"Of course."
Shiki Natsu smiled and agreed.
This beautiful girl, who usually preferred solitude and was full of mystery, had actively issued an invitation. As a gentleman, it was naturally impossible to refuse.
Moreover, he was indeed full of curiosity regarding Shiraishi Asuka.
"Then, please wait for a mont, Shiki-san."
Shiraishi Asuka spoke politely, then took the few kraft paper notebooks she had selected and walked towards the checkout counter.
Soon, Shiraishi Asuka returned holding a bag containing the notebooks, a faint apology on her face.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Shiki-san."
"It's nothing."
Well, saying 'sorry to keep you waiting' was just a politeness. After all, paying with Private Points didn't even take half a minute.
"So, does Shiki-san have a recomnded place?"
Shiraishi Asuka turned her head, looking at Shiki Natsu as she asked.
"I rarely go to other places usually, so I'm not too familiar with the shops around here. I'll have to trouble Shiraishi-san for a recomndation."
"Hmm, let think."
Shiki Natsu thought for a mont, but didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked a question in return.
"Has Shiraishi-san eaten breakfast yet?"
"Not yet."
Shiraishi Asuka shook her head.
"I originally planned to buy a sandwich at the convenience store on the way back after buying the notebooks to settle it."
"That works out perfectly."
Shiki Natsu snapped his fingers.
"Let's go to that bakery with the very good reviews. The environnt there is relatively quiet and suitable for chatting. Plus, the freshly baked bread should taste quite good."
"Okay, let's listen to Shiki-san then."
Shiraishi Asuka nodded obediently and followed behind Shiki Natsu.
Soon, they arrived at their destination.
Just as they pushed open the door, a rich aroma of milk and wheat wafted over them, whetting their appetites.
There weren't many people in the shop. Since it was early in the morning, there were basically only two people. It was indeed a good place suitable for chatting.
The two chose a seat by the window and sat down.
Shiki Natsu took the nu, looked at it for a while, and recomnded, "This is my first ti here too, but I heard the signature maple croissant here is quite good. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Would Shiraishi-san like to try it?"
"Sure."
Shiraishi Asuka readily agreed.
"Then I'll have a maple croissant, and add a cup of hot milk."
After placing the order, the two sat facing each other, the atmosphere slightly quiet.
Shiki Natsu had originally intended to start a topic first, but before he could speak, Shiraishi Asuka broke the silence first.
"Shiki-san."
She held the water cup in front of her with both hands, those soft purple eyes landing on Shiki Natsu's face.
"Hmm?"
Shiki Natsu decided to remain quiet for the ti being, acting as a listener to see what this beautiful girl intended to say to him.
"I think Shiki-san really is a very gentle boy."
Shiraishi Asuka said suddenly, her tone sincere and natural.
"Moreover, your popularity in the class is also very high. It feels like everyone trusts you very much and is willing to gather around you."
As expected of Shiraishi Asuka, starting off with a complint?
It seed she really understood the rules of chatting. After all... there is no one in this world who dislikes being praised, especially when praised to their face by such a girl with outstanding temperant.
If so boys heard these words from Shiraishi Asuka, they might get carried away, perhaps even producing the illusion that 'she is interested in .'
But Shiki Natsu wouldn't, because Shiki Natsu knew that Shiraishi Asuka was telling the truth.
"Not at all, not at all."
Shiki Natsu waved his hand, speaking humbly.
"Shiraishi-san's popularity in the class is also very high."
He didn't know if Shiraishi Asuka had the self-awareness that 'actually, I am a high-popularity beautiful girl.'
"Is that so?"
Shiraishi Asuka smiled lightly, seeming not surprised by this evaluation.
"I do seem to have so popularity right now, but... I can't compare to Shiki-san. And this popularity of mine will likely only last for a short while temporarily. Once the novelty passes, I will beco a character with no popularity."
Although she said this, Shiraishi Asuka did not show any disappointnt at the prospect of becoming an unpopular character.
"No, my thoughts differ from Shiraishi-san's. I feel that Shiraishi-san will be very popular throughout the entire three years of high school."
Shiki Natsu shook his head slightly.
"Really?"
Listening to this tone, Shiraishi Asuka should be the type who isn't interested in this aspect.
