"Right, about the Kiyono Divine Sect, I’ve been thinking of a prayer recently. Tell me what you think."
Dubian Che turned the first page of the book in his hand and began to recite:
"The most special is she, above all is she, my God, Kiyono Lin," how about that? I came up with it while I was eating."
Kiyono Lin didn’t say anything.
She seemed to decide that continuing the conversation with Dubian Che would be a complete waste of time.
Dubian Che didn’t mind, and started to read Selena’s "Long Night’s Journey" amidst the sound of boiling water in the kettle.
After the water boiled, Kiyono Lin made some black tea.
As Dubian Che thanked her, there were knocks at the door.
"Come in," Kiyono Lin sat back in her seat.
"Excuse me," the visitor’s voice, full of clarity.
To Dubian Che’s discerning taste, it was a beautiful voice, like that of his god, his girlfriend, his lover, his Mr. Xiaoquan; besides them, only this Ayane Kumi remained.
But, if you asked who had the most beautiful voice, of course, it was himself.
"Good afternoon, Kiyono, Mr. Dubian."
"Good afternoon, Ayane," the two of them greeted in unison.
"The two of you still get along so well," Ayane said with a gentle smile.
"No, I just got disliked. It will take three thousand pardons before Kiyono will look at me," Dubian Che pulled up a chair.
Kiyono Lin glared at Dubian Che, then turned to Ayane and asked, "What’s the matter, Ayane?"
Ayane quietly thanked Dubian Che and sat down, then answered Kiyono Lin’s question:
"Kiyono, I’ve come for advice about the Wind Instrument Club."
Kiyono Lin looked towards Dubian Che: "Mr. Dubian."
"Why should I pour the tea?" protested Dubian Che.
"No need, thank you very much. I’m not thirsty," Ayane hurriedly said.
Kiyono Lin ignored her and with an air of assumption, retorted to Dubian Che:
Hey, hey, it was just a saying, you don’t really think you’re a god, right?
As everyone knows, there is only one God in this world, and that is...
"What are you standing around for? Can’t even understand a simple command. Do I need to teach you hand in hand?"
"Yes, yes, as you wish."
Alright then, that’s God Kiyono.
Dubian Che poured some black tea for Ayane in a disposable cup.
"Thank you!" Ayane was a little surprised, having gotten the tea after a dispute.
"The water was just boiled, be careful it’s hot," Dubian Che reminded.
Ayane showed an even gentler smile, about to say something to Dubian Che, but Kiyono Lin’s cool voice cut her off.
"Ayane, didn’t you have something to bring up with the Human Observation Department?"
"Ah, right, that’s it," Ayane paused to gather her thoughts, "Kiyono, you probably know that I’m now the Minister of the Wind Instrument Club."
"I’ve served as Minister of the club in junior high as well, but at that time, everyone just joined the club for fun, so there was no pressure on me."
"Feeling the pressure now?" Dubian Che sipped his black tea.
"Yes." The room was heated, but Ayane still held the cup with both hands, "Everyone is aiming for the national gold, and I don’t know if I can do it."
"So, you came to us to pump up your confidence? To be cheerleaders? To tell you ’you can do it’ and ’you’re amazing’ every day?" Dubian Che said.
"No, that’s not it," Ayane laughed, shaking her head.
Her gaze shifted to Kiyono Lin: "Kiyono, could you come back to the Wind Instrument Club? I could give up the position of Minister..."
"Sorry," Kiyono Lin interrupted with a straightforward answer.
"I should be the one to apologize, for coming to you without asking," Ayane quickly said, "Then... excuse me, I’ll take my leave."
"Take care," Kiyono Lin nodded.
Watching Ayane leave with disappointment, Dubian Che said enviously: "Lucky you, I wish people would come to seek me out to be a Minister."
"Isn’t being a Vice-Minister satisfying enough for you?"
"Having Jiutiao Meijie as my only subordinate – what’s the point of being a Vice-Minister like that!"
He exaggerated his tone, looking pitiable, which made Kiyono Lin smile: "That’s because your strength isn’t enough."
"And you can’t even command her – still have the cheek to laugh at me?"
Kiyono Lin froze for a moment, a little in awe: "You apologize quite quickly."
"Didn’t you just call my full name, how could I not?"
Kiyono Lin felt as though Dubian Che saw right through her, which made her slightly irritable and a little...
She brushed her long hair off her shoulder and coldly said:
"Don’t flatter yourself. You think you understand me enough?"
"No," Dubian Che pretended not to notice her shyness.
After school, Dubian Che returned to "Shinano Town" apartment.
As soon as he exited the elevator, he saw Akiko standing in the hallway waiting for him.
"Dubian, you’re back," she said tenderly.
"Akiko? What’s the matter?"
Dubian Che approached, then quickly sidestepped to avoid Akiko’s reaching hand.
"Stop, no running away!"
"If you don’t chase me, I won’t run!"
"Fine, I won’t chase." Akiko stopped in her tracks.
Dubian Che took the opportunity to open the door and hide in 502.
"Dubian Che! How dare you deceive me! If you dare, don’t come for dinner!"
During dinner, Dubian Che hid behind Xiaoquan Aonai, relying on "Grandmaster Level · Free Combat" and "Elite Level · Dodging" to exhaust Akiko.
The next day, there was a scholastic performance test.
On the third day, Ayane came again.
"If you’re here again to ask me to be a Minister, Ayane, please leave."
"No, no, this time I hope you, Kiyono Lin, would come to the Wind Instrument Club to serve as an advisor and conductor just like last time."
"I’ve already completed the challenge ’to lead a hapless club to the highest professional award’; I won’t do it a second time."