Chapter 53
I don't think this is an illusion.
It seems like Senior Fuji really likes staring at me.
*
For example, Senior Fuji-san loves to feed me. Mainly because, compared to me, his lunch box often looks extravagant. So, while I'm half-watching, he'll pick up the dishes I like and put them in my lunch box.
Sister Yumiko is simply the only true god and a close friend of mine whom I have never met. Otherwise, how can we explain her superb cooking skills and her ability to accurately make the dishes I like every time?
I thought as I took a bite of a giant shrimp ball covered in cheese.
It was so delicious!! What if I never get to eat such delicious cheese shrimp balls again?!
However, I raised my eyes cautiously and glanced at Senior Fuji, and saw that he was staring at me while eating.
Could it be that there is something strange on my mouth?
I subconsciously reached out to touch it, but there was nothing.
Or is your hair messy?
Neither do I.
I quickly swallowed what I had in my mouth, looked at him and asked, "Zhou Zhu, you've been staring at me... Is there something dirty on my face?"
He shook his head, and did not look away because of what I said. If he was just looking at me secretly, now his gaze could be said to be almost unconcealed, staring straight at my face.
He said: "Because Nana is so cute when she eats, she looks like a little hamster, so I can't help but stare at her."
Hey, hey, hey, what's with that questioning tone at the end?
However, I quickly lowered my head, not daring to look at him, and whispered back, "I'm not like a hamster!"
Damn it! I will never eat with big mouthfuls again!
And like a hamster or something... Doesn't he think my face is too big?!
*
I faced my first official competition in the school debate team, which was a competition with another school for a place in the top four of the regional competition. Although the seniors kept telling us not to be too nervous and to just treat it normally before the game, I still inevitably felt nervous.
The first and fourth debaters were both veteran members of the school team, while the second and third debaters were me and another newcomer who was also selected from the first grade.
Before going on stage, I was so nervous that I drank water like crazy, but I finished it so quickly that I became even more nervous.
Fujiwara, the second debater, was very considerate and handed me a bottle of mineral water. He said, "I bought a dozen bottles of mineral water, so please don't be polite, Koizumi."
I looked at the two empty bottles she had drunk and the pile of unopened mineral water, and fell into silence for a moment. Then, as if we were all wanderers in the world, I patted her shoulder.
"Thank you. Let's go to the bathroom together before we go upstairs later!"
Get a new toilet partner!
The game started and I didn't care about anything else. I listened almost intently to the speeches of my own debater and the opposing debater. I felt that my brain had never been working as fast as it did today.
When it was over, I still felt like I was walking on clouds, with a heavy head and light feet.
Kitajima Airi, who came to watch my game, came over and put her hand on my shoulder, and then I felt a little more real.
The floating body finally returned to the ground.
I sighed madly, "I feel like I just behaved like a fool..."
"No way, that last rebuttal you made to the other debater was so cool, okay?"
She made exaggerated expressions and used her hands and feet to try to create a cool feeling.
"I feel like the person on the other end is completely bewildered by your questions. And, Nana, you're so sweet when you speak English... I feel like my ears, no, my soul, has been cleansed..."
I was getting more and more frustrated. My mind was racing just now, so as soon as I heard the flaw in the other debater's remarks, I immediately refuted them. Now that I think about it, maybe there was a better way to present it...
Damn it! I’ll definitely do it next time!
But, will there really be a next time?
My debate journey won’t end here...
I was thinking anxiously, and with a casual glance, I caught a glimpse of Senior Fuji walking towards me with a camera in the crowd, but he met another senior on the way and was stopped by him to talk.
Why would he come to watch my game? I remember he seemed to have other things to do today and couldn't get away...
Noticing my gaze, Airi also looked over and naturally saw Senior Fuji.
As my deskmate and good friend, she naturally discovered the signs of my relationship with Senior Fuji early on.
But somehow, she didn't seem to like Fuji-senpai very much, or rather, she disliked every man in the world equally, so when she saw him, Ai Li just sneered.
"That Fuji-senpai, his eyes never left Nana, especially when you were speaking at the end. He looked very pleased, as if to say, 'Oh my god, my girlfriend is so amazing!'"
"...Damn it, why am I not a man? Oh no, why don't you like women..."
In the end, I automatically ignored the few words she muttered.
So he was watching the whole thing?
Damn, I feel even more ashamed... I think I slipped up a little bit just now, and I used a few wrong words because I was nervous.
Will he notice?
As I was thinking, Ai Li beside me was quickly attracted by the beauty on the field and left me, and Senior Fuji also broke away from the greetings and conversation and walked straight towards me.
