My deskmate is actually my yandere reader.

Occasionally, we'd hang out together on weekends.

"Can't we eat together in the next few days?" Hirasawa Shinbu smiled and took a sip of warm tea.

He hasn't been lonely during his lunch break lately, as he's been having lunch with Tsuda Yoshimi every day.

Especially in the last two days, I even got to eat the bento boxes she made herself!

However, it's not a good time to talk about this now, since Izumi Kurose has just experienced an emotional setback.

He didn't even dare to mention Shiraishi Chiren's name, lest he stir up Kurose Izumi's heart!

But just because he doesn't say it doesn't mean that Izumi Kurose won't ask.

Then, Kurose Izumi asked, "How are things between you and Tsuda? Is your relationship progressing smoothly?"

"Do...do you want to ask this..."

Hirasawa Masato scratched his head, and after a long pause, he said in a low voice, "Well, things are going well. I've been spending most of my lunch break with her."

"Is that so? That's good..." Kurose Izumi smiled sincerely upon hearing this.

"How are you...?"

"I?"

"It's about the class monitor."

Kurose Izumi paused for a moment, then smiled helplessly, "To be honest, I don't know either. My mind is still a mess, and I can't figure it out."

Now, he is forcing himself not to think about Shiraishi Chiren.

Otherwise, you'll just get stuck on trivial details and make yourself unhappy.

No matter how hard she tried, Kurose Izumi had only one thought in her mind—what was Shiraishi Chire thinking?

In other words—does Shiraishi Chiren truly love him?

Kurose Izumi dared not delve into the matter, nor did she believe the current Shiraishi Chiren.

So he got stuck in a vicious cycle.

She was clearly deceived and manipulated, so she should hate Shiraishi Chiren and stop associating with her.

But the memories of all the moments they had shared made him reluctant to part with them and he felt a deep sense of nostalgia.

He didn't know what to do, whether to forgive or cut ties completely.

But to talk about forgiveness...

He can't.

The extreme transformation and obsession of "Kushiki Touko" constantly reminded him that Shiraishi Chiren might not love him.

As for severing all ties, the goodness of "Shiraishi Chire" and the love he held for her made it impossible for Kurose Izumi to do so.

"If you can't figure it out, then don't think about it anymore. I'll stay here for now and not think too much about it." Hirasawa Shinbu patted Kurose Izumi on the shoulder and sighed inwardly.

Things seem to be much more serious than he imagined.

Only then did he realize that he still didn't understand Kurose Izumi.

According to his previous thinking, if Kurose Izumi knew the truth, she would definitely make a big scene, question Shiraishi Chire, and then break up with her, right?

Or perhaps, after a painful night of thinking about it, he realizes that he still loves Shiraishi Chiren, and so he forgives her.

But now, Izumi Kurose is very calm, and you can't tell at all that he is sad or angry.

Afterwards, the two chatted casually for a while, and then the door to the Japanese-style room was opened, and a group of female retainers entered carrying dishes one after another.

After his retainers had arranged the dishes in an orderly fashion, Hirasawa Masatake smiled and said, "Izumi, these ingredients were brought from your hometown. Eat more."

"Yes, thank you, Shinbu." Kurose Izumi nodded.

The so-called ingredients brought from my hometown are actually just some river fish and wild game.

River delicacies include wild river perch, known as the "king of rivers," which are ferocious and carnivorous.

Its flesh is tender and delicious, and it is excellent whether it is made into sashimi, sushi, soup, or pan-fried.

Unfortunately, the Japanese do not like to eat steamed or boiled food.

Wild delicacies include wild boar, known as the king of the mountains, and mushrooms.

"Why are you thanking me? Eat up."

Hirasawa Shinbu smiled indifferently, picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of sashimi made from the Lord of the Rivers—that is, wild river perch, dipped it in the sauce, and ate it.

The moment you bite into a fish slice, a burst of sweetness explodes on your taste buds and flows down your throat into your lungs.

He really liked the smell.

Afterwards, Izumi Kurose also started eating, savoring the long-lost taste of home.

Midway through the meal, seemingly feeling that just eating without talking was too boring, he casually asked:

"By the way, does Tsuda know about your family situation?"

"I don't know yet, I haven't told her."

Hirasawa Shinbu shook his head and said, "It doesn't really matter, does it? It's just family background."

"Aren't you worried that she might feel any pressure? After all, it's the No. 1 conglomerate."

“What pressure? Father won’t break them up.” Hirasawa Masato chuckled. “You know what kind of person my father is.”

"Uncle Hirasawa..."

Kurose Izumi murmured, a bitter smile creeping across her face.

To be honest, before he met Hirasawa's father, he thought the man would be stern, rigid, and difficult to get along with.

Actually it is not.

Hirasawa's father was surprisingly kind and treated Hirasawa Shinbu very well.

The reason is that I know I have wronged him.

Hirasawa Mabu lost his mother at a young age, and his father was busy with conglomerate affairs and lacked care for him.

As a result, Hirasawa's father became very enthusiastic about Kurose Izumi after learning that he was his son's good friend, and even wanted to take him in as his godson!

"My father actually knows about Tsuda and me. He supports me, so don't worry."

"No... I was just saying it casually. After all, it's quite awkward to just eat and not talk."

"Yes..."

After dinner, Hirasawa Mabu had the dishes and chopsticks cleared away, then pulled Kurose Izumi into the bedroom and started playing a sister-type galga game.

"Izumi, this is one of my treasures! Although it's an older sister type, it still suits your XP, right?" Hirasawa Mabu said seriously.

On the computer in front of him was a galga called "Kisaragi Maaya's Guidance"!

"..."

Kurose Izumi stared at the screen with a black line on her face, then glanced at Hirasawa Masato, opened her mouth, and remained silent for a moment.

Actually, he felt that playing galga games with friends...

It's quite strange.

It's fine if it's for all ages, but choosing butter is just weird.

It's like wanting your brother to be your tutor?

"What? You don't like it? I quite like it." Hirasawa Shinbu said casually, completely unaware that something was amiss.

When he's unhappy, he plays games with older or younger sisters to soothe his soul.

Unfortunately, this trick doesn't work on everyone.

At least Izumi Kurose wouldn't do it.

Kurose Izumi sighed and said, "Shinbu, there's something I've always wanted to say, but I don't know how to bring it up."

"W-what?"

Hirasawa Shinbu asked, puzzled, his eyes fixed on the screen.

His hand, which was controlling the mouse, had already clicked "start"!

"Does Tsuda know you like playing this kind of game?"

Upon hearing this, Hirasawa Shinbu's initially excited expression suddenly fell.

Then, he said dejectedly, "How could I dare to say that? I still know my own limitations."

“Yeah, that’s true.” Kurose Izumi nodded in agreement. “Liking forbidden love is indeed a bit perverse.”

"Depend on……"

Upon hearing this, Hirasawa Shinbu was greatly shocked and immediately pressed ESC to close the game.

"I'm not playing anymore, I'm never playing again! I'm going to take a shower!"

He kept shouting as he walked out of the main room.

From now on, the sister genre of eroge might lose one more loyal player.

"This kid..."

Kurose Izumi watched his figure disappear behind the door of the Japanese-style room and smiled helplessly.

"Ugh……"

"And what about me, the one who speaks of Zhenwu?"

"Maybe she just figured out that I like playing galga games, which is why she told me she likes them..."

120. Nights of mutual longing

Behind a large Japanese-style room surrounded by bamboo rafts, there is a bathtub where steam rises in wisps of white mist.

Kurose Izumi soaked in the pool, resting her head against the edge, looking up at the dark night sky, and letting out a faint sigh.