Love Trials of the Introverted

Chapter 15

I was currently drowning in a sea of sound that echoed all around me. My senses became slightly foggy as a result of this, since I could barely hear myself think. This was owing to the fact that I was now sitting in the school cafeteria instead of my classroom for lunch.

'And why the change of scenery, you may wonder? Horikita thought it essential for us to leave the classroom since many students chose to remain in class today to discuss ways to get points and form study groups to assist others avoid failing.

In actuality?'

"Despite the fact that it is more important than ever to form bonds with our fellow students and interact with them, why have you decided to take me to the cafeteria with you so you can dump some plans on me instead?"

"For someone who earned a 50 on the last quiz we did in class, that was rather observant and rational. Even a prat like you, it appears, can have a stroke of genius once in a blue moon."

Despite her leveling accusations at me with her antagonistic words, I couldn't help but focus on a peculiar word she threw at me.

"Prat? I didn't know you were one to curse, Horikita-san. I would've assumed you were too sophisticated for that kind of language. While I do respect the lengths you went to in order to not say the other word, the intention remains."

Horikta's face then lit up with embarrassment and a mix of anger, if the glare she was leveling at me was anything to go by.

"Who knew the maiden-like Horikita was one to use vulgar and crude language? It's a rather disorienting sight to see such language used by a refined woman such as yourself. Your branding is all over the place."

As I prodded her more, her face flushed, the blush now totally covering her face. She was also now sporting a barely discernible pout on her lips. Her ears were likewise crimson and appeared to be on the verge of producing steam at any minute.

She continued to scowl at me, but it lacked the venom and efficiency it usually had, especially given how out of place I left her with my joking. While I was taking in her reactions, I couldn't help but think of one thing while I was staring at her.

'Cute.'

As I was taking in her embarrassed demeanor, I soon recognized her struggling to form words due to her embarrassment. As she was trying to force words out, they were left twitching at the corners of her mouth, never to see the light of day.

Eventually, she was able to gather herself enough to respond to me.

"You're i-i-nsufferable, you know t-t-that. I don't know why I put up with you at times."

"Because you enjoy my company and would fee-"

I was swiftly cut off by a fierce Horikita, yanking my tie to bring me eye level with her, which also had the consequence of bringing me centimeters from her face.

"If you continue that sentence, I will see to it that you will be unable to speak such nonsense again."

A response had already filled my mind and was ready to be thrown back into her face, but the words died on the tip of my tongue as a brazen idea popped into my head a picosecond later, which I quickly gravitated to.

As my response to her sudden aggression, I gave a small puff of my breath, which faintly struck her nose.

Horikita then burst into a shade of red I've never seen on her face, with me feeling the heat radiating from her face despite me not being in contact with her directly.

Also, due to my proximity, I heard her quietly begin to sputter as her mental facilities began to slow and shut down. While this happened, I felt the hand on my tie slacken, which eventually led to her hand limply falling to her side.