The One in His Bowl and the One in His Pot

Campus life that day had been anything but dull for Shangguan Che.

Early in the morning, his classmate Kanji Ike had approached him. After they talked for a while, they exchanged contact information, and Shangguan Che was added to the boys' group Ike had created.

The group included nearly all twenty boys in the class. Shangguan Che was the nineteenth to join; Hirata was the only one who hadn't made it in.

After looking through the chat history, Shangguan Che immediately understood why: popular guys were decidedly unwelcome in the group.

Ike, the group's owner, couldn't stand boys who were popular with girls. Thinking of that, Shangguan Che regretfully gave up on his original idea of getting Hirata into the group.

Before long, it was lunchtime. Shangguan Che noticed Ayanokoji looking around, apparently searching for someone to talk to.

An idea came to him, and he walked over to invite him. "Ayanokoji, want to go eat together?"

Ayanokoji's expression didn't change, but his answer was decisive. "I'd be happy to. Let's go."

Watching Ayanokoji stroll over at his own pace, Shangguan Che nodded to himself. It seemed his earlier assessment of Ayanokoji hadn't been far off.

As soon as the three of them met up, Ayanokoji suddenly asked, "Shangguan, is Sakura your girlfriend?"

The question startled Shangguan Che. Are all aloof people this direct? he wondered.

Sakura had already been too shy to look up much, and now she lowered her head even further.

Shangguan Che hurried to explain. "No, we're just friends. Same as you and me."

For most of the walk, Shangguan Che was the one trying to keep the conversation going. Ayanokoji and Sakura only responded when spoken to.

Sakura was naturally shy. If you didn't ask her something, she wouldn't say a word.

It didn't take long for Shangguan Che to feel defeated. I'm really terrible at making conversation.

But he soon let it go. It was mealtime, after all. Don't talk while eating or sleeping. That meant he didn't have to struggle to make awkward small talk anymore.

In the cafeteria, Shangguan Che happily tucked into a free vegetable set meal.

Sakura watched him, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something, but she didn't speak.

Ayanokoji had no such reservations. He asked in his usual calm tone, "Shangguan, why are you eating the vegetable set?"

"Oh, I've spent most of my money on things related to my lifelong happiness," Shangguan Che replied casually.

"Could I ask what, specifically?" Ayanokoji pressed.

Shangguan Che smiled at him. "The school."

Seeing that Ayanokoji was about to ask more, he quickly cut him off. "Let's talk after we eat."

He was still thinking, Take a page from Sakura: when it's time to eat, just eat. That way, the parts that are supposed to develop can develop properly.

After they finished eating, Ayanokoji didn't bring the subject up again.

But during class that afternoon, Shangguan Che belatedly complained to himself, I was the only fake extrovert carrying the conversation. The other two just sat there. That's so unfair.

He had also accidentally shown his teacher a little too much "respect" in class and caused a minor incident. The more he thought about it, the more helpless he felt.

As soon as the dismissal bell rang, Shangguan Che once again played Hirata's "savior."

Hirata was surrounded by a group of girls and couldn't get away. Shangguan Che went over, grabbed him out of the "sea of flowers," and headed straight for the field to take part in the Soccer Club's activities.

The moment Shangguan Che's foot touched a soccer ball for the first time, a strange feeling welled up inside him. He felt as though he were an insurmountable peak in the world of human soccer.

Although the system had placed him at the "pinnacle of human soccer," human soccer in the real world hadn't changed at all.

He couldn't help complaining to himself, I'm standing on more than just the shoulders of giants, yet it hasn't done humanity any good. Maybe when Newton said that, he was just trying to be modest.

Shangguan Che's soccer skills had been quite poor before, but that day became one the Soccer Club members would remember as the day they witnessed a "miracle."

Bicycle kicks, shots from long range, dipping shots, nutmegs... One difficult move after another played out. Everyone on the field, including Shangguan Che himself, was too stunned to speak.

With that dazzling performance, Shangguan Che smoothly became an official player in the Soccer Club.

The club president clapped him on the shoulder and said firmly, "I guarantee you'll become an indispensable core member of the Soccer Club one day."

The president first asked his name and class. Shangguan Che answered, "Shangguan Che, Class 1-D."

The president immediately announced, "Shangguan, you're an official player starting now. I'm sure you'll become our ace."

Shangguan Che hurriedly thanked him, though he couldn't help wondering, Thanks for the praise, President. I just wonder if this will increase my personal points.

The president looked around, then lowered his voice. "Use your personal points sparingly."

He patted Shangguan Che on the shoulder again. "That part depends on how hard you work."

Shangguan Che pondered what the president meant. Was he saying that "earning more" was difficult, but "spending less" was easier?

Whatever the case, getting such a reward on his very first day in the Soccer Club was a pleasant surprise.

After school, Shangguan Che first arranged a time and place for dinner with Sakura over the phone.

When they met at the restaurant they'd agreed on and sat down across from each other, Shangguan Che occasionally used Clairvoyance to keep an eye on Karuizawa Kei, who seemed a little off the next day.

After a while, even Shangguan Che started to feel that something was off. He wondered to himself, Why does this make me seem like I'm enjoying what I have while eyeing what someone else has?

As soon as the thought occurred to him, he hurriedly rejected it. Pah, what am I thinking? This is all for their sake! Shangguan Che, you're doing your best for them. Don't go getting the wrong idea.

As he was lost in thought, Sakura spoke softly from across the table. "Shangguan, why did you suddenly smile?"

Shangguan Che snapped back to reality and hurried to cover it up. "Oh, it's nothing. I just thought of something that made me happy."

Sakura nodded and murmured, "Oh, I see."

Seeing that, Shangguan Che took the initiative to change the subject. "Sakura, don't you want to know what made me happy?"

Sakura looked up, curiosity in her eyes, and quietly asked, "What is it?"

Shangguan Che smiled. "I was thinking we could practice photography together this weekend. Didn't you say you were a little interested in photography?"

At that, Sakura's gaze immediately wandered. Her fingers twisted nervously at the hem of her clothes, and she murmured, "Well..."

Seeing how nervous and hesitant she looked, Shangguan Che smiled to himself. Shifting the attention from myself to the other person really works. That should put the fact that I was spacing out behind us.

He didn't press her. Instead, he picked up his chopsticks and smiled as he changed the subject. "Let's eat first. We can talk about it another time."

Sakura followed his gaze toward the food. Gradually, her expression settled, and she softly murmured, "Mm."

The atmosphere at the table grew peaceful again. Still, Shangguan Che knew that he probably wouldn't stop keeping an eye on Karuizawa anytime soon.

But it was no big deal.