My deskmate is actually my yandere reader.

"Ha ha……"

As Kurose Izumi strode away, she suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Laughter echoed through the streets, through the bustling crowds, and through the howling wind.

He ignored the stares of passersby, preoccupied only with his own unbearable emotions.

How pathetic I am.

Only this one thought arose in my mind.

He was like the rolling fiery clouds on the horizon, a floating duckweed, drifting aimlessly.

After learning the truth, no one knew how sad and helpless he felt.

'Qianlian, what should I do?'

'Should I forgive you, or cut off all contact with you?'

'How can I believe in your love, Qianlian…'

Countless words echoed in his mind, yet they all caused him such pain.

Kurose Izumi couldn't understand Shiraishi Chire's love, nor could she believe her words, and she didn't even want to hear her explanations!

All explanations pale in comparison to the cold, cruel truth.

Like an old, dying dog, Kurose Izumi walked down the street with faltering steps, her heart filled with bitterness.

He wandered aimlessly, not knowing where to go or where he could find refuge.

Ring ring—

Just then, the cell phone in my pocket rang, causing Kurose Izumi's empty, lifeless eyes to focus slightly.

Upon closer inspection, the contact listed was "Hirasawa Shinbu"!

Kurose Izumi answered the call.

"Hey?"

"Quan, where are you?"

"Where is it...?"

Kurose Izumi looked around and found the environment completely unfamiliar, probably far from the Shinjuku area.

At this moment, he stood on a traffic bridge, with cars rushing by on his left and an endless riverbank on his right.

"I...don't know where I am."

"Alright... fine, just stand there and don't move. I'll find you, so please don't go anywhere!"

After saying that, Hirasawa Shinbu hung up the phone.

Kurose Izumi put away her phone, turned her head and gazed at the shimmering river surface, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun, her thoughts unreadable.

He just watched quietly.

As time passed, the sun sank below the horizon, and the tranquil blue night descended, replacing the twilight sky.

Pedestrians came and went, and cars shuttled back and forth, but only a lonely young man stood blankly on the bridge.

When Hirasawa Mabu found Kurose Izumi at 6:37 p.m., the latter was squatting by the roadside, looking like a homeless person.

"Hey, isn't that a bit lame? Let's go." Hirasawa Shinbu looked at Kurose Izumi in this state, feeling both helpless and amused.

"Where are you going?" Kurose Izumi didn't get up immediately, but remained squatting with her head down.

"Come to my house, where else would you like to go?"

"Qianlian, are you telling me I have nowhere else to go?"

"Well, she told me, but I also feel like you have nowhere to go."

"Shinbu, do you think we're good friends?" Kurose Izumi suddenly asked.

Hirasawa Shinbu was taken aback, then looked puzzled: "Of course, why are you suddenly asking this?"

"You know I'm the author of 'The Abyss of Youth,' right?" Kurose Izumi looked up. "And you know that Chire is Kuchiki Touko, right?"

Under the cover of the deep blue night and the headlights of passing cars, Hirasawa Mabu noticed that Kurose Izumi's expression was so calm and resolute.

There seemed to be no anger, despair, or sadness at being deceived.

"Ah... don't misunderstand. I'm not angry with you, I'm just wondering why you didn't tell me."

Kurose Izumi offered an explanation first, then added, "I was just thinking, since we're good friends, shouldn't we stay out of here?"

Yes.

Kurose Izumi also felt that she looked terrible in her current state.

He didn't want his best friend to see him like this, because it was just too embarrassing.

"You little brat..." Hirasawa Mabu gritted his teeth and slapped Kurose Izumi hard on the shoulder, "You scared me!"

Then, he said irritably, "Are you stupid? If I'm not here, who else would be? Do you think I'd let you sleep on the streets?"

"Sigh, that's true, let's go then..."

Kurose Izumi sighed, got up, and Hirasawa Shinbu got into the Rolls-Royce Phantom parked by the roadside, heading towards Chiyoda.

