Uneasy daily life

We've only known each other for a short time, barely half a month, but it feels like we've known each other for ages. We've only been apart for a short time, less than a week, but it feels like we've been reunited after a long separation.

Mai Sakurajima pondered... "The weather's nice? You're still alive? Are you courting death?"

The lights on the station sign lit up simultaneously at the same time, illuminating the somber expression on the white figure's face. He gave a crooked smile, and a look of unease flashed in Sakurajima Mai's eyes.

Wait a minute! This guy wouldn't be thinking of—this is the city!

Bai Ying reached out and pressed her nose hard, squeezing and pressing her eyes, her gaze becoming sorrowful and gleaming. Suddenly, she roared out in a hoarse voice.

Please reconsider!

The sudden increase in volume drew the attention of passersby.

Mai Sakurajima froze. I really underestimated how outrageous the haters were!

"Miss Mai! The entertainment industry can't lose you, just as you can't lose the entertainment industry!"

The fan, whose looks were no less than those of a star, burst into tears, clutching her chest with deep sorrow as she gazed at her former idol with profound affection. She declared, "Ms. Mai, I've been your fan since I was six years old. I watched you debut and become incredibly popular, watched you encounter career bottlenecks and setbacks, watched you overcome difficulties... Why did you retire from the entertainment industry? If a star isn't a star anymore, can a fan still be called a fan? Ms. Mai! Please come back! Return to your shining starlight!"

The former celebrity stood frozen in place, experiencing the awkwardness of being recognized and harassed by a fanatical fan on the street.

Some passersby, unaware of what was happening, simply watched the spectacle. Others recognized the celebrity and, while enjoying the show, chatted and shared their knowledge.

Attention index: 30%.

"Miss Mai! Say something!"

A passionate fan, wiping away tears, took a few steps forward, somewhat agitated: "Announcing his retirement so suddenly, without any warning... I can't accept it!"

The former celebrity was perhaps annoyed, or perhaps he realized—I'm not a celebrity anymore, why should I pretend?!

"I have my reasons for retiring from the entertainment industry."

The former celebrity glared at the approaching, fervent fan, decisively stomped on the fan's right toe, and ground it into the ground with a forced smile, scolding, "You should know why I retired from the entertainment industry. Besides, this is my private matter, you..."

"Ah! Miss Mai—!"

In the blink of an eye, the fanatic fan squatted down, lowering her height, and with a quick pull of her toes, she broke free from the other person's feet. Then, she leaped to the side, landing on her side, and reached forward to grab the ankle covered by black stockings, wailing, "Step on me! As long as you're willing to return to the screen, I don't care how many times you step on me—Miss Mai!"

The former star, his face flushed, tried to pull his foot away, but the other person's hands gripped it firmly like a vise: "Let go first!"

To roll around in the street in front of everyone—what dedication and fearlessness! Fans are truly terrifying!

Attention index: 60%.

"I won't let go! Mai-san! You've faced so many difficulties since your debut, and you've overcome them all! Why do you have to give up now that you're successful? Anyway... Waaaaah! Come back! Mai-san! I can't live without you, what will I do without you?"

A fanatical fan lay sprawled on the ground, clutching the former star's left ankle, crying out in anguish and deep emotion: "Miss Mai! Look! The stage under the spotlight is empty, the applause, devoid of passion, drifts by aimlessly. Those elaborately dressed clowns will never ascend the throne. The rainbow has lost its color for your departing figure, and the gale carries my wandering soul in a mournful song. You brought me joy, and then took it away, coming without a word, leaving without a word, your indifference as unfathomable as a mask... Why? Miss Mai! Why?!"

Handsome male fans, beautiful female idols, rolling around in the street, pleading and begging to stay...

Attention index: 90%.

The explosive news stories nearly destroyed the former star. She struggled to regain her composure amidst her chaotic and surging emotions, quickly straightening her face and shouting sternly, "Hey! You deliberately touched my foot?! You're being a pervert—!"

The fervent fan immediately let go, proving his innocence and demonstrating that he was by no means a foot fetishist.

The former star seized the opportunity, grabbed the dinner ingredients, and quickly ran away.

I'm not a celebrity anymore, so I don't need to care too much about public opinion. Even when I'm in a bad mood, I still have to put on a smile and act as a moral exemplar—I'll lie if I want, and I'll run if I want!

As Mai Sakurajima ran away, she heard shouts coming from behind her.

"Mai! Mai! The sea of ​​suffering is boundless, but there is always a shore to return to! Go back! How will you live without me!"

Is there something wrong with what you said?

Mai Sakurajima didn't want to turn back. She really didn't need to care about public opinion anymore, but how could she possibly do what that guy did, throwing a tantrum!

How old are you?!

The hater is really... truly sorry for being born a human being!

"Mai——!"

"Hero Plus—!"

"Alas! Running with the wind, freedom is the direction..."

As they moved further away from the main roads and into the residential area, the sounds coming from behind them gradually became strange and unusual.

