Chapter 570

Araki Jueai took over the conversation, her slender fingers drawing a circle in the air.

“Nomura-sensei has been nagging all morning, saying that your shogi strength has reached the quasi-professional level, and his hands are itching so much that he has to play a game with you.”

She paused, the corners of her lips curling into a faint smile.

“He even said he wanted to pass on his unique skill, ‘Thunder Hand,’ to you.”

Yasui Yasui Yasui Liangdou nodded vigorously.

“Yeah, he urged us to come catch you during lunch break.”

He scratched the back of his head, laughing a bit embarrassedly.

“Actually… Jueai and I also have itchy hands and want to play a game with you.”

Xia Xia Muchun glanced down at his phone screen.

He raised his face, carrying an apology.

“It might not work today… can we do it tomorrow?”

Araki Jueai puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.

“Why?”

“Isn't there no class this afternoon?”

Xia Xia Muchun explained:

“I promised Senior Tsukishima earlier that I would go help her move musical instruments this afternoon.”

“The Orchestra Club is performing at my sister’s school today, and I signed up for logistics.”

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of imperceptible softness.

“I haven't been to Ruri’s school yet, so I’ll just take this opportunity to go see it.”

Araki Jueai suddenly realized, the teasing in her eyes becoming a bit thicker.

“Oh—so you’re accompanying Tsukishima-san to the performance.”

“Rin did mention this to me, saying there was an off-campus performance today.”

“But I didn't expect her to invite you… then there’s no help for it, tomorrow it is.”

Araki Jueai was clear as a mirror in her heart.

—She knew Rin’s thoughts about Xia Xia Xia Mujun better than anyone.

—She wouldn't be stupid enough to stir up trouble for such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them to be alone.

Yasui Yasui Yasui Liangdou heard this and was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on; his whole person was not good.

“What—?!”

He widened his eyes in disbelief.

“Tsukishima-san called you, but didn't call me?!”

“Why on earth?!”

He wailed, his face full of the desire of “I want to go too.”

Araki Jueai elbowed him in the ribs without mercy.

She glared at him impatiently.

“You want to go now? It’s too late!”

“Do you think you can just ask for leave?”

“Xia Xia Xia Mujun is going as a logistics staff member, and it was reported to the teacher long ago.”

“If you run over now, what is it if not adding to the chaos?”

Yasui Yasui Yasui Liangdou clutched the part where he was elbowed, curled into a ball, and muttered aggrievedly.

“Woo… missing Tsukishima-san’s performance, I don't want that kind of thing to happen…”

Araki Jueai couldn't be bothered to deal with this clown and dragged him away by his sleeve.

She waved her hand behind her without looking back.

“Then it’s settled, see you tomorrow!”

Xia Xia Muchun bowed slightly and nodded to the two who were leaving.

“Senior, Senior-sister, see you tomorrow.”

Fujiwara Aoi finally couldn't hold it in anymore.

She knew very well—Senior Tsukishima’s thoughts about Xia Xia Xia Mujun were practically written on that intellectual and beautiful face.

She opened her mouth angrily.

“Xia Xia Xia Mujun—why didn't you ever mention to us that you were going to an off-campus performance with Senior Tsukishima this afternoon?”

Saionji Nanase didn't speak, but her fair cheeks puffed out slightly, clearly also very concerned.

Xia Xia Muchun was stunned for a moment, then smiled helplessly:

“Didn't I tell you guys…?”

“Then maybe I forgot to say it.”

“But Yukimura-san knew.”

The gazes of Fujiwara Aoi and Saionji Nanase fell on Yukimura Suzune in unison.

Yukimura Suzune felt the weight of the two gazes, her fingers holding the paperback book tightened slightly, and she coughed:

“…Mm. He told me.”

Fujiwara Aoi froze, like a statue that had instantly weathered.

She muttered aggrievedly in a small voice.

“Why did you only tell Suzune, and not us…”

“If I had known earlier, I would have wanted to go listen to Senior Tsukishima’s performance…”

Saionji Nanase also echoed in a small voice.

“…Me too.”

Xia Xia Muchun saw this, smiled and gave a thumbs up, his tone light.

“It’s okay, I’ll record the whole thing for you!”

Fujiwara Aoi and Saionji Nanase looked at each other and were silent for two seconds.

Fujiwara Aoi gave up and sighed resignedly.

“…Alright, recording is fine too.”

“But! We borrowed the ‘Seven Mysteries’ materials from the physics teacher, and we haven't solved them yet!”

“Tomorrow, you must come!”

Saionji Nanase also smiled again and nodded gently.

“Mm, we’re stuck and haven't been able to solve the incident.”

Yukimura Suzune’s ears heated up slightly, she turned her face away, and hummed coldly, pretending to be indifferent.

“Who’s stuck?”

“It’s just not the time to solve it yet. I have a feeling that it will be solved in these two days.”

Xia Xia Muchun nodded with a smile.

“Mm, I’ll leave the decryption to you guys.”

Orchestra Club.

The afternoon sun leaked in diagonally through the window lattices, plating several harps in warm gold.

Natsume Chikage pushed open the door to the club room alone.

The door hinges made a slight creaking sound.

Almost at the same instant, it was as if something had been thrown into the air of the classroom.

Several gazes caught that figure first, and then more gazes spread out like ripples.

