NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Kushida, Your Tricks Don't Work on Me
【This year’s Class D seems to be as useless as the one from the previous year.】
【Suzune being in Class D is expected, even after many years has passed, she still show no progress.】
【I didn’t expect much at all, but it’s truly disappointing.】
Saiki thought, ‘Horikita Manabu, the student who gave the speech at the entrance ceremony and the student council president. He seems to be Suzune’s brother, and it appears Suzune entered this school to prove herself to him.’
‘But what are they doing here?’
Saiki directed his gaze to the wall, his x-ray vision gradually revealing the scene on the other side.
A boy with glasses and a stern face leaned against the wall, observing the Class D students in the pool through a one-way mirror. He was Horikita Manabu.
Beside him was a girl with her hair in a bun, looking cute. Saiki hadn’t seen her before, but with his telepathy, he learned she was the student council secretary, a member of the third-year Class A like Horikita Manabu.
【The first-year Class D has already lost some class points today, things don’t look good.】
‘Does the student council also participate in the point assessment?’ Saiki wondered.
He guessed their purpose here; the student council assists the school administration in evaluating lower-grade classes and has the authority to amend school rules.
“Saiki-kun, do you want to swim together? The PE teacher just said we could have free time!”
At that moment, Kushida approached Saiki with a smile, inviting him to join.
Saiki immediately shook his head. If the class was free time, it was better to avoid participation as much as possible.
Although swimming was a slightly better option compared to other sports for Saiki, it still posed a significant challenge. There was a risk of accidentally breaking a world record.
Saiki sometimes lay at the bottom of the sea for a nap, his powers forming a barrier to keep the water out.
Swimming? Saiki didn’t need to.
“Ah, don’t tell me you can’t swim, Saiki-kun?” Kushida asked curiously.
Saiki didn’t deny it, as this would save him a lot of trouble.
…
After a day’s classes, Kushida took the initiative to ask Saiki out for a meal.
Regardless of Kushida’s true intentions, her adherence to her promise was something Saiki appreciated.
“Although we didn’t succeed in befriending Suzune, you did well, Saiki-kun!”
Kushida’s smile added to her cuteness.
“Hey! I promised to treat you well, so order anything you like!”
‘Well then, I won’t hold back,’ Saiki thought, his lips curving slightly.
He immediately went to the dessert section, ordering several expensive desserts he hadn’t tried the day before.
【This guy, is he treating desserts as his meal? And why is he ordering so many?】
Although Kushida internally complained, she maintained her smile, hiding her true thoughts so well that even Saiki had to admire her.
If one could maintain such a flawless façade continuously 24/7, it could hardly be called a façade anymore.
Saiki sat in a corner of the cafeteria with Kushida, holding his dessert. He would have preferred to enjoy his treat alone, but since Kushida was treating him, he reluctantly accepted the situation.
“It’s a pity about Suzune-chan. I didn’t expect her to be so difficult to get along with… I thought we could all get along well as classmates,” Kushida said, feigning disappointment before quickly brightening up. “But everyone has their own thoughts. I can’t force her to change, but I hope she can integrate into our class.”
While Kushida seemed considerate, her true thoughts were far from it.
【That damn bitch, acting all high and mighty because she’s cute. I wish she would just disappear!】 Kushida cursed Suzune in her mind, a stark contrast to her outward appearance.
【Yes, I must appear vulnerable and pitiable. It’s easier to gain sympathy and support from others. Saiki should think so too.】
Kushida turned to Saiki, expecting to continue the conversation.
However, Saiki’s attention was entirely on his dessert, seemingly oblivious to Kushida’s words.
【Is he not listening to me? Typically, boys hang on to my every word. What is he thinking?】
Kushida, aware of her charming appearance and feigned warmth, was adept at manipulating those around her, especially the boys. But her tactics seemed ineffective on Saiki, causing her some annoyance.
Yet, she maintained her smile, hiding her irritation.
【This topic isn’t going anywhere. This guy is tricky.】
Saiki hoped Kushida would develop a slight dislike for him, so she would be less inclined to seek him out in the future. Her type of attention was something he preferred to avoid.