I, the mastermind behind the scenes at Soubu High, refuse to be caught in a bloodbath.

"Okay, I'll eat something now." Ji Xiaolu put down He Sha's bowl, picked up her own bowl of rice, which had almost cooled down, and sat on the chair by the bed to quickly start eating. It was already past eight o'clock, and she had eaten lunch after noon. Any normal person would be starving by now.

Seeing Himekoji about to take the spoon that had just fed her soup to drink, Kazusa immediately reached out to stop her, saying hurriedly, "Wait, wait a minute!"

"Wasa won't let me use it?"

Himekoji's spoon, which had already scooped up the soup, stopped in mid-air, and her tone of voice carried a hint of sorrow.

"This is too embarrassing, you shouldn't use it... Of course, if you insist on using it, there's nothing I can do to stop you... You should forget about this in the future!"

Kazusa gradually withdrew her hands and curled herself up into a ball, seemingly hugging her knees tightly with both hands.

"I'll go make you some black tea."

"Just regular water, cough cough... will do..."

"Are you saying the black tea I brewed doesn't taste good?"

"No, no, I just felt... never mind."

Kazusa hesitated, then turned her head away. Himekoji picked up his empty rice bowl and left. Kazusa only moved her lips slightly in front of his back, without making a sound.

"It's so warm..."

Kazusa held the teacup and smiled contentedly.

"Does that mean you can stop cursing me, Kazusa?"

"Hmph, we're still a long way from lifting the curse." She pouted slightly, then suddenly said thoughtfully, "Oh, right, I just remembered something."

"what?"

"Today I finally figured out who that guy who plays guitar in the first music room after school is," Kazusa said, her expression still blank, but her eyes revealing her annoyance. She continued, "I've noticed that my deskmate, Kitahara Haruki, seems to be fiddling with a guitar lately. Ugh... seriously, don't bother me."

"Kitahara Haruki...?"

"By the way, didn't you need to talk to him today? I really can't stand that nosy guy. Can you go and beat him up? It's only been a little over four weeks since we were divided into senior year classes, and this guy seems to find an excuse to talk to me every day."

"Shouldn't busybodies be the protagonists in all sorts of literary works, or at least supporting characters? But the fact that she's looking for an excuse to talk to you just shows how charming Kazusa is, doesn't it?"

"Idiot, I don't want to get involved with this kind of 'protagonist,' and I don't want to use his actions to prove my charm. It's best if this kind of guy disappears. Luckily you came, otherwise my piano playing would have been ruined by him. I've really had enough of him playing 'White Album' every single day."

"Does Kazusa not like this piece of music?"

"No, not really. I just think Kitahara is an annoying guy, so I also dislike the music he plays."

"However, since that's the case, I do have a small suggestion."

"tell me the story."

"Let's play 'White Album' together next time. We'll pretend to play along with him for a short while, and then suddenly switch to a different piece. He'll definitely be caught off guard and his fingering will get all messed up."

"Huh...? Pfft—, so you can be this mischievous sometimes."

Kazusa touched her hair, and once it was mostly dry, she lay down comfortably, not caring that Himekoji was sitting next to her. She simply looked at the ceiling with a calm expression and said, "Look, I'm not coughing or sneezing anymore, so I didn't catch a cold at all. You're just overthinking it."

"is it?"

"Yes...cough cough!"

She had barely finished speaking when she was interrupted by a cough. Himeko got up and told her to quickly cover herself with the blanket and get into bed. Kazusa reluctantly let him do as he pleased. Then Himeko left again, this time bringing back a family first-aid kit.

I feel a little cold...

After taking the medicine, Kazusa tucked her hands and feet into the blankets, leaving only her head sticking out. She would glance at Himekoji every now and then, but never look at him for long.

"Could she have a fever?" Himekoji reached out and stroked Kazusa's neat bangs, feeling them carefully. Kazusa's face turned slightly red, and she mumbled something, but Himekoji couldn't hear her clearly.

