotaka feel a little relieved.

• Maybe it is about time to start hunting...

Since it would become a misleading title, one person will be ‘eaten’ in the next chapter.

Who it will be is something to look forward to next time.

* * *

List of characters appearing in this episode.

• Ayanokōji Kiyotaka

While planning how to eat Kushida he energetically enjoys himself with Yuki again today.

The more experience he gains the more his technique improves, so even though it is only the second time his technique has improved considerably.

• Tsubaki Yuki

It is not that she has taken a liking to Horikita, but she is being kind because it is Kiyotaka’s order.

At the end when she noticed Kiyotaka looking at her with desire again today she tried inviting him and he was pleased.

• Horikita Suzune

Just like in the original work she is knocked out by the pressure from her older brother.

However, with the advice from Kiyotaka and Yuki she is gradually getting closer to the mysteries of the school.

Compared to the original work her insight is starting to improve.

• Kushida Kikyo

She came to probe Kiyotaka and Yuki because they are close with Horikita.

For now she judged that it was not enough to become hostile and withdrew.

• Horikita Manabu

Student council president.

Suzune’s older brother.

Seeing his younger sister he realized at a glance that nothing had changed and instinctively applied pressure.

A siscon.

• Tachibana Akane

Sub-heroine.

Hopefully she will get a chance to appear someday.

• Sudō Ken

Since he was in a good mood today he was wagging his tail.

• Ike, Yamauchi

They appear as Sudō’s entourage.

At this stage they are simply there to make things lively.