You call this a love game?

Her gaze darted back and forth between the enthusiastic faces of her classmates and Bai Yu, and finally, as if making a decision, she took a deep breath and nodded to Bai Yu.

"...Um, thank you... for your help..."

"It's what I should do. Besides, Ms. Saotome already asked me to do this."

Oh, it was the teacher's requirement...

For some reason, Homura Akemi suddenly felt a little lost.

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Xiaoyan, your face is so red!

"I'll go too."

Another somewhat familiar voice came from behind Bai Yu.

Homura Akemi looked up and saw a pink-haired girl with short pigtails, her face beaming with the same gentle smile.

"I'm the health committee member, and it's my duty to care about my classmates' health." The pink-haired girl walked confidently to the two of them.

Bai Yu was a little unhappy. He took a slight step to the side, blocking the view between Akemi Homura and Kaname Madoka, and patiently smiled, "Akemi-chan has already agreed to come with me, so there's no need to trouble you, Kaname-chan."

He also planned to probe Homura Akemi's situation later, but it wouldn't be convenient with other people around.

“Eh—okay…” Kaname Madoka was a little surprised that Shiroha refused to join the operation, but she still tried to show concern: “If Akemi is feeling unwell, feel free to come to me anytime.”

“…Mm.” Homura Akemi nodded silently.

Out of the corner of her eye, Homura Akemi caught a glimpse of the girl's bright smile and suddenly felt a pang of inferiority. How wonderful it would be if such a sunny smile could appear on her face.

……

outside the classroom.

Bai Yu led the way, strolling along the corridor inside the teaching building with Akemi Homura.

Having escaped the enthusiasm of her classmates, Homura Akemi seemed a little more relaxed. Even when someone passed by, she would still shrink back like a turtle in its shell.

However, most of the people passing by were doing their own thing or chatting and laughing with their friends. Even though she walked by with her head down and looked out of place, no one looked at her strangely.

The feeling of being ignored made her feel relaxed, but the vibrant atmosphere around her made her take a second look.

Like a moth drawn to a flame, even though she was timid and insecure, she longed for such liveliness, even though she wasn't good at socializing.

"I'm sorry, no one meant any harm. It's just that transfer students are rare, so people got a little excited."

As he walked, Bai Yu turned back slightly to talk to Akemi Homura behind him, not caring whether she was listening or not.

"No... um, thank you very much..."

Homura Akemi waved her hands repeatedly, her voice so low it was almost inaudible, and then subconsciously lowered her head, withdrawing her gaze from prying at her surroundings, her whole body tense as she followed beside Shiraha.

Although Bai Yu appeared very friendly and gentle, she had almost never interacted with a man of the opposite sex her own age before, and had no idea how to continue the conversation.

Especially during class just now, she noticed that the boy seemed to be staring at her the whole time.

Of course, it's also possible that she's just imagining things, since the blackboard is facing her.

However, her long-standing inferiority complex and timid personality makes her extremely sensitive when facing other people's gazes. Even if someone glances at her from behind, she can sense it and become even more nervous.

"Ah...you don't know my name yet, do you? My name is Nakazawa Shiraha, you can just call me Shiraha." Shiraha turned around and looked at the shy girl, introducing himself as he walked.

Noticing Shiraha's gaze, Homura Akemi looked away again, her fingers gripping the hem of her shirt tightly, so nervous that she didn't know where to put her hands.

"Is this... really okay...?"

"It's okay, so can I call you Xiaoyan?"

Homura Akemi paused for a moment, "I... I'm not often called by my name. That name is... it's very strange..."

"No, it's not surprising at all."

Bai Yu suddenly stopped, stood still, and turned to face Akemi Homura.

The girl was caught off guard and almost bumped into his arms. As she hurriedly backed away, she stumbled and was about to fall backward.

Bai Yu swiftly reached out and supported her shoulder, instantly closing the distance between them to the point where they could feel each other's breath.

