After deciding to give up, I became popular

"Right? I occasionally come here alone to relax, doing nothing, just sitting quietly on the bench watching everyone below," Natsukawa Kanade said, handing a bento box to Katou. Katou accepted it and then handed him a cup of tea.

"This is?"

"Oolong tea. A friend of my dad's sent it over, and we have too much at home, so I'm giving some to Natsukawa-kun."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony," Natsukawa Kanade nodded.

He took a light sip, and a rich aroma filled his mouth.

Unlike the bottled drinks on sale at the supermarket, oolong tea, which needs to be brewed to bring out its flavor, is initially slightly bitter upon entering the mouth. However, it becomes sweeter and sweeter, eventually filling the entire oral cavity with sweetness, leaving a fragrant aftertaste on the lips and teeth.

Actually, this is because oolong tea leaves contain a large amount of polyphenols. These substances react with proteins to form a waterproof film on the surface of the tongue, temporarily causing the tongue to lose its sense of taste. Once the film breaks, sweetness will continuously surge, leaving people with endless aftertaste.

So, careful tasting is very important, whether it's drinking tea or anything else.

"It's very delicious, thank you, Katou."

"I'm glad Natsukawa-kun likes it." Katou Megumi's lips curved upward almost imperceptibly, and then she took out a can of tea leaves from her bag.

"If it's not enough, there's more here. But Natsukawa-kun will have to take it home to drink it."

"Eh? No, that's a bit..."

"Natsukawa-kun, don't worry about it. Anyway, my dad doesn't like it, and it will spoil if we leave it there without drinking it."

"...Okay." Natsukawa Kanade nodded with difficulty.

However, he still felt very ashamed in his heart.

Just for a mere eel rice bowl, he had received such a great gift from Katou. Although oolong tea leaves are not very expensive, the sentiment is genuine.

"If Natsukawa-kun still feels bad, please treat me to dessert next time." Katou Megumi turned her head to look at him, her gentle voice immediately soothing Natsukawa Kanade's heart.

"There's a new dessert that just came out recently, and it looks delicious, but I don't have much allowance left..."

Natsukawa Kanade blinked at her, then smiled knowingly.

"So Katou is such a bad girl, using her dad's gift to exchange for her own allowance..."

"..." Katou didn't say anything, but her slightly puffed-up cheeks and slightly red ears betrayed her feelings.

Natsukawa Kanade stopped while he was ahead and didn't continue teasing her.

It would be difficult to deal with if he really made Katou angry.

After chatting, it was time for a pleasant meal.

The two enjoyed the delicious food while admiring the unique scenery of the rooftop. No one disturbed them during this time, so the happiness doubled.

...

In the blink of an eye, it was time to leave school. Natsukawa Kanade went to the principal's office at his invitation. By the time he came out, the sky outside the school was basically dark.

"Student council president, huh..."

Natsukawa Kanade gently exhaled a breath of stale air, his mind filled with thoughts.

During his conversation with the principal just now, he learned countless pieces of information. Among them, the thing that concerned him the most was the school's attitude toward his resignation as student council president—they advised him to reconsider and did not agree.

The reason was also very simple—during Natsukawa Kanade's tenure, the students and faculty members in the school unanimously gave the student council positive reviews.

Its business ability far exceeded the standards of previous sessions, and there were even hints of surpassing its peak state. Naturally, the school would not easily let go of such achievements.

Perhaps the school didn't know how strong Natsukawa Kanade's ability was, but they knew very well how strong this year's student council was!

And Natsukawa Kanade, as the core figure of the student council, was the one who connected the people of the student council together. If he were suddenly removed and someone else took over as president, could it still produce the same effect?

Perhaps it would be better, but the school was unwilling to gamble.

Perhaps you might think this is an exaggeration, believing that a mere student council president would not affect the school's operation at all. However, in reality, this is not the case.

The student council of Shuchiin Academy has special rights and status that other schools cannot match.

