Returning to the classroom in the afternoon, the once somewhat noisy Aki Tomoya was sitting quietly in his seat, seemingly in a state of conflict.
It seemed he was thinking about the issues I had raised with him at noon. As I said, Uchiha Ryo didn't hate people who worked hard for their dreams, he just disliked those who lacked self-awareness.
If the other party was truly a lost cause, then he couldn't be bothered....
At this moment, Aki Tomoya was sitting quietly in his seat, his head lowered with a heavy expression, constantly flipping through a new light novel that had been released some time ago.
Uchiha Ryo: "...."
Forget it. Toyogasaki Academy is so big. Why should I go looking for unpleasant things?
Uchiha Ryo turned his gaze to the weirdo sitting to his right, then asked Takashi.
"Takashi, do you know this classmate?"
Takashi turned his head and said in a low voice, "I remember her name is Gotou Hitori."
"Although I don't know why, she usually just wears that pink tracksuit, and she gives off a very gloomy and unapproachable feeling."
Uchiha Ryo nodded, then stood up and walked to Gotou Hitori's side. Seemingly sensing someone approaching, the girl kept her head down, and her body was also trembling imperceptibly.
An outdoor tracksuit with a pleated skirt. This Gotou-san's fashion sense was truly... unique. But since he would be in this class for a month, it was probably better to say hello.
But before Uchiha Ryo could speak, Gotou Hitori actually made the first move.
This girl was actually trying to pick up the guitar on her back and leave the classroom? Am I, Uchiha Ryo, that scary?!
Uchiha Ryo directly placed his hand on Gotou Hitori's shoulder, making her sit back down.
"Your name is Gotou-san, right? Hello, I'm Uchiha Ryo, an exchange student from Shuchiin."
However... the other party gave no answer. All Uchiha Ryo felt was the girl's body trembling more intensely, and her face, which looked very nervous.
Gotou Hitori: It's been so long since I've spoken! Would someone in class actually come and talk to me?
No, this is the exchange student who just arrived today... ah? He looks like a total normie. Why would he come and talk to me? Hmm, it must just be out of social etiquette between classmates....
[System has detected a capturable target]
[Capturable Target's Name: Gotou Hitori]
[Current Gotou Hitori Affinity: 3]
This was truly an unexpected gain. Uchiha Ryo had indeed just intended to greet his nearby classmates out of social etiquette. He hadn't expected there to be a third capturable target in the same class.
But looking closely, the girl's skin seemed to be very fair. Under her light pink bangs was an extremely cute face. But because she usually kept her head down and her back bent, had no one discovered it?
"....H-hello??!!!"
Gotou Hitori mustered the courage to respond to this hard-won conversation. But as she turned her head, she found Uchiha Ryo had suddenly moved closer, his dark eyes staring at her with curiosity.
Gotou Hitori let out—(an incoherent, stuttering sound).
Uchiha Ryo: "Are you alright? Are you sick?"
He withdrew the hand on her shoulder and placed it on Gotou Hitori's forehead.
Gotou Hitori—(face slightly distorts)
"You don't have a fever. Are you unwell somewhere?"
Gotou Hitori—lost consciousness. In that one instant, feelings of panic, shyness, and nervousness flooded her brain.
So, in order not to let her body continue to freak out, Gotou's brain chose to temporarily shut down.
Uchiha Ryo: "I see now. She is sick, and it's a psychological illness."
Fortunately, it was during the break. Uchiha Ryo gave a heads-up to Takashi in front of him, then picked up Gotou Hitori and took her to the school's infirmary.
The nurse in the infirmary had just brewed a cup of tea when she saw Uchiha Ryo kick open the door. Her hand slipped, and most of the tea spilled onto the floor.
"Sensei, a classmate has fainted."
The female teacher, who looked to be in her thirties, cleared her throat. "Please use your hands to open the door next time.... What's wrong with her? I've already said that young people shouldn't play too hard. Sigh, she's already passed out."
