Tokyo: Restricted Tutor

Within Class Three's classroom.

Shiratori Kashiwa had just arrived in front of Asahi Rinka and immediately began asking about Hojo Saki Rei's whereabouts.

Before Shiratori Kashiwa could finish speaking, knowing her purpose, Asahi Rinka replied with a visibly angry expression, a hint of coldness appearing on her face.

Seeing Asahi Rinka like this, Shiratori Kashiwa immediately realized.

She knew that Asahi Rinka was definitely angry because of what happened a few days ago.

But she had come here because she genuinely had something to discuss with Hojo Saki Rei.

"Um... The reason I came here is that I have something I need to discuss with Saki Rei-kun."

Shiratori Kashiwa said with a sincere expression.

Looking at Shiratori Kashiwa in front of her, Asahi Rinka originally didn't want to bother with her, but hearing her say that, she still wanted to know what Shiratori Kashiwa needed Hojo Saki Rei for.

"What is it? Can you tell me?"

Asahi Rinka asked with a curious expression.

Knowing that Asahi Rinka didn't have a very good impression of her, Shiratori Kashiwa also knew that if she didn't explain clearly, Asahi Rinka likely wouldn't tell her anything.

Furthermore, she hadn't intended to hide anything from Asahi Rinka.

Of course, the most important thing was that she also didn't want Asahi Rinka and Hojo Saki Rei to have any bad feelings towards each other, especially not because of herself.

"It's like this. What I want to say is about Hojo Saki Rei being slandered today. I know why Tanaka Taiwa slandered Saki Rei-kun."

Shiratori Kashiwa said with a serious expression.

"What?"

As Shiratori Kashiwa's words fell, Asahi Rinka immediately looked at her with a shocked expression.

Truly, Shiratori Kashiwa's words made Asahi Rinka somewhat unable to believe them.

Furthermore, in Asahi Rinka's impression, Tanaka Taiwa had only just arrived at Sakuragi High School not long ago.

Under such circumstances, even if Shiratori Kashiwa and Tanaka Taiwa were students in the same class, how good could their relationship possibly be?

If that was the case, then how did Shiratori Kashiwa know about this matter?

So much so that, at this moment, as Shiratori Kashiwa's words had just finished, Asahi Rinka asked with a face full of shock.

"I know it's very likely you won't believe it when I say this, but this matter is indeed true, and this matter is also somewhat related to me, otherwise..."

Speaking up to this point, Shiratori Kashiwa was somewhat hesitant to continue, as if afraid that Asahi Rinka would get angry.

"Otherwise what? Otherwise, Tanaka Taiwa wouldn't have slandered Saki Rei-kun at all?"

"So, you are the mastermind behind this matter?"

Shiratori Kashiwa hadn't finished speaking, but after hearing this, Asahi Rinka immediately assumed Shiratori Kashiwa was the mastermind behind this matter and looked at her with an unfriendly expression.

After Tanaka Taiwa did that, Asahi Rinka had already instructed Harue and the others to definitely make things difficult for Tanaka Taiwa.

As a result, she now found out that the mastermind behind this matter was Shiratori Kashiwa. How could she possibly give Shiratori Kashiwa a pleasant look?

Looking at Asahi Rinka in front of her, whose already cool face became even more unpleasant after hearing her words, Shiratori Kashiwa knew that Asahi Rinka had definitely misunderstood her.

Furthermore, if she couldn't explain clearly, it was very likely that Asahi Rinka would actually take action against her.

"No... It's not like that. I'm not the mastermind."

After seeing the look in Asahi Rinka's eyes in front of her, Shiratori Kashiwa quickly spoke.

Hearing Shiratori Kashiwa say this, Asahi Rinka's gaze softened slightly.

"If it wasn't you, then what is this matter about?" Asahi Rinka asked again.

Clearly, regarding the matter Shiratori Kashiwa mentioned, she now really wanted to know what it was all about.

Seeing Asahi Rinka like this, Shiratori Kashiwa said again, "Actually, this matter has to start from the day Tanaka Taiwa first transferred to our school."

Immediately after, Shiratori Kashiwa recounted what had happened between her and Tanaka Taiwa.

However, while recounting this matter, she only explained that she knew Tanaka Taiwa liked her, but she didn't like Tanaka Taiwa and didn't want to be in a relationship before high school.

But Tanaka Taiwa was looking for her almost every day, so after seeing Hojo Saki Rei's strength, she thought of having Hojo Saki Rei pretend to be her boyfriend. That's why the two of them entered the school's small forest, and why the subsequent misunderstood news spread throughout the school.

