"Itsuki, how do you get along with Fujiwara Chika?"
After leaving the last playground, Nakano Yu no longer had the motivation to explore Shuchi'in Academy. He decided to go up the floors, and just as he reached the floor where Kirisu Mafuyu's office was, he ran into Itsuki, who had a wide smile on her face.
Seeing Itsuki like that, Nakano Yu felt that she got along quite well with Fujiwara Chika.
That was actually rather rare. Although Fujiwara Chika was lively and completely devoid of the political calculations common in political families, Nakano Yu quite enjoyed spending time with girls like her. However, that didn't mean Fujiwara Chika didn't have her problems.
She was too lively, and it was impossible to know what she was thinking from morning till night. While that might not seem like a big deal when watching anime, in reality, it could be quite exhausting to have her constantly around.
"Fujiwara-san is very enthusiastic, just… a little too enthusiastic."
Itsuki said this with a smile, and then suddenly, as if she remembered something, the smile on her face slowly disappeared.
At first, she wasn't really used to Fujiwara Chika's excessive enthusiasm. After all, when someone she barely knew was overly friendly, even acting as if they were long-time friends, it was naturally a little unsettling for Itsuki.
If it had been Yotsuba, she would probably have already sworn sisterhood with Fujiwara Chika.
"Yes, Fujiwara Chika is like that. She's been like that for years; you'll get used to it."
After hearing Itsuki's response, Nakano Yu nodded with a "just as I thought" expression and casually rubbed her ahoge.
By the way, how had Itsuki's ahoge grown so much? Sometimes it could even move at will. It was as if the lid of a cow's coffin would soon open.
"I see."
Itsuki nodded, and as she spoke, she noticed the office door behind Nakano Yu opening, and Kirisu Mafuyu came out, holding the lesson plans in her hands.
When Kirisu Mafuyu saw Nakano Yu and Itsuki standing in front of the door, she initially flinched, but her expression quickly returned to normal.
Nakano Yu also noticed someone behind him. Without thinking, he concluded that it was time for class and that Kirisu Mafuyu would take them back to the classroom.
"Kirisu-sensei."
Turning and seeing Kirisu Mafuyu, Nakano Yu greeted her with a smile, as if their discussion from half an hour ago had never happened.
Seeing how casually he greeted her, Kirisu Mafuyu watched Nakano Yu for a moment before responding:
"Let's go. I'll take you back to the classroom first."
With those words, Kirisu Mafuyu started forward, but after just a few steps, she suddenly stopped.
"Nakano-kun, what you said earlier… I think it makes a lot of sense. I'm sorry for judging you based on a one-sided impression."
Hearing Kirisu Mafuyu's words, both Nakano Yu and Itsuki were somewhat surprised.
Kirisu Mafuyu… had she relented?
Just as they thought that, Kirisu Mafuyu suddenly added:
"But I still believe that studying is the fastest way to approach your dreams. Sometimes there really are multiple paths to a dream, but they require talent. If you don't have talent, it's best to choose another path."
After saying that, Kirisu Mafuyu left without looking back.
"Yu, what was sensei talking about? It sounded really deep."
Itsuki was somewhat confused by Kirisu Mafuyu's words. She looked at Nakano Yu and asked.
"She's stating a fact, but despite that, Itsuki, don't become a teacher like Kirisu-sensei in the future."
Nakano Yu patted her head and said. Indeed, Kirisu Mafuyu's words were correct: studying is the fastest path to a dream. Other paths often have obstacles, meaning they require talent.
For those with talent, achieving the dream of an ordinary person is just a small leap, while for those without talent, it's like climbing a ladder to pluck stars.
"Alright."
Although Nakano Yu responded, Itsuki was still a bit confused, but she understood his final sentence. She nodded and replied.
Following Kirisu Mafuyu, Nakano Yu and Itsuki soon arrived at the entrance to their classroom.
"You two wait here for a moment."
Standing at the door, Kirisu Mafuyu said this to the two of them. Seeing Nakano Yu and Itsuki nod, she opened the classroom door and entered.
The classroom was quiet; everyone was neatly seated, waiting for the teacher to arrive.
When Kirisu Mafuyu entered the classroom with a cold expression, the atmosphere instantly dropped to a freezing point.
All the first-year Class A students didn't dare breathe loudly in front of Kirisu Mafuyu, fearing they might provoke this famous ice queen of Shuchi'in Academy.
"Today, Class A will welcome two transfer students. They will be studying at Shuchi'in Academy for two weeks. Come in, Nakano-kun."
Placing the lesson plans on the podium, Kirisu Mafuyu announced it simply, without many polite words. After that, she stepped down from the podium and gestured for Nakano Yu and Itsuki to enter.
Upon hearing that transfer students were coming, the previously quiet classroom gradually began to buzz with whispers:
"Transfer students are really coming?"
"Could it really be some unlucky kid from Sobu High School sent here right after vacation?"
"Maybe they're from abroad, a beautiful mixed-race girl! Like Eriri Spencer Sawamura from Class C!"
"Tsk, it's that young master of the Nakano family! What a bunch of animals thinking with the lower head, they can't even get the basics right."
