Chapter 18: The Strange Increase of Knowledge

Asano Nazuki secretly glanced over all morning and found that the pretty boy, Shirakawa Sawahei, seemed possessed, as he was not even busy solving problems. He spent most of his time just doodling on scrap paper.

Her first instinct was that Shirakawa Sawahei was up to something.

So, she discreetly observed Shirakawa Sawahei's writing strokes, trying to infer silently what he was writing. However, Japanese writing is not as easy to discern as English letters, and after only watching for a while, she was quite perplexed.

Could this pretty boy have discovered something?

Suppressing the strong curiosity in her heart, Asano Nazuki pretended to be a good student, paying attention in class without probing into Shirakawa Sawahei's actions.

What also surprised her was that ever since this morning, after Ise Yu Yuzhijin got cozy with the pretty boy, she hadn't come over to bother her.

Asano Nazuki decided to take the initiative and start with that woman, Ise Yu Yuzhijin.

During lunch break, she proactively sat next to Ise Yu Yuzhijin and said with maximum friendliness, "Ise Yu, come try the food I made!"

Cute little Ise Yu was surprised by the attention.

"Mmm!! Delicious! Asano, your cooking is really top-notch!"

The Little Angel smiled sweetly, revealing two small dimples, and said, "I'm so glad, I thought my cooking wasn't tasty."

"No way! This level is enough to open a restaurant! Absolutely a master!"

Upon hearing this, Asano Nazuki coldly snickered to herself, thinking this was gourmet cuisine prepared by a Neon master chef—premium standard, it better taste great considering what I paid for it!

"As long as Ise Yu likes it, that's perfect!" Asano Nazuki continued, "By the way, doesn't Shirakawa have lunch with you?"

"I noticed you two seem to get along quite well~"

Ise Yu Yuzhijin paused her eating, mumbling, "It's so-so…"

She certainly wouldn't tell Asano Nazuki that she boasted about helping Asano with tutoring, but ended up having to ask Shirakawa Sawahei for help because she wasn't competent enough. Saying that would be too embarrassing.

Well then, I'll wait until I've learned it and then tell Asano the truth! This well-intentioned lie is beneficial for me, Shirakawa, and Asano.

"Is that so…" Asano Nazuki sighed, a trace of grievance lingering in her brows: "It seems like Shirakawa doesn't really want to talk to me… Did I do something wrong?"

"Of course not!" Ise Yu Yuzhijin said earnestly while munching on a golden fried chicken, "Actually, it might not be your fault."

"Mainly because Shirakawa's a little strange."

"Oh? Strange in what ways?"

"Like his hobbies... and his personality…"

"Shirakawa's attitude towards girls is really bad! Not gentle at all! Several times, I felt like he was so close to… his fists clenched so hard, almost smashed his head."

"Really? That's impressive, how do you know all that, Ise Yu?" Asano Nazuki timely gave a little fangirl's look of admiration.

It was effortless for a high-level cunning actress like Nazuki to fool an over-imaginative airhead like Ise Yu Yuzhijin.

"Not really~ Mainly through careful observation. I only found out recently too."

"To be able to get along with Shirakawa so well, Ise Yu, you indeed are amazing."

Asano Nazuki sighed and said, "I also want to be friends with Shirakawa, but I always lack the courage to talk to him."

"Ise Yu… how did you manage it?" Asano's eyes slightly sparkled, looking curious.

...

This lunch break, Shirakawa Sawahei didn't choose to spend it in the Calligraphy Club room. After buying a yakisoba bread, he headed straight to the rooftop.

The rooftop of the school building used to be a sacred spot for couples. Embracing each other, they would engage in feeding play, always easily stirring up single people's jealousy.

But currently, there were no couples here.

Because there were two delinquents.

"Life is so boring, A Long."

"Yeah, that's true, with such repetitive life every day, it's really dull…"

"I really want to enjoy a passionate youth… Ajie, share your yakisoba bread with me."

"Hey! That's my lunch! People who bring bento to school shouldn't be so shameless!"

"What can I do! It's just last night's leftovers, no appetite at all!"

"You brat!"

As Shirakawa Sawahei walked onto the rooftop, he heard the conversation of the two delinquents switching from sophisticated musings on life to fighting over a yakisoba bread. His face darkened a degree or two.

These two delinquents really have issues.

One delinquent, hearing someone coming up, thought it was some fearless student intruding on their territory and angrily said, "Hey, you!"

"Haven't you heard the few rules of this school!"

"Do you think you can just freely come to the rooftop!"

He turned his head, and before his expression could morph into the fiercest and most terrifying look, it instantly changed to a fawning face, saying, "Ah~ Turns out it's Brother Shirakawa… Please have a seat… have a seat…"

"What brings you up here today? Are you deciding to step into the world of delinquents and become the king of all delinquents?"

"Really? Brother Shirakawa, have you finally awakened? Planning to become the strongest man in Akihisa High School?"

"What nonsense! Ajie, Brother Shirakawa is going to be the strongest man in all of Neon, Akihisa High School is just the starting point of Brother Shirakawa's grand journey!"

Shirakawa Sawahei was already immune to the exaggerated flattery of the two delinquents. At this age, still dreaming of becoming the strongest man in Neon, it couldn't simply be described as childish.

The prevalence of sophomore syndrome seems to be growing more intense indeed.

"I have a favor to ask you guys." Shirakawa Sawahei stated concisely.

"Whatever it is, as long as I can sacrifice for you, Brother Shirakawa, I'm ready to climb mountains, cross seas, I won't hesitate!"

"Me too!"

The difference in literacy seems to manifest instantly in the two delinquents. Shirakawa Sawahei shook his head and said, "No need to go that far, I just want you to keep an eye on someone for me."

Imamura Takuya was furious, "Who dares defy Brother Shirakawa! Tell me, I'll make him unrecognizable even to his sister!"

"…Eh? Why his sister, shouldn't it be his mom?" Aoki Yoosuke asked at the right moment.

"So noisy! Because there are too many brother-complexes in Neon, you idiot!"

Aoki Yoosuke showed a "strange knowledge has increased" expression.

Shirakawa Sawahei was speechless, unwilling to watch these two grade two disease patients clown around, and directly said: "You guys are from Class B1, do you know Oga Masato from the next class?"