Chapter 37
I almost ran away from the scene.
After realizing my situation and position, my whole body froze. The subconscious action caused by the unstable center of gravity made me hold the other person tightly with both hands, leaving no gap.
The boy's almost scorching body temperature and strong heartbeat were transmitted to me in a powerful manner, clear and completely impossible to ignore.
"School girl, are you okay?"
His voice came from above my head, and there was a hint of indescribable secret smile in his tone of concern.
It must be because I’m so clumsy that he laughed at me... Damn it!
I quickly let go of Senior Fuji's arm as if I had been electrocuted, and took two steps back to create some distance between us.
"No, it's okay! Sorry, I didn't mean to..."
I lowered my head, not daring to look at him.
But I clearly felt a strong gaze fixed on my head.
For a moment, a feeling of shame and embarrassment took over my heart, and my mind was full of only one thought -
Run away!
Even when senior Jincun excitedly asked me if I wanted to see a freshly developed Polaroid photo, I refused without hesitation. I couldn't imagine what I would look like in that photo, but I thought it would definitely be very funny and stiff.
So out of sight, out of mind...
So I made the excuse that I had to catch a bus home and jogged away from that suffocating place.
It was not until I had run several hundred meters and felt that the vision had completely disappeared that I slowly stopped, found a tree to lean on, and gasped for breath.
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
When I heard this voice, I was startled. I turned around and saw Echizen Ryoma, and immediately complained,
"Longma, why are you walking without making any sound..."
"What...I didn't hear you because your breathing was too loud..."
His voice gradually faded away.
He was a little hesitant to recognize me when he saw my back from a distance. But when I turned around, he saw my face clearly and was stunned for a long time. Then he said after a long while:
"Why did you paint your face like a monkey?"
My heart suddenly dropped to the ground, and I put on a perfect sneer on my face, then waved at him.
He came closer with some confusion, thinking I was going to tell him some secret.
Then the next second, I reached out and scratched his face.
He covered his face and took a few steps back, "Why are you scratching my face?"
Me: “Because I am a monkey.”
Indifferencejpg.
Damn it! I shouldn’t have cut my nails!
But then again, the smell of Fuji-senpai... is so familiar...
I belatedly remembered this, and to resolve my inner doubts, I raised my hand and began to sniff left and right. I don't use perfume, and this dress was newly purchased by Senior Jincun specifically for the charity sale, so aside from the residual smell of detergent, there shouldn't be any other odor.
But now it has a little more flavor.
It was the elegant scent of pine, which came from Senior Fuji.
So, this fragrance is the same as the one I smelled on the rooftop at that time, and at that time, Senior Fuji also came to the rooftop and put down the milk. But if he just put down the milk, how could I have this smell on me?
That obviously requires being very, very close to be possible...
Thinking of the possibility, I immediately covered my mouth in surprise, but my heart started pounding.
No way, no way, no way?!
Echizen Ryoma watched my solo performance from beginning to end and asked in confusion, "What's wrong with you? You seem weird..."
I gathered my scattered emotions, tried hard to suppress my restless heart, and began to act pitiful to Echizen Ryoma in a serious tone, "I was really miserable today. Not only did I have to endure the hardship of studying all day at school, but after school, the seniors from the club dragged me to a charity sale to perform. We stayed there for several hours, my legs are numb, and I didn't even get a glass of water... Someone as kind as you, Ryoma, would definitely buy me a soda, right?!"
“…”
After all this talk, it turns out he just wanted to buy him a bottle of soda... Echizen Ryoma pressed his hat, clicked his tongue, and then spoke:
"Tsk, it's just a bottle of soda... Let's go."
After the soda was bought and finished, and everyone went their separate ways, Echizen Ryoma realized belatedly that—
No, what does it have to do with him if she is very tired and wants to drink water?
*
On the weekend, I had planned to go to a high-end restaurant for a buffet with Aunt Hayami, but Aunt Hayami said she was busy taking care of the store and couldn't leave. She suggested that I find a good friend to go with me and not waste the ticket.
So I invited Sister Xiong instead and picked out a gift for her as a thank you for the study plan she had made for me.
Sister Xiong also readily agreed.
Although Sister Xiong and I have known each other since junior high school, Sister Xiong's parents are very strict, and her weekdays and weekends are almost always packed with various courses. So this is the first time for the two of us to go out shopping and eating on the weekend like ordinary good friends.
Because it was a high-end restaurant, I deliberately wore a lotus pink ruffled dress today. Holding a bouquet of flowers in my hand, I stood at the door of Poirot Cafe waiting for Sister Xiong to come to me.
Two minutes later, a black extended version of the LinX sedan stopped in front of me.
At first I didn't think it was anything special, thinking it was just a stop, until the car door opened and a handsome guy in a black tuxedo, whom I had only seen in TV dramas, got out of the car and bowed slightly to me.
"Miss, please get in the car."
What?! Is my long-lost Asian millionaire grandfather here to find me? (No)
As my pupils trembled violently, the back window slowly rolled down, and Sister Xiong's face, looking at me like an idiot, appeared before me. She said, "Nana, get in the car quickly!... Why are you looking at me with such strange eyes?"
