Chapter 979

These two simple words made Tsukishima Rin, on the other end of the phone, unable to help but hug her soft pillow and roll gently on the bed, her cheeks slightly flushed, her heart feeling sweet.

【Tsukishima Rin: That's great!】

She calmed her mood and remembered the important matter.

【Tsukishima Rin: Natsume-kun, please be sure to do your best in tomorrow's shogi match! I will be cheering for you the whole time!】

【Natsume Chikage: Thank you.】

【Tsukishima Rin: There is one more thing...】

【Tsukishima Rin: I previously agreed with Ruri-chan that next time I would bring some shoujo manga that I think are good for her to read... Um, if I come over then... would you find it inconvenient?】

After sending this message, Tsukishima Rin held her breath, waiting nervously.

There would naturally be no problem with Ruri-chan, but Natsume-kun's attitude was the key.

【Natsume Chikage: Of course I don't mind. Ruri really does need to see and learn more now; I would be grateful if you could provide good works for her to reference.】

【Tsukishima Rin: (。^＿^。) Mm-hmm! I understand!】

Ending the conversation with Tsukishima Rin, Natsume Chikage opened Akita Sana's chat box.

Her message was sent after 10:00 PM.

【Akita Sana: (，，???)? ゛Natsume-kun, good evening!】

【Natsume Chikage: Good evening, Akita-san.】

The message instantly turned to "read."

【Akita Sana: Natsume-kun, I went to your collection club after school today wanting to hang out with you, but I found that none of you were there?】

【Natsume Chikage: I had something to do and left school early today. As for Xuecun-san and the others... they came to my house to tutor my sister in her studies.】

【Akita Sana: Σ(⊙▽⊙") Eh?! Xuecun-san and the others went to your house?!】

【Natsume Chikage: Yes, what's wrong?】

【Akita Sana: I remember Ruri-chan's grades are very good, right? She was first in the second year of middle school! Why does she still need Xuecun-san and the others to go over and tutor her?】

【Natsume Chikage: Ruri's good grades are partly because when our family's circumstances allowed it in the past, we hired special tutors for targeted reinforcement. Now that the situation is different, I'm worried that her study rhythm will be affected, so I asked Xuecun-san and Xiyuan Si-san to help consolidate her knowledge. Both of their grades are excellent, and with their guidance, I am very at ease.】

On the other end of the phone, Akita Sana looked at the explanation on the screen and bit her lower lip slightly.

A miscalculation!

Such a good opportunity, being able to get close to Natsume-kun while also leaving a good impression in front of his sister, was actually snatched away by Xuecun Lingyin and Xiyuan Si Qilai!

Although her own grades weren't anything to brag about, her good friend Kondo Weixi was a top student!

If she had known there was such a need earlier, wouldn't it have been a matter of course to let Weixi go tutor Ruri-chan?

Not only would she have helped, but she could have created more opportunities to spend time together...

Now that she had been "intercepted," Akita Sana felt a wave of annoyance.

However, she thought about it again.

Xuecun Lingyin was a famously high-and-mighty flower, and her standards for a partner were said to be ridiculously high, requiring spiritual resonance in literature; could she find someone who met the criteria in high school?

Xiyuan Si Qilai was even more mysterious, politely rejecting all confessors on the grounds of wanting to focus on her studies; no one could figure out her true thoughts.

Looking at it this way, their help to Natsume-kun was probably just ordinary help between classmates, right?

As for Fujiwara Aoi... um, a "study idiot" like herself, tutoring others?

It couldn't possibly pose a threat.

Then, the biggest "opponent" at this stage was indeed Senior Tsukishima Rin!

Thinking of Kondo Weixi reminding her yesterday with worry that Senior Tsukishima's momentum in pursuing Natsume-kun was very strong and that she must speed up her actions, and Weixi even expressing her willingness to help with all her might... Akita Sana felt a wave of emotion.

What a good friend!

Worrying so much for her own happiness!

She must not let Weixi's expectations down, and for the sake of her own future happiness, she must work hard to win Natsume-kun!

She organized her thoughts and continued to send messages, trying to create opportunities:

【Akita Sana: ┌(′_ゝ`)┐ So that's how it is... Natsume-kun, actually... my grades are also quite a headache.】

【Akita Sana: Since Xuecun-san and the others are having a study session... then, can I join too? With one more person, it shouldn't be too much of a bother, right?】

【Natsume Chikage: I remember Xuecun-san and the others are also guiding Fujiwara-san. Fujiwara-san's grades... seem to be about the same as yours, Akita-san? If you study together and urge each other on, perhaps the effect will be good.】

【Natsume Chikage: However, the study session is mainly led by Xuecun-san and Xiyuan Si-san; I'm not sure if they are willing to increase the number of people being guided. If you want to join, Akita-san, it's best to ask for their opinions directly.】

【Akita Sana: (#^. ^#) Okay! I understand, I will go ask Xuecun-san and Xiyuan Si-san tomorrow!】

【Akita Sana: By the way, Natsume-kun, tomorrow is the sixth round of the New Sharp Shogi Tournament, right? Please be sure to do your best in the match! Although tomorrow is a school day... I will find a way to watch the live stream! Cheering for you!】

【Natsume Chikage: Thank you... but during school hours, it's better to prioritize your studies.】

【Akita Sana: (〃'▽'〃) Mm-hmm, I will. Good night, Natsume-kun!】

Ending the conversation with Akita Sana, Natsume Chikage opened Ando Chizuru's message.

