“……”
“……”
Kondo Haruka and Kanzaki Sou looked at the bowing Miura Xiao Chun, their expressions completely different.
Kondo Haruka clearly hadn’t expected that the always timid-looking, seemingly easy-to-bully Miura Xiao Chun would suddenly respond so formally and directly.
In fact, Miura Xiao Chun’s voice was louder than usual, and it was easy to sense a hint of firmness in her attitude.
The chestnut-haired childhood friend stared with wide eyes, momentarily forgetting to reply, simply gazing blankly at the back of the deeply bowing girl’s head.
Kanzaki Sou also showed a trace of surprise.
But compared to Kondo Haruka’s “completely unexpected,” Kanzaki Sou was more simply thinking… “At a time like this?”
He didn’t think Miura Xiao Chun was a girl without a temper at all—such people were rare to begin with, and almost impossible in real life.
So, always being targeted by Kondo Haruka, Miura Xiao Chun would eventually express her displeasure—this was perfectly normal. He just hadn’t expected it to happen now.
In Kanzaki Sou’s impression, this sort of thing should have happened “much later.”
It wasn’t out of narcissism or anything, thinking Miura Xiao Chun would avoid losing her composure in front of him… But he couldn’t deny it wasn’t a part of his real thoughts.
It was more because Miura Xiao Chun gave him a feeling completely opposite to Kondo Haruka, so he felt a quiet, introverted girl wouldn’t show a loss of composure in front of someone she wasn’t close to.
But the current situation was clearly beyond both of their expectations.
“……”
Not just Kondo Haruka and Kanzaki Sou.
“——Nn.”
A very faint swallowing sound slipped from Miura Xiao Chun’s lips, so quiet that even Kanzaki Sou nearby didn’t hear.
Bowed low, enduring the gaze of both, Miura Xiao Chun’s cheeks were hidden from view—no one could see her current expression.
——Miura Xiao Chun’s face was crimson.
She only felt her heart pounding wildly in her chest, bringing a physical sensation even stronger than in reality.
She could feel Kondo Haruka’s burning gaze pinned on her, and also sense Kanzaki Sou’s calm yet equally strong presence.
——That sudden surge of courage earlier had pushed Miura Xiao Chun to forcefully speak those words of frustration.
Then it receded as quickly as a tide.
……Leaving only belated panic and shame.
In her original world, as someone used to swallowing grievances and surviving in the cracks of the workplace as a Workplace Slave, it had been a long time since she’d responded so directly to someone else’s provocation.
The soul within this body had never imagined that one day, as a Japanese high school girl, she would challenge another high school girl.
God… What am I even doing?!
Is this okay?
She wouldn’t think I’m picking a fight, right?
Miura Xiao Chun was also aware that her earlier words would seem anything but innocent to someone paying attention.
——Hoping Kondo Haruka would have no reaction at all was almost impossible.
She could only stay bent over, not daring to move until someone else spoke.
……Thus, the silence lasted only a few seconds, but it was long enough to feel like a century to Miura Xiao Chun.
“……Heh.”
A short, obviously mocking and cold laugh slipped into Miura Xiao Chun’s ears.
“‘Let’s work together’? Miura, what do you mean by that?”
Just as Miura Xiao Chun was about to drown in regret over her own impulsiveness, Kondo Haruka spoke.
……She’d said it herself, so she had to face it.
Miura Xiao Chun straightened up, forcing herself to meet Kondo Haruka’s gaze.
Her fingertips were still trembling, but she tried hard to make her voice sound less uncertain.
“……It’s exactly what it sounds like, Kondo-san.”
“I’m struggling with the exam prep, so I want to join the study group tomorrow night too… For the Midterm Exams, let’s work hard together, okay?”
She chose deliberately gentle wording, trying to bring the topic back to the relatively safe ground of “studying.”
But obviously, Kondo Haruka wasn’t buying it.
“Work hard?”
Kondo Haruka crossed her arms, a mocking curve at the corner of her mouth.
“With me? Or with Cang-kun?”
“What are we, anyway, that you want to work hard with me? Trying to get close when we’re not even familiar?”
Her tone was full of distrust and provocation.
Miura Xiao Chun knew that her earlier action had thoroughly ignited the long-standing hostility Kondo Haruka had toward her.
……Ah, it’s hard to explain.
“Haruka.”
Just as Miura Xiao Chun was sinking into despair, that gentle voice spoke up with firm resolve.
“The study group was created for everyone. Having more classmates join is in line with the original intention—to help each other before the Midterm Exams and make progress together. That’s our goal.”
Blocked by Kanzaki Sou, Kondo Haruka’s face grew even uglier.
She glared fiercely at Miura Xiao Chun, then turned to Kanzaki Sou, her tone full of grievance and dissatisfaction.
“Cang-kun! Whose side are you on, anyway!”
“I’m not on anyone’s side, Haruka.”
Kanzaki Sou pushed up his glasses, sounding a bit exasperated.
“Aren’t we just talking about studying?”
“It’s getting late. I’ll be done soon. Let’s go Home together later.”
Kanzaki Sou soothed his childhood friend, skillfully changing the subject.
“But…”
“Haruka, this is the Library.”
