Let's do it again, Yukino.

The young Chinese girl seemed to need to explain something more.

"If anyone else had said that to me, I would have slapped them twice without hesitation. Don't you think only losers would say something like that?"

Springtime's tone became slightly more forceful.

Moreover, he didn't really like the excuse that Xiaoliu Mei came up with.

……

Liu Mei wasn't afraid of Haruhi in front of her; she could also tell that this older brother meant her no harm.

The little girl couldn't help but raise her head lightly. In front of her gaze was a sky where azure and pure white intertwined, and the sun was hanging high in the sky, its shimmering light constantly shining on the two people in the forest.

The young Chinese girl said, "It doesn't matter if those girls don't make friends. They'll meet new people and become friends with them in high school next year."

Perhaps it was the sadness in his young apprentice's eyes as he gazed towards the hopeful future that was the problem.

Chunri simply shook his head and smiled. He didn't intend to force the elementary school student studying abroad to understand everything.

Flowers bloom and fade, clouds gather and disperse, relationships come and go, people gather and scatter.

Even if he and Xiaoliumei hadn't had that special connection, they might have just been passersby on the road of life.

"I'm very sorry, but what you're talking about won't happen."

However, while Haruhi remained silent, a certain Snow Minister spoke up coldly.

Rumi, who had been focusing her attention on Haruhi, turned her gaze toward Yukino, who was standing behind Haruhi, with a look that seemed to be filled with resentment when she heard the voice that shattered her illusion. Yukino, who calmly accepted the gaze, smiled slightly and continued to speak without any politeness.

“Usually, when you go to junior high or even high school, your classmates from the same elementary school will also go to junior high or even high school. At that time, you may even be in the same class, and the stories that happened in elementary school will be repeated in your junior high or even high school.”

Xiaoxue was telling Xiaoliumei the story that had happened to her, and sure enough, Xiaoliumei followed along, somewhat worried.

"Is this also your friend?"

Feeling somewhat irritated, Rumi looked at Haruhi and couldn't help but frown as she asked.

"You mean Xiaoxue? She's not my friend..."

Chunri glanced at Xiaoxue, who was hugging her chest, then shook her head and answered Liumei's question frankly.

If we're talking about friends, Xiaoxue might cause trouble again soon.

His eyes darted around again, and he crouched down in front of Xiao Liu Mei.

"If I had to add 'female' before 'friend,' Xiaoxue is my favorite person."

Springtime whispered something slyly in Liu Mei's ear.

What I just said are all secrets between the two of them.

After saying that, the boy winked at Tsurumi Rumi quite playfully.

"Don't tell anyone else about this."

……

"What did you say to her? Were you talking badly about me?"

Looking at Haruhi, who seemed to be secretly telling the little girl some unspeakable secrets, Koyuki suspected that Haruhi Gian had ill intentions.

The latter's instant blush only strengthened Yukino's resolve to do so.

"This is a secret between me and Xiaoliumei!! I can't tell Xiaoxue."

Chunri pouted and shook her head decisively.

"Name? What's your name?"

However, Rumi looked up at Yukino.

"Before asking someone else's name, you should first state your own name."

Snow's sharp gaze looked down at Rumi, as if she were looking at her younger self, her eyes cold and dangerous.

Rumi also sensed a hint of terror in Yukinoshita's eyes and uncomfortably looked away.

"Rumei, Tsurumi Rumei."

She mumbled her name to herself, and Yukino nodded after hearing it clearly.

"I am Yukino Yukinoshita, and the simple-minded, muscle-bound idiot next to you is Haruhi Kasuga."

……

"Is what you just said true? That stories from elementary school can happen even in middle school or high school?"

"of course."

"It's going to turn out like this after all. It won't change even in middle school, will it?"

The little girl seemed to have given up, and made a soft sound.

The little girl's hands, holding the camera, were trembling slightly.

"Don't be so disappointed. Look at me, Haruhi, I have a bunch of friends too."

Springtime comforts her future younger brother.

"..."

Little Mei is too lazy to even complain about this shameless Kasuga Gian.

“He wasn’t wrong, and you have no right to look down on him. At least he dares to do and say what he wants, unlike you who is timid and puts all your hopes on a distant future, right?”

The cold voice from beneath the snow came again. She walked up to Haruhi and looked calmly at Tsurumi Rumi.

However, to Chunri, Xiaoxue's words sounded more like a reflection on her past self.

"Although this idiot sometimes does things irrationally, just like he kept repeating to you, he has quite a few friends. At least those people from Soubu High School who came this time can all be considered his friends."

"..."

The hot weather slightly dampened Rumi's spirits, as she was somewhat taken aback by Yukino's words.

"Don't be so pessimistic, little Liu Mei. I have a way to help you change your current situation... Do you want to learn?"

At that moment, spring seemed to see a scene from her past life where she met Xiao Rumei.

At that time, the young Chinese student was also alone.

It was his appearance that changed this girl's life.

It's the perfect time to strike while the iron is hot.

Springtime punched a nearby tree, causing leaves to fall one by one.

The boy's body was covered in leaves.

He grinned and showed off his muscular biceps to Xiaoliu Mei.

"Come on, from now on, let's exercise together with your master!!! Little Rumi!!!"

In the lush forest,

It seemed like the cawing of crows could be heard.

Yukinoshita: "..."

He's still a troublesome idiot.

……

Chapter Sixteen: Offering a Cigarette to the Boss!

evening,

"Huh? You want me to prepare dinner for these kids? Are you kidding me?"

Inside the kitchen, listening to Hiratsuka Shizuka's demands, Haruhi retorted somewhat indignantly.

"I'm just asking you to help out; I don't expect you to be of any use."

"That won't do either. I'm actually quite good at cooking curry, okay? Making me your assistant means you all look down on my cooking skills?"

"Are you really asking for a beating, you idiot?! Well... since you've said that, then you can work with Yukinoshita, Yui, and the other girls to chop vegetables."

The elementary school students' picnic dinner was ultimately decided upon by a group including Shizuka Hiratsuka and Sobu High School students as curry.

After all, it's convenient and very suitable for the kind of food that elementary school students eat on a picnic.

"ok, I get it."

Ultimately, out of respect for Ms. Hiratsuka, Haruhi pretended to be quite unwilling and agreed.

A cool evening breeze swept through the kitchen, where the air temperature had dropped.

……

…………

"Does Kasuga-kun often prepare dinner for himself at home? His knife skills look quite impressive."

Watching Haruhi skillfully wield the kitchen knife and gracefully twirl it, Yuihama stood beside Haruhi, her cute little face showing a mixture of envy and admiration.

"There's nothing special about it; practice makes perfect."

Springtime said in a pretentious tone, looking down at the scene on the cutting board without raising his head. Potatoes, vegetables, and other ingredients for curry were neatly arranged after being cut by the sharp blade in his hand.

"..."

Xiaoxue, who was also standing next to Chunri, had a subtle tremor in the corner of her eye.

These were all things she painstakingly taught him step by step over a long period of time, and it was only then that this fool slowly learned them.

"Vanity..."

She murmured something softly.

"Xiaoxue, what did you just say?"

Yuihama always gets all ears when she doesn't need them.

"I mean, Kasuga-kun's knife skills are really good..."