Chapter 33 He Minds
For Rukawa Kaede, who was single-minded, he didn't think that much, and his mind was free of any complicated thoughts.
He believed that all he needed to do to get rid of his inner troubles was to find Kanon.
Seeing that he wasn't injured, Hanon's expression relaxed, and she asked with a smile, "Is it about training?"
Sensing her concern, the gloom in Rukawa's heart slowly dissipated.
But without warning, it was filled with a different kind of feeling.
Like an electric shock, a slight tingling sensation, and an unbearable itch.
It makes your heart tense and relaxed at the same time.
It seems that their connection and conversations are limited to the sports field.
Rukawa Kaede spoke up: "It's not training."
When Rukawa looked at Kanon, something seemed to be flowing in his usually cool eyes, clear and deep, with a subtle, almost imperceptible ripple.
Hanon's heart skipped a beat. "What is that?"
Why did you bring water to your senior and even help him open the bottle cap?
His voice was calm and steady.
His question surprised Kanon, who asked in confusion, "...Huh?"
She realized she couldn't keep up with his train of thought, and after a moment's hesitation, she explained very seriously:
“Take care of players with strong self-esteem. I think Coach Anzai would have done the same if he were here.”
Rukawa Kaede's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his voice flat and even. "And what about me?"
Outside, dark clouds rolled in, swallowing the dazzling sunlight and adding a layer of gloom to the bright interior, filling it with a damp and oppressive atmosphere.
Rukawa Kaede approached her, his eyes calm and direct, his tone also conveying:
"Are you taking care of me because I'm one of them?"
Hanon is very nice; she's gentle to everyone.
Everyone knows that she is unique to herself.
But ever since Mitsui appeared, he has found that he can no longer keep this uniqueness to himself.
Looking at the handsome face so close to her, Hana's heart began to pound violently again for no apparent reason, making her mouth dry.
His face was calm and expressionless; he simply stared at her intently, motionless.
But in those cool and beautiful eyes, there was a hint of expectation.
Hanon couldn't help but think of what happened during morning training that day. She stared into Rukawa's eyes, trying to read his mind.
He wasn't in a good mood because of the ball he accidentally threw today, which was because he was delivering water to Mitsui.
Is he bothered by it?
As the suspicions in my mind became clearer, a powerful cry roared and shouted within me, almost filling my entire mind.
She recalled the first time she met Rukawa Kaede.
A person who doesn't like socializing.
He possesses talents that are beyond the reach of ordinary people, yet high walls have been erected around him.
That wall seemed insurmountable. No one could enter his heart, and he couldn't escape it.
He was like a ruthless and lonely practice machine.
But slowly.
Seeing the bruises on his hands, he would say, "Remember to apply medicine."
He doesn't like being disturbed while sleeping, but he said, "You can wake me up."
He also actively participated in purchasing training equipment for the basketball team.
Hanon felt a momentary daze in her mind, and her heart trembled. She couldn't describe the feeling; it was as if the whole world had suddenly become gentler.
No.
She suppressed her racing heart, looked up at him with a bright smile, and said solemnly, "Rukawa, you are special."
That's right, how could Rukawa Kaede be the same as everyone else?
He was a very open and pure person.
From an unusual encounter to our current relationship.
She discovered that despite his cold and distant attitude, and even his dislike of her talking too much, Hana didn't care at all. She was happy to gradually get to know him better and even offered to bring him lunch, hoping that he would grow up better.
He wasn't talkative, but every brief word he uttered was extremely sincere and straightforward. She wasn't bothered by this; instead, she enjoyed the comfortable and natural relationship with him.
She had never cared about anyone else the way she did about Sakuragi.
Whatever the reason, Rukawa Kaede occupies a special place in her heart, which is undeniable.
Rukawa looked at her, his dark pupils sparkling with starlight.
She was straightforward and unpretentious, expressing her thoughts without any concealment. Her demeanor was extremely open and sincere, which made people feel very at ease.
The dark clouds dispersed, and Rukawa's vision cleared up again, revealing bright sunshine without a trace of gloom.
Just like his heart at this moment, pure and peaceful.
The life force flowing in the blood was crystal clear and intense. There was something else besides the burning sensation.
After a long while, he spoke, his deep voice now carrying a hint of gentleness and pleasure, "Mm."
For the next moment, as if silence had fallen, their eyes met in tacit understanding.
Even from a distance, the same shampoo scent mingled together, swirling and tangling in the air.
With a "Ha—", the hazy atmosphere came to an abrupt end.
Blinking his beady eyes, Rukawa Kaede opened his mouth wide and let out a long yawn, his eyes still glistening with a few blurry tears.
Seeing his droopy eyelids, as if he might fall asleep at any moment, Hana couldn't help but slightly curl the corners of her lips. "Alright, let's go back to the classroom to sleep... oh no, let's have early class."
