Oh no! They all seem a bit off!

Chapter 167 Ji Yexue's Invitation

"The Shimizu family next door..."

Upon catching the key words, Akizuki Makoto's expression suddenly froze, then became complicated.

Hearing Shimizu Rei's name suddenly from his mother's mouth, he was momentarily at a loss for how to react.

"Speaking of which, what happened to Xiaoli after she went to Tokyo? Her mother said that she seemed like a different person, not as cheerful and lively as before."

Qiuyue's mother stroked her cheek with one hand and said in a troubled tone, "Didn't she win the gold medal in the competition? How could this happen?"

Upon hearing this, Akizuki Makoto's breath hitched slightly. He naturally knew the inside story and the reasons behind it, but he couldn't reveal it to his mother.

Although he didn't want to lie to anyone or play dumb anymore, his relationship with Shimizu Rei was truly a secret that couldn't be told.

Saying it out loud won't do anyone any good; it will only hurt the people around you.

He fell into a brief silence, then suppressed his emotions and tried to appear nonchalant as he asked, "...Have you seen her since she returned from Tokyo?"

After thinking for a moment, Qiuyue's mother replied, "I have met her, but we didn't chat. She just said hello and left."

It's not surprising that she and Shimizu Rei don't usually chat when they meet, because they really don't have much to talk about.

Rei Shimizu used to come to the Akizuki house often to see Fuyuko, but now that Fuyuko is gone and living in Tokyo with Makoto Akizuki, there's no need for her to come anymore.

"Yeah……"

Qiuyue Cheng nodded, his expression one of indescribable melancholy.

Seeing that Akizuki Makoto's expression was off, Akizuki's mother mistakenly thought that the two of them had quarreled in Tokyo, so she said, "Makoto, if you quarreled with Rei, just apologize first. She will forgive you, and then you can talk things out."

She could roughly guess why Shimizu Reika and Akizuki Makoto had argued and quarreled.

I guess it's because when she went to Tokyo, she found that Akizuki Makoto had a lot of girls around him, and she felt that he was flirting with other women. So she got upset and unhappy, and that's how they started arguing.
My son is really something. Just because he and Shimizu Rei are childhood friends, he has always taken her unusually close distance for granted.

Which girl would cling to someone she doesn't like?
"Yes, I understand. Thank you for telling me this, Mother."

With a heavy heart, Qiuyue gave her mother a perfunctory reply.

Afterwards, Akizuki's mother chatted with him for a while, asking about their recent situation after Touko went to Tokyo, and then went back to the living room to eat watermelon.

Not long after they returned to the living room and sat down, Ji Yexue keenly noticed the change in Qiuyue Cheng's emotions.

It was so obvious that it would be hard for her not to notice.

Before this, Akizuki Makoto was in a good mood because he had returned to his hometown after a long time. His expression was cheerful and the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, making it clear to everyone that he was in a good mood today.

But now, the corners of his lips are slightly downturned, and his eyes are drooping as if he is sleepy.

Most importantly, ever since he sat down, he has seemed very distracted, silently eating watermelon and not joining in their conversation.

Realizing that Akizuki Makoto's mood had soured, Ji Yexue took the initiative to sit down next to him and whispered in his ear, "Makoto, come here for a moment."

"Ok?"

After hearing Ji Yexue's voice beside him, Qiu Yuecheng turned his head, looked at her in confusion, and asked, "Where are you going?"

"Um……"

Ji Yexue pondered for a moment, thinking that if she asked Qiu Yuecheng directly, she would probably be brushed off, so she came up with an excuse.

"When we came, didn't you say you had a motorcycle at home? Take me for a ride outside, I want to get familiar with this island."

"This won't do. If we leave the others here and just the two of us leave, won't they think we're isolating them?"

Qiu Yuecheng immediately shook his head and refused. He hadn't thought that much about it; he simply felt that it wouldn't be good for him and Ji Yexue to leave alone.

"...They won't think that way. Just shut up and come with me."

Ji Yexue was somewhat annoyed, but considering that Qiu Yuecheng was in a bad mood, she had no choice but to suppress her anger and forcefully make Qiu Yuecheng go with her.

"Why would you suddenly want me to take you for a ride on my motorcycle?"

"Don't ask so many questions. Whether you go or not, I'll put in a good word for them. Don't worry."

