Chapter 78

"Please." Qingshan Li stepped aside to let her go first.

Mikami Ai didn't enter, looking at him and saying, "Can we talk for a bit?"

"I have exams this afternoon." Qingshan Li was a bit embarrassed.

Recently I've done quite a few things, greatly improving my life, but if it causes my grades to drop, it would still worry the Ono sisters.

In the hearts of the two, the true financial support is probably still studying hard and finding a good job after graduation.

So, even if just for a little while, he wanted to seize the time to go back and review.

"How about after the English exam?" he proposed.

"Mm." Mikami Ai nodded.

She not only didn't get angry, but because he actively proposed a specific time, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Qingshan Li, on the other hand, felt she didn't seem very anxious either; it probably wasn't a big deal.

"After the exam ends, you come to the Athens Philosophy Research Club; I'll wait for you there." she said.

"No problem."

On his way back, Qingshan Li conveniently bought three bottles of Sokenbicha.

Kobayashi Shiki was incredulous: "What is this stuff?"

Just like someone buying those super-large meat skewers at a Chinese scenic spot, who would buy this kind of thing? What kind of person buys this kind of thing? That kind of doubt.

"Never tried it, have a drink and see." Qingshan Li twisted open the cap and took a sip.

"How is it, Qingshan?" Aizawa Atsuya hadn't drunk it before either.

"Won't buy it next time."

"Hahaha!" All three laughed.

"Let's go, eat, then review in the cafeteria after eating!"

"Voluntary." Qingshan Li suddenly started cramming English vocabulary.

"Voluntary!" Aizawa Jun, worthy of being a Kendo vanguard — walked partway through the back door, reaction speed is fast.

"Damn!" Kobayashi Shiki drank the Sokenbicha in big gulps as if punishing himself.

"Conceal." Aizawa Atsuya said.

"Conceal." Qingshan Li answered.

Kobayashi Shiki: "Gulp gulp~"

Approaching the cafeteria, he casually tossed the empty Sokenbicha bottle into the trash can, looking like he'd drunk his fill.

Afternoon English exam, starts at 13:00, ends at 14:30.

"I'm done for, I clearly memorized it before, but during the exam I forgot it all!" the basketball girl said anxiously.

This scene seemed familiar.

Qingshan Li put the Political Economy textbook, Mathematics B, and Chemistry textbook into his bookbag.

Kaimei High School's bookbag can be carried by hand, or straps can be attached to wear on the back.

"I'm going straight to cram school, what about you guys?" Kobayashi Shiki asked.

"I have to go to the Kendo Club." Aizawa Atsuya said.

"I'm also going to a club." Qingshan Li usually carries it by hand; that's cooler, and besides there really aren't many books in the bag.

Walking out of the classroom, faintly one could hear instrument sounds; under the clear sky of late April, a few Track and Field Club members were running on the playground.

Still training during exams, Qingshan Li paid his respects in his heart.

Wait!

He stopped his footsteps.

Did I also join the Track and Field Club?

Completely forgot.

'I'm sorry!' he solemnly apologized in his heart.

Arriving at the Club Building, there were fewer people coming and going than usual, but more than he expected; are they here for club activities, or to study together?

Qingshan Li arrived at the sixth floor.

A bit out of breath.

Clearly there wasn't this situation before; has physical fitness declined?

Glanced at the panel, no; can only blame the gradually heating weather.

On the door of the Athens Philosophy Research Club, the Chinese characters written personally by Mikami Ai had a bit more color of time.

Knock.

"Enter." The girl's voice, pleasant like an April breeze.

Qingshan Li pushed the door and walked in.

Mikami Ai stood by the window, watching students leaving school; slender waist, long legs under the school skirt, black hair dancing, beautiful enough to take one's breath away.

As expected, can't stay with her for long.

Qingshan Li thought this while sitting down in the familiar spot.

