“I won’t misunderstand.”
“Not even a little?” Natsuha pouted, muttering in frustration, “I actually wish you’d get jealous.”
“…Jealous, of course I’m jealous. Your childhood friend is so infatuated with you; I’m extremely jealous,” Mu Xiaoxiao said, hugging her tightly and pinching her, “You must let me vent my feelings.”
“Nngh—”
Her pretty face turned crimson, “Jealous Xiaoxiao is so lovable too~”
Fortunately, since they were in a public place, the two didn’t do anything too outrageous. After sticking close for a bit, they continued eating. Natsuha, who was now serving him rice for the sixth time, knelt beside him.
“Didn’t you take that young lady home? You didn’t stay at her place to mooch a meal?”
“I was planning to, but then Satsuki called and said that Ayaka had gone missing, so I went to look for her.”
“How did it go? That young lady’s family is pretty wealthy, right?”
“If you’re interested, I can take you to visit.”
“Forget it, I’m not that close with her…”
After finally filling his belly, Natsuha started cleaning up the leftover dishes and utensils before leaving, while Mu Xiaoxiao sat there, contentedly rubbing his stomach and burping.
Soon after, Ayaka also arrived. This time, she was in her nerdy look with braids and black-rimmed glasses. Coming to have lunch as well, she glanced at Mu Xiaoxiao and nervously lowered her head.
She found a secluded spot and sat down to eat alone.
“Why is he staring at me?” Even though she kept her head down while eating, Ayaka could feel his gaze on her, making her feel very uncomfortable.
Honestly, if she were in her other form, she would have approached him right away, but… dressed so nerdy, her courage was also diminished.
Huh? Why is he coming over here?
Clatter.
Seeing the boy suddenly stand up and walk towards her, Ayaka’s hand trembled, and a meatball slipped off her chopsticks onto the table. Just as she was getting nervous, a shadow loomed over her—he was already standing right in front of her.
“Ayaka?”
“Is there something you need, Mu-kun?” The girl remained kneeling, not even raising her head.
“I heard you got lost in the mountains? You couldn’t be reached, and Shirokawa-sensei and the others were very worried.”
“I’m sorry…”
“When did you get back? I looked for you everywhere but couldn’t find you—”
“I just got back. Were you looking for me? I didn’t know,” Ayaka’s moist eyes behind the glasses avoided his gaze out of guilt.
“As long as you’re okay. But although I couldn’t find you, I unexpectedly ran into another girl. And for some reason, after you returned, she disappeared. It’s strange.”
Standing beside her, Mu Xiaoxiao smiled meaningfully.
Ayaka: “…”
“And I don’t know if it’s just my imagination,” Mu Xiaoxiao continued, circling behind her, “but I can’t help feeling that you two are quite alike.”
Ayaka forced herself to stay calm as she put down her bowl and shifted her legs under her, “It must be a misunderstanding. I’ve seen that girl before, and she’s so pretty, cute, and looks like a gyaru. How could I compare?”
She tried to explain.
“Ayaka, are you praising yourself here?”
“…Mu-kun, you really misunderstood. I’m nothing like her at all. Ah!”
The boy behind her leaned in, grabbing her shoulders, his face so close to hers that she could feel his breath and the warmth of his body against her back.
What? What is he trying to do?!
Seeing her still being stubborn, Mu Xiaoxiao deliberately leaned in closer, his whole body weight pressing down on her. His head hovered over her shoulder, their faces just centimeters apart.
So close…
Her face, hidden under glasses and bangs, turned slightly red.
“Actually, I think you’re more charming than that girl, Ayaka.”
Eh?
Eh, eh, eh?!
“Please, don’t bully me…”
“I’m not bullying you; I’m just telling the truth,” Mu Xiaoxiao tugged at her braid, brushing aside her bangs to make eye contact with her behind the glasses.
“A shy and cute girl like you,” he whispered into her ear, “I really like~”
Ah!!!
What does he mean by that? Is he saying this to force me to reveal myself, or does he really… like me like this? When I approached him as Saiyaka, he didn’t even respond, even when I tried to seduce him.
But he’s interested in me, who barely even stands out…
I don’t get it. I just don’t get it at all.
Ayaka’s mind was in turmoil.
