He fancied himself an equal match, yet even when exerting every ounce of strength, he could not measure up to the simplest strike from Old Eight.

Sakurazawa Suzune was really getting on her nerves!

Ever since yesterday's home economics class, she had been irked nonstop.

It all began with Matsudaira Shimizu’s invitation for a date—an unexpected delight that had lifted her spirits. It was, by all accounts, a promising start.

She had thought she could have it all this time—both romance and gain.

But then, just a small mishap.

He seemed incredibly oblivious… Not only was he immune to her flirtatious hints, but he didn’t even react in the slightest. She was starting to suspect he might be gay.

Their chat on LINE still lingered on the string of sultry voice messages she’d sent him from the bathtub the night before—he had read them and never replied!

Sakurazawa Suzune was on the verge of breaking down.

So, upon hearing today that the brutish kendo club member was planning to teach him a lesson, she immediately rushed over to watch the drama unfold.

She hadn’t expected him to shine so brightly…

That unparalleled aura of a young swordsman—it made her heart throb with excitement.

This time, she truly wanted a romantic relationship.

Even though he remained as aloof as ever, it didn’t matter; after all, he was cold to everyone. That was the allure of a beautiful, distant boy—conquering him would be all the more rewarding.

Yet, she hadn’t anticipated this…

He was cold only to her—leaving her messages unread, meeting her advances with indifference, ignoring her provocations altogether.

But when it came to Hachinami, his classmate, he was nothing but gentle and considerate!

He let Hachinami punch and kick him without complaint, and even patiently explained things to her, treating her with a tenderness reserved for a girlfriend. For a moment, Sakurazawa Suzune suspected she was just an unwitting participant in their little game…

Were they toying with her?

Her pride as a beautiful girl was slowly crumbling!

Watching them bicker and banter in public, Sakurazawa Suzune was suffocating with frustration, nearly bursting with anger.

She couldn’t just stand by and watch!

For the sake of her dignity as a beautiful young woman, she was determined to seduce Matsudaira Shimizu!

With this resolve burning in her eyes, Sakurazawa Suzune strode forward.

Meanwhile, Matsudaira Shimizu was still entangled in a spat with his ex-girlfriend.

"In any case, I’m not done scolding you yet. Let me get it all out!" Hachinami Akizuki said with utmost seriousness.

"I’m all ears," Matsudaira Shimizu said, the corner of his mouth quirking up.

Hachinami’s expression grew puzzled. "Why do I get the feeling you’re enjoying this? Are you happy because I’m scolding you? Is this masochism? That’s gross, Aki!"

"It’s not that. I’m just grateful. I’m not mad at you anymore."

"…You’re still the same. You never change!" Hachinami sighed in exasperation, then fixed him with a serious gaze. "Anyway, I don’t need your explanations, but you’d better reflect on your actions! And you owe me an apology for keeping things from me for so long!"

"Miss Hachinami, I’m truly sorry!" Matsudaira Shimizu indulged her, as apologizing was hardly an issue.

Hachinami crossed her arms, nodding with satisfaction. "Very well, this time I’ll—"

But before she could finish her sentence, she stopped herself.

"Hmm?"

Matsudaira Shimizu frowned.

"Shimizu, are you and Hachinami close?" came a sweet, coquettish voice. A lovely, graceful girl with a green tea aura sidled up to him, naturally linking her arms around his and pressing it tightly to her chest.

Hey, what are you doing?

This is too soft… No, too much.

Noticing Hachinami’s sour expression, Matsudaira Shimizu tried to discreetly pull his arm free.

Unfortunately, Sakurazawa Suzune held on tightly, and her embrace was more than sufficient.

The friction as his arm moved back and forth was anything but appropriate!

The scene had shifted from a flirty spat between a boy and a girl to an all-out love triangle showdown.

"Scandalous! Absolutely scandalous!" Tsukimirifurin pushed up her glasses and nudged Tokugawa Rinko with her elbow. "Hey, who do you think has the upper hand here?"

"Boring…" Tokugawa Rinko averted her gaze, clearly uninterested.

Given how Matsudaira Shimizu treated both girls, there was really no suspense to the outcome.

