21 -21- Definitely become popular

Horikita Suzune's departure without any mercy left the atmosphere somewhat awkward for a moment.

"Ahaha..." Kushida Kikyou could only laugh dryly and say, "It seems that Horikita-san doesn't like me very much."

As she said this, Kushida Kikyou's eyes revealed a sense of gloom and dejection that anyone could perceive.

That look of dismay could almost evoke a protective instinct in any man.

Even Ayanokouji Kiyotaka couldn't help but say, "Don't mind her, that's just how Horikita is, it's not just about you."

That was indeed the truth.

Not only for Kushida Kikyou, but for anyone in the class who tried to talk to Horikita Suzune, the result would be the same, right?

However...

"Is that really the case?" Kushida Kikyou looked back and forth between Hori and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka with a mixture of unease and doubt, saying, "But Horikita seems to often talk to both of you."

That was also true.

In the class, if Horikita Suzune showed any willingness to talk to anyone, it would only be Hori and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, no one else.

To this, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka just said, "Because we're seated together and don't have much to say to others, so we occasionally exchange a few words, but the relationship isn't that good."

Perhaps that was the reason.

Since they were seated together, it was inevitable that they would have a few conversations.

But that was it.

Neither Hori nor Ayanokouji Kiyotaka meant anything special to Horikita Suzune, not even friends, just ordinary classmates.

The relationship among the three of them was definitely not good.

"Is that so?" Kushida Kikyou, feeling either comforted or something else, asked Hori, "Is Nanaya-kun the same?"

There was only one answer to this question.

"At least, I don't think I'm close to that prickly black rose."

Hori's unique response made Kushida Kikyou chuckle.

"Nanaya-kun's way of speaking has always been so unique." Kushida Kikyou said for no apparent reason, "If Nanaya-kun could communicate more with the classmates, he would definitely be very popular, right?"

"Me? Popular?" Hori chuckled in disbelief, "You really give me evaluations I would never expect."

Last time she said Hori was a good person, and now she's saying Hori could be popular. Kushida Kikyou really kept giving Hori inappropriate evaluations.

However, Kushida Kikyou said, "I'm not saying this just to flatter you, you know?"

Kushida Kikyou revealed some news.

"On the list of handsome boys made by the girls, Nanaya-kun ranks third, just behind the first-place student in Class A and the second-place student, Hirata-kun, in Class D."

As she spoke, Kushida Kikyou took out her phone, opened a page of a girls' group chat, and displayed a ranking list.

This list seemed to be a voting type, where everyone could vote, and the ranking was based on the number of votes.

And just as Kushida Kikyou said, on this list, a student from Class A took the first place, Hirata Yousuke, who was one of the central figures in Class D, took the second place, and Hori unexpectedly ranked third, even Ayanokouji Kiyotaka ranked fifth.

"...Really?" Even Hori was dumbfounded upon learning this.

"...I had no idea," Even Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was speechless upon seeing himself ranked fifth.

Kushida Kikyou, on the other hand, continued to explain to the two.

"According to the girls' evaluations, although Nanaya-kun is a bit reclusive, he exercises regularly every morning, must have a good daily routine, and must be very fit. Especially since he won against the Student Council President in a race, attracting the attention of the track and field club members, so he scored high points. Especially among the girls, many think being cool like that is quite nice, so many people voted for him. As for Ayanokouji-kun, he's usually unremarkable, but in terms of looks, he's quite outstanding. The girls have noticed, but unfortunately he's too gloomy, so he's the first on the girls' gloomy list."

The new information from Kushida Kikyou made both Hori and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's eyes twitch at the same time.

I can't believe I've been comprehensively evaluated by the girls without even knowing it?

It's hard to decide whether to be happy about it or not.

Especially Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, learning that he ranks high on the gloomy list, makes him feel uneasy.

Only Kushida Kikyou seems to be enjoying it.

"Both Nanaya and Ayanokouji are considered handsome types in the girls' eyes. If they could interact more with everyone like Hirata-kun, they would definitely become popular. I can guarantee that," Kushida Kikyou said with a smile.

Hori and Ayanokouji exchanged looks, one chuckled helplessly, and the other sighed weakly.

"And with that said, aren't you going to give it a try?" Kushida Kikyou asked.

"...Don't force me. If I could do it, I wouldn't have teamed up with Ike and Yamauchi," Ayanokouji responded.

Indeed, if Ayanokouji could interact with others casually, he wouldn't have been so reserved.

Of course, Hori didn't have the intention to build relationships just to be popular.

By the way, Ike and Yamauchi, mentioned by Ayanokouji, are two unpopular boys in the class who have somewhat associated with Ayanokouji.

In any case, it's practically impossible for Hori and Ayanokouji to interact friendly with others.

One speaks bluntly, the other has communication barriers. No matter how you look at it, they can't become popular as Kushida Kikyou suggested.

"Haha..." 

Kushida Kikyou chuckled again and quickly changed the topic, "By the way, as I mentioned earlier, we're planning to go to Keyaki Mall next. Would Nanaya and Ayanokouji like to join us? There are other guys too."

Kushida Kikyou's invitation made Ayanokouji feel a bit refreshed.

"...Can I come?" Ayanokouji's tone remained unchanged, but he must be happy inside, right?

Being invited by a cute girl is a rare experience for this shy guy who wants to make friends.

"What about Nanaya-kun? Do you want to come along?" Kushida Kikyou looked at Hori with hopeful eyes.

No guy would want to refuse being looked at like that by a cute girl.

Hori was an exception.

But...

"That's fine," Hori thought.

"Next month is coming soon, before the 'change' arrives, let's see what's going on in the class."

So, Hori, unusually, agreed to go.