Chapter 122

So emotionally inept, who does she take after?

Although I don't know who she's talking about, it's really intriguing— the White-Haired Boy I've never met.

"You played the Piano quite well? How well?" she pressed, her tone remaining impassive.

"No worse than me."

"Hey~ Japan still has kids like this these days, not bad." Touma Yoko complimented, "What's their name? Maybe I've heard of them."

"What are you saying against your conscience? I'm just a mediocre person in your eyes anyway," Touma Kazusa retorted irritably. "His name is Sakura..."

She stopped talking halfway through her sentence.

"Sakura?" Touma Yoko was halfway through her gossip, was itching with curiosity. "Sakura what?"

But Touma Kazusa, realizing what was happening, wasn't going to tell her anything more.

"No, never mind. Since you still have no clue about this, it probably has nothing to do with you." Touma Kazusa concluded. "Mom, you really didn't lie to me, right?"

She spoke slowly and Kokoro, "You really don't know the person I'm talking about, right?"

"I already told you I really don't know! The features you described are so striking, if I had actually seen it, I would definitely remember it very clearly, right?" Touma Yoko complained, "By the way, what exactly is Sakura? You should be clear about it!"

"That's good..." Touma Kazusa's body suddenly relaxed, and she looked up at the gray night sky in the city that was not pure enough, and the stiff lines on her face gradually relaxed.

"That's all for now. Good luck, that's all."

After saying that, she hung up the phone.

"Wait!"

After the last byte, there was no more sound from the phone.

She put her phone back in her bag, casually slung the bag over her shoulder, and walked briskly towards the station.

She wasn't worried that her mother was lying to her; after being her daughter for over a decade, she still had that much judgment.

At least, she wasn't lying to herself about that question just now.

On the other side of Vienna, Touma Yoko stared speechlessly at the disconnected phone, her charming brows trembling.

"This child..." She sighed resentfully as she put her phone back in her bag, standing there with a deep sigh.

"At least tell me your name! Aren't you just trying to keep me so curious I can't sleep?"

She didn't try to call back because she figured Touma Kazusa wouldn't answer anyway.

It must be said that her estimate was very accurate.

"Well, I lied to her anyway, so let's call it even this time." She chuckled and stuck out her tongue, picked up her luggage, and headed towards the ticket gate.

This was clearly not the venue for her afternoon performance as she had mentioned, but rather— Vienna's airport.

"Sikashi, the long-haired, White-Haired Boy... what kind of person is he?"

In this foreign land, no one could give her the answer; only her lingering doubts faded into the air.

The next day,

At the entrance of the Hanasakigawa Girls' Academy, Sakurakoji Talent, stepping out of a luxury car, still attracted a lot of attention from the surrounding crowd.

Compared to yesterday's simple amazement, today's gazes were mixed with longing, admiration, and shyness, and the discussions were more explicit.

It seems that after yesterday's appearance, many people in the Hanasakigawa Girls' School already know who he is—the intelligence network among girls is truly terrifying.

"That's the first-year student representative? She's really beautiful..."

"See that car? I never knew Ogura-kun was actually a rich girl!"

"What's wrong with this school? Why are there such perfect people in the first year?!"

"Don't be so surprised, you first graders! Let me tell you in advance, there are second and third graders too!"

"You're kidding, right?!"

"..."

After listening to a few words of their conversation, Sakurakoji Talent shook his head and walked into the gates of Hanasakigawa Girls' School.

He hadn't gone far when he paused slightly, noticing a familiar figure from behind.

Although he couldn't see her face clearly, he was sure it was her. Somewhat surprised, he quickened his pace and caught up with her, walking to her side.

Unlike Touma Kazusa's Black Long Straight Hair, hers is also unrestrained and flows freely. As for the reason—I really don't know.

Maybe it's just that I think it looks good this way.

Her alluring purple eyes are truly captivating, and the beauty mark below her left eye further accentuates this.

"Good morning, Classmate Shiina," he greeted first.

"Hmm?" Shiina Rikki frowned and looked to the side, then saw someone in the back seat.

"Oh, it's you! Good morning, Ogura-kun."

Her tone seemed much harsher than it had been at the beginning of yesterday. Was it just his imagination?

"Um, I'm sorry about yesterday." No matter what, he decided to apologize first.

"What are you saying?" Shiina Rikki turned her head back and continued walking towards the school building.

"It's about yesterday when all the students crowded around, causing trouble for you and Hachiman."

"That..." Shiina Rikki glanced at her again, surprised that she had noticed that.

She had thought she was just an ignorant young lady enjoying being the center of attention, but it seems she had misunderstood.

"It's nothing serious, I'll just be more careful next time." She walked to the shoe cabinet and took out her indoor shoes.

"Well, that's not something you can decide for yourself, is it?"

"I'll try not to cause you any trouble," Sakurakoji Talent also changed his shoes and walked into the teaching building with her. "So, like I said before, let's get along well from now on, okay?"

