Chapter 25 Are You Interested in Relationship?

At the end of the month, Keyaki Mall seemed less crowded than it was at the beginning.

"It seems like everyone has used up their points, so they don't hang around like before," observed Kushida Kikyou.

"Yep," agreed Karuizawa Kei, as they walked ahead of the group, enjoying the window shopping.

Fang Li and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka followed behind the group silently, observing the scene.

They expected Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki to be following Kushida Kikyou, trying to impress her. Instead, the two were clinging onto Hirata Yousuke, emanating an unnatural aura.

"What's going on?" wondered Hirata Yousuke, looking uncomfortable.

Ignoring his discomfort, Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki approached him with a serious expression.

"Hey, Hirata. Can we ask you a question?" they asked.

Hirata Yousuke, taken aback by their intimidating demeanor, stiffly nodded in response.

Ike Kanji was the first to ask, "I heard you're going out with Karuizawa. Is it true?" He went straight to the point, and Hirata Yousuke suddenly panicked. "Huh? How do you know?" he asked, trying to conceal the matter.

Unfortunately, Yamauchi Haruki revealed the facts. "Everyone in the class has already found out, and even students in other classes know," he said kindly. "You can only blame yourself for being too popular. The boys are anxious for the girls to shift their attention away from you, so everyone is aware that you have a girlfriend. The news spread quickly."

Yamauchi Haruki seemed to still have some credit, and Hirata Yousuke smiled helplessly. Karuizawa Kei, who seemed to have overheard the conversation, hugged Hirata Yousuke's arm directly. "Didn't I say that this matter can't be hidden for long?" she said happily, proud that what she had predicted has come true.

Just as boys would be proud if they went out with cute girls, girls would also feel that going out with popular boys is a worthy show. At least, Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki understood Karuizawa Kei's response that way. However, Kushida Kikyou had a different interpretation. "Well, Karuizawa-san looks very happy," she said enviously. "If I can find a boy who loves and cares for me, I'll also be in love."

Kushida Kikyou's words made Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki's hearts race. They coughed nervously, trying to gain her attention and convey the message, "I'm the one." However, Kushida Kikyou did not notice them at all and continued chatting with Hirata Yousuke and Karuizawa Kei.

"If it's Kushida-san, there will be many guys who would like to go out with you," Hirata Yousuke said sincerely.

"Which student do you like? Do you want me to help you explore?" Karuizawa Kei asked eagerly, like a girl who loves gossip.

The issue raised by Karuizawa Kei caught the attention of Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki, and they stopped coughing and listened closely. They were worried that Kushida Kikyou already had someone she liked. However, Kushida Kikyou said hurriedly and with a bit of embarrassment, "No! I don't like anyone yet!"

Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki's faces lit up at the same time, hoping that they might have a chance with her. Unfortunately, these two idiots failed to realize that if she didn't like someone, that meant they were not in consideration for Kushida Kikyou's affections too.

Even Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who rarely spoke up, couldn't bear it any longer. He took the initiative to say something. "It's not about liking someone. It's about having an interest in them. Is there anyone you would consider pursuing a relationship with?"

Hearing Ayanokoji's words, the group nodded in agreement. "I think the boys in our class are pretty great," Hirata Yousuke said to Kushida Kikyou with a friendly smile. "What do you think, Kushida-san?"

Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki looked at Hirata with gratitude in their eyes.

Karuizawa Kei retorted, "Boys in our class? I don't think so. They're all immature. Except for Yousuke, no one else is worth considering. Kushida should think about boys from other classes who are better, like those from Class-A."

Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki looked at Karuizawa Kei with anger.

Kushida Kikyou hesitated before saying, "Someone from our class that I'm interested in?"

Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki's hearts skipped a beat.

"What...what happened, Kushida-chan?"

"Could it be that you're interested in someone from our class?"

The two were shaking as they asked the question, completely unaware of it.

Kushida Kikyou just raised her eyes and stared in one direction. "Um..."

Fang Li, who was walking alongside Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, noticed this and raised his eyebrows.

Everyone soon realized that Kushida Kikyou was looking in Fang Li's direction.

Hirata Yousuke felt strange and asked, "Is Kushida-san interested in Nanaya-san?"

The atmosphere of the whole group changed immediately.

Karuizawa Kei was as straightforward as ever, "No way. Are you really interested in that lonely guy, Kushida?"

Kushida Kikyou blushed and denied it quickly. "No, no! Not really..." only her statement seemed like she is just shy.

Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki looked at Fang Li with vicious expressions.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka slowly moved away from Fang Li, not wanting to be caught in the crossfire.

Fang Li frowned as he looked at Kushida Kikyou, feeling skeptical.