Chapter Seventeen: A Maiden's Heart Takes Flight

Liu Mengchao’s confession was like a storm, instantly throwing everyone’s thoughts into disarray. Terrible! Hua Weiwei stared in astonishment at the calm and composed Liu Mengchao on the podium. She hadn’t even decided on a method to sabotage Liu Mengchao’s pursuit of Katsura Kotonoha, and yet, in such a situation, Liu Mengchao had already confessed to her, catching her completely off guard!

Caught off guard as well was Teacher Tooyama, standing beside the podium. In all his life, he had never witnessed such a sensational, novel-like confession.

So much for the stereotype of strictly reserved Chinese students! Those tabloid reporters must have written their articles with their eyes closed!

But Liu Mengchao gave no one much time to think.

“That concludes my speech!”

Liu Mengchao, like a victorious monarch, calmly returned to his seat. His deskmate, Katsura Kotonoha, still kept her head down, not daring to meet his gaze.

It must be androphobia, Liu Mengchao recalled. He’d once read about it in a medical journal. Of course, his real interest had been in a paper series on “A Concise NLP Psychotherapy” featured in the magazine. Neuro-Linguistic Programming—though some of its content seemed dubious to Liu Mengchao—was nonetheless persuasive.

And so, he had also learned about androphobia.

Androphobia is a type of phobia characterized by an unconditional, acute fear of men, which persists even when the sufferer knows such fear is irrational. Those afflicted become extremely tense and unnatural around men, not simply “shy”—the symptoms are severe, often resulting in blushing, stammering, or even refusing to speak to men.

In other words... Kotonoha never communicated with classmates, feared contact with boys, and even felt terror. Even when she harbored feelings of love, she took no action.

This was a social anxiety disorder.

Psychologically, according to Liu Mengchao’s understanding, treatment for androphobia was to let it resolve itself. When someone’s desire for something grows strong enough, the sufferer will eventually overcome their fear, no matter what.

Will you be like that? Liu Mengchao turned to look at Kotonoha, still quietly sobbing. She tensed her body, unwilling to reveal any weakness in front of the one she liked.

Then what’s the point of me, someone well-versed in psychology? Since there’s social anxiety at play, I might as well play the therapist for once.

Liu Mengchao reached out and gently tapped the desk in front of Kotonoha.

The crisp tapping sound immediately caught the girl’s attention.

Tap, tap.

Liu Mengchao pulled a pencil from his pocket and wrote on his own desk:

“I saw you this morning.”

A stifled sob...

Kotonoha’s crying stopped abruptly.

Good! Liu Mengchao smiled—things were progressing smoothly. At the very least, he had made her stop crying.

“Your shoes are lovely. Especially that pink bow.”

Really? Kotonoha’s eyes suddenly widened in delight, filled with joy. She wanted so much to reply right then.

“Did I scare you with my actions today?” Liu Mengchao knew it was time to press further. “If so, I won’t disturb you anymore from now on.”

Tap.

Swish, swish!

Kotonoha hurriedly took out her pen from her case and anxiously scribbled on the desk.

“It’s not that.”

Good, we can finally communicate. Liu Mengchao grinned, and Kotonoha smiled as well.

“At noon, let’s meet on the rooftop and have lunch together.”

“Okay!”

In that instant, the girl’s heart seemed ready to take flight.

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“Qingqing, didn’t Sekai lend us the rooftop key? Why are we eating outside at lunchtime?” Outside the gates of Sakakino Academy, Makoto Itou asked, puzzled, as Zhang Qingqing held his arm.

“You’re not allowed to call another girl’s name so endearingly.” Zhang Qingqing turned, pouting at Makoto. “I already gave the rooftop key to someone else.”

Why?

Makoto’s eyes were filled with confusion.

“Because,” Zhang Qingqing smiled, rising on her toes. Her crimson lips once again brushed Makoto’s, “I don’t want anyone knowing where we are. I belong only to you.”

“Mmm...” Makoto nodded as he indulged in the sweetness Zhang Qingqing offered.

Their bodies clung together, only separating after a long while.

“Makoto...” Zhang Qingqing, feigning weakness, leaned against him. “I know what you want...”

“Qingqing.”

Hearing her words, Makoto’s throat suddenly grew parched.

“But...”

“But what? I’d do anything for you.” Makoto’s eyes shone with sincerity.

“Really?”

“Yes! Se—ah... Saionji told me that since I’m in a relationship with you, I should be devoted to my girlfriend.”

“Devoted?” Zhang Qingqing’s breath teased Makoto’s ear. “Then I want you never to contact Sekai Saionji again. I don’t like her, because I want Makoto Itou to talk only to me.”

“But…”

“This is your test. If you don’t speak to any other girls before the school festival,” Zhang Qingqing pressed herself against him, her full chest sending Makoto’s soul soaring, “I’ll do whatever it is you love so much.”

“I won’t say a single word to any of them again!” Makoto’s eyes brimmed with resolve.

“And if you run into them on the way?”

“I’ll pretend they don’t exist!”

“That’s my clever, wonderful boyfriend!” Zhang Qingqing laughed happily. “Close your eyes, darling.”

As soon as Makoto obeyed, another girl’s voice sounded in his ear.

It was Hua Weiwei. Her hair was a little tousled, the buttons of her uniform undone, revealing the white shirt beneath.

Makoto’s gaze froze all over again.

“Qingqing... This is bad!”

Hua Weiwei’s eyes were filled with tension and fear.

“What is it...?” Zhang Qingqing frowned, clearly displeased at such an interruption.

“Liu Mengchao! Liu Mengchao!” Hua Weiwei gasped, catching her breath. “She took Katsura Kotonoha up to the rooftop.”

“Oh?” Zhang Qingqing’s smile remained. “And what of it?”

“He—he confessed to her today! And she actually accepted him!”

Katsura Kotonoha... Liu Mengchao...

The two names suddenly echoed in Makoto Itou’s ears, and he remembered the girl who had once graced his phone’s standby screen.

Katsura Kotonoha... She has a boyfriend now?

In his mind’s eye, the lovely, approachable girl was, at this very moment, sitting on the rooftop of Sakakino Academy, cautiously watching Liu Mengchao, who sat at the other end of the bench.

Because the boy she liked had suddenly started smiling.

Yes, Liu Mengchao was smiling—smiling with genuine joy. All because of the notification from the system panel.

The prize pool had risen again, and now the total was... 10,000.

Hua Weiwei and Zhang Qingqing, the two actresses—have you finally shared your news? Are you both shocked, I wonder?

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The scheduled update at 1:00 a.m. will be moved to 8:00 tomorrow morning... I’m afraid if I keep writing, I’ll lose more sleep... Ugh, it’s freezing—please recommend, bookmark, and warm my bed!