Chapter 41: The Birth of a Perfect Hypocrite
Yukino didn't reply. She just watched Haruka with a calm gaze.
At the same time, Shoko walked over too.
Looking at Haruka, her eyes were full of worry.
She signed: Kasugano-kun, what happened to you?
Haruka looked at Shoko strangely.
"What are you saying? What happened to me?"
Shoko's expression was very odd, as if she wanted to say something but didn't know how to describe it.
"I know what you're thinking. I want to say, you've misunderstood me. I'm doing these things just because I want to."
"Besides, am I doing something wrong?"
"..."
Yukino and Shoko looked at each other.
Yukino shook her head slightly.
Although she felt that this sudden transformation of the usually indifferent, hypocritical, and cunning Kasugano-kun was very strange, it was also good.
This was walking on the correct path.
"Alright, leave Kazusa Touma to me as well. I'm leaving first; I still have to go back and prepare dinner for my sister. Bye-bye."
Haruka waved his hand and walked out of the clubroom.
After Haruka left, Hitori and the others from the band, along with Fumino Furuhashi and Rizu Ogata, walked over.
"..."
"Maybe he's in a good mood today?"
"..."
"Or maybe he's in a bad mood?"
"..."
"I think you misunderstand Kasugano-san. Kasugano-san is clearly a good person. Why are you so surprised?" Rizu Ogata suddenly said.
Hearing this, Hitori and Yukino had strange expressions on their faces.
Shoko Nishimiya, however, looked worried.
Perhaps, the lack of certain senses since childhood made her exceptionally sensitive to others.
Just like now, she seemed to be able to see the haze beneath Haruka's sunny exterior.
...
[Your abrupt behavior deeply surprised the girls of the Service Club.]
[The next day, you invited Kazusa Touma.]
[Because your musical skill ignited Kazusa Touma's fighting spirit.]
[Time ticked by, drop by drop.]
[Your changes gradually made everyone realize that you are kind and friendly, excellent in studies, and athletic in every field. Even those delinquents deeply admire you under your 'loving education.' You have become a social elite.]
[Your popularity began to skyrocket.]
[You even surpassed Hayama, becoming the most envied person in your class.]
[Pink love letters began to appear in your shoe locker every day.]
[Every day, female classmates blushingly came to confess to you—some from your class, some from other classes.]
[And it wasn't just them.]
[Every day, many boys wanted to gather around you.]
[Even the delinquents ended up respecting you.]
[You basically took over the entire school.]
"Boss!!"
A group of delinquents with colorful hair gave him a deep bow.
People around gathered, chattering as they watched this scene.
"How many times is this?"
"I don't know, but it's normal. After all, it's him."
"Yeah, yeah, true. His charisma is too strong. A calm boss type... someone like that..."
"..."
"Raise your heads, you guys."
Haruka stared at them, utterly speechless. The corner of his mouth twitched.
Then he snapped.
"Heads up! On the double — ten laps around the field!"
The delinquents shuddered reflexively and shouted, "YES, BOSS!"
Then they marched off and ran away.
Haruka watched speechlessly as they ran into the distance, then arrived at the classroom.
Just as he sat down…
A girl walked over.
The class was used to this sight.
"Look, another one."
"Hmph, with that figure, it's impossible for Kasugano-kun to be interested in her..."
"I'm so envious of Nishimiya-san..."
"..."
The girl walked over, she suddenly pulled out a love letter.
Then, swish, she bowed.
"Kasugano-kun! I like you!"
Haruka's gaze was calm as he stood up.
Taking the love letter, he revealed a smile. "Nohara-san, let me think about it carefully, okay?"
The girl's face turned bright red, and she nodded repeatedly as she returned to her seat.
Even though she knew Haruka had rejected many people this way, just to consider the girl's dignity and not reject them to their faces.
But...
"So considerate of others... As expected of Kasugano-kun... I like him so much..."
Reality Haruka: I'm pretty sure I didn't pick the [Evil Charisma] talent, right?