"Classmate Aoyama," Mikami Ai turned around, lowered her head, and said, "I'm sorry."

"We already said they cancel each other out." Qingshan Li was helpless.

Although she's a bit self-righteous, overall she's a good person.

"Since they cancel each other out," Mikami Ai suddenly became hesitant, tentatively asking, "Do you want to rejoin the Athens Philosophy Research Club?"

"No." Qingshan Li refused.

"Why?"

"I should be the one asking why — I have no reason to join the Athens Philosophy Research Club, right?"

"Didn't you say your life can't do without beautiful girls?" Mikami Ai said.

"The Sunny Band Club has five." Qingshan Li spoke with a 'you're so overconfident it makes me doubt my own judgment' tone.

"Is it for your sister?" Mikami Ai was unexpectedly calm.

"Before it was, but now I feel those people are quite interesting."

"Men really are good at fickleness."

"Setting aside whether the term 'fickleness' is used correctly, I want to say one thing for men — not all men are fickle!"

"True, almost let my prejudice show again — that is: you really are good at fickleness."

"Fine, now let's get back to whether the term 'fickleness' is used correctly."

"Are you coming back or not?" Mikami Ai cut him off.

Qingshan Li didn't understand: "What's your purpose in making me join the Athens Philosophy Research Club? I can't figure that out."

"Not enough members."

"Heard a lot of people want to join, but you rejected them all."

"They're unqualified."

"In what aspect?"

"." Mikami Ai sighed, "Classmate Aoyama."

"Here."

"Do you know why I let you join in the first place?"

"Wasn't it to make up the numbers?" Qingshan Li couldn't think of any other reason.

"Because your looks are outstanding."

Below, the two spoke simultaneously——

". If you're going to confess, I advise you to give up."

"As long as you're here, any club with female members can easily. What did you say?"

Qingshan Li touched his nose.

Mikami Ai sized up Qingshan Li, laughing teasingly: "You're quite narcissistic."

"People who get confessed to often are like that, aren't you too?" Qingshan Li flew into shameful anger, counterattacking.

After pondering, Mikami Ai had to nod in agreement.

"Anyway," she forcibly twisted the topic back, "with you, the Athens Philosophy Research Club's activities will progress more smoothly."

"There's the Student Council now, right? Representing the Student Council for assessments, no club would dare refuse, right? Like the Track and Field Club, Baseball Club."

"In the Student Council's name, what you see isn't real enough."

"Going all out, using full strength — what's unreal about that?"

"Not strength, it's the club's state."

"But the whole school knows the Athens Philosophy Research Club is working for the Student Council — what's the point of me coming back?"

Mikami Ai was left speechless.

"Bottom line," Qingshan Li raised his index finger, looking like he had it all figured out, "you want me back because you feel guilty inside, but it's really not necessary, I truly don't mind."

Mikami Ai didn't speak.

Qingshan Li continued comforting her:

"Even if you think I'm short-sighted, money-grubbing, a despicable villain who hurts his own kin, you still helped transport equipment, helped me hide the truth, and haven't exposed my fighting."

"Speaking my inner thoughts, I'm not angry at all — on the contrary, I deeply respect you — I'm not as good as you."

"Moreover, people of inferior character should be despised, treated with cold indifference, otherwise this is a world unfit for survival."

"You really won't come back?" Mikami Ai asked.

"No." Qingshan Li answered.

The two fell into silence.

If there was water at hand, Qingshan Li would've wanted to pick it up and take a sip, but unfortunately there wasn't.

"I have no interest in evaluating others. Nor am I like you — my troubles are plenty enough, I don't want to invite more." He stood up, "If there's nothing else, I'll go first."

Waited two seconds, Qingshan Li turned and walked toward the classroom door.

Mikami Ai wanted to call him back, but ultimately, not knowing what to say, could only watch Qingshan Li leave, closing the Athens Philosophy Research Club's door.

(Chapter End)