Order French fries at Shuchiin

Xing Yuanhui shook his head: "Not that."

No? Don't you know how to help Ishigami integrate into the school environment? Are you asking in a roundabout way?

"Ishigami?" Baiyin asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Didn't you just deal with half of him? The other half is on me." Xing Yuanhui tried his best not to think about Ishigami who was forced to understand his mother in his mother's arms.

Who is that? Senior Sister Butterfly was puzzled and thought she couldn't give a normal answer.

Fujiwara Chika pondered for a while and proposed the most ridiculous candidate: "Otomo?"

"She's transferred to another school, so it's done, right?" The boy complained mercilessly before he even finished speaking.

Seeing this, everyone asked in unison, "Who are you talking about?"

"…The discipline committee member who helped Ishigami enter high school normally, she is also the starting point of our investigation, right? Should we tell her the truth?"

Facing the street in the distance with the setting sun, Xing Yuanhui touched his chin and asked for the opinions of the student union members.

Chapter 62: For example, fenders and so on

On the third day after the touching incident at the Ishigami family, Xing Yuanhui was forced to get up early again and stood in front of the vending machine, looking for something to drink.

Today I'm in the mood for... drinking green tea.

He put in a coin and pressed a button. With a "plop", a bottle of drink was pushed down by the machine and fell into the delivery port.

After hesitating for a moment, Xing Yuanhui recalled the drink that Onodera picked in front of him a few days ago, and bought another bottle.

One was to thank him for the intelligence assistance at that time, and the other was... I didn't really know anyone in the class, and there happened to be a native of Shuchiin here, so two people's headaches were better than one person's.

But Onodera already has a drink, so I might as well bring a bottle for Ishigami as well. If he doesn’t drink it, I’ll drink two bottles.

With the spirit of "even if I die, my friend will live", Xing Yuanhui returned to his seat with three drinks, lay on the table and waited for people slowly.

One of them seemed to have club training this morning. Unlike usual when he came to school on time, he was wiping his sweat and opening the back door of the classroom breathlessly. He was stunned when he saw Xing Yuanhui.

"Good morning, Xingyuan."

Onodera walked past him and returned to his seat, shaking his head as he tried to untie the hair tie he had tied for exercise. After letting his hair down again, he turned around in his chair and said curiously:

"You clearly stepped on the moment when the discipline committee and the PE teacher closed the door the past two days to get in, and you did sliding tackles and bicycle aerobatics. My friends in the baseball team saw it, and they've been asking who the conspicuous person is who has been putting on trouble for the PE teacher at the school gate for the past two days. What are you doing today..."

She looked at the three bottles of drinks on Xing Yuanhui's desk and asked in confusion, "You guessed that I would most likely not be able to refuse my friend's favor, so you planned to bribe me in advance?"

Xing Yuanhui's eyes widened slightly - he didn't understand how you recognized him when he was wearing a mask.

Is it possible that my temperament cannot be concealed by a mask? No, maybe she is lying to me...

He ignored me calmly, coughed lightly, pushed out the bottle of drink that Onodera had chosen last time, and said, "I'm just expressing my gratitude again. It's what Fujiwara-senpai taught me. Don't mind it."

It wouldn't feel right to say right away that I was here to bribe her to help Ishigami integrate into the class, so I'd better try to get closer to her first.

Whenever Fujiwara Chika is in doubt, she usually has no opinion.

"Thank you? But you've already given it once."

"Sending it again will highlight the importance of the intelligence you provided." Xing Yuanhui lied nonchalantly, "The investigation went smoothly, isn't this a credit?"

Onodera's eyes lit up when he caught the key words, and he quickly asked, "Is the investigation going smoothly? Does that mean there is something else behind the incident? Can you reveal a little bit?"

Yesterday, Mr. Ogino inexplicably did not come to school. Although there were rumors that he had a new stage play to prepare for performance, he did not come in order to make time for rehearsal.

But Onodera felt that things were not simple, and keenly said, "My gossip radar has been activated, there must be something big going on here."

"Well, although there is indeed another hidden story, since the parties involved do not want the truth to be made public, so, you know, this matter is not easy to talk about."

Xing Yuanhui respected Ishigami's statement and immediately rejected Onodera's indirect criticism.

Onodera thought back to the people involved in that incident and asked suspiciously, "If Ishigami is fine, then something will happen to the other male protagonist soon, right? Is it necessary to keep silent about something that cannot be hidden?"

She is not stupid. If things remain the same, then there is no need for Xing Yuanhui to hide it, because everyone knows about it, but you don't know it, and you even asked me about it a few days ago.

But if you think carefully about Xing Yuanhui's words, does it mean that things have indeed changed in some sense?

Seeing that Onodera seemed to have guessed that there was some inside story behind the incident, the boy thought that this was exactly what Ishigami wanted, using all kinds of abnormalities to judge that there was a reason why he beat Ogino.

