Chapter 34

"The reason for my refusal has nothing to do with you personally; it is purely my own situation."

Tsukishima Rin’s sad expression seemed to soften slightly because of his affirmation, but her voice still carried a persistent confusion:

"Then... why exactly... can you... tell me the reason?"

Xia Xia Xia Mujun looked straight into her eyes and explained earnestly:

"My family has recently undergone a major change, and there are many things I need to face and handle."

"As I am now, I really have no way to spare the heart and time to invest in a romantic relationship."

"So... I am truly sorry."

His explanation was clear and sincere.

But at this moment, no rational words could penetrate Tsukishima Rin’s despair, and she subconsciously thought this might just be an excuse he used to comfort her.

To her, this rejection was no different from completely destroying the vivid world she had just touched.

The pain coming from her heart was no longer the delightful palpitation, but a sharp pain as if being torn apart, so painful that she could barely breathe.

So, the heart really can hurt.

This feeling, which she had only read about in literature but couldn't understand, was now sweeping over her so realistically and so cruelly.

The accumulated tears finally broke their banks, rolling down her pale cheeks like pearls with broken strings.

She choked, unable to speak:

"I'm sorry... I... disturbed you... wuuu..."

The girls who had been hiding nearby to cheer her on immediately saw the situation and ran over in small groups.

One of the girls couldn't help but glare fiercely at Xia Xia Xia Mujun, her eyes filled with resentment.

Afterward, together with her companions, she carefully supported the still-sobbing Tsukishima Rin, who could barely stand, and comforted her in low voices, taking her away from the cherry blossom tree that was full of anticipation yet incredibly heartbreaking.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun watched their departing backs silently, a sigh of helplessness rising in his heart. ===== CHAPTER 69 =====

Some are happy, some are sad.

Nakajima Satoshi and Yasui Ryoto, who had been bitterly pursuing Tsukishima Rin, felt the suffocating feeling of being "NTR'd" that had been hanging over their hearts vanish instantly upon hearing the news that she had been flatly rejected.

They took a deep breath in unison, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.

Replacing it was a sense of relief like surviving a disaster and an irrepressible excitement!

The corners of Nakajima Satoshi’s mouth curled up uncontrollably, revealing an almost twisted smile.

Yasui Ryoto clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white from excitement.

Tsukishima Rin had been rejected.

This meant she was currently in her most emotionally vulnerable window.

Both of them thought in unison that if they could take this opportunity to provide her with warm comfort, wouldn't they be able to crazily increase her favorability?

They even began to silently thank Xia Xia Xia Mujun in their hearts.

If not for his rejection, how would they have obtained such an excellent opportunity?

However, when their eyes touched Xia Xia Xia Mujun’s figure in the distance, thinking of this person making their beloved "white moonlight" cry, a flash of annoyance uncontrollably appeared in their hearts again.

In the corridor at the junction of the teaching buildings.

None of the students expected that Tsukishima Rin had actually been rejected?!

"Who exactly is this boy? He even rejected her? That's Tsukishima Rin!"

"He's truly crazy. Being confessed to by Tsukishima Rin is like smoke rising from his ancestral grave!"

"He even rejected Senior Tsukishima Rin; he's so cool! Hey, if I were to conquer him, wouldn't I be more charming than Senior Tsukishima Rin?"

"You're a fool, truly hopeless—I advise you not to have ideas about my future boyfriend!"

"I think you're the one who's hopeless!!"

When Fujiwara Aoi noticed that Xia Xia Xia Mujun really hadn't lied and had truly rejected Senior Tsukishima Rin.

She immediately jumped up in excitement!

You have to know this is Senior Tsukishima Rin; he rejected such an excellent girl, which means he really doesn't want to date during this period!

And now that so many people know Xia Xia Xia Mujun has no plans to date, they surely won't think about conquering him, right?

Heehee, then it will be her turn to step in!

You have to know that she now works in the same place as Xia Xia Xia Mujun, studies at the same school, and lives so close; seeing each other every day, wouldn't affection grow over time?

Thinking of this, she felt that the "advantage is with me," and happily skipped away from there.

