Chiba Shion.
This book is first published online.
Dongshan Shen's middle school classmate and neighbor on the same floor of the same tower.
However, they were not childhood sweethearts; for a long time, they were merely nodding acquaintances, like two satellites silently orbiting on the same track, maintaining a very safe social distance.
One could even say that for a long time, Dongshan Shen was more familiar with Chiba's mother than with Chiba Shion.
After all, someone like Dongshan Shen, who was independent early on, polite, could take care of his younger brother, had good grades, and was handsome, was simply the personification of the perfect child in Chiba's mother's eyes, truly a dream child. Sometimes she would send over some food or supplies from her home.
Dongshan Shen also reciprocated, mainly with the dishes he cooked, though he didn't know if they suited their taste.
Perhaps the declaration of living off a woman that Dongshan Du once made was inspired by Chiba's mother.
He hoped to find a woman like Chiba's mother in the future, who would often feed him and not restrict him... Although, in most cases, he was just an add-on; Chiba's mother's favorite was Dongshan Shen.
But despite this, Dongshan Shen and Chiba Shion still had little interaction. More often than not, it was a chance crossing of glances when leaving at the same time, and a slight nod.
The turning point occurred during their second year of middle school when class seating arrangements changed, and they became desk partners, slowly starting to communicate.
Chiba Shion was a typical girl with long black hair. Not only were her looks and temperament outstanding, but her figure was also quite a bit taller than girls her age. Her legs were straight and slightly slender. Even standing next to someone of the same height, the first glance would make one think Chiba was taller.
However, she was extremely taciturn, coupled with a cold demeanor that seemed inherently world-weary. When talking, she seemed indifferent to everyone, and soon people kept their distance from her.
She also kept pepper spray and an extendable iron rod in her bag. Her famous battle was when a delinquent from another class just wanted to take advantage, but before he could even touch her, a rod hit him on the nose, then a bottle of pepper spray was sprayed right into his eyes, and finally, she pulled out a mini stun gun from who knows where. It's unclear where she zapped him, but it directly caused the thug to lose control of his bladder and bowels, filling his pants.
Because of this, she also earned a rather indelicate nickname - The Terminator of the Sphincter.
After such a smooth combo, boys feared her like a tiger, and girls didn't even have the courage to bully her, afraid they might one day be knocked out and lose control of their bladder in an alley, only to be picked up by a pervert and used as a sex slave.
He remembered their icebreaker was when his younger brother was temporarily taken by their Father, who had returned, to handle some paperwork.
But he had already brought his bento to school, and based on the principle of not wasting food, when he saw Chiba didn't seem to have a bento during lunch break and had no intention of going to the cafeteria, he offered it to her.
"Want some?"
He was just asking and was prepared to be refused, but he simply didn't want to waste it.
Unexpectedly, Chiba Shion glanced at him, said thank you, and took it.
When she bit into the first piece of fried pork cutlet covered in rich sauce, her eyelashes seemed to tremble slightly.
In the end, the bento was almost completely eaten, with only the vegetables left.
"If you were hungry, why didn't you buy bread?"
"I don't like it." Chiba Shion might have felt that such a short reply was too brief and could lead Dongshan Shen to misunderstand, so she hesitated for a few seconds and added.
"It tastes bad."
Later, Dongshan Shen learned that because Chiba's mother was currently in a period of career advancement, she was almost never home, essentially acting as Higashiyama's Father's second unit, which was why she hadn't prepared a bento.
Chiba Shion probably didn't want to go to the cafeteria or the convenience store, and she didn't like the food sold there, so she simply stayed hungry and would buy a bento from a convenience store on the way back, eating only one meal a day.
Originally, Dongshan Shen had only intended to give her that one meal and wasn't planning to get further involved, but not long after, Chiba's mother specifically came over, brought a pile of gifts, and earnestly asked Dongshan Shen to make an extra bento for Chiba Shion from then on. The process was very polite, even earnest, and she also gave him a considerable meal allowance.
Dongshan Shen wasn't short on money, but he accepted it with a clear conscience.
So the bento for two became a bento for three, and the money earned from making bento for Chiba was more than working part-time outside.
Although, he didn't need to work part-time anyway.
During their third year of middle school, Chiba Shion even came directly to his house to eat breakfast and then they would leave for school together after eating.
As a result, he also couldn't quite figure out if Chiba's personality was cold or naturally friendly.
"You prepared a bento today, right?"
"No."
"...I only brought one... Half each?"
"Okay."
As expected, the word 'polite' didn't exist between her and him.
"Going back to the apartment today?"
"Not today, I'll go back tomorrow."
The two started chatting naturally, back and forth. This was how they interacted.
They would chat if there was a topic, and when there wasn't, it wouldn't be awkward even sitting opposite each other reading.
Most of the time, Chiba spoke concisely, but she always answered when asked.
As they were talking, Dongshan Shen caught something out of the corner of his eye and glanced over a couple more times.
Chiba Shion keenly caught the change in his gaze, followed his line of sight, and saw an ordinary bespectacled boy who had just arrived right on time, panting as he took his seat.
The reason Dongshan Shen glanced at him was because he 'saw' a hint of impending disaster on him. This was the power of a Lodging Star Master with spiritual fire eyes.
Looking around the entire class, only he was so unlucky; there were no special circumstances for anyone else.
However, it probably wasn't a major disaster, at most just a minor injury, a small misfortune.
While thinking this, three more students leisurely and idly walked in, not wearing their clothes properly, looking like standard delinquents, their faces initially quite arrogant.
Until they saw Ikeda-sensei, who had turned his head, with his fierce face, domineering aura, and mountain-like physique. His shadow covered the three of them, and the silent pressure scared them all pale, causing them to involuntarily step back.
"Hello, Teacher! Sorry we're late!"
The few of them shivered, quickly bowed, and shouted.
It was clear that the entire class was basically full now, and they had arrived a bit late.
Ikeda stared at them for a while, until the sweat on their foreheads was about to drip down their chins, before giving a light 'hmm' and slowly nodding.
The few of them instantly felt as if they had received a great pardon, sighed in relief, signed in, and quickly found their seats.
"Nobi, dare to mess with us, you're dead."
The leader among them, as he passed by the ordinary boy who had entered before them, leaned in, showed his yellowish teeth, and said in a low voice.
The boy named Nobi lowered his head, adjusted his glasses, and his body trembled slightly.
Dongshan Shen now knew where this guy's small misfortune came from.
"You know him?" Chiba suddenly asked.
"No." Dongshan Shen told the truth.
Chiba nodded and didn't press further. She opened her notebook and lowered her head, writing who knows what.
"First year Class 3 has a total of thirty-six people. Excluding Murasama Takie, who is on leave, thirty-five people have arrived. The attendance is complete. I am your homeroom Teacher. You can call me Ikeda-sensei from now on. Now, follow behind me and go to the opening ceremony."
Ikeda didn't waste words, being concise and clear. He didn't even bother with platitudes like reminding them not to talk or maintain order during the opening ceremony. His face and physique, simply by existing, were the most powerful silent deterrent.