Tokyo girls have a big problem

Chapter 328 Who is the real victim of this premeditated scheme?
Another weekend has passed. September 21st, Wednesday.

Aoyama Osamu seized the opportunity and extended an invitation to Ono Mizuki.

"Mizuki, the drama club didn't have any practice today. Would you like to come to the Athens Philosophy Research Department to study together tonight?" he said.

“I’m planning to go to the library,” Mizuki Ono said.

"Does the library have a first place?" Aoyama asked.

"I'll go!" Ono Mizuki exclaimed immediately.

Having good grades is indeed a kind of charm.

Whether it's winning over Aikami or wanting to gain Mizuki Ono's favor by improving academic performance and becoming number one, these are all concrete actions.

Aoyama Osamu did not invite Ono Mika; she couldn't come.

After the mock exam, she received an A grade, meaning she had an over 80% chance of passing.

In previous years, Kaiming High School had around 40 students admitted to Tokyo University, and she consistently ranked among the top 20 in the school, so this result is quite reasonable.

That's why she can't come.

For students like her, the school will set up special tutoring classes—hiring examiners from Tokyo University and top lecturers from major training institutions to conduct online courses.

Such an opportunity would not be missed by anyone, not even the children of wealthy families, let alone Ono Mika who doesn't attend tutoring classes.

Because of this incident, the Sunny Day Band's practice had to be suspended.

“It’s good that you’re going, Mizuki. It will let the people in the drama club know that you also like the Athens Philosophy Research Department,” Ono Mika said.

At the same time, it can also help keep an eye on Aoyama Ryo and Mikami Ai.

Ono Mika trusts Aoyama Osamu, but when she sees that Aoi is too beautiful, to the point that she can't help but worry.

On Wednesday, after school, the two went to the Department of Philosophy Studies in Athens together.

"Excuse me, greetings, senior." Ono Mizuki bowed slightly.

"You're Aoyama-san's sister, so of course you're my sister too." Mikami Ai was very welcoming.

“Don’t try to take advantage of me. My sister is my sister, and Miyuki is just your junior.” Aoyama said.

Upon meeting Ai, Ono Mizuki said, "If you don't mind, when we meet, can I call you 'older sister'?"

But Mitsuki Ono didn't say anything.

The difficulty level is just as high as her brother's.

The three of them opened their workbooks and began studying on their own.

The sounds of musical instruments, the shouts of sports clubs, and the cheers of cheerleaders outside the window seemed to fade as the midterm exams approached.

This may be because some third-year students either dropped out of the club or suspended their training.

Aoyama Risa wasn't paying full attention; he was stealing glances at Ueko.

—See above. You wouldn't believe it, but the purpose of my plan, besides observing Mizuki, was also to observe you!
When Aoyama Rika peeks at Ueshima, it's like a mediocre student who's lucky enough to sit next to the top student in the whole school; even if it's just a multiple-choice question, he has to make a peek!

He secretly learned the study techniques from the beauty he loved.

Because of the guidance system, he clearly understood the importance of 'role models', 'standards', and 'methods'.

While the learning methods he uses may not be the most suitable for him, they are still worth learning from and may even be more effective than his current methods.

After observing, he discovered that the method of meeting Shang Ai was no different from his own.

Is it really a difference in intelligence?
No, it's impossible.

Aoyama Ryo continued to observe and finally made a discovery: the time he spent not writing was longer than the time he spent writing about Ai.

She was mostly thinking.

After reading a question, she seemed to be solving it in her mind, or as if she had picked up a puzzle piece and was thinking about how to arrange it to fit into the puzzle in her mind.

Let's assume that Aoyama Rika is playing a jigsaw puzzle, because that's the most troublesome, difficult, and headache-inducing one.

Learning is never easy.

When I came to my senses again, I couldn't tell if it was late summer or early autumn. The setting sun flowed into the activity room like honey, turning a section of it golden.

"Let's take a break," said Ai.

This was arranged.

Ono Mizuki's grades are also quite good, and if Aoyama Risa were to suggest 'taking a break,' she might not agree.

“But you are different,” Aoyama said when the plan was being made. “You are number one, and your words carry the weight of a thug wielding a weapon.”

Ai agreed, saying, "In front of Mizuki, you're not even as good as an ordinary citizen. Your social status is equivalent to that of a high school dropout who's forty years old and has accomplished nothing."

"Please don't be so realistic. I'm already worried about losing my hair in the future. Don't make me worry about my studies anymore."

Seeing that she was happy, she said with a smile, "Now that you're no longer losing your hair, you only need to worry about your studies."

Aoyama almost thought she was very gentle.

Fortunately, she remembered in time that her hair loss and academic anxiety were caused by her.

Let's stop reminiscing here.

The three of them began to rest.

Ono Mizuki stretched and yawned, then said, "Brother, where's the water? I'll get some for you and Senior Sister Jian Shang."

“Over there,” Aoyama pointed to her. “It’s a good place to get familiar with it. From now on, you can pour the water whenever you come.”

"Hey~" Ono Mizuki got up and gave herself a voiceover.

