“When did you go over there?” Dong Yue asked, puzzled.
Su Ze hurried back to his seat obediently, his face beaming with joy. His popularity had returned.
He checked his heartthrob values again.
“Lu Ziqing’s Heartthrob Value toward Su Ze: 9”
“Song An’an’s Heartthrob Value toward Su Ze: Unable to View”
“Gu Yuqi’s Heartthrob Value toward Su Ze: Unable to View”
“Hana’s Heartthrob Value toward Su Ze: Unable to View”
“Zhen Zhu’s Heartthrob Value toward Su Ze: 36”
“Bai Zhen’s Heartthrob Value toward Su Ze: Unable to View”
“An Hua’s Heartthrob Value toward Su Ze: Unable to View”
“Liang Sheng’s Heartthrob Value toward Su Ze: 0”
“Liang Jin’s Heartthrob Value toward Su Ze: 2”
“Dong Yue’s Heartthrob Value toward Su Ze: Unable to View”
“Mo Qingrou’s Heartthrob Value toward Su Ze: 2.5”
“Ye Yuzhe’s Heartthrob Value toward Su Ze: 23”
“Cha Susu’s Heartthrob Value toward Su Ze: 39”
“Ou Lu’s Heartthrob Value toward Su Ze: 32”
Several more “Unable to View” entries? Su Ze was baffled. He turned to his own system, Akino Wakako. “What’s going on? Didn’t we delete the memories?”
“Even though the memories are deleted, the heartthrob values don’t change,” Akino Wakako sighed. “Just keep working hard!”
She was being so gentle this time? Su Ze was surprised.
In truth, Akino Wakako was holding back. She felt like she needed to change her approach to educating Su Ze. Maybe he’d been scolded stupid by her?
Of course, she was overthinking it. She was underestimating Su Ze.
He really was stupid.
“No problem,” Su Ze said, his fighting spirit reignited as he clenched his fist. “I’ll regain my charm! I’ll make these girls fall for me all over again.”
Akino Wakako nodded in satisfaction. “As long as you have that determination…”
No, what if comforting him like this made him slack off?
“You—you have to give it your all,” Akino Wakako stammered, trying her best to show her gentle side.
Su Ze felt goosebumps from the cheesiness and gave Akino Wakako a weird look.
Akino Wakako pouted, staring at her host with dead fish eyes. “Keep staring? Keep staring and I’ll gouge your eyes out!”
Finally, she couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Su Ze nodded. Yes, that was the vibe!
There were only five minutes left before class.
Lu Ziqing and Ni Sihan finally arrived one after the other.
What a shame—Lu Ziqing had missed Su Ze’s crazy antics. If she’d seen them, her mindset probably would have crumbled. After all, he was the guy she’d crushed on for years.
Now, Su Ze’s status in Lu Ziqing’s heart was gone. The favorability levels made that clear.
Akino Hoshiko slowly stirred awake. It was already noon.
Ah… She felt like her bones were falling apart. Every movement sent stabbing pain through Akino Hoshiko.
“Ha~” She gave a wry smile. “Well, I’m used to it by now.”
Akino Hoshiko walked out to the balcony, letting the breeze wash over her.
“Having legs again feels amazing.” Her smile gradually turned sweet.
She fell into thought.
Akino Kazuko was different from the rest of them.
Not just in name. They dealt in “values,” but she dealt in “favorability.”
Only Akino Kazuko’s host could see others’ favorability toward the girls, while they could only see their own host’s.
Only Akino Kazuko’s favorability system had no upper limit, while theirs capped at one hundred.
Only Akino Kazuko’s favorability system could display negative values, while theirs just showed “Unable to Display” at negatives.
And Akino Kazuko was especially weak, yet their creator called her “the best of all these systems.”
“Sigh~” Akino Hoshiko murmured sadly to herself. “We’ve already lost so many sisters… When will it end?”
—— —— ——
Calm days didn’t last long.
The novel soon returned to its proper track.
Today was the Sports Meet, which seemed fairly normal—much like ones at real schools.
Liang Sheng wasn’t enthusiastic. She was a total klutz at sports and hadn’t signed up for anything.
“Liang Sheng, what event are you signing up for?” Lu Ziqing asked, holding a clipboard listing all the sports events, a pen gripped in her other hand.
“No way!” Liang Sheng groaned, slumping over her desk. “You want me to go up there and embarrass myself?”
Lu Ziqing shrugged. “Fair enough. You are a total sports dunce.”
As she spoke, her eyes landed on a two-person event: the Three-Legged Race.
“Ahem…” Lu Ziqing backed off a bit and poked Liang Sheng’s shoulder.
“How about…” Lu Ziqing said shyly, using the clipboard to half-hide her face. “Liang Sheng, I found a project I like. Want to try it with me?”
Liang Sheng pouted. “My athletic ability is zero. If I team up with you, I’ll just drag you down with me.”
“I—I think you’re the one I’m closest to, and—and that’s how it has to be, uh…” Lu Ziqing stumbled over her words. “Hmph! Fine, don’t sign up then!”
Eh? Was she mad? Liang Sheng grabbed Lu Ziqing’s clothes. “I’ll do it with you. Don’t be mad~ My dear Young Miss~”
“Hmph~” Lu Ziqing huffed again, but her face was lit up with happiness.
Ding~ Favorability increased.
“Lu Ziqing’s Favorability Toward Liang Sheng: 123”
“This counts as me joining with you, okay?” Lu Ziqing said stubbornly, still playing tsundere.
“Yeah!” Liang Sheng sneaked a grin. “I wanted to join anyway~”
Ding~ Favorability increased.
“Lu Ziqing’s Favorability Toward Liang Sheng: 125”
“Hmmph~” Lu Ziqing yanked her hand back from Liang Sheng’s grasp.
“See? I knew it,” Lu Ziqing said, pursing her lips. “I knew you wanted to join~”
“Yes, yes, whatever you say~” Liang Sheng replied with utter indulgence.
Lu Ziqing huffed once more and went back to her sign-up rounds.
Liang Sheng slumped over her desk, thinking of taking a nap.
Eh? She suddenly opened her eyes. Wait, what event had Lu Ziqing signed them up for? Whatever. Liang Sheng was used to embarrassing herself anyway. One more time wouldn’t hurt. Resigned, she closed her eyes.
As for Su Ze? This was his wheelhouse now. He rubbed his fists eagerly, ready to recapture the girls’ hearts once more.
He signed up for the 2000m Long-Distance Run, the 4000m Relay, and Shot Put. Su Ze swaggered with pride. Time to shine.
Ni Sihan wanted to show off her charms at the Sports Meet too, so she joined the Cheerleading Squad, bouncing around in an ultra-short skirt.
Everyone was pumped—except her, the total slacker. Liang Sheng sat there expressionless in a Ge You Slouch. This torture-fest of a Sports Meet had nothing to do with her.
She really just wanted to chill at home with the AC blasting and a watermelon in hand. Liang Sheng watched her classmates training, sweat pouring off them, and stifled a laugh.
Lu Ziqing, now in shorts, snuck up behind Liang Sheng, who hadn’t noticed.
“Hey!” Young Miss Lu Ziqing slapped Liang Sheng’s shoulder hard.
“Whoa!” Liang Sheng whipped around and saw Lu Ziqing with her hair in a high ponytail, dressed super sexy.
“Whoa~” Liang Sheng perked right up, her eyes wide as saucers. She jumped to her feet and circled the Young Miss a few times. “Young Miss, this outfit today is totally my type~”
“You…!”
