He became a god in Japan starting with the bear disaster.

Chapter 8 Perverts and Stalkers

Lin Xiuyi's silent day began to become indescribable.

After finishing his meal, he went for a walk as usual.

I had hoped to use this opportunity to escape the harassment.

Unfortunately, this beautiful plan to live alone was also completely ruined.

"Student Lin?"

"..."

Asahi Ruri was still persistent, following him from the classroom to the playground, calling out to him every now and then, seemingly determined to get a response, but Lin Xiuyi remained silent.

Lin Xiuyi really wanted to respond to her, but unfortunately he couldn't.

Lin Xiuyi couldn't understand: Logically speaking, a star like Asahi Ruri should have a very busy schedule every day. If there's something to do, she should be attending concerts, various programs, and acting on set. If there's nothing to do, she should be practicing singing and dancing and honing her acting skills. It's already incredible that she can go to school. But she can still waste time aimlessly at school.

Is she planning to or has already retired from the entertainment industry?

But judging from her relaxed and contented demeanor while being fawned over, that was clearly not the case.

If it were just one person doing this, Lin Xiuyi wouldn't really care. But she was very popular with others, so many people surrounded her, creating an awkward situation where a group of people followed Lin Xiuyi.

Actually, it's not that no one has noticed this problem.

"Are you planning to have Ruri-chan follow you to the men's restroom the whole time? Say something!"

A girl jumped out and blocked Lin Xiuyi's way, her finger almost touching his nose.

"Mami, stop doing that. You shouldn't bother Lin-kun..."

Asahi Ruri quickly dissuaded the girl.

So the group of people suppressed their displeasure and continued to follow Lin Xiuyi.

Lin Xiuyi, who was being followed by Asahi, felt unhappy, as did the group of people following Asahi. Everyone was unhappy, except for Asahi Ruri, who always had a smile on her face and seemed happy.

This behavior of following him without dispersing those who follow her might be Asashiro Ruri using the crowd to put pressure on Hayashi Hideichi, forcing him to pay attention to her.

Perhaps, she actually found enjoyment in this situation because she had some ulterior motive that she couldn't achieve.

Or perhaps, both are true.

"Does Lin usually ignore people like this?"

The morning light shimmered like glass.

"Yes... but then again, maybe not. He's a bit eccentric and quiet, and not very enthusiastic about class duties, but he's not completely unresponsive either..."

Girl A answered.

"I know, he actually likes Ruri just as much as everyone else, but he's cowardly and useless, so he can only choose to run away..."

Girl B said.

"He could also be a pervert. I just heard that all the boys who arrive at school early are actually perverts, especially today's..."

Girl C adds.

"So he's a pervert..."

All the women agreed.

Asahi Ruri laughed even harder at first, but then seriously corrected him: "Please don't judge others so arbitrarily. Lin just chose a different way of communicating."

Lin Xiuyi felt extremely tormented.

Finally, this ordeal was relieved by the vast expanse of the playground after passing through the corridor.

Lin Xiuyi originally only planned to take a walk, but suddenly realized that he was so depressed that he wanted to go for a run, and this was also a perfect opportunity to get rid of the harassment.

The midday sun in summer is dazzling and scorching, and the accompanying ultraviolet rays will mercilessly destroy the delicate skin that celebrities have carefully maintained, thus creating an insurmountable chasm between indoors and outdoors.

After a preliminary observation of Asahi Ruri's translucent white arms and the skin of her legs exposed beyond her stockings, Hayashi Shuichi became even more certain.

That should be enough. A normal person, especially someone like her, wouldn't follow her out.

"Hey, what are you looking at, you pervert!"

Several girls immediately stood in front of Asahi.

Lin Xiu turned her head away and walked straight into the playground. After entering the outer track, she began to run.

No one followed him, and after running just one lap, the group of people who were standing indoors disappeared.

