Oh no! They all seem a bit off!

Chapter 140 Dongzi is filled with guilt
The book signing event was in full swing, and Akizuki Makoto was extremely busy. He not only had to sign the books that fans bought, but also take photos with them and even listen to their heartfelt confessions.

The majority of people attending this book signing were women, who came specifically for Makoto Akizuki as a person, not for his books…

Although it was well-written, it was far less appealing than phrases like "active male high school student" and "nationally renowned handsome boy."

Moreover, as Akizuki Makoto became popular online, his former classmates and friends from his hometown came forward to reveal his past actions in Takamatsu City.

This made Akizuki Makoto even more popular, and his character became more fleshed out.

He could debut as an artist right now if he wanted to.

An hour into the autograph session, Komatsu Fireworks approached Akizuki Makoto and asked, "Akizuki-sensei, you've worked so hard. How about we take a break?"

"Okay, let's take a break."

Akizuki Makoto immediately nodded in agreement. He hadn't expected that a simple book signing event would be so tiring.

Mainly, it's mentally exhausting; he's finally come to understand how difficult it is to be a celebrity.

I can't even imagine the psychological pressure that celebrities have to bear when facing their fervent fans.

"Then I'll go tell security that we'll pause for fifteen minutes."

After saying that, Komatsu Fireworks went to greet the security guards and asked them to tell the fans who were queuing that Ms. Akizuki needed to rest and that the autograph session would be suspended for fifteen minutes.

Surprisingly, the waiting fans did not complain; instead, they all expressed their understanding.

Makoto Akizuki was completely unaware of the fans' reactions. At that moment, he had already left the autograph booth and gone to the lounge on the second floor of the bookstore.

"Shiraishi..."

When Akizuki Makoto entered the lounge, he was taken aback to see Shiraishi Rin sitting there reading and drinking tea.

However, he didn't say anything, just nodded slightly, and then pulled out a chair on one side and sat down.

"Long time no see, Akizuki-kun."

After he sat down, Shiraishi Rin closed his book and greeted him with a smile.

"Well, long time no see."

Akizuki Makoto politely responded, then added, "Congratulations on your full recovery."

Although their relationship was somewhat delicate, since the other party had taken the initiative to greet him, he had no reason not to respond.

"I'll be going back to school next Monday. Please take care of me after that."

"...Please take care of me."

After this brief exchange, Shiraishi Rin reopened her book and began reading again, signaling the end of their conversation.
Upon seeing this, Akizuki Makoto was somewhat surprised, feeling that Shiraishi Rin's personality had changed a lot in the few weeks since he last saw him.

Shiraishi Rin now truly resembles an elegant and poised young lady.

Unlike before, when his words were full of mockery and gave people a feeling of resentment.

"I guess his leg has healed, so his personality has become more cheerful..."

Akizuki Makoto thought to himself, remembering the character information about Shiraishi Rin that the system had given him.

As mentioned above, Shiraishi Rin had a normal personality before she became disabled.

"Teacher Qiuyue, it's time for a break."

Fifteen minutes later, Komatsu Fireworks knocked on the door to remind him that it was time to go back to work.

"Ok!"

Akizuki responded and followed Komatsu Fireworks back to the autograph table on the first floor to continue the autograph session.

After that, a 15-minute break was taken every hour until 6 p.m., when the book signing event ended.

This wasn't because they had signed autographs for all the fans who came to the offline signing event; on the contrary, the line was still so long that it seemed to stretch on forever.

Six o'clock was the agreed-upon end time. After all, Akizuki Makoto also had his own things to do, and it was already a great favor that he was able to spare four hours to participate.

"Teacher Qiuyue, please go through the back door. We have prepared a car to take you home."

"Thank you, I'm grateful."

Akizuki Makoto smiled and nodded to Komatsu Reika, put on a mask and sunglasses, left Shincho Bookstore through the back door, and came out onto the street.

Before Akizuki Makoto got into the car, Komatsu Reika suddenly asked, "By the way, Akizuki-sensei, what are your thoughts on the in-depth cooperation we mentioned before?"

Upon hearing this, Akizuki Makoto turned his head and replied with a smile, "I don't intend to write any more books for the time being. If I do, I will definitely contact Ms. Komatsu."

