Challenge: The Fool with the Surname Okayamine

Chapter 12 Confession or... Farewell...

"Ring ring! Ring ring!"

The crisp, melodious school bell echoed through the campus. Hearing the sound, the students packed up their books, grabbed their backpacks, and walked out of the gates of Xingying Girls' Academy.

As the sun set, the entrance to Xingying Girls' Academy was unusually lively. Ming leaned quietly against the school gate, silently watching the students coming and going outside, as if waiting for someone.

During this time, female students of all types came to Ming, who was standing against the wall, and talked to him. Some girls were gentle and graceful, greeting him softly; others were lively and cheerful, greeting him with bright smiles and approaching him cautiously.

However, no matter how they tried to communicate with Ming, he would only nod slightly in response, or give a few perfunctory replies and then stop answering.

Seemingly oblivious to the girls' attention, Ming maintained a detached attitude until a delicate and gentle voice called his name from the school gate:

"Ming, I've finished my chores and am coming out!"

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Ming immediately stood up straight and turned to look at the person who had spoken.

"Did you get Sawa all sorted out?"

"Yes, it's not much after all, it's just a short time to clean up."

"Oh, thank you for your hard work."

A barely perceptible smile flashed in Ming's eyes, but he quickly regained his expressionless face and encouraged him.

"Okay, let's go."

"Okay, sure!" Seeing Ming about to step forward, Sawa immediately followed.

Ming and Sha walked side by side, quietly strolling along the path that had accompanied them since they were three years old, as if time had never changed.

"Speaking of which, Kurumi didn't come home with us today either."

Ming asked casually, seemingly indifferently. Upon hearing Ming's words, Sawa thought about what they had discussed that morning and replied:

"Oh, Kurumi's been really busy lately, and I don't know when she got a sty... I just hope she gets better soon..."

As Sawa spoke, a hint of worry appeared in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and smiled at Ming beside her.

"Oh, I see." Ming said casually, but his mind was racing.

'A needle prick... Kurumi isn't here... I feel like I've seen this scene somewhere before... I just hope it's not true.' Ming thought to himself, still clinging to a sliver of hope.

Afterwards, Ming and Sha walked and chatted, and before they knew it, they had passed through the commercial street and continued walking on the side streets where there were not many people.

Just then, Sawa suddenly stopped. Ming, who was walking, noticed something was wrong and turned around to look at Sawa behind him. He saw her looking at him with a slightly flushed face.

"Is something the matter, Sawa? Are you feeling unwell or something?"

Ming walked quickly to Shahe's side, looking at her with concern. He reached out a hand and gently stroked her forehead, then asked with concern.

Sawa took a deep breath, a hint of shyness on her face, and lowered her head, holding the black gift box tightly in her hands, seemingly a little nervous.

"Huh? This is... are you going to give me chocolates again? But I don't remember today being Valentine's Day, right?"

Faced with Ming's questioning, Sawa didn't answer, but just lowered her head again, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Ugh, what is this?"

Sawa didn't speak, but simply handed the box to Ming, who looked completely bewildered, before trembling as she spoke:

"Ming, this...this is something I've wanted to write to you countless times, but because of my weakness and fear back then, I failed to make our relationship distant and didn't take the initiative to do it. Now I want to write this to you, so please be sure to read it to the end!"

Seeing Sawa's sudden determined look, a bewildered Ming had no choice but to take the box and open it with great curiosity.

"Paper?"

"This is... a love letter to Ming-kun..." Sawa tried to remain calm, covering her face, which was as red as an apple, as she explained.

Ming stared wide-eyed at Sawa in disbelief, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him. It felt as if a faint electric current had gently brushed across his face, causing his cheeks to involuntarily flush red, even his ears turning bright red.

“Confession letter…! Sa…Sa and you…” Ming was so excited that he could barely speak. To cover up his embarrassment, he could only lower his head and look at the words written on the confession letter to distract himself.

He slowly unfolded the letter and read the words on it. Sawa's handwriting was clear and beautiful, and sincere emotions were revealed between the lines.

"Ming, when you see this letter, it means I have made up my mind to express my feelings to you. There was a time when I was bullied, and you bravely stood up to protect me. At that moment, you became a messenger of justice in my heart."

Afterwards, we watched the cats together, chatted happily... These wonderful memories are still vivid in my mind.

During this time, I gradually realized that I had fallen in love with you. Every time I see you, my heart races uncontrollably. Although you've never noticed my feelings for you, I still want to tell you!

Ming's gaze lingered on the letter, his heart pounding faster and faster, but he didn't utter a single word. Shahe watched Ming nervously, her hands clenched tightly, awaiting his response.

After a long silence, just as Mingye finally mustered the courage to answer, the area around him was suddenly covered by a purple barrier.

*Slap! Slap! Slap! Slap!*

A series of crisp claps came from behind Sawa and Ming. Hearing the sound, Ming subconsciously turned his head and saw a woman with long silver hair walking towards them.

"Looks like I arrived just in time. Is this a confession? Well then, congratulations to you both!"

The woman with long, silver-white hair walked towards him step by step, each step feeling like it was stepping on Ming's heart, making him so nervous he couldn't breathe.

She wore a kind smile that seemed to melt away all things in the world, but in Ming's eyes, it was terrifying, like a demon that had walked out of hell.

'Takamiya Mio! Run!'

That was his only thought at the moment, and then Ming grabbed the bewildered Shahe and ran away as fast as he could.

"Ming, what happened? Hey... who's that...?"

"Sawa, run! Don't look back!" Ming shouted anxiously for the second time, without even having time to explain to Sawa.

Ming was holding Sawa's hand with one hand and clenching his fist tightly with the other. Ming knew that he had no chance of defeating Mio with just some Chinese martial arts skills, but he would not stand by and watch the girl who had just confessed her love to him with a letter be harmed.

'Now I must be prepared for a life-or-death situation! Even if I die... I will definitely be in front of Sawa! Sawa, you will definitely be alright before I fall!' Ming thought anxiously as he ran.

Even if... there is a god-like being standing behind him.