In practice, I can issue tasks to my master.

Kikyo Kushida mentally scoffed, then continued the conversation: "That's true, but Horikita-kun, it does surprise me a little... that you would say something like that?"

"I'm sorry, but I feel like you're a completely different person now compared to before..."

Horikita Suzune nodded: "It's just that I suddenly realized some things, and people always change, don't they?"

"Kushida-kun, you must have experienced something like this before, right? Suddenly understanding something or a principle overnight."

"Haha...that's true."

Kikyo Kushida was thinking about something unpleasant.

She decided to change the subject: "So, what does Horikita-san want to know? I won't tell you anything too private, okay?"

Horikita Suzune hesitated for a moment.

Actually, she didn't know how to understand a person, since she had never done such a thing before.

But she still knows some basic common sense.

"Kushida-kun, I apologize for my tone when you mentioned feeling stressed about your studies."

"And then, regarding that stress-relief method that Nangong told you and Karuizawa Kei about... have you tried it? How did it feel after trying it? Can you tell me?"

"Forehead……"

Kikyo Kushida had planned everything, but she hadn't expected Suzune Horikita to apologize to her... Although it sounded unemotional, at least she said it sincerely.

This is truly bizarre.

Nangong Cheng, what kind of spell did you cast on Horikita Suzune? Is she still the same cold and aloof woman?

As for the decompression method...

"Horikita-kun, why do you want to know about this? Do you often feel a lot of pressure and need to release it?"

Horikita Suzune nodded: "Everyone experiences stress, right? And I've read some psychology books that mention a special condition called 'smiling depression'."

"Simply put, it means that a person may appear to be smiling or cheerful on the outside, but they are actually experiencing suppressed and depressed emotions inside."

"So I was worried about you, Kushida-kun... If I'm wrong, I apologize."

Kikyo Kushida twitched the corner of her mouth.

He almost couldn't hold back his smile.

Although she doesn't think she has depression, her situation does indeed highly overlap with the description of this condition.

Bad news: I guessed right by accident.

Good news: You can say you have depression now.

Thank you Horikita Suzune for the golden statue!

"I see, but I don't have depression, you know?" Kikyo Kushida adjusted her demeanor, making sure her voice didn't betray her emotions.

"But I still want to thank Horikita for your concern, and with Horikita's help with tutoring, I think my stress will be greatly reduced."

Horikita Suzune nodded.

As for whether she believed Kikyo Kushida's story... it's hard to say for now.

"So, Kushida-kun, you did indeed adopt Nangong's stress-relief methods before?"

No, are you that curious?

Did you know that curiosity killed the cat?

After mentally complaining, Kikyo Kushida replied, "Hmm... Horikita-kun, you probably don't know about the stress-relief method that Minamiya-kun mentioned..."

"I know."

"Ok?"

Kikyo Kushida paused for a moment.

Then Horikita Suzune said in a serious tone, "I asked Karuizawa that day, and then Nangong sent me a video."

"Haha...I see..."

So you freaking know what Nangong Cheng's stress-relief method is, right?!

If you want to know what it feels like, just deduct it yourself!

This is ridiculous!

"Sorry, this is a very private question. Let's talk about something more casual." Horikita Suzune suddenly apologized again.

"Are you alright...?"

When Kikyo Kushida saw that Suzune Horikita had finally stopped asking about the topic, she breathed a sigh of relief and waved her hand to indicate that it was okay.

But who would have thought there would be a second hurdle?

"Kushida-san, do you like Nangong?"

Volume 1: Chapter 54, Karuizawa Megumi's Confession

Not sisters?

Why don't you listen to what you're saying first?

She, Kikyo Kushida, likes Makoto Nangong?

Don't make your sister Kushida laugh.

"Horikita-kun, what does this mean?"

"Look at the stage—Karuizawa is practically glued to Nangong. Shouldn't you ask her if she likes Nangong?"

Horikita Suzune followed Kushida Kikyo's finger to look at the stage, then nodded: "Karuizawa-san does seem to have a lot of feelings for Nangong."

“But I see that Kushida-kun, you steal glances at Nangong at least ten times a day on average, and on the most days, it even reached a frequency of once every ten minutes.”

"what?"

Kikyo Kushida is a bit stuck in Bengbu again.

No, you...

Is something wrong with you?

Seeing Kikyo Kushida's dazed expression, Horikita Suzune assumed she was embarrassed after being caught, so she raised her hand and patted her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to peek at you, Kushida. After all, you know that Nangong and I are deskmates, and we're sitting in the back row, so it's impossible for me not to notice when you look over."

