COTE: Horikita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter 94: An angel!

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After Rin Matsuoka raised his head, Ichinose Honami finally confirmed that the boy standing there in just his undershirt was indeed the one she was thinking about.

"Chihiro-chan, wait a moment. I'll go say hello to Matsuoka-san," Ichinose Honami hurriedly said to Shiranami Chihiro beside her, then walked toward Rin with an even brighter smile.

"Ah..." Shiranami Chihiro looked at Ichinose Honami with tearful, pitiful eyes, like a girl abandoned by her boyfriend.

Unfortunately, Ichinose's full attention was on Rin, and she didn't even notice Chihiro's sorrowful look.

As Ichinose walked, her beautiful pink hair swayed gently behind her, while the buttons on her school uniform jacket struggled to hold her overly full, plump figure.

With Ichinose Honami's smile as radiant as the sun, any boy who saw her would be left amazed and dazed.

Mom, guess what I saw!

I saw an angel!

Ichinose Honami stopped in front of Rin and greeted him with a bright smile. "Good afternoon, Matsuoka-san."

"Well, good afternoon, Ichinose," Rin replied with a friendly smile.

Ichinose, who was secretly hoping to join the same club as Rin, asked, "Matsuoka-san, which club are you planning to join?"

"I'm a bit interested in the swimming club and plan to check it out later," Rin answered.

"Ah, so, Matsuoka-san, you really like swimming?"

"Uh?"

Rin was momentarily stunned, then nodded earnestly. "Yes"

What is right?

Actually, rather than saying Rin likes swimming, it would be more accurate to say he enjoys watching the seniors in bikinis at the swimming club...

Rin looked into Ichinose Honami's bright blue eyes and asked, "And you, Ichinose? Which club are you planning to join?"

"Hmm." Ichinose appeared slightly conflicted.

It wasn't that Ichinose hadn't decided which club to join; she had already set her sights on the student council.

But, on the other hand, she also wanted to be in the same club as Rin...

After all, if she and Rin joined the same club, wouldn't she get more time to spend with him?

"I'm thinking about joining the student council."

In the end, Ichinose chose the student council, where she truly wanted to be.

"The student council?" Rin couldn't hide his surprised expression. He hadn't expected Ichinose to choose the student council.

After all, joining most clubs was about enjoyment, while the student council was strictly work, handling all the school's big and small affairs on behalf of the administration.

"I feel like I have many shortcomings and so much to learn."

"The student council is where people get the best training, so I want to join," Ichinose said, clenching her white hands with a determined look as she practically glowed with positive energy.

Rin looked at the inspiring light radiating from Ichinose and couldn't help but feel a bit ashamed. Here he was, only thinking about watching the seniors in bikinis, while Ichinose was focused on developing herself.

The difference in awareness between people can be truly vast!

At that moment, Rin Matsuoka suddenly felt a chilling gaze at his back. He quickly turned around to see Horikita Suzune standing there, her eyes fixed on him with a cold intensity.

"…"

"…"

Rin's sudden turn sparked Ichinose Honami's curiosity. She tilted her head slightly, following Rin's gaze, and caught sight of Horikita Suzune standing alone, observing them from a short distance away.

"Rin, are you looking at that girl with the long black hair?"

"Yes, her name is Horikita Suzune, and she's my seatmate in Class D."

"Oh." Ichinose Honami nodded, and the bright smile on her pretty face dimmed just a bit as her expression grew thoughtful.

Girls understand each other well. Just by looking at Horikita Suzune, Ichinose Honami could sense that this girl seems to have some sort of interest in Rin.

After Ichinose glanced over, Horikita Suzune didn't linger or turn away. Instead, she walked directly toward Rin and Ichinose, her gaze steady and unflinching.

For some reason, Rin felt an inexplicable pressure building as Horikita Suzune approached...

When Horikita Suzune stopped in front of them, she looked at Ichinose Honami, a beautiful girl with a bright smile and an impressive figure, and spoke in a low voice.

"Rin, aren't you going to introduce me?"

"Ah? Oh!"

Rin quickly pointed to Ichinose Honami and said, "This is Ichinose Honami, from Class B, first year."

"Hello, Horikita-san." Ichinose Honami greeted Horikita Suzune warmly, her smile as radiant as ever.

"..." Horikita Suzune turned her gaze back to Rin, an unreadable look in her eyes.

Rin could understand that look—it was as if she were silently asking him why Ichinose Honami already knew her name.

"I just introduced you to her." Rin shrugged.

"Oh."

The interaction between Rin and Horikita Suzune caused Ichinose Honami to frown slightly, though she quickly hid it. With a bright but slightly uneasy smile, she asked, "Rin, why do I get the feeling that you and Horikita Manabu seem quite familiar with each other?"

"Well, he's visited my home a few times since we were kids, so we're somewhat acquainted," Horikita Suzune replied calmly.

Hearing this, Rin immediately looked at Horikita Suzune with a strange expression, silently conveying, What on earth are you talking about?!

It was true that more than two years ago, Rin had occasionally been invited by Horikita Manabu to visit the Horikita family.

But even so, Rin and Horikita Suzune were not exactly close!

Horikita Suzune's gaze sharpened as she glanced at Rin, her eyes carrying an unspoken warning—as if to say that if he dared to say anything, he might regret it...

The subtle exchange between Rin and Horikita Suzune did not go unnoticed by Ichinose Honami, who felt increasingly uncomfortable. However, she kept her bright smile and extended her soft, white hand toward Horikita Suzune.

"Horikita, let's get to know each other properly. Unlike you, I haven't known Rin for long—I only met him yesterday afternoon, and thanks to his help, I wouldn't have managed otherwise."

Rin looked at Ichinose Honami strangely.

What do you mean by 'I wouldn't have managed'? Weren't you planning to call everyone in Class B to help bring the drinks back?

Horikita Suzune clasped Ichinose Honami's hand, her expression remaining cool. "Really? And just how did Rin help you?"

"I'm a little embarrassed to say," Ichinose replied, her cheeks tinged with a hint of color.

"…"

For some reason, Rin could sense an undercurrent of tension in the air between Ichinose Honami and Horikita Suzune as they exchanged words, as if an unspoken rivalry simmered beneath the surface.