Crossing
Kiyomi was standing there waiting for the light to turn green when she saw some First Years looking her way, and one approached her.
"Um... Senpai... would you please go out with me?"
"...Eh?"
"Well you were looking at me so intently so I thought you might be..."
"Um no. I already have a boyfriend. I'm looking for a First year to join me in the Partner Exam."
"... oh."
"I was just deciding who to approach by the way. I hadn't decided on you."
He nods, leaving with a blush on his face from embarrassment as his friend laughs.
"You got overconfident bro. It's your bad."
"And After I'd been wanting to talk to her for so long. Just when I thought I had a chance."
"Right. Ever since the entrance ceremony, right?
"Nah I'll never forget this."
Kiyomi sighed as Nanase walked over to her.
"Good morning Senpai."
"Oh. Nanase-San. Good Morning."
"Um what business did you have with those first year?"
"One of them confessed to me just now."
"Eh!?"
Nanase was shocked.
"You must be pretty popular Ayanokoji-Senpai."
Kiyomi looked at Nanase, evaluating her.
"Eh? Senpai?"
Kiyomi's gaze then shifted to a group of boys.
"You're quite popular as well Nanase-San."
"I am!?"
Nanase looked to see a few boys staring before quickly looking away.
"I had no idea."
"Is there something you wanted to talk about?"
"Um yes. Do you mind if I accompany you to school?"
"That's fine by me."
They started to walk together, talking as the boys around were staring, enamoured at the Beauty X Beauty duo in front of them.
"I might go blind but I don't mind."
"Yeah. You're right about that."
Nanase stopped and bowed to her.
"I'm sorry about Hosen's behaviour before."
"It's okay. He wasn't able to lay a hand in me so it's fine."
"Still I apologise."
Kiyomi then came out and asked her.
"Nanase-San. Have you decided on a partner?'
Nanase seemed surprised.
"Me? Um no. I haven't."
"Personally I think it would be best if our classes cooperate."
"Cooperate?"
"Yes. Do you disagree?"
"No I agree but... no one will go against Hosen."
"You don't seem to feel that way though?"
"That is because I will never yield to violence."
They walked a bit more.
"Senpai... What do you think about Violence?"
"Violence..."
"Senpai?"
Kiyomi recalled her past.
"I'm personally against it. I would say that but I can see why it's necessary so I'm more inclined to favor it because of that."
"I see. I'd say I'm also in favor of it."
Kiyomi inspected Nanase more as she sighed.
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With Suzuki- After School
Suzuki arrived at Keyaki Mall as Ichika smiled.
"Not bad Horikita-Senpai. Arriving early for a date is good."
"This isn't a date. Don't make people misunderstand."
"Huh? That's no fun though."
Suzuki sighed.
"Let's just go buy the cooking tools."
Ichika nodded as they walked into the store, and Ichika began walking Suzuki around collecting expensive equipment.
'Ugh, she's making me use so many Private Points... well these are top of the line so at least she has good taste.'
They finished as Suzuki got annoyed.
'I used over 50, 000 points.'
Ichika then smirked.
"Okay. We have everything we need so everything is A okay."
Suzuki sighed as he looked at all the tools and ingredients.
'Tom Yum Goong huh? But why would we need a whisk or a Petty Knife for that? Something about this is suspect. Could it be that she added those to the cart in an attempt to throw me off on what she wanted me to make? She wasted my Private Points on something like that? This little...!'
"Okay, Senpai. Let's head to your dorm."
"In the first place why do you want food from me? You don't even know me."
"Maybe it's because I like you Senpai."
"Please don't tell me something like that."
"Hehe. It's like this okay? If I ever run out of Private Points for some reason then I can ask you to cook for me."
"Why would I agree to that?"
"Oh I can think of a few reasons."
"Oh really? Cause I can't think of anything you could offer that I would accept."
Ichika smirked.
"Let's go Senpai."
Suzuki nodded, sighing.
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Suzuki's Dorm
Ichika walked in with a smile.
"Pardon the intrusion."
'I wish I didn't have too.'
Suzuki guided her to the living room.
"Woah. It's so neat and tidy."
"Why wouldn't it be?"
"Wait..."
Ichika sniffed for a second.
