Comics, daily stories

He swallowed the food in his mouth: "Mai-senpai is so interested in my private life. She's already said seven sentences since we started eating."

Mai Sakurajima picked up her water glass to cool off the spiciness. She shook her head and said, "I can't help it. When I see a certain scumbag, some words just automatically slip out."

Nomiyama exclaimed, "I see. As expected of Mai-senpai, her beautiful lips can utter such beautiful words."

Mai Sakurajima put down her chopsticks, looked at him with disdain, and opened her mouth to speak.

"Hey, Kazehaya, who are you talking to?"

Nomiyama turned his head to look at the puzzled Miyabi. Some energy was flowing around her. So, Miyabi's acting skills at the first meeting were really good. Even though her eyes were red from crying, she still pretended that she couldn't jump over the wall and then rushed into his arms.

However, this kind of thing doesn't matter; as long as she's happy.

Nomiyama simply and easily uttered the most effective line so far.

"I like Mai Sakurajima."

Yukino Shinobu's hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly. Her eyes turned cold, and within that coldness, a suppressed feeling surged like a tide, appearing in this space in the blink of an eye.

Mai Sakurajima?

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Kiss 211

What's wrong with this person?

Mai Sakurajima watched as the woman paused only slightly before turning her head to look at her, and subconsciously slowed her breathing.

Wow, that was fast! It felt like she remembered things even faster than Yukino. What's this? Is she really that obsessed with her junior?

Her hands unconsciously tightened, and Sakurajima Mai tried to calm her breathing and meet her gaze.

This person is dangerous. The look in his eyes could easily make someone want to turn him into a concrete pile and sink him into Tokyo Bay.

Nomiyama ignored the two of them, simply reached out, picked up a piece of pork rib, and put it in his mouth.

As Sakurajima Mai looked at the woman, her eyes softened, all the coldness vanished, and her slightly pursed lips conveyed a sense of welcome. She said softly, "Oh, it's you, Mai-san. I often see you on TV. You're amazing."

An actor, an actor in the truest sense.

At that moment, Mai Sakurajima realized for the first time that she was not actually gifted in acting.

With her expression softening slightly, Mai Sakurajima offered a polite smile: "I was just lucky."

Nomiyama glanced at the two of them, said nothing, and simply ate his meal in silence.

If nothing goes wrong, don't think about anything special. Just eat first, and we'll talk about it after you finish eating.

"Kazehaya..."

A voice, tinged with a hint of grievance, rang out.

Nomiyama bit into the grilled fish and looked up. His eyes looked like they were about to burst with water, or rather, water was already flowing from their sockets.

"There are... so many..."

The voice became softer, but the sense of grievance was even stronger, and the person lowered their head.

Nomiyama's eyelids twitched, and he bit the grilled fish in half, chewing one half in his mouth and leaving the other half on his chopsticks.

Chew it, even the fish bones are chewed up, and then swallow it.

"It's just to remind you of Mai-senpai, and Mai-senpai and I are friends."

Why would you say you like someone if you're just friends...?

"Because you'll be more responsive to this."

Mai Sakurajima started putting food back into her bowl. The dining table here was different from the one she usually had at home. There were no individual servings; the plates were just placed on the table, and you had to get what you needed yourself. In a way, it was more convenient than individual servings.

While chewing, Mai Sakurajima silently observed the two people talking.

What is certain is that this person named Gong Yu does indeed like her junior and has a rather strong possessive streak. If I'm not mistaken, she should also be a person of high status and position. In those few seconds just now, she exuded a truly dangerous aura.

The good thing is that she seems to be in charge of the younger student, and the younger student's performance proves that he is the one in charge.

Well... at least we don't have to worry about it being sunk in Tokyo Bay.

Huh? That's pretty strange. He deliberately got the short end of the stick with Yukino and Megumi, but he's quite assertive here? Can this junior's attitude towards his girlfriend really change depending on the environment?

"Okay, that's it. I thought you knew a lot about this, so do you have any information about Mai-senpai's situation?"

The junior's voice rang out.

Upon hearing this, Mai Sakurajima looked up at the woman.

