My wife believes me; how could I be a cuckold?

So after thinking it over, she explained to herself that she didn't want others to take away Asano-kun's status as a "friend".

Although it wouldn't affect her friendship with Asano Makoto even if he dated other women, that was just an excuse she used to convince herself, so the reason didn't really matter.

However, it must be said that the identity and excuse of "friend" are really useful.

That's how it is for her, at least.

After clearing her mind, Eriko Miyajima decided to stop hesitating.

"Poor Konno-san, she actually ran into such a scumbag..."

As she said this, she turned to look at Makoto Asano, who was driving attentively, and added in a calm tone, "Asano-kun, you really are a very gentle person."

Just by listening to that sentence, there seems to be nothing wrong with it, as if she was simply making a sigh for Konno Yuuka's experience.

But for some reason, Makoto Asano felt that things were not so simple.

He felt that Eriko Miyajima probably had something else to say.

Moreover, that incident was probably targeted at him.

Asano Makoto is absolutely right.

The moment Miyajima Eriko finished her sigh, she spoke again: "So, Asano-kun, what are your thoughts on Konno-san?"

The tone remained very calm, but unlike before...

The moment he heard those words, Makoto Asano felt Eriko Miyajima's burning gaze fixed on him without blinking.

coming!

Sure enough, Eriko was acting very strangely today.

Previously, she did not possess this kind of "aggression" and "aggressiveness".

In the past, even if she sensed something, she would only keep it to herself and process it alone, instead of bringing it up so directly.

So why has she become like this today?

Could it be that yesterday's events were too stimulating for her, causing her emotions to spiral out of control?

I have a feeling that Eriko seems to be a bit sick these days...

Thinking of this, Makoto Asano immediately restrained himself, trying his best to stop thinking about it, and then put all these questions aside.

Because if that were really the case, it would be too terrifying.

Eriko Miyajima, who is usually the gentlest, has suddenly become a yandere... Just thinking about it is terrifying.

Moreover, Eriko Miyajima is already in this state, so it's too late to say anything now.

So the most important thing now is to give her an explanation as soon as possible and help her get back to normal.

After all, her strategy was almost complete, and she couldn't afford any mishaps at this crucial moment.

Moreover, if you answer this question well, you might be able to complete the main quest smoothly even without using any special methods today.

Thinking of this, Makoto Asano tried his best to maintain a calm expression while his brain began to work at a rapid pace.

After carefully considering his words, he deliberately put on a "nervous" look and "hurriedly" began to explain to Eriko Miyajima.

Chapter 154 Crisis Resolved

"Eriko, don't overthink it."

Asano Makoto, looking rather timid and hesitant, said as if afraid that Miyajima Eriko would misunderstand, "I don't have any particular feelings for her. I just feel sorry for her and I feel a little sorry for what she's been through."

Eriko Miyajima nodded as if she had expected it: "Yes, I know. Asano-kun, I believe you because you are a good person."

Makoto Asano breathed a slight sigh of relief.

But at that moment, Eriko Miyajima suddenly changed the subject, and his heart, which had just settled down, was raised again.

"But Asano-kun, don't you really want anything to happen between you and Konno-san? After all, she's very beautiful, and has such a great figure, like an idol from somewhere... Besides, she'll definitely break up with that scumbag when she gets back, so your chances might be pretty good then, right?"

At this point, Eriko Miyajima chuckled softly and said meaningfully, "And it seems that Ms. Konno has a pretty good feeling about you, Asano-kun. After all, I saw her hugging you so tightly."

This statement sounds like a close friend stirring up trouble behind your back while worrying about your friend's love life.

However, the moment Makoto Asano uttered those words, his breath caught in his throat, he felt incredibly nervous, and his heart pounded wildly.

While the content of the sentence itself wasn't problematic, Eriko Miyajima's increasingly forceful tone and her piercing, scrutinizing gaze were highly problematic.

Holy crap, what's with this feeling of oppression?

The pressure is a bit high.

Fortunately, I had already come up with a plan.

Wiping away non-existent cold sweat from his forehead, Makoto Asano gave a wry smile and said helplessly, "Impossible. She hugged me simply because she was too heartbroken and couldn't find anyone to vent to. To put it bluntly, I was just a dumping ground for her emotions."

Immediately afterward, Makoto Asano added, "So even if I have feelings for her, she might not reciprocate them. I know my own worth very well..."

Having received this nearly satisfactory answer, Eriko Miyajima smiled gently.

Of course, she didn't forget to comfort him: "Asano-kun is too modest. You are a very outstanding person, and many girls will like you."

Asano Makoto shook his head like a rattle-drum: "That's no use. Even if she really has feelings for me, I don't have any feelings for her yet. We've only known each other for a short time."