"Oh dear, she has a fever," Himeko sighed, putting her hands on her hips as she withdrew her warm hand. She glanced at Kazusa, about to scold her, when Kazusa quietly pulled up the sheet again, leaving only her eyes exposed. Seeing her adorable appearance, Himeko couldn't help but chuckle. Her earlier scolding vanished instantly, and she sighed again, "Never mind, let's take her temperature first."

Himeko handed the electronic thermometer to Kazusa, who put it in her mouth and took her temperature: 37.9.

"I just can't do anything with you." Ji Xiaolu took back the thermometer, fumbled in the refrigerator and got an ice pack, and also froze some ice cubes. When Kazusa saw the ice pack, she hissed softly and whispered, "It's too cold, I can't stand it."

"Then I'll get you two ice water towels."

"Oh..." she replied indifferently, watching Ji Xiaolu busily walk out the door again, and muttered to herself as she watched his retreating figure, "Idiot."

Chapter 051 Meddling in Others' Business, [Himekoji Haruto] Busy Running Around

Himekoji took care of Kazusa until late at night. When Kazusa's eyelids started to droop, Himekoji was still by her side, changing her towels. Kazusa forced herself to stay awake, pressed the towel on her forehead, turned her head and said, "Don't meddle in my business. You should go to sleep too. If you have any minor health problems, Aunt Daphne will cry her eyes out."

"Well... that must be pretty bad, but I can watch over you a little longer. You can sleep peacefully."

"Honestly, you're even more of a busybody than Kitahara Haruki. I'm not going to bother with you anymore. Go turn off the lights, and goodnight."

After turning off the lights, Kazusa slowly closed her eyes. She had been feeling sleepy with the lights on, but as soon as the lights were off, she became alert again. She winked at Himekoji.

"Since you're sleepy, go to sleep. Only fish sleep with their eyes open."

"You are the fish."

After saying that, Kazusa obediently closed her eyes, and soon began to breathe softly and rhythmically, indicating that she had fallen asleep.

When Kazusa woke up in the morning, she found Himekoji slumped in a chair in a strange position, one hand hanging down on his stomach and the other dangling in mid-air. He was sleeping soundly without making any extra noise. At first glance, Kazusa thought she was seeing things and dreaming, but when she was more fully awake, Himekoji was still in that position, with only the swivel chair swaying slightly, but this slight sway did not affect his deep sleep at all.

"Why do this? What's the point... for a woman like me who's more adept at being willful than playing the piano..."

Kazusa shrank into the blankets, turning her back to Himekoji and refusing to look at him, as if this would allow her to escape from this reality.

When Himekoji woke up, Kazusa was no longer in bed. The sound of running water filled the bathroom, and Kazusa's pajamas were neatly folded on the other side of the bed. His legs and one arm were completely numb. He frowned and groaned softly as he tried to adjust his numb muscles and nerves. Anyone who has ever slept through class and had their arm go numb must know all too well how painful that was.

"crunch-"

Wrapped in a large bath towel and with her hair still damp, Kazusa pushed open the door and walked in. She met Himekoji's gaze as Himekoji stood up to ease the numbness in his legs. Himekoji took in Kazusa's beautiful figure, which was like a lotus emerging from the water. He silently turned his head away, while Kazusa's originally calm face gradually turned to surprise. She covered her chest tightly with her hands and slowly moved in, trying to calm herself down.

"I need to change my clothes, I'm going out."

"My leg is numb... wait a moment."

"Hmph, you're really useless."

"Hey, hey, hey... how are you feeling now? Are you feeling better?"

I'm hungry.

"...I said it's your cold!"

I'm hungry.

“Okay, the rain has stopped now. I’ll go out and buy some ingredients to cook for you.” Ji Xiaolu frowned and stomped his foot lightly. Seeing his unnatural expression, He Sha’s originally harsh tone softened. She sat on the bed with her back to Ji Xiaolu and said, “Turn your head around and close your eyes. I need to change my clothes.”