Rukawa Kaede lowered his gaze slightly, his beautiful fox-like eyes fixed on her without blinking, his voice softening a few degrees, "From now on, we'll have lunch together."
The tone conveyed a natural feeling, as if it were about something perfectly normal.
Hanon was stunned for a moment again.
She paused for a moment, then said, "At noon... Aya, Haruko, Hanamichi, and the Sakuragi Army will all be there, so it might be a bit noisy."
She believes that Rukawa Kaede probably prefers being alone, enjoys creating a sense of solitude, and finds pleasure in it.
After a few seconds, Rukawa Kaede nodded and gave a faint "hmm".
Hanon asked, "Don't you find it noisy?"
Rukawa Kaede said calmly, "I'm used to it."
That big idiot on the basketball team is always full of energy and can't stop talking for a moment.
The school bell rang, and that was the end of the matter.
After Hanon returned to the classroom, Ayako glanced at the teacher on the podium, winked, and tossed her a small note.
Hana's eyes crinkled into crescents as she unfolded the neatly folded little strip of paper.
[The basketball court is only a few minutes' walk from the classroom, why is our assistant coach late?]
Ayako asked a teasing question, which Kanon, used to it, answered calmly and easily.
I just needed to take care of something.
Ayako caught the flying note, unfolded it, and then her expression suddenly turned gossipy. She opened her mouth into an "O" shape, silently drawing out the sound, then lowered her head and began to write furiously:
【Oh my goodness! What's going on? Did you run into one of those legendary male fox spirits and get so bewitched that you're disoriented and can't find your way back to the classroom?】
Hua Yin smiled charmingly; wasn't he indeed a handsome male fox spirit, captivating all who beheld his beauty?
Ayako looked at Kanon with a maternal smile and secretly clicked her tongue a few times.
Look at how happy our Yin-chan is, just like her own daughter has found her sweetheart, her eyes are full of pink bubbles.
This feeling is absolutely amazing! It's on a whole different level compared to being in a relationship!
"Cough cough cough...!"
Almost simultaneously, all the students turned their attention to the large black board, as if they were having a race to see who could move faster.
When Ms. Takahashi saw the two little girls chatting happily, passing notes back and forth, she noticed them.
He kept a straight face and coughed incessantly, trying to get the two women's attention, but to no avail; they seemed oblivious to everything around them.
"Kane-san, Aya-ko-san, please come to the blackboard and solve these two problems."
The two of them looked up at the same time, glanced at the unpleasant-looking teacher Takahashi, silently got up from their seats, walked to the podium, glared at each other, and then smiled silently.
Professor Takahashi held his gleaming golden thermos, took a gentle sip of health-preserving tea, and watched the wisps of steam blur his glasses. As the fragrant tea filled his throat, he couldn't help but sigh with contentment.
The handwriting on the blackboard was neat and the answers were written perfectly, without a single mistake. Both girls were top students, so his anger subsided, and he had no choice but to let them go.
The two girls returned to their seats, glanced at each other's work, smiled with satisfaction, looked at each other tacitly, and gave each other a thumbs up—perfect!
As soon as the bell rang, Ayako rushed to Kanon's desk and grabbed her arm: "Quick, quick! I heard the convenience store has a new, really delicious drink! We have to go try it right away, it's on me!"
Hanon was tidying her desk when Ayako suddenly pulled her up, causing her pen to fly out of her hand and land on the ground with a crisp sound.
"Hey, hey, hey, the pen fell on the floor!"
"Come back and pick them up! The new drinks are selling like hotcakes! You'll miss out if you go too late!"
The two hurriedly rushed to the convenience store.
Along the way, they met many other people who were heading to the same destination.
Standing at the back of the long queue, the two began to whisper to each other.
"No way, this drink was sold to a sea of people?"
"Who can argue with that!"
I was almost wiped out by the surging crowd! That was terrifying!
The break between classes was only 10 minutes long. Because the convenience store owner was quick, the two of them bought drinks in no time, inserted straws, and took a sip.
"Ah~ It really tastes delicious!"
The flavor is rich, with a subtle acidity and a touch of sweetness. The intense fruitiness is like a magician, awakening the tongue and every nerve in the body with its acidity and mellow aroma.
The two were in high spirits, walking hand in hand back to the classroom while drinking.
Suddenly, Ayako stopped, nudged her with her elbow, and gestured for her to look up.
Hanon looked up and saw Rukawa Kaede propping himself up on his elbow by the window of the second-floor classroom, watching them with a blank expression.
Hana smiled brightly at him, raised her hand, and waved it to him from side to side.
Rukawa Kaede quietly fixed his gaze on her, and it lingered for a long time.
Bathed in the golden morning light, he could see the ethereal eyes beneath Huayin's long, curled eyelashes; those eyes were as beautiful as a masterpiece of art.
After a moment, he also raised his hand, paused for a while, seemingly thinking that waving was too silly, and then scratched the back of his head expressionlessly.
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