Oh no! They all seem a bit off!

Chapter 129 The Invitation to the Ball

Tuesday, lunch break.

Akizuki Makoto went to the student council room for lunch, something he hadn't done in a long time.

It wasn't that he wanted to go; rather, Ji Yexue had called him over, saying she had something to discuss with him.

He had originally planned to have lunch with Dongzi in the courtyard, but after seeing what Ji Yexue said, he had no choice but to decline Dongzi's invitation.

"If you dare to lie to me, you're finished..."

As Akizuki Makoto walked along the elevated corridor leading to the student council room, he thought to himself.

He arrived at the top floor of the club building, knocked on the door of the student council room, and then pushed it open and entered.

Ji Yexue was already waiting for him. She didn't sit at the president's desk, but sat on the sofa in the members' office area on the right, and had already made tea.

Good afternoon, Cheng.

When Ji Yexue saw him arrive, she immediately smiled and greeted him.

"Good afternoon, Chairman."

Qiu Yuecheng nodded slightly, sat down on the sofa opposite her, and asked bluntly, "So, what brings you here?"

"Can't I find you if I'm fine?"

Ji Yexue, without thinking, blurted out a question.

The next second, she saw Qiu Yuecheng's expression change and immediately turn gloomy.

"……I am leaving."

"Wait, I was just joking!"

Ji Yexue quickly tried to stop her, then complained, "Now I can't even joke with you anymore, how heartless of you."

"Jokes should be based on the premise that both parties find them funny; otherwise, it can only be called making fun of others."

As Qiuyue Cheng spoke calmly, he sat back down on the sofa, picked up the cup of black tea placed in front of him, and took a sip.

Actually, I wanted to invite you to a party with me on Friday night.

"I reject."

Akizuki Makoto answered almost without hesitation. This so-called party sounded like a social gathering for the upper class, which was completely out of place for him.

"Don't be so quick to refuse, can't you just listen to what I have to say?"

Ji Yexue sighed softly and continued, "You don't need to do anything, just come with me. This is my request, is that alright?"

"Not suitable."

Akizuki Makoto shook his head again, looking rather helpless, and said, "In what capacity should I participate? And accompanying you, it just seems strange, doesn't it?"

"It's just a matter of identity, why be so fixated on that? Go with whatever identity you want."

"...Tell me first what this party is about, and then I'll consider whether I want to go."

"It's just a gathering of young people, dancing and eating, then waiting for others to come and flatter them, and they just give a few perfunctory replies."

Although he learned from Ji Yexue that this was a social dance party for rich kids, Qiuyue Cheng didn't understand why she wanted him to attend.

"So why do you want me to participate? I'm not a rich kid, nor do I come from a scholarly family, and I can't even dance."

"It doesn't mean anything special, I just need a dance partner. When I participated before, I didn't have a partner, so I just danced the waltz by myself."

Ji Yexue rubbed her temples, feeling a bit of a headache. She knew it would be difficult to invite Qiuyue Cheng, but it was her grandfather's wish, and she couldn't disobey him.

In the past, she could say that she had no interest in those rich young men and looked down on them, so she wouldn't dance with them. But now that she has someone she likes, she can't dance the waltz alone anymore, can she?
As for Akizuki Makoto's identity...

Is there anything to worry about?

He is a man personally recognized by Ji Yelong, and that alone is enough, not to mention that he will be the son-in-law of the Ji Ye family in the future.

—Although, Akizuki Makoto himself was completely unaware that he had been pre-selected as the son-in-law of the Himeya family.

"Hehe, you dance the waltz alone...?"

Akizuki Makoto muttered to herself and couldn't help but laugh out loud. It was obvious that those kinds of social dances were for couples, and for her to dance the waltz all by herself was indeed a bit unusual and funny.

Ji Yexue felt embarrassed by his smile and said angrily, "So, if you don't have anything else to do, can't you help me with this?"

"It's not that I can't help you, but you'll owe me a favor."

At this point, Akizuki Makoto paused, then continued, "So, you really owe me quite a bit. Can you really pay it all back?"

Ji Yexue curled her lips and said nonchalantly, "Hehe, what is there to repay? I can just repay you with my body."

"You're dreaming! You want to eat and take everything?"

