Chapter 38: A Kiss? That's What a Real Boyfriend Does!

"Experiment? What do you mean?"

Renji Kamisaka crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the bunny girl before him, full of interest and a hint of amusement. A small smile played on his lips.

Mai Sakurajima glanced at him, her lips pursed, showing a thinly veiled annoyance. "Before I tell you, I want to know your name."

"My name is Renji Kamisaka, and I'm a Class F representative in my first year of high school, and I'm Senior Mai Sakurajima's junior," Renji replied with a charming smile, his tone relaxed.

The girl was slightly surprised, her cool gaze softening for a moment before returning to normal. Yet she quickly felt relieved. She had debuted as a child star and was now a famous actress. This boy would know that she was normal. An assumption that missed the mark, but Mai didn't realize it.

"Oh, Renji, right? I'll remember you." Mai Sakurajima nodded, her gaze slightly warmer. "It's almost time for class, let's head back." She seemed to be trying to dismiss Renji, but there was actually a hidden joy in discovering that the man was her junior and in the same class.

"So, you're not going to talk about the experiment?" Renji Kamisaka looked at her in confusion, feigning disappointment.

Mai Sakurajima raised an eyebrow, a slight challenge in her eyes. "Would you believe me if I told you?" She was still hesitant whether to tell him or not.

Renji Kamisaka shrugged helplessly. "How would you know I'd believe you if you don't tell me?" He smiled faintly, "Sometimes I meet a senior bunny girl at school whom only I can see, and I always think I'm dreaming."

"Then, just consider it a dream," Mai Sakurajima said, walking past him gracefully. As she passed, she deliberately shook her head. Her glistening black hair brushed against Renji's face, leaving a charming fragrant trail.

Renji Kamisaka covered his face, an amused smile. Did he just get hit by the senior bunny girl's hair? Mai Sakurajima quickly vanished from his sight. Renji Kamisaka shook his head helplessly and hurried to class. You'll be late.

Renji Kamisaka's Observations in Class

As soon as he entered the classroom, Renji noticed a girl's surprised gaze. He glanced in the direction of her stare and it turned out to be Saki Kawasaki, sitting in the back row, her silver eyes widened slightly. Renji Kamisaka was a little confused. When did Kawasaki start paying attention to me?

Oh, the one who saw him most often, or at least the one he was most aware of, was Yui Yuigahama. Speaking of which, Renji Kamisaka wanted to complain. It had been almost a week since that dog rescue incident, and this girl hadn't come to thank him. If you delay any further, your thanks will feel less sincere later on! Unless you surrender yourself, that would seem more sincere.

Renji Kamisaka complained in his heart, thinking good thoughts, and didn't dwell on it too much. Yuigahama-san will definitely come to me, he was very confident. His current targets included Sumireko Sanshokuin, Shiina Mahiru, and Yukinoshita Yukino. Too many people could easily cause the car to overturn. So, it was better to be more stable.

Of course, Senior Mai Sakurajima was a pleasant surprise. He had a premonition that this senior girl would definitely come to him again. From the original work, Renji knew Mai Sakurajima suffered from a strange phenomenon called "Adolescence Syndrome," which caused her existence to disappear from others' eyes. But thinking about it again, isn't this a supernatural event?

Perhaps Mai Sakurajima accidentally helped a certain existence during an operation. Renji mused, his logical mind trying to find a thread of connection. To repay Mai Sakurajima, that existence fulfilled her wish not to be noticed, photographed, or followed. However, after her wish was granted, it brought dire consequences for Mai Sakurajima. She would slowly be forgotten by everyone. When no one remembered her, she would become like an observer of the world, unable to be found by anyone. It sounded very admirable from a theoretical standpoint. But from a realistic standpoint, everyone in the world isolated her. She would live in her own world and could only sigh at others' happiness or sadness. A deep loneliness, hidden behind her star aura.

After Class: Renji Kamisaka and Sumireko Sanshokuin

Unbeknownst to them, it was time for club activities again. Renji Kamisaka was a homebody, so he planned to go straight home. However, Shiina Mahiru accepted Yumiko Miura's invitation and planned to go singing together. Renji Kamisaka didn't wait for her. He just sat around and did nothing. At least he had made some breakthroughs with Sumireko Sanshokuin today, so he ran to wait for her outside her classroom.

