Chapter 197: Date

Seeing Takeda in a suit, fidgeting in front of the mirror, Yoshikawa spoke with a slightly acidic tone: “I can’t believe something so good happened to you all. I should have come back with you guys.”

“Such is life, Yoshikawa. You should just stick to pursuing your Haruko queen,” Takeda said smugly, laughing.

Yoshikawa scoffed, “Hmph, even though I wasn’t there, I can guess that Masashi was the one who stepped in and chased off that pervert. If I were Professor Sasako, even if I were blind, I wouldn’t choose someone as clumsy as you.”

Takeda blushed at being so accurately guessed. He was about to retort when an important thought crossed his mind. He quickly ran to Lei Yin, who was playing chess with Shiraishi Akira, and said, “Masashi, you already have such a wonderful girlfriend, so don’t try to take Professor Sasako from me.”

Lei Yin didn’t look up from the board and replied indifferently, “I have no interest in that woman. Do whatever you like.”

Takeda’s mood instantly lifted. He happily patted his friend’s shoulder and said, “It’s good to know you still have some sense. Hey, why aren’t you changing clothes? You’re not planning to go like this, are you?”

“I’m not going. I already have plans with Naoko tonight and will head to her place soon.”

Takeda was stunned. “What? You’re not going? But she wanted us to go together!”

“When she invited me for dinner, it was only you who said yes. I never agreed to anything.”

“But isn’t it a bit inconsiderate not to go?”

Yoshikawa finally couldn’t take it anymore and shouted, “No wonder you still can’t get a girlfriend. You finally have a rare opportunity to be alone and you’re still hesitating and mumbling on.”

Hearing this, Takeda suddenly realized, and in his excitement, hugged Lei Yin and said, “Masashi, you’re truly the best.”

“Idiot, let go.”

Suddenly, Takeda stopped and asked, “What should I do tonight? And I don’t know what to talk about with her. You know it’s awkward if there’s nothing to say during dinner.”

“You should be asking Yoshikawa about that.”

It made sense after thinking about it, so Takeda went back to ask Yoshikawa. Yoshikawa was so annoyed he decided to teach him by example. Takeda listened attentively, even jotting down Yoshikawa’s words to avoid forgetting them. Yoshikawa found the ridiculous behavior both amusing and exasperating.

※※※

“Yasuda, is there something I’ve done wrong? Please tell me, and I’ll change.”

“Akemi. It has nothing to do with you. We’re just not suited for each other.”

“You’re lying. We’ve been together for almost three months, and we’ve always gotten along well. Why are you suddenly saying this?”

“I’ve told you, we’re not suited.”

“Have you fallen for another girl? Is she prettier than me?”

“It’s not what you think. We’re really not suited. You should find another boyfriend.”

Seeing his increasingly indifferent expression, the girl finally covered her face and ran away.

Yasuda smirked as he watched her disappear into the distance.

This was the fifth time, wasn’t it? He’d even forgotten how many it had been. In his eyes, women were all the same.

Takeshima, who had seen this scene while passing by, clicked his tongue in astonishment. “They just broke up, huh? It’s my first time seeing a breakup up close. It’s so shocking.”

Kazumi, walking beside her, snapped, “Please, stop watching so many romance dramas. They only make you less intelligent.”

“What? Anyway, speaking of which, that guy is really handsome. Ah, he’s coming this way.”

Seeing Yasuda approaching, Kazumi sneered. “Some men are like that. They rely on their looks and play silly love games, thinking they’re some kind of heartthrob, as if every woman is in love with them. Just seeing them makes me want to puke.”

Hearing her not-so-quiet comment, Takeshima Shinobu glanced at Yasuda up ahead and quickly pulled Kazumi aside. “Kazumi, don’t say that so loudly. He’ll hear.”

“Don’t worry. That kind of pig doesn’t understand human speech,” Kazumi said cruelly.

Takeshima Shinobu couldn’t help but blush.

Yasuda, who had also overheard, didn’t get angry. Instead, he looked at the girl who had spoken with an amused expression.

Is she trying to catch my attention? Yasuda thought as he sized her up.

She had a unique aura about her. Her medium-length hair fell just past her shoulders. Although her expression was indifferent, her delicate features combined with a pair of thin-framed silver glasses gave her an intellectual beauty. Unlike other girls, she wasn’t wearing a romantic short skirt but simple jeans and a white blouse. Yet, overall, she looked clean and comfortable.

When Yasuda looked back at her face, he noticed she didn’t even glance his way. Instead, her friend kept sneaking glances at him.

Interesting. Yasuda smiled slightly as he watched her walk further away.

Once she had gone, Takeshima Shinobu said, “Kazumi, you were a bit harsh just now.”

Kazumi shrugged nonchalantly. “I actually think I was too kind. Shinobu, here’s a piece of advice: don’t judge men just by appearances, or you’ll end up like that girl who just got dumped.”

“I know, you’re starting to sound more and more like your brother.”

Kazumi smiled. “Come on, we need to get going. My brother’s waiting.”

When they reached the school cafeteria, they saw Takeda talking animatedly with gestures.

Seeing them approach, Lei Yin casually pulled out two chairs for them to sit down.

“Ah, Kazumi, you’re here,” Takeda said, immediately stopping mid-sentence.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Just the usual. Shinobu, you decide for yourself,” Kazumi handed the menu to Takeshima Shinobu.