"Ok."

"You really won't peek?"

"Well... I think my guarantee still has some value, right?"

"Who knows? That time they suddenly barged into the art studio, and then...and then..."

Kazusa's expression became extremely unnatural. She silently turned her head away, biting her lower lip and listening to the abnormally rapid beating of her heart.

"Cough! That was an accident!" Ji Xiaolu stomped her foot again, stretched her limbs, and said, "Alright, I can move now. I'm going out to buy ingredients. What do you want to eat?"

"Coffee, bread, jam, fruit salad, vegetable salad, and it would be even better if there was a sweet but not cloying egg tart."

"Okay, I'm going out now. You can change your clothes without worrying that I'll peek at you."

"Don't forget to buy a cell phone."

"About the phone... let's go buy it together once you've recovered enough to go out."

"Why do I have to go with you to buy a phone? You can just buy it yourself, you're not short of money."

"Please, Kazusa, you're the best." Himekoji approached Kazusa with a smile, but Kazusa immediately blushed, covered her chest, and stammered, "I-I really can't do anything with you, you...why do you have so many troubles...but since you're begging me like this, I'll...keep you company for a little while."

Just as Himekoji was about to leave, Kazusa suddenly called him back.

"Hey... do you think all artists and musicians are like that woman?"

"It can't all be like that."

Himekoji knew that Kazusa wasn't talking about how to become famous, but rather about Yoko's private life.

"Is that so...maybe so. I...never mind, don't worry about it, it's okay."

"I'm going out now, be a good boy and wait for me to come back."

"If I run away, get lost, or get lost, that's your responsibility."

"Then I guess I'll be beaten to death by my mom and Aunt Yaozi."

"That woman...she wouldn't care about my affairs."

Kazusa remained silent with her head down until she heard the click of the door closing. She then looked up in a panic, but Himekoji was no longer there.

The coffee should have at least four spoonfuls of sugar, usually five or six. Maybe it should be called coffee-flavored sugar water? Himeko wasn't quite sure. In any case, she basically couldn't drink this kind of coffee. After returning, Himeko busied herself for a while and brought the tray to Kazusa's room. Kazusa, who had changed into a shirt and loose casual pants, was sitting at the bedside table, swinging her legs, waiting for Himeko to bring her breakfast.

Aren't you going to eat?

"I've already eaten while walking."

I have indeed eaten it.

"That really suits your personality, doesn't it? You don't even care about your image."

Kazusa criticized Himekoji mercilessly, took a small sip of her coffee, and oh, it was that familiar sweetness. She closed her eyes and savored it for a few seconds, then gave Himekoji an approving look. Himekoji naturally understood the meaning behind it; there was no need to explain, it was definitely because the sugar was added to her liking.

"Pineapple chunks for breakfast would be nice, and this vegetable salad is alright too, but these don't really showcase your cooking skills. You'll have to make me something more substantial for lunch."

“Okay,” Himeko nodded without complaint, then stretched and yawned. Kazusa stared at him thoughtfully for a while, then said, “Temperature, 37.4, it’s gone down a little, it’s almost back to normal.”

"Very good, then rest today and practice the piano again when you feel better."

“I’m not like you. For me, if I don’t practice the piano for more than ten hours a day, I’ll become rusty… I’ll go over there when I feel better.”

Author's Note:

PS: The date of the Sports Festival has been changed to October 10th. The previous record of October 25th has been corrected.

Chapter 052 It's really awful, [Touma Kazusa] expresses her disgust.

Kazusa ate most of the food Himekoji brought, taking small bites. The remaining salad was swallowed by Himekoji in two bites. Kazusa burst out laughing and scolded, "Really... can't you eat a little more elegantly?"

"Elegance is all an act for others to see. In front of someone who knows me so well, I'd better be more casual."