By the time Amikura Mako straightened her clothes, she noticed he was still fiddling with his phone.
Remembering what had just happened, her face grew hot.
"Delete those photos. I never allowed you to take pictures like that."
"No, I'm keeping them as evidence." Kaoru lowered his head.
"Making a move on a friend's boyfriend—your actions are just as despicable as mine."
"I told you it's not like that!" Amikura Mako instinctively denied his words, her breathing growing ragged, ears turning red with embarrassment.
Suddenly, she lunged at him, reaching for his phone.
"Give me that phone, now!"
Kaoru had been prepared.
Given their height difference, he simply raised his arm, causing Amikura Mako to miss and tumble onto his lap, flailing wildly.
"Relax, I won't share them. Only two people know about this, and I won't tell Honami either." Kaoru restrained her flailing wrists as the girl's soft body squirmed against him, her skirt slightly disheveled, revealing the pale flesh of her thighs just below her hips.
After struggling for a while and realizing she couldn't overpower him, Amikura Mako soon gave up, gradually calming down as she lay across his lap, unusually quiet.
"Why is Honami-chan with someone like you?"
"Sorry, but your attitude makes me not want to tell you."
"You're dating in secret, meaning you don't want others to know, right?"
"Are you implying I used underhanded methods?"
"..."
He seemed to know everything.
A faint tremor ran through Amikura Mako's heart as she lowered her gaze and whispered.
"Even now, I still think what I saw back then must have been a misunderstanding. Mitoma-kun shouldn't be that kind of person."
"To me, the Amikura-san I saw today isn't the one I know either. If it were another man, would you have thrown yourself at him like this?" Kaoru glanced down at her, seeing only her flushed ears.
"Of course not! I'm not that kind of woman!" Amikura Mako's face burned with anger as she forcefully broke free from his grip and sat up.
"I was just... testing you..."
"If that's the case, then why did you try to seduce me?" Kaoru seized her arm. "Sometimes, the outcome isn't in your control—it's in the other person's. You can't guarantee I'd follow the script you had in mind."
As Amikura Mako fell silent, Kaoru handed the phone to her.
"Rumors or not, Honami is afraid of you all. She wonders if you'll distance yourselves because of this. If she had stolen something in the past, would she have lost the chance to be friends with you forever?"
Amikura Mako looked at her phone screen in surprise.
Before she could speak, Kaoru continued, "Dealing with this kind of tactic is simple. Public relations isn't particularly difficult, and redirecting everyone's attention is also a good approach."
"You… you mean Honami-chan in the past…" Amikura Mako hesitated, momentarily forgetting the previous matter.
"She really…"
"No one is flawless. Even saints make mistakes. The question is whether you can accept an imperfect Honami."
Though Kaoru hadn't paid much attention to Class B's affairs, their reactions made it clear that their comrades were their driving force.
Amikura Mako gripped her phone and bowed her head deeply, suddenly overwhelmed by the realization of a grave mistake she had made.
...
As time passed, the rumors grew increasingly rampant, with supporters and opponents locked in fierce arguments.
Ding—
Seeing the notification on her phone, Ichinose Honami's lips curled slightly before her eyes lowered again.
She couldn't rely on Kaoru anymore.
Some things had to be faced alone.
No matter what Sakayanagi Arisu had done, or what her classmates and others might think of her, she had to take a brave step forward.
Ichinose Honami was ready.
She intended to put an end to this matter today—it couldn't affect everyone's exams, nor could it weigh on her own emotions.
In the past, she would never have had this courage.
Just the thought of everyone casting strange glances her way would make her heart ache, as if she were trapped in the endless flames of purgatory, forced to endure the scorching weight of her sins.
But now, the girl was fearless.
The past was the past, and the present was the present.
She couldn't remain stuck in what had been
. Ice and snow would melt under the blazing sun—the process was painful, but spring would follow.
Even if the first spring was bare and bleak.
Taking a deep breath, Ichinose Honami typed a reply to Mitoma Kaoru, telling him not to worry about her.
Then, the girl pushed open her room door, took the dormitory elevator down to the first-floor lobby.
At this moment, Shiranami Chihiro, Kobashi Yume, and Amikura Mako were waiting for her in the lobby.
The moment she saw them, Ichinose Honami couldn't help but smile.
However, a few passing students gave her odd looks, causing her smile to stiffen slightly.
"Honami-chan, good morning!"
Faced with Kobashi Yume's cheerful greeting, Ichinose Honami forced a smile and returned the greeting as if nothing was wrong.
Perhaps too preoccupied with her own unease, she failed to notice Amikura Mako's unusual silence and troubled demeanor along the way.
When they reached the entrance of the school building, Ichinose Honami changed into her indoor shoes, catching fragments of hushed whispers around her—comments like "It must be a rumor," "I can't believe it," or "If that's true, aren't we in trouble?"—which only worsened her mood.
"Ichinose, if these rumors aren't stopped soon, the consequences won't just affect you," Kanzaki Ryuji said suddenly, appearing beside her with a grave expression.
"Someone must be trying to sabotage our class again!" Kobashi Yume huffed angrily.
Ichinose Honami looked at them, and Shiranami Chihiro also mustered her courage, saying firmly.
"I believe Honami-chan isn't that kind of person."
"Don't worry, I'll resolve this matter." Ichinose patted Shiranami's head with a gentle smile.
She wasn't the same person she used to be—everything would be fine.
Just then, a voice sounded from nearby.
"Oh? I'd like to hear how you plan to solve this rumor problem."
Sakayanagi Arisu and Kamuro Masumi appeared before them, seemingly having just changed into their indoor shoes.
Kanzaki Ryuji's expression shifted slightly as he muttered, "I traced the rumor's origin. It seems a few Class A students started spreading it initially."
At this, Kobashi Yume and Shiranami Chihiro grew agitated.
"Damn Class A!"
Though touched by their indignation on her behalf, Ichinose knew she had to take the first step herself.
"Sakayanagi-san, I won't run away."
Hearing this, Sakayanagi merely chuckled dismissively.
"Everyone says such brave words. But can you actually do it? The moment you remember, fear will grip your heart and make your body tremble, won't it?"
"You're right. But someone has already given me confidence." Ichinose's gaze grew resolute.
"I told you before—relying on others means you can't accomplish anything." Sakayanagi's smile gradually faded, her expression blank.
"Is it because you have no one to rely on?" Ichinose smiled faintly.
"You don't care about anyone, and no one cares about you. No one understands your feelings. You only see the most superficial aspects of him—you can't feel his kindness. Why should I reject his kindness?"
Sakayanagi stared at her coldly, gripping her cane tightly.
Ichinose felt no fear before her—she was afraid, but not terrified.
She welcomed the sun melting her completely because someone was waiting for her to set things right.
The others looked bewildered by their confrontation.
Only Amikura Mako pressed her lips together tightly.
While others couldn't comprehend their exchange, she understood perfectly.
She didn't get it—not at all.
Why would Ichinose be drawn to him? What kindness? It was all lies.
What kindness could there be from a cheating pervert?
Yet remembering yesterday's events, Amikura could only remain silent.