"Good morning, Honami."
With only three days left before the new semester began, Kitagawa Ryo met Ichinose Honami at their agreed time—9 a.m.
"Good morning, Ryo."
Ichinose's long, rose-gold hair flowed loosely over her shoulders without any accessories. Still in the midst of the summer heat, her outfit was light and airy. A sky-blue vertically striped blouse revealed her fair, delicate wrists. Her chest, a bit too mature for her age, slightly stretched the fabric, and a black camisole was faintly visible beneath. Her light black shorts barely reached her thighs, leaving her curvy, slender legs exposed—visibly eye-catching.
"Sorry to make you come out in this heat."
"It's fine. I'm the only first-year member of the student council anyway, so it makes sense you'd ask me for help."
Ichinose gave a warm, understanding smile.
"Besides, the intel you gave me last time was really important. Chihiro was anxious for a long time, but she's finally reintegrated into the class."
"That info was simply a bargaining chip to convince you to withdraw from the Werewolf Game. It was mutually beneficial—no need to thank me."
Kitagawa glanced at her calmly.
"Didn't expect the widely-praised Vice President Nagumo to be the kind of scumbag who leaks private information... Fortunately, not many people know. Ryuuen only stumbled upon it by chance and used it to threaten your Class B."
Indeed, before the Werewolf Game began, Kitagawa had made a secret agreement with Ichinose. In exchange for revealing that Shiranami Chihiro had been acting as a spy all semester, Ichinose would side with Kitagawa during the game.
To her, eliminating a potential threat in the class and restoring peace mattered more than gaining a few points in the game.
Some might scoff at such naive reasoning, but Ichinose had still chosen it.
After discussions with Ryuuen, Kitagawa let Ryuuen take on the role of threatening Chihiro—creating the illusion of internal division and simultaneously earning Ichinose's trust.
However, just a few days ago, Kitagawa received new intel from Sakayanagi Arisu.
Ichinose had once confided in Nagumo about her past theft incident.
To rope in Sakayanagi and Class 1-A for the sports festival, Nagumo shamelessly disclosed numerous secrets—this being one of them.
Nagumo's aim was simple: use Class 1-A to crush Ichinose's class, drive them into a corner, and swoop in as the savior.
Unfortunately for him, Sakayanagi turned around and revealed it to Kitagawa.
Kitagawa and Ryuuen swiftly adjusted their narrative, pushing the blame entirely onto Nagumo.
The recording Chihiro held had long since been deleted, so there was no risk of the truth leaking.
"Looks like Horikita-senpai's refusal to recruit new members for the council was justified..."
Ichinose muttered.
Kitagawa looked at her questioningly, prompting her to explain:
"Since the student council didn't recruit new members this year, both I and Katsuragi from Class A were rejected. Later, Vice President Nagumo invited me personally."
"Back then, I didn't think much of it. Since he was also from Class B, I felt a sense of familiarity and admiration. That's why I told him about my past without hesitation."
"Come to think of it—Ryo, you didn't know about this, right?"
"Even if someone tried to use that against you, I believe Honami would never have done anything truly wrong in the past."
Kitagawa smiled.
"The past doesn't matter. What matters is the present and the future."
"Of course, if you ever feel like talking, I'm a pretty good listener—at least as a friend."
"Mm."
Ichinose nodded softly and soon raised her head with a bright smile.
"When I finally have the courage to tell the whole class, I'll make sure Ryo is the first to know."
"Deal."
Kitagawa didn't push her to face those memories right away. He knew the risks if the secret were exposed—especially for someone like Ichinose, often seen as perfect. Without preparation, such an attack could spiral into self-doubt and shame.
At least now, there was a buffer.
He hoped she'd come to terms with it on her own.
Kitagawa never thought Ichinose was a hypocrite.
Even when facing Kamuro Masumi about stealing, Ichinose had openly shared her past as a lesson.
That memory left Kitagawa with a lingering sense of guilt toward her.
"If Hiyori knew what you were planning, she'd be thrilled."
Hearing Shiina Hiyori's name from Ichinose's mouth snapped Kitagawa out of his thoughts.
He wasn't good with romance, still groping his way through it, but once he'd made up his mind, there was no turning back.
"Which is why it has to be a secret from Hiyori."
He nodded.
"I just hope the student council approves my request."
As they chatted, the two arrived at the Club Building. Being summer vacation, most clubs were inactive or away for competitions. Many students were at the school pool, now open for three days to everyone.
The club building was thus quieter than usual.
They took the elevator to the top floor where the student council was located. Like the other clubs, the student council's workload was lighter during break. Only one student was inside, organizing documents and standing by for emergencies.
"Ichinose? You're not on duty today. Something up?"
The student looked up, recognizing her.
"Vice President Kiriyama."
Kitagawa had expected a secretary or clerk—not the vice president.
He gave Kiriyama a quick once-over. The student looked plain. Kitagawa had never heard of him before, even though he held the same title as the well-known Nagumo.
Ichinose didn't notice his thoughts. She greeted Kiriyama politely and introduced her companion.
"This is Kitagawa Ryo from Class 1-C, soon to be 1-B."
"Ah, hello."
Kiriyama furrowed his brows slightly but still extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Vice President Kiriyama."
Kitagawa returned the gesture respectfully. Since his goal was to gain approval from the student council, it was best to remain polite.
"I brought Honami along because I'd like to submit an application."
