Multi-Anime, Kira Yoshikage Yearns for a Peaceful Life

Wearing the disciplinary armband, Kashiwagi Nagisa stood at the school gate, her scrutinizing gaze sweeping over every student who passed by. A few blonde students caught her attention for a moment longer, but in the end, she was still disappointed.

Kashiwagi Nagisa lowered her head dejectedly, murmuring to herself:

"Still nothing?"

Just as she was feeling down, the corner of her eye caught a familiar figure—

The young miss of the Shinomiya Group, one of the four great conglomerates, Shinomiya Kaguya.

Though flawless in both appearance and family background, to the point where even Kashiwagi Nagisa felt a notch below her, Shinomiya Kaguya was also Shuchiin Academy's famous ice queen. Those wine-red eyes always held an aloofness that kept others at arm's length, and she rarely interacted with anyone.

Having been raised from childhood in the Shinomiya Family under strict imperial education, Shinomiya Kaguya naturally looked down on others, her first thought always being how to use them—

"Including me."

Kashiwagi Nagisa watched Shinomiya Kaguya enter the school, narrowing her eyes slightly.

Though they had formed a temporary alliance, that alliance was now clearly broken. Shinomiya Kaguya must have discovered important information she didn't know, and having deemed her useless, unhesitatingly discarded her!

Once Shinomiya Kaguya disappeared from sight, Kashiwagi Nagisa immediately pulled out her phone and found a familiar contact on LINE, with the note 'Shijo Maki'.

Holding her phone, Kashiwagi Nagisa's thumbs quickly typed on the screen:

"Maki, Shinomiya Kaguya's here, help me!"

"Is this really necessary?"

Shijo Maki replied quickly, the text revealing her master's extreme reluctance.

Kashiwagi Nagisa sent a praying hands emoji:

"Please!"

"This is the one request of my life!"

"Aaaah! Fine, I get it! But you have to make it up to me afterward!"

"No problem!"

Seeing that Shijo Maki had finally agreed, the heavy stone in Kashiwagi Nagisa's heart finally settled.

Shinomiya Kaguya's personality indeed suited being a strong person. But precisely because of that personality, she had yet to have a single person around her who could be called a friend.

But she was different—she could seek help from her friends!

At this moment, she wasn't fighting alone!

Kashiwagi Nagisa confidently put away her phone. Just as she was about to leave, a black-haired boy who had been waiting for some time stepped forward.

Tanuma Tsubasa quickly approached, gently handing her a bottle of water:

"Nagisa, you've worked hard..."

The smile on Kashiwagi Nagisa's face instantly vanished. Expressionless, she walked straight past him without even a glance.

At that moment, the gentle smile on Tanuma Tsubasa's face completely collapsed.

A girl with long red hair, star-shaped hair ornaments on both sides, wearing a sailor uniform different from the other students, entered the classroom. She smiled warmly and politely at her new acquaintances:

"Ohayou, Kitagawa-san, Miura-san."

"Ohayou, Nakano-san."

Kitagawa Marin waved with a smile, asking curiously:

"Nakano-san, your school uniform still isn't ready yet?"

"Mm."

Nakano Mayu nodded slightly, her tone seeming a bit helpless:

"They said it might take another week."

Miura Yumiko and Kitagawa Marin exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat subtle.

Although the school uniforms at Shuchiin Academy were the same style and looked identical, there were actually significant differences.

For example, the uniforms of Mixed Academy students were mass-produced according to height, but due to differences in body shape, some people's uniforms were a size too big, while others' were a size too small.

In contrast, the uniforms of Pure Academy students were all handmade by artisans, and even the fabric used was different.

Even if the two uniforms looked exactly the same on the surface, these barely noticeable subtle differences still highlighted the disparity in their identities!

And although Nakano Mayu was a Mixed Academy student, that was only because she hadn't been able to attend Shuchiin Academy since childhood—it didn't mean her family background was poor. Being able to have Shuchiin Academy's tailor artisans personally make her uniform was not something ordinary people could achieve.

"Kitagawa-san, your nail art..."

Nakano Mayu looked at Kitagawa Marin's hands, somewhat surprised.

Kitagawa Marin generously showed the band-aid on her ring finger:

"Over the weekend, I took off my nail art."

Nakano Mayu was taken aback.

"Huh? Why? It's really pretty—I was even thinking of trying it this week..."

Kitagawa Marin shook her head.

"Definitely don't. It looks nice when you're wearing them, but taking them off is pure torture. One wrong move and you'll hurt your hand like I did. Plus, wearing nail art for too long damages the nail surface, causes layering, makes them thin and brittle, ugly and easy to injure..."

"Huh?"

Nakano Mayu looked a bit startled and quickly shook her head.