Kanzaki Sou didn’t say more, just bowed his head to tidy up the desk.
“……Tsk.”
Although still unwilling, Kondo Haruka seemed to not want to make a scene in front of Kanzaki Sou.
She bit her lip, glanced at Miura Xiao Chun; finally, she just snorted, turned her head away, and temporarily stopped arguing.
Miura Xiao Chun hurried to help tidy up before leaving as well.
……After a while, with a “Miura-san, see you at noon tomorrow,” Kanzaki Sou was dragged away by Kondo Haruka, who was clutching his uniform sleeve.
Kondo Haruka didn’t even give Miura Xiao Chun a chance to say goodbye. She chatted with Kanzaki Sou while walking out the Library door.
Miura Xiao Chun’s raised hand hadn’t even finished the gesture before she could only lower it again.
A storm caused by her own impulsiveness seemed to have finally subsided.
“Hu……”
Like receiving a great pardon, Miura Xiao Chun picked up her bag with lingering anxiety and left the Library in a daze.
So reckless.
Kondo Haruka was already unfriendly to her, yet she still provoked her… From Kondo Haruka’s perspective, she was the childhood friend, and Miura Xiao Chun was just a girl she’d only known for a few days—plus, Miura Xiao Chun had even told her she had Goodwill toward Kanzaki Sou.
…She couldn’t imagine what she’d do if Kondo Haruka got upset and spilled everything.
Oh no, life is a wilderness—impulse is the devil!
Miura Xiao Chun clutched her hair in frustration.
Great, not only did she fail to ease relations, she completely intensified her conflict with Kondo Haruka… Who knows how Kondo Haruka will target her next.
“Haah……”
Walking alone down the road, Miura Xiao Chun let out a long sigh.
Though, there was some good news.
When Kanzaki Sou first brought up the study group, Miura Xiao Chun had thought her chances at the Midterm Exams were doomed—at least regarding time spent with Kanzaki Sou.
Fortunately, it seemed to be a misunderstanding… Kanzaki Sou was also participating, so his invitation to the study group was actually a tacit agreement to her request and willingness to help her.
After spending these days together, Miura Xiao Chun had experienced Kanzaki Sou’s sharp and sensitive nature. She believed that before doing anything, Kanzaki Sou would always consider all kinds of factors.
Kondo Haruka’s hostility toward her was obvious, but Kanzaki Sou still discussed the study group with her—judging from their conversation, Kondo Haruka said she would “also” attend, which meant Kanzaki Sou must have invited Kondo Haruka before Miura Xiao Chun.
…At the very least, this proved Kanzaki Sou wasn’t distancing himself from her.
Even with Kondo Haruka present, he didn’t mind interacting with her.
A wave of warmth spread through Miura Xiao Chun’s heart.
It was the satisfaction of seeing her plan progressing smoothly.
…After all, when life and death are on the line, it’s hard to stay calm.
“Ah…Right.”
At this thought, Miura Xiao Chun stopped abruptly.
She subconsciously called up the Goodwill Interface.
Kanzaki Sou’s Goodwill toward Kondo Haruka was still 50.
——Although there was no change, Miura Xiao Chun hadn’t thought much of it before.
But now, staring at that number, a wave of doubt suddenly rose within her.
She suddenly found it strange.
…Isn’t this wrong?
——Before, whenever she saw this number, Miura Xiao Chun only felt relieved that Kanzaki Sou and Kondo Haruka’s Goodwill hadn’t risen, thinking “it’s good it didn’t increase.”
…But now.
This number was starting to feel off.
Kondo Haruka and Kanzaki Sou— even if she tried to interfere with their time together, it was impossible for them to have zero interaction.
There were definitely texts and calls, probably plenty of LIME messages, and walking Home after school went without saying.
On top of that, she’d heard from others that Kondo Haruka and Kanzaki Sou had even quarreled before.
…After all these events, their Goodwill still didn’t budge?
Miura Xiao Chun narrowed her eyes.
Kanzaki Sou’s Goodwill toward Kondo Haruka was completely fixed at this level?
…Hmm, maybe because they were childhood friends for many years, their impression had solidified, and their feelings wouldn’t easily change?
No…If that’s the case, then is it necessary for her to be this tense?
Miura Xiao Chun felt confused for a moment.
However…If the game’s development followed as expected, the story would shift to Kondo Haruka’s Personal Route after the Sports Day.
Whether or not it entered, the decisive options and events would happen during the Sports Day.
Miura Xiao Chun searched her already hazy memories.
Because she’d never played Kondo Haruka’s Personal Route, she had always headed straight for the distant Student Council President…So she skipped Kondo Haruka’s route by following the guide.
She couldn’t really recall what happened during the Sports Day.
Miura Xiao Chun furrowed her brows, walking up the sunlit Sakimichi toward Home.
…She had to attend the study group tomorrow.
But she couldn’t act impulsively like today—she had to be more cautious and natural.
Even if the Goodwill was only 50, Kondo Haruka was still the most dangerous presence to her right now. Before the Sports Day, she had to prepare thoroughly and enter the Sports Day scenario in perfect condition.
Not remembering exactly where the key points were made the short campus event even more dangerous.