"..."
An Le stared in sheer horror at Sakuramiya Hitomi, who was picking up her coffee cup and gently blowing away the steam.
After a second of silence, she glanced at the Coffee Receipt nearby, took out her mobile phone, and opened Sakuramiya Hitomi's chat page on plane.
After transferring the money for her cup of coffee, An Le did not even look at the hot coffee in front of her. She prepared to stand up and leave.
"Sorry, Vice President Sakuramiya, I don't understand what you are talking about. I have so matters to attend to, so I will head back to my class first. Goodbye."
"Aren't you going to try the coffee from this new shop? I think it tastes quite good."
Sakuramiya Hitomi blinked, her smile remaining unchanged.
An Le pursed her lips and did not reply, continuing to turn around and leave.
However, just as she turned her head, Sakuramiya Hitomi's gentle voice drifted over from behind.
"An Le, regarding what I just said, it is fine if you don't agree right now. I won't hold any hostility towards you because of this, and I hope you feel the sa.
"However, my promise still stands. You can go back and think about it carefully."
An Le's pupils contracted slightly, and she looked back at Sakuramiya Hitomi, who was sipping her coffee.
Just as she was about to speak, Sakuramiya Hitomi suddenly rembered sothing and revealed a distressed expression.
"There is one other thing, though, that I hope you can agree to imdiately. Do not use your Superpowers on the President or the other Hosts proactively anymore.
"In return, they will Let Bygones Be Bygones regarding the Sakura Country incident, and they won't cause you any more trouble in the future.
"From now on, everyone will get along harmoniously and just go about their Daily Life. How does that sound?"
At this mont, Sakuramiya Hitomi's words were gentle, but An Le sharply sensed a faint, hair-raising undertone beneath them.
It was as if refusing this request would lead to terrifying consequences.
"...Alright, I agree to this, Vice President Sakuramiya."
After a second of thought, An Le agreed.
After all, her Modifier progress had currently been reset to zero. As long as a fight didn't break out, she could still act like The Fox Borrowing the Tiger's Might based on her past Achievents in Sakura Country. But if a real fight broke out...
Since Sakuramiya Hitomi was willing to step in and diate, there was no harm in agreeing now.
She would wait and see how things developed with Ye Shiyu and Bai Yi, and make a decision with Xiao Huan later.
"That is wonderful, An Le."
Sakuramiya Hitomi smiled faintly. Looking at the coffee in her cup, she blew out a breath of hot air and said with slightly brightened eyes,
"By the way, are you really not going to try this coffee? It tastes quite decent."
"...Thank you, but no."
An Le shook her head and politely declined, deciding it was best to imdiately turn around and get away from Sakuramiya Hitomi, who made her feel quite uncomfortable.
Watching An Le leave, Sakuramiya Hitomi remained completely unbothered, just as she had promised, continuing to elegantly savor the coffee in her hands.
However, as she drank, she seed to sense sothing, and the movents of her hands ca to a sudden halt.
"Bloop."
Layers of ripples cascaded across the surface of the coffee, vaguely reflecting a pair of icy eyes beneath her long eyelashes.
Imdiately after, she set down the coffee cup, turned her head, and gazed in the direction of the Athletics Field.
"Has another rat finally decided to crawl out of its hole? Good, it saves
the trouble of hunting them down one by one tonight."
After pondering for a mont, she slowly stood up, preparing to leave.
But just as she was leaving, she suddenly noticed that the decorative plants at the entrance of this newly opened Coffee Shop hadn't been fully planted yet, and a Garden Shovel was left stuck in the dirt.
Sakuramiya Hitomi stared at the shovel for a long ti, revealing a beautiful smile.
She turned her head to look at an employee who had just walked out to deliver coffee, asking politely,
"Excuse , hello. Could I please borrow your shop's shovel? I will return it later when I am done using it."
"Ah, no problem. You can return it anyti before school ends, student. We won't be needing it until tonight."
"Alright, thank you!"
After receiving permission, Sakuramiya Hitomi gripped the rather Heavy-looking shovel with both hands, dragging it away from its spot inch by inch.
"Heave... heave..."
"Clang, clang, clang..."
As she dragged the shovel, its blade gently struck the ground, emitting a series of crisp tallic sounds along the way.
"Sakuramiya, are you alright?!"
Beside the Athletics Field, inside the Equipnt Room.
Yan Huan was startled by Sakuramiya tripping on flat ground right in front of him. He hurriedly ran over to where she lay Motionless on the floor, terrified that the fall might have killed her.