Qiu Yuecheng couldn't help but find it amusing; Ji Yexue's abacus beads were practically about to fall into his face.

"Cheng, aren't you the one who takes advantage of everyone? Being with me not only gives you a girlfriend who matches you in both looks and talent, but also a prestigious status and countless riches."

"I'm sorry, I don't pursue great wealth or power, and I don't want to be famous."

Makoto Akizuki has come to a profound understanding of what it's like to be a celebrity.

In the past few days, when I walk on the street, I often run into fans of "Snow Country" who want to shake hands, take photos, and get autographs.

Although the number was small, he was approached unexpectedly, and being a rather mild-mannered person, he naturally wouldn't refuse requests for photos or autographs.

"whispering sound."

Ji Yexue clicked her tongue, looking quite unwilling, even though her conditions were the best in every way.

I really don't understand why Akizuki Makoto can't agree to her request.

They could cultivate their feelings over time; she refused to believe that Akizuki Makoto truly had no feelings for her.

"Okay, didn't I tell you before? Don't do anything that bothers me."

Akizuki Makoto noticed Himeyasu's dissatisfaction, gave her a reminder, picked up the bento box, put it in the microwave to heat it up, and prepared to start cooking.

"Speaking of which, I have another question I'd like to ask you."

Ji Yexue suddenly thought of something and asked, "Although there's no point in asking now, I want to know how you figured out that I'm the ghost haunting you?"

"Well..."

Qiu Yuecheng pondered, considering how to answer Ji Yexue.

He could say he sensed it, or he could say he saw it, but now there seemed to be no need to hide it anymore.

"Actually, I could see you from the very beginning."

Akizuki Makoto looked amused, and as if afraid that Ji Yexue might not understand when "from the beginning" meant, he added: "From the day you attacked me in the sports equipment room, I have been able to see you."

"One-tenth"

Ji Yexue was taken aback, and then felt a wave of shame, confusion and anger.

She couldn't help but clench her teeth, and her fair face instantly turned bright red.

So, she'd been played by Akizuki Makoto all along! This guy had been deceiving her and teasing her the whole time?

The thought that he had seen all the evil she had done to him while she was hiding filled her with shame and made her want to die.

After all, she had once taken off her clothes here to test whether Akizuki Makoto could see her.

Moreover, she had repeatedly taken off her clothes in front of him, wantonly teasing him. Thinking of this, Ji Yexue, enraged and embarrassed, demanded, "You... since you could see it, why didn't you just expose me!"

"Are you stupid? If I expose you directly and discover your secret, won't I be killed to silence you?"

Makoto Akizuki was very glad that he hadn't been exposed back then, otherwise Yoruhime Yoruyuki, in her current state of embarrassment and anger, might very well have been submerged in cement and sunk into Tokyo Bay.

"..."

Ji Yexue could not deny Qiuyue Cheng's words and fell silent.

If her secret were ever discovered, she, who once loathed Akizuki Makoto, would definitely eliminate this potential threat without hesitation.

She was also glad that she hadn't done anything more outrageous or irreversible to Akizuki Makoto back then, otherwise they wouldn't be sitting here chatting now.

Akizuki Makoto stared at Ji Yexue's still prominent breasts beneath her black coat, and suddenly laughed, teasingly saying, "I didn't expect... you're surprisingly bold."

Ji Yexue understood what he meant by "boldness," and her already flushed cheeks became even hotter.

She couldn't help but glance away, not daring to look at Qiu Yuecheng, and retorted embarrassedly, "What I wear is none of your business! You repressive pervert."

Knowing that all her actions while she was invisible had been seen by Akizuki Makoto, she couldn't face her own behavior while invisibly invisible for some reason.

Whenever she thinks about it, she feels a strong sense of shame and indignation, making her wish she were dead.

"Hehe, I haven't said anything yet, and you're already cursing me like this. That's a bit too much."

Akizuki Makoto just smiled playfully, but his meaningful smile made it clear to everyone what he was trying to say.

"whispering sound."

Ji Yexue smacked her lips, blushed, stood up, smoothed her black hair that fell over her shoulders, and said in a seemingly calm manner, "I'll be going now. You can eat slowly. Goodbye."

After saying that, she left without looking back, her steps appearing very hurried.

Goodbye, President.

Qiu Yuecheng smiled as he watched Ji Yexue leave, then fell into deep thought.