“You should change things up sometimes,” Shinobu said.

Kazumi smiled. “My brother’s the same. What were you talking about just now?”

Takeda’s eyes widened, and he quickly shook his head. “Nothing, just chatting.”

Takeshima Shinobu, who knew Takeda always tried to dodge responsibility, recognized that something was up and turned to Yoshikawa. “What were you talking about? Tell me.”

Yoshikawa smirked mischievously and said, “Takeda was just telling us about his date with Professor Sasako last night. I’m so jealous.”

“Professor Sasako? Is she that beautiful new teacher everyone’s been talking about?”

“Yes, that’s her. The day before yesterday, Professor Sasako was harassed by a pervert on her way back, and Takeda and Masashi came to her rescue. To thank them, Professor Sasako invited them to dinner. Takeda was just telling us how happy he was during the meal.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea; it was just dinner. Nothing else. Don’t listen to Yoshikawa’s nonsense,” Takeda said, desperately trying to explain while watching Kazumi’s expression closely.

Kazumi turned to Lei Yin. “Did you go too, brother?”

“No. Only Takeda agreed to go. I didn’t have the time.”

Hearing this, Kazumi felt slightly relieved. She didn’t want Rumi to have another rival.

Seeing Lei Yin not defending him, Takeda sighed and said with a distressed look, “Don’t misunderstand. It was just dinner. I didn’t do anything.”

Takeshima Shinobu snorted. “Hmph, so you were hoping for more, huh?”

Yoshikawa chimed in, “He seemed so happy before he left, and he wouldn’t stop talking about it when he came back.”

Takeda glared at him, gritting his teeth. “Yoshikawa, you jerk.”

※※※

The next afternoon, Lei Yin lay on the grass outside the library, enjoying the good weather and reading.

After about half an hour, he felt someone approaching.

Sure enough, a pair of long, shapely, beautiful legs appeared in front of him. The legs were clad in a blue skirt that reached just above the knees. From this angle, it was enough to make most men’s blood pressure spike.

To avoid seeing anything he shouldn’t, Lei Yin sat up from the grass.

“Good afternoon, Gennai,” Myojin Sasako greeted him with a smile.

“Hello, Professor Myojin,” Lei Yin responded politely.

“I didn’t expect to see you here, Gennai. I’m really glad. Would you mind if I sat down?”

“Please, feel free.”

Sitting gracefully on the grass and smoothing out her skirt, Myojin Sasako said, “The weather is nice today. No wonder you chose to read here. It’s a shame I’m a woman; otherwise, I’d like to lie here too. It feels so comfortable.”

Lei Yin said nothing, merely brushing off the grass particles that had stuck to the pages of his book.

Biting her lip, Myojin Sasako asked, “Why didn’t you come that night? Could you tell me why?”

“I had something to do that night, so I couldn’t make it.”

“I see. I thought maybe you didn’t come because you disliked me. I’m relieved to know that isn’t the case.”

Looking at her smile, Lei Yin said, “You misunderstood.”

Myojin Sasako suddenly looked at him with a strange expression and, after a moment, said, “This might sound abrupt, but you remind me of someone I know. From the first moment I saw you, I felt that way.”

“It’s common for people to resemble each other.”

“No, it’s not that. You really look like him,” Sasako said, shaking her head. She then reached into her bag, pulled out a black wallet, and took out a photo, handing it to him.

“He was my fiancé. The person who looks like you is him.”

Lei Yin took the photo and looked at it. The man in the picture was wearing a suit and smiling brightly, his arm around a woman’s waist—Professor Sasako. Lei Yin studied the man’s features and saw that they did indeed share some similarities.

“Were you married to your fiancé?” Lei Yin asked cautiously.

“He’s already dead. He passed away six months ago in a car accident,” Professor Sasako’s voice dropped, heavy with sadness.

“I’m sorry for bringing up something so painful.”

“It’s alright. It feels lighter to talk about it with you, Gennai. For some reason, every time I see you, I feel as though I’m seeing him. Am I foolish?”

“Those who have passed are gone. Please accept my condolences,” Lei Yin said.

Professor Sasako wiped her tears away and forced a smile. “Sorry, I’ve lost my composure.”

Lei Yin remained silent.

Standing up and stretching, Professor Sasako stared at the scenery ahead. After a moment, she turned back to Lei Yin and said, “Gennai, I feel very comfortable around you. Would you mind if we met more often?”

“I’m still a student here and I take your course” Lei Yin replied.

Professor Sasako laughed lightly. “You’re right. But I have a request. Would you be willing to agree?” 

“Please, go ahead.”

“I’d like to find an opportunity to have a meal alone with you, just as a way to make up for last time. Would that be okay?”

Lei Yin frowned. “You’re too kind. It was just a simple gesture. There’s no need for this.”

Professor Sasako looked disappointed. “So, does that mean you’re refusing?”

Lei Yin paused, thinking it over. “If you really want to thank me for last time, I think it’s better to go out with Takeda too. He was there and helped a lot as well.”

“You have a point, but I really want to have a meal with you alone,” Professor Sasako’s face turned red.

Lei Yin said quietly, “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

Professor Sasako’s eyes showed disappointment again, but she quickly recovered and said, “Alright then. Next time I invite you both out, you can’t cancel on me.”

“Alright,” Lei Yin nodded.

Seeing that he had agreed, Professor Sasako finally smiled.