Upon hearing this, Eriko Miyajima seemed to want to say something more.

However, Makoto Asano guessed what she was thinking.

I'm sorry, Ms. Konno.

After silently repeating this to himself, Makoto Asano spoke first: "And if I had to choose, I would definitely choose Eriko. Compared to Ms. Konno or any other woman, you are definitely the best."

"—!"

The sudden "confession" left Eriko Miyajima stunned.

Indeed, this was the answer she wanted, the one she wanted most.

but……

Before she knew it, Eriko Miyajima's face had turned slightly red.

She subconsciously withdrew her gaze from Asano Makoto's expression and turned her head to look out the window.

Although she appeared to be admiring the scenery rushing past the window, she actually had no idea what she was looking at.

Her mind was still replaying Asano Makoto's words.

—I would definitely choose Eriko.

—Compared to other women, Eriko is definitely the best.

Could it be that Asano-kun... has feelings for me?

For some reason, Eriko Miyajima suddenly remembered the dream she had of Makoto Asano confessing his feelings to her.

Then, inevitably, I thought about what happened afterward... those things.

As a result, her already rosy face turned even redder, and it seemed as if even the top of her head was radiating heat.

On the other side, Makoto Asano finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The notifications that just rang in my mind, "[Phase Two of the mission has been completed and the reward has been issued]" and "[Phase Three of the mission has been activated. Please check it in time]", indicate that the mission has been completed and that the crisis has been resolved.

He breathed a slight sigh of relief and then brought the "trial" to a close.

He scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and explained, "Uh... I'm sorry, Eriko, that's not what I meant. I was just... just giving an example. It was definitely not because I let it slip!"

Hearing his somewhat evasive words, Eriko Miyajima seemed eager to end the conversation and quickly nodded in response, "Um... um, I know, I know..."

At that moment, she felt incredibly ashamed, her face burning as if she had a fever.

However, at the same time, in a place she couldn't perceive, she also felt as sweet as if she had eaten candied fruit, and felt a little happy inside.

For the rest of the time, Makoto Asano and Eriko Miyajima remained silent in this somewhat awkward yet ambiguous atmosphere.

Neither of them spoke, or rather, they didn't know what to say at the moment.

It wasn't until Makoto Asano parked the car in the parking lot that he spoke up, saying, "Eriko, we've arrived."

Upon hearing his voice, Eriko Miyajima, still lost in her daydream, paused for a moment before realizing that they had already arrived at their first destination.

It was as if she was trying to cover up that she had just been daydreaming, or perhaps she was afraid that Asano Makoto beside her would discover the things she was secretly fantasizing about.

She nodded vigorously, her voice involuntarily rising a little: "Okay...okay! Asano-kun, let's go!"

Seeing her nervous expression, Makoto Asano finally couldn't help but laugh.

This was the first time he had laughed so relaxedly all day.

During that silent journey, he had gradually composed himself.

Once his mind cleared up a bit, he realized that Eriko Miyajima's defenses had been broken by his words, and she could no longer maintain her previous terrifying demeanor.

However, just to be on the safe side, he decided to temporarily stop provoking Eriko Miyajima.

Otherwise, if it happened again, he really wouldn't be able to handle it; the pressure would be overwhelming.

So he changed the subject and brought up the real reason for the trip, reciting from the travel guide he had looked up beforehand: "This is Tokyo Skytree, also known as the New Tokyo Tower. Let's walk around here first, and then go up and take a look. I heard that you can overlook the whole of Tokyo from the observation deck."

Unlike the last time they went out to see a movie, this time he didn't take Eriko Miyajima on a typical "couple's date." Instead, he planned to take her to explore some of Tokyo's landmark buildings.

For example, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, and Senso-ji Temple.

Because Mrs. Yamada Yu was busy and didn't have time to go out with Eriko Miyajima, she hadn't visited any of these places even though she had been in Tokyo for almost a month.

So last time, Makoto Asano promised her that he would take her sightseeing, and he kept his promise.

To be honest, these places are quite boring.

Aside from the slightly interesting view of Tokyo from the Tokyo Skytree booth, Makoto Asano didn't have any particularly special feelings throughout the entire visit.

Eriko, who came from the countryside, was seeing these "big" scenes for the first time and seemed quite excited, even forgetting her romantic encounter with Makoto Asano in the car earlier.

Her face looked a little rosy, and she was as excited as a little girl who was out playing for the first time. She kept asking "Asano-kun, Asano-kun" here and there.

Seeing her adorable appearance, Makoto Asano, having thoroughly enjoyed the sight, no longer cared about the boring journey and spent the entire time smiling as he took her everywhere.