Chapter 382: School Begins, Last Year

"You didn't forget anything, did you?"

"Ok?"

"Like, what did you forget to bring?"

When the two finished the breakfast made by Ling and were about to go out, Zhuo asked Ling.

Although Zhuo asked Ling if she had forgotten to bring anything, Ling had prepared in advance and was always very cautious, so she probably thought she had forgotten nothing. And after hearing that, she checked again in the bag that had been packed in advance, so she still thought it was okay.

"I don't think so."

"really?"

"do not trust me?"

"...Have you forgotten this?"

Zhuo looked at her dumbfounded. What he held up to show Ling was the tie that the school had stipulated that students must wear on the first day of school. After hearing what Zhuo said, Ling blinked and remembered that he had forgotten about it.

Zhuo looked at Ling who was still staring at his face blankly, and couldn't help but sigh.

"After all, I still have to attend the opening ceremony. Although this is the third time, it will also be the last time. I have to dress well."

Zhuo was thinking, "Did what I said this morning come true?" Even if it was true, he didn't expect Ling to care to this extent; at the same time, he was preparing to tie Ling's tie.

Ling looked at him and blinked again, as if she understood what Zhuo meant and felt a little ashamed. Then she shifted her gaze to the door frame on the side; in contrast, she did not dodge, but raised her head.

Zhuo was happy to see that Ling did not refuse and did not blame himself again for his negligence.

Of course, before this time, even if she had to tie a tie, Zero would have helped her, so this was her first time. Because of this, Zhuo, who had never tied a tie for anyone, was extra serious.

On Ling's side, he saw Zhuo Zheng tying his tie with a serious face out of the corner of his eye, and his eyes gradually softened, or rather, like the slowly melting water of a lake.

...After he finished doing these actions like a newlywed couple, Zhuo couldn't help but smile.

For Zhuo, he is extremely grateful for Ling's daily concern and care, as well as his acceptance of his actions as a matter of course.

To be honest, it should be Zhuo who can help Ling, rather than Zhuo who is completely useless, who should be frustrated because of "no effect".

Fortunately, there is help.

Just as Zhuo was busy tying Ling's tie, Ling probably noticed that the meaning in Zhuo's eyes was different from before, so he looked back at him with suspicion.

"What's wrong?"

"No, nothing. I just feel like I'm such a lucky person."

“…I should be the one to say this.”

"That's fine. But Zero can be careless sometimes."

"Well, I was a little careless because you were here."

"Is that so? I'm honored~"

"..."

Zero's sigh sounded somewhat helpless, yet also somewhat happy.

After Zhuo tied his tie, Ling did not make any final adjustments. Zhuo was very grateful for this trust or love.

Because it happened at the entrance, the two looked like a couple seeing their partner off. But since Zhuo was the one tying the tie, he remained silent.

Instead, he touched Ling's head and, as she looked over at him, extended his hand to her.

"Then let's go."

"Ah."

Zhuo did not hesitate. He took Ling's hand with ease, smiled at her, took her bag and opened the door.

Although strictly speaking, Ling's physical fitness is much stronger than Zhuo's as a man, we can't just leave everything to her. Zhuo has been trying his best to do these little things.

Since Zhuo had no intention of giving in, Ling gradually accepted this after a long period of influence - although he still didn't understand why he had to push her on the suitcase when they went on a long trip.

Until finally Ling was sure that Zhuo had no intention of bringing up the previous incident, he looked at Zhuo's profile with a sigh of relief, and then gently leaned his head on Zhuo's upper arm. "What's wrong, suddenly..."

"nothing."

"Oh."

Although Zhuo is not so stupid that he doesn't know why Ling did this, if Ling doesn't intend to say it, then so be it.

"I am leaving."

Since there was no one else at home, Zhuo was just talking to himself.

Then, Lingzhi, who had just leaned on his upper arm, stood up, stared at Zhuo for a while, and then, as if imitating him, said in his own toneless voice, "I'm going out."

……

Although it is the beginning of the month, the cold still shows no signs of subsiding, and even wearing warm clothes still feels biting, but the sun is also working hard to emit dazzling light.

Even so, the school has heating on, so there is basically no need to dry the clothes in the sun. But...

"...Are you trying to get us killed by the sun so early in the morning?"

"What are you showing off?"

When they arrived at the classroom, Zhuo was sitting in his seat chatting with Ling. For some reason, Ren came over with a stern face and greeted him.

By the way, the classroom is very warm because it is heated. Each classroom is equipped with air conditioning and heating, so it is not troubled by the outside temperature. However, these are only during the school period and will be turned off after the club activities. Zhuo had a fever because he slept late at night. If it was earlier, he might be fine.

"Stop it... It's winter now, and you're all the ones who are exposed to the sun."

"It's too bad that you're exposed to the sun. And Ren, when did you become such a petty person?"

"Why do I have to say 'human' separately? Have I changed my species? If you want to know why, just look around you."

"baffling."

Zhuo gave him a look that asked him what the hell was going on, and for some reason he gave him the same look back.

Zhuo listened to Ren's words and looked around. He found that the boys looked at him with murderous intent, while the girls looked at him with both relief and envy.

Kanda, who was talking about many things about the start of school, also smiled bitterly, but gave an encouraging smile, which made Zhuo's face twitch a little.

"What, what happened..."

“Who said that in the beginning – I have no interest in Romanov-san, it’s just that looking at pretty girls makes me feel better. It’s okay to fall in love later, but takeout is not allowed – was it me who said that!?”

"Who said that? Did I really say that?"

Zhuo looked at Ren in a daze, while the latter held his forehead and shook his head helplessly, as if to say, "I really lost to you."

Finally, Ren placed his hands solemnly on Zhuo's shoulders and warned him seriously.

"Anyway, I already know that you're a hopeless person once you fall in love, but please restrain yourself for everyone else's sake."

"Did I?"

Zhuo's words seemed to make Ren feel that they were so direct that no answer was needed, so Zhuo had to look to Ling for the answer.

"No."

There was no hesitation or pause, and the answer was given as a matter of course, in the indifferent tone of the expressionless girl in front of him.

This time, it was Ren who was watching who was dumbfounded.

...That's how it should be.

After Zero said this, it seemed that the lie was too weak, and his blue eyes involuntarily shifted his gaze, seeming a little uncomfortable.

Maybe she realized it a long time ago.

If that's the case, I really hope she can say it sooner.

Zhuo was dumbfounded and thought so.

(End of this chapter)