“Crack—”
He took another photo while I was not paying attention.
I immediately got mad like a pufferfish, "Zhou Zhu, you're so ugly! Stop taking pictures!"
It was like this before graduation, although the pictures turned out to be quite cute...
"Nana looks good no matter how she's photographed. She seems like she was born to be a model..."
He can now praise people effortlessly, he's really strong...
I pretended to cough and changed the subject very abruptly, "Zhou Zhu, don't you have an important exam?"
"Yeah, I handed in the paper an hour early."
Hey, hey, hey, could you please not say such horrible things so casually?
I handed in my paper an hour in advance... I think the exam only lasted an hour and forty minutes...
My eyes widened instantly, and before I could react, I heard him add, "After all, this is Nana's first public competition, and I recorded your wonderful speech throughout!"
After saying that, he shook the camera in his hand.
--His eyes really never left Nana's body... He looked very pleased, as if to say, 'Oh my god, my girlfriend is so amazing'...
I suddenly remembered what Ai Li said, and my face felt a little hot.
Especially when the host announced that our Qingxue team had won, when I stood on the stage with other teammates to receive the award, I could clearly see Senior Fuji in the crowd looking at me intently.
The sophomore who was debating first was the first to notice this. As a veteran in the debate team, he certainly knew Senior Fuji, and they had a good relationship. He secretly poked my elbow and signaled me with his eyes to look at Senior Fuji in the audience.
"Wow~ Fuji-senpai has been looking at you..."
The senior sighed teasingly.
Just then he put down his camera and our eyes met.
He smiled faintly, his clear, focused gaze looking straight at me across the bustling crowd, as if...
The whole world can only see me.
Help! ! !
What plot am I imagining...
After the awards were received and the captain finished speaking as a representative, we left the stage one by one.
"That schoolgirl is walking to the right."
Under the teasing gaze of my senior, I could only keep a cool face and act casual as much as possible as I could, and walked off the stage.
Of course, the above can still be explained. Because it is the highlight moment of the game, it seems normal to pay attention to the developments at all times. However, this kind of attention gradually is not limited to these occasions, and even integrated into daily interactions.
Finally, one day when we were leaving school together, I couldn't help but ask, "Zhou Zhu, why are you looking at me?"
There was a hint of complaint in my tone.
After all, I always feel like someone is looking at me, and I feel like I can't even walk anymore... Well, actually, I'm just worried that I can't control my expression well. What if I accidentally show a ferocious expression and Fuji-senpai sees it...
Seeing my resentful look, he touched my head with his backhand. His movement was as natural as stroking his own furry kitten, and he was already able to stroke its fur with ease.
Well, it’s quite comfortable to be patted on the head.
But I still glared at him, as if to tell him to explain himself or I would be angry.
He gave me an apologetic look, "Because when I think about the time I'll have to see Nana less after graduation, I can't help but look at her a few more times..."
I was stunned. I never expected this to be the reason.
It is already autumn and winter, and in a few months it will be time for the third grade graduation.
When Senior Fuji officially graduates, I guess we won’t be able to eat and read together in the teaching building during lunch break like we do now, and walk home together after school in the evening... Plus he has to play professional games, so I guess it will be difficult for us to even have the same time on weekends.
Indeed...
Seeing that I didn't say anything, Senior Fuji over there continued, "If Nana doesn't like it, I will control myself a little..."
"No need to control yourself! You're absolutely right! If you don't hurry up and see what's happening now, there won't be many opportunities like this again!"
Fuji Shusuke:?
Although it was what he wanted to hear, what was with the girl's expression of sudden enlightenment, as if she had suddenly realized something and made up her mind?
"So, I want to see Zhou Zhu as much as possible!"
After saying that, I stared back unwillingly.
Fuji Shusuke: “…”
I still find it hard to understand her overly unconventional thinking.
but--
I like it very much.
I like the way a girl’s eyes are filled with me.
So, we looked at each other for a long time, and finally, Senior Fuji showed a defeated expression, and turned his eyes away in panic, looking forward.
"Nana, we can't just stand there...passersby will stare at us as weird people~"
He kindly reminded.
Without hesitation, I proposed a solution, "That's okay, Zhou will help you watch the road and I'll watch you."
“…”
He was silent again.
It seemed like he didn't expect me to answer like this.
I hesitated and continued, "Hey? Zhou Zhu, your palms are sweating. Are they really hot? Why don't you let go of them first..."
Well, his ears are a little red too.
It shouldn't be hot...it's...
So I shut up appropriately.
Hey, Fuji-senpai is so cute!
