What a twist! The loser heroine!

"Great."

Why are you suddenly so happy?

Seeing this, Xiao Ju quickly got up from the sofa and sat down next to the warm water.

"Then, I want one too."

Wen Shui turned her head and looked at Xiao Ju, who had a determined expression, with her usual dead fish eyes.

[Professionals who have already published physical books, please refrain from participating in this charade among beginners, okay?]

Although that's what he thought in his heart, he naturally couldn't say it out loud. He nodded helplessly and held up two fingers.

"I know, it just adds two more review tasks anyway."

Upon hearing this, Touko Nonomura silently raised her hand.

Wen Shui could only smile wryly and raise another finger.

~Fifty-sixth Defeat~ Each with their own thoughts

The club activity ended there, and the two club presidents had to take their leave after chatting for a short while due to other commitments.

Kazuhiko Wenshui originally planned to finish reading the third volume of a light novel set in another world that he had left over, but now that he has an additional task of reviewing manuscripts, he plans to find some professional materials to prepare for it.

All the published light novels are finished products that have already been edited and polished by their editors; it's impossible to know what the original manuscripts looked like. Wen Shui searched carefully on the bookshelf, but after a long time, she couldn't find any professional books and had to give up in frustration.

Recalling what Xiaoju said before, perhaps increasing readership is also a way to improve? Should I look for more analysis posts of popular works in the future...?

Just as he was deep in thought, Himegami Karen, who had been typing something on her phone, suddenly stood up.

Holding her phone, she said apologetically, "Oh, sorry! A friend suddenly invited me out to dinner, so I have to go now. See you all tomorrow."

She looked a little anxious, quickly walked to the sofa, picked up her backpack, and then headed towards the office door.

"...Is that Asahi-kun?" Wen Shui asked softly as Himegami passed by.

"Yes." Himegami nodded.

Wen Shui said tactfully, "She...she might not be in a good mood lately."

Himeko immediately understood and nodded, saying, "I will try to comfort her."

"Then trouble you."

"No need to thank me specially, after all, she's my friend." Ji Gong smiled and waved goodbye to Wen Shui.

Watching Himegami's figure disappear into the clubhouse entrance, Wenshui lowered her right hand and breathed a sigh of relief. With Himegami's help, Asahi should be able to shake off her slump soon.

He pulled down the first volume of a romantic comedy that had recently become very popular but was also quite controversial online, intending to read it.

In the past, Wen Shui wouldn't usually look at this kind of work. However, after reading so many online analysis posts recently, he has become somewhat interested, and with today's opportunity, he wants to examine this work carefully from his own perspective.

He had just sat down in the chair when his phone vibrated.

I picked up my phone; it was a message from Yoshiki.

"Brother, relatives from Kyoto are visiting tonight, please return home soon."

"what?"

Wen Shui tilted her head and quickly replied.

"It's only Wednesday today, are you sure you're not mistaken?"

A little while later, Yoshiki sent over the photos he had just taken. Wen Shui looked at the screen, and sitting on the sofa in the center of the photo was indeed the distant relative from Kyoto whom she had met during her New Year's visit.

"There's no mistake. Aunt Yami is planning to visit our family while she's on her vacation in Tokyo. Mom has already gone home, and brother, please come as soon as possible too."

Has Mom gone home?

"Oh, I see. I'll head home right away."

Wen Shui put her phone back in her pocket, then went to the sofa and put the novel she had just chosen into her bag.

"Are you leaving too, Wen Shui?" Xiao Ju asked.

"Yes, relatives are visiting, so I have to go back early today." Wen Shui looked at Xiao Ju: "What's wrong? Want to go to the station together?"

"Um, no, no need." Xiaoju shook her head, glanced at Nonomura on the table, and then said, "I... I have some things to do, I'll leave later."

"I see. Be careful on your way home." Wen Shui said with concern, then said goodbye to Nonomura, "I'll be going now, Nonomura-kun."

"Okay, see you tomorrow," Touko Nonomura replied quietly.

Only after Wen Shui left the office and closed the door did Xiao Ju Zhihua finally feel completely relieved.

She put down the phone she had been holding but not using, and looked up at Nonomura, who was sitting at the desk quietly reading a classic.

Although they had already introduced themselves to each other in the club office yesterday, Xiao Ju was still a little nervous facing this girl whom she had absolutely no recollection of.

Nonomura seems to be a bit of a shadowy character, just like me, but surprisingly, she has a great rapport with Nukumi. During our brief conversations yesterday, I even had the illusion that I was chatting with Nukumi. Where did this Nonomura come from?

Although she had already obtained the pass to Wenshui, Xiao Ju dared not be negligent in the slightest and had to find out the situation clearly.

Thinking of this, she immediately sat down next to Nono Village.

"Um, that..." Komari tried to attract Nonomura's attention.

"can I help you?"

As if he had expected it, Nonomura put down his book, turned around, and looked at Komari with a calm gaze.

"What article are you planning to write, Nonomura-kun? I... I might be able to help."

Nonomura smiled serenely: "I am truly fortunate to have the help of a popular author."

"Hehe, don't, don't praise me like that."

Xiao Ju grinned foolishly; the button that makes her happy when praised had been pressed again.

Nonomura thought for a moment, then said, "My mother used to run a flower shop, and I would help out there when I was little, so I'm very interested in flowers. Maybe I'll write articles about flowers and plants."

