Chapter 23: Chapter 20 Chiba Shimizu's Evaluation
The afternoon sun was bright,
ascending to the fifth floor of the teaching building, the noisy voices from the classes gradually dissipated.
This level was very quiet; nobody usually came here except for the student council.
The sunlight shone through the glass windows, and Haruka Yuzan glanced at the sign on the wooden door: Student Council Activity Room,
Had she really turned this place into her personal territory? Indeed, the rumors that the Otome Family was one of the school trustees must be true.
Detestable, the capitalist heiress,
But, if one were basking in the privileges of power themselves, that feeling was quite delightful.
You've fallen, Mr. Haruka.
Shaking his head, he pushed the wooden door open; it was said someone was in the meeting room today, and he was curious to see who else might enjoy Miss Otome's private resting room.
The door swung open,
and the room's setup was the same as before, unchanged.
The girl was sitting by the window, holding a book in her hands. On seeing Haruka Yuzan walk in, she merely lifted her head to glance at him.
There wasn't a ripple in her gaze, as if the sudden intrusion of a male student was no surprise to her.
"What a coincidence, you're here too," Haruka Yuzan inquired.
"Mhm," the girl nodded calmly, her eyes still lost in her book.
Seeing this, Haruka Yuzan, although curious about the relationship between Chiba Shimizu and Otome Mizuko,
didn't say much else, as Class President Chiba's indifference was well known; he would probably get nothing out of asking.
Anyway, he was there to sleep, and as long as he slept well, that was enough.
He pulled out a pillow and laid down on the sofa; the softness enveloped him comfortably, and before long, even breaths could be heard.
The half-open window of the resting room allowed breezes to stir up the silver hair, painting a visage as tender as cherry blossoms,
Chiba Shimizu closed her book and glanced at the boy sleeping on the sofa,
his black school coat draped over him and his legs dangled off the sofa without concern for appearance, which, paired with his handsome face, seemed quite nonchalant.
She stood up, closed the window, and the bustle of the wind was shut out, plunging the room back into silence,
with only the occasional sound of turning pages.
Perhaps it was the presence of a beautiful girl in the room that made Haruka Yuzan sleep so soundly—so soundly that he woke with a start and a racing heart upon checking the time on his phone.
1:20 PM,
With ten minutes left before class, a little more slumber could have led to oversleeping and being late.
He exhaled in relief, feeling a survivor's gratitude.
Rising from the sofa, he noticed Chiba Shimizu was still leisurely flipping through her book.
Slender fingers held the thick volume; her expression serene, unruffled.
"Class is about to start, Chiba Student,"
Haruka Yuzan said as he slipped on his coat, extending a kind reminder.
Chiba Shimizu nodded, then got up and placed the book back on the shelf; Haruka Yuzan caught a glimpse of the title, "Ulysses."
The epitome of "stream of consciousness"—do high schoolers read such things? How daunting.
Haruka Yuzan had only heard of it, but had not chosen to read it; precious time should not be wasted delving into the philosophies of the world.
"Class President Chiba, I didn't expect you to be on such good terms with Otome."
As they walked out of the classroom one after the other, Haruka Yuzan casually posed the question.
"Mhm, sort of..."
Chiba Shimizu nodded, her fingers brushing through her silver hair, revealing cute ears.
"Speaking of which, I was surprised when you passed me a note in class yesterday, Chiba Student," Haruka Yuzan mentioned.
The walk back to class still had some distance, and the silent atmosphere made Haruka feel quite awkward.
"I'm sorry for causing you trouble." It seemed like she didn't want the boy to misunderstand and added another sentence,
"In my sixteen years of life, you are the second weirdest person I've met....."
"The second?" Haruka Yuzan was somewhat astonished.
"Who's the first?"
An odd focus of attention, not caring why it's weird, but caring why he isn't the first.
"Otome Mizuko....."
......
The sunlight was lethargic, paired with those formulas on the blackboard, it was like an eternal lullaby.....
Through the glass windows, this time he didn't admire the scenery outside, nor did he glance at the passing pleated-skirt beauties,
Reflected on the glass was a vague face, but even through the natural blurriness, one could tell it was a complete hunk,
Remembering the casual words the girl had said that morning,
"On the surface, you seem to chat amiably with everyone, but in reality, you harbor your own pride, especially your gaze, it's not like that of a student who's just started high school...."
