Chapter 544

The next day.

At the subway station in the early morning, the air was cool, mixed with the hurried breath of commuters.

"Brother, Reisa-chan and I will take this train to school first." Natsume Ruri waved at Natsume Chikage.

"Natsume-brother... we're leaving first." Kaga Reisa also said goodbye in a small voice.

"Hmm, be careful on the way. If there is anything at school, remember to call me immediately." Natsume Chikage instructed.

The two girls nodded and stepped into the train door that had just entered the station with the flow of people.

Not long after, another train slowly entered the platform; it was the line Natsume Chikage was going to take.

He moved forward with the flow of people.

And at this moment, in the carriage that had already started and was heading to the next station.

Yukimura Suzune, who was sitting by the window, seemed to sense something, subconsciously raised her head, her cold eyes looking through the train window toward the platform direction that was gradually moving away.

However, there were many people on the platform, and she didn't capture that familiar figure.

Until the platform completely disappeared at the end of the field of vision, the carriage door was tightly closed, and there was only the rapidly retreating tunnel wall outside the window, she still didn't see him.

Yukimura Suzune paused, her thin red lips pursing tightly unconsciously.

A few thoughts flashed through her mind.

That guy... could it be that he overslept and was late?

Or, was he tripped up by some sudden event again and didn't come to the station at all?

Or... he actually took an earlier train and left?

Her fingers unconsciously touched the phone in her coat pocket, feeling a sense of wanting to ask, but not wanting to ask.

Natsume Chikage stepped into the carriage, his gaze quickly sweeping over the slightly crowded space.

Not finding Yukimura Suzune's figure, nor any empty seats, he stood still in a random position on the side and took out his phone to type.

The train was running smoothly.

Soon, the school gate of Private Moonlight Academy with a quite design sense appeared in the field of vision.

Natsume Chikage walked into the campus.

His appearance, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, quietly rippled, attracting the eyes of many students and teachers along the way.

He, who was already attracting attention on campus due to his outstanding appearance, had his attention level reach a new height since winning three consecutive games in the "New Sharp Shogi Tournament" and setting the fastest victory record.

Whispers flowed faintly in the air.

"Hey, did you hear? Natsume-kun seems to be single now..."

"Really? A boy as handsome as him is actually still single? I'm afraid it's not a bluff, and he actually has a girlfriend behind his back long ago?"

"Absolutely true! His classmates said so."

"Unbelievable..."

Under the cherry blossom corridor, pink and white petals drifted leisurely.

Natsume Chikage, walking alone, clearly felt that the gazes falling on him today seemed to be denser than usual.

And just at this moment.

A fair hand gently patted his shoulder, accompanied by a vibrant voice.

"Natsume-kun, good morning!"

He turned his head.

What came into view was Akita Sana, wearing the standard uniform of Private Moonlight Academy, with a bright smile.

When she walked, her low-hanging twin tails would sway gently with her steps, and her skirt also raised a lively arc.

When she smiled, a cute little tiger tooth appeared and disappeared.

"Akita-san, good morning."

Akita Sana had actually been "camping" near the school gate early, aiming to wait for Natsume Chikage's arrival.

Seeing him finally, she couldn't suppress the joy in her heart and immediately sent her congratulations:

"By the way, Natsume-kun! I watched your shogi competition; it was really wonderful, too amazing! Congratulations on winning the third round!"

Natsume Chikage responded with a smile:

"Thank you."

Looking at his gentle smile, Akita Sana only felt her cheeks burning slightly, and her heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably.

She suppressed her shyness, quickly took out a magazine from her school bag, and handed it to Natsume Chikage with both hands.

"Natsume-kun, this... for you."

Natsume Chikage's gaze fell on that item—it was exactly that "collection-grade fighting magazine" emitting a unique faint light.

He was instantly stunned in place, a trace of astonishment flashing in his eyes.

"This magazine... why is it with you?"

Akita Sana scratched her cheek embarrassedly, her eyes wandering, and her voice lowered:

"Actually... last time at Miki's house, I saw you seemed particularly interested in this magazine... later I asked Uncle Kondo, and then... he let it go to me."

Natsume Chikage's surprise was even greater, and he could almost certainly ask:

"Mr. Kondo wouldn't let it go for no reason. You... spent 100,000 yen to buy it, right?"

He stared at Akita Sana, his tone carrying confusion and a trace of solemnity.

"Why did you do this?"

Akita Sana's face turned even redder, and she wanted to knock herself twice in her heart—how could she say the wrong thing and do the wrong thing in front of Natsume-kun again!

She hurriedly wanted to "rationalize" the matter, her speaking speed accelerating uncontrollably:

"Th-this... actually, it's because last time, Miki gave me the cream puff you made yourself."

"That taste... I really thought it was very, very delicious!"

"No matter what, I ate the dessert you made... so I kept thinking, if I don't return the gift, I feel really bad in my heart or something."

She secretly glanced at Natsume Chikage and continued to explain.

"Later I heard you mention at Miki's house that you liked this magazine very much... I thought, if you like it, using it as a return gift should be good... so I asked Uncle Kondo to buy it..."

Her voice became smaller and smaller, finally turning into a mutter.

"But you really don't have to take it too much to heart!"