*
Before Fuji-senpai graduated, we went to the Spring Festival together. Actually, it was our first time to attend such a grand gathering together.
Aunt Hayami prepared a new kimono for me for the festival early on.
The light gold background is decorated with colorful patterns of flowers, birds and fish, and paired with a plain white waist belt with gold embroidery, the whole person looks very gorgeous and full of vitality.
Aunt Hayami also helped me put my hair back and put a headpiece with peach blossom tassels on the right side.
"If Nana doesn't move or talk, she's really as delicate as a doll..."
Aunt Hayami sighed.
In the past, Aunt Hayami was busy traveling around the world and had almost no time to attend such an event with me. This was the first time we spent the Spring Festival together, so Aunt Hayami closed her business for a day and changed into a very beautiful red kimono to go to the festival with me.
I feel that Aunt Hayami in her bright red kimono also has the feeling of a mature, beautiful and queen... Especially when compared with my elementary school chicken figure, it's a bit tragic.
By the way, why is Aunt Hayami so tall (176cm) but I am so short (160cm)... Damn it!
The two of us came to the entrance of the festival and saw Mr. Yajing from afar. He was holding the hand of Angel, a girl with two pigtails tied with bows and wearing a little dress, and she was clamoring to buy cotton candy.
Mr. Yajing was dressed in a suit and tie, looking like a social elite. He didn't seem to be attending a memorial service, but rather waiting for a flight at the airport, the kind of person who could easily make a few million yuan on a phone call...
I glanced at Aunt Hayami and saw that her expression of surprise was even greater than mine. I immediately understood that Mr. Yajing was really pursuing me...
Angel, who had just received the marshmallow, rolled his eyes and looked around for something fun. He saw us at a glance and ran towards me on his short legs.
"Ah! It's Nana-nee and Hayami-nee!"
She suddenly threw herself into my arms, blinking her beautiful eyes at me and Aunt Hayami.
"Oh, sister" made Auntie Hayami so happy that she couldn't help but bend down and pinch her fair and tender little face.
"The little guy is so sweet."
"It's all thanks to my father's teaching."
She spoke in a quirky way and licked a piece of marshmallow.
"And thanks to this sweet marshmallow!"
Aunt Hayami and I were instantly amused, and at this time Mr. Yajing also came over.
"What a coincidence, I can actually meet you here."
When he said this, he stared at Aunt Hayami with an expression of surprise.
I'm afraid it's not a coincidence at all... I was thinking about it when Angel tugged at my sleeve. I immediately understood and lowered my head. She stood on tiptoe and leaned close to my ear and said,
"Dad is lying. He came here on purpose to wait and see my sister early."
I:"……"
Why don't you lower your voice? The whole world can hear you!
However, even though his daughter had exposed his mistake, Mr. Yajing did not show any special emotion on his face. He just smiled and invited Aunt Hayami to go with him to pay tribute.
Aunt Hayami glanced at Angel and me. Without saying anything, I immediately understood what she meant and took Angel's hand to leave.
"Then you guys go shopping. Angel and I are going to play somewhere else first!"
"Be careful, Nana!"
Aunt Zaomi waved at me and smiled charmingly, as if everything was under control.
I suddenly remembered the meme picture on the Internet - poor Tom Cat... Oh no, poor Mr. Yajing was just being played around like that (no)
*
Angel and I went to the most classic activity of the festival - scooping goldfish.
However, I am not a good fish. I tried to catch fish no less than five times but still came back empty-handed. Angel on the other side seemed to get the hang of it after the first two failures. He caught a small goldfish on the third try and was showing off to me by holding up a transparent water bag containing the goldfish.
"Sister Nana, you're so stupid!"
You are stupid! Your whole family is stupid!
I secretly complained in my heart, but then I noticed someone in the crowd, who immediately showed a smug smile.
"It's okay, I'll shake it."
Senior Fuji arrived late.
He was wearing a gray-blue striped kimono, which made his skin look as smooth as jade. His handsome face had a perfect smile on it, and his hair was light, which showed his cold and calm temperament, like a nobleman who walked out of an ancient painting.
To be honest, I was stunned for a moment.
When I came to my senses, he was already in front of me, with a hint of surprise in his eyes, "Sorry, I'm late. I was helping Sister Yumiko."
I immediately came to my senses and shook my head, "It's okay, we just got here not long ago."
As soon as I finished speaking, Angel next to me immediately contradicted me, "No way, handsome brother, we've been here for half an hour! Nana and I still haven't caught a single fish!"
Senior Fuji glanced at me with a hint of teasing in his eyes. I immediately touched my nose guiltily and looked away, "That fishing net breaks too easily!"
