The Introduction of Uesugi Fuutarou and Asada Mako

Fuutarou, a first-year high school student.

After passing the first monthly exam, he officially learned a name.

"Asada Mako...?"

The spring breeze still carried a chill.

Fuutarou shrugged, tucking his hands into his pockets and rubbing them.

He initially thought he would be the top scorer. After all, he entered Shuchi'in Academy through external admission with excellent results. Moreover, a group of teenage girls and boys in the class vaguely knew that they were not the type to concentrate on studying.

After checking the ranking board, Fuutarou was confident he could approach a perfect score and become the top rank, so that the wealthy could see what the poor could do.

But he didn't expect the slap in the face to come so quickly.

The exam questions were two levels harder than those of other high schools; he ranked third and only scored 490. The first rank got a full score, and the second rank got 498 points.

Just like the comparison between himself and other classmates who always scored full marks, his score was thrown as far as possible.

Setting aside the first rank, even as an external student, what worried him was the second rank, the less known guy who was only two points behind the first rank.

It seemed he had heard this name somewhere...

Wait, could he be from our class?

Thinking about this, the vague impression slowly became clear; the desk next to him seemed to bear this name?

He didn't care about the names of his classmates. He had to devote all his energy to studying well and discard the rest like trash.

Therefore, Fuutarou wouldn't talk to others unless necessary, let alone remember the name of a stranger.

His indifferent attitude and gloomy temperament always repelled others, so shortly after school started, he became the most marginalized person in the class.

And the second rank...

Could that be her?

△

First-year Class C.

Fuutarou returned to his seat, lying on the table, secretly gazing at his neighbor through the barrier of hair and arms.

Usually, he didn't pay much attention, but there was indeed a girl sitting there, quietly holding a book and reading.

She was about 1.6 meters tall, right? Her skin was pale white, her shoulders slender, but she felt more majestic and powerful than most girls.

Not in terms of figure, but in temperament, petite but not delicate.

Her long straight black hair flowed down to her waist. The ends of her hair were not messy at all, and there were no split ends. Coupled with her proud and upright upper body, it was evident that she paid great attention to her appearance, but she was not haughty like a young noblewoman.

Her smooth and clean side face, pointed nose, slightly tapered thin cherry lips, slightly pointed eyebrows, and clear black eyes sparkled like twinkling stars.

As her eyes focused on the book, her expression was very concentrated, as if she had truly immersed herself in the world of books and escaped from the classroom.

Calm and gentle, this was Fuutarou's first impression of her appearance.

Avoiding strangers and isolating oneself from the world. This was his assessment of her temperament.

Was this the generosity of 498 points?

She didn't look like an ordinary student, she didn't look like a wealthy girl either, and she even had an inhuman temperament...

To use a metaphor, she was like a fairy in a book.

The only thing in her eyes was that book, and her only intention was to finish reading that book. Besides that, nothing was important and meaningful to her.

(...Wait, I'm not a middle school student! What am I thinking?)

Fuutarou immediately dismissed the chaotic thought and continued to observe his neighbor.

"Hey, Asada-san, do you want to sing together after school?"

A voice suddenly came from the side, and a female classmate came to talk to her.

Mako stopped for three seconds, then shifted her gaze from the book to the female classmate, with an invisible furrow between her eyebrows.

Then, her expression relaxed, she smiled slightly apologetically, and she politely declined both in attitude and etiquette.

"I would also like to go if I could, but my family is very strict, and I'm not allowed to go out freely... I'm sorry."

Fuutarou realized that her voice was very pleasant, as clear and cool as the summer breeze, lingering around his ears and disappearing without him realizing it.

Shortly after the female classmate left, another male classmate came to invite her.

Perhaps he was intrigued by her flower-like temperament?

Fuutarou instinctively clicked his tongue. They were really a group of idiots who didn't know how to read the atmosphere.

"Asada-san, our family will be hosting a private party soon, and many classmates will attend. Would you like to come? You can meet the children of many celebrities and elites. In this case, your parents will not refuse."

