Kamuro Masumi

During class break the next day,

It was now the second day of school.

Just like yesterday, Dongfang Yi lay facedown on his desk, resting with his eyes closed.

Satoshi Ritonaka hadn't come over to bother him. He'd probably given up after failing to use him as a shield twice in a row.

That was a good thing for Dongfang Yi, who had no desire to connect with other people in the first place.

However,

the trees wished for stillness, but the wind would not cease.

Knock, knock.

Slender fingers tapped lightly against the smooth desktop, playing a crisp little tune.

A rude interruption to his sweet dreams.

"Dongfang, could I talk to you for a moment?"

The unwelcome visitor spoke.

If Ichinose's voice was like a lively, surging spring stream, then the newcomer's was like a bitter winter wind—lonely and merciless.

Without lifting his head, Dongfang Yi raised a hand to gesture upward, then pointed down.

The spot he pointed to was the sheet of white paper he'd put up just yesterday.

Today, he'd thoughtfully added a paper bag beside it. According to the little note next to it, it was meant specifically for paper trash.

Because it said: Please put love letters directly in here.

Who's writing you a love letter, you jerk?!

The newcomer's face visibly stiffened.

Right now, she wanted nothing more than to grab the water bottle beside her and pour it all over this lazy guy's face!

Sleep, will you?!

Sleep yourself to death!

But she'd come on a mission, so she couldn't do that.

The girl felt a little troubled and glanced back over her shoulder.

The petite white-haired princess remained seated at her desk, chatting amiably with the classmates around her. She didn't look over at all.

Tsk. What a troublesome, hateful woman.

She hesitated, unsure whether she should resort to violence against the guy sleeping so soundly.

But the break would only last a few minutes, and that made up her mind quickly.

Fine. Violence it is!

She struck swiftly, intending to haul Dongfang Yi to his feet.

As someone who liked to walk the razor's edge, she had absolute confidence in her speed.

Quick as a hare!

Blocked.

Dongfang Yi's innate skill, [Malice Perception], let him sense threats without opening his eyes.

Trying to sneak up on him? No chance!

The newcomer refused to give up and attacked again, her hands moving so fast they blurred.

Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!

After several failed attempts, Dongfang Yi caught her fist in one hand, leaving her unable to advance or retreat.

This guy was a formidable opponent!

She tugged hard, but couldn't pull free.

She started to panic. Clearly, force wasn't an option.

She could only switch tactics.

She leaned down, planning to whisper in Dongfang Yi's ear, deliver her message, and leave.

Whether he heard her or not, she'd at least have made a token effort!

Just then, Dongfang Yi woke up at a leisurely pace. He tilted his head, intending to see which idiot had dared to ambush him while he slept.

So much for playing fair!

Dongfang Yi lifted his head and found himself face-to-face with the girl who had just leaned down. Their faces were so close that they could feel each other's warm breath.

Her long hair fell to her waist, though a playful little ponytail was tied off to one side. Her face was pale and clear, without a trace of blemish, as pure as falling snow in winter. Her pale pink lips resembled plum blossoms standing proud against the snow, and beneath her silky bangs, her violet eyes held a look of surprise.

She was remarkably pretty.

She had an aura that warned strangers to keep their distance, yet she easily dispelled the irritation Dongfang Yi had felt at being woken.

Was this girl really this pretty?

I thought the midget was the prettiest one in the class...

At the thought, he blinked and said earnestly, "Hey, would you like to confess to me too? Let's exchange Line IDs first and discuss the time and place. To be honest, I've been pretty busy lately. If I have time, I'll let you know..."

Kamuro Masumi's face went from bewildered to even more rigid.

Wh-who's confessing to you, you jerk?!

Realizing that if she let him keep talking, she'd never live down the humiliation, she cut him off stiffly. "I need to talk to you. Come with me at noon."

"Wait a moment. Confessions have to take their place in line."

"Do you have plans at noon? With who?"

"Don't rush me. Let me check..." Dongfang Yi opened his planner, clean as a mountain lake, and studied it before reaching a conclusion. "Nothing scheduled at the moment."

Then what the hell were you going on about?!

Kamuro Masumi finally realized he was messing with her. Her expression darkened, and a hint of menace entered her violet eyes.

"Are you making fun of me?"

