It was another new week.
Natsukawa, who had arrived early and was dozing with his head on his desk, slowly looked up.
A beauty.
Ah, I was mistaken.
It was Ryuuen.
Natsukawa glanced around and noticed that several of Class C's energetic boys still refused to submit to Ryuuen. But Ryuuen already had several lackeys gathered around him, with Albert standing behind him too.
Looks like Ryuuen used some nasty methods to subdue the black guy and beat quite a few others into submission too...
Yawning in boredom, Natsukawa then spotted Ibuki Mio walking from the classroom's back door toward a desk up front and greeted her:
"Hello, Ibuki. How was your weekend?"
But by the time he finished speaking, Natsukawa already knew her weekend hadn't been pleasant.
The reason was simple. Ibuki Mio was dressed in her school uniform as usual.
Except there was a red mark on her cheek, clearly left from a fight. Even though the swelling had gone down, it was still plainly visible.
"I was fine!"
After responding expressionlessly, Ibuki Mio sat down, and the bell rang for class right afterward.
Affection Rating +1
Although she was acting aloof and had no intention of paying him much attention, Natsukawa actually felt a little like laughing.
In Natsukawa's mind, the word "aloof" no longer had anything to do with Ibuki Mio. And with her Affection Rating added to the mix, she was, at most, just an ordinary withdrawn, quiet girl.
When it came to being aloof, Horikita definitely ranked first!
Natsukawa still hadn't gotten her contact information.
Watching the cold-natured girl, Natsukawa rubbed his chin in thought.
Her personality doesn't seem much different from before, but Ibuki seems pretty conscious of her image. Otherwise, she wouldn't have arrived right on the bell.
After class.
Natsukawa patted her shoulder and struck up a conversation:
"Ibuki, is the injury on your face all right?"
A faint blush crossed Ibuki Mio's face.
He noticed something was off with my face after all?
But I treated it yesterday. The swelling went down nicely, and there was only a faint mark left.
Then Ibuki Mio quickly composed herself, turning back with a calm expression to say indifferently:
"A little injury like this? It's been fine for ages."
Natsukawa wasn't about to let such a chance to raise her affection slip by. He said:
"Hey, Ibuki, you should still get it checked at the school infirmary."
Ibuki Mio put on an unconcerned look and said dismissively:
"Tch, what a waste of time!"
To her surprise, Natsukawa didn't fall for her act at all. He took her hand and headed out of the classroom.
Ibuki Mio panicked a little. Unable to pull her hand free, she could only follow him out. Blushing, she hurriedly said:
"Hey, what are you doing?"
Natsukawa looked back and smiled.
"Taking you to the infirmary. Otherwise, knowing you, Ibuki, you'll probably try to tough it out again."
Ibuki glanced around guiltily and argued:
"That's nonsense. Why would I try to tough it out? I told you I'm fine."
Ignoring her, Natsukawa turned forward again and said firmly:
"Quit complaining and come with me!"
"Tch! Anyway, just let go of my hand first. I'll come with you! It'll be bad if someone sees us."
At Ibuki Mio's request, Natsukawa let go of her hand, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
Why does this guy have to be so bossy!
I told him I'm fine!
Good thing nobody saw!
That jerk!
One day, I'm definitely going to beat him up!
Ding! Affection Rating +3
On the path outside the school building.
Ibuki Mio walked beside Natsukawa. Only then did she frown and begin lecturing him:
"You! That was really rude just now. You're such a jerk! I told you it was nothing serious."
"Have you forgotten how strong I am? If you grab my hand without asking again, I'm definitely going to beat you up!"
Ibuki thought she absolutely had to save face, or Natsukawa wouldn't be afraid of her at all.
Natsukawa smiled nonchalantly.
"Okay, okay. If I do it again, you can beat me up."
Natsukawa knew Ibuki was the type to complain without actually hitting him, while Horikita was the type to strike without warning.
But Ibuki is definitely the type to hit other people. Could it be because my Affection Rating is pretty high?
Yeah, that should be it. Pretty much.
Ibuki replied fiercely:
"Hmph, as long as you know!"
Next, Natsukawa brought Ibuki to the resting area inside the infirmary.
It contained just a small bed and a curtain. Natsukawa had Ibuki sit there and wait.
Then Natsukawa went next door to the nurse to get some medicine for the swelling and supplies.
She saw Natsukawa return and start handling the medicine beside her.
To dispel the tense atmosphere, Ibuki Mio continued complaining:
"I told you, it's just a little injury. I already put medicine on it yesterday."
Then, unwilling to admit defeat, she added:
"It's all Ryuuen's fault. Damn it, who knows when that mixed-race black classmate joined his side! Otherwise, I wouldn't have lost..."
Just as Ibuki Mio was excitedly recounting the details of her fight, she suddenly flushed and went stiff.
"W-what are you doing?"
"Don't move! I'm putting medicine on you."
At some point, Natsukawa had already soaked a piece of cotton cloth with the medicine and was now dabbing it over the mark left by Ibuki Mio's injury.
Ibuki Mio panicked inside. Especially with Natsukawa's face so close, her heart pounded.
Her instincts told her she should move away and do it herself.
But hearing Natsukawa's stern words, even someone as headstrong as her settled down obediently.
Blushing and deeply uncomfortable, Ibuki Mio stammered a little:
"I-I can do it myself."
As though he hadn't heard her, Natsukawa continued gently dabbing the mark left by her injury.
"Does it hurt here? Mm, this spot needs some too."
"How lame, getting hit in the cheek."
The injured spot, which had already stopped hurting, felt icy cool, with a faint burning sensation too.
Ibuki Mio felt as though she was about to break.
How could this guy do this!
Making decisions on his own and doing something so embarrassing.
Good thing nobody's here...
Ibuki Mio could only sit obediently without moving, her face red, at a loss as she waited for Natsukawa to treat her injury. Hearing his last remark, she protested quietly:
"N-nonsense. Don't underestimate me. I won't be so careless next time!"
By then, Natsukawa had finished applying the medicine and threw away the cotton cloth.
Touching her other cheek to compare, he smiled and said:
"Good, good, now you can't tell. You really do look best this way!"
"Yes, yes, I know you're the strongest. Don't hurt your cheek next time!"
Ibuki Mio finally reached the end of the treatment. Blushing, she slapped Natsukawa's hand away and said:
"Y-you! Don't treat me like a child!"
Natsukawa smiled and said:
"All right, all right, you're fine now. Let's go back to class."
"Y-you jerk! I'm going back first! Take your time."
Before you continue