A rare clear day, with not a single cloud in the sky.
Brilliant morning sunlight spilled into the room through the floor-to-ceiling window, coating the sleeping figure on the velvet bed with a soft halo, like a layer of golden shards scattered on the floor.
When Kaito woke up, the clock had just struck eight.
Many schools in Japan practiced "happy education," with a very relaxed class schedule.
The first class in the morning started at nine, and students were dismissed as early as three-thirty in the afternoon. Shuka Academy was no exception.
Of course, no matter where, there were always "grinders" and "slackers."
In his past life, Kaito belonged to the grinders.
Even if school started late, when it came to cultivation, he was the most diligent among many disciples of the same generation.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have become a Celestial Sovereign in just four hundred years. This was, of course, due to his outstanding talent, but it was also inseparable from effort and sweat.
There was still an hour before the first class.
But Kaito didn't seem to be in a hurry. His home was not far from Shuka Academy, only about ten minutes by train.
He got dressed, got up, washed up, and went to the kitchen to make a simple breakfast.
By the time he finished everything he needed to do, the wall clock had only turned half a circle.
After finishing the last slice of bread with blueberry jam, he changed into shoes at the entrance.
Only then did Kaito, carrying his shoulder bag, slowly walk out the door, ready to go to school.
But at the train station, he saw a familiar figure.
"Togawa-san?", Blue twin-tails, black inner layer matched with a light-colored school blazer, the ribbon on her chest tied into a beautiful bow.
The girl stood gracefully in the wind, like a narcissus flower, her skirt fluttering, her hair dancing.
"Good morning, Kaito-kun~", Togawa Sakiko slightly lifted her skirt and gave a lady-like greeting.
Gone was the nervousness and unease from yesterday. The girl's pretty face wore a gentle smile, her large and spirited eyes sparkling like gemstones, putting people in a good mood.
"Fancy seeing you again," Kaito nodded at her. As if remembering something, he asked, "You live nearby too?"
"That's right," Togawa Sakiko pressed her lips lightly together, "My house... is just across from Kaito-kun's place."
Not only did they live next to each other, they even wore the same Shuka school uniform.
'Perhaps this is the guidance of fate?'
"I see," Kaito nodded with understanding, "I just moved in not long ago. Since it's such a coincidence, I'll come by and visit someday."
In Japan, people generally had the custom of visiting new neighbors after moving in.
It helped build relationships with those next door and also symbolized a new beginning in life.
Although Kaito wasn't interested in visiting strangers, since he already knew Togawa-san, spending a little time wouldn't hurt.
"No need for a visit," Togawa Sakiko decisively refused. Not because she wanted to distance herself from Kaito.
Simply because... she didn't want him to see that drunkard father who only knew how to drink.
Worried Kaito might misunderstand, Togawa Sakiko hesitated for a moment and added, "How about I come visit you instead, would that be okay?"
"Of course, no problem."
The two chatted for a few more moments before the train finally arrived.
The carriage was fairly spacious, though there weren't many empty seats left.
Sakiko reacted quickly and pulled Kaito to sit in a corner seat.
Their close posture could easily be mistaken by outsiders as a school couple.
Especially since both had extremely high attractiveness, drawing plenty of amazed stares from passersby.
In this world, the male-to-female ratio was very abnormal, about 1 to 4. The number of female students in school was obviously much higher than male students.
So the office workers on the train were mostly OL big sisters in black tights and pencil skirts, rarely any men in suits.
Because of that, handsome guys drew even more attention.
If it weren't for the dazzling presence of Sakiko beside him making these OL big sisters lack confidence, someone would've already come up to strike a conversation.
Even so, the fiery, burning gazes from people around made Sakiko's willow brows slightly furrow.
Then, without drawing attention, she stood up and used her body as a shield, standing in front of Kaito.
Since they were in a corner seat, when Sakiko stood up, she happened to block out most of the outside gazes.
'Girls these days, is their possessiveness always this strong? That is way too protective!'
Facing the OL big sisters' discontented gazes, Togawa Sakiko didn't back down one bit.
Her amber eyes were cold like ice and snow, staring back at each one.
Perhaps because her attitude was too righteously confident, or perhaps because peeking was unjustified to begin with, in any case, this round was Sakiko's victory.
It wasn't until the train reached the next station that Sakiko lowered her head again. Looking at the handsome boy just a step away, she softly said: "Kaito-kun, time to get off."
Kaito had been thinking about how to start a spirit-exorcism business and hadn't paid much attention to the undercurrents on the train.
He always had the attitude of 'being stared at a few times doesn't matter, it's not like I'll lose a chunk of flesh.'
Walking out of the carriage with Togawa Sakiko, the school gate of Shuka was just a short distance away.
But suddenly, the girl stopped in her tracks, apologetically saying: "I just remembered I forgot to buy something. Kaito-kun, go ahead. No need to wait for me."
That was a lie.
Though she had great affection for Kaito-kun, Togawa Sakiko understood very well.
If she just walked through the school gate with him like this, it would only stir up troublesome gossip and bring trouble to Kaito-kun.
Moreover, with her current situation, she didn't even have the qualifications to take a further step.
Even if she boldly pursued love and decisively confessed, what then?
She couldn't even guarantee basic food, clothing, and shelter. Even if they dated, she'd only become a burden to Kaito-kun.
So she had to endure.
The current Togawa Sakiko, the only thing she could do, was help Kaito-kun block the stares from the obsessed women on the train.
Of course, this situation wouldn't last long.
Sakiko already had a rough plan in her heart, a plan that would let her gain financial freedom and no longer be a burden.
'As long as I form a new band and quickly commercialize it afterward, I can escape the current situation!'
'Band members... maybe I can ask Uika and Mutsumi for help?'
'But that's not enough. I still need to recruit other members. I must find suitable candidates as soon as possible.'
A hundred thoughts swirled in the girl's heart, but none showed on her face.
After bidding farewell to Kaito and watching his back gradually disappear into the distance, she finally stepped forward again and walked toward the school gate.
———
The moment he stepped into the classroom, the originally noisy classmates immediately fell silent.
Ignoring the gazes from all directions, Kaito's expression remained calm.
He walked to his seat and casually put down his shoulder bag, only then noticing that his desk had been stuffed full of love letters at some point.
Most were pink envelopes, occasionally mixed with a few blue ones, full of girls' affections.
'Wait a second...'
Recalling the slightly unnatural behavior of a few male classmates earlier, Kaito fell into thought.
'Maybe... even some boys?'
He had no intention of opening them.
From first-life experience, love letters, either read them all or read none at all.
If he picked only a few to read, it might give someone unrealistic hopes, ["He read my love letter. Does that mean he likes me?"]
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