Oh no! They all seem a bit off!

Chapter 181 Making a Promise to Shiina Maki

After a long drive to the First General Hospital in Adachi Ward, Akizuki Makoto paid the fare and got off the bus. From afar, he saw Shiina Maki standing at the hospital entrance, waiting for him.

At the same time, Shiina Maki noticed him and immediately waved to him with delight, running towards him.

"Akizuki-kun, over here!"

As Akizuki Makoto watched her run up to him, he noticed the barely suppressed excitement and joy on Shiina Maki's face, and a bitter feeling welled up inside him.

He pretended to be nonchalant and asked with a smile, "...Let's go eat first, what would you like to eat?"

"Anything is fine with me! Now I want to know, is Akizuki-kun really not joking, is he serious?"

Filled with anticipation and unease, Shiina Maki asked hopefully, "I don't know why Akizuki-kun suddenly changed his mind and chose me, but choosing me... is it really okay? Are you really choosing me?"

"Yes, I'm not joking, I'm serious."

Akizuki nodded, not intending to voice his thoughts for the time being, at least until after dinner.

"Let's talk about this after we finish eating. I'm a little hungry now."

"Hey, good!"

Without much thought, Shiina Maki immediately nodded in agreement and happily followed Akizuki Makoto away.

The place to eat was chosen by Akizuki Makoto. He selected a family-run restaurant nearby. Such places offer a variety of cuisines and are economical, making them a good place to eat.

Shiina Maki walked beside Akizuki Makoto and tentatively asked, "Hey, Akizuki-kun, can I... hold your hand?"

"Of course."

With a gentle smile, Akizuki Makoto nodded in agreement. Since he had already told Shiina Maki that she could choose her, she certainly had that right.

After receiving his consent, Shiina Maki did not choose to hold Akizuki Makoto's hand, but instead took his arm and pressed her body close to his.

If they held hands, she would definitely sweat a lot because she was too nervous and excited, which might make Akizuki Makoto feel disgusted. So, instead of holding hands, she chose to link arms.

This also shows that they are very close, and it is one way for lovers to hold hands.

"Can I call you by your name, Akizuki-kun? I hope you'll call me by my name too."

"Do it if you want, Maki."

Akizuki Makoto smiled and asked, "Is there anything else you want to do? I'll do my best to fulfill your request."

"Aki...Makoto-kun."

Shiina Maki looked up and stared blankly at Akizuki Makoto's profile, a strange feeling suddenly creeping into her heart.

She should have been happy, and she was indeed quite happy, but along with her happiness, she felt uneasy, with a strange and unsettling feeling.

She always felt that Akizuki Makoto was acting strangely, as if he was forcing himself.

"Chengjun, although it seems strange to keep asking, do you really want to respond to my feelings and choose me?"

Shiina Maki hugged Akizuki Makoto's arm tightly, saying anxiously, "The current Makoto-kun is a bit strange. He doesn't seem like the Akizuki-kun I know anymore."

Sometimes, people tend to be timid when faced with happiness; it takes more courage to grasp happiness than to endure pain.

Now, she faces such a situation. Her dreams and happiness, which were once out of reach, are now within reach, yet she feels that this happiness is as illusory as a mirage.

It's no wonder she was so uneasy, because a week ago, Akizuki Makoto had made it clear that he liked Himeyasuki.

But now he has changed his mind, claiming that he can respond to her and choose her.

Shiina Maki isn't stupid; she knows that something happened between Akizuki Makoto and Himeyasuki during the past week that caused Akizuki Makoto to turn back and choose her.

Even as a backup option, she had no complaints. As long as Akizuki Makoto was sincere, she was willing to be the second choice.

What she feared was that Akizuki Makoto was only acting on impulse and would regret it later, which would only add more scars to her already wounded heart.

"I really want to reciprocate your feelings, and I really want to choose you."

Akizuki Makoto stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and met Shiina Maki's gaze. His tone was sincere, without a trace of hypocrisy.

However, although his eyes were sincere, the corners of his lips that couldn't help but turn slightly downwards revealed his inner pain and confusion.

While he was saying these words to Shiina Maki, he was thinking of Himeyasu.

