Chapter 117: Sato Shinichi Will Not Yield to True Affection
Kazumi realized she had done something foolish.
Looking at the note in her hand that read, “I’ll tell you more at lunch today,” and the many encouraging words it contained, Kazumi acknowledged her somewhat excessive request.
The content of the [Wilderness Survival] test couldn’t be explained clearly in such a small note. Moreover, given Sato Shinichi’s background, he should have some inside information. If he were to write it for her on a note passed among several people, it could lead to gossip if someone saw it.
Although her classmates appeared to be highly cultured and friendly, Kazumi, having experienced similar situations, always suspected everyone around her with the worst intentions.
“Ah, it’s because I got the news suddenly and got too anxious!”
She pressed her temples with her index finger, trying to calm her eager brain. She normally wouldn’t make such a mistake even when things happened suddenly. Was it because the person who told her was Sato Shinichi?
Thinking this, the young girl secretly glanced towards the back of the classroom. The blond young man, who had been talking to someone on the other side, turned around as if by telepathy, met her furtive gaze, and smiled, giving her an encouraging thumbs-up.
Feeling guilty, she quickly turned her head back. “Damn it, why does he always notice when I secretly look at him?!” This makes me look so strange!
Looking at the textbook spread open in front of her, untouched, Kazumi’s thoughts inexplicably drifted to what Nakamura Yu had just said to her.
Her cheeks, which had subsided, began to feel warm again. She clicked her tongue, dispelling the strange images forming in her mind, and buried her head in her book.
“Who would do such a thing with that guy!!”
…
Sometime ago, having lunch with Sato Shinichi on the rooftop had become something Kazumi was accustomed to.
Perhaps it was because she clearly knew that this silly guy wouldn’t do anything strange to her, or perhaps it was because the young man always prepared delicious and varied lunches. In any case, Kazumi was happy to have lunch with him on the rooftop every day.
To put it simply, although she no longer needed to work hard to deepen their relationship, as long as she didn’t lose anything, enjoying free delicious lunches was a sure win.
Not to mention that eating together also allowed her to enjoy the feeling of being flattered.
If one didn’t truly like someone, who would be willing to be a simp? Kazumi, who had a less-than-perfect youth, naturally understood the regret of putting in all her effort but never being able to catch up. She also knew that the kindest behavior was to refuse them outright rather than stringing them along.
However, having someone simp over her like this felt really great!!
With strange thoughts drifting through her mind, Kazumi walked alongside Sato Shinichi as usual, listening to his clumsy attempts to find topics to chat about to ease their awkwardness.
Frowning, Kazumi listened as Sato Shinichi excitedly analyzed his mood after breaking the 2,000 mark in handstand push-ups the previous day. Just as the young man was about to continue, Kazumi promptly interrupted him.
“Shinichi-kun, do you remember what you told me about the test before?”
“Mm, Kazumi, are you asking about the [Wilderness Survival] test?”
Sato Shinichi, who had just taken out his bento box from his bag and was about to spread the bento cloth on the ground, looked up and said this upon hearing Kazumi’s question.
“Yes, after you told me, Shinichi-kun, I’ve been quite worried about it.”
Hearing the change in his address for her, Kazumi nodded with satisfaction.
At least, after her efforts in guiding him, Sato Shinichi would now proactively call her Kazumi when they were alone, instead of Kiyomizu-san. However, when outsiders were present, he would still foolishly call her Kiyomizu-san. She couldn’t understand why this grown man was so shy.
“Ah… well, I can only say that with your theoretical knowledge, Kazumi, as long as you can overcome your fear and perform normally, you will definitely achieve good results. This test is not actually a test of practical combat; it’s more of a comprehensive assessment.”
Looking at his girlfriend’s expectant eyes, Sato Shinichi scratched his head with some difficulty, organizing his words before answering.
[As expected, he knows something!]
Hearing the young man’s ambiguous answer, a flicker of light flashed in Kazumi’s eyes.
It was just as the young girl had guessed. With Sato Shinichi’s professional hero background at home, parents would surely try every means to gather information about matters concerning their children’s future. Leaking some information in advance was a normal operation.
“Then, Shinichi-kun, can you elaborate? You only told me about this test today, and I had no preparation whatsoever.”
Thinking of how she could extract more beneficial information from him, Kazumi leaned her face towards the young man, her eyes fixed on Sato Shinichi, who was still holding his bento box.
“Ah, that… Kazumi, aren’t you a bit too close…”
The girl’s sudden offensive move made the pure young man blush. He stammered, wanting to say something but unable to utter a word, instinctively taking two steps back.
“Sorry, Shinichi-kun, I’m just a little worried. If I can’t find a suitable internship location, I won’t be able to be with you, Shinichi-kun, if I go to another city.”
Kazumi, now snapping back to reality, pulled her body back, her eyes still innocent. She apologized to Sato Shinichi with a remorseful look.
“It’s okay… but about this test, I…”
Sato Shinichi also recovered from the close physical contact. The flush on his face had not yet faded. Looking at the young girl in front of him with a trace of longing in her eyes, his expression was inevitably tinged with a hint of difficulty.
Because, strictly speaking, the information about this test was not told to him by Hamano Tsukasa.
If Hamano Tsukasa had told him proactively, he would have undoubtedly told his girlfriend. But the problem was that the old man would never proactively leak such information to him. Moreover, his request was to achieve first place without using his abilities, otherwise, he would have to undergo double the training.
He had learned the real information about the test while on a mission with [Kagemori], during a casual chat. Although he only said a few words, Sato Shinichi knew all about the specific content of the exam and the scoring criteria.
However, both the education Sato Shinichi received from a young age and his own belief in becoming a true hero did not allow him to do such a thing.
Therefore, from beginning to end, Sato Shinichi had never considered using his obtained information to exploit loopholes. If he failed to meet the teacher’s requirements this time, it meant his training was insufficient. He deserved to undergo double the training.
But Kazumi…
Glancing at the girl’s pitiful expression, a trace of unwillingness flashed in Sato Shinichi’s eyes. But in the end, he resolutely decided that even for Kazumi, he could not go against his beliefs!
But then, a cool sensation appeared on his arm. He looked up and met the girl’s small eyes, a mixture of pity and expectation. Her small hands kept shaking his arm, and a soft, even somewhat charming, voice sounded in his ear.
“Shinichi-kun, just tell me a little, okay? Just a little bit~”
“……..”
“Alright!”