The wind whistled past his ears, and the world suddenly fell silent. Just as he breathed a sigh of relief and slowed his pace, he suddenly heard another footstep, steadily appearing behind him, adjusting its pace to try and synchronize with his.

"At a time like this... does Lin have to go running too?"

It was a figure dressed in crisp sportswear, her hair fluttering as she ran, her cheeks slightly flushed, her breathing a little rapid, but her steps remained steady. It was Asairo Ruri.

"..."

Lin Xiu opened her mouth, almost blurting out something, but she held back, swallowing back the surprise and doubt that was about to escape her lips.

How is that possible?

He could only speak in his heart.

Asahi Ruri, who was running alongside him, observed him as she went. Even though she was still out of breath, she managed to speak: "Actually, there's something I want to talk to you about... Is that alright?"

Sure enough, she had come to him with a clear purpose. But he really couldn't speak right now.

Lin Xiuyi realized that his situation had become dangerous, and despite his curiosity, he quickened his pace and distanced himself from her.

Lin Xiuyi, whose physical abilities have been enhanced, can run for a long time under the midday sun, but Asahi Ruri, a star who doesn't exercise much, obviously can't. The difference in physical abilities is overwhelming.

Even so, she did not give up. Even though she was getting more and more breathless and her arms and legs were moving less and less, she still ran on the playground, trying her best to keep up with Lin Xiuyi.

What could possibly motivate her to do something like this?

After running to the indoor side once again, Lin Xiuyi stopped, looked back at the figure still trying to chase after her under the blazing sun, and pondered this question.

But he had no friends, relatives, or acquaintances. The only grudge he could hold was against the principal who discriminated against him and took away his scholarship. So he couldn't even think of a reason like "a distant relative who has become successful and comes to help him out."

After waiting for Asahi Ruri to run over, she rested for a while, panting heavily, with her hands on her knees, before looking up at Lin Xiuyi.

Lin Xiuyi inevitably saw a pair of large, bright eyes among the girl's sweat-dampened hair.

The light in those eyes was quite pure, without any ulterior motives.

He suddenly realized that eye contact could also lead to the failure of the commission, so he immediately looked away.

The fan group of Asairo Ruri had already dispersed and disappeared, and there were very few people around the playground, which reduced a lot of trouble... Although the person in question was still standing there, looking like she had recovered some of her strength, she even smiled at him.

Lin Xiuyi didn't dare to look at him and turned to the vending machine next to her to buy water.

He bought two bottles of energy drinks, but only took one, leaving the other one unattended. He then took the cap and drank it himself.

Asahi Ruri was taken aback for a moment, but quickly realized what was happening and picked up the other bottle with a smile.

The two leaned against opposite sides of the machine, looking at the empty playground under the blazing sun, listening to the cicadas chirping and the breeze, sharing this rare tranquility of the afternoon.

The boy and girl, after experiencing absurd events, are alone together, their relationship ambiguous and distant... It has to be said that this is a good opportunity to talk and chat, but Lin Xiuyi himself cannot speak.

Therefore, it was Asairo Ruri who spoke up:

"Going to school is really fun, even just running on the playground at noon for no particular reason is enjoyable."

Is there really no reason? Lin Xiuyi almost couldn't help but ask again.

"I don't think I had this kind of freedom when I was in Tokyo," Asashiro Ruri continued to mutter to herself. "I was restricted by my family, and I also had to go to idol and film set work. Although everyone was nice, I always felt that something was missing from that kind of life..."

Asahi Ruri didn't finish her sentence, clearly leaving enough room for Lin Xiuyi to respond. However, she paused for a moment, glanced at him, and found that he was still as silent as a sealed jar.

"So, I was too greedy after all?"

The girl gave a bitter smile.

"..."

"Lin, aren't you really curious about why I'm approaching you like this?"

Lin Xiuyi felt her face turning red and she couldn't breathe properly.

"Actually, you do want to talk to me, right?"

Asahi Ruri turned her head to look directly at Hayashi Hideichi, but only saw the boy's receding figure.