My deskmate is actually my yandere reader.

"So you've left Jimbocho."

Suddenly, a gentle voice came to his ears, waking him from his thoughts.

Coming to her senses, Izumi Kurose looked at the bustling streets and towering buildings before her and realized that they had unknowingly arrived in Ichibancho.

"Ah...yes, are we going back? Or should we continue walking around somewhere else?"

"What about you? Do you want to leave or go back?" Shiraishi Chiren asked softly.

"Me..." Kurose Izumi scratched his head, looking somewhat troubled, "Actually, I'd rather you go back, since you're still injured."

"I……"

Just as Shiraishi Chiren was about to speak, Kurose Izumi added, "However, you seem to really want to walk around a bit more, so let's walk a little further then."

Upon hearing this, Shiraishi Chiren suddenly revealed a captivating smile.

"Hmm, as expected, Kurose is very gentle."

"..."

Kurose Izumi pretended to be deaf and dumb, and just kept walking forward without responding.

But his bright red ears, hidden beneath his black hair, gave everything away.

The two walked out of Ichibancho side by side, arrived at Chiyoda Station, walked through the underground passage, and boarded a train.

There wasn't much to see in Chiyoda, so they decided to go to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden instead.

The two sat down on the silver-white tram bench, about half a person's width apart.

"I'm feeling a little tired."

As Kurose Izumi gazed out the window at the scenery rushing past, Shiraishi Chiren's voice suddenly rang out beside her.

Then, a weight and warmth came from my shoulder, along with a seemingly weary voice:

"Can I lean against you like this for a moment?"

Kurose Izumi pursed her thin lips and remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Actually, he was very happy to be needed by Shiraishi Chiren.

No matter how long she needs to rely on it, it doesn't matter, even if it's forever.

Time ticked by, and eight minutes later, the train passed three stops and arrived in Shinjuku.

This time felt short and fleeting to both of us, leaving behind a sense of reluctance and longing.

But the tram had already arrived at the station, so I had to get off.

They got up, walked out of the carriage together, stepped onto the platform, and slowly left.

To outsiders, this scene looked just like a couple going on a date.

It only takes six or seven minutes to walk from the southeast exit of Shinjuku Station to Shinjuku Gate, the entrance to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

Along the way, tall buildings and commercial buildings stand side by side, traffic flows like a river, and pedestrians shuttle back and forth.

Because of the dense crowd, the two walked very close together, almost shoulder to shoulder.

As they moved with their steps, the backs of their hands would occasionally rub against each other, and their fingertips would sometimes touch.

But neither of them pulled their hands back, simply letting them touch each other.

Kurose Izumi pretended to be nonchalant, looking at the endless stream of cars ahead, but she was very nervous inside.

An impulse compelled him to take Shiraishi Chiren's hand.

But my subconscious rationality is reminding me not to do anything out of line, lest the relationship become awkward.

Shiraishi Chiren may not outwardly refuse, but inwardly she may be resisting this behavior.

After all, that's just the kind of person she is—gentle and considerate.

So, under these circumstances, Izumi Kurose was conflicted, unsure whether or not she could hold on to him.

And their hands, in this way, tentatively explored.

They occasionally brushed against each other's hands, and sometimes their fingers touched, but in the end they couldn't hold hands.

Shiraishi Chiren neither refused nor took the initiative; she simply walked forward silently.

And so, the two entered the garden within Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

As far as the eye can see, there are lush green forests, vast grasslands, artificial lakes, and babbling streams.

These scenes shut out the hustle and bustle, leaving only tranquility and serenity.

This oasis in the heart of the city covers approximately 58 hectares and combines Japanese, French, and English gardens, making it an ideal place for picnics and outings.

Moreover, it is also a filming location for the famous anime "The Garden of Words".

Because it was springtime and a weekend, there were many tourists.

This seems to have become an excuse—an excuse to get Kurose Izumi to hold hands with him.

He tentatively reached out and gently grasped Shiraishi Chiren's soft little hand.

