Chapter 51: Why Are You So Concerned About Haruhi Genno?

Clean Ryo in a school swimsuit must be quite a treat! Haruhi let out a sigh, then glanced once more at that elegant, delicate silhouette. Just then, the blonde beauty turned her head, and their eyes met for a fleeting instant.

Haruhi flashed what he believed was a warm and friendly smile, waving his hand in greeting.

But to Lady Ryo Kiyosuzu, this gesture from Haruhi Harano seemed utterly shameless.

How infuriating!

By the end of class, all three of them were preoccupied with their own thoughts.

The lovely little cake and milk sat untouched by Ryo Kiyosuzu. She had originally planned to toss them out immediately, but after a moment’s consideration, decided it would be better to hand them to Haruhi Harano and make him throw them away himself.

After class, Mai Hanai and Kanae Terashima hurried over, whispering in low voices.

“Hey, Ryo, what did Haruhi Harano do to upset you? Should I go teach him a lesson?” Mai Hanai asked, already rolling up her sleeves to reveal two slender, fair arms. She may have looked delicate, but her strength was real!

Her athletic prowess was unmatched, and she was the representative of physical fitness in Haruhi’s class, often achieving A grades in PE. Rumor had it that the girls’ track team had tried several times to recruit her, but she had always refused.

She simply preferred to loyally follow Ryo Kiyosuzu, playing the devoted little delinquent.

“Don’t be so hasty—let’s hear what Ryo has to say first,” Kanae Terashima interjected, exasperated, stopping Mai Hanai.

Turning to Ryo Kiyosuzu, who was still sprawled on her desk lost in thought, she asked, “Ryo, did something happen? Did Haruhi Harano do something to upset you?”

Ryo Kiyosuzu didn’t answer, remaining motionless on her desk, her bright eyes flickering as thoughts tumbled in her mind.

“Hey, Ryo,” Kanae Terashima prodded her gently on the shoulder.

“Huh?” Ryo Kiyosuzu lifted her head. “Did you need something?”

“I was asking—did Haruhi Harano bother you? Do you want me to go deal with him?” Mai Hanai said.

Teach Haruhi Harano a lesson? Was Mai Hanai planning to use her feet too?

No, no, she shook her head. This was school, not home. Ryo Kiyosuzu quickly shoved away her wandering thoughts.

Kanae Terashima could only sigh at the sight of her daydreaming leader. What was going on here? One Mai Hanai was headache enough—now even the boss was acting strange.

“Ryo, what’s wrong?” Mai Hanai asked curiously.

“Oh, it’s nothing, really,” Ryo Kiyosuzu said, waving her hand. Just as she was about to explain, a soft, hesitant voice floated over.

“Um, Ryo… Kiyosuzu, h-hello. Do you have a moment? I… I need to speak with you…”

The three of them turned in surprise to see a small figure standing beside them.

Yuriko Ogata looked utterly anxious, and as she felt the weight of their gazes, her head drooped even lower, her hands nervously twisting the hem of her shirt.

“What are you saying?” Ryo Kiyosuzu propped her chin on one hand, sounding bored.

“I said, Ryo Kiyosuzu, do you have a moment? There’s something I want to talk to you about!” Yuriko Ogata drew a deep breath, summoning all her courage, and lifted her head to look straight at them, speaking in a loud, clear voice.

“Huh?”

The three of them were taken aback, and not just them—the rest of the class had also overheard and began murmuring in surprise.

“You’re looking for me?” Ryo Kiyosuzu asked uncertainly.

She knew of Yuriko Ogata—a model student who usually went out of her way to avoid her. Why would she approach her today, of all days?

Sensing all the eyes on her, Yuriko Ogata shrank back, cheeks flushed, as if steam might burst from her head at any moment. Still, she nodded firmly, her expression resolute.

“Yes!”

Meanwhile, Haruhi Harano had been called to the office by Kae Yasukawa, supposedly to help with something, so he missed this entire scene.

Ryo Kiyosuzu and Yuriko Ogata stepped out of the classroom. Several classmates considered following to see what would happen, but didn’t dare, choosing instead to watch from a distance.

Mai Hanai and Kanae Terashima exchanged glances and followed at a distance of seven or eight meters behind.

With the two of them gone, the classroom erupted in excited speculation—what could those two, who had barely spoken before, possibly have to discuss?

The pair reached the cherry blossom trees behind the school building. It was rare for two girls to come here together, but at this hour, it was the quietest spot around, with hardly anyone nearby.

Just as Ryo Kiyosuzu was wondering what Yuriko Ogata could possibly want, the little girl in front suddenly turned, bowed deeply to Lady Ryo, and said,

“P-please, Kiyosuzu, don’t bully Haruhi anymore!”

Her voice trembled, but her tone was resolute. Her small frame was perfectly straight, her bow exact and practiced—clearly, she had rehearsed both words and gesture countless times in her mind.

“Huh?”

Ryo Kiyosuzu was taken aback—when had she ever bullied Haruhi Harano?

How could she not know? Wasn’t he always the one bullying her? Wait, that’s not right—it was her who bullied him! Yes, no mistake about it, she had been bullying Haruhi Harano!

“I said, please stop bullying Haruhi!” Yuriko Ogata repeated, still bowed, her hands clutching her shirt so tightly her knuckles turned white, her voice quivering even more, as though she might burst into tears at any moment.

This sight struck Ryo Kiyosuzu with a sense of familiarity—her own little sister made the same face every day. Her good mood vanished instantly, and she replied coldly,

“Alright, get up. I never intended to bully him.”

“R-really?” Yuriko Ogata straightened, incredulous, her wide eyes pleading for reassurance.

“It’s true. But why are you so concerned about Haruhi?” came the frosty reply.