Ayanokouji What If: Popularity Time

V5 Chapter 7: A Single Red Thread

Kiyotaka Pov
"We are so screwed," groaned Akito from the ground. Class D had just been utterly by Class B in the Tug-Of-War.

Without Ken and Horikita, we had to make multiple substitutions to a point where our team could not keep up with the burden as well as the economic strain now weighing on our shoulders.

Students like Onodera and Hirata had to take their places, which, for the most part proved to be efficient to at least maintain high placements, but when they got tired, relying on the far weaker students was simply not an option.

Beside me, Hirata sighed as he looked at his phone.

"Is it really ok to keep using your points like that Hirata? I can also lend some points to the cause, y'know."

Hirata smiled weakly and shook his head, "it's no problem, Ayanokouji-Kun. You already use your wit to help our class, it's time I used my points to help as well."

"Even if you see it as your burden, you have to admit it would be far more efficient to rely on my and other peoples' points, no?"

"Correct, but I would rather you and the others keep your points in case of an emergeny. Instead of having to make everyone spend points and make the already poorer students pay, it's much more beneficial to have someone like me with a lot of points pay."

"I'm not sure I understand your reasoning..."

Hirata opened his mouth but his response died before it began when Kikyo interrupted him, "yoohoo, Kiyotaka-Kun, Hirata-Kun!"

"Ah, Kikyo. What did you need?"

"For the mixed-gender three-legged race, I was thinking of using my own points to substitute myself," the "angel" said.

"Hmm, are you sure Kikyo," I said suddenly, "you seem a bit sluggish."

She looked at me and nodded, "oh...right, I'm kinda tired! Maybe I could ask someone else to sub in for Horikita-San?"

Hirata nodded, "hmm, maybe Onod-"

"Perhaps someone like Karuizawa would help. After all, she hasn't participated in the last few events."

"Oh a-ah right," stammered Hirata, "could one of you go talk to her about it?"

"Hmm? What's wrong Hirata-Kun?" pried Kikyo. At first glance, her eyes displayed an innocent curiosity. After a moment of inspection with a keen eye, you would realize the malice lurking beneath it.

"Nothing, I just...it's complicated."

"OK, I won't pry! But tell me if you ever want to!"

I side-eyed the beige-haired girl, and she just smiled at me in a chilling communication.

Kikyo finally nodded, "I'll go tell Karuizawa-San our plan!"

The girl ran off to the tent, leaving me and Hirata alone. The soccer player sighed and shook his head, "I wish Karuizawa-San would talk to me. I just feel so awful about the situation. Has she told you anything?"

I shook my head, "nothing. Although, I don't think Manabe is continuing the bullying."

"I thought so as well-her demeanor doesn't suggest anything like that happening."

"She seems to be someone who shows when their rattled. During the last exam, Horikita reported to me that Karuizawa was acting strange during the meetings. That's what clued me off to something being wrong."

"Right. I just hope that somehow Manabe-San and her worked things out."

"It's not very likely. We'll see after this exam, since Manabe no doubt has been busy preparing for the festival."