Kunii Shuichi clearly knew the situation as well and touched his cropped hair, "I'm just keeping Dubian company, nothing else."
Dubian Che gave this guy a glance, "You just want to be close to Kiyono Lin every week."
"You know me so well! Class starts in twenty minutes, let's go!" Kunii Shuichi slapped the desk and headed for the classroom door.
"Where to?" Saito Keisuke yelled.
"Now? Are you crazy?"
"Are we buddies or not?"
"No. But if you're treating tonight, I might just go with you."
"Alright, alright, hurry up!"
Saito Keisuke chuckled and patted Dubian Che on the shoulder, "Let's go, Dubian."
The three walked across the aerial corridor between buildings and arrived at the Human Observation Department's activity room.
Kunii Shuichi stood at the door but didn't have the courage to knock.
He pushed Dubian Che forward, urging in a low voice, "Dubian, you knock!"
Dubian Che had no feelings for Kiyono Lin, so naturally, he didn't experience any feelings of inferiority or shyness, he knocked on the door, and after getting permission, he was the first to walk in.
The girl sat by the window, her slender hands holding a hardcover book, like freshly peeled bamboo shoots; the sea breeze from Tokyo Bay caressed her long hair.
Her pretty and adorable face showed no expression, only her enchanting eyes occasionally rippled due to her reading.
Kunii Shuichi and Saito Keisuke were entranced.
"Kiyono, the submission for the Literary Society is ready," said Dubian Che.
"Mm, thank you for your hard work," Kiyono Lin nodded, turning a page of the book in her hands.
"Also," Dubian Che stepped aside, revealing the two behind him, "I have two classmates who also want to join the Human Observation Department."
The following Saito Keisuke offered no objection.
Kiyono Lin placed a bookmark between the pages, set the book aside, and scrutinized the two newcomers.
The activity room fell silent, and Dubian Che heard Kunii Shuichi nervously swallow, making a loud sound.
He glanced back at Kunii Shuichi, whose face was now red.
Kiyono Lin crossed her arms while sitting, looking down at the two as if standing, "Answer a question for me, and if you pass, you can join."
"No problem!" Kunii Shuichi replied with the loud voice he used when responding to the baseball team's Minister.
Kunii Shuichi was stunned and after a moment, stammered an "Eh?" of disbelief.
Kiyono Lin's tone, previously neutral, cooled further, "Coming to an interview without seeing the requirements for joining?"
"Well, I..." Kunii Shuichi couldn't find the words, looking rather flustered.
Kiyono Lin ignored him, her scrutinizing gaze shifting to Saito Keisuke.
Quick to respond, Saito Keisuke said, "I've seen them."
This morning, Dubian Che had spoken about the unusual membership requirements, and he had remembered some, but Kunii Shuichi, who had listened to the retelling, was not so fortunate.
Just as Saito Keisuke was about to repeat the membership requirements he hadn't fully remembered, Kiyono Lin glanced at Dubian Che and picked up her hardcover book to resume reading.
Let them leave... that was the message Dubian Che interpreted from her glance.
"Kiyono, Saito did look at them, he's sincere. If you don't believe it, you can ask him."
"I don't like liars." If Kiyono Lin's voice had any trace of warmth before, it was now completely flat.
An aura similar to "don't bother me, you're wasting my time" began to emanate from the girl.
Dubian Che looked back at the two, Kunii Shuichi with a pitiful look that said "let's get out of here, I can't take it anymore," and Saito Keisuke shook his head, signaling to give up.
"Sorry for disturbing you," he said.
Kiyono Lin nodded almost imperceptibly, "Take care."
Kunii Shuichi bolted out immediately, with Saito Keisuke following closely. As Dubian Che was about to leave, a voice from behind reached him.
"Hm?" Dubian Che turned around instinctively.
The girl, still holding her book, her back against the sunlight from the window, remained motionless as she looked at him, "Do you like me?"
"Ah?" Dubian Che was taken aback by her question.
"Answer the question." Kiyono Lin showed no intention of clarifying his confusion.
"I like you, Kiyono is so cute."
He thought it couldn't hurt to say something nice, right?
"There is certainly value in continuing observations. Remember to come to the club after school tomorrow," Kiyono Lin withdrew her gaze, "Close the door on your way out."
Dubian Che still had no idea what she was talking about. What did she mean by observation value?
He, Dubian, was just an ordinary high school student, even if he had cheat codes, they hadn't come in handy yet!
But he didn't care to ask about things others didn't want to talk about. He turned, pulled the door closed, and followed Kunii Shuichi and Saito Keisuke out.