Chisato returned to the infirmary with the bread and drink he bought from the school shop, handing them to Kazusa.
Maybe she was really hungry, or maybe it was because the curtains were drawn, hiding her from the eyes of others. This time, Kazusa didn't refuse like she had the day before.
However, after accepting the items, she took out her wallet from her skirt pocket and asked in a very formal tone,
"How much?"
No wonder she doesn't have many friends.
If it weren't for his initial impression from his past life and the constant notifications of increasing affection points, even someone as patient as him might not have developed a liking for her.
But now, he finds the contrast of her tough exterior and honest heart kind of cute. And it made him want to tease her a little.
"We're classmates; no need to pay." Chisato said politely.
"Then take it back. I won't eat it."
Kazusa pushed the bread and drink back toward the edge of the bed, sounding sullen.
'You've got quite the principles.'
After a moment of silence, Chisato pushed the items back to her.
He glanced at Kazusa's open wallet, noticing the thick stack of bills inside, thinking to himself that she must be a little rich girl.
"Then just give me 2,000 yen," He said.
The items from the school shop weren't expensive: the sweet bread with condensed milk and cheese filling was 300 yen, and the milk drink was 200 yen.
But he had a reason for asking for an extra 1,500 yen.
"Here you go."
Without any hesitation or suspicion, Kazusa pulled out two 1,000 yen bills from her wallet and handed them over.
Despite her young age, the way she handed over the money without fuss showed a certain generosity that made her even more likable.
After Chisato took the money, she finally sat up on her knees with a clear conscience.
As she sat down, she winced slightly, as if accidentally touching the spot where she had injured her backside.
She bit her lip, adjusted her sitting position, then took the bread and tore open the package to take a bite.
"Actually, the bread and drink together only cost 500 yen," Chisato confessed.
"…"
Kazusa glanced at him, not responding, and took another bite of the bread.
As she reached the center of the bread, the sweet condensed milk and cheese filled her mouth, and her previously sharp, cold gaze softened for a moment.
Like a cat that's been soothed by a gentle stroke along its back, she seemed a little more at ease.
"Honestly, I'm a bit short on money, so I'll consider the remaining 1,500 yen as a loan. I'll pay you back later." Chisato explained.
"No need to pay it back. Consider it a tip for running the errand." Kazusa said, taking a sip of her milk.
She lightly licked her lips with the tip of her tongue.
The milk was sweet, just the way she liked it.
Does he know my taste preferences? Or is this just a coincidence?
"No, I was taught never to do something so underhanded. I'll definitely pay you back." Chisato's expression was serious.
"…Whatever you want."
'What a strange guy.' Kazusa continued eating, trying hard not to let her gaze drift back toward him.
At that moment, the bell signaling the start of class rang. Kazusa unconsciously tightened her grip on the bread.
Chisato stood up and said, "I'll come back after this period."
"Huh? What's wrong with you?" Kazusa looked at him with clear disdain.
'You're the one with the problem, always speaking the opposite of what you truly feel. Isn't that exhausting?'
'But in a way, that's part of what makes you endearing.'
'Although it might be misunderstood by most people, as long as I don't misunderstand, it's fine.'
Understanding this, even her disdainful gaze couldn't dampen his mood. In fact, it made him feel unexpectedly cheerful.
"True to our school motto: Integrity, Freedom, Mutual Help, and Friendship. See you later."
Chisato tossed out these words and turned to leave.
Kazusa watched the curtain, which swayed and then gradually settled after he left, and bit her lip.
After staring blankly for a moment, she started devouring the remaining bread in her hand, her actions stopping the blush on her cheeks from spreading.
After leaving the infirmary, Chisato ran back to class, making it to his seat just before the teacher arrived.
He pulled the 2,000 yen out of his pocket, folded it neatly, and placed it in his wallet.
He didn't ask for an extra 1,500 yen because he was genuinely short on cash, as he had claimed.
Though he was indeed a bit strapped for cash, he would never borrow money from someone else—he wasn't in the habit of doing so.
The real reason he did it was to create a connection with Kazusa that went beyond being just classmates.
Once a creditor-debtor relationship was established, it would be easier to find reasons to interact with her in the future.
If he promised to repay the money, it would naturally give him an excuse to approach her.
If he repaid 100 yen at a time, that would give him fifteen opportunities to interact with her.
Thinking back to his previous life, this trick had… Well, best not to bring that up.
After the bell rang to signal the end of the second afternoon class, Kazusa glanced toward the infirmary door for the third time, just as Chisato finally showed up.
This time, he brought two puddings.
Kazusa's eyes lit up—it was one of her favorite snacks.
She instinctively reached for her wallet.
Seeing this, Chisato pulled the pudding back, opened one for himself, and started eating it with a spoon as he sat down.
"I told you, I brought this from home. I don't need your money."
Such an obvious lie. How many times has he seen her buy this exact pudding from the school shop?
Kazusa was annoyed, but for the sake of the pudding, she managed to keep her cool and silently closed her wallet.
"That's more like it."
"…Weirdo."
"You're the weirdo."
"Can I call you Kazusa?"
"Do whatever you want."
"Alright, Kazusa. Don't call me 'hey' anymore. Just call me Suzumiya."
"…"
"There's no one else here right now. Why don't you try calling me that?"
"…You're really annoying."
"Things wouldn't be so complicated if you just went along with it sooner."
"Stop nagging! Get back to class already!"
During the break between the second and third periods, their interactions significantly increased.
After the third period, Chisato came back with two ice cream cones, and the smiling school nurse, Dr. Karigawa beckoned him over.
"Could I ask a favor of you, gentleman?"
Chisato handed her one of the cones, nodding after she straightened up from her forward-leaning position, which had been a bit too revealing.
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