Chapter 2
The little incident on the tennis court that day was quickly forgotten by me.
As a transfer student who has just arrived in Japan, the most important thing is to adapt to the new environment and become familiar with the procedures.
I completed all the admission procedures smoothly and got my own Hyotei Academy uniform and textbooks.
"Class H..." Looking at the class division notice, I raised my eyebrows in understanding.
Transfer students are usually placed in classes at the bottom of the grade, which is logical.
As I walked into the second-year H classroom with my schoolbag on my back, I could feel some curious eyes on me. I walked up to the podium and gave a concise and clear self-introduction in fluent Japanese:
"Hello everyone, I'm a transfer student from China, my name is Kiriyama Hakure. Please advise me."
The tone was calm, neither trying to please nor being overly distant.
After the introduction, I sat down in the seat designated by the teacher, took out my textbook, and prepared to embrace a new learning life.
After I sat down, the students around me gradually withdrew their gazes, and the classroom returned to its normal sense of order.
And somewhere near the window in the classroom, a blue-haired boy wearing frameless glasses, with a lazy yet somewhat shrewd temperament, was looking at me with interest.
Oshitari pushed up his glasses, his eyes behind the lenses filled with amusement and inquiry.
It turned out to be her...
He recalled the earth-shattering scene on the tennis court that day.
The girl who dared to tell Tezuka "If you're a noob, practice more" and then simply ignored him and left, unexpectedly ended up in the same class with him.
Inuzuka calmly took out his cell phone, switched it to silent mode, and using the cover of the textbook, he very naturally took a photo of her profile as she concentrated on reading. With a "click", he took a photo.
In the photo, the girl lowered her head slightly, the sunlight shining through the window danced on the ends of her hair, her expression was calm and serious, and there was no trace of the "silent edge" she had when facing Atobe that day.
With a flick of the finger, he skillfully opened the address book, found the contact named "Atobe Keigo", and sent the photo without hesitation. The accompanying text was concise but packed with information:
[Oshitari Yuushi]: Atobe, the person you're looking for. The new Chinese transfer student, Kiriyama Hakure, has been assigned to our class. He seems much calmer than the first "glimpse" he gave me.
At the same time, in a separate space in Hyotei Academy that was too luxurious to look like a student lounge, Atobe Keigo was sipping black tea elegantly.
The phone made a soft "ding" sound and the screen lit up.
He glanced at it casually, and when he saw that the sender was Yuushi Oshizuka and that there was a photo attached, his eyes narrowed instantly. He put down the exquisite bone china teacup and swiped the screen with his slender fingers.
The photo appeared clearly in front of me, and it was the bold girl from that day.
Unlike her vigilance and hidden anger on the court, she was wearing a brand new Hyotei uniform in the photo, sitting quietly in the classroom. Her profile was soft, her eyes focused on the book, and with the sunlight shining down, she exuded a tranquil bookish air.
This formed a strange contrast with the outspoken and quick-witted image in his memory.
Atobe's fingertips tapped lightly on the screen, his sharp eyes scanning every detail of the photo.
Class H? The last class?
His eyebrows twitched imperceptibly.
Inuzaka's words "You look much calmer" seemed more like a deliberate teasing, reminding him of that "uneasy" first encounter.
A low chuckle escaped his throat.
Peace? That's just an appearance.
How could someone who could say such words and react like that in front of him, Keigo Atobe, be truly "calm" at heart?
Class H, Year 2?
very good.
He tapped his fingertips and replied to Oshitari:
Atobe Keigo: Yeah. Got it.
Just a few words made Yuushi Ozaki, who received the reply, push his glasses and reveal a meaningful smile that said "As expected".
Atobe put down his phone and picked up his tea again, his gaze seeming to penetrate the wall and land on the classroom called "Class H." His eyes burned with a hunting light and a hint of excitement at meeting a worthy opponent.
Found you, courageous transfer student lady.
Just as the name "Wist Mountain Hidden" implies, the transfer student naturally possesses a hazy, cold and elusive beauty.
The classical phoenix eyes are slightly upturned, with a calm and distant look in their movements; the long hair like ink-black satin falls softly, contrasting with the delicate fair skin; the tall figure wearing the well-fitting uniform of Bingdi shows a graceful and elegant temperament.
When not talking, sitting quietly by the window reading a book or gazing into the distance, the picture is like a quiet ink painting, with the ethereal and mysterious feeling of "mist shrouding distant mountains".
