บท 900: Let Yourself Be Tempted First, Then Reject You Firmly
"You really don't need to pay attention to me, Kei."
Shinichi frowned slightly, realizing that his usually boasted acting skills were seen through by her, he was slightly annoyed by his own hesitation.
Shinichi took a deep breath, holding back his smile, and looked at Kei seriously.
"As I said earlier, I'll take these things and send you back to the apartment safely. That's what I promised Shirogane-senpai."
"What does that have to do with what you promised me?" Kei raised her eyebrows, her demeanor slightly harsh.
"Senpai, I'm not a kid anymore. I don't even know the way home, and I'm not going to be kidnapped by a stranger on the street."
"If you have inexplicable worries, then let me explain it... Besides, there's something I need to take care of on my own. Thank you for accompanying me to finish shopping, but I don't want Senpai to follow me for the rest of the journey, so say goodbye here!"
She said these words loudly, avoiding his complicated gaze, and began to pack her things.
The bag was slung over her shoulder, and as she reached for the plastic bag on the chair next to her, Shinichi blocked her path.
"Well then, I won't apologize for leaving the girl I'm dating to chase after a teacher in trouble."
"You don't need to apologize from the start!"
Kei didn't even look at him, she tried to reach for the plastic bag in his hand.
Shinichi immediately grabbed the bag in his hand.
"Although I won't apologize, as promised, I'll still make sure to safely deliver these items to your home."
Kei stared at him for a few seconds before withdrawing her hand and sighing helplessly.
"Senpai's awkward character hasn't changed since then."
"Is that so? I think I've changed a lot."
Recalling what happened when they first met, Shinichi couldn't help but laugh.
There was no meeting more childish and funny than that one.
"I don't know if that's a good thing or not."
Kei walked past him.
They left the coffee shop and stopped in front of the door, Kei looked at him.
"I'll be careful on the way home, so will Senpai."
As if there had been no argument earlier, Shinichi nodded calmly:
"Of course. Also, if Shirogane-senpai asks where I'm going and how I let you go home alone, just tell him that I'm chasing Kirisu-sensei. You don't need to speak on my behalf."
"Of course." Smirking, Kei stirred the milk tea in the paper cup in her hand and chuckled, "I still remember the grudge that prevented me from finishing the milk tea, so I won't speak for you."
"Oh, women are indeed vengeful creatures."
"I've also written down this sentence. When I return, I'll become even more jealous and tell Nii-san that you've done something excessive to me."
"Don't, he'll rush to my room and make me grind my teeth."
"What? If he still does things like this to Shinomiya-senpai, he's really shameless!"
They chatted with natural expressions, occasionally glancing at each other and smiling.
"Well then, see you at home?"
"Okay, see you at home."
Before turning around and leaving, Kei's voice sounded soft.
"Senpai, I want to ask you one last question."
Shinichi waited for her to exhale slowly, and spoke softly:
"What would you do if the girl you like also likes another guy?"
"..."
His eyes widened in surprise, Shinichi momentarily didn't realize the true meaning of that sentence.
But soon, he answered in a low voice:
"I would... try to give up. Maybe keep my distance from her, maybe just be friends with her, just to prevent myself from continuing to be sad and no longer consider her as an object of love."
This was the answer Shinichi wanted to convey to Kei.
Although cruel, this was the best way to stop the loss.
Hearing this answer, Kei didn't show the expected emotion, and just muttered helplessly.
"Is that really the problem..."
Her tone suddenly became louder, and every word and sentence was filled with strong determination.
"Unfortunately Senpai, I'm different from you."
"I will find a way to make her confess to me, and then I will consider whether to accept her or not!"
Under Shinichi's surprised gaze, Kei placed her hand on her back, leaned forward, and smiled mischievously.
"Maybe by then, I'll reject him firmly?"
"Besides, women are very vengeful."
Kei's smile made Shinichi stand still.
The clear voice of the girl reached the depths of his heart, and for some reason, he felt his heartbeat slightly increase, and his face also felt a bit warm.
Shinichi quickly turned away, clenched his fist to cover the lower part of his face, and coughed.
"Yes, this is the era of new women..."
Before he could finish his evaluation, Kei turned around, and her white-silver hair passed the tip of his nose, causing him to stop the rest of his words, and his eyes unintentionally glanced at her ears.
A layer of red covered her snow-white skin.
...Not only the listener, but also the speaker felt embarrassed?
Shinichi felt a little ticklish.
"Well then, this is really goodbye this time."
Her voice sounded very calm, but her movements were as if she wanted to flee, but who knows what her expression looked like now.
Just before Kei was about to take a step, Shinichi stopped her.
"Kei, wait a moment. This is for you."
"This..."
Kei took what he handed over, a pair of snow-white knitted gloves with embroidered snowflake patterns on them.
She looked up in surprise, wanting to ask something, but Shinichi reached out to interrupt her.
"I happened to see this when I helped everyone buy something. I want to say that you've paid a lot of attention to me during this period. Almost every meal is full of potato soup. I bought it after I gave you some input..."
He explained seriously.
"Overall, the purpose of giving these gloves is to express my gratitude. I don't intend to rely on this behavior to win your heart, or to give you hope and use you as a spare tire... I have to say it very clearly, you should understand my intention."
"Whatever happens, my family members won't allow me to do this. If they misunderstand, I might be hung and beaten physically."
"Well, it's okay whether you accept it or not. Besides, it's just a gift, so don't worry too much."
Seeing Shinichi's awkward expression as he wracked his brain to find a way to clear his name so as not to be misunderstood, Kei couldn't help but hold back her laughter.
"Senpai, you don't need to say anything. I understand."
"Is that so? That's good." Shinichi sighed in relief, only regretting giving her the gloves after he had already done so.
As long as he didn't buy them, there's no need for explanation. Even if he bought them, he could choose not to give them. His mistake was always being excessive and not knowing how to be careful with his words and actions.
Shinichi understood the meaning of those words. It was because he clearly hadn't changed, that he was now in a lot of trouble.
"Well then, hurry up and chase after the teacher."
Kei put the gloves in her bag and pushed it gently.
"I'm going home. Senpai, please remember to send these items to my house after the chase. It's for the school festival."
"I'm the head of the student council, how could I embezzle resources?" Shinichi said discontentedly.
"I just hope you don't lose them on the way." Kei turned around and left without nostalgia.
"Take care on the road."
"You too."
They parted ways.
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง