Why wasn't I the one who got the male lead's script?

Miss Fujiwara Chika walked quickly to the three boys, looked at the confused Shirogane and the silent but tearful Hoshimi—

Then he raised his little head as if he saw through everything, stood next to Xingjian, patted his shoulder, and glared at the two people sitting opposite the black-haired boy with a very impolite look.

"Listen up, both of you. Even though Haru-san isn't a member of our student council, and I don't understand how you boys communicate with each other, bullying is absolutely forbidden! Besides, Haru-san is also Chika's friend!"

Ms. Fujiwara was like a seasoned mother mediating conflicts between her children, and she was so patient and persuasive with ease.

And her last sentence made Xingjian raise his eyebrows slightly.

"Besides, I haven't been able to invite him to my house to cook together, and we haven't finished the last board game yet - at least wait until you are united before arguing, otherwise it will make the atmosphere in the group unharmonious."

"Wait, Fujiwara, did you say something really wrong in such a serious tone?"

"Hey Fujiwara-senpai, the focus isn't on Haru-senpai but on the game. You're really worse than I thought."

"I, I just slipped my tongue and didn't pay attention-"

"Ah, so that's why you're telling me the truth, right? You're terrible, truly terrible. Instead of caring about your friends, you're actually still thinking about the game—you're even worse than I thought."

"Wait—there's no need to keep repeating this, Ishigami-kun!! You big idiot, you big idiot!!"

Looking at the three guys in front of him with different expressions because of the dispute with him, Xing Jian, who was originally in a particularly heavy mood, was stunned for a moment, and then burst into laughter.

This relaxed and comfortable feeling of daily life - it's been a long time since I last saw it.

However, what they didn't know was that on the other side of Shuchiin Academy, a secret conversation was quietly taking place at the same time.

----

Classes officially start tomorrow. Monday is full of classes. How am I supposed to write?

Xing Jianqing Can't Be Alone Again: Chapter 4 What They Want to Protect (I)

The tail end of midsummer still lingers in this city, which makes the sky, which should have darkened long ago, still reluctant to get dark.

The scorching hot air in the afternoon still lingered in the air of Shuchiin Academy, allowing Kaguya Shinomiya to feel the burning warmth even while sitting in the pavilion, so she fanned herself with her hands helplessly.

She looked around for a while, as if responding to Kaguya Shinomiya's eyes that seemed to be looking for someone, and the next second a beautiful golden figure flashed out from the originally empty path.

That was Hayasaka Ai, who was wearing the girls' school uniform of Shuchiin Academy. Her outfit was a little frivolous, but her expression was indifferent and distant.

"Good afternoon, Miss Kaguya."

Hayasaka respectfully performed a very standard salute towards Kaguya, and after receiving Kaguya's usual nod, he walked slowly to her side.

"Ah, Hayasaka, you seemed a little strange today. First you asked for leave saying you had something to do at home, and then you rushed back to school after school and texted me to ask me out... Sigh."

Miss Shinomiya Kaguya immediately dropped her dignified ladylike airs upon seeing someone familiar, pouted, and her expression became somewhat rare with impatience.

"You know, this is a rare opportunity for me and the president to be in the office together, sorting documents together—and we missed it!"

Looking at Miss Shinomiya Kaguya who suddenly started to act like a spoiled brat and even kicked her legs while sitting on the stone bench, Hayasaka Ai shook her head as if she was used to it, and the cold expression in her eyes did not change at all.

"Even without me, Ishigami-san would still be by the president's side. The world of two of you that you imagine doesn't exist at all."

"Ha, Ishigami-kun is of course easy to deal with. He's been in our student council for so long and has made his presence felt a few times. He can just be ignored, right?"

"I'm too lazy to speculate on the kind of persecution Ishigami-san has endured from your perfectly natural yet terrifying tone. I'm wasting your precious time this time because I have something important to do."

Hayasaka Ai had no intention of wasting time on topics that did not interest her, so she casually glossed over the matter about Ishigami, then stood solemnly beside Shinomiya Kaguya and bowed slightly.

"This may surprise you, but there's something I have to do."

"………oh?"

Realizing that the situation was much more serious than she had imagined, Kaguya Shinomiya narrowed her eyes slightly, suppressing all the childishness and mischief that had just appeared on her face.

"Tell me the reason, I will listen carefully."

Shinomiya Kaguya also knew that this must be the look of Hayasaka Ai seriously trying to start a topic.

Next, Hayasaka Ai spent about ten minutes explaining to Shinomiya Kaguya what she had been doing during this period. This of course included the ins and outs of how she helped Hoshimi Haru conceal her identity and publish the plagiarized novel on the Internet under a pseudonym, as well as the rejection that Hoshimi suffered from the people around her because of this crime.

