I'm in Teresin, dedicated to playing badly

As for Shinji Kitahara, he wasn't particularly opposed to it.

On the one hand, he had a good relationship with Sanxiong Taishi.

Even when the college had just mentioned early retirement to Miyuki Taishi.

Miyu Taishi had spoken with him privately, asking if he could help take care of Suzuka, but he didn't immediately agree.

On the other hand, this incident further increased his confidence in his safety.

The example of Sanxiong Dazhi is right there. Not to mention that he would actively welcome those in charge, even if he wanted to recruit new people, he would immediately encounter various oppositions and even obstruction.

As for him, before he even made a statement, the female riders in the team took the initiative to show goodwill to Silent Suzuka, and it was obvious that they welcomed her to join the team.

Isn't this strong proof that his relationship with them is normal and that they don't have any strange thoughts about him?

So, after listening to Xiaoyouyi's account of the situation.

After thinking about it, Shinji Kitahara decided to go back and talk to Taishi Miyuki again.

If there are no problems, it wouldn't be a problem to agree to let Silent Suzuka join the team. It would also be a way to do him a favor before Mitsuo Taishi leaves and thank him for his previous help.

But that's a story for another time.

Even if Silent Suzuka wanted to transfer teams, she would have to wait until the holiday was over.

But right now, he has an even more important matter to resolve.

His gaze shifted from the silent Suzuka and Special Surround in the distance to a slightly forlorn and lonely figure to the side.

Shinji Kitahara remained silent for a moment, then finally sighed and started walking.

Although such losers who fail to seize opportunities do not deserve sympathy.

But for the sake of our brotherhood, I'll give you another hand.

Chapter 144: Miss Zhou (Special)

Some time later, at Shinji Kitahara's dormitory.

Because it's not convenient to talk about this kind of thing in front of other people.

So after thinking about it, Shinji Kitahara used the excuse of having something to deal with related to the Black Forest to call Ms. Kusa to his dormitory.

As for Ms. Cao, she was clearly in a bad mood.

But when Shinji Kitahara went to find her, he managed to force a smile.

After hearing that there was work to attend to, she left with Shinji Kitahara without any doubt or hesitation.

Seeing her reaction, Shinji Kitahara sighed even more deeply.

This silly child...

Next, after entering Shinji Kitahara's dormitory.

Kusakami took a few deep breaths, trying his best to stay alert, and then prepared to ask Kitahara Shinji what was bothering him.

But before she could even turn around and speak, she suddenly felt a force on her shoulder and was then pressed down onto the sofa by Shinji Kitahara.

"Wait here for a bit, I'll go get some drinks."

After saying that, Shinji Kitahara went to get some drinks that he had prepared for Tsuna Suguru to relieve fatigue and replenish energy, and handed them to Hibiki Kusakami.

"Have some of this first, it will at least help you relax a little."

Grasshopper obediently took the drink, sipped it a few times, placed it on the coffee table in front of him, and then looked up at Kitahara Shinji, hesitatingly asking.

"Um, Trainer Kitahara, what's the matter...?"

"Nothing's wrong."

Shinji Kitahara sat down opposite Hibiki Kusakami, then picked up a small mirror, looked at Hibiki's face, and sighed.

"But seeing you like this, I'm really worried, so I wanted to talk to you."

Hearing his answer and seeing his own haggard appearance reflected in the mirror, Kusakabe was slightly taken aback. After realizing what he meant, he spoke softly in a slightly apologetic tone.

"I'm so sorry to have worried you, Trainer Kitahara, but I'm fine. I've just not been feeling well lately, but I'll be fine after a little rest..."

Do you even believe what you're saying?

Shinji Kitahara gazed at her calmly.

When Kitahara Shinji asked him a question, Kusakami Tobi sat there quietly without answering.

After waiting a few seconds and seeing that she didn't seem inclined to answer, Shinji Kitahara spoke again.

"Is it because it's a special week?"

silence.

There has still been no response.

Shinji Kitahara didn't mind, and seeing that she still didn't answer, he continued to speak.

"I think you've heard about what happened with Silent Suzuka, and I've also spoken with Trainer Miyuki about it."

"If all goes well, Silent Suzuka will join our team and train with you after school starts."

"In addition, she and Special Zhou are roommates, so once she officially joins the team, she will probably be with Special Zhou all day long, barring any unforeseen circumstances."

"What are your thoughts or feelings about this, Grasshopper?"

If things had proceeded as they normally would, by now, when Shinji Kitahara got to this point, Hibiki Kusakami should have given some kind of response.

For example, she might unconsciously crush the cup in her hand, or clench her fist and tell him to stop talking, or start yelling, "What do you know?"

But nothing.

Grasshopper listened silently to his story, and after a moment of silence, gave his own answer.

"I... don't have any thoughts."

What could she possibly be thinking?

She and Special Zhou are friends, but only friends.

Moreover, she considered him her only best friend and her most important nemesis.

