Kenkyo Kenjitsu

Reika-sama – 157

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If you don’t already know it, may as well familiarise yourself with the story of Hoichi the Earless. It’s not terribly long.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoichi_the_Earless#Legend_summary

Below this is some general knowledge that actually comes up quite a bit, so you should probably have a read as well:

Wu Zetian

Wu Zetian was a Chinese sovereign who ruled unofficially as empress consort and empress dowager and later, officially as empress regnant during the brief Zhou dynasty (684-705), which interrupted the Tang dynasty (618–690 & 705–907).

Wu was the sole officially recognised empress regnant of China in more than two millennia.

The importance to history of Wu Zetian’s period of political and military leadership includes the major expansion of the Chinese empire, extending it far beyond its previous territorial limits, deep into Central Asia, and engaging in a series of wars on the Korean Peninsula, first allying with Silla against Goguryeo, and then against Silla over the occupation of former Goguryeo territory.

Wu Zetian was born into a rich family. She had servants at her disposal to perform routine tasks for her, so there were not many domestic jobs that Wu would ever have to learn. Because of this, Wu was encouraged by her father to read books and pursue her education. He made sure that his daughter was well-educated, a trait that was not common among women, much less encouraged by their fathers.

At age fourteen, she was taken to be an imperial concubine (lesser wife) of Emperor Taizong of Tang. It was there that she became a type of secretary. This opportunity allowed her to continue to pursue her education. She was given the title of cairen, title for one of the consorts with the fifth rank in Tang’s nine-rank system for imperial officials, nobles, and consorts.

When she was summoned to the palace, her mother, the Lady Yang, wept bitterly when saying farewell to her, but she responded,

“How do you know that it is not my fortune to meet the Son of Heaven?”

Lady Yang reportedly then understood her ambitions, and therefore stopped crying.

The traditional Chinese historical view on Wu Zetian generally was mixed — admiring her for her abilities in governing the state, but vilifying her for her actions in seizing imperial power.

“Wu Zetian (690–705) was an extraordinary woman, attractive, exceptionally gifted, politically astute and an excellent judge of men. With single minded determination, she overcame the opposition of the Confucian establishment through her own efforts, unique among palace women by not using her own family. Her rise to power was steeped in blood….” Ann Paludan

Xu Fu

Xu Fu was born in 255 BC in Qi, an ancient Chinese state, and served as a court sorcerer in Qin Dynasty China. He was sent by Qin Shi Huang to the eastern seas twice to look for the elixir of life. His two journeys occurred between 219 BC and 210 BC.

It was believed that the fleet included 60 barques and around 5,000 crew members, 3,000 boys and girls, and craftsmen of different fields. After he embarked on a second mission in 210 BC, he never returned.

Those who support the theory that Xu Fu landed in Japan credit him with being the catalyst for the development of ancient Japanese society. The Jōmon culture which had existed in ancient Japan for over 6,000 years suddenly disappeared around 300 BC.

The farming techniques and knowledge that Xu brought along are said to have improved the quality of life of the ancient Japanese people and he is said to have introduced many new plants and techniques to ancient Japan.

The worship of Xu Fu as the “God of farming”, “God of medicine” and “God of silk” by the Japanese is attributed to these achievements. Numerous temples and memorials of Xu can be found in many places in Japan.

Yang Guifei

Yang Yuhuan, of the highest consort rank Guifei, was known as one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. She was the beloved consort of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang during his later years.

In 733, fourteen-year-old Yang Yuhuan married Li Mao, the Prince of Shou and the son of Emperor Xuanzong and Consort Wu.
After Consort Wu died in 737, Emperor Xuanzong was greatly saddened by the death of his then-favorite concubine.

Some time after that, however, Princess Yang somehow came into Xuanzong’s favor and the Emperor decided to take her as his consort. However, since Princess Yang was already the wife of his son, Emperor Xuanzong stealthily arranged her to become a Taoist nun, with the tonsured name Taizhen, in order to prevent criticism that would affect his plan of making her his concubine.
Yang then stayed, for a brief moment, as a Taoist nun in the palace itself, before Emperor Xuanzong made her an imperial consort after bestowing a new wife on his son Li Mao. Yang became the favorite consort of the Emperor.

During the An Lushan Rebellion, as Emperor Xuanzong and his cortege were fleeing from the capital Chang’an to Chengdu, the emperor’s guards demanded that he put Yang to death because they blamed the rebellion on her cousin Yang Guozhong and the rest of her family. The emperor capitulated and reluctantly ordered his attendant Gao Lishi to strangle Yang to death.

Yang was known for having a full and fleshy figure, which was a much sought-after quality at the time.

