"Sekai, maybe we should just forget it."
Makoto, being dragged up the stairs to the rooftop by Saionji Sekai, looked distressed and kept trying to turn back.
"We've come all this way, and you're retreating now? Are you even a man?"
Saionji Sekai severely scolded this weakling, her "good friend."
"Didn't you want me to help you convey your feelings to Katsura-san? She doesn't have a boyfriend right now. If you don't act, it'll be too late!"
Makoto's face was bitter. He knew exactly what Sekai meant by "too late."
Anyone with eyes could see the obvious relationship between Kotonoha and Shin, who sat next to her. Even if they hadn't explicitly said it, breaking the window of their relationship would only take a gentle push.
Kotonoha was a perfect girlfriend candidate in every way. Compared to third-year Utaha, as another "high-mountain flower," she also had the characteristic of being approachable.
The only reason she hadn't had a boyfriend in her first year of high school was because she was too reserved. As for her second year, Shin was watching over her.
Many boys from Sakakino Academy who transferred to this school wanted to pick this high-mountain flower, but Shin's fierce reputation deterred them from touching "the boss's woman."
Makoto was naturally one of those who were scared away. If he hadn't confided in his good friend Saionji Sekai, he would only have kept his affection at the level of a crush.
"Don't give up, Makoto. While you are inferior to Shin-kun in every way, you have one thing better than him—you are gentle,"
Sekai encouraged Makoto. With one opening, she revealed herself as an expert in "yasashii" (gentle) encouragement.
"But..."
"There are no buts! You go up there!"
Saionji Sekai dragged Makoto onto the rooftop. By the railing of the rooftop, the thoughtful Kotonoha was already waiting.
Looking at his crush's angelic face and stunning figure, Makoto's hesitant heart suddenly pounded.
"Katsura-san, sorry to keep you waiting,"
Sekai silently pushed Makoto, saying enthusiastically.
"It's nothing, I just arrived," Kotonoha smiled slightly, speaking politely.
She hadn't been waiting long, only thinking about... Shin.
"Katsura-san, this, that..." Makoto looked flustered. The panicked look on his face showed he had little experience interacting with the opposite sex.
"Ahhhh, this is annoying!" Saionji Sekai looked exasperated and said bluntly,
"Katsura-san, Makoto likes you. He wants to know if you can try being his girlfriend!"
"Sekai!" Makoto anxiously tried to cover Saionji Sekai's mouth, while cautiously looking at Kotonoha.
"This..." Kotonoha looked flustered, her hands slightly clenched, and her expression seemed hesitant.
"...I really like you! Katsura-san, please give me a chance!"
Makoto found some courage, bent over, and shouted loudly.
"...You're too loud."
A lazy and annoyed voice suddenly interrupted the confession. Makoto shuddered, turned around, and saw Shin slowly sitting up from where he was lying near the rooftop staircase, rubbing his eyes and looking at him.
"Seriously... so annoying!"
Shin's tone was extremely unpleasant, very, very unfriendly.
His dream was interrupted, a dream he couldn't remember, whether it was a nightmare or not, it was a very peaceful dream.
"Eek!!! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!!!"
Facing those impatient and cold eyes, Makoto cried out like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, turning around and running away.
"Makoto... sigh!"
Saionji Sekai looked at Shin with both fear and unwillingness, then turned and chased after the fleeing Makoto, leaving the rooftop.
"Shin-kun... were you here the whole time?"
Kotonoha asked in surprise, her gaze wandering, her ears starting to blush.
"I fell asleep," Shin sighed.
"I finally got a good nap. I was trying to catch up after skipping the morning classes, but seriously... sigh."
Kotonoha gently exhaled, her expression a mix of disappointment and relief. She slightly twisted her fingers behind her back and said in a low voice,
"Shin-kun, it's already past lunchtime. It seems a bit late to go to the cafeteria..."
It was indeed late. Shin felt his stomach empty, but he could only sigh helplessly.
"I made two bento boxes... If you don't mind, let's eat together," Kotonoha held out a delicate lunch box from behind her, looking somewhat expectant. Shin jumped off the roof and smiled.
"That would be great."
"Do you remember something I told you a long time ago?" the System suddenly emerged like a ghost and said faintly.
"If you cheat the company by evading taxes, you will pay the price."
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