What a twist! The loser heroine!

The two learned about each other's family situations without touching on each other's privacy.

"I vaguely remember Wen Shui's younger sister; she was surrounded by people at the autograph session."

"After all, they're very cute."

"Wen Shui really loves his younger sister."

"I'm the older brother, you know. Since Tian Aixing has a younger brother, you should be able to understand how I feel, right?"

"That guy, Takashi, doesn't need any pampering now. He joined the soccer team after entering his second year, and he might already be able to stand on his own."

Hearing Tian Aixing's proud tone, Wen Shui couldn't help but smile. In terms of how they treated their families, she and Tian Aixing were surprisingly similar.

They chatted idly for a while, and before they knew it, the botanical and zoological garden was already not far away.

Upon entering the park, Tian Aixing pointed to a rather tall building in the distance.

"The restaurant we need to go to is right there, but it looks a bit crowded on the weekend. Let's hurry over there."

Wen Shui followed her gaze and recognized the strangely shaped two-story building that looked like a musical instrument; he had visited it during a school trip in junior high.

"Could it be that the observation deck on the second floor has been converted into a restaurant?" he muttered to himself.

"Huh? What did Wen Shui just say?" Tian Aixing asked, turning back as she quickened her pace.

"nothing."

Wen Shui shook his head, took a deep breath of the fresh, oxygen-rich air, and then followed Tian Aixing's steps.

◇

"It turns out the rest area on the first floor was renovated... Ah, sorry."

Wen Shui apologized to the passerby who had accidentally made physical contact with her.

Tourism in Toyohashi has been booming these past few days. It seems the city government has taken new measures based on the popularity of the autograph session. Shikiya-senpai's uncle is really something.

There were quite a few people visiting the zoo and botanical garden on the weekend, and as lunchtime approached, the restaurants on the first floor naturally became the first choice for tourists to dine.

Tian Aixing looked at the restaurant seats, which were already mostly occupied, and clicked her tongue slightly: "There are so many people coming to Fengqiao lately. Luckily, we arrived early enough to get a seat."

She took the warm water and sat down at an empty seat, whereupon a waiter immediately came over.

Tian Aixing took the menu and ordered several dishes in a row.

During their casual conversation, she had asked about Wen Shui's preferences, so she had specially ordered two of his favorite dishes, which made him feel a little flattered, but—

"Is it really okay to order so much?"

As Wen Shui said this, she looked at Tian Aixing, who actually had a very well-proportioned figure.

[She doesn't seem to have the same appetite as Hanami-kun at all. Will she really be able to finish it?]

A sneezing sound suddenly came from some of the noisy restaurants. Someone must have caught a cold. The temperature can change suddenly during the changing seasons, so we should take good care of our health.

“No problem, I’m using a voucher,” Tian Aixing said, handing the voucher to the waiter. “As long as it doesn’t exceed the limit, it’s fine.”

"Ah, it's not about the money," Wen Shui quickly explained. "There are only two of us, and it would be a waste if we couldn't finish all this food."

"It's okay, I'll pack it up and take it back to my family. If Wen Shui has any food she likes, she can take it back too."

"I see."

While waiting for the food to be served, Wen Shui got up to buy a drink.

While operating the vending machine, he always felt that someone was watching him, but when he looked back, he did not find any sign that anyone was watching him.

【strangeness……?】

Somewhat puzzled, he took the two bottles of tea and walked back to his table.

"Here you go, your oolong tea."

"Thank you."

Tian Aixing took a sip of tea, and then, as if gathering her courage, said, "Um... thank you for everything."

"Well... saying thank you once is enough," Wen Shui said somewhat embarrassedly. "Besides, the only thing I really helped you with was your studies."

"Thank you so much for the book signing event. The president was in a bad mood because she didn't have any good event plans and was constantly being urged by the school committee." Tian Aixing explained, "So I'm very grateful that you were able to find out about the book signing event and help the president."

You really care about the president.

"It was just a coincidence." Wen Shui recalled the situation that day: "Besides, I was actually planning to ask you for the book that day..."

Upon hearing the mention of the books still at her home, Tian Aixing hurriedly said, "I will definitely return all the books to you!"

"No need to rush to pay it back, I trust Tian Aixing's character."

"...Thank you for your trust."

Tian Aixing paused for two seconds, then coughed lightly with a slight blush on her cheeks: "Also, please don't call me by my name."

"Sorry, I just blurt it out from time to time."

Tian Aixing pursed her lips, not dwelling on it too much: "However... Wen Shui really did help me a lot with my studies."

"I was considered one of the top students in my class in junior high, and I originally thought I would be competing with students of similar ability at Shilu High School—"

Her tone carried a hint of self-deprecation, and she said softly, "That was just a misunderstanding. Although we all passed the same entrance exam, it doesn't mean we're all starting from the same point. There are already differences in academic ability at the moment of enrollment, and if we keep working hard using the same methods as before, the gap will only widen."

Wen Shui remained silent. He could understand Tian Aixing's feelings. Shilu High School was one of the top high schools in the Sanhe area for college entrance exams.

Even though they were all gifted students in junior high school, when they came together, they would naturally be distinguished by their abilities.

"I had a slight feeling about it before the book club started."

She gave a wry smile: "In the two months since the start of the semester, I've made more and more mistakes in my homework, and I often get the knowledge points mixed up. I've been working hard, but it always feels like I'm hitting cotton."

"If things continue like this, my midterm exam results probably won't be good." A hint of gloom appeared in her eyes.

