Chapter 061: No Choice but to Pursue My Kouhai / Yagami Takuya: Nagumo, You're Dead
Shimizu Akira wasn't lying to Amasawa Ichika. He really did have plans in the afternoon; today was the day he had agreed to go to the swimming pool with Asahina-senpai.
When he finished changing and arrived at the private pool, he found Asahina-senpai already standing at the door. Today, she was wearing casual summer clothes and carrying a bag, which likely contained her swimsuit.
"Senpai, sorry to keep you waiting." Akira walked up to her.
"No, no, I just got here too." Asahina smiled and waved, then looked him up and down. "Wow, Kouhai, this look... you're actually quite handsome."
Akira was wearing black swim trunks with a thin white sun-protection shirt over his upper body, his sunglasses pushed up onto his forehead. He already had a great physique—broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and muscle lines that were smooth but not exaggerated. Under the sunlight, he was quite the sight.
Asahina felt inexplicably flustered and quickly looked away.
"Let's go, time to change." She shook her bag and pushed open the pool door.
The private pool was smaller than the public one, but it was fully equipped. There was a twenty-five-meter pool, several lounge chairs and umbrellas, and a small massage tub in the corner.
"Nice environment," Akira noted, looking around.
"Right? Good thing you booked it in advance." Asahina walked to the changing room door and looked back at him. "Shimizu-kouhai, go ahead and swim for a bit; I'll come out once I'm changed."
"Okay."
After the door closed, Akira took off his sun-protection shirt, did some stretches, and stepped into the pool. The water was clear and the temperature was perfect. He swam a lap and leaned against the edge to rest.
About five minutes later, the door opened. Asahina stepped out.
She was wearing a lotus-root-colored bikini. The top was a classic triangle style with minimal fabric, perfectly supporting her fullness and revealing a large area of fair skin below her collarbones. The bottom was a low-waist style with small bows tied at her hips. Her waist-length orange hair swayed with her movement, making her look both mature and cute.
Asahina walked to the edge, somewhat self-consciously adjusting the ties at her waist as if checking their tightness.
"How is it?" she asked softly, walking to the pool's edge. "Does it look good?"
Akira glanced at her and nodded. "It looks good."
"Just three words?" Asahina pouted. "Kouhai, you're being too perfunctory."
"Then... it looks extremely good."
Only then did Asahina smile happily. She crouched down and tested the water temperature with her hand. "Is the water cold?"
"Senpai, come on in. The water isn't cold."
"Then here I come."
She slid slowly into the pool. When the water reached her shoulders, she let out a soft breath. "So comfortable..." She leaned against the edge, looking up at the ceiling. "I haven't had a good swim in days."
"How's your swimming skill, Senpai?"
"It's okay." Asahina turned to look at him. "Want to have a race?"
"What's the bet?"
"From here to the other side. Whoever gets there first wins."
"What happens to the loser?"
Asahina thought for a moment. "The loser buys drinks."
"Deal."
The two stood side-by-side. Asahina shouted "Start!" and they both dove into the water. Akira didn't use his full strength, but his speed was still significantly faster than Asahina's. He reached the other side first and turned to lean against the edge, watching her swim toward him with all her might. Her form wasn't bad, but her stamina clearly couldn't keep up; her speed slowed noticeably in the last few meters.
She reached the finish line, panting as she gripped the edge, her face covered in droplets as she looked at him indignantly.
"Kouhai, do you swim often?"
"Occasionally."
"You call that occasionally?! Who are you kidding!"
"Senpai, the drinks."
"I know, I know. It's not like I can't afford to lose." Asahina sighed. "Let's get out. I'll go buy them."
"No need, I'll go. You rest first, Senpai."
Akira pulled himself out of the pool, put on his sun-protection shirt, and headed for the vending machine. He bought two bottles of sports drinks. When he returned, Asahina was already out of the water, sitting on a lounge chair drying her hair with a towel. Droplets of water slid down her collarbone into the neckline of her swimsuit.
Tsk, Senpai's cleavage is also unfathomable. It's not inferior to Nanase Tsubasa's.
Akira quickly averted his gaze and handed her the drink. "Here."