"Be careful, Xiao Yan." He deliberately lowered his voice, with a mischievous smile on his face.

However, when pulled, Homura Akemi froze. The warmth on her shoulder made her mind go blank. Her face turned red at a visible speed, even the tips of her ears turned pink. Her eyes behind her glasses widened like a frightened little animal.

"Yeah, sorry!"

She stammered her apology, her voice barely audible, her fingers trembling as she intertwined them.

Bai Yu narrowed his eyes slightly, but instead of letting go, he leaned closer and asked in a deliberately curious tone, "Xiao Yan's face is so red, does she have a fever?"

As he spoke, he reached out as if to touch her forehead.

"Woo——"

Akemi Homura let out a small, mournful cry, shrinking back slightly, but unable to escape because her shoulders were still held by Shiraha. Her eyelashes trembled rapidly, her lips turned white, and her breathing became rapid.

Seeing Homura Akemi's helpless state, Shiraha couldn't help but want to laugh.

She's so easily embarrassed!

If it's an act, then the acting is far too convincing.

"Ah, could it be..." He deliberately dragged out his words, continuing to probe the girl, "Is this the first time Xiaoyan has been this close to a boy?"

"No, no!" Homura Akemi shook her head frantically, her braids swinging back and forth, but then she realized that her denial seemed even stranger, and her whole face turned as red as if it were about to smoke.

"I mean... that... sob sob..."

She was so anxious she was about to cry. She felt like she couldn't breathe, her heart was beating so fast she could almost hear it, and it felt like the whole world was just that sound.

dong dong dong-

dong dong dong-

My head feels throbbing and I'm so dizzy; the world seems to be spinning.

Homura Akemi stared at the spinning corridor, her gaze finally settling on Shiraha's smiling face.

"Humura, are you okay?"

Seeing that the girl seemed to be in some kind of condition, Bai Yu temporarily stopped his probing and looked at her with concern.

"Ugh... I'm okay... I just feel a little dizzy."

Homura Akemi rubbed her forehead, her eyes half-open, and instinctively grabbed Shiroha's arm beside her for support, responding weakly.

"Is it low blood sugar?" Bai Yu reached into his pocket and magically produced a candy from his palm. "Want some candy? It's really sweet."

Looking at the green-wrapped candy in front of her, Homura Akemi hesitated for a moment before taking it.

"……Thanks."

"Let's go to the infirmary first, and I'll show you the way. You'll be laughed at if you get lost at school."

Bai Yu released the girl's shoulder, took a step back to create some distance, and continued to lead the way.

Although it was only a short time together, Bai Yu was already able to confirm some things.

Homura Akemi's current state is definitely not an act; it's simply her true personality.

Chapter Thirty: Why am I doing English problems in math class?

Having confirmed the girl's sincerity, Bai Yu decided not to continue testing her.

Just from the moment he got a little closer to speak, she was so shy that she looked like she was about to die.

If he were to do the same thing to the current Homura Akemi as he did in the previous simulation, she probably wouldn't just be in this state; she might even faint.

If Xiaoyuan follows him and sees him, she might think he's bullying the new classmate.

However, if he really did that, it wouldn't be much different from bullying a new classmate. It's already a kindness of Homura Akemi not to call the police and have him arrested.

So, in order to make rice with braided wings, he decided to treat her a little more normally, at least not like he did when he simulated Homura Akemi last time, where she immediately kissed him.

If you switch genders, you really will get locked up.

Even using the excuse of a samurai duel won't work; what samurai duel involves mouth-to-mouth contact?

……

The few minutes between classes weren't long, but it was just enough for Shiraha to take Akemi Homura on a tour of the school's important buildings and facilities.

He had intended to let her walk alone to see if she remembered the way, but when he noticed the girl looking around in a daze and panic, Bai Yu knew she definitely hadn't remembered anything.

This is clearly behind the teaching building where they have their classes.

