My love index is at its maximum.

The two began another fierce battle of attack and defense, their bamboo swords clashing in mid-air with astonishing force.

After watching for a while, Tsukasa Tazaki realized that this was an unfair contest. The boy named Takeuchi was tall, while the other boy was only slightly better than him.

“That big guy is called Takeuchi Takumi…” Ninomiya Shiori whispered to Tazaki Tsukasa, “He’s a simple-minded guy, and the one he’s practicing with is called Ueda Masao, he’s in Class 1-B.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the situation on the field suddenly changed. Takeuchi Takumi broke through Ueda Masao's defense with a series of powerful slashes, and with a roar of "Face!", he slammed his sword heavily into Ueda's mask.

The force was so great that Ueda Masao was knocked to the ground, writhing in pain even through the mask.

"This..." Tazaki Tsukasa was a little puzzled. "Do these two have a grudge? There's no need to go to such lengths just for practice."

“There’s no grudge, but…” Shiori Ninomiya shook her head, “Masao Ueda recently got a girlfriend and missed a few training camps. And Takumi Takeuchi still hasn’t been in a relationship…”

"Got it, he's a member of the FFF group."

"Where's Suki-kun?" Shiori Ninomiya winked at Tsukasa Tazaki. "Did anyone manage to win you over before I did?"

"Not yet," Tsukasa Tazaki answered honestly.

"That's great, I'll definitely unlock this achievement."

Are you treating me like a game to be completed?

"Haha...that's not a bad way to put it."

During their conversation, Ueda Masao removed his mask, stood up unsteadily, and looked somewhat dazed from the beating.

"Takeuchi-senpai..." He covered his forehead, his tone somewhat fearful, "Shall we stop here?"

"Hmph!" Takeuchi Takumi put his hands behind his back and asked coldly, "Ueda, do you know why you're so easily defeated?"

Ueda Masao quickly bowed and said, "Please give me your guidance, senior."

"The most important thing about swordsmanship is to stay away from emotions!" Takeuchi Takumi raised his gaze slightly, looking out at the vast blue sky, adopting the air of a reclusive sage.

A question mark slowly appeared above Ueda Masanao's head.

"Being with women will only slow down your sword strikes!" Takeuchi Takumi's expression was stern, and his voice was quite loud, echoing throughout the room.

"Did you understand?"

"understood."

"Can't you hear me? You think you can learn kendo by speaking so softly?"

"Senior, I understand!" Ueda Masao shouted with all his might.

"Great, very energetic!"

Takeuchi Takumi nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the dozen or so employees kneeling on the floor. Seeing their submissive demeanor, he felt extremely pleased.

That was a very successful performance!

He wanted to maintain his cool and aloof image, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile.

If Ninomiya-kun saw this, he might just fall for me... Takeuchi Takumi thought to himself, slowly turning his head, his indifferent gaze sweeping over Tazaki Tsukasa's face...

Holy crap...so handsome!

Chapter Thirteen: Even a close look at an ugly person can be cruel.

Holy crap...so handsome!

Takeuchi Takumi's breath hitched, and he instinctively wanted to look away. But when he saw Ninomiya Shiori standing beside him, his pupils contracted sharply, and his features went blank.

It felt like being struck by lightning in broad daylight.

It's awful!

This kid... could he be the kind of aloof and handsome guy that Ninomiya likes?

Takumi Takeuchi looked at Tsukasa Tazaki and felt that the boy's eyes had the same indifference as his own, his temperament was the same cold and aloof, and his expression was the same expressionless face.

The difference is that his expressionless face makes him look cool and aloof.

If I have facial paralysis, then I really do have facial paralysis.

Thinking about it this way, I suddenly felt so sad.

“Takeuchi-senpai…” Shiori Ninomiya tugged at Tsukasa Tazaki’s sleeve and stepped forward, introducing him: “This is my friend, Tsukasa Tazaki from Class 1-F.”

"Hello." Tsukasa Tazaki nodded slightly.

"Humph!"

Takeuchi Takumi snorted coldly, turning his gaze away as if he had suffered some great injustice.

Amaterasu, could you please strike down all the handsome guys?

The more I think about it, the angrier I get, and the angrier I get, the more uncontrollably I can't stop thinking about it.

What's the use of being handsome? You can't wield a sword just by looking good.

How can such a frail man protect the petite Ninomiya-kun!

Today, I, Takeuchi Takumi, will teach you a lesson—for men, strength is the most important thing!

"Let's duel!"

