Zongman: Succubus Shota, a new ability every day

Shiraishi pointed to a table diagonally behind her where her friends and a few other boys were busy exchanging contact information. "I feel like they might want to join in on our conversation, and I don't really like that kind of situation."

The female student seemed to understand Shiraishi's concerns and nodded slightly, but then a hint of embarrassment surfaced. "But if I reject them outright, it might make the atmosphere awkward..."

"Then you can find an excuse." Bai Shi suggested.

The female student sighed softly, as if she had made up her mind. "Actually... I don't have a smartphone."

This question left Bai Shi slightly stunned. In this age where almost everyone has a smartphone, how could there still be people who don't have one? He couldn't help but ask curiously, "So how do you live your daily life?"

The female student smiled slightly, a look of indifference in her eyes. "Not having a phone doesn't mean you can't live. People aren't creatures that will die without their phones."

Shiraishi nodded in agreement. He raised his glass and gently clinked it with the girl's. "In that case, let's toast to this unique freedom!"

The two exchanged a smile and each took a sip of their oolong tea. Although the topic was rather mundane, they seemed to have found an inexplicable resonance and tacit understanding in this brief exchange.

"By the way, what's your name?" Bai Shi suddenly asked.

The female student was slightly stunned, then gave her name. "My name is Midori Mito."

"I'm Shiraishi." Shiraishi responded with a smile, "Nice to meet you."

At this moment, the hustle and bustle in the store seemed to have drifted away from them, leaving behind only two cups of oolong tea and two hearts warmed by their chance encounter.

Bai Shi sighed softly and decided not to let the party continue to be immersed in irrelevant gossip. He wanted to add a touch of reality to this encounter.

He adjusted his sitting posture, turned his gaze gently towards the girl opposite him, and said in a sincere yet slightly humorous tone:

"I'm Shiraishi, a first-year junior high student. Don't you think the topics those people talk about are a bit too pretentious?"

A playful smile played at her lips, her eyes gleaming with curiosity, as if touched by Shiraishi's sudden sincerity. "Indeed, empty topics are like these edamame shells; once you peel them, there's nothing substantial inside." She said as she picked up another edamame, but this time, instead of putting it directly into her mouth, she gently clinked it against her wine glass, making a crisp sound. "But your self-introduction is quite interesting. It's clear and refreshing, not boring at all."

Shiraishi was amused by her words, and the atmosphere inadvertently became relaxed. He looked around, and the classmates who were immersed in laughter and noise seemed to be separated by an invisible barrier, while he and Miori were in a small world that belonged to just the two of them. "This place, although it is designed as a gathering place, everyone seems to be spinning in their own little circle. I noticed that except for our table, everyone else is already immersed in their own world."

Miori nodded, a glint of empathy flashing in her eyes. "Yes, sometimes, the loneliness in a crowd is even stronger than when you're alone. But, meeting you here is also a kind of fate."

A warm feeling welled up in Baishi's heart. He hadn't expected his simple words to resonate so deeply. He continued, "Today was supposed to be the last day of September, and they insisted on having a dinner together. It was a lively occasion, and they couldn't resist. But after a few drinks, I'm afraid many people's intentions have changed."

Chapter 231 Sense of Belonging

Miori sighed softly, as if she were also thinking about something. "You're right. We are often confused by the superficial excitement and forget what we really want. However, it is a blessing to have someone to remind us."

Bai Shi smiled slightly and decided to strike while the iron was hot. "Well, since we both have this awareness, why not use this opportunity to chat casually?"

Miori smiled. Oolong tea seemed to make people tipsy. She hadn't expected Shiraishi to suggest something like this. "That sounds great, Shiraishi-san. Well, let's start with me, I..."

"Shiraishi-san, you're actually quite famous."

"As you can see, I'm just a-normal person."

"An ordinary person's girlfriend wouldn't be Mai Sakurajima-oh."

