After arriving at the class, Yumiko and Tobe continued to talk, and frankly, despite how shitty her personality was, it was quite easy to talk with her, especially when she knew many trends that happened in the school, and as the queen, and an undisputed leader among the girls in their classroom, if she didn't have good communication skills, then could she become stronger?
At the same time, she was also skilled at using the woman's most powerful weapon: tears.
Regardless, as they talked, Tobe thought about the reward that he gained from Shiori.
[Congratulations, you have received literary talent.]
Unlike the manga talent he acquired from Karen Kino, this literary talent was a superior one, as it endowed him with a talent for all types of literary works, and Tobe felt that he could now create any story.
Whether it was a novel, plays, poems, or anything else, everything was possible for him to create the best of the best, and even probably entered history.
Regardless, while it was unexpected, he wondered whether the reason he had received all of this was because he had met Shiori at the bookstore.
Still, he wondered whether having this ability would make him appear like a literary master, who was calm, collected, yet filled with an aura of mystery that made girls unable to resist him.
"If you want to buy men's clothes, you should visit this place. You should go to Tokyo. It's cheaper there and there are many options."
"If you consider the traveling cost, isn't the price about the same?"
"That might be the case, but don't you want to see more variety? There aren't many in Chiba."
"That's not the case, right? Don't you remember that this is the headquarters of that billionaire?"
"Anyway, it's better in Tokyo!"
"You want to go to Tokyo when you graduate?"
"Hmm..." Yumiko was in deep thought. "I think I will stay in Chiba since it is more comfortable here." It was her hometown, after all, and even if Tokyo was better, she could visit it anytime as it was so close. "How about you?"
"I am not sure, but for university, I will go to Tokyo."
"Why?"
"The university in Tokyo is better."
"...aren't you getting ahead of yourselves? Do you think you can enter a good university with your current grade?"
"Isn't that the reason why I am working hard now?"
"Hmph! Say that when you win against me!"
"You have confidence that you are better than I?"
"I am!" Yumiko showed a confident smirk. "Unlike you, who waste your time on love, part-time, and even in a club, I am fully focused on studying now!"
"It's meaningless to talk. We should see the results later."
"Don't forget the bet! I want to see you act like a puppy as you apologize to me!"
"What if you are the loser?"
"I-I will do the same!"
"Oh, I can't wait for that."
"You won't see it since I will be the winner!"
Still, as they talked and Yumiko got more excited, someone greeted them.
"Good morning, Yumiko, Tobe."
"Oh, good morning, Hayato."
While Tobe greeted Hayato calmly, Yumiko was a little awkward. "G-Good morning, Hayato." Probably, no one noticed it, yet strangely enough, she felt quite guilty for some reason.
However, why did she feel guilty?
Was it because she was having fun with Tobe when everyone was clear that she had feelings for Hayato?
Shaking her head, her heart should be firm, but when she thought of her previous conversation with Tobe, she wasn't sure anymore, since she couldn't go on knowing that this feeling of hers would always be doomed.
"So, what did you two talk about? You seem to be having fun."
"W-Who is having fun with him?!"
"....." Tobe didn't say anything and just stared at Hayato speechlessly, thinking that this guy had stepped into the tail of the cat.
As Yumiko started to get noisy once again, Hayato knew that he was wrong. Still, he wanted to talk to Tobe, but when he was about to talk—
"Tobe-kun."
"Yukinoshita-san? What's wrong?"
"No... I just want to see you..."
As he stood up and approached her, Yukinoshita was a little shy, but answered his question softly.
"....."
Why was she so cute?
Tobe let out a helpless sigh as he wanted to kiss her somehow.
Still, when the two talked, Yumiko stayed with Hayato and observed him, realizing that he wasn't as good as she thought he was.
Has the beauty effect gone?
When one falls for others, they would think that the other was beautiful or handsome, so perfect, even if they picked up their booger from their nose.
"Do you like Yukinoshita-san, Hayato?"
Yumiko wasn't sure why she asked this question, but she just blurted it out.
"Ah, no..." Hayato was startled and naturally refuted her question.
"Well, even if you have a feeling, it's too bad since she just fell in love so deeply with that scumbag."
Making many girls have feelings for him so easily, then all of a sudden, he just made a girlfriend as if the feelings of the girls that he had made and taunted didn't really matter to him.
If Tobe wasn't a scumbag, then what was he?
"Hahaha... you are so cruel, Yumiko."
"That's the fact. You should move on."
"Well, no, I don't have such a feeling toward her, but I am just glad that she can smile like that."
Showing a slight, awkward, yet sincere smile, Hayato let out a relieved sigh when he saw Yukinoshita could show such a genuine smile. Still, he would be lying if he didn't feel lonely, but as expected, he had no right to be by Yukinoshita's side.
"Is it...?"
"Hmm? Did you say something, Yumiko?"
"Nothing." Yumiko shook her head softly as she thought of her previous exchange with Tobe, thinking that despite how good Tobe's relationship with his girlfriend was, was that the truth?
Yet, when she thought of that certain possibility instead of having to hate him to have such a thought, it made her body tingle as a certain part of her body seemed to be slightly wet.
"By the way, did a mosquito bite you?" Yukinoshita asked.
"Ah, did it?"
"Yes, your neck is slightly reddened here."
Yukinoshita asked worriedly as she reached toward his neck, which had a red mark, tracing it with her long, slender finger, rubbing it softly like it was an item that needed care, yet at the same time, she also couldn't help but gaze into his lips, thinking of what they did before.
"I am not sure, but it isn't itchy."
"I guess it should recover soon."
"It might be."
Tobe inwardly had to say he was as calm as ever, even though he knew well where that red mark on his neck came from. While it wasn't something that he should be proud of, he knew well that his experiences when he lived as Satoshi and Ishigami helped him so much.
"By the way, for the break, we're going to—"
"Tobe-kun, we're going to have lunch together later, right?"
Before Yukinoshita finished her words, Maaya came with Saki and asked him about their previous promise that made Tobe stare at many.
"....."
Oh, it was the same as ever.