But it's clear that Zhou only considered her one of his many ordinary friends, at most a close one.

In this situation, what thoughts could she possibly have?

If he were to take the initiative to approach Special Zhou and start a conversation, she would most likely be willing to chat with him.

However, Grasshopper is not very good at or fond of this kind of behavior.

On the other hand, she also felt that forcibly inserting herself between Special Week and Silent Suzuka in order to get a few words of conversation was a very undignified, even humiliating, act.

She didn't treat Te Zhou as a lover, nor did she ever hope that he would treat her that way.

In fact, rather than trying to win Zhou's favor or affection, Grasshopper wanted to get her attention and make her take him seriously.

It doesn't matter if she's with Silent Suzuka every day, or if she doesn't communicate with her; she doesn't really care about any of that.

Just as she considered Special Week both a close friend and a nemesis, she simply hoped that he would reciprocate with the same attitude, at least by showing her more attention and care.

But for now, it's clear that Zhou only sees her as a very ordinary friend.

Not to mention responding to her attitude, she didn't even consider Grasshopper a rival, let alone take him seriously.

She acknowledged her abilities, considered her a close friend, a sworn enemy, and a very important person.

But Zhou responded to her recognition and attention with indifference and neglect, as if she were just a roadside weed.

This is what Grasshopper cares about most.

So even though she might feel disappointed, she wouldn't have any particular thoughts, and she certainly wouldn't fawn over Special Weekly or try to gain her attention in a humiliating way.

What she needs is an equal response, not charity that she has to beg for.

As for her current state, it's not entirely due to Te Zhou's attitude.

Actually, if it were just about what happened on Special Week, she might be a little upset, but she wouldn't look as haggard as she does now.

The problem is, during this holiday period.

She had barely visited Kitahara Shinji's dorm, and since the start of the holidays, she hadn't been able to reconnect with that familiar feeling, becoming somewhat listless, which in turn had a certain impact on her.

Moreover, Eclipse, the only person in the team who could get along with her, also ran off with Shinji Kitahara, making her feel a little lonely.

Furthermore, since the start of the holiday, her silly roommate has become even more lively, constantly finding excuses for her, always hitting her sore spots precisely, and never learning her lesson...

In this situation, besides her regular training, she also had to take charge of matters related to the Black Forest...

It was the result of a combination of factors that led her to become what she is today.

As for Shinji Kitahara's misunderstanding of her, she was also aware of it.

But she doesn't intend to clarify.

Perhaps it was because they found it amusing, perhaps it was a small act of revenge for him taking away the eclipse, or perhaps it was for some other reason.

In any case, she didn't want to clarify the matter and decided to let him misunderstand for the time being.

Then, just as she had predicted.

After she replied that she had no idea, Shinji Kitahara remained silent for a while before letting out a deep sigh.

However, contrary to her expectations, after sighing...

Shinji Kitahara did not try to persuade her further, but after a brief silence, he decisively ended the topic.

"Since that's what you think, then let's do it this way."

Then, noticing the slight surprise in Hibiki's eyes, Shinji Kitahara spoke again.

"What, you thought I'd pester you and get to the bottom of this?"

"I thought you would at least try to persuade or comfort me for a while longer."

"If that's what you want, I can do it that way."

"...Then let's not."

After chatting with Hibiki for a bit, seeing that the atmosphere had relaxed a bit, Shinji Kitahara finally spoke up.

"To be honest, if it were someone else, I would probably try to persuade or comfort her for a while longer."

"But if it's you, Grasshopper, I believe in your abilities and I believe you can make the right judgment."

"And right now, I'm not talking to you as a trainer, but as a 'friend.' Since you've made your decision, I respect your choice."

"But if you ever change your mind, encounter any difficulties, or need any help, you can always come to me."

Although he did want to give Grasshopper a hand, as he just said, he believed Grasshopper could make the right judgment.

After all, you can never be sure about feelings. Although he meant well and wanted to help Ms. Cao, he couldn't guarantee that she would need his help.

He said what he needed to say, asked what he needed to ask, and Grasshopper gave a response, so he chose to respect that.

It's that simple.

After Shinji Kitahara finished speaking, and after a moment of silence, Hibiki Kusakami also responded.

"......Thanks."

This thank you was not just a response to what he had just said; it also contained something else.

Trust, respect, importance...

From the time we first met until now, from the work of guarding, to the affairs of the Black Forest, and some training-related matters.

The things that she couldn't get a response to no matter how hard she tried during Special Week, Kitahara Shinji had piling up everywhere as if they were free.

Besides all that, she also saw all the care, companionship, and assistance he provided for her, as well as other things he did.

Perhaps in Shinji Kitahara's eyes, these were just ordinary behaviors, nothing worth paying attention to.

But for Grasshopper, what he gave her was something she could never obtain no matter how hard she tried.

So, she said thank you very sincerely just now.

While we show respect and express our gratitude, there's still one issue we can't avoid.

“You are aware of your current state. If this continues, it will definitely affect both your work and training.”