The girl was surprised to see him, her eyes widening slightly behind her glasses. "Student Renji, are you waiting for me?"

Renji Kamisaka smiled faintly. "I go to the same school as you, and I only know you. Who else could I be waiting for?" He leaned in slightly. "Are you going home together, Sumireko?"

The word "Sumireko" made the girl tremble, a warm blush appearing on her usually pale cheeks. "Okay." She immediately agreed, her voice barely a whisper.

Her other classmates looked surprised, faint whispers starting to spread. They couldn't understand why Renji Kamisaka, a handsome, charismatic young man, would come to see Sumireko Sanshokuin, a gloomy girl who always hid behind glasses and an innocent persona.

Renji Kamisaka ignored the stares, as if they didn't exist. He and Sumireko Sanshokuin walked side by side down the corridor, their steps in sync. Suddenly, a boy with light brown hair approached. He looked at Sumireko Sanshokuin with burning eyes and said enthusiastically:

"Uh, Sanshokuin-san, there's a baseball practice game tomorrow, would you like to come and watch?" It was Taiyō Ōga, radiating the bright aura typical of an athlete.

Sumireko Sanshokuin disliked that burning gaze, so she unconsciously hid behind Renji Kamisaka, her body leaning slightly. She reached out her small hand and grasped the corner of Renji Kamisaka's clothing, as if this simple movement could give her a sense of security from the unwanted attention.

"Sorry, Ōga-san," Sumireko's voice sounded calmer as she hid behind Renji, "I don't like baseball, and I have other things to do tomorrow." Sumireko Sanshokuin's words were full of polite but clear rejection.

Taiyō Ōga suddenly felt a little disappointed, his bright smile fading slightly. His gaze fell on Renji, the boy whose clothes were being pulled by the girl. A flash of gloom crossed his eyes, but it was quickly masked by a forced bright smile. "Hello, classmate. I'm Taiyō Ōga from Class C, Grade 1. Are you interested in baseball? Would you like to watch the game tomorrow?"

"Oh, my name is Renji Kamisaka from Class F. Hello, Classmate Ōga. I'm sorry, but like Sumireko, I'm not interested in baseball," Renji replied, his tone polite but firm.

"Eh, I see... Sorry to bother you, uh... Mr. Renji, what's your relationship with Sanshokuin?" Taiyō Ōga was slightly disappointed that he couldn't invite the goddess to watch his heroic performance on the field. He continued to ask the question that had been his concern from the start, albeit reluctantly.

Renji Kamisaka was about to answer, but his hand was touched. Sumireko Sanshokuin smiled and gently held his hand, then gave a shy smile to Taiyō Ōga, a smile she never showed anyone else.

"Actually, Renji and I are trying to date now," Sumireko said in a low but clear voice, "and we agreed to go out together tomorrow, so I'm sorry, Ōga, we don't have time to entertain you."

"Ah!! I-I understand. Sorry to bother you." Taiyō Ōga felt like he had been struck by lightning in broad daylight, and his shoulders slumped from the impact. His face was flushed with embarrassment and disappointment. He ran off sadly, his steps hurried.

Sumireko Sanshokuin's Confession and Details

It was only then that Renji Kamisaka looked at the shy Sumireko Sanshokuin beside him, his eyebrows raised. "Sumireko, are we dating?"

Sumireko Sanshokuin's soft hand moved in his, her fingers gently squeezing, but not letting go. She said helplessly, sighing slightly, "I just lied to him. I really don't want to get entangled with him." She looked up, her beautiful eyes meeting Renji's. "Uh, Renji, can you let go of my hand?"

"I don't want to let go for now. It feels comfortable to hold," Renji answered honestly, a mischievous smile appearing on his face.

Such straightforward words made Sumireko Sanshokuin roll her eyes at him, yet a faint smile played on her lips. "I don't mind, but can you bear to see a gloomy, unpopular girl being ostracized by the girls in class after she suddenly gets a handsome boyfriend?"