Such appearance and temperament quickly caused a sensation in Hyotei Academy, which emphasizes refinement and vitality, like a clear mountain spring.
The discussion about "the icy beauty transfer student from China in Class H of the second year" quietly spread among the boys.
The name "Wushanyin" itself is full of poetry and imagination, adding to the sense of mystery.
Soon, this attention turned into concrete action.
All kinds of love letters began to appear in desk drawers, side pockets of school bags, and even when I was "accidentally" bumped into them and stuffed into my hands while passing by the corridor.
The envelopes have different designs, some are exquisite, some are clumsy, and the handwriting is either beautiful or sloppy, but without exception they express the young people's ignorant or bold admiration.
Looking at another letter in my hand that still had some body temperature, probably a love letter from a boy whose palms were sweating with nervousness, I felt nothing in my heart and even wanted to sigh.
Such boring behavior...
I complained silently in my heart.
This stereotyped way of expression, this impulse based solely on appearance, is both childish and insincere. I have no interest in this kind of campus love game.
So, just like he did with the previous few letters, he was too lazy to even open them. He just threw them accurately, and the letter containing the young man's thoughts drew a small arc and fell into the trash can in the corner of the classroom with a "click".
The action was quick and decisive, without any hesitation, as if what was thrown away was just an insignificant piece of waste paper.
His face still had that calm expression, and what he just threw away was not a love letter, but a fallen leaf.
This scene happened to be seen by Yuushi Oshitari who was sitting not far away.
He pushed up his glasses, his eyes flickering with a complex glint behind them. Surprise, amusement, and a hint of "as expected" understanding. He calmly pulled out his phone again.
Almost at the same time, Keigo Atobe's phone screen lit up.
Shinobi's message was clear and concise:
[Oshitari Yuushi]: Latest intelligence. Her reputation as an icy beauty is well-deserved. Today's love letter has been accurately thrown into the trash. Operation codename: Fallen Leaves Return to Their Roots? (laughs)
Atobe looked at the message, his fingertips tapping on the table, making a crisp sound.
The image of the girl named Kiriyama Hakure appearing before his eyes, with her pretty but cold face, casually throwing away the love letter.
Calm? Oh, beneath this calm lies complete indifference and disdain.
This aroused Mr. Atobe's interest, or desire to conquer, more than any intense reaction.
He hummed softly, his gorgeous voice carrying a hint of displeasure at being challenged and a stronger interest.
"In my Hyotei's case, I've received countless love letters, but I treat them like old shoes..." He stroked his teardrop mole, his eyes sharp as an eagle's. "It seems that Kiriyama-san didn't take the 'misunderstanding' on the tennis court to heart at all."
How could this be possible? How could the Ice Emperor be so completely ignored?
twice!
One time, the provocation on the court was rejected.
One was her indifference to other people's feelings at this moment - as if she was silently mocking everyone, including him, Keigo Atobe.
A strong urge surged in my heart.
He stood up, his movements brimming with undeniable determination. His gorgeous silver-gray hair lifted slightly as he moved. He casually picked up his coat, which was draped over the back of a chair, and draped it neatly over his shoulders.
"It seems I need to go to Class H myself." A determined look appeared on the corner of Atobe's mouth, his eyes blazing. "Let her remember what a 'gorgeous misunderstanding' is."
Class H, Year 2.
The lunch break had just passed and there was still a hint of laziness in the classroom.
I was sorting through my notes for the next class, surrounded by the hushed conversations of my classmates. Suddenly, without warning, the entire classroom seemed to have been muted, and all the noisy sounds vanished in an instant.
A suffocatingly powerful presence enveloped the entire space without warning.
I raised my head in confusion and looked towards the classroom door following everyone's shocked and awed gaze.
I saw Keigo Atobe standing there with an elegant posture.
His tall figure leaned against the door frame, his uniform jacket casually draped over his shoulders, his hair shining almost blindingly in the light filtering through the doorway.
He put his hands in his trouser pockets, raised his chin slightly, and his deep gray-blue eyes were fixed on me accurately and with absolute oppression.
The classroom was so silent that even the sound of breathing could be heard clearly.
Everyone was stunned by the sudden "arrival of the emperor".
Atobe Keigo ignored all the glances directed at him, his gaze fixed solely on me. He walked in with long strides, oblivious to the surroundings.
