Chapter 44

Seeing Yuan Yuyuan look at her with a blank expression, she realized he truly didn't know who she meant. "You don't even know Kushida? I'm talking about Kushida Kikyo from Class D." "Oh~ that Kushida. I thought you meant... Kushida Shrine. I see. Well, Xiaoxue, I'll come back to play with you later." After saying this, Yuan Yuyuan waved for Shiranami to leave, took the opportunity to pinch Himeno Yuki's cheek, and walked over to Kushida Kikyo, ignoring her speechless expression. "Is there something you need, Kushida?" "Um... it's not very convenient to talk here. Could you come with me for a moment, Yuyuan?" "Sure, let's go." Yuan Yuyuan was actually quite satisfied with Kushida; she was capable and sharp. If she hadn't come to find him today, he really would have leaked the information. After all, no matter how good an idiot is at playing both sides, they are still just an idiot playing both sides, but he didn't intend to let her off that easily. The two walked to a secluded spot, and only after Kushida Kikyo checked left and right to ensure a repeat of last time wouldn't happen did she speak: "I'm sorry, I know I was wrong. I won't do it again." "Why are you saying such strange things, Kushida? So it wasn't a confession after all? You really had me excited for nothing." Yuan Yuyuan shrugged. He didn't care if this pitiful act of hers was genuine or fake, as long as she understood when to do what. "Don't be like that, I really know I was wrong. Can you give me another chance?" "Give you another chance? If you mess things up, who's going to give me a chance? If you don't have anything else, I'm heading back. Xiaoxue is still waiting for me." With that, Yuan Yuyuan turned to leave. He had to apply maximum pressure on her today, otherwise, some people would truly lose sight of their place. "No!" Kushida Kikyo grabbed the corner of Yuan Yuyuan's coat. At this moment, she couldn't even tell if she had truly lost her utility. The confidence she had in her abilities just moments ago had completely vanished. Was Class D really dispensable to Yuan Yuyuan now? Although she felt that was likely not the case—and that Yuan Yuyuan mentioning Himeno Yuki was a hint that she wasn't irreplaceable—she didn't dare to gamble. If Yuan Yuyuan walked away now, he wouldn't use her again even just for the sake of his pride, and her secrets would... Kushida Kikyo bit her lip hard. Just as she was about to kneel, a hand stopped her. She looked up at the expressionless Yuan Yuyuan. "Don't let it happen again." Yuan Yuyuan walked away after saying that. He didn't have the habit of letting women kneel to him. He didn't mind keeping Kushida on a leash, but if there were a next time, he wouldn't be this easy to talk to. Hearing footsteps behind him, Yuan Yuyuan knew she was about to pull the same trick again. Sure enough, Kushida hugged him once more. "Thank you." "Forget it. If you really want to thank me, just do your job well." Yuan Yuyuan pried Kushida's hands off. Just kidding, a Saint Seiya wouldn't fall for the same move twice. All of this was just a sugar-coated bullet of feigned pity... wait, when had he ever lost?

ps: I'm out of jail, guys! The internet is fixed ╰(￣▽￣)╭ First Semester : Chapter 42 Chapter 39: Can't Beat the Heaven-Sent (Mist) Kushida Kikyo stood where she was. She could tell that Yuan Yuyuan hadn't intended to forgive her so easily, yet he had stopped her when she was ready to abandon her dignity. Kushida Kikyo was genuinely grateful to Yuan Yuyuan for preserving a shred of her face, even if he didn't seem to appreciate it. After returning to the classroom, Yuan Yuyuan received a message from Kushida Kikyo. He chose not to open it, continuing to chat with Himeno Yuki instead. Kushida Kikyo watched her message sink into the void, feeling terrible, yet she had no other options. Just as Yuan Yuyuan said, she wasn't irreplaceable. This was Class D, after all; she didn't believe that Karuizawa, who also had a strong influence, was truly without weaknesses. She could only blame her own bad luck for exposing herself too early. It wasn't until school ended that Yuan Yuyuan checked the message from Kushida. [Yuyuan, I am truly sorry. I promise I won't say irrelevant things when you are gathering intelligence again. Please, give me one last chance, okay?] Yuan Yuyuan nodded in satisfaction. Kushida had a good grasp of the situation; she realized her mistake instead of thinking, "It was just a complaint, is it really that big of a deal?" If she could truly change, she would be a rare talent, but Yuan Yuyuan only replied with a faint "Mm." Kushida Kikyo spent the entire morning staring at her phone, distracted, not even hearing the Idiot Trio calling her. Watching the message go from unread to read, followed by Yuan Yuyuan's cold reply, her mood felt like a roller coaster, going from sadness to joy... and back to sadness. Kushida Kikyo gripped her phone tightly. She felt like she was on the verge of collapsing. She knew all too well how much of an impact absorbing others' negative energy could have; if she couldn't vent it, she would break down entirely... wait, was Yuan Yuyuan venting on her just now? Kushida Kikyo shook her head vigorously, casting the strange thought away. That couldn't be it! He was a man who clearly distinguished love from hate; if he couldn't stand her, he would definitely say so. Yes! That must be it! Meanwhile, Yuan Yuyuan was having lunch with Himeno Yuki at the same restaurant as before. "Cheers." "Why are you acting like this? It's really uncomfortable, you know." Yuan Yuyuan ignored this unromantic person and looked at the decorations, speaking to himself: "It's been a long time since I came here with Xiaoxue. Everything feels both familiar and strange." "Heh, of course it does. Because after meeting that person, we never came here again." Himeno Yuki sneered. He had the nerve to say that? He used to tell her how great this place was, but it all turned out to be empty promises. She had really been let down. Yuan Yuyuan didn't feel he had lied at all, shifting all the blame onto Kushida Kikyo: "That's true. It's been so long. Oh, it's all that person's fault for not making any contributions lately. Xiaoxue must have been craving this, right?" "I was not! But... why did you suddenly bring me here? I don't recall making any contributions either." "Does there have to be a reason? I just brought you here because I thought you'd like it." "As if! You're not that kind, you guy. Either you want something from me, or you feel guilty toward me. There's no other possibility!" "What have you made me out to be!" Yuan Yuyuan laughed after saying it. Did it seem like that was the case? Yuan Yuyuan felt his memories regarding this aspect seemed to be slipping away, but he still wanted to salvage some image in front of Himeno Yuki: "Actually, it's because that person made a mistake, so I transferred the feelings I had for her onto you. So, Miss Himeno, who possesses my double affection, please stop doubting me, okay?" "Tch, the only truth is that she made a mistake, right? Hmph, actually, it's because after you two parted ways, I'm the only tool left, so you're being nice to me, right? Damn it, damn it, damn it! Have I become a substitute?" Himeno Yuki viciously stabbed her steak with a fork, venting her dissatisfaction as if it were Yuan Yuyuan. "Hey, hey, stop stabbing it. Are you going to eat or not? Why don't you just use a blender to crush it?" "None of your business! I'm very annoyed!" "Xiaoxue is overthinking it. It has nothing to do with being a substitute, and that's not even how the word is used, is it? It's like I'm actually that nice to her. If she dared to talk to me like that, I'd make sure to show her the true spirit of a Tokyo man." "Then just now..."