"Flowers, flowers and plants..." Xiao Ju nodded: "I feel that poetry and the like would be very suitable."

“That’s too difficult. My Chinese has never been very good since I was a child, so I’m afraid I can’t write it.” Nonomura shook his head slightly: “Let’s start with the most basic articles first.”

"No, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Writing isn't actually that difficult."

Komari smiled unconsciously. Being alone with Nonomura wasn't bad at all; she seemed to possess an indescribable tolerance and friendliness that made people relax effortlessly, and all previous wariness vanished.

"Thank you for your encouragement," Nonomura said with a smile. "However, I still need to write well. Wenshui is already tired from reviewing the manuscripts, and I can't let him suffer."

"Uh, what's the relationship between Nonomura-kun and Ono-On-Shui?" Komari immediately asked.

"Hmm... I guess she's the one who guides you into the club, or something like that?"

Nonomura explained softly, "But for now, we're just classmates."

"Oh, oh, I see." Xiao Ju breathed a sigh of relief.

Nonomura picked up the book again, his seemingly calm eyes containing inexplicable emotions, but unfortunately, Komari, who had already relaxed, did not notice.

We're just classmates now, but if possible... I really want to become friends with Wenshui.

Thinking this, Touko Nonomura turned to the next page of the novel.

◇

Wen Shuiheyan, who was walking on the road, suddenly shivered for no reason.

"That's strange, am I catching a cold? I keep feeling like sneezing lately."

He touched his nose, wondering if yesterday's heavy rain had made him catch a cold, and hurried toward the school gate without stopping.

My mom is a very energetic and impatient person, so if I get home late, I'm afraid I'll get a lecture from her again.

However, according to some law whose name is unknown, the more you want a peaceful life, the more troubles will find you.

The rhythmic jingling of the bicycle chain clicking together rang in my ears, followed by a sound that seemed quite delighted.

"Ah! Wen Shui! I knew you'd be here."

We're doomed.

[Mom, don't blame me if I get home late.]

Wen Shui sighed inwardly. He certainly wouldn't do anything foolish like running away immediately. Because the guy behind him would definitely ignore the school rules and catch up with him on his bicycle right there on campus.

Turning my head slightly, a splash of blue came into view.

Anna Hanami, who has a good record of riding her bicycle directly into the school several times in a row, was pushing her bicycle forward with a piece of jam-filled bread in her mouth.

Unlike usual, she had tied her long, flowing hair into a ponytail suitable for exercise with a hair tie, which made her look much more capable. Her rosy and healthy complexion and a few strands of hair that were damp on her cheeks all indicated that she had just finished exercising.

"Oh ho ho?" She raised her right hand.

"Please eat the bread before you speak."

Seeing that he wasn't listening, Banai took the bread off her hands and asked again, "Are you free?"

"I'm busy right now. Relatives are visiting, and I need to go back quickly. Please use Line if you need anything—"

“Then I’ll go with you to the bus stop,” Banami said immediately.

Wen Shui looked at her with some suspicion: "Is there something you want to say?"

"Ah."

"As you wish."

The two crossed the school gate. It was almost five o'clock, but the sun had not yet set. The sunlight pierced Wen Shui's eyes, forcing him to raise a hand to shield them.

Facing the sunlight, Banami said softly, "Lately, I feel like I haven't quite grasped the knack of it."

"What's the trick?"

"You've changed your persona! You've changed your persona!" Banami said angrily. "You're the one who proposed the theory, but now you're acting all nonchalant. What kind of persona is that?"

"Even if you say that, there's nothing I can do to help you," Wen Shui said, spreading her hands. "Didn't Shao Yan help you?"

"The lemon definitely helped. But apart from feeling very tired every day, my persona, or rather my temperament, hasn't changed at all." Banami took a bite of the jam bread as if venting her anger.

Yes, I can tell.

"How can I become a sporty girl?" Banami sighed heavily. "Asking me to imitate lemon is asking too much."

"Oh right, why are you out so early today? Didn't Shao Yan drag you to practice?"

"Lemon had to participate in training camp, so I secretly slipped out after finishing two rounds."

"Forehead……"

This guy actually said he ran away in a very serious tone.

Wen Shui sighed helplessly, rubbing her forehead.

"Never mind, what about your childhood sweetheart?" Wen Shui asked. "He should have noticed your recent behavior, right?"

Upon hearing this, Banami, who had been furious, immediately became depressed.

"Yeah, it's so great that he said I've been thinking about losing weight lately..."

[That's a very normal reaction.]

Wen Shui nodded to herself, then asked, "Did you send him to the climbing team?"

Banami shook her head: "No, he said it would be embarrassing for me to see him off in front of my friends, so I didn't go."

"At least try to hold on a little longer."

Wen Shui gently shook her head: "If this continues, there will be absolutely no progress."

“I think so too.” Banami sighed, held up one finger, and said seriously, “So I plan to ask him out next weekend, after the midterm exams are over.”

"Huh? Can't we do it this weekend?"

"I need to study for my exams. My mom and her colleagues at work have started comparing their kids' grades lately, so I have to work hard for the midterms."

"Is everything alright with Hakamada-kun?"

“He also needs to prepare for the exam. If either of us fails, our parents will cut off our allowance.”

Banami sighed: "If your allowance is cut off, you'll have to eat fewer snacks every day. Have you ever experienced being forced to go hungry, Numizu-kun?"

"Sorry, I've never experienced that."