Oh no! They all seem a bit off!

Chapter 182 Shiina Maki Wins

"Sorry, am I a scumbag?"

Akizuki Makoto laughed self-deprecatingly and sighed softly, "I really did something terrible to Yuki. I was thinking about someone else when Yuki was seriously confessing her feelings to me."

He seems to be like this with everyone. When he's with Ji Yexue, he'll think about Shiina Maki from time to time. When he's with Shiina Maki, he'll think about Ji Yexue.

"Cheng-kun... I feel really sorry."

Shiina Maki cannot blame Akizuki Makoto, because it was because of her that this happened.

Despite her sadness, she was also a little happy, because Qiuyue Cheng had rejected Ji Yexue because of her!

Although Akizuki Makoto prefers Hime Yuki, he also has feelings for her; otherwise, why would he say he can't let go of her?
Thinking of this, Shiina Maki couldn't help but feel a secret joy. Even she herself felt that she was being despicable and shameless, utterly vile.

"It's alright, Cheng-kun. I won't say anything. I'll comfort you and stand firmly by your side!"

Shiina Maki reached out and tightly grasped one of Akizuki Makoto's hands, saying firmly, "Makoto-kun, since you chose me, I will share this guilt with you. After all, it was because of me that you hurt Himeya-senpai."

"Maki, you probably don't understand what I mean. Maybe I didn't explain it clearly."

"Huh? Then what does Cheng-kun mean...?"

"I told Xue that I don't want to choose one of you, I want to choose both of you at the same time."

In the end, Akizuki Makoto finally revealed his ugly, greedy, and selfish desires.

This caused Shiina Maki's eyes to widen instantly, and she was stunned, seemingly not understanding what had happened.

"At the same time...choose two?"

Shiina Maki muttered to herself, subconsciously saying, "Does this mean... the three of them are together?"

"……Um."

Makoto Akizuki nodded with a complicated expression, already able to guess how Maki Shiina would react next.

Although she might not be as hysterical as Ji Yexue, she would probably still break down.

After all, her expectations were dashed. Akizuki Makoto didn't give up on the girl that Ji Yexue had chosen; rather, he wanted to date both of them at the same time, which is why he chose her.

The difference between them is enormous, and Akizuki Makoto's first choice is still Himeyasu.

If Akizuki Makoto could give up Himeyasu and choose her, then she wouldn't mind that she was chosen because of a sense of responsibility that she couldn't let go of.

but……

She couldn't possibly be indifferent to the fact that she had become a so-called "mistress".

She became the one who interfered in the relationship between Ji Yexue and Qiuyue Cheng.

"Chengjun, are you... insane?"

Shiina Maki looked at Akizuki Makoto with the fear one would have for a stranger, her body trembling slightly.

Just as Ji Yexue had thought, she also felt unfamiliar with Qiuyue Cheng, who held the same idea.

Would someone as morally upright and principled as Makoto Akizuki really violate social ethics and the other party's wishes to make such a despicable request?

She didn't even need to think; Ji Yexue must have rejected Qiu Yuecheng, so Qiu Yuecheng, unable to persuade Ji Yexue, came to her.
"Ha...haha...so that's how it is..."

Shiina Maki suddenly laughed. She didn't know why she was laughing, but she thought it was funny that she actually had such high hopes for the possibility that Akizuki Makoto would choose her.

It's impossible to think about it. Akizuki Makoto likes Himeyasu, Himeyasu is his first choice, and she is his second choice.

She clearly understood, but she didn't know why she was so sad.

The tears that had just stopped flowed uncontrollably again due to my emotional breakdown.

Shiina Maki laughed while crying, her emotions on the verge of collapse.

No wonder Akizuki Makoto felt so guilty and had such a sad and reluctant expression; he really did something terrible.

"Maki, I'm sorry, I won't make any excuses for my actions. It was purely my own selfishness; I wanted to do it."

Akizuki looked at Shiina Maki with a deep sense of apology, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

Sure enough, his behavior was unacceptable; it was considered insane and absurd.

Not to mention Hime Yuki, even Shiina Maki couldn't accept it.

"Chengjun, you're really terrible."

Shiina Maki wiped away her tears and forced a smile, saying, "I take back what I said before. He really is a scumbag, casually playing with girls' hearts. He's utterly despicable."

