‘Chu Xin, such a… true gentleman!’
Neither of the three options would he ever choose, much less act upon. Even the fleeting thoughts that crossed his mind were quickly dismissed.
Furthermore, he wouldn’t scorn any of them. These were all natural human inclinations, and those in the third category were, in fact, exemplary pioneers on the path of understanding young women—true seniors!
Certainly not perverts who simply wished to see girls look disgusted or incredulous!
However, just as his mind wandered, Yan Ping, who had been lecturing, abruptly stopped. She turned to him, let out a sigh, and spoke with a hint of resignation.
“Experimental student, please read the next passage of the text.”
The entire class’s gaze collectively swiveled back to Chu Xin.
“Ah, will we get to hear the Vice Class President read the text again?” a bold girl from the back dared to ask, prompting a ripple of playful jeers from the other girls.
Even Shimizuma looked at Chu Xin with an expression of anticipation.
Chu Xin rose to his feet, a touch of awkwardness coloring his demeanor.
Hasegawa Ten’i had fully expected him to be embarrassed, unsure of where the lecture had left off.
After all, even Yan Ping, the literature teacher who had called him out, didn’t truly believe this ‘experimental student’ would know the answer.
Yan Ping had been directly recruited by Maria Academy as a teacher, and in her mind, an ‘experimental student’ who broke the rules to get in was inherently exceptional. She was unaware that Chu Xin’s presence was not solely due to his academic prowess, but also the backing of other influential forces.
In such circumstances, it was perfectly normal not to know the exact point in the lecture. Her true intention had merely been to subtly remind Chu Xin to pay attention.
From her seat, Hasegawa Ten’i secretly glanced at Chu Xin.
‘Honestly… what on earth is Chu Xin-kun thinking about? How can he space out during class?’
A possibility flickered in her mind: ‘Could he be thinking about… *that* woman?’
But she quickly began to deceive herself. ‘How could someone as proper as Chu Xin-kun have such thoughts during class?’
‘I must be mistaken…’
‘Definitely…’
‘Could he possibly be thinking about *me*? But I don’t think I put on any makeup today~’
Hasegawa Ten’i realized that even if he wasn’t thinking of her, she could still offer a reminder to Chu Xin, seizing the opportunity to advance the romantic subplot between them that had yet to progress.
‘Perhaps what I wrote in my “Delusion-to-Reality Diary” might actually come true.’
With that thought, she was about to speak up and prompt Chu Xin, but then, a hint of surprise crossed her face.
Chu Xin had fluently read the passage Yan Ping had asked him to.
Yan Ping, slightly taken aback herself, could only offer a resigned, “Please sit, Chu Xin-kun. But do pay close attention from now on.”
Chu Xin feigned seriousness as he replied, “Of course, Teacher.”
The girls around them began to whisper again. “As expected of the experimental student, and the Vice Class President.”
Yan Ping, hearing the murmurs, cleared her throat softly. “Quiet, let’s continue.”
Once silence settled, she resumed her lecture.
Simultaneously, she sighed inwardly, noting how much easier these students were to manage compared to the class she had supervised during her internship.
Sitting back down, Chu Xin maintained an outward composure, appearing as steady as an old dog, though inwardly, he was in a panic. Fortunately, the knowledge he had acquired in his previous life was largely similar to what was taught here, with only minor differences.
Moreover, a chapter from a literary work he often read in his free time contained precisely this passage. By referencing Yan Ping’s occasional blackboard notes, he had deduced what would be taught next.
‘Whew, that was a close call.’
As a transmigator who had given up after a failed simulation, his primary goal was, of course, the classic “staying inconspicuous,” along with a reasonable amount of slacking off in class.
It had almost been ruined by that sudden call-out.
Still, acting the part felt rather good. No wonder those protagonists in transmigration *Long Aotian* novels enjoyed putting on a show.
Gazing at the admiring looks from his “little fangirls,” Chu Xin felt a slight swelling of pride.
However, he soon noticed Hasegawa Ten’i’s furtive glances. Curious, he leaned closer and asked, “What’s wrong, Hasegawa-kun?”
It was the exact same way of asking again. Hasegawa Ten’i couldn’t shake the feeling that she was merely an NPC in Chu Xin’s eyes.
This thought made her uncomfortable, but then she was startled by Chu Xin’s proximity. She replied in an equally hushed voice, “N-nothing… I just didn’t expect Chu Xin to know the answer…”
“Because… I was paying close attention,” Chu Xin replied impishly.
Hasegawa Ten’i felt speechless for the first time. She opted to ignore Chu Xin, turning back to focus on the lecture.