With three days left until Friday, he needs to learn how to dance.

Since he had already promised Ji Yexue, he would definitely do his best; he was not the kind of person who would do things half-heartedly.

……

……

After school in the afternoon, Ji Yexue still didn't come to the student council room. Perhaps she was busy with something, or perhaps she was too embarrassed to see him.

This is not a good thing for Akizuki Makoto, because Hime Yuki has been leaving work early far too often lately, so he has to take over her job.

This led to an increased workload for him. He was busy until the end of the club activities and didn't even have time to slack off.

He used to be able to leisurely drink tea and handle work, but now he doesn't even have time to drink tea. He only took a sip or two of the hot black tea until it had completely cooled down, which shows how busy he is.

"call……"

It wasn't until 6 p.m., when Akizuki Makoto heard the school bell ring to signal the end of the day, that he let out a long sigh of relief, slumped onto the sofa, looking utterly exhausted.

"Thank you for your hard work, Vice President."

"You have worked hard too."

After exchanging greetings, Akizuki Makoto picked up his schoolbag, left the student council room, and went to the craft club to pick up Fuyuko and take her home.

Today, Shiina Maki was actually doing well in her club activities, and she looked quite well, unlike yesterday when she was listless.

"Dongzi, it's time to go home."

"Here it comes~"

Dongzi happily ran towards Qiuyue Cheng and jumped into his arms.

It was like a daily routine; whenever he came to pick Dongzi up to go home, Dongzi would always pounce on him and hug him.

"Goodbye, senior!"

The Maple Sisters followed behind Dongzi, greeted Qiuyue Cheng, and then left together.

The last one to emerge was Maki Shiina. She looked at Makoto Akizuki, hesitated for a second or two, and then smiled, saying, "Goodbye, Akizuki-kun."

After saying that, she walked past Akizuki Makoto, intending to go home alone.

Seeing this, Akizuki Makoto didn't know what to say. He could agree to go home with Shiina Maki, but he wouldn't offer it himself.

If he were to bring it up, it would feel like he was sending a signal that he wanted to improve his relationship with Maki Shiina.

From now on, he should pay more attention to his words and actions to avoid causing unnecessary trouble.

"Brother, let's go too!"

After locking the door to the clubroom, Dongzi affectionately took Akizuki Makoto's arm and pulled him outside.

On their way out of school, they talked about what had happened to them at school.

Akizuki Makoto also mentioned that he and Himeyasuki were going to a dance party on Friday night, so they wouldn't be able to have dinner with Touko.

"Really……"

Dongzi nodded thoughtfully and smiled, "Then can Dongzi stay at Fengling's house for the night?"

"Huh? Staying overnight?"

Akizuki Makoto was somewhat surprised, thinking that there was no need to worry about him to this extent, since he would still be back tonight.

"is it not OK?"

"It's not impossible... But will Fengling and the others agree? Wouldn't that be too much trouble for them?"

Makoto Akizuki's original idea was to let Fuyuko go to Shiina Maki's house for a meal, so that the two of them could play together or discuss handicrafts after the meal.

"Dongzi, ask them tomorrow."

"Okay, if you really do stay overnight at someone's house, remember to bring them a gift, like a cake or fruit."

"Dongzi understands."

And so, the two left the school, chatting and laughing.

On my way home, I stumbled upon a mobile crepe vendor with many young men and women queuing up.

Dongzi was immediately restrained, looking drooling, which made Qiuyue Cheng laugh helplessly and line up to buy it for her.

Dongzi still ordered the strawberry flavor, with lots of dried fruit, while Akizuki Makoto ordered a chocolate flavor.

Halfway through the meal, Dongzi suddenly suggested that she wanted to try Akizuki Makoto's portion.

Without much thought, Akizuki Makoto handed his half-eaten crepe to Fuyuko.

"Ugh...so sweet, so cloying."

After taking a bite, Dongzi shared her thoughts, then held her own portion high and offered it to Qiuyue Cheng.

"Brother, would you like to try some Dongzi?"

"No need, Dongzi, you eat. If it's not enough, your brother has more here."

Akizuki Makoto smiled and politely declined. He didn't mean anything by it; he just wasn't very interested in desserts and didn't like them.

(End of this chapter)