"...Thanks."
Whether it was an illusion or not, Asahina felt oddly shy. She cleared her throat, twisted the cap, and took a sip. "Kouhai, sit down. Isn't it tiring to stand?"
Akira sat on the lounge chair next to her, and they basked in the sun side-by-side. His sharp eyes suddenly noticed her phone lying nearby; it still had that familiar amulet attached to it.
"Senpai?"
"Yeah?"
"That red amulet... how many years have you carried it?"
"Hmm... let me think. It must be four or five years now. I spent a full 500,000 points to buy it back then."
"You told me the price before."
"I did? Oh, look at my memory."
"Why did you buy an amulet back then? It was very expensive, after all."
Converted, that was roughly over 20,000 RMB. In Akira's view, that money would be better spent on a bag, a new phone, or even just saved up, rather than on an amulet.
"Because that old lady was really effective. When she did a reading for me, she saw everything clearly and strongly suggested I buy an amulet. Oh, by the way, she came to our school last year too. She did readings for many students, and most of them said she was very accurate."
"It's that old lady?"
"You went to her too, Kouhai?"
"I did. I accompanied Kamuro Masumi. Speaking of which..."
"Why the hesitation?"
"Then I'll say it. Actually, when we were leaving, that old lady gave Masumi an amulet for free. The color was a bit different from yours, but it didn't cost a cent."
"What? Free?" Asahina immediately puffed out her cheeks. "That's so unfair! I spent 500,000 back then!"
Akira face-palmed; he knew she would get upset. He quickly changed the subject: "So, having worn it all this time, do you feel protected? The one the old lady gave Masumi seemed to be for avoiding misfortune."
"Ah, mine is different. This one is apparently an amulet to improve love luck."
"Love luck?"
"Yes, exactly. That old lady said my love life would have been very rocky, but after wearing this amulet, it would be smooth sailing. She even said that with the help of this amulet, I would..."
Asahina was about to say it when she suddenly realized something, her eyes widening. The old lady had said the amulet would help her find her fated person.
This Shimizu-kouhai in front of her... hadn't he helped her pick up the amulet last year? Could it be that her fated match was Shimizu Akira?
After all, over these years, the only person besides herself who had come into direct contact with the amulet was him. With her careless personality, she had only lost it once while running, and that one time, he was the one who found it.
Asahina's mind felt like it had been struck by lightning, buzzing loudly. Everything clicked. Everything matched up.
Who said the 500,000 wasn't worth it? It was a steal! Without this amulet, her relationship with Akira wouldn't have progressed so rapidly. As for the "rocky love life," could it have referred to Nagumo? Thinking back, since she started wearing the amulet, her relationship with Nagumo had always remained strictly in the realm of childhood friends.
Is that old lady really a master of divination?
"Senpai? Senpai?" Akira waved his hand in front of her. "Are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine!" Asahina snapped back to reality, her voice pitching higher. "I... I'm fine! Totally... fine! Nothing is wrong at all!"
Akira looked at her, seeing she obviously wasn't fine, and asked again.
"Really?"
"Really, really!" Asahina nodded vigorously. "I just... my stomach hurts, I need to use the restroom. Can you wait for me a bit? Let's play volleyball when I get back!"
"Sure!"
Asahina immediately jogged toward the changing room. Once inside the furthest stall, she closed the door.
"No way, no way, no way..."
Fated person. Shimizu-kouhai. The kouhai who was a year younger than her, had seven or eight girlfriends, was handsome, comforting, and spoke so gently.
"Why him...?"
But thinking carefully, it didn't seem entirely illogical. When he helped her find the amulet last year, she already felt he was a bit different. Later, during the forest survival camp, she left him a note as a warning, and he didn't disappoint her expectations. Since then, every time they met, although infrequent, he always made her feel at ease.
Unlike being with Nagumo, where she always had to guess what he was thinking or cater to his moods. With Shimizu-kouhai, she could be herself. She could laugh, play, and say whatever she wanted. He didn't find her annoying or weird. He just listened quietly, calmly accepted her blunders, and gave just the right advice.
Being with Shimizu Akira truly gave her a sense of security. Asahina lifted her face from her knees.
