The comments section all think I'm a really good person.

But she didn't see anything wrong.

Whether it's the presence of Kita Kirihara, the more cheerful micro-expressions of the senior than before, or the unapproachable atmosphere between the two, it's all real.

It is for this reason.

Kobayashi Ryo felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on her chest, her emotions a complex mix of feelings.

She lowered her head and peeled off another piece of hamburger patty.

...but it was really delicious.

9. Even I get scared.

After finishing lunch, Kita Kirihara was about to wash the dishes when Kobayashi Ryo, who had come to visit, eagerly squeezed in, saying he would help out a little.

Actually, I just wanted to talk to myself.

Kita Kirihara immediately noticed Kobayashi Ryo's hesitation.

Ryo Kobayashi is the type of person who is completely unremarkable at first glance.

She wore an outdated and somewhat ill-fitting work uniform, bulky glasses that weren't exactly stylish, and a simple trench coat. Her long, light blue hair was styled in a ponytail, revealing her shiny forehead.

Anyone who didn't know her would think she was just an ordinary office worker.

But actually, her facial features are quite beautiful, especially her round almond-shaped eyes, which give her a charming and delicate look. Her hair is also so good that even Kita Kirihara, whose hair is always tangled, would be envious.

However, Kobayashi Ryo is not very confident.

Despite being a near-first-class hero, he lacks any distinct personality.

This is the conclusion Kita Kirihara drew from the details of the other party.

From the moment he entered, his gaze was quite uneasy as he constantly looked around, frequently seeking opportunities to examine himself, as if he were using his observational abilities.

Being overly reserved and speaking softly indicates an introverted personality.

The look in his eyes as he gazed at Saki was filled with a fervent emotion called "longing," but if he were to appear at the same time as Saki, his emotions would become quite complicated.

She must be a fan of Saki.

Kita Kirihara seemed to be deep in thought.

"Um..." While helping to tidy up the kitchen, Kobayashi Ryo tentatively struck up a conversation with Kitakiri Hara, "Miss Kitakiri."

[Here it comes! My favorite part: the conversation with the love rival!]

Did Ms. Kobayashi just rush in like that?

I'm starting to feel sorry for Ms. Kobayashi.

Actually, Ms. Kobayashi might not necessarily like him; it feels more like she sees Chief Koizumi as a source of emotional support and wants to help him.

The previous comment is correct; more than liking, what I feel for Liang is longing.

"Hmm?" Kita Kirihara turned his head, blinked, and waited quietly for Kobayashi Ryo to continue.

Kobayashi Ryo's mind was a jumbled mess, unsure of what to say. Looking into Kita Kirihara's quietly waiting eyes, her thoughts raced through her mind, but she could only manage to stammer, "The hamburger patties today... were really delicious. How did you make them?"

"I used a little trick. If you want to know, I can teach you next time you come." Kita Kirihara's voice was slightly muffled by the sound of running water while washing dishes, but his friendly tone was still clearly conveyed.

Miss Kitagi is a very gentle person; she has completely accepted herself.

Just as Kita Kirihara perceived Kobayashi Ryo's personality from various details, Kobayashi Ryo was also able to deduce Kita Kirihara's kindness towards her.

“…Thank you.” Kobayashi Ryo was unable to cope with Kita Kirihara’s kindness. At this moment, she felt a slight irritation rising from within her.

The other party accepted my presence so generously, while I was the one feeling anxious and insecure... wasn't that a bit pathetic?

“I’m the one who should be thanking you,” Kita Kirihara replied, softening his voice. “I’ve been away for too long. Your help in taking care of Saki has been a huge help.”

[Damn, that's really something!]

[A rare glimpse into A Yuan's low emotional intelligence]

Is this a protest? Absolutely!

Please don't hurt Ms. Kobayashi, waaaaaah!

Upon hearing this, Kobayashi Ryo felt a surge of inexplicable melancholy, but more than that, she felt a sense of unfamiliarity.

It was like the joy of being acknowledged.

“…Miss Kitakiri, I…” She wanted to say something, but under Kitakiri Hara’s gaze, she began to back down again.

Kita Kirihara's eyes showed no trace of jealousy, nor any of the negative emotions that Kobayashi Ryo had anticipated.

She was truly grateful, gazing at herself.

Such open and honest feelings made Kobayashi Ryo's impulsive words linger on his lips before he swallowed them back.

She waited for Kita Kirihara's words.

"I myself haven't fully figured out the situation yet..." Kita Kirihara lowered his eyes, his butterfly-like white eyelashes trembling slightly, a bitter smile on his lips, "Suddenly I've arrived seven years in the future, and so many changes have happened around me..."

The large white dog, unusually, hung its head and drooped its ears, showing its unease.

"When I realized that it was seven years later, my first reaction was actually fear."

"Huh? But I can't tell at all..." Kobayashi Ryo was quite surprised. This person seemed to have adapted to the current environment.

"I haven't been by Saki's side for so long, has she been eating properly, going to the hospital for regular check-ups, and exercising every day?" Kita Kirihara washed the last plate, put it away, and dried his hands.