With his polite tone, Mako's furrow deepened and became clearer.

She leaned back slightly and glanced at the other party's hand on the table. A look of disgust flashed in her eyes, and the next moment, she smiled politely and apologized.

"I'm sorry, I'm not interested in such situations. Also... I have a medical certificate... A certificate for male phobia... The doctor said I'm not suitable for getting too close to men... If possible, could you step back?"

The more she spoke, the more difficult her expression became. Her slender shoulders shrunk slightly, her small hands covered her chest, and she adjusted her breathing uncomfortably.

"Ah, I'm sorry..." Seeing her face grow paler, the male classmate immediately stepped back a few steps and waved his hand in panic, "It's okay if it doesn't work out, I won't bother you. If you're really not feeling well. In that case, please remember to go to the health room!"

"Um... Thank you for your concern..."

Mako slowly lay down on the table, with her head on the book, her face gradually relaxing from the pain, and she closed her eyes and rested.

Fuutarou looked at her in surprise.

Where did this movie queen come from?

If he hadn't noticed the changes in her expression as an observer, and wasn't influenced by her temperament and appearance, he might have been fooled by her perfect acting skills like the two classmates earlier.

Facing alienation from female classmates and dislike from male classmates, the girl hid it all well under her etiquette.

Due to her alienation, Fuutarou was still criticized and gossiped about by others, but Mako clearly didn't like to communicate with people like him, but she could be treated with caution, and because of her grades.

It might not be long before she could earn her own title as a first-year student, and become one of those who leave their names in the history of Shuchi'in Academy.

This was really bad.

Quietly staring at Mako, Fuutarou felt sad to be compared to her in every aspect.

At this moment, Mako raised her hand and touched her white jade earlobe, suddenly turning her head, her gaze piercing Fuutarou.

"Ah." Fuutarou's expression stiffened.

"...Eh?" Mako blinked.

They looked at each other in surprise, not expecting to meet gazes at this moment.

However, shortly after, Mako acted as if she hadn't seen him, and slowly turned her head back with an expressionless face, burying her head in her arms, as if taking a nap, and like a little squirrel hiding in a hole.

However, Fuutarou could see that her ears, visible from her fine black hair, were tinged with dark red.

Mako seemed to realize something. She quickly covered her ears with her hair, sat up suddenly, raised her head, and straightened her chest. She stared at Fuutarou and spoke in a cold tone.

"Excuse me, classmate, could you stop staring at me? I suffer from male phobia..."

"Isn't that a lie?"

Fuutarou complained reflexively, making Mako stunned for a moment, and there was guilt in her eyes.

But immediately, she continued to put on an apathetic face and said coldly.

"Whether it's a lie or not, it's an undeniable fact that you're harassing a girl with your eyes. Or do you want to meet me for something? If not, I will call the police."

"Why would you immediately call the police!?"

Fuutarou looked a little bitter, scratching his hair, turning his face away.

"I admit it's my fault for staring at you, and I want to apologize to you first, but I just want to know what kind of talent the student one level higher than me has. I'm not interested in you at all, please don't misunderstand without permission."

"Is that so? I feel the same way."

Mako turned her back with a cold expression.

"I'm not interested in people whose grades are below mine. As long as you can keep your eyes open and forget what just happened, I won't make trouble for you."

"Well then... wait a minute, did you sneak in under strange conditions?"

"Please don't disturb me, I want to read my book."

Mako took the book without changing her expression, not wanting to pay attention to him at all.

Fuutarou clicked his tongue, leaned on the table, and looked out the window.

"An unpleasant girl..."

(Forget it, I won't do anything with her, I came here to get a better future, not to argue with women, just take care of my studies)

Thinking like this, through the reflection in the window, the calm and beautiful side of the girl caught his attention.

As she read, she truly had a unique and indescribable temperament.

But for some reason, Fuutarou could see a hint of loneliness.

△

Physical Education Class.

