Chapter 150: Besides hairpins, there is also a necklace?

Chapter 150: Besides hairpins, there is also a necklace?

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Now, because she had joined the group, Matsushita found herself unwillingly caught in the conflict between Karuizawa and Kushida.

What is going on here?

With Shinohara and the others rushing to her side, Karuizawa regained her confidence. The guilt she felt earlier dissipated, and her demeanor turned strong once more as she glared at Kushida and her group.

Meanwhile, the boys in Class D, along with the girls who hadn't joined any groups, exchanged uncertain glances. None of them knew how to handle the escalating situation.

If Hirata had been present, things might have turned out differently. As the peacemaker of Class D, he would have undoubtedly stepped in to defuse the tension and encourage everyone to calm down.

Kushida, for her part, began to feel a pang of regret. Pretending to look pitiful had backfired, inadvertently making everyone think Karuizawa was bullying her. Now, she found herself in a dilemma.

In truth, Karuizawa was in the same position.

Despite her outward bravado, Karuizawa didn't actually want to have a conflict with Kushida and her group. Deep down, she was all too aware of her fragile nature—a paper tiger who looked fierce but would crumble at the slightest touch.

At that moment, Rin entered the classroom. His eyes widened in surprise at the tense standoff between the two groups of girls.

"What's going on here?" he asked, his voice breaking the silence.

All eyes turned to him, including those of Karuizawa and Kushida.

"Rin, you decide for yourself!" Karuizawa said, stepping forward. "They think I'm bullying Kushida, but I was only asking her a question!"

The name Rin instantly drew the attention of everyone in Class D, including Horikita, who rarely involved herself in such matters.

"When did Karuizawa and Matsuoka get so close that she calls him by his first name?" one of the girls murmured to Kushida.

"I have no idea," Kushida replied softly.

Under the watchful gazes of his classmates, Rin walked over with a resigned expression, positioning himself between Karuizawa and Kushida.

"We're all classmates," he said. "We'll be together for the next three years. Let's not make things so tense."

His calm words had the desired effect, easing the tension between the two groups.

That's true.

Living together for the next three years with strained relationships would benefit no one.

Karuizawa took a step closer to Rin, seizing his arm with both hands. Her voice dropped to a whisper as she said, "I really wasn't bullying Kushida. You know that, right?"

Of course, Rin knew.

Karuizawa, the proverbial paper tiger, barely had the courage to stand up for herself, let alone bully someone else.

Her trembling hands, clutching his arm tightly, betrayed her fear.

Karuizawa wasn't afraid of being accused of bullying. What terrified her was the thought of Rin misunderstanding her.

"I know," Rin said softly, reassuring her. He then turned to Kushida and asked, "Kushida-san, can you tell me what happened?"

"Alright."

Kushida shifted her gaze away from Karuizawa's trembling hands still gripping Rin's arm. She faced the group and, with an expression of guilt, said, "Karuizawa-san didn't bully me. She was just asking me a question."

"It's just that Karuizawa's tone was a bit harsh, so everyone misunderstood and thought she was bullying me," Kushida explained.

Karuizawa wanted to refute Kushida's claim. Her tone hadn't been bad at all when she asked her question!

But she decided to let it go. She just wanted this farce to end as quickly as possible, so she remained silent.

"Since Kushida-san says it was a misunderstanding, let's disperse. Class is about to start," Rin said, addressing the group of girls surrounding them.

With Rin mediating, the girls left, taking Kushida with them.

As they walked away, Shinohara and the others exchanged knowing smiles, throwing glances back at Karuizawa.

"Did you notice how kei called Matsuoka's name directly and even grabbed his arm so boldly?" one of them whispered.

"I did! Yesterday, Kei told us the necklace she's wearing was a gift from Matsuoka-san, but I didn't believe her."

"Well, it seems like it really was from Matsuoka!"

"Hmm, absolutely!"

The excited murmurs of gossip drifted to Horikita's ears. She continued reading her textbook, but her expression grew noticeably colder.

Necklaces now, too?

Horikita's thoughts darkened. Rin, just how many girls have you given gifts to?

Her mind went back to the butterfly brooch she had received from Rin. What little joy she had felt from the gift had vanished. Now, all she wanted was to punch him.

This guy's philandering habits from junior high school carried over to high school?

And it's been less than a week since we started school!

The sudden chill in the room made Rin shudder. A moment later, the bell signaling the start of class rang.

"About your conflict with Kushida, we'll talk after class," Rin said to Karuizawa before heading to his seat.

"Okay..." Karuizawa responded obediently, watching him walk away.

But now, Karuizawa couldn't stop wondering about the hairpin Rin had bought. Who was it for?

After her earlier conversation with Kushida, she was sure Kushida hadn't received the hairpin. This realization made her secretly happy. But her joy was short-lived as new doubts crept in.

If Rin didn't buy the hairpin for Kushida, then which girl did he plan to give it to?

Meanwhile, Rin returned to his seat. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Horikita watching him with a slightly cold expression.

What's with this ice queen? I didn't do anything to her, he thought, puzzled.

Horikita's gaze lingered, but then she suddenly remembered the tall tower she had seen in Rin's dorm room earlier that morning. Her face flushed, and she quickly averted her eyes, her composure momentarily shaken.

Huh?

Rin grew even more confused.

'What's going on with her? First, she's staring at me for no reason, and now she's blushing?

Is this really the proud and aloof Horikita I know?'

Deciding to ignore her odd behavior, Rin shifted his attention to Sakura.

The shy girl sat quietly in her seat, her head slightly tilted as she looked at him with a soft, joyful expression. The faint sparkle in her eyes behind her simple glasses suggested that just seeing Rin brought her happiness.

Unlike her appearance on Saturday, Sakura now dressed plainly, like an unassuming country girl who wouldn't catch anyone's attention.

Rin thought it was a pity.

Still, he smiled at her and said, "Good morning, Sakura."

"Good... morning," Sakura responded shyly in a low voice, her cheeks faintly flushed.

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