-1308- Should be considered a boy?

Hagun Academy, Classroom Building.

At the entrance of the bustling classroom building, two figures appeared.

However, they weren't walking side by side. One was ahead, seemingly annoyed and wanting to leave, while the other followed as if in pursuit.

"Arnett-kun! Arnett-kun! Please accept my interview!"

Kusakabe Kagami, who hadn't been seen for a while, was chasing after Rozen, with a camera hanging around her neck, holding a notebook and a ballpoint pen, persistently following Rozen while pleading.

"Just a little bit! Just a few questions! Please!"

Kusakabe Kagami had been chasing Rozen for this reason for quite some time.

And this wasn't the first time.

Rozen walked forward without looking back, completely ignoring Kusakabe Kagami, speaking casually.

"You just want to ask why I'm not participating in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, right? I'm tired of hearing that. Please, just leave me alone."

That was indeed the case.

Due to the active performances of Ikki, Stella, and Shizuku, the first-year students had received significant attention. Currently, the most lively and noticeable group in the academy was undoubtedly the first-year students.

Among them, besides Stella and her group, Rozen, who was also an A-Rank Knight with the second strongest magical power in the world, was the most intriguing. He didn't participate in the selection battles or the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, remaining exceedingly low-key, which made people very curious.

On the Hagun Academy's website, as the first-year trio's activities became more prominent, more and more people began to wonder why Rozen wasn't participating in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival. Some even noticed Rozen's stateless status, which sparked significant curiosity.

As the saying goes, things that are secret always attract the most interest. Rozen's low-key and mysterious lifestyle led to outsiders giving him the title of "The Enigmatic Star." In this world, there are always plenty of curious people. Naturally, they wanted to know just how mysterious this so-called "Enigmatic Star" was.

As a result, Kusakabe Kagami, an ace reporter for the school's newspaper club, wouldn't pass up such a big story and a chance to make headlines. She pestered Rozen almost daily, hoping he would accept her interview and satisfy the nationwide curiosity.

Seeing the glow in this reporter's eyes, Rozen even had his suspicions.

"You haven't been stalking me, have you?"

Rozen looked at Kusakabe Kagami suspiciously.

This, however, made Kusakabe Kagami displeased.

"Come on, I'm a reporter, not a paparazzo. Can you stop questioning my professionalism?"

Kusakabe Kagami protested.

"Is that so?" Rozen still doubted. "Then why do I feel like someone has been following me after school lately?"

"Re...really?" Kusakabe Kagami's face stiffened, and she seemed to evade the topic. "Maybe it's just some other curious students making imprudent moves?"

Kusakabe Kagami acted as if it had nothing to do with her, trying to absolve herself completely, making Rozen narrow his eyes.

It seemed like this so-called professional reporter had indeed been stalking him recently.

Naturally, Rozen had noticed but chose not to mention it on purpose.

After all, although Kusakabe Kagami had been slightly following him, it was just that—slightly. She only observed what Rozen did within the academy. Once he entered his dorm, she wouldn't go as far as taking photos secretly, otherwise, she would truly become a paparazzo.

Since Kusakabe Kagami had some sense of propriety, Rozen didn't take any harsh measures.

However, Rozen thought it was time to give a warning.

So...

"I say, shouldn't you have plenty of other interviewees?"

Rozen spoke.

"Like Kurogane, Stella, or Kurogane's sister. They are currently the most popular and well-loved people in the academy. If you interview them, you'll easily make the headlines."

Rozen's words were not without reason.

Although Rozen's mystery had aroused much curiosity, it was merely curiosity. Unlike Ikki, Stella, and Shizuku, who had garnered significant popularity and were highly topical through their constant victories in the selection battles.

For example, Ikki was a swordsman who had previously been despised as the "Worst One" with a fate full of hardships.

For example, Stella is extraordinarily beautiful and also a princess of the Vermillion Empire.

Another example is Shizuku, who is cute, and also an heir of the Kurogane family.

With such backgrounds, appearances, and popularity, if they really accepted interviews, they would undoubtedly make headlines. The topics they could generate would be far more significant than Rozen's, ensuring a steady flow of attention.

Unfortunately...

"I want to, but none of them want to be interviewed."

Kusakabe Kagami spoke as if she had no choice.

"Kurogane-senpai always thinks he's just doing what he wants to do and doesn't deserve to be interviewed or admired. Princess Stella doesn't like being in the spotlight due to her past experiences, so she resents it somewhat. As for Shizuku, every time I approach her, she just asks, 'Who are you?' It's like I don't exist in her memory at all!"

Kusakabe Kagami's lament made Rozen feel a bit sympathetic towards her.

Ikki and Stella were understandable, but to actually provoke Shizuku, who claimed to hate everyone except Ikki, it was no wonder she got the cold shoulder.

"Ah, but Shizuku has recently been seen getting close to a boy in our class."

Kusakabe Kagami seemed to suddenly remember something, clapping her hands as she spoke.

"You mean that Kurogane's sister is getting close to a boy in your class?"

Rozen was stunned.

But Kusakabe Kagami's expression turned awkward and hesitant.

"Well...he should be considered a boy, right? And a pretty good-looking one?"

Kusakabe Kagami's puzzling words made Rozen more confused.

"Forget it. Anyway, stop following me. I'm not interested in making the news headlines, nor do I want to be interviewed. Why don't you just write a few lines and erase my presence from this academy?"

Rozen said this and then turned around, walking away by himself.

"Wait!"

Kusakabe Kagami pursued relentlessly, but strangely, halfway through her chase, she suddenly lost sight of Rozen.

"I...I won't give up!"

Kusakabe Kagami shouted loudly.

But the future seemed bleak.

Of course, Kusakabe Kagami's information did pique Rozen's curiosity.

"Kurogane's sister actually has a male friend other than Ikki?"

He really wanted to see for himself.

As Rozen thought this, he didn't know that soon, he would meet this person.

And he would completely understand what Kusakabe Kagami meant.