Chapter 125: Did You Do That on Purpose or Was It an Accident? 

"AAAAHHHHH!"

What the hell is up with that guy?!

Shinjo Akane's delicate, doll-like face maintained a gentle smile as she chatted with her classmates.

But the way her brows twitched from time to time was a clear sign—she was far from calm inside.

How could she possibly be calm?!

Just moments ago, she had been forced to call that guy "Minami-sensei" more than ten times.

Given how well-known she and Minami were in the school—

It wouldn't be long before some ridiculous rumors started spreading.

On the surface, she smiled.

But internally, she was seething.

She had truly been caught off guard back there.

Minami had raised his voice so suddenly—his tone was sharp, commanding.

And she was just a girl. Not only in her grade, but in her entire life, she had never had a boy speak to her with such force before.

Instinctively, she had followed along with his words.

But now, recalling what she had actually said—

"P-please guide me thoroughly, Minami-sensei!"

Even with her LV5 Disguise skill, the memory made her ears burn red.

I want to die…

No…

Before dying, she should drag that bastard down with her!

As these thoughts swirled in her mind, Akane found herself feeling restless.

Sitting at her desk, she bounced her foot lightly against the floor, her indoor shoes tapping out an impatient tap tap tap against the hard surface.

This feeling of agitation—

It was something she hadn't felt in years.

Not since her mother passed away had she experienced this kind of emotional stirring because of another person.

This isn't right…

It felt wrong.

She wasn't supposed to need emotions like this.

Yes.

She didn't need emotions.

She didn't need to rely on anyone else for emotional support.

She was herself—she couldn't let others dictate her feelings.

"Hey, Akane, wanna go to karaoke later?"

A classmate—her so-called "Friend #1"—stood up and smiled at her, unintentionally interrupting her thoughts.

"Ah, sorry! I've got something to do later."

Akane clasped her hands together apologetically, flashing a bright, cheerful smile.

"Oh…? Are you going to see Minami from Class 2? Wow, Akane, didn't expect that from you~"

"Eh? No way. Minami and I are just normal friends~"

Her other classmate—Friend #2—threw out another annoying comment, making Akane subtly furrow her brows before quickly smoothing her expression into another perfect smile.

"So you are going to see him, huh? Hehe."

"Geez, just go to karaoke already! You guys are so annoying~!"

After another round of playful teasing, Akane finally managed to send them off.

Then, she turned her head slightly to the side.

Was she actually going to see Minami?

Of course she was.

Akane clenched her fists tightly.

That guy had gotten way too much out of her today.

He had humiliated her.

She had to get something back.

Her gaze landed on the manuscript sitting on her desk.

She recalled the draft Minami had written as well.

Their writing styles were completely different.

But after just a quick glance—

She already knew.

Minami's writing skills were leagues above hers.

Jealous?

Of course she was.

How was it fair for someone to be this overpowered?!

Excelling in academics was one thing—

But on top of that, he was also better at writing?!

And yet… beyond the jealousy—

There was an overwhelming sense of admiration.

She envied his talent.

If she could write like him, then maybe—just maybe—her dream could…

Akane stood up from her seat.

After hesitating for a moment, she shoved her tangled-up earphone cord into her pocket, grabbed her manuscript, and headed for Class 2.

Peeking inside, she saw him.

A black-haired boy, packing up his things.

When he noticed her presence, he froze for a split second—

Then, without a word, he turned back and continued packing.

…That same cold treatment again.

For some reason—

Akane felt a small, sharp sting in her chest.

With her natural good looks and outstanding grades, ever since she had crafted her sunny, cheerful persona, she had never been treated this way.

But Minami—

Taking a deep breath, she plastered her usual warm smile on her face.

"Um… Excuse me, Minami-kun…"

"Hm?"

The black-haired boy lifted his head and raised a brow.

"Minami-kun?"

"That's right."

Akane kept smiling.

The only reason she had called him Sensei earlier was because he had completely hijacked the conversation's pace.

But now—

She was ready.

Even if he tried yelling at her again—

She wouldn't be thrown off this time.

"You don't actually like being called 'Sensei,' do you? That was just a joke earlier. But if you do like it, I don't mind calling you that again~"

She giggled playfully.

The second half of her statement was obviously a joke.

There was no way a guy like him would actually want her to keep calling him that.

That would just be too humiliating for her.

Right?

There was no way.

She was still in control of the situation.

Guys—at the end of the day, they could be easily swayed with just a little bit of sweetness.

But—

"Then go ahead."

Minami had finished packing his things.

And with a completely calm expression—

He said those words.

At that moment—

The graceful, composed image Akane had built in her mind—

Completely shattered.

Oh my god.

Is this guy serious?!

On the surface, she kept up her perfect smile.

