Classroom of the Elite: Shadow puppeteer

Chapter 7: Friends

"Kikyou-chan, do you want to stop by the café on out way back today?"

"Sure, let's go! Oh, but wait a minute, okay? I want to invite one more person."

Kushida headed towards Horikita, who was putting her textbook into her bag.

"Horikita-san, would you like to come with us to a café today?" she asked.

"Not interested." Horikita threw Kushida's invitation back in her face, with no room for ambiguity. 

Couldn't you just lie and say you were planning to go shopping or that you were waiting for a friend?

Despite the harsh rejection, Kushida kept smiling. This wasn't particularly unusual scene. Ever since the entrance ceremony, Kushida tried to invite Horikita. No one had ever met with anything but rejection when they'd tried to invite Horikita.

"I see. Well then, I'll try inviting you again another time."

"Wait, Kushida-san." Surprisingly, Horikita called out to Kushida. Had she finally given up? "Don't invite me again. It's a bother." said Horikita coldly.

However, Kushida didn't appear saddened. Instead, she smiled as she answered, "I'll invite you again." 

Kushida then ran back to join her friends, and they left the hall.

"Kikyou-chan, just stop inviting Horikita-san. I hate her—"

Just before the door closed, I faintly heard one of the other girl's words. I looked at Horikita beside me, she must also have heard as well, but she gave no indication that she cared.

"You won't try to invite me places, will you?" she asked.

"Nope. I understand your personality well enough. It's pointless to even try."

"Atleast try first..." Horikita muttered.

It looks like she wanted me to invite her. I also thought it would be a good idea, but then I sensed someone looking at me and decided against it.

After Horikita finished getting ready, she walked out of the classroom, a bit disappointed. I guess she was expecting me to invite her after hearing her mutter. Well, lets do that tomorrow.

"Ayanokouji-kun, do you have a moment?"

Hirata, who was looking as us, called out as Horikita left. Unbothered, I responded to him softly. It was unusual for Hirata to notice me.

"It's about Horikita-san, actually. I was wondering if something was wrong. Some of the girls were talking about it earlier. Horikita-san always seems to be alone."

Maybe it wasn't Kushida especially. Perhaps Horikita was just the kind of person who strongly disliked company.

"Could you possibly tell her to try to get along with people a little?"

"Well, that's up to the individual, isn't it? Besides, Horikita isn't really making trouble for anyone else." I replied.

"You're right, of course. However, many people have voiced their concerns about it. I absolutely do not want any bullying in our class."

Bullying? Such talk seemed premature, but perhaps there were signs of it. Was he warning me, then? Hirata looked at me with purest of intentions.

"Don't worry about it, Horikita is a tough one. Even then if you want, I think it'd be better for you to tell her directly." I said.

"You have a point. Sorry for bringing it up."

Horikita was always alone, day after day. The only person she is on talking terms must be me. It's not that I don't like it, but I should try to do something that will atleast make her talk with other people in class.