Will the plagiarism girl be a substitute for the preference for women?

“But as long as someone is willing to sincerely read each other’s reports, that’s enough,” Chika said with a slight smile. “See you tomorrow, Takamatsu Akari.”

Upon hearing this, Takamatsu Akari's pupils trembled as her heart was touched.

She watched the familiar figure leave for a long time, until the latter disappeared from sight.

Meanwhile, Toyohashi Chinatsu looked around and, after confirming that there was no sign of the "little animal" nearby, walked to the trash can.

He threw the bag of stones he had pretended to select into the trash can.

Chapter 2 Cuckoo in the Nest

China couldn't take it anymore.

Because of the stones I just picked up.

There are many bacteria on the stone.

Of course, ordinary people wouldn't care, but China didn't consider herself a normal person.

Many jumbled thoughts raced through her mind.

"You've really sacrificed too much for social life."

"There's no need to go to that extent."

"You don't need too many friends."

"All you need is... a positive angle, and a helping hand when necessary."

"I still feel too inferior around sunny people. I need to find an introverted friend to lessen that feeling of inferiority?"

She ran to the sink, turned the faucet to its highest setting, letting the rushing water wash over her hands, then squeezed out a large amount of hand soap and rubbed them incessantly.

Swish??

She scrubbed her hands again and again under the running water until they turned red and wrinkled, and even her fingertips were chafed.

"Did you wash it clean?"

China stared intently and nervously at her hands, repeatedly checking for any barely noticeable stains.

However, it was already as clean as it could possibly be.

Her more than ten years of handwashing experience told her that there was no need to continue washing.

But a persistent obsession made her repeatedly try to confirm the "unclean place" that didn't actually exist on her hands.

What made her feel that her hands were gradually getting cleaner was not common sense or visual judgment, but the process of repeatedly and vigorously rubbing her hands.

Only after going through this long process can she let go of her anxiety.

Finally, she relaxed a bit and took out 90% alcohol disinfectant wipes to dry her hands. Then she put them in the dryer for a few dozen seconds. The process of the moisture that easily attracts bacteria gradually disappearing from her hands made her feel at ease.

All that remained was the dust that had gotten on her skirt as she walked through the bushes, but since it hadn't come into direct contact with her body, China could tolerate it until she got home.

Nearby, a girl with blue hair named Toyokawa Shoko passed by. The fact that China used a lot of water made her somewhat sensitive.

However, Xiangzi did not point out the stranger's behavior to his face. She knew that there was something called "handwashing compulsion" that forced these patients to do so.

Besides, she had no time to worry about these things and left after only staying for a short while.

The afternoon classes weren't heavy; there were also physical education and self-study periods. She chose to take leave to do two more hours of odd jobs.

only……

The fact that the person he had just met resembled him made Xiangzi indirectly think of him on the way.

She didn't want to associate the situation with anything bad, especially her alcoholic, scoundrel father.

They just look alike.

……

"Ok?"

While she was focused on washing her hands, China vaguely remembered that someone seemed to have walked past behind her.

That must have been the sound of students' leather shoes walking.

Could it be Takamatsu lamp?

Did she deduce something from the fact that she kept washing her hands, and then leave silently?

Or perhaps, while repeatedly checking that there were no lights in sight, you missed a corner?

No, please don't...

If that's true, it would be terrible...

Perhaps we should try to walk outside the school first, and then find a public restroom.

Instead of speculating, let's confirm it now.

She returned to the place where Gao Songdeng used to collect stones, but found no trace of him.

"No, please don't..."

Muttering to himself, he walked along the bushes, searching for small animals.

Only when the gray-haired girl peeked out from a corner did China breathe a sigh of relief.

It seems that Takamatsu Toko is still active in this area.

“?? Xiang…”

Takasō immediately stopped talking.

For some reason, China came back.

But coincidentally, she had something she wanted to give as a gift, which she originally planned to give to China when she transferred schools.

"Um... I think I forgot to add you on Line."

Just as Chika was about to come up with a reason to explain her sudden return, Takamatsu Akari handed her something.

The green and yellow pebbles, crystal clear and beautiful, took Gao Songdeng a long time to find.

