[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment":3,"chapter-tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-566":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Tokyo: You Call This Normal Equipment?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1952541,2739,"Chapter 566: Then I","tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-566",566,"\u003Cp>Class 1-A.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The morning light slanted through the window, spreading a warm brightness on the desks and floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage pushed open the back door of the classroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Almost the moment he stepped in, people in the surrounding rows raised their heads, and immediately, more gazes focused on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Natsume-kun is back!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Someone whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, several circles of people gathered around his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The boys’ eyes were complex, the girls’ eyes were shining, and questions poured in like a tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Natsume-kun, I heard you shut out Shinohara-senpai with a 158 km\u002Fh fastball this morning? Is it true?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Did you secretly practice pitching before? That pitch speed is too exaggerated!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Natsume-kun, Natsume-kun, will you join the baseball club later?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage spent quite a while dismissing these people and exhaled lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Afterward, he walked toward his seat by the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>—In the row by the window, near his seat, were three familiar figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Fujiwara Aoi, Yukimura Suzune, and Saionji Nanase.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>All three were looking at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In their expressions, it was clearly written that they were not very happy.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>A subtle premonition brushed the back of Natsume Chikage’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>He was the first to curl his lips, trying to greet them as naturally as possible:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Haha... good morning, everyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Fujiwara Aoi’s eyebrows stood up, and her fingers on her waist pressed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Natsume-kun—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She dragged out the tail of her words, her tone filled with irrepressible anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"You and Shinohara Shingo caused such a big thing, why didn't you tell us at all?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Saionji Nanase didn't speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But she puffed out her fair cheeks, lowered her eyelids, and muttered in a small voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Natsume-kun clearly promised before... said that if there was anything in the future, he would discuss it with us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"But this time... he still didn't say anything...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Yukimura Suzune didn't echo their questioning.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She just narrowed her eyes slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That cold face was a few degrees colder than usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>But when she looked at Natsume Chikage, the emotion in the bottom of her eyes was far more complex than \"anger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>—There was shallow guilt, there was unspeakable shame and annoyance.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And a trace of a different kind of fluctuation that she herself had not yet clearly captured.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"If it weren't for the classmates in the class passing it on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"We wouldn't have known that Shinohara Shingo had gone to trouble you that day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Why... didn't you tell us immediately?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She bit her lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"This matter, no matter how you look at it, started because of me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"He secretly loved me, confessed to me, was rejected by me—and then he took his anger out on you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She raised her eyes and looked directly at Natsume Chikage.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"As long as you told me, I could have gone to Shinohara immediately, said things absolutely, said them dead to his face.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"I could have also gone directly to the teacher, or even called the police.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"His behavior was already enough to be defined as harassment and threats.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"But why... did you have to agree to that kind of bet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Why are you so foolish?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage stood in place and explained:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Because his existence would continue to affect my high school life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Even if I told the teacher and had them expel Shinohara Shingo, Shinohara Shingo could still harass me outside of school.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Treating the symptoms but not the root cause.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Only by letting the student council participate can this matter be completely resolved.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Yukimura Suzune heard this, and her heart was gently bumped by something.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This guy, in all likelihood, chose this path because he didn't want her to continue being pestered by Shinohara...\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>It should be that way...\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>He is so foolish, really so foolish...\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>A thin layer of red floated on her cheeks uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She bit her lower lip gently, lowered her gaze, and her voice carried a softness bordering on complaint that she hadn't even noticed herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Even so... you... you should have at least told us...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Why do you always have to shoulder it alone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Did you never think... what if you lost, and were expelled, what would you do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage met her gaze and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"I won't lose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>That smile was frank, without any haze.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Yukimura Suzune’s heart jumped heavily in her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She suddenly looked away, her voice muffled:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"…Really... what a fool!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Fujiwara Aoi listened on the side, confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She blinked, her gaze turning back and forth between Yukimura Suzune and Natsume Chikage several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Wait, wait, wait—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She raised her hand, making a \"stop\" gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Suzune... you just said, this matter started because of you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"What exactly is the situation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Saionji Nanase also stopped muttering and looked at Yukimura Suzune in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Suzune... does Shinohara-senpai’s matter have anything to do with you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Yukimura Suzune was silent for a few seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She raised her hand and tucked the stray hair falling by her face behind her ear, her movements carrying a trace of helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Then, she told the whole story of what happened that day—Shinohara Shingo blocking her to confess, her being pestered until she was impatient, rejecting him in absolute terms, and Shinohara Shingo’s instantly gloomy eyes when he saw Natsume Chikage—\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She told it all exactly as it happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Fujiwara Aoi listened, and the whole person stood frozen in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Ah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She opened her mouth, and it took a long time to find her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"So the truth... is actually like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"I thought Shinohara Shingo just wanted to vindicate the baseball club or something...