Chu Hui taking Katsura Kotonoha away in front of everyone in Class 4 was undoubtedly a harsh slap in the face to Kato Otome.
At this moment, Kato Otome felt her face burning, and her expression was filled with shame. She had mistakenly thought that Chu Hui had come to confess his feelings to her, so she had rejected him coldly. Who knew that Chu Hui was actually there to pick up Katsura Kotonoha, making her a laughingstock in front of everyone.
Thinking that this joke would spread throughout the entire school tomorrow, Kato Otome gritted her teeth in hatred towards Chu Hui.
Natsumi Koizumi, Mori Kurumi, Kobayashi Minami, and the others also had very unpleasant expressions. They had mocked Katsura Kotonoha, saying she was being delusional and that it was impossible for Chu Hui to like her.
But the very next moment, Chu Hui had gently come to Katsura Kotonoha's side and considerately took her away. Although Chu Hui didn't say a word during this process, they felt that this was Chu Hui's silent mockery of them.
On campus, two figures walked one after the other, neither of them speaking.
Katsura Kotonoha looked up at Chu Hui from time to time, then looked down at her own hand being held by him, her cheeks flushed with shyness.
Chu Hui seemed to have forgotten the current situation, keeping hold of Katsura Kotonoha's hand the entire time, until they reached the train station, at which point he suddenly realized.
Chu Hui turned to face Katsura Kotonoha and said with a look of surprise: "Eh, Student Katsura, why are you holding my hand and not letting go? Do you like me?"
In fact, when Chu Hui turned to face her, Katsura Kotonoha was truly incredibly nervous, not knowing what Chu Hui would say to her. However, at this moment, she was completely speechless.
Katsura Kotonoha asked softly: "Student Chu, what are you thinking about?"
"Sorry, I was daydreaming just now." Chu Hui blinked and said: "Actually, I was just thinking, why are your hands so delicate, Student Katsura? They feel so smooth. I had to focus all my energy just to keep them from slipping out of my hand."
Katsura Kotonoha was taken aback, but she wasn't angry. Instead, she felt a strange sense of satisfaction inside and said shyly: "You're joking, Student Chu. Thank you for just now; if you hadn't been there, I wouldn't have known what to do."
"I told you that you could come to me if you needed help." Chu Hui still didn't let go and said: "Are they your classmates? Why are they deliberately targeting you?"
"It really was my fault this time." A flash of sadness crossed Katsura Kotonoha's eyes. Of course, she wasn't unaware of the jealousy the girls in the class held towards her, but she wasn't good at handling these problems, so she had always faced them by avoiding them.
But for some people, the more you avoid them, the more they will come looking for you.
"It's just that you are too kind, Student Katsura." Chu Hui sighed, raised his other hand, and gently stroked Kotonoha's head.
Katsura Kotonoha, however, was like a frightened little rabbit; she took a step back and pulled her hand out of Chu Hui's grasp.
After being stunned for a moment, she realized that her behavior was too inappropriate and said awkwardly: "I'm sorry, I..."
"No need to explain. It was too abrupt of me." Chu Hui smiled and waved his hand, though he felt a surge of helplessness inside.
Of course, he wasn't intentionally taking advantage of Katsura Kotonoha; he just wanted to test how severe the fear of men that Katsura Kotonoha suffered from really was. The facts proved that Katsura Kotonoha was indeed quite ill.
If it were just simply holding hands, of course, it would be fine, but going any further would be troublesome, let alone the final act of pushing her down.
And according to what the cleaver implied, the sign of a successful conquest is pushing her down.
Initially, Chu Hui thought Katsura Kotonoha would be the easiest to pursue, but now he realized he had thought too simply. Without curing Katsura Kotonoha's illness, there was no hope of being a normal couple with her.
Katsura Kotonoha glanced at Chu Hui with confusion, only relaxing after confirming he wasn't angry with her.
Hesitating for a moment, Katsura Kotonoha noticed Chu Hui seemed to have forgotten something and reminded him: 'Student Chu, it seems Kato and the others have misunderstood our relationship.'
'You mean they think we're a couple?' Chu Hui smiled indifferently. 'I actually think that's fine. From now on, whenever they think about bullying you, they'll remember me. Of course, if you mind, Katsura, I can go clarify things tomorrow.'
'This...' Katsura Kotonoha's face showed hesitation. She knew having Chu Hui clarify was the best choice, but for some reason, she wavered.
A strange glint flashed in Chu Hui's eyes as he smiled. 'Let's not clarify. No one would believe it anyway. Better to let them know you're my woman... I mean, having them misunderstand is beneficial for you too. After all, I do have some prestige at school.'
Chu Hui looked somewhat embarrassed.
'Pfft!' Katsura Kotonoha couldn't help but laugh, the gloom completely dispelled.
Katsura Kotonoha remembered that Chu Hui's so-called 'prestige' was actually more of a notorious reputation.
Then she thought about how, from now on, in the eyes of others, she would be Chu Hui's woman. Instantly, an intense shyness bloomed from deep within her. Her skin flushed a visible shade of red all over, and her delicate body grew weak in waves.
The train clattered as it approached. Katsura Kotonoha quickly pressed a hand to her chest, as if holding something back, turned around, took a deep breath, and said rapidly, 'Student Chu, the train is here. I have to go. See you next time.'
Chu Hui didn't understand the girl's sudden urgency, but he smiled and nodded in response. 'Goodbye. I'll visit your place this weekend.'
Katsura Kotonoha's pretty face flushed red. She hurried towards the opening train doors, while Chu Hui also turned to leave, though he felt something was off.
'Student Chu!'
Just then, Katsura Kotonoha's voice sounded from behind, tinged with nervousness. Chu Hui instinctively turned around.
Then, his cheek received a light, fleeting kiss.
'Student Chu, thank you... thank you for always helping me...'
Katsura Kotonoha lowered her gaze, not daring to meet Chu Hui's eyes. Her body trembled as she spoke while stepping back. Finally, she gave him a shy glance, turned, and ran into the train like a little girl who had stolen candy.
Only after the train slowly pulled away did Chu Hui snap out of it. He touched his cheek, as if the lingering warmth of Katsura Kotonoha's lips was still there.
Watching Katsura Kotonoha's shy face in the receding train, Chu Hui really wanted to slap himself. They were going the same direction, and he had actually forgotten to board the train with her.
After a moment's thought, Chu Hui took out his phone and sent a message to Saionji Sekai.
'Sekai, I've decided. I'm going to confess to Katsura Kotonoha this weekend!'
'Are you an idiot? I told you that would scare her! When dealing with girls, you shouldn't...'
'She just ambushed me and kissed me.'
Looking at the latest message from Chu Hui, Saionji Sekai fell silent for a moment. Then she deleted the content she had just typed and sent a new message.
'Congratulations, boy.'
Chu Hui looked at the message, finding nothing unusual, and sent another one.'Sekai, I need your help.'
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