That sudden, smokeless war came to an end just like that.
It wasn't that everyone didn't want to keep talking, but the Daihasei Festival had officially begun. Next, everyone had to head to the competition venues and participate in the events.
Because of that, Misaka Mikoto and Shokuhou Misaki both seemed somewhat dissatisfied, as if they still had something to say.
But there was no helping it.
In the end, Misaka Mikoto was directly dragged away by Shirai Kuroko, while Shokuhou Misaki was persuaded away by a group of faction members.
Thus, the two of them simultaneously threw a harsh remark at Fang Li.
"I will come find you again after the competition is over. When that time comes, you'd better explain everything clearly!"
That was the harsh line Misaka Mikoto left behind, still carrying a trace of politeness.
"I've realized my understanding of you isn't quite enough. We'll need to have a proper talk later, okay?"
That was the harsh line Shokuhou Misaki left behind, with an elegant smile on her face, yet not a single hint of a smile in her eyes.
Only then did the girls from Tokiwadai leave.
Presumably, the two girls thought that the Daihasei Festival would last a full seven days. Even after it ended, there would still be plenty of time, so there was no need to worry about not having a chance to get clear answers.
As for this, Fang Li truly found it incomprehensible.
It wasn't that he was dense.
After all, Shokuhou Misaki had already given him such obvious hints a year ago. How could Fang Li not know why this "Queen" was acting this way?
But what about Misaka Mikoto?
"Weren't we just bound by some ill-fated connection before?"
And now she had already started caring about the interpersonal relationships around him?
That "Electric Princess" of Tokiwadai shouldn't be that easy to win over, right?
While Fang Li was muttering to himself like this, Sylvia, beside him, spoke with a half-smiling expression.
"Looks like you've been living quite comfortably in Academy City."
Clearly, Sylvia had also seen something in the behavior of the two girls. Though she didn't show it too obviously, there was a hint of resentment in her tone.
"What?" Fang Li asked curiously with a smile. "Don't tell me you're jealous?"
"Yes, I'm jealous. Is that not allowed?" Sylvia puffed up her cheeks like a child, hugging Fang Li's arm. As if to express her dissatisfaction, she kneaded it lightly while saying, "Could it be that I don't even have the privilege to be jealous?"
"That's not it." Fang Li laughed. "I just think you're putting on a brave front, as expected."
On the surface, she seemed composed, but in truth, this Diva was still just an ordinary girl.
It's just that Sylvia would only show this side of herself in front of Fang Li.
"Don't you feel anything toward Misaka-san and Shokuhou-san?" Sylvia persisted. "Those are refined young ladies from Tokiwadai, you know?"
"So what?" Fang Li curled his lips and said to Sylvia, "You're still the idol in everyone's eyes, the world's number one Diva. Are you saying you'd lose to anyone else?"
Hearing that, Sylvia froze slightly, then suddenly understood.
"If you hadn't said that, I would've forgotten."
Her frankness left Fang Li speechless.
From this, it was clear that Sylvia really didn't care much about her status as a world-famous Diva.
This girl only wanted more people to hear her singing, that was why she became an idol. She had never treated that identity as an advantage or capital.
Otherwise, Sylvia wouldn't constantly talk about retiring, nor would she sometimes turn down idol work depending on her mood.
However, the identity of an idol was something Sylvia could never avoid, it was a kind of inevitable fate for her.
After all, Sylvia's singing was truly enchanting, enough to intoxicate anyone who heard it.
What people loved was that dazzling and beautiful Diva who shone upon the stage.
And all of that had been earned by Sylvia through her own strength and charm.
As long as Sylvia possessed that world-class beauty and charisma, and as long as she retained that captivating voice and singing ability, no matter where she went, she would always be that world-famous, number-one idol.
Back then, Sylvia had been discovered by an entertainment company simply by singing a song online, and within just one year, she became the Diva in the hearts of people all over the world, it was all because of this.
There was no other reason.
Even though she herself clearly understood this, she had never taken it to heart. It was precisely this natural grace and broad-mindedness that made Misaka Mikoto unable to resist being drawn to her, and even caused Shokuhou Misaki to regard her as an unprecedented rival.
So,
"Among those young ladies, you're probably the most charming one, right?" Fang Li lightly scraped Sylvia's small nose and smiled. "And yet you're still jealous?"
"Mm…" Sylvia puffed up her cheeks and said, "But Shokuhou-san's figure really is very alluring."
"I already told you, you're not any worse." Fang Li teased. "Don't believe me? I'll help you measure it again!"
As he spoke, Fang Li suddenly reached out his hand.
Tap!
But before he could do anything, Sylvia lightly stepped on the ground and, like a dancer, nimbly avoided Fang Li's "magic hand," leaping away.
"In your dreams!"
Leaving those words behind, Sylvia ran off with a smile.
Watching Sylvia, like a spirit, jog lightly and blend into the crowd ahead, Fang Li smiled faintly. He casually slipped his hand into his pocket, then lifted his feet and slowly followed after her.
...
Although the Daihasei Festival was enormous in scale, it was, in the end, still a sports festival.
And since it was a sports festival, there naturally had to be winners and losers.
However, the outcome wasn't decided within a single school, but among all schools.
During the Daihasei Festival, all schools were divided into two teams, red and white. They were assigned to various venues to compete, earning points based on their results.
In the end, based on the points each school earned, two rankings would be determined.
One was the victory between the red and white teams.
The other was the overall ranking of each school.
For the former, the winning side would grant additional points to all schools on that team, and rankings would then be recalculated.
The final ranking would become each school's placement in the Daihasei Festival.
If a school ranked high, it could even secure additional resources and funding.
Therefore, every school placed great importance on the Daihasei Festival rankings.
, With one exception: A Certain High School.
"Uh…"
When Fang Li arrived at the gathered competition field, the scene before him immediately left him speechless.
"So hot…"
"So tired…"
"So boring…"
One by one, the students looked completely burned out, either lying on the ground or leaning against walls, with all enthusiasm gone without a trace.
Nearby, Fukiyose Seiri was furiously scolding them.
"Pull yourselves together! This is only the first event! What's with this pathetic state of yours?!"
Seeing this, Fang Li had the sudden urge to turn around and leave.
"…This feels like it's going to turn into a huge hassle…"
(End Of This Chapter)
You can read ahead up to 70 chapters on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/GGS6395