As for these rumors, Shiratori Kashiwa had never denied them.

The reason she did this was entirely to prevent Tanaka Taiwa from finding her and disturbing her.

"So, Saki Rei-kun was just your shield from beginning to end, is that right?"

After hearing what Shiratori Kashiwa said, how could Asahi Rinka not know what was going on? She immediately spoke up to confirm.

"That's right, there's nothing between Saki Rei-kun and me. Furthermore, the reason Saki Rei-kun didn't explain this matter to others was because he wanted to help me, but he never expected something like this to happen this time."

"As for what happened today, it's not what I wanted to see."

"Therefore, besides wanting to explain this matter to Hojo Saki Rei, there's another reason I came here, and that is I want to apologize to Saki Rei-kun."

"Because if it weren't for me, Saki Rei-kun wouldn't have been slandered by Tanaka Taiwa."

Speaking up to this point, Shiratori Kashiwa lowered her head.

Although Asahi Rinka felt somewhat uncomfortable about Shiratori Kashiwa and Hojo Saki Rei doing this, she had thought a lot more when she saw Hojo Saki Rei and Shiratori Kashiwa enter the small forest together.

But now, after learning all of this from Shiratori Kashiwa, Asahi Rinka also understood why Shiratori Kashiwa chose such a method.

Of course, she also finally understood now why Tanaka Taiwa would frame Hojo Saki Rei and slander Hojo Saki Rei.

This wasn't because something happened between Hojo Saki Rei and Tanaka Taiwa, but because Shiratori Kashiwa admitting she was Hojo Saki Rei's girlfriend made Tanaka Taiwa jealous and made Tanaka Taiwa hate Hojo Saki Rei.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have said such things about Hojo Saki Rei in front of so many teachers and classmates.

Shaking her head, Asahi Rinka felt somewhat of a headache at this moment.

Because if this matter had happened to her, it was very likely that Asahi Rinka would also have done something similar to Shiratori Kashiwa.

"So, you're saying all of this was that scoundrel Tanaka Taiwa's doing?"

Asahi Rinka asked again.

"Mm-hmm, that's right."

Shiratori Kashiwa replied directly.

As her voice fell, Asahi Rinka also let out a long sigh of relief at this moment.

Asahi Rinka actually wasn't against Shiratori Kashiwa's method; rather, she thought there was nothing wrong with her doing that.

Her anger was only directed at Tanaka Taiwa.

"That scoundrel, and to think he and Saki Rei-kun are in the same apartment building, they're even neighbors."

"Furthermore, the reason he was able to transfer schools was all thanks to Saki Rei-kun."

When mentioning Hojo Saki Rei, the cold look in Asahi Rinka's eyes had already disappeared.

Replaced by a hint of admiration.

Regardless of why Tanaka Taiwa was targeting Hojo Saki Rei, now that Shiratori Kashiwa was on their side, helping to speak ill of Tanaka Taiwa, Asahi Rinka naturally regarded her as one of them.

"Um... You still haven't told me where Saki Rei-kun is. I want to apologize to him and tell him the truth about this matter."

Shiratori Kashiwa looked at Asahi Rinka with a hopeful expression.

"He... went to the restroom."

When she said the words "restroom," Asahi Rinka's face turned slightly red.

At first, she had thought that Shiratori Kashiwa coming to find Hojo Saki Rei definitely wasn't for a good reason, but now, after knowing that the other person had come to apologize, she felt somewhat bad about it.

Of course, the main point was that Hojo Saki Rei hadn't not returned to the classroom; he had just gone to the restroom for a bit.

"Ah, I see."

"Then... I'll wait for him here."

Hearing Asahi Rinka say this, Shiratori Kashiwa also breathed a sigh of relief. Thinking that she would be able to see Hojo Saki Rei in just a few minutes, her mood, however, began to become somewhat uneasy.

"Um... Could I bother you to help me with something? I'm a little embarrassed to see Saki Rei-kun right now, I'm afraid he'll be angry."

After thinking about it, Shiratori Kashiwa felt it would be better to have Asahi Rinka help her say this matter.

After all, what she had done was somewhat unfair to Hojo Saki Rei.

"Hmm?"

Regarding Shiratori Kashiwa's request, Asahi Rinka was momentarily unsure how to answer her.

However, when she saw Shiratori Kashiwa looking at her with such a sincere expression, she still nodded.

