While the first-year boys made a noisy scene in their bathhouse, the girls' side remained peaceful, with hardly a ripple.
It's scientifically proven that girls mature faster than boys—both physically and mentally. Just like in elementary school when the girls were often taller, and then things reversed in junior high. Because of this, you'd never see four classes of first-year girls crowding together to measure any boobs or whatever. Far from it.
Instead, boundaries were clearly drawn: each class took up two pools, rarely intermingling. However, there was still the usual chorus of, "Wow, you have such a great figure; how do you do it?" and "Nah, I envy your fair complexion; mine's so sallow," accompanied by sweet smiles. Whether they actually meant any of it was anyone's guess. Some might be silently criticizing the other's weight; someone else might be thinking a pale complexion looks unhealthy.
In the midst of all this, Matsushita was helped into the bath by her friends, including Karuizawa.
"I'm really sorry to trouble you like this," Matsushita apologized.
She was the type who felt bad whenever she inconvenienced anyone and would keep apologizing. One of her friends, Shinohara, waved her off without concern.
"Don't worry about it at all, Chiaki. You've done plenty for us, so this is no big deal."
Matsushita felt grateful for her friends patiently taking care of her—first from the infirmary, then to the cafeteria, and now the bathhouse. Sure, twisting her ankle sucked, but being spoiled by her caring group had a certain silver lining.
Real life, however, rarely lets you savor that sense of relief for long. Matsushita had barely relaxed when Satou, the most gossip-inclined of their little circle, tossed out a loaded question.
"So, Chiaki, you got carried back by Yukio, right? Lots of people said they saw it."
"!"
Matsushita and Karuizawa's expressions both changed in an instant.
Matsushita realized this was precisely part of Yukio's overt scheme. Even these dear friends of hers were bound to wonder if there was something going on between her and him.
As for Karuizawa, her face fell for a different reason: jealousy. Hearing Satou's question and Matsushita's reaction felt like a series of invisible knives stabbing her in the back.
But everyone else was focusing on Matsushita, who was flustered herself, so no one noticed Karuizawa's expression.
Shinohara, meanwhile, found the topic irresistible.
"I actually saw that happen. So romantic, right? Getting carried back from the woods, especially when you're hurt! I didn't realize Yukio was so kind."
One simple comment caused two more distinct reactions. Matsushita inwardly cursed—Kind, my foot! If only you knew how calculating he is! While Karuizawa gave a small grin, as if to say, Of course he's kind. He's my guy, after all.
"Huh, romantic."
Just then, a contemptuous snort broke the girl talk. They turned to see classmate Onodera, known for her athletic prowess (she'd scored quite a few points for Class D during the sports festival). But her status in class wasn't quite on the same level as Matsushita or Karuizawa. Spotting Onodera's mocking attitude, Satou took offense on her friend's behalf.
"Onodera, what's that supposed to mean?"
Onodera merely shrugged, unbothered by Satou's hostility.
"Who knows? Maybe none of you realize you're being sold out by your unifier."
"That's nonsense!" Shinohara instantly shot back. It was obvious Onodera was implying Matsushita had some shady deal with Yukio. Naturally, Shinohara jumped to defend her friend.
"You sure?" sniped Sonoda, another girl allied with Onodera. "Remember, during the VIP Special Exam, Yukio himself said that 20 million private points would let someone transfer classes. And just earlier tonight, while Onodera and I were eating at the cafeteria, we heard people from Yukio's class talking about how he's rounding up private points. Who can say what it's for?"
Her insinuation was that Matsushita might strike a deal with Yukio to abandon Class D, sell out her current classmates, and buy her way into Class A. And from what people knew, Yukio's class had such a high point total that 20 million points—in principle about five months' worth of their class points—wasn't impossible.
Matsushita silently called Onodera an idiot. It was obviously disinformation Yukio had set loose among his classmates—but she couldn't exactly blurt that out.
Satou started to shout back, but Matsushita raised a hand to stop her.
"Let's calm down. We won't lose this test, so you don't have to worry. I'd never betray my class."
Her tone was calm and composed, but at her side, Karuizawa blushed faintly, feeling a pang of guilt. Matsushita's resolve only highlighted her own turmoil.
At that, Onodera and Satou quieted down, moving to a different pool. Matsushita, however, only felt more disheartened. It was exactly as Yukio had said: even if she temporarily placated everyone, unless she delivered a big result in this special exam, she'd inevitably meet Horikita's fate—the fate of being ostracized.
Yukio is such a jerk! she thought, suddenly exhausted.
Shinohara wasn't aware of Matsushita's inner struggles. She tried cheering her up.
"Don't mind them, Chiaki. They're just talking nonsense."
"Yeah, I know. It's fine," Matsushita said, regaining a bit of composure. "We all knew this would happen once people saw Yukio carrying me back. Really, it's just because I made a careless misstep, ran into Yukio, and had no choice but to let him help me. Like you said, he's not such a bad guy."
"Ooh…" Shinohara and Satou absorbed the explanation, gradually relaxing. Satou, in fact, broke into a mischievous grin, lowering her voice.
"So, Chiaki… Yukio's back, was it warm? Broad enough to make you feel secure?"
"Oh, will you quit it with those embarrassing questions?" Matsushita rolled her eyes at Satou, giving her a playful swat before, in the end, replying bashfully.
"But yeah… it was warm… and strong. Honestly, I could feel all his muscles, so I guess he must train every day."
"C'mon, c'mon, tell us more!" Satou urged, eyes gleaming.
Meanwhile, Karuizawa felt yet another invisible knife stabbing between her shoulder blades. It's a cycle of backstabbing, she thought.
She recalled how, back at the eel farm project, she'd practically conspired with Yukio behind Matsushita's back. Now karma was coming around: Matsushita was the one leaving her with that same sense of betrayal…