Katsu'o Hanyu, leading the way, had a complicated expression. This scene was all too familiar to her. Even without her guidance, she believed Ho Fei-yu could find the right location himself. Her presence was merely to show that Ho Fei-yu and Elissa Nishikiori's meeting was legitimate, to stop the gossiping servants.
However, walls have ears. Despite her best efforts to conceal it, owing Ho Fei-yu a favor for treating her face, the frequent visits eventually reached the Master's ears. The Master had been busy until this week, and as luck would have it, the Master was coming home this afternoon. At that time...
Katsu'o Hanyu could see that Elissa Nishikiori genuinely liked Ho Fei-yu. Furthermore, the Young Lady's victory in the competition was, to a certain extent, the result of Ho Fei-yu's help. Although she didn't know the exact details of how he helped, whenever she saw the Young Lady emerge flushed and sweating profusely, she guessed it must be very demanding. She was also grateful for Ho Fei-yu's help. But since both individuals had shown her kindness, Katsu'o Hanyu chose to remain neutral. Still, due to Elissa Nishikiori, she silently cheered for Ho Fei-yu in her heart.
"Fei-yu-kun~ Come in quickly."
"Thank you, Katsu'o-san~" Elissa Nishikiori, who had been looking forward to their arrival, especially the boy she had been longing for, disregarded Katsu'o Hanyu's presence. She ran straight to Ho Fei-yu, happily linked her arm in his, wanting to drag him into their "secret base." But then, she seemed to remember something, and the girl thanked Katsu'o Hanyu.
"Fei-yu-dono, Young Lady, sigh..." Looking at Elissa Nishikiori like a girl in love, she intended to remind the two of them, but before she could finish, their figures disappeared. Katsu'o Hanyu could only let it go.
Inside the room.
Now that the "outsider" was gone, Elissa Nishikiori became bolder. The hand that was initially linked in Ho Fei-yu's arm had now moved to his waist. The girl was completely pressed against Ho Fei-yu, like a clingy kitten.
"Fei-yu-kun, you haven't come to see Elissa for a whole week. You didn't even come to congratulate me when I won the championship last time. Are you tired of Elissa?" Elissa Nishikiori rubbed against Ho Fei-yu for a moment, then suddenly raised her watery eyes and asked Ho Fei-yu with a wronged expression.
"Elissa, I told you I have to work part-time at the convenience store on weekdays, and aren't we chatting on the phone every day? As for why I didn't congratulate you in person last time, it was too late by then. I had other people with me and had to take them home within the agreed time." Ho Fei-yu sweatdropped, raising his hand to stroke the girl's smooth hair, explaining.
"Mhm." Hearing Ho Fei-yu's explanation, Elissa Nishikiori nodded obediently and continued to lean her head against Ho Fei-yu's chest.
"Such a good girl~"
"By the way, Elissa, why does the ice rink look like this?" Seeing the girl calm down, Ho Fei-yu looked around and realized the once-empty ice rink had changed its appearance completely. It now looked like a girl's boudoir. Ho Fei-yu was curious.
"I'm not planning to continue ice skating. Winning this championship is enough. My teacher and the principal have both agreed to my request." Elissa Nishikiori explained while nestled in Ho Fei-yu's arms.
"Why?" Ho Fei-yu was confused. He remembered the next competition was the National Championship, which wasn't as trivial as the last one. He didn't know why the girl suddenly decided not to continue ice skating.
"Because the next competition starts after school begins, and you won't be there to accompany me, Fei-yu-kun..." Elissa Nishikiori got up from Ho Fei-yu's embrace, pacing, and explained with her back to Ho Fei-yu.
"Oh, right... Fei-yu-kun, where is the gift you prepared~" Not wanting to dwell on the topic, Elissa Nishikiori changed the subject, although her eager eyes revealed her anticipation.
Seeing that the girl didn't want to elaborate, Ho Fei-yu chose to respect her decision. From what he knew from Shiori Fuyutsuki and Yui Nakaizumi, Seika Girls' Academy was strictly managed. It was a closed campus, with only one day off per month, and even then, students needed to report and get approval from the student council to leave campus. Although the management was strict, there weren't many classes. The school spent more time nurturing students' hobbies and interests, and every club had a very famous female teacher leading it.
Ho Fei-yu had many ways to enter Seika Girls' Academy, but it depended on whether they were legitimate. The illegitimate way was the simplest. The legitimate way would require him to go to Reika Kurashiki, but he didn't want to trouble her too much, feeling it would be inappropriate.
"Elissa, close your eyes. I'll show you a magic trick. You can only open them when I tell you to open them~" Ho Fei-yu told Elissa Nishikiori mysteriously.
"Okay~" Seeing Ho Fei-yu's secretive manner, Elissa Nishikiori was delighted and quickly closed her eyes.
'Is Fei-yu-kun planning to propose to me? Secretly taking out a ring, gently holding my hand, then kneeling on one knee, putting the ring on me, and proposing... Or, just like in TV dramas and novels, walking up to me, kissing my lips, and then dominantly declaring that I'm his woman~ Should I say yes right away~ Or agree subtly~ Such a dilemma.' Although the girl's eyes were closed, her heart was in turmoil, guessing what Ho Fei-yu would do next. She couldn't help but imagine many scenarios, making her heart flutter with even greater anticipation.
"Alright, Elissa, you can open your eyes now." Elissa Nishikiori had never felt time pass so slowly. She silently counted the seconds in her heart. Although not even a minute had passed, she felt restless until Ho Fei-yu's voice sounded, and she happily opened her eyes.
"Fei-yu-kun, where is your gift..." She opened her eyes, only to see Ho Fei-yu smiling at her. He didn't have a ring or a necklace in his hands, not looking like a proposal at all. Instead, he was holding a camera, but she didn't connect the camera with the gift. Feeling disappointed, she forced a calm, strained smile.
"The gift is already on you, Elissa~ Come look in the mirror. If you don't like it, I can change it for you." Seeing Elissa Nishikiori's disappointed look, Ho Fei-yu knew she had misunderstood and smiled as he spoke to her.
"Wow, what a beautiful dress! Thank you, Fei-yu-kun! I love this gift! Muah~" Hearing this, the girl looked down at her body in confusion. Seeing it, she was surprised and broke into a radiant smile. She quickly walked to the mirror, admiring the gift Ho Fei-yu had given her. Overwhelmed with emotion, she actively pulled Ho Fei-yu toward her, stood on tiptoes, and kissed his cheek.