However, as she lay face down, Yan Huan suddenly noticed sothing attached to the back of the blue and white Hospital Gown she was wearing—it looked like a na tag.
Only, it didn't have Sakuramiya's na written on it. Instead, there was a single black character.
"...Sick?"
Yan Huan stared blankly at the na tag on her back, wondering if Sakuramiya's Class E was planning to do a Haunted House or sothing similar for the Culture Festival, and she had been selected to play an NPC.
But with Sakuramiya's physique, she would probably have to rely on her astonishing ability to trip on flat ground to scare people...
Pushing those thoughts aside, Yan Huan quickly reached out, flipped Sakuramiya Hitomi over, and pulled her into his arms.
It wasn't until her body was fully in his arms that Yan Huan finally realized just how petite and frail she truly was.
It felt as though a light push from him could send her spinning in circles.
After turning her over, Yan Huan got a clear look at her current expression.
She was completely disoriented from the fall. Not only was her forehead red, but her eyes were also spinning dizzily.
"Sakuramiya, Sakuramiya!"
After he called out softly a few tis, her condition finally seed to improve a little. Scrunching up her face in Yan Huan's arms, she clutched her head and whimpered.
"Ugh..."
She seed to be in a lot of Pain.
Seeing her wake up, Yan Huan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, watching her trip even on completely flat ground only made Yan Huan increasingly worried.
He had realized earlier that Sakuramiya's Modifier Side Effect made her constitution incredibly frail, much like how An Le's body used to lack all sensation.
The problem was that he had already given the Crab dicine to An Le.
Given the annoying way the Crab dicine had to be pieced together half by half, Yan Huan didn't think he could obtain another one anyti soon.
Then what about Sakuramiya?
At this mont, Yan Huan really wanted to consult Ye Shiyu and learn from her experience; he wished he could just pin Sakuramiya's hands down to stop her from using her Modifier altogether.
Otherwise, it was a flat-ground trip this ti, but next ti it might be a collision with a truck.
'Sakuramiya, it seems I really need to keep a close eye on you and keep you in check.'
"Sob..."
In his arms, Sakuramiya whimpered. But, seemingly because resting in his embrace felt very comfortable, she Subconsciously rolled deeper into his chest, as if doing so could alleviate the pain.
But one mustn't forget that Sakuramiya was still leaning against Yan Huan's thighs. By turning inward like this, she ended up facing Little Yan Huan directly.
In the past, Yan Huan would have at most felt it was inappropriate or indecent.
Now, having experienced the baptism of An Le's blood, although Big Yan Huan's resolve remained firm and unyielding, Little Yan Huan would beco restless at the slightest disturbance.
"Sakuramiya..."
Thus, to avoid an even more awkward situation, Yan Huan's face darkened, and he quickly grabbed Sakuramiya's shoulders, flipping her back over so she was facing the ceiling again.
"Whimper..."
Seeing her pathetically hovering her hands over her forehead, too afraid to even touch it, she pointed at it with her finger in a deeply Wronged manner, signaling to Yan Huan that it hurt a lot.
That pitiful look softened Yan Huan's heart, leaving him no choice but to glance toward the door and say,
"Let
carry you to the school doctor so she can apply so dicine or sothing."
"No, no, no!"
However, the mont he ntioned taking her out, she shook her head vigorously as if she had been frightened.
Yan Huan didn't fully understand her aning, assuming the pain was just too intense for her to move, so he added,
"Should I go invite the school doctor to co here, then?"
But as soon as he said that, he felt a gentle tug on his sleeve.
Looking down, he saw Sakuramiya's small hands gripping his sleeve with all their might.
Then, he watched as Sakuramiya pursed her pale, dry lips and blew out a soft puff of air, "Huu, huu."
After blowing, she blinked and pointed a finger at her bumped forehead.
"Squeak!"
'What is this?'
Seeing Yan Huan stunned, Sakuramiya repeated the exact sa motion.
It was only after this second attempt that Yan Huan realized she was asking him to blow on her injured forehead.
'Will that really be enough?'
Yan Huan blinked, hesitating for a mont before lowering his head to gently blow on her forehead.
Feeling the cool breeze brush across her forehead, the Slightly Pale Face of Sakuramiya in his arms squinted her eyes, revealing a deeply content expression.
She was just like a kitten purring happily after being stroked along its fur.
"..."
'Sakuramiya seems a bit strange today.'
