Just as Natsuki Subaru had thought.
Although Kikyō Kushida had noticed Suzune Horikita's wariness after their last 'accidental encounter' and stopped deliberately hovering around her to avoid further provocation.
However, this did not mean that Kikyō Kushida was no longer paying attention to Suzune Horikita.
Kikyō Kushida was quite satisfied with her life at this academy; she was happy every single day.
She had made many friends, even more than she had in middle school, and many of them were gradually starting to confide their little secrets to her. Kikyō Kushida was completely addicted to this.
This academy, this class, was practically a paradise for her.
No one knew her past, and no one would look at her with strange eyes. She could start over, weaving a brand new, perfect web of relationships.
Every day, 'new' friends joined her circle.
Every day, she could hear the unknown secrets of her 'friends,' secrets shared only with her.
This feeling of being relied upon and trusted by others once again, this feeling of being needed and surrounded, was like a drug, making it impossible for Kikyō Kushida to pull herself away.
However, the more Kikyō Kushida liked her current life, the more she was addicted to her present state, the more she cared about Suzune Horikita—the one person who might know about her unbearable past.
Suzune Horikita's existence was like a thorn in her back.
Why?!
Why was that woman, Suzune Horikita, here?!
Suzune Horikita was like a discordant note, a noise that could pop Kikyō Kushida's meticulously maintained perfect bubble at any moment. Kikyō Kushida couldn't be sure if Suzune Horikita knew about her past.
But even if there was only a one in ten thousand, or one in a hundred thousand, chance, it was enough to make Kikyō Kushida unable to sit still in her free moments.
Over the past week, Kikyō Kushida had observed both Natsuki Subaru and Kiyotaka Ayanokōji.
Kikyō Kushida was surprised to find that the few of them who had barely spoken before had actually broken the ice after her 'accidental encounter' plan. The three of them would occasionally interact and talk.
And she was the only one left out.
This made Kikyō Kushida practically explode with anger.
However, the thawing of the relationship between Natsuki Subaru and Suzune Horikita was, in Kikyō Kushida's eyes, a brand new breakthrough—not just for getting to Suzune Horikita, but for understanding Natsuki Subaru himself.
At the start of the school year, Natsuki Subaru's words also constantly replayed in her mind.
'If you have too many friends, it might just become a considerable burden. Don't you think, Kikyo-san?'
This sentence had also kept Kikyō Kushida up at night.
Perhaps in the eyes of others, it was a very normal and ordinary sentence, but for Kikyō Kushida, it was not.
This seemingly weary and easygoing boy always gave her an unfathomable feeling.
...
The cafeteria.
Natsuki Subaru and Kikyō Kushida sat side by side.
Perhaps to seem a bit more intimate, the distance between Kikyō Kushida and Natsuki Subaru was slightly lacking in 'personal space,' but it wasn't a particularly ambiguous distance either.
"Why does Kikyo-san think my relationship with Horikita-san has gotten a little better?"
Looking at the insincere Kikyō Kushida, the smile on Natsuki Subaru's face grew thicker as he explained with a smile, "Although Horikita-san and I have exchanged a few words this week, most of it was just her unilaterally mocking me."
"To be honest, even if you wanted to ask me for advice, Kikyo, I wouldn't know where to start."
That was a lie.
Suzune Horikita seemed hard to approach, but she was surprisingly easy to understand.
It was just a bit of a hassle. Natsuki Subaru was happy and interested in watching the drama between Kikyō Kushida and Suzune Horikita, but if he had to get personally involved, then Natsuki Subaru would have to say no.
Suzune Horikita's 'genuine article' weight wasn't high. Rather than spend that effort on her, Natsuki Subaru would rather go to the library to read novels with Hiyori Shiina and enjoy some quiet time.
Over the past week, it was the relationship between Natsuki Subaru and Hiyori Shiina that had truly progressed rapidly.
Of course, this relationship was strictly limited to that between friends.
They had already reached the point where they could schedule a time to meet up and read together.
"But, didn't you hit the nail on the head last time, Subaru-kun?"
Kikyō Kushida leaned over pitifully and said softly, "Last time, before we even 'accidentally' met Horikita-san, you said that the plan probably wouldn't succeed."
"And you were right, Subaru-kun."
"So, I think you might understand Horikita-san better, Subaru-kun."
"Besides, didn't you say it before?"
"You're my number one friend, you'll be my wingman and help me..."
Kikyō Kushida's smooth combo was truly seamless.
A normal person probably wouldn't be able to refuse a Kikyō Kushida like this. Of course, Natsuki Subaru was not a normal person... but then again, if it was just a matter of giving advice, then Natsuki Subaru was interested.
In Natsuki Subaru's mind, everyone had a weight based on their potential to be a 'genuine article'.
In first place, without a doubt, was Hiyori Shiina, who had already displayed some of the effects of a 'genuine article'. She had now become Natsuki Subaru's substitute—a substitute for the Emilia who once had color.
In second place was the Kikyō Kushida before him, in whom Natsuki Subaru had seen a sliver of his own shadow.
Third place... there was no one at the moment, but if he had to name someone, Suzune Horikita, who was somewhat similar to his former self, his self before being transported, could count as one.
Compared to the random NPCs, Natsuki Subaru could at least remember Suzune Horikita.
With Kikyō Kushida's current weight, it was absolutely impossible to get Natsuki Subaru to act personally.
Never mind someone who just had the possibility of being a genuine article; even back when Emilia had color, Natsuki Subaru wouldn't have listened to a single word she said. It would be a huge mistake to think that a 'genuine article' could reform the 'Purge King'.
A 'genuine article' could only make Natsuki Subaru feel a bit more comfortable, calm him down, and alleviate the anxiety in his heart.
Or rather, the Emilia, Reinhard, and Ram of the past were just people Natsuki Subaru unilaterally considered to be 'genuine articles'. If they were truly 'genuine articles', they wouldn't have lost their color in the first place.
All in all, just helping Kikyō Kushida analyze the situation and offer some suggestions was certainly no problem. Natsuki Subaru could give some of his opinions for her to reference.
As for the actual execution, Kikyō Kushida would have to rely on herself.
___
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