The two did not speak in the car—mainly because Izumi Kurose was in a bad mood, and Masato Hirasawa didn't know what to say.

Don't be fooled by Kurose Izumi's nonchalant demeanor; that's precisely why he's in trouble!

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

Hirasawa Masato even suspected that Kurose Izumi might have suffered such a shock that she had temporarily lost her mind!

Finally, Hirasawa Mabu couldn't help but ask, "Izumi, are you alright? You seem a bit strange lately."

"Are you an idiot?" Kurose Izumi turned her head to look at the rushing scenery outside the window and cursed.

"You kid..."

Just as Hirasawa Shinbu was about to speak, feeling a surge of anger, Kurose Izumi said quietly, "How could you be alright? If you were me, would you be alright?"

"..."

Hirasawa Shinbu was speechless upon hearing this.

Yes, how could nothing happen?

But what can you do if something happens?

Crying, making a scene, or questioning are all useless; they will only make you feel more embarrassed.

Kurose Izumi didn't want to embarrass herself in front of her best friend, so she acted heartbroken, like she was going to die, and spoke ill of Shiraishi Chire.

She's a good person, but Izumi Kurose just can't understand.

Kurose Izumi harbored no hatred towards Shiraishi Chiren, but rather found it difficult to let go and face the situation.

"Quan, just stay with me for now. Tomorrow... no, for the next few days, or even for as long as you want, I can help you get leave until you feel less uncomfortable."

Hirasawa Shinbu patted Kurose Izumi on the shoulder; at this point, this was all he could do, something so insignificant.

"Yes, thank you."

After that sentence, the two stopped talking.

Kurose Izumi quietly gazed at the scenery outside the car window, her eyes reflecting the vibrant, bustling cityscape with its neon lights.

At that moment, he suddenly realized how lonely he was.

119. Kisaragi Maaya's Guidance

The car drove on and finally stopped at a traditional Japanese courtyard house in the Chiyoda Imperial Palace area.

"Let's go, Izumi."

Hirasawa Shinbu opened the car door and led Kurose Izumi into the open, vermilion gate, marked with the mottled lines of time.

"Young Master, Young Master, welcome back."

Behind the door, a group of retainers dressed in identical black kimonos with the family crest of a three-leaf hollyhock embroidered on their chests bowed to them.

Hirasawa Shinbu nodded slightly and walked past these people—at this moment, he resembled a dignified superior.

He also has two faces.

Internally, he is the young master of the Hirazawa Group, and his demeanor is measured and authoritative, exuding the aura of a superior.

To the outside world, he is an 'ordinary' high school student, enjoying his school life to the fullest.

Kurose Izumi was not surprised by Hirasawa Mabu's attitude.

Upon entering Pyeongtaek, one finds many precious flowers, plants, and trees meticulously cultivated in the courtyard.

On the left, there is a pond with artificial hills and flowing water, where you can vaguely see dragon fish and goldfish swimming leisurely.

They entered the entrance hall, weaving and twisting among the screens, with many retainers bowing to them along the way.

Finally, the two arrived at the main room embroidered with the mythical bird Bifang—this was also the residence of Hirasawa Shinbu.

As for Hirasawa's father...

Izumi Kurose only met him once by chance when he went to the Ginza headquarters with Masato Hirasawa.

"Sit down, Izumi. I'll have someone bring dinner later."

Hirasawa Shinbu first invited Kurose Izumi to sit at the head of the main room, then pulled back the side screen and went into the bedroom.

He took off his school uniform and put on the crested haori hakama kimono that represented his status as the young master of the Hirasawa Group.

Then he returned to the main room and summoned a servant to help him make tea and give instructions to the kitchen staff on the dinner preparations.

Kurose Izumi picked up her teacup, looked at her reflection in the pale green tea, and sighed, "It seems like it's been a long time since we've had a meal together."

Before his relationship with Shiraishi Chiren improved, he always ate lunch at the cafeteria with Hirasawa Shinbu.