"It's just fate sometimes." Shiraishi couldn't explain some things; he was used to it. On the first day of school, every boy in his class interrogated him like a criminal.

Fortunately, Shiraishi's mental abilities were exceptional, and Mai's initiative made it nearly impossible for them to be coerced. They could only grimly accept this tragic reality.

As the conversation between the two deepened, the noise around them seemed to fade away.

As she was about to put the last piece of fried chicken into her mouth, Shiraishi quickly picked up a piece from his plate with his chopsticks. Their movements were almost synchronized, as if they were a tacit understanding. "There are more people at other tables, so they'll naturally get less," he said softly, a simple observation about food distribution and a subtle understanding of interpersonal relationships.

Shiraishi hadn't initially shown much interest in the gathering, but it was Takumi's persistent invitation that finally convinced him to attend. Looking at his classmates, each striving to connect with the other and actively searching for topics to talk about, he couldn't help but sigh. "Everyone's so hungry," he whispered to Miori, the word "hungry" implying both a desire for friendship and the yearnings and anxieties of adolescence.

Miori observed all this with a detached attitude. Her eyes were neither overly enthusiastic nor cold and distant. It was as if she was standing from the perspective of a bystander, quietly admiring this feast of youth. "Is Meidong-san different?" Shiraishi asked curiously.

The unique teaching model of Shuchiin Academy's junior high school breaks down traditional "classroom" boundaries. With no fixed classrooms or assigned seats, each day feels like a new exploration. This environment offers students unprecedented freedom, but it also deprives them of the sense of belonging often associated with a "classroom." Here, interpersonal relationships are no longer confined to a small space; instead, students actively build and maintain them.

Miori seems to enjoy this freedom; she's not eager to fit in with any group, nor does she deliberately pursue any particular relationship. Her words are full of spontaneity, as if every word flows freely from her heart, without much deliberation, yet with a unique flavor.

As the party drew to a close, the organizer's voice boomed from the farthest corner of the room, announcing the arrangements for the continuation. However, for Shiraishi, none of this mattered. He stood up, picked up his backpack, and prepared to leave. "I have to go first. I have a part-time job tonight," he explained, his tone tinged with undeniable determination.

0Request flowers

Miori looked up in surprise. "Wait a minute? A late-night job? It's only just past six in the afternoon," she asked, puzzled. Shiraishi smiled slightly and explained, "Today I'm an instructor at a private tutoring class. I also work part-time at a chain restaurant, and my hours vary daily."

He finished the last sip of oolong tea from his glass, smacking his lips with satisfaction. Miori watched him from behind, a subtle smile flickering in her eyes. She squatted down to tie her shoelaces, as if preparing to leave.

"I'll leave first. KTV is not an option." She said with an embarrassed smile, but Bai Shi could feel that there might be more unspoken emotions hidden behind that smile.

The two of them tacitly chose to leave early, avoiding the impending noise and chaos. The moment they left the izakaya, the night breeze blew across their faces, bringing a hint of coolness and freshness. Miori glanced back at the still bustling private room, a mischievous smile curling her lips. "It would be troublesome if we were invited," she said, and merged into the night with Shiraishi.

At that moment, Shiraishi suddenly realized that perhaps everyone is searching for their own sense of belonging and peace in their own way. And in this feast of youth, meeting someone willing to walk shoulder to shoulder with you is a rare blessing in itself.

Chapter 232 The Girl Who is Willing to Follow

The moment you step outside, an indescribable stuffiness wraps around every inch of your skin like invisible silk, making you sigh that even in September, which is almost over, the afterglow of summer still lingers stubbornly, as if saying its final goodbye to the world.

Summer's departure always seems so hesitant, and today, as the end of the week - Friday, has intensified this reluctance. In the streets and alleys, crowds of people poured out from various stations like a tide and gathered in the bustling city center. Everyone's face is filled with anticipation and longing for the upcoming weekend.

