What a twist! The loser heroine!

"My mission is complete. Remember to avoid Asahi-kun."

Suddenly, the words I had said to Ayano came to mind.

A sense of unease suddenly welled up in Wen Shui's heart.

That's strange... How does Asahi know about this movie? Is Ayano really so dense that he didn't understand what I said?

Thinking of this, he immediately leaned out to observe Chaoyun's expression.

However, due to the angle of view, the face of the petite Asahi was completely obscured by a very prominent part of Himegami Karen, who was sandwiched in the middle.

Wen Shui stared blankly for a second at the bow on Ji Gong's school uniform, which displayed an amazing curve.

"Ahem." Ji Gong coughed lightly, crossed her arms, and said in a low but serious voice, "Wen Shui, Chao Yun is still here."

"...???"

Wen Shui's face flushed slightly as she sat up straight again.

Hopefully, the light on the screen will be bright enough.

Wen Shui was thinking this, unaware that the girl beside her was harboring the same thoughts.

◇

As the audience gradually took their seats, the warm-up session quickly came to an end, and the movie finally began as the screen started playing animated logos of various investors.

The plot of the film is quite simple; it's just a novella adapted from the fable "The Tortoise and the Hare."

Miss Rabbit from the countryside is a cute, gentle, and agile animal athlete.

She was so fast that no one around her could keep up with her. One day, while jogging by the roadside, she saw a racing promotion vehicle driving through the city, covered with racing advertisements.

She caught up with the car, tore off an advertisement, and ran incredibly fast. She felt confident she could win the race and claim those amazing prizes.

So, amidst the villagers' reluctant farewells, and filled with longing for friendship and victory, Miss Rabbit arrived in Animal City, the land of dreams, to participate in the competition.

However, reality wasn't as rosy as she imagined. Arriving in the big city for the first time, Miss Rabbit was completely unfamiliar with the place and couldn't find a single acquaintance. She repeatedly ran into obstacles, was insulted as a country bumpkin, and even accidentally stumbled into a gang fight. After a series of exaggerated action scenes, Miss Rabbit, in mortal danger, was rescued by a Mr. Turtle.

Mr. Turtle drove her to his home and treated Miss Rabbit's leg injury.

Miss Rabbit was very grateful to Mr. Turtle and wanted to repay him. Mr. Turtle used to be a famous coach in Zootopia, but he seemed to have a past and was no longer willing to trust anyone.

What followed was a clichéd romance, a plot point that Wen Shui Kazuhiko was already quite used to, having seen it far too often in light novels. Like many light novels, Mr. Turtle eventually resolved his inner conflict and became Miss Rabbit's coach. Together, they weathered many years and won game after game.

Miss Rabbit's feelings for Mr. Turtle are common knowledge among Wen Shui and the other viewers watching the 12+ animated series; it's so obvious it's obvious at a glance. She plans to confess her feelings to Mr. Turtle after the final competition, regardless of the outcome.

But Mr. Turtle didn't come on the day of the competition. Miss Rabbit looked at the stadium full of strangers, her long ears drooping. Was he worried about her feelings? Miss Rabbit wondered, but her body was already running.

In the end, she lost the game.

Miss Rabbit stood blankly on the field until she walked back to the locker room with her silver medal around her neck. Only then did she remember to pick up her phone and call Mr. Turtle. Mr. Turtle apologized, explaining that he felt he had affected Miss Rabbit's athletic performance, which was why he hadn't come to watch her competition. Miss Rabbit didn't say anything; she silently left the locker room and began running through the streets of Zootopia.

At Mr. Tortoise's favorite dock, Miss Rabbit caught up with him, and just before the ship was about to leave, Miss Rabbit confessed her feelings to Mr. Tortoise.

"I know you're afraid to admit it. But without you, I couldn't have gotten first place."

"Please help me one more time."

She grabbed Mr. Turtle's arm.

"I might run away again, who knows?"

Mr. Turtle said with a wry smile.

"Then let's run away."

The ship's whistle faded into the distance, and Miss Rabbit's sunny smile melted in the sunset.

"Anyway, I'm sure I'll catch up with you."

◇

The credits started rolling on the screen, and only then did Kazuhiko Nukumizu come to his senses.

Overall, it feels...not bad.

The family-friendly plot ends with Miss Rabbit winning the championship. The short, one-and-a-half-hour movie is quite good for entertainment.

Thinking this, he turned around, only to find that Asahi had vanished. The popcorn bucket was empty, and Himegami Karen, who was unconsciously groping around in the bucket, had a clear tear stain on her face.

This girl, who usually only smiles at her classmates and always exudes the aura of a leading lady, silently shed tears in a corner of the movie theater.

She pursed her lips with warm water.

He wasn't sure if Princess Hime was moved to tears by the story or simply feeling nostalgic. But he still reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of tissues.

After seeing the "tearjerker" label on the movie ticket, Wen Shui bought this pack of tissues in advance. However, it seems she won't need them now.

He silently handed the tissue to Himegami Karen, then peeked out to observe Ayano and Yashio's reactions, but the movie theater was empty; the two seemed to have already left the theater.

Wen Shui breathed a sigh of relief and turned around to tell Ji Gong to leave, but his gaze met Ji Gong's.

"Uh? What's wrong, Himegami-san?"

"Um, oh, no, it's nothing..."

Himegami hurriedly wiped her eyes with a tissue and whispered, "Asakusa-san is missing. I'm a little worried about her."

Wen Shui nodded: "Me too, and Ayano and Yakinoshio aren't in the theater either, let's hurry up and get out."

