Classes could be unbearably dull—especially when you'd already mastered the material.
Lunch break.
After finishing lunch, Iroha Isshiki and Shoko Nishimiya came over. Kirito and Kusuo Saiki exchanged a strange glance with Lin Zhi before quietly turning their backs.
Hey! What's with that look?!
Lin Zhi's mouth twitched as he turned to face the two girls standing before him.
"Nonohara, what club are you in?"
Iroha Isshiki, bright and lively as ever, had the fresh, effortless charm of youth. Her pretty face, lightly made up, carried that irresistible energy unique to teenage girls.
"The Light Music Club," Lin Zhi replied casually, then looked toward Shoko Nishimiya.
"Shoko, that Takanashi girl hasn't done anything weird, has she?"
Shoko smiled softly, then began to sign her response.
"Interesting? Well… maybe it is interesting."
Lin Zhi couldn't help but chuckle. From the name alone, it was obvious that club wasn't anything close to "normal."
"So what do you guys actually do in your club?"
Shoko hesitated, a troubled look crossing her face as she tried to figure out how to sign it. After a moment, she returned to her desk, picked up her notebook, and scribbled something down.
"Exorcism rituals and… sleeping?"
Lin Zhi's expression grew complicated.
Well, that certainly fit the "Far East Magical Nap Society" name perfectly—a flawless blend of nonsense and irony.
"Hey, hey! Nonohara, you're being so mean," Iroha suddenly complained, pouting in mock anger. "You've got a beautiful girl like me standing right here, and you're only talking to Nishimiya?"
"Iroha, you're overacting again," Lin Zhi said dryly. "Face it—you look totally fake when you pout like that. Not cute at all."
"Wha—?! That's so rude!" she huffed. "Other guys think it's cute! Maybe you're the one with bad taste!"
"No, they're just shallow," Lin Zhi replied coolly. "They haven't seen the real you yet."
"Ugh! You're such a hopeless straight man. You'll never get a girlfriend at this rate!"
"Thanks for the concern, Isshiki," Lin Zhi said flatly.
After their usual round of banter, Lin Zhi leaned back with mild amusement. "So, what juicy gossip did you bring today, Iroha?"
"Hey! Do I really look like I gossip that much?" she snapped.
"Miss Gossip Queen, you really have no self-awareness, do you?"
"Wha—?! What kind of nickname is that?! Did you come up with it?"
Blushing, Iroha shook her small fist at him in mock outrage.
"Alright, that's it!" she declared with sudden determination.
"What now?" Lin Zhi and Shoko both looked at her curiously. Iroha really was a born performer—her expressions could change in a heartbeat.
She turned dramatically toward Lin Zhi, eyes sparkling. "I've decided—I'm going to confess to Hayama-senpai from Class 2!"
"Hayama?" Lin Zhi blinked, then realization dawned. "You mean that soccer team captain—the handsome, popular one you mentioned before?"
That's right—Hayama, the school's golden boy. Famous, talented, and charming, adored by practically every girl at the academy.
"Exactly!" she said proudly.
"Well, that's quite an ambitious goal. Good luck, Iroha."
Iroha stared at him, blinking. Lin Zhi blinked back.
"…What?" he asked.
"Seriously? That's it?" she pouted. "I just said I'm going after Hayama-senpai!"
"Yeah. Good luck," Lin Zhi said again, giving her a thumbs-up.
"Argh! Don't you have any reaction at all?"
Lin Zhi thought for a moment, then asked with a straight face, "Do you… need me to sponsor your confession expenses?"
Pfft!
Kirito, who had been eavesdropping from the front row, burst out laughing.
"Ha! Nonohara, you really are beyond saving. You're doomed to be single forever!" Iroha snapped, cheeks puffed out in embarrassment.
She turned toward Shoko with mock seriousness. "Nishimiya, be careful around this guy, okay? He's completely hopeless!"
Shoko's cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink, making her look even cuter.
"Kawaii!" Iroha squealed, wrapping her arms around Shoko and rubbing her cheek against hers.
"Ohhh, so soft!"
"Hey! Keep it down, will you?" Lin Zhi groaned. "You're giving off some serious yuri vibes here."
"Ew! Gross!" Iroha shot him a glare. "I'm going after Hayama-senpai, remember? I'm not into girls!"
"You're serious about this, huh?" Lin Zhi asked, raising a brow.
"Hmph! What, regretting it now? If you confessed to me right this second, I might give you a chance!" she teased with a smug grin.
"Go for it, Iroha. You got this," Lin Zhi replied with an utterly disinterested look.
"Arghhh! Nonohara! You are definitely going to die single!"
Iroha stomped her foot and glared at him, her chest heaving with frustration.
"Instead of yelling at me," Lin Zhi said calmly, "you should probably start thinking about how you're going to handle your competition. You said Hayama's got tons of admirers, right?"
He tilted his head slightly, feigning thoughtfulness. "Considering your looks and charm, Iroha, you might be somewhere in the… lower ranks among them."
"Wha—?! That's it! I'm gonna bite you!"
Her face flushed red with fury as she swung her small fists at him.
How dare he! She was adorable! There was no way she ranked "below average"!
Even knowing he was joking didn't make it sting any less.
Lin Zhi easily dodged her half-hearted attacks, catching one of her tiny fists in his hand. He smiled faintly.
"Iroha, you really are weak," he said lightly. "Like a little chick that couldn't hurt a fly."
(End — Thank you for reading!)
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