Although things have been less hectic lately and his daily life is no longer disrupted by abnormal women, his state of mind has never been the same as before.

Especially considering what happened yesterday, it might take him a while to recover.

"Okay, I'm relieved to hear you say that, Ms. Qiuyue."

Komatsu Fireworks smiled as she watched Akizuki Makoto get into the car and leave, letting out a long sigh of relief.

She was afraid that Qiu Yuecheng would be lured away by other publishing houses, after all, with Qiu Yuecheng's current reputation, he was a cash cow.

Even if he writes a complete mess, a large number of fans will still buy his content because of him.

……

……

After returning to Bunkyo Ward by car, Makoto Akizuki got off at a supermarket near his home and bought ingredients for dinner, breakfast, and lunch for the next day.

"I never expected Shiraishi to actually stand up, and he's even coming to school tomorrow. I wonder what kind of trouble he'll cause this time..."

As Akizuki Makoto walked home, reflecting on the events of the day, he couldn't help but think of Shiraishi Rin, feeling quite emotional.

It's unclear whether Shiraishi Rin's personality will truly return to normal, just like her legs have healed.

In any case, based on today's brief interaction, Shiraishi Rin has returned to normal, and he feels completely different from before.

The previous Shiraishi Rin exuded an aggressive aura, was spoiled and willful, and spoke in a tone like a little devil.

"...Never mind, as long as she doesn't bother me."

After thinking for a while, Akizuki Makoto shook his head, dismissing these miscellaneous thoughts, and returned home with a light heart.

The moment he opened the door, Dongzi, who was in the bedroom, seemed to have a telepathic connection; she immediately got out of bed and pushed open the bedroom door.

Then, she ran happily to the entrance and leaped into Qiuyue Cheng's arms.

"Brother, welcome back~"

"Well, I'm back."

Akizuki smiled and patted Touko's head, instantly healing the day's fatigue.

As long as Dongzi is around, no matter how bad my mood is, seeing her innocent smile will make me feel relaxed.

Dongzi is also very sensible and considerate, and has not asked about his relationship with Shimizu Rei until now.

If Dongzi asked him, he wouldn't know how to answer, even though he had promised that he would never lie to Dongzi no matter what.

After what happened yesterday, he made up his mind never to lie to anyone again. Of course, the system must remain a secret, since the terms and conditions stipulated that it must be kept confidential and not disclosed to anyone.

"Brother, you've worked so hard. Dongzi will give you a massage~"

As she spoke, Dongzi took the shopping bag from Qiuyue Cheng's hand, placed it on the table, and then took his hand and led him towards the bedroom.

Akizuki Makoto let Fuyuko pull him into the bedroom. Under her guidance, he sat on the bed and asked with a smile, "How come Fuyuko knows massage? Where did you learn it?"

"This was taught to me by Aunt Ji Ye."

Dongzi also climbed onto the bed, kneeling behind Qiuyue Cheng, her small hands on his shoulders, gently kneading them.

"Oh, Aunt Himeya..."

Qiuyue nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "Did Xue take you to her house yesterday?"

"Yes, I also met an old man this time. He looked really fierce."

Upon hearing the words "so fierce," Akizuki Makoto immediately realized that the old man Fuyuko was referring to was Himeya Ryūshun.

In the Himeya family, Himeya Ryushun is probably the only old man left.
Akizuki Makoto chuckled and asked, "You look fierce, but what's it like being around you?"

"Um……"

Dongzi fell into deep thought, and the pressure she applied when massaging Qiuyue Cheng's shoulders lessened.

After thinking for a while, she said softly, "It was a kind old man who gave Dongzi a cake to eat, patted Dongzi's head, and smiled at Dongzi."

"Haha, Dongzi, why do you always think the person who gives you cake must be a good person? I'm worried you'll get scammed."

Akizuki couldn't help but chuckle. Just a moment ago, he thought that Touko had grown up and become more thoughtful and sophisticated, but now it seemed that she still retained her innocent side.

Giving someone a piece of cake and making them think they're a good person is absolutely wrong, especially since Dongzi is so cute.

"Dongzi won't be fooled!"

Dongzi punched Qiuyue Cheng on the back, a little annoyed, and said with puffed cheeks, "Dongzi can tell who's a good person and who's a bad person!"

