"Because I'm worried that you, Shirakawa, might fall for me, I decided to reject you in advance! Sorry!"
Shirakawa Sawahei: "..."
Wow, she's operating on a completely different level.
He really had no words for this girl with an incredibly odd mind, and compared to her, even Asano Nazuki seemed like a straightforward, good kid.
At least when talking with Asano Nazuki, it was always Shirakawa Sawahei's turn to tease her, without giving her a chance to talk back.
He took a deep breath and said, "I see, then I'll be heading off first."
He couldn't stay any longer; if he continued this conversation, his face might turn dark like the bottom of a pot.
Ise Yu Yuzhijin noticed Shirakawa Sawahei's face darkened, and she shrank back a little and whispered, "But... my thanks meal is still valid..."
Shirakawa Sawahei rubbed his temples and said helplessly, "I really won't be prying into your privacy. I'm also not so clueless as to pursue you..."
"...Do you want me to swear on it?"
"No need for that... Ah, by the way, Shirakawa, how about we pinky swear... Shirakawa... Shirakawa? Why are you leaving! Remember the thanks meal this weekend!"
Shirakawa Sawahei quickly walked out of the classroom, finally leaving Ise Yu Yuzhijin's voice far behind after a few turns.
To him, Ise Yu Yuzhijin was much more persistent than Asano Nazuki. At least Asano was restricted by her persona, so she couldn't really launch a full-on attack.
But Ise Yu Yuzhijin was different; she didn't seem to realize she was being overly persistent.
The idea of winning without trying probably applied here.
Entering the Calligraphy Club's activity room, a familiar, lazy voice chimed in at the right moment, "Ah, isn't it my adorable club member~ Shirakawa, you're really late today."
Shirakawa Sawahei couldn't be bothered to respond to the jabs from his Paramecium Minister, he looked around the activity room and asked, "Did Tachibana take a leave?"
Tsukimi Sakurazawa, seeming as if she had just woken up, stretched lazily, her well-proportioned figure outlined by her school uniform in a way that would make Asano Nazuki envious.
With her natural beauty, clear eyes, and shiny teeth, her long hair falling over her shoulders, tied with a light yellow ribbon, and the ends curling slightly and spilling over her shoulders.
She looked down at her skirt that had just been wrinkled and said lazily, "I don't know~ She seemed to have some things going on, so maybe she might come a bit later."
Shirakawa Sawahei looked for a while at her slightly creased skirt, then discreetly moved his gaze away and frowned, "Did you fall asleep again?"
"Shirakawa, what are you saying!" The Paramecium Minister protested righteously, "Practicing calligraphy is mentally and physically exhausting! Especially for someone like me who puts my all into it!"
"Sleeping so soundly, aren't you worried about getting attacked." Shirakawa Sawahei couldn't help but retort.
The Paramecium Minister blinked, "Shirakawa, are you planning to attack your Minister? A coup?"
"It's alright, I've got special skills; if someone unfamiliar approaches the room, I'll wake up immediately."
"There's no need, Minister, you're not worth me committing a crime for."
"Tch~" The Paramecium Minister dismissed it disdainfully, "I'm super popular, you know? So many guys envy you for being in the Calligraphy Club."
"Then why was the Calligraphy Club close to being disbanded when I first joined?" Shirakawa Sawahei ruthlessly exposed her boasting.
The Paramecium Minister was stumped, her chest heaving as she muttered, "Shirakawa, you'll end up without a girlfriend if you act ."
"Even without acting , I still don't have a girlfriend."
"True, Shirakawa, didn't you just reject Hayakawa again today! You've already achieved a fourfold rejection, maybe you'll get a quintuple if you keep going!" Tsukimi Sakurazawa remarked with a gleeful grin, not bothered by the situation.
Shirakawa Sawahei couldn't be bothered to pay attention to her and went straight over to sit down, setting up his textbook to start studying.
This club did seem a bit odd; even after school, they barely engaged in club activities, usually going about their own business without disturbing each other, occasionally bantering.
It was practically like having a personal study room for Shirakawa Sawahei.
Tsukimi Sakurazawa lay on the table, bored, staring at Shirakawa Sawahei blankly for a while before she suddenly raised her head, "Huh~ It's strange that Xiao Mo hasn't come yet?"
"With her personality, even if something came up and she couldn't come, she'd have definitely sent me a line, right?"
Shirakawa Sawahei paused for a moment while studying, then looked up and asked, "Did she mention anything about what she was going to do?"
"No, when she mentioned coming late, she seemed hesitant, and I didn't ask further."
"Shirakawa, could it be that something happened to Xiao Mo..." Tsukimi Sakurazawa straightened up, looking nervous as she clutched her phone.
Shirakawa Sawahei was silent for a moment, "Line her first, and we'll go look for her right away."
"Do you know where Xiao Mo is?"
"Got a hunch... just send the message quickly."
Shirakawa Sawahei led his Minister swiftly towards Tachibana Tomoku's classroom.
Based on the mixed-up love letter incident at noon, Miss Tachibana was definitely handling that confession.
As for the confessor, Shirakawa Sawahei guessed it was most likely a classmate.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have been easy to slip the love letter into the book that Tachibana usually reads.
If the appointed place was the rooftop or the area behind the school building, Tachibana wouldn't dare go alone. Since Tsukimi Sakurazawa hadn't received any messages, it meant the place she was at must be a familiar setting...
He pushed open the door to Class C1.
"Say yes to him, Tachibana..."
"Jin is super popular; lots of girls like him, but he hasn't agreed to any of them."
"Tachibana, Jin's been bending his back for a long time now. Even if he's the ace of the tennis club, you've got to consider his stamina."
"Just agree to Senior Oga already, Senior Tachibana!"
The sounds inside were suddenly interrupted by the opening door, and many looked toward the entrance, utterly bewildered.
Shirakawa Sawahei's gaze was sharp as a knife, coldly sweeping over those inside.
In the classroom, a sunny and handsome boy was bowing at ninety degrees, handing Tachibana Tomoku the confession letter. Surrounding him were several accomplices, both male and female, exuding a certain air of being carefreely successful.
And Miss Tachibana was sitting at her desk, her head deeply buried, completely at a loss on how to handle such a scene. The incessant persuading and brainwashing from those around her seemed determined to pressurize her into accepting this outcome.
Imposing the group's will on the typically invisible, low-profile Tachibana didn't seem wrong to them.
On the contrary, it was considered a blessing, providing this pitiful yet fortunate girl with an opportunity to join the ranks of the popular.
Well, it's not like she has any friends, so being miraculously noticed by Oga should stop her from playing coy. Agreeing sooner would save us some effort, no?
Seeing Miss Tachibana curling up like a frightened little deer, Shirakawa Sawahei's eyes grew icy cold.
Are you tired of a peaceful school life? Or do you think your life's tougher than others?
Do you guys really dare mess with my study buddy?
You must be sick of living!