Thanks to Oniisama’s miracle hands, the Bea-tan doll was somehow finished before the School Festival. That was horrible…

Trying to create long hair for her was already harder than expected, but trying to create the same perfect curls just made it worse.

Originally I was going to use wool that was curled to begin with but it turned out to be a little off compared to the real Bea-tan.

As it turns out the reason was that it was all one colour. I ended up buying curled brown wool in every shade I could find, and after a lot of trial and error I managed to mix together a shade that looked right. You did it, Reika…

Thanks to that adventure my room was filled with brown wool right now. Maybe I could make some animals with it after the School Festival was over. Probably not soon though. I wasn’t sure I wanted to jump right back into needle felting again…

*

*

The wedding dress that was the crystallisation of our club’s effort and passion stood in the centre of our exhibition room, while our personal projects lined the walls. It was amazing what my club members have come up with on their own.

Of particular note was Minami-kun. Despite all the time he spent doing the silver embroidery on the club wedding dress, he still managed to submit an amazing tapestry of the madonna and child.

In comparison the Club President had hardly contributed to the wedding dress at all… At best I helped out with some of the bouquets. Sorry for being useless.

Still, my life-sized Beatrice doll was cute and had a nice realism to it, so I don’t think I shamed my club. Oniisama, Sasajima-san, everybody who helped me at the club, thank you.

Unlike some other attractions, the Handicraft Club’s exhibition was free to enter and leave. Thanks to that we didn’t need much manpower outside of a small rotating staff of guides.

Since they didn’t really need me here, I was going to use my effort on my class’ attraction instead.

*

*

Chinese Tea Café, Xu Fu.

The setting of our café was that we were the disciples of the Court Magician Xu Fu, who came to Japan with him in the Qin dynasty. That’s why we were advertising our teas as elixirs of immortality. It felt like a bit of a scam.

We had quite a few types of with us; normal stuff like oolong, jasmine or pu er, as well as some more exotic types like flower teas and flowering teas. The flowering tea had been quite popular with the girls in my class so we were hoping it would be popular with the customers too.

For snacks to go with it we were selling annin tofu, mango pudding, black sesame pudding, and various types of moon cakes among other things.

Annin tofu (杏仁豆腐) or almond tofu is a soft, jellied dessert made of almond milk, agar, and sugar, allegedly eaten in China as far back as 2000 years ago.

We bought them all, obviously, so the taste was guaranteed. I had made sure to taste test each one myself. They were yummy.

The shop itself was decorated with a chinoiserie theme, served by boys in changpao, and girls in pants and cheongsam. Originally the girls wanted to wear hanfu like celestial maidens but we decided against it because it wasn’t very disciple-ish.

Anyhow, with this, the theme would have been perfect if not for Dite.
Given how he jumped at any opportunity to play his violin, it came as no surprise that he was pushing for a part in the School Festival too.

Everyone told him that the violin wouldn’t fit the theme, and that if he really wanted to play something then he should get an erhu instead, but Dite wouldn’t budge.

In the end he was so annoying that we just relented. The excuse was that he was some foreign guest from the West, and hence the sight of his afro bobbing away as he played away in a trance.

“Welcome, customer. These are elixirs of immortality from the famed Mount Penglai. With but one sip your youth will be returned to you…”

I was busy serving customers myself.

Some people came for the variety of teas, while others came to visit friends in our class, so the sales weren’t doing too badly. Still, they weren’t looking amazing either.

I mean, I had nothing personal against a nice relaxed pace like this, but I had the niggling feeling that I was supposed to be doing more as the vice class representative. Maybe by standing outside and attracting more customers.

I stepped into the hallway for a moment and looked at who was passing by. Oh! Wasn’t that the president of the Soccer Club? I waved my hand to beckon him over.

When he noticed me he cried, “Hii, Wu Zetian…!” before running away.

…

But I’m not Wu Zetian. I’ve always thought of myself as Yang Guifei in my heart.

*

*

The attraction by Kaburagi’s class was the one most looked-forward to in our grade; they were doing one of those sound-based haunted houses. Pretty much all the guests had come here.

Considering the size limitations of the classroom they were using, the audio haunted house with 3-dimensional was probably as good as it could get. And given how picky Kaburagi was about these things in general, thanks to the audio equipment the haunted house was so good you’d never expect it to be something from a school festival.

The programme was Hoichi the Earless. Before you entered the haunted house, a guide in white clothing put a heart sutra seal over your face. After that they led you into this room with will o wisps and wooden grave markers.

After taking a seat, you put on the headphones provided. That was when hell began.

The gloomy sound of a biwa played. Along with it was an eerie singing voice.

