After breaking up, my ex asked me to win her back

Kiryu Hina waited in her seat.

Sitting upright and tense, she kept her eyes fixed on the classroom door, waiting for that girl to appear.

Due to inexplicable nervousness, her gaze began to dart around.

There was something that needed confirmation.

This was merely a condition of the transaction, a result of a promise made under duress; it didn't come from her heart.

To forgive her ex-boyfriend's affair partner was outrageous, even for someone not directly involved, seeing it from a third-party perspective.

But she had to do it.

Kiryu Hina believed there were many ways to gain someone's trust, and one of the most important was to keep a promise.

If she couldn't be honest, then she couldn't even take the first step towards being a perfect person.

Just like before, proceed with a smile and acting.

Even if she sees through it—which she undoubtedly will—given Kohinata Motoyo's way, she would accept it in the end anyway. That's just how she is, and becoming her friend was nothing but simple.

The difficult part was overcoming her own mental barrier.

There she is.

Kiryu Hina saw Kagura Hikaru and Kohinata Motoyo appear at the classroom door; they had arrived at school together again. It seemed that even after breaking up, their relationship hadn't turned sour, which was absurd.

Today, even Ayakoji Chiyoko was following behind them.

That guy seemed to have an increasing number of beautiful women around him.

If she were a guy, she would surely be grinding her teeth in envy, secretly sticking needles into his voodoo doll at home.

Why do so many girls like such a scumbag? Is it just because he's handsome, does being good-looking really trump everything?!

No, truth be told, she didn't care about any of that and was just wildly speculating to avoid conversing with Kohinata Motoyo.

"Good morning, Hina."

As she passed by her seat, Kohinata Motoyo smiled and nodded in her direction, greeting her as usual.

Even though her greetings were always ignored, or even met with a rude stare, Kohinata Motoyo never gave up on extending goodwill.

That was her approach, the approach of a foolishly kind woman.

If only she hadn't done that thing, they would still be real friends now.

"...Good morning."

Kiryu Hina struggled to squeeze the words through her clenched teeth.

Then she smiled at Kohinata Motoyo.

Once the first step was taken, some things suddenly seemed to become easier.

Kiryu Hina quickly put on the mask of a professional smile as Kohinata Motoyo looked at her in surprise, and continued, "Kohinata, I have some... academic matters I'd like to discuss with you, could you please help me out?"

The sudden change of attitude was disconcerting.

All she did was strike up a conversation as per usual, yet today Kiryu Hina returned it with kindness and even took the initiative to invite her, signalling friendliness.

This situation was so strange that it felt eerie.

Kohinata Motoyo stared at her face in disbelief for a moment, then seemed to understand something, and turned her head to look at Kagura Hikaru.

"Kagura, did you…"

"Go talk to her," Kagura Hikaru nodded without wanting to elaborate and then returned to his own seat.

Upon hearing this, Kohinata Motoyo was surprised for a moment, then started chatting happily with Kiryu Hina.

She could tell that most likely, it was something Kagura Hikaru had done that led to Hina's behavior.

Although the latter's smile was fake and the conversation was quite awkward, Kohinata Motoyo didn't mind at all.

As long as there was a chance to get closer to her, that was a good thing.

Kiryu Hina asked the girl sitting at the same desk as her to vacate the seat for Kohinata Motoyo to sit down, making it convenient for the two of them to talk.

Ayakoji Chiyoko followed closely behind Kagura Hikaru and also returned to her own seat, which was his desk mate's spot.

She watched Kohinata Motoyo, who was sitting in the front desk and talking with a smile, and Kiryu Hina, who also had a smile on her face but somehow felt oddly uncomfortable. Chiyoko couldn't help but pinch her own thigh.

How unreal this scene was.

After what had happened, these two could still have a day where they laughed and talked together.

Chiyoko knew their hidden relationship all too well.

One was a girl betrayed by her best friend, the other was the betraying best friend. Logically, they should have been like fire and water.

But now this was...

Could it be that Kiryu Hina was trying to win over Kohinata Motoyo for the election?

But it seemed too late to start currying favor now, didn't it? The election results would be out by tomorrow noon, and most people had already cast their votes. No matter what, it wouldn't be possible to make it in time.

"Hey, what do you think?" Ayakoji Chiyoko tilted her head and whispered to Kagura Hikaru, "What's Kiryu Hina up to?"

"I don't know."

"Hmm... Maybe a little investigation would be better."

"..."

Under the desk, Kagura Hikaru quietly grabbed Ayakoji Chiyoko's hand.

"Wh-what is it?!" Chiyoko's voice suddenly broke, tense and slightly strained, her face also reddening, "We'll be seen."

"If we're seen, will it cause any trouble?"

"No, just holding hands should be fine, but..."

Kagura Hikaru gripped her hand even tighter.

Chiyoko fell silent, resting her head on the desk and burying it in her arms, silently moving her fingers to interlace with Kagura Hikaru's, feeling the warmth of her boyfriend's palm.

"It's my first time in a relationship, so don't bully me..." she murmured in a voice as faint as a mosquito's.

The face buried in the shadows was already as red as an apple.

Her ears peeking out were flushed a rosy red.

The former Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, now a girl in love, had also become vulnerable.

Kagura Hikaru emotionlessly hid his hand, along with Ayakoji Chiyoko's, on his thigh.

It was probably better not to let Ayakoji Chiyoko delve any deeper into Kiryu Hina's issues, otherwise, if even the fake nature of their relationship was exposed, the plan would no longer be feasible.

They say people in love grow dumb.

So, if only Ayakoji Chiyoko was in love, then she would be the only one growing dumb.

A vibration in his pocket, followed by a notification tone.

Kagura Hikaru flipped open his phone, and a line message was displayed.

Ayakoji Chiyoko:[I like you.]

He looked to the side, where Ayakoji Chiyoko had her head turned away, the other free hand holding a phone on the desk. Continue your journey on My Virtual Library Empire

He lowered his head to type on the keyboard and sent the message.

Kagura Hikaru:[Me too.]

Afterward, he put away his phone and took out a light novel from his bag, quietly flipping through it.

Let this time continue.

A happy time for everyone.

He had grown afraid to imagine what the future held.