Suzune Horikita really did give off a somewhat arrogant, self-righteous impression, making it difficult for others to develop a favorable opinion of her.
It wasn't particularly strange for someone to want to tease her a little.
Of course, there had to be limits.
And Ryouma hadn't done anything particularly excessive.
However...
Suzune didn't seem to mind Amakawa addressing her by her first name.
'Could it be that Horikita actually has some favorable feelings toward Amakawa?'
Chiaki cautiously tested the waters.
"Then, would it be okay if I called you Ryouma-kun too? You can just call me Chiaki."
"Of course!"
Ryouma nodded with a smile.
In Japan, people generally only addressed each other by their given names once they had reached a certain level of familiarity, using it as a way to express closeness or friendship.
From the looks of things...
Chiaki Matsushita seemed to have some ideas about him.
In other words, she was probably interested in dating him.
With his handsome appearance and his status as the heir to the Amakawa conglomerate, he could practically be considered Matsushita's ideal partner.
Unfortunately...
Although Matsushita was exceptionally beautiful, she wasn't a genius possessing any extraordinary talent.
At best, she could only be considered a useful individual.
Before long, the two arrived at the school cafeteria.
Ryouma and Chiaki each purchased the most expensive Set A meal before finding a table in a corner and sitting down.
As expected of a school supported by the government, the cafeteria was remarkably spacious.
Even if the number of students increased severalfold, it would probably still have more than enough room to accommodate everyone.
They hadn't been seated for very long when Hirata arrived at the cafeteria with a group of girls.
"Amakawa-kun, Matsushita-san."
Carrying a rather modest-looking meal tray, Hirata approached Ryouma with his usual refreshing smile.
"Sorry, but we couldn't find anywhere suitable to sit. If you don't mind, could we eat together?"
Before Ryouma and Chiaki could respond, a blonde girl with a ponytail standing beside Hirata moved closer to Matsushita.
Her pale blue eyes sparkled like precious gems.
She had casually tied her school uniform jacket around her waist, while her skirt was so short that it hovered right at the boundary of 'almost being able to see something.'
Her skin was smooth and delicate, and her face was undeniably beautiful.
Unfortunately, her flashy gyaru fashion and mannerisms somewhat diminished the overall impression.
Kei Karuizawa.
Her gyaru appearance was nothing more than a protective disguise meant to conceal the weakness deep within her heart.
The real Kei Karuizawa had suffered bullying beyond what ordinary people could imagine during middle school.
She had even sustained a potentially fatal injury as a result.
Beneath that blue shirt of hers, there should still be a scar from a wound that could have cost her life.
Upon entering high school...
This girl had resolved to start over somewhere nobody knew her.
Even if it meant sacrificing everything and becoming a parasite dependent on someone powerful, she never wanted to return to those days of bullying.
And even more than that, she couldn't bear the thought of someone exposing her past.
When rumors about Kushida began spreading throughout the class...
Kei Karuizawa had been terrified as well.
She hadn't even used her position as a leader among the girls to show concern for Kushida.
She was afraid of being targeted by someone she didn't know.
At this moment...
"Seriously, Matsushita, you're so mean! You just went ahead and left without waiting for us!"
As she spoke, Karuizawa glanced at Amakawa before continuing with a somewhat smug expression.
"Don't tell me... you're on a date with Amakawa? Ahh, how youthful! Damn it, I'm so jealous!"
"Sorry~"
Matsushita apologized without the slightest trace of remorse.
"Wasn't I just giving you and Hirata-kun a chance to spend some time together? Right?"
Hirata merely responded with his usual refreshing smile, seemingly completely unbothered by Matsushita's teasing.
"Oh, stop joking around! We've only known each other for two days~"
Karuizawa brushed her hair and laughed, giving a small dismissive wave of her hand.
Clearly, she didn't seem particularly bothered either.
At the same time...
Ryouma keenly noticed something.
While Karuizawa was speaking, she had secretly been studying him before glancing at Hirata.
"Hirata, there's no need to be so polite."
Ryouma pulled his tray a little closer to himself, making room for the others.
"We're all classmates, after all. Come on, have a seat."
"Thank you, Ryouma-kun. You've really helped us out."
Hirata seemed to breathe a sigh of relief before turning toward the girls beside him with a cheerful smile.
"All right, everyone, let's sit down."
Perhaps because they understood Hirata's personality, the girls quickly took their seats, leaving Hirata to sit down last.
For some reason...
The girls seemed to have reached a silent agreement, leaving the seat directly opposite Ryouma for Hirata.