"Ring, ring!"
The bell signaling the start of class rang.
Bai Qiu smiled with satisfaction, having successfully convinced Ikuyo.
Ikuyo Kita excused herself first.
"I'm sorry, I didn't help at all."
Hitori Gotou's self-reproachful voice came.
Hitori felt she hadn't helped at all just now; it was all Bai Qiu talking to Ikuyo.
"Don't worry, Bocchi-chan, you were very helpful. We couldn't have done it without you."
Patting Hitori Gotou on the back, hoping she'd straighten up, Bai Qiu said without a care.
"We'll be relying on Bocchi-chan to teach Kita the guitar next!"
Thinking about it this way, Bai Qiu felt like he could also develop his skills with other instruments.
He'd heard that the keyboardist in a band often knew the most about various instruments, and he couldn't just understand keyboards.
"Really?"
Hitori Gotou looked up at Bai Qiu with joy.
These days, Hitori had the courage to look at Bai Qiu directly.
Bai Qiu nodded, encouraging her.
"That's something only you can do, no one else can."
"Is it convenient to ask what it is now?"
Hitori asked, feeling a little embarrassed. Hearing Bai Qiu say that made her really curious.
"Teach Ikuyo Kita how to play the guitar."
"Eh? Ah——"
"Go back to class, see you after school."
First period, class meeting.
Shizuka Hiratsuka, clad in a white coat, walked into the classroom, instantly silencing the previously boisterous students.
Her imposing presence was undeniable.
Beside her stood a figure with pink hair.
Everyone in the class turned to look at the new student with curiosity.
A beautiful girl!
Long pink hair, a delicate face, a faint smile, and a pair of cute, noticeable little canines.
However, it's been almost a month since school started, and she's only just arriving. That's rare!
Bai Qiu looked at the girl on the podium with some surprise.
Aine Chihaya,
Wasn't this the neighbor from before he moved to the duplex apartment?
Their relationship was alright, I guess.
They'd exchange greetings when they met, and he'd even eaten at her place a few times.
He heard she'd run off to London, England to study abroad.
He often saw her posts on social media, sharing local scenery and food. It seemed like her life abroad was going quite well.
Why was she back?
Couldn't be because of the language barrier, could it?
Bai Qiu couldn't help but ponder. He'd heard that Japanese people's "Japanese English" prioritized phonetic representation of Japanese, which could cause difficulties when communicating with foreigners.
I'm a little curious. I'll ask later!
On the podium.
At Shizuka Hiratsuka's signal, Aine Chihaya began her self-introduction.
"Hello everyone, I'm Aine Chihaya."
"Due to family reasons, I'm enrolling at this time. I hope to become friends with everyone, o…"
As she spoke, Aine Chihaya's pupils suddenly constricted. How could he be here!
Seeing a familiar face caused her originally fluent self-introduction to falter.
Shizuka Hiratsuka glanced at Aine Chihaya.
Fortunately, Aine Chihaya quickly adjusted and continued speaking.
"Let's... learn and grow together. I hope we can get along."
Aine Chihaya breathed a sigh of relief.
If it were Shiraki-kun, having given a heads-up beforehand should prevent any issues.
Applause echoed through the classroom.
Shizuka Hiratsuka stroked her chin, considering for a moment,
"Aine Chihaya, you can sit over there."
Shizuka Hiratsuka pointed to the empty seat in front of Hakushu.
Her thinking was that Aine had returned from abroad, so she could be considered a semi-foreign student.
It made sense for foreign students to sit together.
They should have common topics and it would be easier for her to manage them.
Shizuka Hiratsuka gave herself a thumbs up for her wise decision.
"Okay."
Aine Chihaya nodded, and as she walked toward the seat, listening to the applause, she began to feel pleased with herself.
Hehe!
It's just a so-so self-introduction!
But, fitting in with the class shouldn't be a problem.
No, no, no!
There's something more important to do now.
Aine Chihaya shook her head to clear her thoughts.
As soon as she sat down.
Risking being discovered by Shizuka Hiratsuka, Aine Chihaya carefully took out her phone.
Logically, she wouldn't normally do this, as she was trying to maintain her good student persona.