"Then why don't you just go back to your true form? Why, are you afraid I can't protect you?" Renji challenged, his eyes tracing Sumireko's face.

"..." Sumireko Sanshokuin sighed. She had indeed suspected that Renji was pretending not to know about her disguise. "I'm not ready yet... and I don't want to attract attention yet."

"Alright, remember to tell me when you're ready. I'm ready to fight!" Renji grinned, clenching his fist in a dramatic fashion.

"Pfft, it sounds like you're going to war for me," Sumireko chuckled, her voice cheerful.

"Really? Didn't I just fight one-on-one? Just tell me if I'm great or not!" Renji boasted.

"Yes, yes, you're the best," Sumireko said, but there was an amused tone in her voice. "But that guy is the ace of the baseball club. I don't think he'll give up easily. So, can you be as good as him next time?" She looked at him expectantly, her eyes sparkling.

"Definitely amazing. I'm happy to be your shield," Renji answered earnestly, though there was a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Pfft, can't he just be a potential boyfriend?" she said with a smile, poking the man's waist with her finger. After Renji corrected her, the smile never left Sumireko's face.

Renji Kamisaka asked curiously, "So, how do you know this Taiyō Ōga?" Although he knew the plot of the original novel, this was a comprehensive anime world, which was still different from the original world.

Sumireko Sanshokuin didn't hide it either. "I don't know him, but I saw him crying and punching a wall backstage when he lost a regional baseball tournament with my friends last year." She paused for a moment, recalling. "My friend just said a few words to comfort him. My friend knows him, and we're both like friends of a friend."

That friend, of course, was Sumireko Nijijō, who was lying unconscious in the hospital. The person Taiyō Ōga originally liked was Sumireko Nijijō. And Sumireko Sanshokuin's makeup techniques were taught by Sumireko Nijijō. The two were very similar—their situations were similar, their beauty and figures were similar. And at first, it was Sumireko Nijijō who took the initiative to contact Sumireko Sanshokuin, and they became best friends.

"So that's how it is. He treats you as a substitute for your friend?" Renji concluded, his tone slightly disapproving.

"What do you mean by substitute? That's very rude. Isn't it possible that my own charm is more appealing?" The girl glared at him with dissatisfaction, her lips pouted.

Renji Kamisaka had a sour expression. "So, Taiyō Ōga has already seen you without your disguise? But I haven't seen it. Isn't this a bit unfair to your potential boyfriend?"

Seeing his sour expression, Sumireko Sanshokuin couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, a small, melodious laugh. "Alright, I'll let you see it once, just this time."

She wrapped her arms around Renji's neck and took off her own glasses. Losing the cover of the reflective glasses, a small, cute face as adorable as Yukinoshita Yukino and Shiina Mahiru appeared in Renji's eyes. The girl's sea-blue eyes were as clear as water, shimmering with a moving luster, exuding captivating beauty.

Sumireko Sanshokuin seemed pleased with his surprise, and she quickly put her glasses back on, concealing that beauty again. "Are you satisfied now, Mr. prospective boyfriend?"

"It would be more satisfying if I could kiss you," Renji teased, leaning his face in slightly.

"You're just dreaming," Sumireko snorted, gently pushing him away. "That's the treatment you get as an official boyfriend. You're still far from that!" She quickened her pace to leave first, her small laugh still audible.

Did she really think he didn't know? Renji smiled. Although this man is handsome, he's a playboy. Even so, she still has a good impression of him right now. Otherwise, she wouldn't have rested her head on his shoulder this afternoon and let him hold her waist. He understood her. Shiina Mahiru was as beautiful as herself, and she was very eye-catching in front of people and behind them. But I seem to be a little gloomy... It was natural for Renji Kamisaka to think of Shiina Mahiru. Who doesn't like a super beautiful girl who is full of beauty, vigor, and cheerfulness, has brilliant academic achievements, is good at sports, and is good at cooking?

However, understanding was understanding. He did not agree with her idea of having a harem.

What Sumireko Sanshokuin didn't tell Renji Kamisaka was that she lived on the second floor and could only see the scenery from her room through a telescope. And at that time, when Misaki Kamiigusa snuck into her room, she still blushed every time she thought about it. A small secret only she herself knew.