"It seems we'll have to prepare the finest black tea," Jian Shangai mused.

"Was it because I wasn't worthy that I didn't prepare before?" Aoyama asked.

Seeing that Ai leaned slightly forward on the table, covering her mouth with her hand, she said softly, "If I tell the truth, it will hurt Mizuki's feelings."

She now finally realizes that she sometimes offends people with her words, but it seems she is treating Qingshan less and less like a human being.
If time were to rewind, after Aoyama Riku went to the maid café, she would not only not restrain herself, but would say even more outrageous things, though she would only do so when there were only the two of them.

Ono Mizuki poured a glass of water for each of the three of them.

"I met Senior Sister and Brother Li. How's the MV shooting going?" Ono Mizuki asked curiously, wanting to see the inside version.

Normally, if I saw Ai and Aoyama, I might be able to tell, and even if I didn't, I would still think of showing it to her.

But not today.

The two of them have a task today.

"Qingshan, what kind of person do you like?" See iAsk.

"Weren't we talking about music videos? Why are you suddenly asking this question? Do you like me?" Aoyama Risa asked back.

When you see someone you love, give them a look—don't add your own lines.

“You took leave last weekend, and this week we’ll be officially filming my scenes. I know what kind of people you like, so I can give you some inspiration for my performance,” said Jian Shang Ai.

"Brother, stop being so narcissistic!" Ono Mizuki teased with a giggle.

"Anyone would have that thought if someone asked them that."

"Will it?" See above for more information.

"Really?" Mizuki Ono asked as well.

Aoyama Riki gave Aoi a look—Mizuki parroted, "Why don't you say she's a coward?"
One of the reasons why she has no worries about seeing love is that she is good at ignoring it.

“Let’s give it a try,” Aoyama Risa said. “Mizuki, what kind of person do you like?”

"Don't run away, answer my question first," said Ai.

“Exactly!” Ono Mizuki agreed.

—That fool.

"Only after you finish answering will you be qualified to ask Mizuki a question," Ai Mikami continued.

If Aoyama Osamu answers, how could Ono Mizuki possibly remain silent?

They are all traps.

Everything was done to force Ono Mizuki to answer the question, "What kind of person do you like?"

"I like it?" Aoyama repeated the question while also asking himself.

He liked all the wonderful qualities of a beautiful girl, even the opposites like being frugal or knowing how to enjoy life.

If a young girl is exceptionally beautiful and different from today's young people, she might also suffer some hardships.

So, given the current situation, what should he like?

Choosing to highlight Ono Mizuki's strengths? Would that be too deliberate? But choosing something completely unrelated to Ono Mizuki wouldn't be good either.

"She'll say 'So beautiful' when she sees scenery, and she'll hum a song when she's happy. She's always positive, optimistic, and cheerful about everything," Aoyama Osamu concluded.

It deliberately avoided highlighting Ono Mizuki's greatest strength: her cuteness.

But I still have some connection with her.

After saying that, Aoyama Risa shyly interrupted, "I'm done talking, now it's Mizuki's turn—Mizuki, what kind of person do you like?"

Mizuki Ono was too embarrassed to answer.

Only Aoyama Rika could still play the fool, but then she saw that Aoi was also there.

"I like guys who are incredibly capable, yet gentle and even a bit cowardly in front of the person they love!" said Mizuki Ono.

—Isn't that me?!

Osamu Aoyama recently earned the title of 'incompetent'!
'I subconsciously said "brother"!' Ono Mizuki suddenly realized.

Recalling what she saw yesterday when she secretly took her sister to the exam, she suddenly felt anxious.

We can't let Aoyama Risa have any more ideas; she has to make him feel that she only wants to be his brother and sister!
On the other hand, she also felt that Aoyama was incompetent.

"I also like..." It was something that could have been said in one sentence, but she had to continue, "...It's so hard to say what I like, let me say what I don't like instead."

"What don't you like?" Aoyama asked.

good chance.

As long as he knows what Ono Mizuki dislikes, he can correct it—after all, what Ono Mizuki dislikes is probably not a good habit.

"I don't like guys who are too tall, it makes me feel intimidated. I just need someone a little bit taller than me," said Mizuki Ono.

Mizuki Ono is considered short for a girl, but there are quite a few boys in Japan who are only slightly taller than her.

The problem is, Aoyama is tall.

“Being too popular isn’t good either, it makes me feel insecure,” Mizuki Ono added.

If during the school festival, a class or club holds a contest to determine "the person whose popularity most closely resembles that of Fukuzawa Yukichi (the portrait on the 10,000 yen banknote)," Aoyama Osamu would have the highest probability of winning in the boys' category.

“Being too popular doesn’t necessarily mean someone is insecure,” Aoyama Osamu couldn’t help but say.

"The key is my own feelings. I tend to overthink things, and I might even become unreasonable and cause a breakup," said Mizuki Ono.

She saw Shang Ai drinking water while smiling.

"Oh right, he can't be a muscular man, that's too scary!" Mizuki Ono added.

