A Stirring Heart, Yet No Desire to Act

At the start of the school year, it was April.

The weather had not yet officially turned hot, and cool days were more common.

At this time of year, the girls still wore the short skirts provided by the school.

It was just that they seemed to have misjudged the weather today, as an unusually biting cold wind had blown in.

Quite a few girls who were not wearing knee-high socks shivered from the cold.

Some wanted to complain.

But when they saw it was Horikita Suzune...

They wisely chose to keep their mouths shut.

Everyone had an instinct to seek benefits and avoid harm.

Especially when the person in question was the icy Horikita Suzune.

Why should they step forward and become the first to stick their necks out?

Besides, given Horikita Suzune's behavior in class...

A loner like her would eventually be completely isolated. It would be better to join the others in bullying her then.

Unfortunately for them...

Horikita Suzune had long possessed the ability to deal with such things alone.

With her formidable combat abilities, even three to five ordinary people could not get close to Horikita Suzune.

Those harboring petty schemes were bound to be disappointed.

Ignoring the resentful looks from everyone, Horikita Suzune walked toward the back row.

As she passed Shi Cheng, Horikita Suzune merely shot him a glare without saying anything, then quietly sat down.

Taking advantage of the time before class began, she pulled out a book and repeated the routine she followed every day.

She was like a disciplined machine.

Influenced by her...

Kato Megumi studied even harder.

Shi Cheng, who had prepared himself to defend and counterattack, could not help but be speechless at how calm she was.

Shi Cheng, whose mind was clear as a mirror, was absolutely certain...

That Horikita Suzune, who had flown into a rage only yesterday, could not possibly let him off so easily.

So there was only one possibility.

She did not want the matter to blow up.

She did not want everyone to know about it.

But if it had merely been an ordinary conflict between two people...

Would she really go this far?

Shi Cheng thought about it and decided it was impossible.

So the situation was already obvious.

She did not want to reveal her relationship with President Horikita.

Shi Cheng found it inexplicably amusing.

She had an older brother who was the Student Council president, something most people would not have time to brag enough about, yet she hid it so thoroughly.

Just like you, Horikita Suzune.

Horikita Suzune did not want it exposed, and Shi Cheng had no intention of adding fuel to the fire.

After all, this was enough.

If he really went too far, it would become difficult for them to even speak to each other later.

That would not be good.

While studying, Kato Megumi did not forget to take time to relax.

That was when she noticed something.

Horikita Suzune seemed strange.

She was clearly studying, yet her eyes occasionally glanced toward Shi Cheng.

This immediately piqued the interest of Kato Megumi, who held Horikita Suzune in high regard.

But after noticing the predatory look in her eyes...

Kato Megumi felt a chill run down her spine.

What exactly had Shi Cheng done?

How had he provoked such hostility from Horikita Suzune?

Had yesterday really been that difficult?

Kato Megumi gently touched her chest, feeling something she could neither explain nor understand.

Since neither side was familiar with the other, and she did not know what had happened...

Kato Megumi could not directly express concern.

She could only quietly wait and see how things developed.

Soon, it was lunch break.

As the students in the classroom headed to the cafeteria, Shi Cheng still showed no sign of moving. Unable to endure it any longer, Horikita Suzune finally snapped.

Horikita Suzune held a sharp compass she had prepared long ago and thrust it forward, aiming straight for Shi Cheng's arm.

The sharp glint of cold metal was exceptionally dazzling beneath the sunlight.

It flashed into Shi Cheng's eyes as well.

Faced with an attack that had come too fast for him to dodge, Shi Cheng immediately activated the Electromagnetic Barrier.

"Hmm?"

The tip had been just a little short of reaching him, yet it could not advance even an inch. Horikita Suzune looked confused.

At this point, she naturally had no intention of holding back.

So the situation was obvious.

Shi Cheng still had another trick up his sleeve.

That greatly exceeded Horikita Suzune's expectations.

She had not expected Shi Cheng to be so capable.

But now did not seem like the time to be impressed.

Sizzle!

While she was distracted...

Shi Cheng suddenly increased the power.

A powerful current traveled along the pointed tip and directly into Horikita Suzune's delicate hand.

Horikita Suzune cried out in pain.

She instinctively let go.

Only when Horikita Suzune was unarmed did Shi Cheng turn around and taunt, "Horikita, hurry up and eat. You do not even have any strength left."

Horikita Suzune glared at him furiously.

"Just you wait!"

After saying that, her flowing black hair stirred up a fragrant breeze as she followed Horikita Suzune out of the classroom.

Having watched the entire scene in surprise, Kato Megumi helped pick up the compass and quietly asked with concern, "Shi Cheng, is this really okay?"

Horikita Suzune was already so angry, yet Shi Cheng was still provoking her like this.

Was that really okay?

Shi Cheng did not care. He waved a hand and said, "It is fine. I know what I am doing."

Kato Megumi silently glanced at Shi Cheng and ultimately said nothing more.

"Shi Cheng, it is all my fault. If I had not asked you for help, you would not have had a conflict with Horikita."

At that moment, Kushida Kikyo suddenly jogged over and bowed slightly, her face full of apology.

Seeing the slight sweat on Kushida Kikyo's face, Kato Megumi looked puzzled.

Did this have something to do with her too?

Shi Cheng casually glanced at Kushida Kikyo.

That apology had some sincerity to it.

But her heart was not sincere.

Why do I feel like you came here to gloat?

Too bad you are going to be disappointed.

Thinking this, Shi Cheng calmly said, "Do not worry, Kushida. It has nothing to do with you. It is something else."

Kushida Kikyo's eyes flickered. She obviously did not believe him.

But Shi Cheng had made himself clear, so what else could she do?

She could only use the method she was best at.

Kushida Kikyo stepped forward once more, moving closer to Shi Cheng.

She reached out and took one of Shi Cheng's hands.

Her soft hands gently closed around his, and she looked at him sincerely. "Really, Shi Cheng? Please do not lie to me!"

Shi Cheng's index finger twitched a few times despite himself. "Really."

"I see." Kushida Kikyo withdrew her hand as though nothing had happened, her smile radiant.

"Even so, if there is anything Shi Cheng needs help with, you can come to me."

Hearing that, Shi Cheng almost rolled his eyes.

You and Horikita Suzune were more like strangers than strangers right now.

What could you possibly help with?

Come be an audience member?

Though that was what he thought, Shi Cheng still replied considerately, "Do not worry. If something really comes up, I definitely will not forget you, Kushida."

"Mm-hmm." Having received a satisfactory answer...

Kushida Kikyo nodded happily again and again.

After Kushida Kikyo left...

A calm voice came from behind him.

"Shi Cheng, you and Kushida are really close."

Kato Megumi sounded somewhat resentful.

It was unclear who that resentment was directed at.

Shi Cheng felt it was probably aimed at Kushida Kikyo.

After all, she had said she would become friends with the entire class.

Yet she had singled out Kato Megumi as the one person to overlook.

That was far too careless.

So, as her first good friend...

Shi Cheng felt he should do something.

"How about I remind her for you?"

Shi Cheng believed he had offered an excellent solution.

Kato Megumi shook her head in refusal.

"Forget it. Kushida will just forget me again later."

That was the truth.

Unless someone actively noticed her and had some sort of interaction with her...

They would forget her again afterward.

Besides, Kushida Kikyo was a very busy person.

If someone as inconspicuous as her went up to Kushida Kikyo, she would not even make a ripple.