Chapter 66

"The morning lesson is Chinese... I really don't like it..."

"If Ms. Xiaoqian were a little gentler, she might find a boyfriend sooner!"

"Huh? I heard that Ms. Xiaoqian likes a third-year student?"

"Really?! How did you know? Can you tell me...?"

The teacher hadn't arrived yet, and several students in the class huddled together gossiping about their Chinese teacher.

For students, the gossip about their teachers can sometimes have a unique appeal.

Kanade Kotone didn't join them. She slowly picked up the Whale with her still-unbroken hand, opened her small mouth, and then stuffed it into her mouth.

This was her breakfast. After her mother passed away, her father became despondent and could not expect her to take care of him. Kanade Kotone received some living expenses from her father every month. Her father only provided her with a place called "home" for food and lodging, and he did not ask about anything else.

In this environment, Kanade Kotone learned to take care of herself.

In the past, she would prepare her own breakfast, but now, with her arm injured, she could only compromise and buy a Whale from a nearby pastry shop.

There are reasons to feel indignant, but no strength to complain; this is the morning when Kanade Kotone.

I wonder... what Yanase- san's mornings are like?

The Kanade Kotone, with its gentle, rhythmic texture, is slowly chewed, allowing Whale aroma to nourish the tongue.

Yanase Naoko... That's the name of that gentle senior, an important older sister to my friend. It's not surprising; many people have older brothers or sisters. Rather, it's rare to find only children like Kanade Kotone in this era.

Despite only spending a brief hour together, Kanade Kotone couldn't forget Yanase -san. After saying goodbye to Shiomi Yukina yesterday, Kanade Kotone returned home, her eyes and mind filled with Yanase- san's image.

I guess I'm missing my mother again?

Kanade Kotone sighed.

"Hey, hey, this... this is clearly Shiomi, isn't it?"

"Really...!"

As Kanade Kotone, she swiped her elbow across her phone screen and lowered her head to hold the straw on her thermos, but the conversation coming from her classmates caught her attention.

"Shiomi- san?"

Kanade Kotone looked suspiciously at her classmates not far away. They were all excitedly holding their phones and huddled together looking at something. Suddenly, a gasp broke out among them.

"Wow!! They really kissed!! That's amazing!"

"So, Shiomi- mi is...?"

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty is killing me..."

Two girls blushed and covered their mouths, while someone else excitedly picked up their phone.

Kanade Kotone looked completely bewildered.

Beep beep--

At that moment, a new message popped up on her phone. It was from a friend she usually hung out with, one of the few friends of Kanade Kotone who could talk to Shiomi Yukina. The three of them would occasionally eat together in the cafeteria.

("Hurry up and watch!")

The other party sent a cryptic message, followed by an unnamed video file. The background of the Youcheng Girls' Academy gate was vaguely visible in the video.

What happens?

It wasn't convenient for Kanade Kotone to type her questions, but she couldn't help but feel a little curious. She stuffed the last bit of Whale into her mouth, wiped her mouth with a tissue, and then opened the video.

In the video, the camera is shaky, and there is a lot of noise around. Then the camera is raised and focuses on a private car that looks expensive.

Kanade Kotone was stunned by what he saw.

Isn't this Shiomi Yukina's older sister, Yanase- san's car?

The color and license plate number were the same, and they just happened to be at the school gate; it couldn't be a coincidence.

Then, the camera zoomed in, the slightly shaky lens focusing on the car through the window, and then, Kanade Kotone saw a scene that left her speechless.

Someone was kissing inside the car, but the camera couldn't capture the scene clearly due to the car window obstructing the view, and the image was also slightly dark, making it difficult to identify the two people.

However, through the footage, one can still vaguely notice that the two main characters being filmed are both women. From the angle of the footage, one can see the school uniform of one of the main characters Youcheng Girls' Academy, as well as the beautiful profiles of the two people kissing, and their affectionate gazes during their deep, tender kiss.

Could this be...?

A guess formed in her mind, and a strange emptiness washed over her. Kanade Kotone stared at her, her gaze fixed, and she held her breath deeply.

At this moment, the scene changes, the car door is pushed open, and a girl carrying a commuter bag, blushing, lowers her head and jumps out of the car, walking quickly towards the school gate. She soon disappears from the frame, and the video ends there.

Kanade Kotone's eyes widened. She was certain she wasn't mistaken; it was definitely her friend Shiomi Yukina.

And the people in that car...

Could it be Ms. Yanase?

Shouldn't Shiomi Yukina and Yanase Naoko be sisters? Why is there something between them...?

Kanade Kotone momentarily stunned.

Just then, she heard the sound of tables and chairs being moved beside her. Kanade Kotone looked up and, like the other students in the class, glanced at the person next to her.

"Shiomi- san..."

Good morning, Kanade.

"Morning..."

Kanade Kotone the zither.

Shiomi Yukina radiated a beauty that Kanade Kotone had never seen before. She took her books out of her commuter bag and placed them on the table. Kanade Kotone stared intently at her, trying hard to find something in her, but to no avail.

At this moment, students from other classes began to pour in, and students from other classes gathered outside in the corridor, peering in this direction, whispering, and occasionally letting out soft laughter. For Kanade Kotone, who was used to the scenery of the academy, this scene was very obvious. She used to always be one of these people, but today, she couldn't fit in.

"Um, Shiomi- san... you and Yanase- san... no, actually I wanted to ask..."

