Chapter 737

If she did not speak or move, but simply stood there quietly, she was every bit the "static" beautiful girl with a cold temperament and stunning features.

Natsume Chikage's expression became somewhat subtle.

"Tong... why did you come?"

Konoe Tong maintained that same expressionless look that seemed as if it would never change in a million years, only responding in her calm, soft voice:

"Didn't I tell you yesterday that I would come to pick you up today?"

She tilted her head slightly, seemingly carrying a hint of confusion.

"Why ask?"

Natsume Chikage couldn't help but retort:

"You didn't say what exactly you wanted to do when you came to find me."

Konoe Tong said indifferently:

"You'll know in a moment."

As she spoke.

She extended her slender, jade-like hand, pressed her palm gently against Natsume Chikage's chest, and pushed him aside as he blocked the doorway.

Then, with fluid movements, she took off her small leather shoes and placed them neatly in the entryway.

Stepping in her snow-white socks, she entered the crowded room as if no one else were there.

As for the other girls in the room, upon seeing Konoe Tong suddenly appear, each of them wore a distinctly different expression.

Yukimura Lingyin and Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui both reacted; one subconsciously pursed her lips, while the other narrowed her eyes.

The two of them were like cats and dogs whose territory had been suddenly invaded, instantly entering a state of vigilance.

"Senior Konoe, why are you here?"

"Senior Konoe, good afternoon. But, is there something you need by coming here this time?"

Meanwhile, Xiyuanji Qilai seemed not to have noticed the suddenly changed atmosphere in the air, still smiling naturally:

"Good afternoon, Senior Konoe. Would you like to come sit with us? We're discussing manga."

Akita Sana, however, was completely dumbfounded.

"Se-Senior Konoe?"

Her voice carried disbelief.

"How... how did you know about this place? How did you come here?"

Akita Sana clearly remembered the warnings at home: you can play around however you like at school, but never, ever go out of your way to provoke anyone related to the "Yutang" family.

Those people were truly "not to be trifled with."

And Konoe Tong was precisely the closest maid to Yutang Zhiji, holding a transcendent status at Moonlight Academy.

If one were to accidentally offend her, it would likely lead to real, major trouble.

Konoe Tong merely nodded slightly to their greetings—whether vigilant, surprised, or simple—and responded in her characteristic, flat, and waveless tone.

"Greetings, everyone."

Having said that.

She turned toward Natsume Ruri, took a neatly bound set of documents from a small file bag she was carrying, and handed them over.

Natsume Ruri took them, somewhat surprised.

"Sister Konoe, these are...?"

Konoe Tong explained concisely:

"These are reference materials I gathered through some channels regarding internal trends in shoujo manga themes and reader preference analysis from several mainstream publishing houses, along with brief analyses of some successful cases."

She paused.

"You can use them for reference; they might be useful."

Upon hearing this, Natsume Ruri was pleasantly surprised and hurriedly took them with both hands.

"Thank you, Sister Konoe! This—this is so helpful!"

The other girls present, hearing the origin of this "gift," all fell into a brief silence.

Clearly, no one had expected this "Senior Konoe" to make such a "heavyweight" move.

Getting professional analysis materials directly from inside a publishing house?

This was simply... absurd!

But at the same time, a sense of indescribable confusion and curiosity rose in everyone's hearts.

They didn't understand why this always-mysterious Konoe Tong would suddenly visit, nor did they understand why she would be so caring toward Natsume Ruri.

Could it be... that she had some special thoughts about Natsume-kun?

Or did she simply like Natsume Ruri and want to help?

After Konoe Tong handed the materials to Natsume Ruri, she said to her:

"I need to borrow your brother for a moment."

Natsume Ruri was a bit confused, but she nodded obediently.

"Ah... oh, okay."

Konoe Tong said no more, turned, and walked back to the entryway to put her shoes back on.

Afterward, she looked back at Natsume Chikage, who was still standing where he was.

"Why are you standing there like a fool?"

"Let's go."

Natsume Chikage pressed:

"What exactly are we going to do?"

Konoe Tong did not answer, merely raising her hand; between her slender fingers, a key swayed gently in the air, emitting a faint metallic clinking sound.

Then, she turned and walked out the door.

Natsume Chikage noticed the key, his gaze sweeping over this cramped, almost suffocating three-ping room.

He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately sighed and resignedly put on his own shoes.

He turned to the girls in the room who were still struggling to react and said:

"Sorry, everyone, I'll be out for a bit; I should be back soon."

Hearing this, the other girls fell into a daze once more.

By the time they finally recovered from this sudden turn of events—

Konoe Tong was already standing outside the door, silently urging Natsume Chikage to hurry up.

Immediately, the two figures, one after the other, quickly disappeared into the hallway.

Especially for Yukimura Lingyin, Xiyuanji Qilai, and Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui, all three had a strong sense of déjà vu at this moment.

Or rather, this wasn't "déjà vu" at all.

Similar situations had already happened in reality more than once or twice.

Almost every time they were with Natsume-kun, this Senior Konoe would appear with an air of entitlement and then, without a word of explanation, "snatch" Natsume-kun away.

Thinking of this, a subtle, stifling feeling similar to having one's "love stolen" rose in all three of their hearts simultaneously.

As for Akita Sana, she was both embarrassed and annoyed.

Clearly... clearly she had been the one to arrive first!

What on earth was up with this Konoe Tong?

Why did she always appear so suddenly and take Natsume-kun away?

She couldn't help but lean toward Natsume Ruri and ask urgently:

"Ruri-chan, this Senior Konoe... what exactly is her relationship with your brother, and with you?"

Hearing this, the other girls also immediately cast looks full of curiosity and inquiry.

Clearly, they were also desperate to know the answer.

Natsume Ruri spread her small hands helplessly.

"As for that... Ruri wants to know, too."

"However, there really seems to be some special agreement or secret between my brother and Sister Konoe. The two of them always look so mysterious, and they've never explained it in detail to Ruri."

Yukimura Lingyin, Akita Sana, and the others didn't get a clear answer, and the indescribable restlessness in their hearts grew even stronger.

They secretly thought that they might have to find an opportunity later to use a more clever method to probe Natsume-kun about it.

And at this moment.

Akita Sana's gaze fell inadvertently on the sketchbook Natsume Chikage had left behind on the tatami mat when he hurried away. ===== CHAPTER 738 =====