Reincarnated as Horikita Suzune

Chapter 6 : Encounter with the Goddess

"Horikita San, you really helped us out, didn't you?"

I just stared deadpanned at the smiling beauty in front of me. Kushida Kikyou, I really want to interrogate what you did with Ayanokouji Kun behind my back. But I'll leave that for later.

"I think you know how much I helped didn't you Kushida San?"

"Hmmm... I have no idea."

Ugh, this brat.

"Horikita San! Would you come to pool with us?" I was surprised when I heard my name being called out. I turned beside me to see Satou San waving at me. Beside her was her entire entourage who were looking at me expectantly.

"Er.. Sure, I guess"

I was quickly pulled over by the girls leaving Kushida behind. When I turned to look at Kushida...

Let's say I wished I hadn't turned towards her at all.

"Horikita San, actually we wanted to ask you a favour."

"Do you need something?"

"During the swimming classes, you swam very well. In fact, you were second just to Onodera San. So, we were hoping if you would teach us swimming to?"

"Can't you just ask Onodera San? She swims much better than me as far as I know"

"Actually, about that... we aren't on good terms with her"

Huh? What the hell was this about. I hadn't read this in the original plot. Could this be consequences of changes I brought in the plot? I really couldn't remember Onodera having bad blood with the girls.

"S-Sure I guess."

If there was something I excelled at and was passionate about, it was swimming. Somehow, Onodera was more capable than me. Then again, this Universe has someone like Ayanokouji. Logic is the last thing I should expect here.

And so began the hectic day of teaching annoying brats. Sure, I enjoyed my time with Satou San. It's sad that Karuizawa San couldn't come. Apparently, she wasn't feeling well. But I knew the real reason she wasn't accompanying us. Maybe, I can help her this time...

Turns out I wasn't the only one who knew about it. As soon as our swimming session concluded. Satou San invited me to coffee. We said our goodbyes to rest of the group and entered the café. It was cold today for some reason. Winds were having a fun time.

"Actually Horikita San, I wanted to talk to you about Karuizawa San."

"Hmm, go ahead Satou San."

Satou San took a deep breath before saying, "Yesterday I invited Karuizawa San for swimming too. But she declined."

"What's the problem then?" I asked as I sipped the coffee mug.

"She... She didn't sound good. Nervous to be precise."

Pretending to be someone else was bound to be a risky business. Karuizawa isn't Kushida who takes fun in hiding her true self. But she never did this in the official plot ever. Was this some new shit I had to deal with? I wanted to help Karuizawa San... I really did... but...

"Satou San, you are overthinking it. Karuizawa San might just be having a bad day and you called her at the very moment."

"But.."

"If I were Karuizawa San, I really wouldn't appreciate someone I don't know much about interfering in my personal life."

"B-But me and Karuizawa are friends."