In her narration, she digs out the reasons for doing so, as well as the personal opinions and feelings that Hayasaka Ai herself poured into it - explaining everything in the most objective way possible.

"Well... although I still have many questions in my mind, I still understand the general situation."

After listening to Hayasaka's entire narration, Shinomiya Kaguya nodded seriously, and then suddenly asked a question that was a bit tricky.

"But then again, when you did these things in private, Hayasaka, you didn't tell me in advance."

"........."

"If nothing had happened to Xingjian-san, were you planning to keep it a secret from me?"

Hayasaka remained silent, but lowered her head respectfully, her eyes becoming slightly complicated.

"...You weren't like this before. You would tell me everything in detail."

Kaguya's somewhat helpless tone made Hayasaka Ai clench her hands gently.

She wanted to say something, and with her eloquence, it might be possible for her to shift all the responsibility away from herself - but Hayasaka Ai knew very well that she had no right to refute.

"…No, I don't mean to blame you, Hayasaka."

Kaguya Shinomiya stared at the tense blonde girl for a long time, and finally relaxed her frown a little. She smiled at her and patted the empty seat next to her, motioning her to sit down.

"...?"

Hayasaka Ai was slightly stunned, and moved her legs awkwardly. After a while, she came to her senses and sat down next to Kaguya stiffly and nervously.

"Rather, I'm just sighing. I never thought someone as stubborn and difficult to talk to as you could change—it's incredible even to me."

Kaguya Shinomiya looked at the blonde girl next to her who was feeling a little uneasy with a relatively gentle gaze. After all, the two of them didn't have many opportunities to have a heart-to-heart talk like this.

"I understand. It's hard for people like you to trust others and you're very wary of them. I think it's actually quite good that someone suddenly appears at a time like this who can change your personality."

At this point, Shigong raised his eyebrows reluctantly.

"Well... although I still can't quite understand why Hoshimi-san would do something as despicable as plagiarism, if there's some unspoken secret, I can understand Hayasaka's desire to keep it a secret."

Shinomiya Kaguya nodded very reasonably. Although she still had some doubts in her heart, she did not pursue the matter further.

"Furthermore, if there really are despicable people using this incident to criticize Hoshimi-san, then perhaps it's really because of your actions that they've angered them—that would at least give us some clues, and I completely understand how you feel."

Shinomiya Kaguya spread her hands indifferently, as if this was not the first time she had experienced this.

"Let's assume for now that Hoshimi-kun has his reasons for doing what he did—it turns out there really are despicable people in this world who would kick someone when they're down simply because they don't like them. It's really disgusting just thinking about it. Hayasaka, how are you going to deal with him?"

"...I came to you this time just to explain that I might use some rather extreme means to clean up this mess. It's not for any other reason..."

Hayasaka Ai paused for a long time as if she was seriously thinking about whether her wording was appropriate, and then slowly said something that she didn't know whether it came from the heart.

"It's only natural for a sister to help her brother."

----

I finished my class at 9 o'clock and wrote for an hour. I already feel pretty good about it (I usually order a song for myself and I am really good)

There will be more updates before 12:00 PM! Please vote for the anniversary celebration (*≧▽≦)ノシ))

Xing Jianqing Can't Be Alone Again: Chapter 4 What They Want to Protect (Part 2)

"It's only natural...?"

Shigong lowered his head, with only a rare bitter smile on his face.

"I don't quite understand this feeling, so even if you say that, Hayasaka, I don't feel the slightest bit of emotion—but I can definitely sense your determination."

The black-haired girl spread her hands and responded to Hayasaka Ai with a subtle smile that showed ease.

"I can't directly use the power of my family to help you, but what you are going to do next, Hayasaka, or what you are going to do with the power of the Shinomiya family—I have no idea, so please don't tell me."

The smile in Kaguya Shinomiya's eyes often becomes a little strange, and even has a hint of horror. This is the experience summed up by the battle-hardened Ishigami Yu - it is still applicable now.

"No matter how you plan to deal with that despicable scoundrel in private, I have no right to interfere. So I won't ask you even a word about what happened to that person. Just do it the way you like."

Shinomiya Kaguya seemed to have imagined what the unfortunate guy would become next, and she couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle like a silver bell - at the same time, she was saying the most creepy words in the sweetest tone.

"But after all, that scoundrel is truly blind. It would have been fine if he'd kept it all hidden, but he chose to make such a big fuss about it, and he even chose someone the president and I both had high hopes for—should I say he's unlucky or unlucky? I'm suddenly curious about how stupid and despicable this person must be to be so blind to recognize the true power of a person and yet so brazenly publicize his own filthy deeds. Well, more than that, I'm more curious about how he's still alive today."

