A Little Scheme!

But upon further thought, Fujiwara Aoi felt fortunate—fortunately, she had learned in advance that Natsume Chikage had no plans to date for the time being.

If she had confessed rashly, she would definitely have been rejected. Only then would she truly have regretted it beyond measure.

However, after learning that Natsume Chikage was unwilling to date because of his family circumstances, Fujiwara Aoi became even more curious about him.

She vaguely remembered Natsume Chikage mentioning that his family had gone bankrupt, but she did not know exactly how dire their situation was.

To be honest, Fujiwara Aoi did not care about the family background of the boy she liked.

Her family was not short of money, so she had never worried about that.

As for the expenses of going on dates, she would have had no problem paying for everything herself!

But just how much would Natsume Chikage's financial situation need to improve before it met his standards?

She really wanted to ask, but she was afraid that being too direct would expose her feelings.

After thinking it over, Fujiwara Aoi felt that perhaps she could probe indirectly through Natsume Chikage's younger sister, Ruri?

If she could become good friends with Ruri, not only could she learn about Natsume Chikage's preferences, she might even be able to close the distance between them indirectly.

She remembered Natsume Chikage saying that he had gone to collect his father's belongings purely to make his sister happy.

Otherwise, he would not have gone. It was clear just how much he cared about his sister.

With that in mind, Fujiwara Aoi secretly made up her mind: she would start with Natsume Ruri, gradually learn about Natsume Chikage, and win him over!

As for what excuse she could use to get close to Ruri, she already had a few little ideas!

Inside Class 1-A's classroom.

The moment Natsume Chikage walked in, he saw that Yukimura Suzune and Saionji Nanase, who sat beside him, were already in their seats.

Before he could even reach his desk, several classmates warmly greeted him.

Natsume Chikage responded to each of them politely.

Just as he set down his schoolbag, Saionji Nanase turned toward him with a smile. "Good morning, Natsume-kun."

"Good morning, Saionji-san," Natsume Chikage replied.

Just as he was about to stuff his schoolbag into his desk, Saionji Nanase suddenly stopped him. "Please wait, Natsume-kun."

Natsume Chikage paused. "What is it?"

Saionji Nanase did not answer immediately. Instead, she leaned slightly closer.

Seeing her so close, Natsume Chikage was momentarily stunned.

He had clearly not expected her to suddenly move closer.

Saionji Nanase reached out and gently plucked a pink petal from his hair.

"A cherry blossom petal landed in your hair." She opened her palm to show him the intact petal. After examining it for a moment, she smiled. "It must have drifted down from the cherry trees along the road between the school gate and the school building."

"Thank you. I didn't notice at all." Natsume Chikage was a little surprised.

Rather than casually throwing away the petal, Saionji Nanase returned to her seat and carefully pressed it between the pages of the book she was reading. Then she turned to Natsume Chikage and asked curiously:

"Natsume-kun, I heard the clubs will start setting up booths downstairs to recruit new members from noon today."

"Are you planning to look around at noon, or after school?"

Natsume Chikage thought for a moment.

"After school."

"I have something to do at noon."

In fact, Natsume Chikage had just looked over those love letters.

That "love letter" that counted as special equipment required him to go and respond to it at noon.

So even if clubs had already begun setting up booths along Cherry Blossom Avenue at noon, he really would not have time to browse around.

Saionji Nanase blinked her lively eyes.

"But don't you have to go to your part-time job this afternoon?"

Natsume Chikage explained:

"My shift starts at five."

"And school ends at three."

"There's plenty of time."

"What about you? You don't have anything urgent this afternoon, right?"

"If you do, you don't have to wait for me. I can go by myself."

Saionji Nanase shook her head.

"No."

"I could do it anytime."

Natsume Chikage confirmed:

"Then shall we make it after school?"

Saionji Nanase smiled and nodded.

"Okay."

After settling on the time, Saionji Nanase turned to Yukimura Suzune, who was intently reading a novel at the desk in front of her.

"Suzune, didn't you join the Literature Club yesterday?"

Yukimura Suzune turned to look at Saionji Nanase, her cool voice carrying undisguised contempt for the "Literature Club."

"Join it? How could I possibly!"

"Rather than a Literature Club, it's more like a club using literature as a front while being so barren and hollow in substance that it's outrageous."

"It doesn't even have the most basic literary atmosphere. Its very existence is a desecration of the word 'literature.'"

"A club that does not live up to its name has no value in existing at all!"

"A club that lacks the proper rigor toward literature and even the bare minimum of aspiration is like a restaurant claiming to serve exquisite cuisine, only for its menu to contain nothing but perfunctory fast food."

"It does nothing but waste your time and expectations. It's completely meaningless!"

"In conclusion, if you have even the slightest serious interest in literature, staying far away from that place is the wisest choice!"

Saionji Nanase suddenly understood and nodded solemnly.

"I see. I understand now!"

Natsume Chikage wore a subtle expression, wondering what kind of bizarre analogy that had been.

And what exactly had Saionji Nanase understood?

He had not caught what, specifically, was wrong with the Literature Club at all.

Saionji Nanase continued asking curiously:

"If the Literature Club is no good, then what club are you planning to join, Suzune?"

"Didn't the teacher say we had to join a club this week, or our credits would be deducted?"

Yukimura Suzune pondered for a moment, then shook her head.

"I haven't decided yet."

"If I really can't find a suitable one, I'll just join the 'Going Home Club' to get it over with."

Saionji Nanase blinked her lively eyes, a quiet idea beginning to take shape in her heart.

Just then.

Natsume Chikage's phone vibrated softly.

He took it out and lit up the screen.

It was a message from the Shogi Association.

Dear Natsume Chikage, Congratulations on successfully registering for this Rising Star Shogi Tournament. You have been assigned to Group A of the Shogi Championship.

Group A will be held at 9:00 a.m. on April 3.

Venue: Tokyo Shogi Hall

Please bring personal identification and arrive on time. Arriving more than fifteen minutes late will be considered a forfeiture. We wish you excellent results.

Natsume Chikage had not expected the tournament to be tomorrow morning.

It looked like he would have to ask his homeroom teacher, Sakai Shion, for leave.

The morning classes ended in the blink of an eye.

Ring ring ring—

The dismissal bell rang.

Natsume Chikage actually quite liked the place where he had eaten lunch yesterday.

It was quiet, the scenery was beautiful, and most importantly, no one disturbed him, so he could write in peace.

And because he had received that unusual "love letter," whose sender had asked him to give a reply beneath the cherry tree in the back courtyard at twelve thirty, he picked up his bento and stood up directly, planning to eat lunch in the school's back courtyard while waiting for that "Tsukishima Rin."

Saionji Nanase had originally wanted to invite Natsume Chikage to lunch.

But seeing him leave the classroom directly again, her lively eyes filled with curiosity.

She really wanted to know what Natsume Chikage had been doing at noon these past two days.

At this moment.

Several girls in the class carrying lunchboxes turned to look toward the window-side seats in the back row.

But when they looked over, they were stunned to discover that they were too late—Natsume Chikage had already vanished without a trace!