My High School Nerd Rival - Chapter 20

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 20
It was the strangest combination Ibi had heard in recent memory.
First, Cyrus showed no interest in other people. Even if that person happened to be a princess whose future entanglement with him remained uncertain.
And second.
Whether or not Cyrus took an interest in Ibi’s true self had no bearing on the matter whatsoever.
It wasn’t his concern to begin with.
“What kind of ridiculous thing are you saying?”
When Ibi’s expression hardened, Joy tilted her head slightly, but she didn’t press further.
“Oh, hello there, Angel.”
It was just then that the voice she’d been bracing to hear arrived.
Ibi lifted her head, wearing the smile she’d learned at court.
“Hi, Tiffany.”
“Well, how surprising. You’re greeting me first for once.”
Ibi gave a light shrug.
“It’s a new year now. Anything can have a fresh start, don’t you think?”
“I suppose. If you shed some of that provincial air in the new year, maybe so.”
Immediately, mocking laughter echoed from behind Tiffany.
Those Angels really were something else.
Ibi sighed and got straight to the point.
“The school is holding a New Year’s Resolution event. It’s optional, but I’d really like it if you’d come.”
“How surprising.”
Tiffany glanced briefly at the tablet screen Ibi held out, then answered with a haughty tone, her arms crossed.
“So the entire dormitory has to cooperate for your sake again, is that it? You say everything starts fresh, but really nothing’s changed.”
“Well, you’re not wrong. If we get a high score, it proves I’m doing well as dormitory leader.”
Now Ibi made no pretense of hiding the simple truth.
“You just need to participate in one of three things—Yoga, Meditation, or making a schedule planner. Of course, you’ll do both Meditation and the planner.”
“Have I lost my mind? Why would I? And two of them at that?”
Regardless of Tiffany’s reaction, Ibi calmly tapped the tablet screen and displayed the detailed descriptions of each activity.
Upon seeing this, Tiffany stopped what she was about to argue and fell silent instantly.
“Let’s go now, Tiffany.”
“No need to waste time on such tedious things.”
Even as the Angels vied to get in their own words, Tiffany kept her eyes fixed on the screen without moving an inch.
For the record, there was nothing special on the tablet Ibi had shown her.
Just the names and photos of the instructors the school had invited, along with a simple activity plan—the kind of thing most students would glance at and forget. Yet something about it had captured Tiffany’s complete attention.
When Tiffany looked up and their eyes met, Ibi smiled knowingly.
“Should I get you a filming permit?”
Tiffany’s expression flickered with barely concealed humiliation, but she answered in a thin voice.
“……Yes.”
“Good. I’ll send it by email.”
The moment Ibi gave her answer, Tiffany turned sharply and headed toward the dormitory stairs.
“Ibi, what exactly did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything. The school did.”
Ibi held out the tablet to show her.
The instructors displayed on the screen were influencers from various fields who already had experience collaborating with major brands.
It seemed they’d agreed to come during this New Year’s Resolution week just to add “Lecturing at Royal High School” to their profiles.
The school’s name really was a force to be reckoned with.
The moment Ibi realized this, she stopped worrying about Tiffany and her Angels.
“I’d bet Tiffany Vance is more excited than anyone right now.”
The real problem was Cyrus.
When Ibi appeared with the tablet, he’d read it through with a twisted expression, then nodded appropriately.
So he understood? Why the sudden change?
Either way, it was certain that every first-year student in Dormitory 3 would attend!
* * *
Dormitory 3 Anonymous Bulletin Board
[URGENT]
Hey, is anyone from 3rd dorm not here?
Posted by: Anonymous | 11:25
I’m dead serious right now. I’ve already drawn up a whole list of what to do. If anyone’s missing, get out here ASAP.
[Anonymous 1]
Looks like almost everyone’s here? Maybe 3rd dorm actually has a shot at first place?
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[Anonymous 2]
1st place is 1st dorm, obviously. You didn’t know?
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[Anonymous 1]
Go gawk at the 1st dorm board instead of spying here.
[Anonymous 3]
Hey, check the people who might not show. Has anyone seen Tiffany Vance? She’s not interested in stuff like this anyway.
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[Anonymous 1]
Dude Tiffany’s front and center lmaooooooooooo taking pictures like crazy
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[Anonymous 4]
Tiffany’s looking crazy pretty today..
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[Anonymous 5]
And the Angels after her.
