What a twist! The loser heroine!

Wen Shui originally wanted to ask Asahi about her feelings, but when she thought that the reason why Asahi was in this state might be Ayano, she wisely changed the subject.

"The weather forecast says it might rain tonight."

He recounted the information he obtained from the weather forecast software.

"Don't worry, I know about this, and I made sure to bring an umbrella today."

"Yeah, that's good."

As Wen Shui walked out of the school building and onto the road in front of the gate, she looked up and saw that Ayano Mitsuki, who should have been at the school gate, was nowhere to be seen.

"Ah..." Wen Shui hesitated, then awkwardly scratched her head.

"Hehe." As if she could see through Wen Shui's thoughts, Asahi Chihaya spoke first, "Ayano has been studying very hard lately and has already gone to his cram school."

"I see." Wen Shui nodded quickly and continued, following Chao Yun's words: "After all, the midterm exams are coming up soon. How is Chao Yun's revision going?"

"It's so-so, I'm not very confident." Asahi Chihaya smiled calmly. "I'm not very good at Japanese and history, I need to work harder in my tutoring classes."

"Yeah……"

Wen Shui recalled Chao Yun's academic performance in the tutoring class. In Chinese and history, which she said were not good at, she would get high scores of over 80 in almost every test. The scores of the subjects she did not mention were naturally even more amazing.

[It's not that I'm not good at this!]

"It would be better if you didn't be too modest, Chaoyun. If you keep talking like that, I'll get discouraged," Wen Shui joked.

"Wen Shui's grades aren't bad either, are they? And she's very good at Chinese and math. She's been a great help to me in the previous group discussions." Chao Yun's attention seemed to have been slightly diverted.

"It's just that you won't be called back for a make-up exam."

Wen Shui chuckled and brushed it off.

"Warm Water tells others not to be modest, but he himself is constantly being modest. Isn't that a bit selfish?"

"Sorry, it's my fault."

"Hehe, don't take it so seriously."

Chao Yun smiled, seemingly relieved, and her steps became lighter.

The bus to the cram school wasn't going the same way as the one going home. By the time Wen Shui and Chao Yun arrived at the bus stop, the previous bus was already full of students and had driven away. Helpless, Wen Shui and Chao Yun had no choice but to wait at the bus stop for a while.

Due to the weather, many students gave up their club activities for the day and chose to go straight home, which resulted in students from Shilu coming to the bus stop from time to time to wait for the bus.

The dampness in the air made Wen Shui feel a little uncomfortable. He looked up at the thick, dark clouds rolling across the sky.

It looks like it's really going to rain... I wonder if the members of the literature club remembered to bring umbrellas.

"Warm Water classmate."

Chaoyun's sudden call interrupted his reverie about the weather.

"Uh, please go ahead?"

Asahi took a deep breath and then said in a low voice, "Did I scare you by suddenly showing up at the movie theater on Saturday? If I did, I'll apologize."

Why bring this up proactively?

Wen Shui sighed inwardly.

He carefully chose his words, then said, "I wouldn't say I was frightened, just a little surprised, so there's no need to apologize."

Chao Yun turned her head and looked at Wen Shui with some surprise, then said softly, "I see..."

"That's it." Wen Shui nodded.

Upon hearing this, Chaoyun lowered her head and remained silent.

The bus had arrived at the station, and the two hurriedly squeezed through the door, but they were too slow; the last seats had already been taken.

The bus was crowded. The petite Asahi Chizora held onto the handrail and stood next to the no-standing line in front of the door. Wen Shui stood behind her, trying to keep her distance.

Looking out through the glass of the bus door, the fields of crops and the red-brick houses seemed to have lost their color under the dark clouds. Because it was too dark, the driver suddenly turned on the lights inside the bus.

The view outside the window on the glass was suddenly replaced by her own reflection. Wen Shui stared at herself in the mirror for a moment, then slowly lowered her gaze.

"..."

Asahi Chihaya's chestnut-colored eyes, which used to be as lively as a squirrel's, were now dull and lifeless.

