After breaking up, my ex asked me to win her back

A few hours ago.

After successfully getting permission from the teacher to leave class, Kagura Hikaru appeared under the academic building with a backpack and a guitar case in tow.

"Hmm...."

Seeing the golden expanse outside the shadow of the eaves, he couldn't help but let out a troubled sound from his throat.

The midday sun was too strong, stinging the eyes.

The thought of having to walk out there made him feel hot.

No, not just walking out there, but even standing downstairs made him sweat uncontrollably.

This summer was proving to be a tough one.

Kagura Hikaru wiped the sweat from his forehead, swept his hair back, and was just about to muster the courage to step out when he suddenly saw an adult wearing a straw hat and carrying a trash basket on his back passing by.

It was Teacher Yamazaki.

The physical education teacher and Kendo Club advisor who had been with him at the competition in the Capital City.

"Hey, isn't that Kagura?"

Seeing him too, he raised his hand and came over to say hello, "What's up with you, it's class time right now."

"I got permission to leave early," Kagura Hikaru replied.

Noticing that he was wearing gloves and holding a long pair of tongs, Kagura couldn't help but ask, "Teacher Yamazaki, are you picking up trash?"

"Yeah, per the principal's instructions, who else but the PE teacher with the best physical strength and plenty of free time?"

Teacher Yamazaki struck a self-pitying bodybuilder's pose to show off his biceps, said with resignation, then sized him up, his eyes lighting up, "Say, Classmate Kagura, you should have some time now, right?"

"...What for."

"Don't think about running, come and help!"

And just like that, Kagura Hikaru found himself drafted into service.

Beep beep beep beep——

The constant chirping of summer cicadas filled the air.

Though unseen, their sounds were always audible, no matter where one was.

It was as if the essence of summer itself was making its presence felt.

After listening for a while, he began to feel a peculiar type of calmness, reminding Kagura Hikaru of his rural hometown visits during the summer vacations.

He adjusted his cap and gazed at the distant clouds.

He was assigned to clean the plastic racetrack area, donning a hat, gloves, and a trash basket like Teacher Yamazaki, with a long pair of tongs for picking up trash in hand.

"So hot...."

He muttered as he wiped his chin, sighing deeply.

Why had it come to this?

He'd rather be 'imprisoned' in the classroom, with its ceiling providing shade and a fan that could blow air.

Outside, even if there was a breeze, it was a hot one.

After complaining, he bent down to continue working.

The sooner he finished, the sooner he could go home.

The racetrack was relatively clean, but the spectator stands next to it were a completely different story.

Who knows who had been up there playing, leaving behind a pile of trash, plastic bags, empty drink bottles, snack wrappers, and even gum stuck to the seats.

If anyone says again that people from the Island Nation are clean and civilized, Kagura Hikaru is ready to argue fiercely.

By the time everything was cleaned up, it was already half-past three in the afternoon, and other students had left school.

Kagura Hikaru washed his face, retrieved his backpack and guitar case, and was planning to go home when he encountered Ai Cheng Hua Lian wandering in the courtyard pathway near the school entrance, holding an election sign and distributing flyers.

"Ah, Kagura, yo~"

Seeing him, Ai Cheng Hua Lian greeted him energetically, hurrying over like a dog spotting its owner.

She brushed the hair that had floated onto her cheek and smiled happily, "Are you heading back now? Got a live show today?"

"No, heading home," Kagura Hikaru replied.

Actually, there was a rehearsal, but it was just for the band, and he wouldn't have brought the guitar to school otherwise.

However, since the band that had asked him to perform was a regular client and they had collaborated many times, they mentioned that it was fine to come to rehearsal if he had time and no problem if he couldn't make it, so he might as well say there wasn't one. He was indeed planning to head straight home to rest.

But since he'd encountered Ai Cheng Hua Lian, he figured a slight delay would be okay.

"Are you helping President Kiriyu distribute flyers again?" Kagura Hikaru picked up a flyer from her hand, which bore phrases such as 'Support Kiryu Hina for a continued term as the Student Council President for a brand-new campus life.'

The packaging was rather artistic, but that was the gist of it.

Worth noting was that it also mentioned the proposal to change the school's ban on dating, identical to Ayakoji Chiyoko's policy.

But surprisingly, Kagura had learned of it through the flyer, as there had been absolutely no similar buzz around the school, indicating it hadn't had an impact.

