Ms. Gojo thought she was dating an ordinary person's boyfriend.

Reaching the street corner, Gojo Satoru took out his phone again.

[Dr. Xiaocheng: Convenience stores are fine too, but don't just buy sweets.]

Gojou lowered his head and typed.

[Wu: How did Dr. Kosumi know I was at the convenience store entrance?]

Sumi Kichikawa only posted two words.

[Dr. Xiaocheng: Experience.]

Gojo Satoru laughed out loud.

He stood under the brightly lit sign of the convenience store and looked up at the bento boxes and desserts displayed inside the glass door.

[Wu: Is Xiaocheng busy until now too? Being a doctor is really tough.]

[Sumi Kawakawa: It's alright, the recent seasonal change is a bit unusual, and the children are prone to getting sick.]

[Wu: Ugh~ It's always so troublesome at times like this~ I've been chasing after a bunch of troublesome guys for most of the day.]

[Sumi Kawakawa: Is she difficult to deal with?]

[Satoru: Mainly because he looks weird, Satoru-chan feels like her eyes have been hurt!]

[Sumi Kawakawa: You've worked hard. I'll give you the eye drops I prepared when you get back.]

[Wu: Is it the one we picked before?]

[Sumi Kawakawa: No, this time I picked something even better.]

Gojo Satoru looked at the message and a silent smile curved his lips.

He pushed open the door and went in, took out rice balls, salad, and soft-boiled eggs from the refrigerator, and then lingered in front of the dessert counter for a long time.

In the end, I took two boxes of pudding.

When it was time to pay, he thought for a moment and then exchanged one of the boxes for sugar-free tea.

The clerk scanned the code and handed him the bag.

When Gojo Satoru came out carrying the bag, he looked down, took a picture, and sent it to her.

[Wen: Please check.]

A few seconds later, Sumire Kichikawa returned.

[Dr. Xiaocheng: Head pat JPG.]

Gojo Satoru stood on the street, staring at the emoji for a while before putting his phone away.

Kikawa Sumi's living room was already filled with event supplies.

On the coffee table lay a pile of game tickets, stickers, colored pens, and small certificates. Next to the sofa sat an old game console that Makoto Fujii had repaired, its cables neatly coiled and tied with cable ties by Sumi Kikawa.

He was sorting lottery tickets when the doorbell rang.

Sumire Kikawa got up and opened the door.

Gojo Satoru stood outside, his white hair shining brightly in the corridor light, his eye mask still covering his nose, and he was carrying a convenience store bag and a box of snacks.

Good evening, Xiaocheng.

Sumi Kichikawa's gaze fell on the bag.

Gojo Satoru immediately replied, "I've already eaten."

Sumire Kichikawa looked at him without saying a word.

Gojo Satoru handed over the bag: "The evidence is still there."

Sumire Kawakawa took it and glanced inside.

I saw the rice ball packaging rolled up and stuffed into a salad box, along with an empty onsen egg box and a bottle of unsweetened tea.

His expression softened a little.

Gojo Satoru smiled and said, "So, I've improved?"

"The progress is obvious."

Kikawa Sumi didn't say anything more, turned around and went to the kitchen to put the sugar-free tea away.

Gojo Satoru casually closed the door, slowly changed his shoes, and glanced at the shoe cabinet to find a pair of brand-new light gray indoor slippers.

The size is noticeably larger than what Sumi Kichikawa usually wears.

Gojo Satoru was taken aback: "What are these shoes?"

Sumi's voice came from the kitchen: "The last pair was too small for you, so I prepared new ones."

Gojo Satoru looked down at the slippers. Although the tags had been removed, they were clearly new slippers, and judging from the style, they should be the same as the ones that Kikkawa Sumi owned.

He was somewhat surprised, since last time he had only stepped on his heel slightly in the entryway and quickly adjusted.

Even with such a small movement, Sumi Kichikawa actually saw it.

Gojo Satoru took off his shoes and placed them neatly on the shoe rack, then put on new slippers that fit perfectly.

He walked into the living room in his soft new slippers: "Dr. Xiaocheng even remembers this?"

"Um."

When Sumi Kichikawa returned from the kitchen, she sat down again and continued to sort through the lottery tickets.

"After all, you're not comfortable wearing it."

Gojo Satoru did not respond.

But I couldn't help feeling a warmth in my heart.

This person was so proactive when we first met, but became less talkative after we got to know each other. However, he never seemed cold or indifferent, probably because he was so good at taking care of people.

The living room lights are warm, and the coffee table is covered with brightly colored little items that are very eye-catching at a glance.

Gojo Satoru walked over quietly, sat down on the sofa, and looked at it from the side.

"What are you doing?"

