Chapter 145: Disdain!

In the hallway, students walked toward the cafeteria in twos and threes.

Akita Sana was chatting happily with Kondo Miki, her dainty twin tails swaying gently with her brisk, cheerful steps.

She had a sweet appearance, and when she smiled, two cute little fangs showed; her bright, sunny demeanor made her particularly eye-catching in the crowd.

Beside her, Kondo Miki had dazzling blonde hair and a tall figure, her face carrying an innate coldness and arrogance—two completely different temperaments, yet they were strangely harmonious walking together.

A second-year senior couldn't help but feel moved and walked straight up to strike up a conversation:

"Hello, underclassmen."

"I saw you two over there earlier and thought you had quite the air about you. Are you heading to the cafeteria to eat now?"

"How about... we go together?"

Akita Sana was long used to this type of approach; she merely glanced at the senior, then shook her head with a helpless, shallow smile:

"Sorry, we're used to eating together, just the two of us."

Kondo Miki was even more direct, her tone distant and tinged with impatience:

"Not interested. Move aside."

A flash of embarrassment crossed the senior's face, and he had no choice but to leave dejectedly.

And just at this moment—

Both of their gazes fixed simultaneously on Natsume Chikage up ahead.

The midday sun poured down through the corridor windows, outlining a pale golden silhouette around him.

Sunspots danced on his refined profile, and even his fine eyelashes were dyed a pale gold, appearing exceptionally heart-stirring in that instant.

Kondo Miki and Akita Sana froze in place, both at the same time.

Akita Sana was the first to react, leaning forward almost excitedly:

"Natsume-kun, are you going to have lunch?"

"How about... we go together?"

Kondo Miki furrowed her brows, clearly not expecting her best friend to suddenly extend an invitation.

Natsume Chikage, however, was somewhat bewildered.

He didn't know this Akita Sana at all; as for Kondo Miki beside her, he did know her.

Akita Sana realized from his blank expression that he didn't recognize her at all—everything was merely her one-sided knowledge of him.

She felt suddenly awkward and hurriedly explained:

"Um... I'm Akita Sana, Miki's good friend since childhood. I'm in Class B with her now."

"I heard from her before that you two knew each other when you were little..."

"Since we ran into you, I just thought... would you like to have lunch together..."

As she spoke, she turned to Kondo Miki on the sly, signaling desperately with her eyes.

Kondo Miki certainly knew that Sana held a fondness for Natsume Chikage, but she wasn't happy to see her best friend embark on a wrong path in life, so she only responded faintly:

"Sana is indeed my friend."

"We were just about to head to the cafeteria, but looking at your direction, are you going back to the classroom?"

Natsume Chikage nodded:

"Yeah."

"My bento is in the classroom."

"It's a bit far to go back and forth to the cafeteria, so you two go ahead. I'll pass."

Hearing this, a flash of disappointment crossed Akita Sana's eyes.

Natsume Chikage remembered the care he had received from Lady Kondo Miyuki recently, and looking at the two boxes of cream puffs in his hand, he handed one to Kondo Miki:

"Lady Miyuki has helped me quite a bit lately. This is a small token of thanks; could I trouble you to pass it to her?"

Kondo Miki was slightly startled.

Mom helped him?

When did that happen?

She hadn't heard anything about it at all.

She decided to ask her mother later, but for now, she just glanced at the simple white box and asked with a frown:

"What's inside?"

"Cream puffs made in home economics class. They taste pretty good; take them back for your uncle and aunt to try."

A flash of reluctance crossed Kondo Miki's eyes.

She usually ate desserts from famous shops like "ZAKUZAKU," "Beard Papa's," or "Shirohige's Cream Puff Factory." As for desserts made by ordinary people, she instinctively felt they were cheap.

What's more, Natsume Chikage never cooked at home before; after taking a class or two on desserts, what kind of decent thing could he possibly make?

But hindered by the past friendship between their two families, she remained silent for a few seconds before reaching out to take it:

"Thanks, I'll pass it on." Her tone was flat, with no discernible emotion.

As for Akita Sana, once she heard they were cream puffs made by Natsume himself, her eyes lit up instantly, and she calculated that she must try one later.

"I'll be going then," Natsume Chikage said his goodbyes.

"Mm," Kondo Miki responded coldly.

"Goodbye, Natsume-kun! Let's eat together again next time!" Akita Sana, however, waved her hand, full of enthusiasm.

Natsume Chikage was slightly stunned, then nodded politely: "Sure."

Having received a response, Akita Sana became even more excited, calling out lightly to his departing back: "It's a deal then!"

Watching this scene, Kondo Miki involuntarily furrowed her brows, feeling a bit displeased with Natsume Chikage's response.

And just after he left—

Yamaguchi Botai, who had been pursuing Kondo Miki and was somewhat handsome, walked over right behind him.

He had clearly seen Natsume Chikage talking to Kondo Miki just now and even handing over something.

This scene still made him feel somewhat unhappy.

After all, Kondo Miki was the girl he had been pursuing all along. ===== CHAPTER 146 =====