I, who tortured the readers, was knocked to the ground by them!

"From today onwards, we are university students! Now, are we adults? We don't have to wear school uniforms anymore!"

Having just finished the opening ceremony, Sato Wakaba stretched and sighed.

"She's past the age of wearing JK uniforms! What a pity! Shion looks so cute in her uniform, it'll be hard to see her like that now."

Sato Wakaba hugged Hase Shion tightly and pressed her face against her body affectionately.

Hasegawa Shion did not reject Sato Wakaba's affectionate gestures, but simply remained lost in thought.

She was still resentful about being kept in the dark.

"What do you think? Isn't it a shame we can't see Shion in her uniform?"

Sato Wakaba turned to Sakurai Itsuki and spoke, then winked frantically at him, giving him a knowing look.

The meaning is clear: Look how upset she is today, why don't you find a way to praise her?

Sakurai Itsuki replied, "I've been looking at it for so long, I'm tired of it. Besides, there's no rule that says you can't wear a uniform when you go to university, is there?"

Sato Wakaba released her arm from Hase Shion and quickly punched Sakurai Itsuki: "Itsuki, you have terrible taste. She's so cute."

Hasegawa Shion glared at Sakurai Itsuki, her eyes still slightly red and swollen, making her look especially cute.

Sakurai Itsuki said to Sato Wakaba, "Really? Oh, right, you haven't seen her in an evening gown. I still prefer her in an evening gown; she looks quite stunning."

Hearing Sakurai Itsuki mention the evening gown, Hasegawa Shion's expression softened slightly.

Since she left Kyoto, she has only worn a formal dress twice, and both times it was to attend the annual party with him.

At the annual meeting, they always stood side by side, inseparable, accepting the teasing from their seniors.

Almost all the topics involved the two of them at the same time, just like Togashi and Naoko at the banquet back then.

That was their most special date; although it was just a social occasion, everything was so interesting.

He would repeatedly warn her in a low voice not to eat random things, and he would keep a close watch on her, afraid that she would cause trouble again.

Furthermore, people often tease them, making them seem like a perfect match.
I wish every day could be like that.
"Really? Is it true? She's even prettier than Shion in her uniform? I really want to see!"

Thinking of the two of them at the year-end party, Sato Wakaba clenched her fist slightly, feeling a little sore, but still clapped her hands enthusiastically and praised Hase Shion.

Sakurai Itsuki turned to Hase Shion and said, "Why don't you wear a dress to class tomorrow? I'll skip class to come see your class!"

Hasegawa Shion immediately retorted angrily, "Huh? Are you crazy? Who would wear an evening gown to school?"

Sakurai Itsuki lowered her voice and whispered in Hase Shion's ear, "But it really is pretty. Can't you just let me have a good look? You risked being suspected of having smelly feet by wearing pantyhose before, wasn't that also for..."

Before she could finish speaking, Hasegawa Shion raised her foot and stomped hard on Sakurai Itsuki's foot.

"You're just being delusional!"

Hasegawa Shion's inner turmoil gradually turned into embarrassment and annoyance.

They're already in college, and they're still bringing this up!

"Ouch!" Sakurai Itsuki winced in pain, clutching her foot and crouching down on the ground. "You're not wearing leather shoes today."

"Oh"

Hasegawa Shion looked at her feet and then realized that she wasn't wearing her usual leather shoes today, but boots with small thick heels.

Although Sakurai Itsuki had stepped on Hase Shion's toes quite a few times, this kick today was truly a critical hit with a bonus.

Seeing Sakurai Itsuki's pained expression, Hasegawa Shion felt she might have gone a bit too far. She moved closer to him, hesitating whether to apologize.

Sato Wakaba, however, had already turned her head to the side and asked him with concern, "Are you alright, Itsuki?"

Hasegawa Shion pouted, and despite feeling that she was in the wrong, she crossed her arms over her chest: "Serves you right! You bastard, you asked for this."

Sakurai Itsuki waved his hand, indicating that although it hurt, it wasn't a big deal.

She slowly stood up, turned to look at Hase Shion, who wanted to show concern for him but ultimately couldn't be honest, and said, "Are you satisfied now? No more sulking?"

Just as he always uses cakes to manipulate Sato Wakaba, Sakurai Itsuki also has a familiar methodology for dealing with Hase Shion.

When she's unhappy, annoy her, and let her cry or stomp on your toes—just let her vent.

After venting her anger, she can comfort herself.

However, Sakurai Itsuki paid a slightly higher price today.

Hasegawa Shion snorted coldly: "Hmph, who said I was being difficult?"

Sakurai Itsuki glanced at the time and then said, "That's even better. Let's go, it's time to see that pathetic female editor who hasn't gotten married yet."

They agreed to meet Xinhe Aimei after the opening ceremony.