The sun was scorching today, making it feel like summer was about to begin.

The physical education teacher at Shuchi'in Academy was very strict. Unless there was definite evidence, no one, regardless of gender, could escape running five laps on the field as a warm-up exercise and sweat.

The queue was getting longer, with some overtaking and some falling behind.

Fuutarou was the one who fell behind, his physical fitness was not good, usually he worked hard just to study, let alone exercise.

After running two and a half laps at a constant speed, he had very little energy left, so he planned to jog for the rest of the way.

However, the teacher didn't specify how fast the students should run. The fact that the students had run was enough.

Thinking like this, a slender figure suddenly ran past him. Her pale white skin reflected the almost transparent light. Her running posture was as standard as a textbook, but her chest rose and fell.

It was her.

Fuutarou unconsciously quickened his pace, chased after her, and looked at her beside him.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"..."

Trying to regulate her irregular and fast breathing, Mako just looked at him calmly and turned her face away.

Her expression was slightly uncomfortable, her breath was very fast, and her steps were trembling, but her eyes stared ahead stubbornly, letting sweat flow down her slender neck, and she ran forward alone.

Although she looked very tired, her face didn't flush, making her black eyes even brighter, but she still didn't slow down and continued to move forward with her slender legs.

Fuutarou frowned, even without realizing it, and there seemed to be a little worry in his tone.

"Do you need to push yourself? If you're not feeling well, just learn from others and jog slowly, okay?"

Swinging arms wiped sweat from her forehead, her smooth face filled with determination, Mako took step by step, her lips slightly parted, and her words came out softly mixed with sighs.

"...You... That's you, I am me... My studies... What I want to do... Just related to myself..."

Fuutarou looked at her in surprise, but he could only see the corner of her lips tapering off.

The next moment, Mako quickened her pace as if to show off her strength, her black hair tied into a swinging ponytail behind her, slowly leaving Fuutarou behind.

Staring at her back with a blank gaze, Fuutarou slowed down, listening to her breath change from fast to gentle.

He thought of the girl's face, which seemed to be obsessed with something.

Bowing his head and touching his bangs, Fuutarou clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"It's not my style to have a warm face but a cold behavior... Forget it, just consider it as physical exercise!"

Forget rational thinking, besides, there was no time to think about something while running.

Only he knew the meaning of the smile he silently brought out at this moment.

So Fuutarou rushed as hard as he could towards the figure of Mako, who was moving forward slowly and firmly.

"...Hey, I'm running quite slow. I'll catch up soon."

Mako glanced at him slightly, and her pupils narrowed in surprise.

Running alongside her, Fuutarou grinned, his voice pretending to be spooky: "Well, I can't outperform you in performance for now, so it would be best if I beat you on the track."

Mako blinked, and said in astonishment, "Are you... do you have a brain problem... or are you shameless...?"

Fuutarou said as if he surrendered to himself: "Ah, just forget it! Anyway, both of us are running very slowly. If one of us is laughed at, we won't be embarrassed. Even if, we can support each other."

He chuckled, "Moreover... running alone is quite boring. Isn't it motivating to have someone to run with?"

Mako stared at him with a blank look.

Then she rolled her eyes and turned around.

"Who cares about you? Just run."

A soft hum was heard in the footsteps, and then she began to speed up without expression.

Fuutarou showed a successful smile, and at the same time accelerated his pace, soon he was half a step ahead of her.

Mako frowned, despite her trembling body, she moved her painful and heavy thighs and accelerated again.

Fuutarou used all his strength to rush forward.

Veins appeared on Mako's forehead, and she gritted her teeth.

Suddenly, the whole class watched in amazement as the two of them ran one by one on the track.

There was no smile on their faces, they all tried their best to outdo each other.

The image of a well-groomed literature girl that Mako maintained for a month crumbled.

△

"Ha ha ha..."

"Ouch... I'm almost dead..."

On the field, the two of them walked slowly side by side, with their heads bowed, sweat soaking the track drop by drop, leaving traces of water along the way out.

