Oh no! They all seem a bit off!

Chapter 195 Deceiving Shiina Maki
"Aki, Akizuki-kun, there's a limit to how much you can joke around."

Shiraishi Rin's expression froze. Sure enough, Akizuki Makoto was joking with her.

But this joke isn't funny; it just makes people's hearts race.

If Shiina Maki found out that she and Akizuki Makoto went to a coffee shop alone, who knows what kind of misunderstandings would arise.

She didn't want Shiina Maki to think of her as a terrible, wicked woman who would lay a hand on her best friend's lover.

"I'm not kidding, I'm serious."

Akizuki looked completely innocent and bewildered, wondering where he seemed to be joking.

When he spoke, he didn't have a frivolous or flippant attitude, did he?
"...Um, Akizuki-kun, is it really okay for me to go for coffee with you alone?"

After a moment of silence, Shiraishi Rin seemed to accept the fact and asked weakly, "Although this is to repay you alone, it's okay to invite others as well, right? Don't worry about the cost."

"Can't it just be the two of us?"

Makoto Akizuki knew perfectly well what Rin Shiraishi was worried about, but he couldn't explain it to Rin Shiraishi.

Ji Yexue's gag order is not only for Shiina Maki, but also applies to everyone else.

He couldn't reveal his contract with Ji Yexue to anyone.

"Well, it's not that it's impossible, it's just...why?"

Shiraishi Rin asked, puzzled, "Didn't Akizuki-kun keep refusing before? Why is he suddenly bringing it up now, and he even wants the two of them to go alone? This seems very strange."

"Well... there are all sorts of reasons."

Akizuki gave a vague answer, but in the end, in order to put Shiraishi Rin at ease, he made a promise.

"I know what you're worried about. I'll explain to Maki, so don't worry. If anything happens, I'll take full responsibility."

"Alright, alright, since Akizuki-kun has said so, then let's do it this way."

At this point, Shiraishi Rin finally nodded in agreement, since Akizuki Makoto had already put it that way.

She wasn't against going to a coffee shop alone with Akizuki Makoto, but she was worried that doing so would cause unnecessary misunderstandings and trouble.

"Then it's settled. Let's meet at the school gate. I'll choose the location."

"OK……"

After agreeing to this, the two stopped talking and began preparing for class.

The teacher then entered the classroom and announced the start of class.

Throughout the afternoon, Shiraishi Rin appeared absent-minded and somewhat dazed.

After all, Akizuki Makoto, who had always rejected her, took the initiative to accept her gratitude, and did so alone.

What's more, he's currently dating his good friend.

It feels really strange, doesn't it? It's not like there's anything we need to discuss with Shiina Maki that requires us to avoid her.

"This feels... like I'm falling for someone else?"

Such absurd and outrageous thoughts could not be suppressed from arising in Shiraishi Rin's mind.

However, the moment the idea popped into her head, she immediately shook her head and rejected it.

No matter what, Akizuki Makoto wouldn't do such a thing—if the target was her, it was truly impossible.

From all perspectives, it's clear that Akizuki Makoto has absolutely no interest in her.

Besides, even if he were to fall for someone else, how could he possibly dare to choose her?

She's Shiina Maki's good friend, there's no way she would do something to her.

Unless, Akizuki Makoto has gone mad, or has some ulterior motive.

It's quite obvious that Akizuki Makoto has ulterior motives; anyone who knows him even a little can see it.

I just don't know why Akizuki Makoto would suddenly act like this. Could it be that he has really split off a clone as well?
Is the person sitting next to me now that clone?
"No, no, no, that idea is even more outrageous, isn't it?"

Shiraishi Rin hurriedly dismissed the thought, thinking to himself, "If Akizuki Makoto were acting strangely, his sister would have noticed it long ago and taken action to resolve it, right?"
Others might not know, but she knew very well that Akizuki Makoto's younger sister, the girl named Fuyuko, possessed terrifying power capable of overturning the world.

Therefore, it's impossible that Akizuki Makoto experienced a splitting abnormality like her.

"Forget it, I can't figure it out no matter how much I think about it. Maybe I'm just overthinking it?"

Shiraishi Rin shook his head, dismissing those chaotic thoughts from his mind.

By this time, all afternoon classes had ended, and it was time to go home.

"Then, you go wait for me at the school gate first, I'll go tell Maki."