"..."

Akizuki silently accepted Shiina Maki's merciless scolding. If scolding him could make Shiina Maki feel better, then no matter how many words were said, he would silently accept them.

"But... I'm so terrible. Why do I want to agree even though I know it's wrong and immoral?"

Shiina Maki hugged her body tightly with both hands, as if she were very cold, curling up and her shoulders trembling.

"How strange, am I going crazy too? But even if I'm just Cheng-jun's lover, I don't want to give him up!"

"Only Cheng-kun is kind to someone as worthless as me. I can't... refuse him, can I?"

"How terrifying, I actually like Cheng Jundao to this extent."

The words Shiina Maki kept uttering left Akizuki Makoto completely astonished.

He thought he was bound to be rejected, after all, he had been scolded so mercilessly.

but……

How did things take such a dramatic turn for the better?
"Maki, are you willing?"

Akizuki asked in a trembling voice, filled with hope and unease.

If Shiina Maki could agree, he would be relieved and could focus on how to get Himeyasuki to agree.

"……Um."

After a long silence, Shiina Maki nodded gently in agreement.

If we're talking about selfishness and ugliness, she seems to be the same.

She realized that Ji Yexue was a very proud and self-respecting person, and would definitely rather lose Qiuyue Cheng than compromise.

If she agrees, wouldn't that mean she'd have Akizuki Makoto all to herself?
“I am also… selfish and despicable. I’m the same as Akizuki-kun in that respect.”

Shiina Maki murmured to herself, this was the reason she agreed.

Afterwards, she was able to use Akizuki Makoto's guilt and remorse to make him care more about her.

She accepted Akizuki Makoto's actions, but it's a pity that Akizuki Makoto will never be able to fulfill his long-cherished wish in this lifetime.

She, on the other hand, got a great deal. Not only could she have Qiu Yuecheng all to herself, but she could also act coquettishly and willfully towards him without any guilt.

"Chengjun, I don't expect you to like me more than Senior Jiye. I only hope that you can shoulder the responsibility."

Shiina Maki spoke softly, reaching out her hand again to touch Akizuki Makoto's fingers, their fingers intertwining.

"Chengjun, will you admit that we are dating, that we are boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"I will admit it and take the corresponding responsibility." Akizuki nodded seriously and made a promise, which was his intention.

He wouldn't favor anyone or show any particular affection, because his feelings for Shiina Maki and Himeyasu were not the same.

They are all important and indispensable people; there is no question of one of them having a higher priority.

"Well, then I'm relieved."

Shiina Maki smiled again, rested her head on Akizuki Makoto's chest with relief, and whispered, "From now on, please take care of me as well."

"...Please advise me."

Akizuki responded, gripping the hand that was clasped together tightly.

And so, he got a girlfriend for the first time in his life... Even though it was under such complicated circumstances, it was still something to celebrate, right?

Afterwards, the two lingered in the family restaurant for a while before leaving hand in hand and walking back to the hospital to see Shiina's mother.

Shiina Maki plans to tell her mother that she is dating Akizuki Makoto, in order to prove that Akizuki Makoto is not the kind of person who starts a relationship and then abandons it.

However, in the past few days, she had actually been pouring out her grievances to her mother, complaining about Akizuki Makoto and accusing him.

She had thought that the argument a week ago was the end of their relationship and that she would never be able to reconcile with Akizuki Makoto.

Arriving at the hospital, Akizuki Makoto, with a mix of trepidation and excitement, followed Shiina Maki into the ward where her mother was staying.

He didn't expect to get along well with Shiina's mother; he just hoped she wouldn't dislike him.

"Mother, I'm back."

After greeting her mother, who was lying on the hospital bed with her eyes closed, Shiina Maki said, "Mother, I've brought Makoto along too."

"...Hmph, why bring him here?"

Shiina's mother opened her eyes, looked at Akizuki Makoto, and sneered, "Didn't you say he abandoned you and fell in love with another woman? What's going on now?"

When she saw Shiina Maki and Akizuki Makoto walk in hand in hand, she realized that she, this incredibly foolish woman, had once again been deceived by the sweet talk of that scoundrel Akizuki Makoto.

