'After this, I should go for a full-body sauna session and maybe put on a face mask. It'll be a good chance to rest.'
'Oh, and I should trim my nails too. Since I'm still a student, I can't wear nail polish, but at least I can keep them looking neat.'
'There's no real need for it now, but I might as well trim my toenails too—just in case.'
As Utaha left the club, she quickly put the recent events out of her mind.
On her way to the school gate, she kept her head down, tapping on her phone screen.
She was checking out which beauty salons near her home had the best reviews—she planned to get an annual membership.
Just three days ago, she wouldn't have even considered doing something like this.
Back then, she believed in her youthful invincibility and thought that only older women needed to worry about such things.
But now, she realized that taking care of her body was essential for any woman.
After all, youth doesn't last forever, and spending a little money to extend it is a worthwhile investment.
With her head down, Utaha continued walking out of the school.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed someone approaching.
She thought it was just a passerby, but the person came straight toward her and blocked her path.
Is this some kind of pick-up attempt?
Ever since she started middle school, Utaha had been approached like this many times, so she was well-prepared for such situations.
In moments like this, all she had to do was give the person a cold look, making it clear that she wasn't the kind of girl who enjoyed casual flirting.
That would usually put an end to things.
That's what she thought, and that's what she did.
Taking her eyes off her phone, she put on an expression even colder than usual, and her emotionless, wine-red eyes looked up at the person in front of her.
"Thud."
Her phone slipped from her hand and hit the ground.
Many of the boys passing by were familiar with this high-and-mighty beauty, Kasumigaoka Utaha.
But when they saw the unusual expression on her face—one that mixed surprise with a hint of sweetness and a touch of anxiety—their secret crushes began to shatter.
Meanwhile, the girls around them focused on the boy standing in front of Utaha.
He wasn't wearing the uniform of Toyosaki Academy, so he was likely from another school.
Although there was nothing specific to indicate his status, just standing there, he exuded an air of elegance.
If Utaha wasn't standing in front of him, several girls might have boldly approached him to ask for his contact information.
Chisato didn't pay any attention to the reactions of those around him.
This was his first time meeting Utaha in person, and it left him momentarily dazed.
Although he had seen her many times in simulations, seeing her in real life was different.
Still, shouldn't she have expected this?
'After all, she had secretly followed me. Didn't she think I might come find her?'
Chisato bent down to pick up Utaha's phone, which had fallen to the ground.
Luckily, her phone case was made of silicone, absorbing most of the impact.
The only damage was a few scratches on the tempered glass screen protector.
"Here you go," he said, handing her the phone.
Utaha silently took the phone without glancing at it.
Even after her initial shock wore off, she couldn't take her eyes off his face.
She especially liked his eyes, which were both beautiful and bright, as if they held hidden sparks. She felt a faint, involuntary thrill rising within her.
"Thank you..."
Realizing that she'd been staring at him for too long, Utaha tightened her grip on her phone and thanked him.
She was about to regain her composure and say something polite to cover her earlier embarrassment when a voice called out from behind her.
"Kasumigaoka-senpai! Please wait a moment!"
The bustling school gate fell silent as a student with glasses made his dramatic entrance, causing everyone to pause.
The sight of two boys and a girl in this situation made the onlookers wonder if they were about to witness a love triangle.
The kind that's awkward for those involved but thrilling for onlookers.
Some curious students even began recording with their phones, hoping to post the drama online later.
The sound of footsteps stopped behind her, and Utaha could hear the person panting heavily.
It was Aki Tomoya, who had run all the way from the club room to catch up with her at the gate.
Utaha's expression darkened instantly.
She didn't turn around immediately but instead glanced at Chisato, relieved to see that he wasn't angry or annoyed.
However, this relief quickly gave way to frustration.
'Why aren't you reacting at all? Another guy is calling out to me. I don't expect you to punch him, but at least show that you care!'
"Wait a moment," Utaha said to Chisato, who nodded in response.
She turned to face Tomoya, her irritation with Chisato now directed at him.
As a result, she spoke more coldly than before.
"What is it?"
"Uh... well, I wanted to hear your reasons for what you said earlier. You must have had some unavoidable reason to say those things, right?"
"No, I didn't. Is there anything else?"
Utaha's clear intent to end the conversation made Tomoya's face twist into an awkward smile.
Not knowing what else to say, he glanced at the boy standing behind her.
"Is this... a friend of yours, Senpai?"
The curious stares and murmurs from the surrounding crowd amplified Utaha's annoyance.
"Did you really chase after me just to ask that?"
"No, it's just that…"
"if the decision you made earlier was because of some other problem, we could talk it over and find a solution together, couldn't we?"
Tomoya's pleading, almost pitiful smile did nothing but frustrate Utaha further.
She couldn't help but wonder,
'Is my communication that bad, or is your comprehension really this poor? Did you not understand what I said earlier at all?'
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