Tokyo girls have a big problem

Chapter 206 This is about a friend of a friend of my friend.
July 5th, Monday, my first day back in Tokyo.

I get up at 4 a.m. to practice swordsmanship, eat breakfast at 7 a.m., and start studying at 7:30 a.m.

"My goal this time is 35th, no, 30th!" Aoyama Ryo set his sights on this goal and prepared to work hard.

The Ono sisters exchanged a glance and then laughed.

——System
"Om~"

—You can wait in the background.

Aoyama Ryo picked up his phone, preparing to turn it off, but after his face was recognized, the message status changed to 'readable', and he glimpsed that it was a message from Mikami Ai.

I won't chat with him casually if I see him.

After a moment's hesitation, I clicked on Line.

[See Love Online: Are you holding a study session?]

A study session?
[Aoyama Ryou: No, I'm more efficient at self-study.]

[See Love: I miss the sheriff.]

[Aoyama Ryo: [Video: The sheriff walked by, glanced at the camera, and then walked away with a flourish]]

[Aoyama Rika: Very well, don't worry.]

[Seeing Love: I miss it even more]

[See Shang Ai: Let me go. I'll cover for you one more time if you get into a fight.]

This means that if something happens again, you can help him one more time.

To get the same promise from Yaeko Miyase, you need to win a major competition, but for Ai Mikami, all you need to do is show her a cat.

Lesson learned: Don't like cats; it will become a weakness.

"I saw that my classmate is coming to hold a study session," Aoyama reported to the Ono sisters.

"It's clear that my senior likes you," Ono Mizuki muttered.

"Where did you get that idea?" Aoyama Rin asked, puzzled.

"Study group, huh? Only you and she are both second-year high school students. Do you think she can hold a study group with us?"

“Meiyue, you’re wrong. She’s first in her grade. Whether it’s you or Meihua, you’ll definitely learn something from her. And after my interrogation, she confessed that she mainly wanted to see the sheriff.”

"Sheriff?" Ono Mika looked at Sheriff Black Cat.

The sheriff was soundly asleep, enjoying the air conditioning.

The doorbell rang quickly, making one wonder if Shang Ai either left early or lived nearby.

Upon opening the door, I saw Shang Ai, elegant and refined, with long, straight black hair that exuded charm.

"Why are you wearing a school uniform?" Qingshan asked, puzzled, after the door opened.

"Why are you wearing sportswear?" Jian Shang asked rhetorically.

"Please come in," said Aoyama Risa, leading the way. "Since you're here, why not take a look at my vegetables? I didn't harvest them while I was away, and they've yielded a bountiful harvest."

"It's fine." I glanced at Ai as she passed by.

Aoyama no longer wanted to waste his breath.

He can't talk to people who don't like growing vegetables.

Upon entering the house, she greeted Ai and the Ono sisters, and smiled when she faced Mizuki Ono.

Anyone who spends a lot of time with Ono Mizuki would want a younger sister like her, even Mikami Ai, who claims to be outwardly useless, had this thought.

Then, she quickly identified the sheriff.

Look at Mizuki Ono, her smile is like looking at someone else's well-behaved child; look at the police chief, her smile is like looking at her own child.

Aoyama ignored her.

As long as she comes and I get one promise, I can do whatever I want with the rest.

--system!
System: Aoyama Rin begins learning modern Mandarin.

After seeing that Shang Ai was satisfied, he turned around and walked to the dining table that served as a desk, where he saw that Aoyama Ryo had already begun to write furiously.

“Once my brother gets serious, he won’t resist even if you draw a turtle on his face,” Mizuki Ono said.

Mizuki Ono simply hoped that Ai wouldn't mind Osamu Aoyama's 'coldness' and reminded her not to bother him.

But after hearing this, Ai wanted to try drawing a cat on Aoyama Risa's face instead.

“Let’s start learning,” Mika Ono said.

"Yes." Ono Mizuki nodded.

Seeing that Ai sat down, she took out her textbooks and pencil case from her schoolbag, tucked her hair behind her ear with her little finger, and began to study.

The Ono sisters were observing her, wanting to know how the top student in the grade was studying.

They discovered that Jian Shang Ai had already entered a learning state.

So fast!

As fast as Aoyama Risa!

The two of them immediately began to study.

At first, Mizuki Ono imitated Ai Mikami's sitting posture, but soon she turned into a cute elementary school student, both in the way she held the pen and in her focused and adorable expression.

Ono Mika is much more demure.

If I meet her in the library, I feel a warmth in my heart and spontaneously start studying hard. Then I glance at her again and continue studying diligently.

An hour later, Jian Shangai put down her pen and stretched her body.

The Ono sisters also relaxed.

He looked up and down at Aoyama Rin.

“I usually study for two hours straight,” Mika Ono said.

There was no other way, so Jian Shangai took out two thermos cups from her handbag, which looked like high-end gifts.

