After deciding to give up, I became popular

“It was indeed wrong of us to deliberately hide it, please understand,” Xia Chuanzou said sincerely.

Originally, he didn't need to be so humble, but in reality, he didn't know much about Iino Miko's interpersonal relationships, didn't know what her image was in the class, and didn't know who her friends were. Maybe these two people in front of him were her friends?

As a senior, since Iino Miko beside him had already turned into a "small fry", then he would definitely have to find a way to stand up and take control of the situation.

Fortunately, he had encountered this kind of situation many times, so he didn't feel any guilt or panic in his heart at all.

Nothing else, just familiarity.

“No, no, no, it's not that serious… We were just curious about who the president was with,” the boy scratched his head awkwardly. Now, he couldn't possibly say the reason why he came forward to check the situation, which was “because he cared about who the president was dating, and also to satisfy his curiosity about who the president would end up with”!

As for Iino Miko… although she was indeed a classmate, they weren't really close, and she often interfered in their interactions as a couple. Compared to caring, it would be more accurate to say that they disliked her!

But he would definitely not say these things in front of Xia Chuanzou, especially since the situation was suspected to be "the student council president and the discipline committee chairman having a close relationship in private", he was even less likely to say such a reason.

Seeing that the other party was also very polite, Xia Chuanzou breathed a sigh of relief, because he knew that this matter should be easy to solve.

“Also… this is also what Iino-san wants…” Xia Chuanzou paused, looked at the junior next to him, and seeing that she had no intention of standing up, he continued, “I hope you can keep today's encounter a secret. Although it's not a big deal, you also know that people are very curious animals. As long as there is a little disturbance, they will start adding their own conjectures. They themselves may not think anything of it, but it's quite distressing for the person involved… right?”

When he said the last sentence, Xia Chuanzou's eyes were slightly narrowed, showing a majestic look of “I'm very serious”.

First give some sweets and then knock on the big stick. Since this is not his own business, then he has to think about Iino Miko. Since she doesn't want their relationship to be misunderstood, then considering her future interpersonal relationships in the class, this kind of handling is the best.

At the same time, because Iino Miko had not spoken since entering the door, he felt even more that what he was doing was in line with her mood.

“Of course, we understand, we will help keep it a secret…” the boy nodded hastily, and the girl on the side also had an attitude of agreement.

Then Xia Chuanzou became more gentle again, not as aggressive as before.

“Since things have been explained clearly… then we'll take our leave first, and won't disturb your meal.” After saying that, he reminded Iino Miko beside him, “Iino-san, what do you say?”

“…” The latter seemed to be still in a daze, and it took a long time to finally come back to her senses, “Ah? Oh, I, I have no problem…”

But she was still sitting on the seat, seemingly unaware of what had happened.

The corners of Xia Chuanzou's mouth twitched, and he couldn't stand it anymore, so he simply reached out and tugged at her sleeve, reminding her again, “Then we won't disturb your meal, we'll leave first.”

This time Iino Miko also reacted, and hurriedly stood up, but because she didn't stand steady, she looked like she was about to fall.

Just when she was so frightened that she closed her eyes, thinking that she was going to hit the corner of the table, she felt herself entering a warm embrace.

So she opened her eyes and saw the tall Xia Chuan senior, looking at her with a worried and caring look, gently saying to her, “Are you okay? My princess (Iino-san)?”

“…”

Is this a dream?!

The things she had just imagined immediately came true?!

So Iino Miko's ears quickly turned red, her eyes flickered, and her face also showed a very flustered expression.

“No, I'm fine… No, don't touch me like that, senior!” She struggled in a panic to escape from Xia Chuanzou's embrace, but the loss of warmth at that moment made her feel a little lost.

“Ugh…”

What's wrong with her…

The couple on the side had been watching the two's movements, their eyes unblinking, but their faces were obviously showing a surprised look—

That discipline committee chairman Iino Miko, who always said “Prohibit impure relationships between the sexes!” “As expected, schools should prohibit students from dating!” “Students' task is to study hard, dating is wrong!”, would actually… show such an expression!