My daughter is just like her when she was young. Even if she gets hurt, she can always make up sweetly again after a little coaxing.

"actually……"

Shiina Maki pursed her lips and said hesitantly, "I'm dating Makoto now."

"..."

Shiina's mother looked utterly speechless, closed her eyes again, and didn't want to say anything more.

“Mother, I know you have a problem with Cheng-kun, but he is really a very gentle person!”

"..."

"You and Chengjun have just misunderstood each other. He's not what you think, nor is he what you say!"

"...Who has been buzzing in my ear like a mosquito these past few days, saying that Akizuki-kun abandoned me and fell in love with another woman? It seems that compared to an ugly duckling like me, Akizuki-kun still prefers a swan like President Himeya."

Unable to bear it any longer, Shiina's mother opened her eyes again and revealed Shiina Maki's complaints about Akizuki Makoto over the past few days.

"Waaaaaah!"

Shiina Maki panicked immediately, her face flushed as she looked at Akizuki Makoto, stammering, "N-no, that's not it! I-I didn't! That-that was...it was just something I said in anger!"

"fine."

Akizuki smiled indifferently. He could understand Shiina Maki. After all, he had indeed abandoned Shiina Maki back then, so it was normal for him to be blamed and scolded.

“Mother, if you get to know Chengjun better, you’ll see that he’s a very good and gentle person.”

"What does that have to do with me? He's just a brat."

Shiina's mother remained unmoved; after all, what need did she have to cultivate a good relationship with Akizuki Makoto?

She's already in the late stages of her illness and won't live much longer. It's too late for her to try and build good relationships with anyone now, isn't it?
"Alright, Maki, let's stop here."

Akizuki Makoto sensed Shiina's mother's resistance and stopped Shiina Maki at the right time to prevent the mother and daughter from arguing because of him.

Having finally thawed the ice in their relationship, he naturally didn't want it to fall back to freezing point because of him.

"I'll head back now. I'll just say hello to your aunt."

"Are you already heading back?"

Shiina Maki immediately showed a disappointed expression, looking like a pitiful abandoned puppy.

Upon seeing this, Akizuki Makoto immediately smiled. If it weren't for the fact that Shiina's mother was still there, he probably would have patted Shiina Maki's head or hugged her and comforted her gently.

"You can call her when you get back, whether it's a video call or a voice call. Right now, you should spend more time with your aunt, shouldn't you?"

"Yeah, that's right..."

Shiina Maki nodded, feeling that what Akizuki Makoto said made sense. She would have a lot of time to spend with Akizuki Makoto in the future, but the time she had with her mother was truly dwindling.

"I'll walk you to the door."

"Ah."

So the two left the ward and stood outside, ready to say goodbye.

Shiina Maki's suggestion to see Akizuki Makoto to the door to say goodbye was also carefully considered.

She took Akizuki Makoto's hand, stopped in her tracks, looked up into his eyes, and asked in a trembling voice, full of unease and hope, "Can...can I kiss you before I go?"

"Give me a kiss..."

Upon hearing this, Akizuki Makoto was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Shiina Maki to suddenly say such a thing.

But they are in a relationship now. Shiina Maki has suppressed her desires for a long time, so it's normal for her to want to kiss, right?
"Is she really pushing her luck? Sorry, never mind!"

Shiina Maki hurriedly apologized, thinking that she had messed up again and must have scared Akizuki Makoto again.

She's always like this, so anxious, but she really can't hold back anymore.

"It's alright, why can't it be?"

Akizuki Makoto smiled, leaned down and kissed Shiina Maki on the cheek, asking, "Is this alright?"

"Okay, okay! It's ready!"

Shiina Maki nodded vigorously. Although she was a little disappointed that they didn't kiss on the lips, she was already very satisfied with the kiss on the cheek. Wouldn't that allow them to go even further and kiss on the lips next time?

"Then I'm leaving. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Shiina Maki waved goodbye as she watched Akizuki Makoto leave, her heart filled with sweetness and happiness, completely forgetting that the person she now loved with all her heart still had another woman in his heart.

But what does it matter? That woman will always keep her distance from Akizuki Makoto because of her reserve and pride.

Only she will always stay by Akizuki Makoto's side; she has won.

(End of this chapter)