Hearing Himeno Yuki's explanation and her question, Shikime Natsu gave a soft little smile, then let his gaze pass briefly over the two beautiful girls seated before him before slowly opening his mouth to answer.
"Well, about that."
"I can't really explain it clearly myself."
"But it probably has something to do with my charismatic personality."
Hearing this answer from Shikime Natsu, Himeno Yuki couldn't help but freeze for a moment. This Shikime Natsu really was quite good at gilding his own reputation—to be able to say something like "charismatic personality" out loud, that was seriously narcissistic.
Her dead fish eyes rolled slightly, her lips pressed together, wanting to say something to snark at him. But the words reached the tip of her tongue, and she swallowed them back down.
Because when she thought about it, this Shikime Natsu didn't actually seem to be bragging.
After all, if Shikime Natsu really had no personal charm at all, there truly wouldn't be so many girls who liked him.
On this point, no matter how unwilling Himeno Yuki was, she had to admit it.
This guy, Shikime Natsu, was quite outstanding.
Whether in academics, sports, or any other area, his performance was remarkably excellent.
And what's more...
As Himeno Yuki thought this in her heart, her gaze unconsciously fell onto Shikime Natsu's face.
And what's more, this guy's face really was very good-looking.
On top of that eloquent, silver tongue of his, there was also that inexplicable sense of security he gave off...
Thinking and thinking, Himeno Yuki suddenly realized that she seemed to be thinking about things she shouldn't be, and she hurriedly shifted her gaze away, letting it settle on the dessert in front of her.
When facing this Shikime Natsu, even she occasionally couldn't quite handle it. She clearly didn't need Shikime Natsu's excessive attention, yet this guy Shikime Natsu would always come chasing after her.
At first, Himeno Yuki could be said to have found this behavior quite repulsive, but...
Now, if it was Shikime Natsu shamelessly leaning in close, Himeno Yuki discovered that she didn't seem to feel much aversion to it at all—a rather strange feeling.
Even Himeno Yuki herself hadn't become aware of this fact.
Himeno Yuki softly exhaled a breath, then slightly turned her face to look at Yamamura Miki beside her. Shikime Natsu's charisma could be called quite formidable—see, right there was Yamamura Miki, someone suspected of liking Shikime Natsu.
At this moment, Yamamura Miki was listening to Shikime Natsu speak.
There was a smile on her face, and in those deep teal eyes flickered a few traces of an unusual emotion.
Even though Himeno Yuki wasn't the type who could easily read other people's expressions, at this moment she could tell from Yamamura Miki's eyes that she was very pleased, as if there were light within them.
It was the kind of tenderness and sweetness that only revealed itself when a young girl gazed upon the person she adored.
Seeing this display from Yamamura Miki, Himeno Yuki couldn't help but think that now she could go ahead and strike off the word "suspected."
Yamamura Miki simply liked Shikime Natsu.
And what's more, she liked him quite obviously.
Himeno Yuki's gaze once again landed on Shikime Natsu.
She thought to herself that this guy, Shikime Natsu, really did do a lot of harm.
To think that so many girls liked him.
Shikime Natsu not only had seven girlfriends, but also... quite a few other girls liked him as well. Himeno Yuki thought of Ichinose Honami in her own class—if she wasn't mistaken, Ichinose Honami also liked Shikime Natsu.
And what's more, back on the Deserted Island, Ichinose Honami had even accepted Shikime Natsu's invitation and gone together to Shikime Natsu's cabin. It was just that... after going to the cabin, the relationship between the two of them hadn't developed rapidly at all, which puzzled Himeno Yuki somewhat.
After all, even Amikura Mako from her own class had already taken the first step and become Shikime Natsu's girlfriend...
So many girls were utterly devoted to him.
Just what was so good about this guy?
Himeno Yuki thought this in her heart, and her gaze grew somewhat complicated again.
Then, another question surfaced in her mind.
Did Shikime Natsu really have enough time to keep so many girls company?
Himeno Yuki looked at Shikime Natsu again with a scrutinizing gaze.
Could it be that this guy Shikime Natsu was some kind of time-management master?
After all, to maintain romantic relationships with seven girls at the same time, and to make each one feel valued, was no simple matter.