"Woah the room doesn't even smell like you either."
"Huh? What the hell are you on about?"
"Honestly it smells more like Ayanokoji-Senpai."
"Will you shut up?"
"Hehe."
"Just sit down and wait patiently."
"So Senpai already knew I wanted Tom Yum Goong? Seems Senpai might just be as good at cooking as he boasted."
'Again it feels like she can get a read on me while I can't get a read on her. The feeling is so... unsettling.'
"Senpai. Don't you have a TV or something?"
"No. Just stay quiet and wait."
Ichika pouted, staring into his face for a second before smirking with a slight blush.
"What is it?"
"I can see why Ayanokoji-Senpai is with you. You're really handsome."
Suzuki made a disgusted face.
"Senpai is so mean though. Maybe Ayanokoji-Senpai is secretly a masochist."
"A what!?"
'This girl!'
"I'm only kidding. I'm sure Ayanokoji-Senpai hates pain more than most people."
'What is that supposed to mean?'
"Amasawa. How would you know anything about her?"
"Hehe. Can I ask you for more meals in exchange for answering that?"
"One other meal."
"Stingy."
"Take it or leave it."
"Kay."
Ichika pauses for a second.
"When I call her Aanokoji-Senapi I don't mean it as in this school."
Suzuki made a shocked expression.
'She knows her? Same middle school?'
"What do you mean by that?"
"Eh? Why should I tell you for only one extra meal?"
Suzuki sighed.
"Fine I'll hear it from Kiyomi herself."
"I wonder if she'll tell you anything though."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Ichika lifted her skirt a little.
"Maybe if you give me some fun I'll tell you."
"What!? Hell no!"
Ichika pouted.
"Kay Kay."
Suzuki went into the kitchen and made her the dish before bringing it out to her.
"Here's your damn meal. Eat it and get out."
"You're so cold Horikita-Senpai. Hehe."
"I'd don't need you engaging in anymore of your ridiculous antics near me anymore."
"You know that part of a good meal is the atmosphere right?"
Suzuki sighed.
"Please enjoy your meal Madam."
He said this in an exasperated tone as Ichika began to eat.
"Woah! This is so good! 4 stars."
"Not 5?"
"Well, you did say Ayanokoji-Senpai's is better right? How could yours be 5 stars if that is the case?"
Suzuki made an irritated face but sighed.
'She's right. The difference is significant. Still it hurts my pride.'
"It's still really good though Senpai."
"So you'll partner with Sudo?"
"Yep. A deal is a deal Senpai."
"Then get out."
"Eh? So mean! Hehe."
Ichika left the dorm as she heard Suzuki lock the door. She sighed, walking out of earshot.
"Seems like Horikita-Senpai has excellent self control."
Ichika brushed off the crumbs from her chest.
"I'm pretty cute though right? Maybe Horikita Senpai only has eyes for Ayanokoji-Senpai. Even though there is no man worthy of her, the man she chooses should only look at her so I'm content with this. Hehe."
Ichika then put her finger on her lips.
"Actually I might want to find out his reaction to that first before accepting him."
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Library
Suzuki sat with Kiyomi when Nanase arrived at the library.
'She's here.'
Nanase sat down across from them.
"Sorry keep you waiting Ayanokoji-Senpai. Horiktia-Senpai."
"It's alright."
Suzuki wasn't bothered as she had arrived on time.
"So Nanase-San if it's possible could you tell me what Cladd 1-D's plans for pairing are moving forward?"
"We're staying to the same plan as before. 500K points for a pair."
Suzuki sighed.
"So that hasn't changed has it?"
"It hasn't."
"I was hoping for our classes to have a cooperative stance."
Nanase nodded.
"I understand what you mean. We would cover for each other's less academically capable students by pairing them with students from each other's class who are more academically capable."
Suzuki nodded.
"While I would agree with such a strategy it's not my place to decide that for the class. Right now Hosen-Kun is definitely our Class's leader."
Are you content with his leadership?"
"No, I am not. Eventually, our classmates will reach a dead end. The less capable ones academically won't be able to find partners. They could be seen as losers and ostracised from the rest of the class. Reducing the amount of points at this stage wouldn't change that. I honestly think it would be a detriment to the class later on."