She was completely different from Kushida Kikyou. If it were Kushida Kikyou, she would hope to be a character with considerable popularity, whereas Shiraishi Asuka seed not to value things like popularity.
Perhaps... she just isn't interested in people she doesn't care about?
"Let's skip the topic of popularity for now."
She adjusted her sitting posture, leaning her body slightly forward, a hint of curiosity revealing itself in her eyes.
"Actually, I want to ask a slightly private question. I wonder if Shiki-san can agree to answer ?"
A private question?
Could it be she wants to ask gossip questions like 'Do you have a girlfriend?' or 'What kind of girls do you like?'
He hadn't expected that the seemingly quiet and mysterious Shiraishi Asuka would actually have this kind of girlish side.
Shiki Natsu was very clear that in this school right now—whether in Class A, other classes, or even other grades—people were paying considerable attention to his relationship status.
After all, not only was he handso and capable, but he also frequently hung out with various beautiful girls. It was hard not to attract the attention and speculation of others.
Shiraishi Asuka quickly added a sentence.
"If Shiki-san feels it's a bit presumptuous, or inconvenient to answer, you don't have to force yourself."
"It's okay, go ahead and ask."
Shiki Natsu smiled, putting on a composed appearance.
"As long as you aren't asking for my bank card password."
"Fufu."
Shiraishi Asuka was amused. Then she straightened her expression and asked seriously.
Was her laugh actually not 'haha', 'hehe', or 'hoho'?
"Actually, what I want to ask is..."
"Shiki-san, did you go and practice your voice specifically?"
"Huh?"
Shiki Natsu froze for a mont.
Not asking about a girlfriend? But asking about his voice?
This focus... was truly peculiar.
"Because I am a person who is slightly sensitive to voices."
"I can feel that Shiki-san's current voice is completely different compared to when school first started."
"No, to be accurate..."
She narrowed her eyes slightly, seemingly recalling sothing.
"It should be that after that exchange student activity ended, Shiki-san's voice beca quite different."
Shiki Natsu's 'God of Songs' talent happened to be obtained during that exchange student week. In other words... did the other party notice it right when he finished the exchange student activity and returned?
"Then do you think..."
Shiki Natsu asked back with a smile.
"Compared to the start of school, has my voice beco better or worse now?"
"Of course it's even more charming."
Shiraishi Asuka answered quite frankly, without any hesitation.
"Thanks for the complint."
Shiki Natsu nodded, admitting it generously.
"I did indeed practice vocal techniques slightly. After all, the voice is also an important tool for communication."
"Just 'slightly' practicing... can lead to such a big change?"
Shiraishi Asuka revealed a sowhat incredulous expression, evidently skeptical about this degree of 'slightly'.
However, Shiki Natsu just smiled mysteriously and did not explain further.
Shiraishi Asuka tactfully did not pursue the question. Instead, she smiled and said to Shiki Natsu:
"Alright, I have already obtained the answer I wanted. So..."
"Chatting is about getting to understand each other's affairs. Next, it's Shiki-san's turn to ask questions."
"No matter what the question is, I will do my best to answer."
"Then, I won't stand on ceremony either."
Shiki Natsu put down the cup in his hand, looking at this enigma-like young girl before him.
"What I want to ask is..."
"What exactly is the reason that makes Shiraishi-san, who clearly likes being alone, think about occasionally increasing opportunities to contact people?"
"This sounds... sowhat contradictory."
"If it were social anxiety, one should be trying their best to avoid social interaction. But your performance just now shows you are clearly very good at communicating with people."
Shiraishi Asuka blinked gently, seemingly not expecting Shiki Natsu to ask this question.
"This question, well..."
She tilted her head, putting on a thinking posture, her index finger tapping lightly on the tabletop.
"I also have to think carefully about how to give an accurate answer."
That serious thinking appearance actually looked sowhat cute.
After a while, she spoke slowly to explain:
"I genuinely like solitude, because solitude can make feel calm. But..."
"I also want to understand intelligence from the outside world a little bit."
"Contact with people is the most convenient and also the most direct way to obtain intelligence."
She added a sentence silently in her heart: If not to observe a certain person, I probably wouldn't think about contacting people, right?
Of course, she did not say this sentence out loud.
