Chapter 103: Keep a Close Eye
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As soon as the call connected, a distinctly flirtatious male voice came through. Asahina's expression darkened instantly, and Ichinose, who had been listening attentively, couldn't help but twitch the corners of her mouth.
At that moment, Ichinose described the senior named "Nagumo Miyabi" in her mind as "frivolous."
Asahina was Nagumo's childhood friend, and this blond-haired guy frequently confessed his love to her out of nowhere, making quite the impression. Unfortunately for him, Nazuna knew all too well that Nagumo was a playboy, constantly flirting with girls. For this reason, she had never accepted his confessions and was even too lazy to entertain him most of the time.
"Miyabi, what did you just say? A confession?" she asked, feigning surprise.
"Yes."
Nazuna gave a half-smile. "Oh, really? I heard you took that second-year girl from Class D out for tea recently. Is that the confession you're talking about?"
"Ah? Oh, her? She's the president of the calligraphy club. We only went to discuss club business; it had nothing to do with a confession."
Ichinose Honami, who remained silent, instinctively took a couple of steps back. She felt she shouldn't be hearing these private exchanges between her senpai and the senior.
Nagumo Miyabi's explanation, however, only confirmed her suspicions of him being a bit of a scoundrel.
Since Asahina Nazuna had no genuine feelings for Nagumo, she had no issue using this to retort against him. Getting straight to the point, she continued, "Miyabi, I'm recruiting new members for the swimming club. I'm considering bringing in a boy. Do you have any objections?"
"Yes! I absolutely forbid any boys from joining the swimming club!" Nagumo's tone was firm. He considered Nazuna "off-limits," refusing to allow any boy near her.
Even Rin Matsuoka, who'd recently been teasing Nazuna, had already experienced some of Nagumo's hostility. Letting another boy join the swimming club was entirely out of the question!
"Who's this new student trying to join the swimming club?" he asked sharply. "Tell me his name and class, and I'll have a word with him myself." His tone was clearly unfriendly.
Nazuna and Ichinose both frowned as they listened, picking up on Nagumo's likely intent to stir up trouble for Rin.
Nagumo's words, however, weren't directed specifically against Rin Matsuoka, as he didn't yet know that Rin was the one interested in joining the swimming club. But whenever a boy showed interest in the club, Nagumo was known to make things difficult for them.
"Is this really the vice president of the student council? He seems so rude…"
"No wonder Senior Tachibana Akane looked so annoyed whenever she mentioned Nagumo," Ichinose thought quietly to herself.
Abuse of power for personal gain.
Boys weren't allowed to join the swimming club, and those who'd joined previously were eventually forced out.
Using his influence to bully others.
When a boy merely wanted to apply for the swimming club, Nagumo was already preparing to give him trouble.
Asahina Nazuna and Nagumo soon launched into an argument, and Ichinose Honami chose to distance herself from the call, not wanting to get drawn into the situation.
About three minutes later, Nazuna hung up angrily. She turned to Ichinose, her eyes still flaring with frustration. "No luck. Miyabi's incredibly stubborn and won't allow boys to join the swimming club, no matter what."
"Then…just take Matsuoka to the student council instead."
"Oh, oh." Ichinose nodded repeatedly.
"Huh..." Asahina Nazuna let out a breath, then suddenly remembered something and looked at Ichinose Honami with a serious expression.
"Junior, if you join the student council, remember to be cautious around Miyabi. You're so beautiful and have such a great figure. He's sure to take notice of you and might find a way to confess his feelings."
"Please rest assured, Senior. I will never give the vice-president any thought!" Ichinose Honami replied solemnly.
"Well, you don't need to be that serious. Miyabi is actually great in many ways, apart from being a bit of a flirt and rather possessive. If you ever really like him, you could always…"
Ichinose quickly interrupted, "I definitely don't like him! I can't stand philandering guys!"
"Uh-huh."
Nazuna raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Then you'd better keep a close eye on Matsuoka-kun. My intuition tells me he might be even more of a heartbreaker than Miyabi."
"Intuition isn't always reliable..." Ichinose replied hesitantly. She didn't believe the boy she liked could be a playboy.
"Maybe, but Junior Matsuoka is so good-looking that even I'd consider dating him. You must have quite a few rivals, and it's probably a lot of pressure," Nazuna said with a grin.
Ichinose Honami fell silent, realizing something. She remembered the long-haired girl, Horikita Suzune, who was not only Rin Matsuoka's childhood friend but also his classmate. They spent a lot of time together.
Now, Ichinose hoped Rin could join the student council with her so they could be together more often.
"Junior, please let Rin know he can't join the swimming club. I'm a bit embarrassed to tell him myself."
"After all, I promised him, quite confidently, that I'd make it happen," Nazuna said, feeling awkward. She'd even looked at Rin's form with a critical eye.
She felt guilty. She'd gotten what she wanted but hadn't fulfilled her promise to Rin.
"Alright, I'll send a message to Rin on Line later."
"Thanks."
Ichinose Honami said goodbye to Nazuna and left the gymnasium with Shiranami Chihiro, who seemed rather dazed.
Shiranami Chihiro wasn't sure what was happening. She was utterly stunned, as if she'd been dealt a severe blow.
On their way to the student cafeteria, Shiranami suddenly lowered her head and asked, "Honami-chan, are you really in love with Matsuoka-san?"
Shiranami Chihiro had overheard Nazuna's conversation with Ichinose, so she knew that Ichinose Hoba might be interested in Rin.
"This..." Ichinose pursed her lips.
Recalling her time with Rin and their recent interactions, she felt a mix of shyness and excitement. With her head lowered, she looked both delicate and captivating.
Ichinose's lips curved into a soft smile. "Yeah."
"Maybe I do like Rin"
"But Honami-chan, you've only known him for less than three days! How could you possibly be in love with him?!"
Shiranami was on the verge of tears.
Oh, she was already crying.
Walking ahead, Ichinose didn't notice Chihiro's teary face. She was still lost in her sweet memories with Rin.
"Yeah, I find it strange too. How did I fall for a boy I've barely spent a few days with?"