Even though all they were going to release was a short comic strip used as a transitional piece for the project.

However, it is still necessary to meet with the editor and discuss the story before serialization.

This is the bare minimum of etiquette and respect.

"Hmm." Hasegawa Shion nodded, then turned to look at Sato Wakaba.

Sato Wakaba paused slightly before saying, "Ah, I guess I won't go. I can't help you guys with discussing the manga, so I'll head back now. The supermarket's having a sale today, I need to rush over and grab some stuff."

Sato Wakaba certainly didn't want the two of them to be alone, but she glanced at Hase Shion's still slightly red and swollen eyes.

That sense of guilt led her to back down a little.

I still can't go too far.
At least, let him comfort Shion properly.

Besides, constantly pursuing the issue might backfire.
Sakurai Itsuki said, "Okay, the place we agreed on is nearby, we can walk there, you can drive back first."

Sato Wakaba nodded and waved to the two of them, "Okay, I'm driving home now! Bye~"

Then he walked toward the pink Mini.

After thinking for a moment, Sakurai Itsuki added, "Oh right, don't forget to cook while you're trying to chat up handsome guys."

Sato Wakaba turned around, pulled down her eyelids, and stuck out her tongue, making a face: "Hehe~"

Even after entering university, some of her behaviors still retained a childlike quality.

Sato Wakaba turned around, opened the car door, got in, started the car, and drove away.

In the bustling street, the two people watched the departing figure and remained silent for a long while.

Sakurai Itsuki, limping and dragging his still slightly aching foot, said, "Let's go."

Seeing this, Hasegawa Shion stammered, "Well, let's take a taxi there."

Even though she had stepped on it herself, seeing his limping gait, she couldn't help but feel sorry for him again.

Sakurai Itsuki: "It's okay. I told you it's only a short distance, you can walk there."

"Why don't you take your shoes off? Let me check the situation for you. There's a chair over there. I think I stepped on them a little too hard just now."

Hasegawa Shion suggested in a low voice.

Sakurai Itsuki asked, "Don't you mind that my feet smell?"

Upon hearing this, Hasegawa Shion looked like she'd had enough of this guy: "Why do you always care about these kinds of questions! It's so annoying!"

Sakurai Itsuki looked at Hase Shion, who seemed a little guilty, and reached out to rub her head: "I told you, it's nothing. Do you think you're some kind of superhuman who can cripple me with one kick? If you really care, then don't step on me!"

Unlike in high school, Hasegawa Shion didn't blush and slap away the hand that was gently rubbing her head.

However, she would never admit it: "Who felt sorry for you? You deserve it, you deserve your retribution! I've never seen such a awful person!"

Honestly, seeing Hase Shion in front of me, saying she was disgusted but allowing me to do intimate things to her at the same time, was quite a sight.

Sakurai Itsuki finally understood why the illustrations in the "Showing You Panties with a Disdainful Look" series were so popular.

This is so cute that even Sakurai Itsuki is a little tempted.

Of course, in real life, Sakurai Itsuki would never make such a demand, even though it might not be impossible for him to succeed.

Sakurai Itsuki, still wanting to tease her, stretched out his still-aching foot in her direction, "Doesn't it hurt? Then give me another kick."

Hasegawa Shion looked disgusted: "You really are a pervert! I didn't know there were people who actually like being stepped on by women. I thought those people online were just joking."

"See? You still feel sorry for me, don't you? Why don't you step on me hard enough to cripple me, and then, to make up for your mistake, take responsibility and take care of me for the rest of your life? Doesn't this sound like a scene from a doujinshi?"

Sakurai Itsuki asked.

"I told you, don't talk about this in public!" Hase Shion's embarrassing past was exposed, and she immediately raised her foot in embarrassment and anger.

However, in the end, it did not fall behind.

Hasegawa Shion said, "Who's going to take responsibility for you? Taking care of someone like you for the rest of my life is like hell." Sakurai Itsuki had anticipated her reaction: "Being taken care of by you is hell, isn't it? You can't even take care of yourself."

Hasegawa Shion asked, "Heh. So, that's why you didn't want to bring me along or tell me anything?"

When Sato Wakaba wasn't around, she finally mustered the courage to question him.

Sakurai Itsuki explained, "This is my fault. The main problem is that this trip is to visit Sato's family and my uncle. First of all, the trip is very boring, and we hardly went to any tourist attractions. Secondly, she is the host, and I was afraid you would feel awkward."

Hasegawa Shion sniffed, her jealousy flaring: "Is going to her house something I can't know about?"

Sakurai Itsuki said, "When I went to see your parents, you didn't bring her along, and she only found out later."

At this point, Hasegawa Shion lowered her head, her imposing manner immediately diminishing.

However, she still muttered under her breath, "But it was clearly you who wanted to go. If I asked you to come with me to do something, would you not tell her?"