Her voice trailed off, becoming quite dejected: "Have I missed out on a lot of things?"

"..." Kobayashi Ryo carefully observed the other person's expression, lest the child suddenly burst into tears.

That's true. No matter how mature he is, he's still just a child who hasn't reached adulthood yet.

Kobayashi Ryo realized this.

"The world and everything else have changed so much. I've hardly seen any of the products in the convenience store downstairs, and my cat, Taro, has been buried in a corner of the park, which was recently renovated."

"It's like being abandoned by the world in a corner... That's a bit of a sentimental statement, but that's definitely how it feels."

Kita Kirihara rubbed the tip of his nose, somewhat embarrassed, his ear tips turning slightly red.

"Although I do feel resentful for not being able to be by Saki's side all these years, I have to say that I was relieved to know that many people were taking care of her..."

"Thank you, Miss Kobayashi." Kitakirihara was still smiling, but there was a hint of melancholy in his eyes.

Faced with Kita Kirihara's gratitude, Kobayashi Ryo was quite flustered: "Well, I should say that my senior helped me a lot, and it's an honor to be able to help her..."

Wow, that's so unfair... saying it so directly... it makes it impossible for me to feel even a little bit jealous...

Kobayashi Ryo was extremely flustered. Her mind raced, but she couldn't find the right way to answer. She just stared blankly at Kita Kirihara's gaze, then fell into a complete daze.

There was absolutely no way to feel hostility towards this child.

Rather, looking at Kita Kirihara's composed expression, Kobayashi Ryo felt that his thoughts were somewhat despicable.

[Ah Yuan...I guess he's feeling uneasy too.]

[Waaaaah, my A-Yuan]

Even when facing someone whose stance is dangerous, you can still speak your mind honestly. Kita Kirihara, you are so strong.

【You're right, you're absolutely right!】

This is the first move.

Both her eyes and her heart are so clear.

Having gained the upper hand fair and square, Kita Kirihara chuckled inwardly as he looked at Kobayashi Ryo, who was now mired in self-doubt: Heh.

I'm sorry, Miss Kobayashi, but I can't let you have any inappropriate thoughts.

Of course, rivals in love should be nipped in the bud.

10. He ran away, and was then approached by a high school girl.

After having a meal hosted by Kita Kirihara, Ms. Kobayashi Ryo left in a daze, her feet barely touching the ground.

Watching the figure with the light blue ponytail disappear sadly from sight, Kita Kirihara finally turned his attention away from the balcony. At the same time, he hung the washed clothes one by one on the clothesline to dry, his movements so practiced and his humming so cheerful, as if he were enjoying himself.

During the inspection of the territory, Kita Kirihara checked the house, including Saki's and his own wardrobe. He found that his things had basically not been touched, with only signs of regular cleaning.

Almost none of Koizumi Saki's clothes were familiar to anyone.

It wasn't just because the other person's figure had grown amazingly, but also because Koizumi Saki wasn't very good at housework, and she often got dirty during hero activities, so she would accumulate a lot of torn and dirty clothes if she wasn't careful.

Having already accumulated some savings, Saki was too lazy to deal with it, so she would simply run the washing machine regularly, but it wouldn't clean properly, and she wouldn't throw away the dirty clothes that she hadn't cleaned herself.

The same goes for torn clothes.

Kita Kirihara, who was always frugal, couldn't help but facepalm when he heard about Koizumi Saki's actions.

It's her fault.

Kita Kirihara had always been in charge of Saki's daily life, and his meticulous care caused Koizumi Saki to lose basic life skills.

Although Koizumi Saki's bank account balance was enough for her to not have to do housework, Kita Kirihara still couldn't stand it and decided to take on the household chores himself.

That's such a waste; Saki often seems to be wasting her time.

However, when it comes to daily life...

"Saki, has Miss Kobayashi been taking care of you all along?" Kitagiri Hara finally asked Koizumi Saki the question that had been bothering him.

The latter was comfortably nestled on the sofa eating the cupcakes that Ryoko Kobayashi had brought when she arrived. Upon hearing this, she immediately sat up straight, put down her cake fork, and solemnly declared, "I did ask Ryoko for a lot of favors, but..."

The vigilant chief hero saw Kita Kirihara point to the corner of his mouth, and subconsciously raised his hand to wipe it, only to find a piece of cream stuck to the corner of his mouth.

She coughed twice, trying to appear serious, but she felt completely unable to maintain a composed image in front of A-Yuan: "...But she and I are just friends."

"Hey, I thought she liked you." Kitakirihara smiled, as if nothing had happened. "I guess I was overthinking it."

“You’re being too sensitive,” Saki Koizumi said. “It’s always been like this.”

Perhaps due to his childhood experiences, Kita Kirihara has always had a strong possessive nature.

After traversing seven years, I felt even less secure.

Even the slow-witted Koizumi Saki understood from her many years of interaction with Kita Kirihara that she had to fully state her position in such situations.