Tokyo Wingman King

Autumn is deepening on the campus of Toyo Eiwa University, with vibrant yellow ginkgo leaves carpeting the garden between the arts club building and the teaching building.

In the center of the garden, someone used glue and ginkgo leaves to create a huge yellow heart, 5 centimeters off the ground.

Early in the morning, students noticed the ginkgo leaf heart ring in front of the arts and culture club building.

The ginkgo leaves were arranged neatly.

Its density is so high that even Principal Yinghe would be tempted to touch his scalp upon seeing it; a rough estimate puts it at least 80000 pieces.

The sheer amount of work required to create this heart is enough to make one's heart flutter.

Many people thought this was the work of the love counseling department, either helping someone confess their feelings, or that the artistic talent of Hachiman, which the Togami family had been praising as comparable to Leonardo da Vinci and Picasso, was finally revealing the tip of the iceberg.

This deduction was quickly refuted by Mr. Futami, the current head of the relationship counseling department.

No department or class has taken responsibility for this suddenly emerging undeveloped landscape project.

The true identity of the creator of the giant heart has also aroused the curiosity of more and more people.

Unfortunately, as dozens of onlookers waited, the school bell rang twice to remind students to leave, but the 5-centimeter-tall yellow heart remained hanging empty. Not only did it fail to witness a youthful confession, but no one even saw an ant walk into the heart.

at the same time,

An anonymous post on the school forum went viral on social media thanks to the efforts of another group of busybodies.

The post contains only one screenshot of a LINE chat.

"You can pursue me because I'm attractive, and I can reject you because you're not. That's fair, isn't it?"
I'm telling you honestly, I've never been pursued by someone as ugly as you in my entire life. This isn't just venting; it's my genuine feeling, from the bottom of my heart. Ever since you confessed to me, I've felt incredibly inferior every day. There are so many beautiful girls at school—Konoe-sama, Kujo-sama, would you pursue them? Risse and Futami-sensei, would you dare to pursue them?
You won't, you dare not. Because you know these people would never be interested in you. Yet you're pursuing me, which means that in your eyes, I'm a good match for you. My God, just thinking about this gives me a vague urge to commit suicide. I beg you to stop liking me. Your pursuit has deeply hurt my self-esteem.

Please take some time to read Da Zhangwei's dating guide, reflect on yourself, find your comfort zone in dating, and stop dreaming of marrying a swan.

No one knows who "you" and "me" are in the post, but a screenshot of this forum post has already entered the top 10 of the city's trending searches.

In fact,
On the Toyo Eiwa Forum, there weren't many people supporting [the Confessor-me].

Because everyone knows that the one who receives an average of 66 love confessions a day is none other than Shizumi Asama, the "top of the mountain," who has never humiliated anyone who confesses to him.

Even if he burned the love letters in front of those people, the parties involved would only feel honored, without exception.

Someone from the news department provided crucial information (she said she obtained it at great expense from a key person in the love counseling department) – although Da Laoshi rejected everyone, he could recite the contents of love letters corresponding to each pen name. If anyone dared to confess to him again in person, he would give a clear answer based on the contents of those letters, one by one.

After the news was made public, no one questioned its authenticity. Rather than questioning ASAMA SAMA's superhuman abilities, they preferred to question the American moon landing, Japan's declining birthrate crisis, the Earth being round, and the fact that Masami Nagasawa's pointed chin is natural.

In the notice board area of ​​Toyo Eiwa, there was even a "public service poster" created by Asama Shizusui's support team that read, "[Don't waste Asama-sama's time by sending him love letters]".

With Shizumi Asama as an example, refusal has become a moral art.

Even if someone confesses their love to you, the dignity, responsibility, and virtue of a nobleman are far more important than a momentary personal feeling.

The person who confessed was directly labeled as "the daughter of a nouveau riche," "uncultured," and "shameless (despite daring to compare herself to Lord Konoe)."

There weren't many people on the forum supporting [Confessor-You].

Most people who have read dating guides understand one thing: when you encounter such a terrible crush, if you can't adapt, the right thing to do is to run away and find someone better to like.

[The Confessor] was also labeled with tags such as [Angry Clown] and [Despicable Petty Person (partial screenshot + only blurring his own face)].

In conclusion, Hidekazu Toyo's criticism of these two individuals was brief and to the point.

After all, the abstract concepts of the East are inexhaustible, so being rejected after confessing one's feelings is not a big deal.

However, on social media, the story took a completely different turn.

Supporters of both sides are doing everything they can to dox the couple, wishing they could tear that stranger they've never met, never known, and never clashed with to pieces.

Some extremists who are good at surfing [hot topics] have also jumped out and gained a lot of followers.

It seems everyone has forgotten that the initial discussion of this post actually had nothing to do with the battle of the sexes.