Since it was 3-dimensional, it supposedly felt like the spirits of the Heike were chanting right by your ear and chills ran down your spine. It was like they were standing right behind you.

When the spirits came to claim you after you had the heart sutra written all over you, apparently some of the more timid customers took off their headphones to escape back to reality. The only heart sutra actually on them was the one plastered on their face after all.

As the climax when your ears were torn off, apparently some of the guests actually ran screaming down the hallway.

Given that I was a coward myself I definitely didn’t want to go, but Class Rep’s quartet had apparently promised to go with each other. What the heck. Was that like a double date? So envious. But since everybody was seated in their own little area, I doubted they could do that haunted house thing when you screamed and clung to each other.

A while ago when Ririna visited Xu Fu with her friends, she told me that they were going to the haunted house as well later. Minami-kun was the odd one out, with an aura of ‘I don’t want to go…’ coming out of his entire body. I wonder if he’d be okay…

Anyway, Ririna had ordered the flowering tea and seemed to be really taken with how it bloomed like a flower underwater, so I made a note to give the rest to her that I had at home.

*

*

*
When it was time for shifts to change, my friends and I went walking around the school as well. Since it was turning out to be impossible to properly see everything today, I’d do the rest tomorrow.

Enjou and Wakaba-chan’s class was doing a café too. Cafés were easy to do, after all. Unlike our class’ Chinese tea café, they were going with a completely normal one. Given that it was a rare and limited chance to see Enjou in a barista outfit it was popular enough already. On top of that, they implemented a numbered ticketing system for people who wanted to enjoy his latte art. Everyone was talking about how there had been a huge queue of girls outside since the morning.

“Come onn, Reika-sama. Let’s go see Enjou-sama’s café!” Ru’ne-chan said.

“I have no objections, but without a ticket he will not make us latte art, you know?”

“I’m disappointed about that too, but we should still go. I want to at least see him in the barista outfit.”

Ru’ne-chan had missed out on her chance to get a ticket. I guess she had underestimated how popular he would be.

We entered the busy shop only to find that Kaburagi was there too. The girls were overjoyed. There he was, sipping away at his coffee with home-made biscuits. Which was surprising enough, since Kaburagi never ate home-made food.

Nobody had expected him to actually eat any of them but contrary to expectations he took a bite.

“Bring me the one who made these,” he said with slightly widened eyes.

Confused about why she was being called out, Wakaba-chan stepped out from the back of the store.

“Um, was there something wrong…?”

“Takamichi. You were the one who made these?”

“Eh, yes. I did, but…?”

While Wakaba-chan was looking confused and uncomfortable, Kaburagi suddenly chuckled.

“They were delicious.”

Kaburagi, who never ate home made food, had eaten a home-made biscuit. A home-made biscuit baked by a girl, that he even praised as being delicious.

The news spread through Zui’ran like wildfire, and there was a rush of female customers to ‘The Golden Dawn’, the fortune telling shop that Fuyuko-sama’s class was doing.

Did this mean that Kaburagi was starting to fall for her…?

“Here, Kisshouin-san. This one is on me,” Enjou smiled, as he left a latte art of a rabbit in front of me.

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100 thoughts on “Reika-sama – 157”

      2. Nice, chapter 119. I’d forgotten about that. Work does that to me sometimes.

        And here I was starting to wonder if Enjou was suggesting “you and me baby ain’t nothing but mammals,/ let’s do it like they do on the Discovery Channel.”

        (Actual music video is long and too tiresome to link.)

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    7. ………..SHIPPER GLASSES ONNN!
      These are my thoughts and hopeful analysis!

      Consider these points:

      ❤(A) Rabbit is a rather intimate symbol in the case of Enjou brothers.
      Yukino’s snow rabbits: depicting the affection shown by Shuusuke.

      Yukino and Reika are of the same kind: fluffy, adorable and tempting (for teasing; I’m taking Shuusuke is the same as Onii-sama, just that bc Yukino is much quicker and poorer in health than Reika so Shuusuke has lesser chances for it) species!

      Enjou suddenly giving rabbit things to Reika is akin to a declaration of perhaps affection or at the very least, gratitude.
      If this is otome game, it is very onvious that: if the way to Kaburagi’s stomach is through his stomach, the fudging way to Shuusuke’s sweet heart (lmao beyond those blackened parts) is through his dearest little brother. Heh. You need Yukino’s approval to get Shuu. A certain girl from the future fails here and I am rejoicing over it kukukukuku

      ❤(B) The author’s wordings:
      “Did this mean that Kaburagi was starting to fall for her…? (1)
      “Here, Kisshouin-san. This one is on me,” Enjou smiled, as he left a latte art of a rabbit in front of me. (2)

      My desperate deduction lol: (1) is Reika pondering on whether Kaburagi is starting to have feelings for Wakaba-chan. Then so suddenly, Enjou Shuusuke walks into the picture(2) with a latte art of RABBIT (refer to point A!). The symbolism!!!