Having already asked the question, Kanade Kotone suddenly realized that it was somewhat impolite, but her friend nodded frankly and smiled.

"So you already know... I'm dating my older sister..."

88. Rumors

"Huh? It's really true!?..."

Kanade Kotone was deeply shocked.

At the Youcheng Girls' Academy, female friendships are not uncommon, but very few people "declare" them in public like Shiomi Yukina. Most people are trained by the academy's discipline and are more reserved and subtle in this regard. Compared to Shiomi Yukina's high-profile behavior, it gives people a completely different feeling.

Furthermore, Shiomi Yukina usually gives off the impression of being aloof and unapproachable, as she is quiet and reserved. As a student council member, she often displays a cold side, making her seem unapproachable.

That's why it attracts so much curiosity from students.

If, on top of that, the sisterly relationship between Shiomi Yukina and Yanase Naoko were to be revealed... Kanade Kotone could almost foresee the moment when Shiomi Yukina would top the list of trending topics at the school.

Of course, if even Shiomi Yukina herself doesn't care, then Kanade Kotone doesn't need to worry about anything either.

But inexplicably, upon confirming the relationship between Shiomi Yukina and Yanase Naoko, Kanade Kotone felt a bittersweet feeling welling up in her chest.

"Um, Shiomi- san, how long have you and Yanase- san been dating...?"

Kanade Kotone carefully considered her expression and asked with a hint of sourness.

"Strictly speaking..." Shiomi Yukina said with a thoughtful expression, "We've only been together for about ten hours."

"Huh? Ten hours?"

I was thinking that, since "being near the water tower, one gets the moon first," and Shiomi Yukina was originally "one of them," it would be reasonable for her to take advantage of Yanase Naoko.

Ke Shiomi Yukina's answer.

She had assumed that Shiomi Yukina and Yanase- san had spent a long time together, but now it seemed they were more than just a newly formed couple?

"Doesn't that mean... it was yesterday!?"

"Yes, Naoko and I..."

Noticing the change in how Yukina addressed her as "older sister" and "Naoko," Kanade Kotone pursed her lips.

"Naoko and I only started dating last night..."

As if recalling something, Shiomi Yukina's face flushed a beautiful red, as radiant as the evening glow, making Kanade Kotone almost feel as if she were a newlywed girl.

"Last night..."

Kanade Kotone suddenly remembered Ms. Yanase, who had waved goodbye to her that evening. So that's what happened afterward...?

What was I doing back then? I think I just sat on the bed in a daze...

"That's wonderful..."

Kanade Kotone lowered her eyelashes, bit the straw, and gently swallowed a mouthful of water.

It's cool.

5:30 is the dismissal time for the Youcheng Girls' Academy.

Efnir drove to the vicinity of the academy, then got out and walked to the academy gate. By then, some students had already gathered there, and occasionally, she could see outsiders who, like her, were not wearing school uniforms and were waiting there.

Due to several recent major Erosion Disaster, the security situation in Xijing City has deteriorated to some extent. This has made many parents more hesitant to let their children go home alone, resulting in an increase in the number of parents picking up their children from school recently. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable at the Youcheng Girls' Academy is an all-girls school.

Efnir stopped and waited, and soon she saw Yukina's slender figure at the back of the crowd.

Yukina had already seen her. She ran over quickly, leaped up lightly, and happily threw herself into Efnir's arms, drawing occasional glances from those around her.

"Naoko..."

Yukina hugged Efnir tightly, buried her face in the crook of Efnir's neck, greedily inhaling Efnir's fragrance, and whispered:

"I miss you so much..."

"Me too..."

Efnir gently pulled Yukina into her arms.

Their embrace attracted the attention of passersby, and by then some people had already recognized them.

--"The two lesbian girls kissing outside the school gate this morning," such a funny story spread Youcheng Girls' Academy today, and as one of the heroines in the story, Yukina was once again recognized by many of her classmates.

But no one spoke directly to Yukina; instead, most expressed envy and best wishes.

At the Youcheng Girls' Academy, it's not uncommon for students to develop feelings for each other and start dating. They are teenage girls experiencing the stirrings of adolescence, all waiting for their own encounters. It's only natural that those who remain still will cast their gazes at those who have already taken steps forward.

After Efnir and Yukina embraced deeply, she gently put Yukina down, took Yukina's hand, interlocked their fingers, and smiled.

"Let's go, there's a big meal tonight! Your aunt and uncle are already waiting for us."

Long before she came to pick up Yukina from school, she had already booked a table at a restaurant for her parents to wait in advance, and she was planning to go there directly after picking up Yukina.

"Isn't Kanade with you?"

"Kanade -san said, 'I have other things to do today,' so she won't be coming with us..."

Because of Nishizaki Yuki's disappearance, the scheduled hospital visit was naturally canceled. Even so, for Kanade Kotone's safety, Efnir had originally planned to Kanade Kotone home, but it seems that she has now rejected her offer.

"I see... Then let's prepare some gifts for her next time."

Efnir didn't think much of it.

Did anything interesting happen at school today?

"I don't know, I'm thinking about you all day long, how could I have the mind to care about anything else?"

Yukina was being coquettish with a serious expression, while Efnir felt slightly embarrassed.

"Where did you learn all this...?"

"If you don't like it, then I won't say anything."

"I never said I didn't like it... If you're willing, it's not impossible..."

"Naoko, I've discovered something."

"What?"