Chapter 213
At that moment, Haruka pictured a red-haired girl hunching her shoulders, as if trying to hide herself behind a camera lens.
I remember that every time during class, the rabbit would bury its entire face in the upright book to avoid speaking up, leaving only its wet eyes showing.
If someone like her were to openly and legitimately establish a relationship with Shun Aragaki... it's simply unimaginable!
The young man before us is at the heart of this Advanced Nurturing, and he will inevitably step onto a broader stage in the future, becoming the focus of the world's attention.
Airi, on the other hand, is an introverted girl who stutters even when her classmates pay attention to her, and wishes she could dig a hole and bury herself in oblivion.
Even though he and Sakura Airi are good friends, Hasebe can't honestly say that the two are a good match.
If I were to actually become boyfriend and girlfriend with Xiaoshun, wouldn't she be subjected to all sorts of scornful, jealous, contemptuous, and slanderous looks?
"Surrounded by relentless malice... she's bound to break down!"
The blue-haired girl's voice was so low it sounded like she was talking to herself, but Aragaki Shun still caught it.
He closed the book, turned his head to look at her, his gaze calm to the point of cruelty.
"That's why I hope Airi can gain her own confidence and become brave from now on."
A young man certainly has the ability to protect his lover from the storms of life, but only if she doesn't break down on her own.
The demands he made of Airi, such as becoming the top student in Class D and improving her physical fitness, were meaningless to Aragaki Shun herself. The main purpose was to help the girl build confidence in the process.
To this end, Aragaki Shun deliberately used his surging, almost transcendent spirit—just one step away from achieving supernatural powers—to plant a suggestion in the girl, enabling her to concentrate better for a long time afterward.
This is a method of utilizing mental attributes that he has recently figured out, which can be considered a positive application of hypnosis.
Such simple suggestions do not affect the personality of the hypnotized person; they only increase their focus on a particular matter and make them less easily distracted by other trivial matters in life.
If one's spiritual attributes can be further developed and reach the stage of outward expression, this influence can even extend to one year, three years, ten years, or even a lifetime.
At that time, Aragaki Shun might be able to give any underachieving student a hint, hypnotize him into a book-loving academic genius who feels empty and helpless if he doesn't study for more than ten hours a day, and see if he can get into the University of Tokyo through his own three years of hard work.
"What if, in the end, Airi still can't grow into the person you expect her to be?"
Hasebe was somewhat upset; even she didn't have enough confidence in her friend.
It wasn't because I didn't understand her, but because I understood that autistic girl's true nature all too well.
"If it really comes to that," Aragaki Shun, then shrugged and smiled nonchalantly, "It's okay. At worst, I'll just hide her away for the rest of my life."
Ultimately, although Airi always chose to hide her true self and live with a mask of pretense, deep down she longed for someone who could truly connect with her.
In the past, she would take photos for her blog and become a print idol because young girls actually crave attention.
Therefore, Aragaki Shun is willing to help her grow first, and then establish a formal relationship with her.
But these things can't be forced. If Airi really can't overcome this weakness and continues to choose a solitary lifestyle, it's not a big problem.
Just treat her like a mascot and don't announce the relationship; it won't harm him anyway.
But something sounded off to Hasebe Haruka—
"... Isn't this just a secret lover?"
"I don't deny it," Aragaki Shun nodded, "But the key is still Airi's own choice."
The young man didn't think he had high expectations for his lover. He didn't care about being worthy of her or standing shoulder to shoulder with her; at least she should dare to stand behind him and walk alongside him.
He was willing to lend a hand to Airi, but for her to catch up, she had to take the first step herself.
That said, aside from Ibuki Mio, it seems that Aragaki Shun period of being together were all of the soft, cute, and obedient type.
But none of the others had problems with Airi.
Objectively speaking, Shiranami Chihiro and Wang Meiyu usually appear quite gentle, but these two love-obsessed individuals are the type who will disregard everything else as long as they are in love.
Yamamura Miki has the ability to become invisible, so she doesn't have to worry about attracting attention; Tachibana Akane has less autonomy, but as long as you give her some tasks with clear objectives, she can complete them very efficiently; not to mention Shiina Hiyori, she has never been seen confused.
From this perspective, Airi seems to have the highest "vase" attributes—she's beautiful, has a great figure, and is skilled at various fashion combinations in private, but her personality flaws are too obvious.