"Is it hypocrisy?"
"No, it seems detached from reality, placing yourself in the position of a laid-back observer, but the scale is grasped very well...."
"Moreover, you never hide your lechery, always pretending to look elsewhere while stealing glances at any girl wearing long socks."
"Maybe, I really am looking at something else?" Haruka Yuzan tried to salvage his image.
Chiba Shimizu stopped in her tracks, turned her head to look at the boy, her beautiful eyes were as clear as stagnant water, giving a feeling that she could see right through Haruka,
"Alright, alright, besides that, I am actually quite fond of money, but why do you observe me so closely, Chiba Student?"
Haruka Yuzan fell in defeat, but quickly launched his counterattack.
"Don't misunderstand, the reason I observe you is that Otome likes you, and you rejected her."
Chiba Shimizu withdrew her gaze and continued to walk forward, leaving behind a trail of fragrance in the air.
In that moment, Haruka Yuzan thought he saw a glint of something else in the cold girl's eyes,
Contempt and... triumphant joy???
Gathering his thoughts, he shook his head and looked towards the gracefully retreating figure of the girl,
Am I the only one in the position of an observer?
.....
Good news, there were only two classes in the afternoon, and the teacher didn't drag on, even better news, tomorrow is Saturday.
When the school bell rang, the moment the teacher walked out of the classroom, the class immediately became lively.
Talking about tomorrow, discussing clubs, and... studying?
"Classmate Haruka, I have an English essay I'd like to ask you about."
Mikoto Tamamo came over holding her English book, lifting her head, her finger on her lips, pretending to be very innocent and helpless,
"Am I interrupting your after-school time?"
Haruka Yuzan was quite speechless in his heart, knowing that it's interrupting after-class time, then why are you still coming over?
Simply annoying.
"I'm really sorry, but I genuinely want to understand."
As she spoke, Mikoto Tamamo bowed deeply towards Haruka and humbly offered her book,
As the girl bent over, Haruka caught a glimpse of the snow-white at her neckline, her button wasn't fastened properly, Tamamo Student.....
If it were properly fastened as required, this would never happen.
The commotion on this side caught the attention of the classmates, everyone looked this way, putting the boy on the spot.
Chapter 24: Chapter 21: Which Library Did the Protagonist Come Out Of?
"I'm a very kind-hearted person."
"I'm also willing to help my classmates."
Upon hearing this, Mikoto Tamamo's face lit up with joy, though quickly she masked her excitement,
Standing to the side, Chiba Shimizu watched the scene expressionlessly, her slender fingers idly stroking a book on the desk, as if pondering something,
"But..."
The boy suddenly showed a helpless expression,
"But right now, Haruka Yuzan is going to leave with me. Do any of you have objections?"
Suddenly, a familiar yet indifferent voice came from the doorway. Otome Yumeko walked in, her brown leather shoes tapping on the floor,
Long legs, a slender waist, the perfect curves and a beautiful face with a mocking expression, the classmates all couldn't help but make way for her,
The girl walked up to Haruka Yuzan, gently straightening his collar,
"I was waiting for you at the door just now, wondering why you hadn't come out, worried that something had happened."
Otome Yumeko spoke softly, then turned around, slid her arm through the boy's, and flashed a dangerously charming smile,
"May we leave now?"
Without waiting for Mikoto Tamamo to reply, Haruka Yuzan was already being pulled away by Miss Otome.
As soon as they stepped out, a chorus of envious howls erupted in the classroom,
"Ah! I'm so jealous! Otome likes Haruka!"
"Wasn't it said that Haruka Yuzan always refused her? To what point has their relationship developed?"
"This has got to be a light novel protagonist, right? Being so handsome is one thing, but with impeccable academic and athletic achievements, too? Seriously, which publishing house's protagonist has escaped into the real world?"
....
Hearing the noises coming from the classroom, the smile on Otome Yumeko's face grew even brighter, happier than a few percentage points rise in the Otome Family's stock.
Her grip on the boy's arm tightened as if she wished to cling onto Haruka entirely.
"This time it's all your classmates' doing, I didn't put them up to it...."
Haruka Yuzan couldn't help but sigh,
"They're all just a bunch of nosy people who love a spectacle."
