My deskmate is actually my yandere reader.

She was asleep in her apartment in Jimbocho, her sleeping face peaceful and serene.

Yesterday's sorrows have been swept away today.

They all need to take a firm step towards a brand new tomorrow.

Although the relationship remains strained, it will surely be reconciled in the near future.

At that time, their relationship will become inseparable.

-

The next day was a sunny and bright Saturday.

After spending the morning in Hirasawa Prefecture, Kurose Izumi bid farewell to Hirasawa Masato and thanked him for his care over the past two days.

"Shall I have someone with a child give you a ride?"

"This……"

"There's no train station near the Imperial Palace, so it will be a bit difficult for you to get to Jimbocho."

"Alright, then I'll leave it to you."

And so, empty-handed, Izumi Kurose and her son left Hirasawa Prefecture, got into a car, and headed towards Jimbocho.

When Kurose Izumi came to Hirasawa Prefecture, she didn't bring any luggage, and all her daily necessities were prepared by them.

The car drove smoothly, and the journey from the Imperial Palace to Jimbocho took only ten minutes.

After parking the car in front of the apartment, Fengzi smiled gently and said, "Young Master, you are welcome to come and visit anytime."

"Yes, thank you for taking care of me these past two days. Goodbye." Kurose Izumi nodded and said goodbye.

He opened the car door, stepped out, and walked slowly into the apartment.

After getting on the elevator, Izumi Kurose suddenly felt uneasy.

His home bears traces of his life with Shiraishi Chire, and in the coming days, he may find himself inevitably reminded of her by the sight of familiar objects.

While Kurose Izumi was thinking about these random things, the elevator floors jumped one by one, and in the blink of an eye, it arrived at the eighth floor.

As the elevator jumped to the eighth floor, it paused for a second before the doors slowly opened to both sides.

'Have we arrived yet...?'

Kurose Izumi stopped thinking, stepped out of the elevator, and turned her head to look at her suite.

But in that instant, he froze.

In the reflected eyes, there was a woman dressed in casual clothes with her hair tied in a neat single ponytail—Shiraishi Chirei?!

She stood quietly at the door of room 888, her gaze fixed on the elevator.

The warm afternoon sunlight streamed in through the semi-transparent windows of the building, creating dappled patterns that were gentle and peaceful.

It reflected on the girl, adding a touch of warmth to her beautiful, flawless face and cool temperament.

"Welcome back, Izumi."

"From now on...we'll be neighbors, okay?"

Suddenly, Shiraishi Qianlian smiled radiantly, her heart rising with warmth like the sunlight streaming through the window.

"...Neighbor?" Kurose Izumi blinked, pondering the meaning of the word for a while before finally coming to her senses.

He remembered that the apartment next to his was indeed empty.

So, according to Shiraishi Chiren, she moved in?

—This really does have Chire Shiraishi's style.

It's always like this, defying convention, yet it keeps following him.

So, Kurose Izumi smiled helplessly and said, "Really... I'm back."

That helpless smile, in Shiraishi Chiren's eyes, was so comforting.

The worries that had been building up due to the strained relationship over the past few days were completely swept away at this moment.

Although their relationship wasn't as good as before, it wasn't a cold war where they were suffering and missing each other.

Shiraishi Chiren watched as Kurose Izumi opened the door to room 888 and said with a smile, "Izumi, if you ever want to eat my cooking, you can come over anytime, okay?"

"...I can cook for myself." After saying this, as if she was being stubborn, Kurose Izumi walked into the entryway and closed the door.

He closed his eyes, leaned against the door, and gently exhaled.

"So...they're connected again?"

Somehow, he felt at ease.

Feeling a sense of peace, Kurose Izumi gave a wry smile.

Once again, he realized that he was hopelessly in love with Shiraishi Chiren.

Even if they have a falling out and can't forgive each other, they can't bear to lose each other.

At this moment, Kurose Izumi could not understand how lonely and how much he would miss Shiraishi Chire if he really lost her.

Meanwhile, Shiraishi Chiren, who was behind the door, lost her smile and became relaxed.

She was worried about what would happen if Izumi Kurose didn't agree to be her neighbor.

"Izumi, please continue to take care of me from now on..."

128. The two returned to their daily routines as time flowed quietly by.

It's Monday, a new week.

It was mid-May, and the once cool breeze had turned hot and dry.

When Kurose Izumi opened the door to go to school in the morning, he found Shiraishi Chiren already standing at the opposite door, seemingly waiting for him.

Upon seeing him come out, Shiraishi Chiren immediately smiled and said, "Shall we go to school together, Izumi?"

“…Hmm.” Kurose Izumi was silent for a moment, then nodded gently, though a bitter feeling lingered in her heart.

What kind of situation is this?

The relationship is clearly not like that of lovers—only feelings are.

Why do you still act like lovers, going to and from school together every day and seeing each other frequently?

Did you sleep well last night?

"...I'm fine, I fell asleep normally."

"Your complexion looks much better."

Shiraishi Chiren took a closer look at Kurose Izumi and nodded with satisfaction after noticing that his complexion and dark circles had improved considerably.

Seeing this, Kurose Izumi turned her face away and whispered, "You too, your complexion... is much better."

Compared to the previous two days, Shiraishi Chiren's complexion was no longer pale and dull, but had returned to normal.

Beautiful and aloof, like the most pristine and untouched flower atop the highest peak.

"Hehe, Izumi cares about me too, I'm so happy."

"What kind of concern is that? They just noticed it."

"Then I'm very happy too."

During their conversation, the two entered the elevator and left the apartment.

They strolled through the streets of Jimbocho, with the shimmering, rippling waters of the river beside them.

"Quan, why don't you go to the Animal Research Department at noon? I made you a bento."

"...Going to the Animal Research Department is fine, but I didn't say I wanted you to make me lunchboxes."

Shiraishi Chiren smiled slyly and said, "I just want to make it. If Izumi doesn't need it, just throw it away."

She knew Kurose Izumi well and knew he was being hypocritical, so she started to act tsundere.

The reason for this phenomenon is probably that Izumi Kurose felt that she should accept his kindness even though they hadn't reconciled yet.

So cute!

There's no need to worry about these things; you can just enjoy her kindness.

Kurose Izumi glanced at Shiraishi Chizuru, whose face was breaking into a smile, and called out somewhat embarrassedly, "Don't laugh!"

"I'm sorry, but seeing Izumi's face always makes me want to smile." Shiraishi Chiren apologized, but her face was still beaming, showing no sign of stopping!

Even more so—they laughed even harder!

"You...then don't look at it!"

"So, why did you wait for me to go to school together, Qianlian? Don't wait for me anymore!"

"Don't look for me after school, let's go our separate ways!"

On the other hand, Izumi Kurose was already looking depressed, and kept saying things she didn't mean.

Shiraishi Chiren didn't listen to a word of this, her face always bearing a gentle smile.

After leaving Jimbocho, the two arrived at the station and boarded a train bound for Shinjuku.

This happened to be the peak time for going to work and school, and the tram was packed with passengers, almost crowded!

Naturally...

Kurose Izumi pinned Shiraishi Chiren against the wall!

He pursed his thin lips, lowered his head slightly, and looked at Shiraishi Chiren, who was also looking up at him, with a troubled expression, wondering why things had turned out this way.

bang-

At that moment, the tram crossed the tracks, causing a jolt that made the passengers inside sway.

Taking advantage of the situation, Shiraishi Chiren deliberately stumbled forward and fell into Kurose Izumi's arms.

This is not finished.