A False Alarm, It Seems

"Oh my." Not expecting the conversation to get so terrifying, Shi Cheng stumbled.

He staggered a few steps and leaned against Kato Megumi.

"Eek!" Startled, Kato Megumi let out a soft cry, but she didn't immediately push Shi Cheng away.

Instead, she asked with concern, "Shi Cheng-kun, are you alright?"

Shi Cheng scratched his head, steadied himself, and said sheepishly, "I'm fine, I'm really sorry for the trouble."

During that brief contact, Shi Cheng had subtly used lightning to test her authenticity.

He finally understood.

Kato Megumi had actually been joking with him the whole time.

That was why his smile was exceptionally sincere.

Because lightning had a special effectiveness against ghosts.

Shi Cheng could pat his chest and guarantee it.

Kato Megumi was absolutely fine.

He had just been scaring himself.

"I'm the one who should be apologizing; I must have startled you."

"Not at all," Shi Cheng said nonchalantly.

He was a grown man.

How could he be scared by a ghost?

Wouldn't that be embarrassing?

To prevent Kato Megumi from continuing the topic, Shi Cheng said cheekily, "Kato-san, you smell so good, so you definitely aren't a ghost."

"After all, ghosts are always stinky."

A flush of red flashed across Kato Megumi's smooth cheeks.

Calming down, she quickly looked up and said, "Shi Cheng-kun, let's go; the opening ceremony is about to start."

Since she was at fault first, Kato Megumi couldn't blame him.

She could only skip the topic.

Shi Cheng cooperated with a tacit understanding, "You're right, let's go."

The opening ceremony wasn't worth mentioning.

Other than making one want to doze off, the content had no substance at all.

As soon as the announcement to disperse was made, Shi Cheng headed straight for the store.

On the way, Shi Cheng didn't forget to keep inviting Kato Megumi.

Since he had teased her a little earlier, he should show his best side now.

"Kato-san, there must be a lot of things for girls to buy, let me help."

Shi Cheng didn't mention his previous offense, only offering to help.

"Then I'll trouble you, Shi Cheng-kun."

Perhaps it was a mutual understanding, but Kato Megumi agreed quickly.

Shi Cheng didn't think she should be polite.

Because the boys' and girls' dorms were in the same building.

The boys were on the lower floors, and the girls were on the upper floors.

The two walked side by side on the road again.

Before long, they arrived at the store.

There were quite a few people inside.

It seemed everyone had the same idea.

Shi Cheng scanned the area casually and said considerately, "Let's meet back here in a bit."

"Mm."

The items she needed to buy next were a bit embarrassing.

Kato Megumi didn't refuse the suggestion.

After splitting up, Shi Cheng headed straight for the bento section.

Although the bento options were varied, Shi Cheng wasn't a picky eater, so he picked a few items at random and headed toward the daily necessities section.

As a staunch minimalist, he naturally wouldn't choose the expensive options.

Besides, there was something unsettling about the things Chabashira Sae said.

He was even less likely to spend money recklessly on things he could just get by with.

Picking up a few cheap items, Shi Cheng headed toward the checkout counter, preparing to wait for Kato Megumi there.

During the wait.

Shi Cheng, who was looking around, suddenly had his eyes light up, as if he had discovered a treasure.

Though the treasure was fake, the items were very real.

Shi Cheng felt no annoyance at being deceived.

Instead, he picked them up to examine them with great joy.

"Free?"

In this inconspicuous corner, many things were placed.

And they were all free, too.

After looking closely, he discovered the quality wasn't bad at all.

Shi Cheng decisively returned the daily necessities he had picked out earlier.

If it weren't for the rule that one could only take a certain quota per month.

Shi Cheng really wanted to empty the place out.

Taking a few regretful glances, Shi Cheng left this treasure area with a sense of pity.

Because she was a girl.

Shi Cheng didn't grow impatient while waiting.

After all, he had gained quite a haul here.

"Hey, what was the meaning of that look you gave in the classroom?"

While he was waiting, trouble came looking for him.

Horikita Suzune had actually spotted Shi Cheng's figure a long time ago.

Because she was constantly keeping track of his whereabouts.

Horikita Suzune didn't rush over, waiting instead until he had finished picking out his items.

Hearing the familiar voice.

Shi Cheng turned his head to look.

A cold, icy face immediately appeared in his field of vision.

"Who are you?" Shi Cheng frowned.

Of course, Shi Cheng remembered Horikita Suzune.

It was just that he had only glanced at her casually at the time, and yet she could still come to find trouble with him.

Is she crazy?

Having labeled her as such, Shi Cheng instantly lost any desire to make her acquaintance.

Because he felt Horikita Suzune was a troublemaker.

On top of that, since he didn't even know her name, Shi Cheng had no intention of having any further interaction with her.

Horikita Suzune sneered, "You have the guts to look but not the guts to admit it, huh?"

In the classroom.

Horikita Suzune had been deeply impressed by how Shi Cheng resolved Sudo Ken's problem.

At the time, she had thought he was an interesting person.

Now it seemed.

He was no different from an ordinary person.

Shi Cheng took a deep breath; this girl was quite skilled at stirring up emotions.

His fists were already feeling restless.

Facing someone who had come looking for a fight, Shi Cheng didn't intend to back down.

He responded decisively: "Is it a crime to look because you're pretty?"

Shi Cheng didn't see anything wrong with that.

He was merely appreciating beauty.

Besides, he had only glanced at her.

It shouldn't be this serious.

"I know that; I don't need you to emphasize it." Hearing him admit it, Horikita Suzune lightly brushed her shiny black hair behind her ear.

With a cold and arrogant expression, she said, "I don't think it's that simple. You must have something else in mind."

No way, are you a tapeworm in my stomach? How are you so clear on that?

The moment this thought crossed Shi Cheng's mind, Horikita Suzune's gaze sharpened instantly.

It didn't end there; her free hand transformed into a hand blade, striking directly toward Shi Cheng's kidney.

The fast, accurate, and ruthless attack made Shi Cheng's eyes widen.

He knew Horikita Suzune was trouble.

He just didn't expect her to be not only troublesome but also a violent maniac.

Shi Cheng quickly grabbed her wrist to save his own happiness.

Because it happened so suddenly, Shi Cheng instinctively used the power of lightning.

Fortunately, at the last moment, he remembered this was just a conflict between classmates.

Shi Cheng quickly withdrew his strength, intending to give her an unforgettable lesson.

Feeling her whole body go numb, Horikita Suzune's eyelids twitched. "It seems I underestimated you."

Shi Cheng was just about to grin triumphantly.

Horikita Suzune suddenly chuckled softly. "But this way, I can use my power without worry."

"Ice Wrist!"

"Hiss!" Feeling the cold radiating from his hand, Shi Cheng looked down.

He saw that the small hand he was holding was coated in a thick layer of frost, exuding a biting chill.

"How about that?" Horikita Suzune put on a smug face; she clearly felt very proud of herself.

Panicking for a brief moment, Shi Cheng quickly calmed down.

Did she not know?

Lightning is also the bane of ice.

Shi Cheng smiled indifferently and suddenly increased the intensity of his power.

While feeling a stinging pain, Horikita Suzune also noticed the frost on her hand instantly melt into a puddle of liquid on the floor.

Horikita Suzune still wanted to fight back.

But after all, this was a public place, and making a scene wouldn't benefit anyone.

Horikita Suzune snorted with displeasure. "I'll remember you!"

Shi Cheng pulled his hand back and picked at his ear. "What a coincidence, I don't want to remember you."