Chu Xin observed Hasegawa Ten’i’s reaction and felt a sense of satisfaction. After all, this was the life he yearned for: a romantic daily life with *that* person, a touch of *Long Aotian* flair in class, and otherwise, an existence completely devoid of presence.
However, he seemed to have forgotten, or perhaps not realized, that his very identity as an “experimental student” inherently drew attention.
Previously, he had often been called upon or entrusted with various tasks by teachers precisely because of this “experimental student” status.
For instance, “Who will answer this question? The experimental student, perhaps.”
Or when it came to delivering documents or moving things, it was usually, “Experimental student, please,” or “We’ll leave it to you, experimental student.”
Through countless requests from female teachers, Chu Xin, without realizing it, had gradually become a rather important figure in the school.
In the subsequent classes, whenever Yan Ping posed a question, it was inevitably directed at him.
This pattern continued into the second class, mathematics. The sight of a large number of students dozing off elicited a helpless sigh from the teacher—a middle-aged woman with a youthful appearance—who once again extended her “demonic claw” towards Chu Xin.
“For this problem, let’s have the experimental student.”
A bewildered Chu Xin, once again utterly perplexed, walked to the front of the class.
‘This is exactly why I didn’t want to draw attention to myself.’
But there was nothing for it; he dutifully went up to solve the problem.
And at these moments, the girls who had been sleeping would invariably sit up and exclaim, “The Vice Class President is amazing!”
Two class periods passed, marked by Chu Xin’s mortification.
After exchanging greetings with the girls who were now bustling about their own affairs, Chu Xin felt a wave of exhaustion.
Only he, Hasegawa Ten’i, and Shimizuma remained in the classroom.
Hasegawa Ten’i had been about to pluck up the courage to invite Chu Xin to walk home together. However, just then, Shimizuma, who was in the first row and had been slowly packing her belongings, came over and interjected, “Ten’i-chan, let’s go! We have club activities~ We’re off, Vice. Class. President.”
Chu Xin froze, feeling a fresh pang of embarrassment. He genuinely didn’t know which clubs these two belonged to. Since they weren’t main heroines in the original story, their information in the *gal-game* simulator was sparse.
‘But… *that* person also seems to be going to a club. Could it be the same one?’
Hasegawa Ten’i felt a surge of dejection at this thought. ‘Had her “Delusion-to-Reality Diary” failed her again?’
‘Why does everyone have to get in our way?’
However, Chu Xin, resting in his seat, suddenly remembered something: ‘What if he ran into the lost Class President again this weekend?’
He called out, stopping the somewhat disheartened Hasegawa Ten’i. “Hasegawa, let’s exchange contact information. Just in case the Class President gets…”
Hasegawa, who had already taken half a step out, retreated. She then nodded, her face alight with joy, completely oblivious to Shimizuma’s subtly displeased expression beside her.
After they exchanged details, Hasegawa, pulling Shimizuma along, skipped away. Chu Xin didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye.
Just then, a message from Ji Yue Xuan popped up:
[“I’m going to my club, darling~ Want to come along?”]
Chu Xin considered for a moment, then replied, “I’m going to my club too.”
Ji Yue Xuan, who had already reached her club room, frowned. If her information was correct, Chu Xin’s club had a “neighbor” whose threat level to Chu Xin was quite high.
She felt extremely uneasy. Why was Chu Xin, who never usually went, suddenly going today?
[“Why are you going to the club today, darling?”]
But the next message from Chu Xin made her beam with delight. It was just two short words:
[“Withdrawing.”]
She didn’t reply again, simply smiling as she pushed open the clubroom door.
****
After replying to the message, Chu Xin set off for the Kendo Club.
The Kendo Club’s dojo was located right next to the sports storage room.
Otherwise, the “childhood friend” wouldn’t have been able to lock the two of them in the sports storage room after school.
He looked at the “Monday Meeting Notice” sent by the cool club president in the group chat.
Then, he saw the “childhood friend” frantically tagging him in messages.
[“@Chu Xin! Get to the club room, now!!!”]
[“It’s not because I miss you, it’s just my duty as Vice President to make sure you properly participate in club activities!!”]
Chu Xin sighed. He wondered how she possessed such boundless energy, serving as both the student council president and the Kendo Club’s vice president, all while feigning the role of an ordinary, tsundere childhood friend.
Nevertheless, what needed to be faced, had to be faced.
Tina’s request for him to go to the office that morning had long been forgotten the moment Chu Xin decided not to go.
The campus still teemed with students engaged in club activities or simply lingering with friends.
Chu Xin, offering occasional greetings, reached the clubroom door, where he could hear the shouts of young women emanating from within.
He took a deep breath. What needed to be confronted would eventually be confronted. With that thought, he pulled open the large door.