Tokyo Sword Saint Online Dealing

He couldn't help but pick up another croquette and put it in his mouth—he had tried all three dishes in the bento box, and each one brought him some surprises.

Looking at Nohara Kyoko, his impression of the little white rabbit changed drastically—this child's culinary talent might surpass that of most people.

Kyoko Nohara was initially a little apprehensive, but seeing Kiyoshi Uesugi's gradually relaxed expression, she figured the bento must have suited his taste. She breathed a sigh of relief, and a sweet smile appeared on her previously troubled and gloomy face.

And so, in an empty space, Uesugi and I were alone, and he happily ate the bento I had made.

If only every day could be like this!

Nohara Kyoko lowered her eyes, her fingers began to fidget with the hem of her clothes, and her mind started to wander into all sorts of random thoughts. For a moment, she was in a state of utter confusion and stood there, stunned.

Uesugi Kiyoshi was not one to indulge in gluttony. He only took a small bite, leaving about half of the food in his bento box before turning his attention to Nohara Kyoko.

He's not here to freeload lunch!

"Nohara-kun, thank you for your hospitality. This is truly the best lunch I've had all year."

Kyoko Nohara, who was lost in thought, was startled by Seiichi Uesugi's shout and frantically waved her hands.

"No, no, no! This is just a simple meal, nothing more!"

She first gave Uesugi Kiyoshi a very standard and polite reply.

"I wonder if the food suits your taste, Uesugi-kun? I'm sorry, we only had such simple ingredients, but I hope you don't mind!"

Nohara Kyoko shook her head and bowed repeatedly, which made Uesugi Kiyoshi a little embarrassed, so he changed the subject and chatted idly for a few minutes.

"I'm not saying anything flattering. Did Nohara-kun make this? Is there some special recipe? This is absolutely delicious. Whoever marries Nohara-kun will be so lucky."

Kyoko Nohara was still subconsciously replying to the first half of Kiyoshi Uesugi's sentence.

"Ah! I added apple cider vinegar and a little honey to the croquettes, and the mini sausages were steamed before frying. The chicken nuggets just need to be turned a few more times to achieve this texture."

When she heard the second half of Uesugi Kiyoshi's sentence, her pretty face instantly turned bright red.

What?! What does this mean?!

Was Uesugi hinting at something?! Was he saying that my cooking skills had reached the standard required to be Uesugi's wife?!

Me! Me! Me! Me! Can someone like me even do this?!

Uesugi Kiyoshi was unaware of all the things Nohara Kyoko had imagined. He simply changed the subject and casually asked about the mirage.

He hesitated for a few seconds before speaking.

"It may be a bit presumptuous of me to say this, but, Nohara-kun, have you encountered anything strange lately?"

"I mean, the kind of illogical, bizarre, and terrifying things?"

"For example, plots from ghost stories or horror movies."

Uesugi Kiyoshi didn't know how to talk to Nohara Kyoko about the mirage and the demon realm, so he could only speak vaguely. What he didn't expect was that as soon as he finished speaking, Nohara Kyoko's face turned deathly pale.

She couldn't care less about her wild thoughts; the terrifying scene from last night instantly flashed through her mind.

Her uncle, who seemed possessed by a ghost, the headless statue with a strange smile, and the biting cold wind and bone-chilling cold in the living room—all these left a deep impression on her.

This morning, she didn't dare to look her uncle in the eye, and she didn't even eat breakfast before rushing out of the house as if she were fleeing a disaster.

The statue, the figure bowing in worship, and the home that had become somewhat eerie all filled her with fear.

Uesugi Kiyoshi knew something was up the moment he saw Nohara Kyoko's expression, so he softened his voice a bit to avoid frightening the little rabbit.

"Don't be afraid, Nohara-kun, you are safe now, I'm here."

"If you have any worries, why not tell me? Maybe I can help you."

Nohara Kyoko lowered her head, her body trembling uncontrollably. The thought of going home that night filled her with an inexplicable sense of panic. The memory of being alone after the death of her parents and the bullying she suffered at school overwhelmed her with grief. She felt that the future was bleak, and tears streamed down her face.

Uesugi Kiyoshi's brain was throbbing. I said these two sentences to help you, why are you crying?

He dares to throw punches at enemies and draw his sword against vengeful ghosts, but when faced with a girl's tears, especially from such a delicate little rabbit, he really falters.

"Nohara-kun, I don't know what happened to you, but please trust me a little, I can help you!"

His words were somewhat devoid of emotion, but his tone was resolute, carrying a decisive quality, like a sharp sword he had wielded, making those who heard them unconsciously believe him to some extent.

Kyoko Nohara was given a glimmer of hope by Kiyoshi Uesugi's words. She looked up with teary eyes, but quickly shook her head sadly.

She desperately wanted to ask Kiyoshi Uesugi for help, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.

