Chapter 49

The two walked into the staff breakroom one after the other.

A computer sat in the corner of the room, used by the manager to handle official business and register employee shifts.

Natsume Chikage turned it on, clicked the shift schedule file on the desktop, and began to earnestly fill in the time slots he was available to work in April.

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui's original goal had been to learn Natsume Chikage's shift schedule, and at this moment, she couldn't help but lean in close to him, staring fixedly at the screen.

However, it was only for a few seconds.

She suddenly realized she was too close to Natsume Chikage; their shoulders were even touching.

Close enough to smell the faint, clean scent of laundry detergent on him.

Moreover, the other employees in the shop had already left, and they were the only two left in the large breakroom.

Realizing this, Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui's heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably, and she secretly glanced sideways at Natsume Chikage beside her.

When her gaze fell upon his profile as he focused on the screen, the sharp, defined contours made it impossible for her to look away for a moment.

"I'm done filling it out. It's your turn, Fujiwara-san."

Natsume Chikage suddenly turned his head.

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui was startled, her heart almost skipping a beat.

Fortunately, she reacted quickly and immediately turned her face toward the computer screen.

However, she was still very nervous inside, unsure if he had noticed her gaze just now.

"Um... um, let me do it."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui replied, feigning composure.

But her cheeks were already as red as a ripe apple, and her heart was beating like a drum.

The sound of her intense heartbeat was exceptionally clear in her own ears; she was even worried that Natsume Chikage beside her might hear it.

'Give up, stop it already!' Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui shouted internally, yet the blush on her face became even more pronounced.

Natsume Chikage politely gave up his seat and stepped back a few paces, making room for Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui to operate the computer.

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui breathed a secret sigh of relief.

If Natsume Chikage were still standing beside her, he might have discovered that she was deliberately arranging her shifts to be exactly the same as his.

Soon.

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui quietly adjusted her shift schedule, ensuring every time slot completely overlapped with Natsume Chikage's.

After completing this little maneuver, she clenched her fist in satisfaction, then closed the computer and said to Natsume Chikage:

"I'm done."

Natsume Chikage nodded:

"Then let's head off work now."

After locking the front door of the coffee shop, the two walked side by side on the streets of Shibuya.

Although it was only ten o'clock at night, the streets far from the main commercial district were already quite deserted.

The coffee shop where they worked happened to be outside the bustling area, and there were very few pedestrians on the street at this time.

Natsume Chikage realized then that this was the first time he had left work with Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui in the few days he had been working there.

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui also noticed this, and a hint of small joy welled up inside her.

She suddenly remembered she didn't know where Natsume Chikage lived, so she asked curiously:

"By the way, Natsume-kun, is your home far from the coffee shop?"

Natsume Chikage pointed to the road ahead:

"Not too far, about fifteen minutes on foot."

"What about you?"

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui widened her eyes in surprise:

"Eh? Is your home in this direction too?"

"I only need to walk five minutes to get there!"

Natsume Chikage looked slightly surprised:

"I didn't expect that."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui stepped along with a light, cheerful gait, her face brimming with joy.

Since she was going the same way as Natsume-kun, couldn't they often leave work together from now on, and have him walk her home on his way?

"I really didn't expect us to take the same road home~" Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui said happily, then changed the subject, "By the way, what club does Natsume-kun plan to join?"

"Haven't decided yet." Natsume Chikage shook his head. "What about you? Have you decided?"

"Me? I've already joined the Track and Field Force!" Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui playfully extended her index and middle fingers, making a victory sign.

"Why choose the Track and Field Force?" Natsume Chikage asked curiously.

"... Actually, there's no special reason, I just like the feeling of running!" Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui beamed with a brilliant smile.

"I see." Natsume Chikage nodded in understanding.

Some people run often simply because they enjoy the feeling of running freely.

"Then what club is Natsume-kun preparing to join?" Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui asked again.

Natsume Chikage thought about it seriously and found that he really didn't have any club he was particularly interested in.

Moreover, he didn't have much time; besides working, he also had to type out his novel.

Now that he had also entered a shogi tournament, he was afraid it would be hard to find time for regular club activities in the short term.

Thinking about it this way, the club options suitable for him suddenly became much fewer.

Clubs like the Jiandao Force, Track and Field Force, or Baseball Force usually required regular training after school.

Unless he chose the "Homecoming Force"—where one could go straight home after school.

But since he was reliving his high school life, Natsume Chikage didn't want to spend it so blandly.

That kind of high school life felt like it was missing something.

If he encountered an interesting club with flexible activity times, he would be quite happy to join.

"I haven't decided yet," Natsume Chikage explained. "Aren't there club recruitment and tour activities these few days? I plan to find some time to go take a look; maybe I'll find a club I like."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui nodded repeatedly, her smile bright: "Mm-hmm, that's the best way!"

The two chatted as they walked, and the Shibuya streets in the night didn't seem so deserted because of their conversation.

Natsume Chikage's gaze occasionally fell on the sports watch on Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui's wrist.

【Sports Watch】

【Quality: White】

【Effect: Increases physical training effectiveness by 15%】

【Introduction: The girl's day-and-night efforts are all for the dream in her heart!】

【Synthesis Condition: Requires at least three pieces of the same type of equipment!】

Due to paying the 20,000 yen registration fee for the shogi tournament, Natsume Chikage only had about 25,000 yen left on him.

He remembered Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui saying that this sports watch was worth over 60,000 yen.

And the prize money for the shogi tournament was set as: 10,000 yen for winning the first round, 20,000 for the second, 40,000 for the third, and so on...

If he could win three rounds in a row, he could get 70,000 yen in prize money.

By then, perhaps he could buy a sports watch of equal or even higher value to give to Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui, and then take the opportunity to swap for her special equipment.

After all, the condition "collect three pieces of special equipment to gain one attribute point" was very tempting.

Natsume Chikage hoped to find a way to get his hands on every piece of special equipment he encountered.

Whether it was his younger sister's bracelet, Yukimura Lingyin's small trinket, Auntie Kondo's combat magazine, or the school's confession cherry blossom tree, he wanted them all! ===== CHAPTER 50 =====