I swallowed, as if I was getting to know Sister Xiong for the first time, and it took me a long time to find my voice.
"Rich woman, hungry..."
Sister Xiong interrupted me with a smile, "Shut up and get in the car!"
"Okay~"
After getting in the car, I handed the flowers and gifts to Sister Xiong. The handsome man in the tuxedo was the driver of Sister Xiong's family. There was also a serious-looking man in a suit sitting on the passenger seat. He was said to be the bodyguard responsible for Sister Xiong's daily travel safety.
Only then did I truly feel the meaning of Sister Xiong's last name - Atobe.
"So Sister Xiong, you are really from the Atobe family..."
"What else... Nana, you're so thick-skinned. We've been classmates for three years..."
"Hey, hey, hey, most people wouldn't dare to imagine that their classmate and friend is actually such a super-rich person, right?!"
She held the flowers I had wrapped herself, leaned over to take a deep sniff, then carefully placed them on an empty space aside and went to open my gift.
The gift was a simple oil painting I made myself. The person in the painting was Sister Xiong wearing sportswear on the playground. Although my painting skills were so poor that it was impossible to tell that it was Sister Xiong herself, I was very considerate and drew an arrow next to the character, marking it as "Atobe Bear is here."
I figured Sister Xiong, with her family being so wealthy, should have everything expensive, but of course, I couldn't afford anything. However, Sister Xiong seemed to love the painting, repeatedly rubbing the rough, uneven texture of the canvas.
“Thank you, I love this painting.”
She paused, then added,
“Although you can’t tell it’s me.”
"Sister Xiong, there's no need to add the second half of the sentence..."
However, although Sister Xiong said these words of disdain and criticism, the corners of her mouth actually rose slightly.
Seeing this, I suddenly remembered a sentence -
"I haven't seen the young lady smile like this for many years."
Hearing this, she rolled her eyes at me and asked, "Are you sick?"
*
In short, we chatted and laughed all the way to the CBD in the city. The high-altitude revolving restaurant we were going to was located on the top floor of the tallest building.
I have rarely been to this kind of high-end restaurant, and I didn't know that you have to make an appointment in advance even to have a buffet in this kind of restaurant. So when we arrived at the restaurant door happily, the waiter told us that someone had booked the whole place today, so we couldn't go in.
Me: Huh???
After failing to negotiate with the waiter, I turned to look at Sister Xiong, who, as expected, gave me a helpless look.
"Forget it, Nana, why don't we go eat somewhere else..."
She suggested.
Although I was a little unwilling, it was my fault after all for not calling in advance to inquire about the reservation. But when I was about to leave with Sister Xiong, a purple-haired boy happened to come in and was a little surprised to see Sister Xiong.
"Atobe Bear?"
Sister Xiong and I looked at the newcomer at the same time. The boy was tall and slender, with gray-purple hair, middle-parted bangs that parted on both sides, and slightly curled hair ends, revealing a handsome face. There was a gorgeous teardrop mole under the deep blue corner of his eye. Even if he was wearing an ordinary sportswear, it was difficult to conceal his elegance and nobility.
What a beautiful person... My eyes were wide open looking at her.
It seems that all the good-looking people I meet recently are tennis players. Looking at the sportswear he was wearing, I suddenly had a bad feeling.
Sister Xiong glanced at him, then quickly rolled her eyes. "Why do I keep running into you everywhere?"
"You didn't even call me brother when we met, Atobe Kuma. I think I have to suggest that your uncle give you another etiquette lesson..."
elder brother?
Then isn't he also...
Sure enough, the boy in front of him was Kuma's cousin, Keigo Atobe, who was currently a third-year student at Hyotei Academy High School and also the captain of Hyotei's tennis club (as expected).
The young man in front of him booked this restaurant. It was said that he was going to play the regional qualifier of the national competition against St. Rudolph today, so he booked this place for a celebratory dinner.
As for why they held a celebration banquet before the battle, Atobe Keigo explained that—
"Under my leadership, Ice Emperor will only achieve a magnificent victory!"
Such embarrassing and childish lines!
However, after learning about our situation, Keigo Atobe very generously greeted the waiter, who then made a 180-degree turn in his attitude and invited us to dine at the booth inside with enthusiasm, almost flatteringly.
Is this the power of money?!
*
Atobe Keigo didn't expect to meet his cousin Atobe Kuma, who always had a cold face and did things in a methodical manner, here. He helped her without thinking. Anyway, he had already booked the entire restaurant, so two more or two less would not make much, so he let them in.
After he finished dealing with the matter at the door, as soon as he walked inside, Yuushi Oshitari, who had arrived early, spoke up: "I seemed to see your cousin and a girl outside just now?"
"Ah, yes, that guy seems to be out to eat with friends."
Hearing this, Yuushi Ozuki was a little surprised, "Oh, she finally made friends... But..."
He paused for a moment, glanced past Atobe and looked behind him, then said meaningfully, "Given your cousin's personality, she would be very sad if she was deceived again..."