“Senior Meihua, Junior Meiyue, this is a gift for you, a kind of medicine that tastes terrible but is effective,” she said.

Even if you're in love, saying something like that would seem suspicious.

Normally, given her beauty, people would unconditionally believe even a lie of moderate magnitude. For example, if she said she wouldn't be going to school tomorrow, people would believe her unconditionally—not only students, but also parents, teachers, and principals.

The Ono sisters indeed looked completely at a loss.

Seeing that Ai did not continue to explain.

She wasn't here today to hold a study session or to see the cats—though that would be even better—but to fulfill a promise she made to Aoyama Osamu: to give the Ono sisters the beauty tea.

I didn't tell Aoyama directly because I wanted to tease him.

Seeing that Shang Ai had taken out her share for the day, she drank it and got up to walk towards Black Cat Sheriff.

"Meow~" She looks just as cute as Ono Mizuki right now.

Unfortunately, the system is learning and cannot collect materials.

The four of them studied all morning, and to entertain her, the Ono sisters decided to go grocery shopping on the spur of the moment—they cleared out all the vegetables at home before going to Okinawa.

They left Aoyama Risa to keep the guests company.

"You'll have to figure out a way to get them to drink the tea yourself," said Ai.

"Thank you." Aoyama Rina expressed her gratitude sincerely, understanding the main purpose of her visit today. "Will this affect your studies?"

Seeing that Shang Ai turned her head, she looked at him with incomprehension: "Affecting my studies? Wait until the Arctic melts down from the air conditioner unit before you say such things."

"You should be able to tell that I'm not arguing, I'm worried."

"Worrying about me means you think I'm incompetent, isn't that a provocation?" Jian Shang Ai smiled, revealing the playful banter between friends.

Perhaps it was this smile that made Aoyama Risa lower his guard.

Or perhaps, there is no one else at home.

Therefore, Aoyama approached her.

"My dear classmate, I have something I'd like you to help me figure out," he said in a low voice.

“My hearing is very good,” said Ai-kamiya.

Aoyama Risa, seemingly having hearing difficulties, didn't move and continued to ask, "Is it okay?"

Tell me about it.

“That’s right. Of course, this is a matter between a friend of a friend of a friend,” said Aoyama Risa.

Before he could continue, Jian Shang interrupted, "Are you such a busybody?"

She knows Aoyama Osamu very well!
“I can be quite loyal at times,” Aoyama explained.

This is something that Ai also acknowledges.

“Continue,” she said.

"A friend of a friend of mine had a really, really good relationship with a girl, so he confessed his feelings to her, but she rejected him. The next day, she acted the same way she always had – what do you think about this?"

“I thought it was your problem, but it turns out it really is a matter between a friend of a friend of your friend,” said Ai.

"What do you think about this?" Aoyama Ryou asked again. "I don't quite understand human emotions," Mikami Ai replied thoughtfully.

"Aren't you a mortal?"

“Aoyama-kun,” she said with a contemptuous smile, like that of the Duchess of Aoyama, “you underestimate the power of money. Even if I look like an ordinary person, my heart is no ordinary person, despite my enormous wealth.”

"You're too modest. You don't look like an ordinary person either."

"Thank you."

"As a token of my gratitude, I would like to trouble you to use your noble mind and see what's going on here," said Aoyama Ritsu.

"Which aspect specifically are you referring to?"

"Hmm, a friend of a friend of a friend, is there still hope for him?" Aoyama Ryo carefully chose his words.

"Let me analyze it, at least let me know who the other person is, right? But I think you can't let me know, you don't even know yourself."

"You are indeed no ordinary person."

Seeing that Ai sighed, "In that case, I can only give you this answer—if you confess to me and I reject you, but still treat you the same as before, you still have hope."

Unconsciously, Aoyama Ryo felt that he had been rejected again?
"Is there hope?" he confirmed.

"If it were me," Ai replied.

Aoyama Ryo remained silent for a moment, then moved even closer. It wouldn't be surprising if the two were mistaken for acquaintances.

Seeing that Shang Ai's body language showed evasiveness, but she did not actually avoid it.

"I'll tell you the truth when I see you, classmate." Aoyama stopped there, listened carefully, and confirmed that the Ono sisters hadn't returned.

Seeing how serious he was, I became curious about Shang Ai as well.

“Actually,” Aoyama continued, “it’s not a matter involving my friend’s friend.”

"We've lost a friend," Jian Shang pointed out, as if revising a thesis.

“It’s my own business,” Aoyama Rido said.

Saying it's "something about a friend of a friend" isn't exactly lying, but hiding the fact that you have someone you like doesn't seem quite right either—though there's nothing inherently wrong with it.

For a few seconds after seeing Shang Ai, I didn't react at all.

Then, she looked at Aoyama Ryo.

"you?"

“I confessed my feelings to Mika-nee and got dumped—do you think I still have a chance, given her personality?” Aoyama asked.

"You like Ono Mika?"

"Ah."