Sakurai Itsuki casually replied, "Sure, what do you want to do?"

Hasegawa Shion paused for a moment, then said, "Don't tell Wakaba! Unless she asks."

Sakurai Itsuki said, "No problem, as long as it's not illegal."

"Well, let's talk on the way. The editor has been waiting for us for a long time. By the way, you looked like you were having a hard time walking."

Hasegawa Shion blushed, swallowed hard, and then took the initiative to grab Sakurai Itsuki's wrist.

It was just like their first "date".

"Don't overthink it. After all, I was the one who stepped on you, so I'm just helping you up."

Shinkawa Aimi, who had been waiting for the two at the coffee shop, looked at the couple with curiosity and asked, "What happened to you two? I haven't seen you for a while, how come you're both injured?"

Why is one person's eye swollen, and the other walking with a limp?

Sakurai Itsuki pointed a finger at Hase Shion, "It's all because of her."

She held onto Sakurai Itsuki's wrist and walked all the way to the cafe, but let go before going in for coffee.

Faced with Sakurai Itsuki's accusations, Hasegawa Shion quietly thought to herself: My eyes are swollen because of you.

She didn't argue verbally.

Because after receiving Sakurai Itsuki's promise, my heart was filled with joy.

She still had a chance.
Shinhe Aimei asked curiously, "Oh, what kind of conflict happened? Even if it was just flirting, it shouldn't have escalated like this, right?"

Hanase Shion, remembering that the two of them had just been holding hands, felt a little embarrassed to bring up the topic, so she said, "Let's look at the manga first! Itsuki told me earlier that he has already drawn part of the storyboard."

"Eh~ Ashu~" Hearing her address, Shinkawa Aimi's expression was somewhat amused.

It seems she's been trying.

Hasegawa Shion shouted, "Let's read the manga!"

"OK, OK."

Xinhe Aimei nodded quickly and didn't ask any more questions.

The three of them sat down, drank coffee, and began a new story.

【Forest of Fireflies. 】

The girl standing at the station listened to the faint chirping of cicadas and looked up at the sky.

She was lost in memories of him.

"We first met when I was six years old."

As the girl murmurs to herself, the scene drifts into memories.

She was still a little girl when she got lost in a forest where, according to legend, there were monsters.

Unable to find a way out, she sat helplessly on the grass and cried out in fear.

And this time.

A silver-haired boy appeared in front of the little girl.

He was wearing a cat mask and stood behind a tree. He asked, "Why are you crying?"

The little girl finally saw someone and excitedly rushed towards the girl, shouting, "I'm saved!"

But the boy dodged to the side when the little girl lunged at him.

The little girl fell face-first into the mud.

The little girl, who had fallen to the ground, looked at the boy in front of her with some frustration.

Seeing the girl's displeased look, the boy apologized, "I'm sorry, you're a human child, right? If a human touches me, I'll disappear."

"Aren't you human, big brother?"

“I am a being who lives in the forest,” the boy replied.

"Then are you a monster?" The girl's eyes lit up with excitement.

The boy did not respond.

The girl, however, curiously reached out her hand, wanting to touch the boy.

The boy quickly dodged to the side.

The girl reached out again, lunging at the boy and chasing after him, but the boy dodged.

The girl happily enjoyed the chase game.

Until he received a heavy blow to the forehead.

"Ugh, they're inhuman! They actually hit a child with a stick!" The girl complained painfully, covering her head.

"The so-called disappearance means annihilation. The mountain god cast this sorcery on me. If a human touches me, everything will be over."

The boy explained it this way.

After hearing the boy's explanation, the little girl apologized.

The boy handed one end of the stick to the girl, letting her hold the other end, and he would lead her out of the forest.

"Ah, thank you!" The girl happily rushed towards the boy.

So, the next second.

The girl fell to the ground again, clutching her head.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself for a moment."

The girl and the boy each held one end of a wooden stick as they walked along a forest path.

"It feels like a date, hehe," the girl complained.

"That was a really unromantic date," the young man chuckled.

"Aren't you afraid?"

"What are you afraid of?" the girl asked, puzzled.

"nothing."

The boy led the girl out of the forest.

"Follow this path, and you'll get out. Goodbye," the boy said goodbye to the girl.

"Big brother, have you always been here? If I come here again, will I be able to see you again?" the little girl asked.

"This is the forest where the mountain god and monsters live. [Once you go in, you can never come back], that's what the villagers told you, right?"

"My name is Takegawa Hotaru, and yours?" The girl didn't answer the boy's question, but introduced herself in this way.

The two stared at each other silently for a long time.

Finally, Ying left with the words, "Anyway, I'll come back tomorrow with a thank-you gift," and ran away.

"My name is Yin."

The boy's voice reached the girl's ears.

Turning around, she couldn't see the boy.

(End of this chapter)