Her expression was probably even more somber than the sky.

◇

Wen Shui and Chao Yun got off at the designated platform.

The raindrops arrived as expected, pattering against the platform's roof with a continuous, muffled thud. Many students got off at this stop, heading to tutoring classes, including quite a few older students.

They opened their schoolbags, took out the umbrellas they had prepared, and walked into the rain.

Although the dense sound of rain is noisy, once the brain adapts to this white noise, the surroundings seem somewhat quiet, giving people a unique sense of peace.

Since getting on the bus, Chaoyun had remained silent, and Wenshui didn't know how to start a conversation. An awkward silence fell between them, but they continued walking towards the tutoring center.

As she stepped through the gate, Wen Shui glanced back at the suddenly enlarged rain curtain before folding up her umbrella and putting it in the locker.

He was secretly relieved that he had escaped the heavy rain and was about to head to the classroom when he found Chaoyun standing blankly in front of the lockers, her umbrella still dripping with rain, completely unaware of it.

Shaking her head, Wen Shui stepped forward and waved her hand in front of Chao Yun.

"Ah..." she seemed to wake from a dream.

"Tutoring class is about to start, Chaoyun." Wen Shui pointed helplessly to the umbrella in her hand: "Please cheer up, or your learning efficiency will drop later."

"Thank you, Wen Shui."

"Just a little thing."

After Chaoyun put away the umbrella, they went together to the classroom where the tutoring class was located.

Pushing open the classroom door, Wen Shui realized she was quite early; class wasn't starting for a while yet, and the teacher hadn't arrived.

Students dressed in the uniforms of various high schools in Toyohashi gathered together, exchanging their different experiences at each school. Perhaps expanding one's social circle is another reason for the existence of cram schools.

Wearing glasses, Ayano Mitsuki sat out of place in the center of the classroom. Hearing the door open, he immediately looked up. As always, he flashed a friendly smile and waved to greet everyone, but when facing Asagumo Chihaya, his expression noticeably softened.

The lukewarm water immediately revealed the truth.

【So that's it. 】

Ayano-san has started deliberately avoiding Asagumo-san.

Wen Shui pursed his lips, glancing at Asahi Chihaya, who was smiling as usual and chatting happily with Ayano. He then looked at Ayano Mitsuki, who was now clearly embarrassed and becoming more cautious in her actions and words.

With his backpack slung over his shoulder, he pretended to be as usual and sat down behind the two of them.

Although thinking this way is a bit too much for Chaoyun... Wenshui, who has read so many romantic comedies, knows that her own experience won't lie to her.

Ayano-san has probably already made her choice.

Although he usually seems a bit clueless when it comes to relationships, it's likely that his friend Shao Yan has already helped him understand.

Chaoyun must have realized this as well, which is why she seemed so disappointed today.

However, since they already know they don't have much of a chance, why act so intimately...?

He glanced at Asahi Chihaya, who was clearly forcing a smile, and still felt a little doubtful.

Fortunately, this doubt was quickly dispelled by the teacher's blackboard writing when the class started. Wen Shui forcibly put these fragmented emotional issues aside and immersed herself in her studies.

The hour-long lesson passed quickly. The tutor was very capable, and Wen Shui easily grasped some of the key and difficult points in the chemistry lesson.

It was break time. I closed my textbook with warm water and headed to the restroom closest to the classroom.

Don't misunderstand, Wenshui doesn't have the habit of tasting the tap water here, nor does it mean they would rely on tasting the tap water to avoid awkward social situations.

Moreover, the water pipes in the training institution were severely aged, and the strong metallic smell of the stale water could be smelled from a distance; he didn't want to get metal poisoning.

He first turned on the tap and let the water run for a moment before washing his hands clean.

"Alright, let's go back to the classroom now."

He turned around, muttering to himself, only to bump into Ayano Mitsuki, who had been waiting for him for a long time.

"Huh? Ayano-san?"

"What a coincidence, Wen Shui." Ayano said without changing her expression, "There's still some time before class, can you chat with me for a while?"