"Fine……"

After hesitating for a while, Akizuki Makoto finally nodded in agreement.

Ji Yexue's insistence on him going for a bike ride must have its reasons; it can't be just a simple desire for a ride.

"Then go and get ready. I'll tell them I'll see them at the door later."

After the agreement was made, Akizuki Makoto got up and left to ask his mother for the motorcycle keys, while Ji Yexue greeted the trio who were chatting enthusiastically with Akizuki's mother.

"I'm going out with Cheng for a bit now. Is there a convenience store on this island? I'll go with him to buy some ice cream. Do you want some?"

"Huh? Just the two of you seniors are going?"

Rie Niijima was somewhat surprised, mainly because she was surprised that she didn't just invite everyone to come along; they would definitely have been willing to go.

Even so, walking under the sun on a hot summer afternoon can be very tiring.

"I need to meet with him for some personal business, so I'll be leaving with him for a while, about an hour. I'll bring you something when I come back."

"This, this is it..."

Rie Niijima was speechless for a moment, then turned to look at Maki Shiina sitting next to her.

If anyone would object to Akizuki Makoto and Himeyasuki going out alone, it would be Shiina Maki.

To Rie Niijima's surprise, Maki Shiina actually nodded in agreement!

"Please bring me an ice cream."

"Then I'll have one too."

"Dongzi wants one too!"

After Shiina Maki nodded, Shiraishi Rin and Fuyuko both raised their hands in agreement.

"Okay, I'll go now. You guys chat."

After saying that, Ji Yexue turned and left the living room, heading towards the courtyard outside the central courtyard.

Rie Niijima watched Himeyasu's figure disappear from sight, then asked worriedly, "Maki-chan, are you alright? Just let them go like that."

"it does not matter."

Shiina Maki forced a smile and said softly, "Since they've already made up their minds, I have no reason to stop them, nor can I stop them."

Clearly, Ji Yexue wasn't there to discuss things with them, but rather to inform them.

Even if she was unwilling, Ji Yexue would not compromise or back down.

Ji Yexue's meaning was quite clear: she had something to discuss with Qiu Yuecheng, and Qiu Yuecheng had agreed to go out with her. She was just informing them of this.

If Shiina Maki were to jump out at this moment and stop the two of them from leaving, wouldn't she be seen as a woman with no emotional intelligence, willful and spoiled?
Put yourself in their shoes. If it were Shiina Maki who made a date with Akizuki Makoto to go out alone, Himeyasuki wouldn't stop her either.

"My son is truly sinful..." Qiuyue's mother, who had witnessed everything, touched her cheek and sighed inwardly.

……

at the same time.

After leaving the living room, Ji Yexue arrived in the courtyard and saw Akizuki Makoto rummaging through a Honda motorcycle in the storage compartment.

“I have already spoken to them, and they have agreed.”

"Okay, let's go."

Qiuyue Cheng nodded, took a white helmet that looked like a safety helmet and handed it to Ji Yexue, gesturing for her to put it on.

Although there are no traffic police on this small island, and you won't be caught or stopped for not wearing a helmet, it's still good to be safe.

The mountain road is full of potholes; better safe than sorry.

Ji Yexue glanced at the helmet, feeling a little disgusted, and said, "Is it necessary to wear it? I trust you won't drag me into the sea."

"I feel safe wearing it; I don't feel at ease without it."

"……Fine."

After hesitating for a while, Ji Yexue finally gave in, obediently put on the helmet, and sat on the back of the motorcycle.

"Shall we set off then?"

After giving a greeting, Akizuki Makoto started the vehicle.

With the sound of an engine starting, the motorcycle slowly started and drove out of the residential area.

Ji Yexue naturally reached out and wrapped her arms around Qiu Yuecheng's waist, pressing her body tightly against his back.

A hot wind blew against her face, causing her long, black, shiny hair to flutter in the breeze, leaving a pleasant fragrance in the air.

At first, neither of them spoke. Akizuki Makoto didn't ask Himeyasuki why she suddenly wanted to go for a drive, and Himeyasuki didn't ask him why he was in a bad mood.

It wasn't until the motorcycle left the residential area and reached the rugged mountain road, where the endless blue ocean could be seen on one side, that Ji Yexue spoke, breaking the silence.

"What did your aunt say to you that made you feel bad?"