Without extraordinary time-management ability, it would be utterly impossible.
Himeno Yuki thought this in her heart, and then began pondering another question.
Those girlfriends of Shikime Natsu's—did they really not mind the amount of time they got to spend with him?
Although Himeno Yuki had never been in any romance, she still understood that companionship held a rather important place within a relationship.
If two people spent too little time together, feelings could easily fade.
If one side felt neglected, it could easily give rise to jealousy and dissatisfaction.
Could Shikime Natsu really balance it all?
Wouldn't the uneven distribution of time cause jealousy and other such emotions to spring up among the girlfriends, ultimately turning everything into a chaotic mess?
The moment she thought of this, Himeno Yuki couldn't help but feel it was all incredibly troublesome deep inside.
Dating really was such a hassle.
Especially dating someone like Shikime Natsu—even more of a hassle.
But then...
Himeno Yuki quickly cast the messy thoughts in her mind out once again.
What was she even thinking?
These sorts of things had nothing to do with her, right?
She wasn't Shikime Natsu's girlfriend, nor was she anyone to him.
How many girlfriends he had, whether he could balance these relationships—none of it had anything to do with Himeno Yuki.
Why had she gone and put herself in the shoes of Shikime Natsu's girlfriends?
Honestly...
Himeno Yuki scolded herself like this inwardly, then took a deep breath, forcing her thoughts back on track.
Her gaze fell once more onto Yamamura Miki.
What Himeno Yuki hoped for now was that Yamamura Miki could express her own thoughts. If Yamamura Miki and Shikime Natsu could chat together, then she could count herself as having helped out.
After all, this topic was one she had opened up.
Himeno Yuki thought this in her heart, but then a flicker of unnaturalness couldn't help but pass through her.
This kind of topic wasn't one she had wanted to bring up.
Yet she had brought it up anyway.
She didn't know why—she just... just wanted to know Shikime Natsu's answer.
Still, for what came next, Yamamura Miki ought to be able to handle it, right?
Himeno Yuki thought this, and then began to savor the food in front of her again.
She lowered her head, cut off a piece of dessert with her small fork, and put it into her mouth.
The dessert tasted very good, but at this moment Himeno Yuki was somewhat distracted.
She had originally assumed that Yamamura Miki would follow along with her topic and keep the conversation going.
After all, this was a very good opportunity.
She could come to understand Shikime Natsu's thoughts, and also close the distance between the two of them.
But...
Himeno Yuki waited for a while, yet she didn't hear Yamamura Miki's voice.
She raised her head and glanced at Yamamura Miki.
Yamamura Miki was lowering her head, both hands cupping her drink cup, her fingertips gently rubbing against the side of the glass, showing no intention whatsoever of speaking up.
Himeno Yuki then looked at Shikime Natsu.
Shikime Natsu, on the other hand, wore no particular expression. He simply sat there, holding his drink in hand, that faint smile resting on his face.
The atmosphere had suddenly fallen silent again.
Himeno Yuki thought to herself: if she didn't take action, wouldn't this topic have no way of continuing?
Her gaze fell onto Yamamura Miki once more.
Yamamura Miki, oh Yamamura Miki, your initiative really is pitifully low.
Such a good opportunity laid out right in front of you, and you won't even seize it?
Himeno Yuki thought this in her heart, but she also felt it wasn't very convenient for her to act.
After all, just now Shikime Natsu had been looking at her with that kind of gaze.
That kind of gaze—how should she put it...
It made Himeno Yuki feel quite uncomfortable. If she kept pressing further, Shikime Natsu would surely misunderstand.
He'd surely misunderstand and think she liked this guy Shikime Natsu—and for Himeno Yuki, that sort of thing was absolutely out of the question. How could she possibly fall for that guy Shikime Natsu?
He was nothing but a thoroughly annoying guy, and one she couldn't even shake off.
She was merely trying to build a bridge between Yamamura Miki and Shikime Natsu—she had absolutely no other intentions.
Himeno Yuki thought this in her heart, and then recalled the message Yamamura Miki had received just now.
That's right—didn't Yamamura Miki have a "pinch hitter"?
