"Tch, when the mid-term exam results come out, let's see if you still dare call me an idiot."
"Haha, why wouldn't I? You're just mid-tier in our grade, don't get too cocky!"
"What if I make it into the top five this time?"
"No way! I know Yuu-kun's abilities best~ If you get into the top five, I'll… I'll go on a date with you! How's that?"
"No thanks, something else."
"So harsh! So blunt!"
Like rusty gears freshly oiled, they slowly returned to their normal rhythm. Light, natural banter continued until they reached the school gate. Seemingly wary of others misunderstanding their relationship, Yuigahama quickly found an excuse to hurry her steps and head to her classroom first upon seeing the crowd of Sobu High students.
Yuu didn't mind, strolling leisurely to the school building. In the hallway, he crossed paths with Masuzu walking toward him. She nodded and smiled first, and he returned a polite nod. After greeting each other like strangers who'd never spoken, they nearly passed by.
At that moment, an autumn breeze suddenly swept through the staircase, as if the autumn kitten was acting early, stirring the entire corridor.
"Kyaa—!"
Screams echoed, and a spring-like scene gracefully lit up a corner of the school. Beside it, the silver-haired girl's skirt fluttered like scattered flower petals, revealing smooth, fair thighs—and—
"…"
Yuu's eyes slowly widened, his pupils contracting, his Perfect-Level Acting unable to mask his shock. The girl quickly pressed down her skirt, not screaming like the others, only tilting her head, placing her index finger on her lips, and winking at him mischievously.
"Don't tell anyone."
Whispering that softly, as if unbothered by his reaction, she brushed her long hair aside and walked away calmly. Yuu stood rooted, unable to resist glancing at her retreating figure, her short skirt gently swaying against her thighs.
Due to the angle, he'd only seen the side of her thigh, not clearly from the front or back. But his sharp eyes caught it—when her skirt lifted, at the side of her thigh…
There was no fabric strap that should've been there.
"No way, right?"
Nothing underneath? Going commando?
Yuu was skeptical, but his own eyes wouldn't lie.
"Do foreigners just seek thrills like this? Or is this some kind of mission from a master…"
He shivered, feeling as if he'd stumbled upon a terrifying truth. Shaking his head, Yuu decided not to dwell on it and hurried to class. His impression of the mixed-race transfer student quietly gained a new label: possibly a pervert.
End of the Corridor
Watching Yuu's expression closely, Masuzu only withdrew her gaze when he turned away.
"Not just a perverted stare, he thinks I'm the pervert…"
But that was better. Too high a favorability was troublesome.
"First-stage test, let's say he passed~"
Masuzu snorted in satisfaction, pulling her phone from her pocket. A boyfriend-rental website and Yuu's photo appeared on the screen. Her lips curved, and she zoomed in on his picture, her narrow eyes squinting like a fox, glinting slyly.
"Oh, Tenkuji-kun… Who would've thought an honest-looking guy like you would have such an interesting side job~"
Seeing Class J ahead, she pocketed her phone, reverting to her usual calm, gentle demeanor.
"Natsukawa-san, there's something I'd like to discuss. Could you come with me to the back of the school building for a bit?"
Before she could enter the classroom, a foolish-looking male student stood in her way, greeting her with a smile he thought was charming but was utterly repulsive.
Again? Thinking this while hiding her disgust, Masuzu gave a faint smile.
"Sure, now?"
"Yeah, follow me!"
Soon after, on her eighth day as a transfer student, Masuzu rejected her seventh confession from a classmate.
"Good grief, I just wanted a quiet school life like a plant, but why are there so many annoying flies…"
Pressing her temples, Masuzu sighed heavily.
(Before I get really annoyed, I'd better execute that plan soon.)
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Yuu quickly forgot whether Masuzu was wearing underwear, focusing on studying. Though he'd studied ahead of the curriculum independently, textbook knowledge differed from a teacher's insights. He didn't underestimate classroom lessons, listening attentively without distraction. After class, he pulled out his Love Metronome to pass the time, pondering the meaning of life.
Mid-term exam results would be announced after school, but only the top ten total scores per grade were publicized. Other ranks and scores were private, making Sobu High's internal competition less cutthroat. Let alone perverts, few students discussed grades post-exam.
Take Class 2-F, for example.
Yuigahama's group, the fun-loving crowd, was still noisily chatting about trivial topics, the loudest and most foolish bunch in class.
Totsuka was discussing skincare with the girls. Despite repeatedly saying he did no special care, he was swarmed, unable to move, only managing a wry smile.
In some ways, this peaceful daily scene wasn't bad. When the lunch break bell rang, Yuu took out his bento. After hours since morning, the bento's warmth had long faded, its aroma gone, making even delicious food taste bland.
Japanese students were used to cold bentos. Though half the school brought homemade lunches, no steamers were provided in classrooms. For hot food, they had to go to the cafeteria. Luckily, Yuu's cooking, even cold, tasted better than cafeteria food.
"Hm… I don't really want to eat in class."
Lunch break was the noisiest time for that group. They'd push desks together, unconcerned about swapping saliva as a side dish, and chatter loudly. Like Western cuisine, some dishes needed the right setting to savor their subtle flavors.
All that said, Yuu just didn't like eating amid their noise.
So, he grabbed his bento and left the classroom.
As he stepped out, Yuigahama chased after him, slightly out of breath. "Yuu-kun, you brought a bento today? Why not eat in class?"
"Just want a quiet place to eat." Yuu shrugged, glancing back at the classroom. "By the way, you're so open about approaching me—aren't you worried your friends will gossip?"
Yuigahama scratched her flushed cheek, smiling sheepishly. "No, I made an excuse…"
Yuu didn't ask what it was, swinging his bento in hand.
"Then, if there's nothing else, I'm off to eat."
Yuigahama asked hopefully, "Yuu-kun, want to eat with us?"
"No way." Yuu's reply was firm.
Yuigahama gave a wry smile.
"Haha, I knew you'd say that…"
Pausing, her voice softened, a bit weak. "Then, just with me…"
Yuu fell silent for a moment. Was it his imagination? After their brief cold war, Yuigahama seemed more proactive than before, despite his firm rejection.
"As friends, eating together's fine, right?"
As if reading something in his reaction, Yuigahama added with a smile.
Yuu nodded. "I'll invite Totsuka too, okay?"
"Mm! Of course!"
"Alright then."
"See you, don't forget to come back to class~"
"No need to tell me."
Yuigahama watched Yuu leave, her gaze like searching for starlight in daylight.
In the end, Yuu decided to eat in an empty classroom in the special building, which should be unused now. Of course, he'd need to borrow the key from Hiratsuka first.