This is big news!

Moreover, this is clearly a signal that Iino Miko has joined the “President's Family Bucket”, and it's an even bigger scoop!

It's a pity that they “signed” a confidentiality agreement and can't reveal it…

But on second thought, isn't this a kind of sneak peek? They clearly got first-hand information!

So they became more interested again, feeling that they were superior to their fellow enthusiasts.

So the atmosphere at the scene was very strange.

The flustered Iino Miko, the two people eating melons, everyone had their own thoughts, only Xia Chuanzou was in a depressed mood—he was just helping a junior, but he was disliked by the other party again, damn it! It's really hard to be a good person.

231. It's too miserable to be inferior to a middle school student, right?

Although he had a sense of being thrown over the bridge after crossing the river, Xia Chuanzou was not a very calculating person. Considering that today was his junior's birthday, he decided to forgive her.

After saying goodbye to the couple, the two walked out of the dessert shop and started wandering aimlessly.

For Iino Miko, she had already regretted saying “Senior, don't touch me like that” as soon as she said it. The other party was obviously helping her from falling, but she actually repaid kindness with malice, so she had been thinking about how to apologize after coming out.

But for Xia Chuanzou, he almost didn't care about this matter when he walked out of the dessert shop. What he was concerned about was—how to tell Iino Miko that he was leaving.

After all, he had already made an appointment with someone, and it was impossible for him to break the appointment and accompany her all day just because today was Iino Miko's birthday. After all, this was not a question of which was more important, but simply a matter of first come, first served and credibility.

After wasting some time aimlessly, Xia Chuanzou finally couldn't help it and explained the matter to Iino Miko: “I'm sorry, I can't continue to accompany you because I have an appointment next…”

His tone was still very gentle, and he tried to use an apologetic attitude as much as possible, so that people would feel better.

Iino Miko's performance did not exceed her expectations, and she immediately showed a very frustrated expression, but the words she said made him confused:

“I'm sorry, senior… I was too much just now…” Iino Miko became flustered, and felt that she would probably regret it very much if she didn't do something.

Originally, she thought that if the two could continue to walk like this, maybe the other party could become indifferent to what happened just now, so she didn't need to specifically apologize and mention it, but Senior Xia Chuanzou's appearance of wanting to resign obviously made her feel that he was still brooding over what happened just now!

“I, I really didn't mean any harm! I just said those things on impulse…” She reached out and grabbed the corner of Xia Chuanzou's clothes, with a guilty and pitiful expression on her face, “So can you… not hate me…”

She rarely apologizes to others, because she always regulates herself to do the right thing, and she has never used such an almost pleading way of speaking, and she has never even used such a way of speaking to her parents!

But Xia Chuanzou didn't understand, and didn't understand why it suddenly became like this. It took him a long time to realize that she was concerned about what happened just now!

“It's nothing, I really didn't take what happened just now to heart. After all, that's a very normal reaction for you—you're not familiar with this kind of contact with boys, right?” After understanding what the other party meant, he began to actively comfort her, and even helped her find a reason.

But Iino Miko was a little skeptical about his statement. After all, it was a fact that he suddenly proposed to leave after coming out, so how could she not think that it was because of what happened just now that she was hated.

So she directly asked the other party: “Then senior… do you really have other things to do next?”

Originally, she wanted to say “Then why doesn't senior continue to accompany me”, but this was too blatant and she was embarrassed to say it, so she used this more euphemistic way.

“Yes, because I have an appointment with someone to have a study session.” Xia Chuanzou nodded, then took out his mobile phone and showed her some of the chat records.

“It's actually true…”

Iino Miko then believed what the other party said, and then a feeling of regret slowly appeared in her heart, thinking that it would be great if senior could accompany her all day…

Then gradually, this feeling turned into something else. If she insisted that senior stay with her, or proposed to go to the study session with her… what would senior do?