"okay."

They left the theater and walked through the winding corridor to the lobby entrance.

The sun has set, and the pedestrian street is brightly lit. People who have already eaten dinner take to the streets and begin their own nightlife.

In the plaza in front of the movie theater, Wen Shui saw Yashio and Ayano walking side by side. At that moment, Ayano Mitsuki seemed to hand something to Yashio Lemon, and her wheat-colored figure suddenly started doing various warm-up exercises in the plaza out of joy, startling Ayano and attracting the attention of many passersby.

Himegami Karen looked around, then whispered to Numizu, "I didn't see any light reflection. Asahi-kun must have already left."

What exactly is used to make that judgment?

Wen Shui mentally grumbled. Then, he straightened up and looked at the two figures in the square who seemed to be getting closer and closer.

"Ayano-san and Yashio-san, aren't they childhood friends?" Himegami stood next to Nukumi and looked at the two people in the square.

“Yes, they’ve known each other since elementary school.” Wen Shui nodded.

"How does Wen Shui know so much?" Ji Gong asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Because I was their classmate in middle school, and Ayano would talk to me about Yashio every day." Wen Shui said with a smile, "Yakio seemed to like to pester Ayano during breaks and lunch, and I always thought of them as popular people."

Seeing that Ayano and Yashio had already walked away, Onami and Himegami also crossed the movie theater doors and headed towards the nearest bus stop.

"Oh, so there's this connection too."

Under the lamplight, Princess Hime asked curiously, "So how do they get along?"

"Well, it's probably like this: Yashio asks Ayano to read a book together, and then Ayano explains the key points in the book to her."

"After-school tutoring?"

"That's not true. We have all kinds of books, including novels."

Himegami nodded, glanced at the warm water with a hint of caution, and then spoke.

"I'm so envious..."

"Hmm? What are you envious of?"

Himegami leaned closer to the warm water: "Look at Yashio and the other guy, they're probably about to confess right here and now?"

"I don't think so." Wen Shui seemed oblivious to Ji Gong's subtle movements, and simply raised an eyebrow, saying, "Confessing your love isn't such a simple matter."

"Teacher Wen Shui, what insightful opinion do you have here?!" Ji Gong's tone suddenly turned serious.

"What teacher or not..."

Wen Shui looked at Ayano and the other person who were about to disappear from sight and explained softly, "Confessing is a very serious matter. If you are rejected, you will definitely be sad for a long time, right? So, before you know how the other person feels, you should not do something that may hurt yourself."

Himegami quietly looked at the boy who was eloquently expressing his views, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Sigh~ But when it comes to understanding someone's feelings, it always feels like both parties need to take the initiative, doesn't it?" Her words carried a hint of implication.

"Well, if we become friends first, and then get to know each other for two or three years, I think that should be enough, right?"

Wen Shui said this.

"Two or three years..." Himegami said softly, carrying her schoolbag, in a voice only she could hear.

Then, she turned her head to look at the warm water.

"You're too slow, Wen Shui," she said.

Why are you suddenly bringing this up? Is it because I was running too slowly before?

"Well, although I'm not very confident in my athletic talent—" Wen Shuihe made an embarrassed self-criticism.

"Pfft."

Himegami Karen chuckled softly; she seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood today.

She turned around and looked at the animated poster of "Miss Rabbit" at the entrance of the movie theater: "Ayano-san is just as slow as you."

Wen Shui was completely baffled.

"Why are we talking about Ayano again? But he really isn't very good at sports..."

"I want to say——"

Himegami Karen paused deliberately before smiling and speaking to the bewildered Onami.

"There are just too many Mr. Turtle."

~Thirty-fifth defeat~ Book signing event, part one

The night is getting late.

Standing at the door, Wen Shuihe took out his key and opened the front door. Looking up, he saw the living room lights were on, and his father, wearing glasses, was sitting on the sofa reading a thick English book.

"I am back."

He spoke with a hint of unease.

"Oh, Kazuhiko is back."

Upon hearing the voice, Wen Shui's father immediately looked up, a kind smile spreading across his face: "Looks like you had a great day?"

"Ugh?"

Wen Shui, who had expected to be scolded, was taken aback: "Aren't you upset that I came back so late?"

"It's only eight o'clock. Your mother is still out having dinner with her colleagues. It's still early."

The father glanced at the clock, then turned back and said with a smile, "It's more that I'm worried about you because you haven't been going out with your classmates much since junior high school."

"Kazuhiko, don't become someone without friends, or you'll suffer later."

The father said earnestly.

"Haha, I understand."

Wen Shui smiled awkwardly. Relieved, he changed his shoes in the entryway and sat down next to his father.

The father marked the book he was holding and placed it on the table, then gently sniffed the air:

"Hmm? You went out for barbecue tonight?" The father seemed a little curious.

"Dad, you can smell that?" Wen Shui asked in surprise.

"Hey, I'm hosting those foreign partners every day. They're all so strong, but they can't get used to Japanese food. Where else can your old man take them?"

Wen Shui's father complained, "Isn't it just that we can only go to barbecue restaurants now?"

After he finished speaking, he glanced at Wen Shui's school uniform, which she hadn't had time to change out of: "Why are you still wearing this on a Saturday?"

"It's a school event."

"I see, so that was a celebratory dinner?"

"No, someone invited me to dinner." Wen Shui unconsciously scratched her cheek.

Upon hearing this, Wen Shui's father immediately nodded and said, "Yes, that's good. You should continue to be friends with him."

"Well, I wouldn't call us friends yet, we just spend a lot of time together."