"I'm doomed, doomed, doomed..."
She had a very bad premonition. From today on, she probably wouldn't be able to face this kouhai with the mindset of a "normal senpai" anymore. Actually, no—from the moment she held his hand the day before yesterday, there was already no turning back.
She took a deep breath, stood up, and walked to the mirror. In the mirror, her face was as red as if she had a fever, her hair was a mess, but her eyes were incredibly bright.
"Asahina Nazuna, calm down. He's just a kouhai. You have your own life."
Her reflection blinked back at her, as if saying: But the amulet said he's the fated person.
"The amulet is a lie!"
But the old lady's reading was very accurate.
"That was a coincidence!"
It's destiny!
"He has girlfriends!"
One more won't hurt.
Asahina had an urge to punch the mirror. Could she please stop arguing with herself? If you're so smart, you handle it!
"Forget it, stop thinking! Prepare for volleyball!"
She stood in the changing room for another two minutes. Once she confirmed her face was no longer burning, she pushed the door open and walked out.
.
.
.
When Asahina came out, Akira was leaning on a lounge chair scrolling through his phone. Hearing footsteps, he looked up.
"Senpai, stomach better?"
"Better, better." Asahina walked quickly to the pool, acting energetic. "Come on, let's play volleyball!"
"Are you sure you can play? Didn't your stomach just hurt?"
"That was then! It doesn't hurt at all now!" Asahina took a beach volleyball from the corner and walked to the shallow area in the middle of the pool. "Kouhai, come over!"
Akira put down his phone, entered the pool, and stood opposite her.
"I'll serve first." Asahina tossed the ball and smacked it over. The speed was fast and the angle was sharp. Akira reached out, caught it, and tapped it back.
Asahina's receiving form was very standard; she was clearly an experienced player. By the way, Senpai was also "ambitious" in the chest area. Akira could only do his best to ensure he didn't look at certain spots.
They went back and forth for a dozen rounds. Asahina's forehead began to sweat.
"Senpai, rest if you're tired."
"Not tired!" Asahina said, following up with a spike.
The ball brushed past Akira's fingers and landed on the water, creating a small splash.
"Yay!" Asahina cheered with a fist pump. "Point!"
Although Akira had held back an ocean's worth of effort, he still acted regretful. "Senpai is amazing, I was just a bit short!"
"Of course!" Asahina lifted her chin. "I'm being serious now."
"Again?"
"Again!"
They played a few more rounds. Asahina's stamina was clearly failing; her movements grew slower and her steps began to falter. When a ball flew toward her, she reached out to catch it, but her foot slipped, and she tumbled backward.
"Senpai, watch out!"
Akira was quick, grabbing her wrist instantly. Asahina's body paused in mid-air before being pulled back, crashing directly into Akira's arms. Water splashed everywhere.
They stood face-to-face, so close they could see the water droplets on each other's eyelashes. Asahina's hands were pressed against Akira's chest, and she could feel his powerful heartbeat beneath her palms. Her face turned red instantly, from her cheeks all the way to her ears.
"...Thanks, Kouhai," she whispered.
"It's nothing. Stand firm, Senpai."
Akira let go and took a half-step back, creating distance between them. Asahina stood there, her heart pounding like a drum. She looked down at the water, not daring to look at him.
"Still playing?" Akira asked.
"N-No more." Asahina shook her head. "I'm tired."
"Then let's get out and rest?"
"Mhm."
They got out and sat back on the lounge chairs. Asahina picked up a towel to dry her hair, her movements somewhat distracted. Her mind was filled with that moment just now—when her kouhai pulled her, his hands were so warm, his chest so broad, and his heart beat so fast.
No, wait—that heartbeat was probably hers.
"Senpai."
"Ah?" Asahina snapped back to reality.
"The drink."
"Oh, right." She picked up the sports drink, opened it, and took a sip. The cold liquid slid down her throat, finally cooling her burning cheeks a bit.
They sat in silence. The sun began to dip toward the west, and the shadows in the pool moved slowly.
"Kouhai."
"Mhm."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Go ahead, Senpai. I asked you questions while lying down earlier, so it's only fair. Ask whatever you want."