He was thinking that if Ji Yexue found out that he was showing affection to Shiina Maki, wouldn't that be hurting Ji Yexue?

"Chengjun..."

Shiina Maki pursed her lips, unsure of what to say for a moment. In the end, she could only force a smile and say, "Yes, I believe Makoto wouldn't lie to me, but I hope you won't force yourself."

"I'm sorry, Maki, I made you worry, and I..."

Halfway through his sentence, Akizuki hesitated for a moment before continuing, "After we finish eating, I will tell you everything, the reasons and justifications for what I did, so that you will no longer feel uneasy."

"Ok!"

Shiina Maki nodded emphatically. As long as Akizuki Makoto could explain things clearly to her, she believed that he was not the kind of person who would start something and then abandon it.

Since he has already made the promise, he must have been prepared to take full responsibility.

Unlike her, Akizuki Makoto doesn't act impulsively; her unease is completely unnecessary.

After that, Shiina Maki felt relieved and followed Akizuki Makoto to the family restaurant.

After ordering, while waiting for the food to be served, she took the initiative to share what she had experienced that week.

Her mother was almost ready to be discharged from the hospital and had recovered quite a bit. Although her relationship with her mother hadn't completely reconciled, it wasn't as cold towards her as it had been a week ago. It was more like she was tacitly accepting her presence.

“Chengjun, I’m planning to go back to live with my mother. I won’t be able to live next door to you anymore.”

Speaking of this, Shiina Maki smiled somewhat sadly and said softly, "We've finally come this far, and Makoto is willing to choose me and be with me, but I have to go back to living here. What a coincidence."

"It's okay, there's plenty of time in the future, you can still live next door to me."

Makoto Akizuki did not object to Maki Shiina's desire to live with her mother; he respected her wishes.

Presumably, she herself was aware of this and was prepared accordingly.

"Chengjun, don't worry, I'll be careful. Nothing will happen, after all..."

Shiina Maki suddenly stammered, twisting her body shyly and blushing as she said, "After all, Makoto and I will have intimate contact, and I won't let Makoto be in danger."

"..."

Akizuki remained silent and took a sip of the lemonade that was placed beside him.

He did hope that Shiina Maki would still be willing to get close to him after hearing his thoughts; he had never worried that Shiina Maki would infect him with anything.

"Hey...hehe..."

Even without a response, Shiina Maki continued to giggle foolishly, lost in sweet fantasies of the future, unconsciously tightening her legs. Suddenly, Akizuki Makoto remembered something and asked, "Maki, do you have enough money? If you have any problems, just tell me, don't hesitate."

Shiina Maki quickly shook her head and said, "It's enough for now, don't worry. Makoto has already given us more than enough, we can't trouble you any further!"

"Aren't you just being polite to me?"

Akizuki Makoto smiled helplessly and then said, "You can rely on me more."

"...Woo."

After a moment of silence, Shiina Maki suddenly burst into sobs, tears streaming down her face.

Akizuki Makoto's gentle words touched the softest spot in her heart, causing her emotions to suddenly spiral out of control.

Once again, she clearly felt that Akizuki Makoto had truly chosen her, and was not joking.

She had always wanted to rely on Akizuki Makoto, and now that her seemingly unattainable dream had come true, how could she not shed tears of happiness?

This was the first time in a long time that she had cried because of happiness; in the past, she had only cried because she was too sad, which caused her tear ducts to become incontinent.

"Don't cry. If your mother sees you, she'll think I'm bullying you."

Makoto Akizuki patted Maki Shiina's shoulder, gently comforting her.

"Ugh... I couldn't help it... because... because... Cheng-kun really... really wants to be with me..."

Shiina Maki sobbed as she spoke haltingly, "Being with someone like me makes me feel both terrified and overwhelmed."

She had always known that she was not good enough for Qiuyue Cheng. Qiuyue Cheng should be with someone like Ji Yexue, who possessed beauty, talent, and family background, instead of a sickly ugly duckling like her.

All she possessed was a somewhat attractive appearance, but the world is never short of good-looking people.

Therefore, after learning that her opponent was Ji Yexue, she felt so inferior that she couldn't lift her head and didn't dare to fight back, constantly backing down.