Well, could you reveal a little more?

Xing Yuanhui hesitated for a moment, then said hesitantly: "The reason you are more interested in this matter is that you already know from my attitude that there is a reversal. You are expecting a reversal because there is a reversal, not expecting a reversal, right?"

"…That's true. Is there anything wrong?" Onodera couldn't guess what this mixed-class student, who had been hanging out with Senior Fujiwara every day since entering school, wanted to say.

"No problem. It's just that for those who are still interested in this matter, contradictions will soon appear. The changes in the other male protagonist can make people who are already suspicious of the truth of the matter confirm whether their guess is correct. This is the effect that the parties involved want to achieve."

He started to talk like a charlatan, emphasizing that those who understand, understand, and those who don’t understand, forget it.

After all, Onodera is a pure academy student with many friends. If he could get her help, Ishigami might save a lot of effort in returning to normal school life, and the effect should be better.

If there is a mediator in the class, there is no need to rely on the student union's prestige to suppress the situation every day. It is difficult to put out a nearby fire with distant water.

Onodera was puzzled, frowned, and looked at Xing Yuanhui with an expression of "not being nice": "It sounds like you don't know what kind of change it is?"

Xing Yuanhui waved his hands helplessly: "After all, I'm just a freshman that no one cares about."

The female classmates who like gossip began to cross their arms and think deeply. Xing Yuanhui and the student union's attitude was a bit strange...

Is he investigating with Fujiwara-senpai? That would explain why they've been together recently, and there are also rumors that he's been seen frequently entering the student council, and the student council president seems to be investigating something.

Watching Onodera start to think, Xing Yuanhui smiled as if he saw his prey "take the bait": "You can imagine the truth, but if possible, don't reveal what I said today."

Onodera came back to his senses and looked at him speechlessly: "If you don't want to reveal it, then don't tell me. Do you trust me so much?"

"It's not something you can't know, but you can't get it from me. It's just such a simple but troublesome thing."

Xing Yuanhui helped Onodera unscrew the cap of her bottle of drink and handed it to her attentively.

She pressed and touched the drink suspiciously, and then carefully thought about Xing Yuanhui's possible behavior.

If she hadn't said these, she would still believe that this was Xing Yuanhui's gratitude again, but it's hard to say now.

Not wanting to beat around the bush, Onodera asked directly, "Okay, stop playing dumb. What do you want me to do?"

"Hey!" Xing Yuanhui raised his finger, "Just for the sake of this bottle of drink, let your sense of justice be stronger and don't let bad things like scribbling on the desk when the owner is not around happen around you."

A flash of lightning passed through Onodera's body, and she suddenly had a premonition - did this mean that Ishigami was going back to school?

"Do you trust me so much?" Onodera asked in confusion. The student union was much more useful than her identity. If there was really something going on, she could ask the teacher for help in reconciling the conflict. She was obviously not even the class monitor.

"I don't believe it, I just want to have a guarantee."

Seeing that some students immediately began to doubt what happened, Ishigami will probably participate more actively in school life.

Xing Yuanhui glanced out the window and saw Baiyin already standing at the door, chatting and laughing with the security guard, physical education teacher, and discipline committee member.

He didn't want to pretend anymore, so he pointed to the door and said, "The real workhorse is there. As we all know, if you just want a bicycle, you can just go to the store. But if you want to ride comfortably, you also need some necessary small accessories, such as..."

"For example?" Onodera raised his eyebrows and continued Xing Yuanhui's elongated tone.

"Like fenders and such." Xing Yuanhui silently shifted his gaze and looked back at the school gate to see if Ishigami would be shocked by the scene.

I am a fender! Onodera frowned, expressing his protest with his eyes.

But the man who used the strange metaphor didn't look at her. Onodera looked down at the drink that had already been opened, and realized that this was the flavor she had chosen from Xing Yuanhui last time. She took a sip, indicating that she had gotten on board.

Hearing the swallowing sound, Xing Yuanhui immediately turned around and thanked him: "Onodera-san! Thank you for your contribution to Shuzhiyuan and the Student Union!"

"Don't you usually contribute to the students?" She squinted her eyes at this rebellious student and sighed, "I can only say try your best, but don't expect too much."

"I understand. After all, the bribe is only 500 yen. I wouldn't risk my life for it." Xing Yuanhui nodded in agreement.

Onodera turned and looked at the window. He glanced at him but said nothing.

If Ishigami is innocent, then wasn't I an accomplice to the evil?

Or... let's make up for it.

At the school gate, Ishigami, who was taking the tram to school, was walking on the road with his head down. His hair looked unkempt, with his bangs hanging down and covering his eyes, and he looked listless.

Really, it's almost the weekend, why don't I just wait a few more days? The school is not going away!

But when he thought of the lunch box his mother had prepared for him early in the morning, which was still steaming in the bag, Ishigami could no longer complain and could only walk down the road dejectedly.

