Requesting Leave!

The school's backyard was quite spacious.

The massive canopy of the century-old cherry tree spread wide, casting dappled shadows beneath the spring sunlight.

A gentle breeze drifted by, sending pale pink petals fluttering down like a silent snowfall, turning the entire courtyard into something dreamlike.

Small groups of students sat scattered across the lawn, enjoying their lunch break as laughter and quiet chatter drifted through the air.

On a bench some distance from the crowd, Natsume Chikage sat alone, quietly eating his lunch.

His gaze kept drifting involuntarily toward the century-old cherry tree standing proudly at the center of the courtyard, his eyes thoughtful.

[Confession Cherry Blossom Tree]

[Quality: Blue]

[Effect: Confession success rate -20%; after a successful confession, the chance of growing old together increases by 20%!]

[Description: Beneath the cherry blossom tree lay the youth I had once lost...]

[Synthesis Requirement: At least three pieces of the same type of equipment are required!]

Unlike other special equipment, Natsume Chikage had no idea how he could acquire this cherry tree.

Ownership of the "Confession Cherry Blossom Tree" belonged to the school administration.

Setting aside how he could even get in touch with the decision-makers, convincing the school to transfer this symbolic tree, which had stood for a century, to him was practically an impossible task.

Such an ancient tree, rich in historical significance and symbolic value, was probably not something money alone could buy.

Even if it could be bought, the price was certainly beyond what he could afford right now.

He lowered his head in thought, his long fingers unconsciously tapping against the edge of his lunchbox as a trace of solemnity settled between his brows.

Just then, a pair of beautiful, slender legs wrapped in sheer black stockings appeared in his lowered field of vision.

Natsume Chikage's gaze slowly traveled upward along their elegant curves.

What came into view was the graceful figure of his homeroom teacher, Sakai Shion. She wore a well-tailored dark suit today, which further accentuated her cool and refined demeanor.

She carried a simple lunch bag in one hand, and beneath her impeccably composed expression was a hint of puzzlement.

"Natsume, why are you having lunch here today too?"

Natsume Chikage set down his lunchbox and explained, "I happened to have something to do here at noon, so I decided to eat lunch here as well."

"I see." Sakai Shion sat down on the bench beside him, gently placing her lunch bag on her lap. Tilting her head, she asked, "What is this thing you came here for?"

In fact, one of Natsume Chikage's reasons for coming here had been Sakai Shion.

He remembered her saying that she often came here for lunch.

And since tomorrow's shogi tournament began at nine, there was no way he could attend school.

So he needed to ask her for leave.

If she refused, he would have no choice but to skip class, but that would inevitably bring unnecessary trouble.

Unless it was absolutely necessary, Natsume Chikage did not want things to come to that.

"I have a shogi tournament at nine tomorrow morning. I hope you'll approve my leave."

A clear look of suspicion immediately appeared on Sakai Shion's face, and her slender brows drew together slightly.

According to records from Natsume Chikage's middle school, he had once shown signs of school aversion and often asked for leave under various pretexts to stay home and play games.

She had every reason to suspect that he was merely looking for an excuse to skip school.

Besides, asking for leave on only the second day of school was simply hard to justify.

"A shogi tournament tomorrow?" Sakai Shion's tone rose slightly. "Do you have any proof?"

Natsume Chikage took out his phone, unlocked the screen, pulled up the tournament notification message he had received at noon, and handed it to her.

Sakai Shion accepted the phone, her slender fingers scrolling across the screen as she carefully read the message, her expression turning thoughtful.

But the doubts in her heart had not completely faded.

She took out her own phone and rapidly tapped on the screen, searching for information about the shogi tournament on the spot.

Only after confirming that the tournament really existed did her expression ease slightly, though her eyes still held a scrutinizing look.

Even so, Sakai Shion had no intention of approving his request so easily.

It was not uncommon for students to fabricate reasons when requesting leave.

This was especially true of medical leave slips. Some students really did have ways of obtaining official documentation from hospitals.

So as a homeroom teacher, she was always particularly cautious when reviewing students' leave requests.

Moreover, according to the information she had, Natsume Chikage had never shown any interest in shogi during middle school, much less entered competitions.

She had just searched Natsume Chikage's name on the Shogi Association's official website, only to find nothing.

That meant he was not even an amateur player.

Anyone would be suspicious if someone suddenly said they wanted to take part in an official competition under these circumstances!

After thinking for a moment, Sakai Shion handed the phone back to Natsume Chikage and changed her approach:

"You can take leave, but once you arrive at the competition venue, I'll need you to send me a few photos or video call me online as proof."

"Only if you agree to that condition will I approve your leave request."

Natsume Chikage heard the distrust in her words, but he did not mind.

After all, he really was going to participate in a competition.

"Sure, no problem." Natsume Chikage agreed readily, his gaze calm and unruffled.

Sakai Shion frowned deeply and gave him a stern reminder.

"Let me make this clear beforehand: I really hate students who lie."

"If you can't provide valid proof, or if your proof is fabricated, then I will not approve any of your future leave requests."

"Do you understand what I mean?"

Natsume Chikage replied flatly:

"I understand completely."

Sakai Shion fell silent for a long while, her eyes lingering on his face.

Over the past two days, she had indeed noticed that Natsume Chikage often played with his phone after class, looking as though he were playing games.

Combined with his past record...

But in the end, she did not expose him. She merely closed her eyes and said evenly:

"Is that so? Then your teacher will wish you luck in tomorrow's competition."

After saying that, she took out her phone and held her LINE QR code in front of Natsume Chikage.

Natsume Chikage understood at once and added Sakai Shion on LINE.

After that, Sakai Shion said nothing more. She opened her lunchbox and quietly ate her lunch.

Seeing that his leave request had been settled, Natsume Chikage did not disturb her further and silently finished the rest of his meal.

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the clouds and fell over the two of them. Only the rustling of leaves in the breeze and the laughter of students in the distance broke the tranquility.

Before long, that peace was quietly shattered.

After finishing lunch, Natsume Chikage noticed a girl standing beneath the cherry blossom tree, nervously looking around.

He was not sure whether she was the one who had given him the love letter.

So he took out that unusual "love letter" from his pocket and opened it to check the signature.

"Tsukishima Rin..."

After softly reading the name aloud, Natsume Chikage rose from the bench and walked toward the century-old cherry blossom tree.

Sakai Shion watched Natsume Chikage's retreating back, her brows drawing together slightly.

She had not expected him to leave so soon.

But considering that he had come to request leave, it was only natural for him to go after achieving his purpose and finishing lunch.

Still... she hoped he had been telling the truth.

After all, Natsume Chikage's family had fallen on hard times, and both his parents were dead.

If he was still lying to request leave just to play games, then that really would be...

If that was truly the case, she certainly would not so casually approve Natsume Chikage's leave requests next time!