But now, she had actually outmaneuvered Ji Yexue and was the one who had the last laugh. It felt like a dream.

This happiness was so profound that she would have no regrets even if she were to die right now.

"Don't belittle yourself like that, you're great."

Makoto Akizuki reached out and cupped Maki Shiina's cheeks, his slightly rough fingertips wiping away her tears. He said softly, "Have more confidence in yourself. You're no worse than anyone else. At least in my eyes, you're the best."

"Uh-huh!"

Shiina Maki nodded vigorously, revealing the most beautiful and moving smile she had ever shown.

Even the ugly duckling has the right to pursue happiness, a right that no one can take away from it.

After that, Shiina Maki's emotions finally stabilized, and she leaned on Akizuki Makoto's shoulder with a feeling of happiness and peace, holding his arm.

"Chengjun, I really love you the most. I will love you for the rest of my life and that will never change."

Shiina Maki murmured to herself, her words clear and distinct amidst the noisy chatter.

"..."

Qiu Yuecheng pursed his lips, remaining silent as if he hadn't heard anything.

His ability to reciprocate Shiina Maki's feelings stemmed from his unwavering sense of responsibility, with only a small portion of affection mixed in.

If he had to choose, he definitely preferred that proud yet willful girl who was both a headache and a heart-fluttering sight.

"I really am... a scumbag. I'm still thinking about Xue even now."

Akizuki Makoto felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and pain, almost to the point of collapse.

He had already made up his mind, but the pain did not lessen at all, making it hard for him to breathe.

No matter how much he tried to convince himself or comfort himself, he couldn't escape this guilt and couldn't treat their relationship with a clear conscience.

He had to admit that embarking on this path was far more painful and difficult than he had imagined.

But rather than regretting it in the future, he would rather endure this pain and accept it willingly.

"Hello, here is your order, it's all served, please enjoy!"

At this moment, the waiter pushed the food cart to their side and placed their orders on the table one by one.

"Chengjun, eat quickly. Didn't you say you were hungry a while ago?"

Shiina Maki excitedly picked up her chopsticks, placed some food in Akizuki Makoto's bowl, and urged him on.

At this moment, she had not yet noticed Akizuki Makoto's emotional changes and inner repression.

Akizuki Makoto disguised himself very well, remaining outwardly calm, though his eyes would occasionally change color.

But Shiina Maki was sitting next to him, so naturally she didn't notice this.

Shiina Maki enthusiastically served food to Akizuki Makoto, appearing very happy. Akizuki Makoto, not wanting to spoil her mood, continued eating.

He ate about two-thirds of the food on the table, while Shiina Maki ate very little.

She didn't have a big appetite to begin with, and besides, she wasn't very hungry. The sheer happiness she felt was enough to satisfy her cravings.

After dinner, it was time to be honest, and Shiina Maki realized this and stopped laughing and joking.

She suppressed her smile, unconsciously sat up straight, and asked in a trembling voice, full of suspicion, "Um, Cheng-kun, you said you would tell me everything, right?"

"Yes, it's time to explain everything."

Qiu Yuecheng nodded, his expression turning serious, and his tone carrying a strange sense of complexity.

Seeing this, Shiina Maki quickly said, "It's okay, I'm already mentally prepared. You don't need to worry about me, I'm already very happy and content."

"Yeah……"

Makoto Akizuki smiled bitterly. If Maki Shiina could still say that after hearing his story, that would be wonderful.

"Today is Xue's grandfather's funeral, and I attended it."

"Eh?"

Shiina Maki was taken aback. She had expected Akizuki Makoto to mention Himeyasu, but she didn't expect it to be under these circumstances.

"After that, she confessed her feelings to me and asked me to be her fiancé. I liked her and wanted to say yes, but..."

At this point, Akizuki Makoto paused, turned his head to look at Shiina Maki, who looked bewildered and helpless, and said, suppressing his sadness, "I'm worried about you, Maki."

"..."

Shiina Maki remained silent. Although she had known this for a while, hearing it still left her feeling uneasy. Did Akizuki Makoto really like Himeyasuyuki more than her?
(End of this chapter)