Chapter 28

"You scared me. Don't be discouraged; there'll always be someone who likes you when you're half-dead." "You... I'm not talking to you anymore. You're so gentle with everyone else, but so sharp-tongued with me." Yuan Yuyuan's expression visibly darkened. With a trace of sorrow in his voice, he said, "Because Xiaoxue is the first girl at this school to see the real me. You're the only one I can say some things to. If I've made you uncomfortable, I apologize. I'm really sorry." That made Himeno Yuki feel awkward. She tugged at Yuan Yuyuan's sleeve and said, "Forget it. Come to think of it, we're kind of alike. I actually admire how far you've taken things. Without you, I probably would've had to keep pretending around them for all three years." "Honestly, Xiaoxue, you believed me that easily? You're way too gullible. You'll never make a good leader like that." ??? Watching Yuan Yuyuan go from looking dejected to suddenly changing his tune and mocking her, Himeno Yuki turned red with anger. She felt like a complete clown, so she grabbed Yuan Yuyuan by the neck and shook him back and forth to hide her embarrassment. "Yuan Yuyuan, I'm gonna kill you!" "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Hey, hey, I'm gonna fall! I really am—stop shaking me!" Only after Himeno Yuki finally stopped did Yuan Yuyuan rub his neck and explain, "The mood was getting too heavy, so I thought I'd lighten things up. Why are you getting so worked up?" "Shut... That's nonsense! You were making fun of me! Ahhh, I want to die." "Actually, I meant what I said earlier. I just didn't want to see you... uh... what's the word... put yourself down?" When Himeno Yuki reached for him again, Yuan Yuyuan had no choice but to surrender and apologize. "Don't grab me! I really know I was wrong. I'll give up territory, pay reparations, and buy you pudding after class as an apology." Seeing Yuan Yuyuan, who was usually a little aloof in class, fool around just to cheer her up, Himeno Yuki couldn't help laughing. "Don't do things that don't fit your character just to make me feel better! It's so out of character!" "All right, all right. So you don't want the pudding either?" "No way. I want strawberry."

First Semester: Chapter 27. Chapter Twenty-Six: Girls These Days Really Are Shy. After class, the café staff arrived right on time with all kinds of pudding. "Hello. May I ask which one of you is Miss Himeno Yuki?" "That's me, that's me! I'm Himeno Yuki!" Seeing Himeno Yuki rush over to sign for the delivery, Yuan Yuyuan couldn't help laughing. She looked like the whole world owed her money, but really, she was just a girl in her teens. Himeno Yuki picked up a pudding and started stuffing it into her mouth, not forgetting to call out to Yuan Yuyuan. "Don't be shy! Take as much as you want." "Don't get it wrong. I bought all of these." "Really? But the recipient is clearly Miss Himeno Yuki from Class 1-B, not you. Speaking of which, you even got Palette to deliver food. It feels a little weird..." Yuan Yuyuan took a sip of the black coffee he'd picked up along with the pudding and shook his head helplessly. "Thanks to you, my spending at this café has shot up like it's on steroids. When I call, they ask if I want it delivered before I even bring it up. They're in business to make money anyway, and giving a big customer special treatment not only makes them more likable, it encourages people to spend more. There's nothing shameful about making money." "Tch. You're always thinking about this stuff. Aren't you tired? Here, have some pudding." "I'm telling you to think more, so you don't get all teary-eyed just because someone treats you nicely. You're responsible for the whole class now. I don't want you to become a disgrace and drag me down with you, the one who recommended you." "Stop lecturing me in my dad's voice! This should be a happy moment, but you've made it impossible to smile." Seeing that Himeno Yuki seemed fed up, Yuan Yuyuan shrugged helplessly. "Then enjoy your happy moment. I'm going to the library." "But school isn't over yet." "It's fine. I can get full marks without sitting through class." "What a selfish guy. Aren't you ashamed to abandon all those little puddings?" Though she said that, Himeno Yuki set down the sweet treat she usually loved most. Just as Yuan Yuyuan had said, wasn't this the first time she'd opened up to someone, too? "Is he angry? (°ー°〃)" She knew Yuan Yuyuan only had her best interests at heart. Though he was always teasing her, he'd never crossed the line. But she seemed to have messed everything up. "What am I thinking? We're just classmates and superior and subordinate." Watching Yuan Yuyuan's retreating figure, Himeno Yuki felt uneasy. After arriving at the library, Yuan Yuyuan casually picked up an old friend of his and read absentmindedly. In truth, he hadn't thought that much about it. Since Himeno Yuki wouldn't listen, he couldn't be bothered to waste his breath. Lecturing her was pointless; once she ran headfirst into a wall and got a few bumps on her head, she'd understand his good intentions. If he could, he still hoped she'd grow enough to take his place. But the time wasn't right yet. The priority was getting into Class A, and quickly. Otherwise, if the two classes remained only a hair's breadth apart for a second month without their rankings changing, morale would eventually become a problem. Yuan Yuyuan felt a headache coming on. Aside from her poor physical fitness, Ichinose was practically a well-rounded talent. Unfortunately, just the fact that her saintly compassion was so indiscriminate was enough to stop Yuan Yuyuan from honestly calling her a good leader. Otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to find Himeno Yuki to fill the vacancy. After some time, Shiina Hiyori walked over to Yuan Yuyuan with a light step. Seeing him sitting in a chair with his thoughts wandering far away, she couldn't help feeling a little guilty. "Long time no see. Have you been waiting long, Yuan?" "Not at all. Class wasn't interesting, so I came early." Relieved that he hadn't been waiting because she was late, Shiina Hiyori sat down beside Yuan Yuyuan and quietly read the book in her hands, as she usually did. "Hey, Shiina." "Hmm? What is it?" "Do you think that Ryuen, the leader of your class, is good at keeping the class under control?" "That's a sudden question... I don't really agree with Ryuen's methods, but if you mean ruling the class, then I suppose you could say he's good at it. Why?" "Nothing. I'm just envious of... I mean, curious about your opinion. Then what do you think—if Class C had someone like Honami, and she competed with Ryuen for the leadership position, which side would have more supporters?" Shiina Hiyori didn't immediately blurt out that Ichinose, who was popular with almost everyone, would win. Instead, she carefully considered the groups each of them appealed to. "Although Ryuen has devoted followers like Yamada and Ishizaki, his methods often upset the other students. If you compare him with Ichinose, then barring any surprises, Ichinose would probably have more support." Yuan Yuyuan nodded. That was what he'd expected. Just look at the two classes. Without someone unusual like Ichinose, ruling through violence was probably the quickest way to ensure that the whole class spoke with one voice. Class A at least had a higher average ability, so even its division was because...