My deskmate is actually my yandere reader.

If she were to let him wallow in sadness and instead go off to Jimbocho to look at apartments and move, living a comfortable life without a care in the world—Izumi Kurose couldn't do it.

"Why?" Shiraishi Chiren tilted her head slightly, looking puzzled.

She was caught off guard by the sudden change, and at the same time, she was thinking of a solution.

"That kid Zhenwu... never mind, it's nothing, let's leave it at that for now."

Kurose Izumi stopped midway through her speech, realizing it wasn't appropriate to reveal someone else's private affairs without permission, and changed her mind.

After saying that, he walked towards Hirasawa Shinbu.

Shiraishi Chiren watched the two of them talk, her expression thoughtful.

It seems that something happened to Hirasawa Masato, and Kurose Izumi is going to comfort him.

If that's the case, then there's no need to worry; at most, the plan will just be delayed a bit.

She felt relieved for the time being and chose not to leave, intending to wait and see how things would develop.

On the other side, Kurose Izumi patted Hirasawa Shinbu on the shoulder, who looked dazed, and said, "Shinbu, are you alright? Why don't you ask the club for leave, and I'll take you somewhere to have some fun?"

Hirasawa Shinbu stiffly raised his head, looked at Kurose Izumi's slightly worried face, and remained silent for a long time.

After a long while, he shook his head: "...Forget it, Quan, I'm going back."

After saying that, he picked up his schoolbag and walked dejectedly toward the classroom door.

"Hey, you little brat, wait a minute!"

Kurose Izumi immediately caught up, hooked her arm around Hirasawa Shinbu's shoulder, and said, "Alright, stop looking like a defeated dog. What's wrong? Shall we go to karaoke? Or somewhere to vent?"

"Never mind, Izumi, thank you for your concern. I just want to be alone right now, is that alright?" Hirasawa Mabu said in a low voice.

"...Then shall I take you back? I'm worried about leaving you like this."

"I'm not a child anymore, what's there to worry about?"

"Can……"

Hirasawa Mabu suddenly stopped, turned his head, and looked at Kurose Izumi with a gloomy gaze, saying, "Izumi, can you let me go back alone?"

Faced with such a gaze and expression, Izumi Kurose could not refuse.

He released his grip and watched Hirasawa Shinbu walk away like a walking corpse until he disappeared from sight.

Perhaps it's better to leave Hirasawa Masato alone.

He didn't want his best friend to see him in a humiliating way.

Kurose Izumi didn't know what to say about this, and she couldn't empathize with Hirasawa Masato, so she could only offer her sympathy.

He has never experienced a breakup in the blink of an eye, nor has he ever fallen in love with anyone.

As for Shiraishi Chire... she's at most a little concerned, but not to the point of liking her.

After all, she is "White Bellflower" and has helped him and treated him gently many times, so it's normal for him to care.

As for liking...

If we continue to get along like this, everything will fall into place naturally, right?

Will I, like Hirasawa Masato, vanish like snow meeting the sun when my relationship is exposed?

After all, Shiraishi Chiren is a lonely and strong person; she doesn't need anyone.

The feelings she had for him—Kurose Izumi—were nothing more than admiration.

Perhaps it was all just wishful thinking on his part.

Thinking of this, Izumi Kurose smiled for some reason—but it was a bitter smile.

He realized that he could understand Hirasawa Shinbu's feelings a little better.

There's nothing we can do about it; after all, Shiraishi Chire is "White Kikyo," and she's so gentle, beautiful, cute, and full of charm.

Everyone who gets close to her will naturally come to like her.

"Shall we go to Jimbocho to look at apartments now?"

Suddenly, Kurose Izumi heard Shiraishi Chiren's clear, melodious voice, as gentle and beautiful as a mountain oriole, behind her.

Carrying her schoolbag, she slowly walked to Kurose Izumi's side and then said, "Or... should we chase after them?"

"Forget it, let him have some peace and quiet."

Kurose Izumi sighed softly, looked away, and went to the shoe locker with Shiraishi Chiren to change their shoes before leaving the school.

Since Hirasawa Shinbu wanted to be alone, he could only respect his wishes.

Arriving at Shinjuku Station and boarding the crowded train, Izumi Kurose was more silent than usual, her face filled with worries.

On one hand, it was out of sympathy for his brother, and on the other hand, it was because of "Kushiki Touko".