It controls almost all student-related affairs in the school, from checking attendance and regulations to leading students in holding school festivals and school trips. Almost all policies originating from within the school are inseparable from the student council.

And the student council president is the person who leads those talented people, based on the entire student council, and is responsible for ensuring that all students in the school live a "correct high school life."

This responsibility cannot be said to be small.

Given Shuchiin Academy's special status as a "noble school," it was theoretically impossible for him, a "mixed-class student" (referring to someone who did not come up from the elementary school but transferred in midway), to serve as student council president.

Most likely, he would be like that mixed-class senior in the past, even if he became president, he would quickly be driven off the stage by the students.

All of this turning point was because of the existence of Shinomiya Kaguya, because what she represented behind her was the Shinomiya Group, and she herself was his vice president.

At first, because he liked Shinomiya Kaguya, he kept launching attacks on her. Faced with this young lady, the only method he adopted was—challenge, constant challenge.

From grades to business ability, from interpersonal relationships to personal hobbies, whether he was good at it or not, he would not show timidity.

No matter what field it was, he would challenge Shinomiya Kaguya. Only by defeating her and constantly defeating her, by making this genius young lady feel frustrated, could she take him seriously, could she notice his existence.

At first, he naturally only had defeats and no victories, but it didn't matter, he had plenty of drive. If his grades weren't as good as hers? Then he would study to death; if his skills weren't as strong as hers? Then he would find a way to practice and surpass her!

He almost forgot what those days were like, only remembering that his daily sleep time was almost less than 5 hours.

Fortunately, he got through it all, and the result was that he defeated Shinomiya Kaguya head-on!

First, he defeated her with a perfect score in an academic exam, and then he launched challenges with her strengths, constantly attacking her self-esteem, and finally severely subdued her!

After that, she became his vice president and helped him, Natsukawa Kanade, secure the position of student council president, until the day he chose to let go...

Shinomiya Kaguya recognized his ability, which Natsukawa Kanade knew very well, but as a lover, he was not the first choice, which Natsukawa Kanade had also clearly understood.

However, if he were to abandon everyone as a friend just because he wanted to escape from unrequited love, he would undoubtedly be a coward.

He had done countless cowardly things like this in the past, and whenever the night was quiet, he would fall into deep self-blame when he thought of those things, wanting to go back to the past.

Until that rainy day, Katou's gentle words gave him strength.

Escape? Take responsibility? Whatever! As long as he was willing, then do it!

No longer living according to other people's ideas, but following his own heart.

"I want to... become everyone's eternal friend!"

Laugh with them, play with them, live every day with them, no matter what, I don't want to give up such a possibility.

Therefore, he must abandon the past and face a brand-new self.

022. I'll take it for the first time!

The cool moon hung like an eyebrow over Willow Bay, the scenery of Yue was reflected in the mirror.

The moonlight on Friday was exceptionally bright, and the cool breeze brushed away a trace of sorrow in Natsukawa Kanade's heart.

Since when, whenever people look up at the starry sky and see the rising crescent moon, infinite thoughts will flood into their hearts.

Whether it is to force a rhyme for the sake of expressing sorrow, or if there are indeed feelings in the heart, the rendered atmosphere cannot avoid the word sorrow, but Natsukawa Kanade does not think so.

Clear and elegant yet embracing all things, hanging high in the night sky yet able to shine into people's hearts, the moon's tolerance is self-evident. From ancient times to the present, it has carried the emotions of countless literati and poets, but what is most commendable about it is that it can soothe people's hearts.

Homesickness, longing for relatives, resentment, no matter how strong the emotions are, as long as you see it, it can be soothed and healed in an instant.

Thus, only respect and love for it remain.

At this moment, Natsukawa Kanade was wandering alone on the streets of Tokyo, aimlessly wandering around, admiring the scenery along the way with the bright white frost.

Noisy izakayas, constantly flowing snack shops, and office workers who have just returned from working overtime, each culture is quite characteristic. If you really want to list them one by one, I'm afraid you'll have to write a research paper.