"Does a '' like this look very strange?"
Shiraishi Asuka turned her face slightly to look at Shiki Natsu.
"Not at all."
Shiki Natsu shook his head slightly.
"Everyone has their own way of life. As long as you feel comfortable yourself, then there is no problem. I won't judge Shiraishi-san's way of life; I was just slightly curious."
"That's great."
Hearing this, a shallow smile appeared on Shiraishi Asuka's face.
"Shiki-san didn't think I was a weirdo, so I'm relieved."
"Although my abilities are ordinary, I am also a mber of Class A. If there is anything Shiki-san needs to do, feel free to ask. I will do my best to help."
"After all, we can't let Shiki-san work hard leading Class A forward all alone forever. I also want to contribute a little strength."
"Then I'll rely on you when the need arises."
Shiki Natsu nodded with a smile.
Just then, the waiter walked over carrying their al.
The fragrant maple croissants and hot milk were placed on the table.
"Let's eat."
The two enjoyed breakfast while continuing to chat idly.
After eating for a while, Shiraishi Asuka suddenly raised her head, looked at Shiki Natsu, and asked:
"Speaking of which, is Shiki-san's weekend ti always free? I feel like Shiki-san should belong to the type whose weekends are also packed with arrangents."
"I just happened to be free this week. But..."
"It is precisely because I didn't make appointnts with others that I happened to et Shiraishi-san today."
"Being able to chat happily with you like this, I feel very happy."
"Is that so?"
The smile on Shiraishi Asuka's face deepened a little.
"It's good that I didn't leave Shiki-san with a bad mood because of eting ."
"How could that be."
Shiki Natsu put down the hot milk in his hand.
"Alright, Shiraishi-san has finished asking questions. So next... it should be my turn again."
"?"
Shiraishi Asuka froze slightly, then said with so amusent:
"Shiki-san is slightly cunning. Clearly, that one just now didn't count as a formal question, right?"
"But... please, go ahead."
"What I want to say is..."
Shiki Natsu looked at her, his tone very gentle.
"If Shiraishi-san ever thinks about increasing opportunities to contact others more, or wants to make so friends..."
"You can find for help at any ti."
"I do know quite a few people. Although not many, but... I feel I can find friends who can get along with Shiraishi-san. Of course, if Shiraishi-san plans to find to chat, that is also no problem. If it's Shiraishi-san, I will make ti."
Speaking of this, he paused, adding with so self-mockery:
"A statent like mine, being a busybody like a mother hen, won't make Shiraishi-san dislike , right?"
"Not at all."
Shiraishi Asuka smiled and shook her head.
"I am very grateful for Shiki-san's kindness."
"If there is a need... I will definitely seek Shiki-san's help again."
After finishing breakfast, just as Shiki Natsu wanted to take out his phone to pay points.
"Please wait."
Shiraishi Asuka reached out and stopped him.
"This ti, please let pay by all ans."
"? How can I do that? I brought you here..."
"No, it was I who actively invited Shiki-san."
Shiraishi Asuka smiled.
"Moreover... this is also to thank Shiki-san for letting spend such a nice morning, and also to thank you for the contributions you've made to Class A."
"If you don't let treat you, I will feel uneasy."
Looking at those eyes that brooked no refusal, Shiki Natsu smiled helplessly.
"Alright, then I shall respectfully accept."
Shiraishi Asuka went to settle the bill, and then walked out of the bakery with Shiki Natsu. The two stopped at the intersection.
"Then, I will go back to the dormitory first."
Shiraishi Asuka hugged her notebooks and bowed slightly to Shiki Natsu.
"Goodbye, Shiki-san."
"Goodbye."
Shiki Natsu nodded.
"By the way."
Just before turning to leave, Shiraishi Asuka suddenly turned back, waved to Shiki Natsu, and wore a gentle smile on her face.
"Shiki-san, in the duel with Nagumo-senpai, you must do your best."
"We will all support you."
"And..."
"If I can sit and chat with Shiki-san like this next ti, it will be my turn to ask Shiki-san questions. Please be prepared~"
After saying that, she left with light steps.
Shiki Natsu smiled and waved his hand. If they chatted next ti, could he perhaps ask slightly about what intelligence Shiraishi Asuka intended to obtain?
____
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