Akizuki Makoto, who was standing next to her, whispered something to her before standing up and walking towards the back of the classroom.

Seeing this, Shiraishi Rin took a deep breath, picked up her schoolbag and left the classroom without saying goodbye to Shiina Maki.

Since Akizuki Makoto said to just wait for him at the school gate and he would explain to Shiina Maki, then there's no need to worry, right?

Maki Shiina knew that they went to the coffee shop alone, so it was fine. It didn't count as making advances towards her friend's lover, nor did it mean she was betraying her friend.

Thinking about it this way, Shiraishi Rin immediately felt relieved; it turned out she had been overthinking everything.

Akizuki Makoto invited her openly and honestly, so she didn't need to have any strange concerns.

Looking back now, I realize how hopeless and foolish I was not long ago.

To even think that Akizuki Makoto might have fallen for someone else is simply impossible.

She knew all along that Akizuki Makoto had absolutely no interest in her, but she still held onto a sliver of hope.

...Shiraishi Rin had to admit that, just as Niijima Rie had said, she did indeed have feelings for Akizuki Makoto.

Although not as obvious as with Shiina Maki and Himeya Yuki, it is undoubtedly true.

After all, she was her savior, and she had merged the memories of all the clones and the original, which had a slight influence on her feelings.

……

"I'm sorry, Maki, I have something to do today and can't go home with you."

Arriving at the back of the classroom, Akizuki Makoto bowed his head and apologized to Shiina Maki with deep remorse and guilt.

"Yes, that's right."

Shiina Maki paused for a moment, then forced a smile and nodded, saying, "Yes, I understand. Makoto-kun, please focus on your own tasks first, okay?"

Although Akizuki Makoto didn't explicitly say what it was about, she had already guessed it.

It must be related to Ji Yexue.

Only Ji Yexue could make Qiuyue Cheng care so much.

Moreover, Ji Yexue suddenly disappeared today, so he must be worried and planning to go visit her, right?

This is really...

It's unpleasant.

Shiina Maki didn't want Akizuki Makoto to visit Himeyasu, because that might give them a chance to mend their relationship.

Originally, she thought that there was absolutely no chance for Qiuyue Cheng and Ji Yexue.

But who could have imagined that Ji Yexue's sudden disappearance would reignite their hopes and create a possibility for them to rekindle their relationship?

Having received help from Qiu Yuecheng, Ji Yexue is highly likely to have changed her opinion of him and eased their relationship; otherwise, Qiu Yuecheng wouldn't have considered going to her. Based on past experience, Qiu Yuecheng usually refrains from bothering Ji Yexue after being rejected without hesitation.

Akizuki Makoto is not an tactless person; he won't be relentlessly pursued even if he is clearly disliked.

It was precisely because Shiina Maki understood him that she felt unhappy.

Originally, she could have had Qiuyue Cheng all to herself, so why did Ji Yexue come to cause trouble again?
"Sorry, Maki, I'll be going now."

After apologizing again, Akizuki Makoto was about to leave. Shiina Maki pursed her lips, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, but in the end she didn't say anything and watched Akizuki Makoto leave.

"……Ugh."

She sighed, picked up her schoolbag, and subconsciously went to find Shiraishi Rin, wanting to go with her to find Niijima Rie.

But then she realized that Shiraishi Rin had also disappeared sometime during that time.

Shiraishi Rin left without a word, which surprised Shiina Maki, but she didn't think much of it, assuming that Shiraishi Rin had been called away or gone to the restroom.

They don't spend every day together, just occasionally.

The other party has no obligation to wait for her to leave together after school every day, especially after she started dating Akizuki Makoto.

Recently, Makoto Akizuki has been seen with Maki Shiina.

Akizuki Makoto returned to the student council, and the band's plans were put on hold due to Himeya Yuki's sudden leave of absence.

No matter what, they can't compete without a drummer, and they didn't bother looking for one.

Rie Niijima's initial worries came true like a boomerang.

As a result, Rie Niijima was ridiculed by her former colleagues.

It seems like most bands eventually break up because of relationship problems.

Fortunately, Rie Niijima has come to terms with it. After discovering the love triangle between Yuki Hime, Maki Shiina, and Makoto Akizuki, she realized that the band would disband sooner or later due to the emotional entanglements; it was just a matter of time.

But because she joined the new light music club, she made new good friends. It can be said that she gained something from a loss, and turned misfortune into blessing.

