On Tuesday morning, during the first class, Hoshimi sat by the window, resting his chin on his hand, feeling utterly bored while listening to the dull and tedious language lesson.
In Hiratsuka-sensei's language class, he couldn't just lay down and sleep, but he also couldn't concentrate on the lesson, which left him daydreaming like this.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Hoshimi's right eyelid twitched several times.
Feeling puzzled, Hoshimi rubbed his eye. It happened again—this was already the umpteenth time this morning. The persistent twitching of his right eyelid was making him anxious, giving him a sense that something bad was about to happen.
Yet, there was no sign of anything bad happening around him.
The only person he was worried about, Kotoko, had already emailed him during the morning study session, saying she'd be back today. Aside from that, there wasn't anything else to worry about.
Could it be that it wasn't some metaphysical issue, but rather a problem with his own body?
Should he use [Revival] to reset his physical state?
Forget it—there's no need to waste a dream body. He might as well make time to go to the hospital for a check-up this weekend.
After making this decision, Hoshimi turned his head to look outside the window, and his thoughts began to drift away.
He also needed to start working on the task Yukino had assigned him today. He had already received the payment in advance, so if he didn't get to work soon, Yukino would definitely throw a little tantrum.
Speaking of which, he was genuinely surprised that Yuigahama and Hikigaya were having a conflict. With their personalities, unless it touched a sensitive issue, how could they have a fallout with someone else?
This was getting interesting—he'd check in with Yuigahama during lunch and see if there were any unexpected revelations.
As he pondered, a familiar figure appeared at the edge of his vision. Instinctively, Hoshimi lowered his head to get a better look.
At first glance, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.
Wasn't that Kasumigaoka? Shouldn't she be in class at Toyogasaki Academy in Tokyo? How could she be at Sobu High? Could he have seen wrong?
Then Hoshimi took a closer look.
"What the—?!!"
In an instant, Hoshimi's pupils quivered, his eyes full of shock.
It really was Kasumigaoka! That face, that chest, that butt—he knew them all too well. There was no way he could be mistaken!
Wait! None of that matters. The most important question right now is—why is Kasumigaoka here?!
Could she be here looking for him?!
But why?! He had never revealed that he was studying at Sobu High! How did Kasumigaoka figure it out?!
No, no! These aren't the key questions. The most important thing right now is how to deal with the problem of attack from Kasumigaoka.
If Yukino sees Kasumigaoka, the situation would be too much for him to imagine!
Moreover, thank goodness Kotoko hasn't returned yet—otherwise, the situation would be even worse!
Looking at Kasumigaoka wandering beneath the school building, Hoshimi felt his scalp tingle.
No way, he had to fix this right now. If he let Kasumigaoka wander around near the school building any longer, something big would definitely happen.
In a flash, Hoshimi made a decision.
He covered his stomach with his left hand, his expression showing a bit of pain as he raised his right hand high.
"Hoshimi, what's the matter?" Seeing Hoshimi raise his hand, Hiratsuka-sensei set down her textbook and asked.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, my stomach hurts..." Hoshimi, his acting skills at full power, said in a slightly trembling voice.
"Stomach pain?" Hiratsuka-sensei frowned and looked over at Yukino, who was sitting next to Hoshimi. She instructed, "Yukinoshita, accompany Hoshimi to the infirmary."
"Alright, Hiratsuka-sensei." Yukino frowned slightly as she prepared to get up and help Hoshimi.
Crap! That would speed up my death!
Cursing in his heart, Hoshimi quickly said, "Hiratsuka-sensei, I can go by myself."
"By yourself?" Hiratsuka-sensei looked at Hoshimi with a hint of confusion. "Are you sure you can manage alone?"
"Yes, I can handle it..." Hoshimi glanced at Yukino and said, "Yukino, it's fine, I'll go by myself. No need to waste your time."
"Are you sure you don't need me to come with you?" Yukino frowned and asked.
"No need, it's nothing serious. I can handle it on my own," Hoshimi's eye twitched slightly.
"Alright, if you say so. If you need anything, just send me an email and I'll come right away." Yukino didn't push further and sat back in her seat, keeping a silent eye on Hoshimi.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, can I..." Hoshimi gestured toward the back door.
"Go ahead." Hiratsuka-sensei waved him off.
Hoshimi, still clutching his stomach, left the classroom with unsteady steps.
As she watched him leave, a trace of doubt flickered in Yukino's eyes.
She vaguely felt something was off, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. Hoshimi's behavior just didn't seem to match his usual style...
"Alright, let's continue the lesson," Hiratsuka-sensei called the class's attention back and resumed teaching.
"..." Yukino stared at the language textbook, but her focus never returned to the lesson.
Her mind was occupied with thoughts about Hoshimi's expression and behavior just now.
That expression of pain on his face didn't seem genuine...
Having spent so much time with Hoshimi, Yukino knew some of his subtle habits well. Whenever she accidentally hurt him, his pupils would shift slightly to the lower right.
But just now, Hoshimi's pupils stayed fixed in the center without the slightest movement.
That was unusual. Normally, Hoshimi's eyes were always expressive, and if his pupils stayed in the middle like that, it usually meant he was about to lie or come up with some sneaky plan.
Moreover, there had been no warning signs before Hoshimi suddenly "got sick," which felt abrupt to her.
There was definitely something fishy going on...
But why would Hoshimi fake being sick? What's the difference between sleeping in the infirmary and sleeping in the classroom? And why didn't he want her to come along?
Could it be that Hoshimi was pretending to be sick to investigate the issue between Yuigahama and Hikigaya?
"..." Yukino furrowed her brows, unable to figure it out.
She decided to call Hoshimi after class to ask what was really going on.
...
Meanwhile, Hoshimi had already reached the first floor of the school building. He didn't dare walk straight out to meet Kasumigaoka, as other students sitting near the windows might see him.
He also couldn't call out her name loudly for the same reason.
At a loss, he stood in the shadow of the school building, calling out to Kasumigaoka in a voice that wasn't too loud but not too soft either.
"Utaha~~ Utaha~~ Here, look over here~~"
Hearing her name being faintly called, Kasumigaoka looked toward Hoshimi.
The moment she saw him, her eyes curved with a smile, and a faint light flickered in her wine-red eyes.
Maintaining her poise, she walked slowly toward Hoshimi like a graceful Yamato Nadeshiko.
Soon, she stood in front of him, smiling warmly as she said, "Are you surprised? Are you surprised?"
"..." Hoshimi's eyes twitched.
Surprised? This is pure terror! He was about to have a heart attack from the shock!
If he hadn't swapped seats to sit by the window, he was ninety-nine percent sure he'd be doomed today!
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