"this is for you."

Normally, she would definitely keep it as a collectible and display it in her glass storage cabinet at home.

But she really hoped that China would accept it now, that it would be accepted by someone who shared the same interests as her and who could once again give her that familiar gentleness.

If the stone is cleaned, China would be happy to accept it.

but now……

This smooth, white-reflecting stone is covered with freshly turned earthworm soil and countless invisible bacteria.

They pose no threat to the human immune system, yet they stop China from reaching out.

Taking it means having to wash your hands repeatedly.

You should keep this beautiful stone for yourself.

Is it really okay to say that? The other person seemed so sincere; wouldn't refusing them make them feel bad?

It's all your fault. You set such a high standard for yourself right after we met. Now you're in a bind, aren't you?

Even though she herself is a "patient" and can't even take care of herself, she still acts like she cares so much about others.

In an instant, a jumble of words assaulted her mind, but China still showed a look of surprise.

"It's my problem; I'm being too dramatic."

"They can't even lift a single stone."

China refuted the jumble of thoughts in her mind and reached for the stone.

Like a thick soup reaching into a filthy place... No, that's too much of an exaggeration.

"Oh, Chinatsu-kun."

China turned her head and saw Chihaya Aine appear from the building entrance.

Judging from her expression, she seemed optimistic about the interview, but then she turned slightly surprised, just like Takamatsu Akari.

Is this the student who transferred schools with Chihiro? Do they know each other? Chihiro came back... to pick her up?

Seeing Aine greeting Chizuru, Akari thought to herself.

So it turns out that China knows this student from Haneoka. This makes it easier for her to blend in.

Seeing the scene of Takamatsu Akari giving Chika a pebble, Aine thought to herself.

"Your interview looks like it went well."

China said to Aine, while Takamatsu Akari took back the pebbles in the gap between her words.

"Thank you so much! I've encountered all the questions you asked before!"

Aiyin walked over quickly.

"I'm glad I could help," China said, folding her hands in front of her abdomen.

Just then, Aine was about to introduce Haneoka, the student next to her, to China, when she saw Takamatsu Akari run off without a word.

China was also taken aback.

Was it because a stranger saw you while you were pursuing your hobby that you reacted and ran away?

But I didn't look like this when I saw myself just now.

Or was it the similarity between himself and the "Xiao Xiang" mentioned by Deng that made Deng stop in his tracks when they first met?

Is this considered a...social advantage?

"Um, Chinatsu..." Aine took a small step to stand in front of Chinatsu's line of sight, "Was that your friend just now?"

?,friend?

China's eyes flickered to one side.

The correct answer should be, "No, it's because I found her interesting, so we chatted for a while."

But in Aine's view, wouldn't it be like this: when we're all strangers, Takamatsu Akari chats happily with me and even gives me gifts, but when she's with Aine, she just runs away?

This must be very unfair to Aine.

I have no choice but to pretend we're acquaintances.

"Yes, I've known her since I was a child."

"I just heard her say that she later met someone who is very similar to me."

Wait, why did that unnecessary lie just slip out?

Chapter 3 Dundun Deserter

Sometimes, once you start telling lies, you just can't stop...

No, it was because I had a brief episode of illness that made China say unnecessary things.

"Someone who looks a lot like that... Is that person also in Haneoka?" Aine asked curiously.

"I didn't ask about that in detail." When she's in a manic episode, China is prone to doing some... indescribable things in that state of excitement.

"I see," Aine said, stroking her chin. "If she were also in Yuu-oka, she might accidentally mistake you for her, which would be embarrassing."

"Ha ha……"

China couldn't think of anything to say for a moment, so she just smiled.

Now, she's mostly thinking about how to deal with the lie she just told.

By pretending to be acquainted with Takamatsu Akari, Aine was spared any resentment.

But in order to keep covering up this lie, more effort is needed, and a slight mistake can lead to a loophole.

In order to patch this vulnerability, more vulnerabilities will inevitably be created.

It's unnecessary... to go to so much trouble just to cater to someone's temporary feelings.

It's clearly me who has the "problem".

However, caring too much about what others think is itself one of the causes of the problem.

If only we could live without a care in the world...