Yukinoshita Miyami pondered for a moment, then shook her head slightly, somewhat apologetically: "I'm sorry, Kazehaya, there are no similar incidents in the family records."

Mai Sakurajima lowered her head again, picked up the last piece of bitter melon from the bowl, and put it in her mouth.

"It's alright, I was just asking casually." Nomiyama stood up and started clearing his own dishes, asking them casually.

"Have you finished eating? I'll tidy up first."

Mai Sakurajima's gaze swept across the dining table; the plates were mostly empty, her junior's eating speed was quite astonishing.

Mai Sakurajima pushed the bowl and chopsticks in front of her and smiled at him, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, junior."

Yukinoshita Miyami gave a similar push, with a faint smile: "I feel a little embarrassed to let Kazehaya do this."

Nomiyama simply picked up her plate, looking nonchalant: "Since she's my girlfriend, then she should enjoy being served by her boyfriend, even if it's just washing dishes."

Yukinoshita Miyabi lowered her head shyly, her voice soft: "Okay."

After he left, after the sound of the kitchen tap running and the clatter of the bowls and chopsticks came out.

Yukinoshita Miyami raised her head, expressionless, and looked at the girl who had come with her.

......

Nomiyama wiped the plates, gazing thoughtfully at the iridescent grease on the sink.

Mai-senpai is being forgotten. The first to be affected are those who are perfectly normal, followed by special individuals like Yukinoshita and Miyami.

The memory awakening was effective, but there is probably an adaptation period. Megumi was awakened three times, but the last time, she was probably only awakened by the confession because she cared too much about herself. But there is a limit. Neither Megumi nor Yukinoshita may remember Mai-senpai tomorrow.

If they have all forgotten, then it's almost certain that among Mai-senpai's acquaintances, only she herself still remembers.

Reaching out, Nomiyama pressed down on a large amount of dish soap again, poured it onto the rag, rubbed it a few times, and then covered the plate to wipe it clean.

What would happen if everyone in the world forgot Mai-senpai? Someone who ceases to exist once forgotten, someone whose words are forgotten by everyone.

That means death, disappearing from this world.

Like Schrödinger's cat, it is only considered alive when its state of existence can be observed. If no one can observe its state of existence, then it is dead, since being constantly disappeared is not the same as death.

What difference could there be?

"Forgotten..."

With a sigh, Nomiyama put down the last plate of food.

It doesn't matter. He won't forget anyone. As long as he doesn't forget, he'll always find a way.

......

Yukinoshita Miyami waited until the sound of running water in the kitchen before raising her head and looking at the girl with a blank expression.

Her voice was calm: "Sakurajima Mai, Mai-kun."

Mai Sakurajima took a deep breath, sat up straight, and realized that the most important event since she came here had occurred.

She met the other person's gaze without being humble or arrogant, or trying to evade the question: "Yes, I am."

Yukinoshita Miyazaki didn't care about the other person's attitude, but only said the more important thing: "Just now, Kazehaya said that you entrusted the Service Club, so can I assume that you and Yukino are on good terms?"

Sakurajima Mai thought about the meaning of her words and nodded quietly: "Yukino and I are friends."

They are friends, so she will tell Yukino about this hidden romance.

Yukinoshita Miyami didn't show any extra reaction, just smiled and said, "I actually know a little about Mai-san's situation, because Kazehaya really enjoys watching your movies and TV shows."

Mai Sakurajima raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

Yukinoshita Miyami pondered for a moment and gave the known information: "She entered the entertainment industry as a child star at the age of six. Her first work, 'Ninefold,' was a hit drama. Every year after that, she had popular works released. In Japan, she was a household name as the 'Nation's Daughter' and 'Nation's First Love.' In Chiba..."

There's a saying in Chiba that the people of Chiba can survive as long as they have peanuts, seafood, rice, soy sauce, and Mai Sakurajima's TV dramas.

Mai Sakurajima didn't seem to care about the praise or the investigation; she simply asked, "Excuse me, Miyami-nee, what's the purpose of saying all this?"

Yukino's gaze softened further: "I think Mai-san could say less unnecessary things to Yukino-san."

