CHAPTER 486: 226. RESTLESS VALENTINE’S DAY (5)_2

"’Who am I? Who am I?’"

"Geng Gui desu!" The girl, wearing little leather shoes, tipped up on the toe of her right foot, her heel touching the ground, and her upper body leaned slightly forward as she made a scissor gesture over her right eye with her right hand.

"I like Shanado, thank you, goodbye." Dubian Che turned around.

"Wait a minute! Please wait!" The girl ran around to the front of Dubian Che, "Senpai, I’m Horikita Mai!"

"Sakamoto Mayu?"

"Horikita Mai desu!"

"Horikita Maki?"

"Even though it would be nice to become an artist in the future, I’m Horikita Mai."

"Sorry, I don’t know anyone named Horikita Mai."

"How can that be!" Horikita Mai said instinctively, and then paused as if she remembered something, "I almost forgot, you still don’t know me."

"A future person?"

"Superpower user desu!"

"Sorry, I’m not interested in aliens, future people, or superpower users at all, I only like ordinary people." Dubian Che strided off.

Hhorikita Mai hurriedly followed him, fluttering around Dubian Che like a sparrow.

"Senpai Dubian, I’m your super fan!"

"I don’t have fans."

"Don’t you know, Senpai? You have a lot of fans! Everyone follows you through various channels. Let me introduce myself, I was attracted to you after seeing your wind music competition!"

"You’re so noisy."

"My mom also says that about me, ehe~"

Ehe your...

Forget it, Dubian Che resolved not to say any curse words — although it was just a complaint, it probably didn’t count as cursing.

"Senpai, I took the exam for Goda High School because of you!"

"There was no need for that."

"Senpai, is the atmosphere in the Wind Instrument Club good? Do they bully the newcomers?"

"They do."

"Really? But you’ll protect me, right?"

"I’m the one who bullies people."

"Is it because you set very high standards for the members, Senpai? Mmm, no problem, don’t look at how small my body is, but my willpower is super strong! Senpai, please train me all you want!"

"Hhorikita Maki...?"

"Hhorikita Mai desu!" Horikita Mai introduced herself again, "You can just call me Miyuki, Senpai!"

"I’ve already quit the Wind Instrument Club."

"Eh—why?!"

The two continued walking, with Dubian Che taking a step and the girl needing to take two or three steps to keep up.

"During the New Year, my motorcycle was sabotaged by someone jealous of my talent, and I got into an accident. As a result, I injured my left hand, and my dream of becoming an oboe player was shattered."

Hhorikita Mai stopped in her tracks, shocked, but then she realized she’d been tricked and quickly caught up.

"Just like Haido Naoya! Senpai, I will get revenge for you!" Her words bubbled over excitedly, as lively as a little bird.

"Haido Naoya?"

The girl ran in front of Dubian Che, spun around like a handsome man from a shōjo manga, and faced Dubian Che.

She spread her legs apart, first sketching a circle around her slender waist that was as slim as a bunkobon novel, then with her palm up, reached out to Dubian Che in a dramatic pose.

"I will never forgive those who hurt Senpai! Transform!"

Dubian Che stopped in his tracks.

"What did you say your name was?"

"Hhorikita Mai desu!"

"Hhorikita, if you pass the exam for Goda, you’ll be my underclassman."

"Yes! Please rest assured, Senpai!" The short-haired middle school girl, though very earnest, looked comically earnest as she saluted.

After parting ways with the girl named Horikita Mai, Dubian Che finished setting up the remaining signs.

At noon, Xiaoquan Aonai invited him to a restaurant near the school for lunch.

The restaurant was slightly pricey, so it wasn’t often frequented by students nearby.

Relaxing instrumental music played in the background.

They sat down by the window, and Dubian Che, seeing Chinese dishes like Green Pepper and Pork Strips on the menu, ordered two.

Xiaoquan Aonai opted for Italian pasta.

"Teacher, when is the graduation ceremony for the third year?" Dubian Che asked.

"The exact day hasn’t been set, but it should be sometime in the second week of March."

That meant, Mayi Asuka was going to move to Shinano Town on some day during the second week of March.

After the meal, Xiaoquan Aonai ordered coffee for them both.

"Do you need help tomorrow?" Dubian Che added half a spoonful of sugar to his coffee.

"We need someone at the classroom door to handle any emergencies with the examinees, would you like to do that?"

"If you treat me to a meal."

"This is the first time I’m dining alone with a boy." Under the sunlight outside the window, Xiaoquan Aonai’s smile was enchantingly charming.

After saying that, Xiaoquan Aonai felt it might not be appropriate, but the words were already out, so all she could do was sip her coffee to alleviate the awkwardness.

"I rarely dine alone with a girl. I’ve turned down every invitation from girls at school." Dubian Che took on an air of innocence.

Xiaoquan Aonai watched Dubian Che with amusement: "How have things been with Kiyono and Jiutiao recently?"

"Good, the two of them have recently taken to teaming up to bully me." Dubian Che took a sip of his coffee.

It was still slightly bitter, but it was beginning to taste sweet now, with a unique flavor that he didn’t dislike.

After watching yesterday’s movie, Xiaoquan Aonai unconsciously associated "bullying" with that notion, and she was very concerned about whether Dubian Che really did such things, but she refrained from asking.

The two of them sat and rested for a while before paying the bill and leaving.

◇

February 13th, Sunday.

Hhorikita Mai turned off the alarm a moment before it was set to ring.

She got dressed in her uniform and, while brushing her teeth and washing her face, heard her mother’s voice.

"Miyuki, breakfast is ready!"

"Coming!"

For breakfast, there were fried eggs, toast, salad, and a glass of milk.

She ate at the dining table while her mom helped check the exam admission ticket and stationery again, and prepared her coat, scarf, and gloves.

"Mom, I’m off!"

"Go for it, Miyuki."

"Yes, I will definitely pass!"