I, who advocate giving up, feel like a disqualified person

"What's wrong with him? I feel like you're hiding something from me." The senior student, sensing something, suddenly leaned towards me and said, "If there's anything, tell me now."

“…Nothing…Nothing…”

I had the impression that I had no interest in older women, but perhaps because the weather was too hot, my cheeks became hot due to her sudden approach.

Even though it happens many times, it's time to break the habit of blushing when meeting a pretty girl.

The intersection

"Okay, I know you're lying." She gradually stopped walking, then stood in the shade of the tree with one hand on her waist, looking at me seriously, "Tell me quickly, what happened to Haozi?"

"Hmm... well... how should I put it..." I couldn't help but look away, frantically thinking of a reason.

If I really tell everything, it will definitely make things more confusing.

"The girl that Senior likes showed up and hit him." How could he possibly say something like that?

"It's probably about...Senior Su. Yeah, that's right." I instantly thought of the person I was trying to shift the blame to. "It seems like I gave Senior something before, and then he couldn't make up his mind. He repeatedly asked to talk to me, so I came out reluctantly."

"Is that so..." She seemed to believe what I said, her frown beginning to relax, and she resumed her usual gait. "What you asked me to do must be very important... But Haozi didn't even consult me. It seems he really wants you to take over the drama club."

"Probably." I seemed to have caused myself some trouble.

"So, have you decided to join the drama club?"

"Hmm... I'm having a hard time too, hahaha..." I waved my hand slightly, "It's better to just stay at this kind of bystander position for now."

"Hmm... Although it's a little hard to understand, I won't force you. Whatever you decide is your own business." She reached out and tapped my head gently. "Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's go find him quickly."

Chapter 16 [Memories] The Intersection

Beyond the mathematical concept, the intersection generally refers to the connections between people. The degree of connection forms the so-called relationship... The quality of a relationship can determine the outcome of certain events, influencing one or more events, and even affecting subsequent developments.

This kind of experience can be understood in some games, and elaborating on it would seem long-winded... However, probably no one will be able to understand my random thoughts at this moment.

In short, the relationships I've built so far have generally been based on my own needs. Whether it's the people who solve my problems or the ones who ask for my help for various silly reasons, they're all people I can exploit. Every place has its own rules, and those rules must be followed no matter what.

It's just that the so-called rules, which seem ridiculous and not that important to me...are even more shaken.

"Hey, please move aside."

When they surrounded her again, I didn't stand idly by like I did last time, but took the initiative to separate the crowd.

"Akane...?" "What's going on..." "What? You want to come too?" "Hey..."

I walked past those guys and grabbed the wrist of the bewildered Li Yinghui.

Was she scared? Before she realized I was there, her body was trembling slightly. This meant that what she had experienced that day was not as easy as that guy said.

That's right... How could anyone not be able to distinguish between good and bad in what they've done? And when describing it, it's natural to portray it in a milder light.

"Hmm..." "What's going on..."

My action puzzled the people behind me.

They seemed to have automatically assumed that I was in the same position as them and should do the same thing as them... However, I never understood where I stood.

And what will be the consequences of doing this... I don't know, but since I have already taken the first step, I can't give up easily.

"Well, I'm sorry. I happened to have something to do with her today, so..." I looked at them, "I'm sorry to spoil everyone's fun today."

"...Uh..." "Really?" "Hey, Akane, did you take the wrong medicine?" "Yeah, I feel weird..."

"Do you have any opinions about what I said?"

I wasn't sure what expression I had on my face at the time, but from the look in their eyes, I seemed... a little scary, and the classroom suddenly fell silent.

This is understandable. Among them, I have many more connections that I can use than they do, and it is impossible for anyone to openly oppose my opinions.

"Then please make way."

After a slight hesitation, they gradually moved aside, making way for Li Yinghui and me.

"...Let's go."

I didn't look back at her, but I could feel that she followed me obediently, and the trembling in her body had disappeared at some point.

"Who are you..." she asked me coldly as I passed one of them, but was interrupted by someone beside her, "Alright, stop asking."

.....................

My pace quickened, and my grip on her wrist tightened accordingly. This was the first time I'd walked with anyone else in this slightly dim corridor after school.

I always feel very happy.

Although I don't know whether they will stop here, I have made my position clear...it will definitely change, and my future life...will be changed because of the person I am with now.

"ah..."

It seemed that she was going down the stairs too fast and Li Yinghui behind her could not keep up. Before she noticed, the hand that was holding her wrist suddenly loosened because of her brief pause.

When I realized it, my right hand, which was still hanging in the air, was gently lifted up again.

That was, from her active contact.

Having never experienced this before, I couldn't help but look at her.

She smiled at me, the sunlight shining through the stairwell window on her body, so holy.

"Can you... run a little slower?"

While feeling the tenderness from her palm, I also felt a slight pull.

"...certainly."

Other than that, I don't know what to say.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Um...I'll go that way."

After leaving the school gate, I pointed to the right and wanted to leave as quickly as possible because I felt inexplicably shy inside, and I had no idea how to get along with someone like her. So after calming down, I subconsciously wanted to escape from her.

"Well, wait a minute..."