"Let's go find Rie-chan, let's go get some dessert together..."

With that thought in mind, Shiina Maki took out her phone and contacted Niijima Rie, and also sent a message to Shiraishi Rin to ask if she was free.

At that moment, she had no idea that Shiraishi Rin, who had left earlier, was waiting for her boyfriend at the school gate.

……

"Let's go."

When Akizuki Makoto arrived at the school gate and met up with Shiraishi Rin, he invited her to leave together—hime Yoshiyuki was also with them.

Of course, Ji Yexue is currently invisible. She is laughing and lying on Qiu Yuecheng's back, like a ghost clinging to him.

It was only when Akizuki Makoto went to the shoe cabinet to change his shoes that he realized Ji Yexue was also waiting at the school gate.

Ji Yexue seemed determined to witness the entire cheating incident, so instead of meeting at the coffee shop entrance as planned, she went directly to the school gate.

"Which coffee shop should we go to?"

Shiraishi Rin asked nervously. In fact, she had been feeling uneasy ever since she stood at the school gate waiting.

"Let's go to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. There's a really nice coffee shop there."

"Ah... is that the coffee shop where we first met?"

"Yes."

Akizuki Makoto nodded. He would go to that coffee shop simply because he thought it was secluded and he wouldn't be seen by anyone.

If we choose to do it in Bunkyo Ward, there's a high risk of being seen by someone.

Putting aside Shiina Maki, it would be a headache even if it were seen by teachers and students from the same school.

A boy and a girl meeting at a coffee shop after school is an ambiguous situation no matter how you look at it.

in particular……

Akizuki Makoto's purpose this time was also to create ambiguity and seduce Shiraishi Rin.

"It's a nice place, the coffee is quite good."

After nodding in agreement, Shiraishi Rin asked with some curiosity, "But why not go to Senbikiya? The products there should all be of a higher quality."

"Well, it doesn't matter whether it's high-end or not, the main thing is that I really like the coffee beans from that Shinjuku Gyoen coffee shop."

Makoto Akizuki made up a reason on the spot; he dared not say that he was not going to Senbikiya because of the risk that Maki Shiina might go there.

Maki Shiina often goes out for desserts with Rie Niijima and Rin Shiraishi, and their favorite place is Senbikiya.

Today, he didn't stay with Shiina Maki, so Shiina Maki definitely wouldn't go home alone.

She'll definitely go out with Rie Niijima to stroll around, have some desserts, and not go home until evening.

As Shiina Maki gets to know Akizuki Makoto, Akizuki Makoto also gains a deep understanding of her, especially during this period.

They often mingled together, whispering countless words in each other's arms.

"Oh, I see……"

Shiraishi Rin nodded blankly, accepting Akizuki Makoto's explanation.

She had no reason to doubt Akizuki Makoto; his reputation was impeccable.

Besides, who would suspect that? It's just choosing a coffee shop.

"He really knows how to deceive women."

Lying on Akizuki Makoto's back, Ji Yexue, who was being carried by him, said with a smile, "I'm really looking forward to Shiraishi's next reaction."

Judging from Shiraishi Rin's ignorant appearance, she would never have imagined that Akizuki Makoto would later follow her instructions and take the initiative to get close to her.

Do not……

It seems we don't need to wait until later.

Now is her playtime, there's no need to wait until they get to the coffee shop before taking action.

"Don't you think you're too far away from Shiraishi right now? Get closer to me."

Ji Yexue whispered softly in Qiuyue Cheng's ear, her voice so faint that only the two of them could hear it.

Shiraishi Rin, standing to the side, was in a state of tension, her head bowed, feeling her heart pounding.

The street was already noisy, with people, cars, and shop music all mixed together, making it hard for her to notice Ji Yexue's voice.

Even if you heard it, you'd probably ignore it, thinking it was just a passerby talking.

"..."

Upon receiving the instruction, Akizuki Makoto silently closed the distance between himself and Shiraishi Rin and slowed his pace.

Originally, Shiraishi Rin was a step behind him, walking behind him, with about a person's distance between them.

However, under Ji Yexue's command, Akizuki Makoto and Shiraishi Rin moved forward in sync, and the distance between them was reduced to only half a body length apart.

But Ji Yexue was not satisfied with just that. She smiled playfully and continued to issue instructions.

"Come a little closer, let's walk side by side!"

(End of this chapter)