She suddenly remembered that when she first arrived at the student council, she and the other members of the student council played a game. The reward for her becoming the final winner was that she could ask Xia Chuanzou to agree to any one condition, although the premise was “not excessive”, but “wanting to go to the study session together” was not an excessive request, right? If she made this request…

“Senior…” Iino Miko suddenly raised her head and looked at him.

Xia Chuanzou was puzzled and said, “What's wrong?”

“…No, it's nothing.” Iino Miko shook her head, then showed a very forced smile, “I just want to wish you a smooth journey…”

Well, she's been alone many times anyway. She's already very happy that senior can accompany her for a morning. She can't cause any more trouble to senior, and… that reward, she definitely has to use it in a more important place, so it's better not to waste it like this.

“Oh, okay, thank you.” Xia Chuanzou nodded, then waved his hand to say goodbye to her, “Then I'll leave first…”

After walking a few steps, he suddenly remembered something, so he turned his head again and said gently to Iino Miko, who was still staring at him, “Although it seems a bit late to say it now, but… Happy birthday, Iino-san, see you at school.”

“Okay, goodbye, senior.” Iino Miko also waved her hand to say goodbye to him, but her mood was obviously much better.

Because senior said “See you at school” to her, and didn't just treat today as an act of kindness to a pitiful little animal, which naturally made her very happy, so even though the weekend had just begun, she was already looking forward to Monday.

…

After saying goodbye to Iino Miko, Xia Chuanzou walked out of the park and took a train at the nearby train station.

He first went home and changed his clothes before going out again, and then after spending about twenty minutes, he stopped in front of a terraced house and pressed the doorbell.

This is naturally Eriri's home. It's not the first time he's come here, so he's very familiar with it and doesn't feel any restraint at all.

While waiting for Eriri to open the door, he couldn't help but start looking at the cherry tree in the yard. He remembered that when he came last time, the book was still full of cherry blossoms, but now the cherry blossoms have fallen one after another, and there are not many decorations left. It seems that it has experienced a lot of time…

“What are you dazing off about? Come in quickly.” Eriri appeared in front of the door and urged.

“Okay, I'll be right there.” Xia Chuanzou nodded lightly to her after regaining his senses.

After taking off his shoes at the entrance, Xia Chuanzou naturally put on the slippers he had been using.

Maybe it's because he's visited so many times, so he doesn't feel anything wrong.

“Where's Katou? Has she arrived yet?” Xia Chuanzou asked curiously.

“Not yet, Megumi said she's still on the way, but she should be here soon.” Eriri shook her head.

“Well… then let's start studying first, so I can check your specific situation first.” Xia Chuanzou thought, and then added, “By the way, is Auntie Sawamura at home today? Do I need to say hello or something?”

“No, no, Mom has already gone out… Anyway, just don't worry about her.” Eriri made a somewhat disgusted look, but in reality, she felt a little guilty and flustered.

The movement of raiding and tidying up the room last night was naturally discovered by her mother, and then she told her about Zou coming to visit tomorrow under her questioning, and then she teased her and gave her some advice… The key is to give advice, and it would be okay if it was a little useful and reliable, but who would listen to the nonsense like “Go up and kiss him directly, he can't stand it”! It really doesn't hurt to stand and talk, how could she do such a thing!

Then this morning was also the same, she stayed at home and refused to go out, insisting on seeing people again first, and finally she was finally driven out of the house after promising to help her sell her books…

“Anyway, today's goal is to help me make up for English to the point where I can pass, don't worry about anything else!” Eriri began to emphasize the key points.

Originally, she was wondering if there might be an opportunity to create a slightly more romantic atmosphere today, but since Hui was also joining, she decided to focus on tutoring diligently. She shouldn't let her imagination run wild with anything else, especially since she didn't have the courage to act out a light romantic comedy with Kanade in front of a third party.

