Lifting the curtain, Chisato handed the ice cream cone to Touma Kazusa.
By now, Kazusa was no longer surprised by his visits. After the pudding incident, she had come to understand part of Chisato's personality.
This time, she didn't reach for her wallet. Instead, she simply took the ice cream, removed the clear lid, and bit off the tip of the white ice cream cone.
Watching the smile that involuntarily appeared at the corners of her eyes as she ate the cone, Chisato suddenly remembered the golden retriever he had in his past life.
Chisato shook his head slightly, trying to shake off his random thoughts.
He spoke up, "Ms. Karigawa has something urgent after school, so she can't take care of you. She asked me to take you home today instead."
Kazusa, who was eating her ice cream cone, paused for a moment when she heard this. "I never intended to have Ms. Karigawa take me home. I'm fine and can go home by myself."
"Don't push yourself. Ms. Karigawa said that your... injury..."
When Kazusa heard that word, her sharp and angry glare pierced through Chisato like a sword, as if she was ready to strike him down.
He quickly corrected himself.
"Ms. Karigawa said that while your injury didn't affect the bone, it's still swollen, which might affect your movement. For safety reasons, someone should definitely take you home."
"I don't need that. I can go by myself."
"But I've already promised Ms. Karigawa."
"I still don't need it."
"At least call someone from your family to pick you up."
"...My family isn't nearby."
"Just like me, huh? No wonder Ms. Karigawa insisted that I take you home."
Chisato's words made Kazusa think. Just like her, this annoying guy also lived alone?
"There's a long-distance running test during the last period today. It might take some time, so you'll need to wait for me. Once it's over, I'll pack your bag and come get you as soon as I can."
"Hey, stop deciding things on your own. Who said you could do that?"
Kazusa lifted her head, revealing her slender and graceful neck, her delicate eyes widening to show her defiance.
But as soon as she met Chisato's gaze, her heart unexpectedly fluttered, and she felt a bit shy and uncertain.
She quickly averted her eyes and focused on his forehead instead.
Chisato stayed silent for a moment before reluctantly resorting to a trick, speaking in a mock dramatic tone.
"Ms. Karigawa! Kazusa says she can go home on her own and doesn't need me to take her."
"!?!" Kazusa was stunned. He's really going to tattle on her?!
Ms. Karigawa, hearing this from the other side of the infirmary, immediately stood up, her heels clicking as she approached.
"No, Kazusa, as an injured person, you need to be aware of your condition and follow the rules."
Even though she tried to sound authoritative, Ms. Karigawa's words were still gentle and soft.
"..." Kazusa lowered her head in frustration, glancing to the side at Chisato, who was smiling slightly as he played on his phone.
"I have something urgent after school today, or I'd take you home myself. Don't make me worry, let this gentleman take you home, Okay?"
Ms. Karigawa, unlike other teachers who tend to put on a superior attitude around students, was always kind and caring, which made her very popular among the students.
Kazusa, too, found it hard to resist her.
She usually disliked the other teachers, but Ms. Karigawa, who was like an older sister, was an exception. Kazusa was the type who responded better to kindness than to strictness.
"...Fine, I understand."
"Good, good. Be a good girl. I'll give you some medicine to apply later. Rest tonight, and you should be fine by tomorrow."
"Okay."
After giving these instructions, Ms. Karigawa left with a smile.
"You're so sneaky!" Kazusa gritted her teeth and muttered these words to Chisato.
Chisato ignored her comment, put away his phone, and stood up. "I need to change into my gym clothes. Just like I said before, I'll come get you after the long-distance running test."
"Hmph, you'll definitely fail."
"Are you kidding? You're underestimating me. Getting a good grade is no big deal."
With confident strides, Chisato left the infirmary.
Thirty minutes later, Kazusa was leaning by the window, looking out at the field.
She took out her phone and recorded a video of the man who had boasted earlier, now gasping for air and struggling to keep up as he got lapped by others.
"Who are you underestimating? Getting a good grade is so easy, huh?"
Chisato returned to the infirmary, disheveled and still catching his breath.
Kazusa pulled out her phone and mimicked his earlier words, showing him the embarrassing footage she had just taken.
Chisato blushed in embarrassment. He had only been in this world for two days and hadn't had a chance to test his physical fitness.
The gym class was his first real test, and it turned out that this body had terrible stamina—completely unlike what a teenager should have.
The personal status panel of the Pure Love System showed that his fitness level was 6, but he seriously doubted that, thinking it was more like a 3 at best.
"Let's go!" Chisato said, slinging both of their backpacks over his shoulders.
Ashamed of his poor performance in gym class, he wanted to forget the whole ordeal and led the way out of the infirmary.
Kazusa, in a good mood, followed him out after saying goodbye to Ms. Karigawa.
…
The main gate of Fukuzawa High School is located on the side of the main street, where students typically enter and leave. The back gate is usually closed except for special events.
Across from the school gate is a bustling shopping street with a variety of stores, from stationery shops to snack bars and drink stands.
Inside a bubble tea shop, the clerk behind the counter occasionally glanced curiously at a table of customers.
Her curiosity was piqued because of how these two were dressed—wearing hats and masks despite the hot weather.
Not only that, but she vaguely remembered seeing these two walking up and down the street several times over the past hour and a half.
They finally decided to come into the shop and took a seat by the window.
Even though the sun was shining through the clear glass onto them, and the shop had air conditioning, it must still be hot. Why wouldn't they sit in the shade?
The shop clerk was baffled.
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