It's All Tricks

The solid impact of a punch had yet to arrive when Horikita Suzune suddenly moved.

And she was fast.

Horikita Suzune abruptly grabbed Shi Cheng's wrist, then spun around.

This seamless sequence of movements left Shi Cheng dumbfounded.

It was impossible to pull that off without three to five years of training.

So he had been fooled?

You damn bitch, you dared to play me!

Shi Cheng had no time to dwell on his regret. The overwhelming sense of danger forced him to snap back first.

Shi Cheng was terrified, because the move Horikita Suzune was using seemed to be called a Shoulder Throw.

Damn it.

This was supposed to be an ordinary spar.

Did she have to take it so seriously?

Everything had happened in the blink of an eye.

Shi Cheng could already picture himself being flung through the air in utter disgrace.

Fortunately, at that moment...

Fate was on his side again.

In his eyes...

Everything slowed down.

Shi Cheng fully experienced just how useful Capture was because of it.

But this was not the time to marvel at it.

Shi Cheng immediately extended his other hand and braced it against Horikita Suzune's slender, soft lower back.

The instant he completed the motion...

Horikita Suzune borrowed the momentum and completed the final step.

Unfortunately, Shi Cheng had already taken a defensive stance, so she could not throw him.

Horikita Suzune raised her brows, crying inwardly that it was impossible.

She was absolutely certain.

Shi Cheng was a complete amateur.

How could he possibly have reacted in time?

But it had already happened, so what was the point of thinking about it now?

Without giving Horikita Suzune time to switch moves...

Shi Cheng bent back the hand she had controlled.

He forced Horikita Suzune's fair neck toward his chest.

"Checkmate!" Shi Cheng leaned close to her delicate ear and smiled smugly.

An unwilling expression immediately appeared on Horikita Suzune's face.

She had actually tried to break free halfway through.

But Shi Cheng was a boy.

How could a girl like her possibly struggle free?

Horikita Suzune said angrily, "Let go of me."

The victor had been decided. There was no need to keep humiliating herself; she was not someone who could not accept defeat.

Shi Cheng had no intention of taking advantage of her at a time like this and decisively released his tightened grip.

Horikita Suzune rubbed her neck and decided to use a girl's unreasonable side.

"I want to see results by tomorrow."

After saying that, Horikita Suzune strode away on her long, fair legs, leaving the place where she had suffered a loss.

Shi Cheng clicked his tongue softly.

Was that any way to ask someone for help? He had not even said whether he would agree.

With a quiet sigh...

Shi Cheng decided he would give it a try first.

But before that...

He had an appointment to keep.

After a day apart, Shi Cheng arrived outside the Library once more.

Looking at the familiar building, Shi Cheng felt an uncomfortable sense of estrangement, as though three years had passed.

Shiina Hiyori was so gentle.

She probably would not blame him, right?

Shi Cheng slowly walked inside.

The scent of books was as rich as ever.

Not only that...

Because of May's sudden upheaval...

The crowd that had originally gathered here had grown larger as well.

Looking at the three small groups in the distance...

Shi Cheng nodded to himself.

As expected of Class A. They were truly composed.

Ignoring Hirata Yosuke, who had noticed him, Shi Cheng continued deeper inside.

Not long after leaving the lively area, Shi Cheng saw a petite silver figure.

She sat quietly in her seat, her gaze absorbed in the book laid out before her.

Yet a faint, fleeting sorrow lingered on her delicate face, making her look unbearably pitiful.

As Shi Cheng became entranced, he also let out a breath of relief.

It was good that she had been thinking about him.

Shi Cheng approached slowly and casually, trying not to disturb her.

Even though he had been extremely discreet...

Shiina Hiyori still noticed his presence.

Shiina Hiyori raised her head in surprise, her face filled with genuine joy. "Shi Cheng, you came!"

"Yeah, I came." Shi Cheng nodded, sat down beside her, and said, "Sorry, something came up yesterday."

Shi Cheng did not mince words and frankly explained himself.

Shiina Hiyori hurriedly shook her head, her waterfall-like silver hair flowing with the motion.

"I was at fault too, Shi Cheng. Let's add each other as friends."

Shiina Hiyori took out her phone with an expectant expression, her sparkling eyes fixed on Shi Cheng.

"Sure." How could he refuse a request like that?

After adding each other, Shiina Hiyori teased sweetly, "This way, there won't be any problems anymore."

Shi Cheng nodded along. "That's true. If Shiina had realized that earlier, I wouldn't have made a mistake either."

He could say that?

Shiina Hiyori puffed out her cheeks, her large eyes filled with displeasure. She had clearly not expected Shi Cheng to say something like that.

For a girl to take the initiative in something like this was far too embarrassing.

If Shi Cheng had not failed to show up yesterday...

Shiina Hiyori would never have brought it up.

What she had never expected was for Shi Cheng to make her take the blame.

But when she saw the mischievous smile at the corner of his lips, Shiina Hiyori understood.

Shi Cheng had done it on purpose.

Shiina Hiyori turned her head away, seeming both angry and not angry at all.

She would ignore him for now.

That was what Shiina Hiyori thought.

Rather than coaxing her, Shi Cheng lowered his gaze and looked at her gray stockings.

With a grin, he said, "When everyone else is wearing black or white stockings, Shiina is practically a breath of fresh air."

Shiina Hiyori's little head filled with question marks.

Was he not supposed to be coaxing her? How had he started talking about her outfit?

Feeling his appraising gaze...

Shiina Hiyori shyly pressed her legs together.

She wanted to tug at the hem of her skirt, but if she did...

Wouldn't that put her at a disadvantage?

Shi Cheng stroked his chin and sighed. "Looks like I've been too captivated by Shiina's sweet voice lately. I didn't even notice that you were this beautiful too."

Shiina Hiyori wanted to complain a little.

What did her beauty have to do with the color of her stockings?

How embarrassing.

Still, Shi Cheng had complimented her in two ways with a single sentence.

Shiina Hiyori felt a small sense of pride.

Though she was happy, there was no way she would forgive him so quickly.

Shiina Hiyori gave a soft hum that had no bite to it and only made people want to tease her more. "Even if you say that, Shi Cheng, I won't forgive you so easily!"

"Is that so? Then all right." Shi Cheng looked dejected. "I'll go back and think it over properly. What a shame, though. I won't get to hear it today."

Before Shi Cheng could fully stand up...

Shiina Hiyori grabbed him and raised her delicate little face. "Sit down quickly. I'm about to begin."

Was he trying to run away again today?

Would that not mean she would have no way to share the joys of the ocean for two days?

How could that be allowed?

That would feel worse than killing her.

"Huh?" Shi Cheng looked at her in surprise. "But didn't you say you hadn't forgiven me yet?"

Why was he suddenly acting like a blockhead at a time like this? Shiina Hiyori puffed out her cheeks. "Those are two different things."

"Sit down already."

"All right." Under Shiina Hiyori's forceful demand, Shi Cheng could only obediently sit back down.

Shiina Hiyori nodded lightly in satisfaction. "That's more like it."

Shiina Hiyori happily opened her book.

And began today's spellcasting.

Shi Cheng rested his chin on his hand and stared at her delicate cheek. "Looks like I'll be able to sleep well again."

Shiina Hiyori's face reddened slightly as she shot Shi Cheng a sidelong glare.

She was busy right now. Could he not be serious for once?