Chapter 165: Flirting Tips—Please, You Have to Think of Something!
...
All eyes turned toward the source of the voice. Asuna was staring at the young man from the sports car with an expression of pure disbelief.
Seito took a closer look at the "offender" as well. It was none other than Asuna's older brother, Koichiro Yuuki.
"Brother? Don't tell me you snuck out to go drag racing behind your wife's back again?"
Asuna demanded, her tone sharp.
"Sigh." Koichiro rubbed his face, wincing as the adrenaline began to fade. "Your sister-in-law cut my allowance again these past few days. I was just feeling a bit frustrated, you know?"
He turned his attention back to Seito. "Are you really okay?"
"Mostly fine," Seito replied, pointing a thumb toward the twisted wreckage of his bike. "But my motorcycle is officially scrap metal."
"How much? I'll have Asuna transfer the money to you in a bit." Koichiro wanted to pay him right then and there, but his current financial situation—and his looming explanation to his wife—made that impossible.
"Three hundred thousand," Seito stated fairly. He wasn't looking to gouge the guy.
Koichiro nodded; the price matched his own estimate. "Are you sure you don't need to go to the hospital? You flew pretty high."
"No need," Seito grinned broadly. "I've got a sturdy build."
Koichiro: "..."
Sturdy? You did a triple-axel into the stratosphere and walked away without a scratch. I'm starting to wonder if you're even human.
After a few more minutes of sorting out the details, everyone returned to their respective buses. Koichiro stayed behind to handle the police and the towing, so Seito didn't have to worry about the paperwork.
Back on the Class 1-D bus, Seito naturally slid into the seat next to Asuna and leaned his head onto her shoulder.
"Seito-kun, what are you doing?" Asuna's eyelids flickered. His boldness made her heart race, and she had to fight to maintain her composure.
"Cough... just borrowing your shoulder for a bit," Seito muttered, closing his eyes.
The move didn't go unnoticed. Maple, Yukino, Kaguya, Yui, Eriri, and Ai Hayasaka all shot frequent glances in their direction, their expressions unreadable but clearly piqued.
A while later, Seito drifted into a deep sleep. Asuna tilted her head to look at him. She had to admit—Seito looked quite handsome when he wasn't talking. With his white hair shimmering like silver in the sunlight, his relaxed posture gave off a refreshing, breezy vibe.
As she watched him, Asuna felt her face flush. She'd just caught herself imagining what it would be like to live with him. How embarrassing!
About half an hour later, Seito woke up and stretched.
"Seito-kun, give me your social ID," Asuna said, holding up her phone.
"Sure." They added each other, and the compensation for the motorcycle was transferred immediately.
Seito leaned back, scanning the bus. His classmates were the same as ever—chatting quietly or staring at their phones. It was nowhere near as chaotic or fun as Class 1-E. Bored, Seito stood up and plopped down next to Hideyoshi Kinoshita.
"Seito-san? Is something wrong?"
Hideyoshi asked.
"Heh, Hideyoshi... do you want to get a girlfriend?" Seito asked with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Of course I do. But I don't know how to confess," Hideyoshi admitted awkwardly. He really wanted a girlfriend, if only so people would stop using "Hideyoshi" as a third gender category.
"I'll teach you a trick." Seito stood up, locked onto a target, and marched to the front of the bus under the curious gazes of the students. He stopped right in front of Sae Chabashira.
"Teacher! I love you! Will you be my girlfriend?"
Sae was stunned. she turned to look at Shizuka Hiratsuka, only to find the other teacher looking even more bewildered. Regaining her cool, Sae said flatly, "I'm sorry, Seito-kun, but I'm not interested in a relationship right now."
The students nodded. Regardless of whether Seito was joking, a rejection from Sae was a 99% certainty.
But in the next second, Seito stood bolt upright and gave her a perfect 90-degree bow.
"Please! You have to think of a way!"
The entire bus: "..."
Even the driver was floored by the sheer audacity of the move. She already said no! Why are you asking HER to find a way to make it work?!
Sae pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a long drag. "Seito-kun, you're too young. I won't agree."
"I beg of you! Please, think of something!"
Sae felt a literal toothache coming on. This kid was too persistent. Choosing not to engage further, she simply stared out the window. He was right, though—he was too young. If he were a bit older, maybe... but for now, he needed to focus on his studies.
"You! Get back to your seat!" Shizuka barked, waving him away impatiently.
"Aye-aye, Ma'am." Seito saw that Sae was done talking and retreated.
Returning to Hideyoshi, Seito whispered, "So? Did you 'learn' it?"
"I think my brain just short-circuited,"
Hideyoshi replied, his lip twitching.
"Keep working at it." Seito stood up, scanned the room again, and finally sat down next to Maple, pulling her into a sudden hug.
"Eh?!" Maple's face turned beet red. She lowered her head, whispering shyly, "Seito-kun, what are you doing? Everyone is watching..."
"It's fine. I just want to hold you for a second." Seito smiled. Ah~ hugging a soft, cute girl really is the best way to recharge.
Maple buried her face in his chest, hiding her embarrassment. Beside them, Risa felt like she had just been force-fed a mountain of "dog food." It was a specialized kind of suffering. Yukino and the others, meanwhile, felt a quiet spark of irritation flare up in their hearts.
Time flew by. An hour and a half later, the convoy finally reached the destination for the school trip.
The buses pulled into the parking lot one by one. Students filed out and lined up in their respective class formations. The entire trip was being led by Minami Kazuko, who immediately called the homeroom teachers over for a briefing as soon as they stepped off the bus.
(T/N: Sorry guys i wasn't able to update yesterday, i had to go somewhere.)
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Thank you for reading.