But That Person Is Where the Lanterns Dim

"Is part-time work actually allowed at this school? How did Dongfang manage that?"

Tamiya Emi asked, puzzled.

Dongfang?

Kushida widened her eyes involuntarily: "Who is that person?"

"Oh, it's normal that you wouldn't know, Kushida. It's Dongfang Yi from our class."

"Dongfang Yi? A first-year student in Class A?"

Kushida Kikyo muttered to herself, standing there in a daze, momentarily lost in a trance.

For the past two days.

The young girl had found it impossible to stop thinking about that kind-hearted person on the bus.

A warm smile, a well-intentioned rescue;

A handsome face, a straight and upright posture;

A reliable senior, gentle guidance.

He fulfilled every beautiful fantasy the girl had ever held, just like... just like the Prince Charming from the stories she had looked forward to in her childhood.

Even her fantasies couldn't compare to his brilliance.

Since they parted, she had been constantly formulating and revising her upcoming plans, even temporarily ignoring Horikita Suzune, who posed a massive hidden threat to her school life!

She had meticulously perfected every detail of their touching reunion, carefully crafting every sentence through repeated deduction, simulating countless possibilities, and memorizing every potential branch of their conversation.

She was prepared, confident that she would become the senior's thoughtful little confidante.

The next step was to find the senior and win him over in one fell swoop, making him the cornerstone of her grand ambition.

It should have been that way...

But why?! Why is it like this!

For the first time, she realized her oversight was so massive that everything she had deduced now had to be scrapped and started over.

This detestable guy wasn't some kind-hearted senior at all! He was a freshman!

A freshman of the same age as her!

Kushida Kikyo involuntarily recalled the memory of their meeting that day.

[Hello there, classmate. I haven't seen you before, are you a freshman?]

Haven't seen you before... are you a freshman...

Only now did she realize, belatedly—

This damn bastard had been hinting at it the whole time!

He never once explicitly stated that he was a senior!

Not even once!

No wonder he said they would get to know each other within three days; since they were both freshmen, there were plenty of opportunities to run into each other!

It would have been unreasonable if they hadn't!

No wonder he said the secret to leaving the school would be revealed after they got to know each other!

There was no need to say anything at all, because there was no secret to begin with; he was just a freshman coming from the outside!

Kushida Kikyo felt like she was incredibly stupid for being deceived by such a clumsy lie!

Matsushita Chiaki gently poked the dazed little angel, raised an eyebrow, and whispered: "Has little Kushida taken a fancy to a handsome guy?"

Kushida Kikyo snapped back to reality, forced herself to perk up, and managed a shy ⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄ smile: "Matsushita, don't make jokes like that."

"(ˉ▽￣~) Hmph~~, I just heard little Kushida whispering his name earlier." Matsushita Chiaki teased with a laugh.

"Oh, stop it, I... I just thought the surname was a bit strange, that's all."

"Really?"

"Really."

Matsushita Chiaki, still teasing, failed to notice that Kushida had already clenched her little fists.

I will definitely make this bastard who lied to me pay the price!

On the other side, the confrontation between the two men continued.

Busy shielding Sakura, Dongfang Yi did not realize he had been added to a hit list.

Satoshi Ritonaka leaned forward and lowered his voice: "Dongfang, I brought three beauties with me. Do you want to join us?"

Dongfang Yi frowned slightly: "Get lost. It's work hours, I'm very busy. Don't try to cozy up to me when there's nothing going on."

"Hey, that's very rude of you." Satoshi Ritonaka thought to himself, There isn't a single person in this shop, who are you trying to fool?

"Do I look like someone who has studied etiquette to you?"

"Aren't you a waiter?"

"No, I'm a barista." Dongfang Yi raised an eyebrow smugly and reiterated, "This establishment specifically employs a first-class barista."

"Oh, then treat me to a few cups of coffee."

"Are you the head of the freeloading nation or something? How can you be so thick-skinned?"

"Look, I brought three beauties with me. Can you really not seize such a good opportunity?" Satoshi Ritonaka continued to lower his voice. "Giving away a few cups of coffee to leave a deep impression on them—it's not a loss."

I'm truly sorry that I don't have the blood of a simp running through my veins.

The corner of Dongfang Yi's mouth twitched as he stared mercilessly at the guy with ulterior motives in front of him. "That makes sense, I agree."

"Brother, you're on the right track." Satoshi Ritonaka gave him a thumbs up.

"Of course, brothers are always in my heart." Dongfang Yi patted his chest. "You go over there and pay first, and I'll treat them."

"Alrighty." Having received the promise, Satoshi Ritonaka turned around happily.

But then he turned back. "What money am I supposed to pay?"

"The cost of the four cups of coffee, of course." Dongfang Yi said with a straight face. "Don't worry, I'll deduct the labor costs; I won't let you lose out."

"Ah, this, but..." Satoshi Ritonaka was choked up. He had just been acting on a whim, wanting to get a freebie, and had no intention of paying for it himself.

"No 'buts' about it. Be generous. Think about the wonderful life that could be ahead; don't worry about this small amount of money. Think about it, if your romantic encounter is lost because of this little bit of cash, would you be willing to accept that?"

The corner of Dongfang Yi's mouth curled up as he patted his shoulder, his voice like a devil's whisper. "Go on, don't leave any regrets in your youth. Don't let your future self regret this for the rest of your life over such a small sum."

I don't believe a word you say.

Satoshi Ritonaka clicked his tongue, clearly realizing how difficult Dongfang Yi was to deal with. He turned around and stopped mentioning the coffee.

After discussing for a while and selecting their meals, they paid together, took their receipt, and entered the shop to find seats.

Throughout the whole process, Kushida did not show anything unusual, as if she didn't know Dongfang Yi at all, though Matsushita Chiaki's eyes held a hint of mockery.

However, this also allowed Dongfang Yi to breathe a deep sigh of relief.

Sakura crouching down like that really made him unable to handle the situation.

But fortunately, his innocence was preserved.

"They've left, you can get up now, Ostrich Sakura."

Dongfang Yi, who was also doubling as the cashier, watched the four of them enter the dining area and finally relaxed, speaking to the person below him with annoyance.

Sakura's little head peeked out from behind the counter, and after confirming no one was around, the girl quickly stood up.

It hadn't been a big deal at first, but once the customers arrived, she had been too embarrassed to stand up.

She pouted, looking at Dongfang Yi indignantly.

H-how could you call someone an ostrich!

"Miss Ostrich, aren't your legs sore?" Dongfang Yi felt that if he didn't tease her, he couldn't compensate for the pressure he had just endured.

"Dongfang-kun, giving people nicknames is a very bad behavior!"

"Is that so? Then how is Sakura-san going to compensate me for my mental distress just now?" Dongfang Yi threatened her fiercely.

"Wuu, I, I'm going to the restroom."

Dongfang Yi watched Sakura's hurried, fleeing back, the corner of his mouth curling up. However, a malicious voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Are you very happy right now? Dong~fang~ senpai~"