He pulled out the prepared document and handed it over.
Most matters at this school went through the student council. If Kitagawa wanted to throw a grand confession ceremony for Hiyori, it needed official approval—just like when he spent twenty million points to secure a student ID for the cat, Hotaru.
"Class 1-C wants to host an evening party two days from now?"
Kiriyama skimmed the title and contents and looked up, slightly puzzled.
Compared to Kitagawa's previous cat-ID stunt, this was downright normal.
Other classes had applied for events before—parties, birthdays, celebrations.
"This application seems fine."
Kiriyama reviewed it carefully before nodding.
"But it must end before 10 p.m. No alcohol. No dangerous activities like bonfires or fireworks."
"You may use the Special Admin Building and the nearby open field."
"You'll also need to pay a deposit. Any damages or issues will require compensation from your class."
Kitagawa had already planned for all of that. He nodded without hesitation.
The approval would likely come by evening. Relieved, Kitagawa left the student council with Ichinose, chatting happily.
Once their figures vanished and the door closed behind them, Vice President Kiriyama stared thoughtfully at the signature: Kitagawa Ryo.
Horikita Manabu had mentioned a few days ago that he'd reached a deal with Kitagawa—bringing him into the council to counter Nagumo. Kiriyama had even been prepped to relinquish his position.
As someone from Class 2-B (formerly Class A), Kiriyama had endured a year under Nagumo's dominance. Though he resented it, he lacked the courage to resist.
If Kitagawa could actually defeat Nagumo, he'd be more than happy to step aside.
But from today's interaction, Kitagawa didn't seem interested in joining the council at all. Otherwise, he wouldn't have used Ichinose as a go-between.
Kiriyama thought for a moment, then decided to report everything to Horikita Manabu.
-------------------------------------
"It's only a little past ten in the morning, but it's already getting hot."
As soon as they stepped out of the air-conditioned club building, Ichinose Honami and Kitagawa Ryo were greeted by a blast of heat.
Using his hand to shield his eyes from the sun, Kitagawa turned to Ichinose.
"Wanna grab something to eat? Maybe some ice cream?"
Not far ahead, a group of students had already formed a small crowd around the convenience store—most likely victims of the heat looking for cold drinks or ice cream.
Ichinose, intrigued by the suggestion, nodded.
"Sure."
"You helped me out today, so let me treat you."
"It's nothing. Just a small favor."
Chatting as they walked, the two made their way to the freezer section of the store. A dazzling variety of frozen treats filled the shelves—so many that it was almost overwhelming.
In fact, several indecisive students were stuck in front of the freezer, picking something up only to put it back seconds later.
"Don't go easy on me just to save points."
Despite Kitagawa's insistence, Ichinose eventually picked out a very plain popsicle. Its packaging and flavor were as simple as could be compared to the others.
"I've always preferred popsicles over ice cream. I used to eat these all the time."
Noticing Kitagawa's unspoken hesitation, Ichinose smiled and explained.
Kitagawa, amused, chose the same type as Ichinose. When it came time to pay, the total cost for both simple popsicles barely dented his point balance.
"When the heat first started, I tried a bunch of other types of ice cream too."
Tearing open the plain wrapper, Ichinose began licking the popsicle as she spoke.
"But I always end up coming back to this."
Glancing at Kitagawa with the popsicle in his mouth, Ichinose laughed.
"It might look plain, but as long as it's sweet and cold, it's a perfectly qualified summer treat."
Whether it was from the constant talking or the intense heat, Ichinose's popsicle soon began to melt. She quickly raised it higher and nibbled at the dripping part.
"It's really good."
Kitagawa had unknowingly finished his entire popsicle, and let out a genuine remark as the coolness lingered in his mouth.
Ichinose, too, had just finished hers, pulling the last bit into her mouth with her teeth and letting out a satisfied breath.
"Looking for something, Ryo?"
She noticed Kitagawa studying the wooden stick with a surprisingly serious expression.
"I once had a popsicle where you could win a second one if the stick said so. Just wondering if they have that here too."
"Oh, the kind they used to sell at old-school snack shops."
Ichinose chuckled at the memory. She also examined her own stick closely.
"Looks like this one doesn't have it."
Even in the sunlight, no magical letters appeared on the blank stick.
Kitagawa laughed and tossed his into a nearby trash can. Ichinose did the same.
"But if you really want another, I could treat you this time—as your friend, of course, just like you did for me."
She stepped forward with a gentle smile.
"How about one more?"
-------------------------------------
Karuizawa Kei replied to Matsushita Chiaki's message inviting her to the pool, then buried her head into the soft bedding.
The room was air-conditioned, so the heat didn't bother her.
She stared at the photo she had already looked at countless times the night before.
Karuizawa hated thinking about the blank space in her memories. Every time she tried, she would get headaches for days. Her parents always told her not to dwell on it—claiming the bullying she experienced had triggered a protective mechanism in her brain. That there was no need to remember those painful times.
For the past few years, Karuizawa had obediently followed their advice.
Painful memories weren't worth recalling. Focus on the present.
Kitagawa Ryo had said the same thing to her once.
But—
She looked again at the photo: Kitagawa holding the white cat, smiling softly at the camera.
Sakayanagi Arisu's words echoed in her mind.
Kitagawa Ryo stood within the memories she had lost.
And at the very beginning of that path, he had been the only one smiling gently at her.
[Now it's my turn.]
[To help… him.]
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