Am I being simulated by their love affair.

Chapter 434 Unnecessary Expectations

"What do you think of this, Pine Branch?"

In a shop in Kawaguchiko, Tomatsu Yuka picked up a miniature Mount Fuji-shaped keychain from the shelf and waved it at the boy standing on the other side of the shelf.

Jun Matsue looked up and glanced at it. "Not bad."

"Right?" The girl nodded in satisfaction.

Mochizuki Haruka, who was passing by her, snorted disdainfully and went to the counter to pay for the Fuji Cat keychain in her hand.

It's 1 p.m., and the third day of the overnight study program is coming to an end. Before boarding the bus back home, the young men and women decided to buy some souvenirs at a nearby shop.

Matsueda Jun also picked out quite a few things. The sake brewed with Fuji spring water was for Kurusu Yose, the Fuji gold leaf amulet was for his senior, and he even went out of his way to find the Fuji gashapon machine that was surrounded by girls and bought a gashapon, intending for Miyamura Aya to twist it open herself.

Before boarding the return bus, Mochizuki Haruka turned around and glanced regretfully at the towering, cloud-shrouded shadow of Mount Fuji, whose snow-capped peak seemed to have grown even thicker.

"Unfortunately, I didn't make it to Mount Fuji in the end."

"So you were serious after all," the boy next to him couldn't help but say.

"There will be opportunities in the future," Tomatsu Yuka said with a smile.

Ten minutes later, accompanied by the gradually accelerating engine hum, the bus left Kawaguchiko Station and headed towards Tokyo beyond the mountains.

Jun Matsueda glanced at the slightly swaying scenery outside the window, then took out his phone and sent a message to Maki Yami.

"We've set off back to Tokyo."

"Okay~ Be careful on the road!" the senior replied quickly.

There was no further communication in the chat box. Jun Matsue put his phone away, and people started chatting and laughing to pass the time. He rested his chin on his right hand on the edge of the car window, watching the town gradually being left behind outside the window.

As the houses and buildings gradually disappeared and the view was filled with rolling hills and vegetation, the boy suddenly realized something.

The maple leaves at the foot of Mount Fuji are starting to turn red.

Around 4 p.m., the bus entered Tokyo and stopped at a congested intersection. Jun Matsueda looked at the sidewalk and saw boys and girls in school uniforms, who were either junior high or high school students.

“It’s just after school.” Tomatsu Yuka, sitting behind him, was also looking out the window. “It’s a strange feeling to see them like this on a day when they should be in school.”

"It's like watching my own life from the sidelines," the boy said casually, then turned his phone screen back on.

My senior seems to have a tea ceremony class after school today, so she probably won't have time.

Before he could even click on the motionless parrot avatar, the "Kirakira" avatar above it started flashing.

"Is Matsueda almost in Tokyo?!"

He glanced out the window. "We've entered Suginami Ward. There's a bit of traffic now. We'll be there in about half an hour."

"So fast? Why didn't you say so sooner!"

The girl sent an angry emoji; although it wasn't a voice message, Jun Matsue could already imagine her irritable tone.

"Which stop are you getting off at?"

"Is this guy coming to pick me up?" The boy hesitated for a moment.

"Speak quickly!"

"Shinjuku."

"I'll be passing by after get off work. Wait for me a bit, and we can go back to the apartment together!"

What time do you get off work today?

Jun Matsueda's message remained unread, as if the girl had never considered that he would refuse, and simply put down her phone.

Half an hour later, he got off the bus and watched the crowds scattering out of the station.

"Are you satisfied with these three days, Matsu-san?" Tomatsu Yuka walked up to the boy, turned around, and asked.

Jun Matsue nodded. "I've seen everything I wanted to see and experienced everything I wanted to experience. Tomatsu's sukiyaki and spaghetti soup were also delicious. It was a worthwhile trip."

"It's a bit of a shame that someone didn't climb to the top of Mount Fuji."

Standing on the other side, Mochizuki Haruka rolled her eyes at him. "I'm glad Matsueda-kun likes it," Tomatsu Yuka said with a smile, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "See you at school tomorrow~"

She walked out of the station and headed towards the other subway entrance. Jun Matsue watched the girl's back until Mochizuki blocked his way.

"Aren't you going home? I can take you back."

“No rush.” The boy looked at the bustling traffic outside the door. “Kurasu said she’ll be off work soon, so we can go grocery shopping together on the way.”

"."

The girl's eyes showed a hint of dissatisfaction, but she didn't say anything. When the black sedan appeared at the station entrance, the woman in the driver's seat waved to the two of them.

Matsue Jun watched as Mochizuki Haruka walked over. She didn't get into the car, but just stood by the car door, turning around and looking over with her aunt.

Looking for him?
The boy left the station and walked to the car. "Did Auntie want to see me about something?"

"It's been so long since I've seen Songzhi~" Wang Yuehua rolled the car window down to its lowest position and looked him up and down with a smile.

"Songzhi is a very busy person now, so it's rare to have the chance. Of course, I want to take a good look at you."

“I’m not busy at all,” Jun Matsue smiled.

The woman looked nonchalant. "If you're not busy now, you'll be busy at the Yamami family's place later."

He couldn't laugh anymore.

"I didn't mean anything by it," Mochizuki blinked innocently. "Anyway, you know, our Mochizuki family has always been there."

"Whenever you're feeling down or tired, you're welcome to visit our estate anytime."

Wang Yueyao got into the car, the woman waved casually, and the black sedan sped away.

Jun Matsue stood still as students on bicycles passed by, their clear bicycle bells fading into the distance.

He took out his phone and sent a message to Maki Yami.

"We've arrived at the station. I brought a souvenir for my senior; I think she'll like it."

The girl replied a few minutes later: "Welcome back! Tea ceremony class isn't over yet, I'm secretly messaging you~"

"I'm already looking forward to tomorrow's present!"

As expected, he didn't plan to meet now, which didn't surprise Jun Matsue.

Rationally speaking, the senior student should go home after her course ends, and time is tight, so it's reasonable not to meet.

But thinking of his aunt who waved goodbye so casually, and how he asked Yosuke Kurusu to wait for him to go home together, Jun Matsue's sentimentality inevitably stirred up expectations for Maki Yamami, only to be disappointed when those expectations were dashed.

"Pine branch——"

Jun Matsueda looked up and saw a girl waving at him from across the street. She was wearing a mask and a hat, revealing only her exceptionally bright eyes.

Yosei Kurusu crossed the road and walked towards him, like a little deer leaping lightly to his side.

"You're finally back! Did you bring me a present?"

Jun Matsue pointed to the backpack behind him, "I'll give it to you when we get home."

"You have to satisfy me!" Kurusu Yosei raised an eyebrow. "I even finished practice early to pick you up~"

"So, what made you decide to come pick me up?"

Jun Matsue looked across the street and saw the girl getting out of a car, where her manager, looking helpless, was sitting.

"Because I've performed in other cities before, I always feel quite lonely on my way home alone when I return to Tokyo."

The girl winked at him, "So I've decided not to let Matsueda feel this terrible emotion either!"

"Thank you very much." Jun Matsueda smiled.

A sense of warmth and a subtle sense of loss intertwined in his heart.

Anyway, at least I'll finally get to see my senior tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)