'But, she is incredibly cute.'
Yan Huan suddenly thought this.
At the sa ti, as he kept his head lowered and blew gently, Yan Huan suddenly noticed her pale, chapped lips peeling from dryness.
Seeing that she was no longer in pain and instead looked quite comfortable, Yan Huan couldn't help but express his concern,
"It is fine if we don't go to the school doctor, but how about I head over to the Comrcial Street and get you so Warm Water?"
"Mmm..."
Hearing this, Sakuramiya opened her eyes and looked at Yan Huan.
Pondering for a mont, her throat bobbed slightly, and she licked her lips.
She looked very thirsty; it seed like it had been quite a while since she last drank any water.
"Yes!"
And so, she ultimately nodded in agreent.
Seeing this, Yan Huan breathed a sigh of relief and gently placed her onto a green Cushion Mat nearby.
"Then wait for
here, Sakuramiya. I will be right back."
"Mhm."
Sakuramiya lay Docilely on the Cushion Mat, looking like a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, and nodded at Yan Huan.
"Click."
Yan Huan smiled faintly, turned around, and walked out the door.
As the door closed, the world seed completely isolated from then on.
Lying on the Yoga Mat, Sakuramiya stared blankly into space, or rather, she was focused intently on waiting for Yan Huan's return.
"Squeak!"
But suddenly, as if recalling sothing, she hurriedly sat up.
With a wave of her hand, a mirror materialized out of thin air right in front of her.
Looking into it, a small lump had shockingly appeared on her previously pristine white forehead. It was bright red and indescribably ugly.
"Ugh..."
She blinked and Tilted her Head in deep distress.
Then, she seed to co up with a solution.
With a gentle wave of her hand, a kind and benevolent-looking White Okina Mask appeared in her grasp.
She pressed the mask against her forehead, finally concealing the injury.
'But wearing it perfectly straight like this... isn't that too ugly?'
Dissatisfied, she adjusted it several tis until she finally settled on a perfectly slanted angle.
"Phew."
Seeing the result, Sakuramiya finally sighed in relief.
Yet, even this slight effort—sitting up and adjusting the mask a few tis—seed to drain all her strength, leaving her panting weakly.
"Knock, knock, knock~"
Right at that mont, soone knocked on the door again. The President was back!
Despite her physical weakness, Sakuramiya's eyes lit up, and she showed a genuinely joyful and eager expression.
Propping her body up with imnse difficulty, she stood up and walked toward the door with all her remaining strength,
"Heave... heave..."
It took her quite a while to reach the door and grip the handle.
"Click."
The doorknob shifted slightly, and the door swung open.
However, the person greeting her was not Yan Huan returning with Warm Water.
Instead, standing outside the door, covered in sweat and panting heavily yet still wearing a bright smile, was another Sakuramiya Hitomi.
"Hi~"
She smiled faintly, offering a friendly and amiable greeting to the "Sakuramiya" inside, who was frozen in pure terror.
But at this mont, the pleasant "Hi" was not the only thing descending upon the Sakuramiya inside.
There was also a raised iron shovel, swinging fiercely down toward her forehead.
"Smash!"
"Ha..."
"Smash!!"
"Haha..."
"Smash!!!"
"Click."
Yan Huan went to a Milk Tea Shop and bought the cheapest beverage available, asked the staff to fill a milk tea cup with Warm Water, and then walked back to the Equipnt Room carrying a Straw.
Pressing down gently on the handle, the door opened.
Inside, Sakuramiya Hitomi, still dressed in her Hospital Gown-style clothing, was lying there Docilely.
Her forehead still sported a small lump, and her lips were still dry and peeling.
Seeing Yan Huan return, she blinked happily.
Everything was exactly the sa as when Yan Huan had left, without the slightest difference.
"I am back, Sakuramiya."
"..."
Yan Huan squatted beside her, inserted the Straw into the milk tea cup, and then helped her sit up.
As he supported her, Sakuramiya Hitomi's face drew a few degrees closer to his.
"Here, have so water."
Looking at the deeply concerned Yan Huan who was so close at hand, Sakuramiya Hitomi closed her eyes and puckered her lips.
It was unclear whether she was waiting for Yan Huan to feed her the water or waiting for him to kiss her.
Seeing this, Yan Huan pursed his lips, staring at her with a hint of suspicion.
"..."
After several seconds of silence, the Sakuramiya Hitomi in his arms quietly opened her left eye, sizing Yan Huan up while Turning a Blind Eye with the other.