"Well, but..."

"Just the two of us."

Ayano adjusted her glasses and added.

~Fifty-third defeat~ Ayano Mitsuki

Rainy days can increase people's desire to chat.

On this point, Wen Shui had already witnessed it many times with her younger sister. Whenever it rained on a night, Jia Shu would always find some reason to knock on her door and start talking about all sorts of topics that interested her.

Perhaps rainy days can make people feel depressed and want to talk to someone; or perhaps white noise creates an atmosphere suitable for conversation. Wen Shui doesn't know the connection between these things.

He shifted his gaze from the torrential rain to the tall boy beside him. The usually sunny and cheerful Ayano Mitsuki was now staring thoughtfully out the window.

Even though Ayano had called Wenshui to the corridor on the other floor, the person who wanted to chat had fallen silent, which greatly troubled Wenshui. He glanced at the upperclassmen coming and going in the corridor and had no choice but to start the conversation himself.

"Ayano-san, if you keep being silent like this, you won't have enough time to rest."

"Oh, I'm sorry..."

Ayano seemed to realize something at that moment: "I was the one who asked you to come out, but you've been standing here in a daze."

“You and…” Wen Shui paused for a moment, “You’re in really bad shape today.”

"Haha, it's that obvious."

Ayano Mitsuki said with a wry smile, "I actually asked Wen Shui out to ask her something. Lemon messaged me yesterday, saying she wanted to go out with me this weekend."

【Huh? Oh, it's about yesterday. I didn't expect Shaoyan to actually make money.】

Once again surprised by the athlete's efficiency, Wen Shui pretended to know nothing and said, "Oh, so what? You're not going to ask me for a strategy guide again, are you?"

"To be honest, I have had that thought." Ayano didn't hide it, and scratched his head a little embarrassedly: "After all, I really liked the sweat-absorbing wristband that Wen Shui recommended last time."

"Then you should change your approach and consider things for Shao Yan, shouldn't you?"

Warm water is an attempt to teach people how to fish.

"But finding good places to visit probably isn't an easy task, is it?"

Ayano seems to be quite bad at this, but it's understandable since he usually focuses all his attention on his studies.

But then again, aren't I the same? Why am I judging others?

Wen Shui waved her hand gently: "You two can discuss it yourselves. But judging from your words, you've already accepted the invitation."

“Yes, Shao Shio said she’s under some pressure from training, so she’s planning to go out and have some fun.” Ayano nodded, then pushed up her glasses: “She’s about to participate in the city’s competition, and it would be troublesome if she had a mental breakdown.”

"And what about you?" Wen Shui asked abruptly.

"Huh?" Ayano was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Wenshui to bring up the topic with her.

"You must be under a lot of pressure yourself, right?" Wen Shui thought for a moment: "First year, the special class. This is the first important exam since you entered Shilu, and I'm sure all the teachers in your class are paying attention to your grades, right?"

Ayano was silent for a moment, then nodded: "You figured it out. To be honest, I'm under a lot of pressure."

"Everyone experiences pressure, unless they're the type who don't care about grades."

A tanned, agile figure involuntarily popped into her mind. Wen Shui quickly shook her head and continued, "So, Shao Yan probably came to hang out with you to help relieve your stress, right?"

Ayano remained stunned for a long while before slowly nodding and saying, "I understand..."

He nodded solemnly to Wen Shui and thanked her: "Thank you, Wen Shui. My friends all say that I'm very slow when it comes to relationships. Without your help, I really don't know what to do."

"Really?" Wen Shui glanced at Ayano with a hint of disbelief. "What about Asahi-kun—"

"..."

Ayano fell silent instantly, her eyes lowered behind her thick glasses.

Wen Shui belatedly realized that his question was inappropriate, and he awkwardly apologized to Ayano.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought this up."

“…It’s nothing,” Ayano said, her voice so soft it was almost drowned out by the rain. “Ever since Lemon and I watched that movie, I think I’ve realized something.”