      I hope this is a hint for further friendship and romantic development between them~ (I’ve read until chapter 249, and yes, I AM PROUD TO SAY I AM ABOARD REIKA-SHUUSUKE SHIP BC IT IS THE LEAST HOPELESS SHIP IN MY EYES MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA)

      Conclusion:
      Enjou is starting to show some hints. I knew. Don’t you dare oppose my shipping demon, this novel has no ending yet, I’ll make the author see the light of haraguro character if you dare to tell me no. EnjouxReikaOTP. Future chapters are sweet mines for Reika-Enjou(s) moments! We even have a SPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILERsakura-likechildhoodfriendslashcousinsuddenlyappeartoprobablyfendoffadmirersoffEnjoubutIthinkherplansaredesignedtofailbecauseIthinkEnjouquiteenjoysbeingwithReikaandYukinodoesntevenlikeherSoYeahThatskindofaReika’sloverivalappearanceformeSPOILERSPOILERSPOILEREND.

      …..shipping glasses off:

      ORZ forgive this servant for being like this. Meh *dies*

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  4. “I’ve always thought of myself as Yang Guifei in my heart.”
    Obviously, Reika did not read the background information at the beginning. You get married to royalty, only to end up marrying all the royalty, and then get strangled because of your cousin. Not quite a person I would want to emulate . . .

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  10. Thanks for the chapter! Does Enjou really see Reika as a little rabbit… With his black heart and high level of scheming, it’s a possibility…

    Liked by 9 people

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  13. “I had made sure to taste test each one myself.” Of course you did, Reika XDD

    LOL Reika adds another title to her list.

    Wakaba, you’ve captured your ML through his stomach. As expected of a protag. I guess the original storyline is progressing, huh. I hope that doesn’t spell disaster for Reika.

    But WAIT! (shipping glasses-ON) Enjou, when did you have time to make an art latte for Reika (wasn’t there a queue since you’re in high demand?). And a rabbit… WHAT DOES THIS MEAN!? 0.o

    Thank you so much for this new update!

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  14. Why do I get the feeling that Enjou’s really misunderstanding Reika rn…I mean is that bunny latte art given especially for her cause he thought she’ll be sad after hearing Bakaburagi praising wakaba…like some sort of consolation/condolences kind of thing…welp….if that’s the case then that Haraguro who’s like the prime minister in the Emperor’s kingdom…needs to know more about the Rococo Queen.🌚😂😂😂😂

    Anyways I’m soooo excited for Doglover and co. To come and visit suiran and of course Sakura…ufufufu…something’s gonna happen I just know it.👀 Wonder if Oniisama and Inari will come and visit Reika though….I really hope so😆 I miss the two of them!!❣️

    Thank you sooooo much Este for the chapter, despite being busy in RL! 😊

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  16. I laughed at the Wu Zetian part! 😂 😂😂 I wonder what Reika look liked for her to be thought of as Wu Zetian 🤔🤔 If one watched the drama “The Empress of China”, one would see that Wu Zetian as “Empress” wears quite an elaborate headdress… Reika is not wearing one but could it be that her curls made it look like she has a headdress? XD

    To compare herself to Yang Guifei though is hilarious! 😂I wonder why she thinks that way? Is it because she thinks she is plump like Yang Guifei?

    Anyways, now that I re-read the story of Yang Guifei, I imagine that Shuusuke will give Reika to Yukino but in the future, he’ll set Yukino up with someone else and take Reika for himself! 😱😮 Oh well, who knows….

    And Shuusuke, you gotta put do more than that! You’re starting point for Reika is -100. Gotta move to 0.

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  20. Nice distraction, Enjou. That’s another debt you owe Reika though. You better pay your tab, or it’s off with your head!

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    1. Hehe. Someone is also in the knowing it seems. Hi.
      For a scheming conman like enjou, it is most likely his one action has myriad deep layers in it.
      For example, a teasing of her zodiac collection, manipulating public opinion and also, at the same time, as an outlet of feelings for her smirksmirk

      After all: “Love is for action. Not for movie-ing.”

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    2. Ah yes. His famous “debts.”
      Oh he’ll settle his debts alright. Reika has no right to refuse payment.