"Squeak!"
Seeing that Yan Huan was still staring at her, she imdiately squeezed her eyes shut again and maintained her previous lip-puckering, kiss-demanding posture.
Witnessing this, Yan Huan's face darkened, and he couldn't help but suspect that she had been ssing with him this entire ti.
"Sakuramiya..."
Thus, he made no further moves, rely speaking in a soft, warning tone.
And as Yan Huan spoke, more and more sweat began to form on the forehead of the lip-puckering Sakuramiya Hitomi in his arms.
Seeing that she was still acting, Yan Huan simply decided to pretend to toss her out of his embrace.
Feeling her center of gravity shift, the Sakuramiya in his arms seemingly couldn't hold it in anymore and finally broke character.
She instantly snapped her eyes open, reached out both hands, and gently tugged at Yan Huan's shirt collar. Staring at him pitifully, she begged for rcy, as if pleading with him not to throw her away,
"Alright, alright, I am sorry, President. I didn't an to ss with you, please forgive . Besides, it wasn't completely an act earlier. I really did trip, and it hurt a lot..."
As she spoke, she added the last sentence in a tiny whisper.
"..."
Looking at her tear-glistening eyes so close to his, and feeling her fingers just inches away from his heart, the words Yan Huan was about to say caught in his throat.
After gathering his thoughts for a few seconds, he lowered his gaze to look at Sakuramiya Hitomi and asked,
"So, what are you doing hiding out in the Equipnt Room in the middle of the day? And wearing this kind of outfit..."
Seeing that Yan Huan was no longer going to press the issue, Sakuramiya covered her mouth and giggled, then gracefully sat down on the mat nearby.
"Our class has recently been Voting on the the for the Culture Festival. It seems that a Haunted House or sothing similar is currently in first place. I haven't participated in many class activities before, so I was thinking about whether I should join in this ti..."
While speaking, she raised her hands, letting the overly long sleeves droop down, and Tilted her Head with a smile,
"How was it, President? My performance as the 'tongueless sick Female Ghost' earlier?"
'I knew it.'
'Culture Festivals are always full of these old tricks.'
'It's not necessarily a lack of innovation, but trying anything new inevitably ans facing the twin hurdles of 'excessive effort' and 'school administration approval.' So, choosing a conservative the is actually the smart move.'
'However...'
"Sakuramiya, if you play a Female Ghost, will your body really be able to handle it?"
"Mhm, it's not a problem, President."
Sakuramiya Hitomi sat up straight, pinched her own arm, and explained,
"Before returning to Linn earlier, my Mama gave
so dicine. I've felt much better recently."
"Are you serious? You literally just tripped on flat ground."
Yan Huan expressed his skepticism.
"That was just an accident earlier!"
Seeing that Yan Huan didn't believe her, Sakuramiya Hitomi puffed out her cheeks, then glanced around her surroundings.
"Ah, there we go."
Then, as if she had spotted sothing, she Stood Up.
Yan Huan's gaze followed her as she walked deep into the Equipnt Room. Soon after, he watched her return carrying a shovel in one hand.
Holding the Garden Shovel in one hand, she maintained a normal expression as she lifted it up and down slightly, showing it off to Yan Huan,
"How about that, President? Isn't it impressive?"
Although it was just a slight wiggle and barely counted as anything impressive, for Sakuramiya Hitomi, it was already a massive improvent.
Seeing this, Yan Huan smiled faintly, propped his chin on his hand, and said,
"Yes, yes, yes, very impressive."
Even as he praised her, Yan Huan suddenly rembered the matter he had been contemplating that morning.
"Right, Sakuramiya, there is a favor I need to ask of you."
"Oh, the President has a favor to ask of ? How rare."
Sakuramiya Hitomi gently set the shovel down, clapped her hands clean, and walked back over.
She sat down beside Yan Huan, propping her hands behind her back. The smile on her face was as gentle as always, as if capable of embracing all things,
"What is it?"
Yan Huan explained that An Le had left the club, and as a result, the Doujinshi Society was on the verge of being disqualified from its club status due to failing to et the minimum mber requirent.
"Most people in the school have already joined a club, and even if there are a few who haven't, neither Spencer nor I are familiar with them.
"So I was wondering, could I invite you, Sakuramiya, to join the Doujinshi Society and temporarily save the club's slot?"
