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When facing an idiot, what kind of look would the other person have?
It must be a complex expression of three parts shock, three parts confusion, three parts pity, mixed with one part disdain!
Kushida was certainly not a psychic, unable to precisely discern the exact proportion of various emotions in a person's eyes.
But this didn't prevent her from understanding the naked astonishment in Shimizu's eyes—it was clearly the look one would give to a hopeless idiot!
She was all too familiar with it.
After all, in recent days, whenever she looked at those two clowns, Yamauchi and Ike, in her class, it was precisely this kind of look that flickered in her eyes.
'Shimizu Akira! He dares to look at me with the same eyes he uses for Yamauchi and Ike! He dares to treat me like an idiot!'
Kushida bit her lower lip tightly, almost letting out that curse.
What's wrong with this guy?
Is he treating me like a fool?
Am I really that stupid in your eyes?
Kushida couldn't help but carefully recall her actions over the past few days.
That night, it seemed she'd actively offered herself, not only giving eighty thousand private points but also sacrificing her first touch on her chest.
And later! The other party only got four votes, yet she inexplicably sent swimsuit photos...
Recalling this incident, Kushida wished she could travel back in time and slap her past self.
'Was my brain filled with water at the time? I'd already paid eighty thousand points, so his help was simply his duty! Why did I have to be so tearfully grateful to him?!'
Now that she thought about it, this was clearly a trap meticulously designed by Shimizu.
Initially, he put on an indifferent facade, not even budging on one thousand points in their communication records.
Yet, at the last critical moment of the selection, he suddenly exerted himself, precisely securing four crucial votes for her before the deadline, helping her surpass Hirata in one fell swoop.
For years, due to her mediocre academic and physical abilities, she'd always been out of reach of the class representative position.
But that time, she truly and genuinely stood at the position of leader.
The feeling of being able to mobilize and command everyone in the class was simply too exhilarating.
...
Alright.
She finally had to admit that Shimizu's last-minute vote-gathering act had indeed stirred a peculiar feeling in her heart.
Kushida was, after all, only human.
Someone who was usually cold to her suddenly offered help at a critical moment—this contrast made her unconsciously feel a little favorable towards him.
Of course, it wasn't love yet, but at least... compared to those dispensable guys in the class, Shimizu's weight in her heart had indeed subtly increased by just a tiny bit. Hmm! Just a tiny bit.
In the end, it was all due to her emotions getting the better of her.
—That swimsuit photo was the first she'd ever sent to a male!
She began to carefully recall what she'd just said.
Was there anything wrong with her offering to pay for the date?
After the last incident, she had a thorough grasp of Shimizu's personality—he was the kind of person who wouldn't lift a finger without benefit. The expenses during a date, in his view, would naturally be the same.
She didn't want to quarrel and part ways unhappily over such a small matter.
Thinking about it, it was all the fault of those two idiots, Yamauchi and Ike!
If it weren't for them, Kushida wouldn't have lowered herself to ask Shimizu for a date. How was this any different from actively offering herself benefits?
Uh... summing it up like this.
From an objective perspective, it seemed... it looked like... there was indeed a bit of that meaning of offering herself up for free.
"No need for a date fee, and no need for me to pay for everything."
However, Shimizu's reply was completely unexpected.
"You don't want it? You—!" She immediately widened her eyes, staring at Shimizu with a surprised gaze.
What's going on? This guy!
Didn't he always adhere to the principle of "never doing anything without benefit"?!
Suddenly being so nice to her! She felt a bit unaccustomed to it!
Akira was startled, looking at her surprised face, and felt a bit confused himself. "I think I understand now. You must be forced to go on a date with me because of last month's bet, right? Going out with you isn't impossible, but you don't have to pay for everything. Let's split the cost."
"What kind of logic is that? Even if we do go on a date, I won't lose anything, so why specifically pay me a date fee? Besides..." Akira shook his phone. "You've already given me enough special benefits, Kushida-san. You've been a little too nice to me lately, I'm even a bit unaccustomed to it."
After spending this time together, Akira had long seen through Kushida's true nature.
Since she thought she had his "dirt," she probably wouldn't play any more tricks.
This date proposal was most likely to silence their classmates and completely put an end to that absurd bet from last time.
He had no reason to refuse.
After all—Kushida was indeed a very good girl.
Whether it was her delicate face, her graceful figure, or her angelic disguise... there was nothing to fault.
Just as he'd evaluated before: as long as she didn't reveal her true nature, she was a perfect angel.
What's more... she would occasionally send him some special benefits.
Akira couldn't help but smile.
Now that he thought about it, Kushida's attitude towards him seemed to be getting better recently? Although it was most likely just her acting.
But he had to admit that this Kushida truly deserved the title of "angel."
"...Mm, then I'll see you tonight! I'll text you the exact time." Kushida paused slightly, then raised her characteristic sweet smile and nodded in agreement.
The moment she turned around, the perfect smile on her face immediately crumbled into a complex expression.
'This bastard! He saw right through me, that I was forced to ask him out!'
'He's so smart it makes me want to hit him!'
'What's with acting so generous! Not wanting points and then talking about splitting the cost... Hmph, although it's certainly a bit better than those greedy boys...'
Her expression suddenly twisted for a moment, then quickly returned to normal.
'What does he mean by "I've been very nice to him lately"?! Have I really been very nice to him?! There's a limit to how conceited one can be!'
'Giving points wasn't my choice! As for that accident... it was purely to get something on him!'
Kushida's steps unconsciously quickened, as if to shake off the annoying thoughts.
'That photo... well, I admit I was impulsive then! That time, I really got carried away.'
'But that was only once, right?!'
'He couldn't be playing some kind of hard-to-get game, could he?! Actually, when he heard he could go on a date with me, he wanted it desperately! Laughable!'
'Turn-off! Shimizu Akira, you're really a turn-off! He couldn't possibly like me, could he?! This guy!'
'Just wait and see how I'll toy with you on our date! Just you wait!'