Beside Haruka, Shoko looked lonely. She always felt that Haruka wasn't happy, but she didn't know what to do…
***
[The Cultural Festival arrived.]
[You defeated everyone with absolute dominance. Even Minami Sagami's petty tricks couldn't beat you.]
[It was like you activated Chad Mode; no one in the entire school was your match.]
[Not just in ability, but in charisma.]
[After exposing Minami Sagami's scheming little tricks, in front of everyone, you did not strike her down, nor did you humiliate her.]
[Instead, you comforted her.]
"Hey, Sagami-san. No need to look like that."
She stared up at him, eyes already red.
"You're… not mad?"
Haruka gave a small shrug and that infuriatingly gentle smile.
"Jealousy's normal. I probably would've felt the same. Just… don't pull sneaky crap like that again, okay? Come at me straight next time." He paused, then added, "Oh, and you wanted to be on the committee, right? Vice-chair's open. You're in. Learn fast."
Sagami's breath hitched. She bowed her head, shoulders shaking — whether from shame or relief, nobody could tell.
The surrounding students watched in awe at how composed Haruka was.
From the corner, Yukino watched the whole thing with open disgust, arms crossed so tight her knuckles went white.
Shoko tugged at her sleeve, signing frantically.
Yukino sighed.
"Relax. The matter is resolved. However, something is indeed wrong with him. But actually, nothing has changed; he's just become even more disgusting. You don't need to worry about anything happening to him."
In Yukino's view, how could such a pretentious, hypocritical guy encounter any misfortune?
Shoko froze.
She shook her head fiercely.
Looking at Yukino angrily.
"Ugh, ugh, ugh!"
"Ha... ru... ka... is... a... good... per... son..."
Yukino looked at Shoko in surprise.
***
[The Cultural Festival began.]
[Under your overall planning, the Cultural Festival proceeded exceptionally smoothly.]
[You controlled the entire situation.]
[At the same time, you also participated in the Cultural Festival program.]
"I remember, something seemed to happen to Shoko here."
He walked over, and sure enough, several girls were walking toward Shoko Nishimiya.
"Isn't this bad? She's deaf-mute. Asking her to test songs or something..."
"What's wrong with that? If she can hear, she can judge. Can't she hear?"
"Don't you want to see her make a fool of herself?"
"Of course I do. Being with Kasugano-kun all day... damn it..."
Two girls were talking.
"Nishimiya-san? Can we ask you to help listen to some music?"
"?"
Shoko hurriedly raised the communication notebook in her hand.
"Just help us out. We're classmates; surely Nishimiya-san isn't that unfriendly?"
"Exactly, exactly."
Shoko looked at the two in distress, somewhat helpless.
"Why don't you let me help instead?"
At this moment, a smiling Haruka walked over.
"Ah, this... this..." The two girls were instantly embarrassed.
"Come on. I am very happy to help classmates."
With Haruka insisting, the two had no choice but to play along.
Haruka frowned.
"You two, if your level is only this much, then I'm sorry, I have to remove you both from the program list later."
"Ah? No!"
"How can you do this..."
"You two, this is the school festival. I can only fulfill my duty. You should go back and practice more."
Haruka maintained his smile, but his words carried no room for compromise.
"This... fine."
After they left dejectedly, Haruka looked at Shoko.
He ruffled Shoko's soft hair.
"I told you, don't be afraid of them."
"If you encounter trouble, call me."
"Ugh..." Shoko gently hugged Haruka.
"Alright, alright."
"My program is about to start. Hurry back to your seat. Watch carefully, or I'll get angry."
Shoko nodded repeatedly.
Her chubby cheeks were filled with grievance and anticipation.
She looked a little cute.
Haruka smiled at her.
Over the past two months, as he gradually accepted the memories that popped up from time to time, his feelings for Shoko had already become extraordinary.
And Shoko's behavior toward him was clearly different too; obviously, she had deep affection for him.
He was already prepared to confess to Shoko after this Cultural Festival.
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