Monday, 8:10 a.m.
Carrying the Blue Star guitar on his back,
Lin and Sakurajima Mai arrived at Private United High School, chatting and laughing along the way.
Concealment power enveloped them.
The surrounding passersby paused slightly upon seeing Lin and Sakurajima Mai, then ignored them and continued with their own business.
Upon reaching the school building, Lin and Sakurajima Mai parted ways, each heading to the shoe locker area for their respective grade and class.
Lin slowly dispersed the concealment power.
Gradually, people began to notice him.
Especially Sakurajima Mai.
With her Adolescence Syndrome resolved, everyone who knew her had their related memories instantly clarified upon seeing her.
"Wait, that person is..."
"It's Sakurajima Mai-senpai!"
"Yeah! Why do I feel like I haven't seen her in ages?"
"Weird, I kind of feel the same way!"
"As expected of the former national idol. My god, she's so beautiful. If only I could be half as pretty as her."
"Why do I feel like she's even prettier than before? That mature charm around her is even stronger now."
As Sakurajima Mai gradually came into the surrounding people's view, everyone froze, then began whispering among themselves.
Hearing the discussions about herself, Sakurajima Mai, whose mindset had gradually changed, paid them no mind.
She was no longer the fragile Sakurajima Mai of the past.
Now, she had someone to rely on in her heart.
This pillar of support would shield her from wind and rain, fearless of any hardship.
Besides her emotional pillar, she had gained many reliable family members.
After spending this time with Tohru, Akasha, and the others, she had once again felt the warmth of home.
"Good morning, Lin."
A greeting voice came.
Lin turned from Sakurajima Mai's direction, changed into his indoor shoes, and smiled at the greeter:
"Morning, Katō."
The one who had proactively greeted him was his former seatmate in front, Megumi Katō.
Wearing the well-fitted Private United High School uniform, she stood gracefully, her delicate and cute face calm and composed.
Just inexplicably very ordinary.
Megumi Katō looked at Lin, a faint unusual glint flashing in her eyes.
Her gaze swept over the guitar bag on his right shoulder.
Observing Megumi Katō, Lin smiled and said:
"Katō, you're a bit late to school today."
"Why do you say that?"
Megumi Katō blinked upon hearing this.
A hint of puzzlement seemed to emerge in her eyes.
The two headed to the classroom. Lin turned to look at Megumi Katō and said:
"Because whenever I arrive in the classroom at this time, you're already at your seat."
He had arrived at school two minutes later than usual today.
Yet Megumi Katō was also here.
"I see."
Hearing Lin's explanation, Megumi Katō's eyes shifted slightly.
"Actually, I got up a little late this morning."
"No wonder."
Lin nodded as if realizing.
Then he blinked curiously:
"So, was it because you overslept, or because you had a nice dream and didn't want to wake up?"
Megumi Katō's gaze flickered, an unusual glint flashing in her eyes.
It vanished in an instant. She still looked at Lin with a calm expression:
"Can I not say right now?"
"Of course."
Hearing this, Lin raised an eyebrow lightly.
Suppressing his curiosity and doubt, he smiled faintly and changed the topic:
"Did you go anywhere fun during the holiday?"
Megumi Katō:
"I visited a relative's house yesterday."
"What about you, Lin?"
Lin:
"Me? I went to my editor's house, a junior's house, and participated in club activities."
Yeah, a simple and clear introduction.
Megumi Katō blinked lightly:
"Sounds like you were pretty busy."
"You could say that."
Thinking of Lin's brief summary of his weekend itinerary, Megumi Katō asked calmly with a hint of curiosity in her eyes:
"Who is the editor you mentioned?"
"You want to know?"
Lin smiled and asked her in return.
"Mm."
Megumi Katō nodded lightly.
After this time together, her relationship with Lin had reached the level of good friends.
Thus, their interactions were naturally casual.
The relationship had progressed so quickly, mainly because Lin took the initiative.
But she hadn't refused.
It felt like a mutual pursuit.
"Alright, I'll tell you."
Concealment power quietly released. Lin leaned in slightly, close to Megumi Katō, and smiled by her ear:
"Actually, one of my identities is a light novel writer."
"!!!"
At Lin's action, Megumi Katō's steps halted involuntarily, her eyes trembling lightly a few times.
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
The warm breath Lin exhaled while speaking tickled her ear, making her feel itchy both there and in her heart.
Though an unusual feeling arose in her heart,
Her expression remained calm, even as faint sakura pink uncontrollably tinted her face.
Her eyes shifted to look around.
Yet she found that the people nearby weren't paying attention to her and Lin.
This sparked a flash of doubt in her heart.
But now wasn't the time to think about that, as her mind was occupied by other thoughts.
After Lin straightened up, Megumi Katō looked at him and spoke in a tone with a hint of surprise:
"Eh, Lin, you're actually a light novel writer? That's surprising."
Though her expression and tone didn't change much,
The surprise was still evident.
Because Megumi Katō was genuinely surprised.
Looking at Lin, with his looks and aura, she couldn't associate him with a light novel writer.
Lin smiled mysteriously:
"Being surprised is the right reaction. Actually, my other identities would shock Katō even more."
"Eh, really?"
Megumi Katō's eyes flickered as she said calmly:
"Tell me, and see if I'll be shocked."
Lin's lips curved in a smile:
"I'll keep the mystery for now. The timing isn't right yet—I won't fall for that."
"Alright..."
Seeing Lin say this, a hint of disappointment flashed in Megumi Katō's eyes.
Though a bit disappointed,
Her curiosity grew even more.
The two chatted all the way, unknowingly arriving at the classroom.
Concealment power quietly dispersed.
Outside Class 1-C classroom, Megumi Katō proactively stopped chatting and walked to her seat.
Seeing this, Lin instantly understood her intent, so he smiled faintly and greeted his classmates:
"Morning, Kotegawa."
"Good morning, class president."
"Yumiko, Yui, Hina, good morning."
Lin entered the classroom carrying his guitar, drawing unusual looks from the class.
He greeted along the way to his seat.
Lin placed the guitar in the storage cabinet at the back of the classroom.
He had just sat down for a few minutes when the preparatory bell rang through the campus. Mafuyu Kirisu entered the classroom right on cue.
Next was homeroom time.
Time passed like the gentle breeze rustling the tree leaves outside the window.
Unknowingly, it was noon.
Lin released his spiritual perception.
Moments later, he withdrew it. With a clear idea in mind, he headed to the cafeteria.
Upon arriving at the cafeteria, he didn't order a meal.
Instead, he went to the bread specialty area.
By the time he leisurely arrived, many students had already gathered to buy bread for lunch.
As Lin was about to buy bread, a familiar figure suddenly appeared in his vision.
"It's her..."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Lin lightly curved his lips and walked toward that classmate.
________________________________________
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