【Ando Chizuru: ｜дo?)!! Brother Chikage, good evening!】

【Natsume Chikage: Good evening, Chizuru. Is there something you need?】

【Ando Chizuru: (〃'▽'〃) Mm! I'm bothering you tonight because I want to report the progress of the "Mapo Tofu Operation" to you!】

【Ando Chizuru: I've been researching according to the recipe and videos for a long time at home these past two days! I finally made a portion tonight that I think is pretty good! Mom tasted it and said it was delicious!】

【Ando Chizuru: Although Grandpa didn't say anything... I secretly saw that he was also eating it silently! And he ate quite a bit!】

【Ando Chizuru: So I think my Mapo Tofu can be considered a preliminary success, right?】

【Ando Chizuru: Brother Chikage, aren't you looking for that kitchen knife that Grandpa treasures so much? How about this... shall we find a time to study Mapo Tofu together?】

【Ando Chizuru: Two people thinking together is definitely faster than me fumbling around alone! Maybe we can soon make Mapo Tofu that Grandpa can't find fault with, and then win the kitchen knife!】

【Natsume Chikage: Of course. However, before that, I want to try it once first.】

【Natsume Chikage: I want to make a portion of Mapo Tofu alone first and ask your grandfather to taste it. If that can meet his standards and get the kitchen knife, that would naturally be best.】

【Natsume Chikage: If it doesn't work, we can study improvement plans together, how about that?】

【Ando Chizuru: (??? `?) Mm-hmm! Okay! It's a deal! Just let me know in advance when you have time, Brother Chikage!】

【Natsume Chikage: Okay.】

Finally, Natsume Chikage opened the chat box of the Kendo Club President, Shanshan Ying Shu.

【Shanshan Ying Shu: Natsume, are you there?】

【Natsume Chikage: I am, Senior Shanshan. Is something the matter?】

【Shanshan Ying Shu: Do your best in tomorrow's shogi match.】

【Natsume Chikage: Thank you, Senior. However, you specifically reached out to me, it shouldn't just be to say this, right?】

【Shanshan Ying Shu: Talking to smart people is easy. There is indeed a serious matter.】

【Shanshan Ying Shu: Today is already the 25th, not many days left until the end of the month. This year's "Yulong Flag" National High School Kendo Tournament will be held in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, at the beginning of next month.】

【Shanshan Ying Shu: According to the custom of previous years, our school, like other strong schools, will arrive at the competition site two days in advance to conduct adaptive training, familiarize ourselves with the venue, and complete the registration procedures for the contestants.】

【Shanshan Ying Shu: So, Natsume, you need to set off early with us. Is there any problem with the time?】

Natsume Chikage thought quickly.

The end of the month... that is, in a few days.

The time is a bit tight, but he had promised Jinweitong before, and he also promised Senior Shanshan that he would represent the school in the battle.

【Natsume Chikage: In principle, there should be no problem. But... if an extremely special emergency occurs, it might be hard to say.】

【Natsume Chikage: I want to confirm, as long as the contestant registration is completed before the official start of the match, it's fine, right?】

【Shanshan Ying Shu: In theory, yes. But "try to arrive two days in advance" is a piece of advice based on years of experience; I think you should understand its importance. Going early to adapt to the climate and venue and adjusting your state has advantages and no disadvantages for the match.】

【Shanshan Ying Shu: Especially you, Natsume. This time you promised Miss Jinwei. I don't know what specific agreement you have with Miss Jinwei, but since it involves the results of the "Yulong Flag," I hope you can go all out and try not to be distracted.】

【Shanshan Ying Shu: If the results are poor due to lack of preparation or attitude, and consequently make the Yutang family dissatisfied... the consequences might be very troublesome. I think you understand what I mean.】

【Natsume Chikage: I understand the importance of the matter, Senior Shanshan. Please rest assured, I will try my best to coordinate the time and strive to set off early with everyone in the club.】

【Shanshan Ying Shu: Fine, as long as you have a plan. That's all I have to say. I won't disturb you anymore; rest early, and good luck with tomorrow's match.】

【Natsume Chikage: Thank you, Senior.】

After replying to everyone's messages, Natsume Chikage let out a gentle sigh.

He opened the chat interface with his homeroom teacher, Jiu Jing Ziyuan, and took the initiative to send a message.

【Natsume Chikage: Mr. Jiu Jing, good evening. For tomorrow's shogi match, I would like to ask for a day off.】

After the message was sent, it quickly showed "read."

【Jiu Jing Ziyuan: You may. I will handle the leave note. Do your best in tomorrow's match.】

The reply was concise and straightforward.

【Natsume Chikage: Thank you, Teacher.】 ===== CHAPTER 980 =====