When she was young, Kuma Atobe was deceived by a so-called good friend. Knowing that she was from the Atobe family, the other party pretended to be good friends with her. In fact, the friend wanted to please the Atobe family so as to help her family obtain the resources of the Atobe family. They were not very clear about the specific details of the incident. They only knew that after the incident was exposed, Kuma Atobe changed her personality and became less sociable.
Not only did he move away from his family, he even deliberately avoided Hyotei and went to a lesser-known school for junior high school.
Atobe Keigo frowned and turned to follow Oshitari's gaze. The black-haired girl who was with Atobe Kuma just now was walking towards them.
What was she going to do? Take this opportunity to come over and chat with them?
If that's the case, then her purpose in approaching Atobe Kuma...
"that....."
I felt a little embarrassed, especially when I felt the boy's overly sharp and scrutinizing gaze falling on my face, I subconsciously looked away.
However, this hesitant posture gave Atobe Keigo a different feeling.
A hint of impatience flashed in the boy's eyes. Just as he was about to speak, the shy black-haired girl in front of him suddenly took out two bills and handed them to him.
Two buffet meal tickets with a large slogan of 100,000 yen printed on them.
Atobe Keigo:?
"Hey, these two buffet tickets are for you! I agreed to treat Sister Xiong to this meal, so please accept them! They're really important to me!"
I mustered up the courage to say it, and then seeing that the other party looked very reluctant to accept it, I stuffed it into his hand without saying anything.
"Here's the ticket. Senior Atobe can come back and eat with his important friends!"
I blinked and offered the suggestion quite sincerely.
Then, regardless of his reaction, he quickly returned to Sister Xiong's table and began to order food with peace of mind.
Atobe Keigo:........
No, when have the Atobe family ever used meal coupons when dining out?!
“Puff——”
Yuushi Oshizu couldn't help laughing out loud. When Atobe Keigo's tolerance value was about to fall to negative, he finally restrained himself and looked at the girl who was concentrating on ordering food with the waiter not far away, and sighed,
"I feel like the allure of a buffet is a little greater than the name Atobe Keigo... Atobe, it seems you're mistaken~"
"Yushi, you were the one who initially raised doubts and warnings... How did it become like I misunderstood?"
You are God, you are also the devil, you have said everything!
*
After a hearty meal with Sister Xiong at the restaurant, we decided to go for a walk to help digest the food. Just then, Keigo Atobe and his teammates were about to leave, so he invited us to watch their game.
I thought about it and I didn’t really want to go, but this time, Ice Emperor was competing against St. Rudolph, where my relatives and friends were. I hesitated for a moment, but finally agreed after getting Sister Xiong’s consent.
Of course, I still took the same extended Lamborghini that brought Sister Xiong and me here.
Because we didn't set out with Atobe and his group, we got lost for a while after arriving at the competition venue. In the end, we slowly arrived at the venue following the signs in the park.
The game is already underway.
When I was about to find a seat in the audience seats to rest, I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure passing by in the outfield.
That figure from behind seems to be Fuji-senpai...
But who is the girl next to him who looks like a great beauty just by looking at her back?
"Nana?"
While I was thinking, my relatives and friends had already noticed me outside the crowd and ran towards me with excitement on their faces.
He was sweating profusely and his sportswear was soaked with sweat. It seemed that he had finished the race.
"Friends and family, how was your competition? Did everything go well?"
He scratched his head sheepishly. "I luckily won that match, but things aren't looking good for Senior Guanyue's match right now... So, did you come specially to see me... uh, to watch the game?"
I shook my head and smiled, "I just stopped by to help digest the food after dinner... But congratulations, dear friend!"
He chuckled twice and looked at me as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Sister Xiong on the side seemed to notice something, and she pulled me over and whispered, "Nana, don't forget what I told you..."
I asked back, “What?”
She glared at me with a look of disappointment and whispered, "Don't have a man in your heart, just study the natural god! Don't forget your dream of becoming a lawyer at the University of Tokyo..."
I was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized, "Sister Xiong, this has nothing to do with anything. He is my relative and friend, and the relationship between us is just a pure comradeship!"
You treat others as pure friends and relatives, but they may not think so... Look at the boy in front of you, his wheat-colored skin is healthy and firm, but at this moment it is red because of nervousness and shyness, and he looks a little darker.
This is a confession right away...
Before she could finish her thought, she heard the boy in front of her say—
"Um... Nana, I wanted to ask you something. Could you please be my partner?"
Huh? Is being so direct popular these days?
Sister Xiong was horrified.
And I was also shocked: ! !
"Friends, you, you, you, you, what are you talking about?!"
Perhaps startled by my violent reaction, Fuji Yuta looked a little flustered, and he immediately stammered to explain, "No, that's not what I meant... It's just that you know Souler? They're having a couple event recently. If you check in for 30 days, you can redeem a Fuminota Oji standee... That's why I wanted to ask you if you want to team up and win that prize."
I:!
It’s a Tai O stand! !
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