Mai Sakurajima stopped in her tracks, turning back with a murderous aura. She stared at the white figure walking leisurely towards her. If it weren't for the dust that had rolled all over the other person's body, she would never have guessed that the other person had rolled on the ground just now. It was truly a waste of good looks.

"Hate Fan!"

Mai Sakurajima's anger belatedly surged up, and she laughed in exasperation, "When did you become my fan?"

"I have always been a fan of yours, but I am a rational fan. I discuss things objectively, with reason and evidence, and with a strong scientific spirit."

The white figure approached, extending its left foot to indicate that Sakurajima Mai was free to do as she pleased, and said, "You're a star, and I'm a hater. Now that you've retired and become Sakurajima Mai, then I, the hater, should get glamorous, go back into the adult entertainment industry, and become your most loyal fan!"

Glancing at her outstretched left foot, Mai Sakurajima carefully refrained from stepping on it, and said somewhat speechlessly, "So you're becoming a fan now to persuade me to return to the entertainment industry?"

“That’s right—you go back to being a star, and I’ll go back to being a hater. You continue your dazzling journey, and I’ll continue my career of fierce criticism!” Bai Ying gestured with her hands outstretched. “We both have bright futures!”

Sakurajima Mai sighed and carried her things towards the new house: "You really are crazy and making a mess of things."

"How can this be considered reckless? If the heart doesn't struggle, it dies; if the body doesn't struggle, it's just a corpse." The white figure caught up, turned to look at Sakurajima Mai's profile, and said seriously, "Hero Plus, life is all ups and downs... You have to keep struggling, don't stop!!"

Mai Sakurajima glanced at him sideways, but didn't say anything.

"How can you fall in a weird shape if you don't make a fuss?" Bai Ying added the second half of her sentence, continuing to encourage, "Anyway, you—"

"So you suddenly contacted me because you want me to come back to the entertainment industry?" This guy's thought process is unpredictable... Sakurajima Mai sighed deeply, "I've already retired from the industry. From now on, I'm just an ordinary high school student at Minebara High School. My main concern should be my studies. Besides, you wouldn't understand..."

Bai Ying covered her mouth with her right hand and laughed, while waving her left hand like a lucky cat a few times: "Hey! On one hand, I feel guilty for rejecting your mother's love and am using self-harm to relieve it. On the other hand, I feel unfamiliar with the new life of living alone and feel lonely because of the discomfort. On the other hand, I am also a little sad because I left the entertainment industry and gave up my dream. Did I say something wrong? Very well, I didn't say that."

Mai Sakurajima was momentarily bewildered by the wind, then pouted and said, "I think what you said makes some sense, but it's just the Barnum effect."

"Brave plus! You just need a little encouragement and motivation!"

A white figure circled around her, eyes shining, clenching her fist and speaking in the voices of Feng Bin and Hua, encouraging her: "Sister! Go for it! Sister! Go for it! Shake off your dejected mood, quickly embrace life, and return to the entertainment industry! Through thick and thin, I'll be here waiting for you—"

"Hate Fan!"

Sakurajima Mai's forehead veins bulged. "You know more than I do, don't you?!"

The white figure got kicked in the butt and ran away amidst the chaos of chickens and dogs.

Sakurajima Mai, still fuming, went upstairs to go home. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, and she took out her phone.

[Want to be a Bunny Girl? Bai Liang and Bai Ying are banned from commenting for 24 hours.]

This did not stop Bai Ying from sending a private message.

[Bai Liang Bai Ying: Can't accept defeat, hehe~]

On her way back to someone else's house, Bai Ying tried scratching her head, but found nothing—the "Brave Plus" had obviously never encountered anything extraordinary, and she herself was unaware of the situation.

It's a passive situation like that of Sakuta Azusagawa and his sister...

Chapter Fifty: The Enemy Vanished

Final exam, or rather, the summary test of the first semester.

Japanese high schools have three semesters a year. The results of the last exam in each semester often determine how enjoyable the holidays will be. Will you be able to let loose and be yourself, or will you be shrouded in a cycle of parental urging and private tutoring? The so-called key high school has only one meaning: to get into university.

During final exams, no matter how carefree or romantic a student may be, they must concentrate fully.

Yukino meticulously checked her stationery, striving to improve her concentration. The final exam results were not just about club competitions; this was her first academic test after resolving her family issues. Her mother might have relaxed the intensity and scope of her personal management, but she would definitely not lower her standards of scrutiny.

If you make a mistake and things go wrong in this kind of thing...

During summer vacation, I can take the lead in preparing for the Chiba Prefecture fireworks festival on behalf of my family. I can invite Haku and other friends to watch the fireworks together. I have plenty of time to arrange various activities freely. I no longer have to be confined at home by my mother and act according to her instructions in a sullen manner. My future is full of brightness (×).

During summer vacation, I clocked in at the private school (√).

Enjoy youth?

Only those who survive are entitled to enjoy their youth.

Bai Jun is probably giving it his all too...

Another examination room.

"Bai Ying, the examination room is strictly controlled. Noise and disturbance are only permitted when you are answering the questions with your head down."

