COTE: Horikita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter 36 Rin Matsuoka: What this person said seems to be true!

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Kushida Kikyo blinked and said, "When I was on the bus."

"At that time, I saw you two leaning very closely against each other, quite intimately, even closer than most couples."

Rin Matsuoka shook his head helplessly. "That's because Horikita fell asleep and leaned over."

"I see. I thought Matsuoka-san and Horikita-san were a couple. I feel relieved now," Kushida Kikyo said, looking visibly at ease.

"What do you mean by relieved?" Rin asked.

"Because..." Kushida Kikyo showed a shy expression, her cheeks flushing as she spoke. "Because Matsuoka-san happens to be my ideal type. If Matsuoka-san already had a girlfriend, I would be very sad."

What she said sounded so convincing that Rin Matsuoka almost believed it!

"..."

Rin looked at Kushida Kikyo. The girl appeared shy and coy, her eyes downcast, cheeks flushed. She looked like someone confessing her feelings to the boy she liked.

Unfortunately, Rin could tell from the look in her eyes that she didn't have those kinds of feelings for him.

Kushida Kikyo was growing anxious.

She had practically confessed her feelings, so why wasn't this guy responding?

It wasn't that Kushida Kikyo was full of herself; she was quite confident in her appearance and figure.

Normally, when a guy heard her say something like that, he would quickly assure her that he had nothing going on with other girls and would show interest in her as well.

But... why hadn't Rin Matsuoka responded yet?

Kushida Kikyo stole a glance at Rin and was surprised to see that instead of being flattered or joyful from her words, he had a frown on his face, looking troubled.

For some reason, Kushida Kikyo could tell from his expression that he was irritated by her...

Kushida's lips twitched slightly as she maintained her shy facade. "I wonder, Matsuoka -san, what kind of impression do you have of me?"

"Well, your breasts are the biggest in the class," Rin answered without hesitation.

"..."

Kushida Kikyo was stunned.

What is this guy saying?!

Doesn't he have any emotional intelligence?

How could he say something like that in front of her?

Though she was feeling both embarrassed and angry, there was also an odd sense of satisfaction, as she was quite proud of how her bust size outshined other girls'.

"Even though you have no emotional intelligence, I do like how honest you are," she muttered.

But then, Rin's next words made her retract her thought about his honesty.

"It's just a pity you're a bit short," Rin added.

He then gestured with his palm, showing the height difference between his chest and the top of Kushida Kikyo's head.

"See? You don't even reach my chest."

"..." Kushida Kikyo tried to keep her smile. "Is... that so? Actually, I'm not short. It's just that you, Matsuoka-san, are too tall."

"Oh, right! I suddenly remembered I left my student ID in the dorm. I'll need to go back and get it, so I won't be walking with you, Matsuoka-san."

Kushida Kikyo was so angry she could barely contain herself. She just wanted to leave and find a place to cool off.

"Goodbye, Matsuoka-san!"

"Well, bye."

Rin smiled as he watched Kushida Kikyo hurry off. "She ran away so quickly. Is Kushida Kikyo's mental fortitude a little weak?"

[Friendly reminder.]

[Some people may look handsome, but they are wicked behind the scenes. Others may seem innocent and kind, but they hide a different face.]

[So, host.]

[Don't be fooled by this two-faced woman.]

Rin Matsuoka was silent for a while, then said faintly, "Narrator, don't think I can't hear you. I know you're accusing me of being full of bad intentions."

The narrator seemed to have crashed again, offering no response to Rin.

Rin continued to watch Kushida Kikyo's back as she left. He chuckled and said, "You don't need to remind me. I've already seen it."

"Kushida Kikyo is a girl who seems very enthusiastic toward me, almost like she has a crush, but deep in her eyes, there's a certain vigilance and unease."

"She's afraid of me."

"But if she's afraid of me, why did she take the initiative to talk to me?"

This was the part Rin Matsuoka couldn't understand.

Most animals know how to avoid danger and seek fortune; they will not approach places or things they deem dangerous.

Humans, as advanced animals with higher intelligence, know this even better—how to avoid danger and seek good fortune.

"Kushida Kikyo is clearly afraid of me, yet she came up to me anyway..."

"Kushida Kikyo... I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before. When and where..." Rin muttered to himself.

Suddenly, Rin froze as realization struck him.

"Could Kushida Kikyo be that Kushida Kikyo?" Rin showed a surprised expression as he looked in the direction where she had disappeared.

He vaguely remembered an incident back in junior high where a particularly serious event had occurred in another class.

That serious incident was caused by a girl named "Kushida Kikyo."

The situation had caused such a stir that all the students in her class went on strike.

Because the incident created a trust crisis at the school, the administration did everything it could to cover it up, going to great lengths to ensure the news never spread beyond the school.

As a result of the school's efforts, the strike never reached the outside world.

But students like Rin, who were attending at the time, had caught whispers of the rumor that Kushida Kikyo had somehow prompted her entire class to strike.

However, the specific reason for the strike remained unknown to Rin and his peers.

"If this Kushida Kikyo is really the same ruthless person who caused her entire class to strike, why would she approach me of her own accord? Does she want to make me strike as well?" Rin muttered to himself, confused.

Unable to come to a conclusion, Rin didn't bother to keep guessing and instead continued on his way toward the chairman's office.

Though the office was located within the school, it was on the outskirts, close to the school's commercial district.

Since there was no one stationed at the entrance, Rin slipped in easily and made his way to the door of the chairman's office.

Most students would feel anxious being in such a place, but Rin was different. He casually knocked on the wooden door.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in."

A male voice, somewhat familiar to Rin, called out from inside. Hearing it made Rin smile.

"It wasn't a wasted trip after all. He's right here in the office."