The anonymous account that reposted the screenshot added several tags to the screenshot, one of which was #RISE (Death Warrior Band).

Thanks to the popularity of idol Rise Shinazugawa, the post was quickly clicked and spread by fans of the band Death Samurai, and then became a hot topic.

The "[Teacher Futami]" mentioned in the screenshot is actually Tsukimi Futami, a classmate of RISE.

The "[Big Teacher]" mentioned in the screenshot is R1SE's classmate and childhood friend—the genius drummer Shizumi Asama. Although not an entertainer, he has multiple fan-run accounts on social media.

The school these three attend is no secret.

As a result, Eiwa Toyo also gained a token amount of popularity.

Previously, most people had scoffed at the claim that "Toyo Eiwa is not an ordinary private school, but a PRO version of Gakushuin, and the first and most prestigious place of fame and fortune in Japan."

The socialites at Gakushuin are all prostitutes; where is their aristocratic demeanor? The major conglomerates have long since carved out their own territories; where would they find the big players to take in the children of these people?

But now netizens have no choice but to believe it.

This is a school that stands in the heart of Tokyo without any concealment, a school that produces many famous people with just a little research, yet very little information about it can be found each year.

Interestingly, some of the content that has gained popularity in Tokyo, such as the sports festival marathon and cultural festival in the first half of this year, and the Mugensha that made a name for itself in Tokyo in the second half of this year, still features people like Shizusui Asama and popular idol Rize Shinazugawa.

The other people mentioned in the screenshot disappeared without a trace, like a stone thrown into the sea.

Lady Konoe likely refers to Konoe Chiyo, the daughter of Councilor Konoe. Aside from a few well-known photos showcasing her beauty, little is known about her actual background, even less than that of the seemingly saintly Crown Prince.

There is no record of Lord Kujo.

To netizens who still retain their thirst for knowledge, Toyo Eiwa School and the prominent figures who studied there seem to have become a new checkmark on the list of Tokyo's eleventh legendary figures.

However, these sparks of curiosity were quickly drowned out by the irresistibly captivating arguments.

The online buzz doesn't affect students who lead fulfilling real-life lives.

The shouts echoed across the training ground and reached the windows of the arts and culture club building.

The baseball team, brimming with talent, is in high spirits.

Having won the primary, they are now preparing for the upcoming Kanto Conference.

The terrifying blows Asama Shizumizu delivered a few days ago were like whips made of shadows, lashing the backs of all the team members, becoming the driving force that motivated them to persevere through the grueling training. From the other end of the field, the cheers of the soccer team rang out, not to be outdone.

Having just finished a 10-kilometer run, and before they had even had 10 minutes to rest, the team resistance sprint training began.

The baseball and soccer teams aren't the only ones on campus training extra hard.

Asama's appearance last week directly prompted Toyo Hideyo and 66 sports clubs to increase their training volume this semester.

This phenomenon was summarized by the Pravda Society as the "Big Teacher Incentive Effect," and an article about it was published in the school newspaper this week by the News Department.

This school magazine went into its third printing today.

According to sources, because the news department included two precious photos of the university professor in its report, the price of this school magazine (or rather, the price of two photos on a single page) has been inflated outside the school to 10000 times the cost of the newspaper.

Meanwhile, Phoenix Inuya Haruka, the president of the Pravda Society who obtained the two precious photographic negatives, is diligently assisting (supervising) the counseling work of Futami Tsukikai, the acting head of the Love Counseling Department.

With his left arm crossed, his index finger gently tapped the fabric of his clothes in a rhythm similar to the second hand of a clock on the wall.

"The biggest problem right now is that I know too little about him but think too much. Just like how Kisaragi can't join R1SE like Hachiman, I can't join his fraternity either. Before our language systems are aligned, any approach is tantamount to suicide. So, as I just said, now is not the time to blossom; I need to learn to be a tree."

Kokoro Hitotsubashi, a healing girl praised by the boys in Class R of the first year of Toyo Eiwa as "the Nightingale of beauty," twisted her fingers and made a final summary of her thoughts.

“Just learning golf doesn’t count as aligning your language system, Hitotsubashi.”

Futami Tsukimi stopped writing and smiled sincerely.

"But, is it possible to allow one's feelings to take root and grow slowly, like a tree? It would be wonderful if Hitotsubashi could have such a mindset."

"I will try my best! Thank you, Teacher Futami!"

Erjian nodded.

Despite having planned three confessions for Hitotsubashi Kokoro, the second one was still the last one.

However, Hitotsubashi Kokoro quickly recovered from the negative state of unrequited love.

Just as Asama once told her—

"The mission of the relationship counseling department is not to help people successfully establish romantic relationships, but to help them gain the ability to love."

The most valuable thing about liking someone is that you can discover a side of yourself you never knew before.

