Chapter 916

According to Sana's account, Natsume Chikage could have actually accepted this gift with peace of mind.

For Sana, one hundred thousand yen was just the cost of a few big meals.

But for Natsume Chikage now, this was a massive financial blow.

Even so, Natsume Chikage still paid the money back.

This character... really was beyond reproach.

He lowered his gaze, his voice somewhat dry.

"... Yeah, I was overthinking it just now."

Akita Sana blinked blankly.

"Overthinking what?"

"What were you guys talking about just now?"

Shankou Hakuta was still inclined to play matchmaker for his friend and Sana, so he laughed it off.

"Nothing, just chatting randomly."

He suddenly had a flash of inspiration, his tone becoming meaningful.

"But having said that—Natsume-kun still insisted on paying you back after you gave such a precious gift."

"Could this mean... he doesn't want to owe you a favor?"

"Could it be that he wants to settle things and draw a line?"

As he spoke, he gave Asagiri Kazuya a wink.

Asagiri Kazuya immediately understood and chimed in hurriedly.

"I think so too... it's not impossible."

"Look, friends who are truly close generally give gifts to each other, with give and take."

"Paying money back directly... it just feels a bit distant."

Akita Sana puffed out her cheeks like a little hamster protecting its food.

"What are you guys thinking!"

"Natsume-kun isn't that kind of person! He just felt the gift was too precious and didn't want me to suffer a loss."

"He wouldn't... he wouldn't want to draw a line with me!"

Kondo Miki didn't participate in this debate.

She knew in her heart that because of Senior Tsukishima, she was currently more inclined toward Sana and Natsume Chikage.

But Asagiri Kazuya was a classmate after all, so taking sides directly wasn't very good.

She changed the subject calmly.

"By the way, what are your plans for the evening?"

"After my off-campus performance, I plan to go straight to cram school."

The topic was lightly brushed over, and several people chatted noisily about their evening itinerary.

But Asagiri Kazuya's thoughts had already drifted far away.

He quietly clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.

—This can't go on.

—If I don't take the initiative to attack, Sana-chan will really be snatched away by someone else.

—As long as I am diligent enough, sincere enough, she will definitely have a change of heart!

He cheered himself on in his heart.

Asagiri Kazuya raised what he considered his most sunny smile.

"Sana, Kondo-san, Hakuta—do you want to go out and play together tonight?"

Shankou Hakuta nodded first.

"I'm fine with it."

"How about you two?"

Akita Sana muttered and shook her head.

"Not going. The final exams are coming up, I'm going to cram school with Miki."

Asagiri Kazuya's smile stiffened for a moment, then he forced a laugh twice.

"Ah, that's right... my grades really need some cramming too, so I'll go to cram school too."

He turned to look at Shankou Hakuta.

"How about you, Hakuta?"

Shankou Hakuta shrugged indifferently.

"Sure."

Kondo Miki remained with that faint, distant expression.

"... Then it's settled."

Natsume Chikage pushed open the back door of Class A, carrying the boxed iron back to his seat.

Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai immediately leaned over, her eyes sparkling.

"Natsume-kun, did you go to the home economics classroom to exchange the iron just now?"

Natsume Chikage sat down, reached out and gently patted the packaging box beside his leg, his lips curling up slightly.

"Yeah, I exchanged it."

Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai's eyes became even brighter, like a child who had gotten candy.

"Can I see it?"

Natsume Chikage nodded.

"Of course."

He opened the lid, took out the old iron with slightly worn edges, and handed it to her.

Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai took it with both hands cautiously, as if holding a fragile treasure, and leaned in to look closely.

"Come to think of it, I never thought an iron could become a collectible..."

She looked up, her eyes curved.

"Natsume-kun's collection direction seems even more special than mine."

Natsume Chikage smiled.

"Liking something, there's no reason to speak of. Once you see it, you want it."

Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai's eyes lit up, and she was incredibly happy.

"I get it, I get it!"

Yukimura Suzune listened silently, her gaze falling on the literature book she had spread out, not taking in a single word.

A feeling she couldn't describe surged in her heart.

—The world is so big, there are so many people with collecting habits.

—Why are these two, why are they right by my side, and sitting so close...

The lunch break bell had rung for a long time, and the teaching building was immersed in the lazy light and shadows of the afternoon.

Fujiwara Aoi slipped into Class A as usual, holding her bento box, and occupied a fixed position beside Natsume Chikage's seat.

The four of them had just finished their bento, and were chatting while tidying up their tableware.

Yasui Ryouto and Araki Yuai walked in one after another, walking toward Natsume Chikage's direction with a clear goal.

"Yo, Natsume-kun."

Yasui Ryouto raised his hand and greeted him familiarly.

"Natsume-kun—"

Araki Yuai followed behind him, her smile tinged with mischief.

"The pitch this morning was super cool."

Natsume Chikage turned his head at the sound, blinking slightly in surprise.

"Senior Yasui? Senior Araki? Why are you guys here?"

Yasui Ryouto grinned, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"It's all because of that guy, Teacher Nomura." ===== CHAPTER 917 =====