That person who had sent her the message—why hadn't they come out and taken action yet?
If that "pinch hitter" were here, they should be able to help Yamamura Miki break this silence, right?
Himeno Yuki thought this in her heart, her gaze falling onto Yamamura Miki once again.
There was a hint of panic in Yamamura Miki's eyes.
She looked at her own small hands, then looked at Shikime Natsu.
Her gaze darted about evasively, as if she were afraid of something.
Her lips parted slightly, as though she wanted to say something.
But nothing came out.
That small mouth opened and closed, closed and opened, repeating several times over, yet never once making a sound.
Seeing this scene, Himeno Yuki couldn't help but sigh faintly inside.
She thought to herself that if Yamamura Miki was like this, then wanting to win over Shikime Natsu could be said to be a rocky road ahead.
Even if she had the heart to help, there was no way to even begin.
After all, in the end this kind of thing still depended on Yamamura Miki taking the initiative herself.
She couldn't very well confess on her behalf, could she?
Himeno Yuki thought this in her heart, and then took a deep breath.
She intended to speak up further and give Yamamura Miki some assists.
For instance, by helping Yamamura Miki ask a few questions, or by steering the topic toward Yamamura Miki.
That way, Yamamura Miki should find it easier to speak up, right?
Himeno Yuki thought this, and was just about to open her mouth to speak when, at that very moment, Yamamura Miki's voice suddenly rang out.
"Th-that, um..."
Her voice was very small, carrying a few traces of stammering, as if she were struggling to work up her courage.
Himeno Yuki closed the mouth she had just been about to open, her gaze settling onto Yamamura Miki.
Yamamura Miki was lowering her head, not daring to look at Shikime Natsu.
Her fingers rubbed gently against the drink cup.
"Shiki-san..."
She paused, then continued.
"Shiki-san already has... has seven girlfriends now..."
Her voice grew smaller and smaller, so small that only she herself could nearly hear it.
"Is... is that okay...?"
Hearing this question, a few traces of confusion appeared in those pale golden eyes of Shikime Natsu's.
"Is what okay?"
He asked, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity.
Yamamura Miki's face grew even redder.
Her gaze shifted away, landing on the scenery outside the window, not daring to meet Shikime Natsu's eyes.
"It's just that..."
She pressed her lips together, then continued.
"Shiki-san has so many girlfriends, so many dates and all..."
Her voice carried a few traces of nervousness, a few traces of probing.
"It must... it must be very... very tiring, right...?"
After she said this, her heart pounded so fast it felt like it would leap out of her chest.
Her hands unconsciously wrung together, fingers intertwining, exposing the unease within her—this kind of question really wasn't a good one to ask.
Hearing this question, Shikime Natsu gave a soft little laugh.
He picked up the drink in front of him, took a sip, then set the cup back down.
"I don't find it tiring at all."
He said, his tone carrying a note of certainty.
"The time I spend together with my girlfriends isn't a burden to me—it's something I enjoy."
His voice was very calm, yet the words carried an air of sincerity.
"Every date, every conversation, every moment together, is precious time."
"I cherish this time, so I don't find it tiring at all."
Hearing this, Himeno Yuki couldn't help but raise her head, looking at Shikime Natsu in surprise.
There was a trace of disbelief in her dead fish eyes.
This guy really did have quite the silver tongue.
He was clearly dating seven girls at the same time, clearly having to spend enormous amounts of time and energy maintaining these relationships.
Anyone ordinary would have been worn out long ago.
Yet Shikime Natsu said he "didn't find it tiring," and even said it was "something he enjoyed."
If this wasn't sweet talk, then what was it?
Himeno Yuki thought this in her heart, but for some reason, her heart also felt that when Shikime Natsu said these words, he didn't seem to be brushing her off, nor did he seem to be lying.
He seemed to genuinely believe it.
Thinking of this, Himeno Yuki couldn't help but feel somewhat complicated inside.
Still, it had to be said—after hearing Shikime Natsu's answer, Yamamura Miki's eyes brightened.
Those deep teal eyes had originally still held some nervousness and unease.
But now, all those negative emotions had vanished, replaced by a bright radiance.
Having received this answer from Shikime Natsu, she looked very happy.
