They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

Seeing my awkward smile, Ge Lanlan sighed.

"Okay, okay, I'll say it for you."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, I'll put it on your tab."

JK (high school girl) is terrifying.

"...Emmm, have you made up with An'an?"

"I felt that she was a bit absent-minded today, especially after returning to the classroom during the lunch break. Several times when Hu Dan and I called her, she didn't respond and seemed lost."

While typing rapidly on her phone with one hand, Ge Lanlan glanced at me furtively and asked, seemingly casually.

"Haha, this one."

The rumor I had just heard flashed through my mind.

I don't think I was unresponsive; I was probably just nervous because I had made an appointment with the class monitor.

"I didn't say anything today, but I don't usually talk to people much anyway."

"Yeah, indeed."

At least give me a negative answer here.

"...But there's probably no need to specifically say anything about making up. We're all grown up now, so if we don't have much interaction, we don't need to. If we have serious business to discuss, we can at least exchange a few words."

"This kind of thing can't be done!"

Ge Lanlan suddenly stopped, and I, holding the umbrella, had no choice but to stop as well.

Ah, we were only a little bit away from the school gate.

"Isn't this tantamount to breaking off all ties? Wouldn't both you and An Yu be pathetic doing this?!"

There's no such thing as breaking off a friendship, right? An Yu and I don't have that kind of relationship. We only recently became classmates because of some accidents and coincidences.

But I know that in this situation, revealing the truth would be like throwing an oil drum into a fire. I have no interest in being a suicide bomber.

"...Ugh, you two are really something else."

Seeing that I remained silent, Ge Lanlan rubbed her temples in frustration.

"I helped you contact the class monitor and then let you use my umbrella. Don't you owe me a huge favor?"

Actually, I was planning to run back by myself anyway, so...

Grandma's gaze made me swallow that thought.

"Yes……"

"Now I need you to repay this favor."

"If An Yu wants to talk to you about something, you're not allowed to give me a perfunctory answer or run away!"

"I don't care what An'an really thinks, or whether you're willing to accept her apology. But you must take this matter seriously!"

"...Oh no, this is terrible! You're actually such a pushover?"

"So what exactly do you mean by that?!"

Seeing that Ge Lanlan was even more dissatisfied, I was just about to explain to her that it was a compliment and definitely not sarcasm, when I heard some hurried footsteps behind me.

[Next chapter preview: I got 'ha'ed again, JK is really scary.]

"...But I already said 'there's nothing between us,' but he just kept pestering me."

The sound of a vengeful ghost calling for death came from behind.

"I know my senior didn't mean any harm. But whether it's the notes or now, isn't it a bit presumptuous to make assumptions and interfere without permission?"

"Hehe, Grandma seems so gentle today, like she's a completely different person."

Chapter Fourteen: Why does this atmosphere make me feel like I've been caught cheating?

"...!"

Just as I guessed, the footsteps belonged to Senior Sister Chu Guyin.

She was probably a little out of breath from her quick jog; her outdoor shoes were dirty, and even her white socks had a few glaring black spots.

"Senior?"

Glenlan's tone was full of doubt and unease.

I can understand. After all, anyone who sees their school idol looking so disheveled yet so imposing would wonder if they've broken some kind of cardinal rule at school.

"It really is... phew... it's you... phew... phew... I... I didn't mistake you..."

"The umbrella...it seems there is one...phew...phew...that's great..."

The senior student gently covered her chest, looked up at me, and then looked up at me.

On her expressionless face, I could see a hint of relief and joy.

I think I'm a bit damn bad.

"Ding dong."

A notification sound came from her phone. The senior student tilted her head, then took her phone out of her backpack.

"Ah...so that's why...they told me..."

"Thank you...Am I...causing trouble?"

Senior Sister Chu Guyin immediately looked uneasy.

I really deserve to die.

"No, it's not like I'm causing any trouble! On the contrary, you came just in time. Ning Ruoyu and I are probably going in different directions, so if you bring more umbrellas, I can finish my task sooner!"

Grandma looked even more flustered than I was, and hurriedly waved her hands in denial.

But the senior's anxiety did not improve at all; on the contrary, it seemed to worsen, and she even felt guilty.

"I only brought... one..."

Seeing my senior, burdened by anxiety and guilt, I suppressed my urge to complain.

"One is fine too. The umbrella I brought today is too small..."

Ge Lanlan was still trying to smooth things over.

Then she glanced at the umbrella in her senior's hand.

It has a delicate and petite beauty that perfectly matches the temperament of an artist.