"Are you scared of Hosen?"
"Of course I am."
"Nanase-San. Are you still willing to stand up? We can help each other."
Suzuki offered his hand.
"Horikita-Senpai. Holding out your hand like that will give a girl the wrong idea. Please be more considerate to Ayanokoji-Senpai."
Kiyomi was just listening in while drinking tea as Horikita seemed confused at Nanase's statement.
"Eh?"
Nanase blushed.
"You're quite handsome so try to consider that in your actions."
"Oh..."
'Wait is she trying to deflect the conversation?'
"Nanase-San. Are you willing to cooperate with us?"
"Naturally yes. I am."
'Just warning me huh?'
"However. Hosen-Kun would never allow us to help you for free."
"I believe that we should get along. Being allies will benefit both of us in the long run."
Nanase looked surprised but nodded.
"I agree but the only way to make it happen would be to convince Hosen-Kun."
"Could you talk to him?"
Nanse nodded.
"I'll do my best."
—————————————————————————————————————
Suzuki's Room
Suzuki brought out the food and placed it in front of Kiyomi.
"It might not be as great as yours but I figure that it should be quite good regardless."
Kiyomi nodded, taking a bite.
"It's good. But I can't say you're as far behind me as you assume."
"Really?"
"Yes. I'd say I'm only maybe 1 or 2 steps ahead of you."
Suzuki sighed.
"I know that's not true. I've tasted both my own and your's."
"Then try it."
Kiyomi held up the spoon.
"What?"
"Try it. You'll realise you're wrong if you try it."
Suzuki nodded as Kiyomi fed him a spoonful.
'Wait... what the! My food have never tasted this good before.'
Kiyomi pointed at the sweat on his forehead and his slight tiredness.
"You gave it a lot of effort in making this meal for me. That's why you were able to make it this well."
"I..."
'I didn't even notice. I just wanted her to have a nice meal is all.'
"You seem to have a switch that you can turn off and on regarding your effort. The difference between our cooking is that I can't really turn turn that switch off."
'That's a good thing though right?'
Suddenly, they heard a knock at the door. Suzuki looked to the interface, and then the next second, he began hitting his head into the wall. Kiyomi looked at him.
"Are you alright Suzuki?"
"A nuisance has arrived so I thought I could knock myself out before I have to let her in."
Kiyomi sighed, looking at the interface.
"Amasawa-San huh? We should probably let her in so we can hear out what she wants"
"First could you knock me out please?"
"You sure? That's not really advisable. It can cause problems later on in life if ...
"Please."
"Well I'm pretty sure I can make sure you're okay."
Kiyomi knocked him out as Suzuki was surprised.
'What the? How did she do it so easi... awaha...'
Suzuki fell onto the bed as Kiyomi covered him with blankets. Kiyomi then answered the intercom. Kiyomi let Ichika in as Ichika searched and found her hairband before leaving.
—————————————————————————————————————
A While Later
Suzuki could feel his consciousness returning to him.
'Ugh... she really knocked me out that easily.'
Suzuki opened his eyes to see Kiyomi sleeping on the floor.
'What the? She didn't have to stay until I woke up.'
He got up and checked on her.
'She looks... so beautiful right now.'
He reached out to touch her cheek as her eyes opened.
"Suzuki?"
"Oh um I was just..."
She got up and sat on his bed.
"You don't have to feel so flustered about touching me you know."
"Oh um. Yes. Uh. You're right."
Suzuki touched her cheek as Kiyomi leaned into his hand, feeling his warmth.
"Kiyomi. I really love you."
"I love you too."
"So if you're not ready then tell me okay?"
"Hm?"
Suzuki pulled her into a kiss, pinning her to the bed.
"Sorry I don't think this is the moment but... I can't help myself.."
Kiyomi smiled slightly.
"I think this moment is fine."
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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There is an 18.5 Chapter, but it is only available on my Wattpad Account. It is not relevant to the story and can be skipped, so whether you want to read it is up to you. Also, I think you know what content it will cover from the way this chapter ended.
Link: https://www.wattpad.com/1532780775-ayanokoji-san-isn%27t-just-a-cutie-finalized-part-18