"In that case, thank you, Rinka-san!"

"Rinka-san, after you've finished speaking later, could you come down to the sports field and walk with me?"

Shiratori Kashiwa continued to ask at this moment.

"Alright."

Asahi Rinka naturally knew what Shiratori Kashiwa was thinking regarding this request.

Basically, she just wanted to know from her whether Hojo Saki Rei was angry with her or not.

"Thank you again, Rinka-san!"

Shiratori Kashiwa bowed to Asahi Rinka before turning around and leaving.

On Hojo Saki Rei's side.

After finishing in the restroom, he returned to the classroom.

He had just walked to his seat and sat down when he saw Asahi Rinka seemed to be staring at him continuously.

For a moment, Hojo Saki Rei felt somewhat puzzled.

"Rinka, why are you staring at me? Do I have something on my face?"

Hojo Saki Rei asked somewhat curiously.

After he finished in the restroom, he had looked in the mirror; he was still as handsome as before, and there was nothing on his face.

Seeing Asahi Rinka staring at him like this at the moment made him feel somewhat uneasy.

"No, it's just that I have something I want to tell you."

Seeing that Hojo Saki Rei finally noticed something was off about her, Asahi Rinka immediately said.

"What is it?"

"It's about Shiratori Kashiwa who came to our Class 5 just now and asked me to apologize to you on her behalf."

Hojo Saki Rei had just asked when Asahi Rinka answered without hesitation.

"Apologize to me? Apologize for what?"

After hearing Asahi Rinka's words, Hojo Saki Rei became even more puzzled.

You see, his relationship with Shiratori Kashiwa was very ordinary, and Shiratori Kashiwa hadn't done anything wrong to him.

And now, she was inexplicably apologizing to him?

Not to mention Hojo Saki Rei, even if it were anyone else, they would likely be just as perplexed as Hojo Saki Rei about this.

"Hehe, do you want to know why she's apologizing to you?"

"Then, Saki Rei-kun, beg me."

Asahi Rinka looked at Hojo Saki Rei in front of her with a mischievous smile, finding it somewhat amusing when she saw his bewildered expression.

Hearing Asahi Rinka's words, Hojo Saki Rei couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"Fine, don't tell me. She asked you to help apologize, and yet you're making me beg you?"

Hojo Saki Rei was somewhat unable to understand what kind of move Asahi Rinka was making. Shouldn't the person apologizing just state the matter directly? Making him beg her, impossible.

"Huh?"

Facing Hojo Saki Rei's reply, Asahi Rinka also didn't expect Hojo Saki Rei to say such a thing.

Actually, Asahi Rinka just wanted to tease Hojo Saki Rei a little.

However, after seeing Hojo Saki Rei's serious expression, she knew that Hojo Saki Rei didn't care at all what she was going to say.

"Sigh, never mind. I'll just tell you directly. After all, I was entrusted with this."

Thinking that if she didn't tell him about this matter, she would be letting down Shiratori Kashiwa's expectations of her.

And so, Asahi Rinka directly repeated everything Shiratori Kashiwa had said.

"Huh?"

Hearing Asahi Rinka say this, Hojo Saki Rei was immediately shocked.

After all, he never expected things to be like this: his neighbor was actually Shiratori Kashiwa's classmate, and the two of them even knew each other.

Of course, what shocked Hojo Saki Rei the most was the fact that Tanaka Taiwa actually liked Shiratori Kashiwa.

Thinking about the things he had said to Shiratori Kashiwa before, and the things Shiratori Kashiwa had done, Hojo Saki Rei finally understood now why Tanaka Taiwa would do such a thing to him.

"This is just a bit too hard to believe."

Hojo Saki Rei's mouth couldn't help but twitch at this moment.

As for Tanaka Taiwa, Hojo Saki Rei had never once thought about trying to steal women from him or anything like that.

Leaving aside the fact that the other person was his neighbor and so on, the most important thing was that Hojo Saki Rei had no feelings for Shiratori Kashiwa at all.

If he had any feelings, it was only some feelings for Asahi Rinka.

However, Tanaka Taiwa didn't know any of this.

Furthermore, a few days ago, the relationship between Hojo Saki Rei and Shiratori Kashiwa had actually spread throughout the school, and many people had also seen the two of them entering the small forest together.

Therefore, Tanaka Taiwa would hate him. Hojo Saki Rei finally knew why now.

All of this was because Tanaka Taiwa thought that he had stolen the woman he liked from him.