"Shimizu seems more complicated than we thought—already playing both sides…" Mikami Yui brushed aside her bangs, not wanting to miss a single detail.

"It’s got to be a misunderstanding. Shimizu isn’t that kind of guy!" Shimamoto Yumeko declared staunchly, firmly in Shimizu’s camp.

"Don’t be so sure. Boys these days can be quite fickle…" Mikami Yui said meaningfully with a sly smile.

The rest of the kendo club widened their eyes, letting their imaginations run wild as they speculated about the tangled web of love and resentment between the three. If no one got to the bottom of things today, there could be several versions circulating at school by tomorrow—there might even be rumors of secret offspring overnight.

"Really now, Shimizu, you’re so close with Hachinami. Why didn’t you tell me?" Sakurazawa Suzune pouted in protest.

"Let go—"

"Tell me~"

"Uh, she…" Matsudaira Shimizu looked toward Hachinami, helpless. "She’s been my friend since we were kids."

"Oh, childhood friends!" Sakurazawa Suzune’s expression soured, her eyes growing hostile.

"Huh? Childhood friends? No, we’re just classmates," Hachinami responded, her expression unchanged—not shy, not annoyed, just stating a fact as plainly as today’s weather.

"What?"

Sakurazawa Suzune was confused. "What do you mean?"

"Not just childhood friends—she’s also my ex-girlfriend!" Matsudaira Shimizu glared at Hachinami.

"…?" Sakurazawa Suzune was struck dumb.

Hachinami, however, smiled lightly, standing with grace, exuding the confidence of victory. "Well, since he put it that way, I’ll have to admit it. Sakurazawa, the blockhead first love you’re clinging to is yours truly!"

"What?!" Sakurazawa Suzune’s voice rang out loudly.

After speaking, Hachinami pressed a small fist to her chin, considering, "Of course, I can tell you with full responsibility: we’re not over each other yet. We’re just sulking right now. Playing a little game called ‘whoever apologizes first is an unevolved insect.'"

"Eh?" Matsudaira Shimizu looked at her, puzzled.

Sakurazawa Suzune’s face darkened, her gaze turning almost frightening—she was about to lose control.

"What kind of coming-of-age romantic comedy is this…" From the audience, Mikami Yui called out in an exaggerated tone, stoking the atmosphere.

The boys watching looked on with schadenfreude.

Clearly, the center of attention, Matsudaira, who was flanked by two beauties, was a magnet for envy.

The girls, on the other hand, shot him looks reserved for philanderers.

"Shimizu, is what this woman said true?" Sakurazawa Suzune’s enchanting, luminous eyes glared at Matsudaira Shimizu in outrage.

Now she was truly angry!

She’d already fallen for him, ready to turn over a new leaf and love only him from now on.

And yet, at this very moment, she found out she wasn’t even a backup—just a pawn in their game!

She’d always thought her looks and figure were more than adequate. She even believed she knew better how to please boys—maybe not a guaranteed victory, but surely on par with Hachinami.

She didn’t expect to be so thoroughly defeated before the game had even begun.

"Shi! Mi! Zu!" Sakurazawa Suzune pronounced each syllable with force.

Now, it was no longer about love—it was a battle between two women.

Her basic dignity as a woman would not allow Sakurazawa Suzune to admit defeat so easily.

"Oh? You’re still trying? Then I’ll let you have him. Goodbye~" Hachinami Akizuki, barely suppressing a laugh, donned a stern, cool expression, radiating the aura of a victor as she strode toward the kendo club’s entrance.

"Shimizu, you’re not allowed to have anything to do with her anymore!" Sakurazawa Suzune puffed up her cheeks in protest, leaning in close.

"I still need to ask her how to date you tomorrow, so for now…" Taking advantage of the moment, Matsudaira Shimizu pulled his hand free and turned to chase after Hachinami.

"…"

Left behind, Sakurazawa Suzune was seething.

She swore to herself that tomorrow, she would seduce Matsudaira Shimizu and then proclaim to the entire school: Sakurazawa Suzune is truly Class 1-F’s number one beauty!