The girls were still holding their bows or flutes, but their movements stopped in unison.

Then, their eyes lit up.

"Xia Xia Xia Mujun, you're finally here—"

"We've been waiting for you for a long time."

"Over here, over here, we've prepared tea, do you want some?"

The boys sat on the bench on the other side of the classroom.

Some turned their faces away, some gave a light "tsk," and some lowered their heads to pretend to organize their sheet music, but their knuckles tightened slightly.

—It's him again.

The light from the window outlined a clean profile of Natsume Chikage.

The school uniform always looked a bit more upright on him than on others.

The baseball bet this morning, the 158 km/h fastball, the shutout of the ace Shinohara Shingo—these rumors had already spread throughout the school during lunch break.

The girls who already liked him had even brighter lights in their eyes now.

The boys were silent, exchanging a helpless look.

After all, there were only so many girls in one club.

Too many monks, too little porridge.

Competition among the boys was already fierce.

And now that Natsume Chikage had arrived, all the girls' gazes were on him.

Thinking of this.

How could they possibly welcome his arrival?

But to say they should go up and interfere, that wasn't necessary either.

As everyone knew, Natsume Chikage wouldn't be looking for a girlfriend for the time being.

And more importantly, there were basically no girls in the club who could compete with Tsukishima Rin.

They knew they couldn't successfully pursue Tsukishima Rin in the first place.

Although they felt sorry that the school's celebrity, Tsukishima Rin, was still pursuing Xia Xia Xia Mujun after being rejected.

But after knowing this, they actually had a great chance with other girls.

So, there was no need to stop him.

But to say they were jealous, that was definitely full-blown.

Who wouldn't like being surrounded by so many girls?

Tsukishima Rin was squatting by the wall organizing the music stands.

She heard the commotion and looked up.

That familiar figure was in the middle of the crowd, his brow furrowed with a bit of trouble.

Her heart accelerated uncontrollably.

She put down the music stand in her hand, stood up, and walked through the crowd with soft and firm steps.

"Xia Xia Xia Mujun."

She stood still in front of him, smiling, the tear mole particularly soft in the afternoon light.

"Since you're here, just help me tidy up these things."

Natsume Chikage looked like he had found a savior and nodded immediately.

"Okay."

Kondo Miki stood by the music stand, holding a stack of unorganized folders in her hand.

She watched Tsukishima Rin "rescue" Natsume Chikage from the crowd, and the two walked side by side toward the corner where the equipment was piled.

She pursed her lips and lowered her eyes.

The Orchestra Club's advisor, Mizutani Ayako, stood by the window.

She was over thirty, her well-maintained face was exquisitely made up, and those long, narrow eyes carried the laziness and insight unique to a mature woman.

She watched this scene with great interest.

When Natsume Chikage approached, she spoke gracefully.

"By the way, Xia Xia Xia Mujun—"

Her tone rose slightly.

"Come to think of it, this is your first time coming to our club, right?"

Natsume Chikage stopped what he was doing and nodded politely.

"Yes."

Mizutani Ayako gently tapped her chin with her fingertips, examining his overly handsome face without any avoidance.

After a moment, a playful arc curled on her lips.

"Is your sister really at Sacred Heart Middle School?"

"The deviation score there is quite high, you know."

Natsume Chikage nodded.

"It's true."

Mizutani Ayako raised an eyebrow and laughed softly.

"Interesting."

"I wonder if I'll have a chance to see your sister today."

She suddenly turned her gaze to Kondo Miki, who was silently organizing files.

"Miki, I heard you and Xia Xia Xia Mujun are childhood friends?"

"Does he look like his sister?"

Tsukishima Rin heard this, stopped what she was doing, and turned her head.

A curious light flickered in her gentle eyes.

She had never seen Natsume Chikage's sister.

Not even once.

Kondo Miki was stunned for a moment.

She didn't expect the topic to suddenly fall on her.

She raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping across Natsume Chikage's face, then quickly lowered them, falling into thought.

"…If you ask if they look alike."

"There should… be some differences."

Tsukishima Rin tilted her head slightly.

"Some differences?"

Mizutani Ayako also showed a confused expression.

"Aren't they biological siblings?"

Natsume Chikage's fingertips tightened slightly.

Kondo Miki didn't notice.

She explained thoughtfully.

"To be precise… Xia Xia Xia Mujun looks more like his father."

"As for Ruri, she is a complete miniature version of her mother. Cut from the same mold."

Mizutani Ayako suddenly realized and nodded gently.

"So that's how it is."

Tsukishima Rin's brows and eyes relaxed, rippling with expectant smiles.

"If that's the case, I want to see Ruri even more."

She turned to Natsume Chikage, her tone filled with a little excitement.

"Xia Xia Xia Mujun, do you have a photo of your sister? Can I see it?"

Natsume Chikage let out a gentle breath, his expression relaxing a bit.

"I do."

He took out his phone and unlocked it.

Tsukishima Rin moved a step closer to him almost subconsciously.

There was less than a fist's distance between their shoulders.

She turned her face slightly, her long hair hanging down, her gaze falling on that small screen.

Mizutani Ayako also leaned over, the scent of a mature woman's perfume fading into the air.

One on the left, one on the right.

Kondo Miki stood where she was.