His shiny leather shoes made a clear and rhythmic "tap, tap" sound on the floor, and every step seemed to strike at the hearts of everyone. His powerful aura made the students passing by subconsciously hold their breath and automatically make way for him.
He finally stopped in front of my desk.
He looked down at me, his presence so strong that I could almost feel the heat from him.
"Kiyama Hide." He spoke, his gorgeous voice was particularly clear in the silent classroom, carrying an unquestionable declaration.
He leaned forward slightly, moving closer. His eyes, which could see through people's hearts, locked onto me tightly, and the corners of his mouth curled up in an extremely aggressive yet absolutely confident arc.
"It seems you're very busy," he said, glancing meaningfully at the trash can in the corner of the classroom. Although we couldn't see the love letter inside, everyone knew what he meant. Then he focused on my face again, and spoke in a long, teasing and forceful tone, "Busy dealing with those... 'boring' things?"
He stood up, his posture still elegant, but his eyes were filled with the light of a hunter, and he declared clearly word by word:
"However, I don't have time to play those childish games with you. I'm here to remind you—"
His voice paused slightly, with a strong and irresistible tone, like a declaration of ownership:
"It's time to settle that 'gorgeous misunderstanding' between us."
"Wushanyin, I'm here to collect a debt."
The entire H class fell into a deathly silence. Everyone's minds were completely blanked by this explosive declaration.
Looking at the silver-haired boy in front of me who was forcefully declaring "debt collection" and the almost frozen awe-inspiring eyes of his classmates around him, I did feel a bit of a headache.
He is indeed a man of the hour…trouble.
I made a quick judgment in my heart.
I just transferred to this school not long ago, and I just want to spend this period of study peacefully. I don’t want to be involved in any unnecessary disputes, especially with a guy who looks like he is not easy to deal with and has a large group of supporters following him.
Since he is so upset about the misunderstanding of "If you are not good at it, practice more", then just apologize.
For me, apologizing is just a way to resolve problems and avoid subsequent troubles. It has nothing to do with dignity or shame.
So, under the oppressive gaze of Keigo Atobe, I raised my head, my face still with that calm and indifferent expression, as if his "debt collection" declaration just now did not stir up any waves in my heart.
I looked directly into his deep, piercing eyes, and spoke in a clear, steady tone, with a touch of businesslike distance:
"Excuse me, Atobe-san."
"I misunderstood and was verbally offensive on the tennis court."
"I'm sorry for hurting your dignity."
"Is this okay?"
The apology was straightforward, without any hesitation, fear, or even a hint of humility. It was like stating an objective fact and offering what I believed to be the most efficient solution.
After saying that, he even tilted his head slightly, with a hint of inquiry, as if to say: I've received your apology, can you end this farce and leave?
“…”
The entire H class became even more silent.
If the arrival of Atobe just now brought about a silence of awe, then at this moment, it was a state of shock that froze the soul.
Everyone looked at me in disbelief, something like:
You actually apologized like that?! To Atobe Sama?!
In such a... calm, even perfunctory tone? !
Yuushi Ozuki's eyes behind his glasses widened for a moment, and then the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up into an extremely playful arc.
Wonderful! So wonderful! He almost clapped in his heart.
This Kiriyama-san really took every step that Mr. Atobe least expected.
She simply didn't understand, or didn't care at all. Her "problem-solving" apology was more hurtful to the proud Atobe than rejection and indifference.
The expression on Keigo Atobe's face completely froze the moment I opened my mouth to apologize.
He had anticipated many of her reactions—a stubborn rebuttal, a calm defense, even a fearful retreat...but he had never imagined that it would be such a calm apology, like brushing off a speck of dust from his sleeve.
The words "I'm sorry for hurting your dignity" sound so natural, yet so harsh!
It was as if his dignity was something cheap that could be easily "damaged" and "compensated" with a few light words.
There was no fear or reverence in her apology, not even the most basic awareness of "who she had offended." She was just completing a process, a process that allowed her to get out of trouble.
This, more than any fierce resistance or deliberate disregard, made Atobe Keigo feel an unprecedented sense of being despised! He was completely, condescendingly, and dismissed lightly with an attitude of "I'm too lazy to bother with you."
A flicker of disbelief and astonishment flashed across his eyes, then gave way to a cold, enraged fire. The determined curve at the corner of his mouth vanished, replaced by an almost dangerous calm.
