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Chapter 25: "You’re a good girl, but we’re not suitable for each other"
🕑 Added 2025-02-03 12:46:39 +0000 UTCEntering Shuka High School wasn't particularly difficult.
As a public school, Shuka High does not refuse visitors during commute hours (school hours).
After a quick registration, Nijika Ijichi and Yamada Ryo were finally able to enter Shuka High School.
As they walked in, Nijika Ijichi, with her petite figure and small fists, appeared somewhat cute as she gave out the plan.
"Listen to me, Kita-chan, Ryo, we're all girls, but because of that, we can't lose to Minami in terms of momentum."
She gestured as she spoke, "First, we need to show them our determination to protect little Bocchi, and for this, Ryo will take care of it."
Nijika Ijichi looked at Yamada Ryo, who had short bangs, was quiet, and had an aura of an unreachable beauty.
When not speaking, Yamada Ryo's cold demeanor exuded a unique sense of oppression.
She then turned to Kita-Ikuyo, "Next, we need to show the strong attitude of not letting Bocchi continue to be bullied at school."
"But the most important thing is that Bocchi is not here."
Yamada Ryo raised her hand, saying something indifferent.
"Uh—"
Nijika Ijichi was taken aback by this remark and couldn't help but glare at Yamada Ryo, who had killed the mood.
She ignored her and continued seriously, "Anyway, we can't scare ourselves; we can't be afraid first. We have to maintain our momentum! Got it? We must let Minami know our determination—"
Before Nijika Ijichi could finish her sentence, she heard a surprised voice from nearby.
"Hey? Do you know Senior Minami?"
"Eh...? No... that..."
A strange girl wearing Shuka High's uniform and with a somewhat sweet appearance suddenly interrupted the conversation, leaving Nijika Ijichi momentarily confused.
"Great! I've been struggling with how to deliver this letter to Senior Minami... Since you know him, could you please help me give him this letter? Please, just don't look at the contents."
"Uh..."
Nijika Ijichi froze as the girl handed her a pink envelope.
"Thank you so much."
The girl shyly ran off, leaving Nijika Ijichi standing there, utterly stunned.
"This is..."
Yamada Ryo leaned in, her usual indifference giving way to rare interest. "Looks like one of those confession letters."
The delicate pink envelope, with a hint of fragrance, seemed carefully chosen and likely sprayed with perfume.
"Let me take a quick look."
Without hesitation, Yamada Ryo reached for the letter.
In her eyes, there was probably no such thing as privacy.
"Are you a devil?"
Nijika Ijichi slapped Yamada Ryo's hand away and said seriously, "She said not to look."
"Eh—?" Yamada Ryo dragged out her tone, showing no emotion.
"No."
Nijika Ijichi crossed her arms in front of her chest and sternly rejected her.
But after rejecting her, she thought about the girl they had just encountered.
Although she couldn't compare to Ryo or Kita-Ikuyo, she was sweet and cute enough. In a crowd, she'd definitely catch the attention of other boys.
To think she'd write a confession letter to Minami... looking so humble.
That academic powerhouse, Minami, was so popular in school?
Thinking of this, Nijika Ijichi couldn't help but feel that the momentum had shifted, even before meeting Minami.
No, no!
Naka! Don't scare yourself!
You have to keep your momentum! Don't let these outside factors affect you! After all, Minami is just popular with the students; it's not a big deal—remember, even Ryo has a bunch of oddball fans at school!
Alright! Stay calm! Stay calm!
Trying to adjust her mindset, Nijika felt like she was fine now.
"Don't let the opponent's momentum overpower us! Let's do our best!"
As the founder of the Kessoku Band, Nijika pumped herself up, though her voice had lowered a bit.
The three continued walking forward.
Then—
"Congratulations to Minami, who placed first in the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test!"
Just as they stepped further into the school, they could see a large white banner hanging from a distance.
Yamada Ryo simply let out a "Wow, amazing," and casually took out her phone to snap a photo.
But Kita-Ikuyo beside them swallowed nervously.
It was hard to describe... there was an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Although she already knew that Minami had won first place in the national deviation test.
But when the fact that "First in Japan in academic performance" was right in front of her, Kita-Ikuyo couldn't help but feel that they had already lost the momentum.
"I—Ichiji Senpai..."
"Don't scare yourself! These things won't frighten us!"
Nijika clenched her fists tightly, as if speaking to Kita, or perhaps trying to encourage herself.
But even though her courage had been revived, it had already been largely diminished.
"Uh... I remember, Minami was supposed to meet Bocchi in the school courtyard, right?"
Noticing the change in the atmosphere, Nijika Ijichi tried to comfort Kita-Ikuyo, desperately trying to change the topic.
"Yeah, it should be in the courtyard. We're almost there!" Kita-Ikuyo nodded enthusiastically.
As one of the students of Shuka High, this was the first time Kita felt that the path to the school courtyard was so long.
They continued forward.
From time to time, they could see small test scores that hadn't been torn off yet.
Minami's name hung like a mountain, at the top of every score sheet.
"Ugh—"
Nijika Ijichi clutched her chest, feeling the pressure of facing a mountain.
And whether it was their own psychological effect or not, along the way, they could hear people discussing Minami and expressing admiration.
The pressure from Minami was growing stronger.
Finally, after enduring this agonizing walk, they reached the school courtyard.
It was already afternoon.
The students of Shuka High were either heading home early to study or participating in club activities in the club building.
So, the courtyard was practically empty.
No... not quite empty.
The members of the Kessoku Band stopped and looked ahead.
It was at this moment that Nijika Ijichi understood why Kita-Ikuyo had said, "You can spot Minami in the crowd at a glance."
On a bench in the courtyard sat a young man.
He was about their age, probably reading a book, holding a thick novel and occasionally flipping through it with the sound of pages turning.
His skin was a healthy pale, short hair with the tips slightly curled inward, a refined face with deep features, and his eyes were gentle and clear...
But beyond that, Nijika Ijichi couldn't help but feel an indescribable sense of "confidence" radiating from him.
It gave the impression that "nothing would be difficult for him."
It was probably some kind of aura. Nijika Ijichi couldn't quite pinpoint it, but she had to admit, her gaze was drawn to him.
However, just as she was mesmerized, Nijika Ijichi shook her head hard, causing her golden side ponytail to bounce.
What's the matter with being attracted to someone who bullies Bocchi?
Uh... What was I supposed to do next?
Ask him for Bocchi's guitar?
Hmm... But before that...
Nijika Ijichi remembered the envelope she had just received.
Considering the order of things, Nijika Ijichi took the envelope out and walked up to the young man reading the novel, handing it over: "Excuse me, please take this."
"Hmm? Ah..."
Hearing Nijika Ijichi's voice, the young man seemed to snap out of the world of the novel.
He murmured a little, then gave her a glance, then at the envelope in her hand, and said:
"Sorry, I can tell you're sincere, but I'm afraid I'm not looking to date right now. You're a good girl, but we're not suitable for each other."
"Eh? Ah... okay, sorry for bothering you."
Minami's rejection came so naturally that Nijika Ijichi subconsciously felt a pang of disappointment and absentmindedly said something.
But she quickly realized.
Wait.
How did it turn into me being rejected?