(Granlan's use of "comfort" was highly effective, delivering a decisive blow.)

The senior student collapsed.

"In short! So, I think you didn't cause us any trouble at all, and I also think you're a great person. Oh wait, why am I the one doing all the talking? Ning Ruoyu, are you a blockhead? I don't know what to say anymore, so you get to it!"

……

Yes, yes, I am Ning Ruoyu.

I'm now stuck in frustration and embarrassment, unable to move, caught in this sudden downpour.

The senior on my left was holding an umbrella all alone, looking very dejected. Ge Lanlan, who kept saying the wrong thing, was also huddled to my right, occasionally glancing at the senior out of the corner of her eye, but ultimately hesitant to speak.

Please, have mercy on me! So it turns out I'm the one who broke the heavenly law?

"So, how are things going with you and Xu Xingxin?"

"what?"

I got smacked again. JK (high school girl) is really scary.

But thanks to the problem of dancing in the minefield, Ge Lanlan regained some of her energy and started glaring at me with the same look she gave me when I looked at a stinky ditch.

"Do you think I have to respond just because that guy is bothering me? Why should I? Did I ask him to bother me?"

"No, that's not what I meant."

Normally, I would never ask such a troublesome question. But the more apologetic Ge Lanlan exuded, the more frustrated she seemed.

For a kind senior who went out of her way to bring an umbrella to someone as insignificant as me, all I could think of was trying to distract her.

Just like now. Even though Grandma deliberately lowered her voice to question her, the senior's attention was clearly diverted to this side. The hearing of this musical prodigy should not be underestimated.

Of course, simply shifting the atmosphere from awkward to tense would be putting the cart before the horse, so I naturally had an answer prepared.

"Ultimately, wasn't your first instinct to respond? I haven't even said anything yet."

"Forehead……"

"And even putting aside that aspect, shouldn't one express gratitude or say something in response to someone's concern, just as a polite response?"

"If you really want the other person to understand your relationship, it seems no different from running away if you unilaterally deny it by driving them away because of shyness or annoyance."

"...But I already said 'there's nothing between us,' but he just kept pestering me."

After saying this, Ge Lanlan glanced at me.

...No, why are you looking at me when you say "persistently pursue"?!

"In this situation, it sounds like you're just being stubborn, especially in front of a guy who likes you, using the way of affirming others to negate him."

"I was a victim back then too... I was out of my mind."

"So, for whatever reason, I think it's better to express your emotions properly. High school boys' self-esteem is like that of plankton in the ocean."

"What a strange analogy. Is it because there are more plankton?"

"It is widespread and humble and fragile."

puff.

Ge Lanlan choked on her words for a moment, then patted her chest forcefully.

I looked away and met the gaze of the senior student next to me.

"...You didn't argue... did you?"

"Ah."

The senior student asked a question in a low voice, and I nodded. She nodded as if she understood, and seemed somewhat relieved.

After laughing enough, Ge Lanlan noticed our conversation and moved closer to her senior across from me.

"It wasn't an argument at all. But you know what, senior? This guy's words are infuriating, and he talks a good game about others while being a coward himself!"

"I'm not cowardly, I just don't want to do it. Please understand the difference between these two behaviors. And don't come any closer! I'm still holding an umbrella over here."

"What does it have to do with anything? Who told you to block me from talking to Senior Chu Guyin?"

This guy was completely unwilling to admit that he had sneaked over here.

"Wait a minute, Ning Ruoyu, how did you know I was being stubborn back then?... I remember now, I ran into you on the rooftop at noon today, so you... could it be?!"

I remained silent and moved away, keeping my distance from this guy who was so close I could smell the fragrance of his hair.

Senior Sister Chu Guyin seemed unsure how to handle the situation, and could only blink and stand helplessly under the umbrella. However, she was definitely not feeling ashamed as she had just felt.

Well, maybe the sky will clear up soon? I thought to myself. After all, these early summer evening showers shouldn't last too long.

He completely ignored the energetic shouting of the girl next to him.

"...I understand...but...disposable tablecloths...?"

"...If...then use it for..."

"...Seriously?...This just won't do...?"

Unfortunately, the rain doesn't seem to be going to stop.

As the three of us walked out of the school gates, we unexpectedly met Chen Di, An Yu, and Xu Xingxin in the worst and most awkward way.

How bad is it?

Let me just talk about this one detail.

When An Yu and I made eye contact, Ge Lanlan, who was pressed close to my arm, was still unaware that something was wrong and was blushing as she pounded my shoulder.