Kokoro Inogashira

"I... I have a problem I don't understand. I was hoping... hoping you could teach me."

Kokoro Inogashira kept her head bowed low, her voice having lost all its earlier strength, becoming barely audible.

Watching Kokoro Inogashira hold out her workbook with both hands, Kato Satsu did not reach for it immediately, instead observing her face with keen interest.

A burning red flush spread from the roots of her ears across her face; even Kokoro Inogashira herself could feel the scorching heat on her cheeks.

She kept her eyes squeezed shut, not daring to look at Kato Satsu at all, her body trembling slightly as she let out muffled whimpers, making no effort to hide her shyness.

Why isn't he taking my workbook yet? Is he unwilling to teach me? (Kokoro Inogashira)

Just as Kokoro Inogashira was feeling puzzled, she felt a gentle tug on her fingers. Seeing her workbook being taken away, she finally looked up to meet Kato Satsu's gaze.

"Why so nervous? I'm very happy you're willing to ask me for help," Kato Satsu said with a gentle smile.

Hearing this, Kokoro Inogashira smiled knowingly: "Really? I thought I might be a bother to you."

As she spoke, she twisted the hem of her skirt.

"It's no trouble at all. Come, sit next to me," Kato Satsu said, patting the stool beside him.

"Ah! Is that okay?"

Kokoro Inogashira covered her mouth slightly, unable to believe what she had just heard.

Kato Satsu nodded slightly: "Of course, come sit."

Once she was actually seated beside Kato Satsu, Kokoro Inogashira's heart went into a flutter. She was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't even notice Kato Satsu had already opened the workbook.

Wow! There's a faint, cool scent coming from him. (Kokoro Inogashira)

Without realizing it, Kokoro Inogashira shifted slightly closer to Kato Satsu.

Although he noticed the movement, Kato Satsu didn't react, focusing instead on explaining the problem.

It wasn't a difficult problem; a brief explanation should be enough to make it clear.

Given that the center of an ellipse is at the origin, the foci are on the x-axis, the major axis length is 10, and the minor axis length is 6. If point P(3, m) lies on the ellipse, find the value of m.

"To solve this, we first need to write out the standard equation of the ellipse..."

Under Kato Satsu's pen, the answer to the problem quickly appeared on the page. When he turned to look at Kokoro Inogashira, he realized she hadn't been listening at all.

Kokoro Inogashira was staring blankly at Kato Satsu's profile. Seeing him turn, she quickly pulled her gaze away and looked down at the workbook.

In an instant, the solution path became clear in Kokoro Inogashira's mind. Only then did Kato Satsu realize that she had known how to solve the problem all along.

"Thank you so much, Kato-san. This is for you!"

As she spoke, Kokoro Inogashira pulled a beautifully crafted silk scarf from her pocket: "I sewed it myself. I hope you like it."

So this is what she was waiting for. But why couldn't I read this intention earlier? Could it be that her shyness put her in a state of single-minded focus? (Kato Satsu)

Looking at the scarf, Kato Satsu couldn't help but feel surprised; the craftsmanship was so fine that one could easily mistake it for machine-made.

It isn't machine-sewn, is it? Can you even buy something like this at school? (Kato Satsu)

When you introduced yourself, you said you were good at sewing, but you really are talented! (Kato Satsu)

"Thank you for the gift, but I can't accept it."

Kato Satsu made a gesture of refusal and said: "I haven't done anything worthy of such thanks."

"But you tutored me!"

Kokoro Inogashira said quickly, but she realized in an instant that her voice had been too loud, so she softened it again.

"Besides, I'll have more homework to trouble you with in the future, so I hope you can accept this token of gratitude."

"If... if you really feel bad about it, then... then please treat me to dinner to make up for it."

The final words about dinner were barely audible; if Kato Satsu hadn't been able to read minds, he would never have heard what she said.

"Alright then, thank you."

Seeing Kato Satsu accept the gift, Kokoro Inogashira became visibly happy and trotted back to her seat.

Feeling the delicate texture of the silk scarf in his hand, Kato Satsu couldn't help but sigh.

It's filled with genuine heart. I don't know if having this kind of luck is a good thing or a bad thing. (Kato Satsu)

"What's wrong, Satsu? Are you tired?"

Seeing Kato Satsu looking thoughtful, Kikyo suddenly appeared in front of him, speaking with boundless energy.

"No, I was just still thinking about the problem," Kato Satsu said, quickly putting the scarf away.

"I'm so sorry for asking you to do something so exhausting."

"It's fine, Kikyo. Actually, I was just looking for you, too."

"Oh? What is it?"

Kikyo was practically draped over the desk, her chin resting on her cupped hands, looking at him with a curious expression.

"Do you know any girls in Class B, Kikyo?"

Kikyo paused for a moment, then replied: "I know a few. Why do you ask?"

"Then could you tell me some names? It would be even better if you had photos to go with them."

Hearing this request, Kikyo Kushida grew even more puzzled: "Names are no problem, but photos are tricky. I do have a group photo with one of them, but... Kato Satsu, what exactly are you trying to do?"

"I just want to make a few more friends. More friends, more paths, right?"

"I see. In that case, I can just give you their contact information and set up a meeting for you."

As she spoke, Kikyo Kushida pulled out her phone and said, "If it's you, Satsu, I'm sure they'd be more than happy to meet."

"No, no, no!"

Kato Satsu stood up instinctively, waving his hands repeatedly: "That's too much trouble for you. Just give me the names and photos, Kikyo; I'll handle the contact myself."

What on earth is he planning? I'm practically spoon-feeding him, and he still won't swallow? (Kikyo Kushida)

Despite the heavy doubts in her heart, Kikyo Kushida still followed Kato Satsu's request and provided the names and the group photo.

After the study session ended, Kato Satsu declined Hasebe's invitation to walk together, using an excuse that he had other business, and hurried straight to the entrance of Class B.

Although Class B was also holding a study session, it was already nearing its end by the time Kato Satsu arrived.

There weren't many people left in the Class B classroom, but fortunately, Ichinose was still at her post, fulfilling her duties as class representative.

Although I didn't see the person I heard about from Kikyo, having Ichinose here will have the same effect. (Kato Satsu)

Kato Satsu had originally intended to learn the name and appearance of any random girl from Class B and then approach her, intentionally letting Ichinose see it.

Ichinose already harbored a misunderstanding about him; seeing him hit on a girl from her own class would only solidify it.

How could the kind-hearted Ichinose allow a violent madman to harm her classmates? Driven by a protective instinct, she would be unable to sit idly by.

As long as she made a move, everything that followed would be easy to manage.