Chapter 13: Weird Conversation

"...Ichinose?"

The name escaped his lips

"Ah, you know me? Ichinose smiled bashfully, showing no arrogance.

Ryuji evaluated her again.

Her bubble-gum pink hair fell, looking soft, framing a face with similar pink eyes that seemed innocent. Her lips were full and soft, appearing as if they had just parted. Her skin was pale and smooth.

Her breasts were quite big for her age, sitting naturally. Her hips had a subtle curve, if she were in ancient China she'd be dubbed having incredible child-bearing hips.

The soft skin of her legs almost got him aroused.

Every part of her body had an unprecedented appeal.

If not for his past experiences, Ryuji suspected the mere sight of her might've caused him an erection.

"Of course, you're quite famous y'know." Ryuji rolled his eyes at her oblivious question.

"Is that so?" Ichinose seemed a bit doubtful.

"Do you need something from me?" Ryuji changed the topic, not wanting to make it awkward for her.

"Ah, no I was heading to the Student Council and saw you squatting here with a glum face… Did something happen? I'll try to help you if I can." Ichinose chuckled, scratching her cheek with an awkward smile.

From the side she was coming from she could see Ryuji quite clearly. At first, she wasn't going to bother him but seeing him suddenly scowl she felt interested.

A part of her wondered if he was troubled by something and if she could lend a helping hand.

"Aren't you a kind one?" Ryuji sighed, "Are you taking your chance at joining the Student Council?"

"Hmm?" Ichinose tilted her head before nodding, "Was it that obvious?" She chuckled, "I'm just trying my luck. I don't know if I'll get accepted."

"Oh?" Ryuji hummed in acceptance at her fake answer and snapped his hand towards her.

Ichinose was startled but she blankly stared at the mobile screen.

"Yamamoto Ryuji… 39th?" Since he had scrolled far the heading of the forum wasn't visible to Ichinose, "What's this?"

She saw his photo next to the name, taken from the default profile of everyone's school ID.

"A boy's ranking." Ryuji said gloomily and seeing Ichinose's still confused look he explained further, "A ranking based on looks."

"Ah!" Ichinose was stunned and her awkwardness grew, for some reason she felt like she shouldn't delve into this conversation. It was an instinct and Ichinose decided to trust it.

Clearly, the so-called problem wasn't something serious so she wasn't obligated to listen to his problems.

"Hmph, my friend is occupying the Student Council, even if you went right now you'd have to wait. Didn't you say you want to help me, were you lying?"

The experienced Ryuji instantly saw through her thoughts. Why would he let her escape? Since she decided to meddle in his affairs she'd have to stick till the end.

He hadn't planned to have contact with Ichinose yet but it wouldn't be too much to plant a seed right now, given the opportunity.

"U-Uhm," Ichinose was a bit flustered, not expecting Ryuji to be so assertive.

Plus his words left her no escape.

She could give some flimsy excuse and leave but that'd be too rude, especially after she took the initiative.

"So how do you want me to help?" Having kicked the bucket she had to pick it up now.

Ryuji gestured for her to squat next to him which Ichinose, while reluctant, couldn't refuse. He'd given her ample space, not betraying any lewd or dirty thoughts.

"Do you think this list is fair?" he asked.

"I don't think so. Ranking students like this isn't a good thing." Ichinose deflected the question perfectly, giving an objective answer to Ryuji's subjective question.

Ryuji was clearly talking about his ranking but Ichinose ignored that and gave a perfect answer.

"I suppose you're right, a pity the forum is mostly anonymous." Ryuji sighed, looking a bit downcast and Ichinose felt a bit sympathetic.

After all, Ryuji wasn't exactly bad-looking. His skin had a few small pigmentations and the corners of his jaw were still accompanied by a little fat, making his jaw less prominent. Other than that his features were objectively handsome.

A sharp nose, well-trimmed eyebrows and a good hairstyle.

"Are you judging me right now?" Ryuji raised a brow at Ichinose's silence.

"Oh, no no. I was just wondering who made the list." Ichinose waved her hands in refusal, obviously not going to confess to her improper thoughts, "Well, even if you know who's the one behind it, what'll you do?"

"I'll bribe her and raise my ranking." Ryuji declared shamelessly, his previous anger as if an illusion.

"???"

Ichinose was speechless.

"That's…" she didn't know what to say.

I thought you'd confront her in anger or ask her to take down the list.

"What? Even if I confront her, what's the chance she'll even listen to me? What if she just lowers my ranking unfairly? Most of these dumb bitches have given likes to each of her rankings without any dissent."

"You shouldn't curse at them like that," Ichinose frowned.

"What? Did you participate in this ranking?" Ryuji glanced at her from the corner of his eyes.

"Huh? Obviously not!" Ichinose immediately denied and Ryuji thrust his phone at her, "30 likes! There's 30 likes on my ranking! The rest of the rankings have similar likes. There's obviously a dislike option, why don't I see any!?"

Ryuji rolled his eyes once again, "Anyways, I'll have her edit my photo a bit and raise my rankings. I'll have a better chance at finding a girlfriend."

"Oh oh! Is there anyone you like?" Ichinose asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. She hadn't been involved in much romance and being a young teenage girl she was interested in the topic, forgetting Ryuji's foul language.

"Well…" Ryuji opted for a thoughtful look, "Do you know Horikita Suzune?"

"No, I haven't actually met many people outside my own class yet. I know Kushida-san from your class though, she's a sweetheart." Ichinose shook her head.

Ryuji opened his gallery and showed her a random picture of Horikita he had clicked during class.

"Oh wow! She's so pretty!" Ichinose was impressed. Horikita's noble demeanour was clearly visible in the still picture.

"Yeah… but she's really cold. It's hard to get close to her."

"Ah," Ichinose was a bit frustrated, she had no experience with these things so despite her willingness she couldn't offer advice she wasn't confident in.

Her face looked absolutely adorable and Ryuji wanted to pinch her cheeks.

Of course, he didn't do so.

"Do you have anyone you like, Ichinose?" Ryuji turned to her and Ichinose shook her head.

"Not really, I haven't thought about these things yet."

"Really? You're so pretty though, hasn't anyone asked you out yet?"

"N-Not really," Ichinose was a bit flustered by the sudden compliment.

Who didn't like getting praised?

"Pff, not even middle school?"

"N-no…" A bit embarrassed, Ichinose stammered.

"That's odd." Ryuji was genuinely puzzled.

He didn't know if the light novels discussed this topic for he could not remember anything related to this.

Just then, the Student Council doors opened and Horikita walked out.

Ichinose looked at her in surprise before turning to Ryuji. His grin explained the situation.

So that's the 'friend' he's with? It doesn't seem like their relationship is that bad. Maybe he does have a chance.

Ichinose got up, ready to attempt to join the Student Council.

"Hey!" Ryuji called out and shoved his phone towards her, "Add me as a friend, it was fun talking to you. If you don't mind, help me with my occasional questions about girls and their thoughts, I haven't been in a relationship either so..." Ryuji spoke quickly before Horikita came.

Ichinose, a bit bewildered, didn't refuse, she wasn't going to be rude and decline and to be honest she felt a bit curious. Would Ryuji really succeed in pursuing Horikita?

Once done she exited the staircase and gave Horikita a small polite nod. Horikita, who was clearly in a good mood nodded back, despite seeming confused.

Horikita reached the staircase and was startled.

"What are you doing here?" She asked with an incredulous look.

"..."

Ryuji was angry.

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A/N- Alright, the first Blackmail will be around Chapter 19-21 not 25.

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