But internally, her mind was racing with quiet, muttering complaints.

Is this guy really the type to endlessly, mercilessly bully a girl?!

Unbelievable… utterly unbelievable…

And yet—

"Eh~ I don't want to~ Are you really gonna make me call you that all the time, Minami-kun? That's way too embarrassing~"

Akane's smile grew even sweeter, her voice taking on an adorable, teasing lilt that no guy could possibly resist.

But—

"..."

Minami simply glanced at her.

Then, he silently raised a finger—

And pointed at the door.

The message was clear.

If you're not gonna call me that, then leave.

"..."

Akane took a deep breath.

Even with her LV5 Disguise, she could barely stop herself from gritting her teeth.

She wanted to just turn around and walk away.

But… if she could get Minami's guidance… her dream could—

With that thought, she lowered her head slightly and did her best to keep her voice steady.

"…Minami-sensei."

"Too quiet."

"Minami-sensei!?"

"Why do you sound like you're gritting your teeth?"

"Minami-sensei~!"

"Too soft. Too flirty. Don't you even know how to properly show respect?"

Minami looked at Akane with a deep expression of disgust.

"..."

Akane's delicate, fair face turned bright red.

Endure.

Endure.

Just hold it in.

Finally, when she felt like she had reached the absolute limit of her patience, Minami finally gave a small nod.

"Barely acceptable."

He took Akane's manuscript and began reading.

Seeing his action, Akane—whose blood pressure had been skyrocketing—exhaled heavily.

It really was just barely acceptable.

She felt an overwhelming urge to slap the manuscript onto Minami's face.

But…

She held it in.

"But you still held it in."

"...Huh?"

Hearing Minami mutter those words as he read, Akane blinked in confusion.

For the first time—

She felt afraid.

Minami…

Did he see through her mask?

She opened her mouth, hesitating.

"Minami... sensei… um… you..."

"Hm?"

"N-No, it's nothing."

Feeling his gaze shift toward her, Akane quickly lowered her head.

In that moment—

She felt true fear.

Her bright, cheerful persona had always been her armor—her way of surviving.

And yet, for the first time—

She had the sudden urge to just leave her manuscript with Minami and run.

Not because she wanted to use him to improve her writing.

No.

It was because the thought of her mask being forcibly ripped off—

Of someone seeing the weak, cowardly, pathetic person beneath it—

Terrified her.

She didn't dare think any further.

And then—

"What are you thinking about?"

Minami's voice suddenly snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Ah? Uh…"

Akane jolted upright, blinking rapidly.

In front of her—

Minami's face was suddenly very close.

"It's nothing," she quickly said.

Falling back into habit, she flashed her usual fake smile and rubbed her hands together playfully.

"I was just thinking about something completely unrelated."

"Is that so?"

To her relief, Minami didn't press further.

He simply nodded and continued reading.

He didn't even mention his previous comment—"But you still held it in."

That made Akane feel a little better.

She leaned back against her seat, watching Minami's indifferent expression.

She couldn't understand.

Why did her usual tricks—ones that worked on every other guy—completely fail on Minami?

No.

Not only did they not work, but they seemed to have the opposite effect.

Minami had spent the entire day looking at her with nothing but disdain.

It was the first time since entering Shuka High that a male student had treated her like this.

This guy… he definitely doesn't have a girlfriend. What a poor thing.

Of course, she didn't say this out loud.

She only thought it in her mind—maliciously.

Though, she failed to realize—

If this were any other guy, she wouldn't have bothered wasting this much thought on them at all.

But before she could dwell on it further—

Minami suddenly spoke.

"I'm finished."

"Oh?"

Akane perked up.

All of her previous thoughts vanished instantly.

She looked at Minami expectantly.

No matter what kind of awful person he was, there was no denying his talent for writing.

What would he think of her work?

Surely, it wouldn't be too bad, right?

After all, she was the second-ranked student at Shuka High.

Academically, she was only behind Minami.

Maybe—

Maybe her writing would actually impress him.

Maybe this terrible guy would be shocked by her work.

Just the thought of seeing him surprised by her writing made her even more eager.

But then—

She caught herself.

Wait. This is weird.

Why was she so excited to see his reaction?

Why did she care so much about his opinion?

That wasn't like her.

But…

She still couldn't help but secretly glance at Minami's face, looking for any sign of reaction.

And then—

Right before her eyes, Minami's once indifferent expression shifted.

A flicker of something passed through his clear, dark eyes.

Surprise.

"Akane."

"Hm?"

"You..."

Minami placed the manuscript down, his silence dragging on for a long moment.

Then, he lifted his head, looked her straight in the eye, and very seriously asked—

"Did you write this badly on purpose?"

Yes.

Minami was shocked after reading her manuscript.

But clearly—

Not in the way she had hoped.