"Do you believe in destiny?"
Akira thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't."
"Why?"
"Because I think that when people come together, it's not because of destiny, but because they chose each other."
Asahina was stunned, then she laughed with a complex expression. "Kouhai, so that's what you think."
"I'm just telling the truth."
"Then if... if one day you met someone and everyone said you were destined to be together, what would you think?"
"I'd think they were talking nonsense."
Asahina couldn't help but smack him. "Stupid Kouhai!"
"Why did you hit me, Senpai?"
"Because girls are creatures that need romance to live!"
"Then I won't say any more."
"No, keep talking, I want to hear it."
"Destiny implies that both parties can be together naturally without putting in any effort, right? But in reality, if you do nothing and just wait passively, the person you like will eventually end up with someone else. Regretting it then is useless."
"Uh... that makes sense. But if it really goes down like that, then maybe that person wasn't fated to be after all—since they were so easily attracted away by someone else."
"That's why many people who can't find a partner in their thirties and forties have the same mindset as you, Senpai."
"Ah! I don't want to die alone!"
Akira got slapped again. It wasn't heavy, more like playful banter.
"Then may I ask, Senpai, what do you think are the characteristics of a fated person?"
"It's like... even if it's the first time you meet, it feels like you've known each other for a long time. He understands whatever you say, and you understand him even if he doesn't speak. You'll run into each other for no reason. That kind of chemistry isn't something you can get through effort, right?"
"That's just because the two of you are very similar in some aspects, or happen to fit well. There are billions of people in this world; finding someone you fit with has a small probability, but it's not zero."
"..."
"Alright, Senpai, I'm not trying to argue with you. I just mean that a human life isn't that long. If you really encounter that 'fated' person, it's better not to hesitate. Don't just wait passively; it's
better to be a bit proactive. Since you think destiny means being together, wouldn't it be better to be proactive and enjoy it sooner?"
"......"
Asahina had an epiphany.
That made sense! Truly, get together early and enjoy it early. Since her fated person was Shimizu Akira, was his meaning... to have her actively pursue him?
Wait, something felt off. At the start, the Kouhai led the topic toward the amulet, then talked about destiny, and then suggested she take the initiative. Could this guy have known all along that he was her fated person and was doing this on purpose?
But he couldn't have known; she hadn't said it out loud. So was it really just a coincidence?
Did the God of Fate exert its power again?
In that case, Asahina Nazuna—who loved divination and was super superstitious about fate—felt she could only start chasing her kouhai who was a year younger.
.
.
.
Infirmary. 6:00 PM.
Yagami Takuya felt his face and mouth were severely swollen. His eyes were also throbbing and painful, and he still couldn't speak. Except for his head, the rest of his body was normal; Akira hadn't hit him elsewhere.
After forcing down some food, he picked up his phone and scrolled through messages. He found that many students had sent him "kind" greetings.
Student A: F*** you! Yagami Takuya! Because of you, our class lost two people!
Student B: Yagami Takuya, you bastard! Our group took last place because of you, and we lost 300 class points! How are you going to compensate us?
Student C: Which ward are you in? I'm coming to "visit" you.
Yagami couldn't help but grit his teeth. How did these people know he had spent all the points? It must have been the two students who were expelled. But those two had completely left the school; even if he wanted revenge, he couldn't find them.
Then, because he gritted his teeth, he aggravated his wounds. His face and mouth began to throb with intense pain. Not just his mouth—his tongue, teeth, and gums all hurt. Akira had knocked out several of his teeth. Right now they were just plugged with cotton; once the anesthesia wore off, the pain returned.
Waking up was torture; eating was even worse.
"...D-E-F!"
He quickly repeated the mantra in his mind. These were just ordinary students of Advanced Nurturing High School, their minds only thinking about graduating from Class A. He was different; he was a White Room assassin. The two were never on the same level from the start. He didn't need to pay attention to these ordinary people.
Only then did his mood slowly calm down. He began to check other notifications. Tsubaki Sakurako had also messaged him.
Tsubaki Sakurako: Your group's points were too low. Although I attacked other classes' groups, I couldn't change your last-place result. I hope you don't blame me.