In a sense, Nohara Kyoko's values ​​are somewhat similar to Uesugi Kiyoshi's.

I have no relation to Uesugi-kun, can I really keep bothering him? My uncle has become so strange, this must be very dangerous, can I really drag Uesugi-kun into this?

Kyoko, are you really going to drag your kind and gentle Uesugi classmate into this mess for your own safety?

Do you want to become that kind of selfish and bad woman?

Kyoko Nohara, who was already in a state of mental collapse, was in tears and somewhat incoherent.

"No, I can't. I can't trouble Uesugi-kun anymore."

"I know that Uesugi-san is very kind, and he is willing to lend a helping hand even to someone like me."

"But I can't just shamelessly stay here with Uesugi-kun and not leave. That's not right!"

"I'm not worth Uesugi-kun's sacrifices."

"I don't know how to dress up, I speak in a rustic way, I'm not good at sports, and I don't have any special talents. Someone like me is not worth Uesugi-kun's trouble."

As Nohara Kyoko spoke, her voice gradually rose, as if she were finally able to express her true feelings.

"Ever since Uesugi-kun saved me yesterday, my classmates have been talking about how Uesugi-kun and I are dating. This must be really bothering Uesugi-kun!"

"I'm sorry, I don't have the courage to argue with them."

"I also have selfish thoughts. Sometimes I think to myself, how wonderful it would be if all of this were true."

"If I were really dating Uesugi-kun, could I then enjoy his kindness without any guilt?"

"Does this mean I can legitimately rely on Uesugi-kun now?!"

"I'm so sorry! I could have had such a shameful thought!"

"But. But!"

Kyoko Nohara gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her eyes wide and red from crying, and raised her head as if she had used up all the courage she had in her life.

She didn't know what she was thinking.

She didn't know if what she was doing was right.

But she wanted to give it a try.

She wanted to try confessing her feelings to Uesugi Kiyoshi.

If I succeed, I can have a lifetime of happiness!

If we fail, it doesn't matter. We can just disappear from Uesugi-kun's life!

Nothing could be worse than the current situation!

The girl took a deep breath and bowed deeply.

"I like Uesugi-kun!"

"I want to date Uesugi-kun!"

Uesugi Kiyoshi was so startled that he stood up and even took a half step back. He wished he could slap himself.

Is this my problem?

Wasn't I asking about mirages?

What's with this sudden confession?!

Chapter 21 Visit

Uesugi Kiyoshi was not immune to being confessed to.

However, this is the first time I've ever been confessed to with such force.

He instinctively wanted to refuse, but when he saw Nohara Kyoko's tear-streaked face, which looked pitiful, and remembered her tragic life, his heart softened for no reason, and some words got stuck in his throat, unable to be spoken.

He has a relatively rich life experience and is able to put himself in others' shoes and think from their perspective when interacting with them.

For example, now, he thinks that if he were in Kyoko Nohara's position, it wouldn't be hard to understand the choice she made.

This could be a once-in-a-lifetime outburst from a lamb that has been dormant for a long time?

Uesugi Kiyoshi had some feelings for Nohara Kyoko, but it was only some feelings.

Kyoko Nohara wasn't as bad as she thought. She was very cute, had a great figure, and a gentle, lamb-like personality. She was also a good cook and a model of a virtuous wife and loving mother. She was probably the ideal wife for many men.

However, Uesugi Kiyoshi has no intention of dating anyone right now, and dating is not in his life plan for the next five years.

Therefore, he was also caught in a dilemma.

Accept that he wasn't mentally prepared—he'd only known Kyoko Nohara for a day, so it was impossible for him to have some kind of love-at-first-sight fantasy.

The concept of love at first sight in this world is just a euphemism for lust at first sight.

He always felt that he would become a sinner if he refused.

Should we postpone it?

Let's at least get rid of the mirage energy on her first.

Hmm. I need to organize my thoughts better.

Uesugi Kiyoshi's hesitant expression was noticed by Nohara Kyoko, who was peeking up at him. Her expression slowly darkened, and her fingers gripped the hem of her clothes so tightly they turned white. She wasn't stupid; she knew she was most likely to be rejected.

The first and last ray of light in her life was extinguished. What was left for her?

Forget it, let's just leave it at that.

It doesn't matter if I'm bullied, it doesn't matter if I'm harassed, it doesn't matter if I go back to that terrifying home, this is my fate anyway, and there's no point in resisting.

It's only natural that Uesugi-kun would reject her after she finally mustered up the courage to confess.

Nohara Kyoko wasn't very sad; on the contrary, she felt a sense of relief. For the past two days, she had been feeling anxious and insecure, secretly harboring feelings for Uesugi Kiyoshi. Now that those feelings had been cut off, she felt much lighter.

She forced a smile, forcefully wiped away her tears with her sleeve, and spoke in a hoarse voice.

"I'm sorry to have put Uesugi-kun in such a difficult position."