Hiratsuka Shizuka gazed intently at someone with a deep, unfathomable look.

In the examination room, by the window, a young man in a white coat leaned back in his chair, a pair of thin, non-prescription glasses perched on his nose. The morning sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating his pensive profile. The corners of his mouth were pressed into a calm curve, as if holding a touch of snow, revealing a touch of intellectual and serene beauty.

Compared to the athletic, handsome boys who are more popular and have a stronger presence at school, the girls have discovered a new kind of charm in the opposite sex.

The wise boy, seemingly contemplating humanity, words, the world, and himself, pulled out a small mirror, looked at himself, and asked in bewilderment, "Teacher, I washed my hair this morning, even used some face wash (which is unusual for me), and wore glasses that supposedly enhance intelligence—I took the exam so seriously, did I do something wrong that made you suddenly want to call on me?"

What a deceptively deceptive appearance!

The girls calmed down completely.

"In my teaching experience, most students who wear glasses are those who play too much electronic devices, and it has nothing to do with diligent study." Hiratsuka Shizuka tidied up the test papers, glanced at the time, and added, "Also, hand in that little mirror of yours that has nothing to do with the exam, and why are you wearing a white lab coat?"

Bai Ying stood up and handed over the mirror: "Teacher, aren't you wearing a white coat too? White coats are very convenient. This coat pocket can easily hold all sorts of things. The thin and wide design means it won't be a problem to wear it over winter or summer clothes. It also has the function of blocking wind and dust. Even if it gets dirty, it's very easy to clean..."

"really."

Hiratsuka Shizuka agreed, then coldly said, "So give me a shake of your white coat. There shouldn't be anything hidden inside, right?"

"Teacher, do I look like someone who would cheat?"

"This is called professional conduct, hurry up!"

After checking, Hiratsuka Shizuka chased the white shadow back to its original position.

The school bell rang out like a bugle call to charge.

The exam started.

Yukino Yukinoshita thought calmly.

The exam has started—why is it math right off the bat? If it has to be painful, wouldn't it be better to come later?

Hachiman Hikigaya thought to himself with a headache.

The test has begun!

Yui Yuigahama rubbed her hands together, praying, "Bless me! This is a talisman I got from the shrine!"

Exams... I guess it's the average score.

Houtarou Oreki pondered for a moment... High grades wouldn't solve Chitanda's problem. To avoid arousing his parents' outrageous expectations of "my son has the potential to go to Tokyo University" and forcing them to spend too much time on things like private tutoring classes, it would be better to find professional knowledge in related fields to learn.

The exam is about to begin!

Chitanda Eru is preparing for the match seriously.

Summer vacation is about to begin!

Angelina was a little excited.

Here it comes! The most unpredictable question to score!

Bai Ying twirled her pen, staring intently at the essay section of the Chinese language exam.

[A person with talent will naturally display their brilliance; one who relies solely on emotions in their dealings with others will become worldly; those who insist on their own opinions will face numerous obstacles. Please create an essay based on this quote from Natsume Soseki's *The Grass Pillow*, with no restrictions on subject matter, but no less than 800 words.]

The white figure gripped her right hand tightly with her left, struggling—Quickly! Get the inspiration in your head back! Don't let it out!

At times like this, creation is for scoring points, not for creating! Think back to your past life when you tearfully asked your parents to bring you an umbrella, stuffed four-character idioms into your essays, and embellished play with meaning—the mindset of a score-obsessed genius!

That's right. The first sentence can be broken down into the theme of "arrogance," the second into "going with the flow," and the third into "going against the current." Since the subject matter is not limited, it can be prose, narrative, or poetry...

Okay, now that we've finished analyzing the topic, let's expand our thinking and create something new... Because the brave person is strict with others and speaks bluntly, they are seen as arrogant and aloof, often referred to as a "flower on a high mountain." If they didn't have achievements and talents to back them up, the negative evaluations would definitely be even stronger, and others would inevitably change their opinion from arrogant to foolish, from a "flower on a high mountain" to someone who's a bit dim-witted...

Yukino Yukinoshita brewed black tea, her eyes subtly revealing her expression: "...This is what you wrote?!"

“This score is difficult, so I’m expanding on the second one.”

Bai Ying sighed deeply: "Going with the flow and expanding... The Deadly Chef is good at observing and echoing the emotional tendencies of others, which are also her own emotional tendencies. She hopes to establish connections with others. Her behavior based solely on emotional judgment often means that she is deeply influenced by others—if others say to play, she plays; if others say to study, she studies. This can be extended to things like how the environment influences people."

Yui Yuigahama: "N-No way..."

"It's just literary creation, don't take it too seriously. In the end, I didn't choose this theme either, because it's difficult to get a high score if you expand on it."

Bai Ying counted on her fingers and said, "The third point is to stick to one's own opinion and resist or endure the conflict between oneself and the environment... This can be expressed through the story of the subordinate, which shows the struggle of having to fight against oneself in order to get a high score, or the story of the subordinate fully expressing himself and then being defeated by the teacher and sent to the club."