"Then... as far as I know, if a girl pays so much attention to a boy, there's a high probability that she has a crush on him or even a secret crush..."

Kikyo Kushida's smile froze slightly.

Isn't that ridiculous?

Would she like Nangong Cheng?

What a joke!

She'd love for him to drop out of school with you!

"Horikita-kun, while your statement isn't entirely wrong, it's definitely very one-sided."

In other words, the singing had to be loud enough, and everyone else was talking too; otherwise, if someone heard it, it would be a huge mess.

Kikyo Kushida quickly explained and changed the subject: "At least I'm definitely not in love with Nangong. The reason I was secretly looking at him was because I wanted to find an opportunity to talk to him about the competition in our class."

"But Horikita-kun, everyone knows you were the first girl to get to know Nangong-kun, and you were also there when you were selling information. Everyone is curious about what kind of relationship you two have."

Horikita Suzune nodded thoughtfully.

Then, regarding the new topic of Kikyo Kushida's transfer, she replied, "Don't worry, there is absolutely no way I could fall in love with Nangong. My relationship with him will only be that of a pure observer and the observed, a learner and the learned."

"Although there is inevitably some exchange of benefits involved, I assure you it will absolutely not affect your relationship."

"Ah ha ha……"

Tired, destroy it.

Kikyo Kushida was too lazy to explain.

She really wanted to suggest that we talk about tutoring, but she still had one question she wanted to ask—

"Horikita-kun doesn't seem like the type to be interested in dating topics, so why are you talking to me about this?"

Horikita Suzune explained, "As you saw what happened during the day, I'm worried that if one of you and Nangong confirms a romantic relationship, it might affect your special exam later due to relationship issues or other problems."

Kikyo Kushida suddenly realized.

So that's what it was all about?

It seems that even though Horikita Suzune has been influenced and changed a bit by Nangong, she still only has her class, exams, and herself on her mind.

"Don't worry~ I can't guarantee anything about others, but I definitely won't date Nangong."

"If something similar really happens, I will try my best to help!"

"Ah."

Horikita Suzune nodded, and then chatted with Kushida Kikyo about some really ordinary topics.

Nangong Cheng also finished his duet with Karuizawa Kei. Seeing that Kushida Kikyo and Horikita Suzune were chatting quite harmoniously, he didn't go over to disturb them. Instead, he chatted with Karuizawa Kei back and forth.

The night passed quietly amidst songs and laughter.

Because they had classes the next day, everyone didn't stay out too late and finished around nine o'clock, then left in groups.

Nangong Cheng figured he had finished distributing today's tasks, so he decided to head back.

but--

"Nangong, I... I have something I'd like to talk to you about privately. Is that... convenient for you?"

Karuizawa Kei gritted her teeth, finally mustered up her courage, and decided to take the initiative while things were going well tonight.

At this moment, Horikita Suzune and Kushida Kikyo, who were also preparing to leave, looked over at the same time after hearing Karuizawa Megumi's words.

"I'm leaving, you guys chat."

Horikita Suzune had no interest in Nangong Cheng's private life, so she simply pushed open the door and left.

Kikyo Kushida smiled politely, though a little awkwardly: "Good luck, Karuizawa-san!"

Then she left in a hurry.

Nangong Cheng looked at Karuizawa Kei, who was twisting her fingers with her head down, and asked, "Karuizawa-san, are you planning to talk here... or somewhere else?"

"Come to my room, shall we?"

"Alright, let's go then." After saying that, Nangong Cheng pushed open the door and walked out.

There's no need to guess what's going on right now.

Karuizawa Megumi also wanted to follow Kushida Kikyo's example and leave her handprint... oh no, I should say she wanted to play a game of truth or dare.

As Nangong Cheng walked, he pondered how to handle the situation.

Soon, they returned to the student dormitory building.

Which floor is your room on?

"12th floor, room number 1202."

While the student dormitories at the Advanced Education Center can be described as co-ed, strictly speaking, they are actually divided according to class.

所以如果轻井泽惠住在12层的话，那D班其他女生的房间应该就是分布在11~13或者10~12这三个楼层里了。

The elevator runs very fast.

"Ding~"

Karuizawa Kei, who had remained silent the entire way, left the elevator almost right on time.

Nangong Cheng followed silently.

"Snap—"

"boom."

The room door was closed.