—What's wrong with the muscles!
Actually, as long as he doesn't take off his clothes, Aoyama Risa doesn't look very muscular. His fitness results are more internal, making him look radiant.

Mizuki Ono continued, "He has a clumsy side in life, such as not knowing how to cook or always missing a sock when washing them—he can take care of the work in the future, and I can handle everything at home!"

She even patted her chest.

Aoyama Riki doesn't know how to cook, but now no one will believe him if he says this.

Besides, the incident of losing a sock while washing it was something that had never happened to him before.

"I'm going to the restroom." Afraid of being caught lying, Ono Mizuki made an excuse to hide for a while.

Once the door closed, only two people remained in the activity room.

“Isn’t this the complete opposite of what I’ve always said?” Aoyama Rido said.

“Apart from the initial cowardice,” Ai reminded him.

"What should we do?" Aoyama asked her.

"{If only the two of us remain in this world, it doesn't matter if everyone else dies, I can't help but hope that.}

Why did you suddenly start singing?

"But even so, you still won't choose me~"

That's enough.

“Oh,” Ai Mikami said with a smile, “Aoyama-kun, don’t you like pretty girls who hum songs when they’re happy?”

"Don't think that just because you're a pretty girl, you can mistake 'mocking others' for 'being cheerful'!"

“At least we’ve obtained some intelligence, which, based on what Mizuki just said, can narrow down our search area,” said Ai Mikami.

"Sigh." Aoyama Ryo sighed.

He has no interest in looking for some short, muscleless, and womanizing idiot now.

He's a complete coward!
When Ono Mizuki returned from the restroom, she was still in high spirits and asked, "When you met your senior, what kind of person do you like?"

I knew from the moment I met Shang Ai that it might be my turn.

She said, "Aoyama-kun—"

"what?"

"Huh?! Brother?"

"—He knows what kind of person I like." Jian Shang Ai was very satisfied with the effect she had created.

Ono Mizuki looked at Aoyama Osamu: "Have you talked about these topics?"

"We only chat occasionally," Aoyama Risa hesitated, "before I finish speaking."

He originally intended to say, "While belittling me, I'll casually mention what my ideal type is like."

But he remembered that his promise to see Aoi wouldn't prevent her from "winning over" Ono Mizuki.

"So, what kind of person does the senior student like?"

“How could I possibly remember?” Aoyama Rie said.

Ono Mizuki looked at Mikami Ai.

"First, there's appearance—"

Ono Mizuki's pupils dilated slightly. 'Is my senior a looks-obsessed person?' she was about to blurt out.

"—This is the least important thing," said Ai.

She understood why Aoyama Rin's tone was always unpleasant whenever she mentioned meeting her senior.

“I also like men who are a bit of a wimp at home,” said Aoi Mikami.

"Right, right? He's obviously very capable, but he can't do anything about the person he likes. He gets teased all the time but doesn't get angry. That kind of guy is the most charming!" said Mizuki Ono.

After saying that, she added, "But he can't be too tall or too muscular, otherwise I'm scared."

"I don't care about height, as long as they're not shorter than me; I don't need to be too muscular either, just healthy," said Ai Jian.

"And what about life?" Mizuki Ono asked.

"It doesn't matter, I have a nanny, secretary, and housekeeper."

"You're talking about the 'disliked' places too, right?" Aoyama Rika wasn't going to let her off easily. "And the places you like?"

“I’m curious too.” Ono Mizuki looked at Mikami Ai.

“I like it.” Jian Ai pondered, “She doesn’t complain when she’s poor, and she’s not arrogant when she’s rich; she always works hard; she unconditionally loves her family and spoils them, but she doesn’t restrict them; when she chats with people, she’s witty and humorous, but she’s also a little clumsy.”

“My brother has everything except the last one!” Ono Mizuki said.

She glanced at Aoyama Rin.

"Don't even think about it. First of all, your appearance doesn't meet the requirements." Aoyama Ryo said calmly, "I'm too handsome."

"Wow! Brother! You satisfied the last little thing too!" Ono Mizuki exclaimed, covering her mouth.

Seeing that Shang Ai smiled, she said, "Alright, break time is over, let's continue studying."

Although they were having a great time chatting, all three of them were people who cared more about their studies, so they immediately focused on their studies and began to seriously review their lessons.

Aoyama took a deep breath silently, clearing his mind of all distractions and focusing his attention.

He's currently ranked 34th. Even if he goes into his senior year of high school, he'll still be at the bottom of the class and it won't be safe for him.

I must work hard to improve my grades and get into the University of Tokyo with Mika Ono.

In addition, Ono Mizuki admires people with outstanding academic achievements and hopes to win their favor.

Even when I see love, I'm taking a deep breath.

What's wrong with me?
The word "cowardly" was somewhat sarcastic, but the rest was the truth, because she believed she had nothing to hide.

All the advantages that can be mentioned are those of Aoyama Ryū.
How is this different from confessing your feelings?
Ono Mizuki screamed in her heart—

Sister, sister, this is terrible! Senior Sister Shang Ai might like Brother!
(End of this chapter)