Chapter 917

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

"Teacher Nomura has been nagging all morning, saying your shogi skill has reached the semi-professional level, and his hands are itching so much that he insists on playing a game with you."

She paused, a faint smile curling on her lips.

"He even said he wanted to pass on his unique skill, 'Thunder Hand,' to you."

Yasui Ryouto nodded vigorously.

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

He scratched the back of his head, smiling somewhat embarrassedly.

"Actually... Yuai and I also have itchy hands and want to play a game with you."

Natsume Chikage lowered his head and glanced at his phone screen.

He raised his face, looking apologetic.

"Today might not work... can we do tomorrow?"

Araki Yuai puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.

"Why?"

"Isn't there no class this afternoon?"

Natsume Chikage explained:

"I promised Senior Tsukishima earlier that I would go help her move instruments this afternoon."

"The orchestra club is performing at my younger 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'm just taking this opportunity to go see it."

Araki Yuai suddenly realized, the mischief in her eyes becoming even 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... well, nothing to be done, tomorrow it is."

Araki Yuai knew clearly in her heart.

—Rin's feelings for Natsume-kun, she knew better than anyone.

—Such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be alone, she wouldn't be stupid enough to go and disrupt it.

Yasui Ryouto heard this and immediately felt like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and he felt terrible.

"What—?!"

He widened his eyes in disbelief.

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

"Why?!"

He wailed, his face full of the longing of "I want to go too."

Araki Yuai poked him in the ribs with her elbow without ceremony.

She glared at him unhappily.

"You're only saying you want to go now? Too late!"

"Do you think you can just ask for leave whenever you want?"

"Natsume-kun is going as a logistics staff member, and it was already reported to the teacher."

"If you run over now, aren't you just causing trouble?"

Yasui Ryouto covered the spot where he was poked, curled up into a ball, and muttered aggrievedly.

"Woo... missing Tsukishima-san's performance, I don't want that..."

Araki Yuai couldn't be bothered to deal with this clown, and dragged him out by his sleeve.

She waved her hand behind her without looking back.

"Then it's settled, see you tomorrow!"

Natsume Chikage bowed slightly and nodded to the two who were leaving.

"Seniors, see you tomorrow."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui finally couldn't hold it in anymore.

She knew very well—Senior Tsukishima's feelings for Natsume-kun were practically written on that intellectual and beautiful face.

She spoke up, pouting.

"Natsume-kun—how come you never mentioned to us that you were going to an off-campus performance with Senior Tsukishima this afternoon?"

Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai didn't speak, but her fair cheeks puffed out slightly, obviously also very concerned.

Natsume Chikage was stunned for a moment, then smiled helplessly:

"Didn't I tell you guys...?"

"Then maybe I forgot to say it."

"But Yukimura-san knows."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui and Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai's gazes immediately fell on Yukimura Suzune.

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

"... Yeah. He told me."

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui froze completely, like a stone statue weathered in an instant.

She muttered aggrievedly in a low 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 too..."

Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai also echoed in a low voice.

"... Me too."

Natsume Chikage saw this, smiled and gave a thumbs up, his tone light.

"It's okay, I'll record the whole thing for you guys!"

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui and Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai looked at each other and were silent for two seconds.

Classmate Classmate Tengyuan Kui deflated and sighed in resignation.

"... Alright, recording is fine too."

"But! The 'Seven Wonders' materials we borrowed from the physics teacher haven't been solved yet!"

"Tomorrow, you must come!"

Sister Xiyuan Si Xiyuanji Qilai also revealed a smile again and nodded gently.

"Yeah, we're stuck and haven't been able to solve the incident."

Yukimura Suzune's earlobes felt slightly hot, she turned her face away, and hummed coldly, pretending to be indifferent.

"Who's stuck?"

"It's just not time to solve it yet. I have a feeling it will be solved in these two days."

Natsume Chikage nodded with a smile.

"Yeah, I'll leave the decryption to you guys." ===== CHAPTER 918 =====