Upon hearing this, Akizuki Makoto paused for a moment, then pretended to be nonchalant and said, "I'm not in a bad mood at all. You're overthinking it."

"Don't try to fool me. I specifically called you out because I wanted you to talk to me. I care a lot."

Ji Yexue wouldn't let it go so easily; she wouldn't let Qiu Yuecheng off so easily. She would have to be rejected at least several times.

"..."

Faced with Ji Yexue's aggressive attitude, Qiuyue Cheng remained silent for a while before sighing and replying, "It's nothing, she just asked about me and Li. You know, she lied to me."

So, are you angry with her?

Ji Yexue frowned slightly, finding the reason reasonable. After all, Qiu Yuecheng hated being lied to, especially the kind of lie that he would never admit.

but……

She always felt that things weren't that simple, because if Qiuyue Cheng was really just angry, her expression shouldn't be so lost and dejected.

"I don't know, I'm still thinking about when I can talk to her."

Akizuki sighed. Even though Shimizu Rei lived right next door to him, he could go and see him anytime he wanted, but he didn't have the courage to face him.

Presumably, Shimizu Rei thought the same thing; she must already know he's back.

"Don't go. If you want to know why, it's that I don't want you to go. Since she hurt you, you can go ahead and hate her."

"I might not be able to do that."

Akizuki Makoto smiled bitterly. Even if Shimizu Rei hadn't forced himself on him that day, he couldn't bring himself to hate or despise Shimizu Rei. He would only feel upset and confused about Shimizu Rei's deception.

"Cheng, stop being so sentimental. If you're a man, you should be decisive. The man I like shouldn't be someone who's so indecisive and timid. Either make up your mind and go find her immediately to clarify everything, or just cut off all contact forever and let each other slowly drift apart and forget each other."

Although Ji Yexue might dislike it, Qiuyue Cheng went to see Shimizu Rei because there was a risk that they would talk everything out and reconcile.

But more than that, she hated the timid and hesitant Akizuki Makoto.

No one likes an indecisive man; he's very timid.

"Yes, I will go to Li in the next two days to explain everything and get to the bottom of things."

Akizuki nodded in agreement, a sudden surge of courage rising within him.

Perhaps it was Ji Yexue's words that spurred him on, making him realize that continuing to dawdle like this was not going to work.

What needs to be faced will eventually have to be faced; procrastination will not change anything.

“Cheng, if you ever need help, I will reach out to you. No matter what, I will save you, and you can always rely on me.”

Ji Yexue's tone suddenly softened, and the hands that were holding him tightened even more.

The strength of her embrace was as if she wanted to knead Akizuki Makoto into her flesh and blood, to make her one with him.

"Haha, then I can only pray that that day will never come."

Akizuki Makoto laughed. His previously suppressed feelings eased somewhat thanks to Ji Yexue's comfort.

"Thank you, Xue."

"I'm glad I could help you."

After that, the two did not speak again, but the silence was not awkward; on the contrary, it was quite relaxed.

Akizuki Makoto took her along, speeding along the rugged mountain road. The hot summer breeze, mixed with the salty smell of the sea, blew against their faces, making them feel very comfortable.

Occasionally, he would slow down to introduce Ji Yexue to the various places on the island, and he would also stop the car to pet the cats resting in the shade by the roadside.

The cats here are mostly domestic shorthair or calico cats, and they mostly roam around the harbor area, since there are many fish there.

Ji Yexue's family had never kept pets before, and she originally thought she wasn't interested in cats and dogs, but after actually petting and hugging one, she was surprised to find it quite nice.

She liked that gentle, docile, and harmless feeling.

Ji Yexue held a calico cat with a slightly short tail, stroked its back, and said softly, "Cheng, maybe I'll get a cat someday."

"That's great. Keeping small animals is a lot of fun."

Akizuki Makoto responded with a smile, surrounded by several domestic cats and calico cats.

Perhaps because he is a native islander, the cats here have a natural affinity for locals.

He looked at Ji Yexue, who was squatting on the ground holding a cat in her arms. The expression on her face was no longer cold and aloof, but a gentle smile. He couldn't help but feel a flutter in his heart.

He knew all along that Ji Yexue also had a girlish side, but when he realized that this side was unique to him, he couldn't help but feel a bit of joy and pride.

(End of this chapter)