CHAPTER 7: The Perfect Mask and the Screams Within

CHAPTER 7: The Perfect Mask and the Screams Within

As the break began, the atmosphere in Class 2-A changed instantly.

Gone were the scenes of the male lead being kicked out of windows or the female lead launching violent attacks.

In their place—

was a setting filled with elegance and nobility.

Ren sat upright in his seat.

The mischievous, hyperactive expression he had earlier in the morning had completely vanished. In its place was a calm, intelligent demeanor, accompanied by a polite, refined smile.

He was patiently answering questions from a group of classmates about the recent lecture.

His gaze was gentle.

His attitude approachable—

yet still maintaining a certain distance befitting a true “perfect prince.”

At that moment, Akane closed her book, stood up, and walked toward Ren’s desk.

The entire class fell silent.

The “Ice Queen” of the Minamoto clan…

and the “Gentle Prince” of the Takeda clan—

were about to interact.

No one wanted to miss it.

Akane stopped in front of his desk, her voice clear and cold:

“Takeda-san, regarding the research materials I mentioned this morning—have you had a chance to review them?”

Ren looked up.

His eyes were calm—like a still lake without a single ripple.

A perfectly practiced social smile appeared on his lips.

“I apologize, Minamoto-san. I had some personal matters to attend to this morning, so I haven’t had the chance to review them yet. I will respond to you after school.”

With that, he turned back to continue his conversation with the others—

politely ignoring her, yet keeping a flawless sense of distance.

Inner World: The Storm Inside Ren’s Mind

On the outside, Ren looked like the perfect gentleman.

But deep within his mind—

his “superior intellect” was screaming at full volume.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘RESEARCH MATERIALS’?!

YOU ICE QUEEN! DO YOU EVEN REALIZE YOU JUST KICKED ME OFF THE SECOND FLOOR?!

I SWEAR I WANT TO PUNCH THAT CALM FACE OF YOURS RIGHT NOW!

GIVE ME BACK MY GLASSES!!!

JUST WAIT UNTIL AFTER SCHOOL—I’LL DEAL WITH YOU THEN!!!”

Even though every fiber of his being wanted to activate his “Future Borrowing” ability and blast the desk apart—

his body remained perfectly still.

His hand continued writing neatly, elegantly.

Because no matter what—

he had to uphold the dignity of the Takeda clan.

Meanwhile, Akane looked at Ren’s “perfect act” and couldn’t help but feel amused.

She didn’t need to pretend.

The cold, noble aura of a Minamoto heiress was simply who she was.

She knew exactly how frustrated he was.

And his “polite indifference”—

was nothing more than his way of stopping himself from throwing a punch in the middle of class.

She turned and walked away, the hem of her uniform swaying gently.

Inside her mind, she thought:

“Nice acting, Takeda-kun.”

“Let’s see tonight… by the lakeside…”

“…how long you can keep that ‘perfect prince’ mask.”