"... Is this really okay?"
Hasebe Haruka sighed, her fingertips lightly tracing the spine of the book, as if sketching the girl's chaotic inner world.
She certainly didn't want her best friend to become a clandestine lover, a position that was far too undignified.
But Aragaki Shun is also a friend she acknowledges, and he has clearly given it serious thought.
Airi's extremely shy personality is indeed problematic. If she doesn't change, even if she doesn't fall into Shun's trap, she will inevitably suffer a lot in the future.
I can't very well marry her and then protect her forever, can I?
The thought of this absurd Matoba made the blue-haired girl's heart flutter, and a blush rose on her face as if she were drunk.
290. It's getting cold, let Miyabi Nagumo drop out of school!
Sharing a husband with your best friend... that's utterly shameless!
Hasebe Haruka quickly shook her head, trying to shake off the random thoughts in her mind.
It's just that the boy I like seems to be dating my closest friend and they're going to become lovers.
She really didn't know who to envy more.
"I'm telling you, you're way too much of a womanizer!"
The blue-haired girl deliberately drew out the last syllable of her sentence, with an exaggerated sense of sarcasm:
"There are already enough girls who are openly in a relationship with you, like Shiranami Chihiro, Wang Meiyu, Shiina Hiyori. Add to that Kikyo, Ichinose Honami, and Karuizawa Kei, who seem to have ambiguous feelings for you. Are you really going to line up all the pretty girls in the school and give them number plates?"
She regretted it as soon as the words left her mouth.
But Hasebe still raised his chin, letting the teasing hang from the corner of his mouth, as if he were wearing a layer of armor.
That's exactly right. Everything I said was true; I didn't deliberately fabricate lies to slander him.
"Xiao Shun, you heartbreaker... If you dare to start something with Airi and then abandon her, I won't let you get away with it."
She shook her little fist. Although she knew the threat was meaningless, she was still angry and wanted to vent her frustration.
Aragaki Shun wasn't angry about this, nor did he rush to refute it. He simply looked up at the girl with a strange gaze.
Haruka felt a shiver run down her spine as she was stared at. Her fingertips unconsciously dug at the table, as if her heart had been pierced through, causing her great panic.
"Why are you looking at me like that? It's annoying, you know?"
"I just think Kaka is really cute."
Aragaki Shun chuckled lightly, causing the blue-haired girl's pretty face to blush, followed by a surge of annoyance.
"Do you think I'm joking? Although my strength and status are far inferior to Xiaoshun's, if you really want to get rid of Airi after you're done playing with her, then I'll go all out and bite you hard!"
Sorry, I'm tough enough that even small firearms like pistols and rifles can't penetrate me.
The only purpose of biting like that is to add some spice and temptation to the scene, making it easier to deliver the goods to your door.
Of course, Aragaki Shun didn't actually say that out loud. He just watched the girl's blushing cheeks with amusement, and when she was about to lose her temper, he comforted her with satisfaction:
"Don't worry, I don't have the habit of starting relationships and then abandoning them. To be precise, once I've caught someone, even if they want to run away for the rest of their life, I'll keep them by my side for the rest of my life."
Hasebe Haruka: "..."
Suddenly, I felt a heavy weight on my shoulders.
However, this should be a good thing for Airi, after all, the burden of having a child shouldn't be too heavy.
At least for now, there's no need to worry about Airi being abandoned someday.
"Forget it, I guess I can't control too much anyway."
With his chin resting listlessly on the table, Hasebe muttered listlessly, "Recently, the internet is flooded with discussions about the low birth rate, aging population, and young people's reluctance to get married. I heard the country is going to change the marriage system, and the relevant legislation will be formally implemented when the time is right."
"This world changes so fast. I was going to advise Airi not to get involved in other people's relationships, but now a bunch of politicians are advocating for breaking the shackles of marriage, so that bigamy won't be illegal anymore. It's really baffling..."
It's obvious that the powerful Aragaki Family from the outside world has begun to exert their influence.
Changing people's perceptions will inevitably take a long time. Therefore, while Aragaki Shun was collecting Source Power on campus, waves of public opinion began to rise outside, trying to guide everything in the direction he hoped for.
Even students in Advanced Nurturing institutions can learn about this matter online, which shows just how widespread its impact is.
