Ayanokouji What If: Popularity Time

V5 Chapter 8: The Big Bang

Kiyotaka Pov

As the class gathered again to discuss the next event, the 1,200 meter dash, an air of uncertainty and panic weaved through the crowd.

This event could decide the Sports Festival's Team Competitions, with the gap between White and Red being minuscule. If Class D could pull off a win or at least place high in the competition, they could avoid the 100-point demerit.

"Are they still not back yet?" asked Yamauchi.

"No Yamauchi, they're right here," I said, joking.

The boy didn't seem to catch my sarcasm and scratched his head, "eh? Usually, I sense hot chicks a mile away! But I don't sense Horikita-Chan anywhere?"

"Disgusting," groaned Hondo.

"You're kidding, right?" asked Maezono suddenly. Hondo looked at her, "what do you mean? You don't seriously think what he what he said wasn't weird?"

"Hondo-Kun, you're literally a pervert as well!"

"Eh? N-no no! I'm reformed!"

"Sure, so if we check under your bed we won't find porn mags?"

Before the roasting reached a boiling point, we were all interrupted by a loud cry, "hey guys!"

Ken emerged from behind the tent with a cold-looking Horikita. We both exchanged glances and she, in response, smiled?

I guess things worked out. Or maybe he seduced her.

"Sudo-Kun?"

"Ken!"

"Kenny boo boo bear don't ever do that again!"

While some of the greetings were cheerful, the vast majority were negative. Ken, to the shock of everyone, bowed down deeply, "I'm sorry I was gone for so long! I had to take a dump!"

"What."

"You're kidding."

"THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE APOLOGIZING FOR?!"

The athlete abruptly stopped his cheerful act and looked at everyone straight on, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for hitting Hirata when he was only trying to help, and then storming off. I'm also really sorry for being such a dick to you guys when you were all trying so hard!"

It seems Horikita truly reached him in some way. I wonder if she finally realized their similarities.

You know, both struggling with earning respect, being rizzless, as well as their own issues with mannerisms and how they handle social situations that do not always cater to what they exactly want.

Everyone, in shock just stared. I could have spoken, but I decided to wait for Hirata to speak.

Hirata suddenly began to laugh, "Sudo-Kun, what happened to you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, before you wouldn't have apologized, but...you seem to have matured," clarified Hirata.

"Oh yeah," said Ken, as if it were common sense, "I guess someone just reached me in a way no one has before."

As he spoke, he looked to Horikita, who nodded, "it was an experience for both us. Ike-Kun, Yamauchi-Kun, Karuizawa-San, and everyone else. I apologize for the cold way in which I dismissed you all before. I foolishly believed that you all were useless, but, I could not have been more wrong."

"Eh?"

"What is even happening anymore?"

"Perhaps I should go get a lottery ticket!"