Real teaching, hypocritical gray life

"Nine thirty............!? Does private tutoring need to go on so late?"

Fan Bo looked a little surprised and covered his mouth. I scratched my cheek in embarrassment. It was not appropriate to say anything to cover up the situation, so I could only tell the truth.

"Actually, the tutoring will probably be over by around 5 or 6, but since there are other activities afterwards, it will take longer than usual."

"What do you mean by other activities............?"

"Um, Ichinose, do you know the movie that just came out today? I think it's to change the mood. It's more convenient for students to make reservations during the review time, so we plan to watch a movie tonight. After all, we will review individually after that, and there will be no extra time for us to relax."

"Uh, ah, well......"

As soon as I finished speaking, perhaps because he did not fully understand what I had just said, Fanbo was unable to come back to his senses. He wanted to open his mouth to reply but no words came out.

After a while, Fanbo rubbed his eyes. I realized once again that she was as beautiful as a gorgeous flower, but I couldn't finish my words properly.

"Movies. Are you going to watch a movie later? Are you going to watch a movie with Xiaoxue?"

"That's about right. Although there are a few people, it seems that everyone else has other plans. Shiratori is like this, Kanzaki is also like this, and Ichinose is also unable to get away because of the study session."

"............Did Luo Jun originally plan to invite me as well?"

"Yes. Actually, it might be better to do it tomorrow, but when I expected it, the online reservation was already successful. If you want to cancel, you have to go to the cinema and tell them in person. What bad luck, I didn't expect that it was the last day of the study session for both of us."

"So that's how it is... There's nothing we can do about it. I can only hope that Luo Jun has fun..."

"I'll take your words, but it depends on the content of the movie."

A little relieved? However, the distance between the two of us was still difficult to approach. I reached out and tidied up Fanbo's messy hair, and she didn't mind it.

"Is the thing Ichinose wants to pass on in a hurry? If that's the case, I will return as soon as possible."

"No, no, don't worry, Luo Jun. There's no problem on my side... I just want to hand over some things to you personally, but it's okay."

Fanbo shook his head vigorously. It was difficult for me to persuade him further at this point.

"Anyway, I will try my best to prevent other accidents from happening."

"If that's the case, that would be great......"

"Sorry, did Ichinose just say something? Your voice was a little soft."

"Eh, ah, it's nothing, please don't mind me. I have some things to take care of before that, if it's not too much trouble, I will visit Luo Jun's dormitory in the evening."

"No problem, please go ahead."

"Well, then I'll be leaving first. Xiaoxue seems to be waiting for Luojun at the door, and my study session is about to start."

Without waiting for my response, Fanbo left in a hurry after saying this, and I pretended to be calm and greeted Ji Ye who was standing at the door.

“……Did something happen?”

"Well, why do you ask? Could it be that Ji Ye also thinks that my face looks a little heavy?"

The other person's reaction made me touch my cheek suspiciously again, but there was nothing there.

"No, you seem to have the same expression all the time... I mean, didn't Ichinose just talk to Raku? So... is everything alright?"

"Maybe, but that's a matter for later. Anyway, we should proceed according to the agreed plan. We just need to return to the dormitory as soon as possible after the end, and Ji Ye doesn't need to worry too much about another matter."

I explained the truth to the other party indifferently, and I guess the facts would not develop as the other party imagined.

As I was thinking this to myself, I walked to the cafe where I was taking cram school, and Himeno sighed beside me.

"I say, you don't take yourself too seriously."

"No, I take myself too seriously............" I paused, then added: "Actually, I am an egoist~"

"But your current performance is totally unconvincing."

So...

I didn't respond to Ji Ye's disdainful comments, but looked at the sky on the other side.

In the high sky at dusk, which is gradually being painted into a deep navy blue, thin clouds depict a delicate scene, while the low sky is dyed white by the faint light.

Then, the white sun suddenly burned bright red, emitting flame-like orange rays. All the scenery beneath the flames gradually distorted and drifted away.

After finishing tutoring, we ran into Ichinose at Keyaki Shopping Center.

Chapter 221 Even if this [feeling] is just a momentary confusion

Outside the glass window, light slowly seeps in from above the horizon, bit by bit, yet it's very real.

The thin clouds spread out, looking as wrinkled as a shirt just taken out of the washing machine. Apart from that, there were only a few scattered dots that flickered in and out of focus. Due to the obscuration of the atmosphere and various man-made pollution, most of the stars were not very clear. They flickered in the night sky. There was no bright light that gave people courage.

After the study session held by Himeno ended, we stayed for a while and then left the tutoring place we had been going to for a long time. In the future, this cafe may become a regular place, but at least for the time being, the two of us will no longer appear in the same corner together.

I went to the cinema with Himeno. Although we were already in the Keyaki shopping center, the cafe and the cinema were relatively far apart and on different floors, so it would still take two to three minutes to get there.

