Sitting on the bus, Damian chose a seat by the window and started listening to music through his earphones while gazing outside. As he enjoyed the passing scenery, he suddenly felt his phone vibrate.
Damian glanced at it, the corner of his mouth twitching when he saw it was a message. He replied before turning his gaze back to the window, while Isshiki, on another bus, was left stunned for a moment.
He was a little curious about what method Damian had used to persuade Nene to play cards with them, but Damian replied, "Maybe she just wanted to play cards from the start?"
"She wanted to play cards? As if I'd believe that."
While Isshiki scoffed, Nene, who was on another bus, stared quietly out the window, recalling what had happened earlier...
She felt a bit strange when she saw Damian approaching her, but when she remembered what had happened that day after school, she became a little nervous—though her expression didn't change.
"Do you need something?"
Damian spoke directly, "Nene, we don't have anything scheduled tonight, so let's play cards after dinner?"
"Huh?! Play cards?!"
"Yeah, Isshiki invited me, but it's kind of boring with just the two of us. I plan to invite someone else besides you too."
Nene glanced at Isshiki, who was watching from a distance, squinted slightly, and softly said, "I don't..."
Damian leaned down slightly, looked at Nene, and said, "Well, I can clearly see a sentence written in your eyes."
"My eyes? What do they say?"
"'I want to play cards...'"
"Huh?"
"'It would be even better if there were snacks...'"
Nene was momentarily stunned before shaking her head quickly. "No... Erm... Damian-kun! I..."
"It's a shame we can't use the kitchen. Otherwise, when playing cards, I could make some spring rolls..."
"Spring rolls..." Nene murmured.
"As expected, Nene, you're so cute."
Nene turned her head, her pupils trembling. She'd been tricked! She had to admit, when Damian invited her to play cards, she was touched—but when she heard that Isshiki was the one who invited him, she quickly cooled off. And when she saw Isshiki watching from afar, she decided to refuse firmly. But she was tricked!
Damian warmly said, "The stair rail that day was fun, right?"
"Mm... yeah..."
Damian thought for a moment and said, "Remember what I said—how should you enjoy yourself more? You're too serious and dedicated, Nene. You've been working hard, haven't you? Just relax. A little childishness from you would be much more adorable..."
"But... Cute... Don't say that word..."
"Besides, at this age, in addition to working hard, you should also have fun, right? After all, Nene, you're also just a regular girl."
Nene pouted, then turned to look at Damian. Just as he was about to say something else, Damian leaned closer and whispered, "If you don't come, I'll tell everyone about you sliding down the stair railing."
"What?!"
"Just kidding. No one would believe me if I said that. See you tonight. And don't worry—I won't mention that to anyone."
Nene sighed and nodded silently. After Damian left, she let out a deep breath.
"That guy... How can he be so annoying and fun at the same time...? But still..."
Nene shook her head to get rid of those thoughts and turned her attention back to her book.
At that moment, she was once again stunned as she turned a page in her notebook.
The notes clearly weren't in her handwriting. She sighed and adjusted her glasses.
"It's been the same since the first time I saw him..."
"Hey! Damian!"
The corner of Damian's mouth twitched when he heard the voice. He knew exactly who it belonged to. Sure enough, when he looked to the side, he saw a guy shorter than him with black and blonde hair.
"Damian, let's have some fun at this Tōtsuki Friendship and Rapport Training Camp!"
"I can clearly see that the fun you're referring to has nothing to do with the exams..." Damian sighed as he spoke.
Kuga grinned and said, "Of course not. This is just a training program. What I'm looking forward to is playing cards at night!"
"That's so like you... Seems like you're really excited about it."
Damian said, shaking his head before walking on with a smile.
"And you're not taking this training seriously at all," Isshiki commented.
"Well... there's a good chance he'll have to get more serious during the exams..."
"Isshiki?! Why are you here?! When did you get here?!"
"Huh? I've been here since you started talking to Damian. You coming to play cards with us tonight?"
"Of course! I'm a master at cards!"
"Really? I'm really looking forward to—"
Already at the room entrance, Damian was momentarily stunned when he saw Nene standing in front of the door next to his, holding her room card with teary eyes.
"Hey, what a coincidence."
Nene turned her head, her pupils trembling. Just as Damian finished speaking, they heard a very familiar voice. Damian and Nene sharply turned their heads. On Damian's other side was Kuga.
"How long have you been next to me?"
"What a coincidence! But now things are even more convenient!"
"What do you mean?"
Kuga pointed to Damian's right. The two turned and saw Isshiki squatting in front of the door, rolling up his pants. Isshiki turned his head and waved with a smile.
"Yo! What a coincidence! Come to my room tonight to play cards! Damian, you found someone else too, right?"
"Well, only a girl like Nene would be embarrassed, so I found another girl I had a good relationship with."
Nene looked silently at Damian, then opened her door and said, "Let's go in already. We have to meet in the hall after you unpack..."
"Alright~"
(End of chapter)
Give me some power stones there you go~😉