The corners of Yamamura Miki's mouth curved up slightly, revealing a faint little smile.
Watching Yamamura Miki like this, Himeno Yuki couldn't help but think that even if it were a lie, when Shikime Natsu said it that way, there would still be people who chose to believe it, and then felt happy.
Was this Shikime Natsu's ability?
The ability to make girls willingly believe every single word he said.
No matter whether those words were true or false.
Himeno Yuki thought this in her heart, then lowered her head, looking at the dessert in front of her.
Her mood was somewhat complicated.
She couldn't quite explain why she felt this way either.
She just felt that...
This guy Shikime Natsu didn't seem to be quite so detestable after all.
Although he was still so smooth-tongued, although he was still so infuriating.
But... when those words from just now had fallen into her ears, Himeno Yuki knew very well that she too had felt the same thing as Yamamura Miki.
Himeno Yuki didn't realize that, because of the words Shikime Natsu had spoken, deep within her heart she seemed to have developed a tiny, negligible bit of fondness for Shikime Natsu.
This tiny, negligible bit of fondness was like a seed planted in her heart—it might take root and sprout, or it might wither and die.
And there was another thing Himeno Yuki didn't realize: the seed that Shikime Natsu had planted in her heart was not just one. Otherwise, when Shikime Natsu had proposed coming here, Himeno Yuki would have simply chosen to refuse.
After all, since Shikime Natsu already knew her true self, refusing would have been considerably easier for her.
Just as Himeno Yuki was letting her thoughts run wild, Yamamura Miki's voice rang out again.
"Th-that, um..."
Yamamura Miki's tone was even more stammering, her voice carrying obvious nervousness.
Her face had already turned red like a fully ripened apple, spreading from her cheeks all the way to the roots of her ears, and even her neck had taken on a faint pink hue.
"Shiki-san..."
She paused, as if gathering her courage.
Then, she took a deep breath and asked.
"Shiki-san... how many more girlfriends are you planning to find?"
The moment this sentence left her mouth, the air seemed to freeze.
After Yamamura Miki finished speaking, her gaze hurriedly shifted to one side, landing on the scenery outside the window.
She didn't dare look at Shikime Natsu, nor did she dare look at Himeno Yuki.
Her heart pounded absurdly fast, thump-thump-thumping away, as if it would leap right out of her chest.
Her hands were wrung tightly together, her fingers turning slightly pale from the force.
Her breathing grew somewhat rapid, her chest rising and falling faintly with each breath.
She didn't know where she had found the courage to ask this question.
This question was really too bold, wasn't it?
How could she have asked such a question?
Maybe Shikime Natsu would come to dislike her because of it.
Yamamura Miki was practically on the verge of anxious tears—how could she have done something so far out of line?
Perhaps it was because she had spent a good deal of time with Morishita Ai—especially since, ever since Morishita Ai had started dating Shikime Natsu, she had been constantly brainwashing her—so that now, when Yamamura Miki said something like this, her brain hadn't even caught up before the words just blurted straight out.
Still... Yamamura Miki wanted to know Shikime Natsu's answer, because this was still very important to her. If Shikime Natsu didn't intend to keep finding more girlfriends, then Yamamura Miki could only bow out in dejection.
Hearing this question, Himeno Yuki looked at Yamamura Miki in surprise.
There was a trace of astonishment, a trace of admiration in her dead fish eyes.
She hadn't expected that Yamamura Miki could be so bold at a moment like this.
It seemed she had underestimated Yamamura Miki.
Himeno Yuki thought this in her heart, her gaze falling onto Yamamura Miki.
Yamamura Miki right now was like a completely different person from before.
The Yamamura Miki of a moment ago had still been that shy girl who didn't even dare to speak.
And now, she actually dared to ask a question like "how many more girlfriends are you planning to find."
Just how much courage that took, Himeno Yuki understood very well.
Himeno Yuki thought this in her heart, and then also lowered her head.
Her gaze fell onto the dessert in front of her, and her mood grew quite complicated.
She, too, was waiting for Shikime Natsu's answer.
Although she didn't know what exactly she was anticipating.
But she just wanted to know.
She wanted to hear how Shikime Natsu would answer this question.
____
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