NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Chapter 5: I Should Be Under the Car, Not Here.
"Really? Fighting for a beautiful world…" Kiana felt as if he was talking about her, but being the single-minded "paramecium" she was, the thought quickly slipped her mind.
"If we don't hurry, we're going to be late, class president." With that, Kiana dashed off toward the school, and Fu Lin followed behind her, running as well.
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Kiana and Fu Lin watched the school gates as they were about to close, with the security guard gesturing for them to hurry inside.
"Thanks, security uncle," Fu Lin said, pulling Kiana along as they ran to the classroom.
"Excuse me! x2"
The students stopped reading and looked up at the two standing at the door, a few chuckles mixed into the silence.
"Daring to be late for the Execution Master's class— true role models for us all!"
"Even the class monitor is late! He's always the first one in the classroom."
"Quiet!" The teacher at the front, known as the 'Execution Master,' signaled for silence and then turned to Fu Lin and Kiana.
"Being the class monitor, you should set an example. This is your first time being late, so write a 200-word reflection."
"Yes!" Fu Lin quickly agreed.
"As for you, Kiana, how many times have you been late now?"
"Teacher, I swear on the Kaslana name, I'll never be late again!" Kiana, with a serious face, raised her index and middle fingers, promising earnestly— something an outsider might even believe.
"And how many times have you sworn on the Kaslana name already?" The teacher's lips twitched slightly at Kiana's words, her originally stern face turning into one of amusement.
Fu Lin glanced at Kiana with an odd expression, astonished by her shamelessness →_→.
Noticing Fu Lin's gaze, Kiana blushed deeply, trying to justify herself— or rather, to argue back.
"This time I really mean it! (＞﹏＜)"
"So, were you lying the previous times?" The teacher pressed on, refusing to let Kiana off the hook.
"Sorry, teacher~" Kiana scratched her head, giving a silly smile. Seeing that her explanation wasn't working, she could only obediently apologize.
"Alright, go to your seats, but remember to hand in your reflection later." Faced with Kiana's sweet smile, even the Execution Master couldn't bring herself to scold her any further and let her off again.
Kiana quickly grabbed Fu Lin and rushed to their seats.
Fu Lin looked at the desk, realizing that he was actually Kiana's deskmate. But why didn't he remember this from his memories?
The classmates, seeing Kiana holding the class monitor's hand, couldn't help but fuel their gossiping hearts, whispering to their seatmates.
"Kiana and the class president were late together. Do you think they're dating?"
"Maybe. It seems like the class president's been much more cheerful lately— love does wonders for your mood."
"What are you guys talking about? I just happened to run into the class monitor on the way!" Kiana quickly let go of Fu Lin's hand, trying to assure everyone not to get the wrong idea.
Hearing Kiana's explanation, the classmates stopped gossiping. After all, from what they knew of Kiana, if she were really dating the class monitor, she wouldn't bother explaining—it would be a bold and open declaration instead.
The bell rang, and the math teacher walked into the classroom, starting today's lesson.
Fu Lin glanced at Kiana, who, not long after class started, had already slumped over, fast asleep. He looked at the math teacher at the front, then decided to follow her lead and also fell asleep on his desk.
The teacher, noticing the two dozing off, picked up a piece of chalk and threw it at the white-haired student. As for why he didn't throw it at the gray-haired one— well, Fu Lin had always been the top student in the school, so a little privilege was understandable.
Kiana, hit in the head by the chalk, let out a yelp, clutching her head and glaring at the teacher with resentment, then pointed at Fu Lin beside her.
The teacher pretended not to see Kiana's small gesture and continued with the lesson.
Why only me? Kiana sulked, poking the sleeping Fu Lin beside her, feeling indignant.
If she knew about the privileges of top students, she would have probably shouted, It's unfair!
Before long, it was lunchtime. Fu Lin stretched and, seeing that the classroom was empty, got up and headed for the school's convenience store.
Just as he grabbed his lunch, Kiana came running up from a distance, grabbed him without a word, and dragged him toward the rooftop.
"Class monitor, I want to introduce you to my best friend," Kiana said as she looked back at Fu Lin
"You mean Raiden Mei, right?"
"Huh? How do you know?" Kiana was surprised.
"Everyone in the school knows you stick to Raiden Mei like glue. How could you not be aware?"
"Really? I didn't realize our relationship was so well-known." Kiana laughed sheepishly.
When they reached the rooftop, they saw Mei sitting on a chair, holding two lunchboxes. Kiana let go of Fu Lin's hand and rushed over to Mei.
The sight of the two hugging caused Fu Lin's eyes to widen in shock. The four large slime-like figures colliding together created waves, something Fu Lin couldn't believe even a hundred Fu Hua's and Sirin's could pull off.
"Ahem!" Fu Lin decided to remind them of his presence by clearing his throat.
Hearing the sound, Mei quickly let go, gently pushing Kiana, who was still snuggling against her, her face flushed as she looked at Fu Lin.
"Oh right! Mei, this is Fu Lin, our class monitor. Last night, he treated me to a bunch of delicious food," Kiana suddenly remembered and hastily introduced Fu Lin to Mei.
"Nice to meet you, Mei-senpai. It's a pleasure."
"Ah, h-hello," Mei replied nervously, staring at Fu Lin. Ever since her father went to jail, she had been met with cold stares and ridicule from others, and she wasn't sure if Fu Lin would do the same.
"You don't need to be so tense. Just treat me like a regular friend, Senpai," Fu Lin reassured, seeing Mei's nervousness.
"Mei, don't worry. Fu Lin isn't like that," Kiana said as she patted Mei's hip, causing Mei to blush deeply, her heart racing.
Mei, touched by Fu Lin's words, fought back tears and nodded.
"From now on, we're friends. You can just call me Mei, Fu Lin."
"Alright~ Let's eat first."
Fu Lin sat down on a nearby chair, opened the lunch he bought, and began to eat.
"Mei, I want some of your chicken nuggets."
"Don't you have your own?"
"But yours taste better, Mei~"
"I made both; how could they be any different? Fine, open your mouth."
"Ah~ Mmm! Yours is still the best, Mei."
Fu Lin, watching the pink bubbles of affection forming between the two, shoved another mouthful of rice into his mouth. For some reason, though, the meal tasted bitter.
Even though he ordered honey-glazed chicken rice, his mouth was filled with a sour taste. Trying to wash it down with some coffee only made the bitterness worse.
"Mei~ I want more."
"Sure, it's all yours. No one's going to steal it from you."
Kiana, snuggling against Mei's generous chest and happily eating the food Mei fed her, made Fu Lin inwardly curse, Kiana, you deceitful girl! You brought me here just to watch you show off your relationship!
Coincidentally, the school's loudspeaker began playing a song, leaving Fu Lin with a pained expression
I should be under the car,
Not here watching you both be so sweet.
And as you're so happy,
I'm filled with sour defeat…
(Some adjustments were made to the lyrics.)
"Fu Lin, are you okay?" Kiana noticed something was off with Fu Lin's expression and asked worriedly.
"It's nothing. The food just tastes a bit weird. The store probably ripped me off."
"Fu Lin, how about I start making lunch for you too?" Mei offered, hearing his complaint.
"Really? That'd be great! Thank you!" Fu Lin agreed without hesitation. Who wouldn't want home-cooked meals from Mei?
"It's no trouble. You said we're friends now, remember?"