349 I Didn’t like Him, so I Beat Him Up (1/2)

Seiji wasn't someone famous for being strong. In fact, he was famous for being trash. Izawa's guess was completely off the mark.

Seiji, not knowing how to respond to Izawa, remained silent. He glanced over at Natsuya and noticed her strange expression.

Izawa, however, mistook Seiji's silence for tacit admittance and confirmed his conjecture in his mind.

”I apologize for bringing this up again. I shall make no further mention of it.”

”It's fine,” Seiji said quickly. ”I'm not someone famous for being strong...”

Izawa revealed a faint smile. ”I understand. There's no need to say any more, Shiroya-san.”

'Just what did you understand there?' When he saw Izawa's expression, Seiji knew that the man had definitely misunderstood him.

He wanted to explain, but he was clueless as to how he could do so. What was he meant to do? Reveal his true identity? While this was an option, he felt that it would be unnecessary.

He probably wouldn't meet Izawa again after this party... or even if they met again in the future, who knows when that would be.

'I wonder what the presidents think about this…' Seiji looked towards Natsuya. She indicated nonverbally that he should decide for himself.

At this moment, their food arrived.

Seiji was hungry, so when he saw plates of delicious food arriving for him, he put the matter behind him and started eating.

During the meal, Kanna began chatting about anime and manga. Seiji responded well to this topic and kept the conversation flowing.

By the time lunch was over, Kanna Fujihara was still having fun. As they walked together to the resting area, she kept up an unending stream of conversation with Seiji. Kanna didn't relent in the slightest even when they arrived!

Seiji enjoyed their conversation—except for the topic of boys' love, which was a little...

He mentioned that this topic made him slightly uncomfortable on numerous occasions, but this anime-crazed girl seemed to be running amok. At every opportunity, she changed the conversation's direction to that topic and expounded on it at length.

It was only now that Seiji could personally empathize with Izawa's difficulties. In a way, serving such a master would definitely be a difficult task.

Right now, Ryuuno Izawa was free. He merely stood by his lady master's side like a silent statue. He neither interrupted nor spoke and blended perfectly into the scenery.

Natsuya, however, was currently feeling dissatisfied. The passionate conversation between Kanna and Seiji made her feel somewhat left out.

Although neither of them ignored her, she was unable to get involved as they were wading deep into the sea of anime and manga. This left her with a rather unpleasant taste in her mouth.

After sitting for a while, Natsuya stood up to go to the restroom.

Natsuya glanced at him for a moment. Almost instantly, she looked away and walked past him without acknowledging his presence.

”Don't you want to know why I suddenly took such a direct method and even proposed such a bet?” Akatsuki asked, turning around to look at her as she walked past him.

Natsuya stopped in her tracks. His behavior was indeed unexpected. Not only was he direct, he even gambled... this did make her somewhat curious.

”Because I want you to accept me,” Akatsuki said in a soft voice. ”I want you to accept my true self, not the mask that I've worn for so long.”

Natsuya slowly looked towards him.

”I'm not an ordinary person. I've been aware of this ever since I was young. I'm a special existence. However, the regrettable part is that ordinary people can't understand the special me, including even my parents.

”That's why I have to wear a mask, the disguise of an ordinary person. Although this is rather sad, there's some fun to be had in it.”

Akatsuki smiled thinly. This smile wasn't his typical fake and gentle smile. It was something different—a smile that seemed to contain an incredible darkness.

Natsuya's brows knit together when she saw this smile.

”The first time that I saw you, I fell in love with you at first sight. I felt that you were far too beautiful, and my mask slipped for a split second. Oh yes, your eyesight happened to be quite sharp, Natsuya. You detected my true self.