Against this tide of people, Shiraishi and Miori slowly crossed the quaint bridge over the Kameko River, choosing to stroll along the riverbank to avoid the hustle and bustle of the crowds. Miori's steps were light but slightly slow, occasionally requiring a jog to keep up with Shiraishi, but she never complained, simply following silently.

Shiraishi noticed this and involuntarily slowed down his pace. He turned sideways to look at Miori who was a few steps behind him, his eyes full of concern.

"Are you really comfortable leaving your friend alone over there?" he asked softly, with a barely perceptible worry in his tone.

"Manami?" Miori paused and turned around, a complex expression in her eyes. "Oh, you don't know her name," she replied softly, then shook her head. "It's okay. If I stay there any longer, she might get even more upset."

After saying this, Miori sighed softly, as if she was telling an unspeakable story.

Hearing this, Shiraishi understood a little. He smiled slightly, as if to tell Miori that he understood her situation.

"I see. Your friend's sweetheart has developed feelings for you. This is indeed a tricky issue." His tone was full of understanding and sympathy.

Miori clearly hadn't expected Shiraishi to be able to read her mind so easily. A flicker of surprise flashed across her eyes, but then she regained her composure. "You actually understood, that's impressive," she said, looking up at Shiraishi, her eyes filled with admiration and gratitude.

"Actually, I once met a high school girl who had similar troubles," Shiraishi said calmly, as if recalling a past experience. "I understand the feeling of being confessed to by a friend's sweetheart."

Miori's lips curled up into a faint smile upon hearing this, but then it faded, and her tone became a little more polite. "Shiraishi-san, you seem to understand the world of high school girls very well." There was a subtle sense of distance in her voice, as if she was deliberately avoiding getting too close to Shiraishi.

"Actually, the high school girl I just mentioned looks a lot like you." Seeing this, Bai Shi hurriedly explained, fearing that it would cause misunderstanding. "It won't be long before she becomes a college student."

Miori nodded slightly, a faint smile on her face once again. "Alright, I'll just leave it at that," she said softly, a hint of relief in her tone.

The two walked and talked, and the topic gradually shifted to other things. Shiraishi suddenly asked, "Are you going home by car next?"

"Well, I took the Tokaido Line to Fujisawa," Miori replied.

"Are you from here?" Shiraishi asked casually, but he had a vague suspicion in his mind. Miori's aura lacked the distinct allure of a ship. Their school was one of the nation's top aristocratic institutions, and most of its students came from prominent families. Therefore, students from different regions often possessed their own unique temperaments and auras.

"No, I live here alone." Miori replied, shaking her head.

"In that case, why not rent a house closer to the school?" Bai Shi asked curiously.

"Because it's very close to Kamakura." Miori's answer surprised Shiraishi, but he soon understood what she meant. Kamakura, a place full of history and romance, also carries the beautiful memories of Shiraishi and Mai.

"Mr. Shiraishi, are you a local?" Miori suddenly changed the subject and asked.

"I guess I'm half local." Bai Shi replied with a smile.

The two reached the main road and were stopped at the first traffic light. Just then, Miori pulled a small plastic box from her tote bag. It was filled with Bo 1.8 chewing gum. She shook the box gently, making a rustling sound, and poured out three gums, then handed the rest of the box to Shiraishi.

"Does my breath have a bad breath?" Bai Shi took the chewing gum and asked with a somewhat amused look.

"No, it's because we used garlic in the fried chicken," Miori explained. "You're going to be a cram school teacher later, aren't you? This will make you look more professional."

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness," Shiraishi said gratefully, then popped three pieces of gum into his mouth. The refreshing mint scent instantly filled the air, leaving him feeling refreshed.

Chapter 233 Maybe It’s Just the Two of Us

"Although this is not a formal return gift..." Miori glanced at Shiraishi and hesitated to speak.

"What's wrong?" Bai Shi asked curiously.