Mai Sakurajima smiled and said, "I don't understand."

Yukinoshita Miyabi tilted her head slightly, reached out, picked up the remote, turned on the TV, and didn't look at the girl again.

"My family is actually quite powerful. Mai-kun, your mother, I think, is your manager?"

Mai Sakurajima clenched her fists tightly, her voice deepening: "Are you threatening me?"

"No, I won't threaten you, nor will I do that, because he'll get angry."

Yukinoshita Miyami, watching the endless reruns of Dragon Ball on TV, said softly, "I'm just using this to make you remember what I'm about to say."

"My relationship with Kazehaya is complicated. I understand that Mai, as a friend, would naturally want to think about Yukino and stand up for her, to tell her that there are still problems on her side."

At this point, Yukinoshita Miyami stood up, glanced at her gently, and smiled: "But Mai, you are an outsider after all. You don't know what kind of story we have, or how complicated our relationship is, even though you may think you are doing the right thing."

"But is it really the right thing to do? Are you really sure that your sudden intervention will bring good results? Believe me, the story between us is more complicated than Mai imagines. Your honesty will not bring happiness, but only helplessness that will trouble everyone."

"Mai, don't take the courage to disturb other people's stories."

After saying that, Yukinoshita Miyami didn't turn around or look at her again, and simply walked towards the kitchen.

Mai Sakurajima watched her composed back view and remained silent.

There's a good chance the other person is just bluffing, but she did say one thing correctly: this is their story, and she's just an outsider. She has a reason to get involved because Yukino is her best friend; but she doesn't have the right to be involved because she is indeed an outsider when it comes to their relationship.

Sakurajima Mai lowered her gaze and fell into thought.

......

After washing the last of the dishes, Nomiyama turned on the tap to wash his hands. When he was almost done, he raised an eyebrow and noticed the person behind him.

They didn't rush forward, and they didn't seem particularly eager.

The other person simply pressed against his back, wrapped their arms around him, and spoke with a hint of grievance and trepidation.

"Kazehaya clearly promised that he would do as I said."

Nomiyama turned around, looked down at her, and carefully reached out to stroke her cheek: "I was thinking that if possible, we should be open and honest, a couple that everyone knows about, instead of doing this like we're sneaking around."

Yukinoshita Miyabi choked for a moment. She looked up into the other person's eyes, which were completely honest, closed her eyes, tilted her head, and gently rubbed her palm.

Her voice was gentle: "Kazehaya, wait for me a little longer. I still have some concerns. Don't ask, Kazehaya, just wait for me, okay? I can handle it. I'm very capable."

Nomiyama pinched her cheek and agreed, "Okay."

"Mmm." Yukinoshita Miyabi responded softly, then took another step forward and leaned against his chest.

She listened intently to the strong heartbeat and murmured, "Kazehaya, when are we going to have a baby? I really want to have a child with you."

Nomiyama was taken aback, but helplessly reached out and patted her back: "I'm only sixteen. Let's wait a bit. No one gives birth at sixteen."

Yukinoshita Miyabi snuggled her head into his arms, her voice sounding aggrieved: "Then I need to make it up to you. Kazehaya didn't take my words to heart at all when it came to making it up to me."

Nomiyama thought for a moment, then gently cupped the other person's face with both hands and asked with interest, "So, Ms. Miyami, what kind of compensation do you want?"

Yukinoshita Miyabi felt his closeness and the warmth of his hands, and her face flushed. She turned her gaze away from him, only saying, "I want to kiss you, I want you to be breathless."

Nomiyama looked at those eyes that were gradually becoming moist and seemed to be glowing, pulled her closer, and slowly leaned in.

"Okay, until you can't breathe."

......

Mai Sakurajima stopped thinking about anything else; she was focused on the scene she had just witnessed.

Gong Yu kept her head down, seemingly unwilling to meet his gaze. Her lips were noticeably red, and her breathing was slightly rapid. Coupled with her watery eyes, she displayed an even gentler and more submissive attitude towards her junior.

With a twisted expression, as someone who had spent her childhood on film sets, she certainly knew what that state meant—she was aroused.