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  21. I just imagine how she absent-mindedly sips at her latte art and only then realizes the true horror of what it implies to onlookers and a devilish smile of Enjou😂😂😂 probably he thanked her this way for Yukino’s sake but still this damn man is leading all of us by our noses, you can’t concentrate too much on Bakaburagi’s life, Reika!!!! Least you lose your freedom!!!!!

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    1. Oh, I’m rather rooting for Enjou. Not the least of which because I think he knows exactly what this looks like to outside observers. His affection for Reika maybe authentic, but that doesn’t mean he won’t put her on the spot.

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    2. Hahaha i can imagine it
      She will say,” oh thank you… ” while sipping it calmly not aware the surrounding notice that enjou give her latte personally ignoring the queue

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  23. Bu-but Wu Zetian sounds better than Yang Guifei. Don’t tell me you’re still planning for your bad end route, Reika-sama????

    (And that’s smooth Enjou, really smooth. I approve that, whatever your motive is)

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    1. You know what they said. Either you die as a tragic heroine, or you live on as an empress. (Though the empress herself also die tragically…Bad End?)

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  24. Huh, after reading a comment about it I was sure that the handicraft club were going to put Reika in the wedding dress. And then she would end up rushing to the gaudy piecing’s group because they were causing trouble.

    It would have been a great scene.

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  36. Thx for the chapter o/
    i got here late again =[
    I loved the introduction, i love to read those kinds of history’s bit’s and trivias. Can’t wait for Reika-sama friends to come visit her work~~

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  37. now I know the story behind “Reika-sama doodle” <- seriously can't wait for next chapter..

    the music.. ah, such nice music..
    I think.. I would spend the whole festival in that haunted room

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  40. First of all thanks for the translation…

    Wow i must say that i love your dedication… Thank to you I learn a lot just for a one line gag

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  45. Gawd.. after this the whole school will be on about Kaburagi praising Wakaba and Enjou making free coffee for Reika😂
    That rabbit tho… hmm, Enjou ya sure know how to tease😅 I wonder how Reika would take it as…

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  49. Kaburagi keeps feeding the rumors (and Wakaba’s bullying) like a baka. Enjou does too, with no guilt about it whatsoever.

    All those ojou-samas who see the the world filled with shoujo bubbles must be having a riot~

    Thanks for the chapter!

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  50. Right now, I’m having trouble figuring out 2 things.
    1)what does the rabbit symbolize? Yukino or the wolf and rabbit thing?
    2)WHO THE HECK DO I SHIP??!!?!!
    Also I really hope Reika puts on that wedding dress. (⁎⁍̴̛ᴗ⁍̴̛⁎)

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    1. It was a sheep in wolf’s clothing (reverse if the usual). Not so much symbolism as an inside reference and thanks for the felted rabbit in chapter 119 (thanks to zekkendo for pointing that out, Este for bringing it to us unworthy leechers, and the Evil Empire of Google for finding the chapter reference).

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  51. So… I’m guessing by now that the message of Reika-sama is clear: if you like someone, get them through their stomach. It’s the best way.
    Also, beware the nice ones. That Yang Guifei may actually be Wu Zetian… Still hoping to get Wakaba-san POV with her reaction to the Goddess Kali reveal.

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  52. THE WAY TO THE HEARTS OF SUIRAN’S EMPEROR AND EMPRESS IS THROUGH THEIR STOMACH.

    Wakaba and Enjou are the main researchers in this topic. So far, Wakaba seems to see success in her effort. Whilst Enjou…sorry dude. Keep it up you can do it lmao

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    1. Thanks for the chapter Este-sama.

      As usual, you turned a translated piece into a masterpiece 😤 i love you and thats true!

      Even though I’ve strayed bc of my impatience, your exquisite and careful translations keep my loyalty till the end!

      Truly, thank you for the chapters!

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  53. Kek! I hope that’s a hint of some underlying affection Enjou has for Reika! I ship that boat 500%! Though I want the protagonist to be Reika, so for some reason, Kaburagi seemingly falling for Wakaba (even if the original storyline is like that), doesn’t sit well with me xD

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    1. Oh, I suspect he started liking her shortly after she sucker punched him. And I think it’s around then that he started to get a good handle on Reika’s actual personality. Before then, he could be forgiven for thinking Reika was a typical ojou, since he’s never seen any unguarded or authentic behavior from her until then.

      We first get clues about this in chapter 70 when Class Rep mentions that an unnamed boy was watching her closely enough to have seen Reika get pooped on by a bird and was “smiling away.” Monk Boy follows with his POV by explaining that he’s an Enjou fanboy who was told by him that Reika is a “fun girl.”

      Anytime you see him teasing her, it’s his way of flirting with her. Reika doesn’t really like it though.

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