Takeuchi Takumi shouted, raised his bamboo sword, slowly turned around, and pointed it straight at... Where is he?

Where did such a big person go?

He heard cheerful conversation behind him. He stiffly twisted his neck and saw that all five girls in the kendo club were gathered around Tsukasa Tazaki, their faces beaming with smiles he had never seen before.

With a "bang," the bamboo knife in my hand slipped and fell onto the wooden floor, making a dull thud.

At this moment, Takeuchi Takumi realized that his swordsmanship was in turmoil.

"Hello, junior. I'm a second-year student. Please call me 'senpai' so I can hear you..."

Let's exchange contact information!

"Tasaki-san seems like the kind of person who really loves books, right? What a coincidence, I love books too."

"Hey, Sis! There's a really good BBQ place around here, wanna go together?"

Like being surrounded by a flock of chattering seagulls, Tsukasa Tazaki's already dizzy head spun even more. Under this bombardment, no less intense than an air raid on Tokyo, he felt the world spinning, the Earth's rotation suddenly accelerating a thousand times, and he had the illusion that his soul was about to be flung out of his body at any moment.

[Yajima Hazuki stock listed on the main index]

[Issue Price: 10]

Number of shares issued: 1000

In the chaos, the system seemed to pop up a notification about a new stock listing, but he didn't have time to check it; he was only thinking about how to escape.

"What are you doing...stop...and you, why are you getting so close to my face?!"

"Get out of my way, all of you!"

In crucial moments, we still have to rely on Ninomiya.

She stood protectively in front of Tsukasa Tazaki, hands on her hips, her eyes flashing with a fierce light: "Let me tell you, I was the one who took a liking to Suki-kun first, so you better get the order right!"

"That's not necessarily true... what if he likes someone like me?"

“That’s right, Ninomiya. If you two aren’t dating yet, we still have a chance.”

Although the girls' tone was defiant, they didn't shamelessly pester her any further.

Tazaki Tsukasa breathed a sigh of relief, taking the opportunity to escape the encirclement and find a spot by the window to rest cross-legged. The wind blew the curtains, bringing a refreshing breeze that eased his throbbing headache.

"Here, have some water." Shiori Ninomiya knelt down beside him and handed him a bottle of purified water in a plastic bottle.

"Thank you." Tsukasa Tazaki took it, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip to moisten his dry throat.

"You're really popular," Ninomiya Shiori sighed, as if troubled. "I wonder how many competitors I'll have to beat."

“Uh…actually…” Tsukasa Tazaki hesitated for a moment, then leaned close to her ear and whispered, “In my eyes, these vicious high school girls are no different from starving seagulls over Tokyo Bay.”

"Your analogy... is quite apt." Ninomiya Shiori chuckled and pressed, "And what about me? What am I?"

"You are the leader of the seagulls."

"That sounds impressive!"

"You don't think I'm complimenting you, do you?"

Shiori Ninomiya leaned forward and asked, "Isn't that right?"

Hey... that's too close!

Their foreheads are practically touching!

"Then consider it a compliment," Tsukasa Tazaki could only lean back slightly, making concessions.

Shiori Ninomiya snapped her fingers coolly: "First step of the strategy, success!"

"Where did it succeed?"

"You've praised me, doesn't that count as a success?"

Tazaki Tsukasa rubbed his temples and said helplessly, "Congratulations to Ninomiya-kun on taking a solid first step on the road to success."

"Ha ha……"

His laughter was crisp and clear, full of youthful energy.

Tazaki Tsukasa stared at her small face, momentarily lost in thought.

Judging from her appearance, she was indeed a rare beauty. She had long, glossy black hair that reached her waist, clear and bright black eyes, fair skin, and a well-developed bust. Her whole body gave the impression of being perfectly proportioned.

Just looking at her made me feel much better about the discomfort I was experiencing from my cold.

"This energetic girl is indeed very energetic..." Tsukasa Tazaki thought to himself, then looked away casually.

Ok?

Why is Takeuchi Takumi staring at me like that?

Tazaki Tsukasa subconsciously touched his cheek, finding nothing unusual. Although he found this person strange, he nodded slightly.

indifferent.jpg

Meeting Tazaki Tsukasa's gaze, Takeuchi Takumi felt his swordsmanship suffer another critical blow. He gave a stiff smile, silently bent down to pick up his bamboo sword, and stood blankly in the middle of the arena, looking at this familiar yet slightly unfamiliar scene. For a moment, he felt a desolate feeling of "drawing his sword and looking around in confusion," not knowing where he should go from here.