Chapter 1, Only Fools Fall in Love
From friends to lovers, three years is sufficient; at the very least, it should not end with a confession followed by rejection
"I am not joking, I am just a pervert!" Kitahara Hidetoshi glanced at the time, feeling that he had wasted too much of it. He planned to use his lunch break to browse some books in the library, so he emphasized, "I am not interested in girls over the age of fourteen, it can't be helped, it's just how I am, so... Takasaki-san, may I leave now?"
He arrived at the cafeteria, lost in his thoughts, and immediately spotted two nuisances standing at the entrance—this time, they were two boys who inexplicably claimed to be his friends on the day of the 7th opening ceremony of the Private Daifuku Academy.
Perhaps this is what they call love at first sight! Please, do not laugh at me! I have been thinking these past few days... I have been thinking how wonderful it would be to be with Kitahara. Although we have not known each other for long, I want to understand Kitahara better. However, I am so worried that Kitahara might fall for someone else, so... She is indeed serious and hopes to try dating Kitahara Hidetaka, but after stammering for a while, she became too shy to continue, and thus directly asked with anticipation: "Or can we start as friends?"
As she spoke, she recalled that afternoon—under the gentle and bright sunlight, a handsome young man sat by the window, engrossed in his reading, his gaze profound and his expression focused... That earnest demeanor was truly captivating, stirring the heart and providing a sense of comfort and reliability
Kitahara Hidetoshi randomly nodded towards Uchida Yuma, who leaned in with a gossiping expression and asked in a conspiratorial whisper: "Kitahara, what did Takasaki want with you? Hehe, is he confessing his feelings to you?" Earlier, the three of them were heading to the cafeteria when Takasaki Mako caught up with them. Uchida Yuma was eager to hear what Takasaki Mako had to say, but was forcibly dragged away by Shikishima Ritsu. Now, waiting at the entrance of the cafeteria, he was already itching with curiosity—he had a strong desire to know things, especially matters between men and women.
Dear Takasaki, the type I like is loli—girls aged 8 to 14, with 8 years old being the best
The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward
Ah! Takasaki did not expect that Kitahara Shuji would be so unyielding, refusing even the opportunity to be friends in the face of a sincere and heartfelt confession. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, "What type does Kitahara-san like?"
Kitahara, why are you so slow
Who would say they like lolis when faced with a confession? What is this? What kind of reason is this? This is one's own initial feelings! Is this how they are treated?
Unfortunately, Kitahara Hidetoshi's response struck her like a bolt from the blue
Studying, gaining admission to a prestigious university, starting a business, achieving success in one's career, and then finding a partner to marry and have children after establishing a material foundation—this is the correct trajectory of life
She blocked the way, feeling somewhat embarrassed but still quite brave, and said, "Kitahara, I know that confessing suddenly is quite presumptuous, and it may cause you some trouble, but please believe me, I am not a frivolous person!" After explaining, she became even more bashful, slightly turning her face, twisting her delicate, slender fingers through the black hair that hung down by her ear, and continued, "The day before yesterday at noon, I encountered you in the library..."
Kitahara Shuji turned a deaf ear, while Uchida Yuma usually resembled a lovesick rabbit, and today was no exception. He headed straight for the sales window, seizing the moment to buy something to eat—there were so many things to do, time could not be wasted
A love letter suddenly thrust itself in front of Kitahara Shuji. If he hadn't leaned back slightly, he might have been pierced through by it. He looked at the girl in front of him with some annoyance, unsure of what she was trying to convey. After a moment, he said: "Ibisumi, I truly apologize, but I am not currently considering a romantic relationship, so..."
Uchida Yuma was even more surprised, closely following Kitahara Shuji's side, and even wanted to reach out and wrap his arm around his neck, chattering incessantly: "Haven't you agreed? Kitahara, are you foolish? High school is a battlefield, after all; it's always the quick who get the spoils. You don't want this opportunity to take the lead? You can have a girlfriend in your first year of high school, what more do you want? It's a waste, a waste... You will definitely regret it in the future..." You can have a girlfriend in your first year of high school, what more do you want? It's a waste, a waste... You will definitely regret it in the future...
As for the person beside Yuma Uchida, he is Ritsu Shima, a childhood friend of Yuma Tanaue. It is said that the two have miraculously been in the same class from kindergarten through elementary school and all the way to high school. If one of them were replaced with a girl, it would be a standard template of childhood sweethearts destined to marry in the future. Unfortunately, they are both boys, so they can only be considered standard good friends.
Although he mispronounced her surname, he felt that the meaning had been clearly conveyed and there was no need to repeat it. After he finished speaking, he intended to bypass Takasaki Mako, but she quickly stepped in front of him and said anxiously, "Hey, please wait a moment, Kitahara-san, I haven't finished speaking yet!"
The sunlight in early April was bright and gentle at noon, casting his shadow on the glass window of the corridor. He glanced sideways at this still somewhat unfamiliar face, his head still aching. The boy in the window had a slender build but was very handsome, with standard sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, a perfect high nose, and slightly naturally curly hair tips, giving him a mixed-race appearance, the kind that would immediately signal to the audience that he was the righteous protagonist as soon as he appeared in a television drama.
... ...
