Was Lin Ze afraid that Fu Jiang would leave? No! The Fu Jiang of the future would be arrogant, self-absorbed, and terrifying. The current Fu Jiang was just a spoiled brat, as evident from their previous interactions. She was very displeased! Even if she were truly rejected, she would certainly apply to join the club again. Conversely, if she were allowed to join easily, she would feel it was nothing special. Teasing her was actually quite fun, haha.
“Kayako and Hanako, what do you think?”
Hanako expressed indifference, and Kayako said that she would do whatever Lin Ze wanted. She didn't dislike Fu Jiang, just a little afraid that Lin Ze would be captivated by her and neglect her.
“We can't do that. Kayako, you are also a member of the club, and I need to consider your thoughts. I can't make all the decisions alone,” Lin Ze didn't want to be a dictator.
Kayako was satisfied. It was that simple. Lin Ze didn't ignore her because of Fu Jiang's beauty; he would always consider her feelings, and that was enough.
“I'm fine with it. I don't know Kawakami-san, but she's so popular, she must be a good person.” This was actually Kayako's genuine thoughts, putting Lin Ze aside.
“Hmm… then let her join. If it doesn't work out, we can just let her leave the club.”
Lin Ze's suggestion was unanimously approved.
Fu Jiang, still raging outside, was suddenly called back by Hanako, who had opened the door. “Fu Jiang-san, we're considered friends now, so we've decided to approve your application to join the club. Let me introduce you.”
“Kawakami Kayako, you've met her. Gentle and beautiful, just a little insecure. Hiraki Hanako, cute and cheerful, just a little too well-behaved. This is Kawakami Fu Jiang, uh, that's about it.”
“Why do I get this kind of introduction?” Fu Jiang was dissatisfied.
“We've only met a few times, and I learned your name from my friend Kobayashi Shunsuke. How would I know your personality?” Lin Ze said matter-of-factly.
“I'll introduce myself. Hello, I'm Kawakami Fu Jiang, beautiful, generous, and kind-hearted Kawakami Fu Jiang.”
“Pfft, nobody praises themselves like that.” Lin Ze couldn't help but interject with a laugh.
“I'm just trying to be agreeable to you, you bastard!” She couldn't hold it in any longer, Fu Jiang finally snapped.
Kayako looked at the two of them with some worry, but Lin Ze was like a carefree person, laughing loudly, “Hahaha, I just find it weird, my fault, my fault, hahahaha.”
Lin Ze was genuinely laughing, but he was also testing Fu Jiang's limits. Fu Jiang's influence was the kind that subtly twisted reality to fulfill one's deepest desires. He needed to know how far he could go in interacting with Fu Jiang in the future. Now, looking at Fu Jiang, who was gnashing her teeth, Lin Ze understood that she was fine with this level of interaction. After all, she was currently displaying the anger of a friend, definitely not genuinely enraged.
After scolding Lin Ze, a strange feeling surged through Fu Jiang. It was… complicated? She had never experienced anything like this before…
Fu Jiang had many people around her, but were they friends? She wasn't sure, because those people didn't even engage in this kind of playful teasing and banter. Only Lin Ze, who wasn't affected by her, treated her this way.
Looking at Lin Ze's hearty laughter, she finally just pouted, “Fine, fine, I'm not laughing anymore. It's normal for friends to joke around.”
Fu Jiang snorted, sitting beside Kayako, causing Kayako to quietly shift away. Fu Jiang wanted to understand Kayako. What was it about her that made Lin Ze care so much?
“Don't bully them, Fu Jiang.”
Fu Jiang stuck her tongue out at Lin Ze, “Psh, I wouldn't.”
“Kayako, do you think Lin Ze is being too much?” Fu Jiang was looking for an ally.
“Ah? No… no, right? Lin Ze is just joking. He wouldn't really mock Fu Jiang-san.”
“…”
“Hanako, you tell me!”
“Haha, Lin Ze is really just joking, Fu Jiang, don't be angry.”
…She had inflicted self-harm. They were unconditionally siding with Lin Ze.
“Oh, our club has a TV and computer! But the bookshelf is a little empty. Maybe I'll go buy some books to fill it up.”
Seeing Fu Jiang's clumsy attempt to change the subject, Lin Ze didn't continue teasing her and played along, “We do need to add some books. What genres do you all like? We can make a list, and I'll buy them.”
Kayako was about to say she was okay with anything, but Fu Jiang pulled her and Hanako into a discussion.
Lin Ze didn't bother the three girls who were discussing together. He ate his lunch while thinking, “Maybe Fu Jiang joining is a good thing. Hanako and Kayako are too passive, Fu Jiang can motivate them to make up for that. Fu Jiang is too untruthful, so Kayako and Hanako's sincerity is the best ultimate move. Aside from Hanako, who's more stable, the other two need to be watched closely. It's going to be interesting from now on.”
In the afternoon, Fu Jiang even went to find Hanako and Kayako a few times during class breaks, which did cause quite a stir in the school. The school's most beautiful girl had gone to see the school's most solitary student, and they seemed to be getting along well?
The lunch exchange gave Fu Jiang a different feeling. Unlike the people who currently surrounded her, Fu Jiang could sense that Kayako and Hanako weren't flattering her. Hanako had been actively livening up the atmosphere, and even Kayako wasn't as bad as the rumors said. She was actually very pretty, just with her hair covering her face. Her personality was gentle and timid. Even when Fu Jiang deliberately jabbed at her, she just said sorry in a pitiful way, making Fu Jiang feel embarrassed. She was just as Lin Ze described, a little self-conscious and socially anxious.
“Fu Jiang, are you listening to us?”
“Hmm? Sorry, I was spacing out.” Back in the classroom, Fu Jiang returned to her elegant and dignified image, but inside, she was inexplicably agitated.
“We were saying, Fu Jiang, you should stay away from that girl named Kawakami Kayako. Don't let that weirdo rub off on you. And that guy named Lin Ze, he's always with Kawakami Kayako. Who knows what kind of improper relationship they have? Maybe he's already been infected by her too.”
“Hahaha, what kind of relationship could they have? Before, I thought that Lin Ze was tall, handsome, and pretty good. But I don't know how he got hooked up with that Kayako. It's so disgusting.”
“I also heard that Lin Ze bullied Kawakami Kayako and Hiraki Hanako, making them cry during their afternoon nap. He's not a good person either.”
The boys and girls around them chattered on. Fu Jiang's anger began to burn. She didn't understand why she was angry. That's right! Although Lin Ze always annoyed her, he was definitely not the person they described. Hanako and Kayako treated her like a friend, and they definitely weren't like what they said!
“Shut up! They're not that kind of people.” The words slipped out unintentionally.
Silence fell around her for a moment, then the people around her awkwardly smiled and dispersed. The girls looked at her with strange eyes, and the boys' gazes towards her changed as well.
The feeling of suffocation dissipated. Nobody approached her during the break. Suddenly, Fu Jiang twitched her ears. She heard whispers coming from behind, discussing… her!