"I just think that you'd better not do things to girls that you take for granted." Miori said seriously.

"Why?" Bai Shi asked in confusion.

"Because you don't seem to want to be too popular."

During a break in their conversation, their eyes simultaneously focused on a scene across the street. There, a young woman in a business suit, looking slightly exhausted, stood by a tissue paper stand. She appeared to be in her early twenties. Although she had removed her jacket, the collar of her shirt was still slightly damp with sweat, and her bangs were sticky to her skin, evidently from standing for long periods of time and distributing 10 tissues.

She smiled, held a tissue in her hand, and kept repeating "Please take a look at it". However, her enthusiasm did not receive much response. Most pedestrians hurried past and ignored her existence.

"Have you ever done a similar part-time job before? Like distributing tissues." Miori asked softly, with a hint of curiosity in her tone.

Shiraishi shook his head and replied, "No, I haven't tried this kind of work yet."

"Look, not many people are taking it." Miori pointed at the woman, a hint of sympathy in her eyes.

"Yeah, it's a bit embarrassing." Bai Shi agreed.

Suddenly, Miori said in an almost serious tone: "Maybe, that woman...only the two of us can see her." As soon as these words came out, even the air seemed to have a bit more mystery.

Hearing this, Bai Shi couldn't help but laugh: "How is it possible, Miori, you have such a rich imagination."

"Don't you know? This is called puberty syndrome," Miori explained earnestly, as if she truly believed it. "I've heard that some people suddenly feel like they've become transparent, or can foresee the future, or even feel like they've split into two people. Everyone's symptoms are different."

Bai Shi was stunned for a moment. This word was indeed a long time ago for him, so he couldn't react immediately for a moment: "Oh, is that so."

"Didn't you hear such rumors when you were in junior high or high school?" Miori continued to ask.

Just then, the green light came on and the two of them started walking, Shiraishi took the lead and Miori followed closely behind.

"Well, I have heard some similar rumors." Bai Shi replied, but then added, "But, those are probably just rumors."

After crossing the street, they all walked towards the woman, each taking a tissue from her hand and politely thanking her. Miori also received a flyer about a newly completed house for sale. Although she knew she had no intention of buying a house, the enthusiasm she received was still hard to refuse.

At this moment, a man who looked to be in his fifties passed by and took the tissue. This scene made Miori laugh and said, "Look, besides us, there are other people who can see her."

"Yeah, I was worrying too much before." Bai Shi also responded with a smile.

"But then again, that lady doesn't look like she's still in puberty," Miori said thoughtfully.

"So, at what age does puberty end?" Shiraishi asked back.

"Well, I'm not too sure about that." Miori shook her head. "Everyone's situation is different. There's no fixed limit. After all, not everyone suddenly becomes mature at the age of twenty."

"So, Shiraishi-san, do you think you are still in puberty?" Miori changed the subject and threw the question to Shiraishi.

"It's almost graduation time, so it should be the end." Bai Shi replied with a smile.

"You're still a student after all," Miori continued.

"What about you?" Bai Shi asked back.

"As for me... I'm probably still in puberty," Miori replied with a hint of playfulness, "because I haven't had a boyfriend yet."

Shiraishi couldn't help but laugh at what he said. Miori, on the other hand, complained seriously, "Humph, guys with girlfriends are just different. They talk so arrogantly. It's really infuriating!" Then, she snatched the tissue from Shiraishi's hand and prepared to walk into the underground passage.

"Hey, the ticket gate is on the other side," Shiraishi quickly reminded. Miori was standing in front of the stairs leading to the Yokohama Station underground shopping mall, where many shops were bustling.

"I'll go buy something on the way back. Bye!" Miori waved gently to Shiraishi, and walked towards the underground street without looking back.