He touched his lips to his own and fell into a deep thought.

Aoyama waited quietly.

“I have a question,” she finally said.

"Please speak," Aoyama Riko said, acting as if he were someone hoping the police could find the owner of a lost item.

Why didn't you choose Mitsuki over Mika-senpai?

"what?"

The police asked: What is your profession?
Owner: What does this have to do with me losing something?
However, in order to recover lost items, the owner has no choice but to cooperate, even with issues that are completely unrelated.

"First of all, I want to reiterate that I am not qualified to choose. As for why I didn't confess to Mizuki, Mizuki, to put it nicely, is a high school student, but in reality, she graduated from junior high school not long ago."

"You have a good work ethic." Jian Ai seemed slightly appreciative.

What is my profession?

"Who knows?" Seeing that Shang Ai didn't care, "Now that I know it's you and Senior Meihua, I can analyze it in detail."

Ignoring everything else, Aoyama listened intently, pricking up his ears.

“From Meihua’s perspective, she might think you lack a sense of security,” said Jian Shang Ai.

"sense of security?"

"Don't you have a lot of good relationships with girls? And almost all of these girls are beautiful and have extraordinary backgrounds."

Aoyama Rin thought it made sense.

“But,” he recalled, “I don’t think I did anything to make her uncomfortable. I’m a pretty conservative person when it comes to men and women.”

“It has nothing to do with whether you are conservative or not; the key is that the environment you are in makes her feel insecure,” Jian Shangai said.

That's right.

Surrounded by so many attractive and outstanding members of the opposite sex, it's natural to feel insecure.

Even with Aoyama Rika's high moral standards, didn't he touch lips with Mikami Ai and brush lips with Miyako Yaeko?

Which girl could trust a guy like that?
"Besides a sense of security, is there any other reason?" Aoyama Riki wanted to get more hints before the Ono sisters returned.

"study?"

“Then she’ll probably just tell me directly, right?” Aoyama Rido said.

Seeing that Shang Ai nodded, he hesitated before continuing, "Don't you like me?"

Is that possible?

"There's none?"

Aoyama Ri: "."

She smiled when she saw him.

"Do you think I still have a chance?" Aoyama asked.

Seeing that she only continued when there was hope, I advise you to give up.

Aoyama Risa was startled.

As Ai said, he was prepared to continue only when there was hope.

wrong
“It might sound like an excuse,” Aoyama said seriously, “but I only continue when there is hope because I’m worried that pointless demands will damage our family relationship.”

“It’s understandable that you have such concerns,” said Jian Shang after careful consideration.

"I don't know what to do now," Aoyama said, troubled.

"Find a suitable time to confess again. If you are still rejected, then give up."

When is the right time?

"I don't know, but we must not rush it."

"Yes." Aoyama nodded. "Thank you."

Seeing Ai staring at Aoyama Rin, her eyes were like an astronomer looking at the moon.

"What's wrong?" Aoyama asked.

"You're usually so reserved, I never expected you to confess your feelings so readily."

"I don't know what kind of person you've been transformed into by money, but I myself, no matter what I look like, am just an ordinary person at heart. Of course, I have people I like, and I hope to be with the people I like."

"And to make matters worse, she was rejected." Ai smiled slowly.

"You won't tell anyone about what happened today, will you?"

"You should be the one considering this. Should you tell Yaeko, Amamiya, Amakusa, and others that you have someone you like?"

"probably not."

"Scumbag."

“I have no intention of accepting them! Besides, I’ve said it many times, I have no right to choose. Don’t you think it’s excessive self-conscious to say things like ‘I have someone I like, I’m sorry’ on my own?” Aoyama said.

"Don't you have any feelings for them at all?" Jian Shang asked curiously.

"Gong Shi, I saved her when I was seven years old, and we had no contact since then. Suddenly she shows affection for me. Is this love? What does she like about me? I am no longer the seven-year-old me;
"And Elsa Amane, she likes swordsmanship;

"As for Amakusa-kun, and some other girls, they like my appearance."

"Is Senior Meihua special?" See above for more information.

“Of course.” Aoyama nodded, a look of reminiscence on his face. “Many couples are very happy at the beginning, and even get married, but they eventually break up or divorce. That’s because when they are dating, they enjoy the particularly pleasant aspects of love.”
"Meihua and I have been through hardships together. I believe that no matter what difficulties we encounter in the future, we can overcome them and achieve a lifetime of happiness."

"A very rational choice." See the comments section above.

"Yes, it's not just about emotional attraction, but also rational thinking."

"Unfortunately, I was rejected."

"."

"You mentioned Yaeko, Tenyu, and Amakusa, but why didn't you mention me?" Kensuke asked curiously. "You ignored my attempts to be nice to you? I even brought you beauty tea today."

"I'm not falling for your tricks." Aoyama Risa stepped back.

The distance between the two people is so great that even if they sit at the same table, they will be mistaken for sharing a table.

(End of this chapter)