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

The boy didn't care about the expressions of his classmates outside the curtain, and didn't even think of looking back - he just pulled the stunned Futaba out of the auditorium through the back door. Eriri, who was standing not far in front of the seats, seemed to have been called out by a girl with a black hairband.

"Hey - Hoshimi."

Futaba couldn't understand why he was planning to leave the auditorium like this, and frowned slightly - after all, this was the Jedi counterattack they had been planning for so long.

"You—you, wouldn't it be better for you to accept the apology from those people with pride?"

Although the girl adjusted her glasses while speaking in a calm and composed tone, she had to admit that her clear and thorough logic was completely disrupted by the boy's sudden action.

"Forget it, I'm not interested."

However, the black-haired boy, who was unaware of all this, let go of Futaba's hand nonchalantly as he walked out of the auditorium - it seemed that he just wanted to take Futaba away from that place as well.

"When I think about how the malice they directed at Tomoya Aki was once directed at me, it's really hard for me to feel the pleasure of revenge."

Xingjian curled his lips, his expression looking a little complicated.

"So, I couldn't accept their apology with a clear conscience at all - it just made me feel uncomfortable."

After all, their current apology was actually driven by others, and they arbitrarily and tyrannically "declared death penalty" for the same thing again without knowing much about it.

This has nothing to do with who the behavior is targeting. Xingjian simply doesn't like the situation where the public is led by public opinion and changes their stance repeatedly.

"........."

Futaba probably resonated with his current thoughts, so she also lowered her head in silence.

If all their efforts so far have only been to expose the boy's scars - then it can indeed be considered a secondary injury to Hoshimi.

The difference in outcome between harm done knowingly and intentionally, and harm done with good intentions but wrongly, is not that great.

"...But putting all that aside, I'm still very grateful to Futaba for everything you've done for me."

Xingjian, who turned around, also noticed the slight self-blame in Futaba's eyes. He quickly put aside the emotion that had just appeared in his eyes and showed a gentle smile to the girl.

"It's like this. No matter how much I dislike hypocrisy and superficial public opinion that is led by others, I know that you, Futaba, and your sister, and even Eriri and Kasumigaoka-senpai, sincerely want to help me."

Their desire to help themselves is absolutely genuine - it is not false or deliberately guided by others.

At least this is beyond doubt.

Xingjian didn't pay attention to the students around him who were still wandering in and out of the auditorium door, occasionally looking at them furtively, and took a step towards Futaba.

Then the black-haired boy tilted his head and lowered it slightly to look at the gray-haired girl in front of him who was half a head shorter than him. A rare pure and gentle smile appeared on his childish face.

"Thank you so much for being by my side throughout this, Futaba."

He tilted his shoulders slightly and nodded to the girl in front of him to express his sincere gratitude - and the latter's expression gradually changed from the initial astonishment to another more difficult to interpret expression.

"...Are you an idiot? What's the point of even talking about gratitude between the two of us? Isn't that disgusting...!"

Miss Futaba turned her head away in panic, trying to avoid the boy's straightforward gaze for some reason - she even subconsciously took a step back and almost stumbled.

"Also, get that face of yours away from me—too close, idiot."

"Eh...I was actually saying thank you very sincerely."

The black-haired boy, who was called an idiot and a fool, pouted sadly, and while quietly defending himself, he approached relentlessly.

"I told you to keep your face away from me!"

As a result, the boy's face was grabbed by the right hand of the red-faced gray-haired girl and fixed in place.

For some reason, Miss Futaba's defense was abnormally low today. He just expressed his true thoughts and she became angry and attacked him directly.

"Woo woo, woo woo..."

Although Hoshimi wanted to say something with her mouth covered by Futaba's hand, the sound that came out was completely indecipherable.

"Why would I be treated like this even if I spoke my true thoughts? Women are so hard to understand..."

Xing Jiangang complained in his heart, and Miss Futaba seemed to understand his thoughts and responded with an effortless smile - at the same time, her hands did not relax at all.

"Now you understand how to classify me as a woman? But a straightforward guy like you is really unpopular with women. Take this opportunity to change your habit of saying whatever comes to mind."

"Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu"

"No, I'll teach you a lesson. Next time you put your face this close to me, I'll put my toes one step closer to your butt."

"Woo——"

The brown-haired boy and his companion, who had just left the auditorium and were walking nearby, were secretly amazed not far from the two of them.

"Tsk tsk tsk, it's amazing that Futaba knows what that guy is mumbling about."

The athletic black-haired boy walking beside him also smiled and nodded. He watched Hoshimi and Futaba's every move in the distance with the gossipy eyes of a spectator.

"Haha, it seems like they really have a good relationship. They understand each other's thoughts perfectly. If Futaba hadn't clarified that they were just good friends, I would have thought they were an old married couple."

"Not really... You can tell at a glance that the relationship between those two guys is still a little off."

The brown-haired boy narrowed his eyes slightly, and a meaningful emotion flashed in his lazy eyes.

Xing Jianqing will never be alone again: The final chapter: The boy will never be alone again (Part 4)

"But it's obvious, Kunimi, our status in Futaba's heart will definitely be affected by Hoshimi."

"Hahaha, that's true. After all, Futaba never wants to have physical contact with the two of us—but she's willing to pinch that Hoshimi-san's face with her hands."

"Ah, Futaba is so hypocritical. The last time I passed by her lab, I saw her making coffee for that guy named Hoshimi - but every time I go to her, she won't let me drink coffee in the lab."

"Haha, it's because you always go to Futaba for help when you're in trouble, Sakuta. It's normal that they don't like you."

"Well, we did help Futaba's friend this time. Next time, let's use this as an excuse to ask her to be nicer to us."

The curly-haired boy, called Sakuta by his companions, glanced thoughtfully at Futaba and Hoshimi, who were in a good mood, and finally just raised the corners of his lips in a good mood.

Xingmi could have stayed and accepted the apologies of those "fair and objective" classmates in the auditorium as a perfect victim.

But he didn't do that. He just pulled his friend away in silence.

"Hmm - I think I might be able to get along well with that kind of guy. Next time there's a chance, ask Futaba to introduce me to him and let's be friends."

"Hey, Sakuta, you're also thinking about making new friends? That's really rare."

"That guy just went through something like that, so his interpersonal relationships must have been greatly affected. Putting that aside for now, wouldn't it also help him improve his relationships if someone as popular as you could get along with him?"

"Well, that's true. But I don't think Futaba would set us up so easily."

"Ah, that's true. Don't be fooled by his usual aloof and indifferent appearance. When it comes to special topics, he refuses to listen to anyone."

It was obvious that the black-haired boy was someone who could be classified as a "special topic" to her.

"Forget it, let things take their own course."

Azusagawa Sakuta smiled, turned around, and left in the opposite direction of where Futaba Hoshimi was standing.

"Let's talk about it next time we have a chance. Those two people look like they want to talk alone."

"That's right~"

The two of them looked at Xingjian, who was still having her face pinched but was not angry, and Futaba, who looked very annoyed but did not leave, with different expressions. At the same time, an intriguing smile appeared on their faces, and then they left here together.

"Oh my, oh my—it's great to be young, it's great to be young."

"Sakuta, don't you also have a young and beautiful girlfriend who is a super beauty senior?"

"I'm just sighing, that's all. I'm not dissatisfied with my current situation at all. By the way, don't you, Kunimi, have a girlfriend too?"

"Haha, indeed. Looks like the only one missing from the three of us is Futaba."

"Why don't we find an opportunity to help Futaba achieve her goal of being single."

"Things like this should just be left to nature. Nothing is sweet if it's forced."

"But quench your thirst."

"Haha, that's true."

The two boys left the auditorium, chatting and laughing, while teasing each other about their friend's gossip. However, as they were about to turn the corner of the green belt, the boy called Azusagawa Sakuta caught a glimpse of a scene in the corner of the wall not far away.

A girl with short black hair was standing in front of several middle-aged men who looked a little panicked and surprised, and seemed to be discussing something very important.

