On the speeding train, Natsuhi leaned gently against the interior, heading toward the academy.
Because it was the morning rush hour, the train was packed. Most of the passengers were office workers, along with some students wearing the uniform of Sakuragaoka Private Academy.
Even though the carriage was a bit crowded, vicious incidents like the one last night did not occur. Just as the system had said, such behavior had been thoroughly purged.
Thinking of this, the corners of Natsuhi's mouth curled up slightly. Bathed in sunlight, she felt incredibly approachable—just like her name.
Although she had been somewhat reluctant when first dragged here to work like a beast of burden, seeing the world improve bit by bit because of her efforts made her feel less resistant to the job.
[Today, let's experience the long-lost student life...]
"So beautiful..."
"I didn't expect there to be so many cherry blossoms on the way to the academy."
Natsuhi reached out and saw a few pink petals slowly landing on her palm. Observing the bustling students laughing and talking on both sides, she felt a slightly... surreal sensation.
"Excuse me, why are you spacing out in the middle of the path? If you aren't going to move, at least step aside."
"Ah, sorry."
She turned slightly to make way for the student behind her, then shook her head to calm herself down.
Meanwhile, at the school gate, Wada Saki was standing there, occasionally standing on tiptoes and anxiously looking toward the train station.
She seemed to have specially groomed herself today; her long, golden hair looked even more radiant under the dappled sunlight, and her uniform was meticulously maintained, lacking any of the casualness from last night.
As a well-known beauty in the school, she naturally became the focus of attention just by standing there.
"Hey, look over there, it's Classmate Wada!"
"Wow, she's so cute today too!"
"Who is she waiting for? A boyfriend?"
"No way! I haven't heard that Wada has a boyfriend..."
"Yeah, I heard she's very picky. A handsome senior in the third year confessed to her, but she didn't even glance at him, apparently saying something about him lacking manliness..."
"Manliness? I have that! Who knew she liked that kind of thing? Looks like my chance has come."
"Heh, you'd better go look in a mirror first. Class hasn't even started yet, and you're already daydreaming?"
"Haha, exactly. But I heard she has a close friend she seems to be very intimate with..."
"Ah, I've heard of that. Seems like she's a four-eyes, looks really gloomy... I can't quite remember her name, some loner type."
"I really don't get it, how could Classmate Wada hang out with someone like that..."
The murmurs drifted by like a breeze, mixed with the admiring gazes of the boys and the whispers of the girls, whether envious or confused.
Wada Saki heard them, and her bright eyes, which had been looking toward the station, instantly turned cold.
She didn't lash out immediately; she just turned her head slowly, her gaze precisely locking onto the few boys who were chatting away enthusiastically.
"Hehe... if you ask me, Classmate Wada should be with a man like me..."
"Hey, stop talking, look behind you."
Hearing this, the boy who had just been bragging instantly felt a chill run down his back. He turned his head stiffly and met Wada Saki's gaze, which was filled with immense pressure.
"To actually badmouth others behind their backs—I don't think that's something a 'man' would do."
Wada Saki's voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to stun everyone.
The ringleader's face turned red, then pale. He tried to save face and retorted:
"W-we were just talking casually..."
It was clear he lacked confidence.
"Oh?" Wada Saki tilted her head slightly, interrupting him, her lips curling into a cold arc.
"So, you think that judging a girl behind her back whom you don't even know makes you look'sunny' and 'manly'?"
She took a step forward. Even though she didn't have the height advantage, her presence completely overwhelmed the other party.
"A man knows how to respect others, possesses tolerance, and would never belittle others to elevate himself—you don't have a single one of these traits."
"Natsuhi is always the first to notice when I encounter difficulties and extends a helping hand."
"She is ten thousand times stronger, gentler, and cooler than you guys who only know how to run your mouths and don't even dare to look others in the eye!"
These words were like an invisible slap, leaving those boys speechless and blushing.
The surrounding noisy chatter completely vanished. Everyone was stunned by Wada Saki's sharp defense; it seemed the two really did have a very close relationship.
"If you can't even learn the most basic respect, then don't go around talking about what a 'man' is."
Leaving that cold remark behind, Wada Saki ignored the boys and turned around, just in time to see the figure she had been eagerly waiting for.
The expression that had been icy a second ago was instantly broken by sunlight, just like these blooming cherry blossoms. She waved her hand vigorously, her tone filled with irrepressible joy.
"Natsuhi! Over here, over here!"
She trotted over, affectionately grabbed Natsuhi's arm, and looked up at her face.
"You're finally here! I've been waiting for you for so long!"
"Let me see, are you completely unharmed?"
As she spoke, Wada Saki kept checking Natsuhi's body with her hands, touching from top to bottom...
"Mm... I'm really fine. Wait, don't lift my skirt!"
Natsuhi was caught off guard by Wada Saki's enthusiasm, and the surrounding students were also left dumbfounded.
[Why does it feel like their relationship is more than just a little good...]