As the students whispered below, Nakano Yu and Itsuki entered the classroom one by one and stood at the podium.
"Silence! Nakano Yu, introduce yourself first. Then just find a seat."
Frowning, Kirisu Mafuyu gave the cold command. The slightly noisy classroom immediately quieted down. Then Kirisu Mafuyu looked at Nakano Yu, signaling him to introduce himself.
Nakano Yu nodded and scanned the students below the podium. He didn't expect to see Kiyoura Setsuna.
At that moment, Kiyoura Setsuna was looking at Nakano Yu with a surprised expression, clearly not expecting to end up in the same class as him by coincidence.
"My name is Nakano Yu. My grades are average, and my hobby is occasionally meddling in other people's affairs. That's all."
Writing his name on the board, Nakano Yu finished, glanced at Itsuki, and stepped down from the podium.
After looking around the classroom, Nakano Yu noticed that there were two empty seats right next to Kiyoura Setsuna. Naturally, he didn't hesitate to sit in one, leaving the other, of course, for Itsuki.
"Setsuna-san, we meet again."
After sitting down, Nakano Yu greeted Kiyoura Setsuna.
"Um, Nakano-kun, this seat is… Ogino Hikaru's."
However, Kiyoura Setsuna had a strange expression and pressed her lips together before warning him.
Hearing this, Nakano Yu finally understood. He wondered why there were five empty seats in this classroom. It turned out that Ogino Hikaru and the other two who had previously bullied Kiyoura Setsuna were also in Class A.
Then the overall quality of Class A at Shuchi'in Academy probably wasn't particularly high if such people could get in.
"That's fine."
The young man waved his hand, not taking Ogino Hikaru seriously.
Soon, Itsuki also finished her introduction and sat two rows in front of Nakano Yu. After both of them had introduced themselves, Kirisu Mafuyu began the lecture.
At the same time, in the school infirmary, Ogino Hikaru's face was completely bandaged, with only his eyes and two nostrils visible for breathing.
At that moment, Ogino Hikaru's heart was filled with hatred. He didn't understand how he had offended Nakano Yu, but he knew that if Nakano Yu dared to insult him, he had to be ready for revenge.
Thinking about this, Ogino Hikaru took out his phone and found his father's contact.
Since he couldn't speak, Ogino Hikaru could only type to complain to his father:
[Dad, someone smashed my mouth!]
Time passed quickly, and the day at Shuchi'in Academy went by.
Throughout the entire day, Itsuki was quite popular in the classroom.
Of course, she wasn't surrounded by boys; after all, Nakano Yu was there watching.
During several lunch breaks and after classes, Itsuki was always surrounded by girls, and it seemed like they were having a great time chatting. Nakano Yu didn't understand why those girls were so enthusiastic about Itsuki. Maybe it was some mysterious girl friendship?
Nakano Yu was far too lazy to deal with that.
Perhaps because of his demeanor, after one day at Shuchi'in Academy, Nakano Yu managed to exchange only a few words with Kiyoura Setsuna. After getting to know her a little better, he realized she was a very serious girl.
She took studying very seriously and probably had her own goals and dreams.
Of course, Nakano Yu didn't ask too many questions; those were Kiyoura Setsuna's private matters, and his relationship with her wasn't at that level yet.
As the sun set in the west, the bell rang for the end of classes at Shuchi'in Academy. Nakano Yu didn't linger; after class, he took his bag and led Itsuki toward the school gate.
He had already arranged a meeting with Ichika and the others at the school gate, but Edo had many obligations today, so he would be a little late.
However, when Nakano Yu arrived at the school gate, he found a crowd gathered there. Most of them, judging by their clothing, were Shuchi'in Academy students.
"Yu, did something happen?"
Seeing the crowd at the school gate, Itsuki asked. Her eyesight wasn't as good as Nakano Yu's; during class, she had to wear glasses, but usually didn't because it was tiring.
"They're looking for me. Itsuki, you go find Ichika and the others first."
Nakano Yu waved his hand. He had already seen who they were, but didn't expect them to be so bold and brainless.
"Then… Yu, be careful."
Seeing the serious expression on Nakano Yu's face, Itsuki pressed her lips together, recalling what Ichika and Nino had told her: to let Yu keep to the side and listen. She didn't linger, just warned the young man and left.
After watching Itsuki leave, Nakano Yu finally headed toward the school gate.
At the school gate, about a dozen delinquents dressed in shabby clothes, with hair dyed in various colors, were standing not far from the entrance, holding sticks.
Today they had earned money — 200,000 yen. All they had to do was beat up a rich kid; the demand wasn't high, just break his legs.
The leader of the delinquents was thinking about the 200,000 yen he would soon receive, and his eyes nearly sparkled.
Just as he was thinking about how to spend that money, a voice interrupted his daydream:
"You're looking for me, aren't you?"
Hearing the voice, the leader of the delinquents looked up, and the moment he saw Nakano Yu, his eyes shone!
Yes, yes, yes! That's the kid! As long as they beat up this kid and break his leg, they would get 200,000 yen!