"Ugh……"

With a sigh, Shiraha emerged from behind the bushes where he was hiding and gently patted Homura Akemi on the shoulder. "You're here. I've finally found you."

The slap sent a shiver down her spine.

"Huh--!"

Upon discovering it was Shiraha, Homura Akemi's tense state finally began to relax.

The moment she realized she had lost her way, Homura Akemi was extremely nervous. She couldn't remember which place was which at all; all the buildings seemed to look the same, and she couldn't tell them apart.

As the bell rang for class, she dared not move around, afraid that she would get lost at school and be laughed at by her classmates, which would make her feel ashamed in class.

Mingming just transferred to this school...

But when it came to asking a stranger passing by for directions... she didn't even have the courage to call out to them!

Fortunately, Bai Yu finally found her, which relieved her.

"Homura, let's go back, it's time for class." Bai Yu walked ahead, gesturing for the stunned Homura Akemi to catch up.

Afraid of losing her again, Homura Akemi quickly followed.

Even when following behind, she subconsciously lowered her head, her gaze fixed on his heels, silently counting each step in her mind.

But then she remembered the near-collision in the hallway, and Homura Akemi quickly looked up, keeping a close eye on him to see if he would suddenly stop again, lest she embarrass herself once more.

The boy didn't leave a very good impression on her; in some ways, he could even be described as awful.

He kept spying on her during class, and it was one thing for him to call her by name right after meeting her, but he also stood so close to her in the hallway. Plus, he was supposed to be showing her around, but then he just left her behind and disappeared. A normal person would probably be smiling on the surface but cursing inside.

But coincidentally, Homura Akemi is not a normal person; her thought process is abnormal, and what she sees is naturally different from that of ordinary people.

For example, she only saw Bai Yu thoughtfully helping her out of the encirclement of her classmates; for example, even though she was a bit of a troublemaker, Bai Yu was willing to take her on a tour of the school; and even when she foolishly lost her way, Bai Yu didn't blame her at all when he found her.

How could she possibly find someone so gentle, kind, and graceful bad?

However, she would be very grateful if Bai Yu could keep a little distance from her, or at least not touch her body too suddenly.

We should at least give her some mental preparation. Physical contact with boys is just too, too, too embarrassing!

Although she denied that this was the first time Bai Yu had been so close to a boy, apart from that, her closest person was her father!

She didn't want to be looked down upon—she was so old and had never had close contact with other boys before; if her classmates found out, they would definitely laugh at her!

It can only be said that this is Japan after all, and even in high school or junior high school, there are quite a few people who use this as a topic of conversation and as a joke.

Therefore, Homura Akemi is very troubled. On the one hand, her timid and self-conscious personality makes her afraid of being overly noticed, which makes her always keep a tense mind and protect herself with a hard shell to avoid being hurt by the outside world.

But at the same time, she longed to be like those lively classmates on the playground, playing and socializing with others in a joyful and cheerful way.

She was always like a snail, only daring to extend one antenna to test other people's attitudes. Once she sensed the slightest unfriendliness, she could only immediately retreat into her own world and dare not speak again.

However, even the hardest shell will eventually break, let alone her already fragile defenses.

"Well, let's do this question."

In class, Akemi Homura stood in front of the electronic whiteboard during a surprise check by the math teacher.

Holding the whiteboard marker tightly in his hand, he gazed at the unfamiliar symbols on the whiteboard, unable to put pen to paper for a long time.

Even though it was a math class, she felt like she was still in the previous English class. She didn't recognize any of the symbols on the whiteboard, and she understood even less when they were put together.

What does this symbol mean...?

How do I solve this problem...?

Homura Akemi racked her brains, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't come up with a solution.

Suppressing her urge to cry, Homura Akemi bit her lip to keep her voice from escaping her lips. Her eyes were fixed on the unfamiliar symbols on the whiteboard, and she dared not look anywhere else. Her legs seemed to be nailed to the podium, and she could not move an inch. She could not even turn around to tell the teacher that she did not know.