"I say, Kunimi—Isn't that the old principal of our school?"

"Oh, indeed. The person next to him seems to be the dean of our grade."

"That incident in the auditorium just now caused such a big commotion, it seems that even the leaders of our school have been alarmed~"

"That's inevitable. Who knows? The school might even try to suppress public opinion. After all, if this kind of thing gets out, it won't reflect well on the school."

"Well, it's none of our business anyway."

"That's true—would you like to go eat together later?"

"No, I have an appointment with Mai-senpai."

"You guy~"

The two young men walked further and further away, and the corner of the wall that they had just paid attention to—

The principal of Toyosaki Academy adjusted his glasses, and the dean of studies, who looked very unhappy, nodded to the short-haired girl in front of him.

"Kato Megumi-san...right? Could you please come with us and discuss what Kasumigaoka-san mentioned in the auditorium just now?"

The dean's expression looked a little grim, but he was also extremely cautious and careful.

The incident in the auditorium just now was such a big deal that the adults naturally rushed to the scene immediately.

He wanted to rush forward to disperse the crowd and prevent the situation from escalating, but was stopped by Principal Nagano for some reason.

Not only was Principal Nagano so calm and composed, he even asked him to bring a recorder and find the remaining person in Tomoya Aki's club mentioned by Kasumigaoka - that is, Kato Megumi.

"Kato-san, huh? Don't worry, we just have some things we need to know from you. You just need to tell us the whole story. Anyway, let's go to a quieter place to talk."

Nagano waved his hand, beckoning the dean to follow him towards the principal's office. The girl with short black hair seemed unsurprised by the principal's request, nodded, and followed.

But before leaving, she put her hands behind her back and followed her teacher with light steps, but she turned her eyes slightly - and her peripheral vision happened to catch a glimpse of Hoshimi and Futaba entangled together at the other end.

Kato Megumi took in the redness on Futaba's face that was almost completely fading, but in the end she just quietly withdrew her gaze and followed the dean.

Meanwhile, in the lecture hall.

The blonde girl sat on the desk with her legs in black stockings lifted up, looking excited and cute like a little kid playing her favorite game.

She was waiting for Tomoya Aki's reply.

"How about this? I can keep you out of jail and take you to a safe place where no one knows your dark past. You can start a new life there."

Having said that, the blonde girl tilted her head and smiled, the smile on her face as gentle and sunny as an angel.

“…Why should I believe you?”

However, Aki Tomoya still couldn't let down his cautious vigilance.

"Right now, no one but me can clean up your mess."

"...So you don't have any requests for me? Like, in exchange for something I'll do for you."

After all, there is no free lunch in the world, and Tomoya Aki is well aware of this.

"Well, if there has to be a price to give you peace of mind, then I'm not against asking you to pay something."

Hayasaka Ai looked at Aki with a look of astonishment, as if to say, "I've never seen anyone make such a cheap request," then smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Then leave it to me—Aki Tomoya-kun."

For Hayasaka Ai, taking someone away and hiding them, or even making them disappear—

It's just a small matter.

----

Great! With the remaining finishing touches and some transitional content completed, we can begin a new chapter of our story (romance)!

Xing Jianqing can't be alone again: In the end, he is no longer a bystander character and his destiny (Part 1)

As the sun sets in the west, the classes at Fengzhiqi Academy finally come to an end for the day.

After playing around with Futaba for a while beside the auditorium, Hoshimi, whose mood gradually became cheerful, received a text message from Kasumigaoka Utaha - she mentioned that someone was waiting for Hoshimi outside the school.

Shiyu seemed to have something to say to a certain girl with blonde twintails, so she had no intention of getting involved.

"Well, anyway, it must be referring to the group of friends you met outside of school, Hoshimi."

Futaba lowered her hand from Xingjian's face, raised an eyebrow, and calmly took out the wet wipes she carried with her from the pocket of her white coat and wiped her hands.

Xingjian, who noticed her subtle action, did not ask himself soul-searching questions like "Am I so dirty?" After all, he was already used to Futaba's awkwardness and trivialities in small details.