My deskmate is actually my yandere reader.

"I've decided, I'll book an appointment with the staff of that apartment building tonight to view the apartment tomorrow!"

"Is this okay? The prices there look really expensive."

"Several hundred thousand yen a month is acceptable."

Izumi Kurose's ideal price is under 300,000 yen; anything above that would require some consideration.

"That's true. After all, Kurose-san is a very popular author. Her books must have sold a million copies, right?"

"I don't know. I haven't contacted the editor in a long time. I only contact them once a year before the manuscript is published."

Originally, Izumi Kurose planned to send the final volume to the editor the day after completing the ending.

But when he was suddenly imprisoned by [Kuchiki Touko], all his plans were thrown into chaos.

He's still debating whether to release the original version or the modified ending.

"Kurose-kun, I support you, no matter what the ending is."

"Yes, thank you."

As dusk fell, the two walked home, their silhouettes, illuminated by the setting sun, sometimes merging together and sometimes separating.

On the return trip, the tram was packed with students and workers leaving get off work during rush hour.

Kurose Izumi and Shiraishi Chiren had no choice but to squeeze together, each holding onto a handrail.

As the tram swayed, their bodies swayed as well, especially since the tram was very crowded!

bang-

As a violent shaking began, Kurose Izumi instinctively placed her body in front of Shiraishi Chire to shield her from the throng.

And so, they naturally ended up in a "wall slam" situation.

Kurose Izumi lowered her head slightly, looking down at Shiraishi Chire, her throat bobbing as she swallowed hard.

After all, they are now very close, and physical contact is inevitable.

Shiraishi Chiren seemed completely unconcerned, slightly raising her head to look up at Kurose Izumi.

Her gaze was cool and clear, yet unlike before, it was not as still and calm as an ancient lake.

Shiraishi Chiren's eyes were darting around, and her cherry lips were slightly pursed—this was the first time Kurose Izumi had ever seen Shiraishi Chiren like this.

How should I put it? It has an indescribable allure.

That fair and delicate face made one want to touch it and kiss it.

Her slightly pursed, cherry-pink lips were incredibly alluring.

It's like jelly, making you want to try it.

Especially her clear and cool eyes made Kurose Izumi's heart race and her face turn red.

He felt his body temperature rising, his consciousness gradually dissolving and disintegrating, until he could no longer think.

Just then, the tram suddenly clattered again, causing a jolt.

Shiraishi Chiren, who was standing in front of Kurose Izumi, couldn't help but fall forward and bump into his arms.

"……Feel sorry."

She nestled in Kurose Izumi's arms, remained silent for a while, and then whispered an apology.

Kurose Izumi lowered her head and could only see strands of black hair flowing like a waterfall; she couldn't see Shiraishi Chiren's face.

He pursed his thin lips: "It's okay, just leave it like this, don't fall."

My heart seems to be beating a little fast...

'His heart is beating so fast, he must be very nervous.'

The two of them had the same thought at the same time.

Kurose Izumi gripped the handrail, tilted her head back, and avoided looking at Shiraishi Chiren in her arms, lest she become even more nervous.

Meanwhile, Shiraishi Chiren, who was in his arms, reached out and gently grasped the front of his shirt, as if seeking a point of support.

Her warm breath, penetrating through Kurose Izumi's clothes, entered his chest, causing his hand gripping the armrest to tremble slightly.

Even though it's just a train ride that only takes seven minutes, it feels like an eternity—for Izumi Kurose.

When the tram announces that passengers have arrived at their stop, Shiraishi Chiren feels that time flies by.

The tram doors opened, and passengers disembarked one after another.

Shiraishi Chiren also released her hand at the right time, her soft, snow-white face flushed with a faint blush, her cherry lips pressed tightly together.

Seeing this, Kurose Izumi apologized in a low voice. "...I'm sorry for making you suffer like this."

"It's alright, there's nothing we can do about it. Kurose-san, you don't need to apologize. I'm the one who should apologize."