She didn't let go of his hand, even though the school gate was different from the corridor and many people would pass by.

"Wha...what's going on..."

"Thank you for helping me." As she said this, her hands clenched slightly, "I thought no one was willing to help me..."

"It's okay, it's okay...I've been fed up with them for a long time anyway." I tried to act relaxed. "No need to thank me so much."

"How can I do that... You're risking your life to help me, aren't you? They're terrifying, after all... If what happened today causes you to suffer the same fate as me... I'd be incredibly sorry."

So she thought I was a normal student...

"Hmm... well... actually if we talk to them properly, it probably won't be a problem."

If you can communicate well, then communicate. If not... of course it depends on the situation.

"That's so embarrassing. Well, it's not worth mentioning, but I'd still like to invite you to my house for dinner...or something." She gradually leaned towards me. "I hope you'll agree. This is the only way I can repay you."

"Repay... repay... that's too harsh~" Now I don't know what expression to make.

"If Akane-san were retaliated against for this, I would definitely feel bad... I might even regret it."

"...I volunteered to help you, so..."

"Then, I'm treating you to a meal from the bottom of my heart."

"Um...we've only communicated a few times..." Although I tried my best to keep a distance, it was just a convention...well...a reserved attitude that wasn't quite a convention.

"But you helped me, so that means we're already on good terms...right?"

"Hmm...how does that make sense?" It makes absolutely no sense.

"In short, if you don't agree, I won't let you go." As she said this, the strength of her grip on my hand seemed to increase again.

"...Don't do this...it's a bit embarrassing..." I said to her with a little helplessness.

"This...isn't this all your fault?" She seemed to realize this after I reminded her. "So...so, if you don't want to embarrass yourself any further, just agree to it."

"...Well, I'll go, alright."

.....................

Anyway...for some reason, I followed Li Yinghui to her community.

The neighborhood where she lives is not as nice as the apartment I rent, and all the facilities look a bit old, but that's what makes people feel warm... Oh, maybe it's not that way in the eyes of others, but I just have boring associations because I lack something.

It was only when I followed Li Yinghui into the empty room that I realized why I had vaguely felt that she gave me a sense of déjà vu.

"Do you live alone too?" When I asked this question, I realized that I had inadvertently exposed my current living situation.

"No, it's just that Mom will be working late." She put her schoolbag on the sofa and said, "Well, I'll go prepare dinner."

"Um... do you want my help... or something?"

In fact, I can't cook at all. When I live on my own, I have to rely on takeout to solve the problem of meals. The reason I asked if I could help was just out of courtesy.

"No need... I can do it by myself. I might not have enough food, but I'll just ask what you like to eat."

"I'm not picky about food..."

Actually, she doesn't like onions, but as a girl, she probably wouldn't like them either.

"Wait a moment then," she said, humming a tune as she put on her apron. She seemed a bit excited... maybe it was because of my arrival? Thinking of that, I felt a little happy.

"...You really don't need my help?"

Realizing that sitting on the sofa doing nothing wasn't a good idea, he followed her to the kitchen.

"No need, I'm used to it." She said as she chopped the ingredients skillfully. After tying her hair up, she looked even more quiet.

"...Speaking of which, I saw a lot of trophies on the cabinet in the living room. Are they yours?"

In order to avoid making the conversation between us too awkward, I tried my best to find topics to talk about.

"No... that belongs to my father, he's an outdoor photographer."

She seemed stunned for a moment when she answered me.

"Ah, is your dad also busy with work? You're the only one at home."

"...Well...he's always been busy." The knife's contact with the cutting board seemed to gradually decrease. As if reminiscing, she spoke of her father, "traveling to capture the scenery as others see it, discovering rare sights with his own eyes."

"Ohhh, that feels good."

After a little thought, I feel that this kind of work is quite pleasant.

"Yeah, I think so too." Suddenly, the sound of a gas stove lighting up rang in her ears, but it couldn't mask the melancholy in her words. "I hope... he can continue to discover beautiful scenery."

Subtly synchronized conversation

"Well, let's not talk about this anymore." Before I could ask her if anything was wrong, she took the initiative to change the subject. "Even though the range hood is on, it's still a bit choking. It's better for Akane to go out."

"Ah...but...well, okay."

After thinking about it, I felt that there seemed to be no reason for me to stay in the kitchen. After all, I couldn't help at all and would only be in the way.

"Oh, by the way, Akane hasn't contacted your family yet, right? If you don't have your phone with you, you can use mine." After pouring oil into the pot, she quickly handed me the phone in her pocket.

"Uh..." I don't actually need to contact anyone, because no one cares about my current whereabouts, but... for some reason, I don't want others to know.

"Don't you need it?" She looked at me strangely. "My parents will be worried, so it's better to contact them."

"Oh...thank you...thank you." I took her phone and slowly walked out of the kitchen.

Call...If I really call, will anyone answer? Well, since it's a stranger calling, everyone should answer it.

But what is most important is what to say. I haven't been in contact with them for a long time and I don't know what to say to them.

Well, forget it. Since they already have their own lives, why bother disturbing them?

Behind me came the sound of ingredients being put into the pot.