Just as Natsukawa Kanade was thinking about what he wanted to eat, a cheerful girl's voice rang in his ear.

"President? What are you doing here?"

Looking in the direction of the voice, he soon saw a pink-haired girl leading a dog greeting him, the black bow on her head particularly conspicuous.

It was Fujiwara Chika.

At this moment, she was not wearing her usual school uniform, but a green dress, with a white butterfly tied at the neckline, which looked very lively.

"Good evening, Fujiwara." Natsukawa Kanade nodded to her as a response.

He originally wanted to enjoy the night in Tokyo alone, but he could only give up when he was suddenly called out.

The most important thing is that he met the idiot Fujiwara, and it would be difficult to get away without a while.

"It's so late, are you still playing outside and not going back?" Natsukawa Kanade asked curiously.

If I remember correctly, the Fujiwara family's family rules are still quite strict and there is a curfew. It's really a coincidence to meet her.

"Pace wants to go out and play!" Fujiwara Chika shook the dog leash in her hand with a cheerful smile.

Natsukawa Kanade looked at the golden retriever lying on the side and found that its legs were crossed, its eyes were dazed, and it was yawning.

"..."

Are you sure it's not you who wants to go out and play?

"Ahem... Anyway, it's getting late, if there's nothing else..."

"President, wait a moment, I'll talk to Pace first." Fujiwara Chika waved her hand, signaling Natsukawa Kanade not to be anxious.

Then she squatted down and said something in the golden retriever's ear. The dog stood up, then looked at Natsukawa Kanade and Fujiwara Chika one after another, and walked away on its own, biting the dog leash.

"..." Natsukawa Kanade opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word.

Just now... was that golden retriever observing him? It seemed like Fujiwara was talking to it? This is too strange!

Are dogs so smart these days?! Or are animals in Neon allowed to become spirits?

The amount of information shocked Natsukawa Kanade for a whole year.

"Fujiwara, Fujiwara... what did you say to it just now?" Seeing Fujiwara Chika trot all the way to him, Natsukawa Kanade couldn't help but wonder.

"I didn't say anything, I just told Pace to go home by itself, and then I'll stroll around outside for a while." Fujiwara Chika looked like it was a matter of course.

"It can really understand..." Natsukawa Kanade curled his lips, looking incredulous.

But when he thought that there were girls like Fujiwara in this world, it was not surprising that dogs could be so humane.

He could even accept the appearance of Magical Girl Natsukawa Kanade in the next second.

"President, President, have you had dinner yet?" Fujiwara Chika smiled.

She is always so happy every day, and she rarely doesn't smile. Compared to her, Natsukawa Kanade feels that his life is much more bitter.

"Not yet, what about you?"

"Me neither!" Fujiwara Chika's tone rose slightly, and then she reached out to Natsukawa Kanade.

"It just so happens that I met the president today, let me take you to a great shop!"

Without waiting for Natsukawa Kanade to refuse, she grabbed his hand and ran.

Handsome men and beautiful women, one in front and one behind, plus the conspicuous Shuchiin Academy uniform, the breath of youth rushed to their faces. The office worker uncles next to them burst into tears at once.

"Wuwuwu... I used to have a girl holding my hand like this..."

"Don't brag, at most I pulled you and said, 'Aibo, ramen ikuze!'"

"...So it wasn't?"

"Ah?... Damn? No, no, don't, don't scare me!"

"What's wrong? Actually, in my heart, I've always put you..."

"You, you, don't come over!"

"..."

Natsukawa Kanade could no longer hear the tragic love story that happened on the roadside. He was dragged by Fujiwara Chika into a ramen shop.

Quiet, remote, located in the deepest part of the alley, the shop name is also the most common name with the owner's name.

The interior decoration is quite old, but the hygiene is very clean.

There are not many people in the shop, scattered around in twos and threes. Almost no one came in pairs like Natsukawa Kanade and the others.

It can even be said that apart from the two of them, there were only some office worker uncles who had just gotten off work.

"Ramen, huh..." Natsukawa Kanade murmured.