"Preparing props for Saturday's event."

"That event at the hospital?"

"Um."

Gojo Satoru picked up a certificate and looked at it.

The brown bear on the certificate is holding a colorful handle, looking adorable, and below it, in bold colored pen, is written "Challenge Successful".

"So cute."

"Kids prefer this kind."

"Did you draw this?"

"No, it was drawn by Ono."

"What?! There's already a competitor before Gojo-sensei even appeared?"

Kikawa Sumi turned to look at him, and the man covered his mouth with an expression as if his seat had been taken away.

"Ono Haruka is a child in the inpatient ward."

Gojo Satoru put away his performance, looked down at the little bear carefully, and could indeed see the child's rounded and blunt brushstrokes.

"She draws very well."

"Yes, she's really looking forward to Game Day."

Gojo Satoru gently put the certificate back.

Sumi Kichikawa continued distributing the stickers.

Kittens, bears, stars, and handles were all sorted into several stacks according to their patterns.

Gojo Satoru glanced at the scattered stickers, colored pens, and handmade certificates on the table, then turned to look at Kikkawa Sumi.

As Kikawa Sumi bent down to organize his things, he was very focused. He wasn't wearing his white coat, but only a soft, light-colored knitted sweater with the cuffs rolled up slightly, revealing a small section of his wrist bone. His slender fingers patiently aligned the edges of each lottery ticket.

He looked quiet and peaceful.

Gojo Satoru suddenly realized that Kisakawa Sumi had been living like this all along, in a place he couldn't see.

Like most people, he works hard, organizes events with his colleagues, takes good care of sick children, and neatly organizes raffle tickets for even a small event.

He is not just "Sumi Kichikawa" who exists only in this ordinary apartment.

He has his own world.

Clean, bright, noisy, ordinary.

It is precisely because it is ordinary that it is so precious that people don't want to damage it.

After looking at it for a while, Gojo Satoru suddenly reached out and picked up a white cat sticker.

The white ragdoll kitten, wearing sunglasses, sat arrogantly.

Gojo Satoru held up a sticker to Sumi Kikawa: "This looks a lot like me."

Sumire Kikawa turned her head and looked over.

The stickers were bought by Miyazawa Chinatsu and the others. He hadn't looked at them closely, but after Gojo Satoru said that, he could indeed see some similar spirit in that proud little cat.

"A little."

Gojo Satoru gently shook the sticker in his hand and tilted his head: "Can I take it?"

"That's a prize."

Gojo Satoru drawled, as if he was about to lie down and act spoiled: "Eh—"

Without changing her expression, Sumire Kikawa tore off a white cat sticker from the corner and placed it in front of him.

"You can only take one."

Gojo Satoru looked at the sticker, his smile gradually widening.

"Special treatment for Go-chan?"

Kikawa Sumi paused slightly, her fingertips curling up gently. After a few moments of hesitation, she finally spoke.

"It's actually an advance reward for volunteers."

"I haven't agreed to be a volunteer yet."

Sumire Kichikawa stopped what she was doing and looked up at Satoru Gojo.

Gojo Satoru had only been joking casually, but when he saw that Gojo had suddenly become serious, he also quieted down.

In the living room, only the clock on the wall ticked.

Sumi Kichikawa gently put down the sticker in her hand and said frankly, "Actually, I originally wanted to ask you that."

Gojo Satoru looked at him: "What are you asking?"

"The hospital is holding a charity sale and games day on Saturday afternoon," Sumi Kikawa said slowly. "We're short-staffed in the games area. The kids want to play multiplayer games, but the equipment and controllers are a bit old, so someone has to supervise them."

Seeing that the other person didn't interrupt but listened patiently, he tentatively asked in a low voice, "You're very good at games and also good at getting along with children. If you have some free time...would you be willing to come and help?"

Gojo Satoru did not answer immediately.

He looked quietly at Sumire Kichikawa in front of him, his gaze deep and serious, all his playful smile gone.

He rarely receives such invitations.

Hospital activities.

Charity sale.

Game Day.

Every word feels unfamiliar, yet it is so beautiful that it inspires longing.

But this is different from the Kurusugawa Sumi family.

Once inside, with the door closed, there will only be the two of them in the room. There might be an extra cup, a pair of slippers, and a game console, but the space will still be very small.

So small that he could consider it as if he had simply borrowed a little bit of ordinary, pleasant time.

But hospitals are different.

There you'll find Susumu Kikkawa's colleagues, friends, and the child he's taking care of.

This means more people, more attention, and more lives that shouldn't be involved.

Gojo Satoru lowered his eyes, his mind in turmoil. He subconsciously raised a smile and exclaimed in an exaggerated tone.

"This sounds like a very formal invitation. I'm a little flattered."