According to the map, this is it...

Before Shi Shang could look at the school name written on the sign next to it, he saw a familiar person walking towards him.

"Good morning, Ishigami."

Baiyin finally let go of the uneasiness in his heart. Now he is happily thinking that he doesn't have to get up early tomorrow to cheer Ishigami up like today. He is very happy and his tone is very cheerful.

"President Shirogane, good morning..." Ishigami was a little at a loss, and he didn't raise his voice, and his greeting was unclear.

What is this...?

Looking at the strong physical education teacher and the teachers and students wearing discipline badges looking at him, Ishigami involuntarily straightened his back and stood at attention.

Why do I feel like a piece of meat on the chopping block? Mom!

Shirogane noticed his uneasiness and whispered to him that he was fine. Then he introduced him to the teachers: "Teachers, this is Ishigami-san. He..."

The student council president spent a lot of time helping this controversial boy get permission from the teacher. After all, some things should be confirmed in person with Ishigami to avoid making jokes due to information asymmetry.

Therefore, when Ishigami returned to the classroom, it was already time for class. The teacher was staring at him, and Xing Yuanhui couldn't find a chance to talk to him, so he could only wait until the get out of class was over.

The bell rang for the end of get out of class, and the class was as usual. The teacher answered questions for those who had doubts in class, the girls chatted together and went to the bathroom, and the boys made appointments to go out in the hallway or brag by the window, seemingly completely ignoring the "newcomer" in the class.

But these are all illusions. Just as there are countless cameras around Truman, there are also countless eyes around Ishigami secretly observing him, with both malice and curiosity.

"Is this Ishigami? I didn't expect him to dare to come to school..." "He hasn't apologized to Ogino-san yet, but he has the nerve to come here."

"According to gossip, Ogino might drop out of school! Maybe there's something else going on." "Let's see how other people react first. In the morning, the student council president went to the school gate to wait for him. You know, the student council president doesn't have to go to the gate to check the students' appearance!"

Facing these rumors, Ishigami showed no fear at all. However, when he was looking around to observe the various aspects of human life, he was suddenly hit by something.

Looking at Shi Shang who was hiding in the shadow, Xing Yuanhui asked in confusion: "What are you doing?"

He looked in the direction the sad-looking Ishigami had been looking at, and saw only a couple.

"... lamenting other people's youth." Azai murmured. Seeing them being so affectionate was worse than being scolded.

Xing Yuanhui covered his face, not knowing whether to laugh or cry: "I thought you received some threatening gaze. You will push away potential friends by doing this. Keep your head up and your back straight. It's the first day of school. The first impression is very important."

He picked up the water he had brought to Shi Shang in the morning, took it out and placed it on the table on Shi Shang.

"Here, I brought you a bottle of drink as a greeting gift, don't think too much."

"Most of the students at Shuchiin are admitted from junior high school. They must have heard about me to some extent, right?" Ishigami lay on the table, unmoved, and his sullen voice slowly swayed out through his arms.

Seeing this, Xing Yuanhui helplessly comforted him, "It's not as exaggerated as you think. What you heard is just the result. If you work hard, you can still change some people's prejudices. Don't you want to live a lonely high school life and be a pathetic person who silently cries while reading youth novels after entering society?"

Ishigami mercilessly asked back: "Isn't this the fate of 2D otakus?"

"There's no need to belittle yourself like that..."

I'm here to persuade you, what are you doing? Putting a knife to your neck?

"I think it's fine now. If I talk to others, I'll be laughed at and alienated, right?"

Otaku now wishes he could curl up in the chair with his legs hugged.

Seeing Ishigami lower his head again and remain silent, Xing Yuanhui reached out and patted him on the shoulder to encourage him: "Don't worry, even if you don't plan to make Ogino embarrassed in school, I have ways to prevent you from being laughed at. At most, you will just be ignored."

Ishigami looked up and asked curiously, "What's the solution?"

"Of course, you let them know that nothing happened after you entered the teacher's office and the student union. Anyone with a little bit of common sense would consider whether or not to be the first to speak out."

Xing Yuanhui paused and added, "The president has mentioned this to you, right? Come with me to the student union room during lunch break. Then you can ask Senior Sister Shigong to 'accompany' you for a while, and then ask her to buy you a bottle of water at the vending machine, and that'll be it."

Believe in the strength of the chaebols and fence-sitters, okay? Who would be so blind as to dare to cause trouble for you now?

As long as you can hold on through this period of time, once the Ogino family appears on TV, no one will bother you about this matter.

"Ah? Ha..." It seems that Ishigami doesn't quite understand the value of the chaebol. He is scratching his head in confusion, "Is this all right?"

"Absolutely, you can do it easily!" Xing Yuanhui gave him a thumbs up and guaranteed it.

Maybe seeing how worried you are, she will send a Hasaka to monitor you remotely and protect your safety at the same time.