They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

Ning Ruoxin sent me a message. They didn't have class this morning, but Ning Ruoxin still had some class committee and school matters to attend to. She had been making a fuss at home last night about not being able to pick me up right away.

It doesn't really matter to me. It's just to appease those impulsive campus regulations anyway.

but.

[By the way, why haven't you arrived yet?]

I messaged An Yu. Judging from how excited she was yesterday, she wouldn't just stand me up today, would she?

I'm already at the school gate; I've been there for half an hour.

?

How could that be? If she had been here half an hour ago, I should have run into her when I came in—wait a minute.

[Excuse me for asking, but the school I'm referring to is the affiliated high school where Ning Ruoxin attends... I'm not mistaken, am I?]

[! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 】

A suffocating silence followed by a voice message.

"Yes, I'm sorry, I made a mistake!! I'm rushing to the affiliated high school right away! I'm so sorry!!!"

The voice message contained the sounds of wind and panting, suggesting that An Yu, who was sending the message, was speeding away.

Oh, I didn't explain clearly. Take your time, you don't seem to be in a rush.

This is indeed my problem. Since they all know that my rented apartment is near the school, An Yu probably thought I would meet her at Linwai High School first, and then go to the affiliated high school together.

...However, this was a detour for An Yu, so I never expected her to interpret it that way.

Thank you for arriving half an hour early; I should have already been on the subway to the affiliated high school by then.

Since An Yu hasn't arrived yet, I'll have to go up by myself. I threw the coffee I was having for breakfast into the trash can and headed towards my sister's school building.

……

"Therefore, we hope that all parents can help us film this promotional video well, so that it can become a youthful memory for the children in the future."

Sitting in the back row, I finally understood why that homeroom teacher had treated me so badly.

After the campus planning was completed, each class will shoot promotional vlogs and post them on the official website, ostensibly to capture the children's growth. In reality, it seems to be a publicity stunt for the school, with each class even competing for votes.

Most of these videos of parents interacting with their children rely on parents shamelessly soliciting votes or using their connections. Compared to siblings, homeroom teachers would much rather have middle-aged, serious parents participate.

Actually, it would be fine if it were just any older brother or sister, but the problem is, Ning Ruoxin's homeroom teacher has heard of me to some extent. Just thinking about how I would appear in the promotional vlog that she was going to use to compete with other classes, she seemed to have already foreseen the dismal vote count that would lead to a meeting with the school.

"Now please move to the meeting room, where we will have a three-way talk between the students, parents and the school."

Following the crowd, I idly shifted my position. The older men and women in front of me were chatting politely, discussing things like, "Is so-and-so your child?" "Wow, your child is so excellent!" "Ours isn't so great." "The last mock exam..." and so on. As for me, probably because of my age, everyone just gave me a questioning look before looking away.

Mom and Dad, in this situation, you really do need to pay overtime.

I felt helpless for those two parents who were working overtime.

"elder brother!"

As I passed the fork in the corridor, I heard a cheerful shout.

"I'm sorry, I just finished what I was doing on that end!"

Ning Ruoxin ran over quickly, bowed her head and apologized to me, while I just smiled indifferently.

"I already knew about this last night, so it's okay."

Regarding my younger sister's overly formal and serious demeanor when she's out in public.

"Oh, are you Ning Ruoxin's brother?"

Suddenly, an older woman wearing a woolen coat struck up a conversation with me.

"um, yes."

"Oh my god, this is incredible! So he's Ning Ruoxin's brother! No wonder he's so handsome!"

After learning that I was Ning Ruoxin's brother, the aunties and uncles next to me immediately became enthusiastic and started to chat with me with smiles on their faces.

"Is Ning Ruoxin the girl who got first place in all three subjects in the mock exam last time? Aren't her family members coming over?"

"Wow, that's why the family environment is so amazing. The younger sister is so outstanding, and the older brother can even help his parents attend school events. Both children are so independent."

An older man looked at me and Ning Ruoxin, who was clinging to my arm without caring about what others were watching, and gave me a kind smile.

"The brother and sister still have such a good relationship. How wonderful."

"Brother, my work is finished, so I can spend time with you now!"

Ning Ruoxin said matter-of-factly, and at the same time, another voice rang out from behind her.

“…Ah Xin, you ran away again.”

Immediately afterwards, the owner of the voice ran up to me and grabbed my other arm.

"Ruo, Brother Ruoyu, please guide me today as well."

?

Wait, I've never heard of such a thing before!

Upon learning that the other girl was the equally outstanding Ling Chuqing, the parents once again expressed their heartfelt admiration.

"Sure enough, outstanding children all know each other. Look at this, this is what they mean by birds of a feather flock together."