Tsk. Speaking of which, Tsubaki did say she planned to attack third-years on the last day.
His expression softened a bit. He managed to reply on his phone: I'm fine.
Tsubaki Sakurako: Good. Once you're discharged, we'll continue discussing the plan against Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and Shimizu Akira.
Tsubaki was actually quite good to him; she had listened to him last time. Although she hadn't managed to save him in the end, she was right—his group points were too low, and she couldn't be blamed for that.
However, his swollen eyes stared through a slit at that line—specifically at the name "Shimizu Akira." Just seeing that name made him tremble. The culprit who caused this wretched state. During the island exam, that guy was definitely aiming for his life. He had seen many people fight and had fought many himself, but never before had he felt fear in his bones like that.
He wasn't afraid of getting hurt. Growing up in the White Room, getting hurt was routine. He was afraid of that sense of powerlessness—no matter how he counterattacked, evaded, or tried to struggle, he couldn't budge the opponent an inch. Like an ant trying to topple a giant tree—ridiculous and pathetic.
He unconsciously clenched his teeth, and a trace of blood seeped from his swollen lips. He took a deep breath, forcing himself not to think about it, and continued scrolling.
Besides the messages cursing him, there was other content. Discussions in the class group, notices from the Student Council, and one message from Acting Chairman Tsukishiro.
Tsukishiro: Recover well. I will handle the follow-up matters.
Acting Chairman Tsukishiro hadn't abandoned him. This made him feel slightly more secure. But it also made him more anxious, because Tsukishiro was about to leave the school. How much "handling" could his promised intervention actually achieve?
After exiting the message interface, he saw Tsubaki Sakurako's chat box again. He hesitated, then typed a few words.
Yagami Takuya: Have you had any contact with Shimizu Akira's side?
Tsubaki Sakurako: I have.
About two minutes later, Tsubaki replied.
Yagami Takuya: How was it?
Tsubaki Sakurako: Not easy to deal with.
If even Tsubaki said he wasn't easy to deal with, it meant his loss wasn't in vain. But it also meant that taking down Shimizu Akira would be even harder than he imagined.
Tsubaki Sakurako: Yagami, don't look at the school forum while you're in the hospital.
What did she mean? Not letting him see the forum?
Yagami put down his phone and lay on the bed, but he was inexplicably bothered by that sentence. Why wouldn't she let him look? If Tsubaki told him not to, it must be something significant. He had a rebellious streak in his nature.
After about ten minutes, he couldn't resist. He picked up his phone and opened the forum.
The first popular post was titled: [White Room Assassin Beaten into a Pig's Head].
There was only one picture inside—it was him. A swollen face, a deformed nose, blood at the corner of his mouth, and several teeth mixed with saliva and blood scattered on the ground. He looked no different from a pig's head.
His hands began to shake. This was a photo taken by Shimizu Akira! Did he post it?
No—it was Kushida Kikyo! She said she would have her boyfriend beat him up and then post the photo on the school forum. She actually followed through.
He stared at that photo, feeling like he was about to explode with rage. "I'm going to kill that woman!"
But in the next second, at the thought of Shimizu Akira behind her, he unconsciously recoiled. "No... if I do that, that guy will definitely kill me this time."
That look he saw before losing consciousness was definitely real. He didn't want to die. He had to change his approach.
Right—he was a member of the Student Council. The Student Council had the right to delete and modify forum posts. He logged into his account to delete that photo and post, but the system prompted: You no longer have permission.
He scrolled through his chat logs in disbelief and found that Nagumo Miyabi had already sent a notice on the day the island exam ended: Yagami Takuya, right? Didn't you say you'd show me how powerful you are on the island? In the end, you just slunk away in disgrace. Someone
as incompetent as you doesn't deserve to be in my Student Council. From today on, you are no longer a member.
At this moment, the sense of powerlessness and fear toward Shimizu Akira and Kushida Kikyo instantly transformed into hatred and fury toward Nagumo Miyabi.
"Nagumo Miyabi! You're dead!"
He couldn't beat Shimizu Akira, but couldn't he beat a Nagumo Miyabi?
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