Sumire Kawakawa looked at him quietly without saying a word.

Gojo Satoru maintained his casual demeanor, as if he were just going to join in the fun, and casually changed the subject.

"Speaking of which, are there any interviews or assessments for these kinds of activities?"

"no."

"Shouldn't there be pre-job training?"

"There is no training," Sumire Kichikawa replied calmly and patiently. "But I can tell you the process in advance."

Gojo Satoru didn't respond, and casually threw out the next question.

"Do the volunteers have uniforms?"

Kikawa Sumi lowered her eyes and pondered seriously for a few seconds.

"There's no set rule; just wear clothes that allow for easy movement."

Gojo Satoru leaned back against the sofa, slowly twirling the white cat sticker between his fingers, and said casually.

"There will probably be a lot of people at the hospital that day, right?"

"It will be much more lively than usual," Sumire Kichikawa answered truthfully.

"Those kids in the inpatient ward will definitely be bombarding me with questions, won't they?"

"Highly likely."

Gojo Satoru smiled faintly and pressed on, "What if they're curious and ask me why my hair is white?"

"Just say it's natural."

"What if you ask me why I always wear an eye patch?"

"Just say your eyes are sensitive and you're afraid of light."

Gojo Satoru turned his head away from Sumi Kikawa's gaze, looking down at the sticker in his hand: "Dr. Sumi, how come you even thought of these things in advance? Are you sure I'll definitely go?"

Sumire Kichikawa paused slightly and said, "I just felt that if you went, the children might ask you these questions."

Gojo Satoru remained silent, knowing that Kisakawa Sumire was still waiting for his answer, and a subtle sense of helplessness welled up in his heart.

Throughout the long time I've known Sumi Kichikawa, she has always maintained a very good sense of propriety.

He never pressed him for details about his work, never dissected his vague statements, and never asked him to explain why certain things couldn't be said.

Gojo Satoru often marveled at how, despite knowing nothing, he always managed to stop at the perfect moment.

This made Gojo Satoru's interactions with him much easier.

But just now he kept making jokes and clearly didn't want to give a direct answer. Normally, Kikawa Sumi would have already changed the subject to be understanding, but today he was acting out of character, pretending not to understand.

His attitude remained calm and gentle, leaving him helpless.

Gojo Satoru suddenly didn't know what to do.

"Got it," Sumire Kichikawa suddenly called out to him.

Gojo Satoru casually looked up.

"Um?"

"You don't need to make things difficult for yourself." Sumi Kichikawa's gaze was open and gentle. "I wanted to invite you because I think they would like you, and I also think you might enjoy that kind of activity."

Gojo Satoru paused, his fingers twirling the sticker.

"But I'm just expressing my thoughts," Sumi Kichikawa softened her tone, "It's all up to you."

"If you're available and willing to come help, I'd be happy to. But if you don't want to come, or have other plans, that's perfectly fine too."

Throughout the entire process, he simply shared an invitation and never intended to force the other party to make a choice.

[The author has something to say but is running out of space:]

Some users have commented that some conversations are a bit short, repetitive, and even a bit like a chatbot's. To be honest, I've also realized this myself. I'm not a very talkative person, and I'm also socially awkward. My friendships with my friends are like a robbery, so when I need to create a character that requires initiative, I easily run out of things to say.

When writing, it's essential to have references. When I was writing my previous book, I was quite familiar with each character and their speaking styles, which made the writing process very smooth. However, this book has original characters, and the feeling is completely different. Everything about the original characters is unknown, and it's up to the author to give them their own unique character. I think this is the biggest challenge for me.

Writing dialogue is difficult for me, especially since I'm still single. Every time I write dialogue, I get a headache, and writing ambiguous dialogue is even more challenging. That's when I realized why people say that you can't write something you've never seen before.

Readers might find that Susumu Kikkawa is sometimes very eloquent and sometimes rather aloof. The reason is simple: writing about him is like being a pretentious person; when in a good mood, his thoughts flow freely, and when not, he feels like a machine...

Regarding their dialogue, when I read other romance novels before, I felt that some of the dialogue was too sticky or even a bit greasy. I was so sure that when I wrote about romance, I would make it fresh and natural. But later I found that I couldn't even manage to write something sticky. I overestimated myself. To be honest, when it comes to writing about romance, DS might not be as good as me.

People see me using similar dialogues back and forth like an AI, but actually I'm really at a loss for words... I can only modify similar expressions and use them once, twice, or three times. I really admire my friends; how can a person come up with so many different styles of words?

However, since everyone has raised questions, I will work on polishing the dialogue, and I will also revise the previous chapters one by one. I hope you enjoy reading! („• ֊ •„)੭】