"Then I'll pass."

Ring~!

The warning bell rang. Students who had been chatting in groups returned to their seats, Nakano Mayu among them.

But as the girl walked back to her seat in the last row, passing the blond boy in the front, she noticed he had been staring at her.

She paused for a moment, let out a light huff to express her displeasure.

Kira Yoshikage averted his gaze from the girl's fair, delicate hands, a hint of regret in his eyes.

Too bad she was in the back row. If she were in the front, he might have been able to enjoy the view during class too...

Tap! Tap!

A female teacher in a white lab coat walked into the classroom. The room, which had still held some whispers, fell silent instantly.

Though she was a beauty, this homeroom teacher was a strict disciplinarian through and through!

Seeing that she didn't need to say "quiet down" like other teachers to settle the class, Hiratsuka Shizuka nodded in satisfaction, then turned and wrote a few large characters on the blackboard:

"Work-Study Program."

Surprised murmurs rose from the students, but before they could start discussing, Hiratsuka looked around and spoke slowly.

"In principle, the school does not allow students to work part-time on their own."

"However, considering that the Mixed Academy's annual tuition of 1,500,000 Yen is too high, the school has partnered with Ministop's largest shareholder, Shinomiya Kaguya, to launch a 'Work-Study Program,' offering 50 part-time positions for Shuchiin Academy students."

She paused, then continued.

"The hourly wage is 1200 Yen, a third higher than the minimum wage. If anyone is interested, you can register with me. But!"

Hiratsuka slapped the desk, emphasizing her tone to quiet the now slightly excited classroom.

"Before signing up for a part-time job, you must have your parents' permission. Understood?"

"Understood!"

The students responded with some enthusiasm.

Hiratsuka nodded in satisfaction, but when her gaze swept over Kira Yoshikage in the second-to-last row, she frowned. He didn't seem interested at all, idly staring out the window at the scenery.

Chapter 38: Secret Crush

Ring~!

The bell rang for the end of class. Hiratsuka Shizuka put down her chalk and glanced at Kira Yoshikage in the second-to-last row.

"Kira Yoshikage, come to my office."

Kira said nothing, stood up, and followed Hiratsuka out of the classroom.

The moment they left, the silent classroom erupted into whispers.

"That delinquent's been called to the office again!"

"I bet he got into another fight over the weekend and someone reported him!"

"Seriously, why was a scumbag like him even admitted to Shuchiin Academy?"

"Teacher Hiratsuka is way too protective of him, isn't she? Why hasn't he been expelled?"

"Maybe there's something shady going on between them?"

"Huh? No way!"

"Why not? I bet Teacher Hiratsuka is being threatened by him!"

"Oh? Is that the kind of relationship?"

"What else could it be?"

"Talking behind someone's back like that isn't right..."

A certain pink-haired wallflower muttered softly, but just like her own lack of presence, her words were automatically ignored.

Nakano Mayu listened to the whispers around her and frowned slightly.

She didn't know Kira Yoshikage well—had barely exchanged a few words with him—and her first impression had been terrible. But she hated this kind of judging by appearances and gossiping behind someone's back.

Besides, from her own experience, even though Kira really did look like a delinquent, he was surprisingly easy to talk to. Otherwise, he wouldn't have given up his seat for her in the cafeteria...

But! But! He had criticized her for interrupting his studying!

That alone was absolutely unforgivable!

Nakano Mayu puffed her cheeks slightly. The girl still held a grudge over that incident.

And this was absolutely not because of her poor academic performance!

Absolutely not!

"Nakano-san."

A girl with short red hair 'kindly' reminded her:

"You're sitting behind that delinquent, so be careful. If he harasses you, make sure to tell the teacher right away!"

Nakano Mayu looked up at her. She only remembered the other girl's name was Sagami Minami—

On the day she transferred, this girl had actively approached her, seemingly wanting to become friends.

At the time, Nakano Mayu had actually been quite happy about it.

But now she was a bit disappointed, because this whole topic about Kira Yoshikage had been started by her.

For a transfer student like Nakano Mayu, this was actually a good opportunity to blend into the group.

Joining others in badmouthing and criticizing someone or something could easily earn her approval from the other students, smoothly integrating her into their little circle and making them her friends.

Yet Nakano Mayu didn't respond. She couldn't accept this kind of backbiting behavior either!

This was completely gossipy!

Seeing that Nakano Mayu still hadn't answered, Sagami Minami, feeling snubbed, grew increasingly impatient.

What the hell! She was just trying to help you fit in!

But you brush her off like that, doesn't that make her look like a clown?

Sagami Minami sneered:

"Hey, Nakano-san, why aren't you answering? Don't tell me you actually like that delinquent?"

"Not at all!" Nakano Mayu flatly denied.