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[Anonymous 6]
lolol Angels hurry and come
[Anonymous 7]
Bet Quinton’s not coming though? 100%
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[Anonymous 8]
No way he shows. The way he looks down on everyone is annoying
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[Anonymous 5]
But didn’t the class rep try to convince him???
[Anonymous 9]
Man, meditation class is so boring… the instructor’s voice is a lullaby.
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[Anonymous 1]
Just sleep. It still counts for attendance credit.
[ORIGINAL POST]
Why are so few people coming to play basketball?? We get points for every basket and we’re the only dorm with no one here!!!!
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[Anonymous 10]
Basketball’s too hard… if I run around from the morning I’m gonna puke.
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[Anonymous 8]
Doesn’t matter if we shoot anyway. We won’t make it. That’s the level of 3rd dorm.
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[Anonymous 2]
lmaooooooooooo
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[Anonymous 8]
This brutal 1st dorm bastard still hasn’t left
[Anonymous 11]
Hey guys, it’s me, the class rep. Has anyone seen Quinton? He’s not even in the library.
[Anonymous 8]
???????????
[Anonymous 12]
Bruh lmaoooooooooooo what’s the above comment? Is this a bit or for real?
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[Anonymous 13]
Judging by the tone, it’s gotta be real lmaooooooooo
[Anonymous 14]
Who introduces themselves on the bulletin board lmaooooooooo You shouldn’t do that here, class rep.
[Anonymous 15]
Wait, not even in the library? Then he’s deliberately hiding. Doesn’t work with group stuff anyway. Give it up..
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[Anonymous 8]
Hey don’t be like that. He’s probably just charging.
[Anonymous 16]
Woah class rep hey. Didn’t know you used the bulletin board. Unexpected.
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[Anonymous 17]
She uses it but it’s not anonymous lolololololol
[Anonymous 18]
She posted briefly once before, but watch it class rep. If you haven’t seen the old posts, go check them out.
* * *
“Quit wasting time on useless things and just hold onto this, Angel.”
Thump.
A Yoga Mat suddenly slammed into her chest while she was checking for new posts on the anonymous board. Ibi caught it reflexively.
“Instructor, let’s take a picture together, okay?”
When Ibi looked up, Tiffany was holding out her smartphone to the instructor with the brightest expression in the world.
“I’ve got notifications set up for your feed! I was really looking forward to you coming today. Just one selfie with me, please, okay?”
Then, glancing back at Ibi, who’d become a pack mule, she mouthed coldly.
Why aren’t you moving?
The instructor seemed taken aback by Tiffany’s momentum, but soon smiled softly as if dealing with a fan.
“Oh, sure. Let’s take one.”
The moment permission was granted, Tiffany began clicking the shutter from every possible angle. Ibi watched the spectacle in a daze.
How many times is she going to take the same picture?
“You really are something. Why are you even holding that?”
Joy came over and clicked her tongue.
“It’s not so much that I held it as that she dumped it on me. There’s no point making a scene in front of the instructor.”
“……Anyway, you’re stubborn, I’ll give you that.”
Even as Joy shook her head, the loud shutter clicks continued unabated.
Before long, the Angels gathered around began casting admiring gazes toward this glittering world of celebrities.
That was when it happened. From the very heart of that sparkling world, the instructor’s gaze suddenly shifted.
Specifically, toward Joy, who stood beside Ibi.
“My goodness. Aren’t you a young lady of the Carter Family?”
“Pardon?”
“I met Mrs. Carter at a Health Foundation charity event not long ago. She’s on the board there, you know.”
The instructor gently pushed Tiffany aside and moved closer to Joy. Her face now held a distinctly different heat than before.
“Would you like to take a picture with me? If you don’t mind, that is.”
The moment Joy’s mother—”Mrs. Carter”—was mentioned, Ibi felt immediate concern. But instead of being displeased, Joy’s eyes sparkled as if she’d seized an opportunity.
“Oh, of course. I’ll pass along your regards to my mother. She actually enjoyed meeting so many fascinating people at the charity event. Just a moment—I have quite a bit to carry.”
Joy snatched the Yoga Mat from Ibi’s hands and, without hesitation, shoved both of them into Tiffany’s arms.
Thump.
The sound was far heavier than when Tiffany had done the same to Ibi moments before.
Before Tiffany could even protest, Joy smiled sweetly at the instructor.
“There we go. Shall we take that picture?”
Tiffany’s mouth fell open, but she couldn’t bring herself to argue, standing there bewildered with the mats in her arms.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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