Chapter 30: A Swift Refusal

Jiangli spent several days on high alert, wary of a potential surprise attack from legal loli. However, after four or five days had passed, he hadn't seen a trace of Saikyou Nene. Although he wasn't sure why she had disappeared, Jiangli allowed himself to relax a bit. He wasn't keen on facing the difficult choice between compromising his principles and obtaining enhanced physical abilities. Perhaps if he could master legal loli's power of "Jibakujin," it might be worth the effort.

Jiangli found himself indulging in impractical daydreams more than once. He imagined what it would be like to possess that power, rapidly growing stronger in a short span of time. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that legal loli would extract a significant price for her help – a price he wasn't willing to pay.

Before he knew it, the weekend arrived. On this particular day, school was out, and Jiangli discovered an envelope waiting for him on his desk. Upon opening it and reading its contents, he promptly left the classroom.

As he exited, the classroom erupted with fervent discussions.

"Damn, who had the audacity to send Nangou-san a love letter!"

"Nangou-san belongs to all the girls in Year 1, Class 1. This is absolutely shameless!"

"Nangou-san is far too considerate. Even when he rejects someone, he does it gently. He shouldn't be so lenient; it only encourages them."

"Hehehe... Nangou-kun, my dear Nangou-kun... Let's see how you handle this mess... hehehe..."

The female students huddled together, engaged in animated conversations denouncing the girls who had sent love letters. These discussions continued for days, and some students even planned to confront Jiangli regarding the situation. However, any such intentions were met with strong resistance from the other female students, who vowed to protect their "shared property."

With the news of the handsome first-year boy spreading, more and more students became interested in him, including some upperclassmen.

In the midst of these events, Kusakabe Kagami was asked for advice on how to handle the situation.

"Kusakabe-san, considering your relationship with Nangou-san, can you convince him to disregard these love letters?" someone asked.

Kusakabe Kagami's response was blunt. "I think your idea is misguided. Someone like Jiangli-san can't be easily swayed by ordinary girls like us. Just being in the same class and having a conversation should be enough for him."

As Kusakabe Kagami was trying to express her opinion, she found herself at a loss for words. She awkwardly gestured to convey her thoughts.

Ignoring that, she changed the subject. "By the way, since you're so fond of Jiangli-san, I have an offer for you. Interested?"

"What offer? A shoujo manga?" the student asked.

"It's even more exciting than a shoujo manga."

Curiosity piqued, the girls gathered around Kusakabe Kagami to see what she was referring to. Each girl blushed as they observed a set of pictures she had brought with her.

"Form a line! 2000 yen each, or 20,000 yen for a set! No bargaining allowed. This is a limited print, so buy quickly!"

"I'll take a set!"

"Count me in, even though I'm short on money... darn it, there are so many benefits, but I can't afford them all. Looks like I'll have to save up for next month!"

"Kusakabe-san, I can't believe you can create such artwork. It's amazing!"

The girls eagerly purchased the pictures, their cheeks flushed with excitement. The images depicted Nangou-san in various romantic scenarios. The set was both alluring and suggestive, leaving little to the imagination. This collection was clearly going to put a dent in their wallets.

Amid the frenzy, a few male students couldn't hide their envy and resentment as they observed the spectacle.

"Let's go," an anonymous tall and sturdy student muttered under his breath. He was accompanied by two companions, and they slipped out of the classroom unnoticed.

Kurogane Ikki, known for his mysterious demeanor, watched the male students with a mixture of sympathy and concern. He joined his hands in prayer, hoping that everything would turn out okay for them.

Meanwhile, in a forest clearing, a senpai with twin tails blushed and confessed her feelings to Jiangli. She was bashful yet bold in her anticipation.

Jiangli's keen observation skills, a result of his sword technique, allowed him to see through her intentions. He assessed her uniform, calculating the exact proportions of her figure. However, his thoughts were interrupted by the realization that she was, unfortunately, just another distraction.

Despite his analysis, there was no time to evaluate her as he had done with legal loli. With a sigh, Jiangli rejected her confession, speaking calmly and formally, then promptly walked away, disappearing from her sight.

Stunned, the senpai stood there, petrified by Jiangli's response.

"Too bad she doesn't have the attractive cheeks or figure," Jiangli muttered as he walked towards the forest exit, his mood somewhat melancholic.

Reflecting on his experiences, he thought about the type of girls he was truly interested in. He wondered why these days there were no girls with the qualities he preferred, the kind of girls who could evoke a genuine confession from him.

In particular, his thoughts turned to Senior Sister Toudou Touka, whose straight lines and circular curves were simply captivating. He also contemplated her best friend, the affluent Totokubara Kanata. He estimated that her figure might even surpass Senior Sister's, with a high likelihood of being an E-cup. Destiny seemed to favor him at Hagun Academy.

Princess Stella was also a strong contender, with her physique not far behind Senior Sister Touka's. Yet, he realized that although they had a strong connection, he had to maintain a respectful distance.

As Jiangli continued walking down a forest path, he caught sight of three classmates who appeared to be deep in conversation. They huddled beneath the shade of a tree, their expressions sinister and smiles ominous.

"Listen up, when the confession from the girl arrives, we'll pounce together. We'll brand Nangou Jiangli as a heartless womanizer, forever tarnishing his reputation. Once he's stained, that girl will surely be disappointed, and that's when our chance will come. Let's make a pact. No matter who wins her heart, we'll keep the manipulator in the shadows."

"Agreed!"

"Absolutely!"

"Brothers for life!"

The three of them exchanged firm nods, their loyalty evident. Whoever lurked in the shadows, they were determined not to fall under their influence.

Jiangli smiled at their determination. He wasn't convinced their plan had any merit. After all, whether the girl would willingly give up her affection for him remained uncertain. Even if she was disappointed, these three schemers had little chance of success.

Jiangli covertly opened his student handbook and activated the recording function. He bent down to better capture their conversation.

A sudden crunch echoed through the forest.

"Crack!"