Chapter 16 This is simply... an eye scam!

Eye scam! Eye scam! Rei Furuya has been seriously scammed by an eye scam!!!

Because of Nekono Ikuya's perplexing answer yesterday, Furuya Rei greeted the new day with an almost urgent feeling of trying to solve a puzzle.

The scene from the previous day was still lingering in his mind. That aloof yet playful figure, especially those beautifully shaped, slightly cold black phoenix eyes that had left a deep impression on him, kept swirling in Furuya Rei's mind. Alternating with it was Nekono Ikuya's ambiguous words, "Perhaps you'll know tomorrow."

What kind of hint is this? What will happen today? What exactly does Nekono-kun mean?

So when Rei Furuya stepped into the classroom, his gaze, almost subconsciously and with a hint of expectation that he himself was unaware of, immediately and precisely landed on Ikuya Nekono's seat.

Then, he saw it.

The seat is still the same seat, that's beyond doubt, and the person is the same person... probably?

Nekono Ikuya sat there, tilting her head to talk to a classmate beside her, a bright smile on her face. Her hair was still jet black, only a little tousled, but her eyes—

Rei Furuya abruptly stopped, his pupils contracted sharply, and a look of astonishment, even more pronounced than the previous two days, appeared on his face.

It's only been three days since I transferred schools, and there's been a different 'surprise' every day! Those eyes, as black as jade immersed in a cool mountain spring, are gone, replaced by clear and bright blue eyes like sapphires.

How can I describe those eyes?

That's right, it's like a corner of the clearest sky has been stolen and embedded inside, or like the clearest seawater under the sunlight. It's an extremely bright sapphire blue, like the purest, most lustrous sapphire.

Even her eye shape has changed from narrow and aloof phoenix eyes to round and cute ones, more like almond eyes.

That's not the most terrifying thing. The most terrifying thing is that Nekono Ikuya's entire demeanor has changed.

His smile was radiant, and his rich, bright blue eyes blinked with pure innocence, a stark contrast to his aloofness and coldness yesterday.

Nekono Ikuya was chatting and laughing with her classmates.

"Haha, really? That's hilarious!"

Rei Furuya was surprised to find that not only his appearance and demeanor, but even Ikuya Nekono's voice had changed, becoming clearer, brighter, and more energetic.

He heard Nekono Ikuya's voice rise slightly at the end, with a lively and bouncy rhythm, much more cheerful and upbeat than yesterday's cool tone!

Who is this?

Rei Furuya's brain seemed to experience a brief shutdown; he was stunned.

Who is this?!

A storm raged within him, and he even subconsciously rubbed his eyes.

What exactly happened?

"Good morning, Furuya-kun!" The new student behind him stepped past the stunned Furuya Rei and tilted his head. "Hey, Furuya-kun, what's wrong?"

Why is Furuya standing at the door without moving or saying a word, and with a look of utter astonishment like he's seen a ghost?

"Nekono-kun, he, he..."

Rei Furuya pointed to Ikuya Nekono, who was laughing heartily by the window. His voice and fingertips trembled slightly. He didn't know how to continue speaking, and could only utter broken words that didn't form a sentence.

"Nekono-san...eyes?!!"

A barrage of questions welled up on his lips, but the last question Furuya Rei asked was about his eyes.

Rei Furuya was simply too impressed by Ikuya Nekono's clear, almond-shaped eyes from yesterday!

"Eye……?"

The new students followed Furuya Rei's finger and looked at Nekono Ikuya, immediately noticing her bright blue eyes that were free of any gloom.

His expression revealed a hint of natural surprise: "Wow, today's Nekono-kun is blue-eyed Nekono!" But he was nowhere near as astonished as Furuya Rei.

"Nekono-kun still loves the blue-eyed look so much," he remarked. "But blue eyes really do look good; it truly is a classic!"

As he spoke, he stepped forward, naturally raised his hand, and greeted Nekono Yuuya with a smile: "Hey, Nekono, your eye color matches the weather perfectly today!"

"Right, right!" Nekono Ikuya smiled, her eyes a pure, flawless blue, just like the exceptionally bright sky today. "I think so too!"

Fang Gu Ling glanced sideways: "...?!!"

So, does this mean Nekono-san frequently changes her eye color? And this isn't the first time?

Rei Furuya was stunned, and gradually gritted his teeth.

This is simply... an eye scam!

He was actually fooled by those beautiful almond-shaped eyes yesterday! Those eyes were most likely fake!

...Ugh! How utterly despicable!

Rei Furuya felt a strong sense of being deceived, as well as a strange sense of shame.

"Eyes... a scam..."

Rei Furuya practically floated to his seat with his backpack in his hand, his mind racing with those four words.

How could he do this? He was genuinely admiring Nekono-san's dark eyes yesterday!

Of course, Rei Furuya doesn't mean that Nekono's blue eyes are ugly today.

In fact, they have different styles, yet each possesses its own unique beauty. Perhaps if Nekono Ikuya had worn these blue eyes yesterday, he too would have found them unforgettable.

But, but! Sigh...

Rei Furuya felt a mix of emotions, an indescribable mix that made him feel a bit upset.

How could this be?!

