Chapter 35: Shiina Mahiru's Confusion

Upon arriving at school, Shiina Mahiru immediately transformed. Her sluggish demeanor from the morning vanished, replaced by the captivating angel she usually embodied. She straightened her back, her gaze sharp and attentive, completely absorbed in her lessons. Just witnessing her concentration was inspiring; other students felt motivated. The angels are working so hard, how dare I be lazy in class?

Of course, most people merely daydreamed while seemingly paying attention and weren't truly focused on their studies. But not Mahiru. In physical education class, Shiina Mahiru approached every test seriously, and her results were always satisfactory. It was no exaggeration to say that she excelled in everything, including sports.

In terms of communication, Shiina Mahiru's status in class was "Her Highness the Princess." This differed from Yumiko Miura, who was dubbed "Her Majesty the Queen" due to her arrogant personality, with Hayato Hayama serving as her prince. Well, this name might displease Miura-san, Renji Kamisaka thought to himself, correcting the moniker. So it's better to call Hayato Hayama "the King." After all, with Hayato Hayama's kind personality, he was very popular in class. Just a few days after school started, he had already taken control of the class.

Renji Kamisaka had no ill feelings towards Hayato Hayama. After all, when he, the squad leader, spoke, Hayato Hayama was very respectful and would take the initiative to maintain order. While it seemed unnecessary, Renji Kamisaka was happy to let him. For Renji Kamisaka, if someone truly disregarded him and opposed him, he would resolve the issue with his fists. Creating an image of someone not to be trifled with would also benefit his campus life.

Why do girls like dating bad boys? Aren't honest and good students that popular? Renji pondered. Perhaps it's a matter of security. A person who can fight would give ordinary girls a strange sense of security. Of course, the top students didn't count. Especially someone like Shiina Mahiru, she probably wouldn't like bad boys. Or maybe she disliked irresponsible people. Her parents were like that.

They felt that the girl was a burden and an obstacle to their marriage. If that were the case, wouldn't it have been better if she hadn't been allowed to be born in the first place? Renji knew how painful it was to live in this world yet be ignored by the people who should love you the most. Let her come into this world, but don't care about her. Aside from money and the maid who took care of her, those uncaring parents never gave her any attention. This led to... Renji Kamisaka had just gone out in the rain to give her an umbrella and showed great anxiety and concern for her, which deeply moved Mahiru.

Shiina Mahiru pretended to be calm, trying her best not to pay attention to Renji Kamisaka. But they were desk mates. Being seated so close, she could see him from the corner of her eye. At this moment, Renji Kamisaka was reading "Love Metronome." Shiina Mahiru's heart pounded when she saw the novel's title.

Although Renji Kamisaka said he wouldn't bother her, how could eyes lie? The attentive look in his eyes, if he didn't like her, it must be fake. Otherwise, why would Sayu Ogiwara persuade her to date Renji Kamisaka? So, when Renji Kamisaka read romance light novels, was he planning to apply the tricks from the novel to her? This silly girl probably didn't know that Renji Kamisaka had plotted something wicked against her from the start. Including yesterday's hug, which she suspected, was full of routines. Shiina Mahiru thought she had discovered the truth.

Yet throughout the day, besides performing their duties as class representatives together, Renji Kamisaka never spoke a word to her. Exactly as he had said. His concern for her was merely that of a landlord, caring about his responsibilities and his guests at Sakurasou. He had absolutely no intention of bothering or pursuing her.

This discovery left Shiina Mahiru deeply distressed. She couldn't help but start to doubt herself. Does Renji Kamisaka really like me? Why do I feel sad instead of relieved when I find out he doesn't like me? She remembered the feeling of being held tightly by him yesterday. It was even more uncomfortable.

"Um, Shiina-san, am I making you unhappy?" Renji Kamisaka suddenly put down the light novel, turned and asked in confusion, his expression sincere.

"Oh, no. Why do you ask?" Shiina Mahiru replied frantically, her gaze blurring, not daring to look into his eyes.

Renji Kamisaka looked distressed. "Because you're staring at me with such a sharp glare."

Hearing this, Shiina Mahiru's face flushed. She looked away and shook her head, pretending to be calm. "It's nothing. I didn't get enough sleep yesterday, so I was trying to look out the window to clear my vision. I wasn't glaring at you." After she finished speaking, she felt guilty, and the blush on her face became even more pronounced.

"Oh, I see. There are no classes now. Do you want me to give you my seat so you can look at the scenery outside the window?"

"No, I've seen enough. Thank you for your kindness."

After saying that, the two didn't speak again for the rest of the day. Renji Kamisaka would never act close to Shiina Mahiru in class. She had to maintain her image as a good student. If he were too close to her, it would only bother her and make her distance herself from him. Instead, this way of interacting was just right. Distance creates beauty.

Besides, wasn't his current coldness also a routine? This isn't happening. Shiina Mahiru unconsciously glared at him with dissatisfaction. Then, throughout the day, Shiina Mahiru tried her best not to think about Renji Kamisaka and felt distressed. But she couldn't ask directly. What was she supposed to ask? Ask him if he liked her or not and if he had any feelings for her?

After all, she was a girl, she should still have some self-respect and remain reserved. Besides, he hadn't confessed to her. The two weren't dating. Of course, she was too embarrassed to ask why he was being cold to her at school. She had no right to ask. I can only continue to be distressed alone.

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