"If there's anything you need from me, just let me know."

"Ha, that sounds really high and mighty," Shiina Rikki scoffed.

"Um?"

"'Is there anything I can do for you?' It sounds like you're the only one who might need you, not the other way around, right?" Shiina Rikki's gaze was fixed straight ahead in the corridor, her eyes unwavering.

"And to me, it sounded like they were saying that as long as I told them, the problem would definitely be solved."

"Really! There's a limit to arrogance!"

She glared at him sideways, utterly displeased.

"..." Sakurakoji Talent remained silent, resting his chin on his hand. After a moment, he exhaled and said:

"I see. Depending on the listener, the same sentence can have different meanings."

"But you might be right. Most of the time, I might really think that way."

"How should I put it? What's it called again? The composure of the capable? Or the arrogance of the strong? Whether I want to admit it or not, I have to say that in the eyes of the public, I should be considered a genius, right?"

"And that's exactly right. Since birth, apart from one thing that has left me exhausted and helpless, I haven't encountered anything that can be called a major obstacle or problem."

"Oh, don't misunderstand. I'm not saying this to show off; I just simply want to open up to you."

This guy!!

These talented guys are all equally infuriating!

Shiina Rikki grew increasingly angry as she listened, and glared at her again. "Whatever you want to say, let me make one thing clear first: what I dislike most is arrogant and high-profile 'geniuses' like you, and I have no intention of getting along with you!"

"Go ahead and show off your popular skills and techniques to the other students, that's all!"

After saying that, she quickened her pace and took the lead towards the classroom.

Watching her hurried figure, Sakurakoji Talent smiled lightly, unfazed by her indifference.

A person only has one true self, and it's impossible for everyone to like you all at once. He had long ago realized that dealing with different people requires different methods.

However, the method is still very important; if you're not careful, the result will be either deception or flattery.

He quickened his pace to catch up with her, standing shoulder to shoulder. "Then let me say one last thing, okay?"

"... What?"

He leaned slightly closer to her earlobe, eliciting soft squeals from the girls around them. One whispered, "Shiina Rikki, I like you. Please go out with me!"

"!!!"

Shiina Rikki slammed on the brakes, standing frozen in place, her face flushed with a mixture of bewilderment and disbelief, as if she had misheard. Her previous aloof demeanor had vanished without a trace, leaving only a chaotic state of unease, her hands and feet unsure of what to do.

"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Shiina Rikki shouted angrily, unable to remain calm. Her expression was flustered, and her earlobes were so pink they looked like they could drip water.

Image: "Shushita Rikki", Location: "Images/1760187031-100446961-113958310. jpg"

Volume 1: The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies: Chapter 162 Many Firsts in Life; The Most Expensive Musical Instrument

"Didn't you understand? Let me say it again."

He tried to approach her again, but she took two steps back, crossed her arms defensively, and gave him a wary look.

In her mind now, he might not be the elegant and composed new classmate Ogura Asahi, from yesterday, but someone with strange sexual orientations...

Holy crap, E!

The person sitting behind him was actually like this. What would become of him in the future...? Shiina Rikki and his legs trembled.

He had no choice but to stand there, his eyebrows slightly curved, and he explained with a mischievous smile, "Happy April Fools' Day, Classmate Shiina."

After saying that, without waiting for her to react, he took the lead and walked into the classroom of Class 1-B.

"?" Shiina Rikki stared blankly as he walked into the classroom, still not having reacted.

Half a minute later, she realized she had been tricked.

"That guy!!!"

Her face was flushed—a different kind of angry flush than before—which made her stomp her feet and slam her fist against the wall beside her, venting her inner rage!

Three seconds later, she withdrew her fist, tears welling in her eyes as she gently rubbed her reddened fist.

After a while,

Sakurakoji Talent, who had already taken his seat, greeted Shiina Rikki, who was walking in from outside, "Good morning, Classmate Shiina."

"Snort!"

Ignoring him and responding with a murderous glare, Shiina Rikki sat down in front of him.

When he pulled out the chair, he used too much force, which made a screeching sound and also hit his table, causing it to shake slightly.

He seemed genuinely angry, Sakurakoji Talent watched her retreating figure without changing his expression.

Getting angry isn't scary; what's scary is constantly being cold and avoiding you, whether it's positive or negative. At least there's been a breakthrough now.

Compared to this...

Did I just say something really amazing?

My first ever confession—though it was a fake one—just now, I used it myself, and the recipient was Shiina Rikki!

Now that I think about it carefully,

The first time he exposed his body to a member of the opposite sex, the first time he slept with a member of the opposite sex, the first time he confessed his feelings to a member of the opposite sex... it was all Tom's doing with "Shiina"!

Surely, I am somehow connected to the Shiina!

Like Sakurakoji Talent, Shiina Rikki silently lowered his head and began to reflect on his life.

"Good morning, Little Asahi... Hey, what's wrong with you?"