Chapter 79: Popular Matsuoka-san
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The old lady's smile appeared kind, but for some reason, some students in Class D detected mockery and contempt hidden within it.
She's looking down on the students in Class D...
Rin Matsuoka glanced briefly at the old lady before retracting his gaze. He muttered in disdain, "Another double-faced person."
Because the old lady who taught the class seemed kinder than the English teacher, Mashima Tomonari, the students in Class D grew bolder. Some openly took out their phones and started playing with them at their desks.
From time to time, there was a "ding ding" sound as someone received a LINE message.
Far from being displeased by this behavior, the old lady's smile widened even more. However, the sarcasm and contempt in her eyes also grew sharper.
Within five minutes...
[Rin, I have many interesting classic novels. I was thinking of recommending some to you. What kind of novels do you like? Do you enjoy detective or suspense novels? I haven't read many fantasy novels, but I know a few series that might interest you. Or are you more into celebrity biographies with dramatic twists? How about weird or humorous books? Personally, I prefer strange novels, especially if they have some mystery. What do you think?]
Rin Matsuoka showed a subtle expression as he read the LINE message from Shiina Hiyori.
"She's really into classic novels... She got so excited that she didn't even bother breaking up her message into paragraphs," Rin muttered with a faint smile.
Shiina Hiyori's love for famous novels was part of the reason behind her rambling. Another reason was that she wasn't used to chatting with others on her phone like this.
Caught in a state of excitement, she completely forgot to structure her message properly.
That girl with her light, gentle temperament is just too cute~
After glancing at the message, Rin resumed working on his code while occasionally exchanging a few words with Shiina Hiyori over LINE.
Unfortunately, since Shiina wasn't very skilled with her phone, their conversation ended sooner than expected, with only a few messages exchanged before the class concluded.
The old lady teaching the class left the room even faster than Mashima Tomonari. She didn't even bother saying, "Class dismissed," simply grabbing her textbook and handouts before walking out.
It was obvious she didn't take Class D seriously, and the students in turn shared the same attitude. Ike even gave her a playful nickname: "The Smiling Old Lady."
As soon as the class ended, Kushida Kikyo rushed towards Rin. But this time, she wasn't alone—she had brought along several other girls from her circle.
Karuizawa Kei's face turned red with anger at the sight. This big-breasted woman is ruining things again!
Nene mori, noticing Kei's discontent, smirked. "Kei, look at Kikyo bringing so many girls to talk to Rin. Do you think she likes him?"
"She has to, right? Why else would she run to him the second class ended?" Sato Maya chimed in with a sly grin.
"We can't just sit back!" Karuizawa Kei declared to the girls around her. "We can't let them snatch the most handsome guy in class!"
"Hehe, yeah, let's join in!" Nene Mori encouraged them, clearly eager to stir things up. All the girls, except Matsushita Chiaki, who looked a bit hesitant, were ready to dive into the drama.
After all, it's high school—time to find a cute boy and start a sweet romance!
Their primary targets? Handsome boys, of course. If a boy happened to be both good-looking and talented, that was even better.
There's no way I'll date someone who's neither attractive nor outstanding. I'd rather stay single for all three years of high school!
At this age, girls loved dressing up and indulging in a little vanity, especially when it meant making others envious.
And Rin Matsuoka? He was the most handsome guy in Class D. If someone could claim him as her boyfriend, it would spark jealousy among the other girls for sure!
"Hey, Rin, it's almost lunchtime after the next class. Where are you planning to eat?" Kushida Kikyo asked eagerly, her voice dripping with sweetness.
"Maybe the student cafeteria?"
"Oh, what a coincidence! We were planning to eat there too," said kokoro inogashira, clasping her hands together. "Let's go together!"
"No, I have plans with someone else," Rin replied politely, though firmly.
Kikyo's smile never wavered. "Oh? Who do you have plans with? Is it Horikita-san?"
Horikita Suzune, standing off to the side, cast a cold glance at Rin, who was now surrounded by a small crowd of girls. "It's not me," she said flatly.
Ugh... she's so cold!
In truth, Rin didn't have any plans with anyone—he just didn't want to eat with Kikyo.
Sure, Kikyo was cute, and her curvaceous figure was enough to attract the attention of most boys.
But something about her felt... off. There was a disconnect that Rin couldn't ignore. He would rather eat lunch alone than spend time with her.
"If it's not Horikita, then who is it?" Kikyo pressed, still smiling sweetly. "I'd like to ask if she wouldn't mind us tagging along."
"...The chairman."
Kikyo's expression faltered briefly. The chairman, again?
The same excuse Rin had given yesterday when she'd pretended to bump into him—he'd claimed he was going to the chairman's office.
Besides, the hesitation in Rin's voice just now made her doubt him even more.
At that moment, Karuizawa Kei and her group stormed over, radiating aggressive energy.
"Kikyo, what do you think you're doing, surrounding Rin like this? Can't you see he looks uncomfortable?" Kei snapped, her voice sharp.
Kushida Kikyo's eyes gleamed with amusement, sensing an opportunity to turn things in her favor.
"Oh? Does he?" she said innocently, batting her eyelashes. Then she looked at Rin with a timid expression. "Rin, are you really uncomfortable with us being here?"
If it had just been Kikyo asking, Rin might have said yes.
But since she had brought her entire entourage along—each girl looking at him with questioning eyes, some even showing a hint of anxiety—Rin could only shake his head reluctantly.
"No."
"See, Kei? Rin said he isn't uncomfortable," Kikyo said, her voice laced with playful innocence.
"That's only because Rin's too considerate to hurt your feelings," Kei retorted sharply. "He knows the truth but just doesn't want to say it out loud."
"Exactly!"
"He's just being polite, and now you're taking advantage of that"