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

Kagura Hikaru stopped in his tracks.

What did he hear?

What was she saying?

He had just heard…

"I'm serious, go out with me, Kagura Hikaru. I like you," Ayakoji Chiyoko turned to look at him, her hand on her hip, and repeated her words with confidence.

There was no shyness on her face, no restraint or coyness, she spoke candidly and openly.

Although he knew that this was just Ayakoji Chiyoko's personality, Kagura Hikaru couldn't help but feel a sense of unreality.

As well as a tiny, unrealistic hope.

"This is a joke... right?"

"Of course it's not. Do you think I would make such an unfunny joke?"

"..."

The tiny hope was extinguished.

Just as he was taken aback by seeing Kohinata Motoyo appear in the classroom of second year Group A for the first time, at this moment, Kagura Hikaru was struck by a huge shock. His mind became a mess, unable to think properly.

Why would she say such a thing? Ayakoji Chiyoko likes him? What does that mean? Impossible, impossible, impossible, he had clearly not shown her any amorous intentions…

Suddenly, Kagura Hikaru vividly remembered that night.

The hotel room illuminated by the bright moonlight.

The location was Capital City, the time was late at night.

When they were accidentally left to stay overnight in Capital City, because he was too tired and not thinking straight, Kagura Hikaru had a bad idea and took a tacit approach to the accusation of Ayakoji Chiyoko's unrequited love.

In other words, in Ayakoji Chiyoko's eyes, he was the one who was harboring an unrequited love for her.

When he woke up the next morning, Kagura Hikaru regretted it deeply, but then many things happened, and gradually he put it at the back of his mind and did not explain anything to Ayakoji Chiyoko.

Perhaps it was that mistake at the time that led to the current situation.

Women are weaker when it comes to resisting love; knowing this, Kagura Hikaru took such a foolish action that night.

Looking back now, his judgment wasn't wrong.

Even someone like Ayakoji Chiyoko couldn't resist this principle.

But precisely because his judgment was too accurate, it backfired! He shot himself in the foot!

Kagura Hikaru's heartbeat quickened, and he unconsciously clenched his fists.

This all-too-familiar scenario made him involuntarily think back to when he was confessed to by Suse during middle school. His feelings were exactly the same as back then, panicked and flustered.

He didn't want to develop that kind of relationship with Ayakoji Chiyoko.

Becoming a couple with an attractive woman was indeed a tempting proposal; rather, one would just feel fortunate as if a lump of gold had fallen from the sky and landed right before him.

But as much benefit and temptation as this lump of gold could bring to him, the cost Kagura Hikaru would have to bear would be just as substantial.

Firstly, he didn't harbor any romantic feelings for Ayakoji Chiyoko; secondly, if they started dating, the consequences would be unthinkable if Suse were to find out.

They had just broken up this morning!

But he couldn't refuse.

Otherwise, with Ayakoji Chiyoko's personality, if rejected, she would certainly not approach him again. Her pride wouldn't allow her to continue to develop feelings with someone who rejected her.

Having worked with her for so long, Kagura Hikaru was of course clear about this.

People who have been hurt in interpersonal relationships tend to be particularly sensitive in this regard.

In this way, Kagura Hikaru would be unable to become friends with her, and Hina's commission would be impossible to fulfill.

Even now, having fallen out with Hina, Kagura Hikaru still wanted to fulfill his promise to her.

He had promised to do one last thing for her before they graduated.

But now, an unprecedented hurdle stood before him.

If he agreed to date, the commission could continue, but it would bring a lot of trouble, and he would be deeply embroiled in it.

If he did not agree to date, the commission would fail, the trouble would be lessened, and it wouldn't affect him.

Either choice would be right, and both would be wrong.

He was caught between a rock and a hard place, in a real dilemma.

Kagura Hikaru fell into confusion.

Just like a machine that had frozen due to a logic error, he stood still, unmoving.

"Hey hey, are you so happy that you're stunned?"

Ayakoji Chiyoko hooked the corner of her mouth up, walked closer, and waved her hand in front of Kagura Hikaru's eyes. Seeing no response, she pinched his cheek.

Then, not yet satisfied, she ran her fingers from his cheek flesh to his lips, and from his lips to his Adam's apple.

Seeing that he still didn't react, Ayakoji Chiyoko, a bit embarrassed and annoyed, pinched his nose.

"Say something, will you? Are you trying to let me be embarrassed all by myself?"

"..."

"Hey!"

"Ah, has our school's former Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee finally fallen so low? To bully a male student at the entrance of the old school building—I wonder what everyone would think if I recorded this and posted it on the forum."

A teasing voice came from behind.

Ayakoji Chiyoko didn't need to look up, nor did she need to identify the voice; she could guess who it was with her grandmother's arthritic knees.

At this school, there was only one person who dared to talk to her like that.

"Kiryu Hina, what are you doing here?"

Ayakoji Chiyoko's gaze moved past Kagura Hikaru's shoulder, looking at Kiryu Hina, who stood nearby smiling demurely.

If Kiryu Hina now said something about eavesdropping on her confession, Chiyoko might not be able to resist punching her in the head to cause amnesia.

Fortunately, Kiryu Hina didn't touch on that topic.

"Me? I'm just here to collect some documents."

"From where, which department, which club."

"May I ask, what does that have to do with you?"

"...Tch, just don't mess around on my turf, I'll be keeping an eye on you."

Ayakoji Chiyoko glared at her and grabbed Kagura Hikaru's arm, dragging him into the old school building like hauling cargo, her back slightly rushed.

The scene of her confession being interrupted by someone else was also a bit embarrassing for her.

Kiryu Hina smiled as she watched her figure disappear at the entrance, then leisurely took out her phone, opened Kagura Hikaru's contact email, and typed:

[Congratulations, Ayakoji Chiyoko successfully confessed to you. Come down in ten minutes, I'll be waiting for you at our usual spot in the courtyard. Don't think about refusing, whether it's me or Ayakoji Chiyoko.]

She clicked send.

She smiled, bringing the phone to her lips.

"As expected of you, Kagura Hikaru, finding you was indeed the right choice; it allowed me to see quite an amusing show. And with this… the plan can take a big step forward."

Toward the end, the smile on Kiryu Hina's face faded a bit.

She put away her phone, entered the old school building, took a so-called document from the News Department, and left. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

Ten minutes later, Kagura Hikaru rushed out of the old school building, glanced back at the window of the Disciplinary Committee office on the third floor under the scorching sun, and hurried toward the school courtyard.

In the end, he did not accept Ayakoji Chiyoko's invitation to date.

But, he also did not refuse.

Because before he could reply, he saw the text message from Kiryu Hina.

Having his confession witnessed by Ayakoji Chiyoko was the biggest mistake, and he didn't know what sort of tricks Hina might play using this.

From her tone, she probably had something to rely on.

With the circumstances unclear, Kagura Hikaru dared not act recklessly, simply telling Ayakoji Chiyoko that he would reply to her later, and then temporarily left the Disciplinary Committee.

In Ayakoji Chiyoko's view, he might be considered as having fled in a panic.

At their usual spot in the courtyard.

It was that secluded spot under the maple tree, where he had lunch with Ai Cheng Hua Lian and Ruzaki Mami before.

Kiryu Hina sat there, content and at ease, looking up at the maple leaves not far away.

Hearing footsteps, she turned her head and displayed an elegant smile.

"Long time no see, Mister Hikaru."