……

"Why did you give up so quickly yesterday... How could you shift the blame onto me, you beast!"

In the shadows of a corridor corner, I'm on the phone with someone I never want to talk to in my life.

"Oh, don't be so cold. Her parents are busy too. Didn't you find out about this during summer vacation, honey?"

"Then, in this state, I have no way to participate. The teacher said I could ask other trusted relatives or friends for help, and after thinking it over, I could only think of my dears."

"Are you crazy?" I yelled in a low voice. "Now I know why that homeroom teacher was so awkward when he answered my call. I really thank you, sir."

"Don't say that. Does that mean I'll be your boss from now on? Oh right, I told Chuqing directly that you agreed to attend her meeting for me. That girl didn't sleep well last night, and she got up early this morning to get ready in front of the mirror—don't give yourself away."

"Third time's the charm? That's way too much!"

A busy signal. That bastard hung up on me.

Looking at Ling Chuqing, who was chatting happily with Ning Ruoxin among the girls in our class, I finally sighed.

This is an open conspiracy! But unfortunately, I really can't bring myself to say it.

"Excuse me, are you Ning Ruoxin's brother, Ning Ruoyu?"

A familiar voice came from behind me, just like the voice of Ning Ruoxin, my homeroom teacher, that I had heard on the phone a few days ago.

But at this moment, her tone was filled with doubt and disbelief.

[Next chapter preview: Of course, such thoughts usually shatter upon seeing Ning Ruoyu.]

"Ning Ruoxin is a very good student, although I feel she's being a little too polite and courteous, haha."

"Like how my sister is getting along with her friends lately, oh, and her relationships with certain students, for example."

"I'm so sorry... I'm late."

Author's Note: June is here, and Volume Three is almost finished. Well, how to say about the book's stats... (laughs) But since I finished writing the last book with over 1000 favorites, this one will naturally have an ending, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Volume Four, being an important part of the main storyline, will likely require a slower pace, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

In other words, I'm experiencing writer's block again (sigh).

Volume Four's plot follows the outline, and will begin to involve explanations of time travel and some surreal developments. I don't intend to change the direction of this book into a supernatural brawl; you're not reading this far for that, are you? Like in *Boku-kun's Bunny Girl Senpai*, it's all uncontrollable; no one will have superpowers. The strongest thing in the world is still money!

...The fact that free side stories aren't counted in the word count is ridiculous; it's like I've stopped updating. But on one hand, I did promise it, and on the other hand, I enjoy writing side stories—the kind of chapters I can freely develop—especially when I'm stuck. Lately, I've been obsessed with *Starving Corpses*, and I even considered writing something like the strongest modern-day gray-haired youth facing a blood-soaked ancient era... I can confidently say "mind your own business" with my side stories!

The project was later abandoned due to its large scale.

That's settled then. I'll be a bit busy in June, so I'll probably go back to updating once a day. I'll also try to finish the ten chapters I'm owing (4+6+4-4) as soon as possible while keeping the pace up. Starting this month, the bonus chapters for monthly tickets and rewards will be the same: 50 and 5000 respectively. Feel free to choose whichever you prefer.

Thanks for the support

Interlude: Ning Ruoxin's brother is terrifying.

Upon hearing that Ning Ruoxin's parents couldn't come and that her brother would be attending in her place, Sun Jingya, as the homeroom teacher, felt a strong sense of resistance.

It wasn't because she had any prejudice against Ning Ruoxin; on the contrary, she actually liked this hardworking and strong girl very much. As a student, Ning Ruoxin was practically flawless, so perfect that every teacher wondered what kind of family could raise such an outstanding child.

Of course, such thoughts usually shatter upon seeing Ning Ruoyu.

Sun Jingya felt deeply about this matter not only because she was Ning Ruoxin's homeroom teacher, but also for another important reason.

She had a friend in college who was also a teacher, named Lai Ruhui.

Sun Jingya had heard Lai Ruhui's helpless complaints about a certain boy in her class countless times. From "skipping class to harass other girls in the infirmary" to "ordering cakes for many girls," this boy seemed to be constantly causing trouble. More importantly, as high school progressed, his behavior became increasingly outrageous, even making his friend break out in a cold sweat on several occasions.

"Is that guy an idiot? An idiot who thinks with his lower body?! Waaaa, Jingya, I'm so desperate. Are all men like this from childhood?!" Sun Jingya still remembers a Friday night when she was having a party in Lai Ruhui's room. A drunk Lai Ruhui complained with a mournful face and a voice that sounded like she was about to cry.

"How am I supposed to find a partner like this? Waaaaaah..." Although the topic quickly veered back to the same old problem.

I haven't heard such comments lately, but to be honest, Sun Jingya has a deep aversion to the name Ning Ruoyu.