Akizuki turned around, placed his hand on Dongzi's head, ruffled it haphazardly, and praised, "Dongzi is truly remarkable."

"That is!"

Dongzi raised her head proudly, looking as if she wanted to be praised even more.

This is the attitude she only shows to Akizuki Makoto; her liveliness, cuteness, gentleness, and thoughtfulness are only reserved for him.

In front of others, she appears very well-behaved and shy, making people feel like a harmless and docile little rabbit.

After that, Akizuki Makoto leisurely enjoyed the massage service provided by Fuyuko, and then went to make dinner, spending a relaxing evening with Fuyuko.

After they had taken turns showering, they lay on the bed, facing each other, chatting happily about the past.

When talking about their memories, the reason they became close is indispensable.

“In the past, Dongzi couldn’t even write a good drawing diary, but now she insists on writing a diary.”

Thinking of this, Akizuki Makoto couldn't help but sigh, and then asked, "Speaking of which, it seems that Touko hasn't been writing in her diary lately?"

"Hmm, I haven't written anything."

Fuyuko answered softly, then said, "Because... it's no longer necessary."

Before, when her brother was away, she could only express her longing and loneliness by writing in her diary.

But now that her brother is by her side, she no longer needs to write in her diary.

Although every day with her brother was worth recording, she had many thoughts that could no longer be written in her diary.

"Yeah……"

Akizuki Makoto understood what Fuyuko meant, reached out and hugged Fuyuko's petite body, letting her nestle against his chest.

"I'm sorry, Dongzi, I'm really not a good older brother for making you so lonely."

His voice was full of apology, and he was also thinking about the complicated feelings he had when he decided to come to Tokyo to study.

But when he recalled his state of mind at that time, he couldn't help but be stunned and confused.

Why did he decide to leave his hometown and come to Tokyo alone to study?
Why then did he feel hesitant and distressed about coming to Tokyo to study?

"What on earth is this..."

Just as Akizuki Makoto was trying to recall the reason, he suddenly felt a momentary dizziness.

The next second, his mind went blank, and his previously fluctuating emotions instantly calmed down.

He felt like he had forgotten something, but he couldn't remember what it was.

But if you forgot it, it means it wasn't an important thing, otherwise how could you have forgotten it so soon after saying it?

"elder brother……"

Suddenly, Akizuki Makoto heard a soft call. At the same time, Fuyuko, whom he was holding in his arms, reached out and hugged him back, holding him tightly with great force.

"What's going on here?"

Akizuki Makoto laughed, gently patted Touko's back, and asked, "Touko seems uneasy. Is something bothering you?"

"Brother, Dongzi is a bad child."

Dongzi responded in a low voice, a hint of sadness showing on her face, which Akizuki Makoto couldn't see.

She knew, of course, that her brother's independent will had been altered by the power of words.

This made her feel incredibly guilty, because she had promised her brother that she wouldn't misuse her superpowers and would never use them on him.

As a result, she has been using her superpowers more and more frequently lately.

"What nonsense are you talking about? How could Dongzi be a bad child?"

Akizuki Makoto was puzzled; he didn't know what was wrong with Touko all of a sudden.

"Because Dongzi is very willful and wants to live with her brother forever."

Dongzi's voice remained dejected, even tinged with sadness and self-blame.

Akizuki was taken aback, not expecting that Touko would care about such a thing.

They will live together forever; that's not something to be taken for granted...

For some reason, the thought that he and Dongzi would live together forever gave him a faint sense of unease, and the sense of entitlement he wanted to express became impossible to utter.

Fortunately, this strange feeling was fleeting. He only paused for a second or two before smiling and saying, "We're family, of course we should live together, isn't that what we should do?"

Yes, they are family and should live together; there's nothing strange about it.

Even if you live like that for the rest of your life, it shouldn't be strange, right?
Although it might seem strange to outsiders—what siblings would live together forever—their situation is quite different.

Dongzi has a deep-seated insecurity and is afraid of loneliness. The only people she can completely trust and be close to are her family.

As Dongzi's family member and brother, shouldn't he be responsible for Dongzi's life and shoulder the burden of her life?
(End of this chapter)