Saionji Nanase was still looking at Xia Xia Xia Mujun, who was standing in place, her lively eyes full of curiosity. "Suzune, do you think Xia Xia Xia Mujun said anything to reject that senior?"

"Not interested. Why don't you go ask him yourself?" Seeing the confession was over, Yukimura Suzune’s cold expression didn't have much of a ripple, and she prepared to leave without looking back.

"Why are you walking so fast? Wait for me." Saionji Nanase trotted to catch up.

Akita Sana, with her twin tails, muttered excitedly:

"Speaking of which, that Xia Xia Xia Mujun really has guts; he even rejected Senior Tsukishima!"

"I'm becoming more and more interested in this boy."

"Tell me, are you really not going to introduce him to me?"

"Na~ Miki, I'm asking you!"

But Kondo Miki acted as if she hadn't heard, her expression full of disbelief.

She really couldn't imagine that the Senior Tsukishima she had always admired actually liked Xia Xia Xia Mujun?

But such an excellent Senior Tsukishima was simply not someone Xia Xia Xia Mujun deserved!

Why confess to someone like Xia Xia Xia Mujun... it's truly incomprehensible!!!

Given Xia Xia Xia Mujun's past situation of often skipping class to play games at home, it should have been impossible for him to have the opportunity to know an excellent girl like Senior Tsukishima Rin.

Yet Senior Tsukishima Rin actually took the initiative to confess to him on the second day of school?

Could it be... that she fell in love at first sight the first day she saw Xia Xia Xia Mujun?

It must be that...

Thinking of this, Kondo Miki frowned tightly, feeling that Senior Tsukishima’s action was simply too rash and too superficial!

No matter how you look at it, she was just bewitched by Xia Xia Xia Mujun’s skin!!

She knew very well that Xia Xia Xia Mujun only had a shell, and inside he was actually just a void.

Now he had no talent or background, and didn't even have the most basic academic ability of a student, ranking at the bottom every year!

If it weren't for his family spending high tuition fees to let him study here before they went bankrupt, he probably wouldn't even have the qualifications to enter the school.

What's good about someone who only has an appearance and no future?

It's a pity Senior Tsukishima didn't know this and just confessed; if she knew, she would definitely be disillusioned with him!

But it's good that he was rejected; she didn't have to waste her breath telling Senior Tsukishima about Xia Xia Xia Mujun's personal situation.

It's just a pity that Senior Tsukishima was rejected by Xia Xia Xia Mujun in front of so many people; her reputation in school will surely not be good in the future.

But one point that puzzled Kondo Miki was, why exactly did Xia Xia Xia Mujun reject Senior Tsukishima?

Clearly, given his current situation, having such an excellent girl like him should be something to be happy about.

Could it be because of inferiority...

That's right.

Not only is Xia Xia Xia Mujun's family bankrupt, but he likely also has huge debts.

The salary he gets from his part-time job at the coffee shop is at most only a few tens of thousands of yen a month.

In such a situation, it's reasonable to be too inferior to date such an excellent Senior Tsukishima.

Being able to have this self-awareness can be considered one of his small merits.

"Hey, why are you ignoring me?" Akita Sana with the twin tails reached out and pushed Kondo Miki. "I'm saying Miki, hurry up and give me that Xia Xia Xia Mujun's contact information?"

"Give it up, he's really not worth you pursuing." Kondo Miki shook her head repeatedly.

"How do you know without trying?" Akita Sana acted spoiled. "Just give it to me~"

"Eh, you..." Kondo Miki was a bit speechless, but not wanting her best friend to fall into a pit, she had to tell Akita Sana all the detailed information about Xia Xia Xia Mujun.

And after Akita Sana learned about Xia Xia Xia Mujun's situation, her mouth twitched uncontrollably.

"Bad grades, no talent, and even if the debt was just some small money, I could accept it; after all, he really is in my direct-hit zone for looks."

"But not only does he have huge family debts, but he also has a drag-along younger sister; the situation of dating him looks very bad no matter how you look at it, even I really can't handle it..."

Kondo Miki shook her head repeatedly, knowing her best friend would definitely retreat immediately after knowing these conditions. ===== CHAPTER 70 =====