章 26: Chapter 26 Like Sizing-Up an Object

Kushida Kikyou hurriedly explained to Hirata Yousuke and Karuizawa Kei, but Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki glared at him with fire-like eyes. Fang Li's heart wasn't rejoicing; instead, he had pure doubt.

"What kind of trick is Kushida Kikyou playing?" he thought.

Fang Li admitted that he didn't develop any sweet love feelings for Kushida Kikyou. Perhaps other lonely boys in the class who are always talked to by her might produce delusions of "she likes me." But Fang Li wasn't so naive. He had thrown away unrealistic fantasies since birth.

Therefore, he believed that Kushida Kikyou didn't have that meaning at all. It wasn't that he didn't understand women's hearts, but the existence of woman was really bizarre, and they might like someone for one or another reason. Kushida Kikyou's interest in him wasn't impossible, but Fang Li was sure that she definitely didn't like him.

Because in that split second, Kushida Kikyou looked at Fang Li, but her eyes didn't have any feelings that could be described as interest or liking. That look was not so much as looking at the opposite sex, but rather to see...

Of course, this was only Fang Li's feeling, but he always believed in his own feelings. He was sure that Kushida Kikyou definitely didn't like him, but had some other purpose.

"Doesn't this mean... Is this the reason why she has been close to me recently?" Fang Li stared at Kushida Kikyou.

"Um...Nanaya-san…" Kushida Kikyou noticed Fang Li's gaze and quickly blushed as she spoke. "You…Don't believe them, okay? I don't have those kind of feelings for you."

Although she spoke those words, her blushing face didn't convince anyone.

The rest of the group saw it as Kushida Kikyou trying to hide her true feelings in front of Fang Li. But Fang Li simply smiled indifferently in response.

"I know, I didn't take it seriously."

His bland words caused the previously lively atmosphere to turn cold.

"Well...That's good," Kushida Kikyou said, not sure if she was relieved or disappointed.

To the others, it seemed like she was forcing herself to say that.

"This is unbearable!" Karuizawa Kei sighed loudly. "Kushida, why do you like this kind of lonely guy? There are many good men in this school. Let's go, we'll continue shopping!"

Karuizawa Kei then grabbed Kushida Kikyou's hand and pulled her away, leaving everyone behind; Hirata Yousuke come beside Fang Li and patted his shoulders.

"Nanaya-san, maybe you should pay more attention to the surroundings so you will see the people who really cares about you," Hirata Yousuke said offering some mature advice before quickly following Karuizawa Kei.

Just then, Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki rushed over to Fang Li, looking like they were going to attack him.

"How dare you!" and "I can't believe you!" they shouted, their faces twisted with anger.

However, Fang Li simply took a step back, causing Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki to crash into each other.

"Oof!"

The impact caused both of them to grab their heads and collapse on the ground in pain.

Fang Li let out a sigh as he observed the antics of Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki.

"What are you doing?" he asked, appearing nonchalant.

Seeing Fang Li's casual demeanor only served to further enrage Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki.

"I'll tell you right now, Nanaya!" Ike Kanji yelled, his tone threatening. "Kushida-chan is my target! You better not make a move on her!"

Fang Li couldn't help but think that this goal seemed too far out of reach for Ike Kanji.

"I, too, will tell you," Yamauchi Haruki chimed in, clenching his fists. "I promised Kushida-chan in the past that we would marry each other when we grew up. We're childhood friends. If you interfere with this fate, you'll face divine retribution!"

Fang Li found it hard to take Yamauchi Haruki's boasting seriously. If his story were true, why weren't the childhood friend in Rumor seeking him out?

There were too many plot holes in Yamauchi's tale, and Fang Li didn't even know where to begin pointing them out. As a result, Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki glared at each other.

"What childhood friends?" Ike Kanji snapped at Yamauchi. "I feel like you've been lying this whole time! This is total nonsense, right?"

"What lies?" Yamauchi retorted. "Everything I've said is true!"

Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki continued to squabble, and Fang Li grew tired of the whole affair. Just then, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka approached him.

"You didn't go easy earlier," the young man commented, displaying some emotion.

Fang Li remained silent, too lazy to reply.

"Hey! You guys, come on, let's go!" Hirata Yousuke, Karuizawa Kei, and Kushida Kikyou called out from up ahead.

Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki grudgingly followed after the group, not even bothering to look at each other. When they saw Kushida Kikyou, however, they put on a smile and trailed after her.

Fang Li quickened his pace to catch up with Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and moved forward with him.

Fang Li gazed at Kushida Kikyou's back, where she appeared to be recovering and laughing with Karuizawa Kei, before suddenly turning to Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and asking, "Do you understand Kushida Kikyou?"

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was taken aback by the sudden question. "Kushida?" he hesitated before quickly responding, "I don't know much about her, but isn't it common knowledge that she is gentle, lovely, and has a lot of friends?"

Fang Li realized that this was the extent of everyone's knowledge of Kushida Kikyou. Although she is known to be kind and considerate, nobody knows much else about her.

However, Fang Li felt that there was more to Kushida Kikyou than meets the eye. "This woman also has many secrets," he thought, recalling the look she had given him earlier.

It wasn't until later that evening, after the group had dispersed, that Fang Li finally understood what Kushida Kikyou's eyes had meant. They were like the eyes of someone who was sizing up an object that could be used to their advantage.