Seeing this, Wen Shui could only comfort her, "It's okay, it's just the first midterm exam. There are still three years to take it slowly."

"But I'm the vice president of the student council now. I should be a role model for everyone as a student council member, but my grades aren't good. Isn't that strange?"

【Hmm? Vice President? When?】

"Becoming vice president shouldn't be related to grades, right? It's more about your work ability and such," Wen Shui continued. "Besides, none of us know each other's grades yet, right?"

Wen Shui paused slightly at this point.

Wait a minute, it seems like Komari and Hanami somehow found out about my grades.

Ignoring the inexplicable sneezing in the restaurant, Wen Shui continued, "Therefore, Tian Aixing doesn't need to worry about her grades."

"thanks for your encouragement."

"But the midterm exams are next week, so it's too late to complain now." She said softly, "Wen Shui has helped me a lot at the book club, so my grades this time should... at least be good enough to show my family."

Wen Shui didn't know what to say, so he just nodded and said, "I see."

"Hehe." Tian Aixing smiled, seemingly finding his reaction amusing.

The hopeful look in her eyes made Wen Shui feel somewhat at a loss.

"Thank you, Wen Shui."

"You only need to say thank you once, my god... Ma Sha."

~Sixty-eighth defeat~ Premonition

The restaurant waiter brought out the dishes and staple food, and Wen Shui and Tian Aixing said "Let's eat" together before starting their meal.

Tian Aixing isn't the type to talk during meals, so Wen Shui didn't make a point of striking up a conversation.

After a relatively quiet meal, quite a bit of food remained on the table.

Hearing the "Thank you for the meal" from the other side, Wen Shui looked up.

"I have a small appetite, so I can't eat too much," Tian Aixing explained, seeing Wen Shui's somewhat surprised look.

"Ah, it's nothing, I didn't eat that much..."

He lowered his head and quickly shoved the contents of the bowl into his stomach.

"thanks for treatment."

After the meal, Tian Aixing asked the waiter to pack the dishes into bags. She also wanted Wen Shui to take some home, but Wen Shui politely declined.

Walking along the corridor outside the restaurant, Tian Aixing pointed to the elevator next to her and said, "Want to go to the second floor? There's an observation deck there that offers a view of the plaza outside."

【Huh? Did you mention before you came that you were going to visit other places?】

Despite thinking this, he still nodded.

"Okay, let's treat it as a post-meal digestive aid."

Take the elevator to the second floor, which is actually about six stories high and serves as an observation deck. High-precision telescopes are arranged on the observation deck, allowing you to take in a portion of the park's scenery.

There were many people on the first floor, but there were significantly fewer visitors on the second floor, and even some binoculars were idle.

Tian Aixing ran excitedly to the telescope and started operating the machine with a big smile on her face.

Wen Shui placed the bag she was carrying on the empty table, then walked over to Tian Ai Xing, who was engrossed in looking through the telescope.

"I'm in a really good mood."

“I came here to play when I was in junior high school, and I was really interested in this telescope back then.” Tian Aixing explained as she moved the telescope’s viewpoint, “But I couldn’t play with it because of my height, which was a bit of a shame. Look, you can see the whole square with this—wait?”

"what happened?"

"Ah, it's nothing, I just saw someone I know..."

"acquaintance?"

"You know Wen Shui too."

"I know him too??"

Upon hearing this, Wen Shui immediately became interested. He walked behind another telescope and asked, "Where?"

"Next to the carousel."

Adjusting the perspective, Wen Shui immediately let out a gasp.

"Wow...really...?"

Is it really possible for this to be such a coincidence?

Due to the recent surge in tourists, Toyohashi Zoo and Botanical Garden has become a gathering place for mobile vendors, with all kinds of food stalls lined up in the amusement park's plaza.

A couple emerged from the crowd. The tall, bespectacled, handsome man and the slender, tanned girl—it was Ayano and Yakinoshio.

[I knew they'd be out on Sundays, but why the zoo...?]

It must have been Ayano's idea, but judging from Yashio's cheerful smile, she didn't seem to care about any of that.

Ayano is wearing a brown sweater and trousers today, while Yashio is dressed in jeans and an off-the-shoulder white shirt.

Holding ice cream cones, the two happily strolled through the food stalls, their playful banter and jokes making them appear like an affectionate couple to passersby.

Wen Shui, being in the know, was even more aware that the relationship between the two had rapidly heated up and was just one step away from reaching its conclusion.

"Who's that... sitting next to Shao Shio?"

Tian Aixing asked, "You look familiar, but I can't quite place you."

“It’s Ayano from the special class, Ayano Mitsuki.” Wen Shui answered honestly, “He and Yakinoshi are childhood friends who have known each other since elementary school, so…”

"I see, I understand now." Tian Aixing coughed lightly and said in a low voice, "Although the school rules say that inappropriate relationships between opposite sexes are not allowed, this kind of friendship that started in elementary school should..."

This guy completely misunderstood.

However, she didn't seem to be experiencing any stress, so Wen Shui didn't pay much attention to it.

only……

He turned his attention back to Ayano and Yashio, the soon-to-be couple. Yashio was smiling and pointing to the carousel not far away, while Ayano nodded helplessly in agreement.

The timing is too coincidental. It's best to avoid running into each other again, or it will be incredibly embarrassing.

Wen Shui frowned.

[Or maybe we should just go back. Tian Aixing's invitation has ended, and I have a feeling that something bad might happen if we stay here any longer.]

Thinking this, he began, "Um, Ma Ti, since we've finished eating... I still have some things at home—"