I'd already told Senior Bu Er about Angel in a text message, and he said it was perfectly fine with him having an extra "little burden." That kid was also obsessed with looks, and the moment he saw Senior Bu Er, he couldn't take his eyes off him, calling him "brother" first and "brother" second, making me look like an outsider.
Oh, that’s not right. I was originally an outsider, and so was Senior Fuji!
However, I can also act silly and cute.
So I immediately tugged at his clothes, pouted, and pointed at the fat goldfish in the pond, "Brother~ I want that goldfish! Brother, you are such a good person, and so handsome, you can definitely help me catch it~"
After saying that, she blinked her right eye and gave him a sticky wink...
Angel was stunned. The most important thing was that the handsome brother actually fell for it. He rolled up his sleeves with a very satisfied look and prepared to catch goldfish for the girl.
So now all the handsome guys are into this?
The goldfish I liked was very special. It had a red spot on its back that looked like a flower. But because it was heavier than the other goldfish and the paper net of the fishing net was too fragile, the goldfish easily broke through the paper net and escaped with a slight struggle.
So, it’s not because my hands are too clumsy, it’s because the fish is too fat!
only--
"Wow, big brother caught it with just one scoop... so awesome, so awesome, so awesome!"
Amgel jumped up excitedly and applauded.
I showed a subtle expression.
No, as a goldfish, do you really want to do something like choosing the right dish based on the food you eat?
Damn it!!!
It was not until the boss packed the fat goldfish and handed it to Senior Fuji, who then raised the water bag and shook it in front of me, that I came to my senses angrily and took the water bag from his hand.
"It must be because I persevered and worked tirelessly to get it out the first five times, until it was so tired that it had no strength to struggle or resist, that Zhou Zhu was able to pull it out successfully!"
The more I talked about it, the more I felt that it was true. I nodded repeatedly, almost believing it myself. "Yes, that's right, it must be like that. I'm really amazing!"
He also agreed seriously, "Yeah, it's really Nana's credit, that's great~"
The tone was like that of an adult coaxing a child.
By the way, her father usually uses the same tone when coaxing her and dealing with her. It can't be said that they are 70% or 80% similar, but it can be said that they are exactly the same.
And the only real child present—
Angel was puzzled: Am I also a part of your play?
However, he was so handsome that she couldn't help but be infatuated with him for a while.
"Handsome brother, do you have..." a girlfriend?
Before she could finish her words, she was interrupted by Sister Nana.
"I have a girlfriend. Yes, it's me. You don't stand a chance, little Angel~"
As she spoke, Nana-san took the other person's hand as if to show off.
Oh, the kind where we hold hands tightly.
And the moment this smiling older brother took Nana's hand, the slight sense of triumph that leaked from his lips was caught by her who had been paying close attention to their interaction...
Tsk, it turns out that the big brother is still a white glutinous rice ball with sesame base.
Then she suddenly realized -
It’s over, I really became a part of his play!
*
Senior Fuji brought a camera with him and acted as a photographer, taking pictures of Angel and me crazily. Occasionally, he would ask passers-by for help and take photos with us.
It felt like a family of three out for fun, if you didn't consider our actual ages.
It feels a bit subtle.
In particular, I feel like Fuji-senpai seems to automatically bring in some strange characters, such as Angel’s cheap, disposable dad.
The little girl was not shy either. She called senior brother left and right and dragged senior brother Fuji to play various games.
What a little kid.
Just then, when he saw the teddy bear toy hanging on the wall of the gambling stall, he couldn't move his legs or walk, and he pulled at the corner of Senior Fuji's clothes and shouted softly that he wanted the toy.
Senior Fuji readily agreed and gave me his camera for temporary safekeeping.
With nothing to do, I turned on my camera and took a few pictures of him.
But when I opened the camera, I somehow clicked on the photo album.
I don't want to sneak a peek at his photo album. I just want to look at the photos I just took and appreciate my own beauty.
However, Fuji-senpai is really good at taking pictures. It feels like every photo can be taken separately and produced directly as the original picture. It’s really great to have a boyfriend who is so good at taking pictures!
The more I flipped through the pages, the happier I became. I was even thinking about which ones to post on my Moments...
The result was that I flipped through the pages and came across photos from a long time ago.
Then he was stunned.
One, two, three, four... I don’t know how many photos I flipped through, front, back, side, and far away... but the protagonist of each photo is me without exception.
It was just over a year ago.
But the problem is, I didn’t know Senior Fuji at that time?
I looked up in disbelief and happened to meet the gaze of Fuji-senpai, who was holding a huge teddy bear in his arms.
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