Uchiha Ryo: "No, she fainted on her own."
The nurse helped Uchiha Ryo place Gotou Hitori on the bed. After asking about the specific situation, she waved her hand and said.
"It's just that her emotions fluctuated too much due to nervousness. She'll be fine in a bit. You watch her here. What a pity about the tea I just made...."
After explaining that Gotou Hitori was fine, the nurse left without another care. The room was suddenly left with only Uchiha Ryo and a sleeping beauty.
Uchiha Ryo stroked his chin. It seemed this new capture target could be well trained... educated into a fine person.
Compared to those young ladies with all kinds of difficult personalities, Gotou Hitori was practically a blank slate. How about having Hayasaka-san teach her how to be a maid?
After all, a psychological problem like social anxiety couldn't be fixed with simple guidance.
"Hey, socially anxious girl. You're awake, aren't you?"
Gotou Hitori's body stiffened. In fact, she had woken up while being carried to the infirmary. Feeling the embrace of a man, Gotou Hitori had decisively decided it was better to just pass out again.
"I... I'm sorry! Not only did you take the initiative to talk to someone like me, but you also went to the trouble of bringing this humble water flea, this useless tsuchinoko, to the infirmary. I...."
Uchiha Ryo rubbed his temples, then directly placed his hand on Gotou Hitori's head.
"It's not good to talk about yourself like that, Gotou-san."
He used his hand to push aside Gotou Hitori's front bangs. "You're actually very pretty. Why are you so unconfident?"
"Eh... eh!!"
Pretty? Who?! This handsome and sunny guy who looks like a god is saying that I'm pretty?!
In an instant, the nervousness, fear, panic, and shyness in her heart all turned into joy.
Uchiha Ryo: "Mhm, Gotou-san is very pretty. So you can definitely overcome your social anxiety, stand in the light, and have many friends."
Gotou Hitori: "Hehe... eh? Me! No no no no... I can't!"
Uchiha Ryo's expression was serious. "Why not? How about this? How about I help you overcome your social anxiety, Gotou-san?"
"Th... this..."
Looking at Uchiha Ryo's sunny smile, Gotou Hitori thought of Takashi-kun from her class.
They must be the same kind of people. So selflessly helping their classmates, they were both so... gentle. Could I really receive his help?
Uchiha Ryo: "Hmm?"
Such a gentle Uchiha-kun. Not only did he take the initiative to talk to me, he also brought me to the infirmary, and he even wants to help me overcome my social anxiety!
How many times in my life will I encounter such a miracle! I... I can't give up.
"Um... I!"
Uchiha Ryo clapped his hands. "Since you've agreed, the first mission to solve your social anxiety is... Gotou-san, become my maid!"
Gotou Hitori was a little dazed. "A maid!"
Uchiha Ryo smiled and nodded. "Listen up. Being an exclusive maid is a very demanding job. Not only do you need to react to various situations, but you also need to always face others with a smile."
"Don't worry, I'll pay you a salary~ How about it?"
Gotou Hitori's mouth opened. Refuse, myself! Why would this boy suddenly ask me to be some maid?! Refuse! I must refuse this kind of thing!
"I... I'll do my best...."
Uchiha Ryo laughed loudly.
"You're really interesting. Don't you know how to say no?"
Gotou Hitori lowered her head. "...."
And Uchiha Ryo's expression suddenly became serious.
"In this day and age, a girl who doesn't dare to refuse others' requests can easily run into bad people. What if the person you met today wasn't me, but some delinquents who happened to notice your beauty? Next time, you must refuse properly!"
"I... I'm sorry. Then the maid?"
Uchiha Ryo gave a thumbs-up. "Of course I'm serious about the maid thing. Give me your contact information. I'll find you on the weekend."
"Ehh!!!"
Letting the cute little loner go, Uchiha Ryo chuckled lightly.
The thought of having the curvy little loner in a maid outfit by his side in the future, Uchiha Ryo could already see her, after his education, with... righteousness written all over her face.