The cold murderous intent emanating from the smiling Shinomiya Kaguya made even Hayasaka Ai, who was sitting next to her and had basically the same goal as her, feel a little chilled.

Kaguya Shinomiya should be getting serious about this.

"But Hayasaka, do you have a detailed plan? It's common sense in military strategy to not fight a battle unprepared. Since you think Hoshimi-kun was dragged down by these low-ranking scoundrels because you didn't consider the overall situation, then don't let your guard down this time."

Shinomiya suppressed some of the low pressure that had just unconsciously spread from his body, turned his head slightly and asked Hayasaka seriously.

The latter seemed much more relaxed after receiving the response of his eldest lady turning a blind eye, and immediately nodded in response.

"Of course, I won't forget to leave any clues this time. That person will never have the chance to face his future life like an ordinary person again."

When Miss Hayasaka said this in a cold tone, it always gave people a ruthless and terrifying feeling of "cutting the grass at its roots" - it seems that this master and servant pair are really in harmony from every angle.

"I will unite all the forces I can to handle this matter. However, this scumbag thing is easy to deal with anyway... What I'm really worried about is Xiaoqing."

"Are you worried that Hoshimi-kun will be traumatized by this incident? I think it's unnecessary."

Shinomiya raised an eyebrow indifferently, then turned sideways and looked towards the student union office on the second floor, not far behind the pavilion where the two of them were.

"Hoshimi-kun, you should be chatting and laughing with the president and the others in the office right now. Ah, really. Sometimes I really envy the close friendship between boys. They always do things that ordinary opposite-sex people can't even dream of... Ahem, Hayasaka, just think of me complaining. You didn't hear anything just now!"

"No, I've been listening to your nagging for a long time, haven't I?"

Hayasaka complained ruthlessly in her heart, then shook her head calmly.

"No, some psychological traumas cannot be completely healed by a few words of comfort. Even if it can provide some relief, it is only a temporary solution and not a cure for the root cause."

Hayasaka Ai shifted her wandering gaze, and for the first time, there was a hint of human warmth between the lines.

"Besides...Xiaoqing, he's not as strong as he looks."

The blonde girl inadvertently grabbed the hem of her pleated skirt, and Kaguya happened to see it clearly.

Kaguya blinked and stared at Hayasaka Ai for a long time before slowly looking away.

"You've really changed a lot, Hayasaka."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"No, it's the same as before. I'm just expressing my feelings. I'm not defining this kind of thing as good or bad."

Having important people can be said to be a double-edged sword, especially for people like them who are caught up in the family's open and secret struggles at any time and are always walking on thin ice.

"Back to the point. If Hayasaka is worried that Hoshimi-kun won't be able to recover from this setback... I have a plan you might want to try. It actually aligns with what you just said about the power of uniting others."

Shinomiya Kaguya smiled slightly and twirled her fingers, her expression becoming slightly more meaningful.

"But in the end, this is just a trick we've used before—it always seems to work on these stupid kids who've been let down by others."

"...?"

Hayasaka raised her eyebrows, her face clearly bewildered. Meanwhile, Shinomiya confidently raised her snow-white chin, waved at her mysteriously, and then put her lips close to Hayasaka's ear and whispered something.

“………Hmm.”

Hayasaka, who was originally a little confused, gradually became clear-headed after listening to Shinomiya's advice.

"——Alright, that's enough advice."

After finishing her proposal, Kaguya Shinomiya slowly pulled back and looked at Hayasaka, whose emotions were already fluctuating, with a gentle and smiling look.

"I'll discuss this matter with the president and the others later, but of course, we can't directly interfere in this matter. Everything that follows will be left to you, Hayasaka."

She patted the shoulder of the blonde girl sitting next to her, then stood up, stretched a little, turned and walked towards the student union office.

"Since he is your important brother, it is your responsibility to bring him back to the daily life he deserves."

Hayasaka Ai looked at Shinomiya Kaguya's departing figure for a long time, carefully savoring the meaning of these words.

Finally, a quiet and gentle smile appeared on the blonde girl's indifferent face.

"...Yes, miss."

----

The busiest time on Monday is finally over!

Starting tomorrow, I think there will be irregular updates (basically it depends on whether the schedule can be adjusted orz). I hope everyone will give me some votes! (?? ? ? ?)~?

Xing Jianqing Can't Be Alone Again: Chapter 4 What They Want to Protect (3)

—The first Monday after this.

After changing into her school uniform, Sawamura Eriri came to the class she hadn't seen for a long time, and stood in her seat in a daze, which was a rare sight for her.

Yesterday was her deadline. After nearly two weeks of hard work, Eriri finally managed to fax her new work to the client on time with the full support of her mother.