"Um...it seems like there are a lot of people...it's just..."

Kurose Izumi stammered as she tried to explain her actions, but her attempts always sounded forced and awkward.

As for its lame excuse, Shiraishi Chiren simply clenched her fists slightly.

Furthermore, she proactively intertwined her fingers with Kurose Izumi's, holding his fingers together.

Then, she turned her head and, under the beautiful cherry blossoms by the lake, smiled radiantly and said:

"If you want to hold hands, you can just say so. Maybe it will be a fun experience, who knows?"

57. Strolling through Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Under a clear blue sky, with thin, drifting clouds, the sky is bright and clear.

A standard Japanese garden, with a meticulously arranged small lake, neatly arranged azalea bushes, an exquisite wooden pavilion, reeds swaying by the water, and towering buildings in the distance...

All of these scenes are now gone.

Looking at the smiling face of the girl in front of him, Kurose Izumi unconsciously tightened his grip on her soft little hand.

At that moment, he felt as if he had grasped the whole world, and he had no more needs in his heart.

"Well, let's go."

Kurose Izumi nodded, took Shiraishi Chire's hand, and strolled leisurely along the excavated stream.

Along the stream, azalea bushes on both banks are reflected in the water.

As the spring breeze blows by, the word 'peace and tranquility' arises spontaneously in each other's hearts.

Walking slowly along the winding pebble path, you soon see the reflection of green pines in the water.

The pine tree, so fresh and green, couldn't compare to the warmth and softness of the palm.

"It's so beautiful." Kurose Izumi couldn't help but sigh as she looked at the reeds swaying by the water and the pine trees along the stream.

"Hmm, going out for a walk is a great suggestion, isn't it?" Shiraishi Chiren nodded and said with a smile.

"right……"

Kurose Izumi laughed, secretly glad that she hadn't chosen to go back when she was in Ichibancho.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to hold hands with Shiraishi Chiren.

'It's truly like a dream...'

Kurose Izumi thought to herself.

However, on the other hand, will his palms sweat because he's nervous?

If her palms were really sweaty, wouldn't that leave Shiraishi Chiren with a bad experience of holding hands?

She must be like me, holding hands with someone for the first time, right?

As if sensing his nervousness, Shiraishi Chiren stopped and said softly, "Don't be nervous, your hands are trembling."

"Ah... I'm sorry, I was worried my hands might get sweaty." Kurose Izumi quickly apologized, instinctively wanting to let go of her hand.

Unexpectedly, those delicate, slightly cold hands suddenly clenched tightly, preventing him from letting go.

"No." Shiraishi Chiren shook her head slightly. "Even if I did, it wouldn't be a problem. I don't find it annoying because I get nervous too, and my palms sweat. Would you hate it if my palms sweated?"

“Of course not!” Kurose Izumi answered without hesitation.

At the same time, he felt relieved and breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling sweet and happy.

Once again, Kurose Izumi realized just how gentle and considerate Shiraishi Chire was!

Afterwards, the two walked hand in hand down the stream, passing a large pavilion.

This pavilion is built with a small bridge and flowing water, and is a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

It is said that this is a true inheritance of the Suzhou-style garden, and the Taihu stones are arranged in a very standard and charming way.

But in reality, this is a Fujian-style building called "Old Imperial Cool House".

Looking out from the "Old Ryokan", the pine trees are trimmed into the shape of parasols, and tourists sit in the shade, letting time slowly pass by.

"Shall we go and rest for a while?" Kurose Izumi suggested.

Before they knew it, they had walked quite a distance and it was time to rest.

Although she wanted to hold hands again, Shiraishi Chiren was injured and might have been forcing herself the whole way.

"okay."

So the two walked past the "Old Imperial Coolness" and came to rest under a pine tree.

Kurose Izumi looked around and saw that many tourists were lying down, so he followed suit and lay down as well.

Lying on the grass, the fragrance of the earth fills my nostrils, and the green grass caresses my face in the gentle breeze.

This period of time was peaceful and serene, as if even the sky was within reach.