Takashi released his grip on the hand of Doma Umaru and explained, "I thought you were my friend."
Doma Umaru glanced at Takashi's distinctively knuckled fingers and didn't say anything further.
Bad people don't write 'I'm a bad person' on their faces, but Takashi, someone who looks clearly harmless, definitely wasn't one of them.
[Ding, target detected!]
Target: Doma Umaru
Age: 16
Intelligence: 8
Charm: 9
Physical Strength: 6
Origin: "Himouto! Umaru-chan"
Crush: None, Brother Complex
Boyfriend: None, Available for Dating.
'Doma Umaru?'
Takashi had already become accustomed to the system occasionally popping up to drop unexpected surprises, and he reacted quite calmly.
However, upon seeing the other person's name, a flash of surprise appeared in Takashi's eyes.
He didn't expect to encounter the "lifelong enemy" that his teacher always mentioned here.
The name Doma Umaru was one that he often heard his teachers mention.
Not only was she beautiful, but her academic performance was also among the top in the country.
In the last national mock exam, Doma Umaru ranked just one point behind him.
Actually, before the last national mock exam, Takashi's teachers had predicted that either he or Doma Umaru would be ranked number one in the country.
At that time, Maki and Miyuki were not given much attention by the teachers, and they were considered dark horses who suddenly rose to prominence.
Before the rise of Miyuki and Maki, the top position among their peers was always alternated between Takashi and Doma Umaru.
Additionally, unlike Yukino, who was a sports weakling, Doma Umaru had athletic talent that matched her flawless appearance.
As far as Takashi knew, there was no sport she couldn't excel in.
Not only was she outstanding in every aspect, but according to Otani Shouta, Doma Umaru also seemed to come from an impressive family.
Her father was apparently the president of the Doma Group.
Though seeing how Doma Umaru was dressed now made him doubt Otani Shouta's information, he recalled that even Eriri wore a fake "lady" mask when she went out, hiding her true identity as a manga artist and otaku.
Doma Umaru being the daughter of a conglomerate wasn't that hard to accept.
A flawless face, an elegant and noble aura, national-level academic achievements, versatile athletic ability, and the daughter of a top industry group—what window did heaven close for her?
She was so perfect it felt unreal.
'What kind of look is he giving me? Does he know me?'
Takashi's face showed no particular emotion, but out of habit, his gaze lingered on her, instinctively sizing her up.
'No way, I've disguised myself well.'
Doma Umaru noticed that Takashi's gaze was fixed on her and instinctively touched the mask on her face. Yup, the mask was still on; she should be safe from exposure.
Perhaps because she had worked too hard on maintaining a perfect image at school, Doma Umaru now dressed like a celebrity when she went out, afraid of being revealed.
'Hmm, she should be the daughter of a wealthy family. I must seize this opportunity.'
Takashi withdrew his gaze from Doma Umaru, secretly making up his mind.
Maybe it was because he had acted too convincingly last night, or maybe because he was too embarrassed to contact her first, but Eriri hadn't sent him a single message since last night.
Normally, Takashi would have been like a dog, eagerly licking up to her, but this time, he didn't want to make the first move.
Because he was really afraid that if he continued to put effort into it, Eriri would end up falling in love with him.
It might sound a little narcissistic, but very few girls could resist his charm.
Takashi was afraid that if this continued, he might lose his childhood friend, the girl he had grown up with, who was just as close as family.
What to do when the hero is too strong?
Besides suppressing, there was only prohibition.
Takashi couldn't weaken his charm, so he had to impose restrictions on himself.
What else could he do?
After all, Aki Tomoya was too weak.
You've known Eriri since you were young, and you've given her at least ten years, but within half a year, she's already started paying more attention to someone else.
Are you playing the game wrong?
If he didn't hold himself back, what if Eriri replaced him with a new guy? Takashi couldn't let that happen.
Doma Umaru noticed he was staring at her and couldn't help but ask, "Why do you keep staring at me?"
"Has anyone ever told you that you look like someone?"
"Who?"
Takashi teasingly responded, "Her name is Doma Umaru."
Doma Umaru stiffened.
Crap!
Could it be that he really knows someone here?
Is he from our school?
This thought stayed for just a second before Doma Umaru immediately dismissed it.
Even though she wasn't interested in boys, someone this handsome wouldn't be anonymous at their school.
"Is... is that so?"
Doma Umaru tried to sound calm, but Takashi could still hear the nervousness in her voice.
"You seem pretty nervous."
Takashi slightly bent down, looking at her with squinted eyes. "You wouldn't really be Doma Umaru, would you?"
"Impossible!!!"
Doma Umaru hurriedly denied it.
"But that's Doma Umaru!"
"She's beautiful, well-behaved, and top-notch in academics. How could I be such an excellent person?"
She actually started complimenting herself.
Takashi found it a bit funny, but still pouted, "I admit you're beautiful and well-behaved, but as for academics, let's forget it."
"You didn't even make it into the top three nationwide. How is that considered good?"
Doma Umaru: "?"
What do you mean?
"Does that mean your grades are really good?"
Doma Umaru forced a smile.
There are only three people in the country with better grades than her.
She couldn't believe her luck was bad enough to run into one of the top three.
Takashi smiled confidently. "Kitahara Takashi, top three in the Japan. My grades can be verified."
Doma Umaru: "..."
No way.
She happened to run into one of them?
And it's the one who beat her by just one point?
"Well, it's not a big deal. You only beat him by one point, right? I heard Doma Umaru was still playing games before the exam?"
Doma Umaru was still a bit unconvinced.
If he had beaten her by dozens of points, she could accept it.
But Takashi only beat her by one point.
Just one point!
She didn't understand why he was acting like this!
"If she had studied harder, forget about top three, national first place would be a breeze."
In the last mock exam, she had only called her brother to help her study on the last night.
It wasn't like Shirogane Miyuki, who had started preparing a month earlier.
To Doma Umaru, if she put in some effort, national first place would be within her reach.
It might sound arrogant, but she had the talent to aim for first place.
"Second place is still possible, but first place..."
Takashi stroked his chin, shaking his head: "Absolutely impossible. She should just give up already."
Doma Umaru was unconvinced. "Why is it impossible?"
"Because first place can only be mine."
Originally, he had just wanted to tease her, but once the topic turned to grades, Takashi's expression became unusually serious.
You can beat him in anything, but not in academics.
He was betting his entire pride on it.
If he lost, all the students in the country would have to take the Jiangsu exam in the future!
"Well, what a coincidence. I think the same way. The first place in the next national mock exam can only be me."
Doma Umaru's eyes lit up with fiery determination, and she even forgot to keep up her disguise.
She decided—next time, the national first place would be hers, Doma Umaru's!
No one could stop her, that's what she said!
"Are you challenging me, Doma?"
Takashi suddenly got fired up, narrowing his eyes as he stared at her.
"Yes, Kitahara! I'm challenging you! Are you afraid? Wait, what did you just call me?"
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