Sakuramiya Hitomi listened intently to every word Yan Huan said. Then, tapping her chin, she pondered aloud,
"Mmm... I suppose I could, and I am fully willing to do so. However... President, I advise against doing this."
"...Why is that?"
Sakuramiya Hitomi smiled elegantly and patiently explained to Yan Huan,
"Although your intentions are to look out for Spencer, to save the club, and to preserve the mories of fighting hard alongside her to secure victory in the Club War...
"Shouldn't you also take Spencer's feelings into consideration regarding this matter?
"Rather than letting a Bystander like
Serving as a Stopgap, in Spencer's heart, the only acceptable person to fill that vacancy is undoubtedly An Le.
"The President, Spencer, An Le, and Jiang Yun—that is the complete Doujinshi Society that Overpowered the Track and Field Club to achieve victory in the Club War.
"One person more, or one person less, and I am afraid it can no longer be considered the perfect Doujinshi Society."
Hearing this, Yan Huan was slightly taken aback.
He couldn't help but take a deep breath and sighed helplessly,
"I obviously know that. It's just that An Le and Aruiya have completely broken off their friendship, and I haven't yet thought of a way to help them reconcile.
"I'm just afraid that before they can reconcile, the Doujinshi Society will have already Called GG, which is why I wanted you to step in first to secure the club's slot."
At that mont, however, Yan Huan suddenly felt a small hand gently squeeze his shoulder.
He blinked and raised his eyes to look forward.
The owner of that small hand was none other than Sakuramiya Hitomi, who was smiling gently in front of him.
"Right. So, rather than inviting
to join the Doujinshi Society and taking on all the remaining burden by yourself, wouldn't it be better to just ask for my help in resolving their conflict directly?
"..."
Yan Huan stared blankly at Sakuramiya Hitomi, who was right in front of him, entirely speechless for a mont.
It was only because, at this very mont, he truly felt that every trace of animosity between him and Sakuramiya had completely vanished.
'It's as if...'
'The earlier issues with the peeping and the Modifier are nothing more than fleeting clouds of the past.'
'She is still the ideal candidate for a Romantic Relationship that existed in my heart before.'
'So gentle... so beautiful.'
'Except, it's actually
who committed the cri of greed, getting involved with both An Le and Spencer...'
"President, later I will go speak with the teacher at the Club Office to extend the Doujinshi Society's operational deadline as much as possible.
"If we truly run out of options at the very last step, it won't be too late to consider letting
join to save the club, right?"
Filled with such thoughts, Yan Huan found himself unable to et her gaze, which was as soft as water. He turned his head away and nodded,
"I see... I understand. I will find a solution as quickly as possible."
"Mhm, I believe in you, President."
Sakuramiya Hitomi interlaced her fingers and rested them on her lap.
At the sa ti, she tilted her head up, looking at Yan Huan out of the corner of her eyes, and smiled,
"However, President, don't just agree to my help on the surface, only to completely ignore
in private and handle everything yourself."
"How could I..."
Yan Huan smiled faintly and handed the Warm Water beside him over to Sakuramiya Hitomi,
"Thank you, Sakuramiya."
Taking the Warm Water from Yan Huan, Sakuramiya Hitomi replied very politely,
"Not at all, President."
At this mont, the Jiejiè inside the Equipnt Room had silently dissolved without anyone noticing. The door was half-open, and the lively bustle from the Comrcial Street outside faintly drifted in.
Holding the Warm Water in her hands, the corners of Sakuramiya Hitomi's lips curled up, forming a beautiful smile.
Soon after, she lowered her head and took a sip of the Warm Water.
The warm liquid flowed through the Straw into her mouth and glided down her throat.
Finally, for the First Ti, it nourished her vigorous, healthy, and highly energetic body.
"Ding dong~"
Outside the Equipnt Room, the school bell rang out, signaling that the lunch break was about to end.
"Pop."
Sakuramiya Hitomi released the Straw and looked at Yan Huan, who was Standing Up beside her.
"Let's go, Sakuramiya. Ti to head back to the Teaching Building."
"Mhm, President."
Sakuramiya Hitomi rose gracefully and followed closely behind Yan Huan.
But just as they were about to leave the Equipnt Room, she inevitably glanced back, her gaze landing on the shovel standing upright next to the mat...
...And the few Fragnts of the White Okina Mask, hidden out of the Field of Vision behind the shovel, which were currently crumbling into dust.
"..."
Imdiately afterward, Sakuramiya Hitomi revealed a smile once more and completely closed the door.
"Click~"
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