"I know, that's why I went home to get this," Kanade Natsukawa nodded, then handed over the notebook he was holding.

The reason he went home wasn't just to change out of the clothes he had been wearing all day, but also to retrieve the English notes and exercises he had prepared for Eriri during the forest school trip.

It contained a very detailed description of the various English grammar points that students of their grade should master, along with specific examples for reference. The exercises were naturally for Eriri to practice with.

This kind of precious 'top student's notes' was like a treasure to good students, but for Eriri, it was—Eek, it's so dense, just looking at it makes my head want to explode!

"Ahem... I think we can simplify it a bit, since my goal is just to pass..." Eriri stammered.

Although Kanade's thorough preparation demonstrated his care, which of course made her very happy, one thing was another. She simply couldn't love this hardcore learning method!

It also reminded her of that hellish tutoring experience she had once, which was a real headache.

"..." Kanade Natsukawa was speechless, but he couldn't scold her. "I'm saying, can't you... be a little more ambitious? Like getting a B or an A?"

"Impossible, impossible, impossible, things that can't be done just can't be done!" Eriri was also a little annoyed, as if she didn't want to get good grades!

Other subjects were fine, there was nothing to say. But every time after an English test, she would look at the heartbreaking score on the paper and feel dazed. How could a pure English-Japanese mixed-blood fail English in every possible way?! The worst part was when classmates would come over with their dazzling scores and ask her how she did.

Of course, it was unique! It was the kind that could get a ranking! Although it was ranked from the bottom...

"In the end, English is useless in everyday life! The things you learn can't be used in life, and if you really use them, people might嫌弃'This person is so pretentious,' and also..." Eriri's eyes were firm, she clenched her fist, and said decisively, "Moreover, I've already decided to stay in Japan for the rest of my life and never go abroad, so English is completely useless to me..."

Kanade Natsukawa: "..."

How could this person speak so confidently? Kanade Natsukawa couldn't help but sigh.

Indeed, English was really useless in everyday life, but if you wanted to get into a good university or further your studies, it was really indispensable. Not only to cope with exams, but also to read more literature.

"Forget it, don't think too much about it, let's get through this midterm test first." Kanade Natsukawa shook his head, finally giving up on persuading her and instead complying with her.

"Where's the last English test paper? The monthly test in April, let me see it." Kanade Natsukawa reached out his hand.

It had been a long time since he last tutored her, and he didn't know what her current situation was like, so he wanted to check through the recent test.

Thanks to Shuchiin's excellent educational resources, each test paper was carefully revised and also 'differentiated,' so he could easily see the problem from the paper. He had used this method to understand Eriri's learning situation before.

"Oh, okay..." Eriri shrank her neck, looking soft and meek, thinking that this step had finally come.

She knew that this couldn't be reversed, so she didn't even bother to struggle, and handed over the prepared paper very readily.

Kanade Natsukawa raised his eyebrows, glanced at her, and felt a little surprised.

So readily? In the past, she would have stammered and procrastinated for a long time before handing it over to him. It seems that the situation is not so bad...

That's what he thought, and then the next moment he saw the shocking score and immediately exclaimed:

"So low?!"

His mouth twitched, then he ignored Eriri's somewhat embarrassed expression and began to specifically examine her situation.

Super difficult questions wrong—very normal, not many students can do them anyway; challenging questions also wrong—acceptable, after all, it's not something Eriri can touch; basic questions, only some right... expected, at least she got some points, although most of them were on multiple-choice questions...; and then finally the giveaway questions... no, how can you get these wrong? And the mistakes are extremely outrageous, not because of carelessness at all, but completely because she doesn't know and is just writing nonsense!

Kanade Natsukawa was silent for a long time, he finally understood how this score came about—probably still relying on luck, otherwise it would be even lower!

Then after carefully studying it, he found that Eriri even wrote many common words wrong, it was completely...

"Hasn't this become even worse than a middle school student?" Kanade Natsukawa looked at her with a horrified expression.