That detestable Hoshino-kun.
He actually covets someone else's mother.
If I help him, will I become an accomplice to a crime?
Kato Nana was carefully pondering this question.
Honestly, she was a bit conflicted inside.
The subtle feelings she had for Hoshino-kun, and the intense excitement, were like two little figures battling each other within her.
"Kato-san, what are you thinking about?"
Hoshino-kun gave her a threatening look, making Kato Nana's heart feel tingly and numb as if she had been electrocuted.
The excited little figure, after being electrocuted, seemed to have received a shot of adrenaline, punching the other one away.
'This isn't Nana's fault, Hoshino-kun forced Nana to do it.'
'And Takayanagi Jo-san brought this upon himself; if he hadn't offended Hoshino-kun, none of this would have happened.'
'It must be very sad to have your mother taken away by someone else, Takayanagi Jo-san.'
'Nana sympathizes with you, but Nana really cannot go against Hoshino-kun's will.'
'So, I'm sorry.'
Probably no one could understand why Kato Nana's face turned completely red because of a single sentence from Hoshino Jun.
Nor could anyone understand why, with just one sentence from Hoshino Jun, Kato Nana could give up pursuing Takayanagi Jo-san's responsibility.
"Then let's listen to Hoshino-kun."
The girl shyly lowered her head, her timid appearance leaving Teacher Hamasaki bewildered.
Finally, she thought it over and over, and attributed the reason to Hoshino Jun's face.
This brat is really too handsome; it's quite normal for young girls, who haven't been crushed by life yet, to fall for him.
It would be better if he were a bit more ruthless.
What a pity, he's a kind, gentle boy.
He always tries to help others escape blame.
If it weren't for Takayanagi Yuki's crying, Teacher Hamasaki would have really wanted to reject Hoshino Jun's request on the spot.
But...
There's probably no teacher in the world who could be heartless enough to say, in front of a mother's tears, that her child is an incorrigible piece of trash.
Forget it.
Just one last chance for Takayanagi Jo-san.
For the sake of his mother's tears and Hoshino Jun's plea.
Finally.
Teacher Hamasaki let out a long sigh and made her final decision:
"The death penalty is spared, but the living punishment is unavoidable. One hundred self-reflection essays are out; it's reduced to ten letters of apology to Kato-san."
"Also, from today onwards, Takayanagi Jo-san will be the daily duty student, and the class's hygiene will be entirely your responsibility."
"Did you hear me?"
Under everyone's gaze, Takayanagi Jo-san nodded unwillingly.
He really didn't want to accept this baseless crime.
But if he didn't, there was no other way; no one would believe him.
It was six forty when they left Teacher Hamasaki's office, already very late.
Teacher Hamasaki was in a hurry to catch her bus, running quickly with her long, black-stockinged legs clattering in high heels, continuously cursing the detestable system that didn't allow her to drive to work.
But Hoshino Jun guessed that the person she most wanted to curse was actually Takayanagi Jo-san, who had forced her to work overtime.
The sun had already completely set.
The cool evening breeze brushed against their weary faces, and Takayanagi Yuki bowed, sincerely thanking Kato Nana:
"Kato-san, thank you very much for your understanding today, and I am very sorry for causing you trouble."
The considerable size that dropped with her posture made even Kato Nana, who never thought she would lose in that regard, feel it was exaggerated.
Damn it, even Nana is no match.
No wonder Hoshino-kun is so attentive to her.
So that's the reason.
"It's nothing, Auntie, you're too polite," Kato Nana waved her hand.
Auntie, you'll soon be taught a lesson by Hoshino-kun, so you don't need to apologize to Nana anymore.
Otherwise, Nana would feel guilty too.
"Thank you so much. If Kato-san is free, I'd like to treat you to a meal another day."
Takayanagi Yuki didn't know what the girl in front of her was thinking, but she knew that she now owed her a favor.
And Jun.
Glancing at Hoshino Jun out of the corner of her eye, a flutter of emotion stirred in Takayanagi Yuki's heart.
She really didn't know how to repay Jun's kindness.
She owed him too much.
"Okay!" Kato Nana gave an unexpected answer: "Then next time we have a break, let's invite Hoshino-kun and have a meal together."
Having a meal with Jun.
Takayanagi Yuki remembered Saturday.
Many things happened that day; not only did she and Jun experience many heart-pounding moments, but she also discovered that this cute girl named "Kato Nana" had done *that* with Jun.
Should she agree?
She was the one who suggested it, so it seemed there was no reason to refuse.
After a pause, Takayanagi Yuki smiled and said, "Okay, then you can have Jun-kun inform me when the time comes."
On the way out of school, the two boys were relatively quiet, while the young girl and the graceful woman kept chatting.
After arranging the time and place for their next meal, Kato Nana parted ways with the three at the school gate.
"That damned bitch, she deliberately framed me!" Takayanagi Jo-san finally spoke, staring at the direction Kato Nana had left, gritting his teeth.
"Jo-kun, slandering others behind their backs is not a good habit, you know."
Hoshino Jun said with a smile, "Especially when someone has just forgiven you."
"None of your—"
"Slap!"
Before he could finish the two words "business," a heavy slap had already landed on Takayanagi Jo-san's face, and a vivid red handprint quickly appeared.
This was the second time Takayanagi Yuki had slapped Takayanagi Jo-san.
And it was the angriest time.
Takayanagi Yuki, who usually showed only gentleness, had a terrifyingly somber expression. She bit her lower lip tightly, an uncontrollable rage surging in her heart.
"You unrepentant bastard, what enmity do I have with you that you insist on enraging me to death?"
Hoshino Jun looked over and quickly stepped between the two. He said earnestly:
"Hey, just talk, why hit the child? Which child doesn't make mistakes? He'll turn over a new leaf; let's give the child another chance."
"How many chances have I given him already?"
Takayanagi Yuki bit her lower lip tightly, and sparkling tears welled up in her eyes again. She was completely enraged. She took Hoshino Jun's large hand, intertwined their fingers, and glared fiercely at Takayanagi Jo-san.
"Let's walk by ourselves; don't mind him anymore."
Hoshino Jun looked left and right, at the mother and son, and finally sighed, saying, "Jo-kun, you go home first. I'll comfort Yuki-Auntie."
The breeze ruffled his hair.
By the time Takayanagi Jo-san came to his senses, his mother had already walked very, very far with Hoshino Jun.
So far that he could only see their backs.
Where were they going?
Takayanagi Jo-san didn't know.
After much thought, Takayanagi Jo-san still decided to ask. He didn't text his mother, who was still fuming, but chose to ask Hoshino Jun instead.
"Where are you going?"
Hoshino Jun replied quickly, but Takayanagi Jo-san couldn't understand.
Four glaring Chinese characters.
"To Grass Mud Horse!"