Even though there was no restraint, Ji Ye beside him was not excited about the movie and still looked unmoved. The lollipop was stirred in his mouth, and his cheeks would swell from time to time. How should I put it? In some aspects, the other party has the innocence of a child, but in other aspects, his experience is quite mature............

I think this is probably the difference between the two of us. The difference in the environment we grew up in when we were young, I didn't have time to enjoy playing, and correspondingly, I didn't have half the time to interact with society as ordinary people, so even in Class A, I still have so few friends.

I see. Actually, I am also a [naive] child.

"Xiaoxue! Luojun!"

As soon as I walked out of the store and arrived at the center of the Keyaki shopping center, I heard someone shouting from a distance. I thought I must have heard it correctly, so I looked around to confirm it.

It’s Wangcang Mazi, why is she here... No, there’s more to it than that.

I was about to raise my hand to greet him, but several girls followed closely behind Wang Cang, and walked out of the corner of the mall one after another. Noticing Wang Cang's actions, they all cast their eyes towards us, and Ichinose was among them. After our eyes met, she waved her hand slightly.

Although I have only attended one class study group [headquarters] course guidance, I still recorded the list of participants. All the girls in this group are members of the study group.

Jiye put his hands in his pockets, pouted, frowned, and looked a little troubled. His emotions and thoughts were probably not much different from his. Perhaps it was only in this aspect that he had been training for so long that he could reach the same level as ordinary people, but the result would definitely be said to be bad.

At this point, we can no longer pretend to turn a blind eye and have no choice but to face it head on.

"Thank you for your hard work. Is the study session completely over? I seem to remember that it will last until nine o'clock in the evening. Why are you all here at the Keyaki Shopping Center?"

I didn't expect the enemy to have so many people, so the situation is a little bad.

Regardless of whether the target of my action is Ichinose or Himeno, I hope that what I am doing is unknown to others. I guess this is what teenagers call "shyness".

It might be difficult to ask Ji Ye to respond to a greeting. So, I decided to speak first to avoid the embarrassment caused by my lack of response............

"Isn't this a certainty? Even if the study session ends at nine o'clock in the evening, we can't stay in the library to study all the time. Something bad will happen~"

"So, you're going to relax at the Keyaki Shopping Center... No, that's too much. You're not going to come here to solve the dinner problem, are you?"

"Yes, that's what Luo Jun said. But I didn't expect you to be so hesitant. Obviously, your purpose is the same as ours, right?"

"Are you a little surprised? The school cafeteria is closer to the library. I went there during the study sessions in the first semester, so I subconsciously thought that everyone did the same."

After hearing my answer, Wangcang chuckled, like the joy of a white orchid suddenly blooming.

"Haha, it seems that the first class is indeed like this, but we want to try something else. However, how should I put it............? It is indeed Luo Jun's unique way of thinking. But don't be too bothered, otherwise the girls will dislike it. Right, Fanbo~"

"Ah. Luo, Luo Jun is not as lazy as Xiao Mazi imagined. Luo Jun is still very reliable when help is needed, although he is sometimes a little............"

Honoki said this with a distracted look on his face, but his cheeks were slightly red. It looked like he was forcing himself to do this. His reserved look gave people a cute feeling.

"Really? It's not good to pamper someone too much. It will be terrible if you can't change it in the future."

"Ahaha, it shouldn't matter. After all, Luo Jun will also act for what he wants, so, it should be fine. I trust him too."

"............Why does this answer feel weird............?"

Amikura put his index finger on his lower lip and looked at Ichinose strangely.

By the way, Ichinose seemed a little nervous from the beginning. Is he worried about something?

I hoped to see something from Fanbo and the others' faces, but in the end I could only conclude that they had just been shopping in the mall. Fanbo was carrying the goods behind her. Under the contrast of her white tights, I could barely tell that the packaging of the goods was red, but I had no idea what was inside. The other girls also had a variety of goods in their hands.

In comparison, the student crossbody bags on Ji Ye and I looked shabby.

But I don't care too much about this. Everyone has their own freedom to shop. Asking about the items purchased in person may cause discomfort to the other party in terms of privacy. Not to mention that the other party is a woman. Although we don't have much interaction, after all, we will be together for three years in the future. I don't want the relationship to be broken and affect the cooperation between students.

I perked up and once again carefully examined the small group that Ichinose was in, then said.

"Didn't the others come? I didn't seem to see any boys. Did they separate?"

"It's also inside the Keyaki shopping center, but I don't know exactly where it is. We want to buy some things here, and if there's no news from the boys, we should just separate... Anyway, we'll meet at the library in the end."

Wang Cang solved my confusion enthusiastically, which touched me. Generally speaking, it is normal for girls to talk to each other. For me, it would be more appropriate to be with Hoba, but at the moment, Himeno and Ichinose don't seem to have any intention of participating in the conversation. Hoba is a little nervous, and Himeno is restrained and shows [sleepy] that he finds it troublesome.

