Nanao didn't sleep.
She had originally decided that late night would be her study time from now on.
But today was different.
Today was the day she "first" met her best friend's crush.
Shigen Ryouka called, excitedly discussing Hayato's recent situation with her.
"Isn't he handsome, isn't he handsome, isn't he handsome~~~" Shigen Ryouka on the other end had lost her original state as a pure athletic girl; she was completely infatuated.
"It's... it's alright," Nanao Akane wasn't sure how to answer.
"Then when can you call him out to hang out with us? Oh, of course, I need to get to know Xiao Lin better first," Shigen Ryouka said.
On the other end of the phone, she was kicking her legs, humming a pleasant song while talking, clearly in an exceptionally good mood.
Today, Lin-chan came to her house.
And he had intimate contact with her. Shigen Ryouka's small hand unconsciously touched her chest.
She had just showered and was only wearing pajamas.
While studying, Lin-chan's hand had intentionally or unintentionally brushed against that spot.
At the time, she had endured the shyness, and even now, recalling it made her blush, not only blush, but also...
Of course, none of this could be let Nanao Akane see, otherwise she would definitely make fun of her for being a little pervert.
"Hmm... we'll see," Nanao Akane said, "The one I have here isn't as good-tempered as your Xiao Lin."
Saying that, she pouted.
Although she knew they were actually the same person, the comparison revealed the truth.
Lin-chan's attitude towards Shigen Ryouka was clearly much better than towards her. They got along amicably for half a day, and he didn't even say a single word to retort Shigen Ryouka.
...But thinking back, when Lin-chan retorted her, or even looked at her with a disdainful, almost humiliating gaze, Nanao Akane began to wonder if her excitement outweighed her anger, or if it was just anger... Oh no, is it that her personality is completely controlled by Lin-chan?
"Xiao Lin is the gentlest, he's super nice to me~~~" Shigen Ryouka happened to kick her leg.
Nanao Akane could only give a dry laugh this time.
She really couldn't reveal her relationship with Hayato to Shigen Ryouka; it felt... a bit cruel.
However, Nanao Akane suddenly had a flash of inspiration. Wouldn't it be better if Shigen Ryouka gave up on her own...? Hmm, of course, not by slandering Lin-chan; she couldn't bear to do something like that.
Perhaps she could... make Shigen Ryouka retreat in the face of difficulty?
Nanao Akane seemed to have found a "way out." She cleared her throat and said solemnly:
"Shigen Ryouka, there's something I must tell you. Please prepare yourself mentally."
"Wh-what is it?" Shigen Ryouka thought Nanao Akane was just teasing her while in a good mood, and her smile remained as bright as a flower.
"It's about... L... uh, it's about Lin-chan," Nanao Akane said faintly.
Shigen Ryouka's laughter immediately stopped. She seemed to be silent for a while before speaking:
"Y-you tell me."
"First, don't be afraid."
"...Mm, I'm ready. I... won't be afraid," Shigen Ryouka said, but her voice was somewhat shaky.
"Lin-chan told me not to tell you, but I thought about it and it's best for you to know about this," Nanao Akane said, her eyes sinking. "...He's going abroad in the future."
"...Huh?" Shigen Ryouka was stunned. "Wh-where?"
"I don't know."
Nanao Akane said in silence, then, as if wanting to vent something, she punched the pillow: "Isn't it strange?! He won't stay in perfectly good Japan and insists on going abroad. Doesn't he know going abroad is expensive? If he wants a scholarship for studying abroad, he needs good academic support. But who can do something like that?! It's simply asking too much! Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it! What kind of ghost country is he going to?! He's not one of those people who worships foreign things, is he? It makes me so angry!!!"
"Wait, wait? Akane?"
Shigen Ryouka, whose brain had gone "buzz," was somewhat thrown off by Nanao Akane's complaints. Is it you who wants to pursue Lin-chan... or me?
"Oh, oh."
Nanao Akane quickly adjusted her mental state and said seriously: "In short, it's a very troublesome matter. I think you..."
She wanted to say, you should just give up.
Shigen Ryouka's tone indeed became a bit miserable. She whispered, "Don't say anymore."
"...I understand," Nanao Akane said, "You need time to process."
Shigen Ryouka didn't speak again. After they were both quiet for a while, Shigen Ryouka finally spoke:
"Then I'll hang up now."
"Okay." Nanao Akane hung up mournfully, then tossed her phone onto the bed.
Oh! Yeah!
She happily jumped onto the soft bed.
Although it seemed a bit unethical, this was indeed Lin-chan's goal. If Shigen Ryouka couldn't accept it, she could only give up~~~ Nanao Akane thought. She didn't play any tricks or schemes; she just told the truth.
Nanao Akane, having resolved a worry, chuckled foolishly.
No way? It was resolved this easily? Am I a genius?
Hmm, to reward my clever brain, I'll take a day off today. Nanao Akane told herself, after all, she had already studied at Shigen Ryouka's house, and it was already a rest day... Tomorrow, starting from tomorrow, she would formally arrange her study plan!
Now is... reward time?
Nanao Akane applied a little force.
Then...
No.
Why is it that it just doesn't feel the same as when Lin-chan did it?
"Mmm..."
Try again?
...Hmm, it still doesn't feel right.
Wh-why?
Is there something special about his fingers?!
Shigen Ryouka hung up the phone. Her hand gently caressed her chest, and Lin-chan's image reappeared in her mind.
Then, as if remembering something, her palm left her body as if shocked by electricity!
Shigen Ryouka, Shigen Ryouka, how can you be so depraved! She admonished herself, then jumped up, took out the reference book from her bedside backpack, and began to carefully read the incorrect problems.
Since Lin-chan decided to go abroad, she also had to make the necessary preparations.
Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely, she couldn't let him leave her behind!!
That night, while Nanao Akane was rewarding herself, Shigen Ryouka was doing practice problems.
Warning bells are ringing! !
...
...
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