"Um... Tachibana, please calm down..."
Shirakawa Sawahei silently cursed the low-tier system in his heart. The flag he just set actually came true so quickly?
It's okay to face proud little peacocks like Hayakawa Kashi, but to face someone as pure and timid as Tachibana Tomoku, who easily blushes even around acquaintances, he really doesn't have the confidence to say that he can use sarcasm to create distance and thus reject her.
He can only explain slowly.
He sighed softly, squatted down, and patiently waited for Tachibana Tomoku's emotions to calm down a bit before he spoke: "Actually, this isn't my love letter."
"You can compare the handwriting, you should be very familiar with mine, right?"
Tachibana Tomoku raised her head at his words, showing a doubtful expression on her blushing face: "Really?"
"It's really not... Shirakawa?"
Shirakawa Sawahei nodded lightly and asked back: "Have I ever lied to you?"
Tachibana Tomoku shook her head: "Shirakawa... is a very serious person..."
"So, this is all just a misunderstanding."
"But... but..." Tachibana Tomoku thought about what she had just said, showing signs of wanting to bury her head and play ostrich again.
Shirakawa Sawahei quickly said, "It's okay, I understand, Tachibana, you were just too nervous, I won't take those words seriously."
He really couldn't drag it out any longer. If she played ostrich again, Shirakawa Sawahei might have to consider if he should use a trip to the health room as an excuse to skip the first class.
"Th-thank you, Shirakawa..."
Shirakawa Sawahei helped Tachibana Tomoku up, turned to look at the envelope in his hand, and asked, "What do you plan to do with this?"
"I... I... I don't know." Tachibana Tomoku finally returned to the state of a normal girl being confessed: "I'm so unnoticed... not athletic, and I can't even communicate well with others... How could anyone confess to me?"
Shirakawa Sawahei glanced at Tachibana Tomoku's face and thought to himself, if someone like you is considered ordinary, then probably only another ordinary person in this world is qualified to fall in love.
But then, it's not surprising since Tachibana Tomoku is practically invisible in school, always keeping her head down to avoid eye contact with others.
The president of the Calligraphy Club, Tsukimi Sakurazawa, would sometimes complain that she had the face of an idol but lived like a criminal.
Ordinary Tachibana Tomoku, passerby role Kato Hui.
Only friend Ito Sei, sister-type killer Suminoe.
Hmm? Something seems off with the latter?
Besides, it seems like Neon people like to add a standard of athletic excellence when judging school beauties. This is Tachibana Tomoku's absolute weakness, as she might handle a calligraphy brush, but lifting a shot put is totally impossible (muri-muri).
Even if by chance someone recognized the hidden gem in the ordinarily invisible Tachibana Tomoku for her looks, many guys would still be deterred by her so-called air.
They are more inclined to pursue the not-so-attractive girls in hopes of sticking together and not being labeled as outliers by the group.
For some, paying the price of being different for love is still too hard.
Shirakawa Sawahei didn't press further. Given Tachibana Tomoku's personality, the issue she was probably struggling with was how to gently and tactfully reject the other person, not whether to consider dating.
"Let's go back to the classroom first, the first class is starting soon," said Shirakawa Sawahei.
Tachibana Tomoku snapped back to reality, quickly stuffed the envelope between the pages, and hurriedly jogged after Shirakawa Sawahei.
The afternoon classes were a Neon history lesson and a national language class. Naturally, history class wasn't that interesting, as the country is small and has many wars, where even a few hundred people fighting each other could be recorded as a bloody battle, all of which needed to be memorized, which was really a headache.
Luckily, Shirakawa Sawahei benefited from the top-notch study beauty Hayakawa Kashi, whose photographic memory was explosively useful for subjects like these.
God knows how this woman grew up, with both brains and hair, coupled with her cuteness and long legs, she could've been a calamity-bringing fox spirit who saves the people in ancient times.
Oh well, she's just a tool, as long as she's useful, who cares how she grows up.
Shirakawa Sawahei chose to work on science problems during history class...
During the break, Asano Nazuki didn't continue her morning tactic of pestering him, as she was occupied by another equally troublesome character.
"Asano, after school, let's check out the clubs together! What club do you want to join?"
"Um... Ise Yu, I think since we're just getting in, it's better to observe more, deciding on a club too hastily seems a bit rushed..."
"Oh, right... Besides, Asano doesn't have any particular hobbies... Oh, Asano, do you like watching anime? Have you watched the TV anime that started airing recently? It's super good, and the OP is really nice too~"
Asano Nazuki quickly shook her head, shyly explaining that good kids go to bed early and that staying up late to watch anime is not something she can afford.
Damn, which scientist's dangerous claim said staying up late would prevent growth?
Although she's exceptionally good at using her petite and cute stature to win others' affection, it doesn't mean she actually likes remaining this small forever!
Ise Yu Yuzhijin felt a little regretful, ever since she talked to Asano Nazuki during lunch, she increasingly felt they were destined to be best friends!
She felt a responsibility and obligation to help this cute loli enjoy her youth!
But unfortunately, Asano doesn't like music and doesn't intend to join the Light Music Department, otherwise, their bond would have been even stronger!
"If only my grades were a bit better, right now I barely have time to do homework, let alone decide on a club."
Asano Nazuki heavily hinted for Ise Yu Yuzhijin to stay away from her so she wouldn't disturb her assignments (gao) (shi) (qing).
"No worries, whatever you're struggling with, let me teach you!" promised Ise Yu Yuzhijin, patting her chest with a strong sense of mission.
Nearby, Shirakawa Sawahei, overhearing the bewildering conversation, couldn't resist checking the skill level comparison between the two...
This world is really scary. A poor student was saying she would teach a genius student how to solve problems, one dared to teach, and the other probably dared to pretend to learn.
"Ah~ this might not be good..." Asano Nazuki said hesitantly: "Wouldn't it affect Ise Yu's own studies~"
"My studies are very stable, it won't affect anything!"
"Then thank you~ Ise Yu." Asano Nazuki pointed to a problem on the table and asked: "How should this problem be solved?"
Ise Yu accepted the book with a smile, looked at it, and her smile gradually faded.
"This... this problem..."
Ise Yu Yuzhijin glanced at Shirakawa Sawahei nearby.