It only took a smile - Chapter 16- Is it a date?

The rumor spread like wildfire. Even though those students who heard the confession belonged to the epitome of the student body, they still loved to gossip.

As such, by the end of the school year, everyone knew that Matsumoto Mai had confessed to the new student.

The reason remained unknown but whoever witnessed it could tell that she was serious about pursuing him. After all, which girl still goes for the guy who has already rejected her?

Naturally, the word reached Chihiro as well. And she couldn’t stop herself from glancing at the boy who had moved the Thorny Princess’s heart.

He has a charming face and a manly personality but the people who have chased Mai before didn’t pale in comparison.

Haruto, who had noticed Chihiro’s gaze on him, turned towards her with a smile, “Is there something you want to ask?”

The green-haired teenager flinched and shook her head.

Haruto chuckled, “Well, are you free after this? I don’t know my way around, so I was thinking if you could show me where the bookstore is.”

Chihiro heaved a sigh, “Did you not notice that I have been avoiding you until now?”

Haruto tilted his head innocently.

Chihiro has been trying to make it clear through their exchange but seeing him always starting a conversation and not getting upset by her short responses, she couldn’t bring herself to ignore him.

“There is a bookstore nearby. I will take you there.”

Haruto gave a brief nod of gratitude before focusing on the class.

This would do.

Kenji had asked him to help his daughter, and bringing her out of her shell was one of those steps.

….

After school, Chihiro and Haruto left together.

She noticed that Satomi never returned to the class after she went out with Haruto during the break.

Chihiro believed that Satomi must have confessed to him—it was pretty evident to anyone that Satomi was infatuated by the new student—and after being rejected, she must have been too frustrated and wounded to return to the class.

Chihiro never brought that up. She wanted to stay away from those two as much as she could.

These few days have been nothing short of a dream for her.

She was attending classes like a normal girl, just as she had been a few months ago. It was really like a dream, and she didn’t want to wake up.

Exchanging shoes, they stepped out of the school building and noticed that many people were whispering and glancing at the person standing near the entrance.

And once Chihiro’s gaze landed on the person, she knew exactly why.

Snow-like silver hair fell down her shoulders. Her bright blue eyes were focused on the ground, her posture relaxed yet it appeared so graceful that despite being a female, she couldn’t help but admire her.

Naturally, she had no connection with Matsumoto Mai. They lived in two different worlds. As such, Chihiro was about to just walk past her—but,

“Who are you?” A frosty voice reached her, making Chihiro flinch as she turned to look at Mai.

For a moment, Chihiro felt Mai was talking to someone else….but no, her eyes were focused on her.

‘So it was true …’ The rumors were possibly true, which explains the hostility Mai was showing right now.

“I…”

“A friend.” Haruto stepped in, calling her a friend which greatly shocked Chihiro.

They have barely exchanged a few words in these few days, and they were already friends?

Was it a way for him to shield her? Or was it something else? Chihiro was confused.

Mai’s gaze sharpened, “A friend, huh… you are walking home with your friend even though you promised me you would walk back home with me if I took care of that guy.”

Haruto shrugged, “We are going to the library. Wanna come?”

Mai blinked, all the frost suddenly melting as she asked in a meek tone, “C-Can I…really?”

Haruto was taken aback seeing her blush all of a sudden. What was on her mind?

He turned towards Chihiro, “Do you mind?”

Chihiro, who had planned to just show him the way, shrugged.

Mai took a deep breath and said, “Okay then, lead the way.”

The three of them soon left the campus, unaware that a certain third-year student was watching all this with his teeth grinding.

‘Why the hell did Matsumoto Mai get involved with that guy all of a sudden?!’ Takashi had already made a plan of how he would take care of the new guy and get his Chihiro back in his hold

However, now that Mai was involved, he couldn’t take any rash steps.

‘Tch, forget it. I will do something about him once she loses her interest.’ At that time, Takashi didn’t expect how messed up his life was going to become very soon, just because her beloved had asked Mai something for the first time.

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A/N:- Bro is cooked. Thanks for reading.