After the Wind Instrument Club’s practice ended, Goda High School fell into complete silence.
Although Shibuya Station is a very important large platform in Tokyo with four lines passing through, it still has good greening. On the way to the Human Observation Department’s activity room, one could even hear the sound of frogs croaking in the distance.
The three of them sat around the zelkova wood table.
"The upcoming dance," Kiyono Lin thought for a moment, "if I’m not mistaken, is the day after tomorrow."
"Isn’t that just today and tomorrow? Is there enough time?" Dubian Che asked worriedly.
"It’s just a very conventional dance, and etiquette doesn’t need to be perfect. In fact," Kiyono Lin smiled, "you can even stay with me in the corner eating food."
"That’s not impossible, but are you willing to take responsibility for quelling Jiutiao Meijie’s fury?"
Kiyono Lin said with a cold laugh, "Why should I accommodate her?"
"Then there’s no helping it. I actually really wanted to be your eating buddy... Wait, are you also participating in the dance?"
Kiyono Lin let out a very helpless sigh, and though she still sat up straight, she looked a bit tired.
It seems that this young lady also had it tough—probably due to the Wind Instrument Club matter, she was already weary in body and mind.
Kiyono Lin did not complain about her own tasks, continuing to speak to Dubian Che: "Two days should be enough time, as long as you’re not only good at studying and playing the oboe."
"You underestimate me," Dubian Che said confidently, "As long as I set my mind to it, I can easily accomplish anything."
A disdainful curve formed on Kiyono Lin’s lips: "Not telling lies now, are we?"
"..." Dubian Che was speechless, "Kiyono, I must clarify one thing: lies are not as overwhelmingly evil and unforgivable as you imagine."
After stating his opinion, following the thought process from his previous life’s essay writing, Dubian Che naturally began to give examples.
"For instance, a young and pretty girl ran past me, and soon after, a ruffian came asking which direction the girl went. I told him the opposite direction to where the girl ran. Look at this, the lie is so noble and adorable at this moment, filled with a sense of justice, the government could even award me a certificate for righteous bravery."
"Leaving aside the fact that in your example there are many other ways to handle it without lying, I admit: it’s unrealistic for ordinary people to never lie," Kiyono Lin nodded.
"However," Kiyono Lin stared at him with a puzzled expression, "what about people who often lie in daily life, even in love relationships?"
"...That comment is just directed at me, isn’t it?"
"Exactly." Kiyono Lin’s smile contained an undisguised satisfaction.
"We’re not debating whether a lie has intrinsic value or..."
"Both of you!" Hanaoka Asako suddenly spoke up, interrupting Dubian Che mid-sentence.
Dubian Che and Kiyono Lin were startled.
"Is there a problem, Hua Tian?" Kiyono Lin asked.
"You two," Hanaoka Asako grabbed the hem of her skirt, eyes red as if she were an agitated rabbit, glaring at them both, "are indeed doing something behind Jiutiao’s back!"
Kiyono Lin opened her mouth, surprised and at a loss for words.
"Let’s end the debate here." Dubian Che could not understand the thoughts of this sentimentally clean freak either, but he was also disinterested, "Let’s start the lesson directly, Teacher Kiyono."
Kiyono Lin folded her arms: "Let me properly train you."
"...Suddenly I find you a bit scary."
Kiyono Lin revealed a grim smile: "Because your words made me very unhappy."
Just how twisted, like Jiutiao Meijie?
"Kiyono!" Hanaoka Asako, trying to interrupt their conversation again, even put on the airs of a senior.
Watching Kiyono Lin’s attitude, akin to indulging a child, Dubian Che could not help but laugh, but in order not to receive a cold stare, he tried to vent his laughter through his breathing.
After some idle chat, the topic finally returned to the main track.
"Etiquette, and dance skills, I don’t think these are the most important things."
"Is that how you ask for someone’s instruction, Mr. Dubian?"
"Sorry, my attitude was wrong. Please continue, Teacher Kiyono." Dubian Che bent over to perform a gentleman’s bow that he saw on television.
Kiyono Lin nodded her head: "I didn’t expect you to have a talent for this, so Teacher I will..."
"You two, enough is enough!" Hanaoka Asako’s eyes were moist, "If I hadn’t come today, you would have totally been playing a teacher-student role-playing game!"
Kiyono Lin put her hand to her mouth and coughed lightly.
"Mr. Dubian, I think the first thing you need guidance on is your mindset. Legally, there is no difference between people’s identities, but economically, it creates classes. As a high school student, you should understand what I mean, right?"
"Will there be people who will use their power and money to embarrass me?" Right now, Dubian Che was in the midst of being cornered by the financial power of the Jiutiao family.
"Rash and stupid people are plenty in this world, but they will not appear at the dance the day after tomorrow."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Even if they do, they won’t show it."
"But from many of the novels I’ve read... Alright, go on."
Kiyono Lin withdrew her cold gaze, pinching her beautiful nose with frustration.
"In reality, so-called high society is more cunning than the characters in novels; they will resort to schemes behind your back if they dislike you. The real importance of mindset, is to make sure you don’t feel like they are out of your reach."
Dubian Che felt his mindset was quite good.
Without the pride of a transmigrator, the self-entitlement of a system player, not to mention being both low-key and humble, he would never modestly think that someone could outmatch him.