But the situation was urgent.
Aine needed to ask Bai Qiu not to reveal her plans to study abroad.
Aine Chihaya was quite confident about this.
They'd been friends and neighbors for so long, and in Aine's impression, Bai Qiu wasn't the type to pry.
So, asking him this small favor shouldn't be a problem.
Therefore, after composing her message, Aine Chihaya sent it and turned to shake her phone at Bai Qiu.
Bai Qiu looked at her strangely, but after feeling the phone vibrate, he also took out his phone.
As for Shizuka Hiratsuka?
Just be careful.
Aine Chihaya: "Hakushu-kun, please don't tell anyone about me studying abroad, okay?"
Begging.jpg
Looking at Aine Chihaya's "Wealth and Prosperity" profile picture,
Hakushu fell silent. Had he remembered wrong?
Aine Chihaya was going to the Celestial Empire, not London, England.
After a moment, Hakushu replied,
Bai Qiu: Sure.
Aine, who was constantly checking her phone, looked delighted and immediately started typing a thank-you message. Then, another message popped up.
Bai Qiu: But I'm a little curious, have you finished your studies and returned?
Bai Qiu teased.
Aine Chihaya's lips twitched, and unpleasant memories immediately resurfaced.
But she still needed to ask for help.
Aine Chihaya: Thank you! I just missed home!
Miss Home.jpg
"Homesick?"
"You transferred back across the Pacific because you were homesick? I guess that's possible."
Baiqiu's mouth twitched slightly, although his intuition told him there was more to it.
But since she said it, he didn't bother to pry further.
Besides, in his eyes, Aine wasn't someone who was good at music.
He'd just assume she was homesick.
On the other hand, Aine Chihaya felt relieved.
This way, there wouldn't be any problems!
Start your new life here.
I'm still pretty charming, aren't I? I should treat him to a meal next time to thank him.
Class just ended.
Aine Chihaya, the new face in the class, naturally became the center of attention.
Many classmates gathered around her.
"Aine, your skin is amazing, what cosmetics do you use?"
"Aine, can I add you on Line?"
"Aine Chihaya, would you like to walk home together after school?"
"Aine Chihaya, do you have any hobbies?"
Aine Chihaya enjoyed this kind of treatment and answered everyone skillfully.
Indeed, this kind of environment suits her!
But, I should find a chance to say hello to Mr. Shiraki first.
At this moment, Yui Hirasawa also popped out,
"I envy Aine-chan so much. You only came to school today, and you didn't have to take the exams last week."
"Eh?"
Aine Chihaya blinked, taken aback. Who was this kid? So familiar right off the bat? But, well, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing!
And, wait, there was an exam last week?
Aine Chihaya inwardly lamented the missed opportunity. If she'd been around for the exam…
With her study skills, acing the class or even ranking near the top of the grade wouldn't have been a problem, surely.
She'd be famous in a flash, and everyone would adore her even more.
Seeing Yui slumped on her desk, Bai Qiu explained for Aine,
"This is Yui, Yui Hirasawa."
"Yep, you can just call me Yui, 'cause I'm calling you Aine!"
Aine Chihaya nodded, thinking this child seemed quite popular.
Everyone around her looked at her with doting eyes, so she should get along with her!
"Hello, Yui."
"And, long time no see, Hakushu-kun."
Aine Chihaya revealed her little tiger teeth and said with a smile.
"Eh, so Chihaya-san knows Hakushu-kun?"
A female classmate spoke up in surprise.
Aine Chihaya nodded proudly, she loved this kind of reaction.
She explained softly, "Um, um, they're friends I've known for a while."
"I see!"
"As expected of Hakushu-kun, not only is he close to Yui and Hikari..."
"He even knows the transfer student!"
Aine Chihaya was stunned.
Because the people who had been gathered around her suddenly turned to Hakushu.
Huh, are we done talking about me already?
Aine looked around, and noticed a strange girl sitting in her original spot. Hikari Takamatsu noticed Aine Chihaya's gaze,
"Hello, I'm Hikari Takamatsu. Nice to meet you."
Hikari, love!
-------------------
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