A person who understands themselves knows better who they love and how to love, rather than being misled by desires, fantasies, lack, interests, and self-satisfaction, and engaging in a private relationship without careful consideration.

Second meeting is very relatable to the feelings of the person on the bridge.

Does Hitotsubashi's growth mean that his mentor, Futami Tsukimi, has also grown?
Just as Erjian was about to see the guest off, he heard a voice say, "Wait."

Phoenix Inu Haruka, the biggest investor in the relationship counseling department, clenched her fist and placed it in front of her lips, pondering.

"A Bridge of Love: As a tree, is it what you want to grow in the opposite direction, drifting further and further apart?"

She believes that Hitotsubashi Kokoro's so-called "allowing herself to grow slowly" is just self-deception.

"Just like how you didn't even want to confess in person at the beginning. You don't actually think that this situation is safer now, do you?"

Phoenix Inu Haruka, staring at Hitotsubashi Kokoro's somewhat flustered eyes, continued,
"You don't have to risk being seen or disliked, nor do you have to worry about rejection or alienation. You can maintain the intensity of this unrequited love indefinitely, but never take a step towards true intimacy. If that's all there is to it, what's the difference between your love and a fan's love for a celebrity?"

“How could it be that kind of love?” Kokoro Ichihashi retorted softly, head bowed.

"Do you think you're Tokugawa Ieyasu? Do you believe that if you wait long enough, time will weed out your rivals and true love will eventually be yours?"

Phoenix Institute's voice was not oppressive at all, or rather, it had no stern tone; it was just a normal tone.

But for Hitotsubashi Kokoro, every word she uttered seemed to explode on the floor.

Seeing the same look she gave former department head Fujiwara, she glanced helplessly at Hououin Haruka.
"Hououin-san, Hitotsubashi-san isn't waiting in vain. Besides, a temporary separation doesn't mean a real distance. Not to mention 'Love in the Time of Cholera,' didn't Anne in Jane Austen's novel and Agnes in Dickens' novel get what they wanted in the end?"

"What you're talking about is a placebo in a fictional world. The rate of such cases in the world is even lower than the jackpot rate of [Lotto 7]."

"So, only one in tens of millions of people are a couple, Phoenix Courtyard? Aren't you underestimating people's belief in love? If that's not the case, why do people draw strength from fictional stories?"

"What most people gain is not power, but the comfort of fantasy."

After calming Yiqiao Xinlian down, Nijian smiled wryly at the department's financial backer.
"Phoenix Academy student was a bit too strict today."

Phoenix Institute shook its head.
"I didn't mean to offend anyone. I'm just stating the facts and expressing my feelings. It's correct for the weak to avoid direct confrontation and quietly develop themselves when facing the strong, but there's also a trap of escapism hidden within this. I believe you understand that, Mr. Futami."

Just as "I only love you" seems particularly ridiculous in this world, as if a single sentence stamps the entire future of two people. The idea that "I will eventually match him and have him" is like the wish that "the world will eventually be at peace," forever suspended in the air, unless it exists in the daily approach.

The dignity of love is not found in sweet fantasies or words, but in serious, concrete actions that truly bring two souls closer.

Even though she considered herself a top student, Hitotsubashi Kokoro felt utterly overwhelmed by Hououin's rambling explanation. All she could seem to glean was that the high and mighty Hououin family heiress was deeply dissatisfied with Hitotsubashi Kokoro's stagnant romantic life.

Once her brain resumed functioning, Hitotsubashi Kokoro found that Hououin Haruka was already sitting further away, with her eyes closed.

It seems that Teacher Nijian saved him from this ordeal.

"Teacher, may I leave now?"

Yiqiao Xinlian secretly glanced at Fenghuangyuan again.

Niji answered while looking at a hand-drawn table in his notebook.
"Yes, I just discussed it with Phoenix Academy. The previous plan did lack some arrangements for maintaining communication and cohesion. I will send you the revised plan tonight."

Yiqiao Xinlian waved goodbye repeatedly.
"No need to go to so much trouble. Teacher Erjian, you can give it to me when you have time. I will try my best to complete the plan according to your requirements."

Erjian shook his head, then nodded.

As Hitotsubashi Kokoro was about to leave the relationship counseling center, Futami asked again,
"By the way, what's the guy you mentioned who asked you to go see the giant pandas up to today?"

"He didn't come to school today. I said that people wearing panda costumes aren't real pandas, and it's terrifying to develop feelings for those fake pandas. Is this rejection too much? What if it's because of me?"

Suddenly remembering the [ancient Greek god of refusal] who had been sitting in her seat earlier, she smiled slightly and said...
"That's not your problem, Hitotsubashi. Don't resist rejection just because Kisaragi rejected you. That's your right."

After a moment of silence, Hitotsubashi responded with a gentle smile to Futami's face.

"I understand, Teacher Futami." (End of Chapter)