"No!"
Filly’s firm reaction left Ash a bit perplexed, even making him doubt his own judgnt: "Don’t you like him?"
"Well, even if I do have a crush on Senior Demir, it’s just natural," Filly said helplessly. "There are many people who like the senior, just like ."
Ash: "Beauty is only worthy of the strong!"
Rose and Vishi glanced at him and continued eating.
"But for so many years, no rumors have ever circulated around the senior; he’s been solely focused on his studies and research, which ans he doesn’t intend to pursue a romantic relationship." Filly lowered her head and fidgeted with her hands, "If I rashly get close, the most likely outco is... we’ll remain friends just like now."
"And..." Her voice got quieter, "if I ask him out and get rejected... that would be so embarrassing..."
Ash pondered for a mont. Demir has been single for years, probably because Demi is single in reality. Although he wanted to say there’s nothing disgraceful about a failed date, he thought carefully, realizing he gets so nervous even dating the Sword Maiden he knows so well, let alone the pure-hearted little Filly.
"I understand."
Filly breathed a sigh of relief, watching Ash pull out his phone and start dialing.
...
...
On the other side, backstage in the auditorium, the dean was furiously scolding the students.
"You all think the school isn’t disgraced enough, huh?" He pointed outside and said, "The lab building will take months to repair, and the school will be laughed at for months! The gas explosion blew up half the lab building just because our fire safety standards weren’t up to par, and our school ranking has already dropped three places — no school before us has ever dropped ranking because of fire safety!"
"Making history," Lea whistled.
"And now you put on this stunt at such an important award ceremony, with reporters watching!" the dean yelled. "Couldn’t you handle this peacefully afterward? Why do you have to make the school lose face like this?"
"The school is embarrassed because so people lack sha..." Lea shot a sidelong glance at Ulus and Lascar, muttering.
"You, be quiet!"
The dean snapped at Lea, then turned to Demir and said, "Demir, I thought you were the one student I didn’t have to worry about, and yet you caused trouble too? Can’t you discuss your issues with Ulus and Lascar privately? I thought you were sensible and considerate of the bigger picture, and yet you act like this?"
Demir kept his head down, not responding.
After scolding them, the dean sighed and said, "You’ve disrupted Ulus and Lascar’s award ceremony — don’t you feel any sense of accountability? Students should be kind to each other, not harbor animosity like enemies. You should resolve issues through proper channels, not act recklessly. Apologize to your classmates!"
Ulus and Lascar had odd expressions, casting sidelong glances at Demir but remaining silent. Lea seed to want to say sothing but turned her head away, seeing Demir’s silent figure.
A mont later, the dean’s voice grew more stern: "Demir Vosloda!"
Upon hearing his surna, Demir shivered slightly. He took a deep breath and said, "I..."
Ring ring ring —
Everyone paused, and then the dean pulled out his phone to take a call. His expression turned deferential, nodding continuously, but his face soon beca extrely grim, and his final "alright" sounded squeezed out like water from a wrung towel.
He set down the phone, his face a complex mixture of emotions as he looked at the students before him.
"The University Cup committee is initiating a review process to reevaluate the eligibility for the chemistry award. Any fraud or falsification discovered will be recorded in a report."
Ulus and Lascar instantly turned pale, while the dean looked at Demir, saying in a sowhat resigned tone, "Just now, Mr. Heath called to inform that he wants to invest in your research team and asked if you’re available in three days to speak with his second assistant Filly Lena at length."
Lea’s eyes widened: "What?!"
Demir was taken aback, then replied, "I am!"
"He also asked to tell you," the dean continued, "to properly thank his assistant; if not for her, he wouldn’t have known about this."
"Filly beca Heath’s assistant?" Lea murmured, "How’s that possible? Is Heath her long-lost brother?"
Demir paused for a mont, then suddenly turned to Lea:
"Miss Lea, do you have ti to chat with about Miss Filly?"
...
...
"Are! You! Crazy!?"
Filly lunged at Ash, but Rose held her back. The blonde girl was overwheld with indignation: "Why are you doing this to ? Are you ssing with ?"
"What’s the problem now?!" Ash was shocked: "I just created a dating opportunity for you; the two of you are just having a work discussion with a date on the side, there’s no who’s chasing who or asking who out!"
"But I — I can’t date Senior Demir!"
"Why not?"
"I get so nervous around him that I can’t speak and even stutter." Filly was at her wit’s end, "How am I supposed to date like this?"
Ash didn’t mind: "You’re just too nervous; you’ll get used to it."
"Besides, I don’t even know how to date; what am I supposed to do during a date?" Filly asked. "What if I don’t do well and he ends up hating more?"
"Leave that to us," Ash said cheerfully. "We absolutely can help you —"
He turned back, and his voice was imdiately cut off.
Rose: Clearly a social outcast who’s never been on a date.
He himself: Just happened to be thrown into the Kingdom of Allstars before my first date.
Finally, Ash could only look at Vishi, who wore a mischievous grin.
"Have you even been on a date?"
"I have extensive experience interacting with all kinds of races and genders," Vishi laughed. "So targets I need to ambush to make sure I kill them."
"And I’ve scouted every corner of the world in the two days I arrived; I know all the fun places worth visiting, you definitely ca to the right person for advice."
Ash: "I could ask Igula too."
"Igula returns ho so late and exhausted every day; do you really want to bother him?"
"Tsk..."
"Leave it to , Master," Vishi politely said. "However, even if I plan out the perfect date itinerary, Filly is going on her first date and has such significant social drawbacks. I think we need to rehearse beforehand; otherwise, even the best plan could turn into a disaster."
"Rehearse?"
"Let’s go on a date, Master." Vishi licked her lips and smiled. "It can also serve as your preparation for your future date with the Sword Maiden."
User Comments
0 comments from readers