"Compared to this, isn't it more concerning why Luo-kun and Xiaoxue appeared at the Keyaki Shopping Center together? Although the two of you are partners in this [Paper Shuffle] special exam, you should not be in contact normally. Are you discussing something?"

Xiaoqiao next to Ichinose couldn't help asking us questions out of confusion. After hearing the question, Wangcang showed a surprised expression, but Himeno was the first to explain.

"We don't usually have any contact, but my absence here is more concerning, right?"

"Hey, why is this......?"

"Haven't you heard about this before, Meng-chan? Xiaoxue is Luo-kun's [tutor]."

"Ah. Come to think of it, I did seem to see Xiaoxue and Luojun attending the study session together at the beginning. I was wondering if someone was missing......"

Kobashi Yume showed an expression of sudden enlightenment, and not only her, but also quite a few girls showed the same reaction. It seems that this news has not been widely circulated among girls. It's just that the news is really difficult to spread. Obviously, the boys already know it clearly, but no one cares about this kind of thing, nor does anyone feel strange about it.

I was just about to say goodbye and leave, but Wangcang made another small suggestion, which troubled me. Jiye seemed to want to keep silent about similar things. In this regard, she would pretend that she knew nothing and then shirk it............

"Have Xiaoxue and Luojun had dinner? If you don't mind, you can join us."

"No, that's not it. As for dinner, we have already taken care of it here."

"Does that [solve] mean making a restaurant reservation, or having eaten?"

"Hmm, are there any popular restaurants in the Keyaki shopping center that need reservations? We've already enjoyed them, and we plan to relax for a while next."

"That's a shame. There are some, like [Mominoki House], [Umegaoka Sushi no Midori]... They are probably quite famous among students."

"I'm sorry, I don't know much about this. I just want to fill my stomach."

"Yeah, it's almost like this when it comes to Luo Jun... No, most boys probably don't know about this kind of thing, we only talked about it occasionally."

Wangcang thought about it for a moment and continued with an uncertain tone.

"It would be faster to have individual tutoring. We have some problems here, and Fanbo is also working hard... By the way, what did Luo Jun just mention when he said relaxation?"

Suddenly, Xiaoqiao interrupted me from leaving again.

Ah, I was asked this question after all. I had hoped to just brush it off, but I didn't expect the other party to ask it directly. This way, things became a little more certain.

"It's nothing special, just going to a movie."

"Hey, are you going to that movie with Xiaoxue? Is it the one that just came out today?"

"Yeah. Although it's a new release, it's surprisingly easy to book. Also, there are quite a few empty seats for our show, so we haven't booked the entire theater yet."

"Maybe it's because today is a workday. Students are preparing for special exams and don't have time to change their mood. If they want to relax, now is the only time... That's great. I'm also interested in that movie. But it seems that I have to wait until the final exams are over."

Isn’t it true that the movie is unexpectedly popular among students?

"But are there only Luojun and Xiaoxue? Isn't that a little too few? It's true that watching a movie is more interesting when there are more people."

This incident did not cause any disgust among the girls, but instead made them unexpectedly interested in the movie.

"I also tried to invite other people, but it seemed that my luck was not so good. The schedules seemed to overlap. We also booked movie shows in advance, and the ticket refund process was a little troublesome... In short, there were a lot of coincidences."

"I see. So, Fanbo is unhappy today because of this matter—"

"Okay, Mazi, stop bothering Luojun. The movie is about to start, right?"

Before I could finish my words, Fanbo interrupted Wangcang and leaned forward to look at me and said.

"Uh, ah, now it's almost time."

"Then hurry up and go. If you miss it, you won't be able to see the performance ahead. Maybe the unexpected one is important."

"How about Fanbo take a break and go watch a movie? Luojun also said that there are still seats available in the cinema."

"Eh, no, that's not possible. The study session isn't over yet, and I've arranged my sleep and rest schedule properly, so it's fine."

"Not long ago, Honami-chan almost had a fever. Is she really okay now? The study session is almost over. We can probably solve it with everyone helping each other."

"Ahaha, there's no such thing as a fever, don't talk nonsense, pockmarked boy... The study session is more important... probably. We can't slack off against Class B, and Okabe-san is also having some difficulties. Anyway, let's forget about it this time."

Ichinose scratched her rosy cheeks as she spoke, and the red box swayed behind her, becoming extremely conspicuous.

After hearing this, Wangcang also cast his gaze towards me, as if he really wanted to help Ichinose relieve the pressure, so this or that should be understood as:

[Luo Jun, do something too.]

But I'm sorry, I have a clearer understanding of myself. I am not someone close to Honoki and I can't force him to make a choice. In addition, I tried to invite him before, but Ichinose didn't agree.