Chapter 529

Tsukishima Rin barely hesitated before putting down her water cup, pushing open the door of the music room, and wanting to walk out quickly to wait for Natsume Chikage to enter the teaching building so she could strike up a conversation.

And at this time.

Kondo Miki, who had dazzling blonde hair and a very cold and arrogant temperament, was immersed in the music from just a moment ago.

She could clearly hear that Tsukishima Rin’s violin performance technique and emotional expression seemed to have improved quite a bit compared to before, and her mood was very good because of the beautiful music.

She slowly stood up, intending to talk to Senior Tsukishima Rin, whom she had always admired, about the handling of the violin part in the piece just now and ask for some advice.

But when she saw Tsukishima Rin suddenly put down her water cup, pick up her umbrella, and walk straight out.

She froze, then subconsciously looked in the direction Tsukishima Rin had just been gazing.

And where her gaze landed was none other than Natsume Chikage and Yukimura Suzune walking side by side on the cherry blossom path.

Looking at the backs of the two under the umbrellas, who were not intimate but exceptionally coordinated, Kondo Miki couldn't help but bite her red lip lightly. Her mood, which had been very bright because of the music, "swished" and fell to the bottom, becoming much worse.

"Even though you were willing to set Sana up with you, why are you still walking so close to this Yukimura Suzune?"

"And what's most infuriating is, you clearly rejected Senior Tsukishima, so why are you still giving her opportunities to get close?"

The drizzling rain continued to fall, forming fine, dense curtains of beads at the edges of the school eaves.

In front of the shoe lockers in the teaching building, the air was filled with dampness and the faint, distinct smell of leather from the lockers.

After most students entered, they folded up their dripping umbrellas and placed them in the long umbrella racks provided at the entrance.

Natsume Chikage and Yukimura Suzune did the same, shaking their umbrellas lightly before placing them inside.

However, just as the two had put away their umbrellas and changed into their indoor shoes, and were straightening up.

In the hallway.

A sound of light and slightly hurried footsteps approached, and Tsukishima Rin arrived in front of the two.

She looked at Natsume Chikage, her little heart thumping and accelerating, and even the heart rate reading on the smartwatch on her wrist rose slowly from the original steady 50–60 to 70–80, fluctuating slightly.

This clear fluctuation in heart rate silently spoke of the love Tsukishima Rin found hard to calm when facing Natsume Chikage.

She subconsciously raised her hand to tuck a strand of smooth hair behind her ear, and her face revealed that signature, intellectual, and beautiful smile.

The prominent tear mole under her left eye seemed to make this smile even more beautiful and radiant.

"Good morning, Natsume-kun... and Yukimura-san."

Natsume Chikage replied politely, his tone peaceful:

"Morning, Senior Tsukishima."

Yukimura Suzune narrowed her eyes like a cat, alert in a way that was hard to detect, but she maintained basic etiquette on the surface and responded coolly.

"Morning... Senior Tsukishima."

Tsukishima Rin’s gaze was focused intently on Natsume Chikage’s face, and she said softly:

"Natsume-kun, congratulations on winning the shogi match again yesterday."

"You were really very cool when you won."

Natsume Chikage nodded slightly, thanking her:

"Thank you."

Tsukishima Rin already knew from Araki Yua that Natsume Chikage planned to go out to eat with Yua on Thursday.

Yua would definitely drag her along then, so there was no need to rush to invite him alone right now.

She just needed to wait quietly.

However... there was one thing that needed to be mentioned first.

Tsukishima Rin’s lips curled slightly, and she asked with a perfectly measured smile:

"By the way, Natsume-kun, tomorrow, Wednesday, is when the orchestra club goes to another school for a performance. Didn't you say you were going to come with me to see your sister’s school?"

"Don't forget about that."

"Remember to come find me after lunch."

Natsume Chikage nodded, confirming:

"Of course I remember."

"Where do you plan to meet?"

Tsukishima Rin explained in detail:

"At the orchestra club room."

"I’ve already told the advisor, and she agreed to let you come help, so you can just come right in."

Natsume Chikage understood and replied:

"Understood."

Tsukishima Rin then naturally turned her head to look at Yukimura Suzune, who was standing quietly to the side, and extended an invitation again, her tone gentle:

"Junior Yukimura, I talked to you about this last time. Have you considered it? Are you coming?"

Yukimura Suzune narrowed her eyes, glanced quickly at Natsume Chikage, then back at the smiling Tsukishima Rin. After a few seconds of silence, she refused in a flat tone:

"No... you guys go ahead."

A smile of regret appeared on Tsukishima Rin’s face at the right moment, and she said softly:

"That’s a pity."

"But it doesn't matter. If you have any thoughts about it next time, please be sure to tell me."

Saying this.

She turned her gaze back to Natsume Chikage and keenly noticed that the tie he was wearing was slightly crooked, with the ends not aligned.

"Your tie is crooked..."

"Is it?" Natsume Chikage looked down upon hearing this, intending to check, his fingers already reaching for the knot, preparing to adjust it himself.

However, at this moment.

"Let me help you."

"No, I can do it mys—"

Natsume Chikage didn't even have time to finish his polite refusal.

Tsukishima Rin had already stepped forward, shortening the distance between them, and reached out. Her fingertips had already touched the tie, and she very naturally, yet with a hint of imperceptible shyness, helped him carefully straighten and smooth it out. Then she let go, stepped back half a step, and looked up at him with a sweet smile, her face slightly flushed.

"There, that's better."

Natsume Chikage was stunned, then silent for a moment, looking at Tsukishima Rin with a subtle expression, a flash of surprise and slight awkwardness in his eyes.

Clearly, he hadn't expected her to do this so proactively and naturally.

He paused, then said politely:

"Thank you."

Tsukishima Rin shook her head gently, her smile still bright:

"You're welcome."

"Then I'll head back now."

Yukimura Suzune, who had witnessed the whole thing silently, narrowed her eyes even more than before, a hint of darkness flashing in her cold pupils.

As if she were sulking, she turned around without a word and walked ahead of Natsume Chikage, her pace slightly faster than usual.

Natsume Chikage was used to Yukimura Suzune’s cold and quiet demeanor, assuming it was just her usual style, and didn't think anything of it, so he naturally stepped forward and walked a short distance behind her.

At the same time.

This scene was also seen by Shinohara Shingo, the number one pitcher of the baseball team, who happened to be passing by the locker area.

Seeing the girl he had been in love with for so long, Yukimura Suzune, even after he had confessed to her again and reminded her again to keep her distance from Natsume Chikage.

She was still walking to school with Natsume Chikage, a pair.

And even after clearly seeing Yukimura Suzune’s obvious jealousy as she stared at the interaction between Natsume Chikage and Tsukishima Rin just now.

Shinohara Shingo felt a sharp pain in his heart and understood completely—although Yukimura Suzune hadn't verbally admitted she liked Natsume Chikage when he confessed, deep down, she definitely had special feelings for him.

You have to know that the Yukimura Suzune of the past was truly like a flower on a high peak; she wouldn't easily interact with any boy, let alone get close to one.

Not to mention walking to school together, or even showing such concern because of that boy’s interaction with other girls.

If anyone said she had no feelings for Natsume Chikage, he, Shinohara Shingo, would not believe it one hundred percent!

Thinking that the girl he had secretly loved so carefully for so long had her heart snatched away so easily by Natsume Chikage, who had appeared halfway!

Shinohara Shingo felt his heart ache; it hurt so much!

Yukimura-san... why didn't you accept my confession?

Instead, you go and get close to a boy like this who isn't worthy of you at all?