Nekono Ikuya also saw Furuya Rei. He turned around quickly like a cheerful little bird, placed his arms on Furuya Rei's desk, rested his chin on his arms, blinked his eyes and looked up at him with an excessively bright smile on his face.

"Good morning, Furuya-kun~" He greeted Furuya Rei in a much lighter, more upbeat tone than yesterday.

Rei Furuya was startled by the greeting, and his hand trembled slightly as he put down his schoolbag.

He lowered his head and fell right into Nekono Ikuya's upward angle, so those pure blue eyes magnified in his field of vision and were observed with exceptional clarity.

...His eyes had really changed; they were completely different from the ones he had yesterday. Rei Furuya felt a deep sorrow in his heart.

"Good morning, Nekono-kun," he said listlessly.

Whether it was his imagination or not, when he gave a dry reply to the greeting, Furuya Rei felt that at some point, Nekono Ikuya's smile seemed to widen in his eyes, carrying a hint of smugness from a successful prank.

But when Furuya Rei really decided to take a closer look, he saw that there was no smugness at all, no hint of a successful prank. Nekono Ikuya's face was friendly and innocent, her eyes filled with purity and innocence.

Nekono Ikuya blinked, looking weak, pitiful, and innocent; she certainly didn't have the cunning to pull off a prank.

Heh, Rei Furuya sneered inwardly. Was she really that innocent? He wouldn't believe it!

“Nekono… classmate?” Furuya Rei’s expression was still a bit stiff as he stared at Nekono Ikuya, who was lying on his desk looking up at him.

“It’s me, it’s me!” Nekono Ikuya smiled, her eyes crinkling. Her bright blue eyes were still looking at Furuya Rei, full of liveliness and energy.

"I wasn't feeling too well yesterday and didn't greet you properly, please don't mind, Furuya-kun!"

Nekono Ikuya smiled sheepishly, as if he had genuinely been too tired to greet him properly yesterday and felt apologetic for it.

I don't believe you for a second!

Rei Furuya's expression changed slightly. He finally understood that Ikuya Nekono clearly felt that yesterday's character design had affected his performance!

However, although Nekono Ikuya himself didn't think so, Furuya Rei saw that he was very energetic yesterday!

On the surface, Nekono Ikuya is indeed reserved and maintains his persona, but in private, he has quite a few little tricks up his sleeve; he can even make a fuss over picking up a pen...

I really don't know what to say about him!

Rei Furuya gritted his teeth: "I really don't mind at all!"

Nekono Ikumi tilted her head, pondered for a moment, then pondered again. Hmm, why does this sound a bit sarcastic? Is she really angry?

"Furuya-kun..." Nekono Ikuya asked pitifully, "Are you angry?"

Did we go too far?

"..." Furuya Rei was caught off guard by this direct question, and a breath caught in his chest.

What else could he say? Could he just say, "Yes, I'm angry because you tricked me yesterday with those beautiful black phoenix eyes, and today you're pretending to be innocent with those sapphire blue eyes, and your voice and personality have all changed, making me look like a fool after being dazzled by your bright phoenix eyes"?

How could he say something like that? It sounds like he's being completely unreasonable. It not only sounds petty, but also... very strange.

Rei Furuya could only take a deep breath and force a smile that barely smacked of his lips: "Nekono-kun is overthinking it. I'm just... not really in the mood either."

He couldn't help but make another sarcastic remark, then changed the subject and added, "After all, you just transferred schools, so you still need to adjust to the environment."

"Oh—" Nekono Ikumi drawled, her pitiful expression vanishing instantly, as if the earlier tearful look had been merely Furuya Rei's illusion.

Since you've said that, I'll just have to pretend to believe you.

Nekono Ikuya suddenly broke into an even brighter smile, a sly glint in her eyes. "That's good! I was worried that Furuya-kun wouldn't like how I look today!"

“After all—” he said, lightly tapping his lower eyelid with his fingertip, his expression meaningful, “After all, it’s very different from yesterday, isn’t it?”

Here he comes again, and he's bringing this up on purpose again!

My temples are throbbing.

This guy is definitely doing it on purpose; he's enjoying the process of both calming himself down and getting frustrated!

How could this person be so wicked? Neither of the two art styles can hide his restless soul.

Is it really that fun to tease him?

Furuya Rei struggled to maintain his composure, forcing out a reply through gritted teeth: "Indeed... very different. It's eye-opening, and I feel quite... astonished."

He paused subtly on the word 'surprise,' emphasizing it.

To be precise, it's a shock, which can bring unexpected shock to those who are unaware of the situation, such as him!

"Right, right!"

Nekono Ikuya's eyes lit up even more, with a hint of boasting: "Isn't it interesting? You can be a completely new version of yourself every day!"

Rei Furuya pursed his lips and remained silent, because following Ikuya Nekono's words, it was indeed quite interesting, if the other party didn't deliberately tease him.

Without calculating the time, who would guess they'd only known each other for two days? He knew he couldn't handle someone who was naturally outgoing!

Nekono Ikuya could have been even more outgoing. He lowered his voice, as if he wanted to discuss a secret with Furuya Rei, and asked without warning:

"Which one does Rei Furuya like? Yesterday's? Or today's?"

Jianggu Ling: "..."

Jiangu Ling: "?!!"

I hate people who have no sense of boundaries!

A note from the author:

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