Chapter 61: Ask for leave!

The school's backyard was very spacious.

The massive canopy of the century-old cherry blossom tree spread out, casting mottled light and shadows under the spring sun.

A breeze blew by, and pink and white petals fell rustlingly, like a silent fine snow, decorating the entire courtyard like a dream.

Students sat scattered on the lawn in twos and threes, enjoying their lunch break, with laughter and fragmented conversation drifting with the wind.

At a bench slightly further away from the crowd, Natsume Chikage sat alone, quietly enjoying his bento.

His gaze involuntarily cast frequently toward the century-old cherry blossom tree standing majestically in the center of the courtyard, his eyes carrying a bit of contemplation.

【Confession Cherry Blossom Tree】

【Quality: Blue】

【Effect: None!】

【Introduction: Under the cherry blossom tree, that is the youth I once lost...】

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

Unlike other special equipment, Natsume Chikage had no clue for a moment how to obtain this cherry blossom tree.

Ownership of this "Confession Cherry Blossom Tree" belonged to the school's top administration.

Not to mention how to contact the decision-makers, just convincing the school to transfer this symbolic tree with a hundred-year history to him was an almost impossible task.

Such an ancient tree with historical significance and symbolic value was probably not something that could be solved with money.

Even if it could, the price was definitely not something he could afford right now.

He lowered his head in thought, his slender fingers tapping unconsciously on the edge of the bento box, a hint of solemnity hanging between his brows.

Just then, a pair of long, beautifully lined legs wrapped in translucent black silk stockings appeared in his lowered line of sight.

Natsume Chikage's gaze slowly moved up along those elegant curves.

What met his eyes was the exquisite figure of his homeroom teacher, Sakai Ziyuan; she was wearing a well-tailored dark suit today, which made her cold and elegant temperament even more prominent.

She was carrying a simple and elegant bento bag, and that meticulous expression carried a hint of confusion.

"Natsume-kun, why are you eating lunch here today too?"

Natsume Chikage put down his bento box and explained:

"I happened to have something to do here at noon today, so I just ate lunch here while I was at it."

"I see." Sakai Ziyuan sat down on the bench beside him, placed the bento bag gently on her lap, and asked, turning her head, "What is that thing you mentioned?"

Actually, one of Natsume Chikage's purposes for coming here was precisely Sakai Ziyuan.

He remembered Sakai Ziyuan saying she often came here to eat lunch.

And tomorrow's shogi tournament started at nine o'clock, so he definitely couldn't go to school.

So he needed to ask her for leave.

If she didn't agree, he could only choose to skip class, but that would inevitably bring unnecessary trouble.

Unless necessary, Natsume Chikage didn't want to go that far.

"I have to participate in a shogi tournament at nine o'clock tomorrow morning, and I hope the teacher can grant me leave."

Obvious suspicion immediately appeared on Sakai Ziyuan's face, and her slender eyebrows furrowed slightly.

According to Natsume Chikage's junior high school records, he had a tendency to be truant and often asked for leave for various reasons to stay home and play games.

She had reason to suspect that he was just looking for an excuse to skip class.

Moreover, asking for leave on the second day of school was really unjustifiable.

"Participating in a shogi tournament tomorrow?" Sakai Ziyuan's tone rose slightly. "Is there any proof?"

Natsume Chikage took out his phone, unlocked the screen, pulled up the competition notification text message he received at noon, and handed it to her.

Sakai Ziyuan took the phone, her slender fingers sliding across the screen, carefully checking the content of the text message, her expression thoughtful.

But her inner doubts were not completely eliminated.

She took out her own phone, her slender fingers clicking rapidly on the screen, searching for information about this shogi tournament on the spot.

After confirming that the tournament did indeed exist, her expression softened slightly, but her eyes still carried scrutiny.

Even so, Sakai Ziyuan didn't intend to approve it easily.

Situations where students faked reasons for leave were common.

Especially for sick leave notes, some students did have ways to get official proof from hospitals.

So as a homeroom teacher, she was always extra cautious about students' leave applications.

And according to the information she had, Natsume Chikage had never shown interest in shogi in junior high, let alone participated in tournaments.

She had just searched for Natsume Chikage's name on the Shogi Association's official website, and found nothing.

This meant he wasn't even an amateur player.

In this situation, suddenly saying he wanted to participate in an official tournament, anyone would be suspicious! ===== CHAPTER 62 =====