Dinner (Part 3)
"I have a crush on someone."
"puff!"
"Cough cough cough!"
A cacophony of sounds rose and fell around them.
The gazes of the crowd, a mixture of understanding and surprise, all fell upon the smiling Kazusa.
Some people, not understanding what was going on, looked at her last remaining index finger and then at her candid expression... Was this a trump card she used to win?
Is this the terrifying competitive spirit of Rikkai University?
But the fact that Yagyu's face was even darker than Lu Shi's and Sanada's told everyone that Kasane's actions clearly had nothing to do with Rikkai University.
It has to be said that this ultimate move could easily outshine many people at this party.
A group of high achievers, who spend their days studying and training, when have they ever seriously experienced the concept of "secret crush"? Most of them broke off a finger with mixed feelings.
Finally, take a look around...
?
What are you guys doing?
Tezuka, Yukimura, and Atobe, why are you all pointing your fingers? Are you saying that the three of you are secretly in love with someone with those faces on your faces?
These three people would never lie to win. Although they have different personalities, they have one thing in common: they all keep their promises.
So? You guys are really having crushes on people with that face?!
Yukimura remained unfazed and composed in front of everyone.
Tezuka stared straight ahead, remaining silent.
And Atobe, why are you blushing?! You're out of character!
This is truly eye-opening.
Although everyone was scratching their heads in curiosity, no one dared to cause trouble for the three ministers.
Fortunately, only these four people remained in the end. Everyone pricked up their ears, as they had a vague premonition that they would hear some interesting self-destructions.
They didn't expect to hear anything interesting from Tezuka, but they could still hope for something from Yukimura and Atobe. After all, these two were used to teasing each other, so they were bound to find something out, right?
Following the order, it's Tezuka's turn next.
Everyone knows that Tezuka is not good at entertainment games. His hobbies are so healthy that they are almost monotonous. It was quite unexpected that he was able to stay until the end of the whole game.
He lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on his white wristband, and a very slight upturn of his lips: "I'm stuck in a mountain hotel for two days because of the blizzard."
Well, it's not exactly a self-inflicted wound; it sounds fairly standard.
However, encountering extreme weather is rare. Yukimura and Atobe exchanged a glance, regretfully folded their last finger, and quit the game.
but--
Everyone's gaze first focused on that slender, well-proportioned, fair finger, and then moved to the face with a bright smile.
Oh... wow?
Gossipy, inquisitive, and bewildered gazes drifted across the faces of the two survivors at the end of the game.
He Zou couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Her shoulders trembled slightly as she laughed, and her body, which was sitting cross-legged, lost its balance and involuntarily leaned to the side.
Almost the instant her body tilted, a warm and steady hand reached out in time, gently supporting her arm and protecting her firmly.
"Sit still."
"Sit still!"
Two voices, one gentle and one serious, rang out simultaneously.
A gentle Tezuka?
A serious Yagyu?
Are we all going to be out of character (OOC) tonight?
Sitting on the other side of Kazusa, Yagyu Hiroshi didn't want to participate in this OOC contest, but he just couldn't help it. His sharp gaze behind his glasses swept over Tezuka's hand, which was still holding his cousin's body and hadn't been completely withdrawn yet, and then looked at his cousin, who had practiced karate since childhood but couldn't even sit still just now, and finally turned into a silent sigh.
Everyone: ...Oh.
Tezuka is Tezuka, the captain is still the captain. There's definitely a reason he was able to stay until the end.
This wasn't a self-destruction; it was a nuclear explosion... enough to silence all the gossip and speculation in an instant.
The two people sat side by side, their expressions identically open and honest, as if their interaction just now was perfectly natural.
In this way, all the teasing was deflected.
The game continues, and naturally, it's time for a chorus.
This time, amidst expectant gazes, she slowly clenched her right fist and said, "I concede." Her clear voice held no trace of regret, but rather carried a sense of relief at having achieved her goal.
"Why?"
Then look at Tezuka beside her, with his eyes lowered. Did he... smile?
Sadaharu Kane pushed up his reflective glasses and kindly reminded him, "Yagyu-san, the loser has to drink this cup of dry juice."
Looking at the strangely colored liquid in the pot, He Zou nodded and repeated in a rather cheerful tone, "I concede."
She had already gotten the answer she wanted most, and the game had lost its meaning for her.
Now, all she wants to do is confirm that predetermined answer.
With a regretful expression, Sadaharu Kane announced the punishment: "So, according to the rules, everyone who participated in the game, except for the final winner Tezuka, will each drink a cup."
One minute later, the living room was littered with corpses.
Hyotei was completely wiped out.
Rikkai University wasn't in much better shape either; even Yukimura was leaning against the wall, eyes closed and brows furrowed, it was hard to tell if he was still conscious.
There were also people who had developed a tolerance for the dry juice from years of being punished, like Kikumaru Eiji, who was sprawled out on a beanbag chair, muttering listlessly, "Meow...so many little stars..."
Beside him, Fuji Syusuke was slumped over the table, his shoulders twitching suspiciously.
