Chapter 96: Asakura, You're a Traitor!
Leaving aside others, Usami, who saw it up close, was completely bewildered at this moment.
Who am I? Where am I?
What's going on with Asakura-kun and Eriri? When did this happen? Why didn't I notice anything at all?
And the other students in Class A who hadn't left yet, after a brief silence, completely erupted.
The girls were all gossipy and smiling, starting to discuss.
"Did you see, did you see? It's my first time seeing Sawamura-san blush and be so shy!"
"Is that Asakura from Class C? I remember they're both in the Art Club. How fast, they're already dating!"
"That Asakura is very handsome! I saw his Midterm Exams results before, he's also very good at studying, fifth in his grade!"
"Eh! Sawamura-san acted so fast?"
"I think Asakura-kun might have been the one to pursue her."
"Ah!!!!"
As for the boys, it was a more dismal scene. Each of them showed sad and indignant expressions, huddling together for warmth.
"How did she get snatched away by someone from another class?"
"Damn it! I was originally thinking I'd be in a class with a beautiful blonde mixed-race girl, but it hasn't even been two months, two months! Dammit!"
"Isn't it because you guys are useless?"
"Are you useful?"
"Tch, at least my grades are better than yours!"
"Didn't you hear? He's fifth in his grade, better looking than you! And taller than you!"
"I feel like I've lost my dreams in life..."
Kaede and Eriri, after coming out, only heard some shouts from Class A's commotion, but they could roughly guess what was happening.
Their hands were still clasped together, and Eriri's face showed apprehension as she said, "I feel like when I go to the classroom tomorrow morning, I'll be surrounded and questioned endlessly."
"It's fine. People are all gossipy. It'll be better in a couple of days. It's a good habit."
Kaede, on the other hand, was very calm. Since he had already gone to Eriri's classroom door, any nervousness he had was long gone. After seeing Eriri, his mind had no room for other thoughts.
Just as he was speaking, he saw Kitamura Yusaku walking towards them, with Student Council President Kano Sumire beside him.
Kitamura Yusaku, who was talking to the Student Council President, unexpectedly saw the two of them, and then also noticed the gesture between them, and his voice stopped.
Kaede didn't want to be held back by Kitamura Yusaku in such a place. After greeting the Senpai, he led Eriri past them.
Kano Sumire turned to look at their retreating figures, then said to Kitamura Yusaku beside her, "Sure enough, what you said about the rumor spreading this morning wasn't true. So this is the real story. Hmm? Kitamura, what's wrong?"
Only then did Kano Sumire notice that Kitamura Yusaku's expression was a bit strange. After thinking for a moment, she smiled, "Could it be that you just found out too?"
Kitamura, who had snapped back to reality, nodded, his expression conflicted as he said, "This guy, he really catches people off guard."
"Hahaha, isn't this great? Though some boys are going to be wailing. I remember that Sawamura was quite popular in both second and third year, but she was still snatched up by someone from the same club. Is this the advantage of being close by?"
Kitamura Yusaku thought for a moment and felt that Kaede must have done a lot of unknown things without his friends knowing.
Oh, should I find an opportunity to ask for some advice?
Kitamura Yusaku subtly glanced at the Student Council President beside him. Although he hadn't been in the Student Council for long, his gaze was gradually being drawn to this Senpai.
Leaving Kitamura Yusaku's situation aside for now, Eriri, under Kaede's influence, finally relaxed a bit and came to the Art Club, chatting and laughing with Kaede.
Upon their arrival, the club president and Uchimaki Subaru were already there, and both saw the two of them enter hand-in-hand.
The club president was lying on the sofa, with a calm expression that seemed to say, "I knew this would happen all along."
As for Uchimaki Subaru, after frowning and looking at them, he finally said, "I didn't expect, Asakura, that you would betray us so quickly!"
...Eh?
Uchimaki Subaru continued, "I originally thought that as a famous light novel author and an insider in the industry, you would be completely immersed in the world of creation and the 2D realm. I never expected you to be a traitor too!"
"Hey, Uchimaki." Kaede let go of Eriri's hand, came over, sat next to Uchimaki Subaru, and patted his shoulder, saying, "Liking the 2D realm and liking the 3D realm aren't mutually exclusive."
"How are they not mutually exclusive!" Uchimaki Subaru clenched his fist and said, "I've seen it many times before, even in middle school. Several classmates liked 2D things, and when they started pursuing girls, they were rejected, precisely because they were otaku! Asakura, it's like how marriage is the grave of love. If you fall in love in the 3D realm, your 2D hobbies will also enter the grave!"
"..."
At this point, Eriri really couldn't stand it anymore. She raised her hand and spoke up, "People are different! I won't restrict Kaede-kun's hobbies like other people would. Uchimaki-san, please don't misunderstand."
Kaede also nodded repeatedly, "Exactly, exactly. Don't be too one-sided about everything, Uchimaki. You should know what kind of person Eriri is, having spent all this time in the club."
"Emm~~ Is that so?" Uchimaki Subaru scratched his head and said awkwardly, "Ahaha, my bad. Maybe I just got too excited seeing this kind of thing after so long."
Considering what Uchimaki Subaru had just said, everyone expressed understanding and wasn't too angry. Besides, similar incidents weren't uncommon online.
Just at that moment, the club door burst open with a "bang," and Usami's breathless voice appeared at the entrance.
"Ha... ha... I'm not late, am I?"
Seeing Usami enter while gasping for breath, Eriri immediately walked over, "Mizuki, are you alright?"
"N-nothing. I just sped up the pace of my cleaning duty a bit, and I'm just tired."
Seeing this, Kaede stood up and said, "I'll go buy some water. I still owe the President a bottle anyway."
Eriri pulled Usami back and said, "Mhm, mhm. We're counting on you, Kaede-kun."
After Kaede left, Usami sat down and took several deep breaths to calm down. Then, she immediately widened her eyes and looked at Eriri, "Eriri, you and Asakura-kun?"
So that was it... It made sense. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so eager.
Eriri's face flushed slightly. After glancing away, she nodded, "Mhm, we're dating."
"Eh!! Really? Who confessed? Who confessed? Was it Asakura-kun?"
"Mhm..." Eriri nodded again. Coupled with the gazes coming from Uchimaki Subaru and the President, Eriri became embarrassed once more.
"Mi... Mizuki, stop asking!"
The President also couldn't bear to watch anymore. He said to Usami, who was fully charged with gossip energy, "Instead of spending time gossiping about others, why don't you go fall in love yourself? Then you'll understand!"
That simple sentence instantly devastated Usami.
As expected of the President!