Xiaoquan Aonai walked in, stood on the podium, looked around the classroom with a gentle smile, and said, "You all got a lot tanner."

"We've been running around outside all day!"

"It's because we were cheering for the baseball team!"

"But thanks to the training, my weight has dropped."

"Really? Why did I gain weight? My thighs got thicker too, ah, it's so upsetting—"

Xiaoquan Aonai's words were like a breeze blowing through a forest, immediately stirring various sounds from the leaves.

After waiting a bit, she gestured for everyone to quiet down.

"We're already in the second semester of our sophomore year, halfway through high school life, everyone must work hard and focus on your studies."

"Yes—" everyone's mood hadn't recovered from the holidays yet.

"However," Xiaoquan Aonai paused for a moment, "at the end of September is the Cultural Festival, so you don't have to be too nervous."

"Yay—"

"Long live Mr. Xiaoquan!"

"What shall we do this year?"

"Last year we performed a play, this year it should be our turn for a Maid Cafe, right?"

"Is this something that goes in turns? Also, why is the Maid Cafe lined up after the play?"

"Everyone!" Xiaoquan Aonai laughed and clapped her hands twice, "Although we should enjoy the Cultural Festival, we should also study diligently when it's time to study. Adjust this month and strive to be in full study mode by October."

"But there's the sports festival in October," a mischievous boy said.

"In November, we have the school trip," a girl who often played with the boys chimed in immediately.

"In December, we have camping."

"Last year was camping in the forest, this year it should be by the sea, right?"

"Going to the sea in December? It's so cold, our faces will get windburned!"

"Shaye-chan, Kojima will protect you, hehehe~"

Laughter filled the classroom.

Shaye's face turned bright red, and she picked up her pencil case to throw at the girl who was teasing her.

A group of boys surrounded Kojima, patting him firmly on the shoulders.

Dubian Che remembered something, during summer vacation Ichiki Aoi had mentioned in the game chat group that Kojima and Shaye from their class had gotten together while practicing their cheering.

Xiaoquan Aonai was also watching the fun, allowing everyone to vent their excitement for the new school term.

If this had been before, she would have quelled the students' spirits, making them study right away.

But since being with Dubian Che, she was happy every day, and this unconsciously influenced her teaching methods.

"Alright, alright!" She once again calmed the classroom, "Next, let's discuss the arrangements. Starting today, unless there's something school-related, the evening homeroom is for everyone to discuss the Cultural Festival."

"That's great!"

"I was feeling unwell today and was thinking of sneaking off to the infirmary during homeroom, but it looks like I'll have to stay."

"Starting from the second week of September," Xiaoquan Aonai continued, "you can start decorating the classroom to your heart's content..."

With every word she said, the class would cause an uproar.

Dubian Che leaned his left hand against his cheek and twirled a mechanical pencil with his right hand, his gaze lazily shifting towards the blue sky outside the window, with a half-written script on the desk.

The hot breeze blew in through the open windows, tempting the corner of a white sheet of paper to flip over.

Class sessions, breaks, the same old routine, feeling both fresh and familiar.

Only...

"Ichiki, the blackboard is in front of you, stop staring at me."

Despite being troubled, he still took the initiative to help Ichiki Aoi explain her actions to Jiutiao Meijie, such kindness could only be from Dubian Che.

"There's a limit to tooting your own horn."

"Do I not even have the right to think?" Dubian Che, known for his harshness towards others and his ability to read minds, turned to address God Kiyono.

"Dubian~~" Jiutiao Meijie flopped onto her [pillow], poking Dubian Che's back with her finger.

"What is it, young lady?"

"I want to see someone jump from the second floor." She spoke in a lazy, casual tone as if she was making small talk.

"I need to finish writing the script soon." Dubian Che muttered to himself, turning back to continue pondering the script.

Ichiki Aoi was still sneakily staring at him.

After class, everyone discussed the Cultural Festival during the evening homeroom meeting, organized by the class president.

First, it was time to choose candidates for the Executive Committee; last year, all three members of the Human Observation Department had been involved.

"Any volunteers?" the class president asked, holding up a list and pushing up her glasses.

"..." No one answered.

"How about those who have been on the Executive Committee before?" The female class president made a very reasonable proposal.

"Dubian!" Kunii Shuichi raised his hand.

"I remember, Kiyono also did it," a girl from the previous first class mentioned.

"Jiutiao was on it too," someone from second class in their freshman year added.

Everyone looked towards the corner where Dubian Che was.

Jiutiao Meijie pressed the leg of Dubian Che's chair with her shoe.

"Mr. Dubian." Kiyono Lin whispered an instruction.

Their message was clear—leave it to you to handle.

Faced with everyone's anticipatory or amused gazes, Dubian Che said:

"I nominate Sankai Sayo and Kojima."

"That's right!"

"Just the two of them! Them!"

"Well done, Mr. Dubian, that's a great suggestion!"

Regardless of whether the two were willing, the female class president had already written their names on the list for the Executive Committee.

Just like that, a classic case of school bullying was resolved—ignoring the fact that Sankai Sayo and Kojima, the ones involved, had an eager expression, looking forward to doing something in their Executive Committee roles.

After swiftly deciding on the Executive Committee, the next point of discussion was the activities for the sophomore class four.

It wasn't so easy to reach a consensus unless a high-ranking person from the light novel campus stepped forward.

Finally, it was agreed: discussion and nominations from Monday to Thursday, vote on Friday.

After the evening homeroom, the trio headed to the Human Observation Department together.

"All three of us going to the club room together, this is a first," Dubian Che said while walking between them.