"What's wrong with you..."

Wiping the glistening sweat on his forehead, Mako stopped pretending, wrinkled her face, and looked at Fuutarou.

"You clearly don't have good physical strength, but you still provoke me... What, is this the latest courtship method?"

She said these words in annoyance, but her cheeks turned abnormally red.

But her eyes were still very sharp and cold.

Fuutarou held his chest and panted. After vomiting a few times, he spoke intermittently.

"Who's interested in you... I'm just not happy to be second-ranked..."

He raised his head, and under his sweat-drenched hair, a pair of bright eyes stared provocatively at Mako.

"I'll surpass you in the next monthly exam... Just wait for the second place... Like this time in the race..."

Mako looked at the enthusiastic smile on his lips. Suddenly, a white light appeared in front of her eyes, her body trembled involuntarily, and a dizzy feeling from vomiting suddenly appeared.

Fuutarou had already prepared his hand on her shoulder and said calmly.

"Let's go to the infirmary."

"...It's very annoying, you don't need to worry about it."

After grumbling, the girl regained her balance and took a deep breath.

"It doesn't matter..." Fuutarou put his hand down, but before he finished speaking, he heard her say this.

"Well, whatever your purpose is, I won't thank you or treat you as a creepy person trying to harass a beautiful girl."

"How dare you say that..." Fuutarou moved the corner of his mouth.

"But."

Mako suddenly stopped. After taking a few steps forward, she turned around to look at him.

The warm spring breeze blew her hair, and her black hair flew gently behind her.

Pressing her fingers on her dancing temples, her young red lips were slightly lifted, as if there was some kind of ice melting at this moment.

"If you want to follow me, you have to run faster."

"Um, I'll accept your challenge. Besides, it's quite fun... But because of that, I also have my condition."

That evil smile was so sweet that Fuutarou stood there with wide-open eyes.

"Every time you follow the monthly exams, as long as you don't surpass me, you have to do tasks for me. Whatever I ask you to buy, you have to buy it for me... Don't show that expression, it's an equal exchange of value, if not, who cares where you are?"

Seeing Fuutarou still not reacting and his eyes dull, Mako sighed, turned her face away, and scratched her cheek.

"That's good... If I have time, I can teach you your lessons. If you can't beat me after being taught by me, you have to be convinced and help me get special items from the store, okay?"

After a moment, Fuutarou clicked his tongue and replied.

"...Tsk, I don't need your mercy. I accept the previous condition, just wait. Only you will buy bread for the second monthly exam!"

Mako smiled, then waved her hand lazily, turned around with indifference, and her expression returned to normal.

"Well, good luck~"

"Your face changes so quickly..." Fuutarou followed her steps and looked at the side of her face.

"...Hmph." She lowered her head, twisted her bangs, and couldn't help but laugh.

Although she didn't do it deliberately, she felt very satisfied at this moment. Satisfied because she seemed to have helped someone else.

A strange feeling.

But, it didn't bother her.

"By the way, let me ask you a question."

"Huh, what?"

Mako said with an innocent face: "What's your name? I'm not interested in people who rank below me. Just know you're ranked third."

Fuutarou gritted his teeth and said word by word, "UESUGI FUUTAROU! Remember it for me!"

"Oh, I remember." Mako nodded without changing her expression, "Although I'm still not interested."

Fuutarou: "..."

Indeed, this is the person he hates!

The girl is not a flower on the mountain, just a weed planted in another desert!

△

Second year of high school.

Mako entered the classroom and saw Fuutarou utter one word in his seat.

"Hey! Fuutarou, you're still using that very inefficient learning method."

"It's up to me, you don't need to worry about it." Fuutarou rolled his eyes and continued to look at flashcards.

"You're still so relaxed. Just wait until I surpass you in the next monthly exam, Mako."

Mako was momentarily stunned, then pursed her lips and chuckled.

"You've been saying this for a year, dummy."