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Saionji Nanase was also stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In those purple eyes of hers, there was full incredulity.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"So... Shinohara-senpai was because he saw you and Natsume-kun going to school together every day, and so...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She paused, and her expression became somewhat strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"If you put it that way... Natsume-kun this time, was it completely a disaster from the blue?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Fujiwara Aoi also finally reacted and looked at Yukimura Suzune with a complex gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Yukimura Suzune’s earlobes quietly heated up.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She coughed twice, trying to maintain a calm tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"This time, he was indeed innocent...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"But the most fundamental reason is still that high school students of this age are too prone to wild imagination.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"They always like to associate simple things with strange scripts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"In my opinion, these people still read too few books.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Read more books, and you won't be addicted to these inexplicable delusions all day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She finished speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Silent for two seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Then, she raised her head and looked at Natsume Chikage seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In those cold eyes, all the dodging and shame faded away, leaving only frank apology.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Natsume-kun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"I’m sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"This matter really all started because of me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage had already sat back in his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>He turned sideways, looking at Yukimura Suzune who had turned around from the front row.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>It was rare for her to apologize so formally, which made him somewhat unaccustomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>He thought about it and smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"If you put it that way... it is indeed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Then I’ll punish you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Yukimura Suzune was slightly startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Punish me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Natsume Chikage nodded, his expression rarely becoming serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"You also know that my family used to be well-off, and Ruri could attend good tutoring classes and interest classes since she was a child.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"But now that the family has fallen... those courses have long been stopped.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Ruri is already in her second year of junior high.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Although she has always been first in the grade, wanting to maintain this grade, relying on self-study alone is not enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Your grades are very good, and guiding her is more than enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"I am relatively busy, and most of the time I only have time in the evening.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"So—if you don't mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"During this month, can you spare some time to help me tutor Ruri?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Yukimura Suzune listened, blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She didn't answer immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The wind outside the window blew in, gently brushing her black hair hanging by her shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She didn't know what she thought of, but her face once again floated with a very faint blush.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She coughed twice gently, trying to make her expression look professional.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"This matter... I do have responsibility.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"If I don't do something, I really feel a bit bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"And... I quite like your sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"If it’s just doing some simple study tutoring... no problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Saionji Nanase on the side listened to the conversation between the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She looked at Natsume Chikage’s slightly relaxed brows after Yukimura Suzune agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Suddenly felt her chest a bit stuffy.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>A kind of unclear, sour, and astringent feeling quietly spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She raised her hand on impulse.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Then... then I’ll go too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Yukimura Suzune turned to look at her in astonishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"You’re coming too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Saionji Nanase’s cheeks flushed slightly, but her tone tried to maintain naturalness.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"I’m quite free usually... I always wanted to find you to play, Suzune.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Since you’re going to tutor Ruri-chan... I thought, I might as well go together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"And I also promised Ruri-chan last time that I would check her manga progress.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Just take this opportunity to fulfill the promise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Fujiwara Aoi listened on the side, her gaze drifting for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>She scratched the back of her head somewhat embarrassedly, giggling:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Um...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Since you are all going to tutor Ruri-chan... can you, by the way, tutor me too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"There’s a monthly exam coming up soon...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"If my grades don't pass, my mom and dad will really give me a mixed double beating...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Saionji Nanase covered her mouth and laughed gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Of course you can.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Yukimura Suzune glanced at Fujiwara Aoi helplessly, her tone flat.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Whatever.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Fujiwara Aoi beamed, clenched her fists, and cheered in a small voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\"Great! We can have a study session!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>After speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>",1622,"2026-06-15T07:10:31.195Z","2026-06-17T08:41:32.805Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","5c4a6da240be8784c434a4dc4a46d368fdabfd8b92642cbc42fd7bd5805b667a","tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-567","tokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-chapter-565",624,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ftokyo-you-call-this-normal-equipment-cover.jpg"]