Shiraishi Chiren shook her head slightly, then said, "I'm sorry, there's really nowhere else to stand, so I had to grab you."

"...Yeah, it's nothing."

After apologizing to each other, the two got off the tram and started their journey home.

Midway through their journey, they stopped at the Kurose Izumi residence in Tsurumaki-cho to retrieve two sets of clothes before returning to Shiraishi Chire's home.

After arriving home, Shiraishi Chiren asked Kurose Izumi to sit and rest for a while while she went to make dinner.

"Wait! Let me do it!" Kurose Izumi called out to her.

Shiraishi Chiren stopped in her tracks, turned her head, and asked, "Can you cook?"

"I know a few simple things, like miso soup and fried chicken."

Kurose Izumi lives alone, yet her refrigerator contains food, which means she must have cooked before.

It's just that it doesn't happen very often.

As for the skill... it's so-so, but at least it won't kill anyone.

"Then I'll leave tonight to you?"

Shiraishi Chiren thought that trying Kurose Izumi's cooking would be quite nice, so she agreed.

"Yeah, don't worry, I'll definitely be fine!"

Kurose Izumi stood up, patted his chest forcefully, and looked like he was saying, "Leave it all to me!"

He then opened the refrigerator, selected some ingredients, and went into the kitchen.

Shiraishi Chiren watched his retreating figure, a slight smile playing on her lips, a hint of anticipation rising in her heart.

Perfect timing! I'll take this opportunity to compile a few more messages and send them to Kurose Izumi on a schedule...

32. Shiraishi Chiren cannot lose him (Please continue reading)

It was 7:30 p.m., dinner time at Shiraishi Chire's house.

Kurose Izumi placed a plate of fried chicken, a dish of vegetable salad, two bowls of miso soup, and two bowls of rice on the table.

Then, in an uncertain tone, he said, "Please try it. I think the taste is... alright, isn't it?"

"Okay, I'm starting."

Shiraishi Senren nodded slightly, picked up her chopsticks, clasped her hands together, and bowed.

Under Izumi Kurose's tense gaze, she picked up a piece of fried chicken, slightly parted her cherry lips, and took a small bite.

Click.

With a crisp crack, a small bite of tender white chicken, accompanied by juicy meat juices, is taken.

"Hmm...it feels pretty good." After chewing slowly for a few moments, Shiraishi Chiren swallowed it and nodded in affirmation.

"Ha~~~"

Only then did Kurose Izumi breathe a sigh of relief, and the weight lifted from her shoulders.

"As long as it suits your taste."

Originally, he was wondering what to do if it didn't suit Shiraishi Chirei's taste.

Wouldn't that be incredibly awkward?

He volunteered to cook dinner, but after working hard for a long time, he made a complete mess of it.

"You should eat too."

"Okay, then I'll start eating too."

Relieved, Izumi Kurose smiled, picked up the soup bowl, and drank the miso soup.

The taste was alright, not too salty or bland—at least that's how he thought it was.

However, he prefers salty food, while Shiraishi Chiren prefers sweet food.

So while he was happily eating, he didn't notice the slight furrow in Shiraishi Chiren's brow.

She forced herself to endure the saltiness and ate her soup and rice alternately.

Halfway through the meal, feeling that the silence was getting out of hand, Kurose Izumi seemed to have thought of something and asked:

"By the way, Shiraishi-kun, it might be a bit late to ask now, but do you live alone and come from out of town to study?"

He thought that Shiraishi Chiren must be from outside Tokyo, just like him, studying there.

In reality, accidents are rare...

“No, my parents are divorced, and my mother and I are separated,” Shiraishi Chiren said calmly.

The way she acted made it seem like this was something insignificant to her.

"Uh……"

Upon hearing this, Kurose Izumi paused for a moment before saying apologetically, "I'm sorry, I asked about something unpleasant."

"It's alright, it's all in the past."

Shiraishi Chiren shook her head slightly, eating her food bite by bite, her expression calm and serene.