Watching Miori's departing figure, Shiraishi couldn't help but feel a surge of mixed emotions. Miori, this girl who was sometimes close, sometimes distant, always left him unpredictable. Perhaps this was her unique charm. With this thought, Shiraishi stuffed the flyer into his backpack and set off for the station.

Chapter 234: Back to school

"Come to think of it, it's been ages since I've heard the term 'puberty syndrome'," Shiraishi thought to himself as he passed through the ticket gate. This long-lost feeling made him reflect even more deeply on youth and growth.

In the afterglow of Friday evening, Shiraishi boarded the Tokaido Line train departing from Yokohama Station. Although there were many office workers eager to go home and students with backpacks full of backpacks in the carriage, compared with the crowded rush hour on weekdays, the carriage at this moment seemed relatively spacious.

The relaxed atmosphere of Friday led many people to end their busy week early and go out to relax, so there were more empty seats on the tram than expected. Shiraishi found the door where the carriages connected with ease, which became his temporary refuge, where he could maintain his balance and enjoy a moment of peace.

He slowly pulled the heavy cram school notes from his backpack, his fingertips lightly sliding across the cover, finally landing on page 25—an example on quadratic functions. This was essential prep before tonight's cram school class.

The tram moves slowly along the designated track, passing through the bustling commercial district around Yokohama Station, and then gradually enters the quiet residential area. The scenery outside the window switches like scenes in a movie, with high-rise buildings and cozy houses appearing alternately, forming the unique rhythm of this city.

However, today, Shiraishi couldn't immerse himself in his studies as usual. His thoughts drifted back to the party earlier, to Midoh Miori's sudden remark: "Don't you know? This is called puberty syndrome." These words were like a stone dropped into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.

Fragments of his memories of puberty syndrome slowly emerged like a distant dream: the loneliness that could not be understood by others, the wonderful experience of foreseeing the future, the illusion of self-disintegration... These strange phenomena that he had only heard of in legends now made him feel a sense of inexplicable familiarity and unease.

Time seemed to stretch out. Over half a year had passed since he entered junior high school. During that time, he'd gotten used to studying on the train, accustomed to the daily grind of study. But the memory of "puberty syndrome" had been rediscovered, like a forgotten treasure. He was surprised that he hadn't heard the term in a year and a half, and even more surprised that he'd grown accustomed to this ordinary life during that time.

With each stop, Shiraishi's heart rose and fell. When the train finally pulled into Fujisawa Station, he composed himself and followed the crowd out of the station's north gate. The neon lights of the electronics store flickered in the night, guiding him toward a familiar place: the cram school.

Without further delay, Shiraishi headed straight for the locker room, opened his name-tag locker, and retrieved his custom-made lecturer's uniform—a clever combination of white robe and blazer, embodying both professional rigor and a friendly air. He quickly changed into his uniform, retrieved his lecture notes from his backpack, and finally popped a few mint lozenges in his mouth to maintain clarity and confidence.

As he stepped into the hallway leading to the classroom, Shiraishi knew that for the next few hours, he would explore the ocean of knowledge alongside a group of students full of dreams. While his experiences with puberty syndrome might be just a brief interlude in his long life journey, the reflections and insights he gained would be forever etched in his memory.

In this somewhat open space, two students awaited their lecturer, Shiraishi. A male student, Kento Yamada, and a female student, Juri Yoshiwa, sat across from each other across a narrow aisle, each lost in their own world.

Kento, oblivious to the impending class, skillfully danced his hands across his phone screen, the rhythmic beats emanating from his headphones revealing an addictive music game. Juri, on the other hand, appeared more focused and quiet, already opening her lecture notes, ready to embrace the baptism of new knowledge. Her vibrant, healthy complexion contrasted sharply with her personality, a beauty that was both restrained and resilient. As a member of Shuchien Academy, she excelled academically and actively participated in training for the amateur beach volleyball team. Though at only 16 centimeters, she might appear petite on the volleyball court, her passion for the sport and her dedication to it made her shine.