More like giving her space.
For some reason, those words kept echoing inside Shirayuki's small head.
What was that supposed to mean?
Their behavior, which was drifting further and further away from the novel's storyline, made Shirayuki feel slightly confused as well as restless.
If they did not follow the novel's plot, then her engagement with Tenshou Aizen would continue.
Which meant, in the future, they would get married.
The problem was that Tenshou Aizen was an only child—the heir of the Tenshou Group.
If she truly married him, then she would have obligations as the wife of the heir to the Tenshou Group.
Protecting the family's name, attending events with company executives, and living under the public spotlight.
A life far too troublesome for someone like her.
No. I have to do something.
And so, Shirayuki finally decided to step in and return the novel's storyline back to its original path.
***
In the following days, Shirayuki began paying closer attention to the activities of the four of them.
Akira usually kept himself busy with self-study in the classroom, ate lunch alone, or simply sat around in the school garden while feeling the gentle breeze.
Meanwhile, Aizen, Yuu, and Ryuusei were now almost always together.
If before they were only a duo, now they had become a trio that strangely felt very compatible.
A tiger, a fox, and a wolf.
A combination of predators that should have been difficult to unite, yet for some reason seemed perfectly balanced instead.
What was even stranger was that they were even closer compared to the original novel.
Ding!
The sound of the school bell echoed throughout the classroom, signaling the change of period.
Slide—
Not even a minute after the bell rang, the teacher had already arrived in class.
Not a single moment was wasted.
The current subject was Global Perspectives.
"Good afternoon. Let's begin the class."
After placing her tablet and several files on the teacher's desk, the woman immediately turned on the projector screen at the front of the class.
"Next week, you will begin the first group presentation of this semester."
The classroom atmosphere, which had previously been calm, began to grow slightly noisy.
"The topic is social hierarchy and social status among teenagers."
Some students immediately let out soft sighs, while others started quietly discussing with the classmates beside them.
"You are free to use articles, journals, news, or even real-life case examples as analysis material."
The teacher then looked around at the entire class before continuing,
"And because this is the first assignment, I will decide the group members."
The students began whispering to one another, curious about the group assignments.
The classroom was instantly filled with soft murmurs from students curious about the grouping.
"Please be quiet."
With just one short sentence, the entire class immediately became quiet again.
Elena Hart was known as one of the strictest teachers in this school.
The half-Japanese woman rarely raised her voice, yet somehow her mere presence alone was enough to make the students behave themselves.
She then began reading the group members one by one.
Then—
"Group 3. Kanzaki Akira, Tenshou Aizen, Kirishima Ryuusei, Mikazuki Yuu, and Kujo Shirayuki."
Shirayuki's pupils instantly widened.
Her name had been called together with the four of them.
Out of all the students in this class...
why did she have to end up in the same group as them?
God truly had a terrible sense of humor.
.
.
.
The bell signaling the end of the school day finally rang, marking the beginning of club activities.
Since today was Thursday, Shirayuki actually did not have any activities and should have been able to go home already.
Unfortunately, the Global Perspectives group assignment forced her to remain in the classroom together with the four of them.
For the moment, no one started a conversation.
Shirayuki simply sat quietly while waiting for someone to speak first.
"Everyone, could you look this way?"
And of course— Yuu became the first person to start the conversation.
The four of them shifted their gazes toward Yuu.
"Since we've already become a group for the Global Perspectives assignment, how about we discuss it now?"
Yuu smiled faintly before continuing,
"Of course, if none of you have plans after this."
"Sorry, but I have something to do after this. Can we discuss it another day?" Akira said while giving a small bow.
"I also have something to take care of." Aizen added calmly.
Yuu crossed his arms as he thought for a moment.
"In that case, how about this Saturday?"
He looked at them one by one before continuing,
"Why don't we hold a meeting to discuss the assignment?"
"How about Saturday, then?" Ryuusei chimed in.
"Saturday should be fine, right?" Ryuusei said.
"I have no problem with that," Akira replied.
"It's fine with me as well," said Aizen.
Shirayuki finally nodded quietly as well.
Seeing that no one objected, Yuu smiled faintly.
"Then, Saturday it is."
After deciding on the schedule, they began thinking about a place to gather.
"The library probably wouldn't work since we'll be exchanging opinions with each other. And a café would be too noisy."
Then Yuu smiled faintly.
"In that case... how about using one of our houses instead?"
"Then, how about my house?"
Aizen's tone remained calm as usual.
"You all just need to come. The rest will be taken care of."
"Sounds good to me," Ryuusei replied with his mischievous grin.
No one voiced any objections.
"Then, should we gather somewhere first, or head there separately?"
"Can I go together with you guys?" Akira asked in his usual flat tone.
"Of course," Yuu answered lightly before shifting his gaze toward Shirayuki.
"What about Kujo-san?"
Shirayuki fell silent for a moment before finally speaking.
"No. I'll go by myself."
Honestly, Shirayuki felt that going together with them would be extremely exhausting.
At the very least, if she went alone, she could intentionally arrive a little later and avoid the awkward atmosphere of having to travel with them.
"Then, it's decided."
"The group assignment meeting will be held at Aizen's house this Saturday at eight in the morning."
Yuu smiled faintly.
"No objections, right?"
In the end, their group meeting was decided to take place at Aizen's house on Saturday.
"Let's exchange contacts on WaveTalk. It'll make communication easier later."
After that, they began scanning Yuu's account code one by one.
And—
Ding!
Shirayuki's phone vibrated softly.
A notification from WaveTalk appeared on her screen.
[Mikazuki Yuu has created a new group.]
After finishing exchanging WaveTalk contacts, they began leaving the classroom and headed back to their respective homes.
***
As soon as she arrived home, Shirayuki immediately threw herself onto the bed.
She looked utterly exhausted.
Aoi, who noticed his lady's condition, finally asked in a worried tone,
"Did something happen, Milady? You don't seem very energetic."
"Hmm?"
Shirayuki stared at the bedroom ceiling for a few moments before letting out a soft sigh.
"It's nothing serious."
She then closed her eyes.
"God is simply giving life trials to His lamb."
Should she intentionally not come... or at least arrive late?
Shirayuki blankly stared at the ceiling of her room as she thought.
If her goal was to return the situation back to the original novel's storyline, then not showing up was clearly the best choice.
Ding!
A WaveTalk notification appeared on her phone.
But before Shirayuki could check it, Aoi spoke first.
"By the way, Milady."
"Isn't today the scheduled day for your regular meeting with Lord Aizen?"
"..."
Shirayuki immediately fell silent.
Ah. That's right.
She had completely forgotten about it.