He's a terrible older brother. Ning Ruoyu's guess was actually too pessimistic. As a teacher, Sun Jingya didn't care much about votes. She simply didn't want Ning Ruoxin's middle school memories to be tainted by this guy.

As for the rumors circulating among the kids during summer vacation about how Ning Ruoyu was handsome and took good care of his younger sister, Lai Ruhui, as his friend, couldn't believe them. Despite being Ning Ruoyu's friend (who was also his homeroom teacher) and a student who had never met Ning Ruoyu, she chose to believe her friend.

However, it felt somewhat unexpected.

For example, when she saw Ning Ruoxin run to the boy's side, she was no longer able to doubt it.

The boy who seemed somewhat nonchalant but was so handsome that many parents took notice seemed to be Ning Ruoxin's brother.

Seriously, Xiao Lai, is this the Ning Ruoyu you're talking about?!

Sun Jingya's trust in her friend had never wavered before. A guy that good-looking, does he really need to act like a total simp? Even if he doesn't say anything, he's just perceived as aloof; if he's as proactive as you say, he'll probably be seen as deeply affectionate, right?!

The world is cruel. An ordinary-looking person who doesn't speak is a silent goblin, while a handsome person who's good-looking and talkative is a charming and dashing playboy.

What made her even more uneasy was that Ning Ruoxin, the perfect student in her mind, the epitome of obedience and understanding, seemed to change from her usual self the moment she saw Ning Ruoyu.

Although Ning Ruoxin is usually polite and studious, she always gives the impression of being quiet and detached, maintaining a certain distance from most people and things. This sense of alienation is probably not only felt by herself, but also by many teachers and students around her from time to time.

"Ning Ruoxin is a very good student, although I feel she's being a little too polite and courteous, haha."

How to describe this kind of aloofness? Let's compare it to Qiu Luxi, a recent celebrity who's been in the spotlight. It's not the kind of aloofness that comes from being independent in her own world and doing things her own way. It's more like a restraint stemming from being too sensible and serious, being overly measured in many things, and not wanting to cause trouble for others.

It felt impossible to enter this girl's heart. She seemed to keep everything inside and bear it all alone. Sun Jingya wrote about this more than once in teacher evaluations, "I hope she can communicate more with friends, consult with teachers more often, and become more cheerful and optimistic."

However, seeing Ning Ruoxin so naturally linking her arm with her brother's, with a shy yet happy expression, Sun Jingya felt somewhat bewildered from across the crowd.

Well, I've never seen Ning Ruoxin express her feelings so openly before. It's as if she wants everyone to see that she's this person's sister, with a strong sense of showing off—this is such a contrast to the Ning Ruoxin she usually is!

Or perhaps this is the bond between family members. Sun Jingya, an only child, comforted herself with this thought. Then, seeing another student she admired, Ling Chuqing, also sticking to Ning Ruoyu's other side, looking equally unwilling to be outdone.

...Although she knew that Ling Chuqing was optimistic and cheerful, and had a wider circle of friends than Ning Ruoxin, the rumors about her rejecting boys' confessions were even more numerous. She was even jokingly called "a little sun even higher than a high-mountain flower," and because of her close relationship with Ning Ruoxin, she was even suspected of "liking" the same sex.

Seeing the two girls taking it so seriously, Sun Jingya comforted herself.

At least the rumor that Ling Chuqing likes the same sex can be denied.

However, I also need to talk to Ning Ruoyu.

……

After confirming her purpose, Ning Ruoyu readily admitted that she was attending on behalf of her parents and Ling Chuqing's family.

"Oh, I see. That's troublesome."

Sun Jingya looked somewhat embarrassed.

“It seems that no one else is present on your side. Although there is a power of attorney from a relevant family member, the process is quite complicated for us if no one else is present.”

This was, of course, Sun Jingya's deliberate attempt to make things difficult. Seeing Ning Ruoxin's trust in the young man before her, she didn't intend to drive him away as she had initially planned. But at least, she would use "non-compliance" as an excuse to make him back down from the subsequent promotional video project.

Without understanding what was going on with this person, she didn't want Ning Ruoyu to be involved in her students' campus life.

"That's up to your school, teacher. I mainly want to ask about my sister's recent situation at school and the current atmosphere in her class."

However, to Sun Jingya's surprise, the boy seemed completely unconcerned about whether the school had entrusted the matter or not, and instead asked questions that sounded like an investigation.

"What's the situation at the school?"

"Like how my sister is getting along with her friends lately, oh, and her relationships with certain students, for example." The boy said with a half-smile, mentioning a few names. He sounded friendly, but his tone carried a hint of coldness.

"Hey, those people you mentioned, they actually..."