When it came to changing school rules, people still remembered Ayakoji Chiyoko more resonantly.

After all, it was she who brought it up first and heavily promoted it in the Society Discussion Meeting Daily.

Kiryu Hina's later-added promises were merely icing on the cake and did not manage to pull back the advantage.

Since both major candidates were advocating for a change in school rules, everyone would just vote for who they liked, and in the end, it wouldn't be their loss.

If it came down to popularity, Ayakoji Chiyoko, the first to propose the lifting of the ban on dating and who had appeared on a TV program with Kagura Hikaru, was recently gaining momentum. She was going back and forth with the school's 'veteran idol' Kiryu Hina, and it was still too early to tell who would win or lose.

But Kagura Hikaru would ensure that in the end, it was Ayakoji Chiyoko who emerged victorious, no matter what happened.

It was uncertain if the appearance of Kohinata Motoyo in this last week before the results would change the outcome of the election.

If there were to be changes, he hoped they would be positive.

Under the sun, students sought refuge in the shade of trees on both sides of the courtyard to avoid the sunlight.

Ai Cheng Hua Lian was tasked with walking to crowded areas during the after-school period, carrying a sign and handing out flyers to promote as much as possible.

She diligently carried out her duties and was passing out flyers to passing students while saying the slogan "Support President Kiryu Hina's Reelection".

The accident occurred at this time.

Not noticing the group of boys running and roughhousing behind him was Kagura's oversight; after all, it was the after-school period, and the surrounding noise was already loud. By the time he realized it, it was too late.

The leading boy, walking backward and talking to those behind him, didn't slow his pace and directly knocked over Ai Cheng Hua Lian, who couldn't dodge in time.

"Ah!"

Ai Cheng Hua Lian, being small and light, was knocked down hard, her sign and flyers scattering all over the ground.

But after seeing what happened, they just glanced back and continued running forward, laughing and joking.

However, before they could leave the school gate, they were stopped by the Gorilla Vice President and several other Discipline Committee members stationed at the gate.

"Running and laughing in the courtyard, recklessly bumping into people and violating discipline," the Gorilla Vice President towered before them like a wall, his fierce and broad face instilling fear.

"What discipline? Who cares about you guys?"

The boys appeared to be first-year students, still unaware of Ugao High's rules—never defy the Discipline Committee.

They started retreating to escape.

Likely to their surprise, they turned to find Kagura Hikaru already standing behind them, waiting.

He swiftly kicked the leading boy's knee and expertly restrained him with a joint lock.

The other Discipline Committee members quickly joined in, pinning the boys down one after another.

"Teach, what should we do with them?" the Gorilla Vice President came over to consult.

"They bumped into someone and didn't apologize. They should be punished."

Kagura left this instruction and no longer paid attention.

The Gorilla Vice President, however, showed a knowing smile—or rather a sinister grin.

Punishment it is, understood.

While the Discipline Committee members took the offending students to the Discipline Committee for a 'disciplinary education' session that was more physical than verbal, Kagura returned to Ai Cheng Hua Lian's side.

Before going to restrain the boys, Kagura had already checked that she was uninjured and helped her sit at the edge of the courtyard.

But when he returned, he saw her massaging her ankle.

"What's wrong, does your foot hurt?"

"Yes, it seems like I've sprained it..."

Kagura turned around, squatted in front of her, "Climb on, I'll carry you to the infirmary."

"Eh... Eh!? Can you?"

"Yes."

"Then, then... thank you."

Ai Cheng Hua Lian's face flushed as she slowly climbed onto Kagura's back.

Unexpectedly broad and firm.

Is this how boys are supposed to feel?

As she clasped her arms around his neck and at such a close distance, Ai Cheng could easily smell Kagura's scent, and the warm touch of his hands under her thighs flushed her face thoroughly.

Soon, they reached the infirmary, where the school nurse might think she had heatstroke.

Ai Cheng Hua Lian thought hazily.

Today might just be her lucky day.

The infirmary was located on the inner side of the first floor of the academic building. Kagura carried Ai Cheng Hua Lian, also holding both of their satchels and a guitar case, rushing there.

However, clearly, he did not expect to encounter Kohinata Motoyo, who was about to head home, downstairs.

They looked at each other, stunned for a few seconds, and then both women spoke almost simultaneously.

"Kagura, who is this?"

"Kagura, do you know her?"

Kagura Hikaru: "..."