Time flowed relentlessly.
Akane looked at Satoru, who was nestled against her chest like a child.
I wish it could be like this forever.
Akane thought to herself.
The breeze was just right.
The person she loved was right beside her.
She didn't know how much time had passed.
When Akane felt that lunch break was about to end.
"Creak."
The rooftop door opened again.
Huh?
Akane was puzzled.
Why did she say "again"?
And the person standing at the entrance looking over…
It was Reina again.
Huh? Huh?
Akane felt strange again.
Why did she say "again"?
As her gaze met Reina's slightly disbelieving eyes, Akane's mind went blank.
How did I run into Kurashiki again?
Yeah, how did I run into Nanao… and that jerk again!?
Reina was also doubting her life.
Reina's grades weren't particularly good.
Mainly, her "math" was terrible, though English was reluctantly considered a strength.
But her total score wasn't even as good as her follower, Arisa.
Plus, her family was wealthy, so Reina didn't care much about her grades.
However,
"Mr. Hayashi!? Huh!?"
When she accidentally glanced at a report card that only listed the top ten in their grade, Reina saw a name she couldn't believe.
Mr. Hayashi!? Is there a mistake somewhere?
The first thing Reina thought was, is there a mistake somewhere? But "Lin Cun'an" was indeed that guy's full name.
What the hell!?
Is that jerk's academic performance that good!?
But Reina had seen the ranking list more than once; she remembered that his name should have appeared before.
She also asked a few of the top students in her class, who often paid attention to changes in the rankings.
In the end, they also came to the conclusion that "Lin Cun'an" had risen surprisingly.
What on earth has been happening to that kid recently!? Huh?
He used to be a gloomy guy, but now… not only does he have good luck with women, he can play the guitar, and even his grades are this good!?
Even his demeanor has changed.
If his previous unapproachable behavior was called "gloomy," then now it could be described with a high-level word like "indifferent."
The former meant "fear," while the latter meant "unwillingness."
Tsk.
Reina was very annoyed; she clicked her tongue repeatedly.
She actually didn't care about guitar, grades, or even looks and personality.
What's so great about good grades? Aren't there still so many top students working for her family at her mother's company!?
But… every time she heard rumors of Satoru becoming "excellent," and people around her praised Mr. Hayashi, Reina felt a strange sense of losing.
Reina originally intended to go up to the rooftop to get some fresh air.
To let the wind tell her the answer, "It's just you overthinking things."
And then she saw…
What was Satoru doing with Akane!?
In broad daylight!! You two! Are you just finished!?
Reina looked at Akane again.
The latter's face was flushed, her demeanor shy, adding a touch of allure to her already beautiful face.
Huh!? So this guy's chest is that big!?
Reina was shocked.
She considered her bust size good, but that was compared to Arisa; in front of Akane, she seemed a bit inferior.
She looked down.
Oh no, she could still see a bit of her toes.
Just as Akane was about to wake Satoru, his head lifted, and his lazy gaze looked towards the doorway:
"…Who old are you?"
Reina was dumbfounded by this question and hadn't had time to answer.
"You weren't asleep?" Akane asked.
"Woke up early." Satoru stood up indifferently, patting the wrinkles on his clothes, "Let's go."
"…Oh, okay." Akane also quickly sat up.
She went to tidy up the used lunch boxes, wrapping them in a cloth.
During this time, she glanced at Reina several times, particularly concerned.
Reina naturally felt that gaze.
She clicked her tongue in disdain.
Then she walked onto the rooftop.
She ignored the two of them and leaned against the railing, enjoying the breeze.
"Hm, don't forget to take the trash."
Satoru reminded, then walked ahead.
Akane followed closely.
Although they didn't brush shoulders, the two still inevitably walked past Reina.
Reina deliberately didn't look at Satoru.
But she accidentally met eyes with Akane, who was looking at her.
Ah!?
Reina was especially annoyed; she didn't quite understand why Akane would be interested in this scoundrel.
Akane shrugged her shoulders, and after retracting her gaze, she subconsciously quickened her pace, but her nose accidentally bumped into Satoru's back.
"S-sorry—" Akane immediately apologized.
Satoru, however, sighed and, without a word, took her hand.
Under Reina's piercing gaze, the two walked out of the rooftop hand in hand.
Reina's teeth itched; she wished she could find something to bite into.
On the stairs.
Akane looked at her and Satoru's tightly clasped hands.
After looking for a while and walking for a bit, Akane finally spoke:
"I have sweaty hands."
Satoru sighed, quite exasperated and helpless:
"What else can be done? I'll try to overcome it."
Akane smiled sweetly: "…Can I hit you?"
Satoru smiled even more brightly: "I can defeat you in one move, noob."
…
In the classroom, Shigen Ryouka held her phone tightly.
The phone screen displayed the messaging interface.
She had sent a text message to Mr. Hayashi earlier.
It was, it was very wholesome, just asking for the solution process to a math problem.
However, almost a class period had passed, but Satoru still hadn't replied.
She felt a bit uneasy, wondering if Mr. Hayashi was trying to save her some face in front of everyone, which was why he gave her his contact information.
Perhaps Mr. Hayashi had no interest in contacting her at all.
No, Shigen Ryouka. Suzuka shook her head, warning herself, maybe he's just taking a nap!
Immediately after, lunch break ended, and the class bell rang again.
Satoru's reply still hadn't arrived as expected, but Akane barely made it to class with a sprint and a sudden stop.
"I'm ruined, I almost thought the teacher was going to lock me out!" Akane let out a long sigh of relief.
"Akane, you…"
Shigen Ryouka was just about to take advantage of the teacher's absence to chat with Akane about her worries.
But just as she spoke, her phone vibrated.
"Hm? What's wrong?" Akane asked.
Shigen Ryouka first glanced at her phone, then a satisfied curve appeared on her lips, and she smiled sweetly: "No, nothing at all."
A photo appeared on her phone screen, a draft of Mr. Hayashi's detailed solution ideas for the problem.
"Do you understand?"
"I understand."
Shigen Ryouka felt like she was the happiest child in the world.
…
…