The behavior of these young girls is simply baffling What is the purpose of this
In just under ten days since the start of the school year, I have already discovered four love letters and books in the shoe cabinet. Today, someone even "held me up" to confess directly. Is it because of this face that trouble arises, or is it due to an excessively high "charm value"
His hobby is to observe girls with the gaze of a scavenger eyeing a corpse, both wanting to consume and fearing that the other party is not completely dead. It has been less than ten days since the start of the school year, and it is said that his reputation among the girls is already extremely poor. Kitahara Hidetaka inadvertently overheard a few conversations among the girls, all expressing that being stared at by this classmate Uchida Yuma is both disgusting and uncomfortable, as if they are trapped in a nightmare.
Hidetaka Kitahara hurried to the school cafeteria, where there were not many students heading there. Most people still brought their own bento from home. He was currently studying away from home alone and did not have the means to do otherwise. The school cafeteria offered subsidized meals; although the taste was mediocre, the prices were low and the portions were sufficient, definitely enough to fill his stomach
Unlike Yuma Uchida, Ritsu Shikishima leaves a relatively positive impression on Hidetaka Kitahara. This young man has a gentle temperament and is not very talkative. Except for being a bit irritable towards his childhood friend Yuma Uchida, he is very polite in his interactions with others. It is evident that he has received a good upbringing and education, and he is quite thoughtful, understanding of others' feelings, making him relatively easy to get along with
It is just the current situation ... These young girls cannot be hit, and it is also inappropriate to scold them outright, so the only option left is to resort to self-deprecation for self-preservation
After silently apologizing, he raised his wrist to check the time, indicating that he was in a hurry, and then softly said: "Classmate Gaoqi, if there is nothing else, I am preparing to go have lunch."
Aside from his somewhat pale complexion, even this man must admit that he is truly a handsome young man
What kind of foolishness would lead one to engage in a romantic relationship during high school? To waste time on a relationship that is destined to yield no results is nothing short of a joke! Life is exceedingly brief, with only a mere 20,000 days, and it cannot be squandered recklessly!
Hidetaka Kitahara did not want to admit it, but he also did not want to ruin his integrity by lying about such a trivial matter, so he ambiguously nodded. At that moment, Yuma Uchida was taken aback, and after a moment, he reacted and hurriedly chased after Hidetaka Kitahara, repeatedly asking, "Did you agree? Ah, you must have agreed!" He began to pound his chest and stomp his feet, saying, "Takasaki is great, she's beautiful and has a good figure. I've had my eye on her for a long time and was just about to make my move, but I didn't expect you to get there first!"
Kitahara Hidetoshi looked at him helplessly and said, "I did not agree!"
As he spoke, he stepped through the door, while Yuma Uchida had merely intended to make a joke about Shuji Kitahara. At this moment, Kitahara, instead of responding, became genuinely suspicious and asked in surprise, "Did she really confess to you?"
He no longer considered how Takasaki Mako felt after being rejected by him, nor did he care whether she would spread rumors out of anger—although he was neither a lolicon nor a pervert, he actually hoped that Takasaki Mako would publicize it everywhere, so that all the girls would hate him, thus ensuring that no one would disturb him again
Only a fool would talk about being in love now
Go for it, Mako
Mako Takasaki was taken aback; no matter how confident she was, she could not possibly have the ability to live backward, to go from sixteen years old back to eight. After a moment of stunned silence, she incredulously asked, "Are you... are you joking? This is... this is abnormal, isn't it?"
I hope you will not bother me again, please do not come back!
One of the thin, small boys with a buzz cut took the lead in greeting. ... Kitahara Shuji glanced at him; this guy's name is Uchida Yuma. Although he looks a bit sleazy, in reality, he ... ... is indeed quite sleazy, and his face is not wasted—his appearance can be described positively as having somewhat of a shifty look, and negatively as being treacherous and despicable, resembling a cunning villain, the kind that specializes in giving bad advice to the villainous boss.
High school is like putting a group of lovesick rabbits together, causing immense headaches! What to do about these troubles that come out of nowhere? Surely, one cannot wash their face with sulfuric acid? Or perhaps redistribute some points to lower the "charm value" below 10? ... But figuring out how to get some water for washing is also a problem
Classmate Kitahara, please go out with me
Before he could finish his sentence, the girl looked up in surprise and interrupted him with some disbelief: "Um... Kitahara, I am Takasaki Mako."
Kitahara Hidetoshi fell into a brief silence, lowering his head to apologize—after all, miscalling someone’s name carries an implication of disrespect. However, this cannot be entirely blamed on him; the girl looked somewhat familiar, and she must be a classmate without a doubt. Yet, the girls in the class are all of similar age, and they usually wear the same school uniform... even their speaking tones and mannerisms are alike. If one does not take a close look at their faces... it truly becomes difficult to distinguish them.
Hidetaka Kitahara avoided the question and went directly to the cafeteria, smiling as he said, "I apologize for keeping you waiting, let's hurry and have our meal!"
Hidetaka Kitahara maintained a blank expression while patiently listening and carefully studying the facial expressions of Masako Takasaki. He found them to be quite sincere, but he was not interested in discussing any romantic matters at the moment, so he directly said: "Takasaki, I’m sorry, but let me put it this way: you are not my type!"
She is quite confident in herself. Although her academic performance may not match that of others, it is still at a high level, ranking among the top in her grade. Her athletic abilities are also commendable, and she has achieved excellent results in the city’s classical music competition, winning a group first prize and an individual second prize. More importantly, she possesses striking beauty and a fit physique—if Kitahara Hidetoshi were to express a preference for someone with long black straight hair, waist-length hair, a graceful figure, exceptional temperament, or shared interests, she would be completely confident in meeting those expectations