Even now, she continues to send messages that sound like threats.

This made Kurose Izumi feel depressed and uncomfortable all over.

Previously, he would occasionally look back to see if "Kushiki Touko" was following him, but now he no longer bothers to do so.

No matter how you look at it, you can't find any trace of "Kushiki Touko".

She's like a leech, impossible to erase, always lurking in the shadows, making people constantly on their toes!

Recently, Izumi Kurose's impression of "Touko Kuchiki" has been completely changed and shattered.

Despite her gentleness and thoughtfulness, she couldn't hide her twisted, morbid, and paranoid mentality.

She simply felt safe and secure in her gentle embrace because she hadn't been abused or threatened.

When all pretense is removed and the facade is torn off, the disgusting ugliness is revealed.

Just like what Izumi Kurose described as a pure and flawless flower in "The Abyss of Youth".

"That pure white flower, when it sprouted and budded, appeared delicate and dazzling, making it all the more endearing."

"But no one would have imagined that its blooming appearance would be so ugly and illusory."

Kurose Izumi would never know that the pure white flower she described was the "white bellflower"—"Shiraishi Chiren"—"Kuchiki Fuyuko"!

—The tram roared and whizzed across the tracks, passing three stations, and arrived at Chiyoda Station.

After the arrival announcement came on the train, the two got off and walked slowly towards Kanda Jimbocho.

Today is Thursday. If everything goes smoothly, we can sign the contract and have the apartment staff contact the property management to help with the move.

In that case, tonight will be the last night I live with Shiraishi Chiren.

For some reason, Izumi Kurose felt uneasy about this, with a premonition that something was about to happen.

But he was powerless and unable to cope.

Because moving is already a fait accompli.

He can't possibly live with Shiraishi Chiren forever, can he?

We've already caused her enough trouble; it would be unreasonable for her to stay here indefinitely.

Walking along the riverbank, Shiraishi Chiren suddenly stopped, turned her head to look at the shimmering water, and whispered:

"Tonight might be the last day."

39. Their lives are now inextricably intertwined.

"……Um."

Kurose Izumi nodded slightly, stopped walking, and gazed at the river view with Shiraishi Chiren.

"Kurose-kun, I'm actually worried about you living alone, after all..."

As Shiraishi Chiren was speaking, Kurose Izumi suddenly interrupted her: "You should be more worried about yourself than me, Shiraishi-san."

Although "Kushiki Touko's" target is him, she still needs him.

But Shiraishi Chire is different.

Fuyuko Kuchiki harbored only resentment towards her and wanted revenge.

Several of the messages I receive each day are directed at Shiraishi Chirei.

Therefore, he hesitated about the upcoming separation.

"I'm not afraid." Shiraishi Chiren turned her head to look at Kurose Izumi's profile, her tone firm.

Kurose Izumi pursed her thin lips, remained silent for a moment, then looked up and sighed softly, saying, "...I'm afraid. You don't know how dangerous 'Kuchiki Touko' is."

"I have the ability to protect myself, I've been doing it since I was little..."

Kurose Izumi turned her head again and interrupted her with a smile: "Alright, Shiraishi-san, you are still a girl and need someone to protect you."

"So, after I move, please keep in touch with me every day, or I might come looking for you at your house!"

"Haha... Am I being a bit presumptuous by saying this? We don't seem to be that close."

In the end, he touched his nose embarrassedly and lowered his head.

Shiraishi Chiren stared at Kurose Izumi's sharply defined profile, her eyes widening slightly in surprise.

After a long pause, her gaze softened, and her tone changed: "...No, that's not true. You are an author I admire, and also...my friend."

Now it was Kurose Izumi's turn to be stunned.

He stared in astonishment at Shiraishi Chiren's smiling face, unable to respond for a moment.

"Let's go."

At this moment, Shiraishi Chiren smiled and withdrew her hand from the stone railing, gathered up her hair that had been disheveled by the spring breeze, and carefully tucked it behind her ears.

Then, I turned around and walked ahead, strolling slowly along the street lined with pink cherry blossoms.

Her steps were light and slow, and strands of her hair, tinged with pale orange, swayed and floated in the breeze.

Under the gentle twilight, Shiraishi Chiren was bathed in halos of light, so beautiful that she seemed out of place in the world.

Kurose Izumi followed quietly behind her, looking at her straight back and slender figure, his feelings were somewhat complicated.