My deskmate is actually my yandere reader.

Seeing this scene, Kurose Izumi couldn't help but quote a line from "The Record of Xiangji Pavilion": "There is a loquat tree in the courtyard, which my wife planted in the year she died. Now it stands tall and spreading like a canopy."

There's no particular meaning behind saying that.

The only line of poetry that came to mind was the one that could describe the towering pine tree that sheltered him.

Sitting beside her, Shiraishi Chiren said softly, "Gui Youguang's prose."

"Huh? You actually knew that?" Kurose Izumi's face showed undisguised surprise.

It would be unsurprising if this essay were known in China.

But this is Japan.

The Chinese language classes we attended mostly focused on the Three Kingdoms period and the poems of some literati; there were almost no essays like this!

"It's probably because I read a lot."

"Shiraishi, you are very knowledgeable," Kurose Izumi remarked.

Once again, he realized the gap between himself and Shiraishi Chirei.

The other person is good-looking, has the best grades in the country, is very knowledgeable, is good at games, knows computers and music...

'Damn, isn't Shiraishi actually the reincarnated protagonist with a system?'

Kurose Izumi muttered to herself, thinking to herself, how could the difference between people be so great?

"It's just a hobby." Shiraishi Chiren said calmly, without the slightest hint of pride.

Yes, but it's just ordinary.

These things are nothing to be proud of for her, because they were all too easy.

She learns things very quickly and has a better memory than most people.

The same goes for comprehension ability.

For ordinary people, learning is just learning; they consider it learning if they memorize the knowledge points.

But she was different; she not only learned what she learned, but also applied it to other situations!

"If this is a hobby, then it's truly remarkable."

"I think you—Teacher Yongheng—are even more remarkable."

"No, I can't compare to you."

"Hmph, why are we acting like idiots, comparing who's better?" Shiraishi Chiren chuckled, covering her mouth.

"Yeah, like an idiot."

Kurose Izumi laughed along, feeling a sense of relief.

After resting, the two visited the "Old Western-Style Mansion Rest House" and then enjoyed the falling cherry blossoms by a lake.

Throughout the process, they smiled and chatted occasionally, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

Unfortunately, they never held hands again.

Kurose Izumi was too embarrassed to hold his hand again, and Shiraishi Chiren didn't mention it either.

After touring Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, both of them felt a little tired.

"Let's go, go back."

"Yes, I had a lot of fun."

"Me too."

After leaving Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Izumi Kurose, not wanting to go home to cook, found a family restaurant for lunch.

Following the staff's directions, they sat down at a two-person table inside the restaurant.

This family-run restaurant offers a wide variety of cuisines, including Japanese, American, and Chinese.

Not to mention the Japanese dishes, they're just common curry, pork cutlet, and tempura.

"Mei" is fried chicken, hamburgers, and fries, like KFC.

The dishes are quite interesting, including Mapo Tofu, Golden Shrimp Balls, Chinese Cold Noodles, and Yangzhou Fried Rice.

According to the staff, their Chinese dishes are specially prepared by Chinese chefs!

"Give me a Kung Pao Chicken and Mapo Tofu, please." Kurose Izumi placed her order with great enthusiasm, her heart filled with anticipation.

He still misses the taste of his hometown, especially the chicken soup.

Not bland or indifferent.

It's the Cantonese-style braised chicken with pork tripe that tastes absolutely amazing!

"Please also give me a plate of Mapo Tofu, and a shrimp ball."

After glancing at the menu briefly, Shiraishi Chiren decided to try some Chinese dishes she hadn't tasted before.

"Okay, please wait a moment, gentlemen." The clerk noted down their order, bowed, and then gracefully took his leave.

58. They snuggled together on the tram bench.

After a while, the dishes the two ordered were delivered by a waiter pushing a food cart.

He placed the dishes in front of the two of them one by one, said "Please enjoy your meal," and then slowly took his leave.

"This...this is Mapo Tofu?!" Kurose Izumi stared in astonishment at the plate of tofu in front of her, its color so vibrant it resembled blood.

It's covered in chili oil, and the strong smell of chili hits you right in the face, pungent and making you want to cough!

"I...I'm starting."

Kurose Izumi swallowed hard, bowed, and then shakily picked up the spoon, scooped up a mouthful, and fed it to her.

"Ooh ooh ooh...!"

At that moment, he was completely ignited!

"Kuro, Kurose?!"

Upon seeing this, Shiraishi Chiren, who was sitting on the opposite side, exclaimed in surprise and quickly grabbed a glass of ice water and handed it over.

"Thank you...!"

"Kurose, your face is so red!"

"Okay, I know..."

"You can't even speak anymore?!"

After the farce, Kurose Izumi drank three glasses of ice water before the extreme spiciness was somewhat relieved.

But the spiciness comes not only from the heat, but also from the numbing sensation.

At this moment, his lips turned bright red and felt incredibly numb, as if an electric current was constantly coursing through them.

"Mapo tofu...it's amazing!" Kurose Izumi said with a hint of admiration.

Then... adhering to the principle of not wasting food, he ate a large bowl of food with tears in his eyes!

"Wow! It's on fire!"

"Kurose! This is water!"

"Wow! It's surprisingly delicious after it's been spicy!"

"Are you crazy?!"

"No...it really is quite delicious, but I can't quite describe the feeling," Kurose Izumi said, shaking her head earnestly.

Coincidentally, Shiraishi Chiren also ordered a Mapo Tofu, so, not believing in superstition, she picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful, and ate it.

At that moment, the numbing spiciness burst in my taste buds, and a wave of heat emanated from within, enveloping my entire body.

"So spicy!"

She gasped and instinctively picked up a glass of ice water, tilting her head back slightly to drink it.

With a slight rise and fall of her fair throat, a 250ml glass of ice water was quickly emptied.

Kurose Izumi stared blankly at this scene.

He wasn't surprised by Shiraishi Chiren's reaction, but rather by the fact that the cup she was drinking from was his.

Isn't this just indirect kissing?!

"Um... Shiraishi, it seems you drank my water."

Upon hearing this, Shiraishi Chiren looked down at the cup in her hand and realized it was true.

"Ah...sorry, I wasn't paying attention for a moment."

"N-nothing, I was just reminding you."

"……Um."

Shiraishi Chiren pursed her cherry lips, her fair neck blushing like a blooming flower.

Seeing this, Kurose Izumi quickly said, "N-no, don't worry about it! I don't mind at all! Really!"

Shiraishi Chiren sighed softly and said reproachfully, "Are you an idiot? This hurried way of doing things really bothers me."

"Ah, sorry, forgive me for being an idiot."

"Pfft... I never thought someone would admit to being an idiot and even apologize." Shiraishi Chiren was immediately amused.

Kurose Izumi could only scratch his head sheepishly and then laugh.

Afterwards, the two of them endured this less-than-pleasant lunch time under the torment of the spiciness of Mapo Tofu.

"I have a feeling I'm going to get an upset stomach..."

As she walked out of the family restaurant, Izumi Kurose rubbed her burning stomach and sighed.

"Let's buy some stomach medicine on the way," Shiraishi Chiren smiled. "If you get an upset stomach, I'll take care of you. This is also a way of repaying you for your kindness to me yesterday."

Kurose Izumi became embarrassed when the topic of yesterday came up.