Chapter 701

She followed Hanyu Masaki's words and further pointed out the key:

"That's the situation."

"As for Shinohara Shingo's harsh words to you just now... I suppose it's because he saw you and Yukimura-san walking to school together often and misunderstood that you were dating or something. After being rejected, he felt unwilling and transferred his anger to you."

Tsukishima Rin didn't add fuel to the fire, just nodded firmly, her tone certain:

"Yes, that's it!"

Natsume Chikage listened, his face revealing a look of sudden realization and some helplessness.

Thinking about it this way, the matter really had something to do with him.

He truly hadn't expected that just walking to school with Yukimura Suzune would trigger such misunderstandings and conflicts.

But thinking carefully, it didn't seem strange—in the past, he had also caused the other party to fall into rumors because he was close to a girl, which in turn attracted hostility from other boys.

Although he was long used to it.

But meeting it again, he couldn't help but feel mixed emotions.

He turned to Yukimura Suzune and apologized sincerely:

"I didn't expect this to happen; I've caused you trouble, I'm truly sorry, Yukimura-san."

Yukimura Suzune looked at his earnest apology, her mood somewhat complex, and shook her head lightly:

"No need to apologize. Even without you, with his personality, I'm afraid he would have pestered me just the same."

Hanyu Masaki asked at just the right time, as if just casually curious:

"So... you two, are you really not dating?"

The moment he asked this question.

Tsukishima Rin immediately held her breath, her eyes looking nervously at Natsume Chikage and Yukimura Suzune.

Yukimura Suzune's cheeks flushed again; she tried to remain calm and hurriedly denied, her voice slightly faster than usual:

"No!"

"He and I are not dating at all!"

Natsume Chikage also nodded and said frankly:

"That's right."

After hearing Natsume Chikage's such straightforward admission without any hesitation, Yukimura Suzune's expression froze imperceptibly for a moment.

A trace of subtle bitterness that she hadn't fully realized herself rose in the bottom of her heart.

She bit her lip lightly, and a trace of faint annoyance that she hadn't realized herself appeared in her tone:

"I... I still have to go to the teacher's office to get materials, I'm leaving first."

After saying this, she turned and walked quickly away from this place that made her mind chaotic.

Tsukishima Rin looked at Yukimura Suzune's departing back, then looked at Natsume Chikage, who looked calm, and felt a slight sense of relief in her heart.

She thought that since both of them said so, it shouldn't be fake.

Araki Jua also felt a bit more at ease, and at the same time somewhat puzzled—Yukimura Suzune denied it so straightforwardly, could it be that she really didn't like Natsume Chikage?

She actually didn't like Natsume Chikage?

Hanyu Masaki silently watched Yukimura Suzune's somewhat hurried departing back, feeling a bit helpless and dissatisfied with the effect of his "fanning the flames" this time.

According to his prediction, in this situation, facing Shinohara Shingo's aggressiveness and Natsume Chikage's "innocent involvement," even if Yukimura Suzune didn't admit it directly, she should have at least shown more grievance or dependence to pull closer to Natsume Chikage.

After all... facing an outstanding girl who was troubled because of her and appeared pitiful, it would be very difficult for Natsume Chikage not to feel compassion.

But now it seems... he still overestimated the "combat power" of this literary girl in emotional matters.

From the data, she was far superior to her peers in academics, sports, and family background, but in dealing with emotional problems, it seemed... she had significant flaws.

Tsukishima Rin withdrew her gaze from Yukimura Suzune's back, looked at Natsume Chikage, and asked curiously:

"Natsume-kun, why did you come downstairs at this time?"

Natsume Chikage explained:

"Sakai-sensei called me to the office; I don't know what it's about."

Araki Jua remembered something on the side and muttered:

"Right, Rin-chan told you last night, are you bringing me to the coffee shop where you work to eat desserts today? You didn't forget, did you?"

Natsume Chikage nodded and smiled:

"Of course I didn't forget."

Araki Jua immediately beamed with joy and patted his shoulder:

"That's good! Then you must recommend a few of the most signature ones to me; I'm going to have a big meal and turn grief and indignation into appetite!"

Tsukishima Rin also smiled, her tone carrying a trace of apology:

"It might consume some of your employee coupons, Natsume-kun."

Natsume Chikage shook his head, his smile gentle:

"It doesn't matter; anyway, the coffee shop issues quite a few every month, and many colleagues bring them to their families."

"My sister and I use them rarely, so it's even better if you can help use some up."

Saying this.

He naturally took out his somewhat shriveled wallet and took out several beautifully printed coffee shop coupons from it.

He handed them to Tsukishima Rin and Araki Jua respectively, and even politely gave one to Hanyu Masaki beside him.

"You take these first; you can use them directly then."

The two took the coupons and were very happy.

Tsukishima Rin was happy because she could use the coupons given by Natsume Chikage.

Araki Jua was simply jumping for joy because she could enjoy desserts.

Tsukishima Rin thanked him softly:

"Thank you."

Araki Jua hooked Natsume Chikage's shoulder in a carefree manner, looking like "buddies":

"Not bad, not bad! It wasn't in vain that your Ai-nee spoke so hard for you just now!"

Natsume Chikage was somewhat ashamed by her heroic move and could only smile helplessly.

And Hanyu Masaki on the side, looking down at the small coffee shop coupon in his hand, a trace of contemplation flashed deep in his eyes.

At the door of the teacher's office.

Natsume Chikage had just walked here when he met Yukimura Suzune, who was holding a stack of class materials and walking out of the office.

Yukimura Suzune's cold eyes glanced at him, said nothing, but that gaze seemed even colder than usual, and then she brushed past him and left directly.

Natsume Chikage didn't think much of it—Yukimura Suzune was always this cold and detached.

He walked into the office and came to the desk of his homeroom teacher, Sakai Shion.

"Sakai-sensei, did you call me for something?"

Sakai Shion raised her head from the homework she was grading, looked at Natsume Chikage, and explained:

"Two things."

"First, the physics teacher asked me to tell you that he has to return to his hometown recently to handle some things, and regarding the remaining materials for the 'Seven Mysteries', it might be a bit later before he can give them to you."

Natsume Chikage was somewhat suspicious:

"This little thing... couldn't he just send a message to tell me?"

Sakai Shion raised her beautifully shaped eyebrows, her cold and beautiful face carrying consistent seriousness:

"What I want to say is not just this one thing."

"There isn't much time left until this month's monthly exam."

"If your grades this time are still at the bottom like the entrance test, it will seriously affect your credit evaluation."

"You know your own learning situation best. From today on, without affecting necessary part-time work, use as much time as possible for study and bring your grades up, understand?"

Natsume Chikage knew that Sakai Shion was specifically reminding him out of concern, so he nodded and responded:

"Okay, teacher, I will study hard."

Sakai Shion glanced at him with those sharp eyes, her tone carrying a trace of unquestionable authority:

"Just saying 'hard' is useless!"

"Your current grades are at the bottom of the whole grade. For this monthly exam, my requirement is not high; at least improve by twenty or thirty places, can you do it?"

Natsume Chikage's tone was firm:

"Of course I can. But teacher, my goal is actually... top ten in the grade." ===== CHAPTER 702 =====