Looking at the extra-large drink that she had helped modify, Kazuna questioned the beverage provider, "Hey, Kane-kun, isn't this portion a little off?"
Everyone else only drinks about 150ml, but hers looks like it's 300ml! Kazusa hesitated, wondering how likely it was that she would faint on the spot after drinking it.
Before she could reach a conclusion, a hand reached out from the side and stopped the cup.
It's Tezuka.
“I’ll drink it,” he said calmly, looking at Sadaharu Inui.
Sadaharu Inui flashed eight teeth: "Tezuka, this is the first time I've correctly predicted your actions." As he spoke, he handed the drink that was originally prepared for Tezuka to him.
"Wait..." Kanade remembered the materials inside and frowned as she stopped him.
But Tezuka was faster; before she could stop him, he tilted his head back and downed the contents of his cup in one gulp. He put down the cup, his face still calm and composed, without even a furrowed brow.
But Hezai, who was closest to him, could clearly see his hand hanging at his side, his knuckles slightly white.
He was enduring it.
He Zou's heart felt like it had been tugged by something.
She picked up the glass of water in front of her and handed it to him with a hint of urgency: "Have some water."
Tezuka took the cup, drank a few sips, and finally suppressed the dizziness.
In the end, it was unclear how many people were still awake in the living room, but only Tezuka and Kanade remained standing.
Tezuka's calm gaze, tinged with a hint of a smile, swept over the mess before finally settling on Kanade. He said in a low voice, "Melodia, it's getting late. Let's go back."
After the two left the hall—
"Puri~ Hiroshi, if you keep pinching me, my arm will be ruined."
"Hehe, Liu, this dried juice is much more effective than the willow juice."
"This is so unglamorous! Why should I, the great one, have to do this kind of thing?"
"Hehe, isn't this interesting, Xiao Jing?"
—
The corridor was covered with a thick carpet, and the sound of their footsteps only made a heavy thud, but to Hezou's ears, it gave her a sense of peace and tranquility.
She even took the time to observe the intricate pattern on the carpet, which seemed to be acanthus, their branches and leaves intertwined, just like their clasped fingers at that moment.
Noticing her distraction, the person next to her tightened their grip on her hand, as if worried she might fall.
He Zou chuckled softly, her fingertips lightly dancing twice on the back of his warm hand in response.
Their hands were naturally clasped together from the moment they left the living room.
It is a close interlocking of ten fingers.
So this is what his palm looks like. Dry, warm, with thin calluses from years of holding a racket, it's now gently rubbing against her palm.
He Zou's attention shifted from the pattern on the carpet to the lines on his palm.
Neither of them spoke until they passed a room marked "Restroom"—
A soft "click" sounded.
The heavy wooden door closed behind the two of them, completely isolating them from the outside world.
In an instant, all was silent.
Only their clearly audible, somewhat disordered breathing intertwined in the quiet space.
He Zou leaned gently against the cool door panel, looking up at him. Although her breathing was erratic, she couldn't suppress a bright, slightly smug smile: "Now, it's just the two of us."
Tezuka looked down at her, silent and deep in his gaze. His usually cool eyes were now filled with a gentle warmth, reflecting only her.
Under such a pair of eyes, she wondered how she could have thought that holding his hand would be enough.
Humans are indeed all greedy.
He Zou raised her left hand, her fingertips slowly moving up his jawline until they touched his cheek. She blushed and asked with a smile, "Don't you want to hug me?"
How could I not want to?
Feeling the warmth of her fingertips against his cheek, Tezuka's Adam's apple bobbed uncontrollably, and he even unconsciously turned his head to get closer to her fingers.
But he did not act immediately.
“Melodia,” he called her, his voice lower and hoarser than usual. Then he raised his hand and gently took her hand that had touched his cheek in his palm, looking into her eyes with solemnity and apology, “I’m sorry… I thought I should give you a bouquet of flowers first, but I can’t wait.”
As if knowing what he was about to say, He Zou smiled and looked up at him intently, her expression calm and tender.
Tezuka was a little nervous. He knew he wasn't good with words and might not be able to express himself clearly, but she should have a clear and solemn confession.
"I like you."
"Can I be your boyfriend?"
Even knowing what he was going to say, Kanade's heart still softened the moment she heard it.
His ears turned red as he spoke words he felt he wasn't good at, trying his best to give her a proper start, never being perfunctory because of her initiative.
"Okay!" came the reply without hesitation, as if he had prepared it for a long time before he even spoke.
Only after hearing Kazusa's affirmative reply did Tezuka's straight back slowly relax. He bent down, slipped his arms under her ribs, and awkwardly but carefully embraced her.
A tender and affectionate hug.
At that moment, their heartbeats were perfectly synchronized, and their warmth slowly seeped through their clothes, intertwining and sharing a single body temperature. It was as if two perfectly fitting puzzle pieces had come together, as if they were meant to be this way from birth.
"Guoguang".
"Um?"
He Zou turned her head, her lips gently touching his earlobe, whispering sweet nothings between lovers in his burning ear—
I like you. I liked you the first time we met.
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