Chapter 43

"Then how about after school today?" Xiyuanji Qilai suggested happily, her tone carrying anticipation.

"Not today, I have something urgent to do after school," Natsume Chikage said with a hint of apology, "How about tomorrow?"

"Mm, of course that's fine!" Xiyuanji Qilai replied with a smile, then asked Xuecun Lingyin in front of him, "Lingyin, do you want to visit the clubs together tomorrow?"

Xuecun Lingyin clearly heard the conversation between the two, but still focused on the novel in her hand, and responded indifferently without turning her head: "No, I'm only interested in the Literature Club, I plan to go straight there after school."

"I see..." Xiyuanji Qilai sighed with some regret.

But she knew very well that Xuecun Lingyin was indeed only interested in literary creation, and joining the school's Literature Club was a natural decision.

At this moment.

The bald math teacher walked in with his lesson plan, his leather shoes making rhythmic sounds on the floor.

The classroom instantly quieted down, and the students sat up straight one after another.

Xiyuanji Qilai didn't speak anymore, took out her math textbook, and began to listen to the lecture earnestly.

Natsume Chikage also straightened his sitting posture and focused his attention on the blackboard.

He was a graduate of a 985 university after all.

Looking at the problems in the first-year math textbook, he only felt they were indeed simple, basically having no difficulty.

But Natsume Chikage didn't slack off in his studies because of this.

Reviewing the old to learn the new—once you don't study for a long time, forgetting is inevitable.

And now he was in Japan, and the test questions were very different from those in his home country.

If he let his guard down because his grades used to be good, he might fail in the exams.

After all, Natsume Chikage's goal was a prestigious school like the University of Tokyo, and the difficulty was far beyond the university he had attended before.

Not to mention he had already promised his younger sister that they would get into the University of Tokyo together, so he couldn't be the slightest bit careless in his studies!

Time passed quietly amidst the sound of pen tips rubbing against paper.

Soon the class was nearing its end.

The ding-a-ling bell rang, breaking the tranquility of the classroom.

Many girls immediately surrounded him again, chattering like little birds, their faces filled with nervousness and anticipation.

"Natsume-kun, a girl with wheat-colored skin and short hair came to look for you at noon, who is that girl?"

"Could it be your girlfriend?"

"Natsume-kun... is this true?"

Natsume Chikage shook his head and explained calmly:

"No, she's just a colleague from where I work part-time."

The girls heard this, and one by one they showed happy expressions, exchanging relieved glances with each other.

Xiyuanji Qilai's ears moved slightly; although she couldn't see Natsume Chikage, who was surrounded by girls, she was clearly listening to the conversation here.

Natsume Chikage needed personal time to type, thinking he couldn't let the girls in the class occupy his break time anymore, so he found a decent excuse and politely dismissed them.

These girls were reasonable, and although they were slightly disappointed, they returned to their seats in twos and threes.

Natsume Chikage, who finally had some peace, let out a long sigh.

This scene was seen by Xiyuanji Qilai, and she couldn't help but smile slightly: "That's really great, Natsume-kun."

"What?" Natsume Chikage turned his head in confusion.

"No, it's nothing." Xiyuanji Qilai shook her head with a smile.

Natsume Chikage was a bit puzzled, but didn't pursue the question, just took out his phone and focused on typing.

Xiyuanji Qilai didn't go up to disturb him like the other girls.

Although she felt Natsume Chikage was the same as before, still liking to play mobile games.

But what was wrong with being able to do what you like?

Thinking of this, Xiyuanji Qilai took out a copy of "World Collection of Strange Objects" from her schoolbag and began to read it quietly.

At this moment.

A beautiful blonde girl passed by in the corridor, her tall figure flashing past the window.

The boys in the class couldn't help but stretch their necks to take a few more looks after noticing.

Kondo Miki had noticed Natsume Chikage was in Class A when she looked at the class assignment information in the morning.

When passing by, she subconsciously glanced into the classroom.

She saw Natsume Chikage sitting in his seat clicking on his phone screen rapidly; that focused expression looked like he was playing a game no matter how you looked at it!

Witnessing this scene, she couldn't help but frown, thinking that his family had encountered such a major change and had already fallen to such a state.

How could he still be so indifferent to his studies during school and only care about playing games?

If it were her facing such a situation, she would definitely study twice as hard, and she wouldn't slack off even during the break!

Kondo Miki shook her head repeatedly and left the corridor with a disappointed expression.

The bell for the end of the school day rang crisply, echoing throughout the teaching building.

The class instantly boiled over, and the students were jubilant, making a scene together.

Many students had already made appointments with companions, preparing to participate in club activities or go home together.

Some girls couldn't hold back and came to Natsume Chikage's side.

"Natsume-kun, do you want to go for a walk this afternoon and get familiar with the surroundings of the school?"

"I know a karaoke place nearby that is very cost-effective, how about going there?"

"I think it's quite good, what do you think, Natsume-kun?"

Natsume Chikage shook his head and politely declined: "Sorry, I have things to do this afternoon."

The girls heard this, and their faces were instantly filled with regret.

Natsume Chikage picked up his already packed schoolbag and left the noisy classroom alone, planning to sign up for a new shogi tournament!

Walking on the school road where cherry blossoms were falling, he took out his phone and carefully searched for the registration information and specific address of the new shogi tournament.

He found that the registration deadline was 5:00 PM.

And it was just past 3:00 PM.

It took ten minutes to walk from the school to the subway station, and half an hour by train.

If nothing unexpected happened, there should be plenty of time!