"Everyone thinks so, I don't know what you're considering, or perhaps, in your heart..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Otome Yumeko, who had been sweet a moment ago, sent out a dangerous signal.
Her slender fingers unconsciously tightened their hold, crinkling the fabric of the boy's sleeve.
"That's definitely not the case. Mainly, I am someone who likes to progress things methodically..."
Haruka Yuzan spoke blandly, as if he were already accustomed to this.
"Where shall we go later?"
His attempt at changing the subject was clumsy, but unexpectedly effective,
"Hmm... I was thinking of having dinner with you tonight."
Hearing the boy's answer, Otome Yumeko's mood lifted once more.
"Aren't you supposed to go and make yourself known at the student council later?"
"Why bother with those good-for-nothings? Don't worry about them; I have already arranged everything for you."
"Is that... okay?"
"What, do you really want to do some work?"
"Not really....."
But in the end, he was unable to join the lady for dinner.
No sooner had the two of them sat down in the lounge than the busy Miss Otome was called away by a phone call.
At 5 p.m., while the day was still bright, Haruka Yuzan stood at the school gate, watching Otome Yumeko get into the extended Honda. The black sedan quickly disappeared from sight.
'Although I'd really like to take Haruka with me,' Yumeko had said, 'there's a gathering of the entire Kanto region's underworld soon, and if I bring Haruka without first greeting my father...'
She feared that Haruka would have to face a man's trial, and she could not bear to have someone she fancied suffer.
Before she left, she gave the boy a kiss and then went on her way.
"Get in shape and be prepared, it's something you'll have to face sooner or later."
Recalling what the young lady had said to him, Haruka Yuzan shrugged his shoulders, another day he could leave early.
But he did not plan to work part-time today,
Instead, he headed to the station, caught a train, and visited his good buddy Heisuke Yonchu's place.
The train swayed leisurely along,
The two little girls sitting diagonally opposite kept whispering to each other, and every now and then, they would glance back, accidentally locking eyes with the boy before shyly looking away.
A breeze lifted the lazy strands of the boy's hair. Haruka Yuzan didn't really pay attention to these little girls' thoughts,
Soon, the train arrived at the station. Haruka got off at Yotsuya Station and, with the help of his memory and phone maps, found the three-story house with "Heisuke Family" written on it.
After ringing the doorbell, the householders could see who it was through the camera,
and soon, the gate opened automatically.
Haruka Yuzan walked in, crossed the small courtyard, and saw a tall boy in pajamas standing at the door, arms wide open,
"Haruka, you're here!"
The boy was thrilled, rushing up to embrace his good buddy, but Haruka Yuzan refused,
"No way, don't infect me."
"Hehe," Heisuke chuckled, standing in place,
"I've been bored to death, all I can do is eat, sleep, and play games."
"You're living my dream life ahead of time! How vexing!"
The two entered the house, and since there was no one else at home, they didn't have to be too formal. Still, Haruka respectfully followed Heisuke back to his room.
"So, when are you going back to school?"
"Tomorrow's Saturday, I should be back to normal school next week..."
"Hey, Haruka, why don't you stay for dinner tonight? My aunt came over; I want you to meet her. She's really pretty!"
"Ah?" Haruka Yuzan was taken aback, Aunt?
How could I not know whether Mrs. Harada is pretty?
It would be really awkward to meet her later; does your aunt want to keep me as a gigolo!
He promptly shook his head, "Not today, I have plans tonight."
"Oh, okay..."
Feeling that Heisuke still seemed a bit off, Haruka Yuzan chatted for a bit before standing to leave.
After leaving Heisuke's home, he passed a small mall and decided to pick out an apron.
An apron for 600 yen, with a 2000 yen reward for gifting it to madam—definitely a profitable deal.
Thinking of his wish list, he couldn't help but wonder, was Onodera in a good mood at work today?
When he returned to the villa, it was just six o'clock. By that time, the evening sunset had already cast long shadows on the ground,
"I'm back!"
If there was someone at home, Haruka Yuzan would also call out.
Onodera was surprised to see the boy come back so early. Right now, madam was in the bathroom, washing their dirty clothes;
And because there was no one else home, she was only wearing a very small, tight tank top…
Gifts
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