She has such a captivating charm. Dongfang Yi suddenly thought that maybe being into girls... wasn't such a bad thing.

He shook his head, his gaze sincere. "Not at all. My memory's just not very good, so I need to keep notes at all times. It'd be bad if I accidentally stood someone up, wouldn't it?"

"...Are you threatening me?"

"No, I'm just following procedure."

"Then hurry up. Class is about to start."

"Sure. So, Kamuro Masumi, what's your name?"

Dongfang Yi earnestly took out a pen and paper and wrote "Appointment Form" and "Name" at the top.

This guy was definitely messing with her! Definitely!

Kamuro Masumi gritted her teeth, but in the end she could only force a few words out through them.

"My name is Kamuro Masumi."

"Okay. Then, Kamuro, do you have a time and place in mind?" Dongfang Yi nodded and continued taking careful notes.

"Today... No, at noon on April third, on the rooftop of the school building."

"Okay, I've got it." Dongfang Yi scribbled away.

"That should be all, right?"

"No, there's one more thing. I need you to evaluate your mental state first, Kamuro." Dongfang Yi continued.

"Huh?"

Kamuro Masumi stared at Dongfang Yi in bewilderment, suddenly feeling an urge to strangle him.

Dongfang Yi looked up and explained earnestly—though he was making it all up. "This is a necessary precaution to ensure my personal safety. I've had people threaten to kill themselves or jump off a building after I turned them down, saying that way I'd remember them for the rest of my life. I need to assess the risks before I go."

So you've had such a rough past.

The girl's gaze softened without her meaning to. "My mental state is perfectly stable. I won't—"

She stopped mid-sentence.

No, who's confessing to you?!

The one who wanted to see you was that troublesome Dead Loli. What did I have to do with any of this?!

Meanwhile, Dongfang Yi kept scribbling away. "Mm-hmm. Kamuro considers herself to be in good mental health and won't develop a grudge out of love."

Anyone who fell for you would have the worst luck for eight lifetimes.

Kamuro Masumi replied flatly, "I'm not confessing to you."

Without even looking up, Dongfang Yi continued taking notes. "Mm-hmm. One more thing, Kamuro. Will anyone else be at the confession?"

I told you, I'm not confessing! I'm not confessing! I'm not confessing!

What on earth happened to this guy in the past?

Even if I were confessing, there'd be no need to be so formal about it!

Kamuro glanced secretly at the weak little loli beside her, but received no signal.

So she could only ask irritably, "Why do you want to know?"

"It's like this: I've had a similar, painful experience before, so I have to make a note of everything in advance." Dongfang Yi looked utterly sincere.

Just how colorful was your life?!

Kamuro Masumi had to admit that the guy in front of her was handsome and dashing, but she'd never imagined that good-looking people had problems like this.

Though, to be fair, good-looking people probably didn't have this particular problem.

"What happened?" she asked.

"A bunch of people I'd rejected got together and had a newcomer lure me out with a letter. They meant to force themselves on me, then make me take responsibility afterward." Dongfang Yi continued his elaborate fabrication. "So I have to be careful about everything. I hope you understand, Kamuro."

"You really have had a hard time."

Kamuro Masumi had been drawn into Dongfang Yi's story once again.

"Tell me about it." Dongfang Yi shrugged, looking troubled.

"As for the people there, I... guarantee no one else will be present."

Kamuro Masumi had meant to say there would only be two people there, but remembering the warning from that hateful loli, she had no choice but to lie.

She felt her heart tighten, and her conscience began to torment her.

"Is that so? Mm, I believe you, Kamuro." Dongfang Yi nodded obediently, his gaze clear and innocent.

Damn it, now my heart hurts even more.

Kamuro Masumi felt she couldn't take much more.

Sorry, Dongfang. I'm not trying to deceive you on purpose.

"By the way, Kamuro, there's one more thing." Dongfang Yi looked up at her.

"What?"

If it's something I can do, I'll do it.

"Could you write a letter of guarantee?" Dongfang Yi asked sincerely. "It doesn't need to be much, just five thousand words. I'll send you the format later."

"..."

Kamuro Masumi felt strangely refreshed. Suddenly, she had no guilt at all~

"Dongfang."

"Yeah?"

"Go die!"