Yes, this is definitely a good thing for Aragaki Shun.
That way, when Chihiro and Xiao Mei walk openly with him, he won't have to worry about being pointed at and gossiped about by others... although nobody really cares anyway.
"Speaking of which, Xiao Shun, with all your flirting and girlfriends, can your body really handle it?"
As if on a whim, Hasebe stuck out his index finger and poked Aragaki Shun's stomach, a somewhat playful expression on his face.
"I've heard that women usually have the upper hand in these kinds of things, and many married husbands, after a long day at work, don't have the energy to satisfy their wives. You wouldn't happen to be like that too...?"
With a snap, he grabbed the girl's mischievous, fair hand. Aragaki Shun's eyes narrowed, and a dangerous smile curved his lips as he looked at Hasebe Haruka.
Are you sure you want to provoke me in this regard?
No man can remain indifferent when a woman doubts his ability to perform.
Unless he's truly incapable.
"The consequences could be very serious."
Aragaki Shun gently stroked the blue-haired girl's knuckles with his fingertips, feeling their softness and delicacy. His movements were light, yet like testing piano keys. Each touch caused her fingertips to curl slightly and tremble instinctively.
Hasebe felt his pulse being held in his palm, each beat heavy enough to almost burst out of his veins.
How incredibly embarrassing!
The girl hurriedly looked away, unable to meet the overly intense gaze. She tried to pull her hands away to escape the other person's toying, but found that no matter how hard she tried, it was useless.
That's only natural, after all, this guy's physical abilities are legendary throughout the school. She must have been out of her mind to ask that kind of question.
"By the way..." A blush spread from his earlobe to the side of his neck, Hasebe's voice tightened as he tried to appear nonchalant, "Besides Airi, it seems like you also have a good relationship with Kikyo and Karuizawa Kei from our class."
"And if we include Wang Meiyu and Horikita Suzune who have already joined Class A, you're not really going to try and take all the prettiest girls in our class, are you?"
Isn't this attempt to change the subject rather clumsy?
Aragaki Shun curled his lip and chuckled playfully, "If that's the case, why doesn't Kaka include herself?"
Hasebe's breathing faltered.
Because of her beautiful appearance and large breasts, the girl has been the focus of attention since childhood, and naturally she has the self-awareness that she is a beauty.
But what does it mean that Shun suddenly said that?
Feeling the warmth coming from the other side, she tried to pull her hand away, but found that the boy's strength was just right so that she couldn't break free and it wouldn't hurt at all.
Her heartbeat exploded in her chest; she even suspected the other person could hear it through her fingertips.
"My standards are very high, even for someone like Shun... you..."
The voice grew softer and softer, as if burned by the embers of the setting sun, until it finally turned into an almost inaudible murmur.
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A mournful cry escaped the girl's lips.
This is terrible; I just can't bring myself to say no.
Looking back on the past ten years or so of my life, I have never interacted with anyone.
But to say that there was never anyone who had a positive view of it would be a lie.
She had one in elementary school and another in junior high, both of whom were two grades above her. Unfortunately, she almost never spoke to either of them.
Yes, before it develops into liking, using the word "longing" to express this feeling might be more appropriate.
It must be noted that before arriving at the Advanced Nurturing, Hasebe Haruka once believed that her future would be one of remaining unmarried and living a solitary life.
This is not only because she hates the lewd looks people give her, so she is used to being alone, but more importantly, the threshold for a young girl to develop romantic feelings is a bit high, or rather, she is basically not interested in ordinary boys.
As a living organism, this is probably quite normal; in short, the ideal standard is extremely high.
How high is it?
In the class, Hirata is the closest to the ideal standard. He is very popular among the girls because of his handsome appearance and elegant demeanor. He is also good at both academics and sports, and is helpful. Objectively speaking, he is definitely an excellent person to date.
But she continues to pursue even higher ideals and standards.
Isn't that strange and arrogant?
After all, the reality is that Hasebe's status at this school is far inferior to Hirata's. To raise the bar any further would not be an exaggeration, but a pure pipe dream.
That's why she never dared to talk to the seniors she admired in the past, and she never succeeded in mustering up the courage to do so. The people who met her standards were all all-around guys who were smart, handsome, good at sports, and surpassed their peers in every aspect.
That's right, they're all the types she can't meet, and they definitely don't lack girlfriends.