"Also, you stared at me a bit too long this time, please restrain yourself."
Huh?
"Let me explain."
"Explain what? Your academic performance, or the way you just looked at me?"
Chiba Shimizu lifted her head and ran her hand through her hair strands that fluttered past her ear, her autumn-water-like eyes devoid of any ripple.
Haruka Yuzan glanced at Misaki Saki, who was still sitting at the dining table, holding her tea cup with an expression of enjoyment, the silly girl seemed not to have paid any attention to the situation here.
Only then did he slowly begin to speak,
"Did you find a method to improve grades in 'Being and Nothingness' that you were looking at?"
"There are no study methods in there because I no longer need them."
Saying so, Chiba Shimizu's charming rosy lips seemed to smile for a moment, because Haruka truly saw ripples on the autumn water, as if mocking,
"You expect the top student in the grade to learn from others, Classmate Haruka."
Indeed, the smile was real, and so was the mockery.
So much for the cool persona, huh?
How come she's not the same person at home as she is at school? Is this the home version?
After snapping back at the presumptuous boy, Chiba Shimizu seemed to be in a very good mood and returned her focus to her book.
Haruka Yuzan felt helpless,
He now seriously suspected that Chiba Shimizu must be studying in secret in her room at night, behind his back.
Otherwise, why would she never glance at the textbook usually, yet still rank first in every exam?
Truly an enviable genius girl.
Even at last week's test, Haruka Yuzan studied for three nights straight, but still came in third in the grade.
Otome Mizuko and Chiba Shimizu seemed like two insurmountable mountains.
Although Otome Mizuko's mountain was always within his grasp.
But, squeezing a mountain in a physical sense didn't suit the conscience of an upright young man; he aimed for academic achievement!
"If you really can't catch up with the grades, Haruka, I can tutor you."
At this, Chiba Shimizu seemed to be making a victory speech, delivering the most fatal blow to the boy.
So irritating, the smart beauty even made retorting sound suffocating, Haruka Yuzan couldn't even find a proper counterargument for a time.
Could it be that he should say, "Your cooking isn't as tasty as mine?"
[Landlord Information: Haruka Yuzan]
[Physical Strength:8]
[Intelligence:8]
[Charm:9]
[Remaining Attribute Points:1]
Misaki Saki guiltily withdrew her gaze, the ringtone startling the girl as if she'd been caught doing something bad, reflexively wiping away the drool.
Haruka Yuzan, however, appeared much more composed, even feeling contempt inwardly, thinking how could someone with such thin skin have the audacity to be a doujinshi artist!
Reiko Onodera pulled out her phone, and upon seeing who was calling, a smile inevitably spread across her beautiful face.
She answered,
A cute little face instantly filled the phone's screen.
"Mommy!"
The childlike voice came through, with Misaki Saki curiously glancing over, as she was the only one among them who had not met Rika Onodera.
What followed was a moment of mother-daughter chatter, with the others not intervening.
Until,
"Rika, I'm thinking about hiring someone to tutor you, what do you think?"
Reiko Onodera spoke gently.
Tutoring?
Haruka Yuzan thought, why not give it a try himself? Then he could also meet Mrs. Onodera's mother, Mariko Akiyama.
If he could get close to both of them, his plan would be half successful.
While he was considering whether to speak up, Rika in the video also gave her response.
Although the little girl seemed not too happy, she still obediently nodded her head,
"Okay."
Reiko Onodera also revealed a smile, "In that case, how about letting Sister Shimizu tutor you?
The reason for discussing with Rika was to avoid any chance of her being disobedient later, which could upset Shimizu.
Haruka Yuzan nearly sprayed out a mouthful of blood when he heard this.
Chiba Shimizu? What a joke!
His gaze shot over in astonishment, only to see the aloof Miss Chiba had already put down her book, with not a trace of panic in her eyes, quietly looking at the phone screen, ready to appear on-camera at any moment.
Ready for action???
What kind of situation was this?
"Come and say hello to Sister Shimizu."
Reiko Onodera said with a smile, while turning the phone screen towards the young girl.
When Rika Onodera caught sight of Chiba Shimizu, her eyes lit up,
"Wow, Sister Shimizu, you're so beautiful!"
Is high beauty universal, Chiba-san?
This was the little girl's first time seeing the young woman, but it was not Chiba Shimizu's first time seeing Rika Onodera.
Facing the child's compliment, the young lady did not show any extra emotion, instead calmly nodded her head,
"Hello, Rika."