He slowly, ever so slowly, leaned over, his hands on the edge of my desk, completely enveloping me in his shadow. The overwhelming sense of oppression instantly multiplied, as if the air had been sucked dry.
His handsome but now particularly cold face came very close to me, his pupils locked tightly on his calm almond-shaped eyes, as if to penetrate my soul.
"Is that all right?" He repeated my words, his gorgeous voice lowered to an extremely low level, each word as if icy. "Wiyama Yin, do you think I'm standing here just to hear your insincere 'apology'?"
His voice suddenly rose, carrying with it a completely ignited anger and absolute dominance:
"Who do you think I am? Huh? Those insignificant people you casually threw into the trash?"
"You think you can get rid of me with just an apology? Do you think my 'dignity' and 'grace' can be easily erased by your condescending tone?"
He suddenly stood up and looked down at you condescendingly, his eyes sharp as a knife, and he exuded an unquestionable imperial pressure:
"I told you I'm here to collect a debt!"
"This debt cannot be repaid with a simple 'sorry'!"
"What you owe me is an explanation, an attitude, and a true 'closure' worthy of the name 'Atobe Keigo'!"
"This kind of perfunctory attitude..." He raised his lips in a cold, mocking arc, his eyes sweeping across my indifferent face. "It will only make me feel that you are even more clueless than before."
He stood up and adjusted the collar of his coat. His movements were still elegant, but his eyes were icy cold.
He gave me one last, deep look, a look that was full of an unmistakable challenge and a declaration that "you can't escape."
"I'll take note of this debt."
"Wilshanyin, we will slowly settle the accounts."
His gorgeous voice echoed in the silent classroom, carrying an unquestionable determination, "In Hyotei, no one can owe me a debt and not repay it. You, too."
After saying that, Atobe Keigo no longer looked at me, as if any longer glance would tarnish his splendor.
Turning around, the figure in his coat carried a biting chill, and with equally oppressive steps, he left Class H classroom as everyone watched with bated breath.
The door closed gently, but the classroom remained silent for a long time. Everyone was still reeling from the explosive and eerie "debt collection declaration" that had just taken place.
I looked at the figure disappearing at the door, and for the first time my delicate brows slightly frowned.
A clear emotion called "trouble" finally flashed across Pingjing's eyes.
Apologizing... made things worse?
What does this person want?
Such a strong desire to win?
When I heard Keigo Atobe's powerful "debt collection" speech, which was full of flowery words and strong declarations, I felt that my Japanese comprehension ability seemed to have been challenged like never before.
Gorgeous?
This uncle?
I silently repeated these two frequently appearing words in my mind, and my brows frowned slightly.
How could someone call themselves that, and say it so naturally and confidently?
An indescribable sense of absurdity arose spontaneously. Then I looked at that handsome face, so close, with the words "I'm so handsome and gorgeous" written all over it...
Well... she looks pretty good.
After making an objective assessment in his heart, he added:
That's all.
It's still far from enough to shock me to the point of shaking my spirit. As for his talk of "dignity," "reckoning," "repayment," and "being worthy of Atobe Keigo"...
Isn’t this just like the chuunibyou lines from those domineering CEOs in TV dramas? A deep sense of speechlessness instantly overwhelmed me.
Is there really someone in real life who talks and acts like this? Or is it a middle school student?
I just felt an indescribable embarrassment and... well, I felt embarrassed for others.
The Japanese middle school spirit is indeed well-deserved and burns too vigorously.
When he left, his back, covered with a coat and with his own spotlight and background music, did not, in my opinion, give off any sense of oppression or the so-called "imperial aura". Instead, it exuded a sense of over-the-top drama.
Debt collection? Repayment?
The villain inside me couldn't help but roll my eyes.
If you're so bored...it's probably because you have too little homework and are just too bored.
I didn't even bother to observe the brilliant expressions on the faces of my classmates, as if they had witnessed the greatest event of the century. Their shock, awe, gossip, and whispers, in my eyes, were just irrelevant background noise in this "Chuunibyou" scene.
So, after Keigo Atobe slammed the door and left with a biting coldness and lingering anger, and when Class H fell into dead silence and low pressure, I just lowered my head again and opened the textbook on the table with extreme calmness, as if a noisy crow had just flown by.
The world is quiet.
The knowledge in books is more practical.
As for that "gorgeous uncle" and the "debt" he unilaterally declared.
Sorry, it's not in my watchlist.
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